Amol Indian Restaurant
354 Ludlow Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45220
Amol Indian Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Salads
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Chicken Specialities
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Amol Indian Restaurant
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Appetizers
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Soups
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Salads
-
Chicken Specialities
-
Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Cincinnati for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
354 Ludlow Ave
Cincinnati, OH, 45220 - Phone (513) 961-3600
- Website https://www.amolindia.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
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Sarah B.
Yum!! I love Indian food and this was one of the better places I've eaten. My husband got their 'vegetarian thali' which had a sampling of different items and dessert (gulab jamun). I had the vegetable korma.. it was Amazing. Their garlic naan was also very good. Quirks- normally we both order our food 'Indian hot' (or whatever the restaurants version of Indian hot is). The server talked us out of it and said the dishes we got would be better slightly less hot. They were very good.. but honestly I wish I'd gotten it hotter. -1 star because the bathroom was in bad shape. It wasn't so much that it was dirty.. more like Majorly needed some renovations. The first stall I opened.. the toilet was broken into pieces on the floor. Seriously. The whole place needs a facelift, but that was a bit much. Otherwise it was fantastic! I'd definitely return.
(4)JS G.
I used to really like this place. But it has gradually gone downhill at a steady rate. I went there for lunch on Monday, May 11, 2015 with some friends at my suggestion and we all had the lunch buffet. I am so disappointed in the quality of their food. Other than the naan bread and the rice, I cannot recommend another single item for others to try, it was THAT bad. And the restrooms are absolutely FILTHY. If an establishment cannot maintain the cleanliness of a small restroom, just imagine what their kitchen must be like. Any professional chef of high standards will tell you that. To punctuate all of this, I paid for my bill in cash, and as the server gave me my change back, she made a point to take one dollar back for her tip. Uh, no. Gratuity is not automatic for a party of 4. I had been a loyal customer for years, and I chose to ignore certain things as the quality began to decrease. But this most recent visit has turned me away forever. I will never go back to Amol India ever again. If you're looking for a way better Indian buffet, try SWAD in North College Hill or Dusmesh on Ludlow. If you're not interested in a buffet, try Ambar India right next door. You'll always have quality food and service there.
(1)Jamarco T.
I did enjoy their food. Very helpful that they wrote everything out above the buffet describing what the dishes were. However, I did not appreciate being watched by the staff the entire time I was eating. A on the food F on the hospitality.
(3)Peggy S.
I have always really liked this place. Food is great and staff are really nice. I wish they could get more business! I've always seen this place but often chose Ambar over them just for familiarity. Once I tried Amol though, I haven't gone back to Ambar. The food is better, there is less of a wait, and the staff are much nicer. I usually order Malai Kofta. Recently I used their online order function here on Yelp so I could get it right when I arrived. They make it close to how I've had it in India with nuts and everything! I also get a little thing of fennel seeds on the side to go. These are good after the meal for digestion when it's spicy or you've eaten too much :-P
(4)Jacqueline M.
Luckily in Cincinnati we have so many options for Indian, but that that being said I am 100% an Amol person! I have been coming here for ten years now and although the decor and iffy cleanliness sometimes can be an issue for me, you can't beat the food! Amol has the best garlic naan in town! I adore their saag paneer and chicken korma as well. Golden raisins, cashews, so so decadent! This is a vegetarian's paradise, and although they rarely make the same drink the same way twice, they do have a full bar ;)
(4)Becca H.
I had been a loyal Amol India customer for many many years-- partly because they offer a decent lunch buffet, are a little bit cheaper than Ambar, and until the laws changed, you could smoke in the back. Tonight changed all that. My girlfriend and I went in for dinner before attending a movie at the Esquire and she ordered chicken tikka masala, saag paneer, and garlic naan for the two of us to share. we both ordered a chai. the chai came out fine. then the food came out and we were given a saag paneer and a chicken saag. Both of us were absolutely certain that she spoke correctly when ordering, so she waved the guy back over. She was super polite about asking for the mistake to be corrected, and then he argued with us. He argued that we ordered that, and we said no we didn't, why would we order the same dish more or less, and we were certain. He continued to argue, and then he took it back. He had a loud exchange with the woman also working the front of the house and then a long, loud exchange with the guys in the kitchen. When the chicken tikka masala was finally brought out to us, it was TERRIBLE. We have eaten there together before, and i have been eating there for years. Always I have received high quality chicken-- tandoori chicken, mostly big delicious chunks of white meat-- and i have no idea what the heck we were served tonight--but it wasn't the usual meat. The dish had a chemical aftertaste, and we had to both spit out big hunks of weird gristle. When he dropped the check, I said that the dish was awful. I explained how bad the meat was, and my disappointment that it was not their usual quality. He argued that we "ate the whole thing" which we absolutely did not (he had offered a box, so he clearly thought we had enough to warrant taking leftovers). He offered to remake the dish, but did not offer to take it off the bill. I was incensed and feeling gross from whatever I had just eaten, and so I paid cash and departed. I don't care if they have free off street parking-- I will never return to Amol India again. This neighborhood is full of choices when it comes to Indian food, and I'll happily patronize establishments who apologize when an error is made and don't punish me with sub par meat for their mistakes. I should have known from the beginning that it was going to be a bad meal because there was a terrible, high pitched noise piercing my eardrums that I couldn't place nor ignore.
(1)Tim C.
I used to go to Amol a long time ago when I was in college, and went back there for sentimental reasons when I was back in town for Christmas. The food now is overpriced and not all that good, and the bathrooms smelled like an open sewer. Service was friendly. The lamb vindaloo is $13.99, and tastes very sweet, like they added a lot of ketchup to mellow out the flavor. The aloo gobi was better. They used to have a coupon in Citybeat that you could use to cut down on some of the expense, but it seems they don't anymore. Even though it was Friday night around 7:00, there was only one other couple in the restaurant. My guess is that everyone has fled to newer places like Dusmesh. Maybe one of the several very nice servers hovering around to refill our water could go clean out the bathroom?
(2)Whitney G.
I first came here a few months ago with my sister. She introduced me to Saag Paneer, and it was amazing. Clifton has quite a few Indian restaurants and I happen to come back to this one each and every time. The staff is friendly, the food is wonderful and you barely have to wait! You can't beat free refills on rice, either :) We happen to go during lunch time, and it's quiet and service is really fast. I couldn't tell you how it is at dinner time, but I'm sure the service can still be wonderful and friendly. Bottom line: I highly recommend this place to a friend. I bring everyone I know here.
(4)Lucas C.
Solid lunch buffet. Quick friendly service. Way more affordable and accessible than Ambar which is right next door, plus Ambar doesn't have a lunch buffet. Their saag paneer is decent. They do a good job with the naan. I just wish they had that fruity custard dessert that BaBa India has.
(4)Jeff O.
No dice, Ray. This place has gone downhill. The buffet has many options, but they are all mediocre. The chicken in the tikka masala tray barely resembled actual food. Tandoori chicken and saag paneer were tolerable, but they had to make up so so much that it wasn't worth the $8.99 pricetag. Even the papadam was stale. I've never seen such a thing! You'll instantly wish you settled on a different Indian restaurant upon first bite. Skip Amol.
(2)Foodie R.
Oh for the love of god. Trader Joes has better frozen entrees than Amol. This is generic, generic, cream laden boring Indian food. A child in India dies everytime someone says the food in Amol is delicious. No but in all seriousness, this is not good food.I wanted to like it and I just don't. It makes me sad to see the food of my peoples represented so poorly. We can do better!
(1)Brandy V.
If you are not getting the buffet the prices for lunch are ridiculous. I had an entree and he asked if I wanted some naan, I said yes. My bill was $15 for LUNCH. My friends each got the buffet for $8.99. I wish they had a lunch portion for those who are not getting the buffet. I will definitely not be back for lunch..just not worth it.
(2)Lindsey R.
I found a giant cockroach in the lunch buffet!! Then, I ordered delivery and the delivery man called me a stupid f*** b***.....eat here if you enjoy misogynists and/or insects!
(1)Jessica N.
I still love Amol, though it is not my favorite anymore. I still come here every once in awhile because I've never had a bad experience here and it's great for groups. The service is still awesome and the coupons in City Beat newspaper make it all the better!
(4)E. K.
I am a fan of the lunch buffet, but I think they could add one or two things to it. My brother did not like that they didn't have any spicier options in the buffet. The inside could use some sprucing up. It's a little gross looking. Walking out, there's this pretty unsanitary bowl of loose, unwrapped candy or something. And a couple of times I went there, a nasty smell was coming from the bathroom area. Anyways, come here if you want a buffet. Go to Ambar next door if you want a better meal.
(3)Jamie P.
I've only had the buffet here so I'll base my review off of that. It's pretty darn average. I can't recall any single dish being offensive but also not mindblowingly awesome either. As far as Indian buffets in Clifton go, it definitely beats the now-defunct Mr. India (no word on how it stands up to Curries, though), and it's very cheap. That said, nothing really stood out. It was tasty but nothing at Amol really had me yearning for more. I tried a little bit of everything (and stuffed myself a little too much). That said, they have kheer which is basically my favorite dessert, so be sure to try that at least. If you're in the area, visit. It's not gonna knock your socks off but it'll fill you up on the cheap.
(3)Khiemo S.
Typical Indian restaurant. Decent food nothing special. Cheaper than Ambar but not as good. Small so not good for big groups.
(3)Andrea V.
Was suggested by one of my friends who used to live in Cincinnati. A "you must go there!" It was so good. I don't like overly spicy foods so that I can't actually taste what I'm eating. And the waiter did laugh a little when I asked for a 5 spice level. (I wasn't offended). I got lamb with peppers and onions. Yummy. My friend ordered a coconut curry. Her dish was even more delicious than mine. They were both pretty spicy even at a 5, but so good and very flavorful. We noticed a "rival" Indian restaurant next door, which shall not be named. We tried it a few months later. It was also very good, but we both agreed Amol was better. Would suggest Amol to others and can't wait to go back.
(4)Amy D.
Amol might not have the very best Indian food in Clifton but it is pretty darn close- actually it comes down to the rice. What I do love about Amol is that they deliver! They have consistently very good food and it comes well packaged and on time for delivery. After delivery the owner even called to check on the order- that was nice. Amol is our new Indian go to at lunch thanks to reliable delivery.
(4)Amanda H.
Ordered delivery through Grubhub. This is the third time ordering from here, and the past two times everything had been great. I expected a call once the delivery guy was close (everyone has an issue finding our place). This delivery guy called five times. Once while still at Amol to tell me to answer his call once he was close. Then again when he was on his way. Then to tell me he was here.... Waiting outside....called again to say he was here. He indeed was NOT here, and in fact called the wrong delivery. Had to wait until finally got around to my order. Instead of getting out of his car, he called so I had to go to him. I wouldn't mind the mistake except for the fact that every time he called it was loud (his music in the car) which made it hard to understand him and he mumbled, a lot! He also laughed like a hyena for no reason every time he called. One call went like this "I'm delivering your food....hahahahaha" then hung up after I said OK. Pretty sure he was on something since there was no reason for the laughter. Now the food is good. I had requested something to be left out of a dish. It was not. Normally I would have left 4 stars, but since my order was not made the way I wanted it got knocked down to three, and then add in the HORRIBLE delivery man, that took off a few more. Will be looking for a new place to order from.
(1)Kurt G.
This is where it all began. I love Indian food. I dream about it, i cook it, i draw it, i research it, i would put an indian food airfreshner in my car if they made it. And Clifton is where is where it started. The food at Amol is INCREDIBLY tasty and flavorful, very resonably priced, and as far as i can tell authentic (i have not been to India). The lunch buffet is a great way to try a variety of delicious entrees for very cheap - my only regret is my stomach isnt bigger, usually when i finish ive only tried about half of what i wanted. The service has always been friendly and quick, nothing too special, but they keep your table clear and serve you with a smile. MMM Amol. Thankyou for introducing me to me first love. I wish you shipped food to Denver. Or just opened another restaurant here. Seriously. Please. Do it. We need good Indian food in Denver. I promise ill come every week. Thats all.
(5)Tim S.
Best lamb saag in town
(5)Amy B.
Amol is a solid Indian option in Clifton. There are plenty of Indian food options in Clifton, so why pick Amol? Free off-street parking.
(4)Miguel S.
Amol serves my favorite Indian food in Cincinnati. Wait, scratch that--Serves the best Indian I've had! (Had Indian food across the Country.) Yes, the decor is a little dated but don't let that stop you from going and enjoying! I've tried to try everything on the menu and so far have never been disappointed. My absolute favorites include their Chicken Makhani, Saag Biriyani, (I add lamb to this), Amol Special, and of course their naan. I especially like the garlic and onion varieties. If you're hungry, start off with the mixed appetizer platter. It lets you have a bit of all the best appetizers. Also, Amol has my FAVORITE white wine in the city--Sula Sauvignon Blanc. Goes great with spicy dishes. If you like eating lots of spice, take note-the scale isn't really 1-10. (This is the midwest after all.) Whenever I went I ordered a 25 to really get the spice level I craved. Also, to those reviewers who thought the manager (Mr. Joshi) was a little gruff--he's a GREAT guy. I really think he simply doesn't show a great deal of emotion. He consistently made sure we were taken care of and never hesitated to offer his opinion when I couldn't decide what to get on the menu. I just recently moved away and miss Amol terribly.
(5)Sharon S.
The food is really good. The atmosphere and decor could be improved a bit. We mainly get carry-out instead of dining inside.
(4)Adam B.
Good Indian Food, but do yourself a favor and walk next door for some great Indian food. Ambar FTW! yelp.com/biz/ambar-india…
(4)Colt Y.
Revising to 5. Love the flavors. Tried the others and keep ended up here again and again.
(5)Alex S.
Here's the good things about Amol: The food is tasty and cheap. Here's the bad things about Amol: It is not the cleanest place you'll ever be in. I don't want to say it's disgusting ... it just doesn't feel clean. It's dark, there's always something on the floor, the plates are often not thoroughly watched. It's just ...not that clean. However, the food is great. Flavorful and varied with different daily specials. If you're looking for an Indian dish, most likely you can find it here. They also have a decent lunch buffet which matches my earlier description nicely: cheap, delicious, not so clean. There are a lot of people I know who love Amol and love eating here, despite the mess. Me? I'm just not one of them. I will do it occasionally when one of those people all-but-demands we go, but I'm just not going to go out of my way for it. Sorry Amol.
(2)Jessica X.
The food is great, the service isn't friendly. After going there for a meal I realized that this is why all my friends get carry-out from Amol (not trendy Ambar)--though the food is comparable.
(3)Stuart W.
oh my goodness, amol is just the greatest. I really think it beats the competition, especially if you use the BEARCASH COUPON (7 off the second entree). seriously, though, try to order something wrong, by accident. this is certianly the best strategy because, well, you only live once and your past preferences tend to betray the possibilities of the future.
(5)Jessica S.
I decided one day to show my friends the gaslight district, as they've never been before. I talked their ears off about Ambar India, which was where I was planning on taking them for dinner. When we got there, it was packed and had a 10-15 minute wait. We were hungry, so I decided to go to their neighbor down the street: Amol. I should have known that the fact that only 4 or 5 tables were occupied (while at Ambar the whole place was standing room only) meant something. It wasn't that the food was bad, per se, but the quality did not match with the pricetag. Upon seeing the menu, we all decided to try the buffet. It was lukewarm, though it did have some of my favorites: chicken tikka massala, aloo choley, and naan (plain and garlic). However, it wasn't hot, they couldn't keep the flow of naan up to speed with the patrons' need for it (and there weren't that many of us there!), and the atmosphere & decor inside was just way too strange. Next time I'll wait 15 minutes to eat at Ambar instead of settling on this place.
(2)Lin U.
The best Indian food in Clifton ever!!!!! Even thought is not fancy inside, I still recommend. I love chicken tikka a lot! I've try other Indian place around Cincinnati and Amol is always the best. Go Amol and try it!
(5)Mike B.
Food was great, we didn't go for the buffet since it was 3pm by the time we got lunch and there was nobody else in the restaurant (how long had that buffet been out?). The restaurant itself was pretty dim and under-decorated, but we were there for the food, not the atmosphere. I got tandoori lamb and it was excellent, they cautioned me about spice, but I assured them to make it spicy and was not disappointed that they did not hold back (love spicy indian food). My only complaint is the impossible parking arrangements in the area. We meter parked and I think it was $2 for an hour.
(4)Carolyn L.
Amol is not the worst indian food I've ever had and that's honestly the best that I can say about it. I had terrible service there (I had to ask for water three times (and was ignored) even though my entire table had been served and then when I finally got the attention of the staff I was told my water was at the other end of the table.) On top of that the food is. Meh. There is so much better Indian food in Clifton, I don't understand why so many people love this place.
(2)Ana T.
This place is in serious need of a cleaning. The restaurant is dark--and once inside, feels isolated from Ludlow. I tried the buffet, but could not seem to find a single dish that suited my taste buds. The curry was watery. The food in general, did not have much flavor. The owner stood angrily at the door for most of my visit. The bitter cook yelled loudly from the kitchen. Perhaps I went to Amol's on the wrong day... but I say, if it's Indian you're looking for, try another close-by, high-quality Indian restaurant.
(1)Emily R.
This is our favorite Indian restaurant in Cincinnati... and, well, ever. Having moved to DC for few years we searched and searched for an Indian restaurant there that would compare, and they all fell short. It's a quiet little restaurant that to me just ends up feeling like a mom & pop Indian restaurant. Needless to say, moving back to Cincinnati has been an excellent choice for our stomachs :) We first happened upon Amol because Ambar had a ridiculously long wait, and we realized we preferred Amol. The food is amazing, probably superior, and there's never a wait. The staff is always very friendly and service is extremely fast. The prices are on par with other Indian restaurants As far as food goes, it's one of the few Indian restaurants I go to that offers just mango juice (as opposed to mango lassi). I am a woman of habit, so I typically get the saag choley (spinach and chickpeas), but between my husband and I we've had most of the vegetarian options and we've never been disappointed. The samosas and pakora are also amazing and totally worth every stuffed bite. Also, two words: garlic naan. Now the problem is just finding the time to go back!
(5)Alexander P.
Service was absolutely awful, I mean, probably the worst I have ever experienced eating out in Cincinnati. I actually felt uncomfortable even to speak to the waitress. The restaurant was empty (keep in mind, it can probably seat 100+). After eating at Ambar earlier in the week, I thought I would give this place a try -- big mistake. The decorating is very old and it just doesn't seem very clean either. I should have just turned around when I walked in -- the entrance smelled like sewage. Really save yourself some time and eat next door or wait for better food/ service. Very disappointed.
(1)Ameet C.
On my first day at work on my new job, as soon as my coworkers found out that I am from India and have been to Cincinnati several times before, the first question I was asked "which Indian restaurant do you prefer : Ambar or Amol ?" I have been to both these places several times, and I will try to steer clear of controversy in my review here. Amol India is conveniently located just off Ludlow street, the main shopping drag in the vibrant Clifton area. Also, Amol is located next to Jagdeep's Indian grocery store, where I go to do my grocery shoppping. So, on several occasions, I have taken a carry out meal from Amol. There is free ample parking for patrons outside, definitely a plus in the Clifton area, where parking spots come at a premium on a busy evening. The menu at Amol is pretty much a standard menu, which you will get in any Indian restaurant in the tri-state area. The restaurant has a very spacious interior. It is kinda dimly lit and the ambiance is nothing special to write about. They do have a lunch buffet 7 days a week and it is definitely worth trying on weekend mornings. I have tried the chicken tikka masala, paneer makhani (Indian cheese in a cream sauce) and they are pretty good. Their naan bread is good too. Amol also serves a pretty good Lamb Korma (lamb in a cream based spicy sauce). I definitely recommend these dishes for your first time at Amol. The serving size is adequate and you will definitely have some left over curry for your lunch the next day. The service is fast and friendly. The servers will talk to you and also help you out in your selection. In a nutshell, Amol India is a decent place to go for authentic Indian food. If you don't have time to dine in, it a very good place for a carry out Indian meal. do try it if you are in the Clifton area.
(4)Jenn M.
i lived in Cincinnati for 10 years before moving to San Francisco in 2001, and Amol is a MUST visit for me when i am in Cincy! For one thing, i travel both nationally and internationally and for some reason "Gajar Mattar" or "carrot and pea" is ONLY found at this Indian restaurant! I know because when i try to order "Gajar Mattar" at any other Indian restaurant, they look at me as if i ordered their grandma's head on a plate. Unfortunately for me, Gajar Mattar is absolutely my favorite!! In addition, they make a great, Chicken Tikka Masala, which is also a staple. You MUST get this to dunk your garlic naan into! I know Cincy is very divided as to which is the better Indian place (Amol versus Ambar) as much as they are divided as to which side of town is better (EAST side all the way!). Amol, i heart you. I heart you alot.
(4)Erin R.
I have to disagree with Dan J. about Indian being in short supply in Cincinnati after living in other cities. There are three Indian restaurants (that are all great!) right across the street from each other here! I long for those options now that I am in Columbus. Amol has a great lunch buffet with many options, both vegetarian and meat entrees. I have also eaten dinner here a million times independent of the buffet, Saag Paneer and plain Naan all the way, and it is delicious. The service is polite and they do not hesitate to refill your water glass 400 times which I LOVE, because any time I eat anything spicy I need to drink about 400 waters. Many people are Ambar fans, but I am loyal to Amol. The prices are better, the atmosphere is more laid back to me, and I started out on the Amol lunch buffet and can't go back now. I miss it and am sure to go here every time I am in Cincinnati. I miss you Amol !
(5)Susan S.
I used to be a fan of Amol and it was my go to for Indian. I've literally visited Amol over 50x and had a huge group for my birthday. The people that work there always treat me like a stranger. I've gotten sick of this and started visiting other competitors. Being friendly and building rapport with customers is important.They also cut cost and changed some of the ingredients with cheaper items. What a disappointment. The chicken dishes are plagued by cheap low quality chicken. I'll take Ambar any day over Amol and I'm sad to think of all the money I've spent at this place.
(2)Trisha K.
One of the best Indian buffets in town, not the biggest, but each item is very tasty. Love the meatballs!
(4)Karan M.
This place has been one of my favorites in cincy for a long time. It offers a great n cheap buffet as well as a menu full of tasty choices. Be sure to try the paneer makhni as it is some of the best I've had in a while.
(5)J K.
Even though the gf and I both liked Ambar very much, we decided to check out this Amol based on the yelp reviews and because we had an Entertainment Book coupon for it. The food was fine, but the atmosphere was dead and there was a bit of a hassle with using the coupon. I don't think I'll be coming back here with Ambar located right next to it.
(2)Mike J.
There was a ROACH IN MY FOOD! I have visited amol's lunch buffet for years. I have ignored the roaches on the floor and wall up until now. Until the other day there was a nasty huge roach right in my chicken sag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO NOT EAT HERE!!! Next door Ambar is soooo much better!!!!
(1)Chris D.
So I find an online coupon, $5 off any carryout order. Go to pick up my food, and they tell me they won't accept it. Not good business. It should go without saying that I didn't walk out with the food. And judging by the dirty dining room, maybe I lucked out anyway.
(1)Gavin D.
I have found that in Cincinnati there are 2 kinds of people: Amol people and Ambar people. If you eat Indian food and live in Cincinnati (and probably frequent Amol) you know exactly what I mean. If not, read on... The Food: Sarah gets malai kofta (orange dish on the left). Every. Single. Time. And we go quite frequently. It is a tomato base with spices, then chickpea flour fried falafel-esque balls, almonds, raisins, and cilantro in it. And cream, lots of cream. It is delicious. I have a much more diverse and refined pallet at Amol - I get saag paneer (green dish in background on left) 90% of the time, and tandoori chicken 20% of the time. The saag is a spinach base with spices (garam masala, tumeric, etc.), then cubes of paneer (Indian cheese) in it. And yes, lots of cream too. Recently we were thinking of going for take out at Amol, Five Guys, or Chicago Gyros and we decided that with all the cream and white rice (it has about 7 green peas in it too), Amol is probably the least healthy of the bunch. But, the food is packed with flavor! I get a 4 or 5 out of 10 spicy level, which gives it a kick too. On top of the main dishes, we typically get garlic naan - an Indian flatbread that is a bit crispy on the outside and then soft and chewy on the inside. This is actually one of the very few substantive reasons I recall appreciating Amol's food better than Ambar's - Ambar is all about the crispy naan (or at least they were 9 years ago). And finally, veggie pakora. Pakora are battered and fried fritters of vegetable (mostly spinach I think), and they bring you 3 chutneys to put on them. I usually load on the spicy onion, tangy/sweet tamarind, and refreshing coriander. They're all too good to pass on. Amol has a great lunch buffet every day of the week, and plenty of other great dishes - but these are our regulars. The Ingredients: Nothing notable on the ingredients in the restaurant. Jagdeep's, the grocery behind the restaurant has just about anything you might want so you can make what's on the menu. We've price checked many items on Jungle Jim's trips and they're comparable or better at Jagdeep's, without the drive to the burbs. The Story, Setting, &Service: As I mentioned at the start of this post, there are Amol people and Ambar people. I have even been warned not to write this by friends because of the concern of starting a fight. You see, there is lore in town about the two warring Indian restaurant factions separated by only short fence posts. I have no idea if these rumors are true. I do know that the owner at Ambar was shot this past fall, and some immediately jumped to conclusions. For the purposes of this blog, let's just acknowledge there are at least widespread rumors. In simple terms, the general Amol/Ambar split is this: Amol people tend to think of themselves as more down to earth (mostly, in my understanding, because they are going to restaurant that has nearly the same food for $1 less per entree and without a clean bathroom). I don't really know what Ambar people think, as I've never been one. As I mentioned above, I think it is mostly Amol people who believe a divide exists. Got a different opinion? Let me know. Before I forget, you must know about the coupons. Near the back of Citybeat they have coupons for many of the Indian restaurants in town. I believe the current offer is a whopping $7 off your second entree at Amol. You must not miss this opportunity! In other news, back when Jagdeep's grocery was still a laundromat that owned a much used Double Dragon arcade game, Amol India was an eclectic restaraunt called GJ's Gaslight. According to long time Clifton resident Dorothy Lauch, 90, GJ's "had a little of everything", as long as everything was hamburgers or Italian. When the restaurant became Amol, the booths remained, but the red brick wall was painted white and the signature faux gaslights were removed. A little history for all you foodies out there. I believe I will be an Amol guy until the day I die. I've been to plenty of other places around town, and most of them are just fine. This is simply what I'm used to now, and I like being a regular. I know Sarah agrees, because when they picked up on who she was and started calling her by name, she told me with a very big smile. If you enjoyed this review, there's more at Amateur Foodies.
(4)Becca E.
A good middle of the road Clifton Indian buffet. Not as nice as some places I have been but not as bad as others. The buffet always has a good selection and the staff is usually always on point. I also like the tomato soup they have. Major plus is the parking lot, because when you have stuffed yourself on buffet food, you really don't want to walk long distances to your car.
(3)Aviva C.
My favorite Indian food on Ludlow. Try the lunch buffet!
(5)Matt T.
I love Amol India. It is my favorite Indian food restaurant in the city. The staff at Amol are always gracious and helpful. The owner, whose name escapes me now, is one of the nicest restaurant owners I have ever met. And their spice scale is true to its numbers. I love spicy things, my family is half-Texan (yes, it should be considers a nationality) and I grew up with spice. And when you order anything above an 8 prepare yourself for some sweating. But what wins my heart is that its super hot but its not painful hot. Your not in pain at all while eating a 9 or 10 vindaloo, but you feel the heat. But dont worry, it goes away quickly. And actually, when the owner came over to our table to check in on us, which is a nice touch, he asked me what level spice did I get. When he heard a 10 on a vindaloo, I swear he made this look like I need to be locked away. And he shook my hand, and said that I am the kind of eater he likes. Which made me laugh and enjoy my meal even more. If you want fancy Indian food, go to Ambar. If you want really awesome Indian food go to Amol. AMOL INDIA FTW!!!
(5)Tony S.
I've just been there for the afternoon buffet, but it was delicious. Nice, big selection of meat, vegetarian and appetizer dishes,a great price, and the staff is friendly and attentive.
(4)Dan J.
Amol is great. They offer an excellent lunch buffet that has some of the best Indian tomato soup in the city. The naan is fresh and the samosa's are delicious. Indian is in short supply in Cincinnati, so it's nice to see a place like Amol offer good fare for a fair price.
(4)Jesse M.
Amol is my favorite Indian restaurant in the city! I have tried many of the various Indian places around, but Amol has the best food. I like my Indian food very hot, and I have not yet been able to get them to make it hot enough for me, but the taste is still amazing! As with all Indian places, Amol has many great vegetarian options. The service is friendly and there is always plenty of parking. Also, look for coupons in the Entertainment Book or the UC coupon booklet.
(5)Florian E.
Seriously. I have lived in Cincinnati forever, and I've been to every Indian place. Amol is by far the best. It sounds odd, but I think it's better than places I've had in London, too. Pretty standard dishes like korma and mater paneer. The samosas are the nice big pyramid-shaped ones. It all tastes great. There are now three(!) Indian places on the block, so be sure to choose this one. Also, the Sunday buffet is choice.
(5)Michael G.
Amol is truly the best Indian restaurant in Cincinnati and quite a value too! Ask any Cincinnatian what they're favorite Indian restaurant is and they'll say either Ambar or Amol. Coincidentally, the restaurants are literally right next door to each other. Both places are great, but Amol gets the win because it's less crowded and a little bit cheaper. Their buffet is perfect for a business lunch.
(4)Liz S.
Great Indian Buffet. Lots of good food. Mango lassi makes a great dessert. I went on Mother's Day and they had additional sweats and goodies as well. :)
(4)Stephanie D.
This place is amazing. Since I left Cincinnati I have searched for an Indian restaurant that could compare to Amol. It is one of the few places that I would go by myself on a regular basis. Everybody loves Ambar, but I just can't get into it as much as Amol. . . plus Amol has easier parking. The Aloo Chana is beyond incredible.
(5)Abi F.
In Cincinnati the second most debated food establishment of choice behind Goldstar or Skyline is Amol or Ambar. If I have to choose I'm always going to go wtih Amol. Not only have they put up with six years of my friends and I coming in Sunday afternoon; varying degrees of hung-over and in general disarray but they have always had a warm buffet full of Indian comfort food. My only problem and why I'm leaving off one star is the samosa issue. For a while you could get as many samosas that you could stuff in your little cheeks but then they began tapering off and if you showed up after one you were out of luck, then... the samosas were gone all together. I'm not sure if they have returned but taking away samosas from a buffet is a crime. Now that I'm moving on to San Francisco I'm sure when I come back I'll have to go Sunday afternoon to get my fill and samosas or not, it will still be wonderful.
(4)emily e.
i hads some crap meals here but for the most part it rocks. best service ever and they know my order. awesome and mouth watering
(5)