For the price, you can't go wrong. The vegetable biryani ($7) was tasty, and the baingan bhartha ($8) was filling albeit oily. Both were copious. The chef said the delay in my getting my order of the baingan bhartha was due to the fact that the kitchen had run out of eggplants, and he had to dispatch his assistant to a nearby grocery store to replenish his supply.
(3)
Alejandro A.
Amazing food for great prices wish they deliver but it's fine I can always come and pick It up myself
(5)
Yaya M.
For this side of the water, it doesn't get any better. Amazing authentic Indian food. The place is not much to look at, but the food and the service is really really awesome. The 3 times I have been there I have not been disappointed when it comes to food and taste and portions. Will be coming back for sure :)
(5)
Harry K.
Oh Azaad Foods the authenticity of your flavors is bar none! I'm first generation Indian, and this is real indian food and be forewarned does have a kick to it. Always fresh and tasty. Nothing fancy but priced accordingly. The interior is dated, and lack luster and if you make the mistake of eating in you will smell like a roadside restaurant in the motherland. (Poor exhaust system probably) So that is why i'm subtracting a star. Palak Paneer (spinach) is highly recommended, as is the Daal (lentil) and naan, the channa/chole (garbanzo beans) are mediocre at best. Great for vegetarians!
(4)
Tram P.
New Azaad recently won the "Best of Philly 2013 Indian Restaurant" title and that was enough for us to venture up to Northeast Philly. Let's be honest, you usually know if the food is good or bad with the very first bite. My husband and I instantly knew this was the real deal. With our first bite, there was silence and head nodding followed by a second bite. Then the verbal acknowledgment that we had hit a gold mine. We ordered garlic naan, palak paneer and chicken tikka masala. The chicken tikka had moist chunks of roasted chicken and a rich, flavorful sauce. It wasn't what we expected with green peppers but that's okay. New Azaad is owned by a nice couple that appear from the back only to take your order and to deliver your tray of food. The food was served on paper plates and plastic containers. I went back this past Friday to get carryout since the interior space itself is bland. It was an extra hour on the highway but worth it in the end.
(5)
L B.
I thought the food was pretty good, being that I'm an Indian food novice. The samosa's were very fresh and taste delicious. The chicken biryani was ok, I think I would've liked more layering of flavor. The paneer makhani was good, thought I did get mild, I probably should've gotten spicy. All in all, I would come back and recommend this place.
(4)
Na'aman A.
What can I say more about this place that Azaad has hospitable and warm service. With good Punjabi food and warm welcome which is what makes you want to stick to this place. The husband and wife that run this shop are very good. They will always remember when you walk in through the door. This is in my neighbourhood which makes a huge deal to me that whenever I need to eat 'Roti' or 'Naan' I can always count on them. Also, whenever I am hanging out with my friends and need a little snack I munch on 'samosa chat'. A little heads up to those whose palate isn't used to hot spiciness. This is a kicker ! I always call in when they have fresh 'jalebis' which is delight, especially in winter. It is not an upscale place to sit in and eat but the food is great and not over-priced. I come here very often and love their breads.
(5)
Steve L.
This place is popping on so many levels. I love Indian food, just not the Indian prices. Azaad, however, makes excellent Indian (Punjabi) food for a great price unlike many other Indian restaurants. I guess this place doesn't cater to the center city or yuppie crowds, so the price is much better. My personal favorite is the Baignan brata, the mashed eggplant. Mix that with rice, and it's out of this world
(5)
Kristie R.
Very good, well-made Indian sweets selection, and very pleasant service. Take out snacks and entrees are good, though there is not quite as broad a selection of entrees as one finds at most meal-oriented eat in and take out Indian restaurants; the focus is much more on the snacks and sweets. The biryanis are very good and have a nice accent of sultanas in the mix. The pistachio and almond halvas are especially good, particularly the white pistachio halva. Service is quick and the prices are very affordable. Entrees and savories do tend to be spicier than one (particularly the western palate) might expect when asking for "mild," "medium" or "spicy," so if you like medium, I would urge that you ask for "mild" at this place. Or order some extra breads (which are very good here) and/or some raita to balance out the meal with a cooling/neutral element.
(4)
Dan D.
Azaad is very unlike the trendy, westernized and expensive Indian restaurants. It is mostly Punjabi and the dishes and the sauces are authentic, delicious and each is very distinct. It is a scruffy hole in the wall with a little used seating area and it is best to consider it as a takeout. It is ridiculously inexpensive. But the food! I have only sampled maybe less than half of what's on their menu but it has all been very good. Meat dishes are mostly presented in the Indian style, i.e. bone in. The sauces and spicing are fresh, subtle and distinctive. The portions are generous, each is more than enough for one. It's best to phone in your order, it can take 20 to 30 minutes to make (which is a good thing!), and not all items on the menu are always available. It's worth the wait. My favorites to date include: (appetizers) Papdi Chat, Samosas, & Ticki Chat, (main courses) any of the Biryanis, Chicken Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala (OK, so that one's not authentic but it's *so* good), & Kadhai Chicken, (vegetarian) Palak Paneer, Bhindi Masala, Dal Makhni & Dal Tadka. The Naan, Roti and kulcha breads are all freshly made and good. The Dal Tadka is probably the best I've ever tasted. Azaad also has a large, well-stocked selection of Indian desserts. I do not have a sweet tooth and so I am not a dessert eater but I notice that it all sells well so I guess it must be good, too. If you want authentic and delicious Northern Indian food, you won't be disappointed by a trip to Azaad.
(4)
Megan T.
3.5 stars. a takeout place. Good food. very old shop, could use a little bit cleaning. Better call before you go . I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala . ( It did not come with rice or bread! remeber to order. or just get a combo.) It taste very good. Authenticate or not. It is yummy!
(4)
jace c.
very good, inexpensive, authentic (& therefore very spicy). be forewarned: it's very spicy! easy takeout but also has seating to dine in. has several of the more common/favorite Indian foods as well as sweets.
(4)
Cyeda W.
Tender goat curry is ALWAYS consistent in favor and texture. This family run business is my benchmark to judge all other Indian cuisines. The side items change daily and a display case is usually packed with yummy selections.
(5)
Independent V.
Best indian food by far in the Philly area. Inexpensive for what you get....large portions and friendly service. It's no frills, but it adds to the charm of this hidden gem.
(5)
Jasmyne G.
I was astonished when i saw all the food I got for the 750 vegetarian platter. Great prices! Good food, but definitely Not an eat in place. Better to call beforehand. Also - they don't always have everything available so call ahead and ask. DEFINITEKY will be back again soon! Oh- be warned. Its verrrrrrrry very spicy as others have said!
(4)
Howard B.
These days I'm on an Indian food kick. I can't get enough, and I keep moving my game from place to place hoping to find better. I just don't seem to be able to up the ante. Every place I go offers the same basic fare at about the same price, and though there are minor variations, overall I walk away satisfied with my meal, but not having experienced anything new or interesting. The nice thing about Azaad is that they have an interesting selection of Indian sweets and snacks to bring home, along with my Naan, rice, chicken tikka masala...etc. I am munching a big bag of Spicy Sev, and I have to say that Indian-spiced snacks are really a nice change from my usual dried fruit and nut selection. The restaurant is best for takeout, as most of the others I've been to seem to be. Its not much to look at, but I don't judge the food by the aesthetic of the joint...and it's a good thing because this place offers little in the way of looks. The owner and his wife were very nice. I went in on a thursday evening and it was empty, so I had their full attention. I asked questions about the sweets and snacks and the wife was very kind. I was even given a bit of the snack options to sample, which led to me buying a pound of the spicy sev. My Chicken Tikka Masal was good. Lots of chunks of juicy chicken (Bless/Skless breast meat) floating in a rich, creamy red/orange sauce with a nice bit of darker, oily richness on top. The naan was tasty, but not spectacular. The rice was good, but had some generic frozen veg mix blended in that it really didn't need. Overall the place warrants about 2.5 stars, but since there is no 1/2 star option (yet...hello yelp?), I pushed it to 3. I certainly don't think that Azaad is worth a long trip from somewhere else that has decent Indian fare to offer. If you live in the area, I certainly would recommend it for a nice change from the pizza and chinese shlock joints all over the NE.
(3)
Danny L.
Honestly wasn't sure what I was expecting when I walked into Azaad. The reviews while sparse were positive and the price was right so what the hell. I walked in and shit was empty... granted it was about 2-3pm so normal people probably arent eating but yeah. An indian couple who I presume to be the owners of the establishment were chilling and watching indian TV. That's good news to me. I could go for some home style Indian. Got the Chicken Biryani and some samosas and the Biryani hit the spot. For about 7 bucks it came loaded in an entire tray with a few chicken legs thrown in. The rice was flavorful and I destroyed that foam tray's worth of Biryani. I'm just glad I found a place relatively close by that has quantity as well as quality for a solid price. Too many half ass Biryanis that cost double
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Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner, Dessert Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
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.
James B.
For the price, you can't go wrong. The vegetable biryani ($7) was tasty, and the baingan bhartha ($8) was filling albeit oily. Both were copious. The chef said the delay in my getting my order of the baingan bhartha was due to the fact that the kitchen had run out of eggplants, and he had to dispatch his assistant to a nearby grocery store to replenish his supply.
(3)Alejandro A.
Amazing food for great prices wish they deliver but it's fine I can always come and pick It up myself
(5)Yaya M.
For this side of the water, it doesn't get any better. Amazing authentic Indian food. The place is not much to look at, but the food and the service is really really awesome. The 3 times I have been there I have not been disappointed when it comes to food and taste and portions. Will be coming back for sure :)
(5)Harry K.
Oh Azaad Foods the authenticity of your flavors is bar none! I'm first generation Indian, and this is real indian food and be forewarned does have a kick to it. Always fresh and tasty. Nothing fancy but priced accordingly. The interior is dated, and lack luster and if you make the mistake of eating in you will smell like a roadside restaurant in the motherland. (Poor exhaust system probably) So that is why i'm subtracting a star. Palak Paneer (spinach) is highly recommended, as is the Daal (lentil) and naan, the channa/chole (garbanzo beans) are mediocre at best. Great for vegetarians!
(4)Tram P.
New Azaad recently won the "Best of Philly 2013 Indian Restaurant" title and that was enough for us to venture up to Northeast Philly. Let's be honest, you usually know if the food is good or bad with the very first bite. My husband and I instantly knew this was the real deal. With our first bite, there was silence and head nodding followed by a second bite. Then the verbal acknowledgment that we had hit a gold mine. We ordered garlic naan, palak paneer and chicken tikka masala. The chicken tikka had moist chunks of roasted chicken and a rich, flavorful sauce. It wasn't what we expected with green peppers but that's okay. New Azaad is owned by a nice couple that appear from the back only to take your order and to deliver your tray of food. The food was served on paper plates and plastic containers. I went back this past Friday to get carryout since the interior space itself is bland. It was an extra hour on the highway but worth it in the end.
(5)L B.
I thought the food was pretty good, being that I'm an Indian food novice. The samosa's were very fresh and taste delicious. The chicken biryani was ok, I think I would've liked more layering of flavor. The paneer makhani was good, thought I did get mild, I probably should've gotten spicy. All in all, I would come back and recommend this place.
(4)Na'aman A.
What can I say more about this place that Azaad has hospitable and warm service. With good Punjabi food and warm welcome which is what makes you want to stick to this place. The husband and wife that run this shop are very good. They will always remember when you walk in through the door. This is in my neighbourhood which makes a huge deal to me that whenever I need to eat 'Roti' or 'Naan' I can always count on them. Also, whenever I am hanging out with my friends and need a little snack I munch on 'samosa chat'. A little heads up to those whose palate isn't used to hot spiciness. This is a kicker ! I always call in when they have fresh 'jalebis' which is delight, especially in winter. It is not an upscale place to sit in and eat but the food is great and not over-priced. I come here very often and love their breads.
(5)Steve L.
This place is popping on so many levels. I love Indian food, just not the Indian prices. Azaad, however, makes excellent Indian (Punjabi) food for a great price unlike many other Indian restaurants. I guess this place doesn't cater to the center city or yuppie crowds, so the price is much better. My personal favorite is the Baignan brata, the mashed eggplant. Mix that with rice, and it's out of this world
(5)Kristie R.
Very good, well-made Indian sweets selection, and very pleasant service. Take out snacks and entrees are good, though there is not quite as broad a selection of entrees as one finds at most meal-oriented eat in and take out Indian restaurants; the focus is much more on the snacks and sweets. The biryanis are very good and have a nice accent of sultanas in the mix. The pistachio and almond halvas are especially good, particularly the white pistachio halva. Service is quick and the prices are very affordable. Entrees and savories do tend to be spicier than one (particularly the western palate) might expect when asking for "mild," "medium" or "spicy," so if you like medium, I would urge that you ask for "mild" at this place. Or order some extra breads (which are very good here) and/or some raita to balance out the meal with a cooling/neutral element.
(4)Dan D.
Azaad is very unlike the trendy, westernized and expensive Indian restaurants. It is mostly Punjabi and the dishes and the sauces are authentic, delicious and each is very distinct. It is a scruffy hole in the wall with a little used seating area and it is best to consider it as a takeout. It is ridiculously inexpensive. But the food! I have only sampled maybe less than half of what's on their menu but it has all been very good. Meat dishes are mostly presented in the Indian style, i.e. bone in. The sauces and spicing are fresh, subtle and distinctive. The portions are generous, each is more than enough for one. It's best to phone in your order, it can take 20 to 30 minutes to make (which is a good thing!), and not all items on the menu are always available. It's worth the wait. My favorites to date include: (appetizers) Papdi Chat, Samosas, & Ticki Chat, (main courses) any of the Biryanis, Chicken Curry, Chicken Tikka Masala (OK, so that one's not authentic but it's *so* good), & Kadhai Chicken, (vegetarian) Palak Paneer, Bhindi Masala, Dal Makhni & Dal Tadka. The Naan, Roti and kulcha breads are all freshly made and good. The Dal Tadka is probably the best I've ever tasted. Azaad also has a large, well-stocked selection of Indian desserts. I do not have a sweet tooth and so I am not a dessert eater but I notice that it all sells well so I guess it must be good, too. If you want authentic and delicious Northern Indian food, you won't be disappointed by a trip to Azaad.
(4)Megan T.
3.5 stars. a takeout place. Good food. very old shop, could use a little bit cleaning. Better call before you go . I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala . ( It did not come with rice or bread! remeber to order. or just get a combo.) It taste very good. Authenticate or not. It is yummy!
(4)jace c.
very good, inexpensive, authentic (& therefore very spicy). be forewarned: it's very spicy! easy takeout but also has seating to dine in. has several of the more common/favorite Indian foods as well as sweets.
(4)Cyeda W.
Tender goat curry is ALWAYS consistent in favor and texture. This family run business is my benchmark to judge all other Indian cuisines. The side items change daily and a display case is usually packed with yummy selections.
(5)Independent V.
Best indian food by far in the Philly area. Inexpensive for what you get....large portions and friendly service. It's no frills, but it adds to the charm of this hidden gem.
(5)Jasmyne G.
I was astonished when i saw all the food I got for the 750 vegetarian platter. Great prices! Good food, but definitely Not an eat in place. Better to call beforehand. Also - they don't always have everything available so call ahead and ask. DEFINITEKY will be back again soon! Oh- be warned. Its verrrrrrrry very spicy as others have said!
(4)Howard B.
These days I'm on an Indian food kick. I can't get enough, and I keep moving my game from place to place hoping to find better. I just don't seem to be able to up the ante. Every place I go offers the same basic fare at about the same price, and though there are minor variations, overall I walk away satisfied with my meal, but not having experienced anything new or interesting. The nice thing about Azaad is that they have an interesting selection of Indian sweets and snacks to bring home, along with my Naan, rice, chicken tikka masala...etc. I am munching a big bag of Spicy Sev, and I have to say that Indian-spiced snacks are really a nice change from my usual dried fruit and nut selection. The restaurant is best for takeout, as most of the others I've been to seem to be. Its not much to look at, but I don't judge the food by the aesthetic of the joint...and it's a good thing because this place offers little in the way of looks. The owner and his wife were very nice. I went in on a thursday evening and it was empty, so I had their full attention. I asked questions about the sweets and snacks and the wife was very kind. I was even given a bit of the snack options to sample, which led to me buying a pound of the spicy sev. My Chicken Tikka Masal was good. Lots of chunks of juicy chicken (Bless/Skless breast meat) floating in a rich, creamy red/orange sauce with a nice bit of darker, oily richness on top. The naan was tasty, but not spectacular. The rice was good, but had some generic frozen veg mix blended in that it really didn't need. Overall the place warrants about 2.5 stars, but since there is no 1/2 star option (yet...hello yelp?), I pushed it to 3. I certainly don't think that Azaad is worth a long trip from somewhere else that has decent Indian fare to offer. If you live in the area, I certainly would recommend it for a nice change from the pizza and chinese shlock joints all over the NE.
(3)Danny L.
Honestly wasn't sure what I was expecting when I walked into Azaad. The reviews while sparse were positive and the price was right so what the hell. I walked in and shit was empty... granted it was about 2-3pm so normal people probably arent eating but yeah. An indian couple who I presume to be the owners of the establishment were chilling and watching indian TV. That's good news to me. I could go for some home style Indian. Got the Chicken Biryani and some samosas and the Biryani hit the spot. For about 7 bucks it came loaded in an entire tray with a few chicken legs thrown in. The rice was flavorful and I destroyed that foam tray's worth of Biryani. I'm just glad I found a place relatively close by that has quantity as well as quality for a solid price. Too many half ass Biryanis that cost double
(5)