Star of India
55 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT, 84111
Star of India Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Soups
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Classic Indian Breads
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Biryani (rice)
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Lamb Curry Specialties
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Star Special Dinners
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Tandoori Specialties
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Chicken Curry Delights
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Seafood Delights
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Vegetarian Curry Corner
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Side Dishes And Chutney
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Star of India
-
Appetizers
-
Salads
-
Soups
-
Classic Indian Breads
-
Biryani (rice)
-
Lamb Curry Specialties
-
Star Special Dinners
-
Tandoori Specialties
-
Chicken Curry Delights
-
Seafood Delights
-
Vegetarian Curry Corner
-
Side Dishes And Chutney
-
Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Salt Lake City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Salt Lake City for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
55 E 400 S
Salt Lake City, UT, 84111 - Phone (801) 363-7555
- Website https://www.starofindiaonline.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Garage, Street, Validated
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 : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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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Brett P.
Good quality food. Staff seem a little disorganized and inatentive. Good for a quick meal if you have a taste for Indian.
(4)Cori L.
hmmmm....so the location was not amazing. In fact I would not dine in - we got our food to go. The food wasn't bad, we had the Chicken Tikka Masala but what was bad, was the prices! Their prices are insane for what they're serving.
(3)Chris P.
we came here for the second time last week. the service was great and everyone there is SO nice! this was my first introduction to Indian food and I thought it was delicious. we went with friends who knew what to order and roughly what I would like most, so that definitely helped. I can't imagine doing it on my own knowing nothing about it! I thought everything tasted great and I really enjoyed my experience here!
(5)Grason R.
Although the food on the buffet needs to be switched out more as it can get cold, the food and service are great. One of my personal favorites!
(5)Valerie Y.
This is a solid choice for Indian food in Salt Lake City, but there are other better Indian restaurants around. We most recently ordered the meat samosas and vegetable samosas as an appetizer. It was a little disappointing that the meat samosas were so much larger than the vegetable ones since I tend to prefer the vegetable. The flavors and texture were great overall, but the vegetable could have used just a touch more spice. The accompanying sauces were just like I've had elsewhere. As entrees, we ordered the Tandoori mixed grill, and Makhni chicken. The Tandoori dish was good but the shrimp were overcooked, and the lamb was slightly tough. The chicken was very nice, moist, and tender, and everything tasted like Tandoori should. The Makhni chicken was definitely the best. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was very creamy and spices were well balanced. It paired very well with the rice, which was also cooked and flavored well but we received more than double the amount with our orders than we could reasonably use. Overall, the food was good but some dishes could use a little more care. I have only gotten take-out, so I can't comment on the service.
(4)Blair W.
Hands down, the best tasting Indian food I've had in Salt Lake! I used a Groupon that came with two entrees, two regular nan, and two lassi drinks. The Chicken Curry was phenomenal. I cannot remember the name of the other dish (it had peppers, broccoli, and chicken) but it was fantastic as well. The best seasoned Indian food I've ever had. The lassi was pretty good, if you like that sort of thing. We had the mango and the strawberry flavor. If you're a texturally-picky food person, I wouldn't get it. The consistency is a little off putting. Otherwise, its pretty tasty. Now for the bad news. It is quite pricey for the amount of food that you get. The portion sizes are fairly small and run $12-$19 each. There will certainly not be any leftovers. Also, parking is a big problem. Good luck with that. They apparently validate parking at any lot or meter in the surrounding area, but we still had a hard time finding a spot. Also, some of the servers don't speak very good English so it is kind of frustrating asking questions and ordering. Having said that, the food tastes so good that I didn't mind. I will probably be going back (hopefully sooner than later)!
(5)Anna L.
Unlike some of the other reviews, I felt that this restaurant had very good service. The staff seemed genuinely interested in my experience. I enjoyed the wall murals and my meal promptly arrived in a pretty tin bowl. The high back cubby seats provided plenty of privacy but I can imagine this would make it difficult to attract a server's attention on a busy night. I was disappointed in the food. I ordered a Briyani Chicken. I was in the mood for a bold, robust rice dish - but theirs fell flat. I didn't like the tomatoes & egg in the dish. There were not enough raisins or nuts to give the texture I was looking for either. The rice was too soft and bland. The chicken was dry and overcooked.
(2)Deener F.
I'm not sure how other people haven't had a good time here I love this place. The food is awesome and the service is really pretty decent. I'm a big fan of them leaving a water pitcher at the table so I don't have to ask again for water. I've had two of the great vegetarian dishes and my boyfriend got two different chicken dishes (on our two visits) and everything was fabulous! It isn't cheap, but generally Indian food in SLC isn't cheap to begin with. I like place a lot and I think the food is great!
(4)Maggie P.
Great indian food! I went for dinner and it was awesome! They do have a buffet for lunch and I'm dying to try it!
(3)Scott R.
I was curious if I remembered right about this place? I came here when they were in the old location years ago. And I am very happy my friends suggested to come. Loved my meal! I thought they did a great job on the garlic naan. And the meat samosa was perfectly cooked. I will have to stray from my usual Indian restaurant to come back here soon.
(4)Matthew Z.
I'll take everyone's word for it that their experience here wasn't good, but ours was nothing short of amazing! We just went there for dinner on Christmas eve. They were having a Bollywood movie night which was really neat. They served us the best Saag Paneer i have ever had, and I don't even like Saag Paneer that much. I also recommend the pakora, the dal, the Naan and the Mango Lassi and their desserts. Overall, the menu items were a perfect balance. Some places serve curry made with too much cream and richness and not enough spice or chili heat, or vice versa. Their dishes were the most perfectly balanced flavorful curries I've ever had. The waitress was super nice and very attentive, the atmosphere was quite charming, and service was timely. I'll go back for dinner and a movie anytime!
(5)Harsha R.
I have given Star of India more chances than it deserves. At least three times for dinner and once for lunch. Every time I used to go with the hope that they might have improved and thought of trying it one more time. The service is non-existent. The servers are really good at doing the disappearing act. Make sure that once you spot them, you catch their attention and get everything you want. The lunch buffet was barely palatable. I have never really enjoyed the dinners either. The last time we were there for dinner, we felt like starting off with an Aloo Chaat. To our complete surprise, the waiter told us that it may not be as good as we expect it to be. He further told us that they can't make it like they do in India and he instead recommended us the samosas. In fact, he was quite insistent that we have the samosas. We were not really in a mood for samosas and we just decided to go for an entree. This place is definitely worth a miss. Your $$ will be well spent elsewhere.
(1)John M.
I'll call this "3 Stars of SLC". Went on a Saturday night, service was spotty and the food was only ok. Entrees were the highlight (Lamb Saagwala and Chicken Shahi Korma) but everything else (appetizer sampler, garlic nan) was not great.
(3)Dee W.
Won't be back, lunch buffet was cold and old Might have enjoyed an entree more Two stars because while I disliked the food, We did get great service. (granted it was not very busy)
(2)Albert H.
Food is just alright, and it is a nice little location if you're downtown and don't want to make the drive to the suburbs for the best Indian cuisine in SLC area. Lunch buffet is what I would aim for if you're going to dine here. Very casual feel to it, though they try to make it feel more upscale. Parking is a frustrating component of the experience here.
(3)Daniel B.
I have been here many times, and every time the food is good, the restaurant is clean and the prices are reasonable. The only complaint I have is the service. Get it together girls.
(4)Ryanne E.
Food seemed pretty good (I am not an experienced Indian food eater), but customer service was horrible enough to make our experience a bad one - at least on the night we ate there. We remained very nice and friendly to our server despite everything - we work in the customer service industry too - but she had an attitude, was very short, and didn't seem to understand us very well. We felt that neither the servers nor the manager listened to us at all. They forgot my salad and then brought the wrong one after we pointed it out. On top of that, we were criticized and blamed for their mistake. We witnessed a server/customer confrontation over an incorrect bill. The manager dropped off our check without asking us if we were finished - we were going to order a couple extra things (despite the awkwardness of the dispute going on next to us). When asking for a box for our leftovers, the manager asked if we wanted a large or small size while he was walking away but turned away before we could even answer. It was the weirdest thing. I was shocked because I had never been treated that badly at a sit-down restaurant. We hate saying negative things about this place (because we want to support local businesses), but it is what it is and we honestly felt uncomfortable and unwelcome there. I would think that, in competing with The Himalayan Kitchen on the same block - which was packed the night that we visited their empty restaurant - Star of India would appreciate their customers.
(2)Dan H.
We enjoyed our meal at Star of India. In town for only a night and wanted something a little different. Service was great. We were seated quickly and several different employees made sure we had what we needed. Busy but not crazy. Food was good and typical of many Indian places in the states. At a really fabulous Indian place I'd expect more nuances in the spices with lots of complexity. But that's not typical. If I'm in SLC again and have a hankering for something Indian I'll go there again.
(3)Clare C.
This place has awesome food but the WORST service! We have been here 3 different times and it is HORRIBLE every time. Nobody will wait in you forever, the waitress never speaks and seems annoyed the whole time. They are lucky their food is so good. My only advice is TAKE OUT ONLY!!!
(1)Nadine H.
Was ok. Took advantage of the Dine O Round special for lunch but realized the buffet price is cheaper than this annual occurrence. It is a buffet with the usual chicken, lamb, beef and vegetable dishes. On the mediocre side: The rice was not fresh and was actually hard, tasted recycled; the chicken was dry; the naan was very dry and not chewy. On the plus side, it was not crowded on a weekday. Parking is difficult in this neighborhood.
(3)Curtis G.
We loved the flavor of all of our food -- nan, Chicken Tikka Masala, Shrimp Coconut Korma. All delicious. The service was a little slower than we expected, but we enjoyed ourselves. It's nice that the restaurant is right next door to XMission, so you can get free Wi-Fi.
(4)Leta S.
Went with a friend for dinner - she's been here many times for the lunch buffet and raves about it. Dinner was really good, great portion sizes, food was exactly as we'd ordered and service was quick. Their garlic naan is really good!
(4)Ryan S.
Happened in to this nice Indian Restaurant while home for Christmas. Was in the mood for Indian and a little worried that I wouldn't find decent Indian here in the land of Steak, however Star of India is quite nice. it doesn't rank near what you'd get in London or the Silicon Valley, but I'd certainly go there again. The food was fresh and the service good. There is a main room and a second one showing Bollywood movies, a nice touch I think. The food is a little less spicy than usual so if you go make sure to order spicier than you normally would, but all in all go, enjoy, celebrate the yummy food!
(3)Soko T.
their food quality and service gets worse every year.... personally, i'm not coming back ever again
(2)J J.
I went to the lunch buffet with a friend who had been here before. My friend raved about how awesome the food was and so I knew I had to try. Umm. I hope I just came on a bad day because I was not impressed at all. The food was cold and the naan was stale. My friend even said that this was not how she remembered it.
(2)Mariah C.
Used a groupon. Good food, slow service. Great for a dinner with friends with time to spend. Didn't do the buffet so I cannot comment on that.
(4)Bear M.
Our favorite Indian food in SLC! The flavors on the Thali plate are authentic and fabulous. Its almost like being in India - especially with the Bollywood movies playing while you eat.
(4)Mike H.
I would go somewhere else, it just didn't stand out to me at all. There are many other choices in salt lake city. The food was also very mild in taste. Not a bad place but it nothing to brag about.
(1)Rich B.
Well the decor has been updated and it's much nicer looker than it used to- it's also been expanded so there's more tables than there used to be. My wife and I typically do the Buffet on Saturday (they don't open until dinner on Sundays) and there's no better in SLC proper that we've found. Service is always friendly and accomodating and the food is always fresh and delicious. The best deal of course is the buffet but we've eaten dinner there as well and both are excellent.
(4)The D.
The second time around its still good!
(5)Joshua S.
Good news: this place is pretty delicious. Bad News: Himalayan kitchen, right next door, is better. This is the first place where I had Indian food and while I have been to several other better places, I will still remember when I cajoled my then girlfriend into trying something new. We had no idea what to do with this strange new food and kind of just looked around to see what other people were doing. We figured it out eventually and came back several times after that. They have great service and the lunch buffet seems like a pretty good deal, although i have never tried it. Nostalgic memories aside though, while I have enjoyed many a good meal at this place if you are looking for a better dinner go next door.
(4)David S.
This is my favorite restaurant in Salt Lake City. I have been going for years and the food is heaven. Try any of the dishes that have spinach, like the saag paneer, I have attempted to make this dish at home and have tried it at many other Indian restaurants and nobody does it better. The place is kitchy and whimsical and so easy going and unpretentious that you really feel at home. The owner of the restaurant is super friendly and over the years he has shared with me and friends who visit, his plans and dreams for the restaurant. One night for dinner we were the only ones in and the always friendly staff asked us if we wanted to watch a Bollywood movie while we had dinner. They helped us narrow it down to an indian ghost story and were delighted to watch us as we got sucked into the charming little movie they had playing on one wall of the restaurant. Yes they show Bollywood movies often while you dine and it really ads a lot to the fun. I have brought many friends and family over the years to this little gem and have never been disappointed. Why this restaurant is currently only rated 3 stars is beyond my comprehension. The naan and chutney sauce is the best in the city, the staff are always so friendly and gracious, that I've often wondered if they are all family. The ambiance is unique and warm and far from the overly hip interiors of many high end indian restaurants competing for cool factor. I love how easy it is to get in and sat, there is never a wait, but I hope that word will finally spread about how great this place is so that it will always be around.
(5)M R.
authentic food, and friendly service.
(4)eric n.
I'm a huge fan of Indian food and this is good, but not great. They had a fire (call if you aren't sure of the address, they've recently moved) and the decor isn't fantastic, but the service was prompt and friendly. The food is probably about a 7 out of 10. Portion sizes are modest and you'll pay about what you pay for Indian in most places - $10-$15 for most entrees. There is a lot of debate about what the best Indian is in Salt Lake. Some swear by Star of India, but if this is the best you're probably better off driving to Provo.
(4)Jean W.
During our recent visit to Salt Lake City, my husband and I had a craving for Indian food and found this restaurant via an advertisement at our hotel. As it turned out, we really enjoyed our dinner. While naan came with dinner, we ordered poori as well. Both breads were delicious. We shared a chicken curry, a spicy vegetable dish of cauliflower and potatoes and a green salad. The chicken curry made with a cream sauce, was excellent. My husband scooped up every drop of the sauce with bread. The entree portions, however, were quite small, considering the price of each entree. In any case, we would certainly return, if we ever find ourselves in Salt Lake City again.
(4)Tien L.
please...do not go to star of india!!!! absolutely the worst service i ever had in my entire life. i went there with my co-workers at 8pm and there were 5 other people max in the restaurant. it took them 10 minutes to come and take our order. 25 minutes later to bring our drinks (1 beer and 2 mango lassi). not only that, they even messed up our order! the waiter "forgot" what we ordered once, and then when he brought out the dishes one of the dishes was wrong. overall the food is just average, service is terrible, only thing that was okay is their garlic nan.
(1)Dan J.
I thought this was a very good lunch buffet. The selection was rather large and the food was well prepared. The staff was very friendly and helpful. If I lived in Slat Lake I would not hesitate to return to the restaurant.
(4)Darcy G.
I really like Star of India. Sure, the service is like molasses, but the food is consistently good and can be spiced to order. (And you know how hard that can be in Utah!) Our regular order is butter (makhni) chicken and shrimp coconut korma, both extra extra spicy, and only once or twice have we been disappointed with the spice level. (Both takeout, now that I think about it, so maybe they take my spice request seriously only when we are dining in and they recognize me . . . ?) The chicken tikka masala is also good, as are the lamb vindaloo and garlic and peshawari naans. Skip the pakoras and samosas, which always taste stale and generally arrive cool-to-cold to the touch. Also the bhindi masala, which is cooked--strangely--in a way that turns the okra almost to mush. But pretty much everything else I've tried was well worth the money and time.
(4)Naomi W.
Finally went here for the first time last night after always eating at The Himalayan Kitchen, which is just around the corner. I'm now a bit upset that we didn't go with our old standby instead of giving Star of India a try. It was a Monday night, so we were practically the only group in the restaurant, thus the service was fine. However, the food was just meh. The samosas were fine, but our main dishes had no distinctive flavor and our "medium" food tasted very, very mild. There's just better Indian food in SLC, so I don't think I will return.
(2)Sharon G.
Very, very good Indian food. I have a hard time trying to find a new place to live up to this one. I love the delicacy of their Chicken Saagwala and their samosas are amazing. I remember how sad I was when their old location burned down and how happy I was when I heard they were opening up a new one.
(5)Evan L.
Food great. Service abominable. Two years in a row, been here with a large group. Both times, the meal took ages to arrive. This time, I had to chase down the server so that my group could even pay--after waiting for over a half hour for the bill.
(1)Mindy W.
We picked this place because it was close to our hotel and were a bit nervous when we walked in to find only one other couple eating there, but this was by far the best Indian food I've ever had! Every morsel was delicious and expertly prepared, and it did not take long to come out all, as some other reviewers have noted. If you're in downtown Salt Lake and are in the mood for great Indian, this is the place!
(5)Milo Q.
It's hard not to compare this place to Himalayan Kitchen which happens to be just around the corner. I order my usual Chicken Masala with rice and nan. It was ok with a small case "o". I like Indian food because it has this explosion of flavor effect, Star of India, not so much. It wasn't bad, but as someone stated below, "it tastes like I could have made this at home". The service was mediocre. If I hadn't been to Himalayan Kitchen I probably would have given this place a better review. I give this a "meh". I probably won't be returning.
(3)Candice S.
We are big Indian food fans, so when we got a discount voucher for Star of India last weekend, we grabbed a friend, the ankle biters, and went on our way. We loved the varied menu, something for all of us, vegetarian and carnivore alike. The naan and garlic naan was freshly baked and simply delicious. The veggie samosas were crispy perfection with tamarind chutney. K ordered Chicken Vindaloo, friend ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, and C ordered Aloo Gobi with plenty of fragrant basmati rice to go around. Ankle biters were in a mood and would only try the naan and samosas. My only reservation about the food was that the Aloo Gobi tasted too bitter, kinda took a couple bites to get used to it, but still very edible. Not a great place for kids, simply because is so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and we really don't like to disturb fellow diners. Also, like other reviewers, I agree the service is pretty poor. Our server looked like there was anywhere she would rather be, and it took quite awhile to even get our order in on the beginning of dinner service. Parking can be tricky but if you circle the block a couple of times, a meter should open up.
(4)Shawn C.
I eat at the Star of India about once of month. The food is always great and consistent. I always order the Chef's special Thali, and my wife usually orders the Chicken Tikka Masala. We have also tried the Chicken Saagwala. The service is great. They always remember who we are and what we have ordered in the past. We also rarely have to wait for a table with no reservation. There is a multi storied parking structure to the north in exchange place which the Star will validate for, making parking easy.
(4)William H.
With the beautiful hand painted artwork and friendly wait staff I was very pleased with my experience dinning here. I have also gotten delivery from this place and that went smoothly as well. I had the chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and a mango lassi both times and let me tell you my taste buds were in heaven! Very tasty! I think they have the best garlic naan that I have had in Salt Lake City. I was a little concerned with where to park since the restaurant is right on 400 south, but the owner let me know that they validate parking if you park in the huge parking garage located behind the restaurant on the Exchange Place street. I definitely highly recommend this place.
(5)Steven K.
"Don't let it be forgot; that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment that was known as 'Camelot'." You have to sing those words with a baritone voice and a heaping spoon of remorse to understand our love for "Camelot". But alas, Star of India isn't the spot, but, damn, it thankfully comes close. Camelot once was situated near 700 East and 2700 South where Sister Holland, the rug rats and I would gorge ourselves on naan and chicken Tikam Sala until we couldn't walk. You were never allowed to say the Americanized version of Tikka Masala at Camelot. And as with the word G_d for the Hebrews, we shall not write the actual name of "Camelot", may it rest in peace. Sadly our most favorite restaurant was replaced - after the "new owner" drove heaven straight to hell - by some deli sandwich shop. Since the loss of what was, in our not so humble opinion, the best Pakistani/Indian restaurant in SL,UT, we've sought far and wide for a suitable replacement. Yet each of our Indian dinner trysts has never been as good as our first. But if you had to add an Indian knight to your roundtable of ethnic cuisines in G_d's second coming kingdom, Star of India would be our choice. You actually have to understand a little about home-style Indian cooking to understand why this, thus far, is the closest thing to quality Indian food we've had in Utah. Good Indian food is about the onions and the spices - cumin, garlic, coriander, turmeric, black mustard, and chilis (to name a few) - cooked slowly in ghee until the onions are translucent and sweet. Then, and only then, do you add the tomatoes, coconut milk, chicken, potatoes or other main ingredients. The onions by then should have vaporized into the sauce adding a subtle sweetness as it holds the remaining spices in joyous muscular harmony. This basic recipe is the roundtable upon which you build a kingdom, or in this case a quality Indian dinner. Put yourself for a moment into this idealist's view of harmonious flavors and you'll understand how Star of India is the closest to Camelot you'll get in these latter-deli days. The depth and breadth of the flavors in many of the dishes prepared here is the bright shining star of this India in the dark woods of Utah ethnic cooking. Mark my words you'll struggle to understand the depth of love and lust you feel as you bite into tender bits of flavorful morsels of protein wrapped in creamy sensuality. Though as with all affairs of the heart, there are often regrets. And Star of India is not without her serpents pits of remorse. Unlike the "Camelot" of modern Utah folklore Star's prices will pierce your wallet as if you were wounded in battle. And you'll not find solace in your love of naan as its flavor is plain and one-dimensional. However, as with all earthly things we understand Camelot was but a fleeting romance the loss of which our devotion will never be reconciled; Star of India is as good as its gonna get, baby.
(4)Nicholas D.
I used to like this place quite a bit but in the last year or so it has gone completely down hill. First, the food is not what is used to be. I feel like they are trying to cut costs and raise prices at the same time. Additionally, the service is nearly non-existent. The guy asks our order, sets it down sometime later and is never to be seen again all the while forgetting to bring the hot sauce I asked for and failing to refill the water. Last time I went in it was with a Groupon. Even at half price I was still disappointed. Never again folks, never again.
(1)Jennifer O.
We ate here last night and I was pleasantly surprised. My husband and I had been here once before and it was good but not our favorite Indian restaurant in Utah. Considering that parking is a hassle, we don't eat downtown very often. Parking is especially difficult at this location. I bought a groupon so that we could try it again. Last night my husband and I took our son and met my parents here for dinner. Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised. We ordered vegetable and meat samosas, naan, puri, chicken tikka masala, lamb biryani, fish biryani, star tandoori mixed grill and lamb boti kabob masala. The vegetable samosas were good, but about the same as at other Indian restaurants. The meat samosas were fantastic. I had never eaten meat samosas before. The chicken tikka masala and lamb boti kabob masala were very good. My dad loved the tandoori mixed grill and my huband raved about the fish biryani. The naan was perfectly chewy with crisp spots and not overly greasy. The Puri was delicious but I had to put a little salt on mine to enjoy it. My son didn't care for the lamb biryani but he was able to eat lots of bread, rice and my mom's chicken tikka masala. The staff was great and kept our drinks refilled. They even let us log into the wifi so my son could keep himself entertained on an iPad while we finished eating. It was about $125 for the 5 of us, but with the groupon, it made it reasonable. I would definitely go back if I am in the downtown area, especially if I had the opportunity to have the lunch buffet.
(4)Julie V.
Upon arrival on a cold rainy day around 7pm, I noticed that my party was the only people there. Since we were there for a business meeting, we didn't mind the silence or occasional hawking by the waitstaff, despite our lack of water refills unless we asked. We both ordered the papad, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and rice. The meal ended up being about $25/person, which is on the pricier side for what it was. Even though we were the only party, it took about an hour before we received our food from time of arrival, which is too long--even for dinner. Papad ($3.50): Spicy wafer of lentils, very thin, and crispy. This was crispy, flavorful, and enjoyable. There were tads that were a bit on the bitter and burnt side, but aside from that, it was not a bad appetizer. Chicken Tikka Masala ($15.95): Chicken tikka cooked in fresh tomato sauce simmered in traditional masala sauce. This dish was okay. It was aromatic and flavorful with a low spice level. There were only about 3-4 small pieces of chicken in the dish as well. Portion for this entree was the smallest I've seen chicken tikka masala served at any restaurant. Garlic Nan ($2.95): Nan baked with garlic and herbs. Nan was good and flavorful. It wasn't too oily and it was soft and chewy in texture. It wasn't bad, but not enough to be this restaurant's redeeming factor. Rice (complimentary with entree). Rice came out room temperature and was white. It had little flavor and was plain. I probably won't be coming back as the prices don't match the portions, quality, nor the decor. Taste was okay, but nothing remarkable. Service was minimal with water refills only at request and the meal slow--not arriving until 1 hour after arrival. I was fortunate in that I didn't have to pay for the meal as it was a company expense; however, it still felt like a rip-off--that's how bad it was. Tip: They have validation...but you need to part at a specific lot across the street. Tip 2: I believe they currently have a $20 Groupon deal going on now.
(3)Bethany G.
We've been here a few times but after this last time we just won't be going back. We used to appreciate the good prices and that they always have deals going on, but they've recently raised their prices big time (the prices listed here on Urbanspoon are no longer correct as of 9/27) and even with a deal from Groupon or KSL it's not at all worth it. I feel like they've recently changed the recipes or maybe that raised price made me realize that the food is rather flavorless and the portion sizes aren't great for how much you're paying. The service wasn't bad, but nothing to rave about. Not very friendly or helpful, but we've never had to wait long for anything and our waters stay full. Parking is the big beast as either you can pay a nice fee to park in the garage around the block or you can drive around searching for a space and crossing your fingers that SOMETHING will come up. It definitely adds a lot of time to the trip. Overall, we like this place less and less each time we come and now we officially won't be back. There's enough Indian food (like the delicious Himalayan Kitchen around the corner) in SLC to keep us busy.
(2)Grace H.
My boyfriend and I really love Indian food and when he moved to Utah, this was the first Indian place he went to. He hates change, so he hasn't tried many other places. Fortunately, the food is pretty decent. By Utah standard, I think it's slightly overpriced for the service you receive, but fortunately, the food is pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of the lunch buffet here, as I think it lacks some of the necessary Indian buffet items (tikka masala, butter chicken, and some others) but the actual entrees are great. Any of the briyanis are good, but I suggest the lamb. The butter chicken is also really great, with amazing flavor and juicy chicken. It's not my favorite Indian place around, but if you know what to order, it's a pretty good spot in downtown.
(3)Paul B.
This place states that they are the best Indian food in slc. I could probably believe that, but I don't know if id ever come back to eat anything but the buffet. The food from the buffet looks great and the menu food is great. The hiccup is that the menu is incredibly expensive. My girlfriend and I went to have lunch here and with 2 dishes we ended up spending almost $40. Like I said, the food was good, but not worth what they are charging. The buffet is about 11 bucks and is all you can eat, so if I head there again, it will be for the buffet only.
(3)Denice W.
Great coupons means we come here more than any other local Indian food joint. Food is decent, no where near Bombay House or Spice Bistro, but is prompt and filling. The mild, medium, and hot options are inconsistent so ask for medium and some chili paste or fresh chilies to season up. Beware--parking is a b!!ch.
(3)richard b.
I hate to write anything bad , but I feel I have to for this indian. I ordered take out and as we all know sometimes takeout can be a little , well let's say , short of the mark compared to eating in. I ordered the Chicken Korma, the sauce was tasty but sadly the meat was certainly the last chicken in the shop. I Face Timed with my wife and daughter as the food turned up at my hotel and the first comment I made to my wife on my first bite was that the chicken must have been made with last nights left overs. I won't go into detail on the meat , and I say meat as I it really could have been anything, other than to say i didn't eat a single piece of it after spitting out the first bite, I picked all the meat out and just ate the rice and sauce. The Nan bread was decent. So 1 stars , half for the sauce, as it was tasty, and the other half for the nan bread which wasn't bad. I won't eat here again. I feel just because you take a delivery order it should be made with the same service and quality as an in house meal, this wasn't. Or at least I hope it wasn't for the sake of anyone eating at the restaurant.
(1)John E.
I recently spent 5 days in Salt Lake City on Business - while I don't usually write reviews on businesses that I haven't visited at least 2 or 3 times, since it's doubtful I'll be back (or if so that I'll hit the same restaurant) I thought I would provide some general opinions. While not the best Indian I've encountered, I still had a very good meal here and it was super convenient to my hotel, near downtown SLC. There were two Indian guys here who were very helpful (the first did forget about my beer order but I eventually got my Taj Mahal) - the nans were a bit weak and don't bother with the garlic-nan. A little garlic powder does not a garlic-nan make. I believe the style is a bit more northern - I'm thinking that due to the wall-paintings which seem to depict the classic Punjabi with the traditional frilled-headdress. The food was good and well-spiced - I ordered the chicken vindaloo extra-spicy and it was fairly hot. This has become my test food for most Indian restaurants, even though the dish is really not a traditional one - I think the first time I tried it was in London and that has set the stage for me - nothing like some late night vindaloo after the pubs, I say. Back to the nan - we asked for it extra crispy and of course it was just the opposite. It really didn't have the consistency you normally find in a real tandoor so it made me wonder if this was just oven-baked. No clue and I forgot to ask. The remainder of the staff were Asian (not Indian-Asian) women which I found interesting - they did a good job keeping our water glasses filled. For a weekend, the place wasn't packed so we were able to get seated quickly - one of the two guys told us that wasn't the norm but it may have been due to early cold (22 degrees), with an earlier-than-usual temperature inversion going on. Wet, snowy, cold - not many going out to eat in that.
(3)Brett K.
Great food, great service. A nice hidden gem in downtown. Prices are slightly higher than average, but it's downtown - whattaya gon' do?
(4)Joshua S.
At this restaurant you can talk with your server about different flavors you've experienced at other Indian restaurants and they will be able to either guide you around their menu OR make their version of the dish you described (like the chicken madras - delicious!). The downside to the experience was the rice was dry/hard. When I brought it to the server's attention he quickly switched it out for fresh rice. Also, I would have enjoyed the naan if it had been more crisp. It was kind of on the soggy limp side. Overall, I enjoyed my experience being able to interact with the server on a culinary level, and the chicken madras (not on the menu) was very delicious. The Rogan Josh was pretty good, but pales in comparison. But that's just my palette, so explore the flavors and find your own spice profile!
(4)Adrienne H.
I've had a serious on and off again relationship with Indian food. After visiting India in 2011 to do research and nearly dying of food poisoning, it took two years to be able to eat it again, another year to enjoy it. This place and I are having a similar relationship. At first, I loved it. Prices were great, service was good (although I could barely understand the servers), I loved the weekend Bollywood showings... The stupid downtown parking was a minor inconvenience compared to the great food. Now I'm liking it less and less. They have definitely raised their prices without raising their quality. I'm not sure how they justify it when other Indian places in the valley with similar or better quality are charging less. I usually get veggie coconut korma and here it's mostly carrots and maybe three other veggies in a standard coconut curry sauce. While at Bombay house their dish comes with more veggies, cashews and raisins for the same price. Our service this week was atrocious. The gentleman who served us asked for our order while staring out the window. I thought, "ok this is cultural, rarely did men in India look me in the eye" but I was wrong because he also did it to my husband. He also seemed annoyed that our two year old was there. He took our order, brought food, and never made another appearance. We watched him walk the perimeter of the restaurant to avoid all four tables with people. My husband had to walk back and try and find someone to refill his soda... No one ever appeared so he just filled it up himself. Finally the normal guy who is usually there came in for his shift and at least brought us the check and a box. He actually made eye contact. Thanks, buddy. Glad we weren't such a huge inconvenience to your day like your friend the avoider. I'm really torn. It's good food, not great. Too pricey compared to other options in SLC. But I get triple miles on my Alaska Air mileage plan when I dine here. Sigh....
(3)Dara G.
This place blows! My friend and I walked in one hour before closing and all staff were seated at the back of the restaurant pretending not to notice us. It was only when I approached them a waitress popped up and seated us. Service was fair from there on out but that had lit a fire for me. My chicken vindaloo was lack lustre. Chicken was made from giblets and stringy pieces of meat. This was served in a vindaloo potato stew that felt reheated.
(1)Dayna R.
I've been here twice in the last 6 months and both times I was pleasantly surprised since it seems to get inconsistent ratings. But I've learned to consider the source of a review based upon what the person likes and dislikes. I don't eat a lot of Indian food since most of it is too spicy for me, even when I request "no spice." But "no spice" actually means that here. And they don't look at me like they're insulted I requested it that way. In fact they are very pleasant and have provided excellent and fast service both times. I've loved everything I've tried - samosas, nan (plain & garlic), lamb vindaloo, shrimp coconut korma, chicken tikka masala, among others. My daughter and her boyfriend love the lassis. I'd go here over Himalayan Kitchen every time!
(5)Rachael S.
The hubby and I really enjoy this place. We always get the cheese naan and the lamb vindaloo. The ambiance is fun. We always request to watch baliwood films which is so fun and unique. Dinner and a movie!
(5)Chanapa T.
Eh. Overpriced for mediocre food. Of course, I admit that I can't speak to authenticity, but I have been to a number of Indian restaurants and this place was disappointing.
(2)L H.
Tasty food. I especially like the papad and the curries. The chicken chat appetizer was wonderful. Went twice in a recent weekend visit to SLC. Prices are also reasonable. DH and I ate for $30 (no alcohol). We learned at the end of our first dinner that they offer validated parking in the big garage 1/2 block north. You get to it through the alley to the north off S. State or by turning into the small street off 400 S by the Green Pig, driving to the T and turning right. Garage is then on the right (north). If you want to watch a Bollywood movie while you eat, just ask. : )
(5)Tyler N.
Loved the food, loved the price. Great service.
(4)Nigel L.
I might just be totally incorrect in my assessment of this, but Salt Lake seems to have really good Indian food! This place is tucked away on Fourth (it's a busy street with lots of through traffic) in a seemingly inaccessible location. The inside ambience is very nice with plenty of seating. I went on a weeknight and the place was only 1/3 of the way full. Food was very good; the Paneer had great texture and the Chicken Tandoori was cooked excellently. Plenty of great vegetarian options too, that's always a plus. I liked the Naan as well. Not Bombay House good (the rice was just average here), but a solid choice if you are in the downtown area and are in the mood for Indian. Parking situation kind of sucks (there is a huge parking lot a block away, but who really wants to pay) but that is more an effect of being centrally located than anything else. I would definitely go here again if I wanted a nice meal before painting the town red, blue, whatever color indicates inebriation.
(4)Jean H.
Such good food mixed with such friendly service. It was the combination of flavors that I woke up in the morning and thought about. It may end up being more of a walk there kind of place- but if you're seeing flims at the library for the Sundance Film Festival- perfect place to have a great non-heavy meal before or after seeing your film.
(5)Stuart W.
Ok, for a person that likes a good meal, I can say this was a good meal! I got lamb with a curry sauce (I don't remember which one!) and OMG, it was sooooo good! And the bread, wow! We ordered cheese bread and it totally complimented our main course. The waiters were very friendly and helpful and refilled our drinks right when they were emptied, it was great! Like I said, I know a good meal one I see one and they surpassed my expectations! I used a groupon so it lowered my bill quite a bit but I still paid just under $30 for all, so it's not exactly cheap but it's definitely good food and very worth it! And out of the 3 Indian food restaurants I've eaten at this one takes the cake for being the best!
(5)Laurie B.
I've heard that this place is actually fairly good but the time we went we were disappointed. Granted, we went a little late for a week night, but the meat was stringy and tough. The naan was delicious, the rice was delicious, and the drinks were scrumptious. The server was nice and attentive, and the atmosphere was great. I'd be willing to give it another shot in the future.
(3)Anne D.
Solid Indian food and no wait, unlike the more popular Bombay House. Enjoyed a not-too-sweet mango lassi, a plain lassi that didn't taste of much besides the yoghurt, shari korma chicken, and a paneer dish. Good balance of rich flavours, if not always very distinct from one another, pleasant service. And if that doesn't sell you, the murals of elephants and tigers and the rest of the eclectic decor should. They also sometimes have Bollywood films playing on the big screen.
(4)Nancy G.
Just had dinner here, and really enjoyed it. The waiter was friendly and helpful, and the food was terrific. Aloo chat is always an interesting window on the restaurant's style of cooking, and I really enjoyed it here. All the flavors in all the dishes we had this eve were great.
(5)Monica B.
The hubs and I came here for dinner recently and were rather disappointed. We LOVE Indian food but this place did not impress. Service here is relatively slow, expect to wait 25+ minutes for your food. We ordered the chicken tikka masala and chicken vindaloo. Both dishes did not have much flavor. The naan bread was really good however. I think there are several Indian restaurants in town that are really delicious and unfortunately this is not one of them.
(2)Howie O.
This place is cool. You often time can watch a Bollywood movie while eating dinner if you are seated in the east side of the building. This is one of those places you may wait a lil bit for your service but it is worth it if you like to watch people. Pros-Great naan, large portions, not affraid to spice stuff super hot they way I like it. Cons- Can be a little slow on service but I don't mind. Slightly outdated
(4)Smp P.
Food was mediocre, you can definitely get better Indian food in SLC. We got the Malai Kofta and Chicken Tikka Masala spicy. Service was ok.
(3)Fidel N.
Order was completely wrong. Order was suppose to contain chicken tikka and it had tofu. Also delivery was suppose to be 30-45 min and it took almost 2 hours. I don't recommend this place at all due to all the issues. Called to complain they said they would send me new food but I really did not want to wait another 2 hours. I love Indian food but this place disappointed in every way. My drink was even wrong. Ordered a coke and got a sprite. Get it together!
(1)Patrick S.
Had the Chicken Tikka Masala at my waiter's recommendation and thought it was great. About as good as anything I had during a recent trip to India for three months. However, the prices are excessive; one dish put me over $20 after tip. I'll look elsewhere for the same quality at a more reasonable price.
(3)Glenn H.
Wonderful food and great friendly staff. I must go. Great parking in building behind restaurant. Just tell the attendant that you are eating there and you park for free.
(5)William H.
This is one of those restaurants where every single thing on the menu is good. I always come for dinner, and every bite I've ever taken has been delicious. In addition, the service is absolutely fantastic. Really wonderful people.
(5)D. W.
This was my introduction to Indian food in Salt Lake City and basically the reason we wound up going there was the other places on the way to this one were too busy. The decor was...odd, to say the least. It seemed very haphazard. There was a roving belly dancer that seemed to have an idea what the dances were, but perhaps should have chosen a different career line. Nothing personal, but appearance for that type of thing is somewhat of a prerequisite and I got the strong impression they had chosen here because there was a lack of other applicants. She didn't help her case by continually appearing at the table, enough so that she passed distraction and became somewhat of a nuisance. That we were one of the few tables in the place probably didn't help. Part of the place reminded me of a small family-type diner and the rest of it reminded me of a space largely under construction. The wait staff was not much better, facing huge difficulties either remembering or reading our actual drink orders. The food was ok, but nothing along the lines of making a strong enough impression to make me a fan of that cuisine. I wouldn't necessarily hesitate to eat there again, given how long ago it was and the likelihood that the roving bellydancer has moved on to greener pastures elsewhere, but the location downtown sort of precludes me intentionally going there, given how many other Indian places there are around town. I don't know enough about Indian food to comment about how authentic or excellent it was, but if you're a fan of that type of food and don't mind somewhat shoddy service, I think it would be worth trying.
(3)Kristian S.
They were very friendly. The food was just ok. I had Tiki Masala and it was pretty good. My husband had Saag and it was really bland. The portions were pretty small and overpriced for what they were.
(3)Sky T.
Got about $10 and need to gorge on some cumin, turmeric, and coriandered dishes during a lunchtime all-you-can-eat break? This place will do nicely! Their lunch buffet has flavors that are common in India, but less common to the majority of Salt Lake Citians. So, if you're familiar with Indian food or are feeling a little bit exotic for lunch then this place should be a good fit for your appetite. You'll find your tandoori chicken, yellow curry chicken, and other dishes along with white and yellow rice and plain and friend na'an. Yes, fried na'an for lunch. What could be better? Definitely not no skimpy meal here at the Star of India for lunch time! Note(s): Walkable from the Trax station at either Court House or City Library.
(3)Leah D.
Delicious Indian food. Chicken tikka masala and shrimp coconut korma are great. Also the mango lahsi. My favorite Indian food in salt lake.
(5)Doug C.
So my girlfriend and I used a groupon here thinking it would be something new to try. The groupon price was pretty good but the experience.. not so much. The only saving grace was their food. I got the butter chicken and my girlfriend got some kind of okra curry. They were both pretty tasty and the medium heat was good, but the rice was very grainy. I am a bit of a rice snob because I'm Chinese and love Jasmine rice with just about anything but maybe Indian rice is supposed to be that way. The nan was amazing, especially the garlic nan. As for the service, I'm used to generally poor service in Asian restaurants but for some reason I think this place was extra bad. There were hardly any people on a Wednesday night yet the service was still slow. It took a while to get more rice and water, although they came around asking if everything was good a few times, just not when we needed them. The decor was nice, although there was a random Indian movie kind of loud in the background. Aside from the movie it was uncomfortably quiet. If not for the groupon I wouldn't go here for the price. Bombay House is better in every aspect. It was nice to try somewhere new but I probably wouldn't come back.
(3)Heidi M.
Star of India has very serviceable and very eatable Indian food. The food was good but not particularly noteworthy, -1 star when compared to 3 other Indian restaurants in the area when compared with Flavors of India and Spice Bistro. The service is also very average, nothing bad to report but not notable. Lastly the portions for the price are below average for the area so -1 more star. I definitely didn't leave hungry but I didn't leave stuffed with leftovers for lunch tomorrow like I'm usually used to with Indian food.
(3)christine g.
Solid indian restaurant - I've gotten chana masala and vegetable pakori twice, and they were consistently good. I also like the fact that, if you order online through foodtoyou, they give you the option of "no spice" instead of just mild, medium, and spicy, which is good if you're wimpy about spicy food, as I am.
(5)Edgar H.
The five stars are based on the lunch buffet. I believe it is a great value and the food is really good. Very authentic, the best in Utah, in my opinion.
(5)Crista C.
I love the thick Naan - and it's never overcooked like at so many other Indian places. The lamb Rogan josh is delicious, never fatty or gamey, and you can get it with mushrooms and/or coconut added. Yum! I enjoy dining in here when I am with friends but they also deliver when I stay in local hotels which is always a bonus after a long day.
(5)Sam H.
I went there for dinner and had the fish masala and naan. Decent food, but a bit pricy for what you get. However, the place was very nice and clean, large booths and friendly staff.
(3)Kyle K.
I don't like Indian food. At least, that's what I thought until I went to Star of India. I guess I don't like curry. And cumin. And coconut milk.And especially cumin-y curries with a coconut milk base. To me, that almost disqualifies the whole genre. But I was surprised at how much I enjoyed Star of India. As others, my wife and I had the Groupon for two entrees, naan, and two lassis. We went for the value, and ordered the Chef's Special Thali and the Vegetarian Thali -- essentially small bites of tons of dishes. And we tried to order as spicy as it could come. Everything was quite tasty, and no coconut milk in sight. The Chicken Tikka was scrumptious -- we could have eaten meals and meals of it. There was a bean dish, Dal Maknai, that we both really liked, and the saag was tasty with nice chunks of cheesy goodness buried inside. The garlic naan was super garlic-y and crisp on the outside (yum). Most everything else was solid, tasty. Loses one star because stuff just wasn't as spicy as we'd hoped. When we order 'as spicy as you can,' we really expect it to be nose-running, eye-watering, exploding spicy. Particularly when the server says you can get anything on whatever spice level you want. And it wasn't. Now, if the dishes we get just aren't supposed to be spicy, or if the chef believes that so much spice will distort the flavor of the dish, that's cool. But we should be informed so that we can make another selection, or at least expect it our palette not to end up on fire. We didn't have any of the server issues others had. Our server was attentive and could understand us easily. I would agree that they don't serve Cheesecake Factory-level portions, but one shouldn't expect that much food to begin with. For our Thalis, there was plenty of food for us to be satisfied for our slightly under $20-priced meals, but we didn't take anything home. Simply put, Star of India made me an Indian food convert. Maybe I won't crave it like I do pizza, or Thai, or Chinese, or steaks and burgers, but I will no longer veto any place just because it's Indian.
(4)Sush G.
Me and my friends, 11 of us had the lunch buffet here. Since this was a party I was throwing, we brought in movie dvds to watch. We had great fun. Staff were very courteous. Food was very good. Not oily and stuffy. Some chutneys and achaar were very spicy which we liked. Good ambience. Had an excellent time
(5)John B.
We had a great dinner here after finding a deal on Groupon. The service was excellent, and the food was delicious. My wife and I shared the assorted hors d'oeuvres and the bangan bhartha, which were great. We also tried the lime pickle which was amazing. It added a strong salty and acidic flavor to everything, which might not be for everyone, but we both loved it. After we paid our check, the waiter welcomed us to stay and watch the rest of the Bollywood movie that had been playing. We would definitely eat here again.
(4)Vi T.
Star of India has a solid lunch buffet. The price is right at around $10 and they have a large selection which is why I love it. It seems like most Indian buffets are on the smaller side. At Star of India, you have at least 6 different entrees to choose from as well as sides. I do agree with Grason R. about the food being switched out more often but that seems to be the case when it's later in the lunch period. If you go around 11:30-noon, you're golden. If I'm not doing the lunch buffet, I usually get their shrimp coconut korma and I like that they don't hold back on the spice level if I ask them for spicy. I've also had the tikka masala, saag aloo, makhni chicken, and various appetizers. Not the best Indian food I've ever had but I'm happy with it.
(4)Curtis C.
I have mixed feelings for this place. The girlfriend and I went here and enjoyed the drinks, hated the soup, but like the pineapple whatever thing I got. It was fried rice inside of a carved out pineapple and it was delicious. A huge portion, but I didn't really know how to preserve the left overs. The soup was awful, she had a chicken soup I believe and the chicken was just chewy and gross.
(3)Deb D.
Rarely do I go into a restaurant and WANT to not eat delectable food just to SAVE enough for lunch the next day. The portions were appropriate, not the American super-sized portions we are so used to, but the correct dinner sized proportions. Disappointing for big eaters, yes. Disappointing for not having enough to bring home, yes. The only real negative here was, as many reviewers have noted, is the service. Slow. Laissez-faire attitude. We were seated and given menus fairly quickly, but, everything else is S...L....O.......W. Would I go back? Yes. IF I am not under time constraints. And next time, I would order a second dish to take home. And, add extra garlic naan.
(4)Jenna W.
I could easily sum up our experience here with two words: horrible service. I mean, really horrible service. There's a little part of me that wants to believe that the poor service is due to different cultural expectations. Deep down I don't fully believe that differences in culture could explain away the total lack of service. As for the food, I wasn't super impressed, but take my opinion with a grain of salt. I am, by no means, an expert on Indian cuisine. My husband was more impressed with the food, but he always seems to order the better dishes.
(2)Monica T.
Wait. I haven't reviewed Star of India yet? How sad. For there being so much Indian food in SLC, there isn't a whole lot downtown. However, Star of India is one such spot. I've been going here about since I moved here six years ago, and I feel like the quality has actually improved in the past year or two. I used to frequent the lunch buffet, as I have a friend who works by the restaurant and I'd meet him for lunch sometimes. The food was always solid, but always on the bland side (to accommodate those who can't handle the spice). Then I started going for dinner. I used to like it okay, but tended to prefer other spots for dinner. Lately, though, I've found myself going to those other establishments less and less, because I'm finding Star or India to be just as good if not better. Solid, tasty dishes with a good amount of spice if you ask. My boyfriend and I even went for Christmas dinner last year, and loved the experience so much that we're going to do it again this year. So yes, I am indeed a fan of Star of India. Fo sho.
(4)Becker S.
After reading a lot of mixed reviews, I wasn't sure what to expect, but my mom and I took a chance on Star of India on a girls' night out and had a solid, four-star experience. The Food was AWESOME. We had chicken makhani and chana masala. Both were wonderfully flavorful, and the naan was incredible. Wait time: reasonable. Spiciness: I like it fairly spicy by Western standards, so I ordered medium. Turned out to be pretty close to the limit of my comfort level, so next time I might scale back slightly. Portion sizes: Each was easily two meals, plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day. I came with a Groupon, which felt kind of like getting away with robbery after such an excellent meal, so I really wanted to be able to write them a spectacular, five-star review, BUT then there was... The Service: The hostess seemed downright grumpy. The server was sweet, and fairly helpful while we had her at the table, but rushed off once or twice before we'd had all our questions answered, even though it didn't seem like the place was very busy or in any way understaffed. Not a huge deal, but there's definitely room for improvement there. That being said, I will definitely be back. Though no expert, I do love Indian food, and this was on par with the best that I've had .
(4)Matt G.
I've tried all the Indian restaurants in Salt Lake...this is the best. Lunch buffet is great and always plenty of naan and dinner is fantastic. Tried to get in, have dinner and get out to catch the Jazz game in 30 minutes...no problem. Just told them we were trying to get out of there and they accommodated that. Price is good, service is awesome and food is the best in Utah.
(5)Emily Z.
The food is good, but not the best. The ambiance is lacking. I much prefer Bombay House on both those counts. The service has been sub-par both times I've been, like I'm being a huge inconvenience for asking for my take-away. (and during slow hours, so...I dunno) The prices are much too high for the quality, and the lack of courtesy.
(2)Chris M.
I've eaten at Star of India for years, but am just now getting around to writing a review. It's definitely one of the better stops in downtown Salt Lake, especially for the price. You will find other Indian places in the valley that are better, but not without leaving the main downtown area. Star has been a mainstay of the downtown scene for well on 10 years plus. They relocated a few years ago after a fire destroyed their original location. The food is classic Indian. The portions are smaller than other spots in town, but it's just right (you won't get the leftovers, but who needs such for a night on the town after dinner?). The mali kofta (sp?) is to die for! They also have a great lunch buffet.
(4)Bronwen E.
This is pretty awesome food....and I was surprised after visting so many crappy restaurants in this city. A nice selection on the buffet, including a decent variety of chutneys, salads and pickle. (A rareity on many buffets) Comfortable booths, attentive waitstaff...and fennel seeds on my way out. Thank you for my first good meal in this city.
(4)Andrew D.
Good food, slightly high pricing. Overall enjoyable experience.
(4)Omar K.
The food was pretty good. I liked the samosas and the masala. The naan was a little weird though. If you are trying to go for the buffet be warned they don't have it on Sundays. Don't know why but I don't make the rules. Check this place out if you are in Salt Lake.
(4)R Clark G.
We went for the lunch buffet and enjoyed out meal. The service was there, and did a decent job clearing the dirty plates. Though, I should mention, when my boyfriend and I split a mango lassi they actually brought it out in two glasses, as we had mentioned it to them (and I think we may have gotten a little extra). The buffet had a good variety and plenty of vegetarian options, so I didn't have to struggle to find meat free choices. The food was good, though I've definitely had better. The price was fair, and I got my fill. I probably won't be back, at least if I'm the one choosing where we eat. If, however, I do find myself again, I'll order from the menu and give their fresher selection a chance.
(3)Jay M.
This Restaurant always serves us authentic Indian food that is so tasty! We keep coming back for more! It has a special and romantic place in my heart: my wife and I spent our first date here and the atmosphere was so wonderful, we lost track of time! Now we're married! See what happens?!!! This restaurant has been a big supporter of our Buddhist temple. The provide food for many of our religious practices and festivals, free of charge! Please bring them your business. They have a heart of gold!
(5)Ray P.
The buffet was so disgusting!! The food looked so old and pasty.. the lamp dish had no meat and it was full of small tiny sharp bones. We talked to the owener and he said: all the same, all the same. I don't know if he was playing dumb or he was!! The waitress was so rude, I don't know if she was forced to work there or she just hated every costumer that came there to eat,, but she gave me the rolling eye and the sighs way more than i can handle, This was while the owner was standing and watching...I would never go back!! bad food and bad service.. that is not a good combination.
(1)Garret N.
Nice, but not quite stellar food. The atmosphere is quite a bit better than Bombay House (which I would equate with an applebees) but the naan was just fair. The Mango Lassi was a standout but neither the korma or the tikka masala we tried were stunning. Not bad, but not quite worth the price.
(3)Ali G.
The food is average, the highlight being the garlic naan. They are incredibly slow (took 40 minutes to get our food) and the prices are high for the quantity/quality of the food. I rarely finish an entire meal at a restaurant for dinner, but I finished this one pretty easily and was disappointed to not have any to go. Also their spiciness levels seem skewed, my husband and I both asked for medium, mine wasn't at all spicy, his was extremely spicy. If you want better food with better service and much cheaper prices try Alibaba. Also Bombay house is VERY good.
(2)Mike B.
Coming from the Bay Area where Indian restaurants are a dime a dozen, I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed eating at the Star of India. Then after reading through the reviews, I wasn't surprised to find a bunch of bad reviews from the those "not familiar with Indian food". Why do they even bother reviewing? So service at Thai and Indian joints are known for slow service, know that up front. You have to expect to have a longer than usual dining experience which really gives you time to enjoy your night out. The atmosphere is pleasant and not overly pungent of curry. We ordered a few different appetizers like the Vegi Samosa's (which come with great dipping sauce) and a few different naan breads- their garlic naan is awesome. The dinners aren't huge but enough to go around when ordering family style (recommended if you want to try a variety of dishes
(4)John G.
I've done some horrible, shameful things in my life, but going to Star or India may be the most deplorable. The food receives 1 star. The service was slightly better, but not by much. Very sweet girls, but not of the food service sort. The "sweet" chutney were pools of what was surely corn-syrup, and the "spicy" tasted like a cross between metal and plastic (seriously). The entrees were disgusting heaps that didn't even nearly live-up to their menu descriptions, and the prices were 20%+ more than what they realistically should have been Not sure how this place ever ranked with City Weekly, etc. It is the worst Indian I've eaten, out of a pool of maybe 50. STAY AWAY
(1)Stephanie L.
Wow, where to start..... My husband and I went here to use our Groupon last night and we walked away saying WTF just happened....? Neither of us eat Indian food that often, so we can't really compare the food with any real experience, but the service is what killed us. Coming into the restaurant, there were only 3 tables with people at them, so it wasn't busy, but we waited for 5 minutes for someone to get to the door to seat us. Plenty of servers saw us there, but they all tended to their tables and didn't bother with us. No big deal really, just kind of annoying. The manager on duty finally got to us and we were seated near the front door. Shortly after, our server came to the table, filled our glasses then asked if we were ready. We told her we needed another minute, and she turned and left as I was saying "but to drink..." so I didn't get to place a drink order. We looked over the menu and decided pretty quickly, then waited for someone to come back to us which was about 10 minutes or so, and it was the manager on duty again. Which is the most interaction we got out of any of the staff all night, and it was the most awkward as well. We asked if they had Coke or Pepsi products and we got a silent reply of staring at the ceiling for 10 seconds before we got a: "maybe Coke........I think Coke......" then asked if they had Dr. Pepper to which we were told after a long silence again: "um.........I think......yea........yes". We chose some garlic nan, and we decided to split a "Chief's Special Thali for our early dinner which includes: Tandoori chicken, Sheek Kabab, Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Prawn, Lamb, Mattar Paneer, Rice, Nan, Raita, Kheer & Coffee or Tea. After placing our order it took about 2 minutes for our food to come out "sizzling" on a plate. Now I love prompt service, but this was scary fast and the food reflected why it was so timely. The colors of the spices on the pieces of meat were lovely, but they were clearly reheated and very dry looking. I ended up only eating the nan and the 2 pieces of Tandoori chicken, as the rest was just really gross to me. Though the dipping sauces for the nan were really tasty, and the Tandoori chicken was very tasty though it was dry. My husband ate the rest of what remained and told me they were all pretty blah and very dry as well. We got our drinks as we were about 15 minutes into our meal and no one came to check how the food was or if we needed anything (all the servers look at your table then turn away from you), so we were extra thankful for the water pitcher at the table. We were supposed to get some Kheer and Coffee at the end of our meal, but we ended up just leaving since the check was dropped off mid-meal, quickly, without anyone speaking to us to see if we needed anything else or how the meal was. We decided that the time it took, the awkwardness of the staff, and questionable freshness of our food wasn't worth it. Paying our check was just as awkward, the server that helped us spoke to us but so quietly and not really facing us, we couldn't hear her, but didn't even feign a response cause we were well over it. The parking situation is a nightmare to get to the place, the people are painfully inept, and the food isn't enough to make us go back...not even the garlic nan.
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