Khana Khazana carries a diverse menu and the authenticity that I've seen at other traditional Indian restaurants have (on Devon Street in my hometown of Chicago). However, there are better Indian places that I have experienced in the Lafayette area where I would be happier giving my money. The service, while more often good/OK than bad, is not consistent. Specifically, it seems when a certain manager (the owner's son?) is working, the buffet is started up late, naan frequently runs out or is rock hard and old and drink refills are ignored. The attitude from the service screams unprofessional (i.e. "Hey bro" or "sorry bro"). And we (the customers) are told to put the lid back on the dishes at the buffet. The food is decent, though, but by no means incredible-- given the $11 price per person. But there is a variety that can satisfy meat eaters and vegetarians alike too. Overall, I've experienced better. If you're looking for an over-the-top experience with Indian food (or are first timers) take the drive to Sharma's Kitchen in Lafayette (excellent, excellent place for relatively the same price). Side Note: If you are driving, parking is a mess.
(2)
Srivatsan S.
I've been to this place many times - when I get tired of Shaukin and Bombay or when I'm extremely hungry or when I want to treat my friends (knowing very well that everyone will have the 10-odd dollar buffet...nothing more), and I've noticed that the quality of food at this place steadily deteriorated over the two years I was at Purdue. The have a good variety in their lunch and dinner buffets, and the ambience is nice and cozy. And IF and WHEN the food is freshly prepared, it is very delicious. So, do come here during the start of the semester or during Diwali or when India wins another world cup (they had a fabulous dinner buffet that day, and guess what, it was Free! No kidding! :) ). But at other times, I'd suggest you give it a pass, until some other Yelp reviewer says that their quality of food has improved or is improving.
(2)
Song L.
The food has no flavor and is always TOO SALTY. And it's always MUSHY too. The service is not good. I went there 4 times. The staff like to remind people how much time they have left to eat when there are still half an hour... And I personally don't think the son of the owner is professional enough....Like I said, I have been there only 4 times, so I can't say I know him a lot. But one thing I SURE KNOW is that, man, doesn't he just LOVE being cool.... Anyways, I won't go there unless I don't have a choice. I really don't care about their food...
(1)
Dhananjay V.
Came here when I was craving some home cooking. The selection was subpar and seemed to be catered to the more Midwestern crowd. I has really glad when I saw that they had dhal Makhani but they're pretty heavy handed with the salt. Although they gave unlimited naan, it was such a PIA because my friends and I always had to ask the waiter to bring some. Being Indian probably colors me a little, but I've had much better buffets and I expected more considering the number of Indians at Purdue.
(2)
Carina A.
Indian food...and on a buffet? Yay!!!! Love to add an order of cashmiri nan (nan with cherry stuff inside!) and the garlic nan! Off-buffet choices are really good, but I must say, we do the buffet more than anything else, regardless of whether it is for lunch or for dinner! If they are not on the buffet, I love to add an order of the vegetable samosas- they are wonderful (essentially, mashed potatoes, peas, and spices in a gently deep-fried pastry shell! Yum!)!!!!! Of particular interest, as well: chicken biryani, palak paneer, goat curry, kadi pakora, baingan bhartha...basically anything with chicken, goat, or eggplant! Hubby especially could live on the eggplant dishes they have...lol They also do a Purdue student special plate, discounted. It is FAMILY RUN, which is a huge plus for us! You can go as "Indian" as you wish, too, trying Indian beer or other beverages, or order your dishes authentically spicy! I am a flavor person, not into heat, and I am fine with most dishes, but I am careful to ask if I try something new...Hubby, however, loves the heat, so he experiments. They take their food seriously here...if you want something a certain way, just ask! They do VEGETARIAN AND MEAT dishes! GREAT place for lunch, in particular, especially if school is out! Parking can sometimes be a little difficult, otherwise...If you prefer fresh nan to the buffet nan, just ask! They're happy to bring a fresh basket!
(4)
Deva C.
So, I had major Indian food craving when I walked into this place, and I have to say that it really isn't that great... Maybe Berkeley and San Francisco kind of spoiled me on that end, but I found most of the stuff at this place sub par. The paneer was decent but something about the texture just wasn't right. The aloo tikki (and a few other dishes)... too much salt, and a bit imbalanced on the spice. The tikka masala sauce needed more spice, too. The naan and the rice was good though, despite sitting there for the buffet. Although I still prefer freshly made naan, even at buffets. Maybe ordering from the menu would have been better, but I think the buffet's a bit overpriced for the mediocre Indian food.
(3)
Brian A.
My first review is for my favorite Indian restaurant. I have been to several Indian places in several geographic locations (West Lafayette, St. Louis, Silicon Valley where every other person is Indian, San Francisco) and none of them have been as good as Khana Khazana. I love this place so much. I don't know the names of the food ever, and KK is great because everything is labeled and described. Their naan is fantastic as are all the other dishes. Go there for the dinner buffet and eat so much you don't need for until the next day. Enjoy!
(5)
Nader A.
My parents and I went and they didn't like the food in the lunch buffett that much. I think they have good garlic naan though.
(3)
Brian S.
Stopped to visit a friend going to Purdue and she suggested going here. Great suggestion. I'm not an expert on Indian food but I thought the buffet was excellent. I also love bread and their Naan bread was fantastic. Very friendly serve as well. We will come again the next time we pass through.
(5)
Sam P.
These guys need to step their food game up. Walk in and I expect aight food Seriously though, the atmosphere is fine and follows the standard for any typical Indian restaurant, so that's not the problem. When it comes down to it, anyone familiar with high quality, well made Indian food can tell that these guys are doing a sloppy job. The waiters are too often annoying af and will ask you a dozen times if you are done with your plate. The price is simply not proportional to the quality. Relatively, for Indian food, these guys are probably at the bottom of the barrel right now on campus. Just a few minor modifications on the food game and they might be aight. As for one specific they abysmal at right now: naan. Might be aight for your white compadre but not for the accustomed brown bro. There's better out there. So don't be fooled by the frontin.
(2)
Reyna C.
So yummy! The naan was warm and fresh, the level of spice was perfect, and the waiter was friendly. A few items on the lunch buffet were unfortunately either out or low, but the selection was nice. I got a cup of masala chai- it took about ten minutes to come out, but I appreciate the fact that it was made to order. We'll be coming back.
(4)
Maria S.
The workers were kind and the food was delicious. The lunch buffet has unlimited naan bread. However, the bathroom was disgusting. No soap or hand driers. Do the workers wash their hands? And the toilet paper was like molded or something.
(3)
Shyam S.
I visited KK today for the first time in over 10 years. When this place opened in 1999 or 2000, I was overjoyed that a quality Indian restaurant was within walking distance of campus. The food was hot and fresh and the owners seemed to really care about putting out a quality product. I visited again after graduation and the food was still very good. However, after dropping by today and having the lunch buffet, I have to admit that there has been a precipitous decline in quality at Khana Khazana. Granted I had the buffet and not the a la carte menu, but the food was just not very good and definitely not worth $10. I will hand it to them for having some unique buffet items you don't normally see an the typical Indian buffet, but overall, I was left wanting with every dish I tried. How do you screw up naan,tandoori chicken and mint chutney? And yet the naan was too crispy and buttery; the tandoori chicken really lacking in the masala heat that characterizes this dish; and this may have been the worst mint chutney I've had. Was it out of a bottle? I am returning to Purdue in the fall for my Ph.D., but sadly, will not be returning to KK anytime soon. Guess I finally have to learn to cook Indian food :(
(2)
Only G.
Whenever people ask me, and believe me THEY ALWAYS ASK ME, "what's your favorite thing to eat on PURDUE UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS?!" I always say the same thing. Khana. Khazana. Me and my otra significante (what our friendly bro's and sis's to the south use to refer to a spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, or otherwise plutonic or non-plutonic engagement of two or more willing and consenting adults) go there ONCE A WEEK for the buffet. Always on point. Sauces are robust and the spices are a fresh change of pace from the otherwise monotonous cuisine most Americans eat. Not trying to be an elitist, just saying give Indian food a real shot, and you will be BEGGING for more. Trust me. I'm not even joking.
(5)
Beau J.
Very good! Authentic and garlic naan is LEGIT! Maybe best ever...seriously
(5)
Shaunak P.
Probably the worst indian food on campus in terms of buffet. Everything they serve in the buffet is sweet, from dal makhani to the chicken tikka masala. Their Naan is soggy and deserts are too sweet. The Gulab Jamun has the texture of a sponge ball. If you like indian food, going to KK will definitely spoil your day.
(1)
Alex M.
I have to apologize to people who are new to Indian food and stop to eat at this place. They do a disservice to Indian cuisine. As a South Asian, I have white friends who cook better then this. The latest dining had several dishes that were completely inedible. Everything was mushy and without any true emphasis on flavor. The naan doughy an limp. The dal without adequate spice and salty. The salad bar was way too old. This is not decent Indian food! I've been at Purdue for 6 years now. I think this place has taken a turn for the worst recently after coming under new management. I have seen the Mom and Son several times managing the place and assume they own it. The service is less than professional. Simple things like being greeted by: "Hey bro take a seat any where". Are you running a restaurant or a serving drinks at a bar? "Can you please put the lid back on the dish?", Sorry, did you want me to help you with the dishes too? After complaining that the some things were way too salty, he said "Sorry bro thanks for telling me but we can't do anything about it". At the end the Mom was talking on the phone as we approached to pay and couldn't be nudged to hang up. This is the last time I go here, ever.
(1)
M M.
Authentic Indian food. Always fresh. Great Naan, desserts, vegetable curries. Lots of vegetarian choices. Great for vegans and meat eaters
(5)
Davis H.
Not good food, at all. I had the buffet and most of the dishes were just plain flavorless. Granted I am no expert on Indian food, but I am from the San Francisco Bay Area so I can at least say I've had quality Indian food on many occasions. This however, was just bad. Not a single dish was even remotely spicy, and many of them were just over salted. The service was also very subpar. The majority of the people eating at this restaurant were non-Indian people. I counted literally two Indian customers to maybe 20 of other races. I don't mean to bring race into the equation, but I think this accurately reflects the lack of authenticity and quality in their food. I would stay away from this place.
(1)
Mark N.
Submitting my review to counteract some of the poor reviews. To those who rated this place 1 and 2 stars, you must have eaten at another place. I travel all over the United States and I'd rate this place as far above average. I ordered Lamb Madras and it was very tender and flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Garlic Naan was crispy on outside and soft on inside. Perfect. Chicken Pakora appetizer was fresh and juicy. Rice was a little clumpy, but tasted good. Service was fast and friendly. Buffet looked a little sketchy. My only real problem was it was hot in dining room. If you find yourself looking for good Indian food at Purdue, do yourself a favor and try it out, but go in the winter and fall since you will sweat your a&$ off. ;)
(4)
Abhishek M.
I had the afternoon buffet here ...the food wasn't good ... Time to pull up KK and make the food worth the money. The curries were flavorless and the aloo tikki was stale. I felt full and awful after having 1 quarter of naan with the curry (I know it is common in cheap restaurants serving buffets in India to add lots of baking soda to the dishes to ensure customers eat small portions)
(1)
Suyash D.
Not even worth rating this place. Stale food, bad taste. Do not go to this place. I recommend to reduce prices and improve quality of food.
(1)
Timothy G.
A must each time I visit Lafayette! Affordable and tasty. Recommended for the neophyte Indian culinary adventurer. Clean and pleasant staff. It's really hard to not like this quaint little joint!
(4)
Bo D.
Tried the lunch buffet, and thought it was a good deal for $11. The quality of the food itself is probably 3 stars. Although I'm not an expert on Indian food, I have had better Indian food at various other places (see my other reviews). However, it should be expected that the whole point of buffets is to sacrifice quality in favor of quantity. Taking this into consideration, plus the low price, the 3 star quality food seems better. This is especially true if you've experienced truly bad buffets. There's not much to comment on specifically about the food. In general, everything here will lack the spice and rich flavor of really good Indian food, so I understand the other reviewers who complain that it's bland. But overall the quality is not bad, and there's a decent selection of items. Finally, the location is a big plus, within walking distance of campus.
(4)
Elana C.
I used to really enjoy Khana Khazana, but then I was introduced to real Indian food. What a huge difference it makes! Overall, the food is enjoyable enough, especially the naan and samosas; however, I feel like they use too much cream in their main dishes and not enough spice. (Remember, spicy does not mean hot!) The dal makhani is pretty yummy. I am giving a poor review for two reasons: The first, I do not like the way the hostess treats her waiting staff. A lunch break is a lunch break. Instead of making them shove their food down their throats, just interact with the customers yourself. Also, fully train your servers on how to use the credit card machine and register instead of expecting them to know off the top of their heads when you leave the building. The second, this restaurant needs a thorough cleaning. The salt and pepper shakers, the area by the windows, the glass over the tables...If I'm going out to a restaurant, I don't want to look over and see growing levels of filth in the sunlight.
(2)
Lee C.
Fantastic lunch buffet. Filled with students of all ethnicities so the good food is universally liked. Just be careful because you will smell like Indian food the rest of the day...but it wil be worth it!
(4)
Paul K.
It's delicious and awesome buffet. I don't know how authentic they are, but I have always enjoyed eating here. Nice waiters, too. Although I like here so much, I managed to visit here maybe 3 or 4 times per semester. And there is one guy always recognizes me, and I was impressed. The chicken Makhani is the best and my favorite. And others such as Gulab Jamun (is it right spell?) and fried potato thing are really good too. This is one of a few things I miss from Purdue.
(4)
Kristen H.
Finally got back to Khana Kazana for dinner, and was mildly surprised to see the buffet there, with the same options as the lunch buffet. It was just as delicious. I should probably try the menu at some point but... I can't resist a buffet. The service was pretty good, though they were fairly busy. We were there right in the middle of the dinner rush. I'll be glad to go back to Khana Kazana again soon.
(4)
Dave A.
The buffet is a great value and it's fun to try all of the different dishes. Order some garlic nan -- it's the best. End up with some Indian spiced tea masala.
(4)
Bill G.
I guess it must be just me, because this food was not even fair to taste. Every dish was bland and had no flavor whatsoever. The only thing good was the fresh fruit. I have a feeling my full uneaten plate went to the back kitchen and back on the buffet... Just a noticeable thing I noticed after she took my plate. And I hate to even say that but I really felt weird about her taking my plate to the back kitchen and not retuning in a fair amount of time. Could be just me though. Even so I won't be back.
(1)
Shradha A.
After eating Indian buffets at a few different places all over Indiana, it was nice to get a good fresh tasty meal on our way back to Chicago. It's a family run restaurant, making fresh food, and good variety in the buffet.
(4)
L T.
Shape up, Khana Khazana! There is real potential here, but the quality has deteriorated considerably since I moved to this area. The buffet does have some unique items not found elsewhere, and good vegetarian options. There is usually one very tasty vegetarian thing I feel compelled to compliment the chef on. However, the quality of the chicken is sorely lacking- seems to be the fattiest, darkest shreds. My husband could not even bring himself to eat it. And the service is the saddest thing of all. Waitstaff cannot be bothered to clear away plates or check on your table. You're lucky to get greeted when you walk in. And when I am paying, I do not expected to get a mere "mm, hmm" from the server dude (whose only other function seems to be bringing a tray out to the buffet once every fifteen minutes). I don't know why they don't seem to care about their decline, but good luck with that.
(2)
James W.
Don't bother coming during the last hour of the buffet. The tandoori chicken was out the entire time, you had to scrape the bottom of the bowl to get any raita and one of the waiters was complaining the entire time about people coming in at the end of the lunch hour while expecting service. I arrived 50 minutes before closing time and they still refused to refill the line. They even lied to a customer who arrived at 15 'til closing and told him that they were closed. There were dirty tables everywhere and the two waiters were complaining about how long it was going to take to clean everything. Do them a favor and just don't go anymore. They don't want your business anyway.
(1)
Tobias M.
Decent but expensive for buffet style and buffet quality. 11$ a plate is too much.
(3)
Alexander B.
The popular Indian restaurant right next to Purdue's campus. Food is great, but when it comes to Indian food, there are better choices than Khana Khazana. I would highly recommend making the drive into Lafayette and going to Sharma's kitchen if you want Indian buffet.
(3)
Kelly L.
I work at Purdue, and this is my favorite place to go for lunch around campus. It's a rare treat now because the lunch buffet price has gone up, but it's still worth it. After all it is all-you-can-eat! The chicken makhani is my favorite dish, along with the palak paneer. It's family-run, and the owners care. They always ask about our experience and are open to suggestions. They're also known for making special dishes by request if not on the buffet that day. Although the space is limited, they're always very accommoodating to large groups. Yet, my fiance and I never have trouble walking in and being seated immediately.
(4)
Linda E.
Great Indiana buffet and they have a special menu at Diwali Love the Chicken Tikka Masala! YUM!
(4)
Xopher D.
The limitations of the Lafayette Metropolitan Zone are wearing on me. Anywhere else, Khana Khazana would be your run-of-the-mill 2-star Indian place. But they get an extra star just for being here to satisfy my occasional urge for subcontinental cuisine. It's too bad that the closest Indian restaurant to my house is also sub-par. The atmosphere here is always edgy, and not in a cool, hipsterish way. Someone else has mentioned the iron fist of the management, and it shows in the service. Timid & creepy at times. Ordering off the menu can be hit or miss. The portions are good, but the prices are steep for the quality. Oily rice, greasy samosas, palak paneer that often tastes like it came from a frozen bag, adequate paneer. The naan is fresh and often decent, when it isn't burned. My advice is to go for the all-you-can-eat buffet. That's where you get the most bang for your buck.
(3)
Katja V.
The vegetarian selection is always good and spicy! The servers are always laid back and polite.
(4)
Ilana B.
I go here for lunch buffet all the time and for my department this is the default place we go to when we go get lunch. We all like it because there are veggie options, you can get a good assortment of things, and it is very fast. The buffet is very small, but always changing. I don't like spicy things and I rarely have any trouble with the food. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the cuisine, but it certainly hits the spot when it's a cost day at Purdue and you want something warm to open your sinuses.
(4)
Ruth A.
Solidly gets the job done as "that Indian buffet near campus." Even has a few menu highlights! On any given day, I've found there are some mediocre dishes, a few real winners, and passable naan to fuel all of it. Plus they have rice pudding, which is my real guilty pleasure at any Indian buffet place. I suggest going a few times to get a feel for which dishes are your favorites, and stick to those. And don't get your hopes up about life-changing naan or other breads. This is my go-to choice for taking a department visitor to lunch because it accommodates vegetarians easily, is a speedy experience, and has "sit-down" feel, which is rare for campus lunch options.
(3)
Sebas c.
I really liked the food, but just like any other person that is not used to spicy food I refused many dishes. The place was clean and the attention and time for bringing your order was pretty decent. There was something I really didn't like: the owners (just my personal opinion) were mistreating the waitresses which I really found unacceptable. Other than that the food was amazing. I had some lamb rolls but even though I clearly stated that I wanted them to be mild, right when they came they were as hot as any regular indian dish. I don't blame anybody for this other than myself and my inability to eat any hot food. I really liked the appetizer they give you before you order especially with the sweet sauce.
(4)
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Address :108 Northwestern Ave
West Lafayette, IN, 47906
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : 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.
Lydia W.
Khana Khazana carries a diverse menu and the authenticity that I've seen at other traditional Indian restaurants have (on Devon Street in my hometown of Chicago). However, there are better Indian places that I have experienced in the Lafayette area where I would be happier giving my money. The service, while more often good/OK than bad, is not consistent. Specifically, it seems when a certain manager (the owner's son?) is working, the buffet is started up late, naan frequently runs out or is rock hard and old and drink refills are ignored. The attitude from the service screams unprofessional (i.e. "Hey bro" or "sorry bro"). And we (the customers) are told to put the lid back on the dishes at the buffet. The food is decent, though, but by no means incredible-- given the $11 price per person. But there is a variety that can satisfy meat eaters and vegetarians alike too. Overall, I've experienced better. If you're looking for an over-the-top experience with Indian food (or are first timers) take the drive to Sharma's Kitchen in Lafayette (excellent, excellent place for relatively the same price). Side Note: If you are driving, parking is a mess.
(2)Srivatsan S.
I've been to this place many times - when I get tired of Shaukin and Bombay or when I'm extremely hungry or when I want to treat my friends (knowing very well that everyone will have the 10-odd dollar buffet...nothing more), and I've noticed that the quality of food at this place steadily deteriorated over the two years I was at Purdue. The have a good variety in their lunch and dinner buffets, and the ambience is nice and cozy. And IF and WHEN the food is freshly prepared, it is very delicious. So, do come here during the start of the semester or during Diwali or when India wins another world cup (they had a fabulous dinner buffet that day, and guess what, it was Free! No kidding! :) ). But at other times, I'd suggest you give it a pass, until some other Yelp reviewer says that their quality of food has improved or is improving.
(2)Song L.
The food has no flavor and is always TOO SALTY. And it's always MUSHY too. The service is not good. I went there 4 times. The staff like to remind people how much time they have left to eat when there are still half an hour... And I personally don't think the son of the owner is professional enough....Like I said, I have been there only 4 times, so I can't say I know him a lot. But one thing I SURE KNOW is that, man, doesn't he just LOVE being cool.... Anyways, I won't go there unless I don't have a choice. I really don't care about their food...
(1)Dhananjay V.
Came here when I was craving some home cooking. The selection was subpar and seemed to be catered to the more Midwestern crowd. I has really glad when I saw that they had dhal Makhani but they're pretty heavy handed with the salt. Although they gave unlimited naan, it was such a PIA because my friends and I always had to ask the waiter to bring some. Being Indian probably colors me a little, but I've had much better buffets and I expected more considering the number of Indians at Purdue.
(2)Carina A.
Indian food...and on a buffet? Yay!!!! Love to add an order of cashmiri nan (nan with cherry stuff inside!) and the garlic nan! Off-buffet choices are really good, but I must say, we do the buffet more than anything else, regardless of whether it is for lunch or for dinner! If they are not on the buffet, I love to add an order of the vegetable samosas- they are wonderful (essentially, mashed potatoes, peas, and spices in a gently deep-fried pastry shell! Yum!)!!!!! Of particular interest, as well: chicken biryani, palak paneer, goat curry, kadi pakora, baingan bhartha...basically anything with chicken, goat, or eggplant! Hubby especially could live on the eggplant dishes they have...lol They also do a Purdue student special plate, discounted. It is FAMILY RUN, which is a huge plus for us! You can go as "Indian" as you wish, too, trying Indian beer or other beverages, or order your dishes authentically spicy! I am a flavor person, not into heat, and I am fine with most dishes, but I am careful to ask if I try something new...Hubby, however, loves the heat, so he experiments. They take their food seriously here...if you want something a certain way, just ask! They do VEGETARIAN AND MEAT dishes! GREAT place for lunch, in particular, especially if school is out! Parking can sometimes be a little difficult, otherwise...If you prefer fresh nan to the buffet nan, just ask! They're happy to bring a fresh basket!
(4)Deva C.
So, I had major Indian food craving when I walked into this place, and I have to say that it really isn't that great... Maybe Berkeley and San Francisco kind of spoiled me on that end, but I found most of the stuff at this place sub par. The paneer was decent but something about the texture just wasn't right. The aloo tikki (and a few other dishes)... too much salt, and a bit imbalanced on the spice. The tikka masala sauce needed more spice, too. The naan and the rice was good though, despite sitting there for the buffet. Although I still prefer freshly made naan, even at buffets. Maybe ordering from the menu would have been better, but I think the buffet's a bit overpriced for the mediocre Indian food.
(3)Brian A.
My first review is for my favorite Indian restaurant. I have been to several Indian places in several geographic locations (West Lafayette, St. Louis, Silicon Valley where every other person is Indian, San Francisco) and none of them have been as good as Khana Khazana. I love this place so much. I don't know the names of the food ever, and KK is great because everything is labeled and described. Their naan is fantastic as are all the other dishes. Go there for the dinner buffet and eat so much you don't need for until the next day. Enjoy!
(5)Nader A.
My parents and I went and they didn't like the food in the lunch buffett that much. I think they have good garlic naan though.
(3)Brian S.
Stopped to visit a friend going to Purdue and she suggested going here. Great suggestion. I'm not an expert on Indian food but I thought the buffet was excellent. I also love bread and their Naan bread was fantastic. Very friendly serve as well. We will come again the next time we pass through.
(5)Sam P.
These guys need to step their food game up. Walk in and I expect aight food Seriously though, the atmosphere is fine and follows the standard for any typical Indian restaurant, so that's not the problem. When it comes down to it, anyone familiar with high quality, well made Indian food can tell that these guys are doing a sloppy job. The waiters are too often annoying af and will ask you a dozen times if you are done with your plate. The price is simply not proportional to the quality. Relatively, for Indian food, these guys are probably at the bottom of the barrel right now on campus. Just a few minor modifications on the food game and they might be aight. As for one specific they abysmal at right now: naan. Might be aight for your white compadre but not for the accustomed brown bro. There's better out there. So don't be fooled by the frontin.
(2)Reyna C.
So yummy! The naan was warm and fresh, the level of spice was perfect, and the waiter was friendly. A few items on the lunch buffet were unfortunately either out or low, but the selection was nice. I got a cup of masala chai- it took about ten minutes to come out, but I appreciate the fact that it was made to order. We'll be coming back.
(4)Maria S.
The workers were kind and the food was delicious. The lunch buffet has unlimited naan bread. However, the bathroom was disgusting. No soap or hand driers. Do the workers wash their hands? And the toilet paper was like molded or something.
(3)Shyam S.
I visited KK today for the first time in over 10 years. When this place opened in 1999 or 2000, I was overjoyed that a quality Indian restaurant was within walking distance of campus. The food was hot and fresh and the owners seemed to really care about putting out a quality product. I visited again after graduation and the food was still very good. However, after dropping by today and having the lunch buffet, I have to admit that there has been a precipitous decline in quality at Khana Khazana. Granted I had the buffet and not the a la carte menu, but the food was just not very good and definitely not worth $10. I will hand it to them for having some unique buffet items you don't normally see an the typical Indian buffet, but overall, I was left wanting with every dish I tried. How do you screw up naan,tandoori chicken and mint chutney? And yet the naan was too crispy and buttery; the tandoori chicken really lacking in the masala heat that characterizes this dish; and this may have been the worst mint chutney I've had. Was it out of a bottle? I am returning to Purdue in the fall for my Ph.D., but sadly, will not be returning to KK anytime soon. Guess I finally have to learn to cook Indian food :(
(2)Only G.
Whenever people ask me, and believe me THEY ALWAYS ASK ME, "what's your favorite thing to eat on PURDUE UNIVERSITY'S CAMPUS?!" I always say the same thing. Khana. Khazana. Me and my otra significante (what our friendly bro's and sis's to the south use to refer to a spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, or otherwise plutonic or non-plutonic engagement of two or more willing and consenting adults) go there ONCE A WEEK for the buffet. Always on point. Sauces are robust and the spices are a fresh change of pace from the otherwise monotonous cuisine most Americans eat. Not trying to be an elitist, just saying give Indian food a real shot, and you will be BEGGING for more. Trust me. I'm not even joking.
(5)Beau J.
Very good! Authentic and garlic naan is LEGIT! Maybe best ever...seriously
(5)Shaunak P.
Probably the worst indian food on campus in terms of buffet. Everything they serve in the buffet is sweet, from dal makhani to the chicken tikka masala. Their Naan is soggy and deserts are too sweet. The Gulab Jamun has the texture of a sponge ball. If you like indian food, going to KK will definitely spoil your day.
(1)Alex M.
I have to apologize to people who are new to Indian food and stop to eat at this place. They do a disservice to Indian cuisine. As a South Asian, I have white friends who cook better then this. The latest dining had several dishes that were completely inedible. Everything was mushy and without any true emphasis on flavor. The naan doughy an limp. The dal without adequate spice and salty. The salad bar was way too old. This is not decent Indian food! I've been at Purdue for 6 years now. I think this place has taken a turn for the worst recently after coming under new management. I have seen the Mom and Son several times managing the place and assume they own it. The service is less than professional. Simple things like being greeted by: "Hey bro take a seat any where". Are you running a restaurant or a serving drinks at a bar? "Can you please put the lid back on the dish?", Sorry, did you want me to help you with the dishes too? After complaining that the some things were way too salty, he said "Sorry bro thanks for telling me but we can't do anything about it". At the end the Mom was talking on the phone as we approached to pay and couldn't be nudged to hang up. This is the last time I go here, ever.
(1)M M.
Authentic Indian food. Always fresh. Great Naan, desserts, vegetable curries. Lots of vegetarian choices. Great for vegans and meat eaters
(5)Davis H.
Not good food, at all. I had the buffet and most of the dishes were just plain flavorless. Granted I am no expert on Indian food, but I am from the San Francisco Bay Area so I can at least say I've had quality Indian food on many occasions. This however, was just bad. Not a single dish was even remotely spicy, and many of them were just over salted. The service was also very subpar. The majority of the people eating at this restaurant were non-Indian people. I counted literally two Indian customers to maybe 20 of other races. I don't mean to bring race into the equation, but I think this accurately reflects the lack of authenticity and quality in their food. I would stay away from this place.
(1)Mark N.
Submitting my review to counteract some of the poor reviews. To those who rated this place 1 and 2 stars, you must have eaten at another place. I travel all over the United States and I'd rate this place as far above average. I ordered Lamb Madras and it was very tender and flavorful with just the right amount of spice. Garlic Naan was crispy on outside and soft on inside. Perfect. Chicken Pakora appetizer was fresh and juicy. Rice was a little clumpy, but tasted good. Service was fast and friendly. Buffet looked a little sketchy. My only real problem was it was hot in dining room. If you find yourself looking for good Indian food at Purdue, do yourself a favor and try it out, but go in the winter and fall since you will sweat your a&$ off. ;)
(4)Abhishek M.
I had the afternoon buffet here ...the food wasn't good ... Time to pull up KK and make the food worth the money. The curries were flavorless and the aloo tikki was stale. I felt full and awful after having 1 quarter of naan with the curry (I know it is common in cheap restaurants serving buffets in India to add lots of baking soda to the dishes to ensure customers eat small portions)
(1)Suyash D.
Not even worth rating this place. Stale food, bad taste. Do not go to this place. I recommend to reduce prices and improve quality of food.
(1)Timothy G.
A must each time I visit Lafayette! Affordable and tasty. Recommended for the neophyte Indian culinary adventurer. Clean and pleasant staff. It's really hard to not like this quaint little joint!
(4)Bo D.
Tried the lunch buffet, and thought it was a good deal for $11. The quality of the food itself is probably 3 stars. Although I'm not an expert on Indian food, I have had better Indian food at various other places (see my other reviews). However, it should be expected that the whole point of buffets is to sacrifice quality in favor of quantity. Taking this into consideration, plus the low price, the 3 star quality food seems better. This is especially true if you've experienced truly bad buffets. There's not much to comment on specifically about the food. In general, everything here will lack the spice and rich flavor of really good Indian food, so I understand the other reviewers who complain that it's bland. But overall the quality is not bad, and there's a decent selection of items. Finally, the location is a big plus, within walking distance of campus.
(4)Elana C.
I used to really enjoy Khana Khazana, but then I was introduced to real Indian food. What a huge difference it makes! Overall, the food is enjoyable enough, especially the naan and samosas; however, I feel like they use too much cream in their main dishes and not enough spice. (Remember, spicy does not mean hot!) The dal makhani is pretty yummy. I am giving a poor review for two reasons: The first, I do not like the way the hostess treats her waiting staff. A lunch break is a lunch break. Instead of making them shove their food down their throats, just interact with the customers yourself. Also, fully train your servers on how to use the credit card machine and register instead of expecting them to know off the top of their heads when you leave the building. The second, this restaurant needs a thorough cleaning. The salt and pepper shakers, the area by the windows, the glass over the tables...If I'm going out to a restaurant, I don't want to look over and see growing levels of filth in the sunlight.
(2)Lee C.
Fantastic lunch buffet. Filled with students of all ethnicities so the good food is universally liked. Just be careful because you will smell like Indian food the rest of the day...but it wil be worth it!
(4)Paul K.
It's delicious and awesome buffet. I don't know how authentic they are, but I have always enjoyed eating here. Nice waiters, too. Although I like here so much, I managed to visit here maybe 3 or 4 times per semester. And there is one guy always recognizes me, and I was impressed. The chicken Makhani is the best and my favorite. And others such as Gulab Jamun (is it right spell?) and fried potato thing are really good too. This is one of a few things I miss from Purdue.
(4)Kristen H.
Finally got back to Khana Kazana for dinner, and was mildly surprised to see the buffet there, with the same options as the lunch buffet. It was just as delicious. I should probably try the menu at some point but... I can't resist a buffet. The service was pretty good, though they were fairly busy. We were there right in the middle of the dinner rush. I'll be glad to go back to Khana Kazana again soon.
(4)Dave A.
The buffet is a great value and it's fun to try all of the different dishes. Order some garlic nan -- it's the best. End up with some Indian spiced tea masala.
(4)Bill G.
I guess it must be just me, because this food was not even fair to taste. Every dish was bland and had no flavor whatsoever. The only thing good was the fresh fruit. I have a feeling my full uneaten plate went to the back kitchen and back on the buffet... Just a noticeable thing I noticed after she took my plate. And I hate to even say that but I really felt weird about her taking my plate to the back kitchen and not retuning in a fair amount of time. Could be just me though. Even so I won't be back.
(1)Shradha A.
After eating Indian buffets at a few different places all over Indiana, it was nice to get a good fresh tasty meal on our way back to Chicago. It's a family run restaurant, making fresh food, and good variety in the buffet.
(4)L T.
Shape up, Khana Khazana! There is real potential here, but the quality has deteriorated considerably since I moved to this area. The buffet does have some unique items not found elsewhere, and good vegetarian options. There is usually one very tasty vegetarian thing I feel compelled to compliment the chef on. However, the quality of the chicken is sorely lacking- seems to be the fattiest, darkest shreds. My husband could not even bring himself to eat it. And the service is the saddest thing of all. Waitstaff cannot be bothered to clear away plates or check on your table. You're lucky to get greeted when you walk in. And when I am paying, I do not expected to get a mere "mm, hmm" from the server dude (whose only other function seems to be bringing a tray out to the buffet once every fifteen minutes). I don't know why they don't seem to care about their decline, but good luck with that.
(2)James W.
Don't bother coming during the last hour of the buffet. The tandoori chicken was out the entire time, you had to scrape the bottom of the bowl to get any raita and one of the waiters was complaining the entire time about people coming in at the end of the lunch hour while expecting service. I arrived 50 minutes before closing time and they still refused to refill the line. They even lied to a customer who arrived at 15 'til closing and told him that they were closed. There were dirty tables everywhere and the two waiters were complaining about how long it was going to take to clean everything. Do them a favor and just don't go anymore. They don't want your business anyway.
(1)Tobias M.
Decent but expensive for buffet style and buffet quality. 11$ a plate is too much.
(3)Alexander B.
The popular Indian restaurant right next to Purdue's campus. Food is great, but when it comes to Indian food, there are better choices than Khana Khazana. I would highly recommend making the drive into Lafayette and going to Sharma's kitchen if you want Indian buffet.
(3)Kelly L.
I work at Purdue, and this is my favorite place to go for lunch around campus. It's a rare treat now because the lunch buffet price has gone up, but it's still worth it. After all it is all-you-can-eat! The chicken makhani is my favorite dish, along with the palak paneer. It's family-run, and the owners care. They always ask about our experience and are open to suggestions. They're also known for making special dishes by request if not on the buffet that day. Although the space is limited, they're always very accommoodating to large groups. Yet, my fiance and I never have trouble walking in and being seated immediately.
(4)Linda E.
Great Indiana buffet and they have a special menu at Diwali Love the Chicken Tikka Masala! YUM!
(4)Xopher D.
The limitations of the Lafayette Metropolitan Zone are wearing on me. Anywhere else, Khana Khazana would be your run-of-the-mill 2-star Indian place. But they get an extra star just for being here to satisfy my occasional urge for subcontinental cuisine. It's too bad that the closest Indian restaurant to my house is also sub-par. The atmosphere here is always edgy, and not in a cool, hipsterish way. Someone else has mentioned the iron fist of the management, and it shows in the service. Timid & creepy at times. Ordering off the menu can be hit or miss. The portions are good, but the prices are steep for the quality. Oily rice, greasy samosas, palak paneer that often tastes like it came from a frozen bag, adequate paneer. The naan is fresh and often decent, when it isn't burned. My advice is to go for the all-you-can-eat buffet. That's where you get the most bang for your buck.
(3)Katja V.
The vegetarian selection is always good and spicy! The servers are always laid back and polite.
(4)Ilana B.
I go here for lunch buffet all the time and for my department this is the default place we go to when we go get lunch. We all like it because there are veggie options, you can get a good assortment of things, and it is very fast. The buffet is very small, but always changing. I don't like spicy things and I rarely have any trouble with the food. I can't vouch for the authenticity of the cuisine, but it certainly hits the spot when it's a cost day at Purdue and you want something warm to open your sinuses.
(4)Ruth A.
Solidly gets the job done as "that Indian buffet near campus." Even has a few menu highlights! On any given day, I've found there are some mediocre dishes, a few real winners, and passable naan to fuel all of it. Plus they have rice pudding, which is my real guilty pleasure at any Indian buffet place. I suggest going a few times to get a feel for which dishes are your favorites, and stick to those. And don't get your hopes up about life-changing naan or other breads. This is my go-to choice for taking a department visitor to lunch because it accommodates vegetarians easily, is a speedy experience, and has "sit-down" feel, which is rare for campus lunch options.
(3)Sebas c.
I really liked the food, but just like any other person that is not used to spicy food I refused many dishes. The place was clean and the attention and time for bringing your order was pretty decent. There was something I really didn't like: the owners (just my personal opinion) were mistreating the waitresses which I really found unacceptable. Other than that the food was amazing. I had some lamb rolls but even though I clearly stated that I wanted them to be mild, right when they came they were as hot as any regular indian dish. I don't blame anybody for this other than myself and my inability to eat any hot food. I really liked the appetizer they give you before you order especially with the sweet sauce.
(4)