Chandni Restaurant
“We happened upon Chandni right as the Mosque next door let out.”
“They've got your spinach curry, your spicy lamb curry, your chickpea curry, and your CHICKEN TIKKA GODDAMNED MASALA.”
“Like the other reviewers have said – beware of the post-prayer crowd from next door…”
Chandni Restaurant
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Good for Kids: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Caters: Yes
Price range.
$ Price range Under $10
8 reviews
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3.7 Solid, good portion, inexpensive (6.99) Indian/Bangladeshi/Pakistani food
Confirming that it was upstairs.
Tried a random place, saw the people in there.
Atmosphere: Guy was nice, mix of people, tv was in a foreign language, communal free water, food served on plastic plates on a giant metal plate. Saw the food was inexpensive, most likely good.
So yes, I got Chicken Mahkani with a Naan, guy asked if I wanted rice also but as it was Lunch I didn't want to fill up too much. A good amount of the food is labeled but knowing some Indian dishes goes a long way to discerning some of the extra dishes listed on the menu.
The food was quite good. Mound of chicken but was not super spicy (but still flavored.) Naan was one giant piece.
The place has a C but really, it follows Halal customs so the food is not going to make you sick.
I found this place while walking to Dig Inn and decided to try here instead. The lunch platter that I got (chicken tikka masala with aloo gobi and naan) was huge and fulfilled my craving for Indian food, but it was just too greasy. Pools of oil gathered at the bottom of my chicken tikka masala, which I have never encountered before. They also didn't have palak paneer that day even though it was listed on the menu. All in all, I'd try other Indian places in the area before coming back here again.
I was really rooting for this place because I actually thought that the food was not bad. I have definitely tasted worse. I was close to giving this place a decent rating until I went yesterday, and got swindled out of a $1.00. But, getting swindled out of $1.00 is the least important part, but how I got swindled was the most upsetting about the incident.
I have spin class every Friday night near Madison Square Park, and I have a friend who, knowing that I love Chicken Tikka Masala, referred me to Chandni Food since it was close to my gym. This is a hole-in-the-wall Indian take-out joint, and the food itself doesn't look quite appetizing in the display case. However, I can attest that the food didn't upset my stomach, and did not taste horrible.
Their samosas are also decent and only cost $1. I had gone the first time, and I ordered a Chicken Tikka Masala and a Samosa for $8.00. I had gone a second time the following Friday after my spin class and ordered the same Chicken Tikka Masala and a Samosa for a total of $8.00. Two weeks after that, I ordered a Chicken Tikka Masala and this time I ordered 2 Samosas, and had charged me $9.00. I swear to God that I heard $9.00. I pulled out a $10.00 bill. I stood there waiting for my $1.00 change, and he informed me that it was actually $10.00. I told him that I heard him say $9.00, and also that I am usually charged $8.00 with 1 Samosa. So, with an additional Samosa should only cost another dollar for a total of $9.00.
Him has his friend stood on the other side of the counter, and tried to make me believe that I was wrong telling me that I didn't know how to add correctly. I tried to look over the menu board for the actual price, but there actually isn't a price for the Chicken Tikka Masala. It just didn't make sense to me, and I felt like I was being bullied at one point. It wasn't that I was angry about the $1.00, but the principle of the matter. My main complaint is that the prices are so inconsistent, and I would like to know how much I'm paying for an item before purchasing it. I've even referred my other friends to this place, which is the worst part. I give this place a straight "F" for customer satisfaction. After that horrible experience, it doesn't matter how the food tastes. I had an awful experience, felt unwelcome, felt bullied, and I'm never coming back here again.
Simple and quick that's how we like it. First time I visited this eatery was on the recommendation of my good friend. We went for a late night bite.
That time we shared (2 orders) of yellow dal with naan. So tasty I was hooked. Each order comes with a little side salad which is always nice. We also split a Mango Lassi, tasty yet sweet. Water is readily available in pitchers.
Second visit today I had some chicken. Now they have a menu up on the board but that's not what's always available. Gotta go in and see what's cooked and ready. Today I got the green chicken. My friend got the chicken masala. I asked if the green chicken was spicy, the lady behind the counter said no. Well its a little spicy, a Lil bit. Very tasty and enjoyable. With the chicken my friend got okra and I got chana dal (chick peas). My friend thought he was funny and bought two chicken samosas for us. As much as I love those too much food went in my belly.
Tip: stick to the meat and veg no apps needed.
Also its counter service don't expect a whole lot of attention order your food and eat it.
The food is halal which should be a good thing for us organic hormone free folks, maybe kosher too, not sure.
I shall return. You will too.
I gave them Four Stars for lunch, but now that I have had dinner there, I need to drop the Stars to Two.
There are many many reasons why I will not advise anyone to eat here for dinner. Unless of course you have.
Authentic Bengali food just like home food my mom makes and I'm Bengali. I tried both the chicken tikka masala and the lamb curry with brown rice and they were both delicious and $7.99 a plate. It came with brown rice and salad. I didn't get the side of vegetables so I was given even more meat which was great. They weren't cheap with the meat at all and I got more piece of meat here than in most Indian restaurants. I also tried the chicken roll which was delicious but unfortunately the roll wasn't crispy on the outside like it's supposed to be but that's because it was microwaved so I understand. I also tried the masala chai which was perfect and $1 per cup. Overall, great food for a great price and I'd definitely come back here again and again.
To start with, I didn't know whether to come in here or go to the one right next door to it, which looks like it serves pretty much the exact same food, except the other one says Pakistani/Middle Eastern/Indian, I believe, and Chandni says Pakistani and Bangladeshi. They're both Halal, though that doesn't mean anything for me, so choosing one was a challenge. But at least I know where to go for something to eat before I head to the Little Church Around the Corner for a rehearsal or concert again! It had been a while since I had Indian-ish food, so I am glad I came in and the food was good. Only thing was, I believe I has asked for an appetizer (smaller) portion since I was in a rush, but was charged 9 dollars (still really not bad) for the chicken masala with white rice, and a coke. I was expecting it to be a little less, but I am glad it wasn't more. Still reasonable, though I don't remember seeing exact prices, as one reviewer here has made mention of. I'd come back again, and staff were friendly. I am also glad a lot of the South Asian folk come in here too. They just need to be clearer about their prices.
The Real Deal! I'm sitting in their super clean Grade A cafeteria-style restaurant, waiting for a friend, sipping on a $1 nicely spice chai, while staring at the overpriced Stumptown Cafe in the Ace Hotel across the street. Two Totally different worlds!
There is a temple below the restaurant also, and a plethora of cab drivers coming in and out to buy a late lunch. But also a table of 2 young people, one guy in a dress, talking about Zionism, college students, a European tourist, and Indian office workers coming in for their chai fix, as well. This is New York!
I got a spicy ground chicken and pea roll, $1.50 with my chai. Came with raita, a nice light green yogurt sauce. Got some dinner to go, $8.00, brown basmati rice is an option!! You get 2 options, I got the beef (4 large chunks, medium spicy) and a dal of split chickpeas. I'd definitely go back and try everything: chicken tikka masala, curried goat, fried tilapia in a curried onion sauce, curried turnip (never heard of this before!), cauliflower and potatoes, chickpea masala, veg samosas, a meat veg skewer, and a ground meat kebab thing. They have parathas & desserts too (one guy was scooping out a noodle dish, soaked in either yogurt or milk).
If I was in the area during lunch, I'd so take advantage of their $6.99 lunch for dinner. Oh- and all meals come with a generous portion of salad(green lettuce, red cabbage, carrot, cuks, tomato). I hope this place is around for a long time! The worker said that it used to be next door & move to it's current location once their rent was raised.