AWWWWWWWWFUL......please avoid this place, 4/13/2013
Reviewer: kuri
from Los Angeles, CA
Yesterday we went to this place for dinner,me and my spouse had the most terrible experience ever..we ordered mixed biryani, only to be served a plate of stale food.
When the manager was contacted,he took our plate back but in no time came back with the same plate saying "food is fine and fresh" ,made by their chef.
When we requested to talk to the chef we were told "he is very busy",(restaurant is empty). We didn't eat our food,but was charged the full amount.The staff was courteous but nobody seemed to know the name of the chef or the owner.We were extremely disappointed on the experience as a whole.Moreover after paying the check they never give you the receipt unless you ask for it specifically. Lovely Santa Barbara, lousy dining experience!!
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Quite disappointed., 1/18/2013
Reviewer: Nic
from Sydney, Australia
Went tonight for dinner (family of 5) as my children had expressed interest ( they are aged 6 and 7). We were welcomed in but that was the end of the friendly service. Waiter was surly - did they really want us to dine there? The butter chicken was too spicy for young children ( they like it usually). Generally the food was fine but service very ordinary. I was offended by the 18% gratuity included in the total when the service was so ordinary. That is wrong. We didn't complain - just wont return.
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Wow...What a ambience, 1/8/2013
Reviewer: Carlos
from Santa Barbara, CA
Wow...First word say when you enter in restaurant. It's amazing no place can be even think to compete it's decoration. 5+
We had lunch last week, food was also delicious, and feel good i choose this place.
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Disgusted Quartet!!, 11/25/2012
Reviewer: Gary
from San Diego, CA
The food was the worst Indian meal we have ever experienced and we are very well travelled. The service was non-existent with the waiter more interested in watching the tv's than serving customers! No change of plates between courses, starter platter was cold and insepid. 18% Gratuity for 4 or more (we were 4), we would have paid as we saw this on the menu had the meal been good, we were appalled and refused to pay it as we had left almost all of the food. Very expensive menu, the food does not match the prices in anyway!!
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So so food, no service, 9/6/2012
Reviewer: Sallee
from Santa Barbara, CA
Food is so-so. For an Indian joint I expected more flavor and spice, so if you have a delicate palate, this might be a good place for you. My buddy liked it, so we are giving it an average mark. Service was not bad: it was just not there. The waterboy would kind of ask from a distance if you wanted more water, nobody else came around for drinks or other orders, and we had to go up to pay our bill. Go figure!
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Awful Service, Overpriced and Rude Waiter, 8/1/2012
Reviewer: Luna
from Santa Barbara, CA
We went there for lunch with the family four of us, food wasn't bad or good it was "blah". The waiter was rude, not friendly at all. No bread available for a long time. Place was empty, now I know why!
When the check came they charged 18% gratuity!!!!! Come one! We had the buffet and the only thing the waiter did was to refill our water glasses once!
Not going back there again!
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Worse food and service ever, 6/30/2012
Reviewer: Kate
from Santa Barbara, CA
My partner and I went there today for lunch. Huge mistake. The food there was unappealing and looked like it had been sitting there for a long time without refreshing. The service was absent. The waiter ignored us and didn't bring the customary naan bread. I asked why we didn't get the bread and he said he was too busy. There was only one other table occupied in the whole place. The whole attitude of the place is one of not caring about their food or service. I don't know how they stay in business. Wish I could give neg. stars.
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The service wasn't bad, it was non-existent!, 5/23/2012
Reviewer: Lara
from Santa Barbara, CA
I don't get this place. My friend and I decided to give it a try one evening and we sat for twenty minutes with zero attention from the staff, which was especially odd considering the place was completely empty. After spending rather a long time watching several employees wander about aimlessly, we simply got up and left without a word. I'm not sure how the proprietors of this establishment expect to keep their restaurant open when they treat their customers with such disdain. Needless to say, neither of us will ever go back.
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masala has no taste !!
Reviewer: Sal
from Santa Barbara, CA
i stopped by india house yesterday to give it a try. the chicken Tickka masala was terrible. i ate only one spoon and i could not finish up my plate. it has no taste, the chicken chunks were too big. the only thing i liked was the papadum bread. in short, i will never go their again.
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A MUMBAI MOMENT
Reviewer: Jerome
from Santa Barbara, CA
I had lunch here the other day and for a moment I thought I was back in India.The atmosphere/ambience was unbelievable.The cuisine is as good as many 5 Star Indian restaurants I have visited in Europe.Very friendly service and was even greeted by the owner Chef Krishan.Great value for the high quality of food.
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Great Food with Amazing Service.
Reviewer: Daniella B
from Santa Barbara, CA
If your looking for authentic Indian Food, you must visit the India House in Downtown State Street. The interior design of the restaurant is amazing. I ordered the chicken curry with raisins and i had to give my complements to the chef. No kidding when they say :service with a smile" the atmosphere was very welcoming and i will visit again. Great job!
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Don't bother, go across the street
Reviewer: Emily
from Santa Barbara, CA
I frequent the Indian food buffets on state street as quick lunch option and decided to give this one a try... I should have known better. I was the ONLY one there, the food was oily (there was visible oil floating on every dish), the chicken tikka masala was an awful bright pink/red and dry, the green beans tasted like they were from a can, and the rice was cold. The lamb dish was actually okay (nice and spicy, tender meat) but that was the only redeeming factor. If you're considering this place for lunch just go across the street to the All India Cafe buffet (my favorite) and be sure to try the chicken tikka masala there... it's a world of difference.
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I feel ripped off
Reviewer: Dave
from Santa Barbara, CA
Worst tikka masala I have ever had. Way overpriced... $20... And very small portion. It also took forever for them to make it and there was only one other party there, which was probably a clue. We had a discount card and they charged us tax And auto-gratuity of 18% on the full amount before the discount, even though we were a party of two. They said they had a right to based on the terms of the coupon, but it's a clear message about the restaurant when they have to force you to pay a big tip. If you want good Indian in Santa Barbara, theres a place on upper state (i wont mention the name) that puts this place to shame.
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buffet
Reviewer: john fogarty
from Santa Barbara, CA
I ate here when they first opened and have to say it needed work. Today I stopped by for the lunch buffet and must say I was greatly impressed with the food quality. I rarely go back for seconds however this time i exercised great restraint not going back for a third serving. It is nice to see an indian restaurant put some heat into there buffet dishes. Thumbs up, keep up the good work. I will return.
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Friendly and amazing Indian Food
Reviewer: Daniella
from Santa Barbara, CA
My husband and I visited The Indian House for dinner and i must say it was very unexpected how good the food was. The Nan was cooked so perfectly we even ordered some to go. The service was very welcoming and friendly and the decor was beautiful. We will defiantly visit again.
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better than expected
Reviewer: chris
from Santa Barbara, CA
Samosas were outstanding - big, tasty, garnished - almost a meal by themselves. The Bombay thali was all nicely spiced. The naan was thin and crisp, more like a fire-roasted flour tortilla. Chicken saag was very flavorful but also watery with the chicken dry and over-cooked. Service was excellent throughout. Odd-but-true: the ice water was unusually good. Ambiance is a fun mix of restaurant and shop with a variety of seating options. Axxess discount every time.
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Cold food on a nice summer day.
Reviewer: Erin Schults
from Anaheim, CA
My husband and I had just had Indian food in Rancho Cucamonga a few days ago and were, as always, delighted and were looking forward to trying Indian food in Santa Barbara on our mini vacation. There was only one couple for buffet and that should have been our warning to leave. The food was cold, the chicken was dry, the rice did not even taste like Indian rice, everthing they had was cold as if the burners where not on. We were disappointed and plan on avoiding this place next time. The service…. It’s a buffet, there is no service. I actually have to say that toward the end the waiter told us that they had desert.
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Terrible in every way!
Reviewer: charlotte klein
from goleta
My husband and I had lunch here last week and I must say that it was terrible in every way! The food was inedible, the worst Indian food ever and the real kicker was that it was crazy expensive!! The naan was burnt, the chicken Tikka Masala was dry, had no cream or ghee, there was no richness to the dish what so ever. I even asked the waitress if this was Tikka Masala! It was, it's just how they prepare it?????It was more like a bland Vindaloo! The spices tasted as if they hadn't been properly toasted first ( bitter and chalky ) Now the price of this dish ( at lunch time ) was $13.00! and it was enough for one. Not that I would want any leftovers but yikes! $13.00 for a few pieces of dry CHICKEN in an inedible sauce!! The weirdest part of the meal was that the timid waitress and the menacing cook ( yes, the menacing cook was watching us eat! or at least try! ) they seemed to care less that we were unhappy and didn't eat a thing! Weird! Maybe they thought we were tourists!
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Never visit this place - especially if you are hungry!
Reviewer: Niyo
from Torrance, CA
1. Food : whatever we ordered, was not available. So v changed it 3 to 4 times and ended up ordering Veg Yogi, Nawabi &Bombay Thali.Appetizer is just few lettuce leaves dipped in ketchup!
2. Service : There were just 2 guys handling 15 customers. We and othrs came in just bcos every other restaurant was closed @ 3.45 pm
3. While paying after our lunch, we politely told the Chef/Owner that we had great expectations and we were disappointed by service and quality of food for the money that we paid. He was so indifferent - did not even respond by nodding his head.
Eating there was just a waste of money.
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Fun Atmosphere, Terrible Indian Food
Reviewer: Robert
from Santa Barbara, CA
I'm sorry, but this was not authentic Indian cuisine. The Dal was extremely salty and the chana masala was a soup with minimal flavor. Maybe it was fusion dining??
The atmosphere was groovy, so I guess that is a plus.
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we walked out
Reviewer: Pat
from Santa Barbara, CA
We went to dinner there with house guests - we had a reservation.
When someone finally came to our table, he said he did not have enough menus,he did not have any lamb,he did not have any india beer and other things we asked for. So we walked out and ate elsewhere.
The waiter did apolized for their lack of food and drinks. (They had served "all you can eat" for lunch that day which is the reason I think that they ran out of everything.)
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