"I recently visited Ashoka Indian Restaurant for the first time on July 9, having moved to the area just a week ago. I had passed by before, but the door was always locked, so I was surprised to find it open this time. However, I was initially hesitant to enter; the inside was uninviting, with only three tables set up in the front, and the rest of the space blocked off with chairs and bikes, making it look like a storage area. The place was also very dirty and had an unpleasant smell.
In hopes of tasting some exceptional Indian cuisine, I decided to give it a shot. While I waited, I noticed several DoorDash and delivery drivers coming in and standing right next to my table to pick up their orders – which didn’t give a good impression of a fine dining atmosphere. As an Indian woman and a passionate cook, I was eager to try the food.
I ordered paneer makhni and onion kulcha, served by an elderly gentleman who seemed to be handling everything — taking orders, serving, and managing the cash register. Unfortunately, he moved at a snail's pace, and despite being the only customer there, I waited for an entire hour for my food to arrive.
When the food finally came, I was incredibly disappointed. It tasted sweet and lacked any real spices, reminiscent of a dessert rather than savory Indian cuisine. I left most of my meal uneaten.
I feel compelled to warn fellow Indian diners that this restaurant does not offer authentic Indian flavors, and although some American patrons might be unaware of what genuine Indian food tastes like, many others are not.
To make matters worse, when I received the bill, it totalled $20.31. The menu had listed the paneer makhni at $11.95, but I was charged $12.95 instead. When I inquired about this discrepancy, I was told it was because of an "old menu." I suggested they should have informed me of the price change ahead of time. Additionally, there was a $3 table charge, which baffled me since I had been sweating in uncomfortable heat with delivery personnel bustling about inches away from me.
Despite my frustrations, the gentleman was quite rude and seemed to expect a tip for this experience, which I found completely unreasonable. I left the restaurant hungry, opting instead for some Chinese food to rid my palate of the awful taste.
In summary, I cannot recommend Ashoka Indian Restaurant. Eat at your own risk—you have been warned! I am extremely dissatisfied with my visit."
