Downtown Lunch: Don't Ask Questions at Taste of Tandoor!
Midtown workers shouldn’t have all the fun, so to even the score, I’ve brought on Daniel Krieger as an official Downtown Lunch Correspondent to write up some of the tasty stuff you can get in the lower half of Manhattan. He’s a great photographer (ensuring good food porn), but more importantly he is a lover of cheap, unique and delicious eats (or as I like to call it- Midtown Lunch’ish food.) If everybody else on the site is given the opportunity to vent, I figure Daniel is entitled too. Here’s a little story of what happened to our Downtown Lunch reporter when he bypassed his goto Pakistani lunch spot, in favor of a cheaper option down the street.
Who doesn’t get the craving for Indian food every once in awhile? Spicy, flavorful lamb mixed with vegetables I never knew existed before moving to NYC. And of course the Naan… one of my greatest third-wordly pleasures is a fresh piping piece of naan peeled off the inside of a red hot tandoor.
A few nights ago I decided to save myself a buck and eat at Taste of Tandoor on Church street, walking past my normal go-to, Pakistani Tea House. The food is similar, good cheap steam table Pakistani/Indian food. Neither place gives you what you can get in Jackson Heights, but it works.
Then things went all wrong…
When I walked in I saw two very similar looking dishes sitting next to each other. One was Chicken Curry and one was Spicy Chicken Curry. Chicken Curry should already have somewhat of a kick so I was curious how hot the “spicy” version would be. Could the lips of a white jew from Connecticut raised on bagels and cream cheese withstand it?
“What’s the difference between the two” I said, realizing it sounded kinda dumb, but maybe there were other ingredients or vegetables between them. Perhaps one had potato in it? How the hell do you know unless you ask!?
“One is spicy one is not!” yelled what looked like the manager, perhaps owner of the place. “What do you think, I mean it says it right there” as he pointed to the sign which did in fact indicate which was which. I was taken aback. I said in an inquisitive and semi-defensive tone “welllllll what if I’ve never had Indian food before?” thinking he was gonna lighten the tone. Perhaps he was just having a bit of fun with me before?
“Then you can leave” he said, and turned away from me. I walked out and called him an asshole through the window.
Still craving Indian food (takes more than being kicked out of a restaurant to squelch that), I immediately went a block up to Pakistani Tea House.. which was buzzing with customers (Taste of Tandoor had maybe two somewhat grim looking people eating dinner there). As soon as I walked in I wanted to test the waters.. so I asked again “Whats the difference between these two chickens?” giggling a bit in my head realizing if this was a movie people would be laughing at this part (hopefully). The woman smiled and told me that one was Jalfrazie and the spicy one was called Karahi.
Without hesitation, or prompting from me, she finished her sentence with, “would you like to taste it to see if it’s too hot?” and I did! And it wasn’t too hot! It tasted great! I ordered it, thanked her, and told her that I much prefer PTH to Taste of Tandoor down the block. She smiled and said “We make our food fresh 4 times a day.” Was that an indication that Taste of Tandoor doesn’t? Who cares… either way I’m never going back to Taste of Tandoodie. It’s PTH forever. I might gets me a tatooo of their naan on my arm..
Taste of Tandoor, 149 Church St. (btw. Warren+Chambers), 212-619-1200
Paki Tea House, 176 Church St. (btw. Duane+Reade), 212-240-9800
Photos and post by Daniel Krieger
Posted by Zach Brooks at 10:30 am, January 16th, 2009 under Indian, Pakistan Tea House, Taste of Tandoor, Tribeca.
35 Comments | RSS comments feed for this post
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35 Comments
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No, “Pakistani” is not the same as “paki”, the latter is derogatory, like “japanese” without the “anese”….
“Paki / Pakki
(Primarily UK and Canada, sometimes US, NZ and India) a Pakistani and South Asian. Within the UK, the term originated in Northern England, where a large number of South-Asians arrived in the 1950s and 1960s. It is usually considered offensive when used by a non-South-Asian in the UK.[118][119] ” -
PS great report and the photo couldn’t be better!
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Awesome post on the classic exchanges that are just a part of this town, I guess. Mr. Sunshine looks pretty pissed. Did you call him an asshole before or after you took the picture?
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‘then you can leave.”?! WTH indeed! Man, that gives even ME rage!!! You would think in tough times like this, they would try some semblance of perhaps keeping a customer?! *shakes head*
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There’s also Bangal Curry on Church (btwn Murray & Park Place) that’s a decent option. Although I was eating there once where the server shouted at a customer because he wanted to taste the curry before ordering.
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you also used your PTH photo from your last post
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gong bush,
Regarding the photo: Hello! Are you looking at those amazing slivers of jalapeno on that sea of luscious curry. Hell yeah! He could reuse that photo at the end of every post he makes for all I care! -
I may be a moron but where does it say Paki?
Also frigggin relax people even if it does, this isn’t the UN
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I noticed that as well, Miss Yvo! Brought me to the Quikee Mart and Apoo Aparmapethalon (sp?) in the Simpsons. Any way, if If I come across that cocksucker I’m gonna swat him in the cunt. People have to learn some manners. Cheers!
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Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
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Waaaait a minute——- theres a 7-11 in Tribeca? Because I’m OBSESSED with Slurpees and travel from West Village to midtown to score. WHOA. thanks!
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I go to the Taste of Tandoor all the time, the quality is consistent, and the servers have never been anything but friendly. Bangal is pricier, but certainly the most flavorful of the bunch. Taste of Tandoor also makes a killer pakora curry, but unfortunately they only have it on rare occasions.
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“She smiled and said ‘We make our food fresh 4 times a day.'”.
oh snap!
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Thank you for this suggestion. I love Pakistani food, but how how was the tea?? I’ve been going to a tea shop in the West Village lately, called The Tea Set for organic tea and champagne. You can get $20 worth of food and drink for $10 and $20 worth of take home tea for $10. Here’s the link http://bit.ly/b5pi8b Enjoy!
That’s what it’s called!