About Indian Food: Indian Food Chains To Die For

Indian fast food industry is growing like never before. Other than the fast expanding international chains like McDonalds, Subway, Dominos, Pizza Hut et all, Indian chains are on a growth spree.

If you are in India and want to check out anything Indian without risking your health at a roadside stall, have a look at these Indian food joints that are extremely popular for their authentic Indian food. If you are in a big city you will definitely find an outlet, and if in a smaller place you will likely find at least a couple of them.

Some Indian food chains that are growing at rocket speed and worth a mention here -

1. Bikanerwala. This favorite Indian chain specializes in Indian delicacies like Cholle-Puri, Chat, Kachoris, Samosas, Pani Puri, Namkeen and all varieties of Indian sweets everyone likes to have as an evening snack. A favorite with the ladies for the lip smacking tangy tasting items. If you are looking at anything from a quick snack to a full meal, Bikanerwala is the place to be. Indian sweets from Bikanerwala make for excellent gifts if you are visiting an Indian friend. A meal for two is possible within Rs 200/-, or about $5.

2. Barista, and Cafe Coffee Day. Both are coffee bars that have built a presence across the country over the past few years with excellent variety of both hot and cold coffee and small bakeries to whet your appetite. Starting from scratch, in just a few years they have multiplied in popularity thanks to the international level food quality and service standards. Now in the process of getting an international imprint, a typical outing will cost a couple about Rs 300-400, or $8-10.

3. Sagar Ratna, Kamat Restaurant and Cafes, and Indian Coffee House. Following this sequence in terms of layout and cost, these three are the best known places if you want to have any kind of South Indian food. Food quality in all these chains is top of the line. You are likely to bump into at least one of the three wherever you are in India. India Coffee House is amongst the oldest, and you can still soak in the colonial era Indian culture here. In case of Kamat, ask for the restaurant as opposed to the hotel chain of the same name.

For South Indian food to include a large variety of dosas, wadas, uttapams, upma, and related stuff, these three are the leading players for an authentic experience. A filling meal for two is likely to cost you up to Rs 400, Rs 300 and Rs 200 (that’s about $8, $6 and $4) at Sagar Ratna, Kamath, and India Coffee House respectively.

4. Punjabi By Nature. Starting off in Delhi and now located in all major cities, this upscale restaurant is the place to check out the best Tandoori Chicken, Butter Chicken, Naan and anything Punjabi in food. The food is rich and the variety of spices used deliver authentic tastes to remember. Although a trifle expensive as compared to the others on this list, the quality of authentic Indian food and layout make it worth the trip. A typical meal for two is likely to cost around Rs 1500/-, or about $30.

5. Haveli. Typically meaning ‘palatial residence’, this pure vegetarian Indian food chain has suddenly made a massive appearance all along the highways of North India over the past few years, and all are full at any given point of time! Having originated the concept in Jalandhar, Punjab, this unique restaurant gives you a feel of the Indian culture along with the food. The adjoining Rangla Punjab has a multitude of traditional dancers, musicians, magicians, monkey shows along with Camel rides and free cultural shows showcasing the vibrant culture of Punjab, to keep you enthralled and enhance the overall food experience.

Even the food is served in typical low Indian sitting posture, with an enthusiasm that is typical of the boisterous North Indian hospitality. A must visit for the overall experience, and a meal for two is also fairly cheap at about Rs 400-500, or $8-10.

6. Barbeque Nation. If you are in India and have not had a meal made on coals, you’ve not had anything. Non-veggies and veggy foodies rejoice, for this excellent barbeque chain lets you have unlimited quantities of Indian Chicken and Paneer Tikka, Mutton Kebabs, Tandoori Fish, Golden Prawn, Mushrooms and lots of other vegen Indian food delicacies all for a princely Rs 500/- per plate, or a shade under $12. Double it for a meal for two.

While waiters serve you from the central kitchen, each table has a small personal barbeque to keep the ‘seekhs’ (food rods) warm, and you can spend the entire evening hogging. Now this one is making my mouth water even thinking of all the yummy stuff!

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