Charminar
Charminar is a sprawling Indian restaurant with a massive menu of biryanis, kabobs, and housemade dosas.
Taking over the warehouse-like space that used to house the country's first location of the chain Bawarchi Biryani, the restaurant looks largely the same as before.
Former Bawarchi franchise owners decided to break apart from the American chain to focus more on a Canadian audience, which evidently, likes a menu that runs the full gamut of Indian eats, not just biryani.
Hakka, tandoori platters, idli, and cups of mango lassi: the options span from north to south cuisine.
If you have to order one thing, go for their perfectly made, buttery dosa. There are more than 13 options of these rice batter crepes, which are all freshly cooked and folded by a designated dosa-maker in the kitchen.
Their standard dosa size is around 65 mm, like the Chicken 65 dosa ($11.99), a slightly spicy one stuffed with chicken.
For a little more length, get the 70 mm dosa ($11.99). The crepe comes laid out on a platter with peanut, tomato, and ginger chutneys, plus a sambar sauce on the side.
The mint chutney served with the chicken tikka kabab ($12.99), which are marinated in spices, yogurt, and grilled in a clay oven, is perfectly cooling.
I'm a huge kofta fan, and the malai kofta ($11.99) is really delicious, with these fried veggie balls served in a shahi sauce.
The obligatory butter chicken ($11.99) is a creamy standout.
Regardless of what you get, definitely get a side of butter naan ($2.49) or garlic naan ($2.99).
The Malay Tikka Kabab ($12.99) is a boneless chicken breast that's marinated in a secret garlic sauce.
Super affordable lunch combos like the chicken biryani ($10.99) is a total steal for nine sides (including a galub jamun for dessert) and a huge portion of rice.
For dessert, don't miss out on a chocolate dosa ($9.99).
Hector Vasquez