Kevin K.
Yelp
If you live near Syracuse University or work in the area near Upstate University Hospital, the VA or Crouse Hospital then you must be familiar with the Royal Indian Grill on 147 Marshall Street. Most notably, they serve a lunch buffet during the week that costs less than $13 and is bar none the best value for your money. I often partake in the take-out buffet during the weekdays and can't deny that its the best option for when I am really hungry and want a satisfying meal.
The staff are associated with other well known Indian restaurants in the area (The Clay Oven and the Dosa Grill to name a couple) as denoted by their various polo shirts with the named establishments screen printed on the chest. On various days, I have experienced questionable attitudes from the wait staff but, most of time, I don't dine-in so my experience in this regard is not very reliable. But, be forewarned that some previous reviews have criticized the customer service of the staff and called it into question on more than a few occasions.
The buffet has a wide variety of options available and they try to mix up the entrees beyond the usual Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Curry and Tandoori Chicken. On Fridays, they sometimes serve Fish Masala which is a personal favorite of mine. There are also a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options as well beyond the salad bar. In fact, if you ever consider converting to a vegetarian diet, Indian cuisine is the way to go. The variety of options consisting of chick peas, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, eggplant, okra, lentils and cheese are so expertly prepared with herbs and spices that make any traditional Indian dishes absolutely delicious. If you are new to Indian cuisine you can feel confident in the knowledge that the spice levels are very mild (unless you specifically request a certain level of spiciness).
Overall, its a great and affordable experience for any foodie who enjoys fragrant cuisine highlighted by herbs and spices that aren't overbearing. The buffet is all-you-can-eat and the to-go option is very filling. This is my go-to option for anytime I am famished and just want something delicious that always leaves me satisfied. You owe it to yourself to try this out. And the price point will never disappoint. What have you got to lose?