Shalimar

This has to be the worst South Asian restaurant I've ever eaten at. I've been several times only to be disappointed each time - and swear that I'll never come back only to return desperately hoping they'll have what their menu claims to have. In all the times I've been there, they've never had mango lassi. Twice, my friend ordered something they didn't have even though their menu claims they have it. The service is also not as good. Several waiters but never does one drop by to how things are going or if you need anything or to bring you a refill without your asking them to do it. And their naan does not taste too good. I'm never going back, and this time I'm going to stand by my promise. Extremely disappointing. more

I have eaten at this resaurant for five years about 30 times when I am in the area. It is pretty low key with many types of people that eat there. I have no idea and don't care why the guy at the top of the page had to slam this place so terribly. I eat a lot of ethnic food and prepare quite a few myself. I am a native texan, but have lived all over the united states. I love this place. I would have to totally disagree that the naan (flat bread) is bad. They warm/toast it on a flat top and bring a large portion of it to the table. This is a buffet, but I have always had my drink immediately, and the rotating food items are awesome. You might not like the small pieces of lamb or chicken in the spicy sauces as they sometimes have small bones in them, and you have to pick them out, but this is traditional, and the flavors are excellent. Then you have to get a few samosas as you leave for later. I think it is very traditional and mostly clean. (My tablecloth was not as cleas as it should have been today), but I am not eating the tablecloth. The food rocks. more

I never ever wrote a review on anything, this place was so special I had to write a review. The food was so stale, and the worst was goat or lamb curry, I almost regurgitate the whole thing. Somebody else wrote their nan (bread) was good, the person who wrote that must have been ate one for the first time. I had better nan from a store. I feel bad to write a review like this against anybody's establishment, but no one should think Indian food can be this bad. No one in the restaurant knows what is customer service, so there is nothing to write about. If there is anything good about this place, lots of available seats. I didn't choose this restaurant because somebody else took me there, I didn't have to pay for the food, but I don't think anybody ever should have to pay for this kind of food or service. Pros: can't think of any good thing Cons: Bad custormer service, Food that made me more

Greasy, unclean everything tastes same! That just sums up this place. After eating at a marvelous place in Houston..I was craving for some biryani..oh boy...the food was so bad..never again! Pros: None Cons: Greasy, unclean everything tastes same! more

Do not waste your time and energy. My boyfriend and I made the mistake of going b/c for some reason it have 4.5 stars on here, but PLEASE do not go. Extremely disappointing. Pros: nothing Cons: everything more

I went to this restaurant once and I think I wouldnt wanna go there again...Their buffet was aweful, I ordered chicken katakat and my husband took buffet because I hated buffet items just by looking at them (greasy, stale) All the time that I was eating my food, One waitress kept a strict eye on me so that I do not take anything from my husband's plate...In the end, when I couldnt eat that 4 year old chicken salan, I told that waitress to give me a to-go-box...she brought a to-go box with an attitude and said that she would put my food in it because that poor lady thought that I would steal away there stale unhiegenic food...that was humiliating to the level that I wont go there again...Please Shalimar people, I am not interested in your single dish and would not steal away your buffet food for sure...Have some life!!! Pros: none Cons: unprofessional staff, stale food, far from authentic taste more

I LOVE Indian food but this was too greasy to enjoy. the food wasn't bad but wasn't worth the trek up north and the guilt afterwards about injesting that much oil. There was virtually no service at all. Just seat yourself and buss your own table. Paid the guy at the front between his phone call conversation. Really was like we were invisible. Wasn't very clean. Not having any service is better than bad service though. A great meal can make up for poor service. This wasn't a great meal. Pros: ummmm....wasn't terriable Cons: location, food, atmoshphere, service more

I really enjoy the buffet offered here. The men that work here are sweet old guys. The food is very lovely and the price is decent. It seems pretty family friendly, too. It was just super friendly, welcoming, and great service. Pros: Atmosphere, Food Cons: Neighborhood more

I must admit I was a bit afraid of the neighborhood. However, it was a good push out of the subberbia. The restaurant was simple, more of a diner. We did enjoy our meal and the prices were excellent! I woudn't compare it to some gourmet Indien food you will try in a more upscale place. Nevertheless, for the price it was more than what I was expecting. Their brad (nan?) was some of the best I've tried. The service was very friendly and not in your face. We'll come back. more

The atmosphere if casual and family friendly. Bigger booths make it possible for parties bigger than the usual four to be seated at a booth. For appetizers, the samosas, especially with raita sauce, are tasty and highly recommended. For newcomers to Indian/Pakistani cuisine, the chicken tikka is a good choice. For the slightly more adventurous, any of the goat dishes are worth a try, if not just for the experience. For those who like creamier (& less spicy) foods, the chicken makani is highly recommended. Any of the biryani dishes and the mixed vegetables are also recommended. To compliment any of the dishes, the naan is highly recommended, especially with the meat dishes to soak up the delicious sauces! The service is very friendly and fast. Shalimar is one of the best Pakistani-Indian restaurant in the Austin area. I can't wait to try out some of the dishes on the menu. Go check it out for yourself! Pros: Lots of variety, service is fast and friendly, prices are good! Cons: None! more

Read the reviews and went expecting nothing fancy... and though my expectations were low... this place didn't meet them. Got the buffet, which was probably my first mistake. For $9, I was treated to a variety of grease covered mush. I wish i had taken a picture of this food. Literally, heavy orange grease covered everything. It was totally sick. But thats ok. I just mitigated the greasiness with the non-iced tap water. Yum Pros: good bread... Cons: everything else more

Shabby Chic? Not really, just severe flavors, excellent vegan options, the only place I have ever been in austin that has clientele that eats without utensils, every time I go I over eat. Get the buffet on weekdays 11am to 3pm, Blah, Blah blah, EAT HERE OR DON"T! Mmmmmmmmmmm. PAKISTANI/INDIAN BUFFET YUM YUM YUM YUM YUM Pros: bling bling store next door, their lemons in oil garnish, VEGAN options Cons: too far north, tables are sticky, a dollar too pricey more

I love shalimar. I just went there last night and got the mixed grill platter... omg, its a massive entree for those that are hungry. Other then that if you want the best bang for your buck, then go during the hours of the buffet (i forgot the times). Their buffet is awesome! Its not like an extravagant variety or anything, but they have a good selection and its very tasty. The down side of this place is that its in the middle of a ghetto area (north lamar)... doesnt bug me since I grew up in a ghetto area before going to UT, but just a side note for you future customers that decide to try out the place. Pros: food, service, buffet Cons: ghetto more

Well, without using any fancy terms, just one word about the food - AWESOME!! Pros: Yummy, Yummy, Yummy Cons: none more

My husband and I visited Shalimar for the first time this evening... what a treat! The service and decor are what you would expect from a truly ethnic restaurant. But the FOOD! I have never seen my husband eat so much in my entire life. the goat dishes were all incredibly flavorful and moist. The chicken korma was also very tender. and the mango lassi was one of the best that i have had here in austin. Try this place out Pros: great food, good value, pleasant staff more

great authentic food for a low price - do not expect a fancy schmancy restaurant, it is cafeteria style and the menu does not have descriptions of what the dish is like... I don't think that the people who work there are rude - they have been rather helpful when you have questions . I highly recommend their vegetarian samosas, chicken biryani, and of course their buffet - which is an excellent way to sample dishes so you know what to order the next time. Pros: good parking, authentic, excellent food more

---- Far a way from professionalism, bad service, Food was not well cooked! Prices for banquet order(s) are higher than average! +++ Clean, good parking lot, open most of the day, good location Pros: good parking l, Clean, nice location Cons: bad service, bad food, not professionalism more

All the dishes from the tandoor are excellent. We tried the boti chicken and it was very well made. The only negative is the dine-in experience, which is kind of shabby looking. Our choice was too order to-go. The naans are not too good either. more