Zum Zum

I have visited Cafe Zum Zum since it opened in 1991. Let's not classify it and say it is an Indian restaurant or a Pakistani restaurant --- let's just note it for what it is A GREAT PLACE FOR A WORK DAY LUNCH. The owner, Shaw, is a gracious proprietor. The food is YUM! I have the mixed veggie curry and the chicken and garbonzo. This place is not trying to win culinary awards ... yes, the food has 'grease' . . . yes the menu is limited BUT THE FOOD IS WONDERFUL AND IT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK FOR MORE. more

Yesterday (May 22, 2009) at around 11:30am, I was in line for food when a lady in front of me placed her order. I saw that she asked the owner politely whether he got the one she wanted and he explored on her. The owner started to yell all kinds of inappropriate things at her by calling her horrible names simply because she asked him if he got the right curry. The thing escalated from there and she become upset and started to argue back but regardless, you don't treat customers like that. I'm not sure if it was a racial thing (she's African American) or cultural thing with him because she's a woman but either way you should never treat a person that way, especially a customer. I rather give my money to a vending machine than to support a place that treats people like that. I'm never going back and I'm going to tell as many people as I can about this story. more

I had high hopes for Zum Zum. It was billed (by fellow brown people no less) as one of the better indian restaurants around. The line snaked out the door so I figured it must be good. But I was sorely disappointed. I had hoped that this would turn out to be the classic hole-in-the-wall with amazing food type of place (something like Shalimar in SF). But the items I ordered (lamb spinach and lamb with peas) were very greasy even on an indian restaurant scale and lacking flavor. The vegeterian dishes, ironically, looked much more appetizing. Perhaps if you stay away from the lamb, you'll do better. But the chicken looked layered in equal amounts of oil. It's sort of like soup nazi service withouth the great soup. I feel cheated and nauseous. more

My one and only problem with Zum-Zum is the food isn't very good. I really like Indian food, and I work across the street so it seemed like a natural fit. However, after trying it on three separate occasions, each time with different dishes, I have yet to find anything that could justify my returning. The tortilla that accompanies each meal only adds to my confusion and sorrow. more

Cafe Zum Zum downtown has great Pakistani food, but as far as I know, it's a lunch only place. It's been several years since I ate there. When I worked downtown it was my favorite lunch place by far. It has moved since then, but I beleive it's under the same management. more

Zum Zum is amazing! The lamb is incredibly moist and tender. Huge portions, most tasty, and an ever-gracious proprietor. Avoid the big crush right at noon, and you'll be living large! more

What a bargain, and what good food! No less than six vegetarian curries are available each day for lunch, along with three chicken and three lamb. The "naan" (I put in quotes, because it is not traditional naan) is to die for. The daily special, at $3.99, comes with rice, bread and a drink. Caution: figure out what you want before you get to the counter, as the owner can be rather soup-nazi-like when asked too many questions or if a customer dallies for too long. However, that is just a part of the charm of this wonderful place, which caters mostly to those who take-out. more