Biryani Corp

06/04/08

Best South Indian Food

by Petester at Citysearch

Just wanted to let everyone know, this is not a planted review. I love Pongal's food -- possibly the best in the Curry Hill area. I was taken here first by a good friend who is South Indian. She felt that the food here was the closest to the food she grew up with. I also always think it's a good sign when you see mostly Indian's in the restaurant. I agree with the comments about snotty service -- but I have noticed in the last year or so that they have gotten remarkably nicer. I highly recommend!

• Pros: Excellent Dosas and South Indian food
• Cons: A little bit snotty

07/06/07

Bad food, horrible service, AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!

by bomberpete at Citysearch

All the good reviews you see of this place must be "planted." All the fruits and vegtables in the

appetizers are anything but fresh. We came here and ordered two dishes; the first was nothing but the Del Monte canned fruit cocktail they used to serve kids in school cafeterias. The other was just canned chick peas and yogurt.

It's obvious that they simply don't care. When we complained and sent both dishes back, we were insulted and treated rudely. Nor did they take either item off the bill. The good news is that the Lexington Avenue "Curry Hill" has plenty of very good vegetarian Indian restaurants, two of which are right across the street from this particular stinkhole.

Do yourselves a favor, don't buy into the Pongal hype.

• Pros: They didn't actually throw anything at us.
• Cons: Food, service, customer response.

04/23/07

Excellent Indian

by silverfaze at Citysearch

I went here on a Sunday night and had a really great dinner. I've read some not so good reviews of this place but I thought it was perfectly nice. Our server was very polite (he even asked if we wanted to move since we were right by the half-open door), the food was wonderful, and our courses were timed well. We took some time to look over the menus but were not rushed to order at all. On a Sunday night the restaurant was busy, but not packed, which was another plus.

• Pros: channa sag, busy but not too busy, attentive servers, quiet
• Cons: kheer was a bit soupy, but did taste wonderful

11/04/04

Best of the neighborhood

by esiamese at Citysearch

The service is a little somber, but the food is fantastic. There is a reason this place is always full with a big crowd waiting. Get there early on weekend evenings or you might have a long wait. Specializes in South Indian.

• Pros: taste, delicious, variety
• Cons: , unfriendly, crowded

10/18/02

Great Value for Vegetarians

by sinatra1976 at Citysearch

Good food and a great value at lunch (try the $7.95 specials). Service was prompt and my meal was superb. Although Dosai (an Indian crepe) is the restaurant's specialty, other items on the menu were also quite tasty (although the "Indian Donut" was colder than I expected). Those of you who are carnivores may not care for it though. Nevertheless, Pongal is ideal for vegetarians and those of you looking for something different.

09/30/02

Indian food that surprises!

by Nephandus at Citysearch

I like Indian food, but I do get bored with the same meals served at every restaurant. What a pleasure this place is. No kitchy decor - just cool, sleek, and exotic. Service was fine. The food is definitely Indian, but focusing on South Indian, which you don't see as much. I was reluctant to visit a vegetarian place, but I was marvelously pleased with this place.

• Pros: Great Food, Decor, Ambiance

08/21/02

COCKY OWNERS

by dsbhagat at Citysearch

I used to be a regular costumer at pongal until dosa hut opened right next door to it. I started going to dosa hut more after that. If i go to pongal now its because i have a client to take for lunch/dinner as the place has a better decor. I ordered my dish which said onions and peppers in it. It said NOTHING about green chillis. When the dish arrived it was blazing with green chillis, definitely not edible by a human. I complained to the waiter and then to the manager, but the intensity of rudeness from them just went up. I was highly disappointed by their service and food. They argued with me saying that i should have known that peppers mean green chillies. I said I thought it was green peppers how was I supposed to know it was going to have chillies in it....

• Pros: NOTHING, NOTHING, decor
• Cons: SERVICE, HOSPITALITY, VALUE FOR CUSTOMERS

05/16/02

Great South Indian cuisine

by SimonSpelling_Citysearch at Citysearch

One of the few restaurants in NYC to focus on South Indian cuisine. The food here is very good, even if the ambience leaves something to be desired. Make sure to try the dosa, which is excellent. But be warned: the portions are enormous.