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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]The whole thing about these recommendations is that there is a difference between what Indians consider to be good food versus Americans. Unfortunately, some of these recommendations are geared to Western taste.

Also, some of the places with really good Indian food have limited decor and overall ambiance. This is probably true for most ethnic restaurants.

So if you are an American - and you are looking for good food - you may have to go to the less known places some of which are really hole in the wall type setups but you can count on some great food.[/quote]

Ok, so tell us where to go![/quote]

More about good Indian food and ambiance.

Some of best Indian food you get in India is in places called "dhabas" which would serve very tasty food at rock bottom prices because they used to cater to truckers and others of modest means. Some of the best food I have eaten was in such places but the downside is that they are less than hygienic to put it mildly. Dhabas are associated with Punjabi food but there are similar places in other parts of India that goes by local names in line with the vernacular of those regions. Before I moved to the West, my digestive system was capable of dealing with the less than hygienic conditions but over the years my immune system has become less able to withstand such places and so when I visit India - which is just about every year - I avoid these places though I look at them longingly!

If you have been to Malaysia or Singapore and in Bangkok there are places that serve street food - again the hygienic conditions are sometimes questionable but the food is very tasty.

Despite the questionable hygiene, even the more affluent people in India go to some of these places occasionally because the food is so tasty.

All of the above is meant in the way of explanation of why some of the better Indian food in the US is not found in the places that would appeal to the average American in terms of decor and ambiance. The best food is found in pretty ordinary places that focus on really good food without worrying too much about atmosphere. But one gets the best of both worlds in that because of local laws and health inspectors, etc these places do maintain at least a minimum level of hygiene and food safety standards.

But the focus of most Indians who live in the US if they are going to eat Indian food outside, is on getting tasty, authentic food. They typically would not go to some of the Indian restaurants that adapt their cuisine to suit the American palate.

A little more about dhabas on this Wikipedia link ..... but note what the article says about some Indian restaurants in the West calling themselves "Dhaba". They are trying to capture the appeal of what those places represent but it does not mean that the cuisine is what one would find in a dhaba in India. If you google "dhaba in india" you will find images of what these places look like ranging from very basic to a couple of shades better than basic!

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dhaba[/url]

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