Udupi was my South Indian family's go-to for southie food. We've been to Tiffin since they merged and it is nowhere near as good. Woodlands is also just so-so.

Saravana Palace in Fairfax is the favorite these days. I also like that you can get Indo-Chinese there as well. We also tried a place in Arlington recently (Lee Hwy.) called Saran. It was very good - in another non-descript strip mall.

And, yes, they all have Dosas!!

Woodlands, Amma, and Minerva, for example.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mango Grove in Columbia, MD
http://themangogrove.net/recipies.html

they also serve dosai--haven't seen them on any other menus

What? Dosa are on the menus of several restaurants in the DC area.

For example?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mango Grove in Columbia, MD
http://themangogrove.net/recipies.html

they also serve dosai--haven't seen them on any other menus

Mango Grove is closed (lost their lease I think) I'm going through withdraw symptoms not having them around! Think they plan to reopen in a new location..

No! First we lose udupi, and now mango grove??? I haven't had any of the udupi transported dishes at tiffin. They were always owned by the same people but udupi was so much better.

Anonymous wrote:Mango Grove in Columbia, MD
http://themangogrove.net/recipies.html

they also serve dosai--haven't seen them on any other menus

What? Dosa are on the menus of several restaurants in the DC area.

Anonymous wrote:Mango Grove in Columbia, MD
http://themangogrove.net/recipies.html

they also serve dosai--haven't seen them on any other menus

Mango Grove is closed (lost their lease I think) I'm going through withdraw symptoms not having them around! Think they plan to reopen in a new location..

Minerva is great... locations in Herndon, Fairfax, and Chantilly. Huge menu!!

Mango Grove in Columbia, MD
http://themangogrove.net/recipies.html

they also serve dosai--haven't seen them on any other menus

Saravana out in Fairfax is good, and there's a Woodlands in Fairfax too...also like Minerva (multiple locations). My in-laws keep talking about a place called Paradise in Herndon, I think, but we haven't been.

There was an Udupi in Langley Park, but it merged with Tiffin, I believe, and we haven't had the chance to go back since. I like the Fairfax Woodlands better than the one in Langley Park.

I highly recommend Woodlands for their lunch buffet. AMAZING. We went last weekend and I have been dreaming all week of going again. It's $12/person on the weekends and worth every penny and more

Amma in Vienna is overhyped. I went there recently and the food was...fine but not thrilling. Between Amma and Woodlands, I'd go with Woodlands (or Udupi Palace down the block from Woodlands, if that's still open).

Yes, Woodlands is okay, although I think the Chicago Udupi restaurants put these to shame. If you want to take a drive, try Amma Vegetarian Kitchen near Vienna.

Thank you, PP! We have actually been to the Woodlands in Chicago, so that sounds like a good bet.

Yes, Woodlands in Langley Park! It's sooooo good. The service isn't amazing and the location is dreadful (in a strip mall next to Rite Aide), but the food is outstanding.

Can anyone recommend their favorite South Indian (vegetarian) restaurant? We live in NW DC, and have heard that Langley Park is the place to go, but we have never been. We are very sad that Amma's in Gtown closed-- that used to be our go to spot, as it was so close.

Thanks!