Shri Balaji Bhavan

5655 Hillcroft Avenue
713.783.1126

My father-in-law calls this the best deal in town. He is probably on the money on this point. Balaji Bhavan is a South Indian restaurant. Dark inside, and covered with tile, this restaurant very much reminded me of our trip to India.

The menu is extensive and cheap. I like chaat--a kind of Indian snack. This time I had the best chaat I've ever tried at Balaji Bhavan (how can you not fall in love with such a cool sounding name?), sev puri. It consists of 5 or 6 half dollar sized discs of a crunchy savory fried dough covered with potato, onion, corriander, and chutney. It crispy and good... ohhhh so good.

We also ordered the traditional thali that comes with a variety of small side dishes. When we were in India, everyone mixed the vegetables with the rice by hand and ate with their hands, but at this restaurant, there was an even split between those who ate with their hands and those who ate with forks. We opted for forks.

At some point, I'll do a more extensive review on this place, but for now, go there, order many dishes and determine what you like and don't like. It won't cost you much. And for an after-dinner drink, have the Madras Coffee. It's pretty good.