Punjabi Tandoor -Irvine

Family owned. Super friendly. Authentic food. So much so, indian patrons were in line to order. One of the best Indian food places I've been to recently. A must try.

This place is amazing! The food portions are relatively large, all the food is amazing, and the customer service was great. I had never been here before and the guy working was extremely helpful in giving selections and understanding the combos.

Absolutely delicious, the Nan bread was so incredibly fresh, it had inflated inside my aluminum foil. Tikka masala was savory and the portions were generous for the value.

They are always welcoming!! Food is delicious and is the best Punjabi food in Irvine I’ve had so far, specially their Daal and Tikka dishes..

I found them through DoorDash and visited in person twice so far. They're super friendly and the food is delicious. Highly recommended. FYI, add rice to your meal because it doesn't come with the order.

Me and my sister Love their Lamb Curry.. It’s delicious! we will be bringing my mom to try it.. I know she will love it too!

Great place! I came in having no idea what to order and he was SO kind and helpful. I told him I want something mild and he suggested Chicken Makhani. It tasted great!

I walked in during lunch, delicious food is ready made yet fresh; you can also order anything you want, I got lunch combo #1 of the ready food which is rice, 2 vegetable options, and naan. Also came with a side of a yogurt sauce. I got saag (delicious spinach) and the potato pea curry...both delicious!! The flavors were slightly mild yet still very flavorful and the saag surprisingly had a nice little kick at the end. The naan was made perfectly and fresh. Whole meal was $9.95 and I got a lot of food; based on today's experience I'll definitely be back. (Also their customer service is awesome, I felt very welcome. The container they packed was full but not so full that it leaked🙌...pictures were taken mid meal.

Update: We've been coming here every week for a couple years now. The family who runs this restaurant are simply wonderful. Just come here and try the food, you'll find yourself coming back week after week like we do. My girlfriend and I found this place after we moved and it's a hidden gem. After trying four or five different Indian places we've found our favorite spot. The family who runs the place is wonderful, service has always been quick and they're always very friendly. The food is outrageously good. I've never had Chicken Mahkani like their's. I've had both lamb and chicken dishes, and it's always been great. Definitely plan on being a regular here.

This restaurant is such a hidden gem for Indian food. It's tucked away inside of a strip mall which houses other restaurants and businesses. If you didn't know it was there, you might miss it. If you're looking for a quality meal in OC, this is the place to go. The quality and value here are superb. The meal for 2 comes with enough food for 3 people. The customer service has always been amazing. I came here while fasted and let the business owner and he let the cook know and they whipped up the order quickly. It was hot, delicious, and cooked to perfection. Will be back every time I crave Indian food and I'm in the area.

This is a hidden restaurant of authentic Indian curries and I'm sure it guarantees the most quality and flavor in the area. I had chicken marquee and vandalu combo number four and I feel healthy! If you're in Irvine, make sure you visit this place!!

This is always my favorite Indian curry. Red color curry is Chicken Makhani and yellow color one is Chicken Tikka Masala. Other ones also great but always Makhani here is the best! Service is always good and people here are nice!

Best Saag Paneer in Orange County! Really, I've been looking. There's some sad, greasy, and bland ones out there. Punjabi Tandoor's is thick, rich, and just delicious.

Mmmmmmyummy. Came in and asked the nice young lady which chicken curry was most tender. She suggested the chicken mahkani. She was correct. This was the most tender chicken curry I've ever had at any Indian food establishment. I will be returning for their shrimp curry dish next. Lovely lassie, and yummy kheer as well.

Punjabi Tandoor in Irvine, California, is a culinary gem that tantalizes taste buds with its Indian cuisine. Their lunch combo, priced at $12.99 plus tax, as described below. The chicken curry had tender pieces of chicken are enveloped in a rich, aromatic sauce that perfectly balances spices and creaminess. Each bite is an explosion of flavor that will leave you craving more. The chicken tikka masala, consisted of well cooked pieces of chicken immersed in a velvety delicious sauce, infused with a medley of spices that dance on your palate. Accompanying these delectable curries is a side of saag, a vibrant spinach dish that adds a touch of freshness and earthy flavors to the meal. The saag is cooked to perfection, retaining its vibrant green hue and delivering a delightful balance of spinach, spices, and a hint of creaminess. To complement the flavorful curries and saag, Punjabi Tandoor provides fluffy naan bread, the perfect vehicle for scooping up every morsel of the rich sauces. The naan is freshly baked, boasting a delightful softness and a slight char that enhances its flavor. As a sweet finale to this culinary journey, Punjabi Tandoor offers rice pudding. The rice is cooked to a creamy consistency, infused with the delicate sweetness of milk and sugar. It's the perfect ending to a satisfying meal. Punjabi Tandoor's lunch combo is a good deal at $12.99 plus tax. I only wish the portions would be more generous. The attendant was very nice and answered all my questions. Punjabi Tandoor is sure to delight your senses and leave you craving more.

This is my favorite chain of tandoori food. It’s so delicious. The garlic naan is very good especially if you eat it there, freshly hot. I normally get the 2 meat combo with tiki masala and chicken vindalu. Today the vindalu tasted different and spicier than normal. I am happy to support them during this time though. You gotta try their food it’s the best.

Kristen E. Davidson

I walked in during lunch, delicious food is ready made yet fresh; you can also order anything you want, I got lunch combo #1 of the ready food which is rice, 2 vegetable options, and naan. Also came with a side of a yogurt sauce. I got saag (delicious spinach) and the potato pea curry...both delicious!! The flavors were slightly mild yet still very flavorful and the saag surprisingly had a nice little kick at the end. The naan was made perfectly and fresh. Whole meal was $9.95 and I got a lot of food; based on today's experience I'll definitely be back. (Also their customer service is awesome, I felt very welcome. The container they packed was full but not so full that it leaked🙌...pictures were taken mid meal.

Josh Lewis

Update: We've been coming here every week for a couple years now. The family who runs this restaurant are simply wonderful. Just come here and try the food, you'll find yourself coming back week after week like we do. My girlfriend and I found this place after we moved and it's a hidden gem. After trying four or five different Indian places we've found our favorite spot. The family who runs the place is wonderful, service has always been quick and they're always very friendly. The food is outrageously good. I've never had Chicken Mahkani like their's. I've had both lamb and chicken dishes, and it's always been great. Definitely plan on being a regular here.

Jose Vasquez

This restaurant is such a hidden gem for Indian food. It's tucked away inside of a strip mall which houses other restaurants and businesses. If you didn't know it was there, you might miss it. If you're looking for a quality meal in OC, this is the place to go. The quality and value here are superb. The meal for 2 comes with enough food for 3 people. The customer service has always been amazing. I came here while fasted and let the business owner and he let the cook know and they whipped up the order quickly. It was hot, delicious, and cooked to perfection. Will be back every time I crave Indian food and I'm in the area.

Travel Guide

This is a hidden restaurant of authentic Indian curries and I'm sure it guarantees the most quality and flavor in the area. I had chicken marquee and vandalu combo number four and I feel healthy! If you're in Irvine, make sure you visit this place!!

Yui S

This is always my favorite Indian curry. Red color curry is Chicken Makhani and yellow color one is Chicken Tikka Masala. Other ones also great but always Makhani here is the best! Service is always good and people here are nice!

Nick Pham (mynameisthis192)

Best Saag Paneer in Orange County! Really, I've been looking. There's some sad, greasy, and bland ones out there. Punjabi Tandoor's is thick, rich, and just delicious.

Jessica PLP

Mmmmmmyummy. Came in and asked the nice young lady which chicken curry was most tender. She suggested the chicken mahkani. She was correct. This was the most tender chicken curry I've ever had at any Indian food establishment. I will be returning for their shrimp curry dish next. Lovely lassie, and yummy kheer as well.

Alfonso Montero

Punjabi Tandoor in Irvine, California, is a culinary gem that tantalizes taste buds with its Indian cuisine. Their lunch combo, priced at $12.99 plus tax, as described below. The chicken curry had tender pieces of chicken are enveloped in a rich, aromatic sauce that perfectly balances spices and creaminess. Each bite is an explosion of flavor that will leave you craving more. The chicken tikka masala, consisted of well cooked pieces of chicken immersed in a velvety delicious sauce, infused with a medley of spices that dance on your palate. Accompanying these delectable curries is a side of saag, a vibrant spinach dish that adds a touch of freshness and earthy flavors to the meal. The saag is cooked to perfection, retaining its vibrant green hue and delivering a delightful balance of spinach, spices, and a hint of creaminess. To complement the flavorful curries and saag, Punjabi Tandoor provides fluffy naan bread, the perfect vehicle for scooping up every morsel of the rich sauces. The naan is freshly baked, boasting a delightful softness and a slight char that enhances its flavor. As a sweet finale to this culinary journey, Punjabi Tandoor offers rice pudding. The rice is cooked to a creamy consistency, infused with the delicate sweetness of milk and sugar. It's the perfect ending to a satisfying meal. Punjabi Tandoor's lunch combo is a good deal at $12.99 plus tax. I only wish the portions would be more generous. The attendant was very nice and answered all my questions. Punjabi Tandoor is sure to delight your senses and leave you craving more.

Leslie None

This is my favorite chain of tandoori food. It’s so delicious. The garlic naan is very good especially if you eat it there, freshly hot. I normally get the 2 meat combo with tiki masala and chicken vindalu. Today the vindalu tasted different and spicier than normal. I am happy to support them during this time though. You gotta try their food it’s the best.

I finally found a delicious Indian restaurant that is well worth the cost! Their food is incredible! Hot, spicy, and tasty. I love the portions and the price of the combos. I also love that the combos come with naan and their kheer is the best I’ve ever tried. I could eat buckets of it. Definitely coming back. I am feeling so excited and grateful to have found this spot!!

We tried Punjabi Tandoor Irvine location, and got their 2 curry combo which comes with 2 Curry of your choice, naan and rice. Their Saag was really good, overall good portion size and food was fresh. Definitely recommend this place, especially for lunch.

Charlianne Yeyna

I finally found a delicious Indian restaurant that is well worth the cost! Their food is incredible! Hot, spicy, and tasty. I love the portions and the price of the combos. I also love that the combos come with naan and their kheer is the best I’ve ever tried. I could eat buckets of it. Definitely coming back. I am feeling so excited and grateful to have found this spot!!

Hanspal Kahlon

We tried Punjabi Tandoor Irvine location, and got their 2 curry combo which comes with 2 Curry of your choice, naan and rice. Their Saag was really good, overall good portion size and food was fresh. Definitely recommend this place, especially for lunch.

I have no idea what authentic Indian food tastes like, but this is one of the best takes on the genre I've ever had. Possibly needs a bit more kick on heat, but it's also nice to end the meal without sweating. I do suspect however that food coloring is being used here, which is unfortunate as this genre has plenty of natural colors.

Staff was very friendly and service was fast. The vindaloo unfortunately wasn't spicy but otherwise the food was good. Fairly standard meal made better by the nice people working at the restaurant.

This place is consistently great. I've tried their chicken and rice dishes, and they all taste great. The tandoori chicken and (I think) butter chicken are especially good. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is that they skimp a bit on the portions and give you tons of sauce. If you're into that, it's great, but I just wish the meat portions were more generous. The value is there, but for me it's borderline because of the portion size. Overall, this is a solid spot and very convenient for lunch if you're in the area.

Great small indian place. Not everything is great, though. The mango lassi, the garlic naan are great but the biriyani is not so good. The curries are very mild and it depends on what you like.

Oscar Gonzalez

This place is consistently great. I've tried their chicken and rice dishes, and they all taste great. The tandoori chicken and (I think) butter chicken are especially good. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of is that they skimp a bit on the portions and give you tons of sauce. If you're into that, it's great, but I just wish the meat portions were more generous. The value is there, but for me it's borderline because of the portion size. Overall, this is a solid spot and very convenient for lunch if you're in the area.

Ben Park

Great small indian place. Not everything is great, though. The mango lassi, the garlic naan are great but the biriyani is not so good. The curries are very mild and it depends on what you like.

It is one of few restaurant in the compound. You order and pay first and then get your food at counter. Enough space for seating but definitely not a family dine in place. This was my first visit and I ordered Veg(Paneer Tikka masala- this is grilled/Tandoor Paneer), but I was served Paneer butter masala kind of dish, which was OK in taste. Paratha was actually good. I may comeback, but not a restaurant I would want to visit with excitement.

I used to like their food, but ever since I ate their chicken curry yesterday, I have stomach ache and bloating issues. The raita’s boondi stank and chicken curry was 100% old. They have recently decreased items in their combo packs. I am not sure If i can afford to come back for such minimal food with degrading quality.

This is like in a small food court. Probably best to carry out food. The service is good. They actually talk to you unlike many other casual Indian restaurants. Unfortunately the food is bland and not authentic. But if you are seeking fairly priced food and not too particular about the spices and taste, you should be fine eating from here.

1. The lady provided good service, but one of the front desk person was very rude and his attitude towards customers is bad. 2. Tea didn’t have any flavor. 3. Tandoori was below rated and not fresh.

As a Brit I love my curry. It's the most popular food in the UK and I am always on the lookout for good Indian food. This is not good Indian good. It was the blandest Indian food I have ever tasted. Over-stewed chicken in watery sauces. The naan bread was more like a greasy pancake too. It gets 2 starts as the food was hot and there was plenty of it.

Food was very bland, not seasoned or spiced well at all. Sauces tasted like they were straight out of a packet. Dry chicken and lamb, very lean pieces that had hardly any flavor. Rice was old, dry, and crumbly. Samosas were okay. Naan was fine. Probably some of the most bland food I've had from a restaurant serving punjabi region food.

I used to come here during pandamic, the food was tasty and enough. Today first time after a few years I went back, I probably won't go back. I like the people there, just not what I expected.

The food was mediocre. Way over priced for the quality. Rice brittle and not tender/fresh, meat felt dry, and the bread was soggy. See for yourself in attached images. I would give them a one star, but the spice level was acceptable.

Yassir

The food was mediocre. Way over priced for the quality. Rice brittle and not tender/fresh, meat felt dry, and the bread was soggy. See for yourself in attached images. I would give them a one star, but the spice level was acceptable.

Food was ok. After giving 20% tip on 40$ food just for 2 people, the girl at the front desk still had an attitude. I should not have tipped at the counter while ordering the food.

Kanu Patel

Food was ok. After giving 20% tip on 40$ food just for 2 people, the girl at the front desk still had an attitude. I should not have tipped at the counter while ordering the food.

Very good customer service friendly. But the food is something that I have never tasted in the whole US. WORST taste ever. All chicken dishes have raw taste with bad tasting gravy. The sweet called Kheer is made of burned milk. Stretchy nan. Wish they could make a simple rice the right way as others.

We ordered bhindi and the bhindi was tough and fibrous. Absolutely uneditable as we had spit the fiber out with each bite. We just took 1 bite each. We requested them to replace as it was absolutely inedible. They replaced the vegetable but refused to serve us any more food as we may ask to replace again. Despite trying to explain very politely that the food was just inedible they refused to let us buy any more food. Very rude and irrational behavior and the restaurant does not understand the hospitality and kindness with food business should work. We left without eating the bhindi or the replacement although we paid. Very disappointed and will never go again!!!

This place went down big time! Use to be good, now just a quick cooked chicken with not much Indian flavor at all. Don’t waste your money!

Hello, I wanted to bring it to your notice that I ordered food from the Irvine store. I wanted you to know it was by far the worst Indian food I ever had in my last 18 years in the United states. The Tandoori chicken was dry as rubber and tasteless. Chicken biryani is low in salt and practically flavorless because we are talking about biryani. There was nothing in so called biryani which would do justice for ut to be called biryani. Perhaps you should not demean the name of punjabi food.

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. I ordered a lamb curry and it was basically a flavorless broth with boiled lamb chunks. Hands down the worst Indian I've ever had. I would have returned it had I not driven back home.

Huge disappointment with my Togo order. Pakora is expected to be crispy. Here is the raw uncooked flour paste.

The most disgusting food in this restaurant,

Please Don’t Buy Any Food Please 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I Ordered The Nav Ratan Korma They Give me Vegi Curry and Cold Chicken Very Bad Food

Will McNally

AVOID AT ALL COSTS. I ordered a lamb curry and it was basically a flavorless broth with boiled lamb chunks. Hands down the worst Indian I've ever had. I would have returned it had I not driven back home.

Ashish Joshi

Huge disappointment with my Togo order. Pakora is expected to be crispy. Here is the raw uncooked flour paste.

SANDEEP JAGLAN

The most disgusting food in this restaurant,

X 10 Shooter Transport Inc.

Please Don’t Buy Any Food Please 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 I Ordered The Nav Ratan Korma They Give me Vegi Curry and Cold Chicken Very Bad Food

Food is disgusting and stale. We ordered butter paneer and chicken curry, 2-3 very thin slices of paneer added to what tasted like a frozen gravy. Chicken curry was overcooked and was tasteless. Rice was dehydrated and was super dry. Raita was very sour and stale. Giving one start for the Naan which was fresh and was edible.

Pratiksha Choudhury

Food is disgusting and stale. We ordered butter paneer and chicken curry, 2-3 very thin slices of paneer added to what tasted like a frozen gravy. Chicken curry was overcooked and was tasteless. Rice was dehydrated and was super dry. Raita was very sour and stale. Giving one start for the Naan which was fresh and was edible.