The Best Local Indian Restaurants that Are Not a Chain

Back in 1997 someone I was dating introduced me to such food and I was immediately hooked.

Although I can't take spicy delicacies, she recommended the Chicken Tikka Masala, a curried chicken over a special rice (order double the rice), along with Onion Kulcha and an order of regular Kulcha, a delicious bread that melts in your mouth. Along with that you can order a drink of Mango Lassi, a fantastic orange-like concoction made of yogurt, mango, sugar, and other ingredients which I once made myself but it just wasn't the same as the restaurant's version. Combine all of these dishes for those who don't like spicy foods and you have yourself a delicious meal for each time you dine out Indian.

While so many other businesses around it have faltered and gone under, one of a few remain and that is Maharaja, which means "great king."

Located at 6308 Hulen Bend Boulevard in the Hulen Point Shopping Center (817-263-7156), it's my favorite Indian restaurant in the metroplex and they deliver through Entrees Entrees if you're located within a certain distance. I've been eating at this fine establishment since '97 but due to budget constraints am only allowed to eat there once a year, sadly. Believe me, if it was possible I'd be eating there more often. They have a buffet, serve a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian specialties, and their website is maharajarestaurant.net. If you order for delivery, it's a $30 minimum. Dine-in prices are $8-$15.00 and all major credit cards are accepted.

I took my sister there ten years ago when she came to visit after I discovered she, too, liked Indian food and she loved it.

Bombay Grill, ran by Paul Singh, the brother of the owner of Maharaja, this restaurant also has a buffet, except only at lunch. Positioned at 4625 Donnelly Avenue behind Chick-Fil-A which is by Central Market it offers a rich attraction for your palette of family friendly, take-out that is a cure for an Indian craving, according to one reviewer. I've been here for lunch and found it to be a tasty getaway though it did still make me miss the above restaurant. However, it is gluten-free, vegan and kid-friendly, and romantic and the pricing is moderate. The food is cooked to be light and healthy while flavored with traditional spices, according to ehow.com, and the meal choices are limitless.

The phone number is 817-377-9395 and website is bombaygrillfortworth.com.

Singh decided five years ago to open up Bombay after owning Maharaja with his brother and running it with him for 21 years before leaving it in 2002. His restaurant is about ten minutes north on Hulen.

In India the word Tandoor is used to describe the clay ovens utilized for making the famous bread the culture is known for.

Over in Arlington, check out the Tandoor Indian Restaurant at 532 Fielder North Plaza (816-261-6604). Called one of the top havens in such cuisine by the Dallas Morning News, the Tandoor has wheelchair access and a full bar and the food is out of this world. Their website is tandorrestaurant.net and they accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. They have some of the best Indian food around.