May 2022. After reading all the raving reviews drove nearly and hour to try them out. We ordered their highly recommended - beef Nihari, Mix tandoori Platter , Aloo palak , naan, and decided to end on a sweet note with Kheer and Chai.We were there during peak lunch time of 1:15pm on a Sunday. First a plate of garden salad arrived , with wilted lettuce so we chose to say we did not want the salad. Next the large tandoori plate arrived ( smoking and sizzling) yo my surprise only the platter base was sizzling. All the kababs were cold, chewey and dry. Like it may have been really old ( possibly from last night) and microwaved a few times already.They came the Nihari and palak. Nihari was decent (6/10) but heavy on the elaichi.Aloo palak was a hit. Tasty, fresh and delicious.Kheer was basically chunky rice pudding. (2/10)Being of South East Asian decent I do know a thing or two of how these dishes should look , taste and be presented .Now let’s talk Chai!! If it’s not made they can politely say they have none prepared. Instead they charged $2/ cup and brought out a warm ( not piping hot) cup of milk with a hint of beige tint that one gets after a few dips of a tea bag.I am used to Pakwan and Shalimar ( in the NorCal Bay Area) level of taste and freshness and this was by far a definition of disappointment today.Restaurant dining area was overall clean. The restroom had a puddle of water on the floor and around the sink.A good restaurants will have great business and longevity only when they maintain quality, service, and cleanliness comprised in one. It is not an easy task but one has to master it to stay in the game.
Asalamalykum, I just wanted to thank the wonderful staff and owners for providing such a wonderful Iftar experience during this Ramadan! I celebrated my Sons 1st birthday here and everyone was so accommodating and pleasant. The food was absolutely delicious Mashallah. The Iftar buffet is AMAZING ? over all great vibes and the restaurant is really beautiful.
Good food, naan was dry. Did a take out order. They don’t have a way to notify you your order is ready, when you go to check the server is running around. They asked me if it was my order I was taking when I walked in to pick it up and got tired of waiting. Server said he will bring it to my car but did not. Anyhow food was good, would return and recommend.
Just a quick shout out to the staff here at Al's.I went here to pick up food to go for my sick Son and Daughter-in-law, as they are regulars at this restaurant.Upon entering we discovered that the electricity was out for three city blocks. Yet, that fact did not stop this restaurant from taking care of not only a packed restaurant but spontaneous to go customers walking in the doors as well.Everyone worked like a well-oiled machine. Not one person did just one task.The front desk would serve food and back up kitchen staff.The servers would help the front desk directing to go orders and taking payments.Nobody was a one-trick pony here! Everybody was cross-trained and ready to jump in and take care of business wherever it needed to be attended.Now the food... Let's just say it was absolutely amazing!!My daughter-in-law is Pakistani so she's a very tough critic as her mom is an amazing cook.She said their chicken corn soup was just like what her mom would make at home... It was very comforting and took her straight back to her childhood and Pakistan.The chicken tikka masala is out of this world authentic Pakistani comfort food as well.If you're in Hawthorne, don't miss this place for a scrumptious taste of Pakistani food served up with phenomenally friendly service, right here in Southern California.Truly, this should be on your food bucket list to give this place a try!
The food is delicious i made my order online to pick up for dinner and it was ready on time good service too thank you
This unassuming building has pretty legit food! Unlike most Pakistani/Indian restaurants in the US, this place does not Americanize the food as much. The food does have a good amount of spice and flavor.I suggest going with their dinner special. It’s reasonably priced at $13, and it comes with a smorgasbord of different curries as well as a piece of tandoori chicken, a seekh kebab, and naan.It is more than enough food for one person. We went a little overboard and also ordered their mixed tandoori. This was an insane amount of piled meat that we could not even come close to touching.I will say that their lamb in the lamb korma was a little dry and tough.Overall though, I definitely can see why it is so widely and highly rated.
One of the best Indian/Pakistani restaurants I've been too. The food is very authentic and the price is also reasonable. Quality exceptional.
Staff and service was superb. Delicious and authentic Pakistani cuisine. Fresh. Unlike many Desi restaurants, service was kind and attentive! Only issue was my wife mentioned she could smell raw meat and once she said that, I couldn’t stop smelling it. Lol.
First of all the menu is totally off. The preces are from like 5 years ago. Totally outdated. I ordered garlic naan bread, got a stale, dried and no garlic flavor at all. The main dish I ordered, Lamb Karahi, is described in the menu as lamb STIR FRIED with onions and tomatoes. I got a nicely flavored lamb with sauce but Luke warm and with bones! Couldn’t eat it!
Drove to the restaurant straight from my cricket practice in the SF Valley. Found the service excellent, the food warm and the prices very reasonable. The new recipe has made the Nihari finger licking good and a must have for anyone who visit after reading this review.