London Sizzler. A turn for the worst in 2008.

Perhaps it was our raving review of this place that has led to their smashing success? In any case, their success and popularity seem to have come at a cost: SERVICE! Ghopaul and I have never actually walked out of a restaurant before, but last night, our group of eleven diners, walked out of London Sizzler after waiting nearly 2 hours for our food. To add insult to injury (or rather, hunger), the group next to us who had ordered their food after we did was served first. The unapologetic response of the wait staff and the management further fanned our hunger-induced fury.

Alas, their success has gone to their heads!

The utter disappointment of last night's experience was coupled with the enormous embarrassment that Ghopaul and I felt towards our friends and guests to whom we had raved on and on about the greatness of this restaurant!

Sadly, we must revise our review of London Sizzler. Unless you have the patience of Mother Theresa, I would stay away from this restaurant. And definitely, DO NOT TAKE COMPANY HERE!

If this restaurant were a Bollywood movie, it would be:

Cash

A slick movie with B-rated Bollywood stars about lost diamonds being pursued by hip, cool diamond thieves in Africa!

Hey, sounds kinda familiar? Once crowned as "the hidden jewel" among Indian restaurant in Houston, London Sizzlers too has been lost. We are officially stripping London Sizzler of that title. Perhaps Houston-diners will now have to search for a new hidden diamond. Or perhaps, this lost diamond will one day be recovered. But I wouldn't hold your breath!

Maharajah Restaurant & Party Hall

Yes, this is the same Maharajah that used to be located on Bissonnet. It is now conveniently located just down the street from Bollywood 6 Cinema on Hwy 6, making it the perfect pre-movie dinner spot! They're known for their excellent lunch buffets, but Ghopaul and I usually order the Maharajah Dinner for Two. It's more like dinner for FOUR! And at $29.95, it is probably the best Indian food bargain in town!

Maharajah Dinner for Two:
-Plate of chicken pokharas: These crispy strips of white meat chicken are coated with a savory, golden batter and fried to a crisp.
-Sizzling plate of chicken tandoori: The chicken is tender and full of flavor!
-A plate of yummy, fresh naan bread
-Your choice of goat or lamb curry, Ghopaul's favorite!
-Saag Paneer, which is creamy but not heavy, and has just the right balance of spices.
-Chicken Maharajah, which has a creamy, spicy tomato sauce-YUM!
-A generous plate of Pulao. Very fragrant and yummy!
-And even Gulab Jamun-the perfect ending to a fantastic meal!

If this restaurant were a Bollywood movie, it would be:

Monsoon Wedding

Like this movie, The Maharajah Restaurant is all about family, food, and coming together in celebration. The party hall adjacent to the regular restaurant provides an affordable and comfortable space for a bash. Though the setting is not as posh or elaborate as in the movie, one could easily imagine Alice and Dubey (a touching, side love story plot in the movie between the house keeper and the wedding planner) throwing a post-wedding celebration here! What it lacks in glamour and glitz, it more than makes up for with sincerity, relaxed atmosphere, and good food.

Why else would Ghopaul and Rani choose The Maharajah to host their post-matrimony celebration?

Maharajah Restaurant & Party Hall
3711 Hwy 6 S
Houston, Texas 77082
281.531.6644