Find Your Valentine
Slog
News & ArtsSunday, April 11, 2010
Chow A Heartfelt Apology to the Tandoori Community
Posted by Dan Savage on Sun, Apr 11, 2010 at 10:21 AM
I posted this Sunday lunch recommendation on Slog back in January. An error has since been brought to my attention: I wrote that the folks at Tandoozy served peach chutney with their amazing chicken tikka masala every Sunday at the Fremont Market. I was wrong: they actually serve mango chutney. I would like to apologize to anyone who was offended by my original post—peach chutney? ick!—and take this opportunity to re-post a corrected version of my original post, and once again urge all Sloggers everywhere to get down to the Fremont Market to try the amazing chicken tikka masala.
I have a suggestion if you're in or near Fremont or need an excuse to head that way: Tandoozy. It's hard to find good Indian food in Seattle so I was a little hesitant to try the chicken tikka masala and naan the first time I saw Tandoozy's stand at the Fremont Market. That was a mistake. Craig and Katja—seen above—make just two dishes at Tandoozy: chicken tikka masala and red lentil dhal curry. Both come with rice and homemade naan bread that's just been baked in a custom-built, gas-fired tandoor oven—and it's fucking amazing, it's completely delicious, it's worth the trip. You can read more about Tandoozy at their website but what you really need to do is head to the Fremont Market and eat their chow. The chicken tikka masala is delicious and the homemade chutneys—mint or peach mango—are fabulous. The last time I got down to the market, right before Christmas, actual Indians from actual India—Mumbai—were wolfing down the food and raving about it. We're making a special trip to the Fremont Market just have to have lunch at Tandoozy today.
UPDATE: Oops! From Unpaid Intern in comments:
Except that Tandoozy is taking this Sunday off:Tandoozy Tandoozy is taking coming Sunday off!!! No Tandoozy at the Fremont Market this coming Sunday. Please come again next week. Hugs and Kisses!! Yours, Team Tandoozy
April 7 at 11:45pm via Facebook for iPhone · Comment · Likeso don't go today! but it is delicious.
Next week!
1
Sorry, I've already had lunch.
But what the fuck is up with this ad on the back cover of the NYT book review? "Investigate the Archaeology of Early Faiths." And #15 is "Sun and Sexuality in Early Scandinavia." You've got to be kidding me.
But what the fuck is up with this ad on the back cover of the NYT book review? "Investigate the Archaeology of Early Faiths." And #15 is "Sun and Sexuality in Early Scandinavia." You've got to be kidding me.
3
I'll remember that for lunch another day as best I can, full as I am from a late breakfast with an ex's visiting mom at, of all places whose door I never imagined I'd darken, the Four Seasons, where the muffin beneath my eggs Benedict was unforgettable, as were the waiter's lovely eyes.
7
Tandoozy is excellent! I was privileged to be at their test launch, where Craig, Katja, and friends were feverishly working to perfect their recipes. There's a lot of love and dedication in that plate of Tandoozy! I'm so happy it's getting recognition.
Om to the Nom!
Om to the Nom!
8
Their food is quite simply amazing. I concur wholeheartedly that it is worth the trip. The amount of research they put into creating such fantastic food really paid off. When you stop by, ask to see the ovens. Craig did an awesome job building those ovens... works of art, if you ask me. Bottom line, go there, eat their food, leave with full and happy tummies of the best Indian food you'll get anywhere.
9
If only I lived in Seattle. Oh well, the keema and collard greens over yellow rice I got from the Kenyan stall at the Hillcrest Market will have to do.
10
@4 "dhal = lentil."
Actually dhal = bean. So he's clarifying what type of dhal it is, one made with red lentils.
Actually dhal = bean. So he's clarifying what type of dhal it is, one made with red lentils.
11
It's good, there's a lot of it and there's no dress code. I schlep over there from the CD every chance I get it's that good.
13
@4 Actually, dal means any kind of bean dish.
Lentils are the most widely used legume in dal but it's awesome made with mung beans, red lentils or navy beans. Try it!
Lentils are the most widely used legume in dal but it's awesome made with mung beans, red lentils or navy beans. Try it!
14
We just went on your suggestion. The chick was 'blushing' after someone showed her your post. Food was great. Naan was the weakest link but nobody does naan as good as Taste of India so I'm biased. The chicken dish is 10 bucks which surprised me but fed two people easily. I'll definitely try them again but it would be fantastic if the city allowed food carts like Portland. I had the same meal at a cart in Portland that was as good with same portion size but only cost 6 bucks.
15
@Brian what you're paying for is a lot of labor, planning, equipment, infrastructure and other business costs that go into someone preparing your lunch for you. Just like any restaurant you walk into, people aren't working for free.
16
$10 is worth it -- and it does feed two people. We're headed there now, and I hope they haven't run out of chow!
17
Consistently yummy. Perfect Nan bread.
So good for a chilly Fremont market morning/afternoon.
They're always about midway down on the right of the outside stalls. Look for the 3 giant upright cylindrical nan cooking ovens with tile on them.
So good for a chilly Fremont market morning/afternoon.
They're always about midway down on the right of the outside stalls. Look for the 3 giant upright cylindrical nan cooking ovens with tile on them.
20
I made the trip all the way from Georgetown on the word of a friend, and it turned out to be completely worth it. If you are within 10 miles you have no excuse.
22
It's true, it's hard to find good Indian food in Seattle, if by Seattle you mean Capitol Hill, which the Stranger usually does.
24
Best Indian food in the Salish Sea:
http://www.indiacombo.com/
India Combo on Kent East Hill
(Which has the largest Indian-American communities in the region).
25
@23: Name names, please. Will leave the Hill for good Indian food... I mean, we had to leave the Hill to get to the FREMONT MARKET, right? Which we did. For Indian food. So... name names, send us places, we'll go.
26
Dang. My secret Sunday lunch spot has been found out! :-)
Yep... You'll find me there every Sunday. The gf and I wake up late on Sunday, roll over and look at each other, smile, and say "Tandoozy?" Then it is a race to get dressed and get out there for some yummy yummy food.
Surprised that Brian (above) didn't dig the Naan... to each his own, I guess. I dislike the naan at Taste of India, and love Tandoozy's naan.... maybe it is the same divide between those of us who like our pizza crust crunchy and those who want it soft and gooey... whatever it is, I LOVE Tandoozy's naan bread!! I am a Naan Believer! :-)
Yep... You'll find me there every Sunday. The gf and I wake up late on Sunday, roll over and look at each other, smile, and say "Tandoozy?" Then it is a race to get dressed and get out there for some yummy yummy food.
Surprised that Brian (above) didn't dig the Naan... to each his own, I guess. I dislike the naan at Taste of India, and love Tandoozy's naan.... maybe it is the same divide between those of us who like our pizza crust crunchy and those who want it soft and gooey... whatever it is, I LOVE Tandoozy's naan bread!! I am a Naan Believer! :-)
28
Ever since they opened up towards the end of last year I've been a fan of Garam Masala in the u-dist.:
It's not "the best Indian food" in Seattle, but I like their approach -- it's more of a fast food indian place. I wish Seattle proper had more of those types of places. I don't always want to pay high prices at some glitzy place just to enjoy Indian food out.
More info:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/garam-masala-sea…
http://www.garamseattle.com/
It's not "the best Indian food" in Seattle, but I like their approach -- it's more of a fast food indian place. I wish Seattle proper had more of those types of places. I don't always want to pay high prices at some glitzy place just to enjoy Indian food out.
More info:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/garam-masala-sea…
http://www.garamseattle.com/
29
Taste of India is incredible. The chai and naan are superior to any other place I've been. I assume Mr Savage has been to Taste of India. They've recently increased their prices but i've been going for nearly 10 years and have never been disappointed.
30
I second Taste of India as the best in the city and agree that there are VERY few Indian joints in Seattle worth visiting. There are many lackluster ones. Best Indian entrees in the city are on the shelves at Trader Joe's.
33
Tandoozy is awesome and the two sweethearts who own it are the most delightful people in the world!
Good job, friends. I'll come down there next Sunday for sure.
Good job, friends. I'll come down there next Sunday for sure.
34
I'll have to also suggest Taste of India. I've always have had amazing food there. They used to own Cedars too but I heard they sold it? Bengal Tiger is hit or miss from my experience, There is a place in Ballard that I really enjoyed but I forget their name.
35
Best Indian food in the region: Punjabi Sweets in Kent, Preet's in Redmond (both vegetarian), Spice Route in Overlake, Mayuri in north Bothell (and Bellevue, haven't been to that one). Best in the city: Malabar in the U-District. Most Indian food in the area is actually made by Pakistanis or Bangladeshis, and is of the "spiced glop" variety. Brown glop, green glob, beige glob, etc. It's all right for what it is (a pound of butter in every dish), but it's not very good and it's not all that "Indian" (India is a billion people with many distict regional foods; it's like saying "European food".)
36
As a vegetarian, I appreciate that Tandoozy serves something for me too. The dahl is super yummy and worth the trip to the Fremont Market every Sunday.
38
I used to go to Cedars and now I go to Taste of India. I don't go very often anymore because I think they've overpriced themselves, but It's pretty good.
Also, Laadla Cuisine of India is pretty good, and they deliver!
Also, Laadla Cuisine of India is pretty good, and they deliver!
40
my favorite place is laadla cuisine of india restaurant. they deliver anywhere is seattle wow. try order 206-223-1980
41
in addition to Tandoozy being dee-licious, they also are committed to making everything from scratch, with no un-pronounceable, additive-y indredients... even in the there sauces and chutneys. And no high fructose corn syrup either!! So, when you eat there, you're eating *real* food. C'est bon. And way, way important. ˇViva la (food) revolución!!
43
Except that Tandoozy is taking this Sunday off:
Tandoozy Tandoozy is taking coming Sunday off!!! No Tandoozy at the Fremont Market this coming Sunday. Please come again next week. Hugs and Kisses!! Yours, Team Tandoozy
April 7 at 11:45pm via Facebook for iPhone · Comment · Like
so don't go today! but it is delicious.
Tandoozy Tandoozy is taking coming Sunday off!!! No Tandoozy at the Fremont Market this coming Sunday. Please come again next week. Hugs and Kisses!! Yours, Team Tandoozy
April 7 at 11:45pm via Facebook for iPhone · Comment · Like
so don't go today! but it is delicious.
44
Is the Annapurna Cafe on that sketchy stretch of Broadway (across from the Jack in the Box) still there? I always thought they were really good compared with other Seattle Indian places. Never mind, on second thought it's Nepalese.
45
so what gives?
Did Dan get caught shagging the owners' 12 year old son and now the gushing post and multitude of anonymous endorsements is trying to buy Dan's ass out of a lawsuit?
Did Dan get caught shagging the owners' 12 year old son and now the gushing post and multitude of anonymous endorsements is trying to buy Dan's ass out of a lawsuit?
47
@44:
The Jack In the Box is gone, to make room for the Broadway light rail station, but Annapurna is still there.
@37:
There was a branch of Mayuri up on the top of Queen Anne for several years, during which time it was my favorite place in the City for Indian. I still miss it more than 5 years later.
@22/23:
Mirch Masala on B'way next to Charlie's is definitely worth checking out; not quite Taste of India or Mayuri in terms of quality, but I'd still rank it pretty high, and most definitely better than any other Indian on the Hill.
And Craig and Katja are simply delightful individuals with a great love, not only for the food itself, but for the means of preparation (I mean, seriously? Home-built portable Tandooris? That is about as hard-core enthusiast as one can get!), which translates into superior quality. Plus, like all enthusiasts, they are extremely generous with their time: answering questions, making observations, sharing knowledge. Craig's tips on brining have improved my own Tika Masala recipe to the extent that it's now twice as good as before, even if that's still only half as good as their's!
And to the guy who spat out the sample the first time I was there, because he'd obviously never before experienced the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that comes with well-prepared Masala, all I can say is, "your loss, buddy!"
The Jack In the Box is gone, to make room for the Broadway light rail station, but Annapurna is still there.
@37:
There was a branch of Mayuri up on the top of Queen Anne for several years, during which time it was my favorite place in the City for Indian. I still miss it more than 5 years later.
@22/23:
Mirch Masala on B'way next to Charlie's is definitely worth checking out; not quite Taste of India or Mayuri in terms of quality, but I'd still rank it pretty high, and most definitely better than any other Indian on the Hill.
And Craig and Katja are simply delightful individuals with a great love, not only for the food itself, but for the means of preparation (I mean, seriously? Home-built portable Tandooris? That is about as hard-core enthusiast as one can get!), which translates into superior quality. Plus, like all enthusiasts, they are extremely generous with their time: answering questions, making observations, sharing knowledge. Craig's tips on brining have improved my own Tika Masala recipe to the extent that it's now twice as good as before, even if that's still only half as good as their's!
And to the guy who spat out the sample the first time I was there, because he'd obviously never before experienced the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that comes with well-prepared Masala, all I can say is, "your loss, buddy!"
48
Actually peach chutney is delicious,it would be lovely if they did serve it. If you have an over-prolific plum tree, try making plum chutney this summer. It is yummy too.
49
Kabab House in Greenwood is great.. Pakistani, and definitely in the more 'glop-ish' tradition, the atmosphere is lacking but the food is delicious. Their baingan bharta is amazing.
50
If you come to Portland and you've got a craving for some Indian, go to Bombay Chaat House on Yamhill, near the central library. Best. Indian. Food. Ever. It is vegetarian, so if you are a carnivore that could be an issue, but even so, Best. Indian. Food. Ever. Everything is homemade and cheap, and sometimes they give you free chai. Did I mention it's excellent?
Period Hive Troll @44 & 45, [insert offensive ad hominem remark here].
Period Hive Troll @44 & 45, [insert offensive ad hominem remark here].
53
Craig and Katja are really sweet and talkative. For the food, though, coming from an Indian (who has tasted food from mom's kitchen, roadside vendors, and restaurants--the food is not good.
Dhal was way too salty.
Naan lacked flavor.
Chicken Tikka tasted like it was chicken in spaghetti sauce.
I did not attempt to sample the mango chutney.
Dhal was way too salty.
Naan lacked flavor.
Chicken Tikka tasted like it was chicken in spaghetti sauce.
I did not attempt to sample the mango chutney.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Liveblogging the Washington State House Debate and Vote
onIN FAVOR OF GAY MARRIAGE by Eli Sanders -
SL Letter of the Day: Life Sentence by Dan Savage
-
Required Listening: Howard Stern on Ellen, JC Penney, Bullied Gay Kids, Rosie, Santorum, Bachmann, et al by Dan Savage
-
It's Not Over Until We Say It's Over by Dan Savage
-
Jeff Bezos' Racist, Pro-Life, Anti-Evolution, Rape-Apologist Search Engine by Goldy
-
Yesterday's Best Arguments Against Gay Marriage by Eli Sanders
-
SL Letter of the Day: Tower of Label by Dan Savage
-
Which Kind of Bus Person Are You? by Megan Seling
-
Santorum Wins Colorado by Paul Constant
-
"Let me be the first one to say: My business will refuse to participate in a same-sex marriage ceremony," by Republican Representative Matt Shea of the Spokane Valley by Eli Sanders
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (53) RSS