Dosa Factory
| Address: | 316 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02115, USA |
| Phone: | +1 617-982-7957 |
| Site: | dosaboston.com |
| Rating: | 3 |
| Working: | 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM 11AM–11PM |
Location
Photos 83
Reviews 8
TH
Thu Nguyen
The food was so so, not outstanding. However, what really bothered me was their service. Their food was not cheap, and the server made us ordered more than what we expected. We initially wanted to order 2 entrees only since their portion is way more than enough for girls to finish. However, we ended up with a bill more than 40 bucks with some extra stuffs we didnt plan to get (1), plus charged for a gratuity of 18% (2). I also work for restaurants myself, so I understand the desperation of living off from tips, but man theres just no explanation for this. No current system automatically charges a party of 2 eating less than $50 such gratuity, unless the server puts it in. What should we suppose to think? We were nice, chill and patiently waited for the food to come in like 45 minutes (when there were only 2 tables there at the time and the other one was done with their food before we ordered. Isnt street food type of dish supposed to be faster than that?). Then i ended up have to leave not being able to finish 1/3 of the dish and saw that in the check. The 2nd server came to say sorry when I pointed that out to him, so I requested him to take the gratuity out and tipped them 20% instead because I dont ever wanna make another servers life horrible, but thats it for me with Dosa Factory. 2 stars because the food was not bad and the 2nd server did recognize and apologize for that.
SW
Swaminathan Venkatesh
This is easily the most pathetic south Indian food Ive had in 25 years. We were so much looking forward to eating here that we made our Sunday plans around it. But boy, were we in for a surprise or what. The waiting staff were warm & courteous. We ordered a Paani Poori Golgappa starter. The pooris were very small that you hardly have any space for the stuffing to go in. Id give 5/10 for the paani poori. Next we had the Hot & Sour Soup. The best dish of the night by a long margin. It was hot, spicy and tasty. 8/10 from me. Then comes the finale. We ordered a different dosa type each (Lamb Vindaloo, Garlic Cheese Panneer & Paper Masala). The dosa batter appeared to be as aged as their chef. There were 2 colored concoctions (supposedly coconut chutney & tomato/onion chutney). A can of white paint & red paint wouldve tasted better I guess. Next comes the coup de grace. Orange colored hot water (calling it Sambar would be blasphemy for someone hailing from Chennai). Then we did something we shouldve done the previous day. Read through the reviews of the place. Loads of food poisoning claims & we were soon to join that chorus. A PSA for all those unaware of south Indian food, what you eat here is NOT how we cook in south India. Dosa Factory, it is not. Dosa Mortuary, more like it!!!
MA
Mayur Patel
Stay away from this place. Service is garbage. Food is garbage. Homeless people come off the street and use their bathroom and lock themselves in for an hour so you cant even use the bathroom. The food quality is no where near Indian. Very bland and no taste. As an Indian I have some expectation of Indian taste but this was nothing like India and their slogan is "Indian street food." We got our bill and no compensation or anything. NOT EVEN AN APOLOGY. PAID $158.69 and no satisfaction. You would think being on newbury street in Boston this place would have their head on straight but the non Indian clients dont know the difference and that must be their main business. STAY AWAY. ID RATHER PAY 5 TIMES THE MONEY AND GO TO THE SKETCHIEST PLACE IN BOSTON TO EAT KNOWING SERVICE AND FOOD WOULD BE BETTER. I wouldnt even tell my worst enemy to eat here.
CA
Carlos Lu
Terrible experience. Food-wise it was OK, their deserts are sweet and their entrees are filling. But the service was atrocious. I dont know much about Indian food so my girlfriend was ordering and deciding for us and the blatant sexism the waiters had, turning to me and giving me looks like "shes so ridiculous" for asking questions on the menu, especially when what they served us want what was written on the menu. Then their reaction when she was the one who was paying? I did well controlling myself. Unrelated to us but related to their poor service, there was a vegetarian family behind us who were served meat and simply left without paying after the servers just shrugged at them. As if to make up the losses for their mistake they decided to overcharge us on our meal. Would not eat there again.
CA
Carlos Lu
Terrible experience. Food-wise it was OK, their deserts are sweet and their entrees are filling. But the service was atrocious. I dont know much about Indian food so my girlfriend was ordering and deciding for us and the blatant sexism the waiters had, turning to me and giving me looks like "shes so ridiculous" for asking questions on the menu, especially when what they served us want what was written on the menu. Then their reaction when she was the one who was paying? I did well controlling myself. Unrelated to us but related to their poor service, there was a vegetarian family behind us who were served meat and simply left without paying after the servers just shrugged at them. As if to make up the losses for their mistake they decided to overcharge us on our meal. Would not eat there again.
LO
Loyd Stewart
I was born and raised in South India. The dosa was ok but served cold (should not be). I would say the dosa, unfortunately, is about average for American restaurants. That is the good, the potato masala tasted vaguely like an Indian dish but in no way represented the dish it was supposed to. The stuff they called coconut chutney was awful and sweet, both a no no. The Sambar, did have a drum stick in it and a piece of eggplant. It even had dal (lentils) in it, but that is where the similarities stopped. The total on my bill came to $12.00 and some change. They did give me the right number of dollar bills but failed to return the change I was due. That was the most Indian part of the meal. Cant speak for the other dishes and wont be able to because I will not be returning.
VI
Vincent Lynch
We have eaten here a half dozen times and always enjoyed it. I see the one star reviews here and just dont agree - perhaps the restaurant has undergone changes recently. We recently brought four friends with us and they all enjoyed it as well - so we arent crazy! As others have said this is a proper sit down restaurant. Not sure where the "street food" aspect comes in I will admit I cant speak to the authenticity of the food, but we regularly eat Indian and we think its good. Only thing we were unhappy with was the Aloo Paneer which was very bland. Portions can vary but overall decent value. Service can be tricky too. Have had the same waiter be very inattentive and slow one day, and then a pleasure the next time we were there.
TH
Thuy Van
Do. Not. Go. Here. I dont usually write reviews but I had to this time, for everyones sake. The food is overpriced for what it is. I ordered butter chicken and it was overcooked, very dry. The sauce had undertones of vomit. The rice was clumpy. The paneer was also very bland. They also charged me an extra $5 for an 18% service charge I was never notified about! And I ate here ALONE! I asked if everyone was charged preemptively. My server said yes, sometimes yes... So I asked to talk to a manager. But then he relented and gave me back my 5. Clearly trying to rip me off. Ridiculous. I hope they go out of business because the way they treat their guests is inexcusable. Do not give them your money. Seriously.
