Minar Palace
| Address: | 1304 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA |
| Phone: | +1 215-546-9443 |
| Site: | minarphilly.com |
| Rating: | 3.2 |
| Working: | 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 11:30AM–9PM 12:30–9PM Closed |
Location
Photos 22
Reviews 5
TR
Travis Jarrells
I visited Minar Palace on a Saturday during dinner. I absolutely love Indian food, and having worked as a server for the past seven years I am usually quite forgiving of restaurants when things are less than expected. I totally understand that things happen and sometimes the food gets messed up or the server is just having a rough day. However, my experience at Minar Palace has resulted in the only time I have ever felt it necessary to take the time out of my day to write a review against going to a particular restaurant. When I arrived, I was with a group of six other people, it was around seven and the place was pretty much empty. They had a dinner buffet special listed for $12.95 and everybody in my group decided that was the way to go. As soon as I sat down to eat my dinner though, I started having an anxiety attack which completely killed my appetite; I hadnt even taken four bites of my first plate. I approached the woman at the register and explained that I couldnt eat the buffet and asked if I could box the one plate I had made myself, totally willing to pay the full price for the buffet. I have been to many buffets that offer carry out by the pound so I did not expect this to be an issue. The woman directed me to our server, who I might add had only brought us water and did not even speak to our table, so I wasnt even aware he was our server in the first place. He told me that I could not box the food and threw my plate away. I paid for my meal, left him a 20% tip and left a note on the back of the receipt stating that I was bummed about their policy and perhaps they should consider offer a little leniency once in a while in special circumstances. I mean I paid 13 dollars for a glass of water and three bites of rice. I went to the bathroom and when I came out the server was waiting outside the door and confronted me about my note saying that "it was ridiculous" and that "no buffet ever allows boxes". He was obviously very agitated, and I explained to him that I had left him a tip but I left the note to express my dissatisfaction as a customer. I also mentioned that I have been working as a server for years and that I disagreed with how he handled the situation. He continued to argue with me and because it was not my intention for my note to be taken so hard, I told him to enjoy the rest of his night and promptly left the building. I had no intention of writing a review until he decided to confront me. I have never had such a thing happen to me at a restaurant, and it was totally inappropriate. I cant tell you anything about the food, because well, I didnt have the opportunity to eat any of it. I can however say that based on my experience, this establishment does not value their customers and can be out right hostile to them. I would suggest going to one of the many other great restaurants around Philly before visiting Minar Palace.
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A Private User
I have been to many Indian/Pakistani restaurants and I feel compelled to share my experience. I can truly say this was the worst experience I had at an indian restaurant. I am from pakistan myself so I am very much familiar with the cuisine, as I love to cook myself. They DO NOT serve home made food. I was served a frozen naan (pita bread) and frozen vegetables. I know this because I buy the same frozen naan (pitz bread) for my own home. The naan (pita bread) is a signature bread from my culture and if I wanted to have a frozen one I would go to my fridge.They charge almost $2 for a single forzen naan and I pay $3 for a pack that come in atleast 5. They serve in paper/plastic plates with plastic utensils. The staff was far from being friendly. I order a platter and asked for an extra plate because I did not want to mix my rice with the veggies but the couple at the counter refuse to give me an extra plate. The women said "this is the way the platter comes, so no." I offered to pay extra for a paper plate but she refuse to give. I was unable to enjoy and finish my food. The decor is nice but whats the use if the food is frozen and the staff is unpleasant. I have never been to an Indian Cuisine that served frozen food, especially naan. The employees have no training in how to communicate with the customers. This will never be my restaurant of desire nor will I recommend it to anyone!
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A Private User
I had never eaten Indian food before. I was meeting my youngest child after work last Friday and suggested we try this particular restaurant for dinner because we knew where we were having dessert. She was very enthusiastic, always eager to try ethnic foods. The restaurant decor is very nice so I was not prepared when shortly after we were seated my daughter and I were served water in clear disposable cups. We both thought that was peculiar. Nothing could have prepared me for our dinner being served on flimsy disposable plates and the plastic fork and spoon we were given were wrapped in a cheap napkin which had been cut in half. The "salad" was served on a small paper plate. We began to eat the food, which was not very tasty, and it occurred to me that if they were scrimping on the dishes being used then the food might be compromised. I asked my daughter to stop eating, I paid my bills and left. This was a very bizarre experience.
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A Private User
paper plates? you got to be kidding me. how much more cheaper can this minar restaurant get? i took my date here since it had a grand opening banner outside and we decided to try something different culturally. it looked really nice in there with good settings, furnitures and their bollywood music in the background. the service was okish untill they brought us water and food in foam cups and plates- at first i thought it was OK since they just opened it, but to my dismay when i asked the waiter how long has it been open?, he said 3-4 months. that was a disappointment to me and embarrasing because i took my date thinking that this was a good spot but serving us in plastics plates and forks just ruined it all. hence, i would never go back to this place as you can tell i defentiely didnt get lucky that night thanks to this Minar Plastic Restaurant.
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A Private User
Best Samosas in the city, hands down. Ive had home made Samosa and at every other Indian place and no one is as good as Minar. Their prices havent changed much over the years and you get so much food its awesome. I use to eat at Minar when I went to class at Temple Center City Campus (yes that long ago). I would smell the food and I had to find out what Indian tasted like because of the smell. Plus everyone at the Photo lab was always eating it. When they closed down for a few years I was heart-broken, but then they reopened into a nicer facility but the same menu and not much of a price increase (like a buck more!). The food is great. Its not the best Indian I have had but overall for price and value and the Samosa its better than good.
