G’Raj Mahal Cafe (Not Garaj Mahal) – **MENU**, HOURS, and REVIEW: Indian Restaurant Now Open in Downtown Austin
7/2/2010: Most-up-to-date menu below. Note that G’Raj Mahal is currently open from 5pm-12am on Weekdays, 5pm-3am Fri-Sat. CLOSED Mondays. Also looks like all delivery will now be going through Longhorn Delivery (contact info on menu). G’Raj Mahal is BYOB!!!
Sidney, the owner also wanted me to let everyone know that the lamb is halal, blessed, and grassfed – for those following strict diets.
REVIEW:
If somebody asked me what I thought about eating Indian food made in a truck, my *go-to* response would be – “less good choice.” At least, that was until I tried G’Raj Mahal Cafe (no website yet, but you can find them on Facebook), located at 91 Red River Street in Downtown Austin. Ummmmm…super yummy!
This gem opened a couple of weeks ago, and when I had the opportunity to try it out the other day, I was very pleasantly surprised. I had the Vegetable Goan Coconut Currie with the Classic Vegetable Samosa, which was all washed down with a Mexican Coke:
Looking at the menu, I initially thought the pricing seemed way super high. After all, this is food made from a trailer. However, the food was made to order, tasted fresh and high-quality, and the portions were generous. While I still think it’s a bit on the pricey side, I also believe that it’s worth it.
**UPDATE 12/14/2009: The owner (Sidney aka Ms. GM) just contacted me to tell me: “FYI…We reduced our prices this week slightly for the entrees as much as we could. However, we use such high grade ingredients, we are somewhat restricted to obey our food costs. We will soon have a late night menu with $5-8 items like naan wraps, lamb burgers, Indian “taco” salad, and spicy goan sausages.” Once I’ve received the updated menu, I will post it.
G’Raj Mahal Cafe does table service and take-out. The table service I experienced was friendly (even deferential) and the overall vibe was good. I would note that there is no indoor seating, but the outdoor seating is covered, and what I would describe as breezy, surrounded by peacefully flowing pieces of gauzy white fabric. Here’s a shot of the typical table:
Overall, I think it’s a good, unique addition to the downtown Austin restaurant landscape, gives the east side of Congress a quality casual dining option, and is a small business that I will support. My only real complaint so far is that it’s only open for dinner (from 5pm-3am everyday). I think a Saturday/Sunday lunch (business permitting) would be awesome.
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About the author:
Amber Gugino is a downtown stakeholder who has an avid interest in all things fun, funky, and food-related. She currently enjoys an existence unencumbered by car ownership, and embraces an urban, density focused lifestyle.
She is an active board member of the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association, a member of the Cap-Metro Customer Satisfaction Advisory Committee, and she occasionally scores a small acting gig around town.
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This time last year, Rainey Street had ZERO destinations. Now there are three, working on four or five by the end of Q1 2010.
Lovin’ it.
I went to G’raj Mahal(witty name) last night and thought it was great food! They could definitely add more to the menu. Things like chat and bhel puri, gol gappe(pani puri) perhaps? The sweet lassi was very tasty and they even deliver at Clive!
Very good food! I had the tikka masala and the veggies that came with it were in a stew and they were addictive.
The Naan is a cut above the rest! Plenty of rice!
Looking forward to any new additions to the menu!
Hey Miss Amber….its Ms GM. I have a new menu for you if you would like me to send it to you!!
thanks y’all