New to Indian food? How to order starters, biryani, curries, breads and drinks, and what "spicy" means, from an Indian bar and grill in Chandler, AZ.
Walking into an Indian restaurant for the first time can feel like opening a book in a new language. Long menus, unfamiliar names, and a nagging worry about how hot everything will be. Here is how to order with confidence, whether you’re at Biryani Pot in Chandler or anywhere else.
1. Share everything
Indian meals are served family-style. Order dishes for the middle of the table and let everyone try a bit of each. It is the easiest way to discover what you like.
2. Start with something crisp
Samosas (pastry filled with spiced potato and peas) and onion pakora are safe, satisfying starters. If you like heat and a cold beer, try Chicken 65 or Gobi Manchurian.
3. Pick one rice dish and one or two curries
- Biryani is a meal in itself: rice and spiced meat or vegetables cooked together. If you only try one dish, make it this.
- For curries, butter chicken, chicken tikka masala and paneer butter masala are creamy and mild. Korma is gentle and nutty.
- Feeling braver? South Indian dishes like Chettinad or gongura curries are bold and spicy.
4. Add bread
Naan is soft bread from the clay oven; garlic naan is the crowd favourite. Roti is whole wheat and lighter. Use bread to scoop up curry. Rice and bread together is perfectly normal.
5. Understand “spicy”
Spice and heat are different things. Spice is aroma and depth; heat is chilli. Ask which dishes can be made milder, and keep a raita (cool yogurt) or a lassi nearby.
6. Order a drink that helps
A crisp lager is the classic. Lassi calms chilli better than water. And if you like whisky, try an Indian single malt: India now makes some of the most talked-about whiskies in the world. See what to drink with Indian food.
Our first-visit picks
At Biryani Pot we suggest: samosa, Murg Malai Kebab, Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, Paneer Butter Masala and Garlic Basil Naan, with an Indian lager or a sweet lassi. See them on the menu.