Chennai Masala

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srkkreddy

Joined 8 years ago

Quite an authentic restaurant. This is a restaurant that I frequent not just because of it's proximity to where I live, but also as this is the most authentic south indian restaurant in town.

The 3 items that I order most frequently and never get tired of are: Idli-sambar, Onion Rava masala dosa, Tandoori Platter sampler.

The most authentic dosas, idli's, sambar, vadas, chutneys that I had in Portland outside India.

I could have given 5 stars if it's not for the service...

There are some items that I tried and did not like: Bhaigan Bharta, Onion Kulcha (it wasn't a kulcha, it was more like a naan with some embedded onions :-)).

I am not a fan of their biryanis (both chicken and lamb biryanis are just okay). You can pass on their egg dosa as well.

One other good Indian joint in Portland area is India Chaat house on 12th and Yamhill in downtown

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jbirdd

Joined 4 years ago

Spicier than Swagath!. We go here for the lunch buffet every once in a while. While Swagath has a pretty good lunch buffet too, Chennai Masala is better in my opinion because the food is spicier. Indian food is supposed to be spicy and Chennai Masala does a good job.

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Ashley Gartland

Joined 5 years ago

South Indian eatery turns a strip mall into a foodie haven.. Savvy urbanites make the trek to join cubicle dwellers and Intel techies for traditional Indian meals at this casual joint. The dining room’s atmosphere recalls a high school cafeteria but the kitchen makes up for the lack of ambiance by serving some of the best ethnic food in town. Listed on the expansive chalkboard menu are such finds as fiery lamb vindaloo, a channa masala (chickpea curry) and airy dosas (crepes) filled with everything from chicken tikka to ghee. Chewy tandoor-baked naan stuffed with paneer cheese is an excellent starter; for dessert, there’s golden fried cheeseballs cooked in sugar syrup.

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hooleywho

Joined 5 years ago

The only place for Masala Dosa in Oregon. So far this place has the best Indian food we have found on Portland. It is about ten times less spicy than the real stuff but my wife and I have adjusted our tastes buds down, heat wise, and it is fine. The masala dosa is the real thing (it is not a spicy dish to begin with anyway) and Chennai Masala the only place in Oregon that does serve the real deal. The problem is the location. Now when we come back from the beach we head here for masala dosa, and then order a full Indian meal to go so that we can have good Indian food two days in a row. Now if they would open a branch in NE that served breakfast we would be very happy.

Doesn't Recommend

hungryrob

Joined 5 years ago

great food if you have time to wait for an hour. I heard great things about this restaurant and I love Indian food so my wife and decided to give it a try. When we got there, we found there were too many things to choose from on the menu and were a bit overwhelmed.

The food was excellent but we had to wait for 50 minutes to get it. The restaurant was almost empty when we arrived and by the time we were eating, it was full and everyone who got there after us had already started with their meals. I have no problem waiting for good food (curry) but I feel like I should be warned beforehand if they know it is going to take that long. We had to rush the food down quickly because we had other plans afterwards and could not relax and enjoy it.

Quality of food is important but so is service and atmosphere.

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johnmason

Joined 5 years ago

Best Indian Food in Oregon.... No wonder its the best place... i recently visited them for their fathers day special buffet. It was totally worth the price. Instead of some other restaurants charging $12.95 for just vegetarian. The place started filling early as 11:30 which is un-usuall for a weekend. Typically crowd starts flowing in around 1:00pm on weekends.

With the recent rice fiasco, i see ChennaiMasala only one in town serving Basmathi. Most others have started giving California Long Grain these days...

Clearly should be voted for CitySearch Best....

Amazing Quality, excellant selection. great price.

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machimachi

Joined 6 years ago

Best dosas in town...... Simply Authentic Dosas and the smell of sambhar that makes you hungy....

i havent had such a good experience with any other Indian Restaurant when it comes to dosas.. simply great..

I also love the Indian movie songs.. only place that doesnt do those slow gazals..

simply love it.

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kinghappy

Joined 6 years ago

South Meets North... dhool sappadu. Arumaiyana Unnavu....(Fantastic Meal)

Just like home made sambar and Idlis's....

Oh.. those chicken Sheek Kababs.... phenominal.

thanks saro...