Raja Indian Cuisine

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rajas.JPGA view from the street raja_night.jpgRaja's at night.

Location
207 3rd Street #230
Hours
Mon - Sat: 11:00am-3:00pm & 5:00pm-9:00pm
Sun: 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Phone
(530) 753-9664
Web
[WWW]http://www.rajadavis.com/

Raja's Indian Cuisine offers $7.95 + tax ($8.65) all you can eat lunch buffet. Almost all who dine at Raja's rave about the hospitality of the owners, Taranbir and Harmeet, especially Taranbir. They make you feel welcome and appreciated. People come back not just for the food but also to be treated so kindly. It's nice to sit outside on the covered patio on sunny days. Also a good place to take your hippie girlfriend, biology professor, or philosophical roommate. This restaurant is located right across the street from Ali Baba and up the stairs from Davis Oshio Cafe, all three of which are found right off campus near the Death Star. It's the most convenient Indian option from the eastern part of campus.

Their yogurt, cheese and buttermilk are made fresh in the restaurant.

T&H_LoRes.jpgOwners Taranbir and Harmeet IMG_0848.jpgAnother view of Raja's from 3rd Street Raja_Sign.jpgThis sign appeared sometime in 2011 The buffet is nice, although the selection is somewhat limited— a few items rotate throughout the week (e.g., pakora, channa masala, dal makhani), but pappadum, naan, a chicken curry, chicken tandoori, and a yummy rice pudding (payasum) are available every day. Prices for dinner are relatively cheap (~$10 for a main course, appetizers ~$2.50). On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 5 P.M., they also offer some southern Indian food — dosas, yum! The decor isn't as nice as Kathmandu Kitchen, but it's also nowhere near as expensive.

They now have a regular booth at the Farmers' Market and the Picnic In The Park, where they serve wraps, dosas, mamosas and other items.

How was your meal at Raja's?

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Recent Reviews

2011-01-15 10:45:41   I ordered the coconut chicken curry and it was delicious. Instead of the rice my friends and I substituted it with naan and the owner, graciously gave us large portions of it. The portions are really fulfilling. Even though my friends and I were full we didn't want to stop eating because our meals were so good. The owner is really kind and so is the rest of the service staff. He is really funny and good with people. I want to go back as soon as possible to try out the lunch buffet. The prices are good too! —MeganL

2011-01-16 13:33:14   This food is very homey, delicious and filling, and customer service here is amazing, godly, otherworldly. We came in late, at like 8:40, and despite the 9PM closing time, they kept it open til 9:45 to accomodate us. I can't think of a single other restaurant who would do such a thing.

As for the food, I've tried a sampling of most everything, but the one thing that keeps me coming back over and over and over and over again is their Tikka Masala. Last night, I went with 3 other people and that was all we ordered! One lamb hot spice, 2 chicken and one paneer medium spice. They came with free plain and garlic naan, and free basmati rice as well. IT was so delicious, I was literally drinking the tikka masala sauce with my spoon even after I was full.

And I have to tell you, if there was only one restaurant I could ever possibly eat at in the entirety of Davis, it would NOT be other popular places like in'n'out or Davis Sushi or Fuji's or Guad's or Burgers&Brew or anything else. IF I could only choose one restaurant, it would be HERE. The combination of some of the best customer service I have ever experienced along with a Tikka Masala so good it makes me want to dance makes this the best restaurant in all of Davis. At least, IMHO. —GianIbanez

2011-01-19 11:24:35   This is a great restaurant! Friendly staff, amazing food, good prices. I've tried a lot of the veggie dishes and they were all delicious! I would highly recommend eating at Raja's —ALeeds

2011-01-22 20:32:58   What a wonderful place! My GF and I had dinner there tonight, only our second time with Indian food and it was great. The service is outstanding and friendly, the owners were both there and doing most of the service themselves. We had the lamb and chicken tikka massalas along with some veggie samosas. Everything was great! I will be returning to this great cozy and friendly place. —Sar58

2011-01-29 13:18:23   I have to say, I LOVE coming here. The staff is friendly, the selection is great for both meat-eaters and vegetarians, and I have to say, their Tandoori Chicken is probably the best I've had in Davis. It being so close to the MU is great as well since I personally get bored with the on-campus selection, but Raja's is just a short walk! Definitely would recommend to anyone looks for good Indian food. —JonathanHong

2011-02-02 14:33:02   Raja's has such great food! As an Indian, it made me miss my mom's cooking. The tandoori chicken is absolutely amazing along with the warm naan. The service is fantastic here. The owner is so adorable and friendly! He really makes sure that you are enjoying yourself and getting everything you want. I can't wait to go back to the restaurant. My time at Raja's was extremely worthwhile. I highly recommend this place. —rsachdev

2011-02-03 14:06:26   Raja's is my favorite place to eat at in Davis. My boyfriend and friends and I come here very often and Taranbir is always happy to see us. The atmosphere is very comfy and welcoming, and the service is terrific. The food is delicious as well; I haven't been to many places that compare. If you want great food, great service, great atmosphere, and at a great price, Raja's is a good choice. —SMSdavis

2011-02-03 21:34:22   Raja's is a wonderful place to eat. I come here with my friends for the lunch buffet - the selection has gotten wider and the presentation has gotten nicer too over the years. The owners are extremely friendly, especially Taranbir, with whom I have interacted most often. Definitely one of my favorite restaurants in Davis! —CalvinThigpen

2011-02-10 20:32:42   Raja's is an excellent place to eat. My favorite in Davis by far. The service is fantastic, the owner treats everyone like family, always asking how everyone is and going around with baskets of amazing naan. You must eat here if you haven't! Also, the buffet is the best deal in town! —OpticalOut

2011-02-19 19:56:06   Raja's is excellent. I highly recommend the chicken vindaloo with garlic naan, and their lunch buffet. The owner is always very welcoming and very friendly. —ChocolateFrogs

2011-02-25 12:02:48   Raja's Tandoor ranks among my favorite restaurants in Davis. The food is excellent and the owners and employees are very friendly. If you love Indian food and can eat a lot, like me, the lunch buffet is a good deal! Sometimes it's my only meal a day. While they do serve one or two meat dishes during the buffet, there is a wide variety of vegetarian food, making Raja's a great place to eat if you're a vegetarian. Two T.V.s continuously play music videos in Hindi around lunch time, rivaling Old Tea House's use of the MTV. Unlike the melodramatic Taiwanese music videos played at Old Tea House, the Indian music videos at Raja's are often funny and lighthearted. Raja's is a great restaurant deeply rooted in the Davis community, and their food speaks for itself! —GregoryWada

2011-02-28 00:44:43   I love Raja's! The prices are great and the customer service you get there, especially by Mr. Taranbir, is awesome! I reccomend going on Fridays because I feel that there is alot more options, but come on, an indian buffet for under $10?! Now thats a steal :D Go to Raja's today and get a big warm hug from Mr. Taranbir and enjoy their delicious food! :D —jennadedios

2011-03-03 16:48:26   When we want to have happy bellies and relaxed bodies, we go to Raja's or Taqueria Davis - nowhere else in Davis can compare. We know that someone will smile at us and ask us about our day. We can chat easily with the owner and his wife and enjoy that comfortable relief of being truly at ease. I always feel that I am getting way more than I pay for and am grateful to make up the difference in a large tip.

For food, I'm a fan of the bindi masala (okra) and lamb briyani. I could eat lamb momosas all day. —JoRo

2011-03-11 15:08:48   The place is very good compared to the other Indian Resturant in town. The food and service is both great, and the food is prepared in such a manner that it reminds people of home.

Go check it out for yourself, and treat yourself to Raja's Buffet Special, only 7.95+taxes. This is affordable for any college student. —TonySingh

2011-03-11 15:10:44   Excellent food, excellent price, and even better service. This restaurant has a homely feeling to it and really makes you want to come back. The food has an authentic Indian taste and offers many varities. The owners try to make every effort possible to get to know you. Why wouldn't you want to go to Raja's? —SunnyBhardwaj

2011-03-11 16:21:45   Very friendly service. Very good food. Very reasonable price. Would recommend. —illahiKHAN

2011-03-12 18:06:38   i ate here for the first time last night and it was absolutely delicious. seriously can't get over the quality of the food (especially the naan) and the friendliness of the service. the owner, taranbir, made sure my friends and i were happy throughout the meal and threw in a few freebies. I will DEFINITELY be coming back here over and over again! highly recommend it to anyone who likes indian food —EmilySkogstrom

2011-03-14 13:16:06   The food is excellent as is the service, the owners are very welcoming and friendly. The old bollywood movie clips they show on the TVs are a nice added touch. I will definitely be returning! —SilviaMcElroy

2011-03-26 22:53:18   I was here a sometime at the end of 2010. I just had to try it since I have a love for Indian food and to just try all that I can in Davis. Firstly, the service is very good. The owner is very nice and actually spends time talking to everyone making sure things are good. With that said, the food I had here left little desire for me to come back and I'm only referring to the lunch buffet, please note. All the dishes are kind of bland and just wasn't that flavorful to me. The naan was dry and the rice tasted like minute rice. The lamb I tried had a weird taste to it, not the typical lamb I've tasted in many Indian restaurants. This place has great service for buffet but just didn't meet my expectations food wise. Price wise, it's very good for most college students on a budget. For my taste, I'll gladly only eat at the Indian restaurant that best suites me. —C.Ling

2011-03-27 00:40:12   BEST INDIAN FOOD PLACE IN TOWN! It's run by the sweetest couple who always give me extras if they cannot accommodate a fussy order. I feel so spoiled when I go there! I haven't had a food there that I have not enjoyed, but my favorite is the lamb tikka masala with garlic naan. Oh, and the prices are very reasonable with generous portion sizes (I always get at least two meals out of it when I gorge myself, and I am not a skinny person) —nmendoza

2011-04-09 14:20:07   We know Indian food well, and this is a fantastic restaurant. The lunch buffet is incredible. There are 2-3 meat dishes, 3 vegetarian dishes, 1-2 dals, chutneys, raita, nan, salads, rice pudding etc. It is very authentic indian food. i have been to india. the buffet varies every day and is a great deal all you can eat for $7.95. the owners are incredibly sweet and welcoming and always try to accommodate you. —DorisSmith

2011-04-15 14:27:40   Great food! The owners are the sweetest people ever! Been coming here for 4 years and I would definitely recommend it!!! —GoAggies

2011-05-04 22:02:16   Awesome!! The service cannot be beat. Taranbir and Harmeet remember their customers and really go the extra mile every time. Plus, I think they have the tastiest food in town. If you are brave then ask for extra spicy! I swear it is the most delicious thing ever. The chicken tikka masala has the most chicken of any place in town and it comes with naan and rice (he always throws in extra too). I usually order takeout, but the restaurant is adorable. A nice balcony with seats overlooking the bustling street below. —smartgirl

2011-05-09 20:28:49   Today I went back to Raja's Tandoor and again I was very impressed by Taranbir's absolutely gracious hospitality. If I ever have a bad day, I'm going to Raja's lunch buffet because the absolutely delicious food will not only release some dopamine but such kind hospitality and sincere human interaction will lift me out of whatever black cloud I may be under. Taranbir and Harmeet, you are not only a delicious cooks, fine business people, but a blessing for the community of Davis. —ZElliott

2011-05-10 21:09:33   Honestly some of the best service, not to mention Indian food, I have ever had. Taranbir constantly recognizes my roommates and me whenever we come in, and is sure to always throw in some free naan :) —achash

2011-06-27 14:02:10   I live right next door and I go here probably 4 days a week. Taranbir is the man! Great food with plenty of veggie dishes to choose from. You can eat very healthily here. Highly recommend Raja's. Summertime is slower for them, so support your local restaurants. —ryanboz8

2011-06-27 21:36:26   This is the best Indian food in Davis. The hospitality is great and the lunch buffet is a good deal, especially when you're hungry. They tend to make Northern Indian dishes if that matters to you. —BobJames

2011-07-01 15:55:53   My meal today was amazing as always. They had the most delicious green beans ever. I love that they have no "secret meat" in their entrees so that vegetarians can dine with peace of mind. Tarabir is such a wonderful host, you always feel like family when you eat here. —DanielleC

2011-07-07 09:06:54   Awesome place! We went during the Farmer's Market, so there wasn't anyone there and Taranbir was running back and forth to restock the market stand while he was still giving us great service. We got two of the combination plates (the vegetarian and the meat option) and they were delicious... also the perfect portion for four people. He even gave us an extra serving of Naan. Highly recommended. I'll most likely be back to try their $8 lunch buffet! Their stand at the farmer's market is also one of our favorites. —SeasonF

2011-07-08 22:33:46   I love this place! The food is great, the service is awesome and the prices are very reasonable. It's a great place to bring family or friends and even large groups! The owner is very sweet and always gives you a little extra :) I highly recommend this place for any meal of the day! —JenniferLyons

2011-07-15 20:50:45   I have been going to Raja's for two years now and I always appreciate the wonderful food and the comfortable atmosphere that the owner's have established. Their naan is wonderful and available at the Davis Co-op as well. I am never disappointed when I eat here. The owner always makes me feel like family the instant he sees me. He has always been extremely generous and helpful. —SilvaJ

2011-07-16 09:31:14   Home of the watered down, insipid, uninspired pseudo-indian food in Davis. Guess the Nepali's do a better job of peddling Indian-style food in davis than the Indians themselves (and I am one). Three strike-outs, so no more going there again. And the 'friendly' owner, well lets just say he sobers down quickly and starts sweating when people who understand Indian food walk-in. —snehalt

2011-07-21 00:19:52   RAJA'S IS THE BEST! The owner is sooooo nice and really makes you feel like you're at home. The food is amazing. I've been to Raja's 3 times in the past week. :D —evillena

2011-07-24 09:10:04   We took our out of town company to Raja's again last night! Our daughter originally took us here before she headed out of town for graduate school 4 years ago. Since then we have returned many times and usually with friends. The consistently warm hospitality of the owners, excellent food, service and resonable prices have made this restaurant a favorite for us. Our out of town friends look forward to visiting and specificately eating here! I highly recommend them! —JoanneAnderson

2011-07-24 10:22:04   Our first time visiting, we ordered the coconut lamb curry and the Raja's Thali (pseudo-'sampler plate') and both were delicious - definitely more than enough food for two. The customer service was excellent - one of the owners courteously and consistently checked in, without seeming overbearing in the slightest. I would recommend Raja's Thali to get a feel for the different tastes of the restaurant, all of which are excellent. The coconut lamb curry, a suggestion of the server, was our favorite. The naan is also out of this world, and plentiful!

Definitely planning on returning!

2011-07-24 15:29:35   The food is amazing but it is the gracious and friendly service that really makes this place! Just thinking about it makes me want to go back! —RachelPevsner

2011-07-28 13:05:15   We have eaten several dinners at Raja's so far. I stick to chicken or lamb saag, but my son, husband and the various friends we have taken there order a variety of dishes. The food is delicious, they will customize it to suit you (no or low salt, degree of mildness or spiciness). We have always been happy, and as many reviewers have pointed out, the owners and other workers are terrifically friendly! They serve free naan - any of 3 flavors - during dinner, free appetizer. At the Farmers' Mkt, we split a lamb wrap with 3 sauces of our choosing for lunch. They are currently running a lunch buffet special for only $5.95; if I lived downtown or could bicycle from home, I'd be there frequently!

2011-08-05 22:51:19   delicious food, friendly and welcoming atmosphere, good value, spicy really means SPICY but I really liked it, you should really give it a try. —NaomiKim

2011-08-09 13:25:45   I came in at noon needed food for 30, for an event in six hours. He saved my procrastinating butt by putting together a great meal, and at a very reasonable price! People LOVED the food, and were literally spooning up the extra at the end of the event. Plus, he threw in extra garlic naan (yuuummmm). So I highly recommend them for catering, as well as in-house dining! Great lunch buffet too! —smcc

2011-08-12 13:39:16   Raja's was amazing. Taranbir and Harmeet were the nicest and most welcoming servers I've ever had. They made my Lamb Vindaloo extra spice (by request) and it was awesome. Highly recommended. One of the best dining experience in Davis. —aroach12

2011-09-25 11:28:53   I am Indian, so I know a lot about Indian food. This place has horrible Indian food. Their naan is about the only thing that tastes authentic. STAY AWAY FROM SOUTH INDIAN OPTIONS and especially the tomato chutney. GROSS! I could not even finish what I ordered. I have only tried some of their stuff at the farmer's market. Will defi not be eating at the restaurant. —NatashaNanda

2011-12-20 20:03:23   I went here because everything else on 3rd was closed. It was definitely a pleasant surprise, the staff is very friendly (Ahmed made me feel welcome since I was a solo diner) and the food was delicious. I got a half order of the Chicken Tandoori which comes with basmati rice, garlic naan, and roasted chicken on a sizzling plate. Definitely generous servings and definitely going to come by again. —pbdeng

2012-01-31 20:48:29   I had their lunch buffet this noon. The buffet size was small to medium, perhaps a dozen dishes (I didn't count). Every item was good, not excellent nor bad. The food was a bit bland compared with other Indian restaurant food I've had. It seemed like it had been sitting there awhile -which wasn't the case as I was the second person in the door. Perhaps they just used fewer spices, I don't know. The owner, Taranbir, was exceptionally cheerful and friendly which made for a pleasant lunch. I'd go there again, even knowing that the food is unremarkable. —SteveDavison

2012-02-01 10:52:18   I have eaten here about 3-4 times, the owner Taranbir is super nice and goes out of his way to take care of his customers. I usually get the Chicken Tika masala which is very tasty. The atmosphere is not as nice or fancy as the other indian restaurants in town but they do have a very nice outdoor patio which is wonderful on a nice day. —DagonJones

2012-02-03 21:50:12   I witnessed Taranbir take a paper napkin off of a table after a group of 4 people left, and put it back in with all of the "unused" napkins that are by the forks and knives and stuff. I'm not so sure now that those are all unused. That's got to be against some type of health code to take a paper napkin off of a table after people have been eating and put I back out for use. Even though it looked unused, the girl who's plate it was by may have in fact used it. And right after he did that, he wiped his nose with his fingers, then proceeded to get a small amount off food for himself from the buffet. Then I payed him for my food, ew. He is a nice guy, but after this I don't trust the cleanliness of this place.

The food is decent. The naan is pretty darn good. I won't go back just for the naan though. —stevohfun

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