Madras Pavillion
9025 Research Blvd. #100, Austin, 78758, 512-719-5575
Madras Pavilion is a chain of vegetarian Indian restaurants with locations in Houston and Dallas. Their Austin outlet opened Fall 2000, and its been one of my favorites ever since. Its located in the shopping center on the northeast corner of 183 and Burnet, in the old location of Halapeno Harry's.
Their weekday lunch menu consists of an extensive buffet. Usually, they have three soups: spicy sambar, hot and sour rasam, and another lentil-based soup. They also have ample naan and rice and tossed salad. Their entrees change from day to day; the variety seems much better than other Indian buffets in the area. They also feature several chutneys and sauces to warm up or cool down your dish. The buffet is $7.50, and well worth it to get a taste of many different, but good South Indian dishes.
At dinnertime, the buffet is replaced by a full menu. Prices tend to be around $6-8 per entree, with soup or salad another $2.50. This is a good time to bring friends so you all can order different items and share. Their dosas are available in both traditional and untraditional varieties -- one version, the Italian dosa, featured marinara sauce!
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I found this restaurant overpriced and general feeling of an unsanitary space (would like to view the kitchen), the service was haphazard, food was average (of course I'm an Asian food snob, can't stand greasy, overpriced food)though the wait staff, when we saw them, were friendly...Peace again
I really like Madras Pavillion. I've only been there a handful of times (always on the weekends), but I can't wait to go back.
I found the buffet to be full of tasty variety.
The waitstaff was also very friendly and willing to explain what certain items were when I asked.
Madras Pavillion has undergone a change in management at some point in the last year. The old manager was quick to point out every vegan dish on the menu, but the new manager waffled *a lot* when questioned about vegan options. Apparently, it's entirely possible that ghee (clarified butter) is used in each and every dish, unless *specifically* requested otherwise. This pretty much rules out the possibility of eating from the buffet for any vegan, and makes ordering from the menu a bit more of a hassle. They still have pretty good food, and I give 'em credit for being completely vegetarian, but Madras Pavillion is no longer the Indian Vegan Mecca it once was.
A total disaster i had when i went to theirs( was on an assignment from London ) one time in Houston and the other at Sugarland, very unfriendly staff, in Houston there is a guy who don't understand what you say they call him the manager, and i canceled a booking for party when i asked this guy a suggestion and when he explained me "i said this is the wrong place ", these people think they are the best and they don't realize they are still the worse, and in Sugarland i had a very bitter experience of foods, they were not fresh to my knowledge, and when i complained about the stale smell in rice no one bothered, they were like eat or get out, very unfriendly atmosphere, foods very horrible they have to improve a lot, i wont recommend to people this restaurant.
Yeah ! I visited austin in 2005 and this restaurant proved to be the best Indian restaurant in Austin. They served awesome food that time, not sure about the quality now. But overall I can give them 8/10 points.
bizarre comments. The Madras Pavillion in Dallas is far and away the best indian buffet I have ever been to. I am a connoisseur and gourmet chef ( of many different indian cuisines) and MP is the only indian restaurant that comes close to doing it right. Highly recommended _in_Dallas_!
We're talking about the Austin restaurant, people!!!
This was formerly a restaurant with generally good food and good service. The head waiter or manager was always polite, attentive and provided good service, but he is gone and the quality service is gone too. His replacement was inattentive, talked loudly on his cell phone most of the time that we were there and seemed to care little about the service or the comfort of the customers.
Tonight's meal was very oily. Service was impolite, noncaring and poor. We have gone to this place for about 4 years and tonight was the last time. We can get better Indian fare else where with much better service. We are finished with Madras Pavilion.
Yes, it is unfortunate. Madras has gone way downhill in the past year or so. I really miss their former commitment to quality. Let's hope they find it again.