Chutney Restaurant
Category: Indian/Pakistani [Edit]
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin511 Jones Street
(between Geary St & Ofarrell St)
San Francisco, CA 94102 (415) 931-5541
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: None
74 reviews
Neighborhood: SOMA
"Date and Time: January 12, 2008 @ 8PM for My B-Day Company: Kam, Denise & Shawn, Jin & Masa, Pheny & David & Michael Ambience: Great…" read more »
262 Reviews for Chutney Restaurant
If they gave more meat in their dishes, they would receive top ratings.
Everything else is delicious. I love this place!
The food here is great. I wish I can give them 6 stars. I don't eat too much Indian food, and when I do, I usually go to Naan-n-Curry. But I think I found a new Indian spot to go to for my fix. The chicken tandoori was so tasty, and juicy. You can tell they use good product here. The naan was good too. If you can get pass the land of crackheads, deadbeats, and the weird known as the Tenderloin, then go. Just remember it will be spicy
Still a winner after all these years! I think I went around 5 years ago, and recently hit up Chutney again. Great curries, delish naan, and fast service. SO cheap too!
1 Previous Review:
-
04/05/2007
Great prices, good food, and VERY clean!
Great Food, Great people and by far the best Prices. I have been to this place many times and never thought to write a review. But just remembering their flavors and craving for their food compelled me to write a review.
I usually frequent Shalimar but at the request of one of our friends to try out Chutney, we switched and I can say I think I am officially switching. The food was great but I'm gonna write more about the service and cleaniness of the place. Out of the party of six, only two of us showed up on time. It was pretty packed when my friend and I arrived and we didn't know if we needed to wait till everyone arrived or if we could just grab a table (like the less formal spot, Shalimar, across the street). The host was all smiles and was totally fine with us holding a large table even though our other friends had not arrived. We had also brought wine (again, perfectly common at Shalimar) but I grew hesitant when I glanced around the restaurant and it didn't appear that you could byob. I asked the same smiling host about their policy and he was super chill and told us it was perfectly fine and offered us a wine opener. Portions border just right to a little small. Don't expect any left overs. All the dishes were delicious; the lamb in spinach was superb. Chutney is definitely much fancier in appearance, but equally as easy on the pocketbooks as it's Indian/Pak neighbors.
I wanted to pick a better spot for my 400th review, however it is what it is... I can't believe I wrote that, because I really hate that overused saying!
I've been going to Chutney since it opened. By no means am I an expert on Indian/Pakistani/Halal food. I like having the chicken tikka masala or the chicken boti with naan. I enjoy the salad that comes with the meal and the hot milk tea which is gratis. I think the joint is fairly clean and comfortable, especially compared to Shalimar across the street.
The significance of the number 400. Well, I'm a baseball fan and the last player to hit .400 was Ted Williams in 1941. Chipper Jones is batting .420 64 games into this season. The chances of Chipper finishing the year @ .400 are as good as the Giants signing Barry Bonds for the rest of the season...
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My friend introduced me to this place last week. It was really busy- always a good sign. The food was great. Love that naan! I ordered the lamb mesala, which was tender, juicy and full of flavor. I wish they gave you more, though!..haha Still, load up on some more naan, have a few cups of the free, self-serve chai, and check out other treats on their hefty-size menu. You'll love it!
Bon appetit!
I love this place, I live just around the corner and can barely keep myself out. when the first opened I was in there 2 -3 times a week. I had to force myself not to go. I have a few favorite dishes.
1. Chicken Tikka Massala
2. Chicken or lamb Saag
3. Lamb Birianni
4. Bindhi Massala
add in a Na an
and a good buddy and you have a great little meal.
I love hanging out on the filthiest corner of the tenderloin surrounded by piss, shit and pigeon feathers, talking to an insane man with no teeth because our to-go order is taking so goddamn loooong to come out. Does lamb take longer to cook than chicken? According to the dude at the counter it does but I think he might have lied. And actually, I don't love hanging out on shit corners of the loin and am really thankful that I have a toothbrush and cable TV.
Admittedly, my Tandori chicken salad was extremely tasty. According to my companion his lamb wrap was worth the wait. (Which I'm not kidding was over a half hour). So I am going to be nice and still give them three stars, and make a mental note that I have time to score some crack and get a reasonably priced Thai "massage" while waiting for lamb to cook because they obviously have thicker flesh than other animals.
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YUM! for the 3 or 4 days that my boyfriend and i stayed in san francisco, we ate at least one meal here EVERYDAY lol. he had been here a few years back, but he said it expanded. we love indian food, and this was a great, quick, casual, easy-on-the-wallet spot to get it. the food just seemed way tastier than the food @ na'an & curry..
eat here!
If you don't mind taking a stroll in the Tenderloin, check out Chutney! There are quite a few Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the Tenderloin and Chutney definitely is one of the better ones. Last time I was there I had the naan, basmati rice, spinach w/ cheese cubes, tandoori chicken, mango chutney and lentils. They were all delicious. The naan was perfect - not too burnt or dry.
I like Indian restaurants in general where you can grab your own drinks, plates, and utensils and pack your food to go at will. It makes everything so much easier and much more efficient.
I had Tikka Masala with no meat, just potatoes and tofu. But I don't know if the guy misunderstood me or just forgot, he did not put potatoes in my tikka masala which made me sad :(. so i just had tofu. but the sauce is good, a little creamy. There was a lot of sauce so i had to save the other half for lunch tomorrow. All in all, I think its pretty good and most likely will come back again.
This is - by far .. the BEST Indian resto I've ever tried! Nothing beats Chutney and it's Chicken Tikka Masala! (thanks to Pashmina who introduced me to this down to earth - hole in the wall greatest Indian resto!). My must have menu there: chicken tikka masala, garlic naan and biryani rice - drink: mango lasii and Indian chai tea (free, btw!). OK, sometimes I ordered lamb tikka masala, just bcoz I'm not a big fan of white meat (YES, I'm a dark meat lover, babee ..) - but what makes the Tikka Masala the BEST in the whole world (so I believe) is the sauce! I can just live with the sauce, and garlic naan and biryani rice! :)
My fave time to lunch or dine is either early lunch or early dinner (around 11-11.30 for lunch and 6.00 for dinner) - to avoid the wait.
SUPER DELICIOUS!!! Tons and tons of food!!! ( well, 6 plates) and some other couple bought us someone else that was tasty. First time in a long time that i had food from this part of the world and it was delicious. I can't wait to go back. Not only is the food tasty, but seeing the hookers and the passed out street kids and cracked out people twitching out on the street corners and doing the meth-head shuffle always make me smile. This place is San Francisco.
I'm all about bang for your buck - if I pay a lot for a meal, I expect the quality and taste to be on par with what I'm paying. Definitely no bang-for-buck issues with Chutney. It's like a much cleaner version of Naan and Curry or Shalimar - the place doesn't feel as dingy, and you don't walk out of there smelling like what you just ate.
The daal and saag (lamb or chicken) dishes are my favorite - the saag is spicy, but in a way that doesn't overpower all the flavors of the dish.
I used to love going to Shalimar across the street, ever since it first opened. Back before the Tenderloin was known as the Tandoorloin... Then Chutney's opened it's doors. Actual decor, far cleaner, better portions, better prices, better service and better food. Family owned and operated. Feast on authentic Pakistani food that is prepared to order (takes a bit longer) and very reasonably priced.
Kind of dirty, but that's to be expected with the order-at-the-register-then-sit-down-then-they-brin g-the-food-then-go-back-to-the-register-and-pay-th ere model of South Asian restaurant. More importantly, the food wasn't good. My sister had a tandoori chicken that was bland and salty. I had a *tiny* portion of chicken tikka masala that tasted like campbell's tomato soup. Boo.
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Our company has been to this place numerous times for birthday lunch and we love the food. We don't mind the location. The person taking the order is not very friendly though. It's been very costly every time we go. Lunch cost between $13-$15 person. I had a suspicion that we were over charged on numerous occasion. This time, we took the time to double check the bill and found out that we were overcharged $15. We are very disappointed about this and will not be going back anymore. When you have a big party, beware and add up your bill to double check to be sure you're not been overcharged.
I have only been once but it was very tasty. Bare bones but friendly. Prices are downright cheap. I need a second visit to solidify the 4 stars. Mefhil is still number one for Indian food though.
best chicken tikka marsala in the city. so rich and creamy its the only thing i ever get. its in a shady neighborhood but worth walking pass the bums.
The Chicken Tikka Masala is very good.
I used to love this place until I got sick off the Chicken Masala. I haven't gotten sick like that since my Mexico trip. It sucks because the food here use to be great. Maybe the owner is too busy to check quality control. Whatever the case it looks like other people are having the same problems.
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I haven't been to that many Indian/Pakistani restaurants, but this is my favorite so far.
I always get the Chicken Tikka Masala, which always looks like there isn't enough but somehow I'm always stuffed with food. The chicken itself is a little dry, but you really don't notice it when you dip it in the sauce (which is delicious).
I also get the rice, which I think is EXCELLENT! It's cooked just perfectly with some bite to it and the flavor is perfect. Really, THE BEST RICE everrrr! The nan is good too, but I prefer mixing my chicken tikka masala with the rice.
Finally, to top off my meal, I always get a mango lassi, which is always thick, creamy, and yummyy.
So this is definitely a dive. If you're looking for great ambiance, Chutney doesn't have it. What it does have is great chicken tikka masala, sheesh kabobs and naan. Their tandoori wraps are pretty good. The prices are even better. They also have free chai in the back of the restaurants. All I have to say is that they should open up multiple locations around the city so I don't have to go to the 'loin everytime I want some good indian/pakistani food.
My sister and I come here for lunch all the time ... and we only come here for 2 things .. tiki chicken marsala & garlic naan. Their portions have actually gotten bigger so we need 3 naan to finish the marsala between the two of us. We were pretty full during the 2nd naan already. The price is reasonable as well. However, I dont' recommend drinking the water, it smelled funny.
Chutney used to be my favorite Indian restaurant in the city, however, I've gotten sick after eating there the last two times. While tossing and turning with stomach cramps, I decided to look up their health code score. They received NINE health code violations and a very poor 68 from their January '08 inspection for violations including vermin (rats), inproper hand washing stations, and improper food storage. That enough to make me wanna throw up.... and never eat there again. Don't get me wrong, I love this place, but it's not safe to eat there. Beware!
Health Department Report: http://www.dph.sf.ca.u...
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I think I'm in love with one of the exotic beauties painted on the wall there. She's dark and voluptuous and I want to know her deepest desires.
I think I'm in love with drunken naan and tikka masala fests.
I think I'm dumb.
I went here with a pakistani family once. My friend Mirza had daughters who looked like the girl on the wall. Maybe even better, because they talked pretty. I wanted to marry both of them but I knew he'd have to kill me a thousand times with a thousand knives if I did.
I'm still single.
Maybe I'll get married at Chutney next time I go there.
What the hell am I talking about? I'm talking about good cheap pakistani food, open 'til 12.
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Not gonna lie: I love this place. Why 3 stars? Well, the price and the BYOB policy are my main loves. I'm a cheap bastard and I can't complain about the amount of fun my friends and I have here every Wednesday. The lamb vindaloo is pretty fire, both in spicial content and yumminess. But I've had many Indian joints that are better. I love the Tenderloin, and I'll continue coming here every Wednesday indefinitely. And the people who run the joint are legit.
To say I like this place is an understatement! I love CHUTNEY!!! The food is excellent. The prices are fair. The service is quick & friendly. And one of the cleanest restaraunts in that neighborhood. Their chicken and lamb tikki masala's ROCKS!!!
Star #1: Convenient location for planning an evening out in this part of the TL. Several fine drinking establishments nearby. There are two courses of action one can take: Drink first and load up on the Chutney goodness afterwards, or make a food cushion and then pile on the drinks.
My most recent visit, we opted for the food cushion.
Star #2: Walked in, surveyed the surroundings, and randomly picked a table to sit and wait for my companions. Prompt service - silverware, plates, water, strange-looking salad of tomatoes, lettuce, and lemon, and menus were brought to the table. Throughout the meal, additional silverware and water was provided upon request.
Star #3: I took Adam W's review into consideration and ordered the Bengan Bharta [smoked eggplant with onions, tomatoes, and spices]. Delicious with the perfect amount of spice! Goes superbly with a garlic naan [or any naan, for that matter]. The price must have increased on the dish though - it's now $5.99. Everything's around that price range and not too expensive, which is fantastic because you can then spend your hard-earned $ on delicious drinks nearby.
Star #4: The menu plays well with my adventurous side. If one examines the section of the menu titled "Ask About Our Daily Specials," one would notice an item called Brain Masala - brain of male goat cooked with special herbs! [http://flickr.com/phot...] o.O I love daily specials.
Updated to 5 stars because I think about the Bengan Bharta ALL the time now...
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Best indian food in bay area. Price is cheap and very very good. the best Tandori Chicken...juicy!!! My favorite Lam Curry really satisfying. The only downside is parking, but i paid for the 2hr $8 right next door. Patron seems going away when it gets dark, maybe because of the area. This place serves good food, good food, good food. If you don't care about the ambience, this is the place. The place is not dirty, just need to be polish. Will go back again and again.
The food is great.
I appreciated a different kind of spicy with each meal- I found Nan and Curry has one spicy and it's in each plate. Chutney has many flavors for cheap and you can bring your own wine or beer. If you forgot to get it at your local market there is a corner store or two for you when you get there.
There is outside seating but I normally go for dinner, so why would I sit out in the cold in the TL eating?
There is one core reason you should try there: the quite down to earth atmosphere, that gives you a feeling that you're eating some not americanized Pakistan food. In general, the food is okay and above average, I would suggest to try dishes with lamb. Should try the self-help "free" tea at the corner definitely. For me, the dishes are not spicy at all, I am sure it's been adjusted down. The most disappointed thing is about the Nam, it's too thick and tasted like ready made. Anyway, don't put very high expectation and it shall give you a fair meal.
This is the best Indian food I've ever eaten.
I had Bengan Bharta (smoked eggplant w/ onions, tomatoes & spice) for the first time here. They say you'll always remember you first time and it remains the best Bengan Bharta ($5) I've had & same goes for the Chicken Tikka Masala ($6).
Very affordable prices; you can get ample amounts of food (eat Bengan Bharta) for two people for well under $20.
Blow out of Bourbon & Branch & chow on the best Bengan Bharta.
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This a gem!!!! You here me MOFO? A Gem!! This is the Best MOFO food. I love this place. I would open one if I knew how to open a resturant. Its more than affordable, its great. 20 minutes and they have my food ready for pick up. You should be slapped if you don't eat here!! Actually you should not be allowed to eat.
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I have to say that Chutney is a wonderful spot in the tenderloin area. I've always been a fan of ethnic foods such as Indian/Pakistani, Thai, Chinese, Japanese and etc.
I had my first experience at Chutney on Monday with some friends. I've read the reviews and been wanting to try it and I was glad that got the chance.
We ordered Lamb Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma, Chana Curry, Garlic Naan and Rice.
The Lamb was tender and the sauce had the right amount of heat, mild. The korma was creamy to die for. I've never been of Chana but they changed my mind. It was delicious.
The only thing I had a slight problem with was the naan. I've have some wonderful naan and this doesn't hold a candle to it. If you want some great naan visit Ashoka in the marina.
This reasonably price jewel was worth every penny and minute. If the price doesn't sell you it's the atmosphere of the whole place. There are wonderful paintings and a mural adorning the wall of this charming place.
I am definitely coming back! Thanks Maahum.
Solid. I enjoy it often. There are other spots with a tad more spice or flavor out there like the Naan n Curry on O'Farrell, but the consistency at Chutney is pretty gosh darn tootin' tight. Than and their naan is just uber fabu.
Chicken vindaloo's on the menu. Also a bit cleaner and open than Shalimar across the street.
The food here is very good. The staff could be a little friendlier though (especially on the phone when ordering a pick-up). I am new to the city and looking for good spice and good Indian food and this is the best I have found thus far. The location is a little shady, but other than that I would recommend this place for the food.
I've probably been to Chutney at least 20 times in the past few years. Of all the Indian/Pakistani restaurants I've been to in SF/Marin County, it's by far my favorite.
Here's what got me hooked: chicken tikka masala (which absolutely melts in your mouth), bengan bharta (if you're not used to it, it tastes a lot better on the 2nd try), aloo ghobi, naan (an absolute must), lamb vindaloo, and mango lassi (request a glass of ice with it).
I'll admit that the spiciness and flavor aren't always consistent, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's still really friggin good food!
Chutney is definitely in my Top 10!
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