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Mehfil Indian Cuisine

4 star rating
based on 340 reviews

Category: Indian/Pakistani  [Edit]

Neighborhood: SOMA
600 Folsom Street
(between 2nd St & Hawthorne St)
San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 974-5510
  • Hours:
    Mon-Thu 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
    Mon-Thu 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
    Fri-Sat 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
    Fri-Sun 5:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
  • Price Range: $$
  • Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
  • Parking: Street
  • Attire: Casual
  • Good for Groups: Yes
  • Good for Kids: Yes
  • Takes Reservations: Yes
  • Delivers: Yes
  • Take-out: Yes
  • Waiter Service: Yes
  • Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
  • Outdoor Seating: No
  • Good for: Lunch
  • Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
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340 Reviews for Mehfil Indian Cuisine

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Photo of Kat J.

Elite '08

20

155

Kat J.

San Mateo, CA

5 star rating
08/05/2008

WOW...awesome...I was floored at how good today's lunch was...we sat down and ordered from the main (dinner) menu rather than the lunch specials. The naan was great - not amazing but very close to it (just a bit doughy in spots - too thick). The baingan bharta was the best I've had in years...probably since I lived in England...we also tried a new lamb dish that is made with spinach - it was superb. The lamb was very tender and there was plenty of it - no bones, minimal fat. I understand a few folks feel that it's expensive for the sit down menu but the portions are huge - they look small served in little pots, but my fiance and I stuffed ourselves silly (we did eat two naans so perhaps that did the trick) and we took home a full box of food for tomorrow. I definitely cannot wait to go back and will recommend Mehfil to everyone I know. Great work!!!

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Charlotte M.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
08/09/2008

We ate in because we both had no cash (takeout is cash only).

Definitely want to come back because the menu changes daily, and I'm curious to see their other offerings.  We both ordered the meatballs, and were pretty stuffed by the end: meatballs, rice, naan, lentil soup and salad all included for lunch?  Awesome.

Not so awesome?  Smelling like Mehfil because you've dined in.  Everything's cooked right behind the cash register, which is awesome to see but then you get back to work and it's trapped in your hoodie for hours.

Next time I'll do takeout!  Nice to have a new spot for Indian.

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31

14

Tavi N.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 08/12/2008

"I'd like chicken tikka masala, with no rice."

That's what I said to the woman at Mehfil who stands at the beginning of the assembly line and fills each empty bowl with a spoonful of rice. Standing there with a bowl full of rice in her hand, she became very confused. She didn't know what to do. Finally, once the shock wore off, she grabbed an empty bowl and pushed it along.

The man standing next to her didn't hear what had transpired. Upon seeing an empty bowl arriving at this station, he too became very confused. He proceeded to remove the bowl from the counter, perhaps under the assumption that it had spontaneously generated in front of him.

She corrected him. I hadn't ordered rice. Ah. The two of them exchanged a few more confused looks before he filled my empty bowl with chicken tikka masala.

It tasted good. And I got to write this review. 4 stars.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating 06/13/2008

    Let me preface my review of Mehfil by explaining how I feel about rice. I think rice is cool, I… Read more »

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127

123

Ervinna L.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
08/07/2008

I will recommend this restaurant for the following reason:
- Different menu everyday
- Good selections of item to choose from (not so great for vegetarian)
- Combo meal is available for an additional charge of $5.95 - $7.95
- Tons of seating available
- Take out prices are very affordable

You shouldn't go here if you mind:
- smelling like a Indian restaurant after lunch
- paying more then $10 for lunch

Overall, this is a good lunch place; I heard the salmon is good. I got to go back and check that out. I had the pork curry; the sauce was creamy and tasty. I will recommend this place for lunch if you are close by.

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180

Andrea U.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
08/13/2008

I'll admit that I'm less apprehensive about a so-called authentic [INSERT ETHNICITY] restaurant when its kitchen is run by individuals of said ethnicity.  I noticed that characteristic when I first walked past Mehfil, and that alone compelled me to place my first order.  Mehfil's Chicken Tikka Masala is phenomenal--my favorite in the city.  When the chicken's all gone, do NOT waste a drop of that leftover sauce.  It's so good.  Pour it on your rice, your naan, your saag, your lamb, whatever...it's a lot like ketchup: you can put that shit on anything and it'll be amazing.

I have yet to dine at the restaurant, but the delivery & take-out options have worked out well.  I usually order a couple of entrees to go and then pick up a box of do-it-yourself papadums from the nearby Whole Foods.

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73

Dave B.

Oakland, CA

5 star rating
07/29/2008

I've been coming here for the takeout lunch multiple times a week since January 2005. My office is across the street, making it a little too easy to visit.

The menu is changed everyday. It says so at the top. And, it fascinates me. The #1 is always a vegetarian dish. So is #2. #3 is a chicken dish. #4 is meat dish (beef, pork, or lamb). #5 is rare but it could be any of the above. There is a chicken tikka salad without a number. There's a small salad that isn't listed. There's chicken tikka masala that's not listed. The prices are extremely reasonable and you can do a numerical combination of say #1 and #2. The naan is variable in size but always tasty.

The line is a little crazy at noon. You'll probably give your order more than once, but that's only because they seem to employ a few too many people on the line (family members?). If you just give your order at the register, you'll be fine.

Food is great. Service is fast. And, the prices are just right.

I only wish they'd breakdown and serve a chicken wrap with naan and some kind of salad. They say it's not authentic, but I love them so much.

If you're looking for a quick but satisfying Indian meal, go here. Bring cash. No cards accepted unless you're sitting down and being served.

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3

16

Jenton L.

Fremont, CA

4 star rating
08/06/2008

Picked up a lunch combo (I think it was 5-7 bucks). I got the asparagus meatballs over basmati rice with a mango lassi. 'Asparagus Meatballs?' you might ask? I wondered the same thing myself. It was basically just a lamb and asparagus meatball.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't get any veggies in the dish (it was just the meatballs and some sauce), but it was still extremely good. Every time I bit into one of the meatballs, I just sighed in contentment. As a plus, it was decently spicy (made my nose sweat).

I walked my lunch over to Pier 14 and had a beautifully relaxing meal along the waterfront.

I'll be back.

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15

29

Nikhil B.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
08/03/2008

This place has pretty typical tasty Indian fare, and is well priced. I would give it five stars but the food is extremely fatty, and the unhealthiness is not justified by the taste.

A good meal at a good price...especially considering the area. But nothing special when compared to the city at large.

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5

18

Debbie L.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
08/09/2008

Very yummy! We'll be back. You walk in and are floored with the smell of spices in the air. Uploaded a picture of the curries we ordered including Saag Paneer and Chicken Tikka Masala. Got both as spicy - although it could've been a little spicier!  Garlic Naan and some rice rounded it out. Naan was good but not out of this world. But the curries were great!

Service was good and ambience casual. Lots of windows and we had a nice spot next to open windows & doors for fresh air.

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Heidi G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
08/11/2008

Mehfil has great Indian food and is a convenient lunch option for people who work in the SoMA neighborhood.

Pros:
-There's a lunch combo, which you can get really quickly and it's fairly-priced
-The food is delicious! (Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Curry, Samosas, Naan and Raita are all excellent, anyway - that's all I've tried. Just the right amout of spice!)
-I've been here for dinner, too - there's a nice dining area and it's a fun place to have dinner and share some plates with a friend or a date.
-As someone else noted, you can eat it in the park across 2nd street if the weather's nice
-Good portions (I usually get a regular order and an appetizer, and it's good for two days' lunches)

Cons:
-Prices add up quickly, and you can easily spend more than you planned when you add on appetizers or sides
-I've been overcharged twice here! Both times, the order came to about $6-7 more than made sense, and when I asked for an itemized receipt, there were no descriptions of what cost what. Both times I'd been double-charged for my entrée. When I pointed it out, the cashier was really grumbly and while I got my money back, I felt really uncomfortable about it, like it was somehow my fault.
-Sometimes the guy with the beard who is often at the checkout seems pissed off...I don't exactly feel like I'm walking into a real happy place or feel real welcome...even though I leave tips for my takeout.

Still, the food is so good, I'll keep returning.

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2

43

Jennifer C.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
08/08/2008

Sat down in the smoky tandoor scented environs. Smells of an authentic Indian restaurant? Check. Ordered the Meatball Masala. It was served with cucumber/tomato salad (light on the tomatoes), a cup (small cup) of lentil soup, and basmati rice and naan. Yes, the naan is a little thick and bready, but i love me some carbs. So I'm ok with it. Yum. Can't wait to get the 5 dollar take out for a more economical version of lunch and try out the lassis. They have a salty one, a saffron/fruit/spiced one, the requisite mango one, and a zeera (?) one. Yay for lassis!

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1

21

Emily A.

Palo Alto, CA

4 star rating
08/10/2008

I went with some coworkers to Mehfil for take-out lunch.  Their menu changes daily (check their website).  The great thing (from my perspective) is that they describe all the options in detail, listing all the ingredients and how its cooked.  There were two vegetarian dishes and two non-vegetarian the day I went there (and I'm told that's the usual patten).  The vegetarian dish I got was tasty, not too spicy, and had plenty of rice included.  Not the best Indian food I've ever had, but a good and inexpensive lunch option.

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Elite '08

835

1190

Shiho F.

Carmel by the Sea, CA

4 star rating
07/23/2008

One of my favorite Indian dining experiences.  With good company and everything we ate was delicious.  Beverages too!  I haven't been in over 4 years but I plan on going back soon!

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23

Jae K.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
07/25/2008

This place is awesome for lunch. They have ~$5 lunch items, and they are *quick*. Just bring your cash. You can take your food and walk across the street and eat at the park in front of Maya.

Dinner gets more pricey, but they have different menu items.

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Elite '08

67

110

Oliver N.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
07/07/2008

I decided to withhold my review of Mehfil when I first tried it after starting work here.  It's a favorite of my colleagues and since my first impression was in the 2-3 star range I figured I'd let it marinate, since surely they knew something I didn't.

Turns out they were right.

Mehfil is a gem.  It is everything you could want in a SoMa lunch, and it even doubles as a totally legit dinner spot.  Ordering is /very/ fast - they have a virtual fire-line that gets you in and out the door in like 2 or 3 minutes flat.  The menu changes DAILY and always includes options to satisfy any craving.  And the old stand-by, chicken tikka masala, is wonderfully executed.  

Pro tips:
- you can order combos of the menu items, including chicken tikka
masala.
- they make a pretty good iced chai
- the park across and up the street, by Maya, is an excellent place to eat your Mehfil lunch

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2

5

Christine K.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
08/02/2008

This has got to be one of the best Indian places in the city for dining in and delivery.  They have consistently great food and service.  Their samosas are HUGE and the sauces are to die for!  Try the saag paneer for sure. Make sure to wear pants with an elastic waistband....

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1

bud h.

San Francisco, CA

1 star rating
07/30/2008

Puhleeeeze! Sauces are alright, not special. Chicken in the Tika Masala was really hard and dry, didn't pass the litmus. Not a very hospitable place. Mean. Arseholes if I may. Four stars out of what, 50? Come on.

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4

teo w.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
07/27/2008

When I first moved to the City, I had a hard time finding a yummy Indian place. Eventually I had the bright idea of asking an Indian cab driver I rode with one night, and he said the best Indian food in the city was at 2nd and Folsom. The next week, I went to 2nd and Folsom and let me tell you Mehfil did not disappoint. They have some of the most delicious Indian food I've ever had, and I used to live in India. I especially recommend the Korma-e-Chicken and the Mattar Mushroom, both of which are a. maz. ing. Don't forget some raita and one of their awesome naan or kulcha. Oh and did I mention it's cheap??? The flip side is that the atmosphere is not awesome, but it's pleasant enough, or you can just take advantage of their takeout or delivery.

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Elite '08

193

155

Tara R.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
06/17/2008

If I still worked in SoMa, I'd want to come here every day for lunch. Reliable sources tell me it's cheap as hell and quick...but we won't go into the obvious problems associated with eating delicious, medium-spicy Indian food every day for lunch, food coma being the least of them.

For dinner, it's not bad, though it still feels like lunch. However, it always feels like lunch when I eat around here, so maybe it's just me.

Service is quick and no-frills, which isn't an altogether bad thing. We were seated, eated and out of there in an hour. Food good - the usual chicken tikka masala, saag paneer and a vegetable medley with naan went nicely with my appetite and, most importantly, the portions didn't give me the pants-unbuttoning stomach fill this cuisine normally does. I really like it for a quick dinner or lunch with friends, but your date will probably look at you funny for bringing them to Office Space-heaven for an intimate meal.

Gluten-free eaters can eat here with no problem, sans naan!

The reasonable cost and speedy service left more than enough for a drink at Kate O'Brien's around the corner.

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5

84

ESPNgurl D.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
07/15/2008

NOTE: LUNCH MENU REVIEW ONLY.

Again, it's a block away from my work and it's cheap! Line gets long and so get there before or after 12.

I always get their combo meal to go - sometimes I splurge and get a side order of naan. Their food is ok...really spicy and it satisfy the Indian craving when the boy and I aren't together.

Service ... they rush you but you tend to get used to it. They also only take cash.

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3

Amber F.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
08/16/2008

I ordered delivery from Mehfil for the second time.  It was INSANELY fast.. it took them about 10-15 minutes  to deliver our order. It is right down the street from us.. but so is the pizza place we order from and it still takes them a minimum of 45 minutes.

The food was hot and it tasted great. Best Indian I've had here.
My boyfriend and I are vegetarians and we both loved our meals. I had the Malai Kofta. It was so good that my boyfriend stole half of mine.

I will order from then again.

On a side note.. while we were getting plates my puppy managed to snag a samosa. He never gets human food and he went completely insane over this. My boyfriend tried to take it away from him and he growled and snapped at his fingers. This is only entertaining to me because I have never ever seen our dog snap at anyones fingers or growl at them.. hes a 5 pound fluff ball that loves Indian food I guess.
I understood his reaction immediately after I tasted the remaining samosa.

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Rosalee C.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
07/29/2008

i rarely have the opportunity to enjoy indian cuisines. some people just don't want to eat indian food; and that someone includes my main partner, the person who i eat with the most, aka boyfriend.

but i was in the neighborhood with my boss and there wasn't many places to grab lunch. this place was right on the corner of folsom & 2nd, and hey, why not?

it was lunch so it was packed. luckily, we got a table in no time. we had chicken curry and usually curry is too strong and loudly seasoned for me, but this time i enjoyed it!

i've been trying to bring the boyfriend here, but no luck yet...

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2

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Amy P.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
07/14/2008

You've got to be kidding me, 5 stars, 'best indian in the city.' My food/ambiance/service experience here was pretty bad. I got the saag paneer and garlic naan. the naan was burned, the saag pretty tasteless and bland. It was spicy, like i asked, but 'hot' was pretty much the only flavor in it. the spinach was strangely creamy, not the way i like this dish. the paneer tasteless. the rice stiff and under cooked.

the ambiance: full of white middle aged tourists, considering it's across the street from a courtyard marriott. i went here for dinner on a friday.

service: this is the kind of place where if you pop in by yourself and want to have a quick meal you will get judgmental disapproving looks from the all male wait staff for being a single woman diner.

I'll never go here again, which is a shame since it is a block from where I work.

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S N.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
06/16/2008

The word Authentic in Authentic cuisine is debatable, there are many Indian/pak restaurants that claim to prove authentic food when all the are doing is making the dishes more oriented to locals. Now here is one restaurant which not only provides the real deal but also runs the business which such acumen as to cater equally to all the masses.

Can you believe it they have 5 specials every day and they keep changing the menu and posting it on the website and really explain what goes on and ingredients of all the entrees and top it all the provide microwavable box  with every to go for $5!!!

Usually i am able to pickup my to-go  in flat  90 seconds.

Try it you will love it and you will also learn the smart marketing and business knowledge from how they are running this restaurant.

One star less for being a curry infested place(smell).

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Nate L.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
06/18/2008

Although I've eaten here an average of 2 times a week for the 5 and a half months I've been in SF, to be honest, I hate this place.  Let me tell you *some* of the reasons why.

1)  I can no longer order chicken tikka masala from anywhere else.  There's something special in the sauce here.  And I'm guessing it's cocaine.

2)  Although not *perfect*, the na'an here is literally worth dying for.  And by "not *perfect*", I mean it's not free and not infinite.

3)  Monday lunches are heretofore occupied - no, I'm not available unless you're interested in some masala.  Wednesday and Friday are also iffy.

4)  Visiting home (Idaho) for long periods of time has become more difficult.

5)  My vocabulary of superlatives has run dry in trying to explain this place to friends, making me look foolish, desperate, and/or in-love.

There are more, but I think you get the point.  Good food.

Other notes:
- CASH ONLY (but no joke, the dude at the register has let us pay him the next day when we forget the Benjamins)
- the cucumber salad is delicious, healthy, & will run you about $1.50
- na'an will set you back $2 (try it at least once)
- chicken tikka masala will require $6 (and is worth every penny)
- other lunch specials include meatballs and vegetarian, and are usually $5 (a great deal for the quality and amount of food)
- I've only gotten it to-go, so am not sure about the lunch service
- if it's a nice day, get it to-go and walk a half block south on 2nd to the "park" in front of that building complex (then look around and see how many people are also eating Mehfil)

As a caveat, I'm not an Indian food connoisseur.  But I'm telling you - it doesn't take one to know that this food melts your face...in a good way.

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guesty g.

San Francisco, CA

2 star rating
08/14/2008

Not impressed.  Went there last week for lunch with a coworker.  I was excited after hearing so many great things and looking at the menu online.  We decided to dine in.  There were only 5 options available on the menu and none of them sounded appetizing.

We ordered a veggie dish and a chicken dish.  The chicken was really "parts-o-chicken", and after trying to find edible pieces, I gave up.    The sauce was spicy but flavorless.  The veggie dish was good, but nothing special.  

The salad, naan and rice were great (1 star) and the portions were a good size (1 star).  The service was ok, but they weren't up on the water refills.  Comparing food quality to what it cost, I felt cheated.  AND for the rest of the day I reaked of indian food.  There are so many better indian restaurants in the city.

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Elite '08

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jessica t.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
05/31/2008

I wish I could explore and try more of the dishes here, without work beckoning me back to the office. But regardless of time constraints - I've always thoroughly enjoyed my brief meals here.

I usually stick with the veggie options, but I've heard rave reviews about the chicken tikka masala. Mehfil's prices are right, the portions are quite generous, the menu changes regularly, and everything always comes out hot, fresh, and tasty.

Be sure to order a side of mango chutney, plenty of naan, and a mango lassi with your main course. Also - get creative and if you're with a group - order a couple of items to share.

You'll be surprised at how much you eat, the diversity of spices within each dish, and sorely disappointed  - if you decided to wear your "skinny" jeans that day.

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Matt S.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
07/08/2008

Hands down, the best indian food I've found in the city (maybe anywhere).  I'm no real judge on authenticity, but I've been to a hefty number of Indian restaurants, and this is my new favorite.  I literally went in for lunch, sat down, and left within 20 minutes.  I immediately ran back to my cubicle to write this (with what little I could scrape off my plate into a box next to me).  I cannot stop eating.  Someone please send help...  and more Mehfil.

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David G.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
07/15/2008

LUNCH MENU REVIEW

I'm not a big Tandoori fan - I usually skip it when I go out for Indian food in favor of more flavorful fare. But I gotta say that Mehfil dishes up some of the best Tandoori - no - THE best Tandoori - I've ever had. Anywhere. Including India.

They do a chicken tikka (not tikka masala) at lunch that is just out of this world. It's not authentic - they do it with a breast of chicken. But I love it so. Beautifully spiced, nice and juicy, with a nicely big lemon wedge on the side, and onions stuck to the bottom of my cast iron plate. The onions are heavenly. I scrape every bit of 'em I can get off that plate, while trying not to gross out my lunch companion too horribly.

Mehfil occasionally does a salmon tandoori and it's just great, too.

My workmate and I usually make it there once a week. He is a vegan and loves their mixed vegetable dishes. I've stuck a fork in them occasionally and they're pretty good - not my cup of tea, but they sure are his cup of tea. He loves Mehfil, too.

Portions are quite large.

Mehfil is fairly priced. Lunch usually runs me $15-17 (including tax and tip), which is not bad for a sit down meal with four side dishes and a large main course.

The sides - naan, pilaf, a little cup of lentil soup, and cucumber salad are OK but not stellar. Service is rushed and can be curt. The wait staff regularly tries to take my plate away before I have managed to scrape all of those lovely browned onions off of my plate. (I fight them off.) Thus, four stars instead of five.

Mehfil is not "meh."

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Beth W.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
06/14/2008

I'm relatively new to Indian food, but the depth of flavors in Mehfil's cooking keeps me coming back to try more and more new things. Their chicken tandoori is lovely, with surprisingly big chunks of fresh breast meat. The curry veggies come with a surprisingly complex mix of spices. And the lamb curry with ginger and lemon... mmmm. I've eaten here once to sit down, and once to take out -- both were fine. I'll let you in on a secret I learned: You can do half-and-half orders for takeout, and it's just a dollar more.

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Jack S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
05/22/2008

It might even deserve five stars.  It is among the fastest and most efficient lunch restaurants I've ever been too, rivaling Stanford's Thai Cafe.  And, unlike the Thai Cafe, a takeout lunch at Mehfil is still $5.  It's fun and charming that they change the menu (and the website) everyday, plus you can still order the most popular dishes regardless (like the chicken tikki masala).  Then there's the park nearby to sit in.  Factor in that the food is quite good -- pretty standard Indian fare, and not any better than what I have in the South Bay, but still good -- and this is definitely a winner of a lunch place.

There are two things holding me back from that vaunted 5th star (yes, vaunted).  One, it's much less of a good deal if you sit down to eat.  Sure, it's more work for them to serve you and clean up, so I understand the price increase.  But I actually prefer eating outside with plastic silverware to being served inside.  So even if I'm costing you something, I still want to feel like I'm getting something in return for the extra money.  And by something I guess I mean more meat. I'm willing to pay more for extra meat for just about any meal, but that's not the deal here; the serving sizes are the same, takeout or not.  The salad is boring.  Sure, you do get naan, but there's already more than enough rice with the takeout.  More starch is not what's needed.  And, while the service is very fast for a sit-down restaurant,  the efficiency is not as dramatic as with the takeout.

Second, there's Evan K.  I work with him, and the dude goes to Mehfil every single day.  In fact, it seems like half of my team goes to Mehfil every single day.  We recently moved a whole half-block farther away, and the Mehfil insanity does seem to have died down (some), but I'm still resentful.  I suppose resentful is the wrong word, since I don't really have anything to resent. In fact, I can even see the argument, since at $5 it really is the best deal around, with a different menu everyday.  And I can be a man of extreme dedication to boring eating habits myself.  But the fact that it is rationalizable only makes the whole thing more infuriating and less palatable.  Diversity, damn it!

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Eric S.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
Updated - 06/13/2008

Maybe it's because I just haven't found better Indian food out here yet, but after many months I've found that Mehfil is consistently one of my go-to lunch destinations.  I crave the artery-clogging chicken tikka, and love that the menu changes daily.  Honestly, Mehfil is hard to beat for a tasty, cheap, quick, filling lunch option in SOMA.

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1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating 12/06/2007

    I really wanted to love Mehfil since I've been craving good Indian food since moving from Chicago,… Read more »

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Elite '08

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Bryan B.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
05/22/2008

I can't believe it took me this long to try out Mehfil, I feel like Evan K. is leading a group from the office to Mehfil at least 3 times a week. It really is great Indian food and I'm sure I'll be back on a regular basis.

The portions are very generous and it seems like you can come here for either lunch or dinner and get a great meal. Everyone says I'm a creature of habit when it comes to lunch and I'll be bumping Mehfil into the rotation shortly.

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Elite '08

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337

Gabi K.

Phoenix, AZ

4 star rating
05/16/2008

Some fellow yelpers suggested we go to Mehfil for lunch last week... there was a group of 4 of us, and since it gets kind of busy at lunchtime, we had a reservation.  Good thing, because it was packed!  

We were seated immediately and given menus and ice waters.  Service was extremely attentive.  We took a few minutes to decide what to order.  I went with one of the vegetarian options while most of the others ordered the chicken tikka masala.  2 people also had the mango lassi drinks which looked really refreshing.

Within minutes, we were served a big plate of salad (they served it family style)... it was fresh and exactly what I was craving.  Next came the naan, basmati rice, and our individual dishes.  So much food and it was all fantastic!  I loved all the flavors in my dish, and I tried the chicken tikka masala too - yum!

Needless to say, we all cleaned our plates.  Despite a little food coma, it was an excellent choice.  I'd go back again, maybe for dinner next time.  Too bad they don't have a location in Phoenix...

If you like Indian food, go visit Mehfil - you will not be disappointed!  This was some of the best Indian food I've experienced...

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264

Tiffany C.

Denver, CO

4 star rating
05/25/2008

I had lunch here while in S.F. for work a week ago and it is so good that I wanted to bring some of it home with me. But, that would have been gross.

I only ordered to go as we sat outside due to the lovely weather, but the people that served us were really fast and friendly. The dining room looked nice and wasn't really crowded at all. Perhaps this was due to the time we went or perhaps due to the weather outside.

If I lived near here I'd probably put on about 15 lbs relatively quickly. So, that's one reason to be glad this place isn't in Denver. But, that's really the only one.

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Greg K.

Berkeley, CA

4 star rating
06/19/2008

Ordered Mehfil delivery the other night when the fridge just was not looking good...  don't you hate that when you get home from a long day at work and absolutely nothing you have recently bought at the grocery store looks even edible?  

Thank Elvis for Mehfil.  Given our South Beach location, it was here in 25 minutes (for delivery an amazing feat).  The medium spicy was plenty spicy enough on our Chicken Tikka Masala, and Eggplant.  Any more spicy and I may not have been able to eat as much as I did.  

I have to agree with previous posters that the basmati rice is unusually good.  It was also unusually plentiful, coming in two large containers...  who knew you needed so much rice?  Actually, al the better to soak up the wonderful sauces.  

The only drawback was that it was a bit pricey for the meal.  I understand the price of gas and all, but it was a good $35 for a couple entrees, naan, and rice.  

Happy eating!

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Jeff H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
05/31/2008

This is the place to go for chicken masala!  I usually get it with naan to go.   The wait is just too long if you want a table.   So we usually get our lunch to go and eat around the fountain area in front of 24 hr fitness.

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59

3

Sean K.

San Francisco, CA

3 star rating
05/28/2008

Ok,

On the plus side Mehfil is the fastest lunch in the area for lunch. It's faster even than Lee's Smelly Deli. Mehfil has four specials a day and they'll let you mix and match from those if you want more than one thing at no penalty. If I want to get in and out in 3 minutes they are the go to place.

That being said the lunch specials are soup kitchen grade. The veggies are usually cooked into mush, discolored and tasteless. The sauce is usually very tasty, though. The meat portions border but don't quite make it over the generous line. If the veggies were in better shape I'd go here at least once a week. I'm on a once or twice a month schedule with them now.

I'd recommend the poppadom. It comes with 3 chutneys that were super tasty at a low, low price.

They also have a sit-down lunch which looks to be of a higher caliber, which I haven't tried yet.

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5

4

S N.

San Francisco, CA

5 star rating
08/02/2008

Easily the best Indian restaurant in the city.  I dare anyone to find a better option than their butter naan and shahi paneer.

My only minor gripe with this place is the service, but they've added some waiters that have a better grasp of the English language, so it's much better now.

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5

34

Matt H.

San Francisco, CA

4 star rating
06/16/2008

The night we went I had a bad stuffy cold, so I was kind of hoping the spicy dinner would clear my sinuses... But alas it did not. However, it was still tasty. I ordered the saag with Indian spice level and was full before it was gone. The rice was also tastier than the places I usually go.

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