When I was tempting a friend to drive over to Fayetteville for dinner, he agreed, but cited a preference for something “exotic.” I accepted the challenge and came up with Khana Indian Grill. Found at 2101 N. College, Khana Indian Grill is Indian food made easy.

Khana caters to those who haven’t had much experience with Indian cuisine by offering only a few key choices instead of the usual plethora, and they also describe each menu item clearly. Instead of table-service, patrons order at the counter, where incredibly helpful, friendly staff is ready to help. The restaurant has a decidedly casual vibe that’s enhanced by the cooler full of bottled beer and wine available for purchase. Once you order, take your number and have a seat—your food will be out momentarily.

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I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala, while my companions ordered Combination Plates. One order included sambar (a lentil-based stew), a samosa, basmati rice, and paneer tikka masala, while the other included naan (bread) in place of the sambar and Bengali shrimp with Malai Curry.

Chicken tikka masala is my go-to curry choice. There’s nothing quite like the creaminess of the yogurt and masala sauce with chunks of roasted chicken. Though the recipe varies from restaurant to restaurant, you won’t be disappointed with the version at Khana Indian Grill—nor will you be disappointed with the savory warmth of the samosa that comes with many of the dishes. In hopes they would be as good as they were, I ordered a separate side of the potato-filled pastries and was not disappointed.

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My companions were equally happy with their dishes, citing the particularly flavorful rice, fresh naan, and the perfectly-cooked shrimp. And the goodness doesn’t end there. The person who took my order overheard me commenting that it was my birthday, and so toward the end of our meal the manager brought our table a dish of kheer, rice pudding flavored with cardamom and bergamot and topped with almonds. Cold, lightly sweet, and perfectly seasoned, kheer is the right dish to start your next year on a sweet note.

If you love Indian food, you’ll love Khana Indian Grill—and if you’ve never had Indian food, this is the place to try. The clear menu, casual atmosphere, fast service, and delicious food all come together to make this a spot worth visiting, again and again.

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