I’ve had some amazing Indian… admittedly not in India, but in California (next best thing). The best Indian is always so addicting I crave it weekly… the problem being that Detroit area Indian just isn’t quite as good. I was relieved and happy to find Rangoli Indian Grill Express in Sterling Heights. I passed by it several times without going in- it’s in a strip mall by the AMC Forum 30 movie theatre and looks less than appetizing from the outside. But one day I had a craving and entered, and now “Indian and a movie” is a coined phrase in my lexicon. My first order became my “every time” order. My movie buddy and I order the lamb wrap (with both spicy sauce and mint sauce, wrapped in a freshly baked naan-like bread!) and the chicken kadai, my usual Indian standby. My favorite part of their chicken kadai is the fact that they don’t give me the “American version” of spicy. There’s a real kick to both of these dishes, which have so many more flavors than just “hot” going on. It’s my new favorite since Ashoka changed owners a while back. Don’t let the looks fool you. It looks like fast food and claims to be ‘express,’ but in reality it’s slow the way a sit down restaurant is. Don’t go for atmosphere, go because once you taste it you’ll have it on your list of places to return. Important note: don't get your hopes up on a Monday because they are closed.  Those heartbreakers.  :)

Rangolis Express Website

Shalimar is an Ann Arbor staple for good Indian. A lot of the times I think Indian tastes the same except the spice level is different.  Maybe I'm wrong, but that's just me.  The thing that stands out the most from this place is their house salad. Ha! 

I know that sounds weird, but it's fresh and good and not a leafy salad.  Its comprised of tomato, cucumber, onion, carrots, lettuce and flour chips.  Maybe this is a staple at every Indian restaurant, but I haven't seen it.  

This place can fill up fast so make sure you get there early!

Shalimar's Website

What an odd experience… I went in the middle of the Polar Vortex this past winter with a friend. We ordered spicy chicken Kadai and Aloo Gobi (a potato/ cauliflower curry). The food must have been fine, but non memorable- and the heat level in the curry was definitely NOT enough to make up for the fact that they had absolutely NO HEAT on a freezing winter day. Here’s the thing: You can’t be open for customers when their toes could possibly get frost-bite just sitting there. Since I couldn’t remember the food due to the negative experience of being there, I’ll stick with my other Indian restaurants who are delicious and temperature controlled.

Megha's Indian Cuisine Website