A few weeks ago the owner of DTL’s Indian restaurant vehemently denied he was closing. "That's a rumor, who told you that?" was his exact words to yours truly. So imagine my surprise when I went by the darkened Middle Street rest. last week and saw no signs of life. Contrary to the lunch buffet advert. on Bombay's window, nothing was happening at the tandoori tavern at high noon. On Saturday I pressed my face up against the glass (an old investigative reporting trick) and all the tables were gone. I do believe the placed is cleared out. Anyone know more? Is this another RIP restaurant or will curry rise again at this long-time establishment?
In other startling DTL food news, the always reliable South East Asian on Market St. has a for rent sign in its window. Suffering spring rolls! Could we be in danger of losing two great lunch buffet spots? Say it isn't so.
Last time I went to Bombay Mahal, it was literally awful. The service was non-existant although I was the only one there, the bathrooms were a mess, the fish tank was empty. Food didn't taste fresh, probably because nobody is ever there to order anything. The owner, who is usually nice to me, wouldn't talk, just talking in Indian to a group of kids he was just sitting there with. I heard him say he was 64 (in English) - I'm guessing he finally retired and was winding down, but I wish they had sold it instead. Where do we go for Indian now? I've always hated that the only other place I ever go is the one in the Burlington Mall food court - Gourmet India. It's good, but it's the Mall! We should start a letter writing campaign to get them to open yet another location (there are many) in the old Bombay Mahal :-)
I too saw that sign on Southeast Asian Restaurant this weekend. My hope was that the apartment above it is what's actually for rent. I've seen a sign there for that before, I think.
The last time (a month or two ago?) we had went to Bombay Mahal they acted like we were a bother for even showing up and ordering! This was not surprising to anyone I'm sure. The service had been going downhill for years, and the food? Well, that just recently fell apart.
I'll still miss them, I really enjoyed their food...
Say it isn't so!
I go take-out from Bombay Mahal twice in the last two weeks. Both times they insisted that I pay in cash and the place was empty.
The man who owns that place is a true treasure. Catch him in the right mood and he would sit and talk about life, politics, you name it. Very smart guy who had a lot to offer, including, but not limited to, awesome Indian food.
I truly hope that he has not closed.
FYI - I was at the SE Asian last week for lunch and the friendly young woman who manages the place said they are doing OK, despite the economy. I suspect, like Corey, that the For Rent sign is for the apartment upstairs. God forbid they close - where would I get my favorite spring rolls and tasty mussels.
For great Indian food, I suggest you try Monsoon on Rt. 2A, Great Road in Acton, next to Bank America and across from the Donelan's Plaza. It's no further than the Burlington Mall from Lowell and they prepare delicious, fresh Indian treats. A large Indian population in Acton/Westford keeps it going. Also have a place in Maynard, a little further away.
Foodie
Corey: The India Palace on 110 in Chelmsford has good food plus a lunch buffet. There is also Kebabs on Drum Hill. Also with a lunch buffet. They're closer than the Burlington Mall too.
Man, I hate to say it, but you really need to travel to get good Indian these days (I'm an Indian food freak). Tamarind Bay and Bombay Cafe in Cambridge (literally across the street from one another) never disappoints.
Corey - check out Udupi Bhavan or Mysore Veggie on middlesex. I've gotten takeout from Udupi - very good, and heard great things about Mysore (the name notwithstanding).
India Palace is the place on 110 in Chelmsford. They have an awesome lunch buffet and their dinners are great. Excellent service as well. The staff is so friendly. If you go more than once, they will remember you! They also have locations in Nashua and Manchester.
I'd go there before I'd go to Kebab.
That anon comment was mine, guess I didn't sign in.
Jababladack, I'd disagree and say that to get the best Indian, you have to travel. Bombay Cafe is fantastic, but several of the local places are very good.
Udupi Bhavan is great, but I think it's all vegetarian. I like The Pongal on 3A at the Billerica/Burlington line. Great lunch buffet, good fresh breads too.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
I didn't know the place on 3A in Brikka/Burlington reopened...Pongal looks like a new place in an old location? I work down that way. If it's the same location, they used to be vegitarian, and I like a good lamb vindaloo
I've never tried the bombay but it's sad to see another place shutdown here in the Lowell area. Just goes to show that to make it in the restaurant business you have to be wicked tough. I hope to GOD that the Southeast Asian Place isn't closing too. Wow! Well at least we still have the Viet Thai, they also have a great Buffet.
NIce article about the Greek (athenian) place on Market street and how they're making it in these bad economic times. Those people are obviously very very tough as they have been around for 30 something years. Maybe they've been around because the prices are so good. How was Bombay? Was it expensive?
You gotta be wicked tough to make it in this city
I haven't been to Bombay in years. I stopped going there because the food quality had declined, and for some reason it always took FOREVER just to get the check after our meal. That was my biggest problem with that place. There's nothing worse than waiting around just to pay for a mediocre meal.
India Palace in Chelmsford is now my favorite Indian restaurant, but Mysore Veggie is also very good. It is vegetarian though, so be prepared before you go. The atmosphere isn't great, but the taste and quality of food makes up for it. We even received a free lentil donut from the owner, just for the heck of it (and the check arrived quickly).
Well, despite all of the negative comments about Bombay, I am sad to see them go. I never had a bad meal there and the owner always came over to talk to me and was super nice. I think I already mentioned that on one of these posts, but it had been at least a year since I'd been there last so I can't really speak to the service as of late.
Also, please tell me that SEA is not closing...I go there all the time and love their food.
Side note: Great Indian food = Punjab in Arlington, check it out!
It's so frustrating to hear owners of restaurants deny they are closing and then a short time later close their doors. Just be honest.
Had not been to Bombay Mahal, but I cannot recommend Udupi Bhavan enough. I was introduced to dosai before moving to Massachusetts, and thought I'd never find them again. Dosai (the singular is dosa) are south indian, and almost always vegetarian. Udupi Bhavan is definitely a vegetarian restaurant.
Most Indian restaurants are North Indian, and great food, but I recommend trying South Indian sometime.
Also on my Indian-to-try list: Mysore Veggie on Middlesex, Cafe Goa in Westford. India Palace in Chelmsford is good, but I've only done the weekend buffet.
The owner of Agrestis was honest when he was nearing shutdown, and he was then robbed by trusted employees. This might be a time when honesty is NOT the best policy. Too bad about Bombay Mahal. The owner worked his tail off day in and day out, with a smile and a kind word. He survived many years despite a product without mass appeal, in a difficult location. Best of luck to him and his family. He, and his Samosas, will be missed!
The owner of Agrestis can hold his head up high knowing he did the right thing. Anyone who stole from him will get theirs...
Whatever happened to Joe who used to own/run the SEA?
I am VERY sad that Bombay Mahal is gone. I always had a good meal there...the owners teased me for wanting my food "bland", but they did what I wanted and I was very happy.
I'm not a fan of either Cafe Goa or India Palace. Pongal on 3A in Billerica is in the old Masala location, for those who knew Masala...I haven't tried it yet, but my friends give it a thumbs-up.
Looking forward to trying Udupi Bhavan on Middlesex Street...I ate at their Shrewsbury location and really liked it.
Definitely India Palace, Rt. 110 in Chelmsford and Cafe Goa Rt. 110 Westford in a strip mall (former Agressti's). Both are YUMMY!
Looks like Bad Dawgs is the latest casualty. Not surprised at all, but still...
Anyone know what is going on with Bad Dawgs???
Brown paper covering the windows with a No-trespassing sign on the door..we walked by there this evening..
I saw the paper covering up Bad Dawgs.
Then I drove down the street and saw the same thing with Subway.
The bad economy is taking it's toll...
I was really bummed out to hear about Bombay Mahal. I had them cater my wedding rehearsal dinner. I ate there constantly when I was pregnant-- so much that I told the woman (you know the one, the owner) that my baby was going to come out brown. She laughed. We got takeout from there on Christmas Day one year (what, we were tired) and it was one of the best Xmas dinners I've ever had.
They were a lovely couple and the food was phenomenal, up until the last time I went... the curry tasted like it was old and out of a jar. Very out of character for them. Shortly afterwards, they were gone.
Sigh. I still dream about the Tandoori mixed grill.
I live next door at the Mollers, and it's a shame to lose Bombay Mahal - they were convenient, affordable and delicious.
That said, we've recently tried Kebab over on Westford St. and thought it was great!