Bombay Cafe

Bombay Cafe has positively the best Indian food in Bloomington, and this is not just because Indian food is so scarce here. In addition, Bombay Cafe provides a great familial atmosphere that I have not seen in many places before, if any at all.

The food can be ordered a la carte, or as a lunch/dinner combo. I usually get the combos (vegetarian ones), and I pretty much always love it. I also love Samosa Chat, and the pav bhaji. Of course, there are many other things on the menu, including the non-vegetarian choices that I never tried.

The thing about Bombay Cafe food is that it always feels fresh and light. I am often disappointed with "generic" Indian food that seems to mostly consist of oil and leaves one with a distinctive heavy feeling after the meal. The Bombay Cafe food is close to what people would actually cook at home and is something that can easily be eaten as an everyday meal.

Another strength of Bombay Cafe is the familial atmosphere I have mentioned at the beginning. The owner and the staff are genuinely interested in their customers, and they are definitely different than the usual restaurant proprietors. One always feels welcome.

The only weakness of Bombay Cafe, for me at least, is their use of disposable dishes and utensils. Every meal generates quite some garbage. I am not sure if any of it is recycled later on, but everything goes into the same garbage can. I hope that sometimes in the future they will convert to reusable dishes and utensils. It could be that they opted for the disposable stuff since the location used to be a sandwich shop, and maybe there just is no dishwasher there.

Related to the humble origins of Bombay Cafe, the "decor" and the looks of the place are what one could expect from a fast food place. Because of that, Bombay Cafe is not suitable for formal events. However, the food is great, and if the occasion is informal, the atmosphere is great.

EDIT: I just found out that Bombay Cafe can organize events in the courtyard of the building. I have talked with the owner about the wedding they had last week, and I have seen the pictures of the event on their Facebook page. It's definitely an option to consider when one has an event during the warmer time of the year. The owner said that the guests at the wedding loved the food, and I can certainly believe him. :)

The nan was really dry as was the chicken. I am not sure if any of the reviewers who gave 4 or 5 stars have ever actually had Indian food, but this wasn't it. It was just tasteless slop. The manager was incredibly rude, too. I have heard the owners have a reputation for being unkind and taking shortcuts. I won't be returning,.

Yum!  I came here for lunch, and it was delicious.  It's $6.50 for a Vegetarian or Non-Vegetarian tray of various food.  I got the Veggie option.  It had a red curry with tofu, stew with kidney beans, vegetable rice, a salad, and naan.  The food available rotates regularly.  I didn't like that the food was served in a disposable tray with disposable cutlery, and $6.50 is a little much for lunch.  However, there was enough for two meals and you can add a top to the tray to easily bring home any extra.  There are places to sit inside or outside in the courtyard or along College Ave.  The restaurant is a little bare bones but that way I know I'm paying for the food and not fancy aesthetics.  The woman working at the counter was very friendly and helpful.  Good Indian comfort food.