Indian Chinese food: The notable

Tangra Masala: The big-daddy of Indian-Chinese food

Mostly when we go to Queens, it is for cheap groceries and barely commentable greasy all-you-can-eat Indian buffet. Tangra Masala on Grand Avenue, Queens is worth the subway ride, including the transfer to the local train that you need to get there. If you like spicy Indian-style chinese food, you will want to make that trip everyday.

The décor is pretty low-key and drab. The place is small and cramped and the waitress can barely speak English. The superior quality of the food and very low prices more than makes up for it. We highly recommend the chilli chicken (in both the dry and gravy versions), as do numerous other faithfuls that go there. They have opened another branch closer to Manhattan (on the 7 line) which is bigger and has somewhat more than a paltry décor. Recommended only if you like it hot!

Food: 9/10

Service: 4/10

Ambience: 4/10

Chinese Mirch: Good, but be prepared to wait and wait and wait

We have never managed to get a table at Chinese Mirch without at least a 30 minute wait. To their credit, the place is extremely popular and has good reason to be. The food is excellent and they can accommodate fairly large groups. We highly recommend the crispy fried okra as an appetizer. The menu is certainly not spicy to leave you gasping for air and seems to have reached an appropriate balance to maintain its distinctive Indian style but for a western palate. Recommended, especially if you have friends who have never tried Indian Chinese food before.

Food: 8/10

Service: 6/10

Ambience: 7/10

I-Chin: I pass

Run by the same people as Chinese Mirch, this place near Murray Hill seems to have forgotten to add spices, or sauces for that matter, to its dishes. The food was quite bland and we had to add soy sauce to get any kind of flavor. If you do see yourself in I-Chin, get the Okra chips for the appetizer. Everything else on the menu is equally disappointing, especially after a visit to its mothership.

Food: 5/10

Service: 6/10

Ambience: 7/10