Lunch Spots for SF Professionals

I was joined by my friend Ron today and we were in his car planning on a restaurant in the Ferry Building. But the Olympic torch run and all of protests had created a no parking situation in that area for most of the week. Oh well, running short of time, we decided to find a parking spot and then a restaurant. We turned a corner and I saw Rotee Express and a parking spot nearby… A line was out of the door…. Ron had not tried Indian food, so I planned on him (and me) ordering the Chicken Tandori, which I described to him as Indian BBQ… SO after waiting a good 10 minutes and seeing at least 2 people walk out foodless, I ordered the Tandori… “We are out of that…” I asked “How can you possibly do such a thing !”.. Now, I understood why people left without food. Because of time, I quickly said what about the Chicken jal “frenzy”, so they gave me a sample.. It was spicy and that is something I had hoped for today, so it was a go…2 of those… Their lunch consists of ordering 2 of their entrees and other than Tandori chicken, I wasn’t interested in the others. Indian food hides a lot of saucy fat with cream and cheese ingredients and I try to watch that. The guy rustled up a good amount of rice and gave us each two entrée portions of the Chicken jal “frenzy”. The food fit into little “bento box” sized compartments. The rice compartment was large and the entrée compartments were small. The taste on this entree was pretty good ! We both liked it but I feel the quantity could have been a bit more. This place has potential but if they want to make it really successful, they are going to have to tweak it a bit here or there. The price was right, but the quantity was lacking a tad, the naan was edible but not wonderful in any way. A first time Indian food eater, won’t be impressed to want to try out a real Indian food restaurant from the showing at Rotee Express. The employees were just that, employees, they were not unpleasant, in fact, the server came outside when we were leaving and I told him that he should put a sign in front when they are out of Tandori, especially because they have so few menu items. He told me that they had been so busy earlier and had run out of Tandori. He was not the owner and it seems to me that who ever is should work on making the experience just a little more pleasurable. It wasn’t horrible, but to use food terms, the experience was bland. The food was spicy, just not enough of the main portions. The menu and service were “lite”.

Maybe we should call them Rotee Lite instead of Rotee Express?

Nevertheless, I still liked it and I believe their idea here is Indian food with a hybrid process creating something like a taqueria bento box. Most people took their order to go so there was plenty of room for us to sit and I was happy about that. I generally feel that Indian food doesn’t travel well unless it is already in my stomach. Since this is like an outlet of the Rotee on Haight St then they are probably already cooking everything except the rice at Haight St location and transporting it to the Express site. This makes it more of a street vendor with a store front, which translates into limited quantities of each item and frequent “run outs”.

Rotee express has been there almost 6 months now, and I only stepped in there so I don’t know if they are refining their process and if it is getting better, worse or status quo… I saw a rice cooker in the back but if cooking is being done at the Rotee Restaurant then in essence, Rotee express is a like a daily catering event for them . Whatever you do Rotee, don’t run out of the Tandori Chicken. While we were eating, other people express their angst at waiting in line only to find out the Tandori was no more…Other than the bland looking pre packaged salad, Tandori is the healthy choice from their whole menu. Even the vegetarian dishes have heavy sauces. The restaurant’s food supply might be replenished like it is a satellite restaurant /buffet table.

This is a place to try if you work in the area, but go early to get the freshest possible food. I also feel there is a 50-50 hit or miss opportunity to have a good experience. I hear their restaurant is good but I have not been there…

Anyone been to either one ? Care to comment. Let me know if I am wrong. I would love to hear it. If they get better, I would love to return and document it.

Scott out.