Passage To India

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 11

ajaybir singh

I visited the place with two of my friends.We like eating out and trying new places for food.So heres my rating for this place -- Ambiance -- 3 star cozy,comfortable,feels like an old restaurant in India Service -- 1 star fast but clumsy,you will not have a designated server - anyone walking around will serve - wont care to explain the menu ; if you are new to INDIAN food,better do some homework Water will be constantly refilled,even before you ask. Lady behind the bar is so scary that I dropped the idea of asking for a drink.One server in particular,youngest guy on floor,dont know the name (as no one cared to introduce themselves ) was rude and impatient.He acted weird and did not seem interested in talking or listening as well. Food -- 2.5 starts well prepared,fresh - Esp the breads.Low on salt and if you are in habit of ordering medium spicy at other INDIAN restaurants,do not do that here.Their medium is too spicy- and thats coming from a guy who eats Indian food regularly,so you can imagine.Mild may be better.Nothing extraordinary but still good Quantity --- 2.5 stars portions are decently sized ,but if you are big guy with a big appetite ,you may not find it enough.One dish serves only two- barely. Economy --- $$ Not very economical yet affordable Overall ---- 2 star ,3 if they only had better service Possibility of return ---- Only if I am around the area ,looking for Indian food and am extremely hungry without another choice

JOSH POULIOT

I was visitng salem and very excited to enjoy some indian food. I have a registered and licensed emotional support animal, a small, quiet bichon. She comes w me everywhere. Upon arriving I was greeted with many condescending questions and disapproval from staff. I was forced to show my license for her, and even after showing her legal status I was continued to be asked questions against her validity. It got to a point where I said i wanted to leave because I felt uncomfortable. The waiter stated "no, its fine." But proceded with more accusations saying my dog wasnt going "under the table like seeing eye dogs do and isnt wearing a special tag." Though, she was wearing her vest stating she is an emotional support animal. It got to a point where I said again, I am going to leave because this is making me so uncomfortable, and with this, he responded "Good, thankyou." I personally will never visit this place again. However a phone conversation was had with the owner a few days later and I did receive an apology.

Anonymous User

I refused to eat Indian food in Massachusetts after living in Palampur, India for 3 months volunteering. I had been spoiled and felt truly disappointed in returning home and not finding any really authentic place. On a whim I tried Passage to India one night wiht a friend and it was the surprise of a indian-food-lovers life! SOOO GOOOD Everything was exactly how I remembered it from its mother country and the food all came out super fast and super hot. The palak paneer and tandoori chicken were wonderful and the service was great! The servings were perfect and i had enough to take home wiht me later and savor the next day. I love how they serve it almost family style in different pots on the table and let us share. It was a great evening of food and I have been 5 times! I cannot wait to go back and try things on the menu that I hadnt even tried during my stay abroad!

Brian Cacchiotti

Wonderful Indian Cuisine in the heart of Salem! The food is the lure at Passage to India, but the people are what make you want to come back again and again! We dine here often, almost always at the bar with one of the best bartenders around, Monoar Khan. We usually start with a Passage mixed appetizer, which has a little something for everyone, while I also get one of the best mulligatawny soups around! This is accompanied by spicy poppadoms and onion chutney. Our three favorite dishes are the chicken tikka masala, the Goa shrimp and either lamb vindaloo or any variety of the saag. An order the the naan bread (basil is our favorite) with a large dish of rice completes the meal! Salem has limited ethnic eateries, but for Indian cuisine, The Passage to India is the real deal!

Jill Ann

The curries and kormas are on point. Nice flavor, not overloaded with oil like some places. The drinks are nice, both alcoholic and non. The apps are delicious. Chutneys are fantastic. They will customize spice level for anyone scared of spice or for people who cannot tolerate it. The servers are very friendly. Parking is available but harder to find a spot during busy hours. But this is salem, even if you park a little further away, its ok. Relax on the pleasant city walk to the restaurant, take in the nice fresh air and scenary and the food will taste even better. This was the first indian restaurant that started my love for indian food so they will always hold a special place in my heart.

Amber Nicole Cannan

Food was great, though they didnt bring me what I ordered, exactly. Fortunately, it was still vegetarian. They also forgot my husbands beer. It is Halloween weekend so It was busy, and I wasnt going to complain. We ordered at 2:30, and ordered from the lunch menu, but when they brought the bill, they charged us for dinner prices. We pointed it out to them, and they said they havent "mumble mumble for 15 years." As he walked away. So I guess their lunch menu hasnt been served for 15 years. Dont go expecting to pay lunch prices during lunch.

Amanda Souliere

I asked for a drink menu, after all they did have a ‘specialty cocktails’ sign right on the sidewalk to draw people in. When she gave me the menu they had zero specialty cocktails. Then the bartender asked if we were going to be eating too & we told her that we were just stopping in for a drink. She said okay, let me finish up. She then proceeded to ignore us, while she did some dishes. We ended up walking out after waiting way too long!

Maria Cat

I ordered from the lunch menu but when I picked it up they had charged me reg. Price. I explained to the man at the counter, he wasnt to happy. He also informed me that I couldnt use my atm card if my order was under 10 dollars. Strange really as Ive always bought the same dish for the last five years and it was never a problem. I call sour grapes. Fix your attitude or youll lose customers

Erin T

The food was good and reasonably priced. I had a garlic naan and chicken korma. My only gripe is that they seated my friend and I at a tiny little two-top that was quickly crowded with plates and glasses, and they perched my korma on top of this awkward little chafing tower, and it tipped right over onto the floor as we were trying to eat. Good food, slightly awkward atmosphere.

Paisley Evans

Ordered food to pick up and it was ready in 10 minutes. Food was so good but the portion was smaller than what Im used to for Indian take out. Considering the quality I accept that prices will be higher, but I wish they had a size option. Also, not spicy at all which didnt comprise the flavor, but again wish there was a choice to order different level of spice.

Anonymous User

I brought my friends here for lunch on a quiet afternoon, and we really enjoyed ourselves. The food is simply delicious, the atmosphere is both relaxing and interesting (I am in love with the decor, actually), and the service is both attentive and accommodating. Id like to take my parents here the next time they visit.