India Sweets & Spices - Glendale
Monday, December 19, 2005 9:38
When India Sweets & Spices first opened in Glendale I’d say I visited three to four times a month.
Then I burned out on the chaotic lines and the food. I stopped by again twice this weekend en route to a Christmas shopping destination. I was delighted to see that my local incarnation of ISS has become better organized. The restaurant is less antiseptic now that the walls and ceilings are dolled up in baby blue scenic murals. The 50″ television is now placed at the end of the dining hall and it displays deliciously hammy Bollywood dance numbers. The ordering and food pick-up system is much less disorganized and the food is even better than when ISS first opened, in my opinion.
I got a Mysoor Dosa that arrived in half the time of prior visits. The dosa was perfectly hot, toasty and tart while its contents were savory and spicy. The next day I ordered a quick bhel puri snack. It’s a jumbled mix of boiled potato, minced onion, puffed rice and bhel (crispy Indian crackers), seasoned with yogurt, fresh coriander, cumin, chili, masala and tamarind sauce. ISS serves up seven flavored chats in the $2.49- 2.99 range. They’re quickly prepared and taste great with a mango lassi or just a big cup of cool water. Mostly, it’s nice to see a local spot come into its own.
India Sweets & Spices
3126 Los Feliz Bl.
Glendale, CA
90039
323-345-0360
Pauline says:
December 19th, 2005 at 5:51 pm
There’s one in Culver City, too:
9409 Venice Blvd.
Culver City, 90230
(310)837-5286
Not as comfy as the one in Glendale, but just as good.
Rene says:
December 22nd, 2005 at 3:03 pm
You beat me to it, Socalorie!
I tried the place in Glendale as well recently. Not much atmosphere but certainly good food and at an affordable price.
The place sure does have a very authentic ethnic feel.
SoCalorie says:
December 22nd, 2005 at 9:23 pm
What did you order?
SoCalorie says:
January 1st, 2006 at 11:39 pm
ISS acolytes may be happy to note that in 2006 new branches are opening in Thousand Oaks and Chino/Diamond Bar.
The Glendale location is having a pretty big sale through Jan. 22. There are lots of buy one, get one free (oops. org. wrote ghee) and buy two, get one free deals.
You can score some nice deals on rice, tea, spices.
anamika says:
January 8th, 2006 at 9:58 pm
The store is spacious and carry lots of varieteis.
But the restaurant is not at all great.Had masala dosa and veggie meal-not at all good.The lady who takes the menu had an Attitude.I had a doubht whether she thought i am begging for food.I will never eat there nor will entertain others to go there.
You can find good restuarants both veg and non veg in Pioneer Blvd,Artesia
kumar says:
January 8th, 2006 at 10:03 pm
I totally agree.The prices for the spices seems to be high compared to the other indian stores.The restaurant is not at all customer friendly.The cashier/order desk is very rude.I had some doubht in ordering and she was not happy to explain
SoCalorie says:
January 8th, 2006 at 11:12 pm
Thanks for the comments!
Was it very crowded when you were there?
I have had unfriendly service in the past but it seemed they had gotten it together. I may have been there during a quiet spell. If you add the cost of gas to your meal Artesia might not be such a thrifty option.
SoCalorie says:
January 9th, 2006 at 11:36 am
Err, I guess that should read: If you add fuel costs required to drive to Artesia it might be less cost effective. The cost of discomfort caused by gas generated by your meal is less quantifable.
geetha says:
July 20th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
I’ll bet you meant the women at the counter in the Venice Blvd location. I haven’t gotten a smile out of her in 4 years of going there. In fact, once I was there with a friend getting takeout for 3 and she actaully sighed and was very annoyed that we were ordering so many items. Go figure, she has got to be related to the owner!
However, my mom was visiting me, and we were ordering and she noticed my mother’s necklace had a certain indian saint on it (we are indian) and suddenly, she was all smiles and animated! It was something to see!
That being said the food is really excellent, and perfectly spiced (imho), tastes just like homecooking. Only thing is that it is a bit of a crap shoot when it comes to the counter items, its whatever is there. 2 hints: They make paneer (cheese cube) items on the weekends. And the Delhi Paneer is AMAZING! My husband fell in love with it when we got it once but we have never seen it there again.
Ultricon Convoy says:
September 12th, 2006 at 8:08 pm
It’s not in Glendale; It’s in Los Feliz.
The address you have is correct.
Ultricon Convoy says:
September 12th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
And I disagree with all the negative comments. The food is tasty, the prices are low low. And the people are friendly!
Anil says:
January 7th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I come here out of sheer necessity.
1. The prices of the groceries are way more than that of any other Indian store. Ex: Red Label tea was 3.99$ in Artesia, and 5.99$ here.
2. The food itself is not of a good quality. It is cold, and I often wonder if it is stale. Most often, I feel nauseous after eating here. :(
I wish they could spruce it up.
Imran says:
August 18th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
I have stopped visiting the ISS store at Los feliz -
1) Prices of most of the groceries is more compared to prices in Artesia
2) Most of the items are expired.Always see the expired date..Many times the expired date is removed
3)Food in restaurant is not fresh…Never take roti or chapati..it is almost week old..
4) If you ask shop owner that why the grocery is expired then they will just tell you that if you want it take it else go..
I wish food authority or any organization in US should close this store