PONGAL 103 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan, New York 10016

"The food is not bad (not great, but not bad) but the service is truly appalling. They have weekday specials listed outside - things normally on the menu with a special weekday price of 14$. I walked in and ordered one of the specials. I finished eating and got a bill more than twice that. When I asked, the server mentioned “we don’t have that promotion at the moment, for a few days”. So I asked “you still have it displayed outside, why don’t you remove that or at least mention it’s not available” when I ordered that? He sends his manager who grudgingly changes the bill but responds to my question with “it’s our wish what we display outside” He’s right, it’s their restaurant and their wish but I ain’t coming back to this place again."

"Went on a Tuesday at noon and it was full by the time we left. Ordered Mysore dosa which was ok but not crispy enough. The paneer ravi as well as chole poori and dahi vada were very good. Wait time for the food is long so you should factor that in."

"Worst experience in New York. As a tourist from India, we were very happy to find an Indian restaurant Pongal, but was disappointed Firstly, the people working are rude and show their face of extreme disappointment on seeing you. I wanted to leave, but my daughter dint want to walk to another restaurant as she was tired, we decided to dine in. We ordered Gujrati thali. It was mentioned kadi is included. I asked if them to give pakodas in the kadi, they told only curry will be served and we have to pay extra for kadi pakodas separately, which was strange. So if we order malai kofta, they will serve only curry without kofta Strange! The fried rice was full of red chilli powder which was not mixed properly And they broke a small piece of papad, like one papad they broke into 4 pieces and served to 4 people. Heights of cost cutting (pictures attached). The cutlery also was not clean. I changed three spoons before using them. The food was not fresh. They compromise on quality as well as quantity. There were not many people in the restaurant so my daughter sat on the next table and was looking at the pictures on the other side and touched some spoons on the table and the manager came and rudely told her to get up form the table and go to her own table and sit, inspite of hardly few customers. The food was the worst I have ever tried during our stay. Restrooms were stinky too which is very close to the kitchen. The highlight of their misbehaviour was inspite of giving them tip, the manager asked if you want your change back or he can keep it. What a shame and greedy people. This restaurant has bad management, rude people, bad food taste, not kid friendly, zero cleanliness. 0/10"

"The food here is absolutely amazing and very nostalgic to how you will get food in India. I am totally coming back again. The service, Bollywood songs and the everything about this place is fantastic. I got Ragi dosa which I love and don't find in many places was outstanding, idli was so soft and fluffy and the medu vada was so crisp!!!! 100% recommended"

"Came in around 7:30 on a Monday night and it was pretty busy. Limited service staff, so I was asked to order everything I wanted at once rather than appetizer, then main. Felt rushed but it was fine. The samosas and the abu tikki were so so good!!! Exactly what I wanted. Flavor was there and perfect crisp and the outside. My daal was a little less exciting but still good. I think it was the rice making it a bit plain. Everyone seemed to be enjoying some variety of their crepe/pancake dishes so I think that’s recommended here. Overall I’d come back"