The best Indian food in Houston at Gourmet India

Gourmet India13155 Westheimer Rd.Houston, TX 77077281-493-5435
5/5 samosas

I first discovered Indian food when my college roommate unpacked tupperwares filled with brightly colored edibles into our mini-fridge in our dorm room. When my roommate missed the comforts of her mama's home cookin', all she had to do was pop a tupperware into the microwave, and volia, there was mama's curried potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, chickpeas...

She was always kind enough to offer me some, and I nibbled only with reserve, feeling guilty for taking her mama's food. But I enjoyed the bursts of flavor and spices that Indian food had to offer. My palate only grew more adventurous after college when I was finally making my own money and could afford tasting different cuisines. I found myself craving Indian food whenever I thought about my friend's midnight snacks, the aromatic herbs wafting out from beneath the crack of our door and filling the hallway with delightful pungency.

"Where can I find good Indian food?" I asked another friend once I moved back to Houston post-graduation.

The best Indian food in Houston, she told me, was actually only blocks from my home. Gourmet India, an unassuming restaurant located in an abandoned strip mall where the dollar theater I used to frequent as a child sits as either a modified Bollywood theater or a vacant storefront, cooks up some of the best Indian food I've ever had. True, I didn't grow up with an Indian mama, and true, I've probably eaten in less than a dozen south Asian restaurants, but nothing has beat Gourmet India's dishes. Seriously.

My father only discovered the place recently after my husband and I took him there. It's a shame that after 20+ years of living in the same house, he only now got to eat at this fine restaurant which is literally down the street.

The dishes I tend to order are:

• naan, the popular Indian flatbread used to scoop bites of other dishes into your mouth
• saag paneer, a spinach and paneer cheese dish which, due to its creaminess, goes great with naan
• chicken tikka masala, another creamy dish made with grilled chicken and tomato sauce
• the basmati rice which, here, is made with almonds and peas--a family favorite

All the dishes I've gotten here have not been a disappointment. If you prefer to try a little of everything, lunch is often an all-you-can-eat buffet Of course, you can always order my staples; I'm almost positive you won't be disappointed. I've learned to make chicken tikka masala at home (though it's not as good as Gourmet India's), but for the life of me, I cannot find a decent saag paneer recipe anywhere. So I'd be grateful if anyone out there could send me one. Anyone?