3325 Walnut Avenue, Fremont, CA 94538
The third outlet of the wildly popular Shalimar on Jones Street in San Francisco. Added on December 22, 2002 and last updated 6 years ago
|
 | ORDER FROM UBER EATS |
 | ORDER FROM SEAMLESS |
 | ORDER FROM GRUBHUB |
 | ORDER FROM DOORDASH |
 | ORDER FROM POSTMATES |
|
 |
| |
SUN | MON | TUE | WED | THU | FRI | SAT |
11:00a |
11:00a |
11:00a |
11:00a |
11:00a |
11:00a |
11:00a |
10:00p |
10:00p |
10:00p |
10:00p |
10:00p |
10:00p |
10:00p |
|
The owners of this restaurant are Muslim and have confirmed its halal status.
|
 |
FOLLOW
EDIT RECORD
|
ADD TO A LIST
EMAIL FRIENDS
|
|
SEND EMAIL
|
|
|
| CLAIM RECORD to manage it |
|
ADD YOUR REVIEW OF SHALIMAR
| |
 |

| |
 |


| |
 |

|
|
★★★★★ Okay, first off I had one of the best experiences here. My family and I come here all the time and it’s kind of sad to see others bringing a restaurant bad publicity just because they didn’t make it on time. I’m specifically referring to the last person that reviewed shalimar. I came here yesterday with a party of 10 and usually desi restaurants have a hard time accommodating that many people but they gave us wonderful service and treated us perfectly normal. It’s a fast food restaurant, not a fancy one and their prices are decent so you can’t expect them to give you 5 star service for less money. I have friends that work in the food industry and I think it’s kind of silly that people expect so much when a restaurant is about to close. Be it desi or non desi, if it’s closing time, you won’t find a lot of fresh food and I think you should respect that those people have a long day as well and the last thing they want to do 5 minutes before the kitchen closes is make them fresh food. I’m not bashing on anyone but just pointing out that we as customers expect so much from people that work at restaurants to serve us good food, I think we should be a little considerate of their time too. Posted on August 28, 2018 |

|
|
★☆☆☆☆ RUDE AND OFFENSIVE! We came from Miami to San Francisco to try out this Shalimar in Fremont as suggested by others when were hungry and tried to place an order and reserve a table over the phone before the closing time of 10:30 PM. During the time we drove 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to this Shalimar, we called 3 to 5 times and the person on the phone told us to give the order only in person (not over the phone) before 10:15 PM and hung up on me while I was talking. We kept calling to make sure they wouldn't close up on us. It is understandable to close up shop on time, but when we got there at 10:11 PM (4 minutes before 10:15 PM) the owner and all employees told us with an attitude that they were closed and told us to go to a different restaurant nearby. Once we started to argue with them that we just wanted to eat only at their restaurant, then they told us that we had only 5 minutes to decide what to order. Then we argued that 'We only came to your restaurant all the way from Florida to eat and you give us only 5 minutes.' Then they finally gave some more time until we ordered and they brought whatever they had that was not fresh-made at that time. DON'T BOTHER MAKING THE SAME MISTAKE WE MADE! Posted on July 21, 2018 |

|
|
★★★★☆ Food was good. Only takes cash. :-( Its not a quiet place and borders on pandemonium. Takeout is super quick, and portion size is generous. Would do take-out again Posted on July 16, 2012 |
|
|
★★★★☆ Food is excellent just need to check your bill before you pay. Posted on June 29, 2012 |
|
|
★★★★☆ pretty decent quality food and cheap too.... Posted on March 7, 2012 |
|
|
★★★★★ Probably the best tandoori chicken I ever ate!! I took it home and could not stop eating the food! Amazing! its been a while since I last visited but just thinking of this place makes me hungry! Posted on February 11, 2011 |
|
|
★★★★★ Awesome tandoori. Chicken tikka, chicken boti, both seekh kababs all very good. Shalimar and Kabab & Curry's are easily the top two Indian restaurants in the Bay. (This is a fact.) Posted on September 25, 2010 |
|
|
★★★★★ we drove in really late, and THANK GOD this place was still open. the food was amazing, people are nice and the dishes are reasonably priced. we already went here twice, since most of the restaurants close by 10pm.
he also gave us paper plates and flatware :) Posted on July 3, 2010 |
|
|
★★★★★ Good food, quick turn around, nice people. Posted on December 31, 2009 |
|
|
★★★☆☆ Good South Asian food, yet not a huge fan on the place. The seating is extremely tight and the setting is not that great. The whole place is self-service and usually tables are not cleaned completely. It is a better place for take out. Posted on August 11, 2009 |
|
|
★★★★★ The place is mess and the silverware usually needs an extra wipe - but my family and I have been coming here for years - the BBQ and tandoori are still the best and fresh nan great - and their currys are getting better.
I really wish the owners invest a little more in the deco , bathrooms and service. Charge alittle more if necessary. Posted on August 10, 2009 |
|
|
★★★★☆ we ALWAYS visit shalimar when we go up north. naan is fantastic and bets deal for a buck!! chicken tikka, chicken and beef kabobs, nihari and chicken tikka masala are must tries!! service isn't the best and paying cash can be a hassle, but then again its not a 5 star restaurant and your not paying 5 star prices. oh and we tried their palak paneer, it was bleh. Posted on July 1, 2009 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★☆☆ Of the items we ordered, I was a fan of the chicken tikka, chicken tikka masala, and nihari. Their maghaz wasn't all that great. Also, they brought the food out at different times which was weird... I was expecting it to arrive all at once. Not a huge deal but something I noticed. Posted on March 12, 2009 |

|
|
★★★★★ This is my favorite restaurant. I just love it. Their beef haleem is great. The chicken one is not so good. I love their naan. My 2 year old always asks for more. The Kabobs are good and so are the meat dishes. I love this place. The lamb chops are good, but they make them better in SFO. Anyway, I have no complaints about customer service. They have always been nice to us.
This is a child friendly place and I will keep going back.
Just one thing: Be aware that on the weekend (Fri and Sat) there is a long line. People have to wait for tables and it could take long to get your food, but it is always worth the wait. Long Live Shalimar. Posted on July 16, 2008 |

|
|
★★☆☆☆ Bad service. Rude people. There is no organisation. The worst part is the quality of food has gone down. I have been there so many times and it seems like their quality is down the hill. Naan is not fresh. The kabobs were cold and we had to ask the server to warm it up. The SF shalimar is the best so far. Posted on April 30, 2008 |

|
|
★★☆☆☆ Well, I have always been a great fan of Shalimar. But this Fremont Shalimar just never got up to par with the SF one. I will give them this, nice big place, pretty clean, new nice paintings on the walls, so they are trying to decorate which is good. But the main thing, the food, is actually worse than before! I went today, and it was like an oily spicefest! You can't taste the food, just the oil and the mirch (chili pepper). And the other thing that sort of annoys me, is the customer service. Even in Pakistan, you go to resturaunt, wether it being a nice on or just a small one in a bazaar, the employees are courteous, attentive, even if they are quiet. Nobody is outright rude here, you've got to remember these people are working hard all day, but if the food aint super great, and the staff are just reasonable, I don't know what I'm doing here.
And I know its a desi resturaunt, but I hate the fact that I smell like the food when I leave the place. I mean its not like I was in front of the stove! Although even that would not bother me, if the food was better (like in SF)
Still....I'll give it a shot in a few months again. Posted on March 9, 2008 |

|
|
★★☆☆☆ Well food is so so. All the Restaurants like pakwan, Shalimar,bismillah and many more are using Shaan Masla. Shann Masala is full of MSG (mono-sodium-glutomate). This is confirm because some close friend told me who used to work in these restaurants
So people please carefull because of the taste don’t ruin your inside body. Posted on December 26, 2007 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ These guys got attitude issues. The other day I called in to order Naans for pickup and it was I think Thursday night and the guy on the phone tells me that "Naan Finished" and I was like WHAT!!!! Shalimar ran out of Naans???? Then the other guy took the phone and said RUDELY we won't make your naan today call back tomorrow and he hang up. After that I promised myself that I am never going to any shalimar.... Its not that I'm asking for free food... Service counts and there is horrible. Try Dawaat or Bismillah restaurants. Posted on December 7, 2007 |

|
|
★☆☆☆☆ This place is weak compared to the many other choices we have for kababs in fremont. Owner is rude and every time I go there they screw up my order! Last time I went there I ordered a few tandoori chicken pieces and when i brought it back because it was completely burnt, the owner said in urdu, "If customers like you weren't so picky, maybe the line would move quicker." That's weak! On another visit (not my choice to go there again, I was forced) we called in advance and placed our take-out order. The owner said 15-20 minutes. We got there exactly 20 minutes later and had to wait for another 25 minutes. It seems like shalimar doesn't trust its take-out customers and only starts making the food when you are physically on the premises. Will never return. There are far better places out there with better tasting food and wayyyyyyyyyyy better customer service (i.e., Dawaat, Mughal, etc.)
Another negative is that Shalimar Fremont is a "cash-only" business. Come on Shalimar, get with the times! Nearly every Indo/Pak establishment takes plastic. Posted on April 10, 2007 |

|
|
★★★☆☆ The food is so good it's orgasmic!! The waiters are not friendly and the overall service is terrible. It's always crowded. But hey what do you expect? you can't get everything in life. Posted on March 23, 2007 |
|
|
★★★★★ assalamu'alaykum, I recently moved to the Bay Area. I was told the food is great here but the customer service stinks. I must say I've been to Shalimar close to a dozen times now, the food is obviously out of this world amazing but the customer service has also been good. It's not exactly a fine dining place so keeping that in mind, the owner (the guy with the beard taking the orders) has been exceptionally nice to me and my friends everytime we've been there. Highly recommended. Posted on March 5, 2007 |
|
|
★★★★☆ The food is good but customer service needs to be improved a lot! Posted on December 5, 2006 |

|
|
★★★☆☆ No doubt the food at Shalimar is very good, and no one can deny it, but the people who work there seriously have an attitude problem. The last few times I went there, they always tell me they dont have anymore garlic naan. This last time I went, they said the same thing, but this time I decided to ask the other servers to see if they have it, and eventually they brought it. This shows that they almost always lie about it. I have no idea why, because the people at the counter are not the ones who are making the food, so it's not like it is more work for them. They actually charge 50 cents more for garlic naan, so it gets them more money as well, so what's the big deal in just taking the order and not having to lie and say we dont have anymore garlic naan? I dont know. Anyways, I hope that one day the owners realize that will have to start treating all customers equally and not just cater to the whims of the white people only. FYI, they recently added a sign that says "No Alcohol Allowed" so that is a step in the right direction! Posted on November 2, 2006 |

|
|
★★★★☆ Ate here this past sat night (9/9/06). Gotta admit about this place that the food is consistently good. Can't say much (if anything) has changed/improved about their service, but then again, thats not the reason this place is so popular. One nit from this past visit was that the "daily special" of chicken karahi seemed to have some sub-par chicken in it. i.e. lots of small bony pieces of the chicken with tiny bones, which made the dish inedible. Posted on September 11, 2006 |
|
|
★★★★★ Great halal food. Best in the area. Their chicken tikka is out of this world!!! so juicy & so tender. I also had Maghaz masala, but that was not that great. Kababs are tasty. There are so many restaurants in this area, it's really tough to decide where to go, but definitely go there if you are in Fremont area. Posted on September 8, 2006 |
|
|
★★★★☆ Anyone who complains about food quality at Shalimar needs to eat more brain masala (no pun intended). Service though is marginal and cleanliness is a concern that the owners need to address. Posted on June 25, 2006 |
|
|
★★★★★ The tandoori dishes are definitely the best in town and have me coming back almost every week. Other dishes vary. If you're looking for service, this is not the place for you but if you are looking for some delicious food at reasonable prices I would highly recommend Shalimar. Posted on February 13, 2006 |
|
|
★★★★★ I think "yasminders" have a bad choice. Shalimar is the best. Posted on February 2, 2006 |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ The food is cheap and so is the quality. The Sindhi Chicken Biryani is bland, and the rice crumpled together in big chunks. The Kabab is OK. Posted on January 29, 2006 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ One of the worst halal restuarants in the bay area. You won't get your food unless you wait atleast an hour. You will see some restaurant guys just standing no doing anything. None of them care about the people waiting for food and very few guys care about Islamic values. I hope they serve halaal. I don't think any verified this fact. I will never eat from here again. Posted on January 1, 2006 |

|
|
★★★★★ Shalimar is a true Pakistani restaurant. There is total chaos as soon as you enter the restaurant. You need to fight for a table. May the best man win.
The people are rude by American standards but thats how it is in Pakistan. They are just doing their job and don't want to give you fake smiles just to make you feel better. If you are so needy that you need the waiter with a mustache to give you a smile so you can feel welcome, then go see a therapist.
American laws don't apply to this restaurant. Only jungle laws apply: "Survival of the fittest".
All of these things make Shalimar great! It feels like you're back in Pakistan.
But most importantly they serve the best Pakistani food in America and that too at a reasonable price.
If it wasn't such a great restaurant why would people go there so often? Last week I went there around 6:00 p.m. and it was full even though they only open at 5:30. Posted on December 23, 2005 |

|
|
★☆☆☆☆ I HATE THE FACT THAT THIS SUPPOSED HALAL RESTAURANT ALLOWS ITS PATRONS TO DRINK ALCOHOL OPENLY I HATE THIS PLACE AND SHAME ON THE OWNERS AND MANAGMENT I PROPOSE A BOYCOTT UNTIL THEY PUT A SIGN PROHIBITING ALCOHOL!!!!!!!! Posted on September 3, 2005 |
|
|
★★★★★ Best Tandoori Stuff. Posted on July 24, 2005 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★☆ The food is good and cheap.The service is not that much good.They should hire more waiters.The nihari and chicken tikka is excellent.The naans for some reason are always kind of burn.The mango lassi is to die for.Too bad they dont give a take out for that. Posted on July 20, 2005 |
|
|
★★★☆☆ service is terrible...very impolite. but food is good. Posted on July 13, 2005 |
|
|
★★★★☆ I love this resteraunt, the service may not be too good, and it isnt the cleanest place, but the food is fantastic!!!i recomend it too anybody, i love the chicken...and in the month of Ramadaan they have complimentary iftar..fruit salad, sambossa, and pikowra...verry good Posted on February 19, 2005 |
|
|
★★★★★ The only restauranrt serving real pakistani food . Posted on February 1, 2005 |
|
|
★★★★★ It is still the best restaurant in bay area. I like their Chiken Tikka Masala , Nihari and Tandori Stuff. Posted on January 12, 2005 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ By far the best Pakistani restaurant in the Bay Area! The food reminds me of authentic pakistani cuisine from back home. They have the best Nehari and Haleem out there. Can't wait for their Los Angeles location to open up. Posted on December 15, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Excellent Food Posted on December 8, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Fantastic! Marvelous food!! What more do you expect from threse guys ? Every dish served by these guys is a piece of art ( atleast most of the popular ones.) No one makes better Tandoori chicken, period. Shalimar is the one, the supreme restaurant! There is no other restaurant that comes close in terms of quality of food at this price. Nothing, absolutely nothing beats Shalimar food!! Posted on November 28, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ The restaurant focusses more towards creating an environment found in road side hotels in Pakistan, and succeeds doing that during weekends! I am one of the most regular customers the restaurant has, and no matter how long the wait, how slow the service, Shalimar seems to satisfy all that through the quality of its food. I have tried mostly all dishes, and can't point out one instance in which the quality of the food was fluctuating from my previous visits. I say a job well done, and please keep it up! Posted on November 26, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★☆ The food is excellent, especially the chicken tikka and beef boti. This is the only Ind-Pak restaurant I go to in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, the service is horrible as many people have pointed. Also, beware of the miscalculations on your bill. I expect that these guys would be a bit more careful.....you never know who will give the IRS a tip to visit them and see how they do business. Posted on November 14, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Nothing Beats Shalimar... Posted on November 13, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ There is no competetion for Shalimar's food. Enjoy authentic food from Lahore. It is worth standing in a long line for this. Shalimar needs to open a branch in Shahaalmi chowk. Nice casual, relaxed desi hotel environment---reminds you of back home. Posted on November 12, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ great food Posted on November 10, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★☆ In buffett, chicket tikka needs to be changed. This is the worst tikka I always see (means I go there but don't touch chiken tikka). Other than that restaurant is nice. Posted on October 30, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ You owe to eat at Shalimar's to know what delicous paki food tastes like. The curries and barbecued items are simply wonderful though I feel their biryani could have tasted better. The service may get a bit slow during rush hours but then the food really is worth the wait. Posted on October 27, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★☆ excellent food.. Posted on October 21, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Shalimar is Shalimar... the food and the business speaks for its self Posted on October 12, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ I agree that there are on 3% of desi people who go to eat after reading the reviews.
For goras I guess Shalimar has excellent reviews as it has been rated in top 50 US restuarants by ZAGAT. The food is great as always and no one beat Shalimar prices. Posted on October 12, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ I agree nothing beats Shalimar. The people complianing here must go to restuarants like 5th floor($200) to get good service. The main thing is food the the atmosphere that you will not get anywhere else. They are so bz that I was talking to the person at the counter who told me that we have around 1000 people eating on weekends and its really difficult to clean the place again and again even he told me that they have 2 persons on duty to clean it up but I think this is not a new thing for any desi person as desis make a lot of mess. Its better to eat at Shalimar and enjoy the food intead of complaining. Posted on October 8, 2004 |

|
|
★★★★★ You can't beat the food at his place! No other Desi restaurant comes close with regards to consistency of food. I have never once felt disappointed with the food. Service is not that good, but then have you seen the number of people going there ? If you can't stand the crowds , go on a weekday when the wait times are much better. I would suggest that the management come up with a pleasant way to handle waiting customers instead of the customers trying to find which table would be empty next. I wish Shalimar would open one in the South Bay. It is badly needed....
NOTHING BEATS THE FOOD AT SHALIMAR! Posted on October 7, 2004 |

|
|
★★★★☆ Highly recommend for Nihari, Channa, Tikka, Seekh Kabab. A note about service. After ordering the food, I usually get it within 15 minutes. I have been to this Fremont brach many times and have never gotten my food mixed up. Only problem I have is the payment. I have often paid more than what I should because the cashier just guesses what the amount should be. Posted on October 6, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★☆ This is one of those places- where the food is what matters. Chicken dishes are very good. Posted on October 6, 2004 |

|
|
★★★★★ If you need a good service go to hooters and order a salad :-)
Whats the point of complaining here about something - nobody cares ? Even if there is someone who really cares and does not go to Shalimar because of all these complaints out here - let me tell you the resturant people dont give a s**t. They have more customers standing in line everyday than the ones who read this crap and dont want to come to the resturant.
At Shalimar the decor the service the taste everything is genuine from south asia. The resturant does not have any influence of any other culture which makes it special and thats why people go there.
At shalimar, you'll find the best taste with the lowest possible price.
If you think there is any other better place - just go there - who cares ?
BTW if you care to know I'm not the owner. I'm just like any other customer who goes there everyweekend because of the reasons mentioned above. Posted on October 4, 2004 |

 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ good nice food. i was amazed to see a whole lot of indian peopler at shalimar Posted on September 27, 2004 |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ Terrible service, although the single person there tries hard to keep up, he can only do so much.
No tracking of bills or no receipts. Manager just arbitrarily quotes a tax & rounds off bill & barks off a figure which may not be accurate. This place did not seem very professionally run for a 4 restaurant chain.
Food is good, but I pick the smiling, charming service at Fremont's Mehran or the new Pakwan in Fremont any day. Posted on September 27, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★☆☆ Good Food, but people there don't know how to SMILE and how to welcome guests. Only know how to cook good food and take CASH only. Posted on September 3, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★☆ Very true about Shalimar..They are nearly 100% good in food but not even 1% on service side.
Talking about these reviews on Zabihah, I recently talked to the person on the counter, he said they dont even know that such a website exists..but agreed that may regular customers have pointed them out about the bad service, but because those customers are coming back again and again, Shalimar feels that they dont have problem running the business.
Lets hope they change their attitude.
I am a regualr at Shalimar.
see you. Posted on September 1, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★☆☆ I just want to mention that Shalimar has a good food but I agree with people that the customer service is bad and the new tall person standing on the counter seems like fighting with everyone and dont care about there business. I think he is the owners Son as that tall boy dont pay any attention to the customers and is very rude Posted on August 18, 2004 |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ Good is good, but the service, they still in stone age :-)
Please wake SHALIMAR guys, you have to do something about.
My honost opinion, If they can accompnay their food with atleast OK sertvice and family friendly, then their busniess will be 10 folds Posted on August 12, 2004 |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ There service is poor. They got orders mixed up. The only saving grace was that their nans are great. But the other food is at best mediocre. Posted on August 11, 2004 |
|
|
★★★☆☆ Salaam.
I agree with most of the comments already made. Food is good, but the service SUCKS. I don't care about the people in the kitchen and their attitude, but atleast the person who is taking your order and taking your money should greet the customers and could use couple of nice words like "Please" and "Thank You". These people think that they are still in Pakistan and they can treat their customers as they like. Guess What? WRONG. Remember, YOU, the owners of the place, good service and good food brings customer back. Believe me its not difficult. Just need some effort. With almost 80 reviews and no change in services, shows that no effort has been put in. Posted on July 26, 2004 |

|
|
★★★☆☆ I agree with everyone that the food is okay. I also agree with everyone who describes the place as dirty, and that customer service is nonexistent. Yes, the dishes are dirty. Its an okay place to eat, yes its crowded, long lines and only cash. I can only rate this place as average, cause how can you expect more from indian/pakistani restaurants. Posted on July 21, 2004 |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ i dont know why you think people are jeolous , its just his oppinion brother dont get upset.. seems like ur the owner of shalimar..i think people have their rigts on their appinions.. anyways i think the food is just ok.. iam not asking anyone esle to chnage their mind for mr.. but when i go out my wife and i wanted to be treated right way with good foof and service .. Posted on July 11, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ Horrible service, so so food. The customer service skills need improvement to say the least. Apparently these guys are not much on customer satisfaction. That will change when customers stop going back. Food takes forever to get to your table. By the way you have to go to the counter and order your food. One of the staff brings it to the table when done. Make sure you not starving before going there. Posted on June 23, 2004 |

 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ I guess the place is not rated higher because of two reasons,
1) A lot of reviews, no other rest. has this much reviews in the whole site.
2) Due to jelous lads like Mr. Farooqi who I agree with Mr. Zaheer looks like an owner of a restuarant and is jelous of Shalimars great food and success.
I do rate this place 5/5. I agree with Wasti that there are long lines on week ends but I think that the service has really improved because I go there every weekend and the average time to get the food is 10-15 minutes after we are seated. Posted on June 22, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★☆ The food is excellent. The taste is original. But the service is bad. You may expect long lines especially on weekends. Posted on June 20, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Excellent food. I'm surprised this restaurant isn't rated higher. Posted on June 19, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Mr. farooqi I tihnk you can have shame on yourself but not at the place that is the heart and soul for hundrads of people living in bay area. Seems you have written this review in real jelousy. If you are so concerned why dont you go and talk to the management of this place but you are instead cant do that because the place is not like you have described in your review. I think there should be shame on you not comming in front and talk to anyone but only hiding and making negative comments.
I and hundrads of other food lovers do not agree with this jelous person who has posted the following review. SHALIMAR IS THE BEST IN FOOD AND PEOPLE LIKE YOU CANT HARM ITS REPUTATION. Posted on June 16, 2004 |

|
|
★☆☆☆☆ I can sum this place up in the following way:
BAD FOOD
HORRID SERVICE
OH MY DIRTY DISHES & UTENSILS
CASH ONLY
I can't believe how greed overcomes us. As muslims we have been provided with all the rules of cleansiness and ettiquette, however, the non-believers are triumphant over us in this! Shame on us, shame on Shalimar! Posted on June 15, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ I like the food and staff but they alloe alchol in the restaurant even though it's halal restaurant. please try to stop. thank you Posted on June 14, 2004 |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ BBQ is average but all the curry dishes taste the same. I am not impressed at all. Posted on June 8, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ The food is excellent, specially the Chicken Tangdi, except the long line Posted on May 28, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ hands down, the best desi place in the bay area. The taste will make you overlook the long wait and overall appearance of the place. Posted on May 26, 2004 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ The food used to taste good, but not any more. Here is what I think in terms of good and bad:
Good:
1) Food is good
Bad:
1) Service
2) These people are not educated and came from a village I guess and have no idea how to talk to people.
3) Long wait in lines
4) Only cash dealing with no receipt, I am 100% sure that one day IRS will catch them for not paying enough taxes. Posted on May 26, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Shalimar is best is desi food in the bay area. No one come close to them when talking about Tikkas and Brain. I was surprised to see a huge number of Indian people visiting this place and I think it was only due the quality of food they make.
I hope they will open one soon in LA area and in Silicon Valley. Posted on May 10, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ The food at Shalimar is absolutley wonderful!! The wait time is long as many have mentioned but well worth the wait. My mouth was absolutely watering while I watched plates of piping hot naan, Tandoori chicken, and wonderful curries being passed by.From an american's point of view, at first the chaotic, loud environment can be intimidating, but I urge anyone who hasn't been introduced to this wonderful cuisine to give Shalimar a try. I know I plan on coming back very often!! Posted on May 2, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ After so many reviews they still have a high rating this means that the food is really good and it is! Posted on April 19, 2004 |
|
|
★★★☆☆ Excellent food, very lousy service, ao overall average Posted on April 18, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ A lot has ben already said about this place and I would just say that the food makes Shalmar better than any other place and one thing i need to clarify to the readers that I am not trying to defend or ofend anyone. Posted on April 6, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Great food and a very quick service. The food arrived in 10 minutes after I ordered. I was surprised how fast was that keeping in mind that I had to wait 15 minutes in line to order and how busy they are. Posted on April 5, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Shalimar is great food, yes you have to wait a while for your food, but think about this great food take time to prepare.. sometimes the people are kind of rude but I think its because they are so busy and dont even know what kind of attitude they are putting on. I think the food is good and I will always continue to eat at Shalimar, I get the craving at least once a week for that spicy food. Posted on April 5, 2004 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ iam sorry but i dont like anything about this place, worst food and service specialllyyyyy........ No offence to anyone ... Posted on March 22, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ I think they made the best food in the area and I agree that there is some problem with customer service but as long as you are getting this grat food at this price there is no reason of complaining Posted on March 15, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★☆ Food is definitely above average, but I think Nan & Curry in San Francisco is better. But in the east bay, Shalimar is most probably the best choice.
The service and waiting in line is a problem one has to be used to at this restuarant. Don't go there for service, go there for the food. Posted on March 12, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ the khana is excellent i cant argue, have been going here for years their bengun ka burtha is awsome and their chicken tikka masala, palaq, and kabobs, everything is good just be read for spicy food! Posted on March 7, 2004 |

|
|
★★★★☆ Very good food but service could be very bad at times. Long service times is not the issue since thats common at pakistani/indian restaurants anyways. The bad thing is the indifferent attitude which these guys have towards customers. For example recently, I took some friends to that place and didnt have a good time. They brought one dish much earlier than others, but naans and some other dishes took another 15 mins leaving the first one completely cold. Still didnt get the last dish. Gave 3 reminders to them including to the guy at the counter. However we got done with the whole food but still didnt get the last dish. Finally we had to just go and keep standing at the counter so that the guy pays some attention. Eventually we got it with an attitude as if we were really impatient and had annoyed them unduly. At other times, the service could be ok. Considering that there are other very good pakistni/halal-indian places, which are better in service and comparable in food quality, i think it doesnt deserve more than 4. Posted on March 6, 2004 |

|
|
★★★★☆ Enough with the Anonymouses! I finally made it to this restaurant twice in a week because of both Anonymouses (Mr. positive & Mr. negative) reviewS. To me it is very simple. Shalimar has very incredibly good food. Not the best, but for the prices, it is an EXCELLENT bargain. But as for customer service, please lower your expectation. No, lower it some more. Imagine being tranplanted to a third world country restaurant. I went there twice just to make sure the employees were not having a bad day on my first visit. First problem, they only take cash. You would think if you gave them a $20 bill they will have change (even $100 since that is the only for of pymt accepted). The cashier was upset when I gave him a $20 bill on both visits. Infact on my second visit he throw the $20 bill on the register. Second problem, people (like Mr positive Anonymous that knows them) that come after you will get serve before you. I made sure that is the case by going their at 5.30 pm when they opened for dinner on my second visit. I was second in line. About four people after me got served before me & it was same dishes I ordered. Their is preferencial treat at this place. They brought half of my order and brought the rest 15 mins later. My advise to the people who know them personally is to tell them they need to work on their services A LOT. They already have incredible food which is the toughest part of a running a restaurant. Also thy could put a smile on thier faces. Lastly, I want to stress that I will return to this restaurant because of their Chix tikka. SALAAM. Posted on March 5, 2004 |

 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★☆☆ MY My this restaurant is getting five star by same person under different name almost every other day Iam reguler reader of zabihah for last two years and Ihave not seen any other restaurant gets that many review so fast Posted on February 18, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Guess you are an owner of some restaurant thats why you come here every day. I visit this site once a week because I go to different places each week to eat but I think the number of reviews this place is getting actually reflects how busy this place is. I think you never been to this place ask anyone....it is always full of people with 25 people waiting in line and if one persone post his review here in a week is not strange about Shalimar. I am not associated with this place but just answering to people like you who dont know the truth and just make speculations about others. Posted on February 18, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Nice food and customer service. I enjoy going to this place because it feels like I am in Lahore. Posted on February 17, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Went to this place last nite and it was full as usual. It took some time to order but the food arrived in 5 mins and it was very tasty. Posted on February 9, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ I guess if you are late its your fault and one should keep in mind the timings. However they should serve you but it was opposite for me as one time i was 20 mins late and the owner was there and he gave me his homes food. Posted on February 8, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★☆ Someone said that he was short by $4 and despite that they did not mind. I think this is just a plain lie or that the Shalimar guy is his uncle. I was 5 minutes late one afternoon and had a hungry wife and child and yet he had the cheek to tell us that we would'nt be served. The restaurant was still full. It is unlikely that if I was short of cash by even $1 that this guy would have served me. Food however is good but his attitude and service to customers must improve. Posted on February 4, 2004 |

 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ I dont agree with both of you guys. I think Shalimar does not need support on this web site because looking at thier business one can easily say that it is doing very well. Talking about the curries I diagree again. How can you say that their curries r same???? Is brain masala same as chicken korma the answer will be a big NO and this is truw for all of their food. I have been to most of the desi places here in bay area but could not find Chicken tikka masala, brain masala and goat curry same as Shalimar. Now comming to the 5 star rating this place 100% deserves a 5 star. Posted on January 30, 2004 |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ i agree with with "fair comments" thats the reallty...... Posted on January 30, 2004 |
|
|
★★★☆☆ some body is trying realy hard to give this restaurant 5 stars almost every day.
Man be fare I know U wanna support family business but please learn to take some criticism for God sake
we all know that shalimar have lousy curries beside Tikkas, All curries almost taste the same so get real pal. Posted on January 29, 2004 |

|
|
★★★★★ 1st of all the good is very excellent!I went to this place last night and the people are extremely nice and polite just as Muslims are supposed to be. I didn't know they dont take credit cards and I didn't have enough cash on me I was $4.00 short and the guy didn't even care. He trusted me and told me that it is OK and I can bring it any other time without taking my name and stuff to make sure that I would return. Now at luckys or safeway if you are a dime short you would have to think of canceling some of the groceries. The people are very nice and generous and that's a true Muslim restaurant. I can say with no doubt that the food is 100% halal.
GREAT FOOD Posted on January 28, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ I would definitely recommend this place over any other restaurant in Bay Area. If you want to eat some real indo-pak food you have to go to Shalimar. Posted on January 27, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Its your personal like and dislike if you dont think the food is great. But I think it is great and so as 100s of good food lovers. Posted on January 26, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★☆☆☆ This place is alright -- it is definitely NOT what everyone says (e.g., Best in the US, best in Cali, etc.) simply, the food is just like any other indian rest. pakwan, chutneys, chandni, mehran. at shalimar though, you may have to wait up to 2 hours for your food. and you'll be lucky if they get your order right. If you are not that hungry and dont mind being bumbed into by the fellow customers and dont mind serving yourself and dont mind sitting at a dirty table with dirty stained cutlery -- then Shalimar is ok. Posted on January 25, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ 5 star for the quality of food. The people who think the service is not good should keep in mind that this is a self service rest. Posted on January 20, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Its been one year for them in Fremont and after a shaky start of first month they have really proved that they are the NUMBER 1. BEST IN US Posted on January 20, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ EAST OR WEST SHALIMAR IS THE BEST. Recently they have been ranked in TOP 50 rests. in whole USA Posted on January 20, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ best place for Indo-Pak food in Bay Area. Shalimar is a blesing for those of us who crave for the "spice" and "flavor" of food back home. Posted on January 19, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ Hello again. Just wanted to reply to one of the "anonymous" messages that claimed that I'm advertising for another restuarant and even implying that I'm lying about having brunch there. Brother, don't accuse people like that. This is a forum to write your opinion about resturants and the food there and not for personal attacks! I simply stated my opinion and compared to to another restuarant that I happened to visit just 2 days after eating at Shalimar. It was my first time there and I have no relation to anyone in either resturant. And about brunch, when I go there Sunday at 2pm I call this brunch! and that was less than 3 weeks ago, so I don't think I need to update my information. May Allah forgive us all! Posted on January 18, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ The number of reviews tell the whole story that how good the food is. Posted on January 16, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★☆ What can I say dont bad mouth it. Its very very very good ..nahin to Khal Ho Na Ho phir rona maat Posted on January 16, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ I agree with Mr. Fahad the simple thing is that the food is really great. Posted on January 11, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ Man it is a self service restaurant so why do you expect great service. The food is great no question about it, no desi restaurant in the bay area has food like them. They have great food thats all I care about and the food line over there tells you the whole story so I would say do not judge their food by service or how clean the bathroom is.
Daaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!
gO SHALIMAR THE BEST IN THE BAY AREA Posted on January 8, 2004 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ I agree with Mr mdekhil. The Fremont branch has the worst service I have ever had. The food is not good as I thought It would be. I tried sultan in San Francisco and they are very nice and the food there is home made quality.
It was the best indian food I ever had
I would never recommend shalimar to any body ever. Posted on January 7, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Mr. mdekhil I think that you are advertising for Sultan. We go to Shalimar twice a week but could not see what you are talking about.You should know they dont offer brunch. You should update your information and probably stop this false remarks. Posted on January 5, 2004 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ My wife and I went there for brunch and we were very dissapointed! The service is the WORST and the food is not good at all. The place is very dirty, including the dishes and cups! We all decided never to go there again. If you're looking for exceelent Halal Indian food with great service, try Sultan in San Francisco. Posted on January 5, 2004 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Very good food and staff. I could not find more freindly staff in whole bay area. If one wants the waris ki nihari u better call him here in bay area. You should remember that we are talking about the restuarants in in this area and Shalimar is the best when it comes to taste. You cannot find all perfect anywhere. Posted on January 4, 2004 |

|
|
★★★☆☆ Food is ok, considering you are in US and trying to get Pakistani style food. I always try to eat their Bar-B-Q and not the curries because they do not know how to make curries. (lot of oil and the taste is not like what it is supposed to be). For example Nihari, ( a special curry) just tastes like a plain chicken curry and no more than that. Anyone who has eaten at "WAARIS KI NIHARI" in Lahore would tell you the difference.
The staff is rude and ill-mannered.
The environment is Pakistan like and so if you are home sick, then go to this place and you would see a lot of Desi People also trying to get away from home sickness. Posted on January 3, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★☆ Food is good. But they cheat during the billing time, I have seen this many times. Beware Posted on January 1, 2004 |
|
|
★★★★★ The king of INDO-PAK food. The place is full always and it says it all. When you eat the food it pays for you time that you have spent waiting in line for 15 minutes. No one can compete with SHALIMAR. The best Indo-Pak FOOD IN us. Posted on December 29, 2003 |
|
|
★★★☆☆ assalamualeikum We went several times the food is very good! I do not denied but wen you go to the bathroom they have a jar to whash that is broken so you end up guerin wet all over oh its dirty too (the jar) long lines to order the food and sometimes you have to wait for a table the place is full allways. Posted on December 19, 2003 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ MMMMMmmmmmm... MMMMMMmmmm.. MmMmMMMMMMmmmm....... Alhumdilullah.
Ok, so I'm American and generally can't handle spices... But I will go through a burning mouth for this food! And the bread... ooooohhh don't get me started.
As if the food isn't enough- The prices are great!
It's a good thing I don't live very close- I'd find myself 100 lbs heavier by year-end. :) Posted on December 15, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★★ Number One IndoPak Halal Food in Bay Area.Period.May be in even US too :) Posted on December 14, 2003 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ There is one feeling you have in your mind after you have eaten here. "That has to be the best food I have eaten in a long time". Food and only food is enough to get Shalimar top billing. For those reviews on this reataurant that whine and complain, I can only say either you " Go to Shalimar Gardens at O'Farrell if what you want is neat tables and ambience" or "you must be one of those people who are jealous of their success and popularity ". Shalimar is the king when it comes to desi food. Nobody can give you better food for the money you pay. Period. If people are not used to eating in "dhabas" or wayside restaurants" as in India/Pakistan, it will be difficult when you walk in. But strat eating and you won't care about anything else. Masha Allah, Posted on October 27, 2003 |

|
|
★★★★☆ better than most indo-pakplaces. This is a fast food place and you should be prepared for lots of oil in the curries. Tasty and worth a repeat visit. Posted on October 21, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★★ When you talk about INDO-PAK food I dont think there is any other place better than Shalimar in whole North America. The food is excellent. When you hang out with friends and go to Shalimar it is not always about food be it is also wonderful people and talking to them specially, Hammad, Sajjad and Khaleed all those people working there are really friendly and give you a pure reflection of back home and the food I already said is the best. Posted on October 13, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★★ The best place for Indo-Pak food in Bay Area. Shalimar is a blesing for those of us who crave for the "spice" and "flavor" of food back home. The Tandoori chicken is the best I have eaten,period. Of course waiting is a hassle but with such wonderful food and hardly anything better to speak of at such prices, anything less tahn "excellent" would mean asking for too much.... Posted on October 12, 2003 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Excellent food never had before in any other desi restaurant. The people are very friendly as well and good customer service. Specially people working on weekends are very very friendly. Posted on October 8, 2003 |
|
|
★★★☆☆ better than some other places I went to.. but it aint nothing like the shalimar in san francisco. and they always serve the entree like way before the naans Posted on May 6, 2003 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ Good food and halaal. But the worst costomer service ever. You will never get the food without waiting minimum 1 and 1/2 hours!. One day I ordered few few food items to go, waited for 2 hours to get it, paid and went home with food as I was very hungry. When I went home, the order was imcomplete even though I paid for more things! I will avoid going there especially on weekends. Posted on April 30, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★☆ well to all of those who loved the brain masala-WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???? thatz like the worst thing to eat for sho. itz all bout the kabobs man and the chicken but brain masala-u guyz on laughing gas or something when u ate it. ambiance-crappy-food cept brain masala is good. now my muslim brother and sisters you better get urself something good-just stay away from those who eat brain masala ya hear. Posted on April 21, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★★ Lover the food here..especially brain masala and chicken kofta, lamp chops are delicious.. I always go back to shalimar when ever possible...only if they can learn how to treat customers.. typical indo-pak dhaba style customer service..when food is good and cheap who cares about customer service. Posted on February 27, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★★ Best South Asian food now in my home town. Same management and food as of Shalimar in SF. Posted on February 24, 2003 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ We went here for dinner and were quite pleased with the overall experience. This place is rocking.Best food, clean and excellent hosts. Posted on February 24, 2003 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ I have been to this place twice, the Maghaz masala does look like egg salan with a lot of spices. chicken Tikka is not the best. The SF Shalimar has better quality food. It seems that they may have one good cook who rotates in all the RESTAURANTS that is owned by these folks and it is the person's luck if the main cook is there when one goes to the certain RESTAURANT. :-} this is my understanding otherwise why would the food be so bad. The Naan are not cooked very well either. I would not recommend any body to go to this Fremont Shalimar at least. Other folks who write their reviews really need to be honest, my opinion not worth it. Posted on February 24, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★★ Great food same as Shalimar at SF. Thanks to the management that they have now one in fremont near our home and job. The food is fresh and I really like thier chicken kofta, brain masala and chicken boti. Posted on January 27, 2003 |
|
|
★★★★☆ More chaos and longer lines than the Tenderloin/SF Shalimar. However, the food is almost as good and the place is a bit more spacious. The chicken tikka, saag chicken and kababs were all good. The diner demographic is more skewed towards families as can be expected given that it's Fremont. Posted on January 7, 2003 |
|
|
★☆☆☆☆ Worst food, except chicken Tika, none of their food worth mentioning, I ordered Magaz masala and Haleem along with chicken tika, but Magaz tast was like egg fry and Haleem like you are eating dal masala, I dont understand why people talk about their food, they certainly dont know, how to cook tradtional Pakistani food like Haleem, Paya, Nehari and Biryani, if you really love these food, then I wont recommend this place to any Pakistani and Indian. Posted on December 31, 2002 |
|
|
★★★★☆ One of the best tikka houses in the Bay Area. Posted on December 30, 2002 |
|
|
★★★★☆ The food served at this new, one-month old branch of Shalimar of San Francisco tasted as delicious as that of the original in the Tenderloin. However, on a crowded Christmas night, the restaurant could not handle the weighty line of customers. No doubt, as word of Shalimar's emergence in Fremont spreads, the house will continue to be packed. Unless the managers learn efficiency techniques rather quickly, their slowness in attending to customers will serve only to help them lose extra business. Posted on December 27, 2002 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ Just tried it out for lunch. Excellent food, like the original in San Francisco. They have taken over the space previously occupied by New India Mahal in Fremont. Posted on December 23, 2002 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★★★ This restaurant has been opened at the same place where the old "New India Mahal" used to be. The quality, quantity, and price of the food are very reasonable. The food is very tasty. The variety is also commendable. The restaurant is self-served. Posted on December 22, 2002 |
 |  | [Account deleted] Somewhere |
|
|
★★★☆☆ New India Mahal at Fremont has been closed. Shalimar restaurant is now conducting their business at the same place. Posted on December 22, 2002 |
|
|
|