Bollywood Theater

By far the best «Indian feel» or ambience in a restaurant in the US (and I stay in the Bay Area which has Indian places by the bucket load). Absolutely loved the experience.
Décor :
Wouldn’t change a thing. From wall art featuring popular Bollywood and Tollywood posters, huge mural with popular items and their costs, carom boards as table tops, steel plates, chai in metal containers, hindi sign boards, the main shelf adorned with random things like Maggi sauce, lijjat papad, a sack of puffed rice (churumuri) and the list is endless ! And oh the washroom — simple but an amazing touch.
Food :
Felt a lot like eating at home. Had to order a Limca when I saw it on the menu; it was just one of things you cannot resist. Ordered Fried Okra, Bhelpuri, Vada Pav, Pav Bhaji and a Chicken Kati Roll and genuinely enjoyed every item we ordered.
The sauce of the Vada Pav really added to the taste and the Vada was crisp on the outside but super soft and nice on the inside. The Kati Roll is HUGE and very filling. Just wish that it was a little lesser on the veggies inside and little more meat (personal preference though)
Overall :
Definitely going back to try other things on the menu!

Coming on a Friday night I wasn’t surprised to see the line go out the door. The good news is that the line went fast and the food was quick. Pretty much been covered in all the reviews, but you order up front, grab a seat, and they bring the food to you.
Tried pretty much what everyone recommended:
1. Kati Roll w/​Chicken — This came in the size of a small burrito and it was delicious. Amazing how the flavors come together in something so simple. Definitely one of my favorites now.
2. Vindaloo — Chunks of tender pork with some buns… yah, it was weird since everything came with Indian bread, but this one came with what seemed like burger buns. It was really good with just the right amount of spiciness
3. Chicken Curry dinner platter — this one had a little of everything from the sides along with two pieces of Chicken Curry. It’s a great way for you to sample all the main sides along with a bit of meat, but I don’t think it is worth it since the small plates and apps are all so good, and this dish you could find just about anywhere else.

Let’s say 3.5 stars. There’s not quite enough value/​flavor/​experience to lure me in for a full meal on a regular basis. However, it’s better than a lot of Indian restaurants and definitely fits the bill for some ethnic fare when I’m too lazy to make it myself. Hubby and I shared the samosas, vada pav, shrimp curry thali, and saag paneer. That ran $ 37, which would’ve been decent value if the serving sizes were a bit bigger (at least a little more rice). What service we received was friendly and efficient, but this is a place where you order before sitting down and you bus your own tables, so there’s not much service to rate. The place has a fun vibe, good energy, and it’s clean.
I think I might be more impressed if I wasn’t Indian. The food had flavor, but it was bland compared to what I was expecting/​wanting. I was looking for more depth and some heat. It was good for the moment but not memorable. I thought the samosa & vada pav were quite good. The thali was a mixed bag – big, fresh shrimp in the curry that was tasty, good rice, but the other sides and paratha were just ok. Saag was totally disapponting and definitely not authentic. Hence, I think next time I’d pop in for for some samosa and chai or cocktail rather than a full meal.

Have you wondered what healthy indian food taste like? Well this is it. This place is absolutely delicious and tastes like Ganesha had blessed it.
If Ghandi ate at this restaurant he would lose his calm demeanor and automatically yell obscenities of how good this god damn indian food is. I highly, highly, recommend.

Well let’s get one thing straight. I live in California and have no scarcity of options when it comes to eating Indian food. But I had heard good things about this place so decided to visit while in Portland.
All the things we ordered were great but being from mumbai (India) originally, I have to talk about their Vada Pav. I have an emotional attachment to Vada Pav as I grew up eating this back in my hometown. Guys, this is as authentic as it can get. The covering was crispy, the filling was delicious and the chutneys were mouth watering. The cherry on the cake was fried Thai chili with salt on the side. This is exactly how Vada Pav looks and tastes on the streets of mumbai.
Visited again the next day as we couldn’t get enough of it on the first day.
Undoubtedly the best Vada Pav I have had in the US. Highly recommend.

This place was so good, I remember putting the food into my mouth and then giving my husband that big big grin. Wow !! In my 7 months in the US this has been the best Indian food I have ever had. No it isn’t run by an Indian.
I am not a big fan of kati roll but the Paneer kati roll here became my favorite. For a foodie like me even thinking about such good food makes me happy: D. We ordered the Thali with the Paneer Makhani, Dahi Papri chat and yogurt lassi. Lets say everything is a win win except the lassi. That was kinda okayish! The spices were all just perfect not overpowering or completely bland. Even a dish as simple as the raitha was perfectly made. So what exactly won my heart is, the taste was so close to being cooked at home.
My favorite city in the States also has my favorite Indian restaurant: D

Such a fantastic meal and dining experience. The ambiance was cozy and tastefully decorated. The man at the counter provided helpful recommendations while placing our order and we nailed it.
Started with the kati rolls and split the chicken curry and pork vindaloo. The kati rolls are sizable and tasty, so consider pairing them with one small plate. The trio was perfect for my boyfriend and I, but two dishes would be plenty to share. I favored the chicken curry but both small plates were succulent. For Indian food the dishes weren’t as spicy as we wanted but they offer two side sauces for extra spice.
Cocktail must have: Pimm’s Cup
Thanks for a great visit Bollywood!

Does everything in Portland (except the sushi) taste amazing or something? It’s ruining everything I like about the Bay Area.
I recommend the Kathi roll… And just about anything else. For the spicy-​sensitive, just ask which dishes are less spicy and they’ll provide a few options.

I left a curt and somewhat unfriendly review earlier… Another Unilocaler convinced me to modify my tone and vigor. Here is the edit:
Their food is very good, somewhat inconsistently…
By this, I mean that certain things have a high likelihood of being perfectly prepared. Other things, not so much.
The curry chicken and the pork vindaloo are two things I come back for.
I also love the paratha. Sometimes. The last two times I went, it was dry/​greasy… Which doesn’t sound like it could happen but… The usual warm, chewey, salty thing you could pull apart and scoop up a buncha curry? Not present.
Speaking about not present, the pretty young white girls at the front seem a bit entitled. I haven’t observed much of a gender or ethnic balance here. I can only surmise this hiring practice has a specific goal.
I’m disenchanted not by their color but by the (generally) off-​putting barely present behavior. I can’t tell if any of them have eaten much of the fare here or tried putting it together with any of their own cocktails? It’s like pulling teeth trying to get some idea of what you might be ordering. So… Go for it. Chances are, you won’t be disappointed. Which is the good news.
The atmosphere is sublime. I really enjoy the ambience this place radiates. During the Summer the sidewalk seating is an excellent place to people watch and the inside dining is buzzing with conversation and warmth.
THIS is the real knockout.
The setup is cafeteria. Get your own silver, water and grab your number. Find a seat and a pretty gal will likely be the food delivery vehicle.
I have had service at my table before… Slow, but still, service.
Only once though. Which is strange. Every other time I’ve been, I never saw another person… They ask you to pay up front… With tip… The origin of the word is an acronym «To insure promptness» which is not likely here.
It IS likely that your food will be delivered hot, however and thank goddess for at least THAT being prompt.
I can’t give it 4 stars because there really are 4 star-​almost perfect places all around. If the service was more knowledgable about the fare and cocktails, that alone would bring it up a notch…
Pretty girls that were knowledgeable AND friendly to an (especially lone) diner???
It would be top of the stack lunch place.

Eh… I guess I have to appreciate it for what it is: Indian-​style street food w/​a Portland twist. It’s a little pricey for what you get, and the flavors aren’t as fragrant as I’d like, but I can still eat it. I just don’t crave it and wouldn’t return unless someone else wanted to try it.
But I did read another review on here saying it’s all about what you order. And it’s true. When I ordered off the street menu (Pav Bhaji) I enjoyed what I got. Even though it was really small.
The entrée (chicken curry) was ok but I wasn’t as of a fan. The curry was super creamy but didn’t seem to have a lot of depth. Maybe they want to keep the dishes neutral, but I love me some curry and spice. So hook it up!

Indian food? Not so sure. The food lacked the authentic Indian spices and flavors that make Indian food so special. It’s sad I would even call it somewhat bland. The lamb vindaloo thali was good. The rice is nice. The soup was tasty. The lentil paste thing was under seasoned. The paratha was less than impressive.
The mango lassi was really good though and I enjoyed it very much.
The paneer kati rolls were really good too but did not have enough paneer. I found myself left with only cabbage half way through the roll. It was a heft portion and seasoned well. I’d probably not recommend this to anyone, especially if you’ve grown up around authentic Indian cooking. This is very much a fast food Indian food type of place. I liked it… I didn’t love it.

I just walked out of bollywood not knowing how to breathe properly. #noregrets
Never really had «good» indian food so I wasnt too sure what to expect. Ive had indian food at a buffet once but wasnt too pleased.
This place set my expectations pretty high. I assumed a very strong curry fragrance on every dish but i was wrong. It was just enough that it didnt overpower the actual ingredient and was pleasantly surprised with every bite.
Definitely coming back!

Came here for what I thought would be a light Saturday snack and turned out to be a full meal. I ordered the Bhel Puri, one of the street foods. Puffed rice, mangoes, chutneys, a wonderful mix of textures and flavors. Very friendly service, quick to refill my water and bring me napkins and such. I felt comfortable lingering alone with my book while I ate slowly.
Also, when I asked how spicy their masala chai is, the guy behind the counter gave me a taste so I could decide for myself. I ended up not ordering it, but I appreciated the offer very much.
Overall, fair prices, good food, very interesting selection of menu items, great service, nice environment. I’d be happy to come back!

Yum! Great, authentic atmosphere with a stylish twist.
Touched down at PDX and we were hungry. I’d heard that Bollywood Theater was good – maybe not the most authentic – but good. We weren’t expecting too much, but as soon as we stepped inside & saw the Hindi menu painted on the wall, we knew we found a good spot!
The design elements alone are awesome and it’s obvious that the owner/​designer really took time to make the atmosphere authentic. From the old Bollywood artwork to the water served from a steel pitcher, the small touches of BT made the ambiance feel very ‘India.‘
BT is easily serving the BEST Vada Pav we’ve ever had from a restaurant. The texture — so smooth. The bread — buttery with perfect toasty edges. The flavor — ahhh SO GOOD! We peeped into their open kitchen & saw the prep was totally authentic too. Do yourself a favor & order a couple for each person at the table so you don’t need to line up again — they’re that good!
**TIP** Didn’t order the Kati Roll but heard it’s excellent from my Kolkata friends. Give it a try.

Bollywood Theater is located in the arts district of Portland and was one of the few Indian restaurants that we saw in the city. When we first walked in I immediately took a liking to the décor as it was both unexpected and creative. I’m used to Indian restaurants having a more fine dining feel to them with white table clothes, elaborately folded napkins and elegant furnishings. Bollywood Theater was the hipster version of an Indian restaurant. You buss your own food, there aren’t any windows, lights are strewn throughout the restaurant and old Indian newspaper clippings make up the interior of the walls.
You order and pay for your food up-​front and wait for food to be delivered to your table. For our meals we ordered the pork vindaloo, parantha, bhel puri and vada pav. I was most interested in the pork vindaloo as I don’t often find pork on Indian food menus. It was served with some yellow rice and when paired with some parantha, was very good. The parantha reminded me of a crêpe or a flour tortilla. It had a sturdier texture than naan.
The vada pav looked similar to a slider. It was a potato dumpling dipped in chickpea batter and served on a bun with a side of chutney. It definitely appealed to my vegetarian friend and she enjoyed it.
The bhel puri was a bowl of vegetables and fruits including potatoes, rice, mango, peanuts and others. It looked similar to a vegetarian chipotle bowl. I had a bite of it and could taste the mixture of sweet and savory. The sauces and chutneys that were provided definitely enhanced the flavor of the meal. I sprinkled them on all of our dishes.
Bollywood was one of our favorite restaurants from our Portland trip. We were able to get the unique Portland vibe at the restaurant while enjoying delicious Indian food. The menu isn’t your typical Indian restaurant menu but we did not try anything we didn’t like and all of it was new to us. This place is definitely worth a visit if in the area.

Defintely get the Kati Roll and the Pork Vindaloo. They had a special as well on Grilled Corn rubbed in butter, kaffir chili and salt/​lime — it was delicious!
The Kati Roll is a nan that is wrapped up with delicious goodies and the Pork Vindaloo has amazing elements of spice, salty, and a little acid. A must stop by if you’re in the neighborhood!

This place has a grungy, hip vibe with old antiques and knickknacks around that give a nod to Indian culture. The food is authentic Indian fare that’s been elevated to casual swankiness. Take the lamb samosas, for example. They’re deep fried in a thick yet light shell that’s delightfully greasy and crackles when pulled apart. Inside is a steaming heap of ground lamb with potatoes, peas, and carrots, all of it spiced with mint and curry to complement the hearty flavors. There are also two different kinds of chutney that accompany it – a sweet, chunky tomato and golden raisin as well as a delicate mint and cilantro one. Eating just two of these hefty samoas filled my stomach quite well.
Also – don’t forget to snag a tall glass of their BOTTOMLESS chai tea. It’s made with skim milk and has bursts of numerous spices, star anise and nutmeg being the most prominent. I love chai and I make it at home from scratch, but this chai has a light yet dignified taste that was wonderfully refreshing to my palate.

Bollywood Theater had some delicious, not too pricey Indian food. I was happily impressed by the pork vindaloo (it doesn’t say it on the menu, but you can get it as a meal). The vada pav, albeit a simple dish, was also very flavorful and served as a great appetizer to the main entrée.
The Thali meals are big. I shared my platter with A (plus half of the vada pav) and we were both plenty satisfied. That said, our friends each got platters themselves and were able to eat it all – depends on your appetite, I guess!
The Thali meal included the protein (tender pork vindaloo), rice, three bowls of sides (one with dal, one with stewed veggie sambar, and one with raita), paratha (like an Indian tortilla), and some green chutney.
Definitely recommend giving it a try if you’re around Alberta Street!

Misnomer — it is not a theater.
A somewhat cozy place. It has some outdoor seating, but not as much as the Bollywood theater on division street. This is somewhat of a self-​serve place in that you must order food before sitting, and you must bus your own table when you’re done eating. Water is free for all! But if you would like a drink, I’d recommend the mango lassi.
Appetizers:
1. Chaat — crunchy, beany, sweet, and surprisingly-​not-​spicy! It’s like ordering nachos but. Indian style. A great way to start your meal!
Meal plates:
1. Goan-​style shrimp — jumbo shrimp in this tasteful curry sauce served with biryani rice, basil, onions, spinach. All things good in this plate. Definitely would recommend this entrée!
2. Chicken curry — again, YUM to dish as well. IMO, a classic dish that could not go wrong.
3. Paneer curry — blocks of some good cheese served within this tomato-​tasting curry. It was delicious
— Overall, these plates were served with naan, and tiny bowls of this vegetable soup, thick lentil soup, yogurt vegetable, and this green one (haha, my apologies for this description). I’d recommend this size for family style sharing.
Would I come back? Oh, absolutely! And have already! I love this place.

A vegan, a vegetarian, and an omnivore are thinking of going out to dinner. Where to go? «Hipster Indian.» This was how my friend told me we are having dinner at Bollywood Theater, where all of our dietary restrictions are non-​concerns. Naturally, I was intrigued just what constitutes hipster Indian.
So to Bollywood Theater we went. The place was packed and jumping, but we immediately scouted an open table. The atmosphere was most definitely to my liking and the food was delicious; however, I found them to be lacking in spice. It is not unkindly that I say it was Indian food more suited to American palate. As for the hipster Indian comment? I guess it was more a testament to the diners, not the food.
For great atmosphere and delicious (albeit somewhat less-​than-​authentic) food, I will go back to Bollywood Theater, most especially when we are dining with people with different diets. I know for a fact that one time not so long ago, a vegan, a vegetarian, and an omnivore left Bollywood Theater satisfied with their dinners.