Review: Never Ever Nirulas
By Sid • Jul 21st, 2007 • Category: American Food, Asian Food, Desserts, Fast Food, Indian Food, Non Vegetarian Food, Restaurants In NOIDA, Restaurants in Delhi, Reviews, Snacks, Starters, Vegetarian FoodI have always had a very deep personal attachment to Nirulas. This was where I tasted my first Banana Split and probably had my first taste of Indianised fast food. I say ‘had’, because over the last five years or so, the quality of the chain has been descending to never before depths in just about every aspect of its operations. If its this bad, why do I go to Nirulas, you ask. Like I said, I have a deep personal attachment. Today, I end up going there once in six months, only to see if someone has taken notice of things and brought a great chain back to where it should be.
In order to ascertain this feeling I tried three different outlets this time:
- Potpourri, Connought Place [new location]
- Nirulas [fast food], NOIDA
- Nirulas [fast food], Panipat
In addition, we also observed hygiene practices, delivery statistics and personnel. I’m sad to say Nirulas fared abysmally on all fronts.
Lets start with Potpourri, Connought Place. The front staff were welcoming and friendly. Most waiters and other support staff however, were surly, non communicative and just stopped shy of being downright rude. The salad bar was just the same as its always been. NO change in the style of preparation or the quality. There was one additional soup. The breads were hard as rocks. The ‘chicken’ soup lacked chicken. The deserts were heavy and over sweetened. The salads themselves were without imagination and none inspired a second helping.
On to Nirulas, NOIDA. This is probably the only Nirulas I’ve seen, which has *never* been up to scratch. I have seen cooks in the background blowing their noses into their hands and then continue cooking whatever it was they were cooking. The burgers are nearly always crumbling to pieces, with the insides coming apart at the first bite. The Mutton Mahaburger, which was (and probably still) only available at Nirulas, is sadly neglected, with lower than ever quality standards. The deliveries from this unit are on average 50 - 60% late, some taking up to double the time quoted and reaching stone cold. When questioned personnel grudgingly offer a 10% discount. Sit in dining is another excruciating experience, with food nearly always late and when it does come it is uneatable. Rock hard paranthas, cold dals, disintegrating burgers, watery pizzas et al.
Nirulas Panipat. Order for Chicken Fillet burger filled in as a ‘French Flip’ burger. Tandoori platters come with smashed-beyond-recognition shammi kebabs and mutilated seekh kebabs. The chicken is raw, red and bleeding on the inside. The manager did respond positively to my returning the food and insisted on replacing it and refunding the order.
The ice creams and shakes however remain wonderful at all outlets and I have never once had a complaint on this front.
Conclusion: Visit ONLY for ice creams and shakes.
- Sid
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Sid is a self confessed food addict who likes cooking, writing and photography... and travel, if it gets him closer to a good book and interesting food.
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Do you remember we went to Nirula’s in Panipat and had a pizza with raw veggies???
Yes, on the epic drive ‘Ambala to NOIDA’. I also remember a Sagar Ratna serving a dosa full of chopped raw onions and claiming that was an ‘Vonion Dosa’. At least cook them for cripes sake!
Have you tried Kali mirch chicken or any gravy dish at CP Potpourri? When you see the bowl it is served in you’ll feel, u r a beggar and they are feeding you n showing pitty on u. Or as if they wanna say, Hee hee we cheaed you.
A/C is so chilling in summers that, the rotis will become cold n rock hard in just a min, that f**kin 60 secs. ;(
On top of that the CC bill come at some Nirulas Nehru Place address. Because of which there was allot of problem for me to pay the bill.(thatz another story)
" were surly, non communicative and just stopped shy of being downright rude", SHIT the staff there is not from hotel service background, they are BHAIYA’s n uncles from there older Nirulas restaurant.
I’ll NEVER got to Nirulas CP Potpourri and will NEVER recommend it to anyone. They are hundred of restaurants 100 times better than CP Potpourri.
Very true - Nirulas Potpourri has had a purely cosmetic makeover - the approach isn’t too good, what with all the stairs, low ceilings and the staff, their attitude plus the lousy food - all Nirulas hallmarks - remain the same.
Sid