Restaurant Review: New Ganges Buffet - Close to Campus, Tasty Food

By Anthony Dao
Contributing Writer

(From October 30, 2008)

On the recommendation of a friend I decided to check out this Indian/Pakistani restaurant on the corner of Frederick St. & Arguello Blvd. during their buffet hours between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Now if you’re like me, you can really appreciate a good Indian buffet for numerous reasons. For one, variety is never a bad thing when it comes to cultural cuisine. It allows you to branch out and try new dishes without making the commitment to one plate. Secondly, as much as I love Indian cuisine, I must confess that I probably do not know the names of most of the dishes I eat. Yeah, I do have my favorites including saag paneer and chana masala, but other than that, I am an Indian food amateur.

With that disclaimer, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed my experience at New Ganges. The buffet selection composed of all vegetarian dishes and, on the two occasions I went, fresh seasonal fruit. Although the restaurant advertises over 20 dishes, it seemed to me like it had more like 12-15.

If you go, be sure to request naan, as it was not immediately offered but included with the buffet price. Also included, are self-serve chai tea and a scoop of mango ice cream for dessert. All this for $7.95 plus tax (not bad right?).

The restaurant itself is relatively small, but does offer a bigger table for larger parties in the back. If you go, bring cash. They take credit cards, but with a 10-dollar minimum. So in summary, if you find yourself in the mood for some Pakistani/Indian food, definitely check this place out for something special close to the Parnassus campus. Especially during buffet hours, this place offers a variety of delicious entrees for a very reasonable price.

New Ganges Buffet
775 Frederick St.
(between Arguello Blvd. & Lincoln Way)
(415) 681-4355

Anthony Dao is a first-year pharmacy student.