Shri Balaji Bhavan

Whether you grab a seat at this counter-service spot or get your meal to go, take comfort in knowing that you’re eating the best South Indian food in Houston. Shri Balaji Bhavan specializes in chaats, and every single one we’ve ordered is somehow better than the last. Like the samosa chaat, a large fried dumpling smothered in so many different spicy and tangy sauces you can barely see it. Try the pav bhaji, a simple tray of spicy vegetable mash with buttered, pillowy soft buns to dredge until the tray looks wiped clean.

photo credit: Liz Silva

photo credit: Liz Silva

photo credit: Liz Silva

photo credit: Liz Silva

photo credit: Liz Silva

Food Rundown

photo credit: Liz Silva

Bhel Puri

Consisting of crispy puffed rice, tangy-sweet tamarind chutney, chopped tomatoes and chilis, and salty snacks laced on top, the bhel puri is a satisfying crunchy and light snack. We like to grab bites of this between dishes.

photo credit: Liz Silva

Samosa Chaat

While most South Indian spots serve samosa chaat, the spicy, masala-rich version at Shri Balaji Bhavan remains one of the best in town. Suspended in a pool of sauce, every bit of the samosa lurking beneath gets perfumed with cumin and tangy chutney.

photo credit: Liz Silva

Pav Bhaji

Rich and comforting, pav bhaji will line your stomach with butter-rich thick vegetable curry and fresh buns. Spiked with a little citrus, pav bhaji also has a refreshing tang that keeps the hearty dish tasting light.

photo credit: Liz Silva

Masala Dosa

There’s something special and primal about pulling apart a hot dosa filled with curried potatoes and letting a cloud of masala spice whack you in the face. While there’s enough dosa here to share, why would you?