Clay Oven Tandoor Indian Grill & Bar - Long Grove IL

This was my second time at Clay Oven Tandoor Indian Grill & Bar in Long Grove, IL.  My first time was perhaps a year ago when I went there with my fishing partner Jim.  I had to try four entrances before stumbling onto the correct front door!  Apparently I parked near the back, but with a sign in the back, it looks like the front!  So off I went trying each door before door #4 turned out to be the front door!  Don't give up!  It's worth it!

I like Indian food.  I was first introduced to Indian food when I first moved back to Illinois from California.  Several coworkers introduced me to Indian food for lunch and I have been hooked ever since.  This was perhaps 24 years ago.

I typically go to Indian buffets.  Why?  I don't know what anything is called!  But I do recognize the food from just looking at it.  Now you may say, "How can you tell what is what?  A lot of the dishes look the same!"  Look at the photos above.  Yes, they do, don't they?!  But I can tell.

Yes, there's lots of sauce.  I recall at another workplace, some coworkers and I went to an Indian buffet and it was their first time.  They didn't like it.  They said, "For the money, I'd rather go to a Chinese buffet!  It's just a bunch of sauces!"  But the sauces do taste different.  You just have to pour it over some basmati rice or use some fresh Naan (bread).

Clay Oven Tandoor is nicely decorated.  Many Indian restaurants I have been to are nicely decorated. The owner is very personable.  He made sure to come to my table to ask if I would like some Mango Ice Cream.  They don't leave it out, they bring it to you.  That's nice.  At least this way, it's not sitting out at the buffet line to melt while you have your meal.  It's always a highlight to end my Indian meals!

So how was the rest of the food?  Well, I will tell you this.. the tandoori chicken was NOT dried out!  Most often, I'll skip tandoori chicken because they usually just dry it all out.  Not here!  In fact, I had two pieces of chicken thighs!  It was great.  While there wasn't any butter chicken this time (they had it the last time I was there) and that is typically my favorite item, other items came really close to the taste of that.  Don't ask me what it was, because like I told you, I don't know what anything is called!

My daughter likes Mutter Paneer, but they did not have it.  Instead, some other kind of paneer was there and that was just as tasty.  The naan was very freshly made for me but I asked for no garlic... but it came out with garlic.  Oh well... can't win them all.  Not that I don't like garlic, I do.  But if I don't want garlic breath all day long, I typically skip garlic.  Still, if it is on the food, I don't really complain and just eat it.  It is after all better with it... just not better after you have eaten!

Go to Clay Oven Tandoor Indian Grill & Bar,  It's a nice restaurant with good food.  Approximately $14 with tax.  Tip of course is up to you, but be sure to tip them even though it is a buffet.  They bring out your naan, get you ice cream and pour you water.  Enjoy!

Clay Oven Tandoor Indian Grill & Bar
3970 Rt 22 Half Day Road
Long Grove, IL 60047
847-550-8600