The Curry Pot on Philips Hwy @ JTB

[RiversideLoki]

This place is literally right around the corner from my office, has been there for 2 months and I had either spaced and ignored it, or already gotten lunch and driven right past. But today I ventured to try it. I wasn't disappointed, but there are some caveats. 

I've been ranting in several threads how I wish Riverside had at least one Indian restaurant. And since that's not happening any time soon, this place will be filling the void left in my heart by our local restaurant community buy allowing me to fill the void in my stomach with some decent Indian food.

I placed a to go order while sitting at my desk. The owner answered and sounded pretty excited to have someone calling. I ordered a chicken vindaloo (extra spicy) and some naan (which he assured me was made fresh.) He promised 15 minutes, so I finished up some work and ran around the corner.

The place is a bit lackluster inside, This is the old Celebrations Cafe spot which went under months ago... and I think that's why. The guy is just getting off the ground, so decorations are sparse and utilitarian. The buffet looked clean and everything *was* clean.. it just appeared as though he reused a lot of the old fixtures and such. I made the mistake of walking in the wrong door (go in the mustang rd side to hit the cashiers counter) but that gave me a chance to check it out. One other customer was in there sitting to eat and he looked rather pleased. So I was excited.

When I got around to the counter, the owner was working in the kitchen on an order someone for else. There was a pack and play off to the side full of kids toys. So obviously he's a family man... something I love about small businesses. I jingled my keys in my pocket so he heard me, and he came out smiling, my order already sitting there for me on the counter.

I paid my bill (13.50 for my vindaloo and naan) and ran back to the office and dug in. I'm happy to report after 30 minutes of eating and sweating from the spice of the food that the food was worth every penny. It was probably one of the best vindaloo I've had in a long time. The naan was fresh and the rice was perfect. And it was definitely a welcome change from the McDonalds, Zaxby's, and Hardees around the corner. Definitely a diamond in the rough. Give them a shot if you're in the area. I'd hate to see this nice man's venture fail.

Online Menu: http://www.currypotjax.com/

[danno]

I have been meaning to stop by there.  I am all over this for lunch tomorrow!

[copperfiend]

That is a tough area for restaurants. It seems all the thrives over there is fast food. McDonalds, Wendy's, Zaxby's, Dunkin Donuts, Hardee's, Whataburger, Sonic, Quizno's, Jimmy Johns. It's like Fast Food Boulevard from The Simpsons. Locally owned restaurants rarely survive.

[RiversideLoki]

The problem with Celebration was that the things they did well they did REALLY WELL, but the things they didn't do well were absolutely awful. That has no connection to the new restaurant. But I think the stigma of the building is there. If he could build up a good delivery base, he'd be set. Right now it looks like he's using a third party delivery guy that charges 3.99 a trip. As far as the spot is concerned, it's much easier than getting in and out of chain-restaurant hell... and easy enough to loop Mustang back to Bonneval for the office types.

[danno]

Got take out after leaving work last night.  I phoned in the order about an hour ahead  of time and let them know what time I would pick it up.  When I walked in the place was empty and they were bagging it up.

I ordered Onion Bhajis, Chicken Tikka Masala, a Gralic Naan and Garlic & Paneer Nann.  I have to say without a doubt this was the best Indian food I have had since moving back from the UK.  Everything tasted fresh and vibrant.  It reminded me of some of the hardcore no-frills, just good food Indian places that litter the North West of England.

As Loki said the place is a bit lackluster, but it does appear that they have spruced up a bit from when it was Celebratios.  If you are all about the food and don't give a toss about the "atmosphere" you will love it.  Outstanding food and great service.

[Kiva]

I have to say without a doubt this was the best Indian food I have had since moving back from the UK.  Everything tasted fresh and vibrant.  It reminded me of some of the hardcore no-frills, just good food Indian places that litter the North West of England.

Outstanding food and great service.

Nice to know. I wish Indian restaurants would litter Jacksonville - they are so few and far between!

[danno]

Yeah the almost all are on baymeadows, there are 3 within a mile of each other.  There is a pretty good Pakistani place almost across from Sams Club on Beach called Apna.  I believe it is still open.

[river4340]

 We went there last night and were the only ones there. A couple of people came in to pick up to-go orders, but we were only ones in the dining room. It's pretty sparsely furnished.
The food was excellent. We started with the ginger soup, a tomato soup with slivers of ginger. I had a chicken vindaloo, which definitely had a bit of a kick even though I asked for it medium. My wife had veggie korma, which is a cream and cashew curry. Mine was good, hers was great.
The two guys who seem to run it were kind of shy and awkward, but appreciative that we were there. One of them said they've got some kind of coupon being mailed out next week.
I really hope they make it.

[danno]

I sure hope they make it too.  I am going to make this a weekly stop.

[fieldafm]

I see this place has coupons in the newest Mint(or Money).

Is it better than Flavors?  They operate out of the Blue Cross cafeteria on Gate in addition to their storefront(they do a fantastic lunch for $5 or $6 for BCBS employees) that I have the pleasure of being able to visit once a week.

I'd love to be able to take some people I work with to Curry Pot if it's just as good.  I am only a visitor on the BCBSF campus and obviously can't take a group of people with me, lol.

[danno]

I have eaten Indian food all over the world and I have to say it is pretty good stuff.

[RiversideLoki]

I just put in another pickup order.. NOM!

[RiversideLoki]

Annnnd done. Word on the street is that Hakamian kicked them out. I don't know the reason why. I have also heard that they were behind on the payment for their signage.

Shame.

[L.P. Hovercraft]

Damn, I wanted to try them out--I stopped there a couple weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon but they were closed.  Too late now.
Their location was a bit out of the way and easy to miss--I think I passed it the first time and had to turn around; plus there are a couple other decent choices already over by Baymeadows/Little India.  I hate having to drive over to that side of town for Indian food though--I wish someone would open a place in Riverside or Downtown already!

[danno]

Say it isn't so!!!!!!  This was the best curry in JAX bar none.