A half-mile stretch of Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia has become known as Little India due to its densely packed Indian shops and restaurants. Ashoka the Great is a perpetually popular dining option that owner Darshan Singh named for the man who ruled India from 273 to 232 B.C.
We received a complimentary basket of papadum, peppery baked wafers.
Fire-red pickled carrots were hot and peppery and mint chutney was a comparatively cool balm.
Mulligatawny ($2.99) was a hearty starter made with chicken, curry and lentils.
Keema Samosas ($2.99) were spiced ground beef turnovers served with tangy tamarind chutney.
The Mix Tandoori Grill ($11.50) was a sizzling platter of onions piled with tandoori chicken, seekh kabab, chicken tikka, lamb tikka and tandoori fish.
Chicken Palak ($6.99) involved tender chunks of white meat chicken bathed in spinach curry.
The admirably named Roghan Josh ($7.75) showcased boneless lamb chunks blanketed in a sauce of ginger, garlic, herbs and spices.
Saag Paneer ($5.75) was a dish of firm white house-made cheese in a spinach and cream sauce.
No Indian meal is complete without multiple orders of savory bread. Tandoor-fired naan ($1.25) was fluffy, with a crisp base, and Garlic Naan ($1.75) had added complexity.
Poori ($1.50) were even better, deep-fried discs of puffy bread.
Vegetable Biryani ($5.50) cooked with onions, tomatoes, yogurt and vegetables.
Raita ($1.50) blended yogurt and diced cucumber and was a tangy, cool condiment.
To drink, I had a textbook Mango Lassi ($1.99).
Ashoka the Great isn’t producing cutting-edge Indian food, but flavorful dishes at bargain basement prices are certainly worth eating.
Leave a Comment