Chutney Reviews

Chutney remains my favorite Indian restaurant in San Francisco. The food is great so as the price. The service is friendly and fast despite of the large number of customers. Many Indians eat here so you know the quality of the food. My favorite is still lamb and goat dishes. Highly recommended!

I stayed in San Francisco for a week, and I had lunch there 3 times. I had chicken tikka masala with rice, naan, and mango lassi. Everything was DELICIOUS!!!

From the outside, it looks a little whole in the wall type of place. But the food is wonderful and very very reasonable priced. No liquor, but you just go around the corner to a liquor store and bring your bottle of wine or beer. I saw a lot of indian families eat there, which was also a very good sign.

Good food, friendly staff, filled with happy customers -- and they even have paan! Recommended for cheap eats.

Food was really good, but could/should have been more spicy. Maybe we should have ordered that way? Price was great, quite inexpensive, and the food quality was excellent. Seemed to be a lot of locals in here, and that is a good sign. Would definately go back.

it was several months ago that a small group of us visited this restaurant for the nth time! the food was absolutely horrible and stale, i really could not eat the beef beef kabab i had ordered. i took picture of the food, so visible even in the photo that it was stale and sent it to the owner. he could care less. i learned my lesson and stopped going there anymore and suggest you do the same.

The garlic naan was good. Chicken tikka masala had dried overcooked chicken(very little of it), the saag paneer had the same issue. Very little cheese and it was dry and chewy. The sauce was reasonably flavoured but nothing special. I wouldn't go back.

The reviews looked good. It was only two blocks away. And I was hungry for some authentic Indian food, as interpreted by America. The service was fast and no-nonsense. The food came quickly. Lamb saag with naan, raita, and saffron rice. Delicious. The unpleasantness, however, began about two hours later and affected me for two days, with one night of sleep lost due to cramps. Since it was an uncontrolled experiment, I can't say with certainty that my "condition" was caused by the food, but I strongly suspect it was. That said, it tasted good and it was pretty cheap. So if you are looking for an inexpensive and tasty weight loss program, go to Chutneys. Maybe get the tikka. Oh, and there was a roach on the counter while I was checking out, but that's probably normal around here.

Okay, so I know I'm no one special but OH MY GOD the best vegetarian Indian food I've ever had in my life!!! The only reason it's not 5 stars is because the people taking our order treated us like we were an inconvenience and were poop. But really idk if I even care because the paneer Marsala and vegetable korma were literally the best Indian food I've ever eaten - add the naan and raita and it's literally best overall food I've ever had! I will seriously be thinking about this food for the rest of my life! Only cons - the staff and the non liquor.

I mean seriously !!! how could they maintain same taste here in SF, name it and you will love it, hot tender juicy and fresh on your table. Briyani, Chicken tikka, kebab or dessert.....super tasty !!!! and Halal also..

Recommended by the hotel staff, this is a fabulous "local eatery". We ate dinner there 2 nights in a row, enjoying the delicious Indian food, & absorbing the "atmosphere" of all the local families & groups of local workers & business-people alike who dropped in for dinner before heading on to their evening pursuits... The lamb vindaloo is superb, & doesn't have the usual tell-tale red color, denoting the use of a "mix" to spice the meat. The tandoori fish was fabulous, as well & the mango lassi--well the only thing you can DO to mango lassi is ruin it--& they most certainly didn't! A delightful ethnic treat of a restaurant at very reasonable prices.

I visited Chutney 7 years ago to the month and ended up eating here a few times. I must say that the food was still good on this trip and I would still recommend it. I've definitely had better, but the chicken tikka masala is great. Good blend of spices and medium heat. A little too much tomato flavour in the sauce for my liking.

This restaurant is where the Indians that grew up eating this food eat. Recommended to me by 2 hotel staff. Absolutely nothing fancy with the decor here. Friendly counter ordering brought me aloo mutter with chunks of tomato and potato that were hand cut, not cooked to oblivion and dang good. Lots of ghee, but the flavors were strong and good. Naan was cooked to order and had a smoky oven taste. Free masala chai in the back was a bonus. Sadly a homeless woman grabbed my tea outside before I had a chance to taste it, but that wouldn’t stop me from going again. True food. Good food.

Chicken tikka masala was bland .. lacking salt or any significant masala .. Tandoori chicken or fish had no salt .. no taste .... looks like they were short on salt and red pepper that day OR totally forgot to put in food.

Came here for lunch on a Saturday, and it was pretty empty, so not sure when they get really busy. The food here is amazing. Couldn't decide on what to get, so asked the guy who was taking our order - he recommended the lamb. It was amazing. As was everything else we ordered. Filled us up and gave us energy to walk around hilly SF!

+ For those of us who love and celebrate urban grit (vanishing in here in a sea of money, banal architecture, and engineered lifestyles. Chutney is the holy grail (of gritty and authentic cultural immersion) Scarfed and veiled women with their husbands and children watch over their families and an occasionally cast curious stare at you. Prepare feel the tinge of being the minority, if you're a western-style, modernist (regardess of your skin color or region of origin, etc., etc.). The food? although I do like it, it's a secondary reason for going. The tenderloin about which there is nothing tender, is home to the largest diversity of people in the bay area, prepare to see chronic homelessness in the mix of this urban landscape, if you give homeless people money they will use it for a drink, but don't let that stop you, at least say hello and make eye contact, that's always appreciated. Back to the food, some of the fish dishes are truly interesting and artful to see; I will not go into specifics, learn the menu and have fun, the entire experience, despite the florescent lighting aesthetic, is a welcome relief from over-designed, pretentious dinning in the more posh areas of SF. When entering proceed directly to the front counter where you'll order and receive a number, no, you're not entering a concentration camp, take it to the table and, although the place may seem chaotic, your order will arrive and be placed unceremoniously on your table – enjoy it and when you're done return to the counter to settle the bill. P.S, Complimentary chai masala is served in the back.

Casual place, reasonable prices,really good food and homemade chai. We ordered the Masala Chicken, Naan bread and Curry. Lettuce and tomato salad comes with your order . 💯 % recommended.

This is a place where you dive right in. The food is wonderful. I love the atmosphere. Have taken students from SE Asia here each and every time we are in SF -- always accommodating, always wonderful. Each and every dish has been fun --- tandoori chicken is the best take-away if you have a flight the next day.

So (humour alert) as someone from the country that invented curry and living in the curry wasteland that is So Cal, a trip to the Bay will always involve a curry, and having eaten here in the past, it was an obvious choice for a cold, damp, miserable (weather wise) day that was turning into an even colder and damper evening. So, the first sign of a good curry house. Is it packed with customers originally from the Indian sub-continent. Also, is it full? Is there a bit of a queue? Everytime we've eaten here all three boxes have been ticked. As expected, meat and vegetable dishes are excellent, packed with spices, flavour and - in the case of the Vindaloo - a bit of heat. The lamb always falls off the bone and the daals some of the best I've had in this neck of the woods. And on a cold, wet evening why not keep yourself warm drinking the milky tea?

With work friends, we walked to this restaurant on a street of other Indian restaurants. We chose this place based on the fact that we saw people from all directions passing by the other restaurants and coming directly to Chutney. As such, we chose this "hole in the wall" restaurant. The atmosphere is lively; while the decor is basic. The food is good and the prices are very reasonable. The food is freshly cooked.

No doubt that the food is good but it is a very café type experience. We arrived and there was a queue which is a good sign. You have to order what you want while you wait for a table. You can't have an alcoholic drink because there isn't any, instead you have to pick a soda from the fridge. When a table is free you get it and we were quite near the door and it was very cold, so much so we kept our coats on. The plates and cutlery are left at the end of the table for you to sort out. There was a massive argument going on at the register which made us all uncomfortable. Personally I wouldn't recommend the experience as I prefer a more civilised experience. The cost was reasonable.

Food was awesome and very authentic. You prepay for the food. The location wasn't the best. Restaurant was clean.

My wife (Indian) and I have dined in hundreds of Indian restaurants around the world but this joint takes the "prize" of being the worst ever! Horrible food, dirty, downbeat surroundings, rude staff and in a really slummy neighbourhood as well.

This was reasonable priced and fairly good. The chicken tikka masala was tasty and a bit spicy, in a good way. The chicken korma was a little too spicy for someone not prepared and the chicken was on the bone which was different than we've had before. Garlic naan was good. You have to order at the counter, sit and then they bring the food to you and the. Go back to the counter to pay. It would have been easier just to pay when we ordered. Service was ok - the did not bring rice and we did have to ask twice which was a drag. All in all, it was decent for the cost and fairly quick.

Was at a conference where I met the owners son who recommended this place. I had looked at this place for years when going to Dotties and wondered what is was like - and now I know. Don't hold the atmosphere against it - it's actually part of the charm. The food is great - we enjoyed the paneer and the tikka. The service is great and boy is the place busy! Budget friendly!

not worth going there, food was very basic, didnt liked it. the taste was pathetic. limited options for vegeterians

Canteen like dining space in the heart of SF near Union Square. Order at the counter and receive a number and the food is delivered to your table. Serve yourself water and glasses and BYOB! Nice, tasty authentic food at very reasonable prices. THE cheapest meal we had in SF! and great to boot! No atmosphere or nicities, so don't go if you expect THE RITZ:):)

On holiday in San Fran for a few days and we had a craving for a curry. Being from Scotland we are quite spoilt for choice with many very good Indian restaurants in the UK. The service style is kinda odd as mentioned in previous reviews - so makes it very informal. They do very few starters, maybe 2 or 3, and no onion bhajis or pakora which are usually the favorite parts of our Indian meals! I ordered a chicken korma which was a lot different to what I've had before. It was quite hot, chicken was on the bone and no sign of any ground almonds or coconut in the sauce. It was tasty though. The other dish ordered was lamb and cauliflower, again pretty tasty. My drink of a Mango lassi was delicious. Very cheap - less than $30 for two mains, rice, naan, poppadums and soft drinks. Wouldn't rush back if I was visiting again.

We got to eat some really good vegetarian Indian food at this restaurant. Service was fast and everything was prepared fresh. Special mention of Veg Biryani and Samosa. Only that it gets very crowded and noisy in peak hours.

Chutney served us good, authentic Indian food that was well prepared. It was the least expensive meal we had in San Francisco. The site is a big room with a kitchen on one side. Its customers speak varied languages and it is noisy. This is a not a fine dining experience, but we liked the food and friendly counter service.

This is my first experience with Indian food, so I don't have anything to compare it to. However, many people recommended Chutney, so we tried it. I feel in LOVE with Indian food after eating here. The restaurant itself is nothing to brag about-very plain and borderline dirty. When you enter the restaurant, you wait in line to order, get your number and wait for the food. After you eat, you wait in line again to pay. Strange idea, but whatever. The prices were so reasonable that we sampled several dishes. Lamb curry- great flavor and not too spicy. Tandoori chicken breast- a little dry, but I would order it again. Chicken Boti- delicious. Chicken Tikka Masala- we couldn't get enough of the masala. By far the best thing we ordered. I will go back just to get the chicken masala again! Order plenty of Naan and a side of rice. My ONLY complaint is the location. Lots of homeless people lingering. Don't let the cons keep you from coming. It was well worth it!

Great for the budget conscious traveler. You can take your own alcohol too. The dishes wont necessarily be how you expect them to be, e.g. the Korma is nothing like a Korma, but still mega yummy. Be careful of the area, it is quite dodgy, but use common sense and you'll be fine. Overall though, when the price is that low, and the food is that good, you can't really complain.

Great food and service. Food comes out quickly and is full of flavour. We're vegetarian and there were plenty of options to choose from. Highly recommend!

Average food with poor service. The food is okay but a bit spicy. Not bad for a late night dash. Watch out for the neighborhood.

We drove into the city specifically to enjoy a meal at Chutneys. We were not dispointed. The food was extremely good. It was the BEST masala I've ever had. The atmosphere is friendly, family crowded. Just right. Loved and will come back.

The meal that my partner and I had at Chutney was absolutely fantastic. We ordered 2 naan, a Dhal, rice and drinks -- and it all came in under $20! The servings were generous, and the meal was freshly cooked. The restaurant isn't much to look at -- but that's part of the charm! I'd rather be sitting in a restaurant with beautiful food and 20 year old decor, rather than a newly renovated fitout and chef that doesn't know what he's doing! Would recommend to anybody who enjoys an indian meal, and wants to keep a night out cheap and cheerful!

Ate at Chutney on a recent visit to San Francisco. Just found it online on a whim and was so glad I did. At first glance the restaurant is small and tucked away off the street. There is nothing fancy about the inside or decor but the minute I walked in the door I knew it was going to taste amazing because the smell of Indian spices told me so. My companion and I ordered a lot of food and it was all delicious. We had curry chicken, chicken tiki masala, Naan bread and kebabs. I am salivating writing this review LOL. The food was amazing, the prices were good and it didn’t matter that the restaurant is not fancy because we were there to eat. I would highly recommend Chutney when you’re in San Francisco!!

I went to chutney restaurant today and food tasted horrible , no personal hygiene and the person who seemed like owner was picking his nose and then served food without washing his hands. I wouldn't recommend this place at all.

Visiting a couple of ladies in SF.....they take me to this cheap looking Indian place with a line out the door. $21 for all three of us to eat......food was amazing!

A good restaurant. Better for take away, busy place and no alcohol. Curry is all prepared with the bones in, lots of bone. Good for the money.

Serves delicious Indian cuisine and it was our go-to restaurant during our stay at San Francisco. The place can get very crowded though in the evenings. Plenty of vegetarian options to choose from the menu besides the non vegetarian fare. Taste is similar to what you get in India and the food quantity and prices are decent. A la-carte meal for two people did not cost more than 25 dollars for us. Would recommend for people who like to eat Indian vegetarian food in that vicinity.

Not a big fan of Indian food but friends wanted to go the Indian neighborhood in the Tenderloin. Edgy neighborhood,so leave the bling at home and cell phones in your pocket. The restaurant was full and jumping,but the man at the order desk ( who turned out to be the owner' son going to medical school took the time to explain the menu, make suggestions and guide us through the menu. After we were seated I noticed the staff going around, cleaning dishes off tables, checking on people etc. BTW: The food was so so good! Everything we ate was good.

Visited on 2nd January 2020 ordered for my food n was asked to sit on any table.i chose to sit on a 2 seater table n the guy from the counter came raised his voice n Asked me to get up n go and sit elsewhere n am blocking him . when I asked you told me to sit in any table n I sat accordingly in a vacant table n why are you rude n why didn't you put reserved if it is a reserved table.he said you can go out if you don't like n I walked out of the restaurant not wanting to argue.he was so rude n I never experienced this anywhere in USA or in any part of the world.pathetic spoiling India's name by using it.

We really enjoyed the food at Chutney and were surprised at all the dinner choices available. The service was quick and everything was delicious.

This is a nice find among the many ethnic restaurants along Jones and Geary some three blocks in back of Union Square. Open kitchen, good menu. Had the tandoori chicken and a curry dish. Both very tasty. Busy placed frequented by many people of different ethnicities. Really enjoyed the place.

On first glance the decor is very tired, and the staff seem unfriendly. However you soon realize that the servers are running around crazy busy and when you actually engage them they are friendly and have a good sense of humor. The decor is soon made up by the fact that the food is awesome. I can not understand how anyone can say the food is bland or tasteless??? Genuinely one of the best indian/pakistani meals i have had. Two of us went completely crazy and had a Naan bread, Biriyani, Curry dish, Tandoori and a traditional kebab. Oh and Mango chutney. Somehow we managed to eat the vast majority and when we came to pay we only owed $30. Unbelievably amazing meal for amazing value. Can't wait to get back when i'm next in town.

I ordered the chicken tandoori salad. The chicken was so dry, I literally could not swallow it without taking a drink of water. I was given white iceberg lettuce and the yogurt dressing was non existent. Don't bother stopping here, definitely go somewhere else!

Just go there and order the following: 1.Chicken Masala 2.Rice 3.Garlic nan And ENJOOOY!! Simply one of the best meals i have ever had in my life :)

Admittedly I went and ordered the western-friendly dishes, such as the Aloo variations, the Naan and the Tikka Masala... but remember, this is a gourmet restaurant, and they specialize in making even the most common dishes superb. I used to love going here with friends - we'd order a bunch of different things and share. The cooks do everything behind the counter, very entertaining (at least they did a few years ago when I went). The dark wood, warm light theme really makes the place feel metro and classy. Really love this place.

You don't go there for the decor, but for the great food. The began bharta was tasty, but a little bit too liquid (I want to see some eggplants, not puree), but the lamb boti was excellent. Price wise, you can hardly beat that.

This is proper Indian food. Cheap and bony and filled with flavour. Queue up to order and then again to pay at the end. Be warned, if you are expecting a western style watered down version of authentic food, go elsewhere. The nan and the bindi are especially good.

We were a group of 5 and most of the food was decent except mine. I got the chefs special of fish tikka. I didn't enjoy it as it didn't have the flavour I was expecting. Felt undercooked and bland. Ambience is basic and functional.

I would give a 6 rating if I could. Absolutely fantastic, authentic, fast and dead cheap. The chicken in spinach was our favourite.

This restaurant is among a bunch of Indo-Paki joints in downtown SF. Bang opposite is Shalimar. Slightly shady place to goto at night time. Now to the food - this is a mass production machine. Untrained boys make a mess of dough, push it to tandoor and voila - a naan is served. Our order - Dal, Palak Paneer, Naan, Rice. Oily Dal, very hard and tasteless paneer. The paneer dish was obviously made by throwing chunks into a readymade gravy. Fine, but it needs to be cooked, no? Horrible. The prices are very low. I understand the price quality combination, but it is too bad when the restaurant could do much better with only a little bit of trying. Go for quick bite, if you absolutely want to. Pros: Fast service, very good value. Cons: Bad food, bad ambiance, shady location.

This is a delicious cafeteria-style Indian/Paki restaurant in a not-so-safe area of San Fran. Great for a quick lunch/takeout and excellent for vegetarians. Try the lentil and eggplant dishes with naan bread. Tasty lunch for under $10!

Cheap, and very good. Would've paid more for a lot less elsewhere. Was quite busy and noisy, but that's a testament to the value offered. They don't serve alcohol but there are various minimarts nearby where you can purchase and consume at Chuntey.

A pretty decent place for Indian food. The spice levels are good and the service is prompt. Do not miss their gulab jamuns, they are simply awesome!

A book shouldn't be judged by it's cover, just like this restaurant shouldn't be underestimated for its low key diner type ambience and bordering tacky decor. This place is for serious food lovers who crave spice and flavor. Be it the well cooked lentils or kababs, this place is worth being bookmarked and revisited over and over again. Wash it all down with the amazing complimentary hot tea, that takes this place to my hall of fame for small eateries.

A table full of the best Indian food I've ever had, and all for less than $20!!! The place is not much to look at and I saw very few tourists, but an excellent value. Will probably return before my visit in San Francisco is over.

Nothing special about this place. Average rating on Trip Advisor is 4 stars out of 5. No way. The food is okay, but not spicy at all. Lots of bone in my Lamb Vindaloo. Place is packed and the staff is hustling. They get credit for that. But it's loud. Table was wobbly. Underwhelmed. I will be gracious and give them a 3. Total was $15.50 with tip.

Excellent value for money if you are hungry for decent Indian food. (I by no means claim to be an expert on Indian food) Large portions of very tasty dishes and garlic Naan for 6 good eaters came to $80 US tax and tip included. The down side is a slightly sketchy neighbourhood which gets sketchier the further south you go. Ambience is not a strong suit either but food value makes up for that. Lots of locals seem to frequent this place so it can't be that bad!

We went to Chutney based largely on Tripadvisor reviews. We were incredibly disappointed. Now, we understand the Chutney is not in the greatest part of San Fran. We were really put off by the location, essentially dodging a little too many suspect characters. Despite that, we gave the restaurant a chance. We are Indian and found the food to be lacking taste. Our palates lend towards spicy food though. We were battling flies throughout the meal. We would not recommend this restaurant. The only redeeming value was a reasonable price, but by no means an absolute bargain.

Best Indian I've had (I'm from out of town). Watching them make the naan and pull the tandoori chicken off the spit - I knew we were in for a treat! We got the palak paneer and chicken tikka masala with a tandoori chicken leg/thigh and a side of naan and rice. The rice was fragrant and delicous. My ONLY "complaint" would be the paneer could have been more moist/fresh - but the sauce was SUPERB! I wish I didn't live thousands of miles away - I can't get anything like that in Baton Rouge Indian restaurants.

Order the chicken tikka marsala or alloo gobi off the menu and enjoy. Mango shakes or lassi are nice complement.

A friend had told us about this place so we decided to have late lunch there. Me and my husband both had chicken tikka masala, naan with cheese and mango lassi. Food was really good and the atmosphere was easy and relaxed. I highly recommend this place.

Happened upon this place when looking for somewhere for a quick dinner. It is clearly very popular with the locals with a queue at the counter for takeaways for the entire time I was there. Had an eggplant curry and garlic naan which were both excellent, as well as the best mango lassi I've had for some time. The service was very good and there was a nice relaxed atmosphere to the place. Good large front windows provided an interesting view of the goings on of the Tenderloin in the evening.

This was a recommendation from the youth hostel. When I came in, it turned out there was a huge range of ethnic groups eating there, so I felt I was in a good place. Good sized portions, good value and free tea from an urn.

Home style Punjabi dhaba, Pakistani style with great tandoori fish and goat curry. Worth braving the Tenderloin. A true SF classic.

This location is within a few blocks of Union Square which was very convenient for me as I was staying at a Union Square hotel. I ordered take-out from here on three nights. It was a very busy place. I don't think they give you priority if you order take-out. I was told it will be ready in 15-20 minutes; it wasn't. So the next time I gave them a half hour; my order was still not ready. The third time I gave them an hour, and this time it was ready, but they gave me the wrong kind of naan bread than what I had ordered and I was not going to walk back a few blocks to exchange the bread. The food was pretty tasty and the sauce for the food was very creamy and spicy. The price was surprisingly low. They did have specials everyday, including masala brain one day. (I did not try this item, but good luck if you do.) I would eat here again, but for take-outs I would give them close to an hour. They also need to make sure everyone gets what they ordered.

After going through many Indian restaurants in San Francisco, this is the one I liked most. Complete Indian taste. Very big space. Situated in middle of city, Good quantity of food. You will love the food here. I want to go there again.

We were in a taxi on our way to another Indian restaurant when I thought I'd ask the driver where he would go. He suggested Chutney would not disappoint and it did not. It's an order at the counter place so you aren't getting white tablecloths but great tasting food, close to our hotel on Geary, and I would say it was probably less than half of what we were about to pay. A lot of locals always a great sign. Value 5/5. Ambience 3/5. Taste 5/5.

ordered a medium paneer tikka masala. Good flavour and good bit of heat. Only downside was the chai tea which I add while i was waiting. Totally flavourless. Did'nt taste of cardamon and ginger like a well made chai should do.

Grabbed a quick lunch here with a colleague and was favorably impressed by the standard of the food and the prompt service. It's a very basic, soulless room to eat in, but the chefs are there, cooking away, and everything seems fresh and prepared from scratch. I had a keema nan (ok), pilao rice (standard), and a chicken jalfrezi (outstanding). My colleague has tikka massala which was tasty but a little dry. The food is remarkably cheaply priced, and the menu is large, so you'll have a broad choice of options. I'd return any time I'm nearby.

We arrived looking for another restaurant. A kind young man explained that the restaurant had moved, and started helping us find directions to its new location. Eventually we looked at the restaurant that was now here, and it was busy with tons of people, so we assumed that it must be good food. So we went inside. Turns out that nice young man who was helping find the other restaurant, was actually the son of the owner of this restaurant. Anyway, great experience, great food, great value for money. Highly recommended!

Pakistan family restaurant , decent prices and very good food !!! U don't have to leave tip cause it's not a service restaurant ... highly recommend !!!

It is a very neat and clean, safe, friendly, and beautiful cozy place. The staff is very sweet, helps delightfully, and meets demands which nobody can imagine in USA. The price is on the lower side than surrounding areas. $15-20 for two people would be about right. The quality as well as quantity of dishes is pretty good.

Have been going back to this restaurant many times and their quality has always been excellent. This is not a fancy restaurant - more like a canteen style. It does get full in the evenings and sometimes you have to wait a while for a table. Also, the area has a lot of homeless people. The food is extremely tasty - from their curries to their grills, accompanied with either rice or hot breads straight from the oven. Service is very basic but functional - you order at the till, find a table - they will give you salad, and then after the meal you pay at the till. Will definitely be there next time in San Francisco.

Small Indian restaurant with good quality and wide choice. The Chicken Marsala Curry is delicious! Booking recommended

I found this little hole-in-the-wall gem on a recent trip to San Fran (I was staying in the financial district), and I ate there 3 times in a week. I can't speak to the food's authenticity, but it certainly was hot and delicious. Every time I went I asked the cashier to choose something for me, and I was never dissapointed. The garlic nan is amazing with everything. Be prepared for generous portions, but don't expect fancy (or really any) decor- it's obviously not a fancy date place but decent service and amazing food at very reasonable prices. Enjoy!

We go here every chance we get. Our favorites: baigan bharta, lamb sheesh kebab,garlic naan, lamb Biriyani, trout (when they have it), goat curry, chicken tandoori.

We were staying close by and ate here two nights in a row. Its a little off putting in appearance, however the food was terrific! Some of the best Indian food I have had! Chicken tikka masala was very nice, vegetable samosas were also great, and the naan was fresh! The food was also unbelievably cheap! Service was average and they have a very weird way of ordering at the counter and paying once you finish. However I would recommend for a nice and cheap, filling meal!

Loved the food, very good service. Complimentary tea, very good as well. The naan was enourmous. Generous portions. Mango lassi very nice.

When in San Fran, sometimes the 'regular' restaurants - Italian, seafood, tourist based - can get a bit pricey. We're big fans of Indian food, and now, Pakistani - and Chutney on Jones between Geary and O'Farrell is as good as it gets and for cheap eats prices. Sometimes it can get busy, but the service is fast. You enter, look at the menu and order at the counter. The guy gives you a number, you find a table, get your own water pitcher from the fridge, get your silverware, napkins and serving dishes, and have a seat. We love having the lamb sausage (for lack of a better word) on a stick, anything with goat meat in it, and the Chicken Korma. But you will no doubt find your own favorites. They don't serve alcoholic beverages, but allow you to bring in beer or wine in a bag, and then serve yourself, with little fanfare. Great spot we keep returning to again and again. You can park in one of the local lots nearby.

Food: tasty. many locals. You can watch the chefs cook. Nothing bad about it, maybe the neighborhood...

I have been visiting Chutney the last 7 years now when I'm staying near Union Square. Usually I would come here like 2-3x a week for the chicken tikka masala, goat biryani, and mango lassi. The food is yummy and affordable. I see that in Yelp reviews they have complaints about bad food but my experience so far has been good. But the quality of food may have change since my last time. You can always try Shalimar across the street.

You can sit and have your food or do a take out. Good food reasonable price. We had a chicken briyani , mango smoothie, Aloo Nann and lamb curry When you are traveling it is good to find a decent place stay and good food eat is great.

1 star for the free Chai. . .it was good 2nd Star for the Rice. . it was good After eating at this place, by the time I got back to my hotel, about 10 min. away, I had to run to the bathroom. The food was really greesy and I felt so full after eating here. Not good. . .not good at all.

Great indian place that is actually packed with Indian customers. Great food and a super reasonable price. Had the Chicken Tikka Masala and Onion Naan. The bread was huge and so yummy. Don't forget to order rice. It comes seperately from your entrée.

Really nice place for a cheap meal with great taste. Really good for vegetarians too and a really wide range of options. One star less for slightly less attention from staff than some people would like (although I don't personally care!) but a great meal!

Chutney might be the taste of India/Pakistan for the adventurous forefingers who never really tasted actual Indian cuisine.. But if you are a desi who has grown up eating indian food, Chutney would be the most bland, flavorless and horrible experience ever. Don't even think about it.

I visited for my 4/5 time tonight and yet again I was not disappointed. Although the decor is tired and verging on scruffy in places! The food soon makes you forget all about that! Once again we ordered far too much but left satisfied after having only parted with $30 for a huge meal that was great! I will be visiting again next time I am in town.

I did not find the food as authentic as Shalimar. I ordered daal chicken, which was pretty much bland. The chef recommended tandoori fish had no taste at all, although it looked very good. I also tried "methi palak aloo" in which the methi was non-existant. Naan were also so-so. I highly recommend shalimar compared to this place.

We were 6 people going for dinner to the "best Pakistani restaurant" as recommended by a pakistani taxi driver. I was the only non pakistani in the group but I have been eating pakistani food for more than 30 years... so I know. From the outside it doesn't look like much but after you ger the food you realize that it is indeed authentic. Tandoori chicken was good and moist, Dal, the spicy lentils so often boring was very tasty and well cooked but what I liked the best among 4 or 5 dishes was Brains cooked with spices. It had a delicious consistency and not overpowering spiceness. Nan and Kulchas were also very good, Once you order, the staff bring you the food to your table and they are quick to respond to your needs. No reservations are needed, the crowd is a mix of eastern and western clientele. All the guests agreed that it was like eating at home! It is worth the visit and only few blocks from Union Square.

We had asked the concierge at the hotel for a local Indian food restaurant. He recommended Chutney on the edge of The Tenderloin district. We went right before 7 PM and had no problem getting a seat. The food was delicious. We had an order of lamb curry and a vegetarian curry. Both dishes were superb and not too spicy but just spicy enough. The atmosphere is very casual and eclectic. As long as you are looking for authentic food and not a quiet, romantic place, this restaurant is a hit! The prices are very reasonable. The rice pudding was heavenly.

I have never been disappointed by Chutney. Have always had a tasty meal no matter what we ordered. Its a counter service restaurant meaning you order at the counter and grab a table. We had the tandooring chicken and boti kebabs (lamb) and both were very juicy and succulent. Chicken tikka masala was fantastic too and the naans were soft and tasty. Plus there is free Indian masala tea. Prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food. Place is always packed with patrons whenever we have gone. Will definitely go back.

So good we went here twice in our 3 day trip to SF! The tikka masala is so incredible it is beyond words! This restaurant was recommended by our Pakistani uber driver as the best in SF, and after going, I believe him! And apparently that is the general consensus as the place was packed! But we did discover the secret: go early! The first day we went at 3:00 and it was packed. The second day we went at 11:30 and got right in.

We where walking to another restaurant recommended on TA when the smell coming from this place stopped us in our tracks. Very friendly waiter explained that we ordered at the counter and paid at the end. No wine or beer but he told us we where free to buy from the Market across the road and have it with our meal. We had tikka masala, korma, tandori chicken, rice, a dalhl, 2 x naan bread and a side of Raiti. Everything was exceptional. So tasty and fresh and as it's an open kitchen you watch them cook everything. The total with tax was $36. Amazing really. Really gracious, friendly and warm host topped off this great eating experience.

For the best Indian food in San Francisco, you must try this restaurant. I go here as often as possible.

I came here because of the good reviews but I left disappointed and disgusted. They gave me a glass for water that is very very very dirty so I tried to call someone to change it but the staff don't even look at me cuz' the others was bc on their phone and the others was just talking to each other and laughing, what about approach the customers and say "hi, how's the food? Did you enjoy the hair in it? I went to the cashier and said "did you even clean this?" He said "oh no problem we'll clean it" seriously? No problem? & why don't they just change it? & what happened to "oh am sorry about that"? If the glass was dirty I bet the other's the same, & a guy gave me a little bit cleaner glass and I tried to talk to them but they don't even understand me and looked at me with sharp eyes, seriously! are they even legal to work in america? I DON'T RECOMMEND THIS! i bet those people who praised this place never been in a clean place. Oh by the way the restroom was so dirty too.

As Brits living in southern California for the past 3 years we really do miss a good curry and so were really looking forward to visiting Chutney for dinner after reading the reviews on here. The atmosphere is lively and very casual as you order your food at a counter and then seat yourself but as foodies we live this kind of atmosphere. The mango lassi was refreshing and a nice compliment to the beautifully cooked curries we ordered. The Aloo Ghobi (cauliflower and potato curry) was a lovely side dish to the lamb and chicken dishes we ordered and the naan bread light and fluffy. This food definitely hit the right spot and I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a good curry at really cheap prices if you like this lively and simply setting.

Some of the best food in sfo, price very reasonable. Basic service, yet food makes up for everything. The curry was excellent with fresh nann bread

Great spot in the Tenderloin district in San Francisco. Very wide ranging menu with many options for vegetarians as well as meat lovers. Authentic flavours and warm atmosphere. Highly recommend the okra and cauliflower. If you can't get in because it's too crowded, there are three or four other Indian restaurants in the area.

It is one of the best Pakistani/Indian food I’ve ever tried. I can absolutely recommend this place!!

The chicken tikka sauce was ok but the chicken was tough. No ambiance. You order at the counter and they bring you the food. No real service.

Absolutely fabulous place! Everything we had was delicious and worth trying. When ordering we asked the man at the counter what he recommended. He asked us a few questions then told us what to try. It was perfect! MUST VISIT WHEN SAN FRAN!!!

Visited Chutney after a few years, the place has been updated and the seating area is definitely more attractive. Ordered for take-out - food was delicious and at great prices.

The food here was downright wonderful. The atmosphere is frenetic, smoky (from food grilling, not cigarettes) and diverse. Order at the counter and receive amazing Pakistani and Indian food at your table. The naan is terrific. Salad and free chai add a nice touch. Don't expect the servers and bussers to speak english, but who cares. If you want terrific food, this is your place. Very reasonably priced too.

Based on Trip Advisor reviews, I planned to eat here when in San Francisco. I staggered in after hours of shopping in Union Square,and it was a welcomed refuge. Plain and simple interior, really lovely staff. You order at the counter when first entering, then select your table and a number, and they bring your food to you. No loud music, and several blocks away from the bustle of downtown San Francisco and mobs of people on a Sunday. I ordered plain naan ($1.00) and palak paneer ($7.49). The food arrived in a short amount of time, and piping hot. The palak paneer had 5 large chunks of paneer (cheese), firm and yummy, and the spinach was so thick and creamy, with a moderate amount of spice. Really the best paneer I have had in a long time. The naan was good, but I would have liked it thinner (it was thicker and 'doughier' than I am accustomed to) and would have liked it more charred and crusty on the bottom. The free chai was sublime - the perfect balance of tea and milk, not too strong, and unsweetened. They had it in vacuum dispenser pots, and it was piping hot. Yum! I liked that there seemed to be the right amount of staff and cooks, and they worked well together (the cooking area is in view of the dining area). No chaos, and the place was clean and tidy. The ladies' bathroom was also very clean. I look forward to returning and trying more of their dishes!

I don't normally complain or write bad reviews but the service and food was really bad. We went in for a takeaway on our last night in San Francisco. We ordered a chicken Karachi (more bones than chicken), chicken jalfrezi (chicken dry), naan bread was ok, pilau rice (can't comment as didn't receive it). We only noticed this when got to our hotel. We called up and spoke to the man who took the order, he realised he didn't give it to us but when we asked if he can deliver it to us he said they don't do delivery even though there was at least one delivery driver in the restaurant when we went in and placed the order. Food would have been freezing cold if we went to pick it up and take it back to hotel. Was really disappointed as love a good curry.

Foods are very inexpensive, so me and my friends ordered lot of foods. Shik kabab was only $1.99, though in their website the manu says $1; however I live in Reno where the only restaurant of such kind offer Shik kabab at $11..!!! It was very good, lamb was good too, so do the chicken tandoori. But the chicken biriani wasn't that good, it has too much fragnence on it, which kills my appatite. Service was bad cause the messed up our orders. Well I don't expect more than that service from there. The neighbourhood was bad, packed with homeless people. As soon as I went out after eating to light a cigerrate, homeless people started to asking for cigerrate from me.

Was recommended this place by an Uber driver and I’m glad I listened to him. No frills, very cheap price, and the food was delightful! Would highly recommend

Great south Asian food in a utilitarian setting (paper napkins & Formica, order at the cash register) with no alcohol. Clearly popular (busy by 6:30 on a Wed. night) with a multiethnic crowd. Perfect naan, well-flavored dal, great pickles and other sides. My chicken was a little dry but very tasty, and a mango lassi kept the tastebuds cool. Don't go for the decor, just for fine food.

Have you ever picked up chicken bones from your Tikka Masala or Tikka Curry? I haven't until now! What a messy Place. it was filthy!. Busboy cleared the tables and with same hands served forks and also carried salads in the table with one hand in the salad. Meanwhile the cassier was busy picking his nose. I just walked into this so called restaurant because i was tired and just wanted to have indian. Dont do the same mistake. It is cheap but not worth it! One of the pics is actual view from the table to the cellar door.

This was recommended by several SF locals. Service very friendly, meals ordered and delivered to our table quickly. Meals paid for after dining and free chai also available. Great walking location to our hotel, highly recommended. You know its good when Indian people are dining at an Indian Restaurant :)

The food was pretty good here. They have a lot of variety (something for every one). They make everything fresh. I did not get the sense that the person who worked there taking my order was much interested in me or even working. I ordered my food to go and was waiting for it to be ready. I stood around for about 25 minutes to only realize that my food had been placed next to the guy and was ready for pick up for about 20 minutes. things to try: Veg biryani samosa chicken sheekh kabab

Food was yummy. Very authentic - The staff are Indian/Pakistani. Basic restaurant and atmosphere, but you're there for the food. Highly recommend

I wish I could give this restaurant more than 5 stars (or circles in trip advisor's case). My boyfriend and I took our first bites and asked each other "why isn't there a line out of the door? This Indian/Pakistani food is the best we have ever had." Half an hour later, the place was packed! Super affordable, super flavorful and authentic. Because the prices were so low, we were able to try an array of dishes without breaking the bank. BYOB! We will be back when we return to San Francisco.

Review for Vegetarian Food only. - Std Limited Choices for Veg Food - Food was acceptable on one day and below average on the next day. - Food was server piping hot with complimentary salad. - Friendly and Fair owner - Naans are thick and Fluffy (if you like that style). - Absolutely horrible Stuffed Nan (potato/Alu). - Need to focus more on improving quality and can be great.

No frills here for sure. No alcohol either. The Indian food is high quality, amazing robust flavors, so affordable!! Seemed like all locals except for us!

Friendly service, but Horrible food Soooo Many Better Options nearby. Please do not waste your money or time.

We love Indian food and always search out the best Indian restaurants wherever we go. Chutney did not dissapoint. The restaurant was busy at around 2pm when we arrived. The first good sign was that there were mostly ethnic Indian / Pakistani families eating. We had a great meal including Naan, butter chicken, tandori chicken and lamb curry. Everything was delicious. The water they served from the jugs tasted horrible so we purchased bottled water. The Naan was some of the best I have had for just $1. The value was amazing and we had a meal for 5 for under $40. The area Chutney is located is a little sketchy and I am not sure I would feel comfortable going there with a family late at night. There is a parking garage next door and we really had no problem going there during the day. My whole family loved this place and will definately go back when visiting San Francisco.

Good Asian food especially for those who are looking for an Asian taste in the US.really tasteful and price is an average.

Sometimes I'm not sure if I can trust written reviews because this restaurant deserves a negative star. I wanted to treat a friend to a birthday lunch and chose Chutney because of a friend's recommendation based on good reviews she read... unfortunately we did not stay to eat. We got there at noon and the restaurant was empty except for the two of us. The man behind the counter had his head glued to his cell phone and did not acknowledge us as when we entered so we seated ourselves and talked while waiting for a waiter. Not sure how long we waited but noticed the man behind the counter still had his nose buried to his cell phone so we left. He did manage to look up as we got out of our seat but said nothing. Fortunately we noticed across the street a restaurant called Red Chilli Nepalese Indian Restaurant with a red awning that seemed inviting and happy to say we had an excellent meal with a friendly waiter.

Chutney is located in the transition area between Nob Hill and the Tenderloin in San Francisco, an area full of shades and transitions, sometimes lively and sometimes gloomy. BUT Chutney is a paradise for Indian-Pakistani food fans, even though the place is basic and not at all pretencious or pretending to be anything it is not. The food and the service is perfect and awesome. The service is attentive and efficient, the food is one of the best in the world. The best chicken-tikka masala simply. The rest of the dishes are also divine. A place you cannot miss while in San Francisco.

Choice was good & the value incrdible. They don't serve alcohol but we took our own in & they seemed to be cool with it. Go before it gets spoilt by too many visitors!

Not the best location - a bit creepy if approaching from Union Square via O'Farrell at night time. Non-existent ambience, no frills place. Queue up to order and then queue up to pay. but quick service, good authentic flavours, adequate quantities and cheap food. Total for 3 people without drinks - USD 30!

Just ate here the other night, had the cholli chicken and the lamb vindaloo.....oily but amazing! also had the paneer naan, very good. one thing - we got charged $25 for what should have been $20, not sure why and didnt notice until we walked out....check your total before paying.

We had lamb tikka masala, chicken tikka masala, prawn curry, lamb curry, lamb check kebab, rice, nan bread, all tasted very good. Fast, cheap and very good. 👍🇳🇴

My wife an i visited the restaurant twice (lunch and dinner) during our 5 day stay in San Fransisco city. The restaurant is at a comfortable walking distance from/to union square. You first order your food at your counter and the food will be served to your table. You pay after you eat. We had paneer tikka masala, Naan and Tandoori chicken. The food was served fast. The portions were good for both of us. The food was delicious.

Tasty Indian fare in the downtown. Plenty of vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes at affordable prices. Mutton biriyani and chicken tikka masala are must tries. There is a free flow of masala tea for the restaurant guests, it is kept at the back side of the restaurant

Read great reviews and it was good value BUT not much meat and very bony. Sauce was watery and bit oily. Rice was extra and the poppadoms and mango chutney (although very nice) came out same time as main meal. restaurant was more like cafe with counter service.

A variety of authentic Indian food. some of the dishes are really authentic and delicious and some are really average; hence my review as average. However as per the price the food is really good.

It's one of my most favorite places to eat in SF, they have authentic indian food and it was such a great pleasure to be there every time. Its a rather small and you order and pay at the counter. They have a good vegetarian selection too. Every single thing i have ordered has been incredibly yummy and all of it is very affordable.The staff is super friendly and it seems like they prepare their food with lots of love for indian food. Ill always come back here.

Located in the main downtown , the chutney restaurant gets very busy in the evenings. Had to queue up for 15 minutes as it was first order and then served and was told to grab a table first. Got seated and then a person came to tell me that now i have to queue up again for order - was totally mismanaged. The owners are getting the crowd that's all matter to them.. Was hopeful that the food should be good and ordered again, the food was not a vow but decent enough. The curries were OK and the bread was huge.. Overall it was not a good experience mainly because of the space and the ambiance..

We were recommended to eat here by our hotel's bartender, who lives in the area. Wow, this food is tasty! Not much service provided: you order your food at the counter after which it is delivered to your table after a while, but boy, was it good. We found it a good sign to see how many locals showed up to pick up food to go: during most of our dinner there was a line in front of the counter and it was not because the kitchen was slow. Tasty and very authentic, hmm.

Chutney used to be my favorite Indian restaurant in the city. Coming back after several years, it became the worst. Chutney was about the worst dining out food I've had in the last 10 years. I don't know if they changed owners. But it was awful.

After a night at Bourbon and Branch we stopped next-door at this Indian place for a delicious dinner! What a great place. Super casual but also super delicious.

Our go to place for delicious tandoori food when we are visiting the city. The neighborhood is a little sketchy but nobody bothers you. Standard counter service. Love their tandoori preparations especially tandoori chicken and lamb dishes such as boti kabob and lamb chops. Service is efficient and friendly. Also, enjoy the complimentary masala chai.

If you're after a damn fine curry, don't need the frills and want to get amongst all manner of savvy San Franciscans this is your place. You order at the front of what appears to be a shabby looking restaurant - DO NOT BE PUT OFF BY THE DECOR. The food is excellent, the service is simple and the flavors are really very good. Lamb Saag, Keemer Naan and the Chicken Vindaloo were all generously portioned and spiced to be palatable rather than attempting to blow your socks off. 6 of us ate to until we were fit to burst for < $100

Was hungover and this place definitely satisfied the way I was feeling. Naan was good, chicken tikka masala was tender and the sauce so yummy. Only thing was the lamb boti was a bit chewy. Did have nice flavours though. Good portion size and good price.

This restaurant has the best chicken tikka masala, bar none! I've had this dish in numerous places including Australia and Fiji (where it was very good) but this place is the best! I always ask for it to be mild and it still has a little kick to it. The dish consists of chunks of white chicken breast cooked in the most amazing tomato-cream sauce I've ever tasted. I love this dish so much that I've never ordered anything else. Add an order of freshly baked naan to soak up the delicious sauce and I'm in heaven. The only negative (besides the location) is that it takes a long time to prepare the order - once there were only three of us in the restaurant and it took 15 minutes. However, after taking that first bite of this dish it is all worthwhile!

Excellent, authentic food Very valuable Best Naan bread ever Simpel/no decoration/atmosphere Friendly staff

My absolute must visit place when I am in SF. Which is a big deal since I live in Singapore, where the variety and availability of Indian food is phenomenal. All the dishes at Chutney are delicious, portion sizes are big, service is prompt and prices are wallet friendly. Mutton biriyani is highly recommended, which is fresh, moist and juicy. Other traditional favourites such as chicken tikka masala and paneer makhani are also worthy of try

This is a nothing fancy restaurant. But it serves great food, really good prices, and very large portions. Service was also fast and friendly. My wife and i both had the chicken tikki and it was wonderful.

By far the most tasty and best indian food i've ever had in my life, from the Naam to the chicken tikka masala and dont get me started on the chutney !!! Must try

Dishes came out fresh and naan was delicious but the chicken tikka masala and palek paneer were a bit watery and pureed too fine. Was ok for the inexpensive price.

One of my employees is from Pakistan and he verified this place was the real deal prior to making reservations for our team dinner. Food was amazing. Very authentic. Service and price were excellent.

We had a wonderful lunch with my colleague who is a lebanese origin, who took me to this restaurant. The mutton briyani was excellent and free milk masala tea. We really enjoyed the food, though the price is acceptable, we had to pay US$20 for parking as it was saturday and raining.

If you like Indian or Pakistani cuisine, this is a must visit. We read the other reviews on here and made our selection. We would definitely visit here again! Counter servicing type of restaurant. You order your food and then have a seat. Within 10 minutes they start bringing the food to your table. Everything that was recommended was perfect! I would highly recommend!

This has become our favorite Indian restaurant to go to in the city. We ordered a bunch of food and it was very reasonably priced. Loved their tandoori chicken and lamb kabobs as well as chicken tikka masala. Plus you can drink some Indian tea for free while you are having your meal. Restaurant itself is nothing to brag about but it does the job as far as good food is considered.

My friend & I stumbled upon this little gem while waiting for our reservation time at the nearby Bourbon & Branch speakeasy. It was packed and the smells emanating from within were fabulous! We ordered Lamb Tikka Masala, and an order of Naan to share. The food arrived quickly, and we loved it! The lamb chunks were tender and the sauce was so flavorful! The naan was large, soft, and had the perfect chewiness to it, just what we needed to sop up all that wonderful sauce. It came with a little plate of salad that we also shared, and we left quite satisfied. All for about $10! Should we ever find ourselves in SF again, we will definitely go back.

Fresh food, pleasant service, no frills Indian food. We really enjoyed the food at a very good price. If you are wanting to take a date here don't. If you want good hearty food without the bells and whistles then do.

Went here after overhearing some locals raving about it. The restaurant is decorated (if you can say that) in the typical style of Indian or Chinese restaurants being run on a budget... sparsely. Despite this the decor really shouldn't determine the quality of the food being served. Service is interesting. The place is a confused mess of table service and bistro with place your order at the counter, pay once you have finished but we will deliver your food etc to you at the counter. In my mind you should be either one or the other. Never the less it worked... somewhat hap hazardously but it worked. More importantly the food. I ordered the Goat Curry having previously being impressed by a curry of the sort back in New Zealand. The other half ordered a Chicken Tikka Masala taking the slightly safer option. Accompanying this a Garlic Naan. Meals arrived quickly and piping hot.... The Goat Curry really was the worst Indian food I have ever had. Swimming, literally, in grease and oil is was unforgivable that a chef would allow it to be served. The goat was fatty in itself which is unusual for a relatively lean meat. The curry did have good flavour but the greasiness really spoilt the whole thing. Chicken Tikka Masala was apparently slightly better but once again overly fatty/creamy leaving a thick layer of fat on the inside of the mouth. The chicken was tender and seemed to be of good quality but the apparent lack of chicken (4 smallish pieces) was glaringly obvious. Disappointingly rice was an added extra and no mention was made on the menu nor by the man behind the counter as to whether we required it. Almost every Indian restaurant I have ever eaten at includes rice as part of the meal or if they don't they at least ask if you would like some. On a bright note the Garlic Naan was freshly made in a Tandoor with fresh garlic and coriander which was a nice touch. The menu also had a good selection of other naans. Overall I wouldn't return. In a three month stint of holidaying in the USA, Mexico and Canada it was by far the worst food from a restaurant that was promising so much.

Husband thought the food was some of the best we have had on our trip to San Francisco. Wife thought her dish was too spicy/hot. But let it be said, she is a total wimp when it come to spicy. We actually ate here twice because the food is really good and there are items on the menu that are not spicy at all. Be sure to ask if you you have a low tolerance for spicy food. The second visit please both parties! Service is good - but you place your order at the welcome desk. Very casual. And the prices here are great. Reasonable and the portions are decent. The wraps are huge!

This restaurant is a very busy one. People tend to trickle in all the time this restaurant is open till late. The food is medicore. You have to line up to order and pay. Due to the rush the tables are never cleaned. And no one really bothers to serve you right. The price per meal is snout 10 to 15 dollar. The ambience is very bad and shabby and really not authentic food. Would not recommend it unless you have no where to go.

Ate here last night at a friend's recommendation. I was really craving Indian food so I braved the sad situation of the homeless panhandlers on the street to try several dishes at Chutney. The restaurant was packed and extremely noisy so it isn't a place for intimate conversation. You order at the front counter and your food is brought to you as it is done. We ordered the chicken tikka masala ( excellent ), saag paneer ( very flavorful spinach with huge chunks of paneer, the Indian cheese ), baingan bartha ( a smoky Indian eggplant dish which was not as good as what I ate in Mumbai ) and chunks of lamb ( nicely seasoned but too well done for me ). The garlic naan was delicious. Chutney is open till midnight so, If you get a late craving for Indian food, I would recommend this restaurant. However, be cautious with your valuables, wallets, and purses.

We are Indian food fanatics and eat it whenever we can and I cook pretty good Indian food as well. But honestly I have been visiting chutney since they first opened many years ago and each time I travel to San Francisco, it is a MUST visit for me. And should be for anyone looking for the best Indian food around. It's consistently outstanding. Really excellent. Enjoy!!

Went here based on TA reviews. Just ok. The chicken was full of bones which was sort of disturbing. Don't think I'll go back.

When we arrived the restaurant was packed with people with a long line of customers waiting.The food was great the price amazing but its not the best looking place

What I would term a "hole in the wall". I don't mean that disparagingly at all. You go there for the food, not the ambiance. It's in a lousy neighborhood (So what else is new? It's San Francisco) a little above the Tenderloin. Have been here multiple times and food has been consistent. I find the food very tasty and somewhat on the spicy side. Try the dal masala.

If you are looking for authentic local food in SF, this is your place. There is no flair in the air, but there is flavor and much to savor in their recipes. Simple, good.

All around a good experience everytime I go, suitable for a large crowd or an intimate conversation. The energy is great and the food even better.

I was driving on Jones street and happened to see this restaurant. I was here for lunch and the food was good. The staff were nice and it was nice and clean from inside. If I am back in the area, I would not mind coming back here.

After a long flight from Australia, arrived at 5pm for a great value Indian dinner: superb tandori fish, dahl, biryani and naan, all for $26.

By far the best value for your buck, they don't serve alcohol but you can bring your own. We had a party of 6 people, everyone ate well very good, punjabi style Indian food. Our bill came out to a shocking $60, Thats with nam bread, sodas and rice. Everyone had their own entree. Shockingly cheap and great food. Its loud, but at less than $10 a person its due to the place being full.