Minerva Express

This is more Indian grocery store than restaurant, but they do offer takeout. The food was awesome, large portions too. I will definitely order from them again. I also look forward to exploring the store itself, and taking a crack at cooking some Indian cuisine of my own

Generous portions, delicious food, and authentic taste. This is the ideal Indian takeout and delivery place.

We were hunting down a Indian restaurant on late Sunday afternoon when many places were closed and we ended in this small food joint next to a grocery store. Looking at the place we didn’t expect much from the food. Surprisingly the food and was really food and one of best briyani I had ever had. Worth giving a try.

Found my go to for carry out. Food is not particularly refined but the flavors are spot on to scratch the Indian food itch. Price and convenience major pluses. I will be back!

Good Indian food that is incredibly convenient to where I live— nothing amazing, but the convenience makes up for that. Samosas are excellent, but curry and chicken dishes no better than «good». Though not amazing, definitely worth trying out.

A total hole in the wall, but the food is really good. I got the curry chicken. It has a really rich, robust flavor with a delicious tangy tomato finish. You can get it no spice, spice or very spicy. I got it spicy, and it was just right for me. It comes with rice and bread. Only took them about five minutes to prepare it. On the downside, the menu is not nearly as extensive as other Indian restaurants in the area. The place is connected to an Indian grocery store, so it’s just a little space off the grocery store cash register. Only four tables. Good for pick-​up, but they do not deliver.

This is a great small shop to stop in and grab some ingredients, spicy snacks, or a jar of chutney, and then pick up a couple of $ 8 plastic containers of Indian entrees from the short menu to take home for a quick dinner. The price is right and we especially enjoy the vegetarian choices. The staff seems helpful and willing to explain what and where things are if you are experimenting with new flavors as a home cook.

FROM THE INDIAN GHETTO TO YOUR TABLE.
That’s my caption. Minerva Express reminds me when I was on a trip returning from Dheli. The bus stopped at this place in the middle of the night. That place was lit with low-​wattage bulbs powered by a bus battery. You had to walk several muddy yards paved by cardboard, to use the toilet that had no flushing or soap in the sink (but that’s usual for India). After a quick lookaround it was easy to determine the place was a bus and truck repair shop by day, with tables strewn about the garage at night for food service. They were unapologetic to the oil stains on the floor and splashed on the walls and ceiling.
Minerva reminded me of there. The food was mediocre. We were served everything in styrofoam plates. The water was served half-​full in the cups, and we weren’t given plastic forks, knives, and spoons to unify the ambience (sic). Really?
My gage in measuring a restauant is how well they serve veggies. Indian vegetarian dishes are served in sauce (they’re afraid of the taste of food, so drowning in sauce is their thing), but there were so few veggies-​to-​sauce ratio I almost wanted to ask for 2nds. Same thing with my wife’s meat dish.
The sign in the lavatory was quaint, «Please don’t youes toilet block.» Translation required.

4.5 stars
Ambiance– this place does not have it. We were concerned when we walked in. We couldn’t get into the «restaurant» side and had to walk through the grocery store late on Friday night. There was an extremely grating bollywood video from the 1950s playing in the background that made it almost difficult to enjoy our food.
We ordered the palak paneer, the lamb curry and they gave us a plate of chickpeas because we weren’t eating bread or rice.
The amount of food they gave us for the price that we paid was more than generous. The palak paneer was incredibly good. There was lots of paneer (normally you only get like 4 pieces) and the spinach was amazing. I could have kept eating it for hours. The interesting thing was that it was even a little bit spicy.
The lamb was just alright in my opinion, but my fiancé loved it, and it might just be that I’m not a huge fan of lamb.
The chickpeas were also good, and we had to get a to-​go container for them.
There’s also a very reasonably priced Indian grocery in the same space that I recommend. We bought paneer and some peanut products that looked very good. It seemed very popular with the Indian community in the area.
Taking off half a star for the bollywood music. It really is a great place to get food; I just wish it was a bit closer to home :)

I tried the butter chicken and samosas. Food is okay, but probably not worth the price when paying by the entrée. Based on the other reviews, I’d probably go back and try the cheap buffet though.

We were so excited — only to be let down. Dosa, idli, and sambar all tasted funny. Masala chai and Chicken 65 were ok. Many people are suggesting that they have good byriani — could be, but if the items we had are any indicator, I wouldnt bet on it. The service was good.

Dont judge a book by its cover or size. Order indian food from this little shop and be surprisingly amazed.
Dont expect to sit down and eat, I always take-​out.
I usually only order the lamb vindaloo but its pretty fricken good. Rice is good, but they should give you more. Prices went up since I first started going so now its like a $ 12 meal. Naan is also hard sometimes which pisses me off. My go to place when i dont feel like driving into clarendon or feel like spending $ 15+

Great Indian food near DC. This place is a hole in the wall but the food is outstanding. Do NOT expect 5 star service or ambiance but you can expect amazing indian food. We have tried biriyani from all over the world and Minerva’s lamb biriyani is one of the best.
They also have a nice little grocery store where you can get all your Indian groceries.

I am married to a person of Indian origin, cook Indian food, and travel to India 4 – 5 times a year. So I am picky about Indian food. This was some of the best I’ve had in DC. It’s obviously no Rasika or even Woodlands for that matter. Limited menu, slowish service and its not the best ambiance. But for the price, it’s great. Reminds me of some places in India.
I ordered the Samosa chaat and Bhindi Masala, which for taste was 5 stars. I would only give 4 stars to the Mutter Paneer as it was too much cream, and the paneer did not taste fresh.
Overall, if your looking for a cheap authentic Indian meal and you’re not in a rush or looking for ambience, this is the place for you.

This review is in memoriam of the cheap Indian buffet.
You will be sorely missed.

Good, fast, indian. Could be a couple dollars less for what you get. And the naan is terrible

I haven’t been inspired to write a review in a while, but Minerva Express was such a pleasant surprise I just had to! It certainly doesn’t look or feel fancy, but the food was yummy. We got the chicken tikka masala and chicken vindaloo. Both dishes came with rice and naan and plentyyyyy of sauce for dipping (my favorite part)! The masala was creamy and the chicken was soft and tender without being dry. You get a lot for the price you pay and the waiter was very nice. I would definitely recommend & come back.
*They take credit card, but bring cash for tip!*

I am a big fan of Indian cuisine, but admit that I can be a restaurant snob and therefore normally snub the grocery/​eatery. Well, I am so glad I did not do that with Minerva Express. They have completely changed my view of the «little guy» restaurant. In fact, I will gladly say that the meal I enjoyed there was better than 95% of other Indian meals I have ever had. Thank you for the life-​changing experience Minerva, thank you.
Mango Lassi: 4 stars. This was pretty good, and had it been my first mango lassi it probably would have received 5 stars. My first, and favorite, is at Himalayan Heritage in Adam’s Morgan. Minerva would be hard pressed to beat it, but theirs is a close second.
Chicken Tikka Marsala: 5, 6, 7…10,000 stars. All I can say is this: I realize a lot of people don’t like Indian food because they believe the spices are not balanced. A lot of times that is sadly the case. However, this chicken marsala was so well balanced between cream, spice, and the slightest hint of sour that I literally almost wept. There was nothing that could have been done to make this dish better. It was beautiful… even on a styrofoam plate.
Dosas: 5 stars. This could have been a meal by itself. The light crêpe-​like wrap, filled with a curried potato, was only made better by the coconut and tomato chutneys that accompanied it. Crazy good. Makes you want to eat it until you’re sick good.
Yum… :)

This is what i call a hidden gem. I went to A1 to check their spice selection and found out about Minerva.
I ordered Chicken Tikka Masala and my husband ordered Chili Chicken.
Both were great, chili chicken was REALLY spice. At first it didn’t feel that hot but it was that accumulative spicy thing. We love it. We are both huge fans of spicy food so that was a thumb up for us.
Chicken Tikka Masala was creamy and flavorful.
I love chana masala so I ordered a small side of it, delicious as well.
The guy working there gave us a samosa so we could try and again we love it .
The guy working there was super friendly and I give him all the credit for out great experience. All the food plus a bag of basmati rice was just 25 dollars. How not to love that?
Now for the snobs out there this place is all about the food. No décor, no restaurant service, disposable plates, utensils and cups.
go to Minerva for the food not for the restaurant experience.

My boyfriend and I eat here Tues-​Fri and try to squeeze in weekends as much as we can. We always go for the lunch buffet. It’s amazing food and has been an inspiration for my own cooking! We love it! My boyfriend grew up in southern India and says it’s just like his mother makes.
They’re a little Southern Indian restaurant with an amazing small grocery store attached. We’ve become regulars at this place. Down home southern Indian food for the best price in town! On top of being amazing food in flavor and verity, it’s all very healthy. They always have a dessert as well. I can’t resist the chickpea curry and the lentil curry. They always have at least one!
They’re extremely friendly. They treat regulars like family and new guests like best friends! It’s a nice mix of veggie and meat choices. Remember, it’s about the curry, not about being meat or veggies! I actually don’t find the desire to have the meat dishes besides the chicken tikka masala and the goat curry because the veggie dishes are to die for! They have a small fridge with different juices and sodas, as well as cups for water and Indian tea.
The parking is a small lot with a Subway, but there is parking down the street next to it if need be. Some people are dumb and park where there aren’t actually spaces, but usually they’re smart enough to leave you some room to get out.
The tv always has an Indian movie on, which I love to hear.
They manager whom is always there over seeing the food and buffet will help you in just about anyway. You can order food, and he will even box some for you, but if the buffet is there, don’t miss out! And don’t be afraid to help yourself! If you’re that skiddish, ask and he’ll be more than happy to fix a plate for you! It’s a small place, but it’s worth it. Remember, the more people wanting it and the more regulars there are, it means the food is well worth the visit! If you’re a tourist and you’re passing through, give it a shot! It’s worth the $ 5 for a cheap, great tasting, all-​you-​can-​eat lunch!
It’s an awesome «mom and pop» kind of place. Give it a shot! Jump out of your shell a bit! Enjoy it!