Magic Garlic

I had been going to this place when it was called Priya maybe starting in 2008
as an Indian friend/​coworker/​student had introduced the place to me when he
was staying out in Aurora… We dined there a few times before he left back to India.
At that time we dined there for dinner as well.
So I continued to go here as it was fairly quiet location and not too many people crowded the place during lunch hours.
I forgot what year, maybe 2011 or 2012 it became Curry Leaf (similar to my name)
and I believe the same management. It continued to be a nice quiet dining
spot for buffet (though not much variety but enough for me with that creamy
chicken and sauce? tikka? and rice). Each buffet meal came with freshly hot
cooked Tandoori Chicken and naan.
Then in 2013 I went there and it had changed its name to Magic Garlic and
it was a different management and owner.
Over time it continued to seem to struggle as at times I would be the only
customer there for the buffet lunch hours.
I enjoyed it for the price for the buffet just under $ 9. For a short time
they even included 1 glass soft drink in the meal. But usually I took water.
I enjoyed it sparingly from time to time whenever I passed through the
area during the lunch hours or on weekends if I was heading toward
Chicago.
There are 2 other Indian food buffets in Dupage county area that are newer:
Masala in Lombard and the newest one Tamarind in Fox Valley Mall Aurora.
I guess the latter may have contributed to this one’s closing with closer
competition and both of the newer ones have more variety of food as well
and are larger.
I must say I was disappointed about a month ago when I drove there
only to find it was closed… I called and called prior and the phone
was busy constantly so I drove over to check it out… closed… no more
the lady said … :(
Well, I will miss this buffet unless someone else takes it over… Hopefully someone
will and I can return to it in the future even under a different name as I
continued to support this restaurant under 3 names and management
changes so far.

One word: AMAZING!
This place has DELICIOUS food that is very affordable. All the food tastes high quality and fresh. The buffet is less than $ 10 and is great for those new to eating Indian food because you can experiment. Do not take it lightly when you are warned whatever you order may be spicy! The owner is also very helpful. Our first time we asked many questions and he was more than happy to stick around and guide us through our first experience there. I definitely recommend this place if you are craving amazing Indian food.

I must be a glutton for punishment. Craving something spicy, I decided to get some Chicken Vindaloo. I was warned that it was «a little spicy.» I brushed off the warning and smugly told the gentleman taking my order «I can handle it.» Folks, I’ve eaten some of the hottest foods you can think of, and nothing, and I mean NOTHING has ever made me break out in a sweat, gasp for water, and make my nose run like the Chicken Vindaloo from Magic Garlic. I. Am. Impressed.
I have passed this place thousands of times, as I literally live across the street. I’m trying to embrace Indian food but it is clearly taking longer than I thought. I’m a fighter though and I’m not giving up just yet.
I walk in and picked up a menu to place a to-​go order. There wasn’t anyone at the front counter, and no bell to ring for service. So I waited patiently while looking over the menu. An older gentlemen appeared about less than 5 minutes after I walked in. He greeted me and asked if I was dining in. I told him that I wanted to place an order to go. He smiled and asked what I wanted, and I told him. As mentioned above, he warned me about how spicy their Chicken Vindaloo is. I told him it was fine. He asked if I wanted anything else, and I told him just a bottle of water. After giving me my total (just a little over $ 14), he told me that it’d be about 5 – 7 minutes. I told him that was fine, and stood over by this little bar area to wait.
There wasn’t a whole lot to look at while waiting, but I did notice a long hallway when you walk in, where a sign indicated the restrooms were. Also when you walk in (and where I waited) was a little bar and not much else. It seemed pretty lonely. To the right of the counter is the main dining area. I couldn’t get a good look at it, as there’s just a doorway and a big wall in the way.
Finally, my order was ready. As the gentlement handed me my bag, I asked if there was silverware in it. He said «no» but proceeded down the hallway to get some. Kind of strange, seeing as how my order was to go and I didn’t feel like eating with my hands like a savage. He came back with a plastic spoon, fork, and even a little bowl for me to mix everything in, which was nice.
Back at work (I always eat in my car), I found a large container of rice, a large container of the Chicken Vindaloo. I found it fairly tricky to try and balance the containers between my legs while scooping both rice and the chicken into the bowl, but I managed. The Chicken Vindaloo was piping hot… so hot, I could barely hold it and try to get the lid off. So, be warned if you get something to go– the food was hotter than hell. I finally made a healthy looking platter (bowl) and took my first bite.
The chicken was extremely hot, in both temperature and spice. It was a challenge to get through the first few bites until I became used to it. Then I couldn’t get enough! I began swallowing through my meal as though it was my last. I am not very educated with Indian food, but I was thoroughly impressed! The flavors were truly indescribable. The rice was unlike anything I’ve ever had. I’m sorry I can’t be more descriptive but as I said, I’m an Indian food newbie.
For the price, I thought I had gotten a great meal. I only wish that it was a little more budget friendly for work-​week lunches. However, they do have a lunch buffet for a reasonable price, so I may have to give that a shot so I can explore their other menu items without breaking the bank.
I am so pleased with my experience at Magic Garlic; I cannot wait to return. I’m even more excited that once the warm weather hits, I can walk there in less than 5 minutes. And, I’m even more super-​duper excited that I didn’t have any bad, ermm… reactions to the food. Yay!

I’ve been to Magic Garlic half a dozen times and leave very satisfied every time. The food is excellent, the service is excellent, and they offer beer!
I’ve eaten at the buffet all but one time, the one being a formal dinner with my girlfriend. At the buffet, expect to see all the classic dishes plus a few extras. The flavor of the chicken tikka is to die for! Additionally, they have terrific desserts for those sweet-​toothed individuals. I recommend the gulab-​jamoon, which is hand made in the kitchen.
I will definitely be back!

I grubhubbed from here almost half a dozen times, no issue, everything I’d great. I never learn what anything actually is, because I get a ton of things and live on the leftovers for days. I went in with my family and ate in once. The older gentleman and I had such a language barrier that I couldn’t order a beverage. Aside from our major awkwardness there, the food was good. I’m probably going to stick with carryout, since I can walk the and back in 10 minutes

I really wanted to like this place. It’s located in an out of the way strip all just down the road from me on Brookdale. I always feel for businesses that open in bad locations but unfortunately the food just isn’t very good. I tried Magic Garlic twice and both times the curries (a coconut curry and chicken makhani) weren’t very good… the chicken had a weird texture, they weren’t flavorful and tasted off, kind of like they were leftovers from that afternoon’s buffet. Growing up in large middle class family I can’t bring myself to throw away leftovers, hence I ate the curries for lunch the next couple of days. After lunch #1 the makhani left me with a not so fresh feeling in my stomach. After lunch #2 I had a very not so fresh feeling in my stomach and seriously regretted not throwing the leftovers out. The samosas had an off taste too, like they were cooked well in advance of my order and just reheated.
On the plus side the naan was very good both times and the portion sizes are great. The meals come with a large side of rice and pickled onions. It’s a nice bargain if you aren’t to picky about your curries.

Now that this restaurant has opened under new management and a new name, it has really improved. The lunch buffet is really a great bargain. It has a full buffet of vegetarian dishes plus a few meat dishes on the other buffet cart. Lunch is served with naan and tandoori chicken plus a drink of your choice. The service was really good. It wasn’t very busy at lunch time. I hope people give this fine restaurant a try — especially during their lunch buffet.

Magic Garlic gets major points for having delicious food, being extremely close to my apartment, having great ambiance, etc. There was a bit of a language barrier with the waiter but all of our order came out just fine. HOWEVER, as much as I enjoyed the food, Indian food just does not agree with me, so I won’t eat here again. So sad! It has nothing to do with the quality of the food (merely the quality of my digestive system), so I’m not docking any stars for that.

I live in Brookdale and come here regularly. You can’t beat the price. For the lunch buffet you get a soda, fresh naan and sizzling tandoori chicken brought to your table. All for $ 8.99! The buffet is not huge, but it has all the basics and it tastes great. Definitely worth checking out for lunch.

Excellent menu with a lot of variety. Dishes were well-​prepared with special attention to quality and presentation. Table presentation was very romantic with the saucy dishes served above a candle warmer. Wait staff was attentive without overly disturbing your dining experience. The gentleman who kept up on refilling your water glass was very attentive — which is a bonus with some of the more spicy dishes! We tried a large variety of options: vegetable samosa, chili pakora, seafood soup, and kadhai chicken kebab (appetizers and soup). For the entrée: Lamb Madras, Chicken Makhani, and Benghan Bharta with Basmati Rice. ALL were top notch! Overall, an excellent HIGH-​QUALITY Indian restaurant dining experience! OH! and they accept Restaurant Dot Com certificated and Groupon! Major bonus!

I took my teenagers here for the buffet one afternoon and we all loved it! Along with all of the delicious dishes at the buffet, we had unlimited fresh naan and a sizzling platter of tandoori chicken. Everything we tried was wonderful and now my kids are asking when we’ll go back. Service was great and so was the food!

Worst food of universe, do not go to this restaurant unless you like to get sick

This restaurant is located in the same location that «Curry Leaf» used to be, in the Brookdale subdivision. If you are familiar with this are, you know there is no shortage of Indian cuisine restaurants, but this one is already by far my favorite. They have a decently large selection of dishes on the lunch buffet, and serve the naan and tandoori chicken piping hot right to the table. Right now the buffet is only $ 8.99 which is a steal, and includes a pop/​tea as well.