Amma’s Kitchen has recently taken up a new residency on Oak Tree Road, located inside the eerie, somewhat deserted, “Mall on Oak Tree Road.”
1710 Oak Tree Road, Edison, NJ 08820
Amma’s Kitchen arguably makes some of the best dosas, period.
They have moved several times. First, from Desi Galaxy in Somerset, NJ, where Jim Leff once visisted: http://jimleff.blogspot.com/2011/11/t…
(Currently Desi Galaxy in Somerset has dropped a bit in quality since that post, with the Gujarati and Southern Indian, Bombay, Indo-Chinese options being a bit poor. However, the Ghanian stall is good, the Punjabi stall is still tops, and I’ve yet to try the Biryani/Pakistani spot).
Then, Amma’s moved to Flavor Junction Food Court on Oak Tree, and finally, are currently in their remodeled space in the “Mall.”
Whereas generally Oak Tree Road is a nabe comprised mostly of Gujarati and Southern Indian food, plus a sparse collection of Indo-Chinese and Punjabi restaurants, many of the restaurants have also gone downhill over the years.
Amma’s Kitchen, in my last 4 visits have been a cut above the rest, having eaten my way through restaurants on Oak Tree Road and Franklin Park and Somerset several times.
The menu is mostly reflective of South Indian/Tamil food, and they will proudly state "We are a South Indian restaurant’ when asked.
There are also a few indo-chinese options and other regional dishes, but stick to the South Indian options.
What’s best? The dosas are fantastic, toeing the line between crispy and crepey, with a masala that is a bit more spiced and flavorful than others I’ve tried.
Their flaky, layered parotta (3 pieces), served with chicken curry for ($10) on the menu is mandatory, found under the bread section.
The idlis are wonderfully fresh, pillowly, cloudy. The vadas are fried beautifully, with the flavors of lentil coming through, and the sambar and coconut chutneys are also made with care and are standouts.
I have yet to work my way through the whole menu yet, but am looking to try a few of the fish curries or the Chicken Chettinad and a few others.
The weekend non-veg thali was very good on my last trip, served with a delicious variety of curries, and a pretty good version Chicken 65 as an appetizer.
They also offer a special banana leaf meal the first Sunday of every month.
