Restaurant - Maharaja Indian Cuisine

by Amy Chu

Living in such a small town like Oxford offers very few varieties of food choices. What little this town offers should be taken to the greatest advantage. While running errands, I came across Maharaja: Indian Cuisine. It is family owned and operated, specializing in authentic Indian foods and is one of the few restaurants to offer catering. Maharaja has been open for approximately one year and is run by Madhu S. Ankisetty.

From the outside, it is nothing more than a hole-in-the-wall restaurant located in a shopping complex next to Wal-Mart. I did not expect this place to be spectacular in the slightest. However, my experience at Maharaja is one to remember. In fact, before even approaching the door, the fragrance of curry and other spices filled my sinuses. My mouth began to water immediately.

Upon entry, my first impression was that the building was small but the limited space gave a homely feel to the environment. Indian artwork lined the walls and floras in large vases were placed atop the buffet table. The lighting was soft and exerted calm energies. The painted orange walls stimulated the appetite.

I was immediately directed into a booth by a smiling server. Had I come two hours beforehand, there would have been a generous medley from the buffet table. The lunch selection offers many appetizers, a salad bar, chicken dishes, five assortments of curries, two types of rice, and a variety of desserts. Since I was just in time for the start of dinner, it was surprising to see that the menu contained so many items. The drink choices were varied from Masala tea to a yogurt-made mango Lassi. The appetizers were plentiful and there was even a section dedicated to vegetable-only entrees. The meat dishes included chicken, shrimp, and lamb. Note that beef is strictly forbidden. Diners have the choice to have their meals seasoned mild, medium, or spicy.

I ordered the fan favorite mango Lassi and chicken curry with Basmati rice while sitting down with owner Ankisetty to discuss details of the restaurant. Madhu brought his business to Oxford in hopes of relieving travelers’ stress of having to go to Memphis to eat Indian food. He stated that Maharaja is the second Indian restaurant located in Mississippi.

While I was waiting for my order to be prepared and served, I got to relax in the booth and let my surroundings take over the senses. Since Maharaja isn’t a widely known chain business, the diner usually never serves over four tables at a time. This quiet atmosphere is perfect for any romantic occasion. The aroma of chicken and sauces filled the air. The front of the restaurant housed a large flat screen television playing Bollywood styled films containing dance, romance, and comedy. Entertainment from the TV held me off just long enough for the food to be cooked. The usual wait time for a meal is between 15-20 minutes.

Overall, the service is quick, and the staff is very efficient. Maharaja proves for a superb place of dining and serves quality curry. I would recommend this to anyone wanting to try real food besides the usual burger and fries joint. Lunch is served from 11 to 2:30 p.m. and dinner runs from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Maharaja is open everyday. My experience proves this statement true: “never judge a book by its cover”.