Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Chennai Express – Seattle
Chennai Express - Seattle
Photo from Chennai Express
Chennai Express at a glance
Seattle Westlake
- 🍛 Indian Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 52 of the guests
#371 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#6 Indian Restaurant out of 22 in Seattle
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
352
Reviews
76.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Food
- Efficient Delivery
- Generous Portions
Frequently criticized
- No Dine-in
- Biryani Inconsistency
- Difficult Parking
The restaurant Chennai Express is an Indian Restaurant located in Seattle’s vibrant Westlake neighborhood. You’ll discover a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
This spot is renowned for its healthy options, ensuring you can enjoy authentic flavors without compromise. Whether you’re craving a hearty dinner or a light lunch, you’ll find a welcoming space to savor traditional Indian cuisine.
Overview: Introducting Chennai Express
Chennai Express shines brightly with its culinary offerings, often praised for its authentic flavors and well-prepared dishes like dosas. Many appreciate the efficient delivery and thoughtful packaging, making for a smooth experience from order to table.
However, the dining experience at Chennai Express isn’t without its challenges. Guests frequently note issues with the ambience, particularly the lack of dine-in options and difficult parking.
The pricing also tends to be a point of contention for some.
Good
7.7
out of 10
352
Reviews
76.1%
Satisfaction
64
negative
20
neutral
268
positive
Chennai Express generally earns a solid 7.7 out of 10, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a respectable 76.1%. This positive sentiment is largely driven by its strong culinary performance.
The Food (8) consistently receives high marks, reflecting many positive comments among 268 favorable remarks out of 352 total. Similarly, the Service (7.6) is often praised for its efficiency and helpfulness.
While the kitchen and service perform well, other aspects present a more mixed picture. The Value (4.8) is considered average, with some finding prices a bit steep.
The most significant area for improvement is Ambience (3.4), which scores poorly due to limited dine-in options and accessibility challenges. This is reflected in 64 negative comments, highlighting areas where the experience falls short for some.
What people like
- Authentic Food Flavors
- Efficient Delivery Service
- Good Value Portions
What people don't like
- No Dine-in Seating
- Inconsistent Biryani Quality
- Challenging Parking Access
Chennai Express offers a compelling culinary experience, particularly if you’re seeking authentic South Indian flavors delivered to your door. With a strong Recommendation Score of 8, it’s certainly worth considering for its well-regarded dishes and reliable service.
However, be mindful that this is primarily a takeout spot, as the physical dining experience is minimal. If you prioritize delicious food for home enjoyment and can navigate potential parking challenges, Chennai Express could be a solid choice for your next meal.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Chennai Express
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a strong 8 out of 10, and customer satisfaction sitting at a solid 82.6%. Many of the 282 comments praise the authentic South Indian cuisine, highlighting quality ingredients, skilled preparation, and generous portions, especially for dishes like dosas and various biryanis. However, not all experiences are perfect, with 38 negative comments pointing to some inconsistencies.
Concerns include biryanis occasionally being oily or bland, and some feedback about overall food quality or freshness not always meeting expectations. It seems there's a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to certain dishes.
Food
282
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
38
negative
11
neutral
233
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic South Indian flavors
- Quality ingredients
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent biryani quality
- Occasional food quality issues
- Oily or bland dishes
Often praised
- foodMy experience ordering South Indian dishes like Sambhar Vada and Sambhar Idli through GrubHub was delicious. The sambhar tasted authentic, and the overall food was delicious. I would recommend trying it.
- Chicken 65Mutton Briyani and Chicken 65 is must must try.
- FoodFood:5
- SamosaHere’s my rating for each: * Mysore Masala Dosa – 5/5 * Paneer Biryani – 4. 5/5 (The flavor was great, but the paneer could have been softer.) * Samosa – 5/5 (A thinner layering would have been ideal, but the taste was excellent.) * Gobi 65 – 3. 5/5 I’d definitely recommend this place!
- South Indian cuisineChennai Express Authentic Indian has been on my bucket list for ages, and I can't wait to experience their renowned South Indian cuisine! The moderate price range seems perfectly reasonable for quality Indian cuisine in Seattle.
- authenticIt was really authentic
- chicken 65My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had one of the best authentic Thalapakatti mutton biriyanis and chicken 65. It's a great place for Chettinad-style food; I particularly loved the Chettinad chicken/veg curry, pepper chicken, and sambar idli.
- dosasone of the best dosas I’ve had
- pepper chickenpepper chicken, it was fresh , piping hot and good breast pieces
- sambarTaste was really good especially sambar and spicy chutney.
Frequently criticized
- foodThe food was cold as though served right from fridge
- chicken biryanichicken biryani was basically pulao or flavored rice with very little chicken pieces (which were also uncooked)
- food qualityMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative due to the food quality. I ordered the Eggplant curry, and unfortunately, it was spoilt and had a terrible smell.
- goat biryanithe chicken biryani and goat biryani were equally bad
- idliHe had idli and cheese dosa, and ever since, he's been plagued with severe stomach aches.
- oilyIt was a little too salty and oily
- BiryaniDon't recommend their Biryani
- BisibelabathI ordered the Bisibelabath and the Thalapakattu Chicken Biryani, and unfortunately, both dishes failed to impress. The Bisibelabath lacked proper flavor and tasted bland. The Thalapakattu Chicken Biryani did not taste fresh.
- ChickenChicken was either undercooked or it wasn't fresh
- Chicken and mutton biryaniboth of them were partially burnt with meat pieces also burnt
If you're craving authentic South Indian flavors and generous portions, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that while many rave about the delicious offerings, there might be occasional inconsistencies, especially with some biryani dishes.
Service (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
Alright, lets talk service! Its generally seen as quite good, scoring a solid 7.6, though customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 69%. With 29 positive comments out of 42 total, many folks rave about the fast delivery, excellent packaging, and how responsive the owner and staff are.
They often highlight the smooth coordination and stress-free experience, especially for special requests or large orders. However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The 8 negative comments often highlight concerns like long waiting times and occasional issues with staff attitude.
Some customers also found the service inconsistent, and a few were caught off guard by it being a takeout-only place, leading to some confusion.
Service
42
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
8
negative
5
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast delivery
- Excellent packaging
- Responsive staff
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Poor staff attitude
- Inconsistent service
Often praised
- deliveryThey were also very accommodating to give us food delivery a little earlier in the day. Ordering was a breeze, delivery was prompt, and the packaging was good. Very satisfied with Chennai Express.
- ServiceService:5
- packagingThey were also very accommodating to give us food delivery a little earlier in the day. Ordering was a breeze, delivery was prompt, and the packaging was good. Very satisfied with Chennai Express.
- OrdersI ordered a dosa with spiced potatoes for an early dinner around 5pm. Orders were accepted quickly and ready within minutes. It came with two chutneys and a soup.
- communicationTheir chutneys and sambhar were yummy! The communication was clear, and the food was yummy and ready on the promised time. They were also very accommodating to give us food delivery a little earlier in the day.
- coordinationHari made it so easy to coordinate
- folks working herefolks working here were amazingly kind.
- food deliveryaccommodating to give us food delivery at little earlier
- food packedfood packed in a professional way
- food packingThe food was packed neatly for the pickup.
Frequently criticized
- servicetheir service is so inconsistent
- ParkingParking is not easy
- Serviceordered a Panneer biryani but was given a vegetable biryani
- staff attitudestaff had a really bad attitude
- takeout only placeclueless about this being a takeout only place
- wait timesvery long wait times
- waiting timeMy experience at this restaurant was the worst. I had to wait for 30 minutes even though the order was showing as prepared. The staff had a really bad attitude.
If youre looking for reliable delivery or a well-packed takeout meal, especially for catering or larger orders, this place often shines with its responsive service. However, be prepared for potential wait times and understand its a takeout-only spot, as service consistency can sometimes be a mixed bag.
Ambience (3.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 15% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot presents a bit of a puzzle! While customer satisfaction for the overall experience is quite high at 9.1 (which is excellent), the specific score for ambience itself is a rather poor 3.4. Based on just 1 positive remark about the Atmosphere, it seems theres a glimmer of something good, but its heavily overshadowed.
However, the picture darkens significantly with 8 negative remarks. Many customers found issues with the dine-in experience, noting no seating and a pick-up location thats hard to find, often involving parking problems. The hygiene was also a concern, suggesting the overall place' leaves much to be desired in terms of physical environment.
Ambience
11
Reviews
9%
Satisfaction
8
negative
2
neutral
1
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- No dine-in seating
- Difficult to find/park
- Unacceptable hygiene
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereAtmosphere:1
- dine-inAnd the sauces that come with compliment this dish so well. There's no place to dine-in though, they are located in a Cloud/Ghost kitchen near Lake Union. You can order online or go to the building and order there directly.
- geometric parking problemgeometric parking problem before picking up the food
- hygieneThe hygiene of the restaurant is also unacceptable.
- no seatingThere is no seating or dine in options.
- parkingThe food was mediocre, and the wait times were very long. It's a kitchen located in a residential area with no parking, so I strongly advise against ordering for pickup.
- pick-up locationPick up place is very weird on a curve
- placeKinda hard to find the place
If you're looking for a place with a great dine-in experience or easy pickup, this might not be it. It seems best suited for those who prioritize the food above all else and are prepared for significant logistical challenges with the location and lack of seating.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
Despite a rather low customer satisfaction of just 29.4% for value, some diners do find bright spots. They often praise the reasonable price and moderate price range, feeling they get great value for money, especially when portions are generous. These positive sentiments, highlighting terms like value for money and reasonable price, account for 5 out of 17 total remarks.
However, the overall score for value sits at an average 4.8, and a significant number of customers feel its not worth the price. Many describe it as being on the pricey side or having a high price tag, leading to disappointment, especially considering the cost. These concerns, using terms like pricey end and overpriced', are reflected in 10 negative comments.
Value
17
Reviews
29%
Satisfaction
10
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable price
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Not worth price
- On pricey side
- Overpriced items
Often praised
- Price per personPrice per person:$10–20
- moderate price rangemoderate price range, seems perfectly reasonable
- reasonable priceat a reasonable price
- valueEspecially great value because the portions are generous
- value for moneyDefinitely value for money
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at the restaurant was that the food tasted ok, but it was very expensive. I found the pricing to be very overpriced, with a dosa costing $15, entrees at $20, and a biriyani at $23.
- PriceIt is a little pricey.
- biriyani price$23 for a biriyani is very overpriced
- costdisappointing, especially considering the cost
- dosa price15$ for a dosa
- entrees price$20 entrees
- price tagwith a high price tag
- pricey endon our more pricey end. Our total was $32 or so
- pricey sideit being on the pricey side.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, this might not be your top pick, as many find it on the pricey side. However, if generous portions at a moderate price are your priority, you might still find some value here, though expectations should be managed.
How are the prices at Chennai Express?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 52 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For an Indian Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what others spent, most diners found themselves in the 11 – 30 $ sweet spot, with a few venturing into higher price points.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 52 reviews.
How this Indian Restaurant in Seattle stacks up against similar spots on value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for an Indian Restaurant in this range. It offers a good balance, so you’re likely getting solid value for your money.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Chennai Express
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
1
Appalling Experience: Son Hospitalized After Meal
Absolutely appalling! My son was hospitalized after eating at this restaurant yesterday. He had idli and cheese dosa, and ever since, he's been plagued with severe stomach aches.
The hygiene of the restaurant is also unacceptable. It's completely unacceptable for an establishment to serve food that causes health crises. I strongly urge the city to conduct thorough inspections and check the quality of this place immediately to prevent further incidents.
- idli1
- cheese dosa1
- hygiene1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
2
Disappointing Food Quality
My experience at the restaurant was quite disappointing. I ordered the Bisibelabath and the Thalapakattu Chicken Biryani, and unfortunately, both dishes failed to impress. The Bisibelabath lacked proper flavor and tasted bland.
The Thalapakattu Chicken Biryani did not taste fresh. Overall, the food quality was poor and did not feel worth the price.
- Bisibelabath2
- Thalapakattu Chicken Biryani3
- food quality2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
6
Mixed Takeout Experience, Delicious Chana Masala
My experience with takeout orders has been mixed. The Chana masala was very delicious, though it was quite oily, which might have contributed to its good taste 😅. The Onion samosa was also good.
However, the Chicken pepper fry wasn't up to the mark; the chicken seemed either undercooked or not fresh, and there was an excessive amount of pepper. I might update this review if I decide to try again.
- Chana masala9
- Onion samosa7
- Chicken pepper fry2
- Chicken2
- Pepper quantity3
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Terrible Service and Long Wait
My experience at this restaurant was the worst. I had to wait for 30 minutes even though the order was showing as prepared. The staff had a really bad attitude.
It was the worst, and I will never order again.
- waiting time1
- staff attitude1
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
7
Great Food, Tricky Parking!
My experience at the restaurant involved a bit of a geometric parking problem before picking up the food. Oh yeah, the food is good!
- food9
- geometric parking problem3
What Chennai Express offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Healthy options
- Vegan options
- Coffee
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Halal food
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Counter service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Curbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dietary options are available at Chennai Express Authentic Indian?
At Chennai Express Authentic Indian, you’ll find a wide range of choices to suit your dietary preferences. They proudly offer healthy options, vegan options, vegetarian options, and halal food, ensuring everyone can enjoy their authentic Indian cuisine in Seattle’s Westlake neighborhood.
What dining and service options does Chennai Express provide?
Chennai Express offers flexible dining and service options to fit your schedule. You can enjoy late-night food, quick bites, or full meals for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. For convenience, they provide curbside pickup, no-contact delivery, takeout, and standard delivery services.
What are the main strengths of Chennai Express?
Chennai Express is highly praised for its authentic food, with many customers enjoying dishes like dosas and pepper chicken. The delivery service is also noted for being efficient and accommodating.
What should I be aware of before ordering from Chennai Express?
Customers frequently mention that there is no dine-in seating and parking can be challenging. Some also report inconsistencies with certain dishes, particularly biryani, and find the pricing to be on the higher side.
How does Chennai Express generally score across different aspects?
Chennai Express holds an overall score of 7.7. Its Food (8) and Service (7.6) are rated well, while Value (4.8) is considered average, and Ambience (3.4) is rated poorly due to its takeout-only nature.