Out to Eat in Sioux Falls: Shahi Palace spices things up
When I moved to Sioux Falls, given my “Indianness,” one of the first things I did was check out all of the Indian restaurants and stores. Here’s the thing about Indian food: Whenever I hear my friends talking about it, they usually just know butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, garlic naan and maybe mango lassi, but there’s a whole world of flavors worth exploring out there, and to do that, my friend and I decided to hit up Shahi Palace.
Tucked away on South Shirley Avenue, the restaurant has a pleasant hum of activity with families and friends enjoying their meals, talking and laughing. Despite being fairly busy, the space never feels cramped.
Hungry after a long day of work and classes, we were ready to dig in. We started with the Shahi Combination platter which included a vegetable samosa and an assortment of pakoras- two each of fish and chicken. Pakoras are Indian-style fritters, coated in gram flour and deep fried. The pakoras came out wonderfully crispy, and the samosa had a delicate, flaky pastry shell that gave way to spiced potato filling with just enough heat to make things interesting.
For the main course, we decided to venture beyond the usual. My friend ordered the Chicken Madras, a curry that combines the richness of coconut milk with a complex blend of spices differing from region to region. He decided to get it hot, the highest of three spice levels you can choose from (mild, medium or hot). It came with an incredible coconut-based sauce that had him reaching for his water glass between spicy but delicious bites.
I went with the Achari Rogan Josh with chicken, but I ordered it mild; despite my heritage, I can't handle the “Indian level” of spicy. It was the perfect choice with tender meat in a sauce with a tangy kick from pickling spices (think mustard seeds, fenugreek and fennel) that give this curry its distinctive flavor. We also got naan because how can you not? We got the plain, buttered version because – let’s be honest – it is way superior to garlic naan. It was just right, charred on the outside, soft on the inside: ideal for scooping up every delicious bite.
Of course, we had to get the mango lassi, a yogurt-based drink that’s like a sophisticated cousin to a smoothie. It struck an ideal balance, smooth and creamy with just the right amount of sweetness that tempered the heat of our curries.
As for the cost, the bill came to $48.17 for the both of us before the tip. The service was on point too — water glasses stayed full, crucial when you're exploring spicier territory, and the staff was always friendly, attentive and professional.
Whether you're ready to graduate from butter chicken or you're already deep into Indian cuisine, Shahi Palace delivers. The food's legit; the staff’s friendly; the portions are generous, and your wallet won't hate you.
