Ferndale, MI — There are many phenomenal establishments for Indian cuisine along the southern stretch of Oakland County communities, from Novi to Ferndale and Royal Oak, giving Metro Detroiters the luxury of deciding between what’s closer or which is simply their preferred restaurant.
I’ve adventured to several wonderful Indian restaurants over the years around Metro Detroit, and finally got around to dedicating a foodie adventure to one that I’ve often heard is considered one of (if not thee) best in all of Metro Detroit: Star of India, which is located in Downtown Ferndale.
FULL SECTION: MI Foodie Adventures Indian Food Series
I happen to live a few minutes down the street from Star of India, which is located in the middle of Downtown Ferndale, along 9 Mile Road just west of Woodward Avenue. Before checking out Star of India, I typically enjoyed dishes from Pink Garlic via DoorDash deliveries or at Akshaya Patra in Farmington Hills when I used to work in Southfield. Although I had always technically lived closer to Star of India, it’s just one of those things where it took me forever to finally get around to dining there.
On Sept. 18, I walked into Star of India for dinner around 5:30 p.m. I was on the earlier side of the dinner rush, but there were already about five tables filled by other patrons by the time that I had arrived. I was kindly seated in the furthest back booth right next to the checkout counter and entrance to the kitchen, which, in my opinion, is the best seat in the house since it’s the shortest distance your food travels from the kitchen!
I found Star of India’s interior very warm and welcoming, influenced by the bright and vibrant colors throughout the restaurant. There were various types of seating, varying in style and capacity to accommodate different party sizes. There’s even a table that sits atop a slightly raised platform next to the window with a view of Downtown Ferndale on the other side, offering a unique, more intimate dining experience.
This place not only has beautiful decor, but it’s a very friendly environment as well. All of the staff members were polite and helpful, even as the other tables began to quickly fill up and the atmosphere rose several notches as the restaurant began to reach peak dinner capacity, alongside carryout and food app delivery orders buzzing in. I just stuck with water for my beverage and decided to order a few popular Indian dishes from the menu to see how Star of India’s renditions of these classics measured up.
The Food
First to arrive: the Beef Samosas, which come served with a variety of chutneys. I opted to go with the meat variation, but the Star of India does offer a veggie version as well on their menu. I cracked open one of the two samosas, noting the excellent crispy and flaky texture and golden-brown deep-fried finish. I quickly photographed the delicious interior and allowed for some of the steam and heat to escape so the food would cool for quicker consumption.
I split the samosa halves further in two and tried different chutneys with each. I spooned some of the green chutney over one half, watching the sauce slowly cascade down through the meat and pea mixture. I took a hearty bite and really tasted a burst of deliciously spiced beef and mint. I tried the red chutney with the other half and enjoyed the contrast of the meat and sauce profile. The chutney, which I believe was the onion chutney, was surprisingly sweet, and I really enjoyed it with the savory meat.
This traditional dish was executed to perfection, and I wolfed the second samosa down faster than the first since it had more time to cool down naturally. For the second samosa, I utilized the light brown chutney, which I believe was the mango chutney, and it definitely leaned on the sweet side. Another great chutney pairing, with this sauce sticking quite well to the meat and providing another well-rounded and nuanced delivery of sweet and savory. These samosas came quite packed, and after tasting how great the interior ingredients were, I couldn’t have been happier!
Next up, the Garlic and Cheese Naan. I usually always get an order of garlic naan with every order from whichever establishment I happen to be at for the foodie adventure. On occasion, I do like to change up the type of naan bread to accompany my dish to keep things interesting and to try more variety. This was one of the first times I’ve encountered a garlic naan that also came topped with cheese, so obviously, as a proud cheese enthusiast, I had to indulge for this adventure.
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I tore off one of the small corners to get a taste of the bread, which ended up arriving only about 15 seconds before my main course. The naan bread was light and airy, baked perfectly and maintained a nice, slightly chewy consistency. This would come in handy later on when utilized as a scoop-and-serve mechanism for my order of Chicken Tikka Masala. There was definitely no shortage of minced garlic spread generously across the naan, with lighter portions of cheese accompanying. There was just enough cheese to make its presence known, not overwhelming the dish and allowing the quality of the bread and bake to take the spotlight.
I honestly had a difficult time when deciding on my entrée because there were quite a few tantalizing options on the menu that caught my eye. It had been some time since I last ate biryani, and I strongly considered a paneer-focused dish or two, but decided to go with a beloved classic dish: Chicken Tikka Masala. I was feeling particularly brave for this foodie adventure and ordered the medium heat without knowing whether or not it would lean on the spicier side.
For starters, I loved the presentation of the dish when it arrived at my table. I thought the star design in the masala was a nice personal touch for the Star of India to incorporate. Outside of the creative design, the dish was exploding in color and flavor. The heavenly marinated chicken was grilled in a tandoori oven and served in a relatively spicy and zesty sauce. The chicken chunks were copious, extremely tender, and really lit up the taste buds.
Heat-wise, the dish delivered perfectly. I could definitely feel the spices lingering on my tongue and the back of my mouth, while my brow was nearing the point where a bead or two of sweat was about to form but held off. This was a perfect medium level where you could taste the heat but also still really enjoy the depth of the dish’s flavor profile. I spooned a fair amount of the Chicken Tikka Masala onto the basmati rice and utilized the Garlic and Cheese Naan by ripping off pieces to grab and chomp pinches of the chicken, sauce, and rice all together. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish, and the only thing that made it better was getting to enjoy it for a second time when I devoured my leftovers the next day!
It’s worth noting that the Star of India also has an outstanding buffet at lunch! I conducted a separate foodie adventure on a different day and happened upon the lunch offering. For those who haven’t tried Star of India, this is a great way to explore its menu and sample a range of options. From vegetarian dishes, appetizers, entrées, to regional specialties, Star of India had some great offerings served up for their buffet that day. I particularly enjoyed the Tandoori Chicken (absolutely sensational), Chana Masala (Vegan), and Chicken Karahi.
Whether you’re there to catch the buffet for lunch or stop in for a delectable dinner, Star of India in Downtown Ferndale seals the deal as one of the best restaurants for Indian cuisine in Metro Detroit. I’ve been to some parts of the country where it’s very difficult to find (if at all) an Indian restaurant or one that specializes in the cuisine, so to have several top-tier establishments in Metro Detroit feels like a major win for foodies and Michiganders alike.
I’m overjoyed that I finally got to experience the gem that is Star of India in Downtown Ferndale. You can really taste the homemade, authentic touch in the food. Every dish that I’ve tried at Star of India so far has been consistently as great as the last. So, needless to say, I’m excited for future adventures to try more of the menu!
For more information about Star of India in Downtown Ferndale, click here.
