
Address and Contact Information
Address: 1412 Stelton Rd Suite 2, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Phone: (732) 640-0900
Website: https://masalacafechettinad.com/
Menu Photos
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Reviews
We got their தலபாக்கட்டு பிரியாணி a must try.
தவா மின்
செட்டி நாட்டு pepper chicken
Were some of the items we got.
Also for sweets, Bread Halwa and Payasam இளநீர் பாயசம் were fantastic.
Visited my brother in Mendham, NJ and we drove down to Piscataway for lunch at Masala Cafe Chettinad. He suggested their Vaazhai Ilai Virundhu (traditional banana-leaf feast), and that alone was enough to get me excited. We skipped breakfast and arrived hungry.
The restaurant has a warm, neighborhood feel. Right at the entrance, a clever meme-style reminder about history and documentation set the tone. We were greeted by genuinely cheerful staff and soon seated.
When the thalai vaazhai ilai (full banana leaf) arrived, the five of us had to adjust our seating—authentic already! The meal began with:
• Paayasam
• Paruppu podi with ghee
• Chakkarai pongal
• Egg masala
• Tawa-style fish fry
• Boiled egg
• Chicken 65
I had planned to wait until everything was served before taking photos, but the aroma won. The egg masala and fish fry were standouts—comforting, bold, and deeply satisfying.
Next came a thin Tamil Nadu–style bone broth (rasam-like), Nannaari sarbath, and spicy buttermilk. I usually drink a lot of water with meals, but here, the accompaniments were so well thought out that I didn’t need any.
Then arrived the star: Ambur-style mutton biryani made with seeraga samba rice. Perfectly cooked—succulent, tender mutton and beautifully balanced rice. Alongside it were:
• Thayir pachadi (remarkably close to homestyle)
• Chettinad chicken gravy
• Mutton curry
• TN-style parotta and chapati
I alternated between biryani and parotta, dipping into the gravies, punctuated by sips of nannaari and buttermilk. Pure joy.
Remembering the chef mentioning a Kanyakumari-style fish curry, I asked for white rice and tried it after cleansing my palate. It was excellent. One small note: regular water instead of plastic bottles would be a thoughtful touch.
Dessert was a small native banana—not the typical large commercial variety. That attention to detail matters. It tells you this place cares about authenticity, not just the main dishes.
I asked to meet the chef, and Chef Silambarasan came out. Humble, warm, and clearly skilled—our table had adults who grew up in Tamil Nadu and children raised here, and every one of us was delighted.
Bottom line:
If you are in Northern New Jersey and care about authentic Tamil/Chettinad cuisine, Masala Cafe Chettinad is absolutely worth the trip. The Vaazhai Ilai Virundhu is not just a meal—it’s an experience done with heart and integrity.
The food truly stood out. The Madurai-style chicken kari dosa was packed with bold, authentic flavors, and the thokku mutton biryani was rich, aromatic, and perfectly spiced. The chicken 65 was flavorful and well-seasoned, the idli was soft and fresh, and the filter coffee was a perfect finish—strong, aromatic, and comforting.
What really impressed me was the generous portion sizes, especially for the very reasonable prices—great value for money without compromising on quality. The packing and packaging were also well done, keeping everything secure and intact for takeout.
Overall, outstanding food quality, authentic Chettinad flavors, thoughtful packaging, and reliable service. Highly recommend for anyone craving genuine South Indian cuisine.
Service/Ambiance: Chefs/staff were yelling in the kitchen
Would not recommend at all
CONs – some biryani taste average
Location wise it is slightly off central Edison , but this side of Edison needed a good biryani spot. Good location for Piscataway South Indian lovers . Parking outside is good . Good seating inside to sit/dine .. loved the posters and chennai style flash cards inside .. being from Chennai , it was super awesome to seee kaithi poster and few others – like MSD poster . Nicely done . ✅
Coming to the food – every restaurant has its own spice level and since it was first time , quantity was so awesome .. we didn’t want too spicy and told them medium spice .. but it turned out to be almost “no spice” in few dishes . Naatu kozhi chicken was bland and not spicy at all. Less salty too. Wish they made it more tasty : thalapakaati biryani was also average . Rice was dry ! Seeraga samba rice was tasty though. Mutton thokku biryani was the best . Nice spice and perfect blend of biryani : a different biryani in central NJ . Will surely try again and update my comments if needed : wanted to give 3 stars but just for the mutton thokku biryani , gave it a 4 star ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The nostalgic wall decor pics with wordings made it even more fun and special.
Customer service was very good too- they even gave us complimentary Elaneer Payasam that lured us to get a takeout payasam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️