Social Profile: 
✔️Breakfast ✔️Brunch ✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in ✔️Take out ✔️Delivery
… View more
Hours
| Friday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 9 AM–10 PM |
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 11 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 11 AM–10 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5400 Sunol Blvd STE 2, Pleasanton, CA 94566
Phone: (925) 201-3048
Website: https://balajimess.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Order: Order online
Related Web Results
Authentic Indian Cuisine at Balaji Mess in Pleasanton
Balaji Mess began as a family-owned, woman-led venture in Pleasanton, built on a love for traditional South Indian cooking. What started small soon grew through …
Balaji Mess (@balajimesspl) · Pleasanton, CA – Instagram
We’re an authentic Indian restaurant offering a diverse menu that includes both Veg and non-veg dishes.
Balaji Mess | Pleasanton CA – Facebook
Great events deserve great food From live dosa stations to pani puri counters, Balaji Mess brings the authentic South Indian catering experience to your event …
Last Updates
Reviews
silpa das
The restaurant has a warm South Indian feel, and the banana-leaf serving style makes the experience feel truly traditional. The decor is inviting, the vibes are great, and the staff was friendly and welcoming.
The food was good and tasted authentic, though a few dishes could use a bit more depth. My boys especially loved the Balaji Special Dosa, Chicken 65, and their parottas, which were definitely the highlights for us.
A nice bonus is their Biryani and Dosa happy hours in the evening, where these items are half-priced.
Overall, a solid South Indian spot with good ambiance, kind staff, and a few standout dishes the kids really enjoyed.
… moreThe food was good and tasted authentic, though a few dishes could use a bit more depth. My boys especially loved the Balaji Special Dosa, Chicken 65, and their parottas, which were definitely the highlights for us.
A nice bonus is their Biryani and Dosa happy hours in the evening, where these items are half-priced.
Overall, a solid South Indian spot with good ambiance, kind staff, and a few standout dishes the kids really enjoyed.
R Danda
Like other recent reviews, this place won’t last for too long. Ok south Indian fare. Hopefully the one staff in there is bit more enthusiastic!
Thali is decent , with a set of vegetable curry (cabbage and Dal). No meat mutton , literally not even a piece but bone cartilage as seen in the picture . Chicken rice with just one more bone filled piece .
Asked for Dhal cup and instead of getting it and charging what ever it cost , the guy was saying it’s a limited all a-cart thali loudly in the dining area. We came to your place to eat for free?
They should increase the price and get a better quality food vs cheap staking in the name of non veg thali.
… moreThali is decent , with a set of vegetable curry (cabbage and Dal). No meat mutton , literally not even a piece but bone cartilage as seen in the picture . Chicken rice with just one more bone filled piece .
Asked for Dhal cup and instead of getting it and charging what ever it cost , the guy was saying it’s a limited all a-cart thali loudly in the dining area. We came to your place to eat for free?
They should increase the price and get a better quality food vs cheap staking in the name of non veg thali.
Salem Explorer
This was my first visit to this restaurant, and unfortunately, it turned out to be quite disappointing. The staff seemed confused, and although we ordered only two items, both were completely mixed up. For instance, we specifically ordered Ambur Biryani but were served Dum Biryani instead — yet charged for the Ambur. The service was extremely slow and unorganized. A friend had recommended this place, but after this experience, it will definitely be my last visit. I love Indian food, but this restaurant was a real letdown.
… morepriyush j
Hidden gem for some delicious thali for both veg and non veg.
Tried out their thali, and the curries that accompanied it were all excellent. Great flavors, the chicken curry, mutton curry, starter, and the rasam. It comes with a parota and cup of rice. Ending with some delicious desserts and yogurt. Highly recommend this place and would definitely be back to try out other menu items.
… moreTried out their thali, and the curries that accompanied it were all excellent. Great flavors, the chicken curry, mutton curry, starter, and the rasam. It comes with a parota and cup of rice. Ending with some delicious desserts and yogurt. Highly recommend this place and would definitely be back to try out other menu items.
Anu Rao
We visited this place for dinner for the very first time. It’s a relatively new spot—just about 8 months old. The restaurant is small, clean, and welcoming with nice, friendly staff. We were seated immediately upon arrival, which was a great start.
For food, we ordered the curry leaf chicken, benne masala dosa, and masala dosa. The appetizer was amazing, and I really enjoyed the masala dosa—it was delicious, though quite large, so finishing it was a bit of a task. My husband tried the benne dosa and felt it was a little too thick in the middle and slightly more sour than expected.
Overall, we had a good experience here. I would definitely recommend this place, especially for pure vegetarians since they have a great variety of vegetarian dishes. We’re looking forward to returning and trying more items from their menu.
… moreFor food, we ordered the curry leaf chicken, benne masala dosa, and masala dosa. The appetizer was amazing, and I really enjoyed the masala dosa—it was delicious, though quite large, so finishing it was a bit of a task. My husband tried the benne dosa and felt it was a little too thick in the middle and slightly more sour than expected.
Overall, we had a good experience here. I would definitely recommend this place, especially for pure vegetarians since they have a great variety of vegetarian dishes. We’re looking forward to returning and trying more items from their menu.
Lokender Jain
For families seeking authentic South Indian flavors in the East Bay Area, Balaji Mess offers excellent value with its diverse menu and genuine taste profiles. The restaurant successfully bridges the gap between traditional preparations and regional innovations.
We began our culinary journey with Mini Ghee Idlis, and I must say, they were an instant hit with my little one. The idlis were accompanied by two distinct chutneys – a coconut-based one that was absolutely divine with its creamy texture and balanced sweetness, and a tomato-based variant that packed the expected spicy punch. The sambar complemented the idlis perfectly, with its rich lentil base and aromatic tempering.
Moving on to the Benne Dosa, this was where the kitchen truly showcased their expertise. The dosa achieved that perfect balance of textures – crispy and golden on the outside while maintaining a soft, pillowy interior. My only critique would be the generous hand with ghee, which, while authentic, felt a tad excessive for my palate. A slightly lighter touch would elevate this dish to perfection.
The Kotthu Paneer Paratha was a pleasant surprise with its well-balanced flavors and innovative preparation style. The paneer was cooked to perfection, and the spice levels were expertly calibrated.
However, what truly stole the show was the Pallipalayam Paneer – a dish that instantly transported me back to the streets of Hyderabad. This typical Chindian starter reminded me of the legendary preparations at Santosh Dhaba. The medley of fennel, coconut, garlic, and onions created a symphony of flavors that was nothing short of spectacular. I can confidently say this was the finest starter I’ve encountered in the Bay Area, and for a Hyderabadi palate, that’s saying something.
The Jackfruit Pulao deserves special mention for its honesty – the restaurant doesn’t masquerade it as biryani, and rightly so. What they deliver instead is a fragrant rice preparation where every grain is beautifully infused with flavors. The jackfruit was cooked to tender perfection, and the overall dish was remarkably flavorful without being overwhelming.
We concluded our meal with Parappu Payasam, a Chennai-style dessert that tasted reminiscent of puran poli stuffing in the most delightful way. Garnished with perfectly fried cashews, it provided a pleasant and satisfying end to our feast.
The beverage section offered mixed results. The filter coffee, served in the traditional copper tumbler, maintained authenticity and delivered on taste. However, the chai was merely adequate and could benefit from some refinement.
… moreWe began our culinary journey with Mini Ghee Idlis, and I must say, they were an instant hit with my little one. The idlis were accompanied by two distinct chutneys – a coconut-based one that was absolutely divine with its creamy texture and balanced sweetness, and a tomato-based variant that packed the expected spicy punch. The sambar complemented the idlis perfectly, with its rich lentil base and aromatic tempering.
Moving on to the Benne Dosa, this was where the kitchen truly showcased their expertise. The dosa achieved that perfect balance of textures – crispy and golden on the outside while maintaining a soft, pillowy interior. My only critique would be the generous hand with ghee, which, while authentic, felt a tad excessive for my palate. A slightly lighter touch would elevate this dish to perfection.
The Kotthu Paneer Paratha was a pleasant surprise with its well-balanced flavors and innovative preparation style. The paneer was cooked to perfection, and the spice levels were expertly calibrated.
However, what truly stole the show was the Pallipalayam Paneer – a dish that instantly transported me back to the streets of Hyderabad. This typical Chindian starter reminded me of the legendary preparations at Santosh Dhaba. The medley of fennel, coconut, garlic, and onions created a symphony of flavors that was nothing short of spectacular. I can confidently say this was the finest starter I’ve encountered in the Bay Area, and for a Hyderabadi palate, that’s saying something.
The Jackfruit Pulao deserves special mention for its honesty – the restaurant doesn’t masquerade it as biryani, and rightly so. What they deliver instead is a fragrant rice preparation where every grain is beautifully infused with flavors. The jackfruit was cooked to tender perfection, and the overall dish was remarkably flavorful without being overwhelming.
We concluded our meal with Parappu Payasam, a Chennai-style dessert that tasted reminiscent of puran poli stuffing in the most delightful way. Garnished with perfectly fried cashews, it provided a pleasant and satisfying end to our feast.
The beverage section offered mixed results. The filter coffee, served in the traditional copper tumbler, maintained authenticity and delivered on taste. However, the chai was merely adequate and could benefit from some refinement.
Elí Rodríguez
You know the food is good and authentic when the place is packed with Indians. Dosas are definitely the staple here, super thin and crispy and condiments/sauces were perfectly seasoned. The Kothu parrota was tasty but extremely rich, be aware. The Thali was average but the dessert portion, was like a noodle pudding with cardamon, that was the bomb. Only negative was the drinks, the tea and coffee, was not my jam, but is cause I dont like drinks that are heavy on milk flavor. Overall super tasty food, I was sad the chinese place closed cause I loved the dumplings but the dosas are a nice replacement.
… moreRaja Preethi
We had an incredible meal at Balaji Mess! The Ambur Mutton Biryani was absolutely delicious and authentic, but the real surprise was the Paneer Biryani—it was truly outstanding. The taste and spice levels were perfect.
We also tried the Medhu Vadai, which was perfectly prepared: soft, fluffy, and fresh. The flavors here are spot on. Highly recommend this spot to anyone in Pleasanton looking for quality South Indian food. We will definitely be back!
… moreWe also tried the Medhu Vadai, which was perfectly prepared: soft, fluffy, and fresh. The flavors here are spot on. Highly recommend this spot to anyone in Pleasanton looking for quality South Indian food. We will definitely be back!
Aishwarya Kher
One of the newer restaurants in town, check it out for delicious authentic South Indian food.
We tried a weekend special vegetarian thali, special dosa, paneer kothu parotta, curry leaf paneer fry along with filter coffee and mango lassi.
The items in the thali were exquisite and unique for me. An absolute bomb of flavors!
They serve both veg and non-veg, so there is something for everyone!
… moreWe tried a weekend special vegetarian thali, special dosa, paneer kothu parotta, curry leaf paneer fry along with filter coffee and mango lassi.
The items in the thali were exquisite and unique for me. An absolute bomb of flavors!
They serve both veg and non-veg, so there is something for everyone!
Veera Raghavan
Best Veg Thali in town that we had tried in last 3years. So many items packed for a great price. Surprised to see crispy Chilli parotta being part of it. Tried their green chilli paneer appetizer and it tasted heavenly. Wanting to explore their menu more. A pretty good South Indian restaurant now in town.
… more