Roshambo

What a disappointment! I ordered the chana masala bowl and was shocked for how little they give you for $ 8. Downtown I could get three times this amount of food for $ 5 – 6. The samosa was okay, though the dough lacked the crispness I normally enjoy. I was also a little worried to see no cook behind the man at the counter. Are there just vats behind him he is filling these small bowls with?

I enjoyed the food here. Great flavor, and nice people. It would be nice if they would increase the one tablespoon of chutney to a slightly larger portion. It’s kind of a shock when you get it and I would be willing to pay more for a larger portion.
The only other complaint is that when you drive 15 minutes to eat there it would be great if they were open. Regular hours would be nice
Change these things and you have a winner!

Delicious and definitely worth a stop! I couldn’t stop smiling through the meal. Yes, I was extremely hungry and this was just what I needed in my belly.

Incredibly friendly guy served up his hottest dish, the curry, which was top-​heavy with carrots and taters and glorified rice but conspicuously lacking in heat. A decent little meal, I certainly wasn’t missing not having any meat options, getting those from *ahem!* plenty of other food cart options. Keep it comin’, Roshambo!

After reading the reviews stating Roshambo has the «best Indian» food in Portland, I had to try it. We tried to go on different occasions and the cart wasn’t open during scheduled hours but I managed to make it for lunch on a sunny day. Amazing. Fresh. Samosas! Kitchari! I thought the Kitchari was unique with lots of ginger.

The naan tastes the way grocery store naan looks. Chikari has too much ginger. Dude who runs it (or whoever it was… it was a man, not a woman because the very first time Roshambo opened and it was a woman, she was freakin sweet) just isn’t that friendly. Feels like I’m inconveniencing someone just by being there… and I’m pretty friendly and straight to the point when I order.
Oh well. :-(

The only reason I can think of that this place has such positive reviews is the overall paucity of good Indian options in this town. Chana Masala should not be a dish that I describe with the word «bland.» Chana Masala, properly prepared, should be so insanely zesty and spicy that a taste of it drives all other thought from your mind with its intense flavor. Places like this are responsible for the unfortunate notion that all vegetarian food is bland.

When I came on a Friday around noon (about a week and a half ago), David had just opened. I peered at the cart window. Lunch special. Any two entrees plus rice for $ 7. When I realized each entrée was otherwise in the $ 9 hemisphere, it was a no-​brainer. Book that lunch special!
I took two of the most popular entrees. First, the moong dal with spinach. Yellow moong beans with spinach and spices, topped with house-​made ghee (traditional Indian clarified butter… yay calories!). A hearty and delicious dish. The traditional Indian spices really amplify the experience. Here, the spinach is broken down, yet staying intact enough for the slightest texture contrast against a slightly chunky backdrop.
I chose chana masala for my second entrée: chickpeas simmered in a spicy tomato sauce. Again, a filling, tasty meal packed with wonderful flavor. The tomato sauce is also somewhat chunky, which I like. The chickpeas were cooked perfectly.
Having a bed of perfectly cooked white basmati rice underneath both entrees meant a double win… eating the rice with each main item. No, I won’t sing «happy» notes because I will scare people away.
Eating this meal just felt so therapeutic — albeit for a short time. The food was gone in less than five minutes. Speed eaters unite!
Roshambo is billed as «inspired vegetarian Indian» food. I had one heck of an enlightening experience here. Using my awesome panda logic, I say it’s fairly accurate advertising! Even if you’re not vegetarian or vegan, head over to Roshambo and try David’s food!

Delicious! Great blend of spices and fresh veggies. Haven’t tried the samosas yet, but I’m sure they’re as tasty as Roshambo’s other creations. One last thing: the people who work there are super cool and patient when explaining about the different dishes.

So thankful to finally have soul-​nourshingly good Indian food on this side of town! (And we’re Keralan — we know Indian food.)

Been twice now, and I’m calling it: Best Indian food I’ve ever eaten in Portland, and the only great Indian food I’ve had here, in 10 years. Delicate, balanced, warm blend of spices and flavors. Could eat here daily.