Saffron

I’m new to Indian food… So I’ll admit I don’t have much to compare it to. I was on my way to get a salad when I passed by this little place and saw all the vegan options they had. As I was looking a lady told me that whenever she visit from San Franscisco she comes here because it’s so good. So I decided to give it a try. Had the tofu tikka masala and channa masala with a side of garlic naan. The naan was great tasted like a really thick home made flour tortilla. The channa masala was good but the tofu tikka masala was a miss. Honestly I got grossed out by the clear layer of oily greasiness in the curry and it just didn’t seem as flavorful maybe it was because of the tofu? It was just ok. I might comeback when I’m craving something a little different but so far it just seems average to me. They did give me my food incredibly fast though.

Their chicken curry is delicious. I love their food. I love their naan.

Not my first time to visit an Asian food delicacy here at L.A. It’s like bringing the culture from a thousand miles distance. An amazing experience for me! I ordered their one of the best selling Tofu daal and samosas, and though it was my first time, the moment I grabbed a bite of it, its like, having tasted it from-​another-​time-​line experience. Because the tang is so adaptable!
Everything’s nice and better, so to from the facility down to the staffs. The food to be honest isn’t that exciting. I mean, there’s nothing unique to it except that it’s very cheap yet taste-​deserving.
Still recommendable.

I’ve been to this Saffron several times, and I’m always disappointed. It’s a last resort when I don’t really have time for a lunch break, but I’m starving and need something quick and healthy. Saffron does not serve real Indian food by a long shot. There is no spice and no heat in their dishes. When I bite into something that I’m expecting to taste like Tikka Masala, and it’s bland as hell, I can’t call it Indian food. It’s something else entirely, and it’s just not good.
Gave an extra star for service. They’re always VERY nice, even when the line is long and crowds are crazy. Food comes out quick. Portions are just right. So I feel bad for being so harsh, because you can tell that their hearts are in the right place. It’s just that the food really sucks…
Also, I really wish this location had the same menu as the spot in Beverly Hills. Perhaps they might make a good Aloo Gobi, which is cauliflower and potatoes in a yellow sauce.

It’s just wrong to water down tamarind sauce.

I go here at least once a week and order the Chicken Tika Masala bowl to go. Sometimes I’ll get some garlic naan, sometimes not. The price is so affordable, and it’s ready so quickly, you can’t imagine it tasting good, but it’s sooo good. The chicken is always tender and fresh — never had any nasty gristle or fat to contend with. I’ve had some of their other dishes, and they’re good, but the tika is the best. I’d love to see a lamb dish on their menu.

I love Indian food. This place is not bad for a fast food restaurant. I would definitely recommend this to my friends.

Typical Indian style with reasonable prices

You know what? For fast Indian food, it’s pretty good. You’re not going to get sit down restaurant quality food, of course, but it’s decent.
I recently started working at the U.S. Bank tower and was scouting out the local eateries. 505 Flower had an array of choices and yesterday, I chose Saffron!
For $ 6.95, you get to chose an entrée bowl over a bed of basmati rice. I also opted for the «deal» which includes a soda and your choice of plain or garlic naan for $ 2.20 more. Very affordable, methinks! The flavor is there and the chicken is moist. Their green and red sauces has a nice kick to both of them. Next time, I’ll have to try their mango lassi :)

No brown rice option here, unlike the other branch on Grand. The portion here was also smaller.
When you’re grabbing condiments, the green one is a yummy cooling one, while the tan colored one tastes like something inedible — ack!

I love Indian food and this quick-​serve version of the spicy cuisine puts its own spin on the menu. I recommend the chicken tikka and the saag paneer, a blend of spinach and cheese. With the chicken tikka and the red spicy sauce dabbed over your rice, you can get plenty close to the authentic Indian experience of sweating your pores out while a succulent blend of spices rushes through your mouth. This place has become my favorite lunch spot at work. The lines are never too long and even if they are, you’ll never wait more than 10 minutes for your plate.

I HATE INDIAN FOOD~! Plain and Simple…
But this place gets a pass since it’s like Comida India por Gringas…
Maggie has recommended this place to me. Maggie is also my Unilocal Jedi Master (she taught me how to Unilocal) so her recommendations often has my attention. What does this mean? I do not really listen, care, or ask for recommendations because of my unique or different palate (often labeled as too overly sensitive nit picky sack of bull shit senses by one of my homies).
Tikka Masala was the recommendation. Since the day i visited was one of my unique vegetarian devoted days, i got the doo boo (tofu) tikka masala with extra plain naan bread (I do not recommend garlic or onions for professionals). The tikka masala was quite spicy and i did not need to add the red spicy sauce. The doo boo and rice combo was nice. At first I thought the bowl would be too small but the extra naan bread helped.
When the naan bread is extra hot… damn it is bomb~!
Another plus is the free fountain soda refill factor! #doublescore
Service was pretty good. The guy who helped us (i went with three other colleagues) was patient and answered all our questions, described what things were, and clearly explained how shit runs in this kiosk.
Thank you Saffron but i still hate the shit out of Indian Food.

Much more interesting than your average food court deli, and not bad for Indian «fast food.» I tried the Chicken tikka masala, saag paneer (spinach) and my colleague had the peeli daal (lentils) and saag paneer; added a couple orders of plain naan and rice, and it was a full, tasty lunch! It was ready pretty quickly, and everything was really fresh and good. Would definitely return if I’m working in the area and in need of a quick lunch spot.

Not bad for a fast food location. Parking sucks because its in the middle of DTLA.
Food is great. Had the tikka masala and the flavor was very good. Not spicy but just the right kick. The garlic naan is yummy. Get there before the lunch rush or you have to wait for a long time. I would recommend ordering a two plate meal as one isnt enough.

Wow what an amazing find! This whole plaza place underground… I’ve been working in DTLA many years and visited a lot and never knew about it! So glad I know now. So many good food options! The only bad thing is it’s far from City Hall, and I can’t make it there and back in one hour. So I’ll just have to save this for an afternoon snack after work.
Anyways, I came around 12 – 12:30 so it was lunch rush and there was a line! But it went pretty fast surprisingly. And my order was literally ready in 5 mins! Awesome!
I order the chicken tikka masala bowl and a one plain naan (99 cent). On their website their prices for bowl is $ 5.95 but there it’s $ 6.95. Which was a little disappointing but the portion is pretty good. Maybe add a little more chicken. And some chicken pieces were square which was kinda weird. It wasn’t too spicy and wasn’t the best tikka masala I’ve had but honestly it’s the best place Ive had lunch at in DTLA thus far. But that’s comparing to the LA mall and Subway LOL. Anyways I like it enough to definitely come here again.
The tikka masla was also kinda dry and the naan was burnt.

Indian for the Non-​Indian
As a «noob» of Indian cuisine I cannot speak to the authenticity of the food, I can only speak to what it tastes like on my palate. I basically stick to the Chicken Masala or the Chicken Curry. Both wonderful dishes on their own and in combination of the garlic naan that they have. There are pros and cons to the chicken curry though. The chicken is cooked thru a little better so the chicken is more tender and moist but if you are going into a client meeting in the afternoon, don’t eat it for lunch.
Hot and Cool
Be aware, the spicy sauce, drum roll please… is freakin’ spicy. Go figure right? A spicy sauce that is finally spicy. A little too spicy I may say, but it may be awesome for more manly men than me. The good thing is, there’s also a cool minty sauce to cool down your tongue if you accidently add too much spicy sauce!

Chicken tikka masala is a must try for anyone. The basmati + chicken is extremely flavorful. The basmati just soaks up all the flavor of the tikka masala. It helps to add a side of garlic naan to neutralize the flavor of the chicken, just incase there is too much sauce.
Carb overload that I’d be happy to have!

The Yoshinoya of Indian Food.
I like the idea of fast food Indian and I think Saffron execute the concept pretty well. They have bowls priced at $ 6.45 or you can get a combo with 2 types of curry + rice for a little bit more moolah.
I’ve tried ²⁄₄ of their vegetarian entrees: the Tofu Tikki Masala and Saag Paneer. Both entrees smells good and tasted delicious. My favorite is the Saag Paneer. It’s flavorful and more than decent for a work lunch. The down side with this place is I dont think you get value for your buck. The bowls are kind of small for $ 7. However, you could always add naan (garlic or plain) to your order for another $ 1. That should help fill you up.

The best Indian fast food/​quick serve I’ve ever had. Hands down.
I find that I like their vegetarian plates more than the meat plates. The Channa Masala and Saag Paneer are pretty great.
Don’t half step. If you like spicy ask for some of their spicy sauce on the side… super good.

If you want a super quick, bland Indian food, this place is for you.
I ordered the chicken curry bowl and garlic naan. The chicken curry was super bland and did not have enough liquid. It was literally eating just curry flavored chicken with dry rice. Garlic naan was also dry and not fresh. It did not have the chewy naan texture I like.
My bag was missing the naan I ordered so I told a female cashier who took the order and prepared my bag. She goes «your number is 153 right? You didn’t order a naan. Check your receipt». This stupid girl took my order 30 seconds ago, repeated my order, charged for a naan and she is telling me that I did not order one and I need to check my receipt?! No stupid you need to check your receipt and your brain!!! Sure enough, she put my order in somebody else’s bag. No apology was given to me.
Avoid spending your money here and go to Lemonade on the same floor.