Most Indian menus sell tandoori chicken as a plate. Desi Dhaba in Sunnyvale sells it by the piece: five sizes, from 4 to 16 pieces, listed under Tandoori Special. That makes it easy to order exactly what the table needs, and a little confusing if you have never been told what a piece is. This guide explains the sizes, compares the chicken tikka kabab and the seekh kababs, and shows how to build a full order.
How the tandoori list is organized
The Tandoori Special category on the ordering page lists the following: Tandoori Chicken in five sizes, Chicken Tikka Kabab 6 pc, Chicken Seekh Kabab, Lamb Seekh Kabab, Tandoori Paneer 8 pc, Tandoori Shrimp 9 pc, Tandoori Salmon Fish 4 pc and Tandoori Mix Grill. Desi Dhaba’s website describes its food as halal, and the restaurant explains its approach in a post on what halal actually means.
The ordering page gives the piece counts but no descriptions, so it does not say which cut each piece is or how many people a size feeds. Ask the staff when you order or call (408) 245-6200.
Five sizes of Tandoori Chicken
Wikipedia describes tandoori chicken as chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted at high heat in a clay tandoor oven, which gives it a smoky flavor. At Desi Dhaba the choice is how much of it you want:
- Tandoori Chicken 4 pc: the smallest size.
- Tandoori Chicken 6 pc and Tandoori Chicken 8 pc: the middle sizes.
- Tandoori Chicken 12 pc and Tandoori Chicken 16 pc: the largest sizes.
The sizes only tell you the piece count. If you are ordering for a group, ask how many people the staff would suggest for each size, and add breads and sides to stretch the order.
Menu card — Tandoori Chicken 8 pc
Tandoori chicken, 8 pieces, listed under Tandoori Special on the Desi Dhaba ordering page.
Menu card — Tandoori Chicken 12 pc
Tandoori chicken, 12 pieces, listed under Tandoori Special on the Desi Dhaba ordering page.
Chicken Tikka Kabab and the seekh kababs
If you want something other than bone-in pieces, the same category has Chicken Tikka Kabab 6 pc, and two seekh kababs: Chicken Seekh Kabab and Lamb Seekh Kabab. The ordering page does not describe them, so the difference is worth a question to the staff. Desi Dhaba also has a post explaining the Lamb Seekh Kabab.
Menu card — Chicken Tikka Kabab 6 pc
Chicken tikka kabab, 6 pieces, listed under Tandoori Special on the Desi Dhaba ordering page.
If you want paneer, shrimp, salmon or a mix
The tandoori list is not only chicken. Tandoori Paneer 8 pc is the vegetarian option, Tandoori Shrimp 9 pc and Tandoori Salmon Fish 4 pc cover seafood, and Tandoori Mix Grill is the one to look at if you want a variety on one order. The menu also lists a Combo Deal that bundles Chicken Seekh Kabab, Lamb Biryani and a can of soda.
Breads, raita and sides
Tandoori dishes pair with bread and a cooling side. The Breads list includes Butter Naan, Garlic Naan, Onion Naan, Cheese Naan, Keema Naan, Tandoori Roti and Lacha Paratha. For sides, the Extra category has Raita (4 oz), Mint Sauce (4 oz) and Tamarind Sauce (4oz) plus larger 8 oz sizes, and the Salad list has Cucumber Salad and Onion & Chilli Salad. If you want rice with the order, the Rice & Biryani list has Plain Rice, Mix Vegetable Biryani, Chicken Biryani, Lamb Biryani, Goat Biryani and Shrimp Biryani. For something to drink, Mango Lassi, Salty Lassi and Plain Lassi are on the Drinks list.
Three ways to build an order
One person: Tandoori Chicken 4 pc, a Butter Naan and a Mango Lassi.
Two people: Tandoori Chicken 8 pc, two breads and Raita (4 oz), plus a curry from the Chicken Entrée list if you want something with sauce.
A group: Tandoori Chicken 12 pc or 16 pc, a Tandoori Mix Grill, a Chicken Biryani and plenty of bread. The website also describes catering for office lunches, family gatherings and larger events.
Location and how to order
Desi Dhaba is at 415 N Mary Ave #101, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, phone (408) 245-6200. The ordering page offers Pickup and Delivery and showed a 10:00 AM opening when this was written, so check the page for current hours.
Order through Desi Dhaba’s own page rather than a third-party app. The restaurant receives the full order with no app commission. The ordering page also has a rewards club you can join when you order.
FAQ
What is tandoori chicken?
According to Wikipedia, tandoori chicken is chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, then roasted at high heat in a clay tandoor oven, which gives it a smoky flavor.
What sizes of Tandoori Chicken does Desi Dhaba offer?
The ordering page lists Tandoori Chicken 4 pc, Tandoori Chicken 6 pc, Tandoori Chicken 8 pc, Tandoori Chicken 12 pc and Tandoori Chicken 16 pc.
Is Desi Dhaba halal?
Desi Dhaba’s website describes its food as halal and has a post on its halal commitment. The ordering page does not carry a halal label, so ask the staff if you need to confirm anything specific.
Can I order tandoori chicken for pickup or delivery in Sunnyvale?
The Desi Dhaba ordering page offers Pickup and Delivery, and the tandoori dishes are listed under Tandoori Special. Check the page for current hours.
Where is Desi Dhaba?
Desi Dhaba is at 415 N Mary Ave #101, Sunnyvale, CA 94085, phone (408) 245-6200.
Order your tandoori chicken at Desi Dhaba
Pick your size, add naan and raita, and order straight from the restaurant. Ordering direct means Desi Dhaba gets the full order with no third-party commission.