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Hindu Temple CanteenBWorth Trying

Name: Hindu Temple Canteen
Address: 143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355, Flushing, United States
Rating: 4.6

143-09 Holly Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 · South Indian restaurant, Cafeteria, Indian restaurant · 4.6/5 Google (2036 reviews)

Reservations · Delivery · Takeout

Beloved temple-basement South Indian vegetarian canteen with excellent dosas and tiffin at modest prices; expect counter service, occasional waits, and variable consistency.

Why it gets a B for overall quality

Hindu Temple Canteen delivers honest, affordable South Indian vegetarian cooking with strong dosa execution and comforting classics, supported by exceptional value for NYC pricing. However, quality variation in sambar and chutney, no-frills counter service that can feel curt, and mixed recent feedback on consistency and wait times prevent grade A territory. Best experienced as a practical, authentic temple-visit stop rather than a destination for refined execution.

Restaurant Summary

In the basement of the Ganesh temple, the canteen hums with lively cafeteria energy: lines that move, ticket numbers over a mic, and trays of steaming tiffin. Diners describe it as a place for simple, honest cooking where a crisp dosa or soothing pongal hits just right after a temple visit. One guest summed it up: "Not fancy, but the food feels like home." Expect occasional waits and no-frills service in exchange for fresh, comforting plates. The cooking leans classic South Indian vegetarian—dosa, idli, vada, sambars that skew mild, and rice dishes like bisi bele bhath and tamarind rice. When it is on, dosas land crisp without greasiness, vada are airy, and coconut chutney is clean and bright. Feedback trends are largely positive, though some recent visitors note inconsistency with chutney and sambar, plus longer waits at peak times. For families, this is a practical stop after the temple. Kids tend to go for plain dosa, idli, and yogurt rice. There is no kids menu or table service, and the mic announcements can be loud. Prices are modest for NYC, portions are fair, and the menu is entirely vegetarian with many gluten-free options.

At a Glance

Classic South Indian vegetarian tiffin with strong dosa program
Very good value for NYC with fair portions
Inconsistent sambar/chutney quality reported by some
Counter service can be brusque; refund flexibility limited
Long waits for dosas at peak times

What Sets It Apart

temple_basement_setting
classic_south_indian_tiffin
vegetarian_only_menu

What People Love

Crisp, non-greasy dosas
Comforting pongal and sambar
Affordable, generous plates
Temple setting and community feel

Points of Concern

Service tone at counter can feel curt; problem resolution is limited
Peak-hour waits can reach 30-50 minutes, especially for dosa
Reports of watery sambar or bland chutney from a minority of diners
Occasional packaging and order-mix issues for takeout

Service & Dining Experience

Service StyleCounter With Seating Average Cost$18-$28 per person ReservationsRecommended

What to Order

Choose a dosa plus one rice or pongal for balance; add coconut chutney and a sweet like rasmalai if available

Perfect For

Post-temple meals
Casual vegetarian lunches
Budget-friendly South Indian cravings
Solo quick bites

Location Insights

Area: Residential streets near downtown Flushing; calm compared to Main St hubs; diverse community with temple visitors.

Safety: Generally safe, steady foot traffic tied to temple; basement access via stairs noted.

Nearby: Ganesh temple above; gift/book shop adjacent; ~20-minute walk to downtown Flushing transit and eateries.

Downtown FlushingDowntown Flushing is a lively urban area characterized by dense commercial activity, multicultural dining options, and a strong presence of Asian markets and eateries. The dining scene is dynamic, featuring everything from casual street food to upscale Asian fusion restaurants, attracting locals and tourists alike.

Practical Information

Opening Hours

Monday08:30–20:30 Tuesday08:30–20:30 Wednesday08:30–20:30 Thursday08:30–19:30 Friday08:30–20:30 Saturday08:30–20:30 Sunday08:30–20:30

Available: Reservations, Delivery, Takeout

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