Seemor
Southern Spice Indian Restaurant - Lawndale
15651 Hawthorne Blvd Ste H, Lawndale, CA 90260
· Indian restaurant, Buffet restaurant, Halal restaurant
· 4.6/5 Google (2014 reviews)
Reservations · Delivery · Takeout · Outdoor seating
Destination for South Indian buffet and dosas with broad veg/non-veg options and great value, but expect occasional service delays and uneven buffet quality at off-peak times.
Restaurant Summary
Set in a modest plaza on Hawthorne, Southern Spice hums on buffet nights with families and friends leaning into steaming trays and sizzling griddles. Service is often warm and personal—one diner noted a chef who checked on tables—while the room stays casual and lively. Expect a crowd when the dosa station is running, and, on off-peak visits, an experience that can swing from excellent to uneven buffet replenishment. The cooking leans South Indian comfort with regional biryanis, rasam, sambar, and crisp dosas, plus a strong Indo‑Chinese lane where garlicky noodles win raves. Vegetarians and vegans do well here, with a dedicated vegan menu and spice-level customization. When the kitchen is on-song, flavors feel authentic and satisfying; on slower days, a few diners report lukewarm trays or tough goat. Families are welcome. Kids gravitate to chocolate dosas, naan, rice, and mild paneer dishes, and the buffet format makes sampling easy. While there is no stated kids menu, the options are inherently kid friendly. If your child is sensitive to heat, ask for mild spice and fresh, made-to-order dosas.
At a Glance
- Unlimited dosa nights with made-to-order varieties draw crowds
- Dedicated vegan menu and many vegetarian options
- Indo-Chinese dishes, especially noodles, receive standout praise
- Buffet temperature and replenishment can be inconsistent
- Occasional slow service and order delays at peak times
What Sets It Apart
- unlimited_dosa_buffet
- broad_vegan_menu
- chef_engagement_with_tables
What People Love
- Made-to-order dosa station energy
- Garlicky Indo-Chinese noodles with wok aroma
- Friendly staff and chef engagement
- Generous portions and good buffet value
Points of Concern
- Buffet items sometimes reported cold or understocked during off-peak hours
- Service delays and missed table touches reported on busy nights
- A few complaints about cleanliness in restrooms and near kitchen
- Service fee surprise reported by one diner; clarify charges when paying
Service & Dining Experience
Service StyleTable Service
Average Cost$32-$45 per person
ReservationsRecommended
What to Order
- Vegetarians: Palak Paneer or Paneer Butter Masala ($14.99) plus Onion Uthappam ($12.99)
- Value play: Thursday dosa buffet (reported ~$19) for unlimited dosas and buffet access
- Spice seekers: Andhra Chicken ($15.99) or Green Chili Chicken ($14.99)
Perfect For
- Dosa-focused buffet nights with friends
- Vegetarian and vegan groups
- Casual family dinners
- Travelers seeking South Indian comfort dishes
Location Insights
Area: Busy suburban arterial near 405; mix of strip malls, casual eateries, and services catering to locals and pass-through traffic.
Safety: Generally safe, high traffic; typical corridor lighting and foot traffic, but not a polished destination streetscape.
Nearby: Close to 405, near retail plazas and other casual restaurants; convenient for travelers and local families.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Monday11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:00
Tuesday11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:00
Wednesday
Thursday11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:00
Friday11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:30
Saturday11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:30
Sunday08:30–10:30, 11:00–14:30, 17:00–21:00
Available: Reservations, Delivery, Takeout, Outdoor seating
View full analysis on Seemor →