Vir Singh Dhillon, his son Jagsir Singh Dhillon and their staff at Star of India are on a first-name basis with many of their customers, the co-owners said.
The Indian restaurant receives about 80 percent of its business from regulars, a clientele that has grown steadily since the establishment opened in 1994, Jagsir said.
When customers walk into the restaurant they are welcomed by the aromas of Indian spices in addition to being greeted by the owners and staff, he said.
“People come for the food and the passion of my dad. He is always there greeting people,” Jagsir said. “We know everybody by their name—first name, last name. I think that’s probably the key to the success.”
Star of India features a buffet for lunch and dinner, and customers can also order menu items a la carte. For $10.50-$12.99, customers get access to a buffet featuring naan, basmati rice, samosas, desserts, soups and salad as well as a rotation of entrees. Vir said the buffet items are refreshed every 30 minutes.
Among the most popular entrees are chicken tikka masala ($11.95); saag paneer, or homemade cheese in a creamed spinach sauce ($10.95); and the Special Mixed Grill ($14.95), a combination of tandoori-cooked chicken, prawns and kebab. The menu also features a number of seafood, vegan and gluten-free options, Jagsir said.
One can order takeout, and catering is available to residences and businesses.
Vir also runs a family hospitality business with hotels in the Austin and Dallas metropolitan areas and a few other restaurant concepts in Austin, including Coriander and a new downtown restaurant called Papadom.
Star of India on West Anderson Lane, once considered North Austin, is in a growing hub of entertainment, buzzing both during the daytime and nighttime, Jagsir said. Surrounded by such businesses as Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Cover 3, Hopdoddy and The Goodnight, the restaurant sees a constant hum of activity in the area, he said.
“Everybody is doing really well,” Jagsir said of the area businesses. “Especially with the Alamo Drafthouse—what it does is it brings more demand in the area.”
