Spicy San Antonio: Chicken Vindaloo from Spice Indian Cuisine

Bottom Line: The Chicken Vindaloo from Spice Indian Cuisine is a bold curry dish full of flavor, and the higher heat levels definitely deliver on the burn.

San Antonio has its share of Indian restaurants, but when I am in the 410 Loop area, my go-to spot is Spice Indian Cuisine. It has been in town going on 16 years, and it offers a good menu selection that covers many of the classics of this cuisine. And for those of us who like the spice, you can get it up to Level 5, which really delivers a kick.

I have had the Chicken Vindaloo several times from this place, but never got around to writing a review of it. For those not familiar with it, this is a spicy curry dish that originated in Goa, India, with roots in Portuguese colonial cuisine (the name comes from the Portuguese vinha d’alhos, meaning “wine [or vinegar] and garlic”). It usually includes a protein marinated in vinegar, garlic, dried red chilies, and spices, and the dish has plenty of additional spices added—like cinnamon, coriander, ginger, and mustard seeds—to deliver a tangy, savory, and spicy flavor. It is one of my favorites at Indian restaurants, and one that I frequently order when available.

As for the version that Spice Indian Cuisine offers, it is one of the best Vindaloos in town. It has a rich taste with plenty of depth, and that curry flavor really comes through. The chicken is nice and tender and well seasoned, and it works well as the central protein. The sauce has a bit of tang and a nice sweetness in the background, with notes of coriander, and I believe there might be some cloves in there as well. This version includes potatoes, and they are firm but thoroughly cooked, and not mushy at all. It is basically a rich and bold dish that is bursting with flavor.

As for the heat, I ordered Level 5, and you had better buckle in if you do the same! Eating the Vindaloo by itself delivers a heat level above Fiery on my scale, and it will definitely wake your mouth up. If you temper it with the rice, that brings the heat to between Hot and Fiery on my scale, and you still definitely feel the burn. And this one will stick with you for a while, with a nice fire in your belly and a tingling of the lips for some time after eating it. And fortunately, the aftereffects the next day are typically not that bad for me.

Of course, you will want to get some naan bread with this, and I got the garlic version. It is nice and crusty on the outside and soft on the inside with a good garlic kick, and it is great for sopping up the sauce. I also ordered an appetizer of Chicken 65, which is sort of like an Indian version of wings, with a deep, peppery flavor, a touch of tomatoey tang, and just a slight bit of sweetness to finish it off. I got those at Level 4, which is plenty hot, pushing above Fiery on my scale.

As far as I am concerned, the Vindaloo and the Chicken 65 are the best I have had in town, combining good heat with great flavor. And even if you tone the heat level down a bit, both dishes still come out quite well. Spice Indian Cuisine also has a number of other dishes to choose from, though I find myself going back to the Vindaloo more often than not. They have also recently moved locations, though they are not far from their former space just off of 410 (see the map below). And if you are looking for good Indian food, this is certainly a place you should seek out. They also offer a lunch buffet during the week that allows you to sample several of their dishes, though note that the heat levels on those are not very high.

Spicy Indian Cuisine Biryani Place
Phone: (210) 253-9658
Website: www.spiceindiantx.com

9425 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78240