Most Indian restaurants don’t have a drive-thru, but Main Street Kitchen in Clawson, Michigan, does. Customers can pick up chicken tikka masala, lamb biryani, garlic naan, and other Indian favorites without sitting down for dinner.
The restaurant also has a full dining room, an extensive menu of chicken, lamb, goat, and vegetarian dishes, and halal options. Diners regularly praise the helpful staff, generous portions, and willingness to adjust spice levels.
Some customers return for the butter chicken, while others come for the biryani and traditional curries. There’s also a complimentary dessert that some guests have received after their meals.
Here’s what makes this Indian restaurant on Clawson’s Main Street different from the usual takeout stop.
A Curry House on Clawson’s Main Street
Main Street Kitchen Indian Cuisine sits at 309 N Main St in Clawson, Michigan, a small city just north of Detroit. The name keeps things simple, and so does the location.
It’s right on the main road through town.
Clawson is the kind of downtown where you can find a parking spot without stress. That matters when you’re bringing a group or picking up a big dinner order.
The restaurant has plenty of parking, which is a small detail that makes a big difference on a busy Friday night.
What draws me to this spot is the mix of a hometown setting and a long, traditional Indian menu. You get curries, biryanis, tandoori favorites, and fresh naan without driving into a bigger city.
The restaurant has been around long enough to build real roots. Some diners say they’ve been coming for more than eight years.
One monthly group has gathered there since 2019.
That kind of steady presence turns a restaurant into part of a town’s routine. And for a small downtown, it brings a whole world of spices right next door.
The menu is where that story really begins.
Chicken Tikka Masala Leads the Way
Ask what people order most here, and chicken tikka masala comes up again and again. It’s the dish diners mention more than anything else on the menu.
That makes it a smart starting point for a first visit.
Tikka masala is chicken cooked in a creamy, tomato-based sauce with warm spices. It’s often a gateway dish for people new to Indian food.
The sauce is rich but not always fiery, which helps nervous eaters relax.
Butter chicken sits close behind as another comfort pick. Some diners order both and share them across the table.
That’s a good plan if you can’t decide.
Spice level is something you can talk about with the staff. One diner who can’t handle much heat said the kitchen made the dish just right.
Others order everything mild and still leave happy.
A paneer version of tikka masala is also on the menu for anyone skipping meat. Paneer is a firm Indian cheese that holds its shape in sauce.
Either way, you’ll want something to scoop up every bit of that sauce. Luckily, the bread here gets almost as much attention as the curry.
Garlic Naan Worth Ordering Twice
Bread lovers, this section is for you. Garlic naan is mentioned almost as often as the top curry at Main Street Kitchen.
That says a lot about how central it is to the meal.
Naan is a soft flatbread baked in a very hot oven. The garlic version is topped with chopped garlic and usually brushed with butter.
It works as a plate, a spoon, and a snack all at once.
Diners describe the naan here as soft and fresh. One even said it had a made-this-morning feel.
That’s the kind of compliment any bread maker would frame on the wall.
My tip is simple. Order more naan than you think you need.
It disappears fast when the table is sharing several curries.
Plain naan is a good pick for little kids or picky eaters. Garlic naan is the one I’d grab for anyone who likes bold flavor.
Pair it with a thick curry like tikka masala or lamb curry. The sauce clings to the bread nicely.
And if you’re craving rice instead, the biryani list deserves its own close look.
Biryani in Many Forms
Lamb, goat, chicken, butter chicken, and even a chef’s special. The biryani choices here go far beyond a single option.
One diner liked them so much they placed a second order on the spot.
Biryani is a rice dish made with fragrant basmati rice, spices, and meat or vegetables. The rice and meat are layered and cooked together.
It’s a full meal on one plate.
Lamb and goat biryani are good picks if you want something heartier. Diners describe the meat as tender, which is exactly what you hope for with slow-cooked dishes.
Chicken biryani is a gentler place to start.
The butter chicken biryani is a fun mix of two favorites. It combines the creamy curry many people already love with spiced rice.
Biryani is often served with raita, a cool yogurt side. It helps balance the spice, especially if you’re sensitive to heat.
Since every dish meets halal guidelines, these meat biryanis work for diners who follow halal eating. That detail opens the door to many families in metro Detroit.
Speaking of meat, the lamb and goat curries are worth exploring next.
Halal Lamb and Goat Curries
Goat bhuna isn’t something you see on every small-town menu. Here it sits alongside lamb curry and Lamb Hyderabadi.
Together they show off the deeper side of the kitchen.
Bhuna is a style where spices are fried and the meat cooks down in a thick sauce. One diner called the goat bhuna flavorful and gently spiced.
It seemed cooked fresh to order.
Lamb Hyderabadi gets its name from the city of Hyderabad in India. One family named it as a standout dish.
They described tender lamb in a gravy with nice depth.
All the food at Main Street Kitchen is halal. For many Muslim families, that makes the full meat menu possible.
It also means nobody has to quiz the server about every dish.
Lamb curry is another familiar choice. It’s a safe bet if you want meat in sauce without too many surprises.
I’d suggest pairing one rich lamb or goat curry with a lighter chicken dish. That way, the table gets a range of flavors.
Before those curries arrive, though, the appetizer list has its own crowd of fans.
Samosas, Pakoras, and Small Plates
Crispy, golden, and stuffed with spiced potatoes and peas, vegetable samosas are a classic way to start. They’re among the most talked-about items here.
That’s no surprise for anyone who loves a good fried snack.
Onion bhaji is another fun pick. It’s made from sliced onions in a spiced batter, then fried.
Vegetable pakoras follow a similar idea with mixed vegetables.
Not sure what to choose? An appetizer sampler gives you a little of several things.
One family said it had just the variety they wanted.
For something bolder, look at the Indo-Chinese side of the menu. Chili paneer, chili chicken, and Chicken Manchurian blend Indian spices with Chinese-style sauces.
These dishes are popular across India.
Chicken 65 is also on the menu. It’s a spicy fried chicken snack from southern India.
Lentil soup is a quieter starter that’s easy on the stomach. It’s a good pick on a cold Michigan evening.
Starting with a few shared plates is a great way to get kids or newcomers comfortable. And if anyone needs help choosing, the people working here are happy to guide them.
Hospitality That Feels Personal
Some diners call ahead with questions and end up feeling welcome before they even arrive. That’s the tone at Main Street Kitchen.
The owner often stops by tables to chat.
Staff members get mentioned by name, including Mih, Ifa, Shar, and Max. Getting named in reviews usually means someone made a real impression.
It’s a good sign about the team.
The staff help people who are new to Indian food. They’ll recommend dishes and explain what’s on the menu.
That takes a lot of pressure off first-timers.
Customizing is part of the deal too. Diners say the kitchen adjusts spice levels and has even made dishes that aren’t on the menu.
That kind of flexibility is rare.
When something goes wrong, the restaurant seems willing to fix it. One family had a dish removed from the bill after sharing feedback, without even asking.
I find that last detail telling. Mistakes happen everywhere, but how a place responds says a lot.
Small touches show up often, like curries served with warmers so older guests can eat slowly. And there’s one sweet gesture that many diners seem to get at the end of the meal.
A Sweet Surprise at the End
Rice pudding might be the most pleasant surprise on the table. Many diners say a complimentary bowl arrived at the end of their meal.
It’s mentioned often enough to feel like a house habit, though it’s not a guarantee.
Indian rice pudding, called kheer, is made by slowly cooking rice in milk with sugar. It’s often flavored with cardamom and topped with nuts.
One diner described a coconut version.
After spicy curries, a cool, creamy dessert feels just right. It calms the palate in a gentle way.
Gajar halwa has also shown up as a free treat for some guests. It’s a sweet dish made from grated carrots cooked in milk and sugar.
Yes, carrots for dessert, and it works.
Kids especially might enjoy trying these sweets. They’re mild and easy to like.
I like that a restaurant ends the meal with a little gift. It leaves people feeling looked after rather than rushed out the door.
Of course, not everyone sits down for dinner. Some folks never leave their cars, which brings up one of the most surprising features here.
Takeout, a Drive-Thru, and Easy Parking
A drive-thru at an Indian restaurant? Diners mention it often enough that it clearly gets used.
Pulling up for biryani is not something most towns offer.
Takeout is a big part of life here. Some regulars order to go for years before finally trying the dining room.
One college student grabs a favorite curry every time they come home.
Indian food travels well, which helps. Curries and rice hold heat, and naan is easy to pack.
Plenty of parking makes pickup simple. You won’t need to hunt for street spots on Main Street.
Hours run every day, opening at 11 AM on weekdays and at noon on weekends. Fridays and Saturdays stay open later.
Checking current times before you go is always smart.
Lunch specials are another tip worth knowing. Diners mention lower lunch pricing, which makes a midday visit easy on the wallet.
Portions are described as generous for the price. Leftovers often turn into tomorrow’s lunch.
Still, the dining room deserves a fair chance. For groups and celebrations, sitting down offers something takeout can’t match.
A Dining Room Made for Gatherings
Eight to ten friends, once a month, since 2019. That group’s routine says plenty about the dining room at Main Street Kitchen.
It’s built for sharing a long meal.
The space is described as spacious, clean, and neatly decorated. Diners call the mood peaceful and relaxing.
That makes it work for both a quick lunch and a slow family dinner.
Families celebrate here too. One group came for Father’s Day with grandparents at the table.
Another hosted a combined baby shower and birthday party.
The staff helped with seating and setup for that party. That’s useful to know if you’re planning an event in the Clawson area.
Indian food is perfect for groups. Order several curries, a biryani, appetizers, and naan, then pass everything around.
Everyone tries a bit of it all.
Calling ahead for a larger party is a good idea. It gives the team time to prepare.
A small downtown restaurant that can host a monthly club, a holiday dinner, and a baby shower is doing something right. Clawson’s Main Street is lucky to have a table this welcoming waiting for its neighbors.
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