Star Udupi Cafe

What a discovery I recently made when I found this gem on the map!

It's a pure vegetarian south indian restaurant at a prime location on El Camino Real. They offer a great variety of dosas, uttapams, appetizers and other regional dishes. I loved their options.

The sambhar and chutney is much better than Madras Cafe. I was not sure when I first read this in another review, but I hereby confirm. Prices are also competitive.

We tried Onion Tomato Uttapam, Onion Rava Dosa, Idli and Star Rocket Dosa.

I felt that Uttapam quantity could have been more, Rava Dosa was the best I tried so far in Bay area, Idli could have been softer but overall good, Rocket Dosa has a visual appeal but was served kind of cold. Maybe they couldn't form a rocket when hot, not sure. It's actually like a plain Dosa shaped differently and the quantity/price is less than a regular plain dosa.

I read in other reviews that it's a self service restaurant, but we were given table service and there was a staff to take orders. Just had to put away our own dishes in designated place.

Ordered a plate of Medhu vada and another plate of the masala vada to-go from here. Both the vadas were really crispy and very well flavored and seasoned. The sambhar was really tasty and had a really good balance of spice tanginess and slight sweetness. The coconut chutney was also delicious.

I have had their Thali before and that is also really tasty. Will definitely recommend that as well.

I heard from the staff that they have a live Dosa night on Tuesdays and Thursday nights where you can get an unlimited number of Dosas for 16.99 USD. Looking forward to trying that.

The place is not well decorated. But the food is decent. Staffs were polite.
Didn't know when I walk in. This place is self service.
Go to the cashier to order your food. Find a seat. Wait till your order is called then you go pick them up.
Napkin, water, plastic spoon available.
Must clean up before you leave.

I ordered their Mega Thali.

Dosas tasted good. Ambience is ok. Vada was crisp. Chutneys stand out. Very flavorful unlike other veg restaurants like madras cafe and madurai idli kadai. Service is not great. They should serve dosas in bigger rectangular plates. This dosa they served was touching the table when served. Masala tea was good. I would recommend this place for the food they serve