How Calgary's oldest Indian restaurant remains successful after more than 50 years
If you’ve travelled on Macleod Trail, chances are you’ve noticed the Taj Mahal. No, not the enormous monument in India, but a staple for Indian cuisine in Calgary.
The not-so-inconspicuous roadside restaurant, painted on the outside to resemble the actual Taj Mahal to the thousands of motorists passing on the busy street, has been a part of the city’s food scene since it opened over half a century ago.
Of course, we all know that celebrating such a milestone is no easy feat, and Dished was keen to learn more about the iconic spot.
Charlie Hart/Dished
Naresh Sohal, co-owner of the Taj Mahal, told Dished that his family had been in the food industry “for generations” in India, so opening the Taj Mahal in 1973 was their way to “bring the same Indian flavour to the community here.”
Not only was the Taj Mahal the first Indian restaurant to open in Calgary, it also introduced the first clay oven (a traditional method for cooking) in Alberta, Sohal adds.
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Over the years, the Taj Mahal has become a tried and true favourite among Calgarians for its authentic Indian cuisine. Among the most popular items are its Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, and Mango Lassi, Sohal says.
One of its most popular offerings is its hefty buffet service, taking place on weekday lunchtimes and Wednesday evenings. For these services, the restaurant makes over 30 different dishes.
Charlie Hart/Dished
“We make everything from scratch. There’s no shortcut to making the highest quality,” Sohal says.
The attention to detail doesn’t go unnoticed, as at any given time dining at the Taj Mahal, you’ll see plenty of hungry Calgarians showing up to fill their plates to the brim.
Charlie Hart/Dished
While half a century in the restaurant industry is an achievement in and of itself, Sohal says the most rewarding part of being part of the Calgary community for so long is seeing the families that dine together at the Taj Mahal.
“Sometimes we see families with up to three generations dining together, and that means everything to us,” he adds.
Taj Mahal
Address: 4816 Macleod Tr. SW, Calgary
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