Idly Express - Milpitas

Idly Express in Milpitas, CA, is hands down one of the best South Indian food joints in the area! The order process was fast, quick, and efficient, making it perfect for a lunch or brunch stop. There's ample parking right outside, which adds to the convenience.We ordered a variety of dishes, starting with the Mini Idly (served with Sambar on the side), which was soft and perfectly steamed. The Sambar had just the right balance of flavors and paired beautifully with the idlies. The Medhu Vada was crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside, an absolute delight.Both the Onion Tomato Uttapam and the Onion Tomato Chilli Uttapam were excellent--soft, flavorful, and generously topped with fresh ingredients. The addition of chillies in the latter added a nice spicy kick for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meal.To finish, we indulged in a couple of orders of Rava Kesari, and it was the perfect sweet ending to our meal. The Kesari was rich, aromatic, and had just the right amount of sweetness.While the seating is a bit tight due to the express setup, the food quality is top-notch and authentic. Idly Express delivers a fantastic dining experience with efficient service and outstanding South Indian cuisine. We'll definitely be coming back for more!

*Vegan/Vegetarian Foodie Review*I'm disappointed to write this review, as I'm a regular to-go customer at Idly Express. However, my latest experience was a letdown. I called ahead to confirm if the onion chilli uttapam was vegan, specifically asking if they use ghee or oil. The lady on the phone seemed disinterested and unclear, saying they use ghee/oil "sometimes." I had to emphasize my need for a vegan option, and she finally checked with someone and confirmed they use oil.Despite the clarification, my to-go order was a letdown. The Thatte Idly was dry and hard, not the soft and fluffy texture I've come to expect from Idly Express. The onion tomato chili uttapam was overwhelmingly spicy, with visible chili seeds that made it unbearable even for a spice-tolerant South Indian like me. The idly vada combo was equally disappointing, with the idly having the same dry and hard texture. Chutneys tasted really good.Given my loyalty to this place, I'm giving them 3 stars instead of 1. Hopefully, they'll take customer feedback seriously and improve their quality and customer service.

I always get the thatte idly and yesterday was no different. This has been my go to spot since they opened but I noticed the quality going down... as well as the quantity. The idly was ok- pretty dry, hard and very different from how they used to taste. The sambar was thick and just ok. The chutneys were the only saving grace.The service was good and quick.

This place never fails! The sambhar here slaps every time. The idlis are the fluffiest ever and the chutneys are delicious. This is probably the best sambhar in the Bay Area. The place itself is pretty small and best for takeout. There are a couple of tables with chairs outside but it's too cold to sit out with the rain and the low temp these days. The service was pretty fast and the staff was nice. The filter coffee here is good too. Can't wait for my next idly sambhar day!

I'm a fan of their thatte idlis, but my recent DoorDash order was disappointing. The extra coconut chutney I ordered was missing, and they also never packed two tomato chutneys with two different orders of thatte idlis. I've noticed they've reduced the combo by one thatte idli and lowered the price on their website, but DoorDash still charges more ($7.95 vs $9.54). I understand restaurants pay a fee to DoorDash, but customers shouldn't bear the cost. On the bright side, their coconut chutney is delicious, and their sambhar is exceptional - soothing, homely, and perfectly spiced with added bottle gourd. I hope they address the inconsistencies and pricing issues.I look forward to dining in the restaurant and tasting their other offerings.

Comfort soul food! When you're overwhelmed with endless Indian options, this place offers clean, guilt-free, and wallet-friendly meals without compromising on quality or quantity.The $5 specials are incredible--Adai Avial, Kanjivaram Idlis, and Poori Masal are our top picks. The attention to detail in a $5 meal is impressive, like the butter and jaggery on the side for Adai. Their batters are unmatched in town, especially the sponginess of the idlis.Opportunities: * Tiffin: The regular tomato chutney is just okay but could be better (though the one served with Kanjivaram Idlis is amazing). * Hot Lunch: Their poriyals, like vazhakkai and potato, are consistently undercooked, and the taste could use some improvement.

Small place. Mostly takeout. However there are some tables outside for you to sit.We ordered Masala Benne Dosa, Combo Idly/vada and Vada plate. Everything was authentic. The dosa was made with ghee. So very rich. If you want something light, do NOT order the dosa. Idly is the best in bay area.Disappointed with coconut chutney. Tomato chutney was good. Sambhar is different from other restaurants. I found it to be heavy on coriander masala.Overall a good takeout place. If you want to go there for dine in then only a few tables are there and they are outside so may not be good idea during cold and windy days.

Idli express has been our usual take out since the outlet opened ... the past few take outs has been a big let down . Very disappointed with the quality of the idli vade combo. Never ordering again. Thanks Idli Express for ruining the tatte Idli for us ...

Big fan of Mylapore express for the taste,consistent quality and cleanliness.I love that I can take my children here without having to worry about stale food or unclean utensils,a problem prevalent in many Indian restaurants, especially when dining during the week.I am so glad bay area has a restaurant that has our trust.Today I wanted to leave a review about the owner Jay .I had messaged the business about a specific request I had for black coffee.I immediately got a call from Jay asking for details. It is really impressive for a thriving business, to go out of its way and take care of each and every individual's needs.I am not surprised at the success of Mylapore express because their business model is rightly based on Customer Satisfaction and they do it very very well.Kudos Jay!

Idly Express is a hidden gem of a take-out place that serves up some of the best South Indian food I've had in the US. Here's a detailed review of the dishes I tried at Idly Express:Bisi Bele Bhaat: This was a flavorful and comforting dish made with rice, lentils, vegetables, and spices. The rice was fluffy and well-cooked, and the lentils added a nice texture and depth of flavor. The vegetables were tender and added a pop of color to the dish. It was serves with a kara mixture and raita. Overall, it was a satisfying and filling meal that I would definitely order again.Adai and Avial Combo: The Adai was a thick and savory pancake made with rice and lentil batter, and it was served with a side of Avial, which is a mixed vegetable curry in a coconut-based sauce. The Adai was soft and pillowy on the inside and crispy on the outside, and it had a nice nutty flavor from the addition of lentils. The Avial was a delicious medley of vegetables in a creamy and slightly sweet sauce, and it paired perfectly with the Adai. Overall, the Adai & Avial were the show stealer of the meal (and a steal at $5 for 8 oz of Avial and 2 Adais ) and I would go back to Idly Express just for these.Mini Idlis: These were incredibly soft and fluffy, and had a perfect balance of flavors from the rice and lentils. The sambar that came with them was also exceptional - it was rich and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice. The chutneys were good (but I have had better), and I liked that they offered two varieties (coconut and tomato) to choose from. While the Tindora with Kala Chana and Vegetable Handi Masala curries ($10 for one and $18 for two 24 oz curries) were good, they weren't quite as impressive as the South Indian dishes. Overall, Idly Express is a must-visit if you're in the Milpitas area and craving a simple yet enormously satisfying South Indian meal.