Indian food is a constant craving of mine. It’s wired into my circadian rhythm to the point where some mornings I wake up thinking about naan and a good curry. I go to Tikka Express to satisfy it.
Not only does the restaurant’s portions serve enough food for three meals, but it also features an open kitchen filled with cooking equipment I’ve never seen. It’s run by some of the friendliest owners, chefs and employees I’ve met.
As the name suggests, this restaurant is built for express takeout. The dine-in experience is simple but charming. Tables line both sides of the room, leaving a clear path through the middle leading to the cashier. The moment you walk in, you're hit with a wave of spices, garlic and freshly baked bread. If that smell were bottled as cologne, I’d wear it.
The first impression is layered with something even more important: cleanliness. The space is orderly and spotless. The open kitchen is more than a stylistic choice; it’s a statement. The employees are proud of their work, and it shows. The kitchen mirrors the front of house organization, with unfamiliar pots, pans and machines drawing my curiosity like art pieces in a gallery.
More than once, I found myself watching the chefs in action until I’d make eye contact with one of them and quickly look away. One of those moments led to a conversation with the owner, which turned out to be one of the most genuine exchanges I’ve had in a restaurant. I asked where they sourced their ingredients, not expecting the answer to be Orlando.
Gainesville doesn’t have many Indian markets capable of supplying what Tikka Express needs. The challenge opened up a bigger conversation about the owner’s hopes to open an Indian grocery store next door. As someone who lives nearby and loves cooking Indian food at home, the idea of having access to restaurant-quality ingredients down the street is exciting.
All this sets the stage for what really matters: the food.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Let’s start with a classic. It’s a dish you’ll find on nearly every Indian menu, but at Tikka Express, it’s the gold standard. Chunks of marinated, roasted chicken are simmered in a creamy, spiced tomato sauce that’s rich without feeling heavy. It’s comfort food at its peak: warm, aromatic and satisfying.
Every time I order it, it comes out piping hot like it was ladled straight from the stovetop to the container. The heat isn’t just about temperature, as the dish brings out all the layers in the sauce from the gentle sweetness of the tomatoes to the warmth of the spices. It’s best eaten with fluffy white rice that soaks up every drop of sauce and a piece — or two — of freshly baked naan to scoop up what’s left on the plate.
It’s one of those dishes that always hits the spot, whether you’re trying Indian food for the first time or have had it a hundred times before. At Tikka Express, they don’t just serve it, they perfected it.
Chicken Delhi Masal
While the tikka masala is a comforting classic, the Chicken Delhi Masala is where things get bolder and more layered, and it might be my personal favorite.
The dish leans into texture and depth. The base is a chunky blend of tomatoes and onions, thick enough to cling to every bite of tender chicken. Sweet green peppers add a mellow brightness that balances the richness, and you can taste slight hints of garlic, but not enough to overwhelm the dish. There are the chef’s spices, a blend clearly built from memory and instinct. It feels like something made at home but with the precision of a seasoned professional.
Compared to the tikka masala, this one has a rustic edge. It's hearty, bold and incredibly flavorful. Like everything else here, it arrives steaming hot and is begging to be eaten with naan and rice. If the tikka masala is the introduction, the Delhi Masala is the deep cut, the dish that keeps you coming back after you’ve already fallen in love with the place.
Closing remarks
Tikka Express isn’t just where I go to satisfy a craving; it’s become part of my routine, my neighborhood and my comfort zone. Whether I’m walking in for a quick takeout order or staying to chat with the owner about spices and his plans to open up an Indian grocery store, it always feels like more than just a meal.
The food hits every time. Classic dishes like tikka masala and Delhi masala are treated with care and authenticity. It’s a place built on passion, community and fantastic cooking. If that’s not worth a daily craving, I don’t know what is.
There are still so many more dishes I have to explore in this restaurant and even more I have to fall in love with, but that’s part of the excitement. So, what are you waiting for? Go try a slice of India in Gainesville and get started on the ambitious journey of experiencing everything this restaurant has to offer.
Aidan Ragan is a UF computer science senior.
Aidan Ragan is a UF computer science senior.
