I don't know what to start with, the food, the service , super clean with positive vibe. I'd put this Indian cuisine up against any other and it would win. My favorite! Tandoori Salmon, Butter Chicken, Chicken Korma are my recommendations. If you're not familiar with Indian food treat yourself.
Dev Kachiwala
Very good customer service and excellent food. 10/10 recommend if you’re in the area looking for some good Indian food!
Ana Suarez
Delicious, authentic food!! Great service!!
tooktaak kaaj
Sam is a goat- he was extremely warm, welcoming, and accomodating.
The food is fire- tried the tandoori chicken and fish, achari chicken, chicken tikka, and daal tadka, everything was amazing. Food tasted really authentic too: just tell him how you want the dish done- TRUST ME and ask, he'll put a spin on it the way you want and it'll taste REALLY GOOD (I asked for authentic bone-in Delhi-style butter chicken as opposed to the standard menu option, and bhurji with the daal tadka). Definitely my goto Indian food spot whenever I'm at Merced.
Sam you HAVE to open up shop in the bay for me!!! I'm puttin everyone on!
Anna Rouse
Food was amazing, highly recommend! (Especially the rice of the day, couldn't stop eating it)
Andrew Buu
Quite good
Clear Vybe
Very delicious food. I recommend trying it out at least once. You won’t regret it
Maggie Aceves
Everything was great really loved the food the service
Madelein Garcia
First time eating Indian food and it was really good. Definitely recommend 👌🏼
Angelica Perez
The food here is absolutely delicious 😋. The service is excellent. Catering is available!
When you are passing through Merced to reach the world famous destination Yosemite and craving for authentic Indian food stop by Masala express and don’t miss to meet Sam . We did exactly the same on our last trip. One thing to highlight is that Sam could customize the food based on personal preferences on the spot and I have never experienced any Indian restaurant doing that for us. We received top notch hospitality from him and his associates. Very tasty and delicious food; you will love it every time .
Nicholas Carrieri
All the food was amazing. Aachari chicken and biriyani were on point. Definitely a new must have spot when you are craving great food
Anusha Kulkarni
Masala Express delivers not just great food, but a truly memorable dining experience. The menu has plenty to offer, but what made our visit extra special was the personal attention from the owner himself. He’s not just friendly — he’s deeply passionate about the food and ensuring that every guest feels at home.
He recommended a few dishes based on what we were in the mood for, and even offered to prepare a couple of items off the menu, which turned out to be some of the best things we tried. You can tell he puts his heart into everything — from the spices in the curry to the way he checks in on each table with a smile.
Everything we ate was delicious, fresh, and packed with flavor. If you’re looking for a place where the food is excellent and the service feels personal and heartfelt, Masala Express should be at the top of your list.
Suhas Yelluru
Masala Express is one of those rare finds where the food is outstanding and the experience is made even better by the people behind it. From the moment we walked in, the owner made us feel incredibly welcome. He’s not just running a restaurant — he genuinely cares about every guest who walks through the door.
The food? Absolutely brilliant. Every dish was full of flavor, fresh, and cooked to perfection. The owner took the time to recommend a few items — and he was spot on. He even offered to make something off the menu, which turned out to be a highlight of the meal. It’s rare to find that level of hospitality and willingness to go the extra mile.
You can tell this place is built on passion, care, and a deep love for good food. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend Masala Express for anyone who appreciates delicious food served with a side of genuine warmth.
Glenn San Pedro
Masala Espress is such a hidden gem in Merced! The staff inside were incredibly nice and welcoming—it felt like being treated by family. The food came out freshly cooked, full of flavor, and absolutely delicious. You can really taste the care in every dish. We’ll definitely be back soon!
I don't know what to start with, the food, the service , super clean with positive vibe. I'd put this Indian cuisine up against any other and it would win. My favorite! Tandoori Salmon, Butter Chicken, Chicken Korma are my recommendations. If you're not familiar with Indian food treat yourself.
Very good customer service and excellent food. 10/10 recommend if you’re in the area looking for some good Indian food!
Delicious, authentic food!! Great service!!
Sam is a goat- he was extremely warm, welcoming, and accomodating.
The food is fire- tried the tandoori chicken and fish, achari chicken, chicken tikka, and daal tadka, everything was amazing. Food tasted really authentic too: just tell him how you want the dish done- TRUST ME and ask, he'll put a spin on it the way you want and it'll taste REALLY GOOD (I asked for authentic bone-in Delhi-style butter chicken as opposed to the standard menu option, and bhurji with the daal tadka). Definitely my goto Indian food spot whenever I'm at Merced.
Sam you HAVE to open up shop in the bay for me!!!
I'm puttin everyone on!
Food was amazing, highly recommend! (Especially the rice of the day, couldn't stop eating it)
Quite good
Very delicious food. I recommend trying it out at least once. You won’t regret it
Everything was great really loved the food the service
First time eating Indian food and it was really good. Definitely recommend 👌🏼
The food here is absolutely delicious 😋. The service is excellent. Catering is available!
Restaurantji Recommends
When you are passing through Merced to reach the world famous destination Yosemite and craving for authentic Indian food stop by Masala express and don’t miss to meet Sam . We did exactly the same on our last trip. One thing to highlight is that Sam could customize the food based on personal preferences on the spot and I have never experienced any Indian restaurant doing that for us. We received top notch hospitality from him and his associates. Very tasty and delicious food; you will love it every time .
All the food was amazing. Aachari chicken and biriyani were on point. Definitely a new must have spot when you are craving great food
Masala Express delivers not just great food, but a truly memorable dining experience. The menu has plenty to offer, but what made our visit extra special was the personal attention from the owner himself. He’s not just friendly — he’s deeply passionate about the food and ensuring that every guest feels at home.
He recommended a few dishes based on what we were in the mood for, and even offered to prepare a couple of items off the menu, which turned out to be some of the best things we tried. You can tell he puts his heart into everything — from the spices in the curry to the way he checks in on each table with a smile.
Everything we ate was delicious, fresh, and packed with flavor. If you’re looking for a place where the food is excellent and the service feels personal and heartfelt, Masala Express should be at the top of your list.
Masala Express is one of those rare finds where the food is outstanding and the experience is made even better by the people behind it. From the moment we walked in, the owner made us feel incredibly welcome. He’s not just running a restaurant — he genuinely cares about every guest who walks through the door.
The food? Absolutely brilliant. Every dish was full of flavor, fresh, and cooked to perfection. The owner took the time to recommend a few items — and he was spot on. He even offered to make something off the menu, which turned out to be a highlight of the meal. It’s rare to find that level of hospitality and willingness to go the extra mile.
You can tell this place is built on passion, care, and a deep love for good food. We left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. Highly recommend Masala Express for anyone who appreciates delicious food served with a side of genuine warmth.
Masala Espress is such a hidden gem in Merced! The staff inside were incredibly nice and welcoming—it felt like being treated by family. The food came out freshly cooked, full of flavor, and absolutely delicious. You can really taste the care in every dish. We’ll definitely be back soon!
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