Fantastic Indian Food & Friendly Folks

Vegetable Samosas at Saffron

 

Saffron Indian Cuisine menu

Saffron Indian Restaurant & POTUS in Mansfield, Ohio

We strayed a few miles off our path to Louisiana when I had a craving for Indian food while driving through Ohio.

"Siri" led us to the Saffron Indian restaurant in Mansfield, OH.  When we arrived in Mansfield, the town square was filled with people, spot lights, barricades and much hubbub.  Thinking it was a town fair or festival, we proceeded to Saffron.

Interns hard at work for Pres. Obama

We were the only diners in the restaurant.  Which I usually take as a bad sign, but in this case it was because POTUS (the President of the United States, Barack Obama) was coming to Mansfield for a campaign speech the next morning.

The townspeople were out in full force on the streets signing up to volunteer the next day and gossip about secret service sightings.  This once industrial hub of a town used to house a GM plant and was home to Tappan appliance manufacturer but has now fallen on less prosperous times, somewhat like Buffalo.

Store window display

Mansfield, Ohio

Service at Saffron was very fast and friendly.  This is a new restaurant, only four months old.  The owners were present in the dining room and kitchen, and they were eager to prepare our food to our taste and specifications.

They brought out pappadam (a deep fried crispy lentil wafer) and three sauces for us as we looked over the menu.  We started with an order of Vegetable Samosa.  The samosas were tasty and came with a side of a spicy chick pea stew-like saucy goodness.  The owner brought us some Roti to try also, she had made it fresh for us.  This was good and very different from my favorite Indian bread, Naan.  She explained how they make it with just wheat flour and water and knead it out, saying that women are the ones who more often prepare this bread.

Best Chicken Vindaloo I've ever had!

For our entree we chose Chicken Vindaloo, which was very well-priced at $11.00.  And this modestly priced entree was plenty for my husband and me!    The chicken was tender and delicious!  Tasty chunks of chicken in a spicy sauce with pieces of potatoes.  I have had vindaloo many times, but this was the BEST I have ever had!  We also got garlic Naan, which was fresh and wonderful.

Chicken vindaloo & garlic naan

We loved Saffron in Mansfield.  And we plan to make it a regular stop on our drive from Buffalo to Louisiana.  It is well worth the 11 mile jaunt off the interstate for some wonderful Indian food so well-prepared in a delightful family run restaurant.

Evening in Mansfield, OH