What to Order at Indian Bell in McAllen: A First-Timer's Guide

Indian Bell's menu covers well over a hundred dishes, so here's a starting point organized by category, with a few specific recommendations in each.

Appetizers

Samosas (vegetarian, two per order) are the easiest, most familiar starting point. Chicken 65 and chicken lollipop are both popular fried-chicken-style appetizers if you want something with more punch, and vegetable pakora is a solid vegetarian alternative.

Tandoori and Grilled Dishes

Tandoori chicken is the standard starting point. If you want something more specific, the hariyali chicken tikka kabob is marinated with herbs before going into the tandoor, and tandoori shrimp is a lighter option if you'd rather skip red meat and poultry.

Chicken

Butter chicken is the most commonly recommended dish for first-time Indian diners — a mild, creamy tomato-based curry. Chicken tikka masala is a close second. For more heat, chicken vindaloo or Madras chicken curry are the spicier options.

Lamb and Goat

Both are available across the same eight curry styles as chicken. Malai korma is the mildest, creamiest option in either protein; rogan josh and vindaloo are the more intensely flavored choices for anyone who wants a bolder dish.

Vegetarian

Paneer tikka masala and paneer malai korma are the two most approachable paneer dishes. Chana masala (chickpeas) and dal makhani (lentils) are both mainstays worth ordering if you want something outside the paneer options. Kadai paneer and kadai vegetables are good choices if you want more texture from bell peppers and onions in the dish.

Rice and Biryani

Biryani is offered nine ways — chicken, egg, fish, goat, lamb, paneer, shrimp, vegetable, or a special mix — cooked from the pot rather than assembled after the fact. Jeera rice (cumin) and lemon rice are simpler sides if you'd rather skip biryani and pair a curry with plain-ish rice instead.

Naan and Breads

Garlic naan is the standard crowd-pleaser. Butter naan and cheese naan are the richer options; aloo paratha (potato-stuffed) is worth trying if you want something other than naan.

Drinks

Mango lassi is the most popular drink on the menu — a mango-flavored yogurt drink. Masala chai (spice tea) is the other notable non-lassi option if you'd rather have something hot.

Desserts

Gulab jamun (fried dough soaked in syrup) and mango kulfi (a frozen dessert) are both classic, approachable choices to close out a meal.