I have been following Mylapore Express for a long time. I am not a resident of California. I was thrilled to visit this place during my recent trip and I was not disappointed. I loved the idea of having jeera water at the entrance. Kudos to letting us join the waitlist through yelp. It helps. And the estimate is quite decent with 10-15 mins on Saturday during lunch. The interior seems pleasing and thank you for sticking to carnatic music in the background. I don't know if they play film music. But carnatic instrumental makes it more fitting. The service was commendable. We were impressed by how people working there sported a pleasing face even at the end of the day. We went here for lunch and dinner and was impressed with the same level of energy as during lunch. Special mention about Mr. Abubakar (coffee service) and Ms. Shubh who ensured our satisfaction. Don't miss his coffee. Abubakar was kind enough to pack a few mini idlis for our kids and this gesture goes a long way (We were flying back home the next day and those idli were saviours). Others were no less in their service and hospitality. We just didn't ask for their names. Last but not least, the food.. I have been longing for 'kalyana saapaadu' living in the US. The lunch meal was just what 'kalyaana aathu saapaadu'. The paruppu usili, onion sambhar, rasam, and how can I forget the cilantro thogaiyal? Curd rice was magical. Benne dosa was the best. The molaga podi used in ghee podi dosa was so much 'home-made'. The coffee counter adds to the kalyanam vibes. This place is a major reason why we loved SF. It felt 'homely'. It felt like reconnecting to the roots, to 'home'. Aathu samayal, the people, the hospitality. Details like using degradable plates and adding banana leaf onto that shows how much you have thought about customers. I like how it avoids having to eat from just steel plates that are washed and reused. Great job on choosing eco friendly to go boxes. I wish this place steady and lasting success and the people working there with immense satisfaction from what they are doing. Aviyal could have been better. The dabara sticking to the table needs to be taken care of. If the bathrooms get renovated in the future that would match with the atmosphere outside.

Extremely popular, this spot is bustling even on weekday nights during peak dinner times. Despite the crowds, its fairly large and spacious interior with ample tables means you won't wait extremely long to be seated. A nice touch is their staff circulating, offering extra chutney and sambar. Rava Onion Masala Dosa (5/5): Perfectly crisp and thankfully not oily. Onion Masala Dosa (4.5/5): Crisp with good flavor. Unlike the rava dosa, the onions are scattered inside rather than integrated into the batter. I'd skip the onion next time and would have liked a bit more masala. Mysore Masala Dosa (4/5): Good flavor, but the Mysore chutney tends to make it a bit soggy. Tomato Onion Uttapams (4.5/5): A single order comes with 2 uttapams. Nice and fluffy. Prices are a bit on the higher side.

Absolutely, here’s the updated and polished version of your review with that note included: ⸻ First Visit Visited Mylapore in Fremont for the first time, and it truly lived up to the hype. It was quiet when I walked in, but within an hour, the place was packed. I ordered the mini idlis, which came out quickly—already soaked in hot sambar. Loved how fast and efficient the service was. The decor really stood out—probably the best I’ve seen in a South Indian fast food place in the U.S. It felt clean, modern, and still rooted in tradition. The mini idlis were soft, though I wish they were even smaller, like the ones you get in Chennai. The sambar was fresh and tasty, but not quite at Chennai levels yet. There’s definitely room to elevate it to the next tier. I ordered coffee after my meal, and while trying to mix the decoction and milk, the davara got stuck to the table—had a few anxious moments trying to pull it off! Maybe a small tray or coaster would help avoid that. The coffee itself was well made and just the way I asked, though the decoction could’ve been stronger. All in all, a great experience. Mylapore is definitely ahead of most South Indian spots in the U.S. Now it just needs to compete with its own high standards and keep pushing for more. Second Visit My cousin is a regular and suggested I give it another try to see if my perception would change—and it did. We ordered the Ratna Cafe Idli, and it hit the spot perfectly. It truly transported me back to Ratna Cafe in Chennai. However, the regular sambar served with other dishes tasted very ordinary in comparison. Not sure why the exceptional sambar used for the Ratna Cafe Idli can’t be the standard across the board. We then ordered Mysore masala dosa, followed by puri and curd rice—all of which hit the right notes. We wrapped up with filter coffee, which tasted much better this time around. It was especially fascinating to see a huge wait time even as late as 9 PM on a Monday night—Memorial Day, no less. A clear sign of how popular this place has become. Bumping up my rating based on this most recent experience!

The hype is real - the Benne dosa was amazing! So were the Mysore masala dosa and the ghee podi dosa. I haven’t tried the filter coffee (heard great reviews), but the hot badam milk was highly recommended. I was hesitant at first, but ended up ordering three more - a definite must-try! Subhpreet Kaur was such a delight!! She’s full of energy and genuinely cared about making sure we had everything we needed. It’s rare and refreshing to see staff who are so kind and attentive. Definitely coming back for more dosas! 10/10 recommended!

Superb South Indian food for any food enthusiast. Quick service and all the items such as masala dosa. Rava dosa and even idlis were super soft. The sambhar was a great mix of spicy and tasty.. a must try with friends and family. Do try their rose drink as well

Wow! This place is an absolute gem. From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the super speedy service and the spotless cleanliness. The staff are incredibly friendly and make you feel right at home. And the food? Absolutely delicious, with a clear focus on quality ingredients. It's a truly comfortable spot with a thoughtfully curated end-to-end experience that fills both the tummy and the heart. Honestly, it can't get better than this. And their coffee? It truly justifies that coffee is not just a beverage, it's an emotion! Highly recommend!

I had the Andhra Kara Benne Masala Dosa. It was one of the best masala dosas I’ve had in the Bay Area. The flavors were absolutely on point, the podi added the perfect kick, and the dosa itself had that ideal soft and crispy texture. We also tried the filter coffee, which was strong and satisfying. While the Barista wasn’t the most warm or welcoming, they definitely knew how to make a good cup. The staff at the ordering counter was very friendly and helpful. We went on a Sunday afternoon 2pm, and the place was jam-packed. They manage their waiting list through Yelp, which you can join online—pro tip: definitely do that ahead of time to save yourself some standing around. Despite the crowd, the service was quick—our food arrived in about 5–10 minutes. The restaurant is spacious, and the washrooms were clean, which is always appreciated. The servers were attentive, and they brought out extra masala, chutney, and sambar for refills. All in all, it was a fantastic meal. I’d definitely visit again and can highly recommend this spot if you’re craving top-tier South Indian food.

Comparable to eating in a restaurant in Chennai! Service was quick, and the food was incredible. We loved the dosa, sambar, and the ghee podi idli. The medhu vada was amazing too, and the poori with shrikand was delicious. Filter coffee is perfect, and you can ask for it to be made strong if you'd like! They also have vegan versions of coffee and tea.