An Indian restaurant in American Fork that’s known for its chicken tikka masala and butter chicken has been included on Yelp’s list of 100 top places to eat in the U.S. for 2024, coming in at number 19.
Located at 987 W. 500 North, in a strip mall across from a Costco, Little India was referred to as a “hidden gem” in one Yelp review, and was the only Utah spot to be featured on the 2024 list. The restaurant, which opened in 2021 and has another location at 1266 U.S. Highway 189 in Heber, also made it on Yelp’s Top 100 Southwest Restaurants in 2023.
Manjit Singh, who owns the two locations with his brother Harjeet Singh and cousin Maninderpal Singh, said they feel “beyond blessed” that Little India made it on the national list this year.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A dish of butter chicken sits on a table at Little India, an Indian restaurant included on Yelp's Top 100 restaurants list for 2024, in American Fork on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
“It’s because of the customers we achieved what we did — their love, their support and their blessings,” Manjit Singh said. “Without them, honestly, these achievements wouldn’t be possible.”
As for Little India’s most popular dish, Singh said it’s a “battle” between the chicken tikka masala and the butter chicken. The chicken tikka masala, which features a sauce that’s rich in tomato and cream, takes three to four hours to make, he said. And the butter chicken, which is Singh’s personal favorite, is made with a butter and cream base. He said the garlic naan and the onion naan are the best accompaniment for both dishes.
All of Little India’s recipes have been passed down through generations. “That’s what makes our recipes stand out from others,” Singh said.
He said another way Little India stands out is through its emphasis on welcoming guests. “The huge difference with us is we basically treat our customers like family,” he said. “We want customers to feel like Little India is their second home.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Attar Singh, an employee at Little India, speaks with customers inside in the dining room of Little India in American Fork on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
Singh stressed that Little India has vegan options, and that all of their entrees are gluten free — they even make a gluten-free bread. “We like to cater to everyone’s tastes,” he said. All of Little India’s food is prepared at a mild spice level, he added, but people can ask for more heat if they wish.
Little India is opening a third location in March, in Highland. “We’re in this business to create lifelong relationships with our customers,” Singh said. “And we’re going to be serving Utah for many more years.”
The American Fork location is open from 4 to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The Heber location is open Monday through Saturday for lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and for dinner Monday through Sunday from 4 to 9:30 p.m.
