Restaurant Review: The Dosa Hutt in Flushing, NY

Dosa Hutt in Flushing, NY, serves the most amazing South Indian snack of dosas (plus iddlys and other snacks). These fried crepes filled with curried potatoes are delicious, surprisingly light, and definitely filling. This is a snack bar. Order at the counter and wait for your number to be called. There is nothing fancy beyond the delectable tastes coming from the kitchen.

The name says it clearly: the thing to get at Dosa Hutt is a dosa. Dosas are Indian crepes or pancakes fried on a griddle and filled with curried potato mixtures. They come with a light green, coconut chutney for dipping and a small cup of sambar, a vegetable and lentil soup. Somehow this fried, anti-Atkins food, slides down lightly, flavorfully, though a single dosa is filling. It's comfort food from India, specifically southern India (where Tamils are the majority). The batter for dosas is made from a mix of ground rice and dal (lentils) that has fermented a bit.

The fillings vary in spicy heat. Masala dosa ($3) is the typical form; mysore dosa ($3.50) is spicier; and pondicherry dosa ($4.50) is the most spicy. If you look like a dosa or spice novice, you may need to convince the man behind the counter that you can eat a pondicherry dosa. Dosa Hutt also serves iddlys and uttapams.

Iddlys (or idli) are made from the same batter as dosas, but are steamed and shaped in patties, not filled with potato. Uttapams are similar to dosas, though thicker and less crispy. There are usually specials, like thick mango lassis (flavored with clove), samosas, or a donut-shaped morsel I'm dying to try.

Don't come to the Dosa Hutt for anything beyond the food. The seating is strictly utilitarian. This is fast food, South Indian style. The restaurant caters to Indian families in the neighborhood and those who have come to visit the beautiful stone-carved Hindu temple next door.