Cold weather in Long Beach has its own personality. The wind comes in sharper, the boardwalk gets quieter, and people start looking for something warm that feels like a small escape from the chill. Around this time of year, Tandoori Grill becomes one of those places where folks walk in with their hands tucked into their sleeves, just wanting something that hits the right spot. The menu has plenty, but a few dishes keep showing up on tables again and again, especially when the temperature dips.
One of the first things people lean toward is the tandoori chicken. It arrives still sizzling, with that smoky, clay-oven smell that rolls through the air before the plate even hits the table. The heat from the metal platter alone feels like a tiny heater on a cold night. The outside has that charred, reddish color, and the inside stays soft enough that you almost forget it just came out of a blazing-hot oven. It is not a complicated dish. It is just one of those things that feels warm in a way grilled chicken rarely does.
Another dish that quietly becomes the hero during winter is the biryani. Some folks order it because it is filling. Others order it because the aroma reminds them of something familiar. Either way, the moment the lid comes off, the steam carries spices you cannot really describe unless you have eaten it before. It is gentle, layered, and comforting without being heavy. It is the kind of dish that feels like it was cooked for hours, even though it shows up at your table quickly. You get warmth, a little heat, a little fragrance, and that mix just fits the season.
Of course, no one really talks about comfort food at Tandoori Grill without mentioning the curries. The tikka masala, in particular, seems to be the unofficial cold-weather favorite. There is something about that creamy, orange gravy that works after a long day. You scoop it up with naan, and for a moment the cold outside feels far away. It is mild when you want it to be, but even the mild version carries enough warmth to settle you in. On nights when people need something stronger, the vindaloo shows up. It is sharper, definitely spicier, and it gives that extra kick that warms you from the inside out.
Vegetarians have their comfort picks too. The dal is simple, no drama, no sudden spice and just a slow-cooked flavor that feels like a warm blanket. The mixed vegetable curry gets ordered a lot as well, especially by people who want something hot but not heavy. These dishes have a steadiness to them. You do not feel weighed down. You just feel like you ate something wholesome.
And then there is the garlic naan. This one does not even need introduction because it ends up on almost every table whether people are ordering it intentionally or just letting the craving take over. It comes out puffed and soft with those little burnt bubbles on top, and the heat spreads through your fingers as you tear it apart. On cold nights, naan somehow becomes more than bread. It turns into the thing people use to warm their hands while they talk, laugh, or wait for the next dish.
What you notice at Tandoori Grill during colder months is not just the food. It is the way people settle in. You see folks unwrapping scarves, leaning back as the steam rises from their plates, trading stories, or eating quietly after a long day. Comfort food does not need to be dramatic. It only needs to feel like something that makes the night a little softer.
That is what these dishes do. They warm you up without trying too hard. They fill the table and the space around it. And when you finally step back out into that Long Beach cold, you carry the warmth with you just a little longer.
