Beef in Delhi restaurants

Hi guys
Just been browsing the net & stumbled upon this restuarant in Delhi called TGI Friday ('Thank God it's Friday' apparently) There's juicy steaks on the menu! Slap bang in the middle of Connaught Place, Delhi. How did I miss it on my trip
Anyway, I thought beef was forbidden in India?

TGI Friday is a pretty well-known chain in America, typical bar-and-grill fare, mass-produced. I'm sure a lot of the CP location's clientele is visiting American businessmen.

I don't think there are any laws against beef in India; it's just highly unpopular, and there may be some protests from the locals.

Quite a few restaurants in Delhi serve beef. i can think of an Italian, a Keralan, at least 3 of the big hotels.... Its quite often not referred to by name eg 'meat curry'. There are a lot of butchers in Nizamuddin (a muslim area).

A lot of meat-eating non Hindu locals i know dont eat beef, either because not used to the taste or because they can't be sure of whether it would be any good....

Plenty of beef stuff available in Delhi ..in a lot of places like ....Jama Masjid( mainly near Karim's) , Nizamuddin,Inderlok & many other places.

I thought TGI might be of American origin I look forward to trying a few meals in there next time I'm in Delhi.. Drooling just thinking about their lamb burgers! Thanks for taking time to reply guys.

As noted above, certainly Muslims are allowed to eat it. (And I think or am in fact quite sure Tibetan Buddhists may. Yes, so much for all that respect for all living creatures.)

I've seen it commonly on the menu in Kerala, and was told Hindus here don't observe any taboo against it. (I think but can't be sure it's probably eaten in Coorg, South-West Karnataka, as well.)

(btw, I've been noticing some pics by you and stuff, Spud. Glad that apparently you had a swell time )

(And then pps, I do seem to recall now there may be state laws here and there against beef. From which Muslims may or may not then still be exempt. But nationally, I don't think so, no. Not a meat-eater myself, so not that much into it.)

1. TGIF in CP is closed, however operational in other locations. And there are a million better joints that TGIF in Delhi.

2. Most of the beef you get in India comes from Buff.

3. My knowledge is limited, however cow slaughter in indeed banned in many states.

I thought it was in Delhi also. However, such laws encourage smuggling of an odd sort..

there used to be a Muslim run abattoir just out of Calcutta, that shipped to most Indian states and Nepal, i was told this was how restaurant owners got around various anti beef state laws. There is a wonderful restaurant in Madras, that serves various beef dishes-taste wise on par with anything in the west, their beef comes from family owned farm in Kerala, they raise and slaughter their own, and have facilities to hang, cure, age, their flesh before it is cooked, something i'm told that is very rare in India. Well cared and prepared buff can taste great.

being a vegetarian cannot give a confirmed response, however I have all the reasons to believe that cow slaughter is banned in Delhi, however 'imported' beef is still available in some high end places..

TGIF is highly overrated, IMHO- in Delhi and Hyderabad, at least.

I call it Taste Gland Is F#$%^d.

So it's just a case of asking around really..if I get a craving for it. Can't say I've ever tried Buffalo though.

@ Machadinha - Yes had a great time for the most part, thanks

Thanks for your thoughts on the subject everyone!

Organize a large gang of hungry street people. Tell them the benefits of eating beef. Build a large fire with a nice big metal grate over it. Find a steer on the street.. nice and fresh.

Get some rope and rope a steer.. hang him by the hind legs. Get your little old sharp knife..

I leave the rest to the imagination of the hungry...

The law is state specific. Some states allow the sale of beef like Delhi, maharasthtra and some states do not like Rajasthan!!

Of course, do not violate any laws.. but eat well!