Jay Bharat

Though Orange County has more than a handful of very good Indian and Pakistani restaurants – and fusion Indian-American ones – there’s no question that the 40-year-old Little India district just north of OC in Artesia has a wider variety of options, including some that are regionally distinctive. Two names that frequently come up in discussions were originally spotlighted decades ago by late, beloved LA Times critic Jonathan Gold: Rajdhani and Jay Bharat, both known for vegetarian Gujarati food from central India, the latter specifically for South Gujarati sweets and savory dishes. Both restaurants have evolved since Gold passed, yet still have ardent fans and standout offerings.

Located at Pioneer Boulevard and 187th Street, Jay Bharat is only doors away from Indian fusion pizzeria Curry on Pie, and surrounded by upscale clothing, jewelry, gold, and diamond stores; a 2025 renovation gave the space the long-awaited clean design and modern furniture it needed to fit comfortably among its neighbors. Gold’s 1991 review called the old space “about as unassuming as a restaurant can get, furnished with sticky tables and folding chairs,” and that’s certainly not the case any more: One wall of the box-shaped dining room charts Jay Bharat’s 40-year evolution from concept to restaurant and catering business, another spotlights Gujarati eating guidance and thali, and the back features a counter with an expansive collection of Indian desserts, doors to a kitchen, and restrooms. Guests can either follow a central line to the counter for take-out orders, or get seated on the left or right sides at tables with capacity for perhaps 80 people.

A large double-sided and laminated menu card begins by spanning always-available “streetstyle” and “homestyle” appetizers, entrees, chaats, and breads, most in the affordable $7.50 to $10 range. An additional, smaller card adds seasonal specials on one side – including several Indo-Chinese dishes and Gujarati classics – with a handful of sweets and drinks on the other. Larger dessert menus are available on signs at the ordering counter, but the colorful collection of mostly refrigerated items practically sell themselves. More than half are offered at a single bulk price of $13 per pound, while others (including cake-like tarts and frozen items) are sold individually or in packages.

Not knowing the portion sizes – and having plenty of experience with Indian places that charge much more for less – we overordered on our first visit. Basic items such as a single piece of chili naan ($3.49) and Bombay samosas ($8/4) weren’t as spicy as we’d imagined from descriptions of “bold spices” or “spicy chili kick,” but each was delicious; the “one piece” of naan, even sliced in quarters, made for a significant basket of flatbread. Eight pieces of pani puri ($7.50) were basically ideal: crispy hollow orbs pre-filled with cubed potatoes, black chickpeas, and mung beans, ready to be filled with cold mint-cilantro water and/or tamarind chutney, then eaten whole as an explosion of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.

Looking back, our only regret was not experimenting more with the chaats or trying Jay Bharat’s “streetstyle quick fix” items, including various Indian-style vegetarian burger alternatives. Also noteworthy: Beyond basic vegetarian choices, the menus flag jain, vegan, and gluten-free options for those with specific dietary needs or preferences.