Happy Birthday to your Virgo child who is curious about expression and creativity. Mars is aligned with their sun sign, freeing emotions to allow them to discover their talents. Virgos often have an aptitude for drawing. For their birthday party, a suggestion is to help them discover a connection to art by supplying paint brushes and sponges and let them create using their imagination. A gift idea is an art kit with project ideas.
Consistently ranked in the City Paper’s Best of Toledo Awards, Tandoor has been serving curries, biryani, naan breads and other classic northern Indian cuisine on Reynolds Road for more than 40 years.
Opened by the Mehta family in 1982, Tandoor changed hands in 1997 to owners Kamla Devi and Ram Nath. It remains a family operation and today, two generations can be found working in the kitchen and the front of the house.
Like the Southwyck neighborhood in which it resides, the restaurant has undergone a gradual rejuvenation over the past several years. When Covid struck in 2020, the dining room closed and the owners adapted by adding a carryout window for takeout only.
“Before Covid, we never closed,” said Raj Kaur, one of the adult children who work in the business. She said the family decided to take advantage of that time by undergoing long needed renovations to the older building, including improvements to the kitchen and a major facelift to the exterior. After four years of carryout only, the dining room finally reopened for evening business this summer. Outdoor seating is in the works for a new patio out front.
Reservations are needed to dine in. My family was eager to visit the reopened dining room, but the first time we stopped in we were told that we needed to make a reservation 24 hours in advance due to short staffing. This policy came as a surprise but the host was able to accommodate our request for a reservation the following evening and we returned for an enjoyable dine-in experience. The small restaurant filled quickly after our arrival in the early evening, but it was clear from the frequent in-and-out traffic that carryout remains a mainstay of the business.
Tandoor specializes in the northern Indian cuisine of Punjab. Par Banga, a second-generation member of the family that owns Tandoor, said one of the main features of this cuisine is the naan, a flatbread cooked on the inner walls of the traditional Indian oven from which the restaurant takes its name. The menu includes a wide variety of curry dishes served with rice as well as marinated meats cooked in the clay oven, which reaches temperatures of 900 degrees and is fueled by gas and charcoal.
On this visit we enjoyed the regular fresh naan and the whole wheat (roti) naan with our dinner. Each order ($3) came with two large pieces of the light bread. Other flatbreads on the menu come stuffed with a variety of intriguing seasonings and vegetables as well as a sweeter Peshawari naan filled with coconut and raisins .
Our server also brought us a basket of papadum — an Indian restaurant equivalent of a complimentary bread basket. Sometimes known as “crunchy bread” or “peppered chips,” the crisp lentil wafers are flavored with spices and served with tamarind and mint chutney.
While there is not a kids menu at Tandoor, Banga said the restaurant gets many younger guests. Some of their favorites are the bread, plain basmati rice and chicken pakora, which she describes as an “Indian-style chicken nugget.” The aloo tiki, which comes fried and stuffed with tender seasoned potatoes and spices, is another kid pleaser.
If you like to sample a few things it’s easy to enjoy the dishes at Tandoor “family style,” ordering a smorgasbord for the entire party to share. Guests are asked to specify their preferred spice level, and all the dishes we ordered were served at our requested ‘mild’ spice.
My two smoothie-loving kids enjoyed the mango lassi, a cold yogurt drink flavored with mango ($5). Everyone also liked the crispy vegetable samosa ($5 for 2), triangular pastries that are fried and filled with peas and tender seasoned potatoes. We were not quite prepared for the spice and seasoning of the Indian pickles ($2.50), which is very different from the American pickles we are accustomed to eating.
For our main entrees, we ordered several tandoori meat dishes: the seek kabob (ground lamb prepared with spices and herbs, $16.95), the reshmi kabob (chicken marinated in a mild sauce, $15.95) and the mixed grill (chicken, lamb and shrimp, $17.95). Our two adolescent boys raved about the seek kabob, finger rolls of ground lamb prepared with spices and herbs. All the other tandoori meats we sampled were tender and delicious. The tandoori entrees were accompanied by a light, fluffy basmati rice, as well as chickpeas in a seasoned sauce.
Another favorite at our table was the chicken biryani ($15.95). Biryani is basmati rice cooked with onions, tomatoes, green peppers, nuts and spices, and the dish included generous pieces of tender chicken sprinkled throughout.
There is a reason Tandoor has a reputation as a top Indian restaurant in Toledo. Banga said her family goes out of their way to offer top notch service and create relationships with their customers. If you dine in, you are sure to experience this welcoming atmosphere as we did, but be sure to make a reservation. You can also call or order online for a quick carryout meal on busier nights.
Tandoor. 2247 South Reynolds Rd., Toledo. 419-385-7467
Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday: 11:30am-8pm (carryout)
Saturday & Sunday: 11:30am-9pm (carryout)
Dine in by reservation only: 5:30pm to close daily
Online ordering? Yes
Carryout? Yes
Delivery? Yes, through Doordash
Outdoor Dining? Coming soon
Kids Menu? No
Changing Table? No
Booster Seat/High Chair? Yes
4.0 of 5 on Yelp with 155 reviews
4.4 of 5 on Google with 1,023 reviews
4.0 of 5 on Yelp with 155 reviews
A partnership between the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio and Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board recently received a $2 Million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. This grant is intended to go towards improving youth homelessness response. HUD’s Youth Homelessness System Improvement grant awarded $51.1 million across 26 states and territories.
Harvard Initiative Offers Individualized Support for Toledo Youth Toledo’s Art Tatum Zone, Toledo Public Schools, United Way of Greater Toledo and Lucas Metropolitan Housing were selected for a Harvard University initiative which supports youth in Central Toledo’s Junction neighborhood. The “Cradle-to-Career” initiative supports education and development towards positive outcomes for youth through a comprehensive, individualized and relationship-based strategy. Toledo is one of only 10 communities in the country selected for this year’s program.
Online school offers soft skill education Through Ohio Digital Learning School’s Rise Up program, students are guided through mastering soft skills and other skills used while working in retail. Through this program offered in partnership with Kaleido Learning, students interested in the retail industry will have the opportunity to attain industry-recognized credentials set out by the National Retail Federation. Ohio Digital Learning School will be one of the first in the state to offer a teacher-led version of this course next school year. Learn more about Ohio Digital Learning School at odls.k12.com.
The Stranahan Parent Teacher Association is working to raise $650,000 to redo the playground at Stranahan Elementary School. This new playground will be inclusive so children with disabilities can enjoy it. The playground at 3840 N. Holland-Sylvania Rd. will not only be open to students, but all children in the Sylvania community. Some of the planned features include a rubber surface, ramps, sensory boards and a roller slide. To donate online, visit sites.google.com/view/stranahan-pta-inclusive-play/home.
Local school earns national recognition Imagine Madison Avenue School of Arts, a Toledo elementary school, was certified as a National School of Character by Character.org. They are one of 73 schools who received this recognition and the only school in Ohio to receive it. Recognized schools exemplify “The 11 Principles Framework for Schools: A Guide to Cultivating a Culture of Character.” For more information on Imagine Madison Avenue School of Arts, visit madisonavenueschoolofarts.org.
Games, crafts, music, movies, books, snacks, and more – just for kids!
Kent Branch Library, 3101 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo
Free First Fridays & Make and Take Craft Day
Free admission and a make-and-take craft on the first Friday of each month.
Wood County Historical Center & Museum, 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green
BSAF is a free arts & live music festival.
Downtown Bowling Green, Main St., Bowling Green
Hook & Cook Youth Fishing Event
Join Metroparks experts for live fillet demonstrations to sharpen your skills. After your fish is prepared it will then be cooked in a mobile kitchen brought by ODNR Division of Wildlife.
Cannonball Prairie Metropark, 9725 Monclova Rd., Monclova
The zoo is paying tribute to the men and women who keep us safe all year long by offering free admission for all police, firefighters, EMTs, military personnel and hospital staff, when they show their professional ID or badge.
The Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo
75th Celebration Concert Featuring Girl Named Tom
See The Voice winners and Fulton County natives, Girl Named Tom, in a live, free performance in the streets of Uptown Maumee.
Uptown Maumee, Conant St., Maumee
Grandparents receive free admission when accompanied by at least one grandchild!
The Toledo Zoo, 2 Hippo Way, Toledo
Meet-n-Greet Picnic and Back to School Kickoff
Build the Children welcomes the community, other nonprofits and volunteers to a barbeque and backpack give-away.
Trilby Park Shelter House, 3101 Shawnee Rd., Toledo
Celebrate visiting the library after school again with an inflatable obstacle course, games and a treat to motivate kids to start the school year off right!
Locke Branch Library, 703 Miami St., Toledo
An introduction to STEM specifically for children in grades K-4. Make a hypothesis, develop a plan and test your theory plenty of hands-on fun.
Point Place Branch Library, 2727 117th St., Toledo
Featuring homemade crafts and activities to celebrate and show appreciation to our grandparents. Registration is required.
Franklin Park Mall, 5001 Monroe St., Toledo
“Foundations of Parenting” Parenting Workshop
A unique opportunity to enhance your parenting skills and build a supportive community
Maumee UMC, 405 Sackett St., Maumee
Learn about the many reptiles and amphibians that live in our region and how their adaptations affect our ecosystem.
Providence Preserve Metropark, 13827 US 24 West, Grand Rapids
Welcoming Picnic and Party: We’re All In
Celebrate our vibrant community at a welcoming picnic and party hosted by Welcome Toledo Lucas County and the Human Relations Commission: Toledo.
Main Library, 325 N Michigan St., Toledo
A vibrant celebration of art, culture and community.
Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo
Glass City GLOWtacular (All Ages)
Light up the night with glow skating, rock climbing, mountain biking, paddling and more at this family-friendly event.
Glass City Metropark, 1505 Front St., Toledo
Create Your Own Milagritos – Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month
“Milagritos” or little/small miracles are good luck charms. Learn more about Milagritos and create one of your own! Registration is required.
Holland Branch Library, 1032 S. McCord Rd., Holland
Momentum Art & Culture Festival
An annual art and culture celebration.
N. Superior St., between Madison Ave. and Adams St., Toledo
Gotta Catch ‘Em All! Bring your Pokemon cards to trade with other fans. Grades K-8.
Waterville Branch Library, 800 Michigan Ave., Waterville
Solve a mystery by learning about fingerprints and ink analysis. Use what you learn to analyze the clues left at the crime scene.
Washington Branch Library, 5560 Harvest Lane, Toledo
Create Your Own Milagritos – Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month
“Milagritos” or little/small miracles are good luck charms. Learn more about Milagritos and create one of your own!
Locke Branch Library, 703 Miami St., Toledo
StoryTunes is TAPA’s take on story time for caregivers and children ages 0 to 7 years.
King Road Branch Library, 3900 King Rd., Toledo
Creative play with Legos.
Sylvania Branch Library, 6749 Monroe St., Sylvania
Latinx Heritage Month Crafts and Treats
Crafts and snacks to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
Main Library, 325 N Michigan St., Toledo
Soccer Shots is an engaging children’s soccer program focusing on character development.
Sept. 4
203 Paine Ave., Toledo
Sept. 11
3101 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo
Sept. 14
325 N Michigan St., Toledo
Sept. 23
1085 Dorr St., Toledo
Sept. 9
Learn about an ancient weapon called a catapult, and then hone your engineering skills to build and test your own catapult!
Washington Branch Library, 5560 Harvest Lane, Toledo
3340 Dustin Road, Oregon
Test if apples float, learn about buoyancy and density, and get creative with your boat design.
South Branch Library, 1736 Broadway St., Toledo
Homeschool Hour – STEM Challenge: Parachute Drop
Explore tech tools, create art, and play fun games with other homeschooling families.
King Road Branch Library, 3900 King Rd., Toledo
Test if apples float, learn about buoyancy and density, and get creative with your boat design.
Heatherdowns Branch Library, 3265 Glanzman Rd., Toledo
Travel “around the world” with the Toledo Zoo by learning about animal habitats.
Sept. 10
6749 Monroe St., Sylvania
Sept. 17
Reynolds Corners Branch Library
4833 Dorr St., Toledo
Sept. 23
1032 S. McCord Rd., Holland
Using the scientific method, we will discover what worms eat, see and do all day long. Learn why worms are so important, and learn how you can start your own worm composting system.
Sept. 17
2727 117th St., Toledo
Sept. 19
3030 W. Central Ave., Toledo
Sept. 21
325 N Michigan St., Toledo
Sept. 24
1736 Broadway St., Toledo
Sept. 30
5560 Harvest Lane, Toledo
Using oil pastels to recreate Painted Apples, guests will learn about Paul Cezanne, a famous French painter, and his style of Still Life paintings.
Sept. 18
1320 Sylvania Ave., Toledo
Sept. 21
3265 Glanzman Rd., Toledo
Sept. 23
703 Miami St., Toledo
Finding time to bond with your grandchildren can be challenging, especially if you live far away. That’s why I’ve made it a point to make the most of our special time together in the simplest, purest form – through reading. The shared experience of reading with my grandchildren has filled me with joy and created memories that will remain with us forever.
This National Grandparents Day (Sept. 8) is the perfect time to start a new tradition of reading together. Here are a few creative ways to get started on your special reading journey!
Take a walk with your grandchild to visit local Little Free Libraries in your neighborhood. Choose a book together. When you are done reading it, together, put it in another Little Free Library for others.
Several libraries and businesses provide incentives to children who read. Make this a fun activity with your grandchild by working with them to complete the required reading minutes, and enjoy the perks together (pizzas, amusement park trips, etc.)
Storybook walks let young readers enjoy a story and the great outdoors, as pages from a children’s book are printed and placed in displays along a walkable path at a park, school or neighborhood. Check with your local library for their recommendation of where to find the most current storybook walks.
September also happens to be National Library Card Sign-Up Month, so there’s no better time to introduce your grandchild to the nostalgia of libraries. Make a plan to visit the local library together every so often to check out more books.
Extend the fun of books beyond the pages, and make puppets of your favorite characters, bookmarks inspired by your favorite story or dioramas that showcase a scene from a book.
Many Barnes & Noble stores and other independent bookstores love to host local authors for a read-aloud and book signing. These events offer a special and unique opportunity for kids to get their books signed and burning questions answered.
Audiobooks provide a wonderful shared experience to foster the love of learning while on the go! Plus, they give children the opportunity to listen to books at a higher level than they’d normally read.
Book clubs are the perfect way to socialize with friends while encouraging a love of reading. Round up some of your friends and their grandchildren and start planning regular meetings to discuss age appropriate books.
Establish Caribu accounts
Try to make some time for reading even though distance might keep you apart. Caribu is a video calling app that lets family and friends read together, virtually!
Scott Sollers is an award-winning author and proud grandparent of 3 (Felix, Harry and Ellie). His first book, a Tall Tale: How the Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs, released last month. His next book “The Adventures at Lake Omigosh” will be released in November.
Explore
Magazines
© 2026 ToledoParent.com. All Rights Reserved. Website development by Web Publisher PRO
