Daawat Indian Restaurant, Baton Rouge

At Daawat Indian Restaurant, even the naan is baked to order, with chefs slapping raw dough on the tandoor's hot clay surface only when they receive a table's ticket. Open seven days a week, the family-run eatery entices big appetites all day with a seemingly endless buffet at both lunch and dinner. (Diners can also order from an à la carte menu in the evening.) Developed by chef-owner Mohammed Hanif, who comes from a long line of Indian culinary whizzes, Daawat's signature dishes include chicken and lamb shammi kebabs, lobster masala, bhindi masala, and the special lamb shanks, which unite a house blend of spices for an ultra-flavorful entree.