Simply South Menu 2026: South Indian Irving TX

Name: Simply South
Price range: $$

Quick answers

Simply South at a glance

The four things people most often want to know before their first visit.

Cuisine type

South Indian -- 100% vegetarian

Dosas, idlis, biryanis, curries, Indo-Chinese. No meat, chicken, or seafood.

Simply South's most-ordered items

The dishes that define the Simply South experience and come most highly recommended by regulars and the restaurant itself.

1Masala DosaCrispy dosa with spiced potato masala, sambar and chutney. The South Indian icon.~$10-$14
2South Indian ThaliFull spread: rice, sambar, rasam, dal, two curries, papad, pickle and dessert.~$18-$24
3Idly SambarSoft steamed rice cakes dunked in hot sambar. A breakfast staple made famous.~$8-$11
4Thatte IdlyOversized Karnataka-style flat idli -- denser and spongier than regular idly.~$9-$12
5Gobi ManchurianIndo-Chinese crispy cauliflower in tangy sauce. Great starter or side.~$10-$13
6Vegetable BiryaniFragrant saffron basmati rice with vegetables. Served with raita.~$14-$18
7Paneer Butter MasalaRich, creamy tomato-butter paneer curry. Mild and accessible.~$14-$17
8Mango LassiChilled mango-yogurt drink. The go-to dessert drink.~$4-$6

What makes Simply South distinctive

Six things that set Simply South apart

From the NYT citation to the regional Telugu menu naming -- here is what makes this Irving TX restaurant stand out in the Dallas dining scene.

Recognition

NYT Best Restaurants 2024

The New York Times included Simply South in its best restaurants in America list for 2024 -- one of the only South Indian vegetarian restaurants in the country to earn that recognition.

100% Vegetarian

Zero meat, always

The entire menu -- starters, mains, biryanis, dosas, and sweets -- is vegetarian. The kitchen never handles meat, making it a trusted destination for vegetarians and vegans in the DFW area.

Authentic technique

Fermented-batter dosas and idlis

Dosas and idlis require a 24-48 hour fermentation process. Simply South maintains this traditional method, producing the distinct tang and lightness that separates authentic South Indian dosas from imitations.

Regional depth

Telugu menu names and regional dishes

Menu categories use Telugu words (Aarambham, Amogham, Ruchikaram, Adbhutham) and include regional Andhra specialties like Dibbarotte and Pesarattu that are rarely found outside South Indian homes.

Indo-Chinese fusion

Ascharyam -- the fusion section

South Indian restaurants in India routinely serve Indo-Chinese food alongside traditional fare. Simply South honors this tradition with Gobi Manchurian, Hakka Noodles, Schezwan rice and Impossible Veg Fried Rice.

Growing fast

4 locations and expanding

Simply South opened its Irving TX flagship and has expanded to Frisco, McKinney (TX) and Warrenville (IL), with Houston, Columbus, Atlanta, Austin, and Tampa announced for 2026-2027.

Browse the menu

Jump to a menu category

Simply South organizes its menu into nine categories, blending South Indian tradition with Telugu menu naming.

The full menu

Every Simply South menu category (2026)

All nine categories below. Tags flag vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items. Many items are naturally gluten-free; confirm with your server if you have a serious intolerance.

Aarambham (Starters & Appetizers) 7 items

Dosa Bazaar 9 items

Idly Corner 4 items

Tiffins 6 items

Amogham (Curries & Daal Entrees) 7 items

Ruchikaram (Biryanis & Pulao) 6 items

Ascharyam (Indo-Chinese) 5 items

Adbhutham (Rice Bowls & Breads) 5 items

Amrutham (Sweets & Beverages) 9 items

Dietary guide

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free at Simply South

Every item on the Simply South menu is vegetarian. Many dishes are naturally vegan (rice dishes, dals, sambar, lemon rice, coconut rice, fresh juices) -- the main dairy-containing items are paneer dishes, butter-finished dosas, lassi, and most Indian sweets.

Gluten-free diners have excellent options: idlis, Pesarattu, all rice dishes, most curries, sambar and rasam are made without wheat. Items to avoid include Ravva Dosa (semolina), Upma (semolina), Parotta and Naan (maida/wheat), Halwa (semolina), and Bature (maida).

Simply South does not operate a certified gluten-free kitchen. Cross-contact is possible. Confirm with your server if you have celiac disease or a serious intolerance.

100% vegetarian -- no meat, chicken, or seafood
Vegan-friendly -- many items vegan or easily adapted
Naturally GF -- idli, rice dishes, most curries
Contains dairy -- paneer, lassi, butter-dosas, sweets
Contains gluten -- Upma, Ravva Dosa, Parotta, Naan
Nut presence -- cashews in some rice dishes and sweets

Locations

Where to find Simply South

Four open locations as of 2026, with multiple new openings announced through 2027.

Irving, TX — Original location

Irving (Dallas area)

1001 MacArthur Park Dr, Irving, TX 75063
The flagship and NYT-recognized location. Dine-in, pickup, and delivery available. Reservations via Toast.

simplysouthirving.com →

Frisco, TX

Frisco

8250 State Hwy 121, Frisco, TX 75034
Full dine-in service with the complete Simply South menu. GrubHub, DoorDash and UberEats delivery.

McKinney, TX — New 2026

McKinney

4781 S Custer Rd, McKinney, TX 75070
Soft-opened January 2026. Confirm current hours before visiting.

Warrenville, IL

Warrenville (Chicago area)

28258 Diehl Rd, Warrenville, IL 60555
Serving the Chicago-area South Indian community. Dine-in and delivery.

About Simply South

The South Indian vegetarian restaurant the NYT called one of America's best.

Simply South was founded to bring authentic South Indian vegetarian cooking to the Dallas-Fort Worth area -- not a shortened, simplified version, but the real breadth of the tradition: fermented-batter dosas and idlis, slow-cooked sambar, saffron biryani, Andhra regional specialties, Indo-Chinese fusion, fresh-squeezed juices and handmade Indian sweets.

The Irving TX location anchored the brand's growth and earned the restaurant a spot on The New York Times best restaurants in America list in 2024 -- a recognition that put Simply South alongside some of the country's most celebrated tables. The restaurant serves the large South Indian community in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro while drawing a broad audience of first-timers and vegetarian diners from across the region.

Simply South takes reservations, offers full catering services, and delivers via GrubHub, DoorDash and UberEats at all DFW locations. A franchise program is underway to support the national expansion announced through 2027.

2024NYT recognition

4Open locations

100%Vegetarian

7+Locations by 2027

Related on Menupedia

Compare with other restaurant menus

Other highly-rated full-service restaurants on Menupedia -- useful if you're planning a meal out and want to compare options.

Common questions

Simply South -- frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions people most often ask about Simply South's menu, locations, vegetarian options, and price range.

What kind of restaurant is Simply South?

Simply South is a 100% vegetarian South Indian restaurant with no meat, chicken, or seafood on the menu. The kitchen specializes in the rice-lentil fermented dishes of South India -- dosas, idlis, uttapam, sambar-rice plates and biryanis -- alongside a full lineup of Indo-Chinese fusion, North Indian curries, freshly prepared sweets, and cold pressed juices. The brand was featured in The New York Times list of best restaurants in America for 2024.

Where is Simply South located?

Simply South has four open locations as of 2026: Irving, TX (1001 MacArthur Park Dr, 75063 -- the original Dallas-area location), Frisco, TX (8250 State Hwy 121), McKinney, TX (4781 S Custer Rd -- soft-opened January 2026), and Warrenville, IL (28258 Diehl Rd). Additional locations in Houston TX, Columbus OH, Atlanta GA, Austin TX, and Tampa FL are announced for 2026-2027. Use the official site at simplysouthirving.com for current hours and reservation links for each location.

Is Simply South suitable for vegans?

Simply South is 100% vegetarian by default, and many dishes are vegan or easily made vegan. Naturally vegan items include most rice dishes (coconut rice, lemon rice, plain biryani without raita), dals, rasam, sambar (confirm no ghee on request), and all non-dairy beverages like fresh lime soda and coconut water. Items containing dairy include paneer dishes, butter-finished dosas, lassi, and kheer. Tell your server and they can advise on the day's vegan-safe builds.

How much does a meal at Simply South cost?

Simply South is priced in the $$ range. Based on typical DFW-area pricing for the category in 2026, expect appetizers around $7-$12, individual dosas and idly plates around $10-$16, entree curries around $13-$18, biryanis around $14-$20, thalis (full meal platter) around $18-$24, and beverages around $3-$6. A full sit-down meal per person typically runs $20-$30 before drinks and dessert. Confirm current pricing at the restaurant or on GrubHub / DoorDash / UberEats for your location.

What is a dosa?

A dosa is a large, thin, crispy crepe made from a fermented batter of rice and black lentils (urad dal). The batter is spread thin on a hot griddle and cooked until golden and lacy-crisp. At Simply South the Masala Dosa is the most popular variant -- filled with spiced potato masala -- but the menu also carries paper-thin Paper Dosas, soft Set Dosas, semolina-laced Ravva Dosas, green moong Pesarattu, paneer-filled dosas, and cheese dosas. All dosas are served with sambar (a tamarind-spiced lentil soup) and fresh coconut chutney.

What are the most popular dishes at Simply South?

Based on the restaurant's own highlights and customer reviews, the most-ordered items at Simply South include: the Masala Dosa (the quintessential South Indian crepe), Idly Sambar (steamed rice cakes in lentil soup), Paneer Butter Masala, Vegetable Biryani, Gobi Manchurian (Indo-Chinese starter), the South Indian Thali (full platter), and Mango Lassi. The Thatte Idly (oversized flat idli) and Filter Coffee are also frequently mentioned as must-orders.

Does Simply South take reservations?

Yes. Simply South accepts dine-in reservations at all locations via Toast (linked from the official site). Walk-ins are also welcome but the restaurant can get busy on weekends, especially at the Irving and Frisco TX locations. You can also join a waitlist remotely. Delivery and pickup are available through GrubHub, DoorDash, and UberEats for all DFW locations.

Is Simply South gluten-free friendly?

Many South Indian dishes are naturally gluten-free because the core staples -- rice, lentils, and fermented rice-lentil batters -- contain no wheat. Items that are typically gluten-free include plain idlis, Pesarattu, most rice dishes, dals, sambar, rasam, most curry entrees, and rice-based desserts like kheer. Items that contain gluten include dishes made with semolina (Ravva Dosa, Upma, Halwa), maida (Parotta, Bature, Naan), and wheat chapati. Simply South does not operate a certified gluten-free kitchen, so cross-contact is possible -- confirm with your server if you have a serious intolerance or celiac disease.

Why was Simply South featured in The New York Times?

Simply South was included in The New York Times' list of best restaurants in America for 2024 -- a rare recognition for a regional vegetarian Indian chain. The NYT citation highlighted the restaurant's commitment to authentic South Indian technique, high-quality ingredients, the breadth of regional specialties on the menu (including less common items like Thatte Idly, Dibbarotte, and Pesarattu), and its role in bringing South Indian cuisine to the mainstream Texas dining scene. The Irving, TX location was the anchor restaurant at the time of the recognition.

More restaurant menus on Menupedia

Full menus, prices, and signature items for U.S. restaurants -- fast food, coffee, diners, family dining and more. New restaurants added on a rolling basis.

Browse the directory → How we work