A half-mile stretch of Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia has become known as Little India due to its densely packed Indian shops and restaurants. A perpetually popular dining option is Ashoka the Great, named for the man who ruled India from 273 to 232 B.C.

We received a complimentary basket of papadum, peppery baked wafers.

Fire-red pickled carrots were hot and peppery and mint chutney was a comparatively cool balm.

Mulligatawny ($2.99) was a hearty starter.

Keema Samosas ($2.99) were spiced ground beef turnovers served with a dish of tangy tamarind chutney.

The Mix Tandoori Grill ($11.50) was a sizzling platter of onions piled with tandoori chicken, seekh kabab, chicken tikka, lamb tikka and tandoori fish.

Chicken Palak ($6.99) were tender chunks of white meat chicken bathed in spinach curry.

The admirably named Roghan Josh ($7.75) showcased chunks of boneless lamb blanketed in a sauce of ginger, garlic, herbs and spices.

Saag Paneer ($5.75) was a dish of firm white house-made cheese in a spinach and cream sauce.

No Indian meal would be complete without multiple orders of savory bread. Tandoor-fired naan ($1.25) was fluffy, with a crisp base, and the Garlic Naan ($1.75) had an added complexity.

Poori ($1.50) were even better, deep-fried discs of puffy bread.

Vegetable Biryani ($5.50) was cooked with onions, tomatoes, yogurt and vegetables.

The side of Raita ($1.50) was a tangy, cool blend of yogurt and diced cucumber.

To drink, I had a textbook Mango Lassi ($1.99).

Ashoka the Great isn’t producing cutting-edge Indian food, but flavorful dishes at bargain basement prices are certainly worth eating.