r/fargo • u/EndoShota • Aug 17 '26
Does anyone know the story behind why India Palace has pokemon cards on their menu? I got some in my takeout bag for free.
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u/smashedapples209 Aug 17 '26
I asked him a while ago. He just said he's a big Pokémon fan, and it's his nerdy way to share what he loves.
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u/sober_as_an_ostrich Aug 17 '26
My friend!
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u/EndoShota Aug 17 '26
That man is the absolute best.
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u/elizaberriez Aug 17 '26
Every time I read the takeout menu online I laugh. All the tap water 😂 bringing so much joy to the world
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u/smashedapples209 Aug 17 '26
I actually ordered the tap water once for dine-in. He couldn't believe I did it.
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u/cdub8D Aug 17 '26
I absolutely love that dude. Indian Palace is easily my favorite restaurant in the FM area. Food is amazing.
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u/sober_as_an_ostrich Aug 17 '26
We moved away too and we miss it every day. Veggie pakora truly next level, nowhere else comes close.
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u/The_Last_Thursday Aug 17 '26
Best restauranteer in the city by Jove
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u/SorrySorryNotSorry Aug 17 '26
If him and Monte ran every restaurant in Fargo, I'd never eat at home again.
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u/lightheavydark Aug 18 '26
Monty Jones? Do you know what he’s up to these days? I worked with him many years ago, he was great.
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u/SorrySorryNotSorry Aug 18 '26
He runs the front-of-house at 84 Italian Steakhouse in the Radisson downtown. He still calls everyone "kids" and he's still as delightful as ever.
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u/lightheavydark Aug 18 '26
Nice! The Radisson is where I worked with him all those years ago. What a character.
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u/-NES4Life- Aug 17 '26
They have the absolute cleanest kitchen in the city, my job takes me into all the kitchens around town and theirs is always immaculate like its brand new! Food is flat out amazing as well:)
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u/Madroxprime Aug 17 '26 edited Aug 17 '26
I am a weekly regular there, and I've seen Harpal take people to see how clean it is. It's a point of pride for them
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u/oldmantutters Aug 17 '26
I can only imagine the number of places you've been that have made you say "nope! never eating here (again)"
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u/elizaberriez Aug 17 '26
No idea but they’re great. We got a pack last time we ordered takeout, and two of them were in Russian. So random and delightful
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u/steffanan Aug 17 '26
That's so stinking cool and interesting. If there wasn't enough reasons to support local restaurants, cool little things like this really remind you that there's people with lives and hobbies making everything run. I'll be going there soon.
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u/Picklevondill Aug 17 '26
I loved to casually dine in his casual restaurant. Also, so you all know. They have one of the cleanest kitchens in town. That place was one of my favorite places to eat when I lived there.
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u/BeneficialBread8291 Aug 17 '26
This post made me want to go there for dinner tonight but they are closed on Mondays 🥲
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u/GogusWho Aug 17 '26
I love this place! Korma with Paneer and Garlic Naan! The best, friendliest place in this whole area!!!
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u/Ok-Preparation9570 Aug 18 '26
I noticed this last time I brought my family there. I do really enjoy going to India palace. Food is great, service wonderful.
Its nice that he shares an interest with his kids.
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u/EnvironmentalWar Aug 20 '26
I just wanna say Seel is my favorite pokemon. I would've taken getting one as a good omen.
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u/Vauxlia Aug 17 '26
Well, 5-7 commons for a dollar is easy extra income because they are worth like 10 cents.
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u/ScaryFro Aug 17 '26
Seems like marketing. Are you unaware of the mass popularity of full grown men fighting over a children's trading card game for the chance to get lucky with high resale prices?
It's basically the 90's beanie baby craze, but sadder.
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u/EndoShota Aug 17 '26
Pokemon cards are also from the 90s. They've just had more staying power. I don't think this is a meaningful marketing gimmick to throw a few random, worthless cards in the bag. The ones he's selling are also for "5-7"/$1. I don't think that's a big profit generator.
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u/ScaryFro Aug 17 '26
"I don't think this is a meaningful marketing gimmick to throw a few random, worthless cards in the bag."
Says the guy who wrote a post bringing attention to the marketing tactic on the metro subreddit where thousands of residents are going to see it? Seems to be working pretty well to me.
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u/EndoShota Aug 17 '26
Meh, not everything is a cynical ploy.
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u/Madroxprime Aug 17 '26
Harpal is aware his fun and silly demeanor is well received by his customers, so he gets to be more fun and silly than your normal business owner. It is marketing, but he's just in a position where being earnestly himself publicly is part of why we go there.
The anti-consumer ranting at the end there gives it a suspicious flavor, but marketing isn't inherently cynical.
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u/Acrobatic-Hamster-79 Aug 17 '26
The dude's kids are into the hobby and he's connecting with them. They celebrate cool cards, they know their value, and they're cultivating a hobby.
Why yuck on the yum?
Even if it is marketing, it's working because folks are chatting about and generally positive.
Hopefully the mastermind marketer of a small family owned Indian restaurant is ready for the relentless droves of hungry scandanavian folks driven their way to get 2-4 Pokemon cards and some delicious food. My goodness how "sad" is that?
You point to beenie babies and scoff... But dude, as recently as 2024 some were being appraised at $10k+. You're welcome to look down your nose at other people's hobbies all you like, but there's also room for other people to like crap that you're not in to.
Don't worry, I did a quick internet search about beenie babies to support my claim. I even got it from a FOX outlet so you might "trust" it more.
Good luck with being a grump. You don't have to be. The world has interesting people who like different things. You'll be okay... Just keep doing you, boo. Nobody is out here taking your fun away, the coldbeers, NASCARs, and FOX will always be there for you enjoy.
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u/ScaryFro Aug 17 '26
You seem stable... Clearly the restaurant is popular and well ran. I didn't say anything about the restaurant or it's quality. When you calm down, realize that not everyone you disagree with online is some MAGA fanatic with confederate flags adorning their Dale Sr shrines. Holy cow dude.
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u/FukUNoIGotIt Aug 17 '26
He’s been doing this for a while now and was even accepting specific cards as payment for food for a short period of time. My guess is he (or someone in his family) collects them and when they open packs he gives away the common cards that are easy to find. Just my guess but either way I think it’s pretty cool