For some reason, I skipped out on trying Indian and Pakistani food for a long while, though eating foods from different cultures and parts of the world is an eye-opening experience and one that should be shared by all people.
I thought I would go through life just fine without ever digesting Indian cuisine. The fear that made it hard to swallow was silly. Not being familiar with their spices or cooking methods made me a little nervous.
Knowing this fear must be wiped away, I took a big step and landed in Curry Corner on Rural Road and Apache Boulevard.
For those who watch Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives," Curry Corner might sound familiar, because it was featured on the show June 17.
Curry Corner is situated in a little strip mall next to a tattoo and piercing shop. With tinted windows, it's not easy to see the magic that goes on inside the small eatery.
If it is your first time eating Indian or Pakistani food, the menu's options may seem rather, well, foreign.
I thought I wanted lamb, but when owner Farah Khalid came by to take our order, she was very helpful and encouraged me to get the tikka masala with chicken instead of lamb.
Taking her word was the wisest decision. The chicken was tender, and the tikka masala was full of flavor, but it wasn't overwhelming.
If you visit Curry Corner for your first taste of Indian or Pakistani food, the Arabic Thali is also a good choice. It is an opportunity to get a feel for the flavors and foods of the Middle East. Think of it as a sampler plate.
It comes with two chicken curries, humus, naan — oven-baked flatbread — rice and a small salad with yogurt based dressing.
Curry Corner's humus does have a different taste than the Greek variety, yet I now prefer the humus there than any other restaurant or market.
Curry Corner is small and always packed. During dinner, a line started to form out the door. But servers are quick to accommodate customers so no one has to miss out on the Corner's goodness.
Overcoming your fears is a good thing. Try Curry Corner and don't be surprised if all you want to eat out is Indian and Pakistani food afterward.
Reach the reporter at nrmirand@asu.edu or follow on Twitter at @natalieroxann