CHICAGO— Devon Avenue is home away from home for any Chicago transplant from India. But that doesn't mean it's the only place to get good Indian food.
During my time in Chicago, I made it a point to try Indian food across Chicago — sometimes you just crave Indian food but you can't get to Devon, what with the long train ride followed by the bus ride in my case.
So, for my second lap of Chicago's best Indian restaurants, I set out to venture beyond Devon (chauffeured by my friend Mike Bacos in exchange for the promise of delicious curries and more — thanks Mike!).
From elaborate North Indian lunch buffets to simple dinners, Chicago is home to some great Indian restaurants. Here is my list (and a map) of the must-visit restaurants in the city:
If you live in and around Edgewater and Uptown, The Little India (1109 W. Bryn Mawr Ave.) is your best bet for a sumptuous North Indian lunch buffet. The Chicken Tikka Masala is creamy, saucy and perfectly hot — your American friends might sweat, but not so much that they will stop eating it. My friend plowed through that and Chicken Makhani in 15 minutes before he realized it was actually spicy. I also love their Mango custard, a gooey and creamy mango dessert made with mango pulp, almonds and custard. Apart from this, it also has a large selection of vegan dishes like aalo gobi (potato and cauliflower gravy), aalo parata (stuffed potato bread). Tip: The lunch buffet is $11.99 and has everything from samosas to gaajar ka halwa (carrot pudding) and is a steal. Also, it is a stone's throw from the Bryn Mawr Red Line stop.
"We make sure the dishes are not extremely spicy because 80 percent of the regular customers are Americans," said Muhammad Ali, the manager of the store.
RELATED: A Guide To The Best of Devon, According To A Chicago Transplant From India
Come a little down south to Lakeview and you will find Hema's Kitchen (2411 N. Clark St.). This petite restaurant is tucked in the intersection of Fullerton and Clark and is known for its North Indian fare like paneer tikka (Indian cheese, bell peppers and onions marinated in spices) and murg malai tikka (chicken cubes marinated in yogurt, cream and lemon juice). But I really like its seafood options. The Indian fish curry (deep fried and marinated with yogurt, lemon and garlic) has just the right amount of hot and sour to it. The fish vindaloo is extremely hot, and the potato and coconut gravy that comes with it is fresh, hot and tangy all at once. Tip: If you are looking to get something quick and light, I'd recommend the veggie rolls and chicken rolls: They are like your regular wraps but with all the Indian spices (a fantastic addition, I'd say).
Farther south, near the Grand Red Line stop is The Indian Garden (247 E. Ontario St.), an upscale North Indian restaurant. I love the ambience of this restaurant. The first time I entered this place, it felt like I was back in India — the Hindu god sculptures and the sculptures of elephants added with the bright-colored draperies and curtains give this place a very Indian touch. It also has classical music playing in the background which transports me back to the temples of India in a heart beat. The best item on the menu: the Hyderabadi dum biryani. Made with chicken cubes marinated in yogurt, garlic paste, chicken masala and turmeric powder, this rice dish is slow-cooked until the essence of the chicken is evenly spread in the rice. I love the tangy aftertaste the biryani leaves. Tip: If you're visiting during the weekend, you might want to call and book a table in advance. It gets pretty crowded.
"What people find great about the menu here is that each dish has several spice levels and people can choose how spicy they want their dish to be," owner Arun Sharma said.
Another must-visit restaurant Downtown is Gaylord Fine Indian Cuisine (100 E. Walton St.). It has a very Bollywood feel to it — pictures of Indian actors adorn the walls of the restaurant. My favorite one is that of Shah Rukh Khan in his 20s. This upscale restaurant has the best chicken dishes in my opinion. The murg makhani (boneless chicken cooked in butter and tomato puree with seasonings) melts in your mouth. The fresh flavor of butter mixed with the tomato puree makes you want to grab another piece of bread and keep eating. It also has a decent amount of South Indian dishes like dosa (made with rice flour), vada (savory donuts) and idly (steamed rice batter). Tip: Try their spiced Indian tea— made with ginger and cloves. It tasted a lot like my mom's tea back home.
Wicker Park's Cumin (1414 N. Milwaukee Ave.) has some fabulous dishes on its menu. The goat gravy, made with cumin, cloves, tomato and onion puree and spices is the perfect marriage of meat and Indian spices. The meat is marinated and slow cooked and you can taste the essence of the meat in the dish. It also has an extensive list of pakoras (vegetables fried in chickpea batter) like onion, chicken, shrimp and potato pakora. Tip: Land up in Wicker Park for a day, enjoy the neighborhood and wrap it up with a lunch buffet at Cumin.
Other restaurants to look out for: Chicago Curry House (its non vegetarian — bhojana complete meat-based Indian meal — is filling, hot and tasty), Bombay Wraps (Indianized wraps with spices, sauces and meat/vegetables) and Paprika (its assorted chutneys — vegetable/fruit-based paste usually eaten with rice is fresh and tangy. Ask for the mango or coriander chutney).
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