Any Decent Indian Food around Bridgeport?

[Chicago Wine Geek]

I work around 35th and Halsted and some friends from work have never had Indian food. Anywhere in a 15 minute drive from here serving decent Indian food?

Thanks!

[nsxtasy]

There are two Indian restaurants in the South Loop. Chicago Curry House ( www.curryhouseonline.com ) serves Indian and Nepalese cuisine; I've been to its sister restaurant, the Curry Hut in Highwood, and it's very good. The India Grill ( www.theindiagrill.com ) is also in the South Loop but I haven't been there.

I also haven't been to the Rajun Cajun ( www.rajunrestaurant.com ) in Hyde Park, where they serve a combination of Indian cuisine and soul food.

[Vinny Barbaresco]

The India Grill in the South Loop is far superior to both Chicago Curry House (very over priced) and Rajun Cajun (fast food joint). The focus is mostly on Northern Indian cuisine, but they also have many tasty options from the tandoor. I have heard pretty good things about Chutney Joe's, but haven't tried them as of yet.

India Grill
1112 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago, IL 60605
312-662-1111

Chutney Joe's
511 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60616
312-341-9755
http://www.chutneyjoes.com

[gordeaux]

Chutney Joe's is pretty much a strip mall Indian "Cafe" geared towards fast lunch from a steam tray doled out by teenagers. One of those places that throws you a third of a piece of naan, and calls it "naan." Go ahead and try it. You've been told exactly what it is. Don't be surprised. I went there once and was STARVING. We ordered two meals. I can barely remember the rogan josh as being almost flavorful, I can't even remember what my d/c had. lol - in looking at the menu: Tandoori Chicken Bites? I think that about sums it up for me.

I looked thru the Indian Grill's menu from the linik nsxtasy posted, and if Chicago Curry House is very over priced, then they must be charging body parts for their food. India Grill better be some decent eats for those prices. Although, in that part of the city, they can probably get away with those prices.

[jbw]

I'm fond of Chicago Curry House in the South Loop, and I don't find it particularly overpriced, altho it's not cheap, and definitely has a restaurant atmosphere. Some of the offerings can be hit or miss, but I've not been disappointed be the Nepalese specialties (particularly the goat) and most of the vegetable offerings. (Most of my disappointments have been due to dishes that don't seem to have been freshly made. When the dish is made on the spot it seems to be, well, right on the spot.

[gordeaux]

Please forgive my sarcasm, but I have yet to find a "more upscale" Indian place that was any better (food-wise) than some of the cabie joints around town. Some of them charge even more than double the cabbie joints, and have worse food imo. I'm not saying Chicago Curry House, or India grill are overpriced, but their prices certainly send up a red flag for me. I won't write either of them off, and would definitely try them, but my experiences with expensive Indian Food have not been that favorable at all.

[Chicago Wine Geek]

Thanks everyone!! I think Indian Grill is our first choice.

[Chicago Wine Geek]

Went there today with 5, 3 had never had Indian food. Buffet was really good. I usually hate buffets because that usually means lots of variety of never very good food. This was different. Great variety, constantly replenished with fresh entrees, quality food. I was disappointed that they only had the buffet for lunch and you can't order off the menu.

Unless you ask!

They made me a Chicken Vindaloo that was really good.

I would definitely recommend this place. And I really want to try the deli next door!

[nsxtasy]

>> And I really want to try the deli next door!

Eleven City Diner ( www.elevencitydiner.com ) is pretty good, although it's more of a diner type place rather than strictly a deli like Manny's ( www.mannysdeli.com ) or Steve's ( www.stevesdeli.com ).

Also if you've never been to the Bongo Room on that corner (12th/Roosevelt and Wabash), you should try it. They specialize in breakfast dishes, like pretzel pancakes with white chocolate sauce, although they also have sandwiches and salads at lunchtime. The pancakes are enormous; a standard order is three of them, but you can also get one-third and two-thirds portion sizes at a reduced price, in case you want to try more than one dish.