India House on Grand

Can't find a topic dedicated and all the posts are positive - any regulars that can suggest stand out, absolute must dishes?

Not going to the buffet but this is for dinner.

Thanks, as always!

I love their crab curry. Tomato and cream based with maybe a bit of coconut enveloping picked crab meet, its very lush, tastes of the sea and is perfect with nan. Its also a bit pricey, something like 16 or 18 bucks, but worth it.

I think it probably offers one of the best, if not the best, buffet Indian experience in Chicago. Stuff isn't dumbed down too much on spice and the turnover is good. Of course buffet isn't the best way to experience any food. A la carte, they've also been pretty good.

There's really nothing on the menu I've ever eaten that is bad, & its all really good, but the tandoori phool is a fav & rarely seen elsewhere (its whole cauliflower spiced & baked in the tandoor - in India its made with a variety of cauliflowers the size of tennis balls, but here they are a bit larger), also the chicken breast cooked in the tandoor with a cream, cashew & pistacio paste (the exact dish name of which escapes me) & the ras malai is gorgeous - served properly chilled in a copper cup with real rabri. Also ask what ice creams they have - the chef there occasionally makes them & they are all good, particularly the mango, but if they have the chikoo version its worth trying as again its something that's rarely seen elsewhere.

My luck with India House has not been so good. I end up with dishes that are sweet with a lot of cream -- but little else. I have tried to ask for dishes to be prepared for Indian people, but to no avail. This is why I usually stick to the taxi joints when I am near downtown.

I have tried to ask for dishes to be prepared for Indian people, but to no avail.

Which is what you got - food with lots of cream. What you should have asked for was homestyle food with no cream, of which there's very little on on their menu - they serve north indian restaurant style food, which is now a specific subclass of Indian cuisine.

This is why I usually stick to the taxi joints when I am near downtown.

Which don't serve Indian food, they serve Pakistani - & there's a huge difference in style.

Athena wrote:

I have tried to ask for dishes to be prepared for Indian people, but to no avail.

Which is what you got - food with lots of cream. What you should have asked for was homestyle food with no cream, of which there's very little on on their menu - they serve north indian restaurant style food, which is now a specific subclass of Indian cuisine.

This is why I usually stick to the taxi joints when I am near downtown.

Which don't serve Indian food, they serve Pakistani - & there's a huge difference in style.

I spent a few weeks in different states in Northern India and found that food from restaurants, cafes, and the street was wonderfully spiced with interesting textures -- not all sweet and full of cream. Good suggestion about homestyle food. I will try that.

You are right about the downtown taxi places being mostly Pakistani...but they still satisfy an Indian craving that I haven't been ably to satisfy at the restaurants downtown. Shan, which is not downtown, but is probably more Indian, is my favorite.

I am going to India House for dinner because my wife bought one of those $40 coupons for $10, or something like that.

Anyway, I love Indian Food but do not really understand all the variations as I have not eaten that much of it. I would like try something interesting but also something relatively safe so as not to freak out my wife.

On Chowhound someone said to start with Tikki Masala and someone else said try Butter Chicken...

Can someone give me a one minute guide of what to get?

Thanks!

The Chicago branch menu has a "special feast for two" I've ordered in the past with folks who are new to Indian food. Its a mixed assortment of kebabs (chicken, lamb, fish, shrimp), a choice of a couple of chicken curries (I usually get the chicken makhani - butter chicken), dal (black lentils), rice, naan & dessert. Its a good way to try a bunch of dishes, just add an appetizer if you're in the mood (I like the papdi chaat) & extra naan if needed.

ETA - the feast is $39.99, btw, & its a good deal for the price even without the Groupon.

x

DKoblesky wrote:I am going to India House for dinner because my wife bought one of those $40 coupons for $10, or something like that.

Anyway, I love Indian Food but do not really understand all the variations as I have not eaten that much of it. I would like try something interesting but also something relatively safe so as not to freak out my wife.

On Chowhound someone said to start with Tikki Masala and someone else said try Butter Chicken...

Can someone give me a one minute guide of what to get?

Thanks!

Do you like spicy--hot-- food? I always get some sort of dahl mahkni is my favorite, get the garlic naan, chai, and get the tandoori chicken. MrPairs4life adores the spicy lamb dishes and ask for the lime pickle-- they may not put it out without you asking.