Indian Dive Or Buffet - Schaumburg-ish Area

Just wondering if anyone has a place up their sleeve. Traveling today to Schaumburg area around lunch time, and I will be looking to refuel heartily. I know the Indian population in Schaumburg is there, so I'm thinking that may be my best bet. Read a few threads, currently, New Delhi is the front runner. Anywhere in the area is fine. Schaumburg, I also have to go to something called Streamwood, and some other thing called Hoffman Estates too. Have a car and I'm not afraid to use it. Just looking for an ethnic dive with some great eats to try out. Anyone got anything? I'm a meat eater, so Pakistani is fine.

Pigmon talks about Pepper & Salt in his recent Tribune article on haleem.

Here is what he said:

Pepper & Salt: If you're anywhere close to Schaumburg, Pepper & Salt is the place for haleem. Wheat, barley, lentils and beef meld together as one, creating an ideal elastically smooth texture. Typical spices used in the "Karachi style" haleem include peppercorns, clove, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon and turmeric (collectively known as garam masala), beautifully integrated into the dish. This is some of the best haleem in town. Flatbreads such as paratha and the less common sheermal, a slightly sweet version of naan, are worth trying. 2263 W. Schaumburg Rd., Schaumburg, 847-524-1401

http://my.chicagotribune.com/#section/- ... -73961788/

And Sula from last week:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/ar ... r-and-salt

Another solid place is Sankalp, on Golf Rd. just west of Roselle Rd.

Sankalp is one of my favorite Indian restaurants and they have some very nice lunch specials.







Of course if you want a Franky roll you have only one choice . . .



Sankalp
167 W Golf Rd
Schaumburg IL
847-490-4444
http://www.sankalprestaurants.com/

Pepper & Salt
2263 W Schaumburg Rd
Schaumburg IL
847-524-1401

Chowpatti is not in Schaumburg, but pretty near, if you have time. tpsiclients.com
1035 South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Just noticed you mention Hoffman Estates and Streamwood. In Hoffman Estates, BBQ Tonight is a worthwhile stop. Only went once for goat biryani and karahi gosht but thought it good enough to want to return. Don't know a thing about Streamwood.



BBQ Tonight
1061 W Golf Rd
Hoffman Estates IL
847-839-3883

Rene G wrote:Just noticed you mention Hoffman Estates and Streamwood. In Hoffman Estates, BBQ Tonight is a worthwhile stop. Only went once for goat biryani and karahi gosht but thought it good enough to want to return. Don't know a thing about Streamwood.

I've been to BBQ Tonight a couple times, and I think some dishes are good while others not. You definitely ordered well. Their goat biryani is quite good. Their nahari is also okay. But I think their grilled items (which should be their specialties) are way too salty and tough. Perhaps I went on off nights.

I agree with your earlier comment that Sankalp is fantastic. Great selections of dosa and idli!

At New Delhi enjoying lukewarm lunch buffet offerings. Bbq tonight and pepper&salt did not have a buffet, wanted to be quick and be able to try a good array- New Delhi won.

seebee wrote:At New Delhi enjoying lukewarm lunch buffet offerings. Bbq tonight and pepper&salt did not have a buffet, wanted to be quick and be able to try a good array- New Delhi won.

Whenever I seek out mediocre food I always want to make sure I'm able to try a good array.

Well, said, milz50.

I, in my heart of hearts, knew what I was probably in for, but the idealist in me always has hope. This was standard Indian buffet fare. One or two standouts among the 10 or so offerings. Maybe it's me, but I always seem to find the "goat curry" at these sub $10 buffets the one thing worth loading up on. Between the bones and gristle were some nice tender hunks of goaty goodness here. The murgh makhni suffered from white meat blandness, the tandoori chicken was nicely chilied up, tho a little heavy on the salt. Everything else was just mediocre, save for the gulab jamun. Really nice here-piping hot. Note to any Indian restauranteurs that might be reading - hot gulab jamun swimming in that syrup needs one thing to make it the perfect seebee "Yes, I'm gonna go get a third helping of that stuff, and be super fat, go home and fall asleep in the chair" food. That one thing would be a big ol' honkin' chunk o butter on top. mmmmm- pre-soaked pancakes with butter...mmmmmm.

Anyway I thank you all for the suggestions. I was all set to go to Pepper And Salt, as the picture in the linked article showed "Lunch Buffet" in the window, but I, like an idiot, called first and they said "no, lunch buffet." I probably would have been better off going there, but, I wanted to taste some different things, and not be locked into one thing.

Thanks again, all. I actually sent this thread to a friend, with the caption, "This is yet another reason I love Lthforum!"