Spice Grill - Goan in Rolling Meadows

I checked this place out a little while ago after hearing rumours of a Goan restaurant in the suburbs - this wasn't the one I had heard about (so there may be another out there) but an internet search turned up this place in a converted Hardee's (I think) not far from Ikea.

Spice Grill
5540 New Wilke Rd
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
at Tinder Dr
http://spicegrillrm.com/index.php/our-menu

I think they mainly feature a buffet, but in our visit the buffet didn't show much goan character (aside from heavy mint presence in the vegetable palao), luckily I had called ahead and pre-ordered all the goan and keralan stuff .

I'm glad I did because most of these dishes aren't available (that I know of ) around town elsewhere - in the vindaloo for example you could taste the vinegar (the vin part) and contained nicely cooked potato (the aloo part) as well as the protein, it had nice spice but wasn't the overwhelmingly chili dominated dish that sometimes is passed off as vindaloo. The real star that day though was the pomfret fry - which might be the best fish dish I've eaten in a while - marinated overnight, spice crusted and charred on the grill - it was very very good.

Apologies for the lack of photos - but I am a notoriously bad photographer and I don't think the photos I did take would do it justice

I am hoping that this post and any follow-ups will inspire folks to go there, because at the moment the proprietor is keeping pork and beef dishes off the menu out of respect for the majority of his clientele, who are non-goan Desis, he does say that he does offer those sometimes as a "special" - maybe if more folks come in asking about sorpotel for example these will become more regular menu items.

I found this spot courtesy of doing a Groupon search of the area. Don't let the exterior of this place turn you off. It was a KFC in a previous life. The interior (excluding the bathroom) is nice. This place has been around for a couple of years according to my server.

I had the lunch buffet. I know absolutely nothing about Goan cuisine. What I did eat was fresh and quite good.

The restaurant was practically empty during the lunch period. Only two tables were occupied. I'd definitely return for a visit when I'm in the area.