Your top 3 ethnic dives in Chicago [2016]....

I just moved back to Chicago after years in LA (a TREMENDOUS cheap ethnic eats city) and D.C. (a TERRIBLE cheap ethnic eats city).

Help my move back to me out by posting your favorite ethnic dives in Chicago and surrounding area. "Ethnic" meaning authentic/probably spicy and "Dives" meaning casual/cheap --- kitchen, counter, chairs, grub!

Welcome. We have just the thing for you:

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=32598

The map version:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll ... B0sRSLRkoc

From a personal perspective for 2016 at the intersection of Dive and Ethnic (though we vigorously debate these terms here), I'll go beyond the list to:

1. Tabaq, after 10 PM

2. Lola Tining's Cuisine: sprinkle the garlic fried peanuts by the register on your halo halo

3. Slurp Slurp for shaved noodles, must be doctored at table with house pickles. (This slot would be Qing Xiang Yuan, but they're closed until November and will be unfortunately at that point two worlds less divey than a year ago, though doubtless just as delicious).

Another good option not on the GNR list..

Ghareeb Nawaz on Devon - http://ghareebnawazonline.com/

More of a cafeteria style, but decent vibe & authentic, tasty Indian food. HUGE portions for $2-$5 per entree, including sides. You can feed 6-8 people for probably $25.

The GNR list is a great source for ethnic dives. It covers a lot of great spots from cuisines well represented in Chicago e.g. Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, Polish, Pakistani, Thai, Filipino etc (btw Ghareeb is on the GNR list)

A couple spots not on the list that reflect some other cuisines are:
-Jibek Jolu - Kyrgyz
-Beograd Cafe - Serbian
-Kabobi and Noon o Kebab - Persian
-Grace - Ghanaian
-Shokran - Moroccan

Although not strictly what you asked for, the Strange Foods festival may give you some ideas-

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2016101 ... estaurants

Birreria Reyes de Ocotlan - viewtopic.php?t=3639

Homestyle Taste
Khan BBQ
La Chaparrita

Though a GNR, I think Dancen (Korean) still qualifies for what you're looking for.

Nha Hang Vietnam
Taza Bakery
Huaraches Dona Chio

Possumlad wrote:Another good option not on the GNR list..

Ghareeb Nawaz on Devon - http://ghareebnawazonline.com/

More of a cafeteria style, but decent vibe & authentic, tasty Indian food. HUGE portions for $2-$5 per entree, including sides. You can feed 6-8 people for probably $25.

Seconded; a hidden gem of taste and value.

Lalibela
5633 N Ashland
773.944.0585

Joong Boo Market restaurant
3333 N Kimball
773.478.5566

Taqueria El Asadero
2213 W Montrose
773.583.5563

Santander wrote:Slurp Slurp for shaved noodles, must be doctored at table with house pickles.

Amen to this. I was unaware of the mention when I swung by at 10pm last night, but the shaved noodles did not disappoint one bit. Wonderful thick texture, reminiscent of my longtime favorite Lulu's (Evanston) stir-fried wide rice noodle. I also found the pork and chive dumplings to be good too. Such an excellent value. I'll have to try out the house pickle tip next time!

1) Cafe Bai - Uzbek
2) Pakeeza - Pakistani
3) Papa's Cache Sabroso - Boricua

Ghareeb Nawaz is a GNR. In my mind a "cafeteria style" restaurant has steam tables a buffet of some sort. GN is quite different than this. In fact, it has a huge menu.

If you haven't been in a while, it's worth a re-visit. They remodeled nicely and the folks taking orders seem a bit more patient to those of us who aren't from the region and have questions.

If I lived in the neighborhood, I would eat there every day.

bw77 wrote:Ghareeb Nawaz is a GNR. In my mind a "cafeteria style" restaurant has steam tables a buffet of some sort. GN is quite different than this. In fact, it has a huge menu.

If you haven't been in a while, it's worth a re-visit. They remodeled nicely and the folks taking orders seem a bit more patient to those of us who aren't from the region and have questions.

If I lived in the neighborhood, I would eat there every day.

I used to eat there almost weekly when I was still a student in nearby Evanston. When it was finals week, I wouldn't want to cook/go out for food, so I'd order enough chili chicken biryani, hunter beef, daal, and paratha to feed me for the week. The food keeps (and freezes) remarkably well in a pinch (except the daal).