Spicy Bites in Vernon Hills

Lured by a Groupon, I visited Spicy Bites Café in Vernon Hills today. It's kind of a little hole-in-the-wall place that has some colorful artwork on the walls but is otherwise somewhat spare -- not a place you go for atmosphere -- but it sure smelled right when I walked in. There are a few tables and chairs, a couple of glass-fronted display cases, and a half dozen chalk boards. Piled on the counter are styrofoam containers, because a lot of the food leaves the premises -- and that's the option I chose today.

If you're having a meal, you get basmati rice, a choice of three "sides" (which here actually means anything you'd have along with your rice -- butter chicken, goat curry, chick peas, egg curry, lentils, vegetables, paneer, and so on), a small serving of raita, and a large slab of really good, chewy naan --$7 vegetarian and $8 non-veg. I was buying for two, so once I reached my friend's house and we dined, I got to sample a fair number of dishes. The butter chicken was beautiful, the spiced cauliflower was excellent, the kurma was great -- in fact, all six dishes we had were really good.

In the glass case not taken up by the hot dishes, there is a plethora of fried snacks of various sorts: spiced potato patties, samosas, and maybe 14 other crunchy delights. Didn't try any this time, but I can envision myself stopping back there.

This is NOT a destination restaurant. It's a driving by and need something to eat that's quick and tasty spot -- whether you eat in or take it home. Or you're shopping two doors down at Spice Bazaar (same owners) and decide, after smelling all the spices and being inspired by all the offerings, that you've worked up an appetite. So don't drive two hours to get there and then wonder what the big deal is -- but if you're in the area, it's definitely a reasonable option.

SpicyBites Indian Cafe
139 Townline Road
Vernon Hills, IL60061
(847) 549-0099
http://spicybitescafe.com/Home_Page.html

If I'm envisioning it correctly, is this more or less of a Panda Express style concept of Indian Food? If so, thanks for the description. This place is within reach for lunch take out for me. I've wondered about it, and the website just says it's "fast food" more or less. Definitely have to give this place a try, tho to get there, I'll have to drive right by and avoid stopping at that totally mediocre Indian Buffet on Townline a little bit east of there.

Do they still use a microwave to heat up the food before they serve it to you? Also, I believe they are the same owners of Urban Tandoor in Long Grove.

milz50 wrote:Do they still use a microwave to heat up the food before they serve it to you? Also, I believe they are the same owners of Urban Tandoor in Long Grove.

It's entirely possible that it's the same owners as Urban Tandoor, but I found no evidence of it on the Urban Tandoor or Spicy Bites sites.

As for microwave -- no -- they have a steam table, like most of the quick-serve places. I was there at 3:30 -- so not a top lunch hour -- and they were actually bringing out a few new dishes to put on the steam table. So I get the feeling that there's enough turn-over that it's all pretty fresh when you buy it. And it was nice and hot.

Re: the question about this being like Panda Buffet -- kind of, but in a less slick, more small-town Indian mom and pop sort of way. Plus it has those rows and rows of snacks, which remind me of places on Devon.

Cynthia wrote:

milz50 wrote:Do they still use a microwave to heat up the food before they serve it to you? Also, I believe they are the same owners of Urban Tandoor in Long Grove.

It's entirely possible that it's the same owners as Urban Tandoor, but I found no evidence of it on the Urban Tandoor or Spicy Bites sites.

Here's the evidence...

http://www.urbantandoor.com/about/

milz50 wrote:

Cynthia wrote:
It's entirely possible that it's the same owners as Urban Tandoor, but I found no evidence of it on the Urban Tandoor or Spicy Bites sites.

Here's the evidence...

http://www.urbantandoor.com/about/

Thanks. I suspect Urban Tandoor will be pricier than Spicy Bites, since it's clearly more upscale -- but it's a lot closer, so I'll definitely be checking it out. I think there might be more competition in this immediate area, however, with India House and Swad of India nearby in Buffalo Grove.

I had driven by Spicy Bites many times but I've lately had a taste for vegetarian Indian dishes, so while out running errands today I did a search and found, like an upthread post, that Spicy Bites was 'on the way' to one of my stops. So I stopped in.

First thing I thought when entering was Seinfeld's Dream Cafe, with Babu Bhat, except Spicy Bites is a lot smaller. Only about 5 tables, and I was the only diner. But the other thing was besides the tiny buffet steam table (that only they can access), a chalkboard had no less than 40 mostly south Indian entrees that could be ordered, an incredible amount of choices, probably too many for such a small place.

At any rate, I ordered the special of 3 vegetarian entrees, with basmati rice and naan for $7.99. I chose an okra/eggplant/green pepper mix, a spinach and paneer combo, and then finally garbanzo beans in a red sauce. All were delicious, not too aggressively spiced from a heat standpoint, the naan was tremendous, and I was in and out of there in 30 minutes.

I don't think the flavor was too Americanized, either, always a worry in what could almost be described as 'fast food Indian'. But the guy behind the counter seemed genuinely pleased I was there, and I definitely will be back, considering my lunch was very tasty indeed & a very good value besides.

Hi,

During Ramadan, I stopped in at Spicy Bites because I wanted a samosa. When I saw dates by the cashier, I inquired if Muslims had iftar - breaking the fast meal - at Spicy Bites. I learned their meat was Halal, though I don't recall seeing it on their menu or elsewhere.

They serve Indian-Chinese dishes, which is not something offered everywhere. While some Indian-Chinese dishes were evident on the menu, I got the impression they are not offered every day. If it is something you wish for, I suggest calling in advance to arrive on days this is offered.

Their buffet has nine dishes, because I watched them plot out the menu when I arrived early another day. One item intrigued me: a curry with mushrooms.

Just a few storefronts away is an Indian food shop, though it tended to offer mostly dried and shelf stable food.

Regards,
Cathy2

We occasionally get take out from Spicy Bites. Prices are low. Always four or five vegetarian options. Usually get about four entrees and some times apps. Three of the four are usually good and one being fair. Never had anything I would call very good (including non-prepared items), but an acceptable option when you do not have time to cook. We were there a few weeks ago and the standouts were an eggplant dish and an okra dish.

I have shopped at the Indian store several times and the lady who seems to be the owner is always very helpful and comes out from behind the counter. Especially when she sees the non-Indian guy comparing labels

I went to Spicy Bites yesterday and found out that the restaurant closed last year. The restaurant that opened in that location is called Madras Cafe (https://www.madraskafe.com/). At 8 pm last night, I saw three parties waiting for food. The food is not that fast since the food is cooked to order. Note: the cashier requested that the payment be made in cash.

The request for payment in cash is a red flag for me. Maybe I'm hypersensitive. When I lived in Chile, I saw how much importance was placed on giving and receiving numbered receipts with paper carbons. No one cheats the tax man!

Katie wrote:The request for payment in cash is a red flag for me. Maybe I'm hypersensitive. When I lived in Chile, I saw how much importance was placed on giving and receiving numbered receipts with paper carbons. No one cheats the tax man!

I have seen some small businesses (e.g. bakeries, dry cleaners) post signs by the cash register that say no credit cards are accepted for charges under $10. My comment is that if the restaurant has some kind of rule about credit card usage, they should have some kind of sign about it posted somewhere.

shorty wrote:I have seen some small businesses (e.g. bakeries, dry cleaners) post signs by the cash register that say no credit cards are accepted for charges under $10. My comment is that if the restaurant has some kind of rule about credit card usage, they should have some kind of sign about it posted somewhere.

I feel like if a business decides to operate with payment card restrictions or cash only, they need to have the restrictions posted clearly on the front door.