Alternative Guide to Chicago
Devon Avenue/Rogers Park
Community Highlights
Rogers Park is one of the northernmost neighborhoods in Chicago before the suburbs begin. It is surrounded by Evanston, Lake Michigan, Ridge Avenue, and Devon Avenue. Rogers Park is considered to be a national example of a stable urban community that is highly diverse in terms of residents' ethnicity, race, and economic status. Rogers Park has roughly equal percentages of white, Black, and Hispanic populations. Devon Avenue, a popular street in Rogers Park, was originally settled by the English, who named the area after Devonshire in England. At one time Devon Avenue was a main Jewish shopping district, but it is now considered to be the main South Asian center in Chicago. It is known nationwide as a cultural haven for South Asians. On Devon Avenue between California and Ridge Avenues are restaurants that come highly recommended, as well as banks, grocery stores, beauty salons, travel agencies, and many other establishments that are useful to the community. In addition, you will have no trouble finding plenty of Indian and Pakistani import stores, as well the latest Bollywood films.
Eateries, Shops, and Other Destinations
Argo, Inc., Georgian Bakery
2812 West Devon Avenue
773-764-6322
Bakery
$
This tiny bakery is a gem. Go into the bare-bones space, walk up to the small counter, and you'll be greeted with several choices of puff pastries, both sweet and savory. There are pastries stuffed with mushrooms, potato, spinach, and apple-just to name a few. Their most popular item is hachapuri, a blend of mozzarella and feta cheeses wrapped in a delicious flaky dough. They're best right out of the oven, and they go quickly. So if you don't see any in the display case, don't worry. Just ask them, because there's probably another batch about to come out. Put in your order and walk around the block. They'll be warm and delicious when you get back.
Blue
1235 West Devon Avenue
773-262-5216
Thai (Fusion)
$
This is absolutely the most adorable restaurant I have ever seen. For the girls, the art deco dcor, the unimaginably fashionable china, and the beautiful presentation of food will be enough to entice you. The great food and decent prices will have the guys coming back as well. Your best bet if you're on a budget is to go between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Monday through Saturday for their $5.95 lunch special. The chicken satay is among the best Thai food I've ever had. A quick warning: This place means business when it says something is spicy. So if you're not sure you can take it, you'd better try something else.
Fiza Palace
2407 West Devon Avenue
773-973-3492
Boutique
This lovely boutique is chock-full of beautifully beaded clothing and colorful jewelry. Store clerks will likely be chatting with other customers when you come in but are perfectly friendly and willing to help. Though the salwar kameez are a little pricey for a college budget, a charming set of green glass bracelets goes for $10. There are no price tags on the jewelry, so you'll have to go up and ask. Feel free to ogle the intricately ornamented gold necklaces on display.
Gandhi India Restaurant
2601 West Devon Avenue
773-761-8714
Indian
Vegetarian friendly
$$
This restaurant is clean with overhanging fans, soft lighting, and nestled table arrangements. It's an excellent place to bring a date. Service is speedy and readily accommodating.
Because much of the menu is tailored to a western audience, be sure to inform your waiter if you can manage spicier dishes. Their naan is spectacular. An unleavened white bread with a warm consistency, it practically melts in your mouth. Their lassis are longtime favorites, so be sure to order one to defuse some of the spicier dishes. For adventurous diners, there are four varieties of tandoori combinations. Be warned, though, that the individual portions are extremely small; you usually receive only one or two pieces of each item.
The best way to appreciate this restaurant would be to visit with a group of friends and dine family style. Recommended items are: chicken tandoori (marinated in a special masala, a mixture of yogurt and spices), dal chicken (chicken with creamed lentils), masala dosa, and garlic naan. Then seal your meal with kheer, an Indian rice pudding.
Indian Garden
2546 West Devon Avenue
773-338-2929
Indian
Vegetarian friendly
$$$
Some of the best Indian food I have encountered in Chicago. All of their items are very rich. If you are a meat eater, you must try either the gosht madras or murg badami. I have converted people who hate Indian food with these dishes. While I am always pleased with the food, the portions are a bit on the small side-especially at their downtown location. This is still one of my favorite places to go for Indian food, despite the prices. And while the dcor is very nicely done and can provide a romantic spot for a date, the restaurant also lends itself very well to large group meals or casual outings. While it is usually full, especially on weekends, the location is so big that you don't necessarily need reservations. But you can always play it safe if you'd like. As with most Indian restaurants, there is no shortage of vegetarian options. But you should call ahead of time if you have vegan needs.
Kaffecino6461 North Sheridan Road
773-508-1888
Coffee shop
$
Kaffecino is a quaint, dimly lit coffee shop that is no doubt frequented by the students at Loyola, which is just a street or so away. It has a decent variety of drinks and an even larger variety of flavors for those drinks. The owners of the shop are helpful and friendly, but the drinks are a bit expensive for the quality. The kaffecinos (in something like twenty different flavors) are probably your best bet; the mango frozen tea that I tried in its place was sub-par and rather disappointing.
King Sweets
2308 West Devon Avenue
773-262-8001
Indian bakery
$
This bakery sells lots of different Indian savory and sweet baked items from samosas to halwa, also known as Indian carrot cake (denser and less sweet than the American version). Good quality with an extensive selection of vegetarian and vegan items.
Sabri Nehari Restaurant
2511 West Devon Avenue
773-465-3272
Pakistani
$$
Although spicy foods are readily available at most restaurants on Devon Avenue, this Pakistani restaurant is a good choice for satisfying your heat cravings. you'll be able to choose from regulars such as samosas and chicken tikka as well as items you wouldn't normally find on such a menu, like chicken fingers and hamburgers. The garlic naan ($3) is wonderful and very garlicky. The dal ($6) is excellent, although unless you like to breathe fire you may want to fish out the whole chili peppers before you take your first bite. Service is friendly and professional, and the clean mirrors and cool white walls contrast nicely with the heat of the dishes.
Shera Punjab
2510 West Devon Avenue
773-973-4000
Indian
Vegetarian friendly
$$
This very friendly walk-in spot is very popular with students from both the University of Chicago and Northwestern. It's great for vegetarians and even vegans (tell them that you are a vegan, and they will explain the buffet to you and make you little vegan versions of whatever vegetarian dishes contain dairy). The buffet comes with all-you-can-eat samosas, na'an, tandoori chicken, dessert, and rice, as well as an array of Indian entres. You typically have to pay extra at other buffets for the bread and chicken, so this spot is a great value. The staff is very friendly. They make a point of remembering your face, so be prepared for a warm greeting when you return. They also do banquets and parties at a location just down the street. Overall, it is very difficult to go wrong choosing Shera Punjab for your dining needs, whatever they are.
Three Sisters Delicatessen & Gift Shop
2854 West Devon Avenue
773-973-1919
Russian deli
$
This deli is a great find in a neighborhood packed full of interesting ethnic food establishments. It is not accessible by El, although several bus lines run by the store. Three Sisters specializes in smoked and cured fish and meats. Although some of the smoked fish was overly salted, a smoked salmon belly was delicious ($6/lb) and any of the smoked meats (including pork, veal, and beef items plus salamis) sampled would be terrific in a sandwich. The deli also sells a wide assortment of Russian canned products and sweets. Most of the customers speak Russian, but the staff is incredibly friendly and willing to explain what everything is.
Tiffin
2536 West Devon Avenue
773-338-2143
Indian
Vegetarian friendly
$$
Some believe that Tiffin is the best choice on Devon, but I maintain that this label is appropriate only for certain situations. While it is true that its dcor is of a higher caliber than many of the locations you'll pass as you're walking on Devon and that the service is very professional and attentive, these positive attributes tend to make it a less-frequented destination. This location would be great for a date, especially given the full bar (They serve Taj Mahals in pint sizes!). However, the price tag is going to be as high as some tabs in downtown locations. Because it is crowded on weekends, you should make a reservation beforehand if you plan to go then. Additionally, I have heard Tiffin referred to as a "yuppie" location. The food is, nevertheless, authentic in its use of ingredients. Plus the atmosphere is romantic-if you go on Valentine's, they give out free heart-shaped samosas! Pass on the mulligatawny, but try their sag paneer. It's different from what you'll get at other restaurants. As with most Indian restaurants, there is no shortage of vegetarian options. But trying to explain vegan dietary needs was a bit difficult when I attempted it.
Udupi Palace
2543 West Devon Avenue
773-338-2152
Indian
Vegetarian friendly
$
Udupi Palace is, according to their placemats, "Pure Vegetarian South Indian Cuisine." Though the dcor is neat and generic, the restaurant seems to attract an ethnic crowd. The selection of entres, which run from $7 to $10, includes many curry dishes and other vegetarian fare. Assorted vegan dishes are on the menu as well. Anything fried is pretty tasty. Try a little bit of everything by ordering their basket of assorted appetizers! Service is fast, but don't expect everyone's dish to arrive at the same time.
Utrecht Art Supplies
6429 North Sheridan Road
773-465-0647
Art store
If you're looking for a place that has everything from faux snakeskin origami paper to simple watercolors, this is it. With a knowledgeable, college-aged staff, the store offers canvases, sketchbooks, pastels, molding clay, paint sets, and the biggest collection of colored Sharpies I've ever seen, along with a number of art books. Let them know that you're a University of Chicago student, and they'll give you a 10 percent discount on everything. This is the perfect place for veteran artists to buy just the right shade of acrylic paint that they need or for newcomers to the world of art to dabble in lots of different things. (If you have time, check out the classic rock T-shirt collection at the thrift shop next door.)
Viceroy of India
2516 West Devon Avenue
773-743-4100
Indian
Vegetarian friendly
$$
This restaurant is widely acclaimed as serving the best and most authentic northern Indian food in Chicago. Although only one of us could testify as to the authenticity, my entire group was very impressed with the quality! Everything we ordered was perfectly spiced, generously sized (the individual chafing dishes look small at first, but they hold a more-than-generous amount of food), and served by a well-mannered and prompt staff. The restaurant also offers a spirited and unusual drink menu'try a Singapore sling for an eastern take on a New Orleans hurricane. The appetizers were tasty. Every entre we ordered looked similar (except for the okra, which is highly recommended), but the multiplicity of flavors was amazing. The meats were all tender and well seasoned, and the vegetarian dishes stood up to them in complexity of flavors. Both the rice and the naan were excellent sides. The restaurant also offers a dessert sampler of Indian sweets, as well as wonderful gulab jaman (think donut holes in rosewater sugar syrup, available with or without ice cream) and kulfi (Indian ice cream with pistachios). I'd recommend going in a large group, so that you have a chance to try multiple dishes (family-style dining is best).
