Searching for real Indian food in Chicago? This spot has the best menu from spicy, tender BBQ to buttery, garlic naan you’ll want to eat all day.
Get a 10% discount on your first order at Shahi Nihari & Chopsticks if you mention the special letters hidden in this blog!
Chicago has more than 7,295 restaurants, making it one of the top food cities in the world. That’s right—there are more places to eat than you could visit in a lifetime. But among all these choices, if your taste buds crave a genuinely authentic Indian meal, make a reservation with Shahi Nihari. This fine dining restaurant doesn’t just serve authentic taste; it serves the best service and friendliest staff in Chi-town.
As Ratatouille’s Gusteau once said, “Good food is like music you can taste, color you can smell.” So don’t settle for anything less than the best.
Why is Authenticity Important in Indian Food?
If Indian food is not authentic, is it even Indian? Originality is our secret ingredient that makes everything desi-fully right. Oh, and love, too.
No, It’s not about following a recipe down to the last letter—and it’s definitely not something corny like ‘capturing the soul of India in every bite.’
It’s the ingredients.
Using genuine ingredients maintains the integrity of traditional recipes and provides the true flavors and nutritional benefits intended by these age-old dishes.
How Does Shahi Nihari Prepare Authentic Meals?
To cut to the chase, we have trusted suppliers who directly import authentic, high-quality products from India to Shahi Nihari’s kitchen. This includes various spices like black pepper, cardamom, and turmeric, which make up the heart of Indian cooking. Speaking of turmeric, did you know that this golden spice, often hailed for its anti-microbial health benefits, has also been a victim of food fraud, among others? Imagine the surprise of one user who discovered that the turmeric they bought was actually dyed paprika.
This not only robbed them of the authentic flavor and benefits of natural turmeric but also diminished the trust of consumers who cherish these time-honored flavors.
Some restaurants may not care as much, but we understand that when it’s substituted with something else, it not only alters the taste but also cuts off the cultural and nutritional value of the food.
We keep a check on the authenticity of our ingredients before they enter the kitchen, making sure you get the real deal.
Top 5 Authentic Indian Dishes to Try From Shahi Nihari’s Menu
Aside from the famous Nihari, Biryani, BBQ, of course, these are some more of our signature dishes AKA chef’s special.
If you’re looking for something creamy and buttery, our Chicken Makhni is perfect—tender pieces of chicken in a luscious, creamy tomato sauce.
Another crowd favorite is Haleem. This dish is a blend of meat, lentils, and spices, slow-cooked to create a thick, hearty stew.
And you don’t want to miss out on these Chicken Chapli Kebabs. Spicy, minced chicken patties packed with a mouth-watering combination of herbs and spices that are grilled to the center.
Sweets & Desserts
There’s always some room for dessert! Our Falooda is a delightful mix of vermicelli, basil seeds, jelly, and sweet milk, topped with a scoop of ice cream.
Authentic Qalandri Kheer. Another best-seller, a unique Indian food sweet dish. Rich and creamy rice pudding infused with cardamom and garnished with nuts—the perfect end to a perfect Indian meal.
P.S the special letters are “SNC2024”.
Real Reviews From Real Customers
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “AMAZING FOOD!!!”Ms. Marah says “AMAZING FOOD!!! Family came to visit Chicago and we’ve dined here twice already. Fast service and high quality food definitely recommend”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Phenomenal Service”
Mr. Zain says “We decided to eat here to celebrate a birthday. The service was phenomenal with someone always coming to our table to ask if we needed anything. Never have I ever been to a restaurant where the service was so quick. The staff was also very friendly, creating a nice atmosphere.
We ordered the Kung Pao Chicken, Black Pepper Mongolian Beef, Chicken Haaka noodles, Hot & Sour Chicken Soup and Chicken Lollipops for the appetizer. The food was amazing, especially the Haaka noodles. If you’re a fan of indo/pak fusion Chinese, I would highly recommend this place.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Fresh and Tasty’
Mr. Basit says “I have visited this restaurant several times. Overall food is good, Fresh and Tasty. Excellent customer service, especially Mr. Arif was an excellent server. We were party of 11 people, and we we there on 07/25/2024. Mr. Arif has provided excellent service. Thank you, Mr. Arif. I will visit again.”
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘LOVE THEIR FOOD’
WW Productions say “Really good food! I highly recommend you guys checking it out !!! LOVE THEIR FOOD. Definitely try their garlic chili chicken, and falooda (for those of you who don’t know what falooda is it’s a Pakistani dessert and if you like ice cream you’ll love this dessert)”
Still need convincing? Check out thousands of other reviews.
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