Day #59 finds Marg and Hector in Chicago, Illinois. As if there was another Chicago of note. The Windy City – a fine place therefore to indulge in the consuming of Hector’s favourite cuisine. Research showed a cluster of Curry Houses to the north of the city along Devon Avenue. As the bus took us along this axis from Loyola – Red Line – station, even the Hector was unprepared for what is in effect – Chicago’s Curry Mile. Two venues had been picked out, both Pakistani, the first was closed as we alighted from Bus 155 at 13.00. Friday prayers, the Hector wasn’t thinking.
In the spirit of Rua do Benformoso (Lisboa, Portugal), there had to be a suitable venue that was open regardless. Sabri Nihari Restaurant (2502 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659 United States of America) was the fallback. A capacious restaurant with ambience, this was a cut above the many venues Hector usually – invites – Marg to. Pukka.
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We were greeted by a young chap and accompanied to the second room further inside. Three other tables were occupied, the clientele appropriate to the food being served.
A jug of chilled water, a Salad and two Dips were brought to the table. Tamarind and Raita, the latter had a wee kick, lovely. The Modest Salad was just like home.
Wonderful as the South Indian Cuisine is at Chili’s (Seattle WA) was, it is two weeks since the Hector had a good dose of Punjabi cooking.
Nearly three weeks in the USA, and the typical menu is getting us down. People do seem to eat nothing but Burgers and Pizza. Brains, Haleem, even Hector would prefer a Burger.
Here at Sabri Nihari, the Karahi Gosht ($21.99) awaited. The type of – Meat – was not declared, and on-the-bone was deduced by trawling through available photos online.
Marg did not fancy Curry-Heute. Vegetable Samosa ($7.49) for four pieces, was maybe too much. Grilled Fish ($16.99) would be her – light lunch.
The even younger chap who took the Order was keen to ensure we had Bread. A Naan ($2.00) completed the Order.
As fellow diners departed, so I was able to capture the extensive layout of Sabri Nihari. This is some place, reminiscent of Tooting. I’ll just drop that name and let the local reader ponder.
Grilled Fish
Marg had envisaged a Starter-sized portion, this took her aback. Four large pieces of white Fish were smothered in Spiced Onion, then there was the three rings of green. The latter were taken to be Capsicum and set aside. If they were Chillies, Marg was not for finding out. A lesser portion and I suspect Marg could have been left wanting more.
A wonderful burst of flavour with the first bite. Spicy and light, covered in onions, made this a very pleasant dish.
Had the Hector not been busy across the table, there would have been a Soupçon, alas, one missed out here.
The Naan was served whole, almost. The score across the centre had not not quite halved it. An elongated teardrop, this was the sought after Tandoori Naan. Risen, particularly on one side, the big burnt blisters confirmed the efficacy.
This was a decent Naan.
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Karahi Gosht
The weight of Curry was not declared. This looked, and felt to be way more than the half kilo. There was easily enough for two here, and Marg was not going to be helping out.
The topping was but a threat of Coriander, the sliced Bullet Chilli was there, if required. The mass of Meat sat in comparatively thin Masala, it did look to be a bit – Soupy – to start. As progress was made, this initial observation was revised.
The first dip of Naan into the Masala revealed the big Punjabi Flavours, this was wonderful. The depth of Flavour here impressed, the Seasoning was perfection. As the Spice slowly built on the palate so the complexity of this Karahi revealed itself. There was a lot going on here. The taste of home with a Peppery edge, glorious.
The Meat, it could have been Lamb or Goat, was suitably Tender, with the occasional chewy bit encountered. That takes me towards – Goat. Some of the bones were ribs, others I didn’t recognise. My discard pile was growing and I was still not even halfway. There were no Whole Spices, and the telltale Tomato Seeds were not visible. There was much about this Curry I did not know other than the Flavours were spot on.
At the halfway point it was time to take stock. No way was I going to finish this, taking the remainder home was not an option. Marg thought we could give the leftovers to someone needy, but there are far fewer people on the streets of Chicago compared to Seattle and San Francisco. The Hector would eat on, give it his best shot.
At this point, the first Sucky Bone was revealed. I stirred the remaining Masala, this Karahi had transformed itself. There was now a much thicker Masala, pulped Meat adding to the viscosity. There was a further eruption of Flavour on the palate, yet the Seasoning had dipped slightly. The Naan must have carried the load at the start. It was time to abandon the Bread.
All the pieces of Meat were consumed, this left a mass of Masala on the base of the karahi. There comes the point when one knows it’s time to stop. I was possibly leaving the best part of the meal. With Rice, this Masala would have been wonderful, but who has Rice with Karahi Gosht?
Across the table, Marg required amusement. This was achieved in the form of a portion of Coconut Ice-Cream ($6.99). Marg was having Dessert whilst the Hector was still wading through the Karahi Gosht, such etiquette, not.
The Bill
$53.23 plus 18% became $61.86 (£48.80)
The Aftermath
I was determined that the Calling Card was not going to the young chaps who had served. I was pointed in the direction of the manager. I outlined Curry-Heute, he assured me he would pass the Calling Card on to the owner. A pity we had not engaged prior to this.
We walked east retracing the bus route along Devon Avenue. These are the places we passed.
2024 Menu
