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Name: Rajun Cajun
Address: 1459 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL, 60615
Telephone: (773) 955-1145
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.77

Rajun Cajun

1459 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL, 60615

(773) 955-1145
Store is closed

Rajun Cajun Menu

Tandoori

Tandoori Chicken

Chicken Curry

Makhani Murg (butter Chicken)

Lamb Curry
Chicken

2 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs

4 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs

3 Pcs Mixed Chicken

3 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs

2 Pcs Mixed Chicken

4 Pcs Mixed Chicken
Dinner Specials

2 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs

4 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs

3 Pcs Mixed Chicken

2 Pcs White Meat Chicken

4 Pcs White Meat Chicken

12 Pcs Family Meal Dinner

3 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs

2 Pcs Mixed Chicken

4 Pcs Mixed Chicken

3 Pcs White Meat Chicken

8 Pcs Family Meal Dinner
Curry Dishes

Chana Masala Curry

Gobi Mutter Curry

Dal Curry

Alu Bengan Curry

Sambharo Curry

Alu Curry

Rajma Curry

Saag Paneer (spinach And Cheese) Curry
Combination Dinner

Tandoori Chicken Dinner

Vegetarian Dinner

Curry Chicken Dinner

Butter Chicken Dinner

Lamb Curry Dinner

Family Tandoori Chicken Meal
Side Orders

Samosa

Parotha

Pickles

Greens

Macaroni And Cheese

Basmati Rice

Raita

Rice

Sweet Potatoes

Corn Muffin
Desserts

Ras Mallai

Gulab Jamun

Rice Pudding

Carrot Halwa

Peach Cobbler

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rajun Cajun

Tandoori

Tandoori Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Makhani Murg (butter Chicken) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chicken

2 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

4 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Pcs Mixed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

2 Pcs Mixed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

4 Pcs Mixed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dinner Specials

2 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

4 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Pcs Mixed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

2 Pcs White Meat Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

4 Pcs White Meat Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

12 Pcs Family Meal Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Pcs Chicken Legs And Thighs [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

2 Pcs Mixed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

4 Pcs Mixed Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

3 Pcs White Meat Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

8 Pcs Family Meal Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Curry Dishes

Chana Masala Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gobi Mutter Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dal Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alu Bengan Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sambharo Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Alu Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rajma Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Saag Paneer (spinach And Cheese) Curry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Combination Dinner

Tandoori Chicken Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Curry Chicken Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butter Chicken Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Curry Dinner [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Family Tandoori Chicken Meal [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Side Orders

Samosa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parotha [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickles [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Greens [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Macaroni And Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Basmati Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Raita [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sweet Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Corn Muffin [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Desserts

Ras Mallai [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gulab Jamun [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rice Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Carrot Halwa [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Peach Cobbler [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Maceo B.

They love me long time. Been going 4 years and just discovered yet another amazing dish there for first time tonight (Lamb Curry). Amazing. Family-owned business and the guys are always fun to chat with and very, very pleasant. Veggie food there is excellent, especially Chana Masala, Dal, Samosas and Rajma. Also one of the better mango lasses I've had. Haven't delved too far into the soul food side of the menu, but the greens are good and mac & cheese rocks. Pound for pound (i.e. cost for quality), on my top ten all time list. Generally I take out or get delivery. The space itself isn't fancy but sort of akin to going to a dive bar--though it's always well-kept and clean.
(5)
Filza T.

Came here to order two simple things. Not sure why the guy wanted me and my friend to SHARE a tray? ....we are two people, paying separately, with two completely different orders, so why should we share a tray? First odd thing. I said yes just b/c it thought maybe it was easier for them or something. Then, the lady at the register got super confused since there were two orders on ONE tray and I had to clarify that for payment. Next, I ordered chai. I'm Pakistani and Indian food is basically the same so I KNOW what chai is. I've eaten Indian food all my life and know that regular chai is NOT masala chai. On the menu it just said chai. When I asked to make a regular chai, the dad/older man with glasses seemed to get pissed and pointed to a drawing UNDER the menu that said it was masala chai. Dude- i read the menu and it does not mention it. So they made me another and it was fine. The younger guy was helpful and nice though. The organization was horrible and customer service needs a LOT of work. Samosas were meh and tiny. It's very westernized Indian food if you like bland, small and expensive. Not worth the hype and not gonna be back. Lots of other options near by. Head to the loop or west Rogers for AUTHENTIC Indian food. Would've given it one star but the 2 is for the younger guy being helpful after the mess up on the chai.
(2)
U, N.

I was visiting from out of town and it was okay. Tastes very much like standard take-out Indian food. The food was also sort of lukewarm when I received it which is not my taste. I ordered the lamb dinner combo, which was a bit overpriced for what it is. The lamb was not great but the spinach that came with it was excellent.
(3)
Emmy M.

The color inside Rajun Cajun, which results from the combination of pink neon lighting with neon yellow painted walls, probably doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. And neither does the combination of Southern soul food (fried chicken, corn muffins, sweet potatoes) with curries and mango lassis and tandoori chicken. From the minute you step through the door and stand basking in Rajun Cajun's electric orange glow, you are greeted with the rich smells of spices and curries mixed with burning incense, usually a Bollywood movie or something else playing on the television, Indian music, and the smiling friendly faces of the owners (who are there to serve their customers every single day). This place is one of my favorite places to eat in Hyde Park, not only because the food is consistently absolutely delicious (my favorites include the butter chicken and paneer), but also because it delivers a kind of escape-- from the noise of 53rd Street, from standard American fast food, from the cold in winter. Just stepping in here during February when the whole world seems cold and gray will make you feel warmer. I'm moving away from Chicago soon, and Rajun Cajun is one of the places I will miss the most! I hope I get to come back.
(5)
Anne S.

I'm not sure why I thought this place was over priced before. I got take out dinner from here yesterday and everything was good, and we got a lot of food for our money! For 4 people we ordered 4 vegetarian meals and shared all of the sides. (For $9 plus tax each person got a samosa, paratha, rice, and 2 veggie sides). Everything was good, and we had plenty of food (a 5th person came by and had a full meal on the leftovers, he just didn't get a samosas or paratha). Everyone was stuffed and happy! We had: Chana masala Gobi Mutter Curry Dal Curry Rajma Curry Alu Bengan Curry Alu Curry Saag Paneer Also go dessert of Ras Mallai My favorites were the saag paneer, gobi mutter curry, alu curry, and Alu Bengan Curry, but I would eat all of them again!
(5)
Keerthana K.

Delicious, vegetarian-friendly food that is reasonably priced. The $9 vegetarian meal is good for 2 people (or 2 meals). The chana masala is my favorite. The basmati rice and the samosas are cooked well, but the parotha that comes with the meal is bland and dry usually. The Indian food here is marginally better than at Saffron in Hutchinson Commons on campus (the only other place in Hyde Park to get Indian food), thus making this the best Indian food in Hyde Park. The family that owns this unique little restaurant is super nice; they have been humorous, sweet and pleasant at every encounter. The wife of the owner even does eyebrow threading for $5 (the cheapest place in Hyde Park by far), her business cards are by the register (and in my opinion she does a better job than surrounding places that charge twice as much). And while the decor is delightful (with Hindu-inspired artwork covering the walls), I wouldn't really recommend dining in as the dining area is pretty small and has cafeteria style booths.
(4)
Vincent Y.

I still have utterly no idea what food here is about, but I don't care. It's greasy, oily and good. Butter chicken and samosas were great. Very spicy and tasty. The inside of the store looks even stranger than the stores across the street but no worries--it tastes good. And delivery can be slow but that's okay--it tastes good ($15 minimum I believe). Last: don't get the ginger root drink. It tastes like ... Ginger root.
(4)
Beth R.

I started this review the day I ate there, which was in November...2010. I didn't finish it because I wanted to remind myself/give myself an excuse to come back before posting. Well dammit, I haven't been back and I don't know when I will be back in the area. So allow me to get this monkey off my back and then just remember me and my desire to return when you say your prayers at night. Hopefully, one day, my sweet darling Rajun' Cajun, we will be reunited. Why do I yearn so? Witness: +best chai ever? +tandoori chicken breast extremely generous & good - and like less than $3 +vegetable sides - chick pea & spinach = my dream side +real flatware, not plastic, for eat-in +friendly service So you see, if you enjoy your Indian fast food delicious, cheap, and delicious, you will enjoy the pants off of Rajun' Cajun.
(4)
G R.

Maybe this is more of a lunch place? We did get there about 7:30 and they were out of a few things and what we chose from seemed a little bit on the dry side. They're open till 9 p.m., so you would think that dinner time items should be fresh. The vegetable sides were good though, so if you're doing a vegetarian dinner you'll be happy. My advice is to stay away from the chicken later in the day. It's a small place with a few booths and it's kept clean and the staff is very friendly, it does seem on the pricey side, maybe I'd feel differently if the main part of my entree tasted better. My husband asked for water, and they gave him bottled water they didn't offer a choice, he said he would have been fine with tap. Not their fault, no one is a mind reader. I just have a thing about bottled water when you're eating in. Just a waste on the environment, I like establishments that offer it as a to go item only. I wouldn't go running back to RC, but I wouldn't avoid it either.
(3)
Patrice H.

I cannot believe I've never reviewed this spot. This is one of my favorite, most underrated eateries. I've been coming here for well over 10 years. I always get the vegetarian special with a samosa(hot sauce required). The food is always good, fresh, tasty and the service is good as well. Yes, great food for a good price.
(5)
M L.

I just love this place! Food is always hot and fresh. I usually get the lamb curry that comes with rice, a veggie of your choice, samosa and a flour type of tortilla and it's always on point. I've never sat down to eat here, always take it to go. The owners are really nice and helpful explaining what the different dishes are. Parking isn't difficult but you do have to pay the meters every day except Sundays.
(5)
Alexis A.

One night my husband and I ordered delivery from here through GrubHub. The reviews seemed decent enough. A place that could potentially satisfy his craving for Harold's and my taste for Indian food that also delivered sounded too good to be true!! And it was!!! Ugh...where do I begin?? The fried chicken tasted like it was fried the day before. It was sooooo dry and cold. The chicken inside my butter chicken was equally dry. I could not figure this out because it was swimming in butter sauce. The mac and cheese he ordered tasted like straight up Kraft Velveeta. Coincidentally, I also thought the palak paneer tasted like the kind you buy in the foil packages at the grocery store. Nothing tasted remotely fresh. Even the stale cobbler tasted like some weird gulab jamun fusion. Why did they mess with such a perfect Southern food staple?? I really wanted to love this place, but sadly I didn't. The only forgiving thing is that you can order half-portions of stuff for cheap, so you don't feel guilty when you throw it out. Oh, and the naan . . .might be the only other decent thing about this place because it's ok.
(1)
Vishwa N.

The food is definitely okay, some dishes are good, for being as small and hole in the wall restaurant it is. But the service is below par and the owner or the guy at the counter is EXTREMELY disrespectful and rude. Specially when you try to order over the phone. That was probably the last time we ordered from them. Food-3.5 stars, service-less than 2 stars. Too bad, they're losing out on good customers. One advice- if you're in the service industry, you need to pull up your socks. No one appreciates bad service, no matter how good the food might be. I've worked in service myself, in the past and speak out of experience. Only hope they take a good hard look at themselves and improve their ways.
(3)
Lily H.

Great food, lovely service, incredibly cheap.
(5)
Glen W.

Thoroughly mediocre. Room filled with awful inscence smell. No naan! DON'T ORDER SAAG PANEER!! It isn't even green. We need a real Indian place in Hyde Park!
(2)
David D.

An incredibly tasty, unpretentious, affordable, friendly place. It seems to be run by a single family, and there is great hospitality and warmth in my conversations with everyone behind the counter. They are family-friendly, and my wife and I have always felt comfortable bringing our two small children (ages 2 and 4), We have not tried the fried chicken, but we have sampled a number of both the meat and veggie options, as well as the mango lassis and the cornbread muffins (!) - they are all consistently tasty and the portions are huge. Ordering a butter chicken meal, plus a couple samosas and some muffins, feeds my whole family. Very generous helpings. All in all, this is a regular stop for my family, either to dine in or carry out. If you find yourself in Hyde Park, you should definitely go by for a meal!
(5)
Allan M.

Not bad, decided to try it out when I was down here a few weeks ago after years of hearing about this place. Tandoori Chicken was pretty good, and so was the samosa and curry(can't remember what it was called) that came with it. I'd gladly be open to returning, if I'm in the area again. BTW, did you know the owner tried a failed attempt to get customers to pronounce the place as 'ra-john ca-jun' when it opened, before he dropped that pronunciation?
(4)
Mike P.

Best Indian food in the city , good portions and friendly staff. Open late and is more of a staple of Hyde Park then Barak Obama.
(5)
Nik L.

Dirty, disgusting and overpriced! Slop! That's the presentation and the flavor. Sure Indians work there but just because you're from India does not mean you are good at cooking Indian food. Hyde park should have better standards for who they allow to serve food to their community
(1)
Leeho L.

I found a bug in my food. In addition to that, the space is really dirty, and the restaurant's really cramped. They've gotta improve on that first and foremost. The food's average, and the service is good though.
(1)
Babanashe M.

Nothing fancy but always good food and decent portions. I always get the lamb meal. Seems a bit overpriced, but always worth it. A Hyde Park institution. Get an extra parothma and rice and you have a second meal for tomorrow.
(5)
Telugu A.

I tried this place based on reviews and was glad to find an Indian restaurant in Hyde park where I live. I tried their delivery option once and then decided to dine in the next time I went there. Pros: 1. Quality and taste of the food is pretty good. My fav is tandoori chicken, butter chicken, spicy chicken curry and saag paneer. 2. The delivery was pretty quick and prompt and not too expensive. 3. The option to have Indian food when you don't want to drive all the way till Devon street. 4. The lady who works there does a very good eye brow threading at her home for only 5 bucks. Cons: 1. They served the "dinner meal" in flimsy paper plates with "medium sized" curries in it which was over flowing and messy. I saw this happening to other customers buying as well. 2. Quantity isn't great especially the rice and size of roti and even samosas are small. You get twice the size of these samosas at Devon. 3. Since rice and roti portions are small, the curries would be left out and so even if you order your food as ala carte, you still can't take your left over curries as to-go. 4. Over all the food is little pricey for the quantity and definitely way pricier than other Indian restaurants in Devon. 4. When I went to dine in there, 2 homeless guys who were extremely unhygienic, stinking and horrible looking came and sat in the booth next to us which was pretty unsightly. I saw these very same homeless guys before on the same street. Over all I guess I won't mind ordering a to-go from here or order for delivery when I'm craving for some Indian food and lazy to drive all the way till Devon street.
(2)
Natalya W.

Definitely a fan of this place. A local, casual environment. Nothing fancy, but wonderful when you're craving some good Indian food. My favorite is the vegetarian plate which comes with a generous portion of two dishes plus rice and a samosa. I'm totally hooked and will be back for more.
(4)
MG J.

GREAT Indian food and wonderful service! If Rajun Cajun was closer to me, I would definitely be a faithful customer! So very wonderfully priced and delicious food! Who would have thought to have both soul food and Indian food at one restaurant??? I will definitely return!
(5)
Ali V.

I find this place highly amusing. The channa masala was light, the rice tasty, and the collard greens were good but I didn't see hot sauce available. They have mint and tamarind chutney but didn't seem to offer any red chili pepper sauce. Another plus: they promised me that the collard greens were vegetarian, which I find more plausible in an Indian restaurant than pretty much anywhere else.
(4)
Anthony N.

Upon entering the small restaurant it has quite the 'hole in the wall' feel - a few clean booths and a small working area. I was a fan of the concept from the beginning: a play on Indian and Cajun 'soul food'. I did not have the fried chicken, but their Chicken Curry was quite tasteful. I went during lunch and for $10.50 I received a serving of Chicken Curry, my choice of a side dish, rice, and a samosa. They provided enough for two meals (for me) but I was able to finish it all. The flavor bold, as most Indian foods, and you have the option of adding a sweet sauce (purple) or a spicy sauce (green) to your dishes which simply add the flavor intended. There were also a good choice of vegetarian Indian side-dishes. These side dishes also contain tumeric which makes them seem similar to the curry dish. However, they do taste different as the vegetables add flavor. I was a fan of the samosa as they were moist and not dry as I have had in other places. It was obviously family owned, and the hospitality of the people behind the counter was warm. I'd come back as it's nice to support family owned places. It is a definite place to try if you are looking for some quick Indian.
(4)
Tiffany M.

Love the food here!
(4)
Kevin L.

I used to live around the corner, and now I miss having fast Indian food nearby. Everything I've ever had there has been tasty. I've never head any of the friend chicken or mac and cheese type options (why would you get these when there's Indian food?). Also, they don't sell them at the store (only at coffee shops near UChicago), but their chicken sandwich is also pretty good for the price.
(5)
Juli A.

The tandoori chicken I didn't order was moist and flavorful - pretty damn good actually. Samosas, which I am guessing were vegetarian, not so much -I can't say much more than mushy. The naan looked fantastic. I had curry chicken, a recommendation from the owner. Good flavor, lots of gravy. My side was spinach paneer. First few bites were great and then the combination of the curry chicken and the spinach paneer betrayed me somehow and I had to focus on the Mac and cheese I ordered as an additional side. It was creamy and comforting. Next time I will stick to the tandoori chicken and good old Chana masala. The place was fairly busy for a late saturday afternoon so the neighborhood loves it as much as they say on yelp. If you're hungry go in expecting to drop around $15 on a dinner and drink however.
(2)
Isocephaly B.

A Hyde Park classic! The food is fine, not great (I often find the curries to be pretty greasy), but enjoyable on tired nights when cooking feels like too much work. I almost always carry out and never fail to appreciate the bizarre marriage of Indian and Southern Comfort foods.
(4)
Risa C.

Everything was flavorful and delicious. Chicken was little dry but the butter Chicken dish made up for it.
(5)
Nick G.

The food was good, although the meat freaked me out a bit. I got the chicken biryani and there was weird bones coming out of the pieces of chicken. I don't like picking bones out of my mouth. Can you do boneless, please?
(4)
Nathan B.

So affordable, so yummy!
(5)
Taylor E.

The good about Rajun Cajun: it is pretty cheap and their delivery is incredibly, incredibly quick. This is because all of their food sits under a heat lamp for god knows how long. This is bland, uninspired, and greasy Indian food; the southern food might be better but I've literally never met a single person who has ordered it from here. The physical restaurant is small and cramped - don't take a group - but generally fairly tidy. It maintains popularity among students because it is pretty much the only place for Indian food in Hyde Park as well as the aforementioned speedy delivery. I suppose it's cheap as well, but it's not as if Hyde Park is lacking cheap places that cater to students.
(2)
Paddy W.

Basic take out place. The food is cheap and ok not always that warm in temperature. Really the only thing I don't like is the fact that they serve all their food in styrofoam containers and I refuse to eat from these toxic types of containers. Rajun Cajun you need to update yourself and go green. Food is 3 stars. Owners are nice- basmati rice is always overcooked!
(3)
M. Tiffany B.

This is the first place I think of when I have a craving for quick Indian food and don't want the full dining experience. They give so much food I usually split it into two meals so it's well worth the money!
(4)
Karim S.

Good and very cheap Indian food. Nothing very special but decent enough to try out.
(3)
Reuben H.

Oh- and their fried chicken, candied yams, greens and that whole southern side of things from this place is really good too! You thought I might rant on about it, didn't you?
(4)
Talibah M.

Very flavorful! The people there are very nice. I've eaten everything vegetarian that they offer and its always DELICIOUS!
(4)
Winston G.

3.5 stars, rounded up b/c I liked the fact you could get a combo. I had the butter chicken dinner combination plate delivered from here, which came with some saag paneer, a samosa, rice, and one paratha (thin and not fluffy like naan, but still good - maybe a poor man's version of naan). Cost is $10, but after tax, delivery fee, and tip, you're looking at more around $15-16 to get this delivered to your door. I thought the butter chicken sauce was great, but the pieces of chicken were dry and overcooked. A pretty frequent problem I run into at Indian restaurants, and so that was a bit disappointing. The saag paneer was good, although a bit of a sweet finish to it, which was different from other places I've gotten saag from. Overall though, a decent dish. Samosa was just okay - not the best, though not the worst I've had either. Rice and paratha were standard. I would probably deliver from here again at some point, considering the very limited options in Hyde Park, this could be a decent go-to. However, I'm sure this is not the gold standard for Indian food in Chicago, but certainly a place you could order from on a cold, windy, and rainy Chicago day.
(4)
Hollie D.

Much like I have determined that Maravillas is the closest Mexican restaurant to home, Rajun Cajun is the closest Indian food we can get to home. We were a little skepitcal of the concept since half the menu is Indian and half is like Southern style food, but I'm glad we finally went. First off, the people working there, whom I'm guessing might be the owners were the nicest people ever and really seemed to know everyone else that came in by name and were just like friends catching up. The food. Holy cow...they give you a lot of food. We each ordered the curry dinner which came with a vegetable (we went with potatoes), a samosa, a parotha, rice, and curry. And honestly, I'm feeling like I'm forgetting something. It was a decent meal and I'd say it is worth the price. Last thought: Mango lassi? Delicious. Actual last thought? This place has the Bollywood jams going full on.
(4)
Vinay A.

Great place! Good food, very reasonable price and wonderful owner and staff. I loved the food. I will go again at this place.
(5)
Aly H.

While the food tasted good with great dishes that were full of flavor, I'm giving Rajun Cajun a 3 because of a myriad of other supplementary factors: 1. The atmosphere is less than desirable. While ordering, my boyfriend, his family, and I felt cramped in the cafeteria-style line. Feeling cramped leads to feeling rushed/stressed/etc... (i.e. not good) 2. On top of that, the menu choices were not what was on the website. Case in point, the only foreseeable vegetarian option on the entire menu was the Vegetarian meal (dinner combo), everything else had chicken attached to it. Not so great. 3. I felt that this was just like any other Indian restaurant I had ever been to. While that's OK, what was supposed to set this restaurant apart was the fusion of classic southern dishes with Indian cuisine. Far from it. In fact, they were completely segregated! Southern dishes could only be ordered as sides and it being cafeteria style, everything looked sub-par. So, in all, if you just want good Indian food, go ahead and go here. But if you're looking for a different experience entirely and have high expectations, look beyond the heating lamps of Rajun Cajun.
(3)
Hannah L.

I usually get delivery from Rajun Cajun, or else the occasional carryout, when I'm craving Indian as it seems to be the only option in Hyde Park (besides the Saffron on campus). Of course the cafeteria-esque restaurant can't be considered to have ambiance, but it doesn't bother me - I'm there for my cheap Indian fix, not for a fine dining experience. The dinner combinations are a pretty good value for your money, coming with rice, a samosa, parotha (not my favorite - pretty flavorless and dry), a veggie side (I like saag paneer), and two sauces, tamarind and green mint-pepper. I usually get the butter chicken, which is decent but not super flavorful. I've tried the lamb curry as well, but I wasn't a fan. If I'm in the mood for a sugar overload I'll also get the gulab jamun, three balls of fried dairy in a spiced syrup. My guess is that it comes from a can like in many Indian restaurants, but it's tasty all the same. Overall, I tend to wish the food had more flavor to it, as all the dishes I've gotten have been somewhat bland, but the price is great for what you get and it'll definitely squelch that Indian craving. At least for the moment.
(3)
Matt S.

This is the only place for Indian in Hyde Park, which might explain the overly positive reviews. The food was good, but I was kind of put off by the service, which was definitely subpar. I was with my friend, who'd had Indian only a couple times before, and she asked about the different vegetable curries. The guy made a big deal out of having explain to her what each of the dishes in the warming plates were ("I'm only doing this once!"), and did so at a breakneck speed, so quickly and brusquely I ended up having to tell her what everything was myself. Really an unpleasant experience. Won't be back.
(2)
Kedar D.

Rajun Cajun is decent for a quick, cheap meal. All the dishes are sitting there in a buffet counter and you tell them what you want (individual dishes, combo platters, etc.) and they slop it onto a plate for you. This isn't an ecological place by any means; everything is served on styrofoam plates and you use plastic utensils. Make sure to ask questions about ingredients, as none of the staff seemed to be familiar with the word "vegan," though they understood the concept of no dairy and no eggs. Maybe the staff has changed since previous reviews? In general, as long as the dish doesn't have paneer, it's probably good to go in Rajun Cajun (they don't seem to use cream, yogurt or butter/ghee in their curries). I had a vegetarian combo platter (two curries, rice, one samosa and one roti) for $8.99. Neither of my dishes stood out in any way and tasted like oily, all-purpose Americanized North Indian food. The chana (chickpea) was bland, in my opinion, and the gobi-mattar (cauliflower and peas) was watery. How come they don't have any dishes with tofu or seitan or some other cool vegan ingredients, such as the ones you find at Soul Veg or Yah's Cuisine? The samosa was soft, rather than crispy, though the roti was well-made and felt authentic, like straight out of a kitchen in India. The interior of the cafe is a bit bleak: plastic booths; weird neon light that somehow managed to be dark and moody rather than bright and vivacious; and loud Bollywood music. This is eminently avoidable Indian food. The only plus points are that it's cheap and that it's one of only a few decent vegan-friendly options in Hyde Park.
(2)
Stephen R.

Rajun Cajun is pretty amazing! They've raised the prices since I started going here years ago, though it's still relatively affordable. Probably the only place in the world where you can buy soul food and Indian fare; two of my favorite cuisines. The staff is pretty friendly, especially if you're a regular customer and they get to know you. You used to be able to rent Bollywood DVDs from them, though I don't know if they are still doing that or not.
(4)
Dil S.

NEVER AGAIN! There service sucked as much as there food, and restaurant is NOT clean
(1)
Adam P.

This is my favorite restaurant in Hyde Park. The food is cheap for the amount you get, and it's so good. I'm a vegetarian, and they have lots of options. I actually found out about this restaurant by a friend who all but dragged me there when he found out I had never tried their peas and paneer. If you go, you need to get some. Also the staff is very friendly. I got stuck here in a blizzard one time and they let me go back into the kitchen to use the bathroom.
(5)
Linda H.

One of those places that just lets you know you're home. I guess the story is that this place used to be a cajun spot before the indian owners took over back in the day, and they simply kept serving some of the old cajun options? Fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese. This place is the definition of food for the soul. Not fancy, but super super fast and amazingly delicious. A Hyde Park classic. Obviously the butter chicken is the classic, but I ALWAYS get a samosa or two with BOTH sauces, and the mango lassi is bomb. Mac and cheese is...mac and cheese but still good :) Grab some food here and eat it at one of the nearby parks on for real authenticity, eat it on the curb at the free graffiti wall behind kimbark plaza.
(5)
Kate G.

I LOVE this place. It looks like the most random hole in the wall from the outside and the concept is bizarre (Indian + soul food... hmm?), but the food is really delicious and the portions are plentiful (you get so many sides with the combo meal). Highly recommend: the butter chicken, the lentils, and saag paneer (spinach with cheese). All the food has some kick to it; have a box of kleenex handy! Plus, the owners are such nice people-- it makes you want to support their business.
(5)
M D.

I was a little hesitant to go in at first....but so glad I did! Food was really tasty and very reasonably priced (and the booths were much cleaner than I was expecting!)! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Phallon P.

I went there for lunch today and it was delicious. Everyone in my office wanted to know where I got my food lol. I got the butter chicken special with saag paneer. The samosas were great as well. I didn't like the bread that came with the meal, but other than that I am very pleased and definitely will be returning.
(4)
Jennifer G.

Ok, so the name....I don't get it. The fried chicken, not sure I get it. The almost buffet looking line, well at this point, it doesnt matter whether or not I get it...the food here is phenomenal. I walked in thinking oh this is going to be a mistake and was so pleasantly surprised! The lamb curry, the butter chicken, the saag paneer, the samosas, everything was great and I think next time I might just have that fried chicken. Try the juices to offset the heat, everything is a little spicier than I am used to getting at my local spots. The staff was so friendly too. My only complaint - can there be a bathroom just so I can wash my hands before I eat. I get it when it is a take out only place but when you are dining in - not so much.
(4)
K G.

This place definitely is a hole-in-the-wall. You walk up to the counter and they dish up premade food into styrofoam containers. The vast majority of the people who came through while I was there got takeout. We got the butter chicken and lamb curry. Food was OK, but definitely not great. I wouldn't bother getting lamb again, as it didn't really taste that lamb-ish, if that makes sense. I would go here again because it's quick and it's walking distance from my apartment, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. And I can't quite get my head around serving both Indian food and fried chicken, but the guy at the next table had the fried chicken, so *shrug*.
(3)
Amy Y.

Rajun Cajun makes me happy simply by being a reliable place for me to get decent meal in Hyde park - a task more difficult than one would think. First of all, if you want indian food in HP there is only 1 choice. Second, I really like there alu dalkani. There always have a bunch of veggie options, food nicely spiced, and their chai without milk is good too. Friendly owners. Not much of ambience. Just keep delivering to the student cafeterias and keep us happy so we don't have to eat the dreaded hospital food. Thanks, rajun Cajun.
(4)
Jonathan K.

Ok, Not great. Tried fish curry, chicken curry, both so so. The vegetarian options were better: chickpea curry and paneer spinach were good. The Lassi too sweet with icy taste, maybe from mix? I just don't get all the raves here.
(3)
Nina X.

I love the idea of this place. And I remember it being good the first few times I had it, but that was years and years ago. Picked up food to go the other night to take to friends who'd just had a baby. They live in Hyde Park and had never been to Rajun Cajun. I talked it up and now I'm a little embarrassed. The Indian food was mediocre. We got the channa masala, the cauliflower curry, the daal and the saag paneer. Overly sweet and really oily. I've had better at Trader Joe's. We also got fried chicken. I love friend chicken. But because I would eat it everyday if I didn't limit myself, I stopped eating it in November. This was the first fried chicken that I've had in two months and it was so disappointing. It was completely flavorless. I didn't even bother to get any mac & cheese or greens because it looked all congealed in the serving pans. Also, the smell of incense was overwhelming. I used to work at a bar and after the smoking ban, we had a strange, unidentifiable smell in the building, so we tried to mask it with incense. Not saying Rajun Cajun's trying to hide something, just that it was too much and brought back bad memories.
(2)
Sabra R.

So frustrating to read all of these glowing reviews. The truth is that this just isnt the indian food one would find on the North Side or Devon. In fact, it's nowhere close. The flavors are so incredibly bland that everythng tastes the same and its just a letdown every time (and Ive tried it several times, hoping that my tastebuds were to blame for the previous letdown). I hate that living on the South Side of Chicago means that one has to settle for sub par cuisine.
(1)
Andre W.

I don't know what more can I say about this place except for BRAVO! The staff is great and friendly and they make you feel at home! It's very cosy and has the best Indian food, especially the butter chicken and yellow rice with mixed vegetables! The prices are great and its a great place for a first date, as long as they like Indian food! I go to this place as much as I can! LOVE IT!!!!
(5)
Colleen D.

In all honesty, I would probably give this restaurant at least three stars for its concept alone. This is the place I tell people about when I try to explain Hyde Park as a neighborhood: a cafeteria-style restaurant with blindingly garish neon signs that serves Indian food and Soul food, side by side, while doing a side business in Bollywood movie rental. You can have peach cobbler with your mutter paneer. That is some funny sh*t right there. But it earns its fourth, real star from good food and good prices. As reviews indicate, the soul food is not the way to go. I've never tried that side of the menu, to be fair, but that mac 'n' cheese always looks sort of...coagulated. No, Yelper, you want the Indian food. The combo deals are great value-for-money. I recommend the saag paneer (spinach and cheese) and/or the aloo gobhi (cauliflower and potato); fortunately the combos let you do a little mix-n-matching. As noted below, no naan available - but this is a cafeteria, people. The key is quality, not quantity of selection, and their chapathis and samosas are good, fresh, and just the right amount of greasy. For the lassi afficianados, the mango lassis are very sweet and very orange - not sure how close they are to actual mangoes, but a delicious dessert drink nonetheless.
(4)
Ian T.

This is a 5-star place and here is why... Yum. I loved the Lamb curry. It was not quite as spicy as I can handle it but it was spice enough to not kill my wife and keep me happy. Really good food. Based on food alone it would get 4 stars. However the owner dumping our trays for us, joking with us, and being overall very friendly PLUS the HUGE portion size on the dinner combos boosts this into 5 star land. Great food, I will be returning oft.
(5)
Faith F.

I LOVE this place. The Indian food is absolutely wonderful, so delicious. My favorites are the peas & paneer, spinach & paneer, the samosas are so yummy and I love the paratha bread. Yes, it's not naan, but this is the type of bread that Indians typically eat with this kind of food. You tear off a piece and use it to scoop up the food. Yum! My only wish is that there was a bit more paneer in the paneer dishes, do that and it'll be utmost perfection for me! The owners are great. Very helpful and friendly, they remember their regulars & even sometimes remember what I usually order. Makes me feel very welcome there. The place is kept super clean and I love the Bollywood music playing while I eat, it completes the experience.
(5)
John K.

The food is almost always great, if sometimes on the greasy/oily side. But even better than the food is the people who own and operate it. One night they were close to closing so they made me try everything-- I'm dead serious, a spoonful of every single item. It didn't change my go-to item (the butter chicken) but it was just so damn nice of them!
(4)
Jessy P.

Definitely the best and ONLY Indian place in Hyde Park! Upon returning to cat sit for my dear father and his lady friend, I decided I was craving Indian, and not being up north where I have my spot, I remembered Rajun Cajun, and so happy taht I did! Oh so pleasant but the Alu could be a bit spicier but other than that everything tasted very good. Only suggestion is to order your food well before you get hungry, it does take a while, but what doesn't in Hyde Park? My only real issue is that food that should be spicy weren't so spicy...but this is Hyde Park and I guess you should cater to the population, no everyone can handle it. I think half of the neighborhood would get Delhi belly if they did make it spicy :)
(4)
M. N.

Pretty good food and one of fastest places to pick up Indian in HP. Don't expect a classic setting - this is more like a diner than restaurant - but how can you love a place where you can get butter chicken with a side of mac n' cheese? Only real complaint is that the prices seem just a tad high - but i still go back fairly regularly ;)
(4)
Will B.

I was craving vegetarian Indian food and found myself in a bit of a quandary: do I make the hike to Devon Avenue to my favorite Indian places or try to find something closer to home. Since I live in South Shore, just further south down LSD from Hyde Park, I decided to try Rajun Cajun due to its close proximity. The people who work at RC are very nice and warm people. As for the food, it's a mixed bag. I ordered the vegetarian combo; while I liked the spiciness of the samosa, it was too soft (due to the fact that they are kept in warming drawers, etc.) I like my samosas to be crisp on the outside and then have that delicious spicy filling we've all grown to love. The basmati rice was wonderful, though I had to pick out the pieces of anise and cardamom pods. The saag paneer was a little too creamy and I didn't find any nice chucks of cheese, but the flavor was decent. My little sister had the butter chicken and she liked the spiciness, but wished it contained more chicken. Both of us were fond of the mango and lychee (litchi) juices RC has as they were sweet and refreshing. So RC is just okay, not terrible but not great either. I look forward to the day when pure veggie Indian cuisine hits Hyde Park.
(3)
Rachel L.

Best food in Hyde Park. Seriously. It has food with flavor and a little bit of heat, and it has friendly people working there. And it's affordable. Mango lassis are a little sweeter than I expected, but they've grown on me over the past two years I've been going there. I seem to crave the tandoori chicken every couple of weeks. And the fish curry is delicious. It would be great if it was a little more comfortable to sit in. And if there was a bar, I'd never go anywhere else in the neighborhood.
(4)
Aurore L.

Living in Hyde Park is not as dreadful as people think. It's diverse, very green (well - presently very white), historic, architecturally interesting.... But there is not much to eat. And it's awfully far from, let's say, Devon Avenue. So - not cool when you have a craving for lamb curry, or palak paneer (one of my ultimate favorites) Rajun Cajun, with its little muscled arms (yes, it requites a little bit of imagination but work with me here) and its ready-to-go dishes, comes to the rescue!!!!!!!!! Bollywood paradise (for Hyde Parkers at least) 4 blocks away from home. Priceless! Actually - the price is right: for around $10 you get some sort of samossa (it's really hard to call it otherwise but it's yummy nonetheless), a meat, a side and a glorious little bowl of rice. I mean it - it's so fragrant and flavorful....last time I 'fished' a cinnamon stick, star anise and a clove out of it!! The real deal!! And my hubby can even get some fried chicken to go along with his butter chicken....yeah...welcome to my world...
(4)
Fe T.

Amazing food!!! I have never enjoyed eating so much. The price is cheap, delivery is fast and cool. Food is abundant. Once you taste Rajun Cajun food, your mouth would probably start watering every time you think about this place. that said, this review is generally based on other eating places in Hyde Park - which only offers badly cooked food
(5)
Ron I.

There's really not much better in Hyde Park. The food isn't quite as authentic as I'm used to but it's very good and the service is exceptional. They even delivered after the "blizzard" which I thought was amazing. I've never tried the southern options but I really like the Dal, Butter Chicken, and the Samosas. The Tandoori Chicken is usually pretty moist and you can't get much healthier than chicken coated in spices. The staff is always very friendly and their delivery drivers are always prompt. Prices are pretty reasonable for the amount of food...~$10 for a meat curry, veggie curry, chapati, samosa, and rice.
(5)
Matt R.

What a brilliant idea for a restaurant - combining soul food and indian fare. Almost sounds as crazy as the ramblings of this review. But it works, they totally hit the pin on the head and hammer the nail in the coffin...the coffin of deliciousness. There is seating if you want it, booth style, and street parking is so-so. You might be better off picking up and taking home. They really do a tasty job with the indian - and those samosas are absolute trouble...but in the best way possible. And then go absolutely sideways by adding a corn muffin. Absurd, right? What an age we live in. The only critique is that prices are a little high, and it seems hard to place an order that comes in at a reasonable budget. Or maybe I just eat too much. Either way, the rhyming title alone merits 3 stars. You won't find a duplicate anywhere else.
(4)
Gerri H.

I've lived in Kenwood for over six years, was at U of C for 5 1/2 years, and just got around to trying Rajun Cajun. I'm a little slow. I was also a little intimidated as the only Indian food I've ever had was on an Air India flight to Frankfurt (I know, this is weird). I tried the butter chicken meal with saag paneer. My husband tried the tandoori chicken with a side of spiced peas. Each meal comes with jasmine rice, Indian bread, and a samosa. I was afraid that the food wouldn't live up to my spiciness expectation, but my meal was sufficiently spicy (the butter chicken and saag paneer). My husband enjoyed his meal, and I also enjoyed his "pea" side dish. We both thought the mini samosa was very good and could have had another one. The Indian food was good, but I would never get the "cajun" cuisine (which is actually Southern food) because I could get better elsewhere at another restaurant or my grandmother's house. But the Indian food, I highly recommend. A great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)
Amber S.

I grew up eating and loving their samosa's and a few months ago I tried their Butter Chicken dish after having a few experiences of other Indian food around my house. Other places have more spice than them but I think for that area, with college students and everything it is good. Their fried chicken and greens are okay, I guess everything could use a little more spice however I will still visit here.
(4)
Jonathan J.

Everything is really great here and the service is ultra fast, as you order at the counter and they dish your food out into take-out containers for you. Very filling, very flavorful (it's not traditional Indian, but more American-Indian with muted, creamy flavors) and very fast make this a 5-star place. It's not easy to find parking, however, as the street is always crowded. I recommend, as everyone does it seems, the butter chicken. It's tender and creamy, oh-so-delicious. Samosas are pretty tasty, too.
(5)
John G.

Great value!
(4)
Marcus A.

I need my spicy fix now. And this is the place to get it. Curry lamb and samosas with sweet and spicy sauce. My nose is running just thinking about it. You get a heaping helping of food for not alot of dough. The meat is tender. Really good Indian food in the most unsuspecting place. It really looks a bit fast foodie from the outside but the food is authentic cuisine. The cauliflower vegetable dish is my favorite. Who needs all the fancy dining when the food is so excellent.
(4)
Alex F.

Amazing Indian food for cheap. Really friendly people. Great veg options.
(5)
Harry S.

Some of the best Indian food I have ever had with outstandingly friendly service. Highly recommend.
(5)
Carl W.

Go here and get some saag paneer and samosas. Period. Well, a month ago I probably would've said "get any of the Indian food." The value is pretty good by my standards (Indian food was never that cheap where I lived in So Cal) and I had enjoyed the butter chicken and lamb curry. Unfortunately, one day (my 5th or 6th visit after having lived down here for only a few months) I placed my biggest order yet, hoping to have leftovers, and ended up with sour, aftertaste-leaving butter chicken and Indian rice that seemed to have been repurposed from the "soul food" rice (it was cooked with peas and such as usual, but the shape, texture, and taste was all wrong). I guess they get a little sloppy on Friday nights? Color me disillusioned, anyway. I still recommend it, but my previous visits were during off hours, and I suggest you do the same if you want to try it out. Well, two more things. First, parothas suck, don't bother with them as they will only make you miss naan all the more. This leads into the second thing, which is that you shoudln't bother with the combo either. Especially if you're eating alone, it's too much food, and the value is not that impressive anyway. What it comes down to is that your $1 parotha is free, and I only ate the damn thing so as not to waste food.
(3)
Meridith H.

A combo meal with an extra samosa and extra side is the perfect amount to share between two people. The most perfect combination is butter chicken with spinach & cheese and peas & cheese. If you're feeling ambitious, you can rent a Bollywood movie & get your incense here, too. I've been coming here for years, and the food & service have been consistently great. When you order a dish you've eaten several times before and still unintentionally INHALE it because it is just that delicious, you know that you've found a gem.
(5)
Chris R.

I didn't care for the samosas here they just don't look right, they tasted decent but not good like real samsoas. The butter chicken was really flavorful and tasty but everything else was forgettable. Bottle drinks only or tap water no fountain. You can get tiny portions for only a few bucks if you just have the craving for a quick taste.
(3)
Val B.

Decent spot in Hyde Park. It's all pre-made, buffet-style (without the all-you-can-eat part of being a buffet). It's a strange, strange mix of soul food, like fried chicken and mac & cheese, and Indian cuisine, like chicken curry and samosas. Boyfriend and I had about the same thing - he got the butter chicken combo, which includes rice, a veggie side, a samosa, and injera-like bread. I just got a medium order of butter chicken with a samosa and bread. The butter chicken is the star, but the samosa was good too. The bread was kind of dry and lacking flavor... it made me miss naan. For $18 we were both stuffed, which is cool. Definitely wasn't the best food I've ever had, but there was nothing wrong with it either.
(3)
CE K.

Oh my goodness, do I miss Rajun Cajun! I don't miss the long nights huddled around econ and stats notes studying for mid terms and finals, but I credit Rajun Cajun with my successful graduation. As long as it wasn't a busy night there, the staff never took issue with us taking over a booth for dinner and studying. I usually stuck to the Indian side of the house, but my friends would mix it us - Fried Chicken, greens and a Samosa, why not? Cheap. Plentiful. Delish. Friendly. Good tunes. I need to go back to Chicago just to have some Rajun (minus the stats books).
(4)
Arthur B.

One of my favorite places to eat in Hyde Park! Only place I know where you can get great Cajun & Indian food separate or together in a combo! the prices are standard if you eat Indian food. My only real complaints are no buffet deals & its a small place so there is no bathroom. which is a no no when usually dealing with Indian food
(4)
Mike K.

If there was an award called "Confuse A Tourist" or "Locals Only, Sucka!", this place would win it hands down. In what appears to be the most blatant misuse of a name ever, Rajun Cajun does not actually serve any Cajun food whatsoever. Although there are pictures of New Orleans all over the interior and, of course, the name literally screams Cajun food, you will find no Cajun food here. "No Cajun food?!" you ask in disbelief. "What do they serve then?!" Come on now, the answer should be pretty damn obvious - Indian and soul food. Yeah, no - I don't get it either. Just go along w/ this. Ok? The Indian food was fantastic. I had the butter chicken w/ a vegetable dish (cauliflower + peas - help me out somebody). For a combo meal, I also received a samosa and a flat bread (paratha). It was an excellent meal for around $10. Portions were generous, the food was very tasty (decent spiciness) and the service was high class. Outside of the confusing name of the establishment, there's really nothing working against this place. It is very well maintained.
(4)
Liz J.

I was thrilled to realize that I work mere blocks from Rajun Cajun! When i was but a wee seminarian, we occasionally had Rajun Cajun for our weekly community lunch. It's an Indian restaurant! It's a soul food resetaurant! It's amazing! Butter chicken is great, as are their multiple veggie options. I admit I've never tried their soul food. it looks less than inspiring, but I won't deduct a star until I actually try it. Eat in at lunch time and you'll encounter a wide mix of Hyde Parkians popping in for aloo gobi and collard greens. Tasty samosas, too.
(5)
Jacob D.

Been heading there a lot My gym is conveniently close to this place. I recently tasted the biryani and it is so delicious, made to order and at $6.50! The samosas are addictive, they are always fresh, and moist..I think they are baked so never feels oily. I ordered a whole bunch of samosas for a party I had at my neighbors place. The owners are so friendly and every time I go there is a big line, that tells me that people are enjoying the food, again, that is the only place with Indian (Rajasthani) cuisine in that area.
(5)
Tory w.

Oh, Rajun Cajun. Where to begin? My friends and I were out and about on a gorgeous Chicago spring Sunday afternoon. We were headed to Jackson Park to do some birdwatching and thought we'd grab some lunch before heading into the wild. Out comes my trusty cell phone and onto Yelp I go. Out of a plethora of choices, mostly ethnic of some sort, the most enticing was Rajun Cajun, the first tag of which is "soul food". So, southern, we were thinking. Catfish, mac-n-cheese, po'boys. How surprised we were to walk into this hole-in-the-wall and see a display of what is most definitely Indian food under warming lamps. We were greeted by who I think is the owner, who was very friendly. There was one of those awkward moments while we tried to decide what to do. Were we in the right place? Yes, it definitely said "Rajun Cajun" over the door. I noticed that amongst the pans of Indian food were several trays of fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens, and corn bread. What was this place? Should we stay? Leave, in hopes of quelling our po'boy craving? The owner must have seen our confusion because he asked us if we were looking for "New Orleans" food. He then pointed out that the name, which we had been too hungry to really notice, is RAJ-un Cajun, as in RAJ, and not "Ragin Cajun" which would imply southern cookin'. I was in a particular dilemma, torn because I equally dislike food in warming pans and walking out of a restaurant that I have walked into, especially if the service is friendly and it is a local joint. We decided to stay, and I'm so glad we did. The food was amazing. I had the butter chicken and a side of rice. The sauce was a delight for the senses. My friends both had the vegetarian combo, which is a ton of food for under $10 - 2 veggie dishes, a samosa, rice, and bread. All of their dishes were great too - the eggplant, lentils, chickpeas. At the end of our meal we were definitely full and satisfied but not in the heavy way that Indian food can sometimes have. As we were eating the owner told us that his family took over the business when it was actually a Cajun place, and that it didn't really do well until his dad came from India and suggested the change in cuisine. I don't live too close to Hyde Park, but I would travel to return here. Rajun Cajun is ragin' good!
(5)
Jeanie P.

MmmMm when I think of this place, one phrase comes in mind.... "a brotha from another motha!" That's how I feel the soul food meets the Indian food! I always go here when I'm craving Indian food since Devon is wayyy too far from Hyde Park. The owners are great! They are like your friend's parents... and yeah I'll admit I kind of want them to adopt me so I can eat saag paneer everyday. Anyway, this rating is definitely based on what this place is... a small mom and pop cafeteria-style restaurant. This is not a fancy place you want to go out of your way to go to. But great for hungry students :) So I definitely recommend the butter chicken curry and the lamb curry as well. The saag paneer is definitely more spicy than the traditional version but delicious!!!! And the mac and cheese+cornbread is solid. I used to get my Indian friends to get their moms to make me samosas, and oh I miss them so~ But the samosas definitely satisfy my craving... they are spicy, crispy, and delicious with the sweet chutney. I would say one of those combo meals usually lasts me two meals :) Side story: once I was so hungry for Rajun Cajun, I hit a parking pole on the way out of the parking garage b/c I was only thinking of Indian food. I stepped out to look at the dent momentarily, then drove straight to Rajun Cajun. Yes friends, true story.
(4)
Krsna V.

Pretty good for Indian 'fast' food. The menu is 80% Indian and 20% Cajun. The only Cajun items I found was rice and beans. Fried chicken is not Cajun. The Indian food is pretty good for a fast food restaurant. I usually get the food to go. The management is friendly and polite. The only complaint I have is they serve "biryani" only on the weekends. I noticed someone wrote a review saying this is not authentic Indian food and their Indian colleague was offended. What do you expect from a fast food joint? If I wanted to try authentic Indian food, I would go to Devon. Even on Devon, only a handful are "authentic" Indian. Just be aware that they have a $10 minimum on credit card charges. The prices are good for the food you get. The quantity is optimal. The tandoor chicken is not bad at all and the biryani is as close to good biryani you get anywhere south of Devon. I definitely recommend this place for Indian fast food. Just a note to people like Kitaro aka Ken H. (or whatever name you are adopting for the day) who criticized my review: I based my review on for what this restaurant is good for: "fast food". I consider Rajun Cajun the McDonald's of Indian food and rated it accordingly. On the other hand, Hema's kitchen and Tiffin gloat of being authentic and real Indian food, while they are not. I hope my "consistency" is clear to you now. I guess you are the one who has problems understanding the word "consistency"
(3)
Jeanelle S.

Rajun Cajun's been around Hyde Park for years, though I rarely ate there in its infancy. One day someone told me they had Indian, so I decided to check it out. This is as good as it gets for Indian food in Hyde Park. Well, if you're not cooking it yourself, anyway. The curries are good, the tandoori's good, the samosas are great. I hate they don't have naan (which is one of my favorite things to eat period). It's not the cheapest, but the quality's solid enough and they've got the market cornered in the area, so it is what it is. If it just focused on the Indian side of things, that'd be good enough to give it four stars. But this place has a schizophrenic side personality and insists on serving "soul food." One night I had the craving for saag paneer and fried chicken, so I thought, "What better place to go than Rajun Cajun?!?" While they excel in tandoori, they waste perfectly good chicken away in the fryer. It was bland, greasy and dry. The mac and cheese is maybe a click below Stouffer's frozen, and the greens are just okay. After that trifecta, I don't think I ever want to try any of their other "soul" offerings again. If they just focused on the Indian and made it better, this place would be great. As it stands, it's just alright.
(3)
Sarah S.

Rajun Cajun is not Cajun. Nor is it particularly Ragin' (Rajun?) in terms of spice- it's definitely pretty tame as far as heat goes. But it is good. Don't go here expecting haute cuisine - the neon signs and truly eye-hurting color scheme should've been a hint for that - but if you want a good cup of butter chicken and chana masala, it's pretty rockin. I don't particularly eat the southern food here, even though that's Rajun Cajun's "thing". The fried chicken is not very good at all, and the mac and cheese is only ok. But the Indian food is quite good, and cheap as sin.
(4)
Janeen W.

This is the only Indian Restaurant in Hyde Park!! They have great samosas. Get both green and red sauce to put on your samosas. I love their Butter Chicken!! The also have good curried potatoes!! DELISH!!
(4)
Sarah B.

What stands out about this restaurant to me is not the unlikely combination of fried chicken and chana masala, awesome though that is, but how friendly the staff was! We chatted about tattoos and gods and fruit juice. They didn't have to be that friendly. But they were! The food is also memorable. I didn't like the mac and cheese because it was too cheesy - I know that sounds impossible, but it was - but everything else was had was fantastic. Even their rice was good. Nobody can ruin rice, but few restaurants have wonderful rice, and Rajun Cajun does. There isn't much seating, so I wouldn't bring fifteen people there. I heartily recommend the passion fruit juice.
(4)
Poof A.

*This review is for take out only, I have yet to experience dining in the barely-disguised former Subway restaurant* The food here is satisfying and SPICY! Ok I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to spice, but DAMN. One of my beefs with overly-spice food is that the spice can sometimes overwhelm all the other flavours, making the heat the only thing you taste. Not the case here. Although you definitely feel the heat, you also taste all the flavours of the food, and trust me these are flavours you want to taste. A bunch of us order takeout from here and it was a bit pricey, but we all ate more than our fill. Everything we got was veggie too- delish!
(3)
Reiahnna J.

I've been around this area for a while (not living there) and finally decided to go to this restaurant after passing it for the hundredth time. It was okay. I had the $9.99 Tandoori Chicken Meal with samosa, parotha, and corn meal curry, but I also asked for Basmati Rice. The chicken was good and the samosa taste better with sweet sauce instead of spicy. They even gave me an extra parotha. Is the Parotha made with beans? It taste like it. The restaurant was clean and had a few nice paintings.
(3)
Lyndsey M.

This place gets four stars because it is what it is -- a little, cafeteria-style Indian restaurant with not a lot of seating, where your meal comes served with 100% disposable plates and sporks. The selection is limited. But that aside, it's one of the most noble establishments in Hyde Park. The food is delicious, and, according to my dad, relatively authentic. The "vegetarian meal" option is nice, but recently I've discovered the joy in ordering a large serving of an Indian dish paired with a side of the super-cheesy, cholesterol-heavy macaroni and a samosa with the "sweet" sauce. I'm pretty sure I could just eat five or six of those samosas as a meal. If you're looking for the Atkins Nutritional Approach, this is not the place to go. The Very Tasty approach? Absolutely. Not to mention the guys behind the counter are hilarious.
(4)
Ellie K.

Good and cheap Indian food. This is probably the most bang for your buck you will get in Hyde Park. The food is great and very inexpensive. They have many vegetarian options, and the chicken has no mystery meat or weird fatty parts in it. I am giving it 5 stars because it is so good for the amount you pay. PLUS- a lady there does eyebrow threading. Be sure to pick up her card near the cash register. She does a great job.
(5)
M. Z.

Decent Indian food in Hyde Park. I love the samosas; they're cheap, filling, and have just the right level of heat. The owners are friendly and helpful. (Once they even custom-made a plain lassi for me!) The vegetarian dishes are pretty good. The mutter paneer has a tasty sauce and the cabbage is nice and crisp. Avoid the cauliflower and eggplant curries though, as they're unpleasantly oily. As for the soul food, I've only had the corn muffins, the peach cobbler and the mac n cheese. The muffins are good, but the cobbler has the texture of overcooked eggplant and is too syrupy. The mac n cheese is smooth, but kind of flavorless. I like to put the sweet samosa sauce on it.
(4)
Tina B.

I actually am the kind of person that ends up in the mood for some aloo gobi and for some fried chicken and macaroni n cheese at the exact same time, and I love that a restaurant exists that understands me like that. In fact, I was tonight. Big time. I watched a whole Iron Chef all about curry last night and I had been craving fried chicken in a very it's-cold-and-I-want-to-eat-something-comforting-Âthat-requires-stretch-pants kind of way - Rajun Cajun came through like a champ, offering me every single thing I was in the mood for, super fast cafeteria style and at a decent price. And the people who work here, while a bit curt while ordering, are very sweet. Soul food and Indian food work SO DAMN WELL TOGETHER. Seriously, they should take this shit on the road. Dipped my fried chicken in the cilantro sauce, alternating bites of greens and buttery samosas, orangey-red plastic fast food booths? Hells yes. Different presentation from other samosas I've had, but delicious. And their fried chicken was more than decent. Fresh mango and guava juices = slamming. I wouldn't drive out of my way here if I just wanted Indian food and I wouldn't drive out of my way here for soul food, but when I want both? Holler at your restaurant right here.
(4)
Mike B.

This maybe the first Curry Nazi, No Curry for you!!! Maybe it's Rajun Cajun, because one of the guys working here makes fun of people, literally Rajun! Service is good, but can be offensive, it's not like he's yelling at you, but can sure make you feel like an idiot. To clear this up, I saw the guy make fun of two customers before me, because of miscommunication. I had the butter chicken, chicken curry, chana masala, Aloo Gobi, and the sides, a samosa, and indian bread. The food is solid, the prices and portions are good compared to what you get at most indian places. I don't know if it's worth a trip from the loop to Hyde Park, but I was done in the area, and the it was good! Five item combos include rice, indian bread, samosa, one veggie item, one meat item is $10.00, it's a lot of food!
(4)
Evan S.

The food here is great. They do a great job of combining Indian food with some elements of soul food. It is also very quick service wise. They do, however, charge substantially more than other restaurants in the area for what it is. They also will regularly not have items available that are listed on the menu.
(4)
MsHydePark C.

Rajun Cajun definitely gets points for novelty-- Where else in the world could you find Indian and soul food together in a place that looks like a brightly colored Subway? It's pretty strange, but in a good way. The food is served cafeteria style and it basically seems like Indian food your Indian friend's mom (as opposed to a professional chef) would serve up-- Some dishes are delicious, others are too watery or bland, and the same dish might taste different from week to week. Another bummer-- and this is a big issue for me-- is that they don't have naan, but instead serve a tortilla-thin whole wheat bread that is always really oily. Long story short, this is a nice neighborhood spot if you live nearby and are craving Indian food, but it's not worth traveling to if you're not already nearby.
(3)
Michael W.

OK? So ... was this an old Louisiana-style storefront remade into a fast-food cafeteria joint featuring Indian food? Or is Rajun Cajun some wildly inspired mix of desi meets dixie? Not really sure. One thing I do know is that worldwide Everybody. Loves. Fried Chicken. Seriously, and everything was really tasty. I guess, unlike many others, I didn't have any cuisine specific to India. Chick-chick, mac 'n cheese, and greens. Both were great to pedestrian, except for the greens (spicy) and the mango lassi. Great to really good. No high chair or booster for the little boy. Bummer. But he got to dance to Bollywood hits & I got to see a DVD of some awards show with Aishwarya Rai on a flat screen TV while I ate butter chicken. Even better. See what I mean. theaishwaryarai.com
(3)
Maya D.

I have been going to this place since I was a kid :) Where else in the city can you get sag paneer and mac and cheese? I have to admit I have never tried the Cajun soul food selections, but the Indian food is pretty good. Especially if you are in the area and not feeling like trekking up to Devon. - Overall thoughts- Great place for quick take out Indian food if you are in the area.
(4)
Marc K.

Just wanted to clear the air here: this restaurant serves both soul food and indian food. if you're ever up for fried chicken with a side of curried lentils then you're in luck. We just had Indian which was very tasty. It was a bit spicy, so if you like really mild indian, then this place isn't for you as it all comes pre-spiced on the buffet. The quantity of food that you get is very reasonable for the $$ Will definitely return.
(4)
Jesse H.

As far as Indian food goes, it's just not that great. The chickpeas are usually a little dried out - probably because the food sits in giant vats instead of being cooked to order. The sauces are all fairly similar - buttery and greasy, nothing spectacular. You usually bite into at least one big, fat, dry cardamom pod that leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and little pieces stuck in your teeth. Also, no naan - only parathas, a somewhat bland whole wheat variety. One thing I do love here is the saag paneer.
(2)
Tiffany R.

First! The owners are extremely helpful & super informative BIG PLUS! The samosas are heaven on earth! The name of the dish has slipped my mind BUT its the peas with the paneer..ohlalalalala! LOVE LOVE! When I 1st try Rajun Cajun I went three YES THREE days in a row! Indian food is like a magical wonderful overload on your taste buds!
(5)
maurice s.

This isn't the worst Indian food in the city, but it's not too far removed. I've been able to find better Indian in some pretty podunk cities (I'm talking the likes of Lafayette, IN and Toledo, OH), so it's absolutely scandalous that there isn't a legit Indian place anywhere on the South Side. Between the UofC and IIT alone, there's got to be a HUGE untapped demand. At least open an India House location or SOMETHING. Extra star because I didn't try the soul food and will give them the benefit of the doubt.
(2)
Paul M.

WOW. was pleasantly surprised by this little place! Excellent service, great prices... and the food was generous and delicious. Wish there was more seating, but it's a great spot none-the-less. I recommend it for a cheap but good dinner.
(5)
Jeff L.

Rajun Cajun is great! The food is cheap, the dinner combos provide heaping portions, and they have fried chicken! I don't have a lot of experience with Indian food in the states, but I am always happy with the saag paneer and butter chicken. The paratha and samosas are delcious, and the mango lassi are refreshing, even in the dead of winter. The only downside is the in-house seating, but I typically order-out so its not that big of deal. The delivery has arrived under thirty minutes every time I've ordered.
(5)
Peter H.

I'm not generally a fan of spicy food, but then Rajun Cajun has the perfect mixture of flavor and spice. I've yet to actually eat inside the restaurant but the atmosphere seem welcoming and is most certainly a college-kids paradise. Whenever I've stopped in to order the service is pretty fast and the food is good. It's nice to see a bit of diversity amid the endless Italian style eateries one normally finds.
(4)
Paul F.

There's, at best, two Indian restaurants on the south side of chicago. Rajun Cajun is on of them. Their samosas are good. The food is all pretty alright, but cmon... canned greens? Can't we get some real collard greens with our samosas? What's messed up is given the lack of indian/soul food fusion restaurants they could probably get 5 stars out of me real quick if they just up the ante. Up the ante, Please!!!!!!! Make that lamb the most succulent! Make those greens from scratch with some spice and some swine or smoked turkey! I'll give 5 stars to a cafeteria style in no time at all! I would kill to be able to give this place five stars!
(3)
Serena B.

Go there for the Indian food. I love it here. Their soul food is definitely on the iffy side. Sometimes they knock it out the park sometimes they don't. The Indian food is always on point though. I could go vegetarian just eating the sides. The people who run the place are very nice and this is one of my fav restaurants in the city.
(4)
Sabrina M.

I LOVE this restaurant and have been eating here for years. For the quality of the food and the value, you cannot beat it. The box specials are great, especially the vegetarian box and the lamb stew box. The chana masala is also a standout and I can't leave there without getting a mango lassi. It's fast, reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. Truly a treasure in Hyde Park.
(4)
marco o.

Good indian food for delivery! Good prices, perfectly cooked rice, spicey, but not too spicey, somosa's were tasty as well.
(4)
Sophia T.

Back in the day I lined in Hyde Park and maybe I've blocked it out but I did go to mucho restaurants when I resided there. Rajun Cajun makes me laugh b/c the owners are brilliant in their catering to a diverse population. If I still ate fried chicken, I'd a been in there daily. But as a vegan, I enjoyed their veggie dishes, samosas (vegetarian probably), Chai masala (mmm on a cold day), and paratha (i'm an addict). fan of fast service.
(4)
Meg O.

Here's the dilemma: you're really craving lamb curry, but also want sweet potatoes and peach cobbler. Or, fried chicken sounds perfect, but can I get a side of saag paneer with that? Voila, you need 53rd Street, you need Rajun Cajun, probably the only Indian Soul Food restaurant in the world. While I usually go for all Indian, the peach cobbler is amazing! And some days mac n' cheese is The side dish for tandoori chicken. The food is on the hotter side of spicy, especially the lamb curry. The Vegetarian plate gives you the most flavors. Samosas are decent. Although it's primarily a carry-out joint, I normally eat it right there. With Chutney music in the background, the funky clientele, the plastic booths, and the blind woman folding take-out boxes, it's sort of like being in "The Royal Tannenbaums."
(4)
Claire S.

This is, so far, my favorite place to eat in Hyde Park. The dinner combos are gigantic, and make a great lunch to take to work the next day. My favorite is the butter chicken. The things on the menu that are meant to be spicy really are spicy. I haven't tried the soul food part of the menu, but it looks good too.
(5)
ben h.

According to Hyde Park legend, the restaurant is an old soul food place that was bought by an Indian couple who retained portions of the soul food menu while expanding it with Indian comfort foods. Everything is served cafeteria style with a smile, and sometimes some friendly ribbing. All the food I have had here has been consistently good, whether from the Indian or the Soul food side of things. Very accommodating for vegans/vegetarians - servers will patiently explain the ingredients of every dish under the glass if asked. The only thing keeping it from five stars is that the food is a little overpriced, considering it is served cafeteria style and isn't always exactly fresh.
(4)
Farooq C.

It is the only Indian Restaurant in Hyde Park and it is a good one. They also have soul food but I have never tried that here. Spiciness is a bit on the mild side because they cater to everyone but it is still delicious. Their samosas are fresh and delicious. We have had their Tandoori Chicken and Mutter Paneer. Both were great. It is a family run, local business and the owners are very nice. We went once and the second time I was there they asked me how is my son!
(5)
gladys l.

Wonderfully helpful staff and very helpful in explaining buffet options. I prefer spicier food so I added a lot of pickle. It was definitely an adventure.
(3)
eliza b.

I have some conflicting views of Rajun Cajun, but obviously, they ultimately work out to 4 stars. +I've only ever had the samosas, which are delicious. -I've never been too inspired by the rest of the selection there, or the prices. +The owners and other employees are always really nice, patient, and helpful. +++++The reason I gave 4 stars instead of 3 is the MASSIVE MOVIE COLLECTION they have in the back. She said they have about A THOUSAND titles now. Why has barely anyone mentioned this in their review?? This is the best part of Rajun Cajun! -I do wish there were a more authentic, less neon/cheap-feeling, less oddly-titled Indian place in Hyde Park/the South Side as Devon is 100+ blocks away!
(4)
Ruthie H.

Whether you like your chicken fried or tandoori, Rajun Cajun in Hyde Park can set you up, quick, and usually for under ten bucks. Serving crazy amalgam of Indian and Soul food (no Cajun food though, as far as I can tell), Rajun Cajun is a perennial favorite of University of Chicago students and local neighborhood residents alike. The atmosphere is kitschy on a good day, and can be a touch seedy on a bad one. The space was quite obviously converted from a Subway a long time ago. It's lit with neon, and decorated with fake plants and thrift store prints. Upbeat Indian dance music pipes through the sound system. I find the atmosphere charming and quirky, but I have a pretty high tolerance for that kind of thing. If you prefer to dine in more flattering light, Rajun Cajun also offers brisk take-out business, or for the truly lazy, home delivery for a $2 fee. I eat here so often I've pretty much fetishized my usual spread -- Where else can you eat vegetarian Indian food with a side of cornbread while sipping an orange-flavored Fanta? I especially love the cauliflower curry, peas and panir and the samosas. I think the food is great, I love that it's family owned and operated, and I get a kick out of the bizarre mish-mash of cultures and flavors. Rajun Cajun is one of my favorite spots in Hyde Park to grab a quick bite. It's eclectic, unpretentious, cheap and the food is consistently good. One time I was in there when this super-tough looking guy in a do-rag came in to get fried chicken, except they were all out. "Tan-doori chicken? I don't know, man. OK, sure, gimme some of that."
(5)
Earl P.

Do yourself a favor and disregard every positive review of this restaurant, I beg you. First of all the owner is this guy who is extremely,extremely rude and condescending. He's a caricature of rudeness in fact, you almost feel like you're being punked he's so rude( although is wife who serves as his personal slave is very sweet, poor woman). Secondly, I asked this fool if he had some chiles or something to make the food hotter than it was, he replied with more rudeness AND a lie, saying he didn't! The man runs an Indian restaurant and won't give a customer some chiles?! Need I say more? Theres no food on earth that would make me give this guy the time of day.
(1)
Anne M.

What can I say about this place. My husband and I have been eating here since we first met in our first year in college. Their vegetarian options are amazing and we're not even vegetarians. The price has definitely increased since 1994 but it's worth every penny. Everytime we visit Chicago from CA, we make it a point to get down to Hyde Park for this place. It's quick, fresh, and delish! I just wish they would ship since I now live in CA and haven't found a place like theirs. I'd deduct half a star for not having access to them in Ca but that just wouldn't be fair to them. :-)
(5)
Amanda A.

I still haven't made it to Devon because this place is so close to school. It's really excellent, fast Indian food. And hey, if you have a hankering for collards and fried chicken, you can get that too. But I stick to the palak and mattar paneer.
(4)
Maretta J.

This is a great place though it doesn't look like much decor-wise: it's not expensive, it offers tasty vegetarian options, the music sound track has wonderful prayerful mantras. It may not have a full range of Indian food, but the samosas are the best. I haven't tried the Cajun options but they make a real effort to appeal to a diverse population and are very friendly. We love it for a quick delicious meal; so glad they're in Hyde Park, which needs more vegetarian restaurants!
(5)
mary m.

THe management is cheap! They didn't (deliberately) give me my change back of 9 cents...i didnt make a big deal about it. but seriously, it's 9 cents--give it back! the samosas are overpriced.
(1)
ally r.

I wish I was eating Rajun Cajun right now. This is a small diner like place with a bright yellow, neon-lit interior that added to my late night experience of the place. A friend and I came close to close and the owners were sweet enough to let us stay and eat the great soul food/ Indian/Pakistani food. Food is served from hot trays-the sort of deli style that you usually get in a larger restaurant or in a market- indeed the place had sort of a market feel and doubles as a video store. We had several menu items, fried chicken (really memorable) rice cooked with cinnamon for added flavor, a curry, lentils, chic peas and lentils, and a mango lassie. I was satisfied with everything I had, had a good conversation with one of the employees as we ate, enjoyed the mix of Hindu deities and river boat paintings lining the wall and felt wonderfully sandwiched between two cultures I had ever seen combined. Rajun Cajun is a great place to take a friend for a surprising and relaxed meal. Don't generic elements of the seating area turn you off- it's worth every penny.
(5)
Eliza B.

After 5 years of living in the area I finally ate at Rajun Cajun. My husband and I walked in once but the food didn't look good so we left. Today I went with a co-worker (we were tired of the 57th st places, just for today) and had a nice experience. I asked what the dishes were, made my selection (rice with plantains, peas w/ paneer and a samosa). The samosa was just OK but the rest was nice. Good even! If you don't have the time to drive up to Devon, this is a good option. I'll be back.
(3)
Cindy D.

Hmm.. not sure why this place got such good reviews.. maybe location and the lack of other Indian restaurants in the area. Anyways, got there at 3 pm and my bf and I had an 8 pm reservation at David Burke's. So we both shared the butter chicken dinner for $10. Got the following - Medium butter chicken - I thought it to be rather small, and usually i like the chicken shredded. However it was cubed, which made it taste dry. Also, the sauce itself.. I could do better than that and I'm chinese! Samosas - Smaller than what i'm used to from Devon. But on top of that, it's just a weird outer wrapping, not flaky at all. Med Veggie - OK.. we got the califlower Bismati Rice - OK, but I hope they don't mess that up. Would not go again..
(2)
Glu C.

corn muffins, corn muffins & corn muffins. i was expecting a bit more from the food - indian & soul food, hello!- but to be honest not much was very memorable-except for the corn muffins. the chicken & lamb was aiiiight, samosa & saag paneer was good, macaroni and cheese was runny & i don't know why a cold chai tea was such a hassle for the staff..it is on their menu - derrrr. if there's any silver lining to this review it would be the corn muffins, very delicious!
(3)
Lauren B.

I feel like I should be angry as a former New Orleanian about the misleading name, "rajun cajun." But I could care less. They do have some southern dishes here, which I have not tried yet, but they look tasty. Especially the mac-n-cheese. But the indian food is what it's all about. It's basically cafeteria style, with everything pre-made and sitting out. We always take it to go since we live down the street. The butter chicken is so delicious I cannot get through a meal without mentioning that it is the "BEST BUTTER CHICKEN I'VE EVER HAD!" Just delightful. That alone could give this place 5 stars. The saag paneer is always good, although sometimes spicier than others. I cannot bring myself to eat their goat after a couple of bad experiences (not here), but my boyfriend says it's pretty good most of the time. The potato side dish is awesome. And their mango lassi is the perfect balance of yogurt and fresh tasting mango. Their rice, which is not something I usually get excited about, is exceptionally fragrant. My boyfriend says it's too perfumey, but I think it's great. The biggest downside is their bread, it's not naan, but something that is fried, but it tastes like really thin chewy cardboard. We've resorted to just dipping normal bread into our soupy indian goodness.
(4)
Ted P.

Rajun Cajun is amazing. They have wonderful vegetarian and vegan options (in addition to the fried chicken, fish curry and other meaty dishes). The food is very filling and the portions are fairly reasonable. In particular, the chickpeas (chana masala-esque) and samosas are amazing, especially the spicy sauce for the samosas. Their fresh fruit juices make it even more incredible. The one downside? the rice is often overcooked or watery. But the amazing curries make up for the rice. For some odd reason, Rajun Cajun's food always tastes better had in a UofC campus cafe (ie Cobb, Swift).
(5)
Luke S.

The butter chicken combo with two vegetables was a huge amount of good food for $10. Particularly good samosas. Also, after exiting the insanely yellow neon interior of Rajun Cajun, everything looks so normal and colorful!
(4)
Chocolate H.

Decent Indian restaurant with a weird name. If you live on the south side and you are jonsong for indian this is the place.
(3)
Douglas W.

I really love this little place; it's kind of the "default" for my wife and me when we don't want to think where to go in the neighborhood. Yes, it's true that the food is served from a buffet, basically, but given that, it's pretty consistently fresh tasting. Of course it's not always the healthiest, but it is VERY tasty and a darn good deal too. I've only had the Indian, not the soul food, so I can't speak to that. However, overall it is a fantastic place that I know I'll miss when I move-I've never had access to fast Indian before!
(4)
Adrienne T.

I've been to many restaurants in Chicago and consider myself pretty well rounded when it comes to ethnic cuisine. After many trips to Devon street, and eating at most of the restaurants there, Rajun Cajun continues to have the best food (I eat mainly the vegetarian fare) of all. Yes, it appears to be a "greasy spoon" or hole in the wall kinda place, but its always clean, well maintained and welcoming. I've been eating here for many years and have come to respect this family owned business greatly. I often call ahead for a large order of Samosas when I have to bring a dish to a gathering or party-needless to say they're always a hit.
(5)
Aaron S.

I want to rate these folks higher since they've been around so long but the food, while decent, wasn't great. I had the "lamb curry dinner", which was a ton of food for $10, basically giving you 2 entrees (one meat, one without), rice, samosa, and paratha. If it were my restaurant I'd change the paratha to chapati or naan to lighten the fat load and provide more bread to soak up the ample entrees. I personally like the fast-food atmosphere here, though I would love being able to eat off real plates etc. Still, a boon to Hyde Park--as a Logan Square resident I can appreciate how nice it is to have ANY Indian restaurant to go to.
(3)
D P.

This place is awesome. I gave it a shot maybe 9 years ago now and I've been hooked ever since. The staff is friendly and always remembers me when I come in. No matter what you eat here you will be pleased.
(5)
Seth A.

best place around! delicious!
(5)
Amy D.

Rajun Cajun earned the epithet "keeps on rajin'" from some friends of mine, as its effects sometimes hit you well after you've enjoyed some tasty tandoori chicken. I think its cute that you can get biscuits and cornbread (not Cajun, really) with your Indian food. I really like whatever dish it is with the peas and curry sauce. Nothing is labeled, one time I got stuck with peach cobbler hoping for apple, and it was very disappointing. I think I am just too intimidated to ask what everything is, seeing as I wouldn't understand it anyway. Nonetheless, I generally love the food. I also enjoy that it appears to be an old Subway. And the bad Indian techno, with alternating black-and-white sketches of New Orleans with gilded Indian prints. The people are nice, but I always spending more than I intended becuase the pricing scheme is totally confusing. Or becuase its cafeteria-style, which has always been a bit of a problem for me. And its always full of Hyde Parkers, which makes me happy.
(4)
mike l.

Are you there, Yelp? It's me, Margaret. Um, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, we could really use a half-star button. I'd use it on Rajun Cajun to give them a 3.5. They're better than a 3, but not worthy of 4-star country. See, the half star would help. The fusion thing is a little weird. because, it's not really fusion. The foods aren't fused or anything, they're just served next to one and other. Ideas for similar fusion joints A) Italian & Car Wash B) tailor & gyros C) ice cream & funeral home. Anyhows, rajun. yeah, not so much. the food was decent. the fried chicken was good, not too greasy. But the dudes behind the counter were weird and the breakdown of the menu required graph paper & a scientific calculator. plus, they've got this $10 credit card minimum or else there's a 50 cent surcharge. now, I know the credit card is sucking 3% off my lunch sale, but don't make my life difficult.
(3)
M L.

The mango lassi is delicious! The Indian food is tasty too, and comes in pretty big portions considering the price. I think I paid less than $8 for more food than I should've eaten in one sitting. I had no idea what any of the dishes were called, so I just pointed and said "the potatoes...and whatever's next to them". Bottom line: Nothing fancy, but good cheap food.
(4)
laura m.

I have only experienced the delivery, because frankly, the restaurant isn't very pretty, and for sit down I like better ambiance. Their take out is just great, though. Try the butter chicken. The service is very nice and speedy. Once I called right before closing time, and they were out of several items. The woman (owner, perhaps) was apologetic, and I assured her that we would be happy with a couple of whatever vegetable dishes she had on hand. She sent an extra dish for free, and they were all delicious. We're big fans. I do find the juxtaposition of soul and Indian food a little perplexing. So far, I've only tried their Indian food, and I stick with Dixie Kitchen (or now Calypso) for southern food.
(4)
Emblem P.

What most reviewers forgot to mention is that this place is a buffet. That's a bit crucial if you're comparing it to other restaurants! Buffet means food isn't cooked to order, but constantly made throughout the day. Menu is limited and changes daily, and freshness varies depending on when you stop by. So, complaining about that seems a bit odd. It's fast food, people. That's how it works. With that in mind, as far as buffet food goes, Rajun Cajun's is very good, and vegetarian friendly. My two relevant complaints are that prices are a bit high for fast food, and that they could do with more variety. A little known secret: They make really good fruit juices! Try them all!
(4)
James K.

would not recommend this restaurant the food is ok but way overpriced, not to mention it is sitting out all day like at a Chinese buffet. When i went last time the owner was so cheap he gave me all curry with no meat and when i mentioned it to him he stated thats how it is, which is ridiculous. Take it for me there are alot better restaurants in hyde park to choose from like the Nile restaurant that you can get quality food that wont hunt your stomach later. Also this restaurant has roaches i saw one crawling around on my way out so beware
(1)
Siddhartha A.

Violation of the health code wasn't what I was expecting from Rajun Cajun, particularly after my visit there (see previous review). But the management/staff, who apparently moonlight as beauticians, offered to give a close friend of mine an epilation---remove her facial hair by threading---right inside the kitchen! My friend apparently ran from the place in disgust, and I am going to wait a long while before I visit them again.
(1)
Andrea G.

So we need a real Indian Restaurant in Hyde Park, and until then Rajun Cajun will have to do. And that's just fine. They have REALLY good combo plates, and their food is the correct spiciness. I lived in India last year, and I honestly think Rajun Cajun makes a better Palak Paneer than Tiffin on Devon.
(4)
Gil N.

Chicken was pretty ordinary, not bad but nothing to write home about. Rice was good and their Mac n' Cheese hit the spot. Small place, seemed busy and lots of people seem to like it. My wife really enjoys it, but to me it just seemed pretty average. I'll give them three stars, two from me and another for my wife.
(3)
Kyle H.

I was thinking of giving Rajun Cajun 4 stars since they have kind of a skanky interior and then I realized that I really don't give a good goddamn about what the inside looks like because I love everything else about it. I grew up in Hyde Park and moved to West Town a little over 2 years ago and there are only a few things I really, truly miss about Hyde Park, and Rajun Cajun is one of them. This place is absolutely one of a kind - cafeteria style Indian food AND soul food? THERE'S NOTHING BETTER. To be able to get a meal made up of mutter paneer, palak paneer and macaroni and cheese (?!) is no less than my dream come true. For the last couple years I lived in Hyde Park, I lived right on 53rd street, so I ate here all the time, but even when I lived with my mom on 61st street as a teenager - THEY DELIVER!! And it's cheap - food and delivery! That's the only thing I really hate about getting Indian food delivered - it's always expensive! Rajun Cajun is cheap cheap cheap and DELICIOUS. Whenever I'm going into HP for the day, I make it a point to make a stop at Rajun Cajun. Don't be fooled by the fast food decor - it's fantastic.
(5)
Ryan H.

This is one of the few fast food restaurants that I've encountered in Hyde Park. Came here to tryout their chicken curry and rice. The medium sized curry and rice was filling and very tasty. I was also satisfied with the service, which was provided cafeteria style and the workers were very friendly. They were also still open at 8:45 pm...which might be some sort of record for Hyde Park!!
(4)
David J.

I've only ever eaten from the Indian portion of the menu. It's the only Indian food available in Hyde Park, but it's certainly not the best you can find in Chicago. It's got a fast-food atmosphere and a tiny selection served cafeteria style. The food itself is of acceptable quality and the convenience is nice. If you're looking for good Indian food, look elsewhere.
(3)
Daniel H.

Yuck! Are you serious? Yes, I'm par-desi but I do know desi food. This place is not worth it, MAYBE for the very oddly shaped samosas. This place is better for the inane Bollywood films you can rent than for the vittles...
(1)
Dustin W.

Rajun Cajun at first peak appears to be experiencing classic multiple personality syndrome, but step inside this hidden Hyde park gem and you'll find a friendly family serving homestyle Indian favorites as well as a few Soul food specialties that all the local residents seem to flock to. We were in the mood for Indian fare and picked the vegetarian combo (2-veg main dihes, heaping mound of basmati rice, parotha, samosa, and a lotta homestyle love). The Chana masala and Gobi mutter were delicious. I went for the other side of fare for dessert and hunkered into a large helping of sugary sweet peach cobbler. All of the food is served by the portion/ a la carte,or however you prefer to say it. The items behind the glass look like a delicious buffet of stewed indian fare and homestyle soul food. I will be back for sure, but may just have to try the chicken, muffins, greens, and mac n cheese to mix it up. A great find in Hyde park for sure. Not sure why they call it Cajun, but sure is tasty homestyle food served with a smile.
(4)
Jesse C.

Pricey but so goooooooood! I love the samosa tamarind sauce and litchi juice from this place. Veggie combos are good and the chicken is good tandoori and fried. I reccomend the lamb also and the basmati rice is traditional. The soul food is ok and the service is friendly. Eating style is sort of cafeteria but it works. They cater too.
(4)
Laneka G.

boy friend wanted fried chicken delivered , only option was rajun cajun, horrible mistake for him, no flavor at all in the chicken, he siad the rice was ok, the mac and cheese was greasy, poor him, i had the curry chicken, it came with rice a shell and this delicious little puff it tasted just like curry chicken patties with little peas in it, and i ordered spinach for my veg. my food was good, really good full of flavor, it was enough for me to have a nice size lunch and dinner, what ever you do just dont order the chicken
(3)
Annette L.

The lamb curry was tasty (a smidge tough but good flavor overall). I went the Indian route while my husband went the Southern route, and we switched half-way through. I'd say the Indian food is better than the Southern (the mac and cheese and yams were a little on the watery side), but we enjoyed the experience all in all.
(3)
Angela K.

I really like their lamb curry and the butter chicken curry. I think Indian music was playing in the background. They offer 15% discount for U of C students :)
(3)
Jennifer J.

Huh? After reading all of the race reviews, I expected something else. DÃ©cor is like an old Burger King. Food is good and I went with an Indian guy. We just couldn't see the novelty in have fried chicken with Indian food. Overall, it's decent food but not worth the trip.
(2)
Jason M.

Rajun Cajun is much more than your typical Cajun themed Indian/Soul food restaurant, rather it's been a delicious and welcoming experience. I have eaten at maybe 6 Indian places downtown and in the suburbs and this place is the best, it smokes Indian Garden and Udupi Palace anyway... When we asked about the food, the owner's enthusiasm for quality(a word we heard about 15 times in the ensuing lecture) is nearly boundless. He lectured us on why he has to make everything himself, why he changes the fryer oil frequently, the dangers of trying to make tandoori chicken in less then 3 hours, on and on. We even got an impromptu tour of the spotless kitchen. Try the chai, it's amazing, but be aware it takes 10-15 minutes to prepare due to their elaborate steeping process. Stick with the Indian, their macaroni and cheese was pretty oily. Again, top notch Indian for a very low price...... this is what happens when the owners care deeply about the product.
(5)
Lorraine S.

Five stars for the food, three for price. The food is delicious. I have never been anything less than impressed by the Indian food I've eaten there. I haven't tried the fried chicken or mac and cheese, though, nor do I intend to. I come for the fantastic Indian food. I didn't even like Indian food before I found Rajun. The owners/workers are friendly enough. The price is what stops me from eating there every week. It's not expensive or unfair, but it's not cheap. For cafeteria-style, it's a little bit much. I usually get two meals here for $10-12.
(4)
Benjamin K R.

Well you can come in here and get fried chicken, super spicy chickpea curry, cornbread, and a samosa all on the same plate. Which seems weird but turns out it's like a perfect meal. All of the veggie curries, especially the afore mentioned chickpeas and the paneer, are totally awesome, and the soul food stuff is just right, as well. I love the loud techno remixes of Indian pop music and the fact that you can rent Bollywood. Lastly, and this is kind of weird, but the water is always REALLY cold, which is just extremely pleasant when you're downing all this spicy food.
(5)
Josh A.

A Hyde Park favorite. I like to embrace the dual personality of the restaurant, with a 50-50 soul food/Indian combo - one piece of tandoori and one piece of fried chicken, chick peas, samosas, collard greens. And a decent price for a LOT of food.
(4)
Jennifer K.

Not the greatest Indian fusion cuisine ever, but for the price you're paying, what did you expect? I only eat the samosas, as it seems to be the best thing on the menu. They're perfect with crisp outer shells and delicious filling. I did try their curries...and was heartily disappointed. But their samosas are just wonderful. They give pretty nice portions so you won't feel jipped when getting something. But don't expect the best meal ever. Just go in with fairly low expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(2)
Phaedra L.

I love this place too!! I LOVE Indian food. No doubt i'm a fan of India House, but I live on the south side so I go local sometimes; well, most times. And, what a better combination than Indian and Soul Food!! Honey I'm home! Fried chicken, greens, mac n cheese (not a fan of their mac - maybe because mine is soooo good) *wink*...and, spicy samosas, butter chicken, and other things I cannot pronounce but I know it when I see it.
(4)
Christopher T.

A fantastic place, and a staple of the Hyde Park community. I've never had a bad experience with any of their food or staff, and I've ordered from here quite a bit. Delivery and catering orders have always been on time in my experience. My favorite place to get food in HP, and maybe even in Chicago.
(5)
Harpreet K.

Let's just establish some street cred from the get-go; I am 100% Indo. That's right, BOO bitches!! Now, I love all the foodie banter, the Devon street or not to Devon street, but let's just get this straight, we're talkin about 53rd street here my friends, NOT Devon, NOT some bomb dhaba off the road in the mother county (for all my fellow subcontinentals), 53RD STREET. So, if you, like me, have ever wandered 53rd after a SHIT day at work, listlessly staring at the menu at the gyro/hot-dog/donut/hamburger place, moving on to that abysmal hand-written menu at the divey Chinese place (which, for the record, my snobby ass has never tried and may well be the most fantastique chinese food this side of shanghai), and end up here, you will MOS DEF appreciate the easy smiles, and warm, fresh-enough, TOTALLY DECENT, fast food my peeps are serving up. And I love the rajun cajun idea, kinda like mississippi masala. but, you know, not. ** Edit: They have the BEST fruit juices I've ever had. I love the South African Ceres brand and this is right up there.
(4)
Ron C.

I've been to Rajun Cajun once, and I didn't think much of it. I think it's silly to have the fusion, and thought there was more Indian than fried chicken. I remember the price being affordable, but the food was just lousy and messy. They give you quite a lot, but nothing is actually good. I usually hold high regard when it comes to hole in the walls (e.g. Harold's Fried Chicken in Hyde Park), but Rajun Cajun just doesn't cut it.
(2)
Carol H.

I've been going to Rajun Cajun since Trushar bought the place and added Indian food to the menu. BEST INDIAN FOOD IN THE CITY, in my opinion - especially the butter chicken. I've been to Indian places where the entrees are 40% more expensive and 60% worse. We consider the owners of the restaurant part of our extended family: they greet us by name, know our children, and are valuable members to our community.
(5)
Ross G.

After moving to Hyde Park from a land well endowed with excellent Indian restaurants (Cambridge, MA) I tried to convince myself that this place is ok. I can't lie to myself anymore. Their food just isn't very good. Everything is overly creamy and their menu isn't very diverse. I will give them points for serving chapati with meals. I'll just have to dream of the day when a decent Indian restaurant opens in Hyde Park.
(2)
Sarah D.

Little yellow awning, deceivingly non-cajun cuisine... Rajun Cajun is my favorite Hyde Park restaurant. The ladies who run the place are super friendly, and they always have a nice, fresh selection of Indian curries and basmati rice. They've got a nice little combo going on where you can get a couple of hot dishes, rice, and a samosa that will warm your heart with Bombay dreams. These kids aren't stingy with the cayenne pepper and know how to make a curry that will clear out your sinuses faster than an ocean water enema (which, incidentally, does not clear your sinuses at all.)
(4)
Rickisha B.

Excellent fast food Indian Joint. You can't beat the tast or the price. Also their palak paneer is wonderful.
(4)
Stefanie F.

My favorite Indian restaurant on the South Side. The samosas, paneer, and naan are excellent. The owners recognize regulars and have a very steady flow of customers.
(5)
Ben E.

While the Indian food's hardly of Devon St. caliber, it's flavorful, not overly greasy, and is about as good as you could possibly ask for in terms of fast food Indian. I used to eat here twice a week, and it's still my favorite place to go in Hyde Park.
(4)
Jen S.

I think this place is funny... combination of soul food and Indian food... who knew they went along so well? It's cheap, quick, and a great place to go if you're craving mac&cheese and curry chicken.
(4)
Kelly A.

3 stars for samosas and butter chicken. Everything else is on the lower side of ok. But everything is deliciously spicy!
(3)
J C.

I used to eat at this place about once a week and never had a bad experience. I dont know what yer all talkin bout cause I thought the chicken was reeall good. I remember eatin a lot of samosas to. I wish I had one two blocks away now.
(4)
Zach H.

I have no clue why this place is called Rajun Cajun. The menu is the odd combo of 75% Indian fare and 25% soul food (fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, sweet potatoes, etc). I always get the Indian stuff, and it's great. Everything is pre-cooked and kept in warming trays, cafeteria style. This really doesn't take away from the taste too much, and I consider it a bonus because you don't have to wait for your food. The ambiance leaves something to be desired - a few diner style booths, Indian-techno fusion music playing. I recommend the veggie combo meal. And be sure to try a samosa.
(5)
jaime m.

im no indian food officianado but I love rajun cajun! the food is pretty tasty ( I'll say 95 % of the time- not too many mis haps with bad batches of food)& not too bad for the amount that is given... of course it may not be comparable to other indian cusine that u can find at more "refined" spots, but it hits the spot for me! my favs r: passion fruit juice butter chicken spinach & cheese yellow lentils chick peas & spinach samosa with sweet chutney.. not to mention the owners r as sweet as pie.
(4)
lauren a.

indian AND soul food!!! rock!!! i recall that the perfect combination was getting your choice of indian main dishes with candied yams as a side, all sweet and spicy. AND you can rent bollywood movies too!
(5)
sarah l.

I was disappointed that I couldn't like this place more. I was excited to try it because I liked the soul/Indian food combo idea. Basically, everything was hit or miss. The samosas & paratha-- good. The veggie dishes, not so good. Mainly because they served the veggies w/regular white rice rather than basmati. It just made everything taste so OFF...My friend ordered the soul food, and the reviews were about the same. Good mac & cheese, not so great on the greens, ETC. It was ok, but I would never go out of my way to eat here.
(2)
Gloria E.

I personally love rajun cajun. You hear a lot of things about how it's not so great, but it's also not so bad. They have my favorite samosas and their chana masala is great too. They're known for having both Indian and soul food. I've only had the mac and cheese from the soul food side, and it wasn't bad, but I come here for the Indian food. Their Mango Lassis are pretty great as well, and don't miss out on the spicy chicken curry. The parothas are essential with any curries, so don't forget to order some if you try the curries and the paneer here is great according to others I've eaten here with, I'm not a big fan of paneer. They have a Bollywood rental in the back too!! WHERE else will you find this many Bollywood films to rent in Hyde Park?!!?!?!? That's amazing to me and it makes up for the food not being TOP quality, as does the price. Curry is pretty cheap here ($2-4, depending on the size, but then add rice), and all around, this indian food is cheaper than you'll find at any sit down Indian restaurants.
(4)
Anna S.

I have nothing but praise for Rajun Cajun. I think their food is delicious, though I have only tried vegetarian options (chana masala is my favorite). I always get the vegetarian combo (two medium veggies, rice, a samosa and a parotha flatbread) which is a great value. The samosas are delicious and the atmosphere of the place is unique. The owners are sweet people, too! I am so glad this restaurant is in Hyde Park.
(5)
P C.

totally worth the long trip for me to get over there, i lovvve it. really nice people too.
(5)
cb b.

Okay - admittedly a wierd name and pokes at where it is authentic or not, but it is great indian food. Those who have tasted it - swear by this place. They have these great meals of they put together including a veggie one that has all of the good stuff and a few items for you to choose - plus the best jasmine rice!
(5)
Jay K.

Ordered delivery for the call team this evening - catfish curry, butter chicken, two vegetable combo's. Food was spicy enough, h/w seemed somewhat "soupy." My colleague who is Indian was highly offended by the food delivered and said, "This is an affront to Indian food." He was so annoyed by the food, that he actually called the restaurant to complain about the soupiness of the chana masala he and another colleague had. He likened it to vegetables in hot water with the spice dumped in. The management was nice enough to credit him $9 for future orders. The food was not quite what I'd expected re: Indian food, h/w I didn't have very high expectations to start. Certainly their food is not very authentic (what do you expect from an Indian restaurant that is run by southeast Asians?), but passable I suppose. Their samosas ARE pretty bad (doughy), portions somewhat small (at least for delivery) and rice not very fragrant. Strangely enough this restaurant has become very popular with the call teams, however the consensus amongst our Indian colleagues appears to be that this place is a poor excuse for Indian food. One plus is the ability to order off campusfood.com and pay by credit card. Quick delivery with online ordering as well. I don't think I'd mind eating here when on call; Adds some variety to the other two on-call staples: Nile & Thai 55th (Certainly beats pizza.) Definitely visit any restaurant on Devon instead, or India House on Grand or Gaylord in Schaumburg - you've tons of other choices (unless you're stuck in Hyde Park for any reason). To Vamsi V: Who gave Tiffin and Hema's 2 and 1 star? - You give Rajun Cajun 4 stars?!?!?! and mention authenticity?!?!? lack of Indian clients?!?!? There seems to be a lack of consistency in your review criterion.
(2)
D'Sheadra B.

This was my first go at Indian food and it made me try more. This resturant has american/ soul food also so you can pick and choose what you want off from both countries.
(5)
Lee-Han H.

Nice place. The food is well seasoned, and well cooked. Nothing very pricey. I love curry so this is a really good place to go for authentic curry foods.
(5)
Johnny S.

Great food! Some of the heartiest Indian food I have had, the inside reminds you of a thousand fast food joints in Chicago, but the food is really gourmet and reasonably priced. You can easily split a dish between two people, healthy portions. The somosas are really delicious and refreshing. I had the vegetarian dish and it was great! Not much cajun here, but it is a rajun good time!
(5)
Mini C.

it's the best place for indian food in Hypde park. then of cuz it's also the only place to have indian food. veggie curry is really good. combo is expensive, so I ususally just get a cup of curry and cook my own rice :)
(4)
Peter Y.

Comfort food at affordable prices? Come at me yo! But seriously, their dinner plates (meat+vegetable dish+samosa and wrap) can even make the poorest college students happy. A crap ton of food for like $10? I only wish I found you earlier. Anyways, their butter chicken is made fresh, so get that. Their tandoori chicken is extremely flavorful, and despite it looking like it's been sitting stale for a while, it was surprisingly tender. You can't go wrong with any of the vegetable dishes, but the eggplant one was my favorite. Oh, and their samosa was among the best I've had, with a perfect breading to filling ratio. Oh, and they've got mango lassi. One last thing though, there's not really any "Cajun" on the menu. They pretty much had fried chicken and labeled that as Cajun. I didn't have an issue with this, but just beware, in case you were expecting Jambalaya or something.
(4)
Nick C.

The food here is fine - nothing spectacular but also not too shabby, and priced right for what it is. The interior was sufficiently clean and food handling seemed safe and appropriate. The saag paneer was actually quite decent. Veggie samosa was good as well. Really great option for vegetarians in Hyde Park.
(3)
Jeremy C.

Great value, but the name is highly deceptive...rajun Cajun and it's Indian! They do have fried chicken and it's delicious, so that kinda goes with the name! Owners are friendly and the prices can't be beat! The Indian is also excellent, so treat yourself to this hidden gem!
(5)
Naomi M.

The somosas and tandoori chicken is really good. The atmosphere was like any other fast food cafeteria type place. It's worth a try if you're in the area.
(4)
Eleanor H.

As an alternative to Indian food, I got the fried chicken. It was good, moist and juicy, with a nice crispy coating. The sweet potatoes and greens were also good. But other things I haven't cared for so much. I think the food is not the greatest but it is certainly edible and a good value for the money.
(3)
Ian H.

This little place has a very warm spot in my heart. As a University of Chicago student years ago, I remember when the restaurant transitioned from a fairly standard (if not a touch seedy) soul food joint to new ownership, a family from India, and the menu became what it is today. Can't decide between fried chicken with mac 'n cheese or fish curry with a few samosas? Now you don't have to! I love taking my family here now to enjoy their delightfully eclectic menu. It's counter service, and you have to find your own table, but on off-peak times this isn't an issue. We always get a box of samosas to take home and enjoy!
(5)
Rashid R.

Horrible food I ordered butter chicken, samosa, and spinach not worth at all the kind money I spent !!! Disgusting place and its stinks!!! That's not Indian food at all
(1)
Roger C.

This is easily the best place to eat in Hyde Park. Great prices. Great food. Great service. It is easy when you're on the go and super delicious.
(5)
Devin S.

I'm rather surprised by all the good reviews this place gets. I can only assume either that the reviewers have not tried much Indian food or that they are simply grateful to have some diversity of dining options in the desert of Hyde Park. The place has great "dive" character and the owners are charmingly moody--either friendly or grumpy depending. It's small and seating is limited. Truly a spot just to pop into briefly to address your hunger needs. Food is served on styrofoam or paper plates even if you dine in (yay environment). I've ordered their veggie combo special as well as various a la carte items. Everything was watery and lacking flavor (channa masala, dal, saag), the roti (flat bread) was dense and doughy, and the samosa was bland. Basically, the food lacks flavor and substance. It's a basic cost saving approach to cut sauces with water or broth to make them go farther, and that's what they do. When the sauce is on your plate, it separates into its various ingredients rather than staying together, running all over the place. I could taste no difference between the various dishes. I'm also used to paying around $10 for an all-you-can-eat buffet at many Indian restaurants. But I paid $10 here for a single plate of watery veggies. So I also tend to think it's way overpriced. I've never tried the cajun food there but maybe it's better. The fried chicken does look tasty. In sum, this place serves a basic function to fill your stomach if hungry, but not in a very memorable or enjoyable way. I shudder to think that this is the first (and maybe only) impression that many locals are getting of Indian food. That's a shame.
(2)
Monica K.

Cheap quick, Indian food if you're dying for a fix, otherwise not very good. Butter chicken, curries and veggie dishes are flavorless, parothas are not good. Will keep searching for a good Indian restaurant in Chicago, because this was unsatisfactory - not sure why the ratings are so high for this place. If you have had good Indian food in your life before, then this would be disappointing.
(2)
Courtney G.

Indian food always hits the spot. So does Soul Food. Why not have both? I never in my life could have conjured up serving Tadoori Chicken next to candied yams and collard greens. But this is Hyde Park! Why not? AND THEY DELIVER! I'm in heaven.
(4)
Rachel B.

Woof. I can't say that I've ever had bad paratha, but I did here! It was so nasty my husband didn't even eat it, which is saying a lot! The somosas were decent. The tamarind sauce was more like a syrup. The basmati was standard and the veg dishes were alright. Nothing to write home about. It all kind of tasted like it had been sitting around for hours and it was only noon. Other people seem to have had positive experiences here, so maybe we hit a rough day? Ending on a positive note, the staff were pleasant.
(2)
Mike S.

Very decent Indian food. Try the butter chicken meal. Great portions for a cheap price. Pre-made and fairly spicy- if you like your food mild, be careful! They'll tell you it's not but it definitely is!
(4)
Ron B.

If you are looking to maxmize swiftness of service with nutritional value and price there is no better value than Rajun Cajun. Five minutes after walking in you can be walking out with a vegetarian meal (from real vegetables, not some processed soy garbage) made with love for less than 10 bucks. What more could you ask of a fast food place? This place is a neighborhood staple and I love them like family. My favorites include the cauliflower and potato, the chick peas and spinach, and the eggplant potato. Don't pass on the kidney beans if they are available.
(5)
S.E. A.

Good, inexpensive food for students. Fabulous chai. Nice vibe.
(3)
Michelle T.

STILL CLOSED FOR RENOVATION -when i called, the ?owner picked up and told me this but couldn't tell me the exact date they are reopening...
(4)
Billy H.

Wide variety of curry dishes, meat and VEGAN, yes I said vegan. Ask the wonderful people behind the counter, they will love to tell you that they use different oils for certain dishes and no dairy/meat based broths for certain veggie curries, inquire because everyday they don't have every curry available anyways. The fried chicken is delicious and incredibly moist, I recommend calling in your order, because they will always drop new chicken. There is some usually available in the cafeteria style food bar containing most of what they offer. Yet the chicken just dries out under the heat lamp, and the skin becomes way less crispy. There Mac & cheese is amazing, it's like KFC with thick noodles with creamy thick cheese sauce. Yet I will say, sometimes it's hit or miss, 20% off the time it's too runny and not cheesy tasting enough. Basmati rice, sweet potatoes, and corn muffins are really tasty too. They also sell semi-fresh juice(pre squeezed that morning or day before), they even have incense for sale on the wall left of the registers. I've heard its not super authentic, but remember it's Indian with American & Asian flare. So it's perfect for someone just trying Indian for the first few times, or with an Indian crave in Hyde Park. Very reasonably priced and with the remodel there is additional seating available.
(5)
Asma A.

Ok so this is not authentic indian food in my opinion but it is still good! The owners are sweet and my favorite is their CHAI! We loved it and went back almost everyday we were in that part of chicago for the masala chai. We tried: -Samosas (they tasted ok a little thick on the dough for me) -butter chicken was tasty -roti (it was ok--i can't believe they don't serve naan!) -chicken biryan (i actually liked it but it wasn't authentic biryani-- the chicken and it's nasal curry was separate form the rice instead of mixed (which was white as it's usually yellow basmati)). Still I liked it and would order again. we also tried their tandoori chicken--that was a good . Overall I liked this place for the area and cheap price Also the owners were partaking in a tv competition as I overheard--how cool!
(4)
Sarah G.

If you are looking for a large order for catering, this is definitely your spot that will not break your bank but you may have SO much food you will be looking for a food bank afterward to give out the leftovers! I am not kidding. Our group ordered food for 20 people, and I swear the amount of food we got could have served at least 60! So hooray for generous food portions for catering! And the delivery came on time, the food was hot, and they were super easy to work with too. We got a bunch of samosas which were only so so for someone who has had quite a few samosas in her day, but their chickpea chana masala curry with spinach was probably my favorite thing we got. It had a lot of flavor and I found myself grabbing a little extra of this on my round two of trying to eat all of the food that was delivered. Their paneer dish was so so as well and their tandoori chicken was decent, but I like my tandoori really spicy and I didn't quite get that. But all of that said, the food was good, everyone in our group loved it, and there is no way anyone could possibly be hungry after how much you will get at this place!
(3)
Michelle L.

After spending an evening at the Chicago Innovation Exchange, my friends and I decided to head across the street for a quick bite to eat. We were a little off put by the glowing neon sign, but decided to head in anyway. After immediately opening the door, a wave of incense hits you. You can see the serving area where they have the food heated for who knows how long. We each ended up ordering different items such as samosas and curry. I opted for vegetarian dishes like the chickpeas and the saag paneer. The dishes had a lot of spices, and I thought the saag paneer was pretty good. However, I don't know if I'd come back here. First, I don't know how long the food has been sitting in the buffet. Also, I'm pretty sure most of us had stomach aches after eating. Considering this is located in hyde park, it's decent, but I wouldn't consider it great Indian food.
(3)
Far K.

Not the best Indian food but not the worst Indian food either. Being Indian myself, I though the food was mediocre at best. I ordered the tandoori chicken, paratha, dal, butter chicken and paneer butter masala. The tandoori chicken was good but very dry, and had some flavours. The dal was average, it didn't have much taste or flavour. The paratha was good, and the planner butter masala was okay. I would recommend this place if you're in the mood for some Indian food around Hyde Park.
(3)
Ezra I.

Geez, where do I begin. My Indian daycare lady when I was a baby/growing up was friends with the owners so I grew up eating Indian food especially the food from here and have never stopped 22 years later. It's a bit small inside but don't let that fool you, everything is fresh and will send your taste buds on a amazing ride. But beware, there isn't a set spice level on things, sometimes they can be mild and the next day they can burn your mouth. My absolute favorite part of Rajun Cajun is the samosas, I'm probably bias but I've never found a samosa from anywhere that compares to how these taste, I'll go out of my way when in Hyde Park just to stop in and get a dozen samosas to take home. Very friendly, very tasty and a popular place in town, especially with uchicago students. Looking forward to another 22 years worth of great food (especially the samosas).
(5)
Ruth W.

This place is interesting... It is cheap which is nice, and overall the dishes have good flavor. My main issue with this place is the service. The people working the place can be cranky. There are many other places in this area that have similar prices with better food and service. I would only recommend this place if you needed a super quick speedy meal; even then you could easily find a better restaurant.
(2)
Vaibhav V.

It unfortunately didn't do it for me. We ordered Rajun Cajun for an event at U of C and found the food to be lackluster. I had the chicken tikka masala, rice, and channa. The chicken was very low quality meat and the tikka was quite lackluster. I like my chicken tikka masala creamy and bursting with flavor, and this had neither qualities. I think I rather eat at Bartlett.
(2)
Macy W.

I love this place! great location, excellent customer service, cheap prices, and GOOD FOOD. They also deliver, and are pretty quick. If you dine in, though, be prepared for your coat to smell like the restaurant for a couple of weeks after, lol.
(4)
Jason P.

Excellent Indian cuisine served fast and with the best customer service no matter how busy!!
(5)
Yanyao N.

A weekly office delivery staple. I truly adore Rajun Cajun. Ordinarily, when I order Indian food at home, it always ends up being over $60 for 2 people - because I want a saucy meat dish (or two), a veggie dish, rice, samosas, some kind of bread, etc etc. It adds up. Luckily, the combo sets at Rajun Cajun solve my problem. The $9.99 butter chicken combo comes with butter chicken (duh), a choice of veggie dish, rice, paratha, and a samosa. Great for when you're very hungry, or don't want to be productive in the afternoon. Other options include: tandoori chicken, curry chicken, or curry lamb (for $12.99). Ordering is a breeze on GrubHub. Delivery is always quick, and the nice thing about ordering from here is if you want maybe a piece of fried chicken or some peach cobbler to go with your lunch (because honestly, who wouldn't?), they've got you covered!
(4)
Roy P.

Between my daughter and I, we tried almost everything on the menu. EVERYTHING was delicious!
(5)
Nicole H.

I'll just get right to it. Butter chicken-too heavy and the seasoning was off somehow Samosas-quite tasty and enjoyable. Don't get the plum sauce though. The spicy tasted much better. Tandoori chicken-a tad bit dry but otherwise okay Macaroni-Awful. Do not order Mango lassi-tasted more like a creamscicle. It didn't really have the taste I was going for. Parotha-Okay Lamb-Good Cajun rice-Okay I had some more items that were just okay. The prices were reasonable enough. The restaurant itself is small. I wouldn't go out of my way but I'd definitely get the samosas again if I was in the area. I can't give it 3 stars because it was a little less than okay for me.
(2)
Jaci B.

Let me start off by saying that if you live in Hyde Park, you're likely well-aware that our delivery options are a little, shall we say, limited? That said, I was a little torn between giving this three or four stars. I'm going with three because while the food is good, it's not great, and for what it is, it's a little on the pricy side. But let's consider this a 3.5 because in a world of slim pickins, you've got to celebrate what works. That's exactly how it should be put. Rajun Cajun: it works. How does it work? The butter chicken dinner, complete with curried vegetable (recommendation: saag paneer), basmati rice, a samosa, and a nice warm parotha with chutneys to complement. Add a mango lassi, and you're set. Except for that one weird time when I recognized they feature Southern food on the menu and had to saddle up to some mac&cheese and a corn muffin, too. God, that was a good night. But I digress. At $9.99, I feel that the value is almost there, but not quite. If you want to stretch it for two, though, I suggest snagging that meal and adding a few sides, like the corn muffins, an extra samosa and parotha, and maybe a little peach cobbler to split. I think what's important here is to recognize that while Rajun Cajun will satisfy your Indian craving, it's not going to be the best Indian food you've ever had on any account. Still, it's certainly a worthy addition to your delivery night rotation for those evenings when you'd just rather stay in.
(3)
Lynn P.

Oh Rajun Cajun, how I miss you since leaving Chicago!!!! I think of you often!! Your yummy, fast, and affordable combo meals, and your wonderful staff and owners. Always pleasant, always yummy, always a great experience!!!
(5)
Sarah F.

I live right around the corner from here and go at least a couple times a month. Very inexpensive and filling.
(5)
Teri M.

Despite some of the so-so reviews on this place, I can say that I love the food. It was conveniently located to where I lived, so I would pick up food and take it home (there's only about 6 or so tables in the restaurant). It's nice to have a family run restaurant that cooks homemade Indian food nearby. The butter chicken, chicken curry, and lamb curry are excellent. I disagree with the others that say it's too expensive. For $9.99, you can get curry, rice, one vegetable side (my favorites are the saag paneer, chana masala, and alu bengan curry), a samosa, and a parotha. This easily feeds 2 people (or tastes fine re-heated the next day). I always opt for an extra medium rice. I prefer naan to parotha, so that's my only negative comment. The staff is always very pleasant, service is quick, and the restaurant is clean.
(5)
Angela Z.

Great fast Indian food. Love the butter chicken, and the samosas are an Indian meal staple. If you're interested in a great sweet drink other than soda, definitely recommend the mango lassi. Kinda small area so you just have to hope that it's not too busy to get a seat, but alot of people order to go so usually isn't a problem.
(4)
Maria C.

I love i will come back if you are vegetarian go
(5)
Poorna R.

So this is actually pretty decent Indian food. Extra points for being a short walk from where I'm staying! I was initially concerned because Indian "fast food" tends to be greasy and not the best. The food is pre-made and sitting out buffet style. The workers there were very friendly in explaining the different options they had and what the sizes were. I had the vegetarian combo which includes 2 medium servings of vegetarian entrees (Saag Paneer and Matter Paneer), paratha (which is the bread), samosa, and a serving of rice (your choice of white or yellow rice...which is basically lightly seasoned with some cajun spices but nothing too overpowering...I decided to try the yellow rice)...came out to about $10! The curries were pretty good...I LOVED the mattar paneer actually. Next time I might order an extra paratha, but it's probably better I minimized the carbs. ;) I actually have plenty leftover of the saag paneer and rice to eat tomorrow. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area and looking for a quick Indian food fix.
(4)
Tripthi R.

Don't know why this place gets positive reviews ....flavourless bland indian food ....worst butter chicken iv ever eaten ....cafeteria styled. ..poor ambience ....prices were ok ... Would not return ....
(1)
Izzi B.

Rajun Cajun is one of the most interesting restaurant concepts I've ever come across. Apparently, the place originally sold Southern staples, fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and mac'n'cheese. However, the restaurant was sold to an owner who wanted to cook North Indian food. So he new owner decided not to change the name, and instead to offer both North Indian and Southern delicacies. As far as I know it's the only place where you can buy collard greens and samosas, tandoori chicken and cornbread, or daal, mac'n'cheese, and naan. The curries are pretty good, if a bit on he heavy side, and the collard greens and other southern dishes are decent as well. It's hardly the place for standouts in either genre, but it's a great place to grab a quick bite, especially since it tends to be open pretty late at night. It's also a very casual place in which meals are fetched on plastic trays, you'll use plastic silverware, and cardboard takeout boxes packed with styrofoam containers. The restaurant is a common student hangout, which isn't much of a problem since the restaurant can only fit 5-7 tables worth of people, and it seems to have just as many local patrons. Particularly good deals include the "meals", as well as the samosas with dipping sauces, which shouldn't be missed.
(4)
Julianne Z.

I have dined here as well as ordered take out. I think that the take out is a bit pricey with the delivery fee. The food is good and there is just so much of it for $10. They have great mango lassis and the samosas are really great. It isn't really a restaurant, but more of a place to grab a quick bite. It is great to go with friends and it is cafeteria styled. It isn't my first choice for Saturday dinners, but once in a while, you just have a craving!
(3)
Jose G.

Excellent butter chicken and tasty samosas with chutney! If you are close to it go for it.
(5)
Kate S.

Is this the greatest Indian food I've ever had? No. That was in Los Angeles and it cost like $35. Can I afford that whenever I want Indian food? Hellz no. I'm a law student, not a drug dealer. For a mere $8.99, Rajun Cajun provides me with 2 pretty tasty veggies (chana masala and aloo gobi are vegan and especially good), rice, plus bread (which I believe is paratha - denser than naan or roti) AND a samosa. Seriously, people. At least 2 meals worth of pretty tasty Indian food for $9. That's the best deal for Indian food, ever. I might get more food perhaps if I starved myself for a couple of days and went to an inexpensive Indian buffet, but even then it would still just be one giant meal! With Rajun Cajun I can spread the love over two days. Plus now that I study the gloriously complex American legal system, I have next to no time to cook, so inexpensive and swift takeout is a godsend. So, Rajun Cajun, I appreciate you for what you are: a dive-y place for poor students, professors, teaching assistants, and other indebted locals to gorge their self-loathing in reasonably priced and rather tasty Indian food.
(4)
Sara M.

Quick & yummy! I've been here twice since relocating my job to Hyde Park. It's a little restaurant that might look a little icky, but don't let that throw you off. The lack of frills is not an indication of lack of flavor! It's one of the few places in the Chicagoland area where I've been able to get 2 curries, rice, samosa, and bread for under $10. I'm sure I will be back again.
(4)
Jess C.

Food was ok at best. The butter chicken and chai tea tasted quite watered-down. The spinach with cheese was better. But I guess for $10, one can't expect much. Service was lukewarm; don't know if I was just being over sensitive but the guy behind the counter (perhaps the owner) seemed a lot friendlier with the other customers (non-Asian) that came in later. If only because of the discriminatory service, I won't visit again.
(2)
Helen K.

This is a long overdue review. I go here at least 3 times a month. It has an odd mix of food - all served cafeteria style. Indian food (butter chicken, chicken curry) and fried chicken with traditional Southern sides (greens, mac N cheese, corn bread). The Indian food is good - seems really home made - and it is great that you can just pick up food to go. The samosas are really the best. - NOT greasy like other places. My kids like the fried chicken, but wish they could get Indian sides with the fried chicken meal.
(5)
Fernando L.

Great economical yet delicious food. Friendly service, clean and convenient location. Go here.
(4)
Ericka B.

This place has the rudest customer service reps. They have extensive wait times and the delivery takes even longer. This is my second and probably the last time I will order from this establishment. The fried chicken is very good just not worth the rudeness and wait time!!!
(2)
Brian H.

Great choice for Indian food. They have lots of vegetarian choices if your looking for that. They have soul food choices but I would go somewhere else for soul food. Service is always fast and friendly.
(4)
Courtney C.

It was a snowy day in Chicago and I wasn't in the mood to go to my go-to Indian restaurant. I figured I'd give Rajun Cajun a try as a good friend mentions she goes there a lot. I ordered my chana masala, basmati rice, and 2 vegetable samosas. As I thought about my meal while typing this, I feel sick. The chana masala was more like chickpeas in tomato sauce. The rice tasted dirty....as if what it had been served with or had been sitting in hadn't been cleaned in a while. The samosas were okay- they were very spicy but not in a good way. My tongue was on fire and for no good reason. I can understand spicy and you can taste the spice but in this case my tongue was just....vibrating, for lack of a better term. I gave this place a try because it's the closest Indian restaurant for me, but I'll continue to make the trip to the North side.
(2)
Janni V.

Butter chicken is love. But their samosas, man? Two of those bad boys plus samosa chutney and cilantro chutney made a reliable and tasty lunch for me on many an occasion. I don't even want to count how many samosas I must have eaten when I used to work in the area. I miss those samosas. I judge other samosas by their samosas. I make decent enough samosas at home, but they're nowhere near the same. Oof. Just talking about it makes me feel that creamy spiced potato goodness in my mouth. And their chutneys! Perfect balance of spicy goodness with just a touch of sweet.
(4)
Jenny C.

I just love this place. Hard to beat the food, prices, or the wonderful owners/staff. And there's just nothing like their chana masala...
(5)
Brian M.

Everything I've had here is good. I don't understand why they push the friend chicken. I've never had it. Maybe one day. But when I come to Rajun Cajun, I get the Indian food. No this isn't a typo. This is possibly the worst named restaurant in the history of Chicago cuisine. Good Indian food w/o emphasis on Indian food. Featured fried chicken that no one I know has ever ordered, because this is the place your come for Indian food. And you can have it all at a place that brings up mental pictures of crawdads and gumbo, unless you go inside or have it delivered, because then you picture Indian food.
(3)
Zachary F.

Classic Hyde Park restaurant that deserves to stay. The family that owns it cares about what they serve. Also, what the fuck is up with their promo video? Hahaha.
(4)
Elisabeth A.

This little diner provides some much-needed diversity to Hyde Park's restaurant offerings. Yes, the food's not QUITE as good as the stuff you can get on Devon, but it's really very tasty nonetheless. Their butter chicken, peas, chickpeas and fried potatoes are among my favs, and the fact that they also have southern fried chicken for those culinary chickens scared of the South Asian spice is really very cute. While the atmosphere is bit on the decrepid side (those plastic plants really could use some dusting), it's about what you'd expect from a 53rd St. dive.
(4)
Jason P.

Excellent Indian cuisine served fast and with the best customer service no matter how busy!!
(5)
Yanyao N.

A weekly office delivery staple. I truly adore Rajun Cajun. Ordinarily, when I order Indian food at home, it always ends up being over $60 for 2 people - because I want a saucy meat dish (or two), a veggie dish, rice, samosas, some kind of bread, etc etc. It adds up. Luckily, the combo sets at Rajun Cajun solve my problem. The $9.99 butter chicken combo comes with butter chicken (duh), a choice of veggie dish, rice, paratha, and a samosa. Great for when you're very hungry, or don't want to be productive in the afternoon. Other options include: tandoori chicken, curry chicken, or curry lamb (for $12.99). Ordering is a breeze on GrubHub. Delivery is always quick, and the nice thing about ordering from here is if you want maybe a piece of fried chicken or some peach cobbler to go with your lunch (because honestly, who wouldn't?), they've got you covered!
(4)
Roy P.

Between my daughter and I, we tried almost everything on the menu. EVERYTHING was delicious!
(5)
Michelle T.

STILL CLOSED FOR RENOVATION -when i called, the ?owner picked up and told me this but couldn't tell me the exact date they are reopening...
(4)
Billy H.

Wide variety of curry dishes, meat and VEGAN, yes I said vegan. Ask the wonderful people behind the counter, they will love to tell you that they use different oils for certain dishes and no dairy/meat based broths for certain veggie curries, inquire because everyday they don't have every curry available anyways. The fried chicken is delicious and incredibly moist, I recommend calling in your order, because they will always drop new chicken. There is some usually available in the cafeteria style food bar containing most of what they offer. Yet the chicken just dries out under the heat lamp, and the skin becomes way less crispy. There Mac & cheese is amazing, it's like KFC with thick noodles with creamy thick cheese sauce. Yet I will say, sometimes it's hit or miss, 20% off the time it's too runny and not cheesy tasting enough. Basmati rice, sweet potatoes, and corn muffins are really tasty too. They also sell semi-fresh juice(pre squeezed that morning or day before), they even have incense for sale on the wall left of the registers. I've heard its not super authentic, but remember it's Indian with American & Asian flare. So it's perfect for someone just trying Indian for the first few times, or with an Indian crave in Hyde Park. Very reasonably priced and with the remodel there is additional seating available.
(5)
Asma A.

Ok so this is not authentic indian food in my opinion but it is still good! The owners are sweet and my favorite is their CHAI! We loved it and went back almost everyday we were in that part of chicago for the masala chai. We tried: -Samosas (they tasted ok a little thick on the dough for me) -butter chicken was tasty -roti (it was ok--i can't believe they don't serve naan!) -chicken biryan (i actually liked it but it wasn't authentic biryani-- the chicken and it's nasal curry was separate form the rice instead of mixed (which was white as it's usually yellow basmati)). Still I liked it and would order again. we also tried their tandoori chicken--that was a good . Overall I liked this place for the area and cheap price Also the owners were partaking in a tv competition as I overheard--how cool!
(4)
Sarah G.

If you are looking for a large order for catering, this is definitely your spot that will not break your bank but you may have SO much food you will be looking for a food bank afterward to give out the leftovers! I am not kidding. Our group ordered food for 20 people, and I swear the amount of food we got could have served at least 60! So hooray for generous food portions for catering! And the delivery came on time, the food was hot, and they were super easy to work with too. We got a bunch of samosas which were only so so for someone who has had quite a few samosas in her day, but their chickpea chana masala curry with spinach was probably my favorite thing we got. It had a lot of flavor and I found myself grabbing a little extra of this on my round two of trying to eat all of the food that was delivered. Their paneer dish was so so as well and their tandoori chicken was decent, but I like my tandoori really spicy and I didn't quite get that. But all of that said, the food was good, everyone in our group loved it, and there is no way anyone could possibly be hungry after how much you will get at this place!
(3)
Michelle L.

After spending an evening at the Chicago Innovation Exchange, my friends and I decided to head across the street for a quick bite to eat. We were a little off put by the glowing neon sign, but decided to head in anyway. After immediately opening the door, a wave of incense hits you. You can see the serving area where they have the food heated for who knows how long. We each ended up ordering different items such as samosas and curry. I opted for vegetarian dishes like the chickpeas and the saag paneer. The dishes had a lot of spices, and I thought the saag paneer was pretty good. However, I don't know if I'd come back here. First, I don't know how long the food has been sitting in the buffet. Also, I'm pretty sure most of us had stomach aches after eating. Considering this is located in hyde park, it's decent, but I wouldn't consider it great Indian food.
(3)
Far K.

Not the best Indian food but not the worst Indian food either. Being Indian myself, I though the food was mediocre at best. I ordered the tandoori chicken, paratha, dal, butter chicken and paneer butter masala. The tandoori chicken was good but very dry, and had some flavours. The dal was average, it didn't have much taste or flavour. The paratha was good, and the planner butter masala was okay. I would recommend this place if you're in the mood for some Indian food around Hyde Park.
(3)
Ezra I.

Geez, where do I begin. My Indian daycare lady when I was a baby/growing up was friends with the owners so I grew up eating Indian food especially the food from here and have never stopped 22 years later. It's a bit small inside but don't let that fool you, everything is fresh and will send your taste buds on a amazing ride. But beware, there isn't a set spice level on things, sometimes they can be mild and the next day they can burn your mouth. My absolute favorite part of Rajun Cajun is the samosas, I'm probably bias but I've never found a samosa from anywhere that compares to how these taste, I'll go out of my way when in Hyde Park just to stop in and get a dozen samosas to take home. Very friendly, very tasty and a popular place in town, especially with uchicago students. Looking forward to another 22 years worth of great food (especially the samosas).
(5)
Ruth W.

This place is interesting... It is cheap which is nice, and overall the dishes have good flavor. My main issue with this place is the service. The people working the place can be cranky. There are many other places in this area that have similar prices with better food and service. I would only recommend this place if you needed a super quick speedy meal; even then you could easily find a better restaurant.
(2)
Vaibhav V.

It unfortunately didn't do it for me. We ordered Rajun Cajun for an event at U of C and found the food to be lackluster. I had the chicken tikka masala, rice, and channa. The chicken was very low quality meat and the tikka was quite lackluster. I like my chicken tikka masala creamy and bursting with flavor, and this had neither qualities. I think I rather eat at Bartlett.
(2)
Macy W.

I love this place! great location, excellent customer service, cheap prices, and GOOD FOOD. They also deliver, and are pretty quick. If you dine in, though, be prepared for your coat to smell like the restaurant for a couple of weeks after, lol.
(4)
Jaci B.

Let me start off by saying that if you live in Hyde Park, you're likely well-aware that our delivery options are a little, shall we say, limited? That said, I was a little torn between giving this three or four stars. I'm going with three because while the food is good, it's not great, and for what it is, it's a little on the pricy side. But let's consider this a 3.5 because in a world of slim pickins, you've got to celebrate what works. That's exactly how it should be put. Rajun Cajun: it works. How does it work? The butter chicken dinner, complete with curried vegetable (recommendation: saag paneer), basmati rice, a samosa, and a nice warm parotha with chutneys to complement. Add a mango lassi, and you're set. Except for that one weird time when I recognized they feature Southern food on the menu and had to saddle up to some mac&cheese and a corn muffin, too. God, that was a good night. But I digress. At $9.99, I feel that the value is almost there, but not quite. If you want to stretch it for two, though, I suggest snagging that meal and adding a few sides, like the corn muffins, an extra samosa and parotha, and maybe a little peach cobbler to split. I think what's important here is to recognize that while Rajun Cajun will satisfy your Indian craving, it's not going to be the best Indian food you've ever had on any account. Still, it's certainly a worthy addition to your delivery night rotation for those evenings when you'd just rather stay in.
(3)
Lynn P.

Oh Rajun Cajun, how I miss you since leaving Chicago!!!! I think of you often!! Your yummy, fast, and affordable combo meals, and your wonderful staff and owners. Always pleasant, always yummy, always a great experience!!!
(5)
Sarah F.

I live right around the corner from here and go at least a couple times a month. Very inexpensive and filling.
(5)
Teri M.

Despite some of the so-so reviews on this place, I can say that I love the food. It was conveniently located to where I lived, so I would pick up food and take it home (there's only about 6 or so tables in the restaurant). It's nice to have a family run restaurant that cooks homemade Indian food nearby. The butter chicken, chicken curry, and lamb curry are excellent. I disagree with the others that say it's too expensive. For $9.99, you can get curry, rice, one vegetable side (my favorites are the saag paneer, chana masala, and alu bengan curry), a samosa, and a parotha. This easily feeds 2 people (or tastes fine re-heated the next day). I always opt for an extra medium rice. I prefer naan to parotha, so that's my only negative comment. The staff is always very pleasant, service is quick, and the restaurant is clean.
(5)
Angela Z.

Great fast Indian food. Love the butter chicken, and the samosas are an Indian meal staple. If you're interested in a great sweet drink other than soda, definitely recommend the mango lassi. Kinda small area so you just have to hope that it's not too busy to get a seat, but alot of people order to go so usually isn't a problem.
(4)
Maria C.

I love i will come back if you are vegetarian go
(5)
Poorna R.

So this is actually pretty decent Indian food. Extra points for being a short walk from where I'm staying! I was initially concerned because Indian "fast food" tends to be greasy and not the best. The food is pre-made and sitting out buffet style. The workers there were very friendly in explaining the different options they had and what the sizes were. I had the vegetarian combo which includes 2 medium servings of vegetarian entrees (Saag Paneer and Matter Paneer), paratha (which is the bread), samosa, and a serving of rice (your choice of white or yellow rice...which is basically lightly seasoned with some cajun spices but nothing too overpowering...I decided to try the yellow rice)...came out to about $10! The curries were pretty good...I LOVED the mattar paneer actually. Next time I might order an extra paratha, but it's probably better I minimized the carbs. ;) I actually have plenty leftover of the saag paneer and rice to eat tomorrow. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area and looking for a quick Indian food fix.
(4)
Tripthi R.

Don't know why this place gets positive reviews ....flavourless bland indian food ....worst butter chicken iv ever eaten ....cafeteria styled. ..poor ambience ....prices were ok ... Would not return ....
(1)
Izzi B.

Rajun Cajun is one of the most interesting restaurant concepts I've ever come across. Apparently, the place originally sold Southern staples, fried chicken, collard greens, cornbread, and mac'n'cheese. However, the restaurant was sold to an owner who wanted to cook North Indian food. So he new owner decided not to change the name, and instead to offer both North Indian and Southern delicacies. As far as I know it's the only place where you can buy collard greens and samosas, tandoori chicken and cornbread, or daal, mac'n'cheese, and naan. The curries are pretty good, if a bit on he heavy side, and the collard greens and other southern dishes are decent as well. It's hardly the place for standouts in either genre, but it's a great place to grab a quick bite, especially since it tends to be open pretty late at night. It's also a very casual place in which meals are fetched on plastic trays, you'll use plastic silverware, and cardboard takeout boxes packed with styrofoam containers. The restaurant is a common student hangout, which isn't much of a problem since the restaurant can only fit 5-7 tables worth of people, and it seems to have just as many local patrons. Particularly good deals include the "meals", as well as the samosas with dipping sauces, which shouldn't be missed.
(4)
Jeremy C.

Great value, but the name is highly deceptive...rajun Cajun and it's Indian! They do have fried chicken and it's delicious, so that kinda goes with the name! Owners are friendly and the prices can't be beat! The Indian is also excellent, so treat yourself to this hidden gem!
(5)
Naomi M.

The somosas and tandoori chicken is really good. The atmosphere was like any other fast food cafeteria type place. It's worth a try if you're in the area.
(4)
Eleanor H.

As an alternative to Indian food, I got the fried chicken. It was good, moist and juicy, with a nice crispy coating. The sweet potatoes and greens were also good. But other things I haven't cared for so much. I think the food is not the greatest but it is certainly edible and a good value for the money.
(3)
Kate S.

Is this the greatest Indian food I've ever had? No. That was in Los Angeles and it cost like $35. Can I afford that whenever I want Indian food? Hellz no. I'm a law student, not a drug dealer. For a mere $8.99, Rajun Cajun provides me with 2 pretty tasty veggies (chana masala and aloo gobi are vegan and especially good), rice, plus bread (which I believe is paratha - denser than naan or roti) AND a samosa. Seriously, people. At least 2 meals worth of pretty tasty Indian food for $9. That's the best deal for Indian food, ever. I might get more food perhaps if I starved myself for a couple of days and went to an inexpensive Indian buffet, but even then it would still just be one giant meal! With Rajun Cajun I can spread the love over two days. Plus now that I study the gloriously complex American legal system, I have next to no time to cook, so inexpensive and swift takeout is a godsend. So, Rajun Cajun, I appreciate you for what you are: a dive-y place for poor students, professors, teaching assistants, and other indebted locals to gorge their self-loathing in reasonably priced and rather tasty Indian food.
(4)
Sara M.

Quick & yummy! I've been here twice since relocating my job to Hyde Park. It's a little restaurant that might look a little icky, but don't let that throw you off. The lack of frills is not an indication of lack of flavor! It's one of the few places in the Chicagoland area where I've been able to get 2 curries, rice, samosa, and bread for under $10. I'm sure I will be back again.
(4)
Jess C.

Food was ok at best. The butter chicken and chai tea tasted quite watered-down. The spinach with cheese was better. But I guess for $10, one can't expect much. Service was lukewarm; don't know if I was just being over sensitive but the guy behind the counter (perhaps the owner) seemed a lot friendlier with the other customers (non-Asian) that came in later. If only because of the discriminatory service, I won't visit again.
(2)
Peter Y.

Comfort food at affordable prices? Come at me yo! But seriously, their dinner plates (meat+vegetable dish+samosa and wrap) can even make the poorest college students happy. A crap ton of food for like $10? I only wish I found you earlier. Anyways, their butter chicken is made fresh, so get that. Their tandoori chicken is extremely flavorful, and despite it looking like it's been sitting stale for a while, it was surprisingly tender. You can't go wrong with any of the vegetable dishes, but the eggplant one was my favorite. Oh, and their samosa was among the best I've had, with a perfect breading to filling ratio. Oh, and they've got mango lassi. One last thing though, there's not really any "Cajun" on the menu. They pretty much had fried chicken and labeled that as Cajun. I didn't have an issue with this, but just beware, in case you were expecting Jambalaya or something.
(4)
Nick C.

The food here is fine - nothing spectacular but also not too shabby, and priced right for what it is. The interior was sufficiently clean and food handling seemed safe and appropriate. The saag paneer was actually quite decent. Veggie samosa was good as well. Really great option for vegetarians in Hyde Park.
(3)
Ian H.

This little place has a very warm spot in my heart. As a University of Chicago student years ago, I remember when the restaurant transitioned from a fairly standard (if not a touch seedy) soul food joint to new ownership, a family from India, and the menu became what it is today. Can't decide between fried chicken with mac 'n cheese or fish curry with a few samosas? Now you don't have to! I love taking my family here now to enjoy their delightfully eclectic menu. It's counter service, and you have to find your own table, but on off-peak times this isn't an issue. We always get a box of samosas to take home and enjoy!
(5)
Rashid R.

Horrible food I ordered butter chicken, samosa, and spinach not worth at all the kind money I spent !!! Disgusting place and its stinks!!! That's not Indian food at all
(1)
Roger C.

This is easily the best place to eat in Hyde Park. Great prices. Great food. Great service. It is easy when you're on the go and super delicious.
(5)
Devin S.

I'm rather surprised by all the good reviews this place gets. I can only assume either that the reviewers have not tried much Indian food or that they are simply grateful to have some diversity of dining options in the desert of Hyde Park. The place has great "dive" character and the owners are charmingly moody--either friendly or grumpy depending. It's small and seating is limited. Truly a spot just to pop into briefly to address your hunger needs. Food is served on styrofoam or paper plates even if you dine in (yay environment). I've ordered their veggie combo special as well as various a la carte items. Everything was watery and lacking flavor (channa masala, dal, saag), the roti (flat bread) was dense and doughy, and the samosa was bland. Basically, the food lacks flavor and substance. It's a basic cost saving approach to cut sauces with water or broth to make them go farther, and that's what they do. When the sauce is on your plate, it separates into its various ingredients rather than staying together, running all over the place. I could taste no difference between the various dishes. I'm also used to paying around $10 for an all-you-can-eat buffet at many Indian restaurants. But I paid $10 here for a single plate of watery veggies. So I also tend to think it's way overpriced. I've never tried the cajun food there but maybe it's better. The fried chicken does look tasty. In sum, this place serves a basic function to fill your stomach if hungry, but not in a very memorable or enjoyable way. I shudder to think that this is the first (and maybe only) impression that many locals are getting of Indian food. That's a shame.
(2)
Monica K.

Cheap quick, Indian food if you're dying for a fix, otherwise not very good. Butter chicken, curries and veggie dishes are flavorless, parothas are not good. Will keep searching for a good Indian restaurant in Chicago, because this was unsatisfactory - not sure why the ratings are so high for this place. If you have had good Indian food in your life before, then this would be disappointing.
(2)
Courtney G.

Indian food always hits the spot. So does Soul Food. Why not have both? I never in my life could have conjured up serving Tadoori Chicken next to candied yams and collard greens. But this is Hyde Park! Why not? AND THEY DELIVER! I'm in heaven.
(4)
Rachel B.

Woof. I can't say that I've ever had bad paratha, but I did here! It was so nasty my husband didn't even eat it, which is saying a lot! The somosas were decent. The tamarind sauce was more like a syrup. The basmati was standard and the veg dishes were alright. Nothing to write home about. It all kind of tasted like it had been sitting around for hours and it was only noon. Other people seem to have had positive experiences here, so maybe we hit a rough day? Ending on a positive note, the staff were pleasant.
(2)
Mike S.

Very decent Indian food. Try the butter chicken meal. Great portions for a cheap price. Pre-made and fairly spicy- if you like your food mild, be careful! They'll tell you it's not but it definitely is!
(4)
Ron B.

If you are looking to maxmize swiftness of service with nutritional value and price there is no better value than Rajun Cajun. Five minutes after walking in you can be walking out with a vegetarian meal (from real vegetables, not some processed soy garbage) made with love for less than 10 bucks. What more could you ask of a fast food place? This place is a neighborhood staple and I love them like family. My favorites include the cauliflower and potato, the chick peas and spinach, and the eggplant potato. Don't pass on the kidney beans if they are available.
(5)
S.E. A.

Good, inexpensive food for students. Fabulous chai. Nice vibe.
(3)
Helen K.

This is a long overdue review. I go here at least 3 times a month. It has an odd mix of food - all served cafeteria style. Indian food (butter chicken, chicken curry) and fried chicken with traditional Southern sides (greens, mac N cheese, corn bread). The Indian food is good - seems really home made - and it is great that you can just pick up food to go. The samosas are really the best. - NOT greasy like other places. My kids like the fried chicken, but wish they could get Indian sides with the fried chicken meal.
(5)
Fernando L.

Great economical yet delicious food. Friendly service, clean and convenient location. Go here.
(4)
Ericka B.

This place has the rudest customer service reps. They have extensive wait times and the delivery takes even longer. This is my second and probably the last time I will order from this establishment. The fried chicken is very good just not worth the rudeness and wait time!!!
(2)
Brian H.

Great choice for Indian food. They have lots of vegetarian choices if your looking for that. They have soul food choices but I would go somewhere else for soul food. Service is always fast and friendly.
(4)
Julianne Z.

I have dined here as well as ordered take out. I think that the take out is a bit pricey with the delivery fee. The food is good and there is just so much of it for $10. They have great mango lassis and the samosas are really great. It isn't really a restaurant, but more of a place to grab a quick bite. It is great to go with friends and it is cafeteria styled. It isn't my first choice for Saturday dinners, but once in a while, you just have a craving!
(3)
Jose G.

Excellent butter chicken and tasty samosas with chutney! If you are close to it go for it.
(5)
Courtney C.

It was a snowy day in Chicago and I wasn't in the mood to go to my go-to Indian restaurant. I figured I'd give Rajun Cajun a try as a good friend mentions she goes there a lot. I ordered my chana masala, basmati rice, and 2 vegetable samosas. As I thought about my meal while typing this, I feel sick. The chana masala was more like chickpeas in tomato sauce. The rice tasted dirty....as if what it had been served with or had been sitting in hadn't been cleaned in a while. The samosas were okay- they were very spicy but not in a good way. My tongue was on fire and for no good reason. I can understand spicy and you can taste the spice but in this case my tongue was just....vibrating, for lack of a better term. I gave this place a try because it's the closest Indian restaurant for me, but I'll continue to make the trip to the North side.
(2)
Janni V.

Butter chicken is love. But their samosas, man? Two of those bad boys plus samosa chutney and cilantro chutney made a reliable and tasty lunch for me on many an occasion. I don't even want to count how many samosas I must have eaten when I used to work in the area. I miss those samosas. I judge other samosas by their samosas. I make decent enough samosas at home, but they're nowhere near the same. Oof. Just talking about it makes me feel that creamy spiced potato goodness in my mouth. And their chutneys! Perfect balance of spicy goodness with just a touch of sweet.
(4)
Jenny C.

I just love this place. Hard to beat the food, prices, or the wonderful owners/staff. And there's just nothing like their chana masala...
(5)
Brian M.

Everything I've had here is good. I don't understand why they push the friend chicken. I've never had it. Maybe one day. But when I come to Rajun Cajun, I get the Indian food. No this isn't a typo. This is possibly the worst named restaurant in the history of Chicago cuisine. Good Indian food w/o emphasis on Indian food. Featured fried chicken that no one I know has ever ordered, because this is the place your come for Indian food. And you can have it all at a place that brings up mental pictures of crawdads and gumbo, unless you go inside or have it delivered, because then you picture Indian food.
(3)
Zachary F.

Classic Hyde Park restaurant that deserves to stay. The family that owns it cares about what they serve. Also, what the fuck is up with their promo video? Hahaha.
(4)
Maceo B.

They love me long time. Been going 4 years and just discovered yet another amazing dish there for first time tonight (Lamb Curry). Amazing. Family-owned business and the guys are always fun to chat with and very, very pleasant. Veggie food there is excellent, especially Chana Masala, Dal, Samosas and Rajma. Also one of the better mango lasses I've had. Haven't delved too far into the soul food side of the menu, but the greens are good and mac & cheese rocks. Pound for pound (i.e. cost for quality), on my top ten all time list. Generally I take out or get delivery. The space itself isn't fancy but sort of akin to going to a dive bar--though it's always well-kept and clean.
(5)
Filza T.

Came here to order two simple things. Not sure why the guy wanted me and my friend to SHARE a tray? ....we are two people, paying separately, with two completely different orders, so why should we share a tray? First odd thing. I said yes just b/c it thought maybe it was easier for them or something. Then, the lady at the register got super confused since there were two orders on ONE tray and I had to clarify that for payment. Next, I ordered chai. I'm Pakistani and Indian food is basically the same so I KNOW what chai is. I've eaten Indian food all my life and know that regular chai is NOT masala chai. On the menu it just said chai. When I asked to make a regular chai, the dad/older man with glasses seemed to get pissed and pointed to a drawing UNDER the menu that said it was masala chai. Dude- i read the menu and it does not mention it. So they made me another and it was fine. The younger guy was helpful and nice though. The organization was horrible and customer service needs a LOT of work. Samosas were meh and tiny. It's very westernized Indian food if you like bland, small and expensive. Not worth the hype and not gonna be back. Lots of other options near by. Head to the loop or west Rogers for AUTHENTIC Indian food. Would've given it one star but the 2 is for the younger guy being helpful after the mess up on the chai.
(2)
U, N.

I was visiting from out of town and it was okay. Tastes very much like standard take-out Indian food. The food was also sort of lukewarm when I received it which is not my taste. I ordered the lamb dinner combo, which was a bit overpriced for what it is. The lamb was not great but the spinach that came with it was excellent.
(3)
Emmy M.

The color inside Rajun Cajun, which results from the combination of pink neon lighting with neon yellow painted walls, probably doesn't exist anywhere else in the world. And neither does the combination of Southern soul food (fried chicken, corn muffins, sweet potatoes) with curries and mango lassis and tandoori chicken. From the minute you step through the door and stand basking in Rajun Cajun's electric orange glow, you are greeted with the rich smells of spices and curries mixed with burning incense, usually a Bollywood movie or something else playing on the television, Indian music, and the smiling friendly faces of the owners (who are there to serve their customers every single day). This place is one of my favorite places to eat in Hyde Park, not only because the food is consistently absolutely delicious (my favorites include the butter chicken and paneer), but also because it delivers a kind of escape-- from the noise of 53rd Street, from standard American fast food, from the cold in winter. Just stepping in here during February when the whole world seems cold and gray will make you feel warmer. I'm moving away from Chicago soon, and Rajun Cajun is one of the places I will miss the most! I hope I get to come back.
(5)
Anne S.

I'm not sure why I thought this place was over priced before. I got take out dinner from here yesterday and everything was good, and we got a lot of food for our money! For 4 people we ordered 4 vegetarian meals and shared all of the sides. (For $9 plus tax each person got a samosa, paratha, rice, and 2 veggie sides). Everything was good, and we had plenty of food (a 5th person came by and had a full meal on the leftovers, he just didn't get a samosas or paratha). Everyone was stuffed and happy! We had: Chana masala Gobi Mutter Curry Dal Curry Rajma Curry Alu Bengan Curry Alu Curry Saag Paneer Also go dessert of Ras Mallai My favorites were the saag paneer, gobi mutter curry, alu curry, and Alu Bengan Curry, but I would eat all of them again!
(5)
Keerthana K.

Delicious, vegetarian-friendly food that is reasonably priced. The $9 vegetarian meal is good for 2 people (or 2 meals). The chana masala is my favorite. The basmati rice and the samosas are cooked well, but the parotha that comes with the meal is bland and dry usually. The Indian food here is marginally better than at Saffron in Hutchinson Commons on campus (the only other place in Hyde Park to get Indian food), thus making this the best Indian food in Hyde Park. The family that owns this unique little restaurant is super nice; they have been humorous, sweet and pleasant at every encounter. The wife of the owner even does eyebrow threading for $5 (the cheapest place in Hyde Park by far), her business cards are by the register (and in my opinion she does a better job than surrounding places that charge twice as much). And while the decor is delightful (with Hindu-inspired artwork covering the walls), I wouldn't really recommend dining in as the dining area is pretty small and has cafeteria style booths.
(4)
Vincent Y.

I still have utterly no idea what food here is about, but I don't care. It's greasy, oily and good. Butter chicken and samosas were great. Very spicy and tasty. The inside of the store looks even stranger than the stores across the street but no worries--it tastes good. And delivery can be slow but that's okay--it tastes good ($15 minimum I believe). Last: don't get the ginger root drink. It tastes like ... Ginger root.
(4)
Beth R.

I started this review the day I ate there, which was in November...2010. I didn't finish it because I wanted to remind myself/give myself an excuse to come back before posting. Well dammit, I haven't been back and I don't know when I will be back in the area. So allow me to get this monkey off my back and then just remember me and my desire to return when you say your prayers at night. Hopefully, one day, my sweet darling Rajun' Cajun, we will be reunited. Why do I yearn so? Witness: +best chai ever? +tandoori chicken breast extremely generous & good - and like less than $3 +vegetable sides - chick pea & spinach = my dream side +real flatware, not plastic, for eat-in +friendly service So you see, if you enjoy your Indian fast food delicious, cheap, and delicious, you will enjoy the pants off of Rajun' Cajun.
(4)
Nicole H.

I'll just get right to it. Butter chicken-too heavy and the seasoning was off somehow Samosas-quite tasty and enjoyable. Don't get the plum sauce though. The spicy tasted much better. Tandoori chicken-a tad bit dry but otherwise okay Macaroni-Awful. Do not order Mango lassi-tasted more like a creamscicle. It didn't really have the taste I was going for. Parotha-Okay Lamb-Good Cajun rice-Okay I had some more items that were just okay. The prices were reasonable enough. The restaurant itself is small. I wouldn't go out of my way but I'd definitely get the samosas again if I was in the area. I can't give it 3 stars because it was a little less than okay for me.
(2)
G R.

Maybe this is more of a lunch place? We did get there about 7:30 and they were out of a few things and what we chose from seemed a little bit on the dry side. They're open till 9 p.m., so you would think that dinner time items should be fresh. The vegetable sides were good though, so if you're doing a vegetarian dinner you'll be happy. My advice is to stay away from the chicken later in the day. It's a small place with a few booths and it's kept clean and the staff is very friendly, it does seem on the pricey side, maybe I'd feel differently if the main part of my entree tasted better. My husband asked for water, and they gave him bottled water they didn't offer a choice, he said he would have been fine with tap. Not their fault, no one is a mind reader. I just have a thing about bottled water when you're eating in. Just a waste on the environment, I like establishments that offer it as a to go item only. I wouldn't go running back to RC, but I wouldn't avoid it either.
(3)
Patrice H.

I cannot believe I've never reviewed this spot. This is one of my favorite, most underrated eateries. I've been coming here for well over 10 years. I always get the vegetarian special with a samosa(hot sauce required). The food is always good, fresh, tasty and the service is good as well. Yes, great food for a good price.
(5)
M L.

I just love this place! Food is always hot and fresh. I usually get the lamb curry that comes with rice, a veggie of your choice, samosa and a flour type of tortilla and it's always on point. I've never sat down to eat here, always take it to go. The owners are really nice and helpful explaining what the different dishes are. Parking isn't difficult but you do have to pay the meters every day except Sundays.
(5)
Mike P.

Best Indian food in the city , good portions and friendly staff. Open late and is more of a staple of Hyde Park then Barak Obama.
(5)
Nik L.

Dirty, disgusting and overpriced! Slop! That's the presentation and the flavor. Sure Indians work there but just because you're from India does not mean you are good at cooking Indian food. Hyde park should have better standards for who they allow to serve food to their community
(1)
Leeho L.

I found a bug in my food. In addition to that, the space is really dirty, and the restaurant's really cramped. They've gotta improve on that first and foremost. The food's average, and the service is good though.
(1)
Alexis A.

One night my husband and I ordered delivery from here through GrubHub. The reviews seemed decent enough. A place that could potentially satisfy his craving for Harold's and my taste for Indian food that also delivered sounded too good to be true!! And it was!!! Ugh...where do I begin?? The fried chicken tasted like it was fried the day before. It was sooooo dry and cold. The chicken inside my butter chicken was equally dry. I could not figure this out because it was swimming in butter sauce. The mac and cheese he ordered tasted like straight up Kraft Velveeta. Coincidentally, I also thought the palak paneer tasted like the kind you buy in the foil packages at the grocery store. Nothing tasted remotely fresh. Even the stale cobbler tasted like some weird gulab jamun fusion. Why did they mess with such a perfect Southern food staple?? I really wanted to love this place, but sadly I didn't. The only forgiving thing is that you can order half-portions of stuff for cheap, so you don't feel guilty when you throw it out. Oh, and the naan . . .might be the only other decent thing about this place because it's ok.
(1)
Vishwa N.

The food is definitely okay, some dishes are good, for being as small and hole in the wall restaurant it is. But the service is below par and the owner or the guy at the counter is EXTREMELY disrespectful and rude. Specially when you try to order over the phone. That was probably the last time we ordered from them. Food-3.5 stars, service-less than 2 stars. Too bad, they're losing out on good customers. One advice- if you're in the service industry, you need to pull up your socks. No one appreciates bad service, no matter how good the food might be. I've worked in service myself, in the past and speak out of experience. Only hope they take a good hard look at themselves and improve their ways.
(3)
Lily H.

Great food, lovely service, incredibly cheap.
(5)
Glen W.

Thoroughly mediocre. Room filled with awful inscence smell. No naan! DON'T ORDER SAAG PANEER!! It isn't even green. We need a real Indian place in Hyde Park!
(2)
David D.

An incredibly tasty, unpretentious, affordable, friendly place. It seems to be run by a single family, and there is great hospitality and warmth in my conversations with everyone behind the counter. They are family-friendly, and my wife and I have always felt comfortable bringing our two small children (ages 2 and 4), We have not tried the fried chicken, but we have sampled a number of both the meat and veggie options, as well as the mango lassis and the cornbread muffins (!) - they are all consistently tasty and the portions are huge. Ordering a butter chicken meal, plus a couple samosas and some muffins, feeds my whole family. Very generous helpings. All in all, this is a regular stop for my family, either to dine in or carry out. If you find yourself in Hyde Park, you should definitely go by for a meal!
(5)
Allan M.

Not bad, decided to try it out when I was down here a few weeks ago after years of hearing about this place. Tandoori Chicken was pretty good, and so was the samosa and curry(can't remember what it was called) that came with it. I'd gladly be open to returning, if I'm in the area again. BTW, did you know the owner tried a failed attempt to get customers to pronounce the place as 'ra-john ca-jun' when it opened, before he dropped that pronunciation?
(4)
Babanashe M.

Nothing fancy but always good food and decent portions. I always get the lamb meal. Seems a bit overpriced, but always worth it. A Hyde Park institution. Get an extra parothma and rice and you have a second meal for tomorrow.
(5)
Telugu A.

I tried this place based on reviews and was glad to find an Indian restaurant in Hyde park where I live. I tried their delivery option once and then decided to dine in the next time I went there. Pros: 1. Quality and taste of the food is pretty good. My fav is tandoori chicken, butter chicken, spicy chicken curry and saag paneer. 2. The delivery was pretty quick and prompt and not too expensive. 3. The option to have Indian food when you don't want to drive all the way till Devon street. 4. The lady who works there does a very good eye brow threading at her home for only 5 bucks. Cons: 1. They served the "dinner meal" in flimsy paper plates with "medium sized" curries in it which was over flowing and messy. I saw this happening to other customers buying as well. 2. Quantity isn't great especially the rice and size of roti and even samosas are small. You get twice the size of these samosas at Devon. 3. Since rice and roti portions are small, the curries would be left out and so even if you order your food as ala carte, you still can't take your left over curries as to-go. 4. Over all the food is little pricey for the quantity and definitely way pricier than other Indian restaurants in Devon. 4. When I went to dine in there, 2 homeless guys who were extremely unhygienic, stinking and horrible looking came and sat in the booth next to us which was pretty unsightly. I saw these very same homeless guys before on the same street. Over all I guess I won't mind ordering a to-go from here or order for delivery when I'm craving for some Indian food and lazy to drive all the way till Devon street.
(2)
Natalya W.

Definitely a fan of this place. A local, casual environment. Nothing fancy, but wonderful when you're craving some good Indian food. My favorite is the vegetarian plate which comes with a generous portion of two dishes plus rice and a samosa. I'm totally hooked and will be back for more.
(4)
MG J.

GREAT Indian food and wonderful service! If Rajun Cajun was closer to me, I would definitely be a faithful customer! So very wonderfully priced and delicious food! Who would have thought to have both soul food and Indian food at one restaurant??? I will definitely return!
(5)
Ali V.

I find this place highly amusing. The channa masala was light, the rice tasty, and the collard greens were good but I didn't see hot sauce available. They have mint and tamarind chutney but didn't seem to offer any red chili pepper sauce. Another plus: they promised me that the collard greens were vegetarian, which I find more plausible in an Indian restaurant than pretty much anywhere else.
(4)
Anthony N.

Upon entering the small restaurant it has quite the 'hole in the wall' feel - a few clean booths and a small working area. I was a fan of the concept from the beginning: a play on Indian and Cajun 'soul food'. I did not have the fried chicken, but their Chicken Curry was quite tasteful. I went during lunch and for $10.50 I received a serving of Chicken Curry, my choice of a side dish, rice, and a samosa. They provided enough for two meals (for me) but I was able to finish it all. The flavor bold, as most Indian foods, and you have the option of adding a sweet sauce (purple) or a spicy sauce (green) to your dishes which simply add the flavor intended. There were also a good choice of vegetarian Indian side-dishes. These side dishes also contain tumeric which makes them seem similar to the curry dish. However, they do taste different as the vegetables add flavor. I was a fan of the samosa as they were moist and not dry as I have had in other places. It was obviously family owned, and the hospitality of the people behind the counter was warm. I'd come back as it's nice to support family owned places. It is a definite place to try if you are looking for some quick Indian.
(4)
Tiffany M.

Love the food here!
(4)
Kevin L.

I used to live around the corner, and now I miss having fast Indian food nearby. Everything I've ever had there has been tasty. I've never head any of the friend chicken or mac and cheese type options (why would you get these when there's Indian food?). Also, they don't sell them at the store (only at coffee shops near UChicago), but their chicken sandwich is also pretty good for the price.
(5)
Juli A.

The tandoori chicken I didn't order was moist and flavorful - pretty damn good actually. Samosas, which I am guessing were vegetarian, not so much -I can't say much more than mushy. The naan looked fantastic. I had curry chicken, a recommendation from the owner. Good flavor, lots of gravy. My side was spinach paneer. First few bites were great and then the combination of the curry chicken and the spinach paneer betrayed me somehow and I had to focus on the Mac and cheese I ordered as an additional side. It was creamy and comforting. Next time I will stick to the tandoori chicken and good old Chana masala. The place was fairly busy for a late saturday afternoon so the neighborhood loves it as much as they say on yelp. If you're hungry go in expecting to drop around $15 on a dinner and drink however.
(2)
Isocephaly B.

A Hyde Park classic! The food is fine, not great (I often find the curries to be pretty greasy), but enjoyable on tired nights when cooking feels like too much work. I almost always carry out and never fail to appreciate the bizarre marriage of Indian and Southern Comfort foods.
(4)
Risa C.

Everything was flavorful and delicious. Chicken was little dry but the butter Chicken dish made up for it.
(5)
Nick G.

The food was good, although the meat freaked me out a bit. I got the chicken biryani and there was weird bones coming out of the pieces of chicken. I don't like picking bones out of my mouth. Can you do boneless, please?
(4)
Nathan B.

So affordable, so yummy!
(5)
Taylor E.

The good about Rajun Cajun: it is pretty cheap and their delivery is incredibly, incredibly quick. This is because all of their food sits under a heat lamp for god knows how long. This is bland, uninspired, and greasy Indian food; the southern food might be better but I've literally never met a single person who has ordered it from here. The physical restaurant is small and cramped - don't take a group - but generally fairly tidy. It maintains popularity among students because it is pretty much the only place for Indian food in Hyde Park as well as the aforementioned speedy delivery. I suppose it's cheap as well, but it's not as if Hyde Park is lacking cheap places that cater to students.
(2)
Paddy W.

Basic take out place. The food is cheap and ok not always that warm in temperature. Really the only thing I don't like is the fact that they serve all their food in styrofoam containers and I refuse to eat from these toxic types of containers. Rajun Cajun you need to update yourself and go green. Food is 3 stars. Owners are nice- basmati rice is always overcooked!
(3)
M. Tiffany B.

This is the first place I think of when I have a craving for quick Indian food and don't want the full dining experience. They give so much food I usually split it into two meals so it's well worth the money!
(4)
Karim S.

Good and very cheap Indian food. Nothing very special but decent enough to try out.
(3)
Reuben H.

Oh- and their fried chicken, candied yams, greens and that whole southern side of things from this place is really good too! You thought I might rant on about it, didn't you?
(4)
Talibah M.

Very flavorful! The people there are very nice. I've eaten everything vegetarian that they offer and its always DELICIOUS!
(4)
Winston G.

3.5 stars, rounded up b/c I liked the fact you could get a combo. I had the butter chicken dinner combination plate delivered from here, which came with some saag paneer, a samosa, rice, and one paratha (thin and not fluffy like naan, but still good - maybe a poor man's version of naan). Cost is $10, but after tax, delivery fee, and tip, you're looking at more around $15-16 to get this delivered to your door. I thought the butter chicken sauce was great, but the pieces of chicken were dry and overcooked. A pretty frequent problem I run into at Indian restaurants, and so that was a bit disappointing. The saag paneer was good, although a bit of a sweet finish to it, which was different from other places I've gotten saag from. Overall though, a decent dish. Samosa was just okay - not the best, though not the worst I've had either. Rice and paratha were standard. I would probably deliver from here again at some point, considering the very limited options in Hyde Park, this could be a decent go-to. However, I'm sure this is not the gold standard for Indian food in Chicago, but certainly a place you could order from on a cold, windy, and rainy Chicago day.
(4)
Hollie D.

Much like I have determined that Maravillas is the closest Mexican restaurant to home, Rajun Cajun is the closest Indian food we can get to home. We were a little skepitcal of the concept since half the menu is Indian and half is like Southern style food, but I'm glad we finally went. First off, the people working there, whom I'm guessing might be the owners were the nicest people ever and really seemed to know everyone else that came in by name and were just like friends catching up. The food. Holy cow...they give you a lot of food. We each ordered the curry dinner which came with a vegetable (we went with potatoes), a samosa, a parotha, rice, and curry. And honestly, I'm feeling like I'm forgetting something. It was a decent meal and I'd say it is worth the price. Last thought: Mango lassi? Delicious. Actual last thought? This place has the Bollywood jams going full on.
(4)
Vinay A.

Great place! Good food, very reasonable price and wonderful owner and staff. I loved the food. I will go again at this place.
(5)
Aly H.

While the food tasted good with great dishes that were full of flavor, I'm giving Rajun Cajun a 3 because of a myriad of other supplementary factors: 1. The atmosphere is less than desirable. While ordering, my boyfriend, his family, and I felt cramped in the cafeteria-style line. Feeling cramped leads to feeling rushed/stressed/etc... (i.e. not good) 2. On top of that, the menu choices were not what was on the website. Case in point, the only foreseeable vegetarian option on the entire menu was the Vegetarian meal (dinner combo), everything else had chicken attached to it. Not so great. 3. I felt that this was just like any other Indian restaurant I had ever been to. While that's OK, what was supposed to set this restaurant apart was the fusion of classic southern dishes with Indian cuisine. Far from it. In fact, they were completely segregated! Southern dishes could only be ordered as sides and it being cafeteria style, everything looked sub-par. So, in all, if you just want good Indian food, go ahead and go here. But if you're looking for a different experience entirely and have high expectations, look beyond the heating lamps of Rajun Cajun.
(3)
Hannah L.

I usually get delivery from Rajun Cajun, or else the occasional carryout, when I'm craving Indian as it seems to be the only option in Hyde Park (besides the Saffron on campus). Of course the cafeteria-esque restaurant can't be considered to have ambiance, but it doesn't bother me - I'm there for my cheap Indian fix, not for a fine dining experience. The dinner combinations are a pretty good value for your money, coming with rice, a samosa, parotha (not my favorite - pretty flavorless and dry), a veggie side (I like saag paneer), and two sauces, tamarind and green mint-pepper. I usually get the butter chicken, which is decent but not super flavorful. I've tried the lamb curry as well, but I wasn't a fan. If I'm in the mood for a sugar overload I'll also get the gulab jamun, three balls of fried dairy in a spiced syrup. My guess is that it comes from a can like in many Indian restaurants, but it's tasty all the same. Overall, I tend to wish the food had more flavor to it, as all the dishes I've gotten have been somewhat bland, but the price is great for what you get and it'll definitely squelch that Indian craving. At least for the moment.
(3)
Matt S.

This is the only place for Indian in Hyde Park, which might explain the overly positive reviews. The food was good, but I was kind of put off by the service, which was definitely subpar. I was with my friend, who'd had Indian only a couple times before, and she asked about the different vegetable curries. The guy made a big deal out of having explain to her what each of the dishes in the warming plates were ("I'm only doing this once!"), and did so at a breakneck speed, so quickly and brusquely I ended up having to tell her what everything was myself. Really an unpleasant experience. Won't be back.
(2)
Kedar D.

Rajun Cajun is decent for a quick, cheap meal. All the dishes are sitting there in a buffet counter and you tell them what you want (individual dishes, combo platters, etc.) and they slop it onto a plate for you. This isn't an ecological place by any means; everything is served on styrofoam plates and you use plastic utensils. Make sure to ask questions about ingredients, as none of the staff seemed to be familiar with the word "vegan," though they understood the concept of no dairy and no eggs. Maybe the staff has changed since previous reviews? In general, as long as the dish doesn't have paneer, it's probably good to go in Rajun Cajun (they don't seem to use cream, yogurt or butter/ghee in their curries). I had a vegetarian combo platter (two curries, rice, one samosa and one roti) for $8.99. Neither of my dishes stood out in any way and tasted like oily, all-purpose Americanized North Indian food. The chana (chickpea) was bland, in my opinion, and the gobi-mattar (cauliflower and peas) was watery. How come they don't have any dishes with tofu or seitan or some other cool vegan ingredients, such as the ones you find at Soul Veg or Yah's Cuisine? The samosa was soft, rather than crispy, though the roti was well-made and felt authentic, like straight out of a kitchen in India. The interior of the cafe is a bit bleak: plastic booths; weird neon light that somehow managed to be dark and moody rather than bright and vivacious; and loud Bollywood music. This is eminently avoidable Indian food. The only plus points are that it's cheap and that it's one of only a few decent vegan-friendly options in Hyde Park.
(2)
Stephen R.

Rajun Cajun is pretty amazing! They've raised the prices since I started going here years ago, though it's still relatively affordable. Probably the only place in the world where you can buy soul food and Indian fare; two of my favorite cuisines. The staff is pretty friendly, especially if you're a regular customer and they get to know you. You used to be able to rent Bollywood DVDs from them, though I don't know if they are still doing that or not.
(4)
Dil S.

NEVER AGAIN! There service sucked as much as there food, and restaurant is NOT clean
(1)
Adam P.

This is my favorite restaurant in Hyde Park. The food is cheap for the amount you get, and it's so good. I'm a vegetarian, and they have lots of options. I actually found out about this restaurant by a friend who all but dragged me there when he found out I had never tried their peas and paneer. If you go, you need to get some. Also the staff is very friendly. I got stuck here in a blizzard one time and they let me go back into the kitchen to use the bathroom.
(5)
Linda H.

One of those places that just lets you know you're home. I guess the story is that this place used to be a cajun spot before the indian owners took over back in the day, and they simply kept serving some of the old cajun options? Fried chicken, collard greens, mac and cheese. This place is the definition of food for the soul. Not fancy, but super super fast and amazingly delicious. A Hyde Park classic. Obviously the butter chicken is the classic, but I ALWAYS get a samosa or two with BOTH sauces, and the mango lassi is bomb. Mac and cheese is...mac and cheese but still good :) Grab some food here and eat it at one of the nearby parks on for real authenticity, eat it on the curb at the free graffiti wall behind kimbark plaza.
(5)
Kate G.

I LOVE this place. It looks like the most random hole in the wall from the outside and the concept is bizarre (Indian + soul food... hmm?), but the food is really delicious and the portions are plentiful (you get so many sides with the combo meal). Highly recommend: the butter chicken, the lentils, and saag paneer (spinach with cheese). All the food has some kick to it; have a box of kleenex handy! Plus, the owners are such nice people-- it makes you want to support their business.
(5)
M D.

I was a little hesitant to go in at first....but so glad I did! Food was really tasty and very reasonably priced (and the booths were much cleaner than I was expecting!)! Will definitely be back!
(4)
Phallon P.

I went there for lunch today and it was delicious. Everyone in my office wanted to know where I got my food lol. I got the butter chicken special with saag paneer. The samosas were great as well. I didn't like the bread that came with the meal, but other than that I am very pleased and definitely will be returning.
(4)
Jennifer G.

Ok, so the name....I don't get it. The fried chicken, not sure I get it. The almost buffet looking line, well at this point, it doesnt matter whether or not I get it...the food here is phenomenal. I walked in thinking oh this is going to be a mistake and was so pleasantly surprised! The lamb curry, the butter chicken, the saag paneer, the samosas, everything was great and I think next time I might just have that fried chicken. Try the juices to offset the heat, everything is a little spicier than I am used to getting at my local spots. The staff was so friendly too. My only complaint - can there be a bathroom just so I can wash my hands before I eat. I get it when it is a take out only place but when you are dining in - not so much.
(4)
K G.

This place definitely is a hole-in-the-wall. You walk up to the counter and they dish up premade food into styrofoam containers. The vast majority of the people who came through while I was there got takeout. We got the butter chicken and lamb curry. Food was OK, but definitely not great. I wouldn't bother getting lamb again, as it didn't really taste that lamb-ish, if that makes sense. I would go here again because it's quick and it's walking distance from my apartment, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. And I can't quite get my head around serving both Indian food and fried chicken, but the guy at the next table had the fried chicken, so *shrug*.
(3)
Amy Y.

Rajun Cajun makes me happy simply by being a reliable place for me to get decent meal in Hyde park - a task more difficult than one would think. First of all, if you want indian food in HP there is only 1 choice. Second, I really like there alu dalkani. There always have a bunch of veggie options, food nicely spiced, and their chai without milk is good too. Friendly owners. Not much of ambience. Just keep delivering to the student cafeterias and keep us happy so we don't have to eat the dreaded hospital food. Thanks, rajun Cajun.
(4)
Jonathan K.

Ok, Not great. Tried fish curry, chicken curry, both so so. The vegetarian options were better: chickpea curry and paneer spinach were good. The Lassi too sweet with icy taste, maybe from mix? I just don't get all the raves here.
(3)
Nina X.

I love the idea of this place. And I remember it being good the first few times I had it, but that was years and years ago. Picked up food to go the other night to take to friends who'd just had a baby. They live in Hyde Park and had never been to Rajun Cajun. I talked it up and now I'm a little embarrassed. The Indian food was mediocre. We got the channa masala, the cauliflower curry, the daal and the saag paneer. Overly sweet and really oily. I've had better at Trader Joe's. We also got fried chicken. I love friend chicken. But because I would eat it everyday if I didn't limit myself, I stopped eating it in November. This was the first fried chicken that I've had in two months and it was so disappointing. It was completely flavorless. I didn't even bother to get any mac & cheese or greens because it looked all congealed in the serving pans. Also, the smell of incense was overwhelming. I used to work at a bar and after the smoking ban, we had a strange, unidentifiable smell in the building, so we tried to mask it with incense. Not saying Rajun Cajun's trying to hide something, just that it was too much and brought back bad memories.
(2)
Sabra R.

So frustrating to read all of these glowing reviews. The truth is that this just isnt the indian food one would find on the North Side or Devon. In fact, it's nowhere close. The flavors are so incredibly bland that everythng tastes the same and its just a letdown every time (and Ive tried it several times, hoping that my tastebuds were to blame for the previous letdown). I hate that living on the South Side of Chicago means that one has to settle for sub par cuisine.
(1)
Andre W.

I don't know what more can I say about this place except for BRAVO! The staff is great and friendly and they make you feel at home! It's very cosy and has the best Indian food, especially the butter chicken and yellow rice with mixed vegetables! The prices are great and its a great place for a first date, as long as they like Indian food! I go to this place as much as I can! LOVE IT!!!!
(5)
Colleen D.

In all honesty, I would probably give this restaurant at least three stars for its concept alone. This is the place I tell people about when I try to explain Hyde Park as a neighborhood: a cafeteria-style restaurant with blindingly garish neon signs that serves Indian food and Soul food, side by side, while doing a side business in Bollywood movie rental. You can have peach cobbler with your mutter paneer. That is some funny sh*t right there. But it earns its fourth, real star from good food and good prices. As reviews indicate, the soul food is not the way to go. I've never tried that side of the menu, to be fair, but that mac 'n' cheese always looks sort of...coagulated. No, Yelper, you want the Indian food. The combo deals are great value-for-money. I recommend the saag paneer (spinach and cheese) and/or the aloo gobhi (cauliflower and potato); fortunately the combos let you do a little mix-n-matching. As noted below, no naan available - but this is a cafeteria, people. The key is quality, not quantity of selection, and their chapathis and samosas are good, fresh, and just the right amount of greasy. For the lassi afficianados, the mango lassis are very sweet and very orange - not sure how close they are to actual mangoes, but a delicious dessert drink nonetheless.
(4)
Ian T.

This is a 5-star place and here is why... Yum. I loved the Lamb curry. It was not quite as spicy as I can handle it but it was spice enough to not kill my wife and keep me happy. Really good food. Based on food alone it would get 4 stars. However the owner dumping our trays for us, joking with us, and being overall very friendly PLUS the HUGE portion size on the dinner combos boosts this into 5 star land. Great food, I will be returning oft.
(5)
Faith F.

I LOVE this place. The Indian food is absolutely wonderful, so delicious. My favorites are the peas & paneer, spinach & paneer, the samosas are so yummy and I love the paratha bread. Yes, it's not naan, but this is the type of bread that Indians typically eat with this kind of food. You tear off a piece and use it to scoop up the food. Yum! My only wish is that there was a bit more paneer in the paneer dishes, do that and it'll be utmost perfection for me! The owners are great. Very helpful and friendly, they remember their regulars & even sometimes remember what I usually order. Makes me feel very welcome there. The place is kept super clean and I love the Bollywood music playing while I eat, it completes the experience.
(5)
John K.

The food is almost always great, if sometimes on the greasy/oily side. But even better than the food is the people who own and operate it. One night they were close to closing so they made me try everything-- I'm dead serious, a spoonful of every single item. It didn't change my go-to item (the butter chicken) but it was just so damn nice of them!
(4)
Jessy P.

Definitely the best and ONLY Indian place in Hyde Park! Upon returning to cat sit for my dear father and his lady friend, I decided I was craving Indian, and not being up north where I have my spot, I remembered Rajun Cajun, and so happy taht I did! Oh so pleasant but the Alu could be a bit spicier but other than that everything tasted very good. Only suggestion is to order your food well before you get hungry, it does take a while, but what doesn't in Hyde Park? My only real issue is that food that should be spicy weren't so spicy...but this is Hyde Park and I guess you should cater to the population, no everyone can handle it. I think half of the neighborhood would get Delhi belly if they did make it spicy :)
(4)
M. N.

Pretty good food and one of fastest places to pick up Indian in HP. Don't expect a classic setting - this is more like a diner than restaurant - but how can you love a place where you can get butter chicken with a side of mac n' cheese? Only real complaint is that the prices seem just a tad high - but i still go back fairly regularly ;)
(4)
Will B.

I was craving vegetarian Indian food and found myself in a bit of a quandary: do I make the hike to Devon Avenue to my favorite Indian places or try to find something closer to home. Since I live in South Shore, just further south down LSD from Hyde Park, I decided to try Rajun Cajun due to its close proximity. The people who work at RC are very nice and warm people. As for the food, it's a mixed bag. I ordered the vegetarian combo; while I liked the spiciness of the samosa, it was too soft (due to the fact that they are kept in warming drawers, etc.) I like my samosas to be crisp on the outside and then have that delicious spicy filling we've all grown to love. The basmati rice was wonderful, though I had to pick out the pieces of anise and cardamom pods. The saag paneer was a little too creamy and I didn't find any nice chucks of cheese, but the flavor was decent. My little sister had the butter chicken and she liked the spiciness, but wished it contained more chicken. Both of us were fond of the mango and lychee (litchi) juices RC has as they were sweet and refreshing. So RC is just okay, not terrible but not great either. I look forward to the day when pure veggie Indian cuisine hits Hyde Park.
(3)
Rachel L.

Best food in Hyde Park. Seriously. It has food with flavor and a little bit of heat, and it has friendly people working there. And it's affordable. Mango lassis are a little sweeter than I expected, but they've grown on me over the past two years I've been going there. I seem to crave the tandoori chicken every couple of weeks. And the fish curry is delicious. It would be great if it was a little more comfortable to sit in. And if there was a bar, I'd never go anywhere else in the neighborhood.
(4)
Aurore L.

Living in Hyde Park is not as dreadful as people think. It's diverse, very green (well - presently very white), historic, architecturally interesting.... But there is not much to eat. And it's awfully far from, let's say, Devon Avenue. So - not cool when you have a craving for lamb curry, or palak paneer (one of my ultimate favorites) Rajun Cajun, with its little muscled arms (yes, it requites a little bit of imagination but work with me here) and its ready-to-go dishes, comes to the rescue!!!!!!!!! Bollywood paradise (for Hyde Parkers at least) 4 blocks away from home. Priceless! Actually - the price is right: for around $10 you get some sort of samossa (it's really hard to call it otherwise but it's yummy nonetheless), a meat, a side and a glorious little bowl of rice. I mean it - it's so fragrant and flavorful....last time I 'fished' a cinnamon stick, star anise and a clove out of it!! The real deal!! And my hubby can even get some fried chicken to go along with his butter chicken....yeah...welcome to my world...
(4)
Fe T.

Amazing food!!! I have never enjoyed eating so much. The price is cheap, delivery is fast and cool. Food is abundant. Once you taste Rajun Cajun food, your mouth would probably start watering every time you think about this place. that said, this review is generally based on other eating places in Hyde Park - which only offers badly cooked food
(5)
Ron I.

There's really not much better in Hyde Park. The food isn't quite as authentic as I'm used to but it's very good and the service is exceptional. They even delivered after the "blizzard" which I thought was amazing. I've never tried the southern options but I really like the Dal, Butter Chicken, and the Samosas. The Tandoori Chicken is usually pretty moist and you can't get much healthier than chicken coated in spices. The staff is always very friendly and their delivery drivers are always prompt. Prices are pretty reasonable for the amount of food...~$10 for a meat curry, veggie curry, chapati, samosa, and rice.
(5)
Matt R.

What a brilliant idea for a restaurant - combining soul food and indian fare. Almost sounds as crazy as the ramblings of this review. But it works, they totally hit the pin on the head and hammer the nail in the coffin...the coffin of deliciousness. There is seating if you want it, booth style, and street parking is so-so. You might be better off picking up and taking home. They really do a tasty job with the indian - and those samosas are absolute trouble...but in the best way possible. And then go absolutely sideways by adding a corn muffin. Absurd, right? What an age we live in. The only critique is that prices are a little high, and it seems hard to place an order that comes in at a reasonable budget. Or maybe I just eat too much. Either way, the rhyming title alone merits 3 stars. You won't find a duplicate anywhere else.
(4)
Gerri H.

I've lived in Kenwood for over six years, was at U of C for 5 1/2 years, and just got around to trying Rajun Cajun. I'm a little slow. I was also a little intimidated as the only Indian food I've ever had was on an Air India flight to Frankfurt (I know, this is weird). I tried the butter chicken meal with saag paneer. My husband tried the tandoori chicken with a side of spiced peas. Each meal comes with jasmine rice, Indian bread, and a samosa. I was afraid that the food wouldn't live up to my spiciness expectation, but my meal was sufficiently spicy (the butter chicken and saag paneer). My husband enjoyed his meal, and I also enjoyed his "pea" side dish. We both thought the mini samosa was very good and could have had another one. The Indian food was good, but I would never get the "cajun" cuisine (which is actually Southern food) because I could get better elsewhere at another restaurant or my grandmother's house. But the Indian food, I highly recommend. A great neighborhood restaurant.
(4)
Amber S.

I grew up eating and loving their samosa's and a few months ago I tried their Butter Chicken dish after having a few experiences of other Indian food around my house. Other places have more spice than them but I think for that area, with college students and everything it is good. Their fried chicken and greens are okay, I guess everything could use a little more spice however I will still visit here.
(4)
Jonathan J.

Everything is really great here and the service is ultra fast, as you order at the counter and they dish your food out into take-out containers for you. Very filling, very flavorful (it's not traditional Indian, but more American-Indian with muted, creamy flavors) and very fast make this a 5-star place. It's not easy to find parking, however, as the street is always crowded. I recommend, as everyone does it seems, the butter chicken. It's tender and creamy, oh-so-delicious. Samosas are pretty tasty, too.
(5)
John G.

Great value!
(4)
Marcus A.

I need my spicy fix now. And this is the place to get it. Curry lamb and samosas with sweet and spicy sauce. My nose is running just thinking about it. You get a heaping helping of food for not alot of dough. The meat is tender. Really good Indian food in the most unsuspecting place. It really looks a bit fast foodie from the outside but the food is authentic cuisine. The cauliflower vegetable dish is my favorite. Who needs all the fancy dining when the food is so excellent.
(4)
Alex F.

Amazing Indian food for cheap. Really friendly people. Great veg options.
(5)
Harry S.

Some of the best Indian food I have ever had with outstandingly friendly service. Highly recommend.
(5)
Carl W.

Go here and get some saag paneer and samosas. Period. Well, a month ago I probably would've said "get any of the Indian food." The value is pretty good by my standards (Indian food was never that cheap where I lived in So Cal) and I had enjoyed the butter chicken and lamb curry. Unfortunately, one day (my 5th or 6th visit after having lived down here for only a few months) I placed my biggest order yet, hoping to have leftovers, and ended up with sour, aftertaste-leaving butter chicken and Indian rice that seemed to have been repurposed from the "soul food" rice (it was cooked with peas and such as usual, but the shape, texture, and taste was all wrong). I guess they get a little sloppy on Friday nights? Color me disillusioned, anyway. I still recommend it, but my previous visits were during off hours, and I suggest you do the same if you want to try it out. Well, two more things. First, parothas suck, don't bother with them as they will only make you miss naan all the more. This leads into the second thing, which is that you shoudln't bother with the combo either. Especially if you're eating alone, it's too much food, and the value is not that impressive anyway. What it comes down to is that your $1 parotha is free, and I only ate the damn thing so as not to waste food.
(3)
Meridith H.

A combo meal with an extra samosa and extra side is the perfect amount to share between two people. The most perfect combination is butter chicken with spinach & cheese and peas & cheese. If you're feeling ambitious, you can rent a Bollywood movie & get your incense here, too. I've been coming here for years, and the food & service have been consistently great. When you order a dish you've eaten several times before and still unintentionally INHALE it because it is just that delicious, you know that you've found a gem.
(5)
Chris R.

I didn't care for the samosas here they just don't look right, they tasted decent but not good like real samsoas. The butter chicken was really flavorful and tasty but everything else was forgettable. Bottle drinks only or tap water no fountain. You can get tiny portions for only a few bucks if you just have the craving for a quick taste.
(3)
Val B.

Decent spot in Hyde Park. It's all pre-made, buffet-style (without the all-you-can-eat part of being a buffet). It's a strange, strange mix of soul food, like fried chicken and mac & cheese, and Indian cuisine, like chicken curry and samosas. Boyfriend and I had about the same thing - he got the butter chicken combo, which includes rice, a veggie side, a samosa, and injera-like bread. I just got a medium order of butter chicken with a samosa and bread. The butter chicken is the star, but the samosa was good too. The bread was kind of dry and lacking flavor... it made me miss naan. For $18 we were both stuffed, which is cool. Definitely wasn't the best food I've ever had, but there was nothing wrong with it either.
(3)
CE K.

Oh my goodness, do I miss Rajun Cajun! I don't miss the long nights huddled around econ and stats notes studying for mid terms and finals, but I credit Rajun Cajun with my successful graduation. As long as it wasn't a busy night there, the staff never took issue with us taking over a booth for dinner and studying. I usually stuck to the Indian side of the house, but my friends would mix it us - Fried Chicken, greens and a Samosa, why not? Cheap. Plentiful. Delish. Friendly. Good tunes. I need to go back to Chicago just to have some Rajun (minus the stats books).
(4)
Arthur B.

One of my favorite places to eat in Hyde Park! Only place I know where you can get great Cajun & Indian food separate or together in a combo! the prices are standard if you eat Indian food. My only real complaints are no buffet deals & its a small place so there is no bathroom. which is a no no when usually dealing with Indian food
(4)
Mike K.

If there was an award called "Confuse A Tourist" or "Locals Only, Sucka!", this place would win it hands down. In what appears to be the most blatant misuse of a name ever, Rajun Cajun does not actually serve any Cajun food whatsoever. Although there are pictures of New Orleans all over the interior and, of course, the name literally screams Cajun food, you will find no Cajun food here. "No Cajun food?!" you ask in disbelief. "What do they serve then?!" Come on now, the answer should be pretty damn obvious - Indian and soul food. Yeah, no - I don't get it either. Just go along w/ this. Ok? The Indian food was fantastic. I had the butter chicken w/ a vegetable dish (cauliflower + peas - help me out somebody). For a combo meal, I also received a samosa and a flat bread (paratha). It was an excellent meal for around $10. Portions were generous, the food was very tasty (decent spiciness) and the service was high class. Outside of the confusing name of the establishment, there's really nothing working against this place. It is very well maintained.
(4)
Liz J.

I was thrilled to realize that I work mere blocks from Rajun Cajun! When i was but a wee seminarian, we occasionally had Rajun Cajun for our weekly community lunch. It's an Indian restaurant! It's a soul food resetaurant! It's amazing! Butter chicken is great, as are their multiple veggie options. I admit I've never tried their soul food. it looks less than inspiring, but I won't deduct a star until I actually try it. Eat in at lunch time and you'll encounter a wide mix of Hyde Parkians popping in for aloo gobi and collard greens. Tasty samosas, too.
(5)
Jacob D.

Been heading there a lot My gym is conveniently close to this place. I recently tasted the biryani and it is so delicious, made to order and at $6.50! The samosas are addictive, they are always fresh, and moist..I think they are baked so never feels oily. I ordered a whole bunch of samosas for a party I had at my neighbors place. The owners are so friendly and every time I go there is a big line, that tells me that people are enjoying the food, again, that is the only place with Indian (Rajasthani) cuisine in that area.
(5)
Tory w.

Oh, Rajun Cajun. Where to begin? My friends and I were out and about on a gorgeous Chicago spring Sunday afternoon. We were headed to Jackson Park to do some birdwatching and thought we'd grab some lunch before heading into the wild. Out comes my trusty cell phone and onto Yelp I go. Out of a plethora of choices, mostly ethnic of some sort, the most enticing was Rajun Cajun, the first tag of which is "soul food". So, southern, we were thinking. Catfish, mac-n-cheese, po'boys. How surprised we were to walk into this hole-in-the-wall and see a display of what is most definitely Indian food under warming lamps. We were greeted by who I think is the owner, who was very friendly. There was one of those awkward moments while we tried to decide what to do. Were we in the right place? Yes, it definitely said "Rajun Cajun" over the door. I noticed that amongst the pans of Indian food were several trays of fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens, and corn bread. What was this place? Should we stay? Leave, in hopes of quelling our po'boy craving? The owner must have seen our confusion because he asked us if we were looking for "New Orleans" food. He then pointed out that the name, which we had been too hungry to really notice, is RAJ-un Cajun, as in RAJ, and not "Ragin Cajun" which would imply southern cookin'. I was in a particular dilemma, torn because I equally dislike food in warming pans and walking out of a restaurant that I have walked into, especially if the service is friendly and it is a local joint. We decided to stay, and I'm so glad we did. The food was amazing. I had the butter chicken and a side of rice. The sauce was a delight for the senses. My friends both had the vegetarian combo, which is a ton of food for under $10 - 2 veggie dishes, a samosa, rice, and bread. All of their dishes were great too - the eggplant, lentils, chickpeas. At the end of our meal we were definitely full and satisfied but not in the heavy way that Indian food can sometimes have. As we were eating the owner told us that his family took over the business when it was actually a Cajun place, and that it didn't really do well until his dad came from India and suggested the change in cuisine. I don't live too close to Hyde Park, but I would travel to return here. Rajun Cajun is ragin' good!
(5)
Jeanie P.

MmmMm when I think of this place, one phrase comes in mind.... "a brotha from another motha!" That's how I feel the soul food meets the Indian food! I always go here when I'm craving Indian food since Devon is wayyy too far from Hyde Park. The owners are great! They are like your friend's parents... and yeah I'll admit I kind of want them to adopt me so I can eat saag paneer everyday. Anyway, this rating is definitely based on what this place is... a small mom and pop cafeteria-style restaurant. This is not a fancy place you want to go out of your way to go to. But great for hungry students :) So I definitely recommend the butter chicken curry and the lamb curry as well. The saag paneer is definitely more spicy than the traditional version but delicious!!!! And the mac and cheese+cornbread is solid. I used to get my Indian friends to get their moms to make me samosas, and oh I miss them so~ But the samosas definitely satisfy my craving... they are spicy, crispy, and delicious with the sweet chutney. I would say one of those combo meals usually lasts me two meals :) Side story: once I was so hungry for Rajun Cajun, I hit a parking pole on the way out of the parking garage b/c I was only thinking of Indian food. I stepped out to look at the dent momentarily, then drove straight to Rajun Cajun. Yes friends, true story.
(4)
Krsna V.

Pretty good for Indian 'fast' food. The menu is 80% Indian and 20% Cajun. The only Cajun items I found was rice and beans. Fried chicken is not Cajun. The Indian food is pretty good for a fast food restaurant. I usually get the food to go. The management is friendly and polite. The only complaint I have is they serve "biryani" only on the weekends. I noticed someone wrote a review saying this is not authentic Indian food and their Indian colleague was offended. What do you expect from a fast food joint? If I wanted to try authentic Indian food, I would go to Devon. Even on Devon, only a handful are "authentic" Indian. Just be aware that they have a $10 minimum on credit card charges. The prices are good for the food you get. The quantity is optimal. The tandoor chicken is not bad at all and the biryani is as close to good biryani you get anywhere south of Devon. I definitely recommend this place for Indian fast food. Just a note to people like Kitaro aka Ken H. (or whatever name you are adopting for the day) who criticized my review: I based my review on for what this restaurant is good for: "fast food". I consider Rajun Cajun the McDonald's of Indian food and rated it accordingly. On the other hand, Hema's kitchen and Tiffin gloat of being authentic and real Indian food, while they are not. I hope my "consistency" is clear to you now. I guess you are the one who has problems understanding the word "consistency"
(3)
Jeanelle S.

Rajun Cajun's been around Hyde Park for years, though I rarely ate there in its infancy. One day someone told me they had Indian, so I decided to check it out. This is as good as it gets for Indian food in Hyde Park. Well, if you're not cooking it yourself, anyway. The curries are good, the tandoori's good, the samosas are great. I hate they don't have naan (which is one of my favorite things to eat period). It's not the cheapest, but the quality's solid enough and they've got the market cornered in the area, so it is what it is. If it just focused on the Indian side of things, that'd be good enough to give it four stars. But this place has a schizophrenic side personality and insists on serving "soul food." One night I had the craving for saag paneer and fried chicken, so I thought, "What better place to go than Rajun Cajun?!?" While they excel in tandoori, they waste perfectly good chicken away in the fryer. It was bland, greasy and dry. The mac and cheese is maybe a click below Stouffer's frozen, and the greens are just okay. After that trifecta, I don't think I ever want to try any of their other "soul" offerings again. If they just focused on the Indian and made it better, this place would be great. As it stands, it's just alright.
(3)
Sarah S.

Rajun Cajun is not Cajun. Nor is it particularly Ragin' (Rajun?) in terms of spice- it's definitely pretty tame as far as heat goes. But it is good. Don't go here expecting haute cuisine - the neon signs and truly eye-hurting color scheme should've been a hint for that - but if you want a good cup of butter chicken and chana masala, it's pretty rockin. I don't particularly eat the southern food here, even though that's Rajun Cajun's "thing". The fried chicken is not very good at all, and the mac and cheese is only ok. But the Indian food is quite good, and cheap as sin.
(4)
Janeen W.

This is the only Indian Restaurant in Hyde Park!! They have great samosas. Get both green and red sauce to put on your samosas. I love their Butter Chicken!! The also have good curried potatoes!! DELISH!!
(4)
Sarah B.

What stands out about this restaurant to me is not the unlikely combination of fried chicken and chana masala, awesome though that is, but how friendly the staff was! We chatted about tattoos and gods and fruit juice. They didn't have to be that friendly. But they were! The food is also memorable. I didn't like the mac and cheese because it was too cheesy - I know that sounds impossible, but it was - but everything else was had was fantastic. Even their rice was good. Nobody can ruin rice, but few restaurants have wonderful rice, and Rajun Cajun does. There isn't much seating, so I wouldn't bring fifteen people there. I heartily recommend the passion fruit juice.
(4)
Poof A.

*This review is for take out only, I have yet to experience dining in the barely-disguised former Subway restaurant* The food here is satisfying and SPICY! Ok I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to spice, but DAMN. One of my beefs with overly-spice food is that the spice can sometimes overwhelm all the other flavours, making the heat the only thing you taste. Not the case here. Although you definitely feel the heat, you also taste all the flavours of the food, and trust me these are flavours you want to taste. A bunch of us order takeout from here and it was a bit pricey, but we all ate more than our fill. Everything we got was veggie too- delish!
(3)
Reiahnna J.

I've been around this area for a while (not living there) and finally decided to go to this restaurant after passing it for the hundredth time. It was okay. I had the $9.99 Tandoori Chicken Meal with samosa, parotha, and corn meal curry, but I also asked for Basmati Rice. The chicken was good and the samosa taste better with sweet sauce instead of spicy. They even gave me an extra parotha. Is the Parotha made with beans? It taste like it. The restaurant was clean and had a few nice paintings.
(3)
Lyndsey M.

This place gets four stars because it is what it is -- a little, cafeteria-style Indian restaurant with not a lot of seating, where your meal comes served with 100% disposable plates and sporks. The selection is limited. But that aside, it's one of the most noble establishments in Hyde Park. The food is delicious, and, according to my dad, relatively authentic. The "vegetarian meal" option is nice, but recently I've discovered the joy in ordering a large serving of an Indian dish paired with a side of the super-cheesy, cholesterol-heavy macaroni and a samosa with the "sweet" sauce. I'm pretty sure I could just eat five or six of those samosas as a meal. If you're looking for the Atkins Nutritional Approach, this is not the place to go. The Very Tasty approach? Absolutely. Not to mention the guys behind the counter are hilarious.
(4)
Ellie K.

Good and cheap Indian food. This is probably the most bang for your buck you will get in Hyde Park. The food is great and very inexpensive. They have many vegetarian options, and the chicken has no mystery meat or weird fatty parts in it. I am giving it 5 stars because it is so good for the amount you pay. PLUS- a lady there does eyebrow threading. Be sure to pick up her card near the cash register. She does a great job.
(5)
M. Z.

Decent Indian food in Hyde Park. I love the samosas; they're cheap, filling, and have just the right level of heat. The owners are friendly and helpful. (Once they even custom-made a plain lassi for me!) The vegetarian dishes are pretty good. The mutter paneer has a tasty sauce and the cabbage is nice and crisp. Avoid the cauliflower and eggplant curries though, as they're unpleasantly oily. As for the soul food, I've only had the corn muffins, the peach cobbler and the mac n cheese. The muffins are good, but the cobbler has the texture of overcooked eggplant and is too syrupy. The mac n cheese is smooth, but kind of flavorless. I like to put the sweet samosa sauce on it.
(4)
Tina B.

I actually am the kind of person that ends up in the mood for some aloo gobi and for some fried chicken and macaroni n cheese at the exact same time, and I love that a restaurant exists that understands me like that. In fact, I was tonight. Big time. I watched a whole Iron Chef all about curry last night and I had been craving fried chicken in a very it's-cold-and-I-want-to-eat-something-comforting-Âthat-requires-stretch-pants kind of way - Rajun Cajun came through like a champ, offering me every single thing I was in the mood for, super fast cafeteria style and at a decent price. And the people who work here, while a bit curt while ordering, are very sweet. Soul food and Indian food work SO DAMN WELL TOGETHER. Seriously, they should take this shit on the road. Dipped my fried chicken in the cilantro sauce, alternating bites of greens and buttery samosas, orangey-red plastic fast food booths? Hells yes. Different presentation from other samosas I've had, but delicious. And their fried chicken was more than decent. Fresh mango and guava juices = slamming. I wouldn't drive out of my way here if I just wanted Indian food and I wouldn't drive out of my way here for soul food, but when I want both? Holler at your restaurant right here.
(4)
Mike B.

This maybe the first Curry Nazi, No Curry for you!!! Maybe it's Rajun Cajun, because one of the guys working here makes fun of people, literally Rajun! Service is good, but can be offensive, it's not like he's yelling at you, but can sure make you feel like an idiot. To clear this up, I saw the guy make fun of two customers before me, because of miscommunication. I had the butter chicken, chicken curry, chana masala, Aloo Gobi, and the sides, a samosa, and indian bread. The food is solid, the prices and portions are good compared to what you get at most indian places. I don't know if it's worth a trip from the loop to Hyde Park, but I was done in the area, and the it was good! Five item combos include rice, indian bread, samosa, one veggie item, one meat item is $10.00, it's a lot of food!
(4)
Evan S.

The food here is great. They do a great job of combining Indian food with some elements of soul food. It is also very quick service wise. They do, however, charge substantially more than other restaurants in the area for what it is. They also will regularly not have items available that are listed on the menu.
(4)
MsHydePark C.

Rajun Cajun definitely gets points for novelty-- Where else in the world could you find Indian and soul food together in a place that looks like a brightly colored Subway? It's pretty strange, but in a good way. The food is served cafeteria style and it basically seems like Indian food your Indian friend's mom (as opposed to a professional chef) would serve up-- Some dishes are delicious, others are too watery or bland, and the same dish might taste different from week to week. Another bummer-- and this is a big issue for me-- is that they don't have naan, but instead serve a tortilla-thin whole wheat bread that is always really oily. Long story short, this is a nice neighborhood spot if you live nearby and are craving Indian food, but it's not worth traveling to if you're not already nearby.
(3)
Michael W.

OK? So ... was this an old Louisiana-style storefront remade into a fast-food cafeteria joint featuring Indian food? Or is Rajun Cajun some wildly inspired mix of desi meets dixie? Not really sure. One thing I do know is that worldwide Everybody. Loves. Fried Chicken. Seriously, and everything was really tasty. I guess, unlike many others, I didn't have any cuisine specific to India. Chick-chick, mac 'n cheese, and greens. Both were great to pedestrian, except for the greens (spicy) and the mango lassi. Great to really good. No high chair or booster for the little boy. Bummer. But he got to dance to Bollywood hits & I got to see a DVD of some awards show with Aishwarya Rai on a flat screen TV while I ate butter chicken. Even better. See what I mean. theaishwaryarai.com
(3)
Maya D.

I have been going to this place since I was a kid :) Where else in the city can you get sag paneer and mac and cheese? I have to admit I have never tried the Cajun soul food selections, but the Indian food is pretty good. Especially if you are in the area and not feeling like trekking up to Devon. - Overall thoughts- Great place for quick take out Indian food if you are in the area.
(4)
Marc K.

Just wanted to clear the air here: this restaurant serves both soul food and indian food. if you're ever up for fried chicken with a side of curried lentils then you're in luck. We just had Indian which was very tasty. It was a bit spicy, so if you like really mild indian, then this place isn't for you as it all comes pre-spiced on the buffet. The quantity of food that you get is very reasonable for the $$ Will definitely return.
(4)
Jesse H.

As far as Indian food goes, it's just not that great. The chickpeas are usually a little dried out - probably because the food sits in giant vats instead of being cooked to order. The sauces are all fairly similar - buttery and greasy, nothing spectacular. You usually bite into at least one big, fat, dry cardamom pod that leaves a bitter taste in your mouth and little pieces stuck in your teeth. Also, no naan - only parathas, a somewhat bland whole wheat variety. One thing I do love here is the saag paneer.
(2)
Tiffany R.

First! The owners are extremely helpful & super informative BIG PLUS! The samosas are heaven on earth! The name of the dish has slipped my mind BUT its the peas with the paneer..ohlalalalala! LOVE LOVE! When I 1st try Rajun Cajun I went three YES THREE days in a row! Indian food is like a magical wonderful overload on your taste buds!
(5)
maurice s.

This isn't the worst Indian food in the city, but it's not too far removed. I've been able to find better Indian in some pretty podunk cities (I'm talking the likes of Lafayette, IN and Toledo, OH), so it's absolutely scandalous that there isn't a legit Indian place anywhere on the South Side. Between the UofC and IIT alone, there's got to be a HUGE untapped demand. At least open an India House location or SOMETHING. Extra star because I didn't try the soul food and will give them the benefit of the doubt.
(2)
Paul M.

WOW. was pleasantly surprised by this little place! Excellent service, great prices... and the food was generous and delicious. Wish there was more seating, but it's a great spot none-the-less. I recommend it for a cheap but good dinner.
(5)
Jeff L.

Rajun Cajun is great! The food is cheap, the dinner combos provide heaping portions, and they have fried chicken! I don't have a lot of experience with Indian food in the states, but I am always happy with the saag paneer and butter chicken. The paratha and samosas are delcious, and the mango lassi are refreshing, even in the dead of winter. The only downside is the in-house seating, but I typically order-out so its not that big of deal. The delivery has arrived under thirty minutes every time I've ordered.
(5)
Peter H.

I'm not generally a fan of spicy food, but then Rajun Cajun has the perfect mixture of flavor and spice. I've yet to actually eat inside the restaurant but the atmosphere seem welcoming and is most certainly a college-kids paradise. Whenever I've stopped in to order the service is pretty fast and the food is good. It's nice to see a bit of diversity amid the endless Italian style eateries one normally finds.
(4)
Paul F.

There's, at best, two Indian restaurants on the south side of chicago. Rajun Cajun is on of them. Their samosas are good. The food is all pretty alright, but cmon... canned greens? Can't we get some real collard greens with our samosas? What's messed up is given the lack of indian/soul food fusion restaurants they could probably get 5 stars out of me real quick if they just up the ante. Up the ante, Please!!!!!!! Make that lamb the most succulent! Make those greens from scratch with some spice and some swine or smoked turkey! I'll give 5 stars to a cafeteria style in no time at all! I would kill to be able to give this place five stars!
(3)
Serena B.

Go there for the Indian food. I love it here. Their soul food is definitely on the iffy side. Sometimes they knock it out the park sometimes they don't. The Indian food is always on point though. I could go vegetarian just eating the sides. The people who run the place are very nice and this is one of my fav restaurants in the city.
(4)
Sabrina M.

I LOVE this restaurant and have been eating here for years. For the quality of the food and the value, you cannot beat it. The box specials are great, especially the vegetarian box and the lamb stew box. The chana masala is also a standout and I can't leave there without getting a mango lassi. It's fast, reasonably priced and absolutely delicious. Truly a treasure in Hyde Park.
(4)
marco o.

Good indian food for delivery! Good prices, perfectly cooked rice, spicey, but not too spicey, somosa's were tasty as well.
(4)
Sophia T.

Back in the day I lined in Hyde Park and maybe I've blocked it out but I did go to mucho restaurants when I resided there. Rajun Cajun makes me laugh b/c the owners are brilliant in their catering to a diverse population. If I still ate fried chicken, I'd a been in there daily. But as a vegan, I enjoyed their veggie dishes, samosas (vegetarian probably), Chai masala (mmm on a cold day), and paratha (i'm an addict). fan of fast service.
(4)
Meg O.

Here's the dilemma: you're really craving lamb curry, but also want sweet potatoes and peach cobbler. Or, fried chicken sounds perfect, but can I get a side of saag paneer with that? Voila, you need 53rd Street, you need Rajun Cajun, probably the only Indian Soul Food restaurant in the world. While I usually go for all Indian, the peach cobbler is amazing! And some days mac n' cheese is The side dish for tandoori chicken. The food is on the hotter side of spicy, especially the lamb curry. The Vegetarian plate gives you the most flavors. Samosas are decent. Although it's primarily a carry-out joint, I normally eat it right there. With Chutney music in the background, the funky clientele, the plastic booths, and the blind woman folding take-out boxes, it's sort of like being in "The Royal Tannenbaums."
(4)
Claire S.

This is, so far, my favorite place to eat in Hyde Park. The dinner combos are gigantic, and make a great lunch to take to work the next day. My favorite is the butter chicken. The things on the menu that are meant to be spicy really are spicy. I haven't tried the soul food part of the menu, but it looks good too.
(5)
ben h.

According to Hyde Park legend, the restaurant is an old soul food place that was bought by an Indian couple who retained portions of the soul food menu while expanding it with Indian comfort foods. Everything is served cafeteria style with a smile, and sometimes some friendly ribbing. All the food I have had here has been consistently good, whether from the Indian or the Soul food side of things. Very accommodating for vegans/vegetarians - servers will patiently explain the ingredients of every dish under the glass if asked. The only thing keeping it from five stars is that the food is a little overpriced, considering it is served cafeteria style and isn't always exactly fresh.
(4)
Farooq C.

It is the only Indian Restaurant in Hyde Park and it is a good one. They also have soul food but I have never tried that here. Spiciness is a bit on the mild side because they cater to everyone but it is still delicious. Their samosas are fresh and delicious. We have had their Tandoori Chicken and Mutter Paneer. Both were great. It is a family run, local business and the owners are very nice. We went once and the second time I was there they asked me how is my son!
(5)
gladys l.

Wonderfully helpful staff and very helpful in explaining buffet options. I prefer spicier food so I added a lot of pickle. It was definitely an adventure.
(3)
eliza b.

I have some conflicting views of Rajun Cajun, but obviously, they ultimately work out to 4 stars. +I've only ever had the samosas, which are delicious. -I've never been too inspired by the rest of the selection there, or the prices. +The owners and other employees are always really nice, patient, and helpful. +++++The reason I gave 4 stars instead of 3 is the MASSIVE MOVIE COLLECTION they have in the back. She said they have about A THOUSAND titles now. Why has barely anyone mentioned this in their review?? This is the best part of Rajun Cajun! -I do wish there were a more authentic, less neon/cheap-feeling, less oddly-titled Indian place in Hyde Park/the South Side as Devon is 100+ blocks away!
(4)
Ruthie H.

Whether you like your chicken fried or tandoori, Rajun Cajun in Hyde Park can set you up, quick, and usually for under ten bucks. Serving crazy amalgam of Indian and Soul food (no Cajun food though, as far as I can tell), Rajun Cajun is a perennial favorite of University of Chicago students and local neighborhood residents alike. The atmosphere is kitschy on a good day, and can be a touch seedy on a bad one. The space was quite obviously converted from a Subway a long time ago. It's lit with neon, and decorated with fake plants and thrift store prints. Upbeat Indian dance music pipes through the sound system. I find the atmosphere charming and quirky, but I have a pretty high tolerance for that kind of thing. If you prefer to dine in more flattering light, Rajun Cajun also offers brisk take-out business, or for the truly lazy, home delivery for a $2 fee. I eat here so often I've pretty much fetishized my usual spread -- Where else can you eat vegetarian Indian food with a side of cornbread while sipping an orange-flavored Fanta? I especially love the cauliflower curry, peas and panir and the samosas. I think the food is great, I love that it's family owned and operated, and I get a kick out of the bizarre mish-mash of cultures and flavors. Rajun Cajun is one of my favorite spots in Hyde Park to grab a quick bite. It's eclectic, unpretentious, cheap and the food is consistently good. One time I was in there when this super-tough looking guy in a do-rag came in to get fried chicken, except they were all out. "Tan-doori chicken? I don't know, man. OK, sure, gimme some of that."
(5)
Earl P.

Do yourself a favor and disregard every positive review of this restaurant, I beg you. First of all the owner is this guy who is extremely,extremely rude and condescending. He's a caricature of rudeness in fact, you almost feel like you're being punked he's so rude( although is wife who serves as his personal slave is very sweet, poor woman). Secondly, I asked this fool if he had some chiles or something to make the food hotter than it was, he replied with more rudeness AND a lie, saying he didn't! The man runs an Indian restaurant and won't give a customer some chiles?! Need I say more? Theres no food on earth that would make me give this guy the time of day.
(1)
Anne M.

What can I say about this place. My husband and I have been eating here since we first met in our first year in college. Their vegetarian options are amazing and we're not even vegetarians. The price has definitely increased since 1994 but it's worth every penny. Everytime we visit Chicago from CA, we make it a point to get down to Hyde Park for this place. It's quick, fresh, and delish! I just wish they would ship since I now live in CA and haven't found a place like theirs. I'd deduct half a star for not having access to them in Ca but that just wouldn't be fair to them. :-)
(5)
Amanda A.

I still haven't made it to Devon because this place is so close to school. It's really excellent, fast Indian food. And hey, if you have a hankering for collards and fried chicken, you can get that too. But I stick to the palak and mattar paneer.
(4)
Maretta J.

This is a great place though it doesn't look like much decor-wise: it's not expensive, it offers tasty vegetarian options, the music sound track has wonderful prayerful mantras. It may not have a full range of Indian food, but the samosas are the best. I haven't tried the Cajun options but they make a real effort to appeal to a diverse population and are very friendly. We love it for a quick delicious meal; so glad they're in Hyde Park, which needs more vegetarian restaurants!
(5)
mary m.

THe management is cheap! They didn't (deliberately) give me my change back of 9 cents...i didnt make a big deal about it. but seriously, it's 9 cents--give it back! the samosas are overpriced.
(1)
ally r.

I wish I was eating Rajun Cajun right now. This is a small diner like place with a bright yellow, neon-lit interior that added to my late night experience of the place. A friend and I came close to close and the owners were sweet enough to let us stay and eat the great soul food/ Indian/Pakistani food. Food is served from hot trays-the sort of deli style that you usually get in a larger restaurant or in a market- indeed the place had sort of a market feel and doubles as a video store. We had several menu items, fried chicken (really memorable) rice cooked with cinnamon for added flavor, a curry, lentils, chic peas and lentils, and a mango lassie. I was satisfied with everything I had, had a good conversation with one of the employees as we ate, enjoyed the mix of Hindu deities and river boat paintings lining the wall and felt wonderfully sandwiched between two cultures I had ever seen combined. Rajun Cajun is a great place to take a friend for a surprising and relaxed meal. Don't generic elements of the seating area turn you off- it's worth every penny.
(5)
Eliza B.

After 5 years of living in the area I finally ate at Rajun Cajun. My husband and I walked in once but the food didn't look good so we left. Today I went with a co-worker (we were tired of the 57th st places, just for today) and had a nice experience. I asked what the dishes were, made my selection (rice with plantains, peas w/ paneer and a samosa). The samosa was just OK but the rest was nice. Good even! If you don't have the time to drive up to Devon, this is a good option. I'll be back.
(3)
Cindy D.

Hmm.. not sure why this place got such good reviews.. maybe location and the lack of other Indian restaurants in the area. Anyways, got there at 3 pm and my bf and I had an 8 pm reservation at David Burke's. So we both shared the butter chicken dinner for $10. Got the following - Medium butter chicken - I thought it to be rather small, and usually i like the chicken shredded. However it was cubed, which made it taste dry. Also, the sauce itself.. I could do better than that and I'm chinese! Samosas - Smaller than what i'm used to from Devon. But on top of that, it's just a weird outer wrapping, not flaky at all. Med Veggie - OK.. we got the califlower Bismati Rice - OK, but I hope they don't mess that up. Would not go again..
(2)
Glu C.

corn muffins, corn muffins & corn muffins. i was expecting a bit more from the food - indian & soul food, hello!- but to be honest not much was very memorable-except for the corn muffins. the chicken & lamb was aiiiight, samosa & saag paneer was good, macaroni and cheese was runny & i don't know why a cold chai tea was such a hassle for the staff..it is on their menu - derrrr. if there's any silver lining to this review it would be the corn muffins, very delicious!
(3)
Lauren B.

I feel like I should be angry as a former New Orleanian about the misleading name, "rajun cajun." But I could care less. They do have some southern dishes here, which I have not tried yet, but they look tasty. Especially the mac-n-cheese. But the indian food is what it's all about. It's basically cafeteria style, with everything pre-made and sitting out. We always take it to go since we live down the street. The butter chicken is so delicious I cannot get through a meal without mentioning that it is the "BEST BUTTER CHICKEN I'VE EVER HAD!" Just delightful. That alone could give this place 5 stars. The saag paneer is always good, although sometimes spicier than others. I cannot bring myself to eat their goat after a couple of bad experiences (not here), but my boyfriend says it's pretty good most of the time. The potato side dish is awesome. And their mango lassi is the perfect balance of yogurt and fresh tasting mango. Their rice, which is not something I usually get excited about, is exceptionally fragrant. My boyfriend says it's too perfumey, but I think it's great. The biggest downside is their bread, it's not naan, but something that is fried, but it tastes like really thin chewy cardboard. We've resorted to just dipping normal bread into our soupy indian goodness.
(4)
Ted P.

Rajun Cajun is amazing. They have wonderful vegetarian and vegan options (in addition to the fried chicken, fish curry and other meaty dishes). The food is very filling and the portions are fairly reasonable. In particular, the chickpeas (chana masala-esque) and samosas are amazing, especially the spicy sauce for the samosas. Their fresh fruit juices make it even more incredible. The one downside? the rice is often overcooked or watery. But the amazing curries make up for the rice. For some odd reason, Rajun Cajun's food always tastes better had in a UofC campus cafe (ie Cobb, Swift).
(5)
Luke S.

The butter chicken combo with two vegetables was a huge amount of good food for $10. Particularly good samosas. Also, after exiting the insanely yellow neon interior of Rajun Cajun, everything looks so normal and colorful!
(4)
Chocolate H.

Decent Indian restaurant with a weird name. If you live on the south side and you are jonsong for indian this is the place.
(3)
Douglas W.

I really love this little place; it's kind of the "default" for my wife and me when we don't want to think where to go in the neighborhood. Yes, it's true that the food is served from a buffet, basically, but given that, it's pretty consistently fresh tasting. Of course it's not always the healthiest, but it is VERY tasty and a darn good deal too. I've only had the Indian, not the soul food, so I can't speak to that. However, overall it is a fantastic place that I know I'll miss when I move-I've never had access to fast Indian before!
(4)
Adrienne T.

I've been to many restaurants in Chicago and consider myself pretty well rounded when it comes to ethnic cuisine. After many trips to Devon street, and eating at most of the restaurants there, Rajun Cajun continues to have the best food (I eat mainly the vegetarian fare) of all. Yes, it appears to be a "greasy spoon" or hole in the wall kinda place, but its always clean, well maintained and welcoming. I've been eating here for many years and have come to respect this family owned business greatly. I often call ahead for a large order of Samosas when I have to bring a dish to a gathering or party-needless to say they're always a hit.
(5)
Aaron S.

I want to rate these folks higher since they've been around so long but the food, while decent, wasn't great. I had the "lamb curry dinner", which was a ton of food for $10, basically giving you 2 entrees (one meat, one without), rice, samosa, and paratha. If it were my restaurant I'd change the paratha to chapati or naan to lighten the fat load and provide more bread to soak up the ample entrees. I personally like the fast-food atmosphere here, though I would love being able to eat off real plates etc. Still, a boon to Hyde Park--as a Logan Square resident I can appreciate how nice it is to have ANY Indian restaurant to go to.
(3)
D P.

This place is awesome. I gave it a shot maybe 9 years ago now and I've been hooked ever since. The staff is friendly and always remembers me when I come in. No matter what you eat here you will be pleased.
(5)
Seth A.

best place around! delicious!
(5)
Amy D.

Rajun Cajun earned the epithet "keeps on rajin'" from some friends of mine, as its effects sometimes hit you well after you've enjoyed some tasty tandoori chicken. I think its cute that you can get biscuits and cornbread (not Cajun, really) with your Indian food. I really like whatever dish it is with the peas and curry sauce. Nothing is labeled, one time I got stuck with peach cobbler hoping for apple, and it was very disappointing. I think I am just too intimidated to ask what everything is, seeing as I wouldn't understand it anyway. Nonetheless, I generally love the food. I also enjoy that it appears to be an old Subway. And the bad Indian techno, with alternating black-and-white sketches of New Orleans with gilded Indian prints. The people are nice, but I always spending more than I intended becuase the pricing scheme is totally confusing. Or becuase its cafeteria-style, which has always been a bit of a problem for me. And its always full of Hyde Parkers, which makes me happy.
(4)
mike l.

Are you there, Yelp? It's me, Margaret. Um, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, we could really use a half-star button. I'd use it on Rajun Cajun to give them a 3.5. They're better than a 3, but not worthy of 4-star country. See, the half star would help. The fusion thing is a little weird. because, it's not really fusion. The foods aren't fused or anything, they're just served next to one and other. Ideas for similar fusion joints A) Italian & Car Wash B) tailor & gyros C) ice cream & funeral home. Anyhows, rajun. yeah, not so much. the food was decent. the fried chicken was good, not too greasy. But the dudes behind the counter were weird and the breakdown of the menu required graph paper & a scientific calculator. plus, they've got this $10 credit card minimum or else there's a 50 cent surcharge. now, I know the credit card is sucking 3% off my lunch sale, but don't make my life difficult.
(3)
M L.

The mango lassi is delicious! The Indian food is tasty too, and comes in pretty big portions considering the price. I think I paid less than $8 for more food than I should've eaten in one sitting. I had no idea what any of the dishes were called, so I just pointed and said "the potatoes...and whatever's next to them". Bottom line: Nothing fancy, but good cheap food.
(4)
laura m.

I have only experienced the delivery, because frankly, the restaurant isn't very pretty, and for sit down I like better ambiance. Their take out is just great, though. Try the butter chicken. The service is very nice and speedy. Once I called right before closing time, and they were out of several items. The woman (owner, perhaps) was apologetic, and I assured her that we would be happy with a couple of whatever vegetable dishes she had on hand. She sent an extra dish for free, and they were all delicious. We're big fans. I do find the juxtaposition of soul and Indian food a little perplexing. So far, I've only tried their Indian food, and I stick with Dixie Kitchen (or now Calypso) for southern food.
(4)
Emblem P.

What most reviewers forgot to mention is that this place is a buffet. That's a bit crucial if you're comparing it to other restaurants! Buffet means food isn't cooked to order, but constantly made throughout the day. Menu is limited and changes daily, and freshness varies depending on when you stop by. So, complaining about that seems a bit odd. It's fast food, people. That's how it works. With that in mind, as far as buffet food goes, Rajun Cajun's is very good, and vegetarian friendly. My two relevant complaints are that prices are a bit high for fast food, and that they could do with more variety. A little known secret: They make really good fruit juices! Try them all!
(4)
James K.

would not recommend this restaurant the food is ok but way overpriced, not to mention it is sitting out all day like at a Chinese buffet. When i went last time the owner was so cheap he gave me all curry with no meat and when i mentioned it to him he stated thats how it is, which is ridiculous. Take it for me there are alot better restaurants in hyde park to choose from like the Nile restaurant that you can get quality food that wont hunt your stomach later. Also this restaurant has roaches i saw one crawling around on my way out so beware
(1)
Siddhartha A.

Violation of the health code wasn't what I was expecting from Rajun Cajun, particularly after my visit there (see previous review). But the management/staff, who apparently moonlight as beauticians, offered to give a close friend of mine an epilation---remove her facial hair by threading---right inside the kitchen! My friend apparently ran from the place in disgust, and I am going to wait a long while before I visit them again.
(1)
Andrea G.

So we need a real Indian Restaurant in Hyde Park, and until then Rajun Cajun will have to do. And that's just fine. They have REALLY good combo plates, and their food is the correct spiciness. I lived in India last year, and I honestly think Rajun Cajun makes a better Palak Paneer than Tiffin on Devon.
(4)
Gil N.

Chicken was pretty ordinary, not bad but nothing to write home about. Rice was good and their Mac n' Cheese hit the spot. Small place, seemed busy and lots of people seem to like it. My wife really enjoys it, but to me it just seemed pretty average. I'll give them three stars, two from me and another for my wife.
(3)
Kyle H.

I was thinking of giving Rajun Cajun 4 stars since they have kind of a skanky interior and then I realized that I really don't give a good goddamn about what the inside looks like because I love everything else about it. I grew up in Hyde Park and moved to West Town a little over 2 years ago and there are only a few things I really, truly miss about Hyde Park, and Rajun Cajun is one of them. This place is absolutely one of a kind - cafeteria style Indian food AND soul food? THERE'S NOTHING BETTER. To be able to get a meal made up of mutter paneer, palak paneer and macaroni and cheese (?!) is no less than my dream come true. For the last couple years I lived in Hyde Park, I lived right on 53rd street, so I ate here all the time, but even when I lived with my mom on 61st street as a teenager - THEY DELIVER!! And it's cheap - food and delivery! That's the only thing I really hate about getting Indian food delivered - it's always expensive! Rajun Cajun is cheap cheap cheap and DELICIOUS. Whenever I'm going into HP for the day, I make it a point to make a stop at Rajun Cajun. Don't be fooled by the fast food decor - it's fantastic.
(5)
Ryan H.

This is one of the few fast food restaurants that I've encountered in Hyde Park. Came here to tryout their chicken curry and rice. The medium sized curry and rice was filling and very tasty. I was also satisfied with the service, which was provided cafeteria style and the workers were very friendly. They were also still open at 8:45 pm...which might be some sort of record for Hyde Park!!
(4)
David J.

I've only ever eaten from the Indian portion of the menu. It's the only Indian food available in Hyde Park, but it's certainly not the best you can find in Chicago. It's got a fast-food atmosphere and a tiny selection served cafeteria style. The food itself is of acceptable quality and the convenience is nice. If you're looking for good Indian food, look elsewhere.
(3)
Daniel H.

Yuck! Are you serious? Yes, I'm par-desi but I do know desi food. This place is not worth it, MAYBE for the very oddly shaped samosas. This place is better for the inane Bollywood films you can rent than for the vittles...
(1)
Dustin W.

Rajun Cajun at first peak appears to be experiencing classic multiple personality syndrome, but step inside this hidden Hyde park gem and you'll find a friendly family serving homestyle Indian favorites as well as a few Soul food specialties that all the local residents seem to flock to. We were in the mood for Indian fare and picked the vegetarian combo (2-veg main dihes, heaping mound of basmati rice, parotha, samosa, and a lotta homestyle love). The Chana masala and Gobi mutter were delicious. I went for the other side of fare for dessert and hunkered into a large helping of sugary sweet peach cobbler. All of the food is served by the portion/ a la carte,or however you prefer to say it. The items behind the glass look like a delicious buffet of stewed indian fare and homestyle soul food. I will be back for sure, but may just have to try the chicken, muffins, greens, and mac n cheese to mix it up. A great find in Hyde park for sure. Not sure why they call it Cajun, but sure is tasty homestyle food served with a smile.
(4)
Jesse C.

Pricey but so goooooooood! I love the samosa tamarind sauce and litchi juice from this place. Veggie combos are good and the chicken is good tandoori and fried. I reccomend the lamb also and the basmati rice is traditional. The soul food is ok and the service is friendly. Eating style is sort of cafeteria but it works. They cater too.
(4)
Laneka G.

boy friend wanted fried chicken delivered , only option was rajun cajun, horrible mistake for him, no flavor at all in the chicken, he siad the rice was ok, the mac and cheese was greasy, poor him, i had the curry chicken, it came with rice a shell and this delicious little puff it tasted just like curry chicken patties with little peas in it, and i ordered spinach for my veg. my food was good, really good full of flavor, it was enough for me to have a nice size lunch and dinner, what ever you do just dont order the chicken
(3)
Annette L.

The lamb curry was tasty (a smidge tough but good flavor overall). I went the Indian route while my husband went the Southern route, and we switched half-way through. I'd say the Indian food is better than the Southern (the mac and cheese and yams were a little on the watery side), but we enjoyed the experience all in all.
(3)
Angela K.

I really like their lamb curry and the butter chicken curry. I think Indian music was playing in the background. They offer 15% discount for U of C students :)
(3)
Jennifer J.

Huh? After reading all of the race reviews, I expected something else. DÃ©cor is like an old Burger King. Food is good and I went with an Indian guy. We just couldn't see the novelty in have fried chicken with Indian food. Overall, it's decent food but not worth the trip.
(2)
Jason M.

Rajun Cajun is much more than your typical Cajun themed Indian/Soul food restaurant, rather it's been a delicious and welcoming experience. I have eaten at maybe 6 Indian places downtown and in the suburbs and this place is the best, it smokes Indian Garden and Udupi Palace anyway... When we asked about the food, the owner's enthusiasm for quality(a word we heard about 15 times in the ensuing lecture) is nearly boundless. He lectured us on why he has to make everything himself, why he changes the fryer oil frequently, the dangers of trying to make tandoori chicken in less then 3 hours, on and on. We even got an impromptu tour of the spotless kitchen. Try the chai, it's amazing, but be aware it takes 10-15 minutes to prepare due to their elaborate steeping process. Stick with the Indian, their macaroni and cheese was pretty oily. Again, top notch Indian for a very low price...... this is what happens when the owners care deeply about the product.
(5)
Lorraine S.

Five stars for the food, three for price. The food is delicious. I have never been anything less than impressed by the Indian food I've eaten there. I haven't tried the fried chicken or mac and cheese, though, nor do I intend to. I come for the fantastic Indian food. I didn't even like Indian food before I found Rajun. The owners/workers are friendly enough. The price is what stops me from eating there every week. It's not expensive or unfair, but it's not cheap. For cafeteria-style, it's a little bit much. I usually get two meals here for $10-12.
(4)
Benjamin K R.

Well you can come in here and get fried chicken, super spicy chickpea curry, cornbread, and a samosa all on the same plate. Which seems weird but turns out it's like a perfect meal. All of the veggie curries, especially the afore mentioned chickpeas and the paneer, are totally awesome, and the soul food stuff is just right, as well. I love the loud techno remixes of Indian pop music and the fact that you can rent Bollywood. Lastly, and this is kind of weird, but the water is always REALLY cold, which is just extremely pleasant when you're downing all this spicy food.
(5)
Josh A.

A Hyde Park favorite. I like to embrace the dual personality of the restaurant, with a 50-50 soul food/Indian combo - one piece of tandoori and one piece of fried chicken, chick peas, samosas, collard greens. And a decent price for a LOT of food.
(4)
Jennifer K.

Not the greatest Indian fusion cuisine ever, but for the price you're paying, what did you expect? I only eat the samosas, as it seems to be the best thing on the menu. They're perfect with crisp outer shells and delicious filling. I did try their curries...and was heartily disappointed. But their samosas are just wonderful. They give pretty nice portions so you won't feel jipped when getting something. But don't expect the best meal ever. Just go in with fairly low expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
(2)
Phaedra L.

I love this place too!! I LOVE Indian food. No doubt i'm a fan of India House, but I live on the south side so I go local sometimes; well, most times. And, what a better combination than Indian and Soul Food!! Honey I'm home! Fried chicken, greens, mac n cheese (not a fan of their mac - maybe because mine is soooo good) *wink*...and, spicy samosas, butter chicken, and other things I cannot pronounce but I know it when I see it.
(4)
Christopher T.

A fantastic place, and a staple of the Hyde Park community. I've never had a bad experience with any of their food or staff, and I've ordered from here quite a bit. Delivery and catering orders have always been on time in my experience. My favorite place to get food in HP, and maybe even in Chicago.
(5)
Harpreet K.

Let's just establish some street cred from the get-go; I am 100% Indo. That's right, BOO bitches!! Now, I love all the foodie banter, the Devon street or not to Devon street, but let's just get this straight, we're talkin about 53rd street here my friends, NOT Devon, NOT some bomb dhaba off the road in the mother county (for all my fellow subcontinentals), 53RD STREET. So, if you, like me, have ever wandered 53rd after a SHIT day at work, listlessly staring at the menu at the gyro/hot-dog/donut/hamburger place, moving on to that abysmal hand-written menu at the divey Chinese place (which, for the record, my snobby ass has never tried and may well be the most fantastique chinese food this side of shanghai), and end up here, you will MOS DEF appreciate the easy smiles, and warm, fresh-enough, TOTALLY DECENT, fast food my peeps are serving up. And I love the rajun cajun idea, kinda like mississippi masala. but, you know, not. ** Edit: They have the BEST fruit juices I've ever had. I love the South African Ceres brand and this is right up there.
(4)
Ron C.

I've been to Rajun Cajun once, and I didn't think much of it. I think it's silly to have the fusion, and thought there was more Indian than fried chicken. I remember the price being affordable, but the food was just lousy and messy. They give you quite a lot, but nothing is actually good. I usually hold high regard when it comes to hole in the walls (e.g. Harold's Fried Chicken in Hyde Park), but Rajun Cajun just doesn't cut it.
(2)
Carol H.

I've been going to Rajun Cajun since Trushar bought the place and added Indian food to the menu. BEST INDIAN FOOD IN THE CITY, in my opinion - especially the butter chicken. I've been to Indian places where the entrees are 40% more expensive and 60% worse. We consider the owners of the restaurant part of our extended family: they greet us by name, know our children, and are valuable members to our community.
(5)
Ross G.

After moving to Hyde Park from a land well endowed with excellent Indian restaurants (Cambridge, MA) I tried to convince myself that this place is ok. I can't lie to myself anymore. Their food just isn't very good. Everything is overly creamy and their menu isn't very diverse. I will give them points for serving chapati with meals. I'll just have to dream of the day when a decent Indian restaurant opens in Hyde Park.
(2)
Sarah D.

Little yellow awning, deceivingly non-cajun cuisine... Rajun Cajun is my favorite Hyde Park restaurant. The ladies who run the place are super friendly, and they always have a nice, fresh selection of Indian curries and basmati rice. They've got a nice little combo going on where you can get a couple of hot dishes, rice, and a samosa that will warm your heart with Bombay dreams. These kids aren't stingy with the cayenne pepper and know how to make a curry that will clear out your sinuses faster than an ocean water enema (which, incidentally, does not clear your sinuses at all.)
(4)
Rickisha B.

Excellent fast food Indian Joint. You can't beat the tast or the price. Also their palak paneer is wonderful.
(4)
Stefanie F.

My favorite Indian restaurant on the South Side. The samosas, paneer, and naan are excellent. The owners recognize regulars and have a very steady flow of customers.
(5)
Ben E.

While the Indian food's hardly of Devon St. caliber, it's flavorful, not overly greasy, and is about as good as you could possibly ask for in terms of fast food Indian. I used to eat here twice a week, and it's still my favorite place to go in Hyde Park.
(4)
Jen S.

I think this place is funny... combination of soul food and Indian food... who knew they went along so well? It's cheap, quick, and a great place to go if you're craving mac&cheese and curry chicken.
(4)
Kelly A.

3 stars for samosas and butter chicken. Everything else is on the lower side of ok. But everything is deliciously spicy!
(3)
J C.

I used to eat at this place about once a week and never had a bad experience. I dont know what yer all talkin bout cause I thought the chicken was reeall good. I remember eatin a lot of samosas to. I wish I had one two blocks away now.
(4)
Zach H.

I have no clue why this place is called Rajun Cajun. The menu is the odd combo of 75% Indian fare and 25% soul food (fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, sweet potatoes, etc). I always get the Indian stuff, and it's great. Everything is pre-cooked and kept in warming trays, cafeteria style. This really doesn't take away from the taste too much, and I consider it a bonus because you don't have to wait for your food. The ambiance leaves something to be desired - a few diner style booths, Indian-techno fusion music playing. I recommend the veggie combo meal. And be sure to try a samosa.
(5)
jaime m.

im no indian food officianado but I love rajun cajun! the food is pretty tasty ( I'll say 95 % of the time- not too many mis haps with bad batches of food)& not too bad for the amount that is given... of course it may not be comparable to other indian cusine that u can find at more "refined" spots, but it hits the spot for me! my favs r: passion fruit juice butter chicken spinach & cheese yellow lentils chick peas & spinach samosa with sweet chutney.. not to mention the owners r as sweet as pie.
(4)
lauren a.

indian AND soul food!!! rock!!! i recall that the perfect combination was getting your choice of indian main dishes with candied yams as a side, all sweet and spicy. AND you can rent bollywood movies too!
(5)
sarah l.

I was disappointed that I couldn't like this place more. I was excited to try it because I liked the soul/Indian food combo idea. Basically, everything was hit or miss. The samosas & paratha-- good. The veggie dishes, not so good. Mainly because they served the veggies w/regular white rice rather than basmati. It just made everything taste so OFF...My friend ordered the soul food, and the reviews were about the same. Good mac & cheese, not so great on the greens, ETC. It was ok, but I would never go out of my way to eat here.
(2)
Gloria E.

I personally love rajun cajun. You hear a lot of things about how it's not so great, but it's also not so bad. They have my favorite samosas and their chana masala is great too. They're known for having both Indian and soul food. I've only had the mac and cheese from the soul food side, and it wasn't bad, but I come here for the Indian food. Their Mango Lassis are pretty great as well, and don't miss out on the spicy chicken curry. The parothas are essential with any curries, so don't forget to order some if you try the curries and the paneer here is great according to others I've eaten here with, I'm not a big fan of paneer. They have a Bollywood rental in the back too!! WHERE else will you find this many Bollywood films to rent in Hyde Park?!!?!?!? That's amazing to me and it makes up for the food not being TOP quality, as does the price. Curry is pretty cheap here ($2-4, depending on the size, but then add rice), and all around, this indian food is cheaper than you'll find at any sit down Indian restaurants.
(4)
Anna S.

I have nothing but praise for Rajun Cajun. I think their food is delicious, though I have only tried vegetarian options (chana masala is my favorite). I always get the vegetarian combo (two medium veggies, rice, a samosa and a parotha flatbread) which is a great value. The samosas are delicious and the atmosphere of the place is unique. The owners are sweet people, too! I am so glad this restaurant is in Hyde Park.
(5)
P C.

totally worth the long trip for me to get over there, i lovvve it. really nice people too.
(5)
cb b.

Okay - admittedly a wierd name and pokes at where it is authentic or not, but it is great indian food. Those who have tasted it - swear by this place. They have these great meals of they put together including a veggie one that has all of the good stuff and a few items for you to choose - plus the best jasmine rice!
(5)
Jay K.

Ordered delivery for the call team this evening - catfish curry, butter chicken, two vegetable combo's. Food was spicy enough, h/w seemed somewhat "soupy." My colleague who is Indian was highly offended by the food delivered and said, "This is an affront to Indian food." He was so annoyed by the food, that he actually called the restaurant to complain about the soupiness of the chana masala he and another colleague had. He likened it to vegetables in hot water with the spice dumped in. The management was nice enough to credit him $9 for future orders. The food was not quite what I'd expected re: Indian food, h/w I didn't have very high expectations to start. Certainly their food is not very authentic (what do you expect from an Indian restaurant that is run by southeast Asians?), but passable I suppose. Their samosas ARE pretty bad (doughy), portions somewhat small (at least for delivery) and rice not very fragrant. Strangely enough this restaurant has become very popular with the call teams, however the consensus amongst our Indian colleagues appears to be that this place is a poor excuse for Indian food. One plus is the ability to order off campusfood.com and pay by credit card. Quick delivery with online ordering as well. I don't think I'd mind eating here when on call; Adds some variety to the other two on-call staples: Nile & Thai 55th (Certainly beats pizza.) Definitely visit any restaurant on Devon instead, or India House on Grand or Gaylord in Schaumburg - you've tons of other choices (unless you're stuck in Hyde Park for any reason). To Vamsi V: Who gave Tiffin and Hema's 2 and 1 star? - You give Rajun Cajun 4 stars?!?!?! and mention authenticity?!?!? lack of Indian clients?!?!? There seems to be a lack of consistency in your review criterion.
(2)
D'Sheadra B.

This was my first go at Indian food and it made me try more. This resturant has american/ soul food also so you can pick and choose what you want off from both countries.
(5)
Lee-Han H.

Nice place. The food is well seasoned, and well cooked. Nothing very pricey. I love curry so this is a really good place to go for authentic curry foods.
(5)
Johnny S.

Great food! Some of the heartiest Indian food I have had, the inside reminds you of a thousand fast food joints in Chicago, but the food is really gourmet and reasonably priced. You can easily split a dish between two people, healthy portions. The somosas are really delicious and refreshing. I had the vegetarian dish and it was great! Not much cajun here, but it is a rajun good time!
(5)
Mini C.

it's the best place for indian food in Hypde park. then of cuz it's also the only place to have indian food. veggie curry is really good. combo is expensive, so I ususally just get a cup of curry and cook my own rice :)
(4)
Elisabeth A.

This little diner provides some much-needed diversity to Hyde Park's restaurant offerings. Yes, the food's not QUITE as good as the stuff you can get on Devon, but it's really very tasty nonetheless. Their butter chicken, peas, chickpeas and fried potatoes are among my favs, and the fact that they also have southern fried chicken for those culinary chickens scared of the South Asian spice is really very cute. While the atmosphere is bit on the decrepid side (those plastic plants really could use some dusting), it's about what you'd expect from a 53rd St. dive.
(4)

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Address : 1459 E 53rd St
Chicago, IL, 60615
Phone (773) 955-1145
Website https://rajunrestaurant.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes

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Rajun Cajun

1459 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL, 60615

Rajun Cajun Menu

Tandoori

Chicken

Dinner Specials

Curry Dishes

Combination Dinner

Side Orders

Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Rajun Cajun

Tandoori

Chicken

Dinner Specials

Curry Dishes

Combination Dinner

Side Orders

Desserts

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