Just ate there with my daughter, the food is ssooooooo good. The flavor meets your mouth, the meats are tender. The teas, soo different, yet so much flavor. The ambience is clam, relaxing, beautiful. I will go back. For those who love good flavorful food.
(5)
Maya Y.
Great service, friendly owner, generous portions!! The restaraunt is clean, great for families or couples. Portions are good and good prices. The food is okay, I will def go back just because everyone is so friendly and accomodating.
(4)
Ajit B.
Looking at the reviews, me and my wife went in. The owner sat us, took our order for drinks (water) and disappeared never to show his face again. We waited for 20 mins and no one showed up with our water or to take our order. I finally decided to leave and at least tell the owner that we did not like the service. No one actually bothered to ask us why we are leaving after waiting patiently for half an hour. Never going there again!!!
(1)
Anna A.
Excellent food every time I have been. They also have buffet on weekends. Nice clean good food. Great kheer.
(5)
Asif F.
Ate here 3 times last week.Loved it. Food was fresh and tasty. Grilled meats were excellent. Service was top shelf. Large portions. Highly recommend trying it out.
(5)
Jeff W.
Had a Groupon that had expired two days ago and called to make sure we could use the coupon for the amount paid, which is Groupon's normal position... you only lose the promotional value. However, the man that answered the phone and RUDELY said he would not honor the coupon claiming Groupon will NEVER give him the money. After that, he hung up on my wife. My wife called back and a woman answered the phone, put my wife ON HOLD and gave the same lame excuse. We are contacting Groupon now to get a REFUND and will NEVER visit this restaurant. We have NEVER had any issues with any GROUPON coupon at several restaurants whether expired or NOT. The fact that the manager did not even want to find any sort of compromise is troubling to say the least.
(1)
Mari S.
I haven't had their lunch buffet yet, but we had our anniversary dinner their and it was amazing! I had butter chicken curry and some appetizer (deep fried vegetables). Can't wait to go again!
(4)
Ari T.
Not a good place for lunch on weekdays. No buffet. Entrees are skewed with no offering for rice or bread at $10.99-14.99. Typically all Indian restaurants atleast offer rice and yogurt. Bread could be extra. Indian Harvest has a much better offering on entrees for the same price. The chicken sheek kabob turned out horrible as it was re-heated. This will be my first and last time with them. Nice interiors though. The owner will need to re-think his strategy.
(1)
Sharad C.
I love their grilled food , their food is good quality and the taste.. Would love to try out their buffet sometime over the weekend. I always went their for a dinner, Loved their tandoori chicken, butter chicken and awesome Veg entrees as well Paneer Makhani..
(4)
Ginny R.
We used a Groupon tonight at Sara's and were very impressed with the food. We had the Grill platter #3 and Chicken Makhni which is Chicken served in a butter curry cream and herbs. We also had 2 orders of the Garlic Naan. The grill platter was good because it gave us a chance to try several different types of chicken and a beef. The Chicken Makhni was awesome especially coupled with the Garlic Naan. It was just as described a buttery curry. Yum! The place has a warm ambiance and we loved our waiter "Rocky." He asked us what we liked and made some great suggestions. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Asra H.
Yummy chicken makhani, naan, grill platter. Plain white rice was salty.
(4)
Seema K.
Food is delicious!! They do a great job packing up the 'to go' food and make sure you have everything you need to go along with the main course. The chicken kabobs are absolutely the BEST i have tasted in any Chicago restaurant! That includes any devon restaurants. The service is great and the restaurant is clean and well decorated. We eat here at least a couple times a month now.
(5)
Radhika K.
This is my first ever yelp review.. i am in so love with Sara ..we had been there twice already in a week... One of our friend introduced this place to us .... Meat here is fanstatic...its cooked to perfection and halwa poori is the best i had in us .... Food portions are generous for the price.. friendly staff and great food !!... Cant wait to go back.. P:S try their mutton karahi! thats the best and the samosa..fresh n crisp..best i had in chicago ...
(5)
Siddhartha A.
Decent food. Nice owner. Doesn't have as many vegetarian options as, say, Chicago Curry House (South Loop). But the quality of the food was about the same, at a lower price.
(3)
Richard T.
It's ok. Good service. But, they seem to forget this and that from our order and even forget to pack all of our left overs, when we got home only to realize 2 of our 3 dishes were not packed, I guess they are still on their kitchen counter... Disappointed!
(3)
Phil N.
Fantastic...Seriously delicious food I had the grill platter #3, samosas, and Shahi Paneer Best samosas we've ever had, and my buddy spent 3 months all over India. Shahi Panner was like a yellow curry/mild peanut sauce type of paneer and again, just delicious and hit the taste buds just right This is how the grill platter #3 went down...The first thing I tried was the beef Gola Kebob. I took a bite and tilted my head back, put my fork down, and gave a holy shit to my buddy. I handed him a piece and we smiled at each other in that knowing way only age old friends can. We immediately called our excellent waiter over and began to rave at him, not to him, but at him...there was enthusiasm and stars in our eyes I won't lie, that first bite damn near ruined the rest of the meal to me because it was so delicious, everything else was pale in comparison, yet still very delicious. I can't say enough about the food, our waiter, or the owner, who spent a few minutes with us enjoying our heartfelt smiles If you like just the right amount of curry, too much ginger, and too much garlic, this is definitely the place you should eat next. (You can ask them to adjust the spicyness to your taste) Every taste bud was fondled with every bite. Typically, I like chicken more than beef, the chicken Gola was delicious, but NOTHING stood out like this beef Gola. I had never had it before, but unless I tragically die before I go here again, I will be eating it many times over If I was gay, I would have proposed to the chef on the spot...hell, I might even anyways! I can't wait to try their weekend lunch buffet, which the waiter highly recommended. Nihari has a special place in my heart, and I'm really excited to try theirs, which is included on their buffet If you go here, you will walk out with a smile and the knowledge you made a great choice
(5)
George K.
First let me say that finding this place. The area that they are located in has multiple layers of shopping and dinning establishments. If you're coming for the first time, it is right next to Houlihans. Staff friendly and we were seated right away. Food was definitely above par than what I had expected. We've been to most of the Indian places in and around Joliet/Naperville area, and if I had to rank them I'd say that this is second to Sher-A-Punjab and miles ahead of places like Masalla.
(5)
Melissa K.
I came here after finding out the owner of my favorite salon had now started a new venture as a restaurant owner. I've always had a love for middle eastern and Indian cuisine so I was eager to try out what Sara's had to offer. I was taken back to say the least. Immediately walking in I took notice to the beautiful detail in the wall coverings and the big picture window that allows you to see the cooks as they are hard at work. I tried the grill platter #3 and can say it was amazing! Everything about the flavors, and the freshness of the food is what makes this the best, and now my favorite, place to enjoy Indian food. The staff was very pleasant, and the atmosphere is one that forces you to sit back, relax and feel like you're right at home at your own table. I look forward to going back and trying some of the other platters and appetizers. Happy eats!
(5)
Twylla S.
This place has a delicious little lunch buffet and also offers carry-out. I'm a fan of the lunch buffet because I like to try a couple of different things instead of committing to just one in carry-out. I liked that not everything on the buffet was spice-less. Now...it's not really "spicy" either but it has a little warmth to it which I appreciate. The staff is very nice!
(4)
Monica B.
My first time having Indian food and was really pleased. We tried their buffet that they have on Sunday which is a good thing for a newbie like me. Got to try a variety of things and everything was real fresh and tasty and just the right amount of spiciness. Will be going back sometime soon for the buffet again. The ambiance is very nice too so 5 stars for a well rounded dining experience.
(5)
Troy S.
We enjoyed it very much. Food and service were great. A little faster with the drinks. All 4 of us enjoyed the appetizers and main course.
(4)
Joann N.
Food was great, but service was definitely lacking.
(4)
Kathryn G.
We went to Sara's Grill after purchasing a Groupon deal. We were pleasantly surprised that they had a lunch buffet which was great and well attended. The wait staff was great despite it being quite busy. We will definitely go again.
(5)
Shahid M.
I loved it, I have been to Sara Grill about 4 times in past 3 months. Food is always fresh, i have tried grill platter, biryani, seekh fry and chicken makhani. Samosas and Kashmir tea are simply the best. Ambiance is great and waiters are welcoming. I guess change of owners has made a big differece!. My 5 stars.
(5)
SS S.
Today was the first time we had been to Sara's. I bought a Groupon coupon for $30 worth of food and wanted to check this place out. We didn't want to go for the buffet but wanted order couple of entry items from their menu. Went for lunch I ordered grilled fish and my son ordered mutton korma. We also ordered Naan to go with our entries. The fish was the best so far I have eaten in a very long time. The marination was very flavorful and tasty with a hint of sourness and a spicyness. I could taste all kinds of indo Pakistani spices in it and it was so moist and cooked to the perfection. My son loves the mutton korma and he had enough to bring home some left overs for later. The Naan was so fluffy and so fresh and surprisingly we did not feel stuffed even after eating stomach full which happens any time we eat Naan in other places. We have already decided to go to Sara's again and order the same two items. We love it. The place is clean and the service is very good. They kept checking on our waters and kept asking few times how everything is. Good service. Will sure go again.
(5)
Carrie B.
For a new ethnic neighborhood restaurant Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine was a refreshing choice. The decor was beautiful, ambiance just perfect after a long day of work. The young man who was our server was quite knowledgeable of the menu and suggested we try a grill plate since we were both ordering chicken and couldn't decide. He felt it gave us a nice sampling of some of the chicken dishes that were offered. We ordered Roti to accompany it. The chicken selections were delicious, the only disappointment was that the bed of onions and green peppers underneath it were overcooked and charred. Everything was served hot. The Jasmine rice was nicely scented with lemon zest and we did not find it to be salty. Our server did let us know that a Groupon special was going on and it was a great deal! We did purchase our Groupon deal when we got home. He also mentioned the buffet to try on the weekends to sample all their delicious foods. Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine is most certainly a place to go for delicious South Asian food and selection, and the dining area is superb!
(4)
Sandi P.
3 of us enjoyed a very tasty dinner here yesterday. We wanted something nontraditional for us Easter dinner....and Sara's really fit the bill. We started with crispy samosas that were very flavorful. They were served with a spicy tamarind sauce. For entrees I chose the tandoori chicken wings - 6 full size wings (had to ask for a knife to split them) that were so delicious. Crispy with a deeply marinated flavor. Husband enjoyed his dish also - tender lamb tiiki masala chunks in a flavorful sauce. It was not red like many masala sauces but brown. daughter opted for the shahi paneer dish. We also ordered basamati rice (extra charge) and garlic naan that was grilled in the tandoor oven and was very good. We has enough left over for another meal (Indian food always tastes great reheated!) Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled often. We will definitely come back again.
(4)
Phil N.
Fantastic...Seriously delicious food I had the grill platter #3, samosas, and Shahi Paneer Best samosas we've ever had, and my buddy spent 3 months all over India. Shahi Panner was like a yellow curry/mild peanut sauce type of paneer and again, just delicious and hit the taste buds just right This is how the grill platter #3 went down...The first thing I tried was the beef Gola Kebob. I took a bite and tilted my head back, put my fork down, and gave a holy shit to my buddy. I handed him a piece and we smiled at each other in that knowing way only age old friends can. We immediately called our excellent waiter over and began to rave at him, not to him, but at him...there was enthusiasm and stars in our eyes I won't lie, that first bite damn near ruined the rest of the meal to me because it was so delicious, everything else was pale in comparison, yet still very delicious. I can't say enough about the food, our waiter, or the owner, who spent a few minutes with us enjoying our heartfelt smiles If you like just the right amount of curry, too much ginger, and too much garlic, this is definitely the place you should eat next. (You can ask them to adjust the spicyness to your taste) Every taste bud was fondled with every bite. Typically, I like chicken more than beef, the chicken Gola was delicious, but NOTHING stood out like this beef Gola. I had never had it before, but unless I tragically die before I go here again, I will be eating it many times over If I was gay, I would have proposed to the chef on the spot...hell, I might even anyways! I can't wait to try their weekend lunch buffet, which the waiter highly recommended. Nihari has a special place in my heart, and I'm really excited to try theirs, which is included on their buffet If you go here, you will walk out with a smile and the knowledge you made a great choice
(5)
George K.
First let me say that finding this place. The area that they are located in has multiple layers of shopping and dinning establishments. If you're coming for the first time, it is right next to Houlihans. Staff friendly and we were seated right away. Food was definitely above par than what I had expected. We've been to most of the Indian places in and around Joliet/Naperville area, and if I had to rank them I'd say that this is second to Sher-A-Punjab and miles ahead of places like Masalla.
(5)
Siddhartha A.
Decent food. Nice owner. Doesn't have as many vegetarian options as, say, Chicago Curry House (South Loop). But the quality of the food was about the same, at a lower price.
(3)
Ali A.
My mom and dad have been coming here ever since the management changed. They come almost weekly and when we are in town we all make sure to come at least once. The owner is amazing and knows everything we like and even customs orders for my kids to lower spice levels. My husband even has asked for foods that are not on the menu and they made it no problem! The fish pakora is a must try and you can't go wrong with the bahari kabob. On cold days we like to have their chai to go. It's like home here but without having to do the dishes!
(5)
Ehm J.
Love this place... been here a few times, service is always great... very affordable too!
(4)
Sara R.
Our experience at Sara's was awesome! My name is Sara and my husband took me to this place as a surprise a couple of weeks after our wedding! Loved the food and the ambiance! Alhamdulillah :)
(5)
Vishesh N.
Food quality was great, portions were good, but service could be improved (they must be temporarily short-staffed). Had the fish pakora (deep fried fish morsels). Very good and perfectly spiced. The mixed grill (chicken, beef kabob, etc) was also quite good. I was impressed by how fresh the grilled items were -- all were piping hot, which is nice to see. Too often Indian restaurants reheat items grilled hours earlier, which leaves meat dry. Not so here. Keep up the good work!
(4)
Mv D.
Not bad! Brunch buffet. Limited items sometimes result in quality over quantity, I found Sara's believes in that philosophy. Real tandoor. One can see food being made, thus eat with peace of mind, knowing how the staff is treating your food. Fresh naan makes all the difference, it comes out piping hot and buttered. Service can be a little slow, but the courteous staff who are willing to please make up for it. Good food though the chicken biriyani had some hard rice either from being undercooked or from drying out from the buffet warmer. I usually don't eat samosa at a buffet, but the fam insisted that I have some. It was flakey and fresh. Salad was fresh. Kheer and halwa were delish. Great ala carte seekh kababs. Great chicken boti, juicy, smokey, not overcooked. The spice/heat level is medium from an Indian person's perspective, but the fragrances and flavors are bold and balanced.
(4)
Dana L.
We have been to Sara's twice now for dine in, and about ten times for carry out...and we couldn't be happier with another Indian place!! The food is superb! While we have tried multiple things, the past few times we've ordered out we find ourselves ordering the same thing because it's just that delicious! We love the chicken makhni (ordered extra spicy), fish pakoras, zeera rice, and the naan. Plenty to share, and between my husband and I we always have left overs for the next day! YUM! The ambiance isn't anything to write home about, but it's in a good location. I've never really been to an Indian place that had great ambiance so this doesn't bother me. That being said, we've always had great service and people have been friendly. Our search for our favorite Indian joint has finally come to an end after several years...we are perfectly happy with Sara's!
(5)
Jeff W.
Had a Groupon that had expired two days ago and called to make sure we could use the coupon for the amount paid, which is Groupon's normal position... you only lose the promotional value. However, the man that answered the phone and RUDELY said he would not honor the coupon claiming Groupon will NEVER give him the money. After that, he hung up on my wife. My wife called back and a woman answered the phone, put my wife ON HOLD and gave the same lame excuse. We are contacting Groupon now to get a REFUND and will NEVER visit this restaurant. We have NEVER had any issues with any GROUPON coupon at several restaurants whether expired or NOT. The fact that the manager did not even want to find any sort of compromise is troubling to say the least.
(1)
Mari S.
I haven't had their lunch buffet yet, but we had our anniversary dinner their and it was amazing! I had butter chicken curry and some appetizer (deep fried vegetables). Can't wait to go again!
(4)
Ari T.
Not a good place for lunch on weekdays. No buffet. Entrees are skewed with no offering for rice or bread at $10.99-14.99. Typically all Indian restaurants atleast offer rice and yogurt. Bread could be extra. Indian Harvest has a much better offering on entrees for the same price. The chicken sheek kabob turned out horrible as it was re-heated. This will be my first and last time with them. Nice interiors though. The owner will need to re-think his strategy.
(1)
Aditya G.
Amazing. Just amazing The best Indian/Pakistani I've had at the most reasonable price.
(5)
Ankur N.
Great food. The naan was amazingly soft. The food was not oily at all. Dal with all that fresh coriander (not cilantro) and garlic was amazing. The only issue is that they should update their website. The first page of menu on the website misinforms regarding the free appetizer thing.
(4)
Hadeel N.
My family and I were here to celebrate my moms birthday and the food was amazing! We all split the Chicken Makhni, chicken 65, a grill platter, the frontier rice, naan, and chicken biryani and everything was so good! The chicken 65 was my absolute favorite! We will definitely be going back! Service was also very good! Our waiter answered all of our questions and made some great suggestions!
(5)
Asim S.
This place is a good change from the usual Devon fare. Food is fresh, so it does take time, but well worth it. Chappli kabob and seekh kabobs on point. Karachi gosht filled with plenty of good boti pieces and not flooded in oil, fresh naans. I will definitely come here again. It's a bit of a drive from the city, but well worth going to that bubble of town called Naper-thrill
(4)
Roneel S.
The place is clean, and the lunch buffet was really tasty. Normally I stay away from buffet for the fear of mediocre food, and I had hesitations when we went here. The food was a little spicy for my taste, but tasty regardless. The staffs are good and friendly. The reasons I took a star off is because they did not have good dessert, and the Biryani could have used Raita in the buffet. The staff was nice to bring us a bowl of raita when we asked, but it did not meet the expectation.
(4)
Hira H.
Sara's is a true gem when it comes to Pakistani/Indian cuisine. To get food like this outside of the city/Devon is simply a blessing! I've had their Iftar buffet, and their suhoor buffet, during Ramadan and both were chock full of delicious options. Outside of Ramadan, I ordered food for takeaway today from their regular menu. I ordered their Grill Platter #1, which included lamb chops, grilled fish, skewers of chicken shashlik, and Bihari kababs. Now, usually when I order a mixed platter, I only expect 1/2 or 2/3 of the platter to be good - not all components are usually good. So imagine my surprise when each of the aforementioned components was cooked to perfection! I especially loved the chops, the shashlik and the fish. In addition to the platter, I ordered the Karahi Gosht (mutton/lamb), and it was absolutely delicious - the curry was nice and rich, and just the right blend of spices without being overtly spicy or heavy. There was plenty of meat in the curry, and all of it was tender and scrumptious! The naan was warm and soft, and packaged well for the takeout, I imagine it tastes even better in house (it did when I went for the buffet). Lastly, the imli chutney was good, but perhaps needs to be slightly less sweet. The mint-cilantro yogurt chutney was just pure perfection. They also packed a salad and some white rice, which I was not expecting so again I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, Sara's food has yet to disappoint me. Far from disappointing, their food is always satisfying and excellent, and their portions are pretty good. Also, their management is really sweet and quite accommodating. I would most certainly recommend this desi place to anyone who is looking for good Pakistani/Indian food in the Aurora/Naperville area.
(5)
Angie E.
This place is PERFECT. I will add a more detailed description later but they have an excellent buffet- some of the best butter chicken I've had- plenty of other high quality items and flavor is spot on- and they have unlimited yummy chai at the buffet times! Can't ask for more! And all halal!!! Support Muslim-owned businesses! Hands down the ONLY place I will go to for Indian food ever again! Ps- their service is excellent!!!! I was shocked and amazed at how patient they were when my friends and I brought kids and they didn't seem to mind at all with how loud and messy they got :/!! They give service with a smile and very attentive. Love this place
(5)
Gops P.
Even after all this new Indian resuturants and fine dine opend in area no one could beat Sara's Biryani , samosa and kheer still the best. Owner is a true business man always greets you with smile and makes you feel you are a repeating customer and he admires it.
(4)
Eva V.
I feel like this review should be 2 part. The first part is food. Everything I've tried so far is good, and I loved their chicken tikka! The second is service and value. This is where this place fails to meet expectations. The service is painfully slow. Both times I've been there (lunch and dinner), they've only had one person working the entire front part of the restaurant. The lunch buffet is laughable with only 3/4 good dishes. And they don't always honor specials listed on their website! All this being said, I hope they can turn this place around because it has potential.
(2)
Marie D.
A very good introduction to Indian/Pakistani cuisine. They will work with you in adjusting the heat level in their food. My two year old daughter devoured the shami kebabs! My 13 year old son and I shared the chicken malai, mutton qorma, plain basmati rice and roti/chapati. We had plenty of leftovers! In fact, my parents came over the following day and tried the mutton qorma and chicken malai and absolutely loved it! The restaurant is good if you have a big group and are very tolerant of toddlers and young children. A major plus in my book! So step out of your comfort zone and try something new! You will not regret it!!
(5)
Luc R.
We have been here several times so we decided to use them for a party we were hosting. Even in large portions the quality did not suffer and it was ready right on time. The portions were so large we had to pack to go containers for everyone. Would use them again for sure.
(4)
Keerti N.
NEVER EVER AGAIN. First of all we were the only 2 having a lunch in that place. Secondly, the waiter says he has no flexibility in order. The food was stale. The biryani was from the previous days. Sorry guys, delaying our order by 20 minutes does not give a impression that the food is made fresh. Why did they take 20 minutes to microwave the previous days food? The chicken side was so stale that I developed a bad stomach. I never had a chicken dish that stinks so bad. When we pointed this out, the restaurant manager asked us what is wrong. Either he does not know what a good food is or he is badly paid. Go if you want to test yourself.
(1)
Amanda D.
Ordered take our from here with the yelp check in offer. The woman working was friendly enough. I got my food home (having a family gathering with 8 adults and 2 kids) and we had ordered 6 entrees, 4 naan, an onion kulchi and a side of rice. Well the rice we got was tiny, I was initially a little annoyed since the menu said it cost $8 but when I looked at the receipt they charged me for a small (which was only $4) but I'm not sure why they didn't clarify small versus large when I placed the order considering we ordered so much food. In either case, the food was very good and I had no other complaints. Just make sure to specify your rice size!
(4)
Jonathan C.
This place is awesome! Its Pakistani food, The people work that are very nice! The food is always great. The only thing I dont know is that you have to pay extra for naan and rice.
(4)
Shreya R.
Excellent lunch Buffett. Although the items on the lunch buffet were limited, I rather have the limited items because everything on the buffet lunch was amazing! The food tasted fresh and the flavors were spot on. I was pleased and excited to see Chole, puri and halwa and the poori was bought hot and fresh on the table. Chicken boti, biryani and chicken makhani was spot on!! And before I thought it could not get any better - we ate the KHEER... Best Kheer in town! Great place, will definitely visit again for their dinner menu
(4)
Pratik S.
Is my goto place for Neehari, Goat curries as well as lamb curries. Their butter chicken is a kid favorite and so was the tandoori wings that they used to have. Sujat the owner takes good care of the restaurant along with his family and is eager to hear about customer concerns as well as compliments.
(4)
Anonymous F.
It's so nice to live in the burbs and be able to get good pakistani/indian cuisine without having to drive an hour to the city (devon). Sara's is awesome, and the place is not too shabby. Very nicely decorated, spacious, well lit, looks new, great presentations and amazng buffet set up.
(5)
Daniel A.
Such an amazing place! The pays are succulent, the haleem is fabulous, and my wife says that the kheer is the best she has EVER had (and she has eaten kheer everywhere). This place is amazing. We wish we lived in Chicago, we would come here every other week!
(5)
Kika W.
This was my second time coming here. And again, they don't fail me! I ordered to go this time and specifically asked for a very spicy goat biryani. It was spot on...got me sweatin' and tasty at the same time. Didn't give me fire on my tongue (yet) but it was spicy/hot enough. They take it seriously what you asked for, and that deserve stars. Food/Service They use fresh ingredients and that's important for indian/pakistani foods. Haven't try the buffet yet, can't comment on that. They have (fluent) English speaking waiters...yay...also, the restaurant is clean and bright inside... Overall, it's a good addition/variety for the neighborhood's palate.
(4)
Lucy C.
I came to Sara's to meet a friend for lunch on a random Friday. I felt a little bad because my friend was very tardy but the staff graciously served me water as I read a book and never once questioned whether my friend would actually show up. We ordered samosas, chicken makhni, shahi paneer, and an order of naan. The samosas were heavenly and one order of naan was enough for us to share. The entrees were both delicious and definitely hit the spot. The portions were just right for both of us to be sliiiightly over comfortably full but not stuffed or unhappy by any means. Rice was not given as a side, but our waiter brought us a bowl when we asked. The manager also came by after the meal with two small bowls of dessert samples for us. Yum! I was a little disappointed that there were no weekday lunch specials when we went. The manager said that they would be adding those soon, but I haven't been back to see those. I have heard great things about their weekend lunch buffet but have yet to try that out. I haven't quite figured out how I feel about stuffing my face with curries in the AM.
(4)
Sumit A.
We were a group of 5 friends who arrived at the restaurant little after 10 pm on a sunday night and the restaurant kitchen had got closed.However the folks at the restaurant were very sweet and they did offered us the food with great warmth and hospitality.The Food was amazing and hospitality offered by the staff was simply amazing.I would definitely recommend this place to one and all for authentic food
(5)
Apara W.
They have a fairly decent Indian vegetarian selection. I have done take away and dine in a few times. Dal and Paneer, along with nan have been consistent with quality. Good option if you are craving Indian.
(4)
Omer A.
Authentic pakistani food, quality atmosphere, with a knowledge of how to do business in Naperville
(5)
Sunil S.
Tried their mutton briyani and beef nihari both are excellent. I carry out food many times from this place. I do agree with the reviewer that the service sucks here so I would not recommend for a dine-in. My advise order 20 min before and just stop by to take it out... Good - Briyani, Kabob, nihari and buffet Bad - Slow service, Make sure you ask right spice level.
(4)
Anonymous U.
Our entire family loves Sara's, even the pickiest little eaters! All the entrees we have tried are full of fresh ingredients and flavorful, the restaurant is clean, and the staff are very welcoming. They are courteous, responsive, and they actually smile, qualities that are sorely lacking at most other Indo/Pak restaurants in the Chicago area. It's one of the few Chicago area desi restaurants where you can actually walk out feeling like you just had a good dining out experience. We live more or less equidistant from Sara's and Shahi Nihari's Villa Park location, and our entire family always prefers Sara's over Shahi Nihari! Sara's food, service, and ambience are all far superior to Shahi Nihari--there's no comparison!
(5)
Z T.
The place is clean and thats the only reason I am giving them 2 stars. A friend introduced me to their samosas and I had liked it then and thought about trying a few other things. But I was highly disappointed by their service. Very slow service. and even the food was not worth the wait! At one time I ordered their Chicken makhni ....it was just chicken dipped in cream!! No taste at all and you feel you have just swallowed a bowl of heavy whipping cream... And at other time I had ordered their Chicken malai as recommended by someone who took my order at the desk (I think it was the owner). It was a to go order. When i opened the box at home it was clearly undercooked! I literally had to broil it in my oven before we could eat it. And they had taken good 45 minutes to make my order despite the fact that there was hardly any customer at 1 pm on a working day in their restaurant!! Come on, man! If you are charging so much you better ensure your food is cooked and has some taste. For me this place has really disappointed me. There are much better options available in and around Naperville area. Thanks but no thanks, Sara's Grill!
(2)
M B.
Best Indian/Pakistani food I've had (outside of home) is a really long time. We had a big group and shared a bunch of dishes and appetizers. There isn't anything I wouldn't recommend - all excellent! The top of the list would be the fish pakoras, butter chicken, okra, and #1 and #3 grill platters, but I would gladly have any of the items we ordered again. We will definitely be back and even thought its little bit of a hike (20 min) from us, this will definitely be our go to place from now on.
(5)
S M.
good food and ambience. A bit pricey ( and hence not 5 star) Loved the tea, kheer and halwa puri.
(4)
Shishir S.
There is no dearth of Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the Naperville area or Chicagoland for that matter BUT most of the places (and I have been to a lot of 'em..) end up serving the same stuff, made pretty much the same way, served in the same manner.. There is a bored element to how they approach their cooking.. Same gravy/curry.. Same masalas and so on.. Sara's is a breath of fresh air compared to all this rampant monotony and near-death boredom.. They don't overwhelm you with an unending menu or their weekend buffet spread for that matter.. The waiters here aren't struggling to hold a conversation in English and are in fact a good mix of knowledge and courtesy and give you enough space to enjoy the meal in peace. Their cooking is authentic and the spices are perfectly balanced to make sure each item tastes the way it is supposed to.. No hurried up job, no wannabe chic-ness either.. Just a tasteful place to enjoy a good meal :)
(5)
Distinguished T.
One of the better Pakistani/Indian restaurants in the area. Little on the oily side, but that's just how the cuisine is. I go there for the weekend brunch. The lassi is great and has to be ordered separately. Good customer service.
(4)
Julie C.
Spouse and I SO happy to have come across this fabulous find! Now we never have to travel to the big city for authentic cuisine! The fragrance and aroma of the food is only surpassed by its deliciousness! Cannot wait to share this restaurant with all our friends and family..
(5)
Rachanee S.
I've been here so many times since they've open. So many, because the food is very good. It's our go to restaurant when we want to eat in the area instead of going downtown. We bring friends here and have gotten take-out again, many times. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because there's room for improvement. There chai is straight up horrible, go figure. Wish they had a better dessert menu to. Finally, service NEEDS improvement. If you want a knife, you have to ask. No problem, I'm glad to ask. But I need a person there to ask. I've never ever encountered rudeness. As many times as I've been here, the wait staff consistently disappears. :-(
(4)
Dan C.
Went here on a friend's recommendation. So glad I did. Ordered veggie samosas, veggie rice, naan, chana masala, and hara bhara chicken. The food was amazing! Service was awesome and the environment was great (cute place) as well. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Bea B.
Tasty meal. I had lunch there on a weekday and got a Paneer dish with peas and basmati rice on the side. Not too heavy and tasted high quality. The decor is nice inside and comfortable with a good amount of booths and tables. It was dead in there in a Tuesday during the lunch hour rush. I do plan to go back soon. One notes though is that the 'waitress/hostess' was not too welcoming. She was not rude by any means....just indifferent. She came over like 3 times in the first 10 minutes were were there to take our order (yes I know there is only one other occupied table there and you need something to do)....but I wanted to catch up with my friend a little before looking at the menu. Then when we were ready to order, she didn't really seem interested in giving any menu ideas. The interaction with her was just 'off'. It seems like she wanted to just seat us and take our order, but not have to interact with us and answer questions about the menu. The owner (or someone with management) kept coming in and out of the front door area talking really loud on her cell phone and then walking through the restaurant talking really loud on the cell phone. She did a few times during our meal...not just once. So that was rude behavior. Food good....staff/management a bit 'off'.
(4)
Richard T.
It's ok. Good service. But, they seem to forget this and that from our order and even forget to pack all of our left overs, when we got home only to realize 2 of our 3 dishes were not packed, I guess they are still on their kitchen counter... Disappointed!
(3)
Ajit B.
Looking at the reviews, me and my wife went in. The owner sat us, took our order for drinks (water) and disappeared never to show his face again. We waited for 20 mins and no one showed up with our water or to take our order. I finally decided to leave and at least tell the owner that we did not like the service. No one actually bothered to ask us why we are leaving after waiting patiently for half an hour. Never going there again!!!
(1)
Ginny R.
We used a Groupon tonight at Sara's and were very impressed with the food. We had the Grill platter #3 and Chicken Makhni which is Chicken served in a butter curry cream and herbs. We also had 2 orders of the Garlic Naan. The grill platter was good because it gave us a chance to try several different types of chicken and a beef. The Chicken Makhni was awesome especially coupled with the Garlic Naan. It was just as described a buttery curry. Yum! The place has a warm ambiance and we loved our waiter "Rocky." He asked us what we liked and made some great suggestions. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Asra H.
Yummy chicken makhani, naan, grill platter. Plain white rice was salty.
(4)
Anonymous F.
It's so nice to live in the burbs and be able to get good pakistani/indian cuisine without having to drive an hour to the city (devon). Sara's is awesome, and the place is not too shabby. Very nicely decorated, spacious, well lit, looks new, great presentations and amazng buffet set up.
(5)
Daniel A.
Such an amazing place! The pays are succulent, the haleem is fabulous, and my wife says that the kheer is the best she has EVER had (and she has eaten kheer everywhere). This place is amazing. We wish we lived in Chicago, we would come here every other week!
(5)
Sara R.
Our experience at Sara's was awesome! My name is Sara and my husband took me to this place as a surprise a couple of weeks after our wedding! Loved the food and the ambiance! Alhamdulillah :)
(5)
Hira H.
Sara's is a true gem when it comes to Pakistani/Indian cuisine. To get food like this outside of the city/Devon is simply a blessing! I've had their Iftar buffet, and their suhoor buffet, during Ramadan and both were chock full of delicious options. Outside of Ramadan, I ordered food for takeaway today from their regular menu. I ordered their Grill Platter #1, which included lamb chops, grilled fish, skewers of chicken shashlik, and Bihari kababs. Now, usually when I order a mixed platter, I only expect 1/2 or 2/3 of the platter to be good - not all components are usually good. So imagine my surprise when each of the aforementioned components was cooked to perfection! I especially loved the chops, the shashlik and the fish. In addition to the platter, I ordered the Karahi Gosht (mutton/lamb), and it was absolutely delicious - the curry was nice and rich, and just the right blend of spices without being overtly spicy or heavy. There was plenty of meat in the curry, and all of it was tender and scrumptious! The naan was warm and soft, and packaged well for the takeout, I imagine it tastes even better in house (it did when I went for the buffet). Lastly, the imli chutney was good, but perhaps needs to be slightly less sweet. The mint-cilantro yogurt chutney was just pure perfection. They also packed a salad and some white rice, which I was not expecting so again I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, Sara's food has yet to disappoint me. Far from disappointing, their food is always satisfying and excellent, and their portions are pretty good. Also, their management is really sweet and quite accommodating. I would most certainly recommend this desi place to anyone who is looking for good Pakistani/Indian food in the Aurora/Naperville area.
(5)
Angie E.
This place is PERFECT. I will add a more detailed description later but they have an excellent buffet- some of the best butter chicken I've had- plenty of other high quality items and flavor is spot on- and they have unlimited yummy chai at the buffet times! Can't ask for more! And all halal!!! Support Muslim-owned businesses! Hands down the ONLY place I will go to for Indian food ever again! Ps- their service is excellent!!!! I was shocked and amazed at how patient they were when my friends and I brought kids and they didn't seem to mind at all with how loud and messy they got :/!! They give service with a smile and very attentive. Love this place
(5)
Gops P.
Even after all this new Indian resuturants and fine dine opend in area no one could beat Sara's Biryani , samosa and kheer still the best. Owner is a true business man always greets you with smile and makes you feel you are a repeating customer and he admires it.
(4)
Eva V.
I feel like this review should be 2 part. The first part is food. Everything I've tried so far is good, and I loved their chicken tikka! The second is service and value. This is where this place fails to meet expectations. The service is painfully slow. Both times I've been there (lunch and dinner), they've only had one person working the entire front part of the restaurant. The lunch buffet is laughable with only 3/4 good dishes. And they don't always honor specials listed on their website! All this being said, I hope they can turn this place around because it has potential.
(2)
Hadeel N.
My family and I were here to celebrate my moms birthday and the food was amazing! We all split the Chicken Makhni, chicken 65, a grill platter, the frontier rice, naan, and chicken biryani and everything was so good! The chicken 65 was my absolute favorite! We will definitely be going back! Service was also very good! Our waiter answered all of our questions and made some great suggestions!
(5)
Asim S.
This place is a good change from the usual Devon fare. Food is fresh, so it does take time, but well worth it. Chappli kabob and seekh kabobs on point. Karachi gosht filled with plenty of good boti pieces and not flooded in oil, fresh naans. I will definitely come here again. It's a bit of a drive from the city, but well worth going to that bubble of town called Naper-thrill
(4)
Aditya G.
Amazing. Just amazing The best Indian/Pakistani I've had at the most reasonable price.
(5)
Ankur N.
Great food. The naan was amazingly soft. The food was not oily at all. Dal with all that fresh coriander (not cilantro) and garlic was amazing. The only issue is that they should update their website. The first page of menu on the website misinforms regarding the free appetizer thing.
(4)
Roneel S.
The place is clean, and the lunch buffet was really tasty. Normally I stay away from buffet for the fear of mediocre food, and I had hesitations when we went here. The food was a little spicy for my taste, but tasty regardless. The staffs are good and friendly. The reasons I took a star off is because they did not have good dessert, and the Biryani could have used Raita in the buffet. The staff was nice to bring us a bowl of raita when we asked, but it did not meet the expectation.
(4)
Marie D.
A very good introduction to Indian/Pakistani cuisine. They will work with you in adjusting the heat level in their food. My two year old daughter devoured the shami kebabs! My 13 year old son and I shared the chicken malai, mutton qorma, plain basmati rice and roti/chapati. We had plenty of leftovers! In fact, my parents came over the following day and tried the mutton qorma and chicken malai and absolutely loved it! The restaurant is good if you have a big group and are very tolerant of toddlers and young children. A major plus in my book! So step out of your comfort zone and try something new! You will not regret it!!
(5)
Luc R.
We have been here several times so we decided to use them for a party we were hosting. Even in large portions the quality did not suffer and it was ready right on time. The portions were so large we had to pack to go containers for everyone. Would use them again for sure.
(4)
Keerti N.
NEVER EVER AGAIN. First of all we were the only 2 having a lunch in that place. Secondly, the waiter says he has no flexibility in order. The food was stale. The biryani was from the previous days. Sorry guys, delaying our order by 20 minutes does not give a impression that the food is made fresh. Why did they take 20 minutes to microwave the previous days food? The chicken side was so stale that I developed a bad stomach. I never had a chicken dish that stinks so bad. When we pointed this out, the restaurant manager asked us what is wrong. Either he does not know what a good food is or he is badly paid. Go if you want to test yourself.
(1)
Amanda D.
Ordered take our from here with the yelp check in offer. The woman working was friendly enough. I got my food home (having a family gathering with 8 adults and 2 kids) and we had ordered 6 entrees, 4 naan, an onion kulchi and a side of rice. Well the rice we got was tiny, I was initially a little annoyed since the menu said it cost $8 but when I looked at the receipt they charged me for a small (which was only $4) but I'm not sure why they didn't clarify small versus large when I placed the order considering we ordered so much food. In either case, the food was very good and I had no other complaints. Just make sure to specify your rice size!
(4)
Jonathan C.
This place is awesome! Its Pakistani food, The people work that are very nice! The food is always great. The only thing I dont know is that you have to pay extra for naan and rice.
(4)
Shreya R.
Excellent lunch Buffett. Although the items on the lunch buffet were limited, I rather have the limited items because everything on the buffet lunch was amazing! The food tasted fresh and the flavors were spot on. I was pleased and excited to see Chole, puri and halwa and the poori was bought hot and fresh on the table. Chicken boti, biryani and chicken makhani was spot on!! And before I thought it could not get any better - we ate the KHEER... Best Kheer in town! Great place, will definitely visit again for their dinner menu
(4)
Pratik S.
Is my goto place for Neehari, Goat curries as well as lamb curries. Their butter chicken is a kid favorite and so was the tandoori wings that they used to have. Sujat the owner takes good care of the restaurant along with his family and is eager to hear about customer concerns as well as compliments.
(4)
Anonymous U.
Our entire family loves Sara's, even the pickiest little eaters! All the entrees we have tried are full of fresh ingredients and flavorful, the restaurant is clean, and the staff are very welcoming. They are courteous, responsive, and they actually smile, qualities that are sorely lacking at most other Indo/Pak restaurants in the Chicago area. It's one of the few Chicago area desi restaurants where you can actually walk out feeling like you just had a good dining out experience. We live more or less equidistant from Sara's and Shahi Nihari's Villa Park location, and our entire family always prefers Sara's over Shahi Nihari! Sara's food, service, and ambience are all far superior to Shahi Nihari--there's no comparison!
(5)
Z T.
The place is clean and thats the only reason I am giving them 2 stars. A friend introduced me to their samosas and I had liked it then and thought about trying a few other things. But I was highly disappointed by their service. Very slow service. and even the food was not worth the wait! At one time I ordered their Chicken makhni ....it was just chicken dipped in cream!! No taste at all and you feel you have just swallowed a bowl of heavy whipping cream... And at other time I had ordered their Chicken malai as recommended by someone who took my order at the desk (I think it was the owner). It was a to go order. When i opened the box at home it was clearly undercooked! I literally had to broil it in my oven before we could eat it. And they had taken good 45 minutes to make my order despite the fact that there was hardly any customer at 1 pm on a working day in their restaurant!! Come on, man! If you are charging so much you better ensure your food is cooked and has some taste. For me this place has really disappointed me. There are much better options available in and around Naperville area. Thanks but no thanks, Sara's Grill!
(2)
M B.
Best Indian/Pakistani food I've had (outside of home) is a really long time. We had a big group and shared a bunch of dishes and appetizers. There isn't anything I wouldn't recommend - all excellent! The top of the list would be the fish pakoras, butter chicken, okra, and #1 and #3 grill platters, but I would gladly have any of the items we ordered again. We will definitely be back and even thought its little bit of a hike (20 min) from us, this will definitely be our go to place from now on.
(5)
S M.
good food and ambience. A bit pricey ( and hence not 5 star) Loved the tea, kheer and halwa puri.
(4)
Vishesh N.
Food quality was great, portions were good, but service could be improved (they must be temporarily short-staffed). Had the fish pakora (deep fried fish morsels). Very good and perfectly spiced. The mixed grill (chicken, beef kabob, etc) was also quite good. I was impressed by how fresh the grilled items were -- all were piping hot, which is nice to see. Too often Indian restaurants reheat items grilled hours earlier, which leaves meat dry. Not so here. Keep up the good work!
(4)
Dana L.
We have been to Sara's twice now for dine in, and about ten times for carry out...and we couldn't be happier with another Indian place!! The food is superb! While we have tried multiple things, the past few times we've ordered out we find ourselves ordering the same thing because it's just that delicious! We love the chicken makhni (ordered extra spicy), fish pakoras, zeera rice, and the naan. Plenty to share, and between my husband and I we always have left overs for the next day! YUM! The ambiance isn't anything to write home about, but it's in a good location. I've never really been to an Indian place that had great ambiance so this doesn't bother me. That being said, we've always had great service and people have been friendly. Our search for our favorite Indian joint has finally come to an end after several years...we are perfectly happy with Sara's!
(5)
Lucy C.
I came to Sara's to meet a friend for lunch on a random Friday. I felt a little bad because my friend was very tardy but the staff graciously served me water as I read a book and never once questioned whether my friend would actually show up. We ordered samosas, chicken makhni, shahi paneer, and an order of naan. The samosas were heavenly and one order of naan was enough for us to share. The entrees were both delicious and definitely hit the spot. The portions were just right for both of us to be sliiiightly over comfortably full but not stuffed or unhappy by any means. Rice was not given as a side, but our waiter brought us a bowl when we asked. The manager also came by after the meal with two small bowls of dessert samples for us. Yum! I was a little disappointed that there were no weekday lunch specials when we went. The manager said that they would be adding those soon, but I haven't been back to see those. I have heard great things about their weekend lunch buffet but have yet to try that out. I haven't quite figured out how I feel about stuffing my face with curries in the AM.
(4)
Sharad C.
I love their grilled food , their food is good quality and the taste.. Would love to try out their buffet sometime over the weekend. I always went their for a dinner, Loved their tandoori chicken, butter chicken and awesome Veg entrees as well Paneer Makhani..
(4)
Anna A.
Excellent food every time I have been. They also have buffet on weekends. Nice clean good food. Great kheer.
(5)
Radhika K.
This is my first ever yelp review.. i am in so love with Sara ..we had been there twice already in a week... One of our friend introduced this place to us .... Meat here is fanstatic...its cooked to perfection and halwa poori is the best i had in us .... Food portions are generous for the price.. friendly staff and great food !!... Cant wait to go back.. P:S try their mutton karahi! thats the best and the samosa..fresh n crisp..best i had in chicago ...
(5)
Melissa K.
I came here after finding out the owner of my favorite salon had now started a new venture as a restaurant owner. I've always had a love for middle eastern and Indian cuisine so I was eager to try out what Sara's had to offer. I was taken back to say the least. Immediately walking in I took notice to the beautiful detail in the wall coverings and the big picture window that allows you to see the cooks as they are hard at work. I tried the grill platter #3 and can say it was amazing! Everything about the flavors, and the freshness of the food is what makes this the best, and now my favorite, place to enjoy Indian food. The staff was very pleasant, and the atmosphere is one that forces you to sit back, relax and feel like you're right at home at your own table. I look forward to going back and trying some of the other platters and appetizers. Happy eats!
(5)
Twylla S.
This place has a delicious little lunch buffet and also offers carry-out. I'm a fan of the lunch buffet because I like to try a couple of different things instead of committing to just one in carry-out. I liked that not everything on the buffet was spice-less. Now...it's not really "spicy" either but it has a little warmth to it which I appreciate. The staff is very nice!
(4)
Monica B.
My first time having Indian food and was really pleased. We tried their buffet that they have on Sunday which is a good thing for a newbie like me. Got to try a variety of things and everything was real fresh and tasty and just the right amount of spiciness. Will be going back sometime soon for the buffet again. The ambiance is very nice too so 5 stars for a well rounded dining experience.
(5)
Troy S.
We enjoyed it very much. Food and service were great. A little faster with the drinks. All 4 of us enjoyed the appetizers and main course.
(4)
Joann N.
Food was great, but service was definitely lacking.
(4)
Kathryn G.
We went to Sara's Grill after purchasing a Groupon deal. We were pleasantly surprised that they had a lunch buffet which was great and well attended. The wait staff was great despite it being quite busy. We will definitely go again.
(5)
Shahid M.
I loved it, I have been to Sara Grill about 4 times in past 3 months. Food is always fresh, i have tried grill platter, biryani, seekh fry and chicken makhani. Samosas and Kashmir tea are simply the best. Ambiance is great and waiters are welcoming. I guess change of owners has made a big differece!. My 5 stars.
(5)
Priscilla M.
Just ate there with my daughter, the food is ssooooooo good. The flavor meets your mouth, the meats are tender. The teas, soo different, yet so much flavor. The ambience is clam, relaxing, beautiful. I will go back. For those who love good flavorful food.
(5)
Maya Y.
Great service, friendly owner, generous portions!! The restaraunt is clean, great for families or couples. Portions are good and good prices. The food is okay, I will def go back just because everyone is so friendly and accomodating.
(4)
Seema K.
Food is delicious!! They do a great job packing up the 'to go' food and make sure you have everything you need to go along with the main course. The chicken kabobs are absolutely the BEST i have tasted in any Chicago restaurant! That includes any devon restaurants. The service is great and the restaurant is clean and well decorated. We eat here at least a couple times a month now.
(5)
Asif F.
Ate here 3 times last week.Loved it. Food was fresh and tasty. Grilled meats were excellent. Service was top shelf. Large portions. Highly recommend trying it out.
(5)
SS S.
Today was the first time we had been to Sara's. I bought a Groupon coupon for $30 worth of food and wanted to check this place out. We didn't want to go for the buffet but wanted order couple of entry items from their menu. Went for lunch I ordered grilled fish and my son ordered mutton korma. We also ordered Naan to go with our entries. The fish was the best so far I have eaten in a very long time. The marination was very flavorful and tasty with a hint of sourness and a spicyness. I could taste all kinds of indo Pakistani spices in it and it was so moist and cooked to the perfection. My son loves the mutton korma and he had enough to bring home some left overs for later. The Naan was so fluffy and so fresh and surprisingly we did not feel stuffed even after eating stomach full which happens any time we eat Naan in other places. We have already decided to go to Sara's again and order the same two items. We love it. The place is clean and the service is very good. They kept checking on our waters and kept asking few times how everything is. Good service. Will sure go again.
(5)
Carrie B.
For a new ethnic neighborhood restaurant Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine was a refreshing choice. The decor was beautiful, ambiance just perfect after a long day of work. The young man who was our server was quite knowledgeable of the menu and suggested we try a grill plate since we were both ordering chicken and couldn't decide. He felt it gave us a nice sampling of some of the chicken dishes that were offered. We ordered Roti to accompany it. The chicken selections were delicious, the only disappointment was that the bed of onions and green peppers underneath it were overcooked and charred. Everything was served hot. The Jasmine rice was nicely scented with lemon zest and we did not find it to be salty. Our server did let us know that a Groupon special was going on and it was a great deal! We did purchase our Groupon deal when we got home. He also mentioned the buffet to try on the weekends to sample all their delicious foods. Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine is most certainly a place to go for delicious South Asian food and selection, and the dining area is superb!
(4)
Sumit A.
We were a group of 5 friends who arrived at the restaurant little after 10 pm on a sunday night and the restaurant kitchen had got closed.However the folks at the restaurant were very sweet and they did offered us the food with great warmth and hospitality.The Food was amazing and hospitality offered by the staff was simply amazing.I would definitely recommend this place to one and all for authentic food
(5)
Apara W.
They have a fairly decent Indian vegetarian selection. I have done take away and dine in a few times. Dal and Paneer, along with nan have been consistent with quality. Good option if you are craving Indian.
(4)
Omer A.
Authentic pakistani food, quality atmosphere, with a knowledge of how to do business in Naperville
(5)
Sunil S.
Tried their mutton briyani and beef nihari both are excellent. I carry out food many times from this place. I do agree with the reviewer that the service sucks here so I would not recommend for a dine-in. My advise order 20 min before and just stop by to take it out... Good - Briyani, Kabob, nihari and buffet Bad - Slow service, Make sure you ask right spice level.
(4)
Kika W.
This was my second time coming here. And again, they don't fail me! I ordered to go this time and specifically asked for a very spicy goat biryani. It was spot on...got me sweatin' and tasty at the same time. Didn't give me fire on my tongue (yet) but it was spicy/hot enough. They take it seriously what you asked for, and that deserve stars. Food/Service They use fresh ingredients and that's important for indian/pakistani foods. Haven't try the buffet yet, can't comment on that. They have (fluent) English speaking waiters...yay...also, the restaurant is clean and bright inside... Overall, it's a good addition/variety for the neighborhood's palate.
(4)
Ali A.
My mom and dad have been coming here ever since the management changed. They come almost weekly and when we are in town we all make sure to come at least once. The owner is amazing and knows everything we like and even customs orders for my kids to lower spice levels. My husband even has asked for foods that are not on the menu and they made it no problem! The fish pakora is a must try and you can't go wrong with the bahari kabob. On cold days we like to have their chai to go. It's like home here but without having to do the dishes!
(5)
Ehm J.
Love this place... been here a few times, service is always great... very affordable too!
(4)
Mv D.
Not bad! Brunch buffet. Limited items sometimes result in quality over quantity, I found Sara's believes in that philosophy. Real tandoor. One can see food being made, thus eat with peace of mind, knowing how the staff is treating your food. Fresh naan makes all the difference, it comes out piping hot and buttered. Service can be a little slow, but the courteous staff who are willing to please make up for it. Good food though the chicken biriyani had some hard rice either from being undercooked or from drying out from the buffet warmer. I usually don't eat samosa at a buffet, but the fam insisted that I have some. It was flakey and fresh. Salad was fresh. Kheer and halwa were delish. Great ala carte seekh kababs. Great chicken boti, juicy, smokey, not overcooked. The spice/heat level is medium from an Indian person's perspective, but the fragrances and flavors are bold and balanced.
(4)
Shishir S.
There is no dearth of Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the Naperville area or Chicagoland for that matter BUT most of the places (and I have been to a lot of 'em..) end up serving the same stuff, made pretty much the same way, served in the same manner.. There is a bored element to how they approach their cooking.. Same gravy/curry.. Same masalas and so on.. Sara's is a breath of fresh air compared to all this rampant monotony and near-death boredom.. They don't overwhelm you with an unending menu or their weekend buffet spread for that matter.. The waiters here aren't struggling to hold a conversation in English and are in fact a good mix of knowledge and courtesy and give you enough space to enjoy the meal in peace. Their cooking is authentic and the spices are perfectly balanced to make sure each item tastes the way it is supposed to.. No hurried up job, no wannabe chic-ness either.. Just a tasteful place to enjoy a good meal :)
(5)
Distinguished T.
One of the better Pakistani/Indian restaurants in the area. Little on the oily side, but that's just how the cuisine is. I go there for the weekend brunch. The lassi is great and has to be ordered separately. Good customer service.
(4)
Julie C.
Spouse and I SO happy to have come across this fabulous find! Now we never have to travel to the big city for authentic cuisine! The fragrance and aroma of the food is only surpassed by its deliciousness! Cannot wait to share this restaurant with all our friends and family..
(5)
Rachanee S.
I've been here so many times since they've open. So many, because the food is very good. It's our go to restaurant when we want to eat in the area instead of going downtown. We bring friends here and have gotten take-out again, many times. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because there's room for improvement. There chai is straight up horrible, go figure. Wish they had a better dessert menu to. Finally, service NEEDS improvement. If you want a knife, you have to ask. No problem, I'm glad to ask. But I need a person there to ask. I've never ever encountered rudeness. As many times as I've been here, the wait staff consistently disappears. :-(
(4)
Dan C.
Went here on a friend's recommendation. So glad I did. Ordered veggie samosas, veggie rice, naan, chana masala, and hara bhara chicken. The food was amazing! Service was awesome and the environment was great (cute place) as well. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Bea B.
Tasty meal. I had lunch there on a weekday and got a Paneer dish with peas and basmati rice on the side. Not too heavy and tasted high quality. The decor is nice inside and comfortable with a good amount of booths and tables. It was dead in there in a Tuesday during the lunch hour rush. I do plan to go back soon. One notes though is that the 'waitress/hostess' was not too welcoming. She was not rude by any means....just indifferent. She came over like 3 times in the first 10 minutes were were there to take our order (yes I know there is only one other occupied table there and you need something to do)....but I wanted to catch up with my friend a little before looking at the menu. Then when we were ready to order, she didn't really seem interested in giving any menu ideas. The interaction with her was just 'off'. It seems like she wanted to just seat us and take our order, but not have to interact with us and answer questions about the menu. The owner (or someone with management) kept coming in and out of the front door area talking really loud on her cell phone and then walking through the restaurant talking really loud on the cell phone. She did a few times during our meal...not just once. So that was rude behavior. Food good....staff/management a bit 'off'.
(4)
Sandi P.
3 of us enjoyed a very tasty dinner here yesterday. We wanted something nontraditional for us Easter dinner....and Sara's really fit the bill. We started with crispy samosas that were very flavorful. They were served with a spicy tamarind sauce. For entrees I chose the tandoori chicken wings - 6 full size wings (had to ask for a knife to split them) that were so delicious. Crispy with a deeply marinated flavor. Husband enjoyed his dish also - tender lamb tiiki masala chunks in a flavorful sauce. It was not red like many masala sauces but brown. daughter opted for the shahi paneer dish. We also ordered basamati rice (extra charge) and garlic naan that was grilled in the tandoor oven and was very good. We has enough left over for another meal (Indian food always tastes great reheated!) Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled often. We will definitely come back again.
(4)
Hadeel N.
My family and I were here to celebrate my moms birthday and the food was amazing! We all split the Chicken Makhni, chicken 65, a grill platter, the frontier rice, naan, and chicken biryani and everything was so good! The chicken 65 was my absolute favorite! We will definitely be going back! Service was also very good! Our waiter answered all of our questions and made some great suggestions!
(5)
Gops P.
Even after all this new Indian resuturants and fine dine opend in area no one could beat Sara's Biryani , samosa and kheer still the best. Owner is a true business man always greets you with smile and makes you feel you are a repeating customer and he admires it.
(4)
Eva V.
I feel like this review should be 2 part. The first part is food. Everything I've tried so far is good, and I loved their chicken tikka! The second is service and value. This is where this place fails to meet expectations. The service is painfully slow. Both times I've been there (lunch and dinner), they've only had one person working the entire front part of the restaurant. The lunch buffet is laughable with only 3/4 good dishes. And they don't always honor specials listed on their website! All this being said, I hope they can turn this place around because it has potential.
(2)
Roneel S.
The place is clean, and the lunch buffet was really tasty. Normally I stay away from buffet for the fear of mediocre food, and I had hesitations when we went here. The food was a little spicy for my taste, but tasty regardless. The staffs are good and friendly. The reasons I took a star off is because they did not have good dessert, and the Biryani could have used Raita in the buffet. The staff was nice to bring us a bowl of raita when we asked, but it did not meet the expectation.
(4)
Marie D.
A very good introduction to Indian/Pakistani cuisine. They will work with you in adjusting the heat level in their food. My two year old daughter devoured the shami kebabs! My 13 year old son and I shared the chicken malai, mutton qorma, plain basmati rice and roti/chapati. We had plenty of leftovers! In fact, my parents came over the following day and tried the mutton qorma and chicken malai and absolutely loved it! The restaurant is good if you have a big group and are very tolerant of toddlers and young children. A major plus in my book! So step out of your comfort zone and try something new! You will not regret it!!
(5)
Luc R.
We have been here several times so we decided to use them for a party we were hosting. Even in large portions the quality did not suffer and it was ready right on time. The portions were so large we had to pack to go containers for everyone. Would use them again for sure.
(4)
Keerti N.
NEVER EVER AGAIN. First of all we were the only 2 having a lunch in that place. Secondly, the waiter says he has no flexibility in order. The food was stale. The biryani was from the previous days. Sorry guys, delaying our order by 20 minutes does not give a impression that the food is made fresh. Why did they take 20 minutes to microwave the previous days food? The chicken side was so stale that I developed a bad stomach. I never had a chicken dish that stinks so bad. When we pointed this out, the restaurant manager asked us what is wrong. Either he does not know what a good food is or he is badly paid. Go if you want to test yourself.
(1)
Amanda D.
Ordered take our from here with the yelp check in offer. The woman working was friendly enough. I got my food home (having a family gathering with 8 adults and 2 kids) and we had ordered 6 entrees, 4 naan, an onion kulchi and a side of rice. Well the rice we got was tiny, I was initially a little annoyed since the menu said it cost $8 but when I looked at the receipt they charged me for a small (which was only $4) but I'm not sure why they didn't clarify small versus large when I placed the order considering we ordered so much food. In either case, the food was very good and I had no other complaints. Just make sure to specify your rice size!
(4)
Jonathan C.
This place is awesome! Its Pakistani food, The people work that are very nice! The food is always great. The only thing I dont know is that you have to pay extra for naan and rice.
(4)
Pratik S.
Is my goto place for Neehari, Goat curries as well as lamb curries. Their butter chicken is a kid favorite and so was the tandoori wings that they used to have. Sujat the owner takes good care of the restaurant along with his family and is eager to hear about customer concerns as well as compliments.
(4)
Shreya R.
Excellent lunch Buffett. Although the items on the lunch buffet were limited, I rather have the limited items because everything on the buffet lunch was amazing! The food tasted fresh and the flavors were spot on. I was pleased and excited to see Chole, puri and halwa and the poori was bought hot and fresh on the table. Chicken boti, biryani and chicken makhani was spot on!! And before I thought it could not get any better - we ate the KHEER... Best Kheer in town! Great place, will definitely visit again for their dinner menu
(4)
Anonymous F.
It's so nice to live in the burbs and be able to get good pakistani/indian cuisine without having to drive an hour to the city (devon). Sara's is awesome, and the place is not too shabby. Very nicely decorated, spacious, well lit, looks new, great presentations and amazng buffet set up.
(5)
Daniel A.
Such an amazing place! The pays are succulent, the haleem is fabulous, and my wife says that the kheer is the best she has EVER had (and she has eaten kheer everywhere). This place is amazing. We wish we lived in Chicago, we would come here every other week!
(5)
Kika W.
This was my second time coming here. And again, they don't fail me! I ordered to go this time and specifically asked for a very spicy goat biryani. It was spot on...got me sweatin' and tasty at the same time. Didn't give me fire on my tongue (yet) but it was spicy/hot enough. They take it seriously what you asked for, and that deserve stars. Food/Service They use fresh ingredients and that's important for indian/pakistani foods. Haven't try the buffet yet, can't comment on that. They have (fluent) English speaking waiters...yay...also, the restaurant is clean and bright inside... Overall, it's a good addition/variety for the neighborhood's palate.
(4)
Ehm J.
Love this place... been here a few times, service is always great... very affordable too!
(4)
Ali A.
My mom and dad have been coming here ever since the management changed. They come almost weekly and when we are in town we all make sure to come at least once. The owner is amazing and knows everything we like and even customs orders for my kids to lower spice levels. My husband even has asked for foods that are not on the menu and they made it no problem! The fish pakora is a must try and you can't go wrong with the bahari kabob. On cold days we like to have their chai to go. It's like home here but without having to do the dishes!
(5)
Sara R.
Our experience at Sara's was awesome! My name is Sara and my husband took me to this place as a surprise a couple of weeks after our wedding! Loved the food and the ambiance! Alhamdulillah :)
(5)
Vishesh N.
Food quality was great, portions were good, but service could be improved (they must be temporarily short-staffed). Had the fish pakora (deep fried fish morsels). Very good and perfectly spiced. The mixed grill (chicken, beef kabob, etc) was also quite good. I was impressed by how fresh the grilled items were -- all were piping hot, which is nice to see. Too often Indian restaurants reheat items grilled hours earlier, which leaves meat dry. Not so here. Keep up the good work!
(4)
Lucy C.
I came to Sara's to meet a friend for lunch on a random Friday. I felt a little bad because my friend was very tardy but the staff graciously served me water as I read a book and never once questioned whether my friend would actually show up. We ordered samosas, chicken makhni, shahi paneer, and an order of naan. The samosas were heavenly and one order of naan was enough for us to share. The entrees were both delicious and definitely hit the spot. The portions were just right for both of us to be sliiiightly over comfortably full but not stuffed or unhappy by any means. Rice was not given as a side, but our waiter brought us a bowl when we asked. The manager also came by after the meal with two small bowls of dessert samples for us. Yum! I was a little disappointed that there were no weekday lunch specials when we went. The manager said that they would be adding those soon, but I haven't been back to see those. I have heard great things about their weekend lunch buffet but have yet to try that out. I haven't quite figured out how I feel about stuffing my face with curries in the AM.
(4)
Dana L.
We have been to Sara's twice now for dine in, and about ten times for carry out...and we couldn't be happier with another Indian place!! The food is superb! While we have tried multiple things, the past few times we've ordered out we find ourselves ordering the same thing because it's just that delicious! We love the chicken makhni (ordered extra spicy), fish pakoras, zeera rice, and the naan. Plenty to share, and between my husband and I we always have left overs for the next day! YUM! The ambiance isn't anything to write home about, but it's in a good location. I've never really been to an Indian place that had great ambiance so this doesn't bother me. That being said, we've always had great service and people have been friendly. Our search for our favorite Indian joint has finally come to an end after several years...we are perfectly happy with Sara's!
(5)
Mv D.
Not bad! Brunch buffet. Limited items sometimes result in quality over quantity, I found Sara's believes in that philosophy. Real tandoor. One can see food being made, thus eat with peace of mind, knowing how the staff is treating your food. Fresh naan makes all the difference, it comes out piping hot and buttered. Service can be a little slow, but the courteous staff who are willing to please make up for it. Good food though the chicken biriyani had some hard rice either from being undercooked or from drying out from the buffet warmer. I usually don't eat samosa at a buffet, but the fam insisted that I have some. It was flakey and fresh. Salad was fresh. Kheer and halwa were delish. Great ala carte seekh kababs. Great chicken boti, juicy, smokey, not overcooked. The spice/heat level is medium from an Indian person's perspective, but the fragrances and flavors are bold and balanced.
(4)
Asim S.
This place is a good change from the usual Devon fare. Food is fresh, so it does take time, but well worth it. Chappli kabob and seekh kabobs on point. Karachi gosht filled with plenty of good boti pieces and not flooded in oil, fresh naans. I will definitely come here again. It's a bit of a drive from the city, but well worth going to that bubble of town called Naper-thrill
(4)
Aditya G.
Amazing. Just amazing The best Indian/Pakistani I've had at the most reasonable price.
(5)
Ankur N.
Great food. The naan was amazingly soft. The food was not oily at all. Dal with all that fresh coriander (not cilantro) and garlic was amazing. The only issue is that they should update their website. The first page of menu on the website misinforms regarding the free appetizer thing.
(4)
Hira H.
Sara's is a true gem when it comes to Pakistani/Indian cuisine. To get food like this outside of the city/Devon is simply a blessing! I've had their Iftar buffet, and their suhoor buffet, during Ramadan and both were chock full of delicious options. Outside of Ramadan, I ordered food for takeaway today from their regular menu. I ordered their Grill Platter #1, which included lamb chops, grilled fish, skewers of chicken shashlik, and Bihari kababs. Now, usually when I order a mixed platter, I only expect 1/2 or 2/3 of the platter to be good - not all components are usually good. So imagine my surprise when each of the aforementioned components was cooked to perfection! I especially loved the chops, the shashlik and the fish. In addition to the platter, I ordered the Karahi Gosht (mutton/lamb), and it was absolutely delicious - the curry was nice and rich, and just the right blend of spices without being overtly spicy or heavy. There was plenty of meat in the curry, and all of it was tender and scrumptious! The naan was warm and soft, and packaged well for the takeout, I imagine it tastes even better in house (it did when I went for the buffet). Lastly, the imli chutney was good, but perhaps needs to be slightly less sweet. The mint-cilantro yogurt chutney was just pure perfection. They also packed a salad and some white rice, which I was not expecting so again I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, Sara's food has yet to disappoint me. Far from disappointing, their food is always satisfying and excellent, and their portions are pretty good. Also, their management is really sweet and quite accommodating. I would most certainly recommend this desi place to anyone who is looking for good Pakistani/Indian food in the Aurora/Naperville area.
(5)
Angie E.
This place is PERFECT. I will add a more detailed description later but they have an excellent buffet- some of the best butter chicken I've had- plenty of other high quality items and flavor is spot on- and they have unlimited yummy chai at the buffet times! Can't ask for more! And all halal!!! Support Muslim-owned businesses! Hands down the ONLY place I will go to for Indian food ever again! Ps- their service is excellent!!!! I was shocked and amazed at how patient they were when my friends and I brought kids and they didn't seem to mind at all with how loud and messy they got :/!! They give service with a smile and very attentive. Love this place
(5)
Sumit A.
We were a group of 5 friends who arrived at the restaurant little after 10 pm on a sunday night and the restaurant kitchen had got closed.However the folks at the restaurant were very sweet and they did offered us the food with great warmth and hospitality.The Food was amazing and hospitality offered by the staff was simply amazing.I would definitely recommend this place to one and all for authentic food
(5)
Apara W.
They have a fairly decent Indian vegetarian selection. I have done take away and dine in a few times. Dal and Paneer, along with nan have been consistent with quality. Good option if you are craving Indian.
(4)
Omer A.
Authentic pakistani food, quality atmosphere, with a knowledge of how to do business in Naperville
(5)
Sunil S.
Tried their mutton briyani and beef nihari both are excellent. I carry out food many times from this place. I do agree with the reviewer that the service sucks here so I would not recommend for a dine-in. My advise order 20 min before and just stop by to take it out... Good - Briyani, Kabob, nihari and buffet Bad - Slow service, Make sure you ask right spice level.
(4)
Anonymous U.
Our entire family loves Sara's, even the pickiest little eaters! All the entrees we have tried are full of fresh ingredients and flavorful, the restaurant is clean, and the staff are very welcoming. They are courteous, responsive, and they actually smile, qualities that are sorely lacking at most other Indo/Pak restaurants in the Chicago area. It's one of the few Chicago area desi restaurants where you can actually walk out feeling like you just had a good dining out experience. We live more or less equidistant from Sara's and Shahi Nihari's Villa Park location, and our entire family always prefers Sara's over Shahi Nihari! Sara's food, service, and ambience are all far superior to Shahi Nihari--there's no comparison!
(5)
M B.
Best Indian/Pakistani food I've had (outside of home) is a really long time. We had a big group and shared a bunch of dishes and appetizers. There isn't anything I wouldn't recommend - all excellent! The top of the list would be the fish pakoras, butter chicken, okra, and #1 and #3 grill platters, but I would gladly have any of the items we ordered again. We will definitely be back and even thought its little bit of a hike (20 min) from us, this will definitely be our go to place from now on.
(5)
Rachanee S.
I've been here so many times since they've open. So many, because the food is very good. It's our go to restaurant when we want to eat in the area instead of going downtown. We bring friends here and have gotten take-out again, many times. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because there's room for improvement. There chai is straight up horrible, go figure. Wish they had a better dessert menu to. Finally, service NEEDS improvement. If you want a knife, you have to ask. No problem, I'm glad to ask. But I need a person there to ask. I've never ever encountered rudeness. As many times as I've been here, the wait staff consistently disappears. :-(
(4)
Z T.
The place is clean and thats the only reason I am giving them 2 stars. A friend introduced me to their samosas and I had liked it then and thought about trying a few other things. But I was highly disappointed by their service. Very slow service. and even the food was not worth the wait! At one time I ordered their Chicken makhni ....it was just chicken dipped in cream!! No taste at all and you feel you have just swallowed a bowl of heavy whipping cream... And at other time I had ordered their Chicken malai as recommended by someone who took my order at the desk (I think it was the owner). It was a to go order. When i opened the box at home it was clearly undercooked! I literally had to broil it in my oven before we could eat it. And they had taken good 45 minutes to make my order despite the fact that there was hardly any customer at 1 pm on a working day in their restaurant!! Come on, man! If you are charging so much you better ensure your food is cooked and has some taste. For me this place has really disappointed me. There are much better options available in and around Naperville area. Thanks but no thanks, Sara's Grill!
(2)
S M.
good food and ambience. A bit pricey ( and hence not 5 star) Loved the tea, kheer and halwa puri.
(4)
Shishir S.
There is no dearth of Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the Naperville area or Chicagoland for that matter BUT most of the places (and I have been to a lot of 'em..) end up serving the same stuff, made pretty much the same way, served in the same manner.. There is a bored element to how they approach their cooking.. Same gravy/curry.. Same masalas and so on.. Sara's is a breath of fresh air compared to all this rampant monotony and near-death boredom.. They don't overwhelm you with an unending menu or their weekend buffet spread for that matter.. The waiters here aren't struggling to hold a conversation in English and are in fact a good mix of knowledge and courtesy and give you enough space to enjoy the meal in peace. Their cooking is authentic and the spices are perfectly balanced to make sure each item tastes the way it is supposed to.. No hurried up job, no wannabe chic-ness either.. Just a tasteful place to enjoy a good meal :)
(5)
Julie C.
Spouse and I SO happy to have come across this fabulous find! Now we never have to travel to the big city for authentic cuisine! The fragrance and aroma of the food is only surpassed by its deliciousness! Cannot wait to share this restaurant with all our friends and family..
(5)
Distinguished T.
One of the better Pakistani/Indian restaurants in the area. Little on the oily side, but that's just how the cuisine is. I go there for the weekend brunch. The lassi is great and has to be ordered separately. Good customer service.
(4)
Dan C.
Went here on a friend's recommendation. So glad I did. Ordered veggie samosas, veggie rice, naan, chana masala, and hara bhara chicken. The food was amazing! Service was awesome and the environment was great (cute place) as well. Definitely coming back.
(5)
Bea B.
Tasty meal. I had lunch there on a weekday and got a Paneer dish with peas and basmati rice on the side. Not too heavy and tasted high quality. The decor is nice inside and comfortable with a good amount of booths and tables. It was dead in there in a Tuesday during the lunch hour rush. I do plan to go back soon. One notes though is that the 'waitress/hostess' was not too welcoming. She was not rude by any means....just indifferent. She came over like 3 times in the first 10 minutes were were there to take our order (yes I know there is only one other occupied table there and you need something to do)....but I wanted to catch up with my friend a little before looking at the menu. Then when we were ready to order, she didn't really seem interested in giving any menu ideas. The interaction with her was just 'off'. It seems like she wanted to just seat us and take our order, but not have to interact with us and answer questions about the menu. The owner (or someone with management) kept coming in and out of the front door area talking really loud on her cell phone and then walking through the restaurant talking really loud on the cell phone. She did a few times during our meal...not just once. So that was rude behavior. Food good....staff/management a bit 'off'.
(4)
Sandi P.
3 of us enjoyed a very tasty dinner here yesterday. We wanted something nontraditional for us Easter dinner....and Sara's really fit the bill. We started with crispy samosas that were very flavorful. They were served with a spicy tamarind sauce. For entrees I chose the tandoori chicken wings - 6 full size wings (had to ask for a knife to split them) that were so delicious. Crispy with a deeply marinated flavor. Husband enjoyed his dish also - tender lamb tiiki masala chunks in a flavorful sauce. It was not red like many masala sauces but brown. daughter opted for the shahi paneer dish. We also ordered basamati rice (extra charge) and garlic naan that was grilled in the tandoor oven and was very good. We has enough left over for another meal (Indian food always tastes great reheated!) Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled often. We will definitely come back again.
(4)
Anna A.
Excellent food every time I have been. They also have buffet on weekends. Nice clean good food. Great kheer.
(5)
Radhika K.
This is my first ever yelp review.. i am in so love with Sara ..we had been there twice already in a week... One of our friend introduced this place to us .... Meat here is fanstatic...its cooked to perfection and halwa poori is the best i had in us .... Food portions are generous for the price.. friendly staff and great food !!... Cant wait to go back.. P:S try their mutton karahi! thats the best and the samosa..fresh n crisp..best i had in chicago ...
(5)
Phil N.
Fantastic...Seriously delicious food I had the grill platter #3, samosas, and Shahi Paneer Best samosas we've ever had, and my buddy spent 3 months all over India. Shahi Panner was like a yellow curry/mild peanut sauce type of paneer and again, just delicious and hit the taste buds just right This is how the grill platter #3 went down...The first thing I tried was the beef Gola Kebob. I took a bite and tilted my head back, put my fork down, and gave a holy shit to my buddy. I handed him a piece and we smiled at each other in that knowing way only age old friends can. We immediately called our excellent waiter over and began to rave at him, not to him, but at him...there was enthusiasm and stars in our eyes I won't lie, that first bite damn near ruined the rest of the meal to me because it was so delicious, everything else was pale in comparison, yet still very delicious. I can't say enough about the food, our waiter, or the owner, who spent a few minutes with us enjoying our heartfelt smiles If you like just the right amount of curry, too much ginger, and too much garlic, this is definitely the place you should eat next. (You can ask them to adjust the spicyness to your taste) Every taste bud was fondled with every bite. Typically, I like chicken more than beef, the chicken Gola was delicious, but NOTHING stood out like this beef Gola. I had never had it before, but unless I tragically die before I go here again, I will be eating it many times over If I was gay, I would have proposed to the chef on the spot...hell, I might even anyways! I can't wait to try their weekend lunch buffet, which the waiter highly recommended. Nihari has a special place in my heart, and I'm really excited to try theirs, which is included on their buffet If you go here, you will walk out with a smile and the knowledge you made a great choice
(5)
George K.
First let me say that finding this place. The area that they are located in has multiple layers of shopping and dinning establishments. If you're coming for the first time, it is right next to Houlihans. Staff friendly and we were seated right away. Food was definitely above par than what I had expected. We've been to most of the Indian places in and around Joliet/Naperville area, and if I had to rank them I'd say that this is second to Sher-A-Punjab and miles ahead of places like Masalla.
(5)
Siddhartha A.
Decent food. Nice owner. Doesn't have as many vegetarian options as, say, Chicago Curry House (South Loop). But the quality of the food was about the same, at a lower price.
(3)
Richard T.
It's ok. Good service. But, they seem to forget this and that from our order and even forget to pack all of our left overs, when we got home only to realize 2 of our 3 dishes were not packed, I guess they are still on their kitchen counter... Disappointed!
(3)
Ajit B.
Looking at the reviews, me and my wife went in. The owner sat us, took our order for drinks (water) and disappeared never to show his face again. We waited for 20 mins and no one showed up with our water or to take our order. I finally decided to leave and at least tell the owner that we did not like the service. No one actually bothered to ask us why we are leaving after waiting patiently for half an hour. Never going there again!!!
(1)
Twylla S.
This place has a delicious little lunch buffet and also offers carry-out. I'm a fan of the lunch buffet because I like to try a couple of different things instead of committing to just one in carry-out. I liked that not everything on the buffet was spice-less. Now...it's not really "spicy" either but it has a little warmth to it which I appreciate. The staff is very nice!
(4)
Monica B.
My first time having Indian food and was really pleased. We tried their buffet that they have on Sunday which is a good thing for a newbie like me. Got to try a variety of things and everything was real fresh and tasty and just the right amount of spiciness. Will be going back sometime soon for the buffet again. The ambiance is very nice too so 5 stars for a well rounded dining experience.
(5)
Troy S.
We enjoyed it very much. Food and service were great. A little faster with the drinks. All 4 of us enjoyed the appetizers and main course.
(4)
Joann N.
Food was great, but service was definitely lacking.
(4)
Kathryn G.
We went to Sara's Grill after purchasing a Groupon deal. We were pleasantly surprised that they had a lunch buffet which was great and well attended. The wait staff was great despite it being quite busy. We will definitely go again.
(5)
Shahid M.
I loved it, I have been to Sara Grill about 4 times in past 3 months. Food is always fresh, i have tried grill platter, biryani, seekh fry and chicken makhani. Samosas and Kashmir tea are simply the best. Ambiance is great and waiters are welcoming. I guess change of owners has made a big differece!. My 5 stars.
(5)
Jeff W.
Had a Groupon that had expired two days ago and called to make sure we could use the coupon for the amount paid, which is Groupon's normal position... you only lose the promotional value. However, the man that answered the phone and RUDELY said he would not honor the coupon claiming Groupon will NEVER give him the money. After that, he hung up on my wife. My wife called back and a woman answered the phone, put my wife ON HOLD and gave the same lame excuse. We are contacting Groupon now to get a REFUND and will NEVER visit this restaurant. We have NEVER had any issues with any GROUPON coupon at several restaurants whether expired or NOT. The fact that the manager did not even want to find any sort of compromise is troubling to say the least.
(1)
Mari S.
I haven't had their lunch buffet yet, but we had our anniversary dinner their and it was amazing! I had butter chicken curry and some appetizer (deep fried vegetables). Can't wait to go again!
(4)
Ari T.
Not a good place for lunch on weekdays. No buffet. Entrees are skewed with no offering for rice or bread at $10.99-14.99. Typically all Indian restaurants atleast offer rice and yogurt. Bread could be extra. Indian Harvest has a much better offering on entrees for the same price. The chicken sheek kabob turned out horrible as it was re-heated. This will be my first and last time with them. Nice interiors though. The owner will need to re-think his strategy.
(1)
Sharad C.
I love their grilled food , their food is good quality and the taste.. Would love to try out their buffet sometime over the weekend. I always went their for a dinner, Loved their tandoori chicken, butter chicken and awesome Veg entrees as well Paneer Makhani..
(4)
Ginny R.
We used a Groupon tonight at Sara's and were very impressed with the food. We had the Grill platter #3 and Chicken Makhni which is Chicken served in a butter curry cream and herbs. We also had 2 orders of the Garlic Naan. The grill platter was good because it gave us a chance to try several different types of chicken and a beef. The Chicken Makhni was awesome especially coupled with the Garlic Naan. It was just as described a buttery curry. Yum! The place has a warm ambiance and we loved our waiter "Rocky." He asked us what we liked and made some great suggestions. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Asra H.
Yummy chicken makhani, naan, grill platter. Plain white rice was salty.
(4)
Seema K.
Food is delicious!! They do a great job packing up the 'to go' food and make sure you have everything you need to go along with the main course. The chicken kabobs are absolutely the BEST i have tasted in any Chicago restaurant! That includes any devon restaurants. The service is great and the restaurant is clean and well decorated. We eat here at least a couple times a month now.
(5)
Priscilla M.
Just ate there with my daughter, the food is ssooooooo good. The flavor meets your mouth, the meats are tender. The teas, soo different, yet so much flavor. The ambience is clam, relaxing, beautiful. I will go back. For those who love good flavorful food.
(5)
Maya Y.
Great service, friendly owner, generous portions!! The restaraunt is clean, great for families or couples. Portions are good and good prices. The food is okay, I will def go back just because everyone is so friendly and accomodating.
(4)
Asif F.
Ate here 3 times last week.Loved it. Food was fresh and tasty. Grilled meats were excellent. Service was top shelf. Large portions. Highly recommend trying it out.
(5)
SS S.
Today was the first time we had been to Sara's. I bought a Groupon coupon for $30 worth of food and wanted to check this place out. We didn't want to go for the buffet but wanted order couple of entry items from their menu. Went for lunch I ordered grilled fish and my son ordered mutton korma. We also ordered Naan to go with our entries. The fish was the best so far I have eaten in a very long time. The marination was very flavorful and tasty with a hint of sourness and a spicyness. I could taste all kinds of indo Pakistani spices in it and it was so moist and cooked to the perfection. My son loves the mutton korma and he had enough to bring home some left overs for later. The Naan was so fluffy and so fresh and surprisingly we did not feel stuffed even after eating stomach full which happens any time we eat Naan in other places. We have already decided to go to Sara's again and order the same two items. We love it. The place is clean and the service is very good. They kept checking on our waters and kept asking few times how everything is. Good service. Will sure go again.
(5)
Carrie B.
For a new ethnic neighborhood restaurant Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine was a refreshing choice. The decor was beautiful, ambiance just perfect after a long day of work. The young man who was our server was quite knowledgeable of the menu and suggested we try a grill plate since we were both ordering chicken and couldn't decide. He felt it gave us a nice sampling of some of the chicken dishes that were offered. We ordered Roti to accompany it. The chicken selections were delicious, the only disappointment was that the bed of onions and green peppers underneath it were overcooked and charred. Everything was served hot. The Jasmine rice was nicely scented with lemon zest and we did not find it to be salty. Our server did let us know that a Groupon special was going on and it was a great deal! We did purchase our Groupon deal when we got home. He also mentioned the buffet to try on the weekends to sample all their delicious foods. Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine is most certainly a place to go for delicious South Asian food and selection, and the dining area is superb!
(4)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :2860 Show Place Dr,Unit 104
Naperville, IL, 60564
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
India is the birth place of Chicken Tikka Masala and Curries. Indian foods are prepared with a blend of finely mixed spices quite popular across the region. The spices develop the rich taste in Indian food enough to boggle your mind. The ever-increasing fan base of Indian food around the New York city is steadily increasing because of the large number of Indians who traveled to the land of dreams. The Indians also brought their very own vibrant, colorful, and aromatic authentic dishes for the people in the West. While most of the Indian population is Vegetarian, Indian food is great for people who are looking for vegan or vegetarian food option. If you are a Meat lover, don't get disappointed yet. Indian food also boasts of some popular non-vegetarian dishes too. Few examples are the famous Butter Chicken, Mutton Biryani and Tandoori Chicken are enough to satisfy your taste buds.
Indian food has gained reputation all over the world especially in the United States. You can find many places serving the appetizing Indian food across all major cities in the US. India is a diverse country with different food culture originated from different parts of the country. While the Northern region boasts tandoori dishes and korma offering royal taste, the Western Ghats offers sea foods that is made in naturally sweet tender coconut milk. The South Indian food servers a quality of different dishes made from rice accompanied with spicy chutneys, curries and famous sambhar. Also, the Indian sweets are a delight to relish. If you ever want to have a burst of sugar syrup in mouth, don't forget to try few Bengali Sweets. Be it spicy, tangy, or sweet flavor, you can find everything in the Indian cuisine. Be assured that the melody of spices will surely bring delight to you.
Priscilla M.
Just ate there with my daughter, the food is ssooooooo good. The flavor meets your mouth, the meats are tender. The teas, soo different, yet so much flavor. The ambience is clam, relaxing, beautiful. I will go back. For those who love good flavorful food.
(5)Maya Y.
Great service, friendly owner, generous portions!! The restaraunt is clean, great for families or couples. Portions are good and good prices. The food is okay, I will def go back just because everyone is so friendly and accomodating.
(4)Ajit B.
Looking at the reviews, me and my wife went in. The owner sat us, took our order for drinks (water) and disappeared never to show his face again. We waited for 20 mins and no one showed up with our water or to take our order. I finally decided to leave and at least tell the owner that we did not like the service. No one actually bothered to ask us why we are leaving after waiting patiently for half an hour. Never going there again!!!
(1)Anna A.
Excellent food every time I have been. They also have buffet on weekends. Nice clean good food. Great kheer.
(5)Asif F.
Ate here 3 times last week.Loved it. Food was fresh and tasty. Grilled meats were excellent. Service was top shelf. Large portions. Highly recommend trying it out.
(5)Jeff W.
Had a Groupon that had expired two days ago and called to make sure we could use the coupon for the amount paid, which is Groupon's normal position... you only lose the promotional value. However, the man that answered the phone and RUDELY said he would not honor the coupon claiming Groupon will NEVER give him the money. After that, he hung up on my wife. My wife called back and a woman answered the phone, put my wife ON HOLD and gave the same lame excuse. We are contacting Groupon now to get a REFUND and will NEVER visit this restaurant. We have NEVER had any issues with any GROUPON coupon at several restaurants whether expired or NOT. The fact that the manager did not even want to find any sort of compromise is troubling to say the least.
(1)Mari S.
I haven't had their lunch buffet yet, but we had our anniversary dinner their and it was amazing! I had butter chicken curry and some appetizer (deep fried vegetables). Can't wait to go again!
(4)Ari T.
Not a good place for lunch on weekdays. No buffet. Entrees are skewed with no offering for rice or bread at $10.99-14.99. Typically all Indian restaurants atleast offer rice and yogurt. Bread could be extra. Indian Harvest has a much better offering on entrees for the same price. The chicken sheek kabob turned out horrible as it was re-heated. This will be my first and last time with them. Nice interiors though. The owner will need to re-think his strategy.
(1)Sharad C.
I love their grilled food , their food is good quality and the taste.. Would love to try out their buffet sometime over the weekend. I always went their for a dinner, Loved their tandoori chicken, butter chicken and awesome Veg entrees as well Paneer Makhani..
(4)Ginny R.
We used a Groupon tonight at Sara's and were very impressed with the food. We had the Grill platter #3 and Chicken Makhni which is Chicken served in a butter curry cream and herbs. We also had 2 orders of the Garlic Naan. The grill platter was good because it gave us a chance to try several different types of chicken and a beef. The Chicken Makhni was awesome especially coupled with the Garlic Naan. It was just as described a buttery curry. Yum! The place has a warm ambiance and we loved our waiter "Rocky." He asked us what we liked and made some great suggestions. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Asra H.
Yummy chicken makhani, naan, grill platter. Plain white rice was salty.
(4)Seema K.
Food is delicious!! They do a great job packing up the 'to go' food and make sure you have everything you need to go along with the main course. The chicken kabobs are absolutely the BEST i have tasted in any Chicago restaurant! That includes any devon restaurants. The service is great and the restaurant is clean and well decorated. We eat here at least a couple times a month now.
(5)Radhika K.
This is my first ever yelp review.. i am in so love with Sara ..we had been there twice already in a week... One of our friend introduced this place to us .... Meat here is fanstatic...its cooked to perfection and halwa poori is the best i had in us .... Food portions are generous for the price.. friendly staff and great food !!... Cant wait to go back.. P:S try their mutton karahi! thats the best and the samosa..fresh n crisp..best i had in chicago ...
(5)Siddhartha A.
Decent food. Nice owner. Doesn't have as many vegetarian options as, say, Chicago Curry House (South Loop). But the quality of the food was about the same, at a lower price.
(3)Richard T.
It's ok. Good service. But, they seem to forget this and that from our order and even forget to pack all of our left overs, when we got home only to realize 2 of our 3 dishes were not packed, I guess they are still on their kitchen counter... Disappointed!
(3)Phil N.
Fantastic...Seriously delicious food I had the grill platter #3, samosas, and Shahi Paneer Best samosas we've ever had, and my buddy spent 3 months all over India. Shahi Panner was like a yellow curry/mild peanut sauce type of paneer and again, just delicious and hit the taste buds just right This is how the grill platter #3 went down...The first thing I tried was the beef Gola Kebob. I took a bite and tilted my head back, put my fork down, and gave a holy shit to my buddy. I handed him a piece and we smiled at each other in that knowing way only age old friends can. We immediately called our excellent waiter over and began to rave at him, not to him, but at him...there was enthusiasm and stars in our eyes I won't lie, that first bite damn near ruined the rest of the meal to me because it was so delicious, everything else was pale in comparison, yet still very delicious. I can't say enough about the food, our waiter, or the owner, who spent a few minutes with us enjoying our heartfelt smiles If you like just the right amount of curry, too much ginger, and too much garlic, this is definitely the place you should eat next. (You can ask them to adjust the spicyness to your taste) Every taste bud was fondled with every bite. Typically, I like chicken more than beef, the chicken Gola was delicious, but NOTHING stood out like this beef Gola. I had never had it before, but unless I tragically die before I go here again, I will be eating it many times over If I was gay, I would have proposed to the chef on the spot...hell, I might even anyways! I can't wait to try their weekend lunch buffet, which the waiter highly recommended. Nihari has a special place in my heart, and I'm really excited to try theirs, which is included on their buffet If you go here, you will walk out with a smile and the knowledge you made a great choice
(5)George K.
First let me say that finding this place. The area that they are located in has multiple layers of shopping and dinning establishments. If you're coming for the first time, it is right next to Houlihans. Staff friendly and we were seated right away. Food was definitely above par than what I had expected. We've been to most of the Indian places in and around Joliet/Naperville area, and if I had to rank them I'd say that this is second to Sher-A-Punjab and miles ahead of places like Masalla.
(5)Melissa K.
I came here after finding out the owner of my favorite salon had now started a new venture as a restaurant owner. I've always had a love for middle eastern and Indian cuisine so I was eager to try out what Sara's had to offer. I was taken back to say the least. Immediately walking in I took notice to the beautiful detail in the wall coverings and the big picture window that allows you to see the cooks as they are hard at work. I tried the grill platter #3 and can say it was amazing! Everything about the flavors, and the freshness of the food is what makes this the best, and now my favorite, place to enjoy Indian food. The staff was very pleasant, and the atmosphere is one that forces you to sit back, relax and feel like you're right at home at your own table. I look forward to going back and trying some of the other platters and appetizers. Happy eats!
(5)Twylla S.
This place has a delicious little lunch buffet and also offers carry-out. I'm a fan of the lunch buffet because I like to try a couple of different things instead of committing to just one in carry-out. I liked that not everything on the buffet was spice-less. Now...it's not really "spicy" either but it has a little warmth to it which I appreciate. The staff is very nice!
(4)Monica B.
My first time having Indian food and was really pleased. We tried their buffet that they have on Sunday which is a good thing for a newbie like me. Got to try a variety of things and everything was real fresh and tasty and just the right amount of spiciness. Will be going back sometime soon for the buffet again. The ambiance is very nice too so 5 stars for a well rounded dining experience.
(5)Troy S.
We enjoyed it very much. Food and service were great. A little faster with the drinks. All 4 of us enjoyed the appetizers and main course.
(4)Joann N.
Food was great, but service was definitely lacking.
(4)Kathryn G.
We went to Sara's Grill after purchasing a Groupon deal. We were pleasantly surprised that they had a lunch buffet which was great and well attended. The wait staff was great despite it being quite busy. We will definitely go again.
(5)Shahid M.
I loved it, I have been to Sara Grill about 4 times in past 3 months. Food is always fresh, i have tried grill platter, biryani, seekh fry and chicken makhani. Samosas and Kashmir tea are simply the best. Ambiance is great and waiters are welcoming. I guess change of owners has made a big differece!. My 5 stars.
(5)SS S.
Today was the first time we had been to Sara's. I bought a Groupon coupon for $30 worth of food and wanted to check this place out. We didn't want to go for the buffet but wanted order couple of entry items from their menu. Went for lunch I ordered grilled fish and my son ordered mutton korma. We also ordered Naan to go with our entries. The fish was the best so far I have eaten in a very long time. The marination was very flavorful and tasty with a hint of sourness and a spicyness. I could taste all kinds of indo Pakistani spices in it and it was so moist and cooked to the perfection. My son loves the mutton korma and he had enough to bring home some left overs for later. The Naan was so fluffy and so fresh and surprisingly we did not feel stuffed even after eating stomach full which happens any time we eat Naan in other places. We have already decided to go to Sara's again and order the same two items. We love it. The place is clean and the service is very good. They kept checking on our waters and kept asking few times how everything is. Good service. Will sure go again.
(5)Carrie B.
For a new ethnic neighborhood restaurant Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine was a refreshing choice. The decor was beautiful, ambiance just perfect after a long day of work. The young man who was our server was quite knowledgeable of the menu and suggested we try a grill plate since we were both ordering chicken and couldn't decide. He felt it gave us a nice sampling of some of the chicken dishes that were offered. We ordered Roti to accompany it. The chicken selections were delicious, the only disappointment was that the bed of onions and green peppers underneath it were overcooked and charred. Everything was served hot. The Jasmine rice was nicely scented with lemon zest and we did not find it to be salty. Our server did let us know that a Groupon special was going on and it was a great deal! We did purchase our Groupon deal when we got home. He also mentioned the buffet to try on the weekends to sample all their delicious foods. Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine is most certainly a place to go for delicious South Asian food and selection, and the dining area is superb!
(4)Sandi P.
3 of us enjoyed a very tasty dinner here yesterday. We wanted something nontraditional for us Easter dinner....and Sara's really fit the bill. We started with crispy samosas that were very flavorful. They were served with a spicy tamarind sauce. For entrees I chose the tandoori chicken wings - 6 full size wings (had to ask for a knife to split them) that were so delicious. Crispy with a deeply marinated flavor. Husband enjoyed his dish also - tender lamb tiiki masala chunks in a flavorful sauce. It was not red like many masala sauces but brown. daughter opted for the shahi paneer dish. We also ordered basamati rice (extra charge) and garlic naan that was grilled in the tandoor oven and was very good. We has enough left over for another meal (Indian food always tastes great reheated!) Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled often. We will definitely come back again.
(4)Phil N.
Fantastic...Seriously delicious food I had the grill platter #3, samosas, and Shahi Paneer Best samosas we've ever had, and my buddy spent 3 months all over India. Shahi Panner was like a yellow curry/mild peanut sauce type of paneer and again, just delicious and hit the taste buds just right This is how the grill platter #3 went down...The first thing I tried was the beef Gola Kebob. I took a bite and tilted my head back, put my fork down, and gave a holy shit to my buddy. I handed him a piece and we smiled at each other in that knowing way only age old friends can. We immediately called our excellent waiter over and began to rave at him, not to him, but at him...there was enthusiasm and stars in our eyes I won't lie, that first bite damn near ruined the rest of the meal to me because it was so delicious, everything else was pale in comparison, yet still very delicious. I can't say enough about the food, our waiter, or the owner, who spent a few minutes with us enjoying our heartfelt smiles If you like just the right amount of curry, too much ginger, and too much garlic, this is definitely the place you should eat next. (You can ask them to adjust the spicyness to your taste) Every taste bud was fondled with every bite. Typically, I like chicken more than beef, the chicken Gola was delicious, but NOTHING stood out like this beef Gola. I had never had it before, but unless I tragically die before I go here again, I will be eating it many times over If I was gay, I would have proposed to the chef on the spot...hell, I might even anyways! I can't wait to try their weekend lunch buffet, which the waiter highly recommended. Nihari has a special place in my heart, and I'm really excited to try theirs, which is included on their buffet If you go here, you will walk out with a smile and the knowledge you made a great choice
(5)George K.
First let me say that finding this place. The area that they are located in has multiple layers of shopping and dinning establishments. If you're coming for the first time, it is right next to Houlihans. Staff friendly and we were seated right away. Food was definitely above par than what I had expected. We've been to most of the Indian places in and around Joliet/Naperville area, and if I had to rank them I'd say that this is second to Sher-A-Punjab and miles ahead of places like Masalla.
(5)Siddhartha A.
Decent food. Nice owner. Doesn't have as many vegetarian options as, say, Chicago Curry House (South Loop). But the quality of the food was about the same, at a lower price.
(3)Ali A.
My mom and dad have been coming here ever since the management changed. They come almost weekly and when we are in town we all make sure to come at least once. The owner is amazing and knows everything we like and even customs orders for my kids to lower spice levels. My husband even has asked for foods that are not on the menu and they made it no problem! The fish pakora is a must try and you can't go wrong with the bahari kabob. On cold days we like to have their chai to go. It's like home here but without having to do the dishes!
(5)Ehm J.
Love this place... been here a few times, service is always great... very affordable too!
(4)Sara R.
Our experience at Sara's was awesome! My name is Sara and my husband took me to this place as a surprise a couple of weeks after our wedding! Loved the food and the ambiance! Alhamdulillah :)
(5)Vishesh N.
Food quality was great, portions were good, but service could be improved (they must be temporarily short-staffed). Had the fish pakora (deep fried fish morsels). Very good and perfectly spiced. The mixed grill (chicken, beef kabob, etc) was also quite good. I was impressed by how fresh the grilled items were -- all were piping hot, which is nice to see. Too often Indian restaurants reheat items grilled hours earlier, which leaves meat dry. Not so here. Keep up the good work!
(4)Mv D.
Not bad! Brunch buffet. Limited items sometimes result in quality over quantity, I found Sara's believes in that philosophy. Real tandoor. One can see food being made, thus eat with peace of mind, knowing how the staff is treating your food. Fresh naan makes all the difference, it comes out piping hot and buttered. Service can be a little slow, but the courteous staff who are willing to please make up for it. Good food though the chicken biriyani had some hard rice either from being undercooked or from drying out from the buffet warmer. I usually don't eat samosa at a buffet, but the fam insisted that I have some. It was flakey and fresh. Salad was fresh. Kheer and halwa were delish. Great ala carte seekh kababs. Great chicken boti, juicy, smokey, not overcooked. The spice/heat level is medium from an Indian person's perspective, but the fragrances and flavors are bold and balanced.
(4)Dana L.
We have been to Sara's twice now for dine in, and about ten times for carry out...and we couldn't be happier with another Indian place!! The food is superb! While we have tried multiple things, the past few times we've ordered out we find ourselves ordering the same thing because it's just that delicious! We love the chicken makhni (ordered extra spicy), fish pakoras, zeera rice, and the naan. Plenty to share, and between my husband and I we always have left overs for the next day! YUM! The ambiance isn't anything to write home about, but it's in a good location. I've never really been to an Indian place that had great ambiance so this doesn't bother me. That being said, we've always had great service and people have been friendly. Our search for our favorite Indian joint has finally come to an end after several years...we are perfectly happy with Sara's!
(5)Jeff W.
Had a Groupon that had expired two days ago and called to make sure we could use the coupon for the amount paid, which is Groupon's normal position... you only lose the promotional value. However, the man that answered the phone and RUDELY said he would not honor the coupon claiming Groupon will NEVER give him the money. After that, he hung up on my wife. My wife called back and a woman answered the phone, put my wife ON HOLD and gave the same lame excuse. We are contacting Groupon now to get a REFUND and will NEVER visit this restaurant. We have NEVER had any issues with any GROUPON coupon at several restaurants whether expired or NOT. The fact that the manager did not even want to find any sort of compromise is troubling to say the least.
(1)Mari S.
I haven't had their lunch buffet yet, but we had our anniversary dinner their and it was amazing! I had butter chicken curry and some appetizer (deep fried vegetables). Can't wait to go again!
(4)Ari T.
Not a good place for lunch on weekdays. No buffet. Entrees are skewed with no offering for rice or bread at $10.99-14.99. Typically all Indian restaurants atleast offer rice and yogurt. Bread could be extra. Indian Harvest has a much better offering on entrees for the same price. The chicken sheek kabob turned out horrible as it was re-heated. This will be my first and last time with them. Nice interiors though. The owner will need to re-think his strategy.
(1)Aditya G.
Amazing. Just amazing The best Indian/Pakistani I've had at the most reasonable price.
(5)Ankur N.
Great food. The naan was amazingly soft. The food was not oily at all. Dal with all that fresh coriander (not cilantro) and garlic was amazing. The only issue is that they should update their website. The first page of menu on the website misinforms regarding the free appetizer thing.
(4)Hadeel N.
My family and I were here to celebrate my moms birthday and the food was amazing! We all split the Chicken Makhni, chicken 65, a grill platter, the frontier rice, naan, and chicken biryani and everything was so good! The chicken 65 was my absolute favorite! We will definitely be going back! Service was also very good! Our waiter answered all of our questions and made some great suggestions!
(5)Asim S.
This place is a good change from the usual Devon fare. Food is fresh, so it does take time, but well worth it. Chappli kabob and seekh kabobs on point. Karachi gosht filled with plenty of good boti pieces and not flooded in oil, fresh naans. I will definitely come here again. It's a bit of a drive from the city, but well worth going to that bubble of town called Naper-thrill
(4)Roneel S.
The place is clean, and the lunch buffet was really tasty. Normally I stay away from buffet for the fear of mediocre food, and I had hesitations when we went here. The food was a little spicy for my taste, but tasty regardless. The staffs are good and friendly. The reasons I took a star off is because they did not have good dessert, and the Biryani could have used Raita in the buffet. The staff was nice to bring us a bowl of raita when we asked, but it did not meet the expectation.
(4)Hira H.
Sara's is a true gem when it comes to Pakistani/Indian cuisine. To get food like this outside of the city/Devon is simply a blessing! I've had their Iftar buffet, and their suhoor buffet, during Ramadan and both were chock full of delicious options. Outside of Ramadan, I ordered food for takeaway today from their regular menu. I ordered their Grill Platter #1, which included lamb chops, grilled fish, skewers of chicken shashlik, and Bihari kababs. Now, usually when I order a mixed platter, I only expect 1/2 or 2/3 of the platter to be good - not all components are usually good. So imagine my surprise when each of the aforementioned components was cooked to perfection! I especially loved the chops, the shashlik and the fish. In addition to the platter, I ordered the Karahi Gosht (mutton/lamb), and it was absolutely delicious - the curry was nice and rich, and just the right blend of spices without being overtly spicy or heavy. There was plenty of meat in the curry, and all of it was tender and scrumptious! The naan was warm and soft, and packaged well for the takeout, I imagine it tastes even better in house (it did when I went for the buffet). Lastly, the imli chutney was good, but perhaps needs to be slightly less sweet. The mint-cilantro yogurt chutney was just pure perfection. They also packed a salad and some white rice, which I was not expecting so again I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, Sara's food has yet to disappoint me. Far from disappointing, their food is always satisfying and excellent, and their portions are pretty good. Also, their management is really sweet and quite accommodating. I would most certainly recommend this desi place to anyone who is looking for good Pakistani/Indian food in the Aurora/Naperville area.
(5)Angie E.
This place is PERFECT. I will add a more detailed description later but they have an excellent buffet- some of the best butter chicken I've had- plenty of other high quality items and flavor is spot on- and they have unlimited yummy chai at the buffet times! Can't ask for more! And all halal!!! Support Muslim-owned businesses! Hands down the ONLY place I will go to for Indian food ever again! Ps- their service is excellent!!!! I was shocked and amazed at how patient they were when my friends and I brought kids and they didn't seem to mind at all with how loud and messy they got :/!! They give service with a smile and very attentive. Love this place
(5)Gops P.
Even after all this new Indian resuturants and fine dine opend in area no one could beat Sara's Biryani , samosa and kheer still the best. Owner is a true business man always greets you with smile and makes you feel you are a repeating customer and he admires it.
(4)Eva V.
I feel like this review should be 2 part. The first part is food. Everything I've tried so far is good, and I loved their chicken tikka! The second is service and value. This is where this place fails to meet expectations. The service is painfully slow. Both times I've been there (lunch and dinner), they've only had one person working the entire front part of the restaurant. The lunch buffet is laughable with only 3/4 good dishes. And they don't always honor specials listed on their website! All this being said, I hope they can turn this place around because it has potential.
(2)Marie D.
A very good introduction to Indian/Pakistani cuisine. They will work with you in adjusting the heat level in their food. My two year old daughter devoured the shami kebabs! My 13 year old son and I shared the chicken malai, mutton qorma, plain basmati rice and roti/chapati. We had plenty of leftovers! In fact, my parents came over the following day and tried the mutton qorma and chicken malai and absolutely loved it! The restaurant is good if you have a big group and are very tolerant of toddlers and young children. A major plus in my book! So step out of your comfort zone and try something new! You will not regret it!!
(5)Luc R.
We have been here several times so we decided to use them for a party we were hosting. Even in large portions the quality did not suffer and it was ready right on time. The portions were so large we had to pack to go containers for everyone. Would use them again for sure.
(4)Keerti N.
NEVER EVER AGAIN. First of all we were the only 2 having a lunch in that place. Secondly, the waiter says he has no flexibility in order. The food was stale. The biryani was from the previous days. Sorry guys, delaying our order by 20 minutes does not give a impression that the food is made fresh. Why did they take 20 minutes to microwave the previous days food? The chicken side was so stale that I developed a bad stomach. I never had a chicken dish that stinks so bad. When we pointed this out, the restaurant manager asked us what is wrong. Either he does not know what a good food is or he is badly paid. Go if you want to test yourself.
(1)Amanda D.
Ordered take our from here with the yelp check in offer. The woman working was friendly enough. I got my food home (having a family gathering with 8 adults and 2 kids) and we had ordered 6 entrees, 4 naan, an onion kulchi and a side of rice. Well the rice we got was tiny, I was initially a little annoyed since the menu said it cost $8 but when I looked at the receipt they charged me for a small (which was only $4) but I'm not sure why they didn't clarify small versus large when I placed the order considering we ordered so much food. In either case, the food was very good and I had no other complaints. Just make sure to specify your rice size!
(4)Jonathan C.
This place is awesome! Its Pakistani food, The people work that are very nice! The food is always great. The only thing I dont know is that you have to pay extra for naan and rice.
(4)Shreya R.
Excellent lunch Buffett. Although the items on the lunch buffet were limited, I rather have the limited items because everything on the buffet lunch was amazing! The food tasted fresh and the flavors were spot on. I was pleased and excited to see Chole, puri and halwa and the poori was bought hot and fresh on the table. Chicken boti, biryani and chicken makhani was spot on!! And before I thought it could not get any better - we ate the KHEER... Best Kheer in town! Great place, will definitely visit again for their dinner menu
(4)Pratik S.
Is my goto place for Neehari, Goat curries as well as lamb curries. Their butter chicken is a kid favorite and so was the tandoori wings that they used to have. Sujat the owner takes good care of the restaurant along with his family and is eager to hear about customer concerns as well as compliments.
(4)Anonymous F.
It's so nice to live in the burbs and be able to get good pakistani/indian cuisine without having to drive an hour to the city (devon). Sara's is awesome, and the place is not too shabby. Very nicely decorated, spacious, well lit, looks new, great presentations and amazng buffet set up.
(5)Daniel A.
Such an amazing place! The pays are succulent, the haleem is fabulous, and my wife says that the kheer is the best she has EVER had (and she has eaten kheer everywhere). This place is amazing. We wish we lived in Chicago, we would come here every other week!
(5)Kika W.
This was my second time coming here. And again, they don't fail me! I ordered to go this time and specifically asked for a very spicy goat biryani. It was spot on...got me sweatin' and tasty at the same time. Didn't give me fire on my tongue (yet) but it was spicy/hot enough. They take it seriously what you asked for, and that deserve stars. Food/Service They use fresh ingredients and that's important for indian/pakistani foods. Haven't try the buffet yet, can't comment on that. They have (fluent) English speaking waiters...yay...also, the restaurant is clean and bright inside... Overall, it's a good addition/variety for the neighborhood's palate.
(4)Lucy C.
I came to Sara's to meet a friend for lunch on a random Friday. I felt a little bad because my friend was very tardy but the staff graciously served me water as I read a book and never once questioned whether my friend would actually show up. We ordered samosas, chicken makhni, shahi paneer, and an order of naan. The samosas were heavenly and one order of naan was enough for us to share. The entrees were both delicious and definitely hit the spot. The portions were just right for both of us to be sliiiightly over comfortably full but not stuffed or unhappy by any means. Rice was not given as a side, but our waiter brought us a bowl when we asked. The manager also came by after the meal with two small bowls of dessert samples for us. Yum! I was a little disappointed that there were no weekday lunch specials when we went. The manager said that they would be adding those soon, but I haven't been back to see those. I have heard great things about their weekend lunch buffet but have yet to try that out. I haven't quite figured out how I feel about stuffing my face with curries in the AM.
(4)Sumit A.
We were a group of 5 friends who arrived at the restaurant little after 10 pm on a sunday night and the restaurant kitchen had got closed.However the folks at the restaurant were very sweet and they did offered us the food with great warmth and hospitality.The Food was amazing and hospitality offered by the staff was simply amazing.I would definitely recommend this place to one and all for authentic food
(5)Apara W.
They have a fairly decent Indian vegetarian selection. I have done take away and dine in a few times. Dal and Paneer, along with nan have been consistent with quality. Good option if you are craving Indian.
(4)Omer A.
Authentic pakistani food, quality atmosphere, with a knowledge of how to do business in Naperville
(5)Sunil S.
Tried their mutton briyani and beef nihari both are excellent. I carry out food many times from this place. I do agree with the reviewer that the service sucks here so I would not recommend for a dine-in. My advise order 20 min before and just stop by to take it out... Good - Briyani, Kabob, nihari and buffet Bad - Slow service, Make sure you ask right spice level.
(4)Anonymous U.
Our entire family loves Sara's, even the pickiest little eaters! All the entrees we have tried are full of fresh ingredients and flavorful, the restaurant is clean, and the staff are very welcoming. They are courteous, responsive, and they actually smile, qualities that are sorely lacking at most other Indo/Pak restaurants in the Chicago area. It's one of the few Chicago area desi restaurants where you can actually walk out feeling like you just had a good dining out experience. We live more or less equidistant from Sara's and Shahi Nihari's Villa Park location, and our entire family always prefers Sara's over Shahi Nihari! Sara's food, service, and ambience are all far superior to Shahi Nihari--there's no comparison!
(5)Z T.
The place is clean and thats the only reason I am giving them 2 stars. A friend introduced me to their samosas and I had liked it then and thought about trying a few other things. But I was highly disappointed by their service. Very slow service. and even the food was not worth the wait! At one time I ordered their Chicken makhni ....it was just chicken dipped in cream!! No taste at all and you feel you have just swallowed a bowl of heavy whipping cream... And at other time I had ordered their Chicken malai as recommended by someone who took my order at the desk (I think it was the owner). It was a to go order. When i opened the box at home it was clearly undercooked! I literally had to broil it in my oven before we could eat it. And they had taken good 45 minutes to make my order despite the fact that there was hardly any customer at 1 pm on a working day in their restaurant!! Come on, man! If you are charging so much you better ensure your food is cooked and has some taste. For me this place has really disappointed me. There are much better options available in and around Naperville area. Thanks but no thanks, Sara's Grill!
(2)M B.
Best Indian/Pakistani food I've had (outside of home) is a really long time. We had a big group and shared a bunch of dishes and appetizers. There isn't anything I wouldn't recommend - all excellent! The top of the list would be the fish pakoras, butter chicken, okra, and #1 and #3 grill platters, but I would gladly have any of the items we ordered again. We will definitely be back and even thought its little bit of a hike (20 min) from us, this will definitely be our go to place from now on.
(5)S M.
good food and ambience. A bit pricey ( and hence not 5 star) Loved the tea, kheer and halwa puri.
(4)Shishir S.
There is no dearth of Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the Naperville area or Chicagoland for that matter BUT most of the places (and I have been to a lot of 'em..) end up serving the same stuff, made pretty much the same way, served in the same manner.. There is a bored element to how they approach their cooking.. Same gravy/curry.. Same masalas and so on.. Sara's is a breath of fresh air compared to all this rampant monotony and near-death boredom.. They don't overwhelm you with an unending menu or their weekend buffet spread for that matter.. The waiters here aren't struggling to hold a conversation in English and are in fact a good mix of knowledge and courtesy and give you enough space to enjoy the meal in peace. Their cooking is authentic and the spices are perfectly balanced to make sure each item tastes the way it is supposed to.. No hurried up job, no wannabe chic-ness either.. Just a tasteful place to enjoy a good meal :)
(5)Distinguished T.
One of the better Pakistani/Indian restaurants in the area. Little on the oily side, but that's just how the cuisine is. I go there for the weekend brunch. The lassi is great and has to be ordered separately. Good customer service.
(4)Julie C.
Spouse and I SO happy to have come across this fabulous find! Now we never have to travel to the big city for authentic cuisine! The fragrance and aroma of the food is only surpassed by its deliciousness! Cannot wait to share this restaurant with all our friends and family..
(5)Rachanee S.
I've been here so many times since they've open. So many, because the food is very good. It's our go to restaurant when we want to eat in the area instead of going downtown. We bring friends here and have gotten take-out again, many times. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because there's room for improvement. There chai is straight up horrible, go figure. Wish they had a better dessert menu to. Finally, service NEEDS improvement. If you want a knife, you have to ask. No problem, I'm glad to ask. But I need a person there to ask. I've never ever encountered rudeness. As many times as I've been here, the wait staff consistently disappears. :-(
(4)Dan C.
Went here on a friend's recommendation. So glad I did. Ordered veggie samosas, veggie rice, naan, chana masala, and hara bhara chicken. The food was amazing! Service was awesome and the environment was great (cute place) as well. Definitely coming back.
(5)Bea B.
Tasty meal. I had lunch there on a weekday and got a Paneer dish with peas and basmati rice on the side. Not too heavy and tasted high quality. The decor is nice inside and comfortable with a good amount of booths and tables. It was dead in there in a Tuesday during the lunch hour rush. I do plan to go back soon. One notes though is that the 'waitress/hostess' was not too welcoming. She was not rude by any means....just indifferent. She came over like 3 times in the first 10 minutes were were there to take our order (yes I know there is only one other occupied table there and you need something to do)....but I wanted to catch up with my friend a little before looking at the menu. Then when we were ready to order, she didn't really seem interested in giving any menu ideas. The interaction with her was just 'off'. It seems like she wanted to just seat us and take our order, but not have to interact with us and answer questions about the menu. The owner (or someone with management) kept coming in and out of the front door area talking really loud on her cell phone and then walking through the restaurant talking really loud on the cell phone. She did a few times during our meal...not just once. So that was rude behavior. Food good....staff/management a bit 'off'.
(4)Richard T.
It's ok. Good service. But, they seem to forget this and that from our order and even forget to pack all of our left overs, when we got home only to realize 2 of our 3 dishes were not packed, I guess they are still on their kitchen counter... Disappointed!
(3)Ajit B.
Looking at the reviews, me and my wife went in. The owner sat us, took our order for drinks (water) and disappeared never to show his face again. We waited for 20 mins and no one showed up with our water or to take our order. I finally decided to leave and at least tell the owner that we did not like the service. No one actually bothered to ask us why we are leaving after waiting patiently for half an hour. Never going there again!!!
(1)Ginny R.
We used a Groupon tonight at Sara's and were very impressed with the food. We had the Grill platter #3 and Chicken Makhni which is Chicken served in a butter curry cream and herbs. We also had 2 orders of the Garlic Naan. The grill platter was good because it gave us a chance to try several different types of chicken and a beef. The Chicken Makhni was awesome especially coupled with the Garlic Naan. It was just as described a buttery curry. Yum! The place has a warm ambiance and we loved our waiter "Rocky." He asked us what we liked and made some great suggestions. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Asra H.
Yummy chicken makhani, naan, grill platter. Plain white rice was salty.
(4)Anonymous F.
It's so nice to live in the burbs and be able to get good pakistani/indian cuisine without having to drive an hour to the city (devon). Sara's is awesome, and the place is not too shabby. Very nicely decorated, spacious, well lit, looks new, great presentations and amazng buffet set up.
(5)Daniel A.
Such an amazing place! The pays are succulent, the haleem is fabulous, and my wife says that the kheer is the best she has EVER had (and she has eaten kheer everywhere). This place is amazing. We wish we lived in Chicago, we would come here every other week!
(5)Sara R.
Our experience at Sara's was awesome! My name is Sara and my husband took me to this place as a surprise a couple of weeks after our wedding! Loved the food and the ambiance! Alhamdulillah :)
(5)Hira H.
Sara's is a true gem when it comes to Pakistani/Indian cuisine. To get food like this outside of the city/Devon is simply a blessing! I've had their Iftar buffet, and their suhoor buffet, during Ramadan and both were chock full of delicious options. Outside of Ramadan, I ordered food for takeaway today from their regular menu. I ordered their Grill Platter #1, which included lamb chops, grilled fish, skewers of chicken shashlik, and Bihari kababs. Now, usually when I order a mixed platter, I only expect 1/2 or 2/3 of the platter to be good - not all components are usually good. So imagine my surprise when each of the aforementioned components was cooked to perfection! I especially loved the chops, the shashlik and the fish. In addition to the platter, I ordered the Karahi Gosht (mutton/lamb), and it was absolutely delicious - the curry was nice and rich, and just the right blend of spices without being overtly spicy or heavy. There was plenty of meat in the curry, and all of it was tender and scrumptious! The naan was warm and soft, and packaged well for the takeout, I imagine it tastes even better in house (it did when I went for the buffet). Lastly, the imli chutney was good, but perhaps needs to be slightly less sweet. The mint-cilantro yogurt chutney was just pure perfection. They also packed a salad and some white rice, which I was not expecting so again I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, Sara's food has yet to disappoint me. Far from disappointing, their food is always satisfying and excellent, and their portions are pretty good. Also, their management is really sweet and quite accommodating. I would most certainly recommend this desi place to anyone who is looking for good Pakistani/Indian food in the Aurora/Naperville area.
(5)Angie E.
This place is PERFECT. I will add a more detailed description later but they have an excellent buffet- some of the best butter chicken I've had- plenty of other high quality items and flavor is spot on- and they have unlimited yummy chai at the buffet times! Can't ask for more! And all halal!!! Support Muslim-owned businesses! Hands down the ONLY place I will go to for Indian food ever again! Ps- their service is excellent!!!! I was shocked and amazed at how patient they were when my friends and I brought kids and they didn't seem to mind at all with how loud and messy they got :/!! They give service with a smile and very attentive. Love this place
(5)Gops P.
Even after all this new Indian resuturants and fine dine opend in area no one could beat Sara's Biryani , samosa and kheer still the best. Owner is a true business man always greets you with smile and makes you feel you are a repeating customer and he admires it.
(4)Eva V.
I feel like this review should be 2 part. The first part is food. Everything I've tried so far is good, and I loved their chicken tikka! The second is service and value. This is where this place fails to meet expectations. The service is painfully slow. Both times I've been there (lunch and dinner), they've only had one person working the entire front part of the restaurant. The lunch buffet is laughable with only 3/4 good dishes. And they don't always honor specials listed on their website! All this being said, I hope they can turn this place around because it has potential.
(2)Hadeel N.
My family and I were here to celebrate my moms birthday and the food was amazing! We all split the Chicken Makhni, chicken 65, a grill platter, the frontier rice, naan, and chicken biryani and everything was so good! The chicken 65 was my absolute favorite! We will definitely be going back! Service was also very good! Our waiter answered all of our questions and made some great suggestions!
(5)Asim S.
This place is a good change from the usual Devon fare. Food is fresh, so it does take time, but well worth it. Chappli kabob and seekh kabobs on point. Karachi gosht filled with plenty of good boti pieces and not flooded in oil, fresh naans. I will definitely come here again. It's a bit of a drive from the city, but well worth going to that bubble of town called Naper-thrill
(4)Aditya G.
Amazing. Just amazing The best Indian/Pakistani I've had at the most reasonable price.
(5)Ankur N.
Great food. The naan was amazingly soft. The food was not oily at all. Dal with all that fresh coriander (not cilantro) and garlic was amazing. The only issue is that they should update their website. The first page of menu on the website misinforms regarding the free appetizer thing.
(4)Roneel S.
The place is clean, and the lunch buffet was really tasty. Normally I stay away from buffet for the fear of mediocre food, and I had hesitations when we went here. The food was a little spicy for my taste, but tasty regardless. The staffs are good and friendly. The reasons I took a star off is because they did not have good dessert, and the Biryani could have used Raita in the buffet. The staff was nice to bring us a bowl of raita when we asked, but it did not meet the expectation.
(4)Marie D.
A very good introduction to Indian/Pakistani cuisine. They will work with you in adjusting the heat level in their food. My two year old daughter devoured the shami kebabs! My 13 year old son and I shared the chicken malai, mutton qorma, plain basmati rice and roti/chapati. We had plenty of leftovers! In fact, my parents came over the following day and tried the mutton qorma and chicken malai and absolutely loved it! The restaurant is good if you have a big group and are very tolerant of toddlers and young children. A major plus in my book! So step out of your comfort zone and try something new! You will not regret it!!
(5)Luc R.
We have been here several times so we decided to use them for a party we were hosting. Even in large portions the quality did not suffer and it was ready right on time. The portions were so large we had to pack to go containers for everyone. Would use them again for sure.
(4)Keerti N.
NEVER EVER AGAIN. First of all we were the only 2 having a lunch in that place. Secondly, the waiter says he has no flexibility in order. The food was stale. The biryani was from the previous days. Sorry guys, delaying our order by 20 minutes does not give a impression that the food is made fresh. Why did they take 20 minutes to microwave the previous days food? The chicken side was so stale that I developed a bad stomach. I never had a chicken dish that stinks so bad. When we pointed this out, the restaurant manager asked us what is wrong. Either he does not know what a good food is or he is badly paid. Go if you want to test yourself.
(1)Amanda D.
Ordered take our from here with the yelp check in offer. The woman working was friendly enough. I got my food home (having a family gathering with 8 adults and 2 kids) and we had ordered 6 entrees, 4 naan, an onion kulchi and a side of rice. Well the rice we got was tiny, I was initially a little annoyed since the menu said it cost $8 but when I looked at the receipt they charged me for a small (which was only $4) but I'm not sure why they didn't clarify small versus large when I placed the order considering we ordered so much food. In either case, the food was very good and I had no other complaints. Just make sure to specify your rice size!
(4)Jonathan C.
This place is awesome! Its Pakistani food, The people work that are very nice! The food is always great. The only thing I dont know is that you have to pay extra for naan and rice.
(4)Shreya R.
Excellent lunch Buffett. Although the items on the lunch buffet were limited, I rather have the limited items because everything on the buffet lunch was amazing! The food tasted fresh and the flavors were spot on. I was pleased and excited to see Chole, puri and halwa and the poori was bought hot and fresh on the table. Chicken boti, biryani and chicken makhani was spot on!! And before I thought it could not get any better - we ate the KHEER... Best Kheer in town! Great place, will definitely visit again for their dinner menu
(4)Pratik S.
Is my goto place for Neehari, Goat curries as well as lamb curries. Their butter chicken is a kid favorite and so was the tandoori wings that they used to have. Sujat the owner takes good care of the restaurant along with his family and is eager to hear about customer concerns as well as compliments.
(4)Anonymous U.
Our entire family loves Sara's, even the pickiest little eaters! All the entrees we have tried are full of fresh ingredients and flavorful, the restaurant is clean, and the staff are very welcoming. They are courteous, responsive, and they actually smile, qualities that are sorely lacking at most other Indo/Pak restaurants in the Chicago area. It's one of the few Chicago area desi restaurants where you can actually walk out feeling like you just had a good dining out experience. We live more or less equidistant from Sara's and Shahi Nihari's Villa Park location, and our entire family always prefers Sara's over Shahi Nihari! Sara's food, service, and ambience are all far superior to Shahi Nihari--there's no comparison!
(5)Z T.
The place is clean and thats the only reason I am giving them 2 stars. A friend introduced me to their samosas and I had liked it then and thought about trying a few other things. But I was highly disappointed by their service. Very slow service. and even the food was not worth the wait! At one time I ordered their Chicken makhni ....it was just chicken dipped in cream!! No taste at all and you feel you have just swallowed a bowl of heavy whipping cream... And at other time I had ordered their Chicken malai as recommended by someone who took my order at the desk (I think it was the owner). It was a to go order. When i opened the box at home it was clearly undercooked! I literally had to broil it in my oven before we could eat it. And they had taken good 45 minutes to make my order despite the fact that there was hardly any customer at 1 pm on a working day in their restaurant!! Come on, man! If you are charging so much you better ensure your food is cooked and has some taste. For me this place has really disappointed me. There are much better options available in and around Naperville area. Thanks but no thanks, Sara's Grill!
(2)M B.
Best Indian/Pakistani food I've had (outside of home) is a really long time. We had a big group and shared a bunch of dishes and appetizers. There isn't anything I wouldn't recommend - all excellent! The top of the list would be the fish pakoras, butter chicken, okra, and #1 and #3 grill platters, but I would gladly have any of the items we ordered again. We will definitely be back and even thought its little bit of a hike (20 min) from us, this will definitely be our go to place from now on.
(5)S M.
good food and ambience. A bit pricey ( and hence not 5 star) Loved the tea, kheer and halwa puri.
(4)Vishesh N.
Food quality was great, portions were good, but service could be improved (they must be temporarily short-staffed). Had the fish pakora (deep fried fish morsels). Very good and perfectly spiced. The mixed grill (chicken, beef kabob, etc) was also quite good. I was impressed by how fresh the grilled items were -- all were piping hot, which is nice to see. Too often Indian restaurants reheat items grilled hours earlier, which leaves meat dry. Not so here. Keep up the good work!
(4)Dana L.
We have been to Sara's twice now for dine in, and about ten times for carry out...and we couldn't be happier with another Indian place!! The food is superb! While we have tried multiple things, the past few times we've ordered out we find ourselves ordering the same thing because it's just that delicious! We love the chicken makhni (ordered extra spicy), fish pakoras, zeera rice, and the naan. Plenty to share, and between my husband and I we always have left overs for the next day! YUM! The ambiance isn't anything to write home about, but it's in a good location. I've never really been to an Indian place that had great ambiance so this doesn't bother me. That being said, we've always had great service and people have been friendly. Our search for our favorite Indian joint has finally come to an end after several years...we are perfectly happy with Sara's!
(5)Lucy C.
I came to Sara's to meet a friend for lunch on a random Friday. I felt a little bad because my friend was very tardy but the staff graciously served me water as I read a book and never once questioned whether my friend would actually show up. We ordered samosas, chicken makhni, shahi paneer, and an order of naan. The samosas were heavenly and one order of naan was enough for us to share. The entrees were both delicious and definitely hit the spot. The portions were just right for both of us to be sliiiightly over comfortably full but not stuffed or unhappy by any means. Rice was not given as a side, but our waiter brought us a bowl when we asked. The manager also came by after the meal with two small bowls of dessert samples for us. Yum! I was a little disappointed that there were no weekday lunch specials when we went. The manager said that they would be adding those soon, but I haven't been back to see those. I have heard great things about their weekend lunch buffet but have yet to try that out. I haven't quite figured out how I feel about stuffing my face with curries in the AM.
(4)Sharad C.
I love their grilled food , their food is good quality and the taste.. Would love to try out their buffet sometime over the weekend. I always went their for a dinner, Loved their tandoori chicken, butter chicken and awesome Veg entrees as well Paneer Makhani..
(4)Anna A.
Excellent food every time I have been. They also have buffet on weekends. Nice clean good food. Great kheer.
(5)Radhika K.
This is my first ever yelp review.. i am in so love with Sara ..we had been there twice already in a week... One of our friend introduced this place to us .... Meat here is fanstatic...its cooked to perfection and halwa poori is the best i had in us .... Food portions are generous for the price.. friendly staff and great food !!... Cant wait to go back.. P:S try their mutton karahi! thats the best and the samosa..fresh n crisp..best i had in chicago ...
(5)Melissa K.
I came here after finding out the owner of my favorite salon had now started a new venture as a restaurant owner. I've always had a love for middle eastern and Indian cuisine so I was eager to try out what Sara's had to offer. I was taken back to say the least. Immediately walking in I took notice to the beautiful detail in the wall coverings and the big picture window that allows you to see the cooks as they are hard at work. I tried the grill platter #3 and can say it was amazing! Everything about the flavors, and the freshness of the food is what makes this the best, and now my favorite, place to enjoy Indian food. The staff was very pleasant, and the atmosphere is one that forces you to sit back, relax and feel like you're right at home at your own table. I look forward to going back and trying some of the other platters and appetizers. Happy eats!
(5)Twylla S.
This place has a delicious little lunch buffet and also offers carry-out. I'm a fan of the lunch buffet because I like to try a couple of different things instead of committing to just one in carry-out. I liked that not everything on the buffet was spice-less. Now...it's not really "spicy" either but it has a little warmth to it which I appreciate. The staff is very nice!
(4)Monica B.
My first time having Indian food and was really pleased. We tried their buffet that they have on Sunday which is a good thing for a newbie like me. Got to try a variety of things and everything was real fresh and tasty and just the right amount of spiciness. Will be going back sometime soon for the buffet again. The ambiance is very nice too so 5 stars for a well rounded dining experience.
(5)Troy S.
We enjoyed it very much. Food and service were great. A little faster with the drinks. All 4 of us enjoyed the appetizers and main course.
(4)Joann N.
Food was great, but service was definitely lacking.
(4)Kathryn G.
We went to Sara's Grill after purchasing a Groupon deal. We were pleasantly surprised that they had a lunch buffet which was great and well attended. The wait staff was great despite it being quite busy. We will definitely go again.
(5)Shahid M.
I loved it, I have been to Sara Grill about 4 times in past 3 months. Food is always fresh, i have tried grill platter, biryani, seekh fry and chicken makhani. Samosas and Kashmir tea are simply the best. Ambiance is great and waiters are welcoming. I guess change of owners has made a big differece!. My 5 stars.
(5)Priscilla M.
Just ate there with my daughter, the food is ssooooooo good. The flavor meets your mouth, the meats are tender. The teas, soo different, yet so much flavor. The ambience is clam, relaxing, beautiful. I will go back. For those who love good flavorful food.
(5)Maya Y.
Great service, friendly owner, generous portions!! The restaraunt is clean, great for families or couples. Portions are good and good prices. The food is okay, I will def go back just because everyone is so friendly and accomodating.
(4)Seema K.
Food is delicious!! They do a great job packing up the 'to go' food and make sure you have everything you need to go along with the main course. The chicken kabobs are absolutely the BEST i have tasted in any Chicago restaurant! That includes any devon restaurants. The service is great and the restaurant is clean and well decorated. We eat here at least a couple times a month now.
(5)Asif F.
Ate here 3 times last week.Loved it. Food was fresh and tasty. Grilled meats were excellent. Service was top shelf. Large portions. Highly recommend trying it out.
(5)SS S.
Today was the first time we had been to Sara's. I bought a Groupon coupon for $30 worth of food and wanted to check this place out. We didn't want to go for the buffet but wanted order couple of entry items from their menu. Went for lunch I ordered grilled fish and my son ordered mutton korma. We also ordered Naan to go with our entries. The fish was the best so far I have eaten in a very long time. The marination was very flavorful and tasty with a hint of sourness and a spicyness. I could taste all kinds of indo Pakistani spices in it and it was so moist and cooked to the perfection. My son loves the mutton korma and he had enough to bring home some left overs for later. The Naan was so fluffy and so fresh and surprisingly we did not feel stuffed even after eating stomach full which happens any time we eat Naan in other places. We have already decided to go to Sara's again and order the same two items. We love it. The place is clean and the service is very good. They kept checking on our waters and kept asking few times how everything is. Good service. Will sure go again.
(5)Carrie B.
For a new ethnic neighborhood restaurant Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine was a refreshing choice. The decor was beautiful, ambiance just perfect after a long day of work. The young man who was our server was quite knowledgeable of the menu and suggested we try a grill plate since we were both ordering chicken and couldn't decide. He felt it gave us a nice sampling of some of the chicken dishes that were offered. We ordered Roti to accompany it. The chicken selections were delicious, the only disappointment was that the bed of onions and green peppers underneath it were overcooked and charred. Everything was served hot. The Jasmine rice was nicely scented with lemon zest and we did not find it to be salty. Our server did let us know that a Groupon special was going on and it was a great deal! We did purchase our Groupon deal when we got home. He also mentioned the buffet to try on the weekends to sample all their delicious foods. Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine is most certainly a place to go for delicious South Asian food and selection, and the dining area is superb!
(4)Sumit A.
We were a group of 5 friends who arrived at the restaurant little after 10 pm on a sunday night and the restaurant kitchen had got closed.However the folks at the restaurant were very sweet and they did offered us the food with great warmth and hospitality.The Food was amazing and hospitality offered by the staff was simply amazing.I would definitely recommend this place to one and all for authentic food
(5)Apara W.
They have a fairly decent Indian vegetarian selection. I have done take away and dine in a few times. Dal and Paneer, along with nan have been consistent with quality. Good option if you are craving Indian.
(4)Omer A.
Authentic pakistani food, quality atmosphere, with a knowledge of how to do business in Naperville
(5)Sunil S.
Tried their mutton briyani and beef nihari both are excellent. I carry out food many times from this place. I do agree with the reviewer that the service sucks here so I would not recommend for a dine-in. My advise order 20 min before and just stop by to take it out... Good - Briyani, Kabob, nihari and buffet Bad - Slow service, Make sure you ask right spice level.
(4)Kika W.
This was my second time coming here. And again, they don't fail me! I ordered to go this time and specifically asked for a very spicy goat biryani. It was spot on...got me sweatin' and tasty at the same time. Didn't give me fire on my tongue (yet) but it was spicy/hot enough. They take it seriously what you asked for, and that deserve stars. Food/Service They use fresh ingredients and that's important for indian/pakistani foods. Haven't try the buffet yet, can't comment on that. They have (fluent) English speaking waiters...yay...also, the restaurant is clean and bright inside... Overall, it's a good addition/variety for the neighborhood's palate.
(4)Ali A.
My mom and dad have been coming here ever since the management changed. They come almost weekly and when we are in town we all make sure to come at least once. The owner is amazing and knows everything we like and even customs orders for my kids to lower spice levels. My husband even has asked for foods that are not on the menu and they made it no problem! The fish pakora is a must try and you can't go wrong with the bahari kabob. On cold days we like to have their chai to go. It's like home here but without having to do the dishes!
(5)Ehm J.
Love this place... been here a few times, service is always great... very affordable too!
(4)Mv D.
Not bad! Brunch buffet. Limited items sometimes result in quality over quantity, I found Sara's believes in that philosophy. Real tandoor. One can see food being made, thus eat with peace of mind, knowing how the staff is treating your food. Fresh naan makes all the difference, it comes out piping hot and buttered. Service can be a little slow, but the courteous staff who are willing to please make up for it. Good food though the chicken biriyani had some hard rice either from being undercooked or from drying out from the buffet warmer. I usually don't eat samosa at a buffet, but the fam insisted that I have some. It was flakey and fresh. Salad was fresh. Kheer and halwa were delish. Great ala carte seekh kababs. Great chicken boti, juicy, smokey, not overcooked. The spice/heat level is medium from an Indian person's perspective, but the fragrances and flavors are bold and balanced.
(4)Shishir S.
There is no dearth of Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the Naperville area or Chicagoland for that matter BUT most of the places (and I have been to a lot of 'em..) end up serving the same stuff, made pretty much the same way, served in the same manner.. There is a bored element to how they approach their cooking.. Same gravy/curry.. Same masalas and so on.. Sara's is a breath of fresh air compared to all this rampant monotony and near-death boredom.. They don't overwhelm you with an unending menu or their weekend buffet spread for that matter.. The waiters here aren't struggling to hold a conversation in English and are in fact a good mix of knowledge and courtesy and give you enough space to enjoy the meal in peace. Their cooking is authentic and the spices are perfectly balanced to make sure each item tastes the way it is supposed to.. No hurried up job, no wannabe chic-ness either.. Just a tasteful place to enjoy a good meal :)
(5)Distinguished T.
One of the better Pakistani/Indian restaurants in the area. Little on the oily side, but that's just how the cuisine is. I go there for the weekend brunch. The lassi is great and has to be ordered separately. Good customer service.
(4)Julie C.
Spouse and I SO happy to have come across this fabulous find! Now we never have to travel to the big city for authentic cuisine! The fragrance and aroma of the food is only surpassed by its deliciousness! Cannot wait to share this restaurant with all our friends and family..
(5)Rachanee S.
I've been here so many times since they've open. So many, because the food is very good. It's our go to restaurant when we want to eat in the area instead of going downtown. We bring friends here and have gotten take-out again, many times. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because there's room for improvement. There chai is straight up horrible, go figure. Wish they had a better dessert menu to. Finally, service NEEDS improvement. If you want a knife, you have to ask. No problem, I'm glad to ask. But I need a person there to ask. I've never ever encountered rudeness. As many times as I've been here, the wait staff consistently disappears. :-(
(4)Dan C.
Went here on a friend's recommendation. So glad I did. Ordered veggie samosas, veggie rice, naan, chana masala, and hara bhara chicken. The food was amazing! Service was awesome and the environment was great (cute place) as well. Definitely coming back.
(5)Bea B.
Tasty meal. I had lunch there on a weekday and got a Paneer dish with peas and basmati rice on the side. Not too heavy and tasted high quality. The decor is nice inside and comfortable with a good amount of booths and tables. It was dead in there in a Tuesday during the lunch hour rush. I do plan to go back soon. One notes though is that the 'waitress/hostess' was not too welcoming. She was not rude by any means....just indifferent. She came over like 3 times in the first 10 minutes were were there to take our order (yes I know there is only one other occupied table there and you need something to do)....but I wanted to catch up with my friend a little before looking at the menu. Then when we were ready to order, she didn't really seem interested in giving any menu ideas. The interaction with her was just 'off'. It seems like she wanted to just seat us and take our order, but not have to interact with us and answer questions about the menu. The owner (or someone with management) kept coming in and out of the front door area talking really loud on her cell phone and then walking through the restaurant talking really loud on the cell phone. She did a few times during our meal...not just once. So that was rude behavior. Food good....staff/management a bit 'off'.
(4)Sandi P.
3 of us enjoyed a very tasty dinner here yesterday. We wanted something nontraditional for us Easter dinner....and Sara's really fit the bill. We started with crispy samosas that were very flavorful. They were served with a spicy tamarind sauce. For entrees I chose the tandoori chicken wings - 6 full size wings (had to ask for a knife to split them) that were so delicious. Crispy with a deeply marinated flavor. Husband enjoyed his dish also - tender lamb tiiki masala chunks in a flavorful sauce. It was not red like many masala sauces but brown. daughter opted for the shahi paneer dish. We also ordered basamati rice (extra charge) and garlic naan that was grilled in the tandoor oven and was very good. We has enough left over for another meal (Indian food always tastes great reheated!) Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled often. We will definitely come back again.
(4)Hadeel N.
My family and I were here to celebrate my moms birthday and the food was amazing! We all split the Chicken Makhni, chicken 65, a grill platter, the frontier rice, naan, and chicken biryani and everything was so good! The chicken 65 was my absolute favorite! We will definitely be going back! Service was also very good! Our waiter answered all of our questions and made some great suggestions!
(5)Gops P.
Even after all this new Indian resuturants and fine dine opend in area no one could beat Sara's Biryani , samosa and kheer still the best. Owner is a true business man always greets you with smile and makes you feel you are a repeating customer and he admires it.
(4)Eva V.
I feel like this review should be 2 part. The first part is food. Everything I've tried so far is good, and I loved their chicken tikka! The second is service and value. This is where this place fails to meet expectations. The service is painfully slow. Both times I've been there (lunch and dinner), they've only had one person working the entire front part of the restaurant. The lunch buffet is laughable with only 3/4 good dishes. And they don't always honor specials listed on their website! All this being said, I hope they can turn this place around because it has potential.
(2)Roneel S.
The place is clean, and the lunch buffet was really tasty. Normally I stay away from buffet for the fear of mediocre food, and I had hesitations when we went here. The food was a little spicy for my taste, but tasty regardless. The staffs are good and friendly. The reasons I took a star off is because they did not have good dessert, and the Biryani could have used Raita in the buffet. The staff was nice to bring us a bowl of raita when we asked, but it did not meet the expectation.
(4)Marie D.
A very good introduction to Indian/Pakistani cuisine. They will work with you in adjusting the heat level in their food. My two year old daughter devoured the shami kebabs! My 13 year old son and I shared the chicken malai, mutton qorma, plain basmati rice and roti/chapati. We had plenty of leftovers! In fact, my parents came over the following day and tried the mutton qorma and chicken malai and absolutely loved it! The restaurant is good if you have a big group and are very tolerant of toddlers and young children. A major plus in my book! So step out of your comfort zone and try something new! You will not regret it!!
(5)Luc R.
We have been here several times so we decided to use them for a party we were hosting. Even in large portions the quality did not suffer and it was ready right on time. The portions were so large we had to pack to go containers for everyone. Would use them again for sure.
(4)Keerti N.
NEVER EVER AGAIN. First of all we were the only 2 having a lunch in that place. Secondly, the waiter says he has no flexibility in order. The food was stale. The biryani was from the previous days. Sorry guys, delaying our order by 20 minutes does not give a impression that the food is made fresh. Why did they take 20 minutes to microwave the previous days food? The chicken side was so stale that I developed a bad stomach. I never had a chicken dish that stinks so bad. When we pointed this out, the restaurant manager asked us what is wrong. Either he does not know what a good food is or he is badly paid. Go if you want to test yourself.
(1)Amanda D.
Ordered take our from here with the yelp check in offer. The woman working was friendly enough. I got my food home (having a family gathering with 8 adults and 2 kids) and we had ordered 6 entrees, 4 naan, an onion kulchi and a side of rice. Well the rice we got was tiny, I was initially a little annoyed since the menu said it cost $8 but when I looked at the receipt they charged me for a small (which was only $4) but I'm not sure why they didn't clarify small versus large when I placed the order considering we ordered so much food. In either case, the food was very good and I had no other complaints. Just make sure to specify your rice size!
(4)Jonathan C.
This place is awesome! Its Pakistani food, The people work that are very nice! The food is always great. The only thing I dont know is that you have to pay extra for naan and rice.
(4)Pratik S.
Is my goto place for Neehari, Goat curries as well as lamb curries. Their butter chicken is a kid favorite and so was the tandoori wings that they used to have. Sujat the owner takes good care of the restaurant along with his family and is eager to hear about customer concerns as well as compliments.
(4)Shreya R.
Excellent lunch Buffett. Although the items on the lunch buffet were limited, I rather have the limited items because everything on the buffet lunch was amazing! The food tasted fresh and the flavors were spot on. I was pleased and excited to see Chole, puri and halwa and the poori was bought hot and fresh on the table. Chicken boti, biryani and chicken makhani was spot on!! And before I thought it could not get any better - we ate the KHEER... Best Kheer in town! Great place, will definitely visit again for their dinner menu
(4)Anonymous F.
It's so nice to live in the burbs and be able to get good pakistani/indian cuisine without having to drive an hour to the city (devon). Sara's is awesome, and the place is not too shabby. Very nicely decorated, spacious, well lit, looks new, great presentations and amazng buffet set up.
(5)Daniel A.
Such an amazing place! The pays are succulent, the haleem is fabulous, and my wife says that the kheer is the best she has EVER had (and she has eaten kheer everywhere). This place is amazing. We wish we lived in Chicago, we would come here every other week!
(5)Kika W.
This was my second time coming here. And again, they don't fail me! I ordered to go this time and specifically asked for a very spicy goat biryani. It was spot on...got me sweatin' and tasty at the same time. Didn't give me fire on my tongue (yet) but it was spicy/hot enough. They take it seriously what you asked for, and that deserve stars. Food/Service They use fresh ingredients and that's important for indian/pakistani foods. Haven't try the buffet yet, can't comment on that. They have (fluent) English speaking waiters...yay...also, the restaurant is clean and bright inside... Overall, it's a good addition/variety for the neighborhood's palate.
(4)Ehm J.
Love this place... been here a few times, service is always great... very affordable too!
(4)Ali A.
My mom and dad have been coming here ever since the management changed. They come almost weekly and when we are in town we all make sure to come at least once. The owner is amazing and knows everything we like and even customs orders for my kids to lower spice levels. My husband even has asked for foods that are not on the menu and they made it no problem! The fish pakora is a must try and you can't go wrong with the bahari kabob. On cold days we like to have their chai to go. It's like home here but without having to do the dishes!
(5)Sara R.
Our experience at Sara's was awesome! My name is Sara and my husband took me to this place as a surprise a couple of weeks after our wedding! Loved the food and the ambiance! Alhamdulillah :)
(5)Vishesh N.
Food quality was great, portions were good, but service could be improved (they must be temporarily short-staffed). Had the fish pakora (deep fried fish morsels). Very good and perfectly spiced. The mixed grill (chicken, beef kabob, etc) was also quite good. I was impressed by how fresh the grilled items were -- all were piping hot, which is nice to see. Too often Indian restaurants reheat items grilled hours earlier, which leaves meat dry. Not so here. Keep up the good work!
(4)Lucy C.
I came to Sara's to meet a friend for lunch on a random Friday. I felt a little bad because my friend was very tardy but the staff graciously served me water as I read a book and never once questioned whether my friend would actually show up. We ordered samosas, chicken makhni, shahi paneer, and an order of naan. The samosas were heavenly and one order of naan was enough for us to share. The entrees were both delicious and definitely hit the spot. The portions were just right for both of us to be sliiiightly over comfortably full but not stuffed or unhappy by any means. Rice was not given as a side, but our waiter brought us a bowl when we asked. The manager also came by after the meal with two small bowls of dessert samples for us. Yum! I was a little disappointed that there were no weekday lunch specials when we went. The manager said that they would be adding those soon, but I haven't been back to see those. I have heard great things about their weekend lunch buffet but have yet to try that out. I haven't quite figured out how I feel about stuffing my face with curries in the AM.
(4)Dana L.
We have been to Sara's twice now for dine in, and about ten times for carry out...and we couldn't be happier with another Indian place!! The food is superb! While we have tried multiple things, the past few times we've ordered out we find ourselves ordering the same thing because it's just that delicious! We love the chicken makhni (ordered extra spicy), fish pakoras, zeera rice, and the naan. Plenty to share, and between my husband and I we always have left overs for the next day! YUM! The ambiance isn't anything to write home about, but it's in a good location. I've never really been to an Indian place that had great ambiance so this doesn't bother me. That being said, we've always had great service and people have been friendly. Our search for our favorite Indian joint has finally come to an end after several years...we are perfectly happy with Sara's!
(5)Mv D.
Not bad! Brunch buffet. Limited items sometimes result in quality over quantity, I found Sara's believes in that philosophy. Real tandoor. One can see food being made, thus eat with peace of mind, knowing how the staff is treating your food. Fresh naan makes all the difference, it comes out piping hot and buttered. Service can be a little slow, but the courteous staff who are willing to please make up for it. Good food though the chicken biriyani had some hard rice either from being undercooked or from drying out from the buffet warmer. I usually don't eat samosa at a buffet, but the fam insisted that I have some. It was flakey and fresh. Salad was fresh. Kheer and halwa were delish. Great ala carte seekh kababs. Great chicken boti, juicy, smokey, not overcooked. The spice/heat level is medium from an Indian person's perspective, but the fragrances and flavors are bold and balanced.
(4)Asim S.
This place is a good change from the usual Devon fare. Food is fresh, so it does take time, but well worth it. Chappli kabob and seekh kabobs on point. Karachi gosht filled with plenty of good boti pieces and not flooded in oil, fresh naans. I will definitely come here again. It's a bit of a drive from the city, but well worth going to that bubble of town called Naper-thrill
(4)Aditya G.
Amazing. Just amazing The best Indian/Pakistani I've had at the most reasonable price.
(5)Ankur N.
Great food. The naan was amazingly soft. The food was not oily at all. Dal with all that fresh coriander (not cilantro) and garlic was amazing. The only issue is that they should update their website. The first page of menu on the website misinforms regarding the free appetizer thing.
(4)Hira H.
Sara's is a true gem when it comes to Pakistani/Indian cuisine. To get food like this outside of the city/Devon is simply a blessing! I've had their Iftar buffet, and their suhoor buffet, during Ramadan and both were chock full of delicious options. Outside of Ramadan, I ordered food for takeaway today from their regular menu. I ordered their Grill Platter #1, which included lamb chops, grilled fish, skewers of chicken shashlik, and Bihari kababs. Now, usually when I order a mixed platter, I only expect 1/2 or 2/3 of the platter to be good - not all components are usually good. So imagine my surprise when each of the aforementioned components was cooked to perfection! I especially loved the chops, the shashlik and the fish. In addition to the platter, I ordered the Karahi Gosht (mutton/lamb), and it was absolutely delicious - the curry was nice and rich, and just the right blend of spices without being overtly spicy or heavy. There was plenty of meat in the curry, and all of it was tender and scrumptious! The naan was warm and soft, and packaged well for the takeout, I imagine it tastes even better in house (it did when I went for the buffet). Lastly, the imli chutney was good, but perhaps needs to be slightly less sweet. The mint-cilantro yogurt chutney was just pure perfection. They also packed a salad and some white rice, which I was not expecting so again I was pleasantly surprised. Overall, Sara's food has yet to disappoint me. Far from disappointing, their food is always satisfying and excellent, and their portions are pretty good. Also, their management is really sweet and quite accommodating. I would most certainly recommend this desi place to anyone who is looking for good Pakistani/Indian food in the Aurora/Naperville area.
(5)Angie E.
This place is PERFECT. I will add a more detailed description later but they have an excellent buffet- some of the best butter chicken I've had- plenty of other high quality items and flavor is spot on- and they have unlimited yummy chai at the buffet times! Can't ask for more! And all halal!!! Support Muslim-owned businesses! Hands down the ONLY place I will go to for Indian food ever again! Ps- their service is excellent!!!! I was shocked and amazed at how patient they were when my friends and I brought kids and they didn't seem to mind at all with how loud and messy they got :/!! They give service with a smile and very attentive. Love this place
(5)Sumit A.
We were a group of 5 friends who arrived at the restaurant little after 10 pm on a sunday night and the restaurant kitchen had got closed.However the folks at the restaurant were very sweet and they did offered us the food with great warmth and hospitality.The Food was amazing and hospitality offered by the staff was simply amazing.I would definitely recommend this place to one and all for authentic food
(5)Apara W.
They have a fairly decent Indian vegetarian selection. I have done take away and dine in a few times. Dal and Paneer, along with nan have been consistent with quality. Good option if you are craving Indian.
(4)Omer A.
Authentic pakistani food, quality atmosphere, with a knowledge of how to do business in Naperville
(5)Sunil S.
Tried their mutton briyani and beef nihari both are excellent. I carry out food many times from this place. I do agree with the reviewer that the service sucks here so I would not recommend for a dine-in. My advise order 20 min before and just stop by to take it out... Good - Briyani, Kabob, nihari and buffet Bad - Slow service, Make sure you ask right spice level.
(4)Anonymous U.
Our entire family loves Sara's, even the pickiest little eaters! All the entrees we have tried are full of fresh ingredients and flavorful, the restaurant is clean, and the staff are very welcoming. They are courteous, responsive, and they actually smile, qualities that are sorely lacking at most other Indo/Pak restaurants in the Chicago area. It's one of the few Chicago area desi restaurants where you can actually walk out feeling like you just had a good dining out experience. We live more or less equidistant from Sara's and Shahi Nihari's Villa Park location, and our entire family always prefers Sara's over Shahi Nihari! Sara's food, service, and ambience are all far superior to Shahi Nihari--there's no comparison!
(5)M B.
Best Indian/Pakistani food I've had (outside of home) is a really long time. We had a big group and shared a bunch of dishes and appetizers. There isn't anything I wouldn't recommend - all excellent! The top of the list would be the fish pakoras, butter chicken, okra, and #1 and #3 grill platters, but I would gladly have any of the items we ordered again. We will definitely be back and even thought its little bit of a hike (20 min) from us, this will definitely be our go to place from now on.
(5)Rachanee S.
I've been here so many times since they've open. So many, because the food is very good. It's our go to restaurant when we want to eat in the area instead of going downtown. We bring friends here and have gotten take-out again, many times. I gave it 4 stars instead of five because there's room for improvement. There chai is straight up horrible, go figure. Wish they had a better dessert menu to. Finally, service NEEDS improvement. If you want a knife, you have to ask. No problem, I'm glad to ask. But I need a person there to ask. I've never ever encountered rudeness. As many times as I've been here, the wait staff consistently disappears. :-(
(4)Z T.
The place is clean and thats the only reason I am giving them 2 stars. A friend introduced me to their samosas and I had liked it then and thought about trying a few other things. But I was highly disappointed by their service. Very slow service. and even the food was not worth the wait! At one time I ordered their Chicken makhni ....it was just chicken dipped in cream!! No taste at all and you feel you have just swallowed a bowl of heavy whipping cream... And at other time I had ordered their Chicken malai as recommended by someone who took my order at the desk (I think it was the owner). It was a to go order. When i opened the box at home it was clearly undercooked! I literally had to broil it in my oven before we could eat it. And they had taken good 45 minutes to make my order despite the fact that there was hardly any customer at 1 pm on a working day in their restaurant!! Come on, man! If you are charging so much you better ensure your food is cooked and has some taste. For me this place has really disappointed me. There are much better options available in and around Naperville area. Thanks but no thanks, Sara's Grill!
(2)S M.
good food and ambience. A bit pricey ( and hence not 5 star) Loved the tea, kheer and halwa puri.
(4)Shishir S.
There is no dearth of Indian/Pakistani restaurants in the Naperville area or Chicagoland for that matter BUT most of the places (and I have been to a lot of 'em..) end up serving the same stuff, made pretty much the same way, served in the same manner.. There is a bored element to how they approach their cooking.. Same gravy/curry.. Same masalas and so on.. Sara's is a breath of fresh air compared to all this rampant monotony and near-death boredom.. They don't overwhelm you with an unending menu or their weekend buffet spread for that matter.. The waiters here aren't struggling to hold a conversation in English and are in fact a good mix of knowledge and courtesy and give you enough space to enjoy the meal in peace. Their cooking is authentic and the spices are perfectly balanced to make sure each item tastes the way it is supposed to.. No hurried up job, no wannabe chic-ness either.. Just a tasteful place to enjoy a good meal :)
(5)Julie C.
Spouse and I SO happy to have come across this fabulous find! Now we never have to travel to the big city for authentic cuisine! The fragrance and aroma of the food is only surpassed by its deliciousness! Cannot wait to share this restaurant with all our friends and family..
(5)Distinguished T.
One of the better Pakistani/Indian restaurants in the area. Little on the oily side, but that's just how the cuisine is. I go there for the weekend brunch. The lassi is great and has to be ordered separately. Good customer service.
(4)Dan C.
Went here on a friend's recommendation. So glad I did. Ordered veggie samosas, veggie rice, naan, chana masala, and hara bhara chicken. The food was amazing! Service was awesome and the environment was great (cute place) as well. Definitely coming back.
(5)Bea B.
Tasty meal. I had lunch there on a weekday and got a Paneer dish with peas and basmati rice on the side. Not too heavy and tasted high quality. The decor is nice inside and comfortable with a good amount of booths and tables. It was dead in there in a Tuesday during the lunch hour rush. I do plan to go back soon. One notes though is that the 'waitress/hostess' was not too welcoming. She was not rude by any means....just indifferent. She came over like 3 times in the first 10 minutes were were there to take our order (yes I know there is only one other occupied table there and you need something to do)....but I wanted to catch up with my friend a little before looking at the menu. Then when we were ready to order, she didn't really seem interested in giving any menu ideas. The interaction with her was just 'off'. It seems like she wanted to just seat us and take our order, but not have to interact with us and answer questions about the menu. The owner (or someone with management) kept coming in and out of the front door area talking really loud on her cell phone and then walking through the restaurant talking really loud on the cell phone. She did a few times during our meal...not just once. So that was rude behavior. Food good....staff/management a bit 'off'.
(4)Sandi P.
3 of us enjoyed a very tasty dinner here yesterday. We wanted something nontraditional for us Easter dinner....and Sara's really fit the bill. We started with crispy samosas that were very flavorful. They were served with a spicy tamarind sauce. For entrees I chose the tandoori chicken wings - 6 full size wings (had to ask for a knife to split them) that were so delicious. Crispy with a deeply marinated flavor. Husband enjoyed his dish also - tender lamb tiiki masala chunks in a flavorful sauce. It was not red like many masala sauces but brown. daughter opted for the shahi paneer dish. We also ordered basamati rice (extra charge) and garlic naan that was grilled in the tandoor oven and was very good. We has enough left over for another meal (Indian food always tastes great reheated!) Service was excellent. Drinks were refilled often. We will definitely come back again.
(4)Anna A.
Excellent food every time I have been. They also have buffet on weekends. Nice clean good food. Great kheer.
(5)Radhika K.
This is my first ever yelp review.. i am in so love with Sara ..we had been there twice already in a week... One of our friend introduced this place to us .... Meat here is fanstatic...its cooked to perfection and halwa poori is the best i had in us .... Food portions are generous for the price.. friendly staff and great food !!... Cant wait to go back.. P:S try their mutton karahi! thats the best and the samosa..fresh n crisp..best i had in chicago ...
(5)Phil N.
Fantastic...Seriously delicious food I had the grill platter #3, samosas, and Shahi Paneer Best samosas we've ever had, and my buddy spent 3 months all over India. Shahi Panner was like a yellow curry/mild peanut sauce type of paneer and again, just delicious and hit the taste buds just right This is how the grill platter #3 went down...The first thing I tried was the beef Gola Kebob. I took a bite and tilted my head back, put my fork down, and gave a holy shit to my buddy. I handed him a piece and we smiled at each other in that knowing way only age old friends can. We immediately called our excellent waiter over and began to rave at him, not to him, but at him...there was enthusiasm and stars in our eyes I won't lie, that first bite damn near ruined the rest of the meal to me because it was so delicious, everything else was pale in comparison, yet still very delicious. I can't say enough about the food, our waiter, or the owner, who spent a few minutes with us enjoying our heartfelt smiles If you like just the right amount of curry, too much ginger, and too much garlic, this is definitely the place you should eat next. (You can ask them to adjust the spicyness to your taste) Every taste bud was fondled with every bite. Typically, I like chicken more than beef, the chicken Gola was delicious, but NOTHING stood out like this beef Gola. I had never had it before, but unless I tragically die before I go here again, I will be eating it many times over If I was gay, I would have proposed to the chef on the spot...hell, I might even anyways! I can't wait to try their weekend lunch buffet, which the waiter highly recommended. Nihari has a special place in my heart, and I'm really excited to try theirs, which is included on their buffet If you go here, you will walk out with a smile and the knowledge you made a great choice
(5)George K.
First let me say that finding this place. The area that they are located in has multiple layers of shopping and dinning establishments. If you're coming for the first time, it is right next to Houlihans. Staff friendly and we were seated right away. Food was definitely above par than what I had expected. We've been to most of the Indian places in and around Joliet/Naperville area, and if I had to rank them I'd say that this is second to Sher-A-Punjab and miles ahead of places like Masalla.
(5)Siddhartha A.
Decent food. Nice owner. Doesn't have as many vegetarian options as, say, Chicago Curry House (South Loop). But the quality of the food was about the same, at a lower price.
(3)Richard T.
It's ok. Good service. But, they seem to forget this and that from our order and even forget to pack all of our left overs, when we got home only to realize 2 of our 3 dishes were not packed, I guess they are still on their kitchen counter... Disappointed!
(3)Ajit B.
Looking at the reviews, me and my wife went in. The owner sat us, took our order for drinks (water) and disappeared never to show his face again. We waited for 20 mins and no one showed up with our water or to take our order. I finally decided to leave and at least tell the owner that we did not like the service. No one actually bothered to ask us why we are leaving after waiting patiently for half an hour. Never going there again!!!
(1)Twylla S.
This place has a delicious little lunch buffet and also offers carry-out. I'm a fan of the lunch buffet because I like to try a couple of different things instead of committing to just one in carry-out. I liked that not everything on the buffet was spice-less. Now...it's not really "spicy" either but it has a little warmth to it which I appreciate. The staff is very nice!
(4)Monica B.
My first time having Indian food and was really pleased. We tried their buffet that they have on Sunday which is a good thing for a newbie like me. Got to try a variety of things and everything was real fresh and tasty and just the right amount of spiciness. Will be going back sometime soon for the buffet again. The ambiance is very nice too so 5 stars for a well rounded dining experience.
(5)Troy S.
We enjoyed it very much. Food and service were great. A little faster with the drinks. All 4 of us enjoyed the appetizers and main course.
(4)Joann N.
Food was great, but service was definitely lacking.
(4)Kathryn G.
We went to Sara's Grill after purchasing a Groupon deal. We were pleasantly surprised that they had a lunch buffet which was great and well attended. The wait staff was great despite it being quite busy. We will definitely go again.
(5)Shahid M.
I loved it, I have been to Sara Grill about 4 times in past 3 months. Food is always fresh, i have tried grill platter, biryani, seekh fry and chicken makhani. Samosas and Kashmir tea are simply the best. Ambiance is great and waiters are welcoming. I guess change of owners has made a big differece!. My 5 stars.
(5)Jeff W.
Had a Groupon that had expired two days ago and called to make sure we could use the coupon for the amount paid, which is Groupon's normal position... you only lose the promotional value. However, the man that answered the phone and RUDELY said he would not honor the coupon claiming Groupon will NEVER give him the money. After that, he hung up on my wife. My wife called back and a woman answered the phone, put my wife ON HOLD and gave the same lame excuse. We are contacting Groupon now to get a REFUND and will NEVER visit this restaurant. We have NEVER had any issues with any GROUPON coupon at several restaurants whether expired or NOT. The fact that the manager did not even want to find any sort of compromise is troubling to say the least.
(1)Mari S.
I haven't had their lunch buffet yet, but we had our anniversary dinner their and it was amazing! I had butter chicken curry and some appetizer (deep fried vegetables). Can't wait to go again!
(4)Ari T.
Not a good place for lunch on weekdays. No buffet. Entrees are skewed with no offering for rice or bread at $10.99-14.99. Typically all Indian restaurants atleast offer rice and yogurt. Bread could be extra. Indian Harvest has a much better offering on entrees for the same price. The chicken sheek kabob turned out horrible as it was re-heated. This will be my first and last time with them. Nice interiors though. The owner will need to re-think his strategy.
(1)Sharad C.
I love their grilled food , their food is good quality and the taste.. Would love to try out their buffet sometime over the weekend. I always went their for a dinner, Loved their tandoori chicken, butter chicken and awesome Veg entrees as well Paneer Makhani..
(4)Ginny R.
We used a Groupon tonight at Sara's and were very impressed with the food. We had the Grill platter #3 and Chicken Makhni which is Chicken served in a butter curry cream and herbs. We also had 2 orders of the Garlic Naan. The grill platter was good because it gave us a chance to try several different types of chicken and a beef. The Chicken Makhni was awesome especially coupled with the Garlic Naan. It was just as described a buttery curry. Yum! The place has a warm ambiance and we loved our waiter "Rocky." He asked us what we liked and made some great suggestions. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Asra H.
Yummy chicken makhani, naan, grill platter. Plain white rice was salty.
(4)Seema K.
Food is delicious!! They do a great job packing up the 'to go' food and make sure you have everything you need to go along with the main course. The chicken kabobs are absolutely the BEST i have tasted in any Chicago restaurant! That includes any devon restaurants. The service is great and the restaurant is clean and well decorated. We eat here at least a couple times a month now.
(5)Priscilla M.
Just ate there with my daughter, the food is ssooooooo good. The flavor meets your mouth, the meats are tender. The teas, soo different, yet so much flavor. The ambience is clam, relaxing, beautiful. I will go back. For those who love good flavorful food.
(5)Maya Y.
Great service, friendly owner, generous portions!! The restaraunt is clean, great for families or couples. Portions are good and good prices. The food is okay, I will def go back just because everyone is so friendly and accomodating.
(4)Asif F.
Ate here 3 times last week.Loved it. Food was fresh and tasty. Grilled meats were excellent. Service was top shelf. Large portions. Highly recommend trying it out.
(5)SS S.
Today was the first time we had been to Sara's. I bought a Groupon coupon for $30 worth of food and wanted to check this place out. We didn't want to go for the buffet but wanted order couple of entry items from their menu. Went for lunch I ordered grilled fish and my son ordered mutton korma. We also ordered Naan to go with our entries. The fish was the best so far I have eaten in a very long time. The marination was very flavorful and tasty with a hint of sourness and a spicyness. I could taste all kinds of indo Pakistani spices in it and it was so moist and cooked to the perfection. My son loves the mutton korma and he had enough to bring home some left overs for later. The Naan was so fluffy and so fresh and surprisingly we did not feel stuffed even after eating stomach full which happens any time we eat Naan in other places. We have already decided to go to Sara's again and order the same two items. We love it. The place is clean and the service is very good. They kept checking on our waters and kept asking few times how everything is. Good service. Will sure go again.
(5)Carrie B.
For a new ethnic neighborhood restaurant Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine was a refreshing choice. The decor was beautiful, ambiance just perfect after a long day of work. The young man who was our server was quite knowledgeable of the menu and suggested we try a grill plate since we were both ordering chicken and couldn't decide. He felt it gave us a nice sampling of some of the chicken dishes that were offered. We ordered Roti to accompany it. The chicken selections were delicious, the only disappointment was that the bed of onions and green peppers underneath it were overcooked and charred. Everything was served hot. The Jasmine rice was nicely scented with lemon zest and we did not find it to be salty. Our server did let us know that a Groupon special was going on and it was a great deal! We did purchase our Groupon deal when we got home. He also mentioned the buffet to try on the weekends to sample all their delicious foods. Sara's Grill and Eastern Cuisine is most certainly a place to go for delicious South Asian food and selection, and the dining area is superb!
(4)