Hard to find a good Indian restaurant that combines both good food and good service without comprising something. This place has it all! Looks like a family owned restaurant in palatine. The food is amazing and is not cooked in a mystery kitchen hidden in the back. They cook the food out in the dining area. My wife and I usually take it to go and the food is always ready fairly quickly. If it was any faster, would be a little suspicious. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone in the northwest suburbs. Also to anyone who wants to try something new, this is a good place to start.
(5)
Katie D.
After hearing about this place from lot of our friends. We decided to order a pick up. The food was ready in 15 minutes. We ordered the paneer tikka masala. The taste was really good, the only concern I had is there were only 3 big pieces of paneer. It would be really nice if they added more paneer or had small cubes of paneer. The veggie biryani we ordered was very average. I might have to try few more dishes to really see if it lives upto the expectation.
(3)
Atulya B.
Indian Bistro is a very popular restaurant - and for a good reason.The food here is consistently good. The owner is present in the restaurant most of the time and treats his clients very well. Food served at Indian Bistro is mainly North Indian and may not appeal to folks from the southern part of the country.If you stick the usual fare like Kadai Chicken or Chicken Tikka masala or any Vegetable Entree, chances are you'll like it.
(4)
Angie R.
One more star because I've been more adventurous and everything I've had is fabulous! I love that they cook everything fresh and in front of you. I'm obsessed with the chicken 65.
(5)
P 3.
Awesome food. The portions are huge and the food is good. When you walk in it looks kind of crappy, but once you get the food you'll be happy you walked in. Great authentic food.
(5)
DJ M.
Excellent every time! Hats off to the chef! Everything is great. Good portions for the price.
(5)
Iam A.
Mmmmm mmmm mmmmm!!! Let me start off by saying I have yet to touch the surface of what they have to offer. I had three dishes from there and they have all been stellar. The guy who owns it is so hands on. He always ask If I want to make it extra spicey and I always say yes. He never disappoints. He had the chef use extra spicy seasonings that created such a stinch that it nearly cleared the entire place (NOT KIDDING...PEOPLE SCATERED). I'm still a student to this menus and excited to continue learning. This place is the shizznit yelpers. Just GO already!
(5)
Neel K.
Sometimes you can tell when people really put love into their food and this place does......I stopped in for a snack and just to try it out before a long drive home and I was blown away..... I ordered two Kathi rolls, one paneer and one chicken and asked them to make it ridiculously spicy. To start with they made everything fresh and right in front of me. He cut up the veg's and peppers and added the panner and chicken and wrapped it up in a large roti (basically a burrito) and gave it to me to go. $5 each, which is well worth it. I have had Kathi rolls all over the world and I have to say....these are the best. On my drive home I was in heaven...the combination of the spice with the paneer and the gravy was all just perfect. Even the Chicken one was to die for. Also the quantity was significant. Some places when you get a Kathi roll it is tiny with minimal filling and more Roti...this place, the roti was bursting with stuffing...so much so that my shirt had a taste of both Kathi rolls on my way home. Don't let the exterior of this restaurant deceive you..... It is a diamond in the rough...Although not the best place or most comfortable place to have a meal...it is ideal for takeout or a quick lunch.....I can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu.
(5)
Yesenia C.
So good! I couldn't figure out what I wanted so the owner created a dish based off the ingredients I liked. My dish was amazing! Very flavorful and inexpensive.
(5)
Bruce W.
I love this restaurant! Authentic and hearty Indian food. I've eaten here plenty of times and I always mix it up. I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal. Original taste with great customer service. I always come in and asked the cook to make it extra spicy, and he never fails to please. Lamb, goat and chicken curry, masala, and kadai are delicious!!! They also have a lunch special during the week that's affordable and offers much of the menu. If you like authentic, intense Indian flavor then make this place your top choice. I promise you won't be disappointed!!!
(5)
Jackie M.
I'm happy to write my 200th review to this humble restaurant, Indian Bistro. Actually, I've been here many years ago and didn't think much of the food, however, something magical happened and it's quite good. For the amount of food and it's price, it's a good deal. One entree can feed two people (with extra rice or bread) - or be like me and get carry out so you have leftovers for lunch the next day. Tastes even better. As everyone have said here, food is cooked on the spot. You can see the stove behind the counter. Fresh and hot off the kitchen! Yes, the guys are really nice. I like the way they talk, Thank you sir, here you go dear. Old school India. Even the TVs are old school CRTs playing Bollywood movies. Photos of India and customers are posted on the wall. Good food, good people. Support small and local business!
(5)
George H.
We saw the reviews for Indian Bistro and decided to make the drive over here. OMG, this place was great. When we pulled up, I must say I had my concerns seeing that is was a little strip mall shop where you place the order at the register and they call out your name when your order is ready. One nice thing bout the set-up is that you can see them cooking your food in the front of the shop so you know that cleanliness is important to them since the area was immaculate.
(5)
Mv D.
Upon entry, ambiance is pretty fast-foody, that quickly becomes overlooked. An Indian movie is running mixed with sizzling sounds. We're not the only Indians in the joint and there are regulars carrying on friendly conversation with the staff .. all promising signs. The food looks, tastes, and IS made-to-order, in no way does it taste "fast". We ordered lamb rogan josh, and definitely got lamb curry, but once I saw it, I didn't complain, we ate it all. Tava roti is big, thin, hot, and buttered. Chili chicken was awesome. The chicken biriyani did not taste like traditional chicken biriyani. The quality of the rice was A+ and it was loaded with crunchy fried onion and bits of tomato (?). Different but good. I think the food is made based on the place's own interpretation but I liked it. This place definitely did not have any of the red flags one must watch out for when visiting Indian restaurants. Okay, so they went with plastic ware, and this sounds stupid, but its sturdy and premium. I will say that the food wasn't spicy, but it was really really hot and fresh. I would come back.
(4)
Avinash K.
It doesn't look very grand from outside, in fact it's a small place with about seats for 30 odd people. They do have couple of TVs to keep the customers occupied till they serve the food. We ordered 2 aloo parathas - which were pretty good and HUGEEE :o.. Then chicken tikka masala - that was good. Ordered chilli chicken, mango lassi and chicken briyani to Go.. Briyani was good - lotsa chicken pieces. The chilli chicken also was pretty good and the mango lassi was nice and thick..!!
(4)
Vinay K.
One of the best desi restaurants IV been to. The chicken 65 is mind blowing. All dishes made fresh in desi ghee and the flavors are mouthwatering. My fav are butter chicken, egg bhurji and chicken biryani. The phulkas ( Indian bread) is the best and reminds me of home. Definitely a 5 star!!
(5)
Jennifer L.
I'm a Fan! I hope this place succeeds. It's a small, local business, with honest, hard-working folks making your dinner right in front of your face. I was out driving around one night, trying to kill time and find some dinner. This came up in my Yelp stream and I thought "YES". I'm gonna try it - perfect. Found the place no problem, right across from the Home Depot in Palatine in a little strip center. When you walk in, it's a long, narrow restaurant. There's a bunch of little tables along the side of the wall (typical quick lunch place), not really for formal dinners or anything. I reviewed the menu, was greeted by a super-friendly man who took my order, and they proceeded to cook everything fresh right then and there! I'd say I waited about ten minutes, which is totally reasonable and I was in no rush. I was enjoying taking it all it - and seeing how this place runs. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masalla - which is my most favorite Indian dish there is. I was not overly stoked with their version of it. It was a bit more "yellow" than the typical bright orange, and very creamy. It was still good, it just wasn't my favorite. The chicken itself seemed good, and the rice was primo. Their Samosas were to DIE FOR. VERY good. One thing i was very disappointed in was they do not carry Naan!! Who doesn't carry naan? It's a staple item. Portion size was ok. PRICES: Samosa $2.99, Chicken Tikka Masala $8.99, Extra rice $1.75, Can of Coke $1.00, = all together came to $16.21 for ONE meal. Prices seem somewhat fair compared to local indian places. Portions could be just a smidge larger so maybe there's leftovers for next day and then it would seem more like two meals. I haven't been EXCITED about a place in a long time. I think between the fact that the folks here were so nice, and that they're trying to make good, fresh, food - I'm hopeful for this place to really succeed and I will recommend to all! I think I'll come back and maybe try to broaden my Indian tastes (and always order samosas).
(4)
Tricia G.
This place is amazing! My husband and I eat here probably more often than I would care to admit. The only problem is that it's just too good! We typically order ahead for takeout but have dined in a few times as well. The owners are so nice and always remember my husband and I as well as our orders (doesn't hurt we always order the same things, but why fix what isn't broke??) Paneer Makhani is my favorite dish and my husband goes for the chicken tikka masala, maybe one day we will try something else, but not today. We have eaten there with friends who ordered different menu items, again, very tasty! Oh and fast too! Especially considering the small area that they are working in and how many customers they have. Thanks for always making such flavorful and delicious dishes Indian Bistro!
(5)
Judy L.
Holy spice alert! Watch out for the Chicken 65 and Aloo 65 (potato/veg version) if you are a newbie! I suggested this to a friend who was new to Indian cuisine and both of our mouths were on fire!! Kind of a little dry too. Loved the big samosas and the chutneys on the side! That was delish. Overall the prices are reasonable and service is friendly. There are about 10 tables and it does get busy at lunch time. Definitely recommend placing your order 15-20 minutes ahead of time for pick-up or dine-in so it is ready when you arrive! Minus one star for not having naan on the menu! They have this other thin kind of tortilla like bread. Not as good as naan.
(4)
Natalie C.
This place is really great. It is simple and clean and probably often overlooked but it shouldn't be! We had tilapia curry, chicken tikka masala, and butter chicken. Everything was delicious. My only complaint would be that the curry was in a very thin liquid. I prefer a creamier sauce. Just an FYI for curry lovers. The chef clearly is very passionate about the food and you can tell in the quality of the food.
(4)
Kelly L.
What a lovely little find! I am not typically one to go out and get Indian food, but now I will be- thanks to fellow Yelpers who persuaded me on here to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. I'm so glad I did! I walked in and saw a huge long list on the wall of different food choices. I decided not to focus much attention on it since I really wouldn't have known much about the description from looking at it. I walked up to the counter and explained that I am an Indian food newbie, and the man took the time to ask my likes and dislikes and then suggested that I try the lamb kiddai. I also got an order of samosas and waited about ten minutes for takeout. I got home and tried my food, which had been packaged up with great care. Delicious!!! So flavorful and he was spot on with what I might like. I'm already craving it again and maybe next time I will get even more adventurous! Indian Bistro does everything right, and I'm looking forward to going again.
(5)
Su K.
Terrible food. We ordered schezwan noodles and it tasted horrible. Food is very oily and curry (paneer) tasted like turmeric paste.
(1)
Matthew B.
Nice little hole in the wall restaurant with authentic taste. Had the lamb rogan josh, which was very good. Lots of flavor. We also had the goat biryani. They cooked and cut the goat very well, but the biryani itself wasn't as flavorful as I'd hoped it would be, but they don't shy away from the heat if you ask!
(4)
Fari P.
We love going to this place Chicken 65 is very good and chats are out of this world. Baryani was below average but everything else tried so far is good.
(4)
Juanita G.
The food is amazing! Spicy and saucy and everything you want when you order Indian food. The lunch specials are a bargain for $6 The samosas are HUGE!
(5)
Lewis M.
Indian bistro is a great reflection of actual Indian cuisine, especially for being in the burbs. I'm a white guy who can handle spicy Indian, and Indian bistro seems to be very respectful of the Caucasians that want good Indian food. It's clear that the owners are actually Indian, which make for a welcoming atmosphere while eating in, as well as some solid interpretations of authentic dishes, like Hyderabadi chicken biriyani. I brought my husband with me, who is South Indian, and he agrees that this place is solid. I had mutter paneer with roti and it was great. If we lived here we would come here very often!
They have the best Indian food my wife and I have tried in the NW Suburbs of Chicago. Generous portions, amazing flavors, and the staff is very friendly. We usually get Paneer makhani and lamb biryani. Always delicious.
(5)
Arjun J.
Horrible service and served meat to a vegetarian and didn't bother to give a refund or no apology. Decent food but not a professional service.
(1)
Gina W.
Love love this place. Great food!!!! Everything is so tasty. Great friendly atmosphere, they are so nice and very helpful.
(5)
In S.
Was a regular customer for nearly 1 year ... Their paneer bhurji is awesome and so is veg biryani .. However appetizer is ok .. Items are bit on higher cost.. The only reason I am giving one star is that even after being a regular customer, when I had order to go worth of more than $50 and requested for few plastic plates ( as I was traveling)..the guy at the counter (a fat guy with moustache) denied it.. I did not argue but was surprised that for a regular customer ordering so much of food plastic plate is denied ! Certainly not a good customer service .. They lost one loyal customer ...
(1)
MaSHa K.
wow!!! Just got their lunch special Chicken Tikka Masala, loved it!!!!! I only wished they would give you some naan with it. I'm a huge fan and will be coming back for more!!!!! Great lunch specials, great food!!!!!
(4)
Jinay S.
Indian Bistro IS absolutely my favorite place for Indian food!! Their Kadai Paneer is amazingly delicious! They make all their food including gravy hot and fresh in front of your naked eye!!! The service is a little slow but I am absolutely okay with that because of the quality they serve their food with. They have a complete sense of using pure Indian spices to flavor the food efficiently and make it tasty. They offer three levels of spices and always pick the highest one! It's the best! Prices.... Much more reasonable than those show off fancy restaurants such as India House! It is much more cheaper, delicious, fresh! You will definitely not regret this place. Go there and enjoy! Make sure you get their Thumbs Up (Indian Coke) because Indian food tastes awesome with Coke, Samosas, Chat, Egg Bhurji! Love it!
(5)
Mike C.
Goat Vinddalu was very flavorful. I would definitely recommend this dish if you like some heat in your food. I opted for the Tawa Roti (whole wheat bread) because they do not serve Naan. Tawa Roti was a bit dry so next time I'll just stick with the rice. Portions were just the right amount.
(4)
David K.
Okay, in all fairness I've never actually been to the Indian Bistro in person so I can't rate their dining area or the service. I did eat take out last night (my girlfriend picked it up on her way to my place) and all I can say is OMG was it good! I live just off Devon Avenue so I know a thing or two about Indian restaurants in Chicago. It can be a real hit-or-miss proposition... but we had three dishes plus the veggie samosas and it was 4 for 4. We had: chicken tikka masala, lamb vindaloo, and palak paneer. The meat dishes were incredible, the sauces were perfect (my girlfriend thought the vindaloo to be a bit spicy but I didn't think so). The portions were generous enough that we both ate ourselves into a mild food coma, and she took the palak paneer for lunch today (I'm splitting the leftover tikka masala and vindaloo with a corworker). That's a lot of meals. The samosas came with a green chutney and a brownish liquid sauce (I'm not sure what it is)... I had one for breakfast just a few minutes ago with the chutney, and even warmed up it was awesome, not bad for a fried, filled pastry. Indian Bistro is much better than half the restaurants on Devon in my estimation. I'll revise my review after I actually eat there, but based on what I had thus far, I highly recommend them!
(4)
Marcus O.
This place is ok. The Chicken Tikka Masala is very good but I feel they skimp on the rice with all their dishes. Their Chicken curry is very watery but it's still tasty, I would just prefer a little more consistency with the curry sauce. I wish they had Nan but they do not, which is a bit of a let down. Finally, the service is mixed. I've placed orders and iI was quoted 45 minutes to get the food. When I went to pick it up, the food still wasn't ready. In the Palatine area this is probably the best Indian, I wish it was a little better.
(3)
Indrayan B.
Nice fresh, Hot and delicious food I like there kathi rolls and the staff is very friendly and outgoing. Rating : 4/5
(4)
Candice G.
Fresh Indian food is good, but day-old Indian food is better. That's just a fact. I have to be honest, after my first visit to Indian Bistro I was fully prepared to lay down 3-stars. The food was just fine and while I enjoyed the salty pickles eaten with the Aloo 65 appetizer, I felt like if I hadn't ordered the salty pickle side, the Aloo 65 would have been a bit too dry for my liking. They should consider bundling those things together. The palak paneer was just fine but the cheese cubes were tinier than tiny and there were only 3 in the whole dish... seemed like kind of a rip. And I wasn't a huge fan of the bread made with potato, again, felt like it was kind of dry. Our bill for those 3 things was a little over $21, so not the cheapest but it was cooked fresh on the spot and the portions on most items were pretty generous from what we could tell by looking around the packed counter-service restaurant on a Friday night at 9pm. The space was cramped and the 2 tables that weren't full were pretty dirty but it was close to closing and they were busy so I can't fault them for that. The guys behind the counter were both knowledgeable and patient and appeared to work well under pressure. I left full, with a small container of leftovers that would probably be enough for an appetizer for one before another meal, but not overly impressed with anything I'd had that day besides the pickle and Aloo match I'd put together. I shoved our Indian Bistro remnants in the fridge and forgot about them until 2 days later when I was late night fridge-lurking. I wasn't really in the mood for it but out of dinner despair, I popped them in the microwave and carved spot out on the couch for myself so I could eat like a true American, while watching mostly commercials with minor interruptions of regularly scheduled programming. The first bite: Whoa. Second bite: Stupendous Third bite: Extraordinary Fourth bite: Holy Wow Fifth bite: Best thing ever Sixth bite: I want to eat this forever! Seventh bite: Gone. Now I am sad. The next time I get Indian Bistro I will most def be doing carry-out (even though it's super annoying how Indian restaurant have to use the 10 million containers to package things to go), waiting a day to eat and then indulging in the sweet and euphoric taste of India.
(4)
Timothy B.
One of the hidden treats of Palatine. Great food and great service. Love their Chicken Tikka Masala, their Butter Chicken and Chicken 65. Their Samosas are the best. Really one of the best Indian restaurants around. I have not had anything there that I thought was only "ok". Everything was/is great.
(5)
Ami T.
Hole in the wall place but so good! Try the khati roll it's a great starter. The palak paneer could have used some more spice and the malai kofta was made with only potatoes. The mango lassi was decent. For the price this place is good- great take out place for singles or last minute dinner parties and you don't want to cook.
(4)
Shreya R.
Hands down the best indian food in chicago.... The staff is super friendly and are welcoming. The food is always fresh and no matter what i've ordered I have never been dissapointed. Both dine in and carryout lunch is amazing. BEST chicken korma and keema in town.
(5)
Sam S.
I love when I find a small restaurant where they have good food . this small Indian restaurant has the tastiest food I ever have try it out price is very reasonable. The restaurant not fancy but they have a good food
(4)
Taylor M.
I have ordered carry out from Indian bistro twice now and have not been disappointed in the food. I have tried a variety of pander dishes as well as the butter chicken and curry chicken. The only thing I wish is that they had naan instead of the thinner alternative. The lassi is amazing here as well. The only reason I cannot give them five stars is because I wish they had a nicer doing area so I did not have to do carry out all the time!
(4)
Kuldeep G.
Awesome indian food..spicy and tasty.Price is reasonable. Best Paneer kadai I have ever had in US. I just love this place and go often when I have temptation for spicy indian dinner.
(5)
Red B.
Excellent indian food. I am a big fan of lamb vindaloo, it tastes authentic. The owners and people who work there are very friendly.
(5)
Food C.
Great Goat biriyani!!!! extra spicy...:)
(5)
J M.
I ordered two curry dinners with meat for to go. My husband and I love the taste. However, there were very few meat inside. Although the price is reasonable. But I would expect to have a full dinner meal. But I only got a full container of sauce instead. Disappointed.
(3)
John K.
Best fresh Indian food in this area, I live close by so this is my fav place for Indian food. It's self service place with outstanding food, Daal tadaka, Chichen tikka are exceptionally good, service is very good they go out of way to make sure you are happy
(5)
Dan K.
The best Indian food I've had in the suburbs, hands down. Great vegetarian food!
(5)
Sarah T.
Meh. Super authentic food. Old school Bollywood movies playing and greasy diner environment. The food was.. okay to my American palate. I like my chicken makhani less... red. We also tried aloo gohbi but it was too soggy. The goat curry was our favorite, though entirely greasy.
(3)
Jason A.
Not a big restaurant - more of a small undertaking in a strip mall. But boy do they know how to cook! Had egg biryani and curry here - easily one of the best biryanis I have ever had in the United States. (And I have been hunting for one for quite a while). Flavorful, great to look at and superb taste (slightly on the spicier side for non-Indians). While most places serve colored rice mixed with meat chunks or vegetables in the name of biryani, their version is as close it has gotten to the original fare I have sampled in Hyderabad. The curry was tasty as well - the salt and spices were well balanced, good flavor and well cooked. 10/10 will go there again!
(5)
Jaryd C.
I've never had Indian food before and the food was great. My girlfriend and I got the Veggie Pakora as an appetizer and then two different chicken dishes. All of it was delicious. Our only complaint is that it was somewhat dirty inside and the service was just alright. I would suggest just doing take out and eating the food at your house.
(5)
Gan C.
One of the best indian food u can get nearby. I go for lunch often and i call in the order. They make it so fast with great quality. Chicken biriyani was the best and samosa chaat !!!
(5)
Gregory B.
What a dive. What a glorious dive. Nice and friendly. Casual is not the word. It's wall to wall formica, paper plates, plastic forks and it's pretty much serve yourself. But no buffet. Now for the food. The creamier stuff is the best--the Tikka Masala has no equal, same with the Palak Paneer and the Lassi ($2.25!!). Chicken Biryani and Chicken 65 were serviceable. Great big delicious Samosas. And the music videos had a nice mix of classical and pop sounds from India. Go. It's the best Indian food in the NW Burbs, which is saying very little, unfortunately, and the lowest prices you will see anywhere.
(4)
TJ N.
I like this place a lot. There portion size for the $ amount is pretty damn good. I see a lot of people complaining about portion size, I'm not sure why? How much food do these others need? We ordered again tonight (back to back nights). $19.50 for both dishes. We ate about 6 meals out of this. You may probably eat 4 unless your a little piggy. Chicken Tikka Masala -Chicken breast yellow sauce, delicious Butter Chicken -Chicken thigh red sauce, not a fan of the thigh meat. Ask for breast. I've had Chicken Tikka Masala about 5 times no since June, this is by far the best. A+++
(5)
Maya A.
Ordered Lunch Special Lamb Curry- prepared fresh to my order, just the right amount of spice to make me glad I ordered coconut juice but wish I could of had more chunks of meat. Decent for the price. $5.99 with rice and a side of cucumber salad. I will definitely come back to try more menu items :)
(4)
Geoff S.
Absolutely the best Indian food in Palatine!! Love the chicken biryani and the paratha. If you are daring with your palate and love spicy food, this is a must visit.
(5)
Chirag P.
Great tasting food that was made when we ordered it. All dishes had their own unique flavors and aromas. We enjoyed food like this after a long time.
(5)
Michele B.
Read the reviews so we decided to get takeout. When we entered the aromas were unbelievable. I wanted to order one of everything and almost did.The Chicken Tika was flavored well, but the chicken pieces were a little too big. It is not that there was too much chicken, but the pieces could have been smaller. The paneer was delightful and the Szechuan noodles were great. They aren't for people that don't like spicey--20 minutes later my lips were still numb. That doesn't mean that I didn't go back as soon and finish them as soon as the burning stopped. Give it a try, the takeout was ready in 10 minutes as promised!
(4)
M B.
One of the freshest and tastiest Indian food places, and coming from an Indian you can be sure it's a 100% true. The food is made right in front of you (can't get more transparent than that!) and they use the freshest veggies chopped right there. It's all made to order, unlike a lot of restaurants which just re-heat the food in the back kitchen. The chef's that I saw weren't Indian, but boy! do they have the Indian touch. We're vegetarians and we love the Veg Kadai and the Veg Chettinad. If you're a big fan of the creamy food, you might also really like the Malai Kofta and the Paneer butter masala. All I can say is that their spices are fresh,aromatic and authentic. We always order take-out from here, and they're pretty accurate with the estimated time that your food will be ready. So be there on time to get your steaming hot food! Great job Indian Bistro..you haven't failed us in so many years.
(5)
Steve R.
After reading so many great reviews, I decided to give Indian Bistro a try. I ordered my favorite Indian specialty, Chicken Tikka Masala and the roti bread noted in other reviews. After eagerly driving home to savor my takeout, I found the Tikka Masala to be just okay (Trader Joes' frozen entree had more spice and flavor) and the roti to be unexciting.
(2)
Raj V.
Decent food for the price . Cooked in front of you fresh . Could be less oily and less spicy .
(3)
a m.
The food was very tasty and service was fast. We ordered lamb vindaloo and it tasted authentic. Open kichen and the fact that you can see how your food is made makes it even more appetizing and interesting. You can either eat in or get a tak out.
(5)
Matt M.
What a welcome find in the northwest/northern suburbs! I went here once a year ago and I was impressed. However, they have really, really upped their game here. Not only is the curry delicious and their spicing perfect, but their meats are delcious, tender, and fresh. The owner made a fresh batch of carrot yogurt and offered it to us while we waited for our take out to finish cooking. This place was good enough to convince a first timer to try Indian food. Each dish I tried was delcious, but their sides are not to be missed. The veg samosa is incredible as well as their side breads.
(5)
Maciej G.
I've had the chicken tiki masala and lamb biryani on the recommendation of a friend. They were both flavored "hot" although my tolerance for spice is pretty high, so that may or may not be a point of contention. Both dishes had an incredibly deep layering of flavors that, surprisingly, did not fight against each other instead growing in strength, one after another, in a very delightful and surprising way. While other Indian restaurants may serve tasty dishes that have one or two distinct flavors to them, these two dishes were far more complex and very enjoyable. Texture-wise, the biryani was a complex orchestration of soft, crunchy, and meaty surprises which was as enjoyable as it was interesting. On a final note, this is not a restaurant in the sense of waiters and chefs and the like. It is very much a "joint", if you will, but the food is amazing, and I believe that whoever designed the recipes put his or her heart and soul into them.
(5)
Richard C.
ive tried this place twice to make sure my first experience was one of those 'unlucky' ones. ive tried chicken dishes including tikka masala, biryani rice. and variety of breads; and all of them were little bland, chicken chunks were from frozen chicken nugget and overall taste of food was just meh. it is hard to find decent indian/pakistani restaurants around this area but i will rather drive to city to get real authentic indian food. i have no particular complain about their service/menu/cleaniness, but i really didnt like their food. not recommended.
(2)
Su C.
Does not have consistent taste, we have been here twice and had ordered same dishes but they tasted little different each time. Also it's bit oily n spicy which really reminds me of road side food stalls or trucks in India. Okay for once in a while, not gd for frequent eating. .
(3)
Rohit S.
The quality of their food has improved a lot since I have been last time. The owner/manager was much nicer this time. They accidentally forgot to add rice in my to go order which I realized later. When I called them to notify that, they were polite and apologetic. To my surprise they added a free desert with the rice when I came back to pick it up. Kudos, great customer service !!
(4)
candy b.
Although I read many mixed reviews on this place, I decided to try it because I was craving Jeera rice and samosas badly ..and this place is close to my house..When I got home, I looked at my Jeera rice and it's not what I expected. The rice was orange-ish, very greasy, and did not taste like the Jeera rice I've had had at other places and that I have cooked (I'm Mexican, n love how my Jeera rice turns out...) The Chicken Curry was not that great. The chicken tastes chewy and has skin hanging off of it. The Samosas were okay, but the wonton it came in was very over fried and hard. I've had way better Indian Samosas that come in frozen packages from Whole Foods. I would not come back to this place again..unfortunately. If you're looking for good and cheap Indian food, try the Himalayan Restaurant and Buffet in Niles. Their Jeera rice and naan bread is to die for.
(2)
Rob H.
This is a very good place for Indian food. They have a great variety of food to choose from. The lunch specials are a great deal also. I would recommend the chicken tikka misala, chicken vindaloo, palak paneer, chicken biryani, and vegetable biryani.
(4)
Ashley R.
First timer here. First time at this restaurant and first time trying Indian food. The man who took our order/rang us up was very helpful at making suggestions. I tried lamb curry. It was on the spicy side for me (I know, silly me... it's Indian food!), it was really good but just a little much for me to REALLY enjoy. I took half of it home and the next day, it was EVEN BETTER! Freshly made, the consistency was like a soup. But the next day, the liquid had soaked into the meat and rice, so it was a bit easier to eat. The spiciness had toned down too. I thought it was delicious! Just a little pricey though...
(4)
Latha C.
Love, Love, LOVE this place! Hands down, this is one of the best Indian restaurants in the Chicagoland area and I have been to plenty of them considering I was born and brought up in Chicago. I have tried the goat biriani, Goan shrimp curry, Hyderabadi fish curry, chicken lollipop, parathas, malai kofta and papdi chat. All of the above dishes are fabulous except for the fish curry which I found to be on the sweeter side and a little too pricey for the type of fish they use (tilapia). It's still worth a try, if you're a seafood fan. I would give this place 5 stars but as another reviewer had mentioned, the food is definitely on the oily/greasy side and you cannot miss it because as you reach the end of your meal, you will see the oil swirling around at the bottom of your plate :( From what I was told, there are two owners...on all the occasions that we were there, the head chef/owner is the guy who took our order. This tall, hefty guy always seems to be in a bad mood and is definitely not the type of person who will recommend dishes for you...he kindda just stares at you until you finalize your order...basically, if your trying to make a decision between two types of chicken dishes, he ain't gonna jump in and help you out :) Eh...I guess he's probably not a people person. Over all, considering the food, this is definitely my top pick for Indian food! It's a hole in the wall type of place in a strip mall, so do not expect an elaborate dining area...it looks more like a cafe/carryout kind of place.
(4)
Aj A.
Good Indian food at reasonable prices. Service is also very nice. We tried the baigan bhartha, paneer chilly, daal palak and all were delicious. The only items we dint like were paneer tikka masala and kathi rolls. Great place for take out. My only concern with this place is eating out of styrofoam plates.
(4)
Rob W.
I just noticed this place in a small strip mall a couple of weeks ago, and given the dearth of decent Indian places in my immediate area, I made a point of remembering to try it out. Tonight was the night! I'd rather give this place 3.5 stars as I think it needs another visit or two in order to confirm its rating. But overall, I was pretty satisfied with the place. I ordered chicken sagwala to go. They asked me what level of spiciness I wanted, which is good. When I got home, I was a little disappointed at first as it appeared that there may not be enough rice, and the sauce seemed to be a little runnier than I prefer. But when the rice and sagwala were mixed together, it was all OK and the combination made for a tasty meal. I also ordered some roti to go with it. I was a little disappointed that they did not have any naan on their menu, but the roti was OK. I did notice that their current health score was a 74, which is below their previous two scores and a little lower than what I would care to see. I hope they keep the place up - I plan to return to try more items and update my ratings accordingly.
(4)
Wes D.
Good Indian food for a fair price. Portions are decently sized also. The chicken tikka massala and the samosas are my favorite, however I have enjoyed every dish that I've tried off the menu. The staff is friendly and the restaurant has a very relaxed/casual atmosphere. I also like the open kitchen so I can watch my food being prepared.
(4)
Sreenivas S.
I have mixed feelings about Indian Bistro. I have had about 15 - 20 meals here by now and from that I should like it, right? But then why 3 stars? Well, the food is tasty - the biriyani, the malai kofta, the paneer kadai, the kathi rolls, the aloo jeera are all good. Spicy, flavourful and what not. I am not a big fan of the rotis and parathas here - a little bland. Now, coming to the bad part - GREASE! Everything is super oily and sometimes in curries, you can see loads of oil and the curry is literally floating in oil. I have noticed that every time I have a meal at Bistro, I feel guilty. I feel bad, bloated. So, even though the food is tasty, I have decided to never go back to Indian Bistro at least for a few coming months - in which I plan to get into shape. If you do not care about oil, then you should absolutely give this a try.
(3)
Samantha L.
We ran across this restaurant earlier today, and even made a point of stopping by for a snack after work. By now we have realized that we should always check Yelp before going to a new restaurant, but we were craving some Dahi Puri and were hoping to find it here. The restaurant looked more like a cafeteria with the kitchen intermingling with the dining room. It was a part of a nondescript strip mall but the steady stream of customers incorrectly supplied us with the belief that it we were in for a delightful snack. First of all, a quarter of their menu is devoted to Chinese food, which we found rather interesting, especially since Indian food is hard to come by in China. With Entree names such as "Manchurian Sauce" and "Chilly Sauce" we decided to stick with the "legitimate" dishes. We ordered two appetizers, the Keema Samosas (Ground Lamb Samosas) and the Chicken Pakora (theirs resembled that of Deep Fried Red Chicken Tenders). The Samosas were incredibly difficult to eat. The lamb kept on spilling out -- the ground texture was very crumbly and spilled all over the place with every bite. The Samosa dough was very thick and seemed to have been re-fried several times, and then set out under a heat lamp. As for the Chicken Pakora, the chicken was very tough and flavorless. The only saving grace were the two sauces that accompanied it. All of the food was shockingly greasy. Thick yellow oil spilled over containers, pooled in dishes, and pooled onto plates even after transferring it onto new plates. There was absolutely no heat and very little flavor, and for the price we paid it was sorely disappointing. We will not be returning especially since we now know places like that of Milan Chat & Sweets in Schaumburg and Spicy Bites in Libertyville. Not to mention the fact that both Milan and SB have staff that were nicer, faster, and worked better hours.
(1)
Gaurav B.
One of my favourite local Indian places. They have one of the best Kathi chicken rolls and Baingan bhartha. I always ordet hose. The roti is more like phulka similiar to the one they make at home. So it is deliciously soft and warm. The somosas are huge and quite tasty !! I did not like the gobi manchurian and aloo paraths at all . But Guess everything cant be good !! This not a place for chat but for curry dishes and biryani this is awesomee!!!
(5)
C S V.
Excellent Indian food. The place looks and feels like a fast food joint, but they do take their time. They cook in front of you and you know the food is made fresh. I went there twice for lunch and had a really good experience.
(5)
Devi R.
One of the best wedding decisions I made was to cater my reception through Indian Bistro. Santosh worked with us on everything and he was EXCEPTIONALLY affordable. Literally 2/3 or half the cost of the other big name caterers like India House, etc. He did a fully custom menu and everyone raved about the food. Many of our friends who grew up in India commented that it was like the old Bombay food they know and love. The visit to the shop initially made me wonder because it is very small, and everything is served in styrofoam trays. I was admittedly a little skeptical though I knew someone else that had a party catered and told me it was top notch. But after our tasting we were sold. We didn't go through the whole rigmarole of the contract negotiation or have to be put on hold a hundred times just to talk to someone. Instead we always worked directly with the owner. Santosh personally came to the venue to oversee the event and really impressed the Stonegate where we had the event, on his first time working with them. Our crowd was 275 people. He only charged based on the final headcount. I know that Indian Bistro is a smaller outfit than many of the other caterers, but this is a reason to want them more, rather than less. We got unparalleled attention, customer service, and pricing... and the food was better and fresher than anything else!
(5)
Therese D.
Food: deserves 4 stars We had: Veg Samosa, crispy outside, mashed potato like filling, w/great dipping sauces. Paneer Makhani - cottage cheese-ish dish with creamy tomato-y sauce. Lamb Rogan Josh - tender chunks of lamb, in a spicy sauce. Paratha - Big pieces of flat bread used in place of eating utensils. Masala Tea - milk is added to this herbal, slightly grassy tasting tea. This was unusual for our palates, perhaps it's an acquired taste. Rice - light and fluffy, could have used more All was very good, nice people working there. Everything was served in Styrofoam with plastic utensils, that really bothers me so I had to make it 3 stars.
(3)
E S.
Ordered here while browsing yelp. It was decent, fairly priced, but small portions. The tikka masala was tasty, but the vindalooo was too spicy for me. The rice wasnt as good as other indian places.
(3)
Carolyn L.
For a little Indian joint in a Palatine strip mall, this place sure surpasses expectations! I grabbed my lunch here this weekend and it was enough food to eat for 2 days! Plus, the guys inside are so nice. There was an order of the same dish ahead of mine so instead of making me wait an extra 10 minutes, he gave me the one that had just finished cooking because the other order still had some things left to make. Now that's service. Highly recommended if you're craving Indian food in Palatine.
(4)
Lynn C.
I tried several entrees including chicken tikka masala, chicken vindalu, and chicken fried rice. All were very good. Best fried rice I've had from a carryout restaurant. You can dine inn as well, but there is not a lot of ambience here..just great food at reasonable prices. If you like Indian food, you can not go wrong here. My only disappointment was that they do not have Nan which I love.
(4)
Joseph P.
This is still a unique experience - somewhat like going on a trip to a town in India, given the menu, the Bollywood on TV, and makeup of the crowd and staff. The food remains unique and the presentation is casual - Styrofoam prevails, most sodas are in a can only. Very popular with young Indian men, who order lots of take-out, often vegetarian. The Samosas are to die for, the curry spicy but not hot, and the Vindaloo is moderately fiery. Most meat entrees now $9 or $10 and well worth it. Lunch specials at $6 seem like a real deal. Cramped, crowded, and fascinating. Still worth a trip.
(4)
Ramnath K.
Egg briyani is my favorite. It has a distinct taste. I am totally addicted to it. The chicken 65 and chicken pakora were also decent. Unlike other indian restaurants, The portions are not huge here. I am fine with it as it usually is perfect for my appetite.
(5)
J J.
Good food here. I've only had a few dishes but they all have been good. I'm no indian food expert but the food was a bit oily. I did take out and by the time I arrived home I could see a layer of oil sitting on top of the lamb rogan josh. The food was good but could have been a little less oily in my opinion. I really liked the paneer kadai but I think next time I go in I'll go with a curry dish as I after I left I had feelings of regret for not ordering one then. I had already ordered two separate entrees and I felt another was just excessive (like 2 on my own wasn't). =P
(3)
Luke S.
Fresh, made to order. Very friendly and helpful when ordering.
(5)
Amey K.
At least once every month explains my love towards this place. The food is cooked well and portion is of right size for one person with average appetite. Goat Biryani and kathi rolls is must have. The place is small and not suited for big groups. They offer lunch specials at discounted rates as well. If you are Indian food lover, this place is must try. As compared to other nearby restaurants like India house this place had real Indian taste.
(4)
Lucie M.
I am so glad this place opened up here. I love Indian Food, and my boyfriend and I usually had to go out to Schaumburg or further to get some. We are now regulars here because they have fantastic food at reasonable prices- I especially recommend the butter chicken and the chicken korma. I wish they had naan, but sometimes we get it as take-out and bake frozen naan at home. Also, their samosas are to die for. Not too spicy, but so big we often get an order apiece as a meal instead of fast food and leave completely stuffed. Yum...just thinking about them is making me hungry!
(5)
Tom A.
I don't know much abut Indian food, but this place makes learning about it easy. I've sampled about 5 things over 3 visits and enjoyed everything. The potato samosas are OUTSTANDING, and the malai kofta dumplings are sinfully rich and delicious. The service was a little slow, and I hate icky trays that are only wiped with a nasty reused rag, but those are my only complaints. The prices are quite reasonable. For fast-food Indian that, to me, seems like real Indian, this place is great.
(4)
Daniel T.
Every time I go there, they make me feel welcome. The food is always hot and delicious. And you can always count on Bollywood on the TVs. Is it the best Indian food in the area? No. The inside does feel a little cafeteria like but I enjoy the lack of fancy decor. It makes it feels more relaxed and it gives the cooks an opportunity to talk with you, get to know you, understand how you like things. I always look forward to going there. I really enjoy the Muttar Paneer and Gobhi Paratha.
(4)
Venu V.
This review is for their catering and not the actual restaurant. I haven't been to the restaurant but had been to couple of parties that had catered food from this place. Unfortunately, the food was horrendous both times and not a single person at these parties enjoyed the food. The chicken tikka entree felt like hard rocks dipped in sauce and it was obvious these people have no clue on how to tenderize meat. Chicken biryani was just terrible, just bland and greasy and the chicken was very dry and bland. Their vegetarian dishes were bland and greasy. Couple of manchurian dishes left much to be desired. As for appetizers, their paneer fry looked like a saucy curry and chili chicken was hard and rubbery, looked like it was microwaved. Their deserts were half decent at both the parties. Just avoid this place for catering unless you like bland, unauthentic and re-heated food.
(1)
John Y.
The food is always very fresh tasting and generously portioned. Very quick service. One of my go to carry-out spots.
(4)
Christopher B.
I love the Chicken Tikka Masala here. The portions are a little small, but the flavors are great. The hours they are open are a little inconvenient if you want to eat in the afternoon. If you want some local Indian food without making a longer trip, this is a good choice. I haven't tried the Chinese section of their menu, but the Indian side is quite good.
(4)
Jacky S.
Best Indian carry out place in palatine! Reasonably priced and the cooks are very friendly! Chicken Tikka Masala and the Roti bread are sooooo good. yum in my tum!
(4)
Fredrik A.
Got take-out from this place last week and will be going back today. Food was tasty and not very expensive: For 2 x bread, veg pakora, samosa and malai kofta I paid $16 which I thought was very reasonble. The size of the rice side that came with the malai kofta was a little on the small side so I may get an extra side of rice tonight. Did not dine in so cannot comment on that. But in short I liked it and I'm going back!
(4)
Arpan S.
I don't know what the other poster had but it definitely depends on what you order. Some of the awesome dishes I had were the Hakka, Sechzwan noodles, dal makhni, and veg. kadai. This place is fast and tastes good. They blend chinese and indian flavors in some of their dishes and I really find that unique. The thalis look really enticing and will try that next time I go!
(5)
Sara W.
This is a hidden gem! It is inexpensive and really authentic. I have only been there once, but it was really good and I plan to return soon. I had the butter chicken and the vegetable pakora. Both were excellent. It came with basmati rice and several dipping sauces. Love it!
(5)
Haytham O.
Very tasty food, I've been to many indian restaurants before...and this is one of the best. it's a small shopping plaza resturant, not a 5 star restuarnat in terms of seating. However the food is fresh and delicious. recommend the Aloo (Potatoe) 65 , chicken 65 or samosa for appetizer, lamb byriani , and the chicken masala.
(5)
Heather V.
This was my first Indian food experience, and I have to say it was awesome! I had the chicken korma with rice and bread, and it was delicious!! Its close to home, and I would definately recommend it!
(5)
Mortimer F.
Best Indian food in driving range. And best priced. Can't beat that. My favorite is the chicken vindaloo. One order of any entree is enough for two people.
(5)
david s.
I've now tried the aloo 65, veggie biriyani, mutter paneer, and red chili fried rice. All were good except for the rice. This dish is from the Indo-Chinese part of the menu, which I thought I'd give a try. This dish was bad enough that after trying a small portion, I threw the rest out. Sunk costs and all that. I'd like to try the Gobi Manchurian--a famous Indo-Chinese dish--but now I,m hesitant to do so...
(4)
Sean Y.
The food is pretty good but it takes a long time to get your food and the portions are very small - only a few pieces of meat and a lot of sauce.
(3)
Annette L.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Biryani... my boyfriend always gets the Chicken Biryani... The spices are yummy and a art form.. The Paratha Bread is something I highly recommend. We have been going there regularly since they opened. The owner and manager are very nice people too.
(5)
Matt H.
The wife and I became violently ill just a few hours after eating food from the Indian Bistro. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Be warned. They also have the lowest score from the Palatine health inspection of any restaurant.
(1)
Yelper D.
I ordered a curry the other day and it was bright reddish pink! I was shocked. The generous food colors used here have now made me rethink my next visit!
(1)
Shravan T.
I think the food is great and it is among the best Chicken makhani i have ever eaten outside of india..
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : No 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.
Nick P.
Hard to find a good Indian restaurant that combines both good food and good service without comprising something. This place has it all! Looks like a family owned restaurant in palatine. The food is amazing and is not cooked in a mystery kitchen hidden in the back. They cook the food out in the dining area. My wife and I usually take it to go and the food is always ready fairly quickly. If it was any faster, would be a little suspicious. I would definitely recommend this place to everyone in the northwest suburbs. Also to anyone who wants to try something new, this is a good place to start.
(5)Katie D.
After hearing about this place from lot of our friends. We decided to order a pick up. The food was ready in 15 minutes. We ordered the paneer tikka masala. The taste was really good, the only concern I had is there were only 3 big pieces of paneer. It would be really nice if they added more paneer or had small cubes of paneer. The veggie biryani we ordered was very average. I might have to try few more dishes to really see if it lives upto the expectation.
(3)Atulya B.
Indian Bistro is a very popular restaurant - and for a good reason.The food here is consistently good. The owner is present in the restaurant most of the time and treats his clients very well. Food served at Indian Bistro is mainly North Indian and may not appeal to folks from the southern part of the country.If you stick the usual fare like Kadai Chicken or Chicken Tikka masala or any Vegetable Entree, chances are you'll like it.
(4)Angie R.
One more star because I've been more adventurous and everything I've had is fabulous! I love that they cook everything fresh and in front of you. I'm obsessed with the chicken 65.
(5)P 3.
Awesome food. The portions are huge and the food is good. When you walk in it looks kind of crappy, but once you get the food you'll be happy you walked in. Great authentic food.
(5)DJ M.
Excellent every time! Hats off to the chef! Everything is great. Good portions for the price.
(5)Iam A.
Mmmmm mmmm mmmmm!!! Let me start off by saying I have yet to touch the surface of what they have to offer. I had three dishes from there and they have all been stellar. The guy who owns it is so hands on. He always ask If I want to make it extra spicey and I always say yes. He never disappoints. He had the chef use extra spicy seasonings that created such a stinch that it nearly cleared the entire place (NOT KIDDING...PEOPLE SCATERED). I'm still a student to this menus and excited to continue learning. This place is the shizznit yelpers. Just GO already!
(5)Neel K.
Sometimes you can tell when people really put love into their food and this place does......I stopped in for a snack and just to try it out before a long drive home and I was blown away..... I ordered two Kathi rolls, one paneer and one chicken and asked them to make it ridiculously spicy. To start with they made everything fresh and right in front of me. He cut up the veg's and peppers and added the panner and chicken and wrapped it up in a large roti (basically a burrito) and gave it to me to go. $5 each, which is well worth it. I have had Kathi rolls all over the world and I have to say....these are the best. On my drive home I was in heaven...the combination of the spice with the paneer and the gravy was all just perfect. Even the Chicken one was to die for. Also the quantity was significant. Some places when you get a Kathi roll it is tiny with minimal filling and more Roti...this place, the roti was bursting with stuffing...so much so that my shirt had a taste of both Kathi rolls on my way home. Don't let the exterior of this restaurant deceive you..... It is a diamond in the rough...Although not the best place or most comfortable place to have a meal...it is ideal for takeout or a quick lunch.....I can't wait to go back and try other items on the menu.
(5)Yesenia C.
So good! I couldn't figure out what I wanted so the owner created a dish based off the ingredients I liked. My dish was amazing! Very flavorful and inexpensive.
(5)Bruce W.
I love this restaurant! Authentic and hearty Indian food. I've eaten here plenty of times and I always mix it up. I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal. Original taste with great customer service. I always come in and asked the cook to make it extra spicy, and he never fails to please. Lamb, goat and chicken curry, masala, and kadai are delicious!!! They also have a lunch special during the week that's affordable and offers much of the menu. If you like authentic, intense Indian flavor then make this place your top choice. I promise you won't be disappointed!!!
(5)Jackie M.
I'm happy to write my 200th review to this humble restaurant, Indian Bistro. Actually, I've been here many years ago and didn't think much of the food, however, something magical happened and it's quite good. For the amount of food and it's price, it's a good deal. One entree can feed two people (with extra rice or bread) - or be like me and get carry out so you have leftovers for lunch the next day. Tastes even better. As everyone have said here, food is cooked on the spot. You can see the stove behind the counter. Fresh and hot off the kitchen! Yes, the guys are really nice. I like the way they talk, Thank you sir, here you go dear. Old school India. Even the TVs are old school CRTs playing Bollywood movies. Photos of India and customers are posted on the wall. Good food, good people. Support small and local business!
(5)George H.
We saw the reviews for Indian Bistro and decided to make the drive over here. OMG, this place was great. When we pulled up, I must say I had my concerns seeing that is was a little strip mall shop where you place the order at the register and they call out your name when your order is ready. One nice thing bout the set-up is that you can see them cooking your food in the front of the shop so you know that cleanliness is important to them since the area was immaculate.
(5)Mv D.
Upon entry, ambiance is pretty fast-foody, that quickly becomes overlooked. An Indian movie is running mixed with sizzling sounds. We're not the only Indians in the joint and there are regulars carrying on friendly conversation with the staff .. all promising signs. The food looks, tastes, and IS made-to-order, in no way does it taste "fast". We ordered lamb rogan josh, and definitely got lamb curry, but once I saw it, I didn't complain, we ate it all. Tava roti is big, thin, hot, and buttered. Chili chicken was awesome. The chicken biriyani did not taste like traditional chicken biriyani. The quality of the rice was A+ and it was loaded with crunchy fried onion and bits of tomato (?). Different but good. I think the food is made based on the place's own interpretation but I liked it. This place definitely did not have any of the red flags one must watch out for when visiting Indian restaurants. Okay, so they went with plastic ware, and this sounds stupid, but its sturdy and premium. I will say that the food wasn't spicy, but it was really really hot and fresh. I would come back.
(4)Avinash K.
It doesn't look very grand from outside, in fact it's a small place with about seats for 30 odd people. They do have couple of TVs to keep the customers occupied till they serve the food. We ordered 2 aloo parathas - which were pretty good and HUGEEE :o.. Then chicken tikka masala - that was good. Ordered chilli chicken, mango lassi and chicken briyani to Go.. Briyani was good - lotsa chicken pieces. The chilli chicken also was pretty good and the mango lassi was nice and thick..!!
(4)Vinay K.
One of the best desi restaurants IV been to. The chicken 65 is mind blowing. All dishes made fresh in desi ghee and the flavors are mouthwatering. My fav are butter chicken, egg bhurji and chicken biryani. The phulkas ( Indian bread) is the best and reminds me of home. Definitely a 5 star!!
(5)Jennifer L.
I'm a Fan! I hope this place succeeds. It's a small, local business, with honest, hard-working folks making your dinner right in front of your face. I was out driving around one night, trying to kill time and find some dinner. This came up in my Yelp stream and I thought "YES". I'm gonna try it - perfect. Found the place no problem, right across from the Home Depot in Palatine in a little strip center. When you walk in, it's a long, narrow restaurant. There's a bunch of little tables along the side of the wall (typical quick lunch place), not really for formal dinners or anything. I reviewed the menu, was greeted by a super-friendly man who took my order, and they proceeded to cook everything fresh right then and there! I'd say I waited about ten minutes, which is totally reasonable and I was in no rush. I was enjoying taking it all it - and seeing how this place runs. I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masalla - which is my most favorite Indian dish there is. I was not overly stoked with their version of it. It was a bit more "yellow" than the typical bright orange, and very creamy. It was still good, it just wasn't my favorite. The chicken itself seemed good, and the rice was primo. Their Samosas were to DIE FOR. VERY good. One thing i was very disappointed in was they do not carry Naan!! Who doesn't carry naan? It's a staple item. Portion size was ok. PRICES: Samosa $2.99, Chicken Tikka Masala $8.99, Extra rice $1.75, Can of Coke $1.00, = all together came to $16.21 for ONE meal. Prices seem somewhat fair compared to local indian places. Portions could be just a smidge larger so maybe there's leftovers for next day and then it would seem more like two meals. I haven't been EXCITED about a place in a long time. I think between the fact that the folks here were so nice, and that they're trying to make good, fresh, food - I'm hopeful for this place to really succeed and I will recommend to all! I think I'll come back and maybe try to broaden my Indian tastes (and always order samosas).
(4)Tricia G.
This place is amazing! My husband and I eat here probably more often than I would care to admit. The only problem is that it's just too good! We typically order ahead for takeout but have dined in a few times as well. The owners are so nice and always remember my husband and I as well as our orders (doesn't hurt we always order the same things, but why fix what isn't broke??) Paneer Makhani is my favorite dish and my husband goes for the chicken tikka masala, maybe one day we will try something else, but not today. We have eaten there with friends who ordered different menu items, again, very tasty! Oh and fast too! Especially considering the small area that they are working in and how many customers they have. Thanks for always making such flavorful and delicious dishes Indian Bistro!
(5)Judy L.
Holy spice alert! Watch out for the Chicken 65 and Aloo 65 (potato/veg version) if you are a newbie! I suggested this to a friend who was new to Indian cuisine and both of our mouths were on fire!! Kind of a little dry too. Loved the big samosas and the chutneys on the side! That was delish. Overall the prices are reasonable and service is friendly. There are about 10 tables and it does get busy at lunch time. Definitely recommend placing your order 15-20 minutes ahead of time for pick-up or dine-in so it is ready when you arrive! Minus one star for not having naan on the menu! They have this other thin kind of tortilla like bread. Not as good as naan.
(4)Natalie C.
This place is really great. It is simple and clean and probably often overlooked but it shouldn't be! We had tilapia curry, chicken tikka masala, and butter chicken. Everything was delicious. My only complaint would be that the curry was in a very thin liquid. I prefer a creamier sauce. Just an FYI for curry lovers. The chef clearly is very passionate about the food and you can tell in the quality of the food.
(4)Kelly L.
What a lovely little find! I am not typically one to go out and get Indian food, but now I will be- thanks to fellow Yelpers who persuaded me on here to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. I'm so glad I did! I walked in and saw a huge long list on the wall of different food choices. I decided not to focus much attention on it since I really wouldn't have known much about the description from looking at it. I walked up to the counter and explained that I am an Indian food newbie, and the man took the time to ask my likes and dislikes and then suggested that I try the lamb kiddai. I also got an order of samosas and waited about ten minutes for takeout. I got home and tried my food, which had been packaged up with great care. Delicious!!! So flavorful and he was spot on with what I might like. I'm already craving it again and maybe next time I will get even more adventurous! Indian Bistro does everything right, and I'm looking forward to going again.
(5)Su K.
Terrible food. We ordered schezwan noodles and it tasted horrible. Food is very oily and curry (paneer) tasted like turmeric paste.
(1)Matthew B.
Nice little hole in the wall restaurant with authentic taste. Had the lamb rogan josh, which was very good. Lots of flavor. We also had the goat biryani. They cooked and cut the goat very well, but the biryani itself wasn't as flavorful as I'd hoped it would be, but they don't shy away from the heat if you ask!
(4)Fari P.
We love going to this place Chicken 65 is very good and chats are out of this world. Baryani was below average but everything else tried so far is good.
(4)Juanita G.
The food is amazing! Spicy and saucy and everything you want when you order Indian food. The lunch specials are a bargain for $6 The samosas are HUGE!
(5)Lewis M.
Indian bistro is a great reflection of actual Indian cuisine, especially for being in the burbs. I'm a white guy who can handle spicy Indian, and Indian bistro seems to be very respectful of the Caucasians that want good Indian food. It's clear that the owners are actually Indian, which make for a welcoming atmosphere while eating in, as well as some solid interpretations of authentic dishes, like Hyderabadi chicken biriyani. I brought my husband with me, who is South Indian, and he agrees that this place is solid. I had mutter paneer with roti and it was great. If we lived here we would come here very often!
(4)Pari P.
Stuff me with paneer and smother me in garam masala because I love Indian food and it's all thanks to Indian Bistro. Indian Bistro has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago and have yet to eat at another Indian restaurant that is better. You simply cannot beat their signature biryani - it's flavorful and aromatic with a crunchy texture from the fried onions with perfectly cooked rice. I've had this at several other restaurants but it just cannot match the level of flavor at Indian Bistro. It's impressive at how well the flavors and textures blend together in this one dish. I can see why the owners are so proud of their biryani - try asking them. I have cravings for Indian Bistro every month where I get withdrawal symptoms. Every time I am here, it is so hard for me not to order the chicken tikka masala and the butter chicken. Their tikka masala is nirvana in a bowl - it's that amazing. It leaves me speechless each time and pondering how something so good could only be $8.99. Simply put, Indian Bistro simply costs less and tastes better than other places. I'm sure that there are plenty of other Indian restaurants with a better décor but Indian Bistro makes everything to order. You won't find large vats of food that just sit there for hours and it makes all the difference. Some places just reheat food that they had prepared earlier but that's not the case here. At Indian Bistro, you'll see your food being made since the kitchen is right behind the counter. Indian Bistro is the Bomb[ay]!
(5)Christopher O.
They have the best Indian food my wife and I have tried in the NW Suburbs of Chicago. Generous portions, amazing flavors, and the staff is very friendly. We usually get Paneer makhani and lamb biryani. Always delicious.
(5)Arjun J.
Horrible service and served meat to a vegetarian and didn't bother to give a refund or no apology. Decent food but not a professional service.
(1)Gina W.
Love love this place. Great food!!!! Everything is so tasty. Great friendly atmosphere, they are so nice and very helpful.
(5)In S.
Was a regular customer for nearly 1 year ... Their paneer bhurji is awesome and so is veg biryani .. However appetizer is ok .. Items are bit on higher cost.. The only reason I am giving one star is that even after being a regular customer, when I had order to go worth of more than $50 and requested for few plastic plates ( as I was traveling)..the guy at the counter (a fat guy with moustache) denied it.. I did not argue but was surprised that for a regular customer ordering so much of food plastic plate is denied ! Certainly not a good customer service .. They lost one loyal customer ...
(1)MaSHa K.
wow!!! Just got their lunch special Chicken Tikka Masala, loved it!!!!! I only wished they would give you some naan with it. I'm a huge fan and will be coming back for more!!!!! Great lunch specials, great food!!!!!
(4)Jinay S.
Indian Bistro IS absolutely my favorite place for Indian food!! Their Kadai Paneer is amazingly delicious! They make all their food including gravy hot and fresh in front of your naked eye!!! The service is a little slow but I am absolutely okay with that because of the quality they serve their food with. They have a complete sense of using pure Indian spices to flavor the food efficiently and make it tasty. They offer three levels of spices and always pick the highest one! It's the best! Prices.... Much more reasonable than those show off fancy restaurants such as India House! It is much more cheaper, delicious, fresh! You will definitely not regret this place. Go there and enjoy! Make sure you get their Thumbs Up (Indian Coke) because Indian food tastes awesome with Coke, Samosas, Chat, Egg Bhurji! Love it!
(5)Mike C.
Goat Vinddalu was very flavorful. I would definitely recommend this dish if you like some heat in your food. I opted for the Tawa Roti (whole wheat bread) because they do not serve Naan. Tawa Roti was a bit dry so next time I'll just stick with the rice. Portions were just the right amount.
(4)David K.
Okay, in all fairness I've never actually been to the Indian Bistro in person so I can't rate their dining area or the service. I did eat take out last night (my girlfriend picked it up on her way to my place) and all I can say is OMG was it good! I live just off Devon Avenue so I know a thing or two about Indian restaurants in Chicago. It can be a real hit-or-miss proposition... but we had three dishes plus the veggie samosas and it was 4 for 4. We had: chicken tikka masala, lamb vindaloo, and palak paneer. The meat dishes were incredible, the sauces were perfect (my girlfriend thought the vindaloo to be a bit spicy but I didn't think so). The portions were generous enough that we both ate ourselves into a mild food coma, and she took the palak paneer for lunch today (I'm splitting the leftover tikka masala and vindaloo with a corworker). That's a lot of meals. The samosas came with a green chutney and a brownish liquid sauce (I'm not sure what it is)... I had one for breakfast just a few minutes ago with the chutney, and even warmed up it was awesome, not bad for a fried, filled pastry. Indian Bistro is much better than half the restaurants on Devon in my estimation. I'll revise my review after I actually eat there, but based on what I had thus far, I highly recommend them!
(4)Marcus O.
This place is ok. The Chicken Tikka Masala is very good but I feel they skimp on the rice with all their dishes. Their Chicken curry is very watery but it's still tasty, I would just prefer a little more consistency with the curry sauce. I wish they had Nan but they do not, which is a bit of a let down. Finally, the service is mixed. I've placed orders and iI was quoted 45 minutes to get the food. When I went to pick it up, the food still wasn't ready. In the Palatine area this is probably the best Indian, I wish it was a little better.
(3)Indrayan B.
Nice fresh, Hot and delicious food I like there kathi rolls and the staff is very friendly and outgoing. Rating : 4/5
(4)Candice G.
Fresh Indian food is good, but day-old Indian food is better. That's just a fact. I have to be honest, after my first visit to Indian Bistro I was fully prepared to lay down 3-stars. The food was just fine and while I enjoyed the salty pickles eaten with the Aloo 65 appetizer, I felt like if I hadn't ordered the salty pickle side, the Aloo 65 would have been a bit too dry for my liking. They should consider bundling those things together. The palak paneer was just fine but the cheese cubes were tinier than tiny and there were only 3 in the whole dish... seemed like kind of a rip. And I wasn't a huge fan of the bread made with potato, again, felt like it was kind of dry. Our bill for those 3 things was a little over $21, so not the cheapest but it was cooked fresh on the spot and the portions on most items were pretty generous from what we could tell by looking around the packed counter-service restaurant on a Friday night at 9pm. The space was cramped and the 2 tables that weren't full were pretty dirty but it was close to closing and they were busy so I can't fault them for that. The guys behind the counter were both knowledgeable and patient and appeared to work well under pressure. I left full, with a small container of leftovers that would probably be enough for an appetizer for one before another meal, but not overly impressed with anything I'd had that day besides the pickle and Aloo match I'd put together. I shoved our Indian Bistro remnants in the fridge and forgot about them until 2 days later when I was late night fridge-lurking. I wasn't really in the mood for it but out of dinner despair, I popped them in the microwave and carved spot out on the couch for myself so I could eat like a true American, while watching mostly commercials with minor interruptions of regularly scheduled programming. The first bite: Whoa. Second bite: Stupendous Third bite: Extraordinary Fourth bite: Holy Wow Fifth bite: Best thing ever Sixth bite: I want to eat this forever! Seventh bite: Gone. Now I am sad. The next time I get Indian Bistro I will most def be doing carry-out (even though it's super annoying how Indian restaurant have to use the 10 million containers to package things to go), waiting a day to eat and then indulging in the sweet and euphoric taste of India.
(4)Timothy B.
One of the hidden treats of Palatine. Great food and great service. Love their Chicken Tikka Masala, their Butter Chicken and Chicken 65. Their Samosas are the best. Really one of the best Indian restaurants around. I have not had anything there that I thought was only "ok". Everything was/is great.
(5)Ami T.
Hole in the wall place but so good! Try the khati roll it's a great starter. The palak paneer could have used some more spice and the malai kofta was made with only potatoes. The mango lassi was decent. For the price this place is good- great take out place for singles or last minute dinner parties and you don't want to cook.
(4)Shreya R.
Hands down the best indian food in chicago.... The staff is super friendly and are welcoming. The food is always fresh and no matter what i've ordered I have never been dissapointed. Both dine in and carryout lunch is amazing. BEST chicken korma and keema in town.
(5)Sam S.
I love when I find a small restaurant where they have good food . this small Indian restaurant has the tastiest food I ever have try it out price is very reasonable. The restaurant not fancy but they have a good food
(4)Taylor M.
I have ordered carry out from Indian bistro twice now and have not been disappointed in the food. I have tried a variety of pander dishes as well as the butter chicken and curry chicken. The only thing I wish is that they had naan instead of the thinner alternative. The lassi is amazing here as well. The only reason I cannot give them five stars is because I wish they had a nicer doing area so I did not have to do carry out all the time!
(4)Kuldeep G.
Awesome indian food..spicy and tasty.Price is reasonable. Best Paneer kadai I have ever had in US. I just love this place and go often when I have temptation for spicy indian dinner.
(5)Red B.
Excellent indian food. I am a big fan of lamb vindaloo, it tastes authentic. The owners and people who work there are very friendly.
(5)Food C.
Great Goat biriyani!!!! extra spicy...:)
(5)J M.
I ordered two curry dinners with meat for to go. My husband and I love the taste. However, there were very few meat inside. Although the price is reasonable. But I would expect to have a full dinner meal. But I only got a full container of sauce instead. Disappointed.
(3)John K.
Best fresh Indian food in this area, I live close by so this is my fav place for Indian food. It's self service place with outstanding food, Daal tadaka, Chichen tikka are exceptionally good, service is very good they go out of way to make sure you are happy
(5)Dan K.
The best Indian food I've had in the suburbs, hands down. Great vegetarian food!
(5)Sarah T.
Meh. Super authentic food. Old school Bollywood movies playing and greasy diner environment. The food was.. okay to my American palate. I like my chicken makhani less... red. We also tried aloo gohbi but it was too soggy. The goat curry was our favorite, though entirely greasy.
(3)Jason A.
Not a big restaurant - more of a small undertaking in a strip mall. But boy do they know how to cook! Had egg biryani and curry here - easily one of the best biryanis I have ever had in the United States. (And I have been hunting for one for quite a while). Flavorful, great to look at and superb taste (slightly on the spicier side for non-Indians). While most places serve colored rice mixed with meat chunks or vegetables in the name of biryani, their version is as close it has gotten to the original fare I have sampled in Hyderabad. The curry was tasty as well - the salt and spices were well balanced, good flavor and well cooked. 10/10 will go there again!
(5)Jaryd C.
I've never had Indian food before and the food was great. My girlfriend and I got the Veggie Pakora as an appetizer and then two different chicken dishes. All of it was delicious. Our only complaint is that it was somewhat dirty inside and the service was just alright. I would suggest just doing take out and eating the food at your house.
(5)Gan C.
One of the best indian food u can get nearby. I go for lunch often and i call in the order. They make it so fast with great quality. Chicken biriyani was the best and samosa chaat !!!
(5)Gregory B.
What a dive. What a glorious dive. Nice and friendly. Casual is not the word. It's wall to wall formica, paper plates, plastic forks and it's pretty much serve yourself. But no buffet. Now for the food. The creamier stuff is the best--the Tikka Masala has no equal, same with the Palak Paneer and the Lassi ($2.25!!). Chicken Biryani and Chicken 65 were serviceable. Great big delicious Samosas. And the music videos had a nice mix of classical and pop sounds from India. Go. It's the best Indian food in the NW Burbs, which is saying very little, unfortunately, and the lowest prices you will see anywhere.
(4)TJ N.
I like this place a lot. There portion size for the $ amount is pretty damn good. I see a lot of people complaining about portion size, I'm not sure why? How much food do these others need? We ordered again tonight (back to back nights). $19.50 for both dishes. We ate about 6 meals out of this. You may probably eat 4 unless your a little piggy. Chicken Tikka Masala -Chicken breast yellow sauce, delicious Butter Chicken -Chicken thigh red sauce, not a fan of the thigh meat. Ask for breast. I've had Chicken Tikka Masala about 5 times no since June, this is by far the best. A+++
(5)Maya A.
Ordered Lunch Special Lamb Curry- prepared fresh to my order, just the right amount of spice to make me glad I ordered coconut juice but wish I could of had more chunks of meat. Decent for the price. $5.99 with rice and a side of cucumber salad. I will definitely come back to try more menu items :)
(4)Geoff S.
Absolutely the best Indian food in Palatine!! Love the chicken biryani and the paratha. If you are daring with your palate and love spicy food, this is a must visit.
(5)Chirag P.
Great tasting food that was made when we ordered it. All dishes had their own unique flavors and aromas. We enjoyed food like this after a long time.
(5)Michele B.
Read the reviews so we decided to get takeout. When we entered the aromas were unbelievable. I wanted to order one of everything and almost did.The Chicken Tika was flavored well, but the chicken pieces were a little too big. It is not that there was too much chicken, but the pieces could have been smaller. The paneer was delightful and the Szechuan noodles were great. They aren't for people that don't like spicey--20 minutes later my lips were still numb. That doesn't mean that I didn't go back as soon and finish them as soon as the burning stopped. Give it a try, the takeout was ready in 10 minutes as promised!
(4)M B.
One of the freshest and tastiest Indian food places, and coming from an Indian you can be sure it's a 100% true. The food is made right in front of you (can't get more transparent than that!) and they use the freshest veggies chopped right there. It's all made to order, unlike a lot of restaurants which just re-heat the food in the back kitchen. The chef's that I saw weren't Indian, but boy! do they have the Indian touch. We're vegetarians and we love the Veg Kadai and the Veg Chettinad. If you're a big fan of the creamy food, you might also really like the Malai Kofta and the Paneer butter masala. All I can say is that their spices are fresh,aromatic and authentic. We always order take-out from here, and they're pretty accurate with the estimated time that your food will be ready. So be there on time to get your steaming hot food! Great job Indian Bistro..you haven't failed us in so many years.
(5)Steve R.
After reading so many great reviews, I decided to give Indian Bistro a try. I ordered my favorite Indian specialty, Chicken Tikka Masala and the roti bread noted in other reviews. After eagerly driving home to savor my takeout, I found the Tikka Masala to be just okay (Trader Joes' frozen entree had more spice and flavor) and the roti to be unexciting.
(2)Raj V.
Decent food for the price . Cooked in front of you fresh . Could be less oily and less spicy .
(3)a m.
The food was very tasty and service was fast. We ordered lamb vindaloo and it tasted authentic. Open kichen and the fact that you can see how your food is made makes it even more appetizing and interesting. You can either eat in or get a tak out.
(5)Matt M.
What a welcome find in the northwest/northern suburbs! I went here once a year ago and I was impressed. However, they have really, really upped their game here. Not only is the curry delicious and their spicing perfect, but their meats are delcious, tender, and fresh. The owner made a fresh batch of carrot yogurt and offered it to us while we waited for our take out to finish cooking. This place was good enough to convince a first timer to try Indian food. Each dish I tried was delcious, but their sides are not to be missed. The veg samosa is incredible as well as their side breads.
(5)Maciej G.
I've had the chicken tiki masala and lamb biryani on the recommendation of a friend. They were both flavored "hot" although my tolerance for spice is pretty high, so that may or may not be a point of contention. Both dishes had an incredibly deep layering of flavors that, surprisingly, did not fight against each other instead growing in strength, one after another, in a very delightful and surprising way. While other Indian restaurants may serve tasty dishes that have one or two distinct flavors to them, these two dishes were far more complex and very enjoyable. Texture-wise, the biryani was a complex orchestration of soft, crunchy, and meaty surprises which was as enjoyable as it was interesting. On a final note, this is not a restaurant in the sense of waiters and chefs and the like. It is very much a "joint", if you will, but the food is amazing, and I believe that whoever designed the recipes put his or her heart and soul into them.
(5)Richard C.
ive tried this place twice to make sure my first experience was one of those 'unlucky' ones. ive tried chicken dishes including tikka masala, biryani rice. and variety of breads; and all of them were little bland, chicken chunks were from frozen chicken nugget and overall taste of food was just meh. it is hard to find decent indian/pakistani restaurants around this area but i will rather drive to city to get real authentic indian food. i have no particular complain about their service/menu/cleaniness, but i really didnt like their food. not recommended.
(2)Su C.
Does not have consistent taste, we have been here twice and had ordered same dishes but they tasted little different each time. Also it's bit oily n spicy which really reminds me of road side food stalls or trucks in India. Okay for once in a while, not gd for frequent eating. .
(3)Rohit S.
The quality of their food has improved a lot since I have been last time. The owner/manager was much nicer this time. They accidentally forgot to add rice in my to go order which I realized later. When I called them to notify that, they were polite and apologetic. To my surprise they added a free desert with the rice when I came back to pick it up. Kudos, great customer service !!
(4)candy b.
Although I read many mixed reviews on this place, I decided to try it because I was craving Jeera rice and samosas badly ..and this place is close to my house..When I got home, I looked at my Jeera rice and it's not what I expected. The rice was orange-ish, very greasy, and did not taste like the Jeera rice I've had had at other places and that I have cooked (I'm Mexican, n love how my Jeera rice turns out...) The Chicken Curry was not that great. The chicken tastes chewy and has skin hanging off of it. The Samosas were okay, but the wonton it came in was very over fried and hard. I've had way better Indian Samosas that come in frozen packages from Whole Foods. I would not come back to this place again..unfortunately. If you're looking for good and cheap Indian food, try the Himalayan Restaurant and Buffet in Niles. Their Jeera rice and naan bread is to die for.
(2)Rob H.
This is a very good place for Indian food. They have a great variety of food to choose from. The lunch specials are a great deal also. I would recommend the chicken tikka misala, chicken vindaloo, palak paneer, chicken biryani, and vegetable biryani.
(4)Ashley R.
First timer here. First time at this restaurant and first time trying Indian food. The man who took our order/rang us up was very helpful at making suggestions. I tried lamb curry. It was on the spicy side for me (I know, silly me... it's Indian food!), it was really good but just a little much for me to REALLY enjoy. I took half of it home and the next day, it was EVEN BETTER! Freshly made, the consistency was like a soup. But the next day, the liquid had soaked into the meat and rice, so it was a bit easier to eat. The spiciness had toned down too. I thought it was delicious! Just a little pricey though...
(4)Latha C.
Love, Love, LOVE this place! Hands down, this is one of the best Indian restaurants in the Chicagoland area and I have been to plenty of them considering I was born and brought up in Chicago. I have tried the goat biriani, Goan shrimp curry, Hyderabadi fish curry, chicken lollipop, parathas, malai kofta and papdi chat. All of the above dishes are fabulous except for the fish curry which I found to be on the sweeter side and a little too pricey for the type of fish they use (tilapia). It's still worth a try, if you're a seafood fan. I would give this place 5 stars but as another reviewer had mentioned, the food is definitely on the oily/greasy side and you cannot miss it because as you reach the end of your meal, you will see the oil swirling around at the bottom of your plate :( From what I was told, there are two owners...on all the occasions that we were there, the head chef/owner is the guy who took our order. This tall, hefty guy always seems to be in a bad mood and is definitely not the type of person who will recommend dishes for you...he kindda just stares at you until you finalize your order...basically, if your trying to make a decision between two types of chicken dishes, he ain't gonna jump in and help you out :) Eh...I guess he's probably not a people person. Over all, considering the food, this is definitely my top pick for Indian food! It's a hole in the wall type of place in a strip mall, so do not expect an elaborate dining area...it looks more like a cafe/carryout kind of place.
(4)Aj A.
Good Indian food at reasonable prices. Service is also very nice. We tried the baigan bhartha, paneer chilly, daal palak and all were delicious. The only items we dint like were paneer tikka masala and kathi rolls. Great place for take out. My only concern with this place is eating out of styrofoam plates.
(4)Rob W.
I just noticed this place in a small strip mall a couple of weeks ago, and given the dearth of decent Indian places in my immediate area, I made a point of remembering to try it out. Tonight was the night! I'd rather give this place 3.5 stars as I think it needs another visit or two in order to confirm its rating. But overall, I was pretty satisfied with the place. I ordered chicken sagwala to go. They asked me what level of spiciness I wanted, which is good. When I got home, I was a little disappointed at first as it appeared that there may not be enough rice, and the sauce seemed to be a little runnier than I prefer. But when the rice and sagwala were mixed together, it was all OK and the combination made for a tasty meal. I also ordered some roti to go with it. I was a little disappointed that they did not have any naan on their menu, but the roti was OK. I did notice that their current health score was a 74, which is below their previous two scores and a little lower than what I would care to see. I hope they keep the place up - I plan to return to try more items and update my ratings accordingly.
(4)Wes D.
Good Indian food for a fair price. Portions are decently sized also. The chicken tikka massala and the samosas are my favorite, however I have enjoyed every dish that I've tried off the menu. The staff is friendly and the restaurant has a very relaxed/casual atmosphere. I also like the open kitchen so I can watch my food being prepared.
(4)Sreenivas S.
I have mixed feelings about Indian Bistro. I have had about 15 - 20 meals here by now and from that I should like it, right? But then why 3 stars? Well, the food is tasty - the biriyani, the malai kofta, the paneer kadai, the kathi rolls, the aloo jeera are all good. Spicy, flavourful and what not. I am not a big fan of the rotis and parathas here - a little bland. Now, coming to the bad part - GREASE! Everything is super oily and sometimes in curries, you can see loads of oil and the curry is literally floating in oil. I have noticed that every time I have a meal at Bistro, I feel guilty. I feel bad, bloated. So, even though the food is tasty, I have decided to never go back to Indian Bistro at least for a few coming months - in which I plan to get into shape. If you do not care about oil, then you should absolutely give this a try.
(3)Samantha L.
We ran across this restaurant earlier today, and even made a point of stopping by for a snack after work. By now we have realized that we should always check Yelp before going to a new restaurant, but we were craving some Dahi Puri and were hoping to find it here. The restaurant looked more like a cafeteria with the kitchen intermingling with the dining room. It was a part of a nondescript strip mall but the steady stream of customers incorrectly supplied us with the belief that it we were in for a delightful snack. First of all, a quarter of their menu is devoted to Chinese food, which we found rather interesting, especially since Indian food is hard to come by in China. With Entree names such as "Manchurian Sauce" and "Chilly Sauce" we decided to stick with the "legitimate" dishes. We ordered two appetizers, the Keema Samosas (Ground Lamb Samosas) and the Chicken Pakora (theirs resembled that of Deep Fried Red Chicken Tenders). The Samosas were incredibly difficult to eat. The lamb kept on spilling out -- the ground texture was very crumbly and spilled all over the place with every bite. The Samosa dough was very thick and seemed to have been re-fried several times, and then set out under a heat lamp. As for the Chicken Pakora, the chicken was very tough and flavorless. The only saving grace were the two sauces that accompanied it. All of the food was shockingly greasy. Thick yellow oil spilled over containers, pooled in dishes, and pooled onto plates even after transferring it onto new plates. There was absolutely no heat and very little flavor, and for the price we paid it was sorely disappointing. We will not be returning especially since we now know places like that of Milan Chat & Sweets in Schaumburg and Spicy Bites in Libertyville. Not to mention the fact that both Milan and SB have staff that were nicer, faster, and worked better hours.
(1)Gaurav B.
One of my favourite local Indian places. They have one of the best Kathi chicken rolls and Baingan bhartha. I always ordet hose. The roti is more like phulka similiar to the one they make at home. So it is deliciously soft and warm. The somosas are huge and quite tasty !! I did not like the gobi manchurian and aloo paraths at all . But Guess everything cant be good !! This not a place for chat but for curry dishes and biryani this is awesomee!!!
(5)C S V.
Excellent Indian food. The place looks and feels like a fast food joint, but they do take their time. They cook in front of you and you know the food is made fresh. I went there twice for lunch and had a really good experience.
(5)Devi R.
One of the best wedding decisions I made was to cater my reception through Indian Bistro. Santosh worked with us on everything and he was EXCEPTIONALLY affordable. Literally 2/3 or half the cost of the other big name caterers like India House, etc. He did a fully custom menu and everyone raved about the food. Many of our friends who grew up in India commented that it was like the old Bombay food they know and love. The visit to the shop initially made me wonder because it is very small, and everything is served in styrofoam trays. I was admittedly a little skeptical though I knew someone else that had a party catered and told me it was top notch. But after our tasting we were sold. We didn't go through the whole rigmarole of the contract negotiation or have to be put on hold a hundred times just to talk to someone. Instead we always worked directly with the owner. Santosh personally came to the venue to oversee the event and really impressed the Stonegate where we had the event, on his first time working with them. Our crowd was 275 people. He only charged based on the final headcount. I know that Indian Bistro is a smaller outfit than many of the other caterers, but this is a reason to want them more, rather than less. We got unparalleled attention, customer service, and pricing... and the food was better and fresher than anything else!
(5)Therese D.
Food: deserves 4 stars We had: Veg Samosa, crispy outside, mashed potato like filling, w/great dipping sauces. Paneer Makhani - cottage cheese-ish dish with creamy tomato-y sauce. Lamb Rogan Josh - tender chunks of lamb, in a spicy sauce. Paratha - Big pieces of flat bread used in place of eating utensils. Masala Tea - milk is added to this herbal, slightly grassy tasting tea. This was unusual for our palates, perhaps it's an acquired taste. Rice - light and fluffy, could have used more All was very good, nice people working there. Everything was served in Styrofoam with plastic utensils, that really bothers me so I had to make it 3 stars.
(3)E S.
Ordered here while browsing yelp. It was decent, fairly priced, but small portions. The tikka masala was tasty, but the vindalooo was too spicy for me. The rice wasnt as good as other indian places.
(3)Carolyn L.
For a little Indian joint in a Palatine strip mall, this place sure surpasses expectations! I grabbed my lunch here this weekend and it was enough food to eat for 2 days! Plus, the guys inside are so nice. There was an order of the same dish ahead of mine so instead of making me wait an extra 10 minutes, he gave me the one that had just finished cooking because the other order still had some things left to make. Now that's service. Highly recommended if you're craving Indian food in Palatine.
(4)Lynn C.
I tried several entrees including chicken tikka masala, chicken vindalu, and chicken fried rice. All were very good. Best fried rice I've had from a carryout restaurant. You can dine inn as well, but there is not a lot of ambience here..just great food at reasonable prices. If you like Indian food, you can not go wrong here. My only disappointment was that they do not have Nan which I love.
(4)Joseph P.
This is still a unique experience - somewhat like going on a trip to a town in India, given the menu, the Bollywood on TV, and makeup of the crowd and staff. The food remains unique and the presentation is casual - Styrofoam prevails, most sodas are in a can only. Very popular with young Indian men, who order lots of take-out, often vegetarian. The Samosas are to die for, the curry spicy but not hot, and the Vindaloo is moderately fiery. Most meat entrees now $9 or $10 and well worth it. Lunch specials at $6 seem like a real deal. Cramped, crowded, and fascinating. Still worth a trip.
(4)Ramnath K.
Egg briyani is my favorite. It has a distinct taste. I am totally addicted to it. The chicken 65 and chicken pakora were also decent. Unlike other indian restaurants, The portions are not huge here. I am fine with it as it usually is perfect for my appetite.
(5)J J.
Good food here. I've only had a few dishes but they all have been good. I'm no indian food expert but the food was a bit oily. I did take out and by the time I arrived home I could see a layer of oil sitting on top of the lamb rogan josh. The food was good but could have been a little less oily in my opinion. I really liked the paneer kadai but I think next time I go in I'll go with a curry dish as I after I left I had feelings of regret for not ordering one then. I had already ordered two separate entrees and I felt another was just excessive (like 2 on my own wasn't). =P
(3)Luke S.
Fresh, made to order. Very friendly and helpful when ordering.
(5)Amey K.
At least once every month explains my love towards this place. The food is cooked well and portion is of right size for one person with average appetite. Goat Biryani and kathi rolls is must have. The place is small and not suited for big groups. They offer lunch specials at discounted rates as well. If you are Indian food lover, this place is must try. As compared to other nearby restaurants like India house this place had real Indian taste.
(4)Lucie M.
I am so glad this place opened up here. I love Indian Food, and my boyfriend and I usually had to go out to Schaumburg or further to get some. We are now regulars here because they have fantastic food at reasonable prices- I especially recommend the butter chicken and the chicken korma. I wish they had naan, but sometimes we get it as take-out and bake frozen naan at home. Also, their samosas are to die for. Not too spicy, but so big we often get an order apiece as a meal instead of fast food and leave completely stuffed. Yum...just thinking about them is making me hungry!
(5)Tom A.
I don't know much abut Indian food, but this place makes learning about it easy. I've sampled about 5 things over 3 visits and enjoyed everything. The potato samosas are OUTSTANDING, and the malai kofta dumplings are sinfully rich and delicious. The service was a little slow, and I hate icky trays that are only wiped with a nasty reused rag, but those are my only complaints. The prices are quite reasonable. For fast-food Indian that, to me, seems like real Indian, this place is great.
(4)Daniel T.
Every time I go there, they make me feel welcome. The food is always hot and delicious. And you can always count on Bollywood on the TVs. Is it the best Indian food in the area? No. The inside does feel a little cafeteria like but I enjoy the lack of fancy decor. It makes it feels more relaxed and it gives the cooks an opportunity to talk with you, get to know you, understand how you like things. I always look forward to going there. I really enjoy the Muttar Paneer and Gobhi Paratha.
(4)Venu V.
This review is for their catering and not the actual restaurant. I haven't been to the restaurant but had been to couple of parties that had catered food from this place. Unfortunately, the food was horrendous both times and not a single person at these parties enjoyed the food. The chicken tikka entree felt like hard rocks dipped in sauce and it was obvious these people have no clue on how to tenderize meat. Chicken biryani was just terrible, just bland and greasy and the chicken was very dry and bland. Their vegetarian dishes were bland and greasy. Couple of manchurian dishes left much to be desired. As for appetizers, their paneer fry looked like a saucy curry and chili chicken was hard and rubbery, looked like it was microwaved. Their deserts were half decent at both the parties. Just avoid this place for catering unless you like bland, unauthentic and re-heated food.
(1)John Y.
The food is always very fresh tasting and generously portioned. Very quick service. One of my go to carry-out spots.
(4)Christopher B.
I love the Chicken Tikka Masala here. The portions are a little small, but the flavors are great. The hours they are open are a little inconvenient if you want to eat in the afternoon. If you want some local Indian food without making a longer trip, this is a good choice. I haven't tried the Chinese section of their menu, but the Indian side is quite good.
(4)Jacky S.
Best Indian carry out place in palatine! Reasonably priced and the cooks are very friendly! Chicken Tikka Masala and the Roti bread are sooooo good. yum in my tum!
(4)Fredrik A.
Got take-out from this place last week and will be going back today. Food was tasty and not very expensive: For 2 x bread, veg pakora, samosa and malai kofta I paid $16 which I thought was very reasonble. The size of the rice side that came with the malai kofta was a little on the small side so I may get an extra side of rice tonight. Did not dine in so cannot comment on that. But in short I liked it and I'm going back!
(4)Arpan S.
I don't know what the other poster had but it definitely depends on what you order. Some of the awesome dishes I had were the Hakka, Sechzwan noodles, dal makhni, and veg. kadai. This place is fast and tastes good. They blend chinese and indian flavors in some of their dishes and I really find that unique. The thalis look really enticing and will try that next time I go!
(5)Sara W.
This is a hidden gem! It is inexpensive and really authentic. I have only been there once, but it was really good and I plan to return soon. I had the butter chicken and the vegetable pakora. Both were excellent. It came with basmati rice and several dipping sauces. Love it!
(5)Haytham O.
Very tasty food, I've been to many indian restaurants before...and this is one of the best. it's a small shopping plaza resturant, not a 5 star restuarnat in terms of seating. However the food is fresh and delicious. recommend the Aloo (Potatoe) 65 , chicken 65 or samosa for appetizer, lamb byriani , and the chicken masala.
(5)Heather V.
This was my first Indian food experience, and I have to say it was awesome! I had the chicken korma with rice and bread, and it was delicious!! Its close to home, and I would definately recommend it!
(5)Mortimer F.
Best Indian food in driving range. And best priced. Can't beat that. My favorite is the chicken vindaloo. One order of any entree is enough for two people.
(5)david s.
I've now tried the aloo 65, veggie biriyani, mutter paneer, and red chili fried rice. All were good except for the rice. This dish is from the Indo-Chinese part of the menu, which I thought I'd give a try. This dish was bad enough that after trying a small portion, I threw the rest out. Sunk costs and all that. I'd like to try the Gobi Manchurian--a famous Indo-Chinese dish--but now I,m hesitant to do so...
(4)Sean Y.
The food is pretty good but it takes a long time to get your food and the portions are very small - only a few pieces of meat and a lot of sauce.
(3)Annette L.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Biryani... my boyfriend always gets the Chicken Biryani... The spices are yummy and a art form.. The Paratha Bread is something I highly recommend. We have been going there regularly since they opened. The owner and manager are very nice people too.
(5)Matt H.
The wife and I became violently ill just a few hours after eating food from the Indian Bistro. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. Be warned. They also have the lowest score from the Palatine health inspection of any restaurant.
(1)Yelper D.
I ordered a curry the other day and it was bright reddish pink! I was shocked. The generous food colors used here have now made me rethink my next visit!
(1)Shravan T.
I think the food is great and it is among the best Chicken makhani i have ever eaten outside of india..
(5)