“Tandoor Char House”

[rating=4]It has been some time since I was an active participant in the Westridge Chamber of Commerce ( this are is also known as West Rogers Park). During those years as a Vice President of the chamber, I attended many various functions of both the Indian and Pakistani populations. When I attended luncheons at the many dining spots, I always ate the mildest of mild items, thus depriving myself of the true tastes of the “Silk Road”. Several weeks ago, one of the listeners to Around The Town with Al Bresloff on WCPT encouraged me to try her favorite spot in Lincoln Park ( far from Devon Avenue), called Tandoor Char House”.

Tonight was the night! Jane and I along with frequent diners Alan and Vickie arrived at 2652 N. Halsted at around 6 p.m.. We were able to find a parking space in front of the building and walk right in. We were greeted by our host ( owner) Faraz Sardhara, and instead of reading the menu, Faraz had prepared a dinner of the most popular items. This is a BYOB restaurant ( $5 corkage fee for glasses etc), so bring your own or just enjoy a soda or water. BTW they bring bottles of water to the table.

The restaurant is small and there are stairs to the seating area as well as stairs to the rest rooms. Tonight the tables were set up with three tables of four and  8 tables of 2. They are able to move them around as needed, and despite the rain and it being a Thursday night, they were busy with dine-in and pick-ups ( quite a few of those while we were dining).

We began our meal with  a basket of “homemade ” pita bread like bread called Papadum ( thin crisp lentil wafers) and four sauces, from mild to sweet to “hot stuff” ( his Grandmothers special recipe that has a snap , but we liked it a lot and got used to it quickly)  and two of the list of “starters ,”The Beef Samosa ( minced ground beef, potatoes and scallions encased in a crispy golden brown pastry) and the Tandoori Chicken Empanadas ( shredded tandoori chicken, tikka masala sauce in a crispy shell) . Jane had never dined on Pakastani food before and she truly loved this dish, preparing her for what was yet to come.

The menu is extensive and offers a great number of “vegetarian treasures as well as meat chicken and lamb- Let me tell you about the lamb. Alan’s daughter who lives in the area had told him that  have a dish called a Bonelsss Lamb Biryani ( we asked Faraz to change the steak we had asked for to this dish and I for one, am so glad we did.

Cuts of lamb slowly baked with layers of spices. Accompanied by raita and our famous achar. (R)

While everything was delicious, this one truly stood out. The other part of the dinner was  The Butter Chicken (boneless white meat baked in tandoor oven and marinated in their homemade buttery cream sauce served with rice and raita and their famous achar (sauce) and the grill platter ( Mix Grill), the house specialty (Tandoori Chicken Boti, Shrimp Tandoori and Seekh Kabob) served with Tikka Masala Sauce and served sizzling)This was amazing!

Every dish served was flavorful and I never had a problem due to “curry” as I did on my  Devon Avenue days.

We did not have room for desert but did enjoy a cup of homemade Chi tea.

Most of the recipes that are a part of this restaurant are family recipes that have been handed down from one generation to the next, keeping their spirit and memory alive not just for the family, but also for those diners who enjoy every bite of the food prepared at Tandoor Char House located at 2652 N. Halsted ( Home Depot is directly across the street) in Chicago. The phone number is 773-327-2652 for reservations. They are only a few blocks from Victory Gardens and The Greenhouse Theaters, so you can easily have a dinner and show night.

The hours are:

Monday-Friday  4 p.m.- 10:30 p.m.

Saturday 11 am- 10:30 p.m.

Sundays  11 am -10 p.m.

They also have a carry out only location at 110 West Hubbard  312-668-8246

take a look at their menu and more at www.tandoorchicago.com