CHOWPATTI VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT
| Address: | 1035 S Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, USA |
| Phone: | +1 847-640-9554 |
| Site: | chowpatti.com |
| Rating: | 3.1 |
| Working: | Closed 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM 11:30AM–2:30PM |
Location
Photos 56
Reviews 6
A
A Private User
While visiting family in IL, we visited Chowpatti. Because Im a vegetarian, it seemed like a great choice. The restaurant is in a very busy strip mall with a hectic parking lot. The strip mall doesnt do this charming restaurant justice. Our server was pleasant and attentive. The menu was HUGE. At one point, we noticed that we were reading page 17. This is mostly an Indian restaurant, but there is a large variety of selections such as hamburgers, spaghetti and meatballs, salad, Mexican food, and pizza. My friends had never tried Indian food before and Ive had it a lot. I was glad to go to a vegetarian Indian restaurant so I could get anything on the menu. We got the mixed plate to share, which was one samosa and one aloo wada with a tamarind chutney. Both were very good. The aloo wada had a little spicy kick to it. For dinner, I got the Spicy Pav Bhaji Dosa and added paneer. It comes with a sambhar sauce. I ordered mine medium and it was very spicy. Id say it was more medium-hot. The dosa was huge and I couldnt possibly finish it. One of my friends got the Aloo Wada plate and the Masala Paratha flatbread. Both were very good. We really liked this particular flatbread... and it helped cut the spiciness of the aloo wada. My other friend got the Steamed Vegetable Biryani, which was mild and savory and the Paratha flatbread. I, personally, was glad to be able to eat some of their flatbread to give my tastebuds a break! A few things to note: Most of the Indian dishes do not come with flatbread or rice, these things are a la carte... and highly recommended! There are no free refills on the sodas, etc. and the drink glasses were small. Although, a water pitcher was left at our table and was apprecaited. There were tons of juices and smoothies to choose from, but we didnt go there. The Indian dishes were a little pricey and when adding flatbread rice, it adds up.
AU
Austin Polnow
We were in the West suburbs near Woodfield and wanted to eat something other than the typical chain restaurants in the area. Looking for something interesting and trying to accommodate a friend of mine who is doing the vegetarian life, we googled and found Chowpatti. We walked in to find a very welcoming staff and a nice quiet dining room. After we were seated is when things went a little cold. With no one having come in after us we were surprised that it took someone from the staff nearly 10 minutes to even take drink orders. We ordered and waited about another 25 minutes for our food which arrived warm. The food was well plated and nothing seemed out of place. I otdered a pizza and quickly realized there was still a sticker on the skin of the apple which had been cooked in the cheese. There were hairs or gross items but it was obvious the attention to detail was lacking. Once the check arrived I was a little disappointed. For my meal: 10" pizza with garlic sauce, cheese and spinach $12.75 with added apple and tomato $1.75 EACH and an order of fries $4.95. Water as my beverage. With tip I was out the door for just over $25. It was disappointing because while the menu was extensive the food was just okay. The vegetables were only moderately fresh and the service didnt seem to be overly attentive once we arrived. Maybe we ordered the wrong thing and we wanted to like the restaurant but we werent feeling it. We would like to hope tonight was an off night and maybe we will return for a redemption meal in the near future. PS no free refills for $1.79 soda is a little steep.
KO
Koala Panda
This is one of my most beloved restaurants. In defence of this place that I hold dear, I wanted to reply to some of the negative reviews. If you are Indian and looking for an Indian restaurant: this might not be the place for you. The idea behind Chowpatti was to introduce Americans to vegetarian and vegan foods, and to prove to them these foods could be both healthy and delicious. The menu is full of fun alternatives to standard American fare, circa 1975 (pizza, nachos, hamburger, etc.), all made with an Indian flare. The meals are expensive, because they have been painstakingly sourcing their ingredients since long before "sourcing" was used as a verb. The owners are incredibly warmhearted. I cant help but wonder if those who have found the service to be rude, might have come in with a preconceived view as to how an "Indian restaurant" should be run. Chowpatti is not simply an Indian restaurant— it is a legacy that helped to usher in a higher level of consciousness during the dark days of fast-food culture.
NI
Nilesh Patel
Worst place ever!! Wasted my money and important date night by choosing this place. We tried to compromise little bit but then it was not tolerable at all. Prices are too much compared to other places but food is even not comparable at all. I choose this place for trying something new but worst choice of my life. Front lady was showing so much attitude. Think many times before going to this place. Hope this will help saving your important time and money. I will never ever visit this place. I ordered masala papad, Paneer malai Kofta and butter roti.One Masala papad was $2.55 and which was ok to eat as it was little bit burned and had only onions and cilantro with red chillis on it. Never had such kind of masala papad. Panner Malai Kofta was $13.55 with quantity for 1 person only with no taste on it. Roti was $2.55 which was just regular wheat tortillas. Worst malai Kofta I had in my life. Never had roti like this ever. Old women was trying her best but young lady had much attitude.
LE
Leena Narain
Worst indian food in USA.I would not give any star to this place. They are making fool of everybody in the name of indian cuisine. Being an indian i can say this place is extremely pricey for whatever they offer in their restaurant. Roti(bread) they offer are frozen which tastes really bad. No other indian restaurant serve frozen rotis like them. Portions are way to small in comparision to other restaurants where u can get much better food in much low prices. They serve mix vegetable rice in the name of biryani. Where in the world somebody make biryani like that. Please stop making fool of all the people who come to taste indian food. These people are money suckers nothing else.please dont fall into their trap and by looking at so many varities in the menu. Worst indian food in USA. Dont defame INDIA. While posting this review it dont allow to post my review without giving it a star.. So unfortunately i have give it a star.
DA
Dan B
My wife and I had dinner here tonight and I have to say, they can do much better. We both ordered Indian dishes - we both like Indian so we thought, what the heck, we order the combination platter and a plate of curry for the wife; the place and waitress was nice enough but the food was super-bland (the microwave curry we have at home had more flavor than some of the dishes we had) and while at first glance it may seem relatively affordable, but they charge a separate amount for everything - every other Indian restaurant we went to would just serve rice if we ordered curry - not here. After adding up all the separate items we had to pay for, it was a bit pricier for the two of us than other comparable places in the area. Very disappointing. I saw that they had won a few awards (but it was more than a decade ago) so I had my hopes up but Id say avoid.
