Address: | 5951 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60660, USA |
Phone: | +1 773-561-5111 |
Site: | indiecafe.us |
Rating: | 4.5 |
Working: | 11:30AM–10PM 5–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10PM 11:30AM–10:30PM 11:30AM–10:30PM 12–10PM |
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Alain La
Chef Iggy Waranon and Co-Owner Gui Prasartkul came to Chicago in 1998 with intent to study art. With the help of their roommate and friend, they developed a menu with a fusion of Thai and Japanese cuisine inspired by their passion for art. The combination of Iggy’s cooking experience and Gui’s business acumen, the Indie Café emerged in 2004. Ever since, Indie has opened, it has become an original Chicago restaurant. The logo shows much of what Indie is about. The logo is an octopus which its legs represents the diverse influences and techniques brought to the cooking. The cuisine of Thai and Japanese is presented in an elegant artistic matter. They stretch boundaries to develop dishes without changing the roots of both cuisines. Its interior design is surely a sight to see, from the comfortable black lounge seats to the colorful paintings on the wall. It seems to me that they put just as much thought into the décor as the menu. The first time you step in you can see the sushi chef preparing food in the middle of the room. It is very colorful and has a nice window view of the street of Broadway. They hang paintings up on the wall that all share a similar style, but don’t look too long. The art is very different and can cause you to stare at it for a while. They have unique lightings, which looks like woven circular silk shades that illuminate the room. The dishes that the food comes out in are plain white square plates, in order to keep the consumer’s eye more focused on the art of the food. Many people walk in, mostly families or couples. Everyone that walks in is very friendly and has already come once before. Indie has many regular customers around the neighborhood. Indie Café lies between Western, Irving Park, June Wayne, and Lakeshore. The restaurant can be accessed by CTA. In between Thorndale and Grandville of the Red-line is found right around the corners. It is convenient for many Chicagoans to get to, and at any time you want. The restaurant is open from 11am to 10pm, except on Tuesday. The menu in Indie is absolutely huge. The menu is very unique and you will not find it anywhere else. From the appetizers to the desserts you will enjoy almost if not all the food listed on there. There is also a wine and beer menu just as large as their food menu. The portions are not large but definitely worth the price. The dishes always come out with a wow factor. They arrange to plate in a way that you much rather stare at it than eat it. The food satisfies your taste as well as your sight. The dishes are made well, and are not rushed. I feel that with the way the food looks and taste they should raise their prices. Did I also mention they have a catering and delivery service? The waitresses are very friendly and always have a smile on their faces. The employees make sure that your experience there is the best and that you come back for more. In conclusion, if you want a nice restaurant to have a family dinner or a simple date that is wallet friendly, I one hundred percent recommend that anyone who enjoys Asian cuisine and/or art. The food is amazing for its somewhat cheap prices. The service they offer is absolutely the best. If you live around the neighborhood they could just deliver their awesome food to your door step or cater at your next party! How many fusion restaurants do you know that have a catering business? This is truly a one of a kind restaurant found in Chicago.
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A Private User
일식과 타이음식이 반반 나오는 현대식 퓨전 식당. 한마디로 백화점 지하식당 생각하면 된다. 여기 한 리뷰처럼 딱히 잘하는건 하나도 없는데 전체적으로 관리가 잘되고 손님이 많은 식당. 그래서인지 종업원 수가 많아보이고 테이블간의 간격이 좁아서 어떤 자리는 옆사람 가방이나 큐션 등이 옆구리를 건드리는 곳. 그래서인지 먹다 타이복음밥이 목에 걸리고 말았다...오른쪽 백인남자들은 계속 태국 커리치킨을 먹으며 원더풀을 연발하고 있고 왼쪽 동유럽 아줌마들은 모르는 언어로 뭐라고 계속 떠들고 내 옆구리를 찌르면서도 (하긴 여러번 나한테 사과는 했지만 형식이고..) 아이스크림까지 먹고 가는 모습..음식에 대한 불만은 별로 없는듯...사실 난 태국 통염 국은 입에 달았고 볶음밥은 진짜 별로 인데...참, 일본 스시는 깔끔하게 니왔다. 다시 한번 가봐야 진짜 실력을 알것 같았다.
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A Private User
My wife and I took dinner with an out of town guest and his pad thai had a really bad taste/odor and upon investigation involving both of the owners it turned out they had used an unclean pan. Instead of saying sorry the owner came by initially after I brought to the attention our waiter and told me "A lot of people order the pad thai and they have never complained". We were reprimanded in front of our guest, which was weird. I used to like this place but the behavior of the owner during that visit was very rude & ignorant and brought obvious the issues with the management of this place. She did not know how to handle a simple situation. I suggest if you do have an incident here do not deal with owner Guen she is very prissy defensive not ideal for dealing with customer service issues but instead ask to talk to the other co-owner who is the cook in the back she will actually listen to what you have to say as she is the one who found out the reason for the taste difference is they used the wrong pan to cook the noodle. The staff always seems overworked and comes across tired, hurried and very unhappy. Do not risk potentially ruining a night out and spend your money at any of the other nearby compassionate edgewater restaurants.
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Tim McCoy
Well I assumed, since this is the only sushi joint that serves alcohol in Edgewater, that it would have good food. I was wrong, and shame on me for thinking such a stupid thing. The sushi was uninspiring, the wonton was almost burnt to an inedible scolding mess in my mouth, and the service was consistently absent. I felt like I wasnt even welcome there with the awkward wait and seating. And there were several tables that were "reserved" next to the windows that never showed up. The server never asked us how we were or seemed to care that we were there. The place was barely 1/3 full even by 6:30pm when we left. So how is there any excuse for such absent and flaky service? As far as the food, I was warned when I ordered the Kimono roll, that it would be REALLY spicy. Really? Spicy? Spicy Nacho Doritos have tasted spicier. It was bland, unexciting and fell apart often. You may try to put on a trendy facade, Indie Cafe, but you didnt follow through with any positive experience. Making your food look fancy and serving alcohol with the option of BYOB just doesnt cut it. For those with the need for a gimmicky place to eat, here you go.
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A Private User
Sushi sucks. Im in absolute disbelief that anyone would rate this restaurant well! Overall ordering and delivery process went fine except that the person on the phone quoted a price that was $12 below what was charged on the receipt. Delivery person was personable and arrived within the time stated. Food on the other hand was crap. Heres our take on the four different rolls that we tried... 1. Dragon Roll - not terrible 2. Spicy Tuna Roll - it wasnt tuna... it was tuna paste. Yes, like it was scooped out of a vat or squeezed out of a tube. Nasty. 3. Monte Carlo - same as below 4. Spider Rolls - overall consistency was mush and taste was way too sweet.. kind of like candy or as if it was processed food made with corn syrup instead of what its suppose to be - fresh fish. Without exaggeration... the sushi at Dominicks is better than the crap that I ate this evening.. threw half of it away. What a disappointment.