Ethnic food in the far western 'burbs (Chicago, Aurora: house, restaurants)

[sonicreducer]

I just moved to the DeKalb/Sycamore area for a job, and am finding myself really missing ethnic food. This is something that DeKalb has very little of unfortunately. I'm having a hard time finding a decent grocery store, too! I've heard that Naperville and Elgin have sizable Asian communities, but I am not familiar with the towns. I'm just now getting a feel for the area, so I haven't been able to explore much. I'd love to hear anyone's suggestions for good ethnic food--any, but especially Indian, Lao, Thai, Japanese, Russian, Peruvian, Indonesian, etc.....anything out of the ordinary. Ethnic grocery stores, too. I know Chicago has everything, but I'm looking for something slightly more local (something within 20-45 minutes of the DeKalb area). Thanks!

[acdevane]

Super H grocery store just opened in the fall in Naperville just west of Ogden & Naper in the same mall as K-mart. There are about 4 smaller Asian grocery stores scattered in Naperville/Lisle area. Lemon Grass is a Thai restaurant on Ogden that is quite good. One of my all time favorite restaurants is Kiku is on Aurora Ave, in the same strip mall as Menard's. Outstanding - Japanese steak house - top notch sushi! 5 stars. Masala Yangu on Jefferson serves African, Arab and Indian dishes like pan-seared tilapia cloaked in peanut-curry sauce with cassava leaves; cauliflower in tangy, curry-infused sauce; and char-broiled chicken spiked with masala. Mmmm, is your mouth watering yet?

[gardener34]

St. charles has a new indian restaurant - taj of india, have yet to try it. On route 64 west of the river. They also have several thai restaurants in the tri-cities area. In st. charles on 64 in a strip mall, vino thai, and I think there is one in geneva on route 38. Also, on route 64 there is dimitri's if you like mediterranean.
Also in st. charles there are 2 sushi restaurants. sushiyama again, on north avenue. and another one in a mall by the butera grocery store (can't remember name of that one.)
And st. charles has a couple good chinese restaurants too.
If you can take the I-90 out and get to schaumburg/hoffman estates area, that area is FULL of ethnic restaurants.

Good luck!!

[Steve-o]

There is a new multi-national grocery store that opened up where the old Dominicks used to be on the NE corner of Rt. 59 and Rt. 64 in West Chicago. Ive never been inside it, but the exterior has dozens of flags flying outside of it, all from different nations. Heck, I cant even remember its name. lol

There is also another sushi place in Geneva, off of 3rd near the Caribou Coffee. Its relatively new and looks really nice. As for the Japanese place Nanannie is talking about near Butera, I believe its called House of Tokyo.

[gardener34]

Also, if you are willing to cook for yourself! Butera markets have a lot of asian, and other, ethnic food in them.
Also, this is kind of far from dekalb though, but in arlington heights there's mitsuwa marketplace on algonquin road with a japanese (and korean) food court and grocery stores.

[kinna1991]

Is that grocery store in the Old Cub Food store on Aurora Ave in Naperville ever going to open? It is called Grand Mart. I believe they are going to see ethnic foods

[Steve-o]

Just saw a Taj of India in St. Charles the other day. Its in the same strip mall as the Geno's East (Tyler and Rt. 64), closer down towards Arby's. Ive never been there myself, but am rather just tossing another idea out there. There is also a new Thai place in Wasco, in their little town square area (Burlington and La Fox Rd area).

[sonicreducer]

Thanks everyone, for all of your fantastic suggestions!! We went to St. Charles yesterday, and ate at the Taj of India. It was fantastic! I was initially a little worried, as the exterior and interior seemed pretty nondescript...but wow, was I ever wrong. We arrived at the very end of the lunch buffet (10 minutes left!), and they graciously kept it open for us. The naan was some of the best I've had, and he even brought up 2 pieces of tandoori chicken, sizzling on a hot platter, with onion slices and lime wedges. Very tasty!

We also checked out the big ethnic grocery in West Chicago (Springbrook or something or other), and it was pretty cool. They had a lot of Indian vegetables, and a good selection of middle eastern, mexican, and polish/eastern euro stuff. We'll definitely check out some of the other suggestions given above soon.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by sonicreducer

Thanks everyone, for all of your fantastic suggestions!! We went to St. Charles yesterday, and ate at the Taj of India. It was fantastic! I was initially a little worried, as the exterior and interior seemed pretty nondescript...but wow, was I ever wrong. We arrived at the very end of the lunch buffet (10 minutes left!), and they graciously kept it open for us. The naan was some of the best I've had, and he even brought up 2 pieces of tandoori chicken, sizzling on a hot platter, with onion slices and lime wedges. Very tasty!

We also checked out the big ethnic grocery in West Chicago (Springbrook or something or other), and it was pretty cool. They had a lot of Indian vegetables, and a good selection of middle eastern, mexican, and polish/eastern euro stuff. We'll definitely check out some of the other suggestions given above soon.

Glad you enjoyed them. Ive never been to the Taj myself, but have heard good things about it from some coworkers. Im gonna have to check out that grocery store too. lol