Devon Avenue Halal Guide: Iconic Pakistani & Indian Dining on Chicago’s North Side

Chicago’s Legendary Culinary Crossroads

Stretching through West Ridge on Chicago’s North Side, West Devon Avenue between Western and California Avenues is one of the premier South Asian cultural and culinary strips in the Western Hemisphere. The street is lined with jewelers, sari boutiques, spice markets, and some of the finest Pakistani and North Indian halal cooking to be found anywhere in the diaspora.

The Royalty of Slow-Cooked Stews: Sabri Nihari

Recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand and revered by generations of food lovers, Sabri Nihari (2502 W Devon Ave) is an institution. Its namesake dish—beef shank slow-simmered overnight in a velvety, spice-infused gravy garnished with slivered ginger, fresh cilantro, and lime—sets the national standard for Pakistani comfort dining.

Night Owls and Student Havens: Ghareeb Nawaz

For decades, Ghareeb Nawaz (2032 W Devon Ave) has stood as a Chicago cult favorite. Known for its staggering portion sizes and ultra-accessible prices, students from Loyola, Northwestern, and UIC gather here for chili chicken, fragrant biryani, and crispy butter parathas well into the late-night hours.

Smoky Charcoal & Mutton Karahi

Meat lovers seeking the authentic smoky aroma of Lahore street food gravitate toward Bundoo Khan (2539 W Devon Ave) for paper-thin, melt-in-your-mouth beef Bihari kababs wrapped in flaky parathas. Across the street, Usmania Fine Dining delivers stately banquets of fresh lamb karahi cooked in traditional iron woks with tomatoes and green chilies.

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