jlawrence01 wrote:The good part of buffets, especially the ethnic ones, allow you to experience a cuisine that would otherwise be intimidating. In addition, you get to try a wide variety of dishes.
For example, you can try four or five Indian dishes at any Indian buffet. If you go in alone to an Indian restaurant, will you generally get to try more than one?
While I do agree with ethnic buffets being good for trying a variety, many Indian places offer some form of a Thali, or they call them a "special dinner" on the menu consisting of 5 or 6 items.
Just an example or two:
Viceroy of India -
http://www.viceroyofindia.com/chefs-specials-menu.htmIndian Grill on Clark -
http://www.indiangrillrestaurants.com/indian%20grill.pdfSher A Punjab -
http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurants/sher-a-punjab-2/menuThere are plenty more that do something like this, just keep this in mind when you are scanning the menu. I find it a little surprising that most places do not offer something like this. An Indian place offering a lunch special or dinner special would be most welcome, imo. Something like most Chinese places offer - a samosa, some rice, two stewy dishes (just have two big pots in the kitchen - switch em up each day) and naan or paratha. One of my favorite suburban dives, Desi Grill in Lombard does this, and it is fantastic. Been to Chutney Joe's, not really impressed, but it is not aimed at people looking for great food, more of an Indian Chipotle, though if I had to choose between CJ's and Chipotle, I'd pick Chutney Joe's EVERY time.
As for buffets, I'm a mild fan of Hibachi Grill in Wheeling for their sushi offerings, and a few of their "always on the buffet" dishes. Oddly, they have a clam dish on the buffet that is really great. Clams in a light, savory, broth with a good amount of chopped jalapeno. I load up on the sushi that is good that day, the clams, and the potstickers. For the lunch price, it is easily worth it for quality, not just quantity.
I almost went to an Old Country Buffet several years ago. Before we walked in, we noticed that the day's menu was posted outside the front door. The first thing listed on the menu was "Sausage patties in sweet and sour sauce." We left, laughing. That had to be close to 7 years ago. Still haven't been to one.
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