We love essence of India! It is our go to for a great Indian meal and the service is wonderful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jeanie Kent
My daughter recently moved to the square, of course you have to sample the food in the area. Essence has become a place for us to usually grab food during our visit. I dinned here now a few times, bragging to my husband of how good their food was.This visit, I decided to order him Tandori Chicken - he's a huge fan of this dish and has his favorite places. We have a few local Indian spots in the burbs that we dine at frequently.Walking into the restaurant we were relieved to see several tables open and we were sat very quickly. When it was time for us to order our food, we were interrupted twice so that the owner could take phone calls during our order. I have worked and built a business, and understand that juggling tasks are not always the best way to be efficient. And it was not.I ordered samosas and a lentel dish, rice and tandori chicken to go.When the food was brought out, my rice was forgotten - my daughter had to ask. Not a biggie - was recently in an accident and don't eat much rice anyway. Let's just bring that home...Except for the fact that they had forgotten my tandori chicken and was surprised when I asked about it - as if i just ordered it.I was told 5 minutes and he'll have it out. Ok! I get to hang with my two favorite ladies longer. Only..my granddaughter was starting to get tired of sitting now as we had been there for almost an hour. Toddlers do not learn the art of patience right away.20 minutes later we are still waiting for our food. (I know its Tandori, if given the correct time frame and asked if i wanted to wait would have been appreciated). Instead, my daughter and I had to wrestle with an anxious to leave Toddler. Food was tossed while I picked it up and she tried to leave the building - twice.While it is true that this restlessness is an opportunity to try to teach a toddler a lesson in patience, it is difficult for me not to be upset at the additional stress the owner's bad juggling created for us. This is not a one time situ either. My daughter is a regular here. Surely this man has children or has children in his life to understand that parents do not always have a unlimited amount of time when dining with their kids.When I got the food home - finally - it was already cold being simply wrapped in a clump of foil. One piece was dry, stale and from the night before. So much for waiting for completely fresh chickie.Sadly disappointed that the owner does not allow his other staff to assist him with orders or take on someone. I have heard about the rents in the area and understand staffing can be difficult. Unfortunately its always a teeter totter when dealing with these factors. The fact that his location is gearing up for national attention, I would not rely on doing things yourself if you want continued growth.This visit was unfortunately a wth moment for me. Life happens, the food was good when we were sitting down. It's difficult to become excited about eating there again. eh..i know that i'm only one person, yet i am always happy to support small biz in that area being a city gal myself.If you go, and find yourself continuously interrupted by phone calls while your order is being taken know that you will be spending a lot more time then anticipated. and your order may be messed up.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
Kevin Philips
got take out a few times here. biriyani is my favorite in the area. curries are pretty good but not exceptional. quiet dining room
Ryan B.
Some of the worst Indian food my wife and I have ever eaten. Bordering on inedible. The Saag chaman just tastes like cinnamon. The Tikka Masala is weirdly sweet.
Emmy B.
My boyfriend and I walked by this restaurant about a week ago and remarked on how great the food smelled. We came here last night and had the most delicious meal! I got the vegetable korma, which is divine, and I will update later what boyfriend got because I am blanking right now. We also shared an Elephant Ride cocktail which was also amazing and very unique. The staff was very friendly as well. Will definitely be coming back!
J.B. Mantz
Great food and service. I'd recommend the veggie sampler.Lamb vindaloo ordered spicy was also wonderful (and wonderfully spicy)Drinks were great. And good service too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Vindaloo
Zoe Snow
Thank you Essence of India! Best Indian food in the neighborhood and very friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew Thompson
$5 for rice
Kari Urness
Great service & food. Their Mango Lassi is delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Vindaloo, Chicken Curry
Danielle Roy
One of my favorite restaurants. It’s so good I forgot to take pictures of the food.Favorites: Vegetable Samosas, Vegetable Pakoras, Chicken Tandoori, Murg Tikka Masala, Green Beans and Potatoes, Shrimp in Coconut Masala, Elephant Ride with rum!
A lovely restaurant with friendly owners, fantastic food and a homey atmosphere. Try the chicken Murg Tikka :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Murg Tikka
suri l.
Food is alright but ambience is very cold and service is ok . It is not my cup of tea !
Anne Walchak
This has been a go-to spot since 2009 - it's the kind of spot you hope for in your neighborhood! The food is always delicious and the atmosphere is always warm and inviting, and they're very accommodating of dietary preferences and restrictions (our family needs to accommodate GF, vegan, and a tree nut allergy).Our favorites are the papadum (with chutneys), samosas, garlic naan, channa masala, saag aloo, dal makhani, butter chicken, murg tikka masala, rogan josh, tandoori chicken, and raita. We usually lean toward lamb, chicken, and vegetable dishes, but friends have gotten seafood dishes and liked them, as well.My only complaint is that the online menu on their main website page can be a little hard to read since the page moves back and forth on its own while you're trying to read the menu, but it's a small complaint - if you click "order online", that menu is fine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gray Fox
One of the most amazing hidden food gems of Chicago... Just Go, and often ???
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
sayak chakrabarty
I didn't like the taste honestly. I ordered chicken shahi korma and it was sour. The murg lajwab was also not the best I have had. I have eaten both this items in other indian restaurant and they are better than these. The delivery was late too. Maybe it was not their signature item I don't know.
We love essence of India! It is our go to for a great Indian meal and the service is wonderful.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My daughter recently moved to the square, of course you have to sample the food in the area. Essence has become a place for us to usually grab food during our visit. I dinned here now a few times, bragging to my husband of how good their food was.This visit, I decided to order him Tandori Chicken - he's a huge fan of this dish and has his favorite places. We have a few local Indian spots in the burbs that we dine at frequently.Walking into the restaurant we were relieved to see several tables open and we were sat very quickly. When it was time for us to order our food, we were interrupted twice so that the owner could take phone calls during our order. I have worked and built a business, and understand that juggling tasks are not always the best way to be efficient. And it was not.I ordered samosas and a lentel dish, rice and tandori chicken to go.When the food was brought out, my rice was forgotten - my daughter had to ask. Not a biggie - was recently in an accident and don't eat much rice anyway. Let's just bring that home...Except for the fact that they had forgotten my tandori chicken and was surprised when I asked about it - as if i just ordered it.I was told 5 minutes and he'll have it out. Ok! I get to hang with my two favorite ladies longer. Only..my granddaughter was starting to get tired of sitting now as we had been there for almost an hour. Toddlers do not learn the art of patience right away.20 minutes later we are still waiting for our food. (I know its Tandori, if given the correct time frame and asked if i wanted to wait would have been appreciated). Instead, my daughter and I had to wrestle with an anxious to leave Toddler. Food was tossed while I picked it up and she tried to leave the building - twice.While it is true that this restlessness is an opportunity to try to teach a toddler a lesson in patience, it is difficult for me not to be upset at the additional stress the owner's bad juggling created for us. This is not a one time situ either. My daughter is a regular here. Surely this man has children or has children in his life to understand that parents do not always have a unlimited amount of time when dining with their kids.When I got the food home - finally - it was already cold being simply wrapped in a clump of foil. One piece was dry, stale and from the night before. So much for waiting for completely fresh chickie.Sadly disappointed that the owner does not allow his other staff to assist him with orders or take on someone. I have heard about the rents in the area and understand staffing can be difficult. Unfortunately its always a teeter totter when dealing with these factors. The fact that his location is gearing up for national attention, I would not rely on doing things yourself if you want continued growth.This visit was unfortunately a wth moment for me. Life happens, the food was good when we were sitting down. It's difficult to become excited about eating there again. eh..i know that i'm only one person, yet i am always happy to support small biz in that area being a city gal myself.If you go, and find yourself continuously interrupted by phone calls while your order is being taken know that you will be spending a lot more time then anticipated. and your order may be messed up.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 2
got take out a few times here. biriyani is my favorite in the area. curries are pretty good but not exceptional. quiet dining room
Some of the worst Indian food my wife and I have ever eaten. Bordering on inedible. The Saag chaman just tastes like cinnamon. The Tikka Masala is weirdly sweet.
My boyfriend and I walked by this restaurant about a week ago and remarked on how great the food smelled. We came here last night and had the most delicious meal! I got the vegetable korma, which is divine, and I will update later what boyfriend got because I am blanking right now. We also shared an Elephant Ride cocktail which was also amazing and very unique. The staff was very friendly as well. Will definitely be coming back!
Great food and service. I'd recommend the veggie sampler.Lamb vindaloo ordered spicy was also wonderful (and wonderfully spicy)Drinks were great. And good service too.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Vindaloo
Thank you Essence of India! Best Indian food in the neighborhood and very friendly service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
$5 for rice
Great service & food. Their Mango Lassi is delicious!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Vindaloo, Chicken Curry
One of my favorite restaurants. It’s so good I forgot to take pictures of the food.Favorites: Vegetable Samosas, Vegetable Pakoras, Chicken Tandoori, Murg Tikka Masala, Green Beans and Potatoes, Shrimp in Coconut Masala, Elephant Ride with rum!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Samosas, Chicken Shahi Korma, Murg Tikka
Restaurantji Recommends
A lovely restaurant with friendly owners, fantastic food and a homey atmosphere. Try the chicken Murg Tikka :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Murg Tikka
Food is alright but ambience is very cold and service is ok . It is not my cup of tea !
This has been a go-to spot since 2009 - it's the kind of spot you hope for in your neighborhood! The food is always delicious and the atmosphere is always warm and inviting, and they're very accommodating of dietary preferences and restrictions (our family needs to accommodate GF, vegan, and a tree nut allergy).Our favorites are the papadum (with chutneys), samosas, garlic naan, channa masala, saag aloo, dal makhani, butter chicken, murg tikka masala, rogan josh, tandoori chicken, and raita. We usually lean toward lamb, chicken, and vegetable dishes, but friends have gotten seafood dishes and liked them, as well.My only complaint is that the online menu on their main website page can be a little hard to read since the page moves back and forth on its own while you're trying to read the menu, but it's a small complaint - if you click "order online", that menu is fine.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
One of the most amazing hidden food gems of Chicago... Just Go, and often ???
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I didn't like the taste honestly. I ordered chicken shahi korma and it was sour. The murg lajwab was also not the best I have had. I have eaten both this items in other indian restaurant and they are better than these. The delivery was late too. Maybe it was not their signature item I don't know.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Butter Chicken