Pakeeza offers affordable, tasty Indian fare

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago's cab drivers have their own hangouts and many times, revolving around food that is abundant and affordable, and one of the city's busiest and tastiest stops is on the Near North Side.

It's a club of sorts, or maybe a community center. Pakeeza is one of those blink-and-you-miss-it restaurants as you head down Orleans, on the Near North Side, but it's hard not to spot all of the cabs.

"More convenient for cab drivers because they all working in downtown area," said Riyaz Muhammad. "They don't want to go all the way to North Side. They want to eat here, after they eat they start to work, they don't lose the time."

That's because the food is freshly-made, fast, and loaded with flavorful Indian spices. Yes, you might smell like cardamom and cumin after eating, especially if you opt for the somewhat spicy frontier chicken, a boneless option with plenty of heat.

Better yet, go for one of the biryanis. These basmati rice entrees are jammed with more than a dozen fragrant spices; the goat version is particularly delicious. Entrees come with puffy naan, cooked in the tandoor, and cooling yogurt raita.

"Yeah, you could put the raita on and some people request for the plain yogurt so I can give the plain yogurt," Muhammad said.

The atmosphere may be somewhat jarring - although no different from a joint on Devon Avenue - but Muhammad says even adventurous-eating non-cab drivers are always welcome.

Now both the biryani and the frontier chicken can be played two ways: if it's not spicy enough for you, typically there's a side dish that comes with onions and sliced jalapenos - that'll add some heat - but if it's too spicy for you, you can cool things off in your mouth with a little bit of that raita/yogurt or some of this freshly-baked bread; either way, delicious.

The parking is always free behind the restaurant, plus they do quite a bit of catering if you have a large group.

Pakeeza

1011 North Orleans Street

Chicago, IL 60610