Zaika Indian Cuisine - Des Plaines

Excellent! This place is no-frills and tends to be busy, but that's because the food is genuinely good, even if it isn't the fastest service. The lamb was tender, and the garlic naan was spot on, just like the tandoori shrimp and rice. The prices are surprisingly reasonable. They have a solid takeout business, which contributes to a longer wait for the food.

The food was quite tasty, but the prices are too steep for the portion sizes. I ordered the garlic chicken tikka, and the serving was very small. They do not include any sides with that dish; everything must be ordered separately. I noticed that the vegetarian portions are larger. I assumed that at least the main courses would come with rice or naan, but those also have to be ordered separately. I'm really disappointed. The prices are on par with a more upscale Indian restaurant, yet the ambiance feels more like a typical diner with just a few tables.

I went there for dinner with some friends, and it turned out to be a great choice for a BYOB restaurant. We arrived around 5:30, and it was quite empty, but by 8:00, every table was full. The tandoori is among the best I've ever had, and the masala papad was tasty too. The egg dishes were definitely a highlight of the meal!

I love this place. The butter chicken is always so tender and flavorful. My fiancé always gets the Lam Rogan Josh and he says it’s delicious. Cheese Naan is amazing. Definitely our go to spot!

The Tika Masala was really watery and barely had any chicken. I'm guessing they don't wear hair nets because there was a long, thick black hair in one of the orders. The rice and Naan were pretty good. Probably wouldn't ever come back here. Himalayan Restaurant in Niles is about the same price and way better quality.