Pakistani and Indian · Devon Avenue
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Every city has a restaurant that everyone seems to know about, even if they've never written it down. In Chicago, for South Asian food, that's Ghareeb Nawaz. This Devon Avenue counter has been feeding Chicagoans of every kind for decades, and its biryani has a cult following.
The name
Ghareeb Nawaz means friend of the poor, a title associated with the Sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer, and the restaurant lives up to it. Prices are famously low, the portions are generous and nobody leaves hungry.
The vibe
Order at the counter, find a seat and dig in. There's nothing fancy about the room, and that's part of the charm. The real appeal is the hours: Ghareeb Nawaz opens in the morning and stays open until 2 a.m. every day, making it Chicago's go-to for late-night biryani.
What to eat
The chicken biryani is the main event, Karachi-style, with spiced rice, tender chicken and a heat that builds. The chili chicken biryani turns the spice up even further for anyone who wants it, and there's beef biryani, too.
The curries are hearty and satisfying. Nihari is slow-cooked and rich, karahi is cooked with tomatoes and green chilies and aloo keema, spiced ground meat with potatoes, is pure comfort food. Daal is a good companion to any of it. For something different, try the hunter beef paratha, layered flatbread stuffed with spiced cured beef. Samosas make an easy snack, and during Ramadan, look for haleem, the slow-cooked blend of meat, lentils and grains.
Before you go
Ghareeb Nawaz is at 2032 West Devon Avenue. It's fully halal and alcohol-free. Payment policies have varied over the years, so bring some cash just in case. Expect a line during the dinner rush and a lively crowd late at night.
Why it matters
Ghareeb Nawaz is a reminder that some of the best food in any city comes from the humblest places. It has fed generations of Chicagoans, from new immigrants to college students, and its biryani is a rite of passage on Devon Avenue.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Chicken biryani; chili chicken biryani; nihari; karahi; aloo keema; daal; hunter beef paratha; samosas; haleem during Ramadan
Pricing: Budget. The best cheap desi meal in Chicago.
Best for: Late-night cravings, students, cheap eats, takeout, halal diners and anyone who wants Devon Avenue at its most authentic
How it compares: Chicago's best late-night desi meal; more casual than Sabri Nihari; the cheapest great biryani on this list
See where Ghareeb Nawaz ranks: The Best Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Restaurants in Chicago: Our Top 10 for 2026
The food was always this good. We're just paying attention.