New restaurant brings authentic South Asian cuisine to Lincoln Park

Ghareeb Nawaz, a longtime beloved South Asian staple restaurant of the Chicago community, recently opened a new location in Lincoln Park, a short walk from DePaul’s campus, on Lincoln Avenue. 

The restaurant is known for its fairly cheap prices and authentic food since its opening in the 1990s on Devon Ave. Since then, it expanded to serve the University of Chicago at Illinois community  — a heavily South Asian population — as well as the community of Lombard, a suburb out west that is also primarily Desi. 

Ghareeb Nawaz opened in Lincoln Park on October 17, in place of what used to be The Little Meatball Pizzeria. They are right next to La Crosta Woodfire Pizzeria Italiana — another Italian restaurant.  

A customer waits for a carry-out order at the Ghareeb Nawaz restaurant in Lincoln Park. Photo by Michelle Edwards, 14 East

DePaul senior Talal Ghafoor explained the welcoming experience of dining at the restaurant. 

“Ghareeb Nawaz is an experience unlike any other. From the moment you step foot inside, you’re greeted with familiar smells, warm smiles, and exceptional customer service,” Ghafoor said, emphasizing the “out-of-body experience” he had eating their chili chicken roll, priced at $6. 

For others, like sophomore Muhammad Ottman, the Lincoln Park opening was their first introduction to South Asian cuisine. 

“Ghareeb Nawaz was actually my first time having Indian food, and I am glad it was there,” Ottman said. “From the employees, the flavor of the food, and the restaurant’s cleanliness and at-home environment, Ghareeb Nawaz is a must-try with friends or family.”

Junior Jarrar Qasim emphasized the importance of the restaurant being Zabiha Halal, making it accessible for DePaul’s Muslim student body. 

“The price is amazing for the amount of quantity you get,” Qasim said. “Definitely should give it a try, especially for Muslims who are having a tough time trying to find some Zabiha Halal food places near campus.”

The veg paratha meal and butter chicken fries are featured at the Ghareeb Nawaz restaurant in Lincoln Park. Photos by Michelle Edwards, 14 East

Junior Bilal Anawarla emphasized the portion sizes of the restaurant. “For the price-to-quantity ratio, it exceeds expectations.” 

The restaurant’s menu pricing starts as low as $1.50 and doesn’t go past $10, making it a fairly affordable option for college students and anyone trying to save money. 

In typical Gen-Z fashion, Ghareeb Nawaz also has a popular Twitter account with over 5,000 followers that heavily promoted the opening of the Lincoln Park location with memes, replies to local customers, edits, and much more not-so-typical promotion, even referring to their recent opening as the “Chicago Met Gala.” 

Ghareeb Nawaz is located at 2364 N. Lincoln Ave. and is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday, and until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

Header Illustration by Madeline Smith