We came here for a weekend luncheon, I miss the desserts and boba tea from Bakersville, which used…read moreto be in the same location. The redecorating and ambience was modern and sleek, with fully operational and clean water features. Grills were gas-operated, one grills there own meat items here. I really liked the natural-stone mini-subway style tiles on the walls. Like a lot of Korean places I have seen, the seats had minimal padding. I think this would be a great place for a date if you're in the area, a prize in an unassuming strip mall anchored by an auto parts store. Food was great, they happily and generously provided more banchan and also gave us complimentary bowls of soy paste soup that was practically jumping out of the bowl. As civilised as I tried to be, using my chopsticks and the cooking tongs correctly, I still felt like I completely stuffed my face like at a trough '^_^ it was all so good. Maybe to accommodate the neighborhood, the banchan was not nearly as spicy as we expected, so that might be great for someone trying Korean for the first time. Some might balk at the prices of some items, such as $24.99 for 1/2lb of raw meat, but we had a very enjoyable time and hope to come again.

PROS - v clean. waitress is v friendly…read more - food is fresh (but not flavorful) - yukhoe is v good, clean, fresh CONS - food is not flavorful. all the stars came off bc the food. just can't recommend as someone who eats and makes korean food all the time - v overpriced as well. v small portions (similar to japanese bbq). overpriced is ok if flavorful and awesome k bbq

If you want to explore one of the most underrepresented regional cuisines in Chicago's Indian…read moredining scene, Magic Pepper is a place worth discovering. Magic Pepper is a new restaurant in Niles, and while the menu is broad--featuring North Indian dishes, Indo-Chinese items, and even a small kids menu with American staples--the heart of the kitchen is clearly Kerala cuisine from the southern part of India. That's what makes this place special. You can absolutely order familiar Indian dishes here. But the real reason to visit is the Kerala food, which is extremely hard to find done this well anywhere in the Chicago area. The restaurant itself is comfortable and straightforward. Think of the format of a casual sit-down chain restaurant--plenty of seating, relaxed vibe--but operated as a local family-run spot. Everything is clean, friendly, and welcoming, but it's not trying to be a trendy or overly polished dining room. It feels authentic in the best way: a solid neighborhood restaurant focused on good food rather than presentation. Service & Experience * Friendly, welcoming staff * Food is cooked fresh and brought out as it's ready * Expect dishes to arrive at slightly different times, especially with larger orders * Lots of takeout activity--clearly a popular local spot Sharing dishes actually works well here since the table tends to fill up quickly with all the accompaniments. Food We started with a familiar classic: * Samosa - solid and well executed, though this is more of a North Indian staple. Where things really shine is the South Indian and Kerala specialties. * Ghee Roast Dosa - outstanding. Thin, crispy, flaky, and served with all the traditional accompaniments like chutneys and sambar. * Pidiyum & Chicken Curry - a very traditional Kerala dish that's rare to find in Chicago. Comforting, rich, and deeply flavorful. * Malabar Parotta - a highlight. Flaky, layered, almost lacy bread that's incredible when paired with curry. This is something you rarely see outside Kerala-focused restaurants. * Kerala Chicken Curry - perfect with the parotta; deeply spiced without being overwhelming. We also tried some other menu sections: * Street-Style Indo-Chinese Fried Rice - flavorful and well balanced. * Hyderabadi Dum Biryani - served in a small kettle and executed beautifully. The basmati rice was perfectly separated and aromatic with spices. Dessert: * Gulab Jamun - warm, sweet, and a classic way to finish. Drinks One surprise was the cocktail menu. Even though there wasn't a dedicated bartender working constantly, the drinks were very good. * Indian Mojito * Indian Sunset Both had creative flavor twists using Indian ingredients and fresh juices. They took a little time to come out, but they were worth it. Verdict Magic Pepper isn't trying to be a flashy destination restaurant. It's a relaxed neighborhood spot focused on cooking authentic regional food--and that's exactly why it works. What makes it special is the Kerala cuisine, which is extremely difficult to find in the Chicago area at this level. If you're adventurous with food or want to explore beyond the usual butter chicken and tikka masala lineup, this place is absolutely worth seeking out. Come with an open mind, order some Kerala specialties, and share dishes. Five stars for bringing something genuinely unique to the Chicago area's Indian dining scene.

Other than food, you need to improve on everything. ZERO organizational skills, we waited in line…read morefor 15 mins, no one even came to ask or tell us we will take X number of minutes to even attend to new guests. After that once we got seated, they never even came to get our order and once they did, they didn't even care to bring our food. Fun part we ordered everything at once and we literally got only three out of six items that we ordered. Overall, we entered at 1:45 PM and got out at 4 o'clock. Frustrated the biggest issue I felt was the button idli that we asked for kids we never got it. Their service was so terrible that the guy was taking our order was expressionless didn't even care when we decided to walk out. I was so mad that I didn't want to even pay the bill for the stuff we ate, but we still paid and left. The table which came after us they even got some of their food but we didn't. They are so much potential with their food the management sucks

My husband and I had a great meal and very nice experience. We shared the saganaki (which tasted…read moregreat -- not overly salty), the octopus appetizer (juicy, well seasoned and charred but not burnt), horiatiki village salad, the Friday soup special (a fish and vegetable soup) and an avgolemono soup, and very tasty Greek potatoes with tomato sauce, plus a glass of retsina. The sesame half loaf of bread and slightly peppery olive oil was also great. The waiters and bussers and valet parking staff were very attentive. All in all, a really nice experience.

The restaurant stands out with blue color on Golf Road. Parking was very convenient. I went in…read moreduring the week for dinner. Inside the restaurant, it was open and spacious. Staff was very friendly and service was good. Food was overall great. We started out with saganaki cheese and it was tasty. Salad was good and chicken kabob was good too. Looking forward to try other things on the menu next time.

I had to update my review to 5 stars…read more After having tried every breakfast place in the area, this one is the best one I have been to. Whoever is cooking must not leave. The food and drinks actually feel like they are made by people who care. To the owners and staff, please keep taking pride in your work. Reward your workers accordingly (of course you have to make a profit, otherwise it's not worth it). And don't let the quality slide. Oh yeah, and please don't run out of the sourdough bread/toast again. ;-)

Great food and amazing service! There's usually a wait, but it's absolutely worth it. We tried the…read moreEggs Benedict and the Nutella crêpes--both were delicious. It does get a bit crowded, but the lively atmosphere adds to the experience. That's pretty typical for a popular brunch spot. Definitely recommend checking it out!