I saw the post of Vishu Sadya on Instagram and I thought this would be perfect time to visit this place as this was on my list for very long time. My friends and I arrived here on Sunday evening and were greeted by the owner who was very sweet and guided us to our seats. This was like family style arrangement- very typical of Indian wedding or festival atmosphere. Our food was outstanding- flavors were so authentic and whole experience was just wonderful. Chef Margret with her husband were serving all of us with so much love and care. And the sweetest part was the chefs were serving their staff after they were done with guests. They had a special treat for us to celebrate their 3rd year anniversary of restaurant. I loved the whole vibe and energy of this place. read more

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My friend wanted to come here because she's from Southern India and was excited to find a restaurant that served her region's food. This charming place is tucked away in the Avondale neighborhood. I was able to find parking right in front. Sharing is the best way to go here so you can try everything! This is great place to eat if you're vegetarian. Everything we ordered wasn't spicy so don't be discouraged when ordering. I'll highlight some of the dishes that stood out to me: Kappa bonda: These yucca balls were packed with flavor! The yummiest bites. Kadala curry: This simple curry was so delicious and its vegetarian! The appam was cooked perfectly and it was my first time having it. Meen Pollichathu: I feel like anything cooked in banana leaves is always packed with flavor. The portion is decent and the fish was delicious! Flavors of the whole plate blend very nicely. I'll definitely be back! read more

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What a joy! These smooth, coconut-y South-western Indian dishes are made with care. Most dishes are quite mild. The coriander chicken, appam pancakes, the homemade lime pickles, the fried chicken app!!! Fun desserts including collabs with Pretty Cool ice cream. So many thoughtful flavors. Loved it. Super nice staff too. read more

Update in 2026 May: we got appam and vegetable kurma, Kadala curry, tapioca, paneer puffs, porotta and beef for someone who came with us. A negative was you cannot get the porotta unless you order beef or some other meat. So a vegetarian cannot get the porotta here. I found that weird, I mean it's not cooked with the meat. And vegetarians love to eat it, it's like a bread alternative. The taste of curries overall has come down. The jackfruit payasam or whatever it was was horrible. Falooda was amazing and the filter coffee. Hopefully th restaurant will go back to its old standards. read more

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Amazingly flavorful. Every dish is unique and the flavors thoughtfully crafted. My shrimp dish was super yummy -- I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the yucca mash and the fried okra straws but yum. Our server was super knowledgable and answered all our questions about the menu. The atmosphere is more casual but in a refined way...if that makes any sense. read more

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I had the pleasure of dining here the other day and it was a wonderful experience! Thattu is located in the Avondale neighborhood and it a really cute restaurant. From the moment we entered to the time we left all of the staff was super friendly. The sangria and the Calicut beach cocktails are delicious! You order your food from a QR code at the table and then it is brought to you. The chicken curry was so good! The kerala fried chicken bites were tasty too! It was my sisters birthday, and they put a cande on the dessert we ordered. That was a super cute gesture. The bread pudding a la mode was excellent!! Give this place a try, I am sure you will love it! read more

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I have visited Chicago 3 times before for work, and I have tried to book a table in Thattu Chicago with no success. I called them last week to see if there's any opening for Sunday dinner and left a voicemail. To my surprise, they reached out to me on Sunday afternoon about the availability. I was thrilled and a bit overwhelmed with excitement. Upon entering the restaurant, I was warmly greeted by host and seated at a table. My first impression is that I loved the ambiance. They also have an open bar concept. I loved all the elements and pictures that showcased the state of Kerala, India. You'll find a QR code on your table for ordering food. Once you order, you can either pay for the order and close the tab or keep it open. I ordered: Pork chop Peralan (entree) Appam Cabbage Thoran Payasam (dessert) It took about 15-20 minutes to get my order. I have tried pork chop at a few places before, and I loved this South Indian version of pork chop, especially with the Peralan sauce. It was unique. Appam was good, and Payasam (dessert) was simply heavenly. Toppings (fried coconut pieces, cashews, resins) were an icing on the cake. The staff checked on me regularly to ensure that I had everything I needed. Looking forward to coming back here on future Chicago trips. read more

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Thattu is good if you really like Kerla cuisine or want to try something different. That said, we had never had it before and were hoping to like it more than we did. We had 5 dishes/sides. Nothing was bad but nothing was great. All of the dishes were fine but not something we ordered again. And we didn't finish any of them. We ordered: - Kerala Fried Chicken Bites - Flavorful but too dry for us to enjoy. - Mushroom Mezhukkupuratti - Meen Pollichathu - Great flavor but the fish was a bit chewy to me. - Coriander Chicken Curry - Possibly our least favorite dish of the day. - Appam - Okay but you can't help but wish it were naan instead Food aside, we liked the experience. Staff was friendly. The atmosphere was casual / homey. They have a system where you order and check out on your phone. I've seen a few other restaurants do it. I don't LOVE it but it's not bad. read more

Great spot! Very chill interior and bar setting. Overall, I really appreciated that the curry was true to south indian style curry, specifically to Kerala. Personally, I could always use more spice with my dishes, but I did enjoy my dinner experience regardless. Our favorites were: prawns dish and kappa bonda (I wish they were bigger or had more!). The appam was nice and fluffy and perfect for soaking up all the curry. One thing that is on the winter menu that isn't on the spring menu was a raasam dish which was fantastic.  We sat at the bar and the bartender was very helpful with giving us mocktail recommendations that still had indian flavors to it. The service was fast and everything came out fresh.  I would love to come back and try their lunch menu and their summer menu! read more

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My husband and I went to dinner at Thattu tonight to celebrate my birthday! We were so excited to try the menu and it did not disappoint in the slightest! The restaurant itself is a really nice space. It's light, there are cool pictures & murals on the wall, and it smells delicious. We sat and were told that the ordering is done through Toast, but they were there to help at any point necessary. They also do not follow the standard tipping model and they let you know once you sit. My husband and I ordered two mocktails to start and they were tasty & refreshing! We started by sharing the eggplant which was delicious, and my husband and I thought the fried yucca balls were what you would say is the "perfect one bite dish". Then we had the Kerala fried chicken and that was epic! The spice blend is highly craveable. Then we split the black chickpea curry which we could have each devoured our own bowls. We had the appam with that and that was a first for each of us! They are really light, sweet, and great to dip with! Last, the short rib was so tender! We also got to speak with one of the awesome co-owner and chef, Margaret, and she was so lovely to talk to! We 100% plan to come back and try even more! read more

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Love love love Thattu. The Curry and appam are always on must order list for me!! Service is great, parking is easy and free! read more

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I could cry because the food was so so so so good we had an Amazing dining experience. The food runner was great, she explained all the dishes clearly!! We cant wait to return to try other items on the menu. read more

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Y'all when I tell you this place is amazing, WOW!!! Met friends here last min for dinner while they were in town! Boy am I glad I took them up on the offer! As a local Chicagoan and lover of food! I was pleasantly surprised by all of the amazing food!! Service was great, it didn't seem like we had a designated server, you place your order through an app. People were coming and going filling up our water, taking plates away, dropping plates off, etc! Their drinks were also so good!! Highly recommend their Viplavam drink, Kerala Fried Chicken bites and their Bread Pudding a la mode! Place is super cute and spacious! They even have a coat rack for you to hang your winter jacket! read more

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Spicing up Avondale with authentic Kerala flavors at Thattu! From crispy chicken bites to soulful curries, every bite is a flavor bomb. We ordered their Egg Curry -- a comforting masterpiece - perfectly boiled eggs simmered in a rich, aromatic gravy packed with layers of spices that'll transport your taste buds straight to Kerala. Paired with warm coconut rice, it's the ultimate comfort food. And don't sleep on the Fish Fry, a crispy, golden-brown perfection! Fresh fish marinated in a blend of tangy, spicy flavors and fried to crispy, flaky perfection. It's a true celebration of coastal Kerala cuisine, served with a side of vibrant pickles and cooling chutneys. read more

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This is probably the most unique Indian restaurant that I've ever been to. It was very different from any other Indian restaurant that I've been in Chicago or anywhere else. First, the service was unique and excellent. When you book a table you are required to put down $10.00 person deposit. You get your money back when you pay check as it applied to the bill. You order by using a QR code that takes you to an online menu system. Then the wait staff brings you your food and handles any issues and payment in person. However, tipping is not required, so you don't feel like you have to pay extra for service you haven't received. The waitress the evening I went was nice, attentive and seemed enthusiastic about the restaurant and the food. The food is excellent. Again, this was very different from Indian food I've had in the past, they even had beef on the menu. I like spicy food, but none of the dishes were melt your face off. I went with a group of six people. We ordered appetizers to share, a main dish for ourselves and rice for the table. My main dish was the pork chop peralan. Not only was it favored to perfection with just a bit of spice, but the pork was cooked perfectly. It was tender and juicy. Of the appetizers, my favorites were the kerala fried chicken bites and kappa bonda. I was however disappointed that a few items on the menu were not available and the Mushroom Mezhukkupuratti just wasn't for me. Third, the ambience and atmosphere were modern and fun. It's located in what looks like a former industrial building with exposed brick and pipes. Fourth, the value was good. The group split the bill three ways as we were three couples. My wife and paid about $70-$80, pretty good for food and an experience like this. This is a must visit. read more

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Loved the vibe and menu -- creative but still rooted in familiar South Indian flavors. The Kothu Porotta was the absolute standout for me: spicy, comforting, packed with flavor, and everything I wanted it to be. The Kadala Curry with appam was good -- the gravy had a deep roasted coconut flavor I really liked, though having grown up in India, I've definitely had better appams. Tried the Chorum Kariyum combo with veggie curry, veg theeyal, rice, pappadum, and a rasam sidecar. The rasam was excellent -- spicy, tangy, and just right. The rest of the plate was solid, especially the veg theeyal. Surprise hits? The ChaaterTots -- house chaat masala with spicy beet ketchup -- were absolutely amazing. Would go back just for those. The Kerala Fried Chicken Bites were also great: crispy, flavorful, and balanced nicely with the yogurt sauce and pickled veg. I also really like the filter coffee and my friends enjoyed the cocktails! Overall, it's a great spot if you're craving Kerala food with a fun, modern twist. Will definitely be back to try more. read more

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Thattu is an elegant space with innovative menu items at reasonable prices. My boyfriend and I were both pleased. We ordered: -pazhanjan: if you like old fashioneds you have to get this! This drink was strong yet tasty. The banana flavor is very strong and works really well with the bourbon. 10/10 -mushroom mezhukkupuratti: loved this! Very mushroom-heavy and great flavors going on. This was probably my favorite thing we ordered. 10/10 -kerala fried chicken bites: tender and juicy yet still crisp. The pickled veggies are a nice touch and add a pop of freshness, nicely balancing out the heaviness from the fried chicken and creamy dipping sauce. 9/10 -kadala curry: get the appam! It's like a crispier injera (Ethiopian pancake bread). The seasonings are so flavorful. However, another piece of appam would be good. 9.5/10 -chicken ghee roast: this one kinda let me down. Tender and juicy chicken but the flavor is very light compared to everything else. The rice isn't anything special. 6.5/10 -chakka rice cake: this cake was so soft and moist! It isn't overly sweet either. 9/10 Lastly, the service was great! We had multiple servers/staff check in on us, refill our water, etc. I never felt like I waited for anything. read more

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Gorgeous interior and great service but nothing really stood out. I tried their chicken curry which was flavorful and the chicken was tender, but just ok for me. This was the first time I had appam and i didn't know what to expect and it was my cup of tea texture wise but i liked how the outside was crispy. The coffee was also a bit underwhelming. I would consider coming back and trying a few more things since they have glowing reviews. read more

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Inspired by my wife's South Indian heritage, I decided to check out Thattu back in July 2023, shortly after they opened. A lot has happened since then--community praise, challenges like a robbery, and yet they've thrived, continuing to bring Kerala's vibrant flavors to the forefront. Though my visit was a while ago, a few things still stand out. First, the interior surprised me--bright, festive, and full of energy. It set the perfect mood for diving into their menu, which introduced me to some new and intriguing dishes. I had the Madras Coffee from the cocktail menu, an Indian twist on Turkish Coffee but with a kick. As for the food, the standout was the Meen Pollichatchu, a fish steamed in banana leaves with turmeric lime rice, served in a beautiful thali format and the Kerala Friend Chicken bites in apps. I'm definitely overdue for a return visit, and next time, that Kerala Fried Chicken Sandwich is calling my name. read more

Thattu - Kerala fried chicken bites with yogurt sauce - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Dined at Thattu for my birthday on a Saturday. I was able to make a reservation the day before for 8pm (have to reserve with CC on Open Table). Thattu is located on a quiet residential block with free, no permit, parking. Parking was limited but I was able to snag a spot. You shouldn't have a problem finding parking, even if it's on an adjacent block. Upon walking in, check-in is on the right and a couch and coat rack is on the left. Our table wasn't quite ready, so my party of three sat on the couch to wait. The gentleman who greeted us was super friendly. The restaurant is very casual, wood dining chairs/tables with no tablecloth. Feels homey with its exposed pipes, wall murals and lighting. We were seated within 10 minutes and shortly thereafter greeted by our "server" who was also very nice. There was a wooden QR code sign on the table that you order from, and we were brought physical menu's as well. With this ordering process, you can add more to your tab without having to get the attention of the server. She explained the menu and answered our questions. She suggested three starters plus individual entrées for a party of three. We ordered: Calicut Beach- White rum drink (very tasty) Sangria- Person in my party ordered and liked. Not for me, didn't like the malt beer that was added. Kerala Fried Chicken Bites (Delicious and spiced right) Mushroom Mezhukkupuratti (Delicious and well seasoned) Beef Fry & Porottas- Person in my party ordered and said it was a little too spicy for her. I tasted and concur. She used the white sauce from the chicken bites to neutralize the spice. Short Rib & Porottas (Delicious, short rib was oh so tender) Coriander Chicken Curry- Person in my party ordered and enjoyed. The taste was ok to me. I don't eat curry a lot so may take some getting used to. Bread Pudding a la mode (Tasty and not to sweet with Coconut ice cream) The majority of the food options are Gluten Free and Vegetarian so everyone in your party should find something to enjoy. The owner came by our table and was very nice as well. We were the last one's to leave the restaurant and didn't feel rushed as we finished our dessert and took pictures against one of the wall murals. This was a great birthday experience and I would definitely dine here again. read more

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I'm a huge fan of Indian food and I loved Thattu!! The space is cozy and casual but also feels special and well-designed. The main things that differentiate Thattu is the QR code ordering system and the tipping built into the menu prices. We still had a server who was so kind, attentive, and helpful, we just had to remember to pause the conversation to order more food! Came with 7 of us, and I definitely recommend making a reservation! We shared everything which was so fun. The servings aren't huge, so you may need to get duplicates of some of the dishes depending on how many people are sharing. My favorite appetizer was the chicken bites. It had a nice spice to it and paired perfectly with the creamy yogurt sauce. I enjoyed both of the curries, but the chicken one was my favorite! Biriyani and short rib were also both excellent. Desserts were great too. Definitely want to come back and try more things! read more

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Last week we dined at Thattu for brunch to celebrate a friends birthday. We got there right when they opened and they had a lot of available seating. By the time we left every table was occupied. The hostess was very personable and gave us a great introduction into then menu and how things worked. The atmosphere was super welcoming and I felt like I was part of the fam! The dishes are primarily small plates meant to be shared. I really like the fact that you can continuously order on the app throughout the meal. A couple stand out dishes throughout the meal for our group were: - Spiced chicken cooked in ghee - spiced shrimp poboy (special that day) - Tater tots (A must order) - egg based dish (don't remember the name) I really like that they partner with Pretty Cool Ice Cream for their desserts. The key lime pie bar with the graham cracker crust was legit and my wife really like the chocolate dipped vanilla bar. The dishes we liked, we really liked and some dishes were a miss, but it may just be our flavor preferences. I'd like to come back and try some of their dinner items. read more

Thattu - Tater tots with beet ketchup - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Good Kerala food, it's. Very rare that you have an upscale Kerala food and the owner did a fantastic job of putting this place together. With the naming of the food and drinks to the presentation itself. And did a good job of catering to the pallets of non Indian. On the contrary if you love authentic Kerala food you may be disappointing but it's still worth trying it just so we can appreciate the effort. I would highly recommend this place. And the best part of the restaurant is you don't have to tip, they have no tip policy and which is amazing. The asthetics of the place is really well done and has the upscale touch to it read more

TL;DR: the food was insanely flavorful and somehow tasted of home (I didn't even grow up with Indian cuisine lol). Lunch Menu - Chaater Tots: 5/5 - So simple, yet so effective. I particularly liked the flavor combination of chaat masala and spicy beet ketchup -- they've ruined plain tater tots for me. - Kadala Curry: 5/5 - The black chickpeas provided a satisfying bite, and the curry tasted delicious, especially when soaked up by the appam. - Chettinad Pepper Chicken: 4/5 - Good, but I preferred the Kadala Curry. Dinner Menu - Eggplant Theeyal: 3/5 - The eggplants were roasted on their own and laid on top of the sauce. I wished they were either crispy or coated in sauce because in this middle ground, the dish was dry. - Mushroom Mezhukkupuratti: 5/5 - Sautéed spicy button and oyster mushrooms with shishito peppers and a pea puree. Loved it! - Meen Pollichathu: 4/5 - The fish was moist and flaky, but I found it a bit fishy despite the spices. While I'm glad I tried it, I probably wouldn't order it again. Their operation was as satisfying as their food. Their motto of self-service and "DO NOT TIP" policy didn't stop the waiters from being attentive. You also order through Toast, which adds to efficiency. I'll be keeping an eye on Thattu -- can't wait to see what more they come up with! read more

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I am super excited to write this review. I'm giving it 4 stars because of very minute details but overall, I think this has been added to my regular places to go for sure. None of us have had any experience with Keralan food so this was a first but nothing to compare it to. The fried chicken. HANDS DOWN, some of the BEST fried chicken I've had. Mildly spiced, crispy to just the right amount on the outside to give it a light crunch but JUICY on the inside. The flavor and texture was AMAAAAAAAZING. I joked to my wife telling her, watch out, I might be out for an affair with this chick LOL The egg curry was heavenly. Lightly spiced so the flavors were really coming out. The appam that came with it was so delicate yet so flavorful. We ended up ordering this dish twice, we liked it so much. We got 1 parippu vada. The 3 out of the 4 people loved it. I liked the flavor but I felt the exterior could be about 10% less crispy but that's 1 against 4. The chaater tots were probably the least liked. It felt like regular tater tots with hardly any masala on it and the beet dip didn't do it. There is a LOT of potential for this side but it's not there yet in my opinion. We also ordered a vegetarian thali. While we knew the chick peas curry would be made of tamarind, we didn't expect it to be this tart. (The sour/tart flavor is probably the only flavor profile I have a tough time with so for me, this was an absolute no no). 2 of the 4 people usually like tart things but this was tart for their liking too. The egg appam. WOW. The kaapi.. Again, nothing not to look about it. Now the experience. This was a little different/modern experience for the process and I thought it was SO COOL. With the exception to the staff bringing out the food and clearing the table, for the most part everything else is self service. You get your own water (Indian style in steel glasses.....I LOVED IT), get your own silverware, etc. You PLACE YOUR OWN order by scanning the QR code at the table specific to your table. Super easy way to just split the bills....each person can scan their own code and place their own order. No fuss. And check this. THEY DO NOT ACCEPT TIPS. I thought this was an absolutely BRILLIANT idea. It works. While the place was about a half full, I think there were only 2 people who were actually bringing the food out so this method definitely does bring the efficiency into place. While I have mixed feelings about the fact that there is no person taking the actual order (no way to really ask questions per se, know more about the restaurant, etc.....no human interaction), I think the new system works. I just have to get used to it (and honestly am glad to). I think Thattu is a well thought out concept for a casual dining experience that while with inflation having taken place does have slightly higher prices than I am used to (I'm talking 3 to 5 years ago prices), I will happily come again for various reasons: - While there is no formal order taking, the staff did come to greet us, help us since this was the first time, answered questions, gave suggestions, etc. - The no tipping policy. Guys, I'm in no way a cheap stake but am human. I've seen $10 things go up to $20 and then places add a 3 to 5% charge on top of that with tiny print saying things like 'this pays for the health insurance needs for staff', etc. which is just BS in my opinion and then ask you to pay a tip (now a days 18% start is standard and some shameless joints go as high as 35%).....I'm a bit tired. Plus Thattu just removed the fact that I have to 'think' of how much to tip. - No sneaky way of coming up with the machine to take your card and then ask for a tip (which by the way some places doing that calculate the tip for the whole bill! INCLUDING the tax) Lastly, I wish I was able to 'rent' 2 more stomachs as I wanted to try so much more. read more

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Fantastic place! Service and ambiance were lovely, and the delicious food pleased our whole group, including multiple people who have lived in the region. Standout dishes for me were the Chemmeen & Kappa (obscenely good) and the rich, tangy rasam. I will definitely keep Thattu on my radar for the next time I want a slightly bougie night out with big flavor. read more

Loved this place from the moment we arrived. Ambience and charm of a neighborhood joint, but aspirations of something much bigger. There are a couple comfort dishes, but this is mainly about pushing boundaries - starting with the great cocktails and continuing with then out there appetizers. We went mostly with fish, which was consistently fresh and nicely spiced. read more

It was pretty good, but I had a little higher expectations. I like that the tip was included, but with 2 drinks, we spent $99 and I'm not really sure how. Ambience was nice, server was very nice, it wasn't too loud, all pluses (but should be baseline). Short ribs were the best thing we had Fried chicken bites were very good I think we had the beet puff and they were good Viplavam (gin drink) was very good Chorum Kariyum - Meal Combo was ok but curry could have used more flavor Something else I don't remember was just ok read more

So as a malayalee myself, was expecting a lot. Maybe should have gone in with more fine dining expectations but it's okay! Got the meen polichatthu - good but not my favorite one. Was super saucy rather than masala-y and fried fish. Sides were yummy. Beef and porotta was my least favorite - dry and not authentic. Kappa bonda was unique and yummy. Not sure if I would recommend it to others honestly. read more

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3.4 stars TL;DR Amazing service, wonderful ordering system, casual clean ambiance, but just OK food and value. We love the vibe and really hope to come back and try some different dishes for lunch. The service at this spot was absolutely wonderful and everyone was super friendly and helpful, the food came out hot and very quick. Sadly, the few dishes and cocktails we had kind of fell flat for us. We highly appreciated ordering and paying thru the toast app and that the food prices already include gratuity. We hope all businesses move to this model. We had the kerala fried chicken bites, fried yuca balls and the Malabar chicken biriyani. To drink we had the Viplavam & Kadaloram. The best thing by far were the Yuca balls nice and airy with crispy exterior and starchy interior, flavored nice and savory. The Kerala chicken was nicely seasoned and we liked the combo with the pickled veg and contrast with the yoghurt. It was a good size portion as well but we expected a bit more of a crispy or crunch. Perhaps within a sandwich form it work better. We found the chicken biriyiani to have an interesting yet very mild flavor. There was a good amount of chicken but it was quite dry, we loved the lime pickle. The viplayam cocktail was very nice and sharp and tasted of warming spices. The Kadaloram cocktail kind of tasted like chicha morada and tamarind when it came together but wasn't really balanced and had a somewhat unpleasant aftertaste. read more

We came for lunch and I'm so very sad we were too full to order more. The food and hospitality absolutely live up to all the accolades we have read. Street parking, friendly greeting and easy to order in the QR code app. And even easier to add to your order when you're ready for dessert. Lunch is self serve water and cutlery, but we appreciated that they showed us how to get what we needed. They have chosen not add service or gratuity charges and prices are super fair. This was refreshingly different than other places we've been recently. I cannot wait to go back! read more

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My husband and I went to Thattu for a dinner date and had an overall lovely experience. We started with kokum sharbat along with Thattu and Marz beers, all of which were delightfully refreshing. For appetizers, we ordered the kappa bonda and chili paneer puffs. The yucca balls were quite tasty, though the chili paneer puffs felt fairly ordinary. The highlights of the meal were the vegetable thoran, potato poriyal, and appams -- we absolutely loved them. The roots curry was flavorful and enjoyable, though not particularly memorable. We would love to try their vegetarian banana leaf dinner on a future visit. The service was exceptional, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. Overall, a solid 4/5 experience. read more

Slightly upscale Kerala spot by the Chicago River in Avondale with a cool industrial vibe: open brick, exposed wiring, and colorful artwork that blends Kerala themes with modern fusion. The space feels cozy and very photo-friendly, and there are some interesting background stories to read while you wait. A few downsides: the surrounding area felt a bit sketchy, parking was a hassle, and the small anteroom at the entrance is a legit trip hazard at night. Menu is focused (not overwhelming) and includes Kerala staples like aappam + kadala curry and meen pollichathu, plus a handful of fusion-named entrées. The cocktail and beverage list is extensive and definitely adds to the overall appeal. Taste-wise, several dishes were close to Kerala flavors, but some fusion choices didn't land for me. The potato poriyal had potato skins (not typical), and while the aappam tasted good, it was too thick on the edges and oddly folded like a dosa-pretty disappointing. Service was the biggest issue: slow and inconsistent, and some dishes came out barely warm instead of piping hot. The staff was polite, but the hospitality felt more rehearsed than genuinely warm. Tip: If you go at night, be extra careful at the entrance and plan parking ahead. read more

Overall Thoughts: For weekend lunch, Thattu offers quality, flavorful food and a minimalist, casual vibe. It operates on a no-tip model and is mostly self-service during lunch. The interior is spacious and though I made a reservation, there weren't many people when we went on Sunday afternoon. It gets a lot busier and more difficult to reserve for dinner, which has an expanded menu and full service. Lunch will do for now, but I'll be sure to hit them up again one day for dinner. The lunch prices are reasonable ranging from $15-$20 for entrees, though the portions for each dish are kind of small. Food I tried: - Chaatertots (4.3/5): Super crispy tater tots! The spicy beet ketchup wasn't spicy but had an interesting, detectably beet flavor that I enjoyed. - Kerala Fried Chicken Sandwich (4.6/5): Genuinely delicious and worth the hype. The chicken is crispy and flavorful, and the perfect sauce to ingredient ratio rendered it fantastic both flavor- and texture-wise. - Chorum Kariyum - Vegetarian Meal Combo (4/5): The flavors were solid, but the sides were quite small and not very filling for the price. -- Price (relative to peers): 4.3/5 Food: 4.3/5 Ambience: 4.7/5 Service: 4.5/5 Overall Value: 4.4/5 read more

Thattu - chaatertots - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This restaurant refuses tips and it's workers are happy and the service was exceptional. Go figure that out. Perhaps it's accurate and fair pricing? The food was very unique. It was like an Indian tapas restaurant with a region of Indian cuisine I have not experienced before. The food was much lighter than what I'm used to when going out for Indian food. Spice profiles were excellent. There was a much heavier seafood slant than is probably typical. Will come here again for sure. What an excellent dining experience. read more

Overpriced terrible Kerala food! As a Malayali I was super excited to try the Kerala cuisine here. Very disappointed, this is one of the worst parottas I've ever had. Ghee roast and prawns curry was terrible too. The appam and Kerala fried chicken was decent. Service was good and ambience was okay. But we will not be returning, very unhappy with the food. read more

Thattu - Appam and ghee roast, parotta and beef - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Open only about 6 months ago, Thattu is the hot new restaurant on the block in the Avondale neighborhood. Seems like reservations are pretty tricky to get, but my friend and I had luck walking in and sitting at the bar just after 7 on a weekday. Service was really friendly throughout the entire time we were there! Everything you order on your phone and the course out what you order for you. My friend and I ordered the following: Drinks: Manga Inja - Fun and refreshing mango-y N/A cocktail. Banana Old Fashioned - My friend got this and seemed to really enjoy it. He's an old fashioned fiend so that was a good stamp of approval. Food: - Kappa Bonda: Yummy fried yucca balls. The onion tamarind cut through the yucca and was good. Shame it was only 3 pieces though. - Kerala Fried Chicken Bites: Super juicy dark pieces of meat with really great flavor. I do wish it was crispier, but I guess the description says "naked" fried chicken. The yogurt sauce served with it was also really nice. - Kadala Curry: Probably my favorite dish we got. Really creamy with the coconut gravy and the black chickpeas were nice. And vegetarian if you're into that! - Pork Chop Peralan: This one was a bit of a miss for me. The pork chop was reallyyyy salty. The collard greens actually helped balance it a bit with some bitterness, but the collard greens and fried yucca was pretty small relative to the pork chop that I can't imagine it'd be pleasant to eat as a stand alone. It helped a ton to have some rice on the side with our main orders to offset it, but overall a big letdown since the pork chop itself was nice and juicy. Overall, a solid spot. Probably not one I would go out of my way for anytime soon, but certainly not angry to try! I think there could be a couple adjustments to their food items, especially the saltiness of the pork chop since after reading some reviews it seems to be a theme. Otherwise, glad this place is here! read more

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AMAZING meal at Thattu! Go for lunch to increase your chance of getting a table. My girlfriend & I split everything to try more. Got everything the owner recommended! Masala tots with beet ketchup Fried chicken bites were juicy & crispy Bean and chicken curries with the side of flat bread is worth the upcharge! Quick & great service. Self serve with silverware & water. Cute seating area. read more

Thattu - Tots, chicken bites, bean & chicken curries - Indian Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We tried: 1. Roots Korma - Red beets, carrots & potatoes stewed in an aromatic cashew & coconut gravy w/ appam 2. Fish Fry - spicy pan fried fish, watermelon cucumber salad, fenugreek leaf chutney, curd rice 3. Kaapi - south Indian style coffee, chicory, scalded milk, sugar 4. Kerala fried chicken bites - spicy "naked" fried chicken, yogurt sauce 5. Chettinad Pepper Chicken curry - fiery boneless chicken, black pepper, tomato, coconut milk w/ appam 6. Pazhanjan - Banana old fashioned, Bulleit Bourbon, Crème be Banana, Mango, Angostura Bitters, Torched Plantain, Banana Leaf Curries were both delicious and must have with the soft appam. Fish fry had good portions. Cod was unbelievably soft but could use some salt which is strange because it looks so seasoned. The smaller size and texture of curd rice, I learned, is not for me. My palate very much prefers east Asian rice. This not-coffee-drinker liked the kaapi coffee. The bourbon in the pazhanjan just overpowered everything. Employees were very nice. They had extra Kerala chicken bites so they just gave a bowl to us which were tasty. I like the homely interior design. This is great Indian restaurant to try that's different from most others. read more

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I was excited to finally snag a table at Thattu! If you're looking to eat dinner at a reasonable time on the weekends, this restaurant books ahead pretty far in advance. The interior is industrial and feels like a warehouse, similar to the overall aesthetic of the Avondale neighborhood. It is definitely a more casual spot to eat, as you order from QR codes on Toast. We ordered the kappa bonda (fried yucca balls), meen pollichathu (tilapia), and the Fri+Sat only short rib special. Everything was super warm, comforting, and spiced well. The portions were a bit on the smaller side. My favorite was the tilapia, which was super buttery. My only complaint is that the food was not as hot as I would have liked it to be, almost as if it had been sitting out for a while. To drink, we had the Sarbath, which was very refreshing. I'd love to come back here and try more of the dishes, especially the Kadala Curry! read more

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