Dress is casual, but not slouchy. Go early to beat the crowd on a Friday or Saturday night. Smoking in designated areas. Crowded among sari shops and grocery stores in Rogers Park, Tiffin is easily the most elegant of the Indian restaurants in Chicagoland with cherry-finished paneling and a trompe l'oeil sky painted on the ceiling. The mildly spiced tandoori chicken is always a safe bet for the uninitiated.
Fish curry is hot and complex.
For fun, try the 3-foot masala dosa, a crispy pancake with a potato filling and a kicky vegetable sauce. Also try the navratan korma, a creamy vegetable curry whose heat is balanced by white raisins. Service can be disinterested. The restaurant draws crowds from all over the city and suburbs, and you'll see them in everything from formal saris to jeans and polos. 2536 W. Devon Ave.