U.S. Travel Diaries - Visit Devon Ave in Chicago to experience India

Patel Brothers

Indians who newly moved to Chicago, IL (U.S.A) from India and feel homesick, can visit Devon Avenue in Chicago for a homely experience and for a feel-at-home experience.

Devon Ave in Chicago is very lively and charming streets that reflect multi-culture. Indian visitors can park their car at any corner like they do in India and walk down the street that is filled with Indian and Pakistani shops and restaurants. A walk down the street will make you feel as if you are walking in the streets of India.

There are lively Indian and Pakistani shops on either side with glittering desi signboards. For any Indian stuff , you can drive to Devon Ave. There are rows of shops where you will get designer Indian traditional wear like saris, salwars and lehengas. There are shops where you'll find brass idols of Hindu gods, religious books and all pooja materials. Indian type kitchen stuff, glittering bangles that lure the ladies, gold / silver jewelry shops, posters of Bollywood films / stars where Hindi / Indian film songs are played continuously.

The atmosphere here is so much desi that you can notice even paan stains at few places on the walkways.

Devon Ave, Chicago

And the mouth-watering aroma of typical Indian foods is too tempting. You can't stop yourself from getting into an Indian restaurant to savor Indian delicacies. Sukhadia Sweets down the corner, is one of the famous chaat house of the place where you can enjoy typical Indian sweets and snacks. However, this sweet shop is not recommended to South Indians who may not enjoy the typical North Indian delicacies. There are few South Indian restaurants also like Mysore Woodlands. It's okay when you are far away from motherland, but you have to comprise with the taste.

For tasting typical South Indian aromatic foods, visit SVS Balaji temple at Aurora, IL.

All the hussle-buzzle, not so clean streets, noisy and crazy driving / parking, glittering and fascinating shops reminds you of a mini-India and makes you feel at home. The only thing that you miss here is the walking of stray animals on the streets.

On the whole, it is a joyous and wonderful experience for every Indian visiting Devon Ave on a bright sunny spring / summer morning but not in winters.

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