Devon Avenue is synonymous with South Asian culture. And rightly so. But this stretch of West Rogers Park also serves up plenty of tasty Russian, Jewish and Georgian treats, to name a few, that often get overlooked. So when we head up to Devon to satisfy our samosa jones, there are always a few more stops to make along the way.
MORNING
Pop in for a pre-breakfast snack at Argo Inc. Georgian Bakery (2812 W. Devon Ave. 773-764-6322), and if you time it right, you can pick up a warm loaf of their clay-oven baked lavash bread. It’s the closest thing to our beloved Uzbek tandoor bread we’ve found around here. No harm in munching on one of their comforting flaky cheese pastries called hachapuri while you’re there.
Stroll east to one of Devon’s best vegetarian spots, Udupi Palace (2543 W. Devon Ave.; 773-338-2152), which opens at 11:30 a.m. and serves traditional South Indian dhosas or huge crepes rolled around various fillings that include mustard seed flecked potatoes and cheese blended with spinach. For maximum effect, get the nearly 2-foot-long “paper dhosa” and use pieces of the pancake to scoop up the filling.
AFTERNOON
Work off some of those carbs with a skate at the Warren Park Ice Rink (6601 N. Western Ave., 773-761-8663), which is unintimidating enough for first-timers but also roomy enough for speed demons. Cruise around the rink to the lively hip-hop soundtrack until your stomach or joints tell you to stop.
Head back down the avenue to refuel and pick up stuff for your evening entertainment. Check out Al-Mansoor Video (2600 W Devon Ave., 773-764-7576) for the latest Bollywood blockbuster on DVD with English subtitles. Our clerk recommended the Shahrukh Khan remake of the Amitabh Bachchan action classic “Don,” or the romantic comedy “Vivah.” If you’re really lucky, the new Aishwarya Rai and Hrithik Roshan hit “Dhoom 2” finally will be on the shelves. Members can rent for $3, or you can buy a current hit for $20-$22.
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So now that you have your movie for the night, you need some good, salty, crunchy movie snacks, also called namkeen. Try Patel Brothers (2610 W. Devon Ave., 773-262-7777) a few doors down, which is open during its remodeling, with plenty of namkeen made of nuts, lentils, crackers and fried noodles. We like the Mo’Pleez mixture.
Before you head home, don’t forget to pick up some Russian smoked fish and heavy Borodisky or Orlovsky breads from Three Sisters Delicatessen & Gift Shop (2854 W. Devon Ave., 773-973-1919). And for the piece de resistance, stop at Levinson’s Bakery (2856 W Devon Ave. 773-761-3174) for a box of its devastatingly delicious and criminally cheap (at $1.25 each) napoleons.
EVENING
Go home. Make a pot of tea, flick on your DVD and share your namkeen, smoked meat, bread and napoleons with someone you love.