When you walk into Inspired Indian, it’s clear that the food you’re about to eat will be made with care. This is a restaurant that cares about authenticity but will happily assemble a sandwich to your preference—especially for anyone who’s vegetarian or vegan. This Evanston establishment is a hidden gem.
Starting off strong, the Railway Omelette sandwich has a perfect blend of spices. The masala eggs are paired beautifully with a mix of sautéed red onion, tomato and cilantro, and the cumin turmeric mashed potato has an impeccable texture. Add in the melted cheese and toasted sourdough, and you have a warm, comforting sandwich that you’ll be sad to finish eating.
We also tried the Paneer Tikka, which was bursting with roasted marinated paneer, a generous spread of cilantro-mint mayo and Kashmiri chili aioli. It’s hard to choose a favorite between the two sandwiches, but the Paneer Tikka won for me with the burst of flavor from the very first bite.
Each meal comes with masala potato chips and an Indian-spiced slaw—the perfect sides for a filling and balanced meal. If it’s cold out, the hot masala chai will heal whatever cold you’re coming down with. If it’s one of the (very) few months Evanston is warm, try the Alphonso mango nectar for a refreshing drink while you devour your sandwich.
Along the walls of the storefront are racks that hold spice packets from Mangalorean Curry to Saag Paper, making it easy for anyone to bring the flavor home. Between the wonderful service and incredible food, Inspired Indian is a must-try in Evanston that may just be your next favorite sandwich.