Indian Food Destination Mango Pickle Opens To Spice Up Edgewater Life

Mango Pickle has opened its doors, hoping their modern spin (click to read about the menu) on Indian food will spice up life in Edgewater. The restaurant isn't region specific as this casual spot sports a variety of non-veg and vegetarian items. There’s also a full bar featuring cocktails mixed with chai procured from the Himalayas.

A house-butchered lamb regularly delivered from a local farm will allow chef/owner Marisa Paolillo to serve daily specials including lamb chops and a braised dish she calls "spoon lamb." Paolillo said she doesn’t want to challenge diners to see how much spice they can tolerate. For her, she wants to show diners the different ways Indians use ingredients to flavor foods. For example, many dishes uses coconut as a spice, and that’s something Paolillo wants to incorporate.

Paolillo co-owns the restaurant with her husband, Nakur Patel, and they’ve spent a lot of time in India, wanting to bring some of those flavors and hard-to-find dishes to Chicago. The menu’s more compact compared to other Indian restaurants, as the focus is quality not quantity.

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Before Brooklyn hipsters made a hobby out of it, picklemakers in India produced a variety of condiments to accompany flatbreads, curries and rice dishes. They pickled a variety of veggies and fruits, but not using the vinegary brine most Americans associate with pickles. Mango pickles are one variety regularly found in most Indian homes and the idea behind the restaurant’s name. Also, it’s a source a few jokes for management. "Spice up your pickle," indeed.

After a few delays, Mango Pickle is finally open.

Mango Pickle, 5842 N. Broadway St., (773) 944-5555, open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday.