Cafe Bethak — Restaurant in Lombard

As an immigrant, every now and then you come across a joint that makes an instant connection to your heart. This will probably ring well with first generation immigrants like myself. We were 7 of us this time coming in from a gathering a few miles away because one of us recommended this place. Honestly, it felt like home. This was at about 10 pm I think and the crowd was phenomenal. We all felt like we just came back home.

Before getting into the drinks and food, I just have to point out the warmth, friendliness and welcoming demeanor of the owners and staff here really touched all 7 of us. Of course we were welcomed, recommended things, asked several times if everything was ok. And here's the thing guys; it wasn't a 'transactional' type of interaction that you get in most places where it almost feels like the staff is just doing their job. There was a genuineness in the interaction which you could tell. The chef came out to greet us and shared a brief on how he opened this joint up. Yeah, it's a hike for me but I loved this place so much I intend to make this hike often.

Now to the mouth watering drinks and eats.

We ordered a few different chais. The Sona chai (gold chai), Gulabo (rose), doodh patti, Junoon (mixture of tea and coffee), a dadh cheeni and a Kashmiri.

ALL the teas base was EXCELLENT. I'm not much of a chai drinker cause I'm damn picky; I need my chai to be full fat, creamy. I don't like the watered down stuff. All these teas were rich and full of flavor.

The gulabo, I wish there was that little extra hint of the rose in terms of flavor.

The Junoon while an amazing concept, I think it might do better if they were able to make the coffee separately in milk and make the tea separately and the mixed the two together. What I got was a little underwhelming. There was the tea and then there was a touch of instant coffee on top and that's what gave the aroma of the coffee.

Food, yeah we had some food too.

We ordered a chana chaat which was EPIC. There was flavor, there was that slight tang and sweet. Hit all the flavor notes beautifully.

I ordered a bun kabab. I LOVED the kabab. I didn't quite enjoy the other flavorings with it and I think I know why. I think for the quantity of other flavors (the sauces, onions, chutney), and the size of the bun, the kabab was quite small. I think you need a better bite of the kabab. Thing is, I've never been to Pakistan so I don't know what the actual bun kabab tastes like so the review on this one is highly opinionated.

Then we had the rusks and naan katais. I have to say guys; the rusks and the naan katais are probably the BEST I've had in my life. The rusks were freshly made. We tried all of the flavors they had. The best part was that the chocolate on the rusks did not make the entire thing too sweet as it had just the right amount of sugar.

The naan katai, so fresh. You could taste the butteriness of it. It was truly heaven in your mouth.

I'm taking all my stars I have and giving my bucks to this cafe. Don't need any...

We had the most wonderful experience at Cafe Bethak. As a Pakistani American the atmosphere felt so special, from the decor to the art to the music. Just the whole look and feel of the place is so beautiful and colorful without being too much. Like Pakistani truck art vibes but make it a little modern. The vision to me is so impressive. We went there on a cloudy and dreary day but the second I entered, all the gloominess from my heart was chased away and it felt like the sun was shining again. Absolutely a place where you can sit and hang out for a while and just relax and have a good time with friends and family. They even have board games!

The service was equally as wonderful. Sadly as hospitable as our people are back home, I feel that most Pakistani restaurants here are severely lacking in costumer service. Not at Cafe Bethak. The staff is so friendly and attentive. They were at the ready to help answer any questions and make suggestions. They also checked up on us a few times to make sure we were ok.

Finally, the food. We ordered the bun kabab, samosa chaat, mango lassi, and gurdh chai. I haven't had very many bun kababs but this one was lovely. The kabab was so nice and tender and delicious with the chutneys, which they were generous with.

The samosa chaat was sooo good! I've been craving it for a while and have been disappointed at other places a couple times, but this one really hit the spot. It was the best samosa chaat I have had in a while! The presentation for both items was great and we were very happy with the portion sizes as well.

The mango lassi was very good and refreshing. Not too sweet at all. Sometimes I feel mango lassis have a bit of an artificial like edge to it. I did not detect that here.

The chai was also lovely! It tasted good and felt thick and hearty to drink. Not watered down at all. And the best part is they brew it without any sugar, giving the customer full control of the level of sweetness. There have been many other chai places that have opened up on Roosevelt and so many add sugar or condensed milk to their chai, essentially making it undrinkable for several people in my family who have stopped taking sugar. Now I can bring them all here instead.

Overall we had a really great time here. It just felt like home. Highly recommend and can't wait...

Went here with the family after jummah. I get it place just opened, just starting your shift, making last minute adjustments I understand, but professionalism, and how you present yourself is important in this industry. Before we begin the review just wanted to say the atmosphere is nice and the place on the inside is really nice including the Bethak bazaar.

First time going asked the woman behind the counter what’s good. She basically recommended the whole menu, did not provide me with a clear answer (-1). So I ordered what I think she was trying to recommend(??). A Kashmiri chai, that weird mix of coffee and chai, a beef samosa, a chicken sandwich, and a bun kebab sandwich. Let’s start with the Kashmiri chai which lacked a pink color and a pistachio garnish and failed to taste like anything remotely close to typical Kashmiri chai (-2). Next the coffee chai mix just straight up tasted burnt also my guess is they are making it with instant coffee because it did not taste good at all (-1) maybe switch over and try to make it with espresso instead. Beef samosas are outsourced watched the guy drop them off. Overall they are flakey and lacked a consistent beef filling (-1). Onto the chicken sandwich when you think of chicken sandwich at a restaurant or cafe I think of a nice hot meaty piece of chicken breast, maybe some spicy mayo, lettuce, etc. Tell me why did I pay money for something I could have made at home I mean the chicken is chicken salad and there was probably more cucumber than chicken, it was completely flavorless (-1). Lastly the bun kebab sandwich, was not really anything special it lacked spice didn’t have any green chutney. It was essentially just doused in tamarind sauce didn’t really have any flavor either (-1). Okay lastly the owner, so we got there and she was not really dressed professionally, and I get it place just opened for the day whatever, but it was hilarious to watch her go in the back to the bethak bazaar pull off a piece of clothing and then walk out of the bathroom wearing exactly that, so all of the clothes in the bethak bazaar I’d recommend you try and bargain the price down because I’d assume they are all used lol (-1).

Overall 2/10 and...