Food Street : A Taste of Lahore
Finding a restaurant with a 4.9-star rating on Google is like spotting a unicorn, so when we saw that Food Street in Clintonville had one, it shot straight to the top of our “must-try” list. Specializing in the street food of Lahore, Pakistan, it was a cuisine we hadn’t explored before, and after a quick scroll through their mouthwatering photos online, we were all in.
Parking? A breeze. They have a lot behind and beside the building, plus free street parking—always a win. Walking in from the frigid cold, we were immediately hit with a blast of warm air (instant relief!) and stepped into a space that felt modern yet cozy. One corner had comfy couches and hanging egg chairs, murals lined the walls, and faux hanging plants gave it a lively, welcoming vibe. The small space had plenty of seating but never felt cramped—just the right balance.
At the counter, we got both a physical menu and the one on the screen above. Naturally, we had to do what we do best: order the two most popular dishes. We went with the Gappa Chaat and the Chicken Tikka Paratha Roll, then found the warmest spot to settle in.
When the food arrived (lightning fast, by the way), we dug in immediately. The Gappa Chaat took us by surprise in the best way—a crispy shell drenched in sauces, stuffed with cold chickpeas, potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. The cold temperature threw us off at first, but the burst of spices and slight heat at the end had us totally hooked. But then… the Chicken Tikka Paratha Roll happened.
This unassuming, skinny burrito-looking roll held some of the juiciest, most flavorful chicken we’ve ever had. They gave us two different dipping sauces, which were delicious but honestly not even necessary—the chicken was already that good. (Obviously, we still tried all the flavor combos because that’s what we do.)
Though we were full, we couldn’t leave without trying some of their beverages. We each got a Karak Chai tea and a Mango Lassi. The chai was creamy, not overly sweet, with sugar on the side if needed. The Mango Lassi? Pure sweet, creamy, mango goodness, like a mango smoothie but even richer and more indulgent.
We barely scratched the surface of the menu—there are burgers, chicken sandwiches, and more calling our names—so you better believe we’ll be back. Food Street wowed us with its bold flavors, welcoming atmosphere, and pure comfort food magic. If you haven’t been, do yourself a favor and go ASAP.
