There was once a time when a stretch of Devon Avenue was the only place in Chicago to go for South Asian foods and groceries, from halal and vegetarian to chai and nihari. But as the immigrant communities grew and some residents left their initial landing area, the suburbs increasingly developed their own ecosystems — and their unique takes on desi desserts. Now, a stretch of Roosevelt Road in the western suburb of Lombard has become a food nexus of its own. Changing tastes amongst young desis, people of South Asian descent, have led to a growth of shops run by millennial and Gen Z business owners offering desserts with a South Asian influence and halal certification. But notably missing are the full counters of mithai, the colorful sweets found across the Indian subcontinent. These sweets play an important social role for many cultural and religious groups in South Asia. Mithai, passed out at weddings, festivals and births, is a symbol of welcome and celebration. And the widest range of mithai in the Midwest is likely still found on Devon Avenue. Tap on our bio link to read more. —— Photo 1: Dina Sukhadia helps customers at the sweets counter at Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks (@sukhadiasweetschicago) on Devon Avenue on Oct. 30. 2024. Photo 2: Fresh jalebi is coated in rose sugar syrup at Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks. Photo 3: Mango barfi from Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks. Photo 4: Kaju katli at Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks. Photo 5: Co-owner Sumaiya Vahora loads Pecan Sticky Buns into the bakery case at Sweet Reserve Bakery & Cafe (@sweetreserve_bakery_cafe) in Lombard on Oct. 18, 2024. Photo 6: Ras malai macarons are placed in the display case at Sweet Reserve Bakery & Cafe. ? Ahmed Ali Akbar / Chicago Tribune ? E. Jason Wambsgans and Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune / @ejwamb and @staceywescott27

There was once a time when a stretch of Devon Avenue was the only place in Chicago to go for South Asian foods and groceries, from halal and vegetarian to chai and nihari. But as the immigrant communities grew and some residents left their initial landing area, the suburbs increasingly developed their own ecosystems — and their unique takes on desi desserts.

Now, a stretch of Roosevelt Road in the western suburb of Lombard has become a food nexus of its own. Changing tastes amongst young desis, people of South Asian descent, have led to a growth of shops run by millennial and Gen Z business owners offering desserts with a South Asian influence and halal certification.

But notably missing are the full counters of mithai, the colorful sweets found across the Indian subcontinent. These sweets play an important social role for many cultural and religious groups in South Asia. Mithai, passed out at weddings, festivals and births, is a symbol of welcome and celebration. And the widest range of mithai in the Midwest is likely still found on Devon Avenue.

Tap on our bio link to read more.

——

Photo 1: Dina Sukhadia helps customers at the sweets counter at Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks (@sukhadiasweetschicago) on Devon Avenue on Oct. 30. 2024.

Photo 2: Fresh jalebi is coated in rose sugar syrup at Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks.

Photo 3: Mango barfi from Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks.

Photo 4: Kaju katli at Sukhadia’s Sweets and Snacks.

Photo 5: Co-owner Sumaiya Vahora loads Pecan Sticky Buns into the bakery case at Sweet Reserve Bakery & Cafe (@sweetreserve_bakery_cafe) in Lombard on Oct. 18, 2024.

Photo 6: Ras malai macarons are placed in the display case at Sweet Reserve Bakery & Cafe.

? Ahmed Ali Akbar / Chicago Tribune
? E. Jason Wambsgans and Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune / @ejwamb and @staceywescott27