This place isn't for everybody, but boy, it sure is for me. Shan is a Pakistani restaurant tucked away in the back of a convenience store tucked away in the back of a strip mall out past the end of Lake Shore Drive (up in the wilds of the north side, where seldom few venture.) The place is full of men, apparently cab drivers, since the parking lot is always full of taxis, eating spicy food, watching Bollywood movies, and, up until the smoking ban, smoking heavily. The service is great-- fast, friendly, and possibly slightly amused that we're there to begin with. The atmosphere is... well, it's a convenience store, what do you expect? Harsh lighting, formica tables, and musical soap operas in languages you don't understand. The food is plentiful and well-prepared, it ranges from spicy to very spicy, and it's cheap. I've left Shan uncomfortably full of delicious food, and my share of the bill, after tax and tip, was $5.
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