Naansense expands to the suburbs with two new locations

Naansense, a Chicago fast-casual Indian brand, opened its first suburban location in Naperville this week.

Another location is set to open in Oak Brook this year.

The brand returned to Chicago’s Loop in the summer of 2022.

Founders Hiran Patel and Viral Patel said Naansense has been a longtime favorite for Loop lunch-goers, and they are thrilled to expand to the suburbs.

The Naperville location opened Tuesday at 1211 E. Ogden Ave., near Naperville Road in the new development in the Costco parking lot, which includes tenants such as Kura Sushi. The Oak Brook location is coming soon to 1715 W. 22nd St., in the new development across from Oakbrook Mall at the southwest intersection of Route 83 and 22nd Street.

“Naansense encapsulates the essence of our childhood, shaped by our Indian upbringing in ’90s Chicago,” said Hiran Patel. “It’s a fusion of both time-honored family recipes and contemporary interpretations of Indian cuisine. Our suburban locations will have a broader menu, introducing a variety beyond Naansense’s previous offerings, and I can’t wait for everyone to try it.”

The expanded menu at the suburban locations gave Chef Hiran Patel the opportunity to share many of his culinary favorites beyond the wraps and bowls Naansense is known for in the Loop.

It includes curry meals, kebab platters, thalis (plates with multiple menu items), shareables and other options for both lunchtime and dinner enthusiasts.

Additionally, the new suburban Naansense locations will be serving alcohol, a range of Indian cocktails and classics like Kingfisher beer.

“We're thrilled to be expanding to the suburbs,” said Viral Patel. “We have long fielded requests to bring Naansense outside of just the city, and it is exciting to have reached that point.”