Chef Nafisa Just Dropped Her Summer Picks — Here’s What Made the Cut

Every restaurant claims to have “chef’s picks.” Most of the time, it’s just marketing language stuck on a menu insert. At OMG Nafisa’s Kitchen, it means something different — because Chef Nafisa has spent over 24 years cooking every single dish on our menu by hand, and when she tells you what to order this summer, she’s not guessing. She’s tasted it that morning.

So we sat down with her, asked what she’d want you to try first this season, and got a list that’s equal parts nostalgic and completely craveable.

Why “Chef’s Picks” Actually Means Something Here

A lot of restaurants rotate a “chef’s special” seasonally because it’s expected — a marketing checkbox more than a genuine recommendation. That’s not how it works in our kitchen. Chef Nafisa built this restaurant from scratch after moving to Chicago in 1997, and every dish on the menu is something she’s personally refined over decades, not something handed off to a corporate test kitchen. When she says a dish deserves your attention this summer, it’s coming from someone who still walks the kitchen floor daily, tastes the sauces, and adjusts the spice by feel.

That’s the difference between a marketing gimmick and an actual recommendation — and it’s why we wanted to share her picks with you directly.

The Summer 2026 Lineup

🔥 Chicken Karahi Hot weather calls for bold, punchy flavor, and Karahi delivers exactly that. Cooked hard and fast with tomatoes, green chilies, and fresh ginger-garlic, it’s the kind of dish that wakes up your taste buds the second it hits the table. Chef Nafisa’s take on this dish leans a little spicier than most — her words, not ours.

🌯 Beef Chapli Kabab Crispy on the outside, packed with spice on the inside, this flat, pan-fried kabab is one of those dishes that looks simple but takes real skill to get right. The crust has to be crisp without drying out the inside, and that balance is something Chef Nafisa has spent years perfecting.

🥭 Mango Lassi No summer pick list is complete without this one. Mango season only comes around once a year, and this thick, creamy, blended yogurt drink is the best way to make the most of it — cooling, sweet, and the perfect partner for anything spicy on the table.

🍽️ OMG Mix Platter For the indecisive eaters (we see you), Chef Nafisa’s pick here is less about one specific dish and more about the experience — a platter that gives you a taste of everything the kitchen does best, so you leave with a favorite you didn’t expect.

What Makes These Picks Different from a Regular Menu Item

Here’s what’s easy to miss when you’re scrolling through a menu: every dish requires different technique, different timing, and different attention. Karahi needs to be cooked hot and fast — rush it or slow it down and the whole dish falls apart. Chapli Kabab needs a perfectly balanced spice mix folded directly into the meat before it ever touches the pan. Mango Lassi needs the right ratio of yogurt to fruit so it’s thick without being heavy. None of this happens by accident.

When Chef Nafisa picks a dish to highlight, she’s telling you which ones she thinks are hitting their peak right now — whether that’s because the mangoes are especially good this season, or because her team has a particular kabab technique dialed in perfectly at the moment.

How to Actually Use This List

You don’t need to order everything in one visit (though we won’t stop you). Here’s how we’d suggest working through it:

• First visit: Start with the Mix Platter to get a taste of the range
• Craving something bold: Go straight for the Karahi
• Want something you can eat with your hands: Chapli Kabab is calling your name
• Need to cool off after all that spice: Mango Lassi, obviously

This is also a great list to bring a friend or family member who’s never tried South Asian food before. It hits a good range — mild to bold, savory to sweet — without overwhelming a first-timer.

The Bigger Picture

Seasonal picks like this aren’t just about hyping specific dishes. They’re a small window into how a real kitchen operates — one where the person in charge is still paying close attention to what’s working, what’s in season, and what deserves a spotlight. That kind of attention to detail is exactly what’s kept people coming back to OMG Nafisa’s Kitchen for over two decades.

So — which one are you starting with?

Ready to taste the summer lineup for yourself? See the full menu and order online →