Holy Cow! My first experience with SOUTHERN Indian food and I was FAR from dissapointed. My friend from India recommended this establishment and guided me through some proper ordering. Everything was bursting with flavor and a pleasant heat that doesnt overwhelm you, but leaves you wanting more. The sauces that accompany the dishes add so much value to the eating experience as well. Staff was overtly friendly and make me feel comfortable and unhurried despite me entering ~30 minutes before closing. read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Chicken 65 (Non-Vegetarian) - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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Thalaiva's is one of those places that keeps us coming back. The food is consistently delicious, the flavors are incredible, and the owners are genuinely wonderful people! You can tell they care deeply about both the food and the customer experience. Everything we have tried has been flavorful, fresh, and well prepared. Great service, great hospitality, and excellent food. Easily one of our favorite spots in the area. The inside has plenty of space for dining! After my mom had hip replacement surgery the Friday before Easter, we decided to try something different for Easter dinner. My dad and I walked over to Thalaiva's to place an order for carry out. We ended up sitting at the bar for 30 min or so enjoying an Indian beer and an appetizer surprise from the owners. We brought home fresh, hot food that was incredible!! read more

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Stopped by here for a quick lunch prior to a long haul flight. Since it was a weekday and lunch time it was relatively thinly populated so we got seated pretty quickly. I ordered chicken lollipop and vada sambhar(not pictured), husband ordered a chicken kothhu parotta and we ordered a veg thali for mom. The lollipop was pretty good, flavourful and tasted just like what we get back in India, the Kotthu Parotta was decent, I felt it lacked a little kick that usually comes from a certain type of chicken curry that's added while preparing the dish. The thali had some good stuff and some okay-ish. Some of the items in the thaali were cold and being one of the first few consumers that day I expected everything to be piping hot. The vada was amazing crispy on the outside soft on the inside in short absolute yummmm!! And we washed it all down with a cool glass of Mango Lassi that was the perfect finisher! The highlights for the day were the chicken lollipop and the vada sambhar! read more

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I was looking for a place that served dosas. I'm glad I found this place because everything was soo good! The masala dosa was huge! It was very crispy and the potatoes were very flavorful. The accompanied dips/sauces/chutneys were really good as well. I feel if you're eating by yourself the dosa is good enough and maybe an appetizer. I couldn't help myself and I also ordered the dal tadka and chicken tikka masala. Again everything was flavorful and delicious. They had the perfect blend of spices and flavor. I left there feeling very full and had to take leftovers. The interior is very open and colorful. I felt welcomed. There is free street parking, I believe for 3 hours. The food is a little pricey, but I'll come back :). read more

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This is my family's go to place. We tried vegetarian options yesterday. I must say nonveg items are 10/10 but vegetarian options lacks flavor. read more

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All around solid spot for Indian fare - whether it's inside their restaurant or at the Park Ridge Farmer's Market (where we first found out about Thalaiva's). We've dined in once but typically order takeout. The inside of the restaurant is fairly large in their new location, so we were able to walk in on a weekend day for lunch. Service is good enough - nothing special. Most times we're put on hold when we call but they are kind and accommodating. They have always been consistent with quality and time quoted for pick-ups, which we really appreciate. Our go-to is always a Chicken Dosa and we mix between Spicy Butter Chicken or their Chicken Pepper Fry. Sometimes all three ;) Their chicken dosa just hits the spot every time. Crispy, packed, and flavorful. We pop it in the air fryer to add extra crisp and works like a charm. We also warm up a side of cauliflower rice and it's perfect. Makes great leftovers too. It is on the higher end but quality is noticed and they hook it up with chicken in each dish. read more

This is our first time visiting their new location. We'd been to the previous location several times and have enjoyed their service and food in the past. The new location is much larger and decorated well. Our service this time wasn't great but the food was good and I've had good experiences in previous visits so I'd still give them another chance. The salted lime soda mocktail with a spicy mysore masala dosa is a great afternoon snack. read more

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Bustling with people. Service was good. Disappointed with the portions for the price paid. read more

We came here for a birthday dinner and enjoyed our time. The appetizers we ordered were all incredible. The paneer, gobi 65, and samosas were all tasty and we finished them quickly. I had a rava dosa as my main dish and it was good, but slightly too salty for my preference. The group also ordered matar paneer and dosas and everyone enjoyed what they ordered. Our service was attentive overall and the food came out quickly but as it got busier, it took awhile to get the check. We enjoyed this place and can see why it was so busy even on a week night. read more

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Service was very attentive and helpful. I went with my family to try something new, the menu is hard because there are NO descriptions, so we were googling menu items to try to figure out what things were. Our waiter was great at explaining the items and recommending popular items. We will be back for take 2! read more

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So food was pretty good! Masala dosa was crispy and delicious with the all the sides. The biriyani was flavorful and chicken lollipop is a great spicy and tasty app. The ambiance inside was cute. Decor has the nice South Indian touch. We sat outside and honestly with a little one it was more entertaining. They can see the train, planes and cars! Service is where I rated less. There were plenty of waiters who came by. But, their service was not so great. Didn't really talk much, didn't even smile. Disappointed in the customer service although food was good. Just also note food is a bit pricey but not surprised with the park ridge crowd read more

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If you like south Indian food this is a really good spot. I've been here a few times this is my first time since they moved down the street. Everything is beautiful and clean. Food is great. The service isn't great. The waitress for some reason wouldn't take my order. They sat us down I was ready to order I would make eye contact with her and she wouldnt come over. We eventually flagged her down order. She never came back. Someone else brought the food and then she wouldn't come up to us for the check even after calling her over a few times. So we had to get up to pay. Very frustrating I would give them another try just cause I like their food read more

Thalaiva's was a fun surprise since we weren't expecting them to have an ambience overhaul. We didn't have a reservation but could easily get a table when we walked in. We were amazed by their makeover! Loved the fact that they expanded into a new space in the same block. The service was very fast. We tried the veg thali, filter coffee and the Mysore Masala Dosa. The dosa was so crispy and yummy! Loved it. The filter coffee was out of this world! We ordered it twice since we loved it so much! The thali was great too hut we didn't like all the elements of it. Some curries were amazing, but the others fell short. The pappadum was soggy, which was a bummer. Overall, I'd still describe the food as great although I will definitely steer clear of the thali. read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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This was my first time trying Tamil regional cuisine. You need to make a reservation here and it's worth it. We got the special chicken biryani and the eggplant curry, along with a mango lassi, lime soda, and chili paneer as an appetizer. The restaurant is beautiful and the food is delicious. We came on a slow night due to an outdoor food fest in Park Ridge. Service was great. There are some Indian standards on the menu for those wanting to keep it safe, but do yourself a favor and try one of the regional specialties. read more

We had heard great things about this place and decided to check it out while we were in the area. Although we had made reservations, we arrived almost 30 minutes late and our booking had been cancelled. Despite that, the staff graciously accommodated us within 10 minutes, even on a packed Friday night. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with beautiful South Indian-inspired interiors and calming Indian music playing in the background. The staff were courteous and attentive throughout our visit. We started with the highly recommended Chicken 65, which was crispy, juicy, and absolutely lived up to the hype. We also tried the Chilli Shrimp, which was another great appetiser. For drinks, we ordered a lime soda and the Nannari Sarbath--the lime soda was refreshing and spot on, though the Sarbath fell a bit short of expectations. For the mains, we had parottas and Kongunadu chicken curry. The parottas were exceptionally flaky and delicious--truly some of the best we've had. The curry was rich, flavorful, and had a unique flavour profile that really stood out. read more

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This place has been moved a block away from where they used to be on the main street. They will be opening a breakfast section in the Main Street location. Service wise this place is mixed! If you happen to go early for dinner at weekends the food will be served within 15-20 min. But around dinner time it gets so crowded and kitchen is maxed out at capacity so it easily takes around 45-50 min for one order to be served at the table! Quantity of the food is small. Portion size could be a little bit more but amazing taste! It was very delicious. We ordered - chicken curry comes with rice - tandoor fish - mini idly with sambar - rava dosa - moong dosa - nanari drink - parotta-2 in one order Everything in the ordered items tasted amazing read more

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This is truly a Park Ridge gem. They do not take reservations but we got lucky to be seated right away for dinner. The staff is very efficient in attending to customers dining in, and picking up to-go orders as well. Their menu offers a good variety of protein and dishes. You get to choose what level of heat you want for the spicy dishes. For this visit, I tried: GOAT CURRY- very tender meat in delicious sauce CHICKEN VINDALOO- outstanding LAMB BIRYANI - This is great meal on its own, and the serving is big enough for sharing among 2-3 people. I will definitely go back and try more dishes here. I am pretty sure they are all as amazing as the ones I've already tried. They give water pitchers to each table or you can order bottled water, beer, or Mango Lassi. I'm looking forward on my next visit! 'Til next time :) Btw, the place is BYOB :) read more

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Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen is a must-visit spot for anyone craving authentic South Indian cuisine. The menu offers a fantastic selection of South Indian specialties, crispy dosa, idlis, curries etc. My favorite was podi idli, veg biryani & filter coffee! Gobi 65 was average so I would not order that again. They just got relocated to a new location next door which is spacious and simple interiors. Another major plus is the ample parking space, making it convenient for visitors. Overall, if you're looking for a restaurant that offers great South Indian food, quick service, authentic flavors, and convenient parking, Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended! read more

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I have wanted to try this place for a long time! Unfortunately, it was dissatisfying for several reasons: 1-Food was not that great. I found it bland. We ordered 3 dishes: goat biriyani , dosa with chutney and meat thali. This biriyani is one of the worst I have ever had 2. Pricey given that it's not a nice setting but rather almost a fast food place 3. Lack of good customer service. Apathetic server did not even ask if we wanted something else Would not come back and won't recommend read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Meat Thali - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

The food was delicious, definitely on the high end of pricing but is located in an upscale neighborhood that can afford it. The service in the after was ok, it wasn't too busy but we had to wait for a while and our food was brought out one at a time read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Fish - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

Thalaiva's nailed the South Indian dishes. The mushroom pepper fry was flavorful and perfectly spiced definitely a 10/10. The cut mirchi was crispy and tasty. The mini idli sambhar, medu vada, dosa, and uttapam were all solid and authentic, especially the sambhar which stood out. We also tried the paneer tikka and garlic naan from the North Indian side, but honestly, I'd stick with the South Indian food here. For dessert, the chai was comforting and the gulab jamun sweet and soft a great way to end the meal. If you love South Indian food or want to try it, this spot is worth checking out. read more

Impromptu lunch date with the hubby when we were in the area on business. Our first time here after Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen moved around the corner from their old space. The staff are friendly and helpful with recommendations... Tamil Nadu food is different from other southern Indian cuisines and unapologetically spicy. We had their authentic biryani with short-grained rice super delicious, and a non-veg platter/thalii of combination foods, fish, chicken, and goat. We were famished and loved every bite. Highly recommend!! read more

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Incredibly authentic flavors. This is definitely one of the top 5 Indian restaurants I've ever experienced. read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - garlic naan - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

I have been to Thalaiva's a few times and recently visited again over the weekend. They have done a great job renovating the space and the restaurant looks fantastic now. The food quality is top notch and easily one of the best Indian restaurants in the suburbs. I highly recommend the non veg thali as it is amazing and a great value for money. I have also tried their chicken lollipops and set dosa both of which were excellent. Their filter coffee is also a standout and very close to what you get in India. The one downside and I hope they work on this is the wait time for food. The thali comes out quickly but anything else takes about 30 to 40 minutes. We went as a group of four and the thali arrived so fast that more than half of it was gone before the rest of our food even came out. The wait definitely took away from the overall experience. That said the quality of the food makes this place worth visiting. Just be prepared for a wait if you order beyond the thali read more

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I found this place after shopping at Fashion Outlet because I was craving for some Indian food. It was around 8 PM when we got here and the restaurant was completely packed with people. The restaurant is quite big and looks really nice inside. The service was really good here and the guy did an amazing job recommending what dishes to get as first timers. My partner told me he came here before with friends and they highly recommend this place so I came with super high expectations. This place straight up exceeded my expectations! I loved everything that we ordered. We each had a drink which were Nanari sarbath and mango margarita. The Nanari sarbath was super refreshing and I freaking loved the mango margarita. First of all, it is hard to find restaurants/bars that serves mango margarita, second of all it is even harder to find good ones, but this place nailed it! I will definitely be back here for both the food and drinks! We started off with Sambar Vadi as the appetizer which was quite interesting because I've never had it before. The doughnut was very good with the sauce and I basically was drinking the sauce. For the entrées, we did the goat biryani and kongunadu chicken curry, along with a side of parotta. The goat biryani was very flavorful, and I really liked the white sauce that came with it because it gave it an extra kick in terms of flavor. The chicken curry was something that I've never had before which is why I decided to order it. I immediately tasted coconut after I took my first bite. We actually had leftovers and it was just still just as good the next day. I cannot wait to come back for lunch because that is when they have thali. read more

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It's not a bad place. They don't mess around with the spice level though, and I'm glad iz got it mid-range spicy because I think it would have built up to a spice level beyond my preference. I was a little bummed that the aloo gobi was not dry, but part of a sauce. There was also a disappointingly small amount of rice for the amount of stuff we ordered. The parotta was my favorite part of the meal. I have had this bread before in other types of restaurants and they shortened the name or something because I never really knew what it was called. To say it was my favorite part is not to denigrate the rest of the meal, I just really liked this part. My kiddo did too--she was inhaling the stuff. Parking is somewhat questionable because at least during the summer the restaurants along here have a lot of outdoor seating. The restaurant itself isn't huge but does add ample table space. They don't do delivery, unfortunately, but you can order carryout. read more

Great food has the authentic South Indian taste. However, the service needs a little improvement and drinks are okay. read more

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Food: 10/10 The naan was amazing! It was so garlicky, buttery, and airy. The butter chicken and chicken tikka masala were so creamy, thick, and had the right amount of spice. The chicken vindaloo was great, the potatoes up held its rich flavor. Thalaiva's Special Chicken Biryani was spicy, but it was better than chinese fried rice. The mango lassi was a great sweet and tangy yogurt drink to cool me down from all the heat. I finished the drink in 5 minutes. Service: 9/10 We came around 6:20 pm, and waited around 40-50 minutes to be seated because the restaurant is small and packed. The food took another 20-30 minutes to arrive. But the waiter was very nice, and helped answer helped recommend what spice level to get for us beginners. He also explained the history of Indian culture! Ambiance: 7.5/10 The restaurant is a bit small and cramped, but it is clean. I ate at the old location, but the new location is very modern and fancy! read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Mango Lassi - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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If you are looking for your new favorite Indian restaurant look no further. Everything we choose was made with love and it made our day! The garlic non and Biriani was especially delicious. The restaurant is beautiful and service is friendly. Can't wait to come back read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Garlic non, Lamb curry, special chicken biriani and butter chicken - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

This place has very authentic Indian food. The portions were a decent size for the price. The food was very rich and flavorful. The chicken tikki was very good, and the chicken was cooked well. Chicken lollipop is a must try. The servers were nice although it did take some time for the food to come out as we ordered a good amount and it all came out at once. The vibe is casual but the layout of the restaurant is very nice. A lot of colors and decorations. Definitely recommend. read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Chicken Lollipop - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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My friends and I walked in with a group of 10, and they were able to accommodate us after a short wait. I really enjoyed the masala dosa, podi idly, veg biryani, dal makhani, and filter coffee. The flavors were rich and authentic. The gobhi 65 was just okay, but overall, the food was great! They also have parking nearby, which is convenient. I absolutely recommend this place for anyone in the area looking for delicious Indian food! read more

Love this place - they moved to a bigger location thankfully ! We ordered 2 items and both were really good. But however, there is still room for some improvement : 1. Non veg thali - 2 curries seemed to taste the same 2. Goat biryani - good biryani but the rice used seemed a bit off - it was neither basmati nor jeeraka shaala rice Hope they change the above items for the better . In any case - we plan to go back to try out their stuff on the menu . read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Goat biryani - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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Authentic South Indian food!! Feels like home!! One of the top South Indian restaurants I've visited in the USA!! 5* For overall experience!! Excellent and prompt service despite being busy during our visit!! Ambiance creates a traditional cultural atmosphere!! read more

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I tried Thalaivas for Sunday lunch with a friend and the experience was good. They offer authentic South Indian dishes at reasonable pricing. My friend and I ordered Thalis for lunch - Veg and Non-Veg. It was a lot of food and I ended up wasting most of it which I kinda regret. Thali contains a lot of curries served with a bowl full of rice, biryani and parotha. The parotha was a bit oily, which was a bit off-putting. Overall, good place to enjoy authentic Indian dishes. read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Menu - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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Went here based on the high reviews for this restaurant. The ambience and decor were refreshing with South Indian kolam (rangoli) on the wall. Service was great and our server took care of every request from us. Food was tasty, though for the price, I expected it to be tastier. However, the price of each item is way too overpriced. I was expecting the bill to be ~$80-$90, however it was over $150. This restaurant is overpriced by 50%. read more

I just returned from my annual trip to Chennai (Madras) and feel like the trip never ended after my friends and I tried out Thalaiva's. This place is phenomenal and on behalf of my fellow Dravidians, can confidently say this is the best biriyani in Chicagoland. Their special biriyani connected to my soul and had all the flavors I associate with biriyani from back home like curry leaf and elaichi (cardamom). Also, don't sleep on their other dishes - parotta, chicken curry, sambar vadai, dosa, Chicken 65, and fish fry were all phenomenal. Even their filter coffee hit the spot. Cannot wait to return inshaAllah. read more

We had a craving for good Indian food by our chiropractor office in Norridge. We yelped it and look here we are! There were some public parking spaces in front the restaurant along the block and some street parking on the other side. When we walked in it's a smaller restaurant place. We got seated quickly as we came here on a Friday night 6pm dinner. It did get busier after we left the restaurant so you know it's good! We ordered a couple of things: The Indian coffee was creamy, sweet and strong. Here is what we ate: Garlic naan- so good 4 pcs buttery and garlicky light and fluffy and a bit crispy of the other side. Paneer yellow curry creamy sauce chunks of cheese, you can have mild medium hot and really hot flavors. We got medium and it was a bit spicy for me but hubby liked the heat flavor. Dish includes basmati white rice Butter chicken was really good. The texture is chicken breast or tenders sliced includes basmatis white rice. Flavors was good I would get this again Okra masala- too much masala stuff onion's tomatoes not enough okra. I wouldn't get this again. I'll try other dishes next time. Jeer rice- very flavorful I like the roasted herbs and cashews mixed with the fluffy white basmati rice. I would get this again! We got a pitcher of water for the table. The cups are like 8 oz clear Dixie cups. It's a casual place. We came here in the winter so it does get colder sitting closer to the entrance of the door when people open and close it, hubby wore his skully hat while we were eating. The bathroom was hella cold so don't stay in there too long during cold days. The dinning area is snug that you can hear the conversations next to you. I don't mind but others might want more than personal space. They have several flat screen tv's around the walls but only one was on. The servers were attentive. A table for two was snug , since we ordered a good amount of food...they recommended for us to ask for our two other rice later or option to take home since our dishes covered most of our table space. Overall, The food was really good I would come back here if I'm in the area and try other dishes. The service was good as well. I do see outdoor eating tables in front of the restaurant so might come back here when the weather is warmer to dine outside... read more

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Ordered butter chicken, tendoori chicken, samosas, chicken 65. Food wasn't that great. 2 small veggie samosas were $9. The samosas used to be much bigger so I would understand the price but now they're just out here robbing people and giving smaller portions. Oh and $5 for 1 naan? Get outta here! read more

This has become my go to Indian food place. It's close to our house, we never have to wait for a table, it's BYOB, and the food is great. And I don't leave out of there smelling like curry! Unfortunately I always order the same thing: Butter Chicken, Chicken Biryani, Paneer, Garlic Naan, and a Mango Lassi. I should try something else but why change a good thing? The walls are like a cabin and the utensils are plastic. a very casual dining and I love it. read more

Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen - Indian Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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While the atmosphere was pleasant, the food was a major disappointment. We ordered the Chili Gobi, Dosas, and the Chicken and Goat Paratha combo. The Gobi was acceptable, but our experience quickly declined when we found a human hair cooked into one of the Dosas. Although they eventually replaced it, we had to wait over 20 minutes for the new one. Temperature and quality were consistent issues: the Sambar, Goat and chicken dishes were served cold, and the goat had an unappealing smell. When we gently informed the server that the food was cold, they simply said "OK" and took no corrective action. Furthermore, we noticed kitchen staff working without hairnets or caps, which explains the hygiene issue we encountered. I would recommend avoiding this establishment. Notes Added after reply: 1.Though there is no answer on Hair in food. 2. At one point it was BYOB and if we had known that we had never broght in the the wine Bottle. And once we were made aware, we did not open neither we consumed any alcohol. 3. Head covering is required. For your information. Illinois law requires food handlers in commercial kitchens to wear effective hair restraints like hats, hairnets, or caps to prevent hair from contaminating food, clean equipment, and single-use items, covering all exposed body hair, including beards. What's Required: Hair Restraints: Must be worn by anyone preparing or handling food (Not only the servers) Effective Coverage: The restraint must keep hair from contacting food, utensils, linens, or unwrapped articles. We have visited the restaurant many times in past but the service and quality of food has declined very much. You could dispute as much as you want but, the truth does not change. Moreover, we will never be returning also we ask others to avoid. There are more reviews by other customers specifying the food is not served at correct temperature. Not everyone can be incorrect. read more