“I’ve lived less than a mile from this place for a decade and never tried it; tonight was the night. It’s a unique establishment - hookah lounge, banquet hall, bar. Walking in was a little confusing for first timers but we were quickly welcomed and seated at the bar. Drink pours were impressively heavy. Our food came out fast and was great. The cheese burek appetizer deserves special mention with its garlic and hot sauces! Our waiter/bartender was in full hustle mode on a busy Friday night but still found time to take good care of us and have a few short chats. Overall I’d highly recommend eating here. It’s a bit “different,” but who likes the same old thing over and over? I’ll be back.Dietary restrictions: Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options here.Parking: Parking in front and behind the building, one lot has a small curb to traverse. Not an issue for most vehicles.“
“1st time here and was absolutely delicious ?Their homade hummus was delicious ? as was their chicken kabobsBy the amount of traffic that was coming in and out, must be a popular place.Great service too, very kind & friendly workers.Will definitely be coming back!!You get what you pay for, lots left over to take with you.“
“May God bless the kind & benevolent souls who work at this legendary restaurant. May God grant them and their families prosperity.Vegetarian options: Falafel, fries, hummus & pita, lentil soup, and I believe the stuffed grape leaves are vegetarian (though, some variations of the recipe may contain meat), so I would double-check with them if the stuffed grape leaves are vegetarian.Kid-friendliness: Restaurant seating offers a great family friendly environment“
“We had lunch today at Thattu. It was bustling with almost every table full, but the tables have ample space between them and it wasn’t too loud. The beautiful exposed brick and huge windows cast a warm glow on the modern dining room. They nailed Indian flavors without being heavy or greasy, and the fun fusion dishes we tried, like Indian-spiced tater tots with sulfur salt and beet ketchup are well executed and a lot of fun. It would be easy to eat healthy at Thattu, and I enjoyed the vegetarian combo with vegetable curry, rice, beans, and sauteed Brussels sprouts with coconut. We also tried the fried chicken with dill sauce, and the catfish.Guests order through an app at Thattu, and the cost is inclusive of service. They don’t accept tips. At lunch, you grab your own flatware, napkins, and water from a bar in the dining room. We didn’t mind this.One particularly nice touch was that when we arrived, there were no tables available, and we agreed to sit at the bar. The host said he would let us know if a table became available, since sometimes guests cancel very close to their reservation time. Lucky for us, about 10 minutes after we arrived, the host brought us to a table. It was kind of him to remember our preference and work on that for us. Googling the restaurant later, I realized that the handsome host was co-owner Vinod Kalathil. He’s clearly a wonderful business owner who knows how to make his customers happy.Thattu2601 W Fletcher StreetChicago’s Avondale neighborhood“
“Absolutely amazing. Second time here. First time I thought some things could improve, and this time they were really really good. I believe there is always room for improvement, but I really think they are one of the best tasting restaurants in the entire Chicago. There is no other place like Maman Zari, that I know of.I hope they keep getting better and better and we'll be back soon.Thank you for such an amazing experience..kudos to all the Chef, and servers for their diligence.If you are a fan of traditional Persian food with giant portions, this is not the place for you. You go here to experience food from a different perspective, it's an art, I don't think it's fair to expect them to deliver the same experience as next door Persian restaurants.“
“Been to Beatnik on the river before, this location is just as good, maybe better. Cocktails were awesome... Mango margarita, a coco whiskey cocktail, and a tequila recommended from the bartender. Bartender was super friendly, attentive and very educated on his spirits. Would definitely recommend.“
“I love falafel , whenever I can I go to a different place, and this place has the best falafel sandwiches I've ever had, but unfortunately the service wasn't good, when I arrived there was only one other person waiting for the order, and they took a while It took a lot to prepare a simple sandwich where everything was already ready, so that left me a little disappointed.“
“This is the best Mediterranean restaurant I have ever been to. The kabobs are perfectly seasoned and are the real deal. The hummus is amazing. It has an almost whipped texture and is very fresh tasting. The yellow rice is great, too. Usually I love to drown all my food in tahini sauce, but here I barely use any. I don't want to mess with the food. It's perfect as is. The staff is super friendly and the prices are reasonable, especially considering how big the portions are. I definitely recommend giving it a try“
“Truly excellent. I totally see why this place is so highly rated - it deserves more reviews even!I went here with my sister on a random Sunday for some Mediterranean food. We passed it by a million times but never knew it existed in this small strip mall! The person working the front is one awesome guy. I’m not sure if he’s the owner (he gives me owner vibes) but he was so personable, attentive, hospitable, and welcoming. Such a gracious host!The food was phenomenal, period. The hummus was so creamy and seasoned nicely, the chicken was flavorful and juicy, the lentil soup was delicious, the salad was refreshing, and the falafel was crispy on the inside and so soft on the inside. Everything was very fresh and flavorful. We took what we couldn’t finish home but rest assured we devoured everything lol.There’s convenient parking right outside and even though it’s a relatively small place, there’s tables inside for you to dine in if you’d like.I’ll totally be back here again! 5/5!“
“Sinya just catered the 175th anniversary celebration dinner for our church. They were extremely helpful in the ordering and preparing phase...reassuring us that the portions identified in the group menu were plentiful...and I must say they really were! The food arrived on time, still hot, and delicious! We couldn't have asked for a more. My husband and I order from Sinya regularly for ourselves but this experience prompts this review for folks looking to serve large numbers of people.“
“The food is always fantastic and the service was stellar. I spent some time catching up with and old friend and the gentleman overseeing the dining area stayed close by, ready to clear our table, but respectfully not interrupting us. A fantastic experience“
“No pics of the food because i gobbled it down as soon as i got it. Amazing!! The rice was out of this world delicious! I haven't enjoyed a rice dish this much in a long time. So freaking good. The chicken and lula kebab were also pretty delicious. The flavors were on point, and the meat was incredibly juicy!! Definitely going back.Get the lunch special. It's worth it.“
“Trying Afghan food for first time…. and I love it. Roasted Eggplant with tomatoes & garlic yogurt . Tender not mushy & bitter, definitely for garlic lovers, then dumplings that reminded me of russian plemieni finally traditional Afghan rice with cinnamon & raisins ( not sweet at all) with veal. We finished with Afghan milk tea for dessert . Food in this place is delicious , but decor is minimalistic & basic. Very reasonably priced, friendly service. If you in area worth stopping by.“
“Place has an amazing smell of home cooking, clean and inviting atmosphere. Food was delicious, full of aromatic spices, beautifully arrange on the plates.Cup of Chai was a perfect final accent.Special thanks to talented chef ?Can't wait to visit this restaurant again!“
“Outstanding Dining Experience at Wild Pita RestaurantMy recent visit to Wild Pita Restaurant was nothing short of exceptional. The food was superb, offering a delightful array of Mediterranean flavors that left me thoroughly impressed. The service was equally commendable, with the staff providing attentive and friendly assistance throughout the meal. From the welcoming atmosphere to the knowledgeable staff, Wild Pita Restaurant truly exceeded my expectations, making it a must-visit dining destination for anyone seeking a memorable culinary experience.“
“Pita Inn is consistent in quality and service. The business lunch special is great! I call my order in 10-15 min before arriving during lunchtime rush and it’s almost always ready when I walk in to pick up. There is plenty of parking in the back, no need to jam up Milwaukee Ave trying to find an open spot in front of the building. Perhaps management could place a sign showing that.“
“Decided to try this place since our usual place was closed. So glad we did! Excellent food, HUGE portions and good service. Love that the kabobs come with peppers and onions and not just the meat. It was a great surprise to find the chicken shawarma under the kabobs! (I just ordered two combination plates without really reading the menu.) Definitely trying more in the future.“
“I've become a lunch regular here - absolutely delicious and fresh food in generous portions with special deals that are hard to beat. Very friendly, hospitable service even in a casual space like this. $10 chicken and falafel lunch special featured in the pic!“
“Middle Eastern Kosher. We had a pleasant light lunch with pita sandwiches off the grill. Don't miss the Yemenite soup. They have a kids menu that was just fine for our three year old.Dietary restrictions: Kosher-meat-CRC certificationParking: Located in a strip mall with shared parking“
“Ordered a beef schwarma dinner with a yogurt cucumber salad and coffee. My dinner was excellent. Our server went above and beyond, was warm, welcoming and polite.. And overall the atmosphere was nice. Only complaint is there was a considerable draft of cold air everytime the door opened.“
“I’ve never felt so welcomed, at a restaurant, in my entire life! Everything about this place is 100/10. If I could give them more stars, I totally would!! Highly recommend everyone to check them out! My very first time at an Iraqi restaurant & it beat my expectations by millions!! Beyond happy with my experience here, can’t wait to return. Mashallah“
Mediterranean • $$
“I was craving middle eastern so on a whim drove to get carry out ... I sort of rushed the guys in the counter with my order because I had to pick up my teen from a class. I ordered the boneless chicken platter #1 and veggie platter with grape leaves and falafel and dips . When we got home I realized they have us only 1 piece of pita bread which was kinda disappointing. Taste was okay too, I really like noon o kebab across the street better for sure“
“We stopped here for breakfast with a friend and Hassna was wonderful, she answered all our questions about every dish and confection. Many of the Moroccan dishes i hadnt tried before so i wanted to try the stuffed Msemmen, fish pastilla, and shebekia. I really wanted to try basbussah, but it had Dairy in it which I have an intolerance to. We got all the and it was delicious! We also ordered Moroccan mint tea which was perfect. Hassna offered to teach me how to cook Moroccan food which was so generous and kind, I wish I lived in the area I would love to learn!“
“We were told by people that this IS the place to go for Middle Eastern food, so we had to give it a try.We were greeted as we walked in and I have to say, the folks here are the friendliest we've had. Now to the food...I had the Kufta Kebob and my wife had the Chicken Shawarma. The server brings out a Salad, a plate of Baba Ghanoug and a plate of Hummus. All three dishes were outstanding.The main courses arrives and I feel that it was the best I had ever tasted. The Chicken Shawarma was also delicious and the rice with the dishes were moist and flavorful. We will be returning to EZ Shawarma very soon to try out the rest of the menu!“
“Tiba is under new ownership as of a few months ago, and it is*very clear*. They've completely renovated the interior, their website is very well done - and best of all, the food is delicious and the service is great. I'm already planning on how many times I'm going to come back with my family. I really wish the new owners the best and thank them for a great dinner!“
“Caspian Kabab has wonderful food with such a wide variety, there is something for everyone! The owner, Massoud, goes out of his way to ensure that everyone feels is happy and full! The sample platters are a great way to try a lot of different food. His homemade hummus, crabcakes, lamb kabobs, chocolate cake are the best and you have to try his tea! Thanks you, Massoud, for a great night out with the family!!!!! We'll be back!!!!“
“Every dish is truly made like at home sprinkled with a lot of love and hard work. The food is so clean and flavorful. The owner of this place is super kind. The two women who works there are hardworking. I support this place 100% and I hope it attracts more costumers.“
“Jerusalem Cafe is like a cheat code for affordable, nutritious food in Oak Park. It's just about the cheapest place to get tasty salmon in downtown OP, and all the food is reliably delicious. I've lived here long enough to remember the restaurants that used to occupy this space, and I'm glad Jerusalem Cafe has stuck around.“
“Decided to try this place since our usual place was closed. So glad we did! Excellent food, HUGE portions and good service. Love that the kabobs come with peppers and onions and not just the meat. It was a great surprise to find the chicken shawarma under the kabobs! (I just ordered two combination plates without really reading the menu.) Definitely trying more in the future.“
“Best Mediterranean Food in the area! Clean seating area, and most of the staff are helpful if you're not familiar with the menu. The food is fresh and largely made to order. I have dietary restrictions and they are respectful. Food is well seasoned but you can ask for more heat. Simple and delicious“
“This is probably the best Arab food in the chicagoland area, the food is very well seasoned and priced, you can’t go wrong with anything you order!Desserts are a must have and black tea at the end. This place is 100% worth the hype and the positive reviews it gets. I can’t wait until I’m hungry so I can eat here again.“
“Wonderful neighborhood spot! I get lunch here a couple times a month. The food is always delicious, and the portion & variety in the specials is great. Everything ingredient is incredibly flavorful and fresh. Staff is also very nice. Highly recommend.“
“One of my favorite places back home- recommend to all! Amazing food, great vibe, fast service and usually not very crowded so peaceful.Wheelchair accessibility: Can get inDietary restrictions: Mom is lactose intolerant and never has an issue“
“We catered my daughter’s bridal shower from Zad’s and could not have been more pleased with everything. From the moment I spoke with the manager to the actual event, everything was perfect. We ordered salmon, tawouk chicken, rice, hummus, vegetable stew, dessert and more. Every single thing was absolutely delicious! I highly recommend Zad’s!“
“Went for dinner with some friends and we all agree the food was delicious! The owner (I presume) was very friendly & accommodating to us all.Not only that, but he gave us all wraps to try as a possible new menu item ( we all say go for it, it was delicious! )Also, they make some of THE BEST tahini.Will be back for sure!“
“From the moment I stepped into North Avenue Falafel for the second stop on my Ramadining adventures, I knew I was in for something special. Opting for the combination special was a decision I’ll never regret. This platter is a culinary journey that brings the best of the Middle East to your table - featuring beef kabab, chicken kabab, kofta kabab, alongside a chicken shawarma sandwich that’s nothing short of a masterpiece. The chicken shawarma was exceptionally moist and flavorful, wrapped in a cloud of pita bread that carried every bite to new heights.But it doesn’t stop there. The accompaniments - rice, baba ghanoush, hummus, fatoush salad, alongside generous servings of garlic sauce - each added layers of flavor that complemented the main dishes beautifully. It was a symphony of flavors and textures that danced harmoniously on the palate.North Avenue Falafel has truly outdone itself, creating a space where food transcends mere eating; it’s an experience, a celebration of culinary excellence. The warmth and authenticity of this place are unparalleled, making every bite feel like a slice of home, no matter where you’re from.For anyone embarking on their own Ramadining adventure or simply in search of exceptional Middle Eastern cuisine, North Avenue Falafel is a must-visit. Their chicken shawarma alone is worth the trip, but it’s the whole package - the food, the ambiance, the hospitality - that will keep you coming back for more.“
“Restaurant Ambiance - clean, spacious, airy Service - 10/10 Food - Ordered pita wrap chicken. It was absolutely delicious. The sauces the chef gave were good but the shawarma was so good, it did not really need any sauces. It is important to me that the restaurant was HMS certified. If I am in Chicago again, I would I've to try their shawarma bowl!“
“A neighbor recommended Mr Shawarma and decided to give them a try. I ordered the fried shrimp and the chicken wings and they were fried to perfection. However the chicken wings were too salty.The place is very clean and the employees very attentive.It is located on a business strip so parking can be challenging. I live next door so I am lucky.I do recommend Mr Shawarma. Open everyday from 12 to 8 PM except Saturday from 12:30 PM to 6 PM.Parking: There is free parking on a strip mall but it is often busy. More meter parking on Wilson“
“1st time here and the food was super yummy and authentic. Had falafel, kefta kabob, and lentil soup. The falafels were huge and nice and crunchy on the outside and rich and flavorful on the inside. The rice was savory without being sticky or clumpy and was delicious. The kefta was aromatic and cooked perfectly. And the lentil soup was deep and rich.Every dish had deep rich flavors and tasted fresh and authentic with a variety of tastes and textures and spices.Will definitely return to try more dishes.“
“I came here with my mom and we had a pretty good experience! You first order at the front then they call your name out to go get your food when it's ready. You also have to get your own silverware and napkins. The place itself was nice and clean. The cashier was really nice and helpful when deciding what to try. We ended up getting a mixed grill and a gyros sandwich which fries. The mixed grill was HUGE cause it comes with two types of rice and 2 salads. The meat itself was okay - some of it was a little dry but they have so many sauces so it makes up for it! We also tried the falafel which was amazing - highly recommend trying it! My mom said both the gyros and fries were great!! The prices are a little on the expensive side - mixed grill was about $30 so I think the pictures of the menu on Yelp are quite old. You do get pretty good sized portions so still worth it.“
“Amazing work, great staff and the best at the business for size of meal. ?Cannot recommend this place enough. Try their food and you will not regret it.Chicken ? kabab, Kabab and shish twaok are amazing and are shown in the picture. The only best place in Chicago.Skoki is lucky to have this place best middle eastern cuisine.??Wheelchair accessibility: Available“
“Great family, great food, always fresh, kind customer service and it is a clean facility. I love that it is so local to me. I am so very excited about the large location they have opened across the street. I'm happy for the family and happy for my tummy. I hope to spend many years in and out of that bakery/deli making excellent memories with my friend and family. Keep up the hard but amazing work. I stand with your company. Thank you for your service to our area.“
“The customer service is always on point and they have a very welcoming atmosphere. The cooks are amazing ? and very accommodating making my food exactly how I like it …… yummyyyyyy.Thank you guys for making my dinners after a long 12 hour shift worth the drive each time.Much Love and God Bless ?️❤️??“
“Love this place ✨️. Been going here for 10 + years.The best lentil soup around! I get it every time I'm sick lol. The owner is super nice and makes it point to greet me no matter what he's doing. My usual is 2 lentil soups, chicken swarma plate with tabouli. Waffle fries if I'm feeling extra happy.“
“Shawarma Garden is my favorite place to eat real food accurate, clean reasonable price and wonderful service with the personality of IssaDietary restrictions: Veggie, vegan, and Kony, but we’ll find anything that they need for the Nutrition and satisfactionWheelchair accessibility: Speed level just stepped inside“
“They have a new location! They moved from their old one. The new location is at 1935 lincoln park west. They replaced 'Mesa Urbana'.The food as always is perfect! Seasoned well, cooked tender and juicy, and incredibly large portions! If you like Mediterranean food, this is a absolute must if you're in chicago! The included pixtures are the shwarma fries, hummus, and beef shawarma atop rice!(for some reason I cannot inclue my pictures? I'll edit if It decides to work again)Everything that leaves this kitchen is absolutely divine, and I cannot offer higher praise for a restaurant.Parking: Free parking! Plenty of room“
Recommended
“This place is absolutely beautiful.The decorations, the atmosphere, the people.I absolutely love it! I normally go to the One on eighty seventh and harlem And love it there too,same owners,SameFood, just amazing just absolutely amazing And delicious!“