best middle eastern food I have ate in in the USA chicken shawarma and the hummus was great 5 starsread more

Good "bang for buck" would be an understatement when describing this place. The quality of the food…read moreat Falafel & Grill is absolutely OUTSTANDING, and comes at a beyond reasonable price. As typical for a counter serve, this facility is no thrills but it's kept very clean and the service is straightforward and great. We've gone back here a few times and have never had an issues with wait time, which is impressive as it can get pretty busy with orders. We've tried both the Chicken Kabob Plate and the Kifta Kabob Plate and both were fantastic. They truly make the meat here the PERFECT tenderness - probably the softest and juiciest chicken I've had in the city!!! The hummus and falafel that the Plate meals come with are also delicious. 10000% recommend for a casual Mediterranean meal or takeout

I got delivery from here, interesting take on middle eastern food. I go the falafel wrap, with…read morehummus, it did not come with many veggies on it, the falafel itself was quite dry and the hummus was not very flavorful. My partner got a falafel plate. He liked the meal. He also got a salad, which he reports was good. I also got some French fries with tahini and extra garlic sauce. Overall average.

Let's start with the good stuff - tasty bowls that offer a large serving size. The rice was also…read morereally good. It came with hummus (more on that later) and sauces. The not so good - the hummus to me was tasteless and you don't get to customize your bowl. I prefer spicy and there were not jalapeños offered. The red chili sauce I used entirely and it offered so- so spice. I would certainly eat here again, but I would probably be more vocal about what I want extra of for my salad!

Terrifically fresh falafel, decent baba, very good lavash, and good hummus. Overall a great value…read moreand we got friendly service. Bonus: Fries were excellent. Did not get/try any torshi, will ask for next time.

Just went here to order a gyro sandwich for $12 and received the tiniest portion I have ever…read morereceived from a local Mediterranean place. Have to be honest the price doesn't match the food you receive. I know at least 3 nearby places that give you way more for the same or less price. Please work on your portion sizes or else your place isn't worth it Also had a friend order separately and the workers never called out his order. He had to ask if his order ready and it was just sitting on the counter for 8 mins already at that point. Do better

This is by far my most visited food place in Chicago because I love their falafel so much. I would…read morenot be surprised if everything else on the menu is great, but I've never gotten past the falafel because it's pretty hard to pass up. Incredible prices, too. Thank you to everyone here who has made and served me falafel lol I appreciate you!

Delicious chicken shawarma well priced and fast service. Not crowded at all so it was nice for a…read morequick bite.

For a place in a strip mall this is pretty good to be honest. It was a lot better than the…read moreexpectations based on the looks. North Avenue Falafel is located on North Avenue of course, but it's way out west around Oak Park. Has more than just falafel here with lots of classic items. There's options for both meat eaters and vegetarians who will find lots of good things. Came in around lunch and got a combo. It's about $12 for a typical one. They also have a few cheaper lunch specials. Had to get the Falafel Platter. This is the place's signature item after all, so it had to be good, and it was. I came with eight pieces of falafel. Quite a lot for a platter at this price. Lots of good ass stuff on here. There was hummus, Jerusalem salad, pitas, and rice. Falafel is the main thing it seems, but there's actually plenty more. There's side items like salads and soups. Have to make a return trip over here some time and get some more of the falafel and some other items. It's the best at lunch when there's some specials. There's more than just falafel, with a few meaty choices, and lots of choices for vegans and vegetarians.

Not super friendly. The food was odd. The beef kabob platter did not come in a kabob style. The…read moresalad was old. The rice was more like Spanish rice. The garlic sauce was 50 cent. MOST disappointing and odd was the hummus tasted like egg, never had this experience before and I am an average connoisseur of Mediterranean foods.

Ragadan has become one of my go-to spots in Uptown, and after multiple visits, I can confidently…read moresay the consistency is one of the biggest reasons I keep coming back. Whether I'm grabbing a quick lunch or stopping in for dinner, the food has always been fresh, the service has been welcoming, and the overall experience has never disappointed. My order rarely changes because the patty melt is just that good. The burger is perfectly cooked with a flavorful sear, topped with melty cheese and caramelized onions that add just the right amount of sweetness. Everything comes together on a toasted sesame bun that's crisp on the outside while still soft enough to hold everything together. It's rich without being overly heavy, and every bite reminds me why I haven't felt the need to order anything else. The fries are equally deserving of praise. They're consistently served hot, crispy, and well-seasoned, with a fluffy interior that makes them impossible to stop eating. They taste like they're made fresh to order, and they're the perfect complement to the patty melt. I always tell myself I'll save a few for later, but that never seems to happen. Beyond the food, the staff has always been friendly, patient, and genuinely appreciative of their customers, which keeps me coming back just as much as the food. It's also in a convenient Uptown location that's easy to get to, making it a great option whether you're a local or just exploring the neighborhood. One thing I really appreciate is that Ragadan doesn't feel like it's chasing trends. Instead, it focuses on making high-quality food with unique Jordanian-inspired influences while still delivering familiar comfort food that anyone can enjoy. It's the kind of independent restaurant that's worth supporting because they consistently get the fundamentals right. I've recommended Ragadan to several friends, and it's become a place I don't hesitate to revisit whenever I'm craving a great burger. If it's your first time, do yourself a favor and order the patty melt with fries--you'll understand why it's become my standing order. It's one of Uptown's gems, and I'll definitely be back again.

With limited time for dinner and uncertainty/disagreement about what we were in the mood for, this…read morewas such a good choice. What are the odds one restaurant can be a serious contender for the best falafel AND the best burgers in town? I've been there a few times and I'm in love with the ka'ak patty melt burger. Its not only melted cheese and grilled onions. It's bacon and jalapeño and za'ater mayonnaise. And it's two burgers. Served on an amazing sesame loaf. We split it and fries (also delicious with za'atar seasoning) and that was plenty.. But the onion burger is also pretty great. And you have to get the falafel. Also the onion rings. You may want to skip lunch. Ragadan has quickly become one of the first places I think of when we consider picking up dinner somewhere. We've eaten in, but there's not a lot of ambience. And even though they have a powerful space heater, the dining area is kind of cold in the winter. The kitchen is open though, so you end up interacting with the friendly staff. It's a bonus to see how clean they keep the kitchen.

I LOVED my meal here! Ēma (Ay-mah) brings some glamour and glitz to the Mediterranean dining scene,…read morewith an airy, elevated hotel-lobby feel that still doesn't demand a dress code. Dresscode: Smart Casual / Casual Noise Level: Medium (it gets buzzy after 5:30pm) Thursday night Happy Hour was lively, so it took about 10-15 minutes for someone to come around, but service was attentive once we got going. The food is where Ēma really shines. From the Happy Hour menu, the Charred Eggplant Hummus and Crispy Potatoes were generously portioned and great for sharing. On the main menu, the Indian-Mediterranean fusion Bhel Hummus was a party for my taste buds, while the Hot Honey Halloumi and Chicken Kefta rounded out the table nicely. The halloumi is more of a side than a main, but that sweet-and-salty hot honey combo was chef's kiss. For our finisher, the Chocolate Torte knocked us out. Decadent, delicious and chocolate with lots of depth. Overall, Ēma is an excellent spot to order a bunch of dishes for the table and get an elevated meal without feeling stuffy, and delicious without taking itself too seriously. DO's: - Make a reservation ahead, especially for happy hour 4-6pm - Treat apps like small plates, order 2-3 to sample - Entertain their wine list, they have a lot! - Bring vegetarians here, there are plenty of options DON'Ts: - Dismiss the desert menu. It's fantastic and shareable! - Forget to ask for extra pita with the hummus! - Miss out on the LettuceEats loyalty points (check-in with your server before paying your check)

Came for a late lunch. Split a meal: *Whipped spicy feta -…read moreVery tasty. The pita was warm with lots of za'atar. Enough to share with 2-3 people *Braised short rib sandwich - In a pita stuffed with cabbage. The beef was extremely tender. Unfortunately there was several large pieces of cabbage core vs shredded. The fries were crispy and seasoned with za'atar. The au jus provided, tasted it had a bit of red wine vinegar. That was a winner! Would order both items again. The decor is beautiful. Sat at the bar and the bartender wasn't in the best mood. Minus one star for the combination of the large pieces of cabbage core and sat at the bar for about 15 minutes - no one was there to serve us.

Yum yum yum yum--this place is a palace of flavor! Authentic cuisine in a warm atmosphere with…read morefantastically friendly folk; Anthony said the entire menu is based on his mom's recipes--so it makes a lot of sense why everything has that only heart-warming flavors that only a home-cooked meal can have. Everything tastes exceptional from the dolmas to the Arabian coffees

Cedar Palace was absolutely hands down some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever had! Do NOT…read morepass this up if you have the chance to dine here! The place is so cute and cozy, and the chandeliers are so beautiful! It does seem to fill up pretty quickly as there isn't ample seating, so check them out a little early if you plan to dine in. The staff were awesome. The way they move through the restaurant, take orders, and how they interact with guests just shows how much pride they have in this place. We decided to get the combo, and it really was enough for two! The hummus was delicious, the salads were so perfectly seasoned, and the meat was absolutely perfect. Definitely check this place out!

Everything was delicious. Lentil soup was piping hot, like I like it. Falafel could have been more…read moreflavorful but it was crispy enough. I will be going back for the shwarma.

Came here prior to visiting the nearby theater. I've always seen this place but never knew what it…read morewas. When we arrived on a Friday evening, it wasn't really crowded. We were seated right away on the outside patio. The ambiance was a very stunning little escape from the hustle and bustle of the area. The menu was robust but my partner and I knew that we were crunch for time, I ordered the lamb chop kebab & I believe he ordered the steak. Mine came with a house salad which was good. Our entrees came out quickly and were delicious. The waitress and staff was friendly, it made for a lovely date night.

Have you been to a Cava? I'd be surprised if not - they're popping up like daisies! Naf Naf Grill…read moreis kind of similar, but with a smaller selection. Between the two, I prefer Cava for both the wider selection and seemingly higher quality. Before I get into the meat of the review, a word of caution: One of the keys to enjoying Naf Naf is not overdoing it by adding everything to your bowl. That said, my experiences at Naf Naf with both the food and the service have been hit or miss. Sometimes, the service is perfectly pleasant for a fast-casual eatery, but at other times, I've found it rude and unfriendly. As for the food, I feel the quality of the veggies, meats, and other ingredients is fine, but nothing to write home about. However, I think one issue with piling on too many ingredients is that too much liquid seeps into the bowl, which interferes with the overall experience. It's worth mentioning that even though I do go overboard at Cava, I've never encountered this issue there. Finally, while Naf Naf isn't the cheapest place around, considering the downtown location and portion sizes, I feel the prices are reasonable. Final verdict: Naf Naf Grill is a solid, respectable choice for a healthy-ish, reasonably priced lunch. At the same time, I feel there is room for improvement, and there are places within a five-minute walk that outperform it.

It was pretty empty when I went. Food was decent but a little messy to eat. Probably why my…read moresandwich was wrapped in foil. Service was quick and everything was pretty clean. I can see this being a popular spot during office lunch hours.