Got to be the best place for Middle Eastern food in Evanston. Habibi In is a hugely popular restaurant. It seriously gets a lot of people in here, and there's not much room so it always seems busy though. Easy to say there's lots of business going on, and there's not a whole lot of room inside. The prices are pretty good especially when getting platters. Came and we got a couple of the combos. It's about $13 for a platter. They have chicken and other meats, or vegetables, so you can get these in a wrap. Got us the vegetarian friendly ones. I got the Falafel Sandwich. This is a falafel entree meal that comes in the choice of pita or wrap. A lot of combos you can get. These include kabobs. Get a drink and fries to save a few bucks. There's a few that are meaty. Has pretty big food menu that makes it hard to choose. It's best to get one of the platters to save a lot of money. There's plenty for meat eaters, including the beef and chicken, and there's plenty for vegans and vegetarians. read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - Falafel Sandwich - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Came in for late dinner on a Friday. Busy but not packed. Place had cool mood lighting, pretty neat and clean. Was 2nd in line to order. Staff was friendly and helpful to pick our meal items. You pay after ordering. They took our name and within 10 min or so, got the food delivered to our table. Food was freshly cooked and attractive. Got the Habibi plate, gyro mix with chicken, and strawberry date shake. Habibi plate and gyro plate gave a lot of overlap, so if you want more variety pick a more different 2nd item. Food quality was good. Taste was very appetizing, cooked and presented well. Enjoyed everything, but would probably not suggest the strawberry date shake. All they had was strawberry icecream left when we visited. Quality of the shake was good but could have been more enjoyable with a different flavor combo. Would come back again to try different menu items. read more

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Delicious, and the staff are very nice too! Music was not too loud , they were showing world cup games

I was in town to visit my kids school and decided to try this place. It's a small shop. But let me tell ya. The food portions are huge. I could easily feed 3 people with my combo plate. Service is good. The guys behind the counter were aware of good customer service. I gather this area doesn't have too many middle eastern restaurants, so this one is really a good representation. The food was honestly good. Very satisfying. read more

Stopped in for dinner and WOW! Delicious food and fast service! The beef shawarma wrap was delicious and I appreciate a well wrapped wrap! The gyro meat here is also well seasoned and tender! They have big tables for larger parties but I think they could fit in a few smaller ones especially with how popular they are. read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - 16.Beef Shawarma - Wrap/Pita - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

The food was excellent and so was the service! I will definitely be back! Portion sizes were large, plenty of leftovers for the next day!

Come here all the time- still the Best lentil soup in Chicago! Amazing crisp falafel and the hummus is over the top fresh and topped with fresh olive oil and spices. So good! Wish I lived closer! read more

Hanging out in Evanston on Juneteenth and worked up an appetite. Pulled out the phone to find good food to eat. Habibi In was one of a few choices. I was excited about finally find a place for a good chicken fattoush salad. Once we arrived, I looked at the menu . I happily placed my order for a fattoush salad. The young man told me they didn't have fattoush salads. I know that I had a sad look on my face. I was ready to go somewhere else but my guy was okay with staying. The manager let me know that they stopped selling fattoush because people have different expectations. I let him know that I was born in Michigan. I told him I was exposed to GREAT Mediterranean food there. He understood and said yes Michigan beats Chicago for Mediterranean food. I told him that I haven't had a lot of luck finding good Mediterranean food or fat in the Chicago area. He suggested going to Burbank where there was a great spot. He also told me that he would guarantee that anything I ate there would be good. He was right! Thoroughly enjoyed my meal. There was a container stream of people coming into the restaurant which has seating for dining and lots of bright signage. I also thought that it was pretty cool, but there is a picture of the family in the wall with the Restaurant story. I definitely understand how they were able to open during Covid and remain as a part of the community. As an added bonus, they proudly display a letter from YELP. read more

Decided to try something new and randomly decided on Mediterranean today. I hit a home run on this spot AND they were still having their lunch special. When I asked what their most popular plate was the immediate response was 'get the number 4'. Ok lol. So I got it and was legitimately shocked as to how tender the chicken shawarma and the gyro were. They were also so packed with flavor but not overpowering at all. This lunch special also came with a little salad with a delightful dressing. A really cozy place as well. This used to be the old Dixie Kitchen location in Church Street so I was already familiar with the inside but never had the food. But that's going to change for sure now lol. I'll definitely be back! So glad I found another healthy, chill sit down spot in downtown Evanston!! read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - #4 - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Came here because it was my nephew's recommendation and I was thoroughly impressed by the wide selection and great quality of Mediterranean food. This place is great for small or large parties and serves generous portions that are shareable for whatever your party size. This was a pleasant spot to dine in, at the spur of the moment. I only regret not taking photos. read more

Amazing service, amazing food, generous portions!!! I always bring someone because it's good to share a gyro plate with chicken. Flavorful food too! I was so happy Habibi stayed when so many businesses had to leave, i actually adore this place! Amazing business!!! read more

Lived up to the hype. After hearing such great things, I finally dropped in to try them out. The food was out of this world. Giant portions. Exceptional flavors. The new chicken kofta was juicy and my favorite out of the two. My girlfriend got the chicken kebabs which were chunks of chicken cooked on a grill lightly charred. It was also delicious. Both plates came with generous serving of rice, salad and sauces. The spicy sauce has a kick. The white sauce I would bathe in. It went so good on everything! Service was impeccable. They greeted us the moment we walked in. Answered questions. And we're so nice overall! Good takes about 15 mins to cook and they are upfront about that wait time which is great to set the expectation. Will make the drive up here again when the cravings kick in. read more

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I came here hungry for a healthy, tasty dinner after a day of travel to Evanston. We have a lot of authentic Middle Eastern food from a variety of regions where I live, so I am admittedly used to a pretty authentic and flavorful baseline. I was disappointed in the beef shawarma over salad here at Habibi. The beef shawarma tasted bland -- maybe even boiled -- rather than seasoned and roasted. The salad was heavy on pickled items (which I usually love) but many of the pickles were sweet and otherwise unflavorful. I thought the white dressing on the side might be a yummy garlic sauce but it turned out to be more like ranch. Overall, the salad was lackluster. The hummus needed salt (and maybe a drizzle of good olive oil). The babaganoush on the other hand was super roasty, nutty and delicious -- by far the most well executed part of the platter. The hot sauce was fine and helped cover up some of the meh flavors of the other ingredients. There might be better dishes to order here than what I've tried, but if I were looking for good med food in the area again, I'd try a different restaurant instead. read more

We had the Habibi plate. Everything on the plate was amazing! The service was great too friendly and helpful staff. We will definitely come back. read more

Solid, reliable lunch or dinner. Fast food atmosphere, but much better! Counter service from friendly folks, then just enjoy the Mediterranean meal! read more

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Habibi In is a local favorite of students, staff and faculty of Northwestern University as well as Evanston residents. It's no surprise as they have delicious food for a good value, friendly staff, a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of life! Highly recommend the gyro platter with a side pita ! FYI portions are incredibly generous and most of their platters could probably serve you for 2 meals. Make sure to ask for pita though they mostly remember to give you. Very friendly staff and a laid back vibe . I've been here on my own and with a large group . #campuslife #supportlocal read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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I ran across this place while visiting the Chicago area and took my family to experience Mediterranean food for the first time and they really enjoy it! The food is good but the service was amazing!!!! From the time we walked in the door, during and after service we felt extremely welcomed and well taken care of... Definitely would revisit read more

Nice place. It had a lot of students in it. But pretty solid food and good size portions. Friendly staff and exotic drinks. I had the chicken shawarma wrap and it was very nice with a few pickled vegetables on the side. Also had a weird drink called Vimto that is popular in the Middle East but actually comes from Manchester. Overall definitely recommend. read more

We came to eat dinner and I got the falafel plate and it was delicious. I also got hummus and baba ganoush and it was amazing!!! My sister got the habibi plate and she enjoyed everything. We will definitely be coming back. Everyone was supper friendly and knowledgeable about the items on the menu. read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - 1. Habibi Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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Excellent Middle Eastern food in downtown Evanston. We chose this place because we wanted something casual after a long day in Chicago and on the Northwestern campus, and this was just the sort of place we were looking for. You order at the counter and pick it up when it's ready, but when the workers in the kitchen noticed that we had some elderly people in our group with mobility issues, they offered to take the food to our table. They were very helpful in answering our questions about specific dishes and any recommendations they had. It was nice that there is an option to substitute the rice for a salad for their plates, for those of us trying to keep our triglyceride levels in check. We tried a variety of dishes. The portions are enormous; each entree could have easily fed two of us. We all left with takeout boxes for a midnight snack or lunch the next day. Among the items we had were: Falafel on a salad - this came with six fairly large falafels on a bed of salad, generous portions of baba ganoush and hummus, and a pita. The falafels were crispy but not overcooked and hot in the center. Kofta kebab on a salad - seasoned ground beef formed into "logs" and grilled. These were just a little red in the center, which is the way we prefer it, but still cooked to a safe temperature. It was moist and the flavors were very good. Gyros on a salad - this was my dish, and I liked it quite a bit. Most of the gyros pieces were thick and soft, but of course there are a few small pieces that get a little more thoroughly cooked. I enjoyed the salad but it came with an awful lot of olives, and I'm just not an olive guy. Other people in our group got the chicken kebab and the beef shawarma, which I didn't try, but they had positive comments. So, this was a satisfying and enjoyable experience and highly recommended. Great food, relaxed atmosphere, and outstanding service. read more

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Holy moly everything we ordered was delicious. Great vegetarian options and kids menu. New favorite takeout

We've ordered the gyro sandwich, gyro over rice, Habibi and veggie plates. The shawarma is always tender and flavorful. The veggie plate is delicious and the rice is always cooked perfectly. Their baba ghanoush and hummus are also our favorites. A definite must if wanting Mediterranean food in Evanston. read more

Stopped by this place after visiting Northwestern, if I went to Northwestern, I'd stop by this place often. Big portion and food is great. Nice service. read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Best Mediterranean in Chicago--Period. I've tried all the top-rated spots in the city, and Habibi blows them all away. Juicy grilled meats, fresh tabbouleh, rich baba ghanoush, and crispy falafel done to perfection. Every bite is bold, balanced, and unforgettable. Authentic, flavorful, and worth every penny. This is the real deal. read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - 1. Habibi Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

This is the best Mediterranean food I've had in Chicago. This is our go to place when we want great food for a great price. I'm a chef this place has great techniques, perfect presentation and generous portion sizes. Get the Habbi plate and get everything you need for a Mediterranean meal. They have warm and friendly service and always happy to see us! I recommend this place to all my customers. read more

I've only eaten food from here once, but it was incredible. We ordered delivery to work. The family meals are a ton of food, and all of it is delicious. The staff even laid it all out on the table for us. Great service! read more

Absolutely delicious. The staff is very friendly. I am traveling and found this restaurant by accident. Truly loved it! read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Amazing food. Very large portions. Consider sharing a meal. They will even give you 2 plates. Very nice staff and quick service. Will definitely come back. read more

There were so many options and so many flavors! So happy to finds great meditation spot in evanston!

We needed a quick meal between events and didn't want to sacrifice quality. Habibi offers high quality Mediterranean food on a fast casual space. I ordered the falafel entree served over a bed of rice, plus a side of pita. It's nearly $13 for the platter but it's a lot of food. The falafel was on point. The overall ambiance/vibe is alright. Tables are tightly arranged in a bright dining area. Our food was prepared quickly though, giving us plenty of time to enjoy our food before heading to the next event. I definitely recommend this place if you have a craving for Mediterranean! read more

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We ordered fries, a beef shawarma, and a chicken shawarma wrap. First of all the shawarmas came in a pita not in their authentic wrap so it was such a disappointment. The filling of the shawarmas were not proper nor did it taste good. The chicken tasted like masala and the beef shawarma was cold. The service was pretty quick and we got our food within 10 minutes but the ambience of the place was just not right. They've decorated nicely but there were a lot of flies, mosquitoes, and spiders there. It made the experience even worse. Overall: it's a no for me and they have a guarantee that people will be back but I certainly will NOT be back. read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - I guarantee I will not be back! - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

Great selection, great service, cafe setting, great food and large portions. I've eaten here 4 times now and never been disappointed. The prices are competitive for Evanston, the cost of doing business in Evanston is high - but these prices are right in the zone and reasonable. I highly recommend the restaurant for casual dining and outstanding food. read more

Generous portions. Attentive staff. Delicious food. What more could you ask. It was such a great experience. I had enough food for a full lunch the next day. Give it a try if you haven't yet. If you're spice intolerant then ask for just all regular rice. read more

Best Mediterranean food in Evanston! The restaurant itself is nothing fancy, you order and get your food yourself but for the price, it is worth it. The gyro was delicious and the powder they put on the fries is so addicting. It is a little sweet. Would recommend this place if you're craving some Mediterranean food! read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

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Great place for Mediterranean. Food is fresh. Has been occasionally too salty but usually very flavorful and delish. The hummus is good. They're falafel is amazing. read more

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Yelpers know their Mediterranean food. I'll add my high marks after a visit here from out of town. The space is simple and offers takeout or sit down at about a dozen tables. It's clean and tasteful. Tasteful, too, is the food rolling out of the kitchen. Gyro Mix with chicken over basmati rice and lightly sauced to perfection. The three falafels on an app were very good. Like moist Mediterranean hush puppies.... The chicken shawarma wrap is packed with ingredients and flavor and served with a side of fries. We also ordered a shareable tabouli salad. Delicious. Easy to find, make it a must-stop when you're in Evanston. read more

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Staff was extremely kind and friendly. Service was great, portions were huge, and the food was so good. Everything we ordered was amazing and we will definitely come back when in Evanston! read more

Well first, I loved how friendly the staff were, the restaurant was very clean. The waitress told me 10 minutes, and the food will be ready, it did take longer but while waiting they assured me they are working on it and apologized. Overall, I am so happy with the experience and will definitely come back for more middle eastern food. Did I mention that the food was tasty and very good. read more

Their shish tawook wrap is great. It's grilled marinated chicken, with a different spice blend than the usual shawarma or gyros. It's huge too. Mid afternoon, and the place is jumping. Definitely on my list when I come back to Evanston. The fries are gloriously crisp too. read more

Honestly some of the best Mediterranean food I've ever had. It is incredibly flavorful, service is quick and friendly. Fantastic value and absolutely delicious! What more could you want? read more

Habibi In Mediterranean Grill - Gyro and chicken shawarma over rice - Mediterranean Near Me - Evanston, Illinois