Worse food I have ever had. Please don't go here. They are expensive and will take your money upfront but will deliver crap

Delicious, affordable, friendly, what more is there to say? Oh, wait, I found more stuff to say. The shawerma was wonderful though I personally didn't like the flavor of the chicken as much as the others. I suspect that's more of a personal taste than a real criticism, though. I've been here several times, both take-out and eat-in, and always had very friendly and attentive service and never been disappointed in the food. The felafel is so good it should be illegal even to walk near the place without ordering some; as it is, it is merely immoral and ignorant, but brings its own punishment of not getting to eat these little bundles of tasty. The prices are low, even for a small neighborhood joint, considering the quality of the food. read more

Once I ordered my carry out I realized I made a big mistake. I noticed a dirty smelly mop leaning up against the wall. The counter tops were nasty and full of clutter. The same guy who was mopping the floor was also the server and never stopped to wash his hands after washing the floor. Yuck!!! My husband asked me if I was sure I still wanted to eat there, But didn't want to be rude and cancel my order. I just couldn't get past the filth to eat my carry out. I was totally disgusted. When I want Middle eastern food next time, I will go somewhere else. D. Preston read more

First time we went... food was WAY overcooked. Falafel was bitter. Second time we went. Kifta was RAW on the inside. With so many excellent Mediterranean restaurants (Semiramis, Noon o Kebab, Dawali) on Kedzie it's crazy that this place is in business. However, the restaurant was nice, and the service was attentive and friendly. Judging by the reviews, maybe we were unlucky two times, but we will not be returning. read more

Excellent place! My family and I went here for lunch the other day the food was perfect. Our server was a young tall guy forgot his name (sorry dude) but he was very informative and patient with us. We couldn't decide because everything on the menu looked good! I ended up getting a combo of beef and chicken sharmawa (I know I know I'll be more adventurous once I study the menu). My lunch/ dinner was nothing shy of perfect. You have to try the spinach pie it's delish! We'll be back. Oh and how could I forget the hummus?!! I don't even like hummus but theirs is out of this world good! read more

I was excited to finally go this place after watching it on tv and i have to say that it is the worst middle eastern restaurant i ever ate at!....I ordered the falafel potato sandwich and all it was some cold soggy french fries and a few falafels with chucks of poorly sliced cucumber, which was gross!...And the hummus was notting to get excited about...when i watching what's her face chowing down the hummus on chicago's best like it was pure ecstasy or something i was like damn that has to be good but that girl deserves an oscar cause i tasted better hummus from the store. If you wrapped a piece of crap in a pita and tell her to eat it i bet she will enjoy that too!..lol definetly not coming back. read more

Top Six Facts about Salam: 1. Warm & friendly staff 2. Delicious food - I had the chicken shawarma, Mmmm! 3. Cheap eats 4. Lightning fast service 5. Great baba ganoush 6. Hot tea with mint is *perfect* for a cold day read more

Been here before they did the renovations when it was a hole in the wall. I'd give that place a 4-5 star, but this place stinks! No articulate way to put it but they sold out. Their chicken shrawma was dry, their fallafel was really dry, I noticed that they pre-make a bunch and just leave it sitting there under a heat lamp. I want to say that this place would be a good intro for people not so adventurous and new to middle eastern food since the place is clean and renovated, but the food is an embarrassment to the kedzie st. middle eastern hood. read more

We hungry and we were in Albany Park, the land of much Middle Eastern goodness. After picking up some provisions at a local shop I asked the staff for a recommendation for tasty local shawarma and falafel. "Salam," the man said, "you must try Salam." We walked on down to the corner and felt sad to see that it's located in a kind of icky strip mall. But, not to be deterred on looks alone, we walked right in. And, oh my golly, what a delightful surprise! First, Salam is a warm, friendly restaurant, not a fast food joint in a strip mall (which is kind of what it looks like from the street). We were greeted immediately by a smiling hostess and were brought water and a dish of lovely olives right away. This, combined with the subtle hum of both music and much conversation and the amazing aroma wafting from the kitchen solidified the right-on-ness of the recommendation. We began with a very generous and completely amazing appetizer of hummus--chick peas and sesame sauce with olives and spices--served with a heap of warm pita. This could have been a meal in itself. But we came for the chicken shawarma and the falafel and so we tore ourselves away from the tasty starter so as to save some room for the stars of the show. Sweet heavenly bliss--let me tell you--it was sweet heavenly bliss. The falafel, so crisp and delicious, in a nice cucumber, pepper and tomato sauce, all wrapped up in a lovely little pita. Oh how I dream of you! And the chicken shawarma sandwich, I nearly knocked my friend over in order to get another bite of this spicy, tasty little beauty. I'll be back...but next time I'm going to wear my fat pants. read more

I have been going to pita inn for the past 2 years and today I decided to give a try to this places but to be honest I wasn't impress at all. Food was ok,portion no that big price still more expensive than pita inn. I would say this place was average read more

Salam Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

As mentioned in my review of "Wok Cuisine" we just bought a fixer-upper in the neighborhood and we don't have a kitchen, and haven't had one for a month. So this gives us the opportunity to try a lot of take-out in the area! We tried the falafel at few other places within a walkable distance, but this was our favorite. (There is no shortage of falafel around here). This is actually the first falafel that me and my husband agree on. I'm not sure why I didn't give 5 stars, possibly because as vegetarians we really only get the falafel, I can't give a more well-rounded review, but there is nothing bad I can say about this place. We've always been satisfied every trip here...and we go about once a week. The portions are fairly generous. The falafel sandwich is an entire pita (two halves) so we can order one falafel sandwich and share it. Their hummus is lovely, delicious, yummy! Everyone inside is always pleasant and friendly. So, if you want falafel in this neighborhood, this is where I'll send you! (Side note, my parents came one weekend and they had the chicken kabobs and the gyro. They said the chicken was very good, and so was the gyro. I'll have to take their word for it.) read more

Went last night for dinner and got a warm reception, which I thought was nice. I ordered a vegetarian combo (dolmas, baba ganoush, tabbouleh and falafel) and my husband ordered the beef kifta. The order got my order wrong at first, but they were quick to fix it. The food was ok... It tasted good, but my dolmas were overcooked to the point the rice was a paste and the meat on my husbands dish was dry, overcooked as well. Kind of mixed feelings about this place... But would go back to give it one more try. read more

The food has taken a slight dive. I've come here and ordered in multiple times since my last review and something seems different. Some of the food is still okay, but we've gotten overcooked and under-seasoned meat. I went in to talk with the manager guy I usually see and lo and behold, the ownership has shifted and they have a new cook. I just hope it isn't lost forever. Still a nice place to go and eat for Middle Eastern. I still prefer it over Semiramis any day. read more

Wow! The service was terrific and friendly. The food just outstanding. I tried new things (for me): chicken and vegetable kalaya and makdoos. The spices were super well matched and so tasty. It's a fantastic surprise especially for a strip mall. Try it. You will be glad you did. read more

This place has been here for a while, but it's recently gotten a WHOLE lot better. It used to be a dive place with incredible food that I never went to because it was cash only. Last year, they did some major upgrades, expanded the place, prettied it up, installed a credit card machine - but kept the awesome food. I can honestly say without hesitation that this place has the best Middle Eastern food I have had in Chicago, and I've had a LOT. Their hummus is fantastic and they hit all of the other staples (shawarma, falafal, etc) perfectly. They even have some of the best gyros I've had in the city. One of the best things to order is the "business lunch special," which you can get Mon-Sat during lunchtime hours I believe...they fill up your plate with all kinds of goodness for next to nothing. Great place! read more

Disappointed with our last visit 12/2016. My kids ordered gyros and the pita bread was hard and cold. When you picked up the gyro it cracked. My kids were ravenous and finished their sandwiches. When I told the cashier, only said I'm sorry about that. Needed additional condiments and had to get up to get them. Service is not good, subpar as a matter of fact. read more

Authentic. From the rotisserie chicken to the manager's mustache this place is as authentic as it can get. Coming back from years in the West Bank I was looking for a restaurant that mirrored the street restaurants of my village, I found it. The food itself is amazing with the lemon scented rice to the meaty shawarma sandwiches, this place is awesome! read more

Salam Restaurant - The other night! Half chicken with rice! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Salam - "peace" in Arabic - is great! I have been aware of its existence for years but never been due to a slight intimidation factor - I thought it was a bit more of a locals joint then it actually is. Instead we were warmly welcomed, ushered to a table, and then treated to a great meal! Hummus was fantastic, as was the falafel, which we ordered WAY too much of. Kebabs and schawerma were equally good. Extremely good value in food here - you can stuff your face for well under $10 and a table of 4 can get out under $30 with a very satisfying meal. It's not as fancy as Semirami's across the street, but it's in many ways more authentic - and the food is better than most in the neighborhood. So, as their receipt tells you... "SALAM IS THE BEST"! read more

I didn't have a very good experience... my food was cold and I didn't receive what I asked for. I did not like the flavor of the rice and our pitas were stale... I won't be ordering again. read more

Salam's new digs are a far departure from the narrow little hallway-of-a-restaurant that it used to be. What was once a dingy little spot is now a shining mecca on Kedzie avenue. Regardless of the revamp, they haven't gotten greedy, and their food is as good as ever. There's a lot of debate about the best falafel in Chicago, but I think that Salam may be in the top three. It's always crunchy on the outside, not too greasy and pillowy inside, spiked with a ton of parsley and spices. As well, their hummus is to die for...creamy and rich, it has a judicious amount of tahina and sprinkled generously with sumac. For myself, their chicken shawarma is tops. It's always loaded with chicken, tomatoes, yogurt sauce.....it's something I enjoy on a very regular basis and always delivers. The space is night, albeit, the service is a little disoriented. Although I liked it better when the burly dudes behind the counter acted as both cooks and servers, their new arrangement is excellent. They haven't sacrificed their quality or prices, whatsoever. read more

I suggested this place to a friend who wanted to treat me for lunch but she just wanted a Chicken Sandwich because the Business Lunch Special didn't appeal to her :( The Chicken Shawarma Sandwich lacked to be flavorful that day so she didn't understand why I was raving about this place, I had it too and I was disappointed. Everytime I go here I go for the Business Lunch Special (I was on vacation today so I could get here early enough for that) and the Hummus--best special and Hummus anywhere. With those two items I'm never disappointed (so that's what the 5 stars are for). "Salamat" means "thank you" in Tagalog (the guy that was at the register today probably knows that--he seemed to know a lot of Tagalog--note this restaurant has no ties to the Tagalog related ethnicity, ha, ha). That said, I'm really "thankful" for their generous portions in their Business Lunch Special-- I don't know what Salam actually means :) read more

After an hour of waiting in line to play 3 hours of volleyball I wanted some gooood food..and being in the area decided against going to AL-Khyamieh or Semiramis as I wasnt exactly in a sit down and eat slowly mood So..i walked into Salam ..and while 1 can argue that I may have been biased by my intense hunger pangs...I def, think this place has got it ! I ordered the foul (pronounced "phool" fool )...hummus and the Kifta kabob entreee . I was apprehensive about the foul ..as i've only had it in the middle east before...It actually turned out pretty good..not as thick as I'd have liked but still good.. The Kabobs were very good as well. The hummus was better than most places, but nothing special. Top it off with mint tea and I let out an "aah" of a content full tummy ! Also notice there menus is a little more extensive than your usual middle eastern joint..some breakfast items were on there too. The service was satisfactory..no complaints ! They were busy so I dont hold it against the waitress she forgot to bring silverware or napkins. read more

The food is amazing... I got a double mix grill and these guys hooked it up. I can't wait to eat here again. At first I was turned off by the blaring music but when I got home I was not disappointed. The shish was tender and just right. The chicken was great not frozen. And of course the pita was great to. Some middle eastern joints are notorious for small serving of meat or pita... not these guys. They just wanna make you happy I am not about to eat a fancy meal at this place but it's great for a low carb meal when you don't feel like cooking I'm hooked . One of the better places to eat around the Irving area if you ask me. And located directly across from noon kabob... it's like a rivalry almost I would say.. they have a much better parking lot and are way easier to acesss. read more

Salam Restaurant - Waiting for food - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I had a shish taouk sandwich and some falafels. The falafel was really fresh and tasty. Not as good as Mamoun's in New York but not bad. The shish taouk sandwich was also just okay--some of the chicken pieces had fat or ligaments keeping them attached, making them a little difficult to eat. Mint tea was okay, but they used Lipton tea bags--I guess that's expected from a hole-in-the-wall place like this but still. I wouldn't hesitate coming back here for a quick and cheap lunch or dinner but is not anything spectacular. read more

Maybe it's best to admit that a long wait often accompanies a place worthy of the business. Fine. But suuuuuch a looooong wait. 20 minutes (called in the order) + fifteen of standing in line upon arrival---for a sandwich??!! It _was_ a very tasty lunch, though. I ordered the chicken shish taouk with grilled onions and two pieces of falafel. Total taouk consumption time: ~two minutes. And I could've eaten another. The chicken was wonderful: flavorful, tender, and enough meat to satisfy without feeling stuffed. I'd make this a regular haunt if I didn't have to trek out to Albany park to fulfill the craving. Side note: I didn't eat the falafel until the next day. I'm sure they're fantastic fresh, but it doesn't feel fair to review a fried item after a 24-hr period. read more

Salaam Restaurant has now expanded into two storefronts. It is bigger and better, and the food is still fantastic. A couple of items you won't see in other places: Mosabaha - hummos with whole chickpeas, drizzled with olive oil, sumac, it is just out of this world. Foul (pronounced foo-el) - crushed and whole fava beans cooked with olive oil, garlic and other spices. Not salty, not overcooked, worth a try (normally this is eaten for breakfast, but try it anyway). Shawerma - Mediterranean version of how gyros used to be: beef and lamb layered and cooked on a spit, seasoned, but not overly so, dip it in hummos, and you're low glycemic! The pictures are amazing as well! read more

I decided to give this restaurant a try due to positive yelp reviews. I went with my husband and in-laws last fall. I had the falafel sandwich with a an order of their traditional hummus. My husband had a sampler plate of various meats. My mother in-law had a type of kabob and my father in-law ordered something I do not quite remember; all I know is he had a side of french fries. My falafel sandwich was very good, and unlike previous falafels, it included a cucumber "salad" on top. My husband also enjoyed his sampler. The in-laws were not as impressed; but I believe this is more due to their lack of knowledge regarding Middle Eastern food and the fact that they ordered french fries (?). They still believe that they went to a greek restaurant that day! They much preferred the bakery next door. The absolute winner of the meal was the hummus! This is indeed the smoothest hummus we've ever tasted...so much so, it's hard to eat that stuff at the grocery store anymore! And strangely enough, even the rice that came with husband's sampler was awesome; I had to stop myself from eating it all. Also want to point out that this place is great for children, as we saw a few couples with infants while we were there. Overall, I will definitely return for both the falafel and the hummus (and rice). read more

So freaking good. I had the sheesh-kabab plate. It was really good as was the customer service read more

Salam Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Excellent food, good service. Very friendly staff helped us with the ordering and they were extremely hospitable. The food was some of the best I have had in Chicago. Great Shawerma, shish tauk and felafel! Dont miss the fresh mint tea! The great sweets store next store helps for those needing a sweet finish! read more

I love this place!!! Food is great, service is great, and they just remodeled- try the Chicken Swarma dinner, it's so good- and its children/baby friendly too read more

Salam Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We may have ordered everything on the menu for less than $30 and there was so much food on each plate. The highlight was surprisingly a generic hummus appetizer. There was so much flavor and the consistency was light and smooth. It's probably the best hummus I've ever had. Plus, the service was pleasant and helpful. We also enjoyed the Labneh, Arabic Fried Cheese, Kibbeh Makliah, Falafel and combo Schawerma with Jerusalem Salad. Worth the trip up to Albany Park. read more

I come from an Arab background and this food is the closest to home I can get in Chicago. Pita Inn has nothing on this joint. Their shawirma is my favorite and they never let me down. Th food is always fresh and I recommend people of all backgrounds to enjoy this delicious food! Happy Eating! read more

Although I have had 1... and ONLY 1 issue with having the food delivered... all of the reviews I have read that are 3 stars or less are FALSE! Maybe you had a rough go of it that night? Maybe you're NOT a nice person and get treated the way you act when you call to "redeem your FREE 'Mia' meal" which honestly, why do you need to take it that far? They have amazing people that would have easily accommodated your fix... if you're a good person. I even had a guy working the front that made me the EXACT coffee from their home country with cardamom and extra things I didn't even ask for... take your hipster selves and leave bad reviews for shitty pizza and wings at 3 am Nancy, Mia, Tadd .... not for an amazing place like this! Love love Lynzi and Salam Restaurant!!!!!!! read more

Awesome falafel, lentil soup and the best hummus in the world - smooth with lots of tahini. We bring the hummus and baba to parties and everyone is blown away by the hummus. The prices beat the other places nearby. Be sure to pick up some Middle Eastern treats from the bakery next door. read more

A friend of mine invited me for dinner there last night as an early birthday gift. I was surprised to see that they even added more items to the menu! They have Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Tikka (spicy), Spinach, cheese, and meat pies, and I guess my favorite addition: Smoothies :) As usual, impressive food, nice place, and will for sure go back again :) Thank you Salam Restaurant. read more

Not as good as it used to be. My food arrived cold, including my hot tea. Spent $5 on samosas and they were the tiniest four pieces I've ever seen. Also, Pepsi is not Coke. I'll hesitate before ordering again. read more

I wanted to love it. Ordered falafel, chicken schwarma entree, another chicken schwarma dish, fries (plus chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks for my kids). The falafel was nearly black on the outside. Looked as if it had been fried hours earlier then refried just to get it warm. Tasted that way too. Had to throw it out. There was a big hunk of chicken schwarma on a spit in the restaurant, but the chicken schwarma we got seemed to be hours old and straight from the microwave. The best part of the meal were the frozen chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks. It just plain sucked. Bummed. read more

Their mansaf dish is very good. Nice place to eat when i'm in the city.

I really like Salam - the falafel, hummus, and bobba ganoush (sp) are all very good. Only downer is I can never tell if the service is good or bad, them seem to go from mad to glad real quick. I think the falafel is better than Noon-A-Kabob (as is every other restaurant) and even Semiramis. Individual falafels are now 25 cents. As someone else said, the Lipton tea bag was a downer. read more

Just went yesterday for the first time in about a month (I've probably been to Salam 30-40 times) ... They changed the recipes. Of EVERYTHING. Everything tastes different - the shawarma, the falafel, the hummus, even the freaking hot sauce on the tables (which now tastes like buffalo wing sauce... uh no) ... I couldn't believe it. It's still good, but it's not the place I bragged about so many times previously. I will give it another shot, but if this wasn't some one-time anomaly, I will have to find a new spot ... :( read more