Shawarma Garden

4.1 (217 reviews)

InexpensiveMiddle Eastern, Mediterranean, Seafood

Closed • 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

Updated over 3 months ago

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Shawarma Garden - Veggie platter - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Shawarma Garden - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Shawarma Garden - Mujadara - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Paige K.

Ok not enough credit here! It's kinda hidden on the south side of division but this is the best Mediterranean I've had in Chicago and I've tried a lot! I made an online order shortly before close on a Monday night and it was ready within 10 minutes. I anticipated having to give them a little grace being the meat was probably roasted much earlier in the day but I was wrong... The meat was tender and delicious! The flavor was amazing and this is the best yellow rice I think I've ever had. Great flavor here too! The plate comes with a pretty generous portion, a salad, a few pitas on the side, and hummus so it was a pretty good value for the price. My husband got the Shawarma wrap and he also enjoyed that. I can't wait to try the other meats here! Highly recommend.

Paul M.

Really impressed. I usually head up to Andersonville for these types of offerings but was staying by here off the Blue Line. Decided to walk 10 min here based off of various online reviews. Excellent lentil soup and was really craving it since it was cold out last Tues. Chicken shawarma grilled pita also terrific. Can't beat the price for both. Definitely a gem in Wicker Park. The gentleman (Israeli perhaps?) preparing my order was very nice as well. I'll be back for sure!

James F.

I ordered carry out at Shawarma Garden after getting the taste for Shawarma & seeing many 4 to 5 star reviews across platforms. I was very excited to maybe have a new go-to for Shawarma in Chicago. Sadly, I cannot call Shawarma Garden that place. I don't understand it. Maybe I have just had really good Shawarma that set the bar too high, or maybe the place just is not up to the same standards as it once was. When I got my order and opened my wrap, I was disappointed to see that it, along with the wrapping, was drenched in grease. I decided to eat it anyways. It was tasteless, the shell was somehow & amazingly crispy, and they charged a premium for the tzatziki sauce--something that other restaurants often include at no charge. I also ordered naan and hummus to snack on later on in the day. I have bought better tasting of both at the grocery store. I sadly could not finish it. Perhaps the kitchen was just having a bad day. I am sure that they make food that satisfies some. Not me though. I will not be ordering again.

Baba ganoush looks good but wasn't the style I like.

Cathy T.

Shawarma Garden is serving food inside or for carry out. They do not have outdoor seating. You order at the register and they will bring the food out to you. Food pros and cons: Pro: The falafel was tasty and made to order. Con: The babaganoush was quite disappointing. It tasted fermented and felt fizzy on my tongue. I did not finish it. I've experienced this at another restaurant, so maybe this is a way it is sometimes prepared, or maybe they don't sell it fast enough and it was old. The woman at the register seemed friendly but bored. When she stood in certain places, the radio sounded staticky. It was quite painful. But by then I was mid meal and just wanted to finish and get out of there!

Carolyn C.

I visited Shawarma Garden and I was totally impressed. I was visiting from New Jersey, which has its own excellent shawarma, and I came in with no expectations. I ordered the Gyro sandwich, the Fattoush salad, and a falafel platter to share. Everything was amazing! The dressing on my salad was particularly fantastic. The staff was friendly and even delivered our food to our table and they remembered exactly what each of us ordered. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area!

Was completely worth the 30 min travel from downtown Chicago. The chicken shawarma in pita bread and the veggie combo plate were fantastic!! Very tasty and fresh!!! Definitely recommend!!!

Anna E.

I used to live in this neighborhood and took a little walk down memory lane on Division street. It's so different! But I digress...I stopped in here for a quick bite and ordered the chicken schwarma sandwich. It was amazing! Lots of tender, juicy chicken and the pickles were a great touch. The garlic sauce was creamy and rich and they have hot sauce to balance it all out. I would definitely go back for an inexpensive tasty meal!

Edward K.

Great authentic local Middle Eastern restaurant. Had the kifta in a pita and it tasted really good. Ordered over the phone and did takeout. Food was ready when they said it would be. Fries were nice and crispy! Great place!

Sai S.

Always a pleasure to visit one of my favorite Division St. shwarma places. The guys at the grill are always so kind and chill. I ordered Chicken Shwarma combo plate and it was ready for pickup in under 10 min. There doesn't seem to be inside seating but I was getting takeout anyways. My favorite part of this dish aside from the great meat is the garlic sauce added to the hummus, just gives it an extra special kick.

Michael C.

There's quite a bit of good Mediterannean fare in the area but Shwarma garden has some excellent food to compete. Was feeling pretty lazy on Easter Sunday and decided to grab some takeout. I told the guy at the counter how I had a food allergy to chickpeas and he didn't hesitate with slapping on extra tahini to compensate. I ordered the chicken shwarma and the combo with the basmati rice and chili sauce they give you--pretty tasty comfort food. Nice little side salad had cucumbers and tomatoes with lettuce. GF had the vegeterian platter and loved how creamy the baba ganoush was. Wish I could give it 5 stars but prices were pretty standard. Will be coming back!

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S F.

7

10

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9 years ago

Best Mediterranean food on this side of town! The owner Issa is great--friendly and cool. The Shish Tawook (get the garlic sauce on the side) is excellent! I eat here almost every week. They do it right!! read more

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Abdalkarim R.

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12 years ago

This new Middle Eastern restaurant that has recently opened in Wicker Park on 1951 W Division St. is absolutely delicious. From their Shawarma to their Falafel to their Kabobs. Everything is marinated with such flavor and then cooked to perfection. The staff is amazing. I love the Chicken Shawarma. Btw the open Till 2am on the weekends. Shawarma Garden check them out you, won't be disappointed read more

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Carly G.

258

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11 years ago

Thought it would be a great idea to order in tonight and read great reviews about this place. Really excited I ordered, was told 20 minutes, and now it's been over an hour. I called 45 minutes in, was told any minute. I'm starving so I just called again, (an hour now) and was told the same thing. I live about a mile away, and I'm starving. Will be calling back in 15 minutes to get a refund. I'll stick with Sultans. read more

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Zach K.

75

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11 years ago

Hummus was amazing. Plates were definitely big. However, chicken was dry and the kofta kabob was seasoned incredibly potent with some weird taste. To cap it off, after eating, the dude sneezed behind the counter. And for the price it was more on the snottier side, I.e expensive. read more

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Alexandra Z.

0

14

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5 years ago

got falafel sandwich right before hitting bars nearby. amazingly fresh, hot, and moist. the pickles, tahini, and hot sauce were excellent. will def be returning next time im in chicago read more

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Katie V.

Elite 18

46

145

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10 years ago

My husbands loves this place and I think its just m'eh. I think there are better places for middle eastern food in Chicago but this place is close. I found the kifta to be very very dry. Did enjoy the stuffed grape leaves though. read more

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Monica F.

60

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12 years ago

This has become my go-to take out spot. I love love love the the lamb and beef shawarma plate. It comes with hummus and enough meat, rise and pitas for practically three meals! I always get an extra pita and use it - which means the meat and rice works out to four full pitas. All that for about $11. I am so happy to have this place in the neighborhood. read more

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Ariana E.

1

19

11

10 years ago

Ordered falafels but the tahini sauce was bad. We called to let the owner know and he said he made it today which sucks because after eating tons of these, we know when tahini is bad. read more

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Melissa S.

120

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9 years ago

Best falafel in town. I actually got my godson to try it and he ended up stealing my other half which was awesome and given the huge portion sizes we were both full. Lovely people from Israel mainly.. use the opportunity to learn a new word and feel good that your money is going to great people for great fresh yummy food. When I miss Egyptian street food, I go here and I feel a whole lot better! read more

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Anna P.

Elite 16

68

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12 years ago

Really nice staff and good food. The ambience is lacking though, so get your food to go. They have very generous portions as well.

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Karl S.

6

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11 years ago

Wow ! I have become a regular. For under $20 you can get an order of falafel, beef/lamb Shawerma plate which includes salads and hummus plate and split between 2 people! We even brought home a box of rice and extra beef. Love this place. read more

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Moorish L.

0

9

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11 years ago

First time I came here was after a night drinking on division street. Honestly I was pretty drunk so I got hungry. Walking back home I came across this place and at the time a shawarma reminded me of the doener kebabs in Germany after the bars. At this point there was no way for me to not get a shawarma or at the very minimum a gyro. Needless to say it was delicious, then again I was quite drunk so anything could have been delicious. A couple of days later I was walking home from Ashland-Blue when I passed this place again and decided to check if it actually was delicious or if it was just me being a drunk. No noooo apparently I have good taste when I'm hungry and drunk because this place is really good. Maybe the place doesnt have the best facade but trust me when I say this place is great. By now I have probably had everything on their menu excep the salads (yao ming face). The shawarma plates and the grape leaves are my favorite. Don't over think it and go check it out! read more

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Rebecca R.

Elite 17

103

358

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13 years ago

Came in here after a night where it got too late to cook anything because I was starving. It is near my house, so I ran down to grab a sandwich. They were very nice and and didn't rush me when I wanted to take a minute to look at the menu. As soon as I was ready, they were there to take my order. My reasonably priced six dollar gyro was ready and I ran home and devoured it. Full of flavor with plenty of cucumber sauce, my favorite! I will be back again to try some Shwarma soon I'm sure. It'll be good again for dinner or late night! read more

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Cathy R.

Elite 16

48

77

85

12 years ago

Stopped by after having a meal at SmallBar since we weren't quite satisfied and didn't care to spend even more for a super small dish. We ordered the chicken shawarma sandwich and baba ganoush. - chicken was a little on the dry side, but the baba ganoush was so amazingly garlicky with such awesome flavor that I would go back just for that! Great deal for tasty food! read more

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Andrea F.

0

31

2

9 years ago

Falafel was bomb and so was the hummus and grape leaves! I'm new to the area & so glad I found this place.

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Nick M.

26

25

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13 years ago

Huge proportions and very friendly staff. Nice that its open late, definitely healthier than Picante across the street for late night munchies. read more

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L L.

202

155

86

12 years ago

Food came quick when I ordered from grubhub. A great deal for all the food except everything was under salted. I rarely if ever salt my food, but had to in order to taste the other spices. I will definitely order from here again, but hope the owners take note as the food would be much better than it already is if they just added some salt! Please don't make the food salty, just a light sprinkle on everything when marinating/ precooking! read more

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Steve S.

17

41

4

7 years ago

This little restaurant had the very best farfel sandwich that I ever had. Very fresh with really good salad. So reasonably priced. Great little joint to pick up some carry out or eat in. They have about 7 little tables. Believe me not fancy but the food is terrific. read more

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Oliver O.

14

18

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12 years ago

I've only ordered delivery, but my God this place is freaking delicious. I don't know if I've had better food. Just amazing with how fresh and flavorful everything tastes. I highly recommend the combo shawarma platter. read more

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Craig D.

96

71

43

11 years ago

Had the vegetarian sampler plate the first time, "good, not great". Falafel plate tonight - will let you know. The meat options look delicious but I aspire to be a vegetarian so I've, as you see, been avoiding the meat thus far... Atmosphere is decent. Casual. The food smells tasty! read more

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Shaniqua D.

15

27

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11 years ago

I ordered a chicken kabob meal with rice and I'm extremely disappointed because I specifically asked for garlic with my meal and guess what I didn't get!??.Yup, you guessed it, garlic. read more

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Jay H.

20

12

7

12 years ago

The owners and workers are really nice and attentive. I would call the food just alright but nothing special. It fulfills the evening hunger urge when we're too tired to cook... read more

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Jocelyn F.

3

17

0

12 years ago

I had them cater a party for me this weekend. They were very easy to work with (flexible, arrived on time, etc.) and the food was great. All my guests loved it. And there was so much of it. It's a great value and the quality is excellent. I will definitely use them in the future. Plus, they're nice guys, so I'm happy to give them the business. read more

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Windy C.

0

46

0

12 years ago

Everything was really bland and flavorless. Truly disappointing, especially considering the other positive reviews. We got all veggie items, though, so maybe that's just not their strong suit. read more

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Joe K.

0

40

1

10 years ago

Maybe they were having an off night. Tables/chairs were gross, and the room had a vague spoiled odor - pretty unappealing. Hummus was under seasoned, though the sandwiches were fine, albeit totally average. Would rather hit Falafel and Grill. read more

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Roy G.

0

16

1

10 years ago

Yo, I fucking hate Disturbed, but this place is Down With The Sickness. Go here and never complain about anything ever again. P.S. I only ever get the chicken shawarma. I'm a simple man. read more

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Sufian O.

0

22

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9 years ago

By far, the best spot for chicken shawarma!!! Falafel is also on point. Very clean restaurant. Cool guy behind the counter as well, very polite. Awesome experience for sure. I think I found my new spot for great shawarma! read more

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Erin P.

3

13

3

12 years ago

Consistently great food at reasonable prices. The hummus is topped with a spicy jalepeno purée, a nice touch. The chicken shwarma has a subtle curry flavor, delicious. Try the spinach pies, they're home made. read more

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Alex I.

38

15

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13 years ago

Ive been waiting for this place to open up for a while and had high expectations... and needless to say they did not disappoint. I got the falafel wrap and it was good! They packed it full of falafel and for dessert I tried to get baklava but they hadn't made their batch yet but the guy behind the counter gave me a free piece. Overall they were super friendly and the food was delicious... Im excited to go back again. read more

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Dave F.

286

10

9 years ago

Our FAVORITE local Mediterranean place! Amazing food, good serving sizes and reasonable prices. Can't go wrong here!

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Andrew J.

18

0

13 years ago

Really great food. I'm not embarrassed to admit that since this place opened (2 weeks ago) I've eaten there four times. It doesn't hurt that it's around the corner from my apartment. I would say as good as Sultan's, plus they take credit cards. I've tried 3 different menu items, and all have been great (though they did once forget the pita bread, which is a must for a great experience). read more

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Sam H.

54

95

8

11 years ago

The food here is outstanding!! Like an old school street cart with great food!! There's no ambiance, there's no frills, there's nothing special.. Just some dam good food!! And really nice people. Just pop in order a shawerma wrap and have at it! read more

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Jet B.

953

9

0

9 years ago

I love this place. I go out of my way to eat here all the time. They are quick, the food is always fresh and the prices are awesome. This is the best falafel sandwich in town, trust me. read more

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Kelly A.

1

26

7

9 years ago

Good food and fast delivery. Chicken shwarma and lamb shwarma are both awesome. Hummus is amazing. Falafel is pretty good as well. Would definitely recommend for a solid delivery option. read more

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Tina L.

Elite 21

539

563

1481

12 years ago

Granted, I was STARVING after my yoga class...but this place is legit! Ordered the chicken shawarma plate, which comes with the delicious long grain rice, Jerusalem salad, and hummus (pita on the side of course). The chicken was nicely seasoned and pretty juicy, not dry. The guys who run the place are friendly and when I asked one of them of the types of sauces they had, he was happy to give me a few to try with my meal. I think I'll always want to go with all of them: Tahini, Tzatziki, Garlic and hot sauce. Yum! Can't wait to eat my leftovers today for lunch. Like many have said, the service is QUICK. I ordered the food and they prepared it immediately, which was perfect since I really needed it ASAP before hanger would creep in. That creeper. read more

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Mildred B.

220

87

22

9 years ago

Authentic yumminess Mediterranean cusine if your looking for a complicated mouth watering falfal wrap! The chicken shawarma is marinated to perfection! The the owner is truly genious. read more

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Andrew R.

3

73

4

9 years ago

Friendly staff and owner. Food is prepared pretty quickly and while not the best in the neighborhood, is still able to deliver a classic shawarma. Decor is very simple and always clean, but predominantly empty. This place is very popular for take-outs. read more

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Bella D.

Elite 12

381

663

26

12 years ago

So happy this place opened up! Perfect place for my Mediterranean fix. Gyros, shawarma, and falafel....mmm. Nice owners and good food with great prices. :) I'll be back every week: ) read more

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L N.

19

64

4

12 years ago

The lamb and beef shawarma dinner is succulent. The meat is tender and delicious, the rice is perfect and buttery, the hummos is yummy. Comes with a small salad and pita bread. Had the tabbouli salad too which was good; refreshing. Lentil soup was flavorless and unappealing looking. Even after trying to doctor it up at home it was still bland. Will return for more shawarma in near future! read more

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Tony M.

41

24

3

12 years ago

Awesome food drunk or sober. Nicest staff. Amazing seasoning. What more could you want?

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Page 4 of 6

1951 W Division St
Chicago, IL 60622
West Town, Ukrainian Village
Directions
(773) 904-8897
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
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Visit Website
http://eatshawarmagarden.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does Shawarma Garden open?

Shawarma Garden opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does Shawarma Garden close?

Shawarma Garden closes at 10:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.Shawarma Garden closes at 11:00 PM on Friday and Saturday.

Mon-Thu, Sun 11:00 AM - 10:00 PMFri-Sat 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Shawarma Garden take credit cards?

Yes, Shawarma Garden takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Shawarma Garden have catering options?

Yes, Shawarma Garden does have catering options.

Does Shawarma Garden serve alcohol?

No, Shawarma Garden does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Shawarma Garden allow dogs?

No, Shawarma Garden does not allow dogs.

Does Shawarma Garden have TVs?

Yes, Shawarma Garden has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Shawarma Garden have bike parking?

Yes, Shawarma Garden has bike parking.

Does Shawarma Garden have outdoor seating?

No, Shawarma Garden does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Shawarma Garden have parking?

Yes, Shawarma Garden has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Does Shawarma Garden have free WiFi?

Yes, Shawarma Garden has free WiFi.

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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.

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The Purple Pig has risen to be my absolute favorite restaurant I've had the joy of eating at in…read moreChicago. After coming back to the city almost a decade later, I knew I wanted to have a meal here. The best way to eat a meal here is to share all the dishes with friends. Sage Gimlet (5/5) - I started my meal with a refreshing sage gimlet that was a strong but well balanced cocktail. Roasted Bone Marrow (5/5) - I 100% would recommend getting this appetizer to start off the meal. The marrow was perfectly roasted and paired so well with the jam and salad. Roasted Beets (5/5) - If you love beets, get this salad. The flavors were so well balanced and I really liked the fried balls of goat cheese. Agnolotti (5/5) - This pasta was amazing!! The short rib and bone marrow with the fresh pasta still makes my mouth water. Scallops (5/5) - These scallops were perfectly cooked. The crispy prosciutto was a tad on the salty side. I honestly love the energy and the flavor bomb this restaurant packs. I can't wait until I'm back in the city and can dine here again.

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Salad and rice bowl to-go with all the toppings

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Bowl with rice, chicken, onions, tomatoes and cabbage

Kabobi Grill

My family and I came to visit Chicago and visited Kabobi on a Sunday afternoon for early dinner. We…read moreordered Soltani and it was amazingly yummy. The portion was big . The owner was very friendly and visited our table to make sure we are taken care of well. The staff were polite and efficient. The owner served us complimentary Tea and sweets and we decided to definitely go back there for the other menu deserts. Sure enough my friends said let's go there for Persian Ice cream . We went the same day and had a great Persian Ice cream and it was one of the best quality I ever tried . The restaurant was packed and that shows me the reason. You will not get disappointed.

We stopped by as a group of 5 for dinner Sunday night and we were promptly seated. We visited…read moreChicago for St. Patty's, but my two Persian friends were eager to show us some authentic food and Kabobi did not disappoint. The food was absolutely delicious and I particularly loved the Shami and Koubidehs. The koubidehs were so tender and juicy. The service was phenomenal and they even brought us some tea and dessert (bamieh) for free. Kabobi is open late and was the perfect spot to chat while the rain died down. Definitely coming back when I'm in Chicago next time!

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Dine in area

Kabobi Homemade Mango Saffron Icecream

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Chicken fesenjan

Falafel & Grill

Solid food, I really enjoyed how the chicken was cooked. Then the hummus was great on everythingread more

The food there is always consistent and fresh, so I will be back. Compliments to the cooks!read more

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Kofta Kabob Plate Baba Ghanoush

Al Bawadi Grill

Came here for lunch to celebrate my birthday. It is located in the Harlem Corners shopping center…read morewith ample parking. The staff is warm and welcoming, and we were seated quickly upon arriving. Love the ambiance! It is very cozy and inviting. We were served a complimentary appetizer: pita bread strips, pickled veggies, and what I believe to be an eggplant dip. We also ordered the Bawadi wing appetizer. It was delicious, and those wings! It came with a sauce, but I cannot comment on that because none of us tried it. The wings by themselves are delicious! My friends both ordered the lamb chops, and I ordered the Al Bawadi mixed grill with hummus and bread. Everything was good, and the portions are generous. The meat was tender, juicy, and seasoned well. We all enjoyed our meals. We plan on coming back in the Fall to celebrate another birthday. This is definitely a neighborhood staple and will come back with family.

4.5/5 Food is good…read moreKababs are ok but still pretty good Fish is also good Bread is fresh Good eat in Great service

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20 minute wait for two. Food smells delicious though

Kenafah

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Lotus cake

Avec - Chicago

We came here on Saturday for their brunch and I wanted to say our server was amazing!! The food was…read moregreat especially the Meijoo dates. We got a lot of dishes to share between four people and it was more than enough. A lot of the dishes had eggs which is great and everything was so flavorful. We choose to sit outside and it's so lovely and nice. Will be back to try more on their menu.

Overall experience was great! Made a reservation online and sat at a shared table. Went for a…read moremid-week lunch date, which was a really nice and easygoing experience. The entry door is a little fun, just push where the pig is. The hummus is an absolute must. We got an extra pita (one per person) and I would recommend getting the extra. For the lunch menu -- the prix-fixe is a really great option. It's only about $26 for the stuffed date, sandwich & chips, and rolled baklava. Service was great, our server was amazing (thank you Marlee)! Waters were consistently refilled, timing was great, atmosphere was enjoyable. Will be going back!

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Restaurant view from bar

Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh

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Whole roasted branzino

Avaspi

4.8

(106 reviews)

2.7 mi

Avaspi is one of the best restaurants I've been to in Chicago. My party of six split 6 appetizers…read moreand 3 entrees. Mediterranean Meze - very flavorful blend of 22 ingredients according to our waiter. This dish was truly unique. 5/5 Grilled Halloumi Meze - delicious cheese with olives and garlic bread. 4/5 Stuffed Eggplant - savory and creamy dish which actually might be even better served hot. 5/5 Calamari Meze - Excellent and tender. Not chewy at all which was nice. There were a ton of olives which I didn't think complimented the calamari. Overall, still 5/5. Mushroom Tava - mushrooms were cooked perfectly and were delicious. One of my favorite dishes of the night. 5/5 Stuffed Mushrooms - this dish fell flat on flavor and had more of the typical mushroom texture. 3/5 The Hunkar entrée initially was extremely salty. I mentioned this to the waiter and they remade it, which turned out great, so I'm hoping the salty dish was a one-off. 5/5 Our waiter was very friendly and attentive throughout. The restaurant itself is also casual upscale, so nice for most occasions. Avaspi exceeds expectations and I highly recommend this excellent Mediterranean restaurant.

Our first time eating at Avaspi, I doubt we'll return. The…read morefood was pretty good, the cocktails (especially the avaspi lemonade) and wine selection, were tasty. The service - inept. After 20 mins and us asking food runners 3 times to get us a waiter we finally got assistance. We ordered the meze platter to start and very clearly stated, no nuts. The waiter said "we only use walnuts", we responded, no nuts. The food arrived and 2 of the 4 dishes had nuts on them, when I pointed it out to the waiter, he said "they're only on the top"! It was as if he was trying to be funny? Or sarcastic? Anyway, decent food, poor service.

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Quartino Ristorante

Made reservations to sit inside, which is welcoming and fun, but they had open tables in patio we…read morewe opted for that and it was awesome good choice. Great food, and our waiter Holden was awesome.

Still great pizza and staff. Much busier with the summer now…read more Caesar salad had some anchovies taste to it, so I preferred it not having it, but it was still good.

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Bathroom

PROSCIUTTO SAN DANIELE and Duck Prosciutto

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Coppa alla banana

The Purple Pig

The Purple Pig has risen to be my absolute favorite restaurant I've had the joy of eating at in…read moreChicago. After coming back to the city almost a decade later, I knew I wanted to have a meal here. The best way to eat a meal here is to share all the dishes with friends. Sage Gimlet (5/5) - I started my meal with a refreshing sage gimlet that was a strong but well balanced cocktail. Roasted Bone Marrow (5/5) - I 100% would recommend getting this appetizer to start off the meal. The marrow was perfectly roasted and paired so well with the jam and salad. Roasted Beets (5/5) - If you love beets, get this salad. The flavors were so well balanced and I really liked the fried balls of goat cheese. Agnolotti (5/5) - This pasta was amazing!! The short rib and bone marrow with the fresh pasta still makes my mouth water. Scallops (5/5) - These scallops were perfectly cooked. The crispy prosciutto was a tad on the salty side. I honestly love the energy and the flavor bomb this restaurant packs. I can't wait until I'm back in the city and can dine here again.

This was one of the best food experiences I have had in my life. I'm so glad I was able to reserve…read moretwo seats at the bar. Walking to the location, my friend and I discussed the various dishes we would like to try. In hindsight, I'm grateful for the walk because it helped make room for the dishes we would try. When we entered, we immediately were seated and greeted by Omar. His knowledge of the menu helped us focus on our dishes. We ended up ordering: squid ink chitarra, agnolotti, salt- roasted beets, pork belly, and gelato. Each dish was better than the next. The brown butter and red wine jus used for the agnolotti was addictive and the squid ink was delectable. Who knew salt- roasted beets could taste out of this world? Not me. We ended with a glass of limoncello and champagne to accompany our vanilla gelato. I'm already looking forward to my next visit.

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Inside

Chicago style hot dog

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Squid Ink Chitarra

Green Street Smoked Meats

Not sure what else to say than.. food is good. Just…read morefantastic! Closes thing to the Texas .. Chicago jalapeño poppers were my favorite. Meat is always fresh and good here! Counter boys were lil mean but who cares!

Attached to Sawada Coffee, I was surprised to see a BBQ joint located inside! As lunch time started…read moreapproaching, I noticed more and more people standing in line for Green Street. This prompted me to go check out what was on the menu. When I was greeted by someone to order, it seemed like they were a bit impatient or a bit annoyed that I was between two entrees. I understand that businesses get busy, but it is always important to treat everyone with respect! That being said, I ordered the brisket sandwich and it was great! The potato salad as a side was the perfect pair. Portion sizes were great and overall a good experience! I would go again to try some of the other options.

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Line to order + Menu

Chopped Brisket Hot Link Pork Ribs smoked turkey Elote Style Corn Baked Beans

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Inside

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27 reviews that are not currently recommended

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Dan S.

0

9

0

11 years ago

I've been here 4-5 times now. Chicken shwarma is tasty, the beef and lamb gyros are good, the pitas are great, the rice is pretty good too. The tzatziki is dank. The fries are meh so I don't get those here. Kabobs are on point. This is more of like an Iranian style than a Greek style. I think this place is pretty dank (in a good way) and I don't give good food reviews easily, not by a long shot. Definitely worth it for an off-the-curb' gyro joint. Also I take the food to go, I ate inside once and while it was clean and chill, the owner was like sitting across from me at a table on a ipad watching some video blasting Iranian music and it sounded like a fvckin circus as he laughed hysterically. - my only real complaint. LOL read more

Moj S.

1

57

0

11 years ago

If you want tasty inexpensive middle eastern food nearby, go to Sultan's Market on North Ave instead of this place! As someone that is in fact middle eastern, I find this place so-so, for the following reasons: 1. hummus = underwhelming 2. prices are a tad high for quality 3. owner gave me a hard time for wanting a substitution because of my allergies. Instead of giving me a simple substitution he behaved as if he didn't understand my request and replied with the suggestion that I buy a whole side of what I wanted to substitute... that is NOT what I asked for! so the meal i got ended up being some poor quality veggies with some sauce and that's it. FAIL!! read more

Cesar J.

5

71

1

8 years ago

It's just awesome. Beef and chicken kabobs are cooked perfectly. As far as decor/ambiance the place is utilitarian but with the quality of the food it's definitely all you need. Chair, table, food. done. We're good. Honestly if the guy handed me my plate and I had to sit on the floor in the corner to eat it, I'd still be good. The rice is a bit more oily than some other places I've been to but as far as flavor its still great With the chicken and beef kabobs I had there the other night it's at the top of my list for Mediterranean and I'll definitely be going back. If you're in the area and looking for some great food, do yourself a favor and stop in. read more

Jessy M.

0

2

0

10 years ago

Due to my boyfriend working across the street, I have frequented this place more than I'd care to admit. It is hit or miss, unfortunately, mostly a miss. Do not order online! The food you receive is nothing like the descriptions or the quality you would get in house. I have ordered the "veggie sandwich" for pick up and it was so good, ordered it for delivery and it was literally 2 pieces of falafel in a pita pocket (no salad, sauce) literally, nothing but dry falafel in a pita. The service is pretty shotty as well. At this point I've had too many bad experiences to justify returning, which sucks because vegetarian options are slim on Division street. read more

Michael F.

0

7

5

11 years ago

These guys are awful, after i ordered delivery at 4pm, they said it would be there at 530 (hour and a half for a shawarma sandwich? what a joke) keep in mind I was 2 blocks away. At 550 I call them and they say they didn't receive a order, which they lied about since I placed it, then they call back at 630 to tell me my food is outside? So basically the "manager" blatantly lied to me and 2 hours and 30 minutes later is upset since I am not at the location anymore. Never ordering again. read more

Timothy G.

0

1

0

10 years ago

Wouldn't normally think to write a review for a quick-service lunch spot but my experience the other week made me feel like I ought to give them a shoutout. The food, for the price, is one of the best bargains around. Great friendly service and fast. It took them less than 5 minutes to make my falafel sandwich with pita bread. read more

Nataly G.

0

1

0

13 years ago

ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!!! I really love the Shawarma dinner plate. It comes with so much food and great flavors. And I cannot stop in there without having some of their amazing hummus! Highly recommend to anyone who is interested in trying great middle eastern food from really friendly people. read more

Reyansh P.

0

5

0

7 years ago

This is the only place i order gyro sandwich from , they make their sauce for the gyros that makes taste amazing. I also like their fries and falafael apetizer. You must give it a try. The owner is the one that always takes my order, he is very nice, warm , friendly read more

Jennifer C.

17

20

0

11 years ago

If you are craving fresh authentic Palestinian cuisine, this is a great stop to make. The food and service are great! Restaurant is kind of cold to eat in, but the food is nice and hot, especially the lentil soup. read more

Dijana V.

6

10

4

11 years ago

This place is awesome. Food never disappoints, it's always fresh made and delicious! It's close to my job and I enjoy their food at least twice a week! Try for yourself, I recommend their entire menu! read more

Nisrine K.

0

1

0

2 months ago

This is one of my favorite spot to go to, I loved everything that I had tried, chicken shawarma is my favorite, and they are also very generous with amount food the serve. I highly recommend it. read more

Heather R. D.

4

5

0

7 years ago

Their gyro sandwich it's the best , that's the only place I like so far , I have tried gyros many places and their meat does not taste good or their sauce does not taste fresh homemade read more

Ui F.

84

38

1

8 years ago

I'm addicted. Shawarma Garden is officially my go to spot and a weekly craving. As of today we ate here 3 times and all 3 times the food is amazing. Definitely recommend this place. read more

Candy B.

0

12

0

7 years ago

My favorite spot to grab a gyro. Has plenty of meat and sauce on top. I usually get gyro meal which comes w fries and drink. Their fries are fantastic too. Great for a quick fast meal read more