SHAWARM-ASTIC We were attending The DoDivision Fest and looking for some food but not street food. We opened up our Yelp App and saw this place. So we all agreed and headed over. At first I was surprised how empty it was but then realized they didn't serve alcohol and most people attending the Fest were getting their drink on. So the calmness of this place was a great break from the craziness outside. One of the first things I noticed was the stacked chicken on the rotating spit. Not pressed or processed chicken but real chicken. I knew what I was ordering and I asked for a Chicken Shawarma sandwich. It is also available as a plate but I didn't feel like building my own sandwich. After ordering, I saw a spit with stacked beef and lamb. They also had a third spit with the processed gyro meat that all Chicagoans seem to love. The owner told me that he sells a ton of those and at $4.99 it might be the best deal in town. My chicken shawarma looked amazing. I could hardly wait to dive in and it was delicious. The chicken was juicy and full of flavor. I really loved how the meat was seasoned and not with salt but real spices. I can not wait to come back. I shared a few bites with my girls and both were having shawarma envy. I was in jeopardy of losing my food, so I had to redirect them to their choices. Ha! My wife ordered a large hummus with pita. I will say it was the most beautiful hummus plate I've ever seen in my life. It not only looked good but it tasted fantastic. One of my new favorites in Chicago. The owner was really nice and shared some of his lunch with us and gave us some circular bread with toasted sesame seeds on top. The bread was delicious, in fact, my wife was sad when it was gone. It was hard to go from this wonderful bread to the pita. I really must say thank you to the owner for giving us this wonderful authentic culinary experience. I had no idea what this Special Sesame Bread was until, a Yelper friend from California, John D saw the photo and told me it's called Ka'ak. This bread is commonly consumed throughout the Near East. It is made in a large ring-shape and is covered with sesame seeds. It is sold by street vendors and is usually eaten as a snack. Thanks John for the insight. I really appreciate it. My little one went with a Side of Rice and a Lentil Soup. She loved the rice and I must agree it was really good. She was not a huge fan of the soup but that was good news for me. I was able to finish off what she didn't. I liked the soup and loved it more when I squeezed the fresh lemon into it. I also observed how the staff ate as a family. It was really sweet. They all gathered around the back table and ate family style. I was really jealous of their giant plate of olives. They were also enjoying the Ka'ak bread. My wife asked me if I would go over and ask for some more. I looked at her but realized she was joking. I like this place from the great food to the amazing staff. This place was over 5+stars and the food was incredibly affordable. I can hardly wait to come back for another visit. If you are looking for a great place then this is it. read more

See all

Ever since I have come back from the middle east a couple of months ago, I have become quite the shawarma & hummus snob as I have had the best of my life over there. I mentioned that to the guys behind the counter and they told me they were originally from the region (Palestine if I recall) and they had the flavor for the mid east going on here. I told them lets do it! I got the Chicken Shawarma sandwich which includes tomato, pickle and garlic sauce. I got it to go as I ate it as I walked to my car. It was really good, but not as good as the stuff I was eating for 9 days in Palestine lol. It was some of the best I've had here in the US though. The guys here were very cool and I like the menu as its full of goodies...def will be back! read more

We've been waiting for this gyro/shawarma place to open on Division Street right off Damen and are happy to welcome them to the neighborhood. It fIrst caught our notice with the grass green bright interior. Further exploration found a decent amount of seating inside and free wifi. Upon entering you immediately notice gigantic meats rotating on splits - lamb and beef. I ordered chicken shawarma and a veggie combo to go. The service was friendly but not quite up to takeout now speed. My husband said the shawarma was fine and my veggie combo was just okay. The falafel in my combo lacked that fresh crunchy texture that makes falafel really delicious. It's hard not to make a comparison to the all mighty Sultan's which is a half mile away. If Sultan's is perfection, then Shawarma Garden is a good runner-up. This restaurant is just starting out so I'd keep an eye on this new kid on the block. Something to note - open late on Friday & Saturday night with a 2am close. read more

We came 20 minutes before closing and the owner I believe was so welcoming and nice. The food is affordable, flavorful, a large portion and really delicious. I had the spinach pie ( could use more filling) and the beef and lamb pita-excellent!! The food was wonderful and we will definitely be back! read more

Shawarma Garden - Spinach pie $2 - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

YUM! I'm very happy this place opens up and hope the food they are turning out stays as good as it has been. The customer service is kind and really care about what you think. They are better than many greek places I have tried in Chicago. Sure it's they same old fast food style greek food, but done to perfection. If you're vegetarian, the hummus and falafel are amazing. No nasty dry falafel here. YUM. What I love even more is the meats, specifically the Gyro Sandwich and the Shawarma lamb and beef. The spices are subtle and taste homemade. The only thing I wish is they had a fries to go with my Gyro. I know it's cheesy but I like fries. read more

See all

Great quick, fresh mediterranean/middle eastern food for delivery. I've never been to the restaurant but have ordered from them several times via yelp. The Jerusalem salad is tasty and I am a sucker for the gyro plate which is odd because when I am out I typically opt for the steak schwarma. I highly recommend this place for something quick and easy and very tasty! We did order from here tonight and although delivery took forever and a day, it was worth it :) read more

Shawarma Garden - Falafel and gyro plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

As previous reviews have mentioned it does take a long time to prepare the food and that's even when not busy. That aside Shawarma Garden is very good and my goto for Mediterranean in my area since Pita Cafe next to D&D closed. Hummus is good but has a bit too much acidity/lemon for my liking but not terrible by any stretch. Their Chicken Tawook is the top draw imo. read more

I live nearby and it is a go to place for pick up. I'm vegetarian and love the falafel wraps (with extra pickle). Nice people too.

Loved everything we tried from this place! Hummus and baba ganoush hit the spot as well as chicken shawarma. Best deal in the neighborhood!

Love this place! So affordable and great food. This place is more carry out as opposed to dine-in, but they do have a few tables and chairs if you want to eat the food right when you get it. The gyros are amazing, and the meal deal is definitely worth it! I love their fries as well. My husband sometimes gets the food platters with rice which are good, but he always regrets not getting their fries instead. Overall I would definitely recommend this place for either a late night bite after being at the bars, or even just a quick dinner on the go. read more

Love this place, consistently tasty food for a good price! A go-to delivery meal.

Hey, quit looking for other places to get your Greek food, you found the best place. Spectacular food, great service, and friendly people. We've used them for parties as well as dinner when we are in a jam as they are super quick. Get the chicken shawarma plate if you can't pick anything and you'll be perfectly happy. We were in the Greek islands and this place could make it there in a heartbeat. Loved by all in the neighborhood. read more

Consistent, good ownership and service. Oh and the food is awesome. I will be returning.

Order was wrong. Salad has 1/4 inch of water in the bottom of container and no flavor. No sauce with falafel. Extra large cup of rice, which was not ordered. Gyro tastes like dog food. read more

Shawarma Garden - Water in the bottom of salad - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Ordered the chicken shawarma entree that comes with rice, salad and hummus. Chicken was a bit dry. Rice and hummus were average for a middle eastern restaurant along with the prices. Nothing spectacular. read more

Every time we have eaten here we have ordered takeout and the food is always amazing we usually get the gyro plate which, honestly, is enough for two people to share. The falafel is nice and crispy and the hummus is great. Prices are super reasonable and this is our favorite Mediterranean spot in the neighborhood read more

Great spot for quick Mediterranean! The falafel wrap and chicken shawarma plates are both great options. The fresh pita and hummus are also very delicious. read more

I've tried my fair share of Middle Eastern restaurants and everytime I visit Shawarma Garden it's been an absolute pleasure. This is ABSOLUTELY my favorite middle eastern restaurant in the city. I always get the grill platter that comes with just about everything you'd ever need or want (in life). Three meats, rice, grilled tomatoes. The meat is cooked nicely and with care, always tender, moist, and flavorful. Comes with hummus, pita, and a side salad all for an amazing price. But beyond the food itself, the owner and staff there are always happy to see you despite how busy they may be. They are constantly asking you if you're enjoying the food and I genuinely feel like they care. read more

Coming from Michigan, I've been on the search for good Arabic food since I moved here around 10 years ago. This is by far the best option I've found in the downtownish area. read more

Chicken shawarma was amazing, definitely try it. Quick and friendly!! Ill be back regularly!

I haven't had a dish that I didn't like. Everything is always fresh and delicious. The owner and staff are friendly.

I keep ordering from this place.. just ordered MY USUAL... gyros and fries... the gyros are so good with the seasoned fries... the hummus is also a hit... I love this place. Btw, dip the fries in the tzatziki sauce and the hot sauce it's so good read more

Excellent in every way. I grew up with an Egyptian/Palestinian/Lebanese family and a grandma who knew her way around the kitchen. We've also spent a good amount of time vacationing in Greece and Turkey. I've had my fair share of Mediterranean delicacies and this place lives up to all of my standards. It is just so tasty. Our favorite Friday night treat involves the chicken shawarma combo, gyros combo, side of tzatziki, falafel, and fries. The fries are actually outstanding, meat is always juicy and full of flavor, and the rice is truly special! Delivery arrived early to boot. So glad we have this gem in our neighborhood! read more

Worst food I've ever had. Two tiny pieces of chicken, no sauce. Just awful! How can u possibly give this place ur hard earned money???

Stopped in for an impromptu lunch. Fast casual atmosphere with a large selection of moderately priced treasures. Service was prompt and friendly. The Garden House Salad with chicken shawarma was generous, filling, and delicious. I recommend! read more

Always a solid choice. A chicken platter can be shared between two people. Food is always fresh. Chicken platter comes with a huge serving of chicken, rice, side salad, hummus, and lots of pita. The owner is nice and hospitable. read more

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

Chicken shawarma was probably my favorite of all time, or at least for a very long time (Hamido out in Dearborn makes phenomenal chicken shawarma too: http://www.yelp.com/biz/hamido-dearborn). Sultan's up on North Ave. is really great too, but the sandwich here has a few extra nuances that make it superior. First- the chicken is shaved off of the rotating spit roaster right before your eyes, to order, and the meat is so tender, juicy and flavorful. Perfect! Second- the use of pickles on the sandwich (along with adding Sambal Olek) sets it apart from Sultan's. While the cost is a bit more (at least in terms of the amount of food you get for what you pay), this stuff is solid, and still cheap. The space reminds me of an old school hotdog stand, but don't take that to mean anything offensive. It's Mediterranean fast food, absolutely delicious, reasonably priced, and served by very friendly staff. read more

Thanks to Shawarma Garden, my late night drunken eating habits have become healthier! Stops to Phil's Last Stand have decreased in frequency and I've eliminated trips to Picante altogether! The shawarmas, gyros, and falafel here are all exquisitely prepared, offering a pita or wrap option (something most Middle Eastern joints don't do). Their fiery hot sauce is also the bomb! As is the spicy vegatables option. Balance that with their homemade tahini and you have a hell of a sandwich! Service is also top notch. Who knew Palestinians could ace customer service with such ease? The guys always accomodate special requests and routinely deal with our drunk asses with a smile on their face. Have already been here about ten times since they opened and will certainly be back. Hopefully these guys will stay in the neighborhood for awhile! read more

Stopped in today and so happy to see that they are open. This Lebanese/ Middle Eastern restaurant is rock solid. Entree's come with excellent hummus, tomato-cucumber yogurt salad and toasty pita. The lamb shawarma is nicely seasoned and juicy with a great grill note. The Kifta Kebab is delicious and juicy. You get a feast for a ridiculously affordable price. They have a nice sandwich and salad menu as well. There is dine in room for about 20 or so people. This will now be in my repertoire of take out places too. By the way, the owners are so nice and they are obviously happy people who are proud of there food....they should be. It is excellent. Check out the photos of my meal, you can see the quality. read more

See all

Probably my favorite shawarma in the area. The owner is super nice, and always remembers regulars. They also give you a good amount of food and it's fresh and hot (that's why you have to wait a little). read more

Come here!!! I've had Shawarma Garden bookmarked on Yelp forever, and finally pulled the trigger last night. I'm not going to lie, I didn't expect much but I was wrong. It was one of those nights where you don't want to leave the couch, so I ordered in. It was so easy. About 30 minutes after I placed my order online, the delivery guy was at my door. He was very friendly! Now, I ordered the chicken tawook entree platter (which comes with rice, salad,pita, and hummus), and the falafels. Holy balls. The falafels we're absolutely delicious. The blend of spices, and the perfect crunch, all dipped in a tahini sauce. I was so full after half my meal, and kept eating afterwards, simply because it was so good. If you're a sauce person, I'd recommend getting the garlic sauce. I originally thought it was going to be the traditional garlic paste (thoum) you get at Lebanese restaurants, but it's not. This is more of a garlic infused Greek yogurt, nonetheless was it delicious. The sourness of the sauce mellowed out the spices and made a nice mix. All in all, I will definitely be here again! and I highly recommend coming! read more

I'm always a sucker for all things falafel and shawma. So, it's really only natural that I'm a fan of Shawarma Garden. I've been meaning to write a review for a bit, but I keep wanting "more taste tests." Really, it's just me making excuses as the food here is absolutely awesome. Whenever I go to a new Middle Eastern/Mediterranean place, I have to get the falafel. It's my version of a control. The falafel here is pretty damn killer. There's a spice to it that I can't put my finger on. It's hard for me to pick out just one other thing after that. The range is extremely good and one really can't go wrong with whatever they choose. But, one really does need to get themselves some hummus if we're being nit picky (it's like silk in your mouth). People, take notice of this innocuous place on Division and Damen. They are bringing some real good shit for all of us to enjoy at very affordable prices. read more

Afternoon weekend visit. Chicken shawarma was not ready for 30 min so we ordered beef and lamb. (Apparently the chicken was just placed on spit and needed this amount of time to cook. Fair enough. ) We also order baba ganouj. Basically, this meal ended up being at the quality level of a shopping-mall food court. Shawarma was meh: it was more dry than moist and fixings were tired. Pita bread was dry and seemed a two or more days old: no comparison the warm, soft, chewy pockets served by places like Pita Inn and Noon o Kabob. Baba Ganouj was waaaay too lemony/acidic. It was also bland. It did not look like the eggplant was roasted as the flesh was very yellow and the taste was more raw than roasted. All the best versions I have eaten have a lovely roasted flavor and a silky mouthfeel. This blah version did not have those characteristics. Naf Naf Grill does a way better version and they, too, are fast food. Bottom line: We won't go back and nor should you (unless you are pining for stale and insipid poser food). read more

Besides the really good fries there's not a ton going on here. Shawarma is dry. The "tomatoes" consist of 2 tiny chunks. Same with the pickles. I don't get how it takes so long to make so little food. read more

Gyro sandwich, fries and drink for $8 was awesome. Hubby ordered the lamb plate and was unimpressed. really tough and not worth the $15. We will be back but this is definitely a place that it's all in what you order. Read the reviews, don't go rogue. read more

Best shawarma take out in Wicker Park-Bucktown area. 4 meat combo platter is my favorite and can feed 2!

Man, not sure what has happened in the past 6 months... But this place has become a true #strugglebus. The latest example: we ordered delivery and there were enough strikes against it that even underpaid teachers feel for us. -It took OVER 90 minutes even though they quoted 1 hour. I even called twice to make sure it was still on the way. Patience ain't my virtue. -We ordered the lentil soup and it was sour/spoiled. Just Nasty. -There was also no hot sauce or any extra sauce... Even though, I SPECIFICALLY asked for hot sauce, tzatziki, and tahini. AND I even mentioned that they could charge us for it. Fell on deaf ears. Mos' def. The rest of the food was OK... just the experience and soup left a bad taste. The manager said he'd hook us up when we came in to dine next time... but not for delivery for some reason. Now on a new hunt for a go-to Mediterranean delivery. read more

This review is just for the baklava...They make their own baklava. Walnuts inside, pistachios on top. $1.29 a piece + tax. SO GOOD!!!! Tastes better than the boxed baklava they have. :) read more

Kafta, Hummus & side salad. Oh, yeah & fresh baked pita. It taste much better then it looks. The Kafta was full of flavor & juicy read more

Shawarma Garden - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

See all

I stopped in for lunch last week and immediately expected to see some lunch specials available (since its very common of Mediterranean places) but I couldnt find one in site. Prices still wernt too bad so i got the kefta wrap. I took it to-go with plans to eat it at wicker park. While the sandwich looked to be huge once i bit into it i found that it was a lot of romaine lettuce with my one little link of kefta and one purple-hued pickle seemingly placed in the middle so i could see it was there when cut in half. Flavor was ok. I would try again but get one of the chicken sandwiches which looked better, or the classic standby, falafel. read more