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Al-Khaymeih
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
4748 N Kedzie Ave(between Leland Ave & Lawrence Ave)
Chicago, IL 60625
Neighborhood: Albany Park
(773) 583-0999
- Nearest Transit:
-
Kedzie-brown (Brown Line)
Kimball (Brown Line)
Francisco (Brown Line)
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
96 reviews for Al-Khaymeih
Review Highlights
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"Their falafel is some of the tastiest I've ever." In 42 reviews -
"The grape leaves were some of the best I've had." In 13 reviews -
"Lentil soup: perfect on a rainy day." In 10 reviews
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96 reviews in English
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Review from Mike B.
Skokie, IL
7/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
I went here as part of a group for a birthday dinner. I didn't really know where we were going, but I can't say I was too excited when I saw the place from the outside. My opinion didn't change much once we got inside and were seated. Atmosphere is not it's strong point! It wasn't especially crowded, but I should have noted that most of people there were middle-eastern...
Food: Incredible.
Hummus - not a real potent flavor, but has some nice, subtle differences from most standard hummus. I liked it very much.
The Baba ghanoush and Tabouleh were some of the best I've had.
For dinner, we more or less did it family style, so I got a chance to taste a lot of the food.
Kabobs - The Kefta was absolutely incredible and my favorite. The beef was very nicely flavored and cooked, but some of it had a touch too much gristle. The chicken was tender and well cooked, but might have used a bit more seasoning.
Shawarma - Both the chicken and beef were excellent, and I'm usually not a huge fan chicken, but it was well seasoned and tender
I still think it could use some more style and attention on the inside, but they certainly hit it where it counts. -
Review from Brandon B.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 4/29/2012
So they're back open again, and I'm thrilled.
I read Timothy C.'s review, and I was a little scared. But of course, being that I have been such a big fan (and advocate of this place to all of my friends) I had to try it out. I have to say that that the food is still really good.
It looks like they have some new dishes and several new appetizers. I went with what I knew--fallafel and kabobs. The fallafel was hot and not at all overcooked. All of my chicken and beef was very tasty and juicy. Timothy must have been there on an off night, because I didn't experience any of what he did.
Mind you, the place was relatively empty, so service was pretty damn good that night. And I will admit--the food isn't as good as I remember, but I can't put my finger on what it is. But I'm really glad their back, and I will be going there often!2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/24/2011
Apparently the poster above didn't read this....
So it appears that this place is shut down… Read more »
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Review from Timothy C.
Logan Square, Chicago, IL
4/15/2012
NO LONGER CLOSED...
...but might as well be.
This is not the Al-Khaymeih of memory. We ate here tonight and the service was horrendous: only one girl for the whole restaurant, and she was utterly clueless (didn't give us plates, didn't give us glasses when we showed up with wine, couldn't tally a bill). The manager/owner came later, but he was so inattentive that patrons had to walk up to him to ask for water.
But honestly, I wouldn't have judged the old Al-Khaymeih for crappy service, so why the single star? Well, I think the long closure has made the chef a bit rusty. Actually, rusty may be too generous. The chicken was so overcooked that you had to dip it in the falafel's tahini sauce to choke it down (fortunately, the falafel was also overcooked, so there was extra sauce). Astonishingly, it was served with a whole chunk of a quarter of an onion, grilled exclusively on one side with the skin left one. We diners just blinked at each other in disbelief.
Oh, and they over-microwaved the grape leaves. Yep.
To the Al-Khaymeih of old: a tearful adieu. To the new Al-Khaymeih: goodbye, and good riddance. -
Review from Heather H.
Chicago, IL
9/12/2010
This was my third visit to Al-Khaymeih. The first two visits were good. We had a groupon for a place down the street, but upon encountering a two-hour wait there, recommended AK to my friends.
This place has slipped like an avalanche! Previously, they had a 4 page menu of good eats. Now, it's a one page laminated menu, with food on one side, and deserts and non-alcoholic drinks on the other.
Upon perusing the menu, they have no (ZERO) vegetarian entrees, which is quite strange considering the awning in the front touts Middle Eastern and "vegetarian cuisine".
I figured, what the heck, I'm sure they can put something together for us, as 2 out of the 4 of us were vegetarians. We ordered hummus and baba ganush for appetizers, leaving only the falafel as the only other veggie appetizer available, and I just wasn't in the mood for that.
So, the waitress comes over, and we comment on how the menu has changed, are their new owners? Are there any vegetarian entrees? This gets us a blank stare. So, we ask what they can accommodate for us - veggie skewers or anything? We're met with another blank stare, and she tells us no, she can't do that, that says she'll give us a few minutes, and walks away.
When she comes back, we proceed to order grilled vegetables on rice anyways, since they have that as the side item of the other entrees, and it obviously wouldn't put them out, since they already make that. She tells us it's not on the menu, there's a bit of back and forth, and off she goes with our order.
The food was pretty sub-par now - even the carnivores in our group were not happy with the chicken (very dry). And, they proceeded to charge us $13.00 each for 4 grilled tomatoes, 4 green peppers, some onions, and rice. This is more money than any other meat entree. W.T.F.
So, goodbye Al-Khaymeih. Never again. (And fix your damn sign!) -
Review from An P.
Chicago, IL
Holy smokes! IT'S OFFICIAL: Welcome to the World's GREATEST Falafel!!!!!!!!
I have been a lifelong Albany Park resident and love all of the treats that the neighborhood has to offer. There is no shortage of Mediterranean food out in the hood by the corners of Kedzie and Lawrence near the end of the Brown Line. Also in the Mediterranean sea of food in the neighborhood you will find plenty of kebab spots and hookah bars, but I had never made it out to Al-Khaymeih.
As it turns out, my friend was hankering for a late afternoon snack and we decided to go to Al-Khaymeih, I let him know Yelpers sweated this place and it would be a damn good idea to check the joint out. DAMN good idea it was, we sat down and found out it was BYOB so we made our order and rolled out to Andy's Fruit Ranch and grabbed ourselves a sixer of Three Floyd's Gumballhead.
Having some Gumballhead in glasses, our baked pita and hot sauce dish came and the baked pita was crisp and the sauce was gushing deliciousness. Our water glasses were replenished magically and I didn't even notice them popping a pitcher on our table. After our pita chips were complete, in rolled my hummus and falafel dish. The hummus filled the middle of the plate with a nice combination of orange herbs and a dab of oil. The falafels lined the edges of the plate and were tempting me.
My buddy got a chicken kebab that was glimmering in an orange sauce with a bowl of veggie soup and some rice. As I picked up my falafel and dipped it into the hummus, I bit into its crispy magnificence and ran my incisors into the magic sponginess of the chickpeas inside! Never in my life had I bitten into such falafel mastery and never again would any falafel this side of the Atlantic Ocean be able to hold a candle to Al-Khaymeih's beastly wonder.
As I exchanged a falafel for a giant bit of kebab, I regretted giving up even one of my many mounds of falafel. The exchange worked out well as I bit into a marinated delight, but no more exchanges would happen after this: those falafels were MINE!!!!!!
We did not have a bottle opener all night but made do as the waitress taught us to pop our bottles open with a fork. Who'da thunk forks work as bottle openers?! Al-Khaymeih has established itself as best in class with its sick-ass food, clean interior, leather couches for waiting, exceptional service, and cheap prices. This place owns on so many levels if you have not gone here you may as well be wearing a dunce cap.
Seriously. Check it out, IMMEDIATELY!Listed in: #81 Lawrence Bus, Secrets of Albany Park, ROTDs
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Review from Colleen C.
Chicago, IL
3/10/2009
Alright, ya know what? Call the Falafel Squad, I need to be their prez.
Obviously I go on food tangents...a few weeks ago it was Ethiopian, March has consisted of fried chickpea balls in mass quantity. It could be worse, oK!?
Friend: Hi, let's go to lunch.
Me: Ok :::types "best falafel" into Yelp:::: up pops Al-Kahaymeih.
Friend: I feel like Greek.
Me: How about Al-Kahaymeih?
Friend: huh?
Me: I hear its awesome, and they have good falafel.
Friend: Is it Greek?
Me: Ummmm, not so much. Lebanese
Friend: Haha, ok...falafel it is. See you at Al-???.
First off, I don't get to Albany Park nearly enough...this is like a falafel and kabab mecca, and I have been missing out. I shall rectify this, immediately. Erika V, my go-to Albany park reviewer and lover of ethnic foods....has NEVER steered me wrong. NEVER! Erika V's profile: http://www.yelp.com/us...
So, pretty much if she gives Al-Khaymeih 5-stars, I'll go. And, it was fabulous, as anticipated.
Falafel plate and hummus: oooooo, some of the best I've had. LARGE portions with hot, soft pita.
Stuffed grape leaves: HOT! (like just got baked). Quite good, and leftovers!
Lentil soup: perfect on a rainy day.
Mint tea: ditto.
A huge meal with plenty of food for 3 people...$25. Fantastic service, friendly and attentive, very sweet. Easy metered parking out front. Nice, clean ambience, room for large groups...
Props to Erika V on the rec and my friend for indulging my mildly unhealthy food-obsession-o-the-week. Colleen for Falafel Eaters Digest editor and president. (FED) ha!Listed in: Falafel in Chicago...
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Review from Y M.
Chicago, IL
2/15/2009
Seriously the best falafel EVER.
Al-Khaymeih is a Lebanese restaurant that's been in the neighborhood for years. They have a strong Middle Eastern customer base, which is always a good sign (and my golden rule for restaurants). It looks like they've remodeled the place a bit, while still maintaining the casual atmosphere from before.
They start you off with a basket of complimentary thin flatbread, garlic yogurt, pickled radishes, and a spicy-tart sauce. I especially loved the thick garlic yogurt, which was delicious with pretty much everything we ordered that night. My only issue was that the flatbread wasn't covered, which made them brittle after a while. It's best to eat them warm.
The falafel are really, really good. Forget the dense, heavy, and greasy falafel you may have had in other restaurants. Al-Khaymeih's version is a totally different beast. Light and crispy on the outside. Delicate and moist on the inside. Served with tahini and tomatoes on the side. The falafel were so delicious that I wanted to make a meal out of them.
I had the ribeye kabobs (2 each), served with basmati rice, roasted tomato and onion, and a small salad. The beef was cooked medium and was tender, although next time I'll ask for medium rare. But everything was delicious and I was very happy with my meal here. I would love to come back and try the breakfast portion of the menu, as well as their shawarma, kafta kabob, and kibbeh. And yes, they are BYOB, so don't forget to bring a bottle of wine or beer with you when you go.Listed in: Albany Park
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Review from Michael G.
Rockville, MD
4/28/2009
Those grape leaves exploded in my mouth! Sorry to everyone at the table who had to witness the visual carnage at the April neighborhood tour!
I'm not the world's biggest fan of working. I mean, it beats not working; but only by degrees (those degrees being having less than no money). I need reasons outside my job to drag myself in. When I was working at Oakland Mall's Borders after college, my reason for showing up was a Lebanese Restaurant on the level below us for lunch. Despite being in a mall, it was honestly one of the best places for Mediterranean in Detroit (with its huge Greek and Middle Eastern populations).
The thing that was amazing about this restaurant was that they did not mince flavors. If they gave you a dish, you better believe you would taste every ingredient. Every wonderful, mouth-blowing ingredient. From the soup to the pitas, there would not be a single taste bud left feeling unloved. Al-Khaymeih does the exact same thing.
Even the humble feta cheese sandwich (basically a Greek salad wrapped in a pita) had enough flavor for three meals. The soups are both vegetarian - and both jaw numbing (even if I don't know which one I got after some confusion). They're also almost large enough to be a meal in themselves. And everything here is portion controlled nicely. Both small and large (really medium and huge) are inexpensive and filling. If you're not busy shoveling food in your mouth until you burst or implode from taste (like, maybe, me), it's possible to be full for under $10.
A secret about knowing a good Lebanese restaurant is pickled radishes (even if it was such a secret I thought they were beets until Saturday). If a place serves them as an appetizer, you know you're getting the real deal and not some Greek-influenced Mediterranean fusion travesty.
And this is the real deal. With the added bonus that it's not in some suburban strip mall and actually steps from the brown line Kedzie stop. Which is good because I think I actually need to go back and pick pieces of my tongue off the floor.
Mmm...flavorsplosion! -
Review from Kevin A.
6/17/2009
RUINED FOR ALL FUTURE FALAFELS
I think Al-Khaymeih has ruined me for all future falafels and perhaps all other Middle Eastern restaurants in Albany Park. You see, I had this grandiose plan of trying all the Middle Eastern restaurants in the neighborhood and creating a list. I had just gotten started on this effort having only visited Salam, when I saw Erika V.'s review and went to try Al-Khaymeih. Now I have no motivation to try anyplace else!
The food here is SERIOUSLY good.
Highlights:
-The falafels are served fresh, piping hot, and a tad on the salty side (perfect for moi).
-The tomatoes are charred to perfection.
-Amazing kebabs - Finally, a place that doesn't overcook their chicken. The meat was moist and juicy, even the next day.
There are so many more things to try here, I can't wait to go back!
Now if I could only figure out how to pronounce the name of the place.... -
Review from Marc D.
Chicago, IL
7/24/2009
Normally, my elite-status Yelper wife (Emily D) does the writing for both of us but tonight I'm doing the dirty work. I met Emily many years ago in Dearborn, MI. For those who don't know, Dearborn hosts the largest Arab population in the U.S. so great middle eastern food is literally around the corner at all times. Needless to say, the bar was set high. Then we moved to Chicago.
Yelp has helped us find so many great treasures in Chicago so when you combine my craving for a kabob with a 4+ star rating, Pavlovian drool was soon to follow. When my fattoush "salad" arrived with all white iceberg lettuce, my hopes for an excellent meal sank like the Titanic. Iceberg. I'm not a snob about many things as my dark-rimmed glasses might otherwise imply but I am a snob about my lettuce. One star docked. Fortunately, things improved from there. It's important you know I don't like hummus but AK's hummus with all it's garlic goodness had me dipping the pita for more. The kabob platter arrived (I got the combo Soltari - seasoned beef and regular beef) and my internal "NEED GOOD KABOB STAT" warning light was satisfyingly extinguished. The rice was perfect, the meat was very well seasoned and perfectly cooked with just the right amount of char.
So why three and not four stars? Well, when you see a manager chew out an employee on the floor, the "ambiance" factor kinda takes a nose dive. The ambiance is pretty benign otherwise. The dining room is pleasant and clean but forgettable. Chairs. Tables. Stuff. You go here for the food.
As a former Dearborn resident spoiled by excellent middle eastern food, I found a place in Chicago to fill the need but am still looking for a little bit more. -
Review from Rhonda G.
4/26/2009
I'm not a fan of servers that don't walk around the table to get orders but feel the need to stand in one spot and force diners to yell down the table. I also think that when a reservation is made in advance then the table should kind of reflect that, meaning place settings and silverware for everyone.
OK, now the food.
I was really impressed by the falafel and hummus as well as the chicken shawarma plate (pretty sure that's spelled wrong). I think they brought the pita bread out too soon and had it been closer to when the food came then it might have still been warm. Seemingly fresh baked pita chips were nice with the "salsa" but with a group our size they could have been a bit more generous.
Overall a good time and I would definitely go back if in the area. -
Review from Mary T.
4/30/2009
We wandered in here on the tail end of our Albany Park neighborhood tour; a little tired, very warm and ready to eat. The menu is huge, plenty of vegetarian options to choose from and very reasonably priced.
After perusing the menu I decided on the small appetizer portion of hummus ($2.95) and an order of tabbouleh ($3.95). Holy hummus and tabbouleh were they generous with the food! My serving of hummus seemed normal, but I got a humongous bowl of tabbouleh. I ate until I was stuffed and it looked like I'd barely made a dent. I took the tabbouleh home, having enough for another meal and a half.
While we were waiting for our food we were given some snacks, the Lebanese version of getting chips and salsa if you will. The plates had pita chips and some sort of hot sauce along with what tasted like pickled radishes (maybe horseradish). I didn't try the hot sauce, but the chips and pickled radishes were quite good.
Service was ok. The one odd part was that we didn't get enough menus for the table so some of us had to share. It wasn't a big deal, just odd since it wasn't all that crowded. The acoustics aren't the greatest, I felt like there was a lot of "what?!" going around the table.
I briefly saw something on the menu for $55, I didn't read what it was, but given how much food I got I'm convinced that this dish has to be delivered via fork lift!
Bottom line: Amazing food, reasonable prices, and generous portions - bring your appetite.
PS It's BYOBListed in: Closing Time, Veggie Tales
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Review from Sarah L.
7/16/2008
I have tried them all, the 3 middle eastern restaurants on the 46-4700 N. Kedzie stretch. They all have something special about them and I do love them all. If you haven't tried middle eastern food, you are are definitely missing out!
After I got home late last night with the red line mishap, I was in no mood to cook. We decided to try Al-Khaymeih and I'm glad we did! They have the most flavorful chicken kabobs and the chicken is very lean. They also give you a small salad with your meal and that was very outstanding. The staff is very sweet as well. We will be frequent diners at Al-Khaymeih!Listed in: Albany Park, Falafel me!
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Review from Megan B.
Chicago, IL
4/27/2010
I never thought I would say this, but love Al-Khaymieh even more than Noon-O-Kabob. I can't think of one negative thing to say about it. The flavors, portions, prices, service are all superb.
You will never go hungry here. Every meal starts off with chips, sauce, and beets - an interesting way to tide myself until my food arrives (which only takes a few minutes anyway). If I'm feeling really hungry, I get order hummus, which is some of the better I've had in the city. Their kabobs are to die for - I crave the ground beef all the time, and the chicken and steak are also quite good. They come with perfectly buttery rice and grilled tomatoes. Yum.
You get so much for your money. I will often order a ground beef kabob platter (comes with two whole kabobs of beef, rice, grilled tomatoes, and salad), and easily have half left for another meal. At only $9, that's a pretty cheap way to get two fantastic meals. It sure beats a sandwich. I would easily pay half again as much for everything here and not bat an eye.
The décor is simple, but clean. And they are never lacking tables. I typically have the same waitress, and she does a good job of being there when we need something, but not interrupting all the time.
This was the first place I took my parents when they visited, I go back several times a month, and I recommend it to anyone wanting good Middle Eastern Cuisine on the cheap. -
Review from Elisabeth N.
Denver, CO
4/29/2009
Edit: The last time I was there they brought us free rice pudding which was flavored with rose water and (I think, a little cardamom)- delicious! It was nice they went out of their way for us.
This place is, by far, the best Mediterranean food in the city. If you are Lebanese and you're looking for comfort food, you will find it here.
When you arrive, they bring out a big pitcher of water, pita chips and Lebanese-style salsa, pickled turnips (so delicious) and a warm, steaming basket of fresh made pita bread . Be sure to order some hummus, as it's excellent here.
I've eaten multiple things here, and all of it has been fabulous. The portions are massive for the price, so there's always leftovers. Prices are really reasonable, and service is always good.
Their kefta is perfectly cooked, super flavorful and comes with salad and rice (also perfectly cooked). Their kibbeh is the husband's absolute favorite- he has a massive Midwestern appetite, and couldn't finish all his food.
I usually order their falafel (it's better than your Lebanese grandmother's- just don't tell her that) and grape leaves, which is a huge plate. I generally eat half and then take the rest home. Really, it's the best falafel in Chicago.
Their iced tea is also amazing- not like normal iced tea, it has blackcurrant in it, and tastes like a still version of Vimto (which I think they also serve).
This place is also conveniently located near my midwife, so every month when I go for my prenatal appointment I stop in here for food. Even when I was in my first trimester and couldn't eat anything without feeling ill, I could come here. My baby's first word is going to be falafel, I know it.
Also, if you stop in next door you can buy the seasoning mix they use for their falafel, as well as fresh baked pita bread, baklawa, maamoul, and other delicious Middle Eastern fare. -
Review from Daniel H.
Chicago, IL
9/26/2009
Pita Inn this is not.
First the positives. Ambiance is cool and the menu is diverse. Kafta and sheesh kebab's are good - seasoned well though the sheesh had a bit too much gristle on it. Their hot sauce is fresh and good.
Now the negatives: Falafel are very bitter. What do they put in them? Hummus is slightly less than average. Not even better than packaged Sabra brand. The oil they put on top is not extra virgin olive oil. It's either a lesser grade olive oil or vegetable/canola oil since it has absolutely NO taste. Shawarma is just mediocre at best. Food is just uninspired. Service is pretty bad.
I don't know how this place gets such high reviews. Perhaps it's all the white yuppies who are in an uninformed search for authenticity and are easily dazzled by the mere act of sprinkling some paprika on a hummus plate...Listed in: Middle Eastern
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Review from Ato Z.
Chicago, IL
4/25/2009
Came here with a bunch of yelpers during our monthly neighborhood tour (thanks Johnny!). Despite our making reservations and the fact that it was 2:40 in the afternoon, service was slow. But, to be fair, it was one waitress pretty much serving the whole place, and I did feel bad for her, surely she was overwhelmed. After Johnny whimpering and pleading for about 20 minutes, we finally got the pita chips with spicy sauce, and some mystery dish, we think was horseradish, it was good. I tasted one friend's grape leaves, and I liked them, but I did not care for the falafel which I got, because it had some herbs (and perhaps mint?) in them. The baba ghanouj I got was alright. Pricing was fair, and portions were ample.
On a side note, this was one of the nicest and cleanest rest rooms I have seen in a restaurant. -
Review from Alice S.
Chicago, IL
12/23/2007
This place has great food, but they do need more waitstaff. The evening we were there, there was only one server for half our meal; by the time we were nearly done, another server joined her, but the poor girl who took care of us from the start was terribly overworked. Al-Khaymeih, please hire more people!
The atmosphere is very "functional". Don't come expecting gorgeous artwork, fancy furniture and white tablecloths; it's a simple place, which is fine by me.
But, back to the food: it's all delicious, fresh, and the portions were definitely large. I loved the rice; how do they make it taste so good, I wonder? Loads of deliciousness, and for not a load of cash! I've been told by others who know Lebanese food that it's authentic, as well. If (when) you go there, let me know, I'll join you! -
Review from jessica c.
Chicago, IL
11/7/2008
I'm a fan of kabobs. As far as I'm concerned, what's not to like? But kabobs can be like tacos--easy to find, but difficult to discover something you'd want to come back for. Here's where Al-Khaymeih steps in.
Our friends introduced us to this place with a take-out order of their family platter, a generous array of kabobs (kafta, shawarma, etc.) with grilled tomato and onion atop fragrant basmati rice. Absolutely DELICIOUS--tender, perfectly seasoned and mouth-wateringly moist. The superspicy tomato sauce and garlic "mayonnaise" it's served with are perfect accompaniments. It also comes with a lovely, refreshing salad. Their pita is also excellent, warm and fresh; I believe they bake it on-site themselves.
I've since ordered take-out a few times and dined in-house once. Service seems to be fast and friendly. Visit Al-Khaymeih for a scrumptious meal that satisfies the soul and barely touches the wallet. -
Review from Cassidy P.
Chicago, IL
3/16/2010
Another An P recommendation. Yes, the falafel was unbelievable. Yes, you should eat here!!!!
My only small complaints: 1) I ordered the red lentil and they brought me the regular lentil instead--which was a little bland, 2) the grape leaves were maybe a little over salted. Still tasty, though.
I also *highly* recommend the incredibly inexpensive baklawa from the grocery next door. The perfect way to finish your meal! -
Review from Luan N.
Columbus, OH
Updated - 4/7/2009 2 photos
I decided Al-K was a great place to have another Guam reunion. Paul and his gf, Sarah, had a 2 day layover in Chicago after a week vacay in Hawaii. I also invited my other fellow Guamie, Teppei. Even he just came back from Hawaii for an opera gig just last month. I HATE YOU GUYS :! The weird thing about this meet was this was this was first time we collectively hung out together.
As I vowed last time, we did the Family Combo with BYOB. As they reminisced about the 8.0 earthquake while playing video games, the servers uncorked our bottles and brought us our glasses.
I also added a falafel and hummus appetizer. As Colleen C and Erika V. attest, the falafel was outstanding. My first falafel was in Amsterdam and ever since then I've been looking for the best falafel, and I think I finally landed one.
Ribeye kabob was great as ever, but I was quite disappointed in the schwarmas. It was just way too dry and vinegary. So ribeye and falafels are the way to go here!Listed in: Top Restaurants, Middle Eastern Fare
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/10/2008
Usually when I order a kabob combo, it is usually the chicken or kafta that outshines the beef… Read more »
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Review from Frank S.
Chicago, IL
3/31/2008
You can eat like a king (or queen) at this place for not a lot of clink! The kebab combo is easily enough to feed 3, maybe 4 people. Plus there aren't many middle eastern restaurants that have a BYOB policy.
The falafel, baba ghanouj, and hummus all were quite tasty, and their lemon garlic sauce/dressing (I think it's called toum) will knock your socks off. -
Review from David R.
11/5/2008
I'm going to gloss over the service problems and focus on the food--it is PHENOMENAL. We had a group of six, so I got to try quite a bit. The hummus was about a C+. Everything else was delicious. I loved the crisped pita wedges, relish, and pickled radishes which started the meal (complimentary). The tabbouleh was fresh, crisp, and tangy. The falafels were incredible--straight from the hot oil but not heavy with grease, and somehow much lighter in density than most other falafels. The pita was hot and soft, although when it cooled, it became rather brittle. Even the basmati rice and the side salad served with the entree plates were tasty.
The baba ghannouj is top five in my book, and believe me--I am a connoisseur. Textured but not chunky with the perfect flavor.
These people know how to cook meat. Steak kebab, chicken kebab, and kefta kebab were all amazingly tender, hot, and very juicy, not to mention full of flavor. Putting a bite of this stuff in my mouth was a brilliant sensory experience. I devoured all of mine, plus whatever of my friends' they were willing to give up.
It's too bad that they tried to drive us out. We sat down at 8:20, and posted closing time was 10pm. Around 9:15, as we were working on our entrees, they turned off the kitchen fans and appliances, the kitchen lights and some of the dining room lights, the music, and worst of all, the air. So we sat in a dark, hot, eerily silent restaurant finishing our meal. The kitchen staff departed, and the waitress and one busboy sat at a table across the room and watched us eat. What the hell?
We ended up leaving around 9:45, so we didn't let them rush us too badly. But it sure was uncomfortable. That marred a dining experience that could have been truly stupendous. The food is definitely worth a return visit, though. They could throw it at me on dirty dishes in the pitch dark for all I care. -
Review from Ruchira G.
Cook, IL
9/26/2009
Reading the reviews on Yelp, my husband and I were very excited about trying this place. We had crossed it a few times on Kedzie and it looked interesting especially as we had tried stuff from its bakery next door and really enjoyed the pita and the baklawa there.
We ordered a falafal plate and hummus.Both were quite disappointing. The falafel was bitter and the hummus had way too much lemon in it. The oil added to the hummus tasted like vegetable oil-tastless and dull..
For our main course we ordered a shawama plate which was less than average and a plate of kebobs(soltani) which turned out to be pretty good. The kebabs meats were well seasoned and juicy. The food portions were large and the waitress was friendly though way to0 busy (it was not that full) and we had to wait for a while to get boxes and to pay. I don't think we would return to his place. Pita Inn in skokie has much better food, is quicker and is a much better value for money. -
Review from Sadie P.
Chicago, IL
1/13/2008
This place is great. My favorite dishes are the yogurt salad, falafel and meat shwarma. The portions are huge- I can normally get three meals out of one order of shwarma. They are rarely packed, so you can always get a seat and its also BYOB.
I like the servers but there are times when they are harried and I don't get great service. Otherise, I would have given 5 stars. -
Review from Keira S.
Chicago, IL
5/13/2008
My friends and I were actually trying to go to another restaurant that turned out to be closed, so happening upon Al-Khayameih was serendipity.
Nearly everything we got was heaven, from the light as Marshmallow Fluf baba ganouj to the perfectly smooth hummus to the mildly seasoned rice to my kibbie plate, even to the grilled onion and tomato with each entree. The only gripe we had was that their falafel was a little bland-tasting, although it did have one of the best textures I've eaten (felt? what's the verb I want here?)--super doughy and smooshy in the middle and crispy on the outside.
The service was a little slow, but whatever. There was only one server for the entire restaurant, and she was packing up to-go orders too, so eh, get over it.
I can't think of anything witty to say for my last paragraph, here. This food tasted good when I put it in my mouth and chewed it. You should put it in your mouth and chew it too.
P.S. I swallowed it, too
P.P.S. That's what she said -
Review from Onur U.
1/21/2010
We went to Al-K over the weekend and enjoyed an excellent Lebanese meal.
We started out with an order of the moutabal which is an eggplant spread similar to baba ghanoush only made without tahini. This version was made with diced tomatoes and plenty of lemon juice to give it a pleasant sweet flavor that married well with the roasted eggplant. I really appreciated that they offered an alternative to the ubiquitous baba and the key to any good middle eastern eggplant dish is to really roast the eggplant, which Al-K nailed.
We also ordered the hummus with falafel. Hummus has reached a point where lots of restaurants make it well, and Al-K's was as good as many others. However, the falafel was perfect. Thick crispy outside with a well-spiced and soft inside. There's no comparison between these falafels and the ones I've had at Semiramis or Salam. Maybe they were just on that night, but they were freakin on. And of course, what better to go with great middle eastern spreads than soft, charred pita bread.
For entrees we had the farouj (cornish hen) and the meat shawarma. The farouj featured moist meat with a well formed crust on the outside. Simply outstanding. The shawarma was the lowlight (though not that low) of an exceptional meal. The pieces that didn't have crust on them were a little tough and not as spiced as I would have liked. However the pieces with a nice dark char on them were full flavored and crispy. I'd say the shawarma was good enough, but not a draw in my eyes.
Al-K is my new favorite middle eastern restaurant. We'll be back. -
Review from Illi F.
Chicago, IL
6/7/2008
I absolutely love this place. I suggest the rice wrapped in grape leaves as an appetizer, its just tart enough to wake up your taste buds and it had this distinct taste that hit the spot. I had a chicken entree and ill tell you ive never loved the taste of chicken like i did that one day. absolutely explosive.
The place was full enough to have life, but not crowded enough to be neglected. the waitress was nice and very concerned about our experience, portions are generous..overall great! -
Review from Slu S.
Chicago, IL
1/21/2007
We stopped for some Lebanese takeout today and absolutely loved it.
The pita was soft, the Kifka Kebob was very tended and the rice was done well, but the star of the show was the Kibbie.
The Kibbie (Kibbeh) has a wonderfully crispy crust and the inside opens up with a beefy cinnamon aroma. I could have eaten a dozen easily.
We plan to return and stuff our pockets with Kibbie. -
Review from Joel S.
Westmont, IL
5/7/2009
Standby for Mediterrainian food? Check.
The food is great both in quality and quantity at Al-Khaymeih.
Tasty kabobs, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabouleh, fresh and hot pita, complimentary pita chips with garlic sauce and delicious Lebanese salsa with some great flavors. And complimentary rice pudding for dessert! Service was fast and friendly.
Last but not least, I won't be the first and I won't be the last to say it, but they have
the
best
falafel
ever. -
Review from David Z.
Chicago, IL
5/11/2008
When I told a friend at work that I had moved to this neighborhood, he immediately told me to stop by Al-Khayameih. My first stop in certainly proved to be a positive experience. I went in for a late dinner and everything was very tasty.
I started with the grape leaves, and I have to say that they came out exactly how I like them. Piping hot, very lemony, and served with a yogurt sauce, these grape leaves made me feel warm and grounded. It's a great earthy feel to have good grape leaves, don't you think?
I followed it up with the chicken kafka. It was beautifully spiced. Just slightly drier than I'd have hoped for, but it came with a nice little salad and a whipped yogurt sauce. The grilled onions and tomato that came with it were also perfect complements. I so love grilled onions.
It's great to know that there are great little places like these around. I'm looking forward to checking out the bakery soon as well. -
Review from Hugh B.
Chicago, IL
9/8/2008
Al-Khaymeih -- impossible to spell but delicious to eat! If they called this place something like "Rosie's Grill" it would be packed. Al-Khaymeih, though, somehow just doesn't have the same ring. Nevertheless, this place is well worth a visit.
I've been here several times. Each time the food is abundant and fresh. Being a carnivore, I stick to various forms of the kebob. Last time it was beef -- simple grilled ribeye perfectly marinated and cooked. Dining companions had kifteh kebob (spiced meat) and chicken. All were happy.
Hummus is quite good. So is the falafel.
Service is pleasant. Room is as well.
And, the restaurant is BYO, so the bill is LOW, LOW, LOW! -
Review from Jill V.
Chicago, IL
11/17/2007
This is the restaurant portion of the larger Al-Khayem pita/bakery/grocery store empire.
It's amazing! Almost everything a restaurant should be (except for the alcohol, I'm unclear on their policy). It's my comfort food for all occasions, and it's dirt cheap, especially for the amount of great food that you get.
I always go with a friend, and we each get a bowl of lentil soup ("with secret recipies," as the menu says) for $2.95 each, and it's the best soup EVER- especially with the lemon squeezed over it. Then we split a small order of hummus, which is perfectly seasoned and textured and comes with warm pita (baked fresh next door), green olives, pickled beets, and if you ask for it feta cheese, onions, and tomatoes. This adds an additional $2.95 to our tab, and at this point we are usually stuffed full. If we are feeling particularly hungry, we order a small falafel plate (another $2.95...ouch) which comes with 6 pieces of falafel, more tomatoes and onions, and tahini. Sometimes the waitresses bring it out at really weird times or in a strange order...but a small detail in light of the cheap, amazing food.
I've also had the chicken kebob and it's moist and juicy and flavorful and tender and so much food, and comes with a HUGE bowl of the garlic yogurt sauce for dipping.
I also love the glass goblets they provide for water, and white linen napkins, and how I feel comfortable wearing jeans despite these oddly classy touches. -
Review from Stephen S.
Chicago, IL
2/20/2009
This place is excellent.
This place has the best shish kebab I've ever had. I wish this Yelp had half stars, I'd give it 4.5.
Also BYOB at a Middle Eastern Restaurant.....zen zen. -
Review from Jacob J.
9/26/2006 1 photo
The food was good, everthing prepared very well. Shwarma was very tasty .
Bring your own hot sauce, theirs is no good, it was homemade and did nothing. I like spicy, If I'd hopped up and bought some from across the street, I would've been more happy.
Alike most places catering this cuisine, the food is expensive. But, you can get what you want without having to deal with ridiculous dinner menu prices, like other places.
Next door they've got some great baklava, desserts.. check it out. Hookah goodies on sale!
Been back as of Dec 06' . Food has gotten even better! Hummus with meat is a necessary to try! They've redecorated and it looks nicer. But, they've added too many tables and especially on holidays and weekends it can be too crowded. Tables weren't spaced well, it felt cramped. Service has gone down, a waitress was delivering hummus and spilled olive oil all over a relatives jacket and the back of her wool sweater! She didn't and wouldn't apologize, her attitude was more like, oh well shit happens in a restaurant. They could use at least another 2 servers for weekends. The waiting time is ridiculous. -
Review from tracy f.
Chicago, IL
6/17/2009
I just want to repeat what others have already said: Al-Khaymeih has GREAT falafels. The vegetarian sandwich with the fried cauliflower is so so so good and four out of the five times I've been there, the hummus was some of the best I've ever had. The grape leaves are vinegary, salty and fresh. I love them.
So the food is delicious, generally consistent (except for the one time I had grainy bland hummus) and reasonably priced ($6 for a falafel is more than you'd pay at other places, but it's large and delicious).
The service... not so much. There are couches in the front end of the restaurant so I assume the restaurant is take-out friendly, but the service has consistently told me otherwise. The 20-something waitress that usually takes our order looks like she's having the worst day of her life every day. She is snappy, sarcastic and judgmental. But the falafel are so amazing that even if I deducted a star for service, they get extra credit. Just call ahead so you don't have to deal with the eye-rolling meanie. Five stars it is. -
Review from Dave K.
Chicago, IL
10/20/2010
There was a time when I really liked this place, but they changed the menu and eliminated some of my favorite dishes. I'm pretty sad about that. I'm not sure if they changed ingredients too or if I caught them on an off day, but the lentil soup tasted a little different. Please, please bring back the old menu.
On the plus side, BYOB is really convenient as there's a store across the street to purchase beer and the waitress is friendly. I just hope they return to the old menu so that I can go back and enjoy more meals. -
Review from Alex B.
Chicago, IL
7/27/2008
My partner and I tried this place for lunch on a Sunday afternoon and we weren't disappointed. I had the babaganoush and falafel. My partner had the vegetable mix (a stew). They start you with a sauce and pita chips- the sauce was delicious- reminiscent of salsa and with some serious kick.
As for the baba ganoush and falafel, I thought they were only okay. I thought the falafel was overdone (although my partner appreciated the extra crunch) but it was flavorful and not greasy. I babba ganoush was also good, although I found it a bit pasty- more the consistency of hummus.
The vegetable mix stew was the best. Although the first bite was a bit to cinamonny, the sauce was great with the carrots, cauliflower, and potatoes that were in the stew.
The one down side? Lebanese coffee. Never again- it tasted like I was drinking some potpourri glade plug-in.
It's no pita inn, but I'll be sure to make the trek down Lawrence again for some solid chow. Next time- kabobs. -
Review from Aaron B.
Chicago, IL
1/26/2009
Falafel, falafel, falafel. Did I mention falafel? This place is great and I have eaten more than the falafel, lentil soup and grapeleaves, both excellent as well.
The dried pita bread they give you after you first sit down is great with their lebanese version of salsa and spicy pickled turnips.
It is BYOB as well, which is just another reason to try this place out.
It is just north of the Kedzie brown line stop and just south of the lawrence bus line. The interior is very clean and this place definitely is not your typical Albany Park greasy spoon.
Their service isn't bad they just need more staff when they are busy; even when it is slammed on the weekends I only have seen two servers, tops, but the food is worth it, trust me. -
Review from Tim N.
6/12/2010
Our friends insisted that we order take-out from Al-Khaymeih while visiting to Chicago. It was very worth it! I enjoyed a load meat schawarma with plenty of steak and hummus. The steak was cooked nicely and the flavors were were really great. My one regret is that I didn't order something that had falafel in it. By the looks of the other reviews here, it's apparently very good!
The middle-eastern grocery store just adjacent to the restaurant was very convenient; we picked up some grape leaves and authentic desserts over there, and took our whole feast back home.
