Marrakech Cuisine
1413 N Ashland Ave
(between Beach Ave & Blackhawk St)
Chicago, IL 60622 (773) 227-6451
- Nearest Transit:
Division (Blue)
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: Yes
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible: No
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Dinner
- Alcohol: None
13 Reviews for Marrakech Cuisine
The falafel was awesome. But the service was so slow! We waited probably 45 minutes to get our sandwiches, and were one of 3 tables that were full at the time. I might give this place another try, just because I liked the menu, the staff was friendly, and the prices were reasonable. Decor was nice, too. It was just that long wait...not acceptable in my book.
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This is a very cozy, quiet and intimate place and it's BYOB. I'd have to say the Moroccan cuisine here isn't as heavily spiced as I would expect to find at a Lebanese restaurant, perhaps that's the way it is supposed to be. Both times I've eaten at Marrakech I've ordered the Chicken Pastille, which is almost like eating dessert for dinner. The pastille is phyllo dough stuffed with chicken, almonds, herbs and spices, and then topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon. It's yummy. On our most recent visit, my husband ordered the Atlas Chicken which is a tagine. It wasn't quite as flavorful as I would've expected.
There only seems to be one server, and he's not the most attentive person. In fact, we had to chase him down to get our check. I believe that Marrakech has lowered its prices, probably to try and compete with the newer Moroccan place that opened up less than a block away. It would be a shame if this place closed because I really enjoy its intimate and relaxed ambiance.
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Decent date place with a strange but cute ambiance. You know that kind where the decor seems odd but adds to the charm of the place? Yes, that's how it is. We haven't been on a date in a while considering our schedules and decided to take advantage when this Friday was free for both of us.
Got a bottle of wine and walked over to Marrakech. On the way, we passed the other Moroccan place (La Brochette). For a moment we hesitated if we should go to La Brochette instead. I am glad we didn't.
Upon entering, there were a few tables with people. 2/3 of the restaurant was empty. Sort of unusual for a Friday night in this area. We were seated and within 2 minutes a guy came out with warm pita bread, a plate of Moroccan style beans for dipping, two wine glasses, and a cork screw. Nice attentive service so far.
The menu is not as extensive as some Moroccan places I've eaten at but, it is fairly decent. We ordered the Bariwat rolls (similar to egg rolls, only with chicken inside) for an appetizer. The menu did not say they come sprinkled with powdered sugar. I thought that was strange, sprinkled sugar on an egg roll like item. But, they were tasty.
I ordered the atlas tagine with chicken and he got the lamb couscous. Both items were tasty. The chicken was very flavorful and tender (a whole leg quarter). His lamb was excellent. Both items came with vegetables. The potatoes were a little overcooked (mushy) but nothing bad.
We finished a bottle of wine because neither of us believes in leftover wine. What the hell is leftover wine anyway?
They sell cute Moroccan tchochkes and other paraphernalia. It adds to the earlier mentioned "strange but cute" ambiance. The minus one star is for the inconsistency in service. We had to call the guy to take our order and get our check. It wasn't like they are busy or anything. There is a corkage fee of $3.
A decent place for a great meal in a relaxing atmosphere. The place is cozy and not loud. I'll go back.
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This is a decent place. I like supporting smaller hole-in-the-wall places, but they could definitely improve on the food and service.
The entrees are pretty plentiful, but the flavor is standard at best. We tried the atlas tagine, lamb dish, and a baked chicken dish. The tagines are mediocre because everything on the plate is fairly bland. The baked chicken dish is unique and the best thing we tried, it has powdered sugar and almonds baked into it, so the salty/sweet combo is different and tasty. Prices are alright for what you get, 8-10 per entree, I just wish the food had more flavor.
The service is very slow unfortunately. I believe the owner/operator is the one taking orders for the entire place, so even if it's only half full, the wait is very long.
Overall, I would give this place 2.5 stars, but I will bump them up a notch because I have soft spot for the little guys.
My friends have a knack for finding good BYOB restaurants that are completely empty people-wise. Went here with a group, had a good time. I was the last one in and wasn't paying attention to where they went, I walked right by this place thinking it was a lamp shop or something.... It was a nasty night out, so I went to the "other" Moroccan place on the block knowing it was not the right place but I couldn't find where we were going... I eventually found it..
Anyway, it was a very strange experience to say the least... Our waiter Abe was a funny guy... He explained he was "just helping out" the chef... (which confused me since we were the ONLY table in the place the 2 hours we were there and they closed when we left). As we were ordering we were told to recite our names out first. I'm Dane, like the dog, and I'll have the Atlas Tagine...
Abe recommended the tilapia, though I wasn't in the mood for fish. Someone did order it and she said it was great. I think everyone generally enjoyed their food... My tagine was OK, I'm not even going to bother to try to criticize an $8.50 dinner entree.
The place is cheap. Most entrees are $10.50. Some were less. Appetizers are all around $3. We ordered a whole bunch of appetizers, I think my favorite was probably this thing that resembled an egg roll and had fish in it. (perhaps that's a pattern, fish here is good?)
And of course they also sell goods they've imported from Morroco. They had a lot of lamps--the kind you might find at Pier One--though these were nicer and seemed more authentic.
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Had a great time here!
Empty upon arrival on a Friday night, we were wondering what we stumbled in to. Later, a good size party and a couple came in to dine.
Our party of three ordered a hummous appetizer, 2 vegetable tagines, and 1 vegetarian couscous. The hummous was excellent, and my rabbi-trainie friend said it tasted like the type from Israel, which you know is a huge compliment. There was a complimentary bean-appetizer too. The tagines appeared very home-made, which is fine, but not exactly what I wanted for a visiting guest. They were decent. And $8. The couscous was awesome. Good amount of vegetables. Great use of spices all around.
To be honest, I was looking for a BYOB dive when I stumbled upon Marrakech. Previous Yelpers have pegged this unsuspecting joint as being minimally decorated, but nice on the taste buds and wallet.
After the host, who I must assume is the owner, seated us he presented the "lentil salad" as well as pita bread. This complimentary treat was surprisingly tasty- a bit of spice as well as some unexpected "umami".
We ordered the Moroccan "egg rolls" with the fish filler. The menu listed it as shrimp, but our server asked if we would like chicken or fish filler. It was quite good, and accompanied by a red sauce that has a strong mint essence as well as a nice kick of spice on the back end.
For and entree I had the Moroccan Breeze. My plate consisted of rice, green peas and okra, and one of the tastiest lambshanks I have ever eaten. It had the texture and butteriness of confit. I do not know what it was braised in, but it tasted great. The peas and okra were no slouches themselves, but the rice was just plain old rice.
My dining friend had a chicken dish which she described as "nothing too spectacular". I love me some lamb, so if you're like me, stick with the lambshank and you'll be happy.
We really enjoy the hearty, authentic Moroccan fare at this intimate, Wicker Park spot. The menu is not extensive but caters to both meat eaters and vegetarians with an appetite. The owner/operator who runs the front room is always friendly and welcoming. The decor is minimal and the space lacks a certain ambiance. The food makes it worth the trip, and the variety of Moroccan wares--lamps, jewelry, and accessories--on sale in the front room add to the experience.
I've been there once and will go back. You like that review? No?
Fine.
I would run past this place. One day I was on this kick where I kept saying the word "Kabob". Then I was reading about this restaurant that served Lebanese food. Some how it got to talking about kabobs, hence my strange attraction to saying that word. This place was suggested by a friend who knew what neighborhood I was in. I was told about a very reasonable. It might have been the Couscous bowl. I did not have that. I had the Kefta Kabob which was not just very tasty, but very filling. The harrisa sauce was sort of sweet and SPICY. It was by no means a huge portion - just enough to satisfy me. I also tried the Falafel here. Quite yummy... it reminded me of hush puppies. Next time I'll try the Zaalook which is grilled eggplant which is mashed with garlic, cilantro and garlic.
All in all a good dining experience with wonderful food. I will return for sure. Plus it's in the hood.
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BYOB, inexpensive, and great portions. Yum, leftovers, I don't have to cook tomorrow!
This is a pretty casual low-key restaurant. I had dinner here last night with a group of friends. If you arent paying attention, you will drive right past it. It looks like a store front because they sell Morroccan items and have a sort of shop set up at the entrance. The restaurant is in the back. The decor is rather simple but the service was outstanding. They bring out warm pita with this tomato, onion and potato mix and its delicious. We all ordered different items and got to sample pretty much everything...The falafel was spicy served with a spicy tomato sauce..The chicken kabob was delicious and grilled to perfection. The couscous was rather bland. The great thing about this place is its BYOB so we got pretty buzzed! They charge a $3 cork fee per bottle which isnt bad. I would go back.
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It is easy to walk past the restaurant, as the front serves as a store featuring Moroccan crafts, such as jewelry, lamps, and plates. As you walk into the back, there are several tables with more fun crafts for sale.
For an appetizer we ordered the Zaalouk, which was grilled eggplant with tomatoes, cilantro, garlic and was served with warm pita bread. We also ordered the Falafel, which was wonderfully garlicky, and wasn't over-cooked like many of the golf ball shaped, fried falafel you find in other places.
For the entree, I had the Kafta Kabob, which was fresh off the grill, and is seasoned ground beef with onions, rolled to almost look like sausages. It was decadent and had many yummy flavors running through it. My date had "The Couscous" as it is called, with lamb, fresh vegetables, and chickpeas on a bed of moist couscous. We were stuffed. The friendly service was laid back, so don't expect to eat and run.
The great thing about Marrakech Cuisine is that it is a B.Y.OB, meaning that you can bring your own wine or beer, for a $3 corkage fee. Our total bill was $30.13.
**UPDATE**
Went here for NYE, for 8 people it was $120.00 - the food was great, and there was one other table of 8 in the restaurant. I hope this wonderful man can stay open with the huge new restaurant next door- it was great food, and everyone loved it.
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Homey feel, cozy, intimate setting. Great for taking a date to. Good privacy area, cheap delicious meals.
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