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Old Jerusalem
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
1411 N Wells St(between Burton Pl & Schiller St)
Chicago, IL 60610
Neighborhoods: Old Town, Near North Side
(312) 944-0459
- Nearest Transit:
-
Sedgwick (Brown Line, Purple Line)
Clark/division (Red Line)
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
145 reviews for Old Jerusalem
Review Highlights
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145 reviews in English
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Review from Meredith B.
Pittsburgh, PA
Stopped here for lunch during a shopping day in Old Town, and we were both pleasantly surprised! We came at a weird time, like 1:30 pm on a Monday, but a few other diners with weird eating schedules came in throughout the afternoon. Looks like they do a swift takeout business too!
Not being terribly hungry, I got the Jerusalem salad (tomatoes, cucumbers, and parsley in tahini sauce) and the lentil soup. The lentil soup was surprisingly fantastic. I thought it would be thin and average but it was really complex and flavorful. The bowl was generously sized, and along with the salad made for a great light lunch. The Jerusalem salad was very thick and creamy from the tahini - I ended up eating it stuffed in pita, which was great. I couldn't finish the whole portion myself - it's not a huge amount, but I wasn't super hungry - but it kept well in the fridge and made for awesome snacks later.
My boyfriend got the hummos with beef, and he really enjoyed it. I stole a few bites of the thinly sliced beef but he did a pretty good job polishing it off. He too was pleasantly surprised at the quality of food coming out of this little joint!
Since Yelp says that our favorite Middle Eastern spot, Fattoush, is closed, we may need to start coming here to get our fix! -
Review from Chris L.
Naperville, IL
I feel a little guilty for only giving three stars, but honestly the word I would use for this place is uninspired.
The service was fair, the food tasted ok (falafel was the best dish, shish kabobs didn't seem to be grilled), and the atmosphere was laid back. Prices were definitely reasonable and portions were good.
Why only three stars then? The menu selection wasn't quite as original as I had hoped. Basically I could go to many other places to get the exact same things on the menu: falafel, baba ganoush, shish kabobs, etc.
Maybe I will return to update later on. -
Review from Amy R.
Chicago, IL
Great people that own this business. They care about the quality of their food. Always clean, always fresh. They are consistent.
Great chicken mousaheb sandwich.
They have the best real walnut baklava in the world. Homemade, of course.
Lentil soup.....ahhhh.
Comfortable atmosphere.
BYOB -
Review from Ryan S.
Chicago, IL
Best Lebanese food in the city! Make sure you get the labneh and hummus, it's top notch. Also ask for some za'atar, it's a middle eastern spice that isn't on the menu. Goes great on both of those dishes. The falafel entree is perfect for two, a go-to every time I go there with my girlfriend. All the ingredients are so fresh and tasty. The staff is so nice and service is great!
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Review from Melissa G.
Winnetka, IL
Small restaurant. Great hummus, pita and falafel sandwich. Hot tea was ok.
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Review from J L.
Chicago, IL
My first at Old Jerusalem.... I loved everything about it and wiil definitely return.
I tried vegetarian combo, meat combo, and harissa.
I liked how I was able to taste bit of everything from both combos.
I devoured their Jerusalem Salad! Yum!!!
Falafel was crispy not greasy.
From the meat combo, lamb tasted better than beef. Rice was pretty good, too.
For dessert, I didn't really care for harissa but I liked how it was home made looking. -
Review from Heidi K.
Oakland, CA
Everything I ate was perfect! The tabbouleh was sublime, the baba ganouj was perfectly flavored, and perfect texture...truly a master chef made this food!
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Review from Norbert W.
Chicago, IL
Love it for lunch.
Love it.
It's very solid, what-to-expect Middle Eastern/Mediterranean fare.
Have always had good experience with the service, and while it gets lively in the space - can be a bit noisy - that's one of the fun parts of the atmosphere. For some, it's probably not their thing. Oh well.
This genre of cuisine is a favorite, so I'm definitely of the "pick anything" school of ordering.
Have fun. -
Review from ashley d.
Chicago, IL
Dine-in, dine-out..... either/or, just dine, it's divine. They also deliver. I get down on their tasty hummus and falafel. Dining in can be a little slow, so get an appetizer.... may I suggest the hummus? Also, when I've been in the colder months, I recall being chilly inside.... so, grab your snuggie!
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Review from Karen Anne B.
Riverside, IL
I've been here a few times and am surprised to find that I haven't reviewed it. This is one of my favorite places for falafel, baba ganoush and definitely my fave for stuffed grape leaves. The falafel is crispy and yummy. The baba ganoush has a great smokey flavor, I'm not always a fan of baba ganoush but I like theirs. The stuffed grape leaves are tasty, lemony and tender. The hummus, IMHO, is fine, not extraordinary, but decent, and the tabbouleh is better than most.
The service is maybe not the most "friendly" (they're not rude by any means, just...efficient), but the food comes out lightning fast. It's BYOB and there is a per person corkage fee. In the summer they have outdoor seating, which is nice. Give them a try. -
Review from Kyle D.
Chicago, IL
Old Jerusalem is a standard Middle Eastern restaurant that serves all of the usual suspects in the usual preparations. Nothing stands out as different or signature, or even exciting. The service wasn't very good, and neither was the atmosphere. The plates and glasses were of the unbreakable plastic kind and looked as though they've been in use since the 90's.
If I was brought back here, I wouldn't warn my party not to go, it's just that you can get the same food at ANY middle eastern restaurant, simply better; with more seasoning, variety, and depth. -
Review from ak a.
Chicago, IL
Great falafel, baba ganoush and tabouli. The chicken and vegetarian dishes are great. Wonderful lentil soup and warm pita bread. Always fresh, consistent and great service.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/6/2011
Great falafel, freshly made. All food is excellent, consistent and very healthy. Pita is hot and… Read more »
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1/6/2011
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Review from Denise F.
Chicago, IL
When I lived in the neighborhood, Old Jerusalem was always a great spot that I kept going back to. I've had quite a few of their menu items, and while nothing completely wowed me, it was dependably very good. Even now taht I've moved out of the area, if I'm feeling like Middle Eastern food, this is where go. Also, I love the BYOB option!
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Review from Brz A.
Chicago, IL
I always stop in here when I'm in the neighborhood, and each time I'm reminded how much I like it. I usually try the falafel sandwich, which is really good - but recently I opted for the veggie combo platter - which was awesome.
The dish included:
Pita - Standard, not too thin or chewy.
Hummus - smooth with a nice tahini flavor
Jerusalem salad - like a middle eastern pico de gallo! - very flavorful compared to the many watered down versions I've tried.
Falafal - Perfect amount of crispy outside and tender inside.
Baba Ganouj - eggplant is not usually my thing, but this was a real surprise. As other have noted, it has a real smokey flavor that I loved.
Jerusalem Salad - Fragrant, well-balanced and complicated mix. Again, made with more skill than many other versions in Chicago.
I wouldn't call it cheap, but there is a lot of food. I am a big eater and I couldn't finish the whole thing.
You can tell they are serious about their recipes here, Old Jerusalem offers one of the more homey and delicate takes on Mediterranean cuisine that I've found in Chicago..and I've been looking...
P.S. I'm also a fan of their tough-love type service! -
Review from Stu T.
Crystal Lake, IL
Stopped in for the first time mid-afternoon and found the place a great find. Service was great, the food flavorful and the prices reasonable. They even turned off the ceiling fans for us. I live in the burbs but will stop in again.
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Review from Bridget B.
Chicago, IL
Have dined in and carried out about two dozen times and have never been dissappointed. I usually order hummus and fallafal but have had a few other things. Always fresh and delicious.
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Review from Jill M.
Chicago, IL
The falafel sandwich is very good. As was the service.
If you have food allergies, be careful when you order the desserts and ask questions to make sure. I thought I was fine because I thought the description in the menu put me in the clear, but I got really sick earlier from an allergic reaction and now I am drugged up on Benadryl.
I will still come back to sample their other food, but not the pastries. -
Review from Andrea R.
I enjoyed such a yummy dinner here recently that I wondered why I stopped coming here. A friend and I were starving after our nearby boot camp class. Stairs, hills and some other forms of torture sure can bring on a healthy appetite! Fortunately lots of food at Old Jerusalem awaited:
* Hummus Appetizer served with a basket of soft pita bread
* Chicken Kebob Platter. The chicken was cooked to perfection
* Falafel Platter. Not quite Sultan Market quality, but sure tasty
The service was fast and it was pretty inexpensive. Shame on me for letting Old Jerusalem slip my mind since moving from Old Town a few years ago...I won't let it happen again.Listed in: My favorite restaurants in…, Delivery restaurants in…, Falafel in Chicago
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/5/2006
Old Jerusalem is one of my favorite old town spots. The food is very good, it's one of the cheapest… Read more »
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2/5/2006
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Review from Michael B.
Chicago, IL
Yum, one of my favorite restaurants on Wells. This place has legit mediterrean food and the staff is great. Food is consistently good and the take-out is always ready on time as well if you decide to go that route. The portions are huge and normally enough to have for two days.
Suggestions: combination platter, kefta kabab, falafel and hummus. -
Review from Nicole B.
Chicago, IL
I ate here for the first time today and will definitely return. The menu seemed to be simple / typical Middle Eastern food but that was exactly what we were looking for. I had the falafel and my fiance had the Shawarma and a Jerusalem salad. We both enjoyed our meals. I am not usually a huge falafel fan, but this was great. Crunchy but not greasy, and not overloaded with sauce. It was also a lovely day to enjoy the patio. The food came out fast and our water was always full. (Much appreciated since it was 90 degrees today.)
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Review from Victoria O.
Riverside, IL
Old Jerusalem is a pleasant place to have a meal. Eat outdoors and take your time. Some have said food is the same as other Middle Eastern restaurants, but in my opinion, it's better. Falafel, Jerusalem salad, shawarma, lentil soup, pita, are all good. Service is friendly and laid back. I am always happy to come here. I believe it is BYOB as well, which will make your meal far less expensive. Fun to people watch as well when you sit outside.
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Review from DrGrace G.
Trumbull, CT
Excellent Authentic MiddleEastern Cuisine, Prices are unbelievably low, pleasant staff, very clean and cozy. You will love it if you like ethnic dining.
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Review from Sarah Beth W.
Chicago, IL
After a movie at Piper's Alley, this was a great place for an easy, relaxed saturday night dinner. We started with Jerusalem Salad and Falafel, and split the meat combination plate, with schwarma, kefta kebab and beef kebab. Overall, it was pretty delicious.
The falafel was crispy and fresh and the salad was bright with lemon. The meats were all great, especially the beef kebab, and the rice pilaf served with the meat was really good. Everything came with plenty of tahini sauce on top, and a side salad was a nice accompaniment.
Unfortunately, the pita wasn't the best I've ever had, and there wasn't enough of what there was. It's not my favorite falafel in the city, but when I'm in Old Town, it's definitely worth a visit. -
Review from Anna K.
Phoenix, AZ
Old Jerusalem is A-OK, but nothing to call home about.
I've been here a couple times. First was for a light dinner several months ago and finally returned last night with a friend. We were looking for somewhere to sit outside and my dining companion couldn't pass up the Middle Eastern fare, so I was willing to give Old Jerusalem another go. Bonus points for allow my dog to sit with us, although it was for sure a tight squeeze.
We started with the Kibbah, which was new to me, and it was tasty with a splash of lemon and yogurt topping. Kind of sad looking, though, and a tad steep for what we got.
I ordered the Vegetarian Combination plate, which came with hummus, baba ganouj, tebouleh, Jerusalem salad and falafil. Everything tasted fine, but felt pretty ordinary. My dining companion ordered the grape leaves plate and a side of falafil. Flavorful grape leaves, but not filled generously.
Overall my second try for Old Jerusalem solidified my 3-star rating. Non-pretentious and easy going food and service, but nothing spectacular. -
Review from Jelena Z.
If I was forced to eat one thing for the rest of my life, it would be a combo platter from a Middle Eastern restaurant. Why? Because it usually comes with hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, Jerusalem salad, falafel AND pita bread.
So yeah... I'm a bit of a cheater. 'Cause clearly that's more than one item.
I came here on a brisk October afternoon with audible hunger pangs and a caffeine withdrawal sweats. Well, practically. Enter Arabic coffee: strong and super dark just the way my mom makes it! I've always found it interesting that no matter how much sugar you add to this potent brew, it'll never be sweet. Black magic!
True to form, I ordered the vegetarian combo platter. Hummus was creamy, mild with a hint of garlic. The baba had a nice touch of smoke, but i kept my eyes on the prize: the falafel. Nothing crumbly about these fabulously friend chickpeas... moist and totally together. I polished off my entire plate, which means I thoroughly enjoyed my assortment of Middle Eastern delights but also that the portion was on the smallish side. But that's okay, because the food is quality and did keep me satiated for hours.
I'll definitely be back, especially since I hear they're BYO! Nothing like eating AND imbibin' on the way cheap. -
Review from Matt L.
Have you ever seen that petrol station, Gas City?
Worth it though. BYOB and better for the basics (falafel, baba ganouj) than Sultan's or even Chickpea. -
Review from Matthew m.
Philadelphia, PA
I have found that exploring other cities over long weekends is a very exciting way to satisfy more than just the cultural junkie in me--it is an even better way for satisfying the foodie in me.
My native Philadelphia is known for some very fine restaurants but not always for anything with a significant ethnic influence. This is why Chicago--a city even more well known for its fantastic cuisine--was the perfect place to tease my palate. The first choice? Morrocan.
To my dismay, finding a Morrocan restaurant in the heart of Chicago on the weekend is a challenge. So many of them either have limited menus or are only open for the business crowd. Finally, after culling through an exhaustive list of deadends, we found Old Jerusalem.
This spot is in a prime location--a great place to eat AND people watch. With some outdoor seating and windows that open to the outside, the atmosphere is very inviting and familial. Perhaps it was a tad too familial though, as upon entry, DC mentioned that it smelled slightly like grandparents. Old people aroma or not, the service they provided was also quite good. Orders were taken and plates placed very quickly.
First up - Falafel. I must say it was cooked nearly to perfection, with just the right balance of creamyness and crispness. The accompanying Tahini was also quite good, but the most amazing part was the texture of the pitas--I can never find ones like that at the grocer!
Shortly after devouring the appetizer, we were presented with the main course. I had the Kefta Kabob, and DC had the Baked Kefta in tomato sauce. The Kabob was grilled and served with a grilled tomato, and it was delicious. Oddly, a side salad of iceberg lettuce and tomato in tahini sauce was presented a la carte and again as the base of my main dish. I found this to be a major overkill.
The Baked Kefta dish was prepared with a healthy amount of spice in a creamy tomato sauce (DC preferred this over more Tahini). In both meals, the portion size was unbelivably generous; this was a statement overheard from many other diners as well.
All in all, this joint gets four stars for being open, having healthy portions, and overall taste. If I could make any recommendations to them, it would be to have better air circulation to reduce the "grandparent mothball" aroma, as well as upgrade the quality of the rice being used. DC made note that it was of middle-grade cafeteria consistency and served as a mere filler to an otherwise outstanding main dish. -
Review from David R.
Really good food and quality service. Why is this place three-quarters empty all the time, while all the generic bar-food dumpsters up and down Wells Street are teeming with people on a weekend afternoon? Well, fuck those no-taste douchebags. I enjoy a quiet lunch where I can read anyway.
I'm not sure what the management setup is here, but there's an old lady and two middle-aged men, who may be her sons. In any case, she is pleasant and seems to be running the show. Today I saw her taking a delivery order out, for heaven's sake, leaving one guy to man the kitchen and the other to handle the entire front of house, including the patio. They pulled it off though.
Anyway, the food is very, very solid. I wish that they had better pita and that they served it warm, but that's about the only detraction I can think of.
Baba ghannouj: B+; smoky and slightly textured.
Steak kebab: B+; tender juicy grill flavor, maybe the second-best I've had behind Al-Khaymeih.
Falafel sandwich: B+; too much lettuce but very good crispy, not greasy, falafel.
Hummus: B+ again; they nail the perfect texture, and I love the garlicky undertone.
Jerusalem salad: B; light and tasty but somewhat overdressed.
Kibbah: B+; until Old Jerusalem, I had not found a place that made this item taste like anything but dog food; OJ's is pungent in the good way and tastes like the actual ingredients listed. Great seasoning and cooked perfectly.
I don't find myself in Old Town too often but this is shaping up as a destination for me as one of my favorite down-scale Middle Eastern joints. Too bad they don't have chicken shawarma on the menu though. (Sad face) -
Review from Andrea G.
Virginia Beach, VA
I organized a big group dinner (20 people) here that we had at OJR earlier tonight. The restaurant management was fantastic--the place is run by a Lebanese immigrant family. They helped me pick out just the right amount of food--without trying to push stuff on us that we didn't want to run up the bill--had our table all set up when we got there, brought the food out in a timely fashion, and didn't try to run us out when we were finished eating. So five stars on that.
Now this wasn't any ordinary group or any ordinary dinner. This was a reunion dinner for my Birthright trip that we had over winter break. That meant that not only were we 20 people, we were 20 hungry Jews who had just come back from eating hummus in the Middle East. And WE LOVED IT.
Every dish was perfect. We had:
-Hummus
-Tebouli
-Shwarma Kebab
-Chicken Kebab
-Falafel
-Jerusalem Salad
-and then Pita with everything.
My only criticism is the pita could have been warmer. Otherwise, everything was DELECTABLE. Even the tebouli, which I find is too dry at most places, had just the right amount of vinegar in it. The hummus was creamy and amply spiced, the Jerusalem salad had enough tomatoes in it (not to mention extra tahini sauce for dipping), and the falafel was fresh out of the frier.
Furthermore, our wallets weren't ravaged at the end. I also think they're BYOB.
Hands down one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in Chicago. -
Review from Dex Y.
Chicago, IL
I'm glad I gave this place a shot. Now I have one more option for eating in this area. Their Kefta kabob was well put together. The veggie was fresh and crunchy, and the beef/lamb patty was tasteful. I feel it would be even better if they could have added a little bit more spices to kick it up a notch. I must note that the pita bread was perfect. If they sold the bread separately I'd get that. I also ordered the lentil soup on the side. It tasted mild, but somehow I enjoyed it.
Serving was fast because not many customers were there. Waiters/waitresses were friendly.
Will go back to explore the other dishes! -
Review from Marissa B.
Chicago, IL
Maybe they thought I should be fasting or something.
Our table ordered an appetizer & dinners, the appetizer never appeared & then everyone else got their dinner but me. I waited, thinking it must be on it's way. I waited. I may have dropped a pant size. I waited some more. Finally I flagged down the server & asked where my dinner was & where the appetizer was the table had ordered. He said he'd "forgotten".
Well.
So then my dinner came, along with the appetizer. My friend had the veggie combo platter which was served with hummous & babaganoush. She was apparently on a server-imposed carb-diet because they never brought any of us pita bread. I had to flag down the server again (because they seemed to be more interested in talking to eachother than dealing with us) before my friend started eating hummous with a spoon.
I understand servers forget things, food orders go in wrong, etc. BUT, when mistakes DO happen, usually they go out of their way to apologize and try to make you leave happy. That didn't seem to happen here.
BOTTOM LINE: The food was mediocre and the service was lackluster. They can do better & I should be seeking better. -
Review from Ashley G.
Chicago, IL
I find the place to be hit or miss. Sometimes I get a great meal and at other times I wonder what happened to the place. The service could improve, because I have experienced a number of mistakes. There are a few other places in the city that I would prefer over this place, so if you are looking for an awesome meal, I might look in another direction.
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Review from Kelly S.
Chicago, IL
Mmmmeh.
I ate here with a friend before attempting to catch a show at Second City. Charming little place... almost with a french cafe type feel. The place was packed (7:30 on a Saturday night). However, a table of 12 in the back was taking up the majority of the space. We were seated right away.
After pondering over the menu for awhile, I opted for the Vegetarian Combo Plate. WAY overpriced at $11.50 for what you get. A few sides, some pita bread, and 3 falafel balls. I was wanting more. I was hungry and this meal had me feeling a bit like a rabbit.
Next time... I will go with my gut and get the falafel sandwich or the hommous and chicken. Yes, that is how they spell hommous here.
Service was slowwwwww. My dirty plate sat in front of me a lot longer than I can usually tolerate.
BYOB. $1.25 per person corkage fee. -
Review from Denise U.
Chicago, IL
I go to this place somewhat regularly and it has always been consistent and great. The Musaheb is so fresh and wonderful. Their Baba ganoush and Kiibbah are superb. It's BYO too, so that's a good thing. A great way to start an evening, and just steps from the Old Towne Ale House.
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Review from Maria C.
Boca Raton, FL
Old Jerusalem to me is the Pita Inn of the city. When I'm in the city and feel like a quick Middle Eastern bite, I go there.
The Kiba is to die for and the Shawirma Sandwich is also great. I love the Hummus. The desserts look a bit weird but when you try them, you will not believe how tasteful they are. -
Review from jenn c.
Chicago, IL
Not sure why it's taken me so long to post a review but this is one of my favorite quick dinner spots in Chicago. I'd say we grab takeout here about once a week and dine in a couple times a month.
I still haven't found better hummus anywhere in Chicago than at Old Jerusalem. The shwarama is delicious - I always get an extra side of tahini with it. The chicken kabob, falafel and the combo platter (with beef and lamb) are all consistently great as well.
The service is excellent - and I have to hope they recognize us at this point - and BYOB option is always welcome. -
Review from PJ K.
Cambridge, MA
OK, I don't spend a lot of time in Old Town, so maybe y'all's definition of "cheap" is a little different than mine ... I found this place rather expensive relative to what I got. It was competently prepared food, no real complaints, but it didn't exactly move my needle, or that of my dining companion, who grew up in Cairo.
Sometimes, you need Middle Eastern food. Sometimes, you're in Old Town. If both of those things are simultaneously true, here you go. Otherwise, there's really no reason. -
Review from Anuj S.
Went here this evening. I would say it was a very normal middle-eastern place.
For me falafel is the measuring stick at these type of places. They did fine on falafel. I can't complain. The second measuring stick is the hot sauce, though. I didn't care much for the hot sauce... and actually it tasted spoiled/sourish. The hummos was good, although the portion was small.
Let me put it this way... if you're nearby and you want some Mediterranean food without much effort or travel, it's not a bad option. I definitely wouldn't seek this place out, though, because there are plenty of better options if you're willing to... like... what's the word... go somewhere? -
Review from Misse D.
Chicago, IL
Every other review has hit on the points that I was going to state (great cheap eats, delicious food, and healthy.)
I ordered the lentil soup on a cold, rainy day and it was perfect! Yum. -
Review from Rhonda G.
What do you get when you chop tomatoes, cucumbers and mix in a little cucumber sauce? Apparently $11 bucks worth of something because that's what this lovely little concoction costs.
OK, their were other things in the meal as well but since it was a vegetarian combo, pretty much everything was a side dish or sauce, which in my book doesn't add up to anywhere near $11 bucks.
Service was mediocre, food was mediocre, location was pretty nice. So Mediocre +mediocre/by average equals not worth your time.
