Old Jerusalem Restaurant Reviews

We dropped my bike at Village Cycle Center for repairs on a rainy Sunday, and walked up the street for lunch.What a delicious find for flavorful classic dishes! The Baba Ganouj is the best I've tasted in a long time: delicately smokey, not sour. Their Jerusalem Salad is big chunks of fresh veggies, not minced. The Falafel and Tebouleh are light and spicey. Of course, I couldn't leave without Turkish coffee and Kinafa - just right, not overpoweringly sweet. I should never settle for bland chain-style Middle Eastern food again. The restaurant is small, simply decorated, with quiet ethnic music. If it hadn't been rainy & cool today, the sidewalk tables would have been excellent for people-watching in Old Town.

Yes you can really feel like in Jerusalem food is authentic reminds my my lunches I used to have in Israel.

We came here for lunch on a fairly cold day and it was absolutely freezing inside (really felt like the heat wasn't on at all). That made it difficult to really enjoy the visit and while the food was good, it was not great. Hummus and baba ganoush were kind of bland, the falafel were good.

If there's a better tabouleh anywhere, I haven't found it. And the the chicken with hummus is awesome.

This particular restaurant is excellent if you dine at the location. Just don't order in. Too much lettuce that was brown around the edges. Food was dry. Full from order; plenty of food.

My wife and I love Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food and we've been to this place several times over last two months. It has great casual atmosphere, you can bring wine, so we typically bring a bottle of our favourite Chardonnay and enjoy fresh tasty meal. Highly recommend this place for a relaxed week-day dinner or weekend lunch. And value is great, one of the lowest average checks we have in Chicago is in this place.

My friend and I went to Zanies for the comedy show and were hungry for a little something after it let out. Most of the places along Wells were closed but the Old Jerusalem Café was still open. We both like Mediterranean food so we stopped in. The place is small but just what I would expect from a great family run place like this. My friend ordered the Feta cheese appetizer which comes with the cheese, olives, tomato and flat bread, she said the flavor was good, but I saw she wanted to put the olives in the flat bread with the cheese and tomato but because they still had pits that made it difficult. I ordered the Falafel which was deep fried. It was a touch over done but the flavor was great. For desert we shared an order of Harisa, a great honey cake that is dense and filling and perfect for sharing.

My wife and I were walking by and stopped at the Old Jerusalem. Having lived in the Middle East for long periods of time, I can indicate with confidence that the food is authentic. The Lebanese dishes are seasoned expertly and prepared as if one were dining in Beirut. Highly recommended!

Had plan to frequent one of my fave vegan spots on a recent Sunday evening, but there were closed, so I looked in the area and found Old Jerusalem restaurant! I love the rustic feel and look of the restaurant; right away I knew we were in for a treat. The food is simple middle eastern food - I love that because I always want to eat exactly what the locals are eating! Everything was so authentic - falafels, Labneh [yogurt dish], shawarma, pitas, tahini sauce, everything was very good; and I sipped Lebanese coffee to end the meal which was a new taste for me but quite enjoyable. This restaurant is for people who appreciate learning about cultures through food and we had a fabulous time - the staff was personable and inviting as well which made our experience all the better!

ok mediterrain food. Location is optimal.

My husband & I enjoyed a very delicious lunch here. I had the Greek salad topped with grilled kefta. My husband had the chicken kebab with rice & side salad. Everything was so fresh & flavorful. I doubt you go wrong with anything in the menu. The service was excellent. We will definitely return the next time we are in Chicago.

Great vegan find amidst the bars & shops along Wells Street. Friendly service & delicious food. The falafel was especially tasty & crunchy. Nice seating outside in the shade and away from foot traffic.

Fresh and authentic cuisine!! Hummus, arayess, and tabouleh will wow your taste buds for more. Likewise, the Arabic coffee has the right touch of cardamom to complement the finishing touch of any meal.

We passed by this resturant many times and always wanted to give it a try, For us, it was very disappointing! We expected better food and regional Israeli Flavors it didn't happen! The service terrible and the place did not seem very well taken care of!

I stopped in for more of an appetizer than a meal. I had a bowl of lentil soup and an order of Baba Ganoush In Chicago , lentil soup has tough competition as the best I ever had is in another restaurant. The soup here was good and if not for the other one , vwry good. It was smooth and tasty. The Baba Ganoush was tasty and fun with the pita bread. They have an outdoor section that lets you watch the tourists and hipsters troupe or saunter by depending on group. I enjoy the drama of the street and this is a good place to do that.

This restaurant is family owned and it shows. Everything is good, and some things are outstanding. Last night we had dinner delivered. The pita was fresh, hummus, tabouli and baba ganoush (in the app sampler) were delicious. Israeli salad - cucumbers, tomatoes and onions was dressed with tahina, and since I prefer mine with olive oil alone, I didn’t care for it, but others enjoyed it. Since I’m vegetarian and don’t eat fried food, I didn’t try the falafel or meats, but those who did thought everything was good. Baklava was ok, but lacked butter flavor in addition to honey. All in all, a very satisfying Mediterranean meal!

If you like falafel and hummus this is the place. Small and quaint food prepared to order so it may take a little bit but well worth it Falafel hummus the best we have eaten Fresh baked pita and chicken and swarma excellent Highly recommend

My 3 sisters and I stopped here for dinner last week on our way to a 2nd City show. We shared the Combination Platter (an assortment of shawirma, kefta and shish kabobs. served on a bed of rice pilaf with a salad and lebanese bread), the Vegetarian Combination (an assortment of hommos, baba ganouj, tebouleh, jerusalem salad and falafel), Foul (fava beans mixed with garlic and lemon. served with tomatoes, onions, olive oil and pita bread), and an extra Jerusalem salad. WOW! So much food we could not finish. Authentic, tasty food with great service. Don't miss it.

I read the reviews on this restaurant and can't believe that is the same place Food is slightly better than McDonald's. Service is slooooow. Dishes are dirty and wait staff is in attentive. With all the wonderful restaurants in this neighborhood-No reason to ever step food in here.

This is a good old Chicago standby. I used to come here with my Egyptian friends maybe 20 years ago and brought my daughter and husband last week. I had the falafel sandwich, they had the shawirma and hummus with shawirma plate, pretty simple but excellent, traditional meal. Service is slow, but so what? We sat down in the tiny, crowded restaurant before a Cubs game. There were boisterous young children, older ladies, a couple of young women, and us. A nice reliable tasty meal! Though my grandma was Polish, it always reminds me of a casual meal at grandma's house. Love it!

Love this place! I have been a frequent visitor over the years. By far the best baba ghanoush ever....smokey with just the right texture. The falafel sandwiches are wonderful. Everything is made fresh. My husband enjoys the grape leaves.The owner and staff are very friendly and it's in the heart of Old Town. I highly recommend it!

My daughter and I ordered both the meat combo and vegetarian combo recommended by waiter. Perfect way to taste many dishes. Excellent food is accented by family vibe, in family run enterprise. Ahmad and his family takes pride in their culture, cooking and it comes thru.

A great restaurant in Old Town - fabulous menu and service. There is a nice outdoor dining area. Great atmosphere!

Good middle eastern food. But, not the best.

love it

This place is legendary. It has been here forever and maybe that is a testament to thee great food, warm and friendly service and super great value/prices. You can't go wrong here with anything, but the Hummus and Baba Ganoush are to die for!! Order a side of each, some Feta cheese and Dolmas and enjoy the fresh made bread. And don't forget to BRING YOUR OWN WINE for a very modest Corkage fee. BYOB. Don't miss out on your next trip to Chicago.

When you eat at his restaurant you will feel you are eating in a house of a friend's family, the food is very good, and not expensive at all, recommended

Food: The meat was spiced quite well and of good quality, but unfortunately they overcooked almost everything (I'm talking browned all over and dry inside!). The combo veg platter was pretty good, but they don't make their own naan/pita which is disappointing. Portions were on the small side compared to other Middle Eastern restaurants. Service: Had to prompt them several times to even take our order, and were not very flexible with our requirements. However, once ordered the food order was times quite well. Ambience: There is a nice outdoor covered patio, and although a little barren inside it was quite comfortable. Family friendly. Would I return?: Unlikely, unless I have visitors who require a quick halal/zabihah meal and don't want to venture away from Lincoln Park/Old Town. Reza's is probably a better option, albeit not spectacular.

For years, Old Jerusalem Restaurant has been a tradition in Chicago's historic Old Town neighborhood. Located at 1411 North Wells Street, it has stood the test of time while other restaurants have come and gone. A friend has been urging us to go there but we have been reluctant, perhaps because it specializes (as the name might suggest) in Middle Eastern dining. So what is Middle Eastern cuisine? Open from 11 to 10:30 Monday and 11 to 11 Tuesday through Sunday, it features a menu of Middle Eastern recipes that my wife and I aren't familiar with. But, hey, why not give it a try? Let's learn what Kinafa and Harisa and Kefta Kabob and Kibbah and Arayess and Shish Kabob are all about? We were in for a pleasant surprise. We started with Arayess, seasoned ground lamb with onions and tomatoes and served in a toasted pita. Also Kibbah, a deep-fried cracked wheat and meat shell filled with sauteed meat, onions and pine nuts and served with Lebanese bread. And a bowl of lentil soup, blend of lentils, onions and rice. We also shared a Greek salad, a mixture of lettuce, onions, feta cheese, olives and tomatoes. For an entree, my wife had Kefta Kabob, charcoal-broiled ground lamb patties with onions and tomatoes and served on a bed of rice pilaf. I indulged in Shish Kabob, charcoal-broiled cubes of beef with onions and tomatoes and served on a bed of rice pilaf. For dessert, we shared Baklawa, shredded dough filled with walnuts and honey. Good food is good food in any language.

In the summer diners eat either inside or outside. Located in the heart of Old Towne this restaurant provides a quiet relief to sports bars and pub food. No booze served in this establishment. Excellent vegetarian plate but all other middle fare is served in great abundance.

By far the best middle eastern restaraunt in chicago when it comes to the food. Location is perfect on wells street, even a smalll pation to enjoy your meal and people watch. It's not the fancy type place but the foos is incredible. Also, the owners work the place and cook the food so you get genuine middle eastern quality food. Only small complaint - the meat shawirma is more gyro style than true arabic sliced steak. Probably go here 2-3x/month.

I went there with my colleague for dinner. We wanted something authentic and offering a different food than trad restaurant (basically we did jot want burgers and pizzas) so we ended up finding this amazing place. It looks like family own. The waiter gave us the best and most honest recommendation and how the food was prepared. My colleague and I loved it!! Very tasty. We had the meat combo and the vegetarian combo with beans. We finished the dinner with baklava and arabic coffee/Turkish coffee. A pure wonder!!!

We wanted Middle Eastern, and we certainly got it. With the younger children doing homework at tables, it's clear this is a family affair. I had the shwarma (sp?), my husband had the combination plate. The quantities were abundant and the food was tasty. I'd recommend it.

Great dinner spot if you are looking for a place to eat after visiting Second City for a show. The service was fantastic and the food was incredible. Ordered baklava to go to eat by the Riverwalk and it was also delicious. This food is quality and low priced, if you want something quiet and yummy this is your spot.

I came here with a few friends before a second city show and it was very fun. We tried the hummus, the baba ganoush, and the falafel for appetizers, all were fresh and flavorful. I had the beef shish kabob and it was so good! The meat was tender and well seasoned, the rice was also great. The portion was huge! I wish I had room to eat the entire thing!

I love this place because the food is tasty and simple. My favorites are the hummus with ground meat and Expresso coffee with cardamom ( prepare in a briki). The atmosphere is super relax, good to go with family or friends. It is B.O.Y. The owners are always there making sure that everything runs smooth. Great lacation, too!

Visited here with friends for a meal. Excellent atmosphere and food choices. Plenty of options for vegetarian.

Loved this restaurant! friendly waiters, great service, and great food! I recommend the falafel if your a vegetarian.

Very nice and excellent restaurant. The appetizer portions are on the small side so order the entree size if you have more than two people. The Tebouleh is the best I have ever had anywhere (not too sour), and the Baba Ganouj, Hommus, Grape Leaves were very good. We also had the Falafil Sandwiches and they are huge, and one is enough for lunch for a person. There is no beer or liquor served, only water, juices and soft drinks. We did not have room for dessert, maybe next time. Very family oriented. Recommended

I wanted a meal close to Second City and this place was my choice. I was very happy with my decision. I had eaten a very full lunch so I did not order an appetizer. I had the shish kabob entree and asked to substitute the house salad with a taboulleh salad. I am glad I did as it was excellent. The steak kabob was tender and flavorful as was the grilled tomato that came with it. The bread was wonderful. All in all a very satisfying experience. The meal was quite affordable. I think the cost was around $13 and my entree was the most expensive on the menu. There were not very many people in the place--a Wednesday night--and the service was very fast. The only thing I found less than pleasant was the women's restroom. While clean, there was no toilet seat on the toilet! I would recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a good meal before or after seeing a Second City production as it was close and quick and delicious!

SOOOO good. Reminded me of a restaurant I loved in LA and haven't been to for years. This is a true family restaurant, and that's evident in the service, friendliness, and attention to detail. The menu is limited but everything was really really good. Great people watching, too. One "note" is that there's no alcohol so don't choose this if you're in need of wine.

Ate here again after many years and still fantastic food. Great service and flavorful. Found free parking on west side of Clark Street (south of North Avenue) as paid parking on Wells can be hard to find. Had the lentil soup, vegetarian platter, side of rice, and chicken kabobs.

love the fresh apple juice and chicken shawerma

When I was in my late 20's I lived at Schiller and LaSalle street. A new restaurant opened up on Wells street about a block from my apartment. It was Old Jerusalem. Now some 30 years later I went back to my old stomping grounds and ate at Old Jerusalem. The 2 guys that ran the place were no longer there but a young guy looked like one of the original owners. I told him my story and he mentioned that his father still works at the restaurant but was not working today. I ordered a Hummus side and the Shawarma sandwich. The food was still wonderful. Great tasting and still a good value. Some things don't change and that is good!

We each had the combination kabob plate, which was good and plenty. We added hummus too. The meat was all good. We went before we went to a Second City show. There is a feeling of family here. We went at around 6pm on a Thursday and it wasn't busy. If I'm in Chicago again, I'd definitely go here again for dinner. Great food and good prices.

This is a true taste of the middle East. The food here is absolutely amazing and the atmosphere is great as well. The prices are awesome especially for Chicago. I can’t believe how good the tabouli was as well as the Shawarma. I highly recommend it. I highly recommend this place in general as it is awesome. Their pitas are out of this world! Absolutely the best. The people that run it are so friendly and genuine that when you go you have to stay and talk to them. Another trick is that for delivery call the restaurant rather than going through a secondary food location like Grubhub and you’ll get a better price. If you’re looking for some good authentic food. Or a taste of home. And this is definitely the place for you if you’ve never tried Middle Eastern food, then cold here. The prices are reasonable and the food is amazing

Perfect dinner for before a comedy show. It was a simple little restaurant that has been there since 1976. It looks like they do a large carry-out business too. Definitely a family matter. The family is friendly and helpful. The menu has something for everyone. Prices are fair. Portions are smaller than expected for dinner portions but still extremely satisfying...hummus will make you very full very fast! The food was absolutely delicious and fresh and i cannot wait to go back!

The lady that greeted us was gracious and delightful. I had the musaheb which was delicious. The vegetarian sampler was delicious as well. It was busy yet the servers were very attentive. Highly recommended.

Homemade pittas hummus falafel and all that reminds you of the Middle East A little pricey but food is authentic and top notch Would recommend

I love that place, Lebanese food, showarma, tabbule..all good and affordable.

We read all the reviews for this restaurant before picking it. They were outstanding. This restaurant is not. Every dish we ordered was tasteless and just not right. It was almost as if no one had seasoned them at all. the presentation was lackluster and looked bland. No garnish and no sauces and the salads were limp. The wait staff never even checked in to see how things were. Really awful experience. Prices are inexpensive.....but they should be. Don't go.

We dropped by here for a late afternoon snack while on a walking tour of Old Town. This was some of the best Middle Eastern food we've had. The baba ganoush had a beautiful smokey flavor. There was a subtle flavor in the tabouleh that made it addictive. The grape leaves were wonderful. Everything was made with care. Very reasonable prices. Since we were there I've noticed that this restaurant is recommended in guide books, and I can see why.

Best falafel I've ever had! They finish-fry it as you order so hot and crisp. Quick. Casual. Indoor and outdoor seating.

The food is good but they have a tendency to screw up delivery orders.

Definitely an old traditional spot, very relaxed and was busy even on a rainy night. The waiter was very pleasant and the wait time was not long. I am definitely not an eater who likes a lot of spice but I found the food we had to be rather bland. The dressing on both of our house salads had virtually no flavor but tasted "dusty". The Chicken Kabob was tender but not as much depth of flavor as I would have liked. The Shish Kabob was a little on the tough side. This is a BYOB restaurant which I enjoy.

High quality food, large portions, plenty of vegetarian options. I had the falafel plate and couldn't finish it all. Very friendly staff, appeared to be a family run operation. Would definitely go back.

The food is amazingly authentic and delicious! This place is run by a family and is frequented by locals. We loved the food so much that we returned a second time within our 4 days in Chicago. I only took one star off because the space is in need of an upgrade. It is very old and dingy and even the name in front is nearly completely erased from being worn out. I think an upgrade would attract more customers because for certain many people go by without considering going in for the lack of good apperance.

Great everything! Delicious baba ganoush, hummus, swarma, falafel, Jerusalem salad and tabouli! A little chilly by the windows and only one table large enough for 6.

A nice find in Old Town. As is the family custom, we ordered lost of plates to share and finished everyone. Easily the best grape leaves we have ever had and the Shwarma was like premium jerky.

Excellent hummus!!!!

This place is one of the few restaurants within walking distance from The Second City opened late on a Sunday evening. The food was good and fast, and much better choices than the fried menu at the theater. Service was friendly and helpful with ordering for dietary restrictions.

We stumbled upon this gem in Old Town Chicago on our way to Second City. The Lebanese food is so good…my kids said it was the best meal we had in Chicago.

The food here is delicious. The space is small and it is in vintage building in Old Town, so don't expect any glitz or glamour. There is some space to eat outside in nice weather. The staff are very friendly.

We stopped here on a recent lunch tour with the Chicago Food Planet tour company. This is a new addition to their tours and while it's not a very glitzy location, the food was excellent and unique. We were a little surprised that it was so empty during lunch time on a Friday afternoon. Make sure to try the hot sauce with your falafel!

A friend and I were recently in Old Town Chicago, looking for a late dinner. It was a beautiful night and all of the restraunts were packed. The Outdoor seating at Old Jerusalem, somehow just looked a little more chill than all the others, so we just decided to give it a try. The wait staff was helpful and patient with our questions, and the food was delicious! Super fresh! We'll go back for sure!

I have been to this place twice and my experience has been a decent one each time.Although my sister swears by it, I personally did not find the food special.On the first trip I had the lentil soup, Moudardara , pita and humus. While the soup and moudardara and humus had a very homely feel to it ( which I appreciate ) , the pita did not seem to have been made in house. On my second visit I had the shawarma sandwich and kibbah. While the sandwich was ordinary (though big on meat portions) , the Kibbah was yum. I did savor every bit of it. If you happen to be around Michigan lake in Chicago downtown and crave for some homely middle eastern food , drop by at Old Jerusalem for some Kibbah and arabic coffee.

This Middle Eastern Restaurant near Second City should not be missed, I had the vegetarian assortment of salad- yummy. The only negative was the waiter he could have been more friendly.

The owners delight in the authenticity of their Lebanese heritage, reflected in their offerings. Everything on the menu is hand-made on premises. Their falafel ("falafil")sandwich is the best we've had outside of Brooklyn. Would recommend a regular cup of coffee with an order of harisa (honey cake) as dessert.

Very casual restaurant but with food cooked to order and excellent. When I asked for a slight variation of something on the menu and anticipated push-back, there was nothing of the kind. It was delivered just as I wanted it (a kebab atop a different salad than specified) and with a big smile. Perfect neighborhood place.

The plate actually came as it is shown in the picture. I was appalled! I seems that the food was just thrown on someone else’s plate - without it even being washed .