HOW THIS PLACE ISN'T ON A BEST BURGERS LIST SOMEWHERE IS INSANE. Get the sharska burger, with beef soup as a side. Get some bread and dunk it in there. Get a double shot of espresso before you leave, else there is no way you'll be productive the rest of the day after that big, hearty meal. But I regret nothing. The staff are friendly. Ask them what they think is best, and they will not lead you astray. Just real, down to earth people who you can just tell love love love food. read more

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We try to visit Babba Grill every time we are in town. For Balkan food, especially Macedonia-centric dishes, no one in the area tops Babba Grill. It's awkwardly positioned in a small strip and the parking is terrible, but worth the inconvenience! Three of our group shared the mixed grill, selecting the beans and fries as their side. They thoroughly enjoyed it and even had a small bit leftover to take home. It's a generous platter of various grilled meats including the signature favorite Macedonian kebapi, as well as a few types of sausage, pork and chicken. The bread provided was the perfect texture for nestling these cuts to form the perfect bite. I decided to go with the Sharska Burger and the classic (and nostalgic) presentation with the fries inside the burger. Even though the burger was a bit overdone for my liking, I suppose it has to be cooked to a higher level of doneness to ensure the cheese filling is thoroughly melted. The fries were hot, crispy, and fresh but I had to get through a lot of them before I could access my burger. Not a bad thing, but I think I would get them on the side next time for convenience. We actually started with an appetizer of a few pieces of burek to share- one meat and one cheese. We found the meat version to be better than the cheese, which was on the dry side. The burek, when ordered by the piece, is just okay. I suspect it's possibly reheated in the microwave which makes the exterior a bit soft, less crispy. We've never had that issue when ordering a whole burek- it's always been flaky, crispy, and delicious. I would skip the individual pieces next time and order the whole, because any leftovers can be easily reheated and crisped up in the oven, avoiding any sogginess. Service is always good and attentive. An employee was celebrating a birthday when we were there, and staff kindly shared pieces of birthday cake with the diners in the restaurant. Thank you! The only off-putting thing was a table of several men who sat along the back window tables, shifting from one table to the next repeatedly. They finished their meals as we arrived but proceeded to linger there for the duration of our visit and were still there when we left. They seemed to be in the trucking business, as it sounded like they were interviewing at least one person and talking about trucking. People came in to see them and left repeatedly, as if the space was their own office. Many restaurants place a 90-minute limit on a table, which is what I personally think should be done in situations like these, especially when seating inside Babba Grill is already limited, and these individuals don't see the inappropriateness of treating it as their personal office. Disrespectful of the staff's time and the restaurant's space, imo, and affects the ambiance. Hopefully this type of thing doesn't happen to them often. We are already planning for some pastrmajlija on our next trip and we can't wait! read more

Babba Grill - Sharska (cheese-stuffed) Burger with fries inside - Modern European Near Me - Darien, Illinois

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So I live two blocks from here so that fact that I didn't try it yet is embarrassing for me. The inside looks like a typical hot dog place that you can't dine in at (although there are a few booths but really no ambiance; it's just an order window). However, outside is where it really pops. It's a decent sized outdoor beer garden type thing with a cozy feel to it and TVs with several tables. If you order at the counter, they bring your order outside. I was there in the summer so I can't speak to what, if anything, they do with the patio during fall/winter/spring (you never know in Chicago, at least in summer they had at A/C coming in) so that is a wild card for me. I had no idea they were BYO but they are but otherwise they have plenty of different beverages to choose from like pop/beer/wine, etc. so that is extremely convenient. We tried the Macedonian pizza Pastrmayliya (hope I'm spelling that right) that was authentic and the perfect crush. However, I have nothing to compare it to and all of the pork on there was just too fatty for me (and I heart fat, especially pork fat...me and bacon have a relationship). I didn't get much other flavor other than the fat and it was supposed to have cumin (my favorite spice) and other things that, if they were there, were just overwhelmed. I'm not saying it's not authentic or is. All I'm saying is where they're located is in Chicago suburbs so for the palate of the clientele, perhaps describe it a little more to the audience. But the service was great! read more

Babba Grill - Modern European Near Me - Darien, Illinois

Food was good, seasoned well but was a little try and didn't taste the freshest. Not sure it was worth the $90+ especially after having found a PEN in our bag of bread.... read more

12/14/24 update: It's been a long time since we came here. We came after 7 pm on a Saturday. Parking is easier to find for those that said parking is a pain. They actually redid the menu from last time. I've never tried the Broosters chicken because the Macedonian food is that good. This time we ordered Macedonian fresh pork/beef sausage dinner (I chose rice & broccoli and Yukon Gold mashed potatoes for the sides) and Babba speciality pizza. The pizza I already reviewed last time but it's one of my favorite pizzas of all time. You just have to try it. The Macedonian fresh pork/beef sausage was very tender and savory. You can see/taste the spring onions and sun dried peppers in each bite. The mashed potatoes were creamy and had just the right amount of salt. The rice and broccoli was delicious, I love the way they cooked it. The bread that came with the meal was warm and soft. This place is still 5 stars in my book. Just a FYI, look at your receipt if you dine in. They do charge automatic gratuity. read more

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Casual Vibes, Top-Notch Flavors We were in town for work when this cozy little spot immediately caught our eye. With a big "Chicken" sign out front, we knew we had to pull over--protein was calling! I was super intrigued by their chicken dinner, but after scrolling through all the mouthwatering photos on Yelp, I had to try one of their famous melted cheese burgers. And wow... absolutely delicious, satisfying, and everything I hoped for. The vibe here is casual, welcoming, and homey, with friendly service that made us feel right at home. My colleague ordered the chicken dinner, and honestly, it looked incredible--perfectly cooked and packed with flavor. I'm already planning my next visit and, without a doubt, I'll be going straight for the chicken to try even more of their amazing dishes. Definitely a hidden gem worth checking out! read more

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Had an amazing Macedonian burger and the fries were really good as well. Service was friendly and prompt

The service was very good, the food was fresh and delicious. A great choice before our daughter's soccer game. We will be back.

Hmmm. I upped my rating b/c my husband loved his dish - he got the pork shwarma wrap. Big portion and he reheated half of it the next day. Said it was still delicious. I - on the other hand - did not care for my meal - just quite dry. I got the 1/4 chicken white and given that the name of the place is broasters - I had hoped it would be juicy and broasted. Not so much - It wasn't completely dry of chicken but just lacked a lot of flavor. Nothing special and can't recommend the place for that reason. read more

We have never tried Macedonian food. This place does not disappoint. It is a small restaurant and the staff is nice. We got the Babba specialty pizza and the sharska burger with mashed potatoes. You can pick different side like fries, mashed potatoes, potatoes wedges, and etc. The specialty pizza have diced fresh pork, smoked pork, bacon, and eggs. The pork was perfectly seasoned. The crust was crispy and good. It was different from American pizza. It have no cheese or sauce on it but it was so good. My boyfriend got the sharska burger which was also delicious. The burger was stuffed with provolone cheese. I would definitely come back again to try their other dishes or get their pizza again. read more

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Impressive! Mediterranean food with familiar enough flavors to please and American palate. I tried the triple b babba burger it was really tasty. The bread was particularly good. Soft slightly doughy. The homemade mayo was just right. And the burger itself exceeded expectations. Slightly different taste from a regular burger, but not so different I wouldn't call it a burger. I give it 4/5. The fries were crisp and hot 5/5. Loved them. The Cucumber sauce was tasty. I sampled the beef soup, taste like Campbell's beef vegetable soup. Not bad, Campbell's is a billion dollar company so they're doing something right. I'm definitely going back. I want to try the pizza as well as other burger dishes. Just went back again today 5/19 The pork pizza is phenomenal. One of the best things I ever ate. read more

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We went here with a Macedonian friend and had a wonderful experience. Though the restaurant isn't fancy, the food is expertly prepared and world class! Our friend confirmed that everything was authentic and just as he might find it in Macedonia. Service was perfect and very friendly. This is an eating experience not to be missed. It's worth the drive from Chicago to Darien! read more

I was intrigued to find out about this Macedonian restaurant. I have no idea about this culture so I did not know what to expect. The pictures and descriptions sounded good so that's good enough for me! The inside is cute and small and decorated nicely. I had the sharska burger and my husband got the kebapi. The burger was stuffed with tons of melty provolone cheese. I thought the burger was tasty and I appreciated the vegetable components to make it fresher and a little lighter. The fries were thin and crispy. Everything seemed to be made to order as we had to wait a bit. The kebapi entree was huge, definitely enough for 2 meals. The meat was flavorful and tender. It's served with fries, cabbage, onions and tomato and a nice thick slice of homemade bread. I look forward to trying more things on the menu! read more

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Everything was so fresh! Love the tomato cucumber salad! It was so refreshing. Furnarinki hit the spot! Well balance of cheese and crust! Hubby got a plate full of sausage, fries and shredded cabbage. The well seasoned cabbage salad balanced out really well with the rest of the plate. Will definitely be back next time I am in the area read more

Babba Grill - Modern European Near Me - Darien, Illinois

Talk about a hidden gem, check out Babba Grill! Babba Grill is a Macedonian street food restaurant. I actually had to look up to see where Macedonia was. While this is the first Macedonian restaurant that we have ever been to, it certainly won't be the last. We picked up their pork pizza. Now I have had pizza from all over and every style. Deep dish, thin crust, Detroit, New York, tavern, etc. I've had it all. This pizza was like something I have never had before, and I can't wait to have again. The crust, while crispy, is also flaky like a biscuit. Then covered with fresh chunks of flavorful pork. It almost ate like a sandwich. No pizza sauce on this, just pork fat. No doubt one of the tastiest and most unique pizza's that I have ever had. We also ordered their Kebapi which are grilled beef sausages. This was presented beautifully over some onions, fries, fresh bread and tomatoes. This food was so fresh and so good. Their menu is full of other items we'd love to try. Babba Grill looks to be family owned. Such a unique and fun experience and some excellent food. Next time we are in town, we're definitely visiting Babba Grill again!. read more

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This place brought me home to Macedonia! My family and I were in Chicago recently and Babba Grill was on the list to check out. Just driving up to the place, the parking lot smelled amazing like a čevapi stand in Macedonia. Inside Macedonia music was playing as the place was clean. Loved the Macedonian decor too. I ordered the Šarska burger with šopska salad, we got a 10pc čevapi, order of fries with ketchup and mayo (gotta get that!), kajmak which I could just eat by spoon. You will not have this good of Macedonian food anywhere else in the US. I don't know what else to say about this place but you have to have it. Staff was amazing, service was fast and if you want something custom made they'll do it if they can. After we ate, my wife and I agreed that this place would be worth a drive back from Detroit just to get some food. Great place highly recommend it. read more

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Food was great service was ok don't come for the service but the food early makes up for it smoke friendly patio area very nice good fresh food read more

The food was authentic and amazing! The off the menu fries with ketchup and mayo- amazing! Portions were huge! Love coming here!! A must try for anyone read more

I enjoyed the food, I'll be back in the future to try other things on their menu. Good location too!

I found this while driving through town. I tried to babba gyro. It is enormous and extremely good! Definitely try this if you like Mediterranean food. read more

I come to Chicago area once a month, and I come here straight from the airport. Family ran business, food is amazing. Shout out to Chief Alex and his Wife. Best burgers in town, hands down. Try the veal soup if you go. I hope they stay open forever. read more

Stopped for lunch yesterday and the food was excellent. It was such a beautiful day, we ate outside. I had the Triple B Burger and my husband had the Smoked Sausage Sandwich (Mild). My Burger was delicious! It was seasoned very well and I loved the toppings and sesame seed bun which was soft and a joy to eat. Honestly one of the best burgers I've had in a long time. My husband said the sausage was very good. Loved their homemade mayo. Enjoyed dipping my fries in the mayo and ketchup. Will definitely be back again. Enjoyed the food and sitting outside this quaint restaurant which had a lot of people coming and going while we were there. Thank you for a great lunch!!! read more

Eat and repeat at Babba Grill. Bread fluffy and sausages cooked perfectly and flavorful. Nice staff, food came fast, i like the arts on the wall. Left very full and satisfied and can't wait to come back. A+ read more

Babba Grill - Modern European Near Me - Darien, Illinois

The restaurant had great food. The wait staff was attentive and helpful. I had Greek sausage platter and it was very good. There were 8 of us and they rearranged tables to accommodate us. I will go back the next time I am in the area. The ambiance was typical for a grill restaurant. read more

Macedonian food. Well made! Woman at the counter was hugely helpful. Gave me info and several suggestions. They make their own sausages fresh, daily. They will charge you 10% more for dining in. (I'm assuming that's a byproduct of Covid.) This place is tiny. Super clean. Wonderful treat of a place. read more

The food specifically the chicken is amazing. Highly recommended. Some of the best grilled chicken in the sub

I surprised my wife on our night out finding a new (to us) local place, and we were both pleasantly surprised by this family run eatery. It appeared most of their business was carryout, based on the volume of people picking up. They have a few small tables inside and a few outside. We ate inside and were quite pleased with food and the friendly service. We're looking forward to our next visit. read more

Everything is super fresh and tasty! We like to get the mixed grill - it's a good bang for your buck and you get to get a taste of a lot of different things. The Macedonian pizza is also amazing and a must try! Service is friendly and super helpful. The inside is on the smaller side but it's cozy and holds a few tables. 10/10 recommend! read more

Great food, great service, fast delivery. Will definitely buy again. Beef soup is delicious. Mixed Grill is delicious, varied and generous.

Love Babba Grill, authentic delicious food. Highly recommend for quality Macedonian food.

It's a very small with only a handful of table restaurant. I've been there already few times since I discovered it. The food is delicious and the warm bread is just mouthwatering. read more

Fries were amazing, but that's all! Hamburger was very strange because it was very very tough; almost like a steak texture.

The best Macedonian toast we ever tried . Love this place and the service it's always good

If I can give more stars I would. Such a great hidden gem with outstanding food. I love trying out different European restaurants and this one is great! Makes me feel like I'm back in Europe again. I highly recommend! read more

My first time at this place, I went for lunch during work and ordered online for carryout. I had the Sharska hamburger. Simply put, one of the best tasting burgers I've ever had. I do like burgers and I also like trying as many different ethnicities of food as possible in this short life and this hit the bullseye. I can't wait to try more from their menu. If you're on the fence about trying a "different" burger, stop being a baby and do it! read more

Definitely worth a visit. Enthusiastic staff answered our questions about the menu and traditions of Macedonia. Small eat-in area or take home meals. The food is very tasty and the portions generous. We grabed some hazelnut dessert treats from the display across from the service counter. They were delicious, although we will probably try the baklava on our next visit. read more

I usually wait for a second visit to review a restaurant but this food was so amazing, I had to share! My husband and I were a little skeptical because there were so few reviews but it was five stars so we checked it out! A HUGE shout out to the reviewers that gave them props because we would have missed out! I had the sausage sandwich, replaced with their homemade sausage because it was just made... I can't remember the last time I scarfed my food down so fast. Everything was FRESH!! From the meat to the bun, veggies and condiments. My HUB got the Triple B burger and the same thing...everything FRESH! I don't think the fries were fresh, or at least I'm not sure. Regardless, they were perfectly fried and seasoned...and HOT!! We also ordered a shopska salad which we never got to because we are FULL!! But we look forward to partaking in more freshness later!! We are already discussing our next venture out and what we intend to order!! I would have posted pics but we ate everything before I thought of it. Note: They do charge 10% automatically if you eat in. I think this is a European thing and may replace the gratuity, but I'm not sure. Regardless, we will be back!! read more

Amazing food! I'll just simply say that. All good made from scratch and you can tell. Great portions, fresh, and fair prices. We also had great service as the waitress explained dishes to us since we had never had Macedonia food before. We will without a doubt be back. For those interested we had the chicken burger and the sharska burger. We also had their homemade beef soup and it was to die for! read more

I had never had a Macedonian burger before, but it was excellent. I was very full afterwards, and it was quite tasty. Small place and no patrons seemed to be speaking English, which I took as a good sign. The counter person was super friendly and the food was ready quickly. read more

For a little ethnic place was pretty awesome. Great sandwich. Will return to try their other stuff. You get discount for take out. Fries were REALLY good read more