I did not love this place. The food was fresh, however it was not very flavorful. I went expecting arab/middle eastern food and that is definitely not what I got. The portions were generous, and the food was okay, but I will definitely not be going there again. I don't recommend it to anyone looking for middle eastern/arab cuisine. read more

Awful service! Ordered delivery and I've been waiting 2 hours. I live 5 minutes away with traffic and it's unacceptable. I was originally told that my food would take 20 minutes to deliver. I called to see why it was taking so long and they said oh no it always takes 45 minutes. I called back 2 more times 30 minutes apart and was told the driver just left and should be there shortly. Then I was told if he's not there in 10 minutes to call back...I did and was told a third time that the driver just left and should be to my apt shortly. I then got fed up and asked to speak to a manger and was put on the phone with a guy that didn't know good English, then a girl magically appeared on the phone and said our manager won't be here until after 5pm. It's just unacceptable to take over 2 hours for a simple delivery on a Sunday, and the lack of professionalism and veracity is just offensive. I will never be back to this restaurant and I will tell everyone that I know to avoid this place! I am still waiting on my food as I write this...absurd!!! This has got to be the worse service that I've received in Hyde park and I've lived her for 5 years, that means a lot! read more

If you live in Hyde Park and crave middle-eastern cuisine, go to Cedars. The lentil soups get 5 stars. The Egyptian lentil soup had a little kick to it. The Mediterranean was a puree with a hint of thyme. Both very delicious. Their menu has an entire page of vegetarian entrees. For $10 a person, you get a lot of food. Perfect for the student budget. The sandwiches are under $5. The "Cedars Platter" appetizer dish is nothing special. I would just get hummus. The felafel was ok. Highlight... Best rice pudding! read more

In restaurant - 3 1/2 stars Delivery - No stars OK, I had to take Cedar's down a couple of stars b/c of the horrendous experience I had with delivery from them recently. I ordered a couple of wraps and an appetizer for delivery. There was confusion from the get-go. At first, they said that they didn't deliver to my address b/c it was too far, but I only live a few blocks from the restaurant. Once we got that squared away, I ordered and they told me it would arrive in 45 min. Over an hour later I called and there was still confusion - she put me on hold for a long time - and then told me to call her back if it didn't come soon, b/c he left 20 minutes ago. Now, I'm thinking that my lamb shwarma is going to be really cold, but I still waited. I did call back when it still hadn't arrived and asked for the manager. I told him the situation. He said that my order should arrive soon. I told him that I actually wanted to cancel my order. He didn't do/say anything to help me feel better about the situation, so that was a dissapointment, especially because we are frequent customers. Though I cancelled the order, ten minutes later, the delivery guy showed up. They are just very uncoordinated with their delivery. Being that this is the case, I think that they would be better off not offering delivery as an option. read more

OK, so it's in a sixties strip mall, it still has character and charm, good food, and the service was awesome. And we spent less than $20 after arriving ravenous and walking out with leftovers. The vegetable soup of the day was a nice mix of fresh and tasty stuff (itemized by our waiter, a candidate for sainthood considering how slow and distractable we were and how long it ended up taking us to order). The kibbeh are even better than they used to be when this place began its existence as a grocery store on 57th Street; now if they'd just come up with a vegtarian kibbeh ringer so I could avoid making sheep suffer I'd become an addicted regular. My only suggestion would be something more robust in the hot sauce department, but I consider all food a vehicle for capsaicin so I expect I have special needs. (And I realize that Middle Eastern cooking is not organized around hot pepper, but maybe they could stretch a bit and serve harissa?) Another plus: it got busy around 6:30, but when we arrived 5ish we had a fair amount of space and quiet, and this was after encountering a 25-minute waiting list at Calypso Cafe down the street and prudently moving on. read more

Went in on Friday for a late lunch. Service was fantastic and the restaurant is really comfortable. Unfortunately, other than the soup, the overall meal was pretty rechid. A lot of time had lapsed before the entrees were served and I have the distinct feeling that the food was sitting under a warmer for a longer than recommended period. I had the chicken shawarma - dried out beyond comprehension. Vegetable side over cooked to the point where I would have spit them out if the napkins weren't cloth - nobody should serve broccoli that far gone. Chicken tika breast ridiculously dry. Didn't look like it was tandoori. It was a sad looking hunk of chicken slathered with sauce. If we weren't starving, frustrated or on a tight schedule we wouldn't have eaten what we were served. For the rest of the day, all I could taste was the raw red onion. Nearly totally regrettable. Two stars - 1 for the service and overall ambiance, 1 for the soup. read more

I love Cedars, and especially their Tandoori Chicken Sandwich. They make a great Shwarma and the prices aren't too bad. When I'm looking to eat a real meal for cheap, I go for Cedars. I'm lucky it's right across the street from me! My Tandoori Chicken Sandwich comes with tandoori chicken, onions, tomato and hummus stuffed into a pita, nice and warm, with their house potatoes on the side and a nice little salad on the side too. It's very cheap and affordable! What I mentioned is usually $5.95! Check out the online menu mentioned in the Yelp info above for yourself. I think all the sandwiches come this way. If you can, I'd get take out (good thing that online menu is there). The atmosphere is nice inside, but the service and the wait is almost unbearable sometimes. It takes forever and last time i went, my server barely checked on my party. If you just call in the order, they'll have your food ready for pick up in 15 minutes, but you have to call in. A friend of mine once walked in to get take out, meanwhile I went to Harold's next door with other friends and we ordered, waited, ate and were about to leave before his food was ready for him to walk out with it! This is why they lose a star. read more

Went here on Friday night. The have done a nice job remodeling. The place seems un-managed though--too few wait staff (and those waitstaff that were there seemed to be not all that interested in serving customers). Waiter took over 15 mins to even come to our table and then didn't even say "sorry to keep you waiting" (I was tempted to walk out). The food was okay, but was under the headlamps for over 5 minutes before the waiter noticed our orders were ready for delivery to the table. read more

Have not been here in a long time. Boy has it gone downhill. It took me forever to get my meal. ? Food was also over cooked and all dried out. read more

Cedars is another solid hyde park institution. The appetizers are tasty (especially the flatbreads with cheese), the salads are fresh, the banquet style entrees are tasty, their shawarma is really good and their baklava and turkish coffee is nice. It's also BYOB. So why only four stars, you might ask. Bad experience? Crappy Hummus? No. They manage to make everything pleasant, and they're really accomodating with unusual/difficult requests (taking 16 people without a reservation, although the fact that they lost my reservation was their problem to begin with, not mine). However, there are a couple of things here that just didn't work out for me. First, the service was a little slow. Although I can totally understand why (especially with 16 people), I made a point to arrive early so there would be appetizers on the table when the rest of the party arrived. I got there nearly 25 minutes early and ordered a couple of flatbreads and falafel and kofte. 20 minutes after everyone showed up, the appetizers arrived. I didn't order a huge amount of appetizers, but it took them a long time to get them out to us, even though the place was basically empty except for us. They also pulled the sneaky move of tacking on the 18% service charge as a menu item. I almost tipped them an additional 20%. Not cool, cedars. Not cool. read more

I had a horrible experience at Cedars. The service was fine, but the food was disgusting. I went with my boyfriend. He ordered the salmon kebab. It was drenched in so many spices that he couldn't taste the fish and left most of it on his plate. I ordered the veggie stew. It was more like half cooked carrots and potatoes in tomato water. I didn't have the heart to tell our nice waitress that it was inedible. Overall, the food is really bad, and I am not going back here again. Cedars has the potential to be better. Please revise your menu! Also, Cedars is not Turkish, contrary to what yelp says. read more

I went to Cedars yesterday was quickly seated, the location is nice clean and great vibe. Unfortunately the (Chicken Tikka) had no flavor it looked good but absolutely no flavor, I ended up going to get a Buana Beef dipped with hot peppers lol.... The Baba Ganoush was excellent, along with the pita bread. I'm very serious when it comes to food so having the look with no flavor just doesn't work for me, i pray that whom ever the chef is that they take some serious thought in taking action, to correct this matter then i'd come back. read more

an absolute necessity for anyone living in Hyde Park avoiding thai for the umpteenth time. and for under $5, i've been known to feed my face on falafel. hmm...chickpea craziness! read more

Great lunch specials. I've always thought they were consistently good. Kind of a pleasant surprise even though its situated in a strip mall in Hyde Park. The soup is wonderful. Nothing I've had really ever "wowed" me, but thats not what I've expected. Don't know what some of the reviewers were expecting considering its stands next to a laundromat, rib shack, and liquor store. read more

Suggestion: When someone calls to order take-out, don't place them on hold and NEVER TAKE THEM OFF HOLD. Tends not to encourage repeat business. read more

cheap, quality Mediterranean. they have this amazing Egyptian lentil soup that will change your life and their falafel sandwich never disappoints. the staff is always very polite and helpful, beautiful restaurant set up; haven't had a bad experience here yet and I've been going for a few years now. read more

3 stars for the inexpensive, tasty and filling falafel sandwich that comes with the potatoes and salad, but 2 stars for everything else. The lentil soup pretty much sums up how I feel about most of the rest of the items on the menu (including the lamb and beef shawerma and chicken kabobs) - it's "meh". read more

I have yet to find a decent restaurant in Hyde Park. Ordered a lamb & beef schwarma for delivery w/ a cup of chicken cous-cous soup from Cedars. What was initially described in the menu as thin slices of lamb and beef w/ grilled onion came out as chipped meat on raw red onion slivers - tough chips of meat shavings which were dry and tasteless (although you could taste the musty tang of mutton on some pieces). The accompanying tzatziki sauce was nondescript and only served to somewhat wet the dry meat. The pitas were dry and bland. The chicken cous-cous soup was missing the chicken and exceedingly salty. Overpriced substandard Mediterranean food. The meal was accompanied by two pieces of charred half-dollar size bell peppers, a charred tomato wedge and a few tennis ball size red potatos. Delivery was late and food was lukewarm. The girl taking the phone order was somewhat dim and had considerable difficulty navigating her computer order system and taking down information. My dining companion's curry chicken w/ vegetables and dolmas were likewise non-descript (curry? Mediterranean?). With so many better options in town, I would try to avoid future experiences with this restaurant; Unfortunately when you're on call and stuck in the hospital the options are limited, sigh... read more

I love getting their sautéed vegetables (cauliflower and eggplant appetizer, along with a large hummus with chicken and lamb. Yum!!!

We were too lazy tonight to drive to our fave Mediterranean restaurant (Nile on 55th) in Hyde Park. So, I called Cedars to ask if they delivered to 43rd and Cottage Grove. As we've learned from living in the area for 5 years, few places will venture into this "territory." So, I called and asked numbnut Alfred (if that's even his name) if they delivered. He says yes. We place our order and patiently wait for our food. An HOUR later, jackass calls and says he's got some sad (yes, he said sad) news...the delivery people refuse to drive into our neighborhood. He says we can come and pick up the food, if we want. How generous. Not, "come and pick it up. It's on us" not, "we'll drive it over there because of the inconvenience." but "you can come and get it, if you want." Yeah, how about no. The last time we ate there it was mediocre and now they're racist and rude. Go to Nile. Stay away from this place. read more

Well I have gotten the hummus sandwich twice and I don't really like it it. Maybe it's just my taste buds for Mediterranean food but I think I have better falafel's other places. they give really nice size portions here for a very reasonable price so I'm not going to give up just yet. I want to find something on the menu that I like because it's nice to have something different to eat but so far I just don't know what to eat. I wont be getting that falafel sandwich again. read more

Always go here with at least 3 other people. They have a deal where you can get tons of food for like $12 if your party is 4 or more. It gives you enough left overs for 2 lunches each. Their vegetarian couscous is great, so is their hummus. They do large groups well too. It's BYOB and there is a liquor store right next store. read more

Cedars is the opposite of the Nile. The Nile is the Mediterranean place people go to to eat. Cedars is the Mediterranean place everyone eats from but never goes to. Nailed it in one. read more

Fantastic food and even better service. Both times I've been here the owner came out to meet my group, and this past time even gave us a free appetizer and dessert sampler. Best service I've ever had. The restaurant has a great feel and atmosphere is very relaxed. If you're looking for Middle Eastern food or just want a great dining experience, check out Cedars! read more

I call this my go- to place for a healthy meal. I was in the mood for salmon and veggies today so I decided this was the place for us to eat this day. Our server was a young friendly guy that seemed to have pulled all his jokes out for us (corny). Not taking away from his good service and attention to our needs. We ordered the seafood kabobs with falafel and chicken/ lamb shawarma. The falafel came first and was very good as usual. We enjoyed it in between the jokes. When the meal came I was so hungry I wanted everything. The portions were great and the food is fresh. As I started to eat my kabobs I couldn't help but look across the table at the lamb shawarma that I was eyeing as a snack to watch the game with later haha. The food was fantastic and we had no complaints other than the corn we didn't order (sarcasm). I highly recommend this place for a great meal. My favorite Mediterranean restaurant close by home. read more

I've eaten at Cedars Mediterranean Kitchen twice, both with fairly large groups and from the "family style" menu. The family style menu is a great choice if you're with a larger group and you want to try as many menu items as possible. Almost everything I've tried at Cedars is flavorful and well-cooked. This is a great place to go if you have a vegan or vegetarian in your party as they'll find something that meets they can eat. The one thing I sampled and didn't like at all was the pineapple-cheese hareesa...it lacked flavor and had a less than appealing consistency. I'm trying to find a polite word for it...but the only word that keeps popping up is "disgusting". The main downside to this restaurant is the service: both times I've been there, I haven't been too pleased with the service. The servers aren't very attentive and lack experience. Overall, I've enjoyed my experiences here and would dine here again...the excellent food outweighs the not so great service. read more

This was my second time at Cedars. After reading the online reviews, I decided to give it another try. I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, the hummus just tasted like lemon, the pita was just ok and I was expecting yellow lentil soup. Guess I just have a different tastes so not for me. read more

This place is an excellent deal and always a good time. The white table cloths, linen napkins, and black-tied waiters give an indication of the quality of the food, but not the price. Entrees are all under $15, even for generous seafood plates, and appetizers and sandwiches are in the $5 range. My favorite thing here is sauteed cauliflower, great as an app or stuffed into a pita with curry potatoes. The house lentil soup is really flavorful, and salads are really fresh. Anything lamb, the tandoori chicken, and the seafood kebabs are also great. Stay away from the Turkish coffee entirely, it's a bit of a joke. Also note that the portions are huge and you'll be getting at least two meals out of any visit here. Cedar's also sells sandwiches and some entrees at many of the University's coffee shops, the University Market attached to the Medici, and they used to have them at Co-op foods, too, so maybe the new Treasure Island will continue with that. read more

I love this place, particularly the kabobs! I've also had the pita sandwiches which are tasty, but a large serving for lunch. I basically could have eaten one half (no sides) and been full. read more

Love this place. A neighborhood staple. Great for take out and catering. Eating is BYOB but there is a store next door that would happily accommodate you. read more

This used to be the go to place in Hyde Park for Middle Eastern Food. Over the years the food and service has been hit or miss. My spouse and I recently visited about a hour before closing. The food was under seasoned and the sauce and meat were cold. It seemed that the food was reheated and not well. I emailed the store the next day with no response after several days. I included photos of the unappetizing food on my plate with the email. I simply wanted the establishment to know that they were serving garbage food. I called after a week and asked by the manager if I was trying to get free food?? LOL. At that point, they lost a customer that should have ventured out years ago. There are better options that have authentic cooks and recipes in the area and certainly better food on the north side. read more

I've eaten here so many times (usually because Cedars supports UofC student groups by donating portions of whatever you buy) and each time, my meal never fails to be delicious. I'd give them 4.5 stars if I could, but sadly that's not an option, so 4 it is. (I'm just not ready to commit 5 stars to anything yet!) Highlights of this place include: - The Eqyptian lentil soup: In a neighborhood where restaurants forget that food needs to be flavorful, Cedars makes up for it with this soup. I don't even like soups in general, but I will eat up every spoonful of this one. - Kallayah (pan-sauteed lamb): This dish is hearty comfort food at its best. It's the perfect combination of tender lamb, savory onions and peppers, and enough rice to sop up all of that delicious tomato-based sauce. It's my favorite thing to order here. - Spicy Chicken Wings: Forget Harold's next door and come here for chicken wings. Basically any positive adjective you can use to describe wings applies here - hot, juicy, tender, etc etc. I tend to ignore the potato "chip" things that come with this appetizer, though. - The Family style meal: Whenever I go to Cedars with a large group of friends, we always get this. It's a total bargain because they always give us so much food that we can take home enough leftovers to eat another meal the next day. Best of all, you get to try a little of everything, from their delicious salads to their appetizers (like the aforementioned wings!) to heaping plates of shawirma and some of their delicious desserts. - Pineapple-Cheese Hareesa: This is Cedars' most popular dessert for a reason. Now, I don't have a big sweet tooth, but this is the perfect sweetness for me. It's light, with a not-too-sweet fruit and cream filling. It's one of the best ways to end a meal. read more

If I were you I would keep driving past this place. Don't get me wrong the food is pretty good, but the price is ridiculous. The service could be better too. I am not sure why anyone would choose to eat this restaurant when you can get the same thing for half the price around the corner. I will not be back. read more

My wife just picked up food from Cedar's, and we just sat down for the most disappointing food ever. We come to expect good food from Cedar's, but this was completely unacceptable. We ordered the sampler and the shekriya. The sampler did not include hummus, as the menu says. Instead, we got a tiny scoop of Jerusalem salad. The tabbouleh was not fresh, and thus wilty. And my wife bit into a rubber band in her dolma. The potatoes we requested were undercooked, the vegetables way overcooked. And then the Egyptian lentil soup was outstanding. What a waste of someone who wants to make good food! We called to complain, and the person who answered, after several minutes on hold, returned to say that the manager was too busy (there were hardly any guests in the restaurant when my wife stopped by 30 minutes ago) and that he would offer some falafel and hummus to make it up to us. Well, you can't make time for your customers, then Cedar's, never again! If you want consistently good, although not always too fancy, Middle Eastern in Hyde Park, the Nile is always your best bet. read more

The food is de-lic-ious! I've dined in at Cedars twice and taken out two or three times. My recommendations would be: for dine-in, the chicken shwarma plate, and for take out, the lamb and chicken shwarma pita sandwich. The portions are generous and the prices reasonable. The waitstaff is very friendly but a little on the slow side. Will be back. read more

Good food. The chicken kabobs and the lentil soup are great.

Coming from an Egyptian women I will tell you right now that Cedars is GOOOOOOOD! While I was in the Kenwood Plaza and suddenly received a hunger urge, I decided to get a chicken schwarma pita sandwich from Cedars. It was delicious! I have tried chicken schwarma from all over, from the Nile, Falaffel Grill, and El Souk, to name a few. This was by far the best. The chicken was so tender and the vegetables crispy. The tahini tasted great and I loved the red wine vinaigrette they gave with it. I just did not understand the fried potato slices they served with the sandwich. They were not Arabic at all! I left them alone completely. A nice side salad would have been much more enjoyable than some sliced potatoes.... read more

The lentil soup is amazing! I have eaten at this restaurant numerous times. I really like the hummus and the kefta kabab. The service has always been very good and the prices are reasonable. I usually get an additional meal or two out of my leftovers- I feel the portions are very generous! read more

This is my new favorite restaurant in Hyde Park. The decor is clean and modern. The food is delicious and plentiful. I highly recommend!

Pretty decent dinner option if you are stuck in Hyde Park. Good Mediterranean food. Service has always been decent. Prices are a bit high. Good experience overall. read more