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    Crave Kabob

    4.2 (406 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Crave Kabob Takeout or Delivery

    Crave Kabob Photos

    Business Info

    CRAVE KABOB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    Recommended Reviews - Crave Kabob

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    Reviews With Photos

    Julian G.

    Had the Crave bowl with biryani rice, babaganoush, spicy hummus, chicken kabobs, Arabic and Jerusalem salads, and tahini/garlic sauce. The chicken was juicy and grilled perfectly. The babaganoush was smoky just how I like it. The rice wasn't exactly what I think of for biryani, but I liked the unique twist for a Middle Eastern bowl. Atmosphere is clean and casual. Maybe I'll try the baklava cheesecake next time.

    Side of grilled veggies
    Katy C.

    I ordered Crave Kabob on Uber Eats while I was working in the area. I got a steak shawarma bowl with extra grilled veggies. The delivery was quick and packaged well. I thought the portion was filling and I loved the amount of sauce and hummus on the bowl as I'm a big sauce fan. The main salad layer was just some basic shredded lettuce, but I liked the cucumber salad and the herbs. The side of veggies was a bit weird, the onions weren't really grilled so they were basically raw. I liked that they came on a bed of pillowy bread, which I used to dip in the hummus. Overall this was a good, healthier option for delivery food, and I'd probably order from this spot again.

    Geneva G.

    I want to start off by saying this is the best service I've had in along time. I was very new I love the food I will be back also my server Waleed he was very patient, a very good server. In other words he run that shit well very well with the team shit all are hard workers I sat and ate in restaurant I watched with all that being said I'll be back

    Front
    Rob G.

    What an amazing place for super fresh Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food! I started with the fried Mediterranean cheese which was sweaky cheesy great! For my main I went with the lamb kabob sandwich on a pita. Lots of great lamb flavor and no shortage of extra veggies. The service was outstanding. The cashier gave me a sample falafel while I was waiting for my order and was super friendly. Will definitely be back!!

    Chicken Shawarma Bowl
    Kenna G.

    Delicious chicken shawarma bowl, the hummus & sauces were fantastic. Great meal to get for takeout, but the restaurant has a big dining area as well. Service was great, always appreciate staff asking how your food was!

    Fried cauliflower, lentil soup, spicy biryani, falafel sandwich

    All the flavors worked so well together! The fried cauliflower has a light and crispy texture. Instead of having a thick breading like most fried cauliflower, this dish seemed to have a spice rub coated on before the cauliflower was fried. It resulted in an incredibly tender, flavorful, and perfectly fried dish. The lentil soup had earthy undertones of turmeric. It was the right thickness to pair well with the biryani rice. Pouring a bit of the soup over the rice adds contrast in texture while also elevating the earthy flavors of the soup with the light notes of spice from the rice. The falafel sandwich was divine. There's no question why the restaurant claims their falafel is number 1. For any other restaurant that serves falafel, the falafel is just there to provide a crunch without any flavor. But these are different, they're on the softer side and melt in your mouth with such a great taste. Then kicks in the hummus, and the soft and fluffy pita bread with every bite. Woo wee I can't wait to come back.

    Chicken Shawafel in a wrap
    Kennedy H.

    Such a great lunch spot! I got their Chicken Shawaful in a wrap which was the perfect combo of falafel and Chicken all in one. Such an affordable and filling option. 10/10 recommend!

    Zeina E.

    I always see ads for this restaurant on my TikTok FYP so I figured it was time to try it. I honestly thought it was mostly a takeout restaurant with limited seating, but I was so wrong. There is an entire dining hall, set up with TV's, a drink station and over all, it's kept really clean. Service was excellent. The staff were very friendly and efficient. I had placed an order to go, and when I arrived, everything was packed and ready to go. In order to properly rate a middle eastern restaurant, I had to get the two most popular items - the chicken shawarma and the beef shawarma. I decided to try the chicken shawarma "Arab style". This comes chopped up into bite size pieces, with fries, pickles, and a side salad. It also came with garlic sauce for dipping. The chicken was moist and flavorful, but I wish the garlic sauce was a bit more potent. I think they mix it with mayonnaise, but I could be wrong. The fries were crispy and salty. I got the beef shawarma sandwich and that was by far my favorite. The meat was juicy, seasoned really well and cooked to perfection. I also decided to try their version of the Dubai chocolate, which was a bit overpriced in my opinion (about 13$ after tax) but that's the market price for a viral product I guess. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. I couldn't taste any pistachio and I didn't get the crunch from the kenefe that I keep seeing all over social media. It was still a solid chocolate bar, but it was lacking the pistachio flavor. They offer both milk and white chocolate flavors. Overall, this is a solid middle eastern place. Definitely worth the try if you're in the area!

    Falafel
    Andrew W.

    The West Loop is a bit lacking in places that offer good, quick and delicious meals. Thankfully I found Crave Kabob. It's located in a strip mall on the corner of Madison and Ogden. First, the food is very good. I'm not going to claim that their food is "authentic", but their dishes are ones I've seen on the menu at many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants. When I visited for lunch I tried the chicken shawarma Arabian style, Arabian salad, fried cauliflower, pita bread, falafel and hummus. They did each of these dishes well. I particularly enjoyed the chicken shawarma Arabian style and the hummus. Second, their service was excellent. My food came out very fast and it was hot and fresh, especially the pita bread. Third, they have a nice ambiance. The décor is bright airily and modern. They even have upstairs seating that overlooks the restaurant. Fourth, and the importance of this cannot be overstated, they have parking. Parking is hard enough in Chicago, but parking is especially bad in their neighborhood, the West Loop. Their parking lot is small, and it's shared with other businesses, but the mere fact that they have parking is a big plus. In sum, this is a great spot for a delicious, quick meal. It would a nice place to eat before a game or concert at the United Center.

    Mixed Grill and Kids Gyros & Fries
    Nava L.

    I came here with my mom and we had a pretty good experience! You first order at the front then they call your name out to go get your food when it's ready. You also have to get your own silverware and napkins. The place itself was nice and clean. The cashier was really nice and helpful when deciding what to try. We ended up getting a mixed grill and a gyros sandwich which fries. The mixed grill was HUGE cause it comes with two types of rice and 2 salads. The meat itself was okay - some of it was a little dry but they have so many sauces so it makes up for it! We also tried the falafel which was amazing - highly recommend trying it! My mom said both the gyros and fries were great!! The prices are a little on the expensive side - mixed grill was about $30 so I think the pictures of the menu on Yelp are quite old. You do get pretty good sized portions so still worth it.

    Chicken Bowl

    Chicken bowl with Rice, Chicken, "Cucumber salad", and Tahini. Kind of a rip off, 4 small pieces of chicken, bout 12 pieces of small diced cucumbers, and 1.5oz of sauce. I also got baklava and tipped a couple bucks. Little underwhelming on seasoning as well. So for 25$ you could get a much better bowl at mostly any other spot, save your money and go there you're just gonna be hungry and disappointed after eating here

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    Worst gyro of my life. You can get a better gyro at Arby's. Wouldn't feed this to my dog.

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    8 months ago

    The food was so fresh and tasty. The portions are large. The customer services was spot on a must try.

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    Business owner information

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    Essa T.

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    9 months ago

    The food is outstanding. The best Mediterranean food in Chicago. The chicken is most and the spices are not overwhelming.

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    1 year ago

    The food is pretty decent but the fries we had were Unfortunately super soggy and I do not recommend them.

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    2 years ago

    Great food! Good service nice clean atmosphere. Would definitely return and recommend this joint.

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    1 year ago

    Lamb was tuff and rice was bland. The hummus was bitter and don't give you enough sauce. II don't recommend but Naf Naf taste much better

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    2 years ago

    Friggin phenomal food for sit down or take out. Try to bowl- tasty and economical. The fresh mint lemon slushy is a hit also on a hot day.

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    Page 1 of 11

    Ask the Community - Crave Kabob

    I visit Chicago once a year. I'm always looking for a LAMB ONLY GYRO. Do you have gyros that are made with lamb only? If not...do you know of a restaurant that does? Thank you!

    Hello. Our gyro consists of a combination of beef and lamb. Unfortunately, we do not know of any vendors that have a 100% gyro cone. Sorry we could not be of more help.

    Are you guys halal?

    Nilu F., our offerings are halal with the exception of the Gyro. Thank you for reaching out.

    View All 5 Questions

    Ema - Salmon bab.

    Ema

    4.3(1.9k reviews)
    1.9 miNear North Side
    $$

    I've come here with my boyfriend a handful of times and we love it. We like to try different…read morecocktails every time. The mimosa on a nice summer day on the patio is my happy place. The entrees are amazing too. The rice with the chicken skewer is my favorite so far and my boyfriend loves the beef and lamb skewer. The service has always been great as well. We've had the same server a couple times now and she's friendly and gets the job done. (Wish I could remember her name!) The ambience is great. With natural light coming in and the soft lamps, it's calming. Truly a beautiful restaurant.

    So disappointed. I…read morecame about 5 years ago and loved my meal, especially the sticky date cake, which lingered in my memory as my favorite all time dessert. This year I was so excited to bring my family and Ema was the only restaurant in Chicago I couldn't wait for them to try. I booked it as our final meal in Chicago and lay awake at 4am being so disappointed in my choice. Our server's greeting was monotone and emotionless, which I realize now, would be foreshadowing the meal to come. Ordered the following 1) Smoky eggplant- arrived appearing as an unappetizing curdled purple grey mush. This was the worst tasting baba ghanouj I have ever eaten. It was acidic and had the texture of cottage cheese. The only redeeming thing about this appetizer was the warm naan. 2) house made stratciatella with side of green falafels- The stratciatella was bland and stringy. I would not order this dish expecting the creamy interior of typical burrata. However, if you like string cheese mixed with heavy cream- you may enjoy this dish. The tomatoes and basil were good. 3) chicken kefta- kefta was bland, rice even blander . 4) short rib with polenta- bland and the meat and polenta had the same texture, which seems impossible but somehow the plating was over complicated by the addition of mushy dates and grapes. 5) buttered noodles- my 8 year old ordered this. It was decent with a good amount of Parmesan and cooked perfectly al dente. By the end of the meal, I was so shocked by how terrible the food was I didn't even want to order the sticky date cake that was my main purpose for returning to this restaurant. Ema, what happened to you?!

    Photos
    Ema - Ema tables and bar

    Ema tables and bar

    Ema - Double chocolate.

    Double chocolate.

    Ema - Inside

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    Inside

    Kabobi Grill - Mixed #1: Lamb Koubideh Kabob (Lamb Kofta) and Chicken Koubideh Kabob (Chicken Kofta Kabob)

    Kabobi Grill

    4.5(1.3k reviews)
    6.4 miAlbany Park
    $$

    We stopped by as a group of 5 for dinner Sunday night and we were promptly seated. We visited…read moreChicago for St. Patty's, but my two Persian friends were eager to show us some authentic food and Kabobi did not disappoint. The food was absolutely delicious and I particularly loved the Shami and Koubidehs. The koubidehs were so tender and juicy. The service was phenomenal and they even brought us some tea and dessert (bamieh) for free. Kabobi is open late and was the perfect spot to chat while the rain died down. Definitely coming back when I'm in Chicago next time!

    Ordered: Caspian Mix Grill (~$25) with Albaloo Polo (~$6): 1…read moreskewer boneless chicken breast, 1 skewer filet mignon marinated in a pomegranate walnut sauce, with grilled onion, raw onion, and butter Bamieh & Balava (complimentary) Aya's take: I was really craving Persian food before leaving Chicago and decided to place an order for pickup to take on my way. I arrived 25 minutes later and they hadn't even made my order. From there, 3 different people told me it'll be another 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and 15 minutes. I ended up waiting 20 minutes and during that whole time there was no apology. One of the workers handed me a tea and later I saw they included dessert in the bag. It was a nice gesture but I was frustrated that it wasn't acknowledged by the staff at all and part of my order was still missing. I paid $2.25 for a Yogurt & Cucumber Sauce which I never received. The Caspian Mix Grill with Albaloo Polo was very good. The filet mignon & chicken breast were both juicy and well-seasoned. The Albaloo Polo is plain basmati rice mixed with saffron, caramelized onion and sauteed sweet & sour cherries. I liked the rice but it felt like they just threw the cherries on top rather than incorporate it into the rice. It was very filling, enough to share with 2 people, and good value. The Bamieh & Balava were also fresh, sweet, and a nice bite to end on. Ultimately, I would give the food a 4/5 and the service a 2/5, hence my 3/5 rating.

    Photos
    Kabobi Grill - Dine in area

    Dine in area

    Kabobi Grill - Kabobi Homemade Mango Saffron Icecream

    Kabobi Homemade Mango Saffron Icecream

    Kabobi Grill - Chicken fesenjan

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    Chicken fesenjan

    Al Bawadi Grill - Family Platter (serves 5-6 people)

    Al Bawadi Grill

    4.1(1.2k reviews)
    12.4 mi
    $$

    Came here for lunch to celebrate my birthday. It is located in the Harlem Corners shopping center…read morewith ample parking. The staff is warm and welcoming, and we were seated quickly upon arriving. Love the ambiance! It is very cozy and inviting. We were served a complimentary appetizer: pita bread strips, pickled veggies, and what I believe to be an eggplant dip. We also ordered the Bawadi wing appetizer. It was delicious, and those wings! It came with a sauce, but I cannot comment on that because none of us tried it. The wings by themselves are delicious! My friends both ordered the lamb chops, and I ordered the Al Bawadi mixed grill with hummus and bread. Everything was good, and the portions are generous. The meat was tender, juicy, and seasoned well. We all enjoyed our meals. We plan on coming back in the Fall to celebrate another birthday. This is definitely a neighborhood staple and will come back with family.

    We came here for a quick bite to eat before a game. The place was packed including the parking lot…read more They stay had plenty of tables available and we also received quick service. We ordered two sandwiches. A Chicken shawarma and meat shawarma. Both were fantastic and came with a lot of fries. Overall a very filling dish and a great option for a quick meal. The sandwiches were very flavorful and priced very fairly. Definitely do want to return to perhaps order some bigger entrees.

    Photos
    Al Bawadi Grill - 20 minute wait for two. Food smells delicious though

    20 minute wait for two. Food smells delicious though

    Al Bawadi Grill - Kenafah

    Kenafah

    Al Bawadi Grill - Lotus cake

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    Lotus cake

    Avec - Chicago - Chorizo-Stuffed Medjool Dates

    Avec - Chicago

    4.3(2.6k reviews)
    1.1 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$$

    I finished work early and wanted to find a spot where I could have a light bite and drink to…read moreunwind. I remember seeing an Avec in River North, but my office was near West Loop so that made this location more convenient. I made a reservation for myself as I wasn't sure how busy the place got. Hospitality was great right off the bat. My reservation was for 5:30pm, but I arrived early and was offered a seat at the bar immediately. My hostess asked if I wanted to have my jacket held at coat check, which I was much obliged to maximize my space at the intimate bar. I got a Last Frontier, a gin-based cocktail that was sweet, slightly tart and refreshing. It was well crafted and hit the spot. I loved their Potato and Salted Cod Brandade. Talk about stick to your ribs! The brandade's warmth, thick texture, and rich flavor made the dip oh so comforting. Perfect for the blustery weather. I'll be back to try other popular items from the menu!

    I went to Avec for my birthday and from food, service, and ambiance the entire experience was a…read moredisappointment. The endive salad was warm and not cohesive at all. Nothing really went together and it was warm, which didn't make sense and made it worse. The steak was cooked how I asked, but the sauce was extremely oily and had this strange burnt flavor which likely was from the onions? The onions were extremely burnt, nothing like a typical caramelized delish onion. The chicken had the same issue, everything had that same burnt tasting oil and the chilies sitting in it just made it more intense. It was honestly just edible and nothing I would come back for or recommend. I love middle eastern food and know that even with a midwestern there are some considerations to take with the flavor profile but the burnt onions, burnt spicy oil in the chicken, and a warm salad are all indications for poor execution. As for the actual ambiance and experience it was my birthday and there was no acknowledgment at all not even someone to check in on whether the food was okay. I did not want to order a dessert after the salad, steak, and shawarma all missing the mark. The seating was very uncomfortable. It is cramped and communal and at this price point I expected a much better experience. Will admit I should have looked into the actual dining set up before booking a late night reservation but even still there are so many better places in Chicago where you can get better food and actually feel comfortable. Overall it just was not worth it. I would not return or recommend this spot.

    Photos
    Avec - Chicago - Restaurant view from bar

    Restaurant view from bar

    Avec - Chicago - Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh

    Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh

    Avec - Chicago - Chorizo-stuffed Medjool Dates

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    Chorizo-stuffed Medjool Dates

    Crave Kabob - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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