I base my 5 star rating on the category for this restaurant - small, very causal and with no attempt to be anything more. I've been to 50 states and 17 foreign countries and their luncheon buffet is the best that I've ever encountered. Everything is fabulous. If I miss lunch, I get the large combination platter for dinner. I come to Oak Park about once a month and I go here at least once a trip. It seems to be family run and those working there are very pleasant. If you're looking to impress someone with an upscale atmosphere, there are better choices. But if you want very tasty Mediterranean food at very fair prices, this is the place. read more

The best possible place to eat in regards to health, affordability, convenience, and taste. All around amazing food with very minimal wait for such a healthy meal. Not to mention the restaurant manager, Muhammad, is a very good guy and is always extremely helpful. read more

Better than food court middle eastern but a far cry from the fresh and exciting flavors you should expect from these dishes. The falafels are soft and bland when compared the little nuggets of joy at Grape Leaves. read more

Yesterday was my first time @ Jerusalem Cafe. I had the combination plate for lunch and I thought that the beef kabob was absolutely delicious! It was so good I went back in the evening and got a beef kabob sandwich. The meat is flavorful, very juicy, n tasted fresh off the grill! I'll be back again. Just not for the falafel that was not good. read more

We had a late lunch 2:00pm and I ordered a plate of falafel my wife ordered the lamb kebab plate coffee and a coke. They had enough coffee to give me just about 1/2 cup and it was cold. They were suppose to brew another pot, but I guess she got busy with something else and completely forgot about the coffee. I enjoy the falafel, but my wife said that she didn't enjoy the kebab. read more

The food is good, but delivery is horrible. I ordered the Hummus and Shawarma entree, the Lamb Kabob entree, the Gyro sandwich, a Tabouleh salad, a dozen falafel and a large order of Tahini sauce. The food was mostly good, except the Tabouleh salad, which tasted pretty much like coarse chopped leaves of indeterminate origin. They didn't have much of a flavor and were quite fibrous and tough to chew. The lamb kebobs were great, so was the shawarma and gyro. Unfortunately, the packing/delivery leaves much to be desired. They put liquid and semi liquid items such as sauces and hummus in little plastic tubs with weak lids that can't stay closed. They wrap these tubs in paper bags, and then throw it all into plastic bags for delivery. As a result, the food was a mess. All the sauces and half the hummus had leaked out, and it was all a soggy mess of soaked and dripping paper and leaking bags. These people need to invest a few extra pennies into brown paper bags with flat bottoms so the food containers inside can stay right side up, instead of edge down, which loosens the lids and everything leaks out. read more

Great food, clean resultant very authentic (coming from someone who is very familiar with the cuisine). Moved to oak park recently and will definitely make this place a regular for me! read more

I have to disagree with Robert. I wasn't impressed with their food at all. It seemed very greasy. I did enjoy the outdoor patio though and the staff was nice. read more

Jerusalem Cafe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Oak Park, Illinois

Not bad, but definitely not great. I went a while ago (a few months?), but what I remember of the shawarma and side of falafel is that it was fine--the meat was good, but the toppings were minimal and the pita was dry. The falafel came with a couple dipping sauces but were a little overcooked and too crunchy/dark brown on the outside. The price was good, though, and any shawarma is better than no shawarma, so Jersualem Cafe certainly works in a pinch. read more

Excellent falafel sandwich! Loaded with falafel and customize your add ins cant be beat. The Peruvian tea is well made and served in a lovely glass cup. If you can find a place to park in downtown Oak Park it's worth the stop read more

I've been to this place twice. The first time I got the shwarma plate, which was like a little bundle of meat love. I was totally stuffed. The second time I did the buffet, which was quite tasty. The buffet has tons of options and they were all well done... I'm not totally sure what I was eating, but it was scrumptious. read more

Food is really good and prices are reasonable. Dining room is tiny though and not cleaned very well. The lunch buffet is great - all you can eat for $8. read more

This place has come a long way. I've tried it a few times over the years and only thought of the food as meh and just there. I went this last time because a friend wanted to go. We both have food sensitivities now and so our choices are limited. Middle Eastern restaurants are places where I can actually find something I can have. I had a tabbouleh salad with marinated chicken. Man, was that good. It was refreshing on a super hot summer night and awfully tasty and filling. I didn't like the hummus as much as I like my own. It had a spice in it I didn't care for and it was a bit too pulverized making it seem commercial. read more

Affordable middle eastern fast food. Sometimes it's not so fast especially during dinner hours. Quality of food is okay. Lamb shawarma is juicy tho' I've had better. Falafel is pretty good - you definitely can taste the herbs and spices. Lots of fresh fruit smoothies to choose from. read more

The Chicken Shawarma pita and the Baklava were so delicious! Delivery is easy and cheap. My go-to place for Delivery in Oak Park.

Delicious, cheap, clean and friendly staff. Doesn't get much better than Jerusalem Cafe when you are looking for a quick meal. I love the combination plate-chicken shwarma, beef, lamb patties and falafel on a bed of rice and veggies...with hummus and pita on the side. When this place was on Groupon, my husband and I each bought the maximum you could purchase. If I ever leave Oak Park, this is one of the places I'll miss the most. read more

Fantastic flavors and spices for a great price. Went there for dinner and had the combination feast- a bit of everything, and everything did not disappoint! Can't go wrong ordering anything here. read more

The falafel was good, but a little salty. I plan to go back and try a combination platter.

This places seasoning of their meat is superb. The chicken, beef and kifta are so well done that it matters not what variation of them you get, you'll love it. Funny enough, they also have some of the beast seasoned French fries I've had too. read more

Downtown Oak Park has a $5 lunch special at various restaurants in March. Jerusalem Cafe is participating & they list a combo special on the website. I went in and ordered it and they brought a plate of falafel. I told them I ordered the lunch combo plate & the owner said it wasn't available & refunded my money. They shouldn't advertise food orders they are not honoring. Bad business! I went across the street to Kyber Pass & enjoyed a nice chicken tikka masala lunch! read more

Good Solid food for a reasonable price. had the combination platter. was as i expect4ed !

I went to sinbad's last night and got to thinking about how much i missed the food from jerusalem cafe. we used to live right down the street, so we used to be regulars. I really like the hummus here better than anywhere else i've been in chicago. It is more lemony and less bitter than many other places. The falafel here is excellent as is the tabouleh. The kabobs are nice too if you're in the mood for some meaty goodness. Also, try the baklava. It's almost as good as the little bakery in greek town which i will be yelping about next. read more

Not bad I guess. Come in take a look at the menu for the shwarma's and they gots them! But only in beef or chicken, no lamb. This made for a very sad Mexi as I like the lamb. Maybe it's an easter thing so they are giving the lambs a break? Idk. So we go with the chicken. It's good to try new things. Right? Well it actually wasn't bad. The sauce was good with a bit of a tasty tang. There are a few changes that I would make to this lil morsel of yumminess. First I'd add one or two more pieces of tomato, then I would add a few more cuts of red onion, then as some dill pickle. If the owners made these changes I could pump it up to four stars. But I will be back cause it was good enough for a second visit. read more

Full- flavored, crispy falafel.. just what I needed. Regardless of where I am at in Chicago, I have a radar for Mediterranean cuisine. We were in Oak Park, enjoying a nice day out and had to stop in for a falafel sandwich. It was quite difficult to not stray and order a completely different dish being that they have quite a tantalizing menu of options... My husband ordered the chicken shawarma and it was quite good too... The best part of all was being able to enjoy our lunch outdoors under the shade of an umbrella. read more

I love coming here for lunch. The first time I came, I tried the sampler platter. The chicken is delicious, but I prefer the beef and lamb dishes. The hummus is a plain one, but I like it. It's not uppity. The falafels are just OK, not as good in my mind as the rest. But still good. The salads are flavorful and now I'm wishing I could just walk here and have this food for dinner! Friendly staff. read more

Beef Shish kabob plate not bad

So I walk by this place on my way to the movie theaters all the time but never tried it. Saturday we decided to give it a try. I am very glad I did. I am trying to eat healthy so I wanted a place that gave me that option. When I read the sign that said they use no butter, no lard but instead uses extra virgin olive oil and corn oil I was sold. I decided on the chicken shawarma with extra veggies instead of the rice. The meal also came with humus and pita bread. The chicken was flavourful and the portion of the food was a good amount. There is a small seating area but it's not a lot of space. Overall I was pleased with the experience and will be back. read more

i've been to both Sinbad and Sultan Market, now Jerusalem cafe. of the 3 this place by far is 3rd. its not that i totally hated it, i just think Sultan and Sinbad are much better. BUT Jerusalem will get more of my patronage based simply on distance. 3 blks vs. 5 miles for the other 2 :-) you can use Foodler.com with this place. read more

So yummy! So friendly! Since my family loves middle-eastern food, my brother's family got take out from here for us our first night in Chicago. It was so good! The lamb and chicken shwarma were fought over. The babaganoush was out of this world good. Before we left for the airport, my own family went back for lunch. They were so friendly and patient (even when I spilled water all over the floor). The chicken was even better. As in 'how do they do that?!" good. The lamb shwarma was excellent. Hummus was good. My only little tiny nit pick is the vegetables. A little too soggy and oily. But, not enough to take off a star. I didn't have it, but my husband and son said the felafel was excellent. read more

When I'm in the mood for some Middle Eastern, their falafel avocado sandwich is my go-to order. I can never finish one by myself, either. They're extraordinarily filling. Their baba ghanoush is THE BEST! Be aware that their small orders are still pretty big. I usually have extra to dip vegetables in for a few days afterward. In comparison to their baba ghanoush, their hummus isn't all that. read more

I like this place. They have a good selection of middle eastern food. Good flavors. Nice service. Good pricing. I have slowly been working my way through there menu and have not been disappointed. Worth dropping in before or after a movie next door. Or if your walking around the neighborhood, it's worth your time to stop in. You can't go wrong. read more

Yum. Yum. Yum! I've been crazing falafel for a while now and I'm so glad we gave this place a try tonight. The kabobs are great as well as the veggies! Their hummus is also exceptional. While we did not eat at the restaurant, the ordering process was seamless. The woman who took my order was very friendly, patient and informative as I asked about different menu options despite the fact that they were busy. Delivery occurred when they said it would. I hope next time we can give this place a try in person! read more

Another great meal at Jerusalem Cafe. They have the best falefel I've tasted, and I practically lived off Pita Inn, then Reza's and the Middle Eastern Bakery. So glad there is a place of this quality near my new home. read more

This is a damn good middle eastern joint. The delux falafel with fried veggies is quite excellent. Perfect pre-game for the lake st theater. Better than Grape Leaves down the street. read more

I really do like this place -- huge portions so you always have lunch the next day, some of the best hummus around, with incredible texture and good flavor, and a helluva falafel. I order their entree plates and am always satisfied with what they have to offer. Is it the greatest place to sit around and hang out? Not really. Don't go for the atmosphere. Go for the really great food. read more

Kids and I live this place. Great value for money. Love to get takeout when I'm on my own and don't feel like cooking.

I love this place. Favorite Middle Eastern meal in OP. Skip the grape leaves, but other than that, excellent.

Very good food. Doesn't look like much from the outside but everything I've tried has been flavorful and delicious. Highly recommend!!

It's Nice. We get carry out here at least once a month. I really like myself a Chicken Schawaaarrramamama sammich with extra sauce. The staff is nice, food is always ready when I show up. read more

When you're tired of the usual burgers, sandwiches, burritos, salads, pizza and everything else in Forest Park/Oak Park make sure to hit up Jerusalem Cafe on Lake St. Sandwiches are great! The felafel is only like $4 and really good but I like the beef kabob sandwhich the best. They serve it in a warm pita with tahini sauce, tomato, and cucumber. Really good stuff and really inexpensive! Not a great place for "in and out" service though. Takes about 8- 10 minutes for them to cook your food so be prepared to wait (in case you need a quick lunch). read more