Jibek Jolu was all I could ask for to relive my time in Kyrgyzstan!! As soon as I walked in, I saw the familiar design, camels, and all the detail that transported me out of Chicago, yay!! It's so refreshing when a restaurant can do this! I wanted my family to experience a glimpse of Kyrgyz food, so of course we ordered all the things only a local would know about ! Shout out to our guide during our trip- he made sure we tried lots of cuisine that was all the way Kyrgyz food! The crispy eggplant is a must and is my favorite ! The eggplant is light and the sauce that is drenched on top is perfect to balance the fried crispy exterior. Next I ordered Samsa, Plov, and lamb kurdock. My husband ordered the beef rib and mash potatoes. Not the most Kyrgyz but he did try everything and loved it all! If you want a taste of central Asian cuisine please come to Jibek Jolu! Don't forget the honey cake! read more

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Ambiance is nice. You can really tell there's a little community that goes there a lot. The location is kind of quaint, you can totally miss it on a corner at the end of the downtown plaza if you're not paying attention. I definitely felt a little underdressed but it's not technically a super fancy place but i would recommend dressing up. The night i went there was also live music, which was so nice! Exploring the menu was awesome because some of the food was very new to me and I wish there was a way for me to order and try more than just one dish. I had the Rice Plov which was SO GOOD!!! I had never even heard of it before until i came here! Would definitely recommend coming here to try at least once! read more

Beautiful space, delicious food, huge portions. A lot of us hadn't tried this kind of cuisine before or this restaurant so we tried asking our server for recommendations. He wasn't very helpful unfortunately other than naming some appetizers that we tried, though these came after some of our entrees came out. It was also very difficult to get water and refills on water but other than that we loved our experience. We over ordered because again, we were not aware of how big the portions would be and our waiter wasn't very informative: Carrot salad- even as a side this was a big portion to share with delicious light Asian flavors Jibek jolu salad- another great shareable with a tasty dressing and cuts of tender beef Khachapuri- one of the recommended apps, also a big portion to share though we didn't know what to do with the raw egg that came on the side. After flagging someone down to help us, we discovered that this was a delicious cheesy bread with egg mixed in. Crispy eggplant- another recommended app which was delicious and sweet Lamb kurdock- I didn't love this dish it was kind of dry and lacking in flavor but huge with lots of potatoes and veggies Combo skewers- so much meat that was all very tender and flavorful, though it came on one thin soggy tortilla. It would have been nice to have more tortillas on the side to make a wrap. I also tried the chicken tabaka, and this was delicious with a curry flavor. Overall, most dishes were so delicious, but it was a bit of a learning curve on how to order and what to expect. read more

Jibek Jolu - Jibek Jolu and carrot salad - Russian Near Me - Glenview, Illinois

Oleksander was incredible. I want to start off by saying I was in a terrible situation--traffic made me late to my reservation and I had a movie to catch. He walked my friend and I through what to order and everything was INCREDIBLE. I truly can't explain how amazing the Khachapuri is. My friend and I talked about it all weekend. The beet salad was beautifully balanced and fresh as well. Now here comes the awful part, we were having so much fun enjoying our apps that the movie time crept closer and closer. Oleksander quickly pivoted our entrees to go but also brought out a crème brûlée for my birthday. I was so deeply sorry that we didn't have enough time to truly enjoy the experience. My friend made 4 meals out of the plov and she enjoyed it thoroughly. I had the branzino and it was wonderful even to next day! The restaurant is beautiful and spacious! They had cooking shows on TV! If I could give 10/5 stars, I would. read more

Jibek Jolu offers some solid Central Asian flavors, but the experience was uneven and ultimately held back by service and execution. On the positive side, the crispy eggplant was excellent, well-cooked, flavorful, and easily the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn't live up to that start. Service was very lacking, which was surprising given that there were only two tables occupied in the entire restaurant. Long waits and minimal attentiveness made the meal feel unnecessarily drawn out. The most concerning issue came with the mixed skewers. One of the skewers containing ground meat arrived raw in the center, which immediately ended my appetite. That moment overshadowed what had been an otherwise decent meal and made it hard to feel confident continuing. There's potential here, especially with certain dishes and the atmosphere (looked nice inside but dark), but between the service issues and the raw meat, this visit fell squarely in the middle. Not bad read more

Jibek Jolu - Mixed Skewers - Russian Near Me - Glenview, Illinois

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I had a lovely lunch here with our toddler after visiting the children's museum. The server was incredibly friendly, the ordering process was quick and easy, and the restaurant itself is clean, welcoming, and very family-friendly. We ordered the Khachapuri and the Classic Plov with tender lamb, and both were excellent. The khachapuri is a must -- warm, cheesy, soft yet chewy, and not overly feta-forward despite having feta in it. Comfort food at its best. The plov is hearty and flavorful, and even our picky toddler loved it. The lamb was a bit on the lean side and tasted slightly dry, but still well seasoned. Overall, a great experience and an easy spot to dine with kids. We'll definitely be back! read more

Jibek Jolu - Russian Near Me - Glenview, Illinois

A lovely experience, excellent service, and delicious food. Started with borscht with a dollop of sour cream. Something I enjoy very much, especially on a rainy day, which it was. We were taken care from the time we walked in, until the moment we left. The décor and surroundings were really warm and inviting. Plenty of food, and would definitely return. read more

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Amazing food amazing service amazing ambience it's so dark. The bathrooms are nice. They have sports going on at the bar. They have good bread. read more

We gave Jibek Jolu a try for dinner to celebrate two birthdays. The experience exceeded my expectations. The dining room design makes for nice experience whether you want to be fancy or casual. I liked that the tables in many locations feel like you are in your own dining area. The service was friendly and attentive. Our waitress answered our questions about the menu items and made good recommendations. We tried a number of items starting with the borscht, which was surprisingly served warm instead of chilled. We also tried the kachapuri and crispy eggplant as appetizers. Each person preferred their own main course. I had the chicken tabaka with a side of carrot salad. It was delicious and it was a large serving so I got two meals out of it. The restaurant brought out a small complimentary dessert for the birthday celebrations which we ended up sharing. Overall it was a great experience and we will definitely be returning. read more

I absolutely loved this place! The best food! I lived in Kyrgyzstan before and the taste was wonderful! 1. Reservation: yes, you need it. The drawback here is, they want you gone in 2 hours. They will literally come and tell you it is time. You can get offended, but I didn't because they told me beforehand, so I was expecting it. But I wish they didn't have that. 2. Food- wonderful beef tongue- amazing Manti - not good, skip this beef stroganoff- excellent namesake salad - okay, too much greens for me plov - quite good, but I'd say stroganoff is better eggplants - not a fan. 3. Service: excellent, professional, polite. 4, Interior: reminded me of typical Mongolian restaurant decor and considering the shared history, it was a warm welcome. On the dark side. 5. Their Moroccan TEA deserves a special mention! Never, nowhere in America in the last 20 years, have i had a better tea in a restaurant! Must get! All in all, great place! read more

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Monti, beer , dishes w ambiance Cheburkey needs work Service amazing Will go back Ukrainian and Russian family enjoyed for a higher end experience read more

I was in this place from very first opening periodically ... and tendency is not leading me to be back as often as i would like ... The menu was cut short, portions downsized, prices went up significantly. The worst , the favorable Lunch Special disappeared.... Drinks ... hope it will be better... at least. Although, interior still very nice , would be better to see white tables cover , but owner decided to stick to economic way of business... Service, personal is very friendly, but to get their attention is very complicated, have to stand up and walk to them to order something... Only 2 stars this time , for atmosphere and friendly look of personal... read more

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A respectful, but not obsequious, server, and excellent ambience. Great borscht (the actual reason I chose to try this place; always sentimentaly seeking to experience a taste from my past) , great plov, great eggplant. I will definitely go back to eat with more people to eat family style with enough stomachs to justify a more numerous variety of dishes. It is great to be able to have ethnic cuisine that is not one of the common cuisines found anywhere. The change of pace provided by a different and unique flavor profile is exactly the kind of joyful experience that I crave when dining out. read more

We dropped in for a lunch date at this big, comfortable, and classy restaurant. I'll go with 4.49 stars for our outing. The wife and I tried and shared 3 items off of their lunch menu - mushroom soup ($7), manty or Turkish dumplings filled with a chopped beef and onion mix (5 for $19), and a lula kebab wrap with fries ($16). Everything was tip top delicious, fresh, and flavorful. The fries were particularly crispy, delicate, and super-fresh. We got the manties mixed, that is, 2 were steamed and 3 were fried. There weren't many patrons here at lunch time, and dinner is apparently their prime business hour. We were also told there is live music on the weekends. It still took maybe 15 minutes for the food to arrive which was no issue, but it all foretold of the menu items being made to order. We were also provided with complimentary warm bread and butter in the meantime. Adele was our lovely and attentive server and who I learned hails appropriately from Kazakhstan. We had a delightful outing here and I only held back from 5 stars as overall the meal still comes out on the slightly pricey side. read more

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Legit middle Asia cuisine Nice staff and exotic decorations Mushroom soup is my favorite thing today. Super creasy and rich with a balanced flavor. Taste just like the French mushroom we had for 4times the price here Samsa beef has great flavor, juicy chopped beef. Could baked a bit high temperature at the end to give more crispy texture Tashkent Plov: lamp is very juicy but the rice is a bit dry. Doesn't really blend the flavor very well Honey cake is very interesting. Got a caramel flavor and not too sweet. Not like the other honey cake we had at other places read more

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To be honest, I didn't have high expectations when I made dinner reservations at Jibek Jolu - but wow, they proved me wrong! The restaurant is beautifully decorated, and the hostess was pleasant and got us seated right away. We had three toddlers with us, so we really appreciated being placed in a corner booth away from the main dining area. The food was amazing! I wish I had more time to truly savor every bite, but dining with kids can be a bit of a challenge. Still, the borscht, chebureki, samsy, plov, lagman, and Tashkent tea completely exceeded my expectations. I left feeling impressed and will most definitely be back! read more

They have a lunch buffet for $20. It is plentiful and varied. I had some of the best chicken curry I've ever had. note that this is a very specific cuisine of mostly cooked food. This isn't going to appeal to the average burger + fries american. its a surprising location for this type of food as opposed to closer to Chicago and certainly wasn't crowded late afternoon. The place is huge! I hope they do very well. Im happy I went and for $20, its really the last reasonable deal around. read more

I drove 45 mins to try this place. Came around 8:45 just to get told they don't serve past 8:30. Their hours of operation shows till 10pm. Restaurant was empty when I got there. Waste of time. read more

Great food and great service. Went for lunch with a friend and we ordered the crispy eggplant, bread with cheese and skewers- all were delicious. I particularly enjoyed the beef skewers. Can't wait to go back. The menu had a nice variety of dishes and the price point for the amount of food I thought was fair. My only issue was that rice or a side didn't come with our main dishes and was extra read more

Great food, warm hospitality, and a unique dining experience. The dishes were flavorful and freshly prepared, and the service was attentive throughout our visit. A wonderful spot to enjoy authentic Central Asian cuisine in Glenview! read more

WOW!! I've driven by this place a bajillion times and only took the family to try it after a visiting coworker from out of town recommended it after dining here earlier this week. I regret not coming here sooner because the central Asian/Eastern European food here is amazing!! Based on the Yelp pictures, I knew we wanted to try the khachapuri appetizer, which is a Georgian bread with mozzarella, feta, and farm cheese melted inside. It's served with a runny yolk on top, and the egg really elevated the flavors. The pictures on the Yelp reel remind me of a genie's (bread) lamp filled with molten (cheese) lava and a golden jewel (the egg yolk). The actual dish when it arrived was bigger than I was expecting. Definitely getting this again next time! For the entrees, my husband and I got the plov. I tried it with grilled chicken ($18), and he got it with black angus ($25), and the meats were served on a bed of seasoned rice with chickpeas and raisins in it. It was so comforting! I ordered my mini me's the fried pierogi (stuffed with potatoes) and the steamed pelmini, which are dumplings filled with meat and onions. I of course tried them too, and the flavors were fresh, balanced, and satisfying! We splurged and got dessert as well and tried the honey cake ($9), which was light and airy. Plenty of wine, beer, mocktail, and cocktail options here. I had a glass of Sauvignon blanc ($10), and K tried a pina colada (a bit small for $10) and later the seasonal rotating German beer on draft. We both loved that it's served in a frosty cold mug! Walking into this dining establishment, we were unsure of what to expect food-wise and whether the girls would like it, but it was 100% a hit and now my new (to me) favorite restaurant!! Service was pleasant, and the decor is definitely worth a mention too. Lots of unique cultural wall hangings and decor, transporting you from your typical day to day. I can't wait to come back here for a future date night, celebration dinner, or even a weekday lunch! read more

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Came in for lunch on a Saturday. It wasn't very busy when we got there, but they did fill up over the course of about an hour. They took our order quickly, and the soups and appetizers came quickly, but it felt like we waited forever for the main dishes to arrive. I had some of my husband's mushroom soup and samsa which were both really good. The soup had a lovely, deep umami flavor, and the samsa was very pleasantly juicy. I had the beef stroganoff as the main dish which was decently sized and tasted great. It was the first time I've ever had beef stroganoff that was made with potato instead of noodles. It was interesting. We finished up with a slice of honey cake which I thought was just ok. I had honey cake once before at another restaurant and loved it, so this one was a little disappointing, but not necessarily bad. As for the restaurant itself, it was large on the inside, and neatly decorated. I had a lot of time to stare around at the decorations while we waited for the food. read more

Jibek Jolu - Beef Stroganoff - Russian Near Me - Glenview, Illinois

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Yes!!! Came here for my birthday lunch with friends, and Jibek Jolu did not disappoint. We ordered the Khachapuri, Crispy Eggplant, Chicken Plov, Kebab mix, manty, Honey Cake, and Chocolate Lava Cake - everything was SO GOOD. If I went again, I probably wouldn't order the kebab mix again just because of the value - you don't get very much. I also don't regret ordering the honey cake, but probably wouldn't order it again - no reason other than personal preference. Echoing other Yelpers, the appetizers were definitely worth it - the kachapuri was warm, crispy, and creamy, and the crispy eggplant was sooo flavorful. Our server was SUPER - so friendly and professional, and they even added a creme brulee on the house with a birthday song after they found out. We went on a weekday lunch until around 3pm though, so the restaurant wasn't super busy. Even then, the ambiance was unbeatable - would love to come again some day for dinner. Can be a little pricey (around $200 for 4 people), but considering we ordered 2 appetizers, 3 entrees, and 2 desserts, it's worth it (especially for special occasions too) ;) Do give this place a try - the entire experience was lovely read more

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Jibek Jolu: A Masterclass in Poultry I've eaten a lot of chicken over the years, but this meal at Jibek Jolu truly stood out. It is not often that the food, atmosphere, and service all come together so perfectly. This experience felt complete from the moment we walked in until the very end. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The lighting is soft but still lets you see the details of the food clearly. It feels calm and comfortable, not loud or overwhelming, so you can actually enjoy your conversation. The tea service with the traditional pot and detailed cups added a really nice touch and made the whole evening feel more special. We started with the bread, which had a crisp crust and a soft, airy center. Spreading cold butter on a warm slice was simple but satisfying and set the tone for the rest of the meal. The Chicken Tabak was unforgettable. You could smell it before it even reached the table. The aroma of garlic and spices was rich and inviting. The skin was perfectly crisp while the meat stayed tender and juicy. Every bite had that balance of crunch and softness that is hard to get right. The chicken breast skewers were just as impressive. Chicken breast can easily turn dry, but these were cooked perfectly. They had a nice char from the grill which gave a subtle smoky flavor. The seasoning went all the way through the meat, not just on the outside. With the herb sauce and rice, each bite felt balanced and well thought out. The service made a big difference. Alex was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful without being intrusive. He knew the menu well and made sure everything was taken care of before we even had to ask. That level of attention really elevates the experience. This was easily some of the best chicken I have ever had. If you want a place that delivers great food, a comfortable setting, and excellent service, Jibek Jolu is worth it. Huge thanks to the chef and to Alex for making it such a memorable night. read more

Jibek Jolu is a great restaurant. Jibek Jolu offers delicious food, great prices and one of the best services. Our waiter, Zhan was wonderful. He was very helpful and professional. It was our first time at the restaurant, and he went above and beyond to make our experience wonderful. I highly recommend this restaurant. read more

I don't get it. Because I'm married into a Russian family I'm leaving this review as your plain old American. The food is fine and the service is good. My complaint is there is nothing special about any of the dishes for the steak house prices they charge. Whether it's the soup, kabobs, or plov, I'd rather have any other baba's recipes. Honestly, some of the Russian grocery stores have better flavors to their dishes. So....Jibek is fine...the restaurant looks nice, but the food is expensive for something your Russian in-laws can whip up on a Sunday with minimal effort. read more

Good restaurant with lovely interior and great meal options. I am dropping the rating for the weak buffet that they recently started. We paid $20 each and they make you pay up front, which is odd because how would you add drinks? They ran out of food and were very slow to refill, even the lemon water tank had gone empty. Went up a couple of times spaced out and too much was missing without being refilled. Not nearly enough to make a decent plate. I did enjoy the sweets but for $20, I was disappointed by their limited offerings. Do not try their buffet, it is not worth the cost. read more

This is the second time coming here. The menu has been updated and looks better than when we first came here. Although the quality of the sides have gone down as well as the drink quality. The service is excellent though, server was friendly. The ambiance is nice as well. However, for the pricing and the food we received this visit, I had to lower to 4 stars. It would have been 3, but the service is the main reason for the 4. read more

Jibek Jolu - Russian Near Me - Glenview, Illinois

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Love the food and ambiance. I always go there when I feel like eating good food but don't want to break the bank. read more

The interior was absolutely stunning! Ordered crispy eggplant to start the lunch. Crispy yet tender and savory with a little bit of kick. Main lunch entree was pumpkin Mandy. Served in bamboo steamer. And of course have to finish off with Honey cake. Not too sweet but just the right texture and richness. Their vanilla latte with foam also was tasty. The waiter was very attentive and recommended the Honey cake so glad I took his advice. read more

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The food at Jibek Jolu was fantastic this week! My husband & I had the Plov, amazing blend of herbs & spices in this dish with lamb, rice, carrots, and peppers. The crispy eggplant appetizer was super delicious with its sweet and sour taste. Our niece had their salad with beef(very tasty) and our grandchildren loved the cheesy bread appetizer. Staff were very helpful with suggestions. Desserts were great, too!***** read more

Went to lunch at this location. I had the Atlantic Salmon which was prepared wonderfully. Never had a dish prepared and presented with such class (see picture). Our waiter was very attentive. This establishment has a unique style and is really nice. I highly recommend going for lunch because no reservation is needed. I can see how it would become extremely popular in the evening. read more

Jibek Jolu - North Atlantic Salmon - Russian Near Me - Glenview, Illinois

Very courteous and knowledgeable staff, I was unfamiliar with the menu and it was a nice enough place to not have pictures. Husband and I went for an anniversary dinner, and very much enjoyed our meal. We look forward to coming back! Try the crispy eggplant!! read more

A friend had recommended Jibek Jolu to me. So me and my parents decided to try it on Jan 1 2024. When you walk in you notice how The interior of the restaurant is very nice (=. We ordered the Polv Rice with chicken, the beef manty, the kachapuri, drinks, and the layered honey cake. Everything was delicious. My favorite was the Polv Rice. I cannot wait to go back to just so I can order it again. The service was excellent too. I highly recommend trying this place. read more

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This place merits close to 5 stars while not being perfect. Jibek Jolu is a beautifully appointed space. Having recently dined in crowded spaces, I appreciate how big it is, no risk here of being seated too closely to other parties. Having also recently dined at places with too loud music, I appreciated the soft piped in lovely music adding to the overall ambiance. The menu is extensive, easy to read and decipher, and had clearly defined marked vegetarian options (plenty of vegetarian options). Our waiter was accommodating, friendly, and, knowledgeable. When I ordered the signature dish, Prov, without meat, he was quick to point out that it is NOT vegetarian just because it is without meat- the rice is cooked with meat. I am so grateful he told me that or I'd have mistakenly thought it was vegetarian. We started with the warm fried eggplant which was my favorite, spiced ever so perfectly. Followed by the beet salad, my least favorite dish, there were barely any beets. We also shared another appetizer which I can not remember the name of but was baked bread, cheese, and a fried egg- yum. Finally, the salmon skewer board was absolutely outstanding, perfect flavors and the serving was lovely looking. The portions are MORE than adequate.The desserts look great but, sadly, we were too full. We did have our usual espresso and cappuccino, while my husband's espresso was very good, my cappuccino was lukewarm. I'm very excited to have another local place. I look forward to going back and bringing all my friends! read more

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I rarely give 5s but this spot was so unique and Im so happy to have tried these Central Asian dishes. Its got influences from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Everything was so delicious and the decor in this place takes you to another country. You feel like your there. Check out the pics for our apps And entrees. Highly recommend the salmon and chicken and honey cake for dessert. 3 apps, 2 entrees, 5 cocktails, tea and dessert = $169 Good service and live music on the weekends. Very authentic experience. Had an amazing GNO. read more

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We have dined at Jibek Jolu several times, and will return. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and it always feels like a special occasion when we dine. Many people do dine at Jobek Jolu for special occasions, and they have family style dining for these occasions. Because it's such a popular establishment for family celebrations reservations are recommended. The service at Jibek Jolu has been hit or miss for us. Sometimes the staff is very attentive and can answer questions about the menu & bar without issues. Sometimes when the restaurant is busy and short staffed, the staff is a bit stressed out, and the last time we dined the waitress didn't know the answers to any of our questions about the menu or the beers on tap, and she disappeared without bringing our check. As another review mentioned, when Jibek Jolu is busy with large celebrations and family affairs, there can be children running around the establishment. Very unacceptable. The food and selection is amazing for the most part. We love having a variety of the appetizers, salads, and soups for dinner. The lamb pot soup is lovely. We have tried some of the main dinners, and found the lamb in the stew to be more flavorful and tender than what is served on the kabobs. When set in the bar area I love to watch the bartenders preparing cocktails. They have a nice cocktail menu at affordable prices. read more

Everything was great: food was very tasteful, wonderful service, nicely decorated restaurant. Fried eggplants and plov were delightful. We definitely will come back to this restaurant. read more

Came here with a group and I was very surprised by the amount and quality of the food. We ordered a mix of appetizers and enjoyed all of them particularly the charcuterie plate which had an interesting mix of western and eastern cheese and meats. For my entree I ordered the grilled lamb which was very similar to kefta. It was quite large and I could barely finish. There was also a very impressive drinks and wine selection. Service was very good and the prices were reasonable for what we ordered. read more

8/18 at 1 pm . We had a party of 5 and our sever was Arzan. I believe I pronounced it right. He was so great and definitely deserves acknowledgment. Supper polite, attentive and very helpful . The food was delicious. So many choices. I am glad we have visited this place . Definitely come again to this restaurant read more