Definitely this would be a regular spot if I lived in the city. As soon as we walked in and there was a slumbering hijabi grandma at the kitchen counter that didn't speak much English, I knew this cooking was bouta be good (and it was). The kefta with salad was kind of expensive ($18) but everything else was very affordable and really tasty, especially the knafeh (highly recommend!!). My friends and I were speaking some Arabic in the restaurant and the lil ladies in the restaurant started giving our table special treatment, haha (refilling water often, clearing plates, checking on us, generally smiling and taking good care of us). I would definitely make this a regular spot with my friends if I lived here. Quiet little place with intimate family feel. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Greek Salad with protein (kefta) - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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It's been there for 50 years so they must be doing something right. We came in on a cold night and were greeted very warmly. Service was wonderful and it seems to be a family run business. The menu had lots of selection and it's BYOB for drinks. Our food came out and was definitely plentiful. Taste wise we thought it was fine, not super remarkable, but did the trick. Prices were very reasonable. There looks to be a small sidewalk patio for the summer, but otherwise the ambiance was nice - not fancy. We would stop in again for a casual bite if we were in the neighborhood. read more

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Old Jerusalem Restaurant is a local favorite in Old Town, and they offer various apps, soups, sandwiches, entrees, vegetarian options, and pastries. I stopped by to get their Falafel Sandwich, which was filled with falafel, onions, and tahini sauce; I opted out of the lettuce and the tomatoes. I made sure to add a side of garlic, tahini, and the shata sauce to amp up the sandwich. The sandwich itself was filling, and the combination of the sauces were yummy! They make everything to order, so it took about 10+ minutes or so. Service is kind and friendly, and the restaurant itself is small and intimate. Metered parking can be found in the area. +falafel sandwiches +garlic, tahini, and shata sauces +friendly service +metered street parking available read more

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The food is always fresh. I always order the salad with grilled chicken and it never disappoints. Fresh food, nice salads, good service and fair prices. read more

Of all the Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurants I've had in Chicago, Old Jerusalem is undoubtedly in the upper echelon. The moudardara is indescribably delicious. I've had this dish many times but the one here is head and shoulders above the rest. If you're not familiar, moudardara is a blend of rice, lentils, and caramelized onions, which pairs wonderfully with the plain yogurt they give you. Another favorite is the Jerusalem Salad. So fresh and so perfectly balanced. Of course, everything else here is great too (including the grilled meats and classic sides/appetizers) but these are just my personal favorites. The family members that run the place are also the absolute sweetest people. Please do yourself a favor and pay Old Jerusalem a visit ASAP! read more

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Food was so good. Falafel sandwich and schwarma sandwich were both delicious. Service was quick and friendly. Patio seating was a nice bonus on a good evening out. read more

Takeout order from Old Jerusalem Restaurant. They've got the meats with their combination platter, complete with rice and some salad. Also had to try to vegetarian platter which was loaded with hummus, baba ganoush, and falafel. The order came with three pitas too. Ended the meal on a sweet note with a baklava. This is a place where you'd probably want to just do takeout. You wouldn't have trouble securing a table if you dine in. read more

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Great food at a great price! The staff is friendly and the interior is comfortable, we ordered: - Combination Platter - Hommos with Meat - Grape Leaves The Grape Leaves may not be for everyone, they are served warm and have sour kick. The meat in the other dishes were all flavorful. Definitely recommend stopping by. read more

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Simple and flavorful food without any pretense. Nothing fancy, but it doesn't need to be. Honest and authentic food made and served bu the people that know it best. read more

Really wanted to like this place but the food was not great, especially for the price. The food came out a bit cold and the meat was dry. But the staff was very nice and friendly. read more

Tried this place for dinner last night. The couple running the place were extremely nice and accommodating towards my toddler- definitely kid-friendly. The dining room was slow last night although they were doing brisk takeout business. The pita bread was delicious- fluffy and warm. I could have almost made a meal of that! I had the vegetarian combination and liked it, especially the tabbouleh. The baba ganoush had a nice smoked flavor. We split an order of French fries for the table and those were also good. My husband had the chicken kabob and didn't love it for the price. He said it was mostly rice and not enough chicken. He also said that while the rice was served hot the chicken was cold. Our niece had the chicken and hummus and liked that a lot, so maybe that's the way to go. We all shared baklava, which I thought was just okay. read more

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Love this place! The food is delicious and you can tell very well made. It feels like you're at your grandma's house and she's serving you all your favorite meals. It is just so wholesome cooking. The service is great. They are very attentive. I'm curious to know if this is a family business because that is the vibe that it gives off. read more

We have been going to Old Jerusalem for 20+ years. Always great!! The best people and finest food; at a fair price. I tell everyone I can to check it out. Never disappointed!! read more

Great food, service and vibes. Beautiful location with lovely people. Clearly family owned and made. You can't go wrong here. The grape leaves were moister compared to others that I have had and I savored every moment! Greta portions sizes and the combo are perfect for sharing although we did get a couple apps to help my tummy feel full. The veggie platter is spectacular and everything is great. They are ready to serve at anytime. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Restaurant from back. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been coming here since 1992. Some of the faces have changed but this is still owner operated and offers truly delicious Middle Eastern food at a great price. They have a full menu of creations that will please anyone with delicious combinations of traditional flavors. Visitors to this restaurant will find it different than the more modern Middle Eastern offerings Chicago has to offer. The food is well curated with familiar names but just tastes better then other places serving the same options. The owner "Ahmed" and his wife might greet you (if they're not too busy) with a smile and take care of you like you're family. This is a great place in the midst of Wells Street downtown choices. read more

Loved the ambiance and a very nice lady welcomed me. Felt very humble. I got the Kunefe, harissa and baklava. Everything was delicious!! I will definitely go again read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Kunefe, Baklawa and Harisa - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

3.5 stars Friendly quick service, good portions and tasty food. Sat outside to take in the few minutes of summer Chicago gets every year. A good spot to stop in and have a relatively healthy Mediterranean meal. Some dishes feel very traditional but some preparations were unexpected. Food Veggie platter: Good babaganouj nice and Smokey Hummus a bit grainier than I prefer but tasty Falafels crispy and flavorful but lacking in any green herbs Jerusalem salad covered in delicious Tahini a good side for the rest of the meal overall 3/5 Dolma/stuffed grape leaves: Tasty but a bit salty 2.5/5 Combo platter: Shawarma was very flavorful but textured more like gyro meat than the shawarma I was expecting Kefte was nice and soft and well seasoned perfectly cooked and juicy Chicken kabob I didn't get to sample Rice was slightly tangy and every grain was perfectly separated delicious over all 3.5/5 read more

This place is so so good. A family owned restaurant, that is consistently putting out good food and service. When we order delivery, the food shows up just like it would if I was sitting in the restaurant. This is a great place for lunch out on the patio and a sunny day or just a small cute place to have a first date read more

We stopped here a rainy afternoon one Saturday. The place is family owned diner vibe. The food came out quickly and was authentic. There was a clear local following with waves of 20 something's coming in and out. It is low stress, low cost Mediterranean food. read more

BYOB! Their portions are very generous and definitely worth taking home for later! I'm personally impressed by the pita sandwich. At initial glance, it seemed like there wouldn't be enough shawarma, but after a few bites it becomes immediately apparent that there's SO MUCH inside - well-portioned meat, sauce, tomato, onion and lettuce. The vibes inside are pretty standard with decent service. I recommend sitting outside instead to really feel a part the Old Town action. -AT read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Shawarma Sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I live out of state but always stop by Old Jerusalem when I am in Chicago. Family run and the quality of the meat and hummus in top, top shelf. I highly recommend the kibbeh and the combo platter. People running the restaurant are invested, diligent and earnest. I saw a 3/5 review from a couple of months ago and I think they must have been having a bad day because Old Jerusalem is a go to if you are in the mood for lamb or hummus. read more

Outdoor seating is best. Especially since the eye candy here is more sophisticated than say - Lincoln Park. The patina of time has taken its toll inside. My Arabic coffee was perfectly sweetened rich and strong. The combo platter was ok. The gyro/ lamb and kefta is fine but the beef was overcooked and dry. The kinafa desert is Ok. I prefer the Turkish version. read more

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Old Jerusalem was probably the most different type of Middle Eastern food I've had in Chicago. I had the falafel sandwich. It was quite filling, tasty with all the stuffing and sauces! Pro tip: order a side of the garlic sauce. It is AMAZING. Service was quick and overall a decent ambiance. Very family friendly. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Falafil Sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

One of the best parts about Chicago is exploring the different neighborhoods, which each boast their own character and unique spots. Spoiler alert: no matter how long you are here, you're never done! While exploring Old Town, we stumbled across Old Jerusalem, which was bustling on a Thursday night. We hoped this would be one such under-the-radar gem and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the meal was lacking the quality we hoped for at the price point. I ordered the grilled chicken Greek salad and was met with a large pile of iceberg lettuce, a few tomatoes & cucumbers, and a couple of slices of feta. While generous in number, I felt that the chicken was over cooked. We shared the baba ganoush and falafel as appetizers and they were pretty satisfying, although these are generally a safe order. Overall, my personal tab came out to around $35 for the salad and two split appetizers. I look forward to exploring the neighborhood further, but will likely visit a different establishment next time. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Falafel and Baba Ganouj - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Delicious food! I always get the chicken Schwarma platter with a side of dolma. They're byob which is nice.

Delicious authentic Mediterranean spot! We enjoyed the combination platter as it contained all our favorite appetizers to pick on while we waited for our meals. Both the shawarma and kefta kabob gyros were amazing! The meat was so flavorful and juicy. Highly recommend! read more

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Good old school place for Greek and Middle Eastern. It's been around for quite a long time as far as a restaurant. Old Jerusalem is one of the better values in Old Town. For sure it's not as fancy as other places around here, but you get quite a lot. The prices are fairly okay considering the quality and portions. Came in here one evening to get some Middle Eastern food. It wasn't that busy inside, which could have been a bad sign. This is a classic family owned restaurant, which means while it may not be fast, you certainly get the best and freshest ingredients and not like the canned crap at chains and that kind of thing. Has a lot of the classics. There's meaty items like chicken, gyros, and more. However we got the Vegetarian Combination. It's about $16 for a lot. The price may be high, but you certainly get your money's worth. It was enough for a couple people. This had baba ghannouch, falafel, hummus, Jerusalem salad, pitas, and tabbouli. Head here for one of the quieter experiences in Old Town, where you can enjoy the food and not be distracted by the noises and loud hipster wannabes acting crazy. It's also pretty big portions and you get quite a value for the food. There's meaty items plus some for vegetarians. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Vegetarian Combination - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My boyfriend's family goes here every year around Christmas before they go to second city. I had the pleasure of joining them this year and enjoying the delicious spread from Old Jerusalem's kitchen. The baba ganoush, hommus, and falafel were a great way to begin our meal. The kefta kabob, shawirma, chicken kabob, and musaheb were so tender and filled us up. However, leave room or grab a baklava to go. I've had a lot of baklava this year and I could really taste the rose water and the phyllo was perfectly crisp. The family who owns the restaurant was so caring and thoughtful and Ahmad took the time to answer our questions and chat with us. Looking forward to our next dining experience! read more

This place is located in the heart of Old Town, where restaurants and bars are loud, crowded, and popping. However, this place adds an ounce of quiet and quaintness to an otherwise happening neighborhood. It feels homey. The reviewer who described it like grandma's house--couldn't agree more! After a long day, I needed something filling and flavorful. I ordered the Shish Tawouk wrap. The briney pickles and onions paired well with the tender, lemony chicken and soft, hot pita wrap. Also ordered a chicken kebab entree. The chicken was delicious, but $19 is overpriced for the portion size. Plus it would have paired well with a more elaborate salad--beyond just the iceberg lettuce and dressing. Some tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables would have complemented the meat and rice well. The freshly squeezed apple juice was also a refreshing, sweet addition to the meal. Also enjoyed the lovely hot kinafa filled with honey. The staff are friendly and welcoming. However, service was slow so just allot some extra time. Worth the visit overall! read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Chicken Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The best falafel in Chicago! The falafel sandwich was so good. I wish I got a side of the falafel to go. They were crispy on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. The grape leaves were good but a bit tangier than I prefer. The combination platter was so good and filling. Loved this place and will be back! read more

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I think this restaurant was a 3.5-3.8 max. It is a small restaurant in Old Town with nice ambiance and music. Waitress was friendly. Restaurant was clean. We ordered the Combination platter which included shish kabob, shawarma, kefta. It was served with rice, salad and Lebanese pita. The dish was tasty. Rice was excellent. We also ordered the Falafil Plate which included falafel, salad, and Lebanese bread. If you like your falafels very deep fried, then this dish is for you. We're big fans of Mediterranean food and have tried many restaurants in NYC, and in Ann Arbor. I must say although I would like to say I really enjoyed the meal, this was a so-so restaurant. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I came here on a Saturday night with a friend and we sat outside. To be honest, I don't know if service is normally this slow but my friend and I were seated outside. But we had to go inside at the counter to order. Then we also had to go inside to pay. Our server was nice but I don't know if that's normal for service. I ordered a shawirma and it was good. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Service and food are amazing. LOVE THE FAMILY !! Style and seasoning of food is one of a kind.

Small ma and pa shop you can tell is family owned and operated. I walked in to pick up a carry out order and felt like I was going to grandmas house. I was warmly greeted when I came in, and picked up my food right away. I got the shish tawouk wrap and I thought it was perfect. You can tell the pita is homemade, and is a great flavor and consistency. I loved the flavor of the chicken and the seasonings and sauces with the pickles in the wrap all complimented each other perfectly. You also can't beat the price- $11 for the wrap and it was plenty of food. read more

I was excited to try this place after reading all the good reviews but unfortunately was pretty disappointed. I got the shawwirma sandwich with a side of rice and a baklava for dessert. The sandwich is their version of a gyro sandwich. I did a takeout order and picked it up, as this place isn't too far from me. To start with, the meat on the sandwich was not fresh at all. It was hard on the outside and pretty bland. It wasn't even warm. And I picked up my order 15 minutes after I ordered it, so it's not like it had a bunch of time to get cold in a delivery car. I've probably had worse gyro sandwich's but this really wasn't good. I've definitely had better in Chicago. I got a side of rice because I'm marathon training and wanted a little more carbs. Usually when places have rice as a side it's really good. Not the case here. Super bland and a little mushy. The baklava was okay. I've had worse, I've had better. Service when I picked up was friendly. Prices are reasonable. But I was really disappointed with the food and wished I'd just eaten pasta at home instead. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - Shawirma Sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The food was pretty good compared to other middle eastern menus in Chicago. Serving for the popular combo was good but appetizer servings were definitely too small. The downside was the slow service despite the room being fairly empty. It is worth the visit nonetheless. read more

Odd review because I don't think the food is particularly tasty but I could see ordering again. I was coming home from a vacation and just wanted some plain, healthy food and this does hit that spot. Lentil soup - 3/5. Overly bland but nicely warming and gets better with eating. Falafel - 2.5/5. Rather boring falafel, but again feels healthy. Garden salad - 3/5. Simple with romaine, lots of feta, nice tomato and cucumber. Works. read more

Great, inexpensive, family-cooked Mediterranean food. Wish they were in the Northwestern suburbs.

This hole in the wall type place has been around forever with great reviews - so I had to try! It was a perfect night out to grab a patio seat for an early dinner with a bottle of wine. We ordered the vegeterian combo, which had a nice variety of appetizers, and a small greek salad for a side with the meat combination platter. The meats were tasty, nothing special in my opinion sadly. The falafel was the best part, as many people have been saying. However, the complimentary pita bread was dry and hard to eat. I think Athenian room still does this type of cuisine (though slightly different I know) the best. read more

Old Jerusalem Restaurant - vegeterian combo, greek salad, meat combo - Middle Eastern Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We stopped in to this classic staple of Old Town last minute. We were starving and the neighboring restaurant Orso's power had gone out. Since we had already parked, Old Jerusalem was our plan B. I am soooo happy with our choice. This small spot with unassuming room was reminiscent of Grandma's house. Dark wood furniture, minimal decor and a real Grandma helping out really felt simple yet welcoming. There is a sidewalk patio but we chose to sit inside by the big front windows that slide open. There was a nice breeze blowing in as we watched the city life go by. Service was very kind, although a bit slow. That's ok. We weren't in a hurry. The guy who took care of us was friendly but a bit busy to offer personable service. I was so happy to see this cute local spot is still going strong. I ordered falafel and my friend chose the grape leaves. We added a side of rice and shared everything. With every bite we kept say "mmm this is so good" to the point where it became funny. I think the quality and price point make this a definite stop for everyone. They gave us so much food!! My falafel was the best I've ever had. Crunchy outside, soft and flavorful inside. The grape leaves were bright and full of flavor too. Yum!! I would love this place even more if they gave the decor a bit of attention. It would really enhance the authentic vibe the delicious, homemade cuisine that is offered. I will definitely remember to return very soon! read more

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