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    Zebda

    4.1 (224 reviews)
    InexpensiveMediterranean
    Open 6:00 am - 11:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Zebda Photos

    Business Info

    ZEBDA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Zebda

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    Lamb and chicken tagine

    Extremely friendly, welcoming, helpful staff and delicious flavorful meal!! We got the lamb and chicken tagine and both were packed with spices, meat, and veggies. Simple yet comfortable ambiance! Very inexpensive and big portions. We'll be back!

    Kafta tajine . It could use more flavor.
    Mazen H.

    It was decent but I didn't like how unclear the menu was. I think they need to work on that. The kafta tajine lacked flavor but it wasn't bad.

    Lamb chops, chicken Tangine and baba ghanoush
    Sara S.

    i've been here twice. Absolutely delicious food employees are extremely nice friendly! definitely recommend!

    lamb couscous
    Yahya S.

    I am loving this place, full of uncles arguing in arabic. Food is incredible. Ambiance is very dive-y. Place is small so you can't really come here in a big group. The menu is super simple too. The portion is HUGE. I had the Lamb Couscous, heavy on the couscous. With a serving of their chorba(soup). Lamb was cooked well, tender, moist, flavorful. The couscous had cooked chickpeas, chunks of squash, and carrots. It was really exceptional as a dish. I didnt mind all the couscous at all. This dish is big. You will definitely have takeout. Their cafe latte is also exceptional. I could tell once I saw the coffee machine they had in the back. Will absolutely come back here, can't recommend enough!

    kefta tagine
    Munir S.

    The literal hole in the wall with a dedicated proprietor who makes great dishes not found elsewhere with a homemade quality. However space is limited and restroom options are insufficient (at the time of this review).

    Ok Bill M here I go at Zebda
    Phil S.

    Shout out to Mr Bill M (Yelp Black Elite 15 Years) AKA Mr Zebda (he checked in 102 times). There must be a reason he went here 102x's. I finally made it here to Zebda to try their Kifta pizza Very good crunchy thin crust pizza unlike any pizza I ever ate before. The kifta pizza has crumbled pieces of cooked kifta meat, green & red peppers, potatoes & feta cheese baked onto a thin crust pizza. It made for a tasty yet very different pizza. I got it to go as I scarfed down the generous size pieces of pizza (4 pieces) Zebda is located on Elston Ave right near the corner of Pulaski Ave. I will be back to try some of their other menu items, but I seriously doubt if Bill was anything to worry about me trying to top his check ins there lol

    Audra M.

    My husband was an ardent fan of the kefta pizza long before he met me, yet it took him nearly a year into our marriage to introduce me to it! This dish is outstanding, and the portion is generous. I have also enjoyed the zebda lamb kebab. We have appreciated their streamlined takeout process during quarantine.

    Merguez sandwich (featuring my gloves)
    Madeleine B.

    Ordered through Seamless yesterday and got the merguez sandwich with harrira soup. The sandwich was delicious, especially the merguez which was tender and flavorful. I saved the soup for later in the fridge, and the next day when I took it out it had become gelatinous (ie jiggly jiggly) even after popping it in the microwave. I admit I was a bit too alarmed of its new texture so I threw it out... that took off a star. But otherwise really good.

    Bilal M.

    Second time coming here so I think this place deserves a review. For one this a mostly male dominated restaurant. So might not be the best date spot lol. But the food here is fresh and delicious and they also have expreso and other cafe options. I asked what they recommended for lunch and I was told the combo plate. I didn't want to do rice so they swapped it for zucchini and mushrooms which was excellent. Only thing disappointing was that I had a taste for something sweet along with my cappuccino and they quickly suggested the tiramisu..which was super watery and not the greatest. Nonetheless, if you enjoy middle eastern flavors then check this place out.

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    20 days ago

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    24 days ago

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    6 months ago

    The food was great, and a great ambience overall. I will definetly go back with my friends to try more dishes! I a delicious lamb tagines!

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    4 months ago

    The kefta Tajine was so good also 9alb elouz desert . am coming for the Lamb tajine next , prices are very reasonable also .

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    11 months ago

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    6 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Food was very dry and not seasoned. Got a chicken salad and a chicken sandwhich. Both very very dry and not seasoned at all.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Wonderful food very helpful and kind staff will definitely be back! Chicken sandwich was AMAZING

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    14 years ago

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Zebda

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    The Purple Pig

    The Purple Pig

    4.3
    (9k reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$$

    Awesome food!!! Fancy Environment!!!! And Friendly Staff!!!!…read more Yay! Wonderful experience here, I was just visiting and after I finally found parking, I asked to be seated but did not have a reservation, the hostess said if I could be about an hour she could squeeze us in. So I was thankful for that, we were not looking to stay for a long time just wanted to try the place out. Once seated we were waited on and served fast. The food was mind blowing, we loved everything!!! My favorite was the duck appetizer puffs, wow they were good. Everything though was elevated and delicious. I'd come back in a heartbeat. Thank you for the wonderful experience to add to our trip to Chicago!

    Terrible. I am honestly not sure how people are recommending this place. I was excited to come here…read moreand had very high expectations, but unfortunately the food was extremely disappointing. Let's start from the beginning: the bone marrow. What on earth was going on? Why would you cover bone marrow with fig, bacon, and so much cilantro? Bone marrow is a delicate dish. You are supposed to taste the richness and subtle flavor of the marrow itself. The cilantro completely overpowered it, and the fig and bacon made it even worse. Chef, where did you train? This dish made no sense. Then came the agnolotti. I have no words. Just look at the photo: full of oil. I mean completely swimming in oil. Then the chitarra with seafood. Horrible. Spicy for no reason. Again, why are you trying to cover the ingredients instead of letting them speak for themselves? Also, the fish tasted frozen, not fresh. The pork belly, supposedly the signature dish, was another disappointment. Again, so much sauce that the actual flavor of the pork belly was completely lost. The staff were nice, the ambiance was okay, and the wine selection was good. But please, stop covering the taste of the food you cook. If you need to hide the ingredients under excessive sauce, spice, cilantro, oil, bacon, or sweetness, the only explanation is that the ingredients are not good enough on their own. I will not be coming back. Not even for free. Sorry. PS. Why so much bread on each dish? So much buttery horrible bread that you will trash, because it's impossible to eat all of it.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Chicago style hot dog
    Chicago style hot dog
    Squid Ink Chitarra

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    Squid Ink Chitarra
    Avec - Chicago

    Avec - Chicago

    4.3
    (2.6k reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$$

    Overall experience was great! Made a reservation online and sat at a shared table. Went for a…read moremid-week lunch date, which was a really nice and easygoing experience. The entry door is a little fun, just push where the pig is. The hummus is an absolute must. We got an extra pita (one per person) and I would recommend getting the extra. For the lunch menu -- the prix-fixe is a really great option. It's only about $26 for the stuffed date, sandwich & chips, and rolled baklava. Service was great, our server was amazing (thank you Marlee)! Waters were consistently refilled, timing was great, atmosphere was enjoyable. Will be going back!

    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
    Restaurant view from bar
    Restaurant view from bar
    Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh
    Roasted Corn & Freekeh Tabbouleh
    Whole roasted branzino

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    Whole roasted branzino

    Zebda - mediterranean - Updated June 2026

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