Old Jerusalem

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.

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!

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

I've been a regular of this place for almost 7 years. The food is authentic, delicious, and always feels like home

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.

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.

great for cheap eats in old town. I've only ever ordered for pick up but the portions are very big (enough for two people). We got the chicken plate that comes with rice, chicken, a salad and a little side of hummus!

Do you hate the chicago version of middle eastern food like me? THIS IS THE PLACE. The shish tawook wrap is made with real pita - not that pita pocket junk. They have REAL GARLIC DIP. Not that weird brown stuff every place else has. This reminds me of some of my favorite restaurants in the suburb of Detroit.

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.

Old Jerusalem is a decent spot that falls into the "liked it, didn't love it" category for me. The food is solid, and it's refreshing to see the place consistently buzzing with activity. While there are other Mediterranean restaurants that I personally prefer, Old Jerusalem stands out for its friendly staff, and straightforward simple vibe. It might not be my top pick in the genre, but it holds its own, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a no-frills dining experience with good, hearty Mediterranean fare.