BenjYehuda
10 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL, 60603
BenjYehuda Menu
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Address :
10 S LaSalle St
Chicago, IL, 60603 - Phone (312) 726-9653
- Website https://www.benjyehuda.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Erin R.
Line out the door at weekday lunch, but it's worth it! I think this might be my favorite lunch spot around work. Another review called it the "Mediterranean Chipotle." Yep! I agree. And I love Chipotle. My favorite things: The chicken is moist and really flavorful. The tahini sauce is just right, and they don't skimp on it! The red cabbage--this ties it all together with that freshness. Other reviewers are talking up the fries. Eh. But I'm not a huge fry person anyways. Bonus: They played Shallow Hal on the TV last time I was there. Nothing like watching tax-paying adults discreetly laughing at Jack Black to themselves while waiting in line for shawarma!
(4)Ed D.
I work in the same building as this so it's very convenient. I don't know why it took me so long to write a review for this place as I go pretty often. Between this and Chipotle, I barely eat outside the building. Anyways I like the food here a lot. The menu is simple and the food is very tasty. I almost always get the Chicken Laffa but I've tried other varieties as well and it never disappoints. There can be lines but they're very fast handling the orders so it's a quick lunch. Service has always been good and prices are good also. I never get the fries so I can't comment but otherwise it's a great fast meal for the price.
(4)Zach A.
Fantastic eatery in the loop. The combo boxes are great for lunch, mix everything up and you have a feast! Fireball falafil Friday is great, add a little zip to your life!
(5)Angie K.
I was craving Mediterranean for lunch in the Loop and decided to try BenjYehuda today. I went at a prime lunch hour, so the line was to the door. I was determined to satiate my craving and I had gained a sense of accomplishment when I finally found it (passed it twice), so I decided to stay. (Plus there was room for just one more body to line up inside, away from the lovely Chicago winds.) Nevertheless the line went quickly and I was walking out of there in no time with my heavy heap of food. I don't typically like fries, but I absolutely loved these. At a point I even closed my falafel box and just totally negated yesterday's workout. They were so crispy!!! Usually I'll pick through my friends fries and choose one or two super crispy ones, but nope- ALL of these were winners! It could be the hangover talking, but these were so delightful. But you have to eat them while they're still piping hot- they get soggy quickly (no bueno). I usually love falafel and anything spicy, but their "Fireball" (falafel + spicy) was not very good. Luckily I got half chicken as well, and that was better. It might be because of my Korean kimchi-eating roots, but I thought their vegetables were bland and not pickled enough. Definitely will order extra pickles next time. Despite being bland, the vegetables seems fresher than other places that drench them in sauces and make them soggy. Last but definitely not least, that babaganoush was really tasty!! Light, tangy, and flavorful. You must try this! I thought that the babaganoush was much better than the hummus, which was just mediocre. Go get in line!
(4)Aly A.
Where else in the loop can you get a delicious falafel for 5?! (nowhere that I've found yet). The fries are double-fried or something. Crazy delicious, but definitely not healthy. The line gets a little long around noon, but they are quick and it's absolutely worth it. There are probably 10 or so booths/tables to sit at inside.
(5)Shawn O.
What a complete let down. I had nothing but the highest hopes for BenjYehuda. In my mind, I expected something reminiscent of Istanbul Grille in Pittsburgh and Crisp in NYC, where I would be greeted with a takeout box of delicious Mediterranean goodness... not so much. Instead, everything but the hot sauce was rather bland. The only minor standouts were the chicken and the falafel (the latter not because of taste, but because of the pretty significant crust on them). Even the hummus seemed to lack any decent curb appeal. Maybe I've just been spoiled with these types of joints, but I definitely wouldn't head back here. Naf naf, while slightly different, was able to definitely satisfy my cravings for a good Mediterranean box, and for that, I'd choose it over BenjYehuda moving forward.
(2)Brett B.
Came across this place after seeing a review from Thrillist and checked it out with a couple of friends for lunch. Now... I have to joke around about this place because of the name... My friends for some reason couldn't pronounce it... So... without further ado... we headed over to "Benihanas" - Thanks Henry! I was a little underwhelmed by their Yahuda flight - I was expecting a lot more flavor from the dishes and was left wanting.. but it was all redeemed by their fries..... Wow.. their fries. Add the cheddar and you'll be happy for the rest of the day. Although I'm pretty sure it's fried with crack.. because you think about them after.
(4)Liam A.
My intern group came in for lunch and as expected the line was to the door but fret not: it moves extremely fast! There are paper menus right when you walk in and you can skim through it if you don't already know what you're having. Speaking of not knowing what to get... order the Yehuda Flight ($7.99) if you want a sampling of everything. It comes with three mini pitas (chicken/steak/falafel) with a healthy serving of fries (ask for the mertz cheese for an extra dollar!). If you that you want a specific pita/laffa/box (bed of rice or romaine) you can top it with an insane amount of offerings (hummus, babaganoush, carrot/cabbage/corn salad, tehini sauce, their signature hot sauce, and more). The service is quick, the assembly-line process is clean and efficient, and the food is filling, flavorful, and priced reasonably. Benji, the owner, was there when we visited and helped out on our order. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a quick lunch in the Loop/Financial District area.
(5)Vicy C.
I got the falafel box with half order of fries. Delicious. Can't wait to come back!
(5)Dominique S.
Ate here today after reading the great reviews. I ordered the laffa (which is similar to a wrap) and gives you more food in opinion then the pita or the box which they also have avaliable. I had both steak and chicken, both were extremely flavorful and tender. Don't make the mistake I did and order the full bag of fries, it's way too much. Just get the half. Knocked them down a star bc althoug the fries were crispy, they were extremely salty. I let the owner know who was really nice and willing to remake them for me which was nice, but I was already full and just to make him aware for future purposes. Right before I left he gave me a gift card that I could use next time for an order of french fries, which was very nice of him. I will be back again to eat during lunch!
(4)Emily R.
I really, really love this place. Super inexpensive, friendly staff, fast service, and GREAT French fries. I've seen reviews about this place calling the food bland and I'm here to tell you that is ridiculous. The truth is that these guys are not over salting anything! For once there is a restaurant that is appropriately representing the delicate flavors of the Middle East. Go eat here. It's great.
(4)Lily Z.
The service was quick and fast, although it was about 2PM and they close at 3. I ordered the falafel bowl. Inside, they were green and vibrant. Everything that I ordered tasted fresh. I wish I had ordered more rice (hey, I'm Asian) instead of lettuce because I ended up ordering two portions of lettuce. Hah. I wish they had given me more hot sauce, but everything with the hummus on top made it all very tasty and not too dry. I look forward to coming back here again for lunch!
(4)Keith A.
I was stuck down in the loop for jury duty and I didn't want to go to some chain like McDonald's (yes, I realize there are now 2 benjyehudas in the loop, but the general point remains). On top of that, BenjYehuda has been on my hit list for a good while since it had been profiled on metromix years ago and I think in Chicago Magazine. Add in the fact that I generally have a deep love for all things falafel, BenjYehuda just made perfect sense. And, well, BenjYehuda did make perfect sense. It's just a lunch place and it's pretty damn busy as one would expect. It's fairly small and tight, but that belies the awesome that is brought. To start, I didn't expect something this affordable in the loop, that was my mistake. This is not the kind of place that takes advantage of you price-wise because of the location. That is always a major plus. Now, onto the food. I kept it very simple as I didn't want too much in me. So, I just got a falafel pita with hummus, tahini sauce, and hot sauce. I was extremely pleased with my selection, truth be told. The falafel itself is very good. But, the hummus and sauces sent it into a different level. The hummus was very smooth and flavorful with the hot sauce being very special. The cool part is that everything was like a fast production line and even with a line, it didn't take too long to get my sandwich. You just told them how you wanted your sandwich, and, boom, it was ready in minutes. BenjYehuda is a perfect lunch stop when one finds themselves in the Loop. I liked it a lot, but it isn't necessarily a place I would go out of my way for. Still, I do find myself down here every now and then and BenjYehuda is definitely on the return list.
(4)Erik J.
Solid lunch option in the Loop. I used to go to the I Dream of Falafel on Monroe (which has closed due to a lease dispute) for my somewhat-regular Mediterranean/Middle Eastern fixes. BenjYehuda is just one block from my office and will be my new go-to for schwarma. The chicken pita is a generous size for the $6 price (in its foil wrap, it looks similar in size to a hearty carry-out burger) and the meat is well seasoned. I loved the house hot sauce as well -- good blast of heat, but with a nice flavor. I'm not big on loading my pitas with tons of veggies or other fillings, so I was pleased when they went back and topped mine off with a little extra chicken when all I asked for was some hummus and hot sauce. I only got the pita, so I can't speak to any of the other sides, but the schwarma pita is an excellent lunch choice at a good price.
(4)Karen C.
This is a great lunch option in the Loop... Everything is so fresh & even though the lines can get long, they move everyone along as fast as they can. I usually get a half chicken/half falafel box... I love that you can do halves like this, as I don't want a ton of falafel, so this is a great option. Carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, hummus, tzatziki... it's all delicious. If you're feeling greasy, you can get a pound (A POUND!) of fries, and they even have cheese sauce to go with 'em. Plan on taking it to-go, as there isn't normally a seat to be found.
(5)Joshua R.
Good lunch spot. I eat there when I'm in Chicago for business. I've lived in Israel for four years, this is a close approximation to the felafel and shawarma spots there. Food is fresh, and chipotle like assembly line moves quickly. Had the chicken box on lettuce for lunch today. The food is mildly spiced - their hot sauce is excellent so add it to your heart's content. One star off as the pita is general garden variety pita - not the nice fluffy ones you get in better NYC places or Israel. The homemade salad toppings and pickles really make the meals and platters though they could use a touch more pickled punch (especially the cabbage). Fries are crisp and well seasoned though a touch overdone. Provide excellent textural contrast to the meat and veggies. Overall an excellent choice for a healthy lunch in the area.
(4)Lauren S.
Mediterranean meets Chipotle! Naff Naff and OMG have nothing on this place--it's so great! A little heavy for lunch (to me), but you gotta get the fries with whatever sauce that's available. I'm a huge fry fan, and this place has some top notch frites.
(4)Jessica C.
Love this place! Staff is very friendly, quick service, and the food is delish! There is always a long line but it moves very quickly. Whenever i feel like going out to lunch, BenjYehuda is the first place that comes to mind! :) yum Its all about the pickles!
(5)Alden V.
Benj and NafNaf are currently the two best Mediterranean joints in the loop. But for different reasons, and I can't get sick of either one. Benj's steak is worth going out of your way for. As well as the Spicy Falafel Fridays. The variety of toppings is a stand out for Benj's, as I mentioned the steak is great, although the chicken is quite good as well if that's your thing, and the hummus comes for no extra charge. (Up-charge for that stuff really irks me about other med places, it's chickpeas for crying out loud. C'mon man) I don't like how little, and inefficient, the seating is, nor the boxes you get your food in. If you rip off the flaps though, it's fine. If you really want your mind blown (and a mini food coma). Go on a Friday and do this: Steak box, with a 1 or 2 spicy falafel on the side, add Hummus and whatever other toppings you like, add Tahini AND Hot Sauce, add a side of fries (share with a friend cause they're big), DUMP a handful of the fries on top of your box of goodness.
(5)Tiffany R.
This is a great lunch spot. I got the falafel box. It was really good. Only complaint I have is that I think they fry the falafel a little to hard. I've been twice and would go again.
(4)Rafi A.
A tiny restaurant tucked into the busy corner of Madison and LaSalle, BenjYehuda provides a lot of laffa for the money. It offers high quality Mid-Eastern fare, including creamy hummus and baba, grilled meats, and flavorful salads. The owner, a really nice young entrepreneur, is usually there to greet customers and make sure that the place delivers a quality product. I have now been here five or six times and have every intention of returning.
(5)Andres V.
The food was great. Prepared right in front of you. Also great customer service everyone is nice and smiling great 1st time experience
(5)Suzy D.
Get the chicken box, with half lettuce, half rice. Make sure to get all the toppings and some tahini AND hot sauce and you will be happy. The chicken is always so nice and juicy. I don't love all the salads. I prefer the toppings at Falafill but whatever, the chicken is good.
(4)Faisal A.
Good food, especially the chicken shawarma, but I gave it two stars because the price is expensive for a sandwich that does not include a side, and has to be extra for the side. Like seriously there is a resturant called Hifa a few blocks far from this one, and their combo sandwich include side of rice or fries with same price for only a sandwich in this place!
(2)Collin C.
Delicious, lots of food for a good price, and very speedy service.
(5)Ariel L.
Holy brick in the belly! Do not attempt to eat the entire box of food you get from them. It will knock you out at your desk. Good lord, the pita flight (1 falafel, 1 Chicken Schwarma, 1 Beef Schwarma and a 1 lb of fries) nearly put me in a coma. And for $7.99 its a damn good deal. Even comes with Cheese for your fries. Death in a box. Damn good and damn tatsy, but I almost didn't walk away. Line moves fast. Don't fret if its corwded. People are nice too. Plan on taking it to go however as there aren't many seats. "Loz im geyn!!!!"
(4)Vince L.
Wandered here for lunch based on reviews. I was not disappointed. Not being from the area it took a second to locate. If I had paid attention to the photos I would have seen the logo on the window when I walked by it the first time. My friend and I told the person taking our order we were new to the place and asked if she could explain the order process and choices. She did and it helped with our choices. I got chicken on flat bread with a little bit of all the veggies (no hummus). My friend got a box with steak, salad, and a variety of veggies. My sandwich was good. All the different flavors stood out. The downside was that it masked the flavor of the meat. It was still very good and very filling. My friend could not finish his box lunch. He said it was very good as well but too much. Seating is tight but most people take it to-go. Patience will get you a booth. Glad we stopped here and checked it out.
(4)Corey N.
Perhaps my favorite place in the Loop for lunch, this place packs a lot of flavor into the food it serves up. The premise is simple: serve a few items, make them fresh and full of flavor. The flight is a particularly good introduction to BenjYehuda as you get 3 small pitas: one each of felafel, chicken and beef with a mound of their delicious fries. Did I say fries? The fries here are tremendous, incredibly crispy and among the very best in the city. I like to get mine with hot sauce, which is also tremendous. It has a bit of a kick so be careful... Highly recommended for good grub in the loop. Note: there is usually a line, but it moves quickly and seating is limited.
(5)Vanitha S.
My friend told me that she heard of this new place near her office that we could go to for lunch and said that she thought it was a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern type of place but that she couldn't pronounce the name. I figured hey if you can't pronounce it, it has to be authentic! And I have to say--it was very authentic tasting. The place is setup like chipotle where you choose your base and then add protein, sauces and toppings all in a procession. The first choice is picking salad, pita bread, rice or a wrap. When I was debating, the gal who helped me said I could half and half and so I did! Half salad and half rice, good choice. Chose the chicken box and it is one of the yummiest meals I've had in a while! The toppings were just really fun and unique to mix up in this way--hummus, baba ghanoush, pickles, tahini, corn salad, red cabbage salad, carrot salad, etc. The chicken itself was flavorful and very moist. The mediterranean pickles were extraordinarily good. Don't know how they made them but they were a homerun. I didn't get the fries but I am impressed they come in 1lb orders...that seems like a lot of fries! Afterwards, I didn't feel like it was a greasy oily meal. It felt really light yet very filling and healthy. I can't wait to come back for another whirl here at more food. The one negative is that like most places in the loop, the dining area is pretty small and you'd need to come at an off-time to make sure you beat the crazy lunch rush.
(5)Eric L.
I like this place - it's manic - it's efficient - they have great food. While the menu selection isn't very big, that seems to work better. Do a few things GREAT vs. a lot of things "so-so". Strongly recommend the fries - a 1/2 bag is plenty for one person - but they are really good. As a newbie, one might feel a little stressed by the pace, the fact that EVERYONE else seems to know how to order and how it all works, but don't worry. Watch or ask - they're very helpful and patient despite the fast pace to get the growing line through.
(4)Eva S.
This is a hip place for some good middle eastern food. I got the beef lunch box on a bed of 1/2 lettuce and 1/2 rice, but I'd recommend sticking with one or the other. If I were to order again I'd just do the box with rice because the half-half combo turned everything salad-like. A little scoop of everything... but if that's the way you roll, you'd love this place. That being said, their food was tasty: lots of options/sides to go with your order. The hummus and pickled veggies were great, but their baba ganoush was a strangely tangy and goopy (like guacamole a little too blended...). I'd skip that next time, but their tzatziki sauce was amazing, as was their hot sauce. Get an additional side of either (or both) with your meal. A friend ordered a "ball sac" (yes, literally stated on the menu) which was half a dozen freshly fried falafel. The staff chuckled when they called out the "order" and handed it to my buddy. Like... they were awaiting her reaction. Awkward, and hilarious too. I guess everyone had fun and their efficient, assembly-line of staff seemed quite cheerful, which makes for happy customers too. They make their fries to order and regardless of what you order, I'm sure they give you 1+ pounds of food. Their service is quick, the Mediterranean flavor authentic and if you want a good laugh, go ahead and skim the menu... order the 1/2 a dozen falafel in a bag as stated on the menu.
(4)Anna P.
I went here for the first time today, and overall I am happy with my new Mediterranean discovery. I got the chicken box with: 1/2 rice 1/2 romaine, all the toppings, and both tahini and hot sauce. I also got a side of pita bread. Holy Cow, they give you a lot of food! My arms felt like I had done some reps at the gym after carrying my box back to my office. The end result was a ton of very fresh and tasty food at a good price. My favorite part might have been the pickles, since I haven't really seen that at Mediterranean places. My least favorite part was that I thought there could be more overall flavor. I think this would be easily remedied by getting extra sauces though, so that's what I plan to try next time.
(4)Nari H.
Yup, another fast-casual for Mediterranean food that is pretty yummy for under $10. The service is fast (almost too fast), and the food is just enough to make me full (and while small, I am not a simpy eater). It's a little dim in the restaurant, if there's a line during rush-lunch time, it'll go by fast.
(4)lucas a.
Falafel great. Fries stumpy and dry (fried at the wrong temp?). If they fixed that, I'd eat lunch here all the time.
(3)Allen B.
The downtown rush crowds this place like no other. Sometimes the line is out the door, but it's every bit worth the wait. BenjYehuda or as my co-workers and I like to call it, "Benji", is definitely money well spent. The food portions they give you almost exceed the cost of what you pay. Several different choices of sandwiches and salads and it's all freshly prepared right in front of you. The pita, laffa, or a box meal will get you hooked. I introduced this place to my co-workers awhile back and now it's all they want to eat once 12pm rolls around. I'll leave you with two words. FRENCH FRIES. Boom! Done.
(4)Lucas W.
This is as good as it gets when it comes to quick lunches in the city. Phenomenal flavors and a great portion of food for a very reasonable price - less than most lunch places actually. Yes the line will be long but it moves quickly, trust me, and it's well worth the wait. Plan on getting food to go though, very small location. I generally go with a rice box with half chicken half steak, babaganoush, carrots, and some other veggies and lots of hot sauce. And I mean damn good hot sauce, or as my friend likes to say "Not-white-people hot sauce". Also, I'm normally not a big babaganoush fan, but theirs is top notch. I keep intending to try their falafel, but I never get around to it because I'm so damn happy with what I get. Always looking forward to my next lunch there.
(5)Theresa K.
Hands down the best Mediterranean in Chicago. And not only have they perfected Mediterranean food but their fries are amazing too! A definite must try in Chicago.
(5)John R.
There are a hand full of really solid fairly cheap places in the loop for lunch. Benj is one of them. The food will kind of annihilate your afternoon productivity though. Go with the laffa - add lots of toppings. It has a ton of flavor.
(5)Vibhor D.
Chipotle style supply chain based Mediterranean joint. Chicken tasted very good and overall toppings complemented it well. Avoid fries.
(4)Hilary G.
BenjYehuda is my go-to spot for lunch during the work week. Everything is good - I started out getting the chicken box with rice, hummus, carrots, tomatoes, tahini and spicy sauce (it's a LOT of food, could easily be two meals). I've branched out into other menu options such as the falafel and also the spicy lentil soup. Thanks to the awesome crew at BenjYehuda, I've learned the secret to maximizing the lentil soup - adding rice. It's probably my favorite lunch, and often inspires me NOT to work from home. On top of delicious food, everyone who works here is incredibly cool, friendly and helpful. They know what they're doing and they seem to like what they're doing, too. It reflects in the atmosphere - you can get in and get out quickly, but you can also have a seat, linger and enjoy a break from the day.
(5)Ann R.
I've been a few times, grabbing the chicken box to go at each visit. I order the chicken served on a bed of romaine, and usually get hummus and other fresh veggie toppings. What I really love about this place and what sets it apart from other Med places in the loop is that there is no limit - from what I've experienced anyway - on the number of toppings you add on. You want everything? Go ahead. But be warned, their portions are generous! Delicious chicken with fresh romaine, hummus, cabbage salad, cukes, tomatoes and onion for a little over $8? Awesomeness!
(4)Mary T.
It's here! Ever since I saw the little menu in the window, I've been eagerly awaiting the opening of the second Benjyehuda location and have been salivating for their falafel; perfectly fried little balls of chickpea goodness. I've been a big fan of their food and hospitality since they opened their first store over on Van Buren. One of the only things I missed about my old gig was its proximity to Benjyehuda; ever since I moved, my visits have been few and far between. I try to bring my lunch as often as possible, but when I dine out, I'm loyal to a few spots in the area. I'm glad that the new location is so close that it now has a permanent spot in that rotation. I could wax poetic about how great this place is, but I'll get down to brass tacks. The new spot is a lot like the other one; same green walls and industrial decor, same great food and same great service. It's looks like the secret is out; for a place that has only been open a week, it's already drawing quite the crowd and working like a well oiled machine.
(5)Joel R.
Wow, very disappointed. I'd heard the raves about their fries and was really looking forward to them. I got the sampler (a "flight," I think it's called), which was chicken, falafel, and chicken pitas with Jerusalem salad, pickles, and tahini. That was fine. However... The fries were really, really disappointing. They seemed to be double-fried, as if they'd gotten cold then were tossed back in the fryer. They were greasy, way too crunchy, and there was very little potato inside the crisp exterior. They actually made me feel kind of sick afterwards. Probably won't go again.
(2)Victor K.
I went on January 3rd, 2014 at 11:07 am and had a pretty bad meal. First, the good stuff. The staff was fast. The place was clean. And now....the food. The hummus was very good, as was the Jerusalem salad. The tahini sauce was probably the best I ever tasted. The fries? Oh no they didn't just re-cook them, but yeah, they did. Maybe that is why the fry cooks were laughing at 10 S. LaSalle St. The hardest, worst-tasting french fries I ever ate. I ate about ten and gave up- they were as hard as walnut shells. And the meat? I had the steak box- or should I say I had the hard steak with dried fat on each piece of meat. Again, this was crunchy, fatty, and cooked waaay too long. The 1/2 rice and 1/2 lettuce saved me from hunger. A friend remarked that he never goes before 11:45am, and won't go after a holiday, because the food may be "not fresh". One last point- they need to fix that front door as I saw a petite person struggle to open it. I had to put some heft into it, and I am 6 feet tall. It may have been the timing- why I had a poor experience, but for $11.93 for a steak box, cheddar cheese, and fries, I should have had a better meal. Unfortunately, I got my meal to go. Had I sat down there, I would have stopped trying to eat it and asked that the meal be replaced- and I am the youngest in my family (trained to eat whatever is left and like it).
(1)Bo Y.
fast and healthy food. like most downtown middle eastern restaurant. you choose falafel/chicken/steak in a pita/box/salad good thing is that you can choose as many sides as you want. $8.3 for the chicken one in the box. steak is little more expensive. falafel is cheaper.
(4)Christine S.
I'm a Mediterranean food junkie. I have a problem. I should go to meetings. Now that I'm working in The Loop, all of my wildest Mediterranean dreams are coming true. Every corner you turn, there's a new place popping up. However, only certain ones are actually good. So here I am, the self appointed new Mediterranean food reviewer for The Loop. You're welcome, Loopsters! Benjyehuda is a place that has food that packs a punch...as in, it's delicious. 5 Loopy Kids went out to lunch yesterday, and 0 had complaints. Everyone's food was fresh and the only peep I heard from someone was "wow, this is a lot of food", and in my eyes, that's not a complaint...it's a solution for dinner for later that night. Someone else had mentioned how perfectly their shawarma was seasoned, I agree with that, as I also had the chicken shawarma and it was perfect! This location is smaller than the other location, so if you want to sit down you may have a problem finding seating. The food is fresh and delicious. The prices are excellent. The restaurant is clean. The staff is very friendly.
(5)Mike M.
Probably my favorite lunch spot downtown. Excellent sandwiches, the cheese fries are to die for, and the staff is pleasant and helpful. I eat here at least once a week.
(5)Double L.
You would be hard pressed to find a better, healthier option in the area. Staff is friendly and more importantly very quick. Several different choices of sandwiches and salads. You can tell it's prepared fresh and with care. Most items are under $9 without a drink. Never had their fries. My heart thanks them for moving into the hood. My 4x a week chinese food lunch was killing me.
(5)Stina N.
Since the minute I realized Benjyehuda was opening a second location not only closer to my office but actually in my building, I couldn't wait for opening day. Then opening day came and went with so little fanfare I didn't even realize they were open! I know now and my life is forever changed. The LaSalle location is pretty much a duplicate of the original - bright green walls, industrial interior, same delicious menu and ordering system. The service was fast and friendly and totally on cue. If I didn't know better, I would have assumed they'd been open for far longer than a week. To celebrate the ocassion I even ventured away from my usual falafel wrap for the Yehuda Flight - a mini steak pita, mini chicken pita, and mini falafel pita topped with Jeruselum salad, pickles, and tahini. I didn't get the pickles but got a small side of hummus. The food is just as good as it is at the Van Buren location. The pitas are soft and chewey. The falafel is crisp on the outside soft and fluffy on the inside. The steak is delicious and perfectly seasoned. I think I like it even better than the falafel (which I really love.) The chicken was good but not really my jam. It was seasoned well, but I'm just not a fan of the seasoning. I ate and enjoyed it, but I doubt I'd order it again given how much I love the steak and falafel. My fries were a little overcooked, but I like my fries on the so crisp they're nearly burnt but not quite side so I was okay with it.
(5)Katie R.
I got the Yehuda Flight for lunch. It was a great value, and it was very tasty. In fact, I was able to make two meals out of it! Fries with Merkt Cheddar. Wow. The amazing texture of the Merkt's Cheddar really compliments the perfectly-crisped fries. All of the vegetables were very fresh! Some Mediterranean places serve bland, unfresh vegetables (i.e. dry, flavorless lettuce), but Benjyehuda's veggies tasted very flavorful (I particularly enjoyed the pickles). This place is the real deal...the owners seem to really know their stuff about Israeli street food. Will definitely be back.
(5)Zach C.
Really good mediterranean food with "Chipotle-style" service. You go along the line & pick what you want on your dish (pita, flatbread, or a "box" that is basically a rice bowl). It's basically a much-better version of the Roti Grill chains that are in the area.
(5)Thomas C.
this is a great place to grab lunch in the loop. your decisions, pita, laffa or box. next what do you want in your vessel? falafel, chicken or steak (they are ALL good), next toppings (hummus, or a slew of tasties, lastly do you want fries? (yes) half or full bag? (yes) cheese? (again, YES) Once you get through that youre in for a real treat. everything is delicious. Personal favorite is the Yehuda flight, one mini falafel pita, one mini chicken and steak pita with jerusalem salad an fries! Go early seating is limited and both places get full quickly.
(4)nicole d.
Just went here for lunch and love it!! I love that you can pick exactly what you want and fyi - everything is gluten free except for the pita. I had the chicken shawarma box with 1/2 rice and 1/2 lettuce, love that combo because keeps the carbs down! of course had to try the fries and they are as delish as all the reviews say. Can't wait for it to be warmer and I will be going more often to this place!!! It is tiny so you have to go early or just plan it as take out!
(4)Sam C.
This is one of the best if not the single best Israeli-type falafel and shwarma spot in the loop. The shwarmas are terrific. Usually I got a combo box with a chicken and beef shwarma, plus falafel. It's a huge lunch but really outstanding. When I'm feeling particualrly indulgent, I order the french fries. These guys know how to do fries -- perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Love this place. Limited seating but usually I can find a spot without waiting too long.
(5)Steven C.
Considering the Loop is the fast food falafel and schwarma capital of the Midwest, it's hard to pick a favorite, but for some reason, BenjYehuda has won the most consistent of my business. Modeled after the Israeli street food on Ben Yehuda Street in Jerusalem, BenjYehuda tries to be as authentic to that Israeli falafel and schwarma experience as possible. I haven't convinced them to put fries in my sandwich quite yet (that to me is the official sign of authentic Israeli schwarma) But BenjYehuda also does things its competitors don't. Like serving cheese fries and churros. Yup. The restaurant definitely has a contemporary flare in the way it tries to merge with American tastes. The decor and image of the restaurant also reflect something distant from the Middle East. They market themselves in a bold way and since the product delivers, I find it quite respectable. The ingredients you can stuff inside are all top-notch, though admittedly not any different and possibly lesser than the diverse offerings you can get at other places. I have not tried the box option to maximize my toppings, but I think it's just because there's something about getting a pita or a laffa that makes the experience. My recommendation is the schwarma, though the falafel pita will cost you just $6 and that's hard to do for lunch in the Loop. I have a hard time deciding who makes the best falafel in the city, but there's has plenty of crunch and a great kick to theirs that I don't hesitate to get it, even when the schwarma calls. The service is really friendly in BenjYehuda, which you don't often get in these "assembly line" restaurants. I only wish they had more space to sit and eat in this LaSalle location. Unless you go at off hours, best plan to take it to go, but then again, that's the point of street food!
(4)Leang E.
My coworkers and I had been waiting for this place to finally open up, and just recently got together to try it out. The place is not very big and accommodating for a large group. I think the most you can fit is 4 at a table and there are no additional chairs that you can add or move to combine and make larger. You'll also need to get here early if you want seating. I went for the flight which gave me the opportunity to try each of the meats and falafel, which was a ton of food. I barely made a dent on the fries. The flight comes with cucumbers and pickles and tahini sauce. I thought this was a little bit odd considering pickles are made from cucumbers so I just got kind of double the same thing except one is drenched in vinegar. Hmm..maybe they could do something with a different combination. The staff is pretty friendly. I'd like to come back and try some other options here as well.
(4)Pat D.
This is a hidden gem. Although it's hidden in plain sight I hadn't noticed it until a coworker told me to check it out. Really fresh tasty falafels and shwarma. Fair prices and quick service. They only need a bigger sign.
(4)Farah W.
Great little lunch spot with two locations in loop area. You can get a few combinations of Chicken, Steak, Chick Peas in Pita, Laffa, or a lunch box. All the trimmings are fresh and the chicken is usually seasoned nicely. They also have amazing fries. For lunch, it's a must to have in the rotation and rather inexpensive for downtown. Fast, Inexpensive, a good eats = winner for lunch or a fast dinner.
(4)Phil V.
Pretty much a regular here as I work down the street on Jackson. The service, top notch. The food, even better. I highly recommend this place. They give you SO much food in a box so I munch on it all afternoon at the office. The people there are so fun too. I absolutely love it and is the number 1 lunch spot in the financial district. I warn you though, DO NOT GO BETWEEN 1215 and 1245! It goes so busy. Oh and the fries, WOW. So good. Hope this helps other consumers and grab some quick food here! You won't regret it! P
(5)Green T.
Fast, delicious, and possibly the only healthy lunch option in the Loop that isn't marketed as "health food." I just wish they were open beyond 3:00pm for those long work days!
(5)J K.
When you walk in, the line looks very intimidating, but don't worry, it moves pretty quick. I tried the chicken box- it comes with lettuce and/or rice, then you choose your toppings and sides. The cucumber salad, tomatoes, hummus, and corn salad are my favorites. The vegetables were fresh and the hummus was yummy!!! (Ok, truth be told, I made sure I got every last bit of hummus out of the box.) It's very filling and it's under $9. Next time, I will try the fries. :)
(5)Jennifer B.
Oh my - that was a lot of food - and it was good! I got the Yehuda Flight topped with Jerusalem salad, tahina, and pickles, as well as cheese with the fries. Chopped tomato would be really good with this. I liked the fries and cheese but it was way more to eat than I expected. This could have lasted me for 2 days. I think I will go with the box next time and load up on the sides/salads. It's located in my building so I didn't eat there or pay much attention to the ambience. However, I think I'm on my way to becoming an addict.
(5)Peter B.
Service was really quick. I'm still in awe of how much food you get for the money. Everything was flavorful, the hot sauce especially. The box meal is enough for a meal, even 2 meals. But if you are sharing Lunch with a friend definitely get some fries to share, they are incredible. I will for sure be back again, and probably often
(5)Chris P.
I love Mediterranean food. Eat it all the time. This place is OK. They add too much condiments in the food which is why I do not like the taste that much. There are better joints around the city that sell Mediterranean food around the city. This place is definitely a place to try out. There is a lot of place to sit and the crowd is good.
(3)Anna P.
My top Mediterranean spot for lunch in the loop. Food is fresh and you get lots of it! The boxes are so full I usually get a couple pitas on the side and share with a co-worker. You can get mixed boxes too - I like the chicken schwarma with falafel!
(5)Lauren D.
I stopped here for lunch after meeting with my Editor in the Loop for a meeting. The food reminded me of the mid-eastern food that I actually had when I was in the middle-east on an assignment several years ago. The food here is freshly made to order and very, very delectable. The portions are generous. The menu is simple, but meticulously executed. Now, complement versus compliment, yes, there is a huge difference. I complimented the owner, Benji Rosen, for providing high quality ingredients at a very reasonable price. The creamy dressing on my salad was the perfect amalgamation. The dressing was light and it truly complemented the greens and all the fresh vegetables perfectly. If I was in the loop again, for any reason, I would stop in again. The service was wonderful, gracious, and as busy as it was, surprisingly fast. I ordered the chicken to go and had that for dinner.The chicken was seasoned to perfection, incredibly tender and flavorful. GOOD FOR: People who want a fresh, quality, fast food experience without breaking your budget.
(4)Brian B.
What really shines at BenjYehuda is all the vegetables they put in the box lunches. They're fresh, crispy and very tasty. As for the meat, I'm a fan of the chicken here, especially with their hot sauce. I rather like the fries (very crispy on the outside, tender inside) but try to stay healthy and only order them a couple times a year. This is my favorite place to get a quick meal in the board of trade area.
(4)Bill T.
It's small and the menu is limited to two breads, two meats or falafel and some salad accompaniments to your lunch selection either rolled in a laffa or a pita - or placed in a box - BUT it is delicious. After having gone there twice and maybe going there again this week, I should know. I got a hummus spread with a bit of Baba Ganoush on a laffa once with steak and once with chicken, & a variety of salads and both sauces (one is secret hot and the other Tahini) and wow - a great lunch at a reasonable price. Just thinking about it and I'm getting hungry - sooo maybe I'll go back today for some great Urban Street Food!
(4)Ray P.
Great lunch in the Loop! Sure, there are a lot of middle eastern joints...this one is a bit different. The menu is simple -- sandwich in s a pita or on a larger flatbread (rolled up "burrito style"), or on rice/lettuce in a box with your choice of meat (beef or chicken shawarma) or falafel. Also, the Yehuda Flight is probably the best value -- all three fillings are featured (steak/chicken/falafel) and served with fries. The toppings are outstanding (hummus, baba ghanouj, pickles, etc.) and should not be overlooked. And, the fries are some of the best I've ever had -- crispy, every single one...and, tender on the inside. Great value for lunch, but, if you want to dine in, get there early or expect to wait as the are very few tables. Even for takeout, by noon the line is lonnnnnnnng. But, don't let that deter you -- it's the best value and best tasting new lunch option in the Loop!
(4)J Z.
Love lunch! Delicious and fresh!
(4)Mark B.
A friend and I came here for lunch, after I stumbled across it here on Yelp, and had a great meal! Décor: There is a distinct Chipotle feel to the interior but that is not a bad thing. It is strictly "business" without a lot of frills. I did find it a bit dark inside, as the walls and ceiling are a dark color, but other than that everything was very inviting. The line is what I couldn't believe. It was long, but they move people through very quickly. Also, there are a handful of seats as well, but given the crowd we took our food to go. Bathroom: unknown Staff: The food makers were very fast and efficient and the owner/manager (or who I assume was the owner/manager) was also the last stop in the line before handing it off to the cashier. I like that, he is there making sure everything is going smooth. He also sincerely thanked me for my business, which you don't get too much these days. Great staff! Food: We both had the Chicken Shawarma box, with double meat, all the fixings, and Tehini and hot sauce. Everything was DELICIOUS and the portion size was nice a big! In fact, I did get "double meat" but I honestly think I would be good with a single serving. I know, I can't believe I'm saying that either but it's true! Great portion size here! Value: Given the level of service, and the portion sizes, this place is EXCELLENT bang for your buck! I am so very glad to have found this place because it is such a wonderful lunch in all respects. BenjYehuda has definitely secured it's spot in my usual lunch rotation.
(5)Matt R.
Israeli style Falafel Laffas in chicago? Yes please! I stepped in here hoping to get some good middle eastern food. What I didn't realize is that I was stepping into Mizrahi grill territory. This is awesome. For those who get middle eastern sandwiches - make sure you get them from places that make laffas, because that means you're getting a huge, huge sandwich. Think middle eastern burrito and less pita pocket. Unless you want a pita pocket, in which case carry on. The menu is very straightforward, and the food comes with the signature things that define a true middle eastern sandwich: pickles, pickled vegetables and french fries in your sandwich. Toda BenjYehuda, Toda.
(5)Erika G.
This place is new, so I'll give it time. And this is a meta-review, since I am eating my BenjYehuda lunch right now. Falefel: should be bright green, is not. Sorta dry. OK flavor. They have steak schwarma - but I didn't get it, 'cos why no lamb? It should be lamb. Rice: no pieces of the teeny, mystery vermicelli that middle eastern rice should have. Hummus: where is the lemon juice and garlic? TOUM, I want TOUM! (Ziyad still rules) Salads: I had lettuce, corn, red cabbage, onions, pickles (THOSE are right, and sooo delicious and sour) But habibi . . . WHERE ARE THE SPICES and TOUM?! So . . . this was just sort of a boring, Middle Eastern salad of cut up vegetables. I may return, but I think I'm gonna hit Mezze before I try this place again. I should add I'm a demon for Mideast food, 'cos I had it from the SOURCE in Damascus, and there is no better food than Syrian food. But I don't think this is Syrian. I didn't finish my lunch, even. I got bored and quit.
(2)Gina G.
This place runs like a well-oiled machine. Go for the food stay for the French fries.
(4)Ben A.
Came by for lunch and ordered the flight. The flight consists of three mini pita sandwiches (chicken, beef and falafel), jerusalem salad, pickles and fries. The mini pita sandwiches can be topped with a variety of sauces and crunchy vegetables. It is quite a bit of food for lunch and quite tasty. The fries are great, didn't really like the cheese sauce for the fries. Their cheese sauce is Merkt's cheddar which is quite strong and does not allow for easy dipping. My favorite sandwich was probably the chicken as it was seasoned well and not dried out. The steak was a little tough and the falafel was ok. There's usually a line but it passes fairly quickly. Decent lunch spot.
(3)Nancy H.
I rarely go out for lunch because you're always $10-20 poorer and not eating the healthiest. But I can usually count on "customizable" places like Roti, Chipotle, and now BenjYehuda where you can choose healthy ingredients and load up on veggies! Of course, you can be sinful too and order their super crunchy fries with Merkt's cheddar. I'm usually a soggy-fry kinda gal (we're rare but make good eating partners), but these fries made me feel some type of way! I got a chicken schwarma box with 1/2 rice and 1/2 romaine with every toppping, and it was almost $10 after tax. But the bonus is that the portion is large enough to turn this into 2 medium-sized meals! The line is long already by 11:45 AM on weekdays, but it goes by pretty fast. Seating is limited, so I suggest coming here at 11:30 AM, or you might be standing around until someone leaves their table.
(4)Diana S.
I am traveling for work in Chicago and found this little gem of a Mediterranean restaurant on Yelp! I had the half falafel, half chicken box and it was delicious! Definitely recommend it for a quick bite!
(4)Tavi J.
My friend and I went here during lunch today and I wasn't overly impressed. The line wasn't too bad and the servers were super friendly. It can be a little overwhelming when seeing everything out in front of you, but they help me put my meal together. I just went with the Yehuda flight. I was able to sample the steak, chicken, and falefal mini pitas. The chicken was probably my favorite followed by the steak. The Falefal on the other hand was too hard and tasteless. I would also have to say the salad did nothing for the pita's either. Everything tasted a little bland. The fries were okay. I decided to add the cheese sauce and it tasted very weird (maybe I got a bad batch of cheese though)? All in all I may give it another try if I'm over that way, but wasn't to thrilled with the food.
(3)Austin Y.
Chipotle took a nice long vacation to the Middle East and came back as BenjYehuda. Grilled chicken and steak morphed into chicken and steak shwarma, saucy sofritas became crispy falafel, but the lines out the door during the lunch rush haven't changed much from Chipotle. If you're craving a lighter take on Mediterranean food with the ability to customize everything, BenjYehuda is the place for you. Go with the chicken shwarma box, the chicken has a nice char and crisp edges, different from what you get at Naf Naf. I like that they let you choose whichever vegetables you want, and all the ingredients are high quality and taste very fresh. On the flipside, their toppings can border on the edge of being bland, including the run-of-the-mill hummus and overly watery, underspiced babaganouj. Definitely opt for both the tangy, slightly sweet hot sauce (really terrific) and tahini, and mix them together, Halal Guys style. This really elevates the entire box. The falafel are very crunchy and pretty tasty. I found them to be over-fried, but that might just be a matter of personal taste. Fries are delicious, especially topped with some Merkts cheese. Overall, BenjYehuda is a very solid lunch spot with lighter, less forceful flavors than you might expect from Mediterranean food.
(3)Siddharth A.
Idea place for a quick bite....nice and fresh food Had falafel with pita bread...must try if in downtown
(4)Greg Z.
I was hooked on this place on my first visit over a year ago. It's nice when you can walk into a place and state "I have no idea what you've got here" and the staff walk you through what they offer and how you can order. When I got to the toppings and asked "how many can I pick?", the answer of "the world is your oyster" pretty much had me hooked on this place. I've cycled through the offerings and have homed in on my favorite combinition of hummus, cucumber, tomato, onions, tahini, and depending on mood, pickles. Go nuts trying it all. Having so many veggie options as sides is just such a nice feature. Servings of steak and chicken are always plentiful and never dry. Seasoning is not light so you'll get plenty of flavor. I'd say stronger than most Mediterranean places.
(5)Arushi B.
Great spot for middle eastern lunch! I dig the plethora of spiced and pickled veggies to go with the pita. The shawarma was good, but tahini and veggies put it over the top! The spicy lentil soup is "meh" at best. Naf naf has a much better one in my opinion.
(4)Jimmy R.
Right next to my office so I go there pretty often. A LOT of food, the the sauce is slightly better than average, fries are pretty good. They also pump all the smell from the kitchen outside so you get hungry walking by.
(4)Mahsa L.
This place is by far one of the best places that I like to go for Mediterranean food. Never disappoints. I have tried other places like NafNaf and Roti but this one is still the best
(5)