Masouleh Restaurant
6653 N Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60626
Masouleh Restaurant Menu
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Appetizers
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Soup
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Salads
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Entrees
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Sandwiches
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Weekend Specials (northern & Other Specials)
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Vegetarian
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Individual Kabab
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Side Orders
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Desserts
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Beverages
Healthy Meal suggestions for Masouleh Restaurant
-
Appetizers
-
Soup
-
Salads
-
Entrees
-
Sandwiches
-
Weekend Specials (northern & Other Specials)
-
Vegetarian
-
Individual Kabab
-
Side Orders
-
Desserts
-
Beverages
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Address :
6653 N Clark St
Chicago, IL, 60626 - Phone (773) 262-2227
- Website https://www.masouleh.biz
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Peggy L.
Azim, the owner, very kindly helped us do a family-style birthday lunch for my husband and 12 other people. Doing it family-style was nice because we ordered in advance, so there was minimal wait between entrees, and people could enjoy a variety of dishes. The appetizers of olovieh (chicken salad w/ a nice creaminess) and mirza ghasemi (eggplant) were delicious with warm pita and the plate of herbs (radish, cheese, mint etc). This was followed by the aashe soup -- I love the variety of textures and lentils/beans used in this soup that makes it both smooth and al dente, paired with the dollop of yogurt and fried mint, etc. For entrees, we had the beef-based Masouleh Kabob (which my husband loved), fesenjen (rich with a greenish oil from the ground walnuts and a pomegranate sauce that is not too tart, just right), and Gheimeh Bademjan (we looove roasted eggplant paired with the yellow peas and beef -- you can taste the smokiness in the eggplant -- I could eat tons of this if left to my own devices). Finally, we had the weekend special of Baghali Polo With Lamb Shank (it's fork-tender, and a pretty big leg; the polo rice with dill and small lima beans (?) is a nice complement to the regular rice with saffron served with other entrees. It was also a treat to get extra helpings of the brown-crunchy bottom crust of the rice (tadiq). For our vegetarian friends, there was shishandaz (a vegetarian version of fesenjen, with eggplant instead of chicken) and ghormeh sabzi (with green veggies and eggplant). The owner said he can also substitute egg out of any vegetarian dish, too, if requested, which is a nice option. Azim was an extremely attentive and warm host. We were grateful to have been able to enjoy such a lovely lunch at his restaurant with friends. It was delicious but felt like we were eating in someone's home.
(5)David K.
It's hard to find good middle-eastern food in the US. It's even harder to find persian food... This place is one of the best places you can find this kind of food. The eggplant dishes, the kababs, even the rice... it's all incredible. Top it off with the wonderful owner and his delightful presence. Don't miss out on this true pleasure, even if it's out of the way.
(4)Amin S.
Masouleh is a cozy small Persian restaurant with authentic dishes from the northern region. I have been to several Persian restaurants across the country and Masouleh is the only restaurant that serves very unique dishes from the north. Service was very friendly and we felt welcomed from the moment we arrived. I highly recommend to start with some of the stews for appetizer such as the merza ghasami. The ground beef kabab was very good but they must be using a very high fat ground beef. I liked their tender loin kabab the best and the ghormeh sabzi with kideny beans and spinach stew. Definitely we will go back to this unique restaurant in the future.
(4)Nasim M.
They are simply the best Persian restaurant in Chicago area. Everything there is perfect. They are super friendly.
(5)Joe P.
Best restaurant in the neighborhood. Food is always impeccably prepared and quite affordable for the quality of food you receive. This place is far better than Reza, which used to be my goto place for middle eastern food. I'd say this place even surpasses Cafe Suron for folks that recall that wonderful restaurant. Go with chenjeh or joujeh and you'll thank me afterwards.
(5)Larry I.
Azim provided a delicious dinner, is a genial host and super owner of this small, delightful restaurant. The food is as it should be when Persian -- simple but with great, complex spices that linger on the tongue. Be sure to have the Persian ice cream! Very good.
(4)Mark K.
A nice addition to Rogers Park, in a sea of really good authentic Mexican places, this is a unique Middle-Eastern Persian restaurant. The kebab dishes are mostly what you would expect, but with some different spices. The dinner entrees come with rice, a cup of nice lentil soup, pita bread (store bought, but toasted) and a couple tiny slices of brie cheese. They also have sandwiches. We also tried the appetizer Olivieh salad, which is a potato+mayo type of salad that I'm familiar with from Russian cuisine, but this had a bit of a unique taste, which I liked. The service was very friendly and the space is comfortable. My only minor gripe is that for this area and the sizes of the portions, the prices are a bit high, but I would still overall recommend to try.
(4)Daniel P.
Best persian restaurant ever ! I even enjoyed more than iran restaurants ! Home foods ! So delicious and tasty ! And good timing for food to be ready ! Their doogh or yogurt drink is awesome ! Gheymeh badenjan , kabab and .... You'll love it as I do
(5)Diana H.
I used to trust this place for the best Iranian food. I am so upset tonight. I ordered one joujeh, one fesenjan, extra tomato, and one chenjeh- all to go. For $40 I expected so much more from them. They gave me one container full of rice. One tomato cut in half. The fesenjan was too watery. The worst part was the meat. They said that they gave me 7 pieces of each (joujeh and chenjeh) but the pieces were all quarter-sized. I drove 30 min there and 30 min back to get what I thought would be the best Iranian food around but I came home and opened the containers in shock. When I called the gentleman to explain what was wrong, he argued with me and said that he always serves food that way and no one complains. It was not worth an argument so I let him know I will not return. I hope he takes what I said into consideration for future diners. That place USED to be dependable. Now they just skimp you on what you paid for! Back to noon-o-kabab!
(1)Sara S.
The owner was kind in helping us navigate the menu and choose dishes. I ordered the Mirza Ghasemi vegetarian dish, which wasn't terribly flavorful, but my friends ordered the meat-based special and they were very pleased. The lentil soup was delicious!
(4)Isabelle L.
Ended up here when the Ethiopian up the street was closed due to a water leak. I'm glad I tried. We had a relaxing evening. The proprietor was patient with us and gave us recommendations on what to order and what are the popular dishes in his establishment. The entree came with a soup (beans based which was really good), pita bread, rice and a plate of feta, cilantro, parsley. The main dishes (we had one beef and one chicken) were stew like and the spices blend were good. For $12 per entree, this place has a good price to quality ratio. A good place to grab a good tasting meal at a reasonable price and have a low key evening.
(3)Kate M.
Masouleh is a small town in northern Iran, I assume the proprietors are from this beautiful mountain village. The normal menu and specialties are both good representations of Persian food. The beef tenderloin in crushed walnut and pomegranate sauce was delicious. Served with white rice and herbs on the side, it was a perfect sized meal. The lentil soup is good and a nice way to warm up in the winter. I've had the ground beef kabobs too, very good. Too much food for one meal, well, for one meal for me at least. The service is nice. The staff doesn't seem to speak a lot of English, but a lot of pleasant smiles and nods of understanding get the job done. You definitely won't feel rushed at Masouleh, it's a comfortable place for a relaxed dinner. My only complaint is that it's a small place and when the door opens in the winter they entire place is filled with an icy chill for a few minutes. The hot Persian tea helped offset the cold, but maybe an enclosure around the door for the winter would be a better idea.
(4)Layla L.
Fantastic Persian food! Gormeh Sabzi is just like my mom makes it! Great service- it's truly a nice experience. They don't hover or try to get you out and get pretty crowded after 7:30 pm. If you like to try new foods and want authentic Persian food, you have to try this place!
(5)Rachel S.
Oh so good!!! I'm half Persian and have had lots of amazing Persian food....and hadn't had any at a restaurant in a long time. Their aash (soup) is BETTER than my grandmother's....amazing! (I used to go to Reza's, but they have just gotten too big and the quality isn't what it was when they were that cute little hole in the wall on Clark 20+ years ago.) This place is the REAL deal! The owner is from Tabriz, like my dad, and the menu items are ones I grew up eating and they are DELICIOUS!!!!!! They have a great selection of vegetarian entrees....try the shishandaz (vegetarian fesenjan) and the ghormeh sabzi...usually made with meat, but you don't miss it here! The kebabs are fabulous and just everything here is so yummy. It's AMAZINGLY AFFORDABLE as well....I was there with my husband and with soup, entrees and doogh it came out to around $25...which is pretty amazing!!! Plus, being a mom and pop type restaurant, the service is wonderful and homey...the owner cooks in the kitchen and his wife is the server and they are so sweet. :) Can't wait to go back soon!!!
(5)Michelle B.
Mediocre. Rude server. Bland flavors. The weekend special: Boiled lamb covered with tomatoes and mushrooms straight from the can.
(3)Anne B.
Love this place. The food is great, the servers are friendly, the decor is nice. I wish there were more veg options, but I'm flexible!
(5)K W.
My friend took me here for dinner and I fell in love with the food. I had the Fesenjan and it was absolutely delicious. It was so good that I went there and had dinner the next night. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant.
(4)Kurt S.
Great authentic Iranian food and friendly service. Also, plenty of street parking.
(5)Double L.
Best Persian food I've had in Chicago. Extremely friendly staff, BYOB, always have different specials and a casual yet classy atmosphere. Definitely a hidden little gem on Clark. They have all the staples you would expect at a Persian spot and a few things I was unfamiliar with. My lady is Persian and I can say without question this place is the closest Chicago comes to what we get from her family's home cooking. Prices are resonable and service is great.
(5)Cassidy P.
Love this place for the following reasons: 1. Vegetarian dish (Shishandaz) with eggplant with walnut & pomegranate sauce ($10; their website doesn't have up-to-date prices). 2. Entrees come with their amazing soup (lentil & bean with a dab of yogurt, oil & spices) 3. A special appetizer (which appears often) with fava beans (I think...or a similar white bean), potatoes, and tomatoes. Nice and tangy (maybe some citrus in there?) 4. The "tadiq" (crunchy rice at the bottom of a pot) 5. Persian tea & sugar (can you drink it with the sugar cube between your teeth the Persian way?) 6. Persian ice cream (rose and pistachio with fresh chunks of pistachio sprinkled on top) 7. The waitress (seems like there's generally one main waitress), who is *unbelievably* friendly, just love her! (she's not persian, btw...if I remember correctly she's Dominican...so don't expect her to bust out in Farsi or something!). 8. I've seen many families having big dinners here, it's clean and welcoming and has a nice ambiance. Very much worth a visit!! Just be sure to BYO wine. :)
(5)Boon K.
My good yelp friend Mehran, recommended this place and I can't believe how close it was to me. I have been missing out for years. It was like walking into a family's home with open arms. As soon as you walk in, there are many many trays of all types of cookies surrounding the place just to welcome you. The wife is so wondering and charming and you can see her husband cooking thru the order window, with the biggest smile. They are very sincere. The food was something I never had before and I love it. We tried different things like the Fesenjan, Mirza Ghasemi and the Masouleh Kabob. I can't wait to go back when I am in town to try more.
(5)John P.
Masouleh what a great surprise this restaurant was I pass this place every other day and finally I stop in with a buddy of mine that knows Persian food very well. The space is nice and small the service was great and the food was flavorful.I had Gheimeh Bademjan and it put a smile on my face. My friend had Masouleh Kabob it was also tasty. A nice touch was a small portion of the bottom of the pot rice crusted with all of the flavors. Dinner included a small veg/pita bread combo with a lentil bean soup.I can't wait to go here again.
(4)Kim N.
Went here for the first time for dinner with a big party. It's BYOB so we brought wine - appreciated their lack of a cork fee! The service here was wonderful. Our younger server was gracious, helpful, and always smiling. We had three other friendly workers come out to help serve all of the appetizers and soup, pass out wine glasses, and cut our cake. Despite the great service, I didn't find the food amazing, unfortunately. Had four appetizers; I liked the olivieh and pita with feta cheese the best. Next up was my entree: joujeh kabob, which is grilled marinated chicken served with rice. When I finally got it, just looking at it was a bit disappointing, because it literally was a big plate of white rice with 7 small pieces of chicken on the side. It looked and tasted lackluster - like it was missing something else. I also tried my friend's dish - shishandaz, ground walnut and pomegranate sauce with eggplants served with rice. Neither of us liked it too much. I think maybe my tastes just don't fall in line with Persian cuisine, as it seems people like it a lot here. As I said, though, the service was great and welcoming. The interior is cozy and dark and could be a good place to bring a date.
(3)Bethany B.
Lovely atmosphere and food. Wish they opened a second location near me : ) The timing is very relaxed here, so if you're in a rush, it's probably not the best place to go. It's the kind of place to go when you want to chat with friends for hours--which is probably how it should be!
(5)Marc A.
Finally, decent restaurants in Rogers Park. I can't say enough about this place. The service is a little spotty at times and parking in the street here is an experience, but the food is absolutely great. Very well priced and good portions. Sit away from the door as it leads right outside and the cold comes rushing in. The staff is fantastic and will accomodate you, but you sometimes need to grab their attention. Take it with a grain of salt, most people I see here are having a great time and eat slowly. They may not be used to my shovel approach to food consumption. Their ice cream is really excellent and it is often snatched out of my hands by my wife.
(5)Leyla A.
Persian Food at it's best! My absoute favorite thing is never listed on the menu and I am too shy to ask for it directly. It is called "Tadik" and it is the rice from the bottom of the kettle, that has a crunchy crust. It is especially good served with a spoonful of Sabzi on top. Somehow, by the grace of Allah, a plate of delicious Tadik arrived at my table. Same with two bowls of delicious ash soup. I love surprises like that!!!! We tried the Spinach borani, fessenjan, and chenjeh kebab with fluffy Persian rice, ohhhhhhhh and the tea! Persian tea is out of this world. Moc Ay Karam
(5)Chris B.
This is a great place to eat, I've been here 3 times and every time it's delicious. I usually get the kabob, but have had the chicken with the pomegranate sauce. They are all very good, BUT also very similar in flavor, so as far as the breadth of tastes offered I would say it is limited. I love the BYOB restaurants and this one ranks up there with the rest. It's small and cozy but also good for groups of 6 -10. The staff is also wonderful, they are very attentive.
(4)Molly C.
I love this place. Every time I have been for either dine-in or take-out, the service and food have been phenomenal. Prices are very reasonable, portions are large, and the food is delicious. Plus, it's BYOB with no corkage fee. It's great for weeknight or weekend dinners; the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.
(5)Kimberly L.
Very gracious service, relaxed atmosphere, delicious food, and a BYO baby! Fan-freaking-tastic! I have to apologize for not knowing the Persian names of what I ate but the server recommended this excellent eggplant appetizer that was dynamite. I also had the chicken and steak kebabs. Very tasty. One friend ordered the whitefish and wasn't as happy as we who ordered the kebabs. N'yah--that's what you get for trying to be all heart healthy. (Kidding--kinda.) I'll be back.
(4)David S.
Went there for dinner on a Saturday night. The place was completely full but the waitstaff was still very friendly and attentive. The food was excellent. Enjoyed the Gormeh Szabzi very much. Romantic yet casual atmosphere. Great place.
(5)Jason M.
Really liked this place. Good authentic Persian food and nice quiet quaint atmosphere. Nice addition to Persian food in the city. Like the fact that is in Rogers Park away from the hype.
(4)Jay H.
Had a great meal on NYE. It's a cute place with friendly service. The kabobs were tasty and juicy. And the chicken in pomegranate sauce is killer -- tart, rich, flavorful. Also loved the eggplant appetizer. I can't wait to go back and try more dishes soon. BYO.
(4)kim c.
I have mixed feelings after trying this place for the first time for lunch today. It smelled delicious and was a nice atmosphere. Soup was very flavorful, really, really tasty. My friend and I agreed we could eat that soup every day and were excited to try our entrees. I ordered the vegetarian shishandaz and my friend had the same dish only with chicken. While her portion size was totally fine, mine was simply 2 thin strips of eggplant. It tasted good but really? Is that supposed to fill me up? I ate it in 4 or 5 bites. Yes there was a large plate of rice but.... $13 for 2 pieces of eggplant in sauce?? It was definitely more of an appetizer than entree. I couldn't wait to get home and eat. I left starving and thinking that I'd wished we'd gone for falafel next door which was our original plan. I guess I could have poured the sauce over the rice because it was tasty but it had a ton of oil floating on top so don't really think my digestion could handle that. Spices were well done.
(2)Jack P.
This bright storefront place is a new addition to the restaurant row of Clark St. north of Devon in Rogers Park. Some friends and I tried it for pre-theater dinner on a Saturday evening, having heard of its recent opening. At 6:00 PM, the place was fairly busy. A mix of clientel to mirror the neighborhood. A couple of couples with very young unruly and noisy toddlers. We were seated immediately at the one last table. The hostess was very gracious, but it soon became obvious that they weren't really ready for the crowds, or I should say the kitchen was not ready. Our orders were mixed up, not submitted timely. The food came out in no special order. I will say they were very conciliatory about this, but they did not offer a free appetizer or dessert, nor was the bill reduced. I ordered the kebab combo, which was colorful, delicious and a very generous portion. I believe it was $9.95. A couple of my fellow diners were not happy with their other Persian specialties (a stew and a lamb dish.) But again, looking at the overall value, our entire dinner for four was about $48.00 (less tip), so you can't go wrong with the prices. And of course, if you want to drink, it is BYOB. The ambiance is very pleasant, inviting and bright. So I might return if I am in the neighborhood (and because I love those combo kebab platters.) I will give them some time to work out the kinks in staffing and service, though. It does make a good inexpensive pre-theater choice if you're going to one of those little equally inexpensive off-Loop theaters in the neighborhood.
(2)Ankan S.
Great place! Authentic food!
(4)J A.
So this place was great when I walked in. Great ambiance, and wait staff. The owner was on top of things in a good way on s slow day. But he food just didn't pop. I really hoped it would be better.
(2)David R.
I went there last night as a quick change of plans. I was totally surprised by this place. I have lived in Rogers Park for a little over a year, and for the most part the restaurants around the neighborhood have been slightly lackluster. Masouleh was quite the exception. The atmosphere was very nice and the lighting was great. They had a good amount of people but the high ceilings made it not seem overly crowded. My server was very sweet and assisted in the ordering of the meal and I was not disappointed. We each ordered a separate dish and shared them; we ordered the beef and the special (which was an apricot chicken). Both were very tasty and well prepared. Afterwards we had the Persian ice cream (a must have). As a side note, it is BYOB so visit the liquor store next to the restaurant. Having a bottle of wine with the good meal made it even better.
(5)Amy J.
Went to Masouleh's on a Sat night with a group of 4. The lady who runs the place is so sweet and you feel like you're in her home. BYOB for a lot of amazing food. Per the menu- the food is "Persian with a Northern Twist." We started with the Mirza Ghasemi- which was like a smoky baba ghanoush and pita we also had the Mast-O-Khiar which is a yogurt, cucumber mint thing you have with pita too. Yum- so fresh tasting. I had the special which was a marinated chicken dish with prunes and a delicious sauce over rice. Others ordered the chicken with a walnut, pomegranate sauce, one of the stews and kabobs. All of it was really good. Tons of food and a great deal. The space is super cute and clean with exposed brick walls and nice tables. Would definitely come back if you are up in that area.
(4)Lisa J.
This restaurant is like 1/8 of a block from where I live, I can see it out the window (if I walk right up to the glass). In the two and a half months that I've lived here, I've now been three times. The atmosphere is really nice, they have big windows and exposed brick and tables with multiple cutlery options. I usually don't care that much about service as long as they're not Applebee's friendly or make you feel guilty about eating there mean, but the service is awesome here. I think they only have one waitress and she's really cute and smiley and knows when to make herself sparse and when to be attentive. Most of the entrees are about $10 and they include pita bread with feta and herbs, soup, and obviously the entree. The food itself is amazing. Though I'm not a vegetarian, I usually order vegetarian entrees here because the sauces are so good you don't want anything else. A dinner for two without appetizers comes to about $23 with tax and I'm always amazed at how cheap it is, I always feel like the bill should be like $50-60.
(5)Blake B.
I love this place. The food is soooo good and the service is as friendly as can be. They really treat you like guests. The food I understand is northern Iranian cuisine and is simply delicious. I wish they served bigger portions because I usually have to order two dishes.
(5)Lewis T.
Their vegetables are great. Fish was a little dry. Portions are absolutely humongous, so it's actually not so pricey.
(4)Feskeli G.
OMG..THIS PLACE IS THE BESTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT...i can speak from experience moving from the MECCA OF PERSIAN RESTURANTS , yes yes..california..this place makes the BESTTTTTTT GHORMEH SABZI..like my moms..so much so, that i drive all the way from naperville to eat their food and take some home for the next day..totally worth it..!! Their staff is soo awsome..i just ate there tonight..the owners wife was soo pleasant..i ended up talking to her the entire night while sharing food and stories..this place is definately A+++ FOR me..and i dont give these compliments lightly..would reccomend this place to everyone..trust me, on this..to DIEEEEE FOR..and soo is their tadik..for those that know what it is, its the kind that we fight for at home..hands down..Gormeh sabzi..loveeeeeeeeee it..and so is their CHENJEH KABAB..i havent had much else yet, becuase i have been stuck on the ghormeh sabzi..becuase its just like home..im going to order their other khorsht dishes next time..i noticed they had sandwiches on the back of the menu..im definately going back..thank you Massloueh for saving me from having my mom fly in REAL persian food from cali..
(5)Pauline M.
We came here for dinner and we had such a great time! The service was fantastic, and everything we tried was delicious! I'm not a huge meat eater, so I really appreciated all of the different vegetarian options I had. This is a great place to come with a bottle of wine, relax, and enjoy great food. We will definitely be back!
(5)Negin J.
The best "Mirza Ghasemi" I have ever had. I usually ask my non-Iranian friends to try it and they all love it.
(5)Nick M.
Friendly family owned AUTHENTIC persian cuisine. Nice intimate place for a date! The food comes out quick and in good portions and the owner or his wife is always there to greet us and chat a bit. This is my favorite Persian restaurant in all of Chicagoland.
(5)Laura A.
I love this place. It's so small and quaint and the staff is always friendly. The food is Persian/Iranian and really the eggplant dishes make me very happy. Anything they make with eggplant is delish and the specials are usually some mix of herbs and crushed things like pomegranite and walnuts with chicken. Soooo good!
(5)Alfredo P.
Firts of all i never tried persian food which it was different from my regualr choices,but from the way i seen ,its a authentic food.i tried the soup and the chicken sandwhich i think thats what it meant,the soup had beans and other spices ,it was tasty and the rest was ok.the service was great. its a little restaurant ,i tried looking for a parking space which was a little hard to find.not sure of going back.
(3)Usama H.
This restaurant is amazing. I've been to many Persian restaurants before and none have the authentic dishes this place serves. Service is exceptional and the food, presentation, portions and complimentary tea and soup gives it that fifth star.
(5)Kenneth H.
We were invited to dinner with friends to Masouleh Restaurant on Clark Street in Rogers Park, Chicago and never having had Persian food before, we did not know what to expect. This restaurant, local to my neighborhood, is such a gem. The service was spectacular, the food was outstanding and the ambiance delightful. We started by sharing an appetizer made with herbs and eggs. It looked interesting on the menu. It tasted wonderful - akin to a parsely omelette - just delicious. And with the warm pita served with it - yum!!!! I had the Fesenjan for my main course - a chicaken dish with ground walnut and Pomegranate sauce over rice. I highly recommned it - the flavor sensation bursts in your mouth and makes me want to go back for more. This is a must-eat-at restaurant. I congratulate the owners. BYOB
(5)Kelly H.
This is the kind of place that I wish had existed in this neighborhood when we still lived there. Ah well - we aren't too far now, and at any rate, this place is worth a trip. We ate there on a Wednesday and enjoyed it so much we returned two days later. We were practically the only people there on both occasions (perhaps because we prefer to eat at the grandma hour of 5:00) and had very friendly, attentive service. Over the course of our two visits, we had the chicken in walnut and pomegranate sauce, an eggplant and egg dish, a chicken appetizer called olivieh, and small squares of greens coagulated with egg and baked. I enjoyed the olivieh, but it's basically just chicken salad. It's good chicken salad, don't get me wrong, but it's hardly exotic. The chicken with walnut and pomegranate sauce was delicious - rich and subtle. We liked this so much we had it on the second visit, and while it was just as tasty, on the second trip it was quite a bit oilier than the first time. We had to spoon off about a quarter cup of oil before eating. The greens were...strange (I am normally a big fan of strange, but in this case, "strange" denotes a dish that resembles the Stouffer's frozen spinach my mom loved so much, freeze-dried and cut into squares) and the eggplant was tasty. I am giving this place three stars because while there are some kinks that need ironing, overall the food is good, the people nice, and it's a very pleasant place to eat.
(3)Luan N.
I was happy to see a new restaurant spring up in my hood. I ordered the combination plate which include Jujeh (chicken) kabob and Masouleh (ground beef) kabob for $12. It was alright, but there are more restaurants in Chicago that can do kabobs better. I would have rather gone next door to Big Buns and Pita get the combo which comes with kefta, chicken, and shawarma for $8. But, I'll give it another try and see how the pomegranate chicken goes. Update: Went back for the Chicken braised in walnut and pomegranate sauce. It sounded so interesting but... it didn't deliver the fireworks I was expecting. I'm no Persian food expert and maybe it's authentic, but I wasn't feeling it. To me it was the equivalent of sitting in an awesome concept car that never went into production. Yes, that's how I felt. On a positive note, the mirza ghasemi (eggplant , tomato, egg) was something I liked. You can even see how Masouleh makes it on: youtube.com/watch?v=RE_Q… I really wanted this fresh and interesting place to be my go to restaurant on N. Clark, but I'm afraid I'm gonna stay loyal to Big Buns.
(3)Jalal F.
I am Iranian and my family is originally from Northern Iran. We had fesenjun, Mirza Ghasemi, and Kabob. The Mirza Ghasemi was not authentic and good at all. It did not have enough garlic in it. Fesenjun tasted like anything other than fesenjun. I think it was because of the quality of their pomegranate paste. I was very excited before going to Masoole, but got really disappointed after trying the food. The kabob was good though.
(1)Inga M.
I've been here a few times and love it every time. I've been to many places and this place has consistent, delicious and authentic Persian food. I highly recommend this place. Don't forget BYOB :)
(4)Neil B.
Persian Cusine with a northern twist. See their complete but limited menu at masouleh.biz . Good value for the money, byob place. Nicely decorated. Food is excellent, but not outstanding, somewhat bland compared to other Persian restaurants I have visited. (The now defunct Teharan in its hayday was better.) Service was attentive. The space is not large, so if you don't want to be disappointed you might call ahead to see how busy they are and see it they will take a reservation. More food options appear on weekends -- I am sure they will run out of space then. We will try them again soon.
(4)Jane M.
This was my first experience with Persian food, so I can't in fairness give it five stars since I have nothing to compare it to. However! The food was incredible. Lots of the same elements you come to be familiar with if you eat a ton of middle eastern food, but different from anything I've had before. My companions and I had a variety of dishes and they were all excellent. Of particular note was a chicken dish in a walnut and pomegranate sauce. All the meat dishes were melt in your mouth, cut with a fork tender. And the service was awesome. The hostess (owner?) was warm and friendly and kept coming over to our table to see if everything was ok. Our water never got below half, we had a constant supply of fresh pita, and our server was attentive and sweet. It felt like eating in a friend's mom's house. Dinner for four was around sixty bucks for really generous portions of fantastic food. I'll go back every chance I get!
(4)Rahshonda K.
Masouleh was a cute surprise. When you walk in you are greeted by wonderful staff and the owner took very good care of my friend who has severe allergies to beef and diary products. The atmosphere is contemporary and modern but still has that small restaurant feel. I ordered the chicken kabobs with dill rice. It was great!!! The bread was nice and hot!!! I added feta cheese on the bread and wow it was really fantastic. The Lentil Soup was OK. We had to add a bit of salt and pepper to it. I have food for tomorrow they give you quite a bit. Its BYOB and good for the price!!! Our waitress Betsy was so sweet and I totally cant wait to go back!!!
(4)Jennifer G.
We went here for lunch and it was excellent. We had a chicken salad appetizer called olivieh, then eggplant with walnut and pomegranate sauce, with a chicken kebab. Everything was so delicious, with delicate flavors that tasted like grandma's home cooking, NOT showy, overdone restaurant food. The proprietor was very gracious, and brought us a couple of free surprises: a multi-bean soup and a generous piece of tahdig, the golden rice crust. Dipped in our eggplant sauce, it was sublime. Prices were reasonable, and ambiance was relaxed and pleasant. We can't wait to go back!
(5)Jesse S.
Dining at Masouleh was a delight. Primarily because the staff was so warm and friendly. I particularly enjoyed the vegetarian plates. Zobia! The decor and atmosphere are very inviting. I love this BYOB system, too- No Corkage!
(4)Nolan S.
We went on Saturday night around 6PM. I would say it was about half full. We ordered an appetizer that was one of their specials. It was eggplant with pomegranates. Very tasty and a good sized portion for an appetizer. For my meal I had a skewer combo. The chicken was moist and flavorful. The ground beef was the same. The rice is plain but was cooked perfectly. My wife had a chicken in pomegranate sauce and walnuts. It was also very well prepared. My only complaint was it took a while to get our food even after the appetizer was gone. We will be back.
(4)NIffer B.
We'd never had Persian food before, but we got a coupon in the mail (I'm cheap) so we went. The flavors and combinations were different than any where else I've gone, but it was great. We had the yogurt eggplant appetizer. Great with the pita.The soup that came with the meal was definitely a different combination with the lentils, mint and yogurt, but it worked. I ordered the chicken and steak kebobs and my husband got the chicken in the walnut pomegranate sauce. Both were delicious, but we agreed the steak kebobs were the best. I didn't have any room for the huge plate of rice. Like others have said the owners are great. As I apologized for not being able to pronounce anything on the menu, the owner coached me through my whole order. When his wife arrived she was very attentive as was the waitress. We went pretty early on a Friday night and there were only a few couples during our time there so service was great and the atmosphere was cozy. We'll definitely be going back, but next time we'll BYOB.
(5)Andy Y.
I just went to Masouleh last night with my fiancee, and I must say I was quite impressed. I have been to almost all the Iranian restaurants in Chicago (including Reza's, Noon-O-Kabab, Pars Cove, Shiraz and even the now closed Cafe Suron) and Masouleh can definitely hold its own. I will be back soon with some of my fellow Iranian-food connosouires!
(5)LINDA M.
great family owned restaurant GREAT PERSIAN FOOD consistantly amazing. Interesting foods , nice portions, soup included Have been here many times andeverything is great. Friendly athmosphere small but not jambed usually complimentary bread cheese herb plate Home made flavors delicious ! Must try!
(4)Keivan M.
This place is the real deal! If you look for real Persian cuisine go here. This is the best place in Chicago (and so far in US) that I had Persian food in. The price is very low for this kind of food. I almost tried everything here and loved every single bite of them.
(5)Abby B.
My husband and I love this restaurant. The owners are so friendly and great you warmly as you come in. The food is excellent, particularly since it is hard to find good Persian food here. I usually get the chicken kabob and it is wonderful. I highly recommend it.
(4)L B.
We've been there a few times now and love it. The food has always been very flavorful, and we appreciate that the staff is helpful when describing it. It's a very small family place--you're not going to get rushed in and out. We love that it's BYOB too, and no corkage fee. Really lovely little restaurant if you're near the area!
(5)dan p.
My wife and I love this restaurant. The northern Iranian stews are really delicious. The food is great food to pair with wine and they are BYOB.
(4)Erin F.
I was excited to see this restaurant open a block from us! We took some friends there to give it a try, and they went out of their way to seat us (a party of 5) even though they were already packed and we volunteered to come back later. We had a great eggplant appetizer with a smoky flavor, and we devoured their bread. The wait staff was cheerful and helpful even while the place was hopping, and the hostess jumped in to help as well with making menu recommendations, refilling out water, and getting us extra glasses for our BYOB wine. We will definitely go back (maybe after calling first to see how busy they are).
(4)Oona B.
after eating my unusual green (slimy) beef "stew", i realize i do not much particularly enjoy middle eastern/mediterranean food. something does not go right, that i end up getting icky runs. i am going to stick with ethiopian food. . .
(2)Karla N.
Great people, great food, awesome and friendly atmosphere... Don't be shy to ask for special items that may not be listed on the menu...
(4)S. D.
Great find in that area. As someone who grew up eating Persian food, I can highly recommend this place. This is the type of mom&pop place I wish we had a lot more of. The food is absolutely authentic and prepared the way someone in Iran would. As people stated before, start with the Kabobs if you are not familiar with Persian cuisine but based on the more than reasonable prices, you should absolutely try some of the other stews as well. I still like NoonOKabob on Kedzie as well but have been going back to Masouleh exclusively for the past few months based on the quality of the food and the great interaction with the owners.
(4)Eric S.
Bland, nothing special service was good
(2)Momma V.
Classic Persian cooking! We live in Evanston (me, my husband, 3 kids) and make a point of going to Masouleh every couple of weeks. We've taken family members there from out of town have they have raved about the food! Typically, my husband and I enjoy eating Indian, Korean and Mexican food. We love spicy food, however, we also like well-made food from other parts of the world. For those who like spicy food and have never eaten Persian food, don't expect it to be spicy -- instead, you will find the food flavorful and subtle. Since this is a refined ma and pa shop (both appropriate for dates and families), service can slow down at times, but it's well worth the trip and a little bit of patience. I would recommend the Olivieh and Mirza Ghasemi... so good!
(5)Beth H.
We went to Masouleh to celebrate a birthday. It was quiet and not busy when we went which was nice. For appetizers we ordered Olovieh , which was like a persian chicken salad, a spinach dish (which was fantastic), and a yogurt eggplant dish. The spinach was the only one served warm and was the best of the three. For entrees we had Joujeh Kabab, Chenjeh Kabob,Fesenjan Gheimah Bademjan,and Masouleh Kabab, all of which were delicious. The entrees come with pita. The pita is warm and comes with feta cheese,radish, parsley, cilantro, green onion, and mint. What a treat! You also get a small bowl of soup, which is delicious. It is a vegetable soup with a dollop of yogurt and mint oil. Mixed all together it is so good and very aromatic. The entree portions seem small, but after all the other food you've already eaten, it is just the right portion. This was topped off by Persian tea-mmmm. Overall, a good experience. I hope to return sometime.
(4)Hm C.
Very tasty Mediterranean, on par with Andies on Clark (not Andies on Montrose, which is a notch lower). My wife got some sort of stew, and I got the chicken kabob (forgive the vagueness--we were there about a month ago). It's BYOB, which is always a treat, and the waitstaff was very helpful and kind. It's a nice complement to Big Buns just a few stores to the north b/c you get quick, tasty Med with Big Buns, and more refined Med with Masouleh. Will definitely go back.
(4)Jay D.
A smallish restaurant, to be sure, but decent (and copious) amounts of food, fast and friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere makes for a great dining experience. Order a kabob meal, you'll have a satisfying dinner plus enough rice and meat to have lunch the next day. My party even got baklava on the house from the fast and friendly service.
(4)robin c.
Awesome food! I felt like I was at someone's house. The food is made from the heart. Limited menu because they want to keep everything fresh. I will for sure be back. They had the best tadik (sp?) which is this great crust that forms on the bottom of the rice pan. You have to ask for it. I also recommend the joujeh chicken and the masouleh kabob. Oh, and if want dill rice they only have it on the weekends. It is also BYOB which I love. Yummy!
(4)Mohammad Z.
I really love this place the food we ordered was so tasty and I like this restaurant as they house style food they server was generous and didn't charge us for extra tea or cafe I really recommend it I wish if they open one in San Francisco
(5)Mehran F.
LOVE this place. Homey. Delicious food. I have been going to Masouleh since 2008 (please read my other feedbacks re. for details). The food is consistently good (minus a few times where i felt the meat quality not great...but what can one expect for $15?) Service always good and welcoming. Food. always delicious. Man, it takes guts to open a restaurant with food from northern region of Iran. This is by far one of the top 5 Iranian restaurants I have been to in my life, possibly top 3. A must to try if you are in Chicago and want to do Iranian.
(5)Dwayne D.
Four stars because the food is authentic - as far as I know - and the people are nice. I only give a fifth star if the place is so great that I am rendered unconscious (i.e., Longman & Eagle), so don't take only four stars as any sort of criticism. The decor is very plain and laid back, not fine dining, but it isn't meant to be, and food is fresh and great. It has been over a year or two since I have been here, but I still remember the fesenjan chicken with ground walnut and pomegranate sauce, and I liked the place so much that I decided to do a quick review now, so that has to say something. Give it a try!
(4)Gino W.
Much like Logan Square, Rogers Park is turning into a nice culinary spot for those who want a wider variety of food options from which to choose. A friend and I were in the mood for something very much different from the usual sushi and Italian selections we'd been indulging, and we were pleasantly surprised to find that there was an Iranian restaurant that we'd not tried. So, we and two other former colleagues met for something representative of the Middle East. Olovieh. Joujeh kabob. Masouleh kabob. Fesenjan. Gheimeh Badamjan. I fell in love all over again. The food was out of this world. And if it were not for us going at night and the restaurant lights weren't so dim, I would have gotten some great shots. That only means I have to go back and not just for the photography, but I have to return for the food. The prices were well below what I expected and that's always a plus. But the flavours were incredible. The server was also fantastic with explaining menu items to my friends, although I was already familiar with Iranian dining and was met with nods of approval for the selections of food I chose. I'm going back, for sure. It's critical that I do.
(5)Bo Y.
We came around 9 on friday night. the place is half full. (close at 10pm) we ordered chicken kebab entree and the other combination entree.. food came with soup and rice. also, they served pita, vegetables and cheese for each table. Great experience for me. persian food is tasty. service is good too. Price: entrees are around $12-$15. appetizers $3-$5. Dessert $2.5-$4. coffee&persian tea $1.5-$2
(4)Greg H.
Ordered pickup because they don't deliver. My partner is Iranian and we both think this might be the best Persian kitchen in Chicago. Had the fesenjan, the gormeh sabzi and the gheymeh with some appetizers. All were delicious. Highly recommend!
(5)