Came here for (early) Dinner a few days ago around 4oclock, first time visiting. The restaurant was quiet when we got there, it was just me and one other, so we ordered a sharing appetizer plate, a combination platter (chicken and beef shawarma, kafta and shish touk was the combo). First we had the option of choosing a salad/soup, which I ordered Touboulleh, when it came out I was not impressed, the salad tasted as if the parsley had gone bad (I have made enough at home and ate out - to know how it is supp to taste) When I told the waitress she took it back and brought us a simple salad, which was a lot better. (I knock off a star for that) The sharing app platter was amazing, the falafels really are the tastiest I have ever had, as well as the hummus it came with. Loved it! The platter was great as well, lots of meats. After eating the variety of meats, I would prefer to have the Kafta kabab or Chicken Shwarama. The platters are huge portions, in which two ppl can share it Now when the bill came, I was pretty disappointed at being charged an extra dollar for a salad that tasted rotten and we didnt eat and sent back. I knocked off a star for that as well I had ordered side potatoes which cost an additional $5. Which seems really pricey for one roasted potato. All in all the food is pretty good, however it was a bit pricey. But if I ever have a craving for middle eastern food, this is the closest and much more satisfying then the middle eastern restaurants nearby.
(3)
Angel G.
Service was awful, food good... Server never acknowledged us, had no personality and was forced to speak w/the owner. Waitress actually touched my straw with her hands to place it in another glass... Eek!!! If I could give a -1 star that would be too generous. The owners response was that this server was with the establishment for 17 yrs,.. This says a lot about the business & it's proprietor. Hey, try the takeout... Just don't dine in....
(1)
Sneha P.
I want to say 3.5 stars, but I'll round up. I stopped in for lunch with a friend on a weekday. Service was ok, food was good, and the coffee was yummy. I had the falafel sandwich; it was a very large serving. It was yummy. I felt like the food took a little too long to get to us after we placed our order, but I was catching up with a friend, so it wasn't a big deal. I'm not sure how they would handle busy nights or weekends. Nile is a good food stop in HP, prices are decent. Our server was friendly, albeit a little slow. Coffee was delicious and hit the spot. A decent stop if you are in the neighborhood, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here.
(4)
Sam F.
First time eating here. I was staying at u of c hospital and could no longer take the hospital food. Glad I picked this place. They adhered to my dietary restrictions And the food was absolutely amazing. I was in Israel 2 years ago and I can say that the chicken shawarma was the first time since coming back that I tasted anything similar to the original. Delivery was simple and fast.
(5)
Tim H.
I don't usually go down to Hyde Park, but was meeting some friends down in the area for lunch. Came to the Nile restaurant and was very impressed with the large portion size and tastiness of their shwarma.
(4)
Sandra T.
This is probably one of my top ten restaurant choices. One item I always order is the Turkish Coffee. They put a little cardamon in the coffee to make it delicious. This last time I ate here I got a Palestinian dish, that to me seemed like home cooked food. It's a new item that I don't see on the online menu, MAQLOUBEH. It is a well rounded meal including rice, lamb or beef, eggplant, cauliflower and served with homemade yogurt. This place is kept neat and tidy and the service is very good.
(5)
Christine Y.
I've been here twice in the matter of one week. As a matter of a fact two days in a row. That's how much I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. Sadly, I've had the same meal both times so I can't speak of anything but that on the menu. I plan to try more tho. I had the combination #8 which consist of salmon and shrimp kabob (no kabob stick) with rice. You can choose between rice or potatoes. And it comes with veggies. You also get to choose from soup or salad, I choose the Jerusalem salad (cucumbers and tomatoes with a special dressing) YUMS!!!! They bring out warm pitas wrapped in paper towel along with your water. The service is just as good as the food. It's spacious and seats comfortably. That REALLY matters to me. I don't like the small tables and the bumping and disturbing or being disturbed by the constant excusals. You can feel the light energy as soon as you walk in. A must try if you haven't already.
(5)
Sarah G.
I've had this a few times now delivered for different group and meeting functions and every time I've had it, I have left full and happy. The room always smells so good and the smell of falaffel wafting down the hall will make your whole building or floor hungry too which is always a good thing. That said, nothing is packed with a ton of flavor but they do bring you a large variety of food when ordering for a group. Their falaffel is probably the best thing they do here, and for that I will continue to order from them for sure. Their spicy chilli pepper paste is also a great topper for the falaffel and they bring you an obscene amount of pita bread for you to make your own pitas of fun. Their hummus and tahini are so so but their chicken shawarma is also pretty good and here is another order where they give you a ton of chicken. I wish they actually packed for falaffel balls into their large orders since I find our groups always end up with that awkward stare down over who will be the person to take the few falaffel or who would be the nice one to offer to split one with someone else...you know how those food wars go, and it is all for the falaffel here!
(3)
Marie V.
We always get the combination 14. Although it used to be $15.50 and now they raised the price to $18.50. It's still worth it since you get a soup/salad with your combo of 4 different meats. Oh and the potatoes are just divine.
(5)
Thierry D.
I've only been here once so I can only speak of the service and the quality of the food which were both ok. Nothing negative to say about either the place, the food or the service, and i'd gladly go back again. Maybe next time I'll try something else . Maybe a steak/lamb sandwich in a Pita wasn't the best way to appreciate everything they have to offer
(3)
Chloe O.
I loved this place! Its got a moder decor, plenty of comfortable seating, a large menu, and friendly staff. My best friend was raving about this place so we had lunch here. It was nice as it wasnt too crowded. The menu offers lots of choices. If you are vegetarian, don't you worry, they have choices for you too! The helpings were huge so I didn't mind the price being a little higher than expected. The staff were attentive, but not overwhelming. I look forward to coming back. PS: when they offer sides, PICK THE RICE!
(4)
Roy P.
We ordered a dinner for pick-up on 8-30-15 and were very satisfied with all aspects of this restaurant's performance. We had the beef kabob (filet), chicken schwarma plate, a lentil soup, two different salads, stuffed grape leaved and some spinach and meat pie appetizers. The take-out staff were as professional as it gets IMHO. They stayed perfectly in tune with us via email and we were able to pick up everything right on time, perfectly hot, nicely packed, with no errors, and the sauces we had asked for were included. They were pleasant and also expedient. Nile Restaurant on 55th St. appears to be a wonderful and generous restaurant which cares about their customers. They go the extra mile and I wish more restaurants followed the example set by the owners of Nile. I'll try again soon and indicate any changes in my opinion.
(5)
Amanda P.
My friends and I went to this location for lunch. I ordered a Jerusalem salad, a middle Eastern coffee, and a chicken shawerma wrap for lunch. We also shared some falafel balls. The salad was delicious and plentiful, the coffee filled with cardamom, and the wrap was toasty. I really enjoyed the falafel and the salad, but in the end found the wrap a bit bland. It would have been nice to have some sort of sauce option for the wrap.
(4)
Far K.
Tried their food for delivery once, had the three meat sample, which was a huge portion and very decent price. The meat sampler was okay, the meats were a bit dry even though I asked for medium but tasted pretty good, however the rice was below average. The salad and soup was not very below par, as it looked strange and tasted just as strange. I might try this place again, depending if there are no other grubhub options available.
(3)
Austin Y.
The Nile remains a good choice for lunch/dinner in Hyde Park if you're craving Mediterranean food. Don't expect anything groundbreaking, but it's cheap, consistently good, and a welcome addition in an area without many good options. I usually opt for the beef/lamb shwarma sandwich ($7), a warm pita stuffed with a very generous portion of thinly sliced, roasted beef and lamb along with some tomatoes, onion, and tahini. Simple yet filling and tasty - the chicken shwarma sandwich ($6) is also a great value. I've also tried the maklouba, which sounded different, not something you can find at your typical fast-casual Naf Naf/Roti/etc. in the Loop. It's a kind of rice casserole and the flavors were on point, lots of spices with a hint of sweetness. The yogurt paired really well with the eggplant and carrots, but the whole thing was pretty mushy and really needed some texture. The hummus is standard, nice and creamy but bland. The babaganouj is just slightly smoky and pretty good, and the stuffed grape leaves are small but pack a lot of flavor and a nice hint of lemon. Overall, the Nile is safe but solid Mediterranean fare and the decor is clean and lined with a lot of dark wood. I'll definitely grab a lamb shwarma sandwich to go every now and then.
(3)
Logan A.
The Nile is a solid choice on 55th Street in Hyde Park -- a short walk from the U of C campus. I've been a couple times, and both times had the beef and lamb schwarma. The hummus as an appetizer is excellent! The schwarma is very good but could use a bit more flavor, but the rice is moist and ample. The vegetables on the side have disappointed both times -- squishy, soggy squash and zucchini that look (and are) very overcooked. At times the dining room can get a bit loud because the tables and seating are arranged cafeteria style. Booths might be better. Otherwise, the Nile is a reliably great eatery with good service.
(3)
Jaden L.
Good food, large portions, nice ambiance, close proximity to the university, what's not to like? Except for the price which... could be a little steep for broke college students. Love all of their chicken, beef, lamb main dishes, which are tender, juicy and spiced just right. Their appetizers are also amazing by the way with great hummus and baba ganoush. Highly recommend sharing a combination appetizer plate if you are new to the place! Also, taste-wise, much much better than Cedar's, which is another Middle Eastern place in Hyde Park. Think slightly cheaper as well. Good place for visiting family, lunch/dinner with the prof, date with significant other etc etc.
(4)
Alison B.
So yummy. They are quick and friendly. Bread is warm. Food is just tasty. I eat here at least once a week. Downsides are that it's a bit pricy (although my 1 meal always gives me another 2-4 of leftovers), and there is never any parking : ( This 'new' location is crazy nicer than the old one when it was on east 55th. (Not that that one was bad... this one just has high ceilings, warm colors, way more seating)
(5)
Ian L.
Value: 3 Food: 3.5 Service: 4 Red lentil soup: very good. I really liked its simple richness; it does what its supposed to. The salmon kabob was surprisingly fresh, a 7/10, considering we're in Chicago. It wasn't seasoned, just lightly seared. The pinkness was darker than what fresh salmon looks like. Ordered the Shish Barrak, $17 however the beef was not in dumplings but rather boiled and very tender, came apart nicely with the fork. Over rice, the seasoning was subtle, the yogurt helped add some depth but the dish was definitely not worth that much.
(3)
Erin Y.
Good shawarma! I had the lamb and beef shawarma entree and enjoyed it. The vegetables on the side were a little underdone but the star of the dish was well done. Not a bad place to stop for a quick lunch or dinner for some authentic Middle Eastern food.
(3)
Hannah C.
Having has Nile sandwiches years ago, I was pleasantly surprised by here. The kifta kebob and chicken shawarma were excellent. The rice could use a little more flavor and the steak and chicke kabobs were a bit bland. That said, definitely an improvement over what it used to be!
(3)
Missy W.
The food here was delicious. I am leaving a bad review because I was told my meal was gluten free and the rice, of all dishes, IS NOT. It has pasta in it and had I not been trying to keep my baby calm, I would have noticed. But that's not the point! Servers should be more aware of what they are feeding their customers. I am so disappointed, and am not looking forward to being sick for the next few days. * I called to confirm that the rice had pasta in it and I was correct. The woman on the phone didn't even apologize. I am appalled by their lack of awareness and customer service.
(1)
Alexandria T.
I went to dinner at the Nile on a Monday a few weeks back with my boyfriend. He had been here before and didn't know that it had switched locations, but we didn't have any complaints about the new location. We both were starving, and the server told us our entrees would take at least 20 minutes to prepare, so we ordered three appetizers. We went with the hummos, falafel, and grape leaves to start. I am a huge hummus fan, and it was delicious. I also love grape leaves and was super excited to order them when the server told me they were vegetarian. After our appetizers, I was starting to a feel a little full. For my entree, I ordered the vegetarian maklouba. Not only was it a ton of food, but it was so, so delicious. I normally can finish a whole entree no problem, but I barely put a dent in it. The next day's leftovers were even more delicious than the night before if that is even possible. The service was great, and the food was even better. I can't wait to visit the Nile again.
(5)
Adrian D.
The service was OK, the food was good. I wasn't wooed and I've had better, but I'd still go back for seconds for decently authentic Middle Eastern food.
(3)
Tamara M.
I stopped here because my mother wanted to try it. I don't really feel any type of way about this place. I do not dislike it or like it but the food was actually good. The only downside was that the to go portions where smaller then what I expected. Still the food was worth it and I will stop by soon to update my review
(2)
Steve N.
This place makes the best chicken shawarma plate I have had in the US. No joke, it's delicious.
(5)
Anamaria H.
Out of all the restaurants in Hyde Park, this one is my favorite. I love their lamb/beef shwarma and their falafel. I love their hummus. I love their stuffed grape leaves. I love it all. I love it all so much that instead of going somewhere fancy to celebrate my college graduation, I ordered the Nile for delivery to my apartment so that my parents could enjoy my favorite restaurant. I could write more about how excellent this place is, but really everything would sum up as: I love everything I've had on the menu and that I will miss this restaurant dearly.
(5)
Moe N.
This place is awesome. I went here a couple of times when it was on 53rd street before they moved and the food was really good. Now in their new location they're even better. The staff is super friendly. The food is so fresh and authentic. The falafel are some of the best I've ever had. What else can you say, it's really good. The inside is super clean, cosy, and inviting. They also have outside seating in the back that works really good in the early evenings on cool summer nights. I love this place.
(5)
Eric Y.
I enjoyed this place. It's a bit more upscale than your typical Middle Eastern place. The room is spacious and clean, and there is table service that is reasonably friendly. The food quality seemed very good to me. I am no Middle Eastern food expert but it all tasted very good. I think this place serves mainly Lebanese cuisine. The combination appetizer plate is very good. The baba ghannouj is excellent and the falafel is about perfect. I had the beef and lamb shwarma sandwich. This was tasty - nicely spiced and appropriately gamey, but supremely messy - fork and knife came in quite handy. My criticism of the place would be that the pita did not seem very fresh. Overall though, The Nile is a solid bet.
(4)
Ruth W.
I go here often and overall it has good food. Sometimes while having takeout this place messes up my order, but for the most part they are pretty solid. I recommend the lamb, which is very rich in flavor.
(4)
Anne S.
Now that the Nile has moved, I am an even bigger fan. The restaurant is spacious and comfortable inside now, with a lovely back patio. I am a big fan of Cedars, but I think I may like the Nile equally as much now (but they each do certain things better). I really like the chicken here (chicken shwarma and shish taouk are both awesome). The potatoes are excellent as is the hummus. Oh and they are BYOB.
(5)
Kori L.
The Nile has the best middle eastern food in this area, hands down, and you can't beat the service. We love to go to their restaurant, especially in their new location, but order out for delivery more often than not. Tonight, we ordered through a delivery site, and our order was messed up, through no fault of The Nile's. When I called there, I was told that, unfortunately, to get our missing item (hummus), we'd have to reorder and be charged a delivery fee. This was tough for me, as I have been living off of The Nile's yummy food since I had surgery a few months ago, and require a) high protein meals and b) mushy consistency foods. I understood their predicament, though, and thanked them for their time. Fifteen minutes later, our buzzer rang. It was the deliver person, with a container of hummus, and an apology for our inconvenience (again, NO FAULT of The Nile) from the owner of the restaurant. What a place! Thank you, so much. We are devotees, and will remain so, for so many reasons.
(5)
David A.
In the neighborhood and was looking for a quick bite. Really glad to have found this place. A bit plain inside, but I was really pleased with the service and the food. The beef kabob is excellent. Supper tender and generous portion. Hummas was also excellent.
(4)
Eliot L.
I rarely order anything other than the hummus and chicken schawarma wrap, but when I explore the menu it's pretty good. The $5 wrap is simply the best cheap food to be found in Hyde Park, and the locations is convenient for a quick bite.
(5)
Rory L.
Good food, upscale setting, not cheap
(4)
Bob H.
I was happy to find this classy-looking Middle-Eastern restaurant for a pre-theater dinner the other night. We weren't rushed, so we ordered appetizers of hummus (smooth but bland), lentil soup (also well-executed but the flavor wasn't very deep), spinach pie (excellent flavors and textures, not phyllo dough based, with a bit of kick to the spinach-onion filling), and Jerusalem salad (way overdressed, almost soupy, difficult to like). To follow, we had maklouba ("upside down" rice casserole) with chicken, which would have been excellent if the vegetables hadn't been overcooked to mush, and shish barrak, a large bowl with a few doughy dumplings swimming in a yogurt broth thickened substantially by flour and dotted with small chunks of what I think was lamb from a shank. The shish barrak, which I assume is comfort food in someone's home, was very hearty, but forgettably bland, or perhaps just an acquired taste. The maklouba, on the other hand, had the makings of greatness, and as it seems to be offered as a veggie-only dish or with different meats, would be worth trying again. The rest of the menu looks pretty standard Levantine (baba ganoush, falafel, kifta, kebabs, etc.), and given the comments here is likely worth exploring (although I am spoiled for life by the chicken shawarma at Naf Naf and I don't expect Nile to meet that standard). No alcohol served, but you can BYO or walk a few doors east to Jimmy's and pick up a 6-pack.
(3)
Jaci B.
This review is solely based on our recent takeout experience that was inspired by our first dine-in visit where we learned the ins-and-outs on what The Nile does well (see my previous review for a quick heads-up on what wasn't quite right). That said, it was GREAT! For $13, you can order 12 of their fantastic falafel and a large mouth-watering hummus w/pita (ask for extra, the hummus is huge), and it was this revelation that moved us to add them to our ordering-in menu pile. The food was ready for pick-up in less than 15 minutes and was nicely packed with plenty of napkins, silverware, and the perfect amount of little individual falafel dipping sauces. The only letdown at all is that I sang immaculate praises over how perfectly warm, steamy, and soft the pita was in the restaurant only to find that our takeout order featured pita that hadn't been warmed up at all. Not a huge deal at all but being so close to a homerun, I wished they hadn't cut that corner. No big. Surprisingly, we (the hungry two of us) could only eat half of both the falafel and the hummus, so technically, we could have cruised by with a small hummus and 6-piece falafel for $7...that would be one happy highway robbery, and one I imagine we'll be repeat offenders for. Thanks, The Nile, for a wonderful night in!
(4)
Savannah S.
Just had the salad, and shrimp kabob. All I know is 30 minutes later I was home, and started throwing up as soon as I walked in the house. Never will I eat middle eastern food again!!
(1)
Kari T.
great looking place, not really much room for parking tho. it's really spacious but is rather loud and a little too dark for my taste. I've never been a fan of eating in low light. the service is ok, nothing fancy. as for the food, i have only tired their falafel which isn't even that good. i feel like they add more and more salt every time I order lol why do i go back? they are cheap and so am i.
(3)
JS K.
Had the chicken shawarma sandwich which was fairly tasty but quite small! The falafel was average. Overall, I think that it was a bit too pricey for the quality of the food---I probably wouldn't visit again.
(3)
Yuehao B.
The place is okay and it has several halal items. The point is that they have limited variety and price is kind of high. Well, compared to cedars on 53rd, Nile is kind of on the downside. The chicken shawerma is kind of good. My friends like to have the combination dishes which are of great portion. Light is dim at night, which makes me not so comfortable.
(3)
Mrs L.
The service is enough to make you lose your appetite. I've been going to the Nile for over a decade but since they've moved to the new location the service has dropped off, dramatically. I always order the filet mignon. When they delivered my order I saw that it was rare (red and running blood). When I called the restaurant, the manager told me 1) that I was wrong - my meat was medium rare, not rare and 2) it was my fault because I didn't specify how I wanted it cooked. I explained I had never specified before and never had a problem before. He patronizing called me honey and said he wouldn't acquiesce to me because I was customer. Wow and goodbye forever.
(1)
Padma A.
Went to the new location near the University of Chicago campus next to Starbucks. The food was good but their house specialty Maklouba we were told would be 20 minutes, took much longer. Its clean, affordable prices, service is friendly although i have had better Middle Eastern in the city.
(3)
K C.
Great portion but because N.O.K. Knocks out all other places... It's worthy to keep in my list when I'm in this side of town.
(4)
Rod W.
This place has a very appealing atmosphere. It has a more upscale feel to it than many Middle Eastern restaurants I've been to. The wait staff were very friendly as well. I had the Maqloubeh. The meat isn't always the same. I was hoping for lamb but today they had chicken. It was excellent. It was to come with red lentil soup but I got a green lentil soup instead. It was still good. Unfortunately the pita tasted like it came from Jewel. That was unfortunate. The rice pudding was great, too. My server was nice and did come to make sure the food was ok but she never offered to refill my iced tea until the end of the meal but was still a good dining experience. I will probably go out of my way to come here again. The prices were very reasonable.
(4)
Denisha B.
This place is pretty delicious. This is my second time eating here this month and I really enjoyed it. They usually get very busy on the weekends, and you can tell everyone love this place because it's packed. Lots of HP locals come in and grab some Mediterranean grub. I love the menu because they offer such a wide variety of foods it's hard to decide what to order. I always ask the waitress for recommendation. Usually I get the combination plates with various selections of meats, rice and vegetables. It's seasoned very well and very flavorful. My favorite is the hummus and falafel. This is a must when you come here. There falafel is like no other that I have tasted. It is beyond amazing! I am unable to find a place to out do their falafel. The prices here are very reasonable and they give you a great deal of food for your money. I came with a group of 4 and each person ordered dinner, and 3 appetizers all for 75.00 bucks. You can't beat that! Plus you always have tons of leftovers to take home! If you go, please request the young Asian lady. I can't remember her name but she is the best!
(4)
Daniel S.
Simply amazing. Had the large hummus and a lamb shawarma sandwich. The large hummus was generous in size, smooth and with a perfect tangy tahini flavor. The sandwich, though, was the real star of the meal. $7 and the pita was FILLED with huge slices of lamb. Easily one of the best shawarma sandwiches I've ever had. And I've had a lot. 5 stars.
(5)
Pietro B.
Love the appetizers and the desserts, the main courses are huge and pretty good. I live just next door (the current, new location) and went here for dinner more than once. I really like the appetizers, especially the hummus and the lentil soup, as well as the desserts, like the baklava. The main courses are usually so big that they are sufficient for two people.
(3)
Cody B.
Shish barrak was excellent, also really good soups. Very good for lunch or dinner. Girlfriend enjoyed the chicken shawarma wrap. Very pleasant service and reasonably priced.
(4)
Richard F.
Very good local middle eastern food. The hummus was creamy and tasty and presented nicely. The fattoush salad was good, but not great, it needed to be chopped finer, and having a smaller size option would have been nice. The kefta sandwich was delicious, as was the shish tauok sandwich. Prices are extremely reasonable. Service was very good, and it's BYOB which is nice.
(4)
Thamer B.
I am from the middle east, so i consider myself an expert in this category of food. i have heard of the place from various friends, tv and so on. we went to that area of town with a friend so we passed by the nile restaurant, the restaurant itself was not fancy at all. so we decided to pick up what we want and have it on the way home. we had the chicken shawarma and falafel sandwich. the chicken is not typical middle eastern but it was very good i think its the palestenian way of the shawarma. the falafel was really good i even compare it to the best places back home i would really recommend this place
(5)
Elizabeth E.
With many of the campus food options either obscured by construction or closed for the summer, the new Nile location has become one of my go-to spots for lunch. Here's my routine: 1. Place an order for the fattoush salad (and maybe a baklava) via GrubHub, requesting pickup in about an hour. 2. Go to the gym and earn the delicious fried pita chips in my salad. 3. Walk to The Nile, struggle with the overly heavy front door, then pick up my order. 4. Walk back to work, eagerly anticipating the delicious pile of food that awaits me. I can't say anything about the dine-in experience, though my boyfriend and I did once have a late lunch at the previous location, but I've been happy with the food I've picked up. The fattoush salad is heavy with vegetables, though I often ask for extra pickles and olives. The combination appetizer is a steal: hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, stuffed grapevine leaves, and a bunch of pita for $6. And I loved the makloub, though it's a bit much for lunch. Writing this review reminds me that I haven't gotten food from The Nile in a few weeks. I should do something about that.
(3)
Amanda M.
I love this place. It is one of my go to restaurants in Chicago. The lentil soup is delicious. The Persian tea is yummy too. I always order the combination platter #15 with rice. It is a large portion of food for the price. The ambiance in the restaurant is good too.
(5)
Jay M.
We're from Pittsburgh where there are quite a few very good mid-eastern eateries. This was actually some of the worst food of that style that we've ever had anywhere however. Other than the red lentil soup this meal was a total loss. Save your money and find somewhere with better fare and less noise.
(1)
Lauren R.
Oh my goodness - this has to be one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Chicago. Everything is amazing and cooked to perfection... and it's consistent - no surprises on portions or consistency or flavor. Phenomenal place to come for great food - and yes, most meals are ample enough for 2 people.
(5)
Cheyenne J.
Several of my friends and I went here to eat a few weeks ago. The food was great. They even allowed us to bring our own bottle of wine. I especially loved the yogurt sauce that they put on everything. It was great. I hate spicy food and nothing on my plate was spicy......and the experience was very relaxed and plesant. I would tell everyone about how good it is.
(4)
Robin F.
What an amazing Restaurant. From soup to ... you know the saying. Everything was great . The lentil soup was light and very tasty . We shared a vegetarian dish and kabab meals the rice was fluffy. Met the owner . NIce guy. He learned to cook from his father who is from Bethlehem. With every bite i remembered my time in the middle east Service was great Prices were inexpensive Next time i have to try the desserts If you dont mind driving to Hyde park then this place is a must
(5)
Jason C.
The food is great and priced very well! Their lamb sandwich is probably one if the best for the price. The new location is pretty annoying inside. The duct work is noisy and the atmosphere is not conducive to conversation. That said, eat outside on the nice patio or order take out.
(5)
Melmma M.
I read a lot of reviews of this place before suggesting to come here to a group of friends. We didn't know what to expect, but were eager to try everything. It's safe to say we weren't disappointed at all. The moment the food got to our table all you hear was "mmmmmm" from all of us. We immoderately started to make everyone try our digs and loved everything!! My husband and I even started to fight over the left overs and who was having a bigger portion than who. We came very close to bringing out the scale to measure. I want to go back just remembering.
(5)
Joe R.
At first glance, I thought it was going to be a good Restaurant. Sat down waited for the waitress to come over but she was too busy flirting with another coworker of hers. Bread tasted very old and stale, Portions are too big and food lacked taste. I would not recommend this Restraunt. I have had better tasting middle eastern food from NYC street vendors.
(1)
Glenn H.
The dining experience was ok, I was very impressed with the glasses for some odd reason. But the food was good too and the customer service was excellent. I would rate it higher but my standards have to be set at a certain regard when in the Hyde Park area but overall a good experience.
(3)
J. C.
Yum! Excellent falafel! Really fresh fare! A little unassuming, but very nice inside. Great service. Good value.
(4)
Nik L.
I don't know why this place only has 3 stars, I love it! The food is pretty good but sometimes a bit lacking in flavor depending on the cook I guess. But overall a pretty good place to eat
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes 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 Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Karen S.
Came here for (early) Dinner a few days ago around 4oclock, first time visiting. The restaurant was quiet when we got there, it was just me and one other, so we ordered a sharing appetizer plate, a combination platter (chicken and beef shawarma, kafta and shish touk was the combo). First we had the option of choosing a salad/soup, which I ordered Touboulleh, when it came out I was not impressed, the salad tasted as if the parsley had gone bad (I have made enough at home and ate out - to know how it is supp to taste) When I told the waitress she took it back and brought us a simple salad, which was a lot better. (I knock off a star for that) The sharing app platter was amazing, the falafels really are the tastiest I have ever had, as well as the hummus it came with. Loved it! The platter was great as well, lots of meats. After eating the variety of meats, I would prefer to have the Kafta kabab or Chicken Shwarama. The platters are huge portions, in which two ppl can share it Now when the bill came, I was pretty disappointed at being charged an extra dollar for a salad that tasted rotten and we didnt eat and sent back. I knocked off a star for that as well I had ordered side potatoes which cost an additional $5. Which seems really pricey for one roasted potato. All in all the food is pretty good, however it was a bit pricey. But if I ever have a craving for middle eastern food, this is the closest and much more satisfying then the middle eastern restaurants nearby.
(3)Angel G.
Service was awful, food good... Server never acknowledged us, had no personality and was forced to speak w/the owner. Waitress actually touched my straw with her hands to place it in another glass... Eek!!! If I could give a -1 star that would be too generous. The owners response was that this server was with the establishment for 17 yrs,.. This says a lot about the business & it's proprietor. Hey, try the takeout... Just don't dine in....
(1)Sneha P.
I want to say 3.5 stars, but I'll round up. I stopped in for lunch with a friend on a weekday. Service was ok, food was good, and the coffee was yummy. I had the falafel sandwich; it was a very large serving. It was yummy. I felt like the food took a little too long to get to us after we placed our order, but I was catching up with a friend, so it wasn't a big deal. I'm not sure how they would handle busy nights or weekends. Nile is a good food stop in HP, prices are decent. Our server was friendly, albeit a little slow. Coffee was delicious and hit the spot. A decent stop if you are in the neighborhood, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here.
(4)Sam F.
First time eating here. I was staying at u of c hospital and could no longer take the hospital food. Glad I picked this place. They adhered to my dietary restrictions And the food was absolutely amazing. I was in Israel 2 years ago and I can say that the chicken shawarma was the first time since coming back that I tasted anything similar to the original. Delivery was simple and fast.
(5)Tim H.
I don't usually go down to Hyde Park, but was meeting some friends down in the area for lunch. Came to the Nile restaurant and was very impressed with the large portion size and tastiness of their shwarma.
(4)Sandra T.
This is probably one of my top ten restaurant choices. One item I always order is the Turkish Coffee. They put a little cardamon in the coffee to make it delicious. This last time I ate here I got a Palestinian dish, that to me seemed like home cooked food. It's a new item that I don't see on the online menu, MAQLOUBEH. It is a well rounded meal including rice, lamb or beef, eggplant, cauliflower and served with homemade yogurt. This place is kept neat and tidy and the service is very good.
(5)Christine Y.
I've been here twice in the matter of one week. As a matter of a fact two days in a row. That's how much I enjoyed the atmosphere and the food. Sadly, I've had the same meal both times so I can't speak of anything but that on the menu. I plan to try more tho. I had the combination #8 which consist of salmon and shrimp kabob (no kabob stick) with rice. You can choose between rice or potatoes. And it comes with veggies. You also get to choose from soup or salad, I choose the Jerusalem salad (cucumbers and tomatoes with a special dressing) YUMS!!!! They bring out warm pitas wrapped in paper towel along with your water. The service is just as good as the food. It's spacious and seats comfortably. That REALLY matters to me. I don't like the small tables and the bumping and disturbing or being disturbed by the constant excusals. You can feel the light energy as soon as you walk in. A must try if you haven't already.
(5)Sarah G.
I've had this a few times now delivered for different group and meeting functions and every time I've had it, I have left full and happy. The room always smells so good and the smell of falaffel wafting down the hall will make your whole building or floor hungry too which is always a good thing. That said, nothing is packed with a ton of flavor but they do bring you a large variety of food when ordering for a group. Their falaffel is probably the best thing they do here, and for that I will continue to order from them for sure. Their spicy chilli pepper paste is also a great topper for the falaffel and they bring you an obscene amount of pita bread for you to make your own pitas of fun. Their hummus and tahini are so so but their chicken shawarma is also pretty good and here is another order where they give you a ton of chicken. I wish they actually packed for falaffel balls into their large orders since I find our groups always end up with that awkward stare down over who will be the person to take the few falaffel or who would be the nice one to offer to split one with someone else...you know how those food wars go, and it is all for the falaffel here!
(3)Marie V.
We always get the combination 14. Although it used to be $15.50 and now they raised the price to $18.50. It's still worth it since you get a soup/salad with your combo of 4 different meats. Oh and the potatoes are just divine.
(5)Thierry D.
I've only been here once so I can only speak of the service and the quality of the food which were both ok. Nothing negative to say about either the place, the food or the service, and i'd gladly go back again. Maybe next time I'll try something else . Maybe a steak/lamb sandwich in a Pita wasn't the best way to appreciate everything they have to offer
(3)Chloe O.
I loved this place! Its got a moder decor, plenty of comfortable seating, a large menu, and friendly staff. My best friend was raving about this place so we had lunch here. It was nice as it wasnt too crowded. The menu offers lots of choices. If you are vegetarian, don't you worry, they have choices for you too! The helpings were huge so I didn't mind the price being a little higher than expected. The staff were attentive, but not overwhelming. I look forward to coming back. PS: when they offer sides, PICK THE RICE!
(4)Roy P.
We ordered a dinner for pick-up on 8-30-15 and were very satisfied with all aspects of this restaurant's performance. We had the beef kabob (filet), chicken schwarma plate, a lentil soup, two different salads, stuffed grape leaved and some spinach and meat pie appetizers. The take-out staff were as professional as it gets IMHO. They stayed perfectly in tune with us via email and we were able to pick up everything right on time, perfectly hot, nicely packed, with no errors, and the sauces we had asked for were included. They were pleasant and also expedient. Nile Restaurant on 55th St. appears to be a wonderful and generous restaurant which cares about their customers. They go the extra mile and I wish more restaurants followed the example set by the owners of Nile. I'll try again soon and indicate any changes in my opinion.
(5)Amanda P.
My friends and I went to this location for lunch. I ordered a Jerusalem salad, a middle Eastern coffee, and a chicken shawerma wrap for lunch. We also shared some falafel balls. The salad was delicious and plentiful, the coffee filled with cardamom, and the wrap was toasty. I really enjoyed the falafel and the salad, but in the end found the wrap a bit bland. It would have been nice to have some sort of sauce option for the wrap.
(4)Far K.
Tried their food for delivery once, had the three meat sample, which was a huge portion and very decent price. The meat sampler was okay, the meats were a bit dry even though I asked for medium but tasted pretty good, however the rice was below average. The salad and soup was not very below par, as it looked strange and tasted just as strange. I might try this place again, depending if there are no other grubhub options available.
(3)Austin Y.
The Nile remains a good choice for lunch/dinner in Hyde Park if you're craving Mediterranean food. Don't expect anything groundbreaking, but it's cheap, consistently good, and a welcome addition in an area without many good options. I usually opt for the beef/lamb shwarma sandwich ($7), a warm pita stuffed with a very generous portion of thinly sliced, roasted beef and lamb along with some tomatoes, onion, and tahini. Simple yet filling and tasty - the chicken shwarma sandwich ($6) is also a great value. I've also tried the maklouba, which sounded different, not something you can find at your typical fast-casual Naf Naf/Roti/etc. in the Loop. It's a kind of rice casserole and the flavors were on point, lots of spices with a hint of sweetness. The yogurt paired really well with the eggplant and carrots, but the whole thing was pretty mushy and really needed some texture. The hummus is standard, nice and creamy but bland. The babaganouj is just slightly smoky and pretty good, and the stuffed grape leaves are small but pack a lot of flavor and a nice hint of lemon. Overall, the Nile is safe but solid Mediterranean fare and the decor is clean and lined with a lot of dark wood. I'll definitely grab a lamb shwarma sandwich to go every now and then.
(3)Logan A.
The Nile is a solid choice on 55th Street in Hyde Park -- a short walk from the U of C campus. I've been a couple times, and both times had the beef and lamb schwarma. The hummus as an appetizer is excellent! The schwarma is very good but could use a bit more flavor, but the rice is moist and ample. The vegetables on the side have disappointed both times -- squishy, soggy squash and zucchini that look (and are) very overcooked. At times the dining room can get a bit loud because the tables and seating are arranged cafeteria style. Booths might be better. Otherwise, the Nile is a reliably great eatery with good service.
(3)Jaden L.
Good food, large portions, nice ambiance, close proximity to the university, what's not to like? Except for the price which... could be a little steep for broke college students. Love all of their chicken, beef, lamb main dishes, which are tender, juicy and spiced just right. Their appetizers are also amazing by the way with great hummus and baba ganoush. Highly recommend sharing a combination appetizer plate if you are new to the place! Also, taste-wise, much much better than Cedar's, which is another Middle Eastern place in Hyde Park. Think slightly cheaper as well. Good place for visiting family, lunch/dinner with the prof, date with significant other etc etc.
(4)Alison B.
So yummy. They are quick and friendly. Bread is warm. Food is just tasty. I eat here at least once a week. Downsides are that it's a bit pricy (although my 1 meal always gives me another 2-4 of leftovers), and there is never any parking : ( This 'new' location is crazy nicer than the old one when it was on east 55th. (Not that that one was bad... this one just has high ceilings, warm colors, way more seating)
(5)Ian L.
Value: 3 Food: 3.5 Service: 4 Red lentil soup: very good. I really liked its simple richness; it does what its supposed to. The salmon kabob was surprisingly fresh, a 7/10, considering we're in Chicago. It wasn't seasoned, just lightly seared. The pinkness was darker than what fresh salmon looks like. Ordered the Shish Barrak, $17 however the beef was not in dumplings but rather boiled and very tender, came apart nicely with the fork. Over rice, the seasoning was subtle, the yogurt helped add some depth but the dish was definitely not worth that much.
(3)Erin Y.
Good shawarma! I had the lamb and beef shawarma entree and enjoyed it. The vegetables on the side were a little underdone but the star of the dish was well done. Not a bad place to stop for a quick lunch or dinner for some authentic Middle Eastern food.
(3)Hannah C.
Having has Nile sandwiches years ago, I was pleasantly surprised by here. The kifta kebob and chicken shawarma were excellent. The rice could use a little more flavor and the steak and chicke kabobs were a bit bland. That said, definitely an improvement over what it used to be!
(3)Missy W.
The food here was delicious. I am leaving a bad review because I was told my meal was gluten free and the rice, of all dishes, IS NOT. It has pasta in it and had I not been trying to keep my baby calm, I would have noticed. But that's not the point! Servers should be more aware of what they are feeding their customers. I am so disappointed, and am not looking forward to being sick for the next few days. * I called to confirm that the rice had pasta in it and I was correct. The woman on the phone didn't even apologize. I am appalled by their lack of awareness and customer service.
(1)Alexandria T.
I went to dinner at the Nile on a Monday a few weeks back with my boyfriend. He had been here before and didn't know that it had switched locations, but we didn't have any complaints about the new location. We both were starving, and the server told us our entrees would take at least 20 minutes to prepare, so we ordered three appetizers. We went with the hummos, falafel, and grape leaves to start. I am a huge hummus fan, and it was delicious. I also love grape leaves and was super excited to order them when the server told me they were vegetarian. After our appetizers, I was starting to a feel a little full. For my entree, I ordered the vegetarian maklouba. Not only was it a ton of food, but it was so, so delicious. I normally can finish a whole entree no problem, but I barely put a dent in it. The next day's leftovers were even more delicious than the night before if that is even possible. The service was great, and the food was even better. I can't wait to visit the Nile again.
(5)Adrian D.
The service was OK, the food was good. I wasn't wooed and I've had better, but I'd still go back for seconds for decently authentic Middle Eastern food.
(3)Tamara M.
I stopped here because my mother wanted to try it. I don't really feel any type of way about this place. I do not dislike it or like it but the food was actually good. The only downside was that the to go portions where smaller then what I expected. Still the food was worth it and I will stop by soon to update my review
(2)Steve N.
This place makes the best chicken shawarma plate I have had in the US. No joke, it's delicious.
(5)Anamaria H.
Out of all the restaurants in Hyde Park, this one is my favorite. I love their lamb/beef shwarma and their falafel. I love their hummus. I love their stuffed grape leaves. I love it all. I love it all so much that instead of going somewhere fancy to celebrate my college graduation, I ordered the Nile for delivery to my apartment so that my parents could enjoy my favorite restaurant. I could write more about how excellent this place is, but really everything would sum up as: I love everything I've had on the menu and that I will miss this restaurant dearly.
(5)Moe N.
This place is awesome. I went here a couple of times when it was on 53rd street before they moved and the food was really good. Now in their new location they're even better. The staff is super friendly. The food is so fresh and authentic. The falafel are some of the best I've ever had. What else can you say, it's really good. The inside is super clean, cosy, and inviting. They also have outside seating in the back that works really good in the early evenings on cool summer nights. I love this place.
(5)Eric Y.
I enjoyed this place. It's a bit more upscale than your typical Middle Eastern place. The room is spacious and clean, and there is table service that is reasonably friendly. The food quality seemed very good to me. I am no Middle Eastern food expert but it all tasted very good. I think this place serves mainly Lebanese cuisine. The combination appetizer plate is very good. The baba ghannouj is excellent and the falafel is about perfect. I had the beef and lamb shwarma sandwich. This was tasty - nicely spiced and appropriately gamey, but supremely messy - fork and knife came in quite handy. My criticism of the place would be that the pita did not seem very fresh. Overall though, The Nile is a solid bet.
(4)Ruth W.
I go here often and overall it has good food. Sometimes while having takeout this place messes up my order, but for the most part they are pretty solid. I recommend the lamb, which is very rich in flavor.
(4)Anne S.
Now that the Nile has moved, I am an even bigger fan. The restaurant is spacious and comfortable inside now, with a lovely back patio. I am a big fan of Cedars, but I think I may like the Nile equally as much now (but they each do certain things better). I really like the chicken here (chicken shwarma and shish taouk are both awesome). The potatoes are excellent as is the hummus. Oh and they are BYOB.
(5)Kori L.
The Nile has the best middle eastern food in this area, hands down, and you can't beat the service. We love to go to their restaurant, especially in their new location, but order out for delivery more often than not. Tonight, we ordered through a delivery site, and our order was messed up, through no fault of The Nile's. When I called there, I was told that, unfortunately, to get our missing item (hummus), we'd have to reorder and be charged a delivery fee. This was tough for me, as I have been living off of The Nile's yummy food since I had surgery a few months ago, and require a) high protein meals and b) mushy consistency foods. I understood their predicament, though, and thanked them for their time. Fifteen minutes later, our buzzer rang. It was the deliver person, with a container of hummus, and an apology for our inconvenience (again, NO FAULT of The Nile) from the owner of the restaurant. What a place! Thank you, so much. We are devotees, and will remain so, for so many reasons.
(5)David A.
In the neighborhood and was looking for a quick bite. Really glad to have found this place. A bit plain inside, but I was really pleased with the service and the food. The beef kabob is excellent. Supper tender and generous portion. Hummas was also excellent.
(4)Eliot L.
I rarely order anything other than the hummus and chicken schawarma wrap, but when I explore the menu it's pretty good. The $5 wrap is simply the best cheap food to be found in Hyde Park, and the locations is convenient for a quick bite.
(5)Rory L.
Good food, upscale setting, not cheap
(4)Bob H.
I was happy to find this classy-looking Middle-Eastern restaurant for a pre-theater dinner the other night. We weren't rushed, so we ordered appetizers of hummus (smooth but bland), lentil soup (also well-executed but the flavor wasn't very deep), spinach pie (excellent flavors and textures, not phyllo dough based, with a bit of kick to the spinach-onion filling), and Jerusalem salad (way overdressed, almost soupy, difficult to like). To follow, we had maklouba ("upside down" rice casserole) with chicken, which would have been excellent if the vegetables hadn't been overcooked to mush, and shish barrak, a large bowl with a few doughy dumplings swimming in a yogurt broth thickened substantially by flour and dotted with small chunks of what I think was lamb from a shank. The shish barrak, which I assume is comfort food in someone's home, was very hearty, but forgettably bland, or perhaps just an acquired taste. The maklouba, on the other hand, had the makings of greatness, and as it seems to be offered as a veggie-only dish or with different meats, would be worth trying again. The rest of the menu looks pretty standard Levantine (baba ganoush, falafel, kifta, kebabs, etc.), and given the comments here is likely worth exploring (although I am spoiled for life by the chicken shawarma at Naf Naf and I don't expect Nile to meet that standard). No alcohol served, but you can BYO or walk a few doors east to Jimmy's and pick up a 6-pack.
(3)Jaci B.
This review is solely based on our recent takeout experience that was inspired by our first dine-in visit where we learned the ins-and-outs on what The Nile does well (see my previous review for a quick heads-up on what wasn't quite right). That said, it was GREAT! For $13, you can order 12 of their fantastic falafel and a large mouth-watering hummus w/pita (ask for extra, the hummus is huge), and it was this revelation that moved us to add them to our ordering-in menu pile. The food was ready for pick-up in less than 15 minutes and was nicely packed with plenty of napkins, silverware, and the perfect amount of little individual falafel dipping sauces. The only letdown at all is that I sang immaculate praises over how perfectly warm, steamy, and soft the pita was in the restaurant only to find that our takeout order featured pita that hadn't been warmed up at all. Not a huge deal at all but being so close to a homerun, I wished they hadn't cut that corner. No big. Surprisingly, we (the hungry two of us) could only eat half of both the falafel and the hummus, so technically, we could have cruised by with a small hummus and 6-piece falafel for $7...that would be one happy highway robbery, and one I imagine we'll be repeat offenders for. Thanks, The Nile, for a wonderful night in!
(4)Savannah S.
Just had the salad, and shrimp kabob. All I know is 30 minutes later I was home, and started throwing up as soon as I walked in the house. Never will I eat middle eastern food again!!
(1)Kari T.
great looking place, not really much room for parking tho. it's really spacious but is rather loud and a little too dark for my taste. I've never been a fan of eating in low light. the service is ok, nothing fancy. as for the food, i have only tired their falafel which isn't even that good. i feel like they add more and more salt every time I order lol why do i go back? they are cheap and so am i.
(3)JS K.
Had the chicken shawarma sandwich which was fairly tasty but quite small! The falafel was average. Overall, I think that it was a bit too pricey for the quality of the food---I probably wouldn't visit again.
(3)Yuehao B.
The place is okay and it has several halal items. The point is that they have limited variety and price is kind of high. Well, compared to cedars on 53rd, Nile is kind of on the downside. The chicken shawerma is kind of good. My friends like to have the combination dishes which are of great portion. Light is dim at night, which makes me not so comfortable.
(3)Mrs L.
The service is enough to make you lose your appetite. I've been going to the Nile for over a decade but since they've moved to the new location the service has dropped off, dramatically. I always order the filet mignon. When they delivered my order I saw that it was rare (red and running blood). When I called the restaurant, the manager told me 1) that I was wrong - my meat was medium rare, not rare and 2) it was my fault because I didn't specify how I wanted it cooked. I explained I had never specified before and never had a problem before. He patronizing called me honey and said he wouldn't acquiesce to me because I was customer. Wow and goodbye forever.
(1)Padma A.
Went to the new location near the University of Chicago campus next to Starbucks. The food was good but their house specialty Maklouba we were told would be 20 minutes, took much longer. Its clean, affordable prices, service is friendly although i have had better Middle Eastern in the city.
(3)K C.
Great portion but because N.O.K. Knocks out all other places... It's worthy to keep in my list when I'm in this side of town.
(4)Rod W.
This place has a very appealing atmosphere. It has a more upscale feel to it than many Middle Eastern restaurants I've been to. The wait staff were very friendly as well. I had the Maqloubeh. The meat isn't always the same. I was hoping for lamb but today they had chicken. It was excellent. It was to come with red lentil soup but I got a green lentil soup instead. It was still good. Unfortunately the pita tasted like it came from Jewel. That was unfortunate. The rice pudding was great, too. My server was nice and did come to make sure the food was ok but she never offered to refill my iced tea until the end of the meal but was still a good dining experience. I will probably go out of my way to come here again. The prices were very reasonable.
(4)Denisha B.
This place is pretty delicious. This is my second time eating here this month and I really enjoyed it. They usually get very busy on the weekends, and you can tell everyone love this place because it's packed. Lots of HP locals come in and grab some Mediterranean grub. I love the menu because they offer such a wide variety of foods it's hard to decide what to order. I always ask the waitress for recommendation. Usually I get the combination plates with various selections of meats, rice and vegetables. It's seasoned very well and very flavorful. My favorite is the hummus and falafel. This is a must when you come here. There falafel is like no other that I have tasted. It is beyond amazing! I am unable to find a place to out do their falafel. The prices here are very reasonable and they give you a great deal of food for your money. I came with a group of 4 and each person ordered dinner, and 3 appetizers all for 75.00 bucks. You can't beat that! Plus you always have tons of leftovers to take home! If you go, please request the young Asian lady. I can't remember her name but she is the best!
(4)Daniel S.
Simply amazing. Had the large hummus and a lamb shawarma sandwich. The large hummus was generous in size, smooth and with a perfect tangy tahini flavor. The sandwich, though, was the real star of the meal. $7 and the pita was FILLED with huge slices of lamb. Easily one of the best shawarma sandwiches I've ever had. And I've had a lot. 5 stars.
(5)Pietro B.
Love the appetizers and the desserts, the main courses are huge and pretty good. I live just next door (the current, new location) and went here for dinner more than once. I really like the appetizers, especially the hummus and the lentil soup, as well as the desserts, like the baklava. The main courses are usually so big that they are sufficient for two people.
(3)Cody B.
Shish barrak was excellent, also really good soups. Very good for lunch or dinner. Girlfriend enjoyed the chicken shawarma wrap. Very pleasant service and reasonably priced.
(4)Richard F.
Very good local middle eastern food. The hummus was creamy and tasty and presented nicely. The fattoush salad was good, but not great, it needed to be chopped finer, and having a smaller size option would have been nice. The kefta sandwich was delicious, as was the shish tauok sandwich. Prices are extremely reasonable. Service was very good, and it's BYOB which is nice.
(4)Thamer B.
I am from the middle east, so i consider myself an expert in this category of food. i have heard of the place from various friends, tv and so on. we went to that area of town with a friend so we passed by the nile restaurant, the restaurant itself was not fancy at all. so we decided to pick up what we want and have it on the way home. we had the chicken shawarma and falafel sandwich. the chicken is not typical middle eastern but it was very good i think its the palestenian way of the shawarma. the falafel was really good i even compare it to the best places back home i would really recommend this place
(5)Elizabeth E.
With many of the campus food options either obscured by construction or closed for the summer, the new Nile location has become one of my go-to spots for lunch. Here's my routine: 1. Place an order for the fattoush salad (and maybe a baklava) via GrubHub, requesting pickup in about an hour. 2. Go to the gym and earn the delicious fried pita chips in my salad. 3. Walk to The Nile, struggle with the overly heavy front door, then pick up my order. 4. Walk back to work, eagerly anticipating the delicious pile of food that awaits me. I can't say anything about the dine-in experience, though my boyfriend and I did once have a late lunch at the previous location, but I've been happy with the food I've picked up. The fattoush salad is heavy with vegetables, though I often ask for extra pickles and olives. The combination appetizer is a steal: hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, stuffed grapevine leaves, and a bunch of pita for $6. And I loved the makloub, though it's a bit much for lunch. Writing this review reminds me that I haven't gotten food from The Nile in a few weeks. I should do something about that.
(3)Amanda M.
I love this place. It is one of my go to restaurants in Chicago. The lentil soup is delicious. The Persian tea is yummy too. I always order the combination platter #15 with rice. It is a large portion of food for the price. The ambiance in the restaurant is good too.
(5)Jay M.
We're from Pittsburgh where there are quite a few very good mid-eastern eateries. This was actually some of the worst food of that style that we've ever had anywhere however. Other than the red lentil soup this meal was a total loss. Save your money and find somewhere with better fare and less noise.
(1)Lauren R.
Oh my goodness - this has to be one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Chicago. Everything is amazing and cooked to perfection... and it's consistent - no surprises on portions or consistency or flavor. Phenomenal place to come for great food - and yes, most meals are ample enough for 2 people.
(5)Cheyenne J.
Several of my friends and I went here to eat a few weeks ago. The food was great. They even allowed us to bring our own bottle of wine. I especially loved the yogurt sauce that they put on everything. It was great. I hate spicy food and nothing on my plate was spicy......and the experience was very relaxed and plesant. I would tell everyone about how good it is.
(4)Robin F.
What an amazing Restaurant. From soup to ... you know the saying. Everything was great . The lentil soup was light and very tasty . We shared a vegetarian dish and kabab meals the rice was fluffy. Met the owner . NIce guy. He learned to cook from his father who is from Bethlehem. With every bite i remembered my time in the middle east Service was great Prices were inexpensive Next time i have to try the desserts If you dont mind driving to Hyde park then this place is a must
(5)Jason C.
The food is great and priced very well! Their lamb sandwich is probably one if the best for the price. The new location is pretty annoying inside. The duct work is noisy and the atmosphere is not conducive to conversation. That said, eat outside on the nice patio or order take out.
(5)Melmma M.
I read a lot of reviews of this place before suggesting to come here to a group of friends. We didn't know what to expect, but were eager to try everything. It's safe to say we weren't disappointed at all. The moment the food got to our table all you hear was "mmmmmm" from all of us. We immoderately started to make everyone try our digs and loved everything!! My husband and I even started to fight over the left overs and who was having a bigger portion than who. We came very close to bringing out the scale to measure. I want to go back just remembering.
(5)Joe R.
At first glance, I thought it was going to be a good Restaurant. Sat down waited for the waitress to come over but she was too busy flirting with another coworker of hers. Bread tasted very old and stale, Portions are too big and food lacked taste. I would not recommend this Restraunt. I have had better tasting middle eastern food from NYC street vendors.
(1)Glenn H.
The dining experience was ok, I was very impressed with the glasses for some odd reason. But the food was good too and the customer service was excellent. I would rate it higher but my standards have to be set at a certain regard when in the Hyde Park area but overall a good experience.
(3)J. C.
Yum! Excellent falafel! Really fresh fare! A little unassuming, but very nice inside. Great service. Good value.
(4)Nik L.
I don't know why this place only has 3 stars, I love it! The food is pretty good but sometimes a bit lacking in flavor depending on the cook I guess. But overall a pretty good place to eat
(4)