4. Restaurants

Olive Mediterranean Grill

201 N. Clark St, Chicago, IL, 60601
  • (312) 726-1234
  • Store is closed

Olive Mediterranean Grill Menu

  • Soups
  • Omg Trio Salads
  • Omg Rice Bowl
  • Omg Signature Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Sauces
  • Desserts

fazoli Diabetes Contents goes here

Healthy Meal suggestions for Olive Mediterranean Grill

  • Soups
  • Omg Trio Salads
  • Omg Rice Bowl
  • Omg Signature Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Sauces
  • Desserts

fazoli Blood Pressure contents goes here

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant blood pressure menu details.

fazoli Cholesterol contents goes here

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Don C.

    I used to like this place a lot. Great food at a good price. They seemed to have made a few changes since the new year, none for the better. 1. Prices are about $1 higher for all items 2. I used to be able to get 2 falalels as an addon. I'm required to get a whole order to add on to my rice bowl 3. The sauces used to be readily available at the counter. I have to request for each sauce now. 4. I used to be able to get two types of meat for my rice bowl. I'm no longer able to do this. 5. Portions sizes are a bit smaller. In the past, I frequented this place once a week, now I doubt I'll be coming here as often.

    (2)

  • Mark B.

    We came here for lunch and had a fantastic meal. Décor: It's a small little shop, basically a food stand, inside another building. It is very clean, all the food is prepared so you can see it, and the flow of the line is well organized. There are a handful of tables around so if you're coming for lunch I'd suggest a bit of an early start to try to beat the rush. Bathroom: unknown Staff: The staff is friendly but doen't say too much. Both my sandwiches were made and I had to ask what I could have on them. The owner/manager said "made to order, whatever you want" and that's great, I just didn't know because it was my first time. So, it might be better if the girls making the food asked each step of the way. Other than that, the service was very quick. Food: Let me start by saying WOW. SO GOOD. We had pita sandwiches w/ Chicken Kabob and they were amazing. The Garlic Sauce is absolutely delicious, the cucumber salad stuff is very tasty, and the extra hot sauce is wonderful. The chicken though... so very very tasty! It's spicy, but not "too" spicy - it's a great flavor. Value: The food is pretty cheap but the serving sizes are also not massive. I had two sandwiches and it was the perfect amount of food (just too bad it ends up over my usual daily lunch budget). This little place serves up some delectable pita sandwiches, some of the best I've ever had. I already cannot wait to come back!

    (5)

  • Emily Z.

    Quick and Filling! They are located in a run down little food court, but their little spot is nice! I ordered an OMG plate for $8 because it seemed easy, very filling! The cous cous wasn't my favorite, but a great place for a carry out lunch in the north Loop! Choose 1 Hummus Baba Ghanouj Parisian Yogurt Choose 1 Mediterranean salad Chickpea Salad Tabbouli Choose 1 Cous Cous Basmati Rice Choose 1 Chicken Shawarma Chicken Kabab Beef Shawarma Beef Kabab Mediterranean Chicken Falafel

    (4)

  • Steven L.

    Simply the best shwarma and hummus I have had. I only wish I could take it to Detroit so I could have it everyday. Also, despite being a little salty, the lentil soup is delicious.

    (5)

  • Laura I.

    A solid 3 but could be a 5 if not for the PITA stuffer being a total a-hole the second time I went there. She refused to put cucumber sauce on my falaffel sandwich, I asked if I could get a side and she said "only in side salad size" Seriously a side salad of cucumber yogurt sauce? Who would want that. Then she started piling on the onion salad which I didn't want so she had to start over, then she skimped on the hummus! so to try to save the sandwich I asked for Tahani and hot sauce, and it's ok, but not as good as the first time I went here and got a falaffel with cucumber sauce I might try going back and seeing if they will build my sandwich to requested spec next time. It's seriously a difference in a spoon of cucumber sauce ' The pita stuffer here needs an attitude check!

    (3)

  • Nirmal D.

    Quick Service, tasty schwarma sandwich, spicy and flavorful hot sauce.

    (4)

  • Lea R.

    We have been coming here for years. I cannot even explain how much we love this place except to say it is our "cheat" day lunch and where we bring friends for the most awesome lunch ever! Olive is definitely rocking so don't let the weird food court vibe throw you off. If anything Olive is one of the hidden gems for awesome food without the $ tag. Be warned, there will be a line, but that just further illustrates how awesome their food is....yum!

    (5)

  • Zain A.

    NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH This is a great place. But recently have found out that they do not serve halal/Zabihah meat. I used to here every Friday, but now will not be eating here due to lack of halal certification on premise or authentic zabihah confirmation from staff or owner. NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH

    (1)

  • Osama A.

    Food in general is below average, falafel is raw in the middle, tabbouleh doesn't taste like tabbouleh and meat is chewy and full of spices. This is my first time to Chicago and I was expecting to find great Mediterranean food, so far it's a big disappointment

    (2)

  • Dan P.

    As others have said, this place is a hidden gem. The dichotomy of eating downtown is as such: McDonalds and other horrible choices, and super high-end steakhouses. It's hard to get quality food without spending $50. Olive, fortunately, has broken those rules. For about $10 out the door, I get a great plate of food: hummus with pita, chickpea salad, rice, chicken shawarma, and a Diet Coke. I patronize Olive regularly and it has never been disappointing. Everything is fresh and delicious. I hope these guys stick around. The food court they're in is full of a lot of garbage (such as a McDonalds) and it's refreshing to see something healthier.

    (5)

  • Gwen D.

    I made a New Year's Resolution to bring lunch to work from home, but once in awhile when I'm feeling naughty, I pop over to Olive for a Mediterranean platter. A platter can make two small meals. Emphasis on can. First and foremost, I love Olive for offering tahini on the side. I count tahini as one of my five favorite condiments*; although I think chicken has the appeal of pressed sawdust, I love Olive's shawarma drizzled with tahini. I mean, of course. In addition to the chicken shawarma, I like to get the Mediterranean salad with cucumber, tomato and red onion (and maybe a touch of sumac?) and the hummus drizzeld with olive oil (and maybe a touch of sumac?). I do prefer their rice to their Moroccan couscous, which seems drenched in tomato sauce. *Yes, I keep a list of favorite condiments.

    (4)

  • Loren R.

    Solid Mediterranean fast food for a reasonable price. I get the plate with spicy chicken for $8. It's enough food for 2 meals. Some of the employees aren't friendly, but the service is fairly quick & decent overall.

    (4)

  • Tenzin D.

    LOVE. THAT. CHICKEN. (the spicy one what ever that was.. ) so tender, juicy, and flavorful.

    (5)

  • Mandy R.

    I stopped for lunch today after reading the positive yelp reviews. I agree with the others that the location is a little dicey, but this place is worthwhile to check out. I ordered the plate getting hummus, chickpea salad, rice, chicken schwarma, and it is topped with half of a pita. The flavors were great, however the chicken tasted like it had been sitting in the warming tray for a little too long. It was drier than other schwarmas I've tried. It was almost 1 pm and the lunch rush was over, which might have been why. The portions were good size. My meal left me getting satisfied. I'm sure I'll be back, as it's right around the corner from my work.

    (3)

  • David N.

    Ordered the 8$ plate and was happy about the serving size. Cucumber salad portion was tart and good. Had a mixture of chicken and steak kabob. Although the chicken is advertise as being "spicy," I found it to be nearly flavorless; however, It was tender and juicy at least. The steak was nicely seasoned. The hummus was overly flavored in my opinion. Will definitely return whenever I crave Mediterranean.

    (3)

  • Jessica L.

    This place is a hidden gem in the wasteland of lunch options downtown. Truly delicious good which is actually Real Food, not frozen pre-processed food substitute. Staff who are completely on their game every time I've been here. And after you grab your food you can head upstairs and enjoy it in the outdoor courtyard on the east side of the second floor. Seriously though the food oh my goodness. I had the chicken shwarma, falafel, and baklava. Exemplary.

    (5)

  • Chan K.

    Wow what a delicious and generous plate of food for $7.50! Baba ghanoush and hummus were fresh and flavorful. The chickpea salad was filling but light,. I was surprised at how delicious the meat was too. The turkey schwarma had a nice kick to it, and the chicken kebabs were well spiced, tend and juicy. Oh yeah I'm not a fan of pita bread but the slices I got were amzingly fresh and moist.

    (5)

  • Carrie S.

    Healthy food options are few and far between in this corner of Clark/Lake. When I get bored of the same old salads, I go to Olive for falafel. For me, falafel is usually my second veggie option when I'm going healthy. Olive does a unique falafel sandwich packed with unexpected surprises like beets and potatoes. Before Olive, I never really knew that you could put these items in a falafel and have it taste so good. On my first try, I was skeptical of this combination because it was so out of the ordinary. After a few more visits, I'm liking the combination even more. For the Clark/Lake intersection, Olive delivers on good Mediterranean food. It's a bright spot in world's depressing food court.

    (4)

  • Farha K.

    One of the great things about Chicago are the numerous family run dives sprinkled around the loop that serve up good, homemade food..fast! Hidden in a grimy food-court in the Clark/Lake cta stop, Olive is a pleasant surprise and nothing like what you would expect. The food is fresh, authentic and healthy. The beef kabobs are seasoned perfectly and grilled just enough to have a nice char on the outside, but is still juicy and tender inside. The shwarma is cut to order in front of you and made every morning in time for the lunch rush. Even towards the later half of the afternoon the food still tastes fresh, is served warm and doesnt taste like it's been sitting around all day. The portions are generous, and the sides are great to go along with the sandwiches and rice bowls. Another plus : Zabiha/ Halal baby!

    (5)

  • Melanie S.

    I finally got to try Olive twice in the last few weeks. It had been bookmarked for a long time but once I learned it was in the food court of an office building, I didn't rush. To be honest, food courts scare the bejeezus outta me. I always picture Sbarro's and those nasty cheap sushi/ Panda Express type of places. No way. No how. No can do. Olive Mediterranean Grill sounded different immediately and the fact that one of my favorite Yelpers gave it high praise was enough to get me to give it a try. I walked into the food court with a mild sense of dread, that is until I saw Olive shining like a beacon on a cold, dark night. This place also had the longest line of any at the food court, so I took that as somewhat of a good sign. So far I've tried the Mediterranean chicken sandwich, the Fatoush salad, baba ghannouj, Mediterranean salad, and hummus. Everything is fresh, flavorful, the portions are ample, and the prices are very reasonable. I also like that things can be customized somewhat and that they have extra portions of their sauces (try their house garlic) at the checkout so you can grab as many as you like. The staff is friendly and they hustle to get you in and out. Don't let a line deter you from trying this place. You won't be disappointed. Easily one of the best Loop lunch values.

    (4)

  • Leslie Z.

    This hole in the wall is located in a food court seating is shared with the other restaurants. We went at around noon and had no trouble finding a table and there was only one person ahead of us in line. The food was fresh and flavorful. I ordered the OMG (olive mediteranean grill) plate with rice and the chicken shawarma. I would definately come back. Quick, easy and delicious.

    (4)

  • Syngin A.

    Call me ignorant, but I don't know the names for any of the foods they serve here, except for hummas and pita. Would it kill them to put names somewhere so I don't feel more like a fool pointing and saying, "The one in the middle." I'm the same girl that can't remember the names of all the sushi types, most Chinese dishes and the difference between a fajita, enchilada and quesadilla. Not all of us are blessed with good memories, but I am literate so help me out a little, will ya. OMG had signs up all winter 2011 warning that their prices would go up because food prices have gone up. I understand and sympathize with that, but they did not clarify that they would also be getting chintzy with the sauce and servings. After getting used to getting two different kinds of meat, I felt cheated to be limited to one. If I don't want the hummus or salad, I can't get the rice bowl cheaper or more rice. I guess that's what the sandwiches are for. I really dislike the people that work there because they are so unfriendly, brusque and throw your food together, like you're in a prison cafeteria line. Lunch always costs me $9.00 and change which is on the higher side for lunch. I wish there was an alternative Mediterranean place. The food is good, but when you're used to something, and they take it away while raising the price, you just don't look at the place the same anymore.

    (3)

  • John K.

    I think I just had the best steak kebob sandwich ever! The Japaleno sauce is great in terms of spiciness (probably not going to have it once it gets hotter). The Tahani Sauce is nice and cool. I thought pricewise it was reasonable too (around $6.00) Service was amazingly fast and yes this place is waaay better than subway

    (5)

  • Michael B.

    Unimpressed with the Mediterranean chicken pita. The chicken was dry (overcooked) and not very well seasoned and the peppers and onions were not cooked enough. Saving grace was definitely that neon green falafel, worth just getting 2 as a side. Don't forget to ask for some extra sauce tho.

    (3)

  • Tom T.

    OMG! Someone get me a big glass of ice water!!! My mouth is burning from the green hot sauce!!! Damn, that is a good hot sauce! I got the beef kabob pita sandwich today. It was loaded full of tasty seasoned ground beef. The included garlic butter is delicious as well as the tahini sauce. All for $5.00. I'll have to try more of their pita sandwiches as soon as my mouth cools down a bit. This is a delicious bargain. Eat here folks. Good and affordable food! Now, where that ice water?!?!?!

    (4)

  • Farooha M.

    The place is real good for a "fast food" type environment. The garlic potatoes are awesome and just spicy enough. I had the chicken shawerma not the best shawerma around. But very good for the price. Id come back.

    (4)

  • Roy H.

    The pita sandwiches here are HUGE and soooooo good (especially for the price). I think its the garlic sauce, YUM!!! I have had the chicken shwarma and kabob. Both are fantastic. Lots of meat, good amount of veggies too, and that glorious sauce. Next time I will have to try the beef. We get this catered at work, so I cant comment on much else.

    (5)

  • Jim T.

    Foods ok, serving size of the hummus leaves much to be desired. Got the trio bowel which was to come with three sides. Had to order two of the sides as hummus since they give you not even two tablespoons per hummus side. Asked for a cup of water they said they only have bottled water. The trio bowl should be called a sampler and cost no more that $5 not 7 with tax. I won't be back, too many good Mediterranean places with proper portions and free water nearby.

    (2)

  • Laura L.

    My friend cancelled on me last minute for lunch, so when my search on yelp for "cheap lunch in the Loop" pulled up Olive Med. Grill only a block away from my office I was excited. Note: This place is right on the corner of Clark and Lake next to the Popeye's. Ignore the bums and crazy people that hang out by the el stairs and you'll be fine. I had the chicken schwarma sandwich, a side order of hummus and a diet coke for $9.20. Not too bad and it was SERIOUSLY delicious. If you want it fully dressed they put some kind of pickles on the sandwich.. just go with it! It was my first time eating pickles on a schwarma sandwich but its reallly yummy. The hummus is to die for - seriously flavorful!! Take a free serving of their to-go tahini next to the register and put it on the sandwich, it's life changing. I can't wait to go back again, and oh, their cashier guy is so nice! Thanks Yelp for the great suggestion!

    (4)

  • Richard J.

    I've given this place a couple chances and, in terms of Mediterranean food, it's just not cutting it. Chicken shawarma sandwich was good enough, but they have the worst felafel I've ever had.

    (2)

  • Michelle F.

    Mmmmmmm ... Olive Mediterranean Grill. This eatery is in the food court across the street from my office building that is NOT the Thompson Center. It's on the first floor of the smaller two-story food court in the 201 N. Clark building. I'll occasionally swing by there for lunch. Their Soup with a Twist is really delicious. I ordered it the last time I had a cold since I had a taste for something warm, and the soup really hit the spot. It is a thick stew-like soup that has rice and big pieces of pulled chicken. I've also had the Mediterranean Chicken Sandwich, which is also very good. It has grilled chicken breast, tomatoes, Mediterranean pickles, a garlic spread and feta. Very tasty! If you work in the area, give it a try!

    (4)

  • Robert C.

    Eat here if you want falafel. It was moist and crispy on the outside and full of flavor. Tabouli sucked, but Maybe I don't like tabouli. The service was ok. They aren't like the Soup Nazi on Sienfield. Décor is fine, but who gives a damn, it's in a freaking food court.

    (4)

  • Susan F.

    Rememer that one warm day we had in March of 2011? Me either. But I guess I went out for lunch that day when it was amazing. Ah, the memories... A brisk walk to south of the river, I had my heart set on Olive. The falafel sandwich was excellent and quite large. With 4 falafels, hummus, tzaziki, and meditteranean salad mix, my mouth and belly were awesomely satisfied. The pita wasn't crusty or old, it was very soft and not oily. Be sure to pick up one or all 3 of the free extra sauces on your way out: spicy green, garlic, and tahini. Once this weather picks up, I'll be seeing more of you, Olive. We can go steady and maybe someday you'll hear me whisper those 2 words you're dying to hear. Olive you.

    (4)

  • Savvy K.

    The only thing that sucks about your first visit to a cool concept restaurant is staff with no English to help/explain/guide. Even for the adventurous, its just uncomfortable trying to decide when you have no idea how to order. Great food, good price, looks very clean. I would have sampled more that just a sandwich but I couldn't figure it out.

    (3)

  • Sarah L.

    I have been holding off trying Olive due to their location. There is a bit of sketchiness around Clark & Lake. I have been craving Mediterranean food so I went with a friend to give them a try. I had the trio with chickpea salad, tabbouleh, and tomato & cucumber salad with chicken shawarma. Everything was so fresh and it didn't taste like it was sitting around for a few days. I tried the artichoke and feta salad (sold in the deli case) and it was amazing! I wish they had this option for their trio salad. Olive serves it up fast too. Their lines might be long but they get you in and out in a flash. Try the sauces they have at the register, you will not be disappointed. The green sauce is extremely hot but it mixes nice with the tahini sauce. I'm glad I finally gave Olive a try. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Dennis L.

    I visited Olive for a quick weekday lunch, and I am so happy to have done so. The chicken shawarma sandwich ($5) was probably the best I have ever had. Get it with everything on it, and you can thank me later! I also bought a side of hummus w/pita. It was good, but not nearly as wonderful as the sandwich. I will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Lauren B.

    My co-workers and I love coming here for a quick lunch. The sandwiches are huge and are pretty cheap ($5-6). I love the tahini and green spicy sauce (anyone know the real name?). My personal favorite is the chicken kabob but the falafel and and schwarma are favorites of the co-workers. Its in a food court with a dunkin donuts, a popeyes, and a McDonalds (and the whole food court looks sketchy from the outside) but don't let that stop you! It's delicious! We've also had this catered for work lunches and its a big hit for groups.

    (4)

  • Mike L.

    Price - cheap Quality - surprisingly good Service - better than expected from a fast food joint Portion - i am full Overall - AWESOME A task to find, but well worth the GPS search function on your smart phone. I had about an hour to kill in the work day and since I was getting slammed at work, I really needed some good, cheap, ethnic food. Since Subway only fulfills one out of the three, I decided to do a random proximity search and came across the solid reviews for Olive. They are SPOT ON. It's located within an inconspicuous food court on Clark and Lake with only a 5x7foot sign indicated its presence. However, this place ROMPERSTOMPS on the other food selections that it shares occupancy with (MCDs, subway, popeyes, random chinese/japanese joint). I walked up to the counter and i must have looked lost b/c the worker behind the kitchen asked if i wanted to try samples of their meat (note: major service points). After trying the chicken schwarma, kabob, and steak schwarma, I decided on a chicken schwarma sandwich as well as some falafel. SANDWICH - usually i'm used to sandwiches from mediterranean joints coming in half pitas, but this baby came in a FULL PITA. Every bite was loaded with chicken, veggies, and some kind of garlic sauce. For $5, there is no reason to opt for Subway (even during $5 any footlong month) FALAFEL - you get 5 for $2.25, or 2 for $1. Just get 5. Very light, goes well by itself or stuffed in a sandwich. I left full, but not bloated, and have still not succumed to food coma an hour after eating (and thus can write this review). If you work close by, you owe it to yourself to try it once. Would have been 5 stars, but i was not impressed with the steak schwarma, although I will give it a second chance next time. (btw, from NMH i was able to bus there, get lunch, eat it, and bus back within an hour)

    (4)

  • Chad W.

    I used to be a big fan of Olive, but their chicken is not as good as it used to be, they must have changed vendors or something. Now it's that spongy kind of chicken that chews like it's been through something unnatural. Okay, I thought. I'll just switch to the turkey. And I did, but it was cold and kind of dried out. This place has seen a lot of change over the last year with renovations and new menu items coming in and out all the time, so I'm hoping the quality of the chicken improves again. When it does, I'll adjust this yelp rating accordingly.

    (3)

  • Emily C.

    How is it that i just found this place? The falafel sandwich is fantastic. Super crisp and not greasy. Comes with a bit of humus, jerusalem salad, beats, and potatoes. I requested no potatoes and a lot of hot sauce. The hot sauce is seriously great. It's green and pretty spicy. The beats are a nice addition. I can't give them five stars as it's not as good as Sultan's and the menu at Olive isn't very broad. But this is a food court type place so I suppose they can't have too many options. Also the sandwich is close to six bucks, a tad pricey for a falafel sandwich. The staff are also so amazingly nice and friendly. Depending on the time of the day, the service is super quick. I will for sure be back.

    (4)

  • Amanda Z.

    Momma's got a brand new lunch jam! (Psst! I'm Momma.) Having only been in this building for the $.49 McDonald's ice cream cones (yum), I barely noticed little Olive tucked away in the back corner. Once noticed, I couldn't forget it, as I love all things schwarma and falafel. I convinced my usual lunch gang to check this place out with me one day. They all thanked Momma profusely. True story. I tested the Mediterranean waters with my standard, a gourmet falafel sandwich and a cup of the lentil soup. The sandwich as a slightly different take on what you're expecting, including roasted potatoes and pickled beets (say whaaa) but it was so. Good. Trust me. Two hummus-y thumbs up for the soft pita packed with hummus, moist (gross word, I know) falafel balls, cucumber salad, some roasted potatoes and a beet here and there. Sprinkle with a little hot sauce and some tahini and you're good to go. YUM. The lentil soup was pretty amazing as well. Creamy, with the perfect amount of kick, I can foresee this becoming a staple of future lunches. Completely vegetarians for those veggies keeping tab. A bite of the chicken schwarma sandwich with all of its juicy spice proved that Olive is no one-stop falafel shop. They do the meat well here too. After working in the same area for five years, it's very exciting to find a new little spot to shake up the lunch routine, especially when it's stellar like Olive. A brand new jam, indeed. And trust me, if Momma's happy, the whole family's happy. (P.S. I'm not anyone's momma. But sometimes I feel like the mom, so I went with it.)

    (5)

  • Max E.

    I'm a regular here, but I've been coming less often lately due to changes they've been making which, in my opinion, have not been for the better. First, the (still) good: the chicken shawarma and kebob are very tasty. When you ask for a sandwich they don't skimp on the pickles, which is nice, and the jalapeno sauce is great. Finally, I can't recommend this place enough for its speed: even if the queue wraps around the corner at lunchtime, you'll have your food in 10 minutes at most; usually the wait is more like 2 minutes. On the other hand, they sometimes go a bit overboard with the garlic sauce (I usually head this off by asking for just a little bit of it), and they've removed the jalapeno sauce from sight so you have to ask the cashier for it. In addition, the saltiness of the falafel is such that it's become a running joke in my office. But those are relatively minor complaints in comparison to the significantly smaller-than-normal sandwich I received on my latest visit: both the pita itself and the fillings were noticeably reduced from previous visits. I know restaurants are facing rising food costs, but I would rather they increase the price than sell sandwiches that leave me feeling hungry -- and believe me, I am the last person who would ordinarily complain about restaurant portion sizes.

    (3)

  • Andy D.

    The food is good but why does the guy taking my order scowl when I ask for a garnish substitute on my sandwich? Why does he try to charge extra? I don't want those red onions, man, they make my breath stink. I want mediterranean salad instead of red onions on my beef kabob sandwich, alrighty? C'mon....lighten up. I'm frequenting this place less and less due to the attitude.

    (2)

  • Kimberly D.

    Tried Olive Mediterranean Grill for the first time since this space opened under new name. I am not sure if it was related to the previous Mediterranean eatery in this space but it is 10x better. More menu options, better prices, and food is fresher. Chicken Shawarma sandwich was so delish. Chicken was tender and moist and seasoned perfectly. Included grilled onions and peppers that were not overpowering and didn't outnumber the generous amount of chicken in the pita. I am a fan of the green hot sauce and LOVED the garlic spread/sauce. I also ordered a side of baba ghanouj, which was also a generous amoun tfor the price. It was freshly made and liked the chunks of eggplant that you don't find too often. Pita bread was also fresh and not dry.

    (4)

  • Kevin L.

    I work in the area and have been to the McDonald's in the food court a hundred times but just stopped by this place for the first time today. SHAME. ON. ME. Olive is excellent Mediterranean fare, some of the best I have had in the city. I had the Beef Kebab (extra hummus!) and it was so flavorful and generously portioned I thought they'd messed up my order or something. A side of tabbouleh salad and a couple falafel rounded everything out and made for a filling meal at just about 10 bucks that didn't make me feel like a greasy turd after I finished (looking at you Mc Donald's). My highest recommendation for a Loop lunch spot and I will be back, soon!

    (5)

  • Mike W.

    One of the best parts about working in Downtown Chicago is that no matter where you stop in during lunch, you can expect assembly line-esque food production that is ridiculously efficient. I think Olive has been one of the most efficient/delicious places I've been to multiple times downtown since moving here. Not only does it consistently take less than 5 minutes to go through the order/prep/payment process; I'm consistently impressed with the food quality and taste. I've had a few different things but now I've started to consistently order the chicken shawarma sandwich. Cheap and tasty. I recently tried the artichoke with feta cheese side dish and found it to be pretty tasty as well.

    (4)

  • Lauren D.

    YUM. Cheap, delicious, fast and healthy. I wish they had a sit down version of this place that was byob, because I would take my friends there regularly. I grew up in the Detroit area, so I'm pretty picky about Arabic food (if you aren't aware, Dearborn, MI has the biggest % of Arab Americans in the US). The hommous is delicious & creamy; it has just enough citrus in it to give it that tangy flavor (I think they might use lime instead of lemon, which gives it an extra kick). You can buy an entire bag of soft, fresh Pita bread for $1.50 and a side of hommous for $2. The falafel is perfectly crispy on the outside, and soft and flavorful in the middle. Not to mention the yellow lentil soup is the best I've had. I definitely licked the top of the container. Don't tell anybody!! :) This place is a gem in the food court it lives in, which is mainly fried, nasty unhealthy food (sorry McDonald's, Popeye's). Check the place out asap! As a side note, I ate here several months ago when it was under different ownership (not sure if the name was the same), and it was only OK. If you haven't been in a while, GO!

    (5)

  • Joyce M.

    I think they are better than Naf Naf. You will be impressed by their chicken pitas if you order them with veggies and tahiti dressing. Why charge extra for the veggies though? That's what gets me.. $11 for my pita to come with veggie bits?? Maybe I needed to say that I wanted them inside of the pita, and they wouldn't have charged the extra!

    (4)

  • Danny H.

    OMG serves great, quick mediterranean food. It's surrounded by awful fast food chains in a random greasy food court (save for Green Apple right upstairs) but OMG is the crown jewel here. The sandwiches are very juicy and succulent and the staff is friendly. Don't forget to ask for the tahini and hot sauce when you pay at the counter! The falafel is decent, but unlike the sandwich it did not make me OMG. A little too salty... the falafel at Taza is better.

    (4)

  • Laura V.

    Excellent vegetarian option for the area. Located in a food court, Olive Mediterranean is fast food the way it should be - delicious, fast, friendly and cheap. The falafel sandwich is excellent. Aside from the standard accompaniments like cucumbers, tomato, hummus and tahini, they also throw in beets and potato chunks. It is very filling and delicious. Another veggie option is the 3 types of salad with falafel balls as your meat choice. For something small, they have a lentil soup. I haven't tried it yet but I'm looking forward to it. After you check out, be sure to grab some of the extra sauces - garlic, tahini and hot. The hot sauce is absolutely wonderful. I'm so glad I finally tried this place. If I'm in the mood for a sandwich - I'd get the falafel over a foot long veggie from Subway any day.

    (4)

  • Emily B.

    The falafel sandwich is not only massive, it's uber tasty and cheap. The fried potatoes offer a nice touch, and the sauce is cool and scrumptious. The hummus is mild, yet delicous, and the vegetables are fresh. There is lots of falalfel in the sandwich, no jipping you there. The staff is also friendly and fast. Now if they can just get out of that janky food court... ;-)

    (4)

  • Quantas G.

    I used to love this place when they first opened up near my office but they've steadily gone downhill since the opening. I suspected this would happen given the low prices they were charging. They started cutting corners last year but it has gotten worse over time. Besides steadily raising prices and charging a la carte, they have resorted to serving salads on the verge of reaching the trash bin. The tomatoes and cucumbers have been mushy and translucent and the chickpea salad is bland. And given my previous foodservice experience, I can tell they've been using old oil to fry the falafel. The outsides are dark and the old oil leaves an unappealing flavor. It's sad to see them cut corners and to originally set prices that were not maintainable. I need to find a new place to get tasty Mediterranean food downtown.

    (2)

  • Jess P.

    I was about to get Subway but chose Olive instead and I am so glad that I did. I got the chicken kabob sandwich and it sure did hit the spot. The pita bread was fresh and warm, the chicken was very tasty and the sauces they had were good too. For $5 you can't beat it. Next time I go I am going to add some of those yummy looking potatoes. They were super fast too!

    (5)

  • Bill J.

    Very awesome Falafel. Taste wise, I'd say it's only to Oasis which is located off Wabash. But Olive has much larger portions and for the price of $5 you can't go wrong. Also, there was a short wait while the chickpeas were in the fryer. The cashier apologized several times and gave me a free soda when there was absolutely no need to. Really nice people. If you are a falafel you won't be disappointed with Olive.

    (4)

  • Ali W.

    Yum! I got a trio with Mediterranean salad and chicken. I'm still eating it as I write this... It was my first visit to Olives and I must say it is definitely a good lunch time spot. The services was quick and the food was very fresh. I don't feel like a big tub of lard after eating. Everything I got tasted great and it was very nicely seasoned.

    (4)

  • Sterling C.

    Two words: food poisoning. Ate here on Friday afternoon - it's now Monday and still sick. Got a doctor's appointment later today.

    (1)

  • Keith D.

    I wanted to come here a few times before I wrote this review. Mission acomplished and I must say, for being skeptical about how this place was going to be, I now have no concerns. Olive is a great little place nestled in a food court with some other run of the mill places (McDonald's, Popeye's, etc.). What makes this place stick out is it's not a burger or chicken joint. It's a Mediterranean Grill and it keeps it's food fresh. That is so big these days. The food is excellent from the kabobs to the rice and salads. The only reason it lost a star was because of the location. Keep it up Olive!! :)

    (4)

  • James P.

    I like this place, its a great lunch spot on the North side of the Loop and its a great alternative if you start to get tired of Chipotle's burrito bowl. I had the rice bowl and the sandwich and both were pretty good. Its decently priced and they give a good amount. The Mediterranean chicken was soft and juicy, not tough at all like some other places I had which was great. So until they get a Roti on the North side of the loop or until its summer again, this is where I'll be going to get my Mediterranean fix for lunch! P.S. There are actually more reviews on this place but apparently there was a spelling error.

    (4)

  • Sara P.

    This place is a great alternative to the usual greasy joints that are in the area. This is more of a 4.5 star review. I took off points because I did not really like the Tahini sauce, and the falafel were okay. I got the rice bowl, which is a lot of food for only 6 bucks. The rice was good and fresh. I loved the mediterranean chicken! It was delicious, moist, complex, and I could not get enough of it. I also got one of the salads, and it was awesome! So I am very pleased, and I will definitely be back. Everyone go here and support this place! They always have a girl giving out samples on the steps.

    (4)

  • Leah B.

    You cant go wrong here as far as inexpensive mall food. This place is located in a food court, Their food is fresh and tasty and for $5.50 you get a huge sandwich that has really fresh flavors. The salad and hummus they put into the falafal sandwich really makes it taste fresh an satisfying. They also add potatoes and beets but I have them leave that off because I like things a little more simple. They also have some appetizers that looked fresh but I keep getting the falafal sandwich every time I go back because its just so darn good.

    (4)

  • Sabrina M.

    Garvey Court is the little food court that could. Just when you're ready to dismiss it because you don't eat Mickey D's or Popeyes unless you are PMS'ing, you look over and there is Olive Mediterranean Grill. I was genuinely embarassed by how quickly I scarfed down their falafel sandwich the first time I had it. And even more embarassed that I had to go back two days in a row to get more. That's how much I loved it. I have since forced myself to branch out and try the chicken shwarma and even just pita and chips and it is all good. The lentil soup is so good, I actually licked the styrofoam container it came in to get the very last drop. You never really expect outstanding food from a food court. You can get some good finds, but usually never so good that you are embarassed about bowl-licking and lip-smacking! But Olive is really a hidden gem. Quick, fast, cheap and good. If you like mediterranean food and work or live in this area, you gotta check Olive out!

    (4)

  • Molly L.

    Olive has the best hummus ever. It's smooth and slightly lemon-y. Best of all, it's only $2.50 with a pita! It's my favorite thing to get when I'm looking for a light lunch or snack.

    (5)

  • Sam C.

    Very tasty!! For something different please try this place. I had the Chicken Shwarma pita. Initially I thought I would need to order something else being that it is only a pita but was I wrong. They load you up. Every bite had some chicken in it. It also had a great combination of favors in every morsel. They also offer a rice bowl plate where you just choose the type of meat you want. Look forward to trying something else here. I am glad I tried it!

    (4)

  • Leanne F.

    addicted. i never thought i'd feel this way. whatever you do... PLEASE TAKE THIS ADVICE. At the cash register after you've paid. As for the "one of each of the three sauces". Enjoy. You will not be sorry. Whatever you've ordered, it'll make it extra yum.

    (5)

  • brad p.

    They say you should trust your instincts, right? Well, I should have. I was on my way to Wow Bao but it was raining so I remembered I'd tried the Mediterranean Grill's free samples over the summer and thought they were pretty good. Well this wasn't. Sure, the size of the chicken shawirma sandwich was fine, but it was totally bland. The pickles and cheese made for a weird cluster at the bottom of the pita. The hot sauce was some jalapeno concoction that was totally wrong for the sandwich. The lentil soup was lukewarm and almost creamy. And the service wasn't even that good. More like grunting at me than service. When I want mediterranean, I'll stick to Tazo on Franklin. And when I'm walking down Lake, I'll continue to Wow Bao. This place epitomizes the word meh. Yeah, it's filling. But that's about it.

    (2)

  • Allen P.

    I cannot get enough of the Chicken Schwarma sandwich. I heart it!!! I wish I could make it at home!!!!!!!!!!!

    (4)

  • Lenora C.

    Me and my friend aremie actually went into this place going into mcdonalds. I spotted it when we got in the door and just had to try it next time I went back. It was fairly reasonable. I had a rice bowl with mediterranean salad, chicken shawarma, and a order of (5) falafel.. I loved the falafel.. It was mighty tasty.. I didnt like the chicken so much. Maybe it was because I hadnt got a feel for the spice mixture used. I will definitely go here again...

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    Olive is great! The food is flavorful and very affordable. I had never had mediterranean food before, and Olive has made me a big fan. I also use their catering service on a regular basis for work events and it is always a big hit.

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    OK food, but nothing special. Too much emphasis on rice/vegetables/filler - show me the meat!

    (2)

  • Jaki J.

    My favorite mediterranean spot of all Chicago. Fast, Friendly, Tasty, Cheap. +++++

    (5)

  • Lucy W.

    I get very intimidated ordering food I do not eat often, and Mediterranean is one of them. This place is very easy! A sandwich, a rice plate, or a variety of salads. And everything is out so you can see what it looks like, or point to what looks good - like I did! The first time - I ordered the salad trio with meat - 2 kinds of salad , choice of meat, and a side of rice. Yum, yum, yummy. Of course, you can get a mix or match of the 3 salads, rice, 3 kinds of chicken, steak, or falafel. The second time was a rice place with a salad and chicken. The rice plate was MORE than enough food! I am a big lunch eater and only ate half the rice and meat!! I had to share with coworkers because unfortunately, they saw me walk in with my big plate of food. I convinced the most boring, plain sandwich eaters to try this place with me next week! The veggies are super fresh, the chicken is very juicy, and rice is perfectly cooked, the hummus is perfectly smooth but thick with a lemony flavor, the pita chips are fresh, and I can't wait to try a sandwich! I highly suggest to those who are not pros at ordering food other than chicken nuggets or sandwiches. :)

    (4)

  • Patty V.

    Yummmm!! I love Med food and Olive is really quite good! I met a friend here for lunch today and I was pleased to see a better choice for lunch in the Loop. The food was fresh and delicious and service was quick!! I loved the Falafel,a little different,but very tasty, with some roasted potatoes in the sandwich.Very filling!! The hummos was good,too.Not too thin,not too pasty,just right! I will be back!!

    (4)

  • Rezaul K.

    Tried this place on my recent trip to Chicago. Comparing to all the places in NY, this was definitely better. Both Shawarma and kebab, on yellow rice with cold salad is a must try!!

    (4)

  • Natasha L.

    One of my go-to places for a delicious, fast and filling lunch. I love their chicken rice bowls with the cucumber & tomato salad (sprinkled with some feta cheese!) Highly recommended - don't be put off by the sketchiness of the Clark & Lake food court.

    (4)

  • Sue F.

    I am in love with their #1 Chicken Schawama. Yum Yum Yum!!!! I don't care if I reek of garlic afterwards, it is way too delicious. There is always a line, but the staff gets you in & out fast. No soup Nazi's- just fast & friendly. The food court it is in has seen better days, but I'm not here for the ambiance. I frankly can't understand the people who choose the Popeyes or McDonalds over this place. For that matter next door in the food court there is Sushi that is half price after 2pm.

    (5)

  • Sharokina P.

    I am addicted to Olive! For me, it is worth it to make the trek over to Olive from wherever I am in the city because I know the quality is great and the prices are reasonable. I love getting the Mediterranean chicken sandwich with a side of lentil soup - it is so good! Every once in awhile if I want to be different I will get a side of the potatoes and they are delicious! I wish they had one closer to where I live.

    (5)

  • Imran F.

    The food at this place is pretty awesome. We get our lunch catered here from time to time, and I try not to miss an opportunity to order. I've tried all of their sandwiches, but I especially like their chicken sandwiches, with the side of their hot jalapeno sauce. And the price is incredible. Not that I actually have to pay for it. But it's really on the cheap side. It's nice to see good halal restaurants opening in the Loop and hope they stick around for a while.

    (5)

  • Kenneth S.

    I have been to the North Ave location about 6 times and really enjoyed my previous experiences. However, my last visit proved to be a very different story. It appears they have changed some of their recipes, as my two favorite salads, the tabbouli and chick pea, fail to compare to the previous versions. Outside the change in flavor, my chick peas were barely cooked and the tabbouli is now a pile of parsley, before is was finely minced with the other ingredients. Furthermore, it appears they are trying to compensate by throwing in some cheap grilled vegetables (onions and green peppers). There are still plenty of good options, all of the sauces, meats and hummus. Although, any further compromises and it will be the last straw for me.

    (3)

  • Rayid G.

    The loop has a lot to offer - good middle eastern places aren't one of them. Taza is still my favorite but i've been looking for an alternative and this is it! I wasn't really up for trying this place sicne there had been a couple of other middle easterners who tried their luck at opening a place in the same spot - they all failed and shut down. Mediterranean Grill is different - mostly because their food is fresh. They have good falafel, and excellent beef and chicken kebabs. The rice isn't as good as taza's and the hot sauce is some strange (but decent tasting) combination of jalapeno peppers and yogurt, the kebabs & falafel make up for that.

    (4)

  • Stephen D.

    I'm so excited to have this place within a block from my office. Finally, an alternative to the quick greasy crap that blankets this area. They have GREAT sandwiches -- Mediterranean Chicken is my favorite -- as well as good soup, appetizers like hummus, and salads like tabbouleh. The prices aren't as low as a McDonald's value meal but you get something delicious and healthy in return (and something tells me if you're still interested in this place, you aren't someone who looks to buy a fulfilling and nutritious lunch for $3...).

    (5)

  • Morten H.

    One of the best lunch places downtown. A sandwich for around 5 bucks, and every 10th sandwich is free. Extremely fast aswell!

    (4)

  • Fatima H.

    As an avid Halal eater, I'm always on a look out for some good Halal food. This place is awesome! Awesome tasting, awesome financially and just awesome! I have had their beef, chicken and Mediterranean chicken shawarmas and they all taste goood!!

    (5)

  • Donnie H.

    Our office team did a group lunch outing and someone suggested going to Olive. All of us were satisfied and full. This is a perfect place to go for a change of pace with good and quick service. I'll go back soon.

    (4)

  • Jennifer K.

    If you're looking for a terrific falafel/shawarma place really close to your office, this is it. My friend who is an amazing Arabic cook even loves this place. We go once or twice a week. The falafel are always fresh and the sandwich will fill you up way past dinner, especially with those potatoes on it. I thought it was strange at first to have potatoes on a falafel sandwich, but it's grown on me. They did away with the foule salad which made me sad, but everything else is so good I won't miss it much. Another wonderful thing about them is their sauce-generosity. You can take as much as you want of the wonderful tahini and hot sauce.

    (5)

  • Kathleen O.

    This is a quick and convenient place to grab dinner for my husband and me on weeknights after work. I consider it the Mediterranean version of Chipotle and relatively healthy.

    (3)

  • c d.

    Great lunch find. All sandwiches are $5 and meals are $6. The chicken shawarma is delicious and jam packed with tender seasoned chicken. The garlic sauce on it was a perfect complement. The meal included a large amount of chicken, lots of rice, and a generous portion of tabbouleh. The green spicy sauce was very spicy and flavorful addition. A ton of tasty food at a great price, perfect spot for a fast lunch.

    (4)

  • mary b.

    Fantastic falafel sandwich!!! Wow, really impressed. The falefel itself was very tasty and came with toppings of freid potatoes, pickled beets and tomato/cucumber salad....very good. Best part is the unlimted sauces to choose from to top your sandwich off! The hot sauce is very spicy and delish, green jalepeno concoction and t hey have this heavenyl garlic spread sauce you can also use. One of the best falafel sandiwches in the loop!! Had their mediteraean chicken pita, it was just okay but will def be back for the delish and filling spicy falafel!!

    (5)

  • Allison W.

    Just found my new favorite lunch spot! Everything is incredibly fresh and tasty, and CHEAP. $5 for an enormous chicken kebab pita sandwich- they even added hummus and fatoush salad to my pita on request for no charge.

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    The best quick mediterranean food I have ever had, bar none, and this is coming from someone who lives in Albany Park, affectionately know as "falafel town." I had the rice combo with tabbouleh and the ground chicken, and all of it was delicious.

    (5)

  • Karmen F.

    I absolutely love this little restaurant in the most unprepossessing location (across from McDonald's). The foods taste fresh and flavorful. Roti has nothing on it!

    (5)

  • Jisi G.

    Love this place! It's cheap, fast, and high quality food. Great value and the food is always fresh and healthy.

    (5)

  • Ehren Z.

    This is the best falafel I have had in Chicago. Ever since going to L'As du Fallafel, I have been dying to have falafel that good again and every place I've been to just doesn't come close. Except for this place. This is really the closest thing you are probably going to get to the nirvana that is L'As du Fallafel and it's really, really good. You will never be able to choke down one of those horrible, mushy deals with iceberg lettuce again after eating here!

    (5)

  • Alex L.

    We had a nice sample of everything it was all very good and fresh

    (5)

  • Shiraz m.

    I have been to many mediterranean restaurants and the taste and quality of the food at this establishment by far surpasses them all. It is a bit of a hidden jem located in the food court at 201 N. Clark, but once you find out your in for a treat. My personal favorite if the rice bowl with salad and some med. chicken to die for. You will definitely be coming back for more.

    (5)
coupon_image.jpg
coupon_image.jpg
coupon_image.jpg
coupon_image.jpg

Fazoli's is an Italian-American fast casual restaurant chain headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky. It was founded in 1988and is now owned by Sentinel Capital Partners. As of 2015, there are 213 Fazoli's located nationwide. The restaurant chain specializes in Italian cuisine and dishes. Carl Howard is the company's president and CEO.
Fazoli's offers a menu of traditional Italian favorites — highlighted by our famous, mouthwatering, garlic bread sticks — combined with a service experience not typically found in the QSR industry and served in a newly re-imagined restaurant environment. And it's all available to our guests at a great price and value. With over 200 restaurants, explosive growth and a booming sales trajectory, Fazoli's has established itself as a leader in the Quick-Service Restaurant segment.


Today, Fazoli's menu consists of classic Italian dishes, baked pastas, their signature Submarinos sandwiches, and other foods, such as:

Twice Baked Lasagna
Chicken Parmigiano
Italian Deli Trio
seasonal salads
Turkey Mozzarella Fresco
Meatball da Vinci
The Primo Italiano
Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza
New York Style Cheesecake
Baked Spaghetti
Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo

Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 4:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : No
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : Yes

Olive Mediterranean Grill

Share with your social network

WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES

Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online

Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.

© 2024 Restaurant Listings. All rights reserved.