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Name: Reza’s Restaurant
Address: 432 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL, 60654
Telephone: (312) 664-4500
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 3.46

Reza’s Restaurant

432 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL, 60654

(312) 664-4500
Store is closed

Reza’s Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Falafel

Chicken Kabob

Hummus

Baba Ghannouj

Kashkeh Bodemnjan

Dolmeh

String Beans

Eggplant Steak

Vegetable Kabob

Grilled Potatoes

Grilled Mushrooms

Vegetarian Shami

Roasted Feta Cheese

Stuffed Green Pepper With Mushrooms Or Spinach

Stuffed Green Pepper With Beef

Maust Khiar

Maust Museer

Quail
Soups

Tomato Lentil

Chicken Barley
Salads

Persian Salad

Tabbouli

Fattoush Salad

Garden Salad

Caesar Salad

Grilled Sea Food Salad
Entrées - Vegetarian

Create Your Own Vegetarian Combo

Cranberry Polo

Vegetarian Feast
Entrees - Seafood

White Fish

Salmon

Shrimp

Sea Scallops
Entrees - Signature Kabobs

Lamb Kabob

Filet Mignon Shishliek

Filet Mignon Chengeh

Kabob Barg

Kabob Sultani

Makhsous

Beef Koubideh Kabob

Lamb Koubideh Kabob

Chicken Koubideh Kabob

Chicken Kabob On The Bone (jujeh)

Rezas Special Boneless Chicken Kabob

Quail
Entrees - Kabab Combinations

Combination 1

Combination 2
Chef's Recommendations

Filet Mignon With Sauteed Mushroom

Seafood Combo

Windy City Special

Salmon And Boneless Breast Chicken

Filet Mignon And Salmon

Filet Mignon And Scallops
Traditional Dishes

Lamb Shank

Gheimeh Bodemjan

Ghormeh Sabzi

Chicken Fessenjan

Healthy Meal suggestions for Reza’s Restaurant

Appetizers

Falafel [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hummus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Baba Ghannouj [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kashkeh Bodemnjan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dolmeh [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

String Beans [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eggplant Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetable Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Potatoes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Mushrooms [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Shami [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Feta Cheese [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Green Pepper With Mushrooms Or Spinach [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stuffed Green Pepper With Beef [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maust Khiar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Maust Museer [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Soups

Tomato Lentil [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Barley [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Salads

Persian Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tabbouli [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Fattoush Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Garden Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Grilled Sea Food Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrées - Vegetarian

Create Your Own Vegetarian Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cranberry Polo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Vegetarian Feast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees - Seafood

White Fish [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shrimp [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sea Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees - Signature Kabobs

Lamb Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filet Mignon Shishliek [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filet Mignon Chengeh [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kabob Barg [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Kabob Sultani [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Makhsous [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Beef Koubideh Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lamb Koubideh Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Koubideh Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Kabob On The Bone (jujeh) [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rezas Special Boneless Chicken Kabob [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Quail [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees - Kabab Combinations

Combination 1 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Combination 2 [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Chef's Recommendations

Filet Mignon With Sauteed Mushroom [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seafood Combo [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Windy City Special [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon And Boneless Breast Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filet Mignon And Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Filet Mignon And Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Traditional Dishes

Lamb Shank [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Gheimeh Bodemjan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ghormeh Sabzi [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Chicken Fessenjan [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Kimmy L.

***2.5*** Came here for a wedding rehearsal dinner and we had the upstairs private room. Everything was served buffet style so we got to taste a little bit of everything. While it wasn't the best Persian food I have ever had (homemade is always best!!) I still enjoyed tasting different dishes. Kabobs were just ok - a little dry. Mango mojito was way too sweet - too much simple syrup and not enough mint and soda water. Other members of our party said that the food is better downstairs or when you come eat in a smaller group. Please keep in mind that this review is for our private event only. Service was very attentive and was able to keep up with our large private party!
(3)
Dub G.

Outstanding customer service. I enjoy ordering from them on frequent occasion. Fast, accurate, generous and oh yes, absolutely delicious. I have treated family and friends and have gotten rave reviews every time. The least I could do was pass it along.
(5)
Lyla S.

Don't even think about waisting your money. My husband and I went for dinner, didn't even taste like Persian food it was anything but Persian. Kabob was not chewable and had no taste. The service was even worse than food! So, if you hungry just go to a fast food and don't wast your Money!
(1)
Perry C.

Delicious! Accidentally found this while looking for something else and was blown away! I'll not even try to recount the menu item names or descriptions of what we ate, but everything was seasoned well and we found it very easy to gorge ourselves. Kabobs like you've never had before! Stuffed peppers and grape leaves better than sex! (maybe) Even the couscous was fine by itself....I usually have to mix it with something saucy to make it palatable. Too full to have any dessert :( Look forward to returning!
(5)
Roxy A.

The chicken koubideh and cherry rice is what I come here for. Rezas has a great menu and also has a buffet but I'd definitely recommend ordering from the menu vs buffet. The hummus w Persian bread is so good!! I love how they bring what seems like a gigantic piece of bread on a silver platter to the table until you devour it and ask the server for more bread bc apparently it wasn't enough. They also serve the hummus with radishes, parsley and feta cheese. Whenever you order an entree it is also served with a choice of soup and side. I ordered the tomato lentil. I haven't tried the chicken barley but the lentil soup sounded better. For sides I'd go with rice. The dill rice is very good but try ordering the cherry rice. It's off the menu but super delish!!!! Also order a side of tabouli or Persian salad. Goes well with hummus and/or Persian bread. Was never really into the desserts here but the food doesn't disappoint. Service is a bit on the slower side as well but the prices are decent for being located in river north. Big portions, good enough to share or have the rest to-go.
(4)
Stefanie A.

If you want good quality middle eastern food and live/work in this area of river north- go no further. I've been going here since we moved in the neighborhood-anytime I have the hummus, kebob, couscous, and lentil soup craving. My favorite is the boneless chicken breasts kabob with the dill rice. On Sundays they have this buffet that is so good and has so much food you will have to be taken out of here in a wheelchair. Servers are always friendly too. Today I came to pick up my takeout, & while waiting the nice guy at the bar gave me a sangria on the house. I don't know if it was the warm weather and the happiness all around the city, but holy crap was it good and I had the slightest buzz on my walk home :) Oh the red stuff on the side in my picture is their homemade habanero hot sauce. I had no idea they made this stuff- bartender offered it to me. It's not a true middle eastern thing, but it sure was a nice little aomething to go with the chicken.
(5)
Jess C.

They definitely have a great location. That area of River North doesn't have much to choose from so its easy for them to charge $20 a plate. One thing I love about this restaurant is the atmosphere. Brick floors, exposed ceilings and two huge cooper Sam Adams containers made it very appealing. As for the food, it's okay. I've tried several kabobs here. The Tomato Lentil soup is very good and I love the huge Naan they bring out before dinner.
(3)
Mustafa A.

I'm a faaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! nothing would compete with this place, it's absuloutly the best persian food ever!
(5)
Natasha R.

The ice tea was amazing! Persian tea. The hummus was pretty delicious too. A bit pricey for chicken on a stick though.
(4)
Ryan P.

Really good food and pretty good prices. We order a lot for work as it is pretty healthy and good for groups. If you eat in for lunch, the buffet is super good.
(4)
Christina M.

I won't be back. Why? For a Friday night the restaurant was dead and the servers were all chatting. That said, the service was slow and actually strange (the waitress was really confusing). The size of the restaurant is also odd, but they can't help that. However, when it came to the food I was really disappointed. For a place with a plethora of vegan options, I came away unimpressed. The only thing stomachable was the vegan tomato lentil soup. I couldn't make it past one bite of the other dishes I ordered.
(2)
Tyler M.

This is not 5* restaurant as far as "fine dining" is concerned, but I found this place very enjoyable. The food was tasty, the ambiance honorable and the staff welcoming and professional. Highly recommend a visit.
(5)
Babak R.

Very poor quality.
(1)
Kevin M.

I love this place. I used to order from here in the '90 when I worked at the CME. Been a while since I've been there -- until today. It was just as awesome as I remembered. The lamb kabob's are phenomenal and the dill rice is always perfect. Baklava afterwards was a great finish. I'm putting Reza's back into my regular rotation.
(5)
Sienna L.

Not very good food. Very disappointed with this restaurant. The location in Lincoln Park was much better. Too bad it closed. This location has a buffet that is so so. Would not recommend this location
(1)
Nina K.

Went for a lunch buffet. They had a great selection of foods. The kabob was okay could've been better but the dessert was good and so was the service. Would try this place again! In the heart of Chicago!
(4)
Hala S.

I came for the buffet with a group of 15 people today. The food was excellent. I am used to buffet food being less than average but theirs was tasty, fresh with a good variety. All the group was very impressed with the food. The service was good too. I will definitely be bringing more people here.
(5)
Mohammadreza N.

As a Iranian, this restaurant was a perfect experience for me, in the middle of Chicago. all of the delicious Persian foods were available and the quality was ok for me, absolutely not the best I have ever had but not bad. The only problem, as other people mentioned before, was the waiters, I believe they don't have any idea what is Kabob. For us Iranians Maust or yogurt is a usual appetizer, but they even didn't know that it was on the menu! I have to mention that, Iranian foods are not fast food at all and take a long time to be made, So please be patient in this restaurant!
(4)
Mary D.

It was at this restaurant my father told me that I had expensive taste whenever I ordered the seafood combo plate at the age of 7. My father has stories about helping Reza start this place up from scratch. I can never forget the hospitality Reza would give our family every time we celebrated an occasion in their private area of the restaurant. I love love love the dill rice and their red soup. Everything I've ever ordered never disappointed me. I def recommend this place to anyone wanting some Persian flair in their life.
(5)
Addison H.

This place is massive. That struck me first, really spacious and grand-feeling. I hadn't really had Iranian food before, and it was an experience. Big fan of the parsley // feta // radishes // naan thing they bring out at the beginning. I got the chicken barley soup, though sampled and preferred the tomato lentil soup. Both good. I ordered the Monday special -- boneless chicken and filet mignon kebabs. Delicious, well-cooked meat. The dill rice was heavenly. Portions are very big. Two meals, really. I have leftovers sitting in the fridge. Pricing is fair considering this, especially with their specials. Weird things that keep this place from getting 5 stars in my book: their lemonade and tea were very watered down (though we were told this was due to a broken machine), the service was very polite but slow (almost as if waitress was confused), and the hummus was delicious but a bit thin.
(4)
C N.

Food is good. Used to be really tasty and fast delivery, just lately not as good as before (both food and delivery). Anyways, good food still. Hoping it turns back to its previous greatness.
(4)
Mega S.

Avarage persian food,Not close enough the original. And miss named some plates. The good thing is hummus and lamb chunks. Enjoyed the experience but Im not planning to come again.
(3)
Saeed M.

This place used to be my favorite! i loved their Friday Buffet but last Friday of 2014 is going to be the last time i ever go to this restaurant! It was beyond terrible, dirty, there were dishes that as a Persian, i had no idea what they were! there are many families with their kids so it's loud with no place for the kids to play! the service is awful! Do yourself a favor and go to Noon o Kebab!
(1)
Samaneh W.

The food is phenomenal - traditional Persian cuisine. The service was fantastic! Highly recommend for anyone in Chicago
(4)
Romana Y.

Good meats, and salads, but everything else is subpar compared to neighboring Andies!
(2)
atina n.

The portions are huge! I order lamb chops and received like 4 of them! I had enough for 3 meals. The lamb was tasty. The grilled veggies, onions and tomatoes were really good. I am not a fan of onions but ate all of them. Two people can share one plate!
(4)
Luna M.

I have been coming to Reza for almost 20 years, and I was not sure whether to give them 3-Stars or 4-Stars. Their traditional Persian meals are delicious but their service needs a lot of improving. For example, when we went to Reza before a Bull's game, we decided to order a chicken kabob appetizer and had given our drink orders to the server. It took forever to get our drinks and the appetizer came out few seconds before our meals came out. I was not happy. The dÃ©cor is cool with the brick & duct work exposed to give a 'new trend' look. They offer valet parking bec you may not find parking on that street. Now, for the food. You get some free appetizers (feta cheese, radishes, onions and pita bread) which are good. Their soup is good too. Now, for the main dishes, I love the Beef Koubideh Kabob (which is the ground sirloin beef). When you want both steak and ground beef, you can order the Sultani. Their white rice is amazing!!!!! And they included some grilled vegetables which is nice touch. They do offer brunch menus which is the best way to try their Persian food. I would say try Reza at one of their few locations and decide for yourself. And make sure you plan ahead, do not schedule your date there if you have plans right after.
(4)
Justin S.

Rezas is great for a Mediterranean experience in River North. Their lunch buffet is amazing, with plenty of fresh options that are delicious. The Dill rice, kabobs, spicy beef and chicken entrees, as well as a host of other options are available. Great environment,and friendly staff!
(4)
Kristen W.

The waiters seems disheveled, there were at least 7 servers standing around and no more than 10 people in this huge restaurant. They were out of the first two bottles of wines we selected. So from the beginning I was skeptical. They redeemed themselves with the good! The hummus was fresh and creamy, one of the better I've had. The kebabs dish was also good. This is your standard middle eastern food, only better!
(3)
Chris F.

Went for dinner on a Sunday with a small group of friends (6). The food was amazing but the service was 'meh'. Never got a refill on my drink, our waiter took forever to come take our order. When he presented us with the check - we had written down how to split it... low and behold when he ran the cards he just split them all evenly - which wasn't the game plan. Luckily not that big of a deal, but wasn't impressed with the service.
(3)
Diana R.

Went there for the dinner buffet (Iftar during Ramadan), the food was delicious; the service was great; many vegetarian options! The food is authentic Middle Eastern. Fresh baked nan bread and delicious black tea. I wish there were more authentic Persian desserts options. Atmosphere: classy and quiet, with slow Persian music in the background. Large indoor seating area, with small patio seating area. Valet parking available. Highly recommend, specially for vegetarians!.
(4)
Saima S.

I just had my wedding ceremony and reception here, and it was wonderful! I worked with Nazzie, the event coordinator, throughout the planning process, and she was always friendly and accommodating. I worked with her mainly via email (because I actually live in Los Angeles), and while her responses were not always as thorough as I'd like, she was always quick to respond, and would eventually answer all the questions I had. She was also on-site the day of the wedding to help with things as needed. There was no room rental fee. We only had to guarantee a minimum head count and pay the cost of the catering/bar - amazing! Once we got closer to the date, we were able to fully customize our food and drink menus, and the prices are extremely reasonable compared to other Chicago venues. The River North location (where we had our event) is a very cool, old world/industrial looking space. Brick walls, wood floors, wood beamed ceilings,and a GORGEOUS fireplace. Every time I stopped by Reza's for anything, they not only recognized me but bent over backwards to make sure I had everything I needed. The week of my wedding, we were able to get into the event space the day before the wedding to decorate, and we didn't have to clear everything out until the day after. Full access to the event space for 3 days is unheard of! We also had a weather emergency the day of our wedding and had to move our ceremony to Rezas at the last minute. They rushed to make sure we had chairs set up for our ceremony and were very gracious with our guests. After the event, people were raving about how delicious the food was. Overall, I would highly recommend Rezas to anyone looking for a beautiful, affordable wedding venue in an urban environment. I had my perfect Chicago wedding here :)
(5)
Ramsey B.

Excellent lunch buffet which serves delicious beef, chicken and lamb kabobs among other great items. Also, for private dinner functions (business programs), they have great private rooms.
(4)
Shanez A.

Not impressed soup was pretty much tomato sauce which was supposed to be a lentil soup, they used be a great place to eat but quality went down tremendously not sure if they changed chefs? Drinks took forever ! The entree was pretty good except that it was plain looking and honestly the dill rice was average the beef kabobs I liked but they used to be much better. Overall average place to eat but they could be better, they once were.
(2)
Lynette M.

For being sort of like a buffet I actually thought this place was pretty good. The meat was delicious. I had the beef kabob and the lamb kabob. When I typically go to a buffet the food is bland and overall I just don't like buffets. I feel like the food Is made just like school lunches. Lol. But this place surprised me. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because our waiter SUCKED. He literally came to the table every hour. I had to get up and ask for a refill on my drink. If you're in the area I do recommend it. Just make sure you get a waiter that cares about you not choking and gets you those refills haha.
(4)
Nas A.

The best Persian food u tried in Chicago, been a costumer since 2009. Service could be improved, but over all great food, nice place.
(4)
Khald G.

Rezas used to be good now it's baaaaaaaad. There is a another restaurant that's kabobi on kedzi. That's where real Persian food is found.
(1)
Tony B.

I went to Rezas for years back in the day, had a couple of iffy meals and took a few years break. I'm happy to say the place is back as I had lunch there last week and the food and service was excellent. Ate outside on sidewalk cafe and had some of the best Persian Whitefish I've ever tasted - menu says it's a specialty of the house and rightfully so! It was a business lunch and the other guy had a salad that I don't remember the name of but it was great too. I'll be back!
(4)
Mark S.

Came here a while back with a group of my classmates. It was my first experience eating Persian food here in the United States, and the food was great! Since we were in a large sized group, we opted for the Family Style Package #1 which lets your group choose three appetizers and three entrees for $22 a person. I particularly enjoyed the grilled mushrooms, the falafel, and the lamb shank. While we all enjoyed our meal, we discovered that on our bill, we were charged for the number of people on our reservation rather than the number of people who were actually there (2 of us had to cancel). When we asked about it, they said they had brought out enough food for the amount of people on our reservation. While that didn't exactly sit well with us, we decided to pay for the extra 2 meals rather than ruin an otherwise good night. I would caution other groups to get the number of attendees clarified before the food is brought out.
(3)
Jessica Y.

Food: I celebrated my birthday here last Friday night and we ordered EVERYTHING. My absolute favorite main entrÃ©e was the Lamb Shank. It was fall of the bone tender, flavorful, and good quality. Other items ordered included: chicken kabob, chicken koubideh, quail, kabob barg, white fish, lamb kabob, vegetarian feast, stuffed peppers, etc. All entrees came with feta cheese/radish appetizer, choice of soup - creamy chicken or tomato lentil, and a choice of Persian white rice, dill rice, Couscous, grilled potatoes. Appetizers shared by the table: baba ghannouj (Mashed roasted eggplant with tahini: a purÃ©e of sesame seeds, garlic and lemon juice), kashkeh bodemjan (Mashed roasted eggplant, caramelized, onion and whey, flavored with garlic and mint), Hummus, and Persian salad. The white fish deserves special mention as well because my experiences with white fish in restaurants have been bland and mushy but this preparation = lightly seasoned and sautÃ©ed to perfection without being overcooked - very appetizing. I was pleasantly surprised. This specific dish has changed my views on white fish. Kabob barg was just ok. Both soups were wonderful. Logistics: Parking options are street or $7 valet. The restaurant is large, dimly lit, with dark wood trimmings. There was a pianist when we were there who played happy birthday for me when the servers sang to me! Portions are large. Full bar is available. Verdict: All 14 of my friends enjoyed dinner very much. Service was attentive, dishes were served hot, and the flavors in the dishes I tasted were perfect (not too salty or bland). Food is good for sharing or leftovers. Days later I am still thinking about the Lamb Shank with dill rice, lentil soup, white fish, and kashkeh bodemjan...YUM.
(4)
Haleema M.

Great dishes! I love their rice and their meat is always tender and juicy. Their service is a little iffy, but I come for the great food. Love it!
(4)
Cesar M.

Crazy Sunday, great ending. So crazy Sunday morning and then decided to go to the mag mile for some shopping. Stopped at a few stores and after a lot of walking ended up in the Water tower shopping center. I was a little hungry but in a gesture of solidarity to Muslim friends, we were going to have dinner after 8:30 pm. So is after 6 and we are about done with the shopping, we decide to walk to the restaurant. Half way there my energy almost depleted we take a break. Sit down and enjoy the beautiful river view right next to Michigan Ave. After a short break we keep walking and ended up in the river north taste, we checked out for a bit but that is another review. Never before have I been so exited when the clock hit 8:30. We get to the restaurant and are seated shortly. We decided to go with the buffet and it was a great decision. They had an array of delicious dishes, most of them really good. I had roasted vegetables, dill rice, falafel, hummus, cucumber salad, lentil soup, chicken soup. Do not judge me, I am about half way with the list. Lamb in prepared in about 3 or 4 different ways, pita bread, rice with vegetables. I will stop here with the list I am not proud of my gluttony. Everything was good, a few that deserve a special mentions were the lamb and the rice with vegetables and the roasted vegetables as well. But believe everything was good. Only complaint here was the service, bad service, bad service. Put it his way I did not see the waiter until about half way the dinner. I would mention his name but he did not even introduce himself. When we were about to pay I was going to tip him about 30 % but a dinner companion said that service was not good at all so I reconsidered and lower the number. Reza's go for the food, prepare for the service
(4)
N A.

Horrible. Terrible service. They try to push this horrible buffet on you. They tell you if you order an entree, you will wait 45 minutes. I used to eat at the one on Clark street and this one is just terrible. They don't care about the quality of the food. The entree was tasteless. The bread on our table was stale. The soup was watered down and tasted completely bland. These people are running the restaurant into the ground. Oh yes- we were told today by our waitress that the prices in the menu are incorrect. What a joke this place has become.
(1)
Armin F.

I think the reviews are overall correct, place is in a good location. It doesn't necessarily provide an Iranian feel to it and the service that night was awful - which might have been our waiters first night - and having persians as guest in a Persian restaurant must be a challenging task. Having said all that , the food was decent but not great...still the best Persian place in the US remains Raffi's in Glendale, CA
(3)
Angie M.

It doesn't matter to me how authentic or great someone else says the food is here. They sat us in the back in a dirty corner. The tables were not prepared. The service in this restaurant (downtown) is horrific. We had a party of 12 for a special event. Called ahead, met with them and planned specifically for the evening and they still managed to screw it up. The waiter threw menus on the table. Didn't ask about drinks. Didn't pick up the table or offer coffee. REALLY!? We raved about this cuisine and tried to introduce 4 new people to the place. For my friends the experience was a big negative! For the rest of us it was a great disappointment.
(1)
Macy C.

Let me cover the heart of the matter first - the food. I've been coming to Reza's periodically for a few years now. The food is generally fresh and generously portioned. It seems the food that is traditionally Persian has had a lot of thought and craft put into it, like the kebabs. The non traditional items offered, such as the falafel, seem to receive less attention. The falafel is honestly the only entrÃ©e here that's left me disappointed. Everything else has tasted phenomenal and I would confidently recommend it to family and friends. The one thing that has always turned me off from scheduling a big event here is the evident mismanagement. There are some items on the menu they have never had available, particularly the cocktails. It's okay not to offer these things, but after you haven't had ANY wraps available for at least a year, it's probably time to reprint the menu. When you walk in, you are expected to see the bar for seating, which is fine, but I am generally left standing there for a minute or two while the bartender and other servers stare at me, confused as to what they should do next. After seated, the service varies. Usually the servers are pretty absent and decide at their discretion on who to include a 15% autogratituity. Sometimes there is a language barrier, and I understand it takes awhile to learn English, but you should be extra certain to reread a persons order back to them. I've had a few too many orders come out wrong, whether it's a communication issue or simply a disengagement on the servers part, I'm not sure. More than once I have had my dinner dropped off and never seen my server again. I've also seen management screaming at a customer in the middle of the dining room, and one of the bus boys is certainly no older than ten... The Iranian food has heart, but not much else does. I was debating upon delegating three or four stars to this restaurant, but my last experience was the best I ever had, thanks to my server, Sebastian. He seemed genuinely concerned with every element of our dining experience, from assuring we were comfortable, checking in on each item we ordered to make sure it was exactly what we wanted, keeping drinks refilled and maintaining such a friendly and professional composure. He knew the menu well and made helpful suggestions. This was BY FAR the most at ease I have ever been dining here. For once I didn't have to worry, and was actually made to feel appreciated and welcomed. I have had nice servers here before, but they always seem to miss the mark in one way or another. Hopefully Reza's is finally starting to scour the market for qualified servers. Overall great food, unique Persian experience, pleasant decor, disinterested, poorly trained and/or rude staff (usually) and mismanagement. But I'll be back, and will certainly start being more aggressive about asking for a specific server. Cheers!
(4)
NBT e.

Well... I just like you to take a look at the traditional sabzi we got in our order tonight and see if the 2 star is generous?
(2)
Hilary T.

The lamb and chicken koubideh are delicious as well as the vegetarian shami. Great delivery or take out spot.
(5)
Steve M.

This is the Reza to go to. Went here with the family and enjoyed the food and drink. Great kabobs, realy good flat bread with fetta cheese. They also have a good brunch that we enjoy as well.
(4)
Evelina L.

Found out this past Friday night that Reza's are wonderful at delivery! The food came: ON TIME HOT Wrapped very carefully With TOO MUCH Pita YUMMY as ever I was surprised that the lamb kebob, quails and chicken kebob on the bone we ordered were really good even through delivery. Great location to place an order for your next party!
(4)
Masha M.

Love Middle Eastern cuisine. Food was really good at Reza's, however all the times I've been there it took a long time for the food to come. Also they make really good drinks at the bar. I recommend to try Reza's!!!
(4)
Erica G.

This place is so good! Went here for a family dinner over the weekend and was torn between each menu item. It all looked amazing but I chose the lamb shank. Definitely a great choice. Also they have great baba ghanouj and couscous. Also this really good tomato lentil soup! Omg definitely have to go back!
(5)
A M.

Cool building! I must preface this review with saying that i used to eat at Rezas on Clark when i was a kid and the food was 5 stars back in the day. So, i try to always stop in when I'm in Chicago. Usually I come away thinking its a little too mass produced to maintain the "back in the day" standard, but not today folks. Ordered the Sultani (1 ground beef kabob + 1 steak kabob), it was delicious and plentiful. The basmati rice was light and fluffy, just the way it should be. The kabobs were tender, juicy, and flavorful. Finish strong... If you have room, try the baklava with some tea.
(4)
Ashley B.

I love the buffet and outdoor seating. It's super fast and makes for an awesome lunch break.
(4)
Angela C.

I just had this for lunch today and was pleasantly surprised! Great lunch menu if you want to pass on the buffet. The tomato lentil soup was good and had a nice sweet taste. The chicken barley is well flavored. I was surprised by the combination of dill and cilantro in there! I had the lamb kabboudeh wrap and it was very tasty. Nice crunchy veggies inside. As someone who can't eat dairy, this place has a tooooon of options. And the prices are very reasonable! Will definitely be going back.
(4)
Amanda S.

I have a love affair with this place. I thoroughly enjoy every single time I eat here. I fell in love the very first time I came. I ordered the quail to start, (I just closed my eyes thinking about it) it is cooked perfect every single time. Tender, the flavor is just amazing. If you've never had quail try it, way better than chicken, and less gamey than duck. My favorite item on the menu is really a tie between the lamb kabobs and the Lamb shank. I'm pretty picky about my lamb, sometimes it just isn't cooked right but you don't have to worry about that here at all. The shank falls off the bone. The portions are large (I can never finish in one sitting). I don't know exactly what kind of rice comes with the lamb kabobs, but it's kind of greenish, I love it. I wish I knew what it was so I could try to make it at home. Service is always friendly. They could stop by your table a little more frequently, however they are usually pretty busy every time I go in. I have had it delivered too and it was still good. Given I am right across the street, so I'm not sure it counts. If you've never been go! I do recommend, and quite often do.
(5)
Gigi G.

I just had the most amazing delivery food I have ever had in my life from Reza's! I received my food deliciously hot in 40 minutes after my order. Normally this quality of food takes longer. Even with it being delivery the food presentation was nice. I ordered the Salmon meal with dill rice, Tabbouleh and a Baklava. The portion was so huge it could feed 4 people comfortably. Now I have lunch and dinner for tomorrow. The salmon was cooked to perfection with an array of veggies. The Baklava was fresh like it was made today. All I can say is Yum!
(5)
Frankie T.

I dont like the food. Place looks dull and boring. Place is huge but only a few tables are occupied.
(1)
julie q.

Yes - I'm giving five stars. (based on delivery only) Here's why. My company has been ordering from Reza's awhile now and every single time we do, it's stellar. I usually have between 20-35 people ordering individual items. Then I'll order family style appetizers for everyone. 1. I email/fax my order in the day before with each person's name written down along with what they want and any "notes" 2. They call me to confirm they got the order and get my CC number 3. They arrive on the day of at least 15 minutes prior and go over my order with me 4. They HANDWRITE the names on each order so we all know who's is what 5. They ALWAYS throw in dessert for free 6. They ALWAYS give us one or two other "freebies" which is always more scrumptious food 7. The food is always hot, tasty, and satisfying 8. It's always at the right price point I LOVE Rezas for our company lunches. It's so easy and reliable and there's not one person who doesn't love what they get.
(5)
Leila G.

I went few weeks ago and was extremely disappointed by the service. We went there in a large group and reserved a table in advance. The service was too poor, they were slow and unfriendly, the waiters almost threw menus on the table. They got the orders and brought different type of rice (dill rice instead of white rice) then we said we ordered white rice, they said we ran out of white rice (no apology off course). Food quality was average.
(1)
Christine S.

Every time I work down at my office near this Reza's, I come here for lunch. I'm sitting writing this review in a full blown food coma... Reza's, my office hates you because after lunch, I become a sloth. However, I love you, and that is what is most important. The service is always great here (wayyyyyyy better then the Andersonville location, in fact, I won't even step foot in that one anymore). The restaurant is huge and beautiful. p.s. I still love that dill rice. ZzZzZzZz.......
(4)
Ingrid C.

LOVE their food!!! I have been to Rezas several times and loved it every single one. Both locations are great, they offer a really good buffet at lunch time and the dinner menu is just as good (of course the buffet allows you to try more options for a smaller price) I really do love everything I have ever tried there. My last visit was last nigh; my friends and I shared the vegetarian plate as an appetizer, which allows you to pick 5 small portions from many different options, all of them were fantastic. As my main dish I ordered the salmon which was also delicious. Our server was super nice.
(5)
Shariq H.

Reza's is a love-hate relationship. I've had great meals there and the ambiance and service are great. They are always welcoming and it's great for groups or last minute walk-ins. However, the food is consistently bland so if you're big on flavor, be warned. The chicken is moist but bland for most middle eastern/persian food. The pieces of 'filet' are sinewy and not from the best quality cuts. Even the koubideh has suffered over the years. The blandness and mediocre quality takes on another level if you try the buffet. It's as if they went out of their way to make the food that much more run of the mill. The way to go here is to order from the menu, avoid the buffet unless you really are looking for a big portion vs. cost tradeoff. Most of the seafood, lamb shank are great. Ask for their fresh thin bubbly bread, not the standard pita bread pulled from a plastic bag. Spicy sauce and mint-cucumber yogurt will help bring out the right taste for any dish.
(3)
J S.

Arrived at 9pm one evening, as they close later on the weekends. Waited by the hostess podium and was ignored for a few minutes, not one form of acknowledgement. Finally, my husband had to flag down a waiter to remind the hostess to do her job. long story short, this place sucks. Heard so many good stories, all false. Wish I didnt have to give it a star to post.
(1)
Bella D.

Sunday Brunch, Weeknight dinners. Great place for fresh Persian and Mediterranean food. Champagne and kabobs, fresh smoke salmon and shrimp, desserts, yum, we had a great Sunday buffet Brunch. Yummy. Great service and friendly atmosphere. Street meter parking.
(5)
R K.

This isn't a great representation of Iranian food, even though the dill rice was good. It's a confusing restaurant/brewery . I was told its halal by one waiter (despite being a brewery as well?) and not halal by another.
(2)
Justine L.

Came to Reza's for a friend's bday dinner. With 14 people, there were so many dishes ordered, so many appetizers thrown in on the house, and quality service. While others went outside the norm and ordered lamb shank, white fish, the ground meats, etc., I stuck with the lamb kabobs and sides of cous cous and lentil soup. Of it all, my favorite was the lentil soup. The lamb was a little tough and the option of dill rice was better than my cous cous choice. Though my own dish was not the best, others were perfect and I still give Reza's five stars. Among other things, I really loved their house-made pita. Quality and fresh out of the oven. Lastly, there are multiple Reza's locations, and from my understanding they all have a different feel. This one was rustic, almost like an old world train station. I really liked the dim ambiance and wood paneling. They had two pianos, which made me wonder if they ever host dueling piano nights. Other locations are similar or contrarily very classic and proper looking. Given the size of the restaurant, quality of food and service, and very reasonable prices, I will keep Reza's in mind for future parties.
(5)
Banu K.

Food was ok. Service was pretty good, attentive. Was celebrating my sister's graduation, so we ordered a shot. It was pure juice, and "belvedere" vodka, FOR $10!...rip off. The buffet was quite expensive, $18. Not sure we'll be back again, but it was big for a big party for sure.
(2)
Maggie R.

Attended a banquet dinner here. Food: ok, nothing special. I didn't really like anything but their steak. Drinks: they kept them coming! Our bartender really took care of us. Decor: banquet room looks like an abandoned warehouse that wasn't maintained. Parking: we tried to valet but the guy said that he could no longer valet our car so we paid 20 for parking 3 blocks away. Overall, we won't be back.
(3)
Abe D.

Amazing food. Amazing service. A Class act. I would go here at any time of day and not be disappointed. They bring a perfect blend of Middle Eastern and Persian cuisine in a way that rivals a lot of major restaurants in this area. A Must go any time you are in River north!
(5)
David M.

Not bad for a buffet, but not great either. The rice dishes were great, but the kabobs were a bit dry and they quickly ran out of the lamb leg, which they did not replenish. Stay away from the Turkish coffee.
(3)
Aliyah R.

Absolutely the worst experience I have ever had in Chicago. I have family visiting me from California and they wanted to eat some good food. Not only did they deliver 5 extra dishes that I did not order, but they charged me extra as well. I called to speak with the manager and he was absolutely rude, abrupt and argumentative, frankly a jerk over the phone. On top of all of this, the shrimp that I ordered was old, undercooked and smelled rancid. Upon asking for a refund for this entree, the manager again was overly argumentative and confrontational. I was finally able to get a refund from the manager after mentioning the following magic words "Department of Public Health." In conclusion, I reiterate that this place is an absolute abomination and I highly recommend everyone to go somewhere else for Persian food. End of story.
(1)
Gabe V.

HORRIBLE!!! DO NOT COME HERE!! First time I came here with a bunch of friends, and I got horrible food poisoning. Second time coming here (I know, what was I thinking) we were about to eat, and we look down, and cockroach scurries out of the plate. GROSS!!! The place also looks like it has no health inspections at all!!
(1)
Saleem Q.

I was there for a buddy's wedding dinner and we had a large room reserved. The kebabs were deadly good and the overall variety was buffet style. I haven't been to many similar restaurants in Chicago and the quality was average to the stops in NYC.
(4)
Kamil S.

If you like Middle Eastern food and you're in Chicago, this is a place should be on your list. A very friendly and welcoming staff was guiding me through the menue and explained every dish I had a question about. After having the garlic bread and falafel as appetizers, I decided to try the Kabab Barg and it was delicious. The dish was not over spiced but still very aromatic. I really liked the food and the service, the price is ok and and the establishment is a little bit too big which resulted in a lot of open tables which put a slight dent in the restaurant atmosphere...
(4)
Sarah M.

Went here after work during the week with Persian friends. Was expecting a lot more. Building and ambiance are odd - clearly they bought an old restaurant that was probably a brewpub of some sort and haven't done a thing to it. The not so great experience started with us being seated and the hostess plopping down menus in the middle of the table - oh okay, I'll hand them out. At first our server seemed fine, but he started getting under my skin the minute he took away our unfinished appetizer without asking and acting like it was my fault that he brought the wrong soup. He didn't explain the menu at all (not that we really needed him to) and didn't check-in once to see how are food was. It was mediocre at best. Not to mention a 20-30 minute wait for him to bring us a check. Bottom line - mediocre food, bad service.
(2)
Rits M.

so rezas gets the 4 stars for the food. We had the Sultani, the Fesenjan and the quail. The quail was well marinated, and deliciously cooked, the fesenjan is a good try, sweet and tangy but my fave was the Sultani- I love a good piece of beef. It gets one point off for the ambience- though the restaurant was large and spacious (you could play football in there) it really wasnt well let and rather gloomy. Also, I got the impression that the food wasnt as authentic as it should be, at large, though the dishes we had seemed pretty bang on The service, though attentive, bordered on the over-attentive
(4)
Kevin C.

Lunch destination on a Friday afternoon. Couldn't have been happier. I'm not a huge ethnic eater so its not my first choice but nice to switch things up. The lunch buffet ended up being 11 dollars and some change for each person. That is the best 11 dollars I have spent for lunch in a long time considering the quality of the food. Everything from cesar salad to light as clouds mashed potatoes and gravy. All the traditional middle eastern rice dishes, lamb, chicken, beef and several soups. Warm pita, hummus I could go on and on. Really there is something there for everyone. The space is very large and would accommodate groups well. We had 5 and it was a no-brainer to grab the lunch buffet. Grab a plate and go up as many times as you want. And be careful of the bamieh because those light little fluffy fried sweet guys can easily go down by the half-dozen.
(4)
Stephanie B.

Recently, I used Yelp to find a fresh, fash vegetarian option to entertain out of town guests in Chicago. Reza's was by far the best rated and closest option for the clan. Upon arrival we were seated in a far table to accommodate their newly born daughter so that we did not disturb other guests if the baby was to get fussy. The waiter was very helpful and knowledgable of the cuisine. He answered all our nagging questions, brought us fresh bread, had things freshly prepared for us and kept our iced tea and water glasses filled to the brim! I give him 5 stars for his excellent table service. The food however, was just OK in my opinion. It was very authentic, but some of the things I did not care for and it also didn't agree with my stomach either. The only complaint I had was that there was so much food I felt like we could have shared with each other rather than ordering three separate vegetarian sampler entrees. I definitely will not rule out this place entirely, and will try some hearty meat options on my next visit.
(3)
Amy N.

Absolute hands down best Persian food in all of Chicago and probably the entire USA. The weekend brunch menu is the best option if you're unfamiliar with Persian selections. The lamb and shish kabobs are always cooked to perfection and taste amazing. Hummos, baba ghannouj and yogurt salad are always good options. The lentil soup is also delicious and the dill rice is fresh and fabulous. I dream of my next visit to Rezas when I return to Chicago.
(5)
Grace N.

Reza's gets a star for being half a block from my place and an extra star for being one of the few River North establishments where you can waltz in on a Friday evening without reservations. The food is consistently good, the ambiance is warm, and the $20 buffet is good and includes all the tasty mediterranean apps (hummus, falafel, salad, etc), along with chicken, beef, and lamb, and baklava (ahhhh.....baklavahhh). It's a great deal for good food. My mediterranean chicken was really really good and came with a lemony gravy that satisfied my hungry soul. Reza's is clutch. When I'm not in the mood to yelp-search for the new spot, I know I'll always have Reza's.
(4)
Chris M.

I swear, where else can you go for a huge generous portion lunch buffet, feel stuffed, and actually have the food taste great. Reza's hits the spot when I am downtown in Chicago and need a quick fix. They seemed to have changed the room where you eat the buffet, in the back room, a bit more enclosed, but still great. My only complaint would be that it took a while to get some water and bread. I come back here often.
(4)
Jennifer T.

Sorry-Yelp should let you do 0 stars.... The only saving grace was that while we were waiting, the staff was attentive and I also liked the decor. It was me, my guy, and another couple. Each of our menus were different. When I ordered the veg sampler, the waiter said it didn't include couscous, even though the menu I had said it was included. He did include it (thank you). The dill rice was alright and so was the couscous. I wasn't really impressed with everything else. The food was not worth what we paid. Not planning on going back there. Maybe it is better for the carnivores, but for this vegetarian, I was disappointed.
(1)
Hina Q.

First time here. The wife and I planned to go downtown to do some errands and then make sure we had the weekday lunch buffet at Reza's. We got there a half hour before the buffet was to end. From the outside, quite the large spacious restaurant. It was a great warm day so they had the windows open and you could see in to the restaurant from the sidewalk. The decor and layout of the restaurant is grand and gorgeous. It's simple yet very elegant. Spacious yet cozy. We were told to pick where ever we wanted to sit and start the buffet whenever we were ready. So we go to the buffet tables and I must say, very well laid out and grouped. The salads with the sauces on one table, the rice on another, the kababs on one, and the rest of the meat dishes on another. For a lunch buffet they had quite the variety of dishes that you would normally order at a Middle-Eastern restaurant. There were the Persian-style kababs, the Arabic-style kababs, the chicken tikka, chicken kababs, and so on. The hummus was delicious since it was very close to authentic and the perfect creamy hummus that I like. The surprise for me was that the drinks were included into our buffet price. We both ordered pepsi and there were free refills on those on top. The dessert was only one dish and it was okay. The food and restaurant is amazing. I definitely plan to go back to order from the menu and see how that turns out to be. The staff is very courteous and professional. No complaints whatsoever. DEFINITELY a great place!! This place is as close to authentic as I can find in the Chicago area.
(4)
Caitlin B.

This place is HUGE! Great for hosting an even (they have multiple banquet rooms as well as regular seating and a bar area). The food is delicious...get the grilled mushrooms, so delicious! My only complaint was that the staff was kind of awkward. When I tried to order a glass of wine from the bar my options were "red" or "white" and when I tried to ask for further details ("what type of reds do you have?"), my question was left unanswered and I was given a red picked at random (there were multiple bottles in the back, but luckily it was one I would have picked).
(3)
Elizabeth A.

I loved this place! Great atmosphere, phenomenal food, and the waiter we had was a sweetheart. Unfortunately, he kept forgetting to bring us things we'd asked for so Reza's loses a star for service but overall, everything was great. I'd highly recommend Reza's for a tad more upscale Mediterranean/Persian/Middle-eastern dining experience. Bademnjan, while delicious almost anywhere because it's just so damn good, was especially yum at Reza's. On nice nights, they open up the windows and have outdoor and semi-outdoor seating which was super relaxing.
(4)
D L.

My wife and I have eaten here every time were in Chicago. Sometime by ourselves and others with a large group. A true European restaurant, in all that implies. No trying to rush you out the door. You can dine for hours.. And the food is as good as it gets in Chicago. This is the restaurant the everyone calls us about for name. Even the young adults in our family. A very enjoyable experience.
(5)
Adam O.

OK. I'm biased. I've had Persian food at top restaurants in LA and Dubai. It's an amazing and sadly underrepresented cuisine. I'll start with the plus: Reza's is affordable. The menu has the mainstays: jujeh kabob, barg kabob, and BEEF kubideh. Here are the minuses: first off the venue is very sad. They appropriated a brewpub which doesn't suit the desired sit down restaurant attitude. The music was distracting 90s pop hits. Your attention is drawn to the bar up front but the drink selection sucks and nobody knows anything about them. The drafts had a funny taste, bad line cleaning I think, and the wine selection had 0 info on region or year. There were paper table cloths. The menu was poorly designed and (worse) it was huge! The saffron rice was unfragrant, either poor quality or imitation. We were offered tea at the end of the meal and our waitress was young and friendly, although clearly under trained. I think they could focus on casual dining and drop waitstaff uniforms.
(2)
Al B.

I thought Reza's was pretty good, not amazing, but a good meal out. The portions are huge, we regretted ordering an appetizer and the food is good, I've had better middle eastern food in Chicago. Perhaps it was just my order, but I thought the chicken kebab was a little dry and bland. The lamb kebab was better. Good ambience, it's not to noisy inside and was comfortably busy when we went on a Friday evening. If the food was a bit better, I'd give a 4 star... We would probably go back.
(3)
Brian L.

Night before my plane ride home, the unpredictable weather stormed one minute then settled down the next. With such a downer atmosphere, my sister and I decided to stay in, get some delivery, and watch some tv/movies. She mentioned that she had gotten some pretty good Persian food at Reza's the other day and it was her go-to place to get her koobideh (kabob) fix. Well I haven't had Persian in a while, so I was like OHELLZZYEZ. ^- Hummus (comes w/ 2 Pita breads) - 4/5 - I've never really been into Hummus...not so much because it tastes bad or anything...it actually tastes good with some warm pita, but this mysterious brown paste always scared me. Anyways, since I'm still a Hummus newb, I'm not sure how this compares with other versions of the dish... still tasted pretty good though. ^- Combo Chicken + Beef Koobideh w/ White Rice (comes w/ a Pita) - 5/5 - DELICIOUS! Chicken kabobs can sometimes turn out dry which is why I always get the Chicken Koobideh version...moist, flavorful, freakin' delicious. Chicken outshined the beef... impossiburuuu! ^- Gheimeh Bodemjan w/1/2 Dill 1/2 White Rice (comes w/ a Pita) - 3/5 - The guy taking orders said this was his favorite stew of the two available on the menu. Turned out okay, but it just wasn't for me. I guess I just wasn't used to the flavors. ^- Persian Churros Bamieh - 3/5 - Not sure if these are supposed to come cold, but I wasn't into them. I had donuts earlier in the day that were just ridiculous, and these just didn't satisfy the way the donuts did. I guess I shouldn't complain though--they were FREE. Overall, Reza's was a solid delivery experience! Guy said it would take an hour, and the food arrived in about 40minutes? Pretty good to me! If you're feeling for something delivered, don't hesitate to call 'em up and get the Chicken/Beef Koobideh Combo!
(4)
Kyle B.

I'm a huge fan of Mediterranean food. While I wouldn't necessarily consider myself a "connoisseur", my tastes have been highly refined to determine the deliciousness of lunch items on a scale of one to a million. Because I go big or go home. Ten is for quitters. But Reza's isn't really a million point establishment. It's nice to have in the area should I want some Mediterranean food in my life for lunch, but it's not the best I've ever had. Here's the rundown: 1. Lunch is a buffet. You might as well not even look at a menu because the buffet is where it's at. Ordering something off the menu would be like going to a Rolling Stones concert wearing a Nickelback t-shirt. Ok, maybe it wouldn't be that bad... 2. The service is all right. The waiters will check on you every once in a while. Sometimes we've had to go out of our way to get a check, but I suppose at a buffet it could be confusing about whether or not I plan on going back up for more falafel. 3. The price is a tiny bit high. While the price does include a soft drink free of charge, you're still looking at around $13-15/person. I suppose all things considered that really isn't THAT much considering we're in Chicago, but the quality of food makes me believe it could be a little bit cheaper. Reza's is definitely "A-OK" in my book, but it's not a weekly occurrence. While it is completely solid to have a Mediterranean buffet location where I work, a simpler, cheaper lunch option would be much more attractive.
(3)
Peter g.

I had been recomended here by a friend, and this was a birthday dinner as well so I made sure to check Yelp first, and I was very happy to find it exceeded the reviews nicely. Mohammad was the manager on duty, and he came around later and checked in on us, we told him we were here because of a great recommendation and he went into a little bit about their 3 locations and 30 years operating in the city. He was kind enough to buy us dessert later that night, 2 slices of perfectly fresh and delicious Baklava. We each had combo dinners, and the soup and salad buffet was outstanding, Persian salad, tomato lentil, chicken barley soups were great, couscous and warm pitas, and even a simple fresh green salad as well. We had a hard time deciding on the main course, it was nice to see that not every dish had mint or figs or rasins and dates, as these are mainstays in middle eastern cooking. We both had combination kebobs, chicken, filet steak, and very flvorvull ground beef grilled on a kebob as well. 1 was with the dill rice and I had a side of couscous. Both rice options were great, the dill was very mild but made a great side to the steak. The couscous was filled with other things but all combined it tasted great. The spices were amazing, mild, yet very distinctive and not so much that they overpowered the food itself. Each dish was differently prepared and had its own very tasty blend of spices, but all together they made the food come alive and very delicious. We had to stop half way after 2 courses to have room for dessert, when we were surprised with the Baklava on the house. It made for a great meal. The free valet services topped off a great experience, we will be back for sure, and they to delivery and take out!
(5)
Raquel D.

Wow, it's been awhile since I've been here. And the last time was for the lunch buffet, which is great value, but not recommended if you plan on going back to work and being productive...zzzZZZzzz. Anyway, went here last week for a big bday dinner and noticed that there were TONS of them going on around us. Popular spot for group outings, I suppose. The service was friendly and as much as they yried to stay on top of everything, it was still just soooo sloooow. But, I'll cut them slack since there were about 20 of us and at least 2 other huge parties going on. The food is good. It's not Pita Inn or Roti, but it's still fulfilling. I LOVE the mini buffet that comes with the entree (which I totally forgot about), but it's just SO MUCH food. Maybe that's my bad for lack of self-control...ionno. Two people could totally share an entree with buffet and still be completely stuffed. The chicken and beef Kobeda (sp?) rock - ground chicken/beef rolled to make kabobs. YUM! And I'm a fan of the dill rice - and it comes with a massive amount. Carb overload for sure. Hubs wasn't a fan of his shrimp mediterranean....it was tooooo saucy and didn't look nor taste as appetizing as it sounded. But I noticed he enjoyed my meal very much. At least it saved me from over-stuffing myself. hmph. All in all, good value for good food. It's a great spot for bigger outings and such, but definitely not on my radar to go on my own.
(3)
Abdulrahman B.

On a freezing Chicago night, we were craving kebabs and went to try Reza's. The food was nothing special.
(3)
Izzy N.

Not bad. My partner in crime and I paid reza a visit on a Saturday afternoon to check out their lunch buffet. It's quiet, we walked in and were seated promptly. They are really nice people here. Looks like they have a bigger selection for brunch buffet on Sundays. They make a pretty decent spicy bloody mary by the way even though it's thinner than what I prefer. Looks watery but still pretty flavorful and packed some punch. On to the food. Probably not the best choice if hungover or coming down from recreational activity cuz it feels a little heavy. I had some average falafel, dill rice which was also just ok, hummus, etc.. A decent selection. I had some very juicey and flavorful lamb meatball type of things and spicy beef stew. I had to finish off with dessert and it was these little things of fried dough drenched in honey. It's really sweet but my boy and I liked it. Fried dough is always awesome, when is it not? Dunkin donuts after 10pm. So what's up with reza's lunch buffet? Worth checking out but not dream nor crave worthy. The buffet ends at 3 mmmmk. I'd come back but to check out the regular menu instead.
(3)
Abhi M.

Very bland and boring. I would not recommend this place to any one. And it's kinda pricey.
(2)
Lauren D.

I was waiting for a reason to eat at Reza's, and finally found one by way of a Persian who decided it was time for me, an American, to eat Persian food. While I've tried Turkish and Greek and other sorts of "worldly" cuisines that don't rely on the absurd quantity of cheese that most of my favorite cuisines do (Mexican...Mexican, Italian... and Mexican), according to this particular person, Persian food is still different and, of course, better, since we (and everyone in the Middle East) owe everything to the Persian Empire. Etc., etc., blah blah blah. This isn't a history lesson though. It's a food review. (Just reminding myself.) First of all, this restaurant is HUGE. So if you're claustrophobic, don't worry - plenty of room to spread out. Second, because this restaurant is HUGE and I've driven by several times and never seen it look busy, don't think you don't need reservations on a Saturday night. It's almost as though there's a back door where all the Persians go because I walked in, it was completely full, and nobody was entering or exiting. Anyway. I'm not sure most people in the Persian Empire would have chosen a mojito to drink with a Persian meal, but I decided to be bold and order one. It was delicious. One was enough. As for the food - you can't go wrong with any of the kabobs. The meat is really good quality and I like how the chicken kabobs are marinated in lime juice. The rice and grilled vegetables and pitas are also quite tasty and I was impressed with the soup they bring you to start - considering it's not cream-based, it's really good! Why 3 stars you ask? I'd like to get back to Reza's and try something more than just kabobs, but there is definitely potential for 4 stars. Also, our server was a bit inattentive throughout the night. But I think I will add Persian food to my list of "other food I enjoy besides cheese."
(3)
William F.

Nice elegant atmosphere. Quality food. This is like Morton's of Mediterranean food. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Brian J.

I prefer some of the basics in food, steak, chicken, pork, pasta, etc., but every once in awhile I like to spice it up. I have hit this place often over the years and really like it - althought you never know what to expect! I think very long about the ratings I give and was hard pressed between 3 & 4 stars. The food has ranged from really impressive exotic cuisine that transports you to Marrakesh to Eukanuba on a hot plate. I assume most ethnic restaurants are 'family run' which can bring out the good (grandma's recipe's ) or emphasize the bad (having to hire lazy misfit cousins that would rather be smoking the hookah and have no business in the service industry). It's located in a terrific vintage building with an exceptional old school bar set up (unlike their other restaurant). Hats off to the owners for selecting this site - perfect match for this style of food. Feels like your on vacation! However, the service is notoriously poor (which adds to the charm in a weird way). It's not uncommon to be ignored indefinately while at the bar or after being seated - they got better things to do than take your order. It's probably a combination of working with extended family members & apathy. Don't feel bad if your ignored - it happens often (and they like me!) Other days they may be on you like flies on ....., it would be nice to get something in between. The old school atmosphere is one of the best in Chicago, period. However, some days it's a ghost town with no music playing and others it's like a middle-eastern street bazaar. Leave traditional service expectations at the door and come for the food & ambience - you should have a great time .
(4)
Kurt B.

Everything here is 'OK', nothing quite impresses like their Andersonville location. Quail is nicely cooked, fish dishes are simple preparations with mildly sautÃ©ed veggies and rice, and their meats are all fresh and on the good side of average. Nothing is overpriced but this location especially seems to miss any kind of 'wow' factor with service or food. I'd go back for the lunch buffet. For $13 you can gorge on 8 different entrees.
(3)
Colleen C.

Ok, I left here uncomfortably stuffed. (my own fault). The portions are enourmous, I suggest splitting something with someone. You'll still have leftovers. We ordered a lot of apps and dishes for the table; hummus, baba ganoush, pita, etc....and that contributed to the early filling of my tummy. We went with a large group, and the wait service was a bit scattered and not overly friendly or helpful. It's kind of pricey, and the atmosphere a tad bit lacking. You do, however, get a TON of food. So if that's what you are going for, I suggest it. Also, if you go here, you'll have to walk a few blocks for a cab...it's sort of tucked away on this street. I don't suggest trying to park, though they do have valet.
(3)
Karry L.

I'm not so much going to review this restaurant, as I am going to review a specific dish: the lamb kebab entree for 16.95. Here is an excerpt from that evening, as best as I can recall: Friend: Well? How is the lamb? Me: (eyes closed, head swaying, completely oblivious) mmmmm.... Friend: Karry. Karry! Me: mmmm...oh man....mmmm...What? Did you say something? Friend: I asked, how was the lamb? Me: This is...the best lamb I've ever had...This is like eating bite-sized chunks of Jesus. Excuse me while I ignore you for the next 10 minutes so I can focus more on tasting every atom of this lamb. To summarize: I ordered 18 succulent pieces of mouth-watering lamb loin, seasoned with rosemary and lemon juice, medium rare, garnished with grilled vegetables and fried potatoes (which were also excellent). I've never had meat so tender, so juicy, so melt-in-your-mouth perfect. I don't really have much to say about anything else, so lost was I in my world of sensuous carnivorous delights. My friends did order other stuff, which I gladly sampled while I was waiting for my own dish. Falafels, grilled mushrooms, beef kebabs, lentil soup, some sort of meat in pomegranate sauce, shank of something, possibly others...all of it pretty decent, nothing objectionable...but if you've been paying attention at all, you know there's only one reason to come here.
(4)
Robert B.

Food just not that good. Need more pizazz/spice - the minced meat should be avoided and the cubes are usually dry. A surprising winner, the shrimp - if you must go.
(2)
S M.

Very close to authentic persian food. I was peasantly surprised. If I lived in Chicago, I'd go back.
(5)
Lois A.

Oh Reza's...I love you! This place was introduced to me about two weeks after I moved to Chicago. I had just arrived at a friend's house and she was opening this plate full of steak, rice and carrots that had just been delivered. She called it her hangover cure and let me have some. I could not believe anything so delicious could be delivered to your door having just moved from a town where pizza was the only thing you could have delivered. Anyway...after all these years I still love eating from Reza's. My favorite thing is the filet mignon in mushroom au jus.....so good. The steak witht the feta cheese that comes with it will always have a place in my heart. It can feed two there is so much. Also, the cornish hen with pomegranate sauce and crushed walnuts does not disappoint. The champagne brunch on the weekend is pretty great but I almost always just get delivery from here. It comes fast and the food always tastes amazing.
(4)
Colleen B.

Go for the buffet. Don't expect service with a smile. Chilled salmon is delicious, and both their dill and vegetarian rices are fabulous. The lokma for dessert is always fresh, and I like their baklava, too (although my Egyptian father always complains that it's too sweet). But my favorite part of the meal is the tomato-based lentil soup. I don't even like tomato soup, and I'd go to Reza's just to have a bowl of it with some warm, white pita. Mmmmm.
(3)
Farrah D.

Overall, great Persian food, fantastic appetizers, lovely service. They serve really large portions, we had leftovers for a few days after.
(4)
Ryan H.

I've dined at Reza's a number of times over the years. Most recently, I felt that the place may have slipped a bit. Our party of three ordered the family style dinner, a few drinks and a pitcher of Sangria. The most startling aspect of the meal was when the Sangria arrived. It sure looked great but the first sip was one of the most shocking experiences of my life. THE BARTENDER USED SALT INSTEAD OF SUGAR! It tasted like I just took a sip of water right out of the ocean! So salty in fact that it burned my tongue. The waiter was very apologetic and got us a new pitcher of Sangria that was properly made, but wow, what an experience. The appetizers of hummus, tabbouli and grilled mushrooms was excellent, as was the salad which was similar to a Jerusalem salad. The soup was a lentil/tomato affair which was equally good. For our main course, we selected filet mignon, chicken and lamb. Both the filet and the lamb were overdone in my opinion, but still was decent. The long grain rice and dill rice were both very good as well. For dessert, we were offered a few small slices of baklava and some other type of pastry which I didn't care for at all. The baklava, however, was good. All in all, not the best middle eastern food I've had, but not the worst either. At a premium restaurant, I expect premium service and premium food. I give three stars because I think they could do a little bit better.
(3)
Saif K.

I stopped in after hearing much about this place but never actually reading any reviews. I'm a fan of Persian cuisine and thought to give Reza's a shot. Located within walking distance from Michigan ave in a nice historic building. The food on the other hand was subpar at best. 5 people dining we got the group feast; hommus was not impressive, salad was ok, soup tasted like plain tomato paste, falafil was very dry, and eggplant steak was horrible and stale. When the meat came out it was just average, chicken was tender but not bursting with flavor as expected. The lamb shanks were the best part with four stars. The service is good and price is reasonable. I just expected more and I would have tried Ginos deep-dish pizza just a block away instead!
(2)
Aboud Y.

Delicious, nutritious and doesnt break bank! Mad props for the dill rice!
(4)
Joanna M.

Dill rice good. Place feels dirty! Not going back
(2)
Peter C.

Photographed a wedding there late last year. I was very impressed with the food and what a great job they did hosting the reception. The general atmosphere is warm despite the place being pretty huge. I just wish the location was nicer and there was better parking. But hey - It's downtown Chicago!
(4)
Gourmet G.

Decent Persian cuisine at moderate prices. A vegetarian sampler plate includes stuffed grape leaves, falafel, tabbouleh, and hummus. Among the meat offerings are grilled baby lamb chops and duck breast in a sweet-and-sour pomegranate sauce. All entrees come with soup, fresh pita bread, feta cheese, and seasoned rice.
(4)
kay n.

food, ok. bit overpriced. service sub-par. management, not so smart.
(2)
Beth M.

Reza's is higher-end Middle Eastern cuisine. I've been to only the downtown location, but the space feels dressy enough for a date or a family gathering. My favourite item is the "Vegetarian Sampler #3". It comes with tabbouli, hummus, baba ghannouj, couscous, falafel, eggplant steak with tomato sauce, tahini and plenty of pitas. Ask them to forego the cheese sprinkled on the eggplant, and you've got a great vegan dinner (and lunch and possibly second dinner; it's a lot of food...) Cheese is more involved in the other samplers so I haven't opted for them. The tabbouli is some of the best I've had; it's very fresh and doesn't include any "filler" lettuce or anything. The hummus and baba ghannouj are thick and creamy. The couscous is less exciting, but subtly sweet. I wish the sampler came with more than two falafel, but let me stress again that this is still a lot of food. There are plenty of vegan appetizers; you could probably make your own sampler meal out of a few of them. The menu can be tricky if you're not entirely familiar with the food names. The items are described at least at the first mention of them, so check earlier in the menu if you aren't sure what part of your combo is - it may be listed in the appetizers. I'm amused by the "excellent", "highly recommended" and "superb" indications next to some items; I wonder why they feel the need to rate their own food? My mouth is watering already. So tasty... Tip: For delivery to Logan Square, call/order online from the Ontario St. (downtown) location.
(4)
C T.

Reza's is a great place to have mediterrannean / middle eastern food in Chicago. When you order an entree, it comes with an open buffet complimentary appetizers. They have 2 kind of soup (Lentil and Chicken), Falafel, Hummus and two kind of salads. Also you can have complimentary dessert with your entree from the buffet. Their portions are huge. I ordered a Kubideh (Kufta/Kofte) kebap and there were two skewered kebaps with rice and another skewer of onion&tomato on my plate. Did I mention the appetizers, as well. I like the taste of kebap, it was pretty delicious. The waiters were helpful and friendly as well. Presentation of food is absolutely good. And price was still around $20 (less or more) with soft-drink. I heard that they also have a lunch buffet for $10. Reza's = Lots of good food + Affordable Check, what can I say more. :)
(4)
Eileen O.

Not only is the food at Reza's stellar, but I had my wedding in their banquet room this past summer and dealing with Reza's management was so easy and they were so accommodating that they made being a frazzled bride just a little easier. I worked primarily with Ken, who I don't believe is there any more (sad!). He made sure that everything we wanted happened, and frequently found ways to give us exactly what we wanted without charging us extra (even if we asked for extra things - like more bar tenders). Every time I went in to see the room, or ask a question, etc - they fed me for free too, which was awesome! The only down side to our wedding was that it was 100 degrees out and they had a hard time moderating the air conditioning, so it was a little warm -- but everything else was so fantastic that it barely mattered. Thank you Reza's for making my wedding AMAZING!
(5)
Doris U.

went here with the dine out tour, food was okay. nothing exciting
(3)
Andrew T.

I came here for the brunch buffet on Sunday for $21.95, which includes sangria and champage and soda and coffee. The restaurant is huge, but there were only 4 tables seated with people. The food had definitely been sitting out for some time, but what ruined my experience was the fact that the gf opened a container of cream cheese and it was blackened and moldy and crusty on the inside. She had to flip the top over to see if it was some kind of flavored cream cheese, the color was so extreme. I'm not talking spores. I'm talking the whole thing was blackened. I wrapped it up in a napkin and placed it on an empty table next to us. No waiter picked it up for the next twenty minutes. When I decided to mention it to our waiter he said sorry and took it away. When he brought the check he said "I hope the cream cheese incident didn't affect your appetite." Either a) don't mention it again or b) mention it and do something to recognize that it obviously affected our meal (i.e. discount the bill). My gf stopped eating altogether and I stuck to the cooked kabobs and rice and pita and hummus after that. This restaurant obviously has an issue with food handling when it comes to the cream cheese. Does that extend to other food items? I don't know and can't comment, but that was enough for me to begin avoiding this place altogether.
(1)
Elena A.

I came here with a friend for dinner before the Baby Wants Candy event. She had raved about the bread here, saying how last time she had 3 orders, how it was crispy and delicious. When we got there, however, the bread was different, very doughy, and nothing spectacular. We asked the waiter and he said they had changed the bread. Sad. Apparently, they also used to bring the salad and soup to the table, but now is serve-yourself in the metal buffet containers. I wasn't really impressed with either soup or the salad, even moreso because there were no labels so I had no clue what it was. I would've appreciated it if the waiter had even mentioned the type of soup they had, as opposed to just gesturing & saying the soup & salad were "over there". Service wasn't very good; the place was kind of empty when we got there around 6p. It is a very large space though and could easily seat groups. It was getting busier when we left around 730p. The server was around a lot in the beginning until we ordered, then it's like he disappeared. The food wasn't that great, in my opinion. The hummus was bland and too liquid-y. I ordered the chicken & steak combo with couscous. The couscous was bland but for the sweet raisins that dotted it. The chicken was much juicier than the filet, but tasted better only after I squeezed lemon over it. My friend ordered the lamb kabobs which were alright. Another friend ordered the makhsous which he said was alright but very heavy. Overall, it wasn't very impressive and I don't think I'd go back.
(2)
Alison M.

A Middle Eastern restaurant that doesn't serve stuffed grape leaves???? What is that about? I asked our server, and she even said people ask for them all the time. Note to management: This is a good indication that perhaps they should be on the menu. This Reza's location is fine-- the food is decent, the restaurant itself is a little too big though, it lacks the same intimacy as the Andersonville location-- and it's a little weird that they didn't really redecorate from the brewpub it obviously once was. I think, in general you can get the same (or better quality) food at lower prices elsewhere in the city-- and those places have grape leaves!
(3)
Dalia E.

Well, let me start off by saying I used to love this place. When we lived in Chicago this was were we brought all our guest from out of town. Something has changed here and NOT FOR THE BETTER. First off we were seated and forgotten at the table for over 20 min. All we got was water. I wanted to see how long it would take to finally have someone notice. Considering all the waiters would look at us and just walk away but my husband stopped one of them to ask and she quickly said oh let me find your waiter. Well that waiter came and said actually that lady who got him was supposed to be our waiter but that he will help us. WOW how nice of him. Who knows who was supposed to be waiting on us. All I know was I was not going to be giving a tip that evening. We ordered the meals and out of the 3 we ordered, 1 tasted funky-Stay away from the lamb chops the other the ground up lamb also tasted a bit strange. So maybe Lamb is not so hot here anymore. The ground beef Koubideh I think was ok but nothing to write home about. Falafel was dry and flavorless also. Bamieh (the sweet bready dessert) was soggy and not crispy on outside and soft inside like it is supposed to be. What happened to this place. They must have changed chefs or management because quality is very low and prices are higher. I think they just do not care. They think that just because they are popular that they can lower the standards. They need Chef Ramzy to come and whip them into shape again. Go back to how you used to be in 2004-2005 please.
(1)
Katja L.

Reza's, the place where the entrees are as oversized as the restaurant. Between three hungry people, we couldn't come near finishing one appetizer and two entrees. We got the herbed feta, and vegetarian samplers 3 and 4. The herbed feta was good, but not particularly herbed-tasting. It was obviously heated somehow because of the baked marks on its sides, but wasn't particularly warm when served. The olives in the accompanying tomato-and-roasted-red-pepper sauce overpowered almost everything. It was big, though, and while only two of us shared it, we did not finish it and there was easily enough for four. The vegetarian samplers were, however, perfection on a (ginormous) plate. Seriously, the thing was about 18" around. Everything worked well together, and probably would have tasted delicious with a dry white wine. It wasn't what I would call spicy -- either hot-wise or flavor-wise -- but it was far from bland. Good stuff, these. The falafel were probably the best falafel I've ever had. The hummus was perfect, the dill rice divine. Three stars because I had to get up and get my own soup and salad, even though there were many waiters milling around. Our waiter was helpful and friendly, but didn't come by as much as we might have liked.
(3)
Nessie V.

This place, for me, is in that category of places that seems a little too big for it's britches: Sure the food is good; and the portions are huge; and the service is fine; and they'll make substitutions on dishes no problem; and the decor is upscale; but for the price, the food isn't THAT good. I think I'd be happier with corner-store felafel at a third of the price.
(3)
Vickie L.

3 stars as their prices keep on rising! I have a menu from 4 years ago and each entree has honestly gone up $4-$5 each. Everytime we go back it gets more and more expensive. Dinner for 2 used to be around $30, now it's $45-$50. Food - everything always tastes good. At least they provide you with the cheese and olive platter for free if you dine in. Hummus is good, nothing special. I always get a combo platter, either steak & chicken, or steak and scallops. YUM. Steak and scallops platter will set you back around $20 but at least you will have leftovers. Always get it will the dill rice. The white rice is just too plain. Baklava is always good too, but nothing outstanding. Service - Not good. Both the valet dude and the hostess are always rude. Once I went in to pick up a take out order, and the valet dude got mad at me because I left my car out front. Hello, I'm picking up food at YOUR restaurant! What stinks is that after 6pm in the area, it turns into residential parking, so you HAVE to valet. At least it's free valet, but the guys there are still A-holes. At the host stand you have to get right in front of them and ask them for help, even though there is no one in line. I feel like I'm inconveniencing them. Table service is always just okay, nothing outstanding. Luckily I've never had a waiter as rude as the valet/hostess.
(3)
Scott N.

I'm of course partial because I live across the street but the bottom line is this place is consistent, tasty, and a pretty good bargain. I am a big middle-eastern food fan and these guys delivery. The chicken kabobs are particularly well cooked and always juicy. Lamb and beef are also good choices. The side bar/salad bar is a great idea as you get to sample a few of all your favorites although the falaffel is a big dry from sitting out so long. The weekday lunch buffet for around $9 is one of the best bargains out there.
(4)
Kelly C.

Went in for a Monday night dinner, the place was slow. I ordered the quail, it was nicely seasoned and very moisted. The grill potatoes was excellent. However, their pita bread was very dry. Service was decent. Will go back there again.
(4)
Stacie K.

The food is ALWAYS amazing. Of course, I've only ever gotten the lamb kabobs with dill rice. Why three stars you ask? Well 1, the service isn't always consistent. It can be very hit or miss. The 2nd star? They used to have a salad bar thing with a salad, falefel, hummus and soup...and they TOOK IT AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!! That was the BEST PART about the meal was that I could have as much hummus and spicy sauce as I wanted. Now I have to wait for the SLOW server to get it. UGHHHhhhhhhh this 45 minute meal just turned into 1.5 hours. F.
(3)
Erika G.

Ah, the Reza's empire. I used to go here occasionally when I worked downtown. All the Reza's locations have just gotten too big, and I think their food has suffered. It's allegedly Persian food, but i find everything they serve to be disappointingly bland and not tasty enough for my liking.
(2)
Mark A.

Maybe I was in a bad mood. I just worked out so my blood sugar was a little low. Maybe it was how our party of 5 got mistaken for a party of 2. We all came in together though. No. It was our superbly-fake-colored-contact-wearing server breaking out in laughter because her friends eating at the restaurant were making faces at her while she was taking our order. I mean why should she pay attention to us. We're just trying to order. Maybe it was her forcibly suggesting that we order alcohol or appetizers and telling us to think about it after we said we were ready to order. It was like someone told her that if your table doesn't order booze or apps, then don't waste your charm or effort on them because the check won't be big...therefore tip won't be big. Whatever. Yeah, that was it. That's two stars right there for you Reza's. Sorry, just fire you're lame-o UIC student waitress who's too cool for us. Dude, servers - don't ever think you're not waiting on someone who used to work in a restaurant. No matter what they order. It's your job to wait on them...properly. If being a server requires a sort of feel for people or quick intuition about your group, then this chick has got to be studying marketing at UIC...and copying her failing roommate's homework. She sucked, and I must have been in a bad mood, because I wanted to pull her aside and tell her politely, "Excuse me, you suck as a server, and made our dinner kind of lame." I didn't because then I might as well be an old man pissed that I can't get the early bird special. The food is good, unfortunately - 4 estrellas for that.
(2)
Gaurang B.

I had high expectations from this restaurant since I have had food from other Reza's in the town and Noon-O-Kabob which is my most favorite restaurant by far in the town. We chose buffet dinner so that we could taste the variety. And except for dill rice and lamb koubideh, everything was a big disappointment. Lamb shank wasn't cooked properly, chicken barley soup was tasteless and chicken kabob were not soft at all. I love Persian food and for my friends who had not tasted it earlier, this was kinda disgrace. Service was ok to add one star which I would have otherwise given :)
(2)
Dana M.

When I was in college, I used to come here all the time and I would always get the filet mignon au jous with half white rice and half dill rice. I recently ate here with a large group of girls right before the kitchen closed on a Friday night. It had been a very long time since I dined here so I was very excited about it and was still raving about the filet mignon... how I was going to get my "usual". A lot can change in a few years. The steak wasn't as good as I remembered it. The mushrooms were not even whole; they gave you a few slices and there were no carrots. I asked for medium and it was way overcooked. The dill rice is still delicious but that's all that impressed me! It was late; service was ok. The waiter was very nice and he brought out a slice of cake with a candle for whom he thought was the "birthday girl" and a few of them even sang! It was a nice surprise for all of us especially since the girl was a "bachelorette"! Can't beat that!
(3)
Brian J.

Not bad for a late night middle eastern meal. This place seems more Persian to me than middle eastern but it's pretty much the same so it's all good. First thing I noticed was how big the restaurant was. We had gone on a Thursday night around 10pm and there were plenty of empty tables so we just sat down at one. In terms of service, the waiter was very attentive and kept our drinks full. In terms of food, everything was really good but we found that the bread that came out with the hummus appetizer was a tiny bit stale and not very warm. It didn't really matter though as we just put more hummus on to cancel out the dryness haha. The dill rice was a bit too dill to my liking (I'm used to my moms dill rice lol). The meat was very tender and flavorful with the kabob dishes and nothing was over or undercooked. Overall we had a pretty good experience. Oh and the prices are a bit similar to what you would pay at cheesecake factory or grand luxe cafe, but portions are a lot more generous in my opinion. Next time I'm in Chicago, I will definitely eat here again. Cheers!
(4)
Kevin D.

Great for take away! Big portions are great as there are always leftovers so you can enjoy it the next day!! Really good dill rice, falafel, humus, and lamb!!
(4)
Jaime L.

Waiter was a bit impatient but food was excellent.
(4)
giggity G.

I've only ordered out from Reza's for work, but every time I have it's been such a wonderful departure from the ho-hum choices in the Loop/RiNo area. Their mushroom kabob appetizer is so delicious and mushroomy. I never knew mushrooms could be so flavorful. This app is actually so large that it could probably be ordered as a meal. I also got the filet kabobs which were delish and cooked really nice and tender, not too charred. I do need to make it into the restaurant one of these days. Is the Rock of Love chick still bartending there?!?!
(4)
Eddy C.

There is something to be said about getting MASSIVE amounts of good food for very little money. That something is: kick ass! Last Friday, I went to Reza's with my gf and some friends for dinner. Check out this fabulous spread I got for only $16.95 (Lamb Shank): - A large basket of Persian bread, which they will happily refill for you. This stuff is completely addictive in a "I should really stop eating so that I can save room for my entree but I just can't help myself!" kind of way. Consider yourself warned. - A vegetarian soup that I happily dunked my Persian bread in, though the bread is awesome on it own as well. - Two HUGE pieces of lamb shank, braised in a delicious tomato sauce. The lamb is good stuff -- meat falling off the bone and the whole nine yards. As a point of comparison, Marche also makes a delicious lamb shank, but you only get one leg and it'll set you back $24.95. - A big pile of either Dill Rice or Persian White Rice. My friends like do 1/2 and 1/2 of each but I like to go all dill. Nice and fluffy and perfect for sopping up the lamb shank sauce. I'm a big eater but I seriously only made it through one of my lamb shanks and half of my rice. Great deal! And for you Manhattan drinkers out there, you can get yourself a reasonably stiff one here for only $6! Five stars hands downs!
(5)
Katie C.

Solid. Very solid. This past weekend the man and I went to Reza's with a good friend of mine and her new boy toy. I made a reservation ahead of time (why not make life a little easier?) and got there to drop off the car to valet parking (beware, it is 8 bucks--there is a cash station at the 7-Eleven on the corner of Ontario and Kingsbury). The menu is extensive--there are lots of options for vegetarian, as my friend is one, so she lucked out. We started out with hummus and falafel, and you really can't go wrong. Their freshly baked pita will keep on coming, and boy is it tasty and filling! My veggie friend (or shall we say pescatarian) had some kind of scallops dish, her boy had filet kabob, my man had lamb kabob, and I had chicken koubideh, which is like spiced ground chicken sausage, served with dill rice. Everyone's food was good, and we were stuffed. They served us an INCREDIBLE amount of food. I can't believe we all made it out of there without any buttons popping off. The atmosphere is family-friendly, the place is huge, the service is attentive. You really can't go wrong with Reza's.
(4)
Janet E.

The food here is only ok. My dish was a bit greasy and the flavors were not very distinctive. We went in a large group so the food took a while to prepare. But the restaurant was very good at accomodating our large group by putting us on the second floor area where it was a bit more private.
(3)
john m.

Pretty good food, I recommend the buffet
(4)
Jeev S.

A friend whom we were visiting in chicago took us to this place and we loved it. The vegetable sampler was awesome and the service was attentive and good. We tried the Lamb Shank and Fenegian and they were both amazing. The pomegranate preparation was very unique for the Fenegian. The only complaint I have is that I felt the menu was unnecessarily complex and had loads of repitition. OverallI think I would return to this place for more. I was told they have a buffet on Sundays. Another minor negative for me is that for the location and price they should give linen instead of paper napkins.
(4)
Rachael W.

The restaurant is huge and feels a little impersonal. However, it gets four stars for delicious Middle Eastern cuisine at dirt cheap prices. And I do mean dirt cheap. We drank and ate til we were stuffed to the gills and the tab, including a generous tip, was only $20/person. The service was quick and attentive and they have a very large outdoor seating area for dining alfresco. Reza's also gets bonus stars for a wide variety of meatless options. I have no idea what was in the veggie meatballs, but they were delish!
(4)
Nicola C.

This is a great place if you want healthy middle eastern food. It can be a little bland at times, but in general is good. The atmosphere can vary, it can be anything from after work fun crowd to completely quiet and empty. There sunday brunch is really good and in the price you get a yummy glass of champagne, worth checking out.
(3)
Pooja S.

This has to be one of my most favorite places in Chicago. Not being the domestic sort (hardly cook) my husband and I tend to go here pretty often. Especially now when they have outdoor seating, where you can sit on the sidewalk and pretend you are in Europe. Their lunch buffet is good, a lot of different dishes but the thing we keep going back for is their Chicken Koubideh. I swear I have never eaten such a good chicken kabob any where. Its succulent and just melts in your mouth. This along with their vegetarian sampler plate no.3 is the best combination ever. The only thing I don't like is their dolmeh, the grape leaves stuffed with rice and the falafel are mediocre at best.Havent ever had any space to eat dessert so cant comment on that. But one thing I did notice yesterday which I found really cute is they have a dog station where you can leave your pooch and he can eat some treats too :)
(4)
dumblonde ..

i cant get enough of their dill rice. yummy.
(3)
Design G.

So far I have reviewed two other places with similar cuisine but if you've got some dough to spend (i.e. not as inexpensive as Old Jerusalem) and want Med. fare then come to Rezas on Ontario. The portions are just HUGE and I mean HUGE... look forward to eating this for days.
(5)
Liliana S.

This is a great place for large parties. The food is very good and the ambience is fantastic. Portions are gargantuan.
(4)
William K.

( Andersenville Location)Delicious resonably priced authentic Persian food. My favorite is the grilled quail but they have many items and also good vegetarian fare!
(4)
Sean F.

I love Reza's. Disclaimer: I have only been to the downtown location on Ontario so I can't speak to the Andersonville or suburban locations. It seems like the lower ratings were from people who were expecting something different. If you're looking for trendy or innovative cuisine, this is not the place to go. At the same token, don't rate it low for not living up to your incorrect expectations! If you are looking for top notch middle eastern/Persian food in a unique atmosphere (the downtown location was formerly Sieben's brewery and the big copper kettles are visible behind the bar), Reza's is the place to go. I'm a creature of habit so I always tend to order the kabobs, usually a combo of chicken & beef or chicken & lamb but the shrimp are fantastic as well. I've always come for dinner and for a reasonable price ($15-20 I think), you get a heaping portion of the kabobs served with soup and flat bread and your choice of rice or potatoes. Not fancy or innovative... just traditional and delicious! Enjoy.
(5)
joanne y.

great environment and great food.
(5)
vicky y.

been here a few times and the food's, okay. it's hit or miss at this place, but it always seems packed.
(3)
Michelle F.

Great persian food with an exotic taste. Fun place to go on a date. Enormous portions, take some for lunch tomorrow!
(4)
Aijaz H.

Went to this Reza location after many years. I have to say my fond memories were replaced by a very average food experience. The fillet steak kababs had the worst quality of meat... very chewy and fatty. Even my regular favorite... the ground chicken kabab (koubideh) was less than average. Frankly I was very dissapointed by the overall experience. Two highlights... Mushroom appetizer and Baba Gannough (egg plant dip) was excellent as always.
(2)
Dennis S.

4 stars if you're looking for good Middle Eastern food at a good price. 3 stars if you want atmosphere too. I've been here several times for the lunch buffet. It's a great deal. Two soups, two salads, hummus, falafel, three rices, including a great dill rice. Lamb koobideh, chicken koobideh, tahini sauce, chicken breast kabob, another meat kabob. More than you can handle, and most of it very tasty. For dessert, the bamieh donuts are great. They provide good service in a large busy room which has no real atmosphere. It's a great spot near the Loop for your Middle Eastern food fix.
(4)
GrammaCindy L.

You guys are always great, but super nice to us and our kids today!
(5)
Mindy S.

We brought a large party of 15 (or so) to Reza's to celebrate a birthday. We weren't aware of the family style menu, but after learning about it, and realizing that ordering separate dishes for a group that large could be a disaster (food comes out at different times, figuring out the bill afterwards), we went with family style. There were 2 or 3 other large (20+) parties there as well, and we were all seated by each other, away from the other diners, so we wouldn't disrupt. Great plan on the restaurant's part. We ordered Family Style Package #2. We had SO MUCH food. It kept coming out like there was no tomorrow. And it was AMAZING!!! I'm drooling while I think about the food experience at Reza's. For our large table, they brought out at least 4 plates of each item we ordered. We each also got a soup and salad. Since we hosted, we took the leftovers home and had them for breakfast and lunch the following day. The service was fantastic. Everybody was right on their game. Pace of serving the food was a bit fast (you know how it goes with a big group, everybody is chatting, forgetting to eat), but overall I will definitely recommend Reza's for your party or just a table for 2.
(5)
Kamil M.

We usually have Rezas for lunch at work. Our favorite plate is Sultani with Dill rice. The rice is amazing fallowing by outstanding meat quality with grilled onions and tomatoes . If you heading there you won't be disapointed with Sultani plate.
(4)
Dennis P.

Love this restaurant! I have been coming for years. The food is excellent, the sangrias are awesome. I cannot get enough of the hummus..must visit the location.
(5)
Saira K.

I thought the buffet was overpriced but only because the meat was so dry. It would probably have been a good idea to to order from the menu. The server was very polite, though, and I liked the setting.
(3)
Tom T.

Just came back from a team luncheon there. Lunch time is buffet time. Plenty of food to go around from hummus, soup, falafals, 3 kinds of kefta kabobs (chicken, beef, lamb), to spicy chicken (delicious but not really spicy), to various kinds of rice and chicken stew. All you can stuff into your face. Our waiter is a stickler for carding people wanting bear. That or he just wanted to get the girls' names and addresses... Since it's warm out, they have tables outside that you can sit at to enjoy the short Chicago warm weather. Or sit inside in their rather large dining area. The decor inside feels like old school Chicago. I was expecting gangsters to bust out their Tommy guns and start blasting away. Oh, the sugary desert thingamajig soaked in sugar syrup is freakin' delicious!! So save some room when you're eating for these.
(4)
Anna P.

A solid 3.5 stars! The menu is expansive and has a wide variety, the food is delicious, the portions are huge, and the prices are just right. The service is a little spotty - sometimes really good, sometimes a little slow. But it's a solid spot for a casual Meditterranean meal.
(3)
Victoria L.

If I could give 0 star, I would. Love Reza's food, this review isn't for their food. And this review is only for the Ontario location, not other ones. Because we love Reza's food so we wanted them to cater for our wedding on August 7, 2011 at Newberry Library. We signed the contact back in February and the required documentations were sent to the manager there in January. We were told that they had all the required documentations and will send to Newberry before the wedding. The manager we had been worked with was not responsive and didn't return my calls and E-mails. So I had to call the owner, Mr. Reza to get her attention. She called me back with a bad attitude and said that she didn't appreciate that her boss called her to ask her to call me back!!! Well, we should have known better at that time, with all the warning signs. Anyways, we went ahead with them anyways, cos we love their food. Ten days before the wedding, still no documentations sent to the Newberry, we scheduled a walk-through. AND the manager didn't even bother to show up!!! I was speechless!!! We didn't know what to do so we went to Andersonville location to ask to see the manager there. The manager at that location told us that she has no authority over the person we had been working with and they all report to the same boss, Mr. Reza. But Mr. Reza was unavailable to talk to us. Long story short, Mr. Reza called us the next day and offered us to either have our reception at Reza's or they would give us our deposit back. We didn't want to deal with Reza's any more, so we took our refund! What a nightmare!! Moreover, the manager at Ontario restaurant called Newberry and told them that Mr. Reza had taken her off this event and put somebody who's less qualified than her to handle the manner. WOW!! How could that be possible? Somebody who's less qualified than her? Anyways, I got our refund back and frantically looked for a caterer that doesn't lie to us and has all the required documentations. We ended up going with Jordan's Food of Distinction. They are fabulous!! This is such a nightmare! I will NEVER ever go to the Ontario location EVER again!!!
(1)
Steve M.

I sat at the bar at Reza's the other night, expecting some delicious Middle Eastern cuisine, and the kind of prompt/attentive service that comes with sitting within a few feet of the bartender. Afterall, I was STARVING! It took 10 minutes to even get menus. Glass of house wine was easy to order and acquire. The bartender was curt and seemed put-out by actually having someone eat food at the bar! Babaganoush was *okay* and the pita got the job done. It wasn't anything special. Quali kabob was tasty, but really small. Quail is a small, bony bird, so it felt like the effort/taste tradeoff wasn't exactly there. Chicken kabob was the real winner of the meal -- it was the perfect blend of charry and moist. Add a squeeze of lime for that extra zing! At the end of the meal, the bartender printed out the check and said, "are you all done here?" while holding it plainly within my eyesight. It was as if she was saying "i'm tired of serving you. can you please pay and leave?" Reza's food quality: C+ Reza's service at the bar: D+ I won't go out of my way to give them my business again.
(2)
Taryn T.

Can't go wrong with the $13 lunch buffet! You're seated immediately, only to get right back up and start shoveling yummy Mediterranean food onto your plate: boneless chicken, several kinds of rice, falafel, DELICIOUS humus with pita bread, salads, etc. This is a great place to go if you want a quick, inexpensive and delicious work lunch. Service is very friendly, too!
(4)
Eszter H.

My comments and rating concern the all-you-can eat buffet. Note that I don't even much like Middle Eastern food so it is not a small accomplishment for this restaurant to have inspired me to write a review in the first place. I would not have gone here on my own given my culinary preferences, but a friend had suggested it and given its location, it was the perfect place to meet up so I said okay. I definitely enjoyed the buffet experience They have enough varieties that even for someone like me who does not like several Middle Eastern dishes, I had plenty of options to choose from. In fact, I liked the food so much that I went back for seconds of most things I tried. And while Middle Eastern dessert is something I really never enjoy, this time even that was worth having. I didn't give the place 5 stars, because the atmosphere is not a great one. The place is big and dark so I don't think it would be suitable for all occasions. If you're in the neighborhood at the time of their buffet and looking for an informal meal, it is definitely worth a try.
(4)
Karin R.

In 2010 I said "Wonderful food. Tasty and authentic. Dill rice is tasty. Wish we had a place like this in Phoenix. This is the type of food and restaurant I miss here in AZ. " and in 2013 I'm still a fan. We had food delivered and the meat is tasty with fantastic rice (I like a mixture of the regular and dill rice. Amazing food, I order enough for leftovers the next day which are just as tasty!
(5)
Nancy H.

Large for a city restaurant and built with parties in mind. Came here on a Sunday afternoon, and there was a large party in the main room off to the right, all the way on the other side of the long bar, so we got seated in the back. What we ordered was kind of a no-brainer. We got the $20 weekend buffet because the a la carte entrees on the menu were around that price anyway! The buffet is mostly meat (chicken, steak, lamb), but also has soups, vegetables, salad, desserts, juice/iced tea, and 1 glass of champagne. It was just large enough to showcase the popular Middle Eastern foods without having to add American foods like pizza, nachos, and mac & cheese to entice the masses. I found the lamb shoulder or leg (whatever it was that looked like shredded meat off a large bone) to be the best! And loved the desserts! Our server checked up on us often and was very gracious.
(3)
Holly M.

Excellent food, weird staff! My friend and I went during the lunch hour. They had a $9-something lunch buffet, which was filling and delicious! It had a good balance of vegetarian dishes and meaty foods. The sangria was just ok; a little watered down. They also had $3.00 beers. Our waiter was strange, not very polite and just...off-setting. When my friend and I went up to get more rice, my waiter sprinted to our table and took my full bowl of soup! So, I had to go get another and guard it in case he took it right in front of me! But besides that, I would go again. Just make sure you finish your food before you go up for seconds!
(3)
Sou M.

I have been to this place many times and none were the same! The food quality is not consistent at all and I have had the worst and one of the best Kabobs I have had in this restaurant (but mostly it was below average). The buffet offers a good range of foods, but with a mediocre quality. I always used to stop by at Reza's on my trips to chicago but stopped doing that as the quality goes down. Most importantly, is their TERRIBLE service! The rudest, most non attentive servers I have ever seen in US. They are not trained, not polite and hardly pass your table after getting the order and serving the food. Once we ordered "mast o Khiar" and he forgot to serve it and we had a hard time finding the server to ask him about missing order. At the end of the meal when he was passing by, we reminded him and instead of apology, he said "yeap, it's on the way!"... what? on the way? it takes 45 min for a yogurt to get prepared? Also, several times they dont ask if we drink anything besides serving water. Another time, when we were in the middle and still were working on our meals, the server left the bill on our table in a rude manner without asking if we want any dessert ... overall, this is not a restaurant I ever go back! Their customer service SUCKS!
(1)
F M.

Had excellent koobideh kabob and lamb from Reza's last night. I ordered it online for delivery. I was nervous that the order wouldn't go through, but it did and they delivered within their hour window. Great portions and very tasty. Will definitely order again!
(4)
Stephanie N.

Pretty good. A lot of flavors and unique dishes. Not for everyone, but a must try.
(3)
Jaci Y.

Reza's get four stars from me, because I love their Sunday Brunch. Okay for some people they might not like Reza's, but it is still quality buffet brunch and you get your moneys worth in my opinion. It's close to where we live and it is a nice treat once in a while for ourselves. I love persian food and I enjoy their kabobs and dill rice and I love their version of a light sugary donut.
(4)
Susan C.

Went to Reza's for a lunch buffet and it was absolutely delicious! I had many of the different items: dill rice, hummus, chicken vegetable stew, lamb, grilled veggies, etc. Everything I had was very good. The service was ok. If you're in the area, stop in & try it.
(4)
Jeanie P.

3.5 stars Tried the Sunday brunch buffet today! ~$20 for buffet +drink (mimosas!) Basically all the entrees were priced more than this so we all got the buffet. The food was very flavorful! Hummus, falafel, cucumber/tomato salad, leg of lamb, lamb/beef/chicken kebabs, dill rice, salmon. I just felt like I really couldn't eat more than one full plate and not sure if it was worth the price. But fun times with friends :)
(3)
Matthew S.

I went to Reza's last night with a large group and was impressed with the food and the staff. Everyone ordered drinks and ate from the buffet which had a bunch of options for $19.99. My girlfriend is a vegetarian and she was able to find a lot of yummy stuff that didn't have a cute little lamb, cow, or chicken inside of it. When the bill came I added tip to my portion not knowing the waiter had added the tip. Since I am a dumb, dumb I didn't look and see that he had included it. He came back and told me this because I had added a tip. How nice is that? Honesty goes a long way in my book so I let him keep the additional $10. How nice am I? I will wait for your answer....
(4)
Jenna S.

Blech I didn't like this place. I think I really had high hopes and it was just.... meh. I had a bunch of friends in from out of town one Christmas. We had all studied abroad together in France and we wanted to go somewhere that would remind us of one of the Kebab places that we went to practically everyday in Montpellier. That was probably our first mistake: trying to find a place in the city that doesn't exist. We thought Reza's would fit the bill and it just left us disappointed. I ordered the baba ghanouj and I thought it was horrible. It was super bland and the consistency was... odd. It was just too liquidy and odd. I ordered the falafel and it was OK. I wasn't impressed with the serving of the dish - I could have used some pita and there was nothing. It was just falafel on a plate. I kind of wanted to put it in a pita or something. The sauce was good, though. That kind of stuff always is. I did like the atmosphere of the restaurant. It was a much bigger space than I had imagined but there was still some romance to it if you happened to be on a date. It's a great space to accommodate groups (we were a group of 7 so that was nice) and the service was good. Our server was attentive and we had no problems getting our drinks or food. I guess I just wasn't as satisfied with the food as I thought I'd be.
(2)
Ha-ti N.

If you work in River North and are bored of the choices around here, this place will never let you down. I am so sick and tired of eating sandwiches and salads around this area, the same shiz every single day. I crave variety and so I decided to check out Reza's. I ordered take out - costs around $8-9 for a lunch special. I got the beef kubideh kabob lunch special, almost always my go-to when it comes to Persian/Iranian. If it isn't good, it's not possible their other dishes are either. It just isn't! i say so! Anyway, it was ready in 15 minutes. It's a little confusing when you walk into the restaurant which is HUMONGOUS by the way. You have to walk up to the bar to the very end for people to notice that you're waiting. I shall finally review the food: portions - large. so full. tasty? so tasty. dill rice, um why wouldn't you? fuck yeah, i'd go here again. You fulfill my persian needs and wants. It comes with 2 probably 6" kabobs, a humongo serving of rice that you definitely won't finish but you want to keep eating. some grilled veggies, a tomato, and onions i believe, pita bread, and a honey dessert pastry thing (sorry i don't know what that thing is - my b). i was supremely full. and very happy. thanks yo.
(4)
Ruby C.

The food is delicious. The ambience was perfect. The decor is a copper brick lookin, really nice. The server was great, friendly, very quick service. Its an awesome place.
(5)
Lisa L.

I think this is a wonderful place for 'date night' or having a nice dinner with a group of friends. The building itself is really unique, tucked away in an odd little corner off the downtown area of Chicago. I have never had a dish I didn't like at Reza's, and have enjoyed their appetizers as well as their entrees. Parking is kind of a hassle, so consider going here for an early dinner when there are still spots, or just springing for the valet service. The waitstaff here is also wonderful; we've never had bad service and have always had servers who were friendly and professional. For a special treat, it's also a fun place to get a meal for carry out to go 'live it up' at home when you're not in the mood for cooking but feel like having something rich and hearty.
(4)
Madeline M.

I ordered delivery from here last night and tonight I am ordering greek again, but not from here. The portions were very nice and generous, which I love since most greek restaurants will literally give you a teaspoon portion of hummus, so that was a plus. However, the pita bread was just plain disappointing and a total meal ruiner. It was very dry, stale and cold (most greek places warm the pita) The falafel where average, not as dry as some of the falafel's i've tasted in my lifetime, but they where still dry in comparison to the best of falafel i've had, put simply they were mediocre. The tahini was not as salty as many places so that was a plus, but on the downside it was much thinner and soupy. The remainder of my meal was much of the same, mediocre and I am forced to continue my hunt for the perfect greek spot!
(2)
Duna R.

We've been going to Reza's for years and their food is nothing short of perfection every single time. I always get the Sultani (one koonideh and one barg) and they're always perfectly seasoned and grilled. The rice is delicious and fluffy (previous reviews say its bland- but that's how it's supposed to be- you're supposed to melt a salted butter thing right before you eat it).
(5)
Felencia T.

Great food, fabulous srvice and wonderful ambience!
(4)
Princess D.

I have dined here a number of times throughout the years and the food and service is always excellent. If you like Middle Eastern food and you're in the city, this is a place that you must try. I love their lentil soup and their hummus is excellent. I have ordered individual items (chicken kabob, steak kabob) and I've also had their lunch buffet. I would say to go with the lunch buffet so you can get a taste of different dishes. Their filet mignon kabob is outstanding, always so tender and seasoned deliciously. This is a great place.
(4)
Ada S.

As a Persian girl myself, I've had Persian food cooked by every Persian mother and grandmother there is, so needless to say, it takes a lot to impress me when it comes to Persian food. Reza's did the job extremely well. I went to Reza's on the night of Nowruz (the Persian new year) and had an awesome time. We ordered a ton of food and ate leftovers for three days afterwards. Everything was good and the resteraunt was big and beautifully decorated. The only complaint I had was our waiter was Lebenese and couldn't speak Farsi, as well as a limited desert menu. Otherwise, a great experience.
(4)
Amy C.

I went here yesterday for the Sunday lunch buffet with my boyfriend, which is $19.95/person, ends at 4pm, and includes a glass of champagne (21+) or soft drink. I hadn't ever been here before, and the food was pretty delicious. I'm not sure it was worth the price, but it was fun to try everything. I know buffet items may change, but it can be irritating to not know what kind of items may be served; I couldn't really find a description anywhere, so I thought I'd post one here. Yesterday, Reza's was serving: -Several (at least 7-8) chicken, beef, and lamb dishes (the "roasted beef" and the koubideh were to DIE for) -Shrimp and salmon -Two kinds of soup (chicken barley and lentil) -Falafel (a little spicier than most falafel I've had, which was delicious!) -Garden salad and some kind of cucumber/tomato salad -Two kinds of biryani (chicken and vegetable) -Mostaccioli (Italian pasta) -Mashed potatoes, grilled potatoes, and grilled mushrooms -Hummus, tahini, and cucumber-yogurt sauce -White and dill rice -A small sampling of pastries and fruit (for us, grapes, cantaloupe, and a few kinds of whole fruit i.e. apples, oranges, and bananas) The fruit was fresh and I liked just about everything I tried. Worth noting that they charge $9.95/lb of food left on your plate, so I would taste a small bit of something before taking a huge helping in case you're not a fan.
(4)
Indu M.

I went to Reza's last about 1.5 years ago when I lived in Chicago, but hear me out if you will because I think Reza's is the best restaurant I've eaten in, in the US. My husband and I both agree about this and we have quite different tastes in food. The food at Reza's was absolutely delicious. They had the best lamb shank my husband and I have ever eaten in our lives - it melts in your mouth. My husband, who is quite a rice nazi, also raves about how perfectly the rice was cooked at Reza's. I remember their feta cheese and tomato appetizer as being deliciously succulent. I've taken a few friends to Reza's. One the friends I took there loves Nihari. She said her mom makes delicious Nihari and although she was happy to see it on the menu, she was skeptical until it arrived. When she ate it at Reza's, she looked like she was transcended back home. She raved about it for months. A polish friend I once took there was also very impressed with the food overall. I also have two vegetarian friends who were thrilled with the vegetarian options and they had a really good meal. Basically, no one I have ever taken to Reza's has been disappointed. To top it all off, I once went when they had a buffet for $20 and it was heavenly! Since I think the food is TO DIE FOR, I am willing to let a couple of minor things go, like the service was sometimes hit or miss and I never saw the piano being played. These two things were so very minor compared to how delicious the food at Reza's was. If I could have had them cater my wedding, I would have.
(5)
Joyson P.

I've been in the search of some authentic middle eastern cuisine for quite a while now, and i think i've found my place. I've been here twice for the lunch buffet, which serves a variety of great dishes, especially the chicken, beef, and lamb kabobs, which were definitely the best ive ever had! The overall ambience, setting, and service were impressive, not to mention the very reasonable price ($9.95) during lunch hours on weekdays. Overall, great experience, would definitely recommend if you want more than just a taste of authentic persian food.
(4)
Michelle T.

The last time the bf and I ordered from Reza's, we got a great deal of delicious food for a fair price. Unfortunately, going to the restaurant was actually disappointing. Between the SUPER slow service and the tiny chunks of fish they call an entree for $25, the restaurant redeems itself by its huge selection of food on the menu and a few home-run flavors in some dishes. RATINGS Overall: 3.5 (Lots of carbs, tasty food, but try ordering in instead of going yourself!) Taste: 3.5/5 (Delicious fish flavors, but everything else was average, with a couple "yucky" dishes) Originality: 3.5/5 (The huge menu puts it one step ahead of its competitors) Plating: 3 (No stand outs, no surprises...check out my blog if you wanna see pictures) Value:3.5 (The entree was upsetting, but everything else was huge) Service: 2 (Slow service and rude servers that tried to take our dishes TWICE while we were clearly still eating from the plates)
(2)
Kelly E.

You're getting 2 stars since my filet mignon kabob was good. Otherwise, it would have been 1. Horrendous experience. We were there in February to celebrate my cousin-in-law's 30th and our waiter not only seemed brand new, but it was evident that he was overwhelmed by a large party table. Hand it over to someone else or ask for assistance. Sh!t. He actually asked if we wanted drinks, took the first response, and walked away to fill one drink order!!!! What about the rest of us??????? We sat there for a long time, waiting for drinks, getting the wrong drinks, food took forever. They were busy, but not that busy. My food was good, but some in my party complained about the taste of theirs. :( Not the experience we were hoping for. Their buffet looked weak. Because of the slow waiter, I had to pay for my valet, as it extended beyond the 2 hour comp time. I told the waiter that I shouldn't have to pay for this because of his bad service, he apologized and told me twice he would talk to the manager....but no one ever came over to comp me. :( It took 20 minutes for valet to retrieve my car. WTF. FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL. I've had your food catered several times at a former job and enjoyed it...but this was my first time at your restaurant and I was soooo upset with the experience. I'll never be back.
(2)
M K.

Huge disappointment! I love the oakbrook location, they do such a great job all around. However, here, the waitress didn't understand my order making me repeat myself several times. This would normally be fine but she ended up getting my order wrong anyway. I asked for hummus with my meal but they gave it too me as an appetizer. The servers were very rude and did not treat me as a customer.
(2)
Cyndi A.

I usually do not rate restaurants, but in this case I had to make an exception. I have a big Persian family and know what good Iranian food tastes like...this is not even close! The kabob was dry, dense and without flavor. Our famed Persian rice was undercooked and not fluffy and long as it should be. We also had the vegetarian combo and were highly disappointed. The tomato sauce was out of a can and why put marinara sauce all over the Dolmeh; we thought this was a Persian restaurant?The Kashk bademjon was THE WORST we have ever had. All I can say is that the food was anything but tasty, regardless of it not being authentic Persian and I gave it 1 star for the ambiance and for the oven baked lavash.
(1)
Christine E.

I've been here twice and I love it! The first time I went, I had one of the dishes off the menu. Feel in love with the dill rice :) The last time I went, I had the buffet. It was a week night, so it was not very crowded, and the buffet sounded like a good idea. The buffet had quite a wide range of items. Two salads (Cesar and tomato/cucumber), two soups, hummus, pita, and fallafel for "appetizers". For the main course, there was quite a selection of lamb, chicken and beef. Even lamb shank was available. There were also two rice dishes (dill rice and veggie rice) and mashed potatoes with gravy. For dessert they had fruit and then this odd looking sweet thing that sort of looked like a donut. Don't know what it is called, but so yummy. I can't wait to go back :)
(5)
Kedar D.

Reza's is one of the few vegan-friendly places in the extended downtown area of Chicago. That said, the food here is not that great. I split a few appetizers with my friend. The falafel appetizer ($5.95) consisted of big falafel balls with a lemony tahini sauce with dill. But it was served luke-warm and lost much of its appeal that way. Also, the flavor just wasn't that great; it tasted bland and got boring after a few bites. We also had a vegetarian shamshiri ($5.95), which was basically just falafel covered in an unusual, and tasty, sweet-sour pomegranate sauce. Finally, the vegetarian kabob (made without butter for us- $5.95) was pretty bland and comprised one piece each of carrot, zucchini, mushroom and tomato. That said, the decor and atmosphere here was great. The place is huge and has a nice lounge area upfront. It looks like a fancy bar/restaurant from the 1920s. It's classy with high ceilings, dark wood everywhere, exposed brick, and a big, elegant bar. This is the type of place Al Capone would have dined at and I was pleased that places like this still exist in Chicago.
(2)
david g.

Got delivery for 6 last night, and it was superb. Plus, they threw in a bunch of items (dessert, falafel, etc) for free! will definitely order from here again!
(5)
Amelia B.

Just a quick update I thought worth mentioning: I decided to order some take-out from Reza's for an afternoon of football games. Called in--confirmed order. 20mins later I wandered over to pick it up. Apparently, they had forgotten to put in my order. Yeah, that blows. BUT, they graciously gave me half-off (without any prompting on my part) and a free beer while I waited. So maybe a negative cancels out a positive? Actually, I see that all as a positive. Kudos on the customer service.
(4)
Christine F.

This review is for the buffet. This place is a good, solid option if you are in River North. Where else can you get mashed potatoes and falafel in the same place? Service is always nice, the food is always hot. Anyway, seriously, there's an abundance of options here, even for us non meat people. Falafel, salad, tahini, pita...mmmmm. It's definitely a solid lunch option and has something for everyone. Good for picky eaters.
(3)
Caroline A.

I've been on a Middle Eastern food kick for about a month now... and Reza's really hits the spot. I love going here for authentic food in a beautiful space... the low lights and open space is great for groups or a date. And now... the food! Warm pita, rich hummus and delicious falafels, it's hard not to fill up too fast. I love the middle eastern bread with the sesame seeds, but the pita always wins me over first! The last time I was here, I had the beef and chicken kabobs... the chicken was ok (I'm not a big fan of chicken), but the beef was fantastic. The rice was perfectly seasoned... total comfort food. Great service. Great food. Great company... I'll have to come here more often :)
(4)
Ashley P.

I want their grill in my kitchen. It has to be seasoned with years of meaty, juicy kabobs! I ordered a grilled scallop salad and the scallops were so juicy, seared just right. It was amazing and it is hard to call a salad that. Our server was great throughout (always had sangria refilled) and had no problems with our orders or splitting the check at the end. Overall great experience and I will be back! (Muahaha)
(4)
Marie C.

Great Chicken Kabobs, I ate here when I was pregnant and didn't know it yet, and tried their Feta Cheese, needless to say I ate feta throughout my ENTIRE pregnancy because theirs was so delish lol... I have no complaints, never tried dill rice before, and it was equally enjoyable. I return every now and then.
(4)
Jessica S.

Holy full stomach! Passed out immediately after this meal - that's a good sign, right? The book club decided to meet here after reading a novel set in the middle east. It was a perfect choice for a group of eight ladies on a Friday night - not too crowded but not a total dud of an atmosphere. The host was so sweet and attentive as we each arrived one by one. Our server was also great - didn't mess up any order and kept the water and sangria topped off. For appetizers we started off with the roasted feta, grilled mushrooms, and grilled potatoes. The grilled mushrooms were a favorite (no surprise there) and the entire table went gaga over the lemon butter sauce they cooked it all in. Our entrees varied from the scallop salad to the ground beef kebabs and I never heard one complaint all night. I personally had the filet kebabs with a side of the lemon butter sauce. The filet was such a great cut of meat and was cooked so succulently that it didn't need a lot of seasoning/spices to flavor it. The dill rice was outstanding as were my grilled veggies. My friend and I shared the baklava and it was the perfect small sweet treat to top off the meal. The sangria, by the way, is amazing.
(4)
Kevin W.

Love their lamb kebob. Flavorful with nice dill on it. Platter comes w an insane amount of rice (u can choose dill, white, couscous or potatoes instead). Surprisingly the filet mignon platter was really good. First time it came out medium not medium rare so we sent it back and it came back perfectly cooked. Actually the lamb was probably a bit overcooked as well but I was too sheepish and it still tasted really good. Liked the chicken soup much more than the lentil. Service was good. Restaurant huge so appears empty on a Monday night even tho prolly 5 to 8 tables had patrons. Never had a bad meal here, including when they delivered.
(4)
Jaime S.

The food was oooookay, but the service was really a disaster. As my friend put it, it was like he just got fired from his real job and then was trying his hand at being a server. Just a terrible server for a saturday night--screwed up orders, slow, we had to repeat things multiple times. YOWZA. I had some chicken and hummus. TOO MUCH GARLIC in the hummus. Yuck. I swear, I can't find anything as good as the hummus at Pita pete's in evanston/ Pita inn in skokie. the chicken, was okay, they give you a ton of food so if you like it, you can have it for dinner and lunch the next day. BIG PLUS: it's huge and no matter how big your party, you can probably get in w/o a wait. There were 7 of us and we were sat immediately.
(3)
Shalveen S.

I'm a big fan of Mediterranean food and Reza's definitely satisfies my craving. Their vegetarian entries, though a bit generous (enough to share), are very savoring but the best tasting item from the entire menu is the Lentil soup! I would make a trip just for it.
(4)
Katie D.

Disappointment!! The food was cold and felt like leftovers from morning. The service was extremely slow with shrewd waitresses. Ambience was just okay. Not worth trying.
(1)
India K.

A few blocks from the Berwyn Red Line stop. A little out of my way and a little better than Old Jerusalem. The beef was terrific. Meats were good. Grapes served with dessert and persian sticky buns were great. good tea. If I lived closer I'd make my way over more often. Great atmosphere. Authentic without going hokey. Try it!
(3)
Kathy T.

This place is huge! Came here for lunch on a Wednesday and had their lunch buffet for about $10 a person! They had a lot of options: pita bread, hummus, Chicken stew, falafel (pretty good!), Persian salad, Persian Rice, Vegetable Rice and Dill Rice (Must try! dill flavor not overpowering at all!). Their kabobs were tasty. The lamb and ground beef kabobs were my favorite. The chicken dishes were so-so and nothing worth mentioning really. Overall good prices and friendly service.
(3)
Mandy R.

I called up to place an order for pick up during lunch on Friday for just myself. I order from the appetizer menu, wanting one chicken kabob and an order of falafel. That was it, however it took the lady on the phone about 5 minutes to enter my order while I was sitting on the phone. She seemed really confused on what I wanted. This was aggravating to me. So then I walked across the street, I work across the street, to pick up my order and I waited for about 5 minutes for someone to get off the phone to tell them I was here to pick up my order. She then said ok and walked away. I stood there for about 5 minutes confused on what was going on! Aggravated! Finally someone brought me my 1 chicken kabob and an order of falafel! I'm only giving this review 4 stars because of the food. The chicken is always grilled perfectly! Falafel is delicious! They also gave me some pita which was very stale and dry! I like Reza's food just wish for better service! Lunch buffet Monday-Friday is delicious as well
(4)
Nafeesah A.

An ex boyfriend I dated in high school took me here on a date and I believe he planned it after remembering that I liked persian and middle eastern food. This was a sunday brunch buffet and it came with a complimentary glass of champagne-which was good since it was the good kind. Champagne should have a good taste and it wasnt like the ghetto stuff where it tasted like battery acid and it was watered down. The food was really good and worth the price paid. The service was really good and I noticed that I didnt have to ask my ex to be moved to another table when we were seated at a table and it was too sunny. My ex called the manager over and asked to be moved to a better table. He happily obliged and called members of his staff to prepare the table for us. It was a great date and would do it again in a heartbeat. In a way the setting was rather romantic :-)
(4)
Mike M.

Got the buffet here and was pleased with it. Lots of choices and the staff was more than willing to explain the dishes and recommend things. Beautiful, large dining area.
(4)
h h.

The REZA!, the GZA, Ol Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon the Chef U-God, Ghost Face Killer and the Method Man! M.E.T.H.O.D M.A.N! If anyone knows why I just went through all of that...put yo lighters up in the air and laugh. Everyone else...just move along. Its wasted on you. This place is like The Chicago Bears this year. When their firing on all cylinders they are very very dangerous and delicious. When their bad, phew....who farted??. Get me out of here! Is that the mark of mediocrity? I don't know. Maybe. But I'm still a FAN!!! There are a lot of reviews of this place, and you are searching for this place for a reason, so I won't bore you with the details...you know what to expect. BUT.......One piece of advice.. This is MY ALL TIME FAVORITE DISH AT REZAS. What it is done correctly....ohhhh...Praise be the Persian Gods of Deliciousness. When its bad...UGH!!! . Ghormeh Sabzi (vegetable beef stew) A savory medley of beef, finely chopped vegetables, kidney beans and Persian spices, served with white rice Get it! Love it! Don't wait! Go!! Any Iranian (Persian) will tell you that this is the crown jewel of Persian food. it is a pain in the butt to make. But when its made correctly....it is the equivalent of grilled cheese and tomato soup. So So good...and comforting! I highly recommend it. Khahesh Mikonam!!!! (youre welcome in Farsi)
(4)
Candyce P.

I've only been for the lunch buffet, but Reza's food is always delicious, hot, fresh and packed with authentic flavors. The kefta are my favorite (I also make them at home), and you can actually taste all of the ingredients that goes into it. I'm a huge fan of buttery rice, and Reza's does not disappoint. It's the perfect accompaniment to the flavorful meats and silky, nutty hummus. I will note, that even their pitas are quite good - whether they make them in-house or not. I usually stay away from pitas at other Middle Eastern restaurants, because they taste like cardboard to me, but Reza's are fresh, soft and chewy. The service is always friendly and helpful, especially for customers who aren't familiar with the menu items. Overall, a solid 4 stars with 1 star simply for value!
(4)
Kathleen O.

I have been here now a couple of times and I would have to say the first few times, I would have given it 2 stars. This last visit was MUCH better and it gained a star! Went here for the lunch buffet. No wait and had a nice variety of rice, veggies, meats and 2 kinds of soup. I did not enjoy the red soup. I dont remember what kind it was. I did have a salad to start and then went up and got rice, chicken, beef and some chicken stew that had an Indian flare to it. Everything was very good, but I did feel I needed to put the sauce from the stew on it to give it some flavor. Without it , it was kind of bland. It does kind of feel like a cafeteria there and would not go out of my way at all to come here for a meal.Overall, nice for a lunch and good for a group, as there is a lot of space.
(3)
ali a.

A couple of nights ago, my husband and I were debating where to go to dinner. Back in the day, I used to order from Reza's all the time. I remember the portions being huge and the food being decent. How could going to the restaurant be much different? We walked in, and should've walked right out. The restaurant is very dark and rundown. I was a little creeped out by it and felt like I was in a haunted mansion. We sat down, and were still not too happy. We ordered our food and then were told that our appetizers were included in the buffet. The buffet food had been sitting there for a long time, and just did not taste good. When we got our meal, that too was average. I know one star is harsh, but I definitely will not be returning here. The prices are not cheap, the atmosphere is terrible, and the food is just okay.
(1)
Anthony B.

Probably one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants I've been to here in Chicago. And...they serve alcohol!! I ordered their vegetarian sampler which included hummus, falafel, baba ganoush, and tabouleh amongst other things. Not bad, but pricey! Their dolmas had the preserved after taste unlike the fresh ones from the Middle East. I additionally ordered, their lamb shank which was the best I had in Chicago and it was huge...I couldn't finish it!! Their chai was nice and strong! There were quite a few fruit flies flying around the place, just FYI...maybe it was just hot that day!! But that's no excuse!! Food was good - I would definitely return for the food!
(4)
Hillary L.

I was sorely disappointed by my experience here- but I guess I didn't really get to experience the restaurant- just the food. It was one of those weeks where I had to order in late at work- and Reza's was my only choice. I am usually an enthusiastic Mediterranean food eater and was looking forward to eating my veggie combo plate- which was supposed to include hummus, baba ganoush, dill rice, etc... All I could eat from the entire plate was the pita bread and the baba ganoush. Everything tasted dry and bland- I couldn't finish it- which is completely abnormal for me. Needless to say I won't be ordering from Reza's again - there are so many better places that I could eat- including the Jimmy John's in my building. I can't say anything about the restaurant- but I wouldn't order delivery from this place.
(1)
Rich K.

This place is average, but much better than the Oak Brook location. The combo kabob meals are very good. We arrived too early to take advantage of the buffet for $20. Our combo meals were the same price as the buffet. So we were a little disappointed to pay the same price for less food.
(3)
Andrea R.

This delicious Middle Eastern restaurant totally dropped off my radar until my hairdresser (shout out to Lenny at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa) was talking about their yummy rice just the other day. And tonight I returned from a wedding in Cleveland very hungover from the appletinis I had last night and nothing sounded better than Middle Eastern delivery. And so Reza's and I have become reacquainted. I ordered the shrimp kabob entree and wow...lots of shrimp and even more rice! I was planning on eating this all on my own, but my fiance ate half because it was more than enough for the 2 of us (and believe me...we are not light eaters). You get a choice of rice (white, dill, couscous and more)...I chose the dill, which was a little bland at first, but perfect when I added a little soy sauce to it. My fiance complained the grilled shrimp was a little bland, but it was grilled to perfection for me! Now that we're friends again I have a feeling I'll be seeing lots of Reza's. A friend where you get a lot for your money...I like it! Edit 9/9/07: Attended a rehearsal dinner here last night and was pretty impressed! They served tons of food so we got a little taste of everything...and it was ALL so good...favorites being the falafel and stuffed grape leaves. Oh and can't forget that baklava too- yum! Great private party room in the back that holds approx 100 people for dinner...check it out!
(4)
Gabrielle S.

Came here on a Wednesday night after work around 8:30pm with a big group of friends....service was great, altogether accomodating and the vegetarian sampler appetizer plate TOTALLY hit the spot....was actually not overly garlicky as I had been afraid. Very light and refreshing and yummy. Sangria's were tasty. If you are looking for a nice big space to gather your friends or take a family or even just grab one of the little tables with a date- this place is excellent. The staff treats you like family and it is a very warm enviroment. Vegan/Veg friendly.
(4)
Daniel G.

Absolutely wonderful. The atmosphere was calm, warm and quiet. I ordered the lamb kabob and my wife ordered the quail. The portions were generous and the food was incredible. The decor was delightful. Long story short we WILL be coming back many times
(5)
M G.

The food here is OK just like many yelpers have reported. I love Mediterranean food and was kinda disappointed when I came here for dinner. Thought it would of been better. I also didnt like the slow service I had when I went.
(3)
esther r.

Looved this place, really liked the authenticity of the menu. My favorite was the appetizer Baba Ganoush with the fresh pita bread, and the couscous was the best....just awesome! Prices were very reasonable and made this dinner a very nice treat.
(5)
Yolanda L.

Went to Reza's with a large group for a wedding rehearsal dinner so the meal was already fixed. Just a note before my review: I'm from NYC and looove food so I going to be more critical than most. Reza's has a quaint feel to it, you enter into an open space with comfy inviting benches in front of the bar and the whole space has an antique feel to it. Very cute, +1 star. Food: there were a few appetizers that were okay, nothing to write home about. There was a spinach/tomato/couscous medley, a cucumber/tomato mix and an eggplant with goat cheese/tomato sauce dish. The first two dishes tasted the same and seemed to be missing something. Maybe some salt would've done the trick? The eggplant dish was good but also needed some salt... The mains were kofka which I think is supposed to be a lamb meatballs but the came out as one long ripply slab but it was absolutely delicious, +1 star. The host said the other meat was filet mignon but it tasted more like like lamb maybe because it was in the same plate as the kofka! The "filet mignon" was over cooked and a bit dry but still tender. The sides were pita bread and rice, white and dill. The dill rice was quite good and definitely different, never had it before +1. A few little improvements would've made the food great. Unfortunatey I was not impressed and will think twice and returning.
(3)
Ben K.

The best application for the lunch buffet at Reza's would be "When I've decided to buy a meal for a homeless person, where should I take him?" It's not that you can't consume more than enough calories for what you paid for your meal ($9.95). It's just that you're not really going to enjoy any of them. Everything looks and tastes like it's the leftovers from last night or something. The beef and lamb is overcooked and extremely dry. The falafel is absurdly hard and crunchy. The hommus is flavorless and soupy. The pita feels like the kind I keep in my freezer from Dominick's. The rice is not terrible. So yeah... maybe don't come here for lunch expecting a great meal. If you are just trying to put away enough food that you don't have to eat until the next day, you could probably accomplish your goal.
(2)
Megan H.

This place was great. I was sent a gift certificate in the mail through my gym and got lunch since its so close to my job. I ordered the Lamb Kebab lunch entree and it was delish. The lamb was perfectly seasoned, the potatoes were not dry and the grilled veggies weren't overcooked, although I do wish there were more of them. It came with a free sticky fried dessert thing that made me jump with joy. Overall good lunch. Plus when I went to pick it up this place was cool. A huge space, it felt like I was in a far east club in the early 1900's. Very cool. I would love to go back for the buffet, as it seemed like that was what everyone was there for.
(4)
Julia B.

Being that I am Lebanese this food was very similar to the food I grew up eating! I thought they did a great job. The portions are huge and the food is very fresh. We split a bunch of appetizers type dishes, then each got a meat dish. I thought the tabbouleh was awesome along w/ the Hummus. The tea with honey is so good after the meal-make sure you try it.
(4)
Sultan A.

Great and delicious food Dill rice and sultani kebab. Perfect restaurant and great service.
(5)
Yekta A.

So we strolled into Reza's on a walk during our Chicago visit. First, the place is huge, it looks like a castle. Second the food is great as long as you don't get the buffet, I say that because it didn't look fresh but the menu food was delicious and fresh. Just my opinion. The service was nice, our server was really nice.
(5)
Andrij S.

Service is brutal. They have no idea how to wait on people. The food was great, but unfortunately they pay no attention to you at all. Ruined the experience.
(2)
Levi B.

This was our first time to Reza's and we decided to give it a try because of the menu variety, the potential for being able to make vegan dishes and it was close to some shopping we were doing. When we arrived the huge sign out front indicated it was a piano bar. Mediterranean / Middle Eastern / Persian / Iranian food, piano bar - odd. The restaurant itself is massive. Plenty of room to move about with a huge bar as soon as you walk in the door. We asked the host if vegan would be an issue and he promptly went to the kitchen staff to find out. POINTS! After getting the all clear, we were seated. Our server was the best! She was friendly and attentive. She helped me order some awesome vegan things and everything came out perfectly, together and fast. Just a note. I ended up getting the Vegetarian combo with double falafel, shami (pretty good), baba ghanouj and hummus. Since I couldn't have the rice (made with butter) she offered a tomato lentil soup that was TO DIE FOR. I'm not an expert but if I had to guess I would have said the falafel were not made fresh. Maybe even going so far to say they were frozen but I don't know. What I do know is they could have used a lot more flavor and less cooking time. Also, I happen to be a fan of smoked paprika and that's a good thing because it was pretty heavy on the baba and hummus - it gave it a little more depth. All in all, I would probably come back again, if nothing else then for the soup!
(3)
Jie S.

Although I was a bit surprised why this place was picked for the team dinner when 4 people in the team are vegetarians, Then I quickly realized they do offer lots of delicious vegetarian food in addition of the lamb shank or Kabob. And they have the separated areas for the big parties which worked out pretty well for us. The lobby was huge with an interesting brewing? machine in the middle. Appetizers were amazing: from Falafel to chicken kebab to mushroom kebab to hummus to eggplant dip. It was really hard to choose which one I like the most. Hummus was a bit plain comparing to the ones I tried before but it was exactly the taste I love. Roasted eggplant dip goes so nicely with their stove oven baked pita bread. By the time the dinner came, we were all stunned by the size of the dish. I got two huge lamb shanks with a football size potato. And the delicious dill rice was served. I was totally stuffed and could barely take one more bite after finished one lamb shank and some rice. It reminded me that dill was used everywhere in the dish in a Uzbekistan place I tried before: dill in the lamb stew, in dumplings, in milk! The services were great. We were a big group and the waiter was accommodating everyone. The entrees came pretty slow but it was fine as we had more time to talk. And I also got a huge box of the left over for later.
(4)
Naser A.

It was my first time to visit Chicago, and this place is like the oldest and popular place in the area for Persian food. Went there during the lunch buffet on a Saturday. Its a big place, no problem with it comes to seating. The food tasted yummy, and they had a wide variety running from kabobs to vegetarian food. However, they do not have dessert in the buffet. We ordered one order of baklava (2 pieces), and it was okay and pricey. What I really did not like, the fact they charge you for gratuity! And to be honest, I always tip generously. But I'lll be honest the staff were unfriendly, and actually one the female waitresses working there at that time was so rude! It was a good experience, but I am not sure if I'll go there again to get treated poorly.
(3)
Vivek W.

Good food Good service I had the chicken. It was cooked perfectly. The atmosphere was pleasing as well.
(5)
Mike Q.

The food was actually very good and delicious I just had a small problem with the service! the server wasnt to knowledgeable about the menu and the types of food. ive been coming to Rezas for a while and was trying to eat something new and different. so i ended up ordering the same entree i always order which was the Mixed Combo platter with 4 types of kabobs. beef,lamb,chicken, and kufta with white rice!
(3)
Michael L.

The BEST Persian food in Chicago. The meat was tender, the vegatables fresh and I'm falling in love with the Manager. The staff and service excellent. A+++++
(5)
Robert G.

A bunch of us decided to go to Reza's buffet for lunch. For me in particular, lamb sounded like a good idea. This took the form of the lamb koubideh, a formed ground lamb patty with a multitude of spices. It was moist, like all of the other koubideh (chicken, beef) I tried. Unfortunately the boneless chicken was quite dry, so I would avoid that. Or drench it in baba ganoush. Most of the other items were quite good. The dill rice was very good. The chicken biryani tasted very good, though I couldn't figure out where the chicken was. The caesar salad... well, let's just say it's not what you come her for. A large naan was served along with the meal, which was perfect; crisp yet also perfectly tearable. Good for soaking up the last of the hummus. Some sort of hollow honey-coated bread capped off the meal quite nicely. For $12, Reza's lunch buffet is very much a River North bargain.
(4)
Matt R.

Having been here twice, I think I like the cuisine. I know some people may not like it, but honestly the lamb here is very much my style. Obviously that's not vegetarian, but there are plenty of vegetarian options here as well. You have falafel, hummus, soup and chicken/lamb/beef options for the meat eaters. It's also a little bit expensive but you get plenty of food. Think of this like Pita Inn but AYCE and you have basically summed up their buffet pretty reasonably, although not the exact same cuisine. It also happens to be right across the street from yoga circle which works out nicely.
(4)
Nancy J.

I have been living on my memory of Reza's from 15 years ago. The last few times I've gone have been less than memorable. Last night was my last visit. The only reason we went was because we wanted to eat outdoors and it's easy to get a table at Reza's outdoors. It was such a bad experience - - it just makes me so sad. This really used to be a go to place for me and my husband. I don't see how they are going to stay in business. We were seated outside and never got waited on. My husband went inside to get some service and the MANAGER ended up taking our order. At the end they apologized that it happened but it was just so BUSY. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant lol. The food came slowly and was lukewarm at best. I am a consistent 20% tipper but I could barely get myself to leave 15% last night. Was not pleasant to say the least.
(1)
Joe D.

I was told by my family this is a great Iranian restaurant but, we had the worst food and service. We are planing to stay 5 days in Chicago and I wish we would have gone to a different restaurant. We order Zershk polo and it was made with cranberry wow what a disappointment. The chicken kabob had the taste of yogurt . Save your time and money there are so many great restaurants in Chicago .
(1)
Tony F.

Its good Persian food. I would give it higher rating but I feel over the years their service and food quality has gone slightly down hill. I feel the people that work there are worth 5 stars though at all the locations. The good brings it down. Also you use to get bigger rice portions. Bring on tons of rice. :)
(3)
Reza M.

It was awesome! The buffet was very cheap and the taste is great! All prices are reasonable! The best Iranian restaurant ever!
(5)
Ahmed A.

This use to be my favorite place to come for middle eastern food. However, I am seeing lately that the service is declining. Some of the staff working there avoid speaking to you. They don't come and ask if you need water or extra Bread. open buffet is open, but food is not readily replaced when it's depleted. Making you wonder why they even have an open buffet if they can't satisfy the demand. I got charged more than twenty dollars for almost nothing. Oh, weekend prices are higher than normal day prices.. So inquire before ordering. I come all the way from Vienna Europe to eat this food. I have lots of friends who are in my town who use to eat there more than a decade ago and they rave about the food . They will surely be disappointed to hear that this place is not what it use to be. Will never go there again. My money is too precious for them. Wish there was a zero star eating.
(1)
Cindy W.

Got the lamb shank with couscous. Lamb shank -- very disappointing. Yes it was tender and fell off the bone but I definitely think it was overcooked. More spices would have done the job. The couscous made up for a lot of what the lamb lacked. I loved the buttery flavor of it but wishes there were more vegetables to go along with it. For the price, I would have liked better quality BUT the portions were big!
(3)
Cammy H.

We went for the Sunday brunch buffet ($21 including a glass of champagne) and the spread was fantastic. A wide variety of meats (chicken, lamb, beef, salmon), amazing falafel, several vegetable dishes/salads, some traditional deserts, and excellent home-made hummus, among other things. They also bring a gigantic portion of thin, seasoned naan-type bread to the table. The champagne included with the meal was very good. We definitely enjoyed the food; the only thing keeping me from giving this place 5 stars is that although the staff was friendly, they were aloof/inattentive and it took a very long time to get drinks. Note: They no longer seem to offer valet, but if you park in the small lot behind the black gate across the street, you can get your ticket validated (free) in the restaurant.
(4)
Rajani M.

Really great place for a group dinner. Came here on a friend's request while in Chicago, was not disappointed! So. Much. Food. Appetizers of kashkeh (grilled eggplant with caramelized onions) and the vegetarian shami were so tasty. They were served with a giant Persian flatbread, which was perfectly doughy but crisp at the same time. I had the boneless chicken kebab with the dill rice for dinner. hands down some of the best, juiciest chicken I've ever had. Service was quick and friendly. Definitely a great meal and great value.
(4)
David O.

I went yesterday afternoon and was extremely disappointed by the service. The waitress barely spoke English and she was slow with almost everything. My friend and I were there for over an hour and besides the food quality, we were both upset about the time it took to be served and even paying the bill took too long. On a positive note, the lamb kabab here is likely the best in the city.
(2)
Shradha A.

It feels like a place that had its day and now is plainly surviving because the owners forgot about it. Went here twice recently, once in the evening and once for lunch. Both times the restaurant, which is really large and could probably fit 500 people, was nearly empty. The staff seems to know that the place is barely open and talk with a hopeless attitude. The service is slow and nearly absent. The food is dry. The buffet for lunch has decent options but I felt bad thinking about the amount of food they likely throw out each day. Unless I have another event for which I need to return, I'm not choosing to dine at this ghost town.
(2)
Ron M.

Had buffet lunch today $21, Sunday. I could honestly say this was the worst Persian food I've ever experienced. I thought Reza in Chicago is known for the food but I was extremely disappointed. Lamb Shank was in pieces floating in the juice. Koobideh was wet and falling apart. There was no barg to try. Chicken koobideh had such bad fishy taste and chicken barg tasted like Indian food with cury. The food is more of a Indian/Persian fusion and not a true Persian taste. For sure I won't call it a Persian restaurant.
(1)
Stephanie M.

Fantastic everything! Form the service to the food, everything was on point! We had a group dinner here, and opt'd for their Family Style menu. Between the 11 of us, we had TONS of left overs! Food: We started with 3 appetizers (Hummus, Kashkeh Bodemnjan, Falafel) served with their flat bread and tomato/cucumber salad. The Kashkeh Bodemnjan was my favorite! The creamy eggplant, feta, and caramelized onion mixture was sweet, savory, and slightly smoky. It goes great with their Organic Chardonnay which you can get for $10/glass. Then the entrees came rolling in. We had the ground lamb kebob, ground chicken kebob, and ghaymeh bodemnjan (beef stew). The stew was a bit sweeter than I had expected it to be but it was as nice compliment to the two kebobs that were salty/savory. I ate the stew with the dill rice and mixed the two together. This probably wasn't the way to eat the stew but it worked! The dill and beef gave the stew a lighter, less heavy, feel. Desserts was next and they surprised us with 3! (this is going to lead into their top notch service). We had carrott cake with cream cheese frosting (one of my favorite desserts), this warm almond cake (soft, pillowy cake covered in slivered almond and glaze), and a fritter like cake. That almond cake was addictive! I was so full but I managed to eat half this cake on my own! It was still warm when we got the cake, and it tasted like a thick cinnamon pancake covered in this delicious glaze (maybe orange)? I was so mesmerized and sleepy from the amazing dinner that I forgot to ask the server what kind of cake this was. Service: The nicest people, and the most hospitable staff you will ever meet! They were very professional with the group. The 11 of us wasn't very demanding but we did require a continuous refill on our beverages. To remember all 11 drinks, throughout the night is hard and this girl got it! She made sure to always check in on us and make sure we never had a glass empty. Water was constantly refilled, and they made sure to bring more flatbread when they noticed ours was nearly gone. They never made us feel that we needed to rush out after dinner, and took their time to bring out the food. Its never good when a server brings out all the food all at once and the minute you clear something they immediately bring out something else. The server didn't make us feel rushed at all, and was very patient with us. Thank you Reza's for a great dinner!
(5)
Dani W.

We live in the neighborhood and enjoy occasional take out from Reza. Service for dining in is not so good but the food is pretty tasty.
(3)
Tom B.

You know how when you're hungry almost anything tastes good? Well, my girlfriend and i went to Reza's on a Saturday afternoon to enjoy their buffet but came out very disappointed. The prices are way too steep for the quality of food. Granted, the selection was pretty good, but I think they got rid of some key items. The chicken kebab was pretty dry, the doner kebab had way too many spices, and the salad selection was smaller than usual. It wasn't the worst food, but I don't plan on coming here for a while unless they change their price point.
(2)
Richard D.

Dinner for two last week ~$75 including tip and half was a bottle of wine. Plenty of seating, my reservation wasn't even needed for a Thursday night. Comfortable atmosphere and very clean. Waiter was pleasant and get served right away. Started with appetizers of naan/hummus and falafel, which were about ~$6 each. Both were pretty tasty, and came out in a reasonable time frame. For my date and I, we then spit a vegetarian combo, which again comes with a large naan. You get to choose 5 items: dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves), stuffed green pepper with spinach, or mushroom, hummus, falafel, baba ghannouj, tabbouli, vegetarian shami, persian salad, kashkeh bodemjan (roasted eggplant, garlic, mint, caramelized onion, and curd), maust khiar (cucumber yogurt), eggplant steak, or string beans. Again, pretty good size portions. Naan isn't real doughy or chewy, if you're expecting that type of bread. Service was fine and pleasant. Waiter came over multiple times to pour our wine glasses and refresh water. Took us a while to place our order, and he was very patient and didn't rush us. If you like Mediterranean food, it's definitely worth checking out. Won't be the best meal you ever have, but you will definitely get your fix....
(4)
Amanda D.

As a Persian with an awesome Persian mom AND grandma cook (read: picky about Persian food), I must say this is one of the best Persian restaurants there is. I moved to Chicago from Northern Virginia--where there are a LOT of Iranians--and Reza's has the best, most consistent Persian food of any Persian restaurant I have ever been to. Their meats and kabobs are especially delicious. The only problem I have ever had with them was the last time I went, their dough was horrible... Their service is ok. But the deliciousness of their food still merit's five stars.
(5)
Peggah G.

I love Reza's. The food is always good, the parsley is usually plentiful and I'm always stuffed when I leave. However, when I took someone for an introduction to Persian food, I had such an odd experience that I have to adjust my review. First, they sat us at a table that was halfway out of the restaurant. That was kind of odd, but whatever. I ordered the sultani, like I do, and my friend got the buffet. I waited patiently to get my soup, and I waited, and waited. I asked the waiter for it, and it was like I had to remind him what I ordered and what my dish came with. Finally the soup came, and I asked for some more parsley. The waiter didn't understand my request, and was confused. I don't know if it was his first week at the Persian restaurant, but a lot of Persians eat parsley by the handful with their meals. Even later, my food came. It seemed to take much longer than usual, but it was still delicious. Midway through eating my dish, however, some waiters came by and informed us that they had to move the table back into the restaurant. This really irked me. If it was an issue, you should've done that before we were seated, before we were served, or after we left. It was ridiculous. This used to be my go-to Persian restaurant when I'm in Chicago, but I'm quite ready to explore other options. I will miss the soup.
(3)
Nelson M.

Restaurant review All you can eat Mediterranean food AYCE is a good change of pace from the normal lunch buffets. Lunch is not chea during the week which is approximately 16 dollars. You get a wide spread of shwarama, but the only real kabobs are chicken which is a big downer. Although the website indicates that beef, lamb and chicken are part of their signature kabobs which are actually all Koubideh kabobs which are grounded up meat with spices. The dill rice is amazing and there are countless side dishes that can't even report on. The meal ends well with the donuts which are honey glazed. Pro: lunch buffet variety Cons: expensive Hidden gem: They have brunch and specialty buffet over the holidays which I have not tried which may include other real meat kabobs
(3)
Calin D.

The turkish coffee after your meal is not to be missed! Great price for excellent Mediterranean food, vegetarian options, tons of food, excellent drinks and outdoor seating, indoor atmosphere, and an all around good time. I've been many times, and have never been disappointed.
(4)
Rebecca S.

Had dinner here last week. The place has a very interesting atmosphere to it. The place is huge but the setting is very calm and pleasant, also it's not too loud which was a concern when I saw how large the place is. We ordered to start the herb bread which was great and they give you the option to making it crisper. It was very flavorful and made a mess with crumbs but it was too delicious to not rip apart and eat. We also got the grilled mushrooms which were soaked in a garlic butter sauce, we could not keep our forks down. We got the combo of chicken and filet mignon kabob. The kabobs were savory. The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is because the service was average. Very friendly staff but it took the waiter 5-6 minutes to just give us water. He then took his time asking for our order or attending to our table. I thought it was strange considering the place was not that crowded.
(4)
Ken G.

I liked my experience here - a blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, everything ranged from good to very good. We tried a few different dishes and they were all pretty different from each other since the herbs and spices were unique in each dish. The service was good as was the ambiance. This is a great option for those with a big group since this large restaurant can accommodate large parties.
(3)
Sameer R.

The food here has always been good. I've been going here since I was a baby. My parents for almost 30 years. The service is great and they always will earn our business.
(5)
Padma A.

I have eaten countless times at Rezas, always wowed by the gigantic place in the city. My friend catered for a party yesterday and first time I can vouch for food at room temperature to taste delicious!! The Grilled salmon with veggies was succulent and Chicken superbly marinated and tenderly delicious. The food spread was just awesome!!!
(4)
Maritsa C.

Came back to Reza's after so many years and still was as great as I remembered it growing up. Great food and great service. The dill rice amazing and chicken kabobs well seasoned and fresh. Definitely will be back!
(4)
Liz J.

I am extremely disappointed with this restaurant. My friends and I just ordered lunch from here. It took an hour and a half to get our food and it was cold. My meal was supposed to have two chicken skewers, a side of grilled vegetables, and couscous. Well, the couscous was extremely bland and had absolutely no flavor. The "grilled vegetables" was actually a tomato and onion leaf. Finally, I'm not even sure if I had one full chicken skewer - there were only 4 pieces. The taste was fine, but nothing special. The other meals we had were a chicken/steak skewer (steak was decent, also contained the bland couscous and the not "grilled veggies") a feta wrap that was" okay" but had a weird, gritty dipping sauce, and a "boring worth no flavor" salad. The only reason I'm giving these guys one star of because we had grilled mushrooms as an appetizer, and those were pretty delicious.
(1)
D H.

I usually like Reza's. My brother lives next to this location and we regularly order from there. I've always been happy with our choices though I'll say we ordered in recently and I was less pleased than normally. We had the baklava-delicious, the dill rice-fine, some sort of ground chicken with spices--didn't like and wouldn't order again. I did enjoy the hummus and pita. I always like Reza's but would order something different next time.
(4)
Genevieve L.

Came here for Sunday brunch on Easter with the fam and they had everything everyone was looking for. They don't have your traditional eggs and hashbrowns but they do offer marinated lamb legs, biryanis of all sorts, soup and some lox. They have a huge selection but because it's served buffet style, the food doesn't always stay hot
(4)
Sofiya C.

Came here for a party of about 30 people. We had a private room which was nice and family style food as well as the open bar option. The food was excellent. It was a prefixed menu but there was something for everyone. The prices were also very good for the amount of food you get for your money. It was a weird open bad concept because you don't go to the bar to order your drink the wait staff walks around and takes your order. The drinks were very very strong. In fact some people started asking for theirs to have less vodka in them. The service was good as well. I would deff imagery recommend throwing a small get together like that here. It's not loud so you can converse.
(4)
Susan C.

I went here for a brunch buffet with some friends and the food is really good. The service and waitstaff were good. It's one price and you can go back for seconds as much as you want. Ordering drinks are separate cost. It's in the heart of the Gold Coast neighborhood. I would definitely go back their for brunch and you have to go on an empty stomach to get your money's worth.
(4)
Earbert F.

First of all middle eastern food is just great period. However, I went here on New Year's Eve and the food was magnificient. With it being buffet style they have a ton of options for both vegetarians and those that like meat. The chicken was tender and very flavorful and so was the beef. They feature different types of rice and veggies as well. I think it's a great spot for a date and even just hanging out with friends. Also great value for the money!!!
(4)
Sam N.

went here for like the 3oth time in the last three years? I guess you could say I like the place. Could the chairs use an upgrade? Sure. when people sit you down and talk about good experiences eating out at places back in the early 60's with people who were attentive and gave good service, the could have also been talking about this place today. The salmon any way you have it here is downright awesome and tasty. On weekends they have an awesome brunch that has meat, fish, salads, hummus. You can never has enough hummus. In fact they should give you hummus during root canals so it will seem comfortable...ah yes that was a random thought. Sorry. Good stuff BABY Lunch buffet time on weekends 11 or 11:30 AM till 3 PM-
(5)
Dwayne D.

If you like Persian food, this is a great place. The tomato lentil soup is rich and very good. I like the chicken koubideh kabob, which is nicely seasoned ground chicken. I would give my ring finger for the dill rice. I. Love. The. Dill. Rice. It is only rice, but give it a try. They have a good buffet on weekends if you're into that, and it's a good way to explore if you aren't familiar with this type of food.
(4)
Aliya F.

I'm shocked the reviews aren't better. I am Persian myself and have no personal connection to the people who own or run it. The food is high quality. My immigrant mother even approved and said the meat is great quality. The rice is well prepared (which makes a huge difference to a Persian mom haha) the bread and garnishes on the side is a great touch and even the little dessert treat was a delight. We ordered for delivery. The food arrived early, clean, and warm. I just moved to Chicago and will be using this place every time I miss home! I always recommend to my American friends to order the Soltani dish!!! If you order anything except the kabobs you might as well not go to a Persian restaurant. :) enjoy!!
(5)
Elizabeth B.

While the food is really good, the drivers they use for delivery services are extremely rude. Had one tonight call me and tell me I had to walk out and find him. When I explained I was in pajamas, he acted as though I was being hugely unreasonable and huffily tells me he'll have to put his flashers on. Um, ok? Then he has the nerve to call back and tell me he's actually at the wrong address and 10 minutes away. Great food, total asses for delivery.
(2)
Tamara H.

Beautiful place. Charming that it opens out to the sidewalk. Had a wedding reception here and it was done very nicely. Personally I didn't care for the hummus, it had a weird texture, something stringy in it, onions? Anyway not very flavorful, but I'm used to making my own. I LOVED the falafels! And I loved the cheese and vegetable appetizer too! The chicken was nicely flavored, but I don't eat lamb or beef so I can't say either way wether it was good or not. I tried the dill rice because of a previous review but found it underwhelming. Still nice place and pleasant wait staff and bartenders!
(4)
Meg N.

Went here with a group of girlfriends and all of us were impressed. The appetizers were delicious, the server was friendly and the salad was exceedingly fresh. We went family style ($21/pp) but I would have paid that much for just the lamb shanks. I would try to give them 6 stars if it weren't for the bathroom ... it could use a renovation. :-/
(5)
Jessica P.

I came here for a friend's birthday dinner celebration on a Sunday evening at around 6PM... Food: Buffet for $20 includes your choice of soda (+ refills)...I would say this is a good deal since you can eat as much meat, rice, etc as you want and it would be wiser to just get buffet rather than order a meal..the prices are going to be very similar ..definitely a variety of food..and you can eat as much as you want!! :) Food tasted ok.. some of the food may have been out there for awhile.. -Beef (contained in red soup/liquids) was VERY spicy, but soft & juicy. so if you can't handle spice.. don't get it... it looks spicy ..it's red = fire = HOT and this is coming from a person that loves spicy food.. -Chicken was unfortunately really dry.. :( -overall food -A-OK.. Service: VERY SLOW...which is another reason why I recommend you get buffet because you can get the food yourself (no wait time!)..where as if you order food off the menu.. you'll have to wait close to 30 mins or more to get the food.. Wait time for food...VERY SLOW if you order from the menu.. I'm not kidding.. it literally took 30-45 minutes for a salad to come out... I guess they went to the field to pick the fresh greens or something.. or maybe individually washed each green slowly making sure they didn't miss any spots.....I felt really bad for the ppl from my group that didn't order the buffet because I was already on my 2nd round/plate at the buffet and they still had not received their meal...and this is pretty bad.. because I eat EXTREMELY SLOW when it comes to buffet so I can eat as much as I can.... Portions: huge definitely for buffet since it's all you can eat... and the $10 or $14 salads are huge as well..probably could be shared among 3 ppl or something.. Parking: there's plenty of parking..and if you dislike parallel parking like me.. you don't need to stress out.. there's many parking spots where you don't have to parallel park...yay! ...there is free parking and metered street parking and valet parking (~$10 with tip & all) for the restaurant....definitely won't have trouble finding parking spots.. I would come here again if I was hungry for hummus & meat..or maybe if I wasn't hungry and didn't want buffet.. because with the wait time and all.. I'll be hungry by the time the food comes out.. :)
(3)
Frank C.

Great food authentic and fresh. Highly recommend. This was one of our favorites when my wife lived here nearly 14 years ago. So happy they are still going strong. Definitely worth a stop when in Chicago.
(4)
Bo Y.

Came here for the weekday lunch buffet! ($11.95 before tax&tips) Lunch buffet lasts until 3:00pm. Last time I came there around new year. Buffet was $25 plus 18% tips. Almost the same food as lunch buffet. They serve hummus, yogurt, salad, variety of Kebobs, variety of rice and two kind of soup.... I love their soup a lot! Btw, they have wifi available.
(3)
Cali G.

I have ordered from this restaurant for the last 10 years. I order the exact same thing, every single time. Boneless chicken kebob with dill rice and persian salad. Now and then I will throw in a falafel appetizer. It's always consistent minus 2 times, but what restaurant isn't now and then. Friends have ordered the salmon and the lamb chops which looks amazing.. and according to them, it tastes fantastic. I dined inside 2 times in the past. Service was fine from what I can recall.. I mostly have the food delivered to work or my home.
(5)
Rachel P.

I ordered delivery from the River North location via their website last night and thought it was great. I got a 10% discount for a first-time online order, score! I had to fiddle with the online system a bit; there seemed to be a couple of bugs trying to save customer info, but I got it working fairly quickly. I got a kabob combo with filet mignon and lamb, with grilled potatoes in a garlic butter sauce. Reza's was awesome enough to saran wrap the heck out of the styrofoam delivery container and keep all that buttery sauce firmly INSIDE the box rather than in a big puddle at the bottom of the plastic bag. Delivery time was reasonable, and there was about a $3 delivery fee. The meat was tender and still hot when it arrived, and had good flavor. I also ordered a quail appetizer, which came butterflied, hot, and flavorful. Both the kabob and the quail also came with pita bread, and there was feta and herbs to accompany the kabob meal too. The only thing I wasn't crazy about was the baklava. IMHO, it was a pretty small piece to charge $2.50 for, and it was really, really dry. I would not order that again, but the actual meals were spot-on. I'd also be interested in eating in the restaurant one day as well, as there were several other delicious-looking dishes on the menu I personally think would be best served in-house.
(4)
Reza Z.

This restaurant used to be my favorite but recently both quality and service sucks! The buffet made me wanna throw up!
(1)
Vedran A.

Came here at lunch time and had a great buffet experience. The food was solid and cooked well, flavorful. There are plenty of options and you will fill your plate. You are eating quality meat and you can taste it. The service was fantastic. Definitely will eat here again.
(4)
Katie T.

Absolutely wonderful! The service was outstanding and all 3 of our meals were excellent. I wish we lived closer so we could go all the time. Salmon kabob was off the charts perfect!
(5)
Mehran F.

THE WORST Iranian restaurant I have been to in my life. Yesterday against my better judgement went to Reza in downown area and had lunch buffet. Being originally from Iran myself I was feeling proud of them for having such a big and seemingly successful business -- until i put that food in my mouth. oh, garbage. The server asked me if all was well. I told him this was the worst Iranian food I have ever had. He asked what? i repeated. Not Iranian food? well, imagine your in-laws' in-laws invite you to their home for a cook out, honor you with a stale big mac, and tell you this is their family's fourth of July BBQ specialty. Go to Noon o Kabab in Albany Park or Massouleh in Roger's park and see what is good Iranian food like....
(1)
Angela G.

I love Reza's. I have been coming here ever since I was a kid and have always loved the food. I usually order the vegetarian platter which is great for a vegetarian, as the name implies. The only complaint I had during my last visit was the service wasn't the best - the waiter forgot to bring out our soup so we ended up eating it with the main course. But this is not usually the case. I will definitely be back! Also, this one in River North is huge - there are so many tables, and in the summer they put tables outside, which I always enjoy.
(4)
Emily T.

Enjoyed a Sunday dinner buffet with 10 or so other guests. The service was average to above average (cleaning up plates, bringing special drinks, coffee, etc.). The buffet included some fabulous items like leg of lamb, chicken kabob, rice, falafel, hummus, and these fabulously delicious mushrooms that make you want to cheer MUSH-rooms, MUSH-rooms, rah-rah-rah! Oh, sorry, I got carried away there. I have no idea about the rest of the stuff. Once I found the items I liked, I returned for more. The lamb and chicken kabob were yummy and moist. The buffet price seemed quite reasonable. Persian coffee seemed to be enjoyed by those who ordered it (1 per customer, apparently!). The regular coffee was fairly strong as well, and they give you about a gallon of it! I'll give it an extra star for the surprisingly good MUSH-rooms...
(4)
Eliza M.

And the winner for worst lighting in a Downtown restaurant bathroom goes to.............Reza's! This was really my only complaint. Like the fools we are, we attempted to eat dinner Downtown on Saturday night without reservations. So by the time we got to Reza's, we were just happy to get a seat (and there were lots of them, holy giant restaurant!). $5 glasses of wine and $3 beers? Yes please! The Persian salad was great as were the lamb and chicken kabobs. Scallops and dill rice were good. Lots and lots of food. I recommend sharing apps and entrees. On the way out we noticed the couches along the wall and saw some people sitting on them and eating. Might be fun to do if you go here with another couple.
(4)
Tina N.

I just love Persian food. So maybe I'm a little snobby when it comes to Persian restaurants. When I'm in need of a kabob-fix, Reza's my go-to-place. But, that's because I just love kabobs (any kind...lamb, chicken, barg, koobideh, you name it, I love it). Reza's is really not that good. Don't get me wrong, I probably eat here once every couple of months. And, I've introduced a bunch of friends to Persian food at Reza's - mostly because its location is great. Sure their $9.99 buffet is worth it to try out kabobs for the first time. But, to get the whole persian food experience I think you should try just one meal at a time, instead of shoving your face in all different kinds of meat (but then again, this might be my snobbiness kicking in). And, the downside of the buffet is that they don't offer their Persian salad (which is essentially just diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions - but super delicious) - so I always request the salad, and they've never charge me for it! The service here is odd. I've been during lunch, dinner and buffet, and it's always hit or miss. Well, I usually end up laughing it off, because the waiters seem to always do something odd but not off-putting. It's not the most authentic Persian food, but it totally does the trick when my kabob withdrawal kicks in!
(3)
Nirav S.

Got take out from reza as a last minute dinner option. We ordered the vegetable kabobs which were ok and on the bland side. The stuffed pepper and the grilled eggplant stole the show. Vegetable shami and fatuoush salad were disappointing. The vegetable shami was not what was described, instead we got falafel balls covered in sauce. The salad dressing for the fattoush was sweet and did not taste authentic at all and I couldn't taste the mint or parsley.
(2)
Dima M.

This place looks like a warehouse turned restaurant, and not in that charming loft way. More like in a "we want to turn this warehouse into a restaurant as fast as we can so we can start making money sooner" kind of way. The place has zero ambiance, and no personality. The food quality is OK, nothing I'd go out of my way to go eat, but the portions are generous. You get a good amount of Fillet Mignon for your money, and by good, I mean GOOD. An amount you probably can't get anywhere else. If you are going to eat rice, go for the dill rice. This place is easy to get a table at, but if you don't mind a possible wait, I highly recommend their Andersonville location. While the food quality is about the same, at least there's more personality.
(2)
Shannon N.

Really, really good food. You cannot leave here hungry. Entrees come with fresh baked bread, feta cheese, herbs, soup, and then a choice of rices, couscous, or a great salad. I really enjoy the lamb shank and the lamb kabobs here. You can't go wrong with kabobs of any sort! This is a great place to come with a group - I've been to dinners of 30+ here and everyone's had a great time.
(4)
Fate O.

My husband took me here twice. We both love their tender steaks with potatoes. We would come frequently if it wasn't so expensive. We're coming back every year for our anniversary!
(4)
Shahram L.

Cold khormeh sabzi, burned medium kabob, good rice, cheap ombionce, no salt on table. I guess it's way over rated for an Iranian Restaurant.
(2)
Matthew P.

The food was good, but the service was awful. Over an hour to get food, a waiter who was lost and a manager who seemed unwilling to help. I have not had service this bad in a long time. I would not go back.
(1)
Monica D.

A gem of a place that I was taken to by an old Persian friend of mine and her family. I have NO idea what we ate, what they ordered or how long we sat there, but I know it was a great time, with great food in a great atmosphere. I can be picky with what I eat and not one thing passed to me felt off. The waitstaff is also very cordial and loves to work closely with the customers.
(4)
Greg L.

This is one of my favorite restaurants anywhere! It is a huge place, and great place to go with a group of people, or just as a couple. Their food is middle eastern----think of shish ka bob heaven---and wonderful. Their appetizers are wonderful (hummus like no other), their entrees even better (if you like steak, go for the filet mignon shish ka bobs---you will owe me your first born. If you love to try different things, go for the shish ka bob that is made of ground meat----you will be hooked. It is out of this world. Try the rice with the dill option. Outstanding. Their home made pita is fresh and hot from the oven. Really good. The service is also excellent and the atmosphere very nice. Think loft, warehouse, ex-brewery, with nice dim lighting. Sounds like a strange combo but it works. If you are sick of the steak house, italian, asian scene, and want something different and also very reasonably priced to boot, this has your name all over it. Try it once, and you'll be hooked.
(5)
debbie h.

Best hummus in the city!
(5)
Andrea N.

I used to like Reza's...before I tried homemade Middle Eastern cooking from different regions. Even then, I'd seem to always end up eating here as I used to work in the city. I was greedy then since they give a lot of rice and they have the lunch buffet!! If quantity is more important than quality for you, then you should come here...especially for the lunch buffet. Their beef and lamb koubedeh is made from fatty ground meats and seems factory made. Their sultani is a better choice if you are ordering straight from the menu. Stay away from their hummus, any of their stews and falafel. I keep myself stuffed by ordering a plate a feta, mushroom appetizer, and getting the sultani. Service here is alright, never consistent. Sometimes I get super friendly servers, then other times Id get socially awkward servers. Their staff seems to change all the time. For a higher quality meal in a non-warehouse setting, try Noon O Kebob.
(2)
Jennifer O.

This place is still the bomb. I've been coming here since the early 90's and the look, the service, the facilities, and, most importantly, the FOOD, is still top notch. Impressive. Gr8 date place, Gr8 after work place, Gr8 friend gathering spot.
(4)
Wayne B.

Good lunch buffet and great for large groups
(4)
Brad F.

I really had an enjoyable time at Reza last night, I ordered the filet and chicken skewers and thought they were fantastic with a side of rice. I ordered some lamb sauce to put on the rice and it was fantastic. I like how they had a salad bar with hummus and pita and soups, it was excellent. Really excited to come here next time.
(4)
Alissa S.

I hadn't eaten Reza's since we used to order it in at my agency over ten years ago. Decided to go old school on a recent trip to Chicago, and I'm happy to report that the hummus tastes even better when not consumed over a conference table at 11:30 PM. ;) The ambience was perfect for a warm evening in the city, and though the service was "leisurely" to say the least, we appreciated being left to ourselves. The dolmehs can't be beat, the vegetarian platter was divine, and the wine list is extremely economical.
(5)
Eve K.

When it comes to Persian cooking nobody beats Reza's. Never had a mediocre meal here always top block. When you are in a tight time and cannot get to the restaurant they will deliver.
(4)
Kristin P.

We live upstairs so Reza's is inevitably on our go-to list, especially in the Chicago winter when we don't want to venture far. I have tried many appetizers and entrees and usually end up feeling there is something to be desired. To confirm, I usually stick to the vegetarian options so perhaps the meat dishes are better...The one stand out for me? The feta cheese appetizer, yummy! Sometimes we just order that by itself as an appetizer for an at home meal. All in all, for Reza's, I give one star for location, one star for it's massive space and never having to wait, and one star for the Feta Cheese app.
(3)
Ray P.

Went to the Sunday buffet/brunch with my large extended family (read: includes 4 children under 5 YO). Still a fantastic deal. Many many many items offered, AND, most importantly, ALL of their Middle Eastern MEAT offerings. SEVEN (7) different meat offerings...not, wait, TEN, yes 10 different meat dishes -- lamb shank (delicious), leg of lamb (delicious...I think my father ate the equivalent of one whole lamb), filet and chicken kebabs (delicious), three different koubidehs (the ground, seasoned meat kebabs....delicious), peel and eat shrimp (delicious), smoked or chilled, poached salmon (delicious). Oh, there are various non-meat items -- three different rice dishes (including that fantastic dill rice with the Lima beans -- you know it's good when my 3YO niece eats the dill rice AND Lima beans!), cucumber/yogurt dip/sauce, hummus, pita. Fresh fruit. Soups. The grilled WHOLE mushrooms were amazing. Loukimadas. Baklava. In summary, everything was delicious, but, you, dear reader, probably gathered that from this review. Service was excellent. They were very patient with the children, and we were very appreciative of that. So, sure, this might not be for everyone. But, IMHO, for a buffet, this is an excellent value. Try it. At least once. If you don't like it, don't go back. I'm guessing that you will, though.
(4)
Joe R.

Went here recently for a work team dinner. The portions were huge (leftovers for lunch today) and the meals came with an included trip to the hors d'ouevres bar with salad, soup, pita, & falaffel.
(3)
Paul R.

Can't really say anything too special about this place. The food was ok, not great, just ok. Seemed like most of the people there were eating at the buffet, I saw very few dishes leaving the kitchen. Our waiter was friendly, but didn't tell us items we ordered for our appetizer were available in the buffet. Don't come here expecting warmth and ambiance, because except for the food, you'd swear you're in brew pub (a Berghoff once occupied this space).
(3)
Josh B.

Reza's is great! The buffet is always super filling and delicious. Lunch or dinner, I've never had a bad experience. If you like Mediterranean cuisine, then you should definitely not miss Reza's.
(4)
Neline S.

I can't say much about this restaurant other than it's downtown and pricey. I had their basmati rice with some lamb skewers and was umimpressed with the dish. It's Americanized fare with not much seasoning to make your tastebuds dance. I like food that is authentic, savory, and mouth watering. Unfortuantely, this isn't the place where you want to get your Middle Eastern food fix.
(3)
Michael M.

For great Persian and Middle Eastern Food I would highly recommend any of the Rezas locations. The Dill Rice is outstanding, with some Kufta. The dinning area is clean and service is good. Great for a date with that special someone who enjoys different worldly foods. You may want to read up on Middle Eastern customs before going just to be respectful. Dinner is the best time to go, I say around 7-8pm. There is Valet Service too. Just a nice experience. Give it a try. (:,,,, Salam Alakum )
(5)
Thomas L.

3.5 Stars I have Rezas deliver no more than once a month because of the cost but man is it good and healthy too. The boneless chicken kabob and lamb kabob are awesome. Make sure you order the dill rice and falafels.
(3)
Lale S.

three stars for this location, 4 1/2 for the original on clark street. I love the location of this Reza's but the food is below standard compared to the other location! However the food is still good
(3)
Jason P.

This place was pretty good. I got the mushroom app, and it tasted great, but was quite buttery. I then ordered the veg sampler #4, I think. It really doesn't matter what number it was as I substituted where I needed to without a problem. The only issue was that they have outdoor seating which allows for the occasional fly here and there.
(3)
DONE U.

Been going to Rezas for over 20 years, love this place, never had a bad experience. I usually order Rezas special chicken or the combo with white rice, I love adding butter and tomato to the rice, wow! I noticed last time I went, they have it where you have to go to the buffet table to get your soup and bread...which I dont mind, all you can eat plus other items on the table as well to try...I always tell my friends about this place and its the best leftover food to eat the next day! still tastes great.
(5)
Harsh V.

Excellent middle eastern food for a night out on town. Plenty of delicious leftovers for the next day.
(4)
Andie W.

My friend had been raving about this restaurant for quite some time, and I probably would never have known about it had it not been for her. After some time, we finally made reservations to check it out. I would have to say that it was pretty good food, although I have nothing else to compare it to since this was the first time I'd ever had Persian, Middle-Eastern or Mediterranean food. If it's the weekend, I suggest you make a reservation, this place can get filled up quite fast. A huge place that was able to cater to our large group, the second time I visited we even had our own banquet room, and Family Style is the way to go. I highly suggest the grilled mushrooms, chicken and beef kabob, and the dill rice. Overall: Cleanliness: A Food: A Service: A Prices: B Parking: B --------------------- Grade: B P.S. If you don't like paying for parking, early arrival is suggested since it is very hard to find parking.
(3)
K D.

Great place to get some Persian kabobs and rice. Portions are large and good. Suggestion would be the lamb kabob with the dill rice. The dill rice is an excellent side choice although it does have lima beans in it. The vegetables on the kabobs tend to be left on the undercooked side so if you're on a date it's best not to bite into any onion. I prefer the Ontario location to the Andersonville one because it's a quieter locale. Also when it's summertime, you can sit by one of the open windows and take in the Chicago air.
(4)
Ziggy K.

Feel like it's dropped off in quality the last couple years, but the Shishleek is always the shizzle and the lentil soup is the best anywhere. Still my go-to place for Middle Eastern food.
(5)
Marc Johnathan G.

The service is always great. The setting is more intimate, even when in a large space. The building itself is awesome. Heavy timber framing, bare-brick exterior walls, hanging ceiling sconces, and something like 15' ceilings. The space used to be an old brewery. They stopped production, but have a lot of the equipment still there. You can see it through the class wall behind the bar area. Buffet during lunch hours is WAY worth the money. Its about half the price of a normal entree, but you can pick from about 10 different things, all tasting just as good as if you ordered it to your table. Ranges from Joojeh to Koobideh Kababs to Salmon to Nan and Humus. All with a heaping mound of multiple kinds of rice. Just writing this review is making my mouth water. With a date, I spent about $50-60, by myself I will spend about $20. If Its buffet time (11am-3pm everyday of the week) expect to pay around half that (the price slips my mind at the moment) If you haven't been to Reza's before, get there now! You will not regret it!
(5)
Matthew B.

This is by far one of the best restaurants in all of Chicago. Its on my top 3 list. I only really go here on special occasions but every time i go, I'm always pleased. I would recommend this place to anyone, whether you've had this type of food or not.
(5)
Stephen D.

This place has REALLY gone down-hill in many ways over the past 5-6 years. The service is mediocre at best, but the food is the real travesty. They now have "buffet"-style soup and salad, which makes everything taste a little less-than-fresh. Their entrees -- we often get chicken and beef -- are less tender and far more bland than they ever used to be. And about 2 years ago they stopped serving the Persian bread, and now they have the bland white pita bread. I dunno, in one sense I'm happy because Reza's has single-handedly attracted more people to Persian cuisine in Chicago, but I think it's becoming a quantity over quality thing. (N.B. They *do* serve generous portions, perhaps enough for two to share.) But for a better experience, go to Noon O Kabab on Lawrence & Kedzie.
(3)
Rachel L.

This is an ok place. They have this amazing pomegranate chicken dish that I wish I could get the recipe for. Besides that, they really are overpriced with an ok menu. If it's Meditarranean food that you're looking for, there are much better places in the Chicago area. Still, this is a good place to take people from out of town or for a celebration.
(3)
Janette L.

My friend had talked up their dill rice (it apparently got her through her pregnancy!), so she took me with her so that I could finally experience it for myself. We decided to try the buffet since it was a perfect way to sample a little of everything. Now I am not a huge fan of buffets but this one was pretty good. If anything I know now what I would order when I returned. Dill rice, filet shish kabob, hummus, sauteed mushrooms, and fresh pitas were all tasty. Our server was very nice and attentive. Retaurant was large and spacious - looked like a nice place for a party. Definitely would come here again to sample off their regular menu.
(3)
Melissa Q.

I was in a great mood. It was the first of my five days off of work and I was flying to NJ to see my family later that night. I decided to come to Reza's for their lunch buffet. I am not familiar with middle eastern food so the buffet was perfect for me to experieince a little (or a lot) of everything. I loved the meats (sausage, chicken, lamb). The caesar salad was delicious as well and whatever those desert things were...I ate about 10 of them. For about 15 dollars total I definitely got my money's worth. I will be back!
(4)
Jim W.

Having just been to Turkey, I was not feeling kebabs, but my friend from out of town insisted on it as he came here previously. I was pleasantly surprised - very good quantity and quality food at very good prices, topped off by a bubbly waitress. The tomato lentil soup was a bit bland, but everything else here was great. The pitas were fresh and very good with the baba ghannouj and tabbouli. I ordered the thin filet mignon kebab from the specials menu, and it was well-spiced and tender. Based on the menu, I was wondering if a single skewer on a stick would be enough. I was caught off-guard by the full dish of meat that came. Interested diners should really take a glance at the website and take a look at some images to get an idea of the massive portions. Quite frankly, it'd probably be good to share a single dish between two. The dill rice people crow about was good for a couple mouthfuls, but after awhile I think I would have preferred white rice. Great service here, I'd def come back. However, I'm a bit confused as to why other Yelpers think this would be a good date place - the interior of this place looked like a cleared out factory/brewery and there were a disproportionate number of families during my sat nite visit, complete with high chairs.
(4)
Amanda B.

Koubideh was tasty. We had some laughs at the server's expense...he didn't know that butter was dairy??? Hmmmm...interesting. Nice size portions. I thought it was funny that at my trip to CVS after dinner, I saw 1 of the bottles of wine we ordered there for a whole $7 for a large bottle. ha.
(4)
Abigail D.

All I gotta say is Buffet Brunch on Sunday is a dream come true. If you love mass amounts of hummus and Falafel and kabobs, then come here.
(4)
Annie S.

My boyfriend and I live down the street from Reza's. I heard great things about the restaurant (well, I saw commercials and thought the food looked yummy) so I wanted to try it out. We went on a Thursday night at 8pm and it was really busy! Whenever I pass by, there are always a lot of people! I am always surprised. The place is HUGE!! There is a 2nd floor in addition to the large main room. The servers are attentive and nice. We ordered 2 chicken dishes... sorry but I forgot the names. I have never eaten persian food and I was not very happy with what I ordered. I did not like the spices and the way it was marinated. Very disappointing. What I did like was the bread! SOOO GOOD! We ate all the bread so I was very full by the time the food came out =X The portions are HUGE, you can make it into 2-3 meals. Prices are about $15-20/dish. Anyways, I do want to give Reza's another chance and eat at the buffet. This place has to be good since it's always busy!
(2)
Jessica P.

The food is good. The facade and the decor make you feel like you are walking into an old-time movie. Then the service begins.... This restaurant gives the feeling that one has entered the twilight zone, or perhaps just an episode of Candid Camera. Our waiter didn't know the menu at all, when we ordered he looked confused and had to have us point out our selection, which he then laboriously wrote down word-for-word. I have not waited in a restaurant before, but I hear they have shorthand for this order-taking phenomenon. After we ordered, three different waiters dropped silverware, and one waiter tripped over a tablecloth and fell down the half-flight of stairs from the upper level dining room. It felt like the waiter scene in "Hello, Dolly!" without the music. Our waters were not refilled, ours was the only table without cloth napkins, and our waiter ignored us when we wanted the check. I am still pretty sure we were being secretly taped for some Comedy Central special, or they just have comically bad service.
(2)
courtney g.

Large, large servings. Yummy food. Delivery. I arranged a dinner for a large group here some time ago - for a professional organization, conference dinner, etc etc - and mostly due to the professional organization, and partly due to Reza's, there was a bit more stress than there ought to have been. The event itself went quite well, and I mention this only to say that if you are going to do any similar kind of thing with them, just be organized and stay on top of your game. We fed a lot of people good food for pretty cheap, so I call it a success. I've also been to the Andersonville location once - had a fine experience there also. Certainly parking is easier up north, but this location has a nice atmosphere and ambiance.
(4)
Alan M.

Not many places you can get a Persian buffet for lunch (I don't know of any in the SF bay area where I live) so they get 4 stars just for that. Food was pretty good and since it was a buffet I was able to sample quite a bit. If you like Persian food it's worth going out of your way for a visit.
(4)
D J.

Having heard great things about Reza's, I was glad when I finally made it here. For an impromptu trip on a Friday night, I was able to get in quite comfortably. Perhaps it's because this restaurant is surprisingly spacious - with 2 levels of seating in a typical River North setting - exposed brick and ceiling, tones of red everywhere, this has to be a great venue for large groups. Parking of course was much harder to find in the street, and in the end we went valet - at 8 bucks, it's a steal for that locale, spend a little more time admiring the interiors and a little less driving around it! Food was great, entrees were a tad pricier than I expected, but certainly worth it. I loved the vegetarian sampler and the dill rice that I deprived my friend of, more than she probably bargained for :-). I would have liked the service better if the hostess had actually waited for us to sit down before forcing us to pick our drinks or given us some breathing room to pick an entree without feeling guilty about sending her back a couple of times - whatever happened to leisurely dining? Overall though, Reza's is definitely one of the nicest Middle Eastern spots in the city that I've been to - a near perfect combination of location, ambiance and authentic Arab cuisine.
(4)
cindy k.

I love Reza's. They have a great buffet which is always good when you want a little bit of everything. Some places force everyone at the table to have the buffet option if 1-2 people are getting it, but not Reza's. They are nice and relax about it which is nice because not everyone has the appetite for it! Their dill rice is phenomenal! I've been to both this location and Andersonville and I think the Ontario one is far better.
(5)
Carrie S.

Meh is correct. As much as I hate using that word, it best describes this place for me. I came here last night for a professional holiday party. The venue is large and spacious while the food is boring and average. For appetizers, I had some decent hummus and grilled mushrooms. The "Persian" salad was basically a tomato-cucumber salad that I've made at home a million times to the delight of my bf. The roasted feta seemed different, but was essentially eating a block of feta with some tomatoes on it. For the entree, I had some broiled salmon, dill rice, and veggies. The broiled salmon was decent and satisfying while the dill rice was a delight. The dill rice saved this review from being a one star black hole. I didn't touch the dessert of what one party-goer described as a "Mediterranean churro" and baklava. I've honestly had better elsewhere. If anything, I craved other food down the street. I'll pass on returning here.
(2)
Stefanie W.

The best part about this place is that you get tons of food for your dollar. They also have outstanding service (thanks Christine - a star added just for you!). There is a great outdoor seating area for dog and people watching on nice summery days. Yummy martinis (courtesy of Pearl Vodka recipes). The food, however, is only average. The pita didn't seem particularly fresh, and the felafel was so dry... so dry. We had the grilled potato appetizer (very good!) and shared the Vegetarian Sampler #3. The tabbouli was really tasty, as was the eggplant when it was warm. The rest, just kind of bleh. Nothing was bad, but nothing stood out enough to make me look forward to returning. From what I hear, they used to be a lot better. Perhaps hard times have led to a decrease in the quality of their ingredients. Recommended if you're in the neighborhood, but no special trips for this one.
(3)
Albert C.

My first introduction to Mediterranean/Persian food, Reza's has set the standard for all places to come. Love their food, whether it's their meat kababs or their vegetarian stuff (falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, dolma among others). Plus the portions are enough for two meals. I've heard that the management has changed in recent years and that the place isn't quite the same... Sadness.
(4)
Thomas H.

Enjoyed a casual dinner here with business colleagues and a few of their friends. I had the fessenjan despite a friendly warning from a Persian member of our party. As it was explained to me, the sauce used is usually much sweeter and many don't like it. It turned out to be excellent! Many of the group had the buffet and said it was great. I'd suggest going with that selection just for the variety of quality foods and the all-you-can eat nature of it. FREE valet parking!
(4)
Tristin M.

So good. ... .. Lamb Kabobs, Lentil soup, rice, mashed potatoes, hummus!!... Aside from Vegas, I don't think I've ever had a buffet so good.
(4)
Linda T.

The dishes looks appetizing on the menu... but the chicken and lamb I tried were a little bit too dry for my taste. I just could not chew it anymore, and it could have used a little more flavor.... On the upside, the portions are pretty big, and the service is decent.
(3)
Sameer A.

Great Persian food in an interesting building. The food is excellent, I routinely order the lamb or chicken koobideh. The food is flavorful and not outrageously priced. The building was a warehouse or something so it has character with a semi-elegant decor. I recommend this to anyone that enjoys Mediterranean food.
(4)
Kwoky L.

I am not Persian myself but something is telling me that Persians don't eat filet mignons or shrimp skewers with dill rice. I don't know but it just seems to be an odd combination. Then again, it's me you're talking about. I am all about authenticity. Regardless, the food was decent and the restaurant was comfortably spacious. It's also a great place to go with a large group of people.
(3)
Ha O.

The reason why I decided to give the restaurant a 1-star rating is not because of the quality of food, but because of their horrendous customer service! First, we had to wait about 20 minutes before the waiter showed up. I will be referring to him as "the waiter" because he didn't even have a name tag on. He did not bother introducing himself and asked us if we were ready to order. There were about 5 of us, and we all ordered something different. He didn't write anything down, and I asked him if he would remember our order, and he said "Yeaaaa, I got it". We all ordered the chicken-barley soup, which was supposed to come with our entrÃ©e; the soup never made it to our table. The waiter brought out our food, and of course, our orders were messed up. My mom got the white rice instead of the dill, my dad got lamb instead of the beef, and I got the beef kabob instead of chicken- I hate beef! A few minutes later, the waiter came over again, and took my brothers plate because he was done. He then picked up my plate, without asking me if I was even done eating. I am a slow eater, and had put my fork down for a few seconds as I engaged in a conversation with my brother before I was rudely interrupted- more than half the food on my plate was still untouched! No, he didn't put it in a box for me; he just threw it all out! If I am paying $130 for a meal, I expect quality service. If I had not been there with my family, I would've definitely had a little chat with the waiter, and the manager! My local Mc Donald's has better customer service than this place; 1-star is all you guys are getting from me!
(1)
Christian P.

I've been eating at Reza's for over ten years now...it has become a Christmas Eve tradition for my family. We've eaten at tons of Middle Eastern restaurants all around the city and Western Suburbs and it's unanimous for us that Reza's is by far the best. They're chengeh kebab is about as good as it gets. The meat they use is great quality- tender, lean filet mignon. Also they're dill rice is perfectly fluffy and has just the right amount of seasoning. If you love Persian fare, you have to check out Reza's- I guarantee they'll keep you coming back.
(5)
Feisty E.

Mediocre food, worse service. The quality seemed to have gone done since 5 yrs ago (new owners?), though it never was top-shelf in the first place. We visited a few months ago, 2 couples for dinner. The place was not busy, seated right away. The starter bread basket was stale, not even sure if it was made that day. Medallions and lamb were unremarkable, the salad a bit wilted; worse of all was sort of a layered chocolate cake that tasted like a grocery store creation (you know, those god-awful over-sweetened buttercream-slathered bricks? Yeah, that kind). But it was edible, and we enjoyed it with some wine and good company. What really did stand out, was the rude (rather loopy actually), pencil-necked weirdo of an emo kid who was our waiter. I do not know what the boy's problem was. He looked greatly annoyed and bothered by us (we're a nice and polite bunch that give service no problems might I add). He glared at us disapprovingly as we asked some simple questions about the menu. He confused our entrÃ©e choices. He brought us a bill without asking if we want dessert. Upon which, we remarked that he never brought us the soup that came with the entrÃ©e. To which he replied with "Oh.... Ok", an eye roll and a shrug. I am not kidding you. I must say, that the manager we summoned was very sweet and apologetic; she gave us our dessert free, which, see above, was terrible (I muse if there is a huge bin with *free dessert* label in the cooler?) but she tried. This waiter was so surreal in his rude weirdness, he was actually hilarious (picture Napoleon Dynamite minus the jewfro serving your table). Was our meal entertaining - yes; satisfying - no.
(2)
Olga M.

If you love meat, Saturday and Sunday brunch is a great deal. Their dill rice is very good and Sangria is excellent. They also have five different variaties of kebab and even seafood options on the buffet.
(4)
A B.

Good ol' Reza's, so much to say so little time. Once upon a time this used to be a good place to eat. The food has gotten worse over time and the service, well it might as well be non existent. I am of Middle East decent and grew up in the Middle East eating some of the most amazing Persian food, this place is such a disappointment, sure the portions are huge and the prices are reasonable, but the spices are not authentic and the food quality has gone way down. The servers and management need to smile more often and provide some service!
(2)
Alan Z.

Holy crap. All you can eat lunch buffet. Best ever.
(4)
Don E.

I have this terrible habit of falling in love with a particular dish, at a particular restaurant and never ordering anything other than that particular dish, from that particular restaurant. And at this particular restaurant, that particular dish is the Chengeh Kabob from Reza's. It is a very tasty treat served with white rice and a pita. I've been going to the Reza's on Ontario for almost 10 years now. I remember when the area around it was a bit dodgy, but now it is surrounded by lofts on all sides, which means valet parking only. Oh, and they deliver too, which is fannnnntastic. When dining in, I've never had a problem with the service and the staff is usually attentive. When the weather is nice, they open up the front and it is a great place to dine outside.
(5)
Sheila Y.

There is a part of me that loves this place because my father's name is Reza so this is a bit biased. Went in here with my mom and sister (the German side, not the Persian side) and we all shared a Kashkeh Bodemjan and Koubideh for a small lunch. The woman seemed surprised but I know how huge portions are and we didn't want any leftovers. The eggplant was served with pita and onion and feta. Nice and smoky. The Koubideh was much better than anything I have had in Denver and Seattle, but still not as good as LA or Vancouver. The space seems quite large so I am hoping they have Persian dance parties. I will definitely be making another trip or two to Reza's before I leave this summer.
(4)
Anik S.

It's ok. Bland would be my key descriptor for this place. Make sure to get a side of the hot sauce. Decently priced food in a decent setting. They have a lot of vegetarian options which is a plus.
(2)
Brenda V.

Easy valet parking - nice ambiance although it was a little too dark for my taste since I had a hard time reading the menu. The meat was succulant and the rice was amazing. Service was good.
(4)
Lubna A.

They charged me 5 dollars more what it's been written in their delivery menu! and the food wasn't that good
(1)
James C.

Huge huge portions!!! When my parents are in town they always want to stop here for dinner. The family style meals will make you take a nap afterwards, so don't dine here before a play or bar night! Seriously great service and the food is good eats! Great kabobs all around! Huge mushroom are +++ if you love your shrooms.
(4)
Martha Z.

Wow Reza's has really gone down the craphole. I really won't go out of my way to come here in the future. The service is some of the worst that I've had. I consider myself fairly patient and I understand that working at Reza's probably sucks more then being a telemarketer. But that really doesn't give much excuse for a server to be such a dill weed. He was convinced that he didn't have to write down any of our drink orders for our party of 10, that somehow he won't manage to botch everybody's drink up, guess again, just write down the freaking order. If that wasn't telltale enough they stopped giving out the feta and radish plate gratis, it's now $5, boo. I decided to step outside my foodbox and order something else then koubideh and tried the garlic shrimp skewers. The shrimp was dry and uncleaned, gross. I felt like getting Chef Ramsey on the place. The place was dead and yet our dinner service took over 3 hours. You could tell by the looks of our table we were not down with just "lingering" and wanted to leave. Good ol' Amanda B. had to hunt down our server for the check and then to have them take it.
(2)
Lauren M.

I'm in love with the kabobs. Superb.
(4)
Melissa R.

I went to Reza's for lunch on a Friday with a group of friends and pretty much fell in love with it. The restaurant itself is gorgeous with brick exposed walls, brick flooring, vaulted ceilings, plush couches and chairs at the entrance, and dark wood throughout. Me and my entire table were seated immediately and decided on the lunch buffet which I think was around $12.95. Everything I tried was delicious and I wished I had more room in my stomach for seconds or thirds.
(5)
Hzl M.

on wednesday (11-21-2012) i ordered food from Reza to pick up @ 2pm. the cook left out the lamb, and when i got home there was no lamb (dill rice and chicken). it, obviously wasn't busy at that time; when i got there, there was one busy occupied. i think they cook food very good but, the management there is so rude and impolite. I ask the manager for a side of a sauce, and she brought it to me, litlte did i know it was $6 for yogurt with dill. the other staff was very nice and quite but i think it start with the management. if they don't change, i will be going else where to get persain food...
(3)
Rachel H.

This place rocks my world from the soup to the dessert. Definitely go with the hummus. My companion loved the whole lamb shank and my standby is the filet mignon kebab. I have to say, oddly enough that the carrot cake is some of the best carrot cake I've ever had.
(5)
K M.

Would you like to walk away from dinner totally stuffed? This place is for you :) I would be afraid to try the buffet because on the entrees and two shared appetizers- well I barely put a dent into my dinner and its going to feed me for the next couple days. At $75 for two people, including a drink each, and accounting for the fact that my bf ordered one of the priciest items of the menu (sea bass), this seems like a good deal for very tasty food! I've lived nearby for 2 and 1/2 years and for some reason never made it in, but I tell ya- its going to be my lazy restaurant of choice in the future (you know, when you just can't be bother to travel more than a few blocks) This was my first experience with baba ghannouj (yes I did in fact just have to look that up to see how it is spelled) and falafel, so I have no basis for comparison, but they both went quickly :) I had some chicken combo, one part of which was basically a grilled chicken breast in kebob-ish form (not many veggies though), plus dill rice (have to admit I had to salt it, but I have issues). The other sort of tasted like it was chicken sausage, so it was definitely different, and tasty. I could have done without the soup that came with the meal, although I suppose it allowed for more leftover chicken. My bf's sea bass was also very good (although not my favorite fish- the taste I had melted in my mouth and wasn't overly fishy). The only downsides to me was a lack of a martini list (which hey, they never called themselves a martini bar so who am I to complain) and that the chicken didn't seem particularly noteworthy (although again, it was good and I'd eat it again, just would have to find a dish with more variety to the extras). Service was attentive, and I loved the piano music. I will absolutely come back in the summer when they open up the doors lining the entire restaurant to the street! Parking on this street is weird by the way. Its permit from 6-9, but the meters are also still running at that time. So I'm really not sure what the deal was (obviously I would normally walk but my date had picked me up from work, awwww :)). I'd recommend going a street north where I think you might have better luck.
(4)
Yahaa T.

Reza's is my favorit middle eastern restaurant. It has a beautiful decor and you can sit outside when its warm outside. The service is always great and the atmosphere is just great. The food is heaven. You'll never get shish kabob and lamb chops as good at any other middle eastern restaurant. All the main courses come with for starters bread feta cheese and some greens, so good. And I love their dill rice and red lentil soup. Okay, and I HATE lentil soup when my mom makes it but I will eat it here. It is much more classy and upscale than a lot of middle eastern restaurants and I think the price is worth it!! Great place for a date people. Plates are huge, drinks are good, and hey just go here and thank me later ;-)
(5)
Sarah Q.

Parking is pretty much nonexistent after 6 pm (you WILL get ticketed, even at the meters) so I would go before then. Came here with a group of friends around 7 pm and placed our orders with the server (who was very nice btw). There is a mini buffet with pita bread, hummus, falafel (the falafel is horrible--hard and very bland), and two kinds of soups. Nothing special. Almost an hour later, the server informs us that the chef JUST told her they are out of lamb, which 3 people had ordered. Really? You're going to tell us that after waiting for an hour? We asked to speak to the manager, a very uptight woman who could care less about the customers. She basically said, what do you want me to do? Um...we want a discount for the inconvenience, obviously! She was reluctant, but eventually gave us the option of either free dessert or a 50% discount for the people who had ordered the lamb...but she really wasn't happy about it. Finally the entrees came, and although the portions are decent, the food is just okay. For a persian restaurant I would expect something much better...the food is almost bland (except the dill rice that comes with it--really good) but meats definitely need more flavor. Overall, I'm pretty unsatisfied with the experience and don't think I'll be coming back again--there are so many more places in Chicago that serve superb, flavorful middle eastern food. Note: for those who eat halal/zabiha meat, the server assured us that all the meat (lamb, beef and chicken) IS halal/zabiha except for the cornish hen.
(2)
Jonathan C.

This place has a very nice, meat heavy, brunch. Just the way I like it. Its a little expensive, but at least you are getting good food. Valet parking at this location is not too expensive, but can be a bit of a wait some times. Not much street parking.
(4)
Ali A.

This place is amazing. Go for the lunch buffet. They have a large variety of dishes and the price is very reasonable considering what you get. Not to mention the free valet parking. Their koubideh kababs are AMAZING! Full of flavor, very moist, and super tender (unlike most kabab dishes I have eaten which are dry or bland). Probably the best restaurant I have ever gone too. Going to check it out once I am back in town!
(5)
Jenn L.

I enjoy me some dill rice! Ok so im not an experienced middle eastern diner and I sure dont go to other middle eastern restaurants but I do love this place. Their chicken and beef kabobs are wonderful and the flatbread they bring out is yummy! I even enjoy their pitchers of Sangria! and yes I said pitcherS. If you are in River North Reza's is a DO. Maybe if you are lucky you can find parking but they do have valet if you are fancy...
(4)
Danish I.

This is pretty decent middle eastern food. I've been here dozens of times for various occasions. For a year or two no one got older unless their birthday dinner was held here. The service was always excellent, but the food was less than exceptional at times. Not a bad place. Not too expensive. Worth a shot.
(3)
Rich J.

Disappointed. Recommended at my hotel and have to say I would never go again. Chicken kabob had no taste. Got rice when I ordered potatos. Use to fresh bread in Detroit, where I am from and here it is warmed up.
(1)
K G.

I ate here twice, and one of the times it was Christmas Day. The individual served food was way better than the Christmas buffet, so I have to remember not to do buffet again. I felt like it was a little too loud and crowded for my taste, and the food was not particularly memorable, but not bad either.
(3)
Radif M.

Ok so where do I begin.......ummmm 100% disappointment. I had gone to the other Reza's in the past and it was great. I was ranting and raving about how good it was going to be and we got crap. The service was slooooooow. The food cold and without flavor. We noticed they were quick to remove our barely touched plates and did not ask if anything was wrong. Ramsey's kitchen nightmare come true.
(1)
Esther Y.

I never really liked this location. I never thought the food was as good as it is in Andersonville and the service was always a little surly here.
(1)
Sarah J.

if it's hot outside, go somewhere else! little to no ac, uncomfortable to just sit there. felt really bad for servers that were drenched. Maybe in Iran people like to eat in a 95 degree restaurant, but not in the US. food was ok, hard to enjoy with the heat.
(1)
Karla M.

* Reza's has such great food. When you go for dinner they start you off with a lentil soup, I hate lentils but love this soup. They also bring a basket of pita bread and feta cheese, I love feta. For dinner I like to order either the lamb or salmon kabobs with rice pilaf. Yum Yum Yum. I have also been there for lunch it's very good, they have salmon, beef kabobs, falafel (yummy), soup, chicken, rice. One might think the menu is too basic but people it's an inexpensive lunch buffet. I've been to their location on Clark but I personally prefer this one. Try it and gives us your input.
(4)
Paul C.

Went here with a friend when he had his huge Greek family in town. Damn, this place is good. Because it was family style, the prices seemed reasonable, the food was great and the servers were very helpful. I'm normally not the biggest fan of this type of food, but I would definitely come back again.
(4)
C C.

Reza's is an ok-good place at an ok price. If you go there with no expectations and a hunger for Mediterranean/Persian food, you will like it. The River north location is in a quintessential Chicago factory building with lofty high ceilings, complete with brick floors and the huge brew kettles showing the history of the beer brewery it once was. It was rather empty for a large space, never really a good sign especially for a Thursday night, but then again, it isn't trendy, it isn't new, and it isn't any sort of 'it' spot. The server was not particularly warm or friendly but was decent enough. I noticed that almost all the employees were male and seemingly of Mediterranean/Persian/Middle Eastern decent. Maybe Mr. Reza hired them all personally. Reza's entrees are all served with Persian bread- warm, like pita bread with an oily/buttery finish, their signature vegetarian soup- tomato-based with herbs and lentils, and your choice of rice, potato or vegetable. The entrees are served kabob-style and mine (Chicken Combo) included one kabob (off the skewer) of cubed chicken breast and one of minced, spiced chicken. The portions are huge (overheard people near me saying this too- when I asked for a doggy bag, they acted like it was a standard request) and the chicken was good, but not outstanding. I had the grilled vegetables for the side- an oily and salty, but not overly so, mix of carrot sticks, green peppers, onions and mushrooms. If you are looking for a moderately-priced Mediterranean meal in a Chicago loft building, this one will satisfy. If you're looking for a trendy place with great service, steer clear.
(3)
Olga C.

I completely agree with Martha Z. This used to be a great place for a big group of people to dine or even Sunday brunch. The food quality has gone WAYYYY downhill. Sunday brunch is overcrowded and the dishes are constantly empty. That pretty much defeats the purpose of a buffet brunch. Definitely not worth the price. Looks like Reza's got a little too big for its own britches.
(2)
Michael D.

Like many out yelper reviews parking is a hard thing to obtain here. Unless you are willing to dish the extra cash for vallet. The dill rice is one of my favorites, I sometimes take an order to go with me. I typically order the beef and chicken koubideh. The koubideh both had pretty big portions. One of the downsides is it gets awfully crowded and busy. It reminds me of the noisy high school cafeteria. If you want a quiet meal, on the busy dining times this is not a place for you. I only gave it 3 stars because of the lack of attention from the waiting staff. Also on the day I went they seated us on the upper extra area. The AC ducts had condensation and kept dripping almost everywhere. However, its overall a good restaurant. Next time I will probably just place a pick up order.
(3)
Evann G.

I admit I've never been IN Reza's so this review applies only to delivery, for which I have one word: Meh. Everything was just OK. Couscous? Sort of dry. Falafel? Apparently they don't retain heat well enough to make for a good delivery option. Hummus? Not bad, but not as good as I've had at Sultan's Market or Taza. Pita? Not my style. And I've tried two kinds of chicken kabobs there... one was Reza's Special Chicken, which had some pieces that were really good. But then there were other pieces that were actually sort of gross. The second kabob I am too lazy to look up the name of, but it's the ground chicken one, and that was probably my favorite menu item but even that was just okay. I was just expecting more from this place.
(3)
J T.

Now, I've only had catering from Reza's, and it was still quite good, despite the fact it was driven across state lines to various Iranian events my father and I attended in Indianapolis, IN. Some of the other people said the rice was a little overdone (any of you who know Iranians know how serious they are about their rice),but I liked it. And the fact that the Persian cultural group my dad belongs to ordered from Reza's speaks volumes in itself. Those are some picky Persians! One of my best friends from high school went to U of C, and the first thing my dad asked her during her first trip back to Greencastle was "How was Reza's?". Her response was, of course, very positive.
(4)
Josh M.

I'm a big fan of Reza. The restaurant is nice and open. The amount of food they give you is amazing. There is no way I could have finished my plate. I'd give this place 5 stars, but I ordered the lamb chops and they were out. They also served me an extra vodka tonic, without me asking. I did not want it, nor did I drink it, but I did pay for it. Overall, four stars a good restaurant.
(4)
Brad C.

I have never dined in just delivery. I think we order from here at least once a month. They are super fast and the amount of food you get with your order is great. They have forgetting to give us pita a couple times, its really hard to eat hummus when you don't get any pita.
(4)
Jonathan A.

We order here for work all the time, and it always hits the spot. Unfortunately I have never dined here. Just delivery. But they are relatively fast, and give you a ton of good food. I cannot bring myself to order anything but the Vegetarian Combo #2. Only one thing from being 5 stars is the pita bread. It can be dry and stale sometimes. But it might be a different story at the restaurant.
(4)
Liz B.

I wish the lunch buffet was less expensive ($11.95, sometimes $12.95) since I work next door. If it was half that, I'd probably go there for lunch every day. They make a giant Vegetarian Platter, which you'd be wise to share with others. Great falafel, good pita, decent hummus, a variety of rice dishes, but the best item by far is their tomato lentil soup, which is phenomenal. I would go to great lengths for this recipe. Great lengths. They sometimes have a piano player for the dinnertime crowd.
(4)
Francie M.

I like this place. Never actually eaten there though. Only ordered out. But, the lamb kabob and the vegetarian sampler split w/ my roommate over a lazy-Sunday Netflix selection is about one of my favorite pastimes on Earth. The delivery isn't super fast, but I'm all the way out in Logan Square and they still get there in a reasonable amount of time. The delivery drivers are always nice, the food's always warm, and it's yummmmmy.
(4)
Rebecca B.

reza's restaurant is in a really cool, roomy space & smells delicious when you walk inside. our waitress was friendly and helpful without being annoying. my boyfriend & i shared the koubideh combo (chicken & beef kebabs) with dill rice and maust khiar (similar to tzaziki sauce). we also added the "salad bar" option which included soups, hummus, pita and falafel. although the salad bar was a good idea, the pita was hard and the presentation was a bit lackluster. the main course, however, tasted homemade in the best way possible. i'll definitely hit up reza's again.
(4)
William T.

Despite some of the poor reviews, I have yet to have food that was less than great and service that was less than adequate. The location is huge, and I have never had to wait to get seated. It is one of the restaurants that I repeatedly recommend to out of towners who are stuck in the Ohio/Ontario corridor.
(4)
Andrea O.

this place use to be five stars but now it's not as great as it use to be. This use to be my favorite restaurant but the food isn't quite great anymore and the service sucks.
(3)
nancy c.

I live in Andersonville and love Reza's. This Easter, I made reserverations for my family one week in advance. When we arrived, there were people smothering the entrance. The restaurant was completely filled and the people waiting were all trying to check in for their reservations.It was obvious that reservation times would not be honored because of the existing crowds. That would have been ok, but the rudeness of the management was unforgettable and nearly unforgiveable. A man who appeared to be an owner/manager yelled at people who were trying to inquire about their reservations. He was also yelling at wait staff who were ectremely challenged to navigate through the crowds. There was a female hostess who walked off ignoring the waiting crowd. We were finally told to wait in the back near the bar. Everyone I tried to speak with ignored me and walked off. We waited 30 minutes and when we were ready to leave, we were finally seated. Our table did not have silverware and no one came to ask us about drinks before going to the buffet. After waiting with no service, we simply made our way through the huge crowds only to find that there was no silverware or plates. When plates were finally brought out, they were wet. Much of the food was gone. We struggled to get silverware and finally found some forks. When we returned to our table, a woman who appeared to be management took our drink order. A waiter finally came and we asked for more eating utensils. He never came back until we finished our food. He also never picked up our plates. The whole experience was a struggle. It was obvious that the management had no clue as to how to manage a holiday brunch. We were shocked that the management showed their frustration by taking it out on the customers. Reza's food is very good, but it will be awhile before we return. Management made no effort to extend apologies or even basic needs of their patrons.
(2)
Connie M.

The River North location is so huge--has anyone ever had to wait for a table? We went late on a Friday, so it was really empty and felt oversized. Our server was pretty okay--honest, there when you needed him, but not particularly enthusiastic. But it was late. The portions are massive and the food tasty. Honestly, I felt it was more "middle eastern" and the stuff my Persian friends always made/had at parties weren't so present. I'd go back, 'cause it's good and affordable in a neighborhood where that's uncommon. But I would rave about it.
(3)
Emily C.

Wasn't impressed. The service was great, but the food the night I went was mediocre and not worth the cost.
(2)
Jennifer L.

We just ate here, and left feeling really disappointed. What would have been an average disappointment (very slow service, not so great food) became a greater disappointment when the waiter questioned why we'd only left 10-12% tip rather than the 'customary' 15-20%. He felt he had done a very good job apparently and wanted us to tell the manager what he must have done wrong! So the food is OK, appetizers (when they finally arrive) are better than the entrees. Service - expect to explain yourself if you don't want to pay an extra 20% in tip!
(3)
marisa s.

i kinda like you, you're growing on me just a littttttle bit. but what's lacking in chicago...is GOOD middle eastern food. where are you? where are you good hummus? (you know, the kind with the right amount of tahini, so smooth you could bathe in it, with just a lil paprika on the top). for my middle eastern cravings, i've hit up reza's more than a few times - it's in my 'hood and in the warmer months, they have plenty of outdoor seating. i usually split the lamb & chicken kabobs with my boyf, comes with rice, a salad and lentil soup. we've also ordered the falafel..which is pretty good. the hummus is alright, but it's not that flavorful. this place is HUGE...so if you want to have your family reunion here it would be perfect.
(4)
Dru T.

This place has it all: Great food, great service, great atmosphere, reasonable price. Good on ya, Reza.
(5)
Miinno N.

It is a busy restaurant. We often get delivery. The food is tasty and consistent. Great menu.
(4)
Amanda A.

I'm curious about how the Andersonville location and the River North location can have such different reviews, but I like this place a lot. I got the vegetarian sampler and it was delicious. The eggplant and mushroom dishes are really good and they make a great hummus. There are also non-veggie options that looked tasty. And, if you can trust the people you sit next to, the buffet options are excellent. They went up there like 10 times and kept putting it down.
(4)
Kengo H.

We went here for the lunch buffet. Some dishes were good (though unexceptional), like the beef kebabs and their chicken dishes. However, given the per-person price ($17/person with a soft drink and tip), I expected quite a bit more in taste and food selection. In addition, some of the covers were missing their handles, giving a rather shabby atmosphere.
(1)
Linda K.

Reza's is great.Years ago I ordered delivery from Reza's a couple of times and just thought the food was average. A couple of months ago my friends and I carried out from Reza's for the movie in the park- ever since then I cannot get enough. Usually I order one of the vegetarian combos- number 2 is my favorite. The vegetarian shami is delicious- it is falafel like patties in the tastiest pomegranete sauce- yum! My other favorite is the Kashkeh Bodemjan- this is an eggplant dip..so good!!
(5)
Slameelo K.

Have only ordered delivery once from here. Delivery was fast and the food arrived hot. We ordered one filet mignon+chicken combo and one lamb+chicken and were sent two filets, no lamb instead. We were starving and in a hurry so didn't call back--plus the filets smelled great. The food itself is great--tender filet pieces, well seasones chicken kabobs, yummy dill rice. The biggest complaint is that the pita bread is dry, somewhat stale and tastes like it came out of a supermarket bag. Also, while portions are plentiful, the price should include a side like hummus.
(3)
Ravi Y.

Can't complain about the food. Entrees are huge and mostly prefixed. Location is a bit off and the place is huge and feels empty. Waiters are mostly non-enthusiastic.
(3)
Patty V.

I have eaten at the Andersonville location many times and really enjoy it. The lunch buffet is good, but go early for the freshest choices. Good food,huge portions-fresh food.I have not had the Sunday brunch,I hear that every item on the menu is available and the price is great!Love the Lentil Soup-a little minty and just delicious!
(4)
C D.

Reza's is one of my favorites! The food is great, the atmosphere is casual but nice. They are very kid-friendly. And the dil rice....and the lamb shank.....mmmmmm!! Time to go to Reza's!!
(5)
Ren H.

They have pretty good middle eastern food here... the place is huge so there's not too big of a wait and the price is right..
(4)
jack b.

OK for a hungry day not a good choice to take any one
(2)
J V.

Large portions and decent persian food. Love the lentil rice, kabobs, and turkish coffee. Why 2 stars? It's average and there are better places. Oh and it's open 365 days a year practically, which is great if you have a hankering for persian food on xmas.
(2)
Ian S.

This place is in an a big old brew house. It makes for an unusual atmosphere for a middle eastern restaurant. The food was reasonably priced and the portions were quite large. The grilled mushroom appetizer was awesome and I don't normally even like mushrooms.
(4)
L B.

I work just a couple doors down and have been to this place for lunch several times. All three times it's the same thing - bad service and ok food. Don't take guests here. It will only be frustrating for everyone.
(1)
litl m.

I just love this place! I first tried Pita Inn and got hooked on Middle Eastern food. But this place is even better! I love everything I've tried here - even the soup is great, different, but great. We also tried the sangria - yum! My favorite is the ground beef sishkabobs and also the scallops. I haven't had a bad experience here and although it's far from me, I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Sam T.

This place is a really good authentic persian restaurant. The lunch buffet is fantastic as they have a ton of stuff to choose from. I always love their lamb kabobs. They are really tasty. For dessert, don't forget to clog your arteries with their version of fried dough pastries. They really melt into you mouth! You can also order off the regular menu.
(4)
Ed M.

one of my fave restaurants in chicago...this is the gourmet Pita Inn. Best buffet in the world. Lamb makes me cum prematurely. Go to the one in andersonville. that one is more cozy. =)
(5)
M W.

I went here with my girlfriend earlier this evening with a vacuum of a belly. So hungry! Despite this, the experience was pleasant but nothing to go nuts over. I had the filet mignon skewer entree, and although the beef was DELICIOUS and expertly cooked, the soup was terribly bland and oddly-spiced, and the portions were too small. My girlfriend had the Mediterranean-style filet mignon and was overall happy with it. Prices are a bit over-the-top for the quantity of food that you get. Restaurant decor is pretty damn cool, although when we went around 7pm (Friday night, no less), the place was virtually deserted. Will probably be returning to Rezas, although not anytime too soon.
(3)
M G.

The food is good. The Shish Kebab is awesome I highly recommend. I also recommend the three-rice plate. The service is decent. The environment is ok. It doesn't feel that persian or middle eastern to me. I would definetely go there again.
(4)
Ingrid G.

Major thumbs up for Reza's! I had planned to order in lunch for my staff (about 10 people) and was moving towards the standard Giordano's pizza. But one of the staff bravely asked if we couldn't possibly try sometime different this time? It was 10:30, and the lunch was planned for 12:00. I took a deep breath, and called Reza's. Could I order one of their catering packages and have it delivered by noon? The very nice woman said "of course!" The food was delivered a few minutes before noon by a courteous and friendly delivery guy. Without my having to remind them, they supplied plates and utensils, and even serving forks and spoons. And the food was awesome, everyone in this diverse group loved it! Please note that they don't offer many vegetarian options in the catering packages, but I asked if they could add some vegetable kabobs and they did (along with the beef and chicken combo). Best of all, they gave us a lovely fried dough sort of dessert item, for free! I was really impressed with Reza's and would definitely plan on using them for a group order again.
(5)
Anita M.

great portions for sharing and my love of hummus began here... however not a big fan of the lamb (overcooked) or the service (hard to communicate). may or may not be back anytime soon.
(3)
Blah B.

I was here once a few years back for lunch and honestly I wasn't to impressed with it, probably because it was a buffet set-up and I've never been a huge fan of food that's been sitting out for a very LONG time!
(2)
slim ..

true persian food in a great setting. there is more than enough space for a few large parties, but not too much that two feel lost. the food, though, makes it easy to lose oneself - even the appetizer sampler platter could serve as a full meal. bring some friends, or order in as my family often does.
(5)
Amy S.

hearty portions, good strong flavors, reasonable price. Great for meat lovers. The filet mignon kebabs are great as is the lamb shank. Also good for large parties. The place is huge.
(4)
Laila K.

my husband and i went here with another couple and their 19 month old. the wine was ehh, the vegetarian sampler was very good but for the 5 of us they only brought 1 piece of bread, which seemed strange, when we asked for more (about...oh.. 30 seconds after the first one arrived) they brought 1 more...um did you not understand that if 1 piece dissappeared in 30 seconds and we still have over half the hummus platter left we might need more. the plates were good sized but when i read that something comes with grilled veggies i expect a little more than 1 small slice of tomato, green pepper, & onion. that said the lamb and filet were both very good.
(4)
Eve A.

the shishleek literally melts in your mouth- what else can I say?
(4)
Susan G.

Decent food, but they need to do something with the decor. Okay, I know this used to be a Berghoff's restaurant many years ago, but Reza's has been there long enough to make some changes to make it fit with its own cuisine. Ate here with family recently and everyone ordered different entrees and so we sampled everything from lamb chops, to lamb and beef skewers, to vegetarian. All were happy with their selections and the portions were large enough for generous leftovers. Ordered wine by the glass and I swear that my pinot grigio was actually something much sweeter, but it was fine with my meal. The desserts on the buffet are overly sweet and make you think that your teeth will fall out. The route to the restrooms takes you past unused space and part of the kitchen area which doesn't look all that great. I must admit that it kind of killed my appetite. The free valet parking is nice. I honestly don't think I would go out of my way to dine here again, but the meal was decent.
(3)

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Address : 432 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL, 60654
Phone (312) 664-4500
Website https://www.rezasrestaurant.com/index.html
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :11:00 am - 10
Mon : 11:00 am - 10

Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : Yes
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet, Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes

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Reza’s Restaurant

432 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL, 60654

Reza’s Restaurant Menu

Appetizers

Soups

Salads

Entrées - Vegetarian

Entrees - Seafood

Entrees - Signature Kabobs

Entrees - Kabab Combinations

Chef's Recommendations

Traditional Dishes

Healthy Meal suggestions for Reza’s Restaurant

Appetizers

Soups

Salads

Entrées - Vegetarian

Entrees - Seafood

Entrees - Signature Kabobs

Entrees - Kabab Combinations

Chef's Recommendations

Traditional Dishes

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