I went to Reza's on a Friday night. The service was pretty prompt (for a group of 10 we were out in two hours) However it was kind of confusing when ordering. I wanted to share a meal with a friend, but since the meals come with a salad bar (hummus, soup. etc) the waitress told us that would be an additional $9.99 sharing charge. This was confusing because in the menu, it said the sharing charge was $3.99. We decided instead to get four appetizers. The grilled mushrooms, the vegetarian sampler, the grilled potatoes and the chicken kabobs. The sampler was huge, with baba ganoush, hummus, tabbouleh and falfael. I was very disappointed with the falafel, they had a weird texture and were extremely sweet. (which I have never had sweet falafel before) The tabbouleh was fresh and good. The grilled potatoes were okay, except my friend got one that was not cooked and completely raw. Both the mushrooms and the potatoes were greasy and in a lot of oil. The entree portions are definitely enough to share (if you can figure out how to do it) and they have a lot of different options. It seems like if you go here, you should try meat dishes as those are their speciality. We sat by the front and by the windows and it was freezing. I might try it again as I have heard good things about Reza's. I wasn't not too impressed though. A side note--it is impossible to find parking on the street on Friday night. Which is probably to be expected.
(2)
Nastassia J.
There's a ton of reviews about this place already, so I won't go on and on.... to sum it up quickly: Better than Andies (next door). And there you have it.
(4)
Roy R.
Rude waiter who seemed like he was doing us a favor by taking our dinner orders ... incorrect order served ... main course arrived not even two minutes after the appetizers, bad bad timing ... something brown and gooey was on the edge of my plate (nothing I ordered was supposed to be brown, or gooey ...) .... They were not crowded at all yet service was sloppy and slow ... for $95 for two, for what we were served and the poor service, I don't think we will be returning.
(2)
Brett G.
I would say 3 3/4 stars.... Here's why The food was pretty darn excellent - beginning with the tomato and lentil soup and the warm pitas. The main courses - chicken kabobs and a vegetarian sampler, were excellent, and the presentation was lovely. I have a deep affinity for dill rice, and this was spectacular. The sangria was delicious. The portions were big - we both had enough for more than one meal to take home. I found it a little odd that when my boy went to order the lamb and chicken combo, they were out of lamb. Really? I've never heard of that, especially at a restaurant where lamb is one of the staple meats. While the interior was pretty and spacious (complete with high ceilings, and wood beams - kind of 'lofty'), I will agree with Dave S - something about the atmosphere was just off. I don't know if it was because the patrons at more than half of both dining rooms were large groups and in suits / dresses - like everyone had just come from church or something. I didn't feel totally comfortable there. The food was great, albeit a little high-priced, although I prefer Andies' food next door. If I order from Reza's again, I would probably get my meal delivered.
(4)
Abbey C.
This is definitely my favorite place for Middle Eastern food in Andersonville. The prices are a little high, so I wouldn't choose Reza's for a quick weeknight dinner,but it's a great place to go with friends on the weekend. This place is also massive, so it's a good choice if you're looking for a place to eat with a larger group. The decor is fine but forgettable, but for me, it's really all about the food at Reza's. The vegetarian sampler is a great way to start the meal -- the hummus is delicious and I really like the eggplant salad (not the baba ghannouj, the other one). The lamb kebab is fantastic -- probably the best I've had. My preferred side is the cous cous but the dill rice is pretty great, too.
(4)
Jenny D.
lunch buffet: $9.99 i'm down. before visiting this location, i had only been to the one downtown for a couple formals in college, and i was never really impressed with the family style pre-ordered dinners. HOWEVER, my bf dragged me over here for the lunch special one afternoon and i've been a happy camper ever since. There are enough choices and they are always refilled. Three round tables with the buffet trays, and they're each clearly labeled. The lamb and dill rice are my favorite. The spicy chicken is juicy and delicious, something u don't expect since it's sitting out in a warming tray. the only thing i don't like are the bathrooms in the basement. it's kind of creepy....just a little bit.
(4)
Marianne C.
annoyed - I love Reza's and talked friends into going. Saturday night - not too late not too early... what happened to their great wine list? What happened to waitstaff that knows the menu? We ended up with a waitress who didn't have a clue about the menu or how to serve. It took one friend going to the bar to explain to the bartender how a malibu and pineapple juice was made! No main course went to the correct person - so we did the pass the meal around the table game. The Buffet was great - because their Hummus and Falafel are always great - and soup and salad. The entrees were just so so and the dill rice my most favorite of all things was dry... and everyone elses food was dry and bordering on cold... I am guessing our chinese waitress forgot to pick up the order. SUCH a disappointment at $32 a piece - I felt responsible - I wont give up on Reza's but I WILL try to avoid that waitron
(2)
Emily N.
Date Night fell on a gorgeous Friday evening. Mission Mediterranean. Preferably al fresco. Enter Reza's. We were seated at a table next to the open patio doors. Perfect for a slight breeze and people watching. Ordered up a couple of drafts (I got carded, WEEEE!) and perused the menu. I opted for a shrimp dish while handsome went with the fillet. Both entrees came with the salad bar. Okay, so I didn't actually see the salad bar. I was wearing shoes that were apparently only meant for sitting. They are (re: were) fabulous though. I will miss them. I'm considering purchasing a wheel chair so that I can still wear them. But I digress. He said that there was a bounty to be had from there. He swears by the lentil soup, but it was too hot out for me to even think about soup. Hummus was super creamy and delish. Pita was fine, but I wish it had been warm. Falafels were crunchy outside and soft inside. Perfect. My shrimp dish was fine. A touch over done and a bit bland for me. My big gripe was the portion. The gave me a boatload of rice and like 8 shrimp. I obviously didn't order the right dish. When my piece got his grub, it was massive! Two nice sized file ts and an entire plate of rice. I ate quite a bit of his rice. Seriously, the dill rice here is super tasty. The steak was done perfectly. What? You know I snuck a few bites. Honestly, I would've given this place a "meh" rating, but I definitely want to go back for the dinner buffet and some more people watching. Also, the service here was tops!
(3)
Susan L.
This is our Sunday-night-takeout staple. Enough food so that 2 people could share 1 entree, or in our case, become nice leftovers for the next day. I do NOT like their baba ganoush, FWIW. Reza's is MUCH more inexpensive than it's next door neighbor, Andie's. Enjoy!
(4)
Noosh N.
Food coma I welcome you! Buffet, mmmmmmm! Everything was pretty good, I drenched everything with mast o keeyar (yogurt and cucumber) and it made everything even better! The soup was good. Their chai was even better, I apreciate good chai. I didn't expect such rich fragarent hot tea, it was a nice way to end my food coma~!
(4)
Rafael C.
I had my first visit to Reza's, in my hood, and it was quite OK. I usually don't venture off my usual staple of Mediterranean foods on a first visit to a place. I had the combo kabobs and they were delicious as well as the dill rice that accompanied them. I do agree with most that even though I liked the food it seemed to be a bit overpriced a smidge. Getting an outside table by the side street was no problem and the service was just fine. I haven't been inside the restaurant but it seems to be a pretty big space. I can see making Reza's my standby place for Mediterranean food especially since nearby Taste of Lebanon closes much earlier.
(3)
Colleen F.
Ok, I gave this place a 3rd chance not too long ago and it has now become a regular part of my delivery rotation. I've yet too see any more mystery fibers in the hummus, which is delicious. It's a little pricey for delivery but I always end up with lunch for the next day, yum.
(4)
Jay U.
Cold food, poor service, and unappetizing presentation characterized our recent visit to Reza's, and we will not return. The falafel appetizer, while tasty, arrived cold. The harried waiter left the huge plate of sauce from the falafel on the table through our main courses, which were accompanied by platters of Persian rice meant for one but large enough to feed four. Rather than seeming generous, it seemed excessive. On a positive note, my "crispy Lake Superior fish fillet" was tasty, though overly salted and accompanied by a huge blob of soggy fried vegetables. We regret that we didn't choose one of Andersonville's many other options instead of the disappointing Reza's.
(2)
Irena A.
I have been to this place at least 3 times. I am not impressed with their food. It just doesn't taste middle eastern enough...not sure how else to put it! I have had the lentil soup which was good except the lentils that were a little too crunchy(aka not boiled right). I have tried the Sultani dish which is pretty good-- the kefta is cooked to perfection! Service is pretty good. I am curious to try their buffet since some of the other yelpers seem to have liked it.
(3)
Purnima M.
Oh, high expectations, how cruel it feels to have you crushed to the ground! In this case, my husband set me up for failure. His great memories of meals here on business trips to Chicago a few years ago had me excited. And, I was truly starved of good Persian food and longingly recollecting my favorite joint in SF. So, really, this meal didn't stand a chance. With overarchingly impossible high standards to live up to, it was doomed from the start. In a word, my experience was: tomato. Yup, tomato. Everything I ate was bathed in a curiously sweet, stunningly bland tomato sauce - from the rice, stuffed peppers, even some kind of falafel-type dumplings on the platter. As for the hummus and kashko bademjan, they almost made me wish they were covered in sauce, it might have been an improvement. Sorry guys, this wasn't for me. Maybe I'm just the wrong audience for a kabab haven.
(2)
Jason P.
I'm a big fan of Reza's loved this place. I consider it one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I dunno what it is the food is so simple and good! Don't live in Chicago anymore but everytime I go home I make it a point to always go to Reza's and it never disappoints. I stick w/ the rice dishes w/ Beef kebab/ scallops/ shrimp/ lamb. Get the dill rice.. you won't be disappointed! Portions are big you can def. share but i won't share I'll eat it all!! Good luck parking...
(4)
JL Q.
This restaurant, in it's location for as long as I can remember about 25 years, is a staple of ethnic cooking in Chicago. Their cuisine is persian and it's delicious and dependable. For all the years I have dined there over the past 25 years, the food taste and quality has never changed. A kabob is a kabob, but their dill rice is incredible and unique. I chose the marinated chicken on the bone with dill rice for my dinner. My husband and I also split an order of tabouleh that was very delish. I have to give props to my friend and neighbor, though, who makes his special by adding fresh mint to his and that really kicks it off but this was good nevertheless. My husband chose the combination beef and boneless chicken and he said both were moist and tender, which is the same, 'ole dependable way it always is. Service is very attentive and everything our party ordered was delivered with no changes required. Call this place dependable, reliable, consistent and delicious, and visit it soon.
(4)
Theresa F.
Most of the bad reviews mirrored whatever the hell it was we experienced here today, so I'll try not to add to the redundancy. *We were shouted at when our party did not all arrive at the same time. (They had at least 10 open tables...so I'm not sure why this was a problem.) *No menus were provided until 3/4 of the way of our self-guided "Sunday Brunch" (so we confusedly proceeded to the buffet) *No water refills throughout the duration of the meal *We had to retrieve our own tab as our waiter (whoever that was) was nowhere to be found...and even then he ended up overcharging us for a guest at our table who did not partake in the buffet. Need I say more? If you don't want to take my word for this hell-hole of a restaurant, go and read the last 30 million reviewers who had similar things to say. We can't all be wrong..
(1)
Sarah G.
This place is huge inside. I mean gigantic. And when you walk in and see how big it is, then there is actually more space in party rooms downstairs and other hallways that leads to who knows where! Such a big big restaurant, so I expected big things, but the food really was just so so to me. I had great company though and the service was so friendly, just thought we'd get a little more flavor in this place. The falaffel was a little dry...and no matter how much hummus I put on it, I didn't like it anymore. Their kabob meat was actually okay though with the lamb definitely being the best meat by far. The chicken again seemed overcooked to me, but they are definitely very generous in their portions that they serve you here! You get lots of rice on the platters, some veggies, and then all of the meet. So it made for a great group dining experience since we could easily share and sample everything bite by bite. Their other side salads like tabouleh and such were also all fine, but again nothing super incredible but definitely good side dishes to accompany everything else that we ordered. Their sangria they serve (also not sure why they serve sangria exactly?) also packed a secret punch I think so be careful if you order that!
(3)
Gwen D.
In Andersonville for shopping, my mother and I wandered into Reza's for the $10 lunch buffet. (A relic of another time, right?) At first I grumbled to Mom about the critical reviews on Yelp, but by the end of our meal, I was eating crow with my lip-smacking lamb kabobs. While I wouldn't make a special trip for the lunch buffet itself, I'd stop in again for a fresh, filling Mediterranean meal! RECOMMEND: Those lamb kabobs (wow!), the falafel, the dill rice, the garlic-studded flatbread that's brought to the table and the tart lemonade that's included in the cost of the buffet. NOT: the bland hummus or the cucumber salad, which would've benefitted from a sprinkle of sumac or another spice.
(4)
Kris P.
Lunch buffet is simply amazing :) , just a quick tip for the kitchen, please make sure it doesn't get cold. Super polite service, easy parking and good drinks.
(4)
David C.
When I first moved to Andersonville 17 years ago, I ate at Reza's and experienced hands down the worst and rudest service I have ever come across at any restaurant EVER. The one thing I remember most clearly: the server clicked his tongue at us for leaving a less-than-desirable tip. Clicked. His. Tongue. And let's be clear: he didn't deserve a penny. We wrote a letter to management about the poor experience but received no response. I vowed never to return... and never have. 17 years later, I wonder how much money they've lost from me over the years - not to mention all the folks I send to Andies when asked for a recommendation for Mediterranean food. First impressions matter. A lot.
(1)
Amanda D.
I'm not sure what the difference between this Reza's is and the one downtown is, but this was easily one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had. To make things worse, I wanted to bring my mom here for mother's day, and it was just a terrible experience. First of all, the service was awful. When the server came up, she did not even ask if we wanted something to drink. When I asked for water, she started turning around before asking my mom or boyfriend if they wanted something to drink. She never came back for our silverware, and we did not have salt, pepper or somaq. She didn't even refill our water until she heard us complain. The service took a turn for the worse when our food came. Our rice was cold, very greasy, and uncooked. My mom's kabob kubideh was still red on the inside, but they insisted that it was medium-well. As someone who has eaten A LOT of kabob in her life, I know kubideh is never dark pink on the inside. When my mom complained, she had to talk to two servers and they acted as if she should eat it anyway. One server tried to convince me I did not know what medium-well was. Then, we talked to the manager, who was very useless. He did not apologize. He did not say he would talk to the chef. He did nothing. This experience was absolutely horrible. I am so confused, but it definitely ruined Reza's for me. I will be much more hesitant in recommending them in the future and will certainly advise against anyone going to this location.
(1)
Tempus F.
Reza's *used* to be a really good restaurant. We ordered from them regularly as well as eating on their premises; their food was fresh and delicious and their service was just fine. Tonight we ordered from Reza's. After repeating the order four times and having the woman repeat it back to me twice, I'm amazed to be saying this, but less than half our order arrived. When I called back, the woman neither apologized nor offered me any sort of comp delivery of the rest of our food. This order, like most restaurant takeout orders, was charged to a credit card at the time the order was placed. When the rest of the food arrived, the driver neither had nor could get my credit card number, and the order had not been charged as it was supposed to have been. The pita bread was so stale it seemed three days old; the felafel had obviously sat on a steam table for hours, and it was doughy, bland, and lousy to begin with; the potatoes were old and swimming in grease; the tabouli had stale parsley, tired commercial tomatoes, almost no bulghur, and no flavor; the chicken kebabs were tough, stringy, and bad.....I could list every item in the order with similar comments. Even the dill rice was bad, which in former times would have been unthinkable. Reza's is down the toilet. Never waste your money on this place!
(1)
Natalie A.
This used to be my all time favorite place , but it's changed . It took the waiter forever to come serve us , he never checked up on us and didn't space our appetizers and food well. The bathrooms were dirty .
(1)
Lord Of T.
The place is fine.... You won't get excited but you'll be able to eat the food without choking.
(3)
Hans L.
Came here on a Thursday night and wasn't busy at all. Waitress was very friendly. We sat right by the open window facing the street. Nice atmosphere. Ordered the combo chicken and beef. Both so tender and tasty. Excellent quality.
(5)
Taina V.
Pretty expensive, but the portions are huge and the food is delicious. Overall no complaints. Thank you Reza's!
(4)
Ishtiaq P.
Visited Reza's at Oak Brook on Friday July 31, 2015 at 8:40PM. I have twins who are 2 years old and a four year old daughter. I dropped one of the twins and my 4 year old at the door (no valet available on that night) with my wife and went to park the car. Came back and saw my wife seated in a table but she didn't seem very happy. I asked her what happened and she told me that, while she was struggling to come through the door with two kids, no one opened the door for her, nor they greeted her upon entering. They totally ignored her although the manger was standing right in from of the door. When taken her to the table, she suggested a different table then the one she was offered, but responded with a look and sound of frustration by the manager. She requested two high chairs to the manager but that request was ignored. After I came back from parking the car, she still was not provided with the high chairs. I called a waiter and requested the high chairs again and the water brought two high chairs for us. It seems like the manage totally ignored/forgot the request. At that point I called the manager and expressed our concern that my wife felt she was totally ignored and mistreated upon her arrival. The manager told me that he didn't ignore her and her allegations are baseless. NO APOLOGY from the manager rather complete denial of that fact. When we insisted and said this is not the proper way you do deal with the customer, he raised his voice and said he sees no reason to apologize since he didn't do any wrong. He shouted to one of the waiters and told him to take care of us. By this time, we lost our appetite and realized that it is not a place for us to have a comfortable dinner. There are tons of other places where I can get both service and food. So I humbly request him to provide me his name so that I can inform higher authority about the incidence and write a detail yelp review. He denied to give me his full name and said his name is "Din". After pressing him a bit he told me his name is "Noor Al Din". I laughed at his response. Noor Al Din means the light of the religion. I am surprised and ashamed to get that kind of service and treatment who calls himself Noor Al Din. Anyway, I hope that is his Reza's version of name, not his real name.. In summary, the customer service has went down the drain. And I can see that form other reviews on the Yelp as well. Food alone will not cut it anymore. If they don't provide customer service then we will not go there anymore. We don't live in a barbaric place where someone can trough a plate full of kabob and will throw our money at them. People just don't go to the restaurant for food - they look for the total experience. I think that is what missing form Reza's.
(1)
Cassandra C.
I'm not a fan of Mediterranean food, but I have to say the beef koubideh kabob and dill rice is awesome! I liked the lamb shank too. Although some parts of the meat were a little tough, I enjoyed the tender portions with the sauce.
(4)
Elaine M.
Super friendly staff at Reza's during lunchtime. Overheard one waitress tell a customer, "The buffet is open until 4 pm, take your time." This was at 1:30 pm! The host (manager?) was very friendly and checked on us often. Dirty plates were picked up promptly. My friend enjoyed her sangria. We both enjoyed the generous selection of meat kabobs (lamb, beef, and chicken), chicken breast, rice (dill, biryani, and white), soups, ceasar salad, hummus, falafal, cucumber raita type dish, tahini, and dessert in the lunch buffet. Will definitely come back here for the buffet. A friend loves the quail here, so might try that at dinner sometime.
(5)
Jeff L.
I had lived in Chicago for 7 years, then moved away. After being back for 6 months and spending a lot of time in Andersonville, I realized I had still never eaten here. When a friend was in from NYC, we decided on Reza's. It was a Friday night and after 9, so not terribly busy, but there was a great atmosphere. We both ordered kebabs and bread. I had the ground chicken kebab, and my friend had a mixed plate. Both were really good and service was very fast! I'd definitely go back, and often tell people shopping at the store I work at in Aville about it!
No matter what, I am always in the mood for Middle Eastern food so Reza's always would hit the spot. I have been over 30+ times and every time it was a good experience. I love when they have the buffet specials. I know they have lunch buffets but I remember they had Iftar buffets during Ramadan too. The Beef, Lamb and Chicken Koubideh Kabob are my absolute favorites with their white or dill rice! Also their other kabobs, lamb dishes and fish dishes are very good. My family and I hosted several dinner parties at this location as well on the upper floor. The service was great and they constantly were refilling the plates and attending to our guests. Overall I love this place!
(5)
Sarah T.
The falafel with the pomgagnent sauce was my all-time favorite! ORDER THAT! Other than that, the food here is overpriced. Go somewhere else. There are plenty of middle easter food worth the money and definitely better quality.
(2)
Dave K.
Top. Notch. Food. That deserves a line unto itself. Reza's is on a corner intersection, ideally located across from a Starbucks. I walked in, and was seated about in the middle of the restaurant, between the front window and the buffet. I opted for the falafel as an appetizer (my first and now definitely not my last time of having it), and the lamb kebab platter as what came to be a HUGE entree!!!! a big platter of bread to go with it, and it was enough food for 2 meals. The tomato and mint (an Iranian traditional taste) is strongly recommended, and it came with onions as well. If you are deliberating about a great place to go in Edgewater, I have one word for you: GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO You will not be dissapointed!!!!
(5)
Nurmuhamed U.
Website says birthday discount of 20% with proof. They denied it though, apparently some kind of coupon is required, which website mentions nothing about. Place was pretty busy so maybe they didn't care much about a few customers being dissatisfied. Waiter just brought a jug of water and placed it on the table without any glasses. After asking a few of times and being ignored, we just stopped by bar and got glasses ourselves.
(2)
Mathieu B.
Okay! So it was my second time at this establishment and I have to change my review. I am never coming back here and I urge people to not bother either. So, when we arrived at 1pm on a Monday for lunch, we were refused seating at a table that we requested because it was reserved for another guest. This was okay and understandable. We ended up sitting at a very comfortable area and were the only guests in this area which meant that we could giggle and speak freely. When the waitress arrived, to my surprise, she was unfamiliar with the menu????!!!! This I forgave and proceeded to place our orders. The drinks took over 33 minutes to arrive at our table because she had forgotten and when I ordered my gin and tonic, the bartender brought over a glass with gin, a splash of tonic and another glass of ice. I had never been served g&t in this manner in my life! Sufficed to say thatI hated my drink, it was by far the worst thing that I had ever had. As I had decided to grab the buffet, I was surprised that some of the hotplates were empty and there was barely any variety at all. My friends meals took over 45 minutes to arrive from when we had ordered them, with one of my friends asking 4 times,"where is our food?" Baring in mind, its a Monday and the place was not full at all. Sufficed to say we are never going back and I would urge people to not go there either, the place is clearly run by people who have no idea what they are doing.
(1)
Penny L.
Sunday Brunch for your special occasion. The spread laid out was enjoyed by our large party of 80. Found free street parking nearby. DH walked half meter with sound equipment. We were permitted to set up after calling days in advance. Oops, sent upstairs. Walked a flight of stairs. Didn't see an elevator. Found out wrong party room. Upstairs for more intimate parties. Has bar area. Went back downstairs to the main floor private space. Floor to ceiling windows brought Chicago sunshine to light up the space. There is a side entrance on Berwyn Ave. White table cloth. Paper on top. Empty glasses. Utensils wrapped in ruby cloth dinner napkins. Pitchers of water and soda set out. Rectangular length tables seated 12 to 16. Mobile coat rack present. Booster seats available. Washroom accessible downstairs, with very visible signs. The room was set to seat 100. Tried to play children party game but had to modify due to space. Best to have sit down games. Staff and owner? very accommodating. Explained buffet setting. Asked if there were plenty of seats. Helped bring in more tables to set up gift and dessert table. Were permitted to bring sweets. There was always a staff member present to assist. Always checking with hosts and guests. Allowed to decorate at 11am. Guests were trickling in due to cramped street parking. Best to tell guests to plan for traffic and parking. Best to wear comfy shows. The private room connected to main dining room has a small slope. So be careful walking in heels or if you need walking assistance. Our guests had no complaints with the layout. Guests are asked to head to buffet area in groups of 16. This is to control flow of traffic. Staff also gauges food to communicate to kitchen to replenish. Our guests enjoyed their meal. Dirty plates were frequently whisked away. Guests had to hold on to their utensils. Fresh plates were plenty at buffet. Salmon, beef, chicken, lamb, rice, two soups, fresh fruit, dessert, hot beverage. More than I could list. Sorry, I don't recall names of dishes but you can create a complete healthy meal with veggies. I enjoyed the grilled chicken and tender lamb in tomato sauce. Fresh pots of coffee and hot water for tea were brewing in site. Coffee cups available in area. Mimosa was good. To keep bubbles fresh, mimosas made when most of the guests arrived. I'd have an event here now knowing the logistics of the area and the restaurant operation. Clockwork planning and things run smoothly.
(5)
Amy M.
I have never been to Reza's so I was excited to check out this hot spot! My sister and I were greeted warmly and shown to a table by the widow. Our waitress made great recommendations to get us started! We had roasted feta cheese and a tabbouli salad... BOTH AMAZING! The cheese was salty cheesy warm goodness! There were tomatoes and olives that complemented all the flavors, too. The salad was so fresh and lemony. I highly recommend both. Then, the kabobs came out! We dug in again for another mouth watering feast! They were cooked and marinated to perfection! I think Reza's is great for couples, first dates, families, parties, solo meals, friends and well pretty much anytime with whoever you want! And prices were very reasonable!
(5)
MC B.
Had dinner again here last night with two others and was very disappointed The lentil soup was fabulous but every thing else was just okay. The salmon was a bit dry, rice seems to be of inferior quality, the mince kabobs were ehhhhh. I almost cried when I took my first bite of Kashk Bademjon as it was no where near a properly cooked dish. Wait staff, servers, bus boys, and table staff should be very proud of the wonderful job that they do. I think a number of restaurants should model their staff after Reza's front of house staff.
(3)
Nick R.
I really enjoy coming here for the lunch buffet! It's about $10 and stocked with delicious foods. Beef lamb and chicken kabobs, falafel, rice, biryani, for some reason they have mashed potatoes which does not fit the theme but I am not complaining as it's pretty darn good. The food is usually very tasty and fresh. The bread is also awesome. No complains on the food. Most of the staff is nice but sometimes the can have an attitude. Sometimes takes forever to get drinks refilled. I really dislike that they gouge up the price of the lunch Buffett to 15.95 instead of 10 on holidays such as Presidents' Day when there is no school. Seems shady.
(3)
Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: My husband and I came here to check out their lunch buffet - they had all the basic staples of a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine, such as kabobs, boneless chicken, rice, falafels, hummus, salads, stews, and desserts. The falafels were way too mushy for my taste as it seemed as if they didn't fry it long enough or too much water was added; the lamb and beef kabobs were chewy and underseasoned, even though they were generously sliced chunks; the spicy chicken drumettes were okay, but I thought it would have been more spicy savory (as it tasted more like roasted chicken); I really enjoyed their mini donuts for dessert. I'm glad I was able to try this place out! +mini donuts +lunch buffets available
(3)
Karen C.
Service was good. There were four of us, and it took quite a while for us to decide on what we wanted to eat. Waiter came by several times, and was not annoyed by having to come back again and again. Chicken kabob plate was very delicious. Chicken was fully cooked and seasoned well. Dill rice...no words! I will go back to get that time and time again. I wish the veggies provided were different, but beggars can't be choosers. My plate could have served two people, at least. Sometimes I find this annoying. However, it means I have lunch (or dinner) for tomorrow. More dill rice!!! Provided a water pitcher for the table. As someone who drinks a lot of water, I found it amazing to not have to flag someone down every time I finished my glass.
(4)
Aaron S.
Went for the all you can eat, Sunday brunch buffet. The restaurant is massive, so luckily we didn't have to wait long. I ordered the all you can drink mimosa, and the service was very slow. I only had a few throughout the course of my meal. The food was just OK - nothing I ate was super amazing or memorable at all. Just wasn't anything special, especially for the price. I guess i'd give this restaurant a 2.5, if u could.
(2)
Julie A.
Love this place best Persian food love going here for party's always room never a wait
(5)
Eric F.
This is Reza's original location... and when it first opened there was nothing like it in Chicago. Luckily Reza's still offers much of its original charm and purpose. And the menu is almost identical to the one it opened with. Reza's offers essentially traditional Persian fare. It is housed in a massive industrial designed warehouse restaurant with high ceilings, visible piping, and echoing sounds. The waitstaff is polite and helpful, although when ever they mess up an order they will blame the customer (it is a middle eastern thing I think... not to lose face). Reza's is reasonably priced and the portions are big enough to split. The first thing that comes out is a free Iranian condiment plate, with onions, radish, feta cheese, parsley, and olives. After you order you usually get a delicious lentil soup, followed by your extra appetizers or straight to your dinner. I have been to many Persian places since my first introduction to the cuisine at Reza's, and Reza's does not offer all of the common authentic items that I can get elsewhere. But there is an array of dips al la Lebanese feasts, like Hummus and Baba Ganush. So let's go right to the main courses, which are for the most part, some type of kabob served on dill Bastmati rice, accompanied by a side skewer of grilled vegetables. As far as the kabobs go, there are a lot to choose from: steak, filet, ground spiced beef, chicken, lamb, quail, and seafood. You can also get a combo. There are a few stews too, and daily specials. If you are there on a night when they have stewed lamb shank, get it, it is very good. And I always go home with leftovers of what ever I have ordered. Tea is a good beverage to drink here but they also offer beer and wine. For desert they have more tradition Greek and Armenian pastries, like bakalava. Reza's used to be open very late, but I am not sure that is the case anymore. On weekdays they have a very reasonable buffet lunch.
(4)
Matt M.
I usually go to Reza's in River North, which has always been great, but I decided to take my Persian girlfriend and her mother out to this one when she was visiting last and could not have been more disappointed. The kebab was not cooked and the rice was old and hard. When we asked if they could cook the kebab and bring out some fresh rice, the server told us that the chef always cooks it that way. When my Persian girlfriend and Persian mother pointed out how that is not the traditional way to make a traditional Persian dish, the server walked away and ignored us. When we eventually tracked down the manager, he did not apologize and did not offer to even take the uncooked kebab and old rice off of the bill (even though we refused to eat it). Additionally, we never received any refills on our beverages. I will never return to this Reza's again.
(1)
Richard o.
I went to this restaurant over the Easter holidays for the first time and I have to say their food is out of this world..extra sumptuous varieties that if your palettes failed you, you'd still be in love. Now am hosting my son's 1st BD party and am ordering from them....wait for my next review
(5)
Padma A.
I cant say enough about how yummy the food was 4 hours after pick up. Anya took my order, absolutely polite and helped suggest the right stuff for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. We took the food on a cruise and everyone loved it. Chicken kabob, lamb kabobs, falafal, hummus, babganoush and Tabouli salad. They gave enough Pitas with Tahini sauce and a generous tray of dillrice along with plastic ware. My friend who was supposed to pick the food got delayed and Anya called me to check the status, can the customer service @ Rezas get any better??
(5)
Mohammed A.
Oh my! Oh My! It was amazing. The chicken koobideh was grilled perfectly, nice and juicy, and was wonderfully spiced. I thought it was the best chicken koobideh I've ever eaten in the US.
(5)
Hamdan A.
I don't know what is the wrong with cooking the meat very well. I want it will done and it comes half raw . I went to this restaurant more than 5 times. Still have the same problem
(2)
Betty W.
The best place to eat and such nice people I had the Chicken kabab so delicious-highly recommend this place u must try it
(5)
Rachel R.
Oh dear, I rarely put up 1-star reviews. I wouldn't put this one up if I wasn't 100% confident that the meal that my husband I ate today caused us to get food poisoning. Today my husband and I went to lunch at Reza's. We didn't get the buffet option but instead ordered different meals. We shared some of our meals and both entrees had many of the same ingredients. The food itself was good, if a bit bland. The service was definitely iffy but we were relaxed and not in a rush so it wasn't a big deal. Until... About an hour after, my husband and I began to feel like death. He and I didn't realize that we were both ill until we spoke after dragging ourselves through work. It was immediately clear that after eating at Reza's and parting ways, we'd developed identical symptoms of food poisoning. It's likely there was some sort of cross-contamination at play and I certainly hope that it didn't transfer to the buffet and make other people feel so horrid. I have leftovers in my fridge that are most definitely being tossed out. I can only hope that there will be an internal review of kitchen protocols and standards to ensure that the food is safe to be served. In the meantime, I'll be at Andie's.
(1)
Joe T.
I've eaten here for years. It used to be very good, now they've taken a quantity vs. quality approach. Food is very bland. They need to 'kick it up a notch' with the spices.
(3)
Dew W.
The food was cooked within an inch of it's life, carbonized, served on a pile of dry rice. The heartburn was not worth the expense and the effort to find parking. We were particularly unnerved by the restaurant owner's loud telephone conversation at the table behind us. The expletives were as copious as the dry rice. The atmosphere is not inviting and could stand a good hosing down. While we did not witness bugs as other reviewers have we would not be surprised by their presence. However, Andes, located next door was very good.
(1)
David S.
I was lucky enough to have my reception at Reza's restaurant in July. Everyone that came absolutely raved about how delicious the food was. The personnel and management we're so helpful and professional in setting up for this wedding reception. I was so pleased with how everything went. I would recommend this to anyone. This is the place to go. Thank you again to all the wonderful staff at Rezas..!! Hats off..#!
(5)
Naty K.
Love Reza's. been coming here since i was in my momma's belly, (yes, that long) and i tooootally love everything. The outside patio on clark st is just one of andersonville's perks. Loved my service last time (went for bday lunch) the manager recognized my mom after years of her being there. (she doesn't get out too much -_-) but i love it, yay Reza's for doing it right.
(5)
Margaret A.
Ate here once for a buffet...they added 18.00.tip for a useless woman to bring pop to us. Food nothing extra too.
(1)
James P.
This review is particularly about Reza's Thanksgiving Buffet. I have been before to Reza's and the restaurant is fine. But during the Thanksgiving Buffet they really dropped the ball. They tried to serve both typical Thanksgiving fare and Persian food (stick with what you know). Which meant the selection of Persian dishes were less than usual. Further they never really tried to create some special atmosphere for Thanksgiving. Pretty much every corner Starbucks has more atmosphere. It really seemed like they put no effort into it. But lastly, the service is just completely substandard. With the charm of a used-car salesman our waiter tried to offer us 'just the right wine for you, my lady'. Can I have a wine menu?? No, I guess not. At some point in the evening, some of the wait staff decided to claim an empty table next to us. Yikes, I think every suburban Denny's, Chili's, TGIF or whatnot has wait staff with better sense than that.
(2)
Kristine M.
I've been here a few times, and in am pretty surprised by all the bad reviews I've seen on here. The food is always delicious and prepared just how I've requested. I'm a vegetarian and I really do go nuts for this place! I've never done the buffet here, but I'm curious to try. It's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood!
(4)
Bob L.
The first time I visited Reza's was almost 20 years ago. I helped a friend move to Chicago and we stumbled into Reza's starving after a full day of unloading a UHaul into her Edgewater apartment. We were starving, not sure about Persian food, but at the point where we would eat anything. Since that first visit, I return to Reza's every time I visit Chicago. It is consistently exceptional and I start to salivate just thinking about it. I've ordered off the menu and have never had a dish I did not like, but I especially enjoy the weekend brunch buffet. It is full of variety and provides a range of sampling from their diverse and expansive menu. Also, a pitcher of their sangria makes it all that much better.
(5)
S. Sean B.
Visiting from Southern California - The food at this establishment seems to be authentic and very well done. The atmosphere is one of an eatery. It is joining Mediterranean restaurant together with its overall atmosphere is not one that I would recommend for the more fine dining experience. Service is certainly something to be desired. It is located every happening part of town so it might yield good results for a night out... I would recommend the other Persian/Iranian restaurant in Chicago area that I also reviewed.
(3)
Taner B.
unprofessional service today i went to lunch buffet with my friends ,usually we were paying approximately 45 $ (for 3 person) but today when we got the bill it Was 85 $ its much more then usual, i talk with the waiter about it and she told me that today ``EID`` there is special price hic iis twice of my regular bill .but nobodytold me about special price changed and there is ni visiable sign saying that there is a special price today they should have informed customers about this price change im extremly diissapointed and felt like this bussines practice is realy deceiving this is an insult to regullar custumers as we were
(1)
Cheryl M.
Enjoyed a great New Years Eve dinner here. The complimentary bread with feta and parsley was delicious and was also a very generous amount. The chicken kabobs with dill rice was great. I ordered a delicious Italian white wine and it was only $8 for a generous pour. Can't wait to go back. Yum.
(5)
Nancy F.
I love Reza's food but sometimes it can be inconsistent. Like once I ordered the Salmon Kabobs and it came as a big piece and not on a skewer, totally fine but just not what I expected. Then when I ordered it again, it came on the skewer and I was confused. The salmon is extremely good so I didn't care but another more annoying customer might be annoyed by this. Mr. Reza is one of the nicest men and I will always continue to support this restaurant as they are a neighborhood staple.
(4)
A. K.
Been here twice and both times the lunch buffet was open so we decided to try it. The first time...food was good, had a good time. The next time we planned on ordering from the menu but as we were in a hurry...we went for the buffet again. Bad idea. The food felt and looked stale and old. Both my husband and I had upset stomach for the next 2 days...horrid. The interior is nice enough...the waiters are kind and make sure everything is in order. Good place - don't do the buffet.
(3)
Christian P.
Staff is nice and service is fast but I rarely ate such bland (and lukewarm) Persian food. Even salt and pepper were lacking. Dill rice is OK but does not spice it up.
(1)
Yav A.
As far as Persian/Irani food goes nothing compares to Rezas. It was verbally confirmed by the waitress that the food is zabiha/halal (muslim kosher). I judge it by koubideh and it is still the best! I asked for well done and it was seasoned to perfection. Can't get enough of this place. Mashallah!
(5)
Omar K.
living in Andersonville my entire life I've eaten at almost every "big" restaurant on Clark. Rezas was always a favorite growing up. I hadn't been there in a few years and tonight decided to take my girlfriend there. we were greeted at the door by 2 gentlemen and they quickly seated us. our waitress didn't speak English too well, so she had us point to what we wanted on the menu. we ordered our food and was brought to the table in about 20 minutes. she ordered a shrimp plate, I ordered a mixed kabob plate. the shrimp was fantastic, but the couscous was extremely plain with no flavor, as were the kabobs. when we both finished we were waiting for the check, but the waitress was no where to be found. I asked one of the gentlemen up front for the check, and shortly after the waitress brings the check. I was disappointed in the service of the waitress, but more disappointed in the food quality. it's pretty sad because rezas has always been known to be one of the better middle eastern restaurants on the northside. for TRUE authentic middle eastern food, the southside holds that title.
(2)
Michael R.
This place was great! We didn't have to wait for a table and everyone was so nice. The prices seem a little high but the portions are HUGE. Atmosphere is cute. I will certainly be returning soon.
(5)
Mike A.
I've loved this place since discovering it in the early 90s when I lived in Andersonville. At that time is was a nice neighborhood Mideastern Restaurant. Now its in an incredibly vibrant neighborhood & is even more awesome. My favorite dish is the Kabobs. I loved the soup. Its a great place for a date or with a group of friends. The kids seemed to like it too. Service can be iffy - depends on who you get. Some are more attentive than others and sometimes language can be a challenge. Food has always been tasty. The only challenge can be finding parking - having lived in the area, I know parking can be hit or miss. Sometimes you just have to circle around the side streets to find parking. The El is not far away, so you can take it to get here.
(4)
Shannon W.
The ambiance of the restaurant was very quaint. Even sitting outside on the patio gave the dining experience a sense of a Persian feel. Passers by and the other patrons of the establishment were a pleasure to gaze at. The service, a bit slow at times, was still very on point. The food was very tasty and embodied the flavors of the area very well. I will be returning without a doubt and will be telling others my experience and urge them to make Reza's a must to add to their dining card.
(4)
A C.
Always love the food here. It's inexpensive, if you go for their buffet, which is about $20 bucks. Plus, little known fact - there's parking in the back behind the building! You don't have to park on N. Clark Street and feed the meter.
(4)
Chris C.
I love this place, the food is great and you get lots of it. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it.
(5)
Colleen B.
I've been here several times over the last few years. I've never had a bad experience but I do tend to always get the same thing. I like that they load you up on bread and soup since the entrees can be a little pricey. I always get the salmon and it's always amazing.
(4)
Jen J.
Oh Reza's how I missed you! I missed you so much that you made my list of "must eat here" while I was back in my old stomping grounds in Chicago. I have been dreaming about your dill rice for eight years...literally. Upon walking in, it was just as I remembered! Lively and packed full as it should be. Just a short wait for a table and then the nomming commenced. I chose the Lentil soup (as per usual) and ordered some hummus because... of course I did. Excellent depth of flavor in both of my choices thus far. Reza's serves up some of the richest and smoothest hummus with warm, soft pita perfection! They still serve the small plate of feta cheese, radishes and greens but the only thing I ate was the feta which of course, was very good. For my entree I ordered (don't ask me for the real name which starts with a J and I forgot what it's really called...whups) a chicken kabob on the bone along with the long lusted after dill rice and grilled veg. After ordering, my server uttered those three words that I remembered so well: "the big one?" Yes! I want the big one and I'm going to eat the entire thing too! Every time I ordered it previously the wait staff would ask that exact question; love it! The chicken was cooked through and smoky and juicy and totally delicious. The dill rice was everything I had been dreaming of and the two in combination were absolute heaven in my mouth. There is so much flavor and heart and soul in this food and you can really taste it. Beautiful presentation as well which only makes the dining experience that much better. The only little complaint I had on this fine evening was the service. When I was being tended to it was fine but there were no drink refills offered and a long wait for the check at the end (at least 20 minutes). I remembered some words of wisdom to the effect of "you don't want to start ignoring your customer at the end of the meal." I was ready for something sweet after my lovely meal but lost interest while waiting for the server to return. Thanks again though Reza's for a great feast filled with yummy flavor and good memories!
(4)
M M.
Good Dill Rice.. Annnndd....that's about it.. Waiter didn't ask us for anything to drink... creeper creeped around...and then decided to eat next to us during his....break??? Anywho another shamble of a day..except for getting back home to kick up my feet to type this review.. Remember kids...we don't need no "ooops" for a restaurant!
(1)
Scott A.
This was the worst delivery meal we have ever had. Next time I'll just throw $67 out my window while driving around town. This app forced me to add a star in order to post. If I could give it a big ZERO, I would. We ordered a few appetizers, two entrees and a dessert through Grub Hub. Our order arrived much earlier than expected (a plus), and we live close by the restaurant. Our meat was so overlooked that no one would eat it. An appetizer was missing and everything was ice cold, which is perplexing since it was delivered quickly. Grub Hub tried to rectify, unsuccessfully, and reza's refuses to rectify this situation. Working in management in the business, I would expect better service from a place that had been around such a long time. I will never order from here, or use Grub Hub, ever again.
(1)
Ismail A.
Reza is one of my favorite Persian restaurants in Chicago. I love it special on Sunday tonight they have special buffet .Also don't forget to drink my favorite tea a Persian tea (:
(5)
Victoria W.
Came here on a snowey blizzard day this past week. The ambiance of the restaurant is the most noteworthy part. Very spacious, clean and the overall feel is very homey and has great character. The service is good, nothing to complain about but by no means super impressive. We came here for the lunch buffet(arrived around 3pm), which apparently lasts until around 9PM at dinner time. The buffet is $19.99 per person, honestly, I would be expecting a lot more for this price tag. There were 2 types of soup, neither were good( barley and tomato lentil), 3 types of rice, plain, dill rice or spicy vegetable, they were average. 2 types of salad, ceasar or Iranian salad, the ceasar salad was quite good but it was probably because it was heavily drenched in dressing, the salad had nothing but lettuce. There were also some chicken, lamb and beef kabob. Only 1 type of fried desert. The falafel were pretty good, moist and good flavors. The best was the cucumber yogurt sauce. Honestly the buffet was not worth $20. I would pay half of the price if I were to come back as a regular. The items were pretty standard and taste was not superb, I go to school in a small town and we have an Indian buffet in town that costs around $12 with food that is much more grand and delicious. Maybe it's the Chicago price tag, but it's still nothing to rave about. Overall, I'd come back for the ambiance but the food is just a OK. P.S.: $9 per lb of any food you cannot finish will be charged, forreal? Never been to a buffet place this direct. I don't agree with wasting food but I think the resstaurant can take some responsibility on quality and taste of the food as well and not punish/threaten patrons?
(3)
Michelle P.
This review is just for their vegetarian food. Yes it's always great when a restaurant has vegetarian options. And Reza's food is good. But most of their vegetarian dishes are more of the generic "Middle Eastern" than specifically Persian - the hummous/falafel/ cucumber & tomato salad/ yogurt dip isn't really any different than what you could get at any Egyptian/Turkish/Lebanese/Israeli/Syrian restaurant in the area. And unfortunately, that was most of what was vegetarian on the lunch buffet. There was also their amazing dill rice, and a nondescript "spicy rice" that reminded me more of Spanish rice, plus some grilled vegetables that also didn't a distinctive Persian flavor or much of any taste at all. I would have been better off skipping the $12.95 lunch buffet and getting the vegetarian combo instead - the dolmas, vegetarian shami (pomegranate sauce, mmmm), and Kashkeh Bodmejan (eggplant with garlic & mint) are all more authentic Persian dishes. And it would have come with the delicious dill rice, Persian bread, and tomato lentil soup that were on the buffet anyway, plus I would have gotten the complimentary feta and radish plate which apparently they don't give to you if you're just getting the buffet. So unless you're a meat eater, skip the buffet - you're better off picking several dishes you know you want as part of the vegetarian combo.
(3)
Yasmin S.
I've always loved this place. The first time I ate here was about ten years ago and I'm so glad more than one exists. I am in love with the roasted feta cheese and grilled mushrooms. They are to die for! Their lentil soup and spicy chicken with dill rice is a must have. I will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Carla S.
Being from San Francisco, I can't say my knowledge of Persian cuisine is grand. But now I want to seek out more places like this back home. I just returned from a week in Chicago with my dining partner and her family. Sheesh, that was a long week but I digress. It was my birthday and the whole family wanted to do this huge bash. I have celiac disease and there is no way they are cooking for me (last time I was so sick from gluten I'm still not convinced they were not trying to kill me.) We compromised and we went to this family favorite restaurant.it was a great thing we did. Okay now that the backstory is done, I must say that this place was very gluten free friendly. They understood cross contamination in the kitchen but I did get spooked a few times when the wonderful smelling breads were put down in front of me. but once explained,, the server really seemed to understand. I let the manager decide on my meal and I certainly was not disappointed. I had two kabobs (steak -holy juicy goodness- and chicken - also great but out shined by the steak, for sure). I had a split of the rice, which was awesome as I had never had dill rice before. And they even managed to come up with a fun fruit plate "cake" with a candle. Celiacs, this was of the best meals I have had. (And many leftovers were had!) We will absolutely be going back when I am in town again.
(5)
Lorelei C.
So, lunch today at Reza's. My first time here today, not quite sure why I never made it here before today, probably because I'm too busy hanging out at places with Miller Lite Signs.. And, no Reza's did not have a beer sign in the window..:( Okay, so this marvel of a place which specializes in Mediterranean/ Persian food was a new experience for me but I'm really happy that I'm always up for trying new things, I'm a girl who loves adventure! I loved Reza's, the patio doors were open today onto Clark Street and I was a little chilly but I had my leather jacket with me so I was okay..;) Exposed Brick Interior, lovely tables set with nice linens and just a very lovely atmosphere. A little noisy, people were gabbing big time today..:( Reza's offers a lunch buffet from 11am-3pm which I believe is $9.95 per person, a great value for everything they offered. I think the buffet is effective only on weekdays, but it's so worth it. Now, they had like 3 tables set up with buffet choices, one with soups and salads, one with rice dishes, and one with meat kabobby things that were so good, especially the beef and chicken. They also had some pita bread that was not very good, just bland. I had diet coke since I saw no beer sign in the window.. And as far as Customer Service is concerned I give Reza's staff 5 stars, the manager came over to our table twice to see how everything was and our server was great as well, attentive but not overbearing. I want to Thank everyone at Reza's for the great service..:) So, I liked Reza's alot, casual enough for a lunch, would be a great choice for a dinner as well. A great dining experience for me today..:) A very nice time at Reza's today, if in Andersonville check them out.
(4)
Karolina S.
The customer service here is AMAZING. They get 5 stars just for how they handled this mix up. My boss decided to order food for the whole office. We went online to check out their menu and we placed our order... Ok great. The guy tells me the total and its about $35 over what we thought it would be. I went over the order with him and everything seemed right so we hung up. I literally called him back about 6 times trying to figure out what was wrong. Apparently the menu online didn't reflect their current prices, and I told the gentleman that the only reason we ordered from them was because of the affordable price point. He lowered the price once, and then when I asked him to lower it to what the price should've been - he did. And when the food arrived, he threw in extra goodies for our trouble! Some delicious churro-type desserts (omg) and a free goat cheese-lettuce contraption. The food merits about 4 stars... But the customer service, if I could give them 7 stars I would.
(5)
Kurowsh S.
After hearing great things I finally decided to try this place. The service was very fast and friendly-my waiter was always one step ahead. The food was very good and fresh. I highly recommend the kabob plates. I was honestly shocked to see how affordable the food was and the portion sizes are very big. I definitely recommend this place and will be going back soon. Being Persian, it was great to find an all around fantastic Iranian restaurant in my neighborhood. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Theo E.
I took an out of town friend here for dinner as a change of pace as neither of us had tried persian food before. We were both extremely pleased with our meal. We started off with hummus and falafel, which was good, nothing too extraordinary though. We both ordered lamb for our main course - I got the lamb shank and my friend got the lamb kabob. This was excellent, the lamb shank was tender and juicy, falling right off the bone. The kabob was seasoned wonderfully and perfectly charred. The bread was also really good, would love to just snack on that at home. The service was ok, the waitress had trouble remembering our order - e.g, she brought me the lentil soup instead of the chicken. It wasn't atrocious, just it could have been better. The lamb shank is definitely a steal for only $15, and the portions are a really nice size, I was able to take about half of it home. I definitely recommend Reza's for that and the bread.
(4)
Valerie O.
Very disappointed by Reza's tonight. The waiter pushed us to get the buffet for $19. I think this was a memorial day special. The buffet was not good. Watery hummus, burned falafels, dry rice. The Chicken wasn't as good as when they have it on the menu as Reza's special chicken which was my favorite. I'm not sure if the buffet is permanent. I certainly hope not. I like my food cooked fresh.
(1)
Zukicka Z.
Well..there are a lot of things going on with this place. First I have to say, I LOVE MOST OF THEIR FOOD. Its really good. There are a few things ,like the hummus someone mentioned already that could be better, but there are others like their filet mignon in mushroom sauce that is to die for ! I also love all their Kebabs ( and you have lots of choices when it gets to those) Yes it is a little pricey, but this particular food is worth it. I say check it out, but with a small party because it adds up quickly at this place. As far as staff is concerned, there is one very rude woman working there. She is just horrible, usually works the phones. I've been here tons of times and I've never seen her smile. The managers and other staff are fine, but she is just horrible. Other than that I'd say definitely check it out ! At least once !
(4)
Joonho Y.
Food is Delicious. I usually get Takeout, so I can't really comment on the Dining Room. This is my "Go-To Place" for Middle Eastern Food. The Falafels are Awesome!
(4)
Diana S.
I really didn't like Rezas. I felt like it was a serious disappointment. Rezas is by far not the best Persian food in the city. The only good thing about our dinner had to be the soup and bread. Ugh
(1)
Helen S.
I came here for an event earlier in the week. The restaurant is cute and serves decent Mediterranean food. I just ordered the chicken kabobs appetizer, which were well seasoned and tender. They give you pita bread to go with it, and if you're not too hungry as I was, the app and bread was enough to keep me full. I noticed other people who ordered the regular sized entrees, which come in ginormous platter sized portions, and I was super happy with the size of my choice. Service was only okay. They didn't come around to refill water much, and everything took awhile. Near the end of the meal, they mixed up the bill (put me and my friend on the same tag) and seemed annoyed when we asked them to split it.
(3)
Frank C.
I've eaten Mediterranean several times before Reza's and had resigned myself to what I thought was a fact --- that I didn't like Mediterranean food. My girlfriend loves it and had been bugging me to try Reza's so I finally gave in... Really loved the food here...the lamb shank was fantastic, potatoes amazing, baba ghanouj delicious...service not great otherwise would have considered giving a 5
(4)
amanda M.
We have ordered food from this place twice now. If you have had any good Mediterranean food, this place probably won't satisfy you. The hummus is awful, so watery and bland. Hummus is a pretty important part of the meal if you ask me. Also they have the worst baklava I've ever had, and I've had it from a lot of places. It tasted soapy and weird. The dill rice is good, and the meat I've had has all been good. So that is all I would order if I had to get something from here again.
(2)
N P.
What should I say? The worst persian restaurant I have ever been. Rude staff, stinky kebab. The kebab did not seem to be fresh. Never ever go there again unless they change the management. Both me and my husband got diarrhea after eating at this restaurant. The worst part was the behavior of staff. She was really rude. I do not recommend here at all.
(1)
Rehc Z.
Many thanks to the cast's of Reza's esp the manager Tom ! We appreciated the accomodation you given to us yesterday for my sons christening ! The food was good , the service was excellent . It was really nice we chose you and we love Reza's so much ! Till next time hope keep up the good work
(5)
Mike A.
Over the years we have been here so many times that at this point I lost count. Unfortunetly they are quite a bit away from our house, but we still manage to visit or the downtown location at least 2/3 times a year. This is by far our favorite Persian restaurant in the area and my favorite, even after sampling restaurants during my travels throughout the US. When my inlaws moved to FL(albeit for a short time), we had a family sendoff party on the 2nd floor private area. While service is at times spotty, the food is the big draw here. Scallops, chengeh, baba and the list goes on and on. Just about every item on the menu is a winner. They also feature great vegetarian options as apps and main courses. Parking can be a challenge here, especially on weekends. They have a private lot across the street, but its tight and the attendatnt basically shakes you down for a tip. Overall a must visit for anyone that enjoys Persian / Meditaririan cuisine.
(5)
Liz A.
I came here for my friend's birthday, and I have loved it ever since! This place has excellent quality food, and the owners/staff are very personable and friendly. My favorite entree is the boneless chicken kabobs-- the chicken is all white meat, tastes very fresh and has an excellent grilled flavor. With the kabobs, I always get the dill rice-- awesome, fresh flavors. Also, all the kabob entrees come with pitas and grilled onion and tomatoes (love having well-cooked, simply-prepared veggies to go with my chicken), and they start each table with fresh feta (AWESOME), parsley and radishes. The soups and desserts are also excellent. Overall, I love how everything is very fresh, high quality and simply-prepared; nothing is bogged down by unhealthy sauces, etc; they rely completely on the quality and preparation of the main ingredients to add flavor to the dishes.
(5)
Jeanie S.
Have been going to Reza's 15+years, and have to say was a little disappointed this last visit.... we got there early for a Sat around 6ish, but were starved so couldn't wait and my mouth was watering just thinking about the kabobs...there was no music playing, the lentil soup or the hummos and these are 2 things I usually love, we just ok. Then we got the ground chicken and lamb kabobs, again the flavor seemed lacking. The portions are always generous so we brought tons home.
(3)
Moni K.
This review is for the lunch buffet which I think is a wonderful idea and eventhough there is a selection of food the quality of selection is not that great. The hummus and the salad are just sad. The best is the lamb, which is really delicious and well cooked and seasoned. If they could make the hummus taste better and spruce up the salad this lunch would not be so bad, one can not just eat a plate of lamb for lunch.
(3)
Joe T.
With urban flair, this Middle Eastern restaurant with full bar is nestled in the friendly gayborhood of Chicago, Andersonville. I was here recently for a buffet style large group dinner in an entire wing of the diner rented out for my nephew's baptism luncheon. I must say the lunch buffet was amazing. I have heard that it is roughly $12/pp, and at that price point it's a great deal in this part of Chicago. Now, I am from metro-Detroit where our Mediterranean restaurants outnumber McDonalds locations by a large margin. The food here was definitely up to par. I have had better hummus at many restaurants (for some reason Chicagoland MidEast diners are 0/3 for me so far on hummus quality), however the rest of the food more than made up for it. Lamb kabobs were excellent. The braised lamb shank was so tender and flavorful - many good bone and marrow pieces and enough fatty pieces to really hit the spot. I also saw a Nihari Beef, which was unique and a more South Asian (Indo-Pak) style. So it is nice to see the chefs here explore outside of their comfort zones. The chicken options were all about average, and the whole sauteed mushrooms were delicious. I actually was very impressed by this place. I normally don't have soup on hot summer days, but after hearing raving remarks on the chicken dill barley soup with leeks, I gave it a try and must concur. Grab a few lemon wedges from the bar and sprinkle generously on the soup (and almost any dish here you'd like). Granted we were here for a private function, but I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. In my honest opinion the lunch buffet at this function here was good enough to be had at a wedding reception. Hint hint to anyone considering Mideast food at their special day. Plenty of options for meat lovers, and just enough options for veggies. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Christopher J.
One of the first places I visited when I moved to Chicago. Disastrous first date, delightful meal! A handsome young fellow asked me out to dinner and suggested Reza's (as I had mentioned I love Persian food). We hemmed and hawed over the menu for a bit and I eventually settled on the lam kebab with grilled veggies and seasoned couscous. Thank god for this man's inability to hold a conversation because it gave me the ability to zone out and enjoy how lovely this restaurant is. Charming atmosphere (really beautiful on a great day when they open the front doors up onto the sidewalk, it makes the dark wood paneling glow), great music, and an excellent location. While the guy texted and tweeted his way through half of the meal--regardless of how engaging and funny I was--I begged and pleaded the gods of saffron to bring me my meal. Be praised, it couldn't have come fast enough. Now I had a real reason to ignore the chump, which wasn't hard. These lamb chunks (and they were, just great heaping chunks of meat) were cooked to tender, juicy perfection. Seasoned expertly and served on a giant plate with solid slices of grilled tomatoes and sweet, white onions, this meal could not have been better Add to it the beautiful, fluffy couscous, attentive--yet not overbearing--service, and you have one happy man. Regardless of the terrible date--he even went dutch. On the first date. Where is the chivalry? "Ya ask, ya pay." Am I right, boys?--This restaurant is nestled firmly in my "Returning Very Soon" column.
(4)
Jeff J.
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Persian food. We went here when visiting a friend in Chicago. We chose Reza because an Iranian friend in Louisville raves about this place. Our waitress was extremely nice and helpful. I originally gave this restaurant 4 stars but upped to 5 stars based on her service. Her kind attention and eye contact were more like eating in the home of a very hospitable friend or family member. The food was also good -considering I'm not a fan of kibbeh. The dolmas, grape leaf rolls, were excellent.
(5)
Marissa G.
Best take-out food for a movie night in! Fresh and tasty chicken and the rice is addictive. Everything we got was mouth watering and we had left overs which were just as good the next day. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Roxanne R.
I came here for a brunch buffet right after I ran a half marathon and boy! Was that just not the best follow up meal for a starving gal. I was here for a party but I think the brunch buffet cost $19.95 and for that cost you get a wide selection of Mediterranean food. I was a fan of the filet mignon kabobs - a little chewy but still good flavor, the lamb shank which was sooooo juicy and delicious, beef stew -mmmm, and everything went well with the dill rice. So much meat. So much deliciousness. How could you go wrong with this buffet? Aside from the watermelon I wasn't too crazy about the sweet portions so I just had some watermelon with a side of filet mignon :-) I've already been planning another race so I can have a reason to eat two heaping plates of Rezas brunch buffet. MmmM
(4)
Patrick S.
I feel like Reza's has made a come back. Went.to Reza's on Clark. Kashk as an appetizer with the bread was excellent. Ordered the kabob sultani and cooked medium-well, which was very well prepared with high quality meat. The portions were of good size that allowed for leftovers to take home. Service was good. Definitely will go back as long as the quality remains at this level.
(5)
Tim H.
Meh. Reza is a staple in Andersonville right in the heart of the neighborhood, and you can't miss it with its large red-lit sign. The restaurant is 'Persian' but in reality it's an Americanized catch-all of 'Middle Eastern cuisine.' The decor is ostentatious, and the wait staff is hit-or-miss. Overall the food is average. It ends up being mostly kabobs, some salads, soups, and 4 authentic dishes. Kabob dinners are marked up, IMO. $15-20 for a meat of your selection + side + and a soup. Considering the price different is about $3 dollars more to get the Fillet Mignon over the chicken, I'd recommend the steak. And I've always opted for the Dill Rice over White Rice. Never understood why Reza's is so popular, they do have a buffet -- if you like buffets. But it seems to have established itself as a constant in the neighborhood, and even though I definitely think the neighborhood could do better, I suppose it could be worse. Reza's is just sort of there -- I end up going there about once a year for work functions and for that purpose it's fine, but nothing outside of that.
(3)
Anne C.
I went here for my birthday, and it was not very good at all. I got the beef kabob. It was SPEWING grease. I simply couldn't eat it. Also, the meat didn't seem cooked enough as the texture didn't seem right. The potatoes were also SPEWING grease. Someone else got the white fish, but the vegetables were beyond oily. Basically, everything on everyone's plate was UBER greasy to the point where it was just gross. Our server was quick and efficient, but staring at us the whole time from a corner (not too many costumers) and it was creepy. I wouldn't come back because the food was gross.
(2)
Amanda M.
More of a 3.5. Came for dinner and was nicely seated the by the window. My sister first ordered a mojito, in which our server said they didn't have but will check. She came back and said that they did have it (she was quite awkward). My sister said her mojito was very weak, but is somewhat understandable for a family restaurant. We had the hummus and grilled potatoes for appetizers, which came really fast. The hummus was nice and creamy, but would have liked a tad more flavor. The potatoes were very good and perfectly cooked as thick steaks, but a tad too buttery and not enough garlic flavor for my liking. Had the chicken barley soup and it was alright, nothing outstanding. My sister had the tomato lentil and it was a little too salty. Our entrees took a tad long to come. Had the boneless chicken kabob with dill rice. The chicken was perfectly cooked with a nice tangy flavor to it. Dill rice was also good. The portions were quite substantial. However, as in the menu and pictures note, the accompanied grilled vegetables were merely 2 pieces of onions and 1 tomato and no zuchinni. Also tried my sister's vegetarian platter including mushroom stuffed pepper and falalfel. The stuffed pepper was good, but again quite standard. The falafel was too dry. Overall, the food was good but not outstanding. And for personally liking bland food, their food could have been a little more flavorful. Service was decent. At first, out waitress was somewhat standoffish. However, she was very present in the end, and even gave us our own pitcher of water, noting that their glasses are quite small. Decor of the place is very nice and comfortable.
(3)
Mister M.
$20 bucks for the Saturday and Sunday evening buffet is hands down the best bargain in town. Honestly, the chicken barley soup with leeks and dill is almost worth the price of admission by itself. I LOVE.this soup! Hummus, falafel, and Persian salad make a great start. At least 3 different rice dishes to choose from, leg of lamb , roast beef, kabobs, lamb, beef and chicken. Ground meat kabobs as well. Unbelievable. Andersonville is so much fun too. Visit the Pars Persian shop across the street and stop in to Alamo shoes (ask for Bruce). The folks that run this location of Rezas are much nicer than the staff on Ontario. I go here whenever I am able.
(5)
Andy M.
Generous portions and decent prices for what you order. Service is usually pretty attentive, but silent. Huge space, nice small side and front patios, and constant sangria specials. Neighborhood face.
(4)
KM Y.
I wanted to love Reza's. I had heard great things and had to try it for myself. The food was good, but not spectacular and certainly didn't live up to the hype. The highlights: Great kafta kabobs and dill rice The low lights: Bland hummus and falafel Also, when we arrived, the restaurant was perhaps 1/4 full, yet the waitress tried to dump our party of four in a back room where no one was sitting. We asked to be moved back to the front and they were gracious about it. However, it was an odd dynamic to start our dinner.
(3)
Christina M.
I went in for the L STOP launch party and had such a great time. I honestly never thought to go to Reza's though I've seen it.... The food was phenomenal especially the vegetable dish. Bartenders were friendly and they staff was amazing I can't wait to go back for a nice dinner.
(4)
ali m.
Good kababs, The waitress that served us at the night was so friendly.The down part is that prices are rocket high!
(3)
Babak B.
What can I say. I've been going here since I could walk. The lunch buffet is truly an amazing deal. All of the locations make me happy but of course N clark is the best. I think the manager there since I was little is the owners cousin or something. I like the Oakbrook location too since I usually stay in Oakbrook when I visit Chicago and it's got a smaller feel to it which I like.
Check out the all-you-can-eat buffet lunch from 11-3 Monday through Friday, $10.95. You can't beat the deal and it's a great way to try new dishes!
(4)
Kylie S.
I attended a Redfin even here so my experience was a bit different than being able to order straight off the menu. The food was okay, but it didn't knock my socks off. The service was really great. Parking is street parking and can be difficult in this popular area, but you should find something if you do a loop. I would recommend this venue for company events/retreats.
(3)
Lauren D.
Whenever I visit my Aunt, a retired university professor, we usually stop here for dinner. Over the years, we have eaten here about a dozen times or more. We started off with the Dolmeh (which are grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomato, onion, herbs & spices in tomato saffron sauce). We ordered the kabab tabei which was moist, succulent, tender and incredibly delectable. Central to the Persian dishes are numerous rice dishes, some containing almonds, pistachios, dill, glazed carrots or orange peels, and raisins; others with vegetables and spices; occasionally with meat. However, at Reza's there are only two or three kinds of rice. We ordered Dill rice which fell flat in the taste category. Other dishes to try here are: Stews (which are fairly good), dumplings, kebabs (several different kinds and all are excellent), and stuffed vegetables accompanied by different sauces. Many of the dishes are vegetarian, and the mixing of sweet and savory, such as grains stewed with fruit and spices produces some unique delectable dishes. The result is a feast of outstanding, unique flavors and textures as well as a visual delight. One dish that we tried before, but did not see on the menu this time around, was Fesenjan. I am sure they would fix it for us upon request. Fesenjan is a Persian chicken stew with a sauce made of toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses. It may sound a bit strange, but trust me, this dish is the perfect amalgamation. The toasted walnuts are rich and warm, while the pomegranate molasses is sharp and berry toned. The juxtaposition of the crunchy walnuts, with the tart sweetness of the pomegranate, and saltiness of the chicken make for an unbelievable explosion of delicate flavors. The end result is spectacular and plate-licking good! SERVICE is attentive, but not overly smothering. Most of the servers are nearly mute and barely crack a smile. Maybe it's a cultural thing. They do speak English, but others barely get by. I found another excellent Persian restaurant located in the Albany Park neighborhood with fabulicious lunch specials (Noon-O-Kabab), which has excellent Persian food.
(4)
Chris W.
I was here for a wedding. We didn't get to pick out what we were going to eat, BUT there was a huge variety that kept coming out. It was a nice middle eastern reception spot particularly for the music, dancing, lighting and colors. The bar in the front room was open to us which I got an espresso shot that made me giggly like I was on speed. I mean I don't normally drink coffee but regardless. You could hear the difference between the front and back rooms which means if there was a party going on like ours, you wouldn't be bothered in the main dining room. Food that was delicious? All of it. I mean...their falafel was in the top three best falafel i've ever tasted. Also, their stuffed grape leaves and buttered potatoes were divine. Herb roasted feta and veggie kebabs as well were incredible. I highly recommend coming for a nice dinner, especially with family. Quick note though, they are pricey.
(3)
Antonio M.
I had never eaten Persian food and decided to give this place a try. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi, which is a sort of National Iranian stew. I also ordered some babaganoush. I have to say, the babaganoush was fantastic as was the bread they served. The ghormeh sabzi, on the other hand, tasted like vomit. This is not hyperbole, but I honestly could not eat it. I am the opposite of a picky eater and I love bitter herbs, but for some reason I was repulsed by it. I must have tried at least 5 spoonfuls and each one was worse and worse. However, maybe I'm not used to it or perhaps my taste buds just did not match up. I have no basis to say that it was cooked poorly or incorrectly, but I just could not stomach it. The person I was with ordered the chicken fesenjan, which was alright, but not noteworthy. What saved this meal was the delicious babaganoush, and I mean delicious. I've been to a few Middle Eastern restaurants both in Chicago and Boston and very few get it right. The atmosphere is great, clean bathrooms, awesome service, etc.
(3)
Stephen R.
It's been years since my last visit and just wish we could transport this amazing restaurant to Dallas. The beef is perfectly flavored - but the rice is the killer (OMG)! Not sure what they do with it but it keeps me coming back. One Sunday went for the buffet and was sooooo full - the next bite I took was Monday for breakfast. It was fabulous.
(5)
Andrew T.
Great food, pretty inexpensive and good service!
(4)
Mat M.
I've never had bad service or food at Reza's Restaurant. It's my go to for Mediterranean food. Hummus and Kabobs, oh my! The service is always good and the food is abundant- you won't leave hungry! I haven't done their buffet as it's just not my thing, but their menu is quite large and has a lot of options.
(4)
Doug D.
Good fare, dismal service :( wait staff was too busy for menu questions, etc. Food learning is necessity for me. If you like McDonald's line service, its here.
(2)
Meh G.
I went to Reza's to see what the hype was all about and I have to say that I was less than impressed. Not only their service wasn't that great, but their food seemed a bit bland and overpriced. Rezas is by far oneof the worst Persian restaurants I have been to and this was a huge disappointment because I had heard so many great things about this restaurant.
(2)
kristi p.
absolutely delicious! i've been going here for 15 years and the standards remain the same. this restaurant got me hooked on middle eastern food. LOVE IT! haven't tried the weekend buffet but want to.
(5)
Pash H.
The food is delicious but there are a few cons while dinning in...I went with a group of ppl and every single one of us received COLD soup and then our beverages were just nasty, I had one sent back and asked if they could change it for what my friend was having, the waitress was sweet and said yes, but she came back with my same drink in another glass! I was very displeased about that! And while ordering out, they always forget to pack something or the other.. You'd think they would know what to give to a customer being a "big" restaurant and all..
(3)
J. Terrell A.
I really wanted to like this place. The outside looked so inviting, but once we entered I was turned off by the paper that sat atop the table. The decor didn't scream Persian to me. Maybe I've been spoiled by the fantastical Bandar in San Diego. I ordered the Lamb Kabab Koobideh and expected saffron rice, but there was no saffron rice. The lamb was just okay flavor wise, not dry at all. I was disappointed in the rice, it was bland--not worth the price. Reza was just underwhelming for me.
(2)
Kelz M.
I was treated to Reza's this past Monday and you know what? It *was* a treat! Okay, I realise this place isn't exactly Tru but, my gosh, their buffet was not bad! I tried a little of this, a little of that... the chicken was especially delicious and the rices were lovely; I did like the dill rice that seems to be Reza's specialty but, to be honest, my favourite was the spicy chicken rice. Oh, man, just thinking about that stuff makes my stomach growl! The runaway winner, in my opinion, though, was the Bamieh! Bamieh is a light tasting, fried dough pastry sweetened with syrup that tasted a bit like honey to me. I won't tell you how many of them I ate but suffice it to say that "too many" would be an accurate guess. The decor is quite lovely, as well. Warm woods, exposed bricks and ducts, and plenty of room between each of the tables on the floor spelled success in my book. I never felt crowded - I love that! Thank you to my hosts for the wonderful treat - I'll be back to try a few other dishes soon!
(4)
Nicole S.
I am a Persian girl who loves her Persian food! Nothing beats my Dad's cooking but Reza's is a close second. The meat is always fresh, tender, and seasoned to perfection. I always order Ghormeh Sabzi, it's my favorite and in my opinion, the best dish! On weekdays they have a 10$ lunch buffet and weekends it is 20$ for dinner and worth every penny! The service is wonderful and the environment is clean and relaxing.
(5)
Allan M.
I've always thought of this as a majorly 'meh' place. Since I saw a bunch of 3 star reviews, I'll go with 2 here. At least the lunch buffet is tolerable here, since they have good dill rice, decent meats/kabobs, and I've always been fond of the bamieh dessert, which is a honey-flavored type pastry. They could use better pita bread, as well. It's a little ironic and funny that I'm old enough to remember long ago the Baskin-Robbins that used to be in the corner space of this building, and back at the time(and when I was a kid, before I tried other ice cream places I liked more) being very upset that Reza's expanded into their space! Wow, that probably was something like over 15 years ago? If it wasn't for the fact those times with friends/family going for the lunch buffet didn't cost a dime to me, I'd opt to eat somewhere else. I've always heard so many great things about Masouleh in Rogers Park, plus some of the places over on Kedzie.....
(2)
Jeff N.
Wine selection is generic and poor. Margarita was terrible. White fish is awful, rubbery breaking outside. All the tables around is we're not balanced, waiters fix 3 tables just when I was there. Not a good experience. Very let down. I am sorry but do not go here.
(1)
Arlene G.
went 2 andersonville fest this weekend & my boy & i decided 2 eat here 4 dinner. i have not been here in years so it was good 2taste their food again. they were havin a buffet but i wasn hat hungry 2 have that. however it looked really good cuz there were so many items available. i had the ground lamb wit dill rice & it was deelish! i love lamb & i could eat it over pig & cow anytime! the entree also came with a soup which was good even though it wasnt that hot. my boy had the same dish but with chicken instead & it was good too. i would eat here again if im in this area.
(4)
Liv B.
Anytime I'm in the area I have to eat at this gem. This is by far the best middle eastern food I've had. The beef kabob is so moist and flavorful nothing beats it. The soups are always amazing. We always do the buffet, everything is perfection. For dessert the bamia is so light and crisp it's hard to stop at one. It's a must. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. I would recommend to everyone and I do!
(5)
Shannon N.
Reza's is good food - huge portions, very tasty delights and friendly service. I love all the kebab action. I tried the shrimp kabobs last week and they were fantastic - garlicky and delicious. The naan rocks, too. Really good with the feta and the tomato soup to start. Love that jasmine rice! Good stuff all around. Definitely check this place out.
(4)
Trung N.
Ive been to Reza's in the past and really enjoyed their menu and food. So today we went and tried to relive my past memories of this place! After we were seated I opened the menu, to my surprise it's totally different! They've basically changed almost everything that I grew to love of the old Reza's. I ordered the lamb shank (18.95) it was extremely gamey. I love lamb but this was terrible. The sauce that it was simmering in didn't help the over powering taste of the lamb. What ever happened to their signature mushroom dish and great lamb chops they use to have!? Unfortunately I'm not ever coming back.
(2)
Douglas J.
Please take this review with a grain of salt...I have never been a fan of middle eastern food. Went here for a friends birthday. Ordered the shrimp and filet kabobs. Like I said, I can't say I was disappointed because this isn't my style anyway. I found both kabobs to be nothing special. They were cooked well, but really didn't have much flavor. The highlight for me was the dill rice. It had the perfect amount of dill to give it a great flavor but wasn't overpowering.
(2)
Jacob Y.
So...from a LONG day that was supposed to be full of meetings in Schaumburg, by the hands of a higher power, I ended up with a flat, and never made it to Suburbia! Yes, the flat kinda stunk, but that means no boring meetings, and the flat got fixed at the shop in a jiffy. Which brings me to staying in the city to enjoy this lovely fall weather. And then I got hungry. So I decided to venture into Andersonville to get some grub, and lo and behold...I saw a sign for Lunch Buffet at Reza's... Again, I am not usually a huge fan of buffets (read my review for the Jolly Inn); however, I was STARVING and it was yet another sign from above (regardless of religion!). So I strolled into Reza's...and surprisingly for a Monday 1 pm-ish timeframe, it was actually somewhat busy. After being seated, I proceeded to see what $9.95 would buy me at this buffet. For starters, I tried the hummus and pita bread. Creamy, smooth and extremely good. I also had a falafel and it was crispy and delicious! And to top it off, I tried the chicken barley soup - which was tasty and very warming for these chilly fall days in the windy city. Onto entrees. They had three different kind of rice dishes: a vegetarian, a dill rice and a simple white rice. I tried them all (the curse of being Chinese!). They were all good, but the dill rice was exceptionally good! And for meat to accompany my rice, I tried the Chicken kababs (both regular and spicy), along with all three different types of koubidehs (chicken, beef and lamb). WOW...it was all outstanding. And yes, I went back for seconds. As far as desserts is concerned...I usually skip at buffets because I am too full. Not this time. They had these sweetly soaked doughnut like pastries. WOW...and they went soo well with my coffee. Now...I don't live too far from Reza's, but let me tell you what...I will make an extra effort to go there for dinner. I forget how much I love their Persian Middle Eastern cuisine!
(4)
Chris C.
Came here for their dinner buffet. The food was awesome, especially their chicken and pita bread. However, the dinner buffet came to about $20 each which was higher than I would've liked. I'll probably go there again but will stick to their lunch buffet instead.
(4)
Leah C.
consistently good however, inflated prices... been going to reza's since i was a kid and decided to try a carry-out order to bring to our friends' for lunch. the food was as yummy as we all remember. i made a new discovery: kashkeh bodemjam = a DELICIOUS eggplant dip. it tasted like it included caramelized onion in the mix but the list of ingredients in the menu made no mention. SO good! the pitas were a bit dry - never been a huge fan of their pitas and hope that they work on that. i also wish that they would find better ways to package their carry-out's. tahini spilled all over the rest of my vegi sampler platter. kabobs were smooshed into packages that were too small (should've just used foil!). poor yummy dill rice was spewing out of their foam containers.
(4)
Anne F.
From what I have read, I wish that we tried the buffet. None of the people I was with were happy with what we ordered. The chicken was fatty and there was a lot of dark meat for breasts, the kabobs had no flavor, BUT the vegetarian appetizer sampler was great! The waitress was a bit pushy, but that wasn't really an issue. I have heard so many great things about Reza's that I am willing to try it again, and will write a fantastic review when that happens!
(2)
Nick B.
Andersonville has some of the best dining in the city from diners, tapas, brunch, you name it, it's there. It was time I got my Mediterranean fill in. I've been passing Reza's for years now. Quickly barreling down Clark and blowing by the large, neon red Reza's sign on the corner of Clark and Berwyn, I finally stopped by last night. I went with a friend for dinner at 8PM yesterday and was surprised how easy it was to sit outside on the patio. Reza's outdoor patio has to be some of the best seating in the city. It's secluded yet still allows a nice view of the busy street for some ideal people watching. This was a big win on behalf of the restaurant. We started with a glass of wine and started with hummus for our appetizer. I was excited to her about the buffet option they had for dinner. Awesome! But not really as we were told it was $24.99 for the buffet. I really couldn't justify that for hummus and falafel. So we ended up starting with a bunch of appetizers and ate tapas style. I wasn't too excited over the hummus which was annoying. There wasn't a lot of flavor to the hummus and the bread was cold. It was still could but I wasn't really into it. I will say that the falafel was awesome! I didn't see many other options for me to go ahead with as there was a lot of lamb on the menu. I enjoyed the night at Reza's but I thought it was fairly overpriced on almost all the options. I'm going to settle with 3 stars because sitting outside was really the highlight of the evening. I would say check it out, but just order off the appetizers menu and get a few glasses of wine.
(3)
J M.
As I walked into this establishment I thought to myself, "dang, this place is kind of dead for a friday night" And now I know why. I honestly cannot think of a restaurant with more bland food. Literally nothing had any taste. I don't know how anybody could enjoy this place.
(1)
Lynn K.
Good food, bad service
(2)
C A.
We order delivery from time to time from this place cause my partner LOVES middle eastern, as for me im not a huge fan of this style of food, i find it very bland. The food is decent but stay away from the babaganoosh, heart burn central! They have great vegetarian dishes but they need add some more flavor to it. Delivery time is slow, i have never had an order delivered in under 1 hour 30 mins. so if you want to order for dinner, order around 4:30 because it will finally arrive around 6 pm. The customer service skills over the phone is absolutely horrendous, after i completed my order they asked if i wanted to order dessert i said no thanks then just click. they hang up on you and even during the ordering process they always put you on hold. The delivery drivers are always so nice though, and if you go to the resteraunt to sit down and dine in person the servers are always friendly.
(3)
Ryan G.
I'm going giving this place two stars because the food (although overpriced) was at least eatable. The experience we had with the manager, however, leaves me wanting to leave only one star. First off, the menu items are well cooked and typical Middle Eastern fare. They aren't anything special enough to write home about, but the cooks do a great job at leaving their meats juicy and their rice well seasoned. We walked in about around 9:30 PM on a weeknight. There were four of us. One person in my group had already eaten and decided to get an appetizer. We asked the waiter if we could do the Family Style dinner combination for the other 3 of us. He said sure and we chose our items. The food came out and there was a ton of it. Way more than the three of us could ever eat. Props for that. At some point during our meal, another one of our friends stopped in and pulled up a chair. He had a few pieces of meat, literally 4 at the most. He wasn't there to eat. All was fine until the waiter comes up to us and tells us that the manager saw my friend eating and is going to charge him for eating a meal. WHAT? We ask at waiter what the reasoning is and he tells us that the manager is making him do this because the Family Style combinations are unlimited. Sound odd? YES, BECAUSE NO WHERE ON THE MENU (I just went and doubled checked) DOES IT SAY THAT THE FAMILY STYLE DINNER COMBINATIONS ARE UNLIMITED. I completely understand how a manager could walk by and see our friend eating and not know how much he ate. Understandable. However, we didn't even finish our first plates. We never even got to the point of having seconds! We boxed it up and took our leftovers home. Dear Reza's, make it clear to your customers what the policies are ON THE MENU. I could tell how embarrassed the waiter was for having to tell us this. I felt like he's had to do this at his manager's request before. At the very least, hire managers who at least have the guts to talk to their customers. Bottom Line: While I hear their lunch buffet is great, Reza's needs to update their managers and their menu before I (or anyone I know) return.
(2)
Mike L.
In Short - Give it a Pass. I could not of been more disipointed by a my meal. The first thing that always stound great Middle Eastern or Persian restaurants is the smell. When you walk into the door, the smells of spice and tea should fill ure nostrils. When you walk into Raza's the first thing you smell is, well, nothing. To begin with, we sat for fifteen minuets after being seated for someone to bring take drink order. When the server did show up we ordered an appetizer but were not told that there was a free "appetizer buffet" set up in the next room. So our food - my girdfriend (yelp: starbuckscout) ordered "Mediterranean Style" kabobs; chicken for me and salmon for her. Our food was TERRIBLE. Our food was swimming in a awful mushroom sauce. The check had no sign that he had been grilled or seared - it was just chunks of white squares. The salmon was like gelatin. The gill rice that came with out meals was 1) dry 2) hard 3) tasted like nothing. At one time this place might of been amazing. But laziness and long years have atrophied over the years.
(1)
Isla E.
I totally forgot I went here on a weekday for a baby shower for a coworker. So I'm taking off one star for being unmemorable. But it was a nice meal. They have a lunch buffet which I think costs about $8 per person. I can't find any info about this on their website, so I'm writing this review to let you know. I think its a great place for a work related lunch gathering. The Andersonville location is bright, airy, and roomy. The buffet offers options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters. While it wasn't the best Middle Eastern food I've ever had, it wasn't the worst, and pretty good for a buffet. The staff was attentive and friendly, and we were in and out of there in about an hour. I can't speak for the quality of their entrees or items off the menu, but if you are looking for an inexpensive, healthy, lunch buffet, Reza's is an option. There are locations in Andersonville, Oak Brook, and River North. Maybe call first to make sure they have buffet at all locations and check on price, then take your new favorite coworker to lunch!
(4)
Kari C.
Amazing food!!! Persian food is my favorite, and this is some genuine Persian food. We had excellent seating (right by the windows/doors, which were open) and the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Will definitely go there again!!
(4)
Javier B.
Found myself at Reza's after trying to take friends to Ole Ole and realizing that they have closed! :-( I have eaten at Reza's several times and can only really say that it is consistently mediocre. I have had their lunch buffet and I agree with some of the other comments posted here. Their food is very inconsistent and really not great quality for the price. I love buffets, but this is one that I actually try to avoid. As far as regular diner, it appears that they have decided to do a buffet style appetizer bar. In concept this is great, but again the execution is lacking. The falafel is cold, the hummus doesn't seem to be up to par, pita cold, etc. The actual entree was very tasty but served with a mountain of rice is not the most exciting presentation. Too many other middle eastern/persian oprtions in the city that are better than Reza's.
(2)
Jay R.
The lunch buffet is a great deal and the food is tasty with a great selection. We where in the area and I had been craving kabobs they had a lunch buffet that was kabob heaven. They have 2 styles ground meat which included chicken ,beef and lamb they also have a whole white meat chicken style kabob each type was tasty. The buffet is a great price all you can eat for 16.95 that included a glass of champagne, tea, soda its everything included so you don't get nickel and dimed for the extras. The buffet includes alot of other items some of my faves were great hummus a nice salad a very tasty lamb shank a variety of grilled veggies and rice last but not least some honey puffy dessert things that tasted pretty good. Its a great deal and the food is quality with a good variety and the staff is very attentive and friendly.
(4)
Michael P.
We wandered in right around 11:15 this morning, not knowing what to expect. We scoped the buffet and both instantly knew that's what we wanted. It was like a vegetarian combo on 'Roids! They had the usual hummos / falafil / salad / cucumber salad. But they had two kinds of rice, the lentil soup was delish, the sauteed mushrooms perfect. Etc. Waitress said a glass of champagne (?with middle eastern?) came with the buffet. But YIKES $16.50 per person? Minus one star. I'd pay closer to $12, maybe, but a $33 (for two) lunch tab is a bit over the top. I'm going to put this on the "top quality but go infrequently because it's pricey" list. In my opinion, they lose money that way because we won't go as often. Whatever, their business to run. Try it, though, it really was top quality and taste. Five flags. More flags, more fun.
I have been going to one of the two locations for as long as I have lived here. A hundred years ago when I lived in Andersonville, this place and Calo were literally the only two places that would deliver to my "questionably safe area" (ahem, Clark & Granville. really? "questionably safe?"). Then when I worked in River North, we would get delivery about once a week from the Ontario location. So I am pretty familiar. Anyway. Part of my problem is that they are very pricey for what it is. Hummus is delicious, but $5.95 delicious? Not sure about that. The Koubideh is fantastic, as well as the Ghemieh Bodemjan, but really, we all know what the real reason is for going there in the end. And that is the dill rice. I have tried replicating it many times at home, but it is never the same. I would go here much more (since I work only a few blocks away) if the prices were a little more reasonable.
(3)
Dilip J.
I've been to the downtown location for lunch and brunch a few times, and I would have to say this is at least as good. Buffet is their best deal. I don't think the prices are the best, compared to other places($14 and up for dinner). But, the salad bar makes any meal there a much better value. 2 soups, 2 salads, hummus, dip, fruit, falafel, plus some dessert/sweet. That's what was available for the night I went. Food is good, but could be spicier. Lunch Buffet and Brunch on Sundays are pretty good deals also. Very good choices on Sunday's Brunch, and not bad for all the good stuff they offer. Call about buffet special pricing. Menu: rezasrestaurant.com/menu… Mon: $3 house martini Tues: half off on certain wine bottles
(3)
Jen P.
Once upon a time, this place used to be amazing. The service was exceptional, the food was of very high quality, and the prices were reasonable. I recently returned from college and, after being away for five years, am extremely disappointed at where this place has gone. The first problem I have is that the buffet, while being somewhat reasonably priced, does not offer the same quality of food which can be found on the regular menu. The lamb and steak dishes, which remain stellar, are now ridiculously overpriced and their pita is no longer served warm, and is perpetually dry. While the atmosphere remains pleasant, the food has lost its charm. This used to be a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal, but I now feel like every time I walk in, I should be prepared to hand over the entire contents of my wallet. I still enjoy the food, but not paying ten to fifteen dollars more than what I used to pay for it. If you must visit, try a plate of the grilled mushrooms, have a glass of wine, and go on your merry way.
(3)
Andy M.
Just as yummy as I remember it. I ordered the meat Kabab extravaganza. The seasoning that they use on the beef and lamb are wonderful, and I could eat the Dill rice alone and be happy as a clam. It's a little pricey, but it's worth it for what you get. Reza's is one of my favorite places in Chicago. It's always consistently good.
(4)
Adam M.
Ok, the food was good - I had the fillet kabobs. I also enjoyed the soup and salad bar that came with the meal. There is certainly a lot of food included in the entrees - a couple could definitely split an entree and still have left-overs. Also, get the dill rice - very good. Now, the reason for two stars? WE WERE ABANDONED! Yes, I've heard of such things happening before in the restaurant world, but this has never happened to me. After our server took our drink order, she came back for the food order. At which point she told me that the entree I had selected was not good. Come again!? Now, normally I would appreciate a server's honesty about the food, but this server was condescending as in "why would you EVER think to order such an absurd item!?" Well....because it's on the freakin' menu. After she basically forces me to order something else (which, in all honesty, was delicious) her shift must have ended because we see her leaving the restaurant with her coat on and saying good-bye to everyone but us. I totally understand a server leaving after her shift, but at least tell us. We then waited about 25 minutes before anyone else came to the table and even then the new server didn't acknowledge us. As if our server had a spontaneous sex-change. The new server was worse than the first - no water refills, no communication, nothing. Get it together Reza's, because your food is too good to have such poor service.
(2)
Chicago R.
Food was a good Mediterranean meal. Other than that, their service was horrible. I would agree with the reviewer here that I gave them for the benefit of the doubt idea not to get mad. I get pissed off after eating their lunch buffet, the waitress (not warm unfriendly, cold attitude) handed me the check without me asking. I told her I haven't eat my dessert yet. No reaction, but I guess she,s waiting for me to pay while she stands. So I pay. Then I stand up to get my dessert. Then the man standing told me I cannot get my dessert because I paid already. What is this? Is this a culture difference or what? Not acceptable. Service is bad, like they don't value customers at all. If I could give them a half star, I would. I hope the owner reads this.
(1)
Paul A.
I've been going to Reza's for more than 10 years with lots of time in between visits. What started out as a 3 1/2 star restaurant is now a 2 star restaurant slowly sliding to a 1. The last time I went there and ordered the shish ka bob (lamb, chicken, shrimp) it was certainly OK...actually a little better than OK, but a disappointment from what I remember from several years ago. I just went there tonight and ordered the lamb kabob. The lamb was one step above awful: chewy, flavorless with certain pieces almost inedible. The lentil soup and relish tray -- served complimentary with every meal -- was, as always, excellent. Then again, pretty hard to screw up radishes and feta cheese. The service was friendly enough, but awful. I ordered one of the fancy foo-foo drinks, I believe it as a Pomegranate Mojito, and it was almost undrinkable. As I was waiting forever for my check, different servers could see that I was waiting to pay, but did they offer to tell my waiter, or to perhaps pick it up themselves and bring it to the register? Of course not. Not their table. The only positive out of this entire dining experience is that the entree is enough to feed 2-3 people -- and the dill rice is great! My suggestion is go to other Andersonville stalwarts Cousins or Andies. That's what I'm going to do next time.
(2)
Jacob J.
I used to very much dislike Reza's. Primarily because even though I'd been here soo many times, I'd always thought the food wasn't very tasteful and there wasn't anything about their dishes that screamed "must have again" . The kabobs I'd always thought were dry and pointless. That was a year ago. I'd gone today with some friends and the food was excellent, though as with most nice sit down middle eastern places, food is so damn expensive. I think they've raised their prices yet again. I was surprised to see that the menu has grown wider. The lamb kabobs were fantastic, juicy and tasty. The dill rice is always a pleaser. The Filet mignon kabobs, just order a few skewers on the side, very good. Hummus was too bland. They have a better hot sauce now, almost felt like it was a little too salsa tasting, but it does have zing and is the right hot. Shawarma sandwich was pretty yum, I don't think they offered that previously, though they can add a bit more meat. Its a great place in the warmer seasons, but as it gets colder, seating in the front areas is hard to deal with at times. They've got alot of vents shooting warm air forward. It doesn't help enough. I like to have warmth and feel comfortable while I eat. At night, you can really feel the chills coming in through the glass. Its pretty good food and worth checking it out.
(3)
Mark P.
Very, very good Middle Eastern food! I went here with friends last week, and each of us enjoyed everything. The meats were tender and juicy, and the dill rice and other sides were great. The apps from the falafel to hummus were fresh and tasty, and the pita was soft and perfect. The salad bar was alright, but coming with the dinner for free was excellent. The only thing was that I ordered falafel as an app, and they had them at the salad bar too. Kind of a waste! If you are looking for high quality Middle Eastern eats, give this a shot. As a bonus, the night we went had 1/2 price bottles of wine. Check for specials!
(4)
fox a.
REALLY GOOD FOOD. and a lot of it. yes, it is expensive. but worth it if you need a nourishing, healthy, awesome meal with tons of flavor. things i didn't like: too much dark skin on my salmon (oh well, i picked it off with my fork), the ambiance (stuffy/boring), and the chairs hurt my butt (that i admittedly injured by drunkenly running a borrowed bike into a van). idea: don't eat for a couple days, get wicked stoned, stuff your face. then go home and google the recipes for your favourite items and make this grub yourself. dill. parsley. i love you.
(4)
Lindsay S.
Besides the amazing scallop dish, I really liked this place bc of the semi outdoor seating and the later hours. I ended up here with my boyfriend because all of the restaurants/bars in the area were closed or not serving food.. but I am happy that I did. It is nice to be able to get good food (not just diner or fast food) later in the evening ... and the service was amazing even when it was nearing close. I will go back for sure!
(4)
David K.
Reza's was once my all-time favorite Middle Eastern restaurant, but lately other options have come to eclipse it. This evening, joining friends there for dinner, I ordered my usual, which is Reza's Special Chicken Kabob. Usually, the meat of this dish is tender and flavorful, with a taste slightly reminiscent of a freshly squeezed lemon. This evening, the chicken was more on the bland side and not as tender and juicy. However, their dill rice was just as excellent as ever and a dish that really helps to make Reza's irreplaceable. I have yet to find another Persian restaurant that serves dill rice, much to my disappointment. In the past, I have ordered their hummus as an appetizer, and it has always been smooth and creamy and made with fresh ingredients. The flatbread they served this evening, which reminded me of a gigantic slab of Indian naan bread, was soft and delicious, and the crispiness of some edges where it was charred only enhanced the overall taste. Lastly, their lentil soup, which was served as an appetizer, was still the same, delicious (tomato-based?) soup, but I still maintain my one criticism and wish it was filled with more lentils, like other Middle Eastern lentil soups I enjoy. More lentil action, please! Given the thinness of the broth, I don't believe the lentils are pureed to mix with the soup, as other restaurants do. Overall, Reza's is still a fine dining experience, with good food and a restaurant decor of brick and wood that makes it a nice and cozy place to relax and chat with friends.
(4)
Rhonda G.
I Cheated on Andies with his next door neighbor. I'm so ashamed! Flaunting my love for the dill rice and chicken and scallop skewers in front of an open window on a perfect night. I tried not to like Reza's but everything from the friendly and attentive waitress to the delicious bread and chicken barley soup kept reeling me in. Scallops and chicken were cooked to perfection and kept me eating long after I was full. What a Harlot! Sipping delightful Pinot Grigio and giggling with friends as if I'm doing nothing wrong. I love Reza's and may make this food affair a once in a while thing but my heart belongs to Andies. If he'll still have me.
(4)
heidi s.
The Awesome:All I can say is stuffed green pepper with mushrooms on Vegetarian Sampler #4 is super tasty:) The rice with dill and lima beans is really tasty too, but if u get the sampler bring another person and share it b/c it's too much for just one person to handle:) The Not So Awesome: Alright, so I had an cocktail here called the electric lemonade. Looks enticing, but don't get it. I swore their was like no vodka in it,the cherries in it looked really sad, and it was $8.00! I also hate when it feels like menus haven't been cleaned before the shift b/c they get all sticky and loaded with germs, yuck! Overall, Reza's you are doing a decent job, just need a lil work, but your Clark St. location is a nice spot so make it work!!
(3)
Amanda W.
While I would rate Reza's higher than its next door neighbor Andies, they get three stars on principle. Please note: the sign that is outside their door on the weekend advertising the $9.99 buffet is ONLY for weekdays. PLEASE, Rezas, this feels a bit like false advertising since the sign says M-F in very small print and there's obviously a buffet inside. Husband and I nearly spit when we got the bill for some decent food and realized the buffet is $15 or more on the weekends each. Not that big of a deal, but I'm not a person to enjoy surprise parties, presents, OR bills. However, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Reza's. It is the first restaurant I ever ate at in Chicago when I visited Loyola over a decade ago with my parents. Every time my parents visit from Kansas, they request to go here for dinner. My father usually ends up sneaking in a ziploc of A1 for the steak kabob which is a pretty funny sight and supremely confuses the wait staff.
(3)
Ally L.
DO NOT order delivery!!! The food is good, the delivery is awful. The delivery person got the address mixed up and then yelled at me because he said he wasted time waiting for me to answer the door.
(3)
Stephanie V.
i really like mediterranean food but i found that theirs was a bit bland. i have definitely had better. the hummus was bland, and so was the tomato and cucumber salad. the only thing i really like was their pomegranite sauce.
(2)
Naomi C.
I have been here twice. Both times I did the dinner option (for 2 or more people). It allows you to choose several diff. appetizers, dinner options, sides and dessert. I have had and enjoyed the grilled potatos, grilled mushrooms, baba ganhoush, rice, tomato/cucumber salad, lamb shank, sirloin kebabs, chicken kababs. The soup, some form of tomato base with lentil I believe was ok. It was a bit sour for my taste. The service was good the first time I went and ok the second time. It also seemed that the portions were smaller the second time (probably because of the economy and cost of food). That being said, the price was reasonable. We did get a lot of food and they boxed up anything that wasn't finished. Overall a good experience.
(4)
Joe O.
Been here a handful of times and have enjoyed the experience each time. The food is very fresh and just delicious. I can't remember what that ground up chicken thing is called but it's one of my fav items there. Service is great. Just tried the brunch buffet for the first time last week and it was also excellent. They give you such a selection to pick form, but it's really reflected in the price you pay too.
(4)
Deepika T.
Reza's is good. But nothing to write home about, I guess. I'd have to say that I have no complaints about the ambience or the staff. But like I said, nothing about the food made me go ga-ga. The lentil soup was your average fare, and the veggie platter was 'Umm, Ok'. And all my other friends in the group that tried the non-veg fare didn't really start jumping up and down about it either!
(3)
Aimee R.
I've been coming here since the 1990s and I can never get tired of Reza's. It has excellent food and great service. I like their Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, and all their combinations of Reza's Special Chicken, Ground Beef/Chicken. I also like the fried veggies that come with the order. The onions and tomatoes add a lot to the overall taste. I also totally ordering the rice 1/2 dill, 1/2 white, they're both good and it's good to combine them. This year, they also started a yummy buffet, for $8 bucks or something, where you can get all the falafels you want...along with the sauce, salad, and pita bread. Their holiday specials are also a great value and they include mimosas or sangria.
(4)
Tuyen T.
I've never eaten at Reza's so I can't comment on their service or atmosphere, but my parents usually pick up an order of the chicken and steak combo on their way home. It comes with one chicken kabob, one steak kabob, dill rice, pita bread, and some veggies. I'm not a big fan of the combo because I find the meat and rice quite dry. I like their hummus though, so if my parents give me a heads up that they're picking up Reza's then I order a side of hummus. $15 feeds two people, not a bad deal. It's in Andersonville, so good luck with parking.
(3)
Jeff N.
I've only gone here for their lunch buffet. But it is so good that I have been there 3 times in as many weeks (twice in Andersonville and once in the loop). Two of the times I've gone there it was on a Monday when they have half priced wine. Their house chardonnay was great and went really well with the dessert. I will have to say they have the best buffet in Chicago and I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)
Mark D.
My wife and I had the lunch buffet during the week. It was outstanding in every way! Just the thought of that extensive variety of excellent food is enough to make me ravenous!
(5)
Tara P.
Let's start with the positives. We had a party of 11 and were promptly seated (with reservations...but still). The food was very good, huge servings and I think all but one order was correct. Now, the negatives. They all have to do with service. We waited a long time for our drink orders to be taken, then an even longer time for our food orders to be taken, and we were out of water for the 2nd half of the meal. That's forgivable for a big party on a Saturday night, but guess what's not? The most rude server I've ever had. Our table ordered a couple of the veggie appetizer samplers. It was good. For the entree, though, there are several more veggie combo samplers with different items on them. I'm not a vegetarian but wanted to try several things so I chose a veggie entree sampler. The server argued with me, saying it would be just like the appetizer, which was confusing since the only item the plates share is hummus. Then she asked why I would get that if I'm not a vegetarian (uh, because I'm paying for it so I'll get whatever the f### I want?). I got my sampler and it was delicious, especially the stuffed pepper, and as I expected the only repeated item from the appetizer was hummus. Unfortunately I was very full and barely made a dent. When the server came to collect my plate she said, "I told you so." I wanted to punch her in the face. So the rudeness is what really makes this a 2 stars kinda place.
(2)
Barbie S.
I am SHOCKED to see that anyone would rate this place a 5 star. No way, not even close. The place was packed when my friend's and I got here, and one of the reasons why we picked it was they advertise they are open till midnight.... HA! It was a Friday night, and I think we got there at 10-10:15 ish....and by 11 they were mopping and cleaning up. Which I think is totally inappropriate when you still have customers that are dining. One bonus we were seated right away which was nice, and the open windows are really nice.... but beyond that, I would not rate anything else here better than average. We ordered Sangria which was OK... not great. However, while we waited for our food to be served and our drinks, we drank all of our water... and even though the waitress came back to the table our water was never refilled? Even though we asked.... are water refills not allowed??????? The food was ok, not bad, but again, I would say it was just average. The waitress....when we saw her... was pleasant I guess, but how pleasant are you if you are not attentive to your customers??? It is large and the atmosphere is good... but nothing was enticing enough here to make me want to go back.... enough said.
(3)
Anna B.
I would love to actually review the food at this place, since it was so highly regarded by most of the yelpers, but alas it was not to be so. I went there last week with a friend. My friend actually worked at the downtown location, so he could not stop raving about the food. We sat at our table for 10 minutes without any attention from the waitstaff. I saw one server on a cell phone. I saw another one standing around looking bored, and I saw another server, actually working. We sat, hungry and thirsty for 10 minutes. Then we got up and went next door to Andie's, where we were attended to promptly. Such a shame when service costs a restaurant its reputation and REVENUE. I'll only go back if I'm on a diet or want to be ignored.
(1)
Rush L.
I went here for the lunch buffet. Overall, it's good to me. I would come here again for the buffet. I would only eat the same things. lol.
(3)
Dima M.
I have also reviewed the other location of this restaurant. If you must eat at this restaurant, I recommend eating at this location. While this is a little better, the ambiance is still mediocre, if at all existent. The saving grace for this place is the neighborhood in which it resides. If I had to move any time soon, I'd totally move to Andersonville. The food quality is OK, and the portions are generous. If you love red meant, go for the Fillet Mignon as they give you a good amount for your money, and by good, I mean GOOD. Also, if you are going to eat rice, go for the dill rice. Don't let the hard parking situation around the neighborhood get to you, there's a very hard to find parking across the street where you can park for free if you eat at the restaurant. So save your parking meter change, or valet money, and look for the shady parking lot.
(3)
Justin B.
This is what happens to a good restaurant when the service is just bad. The food probably was a 4 quality. The vegetarian sampler appetizer was OMG good, but the service had my wife and I reconsidering our standard tipping policy. We received no water when we sat down until we ordered it, when we did get water she left the pitcher for us to fill our own glasses, we had to wait about 10 minutes after being seated before the server came over to even say hi, received zero smiles throughout the meal, had to wait about 10 minutes after we last touched our plates for the server to approach us for the check/dessert/whatever, had to ask for more bread for our vegetarian sampler and even that seemed off-putting to our server, and never once was asked how the food was. I understand a bad night, I truly do, but restaurants have to realize that their reputation is directly attributable to three things: (1) Service; (2) Quality of Food; and (3) the space/ambiance of a restaurant. The service was so bad that I just can't justify giving this place more than 2 stars.
(2)
Rich W.
Was there for their lunch buffet. Good deal - $10 for a good selection of dishes. The food was decent. The spice level was good. However, the service was bad. The waitresses were slow and non-responsive. I know it's buffet and I shouldn't expect much, but did they have to talk to me like I owe them money?
(3)
Channyn W.
Tis ok. There was nothing particularly exciting about my experience, and I can't say i'm interested in returning on my own. On the upside, they set aside a large space for my friend's birthday which gave us plenty of room to spread out. The service was friendly and non-intrusive and we never felt rushed to order or to leave after we were finished with our meal. Even though we were part of a large group, they were gracious about splitting the check for three of us without it being a hassle. Also, our waitress took time to explain the family style options vs. individual entrees so kudos to her. Now, the food. Personally, I felt the pricing was a bit high for what it was. The menu is enormous and a little daunting though it is pretty well laid out and self-explanatory. A friend and I decided to split a few appetizers instead of ordering individual dinners which worked pretty well. I wasn't a huge fan of the food itself though. The grilled mushrooms were tasty, but the grilled potatoes seemed a bit soggy whereas I was hoping for some crunch to them. The hummus wasn't anything special, tasted ok, but not any better than the pre-packaged kind. It might have been served well if fresh pitas were brought with, but that didn't happen. I still prefer Pita Inn I guess. And that says it all.
(3)
Kate C.
I have been to this restaurant many times, and almost every time is with a large group. There is really something for everyone and the dishes are great to share. The past two times I went there was a buffet option. One time you could get the buffet option for dinner, which many people did. There was chicken, lamb, rice, falafel, hummus, salads, and lots of other typical middle eastern food. Another time there was an appetizer buffet that came with every entree, which was perfect because one of my favorite dishes is the salmon kebabs, which is not on the dinner buffet. I highly recommend the fish and vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian combos are great. I especially like the stuffed pepper with spinach and the couscous. There is plenty of room for seating and the service seems pretty quick from what I remember. Prices are reasonable and portions are large. You'll definitely be taking stuff home if each person orders an entree and you share appetizers.
(4)
Bridget D.
Reza's is in my top 5 restaurants in Chicago and has been for years. The kabobs, dill rice, and tomato lentil soup are out of this world!!! Your best bet is to order chengeh (filet) kabob in combination with something else. I like chengeh and scallops or koubideh. Reza's has many vegetarian options, but their meat and seafood really shines! It's always very fresh and the best cuts. The only thing I would advise against at Reza's is the salads. I have had tabouleh and Jerusalem salad on several occasions and it's never good.
(5)
Rudy S.
While I don't normally eat Middle Eastern food, everytime I come to this place..it makes me wonder why I don't. This food is extremely flavorful. The portions are also big, it's great for a date or for a group of friends. The waitstaff is also extremely helpful in describing the food for someone who normally doesn't eat Middle Eastern food. Just try to under order, because the portions are big and you end up with a ton of extra food. A bit pricey but worth it!
(4)
MaryAnne M.
My very bff took me here for my birthday dinner. I hadn't been here in a while. I love their grilled potatoes and hummus. I had the scallop and filet shish Kabob with couscous. Huge scallops. We ordered a carafe of sangria and it was the strangest sangria ever. No fruit in it, it seemed that it was just wine. They also seem to have changed their pita bread.
(3)
Thi T.
I've been hearing about Reza's for quite some time and finally tried it last night. It certainly lived up to the raving reviews I've heard. The place is huge and can easily seat large parties. I sat down and already had a yummy sangria waiting for me. The menu is rather large, and a bit overwhelming...but I don't think you can go wrong with any choice. We started with baba ganish (however you spell the thing), hummus and tazhiki. My fave was the tazhiki. It was refreshing and full of flavor. Don't worry, I ate so much of the appetizers, I barely had room for the main course. Good thing I had some serious meat coming my way. I took about two bites of my entree and was finished. It was sad because my filet was juicy and cooked to perfection. They sauce that smothered my steak complimented it so well, and the sea bass was also delicious! Unfortunately, I had no room for desert. Doggie bags! Just finished the leftovers today, and let me say...it was about as superb as the first go-around. I was very impressed with my meal. Unfortunately, we did have some issues with the service. Our waitress was a bit slow at times and neglected to check up on us at all after we got our food. It was a busy evening, but it seems like this place always has busy evenings. No excuses for the poor service. Overall, certainly worth trying. I would go back in a heartbeat to taste some of the other delicious options!
(4)
faith b.
Before tonight, I have only been here one other time. Before, I would have agreed with all the bad reviews about the service. However, tonight changed my mind completely. I LOVED IT! Around dinner time, it took a while for us to find parking... but it was nice that we got seated right away (without reservations). Our waitress attended to us almost as soon as we sat down to get our drinks in... and we didn't have to wait long to order. She was very friendly and funny! I was looking around the place to see if other waiters were just as friendly.. and they were! The owner or manager of the restaurant also checked up on us to make sure everything was ok. The food was AMAZING! The lentil soup was really good! I don't know why people are complaining about the kabobs because they were awesome... and you get ALOT. I probably got through 1/3rd of my plate until i was stuffed. They also have amazing desserts that you just can't turn down! Everything about this place was great! Hopefully our next visit will be just as nice!
(5)
Giselle S.
I came here for a baby shower during the Brunch hours. The food offered looked amazing. I stayed away from the meat and rice for Lent, and buried my plate underneath veggie and fish options. I tried the smoked salmon but found the consistency too 'gooey.' The whole mushrooms were to die for, and the hummus and pita were warm and delectable. I was pleased to find a varied selection of fresh cut fruit, along with choices for beverage ( lemonade, ice tea, and juice). Along with the brunch each guest received a glass of champagne. Pastries and fried dough in honey were offered, and oh soooo yummy. Just a couple oddities, the fresh shrimp wore their shells. The shrimp looked inviting, but I was in no mood to work with my food. The omelet station was there, burners and omelet filings were set up, but was not being offered throughout the time of the baby shower. The party area was toward the back and was the perfect setting for 40 guests. It was a little hard conducting baby shower games since people from another party had to pass through to get to the food and bathrooms. Reza's had a separate table set up for the cake and gifts. I believe the brunch cost $16.95 not including tax and tip. Sometimes the private lot gets full, so good luck with parking.
(4)
Laura K.
Picture a cold Christmas night with nothing open, not even Jewel, and my husband wandering around Andersonville in search of food since we had come back into town unexpectantly early. And low and behold, one of the only places open on this dark night is Reza's. He ordered take out since I was home in my PJs and not about to wander out into the cold (although he said their buffet looked amazing). I had the filet kebobs and they were delicious - tender and perfectly done. They included some sort of sweet pastry that had a hint of rose water. Am not sure if this was for the holiday or is a regular thing but it was yummy and much appreciated. Thank you, Reza's, for coming through on this old Christmas night. Without you, we would have been eatting canned soup and crackers.
(4)
Ted B.
The food is amazing, no doubt about that! I believe Reza's is more Persian than the traditional Middle Eastern I am accustomed to. Subtle differences between the two cuisines are throughout including the use of warm lavash bread instead of pita. Also, they don't serve schwarma. Dining last night, my friend and I immensely enjoyed a plate of Baba Ganouj, Fattoush salad, baked feta with olives and tomatoes and chicken kabobs with dilled rice. All of it was quite delicious. Service was just ok for me. Our server started out quite attentive but disappeared after he took our order. Also, the woman who sat us made such a big production out of how tall me and my friend were (i'm 6'4, he's 6'5). "Oh my GOD", she says as we walk into the restaurant, "you're SO tall!" Then later as we are enjoying our juicy kabobs, she comes over with larger plates so, as she so eloquently puts it, "you don't look like a couple of giants with these small plates". The whole time I'm thinking, 'can we just have a table for two and could you hold the order of shame please?' I'll be back.
(4)
Paula B.
What happened to the portions at Reza's? There was a time when we went to Reza's that the portions were huge and the service was fantastic. Now the portions both in dine in and from carry out are small and for carry out we've received the food cold. The service is also slower than it used to be. I'm disappointed because I love their food. Please bring the old Reza's back!!
(2)
mero cocinero k.
If I and my companera, the Vegan Lunch Lady, need a place to have a quiet, wonderful time, Reza's is the best place for it. The neighborhood is great! I can go to Women & Children's books and get books by Molly Ivins or Marjane Satrapi, then head over to Reza's and enjoy my consciously minded literature and eat the grilled potatoes, mushrooms, and falafel. I am sad that they now charge for the garnish of radishes, cheese, and parsley, which was always great to cleanse my palette of internalized oppression and prepare for a great meal and a great read. Please to all you non-royalist Iranians and their supporters, the name of the restaurant is in no way a tribute to Reza Shah Pahlavi and his policies that were implemented after the CIA backed coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mossadegh in 1953.
(5)
Carlos G S.
This is one of the very first restaurants I went to when I first came to Chicago. What an outstanding experience. Their roasted feta is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. Hummus and pita bread fantastic. I've had the Sultani before, and it is still my favorite combo dish. Sangria is good, but not outstanding. Ah, but coffee and backlava were insanely good. Service has always been really good, too. So, all in all, great. You won't be disappointed as I have never been.
(5)
Kim P.
This place needs my review like a hole in the head (there's already over 80) but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Tonight I gave this food delivery place ( grubhub.com ) a shot based on the glowing review of Caroline (fellow yelper). Grubhub wil pick up food from various chicago restaurants and deliver it for you. I hadn't eaten at Reza's before but after writing my review for the Greek Islands I was craving some Mediterranean food. Reza's fit the bill. I ordered the cornish game hen in a pomegranate sweet and sour sauce and the vegan appetizer sampler. I LOVED the sauce on the hens. My BF thought it was only so/so but he must be smoking crack today cuz I was licking it off my fingers. LOL For $30 the bag of food they sent us had to weigh at least 6 pounds,. They gave us an enitre sack of pita's for our sampler tray. I mean an ENTIRE sack of unopened pitas. The hen came with Persian potatoes and I really liked them. They reminded me of a dish my mom used to make. Thick slices of potatoes dressed in olive oil and some herbs. Well cooked but still firm enough to hold up to the sauces. I'll definitely be ordering from there again. I only give 3 stars right now because I can't give a full review based on carry out, but I'll be sure to update when I make it in.
(3)
carla a.
My family has been eating at Reza's for years, just last week my NEW! HUSBAND! OMG! and I held our wedding reception of 35 guests there, and it was just fantastic. Our families loved the food, because it is unique and also yummy. Vegetarians and omnivores alike were thrilled. The party room in the back on the first floor was adequately private, with tons of natural light and exposed brick walls, creating a beautiful setting. We brought our own dj equipment and it sounded fine in the space; they arranged the tables so the center of the room was a dance floor. The open bar has far more interesting and diverse beers and drinks than their catering menu on the website lists, as well (a pleasant surprise!). Overall, we communicated with the restaurant minimally and yet they were 100% prepared and experienced at hosting weddings and basically anticiapted our needs before we ever could. I can't say enough about how pleasantly surprised we were with everything about holding our wedding reception there. Tom, the manager that coordinates parties, was just so patient and easy-going with us and our families. I heartily recommend this place for a unique and affordable wedding reception for up to about 70 guests.
(4)
Dan G.
I've been eating at Reza's for at least 10 years now, and I'm in the camp that is saddened by how the prices have gone up and the portions and quality have suffered in correlation. Also, the service and quality can be wildly inconsistent from one day to the next. That said, I still enjoy eating there (just not as much as I used to). I think the addition of the buffet is a nice touch, but they need to diversify the items on it a bit more. I'm not sure if the decision to include American food items like Caesar salad and mashed potatoes and gravy is a savvy way of not alienating wary newcomer palates, or a weaksauce concession to the masses. As a Reza's veteran, I lean towards the latter. Finally, I love the new(ish) vegetarian rice that is only (mostly) available at the buffet. I've repeatedly told people that if I had 24-7 access to that rice, I could persuaded to give up meat. This from a guy who's got a list of which animals he wants to eat before he dies. Truly finally, for dessert, try the bamieh, a pastry which is shaped--not flavored--like okra.
(4)
Kevin S.
This place is good. I have never went to their infamous Sunday buffet thing, but I want to one day. I have only tried a few things from Reza's and it was pretty good. Since I don't know about many Persian/middle eastern places that deliver to me, Reza's is where I order from when I'm in that mood. I usually get the ground beef sausage-y looking thing with dill rice. It's pretty good. My girlfriend once got a strange orange carrot rice and it tasted pretty bad.
(3)
iddells E.
Love Reza's, been going here for more than 10 years and I love the fact that such a great restaurant is a few blocks away! I only get one dish here, the Barg, which is a cut of filet mignon and it's delicious!!! The portions used to be gigantic, but my last visit left me a little disappointed since the portions seemed to have shrunk. Oh well, that always happens, people have to save money! Anyways, their dill rice and tomato lentil soup are amazing!! I think that Reza's is much better than Andie's and Noon-o-Kabab.
(4)
Araceli R.
we always try the bufett is really good pita,hummus.dill rice.falafel etc huge place love it
(4)
Maryellen C.
Go for lunch or brunch! Reza's offers fabulous weekday lunch and Sunday brunch buffets. Their offerings are amazing for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. I can't get enough of their Persian Salad, falafel, tomato-based lentil soup, white dill rice, hummus, baba ganoush, and who could forget the fresh bread! Many traditional meat dishes and a spread of fresh shrimp and salmon, too. Desserts and fruit included. On Sundays, they offer a larger selection of dishes and include eggs, danishes, fresh juice and coffee, and a complimentary glass of champagne. In short, go with an empty stomach and clear your schedule for the rest of the day. Sunday brunch is around $20--weekday lunch is cheaper and nearly as impressive. I don't order anything but the buffet here because it's too hard for me to choose just one thing.
(5)
Luan N.
I have never dined in, but actually had a plate lunch from one of the tents set up during the Andersonville festival. I got a combo of eggplant steak, chicken kabob, koubideh, and dill rice for $7. That was a great deal considering it was about the price of bud light at the fest. Let's get to the point. Eggplant steak: B+ I used to hate eggplant, but if my mom made it like this, I may have eaten eggplant at a younger age. Chicken Kabob: D D for Dry, blanD, Delusional to serve this. Koubideh: A- This little kubbie caught me off guard. It tasted different from alot of the other kubbies I have tried. Seemed like it was basted in a sweet tomato paste. Dill Rice: C Not sure what Reza's scores average to, but pretty sure Reza doesn't make the dean's list. I just have a gut feeling, if I want good Middle Eastern food with great value, I should stick to Albany Park.
(3)
Matthew N.
Amazing food . Reza's takes typical middle eastern dishes and makes them taste amazing. The quail was great and so was the sangria. Highly recommended.
(5)
J A.
Persian food in Chi is an experience at this landmark establishment
(4)
Char Y.
We came both for the buffet and the normal dinners. I honestly think it's very expensive for what we get. There are definitely much better places elsewhere (such as noon o kabab).
(3)
John L.
Hello meat! I thought Mediterranean food was supposed to have, like vegetables, or something. I go to places like this for something on the lighter side, and something varied. If I was a 70s bodybuilder, I'd be coming here to bulk up, but alas, I'm not. What I'm saying here is, less meats, more veggies, more variety. Represent better, because the meat, er, food, is actually pretty good.
(2)
Joedel G.
I've been to this place multiple times, actually my oldest son's christening reception was here. First of all it's Mediterranean cuisine so it's not oily or fatty then I love anything grilled. Try falafel and hummus for appetizer, very fresh and earthy also you can try the dolmeh but don't eat to much because it so filling. For the main one I always order the signature kabobs a combination of grilled filet mignon, chicken, lamb and vegetables. For my sides I always go for 1/2 white rice and 1/2 dill rice. The serving is large so don't over indulge yourself and always save some space for bamieh, a traditional Mediterranean dessert, it's like a soft doughnut soaked with honey, so it's very sweet, one piece is good enough. This place is a must if you love this kind of cuisine, I went also in their Oak Brook branch in which is smaller but the same quality and service, anyway the service is okay.
(4)
Steph H.
Ahh their lunch buffet special is amazing. Delicious food (dill rice has got to be a gift from heaven), tons of variety, and a pretty great deal. The service is okay, there seems to be only one or two servers during lunch, who are kept pretty busy running between the bigger tables and refilling the buffet trays to really pay close attention to everyone else. The atmosphere is very cozy and I love that they open their floor-to-ceiling windows when it's nice out. Great place for a lunch date ;)
(4)
Esther Y.
I used to really enjoy Reza's. This was a standby brunch spot on Sundays for the buffet and it was so great! Then, they turned on me. The food starting going down in quality, the service wasn't as friendly, and then they stopped having coupons! For Persian food, I would recommend Noon O Kebab.
(2)
Vijay M.
Their Couscous salad is awesome. The ambience, setting, layout of tables are enticing as much as the dishes. Dinner was exceptionally awesome, all in our group had a great time. I've heard of the Lunch specials(not tried yet). Kashk-e-badamjan, Fessenjan, Koubideh are my favorites. A wonderful place to share the food. Enjoy the culture, relish the experience with the company.
(5)
Robert S.
Filet mignon with a hamburger baked around it? What could be better? I remember thinking that it would be a good way to start an uber gourmet burger. But that would be blasphemy. The food at Reza's is very tasty. The house soup is very flavorful, and their grilled potatoes are almost meaty! And to think that I passed this place by for a year because I saw the word "vegetarian" on the sign. Ha. My loss, now gain. The only thing that I didn't quite like about the place was that it was loud and packed with tables. I wish it was more cozy and quiet. I had to listen to some very strange loud people next to me talk about some unsavory topics. But, oh well. It's not the restaurant's fault! And I'm sure that in the right circumstance, the atmosphere could be part of the charm. I can't wait to try the other things on the menu.
(4)
Mahsa T.
We used to eat here at Reza's years ago before other better Persian restaurants opened up in the Chicagoland area. Over the years, the food quality has gone downhill and the place caters more to vegetarians and American tastes than to making authentic Persian dishes. If you are a vegetarian, you will find plenty to choose from on their menu. But if you're looking for authentic Persian dishes, try elsewhere. Their soup has gotten more and more watered down over the years and their meat does not sit well in my stomach, probably because it's pumped full of preservatives. They've raised their prices a few times too over the years. The one thing I still like on their menu is their grilled mushrooms in pomegranate sauce. The food is slightly better at their Clark location than at the Ontario location. If you do want to give their food a try, go for the lunch buffet (if they still have it) so you can get a taste of everything.
(3)
Lauren L.
FOOD POISONING. Oh yes, friends. I went for dinner last night to the downtown Reza's and got sick for the rest of the night and most of the morning. Lovely. That was my first and last time at Reza's.
(1)
Hector M.
It had been about 20 years since I first went to Reza's. I happened to be in Andersonville (for something else) and stopped for dinner. At that moment it occurred to me to head to my usual Persian place in Albany Pk, but I was too hungry to wait with the drive and traffic hour. Overall, food was just ok. That's it. And it was pricey, I ordered a grilled shrimp and chicken combination which was $25, which is the price for a quality dish at a pretty nice restaurant. For what it was, basically something you can get anywhere and I'm sorry to say, nothing was especially tasty. The special Persian rice I have had elsewhere, with raisins, carrots was visibly greasy (or oily). Service was OK. In summary: 1 dish, 1 appetizer combo and a coke was fifty dollars. That's my 2 cents.
(2)
Natalie M.
We went to Reza's to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was a Tuesday evening after a beautiful 80 degree day and there were probably a total of 10 people in the inside and out if that. We ordered the feta with olives and tomatoes and baba ghanoush as appetizers. Neither was very good. One person ordered bone in lamb and couscous. Let me say, the lamb was not good and I have NEVER seen couscous with raisins??? Another person ordered filet mignon and salmon. They were out of salmon so he was allowed to get shrimp. He did not complain but that was not good and the veggies looked like they were frozen.. The third person ordered falafel. That was the worst falafel in the world and the dill sauce was non-existent it was a white creamy sauce that smelled terrible. The tomato lentil soup and chicken barley soup were not even edible. NOTHING about the food was good and it was all over priced.. EXTREMEMLY!!! Now the service! The waiter was so rude. We were not ready to order and he just stood there. Not once, not twice but several times. Never came back to check on if things were okay and had a hard time getting the bill. I will never go back there.. Not when there are so many good Mediterranean places in Andersonville and THIS IS NOT one of them. I would not waste time or MONEY here. Sorry.
(1)
Anna G.
Review/Haiku: My friend Kris was right Get the lentil soup, dill rice Learn from my folly.
(4)
Kiarash Z.
I've never been to the restaurant, but the food Reza's delivered was mediocre, at best. Granted, I've been spoiled by home-cooked Persian food, but Reza's ranks below most Persian restaurants I've tried. The koobideh kabobs (my favorite food in the whole world) were dry. The rice did an amazing job of being both oily and flavorless. I didn't see real joojeh kabob on the menu, so I ordered the chicken bargh. It was awful: bland, dry and boring. I love real joojeh kabob. The ghormeh sabzi didn't have a single dried lime in it. It was bland but passable. Delivery took an hour on a Monday night. They basically sucked in every category, but I've gotta give them three stars for delivering Persian food. I don't know of any other place that does.
(3)
Shane S.
Went here late with a couple friends for dinner. The lentil soup I ordered was cool and the couscous was not seasoned well enough. The chicken combo was very delicious on the other hand.
(3)
S M.
Service was good but food was about average. I had the chicken kabobs, which were ok, and the hummus, which again was ok. The bread was good, but it's sort of hard to screw up bread. For the most part, I thought the food lacked a bit in flavor and seasoning. For the money (granted, we came as a big group and split the check evenly), some people thought Pita Inn was a better value.
(2)
Josephine Z.
Reza. He's such a good man and friend of the family. My father helped him expand the restaurant and he is now doing great. I have now relocated to San Diego, CA and I am saddened to hear other people's comments about him being "arrogant". For those of you who've had unsatisfactory experiences, I'm sure the good outnumber the bad. Since I was 4, my family would come here at least 3-4 times a month. I've spent endless birthdays here along with family baptisms or other occasions. This restaurant is vast with such a rich ambiance yet makes one feel welcome. Perfect for group occasions or an intimate date. The ambiance isn't just one of the attractions, the food is also the magnet. Plenty of parking...come on...What more can anybody ask for? The appetizers are always delicious. The feta cheese has one of the best textures and perfect balance. I simply ADORE the seafood combination dish: succulent scallops, grilled shrimp, YUM. The lamb is so mouth-wateringly tender. All entrees come with a grilled tomato, onion, and green pepper, not to mention a large amount of basmati rice topped with saffron or dill rice. Service is top notch, always on top of everything. Enjoy.
(5)
Chillie D.
We have been to Reza's for dinner (not lunch) and the portions are huge. If you plan to go here for dinner skip lunch. I recommend the salmon and lamb with the dill rice. The meats are always flavorful and tender (: This is a very good place for people who are big eaters and really like huge portions. If you are a Vegetarian, this is not the place to go (choices on the menu are very limited). The ambiance is very nice, plenty of tables, and loud. It gets pretty busy and crowded. IF you are taking a date here for the first time, please consider that you may have to shout to hear each other. The Servers are very friendly and attentive. We have been going for years and we don't even live in the area! I highly recommend this place in the Fall and Winter for hearty eating.
(4)
P P.
This place is a HOT mess....they need to shut down. The service is horrible and the food looks unsafe to look at let alone to eat. Everything from my soup to my dinner looked like it had been cook about a week ago and warmed up more than once. Shut this place down. It is really bad. Save your money.
(1)
Ira U.
If you leave here hungry there's something wrong with you. The pre meal buffett is enough for me because I can eat the hummus and salad and be happy. Everything here is very good, especially my favorite, the quail.
(4)
T M.
I live around this place and would like to like it, but I can't. Everything thing I have ever eaten here has managed the incredible feat of attaining the heights of blandness. It's grossly oily, painfully dry, inappropriately crunchy, even weirdly sweet at times, and bland, bland, bland! Texture without flavor is sooo weird, especially when you know what the texture should taste like. Considering that I can get better middle eastern food at a billion other places (granted it's not necessarily Persian/Iranian, but still...) for around half the price, I just don't see any reason to come here. But somehow or other (not by choice), I manage to eat their food every once in a while, and every time I hope it will be better... Oh yeah, and one of the times I went, the waiter (who I am pretty sure was wasted) managed to ogle my sister and my girlfriend, and then told my mom (who had asked which menu items were vegetarian) that she could take the chunks of meat out of the beef stew. I wish I was joking...
(1)
Christiana S.
I eat here once every two years or so. I'll get it in my head that I want some falafel and kebabs, and then I'll think, 'I'll have dinner at Reza's tonight! I really should go there more often!' Then I get there and order and my food arrives and I remember why I haven't visited in two years. The food is just NOT that good. And that's disappointing, because I want so badly to love this restaurant. I like the interior and the atmosphere and I've always received pretty good service here (there have been a couple of exceptions, but nothing major). I like their sangria, and it's a great place for a larger group of people. But the food is supposed to be the focal point, and it's just blah. When I was there last week, we ordered falafel, hummus and the grilled potatoes to start. The falafel arrived cold, dry and bland. The hummus was good but nothing special, and the potatoes were awesome. Unfortunately they were the high point of the meal. Well, that and the complimentary soup. I had the chicken combo, which is one kebab of grilled chicken pieces and another kebab of ground chicken. The plain chicken was a little dry and not very flavorful, but the ground chicken was decent. These kebabs were accompanied by roughly two pounds of dill rice, which I'm not so crazy about but I attempt to eat anyway. My dining companion had a falafel sandwich. He was also underwhelmed. We decided to skip dessert, mostly because we had enough food (mostly dill rice) for another four meals. (It's sitting in my friedge at this very moment; I can hardly bring myself to throw it out because I feel guilty about wasting food.) Next time I decide I want some Middle-Eastern food, I'll probably go next door to Andies instead. Sorry, Reza's.
(2)
Susanne A.
I am half Middle Eastern so I do know what good places to for good Middle Eastern food. Brought my date for the first time to see if he liked it as well. It does get busy at times but they offer a lot of tables and good if your going with a group of people. I came here with my family and my Dad being Middle Eastern loves the place. I have been to Reza's a couple of time specially because I do live near by. The meats are grilled to perfection and they do offer vegetarian food. The hummus is great stuff and never had a bad dish at Reza's. Also they have a lunch buffet on Sunday if you want to try a little bit of everything. Turn out my date loved the place and we both had a good time.
(5)
Dave K.
Good delivery and dine-in option. The steak and chicken skewers are some of the best in Chicago and Reza's dill rice is very good.
(4)
David M.
Long have I wondered how Reza's and Andies can survive right next door to each other with such similar menus. As an Andies regular, I finally made it to Reza's to test it out and my eternal questions was finally answered. While Andies excels at the basics of mediterranean cuisine; hummos, pita, lentil soup, schwarma, etc., Reza's knocks the entrees out of the park. Their braised lamb shank is huge, delicious and beyond tender. The fessenjen (chicken in pomegrante) was fantastic and the beef kebab was top notch as well. However, the pita was store bought and the soup was awful. I will be back again, but will be sticking to taboule and the lamb shank.
Met a few friends here for dinner last night. The server we had must have left his personality at home. The table we were sitting at was super wobbly, our server watched as our friend stuck the end of a butter knife under the table. Anyway the food good, I had the Chicken Barley soup, and the garlic shrimp. There was a little too much oil in the garlic shrimp. My S. O. had the filet mignon with mushrooms and that was good, I would probably go with that next time instead.
(3)
Erika G.
Their Sunday brunch is insane! The lunch buffet is also filled with goodies, and is a real value. The Persian tea is wonderful. ---------- UPDATED: This restaurant has gone downhill a bit, I'm afraid. Most of the entrees are somewhat shoddily presented and way overcooked. The meat is often dry. It's pleasant enough to sit outside on a summer night, but it's possible this restaurant just got too large to accommodate everyone.
(2)
K R.
Like others I love the design and atmosphere of the place.I also like the busy crowded with people yet not cramped feel. With all the people and groups to me, theirs is like a welcoming "one big group" kind of feel. It's a great place to bring people (who like Mediterranean food), bring the kids. They give you a lot of food for the money. I've basically had the same things either a beef kabob or some kind of chicken. I've always enjoyed the food.I love grilled flavor so the veggies were good as well. As for the rice, I grew up in a Scandinavian family-eating American food, I'm not into hot spicy foods. So to me, the dill rice is good, without the flavor taking over everything. I think the place is reasonable for what you get.I like it better than Andies next door.For what I got there (including not as fun and welcoming an atmosphere) I thought Andies was overpriced.So for me Reza's over Andies! (and both over the Cousins that used to be on Clark,but maybe now after reading the reviews I should give the one on Broadway a try).
(5)
Zaid A.
Shame on you if you didn't give this place 5 stars. I have eaten at Reza's more times than any other restaurant in Chicago, to me its more of an institution than a restaurant. Atmosphere: At the Clark "branch" you enter to find large 4-6 seater tables in a fairly upscale decor. There is also an upstairs room with seating, that we have rented out for small receptions. Against complaints that the inside "doesn't look Persian" the interior is set up as more upscale restaurants with a professional feel. If you looking for ivory elephants you are barking up the wrong tree. Service: Professionally dressed staff, who are always polite and always helpful... over the past 8 years I have yet to have a bad waiter. Food: If Reza's Dill rice was a girl, I would so make out with it. I eat that stuff by the pound, and as anyone know me, this wiry guy can put it away. We always order the Hummus, which by itself is a tasty meal and they provide lentil soup and always popular goat cheese (!!!!) with most meals. I always get the Chicken cubes, Kabob, an shrimp skewers, and we often opt for the "family style" entree option. As with most Mediterranean food, there is a grilled taste and texture to most of the meats but the overall presentation and the quality of the food makes this place more stellar than other restaurants. Mommy Factor: This is literally the only place that my mom will consistently go to.....take that for what its worth. Date Factor: There are couples tables, and with the upscale decor and overall refined atmosphere I would find this place a viable date option. Bling: Depending if you go family style or not, entrees range from 12-20 per person. Family style options range from mid 30s and up for 2 or more people. Overall, it is more pricey than than your street Hummus vendors, but the refinement and overall good mojo of this place I feel is worth it.....oh yeah they have free parking in a private lot across the street if you can score it. Upshot: I have one vice in this world.....that is a place of Reza's Dill rice and a couple skewers of kabob. If you do not love this place, then I am sorry you can not eat at my lunch table.
(5)
Jeff G.
went here over thanksgiving weekend for dinner and thought the food quality was low. it surprised me because i used to eat here often in the 90s and 00s and recall liking it quite a bit. in fact, having moved to dallas a few years ago, in the back of my mind i thought "dallas totally lacks in Persian et al cuisine, it has nothing like Rezas". so this was my first trip back in probably 6 years. it ain't all that and in retrospect there are many places in dallas with better Persian food than reza's. maybe next trip back i will go to Andie's next door.
(2)
Ross W.
The lunch buffet was incredible but the service was a bit slow. Overall it was worth it. We'll be back :-)
(4)
Matthew G.
There are things I like about Reza's and things I don't. The number one thing I like is the ultra-delicious Fessenjan with Duck (Duck breast with a heavenly sweet/sour pomegranate-walnut sauce). This is something I crave and is one of the only reasons I go to Reza's. Now given the strength of the Fessenjan, you'd think there were other stellar offerings on the menu. Not so, in my opinion. Whenever I have opted to detour from my heart's delight, I have been underwhelmed. Mind you, nothing was awful, but nothing was mind-blowing either. The service is usually pretty good and the kitchen operates with efficiency. The place is usually busy and they handle this well. I think what I like least about Reza's is the space itself. It is very large and cavernous with different levels. For all its spaciousness, the tables are painfully close together which results in being too close to your fellow diners for complete comfort. Also, the ceilings (at least on the first floor) are very high which results in a lot of noise. If it's crowded, conversation is difficult. I'll go to Reza's if other people want to go, but very rarely venture there on my own volition unless I'm jones-ing for the pomegranate duck.
(3)
Michael O.
Had the white fish which they claim as a house specialty and it was indeed very good. I went on a Friday, so my entree included a soup and salad bar that was also very good and very filling. The couscous went perfectly with the fish. The service was also very good the night I went. The prices are a little high, which is why I only gave 3 stars. Perhaps I was also biased because of the campaign posters for Alexi all over the place. He's not my pick, lol.
(3)
Bev h.
i am so disappointed. this place looked so cute, and it was a friend's birthday, so 4 of us made reservations for dinner last week. the place is very cozy, and i was looking forward to experiencing some good middle eastern grub. we were seated and drinks were served in a fairly timely fashion, but then things started to go downhill. Good times: -salad and soup bar comes with most meals. good soup, almost great but not quite... salad was pretty standard, but tasty. -nice ambiance Bad times: -i ordered the white fish, which was touted in the menu as one of their specialties. BLAND. if vegetable oil could be a flavor, that's what this fish tasted like. where's the seasoning? -it came with some soggy veggies, and an entire separate plate of dill rice. like, more rice than our whole table could have eaten. and it was dry and nasty. so now i am eating flavorless, dry, and soggy/nasty. pass. -our waitress just up and left right after we got our first round of drinks. as in, i saw her putting her coat on and saying goodbye to the rest of the staff and leaving. no one said anything to us until about 20 minutes later when i flagged someone down and asked what was up. that guy looked at me like i was crazy and was like, "i'm your server." well then. can i get some freaking service, dude? 2 hours. $40. my appetite. gone.
(2)
Skazoo M.
From my experience, Reza's does a few things well and the rest are average at best. Start with an order of the Vegetarian Sampler appetizer for the table. Not everything on it is great, but it gives you an overview of what flavors and textures to expect (and when else are you going to eat the Kashkeh bodemjan?). For your entree, I strongly recommend you order lamb - its the only meat they do well. And when they offer you dill or white rice, ask if you can get a half order of both. The dill rice is interesting but I get tired of it after a few forkfulls. The vegetarians I've gone with order a Vegetarian Sampler - there are 4 and I don't know which one they usually get (sorry). For drinks I usually order some dark beer (Turkish, I think) and I've only had their baklava once... OK but I'm usually full from dinner.
(4)
Sheila Y.
To begin, Reza's gets four stars because my dad's name is Reza. Next, I have only ordered the Koobideh and it was much better than anything I could get in Denver so that also moves it to the four star range. The rice was fine, but I always want more grilled tomato than any persian place will give me. The space is quite large and I am going to see if they have persian dancing any nights of the week because I miss my people. I am going to definitely come back for that and more Kabob....yumm yumm
(4)
A S.
I had heard so many good things about this restaurant before finally making a trip this week. I really really wanted to like this place. I am not sure if the place was just having an off day that particular day or maybe that's just how it is; I didn't like the food enough to go back. Or at least I won't be a in a hurry to return. We tried their lunch buffet and even though they had an awful lot of variety, my first gripe was that the food was just not hot- warm to room temperature at best. I don't want to judge Persian food just based on my experience at Reza's- will be most likely giving other Persian restaurants in Chicago a try. The kebabs were bland to say the least and I have had much better hummus and falafel elsewhere. I am not Persian but Middle Eastern by heritage- so I think I have a good idea of what good Middle Eastern food is. Albeit there are some differences, I think I know flavor when I taste it. The service was ok although I didn't like the fact that all the servers were just hovering around the buffet with one of them keeping an eye on the customers (or maybe just me?) but I definitely found that uncomfortable. I have noticed some restaurants take their food quality down a couple notches when it comes to buffet, maybe its the same case here. But I don't see returning to Reza's in the near future.
(3)
Doug W.
Love this place... Kabobs that are grilled to perfection... Appetizers that make you want the main course to be a little late... Some of the best Sangria around... Catered my wedding, good people. (The Oak Brook location needs to get up to the quality that the other two locations are at....PLEASE!!! about to lose another star)
(3)
Russ S.
Went here tonight with a friend. Overall, we had a great time. I was a bit concerned prior to going because of the serious service issues that have been mentioned by numerous Yelpers....but we didn't experience any problem at all. Service was very attentive, timely, and not overbearing. I should probably mention that we went on a Wednesday night at 7pm, so this wasn't a Friday or Saturday evening rush. The Broiled Salmon I had was excellent and not overcooked. Her Chicken and Filet Kabobs were awesome too. The couscous...well....not good at all. It was totally dry and without flavor or anything to distinguish it. Overall, had a great time.
(4)
Chicago F.
So last weekend we had the lunch buffet on Saturday .. it was not very crowded .. after hearing all the reviews I thought I would try Reza's out because I'm super biased towards Noon O Kabab ... The food was ok 2/5 ish ... The 2 stars are for the spread .. there was a lot of variety ... even the quality was not great at all ... i like the kababs at Noon O Kabab much better ... I liked the brunch concept that Reza's has because they give you a glass of champagne too so they are trying to please the general brunch crowd which is gr8! The service was very very bad no1 attended to us .. the only time the waitress smiled was when she came to give us the check HULLO I will come back but not for the buffet
(2)
Stella S.
I liked it. We made reservations and went there to celebrate a birthday. Upon requesting a better table, the staff had no problem accommodating my request (the original table was near a noisy part of the restaurant). The staff sang happy birthday and provided a piece of birthday cake for our guest of honor. There is also an area to hang your coats if you wish. The bathroom are located in the basement and are very nice with marble walls and flooring. The bathroom doors were a little tricky to close since they were two doors that you needed to pull together to lock. The drinks were very good - I had a pomegranate drink with vodka that was yummy. The food was delicious. There are many vegetarian options. I loved all the food we had - the grilled veggies, the feta cheese and the mushrooms. Everything was very good. The service was great. The ambiance is very laid back and relaxed. They are offering special rights now too Sunday through Friday (although I can't remember exactly what the specials are - too many pomegranate drinks for me that night).
(4)
Lauren M.
Dill rice is SO yummy. Great quality meat/veggies. Big portions, 1 meal will feed 2. We order this a lot at work, they're kind and helpful. Love Reza's!
(4)
Carl I.
I would give the place an A on the space - large, airy, and enough room between the tables to navigate easily. Brunching with a friend, I thought that the food was just OK, but with much of it cold, despite the presence of warming dishes, the original flavors were lost. Service was indifferent, and the glacial expressions on the faces of the staff did not make one want to return.
(2)
Laurie H.
Of all the great restaurants we could patronize in Andersonville, we picked this one cause my friend had a taste for Mediterranean. I wish I would have talked her out of it. Not only is their menu inside nothing like what is posted on the outside, and the food is mediocre at best, the waitstaff is poorly trained and unattentive and the person that I'll generously call for this review, "manager" could probably single handedly get this restaurant closed in a matter of days. I asked our waiter about AND described a Greek salad that was listed on the outside menu but couldn't find on the menu we were given. I just asked him to let me know if they could make or I'd pick something else. I also specified that we would like water, which he laughed "of course". What transpired next was nothing short of a restaurant nightmare. He left and didn't come back with water or my friend's drink for a while. The "manager" came by to say they can make a Greek Salad, which again I referred him to the sign outside calling it a Mediterranean Salad. He said he understood. Still waiting on water mind you. 15 minutes later (table next to us had their food and came in after us), I left to find our waiter, our water and my friend's wine. Another 15 minutes later and a plate of radish slices and 3 pieces of feta, we asked about my friend's wine and the waiter looked perplexed said "you want wine?" (she'd ordered chardonnary but they were out and then she said just give me pinot grigio, he said "ok") Our appetizer came and he asked me if the "manager" had come by and I said I think we're set. Now I have not been to this restaurant before , I know what have I been under a rock? But what they served as a Greek Salad was astonishing to me, A plate with Feta cheese slices (2) in the middle surrounded with perfect little separate piles of craisins, walnuts, olives and tomatoes. No greens, no dressing, no salad? I told the waiter this isn't what I asked for or described or what you have listed on the menu outside. I asked him to send over the "manager". We waited, and waited and saw that the "manager" was adding up receipts because I guess my refusal of their version of "Mediterranean Salad" wasn't important enough to him. No "I'm sorry, would you like to order something else" or "I'm sorry we/you/we misunderstood" but instead again I'm having to go find the "manager". His answer was "THis is our Mediteranean Salad, this is how we've made it since we opened..." That was it, no more said. He went back to adding, I drank water and watched my friend eat her entree. When we left his answer to us when we said this is probably one of the worst service experiences we've ever had was "menus are subject to change, we've been here 30 years and some customers are just difficult" My answer to this "manager" is don't worry, you wont' be open another year at this rate.
(1)
Audrey T.
This is the type of place you go to once a year or maybe once every few years. They have a fairly good selection of fresh foods that are not brought to their full potential. Lamb is done nicely and chicken is done dryly. They also have a specials menu which they will issue you but forget the day of the week and charge you full price if you order off of it. And if you're handicap, good luck getting down the stairs to the basement where the nicely modeled bathrooms are. A beautiful space, and good for large groups, but if you're looking for anything savory or indulgent or worth writing home about, pick another location.
(3)
Bobby D.
Not a bad place for falafel & mint rice. The soda with lemon can be a treat too.
(4)
Matt N.
I unknowingly went on a saturday afternoon for lunch which was a buffet. I don't really like buffets and try to avoid them but this is probably one of the better ones I have ever had. All the food tasted fresh and the humus was sensational. I am not sure if they do a better job with the wine list at dinner but every bottle I wanted was unavailable. If you arrive on the sidewalk from the east notice the poorly utilized storage room at the second floor. I am not sure of the rationale behind a fully transparent storage room that can be seen from the street. Reza: make this a dining room! As we were finishing our meal the waitress warned us that a large party was coming in so if we wanted anything else from the buffet now was the time. Didn't think much of it but I turn around and a tour bus unloads with about 200 very hungry looking people from Michigan. Then another bus unloads!! The line for the buffet now extended out the front door and these were not people who looked like they appreciated waiting for food. Suffice to say, avoid heading to Reza's when the bus pulls up.
(4)
Christoph B.
I love this restaurant. The dining rooms are huge with floor to ceiling windows and the building gives off a warm inviting feeling. But it's the food that really shines at Rezas. Everything sounds so good on the menu I never know what to order. Everything I have tried so far has been outstanding. I highly recommend the lamb kabob or the Persian white fish. Add to that a side of dill rice and you've got a winner. The sangria is good, too. Really good.
(5)
Ellen R.
First off, although I am not a vegetarian I find myself ordering only vegetarian stuff at Reza's. Perhaps it is because the veggie options are so good. If you are into Mediterranean style or Middle Eastern style food this is a great place to go. I find it to be affordable, the staff is affable and the food is very good. Noteworthy finds include the falafel balls in pomegranate sauce (forgive me for a have forgotten the name), the green beans in tomato sauce and all of their veggie combo plates. The portions are enormous, definitely enough for two and they are delicious. This location has parking which is always welcomed, it's a beautiful dining area with plenty of seating and good ambiance and I have never had to wait to long to get a table. I admit, however, that I have never been there on a Saturday afternoon with the supposed 'bus tour' crowd. Oh yeah, they just so happen to have the tastiest, best textured pita bread out there. It sure doesn't fare well for my carb sparing diet, especially when they bring it out to the table warm from the oven with a plate full of radishes and great feta cheese... mmm mmm!!! Go ahead indulge!
(4)
Toni C.
this place has horrible service. the hostess is snobby. the couple times i tried to make a reservation they DONT greet you, and they pretty much hang up on you once you give them your name and number of guests. i came here a few times. some were good experiences, but a couple were really bad. the food is good but the waiters and waitress are such snobs and jerks!
(1)
Cameron H.
very good as always. each time we go, usually early dinner, the food is fresh and consistent. our waitress was pleasant and very attentive. definitely a highly recommendable restaurant.
(4)
John B.
I like Reza's more than I used to. It started out as a reasonably sized restaurant, but slowly ate up all the real estate around it as it grew and grew. I first came here during that expansion, and they obviously weren't prepared for their growth. Now that it's stabilized, the food and service is less erratic. The service generally isn't very good. If it's slow, the servers are all talking with one another. If it's busy, they're running around like crazy. They are all pretty knowledgeable though, so if you have questions, you'll probably get the right answers. In general, stay away from the beef. The ground beef skewers are fine, but any other beef I've ever had here has been overcooked and chewy. The lamb and poultry are generally better options. The lamb shank really is wonderful. They seem to only serve vegetarian dishes as part of various combo plates, which is odd to me, especially for a Persian restaurant. Perhaps they're concerned about American palates. Beware the dreaded dill rice. For years, this is what kept me away from Reza's. An entree would be huge, but that was because it was served on a bed of sickly green, bone dry, nearly tasteless dill rice. They've gotten the dill rice problem under control, but I'm still not a fan. If you can substitute cous cous, by all means do so. Reza's is probably worth more than a 3. I'd give Reza's a 3+ and Andies a 4-, but in this system, they're both 3s.
(3)
Teryn C.
I know Reza's and Andie's next door must battle it out nightly for customers but, in my humble opinion drawn from extensive testing (read: eating out) I have to declare Reza's the winner! The best chicken kabobs (they must put crack in the marinade cause you can't stop with one skewer) and the most amazing vegetarian stuffed peppers. The lamb is great as well and I will literally kill you for the dill rice. And the management and staff are friendly and helpful too. I hosted a baby shower at this location recently for about 25 people and it couldn't have been easier to plan. The regular and party menus are both online with prices. Everybody left the party very full and raving about lunch. Baby showers are so dull you have to get thru it somehow...my recommendation: lots of great food and the amazing chocolate chip cake from A Taste of Heaven 2 blocks down on Clark.
(4)
Dan M.
I went to Reza's during lunchtime on a weekday and was surprised they had a lunch buffet. Almost everything they had was tasty. The vegetarian rice was delicious with the spicy chicken. All the falafel and hummus you can eat too. For two people the cost was $35 with tip and I think we ate close to that amount considering their regular rates. My only problem was that the waiter seemed not to like that we opted for the buffet instead of ordering off the menu!
(5)
Dave S.
I've only been here once, for their famous brunch buffet. It was decent - not great. All of the food was cooked well and full flavored, there was just something odd about the atmosphere of the restaurant. Maybe it was the lack of decorations? I can't pinpoint it. I'll definitely go back, but probably wouldn't suggest it.
(3)
William T.
Went there with my wife on a weeknight, around 10pm... the place was almost empty, as if it were closing, but nobody seemed to rush us. All of the food was enjoyable and well seasoned. We didn't order cocktails because we had a gallon of vodka sitting in our freezer at home and were headed there after dinner :) - We did get the iced tea, which was some of the best iced tea I have had in a restaurant. They actually blend and make the tea there in the restaurant. It was a blend with jasmine and also notes of Bergamont orange oil, found in Earl Grey tea. We did the 5 course package #1 ($24.00 a person, which turned out to be a good deal). 3 apps of Baba Ghanouj, Falafel and Baked Herbed Feta. This all came with a large portion of Persian Salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley, lemon juice) and a warm tomato olive oil dish. The Feta was by far our favorite, but how hard is it to enjoy warm feta cheese with herbs on top? sooo... the falafel was well prepared and not dry, which can often be the case, and the underlaying sauce was nice and light. The salad was good and was a nice clean acidic compliment to the other apps, however it needed salt. The Baba Ghanouj was good, but not anything special (far better down the street at Taste of Lebanon). Overall... a good start to the meal and plenty of it. The pita bread was not homemade (Again, far better at Taste of Lebanon), nor was it memorable. The main courses we ordered were quite good and served with a heaping portion of dill rice, white jasmine rice and a bit of saffron rice. Filet Mignon Kabobs were very flavorful, a bit overcooked from the med-rare we ordered, but nothing to complain about. The Chicken Fessanjan was good, not great... had a pomegranate, almond sauce that was a bit overbearing for the simple chicken, well maybe it was the amount of sauce... the chicken could have gone for a swim. The highlight of the entire meal was the Lamb Shank... braised in a tomato based broth that was filled with wonderful flavors and spices... we were actually dipping all of our other food into the lamb's braising liquid. The lamb was extremely tender and juicy and was the only main course dish we finished at the restaurant... the rest we took home. For dessert we had a wonderfully rich walnut baklava which was a perfect end to the food marathon. I only wished I had ordered a cold glass of milk to wash that sucker down... very rich and sweet. Our server, Denis, was honestly the reason I decided to compose this review... he was perfect for the restaurant and was never hovering. It may have been because the restaurant was almost empty... but there was just something lovable about this man. We never ran out of anything or needed anything... all we had to do was talk, eat and drink... I like that. I would actually request him if and when I return. All and all, this is not an out of this world dining experience, but its not supposed to be. I know i mentioned Taste of Lebanon twice in this review... and it was only to compare a few food items... they are totally different experiences and both worth trying. just good food (and a lot of it) at a reasonable price with good service. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would.
(3)
Larry B.
Reza's is pleasant but I think a prefer the downtown one more. Maybe for the entertainment. Always liked the sampler plate here. And the salmon with the dill rice is not to be missed. Service is so-so.
(3)
Lyric S.
I had lunch here today. The buffet with tax was $10.99. It was all you can eat. The falafels were the bomb. NO GREASE. They were fried to perfection without the excess grease. Seriously, I do not think I have ever had better falafels. My waitress was there in a jiffy to keep re-filling my water and that may be because it was dead there, but whatever. The service was great. OK, back to the food.....the persian salad was also the bomb, nice and light, the hummos was also killer. I was super impressed with the falafels. They were so tasty. I'll go back. I think the price could be a little cheaper tho. But then again, I am a cheap skate.
(4)
Emily M.
Ok, I'm not a huge fan of Mediterranean dishes but my friend wanted to eat here. I ordered a steak and the waiter, thinking I'm clueless explained to me how a steak was made... Ok thanks. It was a little awkward at first, but the food was so good! Portions were huge!! I left happy!
(4)
Mandy M.
best damn lunch buffet ever. theyre nice to me, and my 2 little kids.
(5)
Yan P.
I ended up at reza's for a sunday brunch sort of by accident. Now I have nothing against mediterranean food, but the brunch buffet which ran $20 was simply way overpriced. You can't charge that kind of money for a self service buffet that includes (admittedly not bad tasting) but very standard food. Reza's needs to get over itself and lower the prices. I feel like they have high prices to maintain a high class image, but come on.... I have no problem paying $100 for a meal if it blows my mind, but I do have a problem with a $20 meal that should cost $10. Sorry Reza's, thumbs down from me. I should add though, that the waitstaff was very nice and friendly. Good service, good place, just...lower your prices to a more appropriate level. Thanks!
(2)
Jesster A.
Jill, Jill! I know a few folks complained about long winded reviews... but please dearheart, no one meant that reviews should be THIS sparing with words... We'd really like to know, "What'd ya think?" (Especially about REZA - since I used to really like it - but haven't been there in a long while...)
(3)
RJ W.
Been back a few times since my last review. The food is always good and solid, the service has been great...,.it is back on my 'Where do you want to go to dinner at the last minute' list...yea!
(4)
Nick M.
Not qualified to review the "mediterranean" items, but the beef and shrimp were very good. Very large portions. Maybe a little expensive.
(3)
Jarod P.
Four stars for the lunch buffet - never ordered a meal here and never been here any other time of day. Load up on the fliet mignon, the lamb, the chilled salmon and the dill rice - it's an overload of savory.
(4)
Jolie R.
Wandering around Andersonville, as we do most places, we stopped (no, I actually dragged my s-o) into Reza's. I love mediterannean food and had wanted to give it a try for awhile. We loved it! The waitstaff is very friendly, service was a little slow, but the fantastic meal made up for it. The lentil soup is just the right spicy and tasted wonderful. Hummus and baba ghanoush was terrific and the main meal, lamb shank fell off the bone and was pleasurable to the tongue. We liked it so much, we stopped in again for brunch one Sunday, and found they started serving a brunch buffet every week. We declined it, ordered tasty appetizers with their great warm naan and were satisfied with what we got. I will say, I'll only go back on a non-buffet day since the food served on our plates by the waitstaff was the same food at the buffet - we watched them put it on the plates.....one star is lost because of this.
(4)
Bella D.
Yes, came here again for their lunch buffet over the weekday and weekend within 2 weeks. Good and friendly service. Good kabob foodies and treats. Their buffet is great to get a quick fix on your kabobs and fallafels plus other treats like their deserts and soups/salads, etc. I love eating a little bit of this and that and their buffet is perfect for that.
(4)
Phil K.
Reza's used to be a great neighborhood spot, but has gone seriously downhill the last couple years. We used to love the lentil soup and plate of radishes & feta cheese that used to come complimentary, but now the soup was watery and not particularly distinguishable from a can of Campbell's, and no more radishes/feta. Seems in their rush to appeal to the changing (upscale'ing) neighborhood, they've dumbed down the food a bit and gone for the money grab. Can't really blame 'em too much, but seeing Passion Fruit Martinis on the menu now, I dunno... The grilled meats are alright, but aren't cooked very well. The beef seemed of decent quality, but there didn't seem to be any char or anything. The prawns and scallops were of only mediocre quality. I think I like Noon-O-Kebab better
(2)
Vanessa M.
I wish I could give this place zero or negative stars! The effect the food had on my stomach was PURE AGONY!!! My stomach was in knots all day and the next after eating the food there. It's way over priced and the discomfort I had to experience was definitely a horrific experience. Save yourself the pain! Don't do it!
(1)
Alexis S.
I went here on a Wednesday night. The weather was nice so we were able to sit outside. The place was pretty empty overall. The menu is pretty extensive with a lot of options, including some vegetarian choices. I ended up getting the white fish and my S.O. got the salmon kabob. Both were served with vegetables and dill rice. The meals also came with soup (unidentifiable) and pita bread. We tried the baba-ganoush for an appetizer and it was just "okay". I ordered a sangria, (for only $4!!), which was VERY good. Our server was an older Russian woman who was very forward and said whatever was on her mind, whether it was politically correct or not. Anyway, she was a character and very attentive. I had been wanting to go to Reza's for a long time, and now that I have finally made it, I will probably never go back, simply because there are so many places in Chicago I have yet to try.
(3)
Tony S.
Yikes, I don't get why there are so many positive reviews of this dump. Cold falafels, mediocre kabobs and a giant a-hole of a waiter made this a truly awful experience. The food next door is far better, and less expensive. I think this place is skating by on it's popular name and awful commercials.
(1)
Mytoan N.
My significant other loves this restaurant, and I've visited here quite a number of times -- there's many locations in Chicago but I adore the Andersonville one, since across the street, there is a Persian grocery store as well. The story behind this restaurant from a close source was that the owner owned a restaurant called Reza in Tehran and did really well. He rebuilt his life from scratch in the US and started this successful restaurant in the Midwest. On a recent dining experience in Chicago at Reza, I saw the owner doing the bookkeeping. I love the fessunjan pomegranate walnut chicken, the cranberry saffron rice, the dill rice, and the lamb shanks. I also like the ghorma sabbzi, I've heard it takes foreever to make, better to just buy it and enjoy. Persian restaurants in the Midwest are a premium. If you're trying one for the first time, Reza's in Chicago is a good place to start. There's only one in Wisconsin - Shiraz in Milwaukee, which is a la cart and delicious. I love both places.
(5)
Katy H.
I really love this place. But every time I go, they get something wrong, but that can be overlooked, because the food is good, the portions are huge and the price is right. I work just a block away, so I frequently order for lunch or stop by for dinner. I usually get some variation of the vegetarian sampler for lunch and get so much food I can eat it for at least 3 meals! I've tried a variety of different meals for dinner and there hasn't been anything I haven't enjoyed! My only real complaint is that their service is slow. They never have my carry out ready when I call ahead and they usually mess up one of my dishes. Also, sometimes I get rice, sometimes I don't. Not a huge problem at all, but they need to be on the same page All in all, I love this place!
(4)
Elina S.
We used to come here ALLLL the time as this is one of my family's favorite Mediterranean restaurants. The place is quite adorable, and they have really good sangria (which is strange since it's not Spanish) but it's so darn good and really gets you after a few glasses. My family went here for both the buffet which is family style and also ordering off the regular menu and for me they have the absolute BEST falafal out of anywhere I've ever had, in fact I would go there and JUST order that with their yummy red and white sauces. My parents always got the kabobs and the meat entrees with the dill rice that they love, and always left full and with leftovers for the next day! Definitely a great place for good atmosphere, yummy food, when you're in the mood, and pretty good service.
(4)
Alicia K.
Food + value only gets 3 stars because it wasn't that awesome. Delicious, but nothing to write home about. Kind of expensive considering portion size. There are better places in Albany Park. I'm giving an extra star because the service was awesome. We had a sassy waitress who was a hoot. And the location is prime for people watching in andersonville.
(4)
Minh D.
Great restaurant for Persian food. I like their Andersonville more than their downtown location. Their fish is excellent. Many years ago I used to come here for their wild caught Chilean sea bass - the thick juincy fish steak if you know what I am talking about. Due to the ban, they now have farm raised sea bass, which to me tastes more like Tilapia and lacking the buttery melt in your mouth found in wild caught Chilean sea bass. I usually get the a fish dish when coming here. My fav. is their white fish. Their ground meat on the skewers (kuibideh, joujeh, jengeh,etc.) is great as well. The lamb shank is also a good dish here. The portions here are huge. For consistent good quantity, quality, ambiance and service I am rating this restaurant a 4 stars.
(4)
Irina F.
Good place to be if you like meats. We came here for a Father's Day Brunch. Lots of food in the buffet. Everything tasted great. The only reason I gave 3 stars is because of the washroom appearance. If you had money to spend on marble walls, you should be able to find a little more to keep it in good shape and replace small thing like seats. It feel like they were never replaced since the restaurant opened.
(3)
Josh G.
Food: Not too impressed. I ordered the Garlic Baked Potatoes, the $12.95 special that comes with bread, two Kabobs, and grilled tomatoes. Potatoes- Lacking flavor and a bit dry. i had to drown them in the garlic butter and add salt to make them worth eating. I ordered the Beef and the Chicken. The chicken was really good and had flavor; the beef was nothing to write home to mom about. If you go here and order this, stick with the chicken. It's a much better option. Service: Good service. :) Price: I think the food is way overpriced for the quality and flavor you get. I say skip Reza's and go next door to Andie's and get a better deal, better food, and better overall experience. Ask for Cassandra the server there and Gill, the General Manager, will treat you right.
(2)
Elizabeth A.
This is pretty much the only exciting thing about Andersonville. They make DELICIOUS Persian food, especially the bademjan. I can't speak for the meat dishes but the vegetarian samplers are huge and yummy. The waitress recommended that my boyfriend and I order a sampler plate & fish but just the sampler & one appetizer were more than enough. We had to take the rest home. Anyway, I recommend it and especially the sampler plate which will feed two for only $15.95!
(4)
Bex A.
My friend and I stop by here a while ago while walking around Andersonville and have been coming here ever since. I really enjoy their buffets. If you want something specific you could order through their menu as well. I love their kefta kabobs and grilled mushrooms. The soup are okay. It's a good place to stop by every time you have a chance.
(4)
Annie C.
me gusta their lunch buffet. small selection, but good! i can't wait to go back again!
(4)
Sarah R.
I'm kind of sad to hear that people are having such a bad time at Reza's. I admit it's probably been about 5 months since I've been here, but if my memory serves me right, the food is to die for! I dream about it while I'm sleeping and while I'm awake. I grew up on Reza's. My family would always take me here as a kid and I can remember as soon as I started to drive my sister and I would steal away here. I've taken dates here and celebrated big occasions with friends and family. The lunch buffet is awesome during the week. I just wish it didn't end at 3pm. The weekend buffet is even better! They add extra menu items that you can't find in the weekly lunch buffet you can even find a glass of champagne on your table during the weekend brunch. Staff has always been pretty nice. Not overly nice, but decent nonetheless. One thing a lot of people don't know is that they have a free private lot across the street behind the Cheetah gym. There's even a nice guy watching the lot (so other violators don't park too). I've been to the Ontario location and experienced the same. I'm very pleased with this restaurant and will continue to patronize them. Maybe they need another chance?
(5)
Lalita A.
MmmMMmmmm FOOD and i mean lots and lots of FOOD ! okay so I already knew I was breaking my diet the moment they set down that unlimited platter of bread served with cheese. And you know what else goes well with that bread ? The grilled skewered mushrooms, trust me... I am NOT a mushroom person. Points for also having the soup. If I am eating out, I'd like to be treated with multiple courses. Appetizer (dry and soup) plus entree . Having experienced Mediterranean food before, I know how dangerously big the portions are, so I shared an entree with a friend. I had the boneless chicken kabob. The onion was super sweet, I quite enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked nicely, and i was obsessed with the Persian Rice. It was also a cute gesture in the end when they served all sorts of dessert. But the portions minus the baklava were huge! Too bad I was stuffed. At first you might thing $15 is pricey, but really, can you really finish 5 scoops of rice with a bunch of meat on the side with that huge bread as a starter? Come after me if you are still unsatisfied.
(4)
Dustin G.
I love their lunch buffet. Great food on the cheap. It's not just the buffet, though. You can order an entree, like the quail, and still have access to half the buffet (all but the meat). It's great "meat and cous cous" style mediterranean cuisine.
(4)
Kammie G.
As far as Mediterrenean places go, atmosphere and location wise this place was cool. The bathrooms were really awesome, absoluteluy different from any other bathrooms I've seen - the doors are double sided. It's just a different experience. The inner decor was pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary. The food was mediocre at best, I actually did not like any of the lunch buffet options that were there except for the grilled mushrooms (those were really good!) everything else was kind of blah. But then again, what else can you expect from a buffet?
(2)
Jan I.
Food is pretty good. Love their rice with dill, I can't get enough. The staff always seems to be in a rush....kind of like they want you to hurry up...eat and leave.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
We went here for a rehearsal dinner. First of all the space upstairs was perfect for a large party. The acoustics were good, there were a lot of people in the room but it wasn't loud. Second- the food was amazing. We were all trying to be polite and not take the last piece as the plates were being passed around, but at the same time wishing it was ours. Our server was lovely, I didn't get her name. But she was so friendly! After several courses of vegetarian-friendly items we were served the main dish. They were lamb and chicken kebabs. It didn't bother me, because the first few courses had been exceptional. I perfectly content to sit and wait for dessert. Then after everyone was digging in, the server came back with the huge tray of the one of the most delicious vegetarian selections I have ever had. Everyone paused at the table to stare at the magnificent meal they had prepared for me. The server said jokingly, "Uh-oh, now everyone is jealous!" It was true. It was so good. As it turns out, my friend had forgotten to order vegetarian entrees (totally understandable- it's a wedding, she had enough to think about!). When she realized it (about the time the kebabs came to the table) she asked them if they could make something for me and the other vegetarian there (which she really didn't need to do). And they were perfectly accommodating. Can I just say again- the food was amazing! If my friend hadn't told me that she forgot, I never would have known. ................ Now after writing this review I need to go back!
(4)
M S.
The food is great here, absolutely anything you get. The staff on the other hand, is horrible. I've been here numerous times. There was only one time I came here and actually got good customer service. Most other times, staff is horrible. One of the waiters here totally ignored the fact that he was waiting our table...them when he got our food, it was wrong and he kept blaming us for his mistake. The manager had to send him home because he was too tired and wasn't paying attention. If you come here after 930, you should definitely expect bad service as all the staff wants to leave. It's a good restaurant with horrible customer service.
(1)
C C.
We often buy take-out from Reza's and really enjoy the kabobs with dill rice. The portions are generous, and the meats are always perfectly grilled every time. The kabobs are not seasoned a lot, so if you like lots of flavor and sauce on your grilled meat, you might find it bland. We enjoy them though. The food we've tried so far has been great. When we've dined there, service has been very good as well.
(4)
Calvin H.
This place is a winner. Very roomy restaurant, so you are not sitting on top of another table. Host is very friendly, and that sets the tone for the dinner. Many great and authentic Persian choices on the menue, love that green rice! Lovely place, will come back.
(5)
Jeremy S.
I want to give this restaurant a 5, since I think it deserves a better rating than 3 stars. This is a 4 star restaurant. Still, I'll let crowd-sourcing do its thing. I love Reza's. My parents have been taking there since I was little, and it's something I often crave when I think of going out to eat. Their dill rice is addictive. Their Jojeh Kebab (it's a chicken served on a kebab made of chicken bone. Either way, it doesn't matter, it's amazing) is amazing. Their shrimp kebabs are great, too. It's a tad pricey if you're a starving grad student like me. I usually have to go with my parents. Still, one word of advice. Go get the lunch buffet if you're looking to eat a day's worth of meals in 1 meal. It's $19.95, but you won't leave disappointed in your decision. They pretty much have all of their fare there, and it's all you can eat. When the weather's nice, they also have nice outdoor seating, and almost all of their beers are $3. This is a good place to have dinner and drinks. My one minor complaint is that the pita kinda stinks. I'd give this place 5 stars, but I have to leave that upper echelon for those places that really knock the wind out of me. Still, this restaurant is a staple of my childhood, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
(4)
Jen S.
Reza's, you guys are so great! I've been here twice now and enjoyed the buffet. Each time, I've told the waitstaff that I cannot eat gluten. Each time, the server has quite pleasantly taken me around to each dish at the buffet, told me what it is, and if it contains gluten or not. When she had doubts about one item, a soup, she asked another employee, and he was quite happy to help as well. As the lady was showing me the options, she offered me a freshly made, no-crouton caesar salad and some fresh falafel. She brought them out quickly, and in generous quantity. The food was so good and everyone was so nice and man, what a lovely lunch. I want more. Thank you!!
(5)
Peggah G.
This location of Reza's loses a star because they lie about their hours. When they say they're open til 11 or 12am, that's only if they're 'busy'. I've tried to eat here a few times just to find out that they were closed. It was a huge disappointment. I haven't been here in a couple of years, but I'm a picky eater, and usually the buffet doesn't have what I want. So I always just order from the menu. I've never been let down from the food that I've ordered. It's always been hot and delicious. This is definitely not a restaurant for a late night snack, though. Better closer to traditional dinner or lunch times.
(4)
Rachel H.
I really like Reza's food and I always have, but their prices have increased considerably since I first tried them, and it makes me less excited about hitting up this place when I could go to Andie's right next door. I'd never been to this location, and being a bit nervous for a first date, I wanted to be left alone. Too bad our server Dennis thought my date had left me alone. He was a bit tooooo attentive and tried to get me liquored up. Once my dining companion arrived he backed off a little bit. Stood up? I think not. I enjoyed the complimentary salad bar with purchase of entree because it involved the lentil soup of my dreams, but Reza's has just gotten too expensive for what it is. Contributing to Alexi Giannoulias' slush fund? I've heard of stranger things.
(3)
Jennifer B.
Ok. Everything here is ok. If you limit your expectations beforehand, you won't be disappointed. I haven't experienced any issues with the waitstaff, which is the primary reason for my repeated patronage. Whether Sunday brunch or a dinner buffet, I've always received attentive, respectful and efficient service. Moreover, they understand the beauty of not hounding me every five minutes, which is a welcomed experience. Their food is consistently well-prepared. Again, is it going to blow your mind? No. But you likely won't be disappointed. The dishes are standard Mediterranean/Persian, with few surprises. The cocktail list tries to be inventive, but I've noticed that the more exotic drinks are usually the weakest. They do, however, have generous pours on their wines...just don't expect fifteen choices. Their variety fits the menu, however. The buffet is an excellent introduction to this type of cuisine, or a good fit if you want to sample several items. Common sense dictates, however, that some dishes are best served to order. While I love having filet mignon skewers as a buffet option, if their ambient temperature renders them to sandpaper consistency it somewhat defeats the purpose. Be forewarned that if you are a vegetarian, you will be somewhat limited in your options. Recently, my dining vegan dining companion returned from the buffet with a half-plate of mashed potatoes. I didn't have the heart to tell him that they may have been prepared with powdered milk. For the area, there's a very laidback and almost soothing atmosphere to the dining experience. Even when there's a full house (which there often is, due to parties), I've never felt crowded or rushed.
(3)
Kelly F.
Great food, fast service. The only thing I disnt like was my margherita was in a regular soda cup. Haha. Other than that and my HORRIFIC date, i enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Will def be back!!
(5)
Some D.
Sunday brunches are amazing because it gives you the chance to try everything and see what you like most and not to forget its a great deal! The meats are high quality and tender, and I always feel the need to have a little of each. Chicken, lamb, beef, minced turkey, and I think two types of kabobs. Staff is friendly and the place is nice and sleek with an open layout. I great option for Mediterranean. Reza's has a few other locations too!
(4)
Pavithra M.
This was not my first time here, but it has been a while since my last visit. The positives - free parking across the street behind Cheetah gym, very child-friendly, spacious and an extensive menu. The negatives - pricey and very heavy, overall average tasting food. Tonight we ordered the chilean sea bass and lamb chops combination, which was listed as a special for $29.50 and an appetizer portion of the grilled potatoes with a butter garlic sauce. The potatoes had a bit too much of the sauce, which made them really greasy, but tasted ok. The lamb chops were charred to the point of tasting bitter and were very dry. The sea bass was cooked to perfection, seasoned just right and very tasty. So two out of three...not bad! They also brought us some soup and pitas at the start of our meal. They did have. Dinner buffet priced at $24.95 and are currently offering a "stimulus package" that includes free mini buffet with each entree. Of ours, this did not apply to us because we shared an entree. Mini buffet includes soup, appetizer and dessert. Should have read the sign before. Anyway, we had too much to eat even without all that!
(3)
Linda D.
Weather report at Reza's: a huge HAIL NO storm. I should have known this was not going to be a pleasant experience from the second we walked in the door. There were probably 5 other people in the entire restaurant, and we had to wait to be seated, because it took a few minutes for the staff to even notice us. When they finally did, homegirl acted like the popular cheerleader who had been forced to be lab partners with the school nerds (me and the boyfriend). Whatever, maybe she's having a bad day. I know waiters and waitresses have a tough job. I'm normally a good tipper, and very sympathetic when it comes to foodservice staff dealing with large crowds. I even try and give them the benefit of the doubt when they aren't all smiles and super chatty. So I wasn't going to let this ruin our meal. Initially, we were drawn to the lunch buffet sign that was outside, but when we asked about it, our waitress very bluntly told us it was OVER. No mention of the buffet's hours, or when the dinner buffet started. Ok, that's fine, we'll find something off the menu. I decide on the lamb koubideh and ask for the "small size," which the menu says is a half portion of the full entree. "Just to let you know, it's like a kid's menu," she says. "Oh. Well how big is it?" I ask. "Very small. Like, for kids," she replies. "I think I'll be fine." I say. Alright, who killed this chick's dog this morning? She seemed really PO'd at me for no reason. The entire time we were talking to her, she refused to make a millisecond of eye contact with us. I can deal with a lot when it comes to foodservice, but this kind of intentional rudeness will make me bust out the T word. That's right .Trick. She brought out our food, and to my dismay, it was good. She "refilled" our waters, which consisted of her pouring a splash of water into each of our glasses so we had half-full cups. Even though there is not much to be thankful for, we thank her, and she still refuses to make eye contact or smile. My "kids' size" meal is more than enough for me, and I end up taking leftovers home. The only reason I gave Reza's two stars is because the food was good. But the awful service really left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
Len L.
You can't go wrong with the buffet, you get everything on the menu and more for under $20. Service was lacking, we waiting a long time for refills for our drinks but overall the entire meal was decent.
(3)
Roseanne S.
I LOVE REZAS! I'm a picky eater and don't usually like trying anything different but Reza's can get even the pickiest eaters to eat with their food. I get the beef kebudeh or whatever it's called. Two beef strips with rice. I highly recommend the dill rice for a nice change of pace. You can either order off the menu, or hit up the buffet. For about $20, you can take your pick of rices, meats, soups, etc. Beware, though. After eating here, you will be burping Reza's for the next day. But at least the nice smell of the meat will stay with you for the rest of the day to remind you of the delicious food you just had. Great place for some Persian food.
(5)
Chelsea H.
Customer service was stellar. The food was ok. The dill rice is good. I had the lentil soup which was surprisingly delicious. The falafel was ok. Definitely worth going back for some home made tasting mediterranian eats.
(3)
Barton C.
Very happy to add Reza's to my list of omnivore & vegan friendly date spots. Although my date is veggie friendly, it's nice when we can both order what we want. I ordered the Veggie Combo (baba ghannouj, gr pepper w/mushrooms, dolmeh, kashkeh(?) and veggie shami) and my date had the seafood combo of shrimps & scallops. Great food, excellent drink selections, friendly service and a delightful atmosphere. I'll be back for more whenever I'm on the north side!
(4)
Alexander D.
absolutely the best food. the chicken shish kabob on the bone is exceptional and the buffet will make you want to come back again and again. reasonably priced and simply delicious.
(5)
Donaye N.
I LOVE the salmon kabob!!! Thinking about it right now is making me drool! It was cooked to perfection and it didn't have that smelly fish odor. The serving was big for one person. I also enjoy their lunch buffet specials. Not only is the food yummy, the price is great, too! This has become the go-to lunch place for celebrations for my classmates and I. The service is great as well!
(4)
Jackie H.
Pros: The exposed brick wall is nice Specials are on a chalkboard on the sidewalk Nice neighborhood Cons: Overpriced Warm beer: from a bottle, no need for that Horrible salad, iceberg lettuce on a $10 salad, eh.... There are many much better restaurants within 2 blocks, won't be back.
(1)
Rabob M.
I've been to this place about a dozen times... each time the customer service is great, the orders aren't messed up - the food is amazing - extremely affordable with healthy tasty good. Its my fav restaurant hands down. I never get dirty looks from the arab waiters if I come with a white male friend.. lol... which can happen in other middle-eastern places.. since I look arab..Fav Restaurant of all time.
(5)
Jenny K.
Strong service, wide ranging menu, and extremely reasonable prices. The vegetarian combo can feed 2-3 people for $15 and they will generously bring extra pita. Since you're not breaking the bank on food, go 'head and order some wine or sangria. Be warned: the sangria tastes super fruity but may be more buzz-inducing than you think.
(4)
Bill M.
Reza's is an enormous restaurant (for Andersonville) with an extensive Persian/Mediterranean menu to match. The interiors present a dark but slightly upscale appearance. I ordered the lamb shank with couscous, which was good but not great. I was too full to even think about dessert afterwards.
(4)
Susan I.
I loved this place. LOVED it. My friend and I got one of the vegetarian platters, the one with the pomegranate falafel, plus the roasted feta, and it was amaaaaaaazing. The roasted feta, with roasted tomatoes and olives alongside, was so so delicious. BOTH of the eggplant dips were to die for - one of them had mint and dried yogurt (what is dry yogurt? as opposed to wet yogurt???). Our server was like a favorite aunt, very solicitous and a little bossy. We loved her. Now I am sad that I live thousands of miles away and can't go back every week.
(5)
Jacqui G.
I want to start off by saying the one star is reserved for the food only, which was very good (with the exception of the mixed mango drink which didn't taste like anything except sugar water and vodka) Service, on the other hand, completely put a damper on the night. We had a party of 20 or 21 people and made the critical mistake of not asking for separate checks at the very beginning, but that doesn't make up for the headache that everyone had to deal with after the check came: We were split into two tables, so I asked if they could at least split the check between the two tables instead of the one we received. The server said it was fine, so we waited and waited, knowing it was going to take a little while for them to figure out which table got what. They ended up coming back to us with three checks instead: one for each table for the food, and one long check for the drinks. Again, I can understand, since we didn't tell them initially we wanted separate checks that they couldn't remember who had what, but this would have been an important detail to point out... now the checks were even more of a mess: anyone who needed to pay with a card (and had drinks) had get it run once for the food, once for the drinks, and everyone had to calculate twice for separate tax and tip on top of that. One single person asked if she could get her check separated out so she could use her gym discount from Cheetah. I'm also a member, and had asked earlier if I could use my discount on the bill, but was told no because it was one giant bill and mine wasn't separated out--something I thought they couldn't do because they'd already told us it was one bill already. (The friend still ended up having to swipe twice because her drink was also one the giant drinks bill.) Anyway, the cherry on top of this entire ordeal was when the waiter started mouthing back at us. After we finally figured out everything and clearly wrote how much every card should be charged with, the server came back to us asking for clarification on the drinks bill. My friend (who had asked for the separate check) asked if this was how Reza normally handles large parties, and the server started getting defensive, saying most parties ask for separate checks from the beginning, otherwise they assume one person handles the entire bill. I asked why we couldn't have avoided everything by having everyone reiterate what they ordered, since clearly they could have still separated out the bill like they did for my friend. All he kept going back to was how the other large party next to us had no problems with their bill because one person took care of it. I kid you not, I was the one who ended up saying "look, it doesn't really matter, it's over and done with" twice to him before he stopped arguing back. Really, the only question I had was why we couldn't have separated the bill out after the fact to avoid all this pain and confusion. Again, I understand we made a critical mistake at the beginning by not letting them know we wanted separate checks; however, I can't begin to express the amount of frustration everyone felt over how the Reza staff handled the situation (Seriously! I, THE CUSTOMER, had to calm the wait staff down by asking him to just drop it!). The time it took for the bill ended up taking just as long (if not a little more) as the meal itself. It not only stressed the entire party out, but also impeded everyone's after-dinner plans. Honestly, it wasn't so much the bill (even if we had one bill per table, it would have been ok), it was how unprofessional the staff was and the amount of information they withheld.
(1)
Tara M.
Okay, I've been going to Reza's since they opened, haven't been to this location in a while and went there on Thanksgiving (no need to question why, I'm not complaining about the Thanksgiving offering of a Persian restaurant). Anyway, my complaint is that they removed Dolmeh from the menu, you know, the traditional stuffed grape leaves. When we asked why it was removed we were told it was because it was the only thing on the menu that they used the grape leaves for and they didn't sell that well so they removed them. Ahem, many people LOVED them! My husband would have me pick up an order EVERY time I went without him, and now he cannot get them. Unfortunately that leaves us to eat at other Persian eateries now, in order to obtain the tasty little leaves he's grown to love. The food is still good, but to lose a staple from the menu did sting a bit and left a bit of a bad taste in the hubby's mouth.
(3)
Terese P.
We enjoyed our dinner here. Although I feel like our fish dish was a bit too salty and heavy on the oil. It was disappointing to find when we got home that they hadn't packed up the rest of the veggie platter as we had asked. The portions were huge for what we spent which was a perk.
(3)
Tanya N.
They just opened a location in Lincoln Park and I had to check them out. I love good middle eastern food and am a sucker for a good baba ganoush. We went for lunch so that we could try several things without going overboard on price. The tomato lentil soup starter was very good, even better once I added some feta crumbles to it. We ordered a vegetarian lunch combo with baba ganoush, mushroom stuffed pepper, and roasted eggplant steak. We also ordered the Chicken Fessenjan stew for some protein, as I cannot get through the day without protein. I would say the best thing we ordered was the stuffed pepper, but I also felt like this is a dish my mother could make at home. Everything was "fine" but not great. I really didn't like the sauce for the chicken very much- it was a pomegranate sauce... sounded interesting at the time, but it left a literally bitter taste in my mouth. We decided to get the Persian white rice to go with the meal, and it was just super super oily. I left big globs of oil on the paper tablecloth each time I put down my fork, which was unappetizing. i don't think I'll be returning; there are many more and authentic middle eastern and persian places to eat in Chicago than Reza's.
(2)
Rodger W.
Just like the expression, Never Eat Chinese food in Northern Michigan, Never Eat Middle Eastern food in Chicago. First: Bread. It could have come from a food service truck labeled "Pita Bread". Ever Kroger in the Detroit suburbs would serve better bread in a bag. Second: Falafel. The best item I tasted. Just as good as the Gas Station falafel I had near Brairwood Mall in Ann Arbor Soup: Lentil. It was like Italian lentil, but with a undercooked tomato base. Simmer is your friend, Mr. Chef. Meat Dishes: Variety: Tender, but where is the spice??? I felt like I was grazing on roadkill. Sweets: Come on... Order the good stuff FedExed from Shatilla Bakery in Dearborn. Your local/frozen stuff is awful. The Best Middle Eastern in Chicago is Indian on Devon Street.
(1)
Rezvan F.
I am Persian so I know what good persian food tastes like!! The flavors are pretty darn close to home. That's all I have to say.
(4)
Kelly I.
This place used to be a family favorite, but I don't think I'll be coming back after my last experience here. After moving back to Chicago, I suggested that my roommate and I grab lunch at Reza's as she loves Middle Eastern food and she just moved from New York (she's also a vegetarian - remember this). After looking over the menu, she decided on a few appetizers a la carte and I ordered the scallop/filet kabob plate. While trying to place our order, our server very aggressively insisted that we go for the lunch buffet because it was "cheaper and pretty much everything you are (roommate) ordering is already out there" she declined and our server would not back down. She gave us a completely condescending look and said something like " listen to me" as she wrote the price difference on the table and then insisted that we allow her to give us a tour of the buffet. After walking around the poor excuse for a buffet, and listening to our server say things like "this is vegetarian...I think" my roommate decided to try it, mostly because the server went through so much trouble to sell it, and we just wanted to EAT already. After my roommate picked a few items we sat down and she ate while I waited for my meal. Before my food even came she was asking me to try the hummus because it "tasted really weird". I picked through her plate to find that the hummus had SALMON in iit. We're not talking one piece either, it was clearly mixed in even causing the hummus to take on a sort of pinkish color. Needless to say, she quickly lost her appetite, mentioning that the food was really bland anyway. My food came, and it was OK but nowhere near as good as I remember. Sorry Reza's, but that was messed up.
(2)
Wei H.
My friend and I went there because of the ambience it oozes as we walk by. Right on Clark, open windows, can't miss it. The pre dinner bread was very warm, soft and together with the butter and beet it was very tasty. I had tomato lentil soup which was a bit too salty but not too thick to fill me up before the entree, and the sweet and sour taste to it really enhanced my appetite. I had the white fish which was kinda too salty to my tastes but very tasty. The dill rice was fantastic and the grilled vegetables were savory and buttery to the right extent. Service was pretty good. We had a mistake in the order and although they couldn't take back the wrong order they served me a complementary Persian sald while I waited. Our waiter was very quiet and not very enthusiastic but courteous enough. The overall dining experience was very good - people talked quietly and the summer breeze was a perfect addition to the Mediterrean cuisine. Highly recommended for a date night or small group gathering.
(4)
Anna Marie C.
For $18, I had a lovely meal of dill rice, lamb shank simmered in tomato sauce, accompanied by a plate of radish/feta, warm pita, and soup. The meal was enough for two and in fact I had the leftover plate the next day. Great menu selection with a nice range of prices. You can do a simple kabob or salad plate or do what I did and go for something less run-of-the-mill when it comes to mediterannean food. The place is good for large groups and more intimate dates.
(4)
Diana W.
I have only ordered take out from Reza's. I usually hate getting take out from any place, even fast food, because something is always missing from my order. Reza's is the exception. Their lamb koubideh scrumptious, dill rice excellent, and white fish persian style delicious. Yup, definitely a fan.
(4)
Amanda C.
This place keeps getting worse for me. The service is often inattentive and misinformed. On several different occasions, I have been told entirely different things about what is included in the "mini-buffet" and what is not, only to have the manager correct the waitress. The menu is confusing and often incorrect. Not to mention the prices - Middle Eastern food (especially vegetarian) is relatively inexpensive to prepare. Whatever they're charging, it's to cover something other than the cost of food... maybe to cover the wages of all the inexperienced staff running around? I suspect that they are often brought in as friends of the family, and thus not judged on the strength of their experience and skills. I have sat down never to be brought any table settings, regardless if I was ordering the buffet or not. If I order an entree, I should not have to go to the buffet to get a fork, knife and napkin. I've also had bad experiences with getting the waitstaff to split the check, even when we have prearranged things. I had a party of 20 there one evening - two tables of 10, two checks. It shouldn't be that hard. I think we waited about half an hour to get the check back, after witnessing two waitresses going over our bill, scratching their heads and arguing right in front of us. Last Sunday I went for the mini-buffet, which I was told by the waitress couldn't be ordered that day. The menu says, "No mini-buffet on Saturdays." After having the manager correct her, I went up to enjoy some delicious falafel, only to find that it wasn't included on the mini-buffet that day. Why? I have no idea. No explanation. Every other time, it has come with it. So I paid $10.95 for pita, hummus, cucumber salad and lentil soup. Hip hip, hooray. I won't be returning.
(1)
Carly O.
Reza's was my first experience with Mediterranean food. This was over ten years ago, but I'll never forget tasting those succulent pieces of charbroiled steak and chicken and the huge mound of rice that would make someone on a no carb diet cry. Over the years, while they haven't really changed anything, I sort of lost interest. However, they really impressed me with the $10 lunch buffet yesterday. Persian salad, falafel, hummus, pita bread, a witch sized vat of tahini sauce, two kinds of soup, three types of rice, mashed potatoes with gravy, three preparations of chicken, lamb and beef koubideh and of course, those ridiculously good donut type thingies doused in honey. My only teeny, tiny complaint is that I wish they'd offer more veggies. I started to feel a little gross staring down at my plate full of meat and potatoes. Yes. I know potatoes are vegetables. I sort of had some kind of grilled squash in mind. But hey, that's a minor complaint for a buffet well worth your dollar.
(4)
Julia F.
Having recently returned from a trip to Turkey, my expectations for this Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant were high. Reza's didn't disappoint. The Kashkeh Bodemjan dip, a Persian specialty, was a delicious mix of eggplant, curds, whey, garlic, and mint. The Mediterranean-style lamb shank was also a highlight -- a melt-in-your-mouth tender meat cooked in tomato sauce with couscous and veggies on the side. Our server was attentive yet not overbearing. The drinks and food arrived at our table promptly. Next visit: the weekday lunch buffet.
(4)
Ben P.
The portions are big. The positive part of the review is over. This was the worst service I've ever experienced in a restaurant. The worst. I dined last night with a meet-up club. I went with a friend of mine. The two of us started by ordering a carafe of sangria. It was almost as good as watered-down kool-aid -- almost. For $16.95. Then we looked at the menu. The cheapest meals were around $15, but it seemed like the average price was closer to $25 to $27. I went for a $14.95 lamb dish with couscous. Three appetizers came with this entree.....first came the soup. The soup tasted great. The problem was that there was only one spoon between the two of us. I tried to get the waitress' attention. She appeared to see me but ignore me, but I figured I just must have been imagining things. I walked across the room to talk to her and ask for another spoon. She rolled her eyes, but she said she would bring me another spoon. Ten minutes later, with our soup now cold, we still were short a spoon. I look over my should, and she's standing behind the bar, folding napkins. My set of flatware is sitting on the bar next to her. I walk up there and pick it up myself -- she didn't even acknowledge me. Then came the pita, hummus and cucumber salad. These were actually average. I guess I have two positive things to say, and not just one. Next came my meal. The plate was huge, and there was a lot of food. My lamb tasted like hamburger. It was like a dry Burger King Whopper patty. Everyone around me complained about their food, too. Everyone except the guy with the salmon. Apparently the only thing that anyone could agree was good was the dill rice. When the waitress said she'd only split our bill five ways (there were about 30 in our party, and almost all of us were virtual strangers), that was all I could take. I'm not really sure how she expected us to split 30 bills 5 ways. I knew I wasn't letting anyone charge their meal on my card. I went to talk to her. I was polite. I know that honey is always sweeter than vinegar. She told me that it wasn't possible to bill each of us separately. I told her that I knew it was. (I have friends who are servers, and they've all told me that it's just as easy to make 20 checks as it is 1 check. Servers who refuse to do this for you, or who say it isn't possible, are just being lazy.) This was the same waitress that wouldn't bring me my spoon. She continued to give me an attitude. The manager overheard us, and came up to me. I explained the situation to him. He initially bucked at the idea, but after about 3 minutes, he agreed to split the bill for all of us. I went back to my table, and I saw my waitress and our other server b******g to the manager for the next 5 minutes. Right out in front of us -- they didn't even have the respect to do it behind-doors. The bus boy was nice when he picked up my plate. So I guess that makes three positive things that I have to say. I'm never returning to Reza's.
(1)
Celeste E.
Great group dining restaurant. Been to both city locations, but this one is a bit closer to home so I'm here more frequently. This place is big, but that's no reason to not make reservations because it gets pretty crowded. All the dishes I've tried are noteworthy. On our most recent visit, most all of us chose the dinner buffet and I find it super worthwhile. They don't skimp out- all Persian favorites are included in buffet. The roasted mushrooms and potatoes, hummus + pita, salad, cucumber dip, it's all available. Onto the meats. Reza's makes what I like to think are all the "famous" Mediterranean meats. I wish I could remember the Reza's names for everything, but I can't and I would hate to butcher the pronunciation! The seasoned lamb is always a must-try (my boyfriend preferred it over the steak - that says a lot), The filet is still delicious, as is the Reza's chicken and the ground beef. All buffet meats are served kabob-style, where you get 3-4 chunks in once piece. Pair the meat with Reza's dill rice...which we deem "crack-like" because you keep spooning more onto your plate. Finish the meal with Baklava and fruit. If you order a la carte, be prepared for a ton of food. Boyfriend's steak skewer meal had 2 huge sticks of filet plus a ton of rice. He took about half to-go. I'm getting full again thinking about all this delicious food. Reza's is a nice place to bring out of towners, as I have found not too many people in their 20's have yet tried Mediterranean cuisine other than Saganaki. Dress code is casual. I always look forward to coming back because Reza's never disappoints!
(4)
Caley R.
I've been here once. Years ago. This is my one and only brush with middle eastern food. I can't tell you what dish I ate, other than it included chicken and beef I think, but everything tasted great! Just thought you should know! Now that I finally found the name of this place, I can come back.
(4)
Anna B.
Hot summer night, amazing company, open windows, cool breeze, clean tablecloth, ice tea, great food. Thanks Reza for making this night memorable. Gormeh Sabzi delicious Baked Feta, delicious Beef Mignons, delicious You know I will be back.
(5)
Jessica K.
Oh my goodness, how does one NOT love this place?? I've been coming here since grade school and one thing that stands out is consistency. I've never done their lunch buffets and personally I wouldn't do a buffet but their lamb and chicken kabobs with the saffron and dill rice is killer! They give you grilled vegetables and a giant tomato to add to the already perfectly spiced lamb (tender by the way). I enjoy coming here, getting wonderful service and bringing friends here knowing they'll love it too. They have two dining areas and the option of opening their giants windows during beautiful days is extra appealing. I don't enjoy anything vegetarian but their lentil soup makes me rethink my stance sometimes. Order the hummus as an appetizer and you'll get chunks of feta and little radishes along with a great homemade hummus beautifully presented. The wait at night isn't horrible and you never feel rushed. I went next door once and I couldn't understand why they put almonds and pureed tomatoes on broiled chicken but I never strayed away from Reza's again. They will do take-out service as I've done a couple times when i was under the weather and again everything is impeccably packaged and on time. It's a great Mediterranean restaurant flanked by a not so awesome one. Why else would they have two?
(4)
Jackie J.
Food was great: check Service was great: check Restaurant was clean: check Bill delivered timely/not rushed: check Bang for the buck: check (At least the buffet, their regular entrees were quite pricey...) 5/5 I have it in the back of my mind that by the time I die or move away from this country, I should try every restaurant in Edgewater/Andersonville, the neighborhoods I grew up in. I have always wanted this try this place and have finally gotten around to it. A friend of mine treated me to what I thought was going to be a light lunch (it was 11 am) but what turned out to be a buffet. I did not eat as much as I would have if I'd have woken up a lot earlier, but alas, my fickle tummy could not handle all the wonders the buffet had to offer. I really could not tell you every little thing I ate. I grabbed a bite sized piece of everything that was ready on my only trip to the buffet tables. Everything was set up nice and neat with covers for the food. I thought the place very cleanly and friendly. Our waiter (he didn't share his name, he was a tall man with dark hair and a nice accent) was awesome for no apparent reason. The food was amazing. I am not an authority on this cuisine, but you don't have to be to know it was banging. The only thing I didn't like were the soups. I tried falafel, beef, chicken, chicken stew, lamb stew, hummus (better than any other I've had), Persian salad, pita bread with a generous sprinkle of tasty herbs, and so on and so on. They had three kinds of rice, each more delicious than the last. Damn good. I can't wait to go back. All that delicious food at my disposal...? For $11 after tax?! Yesh, plz.
(5)
Lakshmi R.
For about 20 bucks on Saturdays (and perhaps other days?), you can enjoy Reza's all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. This is important info to know. Because while the food isn't the most 'authentic' tasting Middle Eastern food, it s *is* very decent (and actually, the lentil soup is a knockout). Plus, the brunch is extremely vegetarian-friendly. As if that weren't enough, you can refill your coffee/tea/OJ as much as you want AND you get a complimentary glass of champagne (hellooooooo mimosa!). So yeah, I'll be back.
(4)
Gayle G.
No. No thanks. No siree, Bob. What were we thinking? I live in Albany Park, the Holy Grail for Middle Eastern food in Chicago. But, we were in Andersonville and had not tried it. Went in early on a Friday evening and it was pretty quiet. We opted for the buffet considering that the prices on the menu were all more expensive than the $17.99 buffet. Buffet = mistake. First, Middle Eastern food shouldn't cost this much! Particularly, not for this quality. Nothing was hot. The falafel were really bad and tastless. The rice had no flavor. The pita were stale. I could go on, but I won't. Reza's feels a little like a trap to me. A trap for folks who are hanging out in A'ville and think, "Oh, that place is cute! Oh, that place is packed! A'ville has some great restaurants, I bet this is one of them!" Wrong. I did eat next door at Andies once and it was much better. There are better places in A'ville to eat. If you really want Middle Eastern, hop on the Brown Line and get off at Kedzie.
(1)
Shannon M.
I brought a friend from out of town here while we were doing an evening on Clark. It took us forever to decide what we wanted to eat because the menu is HUGE and everything looks good! We had initially wanted to order a sampler but didn't think two of us could eat that much food (soup, salad, 3 appetizers, entree, and dessert), so we instead ordered hummus and pita for an appetizer and then chose out own entrees. The hummus was less garlicky than I am used to but was delicious; the garbanzo flavor really came out. The pita was warm and fresh. I ordered the Fessenjan -- chicken in a sweet-sour pomegranate walnut sauce, which came with a pile of saffron currant rice. I thought the sauce on the chicken might be like a glaze, but it looked more like a thin tomato sauce, a little chunky, with a really sparky flavor; very different -- I'm glad I tried it. There was a ton of chicken and rice too, enough for three meals for me. The entrees also came with soup, a choice of lentil or chicken barley. I had the latter, but only ate a bit because I didn't want to be overfull, but it was very tasty. My friend had the shrimp and dill rice; she gave me one -- a tiny bit tough, so perhaps cooked a bit too long, but a nice, subtly garlicky flavor. Our server, Wade, did an excellent job and was wonderfully attentive. There were many other things on Reza's menu that I'd like to try (the mushrooms basted in garlic butter on the appetizer list, the quail, the Shirin Polo (saffron, almond, orange peel and pistachio rice), so I'll clearly have to make another visit. It's definitely worth another trip!
(5)
Laura C.
Tasty place! I got a huuuge vegetarian entree, with hummus, falafel, the works. With the order of an entree, you also got to visit the free appetizer buffet (it was titled, "the recession deal" so of course I liked that!) which was very good. I would go back!
(4)
Joanna K.
I tried middle eastern food here at Reza's for the first time! Definitely a good first experience. I came here on a date, and we both got the dinner buffet. The buffet consisted a good variety of foods. I'm not too experienced with middle eastern food, but everything was very tasty and flavorful. I definitely recommend coming here. I would definitely come back here again and try out their menu items.
(4)
Naman N.
Based on my last experience I didn't like the place. last time I was in the area was over 10 years ago, my dad and my mom's sister loved this place so this time around I came to the same place for dinner.
(1)
Hung-wei L.
i was in-town for business, and a colleague recommended this place for lunch. the main attraction was the lunch buffet made up of....kabobs. KABOBS?!?!?! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE, RIGHT!?!? chicken, beef, lamb, and spicy chicken...oh my! tender, great flavor, absolutely delish!!! shame on me- since that trip was a couple months ago, i forgot all the other delicious items on the buffet. but it was ALL GOOD, i tell ya! =) another thing to note was the giant-size pita bread we were served (about the size of a medium domino's pizza!!!). warm, delish, and uncut- so you can just rip-off a piece, use it to pick-up a tender piece of kabob, and just GO TO TOWN...! finally, i'll admit that i'm no hummus snob, but damn, this stuff was tasty!!! anyway, this food was incredible, and if i ever find myself in the Edgewater neighborhood again, I'M-A PUT (ANOTHER) HURT ON THIS MUTHA...! =)
(4)
Amanda C.
I live in Andersonville, which has some great great places to eat. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. After coming in we were seated in a corner and then ignored. Fast forward 15 minutes later and we have not seen a server or gotten water or anything. Eventually I had to actually go to the hostess stand and ask for someone to please come to our table. Someone came to take our order, although I don't believe it was our actually server, someone else brought out our food but she never asked if we wanted anything else or how the food was. I actually don't believe she said more than 10 words to us the entire time. I really enjoy Persian food but the food was pretty bad as well. The appetizer was lukewarm and I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been taken straight off the buffet. I had heard some nice things about the Kabobs, so I tried the lunch combo with both a Lamb and Filet Mignon Kabob. About the only thing good on my plate was my lamb, unfortunately it was hard to tell as my entire plate was filled with grease. The potatoes were just greasy and it was about all you could taste, and my companions rice was pretty bland. I couldn't even tell my Filet Kabob was steak and you can buy better at Dominicks or Jewel. Bad service and bad food. With so many places to eat I will not be coming back.
(1)
Doris D.
To quote the legendary Paul A. on a summary of Reza's food: "Pedestrian." Well said. $9 salad bar? Since when are falafels and hummus considered a salad? Sorry but unless there is some sort of a forbidden dance going on here at night, there is no reason to come back. Listen to that suggestion for "You May Also Want to Try Noon-O-Kabob" that is lurking on top of my review right now...
(3)
Jeff A.
Not sure what is happening but when I moved to Chicago 3 years ago, I was anti buffet and anti all you can eat... Chicago the Culinary Capitol of the USA taught me Buffets and All you can eat, does not mean garbage and trash... (suddenly I just broke out with a parody of an Avenue Q song; my version everyone's a little bit trashy (more lyrics to follow)) Enter Reza's Lunch Buffet for $9.95; not the way I do it up because I need Turkish coffee to compliment the heavenly pillows of dough honey and gods elixir; I think lard... Also I like the deeply discounted sangria, Id say its a sangria of a different color but they have the color down its just the flavor, I really like it, decidedly bland but before noon as an early bird at the lunch troff, I like the refreshing crisp morning blend sangria (my name for it), see I don't like real sweet sangria, this was more of a drink you throw down for rehydration while playing bocce on the beach, I like it allll---oooot! (many do not including peeps at my very exclusive table) This buffet is sure to please carnivores and herbivores alike! Its all on point and even some cantaloupe to clean your palate and aide in your quest for dietary health... The meats are plentiful and varied from lamb to beef with many chicken variations all surprisingly flavorful and all tender and juicy which is hard for buffet chicken... Back to those dessert puffs, light fluffy crisp magical dirigible shaped fried dough-that is life changing with turkish coffee! I could just sit with a mountain of these sweet gems and some turkish coffee and eat myself into sugar shock, they are just so my thing! What can I say, some say they are too sweet, I say you just don't get it! Soup to nuts this buffet has it! Mediterranean bliss is the state of mind, get lost in it and savor it, I approve!
(4)
Mary T.
Good food and a solid vegetarian menu I went here with my bookclub girls for this month's club dinner. Our server was ok, his English was a little choppy so there were a few hiccups ordering our food (adding chicken to a salad, etc.). I think because we confused him a bit he brought lentil soup to the whole table rather than figuring out how many people actually wanted it (fortunately, he didn't charge us for the extras). I'm not a big fan of lentil soup, but aside from it being a bit too tart, it was pretty good. There was so much food I took a lot home, next time I'm splitting a sampler or getting an appetizer portion. Side note, my meal wasn't served on a plate, but a tray the kind you would use at a party that's about the diameter of a medium pizza - way, way too much food for one person. I ordered veggie sampler #3, holy moly that's a lot of food - hummus, tabbouleh, cous cous, falafel, baba ghanouj and eggplant steak. To boot, it came with the aforementioned soup and a side - I chose sauteed veggies. The veggies weren't what I'd expected, it was more like a primavera sauce with cous cous on top. Considering I already had cous cous in my sampler it was the last thing I needed. I didn't care for the eggplant steak either, I expected a solid slice of eggplant with marinara over it, but other than the skin of the eggplant it seemed like I was eating forkfuls of marinara, bleh. I skipped the falafel all together, there was too much other stuff on my plate I had yet to make a dent in. I only had 2 real negatives: (1) The bathrooms, my friend is 8 1/2 months pregnant and therefore has to pee every 10 minutes. She said the bathrooms were gross and dreaded having to make a return trip. (2) More pita! We got one basket with one pita for each of us with our hummus appetizer. We got another when we got our meals. Since 3 of us had the veggie sampler, where nearly all of the elements require pita it was not enough. We didn't see much of our server so it was hard to get more. Bottom line: solid fare, especially if you're vegetarian. Expect to go home with a doggie bag.
(4)
Chicago g.
Good lunch time buffets and dinner. Parking is free next to the lot near Cheetah Gym.
(5)
Emily U.
I always had a kind of meh feeling about Reza's and I could never quite put my finger on why until a recent visit over Thanksgiving weekend clarified things. Firstly and most memorably, the portions are just ridonkulously large. For four people we ordered two vegetarian combos (about $16 each) and an appetizer. From this, we took home at least two meals worth of food. Wha??? I can't imagine what the $30/per person combos are like--it can't be worth it unless you can eat your weight in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food. Oh, the combos also included the salad bar (we got one serving, which we didn't finish). The service was mostly pleasant, but when the waiters brought out the food, there wasn't even enough room on the table and they just stood there and waited for us to rearrange everything to make it fit. Kind of awkward.... Overall the atmosphere and food at this Andersonville mainstay is decent, but something about the unnecessarily large servings really turns me off. I'd rather pay $8, get a manageable portion and save the styrofoam containers.
(3)
Kevin R.
Do you like Mediterranean food? Are you free during lunchtime during the middle of the week? $12 buys you everything you could ever imagine. You will gorge yourself on hummus, pita, falafel, etc. etc. etc. There's an all you can eat buffet ever day of the week Monday-Friday. Awesome environment, great waitstaff. I can't speak for the regular menu. But if you are a nanny and have the ability to brunch, put this on your list.
(5)
William R.
We went for the buffet on Sunday which we didn't realize was so expensive, BUT the food was SO DELICIOUS.
(4)
Andy V.
We had a wonderful dinner and the service was great. We liked that the soup and appetizer bar were self-serve had had excellent choices for salad, soup and many other items. The quality was excellent and the portions were generous (important to me since I'm a hungry guy and many restaurants tend to skimp in this area). We both agreed that we would be back. I recommend the Chicken Kabob dinner entree.
(4)
isha a.
I tried Reza'a buffet today for lunch and the food was exceptionally good! At the spur of the moment (and I never do that, I've had one bad experience in the past to teach me a lesson) I ordered a huge meal for the New Year's Party tonight that I was hosting. And cancelled other plans I had made for catering! Yeaop, did I mention "spur of the moment". The Beef Kabobs are undercooked (even though I ordered well done, still have the receipt in my hand with the instructions I gave) and the meat still ummm for lack of a better word smells pretty bad. So on New Year's Eve at 7 O' Clock before the guests arrive, I'm cooking a good old home cooked meal I can trust to be served! So, if you're walking in at lunch to the their buffet, expect to be blown away. Only DO NOT CARRY OUT! And certainly don't order for a dinner party!
(2)
Ben G.
This is the kind of place that scrapes by because it has an attractive storefront, great location, and a solid base of local customers who must not realize how bad the food is. It's like the flashy restaurants in Times Square: Great looking. Pricey. Terrible. I've been there twice now and the service has been terrible on both occasions. I'm not one to write bad reviews or write off restaurants when I have an occasional bad experience, but this place is clearly not worth your time. Bad food, bad service, bad prices, bad experience. Andies, the similar restaurant next door, is somewhat better. The food is slightly better than Reza's and the service is occasionally good. I wouldn't recommend either place, honestly. Middle East Bakery & Grocery, just down the street, is amazing. Head over there, pick up some food to take home, and don't look back. I can totally understand staying loyal to your local joint, but I encourage everyone else to dine elsewhere.
(1)
Joel G.
Solid place. The service is outstanding.
(3)
Rachel G.
I haven't been here for about 3 years and was excited to finally be going back! All I can remember is that their filet was delicious...rivals Tango Sur in my opinion. We were seated right away at about 6:45 on a weekday night and the waiter comes up right away and asks what we want. Hold on dude...we just sat down! Since it had been a long time, I had to look everything over. He came over 3 times before we finally ordered...I guess it's better than being ignored. But he was very short with us, not friendly at all and seemed to always be in a rush. I guess they now offer the side dishes that come with an entree as part of the buffet now? Last time i was there the bread and soup came to the table. Now you have to get up and go on over to the buffet. Why this is a change...it was a nice change b/c they now have falafel as part of the side dishes! YUM! My friend and I both got the filet Meditteranean style and it was delish. The couscous is so good too. Food here gets 5 stars. But -1 star for the Sangria...yuck...watered down and no flavor. Pass on that! And then the wiating game begins! After we were clearly done with our meals, we waited for over 20 min for our waiter to to get back to us. We were kind of on a semi-strict time frame and we needed to get out of there. But he was no where to be found. Finally he arrived, but arrived too late b/c we ran out of time for shopping! -1 star for service!
(3)
Shradha A.
3 or 3.5 stars. The highlights: Great buffet variety, enough veg options, fresh food, free glass of champagne Lowlights: Can only go here once, only for buffet, a la carte food not impressive, costly place.
Reza's has a wonderful lunch buffet from 11am-3pm daily. It is really well priced and they have a wonderful selection of foods. They usually have salad, hummus, salmon, shish kabob and more. The setting is pretty classy.
(4)
Joanna B.
I was here last night for a birthday party of about 16 people and it was great. Falafel, pita and hummus, radishes and feta (tasty!), salad, soup, lamb, beef and chicken kabobs, rice and desserts. I'd never been here before and I was pleasantly suprised. I got all my favorite Middle Eastern foods and it was a very lovely evening.
(5)
Benjamin B.
food is good, service is lacking. went for a birthday dinner, we were seated in the back, where after about 10 minutes after i had been seated no one came to help us. i had to hail the server to get him to come by. food is top notch, but service sucked, after i got my meal the server never came by again. is it a middle-eastern thing? i noticed that bigger groups were waited on hand and foot... maybe go there with a larger group?
(3)
Kitty H.
Nice food, but not as great as I had hoped for. The service was pretty slow. This would be a good place to order takeout from.
(3)
Samantha T.
This past Sunday I went there for Brunch and it was the best brunch I have had to date!! For $20 it was an open buffet with your choice of a complimentry glass of champagne or sangria. My friend and I both had the sangria it was perfect. The buffet had everything for everyone. Everything was so fresh and constantly being restocked ; hummus, falafel, dill rice, pita bread with light parmesan cheese, chicken, lamb, salmon, soups, cucumber sauce, vegetarian rice, 2 salads, pasteries, fruit, omelete specials, and much more. My friend and I were in a frenzy of what to put on our plate next. You really get a bang for your buck with a wonderful atmosphere, beyond friendly staff, and out door seating. Next time I am in Andersonville for brunch there is no question where I will be going.
(4)
Laura P.
I always enjoy the food here (falafel, chicken kabobs, hummus), but the service is always lacking. I took some friends here the other night and they were immediately impressed with the beauty of the exposed brick dining room, and the food was good as always. We were all disappointed in getting one drink refill in the hour and a half we were there.
(3)
Paul David W.
This is an bsolutely reliable place for good Middle Eastern food. It's a lot more expensive than a couple of other places that deliver to Rogers Park (Big Buns and Pita & Habibi) but it's a much better place to go if you're eating in. Their lamb shank is to die for! I like the huge portions even if their dill rice is a bit overrated.
(3)
Jennifer L.
Good food, excellent sangria, pleasant atmosphere. I was last here for a going away party for a coworker and it was excellent once again - this is a great place for groups because they have the room to accomodate you and you're not squished. I also love to order from Rezas - they give you so much food!
(4)
Stephen S.
The food here is pretty good, but considering the price I'd look elsewhere.
(3)
Zed D.
Amazing place. A must for anyone visiting Chicago. A bit pricey though.
(5)
Sarah B.
From the loft-like interior (think brick and wood) to the overflowing menu, this restaurant nears the top of my favorites list. I've celebrated birthdays here, graduations, new jobs, etc. The food is plentiful and priced well. A fair wine selection tops off your options. Vegetarian combos are delicious--but if you have food allergies, some of the sauces may contain nuts. Best value: lamb shank. Under $11, huge and so tender, it "literally falls off the bone." (see Michael Chirarelli--I've heard that line from him more times than I can count!) Bathrooms are so-so, but clean. Service is also so-so.
(4)
Jill D.
This place gets my all-time award of all awards for The Place I Hate the Most!!! I hate it for the following reasons: 1. I am treated worse because I am a woman when I am there as compared to how men are treated there. 2. If you order a drink, the waiters look at you like you are a sinner. I have had these same complaints all the times I have been there--which is about 8. (Unfortunately I was unable to avoid going here or else I would have!)
(1)
Kathleen P.
I love this place! I don't get to the neighborhood that often, but when I do, I love to have a great Persian meal. I was delighted to find out about the lunch buffet. It's a really nice selection- something for every palate. Cold salmon, Kababs of every kind, chicken, rice dishes, soups and dessert. And it's always fun to browse through the Middle Eastern store right across the street. They have every thing from spices to tea sets & a nice selection of honey, along with some great gourmet items.
(5)
matt k.
Reza's rips. Ask for the 'special' rice. It is not on the menu, but they have it. A tad bit overpriced, but you get what you pay for.
(4)
Bee B.
Reza's is a solid 3 in my book...I may have given it a 4 in the past, but I had some pretty bad service the last time I was there....We felt rushed and (WORST of all) we were served our carafe of sangria with no ice in our glasses...this is quite the travesty, as the sangria is generally quite solid and a plus point for Reza's. That being said, here are some good things about Reza's - - Sangria - It's HUGE and you can almost always get a seat right away or with minimal waiting. This includes parties of 8 on a saturday night. This feature makes Reza's a good backup when you are hungry and have just called 3 places which each have an hour and 15 minute wait. -The veggie samplers are delicious. Some of the highlights include: Shami, which is basically falafel balls in a sweet pomegranate sauce, Baba Gannouj, and Baba's cousin - a warm eggplant dish with curds and whey (i can't remember what it's called, but it's tasty), and Dolma, grapeleaves stuffed with rice. -The menu is very large and pretty much everyone, vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores alike, can all find something to eat.
(3)
steve c.
I once loved Rezas. Now Reza's is overrated. I have found there are way better restaurant's serving way better food in Chicago. The food can be good on one day and bad on another. The ambiance is nice. It is pricey and parking can be a pain.
(3)
Ila L.
The entrees were fine, but just fine. The ambiance is ok. The complimentary buffet that comes with all entrees is...well, a buffet first of all and secondly it isn't very good (the falafel was hours old). Not horrible but certainly not a destination.
(2)
Gina D.
The food here is great and so is the atmosphere. I love coming here for lunch in the summer and sitting by there floor to ceiling windows that they open up to the street side. The buffet is a great way to taste all that is on their menu and is also very affordable. Aside from that, their lentil soup is the best that I've ever had.
(4)
sandra o.
Two friends and I went to Rezas yesterday in the evening. We had a great time there. The service was excellent. My one friend did not arrive until an hour after we did. We apologized for the hold up. The staff was great. They said, "no problem." We found the staff to be friendly. The owner came to our table to ask us how things were going. We remained in the restaurant about three hours. We did not feel pressured to hurry up and leave. We all had the buffet which contained a variety of foods. I am an occasional meat eater. My friends were raving over how great the lamb was, so I tried. It was great. We all enjoyed the falafel, hummus, the saffron rice, the green salad and the rest of the buffet. I will definitely be going back occasionally. I cannot afford to often spend $16.95 + to eat out. The ambience was nice.
(4)
Rox P.
ok, i am going to go out on a limb here and say i am probably the most qualified person to write a review for this place. i have been going to this location since it opened, back in the early 80s. while all the cool kids had their birthday parties at mcdonalds, i was having mine at reza's. lamb koubideh, anyone? at some point i stopped asking (back then, the all iranian, male waitstaff) for hot dogs, and started enjoying the authentic persian cuisine. come on, who doesn't love a kabob. but obviously things have changed. reza's is no longer a hole in the wall, one location, diamond in the rough. now they have several locations (even in a holiday inn in oakbrook--yikes); they cater to a much larger group, reeling you in with their mediterranean and vegetarian cuisines; and their prices have literally skyrocketed while the portions have slimmed down. back then you could walk in, sit down at the table, order enough entrees for a family of four, and get by without spending more than 30 bucks, tip included. today, you are lucky if you get two meals for that. the soup they give you as soon as you sit down--that used to come in a much larger bowl. the feta cheese and radish combo--that used to be COMPLIMENTARY, and the flat bread--well that used to be an endless basket of hot pita bread. if you are like me and enjoy meat any chance the opportunity arrises, you are going to order from the steak/kabob/chicken part of the menu. the sultani (half steak kabob, and half ground beef kabob) is a must. the koubideh, chengeh, and the shishleek are all good options depending on your beef preference. it probably has to be mentioned, that one of the main ingredients in preparing persian food is the onion. so get ready to taste whatever you eat tonight, tomorrow morning. the vegetarian platters are also a must. it also seems the biggest bang for your buck. you get the dolmeh, the tabouli, baba ghannouj, and about 6 other options. remember, a true iranian does not order the garden salad for an appetizer. you're going to see us with some kind of eggplant item smothered in a yogurt or tahini sauce. and now, for dessert. the bamieh is the only iranian pastry on the menu. it looks a little bit like a hot dog and a little bit like an eclair and it tastes like a syrup-y, damp, flaky donut. i still don't know what to make of the bamieh except that it's 1.75 and that's probably still too much for it. i suppose you could order the chocolate cake. it might help dispel that onion taste that has now taken root in your taste buds. up to you. so, to conclude. reza's--less like a diamond in the rough and more like a chain restaurant. you can still order excellent food, but the prices are outrageous for the portions, so maybe stop next door to andies for a little cheaper version of basically the same thing.
(3)
Jill k.
considering the sheer amount of food one gets here, this place is a bargain, at about $15 an entree. the entrees are huge though, with enough sides for at least two people. i had the lamb kabobs with the persian salad, which were perfect. lovely place, friendly service; i would certainly return!
(5)
Mike P.
One of my friends told me about Reza's while looking to get something to eat. My experiences so far with them have been great. I usually come for the lamb chops (outstanding!), but also try the salmon and scallops. Their dill rice is a must! The pita bread/feta cheese platter and lentil soup is a meal in itself. To top that off, service is usually very good. It does get crowded in there on the weekends, but they have plenty of space to accommodate that. But as long as I have my sangria (which they make so well)--it's all good!
(4)
Chanita S.
I normally wouldn't say this, but YUCK! When I was apartment hunting around Andersonville, I decided to check this place out to see what kind of places I'd be getting myself into. This place looked pretty cool from the outside, and to be honest it wasn't so bad inside as well. However, food was terrible. There were some cool paintings dispalyed on the wall for sale for way overpriced. They're nice to look at, but I wouldn't spend that much on them. I ordered a steak dish which felt like it was frozen or premade way earlier during the day, and all they did was rewarmed it. I could be wrong, but that's what it tasted like. There was an unlimited soup and salad bar that came with the deal. Sounds exciting, right? Think again. I only filled up once because it was that bad. Server was nice. I was there in the winter and I had to keep my jacket on because it was frigid in there. I know they have a downtown location that I'm definitely not checking out. I'm no expert when it comes to Mediterranean food, but I know it wasn't made right. Spent $50 on 2 people....never again.
(1)
Bambi B.
You can count on Rezas for a moderately priced meal in a nice atmosphere. I like the shrimp and the duck, but find both the turkey and the beef to be unpredictable. But it's a nice date place.
(4)
Manj B.
Went there with a big group of friends (about 16 people) and the service was great. The food was good too, portions huge, but nothing special. I was expecting more from what I had heard from others about it. But I'll give it another try before I completely decide.
(3)
Crafty K.
I'd say this restaurant is pretty good...not fabulous. It's great in the warmer months to sit by the open doors. It's a great place to eat when you have a large group because there is plenty of seating. The food is good, you get a lot and the service is good. I'd say, however, if you're looking for better versions of these items go to Noon O' Kabob on Kedzie.
(3)
John S.
Really good food, and fast delivery. We got lamb and chicken cabobs, and Reza's potatos. Done it twice. With the dill rice. Very good stuff.
(4)
PJ K.
Not the world's most wonderful restaurant, but an excellent "all-purpose" place -- the dining room is nice enough for dinner with a date but casual enough to drop by late at night. A bit expensive for casual dining, but the portions are big enough that you can split an entree two ways. They deliver to a huge area at all manner of bizarre hours. The menu is varied enough to accomidate vegetarians, vegans, hard-core carnivores, and even really picky eaters.
(4)
Marc M.
Cant trust a Mediterranean restaurant that doesn't have good lamb. Ive had 3 different lamb dishes there all have been sub par. Andies is a much better option and right next door. I gave 2 stars as all my vegetarian friends seem to like Rezas better than Andies. So if you are a veggie you have better choices here i believe
(2)
Norman K.
One of my favorite places to eat. The food is always great and the portions (although not as large as they used to be) are plentiful. The steak filet (chengh?) is always good, but I really love the ground chicken and the steak (kaefta). The rice is awesome, and the mushroom appetizer is to die for (save the sauce to put on your rice). Service can be a bit slow when they're busy but that is to expected.
(5)
John F.
Very good Persian food with a large variety of kebab choices and combos and enough vegetarian stuff to keep vegetarians happy. A bit cheaper and simpler than neighboring Andie's and as it is Persian it has some dishes that do not appear in Arabic cuisine, like fessanjan. As you notice, however, I am only giving it three stars. The reason is that I've heard bad things about this places sanitary practices and food sourcing from two distinct parties who do not know one another. I have been back since then, but am always a bit hesitant. I don't want to libel anyone, but when you hear the same things twice it makes you suspicious.
(3)
D L.
first of all, i'm rating the Andersonville location. not sure why, but the food is consistently better here than the downtown location. I love their Lamb Shank and dill rice. So tasty. And the portions are very generous. I never leave hungry. The kebabs are great as well. Great for groups, and reasonably priced.
(4)
Linda S.
I heart their lamb shank -- literally "falling off the bone" tender. Yum! There is one dish that I don't recommend here, which is the fessenjan with cornish hen. On the menu it is marked as "Superb" but the presentation was quite disappointing and the pomegranate sauce was too sweet. Other favorites include their baba ghannouj, grilled potatoes, and their kabob koubideh. On evenings when the weather permits, they open up their french doors to create an ambience for romantic dining.
(4)
Ebru Y.
I used to go to Reza's at least once a week back when I used to work in Andersonville. The food here is absolutely amazing. There is so much flavor that you can't just pick out which one is the best. The meat is so delicious you want to go back for more. It literally crumbles in your mouth.I say go back because they have open buffet style lunch or you can also just have your order taken by a waiter. I also really like the bread here, I am not sure if it's Iranian bread? The prices are very reasonable and service is super fast and friendly.
(5)
Halisa V.
I love this place!!! The buffet on the weekdays are amazing. The Kabob meat is tender and juicy and our server was always nice (every time we went). I would go here anytime!
(5)
Justin E.
I was here back in July, during a nice cool spell in Chicagoland. My father and I were walking around downtown when we happened to stop in the Tourist Info Office and asked about good exotic cuisine in the area. He recommended this place and an Indian restaurant called Kashmir in our hotel. We decided on Reza's and got to walking. Though the restaurant could not have been more slow - literally I read a bunch of reviews about this, and it was sooo true - the food made up for the wait. If I hadn't been worried about walking all the way back to the hotel, I probably wouldn't even have minded the wait. The food was incredible, I had the koubideh and my father had the same. We sampled the free appetizer buffet, which they kindly recommended in lieu of ordering appetizers. Everything in the buffet was incredible, from the falafel to the pita to the soups (lentil soup is amazing). Try this place, you will love the atmosphere and the food, just clear your schedule.
(4)
Kari S.
I have been here for lunch several times, and I have mixed feelings. I am not a buffet person, but it seems to be the only option when coming here. Its quite pricey for lunch, but there are a lot of food choices- Hummus, mixed vegetables, soup, salad, falafel, chicken and beef kebobs, salmon, etc. I think I would like it better as a dinner spot and without the luring buffet. Staff is friendly and attentive and its very clean. Would be a great spot for a large party. I believe there are private rooms available.
(3)
Issa K.
I went here with some friends, Now the food was good it was not the best medditerainian food, but good enough too write home about. The interior was nice though definetely somewhere to take a date too but not a food critic. The prices were fairly reasonable, the food was made family style, and for about two people. I had the chicken and lamb kakbobs, with the rice which were good but still I reiterate not great. Theres also a private parking lot for the patrons of rezas ducked away in a little hole in the wall but still its FREE parking who cares what it looks like the only reason I did not give this place four stars was becuase the service was a little slow adn after they brought us our food they did not check on us for like 25 min. otherwise they would have been a 4-5 star restuarant oh well just stay on your feet becuase these guys wont be!!
(3)
Elizabeth C.
Good food, very busy restraunt. It cracked me up when a friend ordered a martini and asked if they had any sort of suffed olives. The server said "yes, they're stuffed with those red things."
(3)
Amanda G.
A Persian friend brought me here and it was fabulous. I'm far from an expert on Persian food, but I'll go back. Big portions in a big restaurant. YUM.
(4)
Dr. N.
Divine shami. The food here is very good, but the problem is that it is overpriced. I thought the buffet would increase my value, but some of the items were under the places usual standards. Andies is a better value and has yummier rice . But Rezas shami - sort of like falafil patties with a rich pomegranite walnut sauce is absolutely delectable. The meats are well flavored and tender. The sangria is too good - hire a cab or get a designated driver.
(3)
Rachel R.
I ate at Reza's in 1997 and I still dream about the fantastic grilled potatoes and the humus. I am not a connesieur of Persian food, but I would never visit Chicago without dining at Reza's.
(5)
Mary C.
Reza's offers great food, good service and lots of variety. The inside decor is kind of cold, but when I am being served great food who cares about the decoration! It's a bit pricey, but you always get large portions and plenty of extras. I like their Sunday buffet, which has an ungodly amount of food on it. Kudos to them for being open late as well!
(4)
Arjun C.
I have never had a bad meal here. I have also never been able to eat more than 1/4 of what was on my plate. So keeping the doggy bag aspect in mind, this price is right. This stuff also keeps reasonably well in the fridge. But here's the thing: has anything here ever tasted REALLY good? That is, better than something from the falafel stand at the mall, or a little dump like "The Nile" in Hyde Park? There I'm not so sure.
(4)
a w.
This is an awesome mediterranean restraunt. They have really tasty food and an awesome restraunt. You will really enjoy the food and atmosphere at this restraunt. The service is great and the portions are big -- don't miss this one!
(5)
nicole r.
How can you not like this place? It's big enough that you hardly ever have a wait, and the food is always delicious. The menu is ginormous, so everyone should be able to find something. Took the rents there and they even liked it. Dill rice rules!
(4)
Jaclyn C.
I've eaten here with my family and boyfriend. It's an Andersonville staple, and has a wide range of food and large portions at prices you'd expect.
(4)
Jay K.
This place has been reviewed to death, but it is my favorite Mediterranean restaurant so far. I'm obsessed w/ kefta-kabob. A great value for the weekday buffet at $10. I always crave this place post-call as it's the only time I can make it on a weekday for lunch. I always like their stews and the "filet mignon" kabob (come on, is it really filet mignon?) are pretty good dishes; I just hope it isn't really filet mignon, b/c the well-doneness to which they cook their filet mignon kabob is a travesty and really a waste of good meat to treat it thusly. The cold salmon never really looks that appetizing. Mushrooms are extremelly greasy (although supposedly a trademark dish of their's). I enjoy their hummus and baba ganouj. The tomato-sauce vegetable rice is very tasty as well. This place is worth patronizing time and again. Strangely enough the Swedish joints in the neighborhood don't seem as friendly; First time I walked into a bunch of them I received a palpable cold shoulder.
(4)
Mary L.
went to reza's last nite for dinner and had a great experience. the service started out kind of slow but then got much better. we had falafel for our appetizer and it was so yummy! then we got our soups which were also very good (we had vegetable and chicken soup) and for our entree i had lamb kebobs and my husband had lamb loin chops. they were awesome! the portions were huge! we ended up taking some home. we (i) decided that we should get dessert so we tried the raspberry cheesecake and it was probably the best cheesecake i have ever had! overall it was a great experience. i highly recommend and will definitely be back!
(5)
Rory G.
Okay first off I am biased, I've been coming to this restaurant since I was 7, and my family knows the owner. I am still trying to be a fair judge here hence why the 4 stars. The food is very good, the service acceptable, and the commercials horrible. The plates of food are enormous but so are the bills considering that half the plate is dill rice - being Asian I don't complain. Sitting outside during the summer really brings this place up a notch but there are only about 5 tables out there. Maybe it's the whole effect of being a kid and you think that your backyard looks like the size of Soldier field, that Now or Laters were the ambrosia of the Gods and that on your Big Wheel you were indestructible; but the food is not of the same caliber it used to be. Maybe I'm the jaded adult who can never go back to his childhood but I would give anything to go back to the days when there was only one Reza's and not three, the owner made the rounds and there was enough food on your plate to last for breakfast, lunch and dinner but it only lasted the night since you took the big plate to be a challenge...
(4)
Mark P.
Excellent lunch buffet with kebabs, falafel, and other Middle Eastern standards.
(3)
H M.
This has the best mediteranean food! They have the best kabobs and give you plenty of food. When you order anything, you will get soup, bread, feta cheese and garnishes as an appetizer. Also, each kabob comes with a plateful of meat, rice, and veggies. It is very big so you don't normally have to wait too long. It is also reasonably priced and you don't have to wait forever for your food. I am Armenian and I have been eating that type of food since I was little. It does not compare to any other place. They have a very large variety to choose from so you cannot go wrong. They also deliver, even in the suburbs. We cater from their for big events all the time. I highly recommend you check this place out.
(5)
Stephanie M.
I've been going here since I was like 12 or 13. Sadly the quality isnt as good as it used to be but it is STILL good. The best thing here is the lamb shank. It is tender and falls off the bone. You will be so full eating here...u start out with pita and radishes , parsley, feta, you get soup, then the main entree. Lots of rice comes with it. This place delivers too.
(4)
Maria W.
We hadn't gone to Reza's for a while because we had been regular take-out customers up to about a year ago, but then, it started to go downhill. Anyway, we've dined here twice in the past few weeks and the food was excellent, fresh, and delicious. The wines by the bottle are reasonably priced and so are the beers. Delicious kabobs and lamb shank.
(4)
Ellen M.
This is my favorite Reza's. I found out they opened one in Oakbrook recently, but I don't think I'll try it. I like the Andersonville neighborhood, and I associate this place with it. The food is good middle eastern, and they serve a mean lamb. The servers practically dote on you, it's a great feeling.
(4)
Mikaela S.
First of all, I am a server. So when service is not that great, I really REALLY try to give the server the benefit of the doubt. We went to Reza's on a busy Saturday night. I feel like that can not be an excuse, however, as that is part of the job. When we sat down, we waited for 10 minutes before our server showed. When he finally did show, he was not very apologetic. He took our order immediately, without even looking at my fiance. Eye contact is part of what makes the dining experience. It makes the customer feel welcome. When we got our Falafels, they were cold, not even midly warm, but cold. Then we got our food, which was ok. Our server had forgotten our Diet Cokes, so I asked the busser to get one, and he was very friendly. Then I asked our server for more water. He came back, filled up my water, then slammed the pitcher down and said " Here, in case you want more." and left it sitting there, in our way, right in the middle of us. That was when I got pissed. I would NEVER EVER recomend this place to anyone. I have gone to Andies before and LOVED it. We payed WAY too much for our terribel experience at Reza's. I went against my better judgement, but you can't blame me for wanting to try something new I guess...
(1)
Jennifer T.
I used to think Reza's was a 4 star good restaurant but the meal was only so-so, the service was just ok and worst of all - it was dirty! We had to ask to have the paper table cloth changed, were given a dirty napkin wrapped around our silverware and the whole place rang of run-down, not well-kept. I hope they get it back together!
(2)
Jordan B.
I've been to Reza's three times. The first two times were disappointing. I thought the food I was served was just not that good. The meat was dry and the falafel was brick hard and horribly overseasoned. The third experience, had it been my only, would have earned Reza's five stars from me. I had some mushrooms that blew my mind away as did the Dolmeh Felfel. I think I'm going to give Reza's another shot myself based on that most recent experience.
(4)
Allen R.
What a let-down! We walked in to find three people standing at the maitre'd counter, all laughing amongst themselves -- they didn't even notice us until after several awkward seconds. The restaurant was chilly, and had its ceiling fans running, despite the 30 degree temperature outside. The menu was lengthy and indecipherable in places (think: trashy Mexican restaurant with dried salsa on some of the menu pages). They had no by-the-glass wine list to speak of, despite having a separate wine list -- I ordered Merlot of unknown vintage; it was drinkable. Not fantastic, but drinkable. The tomato lentil soup was Campbell's tomato soup with lentils and about sixteen tablespoons of dried basil and oregano stirred in: weak and overdone. The kabobs, though moist, were not 'on the stick', as any American wants it, and the oddly-shaped mound of couscous was dry and unpalatable. There were no other kabob-style vegetables in either of our dishes, but there was a good-tasting sauce made almost entirely of mushroom stems. Highlights: Delicious, fresh-from-the-oven afghan-style bread. Staring at cute guys walking along Clark St. Given its location, I thought I was going to a fresh take on middle eastern cuisine, and ended up eating at something much more low brow. Unless you're absolutely dying for Middle Eastern food and can't find a good Indian place to eat at, eat elsewhere.
(2)
BRIAN M.
I have been here many times by myself and with friends. They have very good food. This is a Family Style restaurant and on weekends there are lots of people. I love the Chicken Kabobs, the dill rice, and the 3 appetizers tray. I can't remember how many times I have been here. But the first time many years ago the service was great, it and still is. I can reccomend this restaurant if you wanna try something different. DJ LOVE
(4)
Aesha W.
This place has great chicken! I've only had two items here, both chicken - one included ground chicken, however, which looked less than appetizing to me. The Reza's Special Chicken tastes fantastic, and my friend loves the entrees he's received, too. Between the two locations, they seem to deliver to half the city. The rice wasn't bad, but it was a little bland; I do like the potatoes. Since we found this place, we've ordered several times, and I'm sure it will remain part of our regular rotation! EDIT: I had to drop this place a star. The last two times we have ordered from them, they've messed up the order and it had to be sent back. When ordering, I asked for no tomato and repeated it, saying it was VERY IMPORTANT that there was no tomato included in anything. Both times, they left the tomato in. It's annoying that I can't order something the way I want it prepared and trust that it will actually arrive that way; it's even more annoying to have to wait 1 1/2 - 2 hours for your meal because the person on the phone can't take it down correctly. Edit 4/30/08: It's been at least four weeks since I've ordered from them, because of repeated problems with the order placed. I've dropped them to one star (originally 4, dropped to 3, now again) because of my disappointment in the restaurant. The last 6 times we've ordered from them, our order has been sent back 4 times. This evening, when I made it very clear to the woman I spoke with that there was to be no tomato in anything - telling her that this was extremely important, and that if there was tomato the order would be returned - I thought the problem was solved. Imagine my surprise when, while checking the items that were delivered, I found tomato in both entrees. The delivery driver kept insisting that I could just take the tomato out, but I believe that if I ordered it a particular way, that's what I should get (especially when food allergies are involved). I don't know if we'll ever order from Reza's again, and if so, I know it won't be for a long time.
(1)
Ann Y.
An update- While the service has gone down over the years and the quality is not where it used to be, I did go recently for the saturday brunch and was happy. There was a lot of options such as chicken and beef kefta, the lentil soup, pita, chicken breast and desert. Also, our server was great this time around. In the past though I have had some really bad service and they have messed my order up.
(3)
Patty V.
I have had several meals here and it has always been good. I like the lunch buffet,so much to choose from. I can't say I have ever had a bad meal here. I can't say I've ever had a stellar meal,either. Good food, great prices and a huge selection. If you can't find something to eat here,you are in trouble.There are many Middle Eastern places to eat at in Andersonville and nearby. This is one of the nicer ones, as far as atmosphere goes.
(4)
B M.
Reza's has a very healthy & tasty menu . Everything is grilled and less oily. I love their quail,salmon, shrimp and dill rice.
(5)
Gemini G.
Vegetarian alert! Vegetarian alert! You must, must, must try the vegetarian shami! You'll find it under Vegetarian Appetizers with a description that righteously includes the phrase 'savory patties.' But keep reading until you get to the part with 'delicious sweet and sour pomegranate sauce.' For $4.95, you get 3 patties that are minced green veggies coated with chickpea, so they're kind of like falafels. But the important part is the sauce, which is really more the consistency of a paste, similar to hoisin sauce, and so very exotic, fresh and tasty. Delish! We ordered one order of the shami, one vegetarian sampler, and one order of the bamieh for dessert (a light puffy pastry in some kind of syrup that was wonderful), and my husband and I could not finish it all. Everything was great; the only reason I'm dinging them a star is the steamed string beans that came with the sampler: they were very tough and chewy in texture, although the tomato sauce that came with them had great flavor. We ordered delivery from the Andersonville location, and we would highly recommend them for vegetarians!
(4)
Danielle C.
If you are hungry for a fantastic and huge brunch, go to REZAs! They have an amazing array of tasty foods! You start your feast with a glass of champagne, and can begin with fruit, shrimp, salmon, bagels, an omelet prepared by a chef, or dive into the real stuff! They have falafel, tahini sauce, an array of Mediterranean salads, Hummus to die for (I slather it over everthing) , grilled mushrooms, stuffed grape leaves, grilled potatoes, mustaccoli, white rice, dill rice, chicken kabobs, fillet minion kabobs, beef kabobs, lamb shank, mashed potatoes and more. Plus they have desserts including baklava (not too great and others). And before you ask, yes, this is from memory!! I love this grazing FEAST!! This is a meal to celebrate any event, catch up with any group of friends, and beat any hang over. It has something for everyone!! I have brought my 2 yrold niece here often, she loves the variety of foods, we can keep her happy for quite awhile here! The price is @ 25 per person! It is an awesome deal. Oh, you can also order most of the things avaliable for the buffet for dinner or lunch, so it is a great way to try new foods or to figure out what you like!
(5)
Adam S.
I've ordered delivery twice now from Reza's. The first time the delivery was a half hour late with cold food. The 2nd time they never even showed up. I called after waiting over an hour and they said the guy was out to deliver to my address right then. He never showed up. I call again a half hour later, and they say they never got my order. What a mess. I won't be ordering from them again. There are too many other good restaurants in this city to put up with this kind of incompetence.
(2)
Elyse G.
I ate a Reza's for the first time last night and was very happy with my meal. I rarely order scallops in Chicago especially not a top-notch restaurant, but I couldn't resist since the woman next to me had them as well. I ordered the scallop and shrimp kebab which was fabulous. I asked for the cous-cous rather than the rice and that was a treat. My husband had the lamb and shrimp with white rice, fragrant but boring! Two others we were with both ordered different kebabs but "mediterranian style." The "sauce" was good for my taste but perfect for them. It was too sweet and buttery for me but it wasn't bad. Just want to say great dinner, decent service and good atmosphere! **4 stars only because It's not my favorite restaurant in Chicago!
(4)
rebecca g.
the delectable vegetarian shami (falafel in pomegranate sauce) is my only reason to go here. otherwise, I find Reza's very overpriced, so-so, and lacking a variety of quality options for vegetarians who can't eat their weight in hummus and baba ghannouj. to be fair, the starters are nice (lots of salty feta, radishes, pita, and tomato-dill soup) and the entrees are huge--but how much dill rice and plain grilled veggies can one person eat? i'm not a fan of their taboule (ho-hum), or their hummus or baba (really bitter and weird aftertaste), so unless i order meat i always feel cheated. $15 for a vegetarian sampler is ridiculous, when there are so many comparable middle eastern restaurants within walking distance. the meat dishes, though more exciting, are still pretty darned pricy and i usually leave feeling ripped off.
(3)
Rachelle G.
I have been coming here for a few years on and off and went back again last night. I like Reza's because they are roomy enough to take large parties on Friday nights. We had no problems with getting a table for eight immediately upon entering. The food is good, not the best, but enjoyable enough. I think it lacks a bit of seasoning. A few in my party asked for hot sauce and were pleasantly surprised at how spicy it was, they are used to restaurants having tame sauces. The portions are huge, I believe most dishes are accompanied by a plateful of rice. The staff is accommodating, but there are times where they tend to just hover in groups together. Overall, a good place to check out if you've never been. In a great neighborhood where you can do a bit of walking after your meal.
(4)
Shawn J.
My first tie here, and it was pretty good! I am partial to Sultans Market in wicker, so had high expectations, with that said - Rezas met them pretty well! Sat outside, staff was freindly and attentive! Food was decetly priced and generous portions! Falafel was darn good along with the dill rice, stuffed peppers, and tomato lentil soup. Every entree gives you access to a small salad bar. Wasn't a fan of the taboulee, and I have had better pita bread, but this alone wasn't enough to keep me from going back!
(4)
Kristen M.
I have been to Reza's several times, and always thought it was very tasty, though slightly overpriced. I've even brought out of town guests there. I hadn't been there in about 3 years and was very excited to go back yesterday. It was awful from the start. There was hardly anyone in the place, and we had a reservation for 7 people. The host seemed annoyed, I think even rolled his eyes as he sat my fiance and I, the first 2 to arrive for our group. I don't remember them not having air conditioning, but they didn't have it and it was over 80 degrees all day yesterday. No one came by to offer us a drink for over 15 minutes. I guess they were waiting until the other members of our party showed. The service was terrible the whole way through. I asked for a glass for the one bottle of wine we ordered. After 15 minutes, another member of my party got it from a busboy. It took over 2 hours from when everyone got there until we left, and this was without appetizers or dessert. And we were one of the only tables in the place! The food was not nearly as good as I remember. Both my fiance and I received different items on our plate than what we ordered. (We both ordered dill rice, I got couscous with fruit and he got white rice.) My couscous was hard and dry, as though it had either been severely overcooked or severely undercooked. The highlight of the evening came when I was eating my stuffed pepper, which truly was good, and something sharp stabbed me in the gums. I spit it out to find an inch and a half long metal shard. When we informed the staff, their response was. Oh. Well, do you want another dinner. No apology, no credit on our $200 bill, no dessert or drink for everyone, just another dinner that is now sitting untouched in my refrigerator. At least this one has dill rice.
(1)
Carol H.
The food is healthy and fantastic, of course, but overly expensive for this neighborhood. Lately, they seem to have a problem turning on enough air conditioning in the main diningroom. They leave the doors in the front open in the summer, so the hot air comes into the room. I generally ask to be seated on the side street, where it's cooler. If you just want a quick healthy lunch in this neighborhood, I recommend "A Taste of Lebanon" 2 blocks south on the corner of Clark and Foster Avenue. They sell lentil soup as good as Rezas for just $2.99 and chicken charwama for around $3.99.
(4)
Rachel S.
How this place didn't have a higher rating is what made me write a review. What is not to love about this place?! I love the Reza's special chicken with the dill rice and the AMAZING pita bread. Yum! My sister even had her rehearsal dinner there - well at the one downtown, but same thing.
(5)
Kate H.
My favorite Mediterranean restaurant. The Fessenjan chicken with pomegranate sauce and dill rice is delightful. The hummus is great. The White Fish Persian Style was also quite good. Huge servings just the prices. The dining room can get quite hot on a warm day. We were seated in an adjacent section on the left and the seats were literally hot. That being said, the atmosphere is usually nice. The service and delivery are fast as well.
(4)
Inspector G.
Nice food in a cool atmosphere but the range of flavors is relatively limited. After about 4 trips, you'll be pretty much "Reza'd-out". The grilled mushroom appetizer alone is worth the trip. The all-you-can eat lunch buffet for $10 is a steal. The only catch - it's always the same thing. Private parking lot available across Clark Street.
(3)
jackie m.
I always neglect to review Reza's, not sure why since it's earned 5 stars from me. I cant comment on the inside dining experience since Ive always had delivery when I worked about a few blocks away. I've always ordered the lamb chops and rice w/ pita bread. Let me say DELICIOUS!!! I look forward to sitting inside the restaurant one day...if I can find a date or a friend willing to try mediteranean food. lol.
(5)
Norbert W.
good persian restaurant. outside is a little dicey. but can be fun. good mediterranean/persian selections. (not as good as homemade if you have Iranian friends) service can be hit or miss. give it a go. better than other restaurants in this class.
(3)
Mike Y.
I have eaten here many times over the years. The food is good and cheap, but not exceptional. Usually it is one of my friends that has to have Reza's and then we go. This is a place to go for good inexpensive food, but I prefer Lebanese.
(3)
Jef B.
One of our mainstays for Middle Eastern food, and we generally get a table quickly whenever we go so that's a plus. They have some work to do on service. Our waiter forgot our appetizer on the last visit. The service was overall a bit slow. My entree was no longer hot. I think the lackluster service is what knocks this back to 3 stars for us. Hopefully they read the reviews and will focus some attention on this.
(3)
Elizabeth K.
So, thanks to the city of Chicago smackdown, Andersonville has taken a turn for the dog-unfriendly. The waiter at Andie's told us that they couldn't let people eat on the patio with dogs anymore because they got cited, and all the water dishes got taken up from outside. And yet Reza's still let us eat there with our pooch, offered us some fresh water for her, and were genuinely nice to us. We had one of their sampler plates, lots of yummy vegetarian food for a fair price. We liked the food so much, we ate it again at Midsommer fest a couple of weeks ago. Great dill rice!
(4)
Jacqueline S.
I went here for the Sunday brunch a few times which includes all the items on their menu. A bit expensive but you get to try everything, have as much as you want, and it is hot and fresh. The few times I just went for dinner the service was very good but I sometimes don't order the greatest dish (usually a special not on their menu). The delivery is good - hot and fast.
(4)
April Z.
ive eaten here many times over the years and used to love this place. but the last couple of years they've really gone downhill. the prices have gone up and the food quality and overall taste has gone down. very disappointing so we have stopped going all together, i think we kept going back that last few times thinking it was just an off night, etc. but im tired of overpaying for a lackluster dish. their service has never been good...so nothing's changed there.
(2)
tessa c.
The food was amazing! Actually I loved this neighbourhood as a kid because my mom would always take me to Swedish Bakery down the street but today I discovered this place through a friend. Huge portions you definitely get your money's worth. Friendly and prompt waitstaff and we didn't have to worry about refilled water glasses because our server brought us a pitcher. I only give this place 3 stars because at least my food wasn't hot enough and that's a big no no in my book.
(3)
P K.
All about the brunch, baby! All you can eat brunch, yum. The food is relatively inexpensive, the service is very friendly, and the interior is pretty cute. There's nothing better than having a brunch here on a nice sunny day by their open windows. I love this place!
(5)
Julie S.
By far the best sea bass I have had in a long time. My husband enjoyed his lamb shank very much. The grilled mushroom appetizer that they recommend is excellent, if you like mushrooms and the hummus w/ sesame bread was standard - just OK. The wine list had some good and very cheap (quality) wines that were way overpriced. Go with the by the glass option or just stick to reasonably priced beers. Our waitress gave good recommendations but she was extremely shy & soft spoken. It is a huge place with a very diverse crowd and an overall great dinner experience.
(4)
J T.
I don't get it. The one time I've been there, the food was simply mediocre and the service horrid.
(2)
catherine t.
I went to Reza's for the first time for a weeknight dinner, and was pleasantly surprised. The service was phenomenal--very friendly, quick, and accommodating. The food was good, and the proportions were gigantic. I'm pretty sure 4 people could have eaten what was on my plate--add to that the buffet with endless falafel, hummus, salad, and soup and you have a downright feast. The tomato lentil soup was very good, as were the falafel and the dill rice. Overall, it was a great experience, and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Nando R.
I liked this place somewhat more than my wife did. I like the flavor of their meat shish kabob. I like the fact that unlike most food in America, this isn't overly spicy - but I didn't find it bland. I had a dish with great meat and great plain rice. The service was far from best and the open kitchen made us leave smelling like... well, mediterranean food. Also the portions are indeed big, so unless you eat A LOT, it's a good idea to split.
(3)
Christina Z.
Excellent Persian food -- I got the Vegetarian Special, and was delighted with the platter full of colorful, fresh, well-seasoned vegetable dishes. The lentil soup that I had as a starter was also incredibly savory. The dining area is very spacious, so you'll never have trouble finding seating here.
(4)
Adam L.
Reza's is home to some amazing mediterranean food. I particularly enjoy the kabob selection and the delicious sea bass. Unfortunately, the food is overpriced, and the waiters are overworked during peak hours and it shows. If you've never tried mediterranean cuisine give Reza's a shot, but don't be disappointed when the bill comes, or when your sever doesn't.
(3)
Amanda K.
Reza's is so good!! I have not been to this one, but my work is down the street from the one in the burbs, and it did not dissapoint. I am extremely extremely picky with my middle eastern food, and was definitely impressed. We got the buffet, and the hummus, bhaba ghanuj, and the chicken were so so good. highly recommend this place.
(5)
Nicole V.
I've been to Reza's a number of times, but for some reason my experience last night led me to finally write a review. My previous visits to Reza's were always for brunch/buffet/dinner, but last night I went there with a couple of friends for light drinks and appetizers. We requested seating outside along the side of the building and it was a perfect night for it. After ordering a pitcher of red sangria we settled on ordering the vegetarian appetizer platter consisting of dolmeh, falafel, kashkeh bodemjan, hummus,and tabbouli. We also ordered the definitive favorite of the night...maust museer (creamy yogurt, flavored with shallots and dill) along with a chicken and quail kabob. The service initially was a little much. They were trying to push a couple of bottles of wine at us right as we sat down (it felt the the wine must not be selling), but after we were settled in and our order was taken the evening was really enjoyable. Good food, great atmosphere, attentive service and stimulating conversation. We had a great time, didn't break the bank...and there was even a little left over to take home!
(4)
Russ S.
Went here tonight with a friend. Overall, we had a great time. I was a bit concerned prior to going because of the serious service issues that have been mentioned by numerous Yelpers....but we didn't experience any problem at all. Service was very attentive, timely, and not overbearing. I should probably mention that we went on a Wednesday night at 7pm, so this wasn't a Friday or Saturday evening rush. The Broiled Salmon I had was excellent and not overcooked. Her Chicken and Filet Kabobs were awesome too. The couscous...well....not good at all. It was totally dry and without flavor or anything to distinguish it. Overall, had a great time.
(4)
Chicago F.
So last weekend we had the lunch buffet on Saturday .. it was not very crowded .. after hearing all the reviews I thought I would try Reza's out because I'm super biased towards Noon O Kabab ... The food was ok 2/5 ish ... The 2 stars are for the spread .. there was a lot of variety ... even the quality was not great at all ... i like the kababs at Noon O Kabab much better ... I liked the brunch concept that Reza's has because they give you a glass of champagne too so they are trying to please the general brunch crowd which is gr8! The service was very very bad no1 attended to us .. the only time the waitress smiled was when she came to give us the check HULLO I will come back but not for the buffet
(2)
Stella S.
I liked it. We made reservations and went there to celebrate a birthday. Upon requesting a better table, the staff had no problem accommodating my request (the original table was near a noisy part of the restaurant). The staff sang happy birthday and provided a piece of birthday cake for our guest of honor. There is also an area to hang your coats if you wish. The bathroom are located in the basement and are very nice with marble walls and flooring. The bathroom doors were a little tricky to close since they were two doors that you needed to pull together to lock. The drinks were very good - I had a pomegranate drink with vodka that was yummy. The food was delicious. There are many vegetarian options. I loved all the food we had - the grilled veggies, the feta cheese and the mushrooms. Everything was very good. The service was great. The ambiance is very laid back and relaxed. They are offering special rights now too Sunday through Friday (although I can't remember exactly what the specials are - too many pomegranate drinks for me that night).
(4)
Lauren M.
Dill rice is SO yummy. Great quality meat/veggies. Big portions, 1 meal will feed 2. We order this a lot at work, they're kind and helpful. Love Reza's!
(4)
Matt N.
I unknowingly went on a saturday afternoon for lunch which was a buffet. I don't really like buffets and try to avoid them but this is probably one of the better ones I have ever had. All the food tasted fresh and the humus was sensational. I am not sure if they do a better job with the wine list at dinner but every bottle I wanted was unavailable. If you arrive on the sidewalk from the east notice the poorly utilized storage room at the second floor. I am not sure of the rationale behind a fully transparent storage room that can be seen from the street. Reza: make this a dining room! As we were finishing our meal the waitress warned us that a large party was coming in so if we wanted anything else from the buffet now was the time. Didn't think much of it but I turn around and a tour bus unloads with about 200 very hungry looking people from Michigan. Then another bus unloads!! The line for the buffet now extended out the front door and these were not people who looked like they appreciated waiting for food. Suffice to say, avoid heading to Reza's when the bus pulls up.
(4)
Christoph B.
I love this restaurant. The dining rooms are huge with floor to ceiling windows and the building gives off a warm inviting feeling. But it's the food that really shines at Rezas. Everything sounds so good on the menu I never know what to order. Everything I have tried so far has been outstanding. I highly recommend the lamb kabob or the Persian white fish. Add to that a side of dill rice and you've got a winner. The sangria is good, too. Really good.
(5)
Lyric S.
I had lunch here today. The buffet with tax was $10.99. It was all you can eat. The falafels were the bomb. NO GREASE. They were fried to perfection without the excess grease. Seriously, I do not think I have ever had better falafels. My waitress was there in a jiffy to keep re-filling my water and that may be because it was dead there, but whatever. The service was great. OK, back to the food.....the persian salad was also the bomb, nice and light, the hummos was also killer. I was super impressed with the falafels. They were so tasty. I'll go back. I think the price could be a little cheaper tho. But then again, I am a cheap skate.
(4)
Laurie H.
Of all the great restaurants we could patronize in Andersonville, we picked this one cause my friend had a taste for Mediterranean. I wish I would have talked her out of it. Not only is their menu inside nothing like what is posted on the outside, and the food is mediocre at best, the waitstaff is poorly trained and unattentive and the person that I'll generously call for this review, "manager" could probably single handedly get this restaurant closed in a matter of days. I asked our waiter about AND described a Greek salad that was listed on the outside menu but couldn't find on the menu we were given. I just asked him to let me know if they could make or I'd pick something else. I also specified that we would like water, which he laughed "of course". What transpired next was nothing short of a restaurant nightmare. He left and didn't come back with water or my friend's drink for a while. The "manager" came by to say they can make a Greek Salad, which again I referred him to the sign outside calling it a Mediterranean Salad. He said he understood. Still waiting on water mind you. 15 minutes later (table next to us had their food and came in after us), I left to find our waiter, our water and my friend's wine. Another 15 minutes later and a plate of radish slices and 3 pieces of feta, we asked about my friend's wine and the waiter looked perplexed said "you want wine?" (she'd ordered chardonnary but they were out and then she said just give me pinot grigio, he said "ok") Our appetizer came and he asked me if the "manager" had come by and I said I think we're set. Now I have not been to this restaurant before , I know what have I been under a rock? But what they served as a Greek Salad was astonishing to me, A plate with Feta cheese slices (2) in the middle surrounded with perfect little separate piles of craisins, walnuts, olives and tomatoes. No greens, no dressing, no salad? I told the waiter this isn't what I asked for or described or what you have listed on the menu outside. I asked him to send over the "manager". We waited, and waited and saw that the "manager" was adding up receipts because I guess my refusal of their version of "Mediterranean Salad" wasn't important enough to him. No "I'm sorry, would you like to order something else" or "I'm sorry we/you/we misunderstood" but instead again I'm having to go find the "manager". His answer was "THis is our Mediteranean Salad, this is how we've made it since we opened..." That was it, no more said. He went back to adding, I drank water and watched my friend eat her entree. When we left his answer to us when we said this is probably one of the worst service experiences we've ever had was "menus are subject to change, we've been here 30 years and some customers are just difficult" My answer to this "manager" is don't worry, you wont' be open another year at this rate.
(1)
Emily M.
Ok, I'm not a huge fan of Mediterranean dishes but my friend wanted to eat here. I ordered a steak and the waiter, thinking I'm clueless explained to me how a steak was made... Ok thanks. It was a little awkward at first, but the food was so good! Portions were huge!! I left happy!
(4)
Mandy M.
best damn lunch buffet ever. theyre nice to me, and my 2 little kids.
(5)
Ellen R.
First off, although I am not a vegetarian I find myself ordering only vegetarian stuff at Reza's. Perhaps it is because the veggie options are so good. If you are into Mediterranean style or Middle Eastern style food this is a great place to go. I find it to be affordable, the staff is affable and the food is very good. Noteworthy finds include the falafel balls in pomegranate sauce (forgive me for a have forgotten the name), the green beans in tomato sauce and all of their veggie combo plates. The portions are enormous, definitely enough for two and they are delicious. This location has parking which is always welcomed, it's a beautiful dining area with plenty of seating and good ambiance and I have never had to wait to long to get a table. I admit, however, that I have never been there on a Saturday afternoon with the supposed 'bus tour' crowd. Oh yeah, they just so happen to have the tastiest, best textured pita bread out there. It sure doesn't fare well for my carb sparing diet, especially when they bring it out to the table warm from the oven with a plate full of radishes and great feta cheese... mmm mmm!!! Go ahead indulge!
(4)
Toni C.
this place has horrible service. the hostess is snobby. the couple times i tried to make a reservation they DONT greet you, and they pretty much hang up on you once you give them your name and number of guests. i came here a few times. some were good experiences, but a couple were really bad. the food is good but the waiters and waitress are such snobs and jerks!
(1)
Cameron H.
very good as always. each time we go, usually early dinner, the food is fresh and consistent. our waitress was pleasant and very attentive. definitely a highly recommendable restaurant.
(4)
Carl I.
I would give the place an A on the space - large, airy, and enough room between the tables to navigate easily. Brunching with a friend, I thought that the food was just OK, but with much of it cold, despite the presence of warming dishes, the original flavors were lost. Service was indifferent, and the glacial expressions on the faces of the staff did not make one want to return.
(2)
Audrey T.
This is the type of place you go to once a year or maybe once every few years. They have a fairly good selection of fresh foods that are not brought to their full potential. Lamb is done nicely and chicken is done dryly. They also have a specials menu which they will issue you but forget the day of the week and charge you full price if you order off of it. And if you're handicap, good luck getting down the stairs to the basement where the nicely modeled bathrooms are. A beautiful space, and good for large groups, but if you're looking for anything savory or indulgent or worth writing home about, pick another location.
(3)
Bobby D.
Not a bad place for falafel & mint rice. The soda with lemon can be a treat too.
(4)
John B.
I like Reza's more than I used to. It started out as a reasonably sized restaurant, but slowly ate up all the real estate around it as it grew and grew. I first came here during that expansion, and they obviously weren't prepared for their growth. Now that it's stabilized, the food and service is less erratic. The service generally isn't very good. If it's slow, the servers are all talking with one another. If it's busy, they're running around like crazy. They are all pretty knowledgeable though, so if you have questions, you'll probably get the right answers. In general, stay away from the beef. The ground beef skewers are fine, but any other beef I've ever had here has been overcooked and chewy. The lamb and poultry are generally better options. The lamb shank really is wonderful. They seem to only serve vegetarian dishes as part of various combo plates, which is odd to me, especially for a Persian restaurant. Perhaps they're concerned about American palates. Beware the dreaded dill rice. For years, this is what kept me away from Reza's. An entree would be huge, but that was because it was served on a bed of sickly green, bone dry, nearly tasteless dill rice. They've gotten the dill rice problem under control, but I'm still not a fan. If you can substitute cous cous, by all means do so. Reza's is probably worth more than a 3. I'd give Reza's a 3+ and Andies a 4-, but in this system, they're both 3s.
(3)
Teryn C.
I know Reza's and Andie's next door must battle it out nightly for customers but, in my humble opinion drawn from extensive testing (read: eating out) I have to declare Reza's the winner! The best chicken kabobs (they must put crack in the marinade cause you can't stop with one skewer) and the most amazing vegetarian stuffed peppers. The lamb is great as well and I will literally kill you for the dill rice. And the management and staff are friendly and helpful too. I hosted a baby shower at this location recently for about 25 people and it couldn't have been easier to plan. The regular and party menus are both online with prices. Everybody left the party very full and raving about lunch. Baby showers are so dull you have to get thru it somehow...my recommendation: lots of great food and the amazing chocolate chip cake from A Taste of Heaven 2 blocks down on Clark.
(4)
Dan M.
I went to Reza's during lunchtime on a weekday and was surprised they had a lunch buffet. Almost everything they had was tasty. The vegetarian rice was delicious with the spicy chicken. All the falafel and hummus you can eat too. For two people the cost was $35 with tip and I think we ate close to that amount considering their regular rates. My only problem was that the waiter seemed not to like that we opted for the buffet instead of ordering off the menu!
(5)
Dave S.
I've only been here once, for their famous brunch buffet. It was decent - not great. All of the food was cooked well and full flavored, there was just something odd about the atmosphere of the restaurant. Maybe it was the lack of decorations? I can't pinpoint it. I'll definitely go back, but probably wouldn't suggest it.
(3)
William T.
Went there with my wife on a weeknight, around 10pm... the place was almost empty, as if it were closing, but nobody seemed to rush us. All of the food was enjoyable and well seasoned. We didn't order cocktails because we had a gallon of vodka sitting in our freezer at home and were headed there after dinner :) - We did get the iced tea, which was some of the best iced tea I have had in a restaurant. They actually blend and make the tea there in the restaurant. It was a blend with jasmine and also notes of Bergamont orange oil, found in Earl Grey tea. We did the 5 course package #1 ($24.00 a person, which turned out to be a good deal). 3 apps of Baba Ghanouj, Falafel and Baked Herbed Feta. This all came with a large portion of Persian Salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley, lemon juice) and a warm tomato olive oil dish. The Feta was by far our favorite, but how hard is it to enjoy warm feta cheese with herbs on top? sooo... the falafel was well prepared and not dry, which can often be the case, and the underlaying sauce was nice and light. The salad was good and was a nice clean acidic compliment to the other apps, however it needed salt. The Baba Ghanouj was good, but not anything special (far better down the street at Taste of Lebanon). Overall... a good start to the meal and plenty of it. The pita bread was not homemade (Again, far better at Taste of Lebanon), nor was it memorable. The main courses we ordered were quite good and served with a heaping portion of dill rice, white jasmine rice and a bit of saffron rice. Filet Mignon Kabobs were very flavorful, a bit overcooked from the med-rare we ordered, but nothing to complain about. The Chicken Fessanjan was good, not great... had a pomegranate, almond sauce that was a bit overbearing for the simple chicken, well maybe it was the amount of sauce... the chicken could have gone for a swim. The highlight of the entire meal was the Lamb Shank... braised in a tomato based broth that was filled with wonderful flavors and spices... we were actually dipping all of our other food into the lamb's braising liquid. The lamb was extremely tender and juicy and was the only main course dish we finished at the restaurant... the rest we took home. For dessert we had a wonderfully rich walnut baklava which was a perfect end to the food marathon. I only wished I had ordered a cold glass of milk to wash that sucker down... very rich and sweet. Our server, Denis, was honestly the reason I decided to compose this review... he was perfect for the restaurant and was never hovering. It may have been because the restaurant was almost empty... but there was just something lovable about this man. We never ran out of anything or needed anything... all we had to do was talk, eat and drink... I like that. I would actually request him if and when I return. All and all, this is not an out of this world dining experience, but its not supposed to be. I know i mentioned Taste of Lebanon twice in this review... and it was only to compare a few food items... they are totally different experiences and both worth trying. just good food (and a lot of it) at a reasonable price with good service. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would.
(3)
Larry B.
Reza's is pleasant but I think a prefer the downtown one more. Maybe for the entertainment. Always liked the sampler plate here. And the salmon with the dill rice is not to be missed. Service is so-so.
(3)
Kate H.
My favorite Mediterranean restaurant. The Fessenjan chicken with pomegranate sauce and dill rice is delightful. The hummus is great. The White Fish Persian Style was also quite good. Huge servings just the prices. The dining room can get quite hot on a warm day. We were seated in an adjacent section on the left and the seats were literally hot. That being said, the atmosphere is usually nice. The service and delivery are fast as well.
(4)
Inspector G.
Nice food in a cool atmosphere but the range of flavors is relatively limited. After about 4 trips, you'll be pretty much "Reza'd-out". The grilled mushroom appetizer alone is worth the trip. The all-you-can eat lunch buffet for $10 is a steal. The only catch - it's always the same thing. Private parking lot available across Clark Street.
(3)
Shawn J.
My first tie here, and it was pretty good! I am partial to Sultans Market in wicker, so had high expectations, with that said - Rezas met them pretty well! Sat outside, staff was freindly and attentive! Food was decetly priced and generous portions! Falafel was darn good along with the dill rice, stuffed peppers, and tomato lentil soup. Every entree gives you access to a small salad bar. Wasn't a fan of the taboulee, and I have had better pita bread, but this alone wasn't enough to keep me from going back!
(4)
jackie m.
I always neglect to review Reza's, not sure why since it's earned 5 stars from me. I cant comment on the inside dining experience since Ive always had delivery when I worked about a few blocks away. I've always ordered the lamb chops and rice w/ pita bread. Let me say DELICIOUS!!! I look forward to sitting inside the restaurant one day...if I can find a date or a friend willing to try mediteranean food. lol.
(5)
Norbert W.
good persian restaurant. outside is a little dicey. but can be fun. good mediterranean/persian selections. (not as good as homemade if you have Iranian friends) service can be hit or miss. give it a go. better than other restaurants in this class.
(3)
Mike Y.
I have eaten here many times over the years. The food is good and cheap, but not exceptional. Usually it is one of my friends that has to have Reza's and then we go. This is a place to go for good inexpensive food, but I prefer Lebanese.
(3)
Jef B.
One of our mainstays for Middle Eastern food, and we generally get a table quickly whenever we go so that's a plus. They have some work to do on service. Our waiter forgot our appetizer on the last visit. The service was overall a bit slow. My entree was no longer hot. I think the lackluster service is what knocks this back to 3 stars for us. Hopefully they read the reviews and will focus some attention on this.
(3)
Elizabeth K.
So, thanks to the city of Chicago smackdown, Andersonville has taken a turn for the dog-unfriendly. The waiter at Andie's told us that they couldn't let people eat on the patio with dogs anymore because they got cited, and all the water dishes got taken up from outside. And yet Reza's still let us eat there with our pooch, offered us some fresh water for her, and were genuinely nice to us. We had one of their sampler plates, lots of yummy vegetarian food for a fair price. We liked the food so much, we ate it again at Midsommer fest a couple of weeks ago. Great dill rice!
(4)
Jacqueline S.
I went here for the Sunday brunch a few times which includes all the items on their menu. A bit expensive but you get to try everything, have as much as you want, and it is hot and fresh. The few times I just went for dinner the service was very good but I sometimes don't order the greatest dish (usually a special not on their menu). The delivery is good - hot and fast.
(4)
April Z.
ive eaten here many times over the years and used to love this place. but the last couple of years they've really gone downhill. the prices have gone up and the food quality and overall taste has gone down. very disappointing so we have stopped going all together, i think we kept going back that last few times thinking it was just an off night, etc. but im tired of overpaying for a lackluster dish. their service has never been good...so nothing's changed there.
(2)
tessa c.
The food was amazing! Actually I loved this neighbourhood as a kid because my mom would always take me to Swedish Bakery down the street but today I discovered this place through a friend. Huge portions you definitely get your money's worth. Friendly and prompt waitstaff and we didn't have to worry about refilled water glasses because our server brought us a pitcher. I only give this place 3 stars because at least my food wasn't hot enough and that's a big no no in my book.
(3)
P K.
All about the brunch, baby! All you can eat brunch, yum. The food is relatively inexpensive, the service is very friendly, and the interior is pretty cute. There's nothing better than having a brunch here on a nice sunny day by their open windows. I love this place!
(5)
Matthew G.
There are things I like about Reza's and things I don't. The number one thing I like is the ultra-delicious Fessenjan with Duck (Duck breast with a heavenly sweet/sour pomegranate-walnut sauce). This is something I crave and is one of the only reasons I go to Reza's. Now given the strength of the Fessenjan, you'd think there were other stellar offerings on the menu. Not so, in my opinion. Whenever I have opted to detour from my heart's delight, I have been underwhelmed. Mind you, nothing was awful, but nothing was mind-blowing either. The service is usually pretty good and the kitchen operates with efficiency. The place is usually busy and they handle this well. I think what I like least about Reza's is the space itself. It is very large and cavernous with different levels. For all its spaciousness, the tables are painfully close together which results in being too close to your fellow diners for complete comfort. Also, the ceilings (at least on the first floor) are very high which results in a lot of noise. If it's crowded, conversation is difficult. I'll go to Reza's if other people want to go, but very rarely venture there on my own volition unless I'm jones-ing for the pomegranate duck.
(3)
Michael O.
Had the white fish which they claim as a house specialty and it was indeed very good. I went on a Friday, so my entree included a soup and salad bar that was also very good and very filling. The couscous went perfectly with the fish. The service was also very good the night I went. The prices are a little high, which is why I only gave 3 stars. Perhaps I was also biased because of the campaign posters for Alexi all over the place. He's not my pick, lol.
(3)
Bev h.
i am so disappointed. this place looked so cute, and it was a friend's birthday, so 4 of us made reservations for dinner last week. the place is very cozy, and i was looking forward to experiencing some good middle eastern grub. we were seated and drinks were served in a fairly timely fashion, but then things started to go downhill. Good times: -salad and soup bar comes with most meals. good soup, almost great but not quite... salad was pretty standard, but tasty. -nice ambiance Bad times: -i ordered the white fish, which was touted in the menu as one of their specialties. BLAND. if vegetable oil could be a flavor, that's what this fish tasted like. where's the seasoning? -it came with some soggy veggies, and an entire separate plate of dill rice. like, more rice than our whole table could have eaten. and it was dry and nasty. so now i am eating flavorless, dry, and soggy/nasty. pass. -our waitress just up and left right after we got our first round of drinks. as in, i saw her putting her coat on and saying goodbye to the rest of the staff and leaving. no one said anything to us until about 20 minutes later when i flagged someone down and asked what was up. that guy looked at me like i was crazy and was like, "i'm your server." well then. can i get some freaking service, dude? 2 hours. $40. my appetite. gone.
(2)
Skazoo M.
From my experience, Reza's does a few things well and the rest are average at best. Start with an order of the Vegetarian Sampler appetizer for the table. Not everything on it is great, but it gives you an overview of what flavors and textures to expect (and when else are you going to eat the Kashkeh bodemjan?). For your entree, I strongly recommend you order lamb - its the only meat they do well. And when they offer you dill or white rice, ask if you can get a half order of both. The dill rice is interesting but I get tired of it after a few forkfulls. The vegetarians I've gone with order a Vegetarian Sampler - there are 4 and I don't know which one they usually get (sorry). For drinks I usually order some dark beer (Turkish, I think) and I've only had their baklava once... OK but I'm usually full from dinner.
(4)
Sheila Y.
To begin, Reza's gets four stars because my dad's name is Reza. Next, I have only ordered the Koobideh and it was much better than anything I could get in Denver so that also moves it to the four star range. The rice was fine, but I always want more grilled tomato than any persian place will give me. The space is quite large and I am going to see if they have persian dancing any nights of the week because I miss my people. I am going to definitely come back for that and more Kabob....yumm yumm
(4)
A S.
I had heard so many good things about this restaurant before finally making a trip this week. I really really wanted to like this place. I am not sure if the place was just having an off day that particular day or maybe that's just how it is; I didn't like the food enough to go back. Or at least I won't be a in a hurry to return. We tried their lunch buffet and even though they had an awful lot of variety, my first gripe was that the food was just not hot- warm to room temperature at best. I don't want to judge Persian food just based on my experience at Reza's- will be most likely giving other Persian restaurants in Chicago a try. The kebabs were bland to say the least and I have had much better hummus and falafel elsewhere. I am not Persian but Middle Eastern by heritage- so I think I have a good idea of what good Middle Eastern food is. Albeit there are some differences, I think I know flavor when I taste it. The service was ok although I didn't like the fact that all the servers were just hovering around the buffet with one of them keeping an eye on the customers (or maybe just me?) but I definitely found that uncomfortable. I have noticed some restaurants take their food quality down a couple notches when it comes to buffet, maybe its the same case here. But I don't see returning to Reza's in the near future.
(3)
Doug W.
Love this place... Kabobs that are grilled to perfection... Appetizers that make you want the main course to be a little late... Some of the best Sangria around... Catered my wedding, good people. (The Oak Brook location needs to get up to the quality that the other two locations are at....PLEASE!!! about to lose another star)
(3)
Mikaela S.
First of all, I am a server. So when service is not that great, I really REALLY try to give the server the benefit of the doubt. We went to Reza's on a busy Saturday night. I feel like that can not be an excuse, however, as that is part of the job. When we sat down, we waited for 10 minutes before our server showed. When he finally did show, he was not very apologetic. He took our order immediately, without even looking at my fiance. Eye contact is part of what makes the dining experience. It makes the customer feel welcome. When we got our Falafels, they were cold, not even midly warm, but cold. Then we got our food, which was ok. Our server had forgotten our Diet Cokes, so I asked the busser to get one, and he was very friendly. Then I asked our server for more water. He came back, filled up my water, then slammed the pitcher down and said " Here, in case you want more." and left it sitting there, in our way, right in the middle of us. That was when I got pissed. I would NEVER EVER recomend this place to anyone. I have gone to Andies before and LOVED it. We payed WAY too much for our terribel experience at Reza's. I went against my better judgement, but you can't blame me for wanting to try something new I guess...
(1)
Jennifer T.
I used to think Reza's was a 4 star good restaurant but the meal was only so-so, the service was just ok and worst of all - it was dirty! We had to ask to have the paper table cloth changed, were given a dirty napkin wrapped around our silverware and the whole place rang of run-down, not well-kept. I hope they get it back together!
(2)
Jordan B.
I've been to Reza's three times. The first two times were disappointing. I thought the food I was served was just not that good. The meat was dry and the falafel was brick hard and horribly overseasoned. The third experience, had it been my only, would have earned Reza's five stars from me. I had some mushrooms that blew my mind away as did the Dolmeh Felfel. I think I'm going to give Reza's another shot myself based on that most recent experience.
(4)
Allen R.
What a let-down! We walked in to find three people standing at the maitre'd counter, all laughing amongst themselves -- they didn't even notice us until after several awkward seconds. The restaurant was chilly, and had its ceiling fans running, despite the 30 degree temperature outside. The menu was lengthy and indecipherable in places (think: trashy Mexican restaurant with dried salsa on some of the menu pages). They had no by-the-glass wine list to speak of, despite having a separate wine list -- I ordered Merlot of unknown vintage; it was drinkable. Not fantastic, but drinkable. The tomato lentil soup was Campbell's tomato soup with lentils and about sixteen tablespoons of dried basil and oregano stirred in: weak and overdone. The kabobs, though moist, were not 'on the stick', as any American wants it, and the oddly-shaped mound of couscous was dry and unpalatable. There were no other kabob-style vegetables in either of our dishes, but there was a good-tasting sauce made almost entirely of mushroom stems. Highlights: Delicious, fresh-from-the-oven afghan-style bread. Staring at cute guys walking along Clark St. Given its location, I thought I was going to a fresh take on middle eastern cuisine, and ended up eating at something much more low brow. Unless you're absolutely dying for Middle Eastern food and can't find a good Indian place to eat at, eat elsewhere.
(2)
Aesha W.
This place has great chicken! I've only had two items here, both chicken - one included ground chicken, however, which looked less than appetizing to me. The Reza's Special Chicken tastes fantastic, and my friend loves the entrees he's received, too. Between the two locations, they seem to deliver to half the city. The rice wasn't bad, but it was a little bland; I do like the potatoes. Since we found this place, we've ordered several times, and I'm sure it will remain part of our regular rotation! EDIT: I had to drop this place a star. The last two times we have ordered from them, they've messed up the order and it had to be sent back. When ordering, I asked for no tomato and repeated it, saying it was VERY IMPORTANT that there was no tomato included in anything. Both times, they left the tomato in. It's annoying that I can't order something the way I want it prepared and trust that it will actually arrive that way; it's even more annoying to have to wait 1 1/2 - 2 hours for your meal because the person on the phone can't take it down correctly. Edit 4/30/08: It's been at least four weeks since I've ordered from them, because of repeated problems with the order placed. I've dropped them to one star (originally 4, dropped to 3, now again) because of my disappointment in the restaurant. The last 6 times we've ordered from them, our order has been sent back 4 times. This evening, when I made it very clear to the woman I spoke with that there was to be no tomato in anything - telling her that this was extremely important, and that if there was tomato the order would be returned - I thought the problem was solved. Imagine my surprise when, while checking the items that were delivered, I found tomato in both entrees. The delivery driver kept insisting that I could just take the tomato out, but I believe that if I ordered it a particular way, that's what I should get (especially when food allergies are involved). I don't know if we'll ever order from Reza's again, and if so, I know it won't be for a long time.
(1)
Ann Y.
An update- While the service has gone down over the years and the quality is not where it used to be, I did go recently for the saturday brunch and was happy. There was a lot of options such as chicken and beef kefta, the lentil soup, pita, chicken breast and desert. Also, our server was great this time around. In the past though I have had some really bad service and they have messed my order up.
(3)
Patty V.
I have had several meals here and it has always been good. I like the lunch buffet,so much to choose from. I can't say I have ever had a bad meal here. I can't say I've ever had a stellar meal,either. Good food, great prices and a huge selection. If you can't find something to eat here,you are in trouble.There are many Middle Eastern places to eat at in Andersonville and nearby. This is one of the nicer ones, as far as atmosphere goes.
(4)
B M.
Reza's has a very healthy & tasty menu . Everything is grilled and less oily. I love their quail,salmon, shrimp and dill rice.
(5)
Gemini G.
Vegetarian alert! Vegetarian alert! You must, must, must try the vegetarian shami! You'll find it under Vegetarian Appetizers with a description that righteously includes the phrase 'savory patties.' But keep reading until you get to the part with 'delicious sweet and sour pomegranate sauce.' For $4.95, you get 3 patties that are minced green veggies coated with chickpea, so they're kind of like falafels. But the important part is the sauce, which is really more the consistency of a paste, similar to hoisin sauce, and so very exotic, fresh and tasty. Delish! We ordered one order of the shami, one vegetarian sampler, and one order of the bamieh for dessert (a light puffy pastry in some kind of syrup that was wonderful), and my husband and I could not finish it all. Everything was great; the only reason I'm dinging them a star is the steamed string beans that came with the sampler: they were very tough and chewy in texture, although the tomato sauce that came with them had great flavor. We ordered delivery from the Andersonville location, and we would highly recommend them for vegetarians!
(4)
Danielle C.
If you are hungry for a fantastic and huge brunch, go to REZAs! They have an amazing array of tasty foods! You start your feast with a glass of champagne, and can begin with fruit, shrimp, salmon, bagels, an omelet prepared by a chef, or dive into the real stuff! They have falafel, tahini sauce, an array of Mediterranean salads, Hummus to die for (I slather it over everthing) , grilled mushrooms, stuffed grape leaves, grilled potatoes, mustaccoli, white rice, dill rice, chicken kabobs, fillet minion kabobs, beef kabobs, lamb shank, mashed potatoes and more. Plus they have desserts including baklava (not too great and others). And before you ask, yes, this is from memory!! I love this grazing FEAST!! This is a meal to celebrate any event, catch up with any group of friends, and beat any hang over. It has something for everyone!! I have brought my 2 yrold niece here often, she loves the variety of foods, we can keep her happy for quite awhile here! The price is @ 25 per person! It is an awesome deal. Oh, you can also order most of the things avaliable for the buffet for dinner or lunch, so it is a great way to try new foods or to figure out what you like!
(5)
Adam S.
I've ordered delivery twice now from Reza's. The first time the delivery was a half hour late with cold food. The 2nd time they never even showed up. I called after waiting over an hour and they said the guy was out to deliver to my address right then. He never showed up. I call again a half hour later, and they say they never got my order. What a mess. I won't be ordering from them again. There are too many other good restaurants in this city to put up with this kind of incompetence.
(2)
Elyse G.
I ate a Reza's for the first time last night and was very happy with my meal. I rarely order scallops in Chicago especially not a top-notch restaurant, but I couldn't resist since the woman next to me had them as well. I ordered the scallop and shrimp kebab which was fabulous. I asked for the cous-cous rather than the rice and that was a treat. My husband had the lamb and shrimp with white rice, fragrant but boring! Two others we were with both ordered different kebabs but "mediterranian style." The "sauce" was good for my taste but perfect for them. It was too sweet and buttery for me but it wasn't bad. Just want to say great dinner, decent service and good atmosphere! **4 stars only because It's not my favorite restaurant in Chicago!
(4)
BRIAN M.
I have been here many times by myself and with friends. They have very good food. This is a Family Style restaurant and on weekends there are lots of people. I love the Chicken Kabobs, the dill rice, and the 3 appetizers tray. I can't remember how many times I have been here. But the first time many years ago the service was great, it and still is. I can reccomend this restaurant if you wanna try something different. DJ LOVE
(4)
Laura P.
I always enjoy the food here (falafel, chicken kabobs, hummus), but the service is always lacking. I took some friends here the other night and they were immediately impressed with the beauty of the exposed brick dining room, and the food was good as always. We were all disappointed in getting one drink refill in the hour and a half we were there.
(3)
Paul David W.
This is an bsolutely reliable place for good Middle Eastern food. It's a lot more expensive than a couple of other places that deliver to Rogers Park (Big Buns and Pita & Habibi) but it's a much better place to go if you're eating in. Their lamb shank is to die for! I like the huge portions even if their dill rice is a bit overrated.
(3)
Sarah F.
Reza's has a wonderful lunch buffet from 11am-3pm daily. It is really well priced and they have a wonderful selection of foods. They usually have salad, hummus, salmon, shish kabob and more. The setting is pretty classy.
(4)
Joanna B.
I was here last night for a birthday party of about 16 people and it was great. Falafel, pita and hummus, radishes and feta (tasty!), salad, soup, lamb, beef and chicken kabobs, rice and desserts. I'd never been here before and I was pleasantly suprised. I got all my favorite Middle Eastern foods and it was a very lovely evening.
(5)
Benjamin B.
food is good, service is lacking. went for a birthday dinner, we were seated in the back, where after about 10 minutes after i had been seated no one came to help us. i had to hail the server to get him to come by. food is top notch, but service sucked, after i got my meal the server never came by again. is it a middle-eastern thing? i noticed that bigger groups were waited on hand and foot... maybe go there with a larger group?
(3)
Kitty H.
Nice food, but not as great as I had hoped for. The service was pretty slow. This would be a good place to order takeout from.
(3)
Samantha T.
This past Sunday I went there for Brunch and it was the best brunch I have had to date!! For $20 it was an open buffet with your choice of a complimentry glass of champagne or sangria. My friend and I both had the sangria it was perfect. The buffet had everything for everyone. Everything was so fresh and constantly being restocked ; hummus, falafel, dill rice, pita bread with light parmesan cheese, chicken, lamb, salmon, soups, cucumber sauce, vegetarian rice, 2 salads, pasteries, fruit, omelete specials, and much more. My friend and I were in a frenzy of what to put on our plate next. You really get a bang for your buck with a wonderful atmosphere, beyond friendly staff, and out door seating. Next time I am in Andersonville for brunch there is no question where I will be going.
(4)
Jennifer L.
Good food, excellent sangria, pleasant atmosphere. I was last here for a going away party for a coworker and it was excellent once again - this is a great place for groups because they have the room to accomodate you and you're not squished. I also love to order from Rezas - they give you so much food!
(4)
Stephen S.
The food here is pretty good, but considering the price I'd look elsewhere.
(3)
Zed D.
Amazing place. A must for anyone visiting Chicago. A bit pricey though.
(5)
Sarah B.
From the loft-like interior (think brick and wood) to the overflowing menu, this restaurant nears the top of my favorites list. I've celebrated birthdays here, graduations, new jobs, etc. The food is plentiful and priced well. A fair wine selection tops off your options. Vegetarian combos are delicious--but if you have food allergies, some of the sauces may contain nuts. Best value: lamb shank. Under $11, huge and so tender, it "literally falls off the bone." (see Michael Chirarelli--I've heard that line from him more times than I can count!) Bathrooms are so-so, but clean. Service is also so-so.
(4)
Jill D.
This place gets my all-time award of all awards for The Place I Hate the Most!!! I hate it for the following reasons: 1. I am treated worse because I am a woman when I am there as compared to how men are treated there. 2. If you order a drink, the waiters look at you like you are a sinner. I have had these same complaints all the times I have been there--which is about 8. (Unfortunately I was unable to avoid going here or else I would have!)
(1)
Kathleen P.
I love this place! I don't get to the neighborhood that often, but when I do, I love to have a great Persian meal. I was delighted to find out about the lunch buffet. It's a really nice selection- something for every palate. Cold salmon, Kababs of every kind, chicken, rice dishes, soups and dessert. And it's always fun to browse through the Middle Eastern store right across the street. They have every thing from spices to tea sets & a nice selection of honey, along with some great gourmet items.
(5)
matt k.
Reza's rips. Ask for the 'special' rice. It is not on the menu, but they have it. A tad bit overpriced, but you get what you pay for.
(4)
Norman K.
One of my favorite places to eat. The food is always great and the portions (although not as large as they used to be) are plentiful. The steak filet (chengh?) is always good, but I really love the ground chicken and the steak (kaefta). The rice is awesome, and the mushroom appetizer is to die for (save the sauce to put on your rice). Service can be a bit slow when they're busy but that is to expected.
(5)
Bee B.
Reza's is a solid 3 in my book...I may have given it a 4 in the past, but I had some pretty bad service the last time I was there....We felt rushed and (WORST of all) we were served our carafe of sangria with no ice in our glasses...this is quite the travesty, as the sangria is generally quite solid and a plus point for Reza's. That being said, here are some good things about Reza's - - Sangria - It's HUGE and you can almost always get a seat right away or with minimal waiting. This includes parties of 8 on a saturday night. This feature makes Reza's a good backup when you are hungry and have just called 3 places which each have an hour and 15 minute wait. -The veggie samplers are delicious. Some of the highlights include: Shami, which is basically falafel balls in a sweet pomegranate sauce, Baba Gannouj, and Baba's cousin - a warm eggplant dish with curds and whey (i can't remember what it's called, but it's tasty), and Dolma, grapeleaves stuffed with rice. -The menu is very large and pretty much everyone, vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores alike, can all find something to eat.
(3)
steve c.
I once loved Rezas. Now Reza's is overrated. I have found there are way better restaurant's serving way better food in Chicago. The food can be good on one day and bad on another. The ambiance is nice. It is pricey and parking can be a pain.
(3)
Ila L.
The entrees were fine, but just fine. The ambiance is ok. The complimentary buffet that comes with all entrees is...well, a buffet first of all and secondly it isn't very good (the falafel was hours old). Not horrible but certainly not a destination.
(2)
Gina D.
The food here is great and so is the atmosphere. I love coming here for lunch in the summer and sitting by there floor to ceiling windows that they open up to the street side. The buffet is a great way to taste all that is on their menu and is also very affordable. Aside from that, their lentil soup is the best that I've ever had.
(4)
sandra o.
Two friends and I went to Rezas yesterday in the evening. We had a great time there. The service was excellent. My one friend did not arrive until an hour after we did. We apologized for the hold up. The staff was great. They said, "no problem." We found the staff to be friendly. The owner came to our table to ask us how things were going. We remained in the restaurant about three hours. We did not feel pressured to hurry up and leave. We all had the buffet which contained a variety of foods. I am an occasional meat eater. My friends were raving over how great the lamb was, so I tried. It was great. We all enjoyed the falafel, hummus, the saffron rice, the green salad and the rest of the buffet. I will definitely be going back occasionally. I cannot afford to often spend $16.95 + to eat out. The ambience was nice.
(4)
Rox P.
ok, i am going to go out on a limb here and say i am probably the most qualified person to write a review for this place. i have been going to this location since it opened, back in the early 80s. while all the cool kids had their birthday parties at mcdonalds, i was having mine at reza's. lamb koubideh, anyone? at some point i stopped asking (back then, the all iranian, male waitstaff) for hot dogs, and started enjoying the authentic persian cuisine. come on, who doesn't love a kabob. but obviously things have changed. reza's is no longer a hole in the wall, one location, diamond in the rough. now they have several locations (even in a holiday inn in oakbrook--yikes); they cater to a much larger group, reeling you in with their mediterranean and vegetarian cuisines; and their prices have literally skyrocketed while the portions have slimmed down. back then you could walk in, sit down at the table, order enough entrees for a family of four, and get by without spending more than 30 bucks, tip included. today, you are lucky if you get two meals for that. the soup they give you as soon as you sit down--that used to come in a much larger bowl. the feta cheese and radish combo--that used to be COMPLIMENTARY, and the flat bread--well that used to be an endless basket of hot pita bread. if you are like me and enjoy meat any chance the opportunity arrises, you are going to order from the steak/kabob/chicken part of the menu. the sultani (half steak kabob, and half ground beef kabob) is a must. the koubideh, chengeh, and the shishleek are all good options depending on your beef preference. it probably has to be mentioned, that one of the main ingredients in preparing persian food is the onion. so get ready to taste whatever you eat tonight, tomorrow morning. the vegetarian platters are also a must. it also seems the biggest bang for your buck. you get the dolmeh, the tabouli, baba ghannouj, and about 6 other options. remember, a true iranian does not order the garden salad for an appetizer. you're going to see us with some kind of eggplant item smothered in a yogurt or tahini sauce. and now, for dessert. the bamieh is the only iranian pastry on the menu. it looks a little bit like a hot dog and a little bit like an eclair and it tastes like a syrup-y, damp, flaky donut. i still don't know what to make of the bamieh except that it's 1.75 and that's probably still too much for it. i suppose you could order the chocolate cake. it might help dispel that onion taste that has now taken root in your taste buds. up to you. so, to conclude. reza's--less like a diamond in the rough and more like a chain restaurant. you can still order excellent food, but the prices are outrageous for the portions, so maybe stop next door to andies for a little cheaper version of basically the same thing.
(3)
Jill k.
considering the sheer amount of food one gets here, this place is a bargain, at about $15 an entree. the entrees are huge though, with enough sides for at least two people. i had the lamb kabobs with the persian salad, which were perfect. lovely place, friendly service; i would certainly return!
(5)
Mike P.
One of my friends told me about Reza's while looking to get something to eat. My experiences so far with them have been great. I usually come for the lamb chops (outstanding!), but also try the salmon and scallops. Their dill rice is a must! The pita bread/feta cheese platter and lentil soup is a meal in itself. To top that off, service is usually very good. It does get crowded in there on the weekends, but they have plenty of space to accommodate that. But as long as I have my sangria (which they make so well)--it's all good!
(4)
Chanita S.
I normally wouldn't say this, but YUCK! When I was apartment hunting around Andersonville, I decided to check this place out to see what kind of places I'd be getting myself into. This place looked pretty cool from the outside, and to be honest it wasn't so bad inside as well. However, food was terrible. There were some cool paintings dispalyed on the wall for sale for way overpriced. They're nice to look at, but I wouldn't spend that much on them. I ordered a steak dish which felt like it was frozen or premade way earlier during the day, and all they did was rewarmed it. I could be wrong, but that's what it tasted like. There was an unlimited soup and salad bar that came with the deal. Sounds exciting, right? Think again. I only filled up once because it was that bad. Server was nice. I was there in the winter and I had to keep my jacket on because it was frigid in there. I know they have a downtown location that I'm definitely not checking out. I'm no expert when it comes to Mediterranean food, but I know it wasn't made right. Spent $50 on 2 people....never again.
(1)
Bambi B.
You can count on Rezas for a moderately priced meal in a nice atmosphere. I like the shrimp and the duck, but find both the turkey and the beef to be unpredictable. But it's a nice date place.
(4)
Manj B.
Went there with a big group of friends (about 16 people) and the service was great. The food was good too, portions huge, but nothing special. I was expecting more from what I had heard from others about it. But I'll give it another try before I completely decide.
(3)
Crafty K.
I'd say this restaurant is pretty good...not fabulous. It's great in the warmer months to sit by the open doors. It's a great place to eat when you have a large group because there is plenty of seating. The food is good, you get a lot and the service is good. I'd say, however, if you're looking for better versions of these items go to Noon O' Kabob on Kedzie.
(3)
John S.
Really good food, and fast delivery. We got lamb and chicken cabobs, and Reza's potatos. Done it twice. With the dill rice. Very good stuff.
(4)
PJ K.
Not the world's most wonderful restaurant, but an excellent "all-purpose" place -- the dining room is nice enough for dinner with a date but casual enough to drop by late at night. A bit expensive for casual dining, but the portions are big enough that you can split an entree two ways. They deliver to a huge area at all manner of bizarre hours. The menu is varied enough to accomidate vegetarians, vegans, hard-core carnivores, and even really picky eaters.
(4)
Marc M.
Cant trust a Mediterranean restaurant that doesn't have good lamb. Ive had 3 different lamb dishes there all have been sub par. Andies is a much better option and right next door. I gave 2 stars as all my vegetarian friends seem to like Rezas better than Andies. So if you are a veggie you have better choices here i believe
(2)
John F.
Very good Persian food with a large variety of kebab choices and combos and enough vegetarian stuff to keep vegetarians happy. A bit cheaper and simpler than neighboring Andie's and as it is Persian it has some dishes that do not appear in Arabic cuisine, like fessanjan. As you notice, however, I am only giving it three stars. The reason is that I've heard bad things about this places sanitary practices and food sourcing from two distinct parties who do not know one another. I have been back since then, but am always a bit hesitant. I don't want to libel anyone, but when you hear the same things twice it makes you suspicious.
(3)
D L.
first of all, i'm rating the Andersonville location. not sure why, but the food is consistently better here than the downtown location. I love their Lamb Shank and dill rice. So tasty. And the portions are very generous. I never leave hungry. The kebabs are great as well. Great for groups, and reasonably priced.
(4)
Linda S.
I heart their lamb shank -- literally "falling off the bone" tender. Yum! There is one dish that I don't recommend here, which is the fessenjan with cornish hen. On the menu it is marked as "Superb" but the presentation was quite disappointing and the pomegranate sauce was too sweet. Other favorites include their baba ghannouj, grilled potatoes, and their kabob koubideh. On evenings when the weather permits, they open up their french doors to create an ambience for romantic dining.
(4)
Ebru Y.
I used to go to Reza's at least once a week back when I used to work in Andersonville. The food here is absolutely amazing. There is so much flavor that you can't just pick out which one is the best. The meat is so delicious you want to go back for more. It literally crumbles in your mouth.I say go back because they have open buffet style lunch or you can also just have your order taken by a waiter. I also really like the bread here, I am not sure if it's Iranian bread? The prices are very reasonable and service is super fast and friendly.
(5)
Halisa V.
I love this place!!! The buffet on the weekdays are amazing. The Kabob meat is tender and juicy and our server was always nice (every time we went). I would go here anytime!
(5)
Justin E.
I was here back in July, during a nice cool spell in Chicagoland. My father and I were walking around downtown when we happened to stop in the Tourist Info Office and asked about good exotic cuisine in the area. He recommended this place and an Indian restaurant called Kashmir in our hotel. We decided on Reza's and got to walking. Though the restaurant could not have been more slow - literally I read a bunch of reviews about this, and it was sooo true - the food made up for the wait. If I hadn't been worried about walking all the way back to the hotel, I probably wouldn't even have minded the wait. The food was incredible, I had the koubideh and my father had the same. We sampled the free appetizer buffet, which they kindly recommended in lieu of ordering appetizers. Everything in the buffet was incredible, from the falafel to the pita to the soups (lentil soup is amazing). Try this place, you will love the atmosphere and the food, just clear your schedule.
(4)
Kari S.
I have been here for lunch several times, and I have mixed feelings. I am not a buffet person, but it seems to be the only option when coming here. Its quite pricey for lunch, but there are a lot of food choices- Hummus, mixed vegetables, soup, salad, falafel, chicken and beef kebobs, salmon, etc. I think I would like it better as a dinner spot and without the luring buffet. Staff is friendly and attentive and its very clean. Would be a great spot for a large party. I believe there are private rooms available.
(3)
Julie S.
By far the best sea bass I have had in a long time. My husband enjoyed his lamb shank very much. The grilled mushroom appetizer that they recommend is excellent, if you like mushrooms and the hummus w/ sesame bread was standard - just OK. The wine list had some good and very cheap (quality) wines that were way overpriced. Go with the by the glass option or just stick to reasonably priced beers. Our waitress gave good recommendations but she was extremely shy & soft spoken. It is a huge place with a very diverse crowd and an overall great dinner experience.
(4)
J T.
I don't get it. The one time I've been there, the food was simply mediocre and the service horrid.
(2)
catherine t.
I went to Reza's for the first time for a weeknight dinner, and was pleasantly surprised. The service was phenomenal--very friendly, quick, and accommodating. The food was good, and the proportions were gigantic. I'm pretty sure 4 people could have eaten what was on my plate--add to that the buffet with endless falafel, hummus, salad, and soup and you have a downright feast. The tomato lentil soup was very good, as were the falafel and the dill rice. Overall, it was a great experience, and I will definitely be back.
(4)
Nando R.
I liked this place somewhat more than my wife did. I like the flavor of their meat shish kabob. I like the fact that unlike most food in America, this isn't overly spicy - but I didn't find it bland. I had a dish with great meat and great plain rice. The service was far from best and the open kitchen made us leave smelling like... well, mediterranean food. Also the portions are indeed big, so unless you eat A LOT, it's a good idea to split.
(3)
Christina Z.
Excellent Persian food -- I got the Vegetarian Special, and was delighted with the platter full of colorful, fresh, well-seasoned vegetable dishes. The lentil soup that I had as a starter was also incredibly savory. The dining area is very spacious, so you'll never have trouble finding seating here.
(4)
Adam L.
Reza's is home to some amazing mediterranean food. I particularly enjoy the kabob selection and the delicious sea bass. Unfortunately, the food is overpriced, and the waiters are overworked during peak hours and it shows. If you've never tried mediterranean cuisine give Reza's a shot, but don't be disappointed when the bill comes, or when your sever doesn't.
(3)
Amanda K.
Reza's is so good!! I have not been to this one, but my work is down the street from the one in the burbs, and it did not dissapoint. I am extremely extremely picky with my middle eastern food, and was definitely impressed. We got the buffet, and the hummus, bhaba ghanuj, and the chicken were so so good. highly recommend this place.
(5)
Nicole V.
I've been to Reza's a number of times, but for some reason my experience last night led me to finally write a review. My previous visits to Reza's were always for brunch/buffet/dinner, but last night I went there with a couple of friends for light drinks and appetizers. We requested seating outside along the side of the building and it was a perfect night for it. After ordering a pitcher of red sangria we settled on ordering the vegetarian appetizer platter consisting of dolmeh, falafel, kashkeh bodemjan, hummus,and tabbouli. We also ordered the definitive favorite of the night...maust museer (creamy yogurt, flavored with shallots and dill) along with a chicken and quail kabob. The service initially was a little much. They were trying to push a couple of bottles of wine at us right as we sat down (it felt the the wine must not be selling), but after we were settled in and our order was taken the evening was really enjoyable. Good food, great atmosphere, attentive service and stimulating conversation. We had a great time, didn't break the bank...and there was even a little left over to take home!
(4)
Maria W.
We hadn't gone to Reza's for a while because we had been regular take-out customers up to about a year ago, but then, it started to go downhill. Anyway, we've dined here twice in the past few weeks and the food was excellent, fresh, and delicious. The wines by the bottle are reasonably priced and so are the beers. Delicious kabobs and lamb shank.
(4)
Ellen M.
This is my favorite Reza's. I found out they opened one in Oakbrook recently, but I don't think I'll try it. I like the Andersonville neighborhood, and I associate this place with it. The food is good middle eastern, and they serve a mean lamb. The servers practically dote on you, it's a great feeling.
(4)
Dr. N.
Divine shami. The food here is very good, but the problem is that it is overpriced. I thought the buffet would increase my value, but some of the items were under the places usual standards. Andies is a better value and has yummier rice . But Rezas shami - sort of like falafil patties with a rich pomegranite walnut sauce is absolutely delectable. The meats are well flavored and tender. The sangria is too good - hire a cab or get a designated driver.
(3)
Rachel R.
I ate at Reza's in 1997 and I still dream about the fantastic grilled potatoes and the humus. I am not a connesieur of Persian food, but I would never visit Chicago without dining at Reza's.
(5)
Mary C.
Reza's offers great food, good service and lots of variety. The inside decor is kind of cold, but when I am being served great food who cares about the decoration! It's a bit pricey, but you always get large portions and plenty of extras. I like their Sunday buffet, which has an ungodly amount of food on it. Kudos to them for being open late as well!
(4)
Arjun C.
I have never had a bad meal here. I have also never been able to eat more than 1/4 of what was on my plate. So keeping the doggy bag aspect in mind, this price is right. This stuff also keeps reasonably well in the fridge. But here's the thing: has anything here ever tasted REALLY good? That is, better than something from the falafel stand at the mall, or a little dump like "The Nile" in Hyde Park? There I'm not so sure.
(4)
a w.
This is an awesome mediterranean restraunt. They have really tasty food and an awesome restraunt. You will really enjoy the food and atmosphere at this restraunt. The service is great and the portions are big -- don't miss this one!
(5)
nicole r.
How can you not like this place? It's big enough that you hardly ever have a wait, and the food is always delicious. The menu is ginormous, so everyone should be able to find something. Took the rents there and they even liked it. Dill rice rules!
(4)
Jaclyn C.
I've eaten here with my family and boyfriend. It's an Andersonville staple, and has a wide range of food and large portions at prices you'd expect.
(4)
Jay K.
This place has been reviewed to death, but it is my favorite Mediterranean restaurant so far. I'm obsessed w/ kefta-kabob. A great value for the weekday buffet at $10. I always crave this place post-call as it's the only time I can make it on a weekday for lunch. I always like their stews and the "filet mignon" kabob (come on, is it really filet mignon?) are pretty good dishes; I just hope it isn't really filet mignon, b/c the well-doneness to which they cook their filet mignon kabob is a travesty and really a waste of good meat to treat it thusly. The cold salmon never really looks that appetizing. Mushrooms are extremelly greasy (although supposedly a trademark dish of their's). I enjoy their hummus and baba ganouj. The tomato-sauce vegetable rice is very tasty as well. This place is worth patronizing time and again. Strangely enough the Swedish joints in the neighborhood don't seem as friendly; First time I walked into a bunch of them I received a palpable cold shoulder.
(4)
Mary L.
went to reza's last nite for dinner and had a great experience. the service started out kind of slow but then got much better. we had falafel for our appetizer and it was so yummy! then we got our soups which were also very good (we had vegetable and chicken soup) and for our entree i had lamb kebobs and my husband had lamb loin chops. they were awesome! the portions were huge! we ended up taking some home. we (i) decided that we should get dessert so we tried the raspberry cheesecake and it was probably the best cheesecake i have ever had! overall it was a great experience. i highly recommend and will definitely be back!
(5)
Rory G.
Okay first off I am biased, I've been coming to this restaurant since I was 7, and my family knows the owner. I am still trying to be a fair judge here hence why the 4 stars. The food is very good, the service acceptable, and the commercials horrible. The plates of food are enormous but so are the bills considering that half the plate is dill rice - being Asian I don't complain. Sitting outside during the summer really brings this place up a notch but there are only about 5 tables out there. Maybe it's the whole effect of being a kid and you think that your backyard looks like the size of Soldier field, that Now or Laters were the ambrosia of the Gods and that on your Big Wheel you were indestructible; but the food is not of the same caliber it used to be. Maybe I'm the jaded adult who can never go back to his childhood but I would give anything to go back to the days when there was only one Reza's and not three, the owner made the rounds and there was enough food on your plate to last for breakfast, lunch and dinner but it only lasted the night since you took the big plate to be a challenge...
(4)
Mark P.
Excellent lunch buffet with kebabs, falafel, and other Middle Eastern standards.
(3)
H M.
This has the best mediteranean food! They have the best kabobs and give you plenty of food. When you order anything, you will get soup, bread, feta cheese and garnishes as an appetizer. Also, each kabob comes with a plateful of meat, rice, and veggies. It is very big so you don't normally have to wait too long. It is also reasonably priced and you don't have to wait forever for your food. I am Armenian and I have been eating that type of food since I was little. It does not compare to any other place. They have a very large variety to choose from so you cannot go wrong. They also deliver, even in the suburbs. We cater from their for big events all the time. I highly recommend you check this place out.
(5)
Stephanie M.
I've been going here since I was like 12 or 13. Sadly the quality isnt as good as it used to be but it is STILL good. The best thing here is the lamb shank. It is tender and falls off the bone. You will be so full eating here...u start out with pita and radishes , parsley, feta, you get soup, then the main entree. Lots of rice comes with it. This place delivers too.
(4)
Issa K.
I went here with some friends, Now the food was good it was not the best medditerainian food, but good enough too write home about. The interior was nice though definetely somewhere to take a date too but not a food critic. The prices were fairly reasonable, the food was made family style, and for about two people. I had the chicken and lamb kakbobs, with the rice which were good but still I reiterate not great. Theres also a private parking lot for the patrons of rezas ducked away in a little hole in the wall but still its FREE parking who cares what it looks like the only reason I did not give this place four stars was becuase the service was a little slow adn after they brought us our food they did not check on us for like 25 min. otherwise they would have been a 4-5 star restuarant oh well just stay on your feet becuase these guys wont be!!
(3)
Elizabeth C.
Good food, very busy restraunt. It cracked me up when a friend ordered a martini and asked if they had any sort of suffed olives. The server said "yes, they're stuffed with those red things."
(3)
Amanda G.
A Persian friend brought me here and it was fabulous. I'm far from an expert on Persian food, but I'll go back. Big portions in a big restaurant. YUM.
(4)
Yan P.
I ended up at reza's for a sunday brunch sort of by accident. Now I have nothing against mediterranean food, but the brunch buffet which ran $20 was simply way overpriced. You can't charge that kind of money for a self service buffet that includes (admittedly not bad tasting) but very standard food. Reza's needs to get over itself and lower the prices. I feel like they have high prices to maintain a high class image, but come on.... I have no problem paying $100 for a meal if it blows my mind, but I do have a problem with a $20 meal that should cost $10. Sorry Reza's, thumbs down from me. I should add though, that the waitstaff was very nice and friendly. Good service, good place, just...lower your prices to a more appropriate level. Thanks!
(2)
Jesster A.
Jill, Jill! I know a few folks complained about long winded reviews... but please dearheart, no one meant that reviews should be THIS sparing with words... We'd really like to know, "What'd ya think?" (Especially about REZA - since I used to really like it - but haven't been there in a long while...)
(3)
RJ W.
Been back a few times since my last review. The food is always good and solid, the service has been great...,.it is back on my 'Where do you want to go to dinner at the last minute' list...yea!
(4)
Nick M.
Not qualified to review the "mediterranean" items, but the beef and shrimp were very good. Very large portions. Maybe a little expensive.
(3)
Jarod P.
Four stars for the lunch buffet - never ordered a meal here and never been here any other time of day. Load up on the fliet mignon, the lamb, the chilled salmon and the dill rice - it's an overload of savory.
(4)
Jolie R.
Wandering around Andersonville, as we do most places, we stopped (no, I actually dragged my s-o) into Reza's. I love mediterannean food and had wanted to give it a try for awhile. We loved it! The waitstaff is very friendly, service was a little slow, but the fantastic meal made up for it. The lentil soup is just the right spicy and tasted wonderful. Hummus and baba ghanoush was terrific and the main meal, lamb shank fell off the bone and was pleasurable to the tongue. We liked it so much, we stopped in again for brunch one Sunday, and found they started serving a brunch buffet every week. We declined it, ordered tasty appetizers with their great warm naan and were satisfied with what we got. I will say, I'll only go back on a non-buffet day since the food served on our plates by the waitstaff was the same food at the buffet - we watched them put it on the plates.....one star is lost because of this.
(4)
Bella D.
Yes, came here again for their lunch buffet over the weekday and weekend within 2 weeks. Good and friendly service. Good kabob foodies and treats. Their buffet is great to get a quick fix on your kabobs and fallafels plus other treats like their deserts and soups/salads, etc. I love eating a little bit of this and that and their buffet is perfect for that.
(4)
Phil K.
Reza's used to be a great neighborhood spot, but has gone seriously downhill the last couple years. We used to love the lentil soup and plate of radishes & feta cheese that used to come complimentary, but now the soup was watery and not particularly distinguishable from a can of Campbell's, and no more radishes/feta. Seems in their rush to appeal to the changing (upscale'ing) neighborhood, they've dumbed down the food a bit and gone for the money grab. Can't really blame 'em too much, but seeing Passion Fruit Martinis on the menu now, I dunno... The grilled meats are alright, but aren't cooked very well. The beef seemed of decent quality, but there didn't seem to be any char or anything. The prawns and scallops were of only mediocre quality. I think I like Noon-O-Kebab better
(2)
Vanessa M.
I wish I could give this place zero or negative stars! The effect the food had on my stomach was PURE AGONY!!! My stomach was in knots all day and the next after eating the food there. It's way over priced and the discomfort I had to experience was definitely a horrific experience. Save yourself the pain! Don't do it!
(1)
Alexis S.
I went here on a Wednesday night. The weather was nice so we were able to sit outside. The place was pretty empty overall. The menu is pretty extensive with a lot of options, including some vegetarian choices. I ended up getting the white fish and my S.O. got the salmon kabob. Both were served with vegetables and dill rice. The meals also came with soup (unidentifiable) and pita bread. We tried the baba-ganoush for an appetizer and it was just "okay". I ordered a sangria, (for only $4!!), which was VERY good. Our server was an older Russian woman who was very forward and said whatever was on her mind, whether it was politically correct or not. Anyway, she was a character and very attentive. I had been wanting to go to Reza's for a long time, and now that I have finally made it, I will probably never go back, simply because there are so many places in Chicago I have yet to try.
(3)
Tony S.
Yikes, I don't get why there are so many positive reviews of this dump. Cold falafels, mediocre kabobs and a giant a-hole of a waiter made this a truly awful experience. The food next door is far better, and less expensive. I think this place is skating by on it's popular name and awful commercials.
(1)
rebecca g.
the delectable vegetarian shami (falafel in pomegranate sauce) is my only reason to go here. otherwise, I find Reza's very overpriced, so-so, and lacking a variety of quality options for vegetarians who can't eat their weight in hummus and baba ghannouj. to be fair, the starters are nice (lots of salty feta, radishes, pita, and tomato-dill soup) and the entrees are huge--but how much dill rice and plain grilled veggies can one person eat? i'm not a fan of their taboule (ho-hum), or their hummus or baba (really bitter and weird aftertaste), so unless i order meat i always feel cheated. $15 for a vegetarian sampler is ridiculous, when there are so many comparable middle eastern restaurants within walking distance. the meat dishes, though more exciting, are still pretty darned pricy and i usually leave feeling ripped off.
(3)
Rachelle G.
I have been coming here for a few years on and off and went back again last night. I like Reza's because they are roomy enough to take large parties on Friday nights. We had no problems with getting a table for eight immediately upon entering. The food is good, not the best, but enjoyable enough. I think it lacks a bit of seasoning. A few in my party asked for hot sauce and were pleasantly surprised at how spicy it was, they are used to restaurants having tame sauces. The portions are huge, I believe most dishes are accompanied by a plateful of rice. The staff is accommodating, but there are times where they tend to just hover in groups together. Overall, a good place to check out if you've never been. In a great neighborhood where you can do a bit of walking after your meal.
(4)
Kristen M.
I have been to Reza's several times, and always thought it was very tasty, though slightly overpriced. I've even brought out of town guests there. I hadn't been there in about 3 years and was very excited to go back yesterday. It was awful from the start. There was hardly anyone in the place, and we had a reservation for 7 people. The host seemed annoyed, I think even rolled his eyes as he sat my fiance and I, the first 2 to arrive for our group. I don't remember them not having air conditioning, but they didn't have it and it was over 80 degrees all day yesterday. No one came by to offer us a drink for over 15 minutes. I guess they were waiting until the other members of our party showed. The service was terrible the whole way through. I asked for a glass for the one bottle of wine we ordered. After 15 minutes, another member of my party got it from a busboy. It took over 2 hours from when everyone got there until we left, and this was without appetizers or dessert. And we were one of the only tables in the place! The food was not nearly as good as I remember. Both my fiance and I received different items on our plate than what we ordered. (We both ordered dill rice, I got couscous with fruit and he got white rice.) My couscous was hard and dry, as though it had either been severely overcooked or severely undercooked. The highlight of the evening came when I was eating my stuffed pepper, which truly was good, and something sharp stabbed me in the gums. I spit it out to find an inch and a half long metal shard. When we informed the staff, their response was. Oh. Well, do you want another dinner. No apology, no credit on our $200 bill, no dessert or drink for everyone, just another dinner that is now sitting untouched in my refrigerator. At least this one has dill rice.
(1)
Carol H.
The food is healthy and fantastic, of course, but overly expensive for this neighborhood. Lately, they seem to have a problem turning on enough air conditioning in the main diningroom. They leave the doors in the front open in the summer, so the hot air comes into the room. I generally ask to be seated on the side street, where it's cooler. If you just want a quick healthy lunch in this neighborhood, I recommend "A Taste of Lebanon" 2 blocks south on the corner of Clark and Foster Avenue. They sell lentil soup as good as Rezas for just $2.99 and chicken charwama for around $3.99.
(4)
Rachel S.
How this place didn't have a higher rating is what made me write a review. What is not to love about this place?! I love the Reza's special chicken with the dill rice and the AMAZING pita bread. Yum! My sister even had her rehearsal dinner there - well at the one downtown, but same thing.
(5)
Halisa V.
No matter what, I am always in the mood for Middle Eastern food so Reza's always would hit the spot. I have been over 30+ times and every time it was a good experience. I love when they have the buffet specials. I know they have lunch buffets but I remember they had Iftar buffets during Ramadan too. The Beef, Lamb and Chicken Koubideh Kabob are my absolute favorites with their white or dill rice! Also their other kabobs, lamb dishes and fish dishes are very good. My family and I hosted several dinner parties at this location as well on the upper floor. The service was great and they constantly were refilling the plates and attending to our guests. Overall I love this place!
(5)
Sarah T.
The falafel with the pomgagnent sauce was my all-time favorite! ORDER THAT! Other than that, the food here is overpriced. Go somewhere else. There are plenty of middle easter food worth the money and definitely better quality.
(2)
Nick R.
I really enjoy coming here for the lunch buffet! It's about $10 and stocked with delicious foods. Beef lamb and chicken kabobs, falafel, rice, biryani, for some reason they have mashed potatoes which does not fit the theme but I am not complaining as it's pretty darn good. The food is usually very tasty and fresh. The bread is also awesome. No complains on the food. Most of the staff is nice but sometimes the can have an attitude. Sometimes takes forever to get drinks refilled. I really dislike that they gouge up the price of the lunch Buffett to 15.95 instead of 10 on holidays such as Presidents' Day when there is no school. Seems shady.
(3)
JL Q.
This restaurant, in it's location for as long as I can remember about 25 years, is a staple of ethnic cooking in Chicago. Their cuisine is persian and it's delicious and dependable. For all the years I have dined there over the past 25 years, the food taste and quality has never changed. A kabob is a kabob, but their dill rice is incredible and unique. I chose the marinated chicken on the bone with dill rice for my dinner. My husband and I also split an order of tabouleh that was very delish. I have to give props to my friend and neighbor, though, who makes his special by adding fresh mint to his and that really kicks it off but this was good nevertheless. My husband chose the combination beef and boneless chicken and he said both were moist and tender, which is the same, 'ole dependable way it always is. Service is very attentive and everything our party ordered was delivered with no changes required. Call this place dependable, reliable, consistent and delicious, and visit it soon.
(4)
Theresa F.
Most of the bad reviews mirrored whatever the hell it was we experienced here today, so I'll try not to add to the redundancy. *We were shouted at when our party did not all arrive at the same time. (They had at least 10 open tables...so I'm not sure why this was a problem.) *No menus were provided until 3/4 of the way of our self-guided "Sunday Brunch" (so we confusedly proceeded to the buffet) *No water refills throughout the duration of the meal *We had to retrieve our own tab as our waiter (whoever that was) was nowhere to be found...and even then he ended up overcharging us for a guest at our table who did not partake in the buffet. Need I say more? If you don't want to take my word for this hell-hole of a restaurant, go and read the last 30 million reviewers who had similar things to say. We can't all be wrong..
(1)
Sarah G.
This place is huge inside. I mean gigantic. And when you walk in and see how big it is, then there is actually more space in party rooms downstairs and other hallways that leads to who knows where! Such a big big restaurant, so I expected big things, but the food really was just so so to me. I had great company though and the service was so friendly, just thought we'd get a little more flavor in this place. The falaffel was a little dry...and no matter how much hummus I put on it, I didn't like it anymore. Their kabob meat was actually okay though with the lamb definitely being the best meat by far. The chicken again seemed overcooked to me, but they are definitely very generous in their portions that they serve you here! You get lots of rice on the platters, some veggies, and then all of the meet. So it made for a great group dining experience since we could easily share and sample everything bite by bite. Their other side salads like tabouleh and such were also all fine, but again nothing super incredible but definitely good side dishes to accompany everything else that we ordered. Their sangria they serve (also not sure why they serve sangria exactly?) also packed a secret punch I think so be careful if you order that!
(3)
Gwen D.
In Andersonville for shopping, my mother and I wandered into Reza's for the $10 lunch buffet. (A relic of another time, right?) At first I grumbled to Mom about the critical reviews on Yelp, but by the end of our meal, I was eating crow with my lip-smacking lamb kabobs. While I wouldn't make a special trip for the lunch buffet itself, I'd stop in again for a fresh, filling Mediterranean meal! RECOMMEND: Those lamb kabobs (wow!), the falafel, the dill rice, the garlic-studded flatbread that's brought to the table and the tart lemonade that's included in the cost of the buffet. NOT: the bland hummus or the cucumber salad, which would've benefitted from a sprinkle of sumac or another spice.
(4)
Kris P.
Lunch buffet is simply amazing :) , just a quick tip for the kitchen, please make sure it doesn't get cold. Super polite service, easy parking and good drinks.
(4)
David C.
When I first moved to Andersonville 17 years ago, I ate at Reza's and experienced hands down the worst and rudest service I have ever come across at any restaurant EVER. The one thing I remember most clearly: the server clicked his tongue at us for leaving a less-than-desirable tip. Clicked. His. Tongue. And let's be clear: he didn't deserve a penny. We wrote a letter to management about the poor experience but received no response. I vowed never to return... and never have. 17 years later, I wonder how much money they've lost from me over the years - not to mention all the folks I send to Andies when asked for a recommendation for Mediterranean food. First impressions matter. A lot.
(1)
Amanda D.
I'm not sure what the difference between this Reza's is and the one downtown is, but this was easily one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had. To make things worse, I wanted to bring my mom here for mother's day, and it was just a terrible experience. First of all, the service was awful. When the server came up, she did not even ask if we wanted something to drink. When I asked for water, she started turning around before asking my mom or boyfriend if they wanted something to drink. She never came back for our silverware, and we did not have salt, pepper or somaq. She didn't even refill our water until she heard us complain. The service took a turn for the worse when our food came. Our rice was cold, very greasy, and uncooked. My mom's kabob kubideh was still red on the inside, but they insisted that it was medium-well. As someone who has eaten A LOT of kabob in her life, I know kubideh is never dark pink on the inside. When my mom complained, she had to talk to two servers and they acted as if she should eat it anyway. One server tried to convince me I did not know what medium-well was. Then, we talked to the manager, who was very useless. He did not apologize. He did not say he would talk to the chef. He did nothing. This experience was absolutely horrible. I am so confused, but it definitely ruined Reza's for me. I will be much more hesitant in recommending them in the future and will certainly advise against anyone going to this location.
(1)
Dave K.
Top. Notch. Food. That deserves a line unto itself. Reza's is on a corner intersection, ideally located across from a Starbucks. I walked in, and was seated about in the middle of the restaurant, between the front window and the buffet. I opted for the falafel as an appetizer (my first and now definitely not my last time of having it), and the lamb kebab platter as what came to be a HUGE entree!!!! a big platter of bread to go with it, and it was enough food for 2 meals. The tomato and mint (an Iranian traditional taste) is strongly recommended, and it came with onions as well. If you are deliberating about a great place to go in Edgewater, I have one word for you: GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO You will not be dissapointed!!!!
(5)
Nurmuhamed U.
Website says birthday discount of 20% with proof. They denied it though, apparently some kind of coupon is required, which website mentions nothing about. Place was pretty busy so maybe they didn't care much about a few customers being dissatisfied. Waiter just brought a jug of water and placed it on the table without any glasses. After asking a few of times and being ignored, we just stopped by bar and got glasses ourselves.
(2)
Mathieu B.
Okay! So it was my second time at this establishment and I have to change my review. I am never coming back here and I urge people to not bother either. So, when we arrived at 1pm on a Monday for lunch, we were refused seating at a table that we requested because it was reserved for another guest. This was okay and understandable. We ended up sitting at a very comfortable area and were the only guests in this area which meant that we could giggle and speak freely. When the waitress arrived, to my surprise, she was unfamiliar with the menu????!!!! This I forgave and proceeded to place our orders. The drinks took over 33 minutes to arrive at our table because she had forgotten and when I ordered my gin and tonic, the bartender brought over a glass with gin, a splash of tonic and another glass of ice. I had never been served g&t in this manner in my life! Sufficed to say thatI hated my drink, it was by far the worst thing that I had ever had. As I had decided to grab the buffet, I was surprised that some of the hotplates were empty and there was barely any variety at all. My friends meals took over 45 minutes to arrive from when we had ordered them, with one of my friends asking 4 times,"where is our food?" Baring in mind, its a Monday and the place was not full at all. Sufficed to say we are never going back and I would urge people to not go there either, the place is clearly run by people who have no idea what they are doing.
(1)
MC B.
Had dinner again here last night with two others and was very disappointed The lentil soup was fabulous but every thing else was just okay. The salmon was a bit dry, rice seems to be of inferior quality, the mince kabobs were ehhhhh. I almost cried when I took my first bite of Kashk Bademjon as it was no where near a properly cooked dish. Wait staff, servers, bus boys, and table staff should be very proud of the wonderful job that they do. I think a number of restaurants should model their staff after Reza's front of house staff.
(3)
Penny L.
Sunday Brunch for your special occasion. The spread laid out was enjoyed by our large party of 80. Found free street parking nearby. DH walked half meter with sound equipment. We were permitted to set up after calling days in advance. Oops, sent upstairs. Walked a flight of stairs. Didn't see an elevator. Found out wrong party room. Upstairs for more intimate parties. Has bar area. Went back downstairs to the main floor private space. Floor to ceiling windows brought Chicago sunshine to light up the space. There is a side entrance on Berwyn Ave. White table cloth. Paper on top. Empty glasses. Utensils wrapped in ruby cloth dinner napkins. Pitchers of water and soda set out. Rectangular length tables seated 12 to 16. Mobile coat rack present. Booster seats available. Washroom accessible downstairs, with very visible signs. The room was set to seat 100. Tried to play children party game but had to modify due to space. Best to have sit down games. Staff and owner? very accommodating. Explained buffet setting. Asked if there were plenty of seats. Helped bring in more tables to set up gift and dessert table. Were permitted to bring sweets. There was always a staff member present to assist. Always checking with hosts and guests. Allowed to decorate at 11am. Guests were trickling in due to cramped street parking. Best to tell guests to plan for traffic and parking. Best to wear comfy shows. The private room connected to main dining room has a small slope. So be careful walking in heels or if you need walking assistance. Our guests had no complaints with the layout. Guests are asked to head to buffet area in groups of 16. This is to control flow of traffic. Staff also gauges food to communicate to kitchen to replenish. Our guests enjoyed their meal. Dirty plates were frequently whisked away. Guests had to hold on to their utensils. Fresh plates were plenty at buffet. Salmon, beef, chicken, lamb, rice, two soups, fresh fruit, dessert, hot beverage. More than I could list. Sorry, I don't recall names of dishes but you can create a complete healthy meal with veggies. I enjoyed the grilled chicken and tender lamb in tomato sauce. Fresh pots of coffee and hot water for tea were brewing in site. Coffee cups available in area. Mimosa was good. To keep bubbles fresh, mimosas made when most of the guests arrived. I'd have an event here now knowing the logistics of the area and the restaurant operation. Clockwork planning and things run smoothly.
(5)
Amy M.
I have never been to Reza's so I was excited to check out this hot spot! My sister and I were greeted warmly and shown to a table by the widow. Our waitress made great recommendations to get us started! We had roasted feta cheese and a tabbouli salad... BOTH AMAZING! The cheese was salty cheesy warm goodness! There were tomatoes and olives that complemented all the flavors, too. The salad was so fresh and lemony. I highly recommend both. Then, the kabobs came out! We dug in again for another mouth watering feast! They were cooked and marinated to perfection! I think Reza's is great for couples, first dates, families, parties, solo meals, friends and well pretty much anytime with whoever you want! And prices were very reasonable!
(5)
Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: My husband and I came here to check out their lunch buffet - they had all the basic staples of a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine, such as kabobs, boneless chicken, rice, falafels, hummus, salads, stews, and desserts. The falafels were way too mushy for my taste as it seemed as if they didn't fry it long enough or too much water was added; the lamb and beef kabobs were chewy and underseasoned, even though they were generously sliced chunks; the spicy chicken drumettes were okay, but I thought it would have been more spicy savory (as it tasted more like roasted chicken); I really enjoyed their mini donuts for dessert. I'm glad I was able to try this place out! +mini donuts +lunch buffets available
(3)
Karen C.
Service was good. There were four of us, and it took quite a while for us to decide on what we wanted to eat. Waiter came by several times, and was not annoyed by having to come back again and again. Chicken kabob plate was very delicious. Chicken was fully cooked and seasoned well. Dill rice...no words! I will go back to get that time and time again. I wish the veggies provided were different, but beggars can't be choosers. My plate could have served two people, at least. Sometimes I find this annoying. However, it means I have lunch (or dinner) for tomorrow. More dill rice!!! Provided a water pitcher for the table. As someone who drinks a lot of water, I found it amazing to not have to flag someone down every time I finished my glass.
(4)
Aaron S.
Went for the all you can eat, Sunday brunch buffet. The restaurant is massive, so luckily we didn't have to wait long. I ordered the all you can drink mimosa, and the service was very slow. I only had a few throughout the course of my meal. The food was just OK - nothing I ate was super amazing or memorable at all. Just wasn't anything special, especially for the price. I guess i'd give this restaurant a 2.5, if u could.
(2)
Padma A.
I cant say enough about how yummy the food was 4 hours after pick up. Anya took my order, absolutely polite and helped suggest the right stuff for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. We took the food on a cruise and everyone loved it. Chicken kabob, lamb kabobs, falafal, hummus, babganoush and Tabouli salad. They gave enough Pitas with Tahini sauce and a generous tray of dillrice along with plastic ware. My friend who was supposed to pick the food got delayed and Anya called me to check the status, can the customer service @ Rezas get any better??
(5)
Mohammed A.
Oh my! Oh My! It was amazing. The chicken koobideh was grilled perfectly, nice and juicy, and was wonderfully spiced. I thought it was the best chicken koobideh I've ever eaten in the US.
(5)
Hamdan A.
I don't know what is the wrong with cooking the meat very well. I want it will done and it comes half raw . I went to this restaurant more than 5 times. Still have the same problem
(2)
Betty W.
The best place to eat and such nice people I had the Chicken kabab so delicious-highly recommend this place u must try it
(5)
Eric F.
This is Reza's original location... and when it first opened there was nothing like it in Chicago. Luckily Reza's still offers much of its original charm and purpose. And the menu is almost identical to the one it opened with. Reza's offers essentially traditional Persian fare. It is housed in a massive industrial designed warehouse restaurant with high ceilings, visible piping, and echoing sounds. The waitstaff is polite and helpful, although when ever they mess up an order they will blame the customer (it is a middle eastern thing I think... not to lose face). Reza's is reasonably priced and the portions are big enough to split. The first thing that comes out is a free Iranian condiment plate, with onions, radish, feta cheese, parsley, and olives. After you order you usually get a delicious lentil soup, followed by your extra appetizers or straight to your dinner. I have been to many Persian places since my first introduction to the cuisine at Reza's, and Reza's does not offer all of the common authentic items that I can get elsewhere. But there is an array of dips al la Lebanese feasts, like Hummus and Baba Ganush. So let's go right to the main courses, which are for the most part, some type of kabob served on dill Bastmati rice, accompanied by a side skewer of grilled vegetables. As far as the kabobs go, there are a lot to choose from: steak, filet, ground spiced beef, chicken, lamb, quail, and seafood. You can also get a combo. There are a few stews too, and daily specials. If you are there on a night when they have stewed lamb shank, get it, it is very good. And I always go home with leftovers of what ever I have ordered. Tea is a good beverage to drink here but they also offer beer and wine. For desert they have more tradition Greek and Armenian pastries, like bakalava. Reza's used to be open very late, but I am not sure that is the case anymore. On weekdays they have a very reasonable buffet lunch.
(4)
Matt M.
I usually go to Reza's in River North, which has always been great, but I decided to take my Persian girlfriend and her mother out to this one when she was visiting last and could not have been more disappointed. The kebab was not cooked and the rice was old and hard. When we asked if they could cook the kebab and bring out some fresh rice, the server told us that the chef always cooks it that way. When my Persian girlfriend and Persian mother pointed out how that is not the traditional way to make a traditional Persian dish, the server walked away and ignored us. When we eventually tracked down the manager, he did not apologize and did not offer to even take the uncooked kebab and old rice off of the bill (even though we refused to eat it). Additionally, we never received any refills on our beverages. I will never return to this Reza's again.
(1)
Karolina S.
The customer service here is AMAZING. They get 5 stars just for how they handled this mix up. My boss decided to order food for the whole office. We went online to check out their menu and we placed our order... Ok great. The guy tells me the total and its about $35 over what we thought it would be. I went over the order with him and everything seemed right so we hung up. I literally called him back about 6 times trying to figure out what was wrong. Apparently the menu online didn't reflect their current prices, and I told the gentleman that the only reason we ordered from them was because of the affordable price point. He lowered the price once, and then when I asked him to lower it to what the price should've been - he did. And when the food arrived, he threw in extra goodies for our trouble! Some delicious churro-type desserts (omg) and a free goat cheese-lettuce contraption. The food merits about 4 stars... But the customer service, if I could give them 7 stars I would.
(5)
Kurowsh S.
After hearing great things I finally decided to try this place. The service was very fast and friendly-my waiter was always one step ahead. The food was very good and fresh. I highly recommend the kabob plates. I was honestly shocked to see how affordable the food was and the portion sizes are very big. I definitely recommend this place and will be going back soon. Being Persian, it was great to find an all around fantastic Iranian restaurant in my neighborhood. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)
Richard o.
I went to this restaurant over the Easter holidays for the first time and I have to say their food is out of this world..extra sumptuous varieties that if your palettes failed you, you'd still be in love. Now am hosting my son's 1st BD party and am ordering from them....wait for my next review
(5)
Theo E.
I took an out of town friend here for dinner as a change of pace as neither of us had tried persian food before. We were both extremely pleased with our meal. We started off with hummus and falafel, which was good, nothing too extraordinary though. We both ordered lamb for our main course - I got the lamb shank and my friend got the lamb kabob. This was excellent, the lamb shank was tender and juicy, falling right off the bone. The kabob was seasoned wonderfully and perfectly charred. The bread was also really good, would love to just snack on that at home. The service was ok, the waitress had trouble remembering our order - e.g, she brought me the lentil soup instead of the chicken. It wasn't atrocious, just it could have been better. The lamb shank is definitely a steal for only $15, and the portions are a really nice size, I was able to take about half of it home. I definitely recommend Reza's for that and the bread.
(4)
Valerie O.
Very disappointed by Reza's tonight. The waiter pushed us to get the buffet for $19. I think this was a memorial day special. The buffet was not good. Watery hummus, burned falafels, dry rice. The Chicken wasn't as good as when they have it on the menu as Reza's special chicken which was my favorite. I'm not sure if the buffet is permanent. I certainly hope not. I like my food cooked fresh.
(1)
Rachel R.
Oh dear, I rarely put up 1-star reviews. I wouldn't put this one up if I wasn't 100% confident that the meal that my husband I ate today caused us to get food poisoning. Today my husband and I went to lunch at Reza's. We didn't get the buffet option but instead ordered different meals. We shared some of our meals and both entrees had many of the same ingredients. The food itself was good, if a bit bland. The service was definitely iffy but we were relaxed and not in a rush so it wasn't a big deal. Until... About an hour after, my husband and I began to feel like death. He and I didn't realize that we were both ill until we spoke after dragging ourselves through work. It was immediately clear that after eating at Reza's and parting ways, we'd developed identical symptoms of food poisoning. It's likely there was some sort of cross-contamination at play and I certainly hope that it didn't transfer to the buffet and make other people feel so horrid. I have leftovers in my fridge that are most definitely being tossed out. I can only hope that there will be an internal review of kitchen protocols and standards to ensure that the food is safe to be served. In the meantime, I'll be at Andie's.
(1)
Joe T.
I've eaten here for years. It used to be very good, now they've taken a quantity vs. quality approach. Food is very bland. They need to 'kick it up a notch' with the spices.
(3)
Dew W.
The food was cooked within an inch of it's life, carbonized, served on a pile of dry rice. The heartburn was not worth the expense and the effort to find parking. We were particularly unnerved by the restaurant owner's loud telephone conversation at the table behind us. The expletives were as copious as the dry rice. The atmosphere is not inviting and could stand a good hosing down. While we did not witness bugs as other reviewers have we would not be surprised by their presence. However, Andes, located next door was very good.
(1)
David S.
I was lucky enough to have my reception at Reza's restaurant in July. Everyone that came absolutely raved about how delicious the food was. The personnel and management we're so helpful and professional in setting up for this wedding reception. I was so pleased with how everything went. I would recommend this to anyone. This is the place to go. Thank you again to all the wonderful staff at Rezas..!! Hats off..#!
(5)
Naty K.
Love Reza's. been coming here since i was in my momma's belly, (yes, that long) and i tooootally love everything. The outside patio on clark st is just one of andersonville's perks. Loved my service last time (went for bday lunch) the manager recognized my mom after years of her being there. (she doesn't get out too much -_-) but i love it, yay Reza's for doing it right.
(5)
Margaret A.
Ate here once for a buffet...they added 18.00.tip for a useless woman to bring pop to us. Food nothing extra too.
(1)
James P.
This review is particularly about Reza's Thanksgiving Buffet. I have been before to Reza's and the restaurant is fine. But during the Thanksgiving Buffet they really dropped the ball. They tried to serve both typical Thanksgiving fare and Persian food (stick with what you know). Which meant the selection of Persian dishes were less than usual. Further they never really tried to create some special atmosphere for Thanksgiving. Pretty much every corner Starbucks has more atmosphere. It really seemed like they put no effort into it. But lastly, the service is just completely substandard. With the charm of a used-car salesman our waiter tried to offer us 'just the right wine for you, my lady'. Can I have a wine menu?? No, I guess not. At some point in the evening, some of the wait staff decided to claim an empty table next to us. Yikes, I think every suburban Denny's, Chili's, TGIF or whatnot has wait staff with better sense than that.
(2)
Kristine M.
I've been here a few times, and in am pretty surprised by all the bad reviews I've seen on here. The food is always delicious and prepared just how I've requested. I'm a vegetarian and I really do go nuts for this place! I've never done the buffet here, but I'm curious to try. It's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood!
(4)
Bob L.
The first time I visited Reza's was almost 20 years ago. I helped a friend move to Chicago and we stumbled into Reza's starving after a full day of unloading a UHaul into her Edgewater apartment. We were starving, not sure about Persian food, but at the point where we would eat anything. Since that first visit, I return to Reza's every time I visit Chicago. It is consistently exceptional and I start to salivate just thinking about it. I've ordered off the menu and have never had a dish I did not like, but I especially enjoy the weekend brunch buffet. It is full of variety and provides a range of sampling from their diverse and expansive menu. Also, a pitcher of their sangria makes it all that much better.
(5)
S. Sean B.
Visiting from Southern California - The food at this establishment seems to be authentic and very well done. The atmosphere is one of an eatery. It is joining Mediterranean restaurant together with its overall atmosphere is not one that I would recommend for the more fine dining experience. Service is certainly something to be desired. It is located every happening part of town so it might yield good results for a night out... I would recommend the other Persian/Iranian restaurant in Chicago area that I also reviewed.
(3)
Zukicka Z.
Well..there are a lot of things going on with this place. First I have to say, I LOVE MOST OF THEIR FOOD. Its really good. There are a few things ,like the hummus someone mentioned already that could be better, but there are others like their filet mignon in mushroom sauce that is to die for ! I also love all their Kebabs ( and you have lots of choices when it gets to those) Yes it is a little pricey, but this particular food is worth it. I say check it out, but with a small party because it adds up quickly at this place. As far as staff is concerned, there is one very rude woman working there. She is just horrible, usually works the phones. I've been here tons of times and I've never seen her smile. The managers and other staff are fine, but she is just horrible. Other than that I'd say definitely check it out ! At least once !
(4)
Joonho Y.
Food is Delicious. I usually get Takeout, so I can't really comment on the Dining Room. This is my "Go-To Place" for Middle Eastern Food. The Falafels are Awesome!
(4)
Taner B.
unprofessional service today i went to lunch buffet with my friends ,usually we were paying approximately 45 $ (for 3 person) but today when we got the bill it Was 85 $ its much more then usual, i talk with the waiter about it and she told me that today ``EID`` there is special price hic iis twice of my regular bill .but nobodytold me about special price changed and there is ni visiable sign saying that there is a special price today they should have informed customers about this price change im extremly diissapointed and felt like this bussines practice is realy deceiving this is an insult to regullar custumers as we were
(1)
Diana S.
I really didn't like Rezas. I felt like it was a serious disappointment. Rezas is by far not the best Persian food in the city. The only good thing about our dinner had to be the soup and bread. Ugh
(1)
Helen S.
I came here for an event earlier in the week. The restaurant is cute and serves decent Mediterranean food. I just ordered the chicken kabobs appetizer, which were well seasoned and tender. They give you pita bread to go with it, and if you're not too hungry as I was, the app and bread was enough to keep me full. I noticed other people who ordered the regular sized entrees, which come in ginormous platter sized portions, and I was super happy with the size of my choice. Service was only okay. They didn't come around to refill water much, and everything took awhile. Near the end of the meal, they mixed up the bill (put me and my friend on the same tag) and seemed annoyed when we asked them to split it.
(3)
Cheryl M.
Enjoyed a great New Years Eve dinner here. The complimentary bread with feta and parsley was delicious and was also a very generous amount. The chicken kabobs with dill rice was great. I ordered a delicious Italian white wine and it was only $8 for a generous pour. Can't wait to go back. Yum.
(5)
Mytoan N.
My significant other loves this restaurant, and I've visited here quite a number of times -- there's many locations in Chicago but I adore the Andersonville one, since across the street, there is a Persian grocery store as well. The story behind this restaurant from a close source was that the owner owned a restaurant called Reza in Tehran and did really well. He rebuilt his life from scratch in the US and started this successful restaurant in the Midwest. On a recent dining experience in Chicago at Reza, I saw the owner doing the bookkeeping. I love the fessunjan pomegranate walnut chicken, the cranberry saffron rice, the dill rice, and the lamb shanks. I also like the ghorma sabbzi, I've heard it takes foreever to make, better to just buy it and enjoy. Persian restaurants in the Midwest are a premium. If you're trying one for the first time, Reza's in Chicago is a good place to start. There's only one in Wisconsin - Shiraz in Milwaukee, which is a la cart and delicious. I love both places.
(5)
Katy H.
I really love this place. But every time I go, they get something wrong, but that can be overlooked, because the food is good, the portions are huge and the price is right. I work just a block away, so I frequently order for lunch or stop by for dinner. I usually get some variation of the vegetarian sampler for lunch and get so much food I can eat it for at least 3 meals! I've tried a variety of different meals for dinner and there hasn't been anything I haven't enjoyed! My only real complaint is that their service is slow. They never have my carry out ready when I call ahead and they usually mess up one of my dishes. Also, sometimes I get rice, sometimes I don't. Not a huge problem at all, but they need to be on the same page All in all, I love this place!
(4)
Nancy F.
I love Reza's food but sometimes it can be inconsistent. Like once I ordered the Salmon Kabobs and it came as a big piece and not on a skewer, totally fine but just not what I expected. Then when I ordered it again, it came on the skewer and I was confused. The salmon is extremely good so I didn't care but another more annoying customer might be annoyed by this. Mr. Reza is one of the nicest men and I will always continue to support this restaurant as they are a neighborhood staple.
(4)
Elina S.
We used to come here ALLLL the time as this is one of my family's favorite Mediterranean restaurants. The place is quite adorable, and they have really good sangria (which is strange since it's not Spanish) but it's so darn good and really gets you after a few glasses. My family went here for both the buffet which is family style and also ordering off the regular menu and for me they have the absolute BEST falafal out of anywhere I've ever had, in fact I would go there and JUST order that with their yummy red and white sauces. My parents always got the kabobs and the meat entrees with the dill rice that they love, and always left full and with leftovers for the next day! Definitely a great place for good atmosphere, yummy food, when you're in the mood, and pretty good service.
(4)
Alicia K.
Food + value only gets 3 stars because it wasn't that awesome. Delicious, but nothing to write home about. Kind of expensive considering portion size. There are better places in Albany Park. I'm giving an extra star because the service was awesome. We had a sassy waitress who was a hoot. And the location is prime for people watching in andersonville.
(4)
A. K.
Been here twice and both times the lunch buffet was open so we decided to try it. The first time...food was good, had a good time. The next time we planned on ordering from the menu but as we were in a hurry...we went for the buffet again. Bad idea. The food felt and looked stale and old. Both my husband and I had upset stomach for the next 2 days...horrid. The interior is nice enough...the waiters are kind and make sure everything is in order. Good place - don't do the buffet.
(3)
Minh D.
Great restaurant for Persian food. I like their Andersonville more than their downtown location. Their fish is excellent. Many years ago I used to come here for their wild caught Chilean sea bass - the thick juincy fish steak if you know what I am talking about. Due to the ban, they now have farm raised sea bass, which to me tastes more like Tilapia and lacking the buttery melt in your mouth found in wild caught Chilean sea bass. I usually get the a fish dish when coming here. My fav. is their white fish. Their ground meat on the skewers (kuibideh, joujeh, jengeh,etc.) is great as well. The lamb shank is also a good dish here. The portions here are huge. For consistent good quantity, quality, ambiance and service I am rating this restaurant a 4 stars.
(4)
Irina F.
Good place to be if you like meats. We came here for a Father's Day Brunch. Lots of food in the buffet. Everything tasted great. The only reason I gave 3 stars is because of the washroom appearance. If you had money to spend on marble walls, you should be able to find a little more to keep it in good shape and replace small thing like seats. It feel like they were never replaced since the restaurant opened.
(3)
Omar K.
living in Andersonville my entire life I've eaten at almost every "big" restaurant on Clark. Rezas was always a favorite growing up. I hadn't been there in a few years and tonight decided to take my girlfriend there. we were greeted at the door by 2 gentlemen and they quickly seated us. our waitress didn't speak English too well, so she had us point to what we wanted on the menu. we ordered our food and was brought to the table in about 20 minutes. she ordered a shrimp plate, I ordered a mixed kabob plate. the shrimp was fantastic, but the couscous was extremely plain with no flavor, as were the kabobs. when we both finished we were waiting for the check, but the waitress was no where to be found. I asked one of the gentlemen up front for the check, and shortly after the waitress brings the check. I was disappointed in the service of the waitress, but more disappointed in the food quality. it's pretty sad because rezas has always been known to be one of the better middle eastern restaurants on the northside. for TRUE authentic middle eastern food, the southside holds that title.
(2)
Josh G.
Food: Not too impressed. I ordered the Garlic Baked Potatoes, the $12.95 special that comes with bread, two Kabobs, and grilled tomatoes. Potatoes- Lacking flavor and a bit dry. i had to drown them in the garlic butter and add salt to make them worth eating. I ordered the Beef and the Chicken. The chicken was really good and had flavor; the beef was nothing to write home to mom about. If you go here and order this, stick with the chicken. It's a much better option. Service: Good service. :) Price: I think the food is way overpriced for the quality and flavor you get. I say skip Reza's and go next door to Andie's and get a better deal, better food, and better overall experience. Ask for Cassandra the server there and Gill, the General Manager, will treat you right.
(2)
Elizabeth A.
This is pretty much the only exciting thing about Andersonville. They make DELICIOUS Persian food, especially the bademjan. I can't speak for the meat dishes but the vegetarian samplers are huge and yummy. The waitress recommended that my boyfriend and I order a sampler plate & fish but just the sampler & one appetizer were more than enough. We had to take the rest home. Anyway, I recommend it and especially the sampler plate which will feed two for only $15.95!
(4)
Michael R.
This place was great! We didn't have to wait for a table and everyone was so nice. The prices seem a little high but the portions are HUGE. Atmosphere is cute. I will certainly be returning soon.
(5)
Sarah R.
I'm kind of sad to hear that people are having such a bad time at Reza's. I admit it's probably been about 5 months since I've been here, but if my memory serves me right, the food is to die for! I dream about it while I'm sleeping and while I'm awake. I grew up on Reza's. My family would always take me here as a kid and I can remember as soon as I started to drive my sister and I would steal away here. I've taken dates here and celebrated big occasions with friends and family. The lunch buffet is awesome during the week. I just wish it didn't end at 3pm. The weekend buffet is even better! They add extra menu items that you can't find in the weekly lunch buffet you can even find a glass of champagne on your table during the weekend brunch. Staff has always been pretty nice. Not overly nice, but decent nonetheless. One thing a lot of people don't know is that they have a free private lot across the street behind the Cheetah gym. There's even a nice guy watching the lot (so other violators don't park too). I've been to the Ontario location and experienced the same. I'm very pleased with this restaurant and will continue to patronize them. Maybe they need another chance?
(5)
Yav A.
As far as Persian/Irani food goes nothing compares to Rezas. It was verbally confirmed by the waitress that the food is zabiha/halal (muslim kosher). I judge it by koubideh and it is still the best! I asked for well done and it was seasoned to perfection. Can't get enough of this place. Mashallah!
(5)
Lalita A.
MmmMMmmmm FOOD and i mean lots and lots of FOOD ! okay so I already knew I was breaking my diet the moment they set down that unlimited platter of bread served with cheese. And you know what else goes well with that bread ? The grilled skewered mushrooms, trust me... I am NOT a mushroom person. Points for also having the soup. If I am eating out, I'd like to be treated with multiple courses. Appetizer (dry and soup) plus entree . Having experienced Mediterranean food before, I know how dangerously big the portions are, so I shared an entree with a friend. I had the boneless chicken kabob. The onion was super sweet, I quite enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked nicely, and i was obsessed with the Persian Rice. It was also a cute gesture in the end when they served all sorts of dessert. But the portions minus the baklava were huge! Too bad I was stuffed. At first you might thing $15 is pricey, but really, can you really finish 5 scoops of rice with a bunch of meat on the side with that huge bread as a starter? Come after me if you are still unsatisfied.
(4)
Elizabeth F.
We went here for a rehearsal dinner. First of all the space upstairs was perfect for a large party. The acoustics were good, there were a lot of people in the room but it wasn't loud. Second- the food was amazing. We were all trying to be polite and not take the last piece as the plates were being passed around, but at the same time wishing it was ours. Our server was lovely, I didn't get her name. But she was so friendly! After several courses of vegetarian-friendly items we were served the main dish. They were lamb and chicken kebabs. It didn't bother me, because the first few courses had been exceptional. I perfectly content to sit and wait for dessert. Then after everyone was digging in, the server came back with the huge tray of the one of the most delicious vegetarian selections I have ever had. Everyone paused at the table to stare at the magnificent meal they had prepared for me. The server said jokingly, "Uh-oh, now everyone is jealous!" It was true. It was so good. As it turns out, my friend had forgotten to order vegetarian entrees (totally understandable- it's a wedding, she had enough to think about!). When she realized it (about the time the kebabs came to the table) she asked them if they could make something for me and the other vegetarian there (which she really didn't need to do). And they were perfectly accommodating. Can I just say again- the food was amazing! If my friend hadn't told me that she forgot, I never would have known. ................ Now after writing this review I need to go back!
(4)
Mike A.
I've loved this place since discovering it in the early 90s when I lived in Andersonville. At that time is was a nice neighborhood Mideastern Restaurant. Now its in an incredibly vibrant neighborhood & is even more awesome. My favorite dish is the Kabobs. I loved the soup. Its a great place for a date or with a group of friends. The kids seemed to like it too. Service can be iffy - depends on who you get. Some are more attentive than others and sometimes language can be a challenge. Food has always been tasty. The only challenge can be finding parking - having lived in the area, I know parking can be hit or miss. Sometimes you just have to circle around the side streets to find parking. The El is not far away, so you can take it to get here.
(4)
M S.
The food is great here, absolutely anything you get. The staff on the other hand, is horrible. I've been here numerous times. There was only one time I came here and actually got good customer service. Most other times, staff is horrible. One of the waiters here totally ignored the fact that he was waiting our table...them when he got our food, it was wrong and he kept blaming us for his mistake. The manager had to send him home because he was too tired and wasn't paying attention. If you come here after 930, you should definitely expect bad service as all the staff wants to leave. It's a good restaurant with horrible customer service.
(1)
C C.
We often buy take-out from Reza's and really enjoy the kabobs with dill rice. The portions are generous, and the meats are always perfectly grilled every time. The kabobs are not seasoned a lot, so if you like lots of flavor and sauce on your grilled meat, you might find it bland. We enjoy them though. The food we've tried so far has been great. When we've dined there, service has been very good as well.
(4)
Jen J.
Oh Reza's how I missed you! I missed you so much that you made my list of "must eat here" while I was back in my old stomping grounds in Chicago. I have been dreaming about your dill rice for eight years...literally. Upon walking in, it was just as I remembered! Lively and packed full as it should be. Just a short wait for a table and then the nomming commenced. I chose the Lentil soup (as per usual) and ordered some hummus because... of course I did. Excellent depth of flavor in both of my choices thus far. Reza's serves up some of the richest and smoothest hummus with warm, soft pita perfection! They still serve the small plate of feta cheese, radishes and greens but the only thing I ate was the feta which of course, was very good. For my entree I ordered (don't ask me for the real name which starts with a J and I forgot what it's really called...whups) a chicken kabob on the bone along with the long lusted after dill rice and grilled veg. After ordering, my server uttered those three words that I remembered so well: "the big one?" Yes! I want the big one and I'm going to eat the entire thing too! Every time I ordered it previously the wait staff would ask that exact question; love it! The chicken was cooked through and smoky and juicy and totally delicious. The dill rice was everything I had been dreaming of and the two in combination were absolute heaven in my mouth. There is so much flavor and heart and soul in this food and you can really taste it. Beautiful presentation as well which only makes the dining experience that much better. The only little complaint I had on this fine evening was the service. When I was being tended to it was fine but there were no drink refills offered and a long wait for the check at the end (at least 20 minutes). I remembered some words of wisdom to the effect of "you don't want to start ignoring your customer at the end of the meal." I was ready for something sweet after my lovely meal but lost interest while waiting for the server to return. Thanks again though Reza's for a great feast filled with yummy flavor and good memories!
(4)
Bex A.
My friend and I stop by here a while ago while walking around Andersonville and have been coming here ever since. I really enjoy their buffets. If you want something specific you could order through their menu as well. I love their kefta kabobs and grilled mushrooms. The soup are okay. It's a good place to stop by every time you have a chance.
(4)
Annie C.
me gusta their lunch buffet. small selection, but good! i can't wait to go back again!
(4)
M M.
Good Dill Rice.. Annnndd....that's about it.. Waiter didn't ask us for anything to drink... creeper creeped around...and then decided to eat next to us during his....break??? Anywho another shamble of a day..except for getting back home to kick up my feet to type this review.. Remember kids...we don't need no "ooops" for a restaurant!
(1)
Jeremy S.
I want to give this restaurant a 5, since I think it deserves a better rating than 3 stars. This is a 4 star restaurant. Still, I'll let crowd-sourcing do its thing. I love Reza's. My parents have been taking there since I was little, and it's something I often crave when I think of going out to eat. Their dill rice is addictive. Their Jojeh Kebab (it's a chicken served on a kebab made of chicken bone. Either way, it doesn't matter, it's amazing) is amazing. Their shrimp kebabs are great, too. It's a tad pricey if you're a starving grad student like me. I usually have to go with my parents. Still, one word of advice. Go get the lunch buffet if you're looking to eat a day's worth of meals in 1 meal. It's $19.95, but you won't leave disappointed in your decision. They pretty much have all of their fare there, and it's all you can eat. When the weather's nice, they also have nice outdoor seating, and almost all of their beers are $3. This is a good place to have dinner and drinks. My one minor complaint is that the pita kinda stinks. I'd give this place 5 stars, but I have to leave that upper echelon for those places that really knock the wind out of me. Still, this restaurant is a staple of my childhood, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
(4)
Jen S.
Reza's, you guys are so great! I've been here twice now and enjoyed the buffet. Each time, I've told the waitstaff that I cannot eat gluten. Each time, the server has quite pleasantly taken me around to each dish at the buffet, told me what it is, and if it contains gluten or not. When she had doubts about one item, a soup, she asked another employee, and he was quite happy to help as well. As the lady was showing me the options, she offered me a freshly made, no-crouton caesar salad and some fresh falafel. She brought them out quickly, and in generous quantity. The food was so good and everyone was so nice and man, what a lovely lunch. I want more. Thank you!!
(5)
Scott A.
This was the worst delivery meal we have ever had. Next time I'll just throw $67 out my window while driving around town. This app forced me to add a star in order to post. If I could give it a big ZERO, I would. We ordered a few appetizers, two entrees and a dessert through Grub Hub. Our order arrived much earlier than expected (a plus), and we live close by the restaurant. Our meat was so overlooked that no one would eat it. An appetizer was missing and everything was ice cold, which is perplexing since it was delivered quickly. Grub Hub tried to rectify, unsuccessfully, and reza's refuses to rectify this situation. Working in management in the business, I would expect better service from a place that had been around such a long time. I will never order from here, or use Grub Hub, ever again.
(1)
Peggah G.
This location of Reza's loses a star because they lie about their hours. When they say they're open til 11 or 12am, that's only if they're 'busy'. I've tried to eat here a few times just to find out that they were closed. It was a huge disappointment. I haven't been here in a couple of years, but I'm a picky eater, and usually the buffet doesn't have what I want. So I always just order from the menu. I've never been let down from the food that I've ordered. It's always been hot and delicious. This is definitely not a restaurant for a late night snack, though. Better closer to traditional dinner or lunch times.
(4)
Rachel H.
I really like Reza's food and I always have, but their prices have increased considerably since I first tried them, and it makes me less excited about hitting up this place when I could go to Andie's right next door. I'd never been to this location, and being a bit nervous for a first date, I wanted to be left alone. Too bad our server Dennis thought my date had left me alone. He was a bit tooooo attentive and tried to get me liquored up. Once my dining companion arrived he backed off a little bit. Stood up? I think not. I enjoyed the complimentary salad bar with purchase of entree because it involved the lentil soup of my dreams, but Reza's has just gotten too expensive for what it is. Contributing to Alexi Giannoulias' slush fund? I've heard of stranger things.
(3)
Ismail A.
Reza is one of my favorite Persian restaurants in Chicago. I love it special on Sunday tonight they have special buffet .Also don't forget to drink my favorite tea a Persian tea (:
(5)
Jennifer B.
Ok. Everything here is ok. If you limit your expectations beforehand, you won't be disappointed. I haven't experienced any issues with the waitstaff, which is the primary reason for my repeated patronage. Whether Sunday brunch or a dinner buffet, I've always received attentive, respectful and efficient service. Moreover, they understand the beauty of not hounding me every five minutes, which is a welcomed experience. Their food is consistently well-prepared. Again, is it going to blow your mind? No. But you likely won't be disappointed. The dishes are standard Mediterranean/Persian, with few surprises. The cocktail list tries to be inventive, but I've noticed that the more exotic drinks are usually the weakest. They do, however, have generous pours on their wines...just don't expect fifteen choices. Their variety fits the menu, however. The buffet is an excellent introduction to this type of cuisine, or a good fit if you want to sample several items. Common sense dictates, however, that some dishes are best served to order. While I love having filet mignon skewers as a buffet option, if their ambient temperature renders them to sandpaper consistency it somewhat defeats the purpose. Be forewarned that if you are a vegetarian, you will be somewhat limited in your options. Recently, my dining vegan dining companion returned from the buffet with a half-plate of mashed potatoes. I didn't have the heart to tell him that they may have been prepared with powdered milk. For the area, there's a very laidback and almost soothing atmosphere to the dining experience. Even when there's a full house (which there often is, due to parties), I've never felt crowded or rushed.
(3)
Kelly F.
Great food, fast service. The only thing I disnt like was my margherita was in a regular soda cup. Haha. Other than that and my HORRIFIC date, i enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Will def be back!!
(5)
Victoria W.
Came here on a snowey blizzard day this past week. The ambiance of the restaurant is the most noteworthy part. Very spacious, clean and the overall feel is very homey and has great character. The service is good, nothing to complain about but by no means super impressive. We came here for the lunch buffet(arrived around 3pm), which apparently lasts until around 9PM at dinner time. The buffet is $19.99 per person, honestly, I would be expecting a lot more for this price tag. There were 2 types of soup, neither were good( barley and tomato lentil), 3 types of rice, plain, dill rice or spicy vegetable, they were average. 2 types of salad, ceasar or Iranian salad, the ceasar salad was quite good but it was probably because it was heavily drenched in dressing, the salad had nothing but lettuce. There were also some chicken, lamb and beef kabob. Only 1 type of fried desert. The falafel were pretty good, moist and good flavors. The best was the cucumber yogurt sauce. Honestly the buffet was not worth $20. I would pay half of the price if I were to come back as a regular. The items were pretty standard and taste was not superb, I go to school in a small town and we have an Indian buffet in town that costs around $12 with food that is much more grand and delicious. Maybe it's the Chicago price tag, but it's still nothing to rave about. Overall, I'd come back for the ambiance but the food is just a OK. P.S.: $9 per lb of any food you cannot finish will be charged, forreal? Never been to a buffet place this direct. I don't agree with wasting food but I think the resstaurant can take some responsibility on quality and taste of the food as well and not punish/threaten patrons?
(3)
Some D.
Sunday brunches are amazing because it gives you the chance to try everything and see what you like most and not to forget its a great deal! The meats are high quality and tender, and I always feel the need to have a little of each. Chicken, lamb, beef, minced turkey, and I think two types of kabobs. Staff is friendly and the place is nice and sleek with an open layout. I great option for Mediterranean. Reza's has a few other locations too!
(4)
Jeff L.
I had lived in Chicago for 7 years, then moved away. After being back for 6 months and spending a lot of time in Andersonville, I realized I had still never eaten here. When a friend was in from NYC, we decided on Reza's. It was a Friday night and after 9, so not terribly busy, but there was a great atmosphere. We both ordered kebabs and bread. I had the ground chicken kebab, and my friend had a mixed plate. Both were really good and service was very fast! I'd definitely go back, and often tell people shopping at the store I work at in Aville about it!
(4)
Pavithra M.
This was not my first time here, but it has been a while since my last visit. The positives - free parking across the street behind Cheetah gym, very child-friendly, spacious and an extensive menu. The negatives - pricey and very heavy, overall average tasting food. Tonight we ordered the chilean sea bass and lamb chops combination, which was listed as a special for $29.50 and an appetizer portion of the grilled potatoes with a butter garlic sauce. The potatoes had a bit too much of the sauce, which made them really greasy, but tasted ok. The lamb chops were charred to the point of tasting bitter and were very dry. The sea bass was cooked to perfection, seasoned just right and very tasty. So two out of three...not bad! They also brought us some soup and pitas at the start of our meal. They did have. Dinner buffet priced at $24.95 and are currently offering a "stimulus package" that includes free mini buffet with each entree. Of ours, this did not apply to us because we shared an entree. Mini buffet includes soup, appetizer and dessert. Should have read the sign before. Anyway, we had too much to eat even without all that!
(3)
Linda D.
Weather report at Reza's: a huge HAIL NO storm. I should have known this was not going to be a pleasant experience from the second we walked in the door. There were probably 5 other people in the entire restaurant, and we had to wait to be seated, because it took a few minutes for the staff to even notice us. When they finally did, homegirl acted like the popular cheerleader who had been forced to be lab partners with the school nerds (me and the boyfriend). Whatever, maybe she's having a bad day. I know waiters and waitresses have a tough job. I'm normally a good tipper, and very sympathetic when it comes to foodservice staff dealing with large crowds. I even try and give them the benefit of the doubt when they aren't all smiles and super chatty. So I wasn't going to let this ruin our meal. Initially, we were drawn to the lunch buffet sign that was outside, but when we asked about it, our waitress very bluntly told us it was OVER. No mention of the buffet's hours, or when the dinner buffet started. Ok, that's fine, we'll find something off the menu. I decide on the lamb koubideh and ask for the "small size," which the menu says is a half portion of the full entree. "Just to let you know, it's like a kid's menu," she says. "Oh. Well how big is it?" I ask. "Very small. Like, for kids," she replies. "I think I'll be fine." I say. Alright, who killed this chick's dog this morning? She seemed really PO'd at me for no reason. The entire time we were talking to her, she refused to make a millisecond of eye contact with us. I can deal with a lot when it comes to foodservice, but this kind of intentional rudeness will make me bust out the T word. That's right .Trick. She brought out our food, and to my dismay, it was good. She "refilled" our waters, which consisted of her pouring a splash of water into each of our glasses so we had half-full cups. Even though there is not much to be thankful for, we thank her, and she still refuses to make eye contact or smile. My "kids' size" meal is more than enough for me, and I end up taking leftovers home. The only reason I gave Reza's two stars is because the food was good. But the awful service really left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)
Len L.
You can't go wrong with the buffet, you get everything on the menu and more for under $20. Service was lacking, we waiting a long time for refills for our drinks but overall the entire meal was decent.
(3)
Michelle P.
This review is just for their vegetarian food. Yes it's always great when a restaurant has vegetarian options. And Reza's food is good. But most of their vegetarian dishes are more of the generic "Middle Eastern" than specifically Persian - the hummous/falafel/ cucumber & tomato salad/ yogurt dip isn't really any different than what you could get at any Egyptian/Turkish/Lebanese/Israeli/Syrian restaurant in the area. And unfortunately, that was most of what was vegetarian on the lunch buffet. There was also their amazing dill rice, and a nondescript "spicy rice" that reminded me more of Spanish rice, plus some grilled vegetables that also didn't a distinctive Persian flavor or much of any taste at all. I would have been better off skipping the $12.95 lunch buffet and getting the vegetarian combo instead - the dolmas, vegetarian shami (pomegranate sauce, mmmm), and Kashkeh Bodmejan (eggplant with garlic & mint) are all more authentic Persian dishes. And it would have come with the delicious dill rice, Persian bread, and tomato lentil soup that were on the buffet anyway, plus I would have gotten the complimentary feta and radish plate which apparently they don't give to you if you're just getting the buffet. So unless you're a meat eater, skip the buffet - you're better off picking several dishes you know you want as part of the vegetarian combo.
(3)
Roseanne S.
I LOVE REZAS! I'm a picky eater and don't usually like trying anything different but Reza's can get even the pickiest eaters to eat with their food. I get the beef kebudeh or whatever it's called. Two beef strips with rice. I highly recommend the dill rice for a nice change of pace. You can either order off the menu, or hit up the buffet. For about $20, you can take your pick of rices, meats, soups, etc. Beware, though. After eating here, you will be burping Reza's for the next day. But at least the nice smell of the meat will stay with you for the rest of the day to remind you of the delicious food you just had. Great place for some Persian food.
(5)
Yasmin S.
I've always loved this place. The first time I ate here was about ten years ago and I'm so glad more than one exists. I am in love with the roasted feta cheese and grilled mushrooms. They are to die for! Their lentil soup and spicy chicken with dill rice is a must have. I will definitely be back soon!
(4)
Chelsea H.
Customer service was stellar. The food was ok. The dill rice is good. I had the lentil soup which was surprisingly delicious. The falafel was ok. Definitely worth going back for some home made tasting mediterranian eats.
(3)
Shannon W.
The ambiance of the restaurant was very quaint. Even sitting outside on the patio gave the dining experience a sense of a Persian feel. Passers by and the other patrons of the establishment were a pleasure to gaze at. The service, a bit slow at times, was still very on point. The food was very tasty and embodied the flavors of the area very well. I will be returning without a doubt and will be telling others my experience and urge them to make Reza's a must to add to their dining card.
(4)
A C.
Always love the food here. It's inexpensive, if you go for their buffet, which is about $20 bucks. Plus, little known fact - there's parking in the back behind the building! You don't have to park on N. Clark Street and feed the meter.
(4)
Chris C.
I love this place, the food is great and you get lots of it. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it.
(5)
Colleen B.
I've been here several times over the last few years. I've never had a bad experience but I do tend to always get the same thing. I like that they load you up on bread and soup since the entrees can be a little pricey. I always get the salmon and it's always amazing.
(4)
Julie A.
Love this place best Persian food love going here for party's always room never a wait
(5)
Christian P.
Staff is nice and service is fast but I rarely ate such bland (and lukewarm) Persian food. Even salt and pepper were lacking. Dill rice is OK but does not spice it up.
(1)
Tempus F.
Reza's *used* to be a really good restaurant. We ordered from them regularly as well as eating on their premises; their food was fresh and delicious and their service was just fine. Tonight we ordered from Reza's. After repeating the order four times and having the woman repeat it back to me twice, I'm amazed to be saying this, but less than half our order arrived. When I called back, the woman neither apologized nor offered me any sort of comp delivery of the rest of our food. This order, like most restaurant takeout orders, was charged to a credit card at the time the order was placed. When the rest of the food arrived, the driver neither had nor could get my credit card number, and the order had not been charged as it was supposed to have been. The pita bread was so stale it seemed three days old; the felafel had obviously sat on a steam table for hours, and it was doughy, bland, and lousy to begin with; the potatoes were old and swimming in grease; the tabouli had stale parsley, tired commercial tomatoes, almost no bulghur, and no flavor; the chicken kebabs were tough, stringy, and bad.....I could list every item in the order with similar comments. Even the dill rice was bad, which in former times would have been unthinkable. Reza's is down the toilet. Never waste your money on this place!
(1)
Natalie A.
This used to be my all time favorite place , but it's changed . It took the waiter forever to come serve us , he never checked up on us and didn't space our appetizers and food well. The bathrooms were dirty .
(1)
Lord Of T.
The place is fine.... You won't get excited but you'll be able to eat the food without choking.
(3)
Hans L.
Came here on a Thursday night and wasn't busy at all. Waitress was very friendly. We sat right by the open window facing the street. Nice atmosphere. Ordered the combo chicken and beef. Both so tender and tasty. Excellent quality.
(5)
Taina V.
Pretty expensive, but the portions are huge and the food is delicious. Overall no complaints. Thank you Reza's!
(4)
Marissa G.
Best take-out food for a movie night in! Fresh and tasty chicken and the rice is addictive. Everything we got was mouth watering and we had left overs which were just as good the next day. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Roxanne R.
I came here for a brunch buffet right after I ran a half marathon and boy! Was that just not the best follow up meal for a starving gal. I was here for a party but I think the brunch buffet cost $19.95 and for that cost you get a wide selection of Mediterranean food. I was a fan of the filet mignon kabobs - a little chewy but still good flavor, the lamb shank which was sooooo juicy and delicious, beef stew -mmmm, and everything went well with the dill rice. So much meat. So much deliciousness. How could you go wrong with this buffet? Aside from the watermelon I wasn't too crazy about the sweet portions so I just had some watermelon with a side of filet mignon :-) I've already been planning another race so I can have a reason to eat two heaping plates of Rezas brunch buffet. MmmM
(4)
Ishtiaq P.
Visited Reza's at Oak Brook on Friday July 31, 2015 at 8:40PM. I have twins who are 2 years old and a four year old daughter. I dropped one of the twins and my 4 year old at the door (no valet available on that night) with my wife and went to park the car. Came back and saw my wife seated in a table but she didn't seem very happy. I asked her what happened and she told me that, while she was struggling to come through the door with two kids, no one opened the door for her, nor they greeted her upon entering. They totally ignored her although the manger was standing right in from of the door. When taken her to the table, she suggested a different table then the one she was offered, but responded with a look and sound of frustration by the manager. She requested two high chairs to the manager but that request was ignored. After I came back from parking the car, she still was not provided with the high chairs. I called a waiter and requested the high chairs again and the water brought two high chairs for us. It seems like the manage totally ignored/forgot the request. At that point I called the manager and expressed our concern that my wife felt she was totally ignored and mistreated upon her arrival. The manager told me that he didn't ignore her and her allegations are baseless. NO APOLOGY from the manager rather complete denial of that fact. When we insisted and said this is not the proper way you do deal with the customer, he raised his voice and said he sees no reason to apologize since he didn't do any wrong. He shouted to one of the waiters and told him to take care of us. By this time, we lost our appetite and realized that it is not a place for us to have a comfortable dinner. There are tons of other places where I can get both service and food. So I humbly request him to provide me his name so that I can inform higher authority about the incidence and write a detail yelp review. He denied to give me his full name and said his name is "Din". After pressing him a bit he told me his name is "Noor Al Din". I laughed at his response. Noor Al Din means the light of the religion. I am surprised and ashamed to get that kind of service and treatment who calls himself Noor Al Din. Anyway, I hope that is his Reza's version of name, not his real name.. In summary, the customer service has went down the drain. And I can see that form other reviews on the Yelp as well. Food alone will not cut it anymore. If they don't provide customer service then we will not go there anymore. We don't live in a barbaric place where someone can trough a plate full of kabob and will throw our money at them. People just don't go to the restaurant for food - they look for the total experience. I think that is what missing form Reza's.
(1)
Cassandra C.
I'm not a fan of Mediterranean food, but I have to say the beef koubideh kabob and dill rice is awesome! I liked the lamb shank too. Although some parts of the meat were a little tough, I enjoyed the tender portions with the sauce.
(4)
Elaine M.
Super friendly staff at Reza's during lunchtime. Overheard one waitress tell a customer, "The buffet is open until 4 pm, take your time." This was at 1:30 pm! The host (manager?) was very friendly and checked on us often. Dirty plates were picked up promptly. My friend enjoyed her sangria. We both enjoyed the generous selection of meat kabobs (lamb, beef, and chicken), chicken breast, rice (dill, biryani, and white), soups, ceasar salad, hummus, falafal, cucumber raita type dish, tahini, and dessert in the lunch buffet. Will definitely come back here for the buffet. A friend loves the quail here, so might try that at dinner sometime.
I've eaten Mediterranean several times before Reza's and had resigned myself to what I thought was a fact --- that I didn't like Mediterranean food. My girlfriend loves it and had been bugging me to try Reza's so I finally gave in... Really loved the food here...the lamb shank was fantastic, potatoes amazing, baba ghanouj delicious...service not great otherwise would have considered giving a 5
(4)
amanda M.
We have ordered food from this place twice now. If you have had any good Mediterranean food, this place probably won't satisfy you. The hummus is awful, so watery and bland. Hummus is a pretty important part of the meal if you ask me. Also they have the worst baklava I've ever had, and I've had it from a lot of places. It tasted soapy and weird. The dill rice is good, and the meat I've had has all been good. So that is all I would order if I had to get something from here again.
(2)
N P.
What should I say? The worst persian restaurant I have ever been. Rude staff, stinky kebab. The kebab did not seem to be fresh. Never ever go there again unless they change the management. Both me and my husband got diarrhea after eating at this restaurant. The worst part was the behavior of staff. She was really rude. I do not recommend here at all.
(1)
Rehc Z.
Many thanks to the cast's of Reza's esp the manager Tom ! We appreciated the accomodation you given to us yesterday for my sons christening ! The food was good , the service was excellent . It was really nice we chose you and we love Reza's so much ! Till next time hope keep up the good work
(5)
Patrick S.
I feel like Reza's has made a come back. Went.to Reza's on Clark. Kashk as an appetizer with the bread was excellent. Ordered the kabob sultani and cooked medium-well, which was very well prepared with high quality meat. The portions were of good size that allowed for leftovers to take home. Service was good. Definitely will go back as long as the quality remains at this level.
(5)
Mike A.
Over the years we have been here so many times that at this point I lost count. Unfortunetly they are quite a bit away from our house, but we still manage to visit or the downtown location at least 2/3 times a year. This is by far our favorite Persian restaurant in the area and my favorite, even after sampling restaurants during my travels throughout the US. When my inlaws moved to FL(albeit for a short time), we had a family sendoff party on the 2nd floor private area. While service is at times spotty, the food is the big draw here. Scallops, chengeh, baba and the list goes on and on. Just about every item on the menu is a winner. They also feature great vegetarian options as apps and main courses. Parking can be a challenge here, especially on weekends. They have a private lot across the street, but its tight and the attendatnt basically shakes you down for a tip. Overall a must visit for anyone that enjoys Persian / Meditaririan cuisine.
(5)
Liz A.
I came here for my friend's birthday, and I have loved it ever since! This place has excellent quality food, and the owners/staff are very personable and friendly. My favorite entree is the boneless chicken kabobs-- the chicken is all white meat, tastes very fresh and has an excellent grilled flavor. With the kabobs, I always get the dill rice-- awesome, fresh flavors. Also, all the kabob entrees come with pitas and grilled onion and tomatoes (love having well-cooked, simply-prepared veggies to go with my chicken), and they start each table with fresh feta (AWESOME), parsley and radishes. The soups and desserts are also excellent. Overall, I love how everything is very fresh, high quality and simply-prepared; nothing is bogged down by unhealthy sauces, etc; they rely completely on the quality and preparation of the main ingredients to add flavor to the dishes.
(5)
Jeanie S.
Have been going to Reza's 15+years, and have to say was a little disappointed this last visit.... we got there early for a Sat around 6ish, but were starved so couldn't wait and my mouth was watering just thinking about the kabobs...there was no music playing, the lentil soup or the hummos and these are 2 things I usually love, we just ok. Then we got the ground chicken and lamb kabobs, again the flavor seemed lacking. The portions are always generous so we brought tons home.
(3)
Moni K.
This review is for the lunch buffet which I think is a wonderful idea and eventhough there is a selection of food the quality of selection is not that great. The hummus and the salad are just sad. The best is the lamb, which is really delicious and well cooked and seasoned. If they could make the hummus taste better and spruce up the salad this lunch would not be so bad, one can not just eat a plate of lamb for lunch.
(3)
Jeff J.
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Persian food. We went here when visiting a friend in Chicago. We chose Reza because an Iranian friend in Louisville raves about this place. Our waitress was extremely nice and helpful. I originally gave this restaurant 4 stars but upped to 5 stars based on her service. Her kind attention and eye contact were more like eating in the home of a very hospitable friend or family member. The food was also good -considering I'm not a fan of kibbeh. The dolmas, grape leaf rolls, were excellent.
(5)
Joe T.
With urban flair, this Middle Eastern restaurant with full bar is nestled in the friendly gayborhood of Chicago, Andersonville. I was here recently for a buffet style large group dinner in an entire wing of the diner rented out for my nephew's baptism luncheon. I must say the lunch buffet was amazing. I have heard that it is roughly $12/pp, and at that price point it's a great deal in this part of Chicago. Now, I am from metro-Detroit where our Mediterranean restaurants outnumber McDonalds locations by a large margin. The food here was definitely up to par. I have had better hummus at many restaurants (for some reason Chicagoland MidEast diners are 0/3 for me so far on hummus quality), however the rest of the food more than made up for it. Lamb kabobs were excellent. The braised lamb shank was so tender and flavorful - many good bone and marrow pieces and enough fatty pieces to really hit the spot. I also saw a Nihari Beef, which was unique and a more South Asian (Indo-Pak) style. So it is nice to see the chefs here explore outside of their comfort zones. The chicken options were all about average, and the whole sauteed mushrooms were delicious. I actually was very impressed by this place. I normally don't have soup on hot summer days, but after hearing raving remarks on the chicken dill barley soup with leeks, I gave it a try and must concur. Grab a few lemon wedges from the bar and sprinkle generously on the soup (and almost any dish here you'd like). Granted we were here for a private function, but I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. In my honest opinion the lunch buffet at this function here was good enough to be had at a wedding reception. Hint hint to anyone considering Mideast food at their special day. Plenty of options for meat lovers, and just enough options for veggies. Two thumbs up!
(4)
Christopher J.
One of the first places I visited when I moved to Chicago. Disastrous first date, delightful meal! A handsome young fellow asked me out to dinner and suggested Reza's (as I had mentioned I love Persian food). We hemmed and hawed over the menu for a bit and I eventually settled on the lam kebab with grilled veggies and seasoned couscous. Thank god for this man's inability to hold a conversation because it gave me the ability to zone out and enjoy how lovely this restaurant is. Charming atmosphere (really beautiful on a great day when they open the front doors up onto the sidewalk, it makes the dark wood paneling glow), great music, and an excellent location. While the guy texted and tweeted his way through half of the meal--regardless of how engaging and funny I was--I begged and pleaded the gods of saffron to bring me my meal. Be praised, it couldn't have come fast enough. Now I had a real reason to ignore the chump, which wasn't hard. These lamb chunks (and they were, just great heaping chunks of meat) were cooked to tender, juicy perfection. Seasoned expertly and served on a giant plate with solid slices of grilled tomatoes and sweet, white onions, this meal could not have been better Add to it the beautiful, fluffy couscous, attentive--yet not overbearing--service, and you have one happy man. Regardless of the terrible date--he even went dutch. On the first date. Where is the chivalry? "Ya ask, ya pay." Am I right, boys?--This restaurant is nestled firmly in my "Returning Very Soon" column.
(4)
Tim H.
Meh. Reza is a staple in Andersonville right in the heart of the neighborhood, and you can't miss it with its large red-lit sign. The restaurant is 'Persian' but in reality it's an Americanized catch-all of 'Middle Eastern cuisine.' The decor is ostentatious, and the wait staff is hit-or-miss. Overall the food is average. It ends up being mostly kabobs, some salads, soups, and 4 authentic dishes. Kabob dinners are marked up, IMO. $15-20 for a meat of your selection + side + and a soup. Considering the price different is about $3 dollars more to get the Fillet Mignon over the chicken, I'd recommend the steak. And I've always opted for the Dill Rice over White Rice. Never understood why Reza's is so popular, they do have a buffet -- if you like buffets. But it seems to have established itself as a constant in the neighborhood, and even though I definitely think the neighborhood could do better, I suppose it could be worse. Reza's is just sort of there -- I end up going there about once a year for work functions and for that purpose it's fine, but nothing outside of that.
(3)
Anne C.
I went here for my birthday, and it was not very good at all. I got the beef kabob. It was SPEWING grease. I simply couldn't eat it. Also, the meat didn't seem cooked enough as the texture didn't seem right. The potatoes were also SPEWING grease. Someone else got the white fish, but the vegetables were beyond oily. Basically, everything on everyone's plate was UBER greasy to the point where it was just gross. Our server was quick and efficient, but staring at us the whole time from a corner (not too many costumers) and it was creepy. I wouldn't come back because the food was gross.
(2)
Amanda M.
More of a 3.5. Came for dinner and was nicely seated the by the window. My sister first ordered a mojito, in which our server said they didn't have but will check. She came back and said that they did have it (she was quite awkward). My sister said her mojito was very weak, but is somewhat understandable for a family restaurant. We had the hummus and grilled potatoes for appetizers, which came really fast. The hummus was nice and creamy, but would have liked a tad more flavor. The potatoes were very good and perfectly cooked as thick steaks, but a tad too buttery and not enough garlic flavor for my liking. Had the chicken barley soup and it was alright, nothing outstanding. My sister had the tomato lentil and it was a little too salty. Our entrees took a tad long to come. Had the boneless chicken kabob with dill rice. The chicken was perfectly cooked with a nice tangy flavor to it. Dill rice was also good. The portions were quite substantial. However, as in the menu and pictures note, the accompanied grilled vegetables were merely 2 pieces of onions and 1 tomato and no zuchinni. Also tried my sister's vegetarian platter including mushroom stuffed pepper and falalfel. The stuffed pepper was good, but again quite standard. The falafel was too dry. Overall, the food was good but not outstanding. And for personally liking bland food, their food could have been a little more flavorful. Service was decent. At first, out waitress was somewhat standoffish. However, she was very present in the end, and even gave us our own pitcher of water, noting that their glasses are quite small. Decor of the place is very nice and comfortable.
(3)
Mister M.
$20 bucks for the Saturday and Sunday evening buffet is hands down the best bargain in town. Honestly, the chicken barley soup with leeks and dill is almost worth the price of admission by itself. I LOVE.this soup! Hummus, falafel, and Persian salad make a great start. At least 3 different rice dishes to choose from, leg of lamb , roast beef, kabobs, lamb, beef and chicken. Ground meat kabobs as well. Unbelievable. Andersonville is so much fun too. Visit the Pars Persian shop across the street and stop in to Alamo shoes (ask for Bruce). The folks that run this location of Rezas are much nicer than the staff on Ontario. I go here whenever I am able.
(5)
Andy M.
Generous portions and decent prices for what you order. Service is usually pretty attentive, but silent. Huge space, nice small side and front patios, and constant sangria specials. Neighborhood face.
(4)
KM Y.
I wanted to love Reza's. I had heard great things and had to try it for myself. The food was good, but not spectacular and certainly didn't live up to the hype. The highlights: Great kafta kabobs and dill rice The low lights: Bland hummus and falafel Also, when we arrived, the restaurant was perhaps 1/4 full, yet the waitress tried to dump our party of four in a back room where no one was sitting. We asked to be moved back to the front and they were gracious about it. However, it was an odd dynamic to start our dinner.
(3)
Christina M.
I went in for the L STOP launch party and had such a great time. I honestly never thought to go to Reza's though I've seen it.... The food was phenomenal especially the vegetable dish. Bartenders were friendly and they staff was amazing I can't wait to go back for a nice dinner.
(4)
ali m.
Good kababs, The waitress that served us at the night was so friendly.The down part is that prices are rocket high!
(3)
Babak B.
What can I say. I've been going here since I could walk. The lunch buffet is truly an amazing deal. All of the locations make me happy but of course N clark is the best. I think the manager there since I was little is the owners cousin or something. I like the Oakbrook location too since I usually stay in Oakbrook when I visit Chicago and it's got a smaller feel to it which I like.
Whenever I visit my Aunt, a retired university professor, we usually stop here for dinner. Over the years, we have eaten here about a dozen times or more. We started off with the Dolmeh (which are grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomato, onion, herbs & spices in tomato saffron sauce). We ordered the kabab tabei which was moist, succulent, tender and incredibly delectable. Central to the Persian dishes are numerous rice dishes, some containing almonds, pistachios, dill, glazed carrots or orange peels, and raisins; others with vegetables and spices; occasionally with meat. However, at Reza's there are only two or three kinds of rice. We ordered Dill rice which fell flat in the taste category. Other dishes to try here are: Stews (which are fairly good), dumplings, kebabs (several different kinds and all are excellent), and stuffed vegetables accompanied by different sauces. Many of the dishes are vegetarian, and the mixing of sweet and savory, such as grains stewed with fruit and spices produces some unique delectable dishes. The result is a feast of outstanding, unique flavors and textures as well as a visual delight. One dish that we tried before, but did not see on the menu this time around, was Fesenjan. I am sure they would fix it for us upon request. Fesenjan is a Persian chicken stew with a sauce made of toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses. It may sound a bit strange, but trust me, this dish is the perfect amalgamation. The toasted walnuts are rich and warm, while the pomegranate molasses is sharp and berry toned. The juxtaposition of the crunchy walnuts, with the tart sweetness of the pomegranate, and saltiness of the chicken make for an unbelievable explosion of delicate flavors. The end result is spectacular and plate-licking good! SERVICE is attentive, but not overly smothering. Most of the servers are nearly mute and barely crack a smile. Maybe it's a cultural thing. They do speak English, but others barely get by. I found another excellent Persian restaurant located in the Albany Park neighborhood with fabulicious lunch specials (Noon-O-Kabab), which has excellent Persian food.
(4)
Chris W.
I was here for a wedding. We didn't get to pick out what we were going to eat, BUT there was a huge variety that kept coming out. It was a nice middle eastern reception spot particularly for the music, dancing, lighting and colors. The bar in the front room was open to us which I got an espresso shot that made me giggly like I was on speed. I mean I don't normally drink coffee but regardless. You could hear the difference between the front and back rooms which means if there was a party going on like ours, you wouldn't be bothered in the main dining room. Food that was delicious? All of it. I mean...their falafel was in the top three best falafel i've ever tasted. Also, their stuffed grape leaves and buttered potatoes were divine. Herb roasted feta and veggie kebabs as well were incredible. I highly recommend coming for a nice dinner, especially with family. Quick note though, they are pricey.
(3)
Antonio M.
I had never eaten Persian food and decided to give this place a try. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi, which is a sort of National Iranian stew. I also ordered some babaganoush. I have to say, the babaganoush was fantastic as was the bread they served. The ghormeh sabzi, on the other hand, tasted like vomit. This is not hyperbole, but I honestly could not eat it. I am the opposite of a picky eater and I love bitter herbs, but for some reason I was repulsed by it. I must have tried at least 5 spoonfuls and each one was worse and worse. However, maybe I'm not used to it or perhaps my taste buds just did not match up. I have no basis to say that it was cooked poorly or incorrectly, but I just could not stomach it. The person I was with ordered the chicken fesenjan, which was alright, but not noteworthy. What saved this meal was the delicious babaganoush, and I mean delicious. I've been to a few Middle Eastern restaurants both in Chicago and Boston and very few get it right. The atmosphere is great, clean bathrooms, awesome service, etc.
(3)
Stephen R.
It's been years since my last visit and just wish we could transport this amazing restaurant to Dallas. The beef is perfectly flavored - but the rice is the killer (OMG)! Not sure what they do with it but it keeps me coming back. One Sunday went for the buffet and was sooooo full - the next bite I took was Monday for breakfast. It was fabulous.
(5)
Andrew T.
Great food, pretty inexpensive and good service!
(4)
Mat M.
I've never had bad service or food at Reza's Restaurant. It's my go to for Mediterranean food. Hummus and Kabobs, oh my! The service is always good and the food is abundant- you won't leave hungry! I haven't done their buffet as it's just not my thing, but their menu is quite large and has a lot of options.
(4)
Doug D.
Good fare, dismal service :( wait staff was too busy for menu questions, etc. Food learning is necessity for me. If you like McDonald's line service, its here.
(2)
Meh G.
I went to Reza's to see what the hype was all about and I have to say that I was less than impressed. Not only their service wasn't that great, but their food seemed a bit bland and overpriced. Rezas is by far oneof the worst Persian restaurants I have been to and this was a huge disappointment because I had heard so many great things about this restaurant.
(2)
kristi p.
absolutely delicious! i've been going here for 15 years and the standards remain the same. this restaurant got me hooked on middle eastern food. LOVE IT! haven't tried the weekend buffet but want to.
(5)
Pash H.
The food is delicious but there are a few cons while dinning in...I went with a group of ppl and every single one of us received COLD soup and then our beverages were just nasty, I had one sent back and asked if they could change it for what my friend was having, the waitress was sweet and said yes, but she came back with my same drink in another glass! I was very displeased about that! And while ordering out, they always forget to pack something or the other.. You'd think they would know what to give to a customer being a "big" restaurant and all..
(3)
Marcee W.
Check out the all-you-can-eat buffet lunch from 11-3 Monday through Friday, $10.95. You can't beat the deal and it's a great way to try new dishes!
(4)
Kylie S.
I attended a Redfin even here so my experience was a bit different than being able to order straight off the menu. The food was okay, but it didn't knock my socks off. The service was really great. Parking is street parking and can be difficult in this popular area, but you should find something if you do a loop. I would recommend this venue for company events/retreats.
(3)
J. Terrell A.
I really wanted to like this place. The outside looked so inviting, but once we entered I was turned off by the paper that sat atop the table. The decor didn't scream Persian to me. Maybe I've been spoiled by the fantastical Bandar in San Diego. I ordered the Lamb Kabab Koobideh and expected saffron rice, but there was no saffron rice. The lamb was just okay flavor wise, not dry at all. I was disappointed in the rice, it was bland--not worth the price. Reza was just underwhelming for me.
(2)
Kelz M.
I was treated to Reza's this past Monday and you know what? It *was* a treat! Okay, I realise this place isn't exactly Tru but, my gosh, their buffet was not bad! I tried a little of this, a little of that... the chicken was especially delicious and the rices were lovely; I did like the dill rice that seems to be Reza's specialty but, to be honest, my favourite was the spicy chicken rice. Oh, man, just thinking about that stuff makes my stomach growl! The runaway winner, in my opinion, though, was the Bamieh! Bamieh is a light tasting, fried dough pastry sweetened with syrup that tasted a bit like honey to me. I won't tell you how many of them I ate but suffice it to say that "too many" would be an accurate guess. The decor is quite lovely, as well. Warm woods, exposed bricks and ducts, and plenty of room between each of the tables on the floor spelled success in my book. I never felt crowded - I love that! Thank you to my hosts for the wonderful treat - I'll be back to try a few other dishes soon!
(4)
Nicole S.
I am a Persian girl who loves her Persian food! Nothing beats my Dad's cooking but Reza's is a close second. The meat is always fresh, tender, and seasoned to perfection. I always order Ghormeh Sabzi, it's my favorite and in my opinion, the best dish! On weekdays they have a 10$ lunch buffet and weekends it is 20$ for dinner and worth every penny! The service is wonderful and the environment is clean and relaxing.
(5)
Dustin G.
I love their lunch buffet. Great food on the cheap. It's not just the buffet, though. You can order an entree, like the quail, and still have access to half the buffet (all but the meat). It's great "meat and cous cous" style mediterranean cuisine.
(4)
Allan M.
I've always thought of this as a majorly 'meh' place. Since I saw a bunch of 3 star reviews, I'll go with 2 here. At least the lunch buffet is tolerable here, since they have good dill rice, decent meats/kabobs, and I've always been fond of the bamieh dessert, which is a honey-flavored type pastry. They could use better pita bread, as well. It's a little ironic and funny that I'm old enough to remember long ago the Baskin-Robbins that used to be in the corner space of this building, and back at the time(and when I was a kid, before I tried other ice cream places I liked more) being very upset that Reza's expanded into their space! Wow, that probably was something like over 15 years ago? If it wasn't for the fact those times with friends/family going for the lunch buffet didn't cost a dime to me, I'd opt to eat somewhere else. I've always heard so many great things about Masouleh in Rogers Park, plus some of the places over on Kedzie.....
(2)
Jeff N.
Wine selection is generic and poor. Margarita was terrible. White fish is awful, rubbery breaking outside. All the tables around is we're not balanced, waiters fix 3 tables just when I was there. Not a good experience. Very let down. I am sorry but do not go here.
(1)
Arlene G.
went 2 andersonville fest this weekend & my boy & i decided 2 eat here 4 dinner. i have not been here in years so it was good 2taste their food again. they were havin a buffet but i wasn hat hungry 2 have that. however it looked really good cuz there were so many items available. i had the ground lamb wit dill rice & it was deelish! i love lamb & i could eat it over pig & cow anytime! the entree also came with a soup which was good even though it wasnt that hot. my boy had the same dish but with chicken instead & it was good too. i would eat here again if im in this area.
(4)
Liv B.
Anytime I'm in the area I have to eat at this gem. This is by far the best middle eastern food I've had. The beef kabob is so moist and flavorful nothing beats it. The soups are always amazing. We always do the buffet, everything is perfection. For dessert the bamia is so light and crisp it's hard to stop at one. It's a must. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. I would recommend to everyone and I do!
(5)
Kammie G.
As far as Mediterrenean places go, atmosphere and location wise this place was cool. The bathrooms were really awesome, absoluteluy different from any other bathrooms I've seen - the doors are double sided. It's just a different experience. The inner decor was pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary. The food was mediocre at best, I actually did not like any of the lunch buffet options that were there except for the grilled mushrooms (those were really good!) everything else was kind of blah. But then again, what else can you expect from a buffet?
(2)
Jan I.
Food is pretty good. Love their rice with dill, I can't get enough. The staff always seems to be in a rush....kind of like they want you to hurry up...eat and leave.
(4)
Calvin H.
This place is a winner. Very roomy restaurant, so you are not sitting on top of another table. Host is very friendly, and that sets the tone for the dinner. Many great and authentic Persian choices on the menue, love that green rice! Lovely place, will come back.
(5)
Carla S.
Being from San Francisco, I can't say my knowledge of Persian cuisine is grand. But now I want to seek out more places like this back home. I just returned from a week in Chicago with my dining partner and her family. Sheesh, that was a long week but I digress. It was my birthday and the whole family wanted to do this huge bash. I have celiac disease and there is no way they are cooking for me (last time I was so sick from gluten I'm still not convinced they were not trying to kill me.) We compromised and we went to this family favorite restaurant.it was a great thing we did. Okay now that the backstory is done, I must say that this place was very gluten free friendly. They understood cross contamination in the kitchen but I did get spooked a few times when the wonderful smelling breads were put down in front of me. but once explained,, the server really seemed to understand. I let the manager decide on my meal and I certainly was not disappointed. I had two kabobs (steak -holy juicy goodness- and chicken - also great but out shined by the steak, for sure). I had a split of the rice, which was awesome as I had never had dill rice before. And they even managed to come up with a fun fruit plate "cake" with a candle. Celiacs, this was of the best meals I have had. (And many leftovers were had!) We will absolutely be going back when I am in town again.
(5)
Lorelei C.
So, lunch today at Reza's. My first time here today, not quite sure why I never made it here before today, probably because I'm too busy hanging out at places with Miller Lite Signs.. And, no Reza's did not have a beer sign in the window..:( Okay, so this marvel of a place which specializes in Mediterranean/ Persian food was a new experience for me but I'm really happy that I'm always up for trying new things, I'm a girl who loves adventure! I loved Reza's, the patio doors were open today onto Clark Street and I was a little chilly but I had my leather jacket with me so I was okay..;) Exposed Brick Interior, lovely tables set with nice linens and just a very lovely atmosphere. A little noisy, people were gabbing big time today..:( Reza's offers a lunch buffet from 11am-3pm which I believe is $9.95 per person, a great value for everything they offered. I think the buffet is effective only on weekdays, but it's so worth it. Now, they had like 3 tables set up with buffet choices, one with soups and salads, one with rice dishes, and one with meat kabobby things that were so good, especially the beef and chicken. They also had some pita bread that was not very good, just bland. I had diet coke since I saw no beer sign in the window.. And as far as Customer Service is concerned I give Reza's staff 5 stars, the manager came over to our table twice to see how everything was and our server was great as well, attentive but not overbearing. I want to Thank everyone at Reza's for the great service..:) So, I liked Reza's alot, casual enough for a lunch, would be a great choice for a dinner as well. A great dining experience for me today..:) A very nice time at Reza's today, if in Andersonville check them out.
(4)
Barton C.
Very happy to add Reza's to my list of omnivore & vegan friendly date spots. Although my date is veggie friendly, it's nice when we can both order what we want. I ordered the Veggie Combo (baba ghannouj, gr pepper w/mushrooms, dolmeh, kashkeh(?) and veggie shami) and my date had the seafood combo of shrimps & scallops. Great food, excellent drink selections, friendly service and a delightful atmosphere. I'll be back for more whenever I'm on the north side!
(4)
Alexander D.
absolutely the best food. the chicken shish kabob on the bone is exceptional and the buffet will make you want to come back again and again. reasonably priced and simply delicious.
(5)
Donaye N.
I LOVE the salmon kabob!!! Thinking about it right now is making me drool! It was cooked to perfection and it didn't have that smelly fish odor. The serving was big for one person. I also enjoy their lunch buffet specials. Not only is the food yummy, the price is great, too! This has become the go-to lunch place for celebrations for my classmates and I. The service is great as well!
(4)
Jackie H.
Pros: The exposed brick wall is nice Specials are on a chalkboard on the sidewalk Nice neighborhood Cons: Overpriced Warm beer: from a bottle, no need for that Horrible salad, iceberg lettuce on a $10 salad, eh.... There are many much better restaurants within 2 blocks, won't be back.
(1)
Rabob M.
I've been to this place about a dozen times... each time the customer service is great, the orders aren't messed up - the food is amazing - extremely affordable with healthy tasty good. Its my fav restaurant hands down. I never get dirty looks from the arab waiters if I come with a white male friend.. lol... which can happen in other middle-eastern places.. since I look arab..Fav Restaurant of all time.
(5)
Jenny K.
Strong service, wide ranging menu, and extremely reasonable prices. The vegetarian combo can feed 2-3 people for $15 and they will generously bring extra pita. Since you're not breaking the bank on food, go 'head and order some wine or sangria. Be warned: the sangria tastes super fruity but may be more buzz-inducing than you think.
(4)
Bill M.
Reza's is an enormous restaurant (for Andersonville) with an extensive Persian/Mediterranean menu to match. The interiors present a dark but slightly upscale appearance. I ordered the lamb shank with couscous, which was good but not great. I was too full to even think about dessert afterwards.
(4)
Susan I.
I loved this place. LOVED it. My friend and I got one of the vegetarian platters, the one with the pomegranate falafel, plus the roasted feta, and it was amaaaaaaazing. The roasted feta, with roasted tomatoes and olives alongside, was so so delicious. BOTH of the eggplant dips were to die for - one of them had mint and dried yogurt (what is dry yogurt? as opposed to wet yogurt???). Our server was like a favorite aunt, very solicitous and a little bossy. We loved her. Now I am sad that I live thousands of miles away and can't go back every week.
(5)
Jacqui G.
I want to start off by saying the one star is reserved for the food only, which was very good (with the exception of the mixed mango drink which didn't taste like anything except sugar water and vodka) Service, on the other hand, completely put a damper on the night. We had a party of 20 or 21 people and made the critical mistake of not asking for separate checks at the very beginning, but that doesn't make up for the headache that everyone had to deal with after the check came: We were split into two tables, so I asked if they could at least split the check between the two tables instead of the one we received. The server said it was fine, so we waited and waited, knowing it was going to take a little while for them to figure out which table got what. They ended up coming back to us with three checks instead: one for each table for the food, and one long check for the drinks. Again, I can understand, since we didn't tell them initially we wanted separate checks that they couldn't remember who had what, but this would have been an important detail to point out... now the checks were even more of a mess: anyone who needed to pay with a card (and had drinks) had get it run once for the food, once for the drinks, and everyone had to calculate twice for separate tax and tip on top of that. One single person asked if she could get her check separated out so she could use her gym discount from Cheetah. I'm also a member, and had asked earlier if I could use my discount on the bill, but was told no because it was one giant bill and mine wasn't separated out--something I thought they couldn't do because they'd already told us it was one bill already. (The friend still ended up having to swipe twice because her drink was also one the giant drinks bill.) Anyway, the cherry on top of this entire ordeal was when the waiter started mouthing back at us. After we finally figured out everything and clearly wrote how much every card should be charged with, the server came back to us asking for clarification on the drinks bill. My friend (who had asked for the separate check) asked if this was how Reza normally handles large parties, and the server started getting defensive, saying most parties ask for separate checks from the beginning, otherwise they assume one person handles the entire bill. I asked why we couldn't have avoided everything by having everyone reiterate what they ordered, since clearly they could have still separated out the bill like they did for my friend. All he kept going back to was how the other large party next to us had no problems with their bill because one person took care of it. I kid you not, I was the one who ended up saying "look, it doesn't really matter, it's over and done with" twice to him before he stopped arguing back. Really, the only question I had was why we couldn't have separated the bill out after the fact to avoid all this pain and confusion. Again, I understand we made a critical mistake at the beginning by not letting them know we wanted separate checks; however, I can't begin to express the amount of frustration everyone felt over how the Reza staff handled the situation (Seriously! I, THE CUSTOMER, had to calm the wait staff down by asking him to just drop it!). The time it took for the bill ended up taking just as long (if not a little more) as the meal itself. It not only stressed the entire party out, but also impeded everyone's after-dinner plans. Honestly, it wasn't so much the bill (even if we had one bill per table, it would have been ok), it was how unprofessional the staff was and the amount of information they withheld.
(1)
Tara M.
Okay, I've been going to Reza's since they opened, haven't been to this location in a while and went there on Thanksgiving (no need to question why, I'm not complaining about the Thanksgiving offering of a Persian restaurant). Anyway, my complaint is that they removed Dolmeh from the menu, you know, the traditional stuffed grape leaves. When we asked why it was removed we were told it was because it was the only thing on the menu that they used the grape leaves for and they didn't sell that well so they removed them. Ahem, many people LOVED them! My husband would have me pick up an order EVERY time I went without him, and now he cannot get them. Unfortunately that leaves us to eat at other Persian eateries now, in order to obtain the tasty little leaves he's grown to love. The food is still good, but to lose a staple from the menu did sting a bit and left a bit of a bad taste in the hubby's mouth.
(3)
Terese P.
We enjoyed our dinner here. Although I feel like our fish dish was a bit too salty and heavy on the oil. It was disappointing to find when we got home that they hadn't packed up the rest of the veggie platter as we had asked. The portions were huge for what we spent which was a perk.
(3)
Tanya N.
They just opened a location in Lincoln Park and I had to check them out. I love good middle eastern food and am a sucker for a good baba ganoush. We went for lunch so that we could try several things without going overboard on price. The tomato lentil soup starter was very good, even better once I added some feta crumbles to it. We ordered a vegetarian lunch combo with baba ganoush, mushroom stuffed pepper, and roasted eggplant steak. We also ordered the Chicken Fessenjan stew for some protein, as I cannot get through the day without protein. I would say the best thing we ordered was the stuffed pepper, but I also felt like this is a dish my mother could make at home. Everything was "fine" but not great. I really didn't like the sauce for the chicken very much- it was a pomegranate sauce... sounded interesting at the time, but it left a literally bitter taste in my mouth. We decided to get the Persian white rice to go with the meal, and it was just super super oily. I left big globs of oil on the paper tablecloth each time I put down my fork, which was unappetizing. i don't think I'll be returning; there are many more and authentic middle eastern and persian places to eat in Chicago than Reza's.
(2)
Rodger W.
Just like the expression, Never Eat Chinese food in Northern Michigan, Never Eat Middle Eastern food in Chicago. First: Bread. It could have come from a food service truck labeled "Pita Bread". Ever Kroger in the Detroit suburbs would serve better bread in a bag. Second: Falafel. The best item I tasted. Just as good as the Gas Station falafel I had near Brairwood Mall in Ann Arbor Soup: Lentil. It was like Italian lentil, but with a undercooked tomato base. Simmer is your friend, Mr. Chef. Meat Dishes: Variety: Tender, but where is the spice??? I felt like I was grazing on roadkill. Sweets: Come on... Order the good stuff FedExed from Shatilla Bakery in Dearborn. Your local/frozen stuff is awful. The Best Middle Eastern in Chicago is Indian on Devon Street.
(1)
Rezvan F.
I am Persian so I know what good persian food tastes like!! The flavors are pretty darn close to home. That's all I have to say.
(4)
Kelly I.
This place used to be a family favorite, but I don't think I'll be coming back after my last experience here. After moving back to Chicago, I suggested that my roommate and I grab lunch at Reza's as she loves Middle Eastern food and she just moved from New York (she's also a vegetarian - remember this). After looking over the menu, she decided on a few appetizers a la carte and I ordered the scallop/filet kabob plate. While trying to place our order, our server very aggressively insisted that we go for the lunch buffet because it was "cheaper and pretty much everything you are (roommate) ordering is already out there" she declined and our server would not back down. She gave us a completely condescending look and said something like " listen to me" as she wrote the price difference on the table and then insisted that we allow her to give us a tour of the buffet. After walking around the poor excuse for a buffet, and listening to our server say things like "this is vegetarian...I think" my roommate decided to try it, mostly because the server went through so much trouble to sell it, and we just wanted to EAT already. After my roommate picked a few items we sat down and she ate while I waited for my meal. Before my food even came she was asking me to try the hummus because it "tasted really weird". I picked through her plate to find that the hummus had SALMON in iit. We're not talking one piece either, it was clearly mixed in even causing the hummus to take on a sort of pinkish color. Needless to say, she quickly lost her appetite, mentioning that the food was really bland anyway. My food came, and it was OK but nowhere near as good as I remember. Sorry Reza's, but that was messed up.
(2)
Wei H.
My friend and I went there because of the ambience it oozes as we walk by. Right on Clark, open windows, can't miss it. The pre dinner bread was very warm, soft and together with the butter and beet it was very tasty. I had tomato lentil soup which was a bit too salty but not too thick to fill me up before the entree, and the sweet and sour taste to it really enhanced my appetite. I had the white fish which was kinda too salty to my tastes but very tasty. The dill rice was fantastic and the grilled vegetables were savory and buttery to the right extent. Service was pretty good. We had a mistake in the order and although they couldn't take back the wrong order they served me a complementary Persian sald while I waited. Our waiter was very quiet and not very enthusiastic but courteous enough. The overall dining experience was very good - people talked quietly and the summer breeze was a perfect addition to the Mediterrean cuisine. Highly recommended for a date night or small group gathering.
(4)
Anna Marie C.
For $18, I had a lovely meal of dill rice, lamb shank simmered in tomato sauce, accompanied by a plate of radish/feta, warm pita, and soup. The meal was enough for two and in fact I had the leftover plate the next day. Great menu selection with a nice range of prices. You can do a simple kabob or salad plate or do what I did and go for something less run-of-the-mill when it comes to mediterannean food. The place is good for large groups and more intimate dates.
(4)
Diana W.
I have only ordered take out from Reza's. I usually hate getting take out from any place, even fast food, because something is always missing from my order. Reza's is the exception. Their lamb koubideh scrumptious, dill rice excellent, and white fish persian style delicious. Yup, definitely a fan.
(4)
Amanda C.
This place keeps getting worse for me. The service is often inattentive and misinformed. On several different occasions, I have been told entirely different things about what is included in the "mini-buffet" and what is not, only to have the manager correct the waitress. The menu is confusing and often incorrect. Not to mention the prices - Middle Eastern food (especially vegetarian) is relatively inexpensive to prepare. Whatever they're charging, it's to cover something other than the cost of food... maybe to cover the wages of all the inexperienced staff running around? I suspect that they are often brought in as friends of the family, and thus not judged on the strength of their experience and skills. I have sat down never to be brought any table settings, regardless if I was ordering the buffet or not. If I order an entree, I should not have to go to the buffet to get a fork, knife and napkin. I've also had bad experiences with getting the waitstaff to split the check, even when we have prearranged things. I had a party of 20 there one evening - two tables of 10, two checks. It shouldn't be that hard. I think we waited about half an hour to get the check back, after witnessing two waitresses going over our bill, scratching their heads and arguing right in front of us. Last Sunday I went for the mini-buffet, which I was told by the waitress couldn't be ordered that day. The menu says, "No mini-buffet on Saturdays." After having the manager correct her, I went up to enjoy some delicious falafel, only to find that it wasn't included on the mini-buffet that day. Why? I have no idea. No explanation. Every other time, it has come with it. So I paid $10.95 for pita, hummus, cucumber salad and lentil soup. Hip hip, hooray. I won't be returning.
(1)
Carly O.
Reza's was my first experience with Mediterranean food. This was over ten years ago, but I'll never forget tasting those succulent pieces of charbroiled steak and chicken and the huge mound of rice that would make someone on a no carb diet cry. Over the years, while they haven't really changed anything, I sort of lost interest. However, they really impressed me with the $10 lunch buffet yesterday. Persian salad, falafel, hummus, pita bread, a witch sized vat of tahini sauce, two kinds of soup, three types of rice, mashed potatoes with gravy, three preparations of chicken, lamb and beef koubideh and of course, those ridiculously good donut type thingies doused in honey. My only teeny, tiny complaint is that I wish they'd offer more veggies. I started to feel a little gross staring down at my plate full of meat and potatoes. Yes. I know potatoes are vegetables. I sort of had some kind of grilled squash in mind. But hey, that's a minor complaint for a buffet well worth your dollar.
(4)
Julia F.
Having recently returned from a trip to Turkey, my expectations for this Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant were high. Reza's didn't disappoint. The Kashkeh Bodemjan dip, a Persian specialty, was a delicious mix of eggplant, curds, whey, garlic, and mint. The Mediterranean-style lamb shank was also a highlight -- a melt-in-your-mouth tender meat cooked in tomato sauce with couscous and veggies on the side. Our server was attentive yet not overbearing. The drinks and food arrived at our table promptly. Next visit: the weekday lunch buffet.
(4)
Ben P.
The portions are big. The positive part of the review is over. This was the worst service I've ever experienced in a restaurant. The worst. I dined last night with a meet-up club. I went with a friend of mine. The two of us started by ordering a carafe of sangria. It was almost as good as watered-down kool-aid -- almost. For $16.95. Then we looked at the menu. The cheapest meals were around $15, but it seemed like the average price was closer to $25 to $27. I went for a $14.95 lamb dish with couscous. Three appetizers came with this entree.....first came the soup. The soup tasted great. The problem was that there was only one spoon between the two of us. I tried to get the waitress' attention. She appeared to see me but ignore me, but I figured I just must have been imagining things. I walked across the room to talk to her and ask for another spoon. She rolled her eyes, but she said she would bring me another spoon. Ten minutes later, with our soup now cold, we still were short a spoon. I look over my should, and she's standing behind the bar, folding napkins. My set of flatware is sitting on the bar next to her. I walk up there and pick it up myself -- she didn't even acknowledge me. Then came the pita, hummus and cucumber salad. These were actually average. I guess I have two positive things to say, and not just one. Next came my meal. The plate was huge, and there was a lot of food. My lamb tasted like hamburger. It was like a dry Burger King Whopper patty. Everyone around me complained about their food, too. Everyone except the guy with the salmon. Apparently the only thing that anyone could agree was good was the dill rice. When the waitress said she'd only split our bill five ways (there were about 30 in our party, and almost all of us were virtual strangers), that was all I could take. I'm not really sure how she expected us to split 30 bills 5 ways. I knew I wasn't letting anyone charge their meal on my card. I went to talk to her. I was polite. I know that honey is always sweeter than vinegar. She told me that it wasn't possible to bill each of us separately. I told her that I knew it was. (I have friends who are servers, and they've all told me that it's just as easy to make 20 checks as it is 1 check. Servers who refuse to do this for you, or who say it isn't possible, are just being lazy.) This was the same waitress that wouldn't bring me my spoon. She continued to give me an attitude. The manager overheard us, and came up to me. I explained the situation to him. He initially bucked at the idea, but after about 3 minutes, he agreed to split the bill for all of us. I went back to my table, and I saw my waitress and our other server b******g to the manager for the next 5 minutes. Right out in front of us -- they didn't even have the respect to do it behind-doors. The bus boy was nice when he picked up my plate. So I guess that makes three positive things that I have to say. I'm never returning to Reza's.
(1)
Kevin R.
Do you like Mediterranean food? Are you free during lunchtime during the middle of the week? $12 buys you everything you could ever imagine. You will gorge yourself on hummus, pita, falafel, etc. etc. etc. There's an all you can eat buffet ever day of the week Monday-Friday. Awesome environment, great waitstaff. I can't speak for the regular menu. But if you are a nanny and have the ability to brunch, put this on your list.
(5)
William R.
We went for the buffet on Sunday which we didn't realize was so expensive, BUT the food was SO DELICIOUS.
(4)
Celeste E.
Great group dining restaurant. Been to both city locations, but this one is a bit closer to home so I'm here more frequently. This place is big, but that's no reason to not make reservations because it gets pretty crowded. All the dishes I've tried are noteworthy. On our most recent visit, most all of us chose the dinner buffet and I find it super worthwhile. They don't skimp out- all Persian favorites are included in buffet. The roasted mushrooms and potatoes, hummus + pita, salad, cucumber dip, it's all available. Onto the meats. Reza's makes what I like to think are all the "famous" Mediterranean meats. I wish I could remember the Reza's names for everything, but I can't and I would hate to butcher the pronunciation! The seasoned lamb is always a must-try (my boyfriend preferred it over the steak - that says a lot), The filet is still delicious, as is the Reza's chicken and the ground beef. All buffet meats are served kabob-style, where you get 3-4 chunks in once piece. Pair the meat with Reza's dill rice...which we deem "crack-like" because you keep spooning more onto your plate. Finish the meal with Baklava and fruit. If you order a la carte, be prepared for a ton of food. Boyfriend's steak skewer meal had 2 huge sticks of filet plus a ton of rice. He took about half to-go. I'm getting full again thinking about all this delicious food. Reza's is a nice place to bring out of towners, as I have found not too many people in their 20's have yet tried Mediterranean cuisine other than Saganaki. Dress code is casual. I always look forward to coming back because Reza's never disappoints!
(4)
Caley R.
I've been here once. Years ago. This is my one and only brush with middle eastern food. I can't tell you what dish I ate, other than it included chicken and beef I think, but everything tasted great! Just thought you should know! Now that I finally found the name of this place, I can come back.
(4)
Anna B.
Hot summer night, amazing company, open windows, cool breeze, clean tablecloth, ice tea, great food. Thanks Reza for making this night memorable. Gormeh Sabzi delicious Baked Feta, delicious Beef Mignons, delicious You know I will be back.
(5)
Jessica K.
Oh my goodness, how does one NOT love this place?? I've been coming here since grade school and one thing that stands out is consistency. I've never done their lunch buffets and personally I wouldn't do a buffet but their lamb and chicken kabobs with the saffron and dill rice is killer! They give you grilled vegetables and a giant tomato to add to the already perfectly spiced lamb (tender by the way). I enjoy coming here, getting wonderful service and bringing friends here knowing they'll love it too. They have two dining areas and the option of opening their giants windows during beautiful days is extra appealing. I don't enjoy anything vegetarian but their lentil soup makes me rethink my stance sometimes. Order the hummus as an appetizer and you'll get chunks of feta and little radishes along with a great homemade hummus beautifully presented. The wait at night isn't horrible and you never feel rushed. I went next door once and I couldn't understand why they put almonds and pureed tomatoes on broiled chicken but I never strayed away from Reza's again. They will do take-out service as I've done a couple times when i was under the weather and again everything is impeccably packaged and on time. It's a great Mediterranean restaurant flanked by a not so awesome one. Why else would they have two?
(4)
Jackie J.
Food was great: check Service was great: check Restaurant was clean: check Bill delivered timely/not rushed: check Bang for the buck: check (At least the buffet, their regular entrees were quite pricey...) 5/5 I have it in the back of my mind that by the time I die or move away from this country, I should try every restaurant in Edgewater/Andersonville, the neighborhoods I grew up in. I have always wanted this try this place and have finally gotten around to it. A friend of mine treated me to what I thought was going to be a light lunch (it was 11 am) but what turned out to be a buffet. I did not eat as much as I would have if I'd have woken up a lot earlier, but alas, my fickle tummy could not handle all the wonders the buffet had to offer. I really could not tell you every little thing I ate. I grabbed a bite sized piece of everything that was ready on my only trip to the buffet tables. Everything was set up nice and neat with covers for the food. I thought the place very cleanly and friendly. Our waiter (he didn't share his name, he was a tall man with dark hair and a nice accent) was awesome for no apparent reason. The food was amazing. I am not an authority on this cuisine, but you don't have to be to know it was banging. The only thing I didn't like were the soups. I tried falafel, beef, chicken, chicken stew, lamb stew, hummus (better than any other I've had), Persian salad, pita bread with a generous sprinkle of tasty herbs, and so on and so on. They had three kinds of rice, each more delicious than the last. Damn good. I can't wait to go back. All that delicious food at my disposal...? For $11 after tax?! Yesh, plz.
(5)
Lakshmi R.
For about 20 bucks on Saturdays (and perhaps other days?), you can enjoy Reza's all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. This is important info to know. Because while the food isn't the most 'authentic' tasting Middle Eastern food, it s *is* very decent (and actually, the lentil soup is a knockout). Plus, the brunch is extremely vegetarian-friendly. As if that weren't enough, you can refill your coffee/tea/OJ as much as you want AND you get a complimentary glass of champagne (hellooooooo mimosa!). So yeah, I'll be back.
(4)
Gayle G.
No. No thanks. No siree, Bob. What were we thinking? I live in Albany Park, the Holy Grail for Middle Eastern food in Chicago. But, we were in Andersonville and had not tried it. Went in early on a Friday evening and it was pretty quiet. We opted for the buffet considering that the prices on the menu were all more expensive than the $17.99 buffet. Buffet = mistake. First, Middle Eastern food shouldn't cost this much! Particularly, not for this quality. Nothing was hot. The falafel were really bad and tastless. The rice had no flavor. The pita were stale. I could go on, but I won't. Reza's feels a little like a trap to me. A trap for folks who are hanging out in A'ville and think, "Oh, that place is cute! Oh, that place is packed! A'ville has some great restaurants, I bet this is one of them!" Wrong. I did eat next door at Andies once and it was much better. There are better places in A'ville to eat. If you really want Middle Eastern, hop on the Brown Line and get off at Kedzie.
(1)
Shannon M.
I brought a friend from out of town here while we were doing an evening on Clark. It took us forever to decide what we wanted to eat because the menu is HUGE and everything looks good! We had initially wanted to order a sampler but didn't think two of us could eat that much food (soup, salad, 3 appetizers, entree, and dessert), so we instead ordered hummus and pita for an appetizer and then chose out own entrees. The hummus was less garlicky than I am used to but was delicious; the garbanzo flavor really came out. The pita was warm and fresh. I ordered the Fessenjan -- chicken in a sweet-sour pomegranate walnut sauce, which came with a pile of saffron currant rice. I thought the sauce on the chicken might be like a glaze, but it looked more like a thin tomato sauce, a little chunky, with a really sparky flavor; very different -- I'm glad I tried it. There was a ton of chicken and rice too, enough for three meals for me. The entrees also came with soup, a choice of lentil or chicken barley. I had the latter, but only ate a bit because I didn't want to be overfull, but it was very tasty. My friend had the shrimp and dill rice; she gave me one -- a tiny bit tough, so perhaps cooked a bit too long, but a nice, subtly garlicky flavor. Our server, Wade, did an excellent job and was wonderfully attentive. There were many other things on Reza's menu that I'd like to try (the mushrooms basted in garlic butter on the appetizer list, the quail, the Shirin Polo (saffron, almond, orange peel and pistachio rice), so I'll clearly have to make another visit. It's definitely worth another trip!
(5)
Laura C.
Tasty place! I got a huuuge vegetarian entree, with hummus, falafel, the works. With the order of an entree, you also got to visit the free appetizer buffet (it was titled, "the recession deal" so of course I liked that!) which was very good. I would go back!
(4)
Joanna K.
I tried middle eastern food here at Reza's for the first time! Definitely a good first experience. I came here on a date, and we both got the dinner buffet. The buffet consisted a good variety of foods. I'm not too experienced with middle eastern food, but everything was very tasty and flavorful. I definitely recommend coming here. I would definitely come back here again and try out their menu items.
(4)
Naman N.
Based on my last experience I didn't like the place. last time I was in the area was over 10 years ago, my dad and my mom's sister loved this place so this time around I came to the same place for dinner.
(1)
Hung-wei L.
i was in-town for business, and a colleague recommended this place for lunch. the main attraction was the lunch buffet made up of....kabobs. KABOBS?!?!?! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE, RIGHT!?!? chicken, beef, lamb, and spicy chicken...oh my! tender, great flavor, absolutely delish!!! shame on me- since that trip was a couple months ago, i forgot all the other delicious items on the buffet. but it was ALL GOOD, i tell ya! =) another thing to note was the giant-size pita bread we were served (about the size of a medium domino's pizza!!!). warm, delish, and uncut- so you can just rip-off a piece, use it to pick-up a tender piece of kabob, and just GO TO TOWN...! finally, i'll admit that i'm no hummus snob, but damn, this stuff was tasty!!! anyway, this food was incredible, and if i ever find myself in the Edgewater neighborhood again, I'M-A PUT (ANOTHER) HURT ON THIS MUTHA...! =)
(4)
Amanda C.
I live in Andersonville, which has some great great places to eat. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. After coming in we were seated in a corner and then ignored. Fast forward 15 minutes later and we have not seen a server or gotten water or anything. Eventually I had to actually go to the hostess stand and ask for someone to please come to our table. Someone came to take our order, although I don't believe it was our actually server, someone else brought out our food but she never asked if we wanted anything else or how the food was. I actually don't believe she said more than 10 words to us the entire time. I really enjoy Persian food but the food was pretty bad as well. The appetizer was lukewarm and I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been taken straight off the buffet. I had heard some nice things about the Kabobs, so I tried the lunch combo with both a Lamb and Filet Mignon Kabob. About the only thing good on my plate was my lamb, unfortunately it was hard to tell as my entire plate was filled with grease. The potatoes were just greasy and it was about all you could taste, and my companions rice was pretty bland. I couldn't even tell my Filet Kabob was steak and you can buy better at Dominicks or Jewel. Bad service and bad food. With so many places to eat I will not be coming back.
(1)
Doris D.
To quote the legendary Paul A. on a summary of Reza's food: "Pedestrian." Well said. $9 salad bar? Since when are falafels and hummus considered a salad? Sorry but unless there is some sort of a forbidden dance going on here at night, there is no reason to come back. Listen to that suggestion for "You May Also Want to Try Noon-O-Kabob" that is lurking on top of my review right now...
(3)
Jeff A.
Not sure what is happening but when I moved to Chicago 3 years ago, I was anti buffet and anti all you can eat... Chicago the Culinary Capitol of the USA taught me Buffets and All you can eat, does not mean garbage and trash... (suddenly I just broke out with a parody of an Avenue Q song; my version everyone's a little bit trashy (more lyrics to follow)) Enter Reza's Lunch Buffet for $9.95; not the way I do it up because I need Turkish coffee to compliment the heavenly pillows of dough honey and gods elixir; I think lard... Also I like the deeply discounted sangria, Id say its a sangria of a different color but they have the color down its just the flavor, I really like it, decidedly bland but before noon as an early bird at the lunch troff, I like the refreshing crisp morning blend sangria (my name for it), see I don't like real sweet sangria, this was more of a drink you throw down for rehydration while playing bocce on the beach, I like it allll---oooot! (many do not including peeps at my very exclusive table) This buffet is sure to please carnivores and herbivores alike! Its all on point and even some cantaloupe to clean your palate and aide in your quest for dietary health... The meats are plentiful and varied from lamb to beef with many chicken variations all surprisingly flavorful and all tender and juicy which is hard for buffet chicken... Back to those dessert puffs, light fluffy crisp magical dirigible shaped fried dough-that is life changing with turkish coffee! I could just sit with a mountain of these sweet gems and some turkish coffee and eat myself into sugar shock, they are just so my thing! What can I say, some say they are too sweet, I say you just don't get it! Soup to nuts this buffet has it! Mediterranean bliss is the state of mind, get lost in it and savor it, I approve!
(4)
Mary T.
Good food and a solid vegetarian menu I went here with my bookclub girls for this month's club dinner. Our server was ok, his English was a little choppy so there were a few hiccups ordering our food (adding chicken to a salad, etc.). I think because we confused him a bit he brought lentil soup to the whole table rather than figuring out how many people actually wanted it (fortunately, he didn't charge us for the extras). I'm not a big fan of lentil soup, but aside from it being a bit too tart, it was pretty good. There was so much food I took a lot home, next time I'm splitting a sampler or getting an appetizer portion. Side note, my meal wasn't served on a plate, but a tray the kind you would use at a party that's about the diameter of a medium pizza - way, way too much food for one person. I ordered veggie sampler #3, holy moly that's a lot of food - hummus, tabbouleh, cous cous, falafel, baba ghanouj and eggplant steak. To boot, it came with the aforementioned soup and a side - I chose sauteed veggies. The veggies weren't what I'd expected, it was more like a primavera sauce with cous cous on top. Considering I already had cous cous in my sampler it was the last thing I needed. I didn't care for the eggplant steak either, I expected a solid slice of eggplant with marinara over it, but other than the skin of the eggplant it seemed like I was eating forkfuls of marinara, bleh. I skipped the falafel all together, there was too much other stuff on my plate I had yet to make a dent in. I only had 2 real negatives: (1) The bathrooms, my friend is 8 1/2 months pregnant and therefore has to pee every 10 minutes. She said the bathrooms were gross and dreaded having to make a return trip. (2) More pita! We got one basket with one pita for each of us with our hummus appetizer. We got another when we got our meals. Since 3 of us had the veggie sampler, where nearly all of the elements require pita it was not enough. We didn't see much of our server so it was hard to get more. Bottom line: solid fare, especially if you're vegetarian. Expect to go home with a doggie bag.
(4)
Chicago g.
Good lunch time buffets and dinner. Parking is free next to the lot near Cheetah Gym.
(5)
Emily U.
I always had a kind of meh feeling about Reza's and I could never quite put my finger on why until a recent visit over Thanksgiving weekend clarified things. Firstly and most memorably, the portions are just ridonkulously large. For four people we ordered two vegetarian combos (about $16 each) and an appetizer. From this, we took home at least two meals worth of food. Wha??? I can't imagine what the $30/per person combos are like--it can't be worth it unless you can eat your weight in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food. Oh, the combos also included the salad bar (we got one serving, which we didn't finish). The service was mostly pleasant, but when the waiters brought out the food, there wasn't even enough room on the table and they just stood there and waited for us to rearrange everything to make it fit. Kind of awkward.... Overall the atmosphere and food at this Andersonville mainstay is decent, but something about the unnecessarily large servings really turns me off. I'd rather pay $8, get a manageable portion and save the styrofoam containers.
(3)
Andy V.
We had a wonderful dinner and the service was great. We liked that the soup and appetizer bar were self-serve had had excellent choices for salad, soup and many other items. The quality was excellent and the portions were generous (important to me since I'm a hungry guy and many restaurants tend to skimp in this area). We both agreed that we would be back. I recommend the Chicken Kabob dinner entree.
(4)
isha a.
I tried Reza'a buffet today for lunch and the food was exceptionally good! At the spur of the moment (and I never do that, I've had one bad experience in the past to teach me a lesson) I ordered a huge meal for the New Year's Party tonight that I was hosting. And cancelled other plans I had made for catering! Yeaop, did I mention "spur of the moment". The Beef Kabobs are undercooked (even though I ordered well done, still have the receipt in my hand with the instructions I gave) and the meat still ummm for lack of a better word smells pretty bad. So on New Year's Eve at 7 O' Clock before the guests arrive, I'm cooking a good old home cooked meal I can trust to be served! So, if you're walking in at lunch to the their buffet, expect to be blown away. Only DO NOT CARRY OUT! And certainly don't order for a dinner party!
(2)
Ben G.
This is the kind of place that scrapes by because it has an attractive storefront, great location, and a solid base of local customers who must not realize how bad the food is. It's like the flashy restaurants in Times Square: Great looking. Pricey. Terrible. I've been there twice now and the service has been terrible on both occasions. I'm not one to write bad reviews or write off restaurants when I have an occasional bad experience, but this place is clearly not worth your time. Bad food, bad service, bad prices, bad experience. Andies, the similar restaurant next door, is somewhat better. The food is slightly better than Reza's and the service is occasionally good. I wouldn't recommend either place, honestly. Middle East Bakery & Grocery, just down the street, is amazing. Head over there, pick up some food to take home, and don't look back. I can totally understand staying loyal to your local joint, but I encourage everyone else to dine elsewhere.
(1)
Joel G.
Solid place. The service is outstanding.
(3)
Jay U.
Cold food, poor service, and unappetizing presentation characterized our recent visit to Reza's, and we will not return. The falafel appetizer, while tasty, arrived cold. The harried waiter left the huge plate of sauce from the falafel on the table through our main courses, which were accompanied by platters of Persian rice meant for one but large enough to feed four. Rather than seeming generous, it seemed excessive. On a positive note, my "crispy Lake Superior fish fillet" was tasty, though overly salted and accompanied by a huge blob of soggy fried vegetables. We regret that we didn't choose one of Andersonville's many other options instead of the disappointing Reza's.
(2)
Rachel G.
I haven't been here for about 3 years and was excited to finally be going back! All I can remember is that their filet was delicious...rivals Tango Sur in my opinion. We were seated right away at about 6:45 on a weekday night and the waiter comes up right away and asks what we want. Hold on dude...we just sat down! Since it had been a long time, I had to look everything over. He came over 3 times before we finally ordered...I guess it's better than being ignored. But he was very short with us, not friendly at all and seemed to always be in a rush. I guess they now offer the side dishes that come with an entree as part of the buffet now? Last time i was there the bread and soup came to the table. Now you have to get up and go on over to the buffet. Why this is a change...it was a nice change b/c they now have falafel as part of the side dishes! YUM! My friend and I both got the filet Meditteranean style and it was delish. The couscous is so good too. Food here gets 5 stars. But -1 star for the Sangria...yuck...watered down and no flavor. Pass on that! And then the wiating game begins! After we were clearly done with our meals, we waited for over 20 min for our waiter to to get back to us. We were kind of on a semi-strict time frame and we needed to get out of there. But he was no where to be found. Finally he arrived, but arrived too late b/c we ran out of time for shopping! -1 star for service!
(3)
Shradha A.
3 or 3.5 stars. The highlights: Great buffet variety, enough veg options, fresh food, free glass of champagne Lowlights: Can only go here once, only for buffet, a la carte food not impressive, costly place.
So...from a LONG day that was supposed to be full of meetings in Schaumburg, by the hands of a higher power, I ended up with a flat, and never made it to Suburbia! Yes, the flat kinda stunk, but that means no boring meetings, and the flat got fixed at the shop in a jiffy. Which brings me to staying in the city to enjoy this lovely fall weather. And then I got hungry. So I decided to venture into Andersonville to get some grub, and lo and behold...I saw a sign for Lunch Buffet at Reza's... Again, I am not usually a huge fan of buffets (read my review for the Jolly Inn); however, I was STARVING and it was yet another sign from above (regardless of religion!). So I strolled into Reza's...and surprisingly for a Monday 1 pm-ish timeframe, it was actually somewhat busy. After being seated, I proceeded to see what $9.95 would buy me at this buffet. For starters, I tried the hummus and pita bread. Creamy, smooth and extremely good. I also had a falafel and it was crispy and delicious! And to top it off, I tried the chicken barley soup - which was tasty and very warming for these chilly fall days in the windy city. Onto entrees. They had three different kind of rice dishes: a vegetarian, a dill rice and a simple white rice. I tried them all (the curse of being Chinese!). They were all good, but the dill rice was exceptionally good! And for meat to accompany my rice, I tried the Chicken kababs (both regular and spicy), along with all three different types of koubidehs (chicken, beef and lamb). WOW...it was all outstanding. And yes, I went back for seconds. As far as desserts is concerned...I usually skip at buffets because I am too full. Not this time. They had these sweetly soaked doughnut like pastries. WOW...and they went soo well with my coffee. Now...I don't live too far from Reza's, but let me tell you what...I will make an extra effort to go there for dinner. I forget how much I love their Persian Middle Eastern cuisine!
(4)
Chris C.
Came here for their dinner buffet. The food was awesome, especially their chicken and pita bread. However, the dinner buffet came to about $20 each which was higher than I would've liked. I'll probably go there again but will stick to their lunch buffet instead.
(4)
Leah C.
consistently good however, inflated prices... been going to reza's since i was a kid and decided to try a carry-out order to bring to our friends' for lunch. the food was as yummy as we all remember. i made a new discovery: kashkeh bodemjam = a DELICIOUS eggplant dip. it tasted like it included caramelized onion in the mix but the list of ingredients in the menu made no mention. SO good! the pitas were a bit dry - never been a huge fan of their pitas and hope that they work on that. i also wish that they would find better ways to package their carry-out's. tahini spilled all over the rest of my vegi sampler platter. kabobs were smooshed into packages that were too small (should've just used foil!). poor yummy dill rice was spewing out of their foam containers.
(4)
Anne F.
From what I have read, I wish that we tried the buffet. None of the people I was with were happy with what we ordered. The chicken was fatty and there was a lot of dark meat for breasts, the kabobs had no flavor, BUT the vegetarian appetizer sampler was great! The waitress was a bit pushy, but that wasn't really an issue. I have heard so many great things about Reza's that I am willing to try it again, and will write a fantastic review when that happens!
(2)
Nick B.
Andersonville has some of the best dining in the city from diners, tapas, brunch, you name it, it's there. It was time I got my Mediterranean fill in. I've been passing Reza's for years now. Quickly barreling down Clark and blowing by the large, neon red Reza's sign on the corner of Clark and Berwyn, I finally stopped by last night. I went with a friend for dinner at 8PM yesterday and was surprised how easy it was to sit outside on the patio. Reza's outdoor patio has to be some of the best seating in the city. It's secluded yet still allows a nice view of the busy street for some ideal people watching. This was a big win on behalf of the restaurant. We started with a glass of wine and started with hummus for our appetizer. I was excited to her about the buffet option they had for dinner. Awesome! But not really as we were told it was $24.99 for the buffet. I really couldn't justify that for hummus and falafel. So we ended up starting with a bunch of appetizers and ate tapas style. I wasn't too excited over the hummus which was annoying. There wasn't a lot of flavor to the hummus and the bread was cold. It was still could but I wasn't really into it. I will say that the falafel was awesome! I didn't see many other options for me to go ahead with as there was a lot of lamb on the menu. I enjoyed the night at Reza's but I thought it was fairly overpriced on almost all the options. I'm going to settle with 3 stars because sitting outside was really the highlight of the evening. I would say check it out, but just order off the appetizers menu and get a few glasses of wine.
(3)
J M.
As I walked into this establishment I thought to myself, "dang, this place is kind of dead for a friday night" And now I know why. I honestly cannot think of a restaurant with more bland food. Literally nothing had any taste. I don't know how anybody could enjoy this place.
(1)
Lynn K.
Good food, bad service
(2)
Carolynne M.
I have been going to one of the two locations for as long as I have lived here. A hundred years ago when I lived in Andersonville, this place and Calo were literally the only two places that would deliver to my "questionably safe area" (ahem, Clark & Granville. really? "questionably safe?"). Then when I worked in River North, we would get delivery about once a week from the Ontario location. So I am pretty familiar. Anyway. Part of my problem is that they are very pricey for what it is. Hummus is delicious, but $5.95 delicious? Not sure about that. The Koubideh is fantastic, as well as the Ghemieh Bodemjan, but really, we all know what the real reason is for going there in the end. And that is the dill rice. I have tried replicating it many times at home, but it is never the same. I would go here much more (since I work only a few blocks away) if the prices were a little more reasonable.
(3)
Dilip J.
I've been to the downtown location for lunch and brunch a few times, and I would have to say this is at least as good. Buffet is their best deal. I don't think the prices are the best, compared to other places($14 and up for dinner). But, the salad bar makes any meal there a much better value. 2 soups, 2 salads, hummus, dip, fruit, falafel, plus some dessert/sweet. That's what was available for the night I went. Food is good, but could be spicier. Lunch Buffet and Brunch on Sundays are pretty good deals also. Very good choices on Sunday's Brunch, and not bad for all the good stuff they offer. Call about buffet special pricing. Menu: rezasrestaurant.com/menu… Mon: $3 house martini Tues: half off on certain wine bottles
(3)
Jen P.
Once upon a time, this place used to be amazing. The service was exceptional, the food was of very high quality, and the prices were reasonable. I recently returned from college and, after being away for five years, am extremely disappointed at where this place has gone. The first problem I have is that the buffet, while being somewhat reasonably priced, does not offer the same quality of food which can be found on the regular menu. The lamb and steak dishes, which remain stellar, are now ridiculously overpriced and their pita is no longer served warm, and is perpetually dry. While the atmosphere remains pleasant, the food has lost its charm. This used to be a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal, but I now feel like every time I walk in, I should be prepared to hand over the entire contents of my wallet. I still enjoy the food, but not paying ten to fifteen dollars more than what I used to pay for it. If you must visit, try a plate of the grilled mushrooms, have a glass of wine, and go on your merry way.
(3)
Andy M.
Just as yummy as I remember it. I ordered the meat Kabab extravaganza. The seasoning that they use on the beef and lamb are wonderful, and I could eat the Dill rice alone and be happy as a clam. It's a little pricey, but it's worth it for what you get. Reza's is one of my favorite places in Chicago. It's always consistently good.
(4)
Adam M.
Ok, the food was good - I had the fillet kabobs. I also enjoyed the soup and salad bar that came with the meal. There is certainly a lot of food included in the entrees - a couple could definitely split an entree and still have left-overs. Also, get the dill rice - very good. Now, the reason for two stars? WE WERE ABANDONED! Yes, I've heard of such things happening before in the restaurant world, but this has never happened to me. After our server took our drink order, she came back for the food order. At which point she told me that the entree I had selected was not good. Come again!? Now, normally I would appreciate a server's honesty about the food, but this server was condescending as in "why would you EVER think to order such an absurd item!?" Well....because it's on the freakin' menu. After she basically forces me to order something else (which, in all honesty, was delicious) her shift must have ended because we see her leaving the restaurant with her coat on and saying good-bye to everyone but us. I totally understand a server leaving after her shift, but at least tell us. We then waited about 25 minutes before anyone else came to the table and even then the new server didn't acknowledge us. As if our server had a spontaneous sex-change. The new server was worse than the first - no water refills, no communication, nothing. Get it together Reza's, because your food is too good to have such poor service.
(2)
Chicago R.
Food was a good Mediterranean meal. Other than that, their service was horrible. I would agree with the reviewer here that I gave them for the benefit of the doubt idea not to get mad. I get pissed off after eating their lunch buffet, the waitress (not warm unfriendly, cold attitude) handed me the check without me asking. I told her I haven't eat my dessert yet. No reaction, but I guess she,s waiting for me to pay while she stands. So I pay. Then I stand up to get my dessert. Then the man standing told me I cannot get my dessert because I paid already. What is this? Is this a culture difference or what? Not acceptable. Service is bad, like they don't value customers at all. If I could give them a half star, I would. I hope the owner reads this.
(1)
Douglas J.
Please take this review with a grain of salt...I have never been a fan of middle eastern food. Went here for a friends birthday. Ordered the shrimp and filet kabobs. Like I said, I can't say I was disappointed because this isn't my style anyway. I found both kabobs to be nothing special. They were cooked well, but really didn't have much flavor. The highlight for me was the dill rice. It had the perfect amount of dill to give it a great flavor but wasn't overpowering.
(2)
Shannon N.
Reza's is good food - huge portions, very tasty delights and friendly service. I love all the kebab action. I tried the shrimp kabobs last week and they were fantastic - garlicky and delicious. The naan rocks, too. Really good with the feta and the tomato soup to start. Love that jasmine rice! Good stuff all around. Definitely check this place out.
(4)
Paul A.
I've been going to Reza's for more than 10 years with lots of time in between visits. What started out as a 3 1/2 star restaurant is now a 2 star restaurant slowly sliding to a 1. The last time I went there and ordered the shish ka bob (lamb, chicken, shrimp) it was certainly OK...actually a little better than OK, but a disappointment from what I remember from several years ago. I just went there tonight and ordered the lamb kabob. The lamb was one step above awful: chewy, flavorless with certain pieces almost inedible. The lentil soup and relish tray -- served complimentary with every meal -- was, as always, excellent. Then again, pretty hard to screw up radishes and feta cheese. The service was friendly enough, but awful. I ordered one of the fancy foo-foo drinks, I believe it as a Pomegranate Mojito, and it was almost undrinkable. As I was waiting forever for my check, different servers could see that I was waiting to pay, but did they offer to tell my waiter, or to perhaps pick it up themselves and bring it to the register? Of course not. Not their table. The only positive out of this entire dining experience is that the entree is enough to feed 2-3 people -- and the dill rice is great! My suggestion is go to other Andersonville stalwarts Cousins or Andies. That's what I'm going to do next time.
(2)
Jacob J.
I used to very much dislike Reza's. Primarily because even though I'd been here soo many times, I'd always thought the food wasn't very tasteful and there wasn't anything about their dishes that screamed "must have again" . The kabobs I'd always thought were dry and pointless. That was a year ago. I'd gone today with some friends and the food was excellent, though as with most nice sit down middle eastern places, food is so damn expensive. I think they've raised their prices yet again. I was surprised to see that the menu has grown wider. The lamb kabobs were fantastic, juicy and tasty. The dill rice is always a pleaser. The Filet mignon kabobs, just order a few skewers on the side, very good. Hummus was too bland. They have a better hot sauce now, almost felt like it was a little too salsa tasting, but it does have zing and is the right hot. Shawarma sandwich was pretty yum, I don't think they offered that previously, though they can add a bit more meat. Its a great place in the warmer seasons, but as it gets colder, seating in the front areas is hard to deal with at times. They've got alot of vents shooting warm air forward. It doesn't help enough. I like to have warmth and feel comfortable while I eat. At night, you can really feel the chills coming in through the glass. Its pretty good food and worth checking it out.
(3)
Mark P.
Very, very good Middle Eastern food! I went here with friends last week, and each of us enjoyed everything. The meats were tender and juicy, and the dill rice and other sides were great. The apps from the falafel to hummus were fresh and tasty, and the pita was soft and perfect. The salad bar was alright, but coming with the dinner for free was excellent. The only thing was that I ordered falafel as an app, and they had them at the salad bar too. Kind of a waste! If you are looking for high quality Middle Eastern eats, give this a shot. As a bonus, the night we went had 1/2 price bottles of wine. Check for specials!
(4)
fox a.
REALLY GOOD FOOD. and a lot of it. yes, it is expensive. but worth it if you need a nourishing, healthy, awesome meal with tons of flavor. things i didn't like: too much dark skin on my salmon (oh well, i picked it off with my fork), the ambiance (stuffy/boring), and the chairs hurt my butt (that i admittedly injured by drunkenly running a borrowed bike into a van). idea: don't eat for a couple days, get wicked stoned, stuff your face. then go home and google the recipes for your favourite items and make this grub yourself. dill. parsley. i love you.
(4)
Lindsay S.
Besides the amazing scallop dish, I really liked this place bc of the semi outdoor seating and the later hours. I ended up here with my boyfriend because all of the restaurants/bars in the area were closed or not serving food.. but I am happy that I did. It is nice to be able to get good food (not just diner or fast food) later in the evening ... and the service was amazing even when it was nearing close. I will go back for sure!
(4)
David K.
Reza's was once my all-time favorite Middle Eastern restaurant, but lately other options have come to eclipse it. This evening, joining friends there for dinner, I ordered my usual, which is Reza's Special Chicken Kabob. Usually, the meat of this dish is tender and flavorful, with a taste slightly reminiscent of a freshly squeezed lemon. This evening, the chicken was more on the bland side and not as tender and juicy. However, their dill rice was just as excellent as ever and a dish that really helps to make Reza's irreplaceable. I have yet to find another Persian restaurant that serves dill rice, much to my disappointment. In the past, I have ordered their hummus as an appetizer, and it has always been smooth and creamy and made with fresh ingredients. The flatbread they served this evening, which reminded me of a gigantic slab of Indian naan bread, was soft and delicious, and the crispiness of some edges where it was charred only enhanced the overall taste. Lastly, their lentil soup, which was served as an appetizer, was still the same, delicious (tomato-based?) soup, but I still maintain my one criticism and wish it was filled with more lentils, like other Middle Eastern lentil soups I enjoy. More lentil action, please! Given the thinness of the broth, I don't believe the lentils are pureed to mix with the soup, as other restaurants do. Overall, Reza's is still a fine dining experience, with good food and a restaurant decor of brick and wood that makes it a nice and cozy place to relax and chat with friends.
(4)
Rhonda G.
I Cheated on Andies with his next door neighbor. I'm so ashamed! Flaunting my love for the dill rice and chicken and scallop skewers in front of an open window on a perfect night. I tried not to like Reza's but everything from the friendly and attentive waitress to the delicious bread and chicken barley soup kept reeling me in. Scallops and chicken were cooked to perfection and kept me eating long after I was full. What a Harlot! Sipping delightful Pinot Grigio and giggling with friends as if I'm doing nothing wrong. I love Reza's and may make this food affair a once in a while thing but my heart belongs to Andies. If he'll still have me.
(4)
heidi s.
The Awesome:All I can say is stuffed green pepper with mushrooms on Vegetarian Sampler #4 is super tasty:) The rice with dill and lima beans is really tasty too, but if u get the sampler bring another person and share it b/c it's too much for just one person to handle:) The Not So Awesome: Alright, so I had an cocktail here called the electric lemonade. Looks enticing, but don't get it. I swore their was like no vodka in it,the cherries in it looked really sad, and it was $8.00! I also hate when it feels like menus haven't been cleaned before the shift b/c they get all sticky and loaded with germs, yuck! Overall, Reza's you are doing a decent job, just need a lil work, but your Clark St. location is a nice spot so make it work!!
(3)
Amanda W.
While I would rate Reza's higher than its next door neighbor Andies, they get three stars on principle. Please note: the sign that is outside their door on the weekend advertising the $9.99 buffet is ONLY for weekdays. PLEASE, Rezas, this feels a bit like false advertising since the sign says M-F in very small print and there's obviously a buffet inside. Husband and I nearly spit when we got the bill for some decent food and realized the buffet is $15 or more on the weekends each. Not that big of a deal, but I'm not a person to enjoy surprise parties, presents, OR bills. However, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Reza's. It is the first restaurant I ever ate at in Chicago when I visited Loyola over a decade ago with my parents. Every time my parents visit from Kansas, they request to go here for dinner. My father usually ends up sneaking in a ziploc of A1 for the steak kabob which is a pretty funny sight and supremely confuses the wait staff.
(3)
Ally L.
DO NOT order delivery!!! The food is good, the delivery is awful. The delivery person got the address mixed up and then yelled at me because he said he wasted time waiting for me to answer the door.
(3)
Stephanie V.
i really like mediterranean food but i found that theirs was a bit bland. i have definitely had better. the hummus was bland, and so was the tomato and cucumber salad. the only thing i really like was their pomegranite sauce.
(2)
Naomi C.
I have been here twice. Both times I did the dinner option (for 2 or more people). It allows you to choose several diff. appetizers, dinner options, sides and dessert. I have had and enjoyed the grilled potatos, grilled mushrooms, baba ganhoush, rice, tomato/cucumber salad, lamb shank, sirloin kebabs, chicken kababs. The soup, some form of tomato base with lentil I believe was ok. It was a bit sour for my taste. The service was good the first time I went and ok the second time. It also seemed that the portions were smaller the second time (probably because of the economy and cost of food). That being said, the price was reasonable. We did get a lot of food and they boxed up anything that wasn't finished. Overall a good experience.
(4)
Joe O.
Been here a handful of times and have enjoyed the experience each time. The food is very fresh and just delicious. I can't remember what that ground up chicken thing is called but it's one of my fav items there. Service is great. Just tried the brunch buffet for the first time last week and it was also excellent. They give you such a selection to pick form, but it's really reflected in the price you pay too.
(4)
Deepika T.
Reza's is good. But nothing to write home about, I guess. I'd have to say that I have no complaints about the ambience or the staff. But like I said, nothing about the food made me go ga-ga. The lentil soup was your average fare, and the veggie platter was 'Umm, Ok'. And all my other friends in the group that tried the non-veg fare didn't really start jumping up and down about it either!
(3)
Aimee R.
I've been coming here since the 1990s and I can never get tired of Reza's. It has excellent food and great service. I like their Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, and all their combinations of Reza's Special Chicken, Ground Beef/Chicken. I also like the fried veggies that come with the order. The onions and tomatoes add a lot to the overall taste. I also totally ordering the rice 1/2 dill, 1/2 white, they're both good and it's good to combine them. This year, they also started a yummy buffet, for $8 bucks or something, where you can get all the falafels you want...along with the sauce, salad, and pita bread. Their holiday specials are also a great value and they include mimosas or sangria.
(4)
Risa P.
I went to Reza's on a Friday night. The service was pretty prompt (for a group of 10 we were out in two hours) However it was kind of confusing when ordering. I wanted to share a meal with a friend, but since the meals come with a salad bar (hummus, soup. etc) the waitress told us that would be an additional $9.99 sharing charge. This was confusing because in the menu, it said the sharing charge was $3.99. We decided instead to get four appetizers. The grilled mushrooms, the vegetarian sampler, the grilled potatoes and the chicken kabobs. The sampler was huge, with baba ganoush, hummus, tabbouleh and falfael. I was very disappointed with the falafel, they had a weird texture and were extremely sweet. (which I have never had sweet falafel before) The tabbouleh was fresh and good. The grilled potatoes were okay, except my friend got one that was not cooked and completely raw. Both the mushrooms and the potatoes were greasy and in a lot of oil. The entree portions are definitely enough to share (if you can figure out how to do it) and they have a lot of different options. It seems like if you go here, you should try meat dishes as those are their speciality. We sat by the front and by the windows and it was freezing. I might try it again as I have heard good things about Reza's. I wasn't not too impressed though. A side note--it is impossible to find parking on the street on Friday night. Which is probably to be expected.
(2)
Brett G.
I would say 3 3/4 stars.... Here's why The food was pretty darn excellent - beginning with the tomato and lentil soup and the warm pitas. The main courses - chicken kabobs and a vegetarian sampler, were excellent, and the presentation was lovely. I have a deep affinity for dill rice, and this was spectacular. The sangria was delicious. The portions were big - we both had enough for more than one meal to take home. I found it a little odd that when my boy went to order the lamb and chicken combo, they were out of lamb. Really? I've never heard of that, especially at a restaurant where lamb is one of the staple meats. While the interior was pretty and spacious (complete with high ceilings, and wood beams - kind of 'lofty'), I will agree with Dave S - something about the atmosphere was just off. I don't know if it was because the patrons at more than half of both dining rooms were large groups and in suits / dresses - like everyone had just come from church or something. I didn't feel totally comfortable there. The food was great, albeit a little high-priced, although I prefer Andies' food next door. If I order from Reza's again, I would probably get my meal delivered.
(4)
Abbey C.
This is definitely my favorite place for Middle Eastern food in Andersonville. The prices are a little high, so I wouldn't choose Reza's for a quick weeknight dinner,but it's a great place to go with friends on the weekend. This place is also massive, so it's a good choice if you're looking for a place to eat with a larger group. The decor is fine but forgettable, but for me, it's really all about the food at Reza's. The vegetarian sampler is a great way to start the meal -- the hummus is delicious and I really like the eggplant salad (not the baba ghannouj, the other one). The lamb kebab is fantastic -- probably the best I've had. My preferred side is the cous cous but the dill rice is pretty great, too.
(4)
Jenny D.
lunch buffet: $9.99 i'm down. before visiting this location, i had only been to the one downtown for a couple formals in college, and i was never really impressed with the family style pre-ordered dinners. HOWEVER, my bf dragged me over here for the lunch special one afternoon and i've been a happy camper ever since. There are enough choices and they are always refilled. Three round tables with the buffet trays, and they're each clearly labeled. The lamb and dill rice are my favorite. The spicy chicken is juicy and delicious, something u don't expect since it's sitting out in a warming tray. the only thing i don't like are the bathrooms in the basement. it's kind of creepy....just a little bit.
(4)
Marianne C.
annoyed - I love Reza's and talked friends into going. Saturday night - not too late not too early... what happened to their great wine list? What happened to waitstaff that knows the menu? We ended up with a waitress who didn't have a clue about the menu or how to serve. It took one friend going to the bar to explain to the bartender how a malibu and pineapple juice was made! No main course went to the correct person - so we did the pass the meal around the table game. The Buffet was great - because their Hummus and Falafel are always great - and soup and salad. The entrees were just so so and the dill rice my most favorite of all things was dry... and everyone elses food was dry and bordering on cold... I am guessing our chinese waitress forgot to pick up the order. SUCH a disappointment at $32 a piece - I felt responsible - I wont give up on Reza's but I WILL try to avoid that waitron
(2)
Nastassia J.
There's a ton of reviews about this place already, so I won't go on and on.... to sum it up quickly: Better than Andies (next door). And there you have it.
(4)
Roy R.
Rude waiter who seemed like he was doing us a favor by taking our dinner orders ... incorrect order served ... main course arrived not even two minutes after the appetizers, bad bad timing ... something brown and gooey was on the edge of my plate (nothing I ordered was supposed to be brown, or gooey ...) .... They were not crowded at all yet service was sloppy and slow ... for $95 for two, for what we were served and the poor service, I don't think we will be returning.
(2)
Emily N.
Date Night fell on a gorgeous Friday evening. Mission Mediterranean. Preferably al fresco. Enter Reza's. We were seated at a table next to the open patio doors. Perfect for a slight breeze and people watching. Ordered up a couple of drafts (I got carded, WEEEE!) and perused the menu. I opted for a shrimp dish while handsome went with the fillet. Both entrees came with the salad bar. Okay, so I didn't actually see the salad bar. I was wearing shoes that were apparently only meant for sitting. They are (re: were) fabulous though. I will miss them. I'm considering purchasing a wheel chair so that I can still wear them. But I digress. He said that there was a bounty to be had from there. He swears by the lentil soup, but it was too hot out for me to even think about soup. Hummus was super creamy and delish. Pita was fine, but I wish it had been warm. Falafels were crunchy outside and soft inside. Perfect. My shrimp dish was fine. A touch over done and a bit bland for me. My big gripe was the portion. The gave me a boatload of rice and like 8 shrimp. I obviously didn't order the right dish. When my piece got his grub, it was massive! Two nice sized file ts and an entire plate of rice. I ate quite a bit of his rice. Seriously, the dill rice here is super tasty. The steak was done perfectly. What? You know I snuck a few bites. Honestly, I would've given this place a "meh" rating, but I definitely want to go back for the dinner buffet and some more people watching. Also, the service here was tops!
(3)
Susan L.
This is our Sunday-night-takeout staple. Enough food so that 2 people could share 1 entree, or in our case, become nice leftovers for the next day. I do NOT like their baba ganoush, FWIW. Reza's is MUCH more inexpensive than it's next door neighbor, Andie's. Enjoy!
(4)
Noosh N.
Food coma I welcome you! Buffet, mmmmmmm! Everything was pretty good, I drenched everything with mast o keeyar (yogurt and cucumber) and it made everything even better! The soup was good. Their chai was even better, I apreciate good chai. I didn't expect such rich fragarent hot tea, it was a nice way to end my food coma~!
(4)
Rafael C.
I had my first visit to Reza's, in my hood, and it was quite OK. I usually don't venture off my usual staple of Mediterranean foods on a first visit to a place. I had the combo kabobs and they were delicious as well as the dill rice that accompanied them. I do agree with most that even though I liked the food it seemed to be a bit overpriced a smidge. Getting an outside table by the side street was no problem and the service was just fine. I haven't been inside the restaurant but it seems to be a pretty big space. I can see making Reza's my standby place for Mediterranean food especially since nearby Taste of Lebanon closes much earlier.
(3)
Colleen F.
Ok, I gave this place a 3rd chance not too long ago and it has now become a regular part of my delivery rotation. I've yet too see any more mystery fibers in the hummus, which is delicious. It's a little pricey for delivery but I always end up with lunch for the next day, yum.
(4)
Irena A.
I have been to this place at least 3 times. I am not impressed with their food. It just doesn't taste middle eastern enough...not sure how else to put it! I have had the lentil soup which was good except the lentils that were a little too crunchy(aka not boiled right). I have tried the Sultani dish which is pretty good-- the kefta is cooked to perfection! Service is pretty good. I am curious to try their buffet since some of the other yelpers seem to have liked it.
(3)
Purnima M.
Oh, high expectations, how cruel it feels to have you crushed to the ground! In this case, my husband set me up for failure. His great memories of meals here on business trips to Chicago a few years ago had me excited. And, I was truly starved of good Persian food and longingly recollecting my favorite joint in SF. So, really, this meal didn't stand a chance. With overarchingly impossible high standards to live up to, it was doomed from the start. In a word, my experience was: tomato. Yup, tomato. Everything I ate was bathed in a curiously sweet, stunningly bland tomato sauce - from the rice, stuffed peppers, even some kind of falafel-type dumplings on the platter. As for the hummus and kashko bademjan, they almost made me wish they were covered in sauce, it might have been an improvement. Sorry guys, this wasn't for me. Maybe I'm just the wrong audience for a kabab haven.
(2)
Jason P.
I'm a big fan of Reza's loved this place. I consider it one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I dunno what it is the food is so simple and good! Don't live in Chicago anymore but everytime I go home I make it a point to always go to Reza's and it never disappoints. I stick w/ the rice dishes w/ Beef kebab/ scallops/ shrimp/ lamb. Get the dill rice.. you won't be disappointed! Portions are big you can def. share but i won't share I'll eat it all!! Good luck parking...
(4)
Tuyen T.
I've never eaten at Reza's so I can't comment on their service or atmosphere, but my parents usually pick up an order of the chicken and steak combo on their way home. It comes with one chicken kabob, one steak kabob, dill rice, pita bread, and some veggies. I'm not a big fan of the combo because I find the meat and rice quite dry. I like their hummus though, so if my parents give me a heads up that they're picking up Reza's then I order a side of hummus. $15 feeds two people, not a bad deal. It's in Andersonville, so good luck with parking.
(3)
Jeff N.
I've only gone here for their lunch buffet. But it is so good that I have been there 3 times in as many weeks (twice in Andersonville and once in the loop). Two of the times I've gone there it was on a Monday when they have half priced wine. Their house chardonnay was great and went really well with the dessert. I will have to say they have the best buffet in Chicago and I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)
Mark D.
My wife and I had the lunch buffet during the week. It was outstanding in every way! Just the thought of that extensive variety of excellent food is enough to make me ravenous!
(5)
Tara P.
Let's start with the positives. We had a party of 11 and were promptly seated (with reservations...but still). The food was very good, huge servings and I think all but one order was correct. Now, the negatives. They all have to do with service. We waited a long time for our drink orders to be taken, then an even longer time for our food orders to be taken, and we were out of water for the 2nd half of the meal. That's forgivable for a big party on a Saturday night, but guess what's not? The most rude server I've ever had. Our table ordered a couple of the veggie appetizer samplers. It was good. For the entree, though, there are several more veggie combo samplers with different items on them. I'm not a vegetarian but wanted to try several things so I chose a veggie entree sampler. The server argued with me, saying it would be just like the appetizer, which was confusing since the only item the plates share is hummus. Then she asked why I would get that if I'm not a vegetarian (uh, because I'm paying for it so I'll get whatever the f### I want?). I got my sampler and it was delicious, especially the stuffed pepper, and as I expected the only repeated item from the appetizer was hummus. Unfortunately I was very full and barely made a dent. When the server came to collect my plate she said, "I told you so." I wanted to punch her in the face. So the rudeness is what really makes this a 2 stars kinda place.
(2)
Barbie S.
I am SHOCKED to see that anyone would rate this place a 5 star. No way, not even close. The place was packed when my friend's and I got here, and one of the reasons why we picked it was they advertise they are open till midnight.... HA! It was a Friday night, and I think we got there at 10-10:15 ish....and by 11 they were mopping and cleaning up. Which I think is totally inappropriate when you still have customers that are dining. One bonus we were seated right away which was nice, and the open windows are really nice.... but beyond that, I would not rate anything else here better than average. We ordered Sangria which was OK... not great. However, while we waited for our food to be served and our drinks, we drank all of our water... and even though the waitress came back to the table our water was never refilled? Even though we asked.... are water refills not allowed??????? The food was ok, not bad, but again, I would say it was just average. The waitress....when we saw her... was pleasant I guess, but how pleasant are you if you are not attentive to your customers??? It is large and the atmosphere is good... but nothing was enticing enough here to make me want to go back.... enough said.
(3)
Anna B.
I would love to actually review the food at this place, since it was so highly regarded by most of the yelpers, but alas it was not to be so. I went there last week with a friend. My friend actually worked at the downtown location, so he could not stop raving about the food. We sat at our table for 10 minutes without any attention from the waitstaff. I saw one server on a cell phone. I saw another one standing around looking bored, and I saw another server, actually working. We sat, hungry and thirsty for 10 minutes. Then we got up and went next door to Andie's, where we were attended to promptly. Such a shame when service costs a restaurant its reputation and REVENUE. I'll only go back if I'm on a diet or want to be ignored.
(1)
Rush L.
I went here for the lunch buffet. Overall, it's good to me. I would come here again for the buffet. I would only eat the same things. lol.
(3)
Dima M.
I have also reviewed the other location of this restaurant. If you must eat at this restaurant, I recommend eating at this location. While this is a little better, the ambiance is still mediocre, if at all existent. The saving grace for this place is the neighborhood in which it resides. If I had to move any time soon, I'd totally move to Andersonville. The food quality is OK, and the portions are generous. If you love red meant, go for the Fillet Mignon as they give you a good amount for your money, and by good, I mean GOOD. Also, if you are going to eat rice, go for the dill rice. Don't let the hard parking situation around the neighborhood get to you, there's a very hard to find parking across the street where you can park for free if you eat at the restaurant. So save your parking meter change, or valet money, and look for the shady parking lot.
(3)
Justin B.
This is what happens to a good restaurant when the service is just bad. The food probably was a 4 quality. The vegetarian sampler appetizer was OMG good, but the service had my wife and I reconsidering our standard tipping policy. We received no water when we sat down until we ordered it, when we did get water she left the pitcher for us to fill our own glasses, we had to wait about 10 minutes after being seated before the server came over to even say hi, received zero smiles throughout the meal, had to wait about 10 minutes after we last touched our plates for the server to approach us for the check/dessert/whatever, had to ask for more bread for our vegetarian sampler and even that seemed off-putting to our server, and never once was asked how the food was. I understand a bad night, I truly do, but restaurants have to realize that their reputation is directly attributable to three things: (1) Service; (2) Quality of Food; and (3) the space/ambiance of a restaurant. The service was so bad that I just can't justify giving this place more than 2 stars.
(2)
Rich W.
Was there for their lunch buffet. Good deal - $10 for a good selection of dishes. The food was decent. The spice level was good. However, the service was bad. The waitresses were slow and non-responsive. I know it's buffet and I shouldn't expect much, but did they have to talk to me like I owe them money?
(3)
Channyn W.
Tis ok. There was nothing particularly exciting about my experience, and I can't say i'm interested in returning on my own. On the upside, they set aside a large space for my friend's birthday which gave us plenty of room to spread out. The service was friendly and non-intrusive and we never felt rushed to order or to leave after we were finished with our meal. Even though we were part of a large group, they were gracious about splitting the check for three of us without it being a hassle. Also, our waitress took time to explain the family style options vs. individual entrees so kudos to her. Now, the food. Personally, I felt the pricing was a bit high for what it was. The menu is enormous and a little daunting though it is pretty well laid out and self-explanatory. A friend and I decided to split a few appetizers instead of ordering individual dinners which worked pretty well. I wasn't a huge fan of the food itself though. The grilled mushrooms were tasty, but the grilled potatoes seemed a bit soggy whereas I was hoping for some crunch to them. The hummus wasn't anything special, tasted ok, but not any better than the pre-packaged kind. It might have been served well if fresh pitas were brought with, but that didn't happen. I still prefer Pita Inn I guess. And that says it all.
(3)
Kate C.
I have been to this restaurant many times, and almost every time is with a large group. There is really something for everyone and the dishes are great to share. The past two times I went there was a buffet option. One time you could get the buffet option for dinner, which many people did. There was chicken, lamb, rice, falafel, hummus, salads, and lots of other typical middle eastern food. Another time there was an appetizer buffet that came with every entree, which was perfect because one of my favorite dishes is the salmon kebabs, which is not on the dinner buffet. I highly recommend the fish and vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian combos are great. I especially like the stuffed pepper with spinach and the couscous. There is plenty of room for seating and the service seems pretty quick from what I remember. Prices are reasonable and portions are large. You'll definitely be taking stuff home if each person orders an entree and you share appetizers.
(4)
Bridget D.
Reza's is in my top 5 restaurants in Chicago and has been for years. The kabobs, dill rice, and tomato lentil soup are out of this world!!! Your best bet is to order chengeh (filet) kabob in combination with something else. I like chengeh and scallops or koubideh. Reza's has many vegetarian options, but their meat and seafood really shines! It's always very fresh and the best cuts. The only thing I would advise against at Reza's is the salads. I have had tabouleh and Jerusalem salad on several occasions and it's never good.
(5)
Rudy S.
While I don't normally eat Middle Eastern food, everytime I come to this place..it makes me wonder why I don't. This food is extremely flavorful. The portions are also big, it's great for a date or for a group of friends. The waitstaff is also extremely helpful in describing the food for someone who normally doesn't eat Middle Eastern food. Just try to under order, because the portions are big and you end up with a ton of extra food. A bit pricey but worth it!
(4)
MaryAnne M.
My very bff took me here for my birthday dinner. I hadn't been here in a while. I love their grilled potatoes and hummus. I had the scallop and filet shish Kabob with couscous. Huge scallops. We ordered a carafe of sangria and it was the strangest sangria ever. No fruit in it, it seemed that it was just wine. They also seem to have changed their pita bread.
(3)
Thi T.
I've been hearing about Reza's for quite some time and finally tried it last night. It certainly lived up to the raving reviews I've heard. The place is huge and can easily seat large parties. I sat down and already had a yummy sangria waiting for me. The menu is rather large, and a bit overwhelming...but I don't think you can go wrong with any choice. We started with baba ganish (however you spell the thing), hummus and tazhiki. My fave was the tazhiki. It was refreshing and full of flavor. Don't worry, I ate so much of the appetizers, I barely had room for the main course. Good thing I had some serious meat coming my way. I took about two bites of my entree and was finished. It was sad because my filet was juicy and cooked to perfection. They sauce that smothered my steak complimented it so well, and the sea bass was also delicious! Unfortunately, I had no room for desert. Doggie bags! Just finished the leftovers today, and let me say...it was about as superb as the first go-around. I was very impressed with my meal. Unfortunately, we did have some issues with the service. Our waitress was a bit slow at times and neglected to check up on us at all after we got our food. It was a busy evening, but it seems like this place always has busy evenings. No excuses for the poor service. Overall, certainly worth trying. I would go back in a heartbeat to taste some of the other delicious options!
(4)
faith b.
Before tonight, I have only been here one other time. Before, I would have agreed with all the bad reviews about the service. However, tonight changed my mind completely. I LOVED IT! Around dinner time, it took a while for us to find parking... but it was nice that we got seated right away (without reservations). Our waitress attended to us almost as soon as we sat down to get our drinks in... and we didn't have to wait long to order. She was very friendly and funny! I was looking around the place to see if other waiters were just as friendly.. and they were! The owner or manager of the restaurant also checked up on us to make sure everything was ok. The food was AMAZING! The lentil soup was really good! I don't know why people are complaining about the kabobs because they were awesome... and you get ALOT. I probably got through 1/3rd of my plate until i was stuffed. They also have amazing desserts that you just can't turn down! Everything about this place was great! Hopefully our next visit will be just as nice!
(5)
Giselle S.
I came here for a baby shower during the Brunch hours. The food offered looked amazing. I stayed away from the meat and rice for Lent, and buried my plate underneath veggie and fish options. I tried the smoked salmon but found the consistency too 'gooey.' The whole mushrooms were to die for, and the hummus and pita were warm and delectable. I was pleased to find a varied selection of fresh cut fruit, along with choices for beverage ( lemonade, ice tea, and juice). Along with the brunch each guest received a glass of champagne. Pastries and fried dough in honey were offered, and oh soooo yummy. Just a couple oddities, the fresh shrimp wore their shells. The shrimp looked inviting, but I was in no mood to work with my food. The omelet station was there, burners and omelet filings were set up, but was not being offered throughout the time of the baby shower. The party area was toward the back and was the perfect setting for 40 guests. It was a little hard conducting baby shower games since people from another party had to pass through to get to the food and bathrooms. Reza's had a separate table set up for the cake and gifts. I believe the brunch cost $16.95 not including tax and tip. Sometimes the private lot gets full, so good luck with parking.
(4)
Laura K.
Picture a cold Christmas night with nothing open, not even Jewel, and my husband wandering around Andersonville in search of food since we had come back into town unexpectantly early. And low and behold, one of the only places open on this dark night is Reza's. He ordered take out since I was home in my PJs and not about to wander out into the cold (although he said their buffet looked amazing). I had the filet kebobs and they were delicious - tender and perfectly done. They included some sort of sweet pastry that had a hint of rose water. Am not sure if this was for the holiday or is a regular thing but it was yummy and much appreciated. Thank you, Reza's, for coming through on this old Christmas night. Without you, we would have been eatting canned soup and crackers.
(4)
Ted B.
The food is amazing, no doubt about that! I believe Reza's is more Persian than the traditional Middle Eastern I am accustomed to. Subtle differences between the two cuisines are throughout including the use of warm lavash bread instead of pita. Also, they don't serve schwarma. Dining last night, my friend and I immensely enjoyed a plate of Baba Ganouj, Fattoush salad, baked feta with olives and tomatoes and chicken kabobs with dilled rice. All of it was quite delicious. Service was just ok for me. Our server started out quite attentive but disappeared after he took our order. Also, the woman who sat us made such a big production out of how tall me and my friend were (i'm 6'4, he's 6'5). "Oh my GOD", she says as we walk into the restaurant, "you're SO tall!" Then later as we are enjoying our juicy kabobs, she comes over with larger plates so, as she so eloquently puts it, "you don't look like a couple of giants with these small plates". The whole time I'm thinking, 'can we just have a table for two and could you hold the order of shame please?' I'll be back.
(4)
Paula B.
What happened to the portions at Reza's? There was a time when we went to Reza's that the portions were huge and the service was fantastic. Now the portions both in dine in and from carry out are small and for carry out we've received the food cold. The service is also slower than it used to be. I'm disappointed because I love their food. Please bring the old Reza's back!!
(2)
mero cocinero k.
If I and my companera, the Vegan Lunch Lady, need a place to have a quiet, wonderful time, Reza's is the best place for it. The neighborhood is great! I can go to Women & Children's books and get books by Molly Ivins or Marjane Satrapi, then head over to Reza's and enjoy my consciously minded literature and eat the grilled potatoes, mushrooms, and falafel. I am sad that they now charge for the garnish of radishes, cheese, and parsley, which was always great to cleanse my palette of internalized oppression and prepare for a great meal and a great read. Please to all you non-royalist Iranians and their supporters, the name of the restaurant is in no way a tribute to Reza Shah Pahlavi and his policies that were implemented after the CIA backed coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mossadegh in 1953.
(5)
Carlos G S.
This is one of the very first restaurants I went to when I first came to Chicago. What an outstanding experience. Their roasted feta is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. Hummus and pita bread fantastic. I've had the Sultani before, and it is still my favorite combo dish. Sangria is good, but not outstanding. Ah, but coffee and backlava were insanely good. Service has always been really good, too. So, all in all, great. You won't be disappointed as I have never been.
(5)
Kim P.
This place needs my review like a hole in the head (there's already over 80) but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Tonight I gave this food delivery place ( grubhub.com ) a shot based on the glowing review of Caroline (fellow yelper). Grubhub wil pick up food from various chicago restaurants and deliver it for you. I hadn't eaten at Reza's before but after writing my review for the Greek Islands I was craving some Mediterranean food. Reza's fit the bill. I ordered the cornish game hen in a pomegranate sweet and sour sauce and the vegan appetizer sampler. I LOVED the sauce on the hens. My BF thought it was only so/so but he must be smoking crack today cuz I was licking it off my fingers. LOL For $30 the bag of food they sent us had to weigh at least 6 pounds,. They gave us an enitre sack of pita's for our sampler tray. I mean an ENTIRE sack of unopened pitas. The hen came with Persian potatoes and I really liked them. They reminded me of a dish my mom used to make. Thick slices of potatoes dressed in olive oil and some herbs. Well cooked but still firm enough to hold up to the sauces. I'll definitely be ordering from there again. I only give 3 stars right now because I can't give a full review based on carry out, but I'll be sure to update when I make it in.
(3)
C A.
We order delivery from time to time from this place cause my partner LOVES middle eastern, as for me im not a huge fan of this style of food, i find it very bland. The food is decent but stay away from the babaganoosh, heart burn central! They have great vegetarian dishes but they need add some more flavor to it. Delivery time is slow, i have never had an order delivered in under 1 hour 30 mins. so if you want to order for dinner, order around 4:30 because it will finally arrive around 6 pm. The customer service skills over the phone is absolutely horrendous, after i completed my order they asked if i wanted to order dessert i said no thanks then just click. they hang up on you and even during the ordering process they always put you on hold. The delivery drivers are always so nice though, and if you go to the resteraunt to sit down and dine in person the servers are always friendly.
(3)
Trung N.
Ive been to Reza's in the past and really enjoyed their menu and food. So today we went and tried to relive my past memories of this place! After we were seated I opened the menu, to my surprise it's totally different! They've basically changed almost everything that I grew to love of the old Reza's. I ordered the lamb shank (18.95) it was extremely gamey. I love lamb but this was terrible. The sauce that it was simmering in didn't help the over powering taste of the lamb. What ever happened to their signature mushroom dish and great lamb chops they use to have!? Unfortunately I'm not ever coming back.
(2)
Isla E.
I totally forgot I went here on a weekday for a baby shower for a coworker. So I'm taking off one star for being unmemorable. But it was a nice meal. They have a lunch buffet which I think costs about $8 per person. I can't find any info about this on their website, so I'm writing this review to let you know. I think its a great place for a work related lunch gathering. The Andersonville location is bright, airy, and roomy. The buffet offers options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters. While it wasn't the best Middle Eastern food I've ever had, it wasn't the worst, and pretty good for a buffet. The staff was attentive and friendly, and we were in and out of there in about an hour. I can't speak for the quality of their entrees or items off the menu, but if you are looking for an inexpensive, healthy, lunch buffet, Reza's is an option. There are locations in Andersonville, Oak Brook, and River North. Maybe call first to make sure they have buffet at all locations and check on price, then take your new favorite coworker to lunch!
(4)
Ryan G.
I'm going giving this place two stars because the food (although overpriced) was at least eatable. The experience we had with the manager, however, leaves me wanting to leave only one star. First off, the menu items are well cooked and typical Middle Eastern fare. They aren't anything special enough to write home about, but the cooks do a great job at leaving their meats juicy and their rice well seasoned. We walked in about around 9:30 PM on a weeknight. There were four of us. One person in my group had already eaten and decided to get an appetizer. We asked the waiter if we could do the Family Style dinner combination for the other 3 of us. He said sure and we chose our items. The food came out and there was a ton of it. Way more than the three of us could ever eat. Props for that. At some point during our meal, another one of our friends stopped in and pulled up a chair. He had a few pieces of meat, literally 4 at the most. He wasn't there to eat. All was fine until the waiter comes up to us and tells us that the manager saw my friend eating and is going to charge him for eating a meal. WHAT? We ask at waiter what the reasoning is and he tells us that the manager is making him do this because the Family Style combinations are unlimited. Sound odd? YES, BECAUSE NO WHERE ON THE MENU (I just went and doubled checked) DOES IT SAY THAT THE FAMILY STYLE DINNER COMBINATIONS ARE UNLIMITED. I completely understand how a manager could walk by and see our friend eating and not know how much he ate. Understandable. However, we didn't even finish our first plates. We never even got to the point of having seconds! We boxed it up and took our leftovers home. Dear Reza's, make it clear to your customers what the policies are ON THE MENU. I could tell how embarrassed the waiter was for having to tell us this. I felt like he's had to do this at his manager's request before. At the very least, hire managers who at least have the guts to talk to their customers. Bottom Line: While I hear their lunch buffet is great, Reza's needs to update their managers and their menu before I (or anyone I know) return.
(2)
Mike L.
In Short - Give it a Pass. I could not of been more disipointed by a my meal. The first thing that always stound great Middle Eastern or Persian restaurants is the smell. When you walk into the door, the smells of spice and tea should fill ure nostrils. When you walk into Raza's the first thing you smell is, well, nothing. To begin with, we sat for fifteen minuets after being seated for someone to bring take drink order. When the server did show up we ordered an appetizer but were not told that there was a free "appetizer buffet" set up in the next room. So our food - my girdfriend (yelp: starbuckscout) ordered "Mediterranean Style" kabobs; chicken for me and salmon for her. Our food was TERRIBLE. Our food was swimming in a awful mushroom sauce. The check had no sign that he had been grilled or seared - it was just chunks of white squares. The salmon was like gelatin. The gill rice that came with out meals was 1) dry 2) hard 3) tasted like nothing. At one time this place might of been amazing. But laziness and long years have atrophied over the years.
(1)
Kari C.
Amazing food!!! Persian food is my favorite, and this is some genuine Persian food. We had excellent seating (right by the windows/doors, which were open) and the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Will definitely go there again!!
(4)
Javier B.
Found myself at Reza's after trying to take friends to Ole Ole and realizing that they have closed! :-( I have eaten at Reza's several times and can only really say that it is consistently mediocre. I have had their lunch buffet and I agree with some of the other comments posted here. Their food is very inconsistent and really not great quality for the price. I love buffets, but this is one that I actually try to avoid. As far as regular diner, it appears that they have decided to do a buffet style appetizer bar. In concept this is great, but again the execution is lacking. The falafel is cold, the hummus doesn't seem to be up to par, pita cold, etc. The actual entree was very tasty but served with a mountain of rice is not the most exciting presentation. Too many other middle eastern/persian oprtions in the city that are better than Reza's.
(2)
Jay R.
The lunch buffet is a great deal and the food is tasty with a great selection. We where in the area and I had been craving kabobs they had a lunch buffet that was kabob heaven. They have 2 styles ground meat which included chicken ,beef and lamb they also have a whole white meat chicken style kabob each type was tasty. The buffet is a great price all you can eat for 16.95 that included a glass of champagne, tea, soda its everything included so you don't get nickel and dimed for the extras. The buffet includes alot of other items some of my faves were great hummus a nice salad a very tasty lamb shank a variety of grilled veggies and rice last but not least some honey puffy dessert things that tasted pretty good. Its a great deal and the food is quality with a good variety and the staff is very attentive and friendly.
(4)
Michael P.
We wandered in right around 11:15 this morning, not knowing what to expect. We scoped the buffet and both instantly knew that's what we wanted. It was like a vegetarian combo on 'Roids! They had the usual hummos / falafil / salad / cucumber salad. But they had two kinds of rice, the lentil soup was delish, the sauteed mushrooms perfect. Etc. Waitress said a glass of champagne (?with middle eastern?) came with the buffet. But YIKES $16.50 per person? Minus one star. I'd pay closer to $12, maybe, but a $33 (for two) lunch tab is a bit over the top. I'm going to put this on the "top quality but go infrequently because it's pricey" list. In my opinion, they lose money that way because we won't go as often. Whatever, their business to run. Try it, though, it really was top quality and taste. Five flags. More flags, more fun.
This place is a HOT mess....they need to shut down. The service is horrible and the food looks unsafe to look at let alone to eat. Everything from my soup to my dinner looked like it had been cook about a week ago and warmed up more than once. Shut this place down. It is really bad. Save your money.
(1)
Ira U.
If you leave here hungry there's something wrong with you. The pre meal buffett is enough for me because I can eat the hummus and salad and be happy. Everything here is very good, especially my favorite, the quail.
(4)
carla a.
My family has been eating at Reza's for years, just last week my NEW! HUSBAND! OMG! and I held our wedding reception of 35 guests there, and it was just fantastic. Our families loved the food, because it is unique and also yummy. Vegetarians and omnivores alike were thrilled. The party room in the back on the first floor was adequately private, with tons of natural light and exposed brick walls, creating a beautiful setting. We brought our own dj equipment and it sounded fine in the space; they arranged the tables so the center of the room was a dance floor. The open bar has far more interesting and diverse beers and drinks than their catering menu on the website lists, as well (a pleasant surprise!). Overall, we communicated with the restaurant minimally and yet they were 100% prepared and experienced at hosting weddings and basically anticiapted our needs before we ever could. I can't say enough about how pleasantly surprised we were with everything about holding our wedding reception there. Tom, the manager that coordinates parties, was just so patient and easy-going with us and our families. I heartily recommend this place for a unique and affordable wedding reception for up to about 70 guests.
(4)
Dan G.
I've been eating at Reza's for at least 10 years now, and I'm in the camp that is saddened by how the prices have gone up and the portions and quality have suffered in correlation. Also, the service and quality can be wildly inconsistent from one day to the next. That said, I still enjoy eating there (just not as much as I used to). I think the addition of the buffet is a nice touch, but they need to diversify the items on it a bit more. I'm not sure if the decision to include American food items like Caesar salad and mashed potatoes and gravy is a savvy way of not alienating wary newcomer palates, or a weaksauce concession to the masses. As a Reza's veteran, I lean towards the latter. Finally, I love the new(ish) vegetarian rice that is only (mostly) available at the buffet. I've repeatedly told people that if I had 24-7 access to that rice, I could persuaded to give up meat. This from a guy who's got a list of which animals he wants to eat before he dies. Truly finally, for dessert, try the bamieh, a pastry which is shaped--not flavored--like okra.
(4)
Kevin S.
This place is good. I have never went to their infamous Sunday buffet thing, but I want to one day. I have only tried a few things from Reza's and it was pretty good. Since I don't know about many Persian/middle eastern places that deliver to me, Reza's is where I order from when I'm in that mood. I usually get the ground beef sausage-y looking thing with dill rice. It's pretty good. My girlfriend once got a strange orange carrot rice and it tasted pretty bad.
(3)
iddells E.
Love Reza's, been going here for more than 10 years and I love the fact that such a great restaurant is a few blocks away! I only get one dish here, the Barg, which is a cut of filet mignon and it's delicious!!! The portions used to be gigantic, but my last visit left me a little disappointed since the portions seemed to have shrunk. Oh well, that always happens, people have to save money! Anyways, their dill rice and tomato lentil soup are amazing!! I think that Reza's is much better than Andie's and Noon-o-Kabab.
(4)
Araceli R.
we always try the bufett is really good pita,hummus.dill rice.falafel etc huge place love it
(4)
Maryellen C.
Go for lunch or brunch! Reza's offers fabulous weekday lunch and Sunday brunch buffets. Their offerings are amazing for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. I can't get enough of their Persian Salad, falafel, tomato-based lentil soup, white dill rice, hummus, baba ganoush, and who could forget the fresh bread! Many traditional meat dishes and a spread of fresh shrimp and salmon, too. Desserts and fruit included. On Sundays, they offer a larger selection of dishes and include eggs, danishes, fresh juice and coffee, and a complimentary glass of champagne. In short, go with an empty stomach and clear your schedule for the rest of the day. Sunday brunch is around $20--weekday lunch is cheaper and nearly as impressive. I don't order anything but the buffet here because it's too hard for me to choose just one thing.
(5)
Luan N.
I have never dined in, but actually had a plate lunch from one of the tents set up during the Andersonville festival. I got a combo of eggplant steak, chicken kabob, koubideh, and dill rice for $7. That was a great deal considering it was about the price of bud light at the fest. Let's get to the point. Eggplant steak: B+ I used to hate eggplant, but if my mom made it like this, I may have eaten eggplant at a younger age. Chicken Kabob: D D for Dry, blanD, Delusional to serve this. Koubideh: A- This little kubbie caught me off guard. It tasted different from alot of the other kubbies I have tried. Seemed like it was basted in a sweet tomato paste. Dill Rice: C Not sure what Reza's scores average to, but pretty sure Reza doesn't make the dean's list. I just have a gut feeling, if I want good Middle Eastern food with great value, I should stick to Albany Park.
(3)
Matthew N.
Amazing food . Reza's takes typical middle eastern dishes and makes them taste amazing. The quail was great and so was the sangria. Highly recommended.
(5)
J A.
Persian food in Chi is an experience at this landmark establishment
(4)
Char Y.
We came both for the buffet and the normal dinners. I honestly think it's very expensive for what we get. There are definitely much better places elsewhere (such as noon o kabab).
(3)
John L.
Hello meat! I thought Mediterranean food was supposed to have, like vegetables, or something. I go to places like this for something on the lighter side, and something varied. If I was a 70s bodybuilder, I'd be coming here to bulk up, but alas, I'm not. What I'm saying here is, less meats, more veggies, more variety. Represent better, because the meat, er, food, is actually pretty good.
(2)
Joedel G.
I've been to this place multiple times, actually my oldest son's christening reception was here. First of all it's Mediterranean cuisine so it's not oily or fatty then I love anything grilled. Try falafel and hummus for appetizer, very fresh and earthy also you can try the dolmeh but don't eat to much because it so filling. For the main one I always order the signature kabobs a combination of grilled filet mignon, chicken, lamb and vegetables. For my sides I always go for 1/2 white rice and 1/2 dill rice. The serving is large so don't over indulge yourself and always save some space for bamieh, a traditional Mediterranean dessert, it's like a soft doughnut soaked with honey, so it's very sweet, one piece is good enough. This place is a must if you love this kind of cuisine, I went also in their Oak Brook branch in which is smaller but the same quality and service, anyway the service is okay.
(4)
Steph H.
Ahh their lunch buffet special is amazing. Delicious food (dill rice has got to be a gift from heaven), tons of variety, and a pretty great deal. The service is okay, there seems to be only one or two servers during lunch, who are kept pretty busy running between the bigger tables and refilling the buffet trays to really pay close attention to everyone else. The atmosphere is very cozy and I love that they open their floor-to-ceiling windows when it's nice out. Great place for a lunch date ;)
(4)
Esther Y.
I used to really enjoy Reza's. This was a standby brunch spot on Sundays for the buffet and it was so great! Then, they turned on me. The food starting going down in quality, the service wasn't as friendly, and then they stopped having coupons! For Persian food, I would recommend Noon O Kebab.
(2)
Vijay M.
Their Couscous salad is awesome. The ambience, setting, layout of tables are enticing as much as the dishes. Dinner was exceptionally awesome, all in our group had a great time. I've heard of the Lunch specials(not tried yet). Kashk-e-badamjan, Fessenjan, Koubideh are my favorites. A wonderful place to share the food. Enjoy the culture, relish the experience with the company.
(5)
Robert S.
Filet mignon with a hamburger baked around it? What could be better? I remember thinking that it would be a good way to start an uber gourmet burger. But that would be blasphemy. The food at Reza's is very tasty. The house soup is very flavorful, and their grilled potatoes are almost meaty! And to think that I passed this place by for a year because I saw the word "vegetarian" on the sign. Ha. My loss, now gain. The only thing that I didn't quite like about the place was that it was loud and packed with tables. I wish it was more cozy and quiet. I had to listen to some very strange loud people next to me talk about some unsavory topics. But, oh well. It's not the restaurant's fault! And I'm sure that in the right circumstance, the atmosphere could be part of the charm. I can't wait to try the other things on the menu.
(4)
Mahsa T.
We used to eat here at Reza's years ago before other better Persian restaurants opened up in the Chicagoland area. Over the years, the food quality has gone downhill and the place caters more to vegetarians and American tastes than to making authentic Persian dishes. If you are a vegetarian, you will find plenty to choose from on their menu. But if you're looking for authentic Persian dishes, try elsewhere. Their soup has gotten more and more watered down over the years and their meat does not sit well in my stomach, probably because it's pumped full of preservatives. They've raised their prices a few times too over the years. The one thing I still like on their menu is their grilled mushrooms in pomegranate sauce. The food is slightly better at their Clark location than at the Ontario location. If you do want to give their food a try, go for the lunch buffet (if they still have it) so you can get a taste of everything.
(3)
Lauren L.
FOOD POISONING. Oh yes, friends. I went for dinner last night to the downtown Reza's and got sick for the rest of the night and most of the morning. Lovely. That was my first and last time at Reza's.
(1)
Hector M.
It had been about 20 years since I first went to Reza's. I happened to be in Andersonville (for something else) and stopped for dinner. At that moment it occurred to me to head to my usual Persian place in Albany Pk, but I was too hungry to wait with the drive and traffic hour. Overall, food was just ok. That's it. And it was pricey, I ordered a grilled shrimp and chicken combination which was $25, which is the price for a quality dish at a pretty nice restaurant. For what it was, basically something you can get anywhere and I'm sorry to say, nothing was especially tasty. The special Persian rice I have had elsewhere, with raisins, carrots was visibly greasy (or oily). Service was OK. In summary: 1 dish, 1 appetizer combo and a coke was fifty dollars. That's my 2 cents.
(2)
Natalie M.
We went to Reza's to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was a Tuesday evening after a beautiful 80 degree day and there were probably a total of 10 people in the inside and out if that. We ordered the feta with olives and tomatoes and baba ghanoush as appetizers. Neither was very good. One person ordered bone in lamb and couscous. Let me say, the lamb was not good and I have NEVER seen couscous with raisins??? Another person ordered filet mignon and salmon. They were out of salmon so he was allowed to get shrimp. He did not complain but that was not good and the veggies looked like they were frozen.. The third person ordered falafel. That was the worst falafel in the world and the dill sauce was non-existent it was a white creamy sauce that smelled terrible. The tomato lentil soup and chicken barley soup were not even edible. NOTHING about the food was good and it was all over priced.. EXTREMEMLY!!! Now the service! The waiter was so rude. We were not ready to order and he just stood there. Not once, not twice but several times. Never came back to check on if things were okay and had a hard time getting the bill. I will never go back there.. Not when there are so many good Mediterranean places in Andersonville and THIS IS NOT one of them. I would not waste time or MONEY here. Sorry.
(1)
Anna G.
Review/Haiku: My friend Kris was right Get the lentil soup, dill rice Learn from my folly.
(4)
Kiarash Z.
I've never been to the restaurant, but the food Reza's delivered was mediocre, at best. Granted, I've been spoiled by home-cooked Persian food, but Reza's ranks below most Persian restaurants I've tried. The koobideh kabobs (my favorite food in the whole world) were dry. The rice did an amazing job of being both oily and flavorless. I didn't see real joojeh kabob on the menu, so I ordered the chicken bargh. It was awful: bland, dry and boring. I love real joojeh kabob. The ghormeh sabzi didn't have a single dried lime in it. It was bland but passable. Delivery took an hour on a Monday night. They basically sucked in every category, but I've gotta give them three stars for delivering Persian food. I don't know of any other place that does.
(3)
Shane S.
Went here late with a couple friends for dinner. The lentil soup I ordered was cool and the couscous was not seasoned well enough. The chicken combo was very delicious on the other hand.
(3)
S M.
Service was good but food was about average. I had the chicken kabobs, which were ok, and the hummus, which again was ok. The bread was good, but it's sort of hard to screw up bread. For the most part, I thought the food lacked a bit in flavor and seasoning. For the money (granted, we came as a big group and split the check evenly), some people thought Pita Inn was a better value.
(2)
Josephine Z.
Reza. He's such a good man and friend of the family. My father helped him expand the restaurant and he is now doing great. I have now relocated to San Diego, CA and I am saddened to hear other people's comments about him being "arrogant". For those of you who've had unsatisfactory experiences, I'm sure the good outnumber the bad. Since I was 4, my family would come here at least 3-4 times a month. I've spent endless birthdays here along with family baptisms or other occasions. This restaurant is vast with such a rich ambiance yet makes one feel welcome. Perfect for group occasions or an intimate date. The ambiance isn't just one of the attractions, the food is also the magnet. Plenty of parking...come on...What more can anybody ask for? The appetizers are always delicious. The feta cheese has one of the best textures and perfect balance. I simply ADORE the seafood combination dish: succulent scallops, grilled shrimp, YUM. The lamb is so mouth-wateringly tender. All entrees come with a grilled tomato, onion, and green pepper, not to mention a large amount of basmati rice topped with saffron or dill rice. Service is top notch, always on top of everything. Enjoy.
(5)
Chillie D.
We have been to Reza's for dinner (not lunch) and the portions are huge. If you plan to go here for dinner skip lunch. I recommend the salmon and lamb with the dill rice. The meats are always flavorful and tender (: This is a very good place for people who are big eaters and really like huge portions. If you are a Vegetarian, this is not the place to go (choices on the menu are very limited). The ambiance is very nice, plenty of tables, and loud. It gets pretty busy and crowded. IF you are taking a date here for the first time, please consider that you may have to shout to hear each other. The Servers are very friendly and attentive. We have been going for years and we don't even live in the area! I highly recommend this place in the Fall and Winter for hearty eating.
(4)
T M.
I live around this place and would like to like it, but I can't. Everything thing I have ever eaten here has managed the incredible feat of attaining the heights of blandness. It's grossly oily, painfully dry, inappropriately crunchy, even weirdly sweet at times, and bland, bland, bland! Texture without flavor is sooo weird, especially when you know what the texture should taste like. Considering that I can get better middle eastern food at a billion other places (granted it's not necessarily Persian/Iranian, but still...) for around half the price, I just don't see any reason to come here. But somehow or other (not by choice), I manage to eat their food every once in a while, and every time I hope it will be better... Oh yeah, and one of the times I went, the waiter (who I am pretty sure was wasted) managed to ogle my sister and my girlfriend, and then told my mom (who had asked which menu items were vegetarian) that she could take the chunks of meat out of the beef stew. I wish I was joking...
(1)
Christiana S.
I eat here once every two years or so. I'll get it in my head that I want some falafel and kebabs, and then I'll think, 'I'll have dinner at Reza's tonight! I really should go there more often!' Then I get there and order and my food arrives and I remember why I haven't visited in two years. The food is just NOT that good. And that's disappointing, because I want so badly to love this restaurant. I like the interior and the atmosphere and I've always received pretty good service here (there have been a couple of exceptions, but nothing major). I like their sangria, and it's a great place for a larger group of people. But the food is supposed to be the focal point, and it's just blah. When I was there last week, we ordered falafel, hummus and the grilled potatoes to start. The falafel arrived cold, dry and bland. The hummus was good but nothing special, and the potatoes were awesome. Unfortunately they were the high point of the meal. Well, that and the complimentary soup. I had the chicken combo, which is one kebab of grilled chicken pieces and another kebab of ground chicken. The plain chicken was a little dry and not very flavorful, but the ground chicken was decent. These kebabs were accompanied by roughly two pounds of dill rice, which I'm not so crazy about but I attempt to eat anyway. My dining companion had a falafel sandwich. He was also underwhelmed. We decided to skip dessert, mostly because we had enough food (mostly dill rice) for another four meals. (It's sitting in my friedge at this very moment; I can hardly bring myself to throw it out because I feel guilty about wasting food.) Next time I decide I want some Middle-Eastern food, I'll probably go next door to Andies instead. Sorry, Reza's.
(2)
Susanne A.
I am half Middle Eastern so I do know what good places to for good Middle Eastern food. Brought my date for the first time to see if he liked it as well. It does get busy at times but they offer a lot of tables and good if your going with a group of people. I came here with my family and my Dad being Middle Eastern loves the place. I have been to Reza's a couple of time specially because I do live near by. The meats are grilled to perfection and they do offer vegetarian food. The hummus is great stuff and never had a bad dish at Reza's. Also they have a lunch buffet on Sunday if you want to try a little bit of everything. Turn out my date loved the place and we both had a good time.
(5)
Dave K.
Good delivery and dine-in option. The steak and chicken skewers are some of the best in Chicago and Reza's dill rice is very good.
(4)
David M.
Long have I wondered how Reza's and Andies can survive right next door to each other with such similar menus. As an Andies regular, I finally made it to Reza's to test it out and my eternal questions was finally answered. While Andies excels at the basics of mediterranean cuisine; hummos, pita, lentil soup, schwarma, etc., Reza's knocks the entrees out of the park. Their braised lamb shank is huge, delicious and beyond tender. The fessenjen (chicken in pomegrante) was fantastic and the beef kebab was top notch as well. However, the pita was store bought and the soup was awful. I will be back again, but will be sticking to taboule and the lamb shank.
Met a few friends here for dinner last night. The server we had must have left his personality at home. The table we were sitting at was super wobbly, our server watched as our friend stuck the end of a butter knife under the table. Anyway the food good, I had the Chicken Barley soup, and the garlic shrimp. There was a little too much oil in the garlic shrimp. My S. O. had the filet mignon with mushrooms and that was good, I would probably go with that next time instead.
(3)
Erika G.
Their Sunday brunch is insane! The lunch buffet is also filled with goodies, and is a real value. The Persian tea is wonderful. ---------- UPDATED: This restaurant has gone downhill a bit, I'm afraid. Most of the entrees are somewhat shoddily presented and way overcooked. The meat is often dry. It's pleasant enough to sit outside on a summer night, but it's possible this restaurant just got too large to accommodate everyone.
(2)
Jeff G.
went here over thanksgiving weekend for dinner and thought the food quality was low. it surprised me because i used to eat here often in the 90s and 00s and recall liking it quite a bit. in fact, having moved to dallas a few years ago, in the back of my mind i thought "dallas totally lacks in Persian et al cuisine, it has nothing like Rezas". so this was my first trip back in probably 6 years. it ain't all that and in retrospect there are many places in dallas with better Persian food than reza's. maybe next trip back i will go to Andie's next door.
(2)
Ross W.
The lunch buffet was incredible but the service was a bit slow. Overall it was worth it. We'll be back :-)
(4)
K R.
Like others I love the design and atmosphere of the place.I also like the busy crowded with people yet not cramped feel. With all the people and groups to me, theirs is like a welcoming "one big group" kind of feel. It's a great place to bring people (who like Mediterranean food), bring the kids. They give you a lot of food for the money. I've basically had the same things either a beef kabob or some kind of chicken. I've always enjoyed the food.I love grilled flavor so the veggies were good as well. As for the rice, I grew up in a Scandinavian family-eating American food, I'm not into hot spicy foods. So to me, the dill rice is good, without the flavor taking over everything. I think the place is reasonable for what you get.I like it better than Andies next door.For what I got there (including not as fun and welcoming an atmosphere) I thought Andies was overpriced.So for me Reza's over Andies! (and both over the Cousins that used to be on Clark,but maybe now after reading the reviews I should give the one on Broadway a try).
(5)
Zaid A.
Shame on you if you didn't give this place 5 stars. I have eaten at Reza's more times than any other restaurant in Chicago, to me its more of an institution than a restaurant. Atmosphere: At the Clark "branch" you enter to find large 4-6 seater tables in a fairly upscale decor. There is also an upstairs room with seating, that we have rented out for small receptions. Against complaints that the inside "doesn't look Persian" the interior is set up as more upscale restaurants with a professional feel. If you looking for ivory elephants you are barking up the wrong tree. Service: Professionally dressed staff, who are always polite and always helpful... over the past 8 years I have yet to have a bad waiter. Food: If Reza's Dill rice was a girl, I would so make out with it. I eat that stuff by the pound, and as anyone know me, this wiry guy can put it away. We always order the Hummus, which by itself is a tasty meal and they provide lentil soup and always popular goat cheese (!!!!) with most meals. I always get the Chicken cubes, Kabob, an shrimp skewers, and we often opt for the "family style" entree option. As with most Mediterranean food, there is a grilled taste and texture to most of the meats but the overall presentation and the quality of the food makes this place more stellar than other restaurants. Mommy Factor: This is literally the only place that my mom will consistently go to.....take that for what its worth. Date Factor: There are couples tables, and with the upscale decor and overall refined atmosphere I would find this place a viable date option. Bling: Depending if you go family style or not, entrees range from 12-20 per person. Family style options range from mid 30s and up for 2 or more people. Overall, it is more pricey than than your street Hummus vendors, but the refinement and overall good mojo of this place I feel is worth it.....oh yeah they have free parking in a private lot across the street if you can score it. Upshot: I have one vice in this world.....that is a place of Reza's Dill rice and a couple skewers of kabob. If you do not love this place, then I am sorry you can not eat at my lunch table.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot, Validated 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 : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Risa P.
I went to Reza's on a Friday night. The service was pretty prompt (for a group of 10 we were out in two hours) However it was kind of confusing when ordering. I wanted to share a meal with a friend, but since the meals come with a salad bar (hummus, soup. etc) the waitress told us that would be an additional $9.99 sharing charge. This was confusing because in the menu, it said the sharing charge was $3.99. We decided instead to get four appetizers. The grilled mushrooms, the vegetarian sampler, the grilled potatoes and the chicken kabobs. The sampler was huge, with baba ganoush, hummus, tabbouleh and falfael. I was very disappointed with the falafel, they had a weird texture and were extremely sweet. (which I have never had sweet falafel before) The tabbouleh was fresh and good. The grilled potatoes were okay, except my friend got one that was not cooked and completely raw. Both the mushrooms and the potatoes were greasy and in a lot of oil. The entree portions are definitely enough to share (if you can figure out how to do it) and they have a lot of different options. It seems like if you go here, you should try meat dishes as those are their speciality. We sat by the front and by the windows and it was freezing. I might try it again as I have heard good things about Reza's. I wasn't not too impressed though. A side note--it is impossible to find parking on the street on Friday night. Which is probably to be expected.
(2)Nastassia J.
There's a ton of reviews about this place already, so I won't go on and on.... to sum it up quickly: Better than Andies (next door). And there you have it.
(4)Roy R.
Rude waiter who seemed like he was doing us a favor by taking our dinner orders ... incorrect order served ... main course arrived not even two minutes after the appetizers, bad bad timing ... something brown and gooey was on the edge of my plate (nothing I ordered was supposed to be brown, or gooey ...) .... They were not crowded at all yet service was sloppy and slow ... for $95 for two, for what we were served and the poor service, I don't think we will be returning.
(2)Brett G.
I would say 3 3/4 stars.... Here's why The food was pretty darn excellent - beginning with the tomato and lentil soup and the warm pitas. The main courses - chicken kabobs and a vegetarian sampler, were excellent, and the presentation was lovely. I have a deep affinity for dill rice, and this was spectacular. The sangria was delicious. The portions were big - we both had enough for more than one meal to take home. I found it a little odd that when my boy went to order the lamb and chicken combo, they were out of lamb. Really? I've never heard of that, especially at a restaurant where lamb is one of the staple meats. While the interior was pretty and spacious (complete with high ceilings, and wood beams - kind of 'lofty'), I will agree with Dave S - something about the atmosphere was just off. I don't know if it was because the patrons at more than half of both dining rooms were large groups and in suits / dresses - like everyone had just come from church or something. I didn't feel totally comfortable there. The food was great, albeit a little high-priced, although I prefer Andies' food next door. If I order from Reza's again, I would probably get my meal delivered.
(4)Abbey C.
This is definitely my favorite place for Middle Eastern food in Andersonville. The prices are a little high, so I wouldn't choose Reza's for a quick weeknight dinner,but it's a great place to go with friends on the weekend. This place is also massive, so it's a good choice if you're looking for a place to eat with a larger group. The decor is fine but forgettable, but for me, it's really all about the food at Reza's. The vegetarian sampler is a great way to start the meal -- the hummus is delicious and I really like the eggplant salad (not the baba ghannouj, the other one). The lamb kebab is fantastic -- probably the best I've had. My preferred side is the cous cous but the dill rice is pretty great, too.
(4)Jenny D.
lunch buffet: $9.99 i'm down. before visiting this location, i had only been to the one downtown for a couple formals in college, and i was never really impressed with the family style pre-ordered dinners. HOWEVER, my bf dragged me over here for the lunch special one afternoon and i've been a happy camper ever since. There are enough choices and they are always refilled. Three round tables with the buffet trays, and they're each clearly labeled. The lamb and dill rice are my favorite. The spicy chicken is juicy and delicious, something u don't expect since it's sitting out in a warming tray. the only thing i don't like are the bathrooms in the basement. it's kind of creepy....just a little bit.
(4)Marianne C.
annoyed - I love Reza's and talked friends into going. Saturday night - not too late not too early... what happened to their great wine list? What happened to waitstaff that knows the menu? We ended up with a waitress who didn't have a clue about the menu or how to serve. It took one friend going to the bar to explain to the bartender how a malibu and pineapple juice was made! No main course went to the correct person - so we did the pass the meal around the table game. The Buffet was great - because their Hummus and Falafel are always great - and soup and salad. The entrees were just so so and the dill rice my most favorite of all things was dry... and everyone elses food was dry and bordering on cold... I am guessing our chinese waitress forgot to pick up the order. SUCH a disappointment at $32 a piece - I felt responsible - I wont give up on Reza's but I WILL try to avoid that waitron
(2)Emily N.
Date Night fell on a gorgeous Friday evening. Mission Mediterranean. Preferably al fresco. Enter Reza's. We were seated at a table next to the open patio doors. Perfect for a slight breeze and people watching. Ordered up a couple of drafts (I got carded, WEEEE!) and perused the menu. I opted for a shrimp dish while handsome went with the fillet. Both entrees came with the salad bar. Okay, so I didn't actually see the salad bar. I was wearing shoes that were apparently only meant for sitting. They are (re: were) fabulous though. I will miss them. I'm considering purchasing a wheel chair so that I can still wear them. But I digress. He said that there was a bounty to be had from there. He swears by the lentil soup, but it was too hot out for me to even think about soup. Hummus was super creamy and delish. Pita was fine, but I wish it had been warm. Falafels were crunchy outside and soft inside. Perfect. My shrimp dish was fine. A touch over done and a bit bland for me. My big gripe was the portion. The gave me a boatload of rice and like 8 shrimp. I obviously didn't order the right dish. When my piece got his grub, it was massive! Two nice sized file ts and an entire plate of rice. I ate quite a bit of his rice. Seriously, the dill rice here is super tasty. The steak was done perfectly. What? You know I snuck a few bites. Honestly, I would've given this place a "meh" rating, but I definitely want to go back for the dinner buffet and some more people watching. Also, the service here was tops!
(3)Susan L.
This is our Sunday-night-takeout staple. Enough food so that 2 people could share 1 entree, or in our case, become nice leftovers for the next day. I do NOT like their baba ganoush, FWIW. Reza's is MUCH more inexpensive than it's next door neighbor, Andie's. Enjoy!
(4)Noosh N.
Food coma I welcome you! Buffet, mmmmmmm! Everything was pretty good, I drenched everything with mast o keeyar (yogurt and cucumber) and it made everything even better! The soup was good. Their chai was even better, I apreciate good chai. I didn't expect such rich fragarent hot tea, it was a nice way to end my food coma~!
(4)Rafael C.
I had my first visit to Reza's, in my hood, and it was quite OK. I usually don't venture off my usual staple of Mediterranean foods on a first visit to a place. I had the combo kabobs and they were delicious as well as the dill rice that accompanied them. I do agree with most that even though I liked the food it seemed to be a bit overpriced a smidge. Getting an outside table by the side street was no problem and the service was just fine. I haven't been inside the restaurant but it seems to be a pretty big space. I can see making Reza's my standby place for Mediterranean food especially since nearby Taste of Lebanon closes much earlier.
(3)Colleen F.
Ok, I gave this place a 3rd chance not too long ago and it has now become a regular part of my delivery rotation. I've yet too see any more mystery fibers in the hummus, which is delicious. It's a little pricey for delivery but I always end up with lunch for the next day, yum.
(4)Jay U.
Cold food, poor service, and unappetizing presentation characterized our recent visit to Reza's, and we will not return. The falafel appetizer, while tasty, arrived cold. The harried waiter left the huge plate of sauce from the falafel on the table through our main courses, which were accompanied by platters of Persian rice meant for one but large enough to feed four. Rather than seeming generous, it seemed excessive. On a positive note, my "crispy Lake Superior fish fillet" was tasty, though overly salted and accompanied by a huge blob of soggy fried vegetables. We regret that we didn't choose one of Andersonville's many other options instead of the disappointing Reza's.
(2)Irena A.
I have been to this place at least 3 times. I am not impressed with their food. It just doesn't taste middle eastern enough...not sure how else to put it! I have had the lentil soup which was good except the lentils that were a little too crunchy(aka not boiled right). I have tried the Sultani dish which is pretty good-- the kefta is cooked to perfection! Service is pretty good. I am curious to try their buffet since some of the other yelpers seem to have liked it.
(3)Purnima M.
Oh, high expectations, how cruel it feels to have you crushed to the ground! In this case, my husband set me up for failure. His great memories of meals here on business trips to Chicago a few years ago had me excited. And, I was truly starved of good Persian food and longingly recollecting my favorite joint in SF. So, really, this meal didn't stand a chance. With overarchingly impossible high standards to live up to, it was doomed from the start. In a word, my experience was: tomato. Yup, tomato. Everything I ate was bathed in a curiously sweet, stunningly bland tomato sauce - from the rice, stuffed peppers, even some kind of falafel-type dumplings on the platter. As for the hummus and kashko bademjan, they almost made me wish they were covered in sauce, it might have been an improvement. Sorry guys, this wasn't for me. Maybe I'm just the wrong audience for a kabab haven.
(2)Jason P.
I'm a big fan of Reza's loved this place. I consider it one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I dunno what it is the food is so simple and good! Don't live in Chicago anymore but everytime I go home I make it a point to always go to Reza's and it never disappoints. I stick w/ the rice dishes w/ Beef kebab/ scallops/ shrimp/ lamb. Get the dill rice.. you won't be disappointed! Portions are big you can def. share but i won't share I'll eat it all!! Good luck parking...
(4)JL Q.
This restaurant, in it's location for as long as I can remember about 25 years, is a staple of ethnic cooking in Chicago. Their cuisine is persian and it's delicious and dependable. For all the years I have dined there over the past 25 years, the food taste and quality has never changed. A kabob is a kabob, but their dill rice is incredible and unique. I chose the marinated chicken on the bone with dill rice for my dinner. My husband and I also split an order of tabouleh that was very delish. I have to give props to my friend and neighbor, though, who makes his special by adding fresh mint to his and that really kicks it off but this was good nevertheless. My husband chose the combination beef and boneless chicken and he said both were moist and tender, which is the same, 'ole dependable way it always is. Service is very attentive and everything our party ordered was delivered with no changes required. Call this place dependable, reliable, consistent and delicious, and visit it soon.
(4)Theresa F.
Most of the bad reviews mirrored whatever the hell it was we experienced here today, so I'll try not to add to the redundancy. *We were shouted at when our party did not all arrive at the same time. (They had at least 10 open tables...so I'm not sure why this was a problem.) *No menus were provided until 3/4 of the way of our self-guided "Sunday Brunch" (so we confusedly proceeded to the buffet) *No water refills throughout the duration of the meal *We had to retrieve our own tab as our waiter (whoever that was) was nowhere to be found...and even then he ended up overcharging us for a guest at our table who did not partake in the buffet. Need I say more? If you don't want to take my word for this hell-hole of a restaurant, go and read the last 30 million reviewers who had similar things to say. We can't all be wrong..
(1)Sarah G.
This place is huge inside. I mean gigantic. And when you walk in and see how big it is, then there is actually more space in party rooms downstairs and other hallways that leads to who knows where! Such a big big restaurant, so I expected big things, but the food really was just so so to me. I had great company though and the service was so friendly, just thought we'd get a little more flavor in this place. The falaffel was a little dry...and no matter how much hummus I put on it, I didn't like it anymore. Their kabob meat was actually okay though with the lamb definitely being the best meat by far. The chicken again seemed overcooked to me, but they are definitely very generous in their portions that they serve you here! You get lots of rice on the platters, some veggies, and then all of the meet. So it made for a great group dining experience since we could easily share and sample everything bite by bite. Their other side salads like tabouleh and such were also all fine, but again nothing super incredible but definitely good side dishes to accompany everything else that we ordered. Their sangria they serve (also not sure why they serve sangria exactly?) also packed a secret punch I think so be careful if you order that!
(3)Gwen D.
In Andersonville for shopping, my mother and I wandered into Reza's for the $10 lunch buffet. (A relic of another time, right?) At first I grumbled to Mom about the critical reviews on Yelp, but by the end of our meal, I was eating crow with my lip-smacking lamb kabobs. While I wouldn't make a special trip for the lunch buffet itself, I'd stop in again for a fresh, filling Mediterranean meal! RECOMMEND: Those lamb kabobs (wow!), the falafel, the dill rice, the garlic-studded flatbread that's brought to the table and the tart lemonade that's included in the cost of the buffet. NOT: the bland hummus or the cucumber salad, which would've benefitted from a sprinkle of sumac or another spice.
(4)Kris P.
Lunch buffet is simply amazing :) , just a quick tip for the kitchen, please make sure it doesn't get cold. Super polite service, easy parking and good drinks.
(4)David C.
When I first moved to Andersonville 17 years ago, I ate at Reza's and experienced hands down the worst and rudest service I have ever come across at any restaurant EVER. The one thing I remember most clearly: the server clicked his tongue at us for leaving a less-than-desirable tip. Clicked. His. Tongue. And let's be clear: he didn't deserve a penny. We wrote a letter to management about the poor experience but received no response. I vowed never to return... and never have. 17 years later, I wonder how much money they've lost from me over the years - not to mention all the folks I send to Andies when asked for a recommendation for Mediterranean food. First impressions matter. A lot.
(1)Amanda D.
I'm not sure what the difference between this Reza's is and the one downtown is, but this was easily one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had. To make things worse, I wanted to bring my mom here for mother's day, and it was just a terrible experience. First of all, the service was awful. When the server came up, she did not even ask if we wanted something to drink. When I asked for water, she started turning around before asking my mom or boyfriend if they wanted something to drink. She never came back for our silverware, and we did not have salt, pepper or somaq. She didn't even refill our water until she heard us complain. The service took a turn for the worse when our food came. Our rice was cold, very greasy, and uncooked. My mom's kabob kubideh was still red on the inside, but they insisted that it was medium-well. As someone who has eaten A LOT of kabob in her life, I know kubideh is never dark pink on the inside. When my mom complained, she had to talk to two servers and they acted as if she should eat it anyway. One server tried to convince me I did not know what medium-well was. Then, we talked to the manager, who was very useless. He did not apologize. He did not say he would talk to the chef. He did nothing. This experience was absolutely horrible. I am so confused, but it definitely ruined Reza's for me. I will be much more hesitant in recommending them in the future and will certainly advise against anyone going to this location.
(1)Tempus F.
Reza's *used* to be a really good restaurant. We ordered from them regularly as well as eating on their premises; their food was fresh and delicious and their service was just fine. Tonight we ordered from Reza's. After repeating the order four times and having the woman repeat it back to me twice, I'm amazed to be saying this, but less than half our order arrived. When I called back, the woman neither apologized nor offered me any sort of comp delivery of the rest of our food. This order, like most restaurant takeout orders, was charged to a credit card at the time the order was placed. When the rest of the food arrived, the driver neither had nor could get my credit card number, and the order had not been charged as it was supposed to have been. The pita bread was so stale it seemed three days old; the felafel had obviously sat on a steam table for hours, and it was doughy, bland, and lousy to begin with; the potatoes were old and swimming in grease; the tabouli had stale parsley, tired commercial tomatoes, almost no bulghur, and no flavor; the chicken kebabs were tough, stringy, and bad.....I could list every item in the order with similar comments. Even the dill rice was bad, which in former times would have been unthinkable. Reza's is down the toilet. Never waste your money on this place!
(1)Natalie A.
This used to be my all time favorite place , but it's changed . It took the waiter forever to come serve us , he never checked up on us and didn't space our appetizers and food well. The bathrooms were dirty .
(1)Lord Of T.
The place is fine.... You won't get excited but you'll be able to eat the food without choking.
(3)Hans L.
Came here on a Thursday night and wasn't busy at all. Waitress was very friendly. We sat right by the open window facing the street. Nice atmosphere. Ordered the combo chicken and beef. Both so tender and tasty. Excellent quality.
(5)Taina V.
Pretty expensive, but the portions are huge and the food is delicious. Overall no complaints. Thank you Reza's!
(4)Ishtiaq P.
Visited Reza's at Oak Brook on Friday July 31, 2015 at 8:40PM. I have twins who are 2 years old and a four year old daughter. I dropped one of the twins and my 4 year old at the door (no valet available on that night) with my wife and went to park the car. Came back and saw my wife seated in a table but she didn't seem very happy. I asked her what happened and she told me that, while she was struggling to come through the door with two kids, no one opened the door for her, nor they greeted her upon entering. They totally ignored her although the manger was standing right in from of the door. When taken her to the table, she suggested a different table then the one she was offered, but responded with a look and sound of frustration by the manager. She requested two high chairs to the manager but that request was ignored. After I came back from parking the car, she still was not provided with the high chairs. I called a waiter and requested the high chairs again and the water brought two high chairs for us. It seems like the manage totally ignored/forgot the request. At that point I called the manager and expressed our concern that my wife felt she was totally ignored and mistreated upon her arrival. The manager told me that he didn't ignore her and her allegations are baseless. NO APOLOGY from the manager rather complete denial of that fact. When we insisted and said this is not the proper way you do deal with the customer, he raised his voice and said he sees no reason to apologize since he didn't do any wrong. He shouted to one of the waiters and told him to take care of us. By this time, we lost our appetite and realized that it is not a place for us to have a comfortable dinner. There are tons of other places where I can get both service and food. So I humbly request him to provide me his name so that I can inform higher authority about the incidence and write a detail yelp review. He denied to give me his full name and said his name is "Din". After pressing him a bit he told me his name is "Noor Al Din". I laughed at his response. Noor Al Din means the light of the religion. I am surprised and ashamed to get that kind of service and treatment who calls himself Noor Al Din. Anyway, I hope that is his Reza's version of name, not his real name.. In summary, the customer service has went down the drain. And I can see that form other reviews on the Yelp as well. Food alone will not cut it anymore. If they don't provide customer service then we will not go there anymore. We don't live in a barbaric place where someone can trough a plate full of kabob and will throw our money at them. People just don't go to the restaurant for food - they look for the total experience. I think that is what missing form Reza's.
(1)Cassandra C.
I'm not a fan of Mediterranean food, but I have to say the beef koubideh kabob and dill rice is awesome! I liked the lamb shank too. Although some parts of the meat were a little tough, I enjoyed the tender portions with the sauce.
(4)Elaine M.
Super friendly staff at Reza's during lunchtime. Overheard one waitress tell a customer, "The buffet is open until 4 pm, take your time." This was at 1:30 pm! The host (manager?) was very friendly and checked on us often. Dirty plates were picked up promptly. My friend enjoyed her sangria. We both enjoyed the generous selection of meat kabobs (lamb, beef, and chicken), chicken breast, rice (dill, biryani, and white), soups, ceasar salad, hummus, falafal, cucumber raita type dish, tahini, and dessert in the lunch buffet. Will definitely come back here for the buffet. A friend loves the quail here, so might try that at dinner sometime.
(5)Jeff L.
I had lived in Chicago for 7 years, then moved away. After being back for 6 months and spending a lot of time in Andersonville, I realized I had still never eaten here. When a friend was in from NYC, we decided on Reza's. It was a Friday night and after 9, so not terribly busy, but there was a great atmosphere. We both ordered kebabs and bread. I had the ground chicken kebab, and my friend had a mixed plate. Both were really good and service was very fast! I'd definitely go back, and often tell people shopping at the store I work at in Aville about it!
(4)Don D.
I went here based upon a friend's recommendation. She hasn't gone here in a long time. Well, guess things have changed. The décor is worn and dirty. My girlfriend and I opted for the dinner buffet. The buffet included food and fountain drinks. The food quality was OK. I have had better! It was good but due to all the other negatives, I can't give a good review. Often times, the food was lukewarm at best and always out. More often than not we were waiting for them to fill it. Now, if the place was busy, I'd understand but it WAS NOT busy. Secondly, service was subpar. It took out waiter ten minutes to come to us. Other waiters and waitresses kept passing us by even when we asked for assistance. SAD. Afterwards, we waited 30 minutes for our bill which NEVER came. We got up and walked to the waiter who was just talking away with a co-worker. He forgot about service! I'd say this was not a good experience. Oh, parking is $4 per hour with maximum of two hours in the neighborhood.
(2)Halisa V.
No matter what, I am always in the mood for Middle Eastern food so Reza's always would hit the spot. I have been over 30+ times and every time it was a good experience. I love when they have the buffet specials. I know they have lunch buffets but I remember they had Iftar buffets during Ramadan too. The Beef, Lamb and Chicken Koubideh Kabob are my absolute favorites with their white or dill rice! Also their other kabobs, lamb dishes and fish dishes are very good. My family and I hosted several dinner parties at this location as well on the upper floor. The service was great and they constantly were refilling the plates and attending to our guests. Overall I love this place!
(5)Sarah T.
The falafel with the pomgagnent sauce was my all-time favorite! ORDER THAT! Other than that, the food here is overpriced. Go somewhere else. There are plenty of middle easter food worth the money and definitely better quality.
(2)Dave K.
Top. Notch. Food. That deserves a line unto itself. Reza's is on a corner intersection, ideally located across from a Starbucks. I walked in, and was seated about in the middle of the restaurant, between the front window and the buffet. I opted for the falafel as an appetizer (my first and now definitely not my last time of having it), and the lamb kebab platter as what came to be a HUGE entree!!!! a big platter of bread to go with it, and it was enough food for 2 meals. The tomato and mint (an Iranian traditional taste) is strongly recommended, and it came with onions as well. If you are deliberating about a great place to go in Edgewater, I have one word for you: GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO You will not be dissapointed!!!!
(5)Nurmuhamed U.
Website says birthday discount of 20% with proof. They denied it though, apparently some kind of coupon is required, which website mentions nothing about. Place was pretty busy so maybe they didn't care much about a few customers being dissatisfied. Waiter just brought a jug of water and placed it on the table without any glasses. After asking a few of times and being ignored, we just stopped by bar and got glasses ourselves.
(2)Mathieu B.
Okay! So it was my second time at this establishment and I have to change my review. I am never coming back here and I urge people to not bother either. So, when we arrived at 1pm on a Monday for lunch, we were refused seating at a table that we requested because it was reserved for another guest. This was okay and understandable. We ended up sitting at a very comfortable area and were the only guests in this area which meant that we could giggle and speak freely. When the waitress arrived, to my surprise, she was unfamiliar with the menu????!!!! This I forgave and proceeded to place our orders. The drinks took over 33 minutes to arrive at our table because she had forgotten and when I ordered my gin and tonic, the bartender brought over a glass with gin, a splash of tonic and another glass of ice. I had never been served g&t in this manner in my life! Sufficed to say thatI hated my drink, it was by far the worst thing that I had ever had. As I had decided to grab the buffet, I was surprised that some of the hotplates were empty and there was barely any variety at all. My friends meals took over 45 minutes to arrive from when we had ordered them, with one of my friends asking 4 times,"where is our food?" Baring in mind, its a Monday and the place was not full at all. Sufficed to say we are never going back and I would urge people to not go there either, the place is clearly run by people who have no idea what they are doing.
(1)Penny L.
Sunday Brunch for your special occasion. The spread laid out was enjoyed by our large party of 80. Found free street parking nearby. DH walked half meter with sound equipment. We were permitted to set up after calling days in advance. Oops, sent upstairs. Walked a flight of stairs. Didn't see an elevator. Found out wrong party room. Upstairs for more intimate parties. Has bar area. Went back downstairs to the main floor private space. Floor to ceiling windows brought Chicago sunshine to light up the space. There is a side entrance on Berwyn Ave. White table cloth. Paper on top. Empty glasses. Utensils wrapped in ruby cloth dinner napkins. Pitchers of water and soda set out. Rectangular length tables seated 12 to 16. Mobile coat rack present. Booster seats available. Washroom accessible downstairs, with very visible signs. The room was set to seat 100. Tried to play children party game but had to modify due to space. Best to have sit down games. Staff and owner? very accommodating. Explained buffet setting. Asked if there were plenty of seats. Helped bring in more tables to set up gift and dessert table. Were permitted to bring sweets. There was always a staff member present to assist. Always checking with hosts and guests. Allowed to decorate at 11am. Guests were trickling in due to cramped street parking. Best to tell guests to plan for traffic and parking. Best to wear comfy shows. The private room connected to main dining room has a small slope. So be careful walking in heels or if you need walking assistance. Our guests had no complaints with the layout. Guests are asked to head to buffet area in groups of 16. This is to control flow of traffic. Staff also gauges food to communicate to kitchen to replenish. Our guests enjoyed their meal. Dirty plates were frequently whisked away. Guests had to hold on to their utensils. Fresh plates were plenty at buffet. Salmon, beef, chicken, lamb, rice, two soups, fresh fruit, dessert, hot beverage. More than I could list. Sorry, I don't recall names of dishes but you can create a complete healthy meal with veggies. I enjoyed the grilled chicken and tender lamb in tomato sauce. Fresh pots of coffee and hot water for tea were brewing in site. Coffee cups available in area. Mimosa was good. To keep bubbles fresh, mimosas made when most of the guests arrived. I'd have an event here now knowing the logistics of the area and the restaurant operation. Clockwork planning and things run smoothly.
(5)Amy M.
I have never been to Reza's so I was excited to check out this hot spot! My sister and I were greeted warmly and shown to a table by the widow. Our waitress made great recommendations to get us started! We had roasted feta cheese and a tabbouli salad... BOTH AMAZING! The cheese was salty cheesy warm goodness! There were tomatoes and olives that complemented all the flavors, too. The salad was so fresh and lemony. I highly recommend both. Then, the kabobs came out! We dug in again for another mouth watering feast! They were cooked and marinated to perfection! I think Reza's is great for couples, first dates, families, parties, solo meals, friends and well pretty much anytime with whoever you want! And prices were very reasonable!
(5)MC B.
Had dinner again here last night with two others and was very disappointed The lentil soup was fabulous but every thing else was just okay. The salmon was a bit dry, rice seems to be of inferior quality, the mince kabobs were ehhhhh. I almost cried when I took my first bite of Kashk Bademjon as it was no where near a properly cooked dish. Wait staff, servers, bus boys, and table staff should be very proud of the wonderful job that they do. I think a number of restaurants should model their staff after Reza's front of house staff.
(3)Nick R.
I really enjoy coming here for the lunch buffet! It's about $10 and stocked with delicious foods. Beef lamb and chicken kabobs, falafel, rice, biryani, for some reason they have mashed potatoes which does not fit the theme but I am not complaining as it's pretty darn good. The food is usually very tasty and fresh. The bread is also awesome. No complains on the food. Most of the staff is nice but sometimes the can have an attitude. Sometimes takes forever to get drinks refilled. I really dislike that they gouge up the price of the lunch Buffett to 15.95 instead of 10 on holidays such as Presidents' Day when there is no school. Seems shady.
(3)Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: My husband and I came here to check out their lunch buffet - they had all the basic staples of a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine, such as kabobs, boneless chicken, rice, falafels, hummus, salads, stews, and desserts. The falafels were way too mushy for my taste as it seemed as if they didn't fry it long enough or too much water was added; the lamb and beef kabobs were chewy and underseasoned, even though they were generously sliced chunks; the spicy chicken drumettes were okay, but I thought it would have been more spicy savory (as it tasted more like roasted chicken); I really enjoyed their mini donuts for dessert. I'm glad I was able to try this place out! +mini donuts +lunch buffets available
(3)Karen C.
Service was good. There were four of us, and it took quite a while for us to decide on what we wanted to eat. Waiter came by several times, and was not annoyed by having to come back again and again. Chicken kabob plate was very delicious. Chicken was fully cooked and seasoned well. Dill rice...no words! I will go back to get that time and time again. I wish the veggies provided were different, but beggars can't be choosers. My plate could have served two people, at least. Sometimes I find this annoying. However, it means I have lunch (or dinner) for tomorrow. More dill rice!!! Provided a water pitcher for the table. As someone who drinks a lot of water, I found it amazing to not have to flag someone down every time I finished my glass.
(4)Aaron S.
Went for the all you can eat, Sunday brunch buffet. The restaurant is massive, so luckily we didn't have to wait long. I ordered the all you can drink mimosa, and the service was very slow. I only had a few throughout the course of my meal. The food was just OK - nothing I ate was super amazing or memorable at all. Just wasn't anything special, especially for the price. I guess i'd give this restaurant a 2.5, if u could.
(2)Julie A.
Love this place best Persian food love going here for party's always room never a wait
(5)Eric F.
This is Reza's original location... and when it first opened there was nothing like it in Chicago. Luckily Reza's still offers much of its original charm and purpose. And the menu is almost identical to the one it opened with. Reza's offers essentially traditional Persian fare. It is housed in a massive industrial designed warehouse restaurant with high ceilings, visible piping, and echoing sounds. The waitstaff is polite and helpful, although when ever they mess up an order they will blame the customer (it is a middle eastern thing I think... not to lose face). Reza's is reasonably priced and the portions are big enough to split. The first thing that comes out is a free Iranian condiment plate, with onions, radish, feta cheese, parsley, and olives. After you order you usually get a delicious lentil soup, followed by your extra appetizers or straight to your dinner. I have been to many Persian places since my first introduction to the cuisine at Reza's, and Reza's does not offer all of the common authentic items that I can get elsewhere. But there is an array of dips al la Lebanese feasts, like Hummus and Baba Ganush. So let's go right to the main courses, which are for the most part, some type of kabob served on dill Bastmati rice, accompanied by a side skewer of grilled vegetables. As far as the kabobs go, there are a lot to choose from: steak, filet, ground spiced beef, chicken, lamb, quail, and seafood. You can also get a combo. There are a few stews too, and daily specials. If you are there on a night when they have stewed lamb shank, get it, it is very good. And I always go home with leftovers of what ever I have ordered. Tea is a good beverage to drink here but they also offer beer and wine. For desert they have more tradition Greek and Armenian pastries, like bakalava. Reza's used to be open very late, but I am not sure that is the case anymore. On weekdays they have a very reasonable buffet lunch.
(4)Matt M.
I usually go to Reza's in River North, which has always been great, but I decided to take my Persian girlfriend and her mother out to this one when she was visiting last and could not have been more disappointed. The kebab was not cooked and the rice was old and hard. When we asked if they could cook the kebab and bring out some fresh rice, the server told us that the chef always cooks it that way. When my Persian girlfriend and Persian mother pointed out how that is not the traditional way to make a traditional Persian dish, the server walked away and ignored us. When we eventually tracked down the manager, he did not apologize and did not offer to even take the uncooked kebab and old rice off of the bill (even though we refused to eat it). Additionally, we never received any refills on our beverages. I will never return to this Reza's again.
(1)Richard o.
I went to this restaurant over the Easter holidays for the first time and I have to say their food is out of this world..extra sumptuous varieties that if your palettes failed you, you'd still be in love. Now am hosting my son's 1st BD party and am ordering from them....wait for my next review
(5)Padma A.
I cant say enough about how yummy the food was 4 hours after pick up. Anya took my order, absolutely polite and helped suggest the right stuff for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. We took the food on a cruise and everyone loved it. Chicken kabob, lamb kabobs, falafal, hummus, babganoush and Tabouli salad. They gave enough Pitas with Tahini sauce and a generous tray of dillrice along with plastic ware. My friend who was supposed to pick the food got delayed and Anya called me to check the status, can the customer service @ Rezas get any better??
(5)Mohammed A.
Oh my! Oh My! It was amazing. The chicken koobideh was grilled perfectly, nice and juicy, and was wonderfully spiced. I thought it was the best chicken koobideh I've ever eaten in the US.
(5)Hamdan A.
I don't know what is the wrong with cooking the meat very well. I want it will done and it comes half raw . I went to this restaurant more than 5 times. Still have the same problem
(2)Betty W.
The best place to eat and such nice people I had the Chicken kabab so delicious-highly recommend this place u must try it
(5)Rachel R.
Oh dear, I rarely put up 1-star reviews. I wouldn't put this one up if I wasn't 100% confident that the meal that my husband I ate today caused us to get food poisoning. Today my husband and I went to lunch at Reza's. We didn't get the buffet option but instead ordered different meals. We shared some of our meals and both entrees had many of the same ingredients. The food itself was good, if a bit bland. The service was definitely iffy but we were relaxed and not in a rush so it wasn't a big deal. Until... About an hour after, my husband and I began to feel like death. He and I didn't realize that we were both ill until we spoke after dragging ourselves through work. It was immediately clear that after eating at Reza's and parting ways, we'd developed identical symptoms of food poisoning. It's likely there was some sort of cross-contamination at play and I certainly hope that it didn't transfer to the buffet and make other people feel so horrid. I have leftovers in my fridge that are most definitely being tossed out. I can only hope that there will be an internal review of kitchen protocols and standards to ensure that the food is safe to be served. In the meantime, I'll be at Andie's.
(1)Joe T.
I've eaten here for years. It used to be very good, now they've taken a quantity vs. quality approach. Food is very bland. They need to 'kick it up a notch' with the spices.
(3)Dew W.
The food was cooked within an inch of it's life, carbonized, served on a pile of dry rice. The heartburn was not worth the expense and the effort to find parking. We were particularly unnerved by the restaurant owner's loud telephone conversation at the table behind us. The expletives were as copious as the dry rice. The atmosphere is not inviting and could stand a good hosing down. While we did not witness bugs as other reviewers have we would not be surprised by their presence. However, Andes, located next door was very good.
(1)David S.
I was lucky enough to have my reception at Reza's restaurant in July. Everyone that came absolutely raved about how delicious the food was. The personnel and management we're so helpful and professional in setting up for this wedding reception. I was so pleased with how everything went. I would recommend this to anyone. This is the place to go. Thank you again to all the wonderful staff at Rezas..!! Hats off..#!
(5)Naty K.
Love Reza's. been coming here since i was in my momma's belly, (yes, that long) and i tooootally love everything. The outside patio on clark st is just one of andersonville's perks. Loved my service last time (went for bday lunch) the manager recognized my mom after years of her being there. (she doesn't get out too much -_-) but i love it, yay Reza's for doing it right.
(5)Margaret A.
Ate here once for a buffet...they added 18.00.tip for a useless woman to bring pop to us. Food nothing extra too.
(1)James P.
This review is particularly about Reza's Thanksgiving Buffet. I have been before to Reza's and the restaurant is fine. But during the Thanksgiving Buffet they really dropped the ball. They tried to serve both typical Thanksgiving fare and Persian food (stick with what you know). Which meant the selection of Persian dishes were less than usual. Further they never really tried to create some special atmosphere for Thanksgiving. Pretty much every corner Starbucks has more atmosphere. It really seemed like they put no effort into it. But lastly, the service is just completely substandard. With the charm of a used-car salesman our waiter tried to offer us 'just the right wine for you, my lady'. Can I have a wine menu?? No, I guess not. At some point in the evening, some of the wait staff decided to claim an empty table next to us. Yikes, I think every suburban Denny's, Chili's, TGIF or whatnot has wait staff with better sense than that.
(2)Kristine M.
I've been here a few times, and in am pretty surprised by all the bad reviews I've seen on here. The food is always delicious and prepared just how I've requested. I'm a vegetarian and I really do go nuts for this place! I've never done the buffet here, but I'm curious to try. It's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood!
(4)Bob L.
The first time I visited Reza's was almost 20 years ago. I helped a friend move to Chicago and we stumbled into Reza's starving after a full day of unloading a UHaul into her Edgewater apartment. We were starving, not sure about Persian food, but at the point where we would eat anything. Since that first visit, I return to Reza's every time I visit Chicago. It is consistently exceptional and I start to salivate just thinking about it. I've ordered off the menu and have never had a dish I did not like, but I especially enjoy the weekend brunch buffet. It is full of variety and provides a range of sampling from their diverse and expansive menu. Also, a pitcher of their sangria makes it all that much better.
(5)S. Sean B.
Visiting from Southern California - The food at this establishment seems to be authentic and very well done. The atmosphere is one of an eatery. It is joining Mediterranean restaurant together with its overall atmosphere is not one that I would recommend for the more fine dining experience. Service is certainly something to be desired. It is located every happening part of town so it might yield good results for a night out... I would recommend the other Persian/Iranian restaurant in Chicago area that I also reviewed.
(3)Taner B.
unprofessional service today i went to lunch buffet with my friends ,usually we were paying approximately 45 $ (for 3 person) but today when we got the bill it Was 85 $ its much more then usual, i talk with the waiter about it and she told me that today ``EID`` there is special price hic iis twice of my regular bill .but nobodytold me about special price changed and there is ni visiable sign saying that there is a special price today they should have informed customers about this price change im extremly diissapointed and felt like this bussines practice is realy deceiving this is an insult to regullar custumers as we were
(1)Cheryl M.
Enjoyed a great New Years Eve dinner here. The complimentary bread with feta and parsley was delicious and was also a very generous amount. The chicken kabobs with dill rice was great. I ordered a delicious Italian white wine and it was only $8 for a generous pour. Can't wait to go back. Yum.
(5)Nancy F.
I love Reza's food but sometimes it can be inconsistent. Like once I ordered the Salmon Kabobs and it came as a big piece and not on a skewer, totally fine but just not what I expected. Then when I ordered it again, it came on the skewer and I was confused. The salmon is extremely good so I didn't care but another more annoying customer might be annoyed by this. Mr. Reza is one of the nicest men and I will always continue to support this restaurant as they are a neighborhood staple.
(4)A. K.
Been here twice and both times the lunch buffet was open so we decided to try it. The first time...food was good, had a good time. The next time we planned on ordering from the menu but as we were in a hurry...we went for the buffet again. Bad idea. The food felt and looked stale and old. Both my husband and I had upset stomach for the next 2 days...horrid. The interior is nice enough...the waiters are kind and make sure everything is in order. Good place - don't do the buffet.
(3)Christian P.
Staff is nice and service is fast but I rarely ate such bland (and lukewarm) Persian food. Even salt and pepper were lacking. Dill rice is OK but does not spice it up.
(1)Yav A.
As far as Persian/Irani food goes nothing compares to Rezas. It was verbally confirmed by the waitress that the food is zabiha/halal (muslim kosher). I judge it by koubideh and it is still the best! I asked for well done and it was seasoned to perfection. Can't get enough of this place. Mashallah!
(5)Omar K.
living in Andersonville my entire life I've eaten at almost every "big" restaurant on Clark. Rezas was always a favorite growing up. I hadn't been there in a few years and tonight decided to take my girlfriend there. we were greeted at the door by 2 gentlemen and they quickly seated us. our waitress didn't speak English too well, so she had us point to what we wanted on the menu. we ordered our food and was brought to the table in about 20 minutes. she ordered a shrimp plate, I ordered a mixed kabob plate. the shrimp was fantastic, but the couscous was extremely plain with no flavor, as were the kabobs. when we both finished we were waiting for the check, but the waitress was no where to be found. I asked one of the gentlemen up front for the check, and shortly after the waitress brings the check. I was disappointed in the service of the waitress, but more disappointed in the food quality. it's pretty sad because rezas has always been known to be one of the better middle eastern restaurants on the northside. for TRUE authentic middle eastern food, the southside holds that title.
(2)Michael R.
This place was great! We didn't have to wait for a table and everyone was so nice. The prices seem a little high but the portions are HUGE. Atmosphere is cute. I will certainly be returning soon.
(5)Mike A.
I've loved this place since discovering it in the early 90s when I lived in Andersonville. At that time is was a nice neighborhood Mideastern Restaurant. Now its in an incredibly vibrant neighborhood & is even more awesome. My favorite dish is the Kabobs. I loved the soup. Its a great place for a date or with a group of friends. The kids seemed to like it too. Service can be iffy - depends on who you get. Some are more attentive than others and sometimes language can be a challenge. Food has always been tasty. The only challenge can be finding parking - having lived in the area, I know parking can be hit or miss. Sometimes you just have to circle around the side streets to find parking. The El is not far away, so you can take it to get here.
(4)Shannon W.
The ambiance of the restaurant was very quaint. Even sitting outside on the patio gave the dining experience a sense of a Persian feel. Passers by and the other patrons of the establishment were a pleasure to gaze at. The service, a bit slow at times, was still very on point. The food was very tasty and embodied the flavors of the area very well. I will be returning without a doubt and will be telling others my experience and urge them to make Reza's a must to add to their dining card.
(4)A C.
Always love the food here. It's inexpensive, if you go for their buffet, which is about $20 bucks. Plus, little known fact - there's parking in the back behind the building! You don't have to park on N. Clark Street and feed the meter.
(4)Chris C.
I love this place, the food is great and you get lots of it. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it.
(5)Colleen B.
I've been here several times over the last few years. I've never had a bad experience but I do tend to always get the same thing. I like that they load you up on bread and soup since the entrees can be a little pricey. I always get the salmon and it's always amazing.
(4)Jen J.
Oh Reza's how I missed you! I missed you so much that you made my list of "must eat here" while I was back in my old stomping grounds in Chicago. I have been dreaming about your dill rice for eight years...literally. Upon walking in, it was just as I remembered! Lively and packed full as it should be. Just a short wait for a table and then the nomming commenced. I chose the Lentil soup (as per usual) and ordered some hummus because... of course I did. Excellent depth of flavor in both of my choices thus far. Reza's serves up some of the richest and smoothest hummus with warm, soft pita perfection! They still serve the small plate of feta cheese, radishes and greens but the only thing I ate was the feta which of course, was very good. For my entree I ordered (don't ask me for the real name which starts with a J and I forgot what it's really called...whups) a chicken kabob on the bone along with the long lusted after dill rice and grilled veg. After ordering, my server uttered those three words that I remembered so well: "the big one?" Yes! I want the big one and I'm going to eat the entire thing too! Every time I ordered it previously the wait staff would ask that exact question; love it! The chicken was cooked through and smoky and juicy and totally delicious. The dill rice was everything I had been dreaming of and the two in combination were absolute heaven in my mouth. There is so much flavor and heart and soul in this food and you can really taste it. Beautiful presentation as well which only makes the dining experience that much better. The only little complaint I had on this fine evening was the service. When I was being tended to it was fine but there were no drink refills offered and a long wait for the check at the end (at least 20 minutes). I remembered some words of wisdom to the effect of "you don't want to start ignoring your customer at the end of the meal." I was ready for something sweet after my lovely meal but lost interest while waiting for the server to return. Thanks again though Reza's for a great feast filled with yummy flavor and good memories!
(4)M M.
Good Dill Rice.. Annnndd....that's about it.. Waiter didn't ask us for anything to drink... creeper creeped around...and then decided to eat next to us during his....break??? Anywho another shamble of a day..except for getting back home to kick up my feet to type this review.. Remember kids...we don't need no "ooops" for a restaurant!
(1)Scott A.
This was the worst delivery meal we have ever had. Next time I'll just throw $67 out my window while driving around town. This app forced me to add a star in order to post. If I could give it a big ZERO, I would. We ordered a few appetizers, two entrees and a dessert through Grub Hub. Our order arrived much earlier than expected (a plus), and we live close by the restaurant. Our meat was so overlooked that no one would eat it. An appetizer was missing and everything was ice cold, which is perplexing since it was delivered quickly. Grub Hub tried to rectify, unsuccessfully, and reza's refuses to rectify this situation. Working in management in the business, I would expect better service from a place that had been around such a long time. I will never order from here, or use Grub Hub, ever again.
(1)Ismail A.
Reza is one of my favorite Persian restaurants in Chicago. I love it special on Sunday tonight they have special buffet .Also don't forget to drink my favorite tea a Persian tea (:
(5)Victoria W.
Came here on a snowey blizzard day this past week. The ambiance of the restaurant is the most noteworthy part. Very spacious, clean and the overall feel is very homey and has great character. The service is good, nothing to complain about but by no means super impressive. We came here for the lunch buffet(arrived around 3pm), which apparently lasts until around 9PM at dinner time. The buffet is $19.99 per person, honestly, I would be expecting a lot more for this price tag. There were 2 types of soup, neither were good( barley and tomato lentil), 3 types of rice, plain, dill rice or spicy vegetable, they were average. 2 types of salad, ceasar or Iranian salad, the ceasar salad was quite good but it was probably because it was heavily drenched in dressing, the salad had nothing but lettuce. There were also some chicken, lamb and beef kabob. Only 1 type of fried desert. The falafel were pretty good, moist and good flavors. The best was the cucumber yogurt sauce. Honestly the buffet was not worth $20. I would pay half of the price if I were to come back as a regular. The items were pretty standard and taste was not superb, I go to school in a small town and we have an Indian buffet in town that costs around $12 with food that is much more grand and delicious. Maybe it's the Chicago price tag, but it's still nothing to rave about. Overall, I'd come back for the ambiance but the food is just a OK. P.S.: $9 per lb of any food you cannot finish will be charged, forreal? Never been to a buffet place this direct. I don't agree with wasting food but I think the resstaurant can take some responsibility on quality and taste of the food as well and not punish/threaten patrons?
(3)Michelle P.
This review is just for their vegetarian food. Yes it's always great when a restaurant has vegetarian options. And Reza's food is good. But most of their vegetarian dishes are more of the generic "Middle Eastern" than specifically Persian - the hummous/falafel/ cucumber & tomato salad/ yogurt dip isn't really any different than what you could get at any Egyptian/Turkish/Lebanese/Israeli/Syrian restaurant in the area. And unfortunately, that was most of what was vegetarian on the lunch buffet. There was also their amazing dill rice, and a nondescript "spicy rice" that reminded me more of Spanish rice, plus some grilled vegetables that also didn't a distinctive Persian flavor or much of any taste at all. I would have been better off skipping the $12.95 lunch buffet and getting the vegetarian combo instead - the dolmas, vegetarian shami (pomegranate sauce, mmmm), and Kashkeh Bodmejan (eggplant with garlic & mint) are all more authentic Persian dishes. And it would have come with the delicious dill rice, Persian bread, and tomato lentil soup that were on the buffet anyway, plus I would have gotten the complimentary feta and radish plate which apparently they don't give to you if you're just getting the buffet. So unless you're a meat eater, skip the buffet - you're better off picking several dishes you know you want as part of the vegetarian combo.
(3)Yasmin S.
I've always loved this place. The first time I ate here was about ten years ago and I'm so glad more than one exists. I am in love with the roasted feta cheese and grilled mushrooms. They are to die for! Their lentil soup and spicy chicken with dill rice is a must have. I will definitely be back soon!
(4)Carla S.
Being from San Francisco, I can't say my knowledge of Persian cuisine is grand. But now I want to seek out more places like this back home. I just returned from a week in Chicago with my dining partner and her family. Sheesh, that was a long week but I digress. It was my birthday and the whole family wanted to do this huge bash. I have celiac disease and there is no way they are cooking for me (last time I was so sick from gluten I'm still not convinced they were not trying to kill me.) We compromised and we went to this family favorite restaurant.it was a great thing we did. Okay now that the backstory is done, I must say that this place was very gluten free friendly. They understood cross contamination in the kitchen but I did get spooked a few times when the wonderful smelling breads were put down in front of me. but once explained,, the server really seemed to understand. I let the manager decide on my meal and I certainly was not disappointed. I had two kabobs (steak -holy juicy goodness- and chicken - also great but out shined by the steak, for sure). I had a split of the rice, which was awesome as I had never had dill rice before. And they even managed to come up with a fun fruit plate "cake" with a candle. Celiacs, this was of the best meals I have had. (And many leftovers were had!) We will absolutely be going back when I am in town again.
(5)Lorelei C.
So, lunch today at Reza's. My first time here today, not quite sure why I never made it here before today, probably because I'm too busy hanging out at places with Miller Lite Signs.. And, no Reza's did not have a beer sign in the window..:( Okay, so this marvel of a place which specializes in Mediterranean/ Persian food was a new experience for me but I'm really happy that I'm always up for trying new things, I'm a girl who loves adventure! I loved Reza's, the patio doors were open today onto Clark Street and I was a little chilly but I had my leather jacket with me so I was okay..;) Exposed Brick Interior, lovely tables set with nice linens and just a very lovely atmosphere. A little noisy, people were gabbing big time today..:( Reza's offers a lunch buffet from 11am-3pm which I believe is $9.95 per person, a great value for everything they offered. I think the buffet is effective only on weekdays, but it's so worth it. Now, they had like 3 tables set up with buffet choices, one with soups and salads, one with rice dishes, and one with meat kabobby things that were so good, especially the beef and chicken. They also had some pita bread that was not very good, just bland. I had diet coke since I saw no beer sign in the window.. And as far as Customer Service is concerned I give Reza's staff 5 stars, the manager came over to our table twice to see how everything was and our server was great as well, attentive but not overbearing. I want to Thank everyone at Reza's for the great service..:) So, I liked Reza's alot, casual enough for a lunch, would be a great choice for a dinner as well. A great dining experience for me today..:) A very nice time at Reza's today, if in Andersonville check them out.
(4)Karolina S.
The customer service here is AMAZING. They get 5 stars just for how they handled this mix up. My boss decided to order food for the whole office. We went online to check out their menu and we placed our order... Ok great. The guy tells me the total and its about $35 over what we thought it would be. I went over the order with him and everything seemed right so we hung up. I literally called him back about 6 times trying to figure out what was wrong. Apparently the menu online didn't reflect their current prices, and I told the gentleman that the only reason we ordered from them was because of the affordable price point. He lowered the price once, and then when I asked him to lower it to what the price should've been - he did. And when the food arrived, he threw in extra goodies for our trouble! Some delicious churro-type desserts (omg) and a free goat cheese-lettuce contraption. The food merits about 4 stars... But the customer service, if I could give them 7 stars I would.
(5)Kurowsh S.
After hearing great things I finally decided to try this place. The service was very fast and friendly-my waiter was always one step ahead. The food was very good and fresh. I highly recommend the kabob plates. I was honestly shocked to see how affordable the food was and the portion sizes are very big. I definitely recommend this place and will be going back soon. Being Persian, it was great to find an all around fantastic Iranian restaurant in my neighborhood. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Theo E.
I took an out of town friend here for dinner as a change of pace as neither of us had tried persian food before. We were both extremely pleased with our meal. We started off with hummus and falafel, which was good, nothing too extraordinary though. We both ordered lamb for our main course - I got the lamb shank and my friend got the lamb kabob. This was excellent, the lamb shank was tender and juicy, falling right off the bone. The kabob was seasoned wonderfully and perfectly charred. The bread was also really good, would love to just snack on that at home. The service was ok, the waitress had trouble remembering our order - e.g, she brought me the lentil soup instead of the chicken. It wasn't atrocious, just it could have been better. The lamb shank is definitely a steal for only $15, and the portions are a really nice size, I was able to take about half of it home. I definitely recommend Reza's for that and the bread.
(4)Valerie O.
Very disappointed by Reza's tonight. The waiter pushed us to get the buffet for $19. I think this was a memorial day special. The buffet was not good. Watery hummus, burned falafels, dry rice. The Chicken wasn't as good as when they have it on the menu as Reza's special chicken which was my favorite. I'm not sure if the buffet is permanent. I certainly hope not. I like my food cooked fresh.
(1)Zukicka Z.
Well..there are a lot of things going on with this place. First I have to say, I LOVE MOST OF THEIR FOOD. Its really good. There are a few things ,like the hummus someone mentioned already that could be better, but there are others like their filet mignon in mushroom sauce that is to die for ! I also love all their Kebabs ( and you have lots of choices when it gets to those) Yes it is a little pricey, but this particular food is worth it. I say check it out, but with a small party because it adds up quickly at this place. As far as staff is concerned, there is one very rude woman working there. She is just horrible, usually works the phones. I've been here tons of times and I've never seen her smile. The managers and other staff are fine, but she is just horrible. Other than that I'd say definitely check it out ! At least once !
(4)Joonho Y.
Food is Delicious. I usually get Takeout, so I can't really comment on the Dining Room. This is my "Go-To Place" for Middle Eastern Food. The Falafels are Awesome!
(4)Diana S.
I really didn't like Rezas. I felt like it was a serious disappointment. Rezas is by far not the best Persian food in the city. The only good thing about our dinner had to be the soup and bread. Ugh
(1)Helen S.
I came here for an event earlier in the week. The restaurant is cute and serves decent Mediterranean food. I just ordered the chicken kabobs appetizer, which were well seasoned and tender. They give you pita bread to go with it, and if you're not too hungry as I was, the app and bread was enough to keep me full. I noticed other people who ordered the regular sized entrees, which come in ginormous platter sized portions, and I was super happy with the size of my choice. Service was only okay. They didn't come around to refill water much, and everything took awhile. Near the end of the meal, they mixed up the bill (put me and my friend on the same tag) and seemed annoyed when we asked them to split it.
(3)Frank C.
I've eaten Mediterranean several times before Reza's and had resigned myself to what I thought was a fact --- that I didn't like Mediterranean food. My girlfriend loves it and had been bugging me to try Reza's so I finally gave in... Really loved the food here...the lamb shank was fantastic, potatoes amazing, baba ghanouj delicious...service not great otherwise would have considered giving a 5
(4)amanda M.
We have ordered food from this place twice now. If you have had any good Mediterranean food, this place probably won't satisfy you. The hummus is awful, so watery and bland. Hummus is a pretty important part of the meal if you ask me. Also they have the worst baklava I've ever had, and I've had it from a lot of places. It tasted soapy and weird. The dill rice is good, and the meat I've had has all been good. So that is all I would order if I had to get something from here again.
(2)N P.
What should I say? The worst persian restaurant I have ever been. Rude staff, stinky kebab. The kebab did not seem to be fresh. Never ever go there again unless they change the management. Both me and my husband got diarrhea after eating at this restaurant. The worst part was the behavior of staff. She was really rude. I do not recommend here at all.
(1)Rehc Z.
Many thanks to the cast's of Reza's esp the manager Tom ! We appreciated the accomodation you given to us yesterday for my sons christening ! The food was good , the service was excellent . It was really nice we chose you and we love Reza's so much ! Till next time hope keep up the good work
(5)Mike A.
Over the years we have been here so many times that at this point I lost count. Unfortunetly they are quite a bit away from our house, but we still manage to visit or the downtown location at least 2/3 times a year. This is by far our favorite Persian restaurant in the area and my favorite, even after sampling restaurants during my travels throughout the US. When my inlaws moved to FL(albeit for a short time), we had a family sendoff party on the 2nd floor private area. While service is at times spotty, the food is the big draw here. Scallops, chengeh, baba and the list goes on and on. Just about every item on the menu is a winner. They also feature great vegetarian options as apps and main courses. Parking can be a challenge here, especially on weekends. They have a private lot across the street, but its tight and the attendatnt basically shakes you down for a tip. Overall a must visit for anyone that enjoys Persian / Meditaririan cuisine.
(5)Liz A.
I came here for my friend's birthday, and I have loved it ever since! This place has excellent quality food, and the owners/staff are very personable and friendly. My favorite entree is the boneless chicken kabobs-- the chicken is all white meat, tastes very fresh and has an excellent grilled flavor. With the kabobs, I always get the dill rice-- awesome, fresh flavors. Also, all the kabob entrees come with pitas and grilled onion and tomatoes (love having well-cooked, simply-prepared veggies to go with my chicken), and they start each table with fresh feta (AWESOME), parsley and radishes. The soups and desserts are also excellent. Overall, I love how everything is very fresh, high quality and simply-prepared; nothing is bogged down by unhealthy sauces, etc; they rely completely on the quality and preparation of the main ingredients to add flavor to the dishes.
(5)Jeanie S.
Have been going to Reza's 15+years, and have to say was a little disappointed this last visit.... we got there early for a Sat around 6ish, but were starved so couldn't wait and my mouth was watering just thinking about the kabobs...there was no music playing, the lentil soup or the hummos and these are 2 things I usually love, we just ok. Then we got the ground chicken and lamb kabobs, again the flavor seemed lacking. The portions are always generous so we brought tons home.
(3)Moni K.
This review is for the lunch buffet which I think is a wonderful idea and eventhough there is a selection of food the quality of selection is not that great. The hummus and the salad are just sad. The best is the lamb, which is really delicious and well cooked and seasoned. If they could make the hummus taste better and spruce up the salad this lunch would not be so bad, one can not just eat a plate of lamb for lunch.
(3)Joe T.
With urban flair, this Middle Eastern restaurant with full bar is nestled in the friendly gayborhood of Chicago, Andersonville. I was here recently for a buffet style large group dinner in an entire wing of the diner rented out for my nephew's baptism luncheon. I must say the lunch buffet was amazing. I have heard that it is roughly $12/pp, and at that price point it's a great deal in this part of Chicago. Now, I am from metro-Detroit where our Mediterranean restaurants outnumber McDonalds locations by a large margin. The food here was definitely up to par. I have had better hummus at many restaurants (for some reason Chicagoland MidEast diners are 0/3 for me so far on hummus quality), however the rest of the food more than made up for it. Lamb kabobs were excellent. The braised lamb shank was so tender and flavorful - many good bone and marrow pieces and enough fatty pieces to really hit the spot. I also saw a Nihari Beef, which was unique and a more South Asian (Indo-Pak) style. So it is nice to see the chefs here explore outside of their comfort zones. The chicken options were all about average, and the whole sauteed mushrooms were delicious. I actually was very impressed by this place. I normally don't have soup on hot summer days, but after hearing raving remarks on the chicken dill barley soup with leeks, I gave it a try and must concur. Grab a few lemon wedges from the bar and sprinkle generously on the soup (and almost any dish here you'd like). Granted we were here for a private function, but I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. In my honest opinion the lunch buffet at this function here was good enough to be had at a wedding reception. Hint hint to anyone considering Mideast food at their special day. Plenty of options for meat lovers, and just enough options for veggies. Two thumbs up!
(4)Christopher J.
One of the first places I visited when I moved to Chicago. Disastrous first date, delightful meal! A handsome young fellow asked me out to dinner and suggested Reza's (as I had mentioned I love Persian food). We hemmed and hawed over the menu for a bit and I eventually settled on the lam kebab with grilled veggies and seasoned couscous. Thank god for this man's inability to hold a conversation because it gave me the ability to zone out and enjoy how lovely this restaurant is. Charming atmosphere (really beautiful on a great day when they open the front doors up onto the sidewalk, it makes the dark wood paneling glow), great music, and an excellent location. While the guy texted and tweeted his way through half of the meal--regardless of how engaging and funny I was--I begged and pleaded the gods of saffron to bring me my meal. Be praised, it couldn't have come fast enough. Now I had a real reason to ignore the chump, which wasn't hard. These lamb chunks (and they were, just great heaping chunks of meat) were cooked to tender, juicy perfection. Seasoned expertly and served on a giant plate with solid slices of grilled tomatoes and sweet, white onions, this meal could not have been better Add to it the beautiful, fluffy couscous, attentive--yet not overbearing--service, and you have one happy man. Regardless of the terrible date--he even went dutch. On the first date. Where is the chivalry? "Ya ask, ya pay." Am I right, boys?--This restaurant is nestled firmly in my "Returning Very Soon" column.
(4)Jeff J.
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Persian food. We went here when visiting a friend in Chicago. We chose Reza because an Iranian friend in Louisville raves about this place. Our waitress was extremely nice and helpful. I originally gave this restaurant 4 stars but upped to 5 stars based on her service. Her kind attention and eye contact were more like eating in the home of a very hospitable friend or family member. The food was also good -considering I'm not a fan of kibbeh. The dolmas, grape leaf rolls, were excellent.
(5)Marissa G.
Best take-out food for a movie night in! Fresh and tasty chicken and the rice is addictive. Everything we got was mouth watering and we had left overs which were just as good the next day. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Roxanne R.
I came here for a brunch buffet right after I ran a half marathon and boy! Was that just not the best follow up meal for a starving gal. I was here for a party but I think the brunch buffet cost $19.95 and for that cost you get a wide selection of Mediterranean food. I was a fan of the filet mignon kabobs - a little chewy but still good flavor, the lamb shank which was sooooo juicy and delicious, beef stew -mmmm, and everything went well with the dill rice. So much meat. So much deliciousness. How could you go wrong with this buffet? Aside from the watermelon I wasn't too crazy about the sweet portions so I just had some watermelon with a side of filet mignon :-) I've already been planning another race so I can have a reason to eat two heaping plates of Rezas brunch buffet. MmmM
(4)Patrick S.
I feel like Reza's has made a come back. Went.to Reza's on Clark. Kashk as an appetizer with the bread was excellent. Ordered the kabob sultani and cooked medium-well, which was very well prepared with high quality meat. The portions were of good size that allowed for leftovers to take home. Service was good. Definitely will go back as long as the quality remains at this level.
(5)Tim H.
Meh. Reza is a staple in Andersonville right in the heart of the neighborhood, and you can't miss it with its large red-lit sign. The restaurant is 'Persian' but in reality it's an Americanized catch-all of 'Middle Eastern cuisine.' The decor is ostentatious, and the wait staff is hit-or-miss. Overall the food is average. It ends up being mostly kabobs, some salads, soups, and 4 authentic dishes. Kabob dinners are marked up, IMO. $15-20 for a meat of your selection + side + and a soup. Considering the price different is about $3 dollars more to get the Fillet Mignon over the chicken, I'd recommend the steak. And I've always opted for the Dill Rice over White Rice. Never understood why Reza's is so popular, they do have a buffet -- if you like buffets. But it seems to have established itself as a constant in the neighborhood, and even though I definitely think the neighborhood could do better, I suppose it could be worse. Reza's is just sort of there -- I end up going there about once a year for work functions and for that purpose it's fine, but nothing outside of that.
(3)Anne C.
I went here for my birthday, and it was not very good at all. I got the beef kabob. It was SPEWING grease. I simply couldn't eat it. Also, the meat didn't seem cooked enough as the texture didn't seem right. The potatoes were also SPEWING grease. Someone else got the white fish, but the vegetables were beyond oily. Basically, everything on everyone's plate was UBER greasy to the point where it was just gross. Our server was quick and efficient, but staring at us the whole time from a corner (not too many costumers) and it was creepy. I wouldn't come back because the food was gross.
(2)Amanda M.
More of a 3.5. Came for dinner and was nicely seated the by the window. My sister first ordered a mojito, in which our server said they didn't have but will check. She came back and said that they did have it (she was quite awkward). My sister said her mojito was very weak, but is somewhat understandable for a family restaurant. We had the hummus and grilled potatoes for appetizers, which came really fast. The hummus was nice and creamy, but would have liked a tad more flavor. The potatoes were very good and perfectly cooked as thick steaks, but a tad too buttery and not enough garlic flavor for my liking. Had the chicken barley soup and it was alright, nothing outstanding. My sister had the tomato lentil and it was a little too salty. Our entrees took a tad long to come. Had the boneless chicken kabob with dill rice. The chicken was perfectly cooked with a nice tangy flavor to it. Dill rice was also good. The portions were quite substantial. However, as in the menu and pictures note, the accompanied grilled vegetables were merely 2 pieces of onions and 1 tomato and no zuchinni. Also tried my sister's vegetarian platter including mushroom stuffed pepper and falalfel. The stuffed pepper was good, but again quite standard. The falafel was too dry. Overall, the food was good but not outstanding. And for personally liking bland food, their food could have been a little more flavorful. Service was decent. At first, out waitress was somewhat standoffish. However, she was very present in the end, and even gave us our own pitcher of water, noting that their glasses are quite small. Decor of the place is very nice and comfortable.
(3)Mister M.
$20 bucks for the Saturday and Sunday evening buffet is hands down the best bargain in town. Honestly, the chicken barley soup with leeks and dill is almost worth the price of admission by itself. I LOVE.this soup! Hummus, falafel, and Persian salad make a great start. At least 3 different rice dishes to choose from, leg of lamb , roast beef, kabobs, lamb, beef and chicken. Ground meat kabobs as well. Unbelievable. Andersonville is so much fun too. Visit the Pars Persian shop across the street and stop in to Alamo shoes (ask for Bruce). The folks that run this location of Rezas are much nicer than the staff on Ontario. I go here whenever I am able.
(5)Andy M.
Generous portions and decent prices for what you order. Service is usually pretty attentive, but silent. Huge space, nice small side and front patios, and constant sangria specials. Neighborhood face.
(4)KM Y.
I wanted to love Reza's. I had heard great things and had to try it for myself. The food was good, but not spectacular and certainly didn't live up to the hype. The highlights: Great kafta kabobs and dill rice The low lights: Bland hummus and falafel Also, when we arrived, the restaurant was perhaps 1/4 full, yet the waitress tried to dump our party of four in a back room where no one was sitting. We asked to be moved back to the front and they were gracious about it. However, it was an odd dynamic to start our dinner.
(3)Christina M.
I went in for the L STOP launch party and had such a great time. I honestly never thought to go to Reza's though I've seen it.... The food was phenomenal especially the vegetable dish. Bartenders were friendly and they staff was amazing I can't wait to go back for a nice dinner.
(4)ali m.
Good kababs, The waitress that served us at the night was so friendly.The down part is that prices are rocket high!
(3)Babak B.
What can I say. I've been going here since I could walk. The lunch buffet is truly an amazing deal. All of the locations make me happy but of course N clark is the best. I think the manager there since I was little is the owners cousin or something. I like the Oakbrook location too since I usually stay in Oakbrook when I visit Chicago and it's got a smaller feel to it which I like.
(5)Lee R.
I keep coming back to this neighborhood restaurant, mostly for the food. Love the flatbread which they serve with every meal, along with parsley, baby raddishes and a few ounces of goat cheese. Their kabob special is something like $12.99 for two giant meat kabobs (your choice of lamb, chicken or beef.) But I really fell in love with the scallops, which are served with delicious sautéed veggies and a side. I always get the potatoes, which are served as little planks with some sort of cheese roasted on them. Lovely. One thing I haven't tried is the buffet, but I've heard it's good. Complaints? Well, if you come by yourself, they usually stick you in the back. And though the servers are always pleasant, they can be a little inattentive. And the flavored iced tea isn't terribly good. But I come here at least every 6 weeks, so these things obviously don't bother me much.
(4)Marcee W.
Check out the all-you-can-eat buffet lunch from 11-3 Monday through Friday, $10.95. You can't beat the deal and it's a great way to try new dishes!
(4)Kylie S.
I attended a Redfin even here so my experience was a bit different than being able to order straight off the menu. The food was okay, but it didn't knock my socks off. The service was really great. Parking is street parking and can be difficult in this popular area, but you should find something if you do a loop. I would recommend this venue for company events/retreats.
(3)Lauren D.
Whenever I visit my Aunt, a retired university professor, we usually stop here for dinner. Over the years, we have eaten here about a dozen times or more. We started off with the Dolmeh (which are grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomato, onion, herbs & spices in tomato saffron sauce). We ordered the kabab tabei which was moist, succulent, tender and incredibly delectable. Central to the Persian dishes are numerous rice dishes, some containing almonds, pistachios, dill, glazed carrots or orange peels, and raisins; others with vegetables and spices; occasionally with meat. However, at Reza's there are only two or three kinds of rice. We ordered Dill rice which fell flat in the taste category. Other dishes to try here are: Stews (which are fairly good), dumplings, kebabs (several different kinds and all are excellent), and stuffed vegetables accompanied by different sauces. Many of the dishes are vegetarian, and the mixing of sweet and savory, such as grains stewed with fruit and spices produces some unique delectable dishes. The result is a feast of outstanding, unique flavors and textures as well as a visual delight. One dish that we tried before, but did not see on the menu this time around, was Fesenjan. I am sure they would fix it for us upon request. Fesenjan is a Persian chicken stew with a sauce made of toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses. It may sound a bit strange, but trust me, this dish is the perfect amalgamation. The toasted walnuts are rich and warm, while the pomegranate molasses is sharp and berry toned. The juxtaposition of the crunchy walnuts, with the tart sweetness of the pomegranate, and saltiness of the chicken make for an unbelievable explosion of delicate flavors. The end result is spectacular and plate-licking good! SERVICE is attentive, but not overly smothering. Most of the servers are nearly mute and barely crack a smile. Maybe it's a cultural thing. They do speak English, but others barely get by. I found another excellent Persian restaurant located in the Albany Park neighborhood with fabulicious lunch specials (Noon-O-Kabab), which has excellent Persian food.
(4)Chris W.
I was here for a wedding. We didn't get to pick out what we were going to eat, BUT there was a huge variety that kept coming out. It was a nice middle eastern reception spot particularly for the music, dancing, lighting and colors. The bar in the front room was open to us which I got an espresso shot that made me giggly like I was on speed. I mean I don't normally drink coffee but regardless. You could hear the difference between the front and back rooms which means if there was a party going on like ours, you wouldn't be bothered in the main dining room. Food that was delicious? All of it. I mean...their falafel was in the top three best falafel i've ever tasted. Also, their stuffed grape leaves and buttered potatoes were divine. Herb roasted feta and veggie kebabs as well were incredible. I highly recommend coming for a nice dinner, especially with family. Quick note though, they are pricey.
(3)Antonio M.
I had never eaten Persian food and decided to give this place a try. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi, which is a sort of National Iranian stew. I also ordered some babaganoush. I have to say, the babaganoush was fantastic as was the bread they served. The ghormeh sabzi, on the other hand, tasted like vomit. This is not hyperbole, but I honestly could not eat it. I am the opposite of a picky eater and I love bitter herbs, but for some reason I was repulsed by it. I must have tried at least 5 spoonfuls and each one was worse and worse. However, maybe I'm not used to it or perhaps my taste buds just did not match up. I have no basis to say that it was cooked poorly or incorrectly, but I just could not stomach it. The person I was with ordered the chicken fesenjan, which was alright, but not noteworthy. What saved this meal was the delicious babaganoush, and I mean delicious. I've been to a few Middle Eastern restaurants both in Chicago and Boston and very few get it right. The atmosphere is great, clean bathrooms, awesome service, etc.
(3)Stephen R.
It's been years since my last visit and just wish we could transport this amazing restaurant to Dallas. The beef is perfectly flavored - but the rice is the killer (OMG)! Not sure what they do with it but it keeps me coming back. One Sunday went for the buffet and was sooooo full - the next bite I took was Monday for breakfast. It was fabulous.
(5)Andrew T.
Great food, pretty inexpensive and good service!
(4)Mat M.
I've never had bad service or food at Reza's Restaurant. It's my go to for Mediterranean food. Hummus and Kabobs, oh my! The service is always good and the food is abundant- you won't leave hungry! I haven't done their buffet as it's just not my thing, but their menu is quite large and has a lot of options.
(4)Doug D.
Good fare, dismal service :( wait staff was too busy for menu questions, etc. Food learning is necessity for me. If you like McDonald's line service, its here.
(2)Meh G.
I went to Reza's to see what the hype was all about and I have to say that I was less than impressed. Not only their service wasn't that great, but their food seemed a bit bland and overpriced. Rezas is by far oneof the worst Persian restaurants I have been to and this was a huge disappointment because I had heard so many great things about this restaurant.
(2)kristi p.
absolutely delicious! i've been going here for 15 years and the standards remain the same. this restaurant got me hooked on middle eastern food. LOVE IT! haven't tried the weekend buffet but want to.
(5)Pash H.
The food is delicious but there are a few cons while dinning in...I went with a group of ppl and every single one of us received COLD soup and then our beverages were just nasty, I had one sent back and asked if they could change it for what my friend was having, the waitress was sweet and said yes, but she came back with my same drink in another glass! I was very displeased about that! And while ordering out, they always forget to pack something or the other.. You'd think they would know what to give to a customer being a "big" restaurant and all..
(3)J. Terrell A.
I really wanted to like this place. The outside looked so inviting, but once we entered I was turned off by the paper that sat atop the table. The decor didn't scream Persian to me. Maybe I've been spoiled by the fantastical Bandar in San Diego. I ordered the Lamb Kabab Koobideh and expected saffron rice, but there was no saffron rice. The lamb was just okay flavor wise, not dry at all. I was disappointed in the rice, it was bland--not worth the price. Reza was just underwhelming for me.
(2)Kelz M.
I was treated to Reza's this past Monday and you know what? It *was* a treat! Okay, I realise this place isn't exactly Tru but, my gosh, their buffet was not bad! I tried a little of this, a little of that... the chicken was especially delicious and the rices were lovely; I did like the dill rice that seems to be Reza's specialty but, to be honest, my favourite was the spicy chicken rice. Oh, man, just thinking about that stuff makes my stomach growl! The runaway winner, in my opinion, though, was the Bamieh! Bamieh is a light tasting, fried dough pastry sweetened with syrup that tasted a bit like honey to me. I won't tell you how many of them I ate but suffice it to say that "too many" would be an accurate guess. The decor is quite lovely, as well. Warm woods, exposed bricks and ducts, and plenty of room between each of the tables on the floor spelled success in my book. I never felt crowded - I love that! Thank you to my hosts for the wonderful treat - I'll be back to try a few other dishes soon!
(4)Nicole S.
I am a Persian girl who loves her Persian food! Nothing beats my Dad's cooking but Reza's is a close second. The meat is always fresh, tender, and seasoned to perfection. I always order Ghormeh Sabzi, it's my favorite and in my opinion, the best dish! On weekdays they have a 10$ lunch buffet and weekends it is 20$ for dinner and worth every penny! The service is wonderful and the environment is clean and relaxing.
(5)Allan M.
I've always thought of this as a majorly 'meh' place. Since I saw a bunch of 3 star reviews, I'll go with 2 here. At least the lunch buffet is tolerable here, since they have good dill rice, decent meats/kabobs, and I've always been fond of the bamieh dessert, which is a honey-flavored type pastry. They could use better pita bread, as well. It's a little ironic and funny that I'm old enough to remember long ago the Baskin-Robbins that used to be in the corner space of this building, and back at the time(and when I was a kid, before I tried other ice cream places I liked more) being very upset that Reza's expanded into their space! Wow, that probably was something like over 15 years ago? If it wasn't for the fact those times with friends/family going for the lunch buffet didn't cost a dime to me, I'd opt to eat somewhere else. I've always heard so many great things about Masouleh in Rogers Park, plus some of the places over on Kedzie.....
(2)Jeff N.
Wine selection is generic and poor. Margarita was terrible. White fish is awful, rubbery breaking outside. All the tables around is we're not balanced, waiters fix 3 tables just when I was there. Not a good experience. Very let down. I am sorry but do not go here.
(1)Arlene G.
went 2 andersonville fest this weekend & my boy & i decided 2 eat here 4 dinner. i have not been here in years so it was good 2taste their food again. they were havin a buffet but i wasn hat hungry 2 have that. however it looked really good cuz there were so many items available. i had the ground lamb wit dill rice & it was deelish! i love lamb & i could eat it over pig & cow anytime! the entree also came with a soup which was good even though it wasnt that hot. my boy had the same dish but with chicken instead & it was good too. i would eat here again if im in this area.
(4)Liv B.
Anytime I'm in the area I have to eat at this gem. This is by far the best middle eastern food I've had. The beef kabob is so moist and flavorful nothing beats it. The soups are always amazing. We always do the buffet, everything is perfection. For dessert the bamia is so light and crisp it's hard to stop at one. It's a must. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. I would recommend to everyone and I do!
(5)Shannon N.
Reza's is good food - huge portions, very tasty delights and friendly service. I love all the kebab action. I tried the shrimp kabobs last week and they were fantastic - garlicky and delicious. The naan rocks, too. Really good with the feta and the tomato soup to start. Love that jasmine rice! Good stuff all around. Definitely check this place out.
(4)Trung N.
Ive been to Reza's in the past and really enjoyed their menu and food. So today we went and tried to relive my past memories of this place! After we were seated I opened the menu, to my surprise it's totally different! They've basically changed almost everything that I grew to love of the old Reza's. I ordered the lamb shank (18.95) it was extremely gamey. I love lamb but this was terrible. The sauce that it was simmering in didn't help the over powering taste of the lamb. What ever happened to their signature mushroom dish and great lamb chops they use to have!? Unfortunately I'm not ever coming back.
(2)Douglas J.
Please take this review with a grain of salt...I have never been a fan of middle eastern food. Went here for a friends birthday. Ordered the shrimp and filet kabobs. Like I said, I can't say I was disappointed because this isn't my style anyway. I found both kabobs to be nothing special. They were cooked well, but really didn't have much flavor. The highlight for me was the dill rice. It had the perfect amount of dill to give it a great flavor but wasn't overpowering.
(2)Jacob Y.
So...from a LONG day that was supposed to be full of meetings in Schaumburg, by the hands of a higher power, I ended up with a flat, and never made it to Suburbia! Yes, the flat kinda stunk, but that means no boring meetings, and the flat got fixed at the shop in a jiffy. Which brings me to staying in the city to enjoy this lovely fall weather. And then I got hungry. So I decided to venture into Andersonville to get some grub, and lo and behold...I saw a sign for Lunch Buffet at Reza's... Again, I am not usually a huge fan of buffets (read my review for the Jolly Inn); however, I was STARVING and it was yet another sign from above (regardless of religion!). So I strolled into Reza's...and surprisingly for a Monday 1 pm-ish timeframe, it was actually somewhat busy. After being seated, I proceeded to see what $9.95 would buy me at this buffet. For starters, I tried the hummus and pita bread. Creamy, smooth and extremely good. I also had a falafel and it was crispy and delicious! And to top it off, I tried the chicken barley soup - which was tasty and very warming for these chilly fall days in the windy city. Onto entrees. They had three different kind of rice dishes: a vegetarian, a dill rice and a simple white rice. I tried them all (the curse of being Chinese!). They were all good, but the dill rice was exceptionally good! And for meat to accompany my rice, I tried the Chicken kababs (both regular and spicy), along with all three different types of koubidehs (chicken, beef and lamb). WOW...it was all outstanding. And yes, I went back for seconds. As far as desserts is concerned...I usually skip at buffets because I am too full. Not this time. They had these sweetly soaked doughnut like pastries. WOW...and they went soo well with my coffee. Now...I don't live too far from Reza's, but let me tell you what...I will make an extra effort to go there for dinner. I forget how much I love their Persian Middle Eastern cuisine!
(4)Chris C.
Came here for their dinner buffet. The food was awesome, especially their chicken and pita bread. However, the dinner buffet came to about $20 each which was higher than I would've liked. I'll probably go there again but will stick to their lunch buffet instead.
(4)Leah C.
consistently good however, inflated prices... been going to reza's since i was a kid and decided to try a carry-out order to bring to our friends' for lunch. the food was as yummy as we all remember. i made a new discovery: kashkeh bodemjam = a DELICIOUS eggplant dip. it tasted like it included caramelized onion in the mix but the list of ingredients in the menu made no mention. SO good! the pitas were a bit dry - never been a huge fan of their pitas and hope that they work on that. i also wish that they would find better ways to package their carry-out's. tahini spilled all over the rest of my vegi sampler platter. kabobs were smooshed into packages that were too small (should've just used foil!). poor yummy dill rice was spewing out of their foam containers.
(4)Anne F.
From what I have read, I wish that we tried the buffet. None of the people I was with were happy with what we ordered. The chicken was fatty and there was a lot of dark meat for breasts, the kabobs had no flavor, BUT the vegetarian appetizer sampler was great! The waitress was a bit pushy, but that wasn't really an issue. I have heard so many great things about Reza's that I am willing to try it again, and will write a fantastic review when that happens!
(2)Nick B.
Andersonville has some of the best dining in the city from diners, tapas, brunch, you name it, it's there. It was time I got my Mediterranean fill in. I've been passing Reza's for years now. Quickly barreling down Clark and blowing by the large, neon red Reza's sign on the corner of Clark and Berwyn, I finally stopped by last night. I went with a friend for dinner at 8PM yesterday and was surprised how easy it was to sit outside on the patio. Reza's outdoor patio has to be some of the best seating in the city. It's secluded yet still allows a nice view of the busy street for some ideal people watching. This was a big win on behalf of the restaurant. We started with a glass of wine and started with hummus for our appetizer. I was excited to her about the buffet option they had for dinner. Awesome! But not really as we were told it was $24.99 for the buffet. I really couldn't justify that for hummus and falafel. So we ended up starting with a bunch of appetizers and ate tapas style. I wasn't too excited over the hummus which was annoying. There wasn't a lot of flavor to the hummus and the bread was cold. It was still could but I wasn't really into it. I will say that the falafel was awesome! I didn't see many other options for me to go ahead with as there was a lot of lamb on the menu. I enjoyed the night at Reza's but I thought it was fairly overpriced on almost all the options. I'm going to settle with 3 stars because sitting outside was really the highlight of the evening. I would say check it out, but just order off the appetizers menu and get a few glasses of wine.
(3)J M.
As I walked into this establishment I thought to myself, "dang, this place is kind of dead for a friday night" And now I know why. I honestly cannot think of a restaurant with more bland food. Literally nothing had any taste. I don't know how anybody could enjoy this place.
(1)Lynn K.
Good food, bad service
(2)C A.
We order delivery from time to time from this place cause my partner LOVES middle eastern, as for me im not a huge fan of this style of food, i find it very bland. The food is decent but stay away from the babaganoosh, heart burn central! They have great vegetarian dishes but they need add some more flavor to it. Delivery time is slow, i have never had an order delivered in under 1 hour 30 mins. so if you want to order for dinner, order around 4:30 because it will finally arrive around 6 pm. The customer service skills over the phone is absolutely horrendous, after i completed my order they asked if i wanted to order dessert i said no thanks then just click. they hang up on you and even during the ordering process they always put you on hold. The delivery drivers are always so nice though, and if you go to the resteraunt to sit down and dine in person the servers are always friendly.
(3)Ryan G.
I'm going giving this place two stars because the food (although overpriced) was at least eatable. The experience we had with the manager, however, leaves me wanting to leave only one star. First off, the menu items are well cooked and typical Middle Eastern fare. They aren't anything special enough to write home about, but the cooks do a great job at leaving their meats juicy and their rice well seasoned. We walked in about around 9:30 PM on a weeknight. There were four of us. One person in my group had already eaten and decided to get an appetizer. We asked the waiter if we could do the Family Style dinner combination for the other 3 of us. He said sure and we chose our items. The food came out and there was a ton of it. Way more than the three of us could ever eat. Props for that. At some point during our meal, another one of our friends stopped in and pulled up a chair. He had a few pieces of meat, literally 4 at the most. He wasn't there to eat. All was fine until the waiter comes up to us and tells us that the manager saw my friend eating and is going to charge him for eating a meal. WHAT? We ask at waiter what the reasoning is and he tells us that the manager is making him do this because the Family Style combinations are unlimited. Sound odd? YES, BECAUSE NO WHERE ON THE MENU (I just went and doubled checked) DOES IT SAY THAT THE FAMILY STYLE DINNER COMBINATIONS ARE UNLIMITED. I completely understand how a manager could walk by and see our friend eating and not know how much he ate. Understandable. However, we didn't even finish our first plates. We never even got to the point of having seconds! We boxed it up and took our leftovers home. Dear Reza's, make it clear to your customers what the policies are ON THE MENU. I could tell how embarrassed the waiter was for having to tell us this. I felt like he's had to do this at his manager's request before. At the very least, hire managers who at least have the guts to talk to their customers. Bottom Line: While I hear their lunch buffet is great, Reza's needs to update their managers and their menu before I (or anyone I know) return.
(2)Mike L.
In Short - Give it a Pass. I could not of been more disipointed by a my meal. The first thing that always stound great Middle Eastern or Persian restaurants is the smell. When you walk into the door, the smells of spice and tea should fill ure nostrils. When you walk into Raza's the first thing you smell is, well, nothing. To begin with, we sat for fifteen minuets after being seated for someone to bring take drink order. When the server did show up we ordered an appetizer but were not told that there was a free "appetizer buffet" set up in the next room. So our food - my girdfriend (yelp: starbuckscout) ordered "Mediterranean Style" kabobs; chicken for me and salmon for her. Our food was TERRIBLE. Our food was swimming in a awful mushroom sauce. The check had no sign that he had been grilled or seared - it was just chunks of white squares. The salmon was like gelatin. The gill rice that came with out meals was 1) dry 2) hard 3) tasted like nothing. At one time this place might of been amazing. But laziness and long years have atrophied over the years.
(1)Isla E.
I totally forgot I went here on a weekday for a baby shower for a coworker. So I'm taking off one star for being unmemorable. But it was a nice meal. They have a lunch buffet which I think costs about $8 per person. I can't find any info about this on their website, so I'm writing this review to let you know. I think its a great place for a work related lunch gathering. The Andersonville location is bright, airy, and roomy. The buffet offers options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters. While it wasn't the best Middle Eastern food I've ever had, it wasn't the worst, and pretty good for a buffet. The staff was attentive and friendly, and we were in and out of there in about an hour. I can't speak for the quality of their entrees or items off the menu, but if you are looking for an inexpensive, healthy, lunch buffet, Reza's is an option. There are locations in Andersonville, Oak Brook, and River North. Maybe call first to make sure they have buffet at all locations and check on price, then take your new favorite coworker to lunch!
(4)Kari C.
Amazing food!!! Persian food is my favorite, and this is some genuine Persian food. We had excellent seating (right by the windows/doors, which were open) and the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Will definitely go there again!!
(4)Javier B.
Found myself at Reza's after trying to take friends to Ole Ole and realizing that they have closed! :-( I have eaten at Reza's several times and can only really say that it is consistently mediocre. I have had their lunch buffet and I agree with some of the other comments posted here. Their food is very inconsistent and really not great quality for the price. I love buffets, but this is one that I actually try to avoid. As far as regular diner, it appears that they have decided to do a buffet style appetizer bar. In concept this is great, but again the execution is lacking. The falafel is cold, the hummus doesn't seem to be up to par, pita cold, etc. The actual entree was very tasty but served with a mountain of rice is not the most exciting presentation. Too many other middle eastern/persian oprtions in the city that are better than Reza's.
(2)Jay R.
The lunch buffet is a great deal and the food is tasty with a great selection. We where in the area and I had been craving kabobs they had a lunch buffet that was kabob heaven. They have 2 styles ground meat which included chicken ,beef and lamb they also have a whole white meat chicken style kabob each type was tasty. The buffet is a great price all you can eat for 16.95 that included a glass of champagne, tea, soda its everything included so you don't get nickel and dimed for the extras. The buffet includes alot of other items some of my faves were great hummus a nice salad a very tasty lamb shank a variety of grilled veggies and rice last but not least some honey puffy dessert things that tasted pretty good. Its a great deal and the food is quality with a good variety and the staff is very attentive and friendly.
(4)Michael P.
We wandered in right around 11:15 this morning, not knowing what to expect. We scoped the buffet and both instantly knew that's what we wanted. It was like a vegetarian combo on 'Roids! They had the usual hummos / falafil / salad / cucumber salad. But they had two kinds of rice, the lentil soup was delish, the sauteed mushrooms perfect. Etc. Waitress said a glass of champagne (?with middle eastern?) came with the buffet. But YIKES $16.50 per person? Minus one star. I'd pay closer to $12, maybe, but a $33 (for two) lunch tab is a bit over the top. I'm going to put this on the "top quality but go infrequently because it's pricey" list. In my opinion, they lose money that way because we won't go as often. Whatever, their business to run. Try it, though, it really was top quality and taste. Five flags. More flags, more fun.
(4)Colleen R.
I wanted to like Reza's, but the whole experience was a little... off. It's a Middle Eastern Ryan's Buffet. Eating on a budget is really difficult here, unless you stick to appetizers. Entrée prices range from $15-25. And it's hard not to fill up on the buffet that's included with the entrée, which includes salad, soup, falafel, and hummus with pita bread. Basically, by the time our group got our main courses, we were already full. Of course, the portions placed down in front of us were unnecessarily gigantic. My vegetarian sampler was massive, but included only one measly slice of eggplant and some lukewarm baba ghanoush. In a city with so many great options for Middle Eastern food, I can't say that I'll return to Reza's anytime soon.
(2)Carolynne M.
I have been going to one of the two locations for as long as I have lived here. A hundred years ago when I lived in Andersonville, this place and Calo were literally the only two places that would deliver to my "questionably safe area" (ahem, Clark & Granville. really? "questionably safe?"). Then when I worked in River North, we would get delivery about once a week from the Ontario location. So I am pretty familiar. Anyway. Part of my problem is that they are very pricey for what it is. Hummus is delicious, but $5.95 delicious? Not sure about that. The Koubideh is fantastic, as well as the Ghemieh Bodemjan, but really, we all know what the real reason is for going there in the end. And that is the dill rice. I have tried replicating it many times at home, but it is never the same. I would go here much more (since I work only a few blocks away) if the prices were a little more reasonable.
(3)Dilip J.
I've been to the downtown location for lunch and brunch a few times, and I would have to say this is at least as good. Buffet is their best deal. I don't think the prices are the best, compared to other places($14 and up for dinner). But, the salad bar makes any meal there a much better value. 2 soups, 2 salads, hummus, dip, fruit, falafel, plus some dessert/sweet. That's what was available for the night I went. Food is good, but could be spicier. Lunch Buffet and Brunch on Sundays are pretty good deals also. Very good choices on Sunday's Brunch, and not bad for all the good stuff they offer. Call about buffet special pricing. Menu: rezasrestaurant.com/menu… Mon: $3 house martini Tues: half off on certain wine bottles
(3)Jen P.
Once upon a time, this place used to be amazing. The service was exceptional, the food was of very high quality, and the prices were reasonable. I recently returned from college and, after being away for five years, am extremely disappointed at where this place has gone. The first problem I have is that the buffet, while being somewhat reasonably priced, does not offer the same quality of food which can be found on the regular menu. The lamb and steak dishes, which remain stellar, are now ridiculously overpriced and their pita is no longer served warm, and is perpetually dry. While the atmosphere remains pleasant, the food has lost its charm. This used to be a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal, but I now feel like every time I walk in, I should be prepared to hand over the entire contents of my wallet. I still enjoy the food, but not paying ten to fifteen dollars more than what I used to pay for it. If you must visit, try a plate of the grilled mushrooms, have a glass of wine, and go on your merry way.
(3)Andy M.
Just as yummy as I remember it. I ordered the meat Kabab extravaganza. The seasoning that they use on the beef and lamb are wonderful, and I could eat the Dill rice alone and be happy as a clam. It's a little pricey, but it's worth it for what you get. Reza's is one of my favorite places in Chicago. It's always consistently good.
(4)Adam M.
Ok, the food was good - I had the fillet kabobs. I also enjoyed the soup and salad bar that came with the meal. There is certainly a lot of food included in the entrees - a couple could definitely split an entree and still have left-overs. Also, get the dill rice - very good. Now, the reason for two stars? WE WERE ABANDONED! Yes, I've heard of such things happening before in the restaurant world, but this has never happened to me. After our server took our drink order, she came back for the food order. At which point she told me that the entree I had selected was not good. Come again!? Now, normally I would appreciate a server's honesty about the food, but this server was condescending as in "why would you EVER think to order such an absurd item!?" Well....because it's on the freakin' menu. After she basically forces me to order something else (which, in all honesty, was delicious) her shift must have ended because we see her leaving the restaurant with her coat on and saying good-bye to everyone but us. I totally understand a server leaving after her shift, but at least tell us. We then waited about 25 minutes before anyone else came to the table and even then the new server didn't acknowledge us. As if our server had a spontaneous sex-change. The new server was worse than the first - no water refills, no communication, nothing. Get it together Reza's, because your food is too good to have such poor service.
(2)Chicago R.
Food was a good Mediterranean meal. Other than that, their service was horrible. I would agree with the reviewer here that I gave them for the benefit of the doubt idea not to get mad. I get pissed off after eating their lunch buffet, the waitress (not warm unfriendly, cold attitude) handed me the check without me asking. I told her I haven't eat my dessert yet. No reaction, but I guess she,s waiting for me to pay while she stands. So I pay. Then I stand up to get my dessert. Then the man standing told me I cannot get my dessert because I paid already. What is this? Is this a culture difference or what? Not acceptable. Service is bad, like they don't value customers at all. If I could give them a half star, I would. I hope the owner reads this.
(1)Paul A.
I've been going to Reza's for more than 10 years with lots of time in between visits. What started out as a 3 1/2 star restaurant is now a 2 star restaurant slowly sliding to a 1. The last time I went there and ordered the shish ka bob (lamb, chicken, shrimp) it was certainly OK...actually a little better than OK, but a disappointment from what I remember from several years ago. I just went there tonight and ordered the lamb kabob. The lamb was one step above awful: chewy, flavorless with certain pieces almost inedible. The lentil soup and relish tray -- served complimentary with every meal -- was, as always, excellent. Then again, pretty hard to screw up radishes and feta cheese. The service was friendly enough, but awful. I ordered one of the fancy foo-foo drinks, I believe it as a Pomegranate Mojito, and it was almost undrinkable. As I was waiting forever for my check, different servers could see that I was waiting to pay, but did they offer to tell my waiter, or to perhaps pick it up themselves and bring it to the register? Of course not. Not their table. The only positive out of this entire dining experience is that the entree is enough to feed 2-3 people -- and the dill rice is great! My suggestion is go to other Andersonville stalwarts Cousins or Andies. That's what I'm going to do next time.
(2)Jacob J.
I used to very much dislike Reza's. Primarily because even though I'd been here soo many times, I'd always thought the food wasn't very tasteful and there wasn't anything about their dishes that screamed "must have again" . The kabobs I'd always thought were dry and pointless. That was a year ago. I'd gone today with some friends and the food was excellent, though as with most nice sit down middle eastern places, food is so damn expensive. I think they've raised their prices yet again. I was surprised to see that the menu has grown wider. The lamb kabobs were fantastic, juicy and tasty. The dill rice is always a pleaser. The Filet mignon kabobs, just order a few skewers on the side, very good. Hummus was too bland. They have a better hot sauce now, almost felt like it was a little too salsa tasting, but it does have zing and is the right hot. Shawarma sandwich was pretty yum, I don't think they offered that previously, though they can add a bit more meat. Its a great place in the warmer seasons, but as it gets colder, seating in the front areas is hard to deal with at times. They've got alot of vents shooting warm air forward. It doesn't help enough. I like to have warmth and feel comfortable while I eat. At night, you can really feel the chills coming in through the glass. Its pretty good food and worth checking it out.
(3)Mark P.
Very, very good Middle Eastern food! I went here with friends last week, and each of us enjoyed everything. The meats were tender and juicy, and the dill rice and other sides were great. The apps from the falafel to hummus were fresh and tasty, and the pita was soft and perfect. The salad bar was alright, but coming with the dinner for free was excellent. The only thing was that I ordered falafel as an app, and they had them at the salad bar too. Kind of a waste! If you are looking for high quality Middle Eastern eats, give this a shot. As a bonus, the night we went had 1/2 price bottles of wine. Check for specials!
(4)fox a.
REALLY GOOD FOOD. and a lot of it. yes, it is expensive. but worth it if you need a nourishing, healthy, awesome meal with tons of flavor. things i didn't like: too much dark skin on my salmon (oh well, i picked it off with my fork), the ambiance (stuffy/boring), and the chairs hurt my butt (that i admittedly injured by drunkenly running a borrowed bike into a van). idea: don't eat for a couple days, get wicked stoned, stuff your face. then go home and google the recipes for your favourite items and make this grub yourself. dill. parsley. i love you.
(4)Lindsay S.
Besides the amazing scallop dish, I really liked this place bc of the semi outdoor seating and the later hours. I ended up here with my boyfriend because all of the restaurants/bars in the area were closed or not serving food.. but I am happy that I did. It is nice to be able to get good food (not just diner or fast food) later in the evening ... and the service was amazing even when it was nearing close. I will go back for sure!
(4)David K.
Reza's was once my all-time favorite Middle Eastern restaurant, but lately other options have come to eclipse it. This evening, joining friends there for dinner, I ordered my usual, which is Reza's Special Chicken Kabob. Usually, the meat of this dish is tender and flavorful, with a taste slightly reminiscent of a freshly squeezed lemon. This evening, the chicken was more on the bland side and not as tender and juicy. However, their dill rice was just as excellent as ever and a dish that really helps to make Reza's irreplaceable. I have yet to find another Persian restaurant that serves dill rice, much to my disappointment. In the past, I have ordered their hummus as an appetizer, and it has always been smooth and creamy and made with fresh ingredients. The flatbread they served this evening, which reminded me of a gigantic slab of Indian naan bread, was soft and delicious, and the crispiness of some edges where it was charred only enhanced the overall taste. Lastly, their lentil soup, which was served as an appetizer, was still the same, delicious (tomato-based?) soup, but I still maintain my one criticism and wish it was filled with more lentils, like other Middle Eastern lentil soups I enjoy. More lentil action, please! Given the thinness of the broth, I don't believe the lentils are pureed to mix with the soup, as other restaurants do. Overall, Reza's is still a fine dining experience, with good food and a restaurant decor of brick and wood that makes it a nice and cozy place to relax and chat with friends.
(4)Rhonda G.
I Cheated on Andies with his next door neighbor. I'm so ashamed! Flaunting my love for the dill rice and chicken and scallop skewers in front of an open window on a perfect night. I tried not to like Reza's but everything from the friendly and attentive waitress to the delicious bread and chicken barley soup kept reeling me in. Scallops and chicken were cooked to perfection and kept me eating long after I was full. What a Harlot! Sipping delightful Pinot Grigio and giggling with friends as if I'm doing nothing wrong. I love Reza's and may make this food affair a once in a while thing but my heart belongs to Andies. If he'll still have me.
(4)heidi s.
The Awesome:All I can say is stuffed green pepper with mushrooms on Vegetarian Sampler #4 is super tasty:) The rice with dill and lima beans is really tasty too, but if u get the sampler bring another person and share it b/c it's too much for just one person to handle:) The Not So Awesome: Alright, so I had an cocktail here called the electric lemonade. Looks enticing, but don't get it. I swore their was like no vodka in it,the cherries in it looked really sad, and it was $8.00! I also hate when it feels like menus haven't been cleaned before the shift b/c they get all sticky and loaded with germs, yuck! Overall, Reza's you are doing a decent job, just need a lil work, but your Clark St. location is a nice spot so make it work!!
(3)Amanda W.
While I would rate Reza's higher than its next door neighbor Andies, they get three stars on principle. Please note: the sign that is outside their door on the weekend advertising the $9.99 buffet is ONLY for weekdays. PLEASE, Rezas, this feels a bit like false advertising since the sign says M-F in very small print and there's obviously a buffet inside. Husband and I nearly spit when we got the bill for some decent food and realized the buffet is $15 or more on the weekends each. Not that big of a deal, but I'm not a person to enjoy surprise parties, presents, OR bills. However, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Reza's. It is the first restaurant I ever ate at in Chicago when I visited Loyola over a decade ago with my parents. Every time my parents visit from Kansas, they request to go here for dinner. My father usually ends up sneaking in a ziploc of A1 for the steak kabob which is a pretty funny sight and supremely confuses the wait staff.
(3)Ally L.
DO NOT order delivery!!! The food is good, the delivery is awful. The delivery person got the address mixed up and then yelled at me because he said he wasted time waiting for me to answer the door.
(3)Stephanie V.
i really like mediterranean food but i found that theirs was a bit bland. i have definitely had better. the hummus was bland, and so was the tomato and cucumber salad. the only thing i really like was their pomegranite sauce.
(2)Naomi C.
I have been here twice. Both times I did the dinner option (for 2 or more people). It allows you to choose several diff. appetizers, dinner options, sides and dessert. I have had and enjoyed the grilled potatos, grilled mushrooms, baba ganhoush, rice, tomato/cucumber salad, lamb shank, sirloin kebabs, chicken kababs. The soup, some form of tomato base with lentil I believe was ok. It was a bit sour for my taste. The service was good the first time I went and ok the second time. It also seemed that the portions were smaller the second time (probably because of the economy and cost of food). That being said, the price was reasonable. We did get a lot of food and they boxed up anything that wasn't finished. Overall a good experience.
(4)Joe O.
Been here a handful of times and have enjoyed the experience each time. The food is very fresh and just delicious. I can't remember what that ground up chicken thing is called but it's one of my fav items there. Service is great. Just tried the brunch buffet for the first time last week and it was also excellent. They give you such a selection to pick form, but it's really reflected in the price you pay too.
(4)Deepika T.
Reza's is good. But nothing to write home about, I guess. I'd have to say that I have no complaints about the ambience or the staff. But like I said, nothing about the food made me go ga-ga. The lentil soup was your average fare, and the veggie platter was 'Umm, Ok'. And all my other friends in the group that tried the non-veg fare didn't really start jumping up and down about it either!
(3)Aimee R.
I've been coming here since the 1990s and I can never get tired of Reza's. It has excellent food and great service. I like their Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, and all their combinations of Reza's Special Chicken, Ground Beef/Chicken. I also like the fried veggies that come with the order. The onions and tomatoes add a lot to the overall taste. I also totally ordering the rice 1/2 dill, 1/2 white, they're both good and it's good to combine them. This year, they also started a yummy buffet, for $8 bucks or something, where you can get all the falafels you want...along with the sauce, salad, and pita bread. Their holiday specials are also a great value and they include mimosas or sangria.
(4)Tuyen T.
I've never eaten at Reza's so I can't comment on their service or atmosphere, but my parents usually pick up an order of the chicken and steak combo on their way home. It comes with one chicken kabob, one steak kabob, dill rice, pita bread, and some veggies. I'm not a big fan of the combo because I find the meat and rice quite dry. I like their hummus though, so if my parents give me a heads up that they're picking up Reza's then I order a side of hummus. $15 feeds two people, not a bad deal. It's in Andersonville, so good luck with parking.
(3)Jeff N.
I've only gone here for their lunch buffet. But it is so good that I have been there 3 times in as many weeks (twice in Andersonville and once in the loop). Two of the times I've gone there it was on a Monday when they have half priced wine. Their house chardonnay was great and went really well with the dessert. I will have to say they have the best buffet in Chicago and I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)Mark D.
My wife and I had the lunch buffet during the week. It was outstanding in every way! Just the thought of that extensive variety of excellent food is enough to make me ravenous!
(5)Tara P.
Let's start with the positives. We had a party of 11 and were promptly seated (with reservations...but still). The food was very good, huge servings and I think all but one order was correct. Now, the negatives. They all have to do with service. We waited a long time for our drink orders to be taken, then an even longer time for our food orders to be taken, and we were out of water for the 2nd half of the meal. That's forgivable for a big party on a Saturday night, but guess what's not? The most rude server I've ever had. Our table ordered a couple of the veggie appetizer samplers. It was good. For the entree, though, there are several more veggie combo samplers with different items on them. I'm not a vegetarian but wanted to try several things so I chose a veggie entree sampler. The server argued with me, saying it would be just like the appetizer, which was confusing since the only item the plates share is hummus. Then she asked why I would get that if I'm not a vegetarian (uh, because I'm paying for it so I'll get whatever the f### I want?). I got my sampler and it was delicious, especially the stuffed pepper, and as I expected the only repeated item from the appetizer was hummus. Unfortunately I was very full and barely made a dent. When the server came to collect my plate she said, "I told you so." I wanted to punch her in the face. So the rudeness is what really makes this a 2 stars kinda place.
(2)Barbie S.
I am SHOCKED to see that anyone would rate this place a 5 star. No way, not even close. The place was packed when my friend's and I got here, and one of the reasons why we picked it was they advertise they are open till midnight.... HA! It was a Friday night, and I think we got there at 10-10:15 ish....and by 11 they were mopping and cleaning up. Which I think is totally inappropriate when you still have customers that are dining. One bonus we were seated right away which was nice, and the open windows are really nice.... but beyond that, I would not rate anything else here better than average. We ordered Sangria which was OK... not great. However, while we waited for our food to be served and our drinks, we drank all of our water... and even though the waitress came back to the table our water was never refilled? Even though we asked.... are water refills not allowed??????? The food was ok, not bad, but again, I would say it was just average. The waitress....when we saw her... was pleasant I guess, but how pleasant are you if you are not attentive to your customers??? It is large and the atmosphere is good... but nothing was enticing enough here to make me want to go back.... enough said.
(3)Anna B.
I would love to actually review the food at this place, since it was so highly regarded by most of the yelpers, but alas it was not to be so. I went there last week with a friend. My friend actually worked at the downtown location, so he could not stop raving about the food. We sat at our table for 10 minutes without any attention from the waitstaff. I saw one server on a cell phone. I saw another one standing around looking bored, and I saw another server, actually working. We sat, hungry and thirsty for 10 minutes. Then we got up and went next door to Andie's, where we were attended to promptly. Such a shame when service costs a restaurant its reputation and REVENUE. I'll only go back if I'm on a diet or want to be ignored.
(1)Rush L.
I went here for the lunch buffet. Overall, it's good to me. I would come here again for the buffet. I would only eat the same things. lol.
(3)Dima M.
I have also reviewed the other location of this restaurant. If you must eat at this restaurant, I recommend eating at this location. While this is a little better, the ambiance is still mediocre, if at all existent. The saving grace for this place is the neighborhood in which it resides. If I had to move any time soon, I'd totally move to Andersonville. The food quality is OK, and the portions are generous. If you love red meant, go for the Fillet Mignon as they give you a good amount for your money, and by good, I mean GOOD. Also, if you are going to eat rice, go for the dill rice. Don't let the hard parking situation around the neighborhood get to you, there's a very hard to find parking across the street where you can park for free if you eat at the restaurant. So save your parking meter change, or valet money, and look for the shady parking lot.
(3)Justin B.
This is what happens to a good restaurant when the service is just bad. The food probably was a 4 quality. The vegetarian sampler appetizer was OMG good, but the service had my wife and I reconsidering our standard tipping policy. We received no water when we sat down until we ordered it, when we did get water she left the pitcher for us to fill our own glasses, we had to wait about 10 minutes after being seated before the server came over to even say hi, received zero smiles throughout the meal, had to wait about 10 minutes after we last touched our plates for the server to approach us for the check/dessert/whatever, had to ask for more bread for our vegetarian sampler and even that seemed off-putting to our server, and never once was asked how the food was. I understand a bad night, I truly do, but restaurants have to realize that their reputation is directly attributable to three things: (1) Service; (2) Quality of Food; and (3) the space/ambiance of a restaurant. The service was so bad that I just can't justify giving this place more than 2 stars.
(2)Rich W.
Was there for their lunch buffet. Good deal - $10 for a good selection of dishes. The food was decent. The spice level was good. However, the service was bad. The waitresses were slow and non-responsive. I know it's buffet and I shouldn't expect much, but did they have to talk to me like I owe them money?
(3)Channyn W.
Tis ok. There was nothing particularly exciting about my experience, and I can't say i'm interested in returning on my own. On the upside, they set aside a large space for my friend's birthday which gave us plenty of room to spread out. The service was friendly and non-intrusive and we never felt rushed to order or to leave after we were finished with our meal. Even though we were part of a large group, they were gracious about splitting the check for three of us without it being a hassle. Also, our waitress took time to explain the family style options vs. individual entrees so kudos to her. Now, the food. Personally, I felt the pricing was a bit high for what it was. The menu is enormous and a little daunting though it is pretty well laid out and self-explanatory. A friend and I decided to split a few appetizers instead of ordering individual dinners which worked pretty well. I wasn't a huge fan of the food itself though. The grilled mushrooms were tasty, but the grilled potatoes seemed a bit soggy whereas I was hoping for some crunch to them. The hummus wasn't anything special, tasted ok, but not any better than the pre-packaged kind. It might have been served well if fresh pitas were brought with, but that didn't happen. I still prefer Pita Inn I guess. And that says it all.
(3)Kate C.
I have been to this restaurant many times, and almost every time is with a large group. There is really something for everyone and the dishes are great to share. The past two times I went there was a buffet option. One time you could get the buffet option for dinner, which many people did. There was chicken, lamb, rice, falafel, hummus, salads, and lots of other typical middle eastern food. Another time there was an appetizer buffet that came with every entree, which was perfect because one of my favorite dishes is the salmon kebabs, which is not on the dinner buffet. I highly recommend the fish and vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian combos are great. I especially like the stuffed pepper with spinach and the couscous. There is plenty of room for seating and the service seems pretty quick from what I remember. Prices are reasonable and portions are large. You'll definitely be taking stuff home if each person orders an entree and you share appetizers.
(4)Bridget D.
Reza's is in my top 5 restaurants in Chicago and has been for years. The kabobs, dill rice, and tomato lentil soup are out of this world!!! Your best bet is to order chengeh (filet) kabob in combination with something else. I like chengeh and scallops or koubideh. Reza's has many vegetarian options, but their meat and seafood really shines! It's always very fresh and the best cuts. The only thing I would advise against at Reza's is the salads. I have had tabouleh and Jerusalem salad on several occasions and it's never good.
(5)Rudy S.
While I don't normally eat Middle Eastern food, everytime I come to this place..it makes me wonder why I don't. This food is extremely flavorful. The portions are also big, it's great for a date or for a group of friends. The waitstaff is also extremely helpful in describing the food for someone who normally doesn't eat Middle Eastern food. Just try to under order, because the portions are big and you end up with a ton of extra food. A bit pricey but worth it!
(4)MaryAnne M.
My very bff took me here for my birthday dinner. I hadn't been here in a while. I love their grilled potatoes and hummus. I had the scallop and filet shish Kabob with couscous. Huge scallops. We ordered a carafe of sangria and it was the strangest sangria ever. No fruit in it, it seemed that it was just wine. They also seem to have changed their pita bread.
(3)Thi T.
I've been hearing about Reza's for quite some time and finally tried it last night. It certainly lived up to the raving reviews I've heard. The place is huge and can easily seat large parties. I sat down and already had a yummy sangria waiting for me. The menu is rather large, and a bit overwhelming...but I don't think you can go wrong with any choice. We started with baba ganish (however you spell the thing), hummus and tazhiki. My fave was the tazhiki. It was refreshing and full of flavor. Don't worry, I ate so much of the appetizers, I barely had room for the main course. Good thing I had some serious meat coming my way. I took about two bites of my entree and was finished. It was sad because my filet was juicy and cooked to perfection. They sauce that smothered my steak complimented it so well, and the sea bass was also delicious! Unfortunately, I had no room for desert. Doggie bags! Just finished the leftovers today, and let me say...it was about as superb as the first go-around. I was very impressed with my meal. Unfortunately, we did have some issues with the service. Our waitress was a bit slow at times and neglected to check up on us at all after we got our food. It was a busy evening, but it seems like this place always has busy evenings. No excuses for the poor service. Overall, certainly worth trying. I would go back in a heartbeat to taste some of the other delicious options!
(4)faith b.
Before tonight, I have only been here one other time. Before, I would have agreed with all the bad reviews about the service. However, tonight changed my mind completely. I LOVED IT! Around dinner time, it took a while for us to find parking... but it was nice that we got seated right away (without reservations). Our waitress attended to us almost as soon as we sat down to get our drinks in... and we didn't have to wait long to order. She was very friendly and funny! I was looking around the place to see if other waiters were just as friendly.. and they were! The owner or manager of the restaurant also checked up on us to make sure everything was ok. The food was AMAZING! The lentil soup was really good! I don't know why people are complaining about the kabobs because they were awesome... and you get ALOT. I probably got through 1/3rd of my plate until i was stuffed. They also have amazing desserts that you just can't turn down! Everything about this place was great! Hopefully our next visit will be just as nice!
(5)Giselle S.
I came here for a baby shower during the Brunch hours. The food offered looked amazing. I stayed away from the meat and rice for Lent, and buried my plate underneath veggie and fish options. I tried the smoked salmon but found the consistency too 'gooey.' The whole mushrooms were to die for, and the hummus and pita were warm and delectable. I was pleased to find a varied selection of fresh cut fruit, along with choices for beverage ( lemonade, ice tea, and juice). Along with the brunch each guest received a glass of champagne. Pastries and fried dough in honey were offered, and oh soooo yummy. Just a couple oddities, the fresh shrimp wore their shells. The shrimp looked inviting, but I was in no mood to work with my food. The omelet station was there, burners and omelet filings were set up, but was not being offered throughout the time of the baby shower. The party area was toward the back and was the perfect setting for 40 guests. It was a little hard conducting baby shower games since people from another party had to pass through to get to the food and bathrooms. Reza's had a separate table set up for the cake and gifts. I believe the brunch cost $16.95 not including tax and tip. Sometimes the private lot gets full, so good luck with parking.
(4)Laura K.
Picture a cold Christmas night with nothing open, not even Jewel, and my husband wandering around Andersonville in search of food since we had come back into town unexpectantly early. And low and behold, one of the only places open on this dark night is Reza's. He ordered take out since I was home in my PJs and not about to wander out into the cold (although he said their buffet looked amazing). I had the filet kebobs and they were delicious - tender and perfectly done. They included some sort of sweet pastry that had a hint of rose water. Am not sure if this was for the holiday or is a regular thing but it was yummy and much appreciated. Thank you, Reza's, for coming through on this old Christmas night. Without you, we would have been eatting canned soup and crackers.
(4)Ted B.
The food is amazing, no doubt about that! I believe Reza's is more Persian than the traditional Middle Eastern I am accustomed to. Subtle differences between the two cuisines are throughout including the use of warm lavash bread instead of pita. Also, they don't serve schwarma. Dining last night, my friend and I immensely enjoyed a plate of Baba Ganouj, Fattoush salad, baked feta with olives and tomatoes and chicken kabobs with dilled rice. All of it was quite delicious. Service was just ok for me. Our server started out quite attentive but disappeared after he took our order. Also, the woman who sat us made such a big production out of how tall me and my friend were (i'm 6'4, he's 6'5). "Oh my GOD", she says as we walk into the restaurant, "you're SO tall!" Then later as we are enjoying our juicy kabobs, she comes over with larger plates so, as she so eloquently puts it, "you don't look like a couple of giants with these small plates". The whole time I'm thinking, 'can we just have a table for two and could you hold the order of shame please?' I'll be back.
(4)Paula B.
What happened to the portions at Reza's? There was a time when we went to Reza's that the portions were huge and the service was fantastic. Now the portions both in dine in and from carry out are small and for carry out we've received the food cold. The service is also slower than it used to be. I'm disappointed because I love their food. Please bring the old Reza's back!!
(2)mero cocinero k.
If I and my companera, the Vegan Lunch Lady, need a place to have a quiet, wonderful time, Reza's is the best place for it. The neighborhood is great! I can go to Women & Children's books and get books by Molly Ivins or Marjane Satrapi, then head over to Reza's and enjoy my consciously minded literature and eat the grilled potatoes, mushrooms, and falafel. I am sad that they now charge for the garnish of radishes, cheese, and parsley, which was always great to cleanse my palette of internalized oppression and prepare for a great meal and a great read. Please to all you non-royalist Iranians and their supporters, the name of the restaurant is in no way a tribute to Reza Shah Pahlavi and his policies that were implemented after the CIA backed coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mossadegh in 1953.
(5)Carlos G S.
This is one of the very first restaurants I went to when I first came to Chicago. What an outstanding experience. Their roasted feta is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. Hummus and pita bread fantastic. I've had the Sultani before, and it is still my favorite combo dish. Sangria is good, but not outstanding. Ah, but coffee and backlava were insanely good. Service has always been really good, too. So, all in all, great. You won't be disappointed as I have never been.
(5)Kim P.
This place needs my review like a hole in the head (there's already over 80) but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Tonight I gave this food delivery place ( grubhub.com ) a shot based on the glowing review of Caroline (fellow yelper). Grubhub wil pick up food from various chicago restaurants and deliver it for you. I hadn't eaten at Reza's before but after writing my review for the Greek Islands I was craving some Mediterranean food. Reza's fit the bill. I ordered the cornish game hen in a pomegranate sweet and sour sauce and the vegan appetizer sampler. I LOVED the sauce on the hens. My BF thought it was only so/so but he must be smoking crack today cuz I was licking it off my fingers. LOL For $30 the bag of food they sent us had to weigh at least 6 pounds,. They gave us an enitre sack of pita's for our sampler tray. I mean an ENTIRE sack of unopened pitas. The hen came with Persian potatoes and I really liked them. They reminded me of a dish my mom used to make. Thick slices of potatoes dressed in olive oil and some herbs. Well cooked but still firm enough to hold up to the sauces. I'll definitely be ordering from there again. I only give 3 stars right now because I can't give a full review based on carry out, but I'll be sure to update when I make it in.
(3)carla a.
My family has been eating at Reza's for years, just last week my NEW! HUSBAND! OMG! and I held our wedding reception of 35 guests there, and it was just fantastic. Our families loved the food, because it is unique and also yummy. Vegetarians and omnivores alike were thrilled. The party room in the back on the first floor was adequately private, with tons of natural light and exposed brick walls, creating a beautiful setting. We brought our own dj equipment and it sounded fine in the space; they arranged the tables so the center of the room was a dance floor. The open bar has far more interesting and diverse beers and drinks than their catering menu on the website lists, as well (a pleasant surprise!). Overall, we communicated with the restaurant minimally and yet they were 100% prepared and experienced at hosting weddings and basically anticiapted our needs before we ever could. I can't say enough about how pleasantly surprised we were with everything about holding our wedding reception there. Tom, the manager that coordinates parties, was just so patient and easy-going with us and our families. I heartily recommend this place for a unique and affordable wedding reception for up to about 70 guests.
(4)Dan G.
I've been eating at Reza's for at least 10 years now, and I'm in the camp that is saddened by how the prices have gone up and the portions and quality have suffered in correlation. Also, the service and quality can be wildly inconsistent from one day to the next. That said, I still enjoy eating there (just not as much as I used to). I think the addition of the buffet is a nice touch, but they need to diversify the items on it a bit more. I'm not sure if the decision to include American food items like Caesar salad and mashed potatoes and gravy is a savvy way of not alienating wary newcomer palates, or a weaksauce concession to the masses. As a Reza's veteran, I lean towards the latter. Finally, I love the new(ish) vegetarian rice that is only (mostly) available at the buffet. I've repeatedly told people that if I had 24-7 access to that rice, I could persuaded to give up meat. This from a guy who's got a list of which animals he wants to eat before he dies. Truly finally, for dessert, try the bamieh, a pastry which is shaped--not flavored--like okra.
(4)Kevin S.
This place is good. I have never went to their infamous Sunday buffet thing, but I want to one day. I have only tried a few things from Reza's and it was pretty good. Since I don't know about many Persian/middle eastern places that deliver to me, Reza's is where I order from when I'm in that mood. I usually get the ground beef sausage-y looking thing with dill rice. It's pretty good. My girlfriend once got a strange orange carrot rice and it tasted pretty bad.
(3)iddells E.
Love Reza's, been going here for more than 10 years and I love the fact that such a great restaurant is a few blocks away! I only get one dish here, the Barg, which is a cut of filet mignon and it's delicious!!! The portions used to be gigantic, but my last visit left me a little disappointed since the portions seemed to have shrunk. Oh well, that always happens, people have to save money! Anyways, their dill rice and tomato lentil soup are amazing!! I think that Reza's is much better than Andie's and Noon-o-Kabab.
(4)Araceli R.
we always try the bufett is really good pita,hummus.dill rice.falafel etc huge place love it
(4)Maryellen C.
Go for lunch or brunch! Reza's offers fabulous weekday lunch and Sunday brunch buffets. Their offerings are amazing for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. I can't get enough of their Persian Salad, falafel, tomato-based lentil soup, white dill rice, hummus, baba ganoush, and who could forget the fresh bread! Many traditional meat dishes and a spread of fresh shrimp and salmon, too. Desserts and fruit included. On Sundays, they offer a larger selection of dishes and include eggs, danishes, fresh juice and coffee, and a complimentary glass of champagne. In short, go with an empty stomach and clear your schedule for the rest of the day. Sunday brunch is around $20--weekday lunch is cheaper and nearly as impressive. I don't order anything but the buffet here because it's too hard for me to choose just one thing.
(5)Luan N.
I have never dined in, but actually had a plate lunch from one of the tents set up during the Andersonville festival. I got a combo of eggplant steak, chicken kabob, koubideh, and dill rice for $7. That was a great deal considering it was about the price of bud light at the fest. Let's get to the point. Eggplant steak: B+ I used to hate eggplant, but if my mom made it like this, I may have eaten eggplant at a younger age. Chicken Kabob: D D for Dry, blanD, Delusional to serve this. Koubideh: A- This little kubbie caught me off guard. It tasted different from alot of the other kubbies I have tried. Seemed like it was basted in a sweet tomato paste. Dill Rice: C Not sure what Reza's scores average to, but pretty sure Reza doesn't make the dean's list. I just have a gut feeling, if I want good Middle Eastern food with great value, I should stick to Albany Park.
(3)Matthew N.
Amazing food . Reza's takes typical middle eastern dishes and makes them taste amazing. The quail was great and so was the sangria. Highly recommended.
(5)J A.
Persian food in Chi is an experience at this landmark establishment
(4)Char Y.
We came both for the buffet and the normal dinners. I honestly think it's very expensive for what we get. There are definitely much better places elsewhere (such as noon o kabab).
(3)John L.
Hello meat! I thought Mediterranean food was supposed to have, like vegetables, or something. I go to places like this for something on the lighter side, and something varied. If I was a 70s bodybuilder, I'd be coming here to bulk up, but alas, I'm not. What I'm saying here is, less meats, more veggies, more variety. Represent better, because the meat, er, food, is actually pretty good.
(2)Joedel G.
I've been to this place multiple times, actually my oldest son's christening reception was here. First of all it's Mediterranean cuisine so it's not oily or fatty then I love anything grilled. Try falafel and hummus for appetizer, very fresh and earthy also you can try the dolmeh but don't eat to much because it so filling. For the main one I always order the signature kabobs a combination of grilled filet mignon, chicken, lamb and vegetables. For my sides I always go for 1/2 white rice and 1/2 dill rice. The serving is large so don't over indulge yourself and always save some space for bamieh, a traditional Mediterranean dessert, it's like a soft doughnut soaked with honey, so it's very sweet, one piece is good enough. This place is a must if you love this kind of cuisine, I went also in their Oak Brook branch in which is smaller but the same quality and service, anyway the service is okay.
(4)Steph H.
Ahh their lunch buffet special is amazing. Delicious food (dill rice has got to be a gift from heaven), tons of variety, and a pretty great deal. The service is okay, there seems to be only one or two servers during lunch, who are kept pretty busy running between the bigger tables and refilling the buffet trays to really pay close attention to everyone else. The atmosphere is very cozy and I love that they open their floor-to-ceiling windows when it's nice out. Great place for a lunch date ;)
(4)Esther Y.
I used to really enjoy Reza's. This was a standby brunch spot on Sundays for the buffet and it was so great! Then, they turned on me. The food starting going down in quality, the service wasn't as friendly, and then they stopped having coupons! For Persian food, I would recommend Noon O Kebab.
(2)Vijay M.
Their Couscous salad is awesome. The ambience, setting, layout of tables are enticing as much as the dishes. Dinner was exceptionally awesome, all in our group had a great time. I've heard of the Lunch specials(not tried yet). Kashk-e-badamjan, Fessenjan, Koubideh are my favorites. A wonderful place to share the food. Enjoy the culture, relish the experience with the company.
(5)Robert S.
Filet mignon with a hamburger baked around it? What could be better? I remember thinking that it would be a good way to start an uber gourmet burger. But that would be blasphemy. The food at Reza's is very tasty. The house soup is very flavorful, and their grilled potatoes are almost meaty! And to think that I passed this place by for a year because I saw the word "vegetarian" on the sign. Ha. My loss, now gain. The only thing that I didn't quite like about the place was that it was loud and packed with tables. I wish it was more cozy and quiet. I had to listen to some very strange loud people next to me talk about some unsavory topics. But, oh well. It's not the restaurant's fault! And I'm sure that in the right circumstance, the atmosphere could be part of the charm. I can't wait to try the other things on the menu.
(4)Mahsa T.
We used to eat here at Reza's years ago before other better Persian restaurants opened up in the Chicagoland area. Over the years, the food quality has gone downhill and the place caters more to vegetarians and American tastes than to making authentic Persian dishes. If you are a vegetarian, you will find plenty to choose from on their menu. But if you're looking for authentic Persian dishes, try elsewhere. Their soup has gotten more and more watered down over the years and their meat does not sit well in my stomach, probably because it's pumped full of preservatives. They've raised their prices a few times too over the years. The one thing I still like on their menu is their grilled mushrooms in pomegranate sauce. The food is slightly better at their Clark location than at the Ontario location. If you do want to give their food a try, go for the lunch buffet (if they still have it) so you can get a taste of everything.
(3)Lauren L.
FOOD POISONING. Oh yes, friends. I went for dinner last night to the downtown Reza's and got sick for the rest of the night and most of the morning. Lovely. That was my first and last time at Reza's.
(1)Hector M.
It had been about 20 years since I first went to Reza's. I happened to be in Andersonville (for something else) and stopped for dinner. At that moment it occurred to me to head to my usual Persian place in Albany Pk, but I was too hungry to wait with the drive and traffic hour. Overall, food was just ok. That's it. And it was pricey, I ordered a grilled shrimp and chicken combination which was $25, which is the price for a quality dish at a pretty nice restaurant. For what it was, basically something you can get anywhere and I'm sorry to say, nothing was especially tasty. The special Persian rice I have had elsewhere, with raisins, carrots was visibly greasy (or oily). Service was OK. In summary: 1 dish, 1 appetizer combo and a coke was fifty dollars. That's my 2 cents.
(2)Natalie M.
We went to Reza's to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was a Tuesday evening after a beautiful 80 degree day and there were probably a total of 10 people in the inside and out if that. We ordered the feta with olives and tomatoes and baba ghanoush as appetizers. Neither was very good. One person ordered bone in lamb and couscous. Let me say, the lamb was not good and I have NEVER seen couscous with raisins??? Another person ordered filet mignon and salmon. They were out of salmon so he was allowed to get shrimp. He did not complain but that was not good and the veggies looked like they were frozen.. The third person ordered falafel. That was the worst falafel in the world and the dill sauce was non-existent it was a white creamy sauce that smelled terrible. The tomato lentil soup and chicken barley soup were not even edible. NOTHING about the food was good and it was all over priced.. EXTREMEMLY!!! Now the service! The waiter was so rude. We were not ready to order and he just stood there. Not once, not twice but several times. Never came back to check on if things were okay and had a hard time getting the bill. I will never go back there.. Not when there are so many good Mediterranean places in Andersonville and THIS IS NOT one of them. I would not waste time or MONEY here. Sorry.
(1)Anna G.
Review/Haiku: My friend Kris was right Get the lentil soup, dill rice Learn from my folly.
(4)Kiarash Z.
I've never been to the restaurant, but the food Reza's delivered was mediocre, at best. Granted, I've been spoiled by home-cooked Persian food, but Reza's ranks below most Persian restaurants I've tried. The koobideh kabobs (my favorite food in the whole world) were dry. The rice did an amazing job of being both oily and flavorless. I didn't see real joojeh kabob on the menu, so I ordered the chicken bargh. It was awful: bland, dry and boring. I love real joojeh kabob. The ghormeh sabzi didn't have a single dried lime in it. It was bland but passable. Delivery took an hour on a Monday night. They basically sucked in every category, but I've gotta give them three stars for delivering Persian food. I don't know of any other place that does.
(3)Shane S.
Went here late with a couple friends for dinner. The lentil soup I ordered was cool and the couscous was not seasoned well enough. The chicken combo was very delicious on the other hand.
(3)S M.
Service was good but food was about average. I had the chicken kabobs, which were ok, and the hummus, which again was ok. The bread was good, but it's sort of hard to screw up bread. For the most part, I thought the food lacked a bit in flavor and seasoning. For the money (granted, we came as a big group and split the check evenly), some people thought Pita Inn was a better value.
(2)Josephine Z.
Reza. He's such a good man and friend of the family. My father helped him expand the restaurant and he is now doing great. I have now relocated to San Diego, CA and I am saddened to hear other people's comments about him being "arrogant". For those of you who've had unsatisfactory experiences, I'm sure the good outnumber the bad. Since I was 4, my family would come here at least 3-4 times a month. I've spent endless birthdays here along with family baptisms or other occasions. This restaurant is vast with such a rich ambiance yet makes one feel welcome. Perfect for group occasions or an intimate date. The ambiance isn't just one of the attractions, the food is also the magnet. Plenty of parking...come on...What more can anybody ask for? The appetizers are always delicious. The feta cheese has one of the best textures and perfect balance. I simply ADORE the seafood combination dish: succulent scallops, grilled shrimp, YUM. The lamb is so mouth-wateringly tender. All entrees come with a grilled tomato, onion, and green pepper, not to mention a large amount of basmati rice topped with saffron or dill rice. Service is top notch, always on top of everything. Enjoy.
(5)Chillie D.
We have been to Reza's for dinner (not lunch) and the portions are huge. If you plan to go here for dinner skip lunch. I recommend the salmon and lamb with the dill rice. The meats are always flavorful and tender (: This is a very good place for people who are big eaters and really like huge portions. If you are a Vegetarian, this is not the place to go (choices on the menu are very limited). The ambiance is very nice, plenty of tables, and loud. It gets pretty busy and crowded. IF you are taking a date here for the first time, please consider that you may have to shout to hear each other. The Servers are very friendly and attentive. We have been going for years and we don't even live in the area! I highly recommend this place in the Fall and Winter for hearty eating.
(4)P P.
This place is a HOT mess....they need to shut down. The service is horrible and the food looks unsafe to look at let alone to eat. Everything from my soup to my dinner looked like it had been cook about a week ago and warmed up more than once. Shut this place down. It is really bad. Save your money.
(1)Ira U.
If you leave here hungry there's something wrong with you. The pre meal buffett is enough for me because I can eat the hummus and salad and be happy. Everything here is very good, especially my favorite, the quail.
(4)T M.
I live around this place and would like to like it, but I can't. Everything thing I have ever eaten here has managed the incredible feat of attaining the heights of blandness. It's grossly oily, painfully dry, inappropriately crunchy, even weirdly sweet at times, and bland, bland, bland! Texture without flavor is sooo weird, especially when you know what the texture should taste like. Considering that I can get better middle eastern food at a billion other places (granted it's not necessarily Persian/Iranian, but still...) for around half the price, I just don't see any reason to come here. But somehow or other (not by choice), I manage to eat their food every once in a while, and every time I hope it will be better... Oh yeah, and one of the times I went, the waiter (who I am pretty sure was wasted) managed to ogle my sister and my girlfriend, and then told my mom (who had asked which menu items were vegetarian) that she could take the chunks of meat out of the beef stew. I wish I was joking...
(1)Christiana S.
I eat here once every two years or so. I'll get it in my head that I want some falafel and kebabs, and then I'll think, 'I'll have dinner at Reza's tonight! I really should go there more often!' Then I get there and order and my food arrives and I remember why I haven't visited in two years. The food is just NOT that good. And that's disappointing, because I want so badly to love this restaurant. I like the interior and the atmosphere and I've always received pretty good service here (there have been a couple of exceptions, but nothing major). I like their sangria, and it's a great place for a larger group of people. But the food is supposed to be the focal point, and it's just blah. When I was there last week, we ordered falafel, hummus and the grilled potatoes to start. The falafel arrived cold, dry and bland. The hummus was good but nothing special, and the potatoes were awesome. Unfortunately they were the high point of the meal. Well, that and the complimentary soup. I had the chicken combo, which is one kebab of grilled chicken pieces and another kebab of ground chicken. The plain chicken was a little dry and not very flavorful, but the ground chicken was decent. These kebabs were accompanied by roughly two pounds of dill rice, which I'm not so crazy about but I attempt to eat anyway. My dining companion had a falafel sandwich. He was also underwhelmed. We decided to skip dessert, mostly because we had enough food (mostly dill rice) for another four meals. (It's sitting in my friedge at this very moment; I can hardly bring myself to throw it out because I feel guilty about wasting food.) Next time I decide I want some Middle-Eastern food, I'll probably go next door to Andies instead. Sorry, Reza's.
(2)Susanne A.
I am half Middle Eastern so I do know what good places to for good Middle Eastern food. Brought my date for the first time to see if he liked it as well. It does get busy at times but they offer a lot of tables and good if your going with a group of people. I came here with my family and my Dad being Middle Eastern loves the place. I have been to Reza's a couple of time specially because I do live near by. The meats are grilled to perfection and they do offer vegetarian food. The hummus is great stuff and never had a bad dish at Reza's. Also they have a lunch buffet on Sunday if you want to try a little bit of everything. Turn out my date loved the place and we both had a good time.
(5)Dave K.
Good delivery and dine-in option. The steak and chicken skewers are some of the best in Chicago and Reza's dill rice is very good.
(4)David M.
Long have I wondered how Reza's and Andies can survive right next door to each other with such similar menus. As an Andies regular, I finally made it to Reza's to test it out and my eternal questions was finally answered. While Andies excels at the basics of mediterranean cuisine; hummos, pita, lentil soup, schwarma, etc., Reza's knocks the entrees out of the park. Their braised lamb shank is huge, delicious and beyond tender. The fessenjen (chicken in pomegrante) was fantastic and the beef kebab was top notch as well. However, the pita was store bought and the soup was awful. I will be back again, but will be sticking to taboule and the lamb shank.
(3)Courtney C.
After a big day of moving, my parents and I decided to reward ourselves with a spot of middle eastern cuisine. I've been to Andie's, Reza's next door neighbor (and I'm assuming competitor) which I have previously dined in and enjoyed. However, I wanted to give Reza's a try. Big mistake. While the falafel, hummus, and cucumber salad were delicious, our entrees were not. My mother had the chicken platter with grilled vegetables. The chicken was ok, but the grilled vegetables consisted of warm tomatoes and strong onions. I had the chicken with sautéed mushrooms, which tasted like it was from a can. Too salty and it smelled like feet. When we first entered the restuarant it was empty and I thought at first it was because the stanley cup playoffs were on, but now I realized it might be the food. None of us finished even half of our plate. With all the other options in Chicago, we will not give Reza's a second try.
(2)Robin B.
Met a few friends here for dinner last night. The server we had must have left his personality at home. The table we were sitting at was super wobbly, our server watched as our friend stuck the end of a butter knife under the table. Anyway the food good, I had the Chicken Barley soup, and the garlic shrimp. There was a little too much oil in the garlic shrimp. My S. O. had the filet mignon with mushrooms and that was good, I would probably go with that next time instead.
(3)Erika G.
Their Sunday brunch is insane! The lunch buffet is also filled with goodies, and is a real value. The Persian tea is wonderful. ---------- UPDATED: This restaurant has gone downhill a bit, I'm afraid. Most of the entrees are somewhat shoddily presented and way overcooked. The meat is often dry. It's pleasant enough to sit outside on a summer night, but it's possible this restaurant just got too large to accommodate everyone.
(2)K R.
Like others I love the design and atmosphere of the place.I also like the busy crowded with people yet not cramped feel. With all the people and groups to me, theirs is like a welcoming "one big group" kind of feel. It's a great place to bring people (who like Mediterranean food), bring the kids. They give you a lot of food for the money. I've basically had the same things either a beef kabob or some kind of chicken. I've always enjoyed the food.I love grilled flavor so the veggies were good as well. As for the rice, I grew up in a Scandinavian family-eating American food, I'm not into hot spicy foods. So to me, the dill rice is good, without the flavor taking over everything. I think the place is reasonable for what you get.I like it better than Andies next door.For what I got there (including not as fun and welcoming an atmosphere) I thought Andies was overpriced.So for me Reza's over Andies! (and both over the Cousins that used to be on Clark,but maybe now after reading the reviews I should give the one on Broadway a try).
(5)Zaid A.
Shame on you if you didn't give this place 5 stars. I have eaten at Reza's more times than any other restaurant in Chicago, to me its more of an institution than a restaurant. Atmosphere: At the Clark "branch" you enter to find large 4-6 seater tables in a fairly upscale decor. There is also an upstairs room with seating, that we have rented out for small receptions. Against complaints that the inside "doesn't look Persian" the interior is set up as more upscale restaurants with a professional feel. If you looking for ivory elephants you are barking up the wrong tree. Service: Professionally dressed staff, who are always polite and always helpful... over the past 8 years I have yet to have a bad waiter. Food: If Reza's Dill rice was a girl, I would so make out with it. I eat that stuff by the pound, and as anyone know me, this wiry guy can put it away. We always order the Hummus, which by itself is a tasty meal and they provide lentil soup and always popular goat cheese (!!!!) with most meals. I always get the Chicken cubes, Kabob, an shrimp skewers, and we often opt for the "family style" entree option. As with most Mediterranean food, there is a grilled taste and texture to most of the meats but the overall presentation and the quality of the food makes this place more stellar than other restaurants. Mommy Factor: This is literally the only place that my mom will consistently go to.....take that for what its worth. Date Factor: There are couples tables, and with the upscale decor and overall refined atmosphere I would find this place a viable date option. Bling: Depending if you go family style or not, entrees range from 12-20 per person. Family style options range from mid 30s and up for 2 or more people. Overall, it is more pricey than than your street Hummus vendors, but the refinement and overall good mojo of this place I feel is worth it.....oh yeah they have free parking in a private lot across the street if you can score it. Upshot: I have one vice in this world.....that is a place of Reza's Dill rice and a couple skewers of kabob. If you do not love this place, then I am sorry you can not eat at my lunch table.
(5)Jeff G.
went here over thanksgiving weekend for dinner and thought the food quality was low. it surprised me because i used to eat here often in the 90s and 00s and recall liking it quite a bit. in fact, having moved to dallas a few years ago, in the back of my mind i thought "dallas totally lacks in Persian et al cuisine, it has nothing like Rezas". so this was my first trip back in probably 6 years. it ain't all that and in retrospect there are many places in dallas with better Persian food than reza's. maybe next trip back i will go to Andie's next door.
(2)Ross W.
The lunch buffet was incredible but the service was a bit slow. Overall it was worth it. We'll be back :-)
(4)Matthew G.
There are things I like about Reza's and things I don't. The number one thing I like is the ultra-delicious Fessenjan with Duck (Duck breast with a heavenly sweet/sour pomegranate-walnut sauce). This is something I crave and is one of the only reasons I go to Reza's. Now given the strength of the Fessenjan, you'd think there were other stellar offerings on the menu. Not so, in my opinion. Whenever I have opted to detour from my heart's delight, I have been underwhelmed. Mind you, nothing was awful, but nothing was mind-blowing either. The service is usually pretty good and the kitchen operates with efficiency. The place is usually busy and they handle this well. I think what I like least about Reza's is the space itself. It is very large and cavernous with different levels. For all its spaciousness, the tables are painfully close together which results in being too close to your fellow diners for complete comfort. Also, the ceilings (at least on the first floor) are very high which results in a lot of noise. If it's crowded, conversation is difficult. I'll go to Reza's if other people want to go, but very rarely venture there on my own volition unless I'm jones-ing for the pomegranate duck.
(3)Michael O.
Had the white fish which they claim as a house specialty and it was indeed very good. I went on a Friday, so my entree included a soup and salad bar that was also very good and very filling. The couscous went perfectly with the fish. The service was also very good the night I went. The prices are a little high, which is why I only gave 3 stars. Perhaps I was also biased because of the campaign posters for Alexi all over the place. He's not my pick, lol.
(3)Bev h.
i am so disappointed. this place looked so cute, and it was a friend's birthday, so 4 of us made reservations for dinner last week. the place is very cozy, and i was looking forward to experiencing some good middle eastern grub. we were seated and drinks were served in a fairly timely fashion, but then things started to go downhill. Good times: -salad and soup bar comes with most meals. good soup, almost great but not quite... salad was pretty standard, but tasty. -nice ambiance Bad times: -i ordered the white fish, which was touted in the menu as one of their specialties. BLAND. if vegetable oil could be a flavor, that's what this fish tasted like. where's the seasoning? -it came with some soggy veggies, and an entire separate plate of dill rice. like, more rice than our whole table could have eaten. and it was dry and nasty. so now i am eating flavorless, dry, and soggy/nasty. pass. -our waitress just up and left right after we got our first round of drinks. as in, i saw her putting her coat on and saying goodbye to the rest of the staff and leaving. no one said anything to us until about 20 minutes later when i flagged someone down and asked what was up. that guy looked at me like i was crazy and was like, "i'm your server." well then. can i get some freaking service, dude? 2 hours. $40. my appetite. gone.
(2)Skazoo M.
From my experience, Reza's does a few things well and the rest are average at best. Start with an order of the Vegetarian Sampler appetizer for the table. Not everything on it is great, but it gives you an overview of what flavors and textures to expect (and when else are you going to eat the Kashkeh bodemjan?). For your entree, I strongly recommend you order lamb - its the only meat they do well. And when they offer you dill or white rice, ask if you can get a half order of both. The dill rice is interesting but I get tired of it after a few forkfulls. The vegetarians I've gone with order a Vegetarian Sampler - there are 4 and I don't know which one they usually get (sorry). For drinks I usually order some dark beer (Turkish, I think) and I've only had their baklava once... OK but I'm usually full from dinner.
(4)Sheila Y.
To begin, Reza's gets four stars because my dad's name is Reza. Next, I have only ordered the Koobideh and it was much better than anything I could get in Denver so that also moves it to the four star range. The rice was fine, but I always want more grilled tomato than any persian place will give me. The space is quite large and I am going to see if they have persian dancing any nights of the week because I miss my people. I am going to definitely come back for that and more Kabob....yumm yumm
(4)A S.
I had heard so many good things about this restaurant before finally making a trip this week. I really really wanted to like this place. I am not sure if the place was just having an off day that particular day or maybe that's just how it is; I didn't like the food enough to go back. Or at least I won't be a in a hurry to return. We tried their lunch buffet and even though they had an awful lot of variety, my first gripe was that the food was just not hot- warm to room temperature at best. I don't want to judge Persian food just based on my experience at Reza's- will be most likely giving other Persian restaurants in Chicago a try. The kebabs were bland to say the least and I have had much better hummus and falafel elsewhere. I am not Persian but Middle Eastern by heritage- so I think I have a good idea of what good Middle Eastern food is. Albeit there are some differences, I think I know flavor when I taste it. The service was ok although I didn't like the fact that all the servers were just hovering around the buffet with one of them keeping an eye on the customers (or maybe just me?) but I definitely found that uncomfortable. I have noticed some restaurants take their food quality down a couple notches when it comes to buffet, maybe its the same case here. But I don't see returning to Reza's in the near future.
(3)Doug W.
Love this place... Kabobs that are grilled to perfection... Appetizers that make you want the main course to be a little late... Some of the best Sangria around... Catered my wedding, good people. (The Oak Brook location needs to get up to the quality that the other two locations are at....PLEASE!!! about to lose another star)
(3)Russ S.
Went here tonight with a friend. Overall, we had a great time. I was a bit concerned prior to going because of the serious service issues that have been mentioned by numerous Yelpers....but we didn't experience any problem at all. Service was very attentive, timely, and not overbearing. I should probably mention that we went on a Wednesday night at 7pm, so this wasn't a Friday or Saturday evening rush. The Broiled Salmon I had was excellent and not overcooked. Her Chicken and Filet Kabobs were awesome too. The couscous...well....not good at all. It was totally dry and without flavor or anything to distinguish it. Overall, had a great time.
(4)Chicago F.
So last weekend we had the lunch buffet on Saturday .. it was not very crowded .. after hearing all the reviews I thought I would try Reza's out because I'm super biased towards Noon O Kabab ... The food was ok 2/5 ish ... The 2 stars are for the spread .. there was a lot of variety ... even the quality was not great at all ... i like the kababs at Noon O Kabab much better ... I liked the brunch concept that Reza's has because they give you a glass of champagne too so they are trying to please the general brunch crowd which is gr8! The service was very very bad no1 attended to us .. the only time the waitress smiled was when she came to give us the check HULLO I will come back but not for the buffet
(2)Stella S.
I liked it. We made reservations and went there to celebrate a birthday. Upon requesting a better table, the staff had no problem accommodating my request (the original table was near a noisy part of the restaurant). The staff sang happy birthday and provided a piece of birthday cake for our guest of honor. There is also an area to hang your coats if you wish. The bathroom are located in the basement and are very nice with marble walls and flooring. The bathroom doors were a little tricky to close since they were two doors that you needed to pull together to lock. The drinks were very good - I had a pomegranate drink with vodka that was yummy. The food was delicious. There are many vegetarian options. I loved all the food we had - the grilled veggies, the feta cheese and the mushrooms. Everything was very good. The service was great. The ambiance is very laid back and relaxed. They are offering special rights now too Sunday through Friday (although I can't remember exactly what the specials are - too many pomegranate drinks for me that night).
(4)Lauren M.
Dill rice is SO yummy. Great quality meat/veggies. Big portions, 1 meal will feed 2. We order this a lot at work, they're kind and helpful. Love Reza's!
(4)Carl I.
I would give the place an A on the space - large, airy, and enough room between the tables to navigate easily. Brunching with a friend, I thought that the food was just OK, but with much of it cold, despite the presence of warming dishes, the original flavors were lost. Service was indifferent, and the glacial expressions on the faces of the staff did not make one want to return.
(2)Laurie H.
Of all the great restaurants we could patronize in Andersonville, we picked this one cause my friend had a taste for Mediterranean. I wish I would have talked her out of it. Not only is their menu inside nothing like what is posted on the outside, and the food is mediocre at best, the waitstaff is poorly trained and unattentive and the person that I'll generously call for this review, "manager" could probably single handedly get this restaurant closed in a matter of days. I asked our waiter about AND described a Greek salad that was listed on the outside menu but couldn't find on the menu we were given. I just asked him to let me know if they could make or I'd pick something else. I also specified that we would like water, which he laughed "of course". What transpired next was nothing short of a restaurant nightmare. He left and didn't come back with water or my friend's drink for a while. The "manager" came by to say they can make a Greek Salad, which again I referred him to the sign outside calling it a Mediterranean Salad. He said he understood. Still waiting on water mind you. 15 minutes later (table next to us had their food and came in after us), I left to find our waiter, our water and my friend's wine. Another 15 minutes later and a plate of radish slices and 3 pieces of feta, we asked about my friend's wine and the waiter looked perplexed said "you want wine?" (she'd ordered chardonnary but they were out and then she said just give me pinot grigio, he said "ok") Our appetizer came and he asked me if the "manager" had come by and I said I think we're set. Now I have not been to this restaurant before , I know what have I been under a rock? But what they served as a Greek Salad was astonishing to me, A plate with Feta cheese slices (2) in the middle surrounded with perfect little separate piles of craisins, walnuts, olives and tomatoes. No greens, no dressing, no salad? I told the waiter this isn't what I asked for or described or what you have listed on the menu outside. I asked him to send over the "manager". We waited, and waited and saw that the "manager" was adding up receipts because I guess my refusal of their version of "Mediterranean Salad" wasn't important enough to him. No "I'm sorry, would you like to order something else" or "I'm sorry we/you/we misunderstood" but instead again I'm having to go find the "manager". His answer was "THis is our Mediteranean Salad, this is how we've made it since we opened..." That was it, no more said. He went back to adding, I drank water and watched my friend eat her entree. When we left his answer to us when we said this is probably one of the worst service experiences we've ever had was "menus are subject to change, we've been here 30 years and some customers are just difficult" My answer to this "manager" is don't worry, you wont' be open another year at this rate.
(1)Audrey T.
This is the type of place you go to once a year or maybe once every few years. They have a fairly good selection of fresh foods that are not brought to their full potential. Lamb is done nicely and chicken is done dryly. They also have a specials menu which they will issue you but forget the day of the week and charge you full price if you order off of it. And if you're handicap, good luck getting down the stairs to the basement where the nicely modeled bathrooms are. A beautiful space, and good for large groups, but if you're looking for anything savory or indulgent or worth writing home about, pick another location.
(3)Bobby D.
Not a bad place for falafel & mint rice. The soda with lemon can be a treat too.
(4)Matt N.
I unknowingly went on a saturday afternoon for lunch which was a buffet. I don't really like buffets and try to avoid them but this is probably one of the better ones I have ever had. All the food tasted fresh and the humus was sensational. I am not sure if they do a better job with the wine list at dinner but every bottle I wanted was unavailable. If you arrive on the sidewalk from the east notice the poorly utilized storage room at the second floor. I am not sure of the rationale behind a fully transparent storage room that can be seen from the street. Reza: make this a dining room! As we were finishing our meal the waitress warned us that a large party was coming in so if we wanted anything else from the buffet now was the time. Didn't think much of it but I turn around and a tour bus unloads with about 200 very hungry looking people from Michigan. Then another bus unloads!! The line for the buffet now extended out the front door and these were not people who looked like they appreciated waiting for food. Suffice to say, avoid heading to Reza's when the bus pulls up.
(4)Christoph B.
I love this restaurant. The dining rooms are huge with floor to ceiling windows and the building gives off a warm inviting feeling. But it's the food that really shines at Rezas. Everything sounds so good on the menu I never know what to order. Everything I have tried so far has been outstanding. I highly recommend the lamb kabob or the Persian white fish. Add to that a side of dill rice and you've got a winner. The sangria is good, too. Really good.
(5)Ellen R.
First off, although I am not a vegetarian I find myself ordering only vegetarian stuff at Reza's. Perhaps it is because the veggie options are so good. If you are into Mediterranean style or Middle Eastern style food this is a great place to go. I find it to be affordable, the staff is affable and the food is very good. Noteworthy finds include the falafel balls in pomegranate sauce (forgive me for a have forgotten the name), the green beans in tomato sauce and all of their veggie combo plates. The portions are enormous, definitely enough for two and they are delicious. This location has parking which is always welcomed, it's a beautiful dining area with plenty of seating and good ambiance and I have never had to wait to long to get a table. I admit, however, that I have never been there on a Saturday afternoon with the supposed 'bus tour' crowd. Oh yeah, they just so happen to have the tastiest, best textured pita bread out there. It sure doesn't fare well for my carb sparing diet, especially when they bring it out to the table warm from the oven with a plate full of radishes and great feta cheese... mmm mmm!!! Go ahead indulge!
(4)Toni C.
this place has horrible service. the hostess is snobby. the couple times i tried to make a reservation they DONT greet you, and they pretty much hang up on you once you give them your name and number of guests. i came here a few times. some were good experiences, but a couple were really bad. the food is good but the waiters and waitress are such snobs and jerks!
(1)Cameron H.
very good as always. each time we go, usually early dinner, the food is fresh and consistent. our waitress was pleasant and very attentive. definitely a highly recommendable restaurant.
(4)John B.
I like Reza's more than I used to. It started out as a reasonably sized restaurant, but slowly ate up all the real estate around it as it grew and grew. I first came here during that expansion, and they obviously weren't prepared for their growth. Now that it's stabilized, the food and service is less erratic. The service generally isn't very good. If it's slow, the servers are all talking with one another. If it's busy, they're running around like crazy. They are all pretty knowledgeable though, so if you have questions, you'll probably get the right answers. In general, stay away from the beef. The ground beef skewers are fine, but any other beef I've ever had here has been overcooked and chewy. The lamb and poultry are generally better options. The lamb shank really is wonderful. They seem to only serve vegetarian dishes as part of various combo plates, which is odd to me, especially for a Persian restaurant. Perhaps they're concerned about American palates. Beware the dreaded dill rice. For years, this is what kept me away from Reza's. An entree would be huge, but that was because it was served on a bed of sickly green, bone dry, nearly tasteless dill rice. They've gotten the dill rice problem under control, but I'm still not a fan. If you can substitute cous cous, by all means do so. Reza's is probably worth more than a 3. I'd give Reza's a 3+ and Andies a 4-, but in this system, they're both 3s.
(3)Teryn C.
I know Reza's and Andie's next door must battle it out nightly for customers but, in my humble opinion drawn from extensive testing (read: eating out) I have to declare Reza's the winner! The best chicken kabobs (they must put crack in the marinade cause you can't stop with one skewer) and the most amazing vegetarian stuffed peppers. The lamb is great as well and I will literally kill you for the dill rice. And the management and staff are friendly and helpful too. I hosted a baby shower at this location recently for about 25 people and it couldn't have been easier to plan. The regular and party menus are both online with prices. Everybody left the party very full and raving about lunch. Baby showers are so dull you have to get thru it somehow...my recommendation: lots of great food and the amazing chocolate chip cake from A Taste of Heaven 2 blocks down on Clark.
(4)Dan M.
I went to Reza's during lunchtime on a weekday and was surprised they had a lunch buffet. Almost everything they had was tasty. The vegetarian rice was delicious with the spicy chicken. All the falafel and hummus you can eat too. For two people the cost was $35 with tip and I think we ate close to that amount considering their regular rates. My only problem was that the waiter seemed not to like that we opted for the buffet instead of ordering off the menu!
(5)Dave S.
I've only been here once, for their famous brunch buffet. It was decent - not great. All of the food was cooked well and full flavored, there was just something odd about the atmosphere of the restaurant. Maybe it was the lack of decorations? I can't pinpoint it. I'll definitely go back, but probably wouldn't suggest it.
(3)William T.
Went there with my wife on a weeknight, around 10pm... the place was almost empty, as if it were closing, but nobody seemed to rush us. All of the food was enjoyable and well seasoned. We didn't order cocktails because we had a gallon of vodka sitting in our freezer at home and were headed there after dinner :) - We did get the iced tea, which was some of the best iced tea I have had in a restaurant. They actually blend and make the tea there in the restaurant. It was a blend with jasmine and also notes of Bergamont orange oil, found in Earl Grey tea. We did the 5 course package #1 ($24.00 a person, which turned out to be a good deal). 3 apps of Baba Ghanouj, Falafel and Baked Herbed Feta. This all came with a large portion of Persian Salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley, lemon juice) and a warm tomato olive oil dish. The Feta was by far our favorite, but how hard is it to enjoy warm feta cheese with herbs on top? sooo... the falafel was well prepared and not dry, which can often be the case, and the underlaying sauce was nice and light. The salad was good and was a nice clean acidic compliment to the other apps, however it needed salt. The Baba Ghanouj was good, but not anything special (far better down the street at Taste of Lebanon). Overall... a good start to the meal and plenty of it. The pita bread was not homemade (Again, far better at Taste of Lebanon), nor was it memorable. The main courses we ordered were quite good and served with a heaping portion of dill rice, white jasmine rice and a bit of saffron rice. Filet Mignon Kabobs were very flavorful, a bit overcooked from the med-rare we ordered, but nothing to complain about. The Chicken Fessanjan was good, not great... had a pomegranate, almond sauce that was a bit overbearing for the simple chicken, well maybe it was the amount of sauce... the chicken could have gone for a swim. The highlight of the entire meal was the Lamb Shank... braised in a tomato based broth that was filled with wonderful flavors and spices... we were actually dipping all of our other food into the lamb's braising liquid. The lamb was extremely tender and juicy and was the only main course dish we finished at the restaurant... the rest we took home. For dessert we had a wonderfully rich walnut baklava which was a perfect end to the food marathon. I only wished I had ordered a cold glass of milk to wash that sucker down... very rich and sweet. Our server, Denis, was honestly the reason I decided to compose this review... he was perfect for the restaurant and was never hovering. It may have been because the restaurant was almost empty... but there was just something lovable about this man. We never ran out of anything or needed anything... all we had to do was talk, eat and drink... I like that. I would actually request him if and when I return. All and all, this is not an out of this world dining experience, but its not supposed to be. I know i mentioned Taste of Lebanon twice in this review... and it was only to compare a few food items... they are totally different experiences and both worth trying. just good food (and a lot of it) at a reasonable price with good service. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would.
(3)Larry B.
Reza's is pleasant but I think a prefer the downtown one more. Maybe for the entertainment. Always liked the sampler plate here. And the salmon with the dill rice is not to be missed. Service is so-so.
(3)Lyric S.
I had lunch here today. The buffet with tax was $10.99. It was all you can eat. The falafels were the bomb. NO GREASE. They were fried to perfection without the excess grease. Seriously, I do not think I have ever had better falafels. My waitress was there in a jiffy to keep re-filling my water and that may be because it was dead there, but whatever. The service was great. OK, back to the food.....the persian salad was also the bomb, nice and light, the hummos was also killer. I was super impressed with the falafels. They were so tasty. I'll go back. I think the price could be a little cheaper tho. But then again, I am a cheap skate.
(4)Emily M.
Ok, I'm not a huge fan of Mediterranean dishes but my friend wanted to eat here. I ordered a steak and the waiter, thinking I'm clueless explained to me how a steak was made... Ok thanks. It was a little awkward at first, but the food was so good! Portions were huge!! I left happy!
(4)Mandy M.
best damn lunch buffet ever. theyre nice to me, and my 2 little kids.
(5)Yan P.
I ended up at reza's for a sunday brunch sort of by accident. Now I have nothing against mediterranean food, but the brunch buffet which ran $20 was simply way overpriced. You can't charge that kind of money for a self service buffet that includes (admittedly not bad tasting) but very standard food. Reza's needs to get over itself and lower the prices. I feel like they have high prices to maintain a high class image, but come on.... I have no problem paying $100 for a meal if it blows my mind, but I do have a problem with a $20 meal that should cost $10. Sorry Reza's, thumbs down from me. I should add though, that the waitstaff was very nice and friendly. Good service, good place, just...lower your prices to a more appropriate level. Thanks!
(2)Jesster A.
Jill, Jill! I know a few folks complained about long winded reviews... but please dearheart, no one meant that reviews should be THIS sparing with words... We'd really like to know, "What'd ya think?" (Especially about REZA - since I used to really like it - but haven't been there in a long while...)
(3)RJ W.
Been back a few times since my last review. The food is always good and solid, the service has been great...,.it is back on my 'Where do you want to go to dinner at the last minute' list...yea!
(4)Nick M.
Not qualified to review the "mediterranean" items, but the beef and shrimp were very good. Very large portions. Maybe a little expensive.
(3)Jarod P.
Four stars for the lunch buffet - never ordered a meal here and never been here any other time of day. Load up on the fliet mignon, the lamb, the chilled salmon and the dill rice - it's an overload of savory.
(4)Jolie R.
Wandering around Andersonville, as we do most places, we stopped (no, I actually dragged my s-o) into Reza's. I love mediterannean food and had wanted to give it a try for awhile. We loved it! The waitstaff is very friendly, service was a little slow, but the fantastic meal made up for it. The lentil soup is just the right spicy and tasted wonderful. Hummus and baba ghanoush was terrific and the main meal, lamb shank fell off the bone and was pleasurable to the tongue. We liked it so much, we stopped in again for brunch one Sunday, and found they started serving a brunch buffet every week. We declined it, ordered tasty appetizers with their great warm naan and were satisfied with what we got. I will say, I'll only go back on a non-buffet day since the food served on our plates by the waitstaff was the same food at the buffet - we watched them put it on the plates.....one star is lost because of this.
(4)Bella D.
Yes, came here again for their lunch buffet over the weekday and weekend within 2 weeks. Good and friendly service. Good kabob foodies and treats. Their buffet is great to get a quick fix on your kabobs and fallafels plus other treats like their deserts and soups/salads, etc. I love eating a little bit of this and that and their buffet is perfect for that.
(4)Phil K.
Reza's used to be a great neighborhood spot, but has gone seriously downhill the last couple years. We used to love the lentil soup and plate of radishes & feta cheese that used to come complimentary, but now the soup was watery and not particularly distinguishable from a can of Campbell's, and no more radishes/feta. Seems in their rush to appeal to the changing (upscale'ing) neighborhood, they've dumbed down the food a bit and gone for the money grab. Can't really blame 'em too much, but seeing Passion Fruit Martinis on the menu now, I dunno... The grilled meats are alright, but aren't cooked very well. The beef seemed of decent quality, but there didn't seem to be any char or anything. The prawns and scallops were of only mediocre quality. I think I like Noon-O-Kebab better
(2)Vanessa M.
I wish I could give this place zero or negative stars! The effect the food had on my stomach was PURE AGONY!!! My stomach was in knots all day and the next after eating the food there. It's way over priced and the discomfort I had to experience was definitely a horrific experience. Save yourself the pain! Don't do it!
(1)Alexis S.
I went here on a Wednesday night. The weather was nice so we were able to sit outside. The place was pretty empty overall. The menu is pretty extensive with a lot of options, including some vegetarian choices. I ended up getting the white fish and my S.O. got the salmon kabob. Both were served with vegetables and dill rice. The meals also came with soup (unidentifiable) and pita bread. We tried the baba-ganoush for an appetizer and it was just "okay". I ordered a sangria, (for only $4!!), which was VERY good. Our server was an older Russian woman who was very forward and said whatever was on her mind, whether it was politically correct or not. Anyway, she was a character and very attentive. I had been wanting to go to Reza's for a long time, and now that I have finally made it, I will probably never go back, simply because there are so many places in Chicago I have yet to try.
(3)Tony S.
Yikes, I don't get why there are so many positive reviews of this dump. Cold falafels, mediocre kabobs and a giant a-hole of a waiter made this a truly awful experience. The food next door is far better, and less expensive. I think this place is skating by on it's popular name and awful commercials.
(1)Mytoan N.
My significant other loves this restaurant, and I've visited here quite a number of times -- there's many locations in Chicago but I adore the Andersonville one, since across the street, there is a Persian grocery store as well. The story behind this restaurant from a close source was that the owner owned a restaurant called Reza in Tehran and did really well. He rebuilt his life from scratch in the US and started this successful restaurant in the Midwest. On a recent dining experience in Chicago at Reza, I saw the owner doing the bookkeeping. I love the fessunjan pomegranate walnut chicken, the cranberry saffron rice, the dill rice, and the lamb shanks. I also like the ghorma sabbzi, I've heard it takes foreever to make, better to just buy it and enjoy. Persian restaurants in the Midwest are a premium. If you're trying one for the first time, Reza's in Chicago is a good place to start. There's only one in Wisconsin - Shiraz in Milwaukee, which is a la cart and delicious. I love both places.
(5)Katy H.
I really love this place. But every time I go, they get something wrong, but that can be overlooked, because the food is good, the portions are huge and the price is right. I work just a block away, so I frequently order for lunch or stop by for dinner. I usually get some variation of the vegetarian sampler for lunch and get so much food I can eat it for at least 3 meals! I've tried a variety of different meals for dinner and there hasn't been anything I haven't enjoyed! My only real complaint is that their service is slow. They never have my carry out ready when I call ahead and they usually mess up one of my dishes. Also, sometimes I get rice, sometimes I don't. Not a huge problem at all, but they need to be on the same page All in all, I love this place!
(4)Elina S.
We used to come here ALLLL the time as this is one of my family's favorite Mediterranean restaurants. The place is quite adorable, and they have really good sangria (which is strange since it's not Spanish) but it's so darn good and really gets you after a few glasses. My family went here for both the buffet which is family style and also ordering off the regular menu and for me they have the absolute BEST falafal out of anywhere I've ever had, in fact I would go there and JUST order that with their yummy red and white sauces. My parents always got the kabobs and the meat entrees with the dill rice that they love, and always left full and with leftovers for the next day! Definitely a great place for good atmosphere, yummy food, when you're in the mood, and pretty good service.
(4)Alicia K.
Food + value only gets 3 stars because it wasn't that awesome. Delicious, but nothing to write home about. Kind of expensive considering portion size. There are better places in Albany Park. I'm giving an extra star because the service was awesome. We had a sassy waitress who was a hoot. And the location is prime for people watching in andersonville.
(4)Minh D.
Great restaurant for Persian food. I like their Andersonville more than their downtown location. Their fish is excellent. Many years ago I used to come here for their wild caught Chilean sea bass - the thick juincy fish steak if you know what I am talking about. Due to the ban, they now have farm raised sea bass, which to me tastes more like Tilapia and lacking the buttery melt in your mouth found in wild caught Chilean sea bass. I usually get the a fish dish when coming here. My fav. is their white fish. Their ground meat on the skewers (kuibideh, joujeh, jengeh,etc.) is great as well. The lamb shank is also a good dish here. The portions here are huge. For consistent good quantity, quality, ambiance and service I am rating this restaurant a 4 stars.
(4)Irina F.
Good place to be if you like meats. We came here for a Father's Day Brunch. Lots of food in the buffet. Everything tasted great. The only reason I gave 3 stars is because of the washroom appearance. If you had money to spend on marble walls, you should be able to find a little more to keep it in good shape and replace small thing like seats. It feel like they were never replaced since the restaurant opened.
(3)Josh G.
Food: Not too impressed. I ordered the Garlic Baked Potatoes, the $12.95 special that comes with bread, two Kabobs, and grilled tomatoes. Potatoes- Lacking flavor and a bit dry. i had to drown them in the garlic butter and add salt to make them worth eating. I ordered the Beef and the Chicken. The chicken was really good and had flavor; the beef was nothing to write home to mom about. If you go here and order this, stick with the chicken. It's a much better option. Service: Good service. :) Price: I think the food is way overpriced for the quality and flavor you get. I say skip Reza's and go next door to Andie's and get a better deal, better food, and better overall experience. Ask for Cassandra the server there and Gill, the General Manager, will treat you right.
(2)Elizabeth A.
This is pretty much the only exciting thing about Andersonville. They make DELICIOUS Persian food, especially the bademjan. I can't speak for the meat dishes but the vegetarian samplers are huge and yummy. The waitress recommended that my boyfriend and I order a sampler plate & fish but just the sampler & one appetizer were more than enough. We had to take the rest home. Anyway, I recommend it and especially the sampler plate which will feed two for only $15.95!
(4)Bex A.
My friend and I stop by here a while ago while walking around Andersonville and have been coming here ever since. I really enjoy their buffets. If you want something specific you could order through their menu as well. I love their kefta kabobs and grilled mushrooms. The soup are okay. It's a good place to stop by every time you have a chance.
(4)Annie C.
me gusta their lunch buffet. small selection, but good! i can't wait to go back again!
(4)Sarah R.
I'm kind of sad to hear that people are having such a bad time at Reza's. I admit it's probably been about 5 months since I've been here, but if my memory serves me right, the food is to die for! I dream about it while I'm sleeping and while I'm awake. I grew up on Reza's. My family would always take me here as a kid and I can remember as soon as I started to drive my sister and I would steal away here. I've taken dates here and celebrated big occasions with friends and family. The lunch buffet is awesome during the week. I just wish it didn't end at 3pm. The weekend buffet is even better! They add extra menu items that you can't find in the weekly lunch buffet you can even find a glass of champagne on your table during the weekend brunch. Staff has always been pretty nice. Not overly nice, but decent nonetheless. One thing a lot of people don't know is that they have a free private lot across the street behind the Cheetah gym. There's even a nice guy watching the lot (so other violators don't park too). I've been to the Ontario location and experienced the same. I'm very pleased with this restaurant and will continue to patronize them. Maybe they need another chance?
(5)Lalita A.
MmmMMmmmm FOOD and i mean lots and lots of FOOD ! okay so I already knew I was breaking my diet the moment they set down that unlimited platter of bread served with cheese. And you know what else goes well with that bread ? The grilled skewered mushrooms, trust me... I am NOT a mushroom person. Points for also having the soup. If I am eating out, I'd like to be treated with multiple courses. Appetizer (dry and soup) plus entree . Having experienced Mediterranean food before, I know how dangerously big the portions are, so I shared an entree with a friend. I had the boneless chicken kabob. The onion was super sweet, I quite enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked nicely, and i was obsessed with the Persian Rice. It was also a cute gesture in the end when they served all sorts of dessert. But the portions minus the baklava were huge! Too bad I was stuffed. At first you might thing $15 is pricey, but really, can you really finish 5 scoops of rice with a bunch of meat on the side with that huge bread as a starter? Come after me if you are still unsatisfied.
(4)Dustin G.
I love their lunch buffet. Great food on the cheap. It's not just the buffet, though. You can order an entree, like the quail, and still have access to half the buffet (all but the meat). It's great "meat and cous cous" style mediterranean cuisine.
(4)Kammie G.
As far as Mediterrenean places go, atmosphere and location wise this place was cool. The bathrooms were really awesome, absoluteluy different from any other bathrooms I've seen - the doors are double sided. It's just a different experience. The inner decor was pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary. The food was mediocre at best, I actually did not like any of the lunch buffet options that were there except for the grilled mushrooms (those were really good!) everything else was kind of blah. But then again, what else can you expect from a buffet?
(2)Jan I.
Food is pretty good. Love their rice with dill, I can't get enough. The staff always seems to be in a rush....kind of like they want you to hurry up...eat and leave.
(4)Elizabeth F.
We went here for a rehearsal dinner. First of all the space upstairs was perfect for a large party. The acoustics were good, there were a lot of people in the room but it wasn't loud. Second- the food was amazing. We were all trying to be polite and not take the last piece as the plates were being passed around, but at the same time wishing it was ours. Our server was lovely, I didn't get her name. But she was so friendly! After several courses of vegetarian-friendly items we were served the main dish. They were lamb and chicken kebabs. It didn't bother me, because the first few courses had been exceptional. I perfectly content to sit and wait for dessert. Then after everyone was digging in, the server came back with the huge tray of the one of the most delicious vegetarian selections I have ever had. Everyone paused at the table to stare at the magnificent meal they had prepared for me. The server said jokingly, "Uh-oh, now everyone is jealous!" It was true. It was so good. As it turns out, my friend had forgotten to order vegetarian entrees (totally understandable- it's a wedding, she had enough to think about!). When she realized it (about the time the kebabs came to the table) she asked them if they could make something for me and the other vegetarian there (which she really didn't need to do). And they were perfectly accommodating. Can I just say again- the food was amazing! If my friend hadn't told me that she forgot, I never would have known. ................ Now after writing this review I need to go back!
(4)M S.
The food is great here, absolutely anything you get. The staff on the other hand, is horrible. I've been here numerous times. There was only one time I came here and actually got good customer service. Most other times, staff is horrible. One of the waiters here totally ignored the fact that he was waiting our table...them when he got our food, it was wrong and he kept blaming us for his mistake. The manager had to send him home because he was too tired and wasn't paying attention. If you come here after 930, you should definitely expect bad service as all the staff wants to leave. It's a good restaurant with horrible customer service.
(1)C C.
We often buy take-out from Reza's and really enjoy the kabobs with dill rice. The portions are generous, and the meats are always perfectly grilled every time. The kabobs are not seasoned a lot, so if you like lots of flavor and sauce on your grilled meat, you might find it bland. We enjoy them though. The food we've tried so far has been great. When we've dined there, service has been very good as well.
(4)Calvin H.
This place is a winner. Very roomy restaurant, so you are not sitting on top of another table. Host is very friendly, and that sets the tone for the dinner. Many great and authentic Persian choices on the menue, love that green rice! Lovely place, will come back.
(5)Jeremy S.
I want to give this restaurant a 5, since I think it deserves a better rating than 3 stars. This is a 4 star restaurant. Still, I'll let crowd-sourcing do its thing. I love Reza's. My parents have been taking there since I was little, and it's something I often crave when I think of going out to eat. Their dill rice is addictive. Their Jojeh Kebab (it's a chicken served on a kebab made of chicken bone. Either way, it doesn't matter, it's amazing) is amazing. Their shrimp kebabs are great, too. It's a tad pricey if you're a starving grad student like me. I usually have to go with my parents. Still, one word of advice. Go get the lunch buffet if you're looking to eat a day's worth of meals in 1 meal. It's $19.95, but you won't leave disappointed in your decision. They pretty much have all of their fare there, and it's all you can eat. When the weather's nice, they also have nice outdoor seating, and almost all of their beers are $3. This is a good place to have dinner and drinks. My one minor complaint is that the pita kinda stinks. I'd give this place 5 stars, but I have to leave that upper echelon for those places that really knock the wind out of me. Still, this restaurant is a staple of my childhood, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
(4)Jen S.
Reza's, you guys are so great! I've been here twice now and enjoyed the buffet. Each time, I've told the waitstaff that I cannot eat gluten. Each time, the server has quite pleasantly taken me around to each dish at the buffet, told me what it is, and if it contains gluten or not. When she had doubts about one item, a soup, she asked another employee, and he was quite happy to help as well. As the lady was showing me the options, she offered me a freshly made, no-crouton caesar salad and some fresh falafel. She brought them out quickly, and in generous quantity. The food was so good and everyone was so nice and man, what a lovely lunch. I want more. Thank you!!
(5)Peggah G.
This location of Reza's loses a star because they lie about their hours. When they say they're open til 11 or 12am, that's only if they're 'busy'. I've tried to eat here a few times just to find out that they were closed. It was a huge disappointment. I haven't been here in a couple of years, but I'm a picky eater, and usually the buffet doesn't have what I want. So I always just order from the menu. I've never been let down from the food that I've ordered. It's always been hot and delicious. This is definitely not a restaurant for a late night snack, though. Better closer to traditional dinner or lunch times.
(4)Rachel H.
I really like Reza's food and I always have, but their prices have increased considerably since I first tried them, and it makes me less excited about hitting up this place when I could go to Andie's right next door. I'd never been to this location, and being a bit nervous for a first date, I wanted to be left alone. Too bad our server Dennis thought my date had left me alone. He was a bit tooooo attentive and tried to get me liquored up. Once my dining companion arrived he backed off a little bit. Stood up? I think not. I enjoyed the complimentary salad bar with purchase of entree because it involved the lentil soup of my dreams, but Reza's has just gotten too expensive for what it is. Contributing to Alexi Giannoulias' slush fund? I've heard of stranger things.
(3)Jennifer B.
Ok. Everything here is ok. If you limit your expectations beforehand, you won't be disappointed. I haven't experienced any issues with the waitstaff, which is the primary reason for my repeated patronage. Whether Sunday brunch or a dinner buffet, I've always received attentive, respectful and efficient service. Moreover, they understand the beauty of not hounding me every five minutes, which is a welcomed experience. Their food is consistently well-prepared. Again, is it going to blow your mind? No. But you likely won't be disappointed. The dishes are standard Mediterranean/Persian, with few surprises. The cocktail list tries to be inventive, but I've noticed that the more exotic drinks are usually the weakest. They do, however, have generous pours on their wines...just don't expect fifteen choices. Their variety fits the menu, however. The buffet is an excellent introduction to this type of cuisine, or a good fit if you want to sample several items. Common sense dictates, however, that some dishes are best served to order. While I love having filet mignon skewers as a buffet option, if their ambient temperature renders them to sandpaper consistency it somewhat defeats the purpose. Be forewarned that if you are a vegetarian, you will be somewhat limited in your options. Recently, my dining vegan dining companion returned from the buffet with a half-plate of mashed potatoes. I didn't have the heart to tell him that they may have been prepared with powdered milk. For the area, there's a very laidback and almost soothing atmosphere to the dining experience. Even when there's a full house (which there often is, due to parties), I've never felt crowded or rushed.
(3)Kelly F.
Great food, fast service. The only thing I disnt like was my margherita was in a regular soda cup. Haha. Other than that and my HORRIFIC date, i enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Will def be back!!
(5)Some D.
Sunday brunches are amazing because it gives you the chance to try everything and see what you like most and not to forget its a great deal! The meats are high quality and tender, and I always feel the need to have a little of each. Chicken, lamb, beef, minced turkey, and I think two types of kabobs. Staff is friendly and the place is nice and sleek with an open layout. I great option for Mediterranean. Reza's has a few other locations too!
(4)Pavithra M.
This was not my first time here, but it has been a while since my last visit. The positives - free parking across the street behind Cheetah gym, very child-friendly, spacious and an extensive menu. The negatives - pricey and very heavy, overall average tasting food. Tonight we ordered the chilean sea bass and lamb chops combination, which was listed as a special for $29.50 and an appetizer portion of the grilled potatoes with a butter garlic sauce. The potatoes had a bit too much of the sauce, which made them really greasy, but tasted ok. The lamb chops were charred to the point of tasting bitter and were very dry. The sea bass was cooked to perfection, seasoned just right and very tasty. So two out of three...not bad! They also brought us some soup and pitas at the start of our meal. They did have. Dinner buffet priced at $24.95 and are currently offering a "stimulus package" that includes free mini buffet with each entree. Of ours, this did not apply to us because we shared an entree. Mini buffet includes soup, appetizer and dessert. Should have read the sign before. Anyway, we had too much to eat even without all that!
(3)Linda D.
Weather report at Reza's: a huge HAIL NO storm. I should have known this was not going to be a pleasant experience from the second we walked in the door. There were probably 5 other people in the entire restaurant, and we had to wait to be seated, because it took a few minutes for the staff to even notice us. When they finally did, homegirl acted like the popular cheerleader who had been forced to be lab partners with the school nerds (me and the boyfriend). Whatever, maybe she's having a bad day. I know waiters and waitresses have a tough job. I'm normally a good tipper, and very sympathetic when it comes to foodservice staff dealing with large crowds. I even try and give them the benefit of the doubt when they aren't all smiles and super chatty. So I wasn't going to let this ruin our meal. Initially, we were drawn to the lunch buffet sign that was outside, but when we asked about it, our waitress very bluntly told us it was OVER. No mention of the buffet's hours, or when the dinner buffet started. Ok, that's fine, we'll find something off the menu. I decide on the lamb koubideh and ask for the "small size," which the menu says is a half portion of the full entree. "Just to let you know, it's like a kid's menu," she says. "Oh. Well how big is it?" I ask. "Very small. Like, for kids," she replies. "I think I'll be fine." I say. Alright, who killed this chick's dog this morning? She seemed really PO'd at me for no reason. The entire time we were talking to her, she refused to make a millisecond of eye contact with us. I can deal with a lot when it comes to foodservice, but this kind of intentional rudeness will make me bust out the T word. That's right .Trick. She brought out our food, and to my dismay, it was good. She "refilled" our waters, which consisted of her pouring a splash of water into each of our glasses so we had half-full cups. Even though there is not much to be thankful for, we thank her, and she still refuses to make eye contact or smile. My "kids' size" meal is more than enough for me, and I end up taking leftovers home. The only reason I gave Reza's two stars is because the food was good. But the awful service really left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Len L.
You can't go wrong with the buffet, you get everything on the menu and more for under $20. Service was lacking, we waiting a long time for refills for our drinks but overall the entire meal was decent.
(3)Roseanne S.
I LOVE REZAS! I'm a picky eater and don't usually like trying anything different but Reza's can get even the pickiest eaters to eat with their food. I get the beef kebudeh or whatever it's called. Two beef strips with rice. I highly recommend the dill rice for a nice change of pace. You can either order off the menu, or hit up the buffet. For about $20, you can take your pick of rices, meats, soups, etc. Beware, though. After eating here, you will be burping Reza's for the next day. But at least the nice smell of the meat will stay with you for the rest of the day to remind you of the delicious food you just had. Great place for some Persian food.
(5)Chelsea H.
Customer service was stellar. The food was ok. The dill rice is good. I had the lentil soup which was surprisingly delicious. The falafel was ok. Definitely worth going back for some home made tasting mediterranian eats.
(3)Barton C.
Very happy to add Reza's to my list of omnivore & vegan friendly date spots. Although my date is veggie friendly, it's nice when we can both order what we want. I ordered the Veggie Combo (baba ghannouj, gr pepper w/mushrooms, dolmeh, kashkeh(?) and veggie shami) and my date had the seafood combo of shrimps & scallops. Great food, excellent drink selections, friendly service and a delightful atmosphere. I'll be back for more whenever I'm on the north side!
(4)Alexander D.
absolutely the best food. the chicken shish kabob on the bone is exceptional and the buffet will make you want to come back again and again. reasonably priced and simply delicious.
(5)Donaye N.
I LOVE the salmon kabob!!! Thinking about it right now is making me drool! It was cooked to perfection and it didn't have that smelly fish odor. The serving was big for one person. I also enjoy their lunch buffet specials. Not only is the food yummy, the price is great, too! This has become the go-to lunch place for celebrations for my classmates and I. The service is great as well!
(4)Jackie H.
Pros: The exposed brick wall is nice Specials are on a chalkboard on the sidewalk Nice neighborhood Cons: Overpriced Warm beer: from a bottle, no need for that Horrible salad, iceberg lettuce on a $10 salad, eh.... There are many much better restaurants within 2 blocks, won't be back.
(1)Rabob M.
I've been to this place about a dozen times... each time the customer service is great, the orders aren't messed up - the food is amazing - extremely affordable with healthy tasty good. Its my fav restaurant hands down. I never get dirty looks from the arab waiters if I come with a white male friend.. lol... which can happen in other middle-eastern places.. since I look arab..Fav Restaurant of all time.
(5)Jenny K.
Strong service, wide ranging menu, and extremely reasonable prices. The vegetarian combo can feed 2-3 people for $15 and they will generously bring extra pita. Since you're not breaking the bank on food, go 'head and order some wine or sangria. Be warned: the sangria tastes super fruity but may be more buzz-inducing than you think.
(4)Bill M.
Reza's is an enormous restaurant (for Andersonville) with an extensive Persian/Mediterranean menu to match. The interiors present a dark but slightly upscale appearance. I ordered the lamb shank with couscous, which was good but not great. I was too full to even think about dessert afterwards.
(4)Susan I.
I loved this place. LOVED it. My friend and I got one of the vegetarian platters, the one with the pomegranate falafel, plus the roasted feta, and it was amaaaaaaazing. The roasted feta, with roasted tomatoes and olives alongside, was so so delicious. BOTH of the eggplant dips were to die for - one of them had mint and dried yogurt (what is dry yogurt? as opposed to wet yogurt???). Our server was like a favorite aunt, very solicitous and a little bossy. We loved her. Now I am sad that I live thousands of miles away and can't go back every week.
(5)Jacqui G.
I want to start off by saying the one star is reserved for the food only, which was very good (with the exception of the mixed mango drink which didn't taste like anything except sugar water and vodka) Service, on the other hand, completely put a damper on the night. We had a party of 20 or 21 people and made the critical mistake of not asking for separate checks at the very beginning, but that doesn't make up for the headache that everyone had to deal with after the check came: We were split into two tables, so I asked if they could at least split the check between the two tables instead of the one we received. The server said it was fine, so we waited and waited, knowing it was going to take a little while for them to figure out which table got what. They ended up coming back to us with three checks instead: one for each table for the food, and one long check for the drinks. Again, I can understand, since we didn't tell them initially we wanted separate checks that they couldn't remember who had what, but this would have been an important detail to point out... now the checks were even more of a mess: anyone who needed to pay with a card (and had drinks) had get it run once for the food, once for the drinks, and everyone had to calculate twice for separate tax and tip on top of that. One single person asked if she could get her check separated out so she could use her gym discount from Cheetah. I'm also a member, and had asked earlier if I could use my discount on the bill, but was told no because it was one giant bill and mine wasn't separated out--something I thought they couldn't do because they'd already told us it was one bill already. (The friend still ended up having to swipe twice because her drink was also one the giant drinks bill.) Anyway, the cherry on top of this entire ordeal was when the waiter started mouthing back at us. After we finally figured out everything and clearly wrote how much every card should be charged with, the server came back to us asking for clarification on the drinks bill. My friend (who had asked for the separate check) asked if this was how Reza normally handles large parties, and the server started getting defensive, saying most parties ask for separate checks from the beginning, otherwise they assume one person handles the entire bill. I asked why we couldn't have avoided everything by having everyone reiterate what they ordered, since clearly they could have still separated out the bill like they did for my friend. All he kept going back to was how the other large party next to us had no problems with their bill because one person took care of it. I kid you not, I was the one who ended up saying "look, it doesn't really matter, it's over and done with" twice to him before he stopped arguing back. Really, the only question I had was why we couldn't have separated the bill out after the fact to avoid all this pain and confusion. Again, I understand we made a critical mistake at the beginning by not letting them know we wanted separate checks; however, I can't begin to express the amount of frustration everyone felt over how the Reza staff handled the situation (Seriously! I, THE CUSTOMER, had to calm the wait staff down by asking him to just drop it!). The time it took for the bill ended up taking just as long (if not a little more) as the meal itself. It not only stressed the entire party out, but also impeded everyone's after-dinner plans. Honestly, it wasn't so much the bill (even if we had one bill per table, it would have been ok), it was how unprofessional the staff was and the amount of information they withheld.
(1)Tara M.
Okay, I've been going to Reza's since they opened, haven't been to this location in a while and went there on Thanksgiving (no need to question why, I'm not complaining about the Thanksgiving offering of a Persian restaurant). Anyway, my complaint is that they removed Dolmeh from the menu, you know, the traditional stuffed grape leaves. When we asked why it was removed we were told it was because it was the only thing on the menu that they used the grape leaves for and they didn't sell that well so they removed them. Ahem, many people LOVED them! My husband would have me pick up an order EVERY time I went without him, and now he cannot get them. Unfortunately that leaves us to eat at other Persian eateries now, in order to obtain the tasty little leaves he's grown to love. The food is still good, but to lose a staple from the menu did sting a bit and left a bit of a bad taste in the hubby's mouth.
(3)Terese P.
We enjoyed our dinner here. Although I feel like our fish dish was a bit too salty and heavy on the oil. It was disappointing to find when we got home that they hadn't packed up the rest of the veggie platter as we had asked. The portions were huge for what we spent which was a perk.
(3)Tanya N.
They just opened a location in Lincoln Park and I had to check them out. I love good middle eastern food and am a sucker for a good baba ganoush. We went for lunch so that we could try several things without going overboard on price. The tomato lentil soup starter was very good, even better once I added some feta crumbles to it. We ordered a vegetarian lunch combo with baba ganoush, mushroom stuffed pepper, and roasted eggplant steak. We also ordered the Chicken Fessenjan stew for some protein, as I cannot get through the day without protein. I would say the best thing we ordered was the stuffed pepper, but I also felt like this is a dish my mother could make at home. Everything was "fine" but not great. I really didn't like the sauce for the chicken very much- it was a pomegranate sauce... sounded interesting at the time, but it left a literally bitter taste in my mouth. We decided to get the Persian white rice to go with the meal, and it was just super super oily. I left big globs of oil on the paper tablecloth each time I put down my fork, which was unappetizing. i don't think I'll be returning; there are many more and authentic middle eastern and persian places to eat in Chicago than Reza's.
(2)Rodger W.
Just like the expression, Never Eat Chinese food in Northern Michigan, Never Eat Middle Eastern food in Chicago. First: Bread. It could have come from a food service truck labeled "Pita Bread". Ever Kroger in the Detroit suburbs would serve better bread in a bag. Second: Falafel. The best item I tasted. Just as good as the Gas Station falafel I had near Brairwood Mall in Ann Arbor Soup: Lentil. It was like Italian lentil, but with a undercooked tomato base. Simmer is your friend, Mr. Chef. Meat Dishes: Variety: Tender, but where is the spice??? I felt like I was grazing on roadkill. Sweets: Come on... Order the good stuff FedExed from Shatilla Bakery in Dearborn. Your local/frozen stuff is awful. The Best Middle Eastern in Chicago is Indian on Devon Street.
(1)Rezvan F.
I am Persian so I know what good persian food tastes like!! The flavors are pretty darn close to home. That's all I have to say.
(4)Kelly I.
This place used to be a family favorite, but I don't think I'll be coming back after my last experience here. After moving back to Chicago, I suggested that my roommate and I grab lunch at Reza's as she loves Middle Eastern food and she just moved from New York (she's also a vegetarian - remember this). After looking over the menu, she decided on a few appetizers a la carte and I ordered the scallop/filet kabob plate. While trying to place our order, our server very aggressively insisted that we go for the lunch buffet because it was "cheaper and pretty much everything you are (roommate) ordering is already out there" she declined and our server would not back down. She gave us a completely condescending look and said something like " listen to me" as she wrote the price difference on the table and then insisted that we allow her to give us a tour of the buffet. After walking around the poor excuse for a buffet, and listening to our server say things like "this is vegetarian...I think" my roommate decided to try it, mostly because the server went through so much trouble to sell it, and we just wanted to EAT already. After my roommate picked a few items we sat down and she ate while I waited for my meal. Before my food even came she was asking me to try the hummus because it "tasted really weird". I picked through her plate to find that the hummus had SALMON in iit. We're not talking one piece either, it was clearly mixed in even causing the hummus to take on a sort of pinkish color. Needless to say, she quickly lost her appetite, mentioning that the food was really bland anyway. My food came, and it was OK but nowhere near as good as I remember. Sorry Reza's, but that was messed up.
(2)Wei H.
My friend and I went there because of the ambience it oozes as we walk by. Right on Clark, open windows, can't miss it. The pre dinner bread was very warm, soft and together with the butter and beet it was very tasty. I had tomato lentil soup which was a bit too salty but not too thick to fill me up before the entree, and the sweet and sour taste to it really enhanced my appetite. I had the white fish which was kinda too salty to my tastes but very tasty. The dill rice was fantastic and the grilled vegetables were savory and buttery to the right extent. Service was pretty good. We had a mistake in the order and although they couldn't take back the wrong order they served me a complementary Persian sald while I waited. Our waiter was very quiet and not very enthusiastic but courteous enough. The overall dining experience was very good - people talked quietly and the summer breeze was a perfect addition to the Mediterrean cuisine. Highly recommended for a date night or small group gathering.
(4)Anna Marie C.
For $18, I had a lovely meal of dill rice, lamb shank simmered in tomato sauce, accompanied by a plate of radish/feta, warm pita, and soup. The meal was enough for two and in fact I had the leftover plate the next day. Great menu selection with a nice range of prices. You can do a simple kabob or salad plate or do what I did and go for something less run-of-the-mill when it comes to mediterannean food. The place is good for large groups and more intimate dates.
(4)Diana W.
I have only ordered take out from Reza's. I usually hate getting take out from any place, even fast food, because something is always missing from my order. Reza's is the exception. Their lamb koubideh scrumptious, dill rice excellent, and white fish persian style delicious. Yup, definitely a fan.
(4)Amanda C.
This place keeps getting worse for me. The service is often inattentive and misinformed. On several different occasions, I have been told entirely different things about what is included in the "mini-buffet" and what is not, only to have the manager correct the waitress. The menu is confusing and often incorrect. Not to mention the prices - Middle Eastern food (especially vegetarian) is relatively inexpensive to prepare. Whatever they're charging, it's to cover something other than the cost of food... maybe to cover the wages of all the inexperienced staff running around? I suspect that they are often brought in as friends of the family, and thus not judged on the strength of their experience and skills. I have sat down never to be brought any table settings, regardless if I was ordering the buffet or not. If I order an entree, I should not have to go to the buffet to get a fork, knife and napkin. I've also had bad experiences with getting the waitstaff to split the check, even when we have prearranged things. I had a party of 20 there one evening - two tables of 10, two checks. It shouldn't be that hard. I think we waited about half an hour to get the check back, after witnessing two waitresses going over our bill, scratching their heads and arguing right in front of us. Last Sunday I went for the mini-buffet, which I was told by the waitress couldn't be ordered that day. The menu says, "No mini-buffet on Saturdays." After having the manager correct her, I went up to enjoy some delicious falafel, only to find that it wasn't included on the mini-buffet that day. Why? I have no idea. No explanation. Every other time, it has come with it. So I paid $10.95 for pita, hummus, cucumber salad and lentil soup. Hip hip, hooray. I won't be returning.
(1)Carly O.
Reza's was my first experience with Mediterranean food. This was over ten years ago, but I'll never forget tasting those succulent pieces of charbroiled steak and chicken and the huge mound of rice that would make someone on a no carb diet cry. Over the years, while they haven't really changed anything, I sort of lost interest. However, they really impressed me with the $10 lunch buffet yesterday. Persian salad, falafel, hummus, pita bread, a witch sized vat of tahini sauce, two kinds of soup, three types of rice, mashed potatoes with gravy, three preparations of chicken, lamb and beef koubideh and of course, those ridiculously good donut type thingies doused in honey. My only teeny, tiny complaint is that I wish they'd offer more veggies. I started to feel a little gross staring down at my plate full of meat and potatoes. Yes. I know potatoes are vegetables. I sort of had some kind of grilled squash in mind. But hey, that's a minor complaint for a buffet well worth your dollar.
(4)Julia F.
Having recently returned from a trip to Turkey, my expectations for this Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant were high. Reza's didn't disappoint. The Kashkeh Bodemjan dip, a Persian specialty, was a delicious mix of eggplant, curds, whey, garlic, and mint. The Mediterranean-style lamb shank was also a highlight -- a melt-in-your-mouth tender meat cooked in tomato sauce with couscous and veggies on the side. Our server was attentive yet not overbearing. The drinks and food arrived at our table promptly. Next visit: the weekday lunch buffet.
(4)Ben P.
The portions are big. The positive part of the review is over. This was the worst service I've ever experienced in a restaurant. The worst. I dined last night with a meet-up club. I went with a friend of mine. The two of us started by ordering a carafe of sangria. It was almost as good as watered-down kool-aid -- almost. For $16.95. Then we looked at the menu. The cheapest meals were around $15, but it seemed like the average price was closer to $25 to $27. I went for a $14.95 lamb dish with couscous. Three appetizers came with this entree.....first came the soup. The soup tasted great. The problem was that there was only one spoon between the two of us. I tried to get the waitress' attention. She appeared to see me but ignore me, but I figured I just must have been imagining things. I walked across the room to talk to her and ask for another spoon. She rolled her eyes, but she said she would bring me another spoon. Ten minutes later, with our soup now cold, we still were short a spoon. I look over my should, and she's standing behind the bar, folding napkins. My set of flatware is sitting on the bar next to her. I walk up there and pick it up myself -- she didn't even acknowledge me. Then came the pita, hummus and cucumber salad. These were actually average. I guess I have two positive things to say, and not just one. Next came my meal. The plate was huge, and there was a lot of food. My lamb tasted like hamburger. It was like a dry Burger King Whopper patty. Everyone around me complained about their food, too. Everyone except the guy with the salmon. Apparently the only thing that anyone could agree was good was the dill rice. When the waitress said she'd only split our bill five ways (there were about 30 in our party, and almost all of us were virtual strangers), that was all I could take. I'm not really sure how she expected us to split 30 bills 5 ways. I knew I wasn't letting anyone charge their meal on my card. I went to talk to her. I was polite. I know that honey is always sweeter than vinegar. She told me that it wasn't possible to bill each of us separately. I told her that I knew it was. (I have friends who are servers, and they've all told me that it's just as easy to make 20 checks as it is 1 check. Servers who refuse to do this for you, or who say it isn't possible, are just being lazy.) This was the same waitress that wouldn't bring me my spoon. She continued to give me an attitude. The manager overheard us, and came up to me. I explained the situation to him. He initially bucked at the idea, but after about 3 minutes, he agreed to split the bill for all of us. I went back to my table, and I saw my waitress and our other server b******g to the manager for the next 5 minutes. Right out in front of us -- they didn't even have the respect to do it behind-doors. The bus boy was nice when he picked up my plate. So I guess that makes three positive things that I have to say. I'm never returning to Reza's.
(1)Celeste E.
Great group dining restaurant. Been to both city locations, but this one is a bit closer to home so I'm here more frequently. This place is big, but that's no reason to not make reservations because it gets pretty crowded. All the dishes I've tried are noteworthy. On our most recent visit, most all of us chose the dinner buffet and I find it super worthwhile. They don't skimp out- all Persian favorites are included in buffet. The roasted mushrooms and potatoes, hummus + pita, salad, cucumber dip, it's all available. Onto the meats. Reza's makes what I like to think are all the "famous" Mediterranean meats. I wish I could remember the Reza's names for everything, but I can't and I would hate to butcher the pronunciation! The seasoned lamb is always a must-try (my boyfriend preferred it over the steak - that says a lot), The filet is still delicious, as is the Reza's chicken and the ground beef. All buffet meats are served kabob-style, where you get 3-4 chunks in once piece. Pair the meat with Reza's dill rice...which we deem "crack-like" because you keep spooning more onto your plate. Finish the meal with Baklava and fruit. If you order a la carte, be prepared for a ton of food. Boyfriend's steak skewer meal had 2 huge sticks of filet plus a ton of rice. He took about half to-go. I'm getting full again thinking about all this delicious food. Reza's is a nice place to bring out of towners, as I have found not too many people in their 20's have yet tried Mediterranean cuisine other than Saganaki. Dress code is casual. I always look forward to coming back because Reza's never disappoints!
(4)Caley R.
I've been here once. Years ago. This is my one and only brush with middle eastern food. I can't tell you what dish I ate, other than it included chicken and beef I think, but everything tasted great! Just thought you should know! Now that I finally found the name of this place, I can come back.
(4)Anna B.
Hot summer night, amazing company, open windows, cool breeze, clean tablecloth, ice tea, great food. Thanks Reza for making this night memorable. Gormeh Sabzi delicious Baked Feta, delicious Beef Mignons, delicious You know I will be back.
(5)Jessica K.
Oh my goodness, how does one NOT love this place?? I've been coming here since grade school and one thing that stands out is consistency. I've never done their lunch buffets and personally I wouldn't do a buffet but their lamb and chicken kabobs with the saffron and dill rice is killer! They give you grilled vegetables and a giant tomato to add to the already perfectly spiced lamb (tender by the way). I enjoy coming here, getting wonderful service and bringing friends here knowing they'll love it too. They have two dining areas and the option of opening their giants windows during beautiful days is extra appealing. I don't enjoy anything vegetarian but their lentil soup makes me rethink my stance sometimes. Order the hummus as an appetizer and you'll get chunks of feta and little radishes along with a great homemade hummus beautifully presented. The wait at night isn't horrible and you never feel rushed. I went next door once and I couldn't understand why they put almonds and pureed tomatoes on broiled chicken but I never strayed away from Reza's again. They will do take-out service as I've done a couple times when i was under the weather and again everything is impeccably packaged and on time. It's a great Mediterranean restaurant flanked by a not so awesome one. Why else would they have two?
(4)Jackie J.
Food was great: check Service was great: check Restaurant was clean: check Bill delivered timely/not rushed: check Bang for the buck: check (At least the buffet, their regular entrees were quite pricey...) 5/5 I have it in the back of my mind that by the time I die or move away from this country, I should try every restaurant in Edgewater/Andersonville, the neighborhoods I grew up in. I have always wanted this try this place and have finally gotten around to it. A friend of mine treated me to what I thought was going to be a light lunch (it was 11 am) but what turned out to be a buffet. I did not eat as much as I would have if I'd have woken up a lot earlier, but alas, my fickle tummy could not handle all the wonders the buffet had to offer. I really could not tell you every little thing I ate. I grabbed a bite sized piece of everything that was ready on my only trip to the buffet tables. Everything was set up nice and neat with covers for the food. I thought the place very cleanly and friendly. Our waiter (he didn't share his name, he was a tall man with dark hair and a nice accent) was awesome for no apparent reason. The food was amazing. I am not an authority on this cuisine, but you don't have to be to know it was banging. The only thing I didn't like were the soups. I tried falafel, beef, chicken, chicken stew, lamb stew, hummus (better than any other I've had), Persian salad, pita bread with a generous sprinkle of tasty herbs, and so on and so on. They had three kinds of rice, each more delicious than the last. Damn good. I can't wait to go back. All that delicious food at my disposal...? For $11 after tax?! Yesh, plz.
(5)Lakshmi R.
For about 20 bucks on Saturdays (and perhaps other days?), you can enjoy Reza's all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. This is important info to know. Because while the food isn't the most 'authentic' tasting Middle Eastern food, it s *is* very decent (and actually, the lentil soup is a knockout). Plus, the brunch is extremely vegetarian-friendly. As if that weren't enough, you can refill your coffee/tea/OJ as much as you want AND you get a complimentary glass of champagne (hellooooooo mimosa!). So yeah, I'll be back.
(4)Gayle G.
No. No thanks. No siree, Bob. What were we thinking? I live in Albany Park, the Holy Grail for Middle Eastern food in Chicago. But, we were in Andersonville and had not tried it. Went in early on a Friday evening and it was pretty quiet. We opted for the buffet considering that the prices on the menu were all more expensive than the $17.99 buffet. Buffet = mistake. First, Middle Eastern food shouldn't cost this much! Particularly, not for this quality. Nothing was hot. The falafel were really bad and tastless. The rice had no flavor. The pita were stale. I could go on, but I won't. Reza's feels a little like a trap to me. A trap for folks who are hanging out in A'ville and think, "Oh, that place is cute! Oh, that place is packed! A'ville has some great restaurants, I bet this is one of them!" Wrong. I did eat next door at Andies once and it was much better. There are better places in A'ville to eat. If you really want Middle Eastern, hop on the Brown Line and get off at Kedzie.
(1)Shannon M.
I brought a friend from out of town here while we were doing an evening on Clark. It took us forever to decide what we wanted to eat because the menu is HUGE and everything looks good! We had initially wanted to order a sampler but didn't think two of us could eat that much food (soup, salad, 3 appetizers, entree, and dessert), so we instead ordered hummus and pita for an appetizer and then chose out own entrees. The hummus was less garlicky than I am used to but was delicious; the garbanzo flavor really came out. The pita was warm and fresh. I ordered the Fessenjan -- chicken in a sweet-sour pomegranate walnut sauce, which came with a pile of saffron currant rice. I thought the sauce on the chicken might be like a glaze, but it looked more like a thin tomato sauce, a little chunky, with a really sparky flavor; very different -- I'm glad I tried it. There was a ton of chicken and rice too, enough for three meals for me. The entrees also came with soup, a choice of lentil or chicken barley. I had the latter, but only ate a bit because I didn't want to be overfull, but it was very tasty. My friend had the shrimp and dill rice; she gave me one -- a tiny bit tough, so perhaps cooked a bit too long, but a nice, subtly garlicky flavor. Our server, Wade, did an excellent job and was wonderfully attentive. There were many other things on Reza's menu that I'd like to try (the mushrooms basted in garlic butter on the appetizer list, the quail, the Shirin Polo (saffron, almond, orange peel and pistachio rice), so I'll clearly have to make another visit. It's definitely worth another trip!
(5)Laura C.
Tasty place! I got a huuuge vegetarian entree, with hummus, falafel, the works. With the order of an entree, you also got to visit the free appetizer buffet (it was titled, "the recession deal" so of course I liked that!) which was very good. I would go back!
(4)Joanna K.
I tried middle eastern food here at Reza's for the first time! Definitely a good first experience. I came here on a date, and we both got the dinner buffet. The buffet consisted a good variety of foods. I'm not too experienced with middle eastern food, but everything was very tasty and flavorful. I definitely recommend coming here. I would definitely come back here again and try out their menu items.
(4)Naman N.
Based on my last experience I didn't like the place. last time I was in the area was over 10 years ago, my dad and my mom's sister loved this place so this time around I came to the same place for dinner.
(1)Hung-wei L.
i was in-town for business, and a colleague recommended this place for lunch. the main attraction was the lunch buffet made up of....kabobs. KABOBS?!?!?! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE, RIGHT!?!? chicken, beef, lamb, and spicy chicken...oh my! tender, great flavor, absolutely delish!!! shame on me- since that trip was a couple months ago, i forgot all the other delicious items on the buffet. but it was ALL GOOD, i tell ya! =) another thing to note was the giant-size pita bread we were served (about the size of a medium domino's pizza!!!). warm, delish, and uncut- so you can just rip-off a piece, use it to pick-up a tender piece of kabob, and just GO TO TOWN...! finally, i'll admit that i'm no hummus snob, but damn, this stuff was tasty!!! anyway, this food was incredible, and if i ever find myself in the Edgewater neighborhood again, I'M-A PUT (ANOTHER) HURT ON THIS MUTHA...! =)
(4)Amanda C.
I live in Andersonville, which has some great great places to eat. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. After coming in we were seated in a corner and then ignored. Fast forward 15 minutes later and we have not seen a server or gotten water or anything. Eventually I had to actually go to the hostess stand and ask for someone to please come to our table. Someone came to take our order, although I don't believe it was our actually server, someone else brought out our food but she never asked if we wanted anything else or how the food was. I actually don't believe she said more than 10 words to us the entire time. I really enjoy Persian food but the food was pretty bad as well. The appetizer was lukewarm and I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been taken straight off the buffet. I had heard some nice things about the Kabobs, so I tried the lunch combo with both a Lamb and Filet Mignon Kabob. About the only thing good on my plate was my lamb, unfortunately it was hard to tell as my entire plate was filled with grease. The potatoes were just greasy and it was about all you could taste, and my companions rice was pretty bland. I couldn't even tell my Filet Kabob was steak and you can buy better at Dominicks or Jewel. Bad service and bad food. With so many places to eat I will not be coming back.
(1)Doris D.
To quote the legendary Paul A. on a summary of Reza's food: "Pedestrian." Well said. $9 salad bar? Since when are falafels and hummus considered a salad? Sorry but unless there is some sort of a forbidden dance going on here at night, there is no reason to come back. Listen to that suggestion for "You May Also Want to Try Noon-O-Kabob" that is lurking on top of my review right now...
(3)Jeff A.
Not sure what is happening but when I moved to Chicago 3 years ago, I was anti buffet and anti all you can eat... Chicago the Culinary Capitol of the USA taught me Buffets and All you can eat, does not mean garbage and trash... (suddenly I just broke out with a parody of an Avenue Q song; my version everyone's a little bit trashy (more lyrics to follow)) Enter Reza's Lunch Buffet for $9.95; not the way I do it up because I need Turkish coffee to compliment the heavenly pillows of dough honey and gods elixir; I think lard... Also I like the deeply discounted sangria, Id say its a sangria of a different color but they have the color down its just the flavor, I really like it, decidedly bland but before noon as an early bird at the lunch troff, I like the refreshing crisp morning blend sangria (my name for it), see I don't like real sweet sangria, this was more of a drink you throw down for rehydration while playing bocce on the beach, I like it allll---oooot! (many do not including peeps at my very exclusive table) This buffet is sure to please carnivores and herbivores alike! Its all on point and even some cantaloupe to clean your palate and aide in your quest for dietary health... The meats are plentiful and varied from lamb to beef with many chicken variations all surprisingly flavorful and all tender and juicy which is hard for buffet chicken... Back to those dessert puffs, light fluffy crisp magical dirigible shaped fried dough-that is life changing with turkish coffee! I could just sit with a mountain of these sweet gems and some turkish coffee and eat myself into sugar shock, they are just so my thing! What can I say, some say they are too sweet, I say you just don't get it! Soup to nuts this buffet has it! Mediterranean bliss is the state of mind, get lost in it and savor it, I approve!
(4)Mary T.
Good food and a solid vegetarian menu I went here with my bookclub girls for this month's club dinner. Our server was ok, his English was a little choppy so there were a few hiccups ordering our food (adding chicken to a salad, etc.). I think because we confused him a bit he brought lentil soup to the whole table rather than figuring out how many people actually wanted it (fortunately, he didn't charge us for the extras). I'm not a big fan of lentil soup, but aside from it being a bit too tart, it was pretty good. There was so much food I took a lot home, next time I'm splitting a sampler or getting an appetizer portion. Side note, my meal wasn't served on a plate, but a tray the kind you would use at a party that's about the diameter of a medium pizza - way, way too much food for one person. I ordered veggie sampler #3, holy moly that's a lot of food - hummus, tabbouleh, cous cous, falafel, baba ghanouj and eggplant steak. To boot, it came with the aforementioned soup and a side - I chose sauteed veggies. The veggies weren't what I'd expected, it was more like a primavera sauce with cous cous on top. Considering I already had cous cous in my sampler it was the last thing I needed. I didn't care for the eggplant steak either, I expected a solid slice of eggplant with marinara over it, but other than the skin of the eggplant it seemed like I was eating forkfuls of marinara, bleh. I skipped the falafel all together, there was too much other stuff on my plate I had yet to make a dent in. I only had 2 real negatives: (1) The bathrooms, my friend is 8 1/2 months pregnant and therefore has to pee every 10 minutes. She said the bathrooms were gross and dreaded having to make a return trip. (2) More pita! We got one basket with one pita for each of us with our hummus appetizer. We got another when we got our meals. Since 3 of us had the veggie sampler, where nearly all of the elements require pita it was not enough. We didn't see much of our server so it was hard to get more. Bottom line: solid fare, especially if you're vegetarian. Expect to go home with a doggie bag.
(4)Chicago g.
Good lunch time buffets and dinner. Parking is free next to the lot near Cheetah Gym.
(5)Emily U.
I always had a kind of meh feeling about Reza's and I could never quite put my finger on why until a recent visit over Thanksgiving weekend clarified things. Firstly and most memorably, the portions are just ridonkulously large. For four people we ordered two vegetarian combos (about $16 each) and an appetizer. From this, we took home at least two meals worth of food. Wha??? I can't imagine what the $30/per person combos are like--it can't be worth it unless you can eat your weight in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food. Oh, the combos also included the salad bar (we got one serving, which we didn't finish). The service was mostly pleasant, but when the waiters brought out the food, there wasn't even enough room on the table and they just stood there and waited for us to rearrange everything to make it fit. Kind of awkward.... Overall the atmosphere and food at this Andersonville mainstay is decent, but something about the unnecessarily large servings really turns me off. I'd rather pay $8, get a manageable portion and save the styrofoam containers.
(3)Kevin R.
Do you like Mediterranean food? Are you free during lunchtime during the middle of the week? $12 buys you everything you could ever imagine. You will gorge yourself on hummus, pita, falafel, etc. etc. etc. There's an all you can eat buffet ever day of the week Monday-Friday. Awesome environment, great waitstaff. I can't speak for the regular menu. But if you are a nanny and have the ability to brunch, put this on your list.
(5)William R.
We went for the buffet on Sunday which we didn't realize was so expensive, BUT the food was SO DELICIOUS.
(4)Andy V.
We had a wonderful dinner and the service was great. We liked that the soup and appetizer bar were self-serve had had excellent choices for salad, soup and many other items. The quality was excellent and the portions were generous (important to me since I'm a hungry guy and many restaurants tend to skimp in this area). We both agreed that we would be back. I recommend the Chicken Kabob dinner entree.
(4)isha a.
I tried Reza'a buffet today for lunch and the food was exceptionally good! At the spur of the moment (and I never do that, I've had one bad experience in the past to teach me a lesson) I ordered a huge meal for the New Year's Party tonight that I was hosting. And cancelled other plans I had made for catering! Yeaop, did I mention "spur of the moment". The Beef Kabobs are undercooked (even though I ordered well done, still have the receipt in my hand with the instructions I gave) and the meat still ummm for lack of a better word smells pretty bad. So on New Year's Eve at 7 O' Clock before the guests arrive, I'm cooking a good old home cooked meal I can trust to be served! So, if you're walking in at lunch to the their buffet, expect to be blown away. Only DO NOT CARRY OUT! And certainly don't order for a dinner party!
(2)Ben G.
This is the kind of place that scrapes by because it has an attractive storefront, great location, and a solid base of local customers who must not realize how bad the food is. It's like the flashy restaurants in Times Square: Great looking. Pricey. Terrible. I've been there twice now and the service has been terrible on both occasions. I'm not one to write bad reviews or write off restaurants when I have an occasional bad experience, but this place is clearly not worth your time. Bad food, bad service, bad prices, bad experience. Andies, the similar restaurant next door, is somewhat better. The food is slightly better than Reza's and the service is occasionally good. I wouldn't recommend either place, honestly. Middle East Bakery & Grocery, just down the street, is amazing. Head over there, pick up some food to take home, and don't look back. I can totally understand staying loyal to your local joint, but I encourage everyone else to dine elsewhere.
(1)Joel G.
Solid place. The service is outstanding.
(3)Rachel G.
I haven't been here for about 3 years and was excited to finally be going back! All I can remember is that their filet was delicious...rivals Tango Sur in my opinion. We were seated right away at about 6:45 on a weekday night and the waiter comes up right away and asks what we want. Hold on dude...we just sat down! Since it had been a long time, I had to look everything over. He came over 3 times before we finally ordered...I guess it's better than being ignored. But he was very short with us, not friendly at all and seemed to always be in a rush. I guess they now offer the side dishes that come with an entree as part of the buffet now? Last time i was there the bread and soup came to the table. Now you have to get up and go on over to the buffet. Why this is a change...it was a nice change b/c they now have falafel as part of the side dishes! YUM! My friend and I both got the filet Meditteranean style and it was delish. The couscous is so good too. Food here gets 5 stars. But -1 star for the Sangria...yuck...watered down and no flavor. Pass on that! And then the wiating game begins! After we were clearly done with our meals, we waited for over 20 min for our waiter to to get back to us. We were kind of on a semi-strict time frame and we needed to get out of there. But he was no where to be found. Finally he arrived, but arrived too late b/c we ran out of time for shopping! -1 star for service!
(3)Shradha A.
3 or 3.5 stars. The highlights: Great buffet variety, enough veg options, fresh food, free glass of champagne Lowlights: Can only go here once, only for buffet, a la carte food not impressive, costly place.
(3)Adrian J.
I will start this off by saying I have been going to Reza's for about 14 years now. Yes I started as a kid. This restaurant has undergone a few changes lately that I'd like to comment on. The last time I had dinner there, they had removed a few tables from the main dining room and placed a buffet station. You can either order from the kitchen or from the buffet. If you order an entrée, you have access to the salad bar which includes their delicious vegetable soup and hummus. The entrée to get is Chengeh. Hands down. Get half dill and half white rice to see which you like better. The lamb kabob is another fine choice but I am never disappointed by the chengeh. Now why only 3 stars? The service is pretty inconsistent. The waiters have a high turnover so it's very unlikely you'll see the same one twice. As a result you always have a new person unfamiliar with the menu and the restaurant in general. I've had great service at times and absolutely rude service at others. The only drink I've tried was their mojito (don't ask me why I ordered this at middle eastern restaurant). Needless to say it was horrible. I say don't try your luck with the drinks. Go there when you want to have good food. I used to think of it as a good date place as well but I feel it has taken a turn for the worse with this new buffet set up. A lot of families go here and the night I was there in particular, it felt like we were at OCB. Argh. Regardless I will still go here and get take out. Occasionally I will dine in the restaurant. The have free parking +tip across the street. The lot is small and tight. Street parking is ok except on the Fri and Sat because Andersonville is well.....busy.
(3)Sarah F.
Reza's has a wonderful lunch buffet from 11am-3pm daily. It is really well priced and they have a wonderful selection of foods. They usually have salad, hummus, salmon, shish kabob and more. The setting is pretty classy.
(4)Joanna B.
I was here last night for a birthday party of about 16 people and it was great. Falafel, pita and hummus, radishes and feta (tasty!), salad, soup, lamb, beef and chicken kabobs, rice and desserts. I'd never been here before and I was pleasantly suprised. I got all my favorite Middle Eastern foods and it was a very lovely evening.
(5)Benjamin B.
food is good, service is lacking. went for a birthday dinner, we were seated in the back, where after about 10 minutes after i had been seated no one came to help us. i had to hail the server to get him to come by. food is top notch, but service sucked, after i got my meal the server never came by again. is it a middle-eastern thing? i noticed that bigger groups were waited on hand and foot... maybe go there with a larger group?
(3)Kitty H.
Nice food, but not as great as I had hoped for. The service was pretty slow. This would be a good place to order takeout from.
(3)Samantha T.
This past Sunday I went there for Brunch and it was the best brunch I have had to date!! For $20 it was an open buffet with your choice of a complimentry glass of champagne or sangria. My friend and I both had the sangria it was perfect. The buffet had everything for everyone. Everything was so fresh and constantly being restocked ; hummus, falafel, dill rice, pita bread with light parmesan cheese, chicken, lamb, salmon, soups, cucumber sauce, vegetarian rice, 2 salads, pasteries, fruit, omelete specials, and much more. My friend and I were in a frenzy of what to put on our plate next. You really get a bang for your buck with a wonderful atmosphere, beyond friendly staff, and out door seating. Next time I am in Andersonville for brunch there is no question where I will be going.
(4)Laura P.
I always enjoy the food here (falafel, chicken kabobs, hummus), but the service is always lacking. I took some friends here the other night and they were immediately impressed with the beauty of the exposed brick dining room, and the food was good as always. We were all disappointed in getting one drink refill in the hour and a half we were there.
(3)Paul David W.
This is an bsolutely reliable place for good Middle Eastern food. It's a lot more expensive than a couple of other places that deliver to Rogers Park (Big Buns and Pita & Habibi) but it's a much better place to go if you're eating in. Their lamb shank is to die for! I like the huge portions even if their dill rice is a bit overrated.
(3)Jennifer L.
Good food, excellent sangria, pleasant atmosphere. I was last here for a going away party for a coworker and it was excellent once again - this is a great place for groups because they have the room to accomodate you and you're not squished. I also love to order from Rezas - they give you so much food!
(4)Stephen S.
The food here is pretty good, but considering the price I'd look elsewhere.
(3)Zed D.
Amazing place. A must for anyone visiting Chicago. A bit pricey though.
(5)Sarah B.
From the loft-like interior (think brick and wood) to the overflowing menu, this restaurant nears the top of my favorites list. I've celebrated birthdays here, graduations, new jobs, etc. The food is plentiful and priced well. A fair wine selection tops off your options. Vegetarian combos are delicious--but if you have food allergies, some of the sauces may contain nuts. Best value: lamb shank. Under $11, huge and so tender, it "literally falls off the bone." (see Michael Chirarelli--I've heard that line from him more times than I can count!) Bathrooms are so-so, but clean. Service is also so-so.
(4)Jill D.
This place gets my all-time award of all awards for The Place I Hate the Most!!! I hate it for the following reasons: 1. I am treated worse because I am a woman when I am there as compared to how men are treated there. 2. If you order a drink, the waiters look at you like you are a sinner. I have had these same complaints all the times I have been there--which is about 8. (Unfortunately I was unable to avoid going here or else I would have!)
(1)Kathleen P.
I love this place! I don't get to the neighborhood that often, but when I do, I love to have a great Persian meal. I was delighted to find out about the lunch buffet. It's a really nice selection- something for every palate. Cold salmon, Kababs of every kind, chicken, rice dishes, soups and dessert. And it's always fun to browse through the Middle Eastern store right across the street. They have every thing from spices to tea sets & a nice selection of honey, along with some great gourmet items.
(5)matt k.
Reza's rips. Ask for the 'special' rice. It is not on the menu, but they have it. A tad bit overpriced, but you get what you pay for.
(4)Bee B.
Reza's is a solid 3 in my book...I may have given it a 4 in the past, but I had some pretty bad service the last time I was there....We felt rushed and (WORST of all) we were served our carafe of sangria with no ice in our glasses...this is quite the travesty, as the sangria is generally quite solid and a plus point for Reza's. That being said, here are some good things about Reza's - - Sangria - It's HUGE and you can almost always get a seat right away or with minimal waiting. This includes parties of 8 on a saturday night. This feature makes Reza's a good backup when you are hungry and have just called 3 places which each have an hour and 15 minute wait. -The veggie samplers are delicious. Some of the highlights include: Shami, which is basically falafel balls in a sweet pomegranate sauce, Baba Gannouj, and Baba's cousin - a warm eggplant dish with curds and whey (i can't remember what it's called, but it's tasty), and Dolma, grapeleaves stuffed with rice. -The menu is very large and pretty much everyone, vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores alike, can all find something to eat.
(3)steve c.
I once loved Rezas. Now Reza's is overrated. I have found there are way better restaurant's serving way better food in Chicago. The food can be good on one day and bad on another. The ambiance is nice. It is pricey and parking can be a pain.
(3)Ila L.
The entrees were fine, but just fine. The ambiance is ok. The complimentary buffet that comes with all entrees is...well, a buffet first of all and secondly it isn't very good (the falafel was hours old). Not horrible but certainly not a destination.
(2)Gina D.
The food here is great and so is the atmosphere. I love coming here for lunch in the summer and sitting by there floor to ceiling windows that they open up to the street side. The buffet is a great way to taste all that is on their menu and is also very affordable. Aside from that, their lentil soup is the best that I've ever had.
(4)sandra o.
Two friends and I went to Rezas yesterday in the evening. We had a great time there. The service was excellent. My one friend did not arrive until an hour after we did. We apologized for the hold up. The staff was great. They said, "no problem." We found the staff to be friendly. The owner came to our table to ask us how things were going. We remained in the restaurant about three hours. We did not feel pressured to hurry up and leave. We all had the buffet which contained a variety of foods. I am an occasional meat eater. My friends were raving over how great the lamb was, so I tried. It was great. We all enjoyed the falafel, hummus, the saffron rice, the green salad and the rest of the buffet. I will definitely be going back occasionally. I cannot afford to often spend $16.95 + to eat out. The ambience was nice.
(4)Rox P.
ok, i am going to go out on a limb here and say i am probably the most qualified person to write a review for this place. i have been going to this location since it opened, back in the early 80s. while all the cool kids had their birthday parties at mcdonalds, i was having mine at reza's. lamb koubideh, anyone? at some point i stopped asking (back then, the all iranian, male waitstaff) for hot dogs, and started enjoying the authentic persian cuisine. come on, who doesn't love a kabob. but obviously things have changed. reza's is no longer a hole in the wall, one location, diamond in the rough. now they have several locations (even in a holiday inn in oakbrook--yikes); they cater to a much larger group, reeling you in with their mediterranean and vegetarian cuisines; and their prices have literally skyrocketed while the portions have slimmed down. back then you could walk in, sit down at the table, order enough entrees for a family of four, and get by without spending more than 30 bucks, tip included. today, you are lucky if you get two meals for that. the soup they give you as soon as you sit down--that used to come in a much larger bowl. the feta cheese and radish combo--that used to be COMPLIMENTARY, and the flat bread--well that used to be an endless basket of hot pita bread. if you are like me and enjoy meat any chance the opportunity arrises, you are going to order from the steak/kabob/chicken part of the menu. the sultani (half steak kabob, and half ground beef kabob) is a must. the koubideh, chengeh, and the shishleek are all good options depending on your beef preference. it probably has to be mentioned, that one of the main ingredients in preparing persian food is the onion. so get ready to taste whatever you eat tonight, tomorrow morning. the vegetarian platters are also a must. it also seems the biggest bang for your buck. you get the dolmeh, the tabouli, baba ghannouj, and about 6 other options. remember, a true iranian does not order the garden salad for an appetizer. you're going to see us with some kind of eggplant item smothered in a yogurt or tahini sauce. and now, for dessert. the bamieh is the only iranian pastry on the menu. it looks a little bit like a hot dog and a little bit like an eclair and it tastes like a syrup-y, damp, flaky donut. i still don't know what to make of the bamieh except that it's 1.75 and that's probably still too much for it. i suppose you could order the chocolate cake. it might help dispel that onion taste that has now taken root in your taste buds. up to you. so, to conclude. reza's--less like a diamond in the rough and more like a chain restaurant. you can still order excellent food, but the prices are outrageous for the portions, so maybe stop next door to andies for a little cheaper version of basically the same thing.
(3)Jill k.
considering the sheer amount of food one gets here, this place is a bargain, at about $15 an entree. the entrees are huge though, with enough sides for at least two people. i had the lamb kabobs with the persian salad, which were perfect. lovely place, friendly service; i would certainly return!
(5)Mike P.
One of my friends told me about Reza's while looking to get something to eat. My experiences so far with them have been great. I usually come for the lamb chops (outstanding!), but also try the salmon and scallops. Their dill rice is a must! The pita bread/feta cheese platter and lentil soup is a meal in itself. To top that off, service is usually very good. It does get crowded in there on the weekends, but they have plenty of space to accommodate that. But as long as I have my sangria (which they make so well)--it's all good!
(4)Chanita S.
I normally wouldn't say this, but YUCK! When I was apartment hunting around Andersonville, I decided to check this place out to see what kind of places I'd be getting myself into. This place looked pretty cool from the outside, and to be honest it wasn't so bad inside as well. However, food was terrible. There were some cool paintings dispalyed on the wall for sale for way overpriced. They're nice to look at, but I wouldn't spend that much on them. I ordered a steak dish which felt like it was frozen or premade way earlier during the day, and all they did was rewarmed it. I could be wrong, but that's what it tasted like. There was an unlimited soup and salad bar that came with the deal. Sounds exciting, right? Think again. I only filled up once because it was that bad. Server was nice. I was there in the winter and I had to keep my jacket on because it was frigid in there. I know they have a downtown location that I'm definitely not checking out. I'm no expert when it comes to Mediterranean food, but I know it wasn't made right. Spent $50 on 2 people....never again.
(1)Bambi B.
You can count on Rezas for a moderately priced meal in a nice atmosphere. I like the shrimp and the duck, but find both the turkey and the beef to be unpredictable. But it's a nice date place.
(4)Manj B.
Went there with a big group of friends (about 16 people) and the service was great. The food was good too, portions huge, but nothing special. I was expecting more from what I had heard from others about it. But I'll give it another try before I completely decide.
(3)Crafty K.
I'd say this restaurant is pretty good...not fabulous. It's great in the warmer months to sit by the open doors. It's a great place to eat when you have a large group because there is plenty of seating. The food is good, you get a lot and the service is good. I'd say, however, if you're looking for better versions of these items go to Noon O' Kabob on Kedzie.
(3)John S.
Really good food, and fast delivery. We got lamb and chicken cabobs, and Reza's potatos. Done it twice. With the dill rice. Very good stuff.
(4)PJ K.
Not the world's most wonderful restaurant, but an excellent "all-purpose" place -- the dining room is nice enough for dinner with a date but casual enough to drop by late at night. A bit expensive for casual dining, but the portions are big enough that you can split an entree two ways. They deliver to a huge area at all manner of bizarre hours. The menu is varied enough to accomidate vegetarians, vegans, hard-core carnivores, and even really picky eaters.
(4)Marc M.
Cant trust a Mediterranean restaurant that doesn't have good lamb. Ive had 3 different lamb dishes there all have been sub par. Andies is a much better option and right next door. I gave 2 stars as all my vegetarian friends seem to like Rezas better than Andies. So if you are a veggie you have better choices here i believe
(2)Norman K.
One of my favorite places to eat. The food is always great and the portions (although not as large as they used to be) are plentiful. The steak filet (chengh?) is always good, but I really love the ground chicken and the steak (kaefta). The rice is awesome, and the mushroom appetizer is to die for (save the sauce to put on your rice). Service can be a bit slow when they're busy but that is to expected.
(5)John F.
Very good Persian food with a large variety of kebab choices and combos and enough vegetarian stuff to keep vegetarians happy. A bit cheaper and simpler than neighboring Andie's and as it is Persian it has some dishes that do not appear in Arabic cuisine, like fessanjan. As you notice, however, I am only giving it three stars. The reason is that I've heard bad things about this places sanitary practices and food sourcing from two distinct parties who do not know one another. I have been back since then, but am always a bit hesitant. I don't want to libel anyone, but when you hear the same things twice it makes you suspicious.
(3)D L.
first of all, i'm rating the Andersonville location. not sure why, but the food is consistently better here than the downtown location. I love their Lamb Shank and dill rice. So tasty. And the portions are very generous. I never leave hungry. The kebabs are great as well. Great for groups, and reasonably priced.
(4)Linda S.
I heart their lamb shank -- literally "falling off the bone" tender. Yum! There is one dish that I don't recommend here, which is the fessenjan with cornish hen. On the menu it is marked as "Superb" but the presentation was quite disappointing and the pomegranate sauce was too sweet. Other favorites include their baba ghannouj, grilled potatoes, and their kabob koubideh. On evenings when the weather permits, they open up their french doors to create an ambience for romantic dining.
(4)Ebru Y.
I used to go to Reza's at least once a week back when I used to work in Andersonville. The food here is absolutely amazing. There is so much flavor that you can't just pick out which one is the best. The meat is so delicious you want to go back for more. It literally crumbles in your mouth.I say go back because they have open buffet style lunch or you can also just have your order taken by a waiter. I also really like the bread here, I am not sure if it's Iranian bread? The prices are very reasonable and service is super fast and friendly.
(5)Halisa V.
I love this place!!! The buffet on the weekdays are amazing. The Kabob meat is tender and juicy and our server was always nice (every time we went). I would go here anytime!
(5)Justin E.
I was here back in July, during a nice cool spell in Chicagoland. My father and I were walking around downtown when we happened to stop in the Tourist Info Office and asked about good exotic cuisine in the area. He recommended this place and an Indian restaurant called Kashmir in our hotel. We decided on Reza's and got to walking. Though the restaurant could not have been more slow - literally I read a bunch of reviews about this, and it was sooo true - the food made up for the wait. If I hadn't been worried about walking all the way back to the hotel, I probably wouldn't even have minded the wait. The food was incredible, I had the koubideh and my father had the same. We sampled the free appetizer buffet, which they kindly recommended in lieu of ordering appetizers. Everything in the buffet was incredible, from the falafel to the pita to the soups (lentil soup is amazing). Try this place, you will love the atmosphere and the food, just clear your schedule.
(4)Kari S.
I have been here for lunch several times, and I have mixed feelings. I am not a buffet person, but it seems to be the only option when coming here. Its quite pricey for lunch, but there are a lot of food choices- Hummus, mixed vegetables, soup, salad, falafel, chicken and beef kebobs, salmon, etc. I think I would like it better as a dinner spot and without the luring buffet. Staff is friendly and attentive and its very clean. Would be a great spot for a large party. I believe there are private rooms available.
(3)Issa K.
I went here with some friends, Now the food was good it was not the best medditerainian food, but good enough too write home about. The interior was nice though definetely somewhere to take a date too but not a food critic. The prices were fairly reasonable, the food was made family style, and for about two people. I had the chicken and lamb kakbobs, with the rice which were good but still I reiterate not great. Theres also a private parking lot for the patrons of rezas ducked away in a little hole in the wall but still its FREE parking who cares what it looks like the only reason I did not give this place four stars was becuase the service was a little slow adn after they brought us our food they did not check on us for like 25 min. otherwise they would have been a 4-5 star restuarant oh well just stay on your feet becuase these guys wont be!!
(3)Elizabeth C.
Good food, very busy restraunt. It cracked me up when a friend ordered a martini and asked if they had any sort of suffed olives. The server said "yes, they're stuffed with those red things."
(3)Amanda G.
A Persian friend brought me here and it was fabulous. I'm far from an expert on Persian food, but I'll go back. Big portions in a big restaurant. YUM.
(4)Dr. N.
Divine shami. The food here is very good, but the problem is that it is overpriced. I thought the buffet would increase my value, but some of the items were under the places usual standards. Andies is a better value and has yummier rice . But Rezas shami - sort of like falafil patties with a rich pomegranite walnut sauce is absolutely delectable. The meats are well flavored and tender. The sangria is too good - hire a cab or get a designated driver.
(3)Rachel R.
I ate at Reza's in 1997 and I still dream about the fantastic grilled potatoes and the humus. I am not a connesieur of Persian food, but I would never visit Chicago without dining at Reza's.
(5)Mary C.
Reza's offers great food, good service and lots of variety. The inside decor is kind of cold, but when I am being served great food who cares about the decoration! It's a bit pricey, but you always get large portions and plenty of extras. I like their Sunday buffet, which has an ungodly amount of food on it. Kudos to them for being open late as well!
(4)Arjun C.
I have never had a bad meal here. I have also never been able to eat more than 1/4 of what was on my plate. So keeping the doggy bag aspect in mind, this price is right. This stuff also keeps reasonably well in the fridge. But here's the thing: has anything here ever tasted REALLY good? That is, better than something from the falafel stand at the mall, or a little dump like "The Nile" in Hyde Park? There I'm not so sure.
(4)a w.
This is an awesome mediterranean restraunt. They have really tasty food and an awesome restraunt. You will really enjoy the food and atmosphere at this restraunt. The service is great and the portions are big -- don't miss this one!
(5)nicole r.
How can you not like this place? It's big enough that you hardly ever have a wait, and the food is always delicious. The menu is ginormous, so everyone should be able to find something. Took the rents there and they even liked it. Dill rice rules!
(4)Jaclyn C.
I've eaten here with my family and boyfriend. It's an Andersonville staple, and has a wide range of food and large portions at prices you'd expect.
(4)Jay K.
This place has been reviewed to death, but it is my favorite Mediterranean restaurant so far. I'm obsessed w/ kefta-kabob. A great value for the weekday buffet at $10. I always crave this place post-call as it's the only time I can make it on a weekday for lunch. I always like their stews and the "filet mignon" kabob (come on, is it really filet mignon?) are pretty good dishes; I just hope it isn't really filet mignon, b/c the well-doneness to which they cook their filet mignon kabob is a travesty and really a waste of good meat to treat it thusly. The cold salmon never really looks that appetizing. Mushrooms are extremelly greasy (although supposedly a trademark dish of their's). I enjoy their hummus and baba ganouj. The tomato-sauce vegetable rice is very tasty as well. This place is worth patronizing time and again. Strangely enough the Swedish joints in the neighborhood don't seem as friendly; First time I walked into a bunch of them I received a palpable cold shoulder.
(4)Mary L.
went to reza's last nite for dinner and had a great experience. the service started out kind of slow but then got much better. we had falafel for our appetizer and it was so yummy! then we got our soups which were also very good (we had vegetable and chicken soup) and for our entree i had lamb kebobs and my husband had lamb loin chops. they were awesome! the portions were huge! we ended up taking some home. we (i) decided that we should get dessert so we tried the raspberry cheesecake and it was probably the best cheesecake i have ever had! overall it was a great experience. i highly recommend and will definitely be back!
(5)Rory G.
Okay first off I am biased, I've been coming to this restaurant since I was 7, and my family knows the owner. I am still trying to be a fair judge here hence why the 4 stars. The food is very good, the service acceptable, and the commercials horrible. The plates of food are enormous but so are the bills considering that half the plate is dill rice - being Asian I don't complain. Sitting outside during the summer really brings this place up a notch but there are only about 5 tables out there. Maybe it's the whole effect of being a kid and you think that your backyard looks like the size of Soldier field, that Now or Laters were the ambrosia of the Gods and that on your Big Wheel you were indestructible; but the food is not of the same caliber it used to be. Maybe I'm the jaded adult who can never go back to his childhood but I would give anything to go back to the days when there was only one Reza's and not three, the owner made the rounds and there was enough food on your plate to last for breakfast, lunch and dinner but it only lasted the night since you took the big plate to be a challenge...
(4)Mark P.
Excellent lunch buffet with kebabs, falafel, and other Middle Eastern standards.
(3)H M.
This has the best mediteranean food! They have the best kabobs and give you plenty of food. When you order anything, you will get soup, bread, feta cheese and garnishes as an appetizer. Also, each kabob comes with a plateful of meat, rice, and veggies. It is very big so you don't normally have to wait too long. It is also reasonably priced and you don't have to wait forever for your food. I am Armenian and I have been eating that type of food since I was little. It does not compare to any other place. They have a very large variety to choose from so you cannot go wrong. They also deliver, even in the suburbs. We cater from their for big events all the time. I highly recommend you check this place out.
(5)Stephanie M.
I've been going here since I was like 12 or 13. Sadly the quality isnt as good as it used to be but it is STILL good. The best thing here is the lamb shank. It is tender and falls off the bone. You will be so full eating here...u start out with pita and radishes , parsley, feta, you get soup, then the main entree. Lots of rice comes with it. This place delivers too.
(4)Maria W.
We hadn't gone to Reza's for a while because we had been regular take-out customers up to about a year ago, but then, it started to go downhill. Anyway, we've dined here twice in the past few weeks and the food was excellent, fresh, and delicious. The wines by the bottle are reasonably priced and so are the beers. Delicious kabobs and lamb shank.
(4)Ellen M.
This is my favorite Reza's. I found out they opened one in Oakbrook recently, but I don't think I'll try it. I like the Andersonville neighborhood, and I associate this place with it. The food is good middle eastern, and they serve a mean lamb. The servers practically dote on you, it's a great feeling.
(4)Mikaela S.
First of all, I am a server. So when service is not that great, I really REALLY try to give the server the benefit of the doubt. We went to Reza's on a busy Saturday night. I feel like that can not be an excuse, however, as that is part of the job. When we sat down, we waited for 10 minutes before our server showed. When he finally did show, he was not very apologetic. He took our order immediately, without even looking at my fiance. Eye contact is part of what makes the dining experience. It makes the customer feel welcome. When we got our Falafels, they were cold, not even midly warm, but cold. Then we got our food, which was ok. Our server had forgotten our Diet Cokes, so I asked the busser to get one, and he was very friendly. Then I asked our server for more water. He came back, filled up my water, then slammed the pitcher down and said " Here, in case you want more." and left it sitting there, in our way, right in the middle of us. That was when I got pissed. I would NEVER EVER recomend this place to anyone. I have gone to Andies before and LOVED it. We payed WAY too much for our terribel experience at Reza's. I went against my better judgement, but you can't blame me for wanting to try something new I guess...
(1)Jennifer T.
I used to think Reza's was a 4 star good restaurant but the meal was only so-so, the service was just ok and worst of all - it was dirty! We had to ask to have the paper table cloth changed, were given a dirty napkin wrapped around our silverware and the whole place rang of run-down, not well-kept. I hope they get it back together!
(2)Jordan B.
I've been to Reza's three times. The first two times were disappointing. I thought the food I was served was just not that good. The meat was dry and the falafel was brick hard and horribly overseasoned. The third experience, had it been my only, would have earned Reza's five stars from me. I had some mushrooms that blew my mind away as did the Dolmeh Felfel. I think I'm going to give Reza's another shot myself based on that most recent experience.
(4)Allen R.
What a let-down! We walked in to find three people standing at the maitre'd counter, all laughing amongst themselves -- they didn't even notice us until after several awkward seconds. The restaurant was chilly, and had its ceiling fans running, despite the 30 degree temperature outside. The menu was lengthy and indecipherable in places (think: trashy Mexican restaurant with dried salsa on some of the menu pages). They had no by-the-glass wine list to speak of, despite having a separate wine list -- I ordered Merlot of unknown vintage; it was drinkable. Not fantastic, but drinkable. The tomato lentil soup was Campbell's tomato soup with lentils and about sixteen tablespoons of dried basil and oregano stirred in: weak and overdone. The kabobs, though moist, were not 'on the stick', as any American wants it, and the oddly-shaped mound of couscous was dry and unpalatable. There were no other kabob-style vegetables in either of our dishes, but there was a good-tasting sauce made almost entirely of mushroom stems. Highlights: Delicious, fresh-from-the-oven afghan-style bread. Staring at cute guys walking along Clark St. Given its location, I thought I was going to a fresh take on middle eastern cuisine, and ended up eating at something much more low brow. Unless you're absolutely dying for Middle Eastern food and can't find a good Indian place to eat at, eat elsewhere.
(2)BRIAN M.
I have been here many times by myself and with friends. They have very good food. This is a Family Style restaurant and on weekends there are lots of people. I love the Chicken Kabobs, the dill rice, and the 3 appetizers tray. I can't remember how many times I have been here. But the first time many years ago the service was great, it and still is. I can reccomend this restaurant if you wanna try something different. DJ LOVE
(4)Aesha W.
This place has great chicken! I've only had two items here, both chicken - one included ground chicken, however, which looked less than appetizing to me. The Reza's Special Chicken tastes fantastic, and my friend loves the entrees he's received, too. Between the two locations, they seem to deliver to half the city. The rice wasn't bad, but it was a little bland; I do like the potatoes. Since we found this place, we've ordered several times, and I'm sure it will remain part of our regular rotation! EDIT: I had to drop this place a star. The last two times we have ordered from them, they've messed up the order and it had to be sent back. When ordering, I asked for no tomato and repeated it, saying it was VERY IMPORTANT that there was no tomato included in anything. Both times, they left the tomato in. It's annoying that I can't order something the way I want it prepared and trust that it will actually arrive that way; it's even more annoying to have to wait 1 1/2 - 2 hours for your meal because the person on the phone can't take it down correctly. Edit 4/30/08: It's been at least four weeks since I've ordered from them, because of repeated problems with the order placed. I've dropped them to one star (originally 4, dropped to 3, now again) because of my disappointment in the restaurant. The last 6 times we've ordered from them, our order has been sent back 4 times. This evening, when I made it very clear to the woman I spoke with that there was to be no tomato in anything - telling her that this was extremely important, and that if there was tomato the order would be returned - I thought the problem was solved. Imagine my surprise when, while checking the items that were delivered, I found tomato in both entrees. The delivery driver kept insisting that I could just take the tomato out, but I believe that if I ordered it a particular way, that's what I should get (especially when food allergies are involved). I don't know if we'll ever order from Reza's again, and if so, I know it won't be for a long time.
(1)Ann Y.
An update- While the service has gone down over the years and the quality is not where it used to be, I did go recently for the saturday brunch and was happy. There was a lot of options such as chicken and beef kefta, the lentil soup, pita, chicken breast and desert. Also, our server was great this time around. In the past though I have had some really bad service and they have messed my order up.
(3)Patty V.
I have had several meals here and it has always been good. I like the lunch buffet,so much to choose from. I can't say I have ever had a bad meal here. I can't say I've ever had a stellar meal,either. Good food, great prices and a huge selection. If you can't find something to eat here,you are in trouble.There are many Middle Eastern places to eat at in Andersonville and nearby. This is one of the nicer ones, as far as atmosphere goes.
(4)B M.
Reza's has a very healthy & tasty menu . Everything is grilled and less oily. I love their quail,salmon, shrimp and dill rice.
(5)Gemini G.
Vegetarian alert! Vegetarian alert! You must, must, must try the vegetarian shami! You'll find it under Vegetarian Appetizers with a description that righteously includes the phrase 'savory patties.' But keep reading until you get to the part with 'delicious sweet and sour pomegranate sauce.' For $4.95, you get 3 patties that are minced green veggies coated with chickpea, so they're kind of like falafels. But the important part is the sauce, which is really more the consistency of a paste, similar to hoisin sauce, and so very exotic, fresh and tasty. Delish! We ordered one order of the shami, one vegetarian sampler, and one order of the bamieh for dessert (a light puffy pastry in some kind of syrup that was wonderful), and my husband and I could not finish it all. Everything was great; the only reason I'm dinging them a star is the steamed string beans that came with the sampler: they were very tough and chewy in texture, although the tomato sauce that came with them had great flavor. We ordered delivery from the Andersonville location, and we would highly recommend them for vegetarians!
(4)Danielle C.
If you are hungry for a fantastic and huge brunch, go to REZAs! They have an amazing array of tasty foods! You start your feast with a glass of champagne, and can begin with fruit, shrimp, salmon, bagels, an omelet prepared by a chef, or dive into the real stuff! They have falafel, tahini sauce, an array of Mediterranean salads, Hummus to die for (I slather it over everthing) , grilled mushrooms, stuffed grape leaves, grilled potatoes, mustaccoli, white rice, dill rice, chicken kabobs, fillet minion kabobs, beef kabobs, lamb shank, mashed potatoes and more. Plus they have desserts including baklava (not too great and others). And before you ask, yes, this is from memory!! I love this grazing FEAST!! This is a meal to celebrate any event, catch up with any group of friends, and beat any hang over. It has something for everyone!! I have brought my 2 yrold niece here often, she loves the variety of foods, we can keep her happy for quite awhile here! The price is @ 25 per person! It is an awesome deal. Oh, you can also order most of the things avaliable for the buffet for dinner or lunch, so it is a great way to try new foods or to figure out what you like!
(5)Adam S.
I've ordered delivery twice now from Reza's. The first time the delivery was a half hour late with cold food. The 2nd time they never even showed up. I called after waiting over an hour and they said the guy was out to deliver to my address right then. He never showed up. I call again a half hour later, and they say they never got my order. What a mess. I won't be ordering from them again. There are too many other good restaurants in this city to put up with this kind of incompetence.
(2)Elyse G.
I ate a Reza's for the first time last night and was very happy with my meal. I rarely order scallops in Chicago especially not a top-notch restaurant, but I couldn't resist since the woman next to me had them as well. I ordered the scallop and shrimp kebab which was fabulous. I asked for the cous-cous rather than the rice and that was a treat. My husband had the lamb and shrimp with white rice, fragrant but boring! Two others we were with both ordered different kebabs but "mediterranian style." The "sauce" was good for my taste but perfect for them. It was too sweet and buttery for me but it wasn't bad. Just want to say great dinner, decent service and good atmosphere! **4 stars only because It's not my favorite restaurant in Chicago!
(4)rebecca g.
the delectable vegetarian shami (falafel in pomegranate sauce) is my only reason to go here. otherwise, I find Reza's very overpriced, so-so, and lacking a variety of quality options for vegetarians who can't eat their weight in hummus and baba ghannouj. to be fair, the starters are nice (lots of salty feta, radishes, pita, and tomato-dill soup) and the entrees are huge--but how much dill rice and plain grilled veggies can one person eat? i'm not a fan of their taboule (ho-hum), or their hummus or baba (really bitter and weird aftertaste), so unless i order meat i always feel cheated. $15 for a vegetarian sampler is ridiculous, when there are so many comparable middle eastern restaurants within walking distance. the meat dishes, though more exciting, are still pretty darned pricy and i usually leave feeling ripped off.
(3)Rachelle G.
I have been coming here for a few years on and off and went back again last night. I like Reza's because they are roomy enough to take large parties on Friday nights. We had no problems with getting a table for eight immediately upon entering. The food is good, not the best, but enjoyable enough. I think it lacks a bit of seasoning. A few in my party asked for hot sauce and were pleasantly surprised at how spicy it was, they are used to restaurants having tame sauces. The portions are huge, I believe most dishes are accompanied by a plateful of rice. The staff is accommodating, but there are times where they tend to just hover in groups together. Overall, a good place to check out if you've never been. In a great neighborhood where you can do a bit of walking after your meal.
(4)Shawn J.
My first tie here, and it was pretty good! I am partial to Sultans Market in wicker, so had high expectations, with that said - Rezas met them pretty well! Sat outside, staff was freindly and attentive! Food was decetly priced and generous portions! Falafel was darn good along with the dill rice, stuffed peppers, and tomato lentil soup. Every entree gives you access to a small salad bar. Wasn't a fan of the taboulee, and I have had better pita bread, but this alone wasn't enough to keep me from going back!
(4)Kristen M.
I have been to Reza's several times, and always thought it was very tasty, though slightly overpriced. I've even brought out of town guests there. I hadn't been there in about 3 years and was very excited to go back yesterday. It was awful from the start. There was hardly anyone in the place, and we had a reservation for 7 people. The host seemed annoyed, I think even rolled his eyes as he sat my fiance and I, the first 2 to arrive for our group. I don't remember them not having air conditioning, but they didn't have it and it was over 80 degrees all day yesterday. No one came by to offer us a drink for over 15 minutes. I guess they were waiting until the other members of our party showed. The service was terrible the whole way through. I asked for a glass for the one bottle of wine we ordered. After 15 minutes, another member of my party got it from a busboy. It took over 2 hours from when everyone got there until we left, and this was without appetizers or dessert. And we were one of the only tables in the place! The food was not nearly as good as I remember. Both my fiance and I received different items on our plate than what we ordered. (We both ordered dill rice, I got couscous with fruit and he got white rice.) My couscous was hard and dry, as though it had either been severely overcooked or severely undercooked. The highlight of the evening came when I was eating my stuffed pepper, which truly was good, and something sharp stabbed me in the gums. I spit it out to find an inch and a half long metal shard. When we informed the staff, their response was. Oh. Well, do you want another dinner. No apology, no credit on our $200 bill, no dessert or drink for everyone, just another dinner that is now sitting untouched in my refrigerator. At least this one has dill rice.
(1)Carol H.
The food is healthy and fantastic, of course, but overly expensive for this neighborhood. Lately, they seem to have a problem turning on enough air conditioning in the main diningroom. They leave the doors in the front open in the summer, so the hot air comes into the room. I generally ask to be seated on the side street, where it's cooler. If you just want a quick healthy lunch in this neighborhood, I recommend "A Taste of Lebanon" 2 blocks south on the corner of Clark and Foster Avenue. They sell lentil soup as good as Rezas for just $2.99 and chicken charwama for around $3.99.
(4)Rachel S.
How this place didn't have a higher rating is what made me write a review. What is not to love about this place?! I love the Reza's special chicken with the dill rice and the AMAZING pita bread. Yum! My sister even had her rehearsal dinner there - well at the one downtown, but same thing.
(5)Kate H.
My favorite Mediterranean restaurant. The Fessenjan chicken with pomegranate sauce and dill rice is delightful. The hummus is great. The White Fish Persian Style was also quite good. Huge servings just the prices. The dining room can get quite hot on a warm day. We were seated in an adjacent section on the left and the seats were literally hot. That being said, the atmosphere is usually nice. The service and delivery are fast as well.
(4)Inspector G.
Nice food in a cool atmosphere but the range of flavors is relatively limited. After about 4 trips, you'll be pretty much "Reza'd-out". The grilled mushroom appetizer alone is worth the trip. The all-you-can eat lunch buffet for $10 is a steal. The only catch - it's always the same thing. Private parking lot available across Clark Street.
(3)jackie m.
I always neglect to review Reza's, not sure why since it's earned 5 stars from me. I cant comment on the inside dining experience since Ive always had delivery when I worked about a few blocks away. I've always ordered the lamb chops and rice w/ pita bread. Let me say DELICIOUS!!! I look forward to sitting inside the restaurant one day...if I can find a date or a friend willing to try mediteranean food. lol.
(5)Norbert W.
good persian restaurant. outside is a little dicey. but can be fun. good mediterranean/persian selections. (not as good as homemade if you have Iranian friends) service can be hit or miss. give it a go. better than other restaurants in this class.
(3)Mike Y.
I have eaten here many times over the years. The food is good and cheap, but not exceptional. Usually it is one of my friends that has to have Reza's and then we go. This is a place to go for good inexpensive food, but I prefer Lebanese.
(3)Jef B.
One of our mainstays for Middle Eastern food, and we generally get a table quickly whenever we go so that's a plus. They have some work to do on service. Our waiter forgot our appetizer on the last visit. The service was overall a bit slow. My entree was no longer hot. I think the lackluster service is what knocks this back to 3 stars for us. Hopefully they read the reviews and will focus some attention on this.
(3)Elizabeth K.
So, thanks to the city of Chicago smackdown, Andersonville has taken a turn for the dog-unfriendly. The waiter at Andie's told us that they couldn't let people eat on the patio with dogs anymore because they got cited, and all the water dishes got taken up from outside. And yet Reza's still let us eat there with our pooch, offered us some fresh water for her, and were genuinely nice to us. We had one of their sampler plates, lots of yummy vegetarian food for a fair price. We liked the food so much, we ate it again at Midsommer fest a couple of weeks ago. Great dill rice!
(4)Jacqueline S.
I went here for the Sunday brunch a few times which includes all the items on their menu. A bit expensive but you get to try everything, have as much as you want, and it is hot and fresh. The few times I just went for dinner the service was very good but I sometimes don't order the greatest dish (usually a special not on their menu). The delivery is good - hot and fast.
(4)April Z.
ive eaten here many times over the years and used to love this place. but the last couple of years they've really gone downhill. the prices have gone up and the food quality and overall taste has gone down. very disappointing so we have stopped going all together, i think we kept going back that last few times thinking it was just an off night, etc. but im tired of overpaying for a lackluster dish. their service has never been good...so nothing's changed there.
(2)tessa c.
The food was amazing! Actually I loved this neighbourhood as a kid because my mom would always take me to Swedish Bakery down the street but today I discovered this place through a friend. Huge portions you definitely get your money's worth. Friendly and prompt waitstaff and we didn't have to worry about refilled water glasses because our server brought us a pitcher. I only give this place 3 stars because at least my food wasn't hot enough and that's a big no no in my book.
(3)P K.
All about the brunch, baby! All you can eat brunch, yum. The food is relatively inexpensive, the service is very friendly, and the interior is pretty cute. There's nothing better than having a brunch here on a nice sunny day by their open windows. I love this place!
(5)Julie S.
By far the best sea bass I have had in a long time. My husband enjoyed his lamb shank very much. The grilled mushroom appetizer that they recommend is excellent, if you like mushrooms and the hummus w/ sesame bread was standard - just OK. The wine list had some good and very cheap (quality) wines that were way overpriced. Go with the by the glass option or just stick to reasonably priced beers. Our waitress gave good recommendations but she was extremely shy & soft spoken. It is a huge place with a very diverse crowd and an overall great dinner experience.
(4)J T.
I don't get it. The one time I've been there, the food was simply mediocre and the service horrid.
(2)catherine t.
I went to Reza's for the first time for a weeknight dinner, and was pleasantly surprised. The service was phenomenal--very friendly, quick, and accommodating. The food was good, and the proportions were gigantic. I'm pretty sure 4 people could have eaten what was on my plate--add to that the buffet with endless falafel, hummus, salad, and soup and you have a downright feast. The tomato lentil soup was very good, as were the falafel and the dill rice. Overall, it was a great experience, and I will definitely be back.
(4)Nando R.
I liked this place somewhat more than my wife did. I like the flavor of their meat shish kabob. I like the fact that unlike most food in America, this isn't overly spicy - but I didn't find it bland. I had a dish with great meat and great plain rice. The service was far from best and the open kitchen made us leave smelling like... well, mediterranean food. Also the portions are indeed big, so unless you eat A LOT, it's a good idea to split.
(3)Christina Z.
Excellent Persian food -- I got the Vegetarian Special, and was delighted with the platter full of colorful, fresh, well-seasoned vegetable dishes. The lentil soup that I had as a starter was also incredibly savory. The dining area is very spacious, so you'll never have trouble finding seating here.
(4)Adam L.
Reza's is home to some amazing mediterranean food. I particularly enjoy the kabob selection and the delicious sea bass. Unfortunately, the food is overpriced, and the waiters are overworked during peak hours and it shows. If you've never tried mediterranean cuisine give Reza's a shot, but don't be disappointed when the bill comes, or when your sever doesn't.
(3)Amanda K.
Reza's is so good!! I have not been to this one, but my work is down the street from the one in the burbs, and it did not dissapoint. I am extremely extremely picky with my middle eastern food, and was definitely impressed. We got the buffet, and the hummus, bhaba ghanuj, and the chicken were so so good. highly recommend this place.
(5)Nicole V.
I've been to Reza's a number of times, but for some reason my experience last night led me to finally write a review. My previous visits to Reza's were always for brunch/buffet/dinner, but last night I went there with a couple of friends for light drinks and appetizers. We requested seating outside along the side of the building and it was a perfect night for it. After ordering a pitcher of red sangria we settled on ordering the vegetarian appetizer platter consisting of dolmeh, falafel, kashkeh bodemjan, hummus,and tabbouli. We also ordered the definitive favorite of the night...maust museer (creamy yogurt, flavored with shallots and dill) along with a chicken and quail kabob. The service initially was a little much. They were trying to push a couple of bottles of wine at us right as we sat down (it felt the the wine must not be selling), but after we were settled in and our order was taken the evening was really enjoyable. Good food, great atmosphere, attentive service and stimulating conversation. We had a great time, didn't break the bank...and there was even a little left over to take home!
(4)Russ S.
Went here tonight with a friend. Overall, we had a great time. I was a bit concerned prior to going because of the serious service issues that have been mentioned by numerous Yelpers....but we didn't experience any problem at all. Service was very attentive, timely, and not overbearing. I should probably mention that we went on a Wednesday night at 7pm, so this wasn't a Friday or Saturday evening rush. The Broiled Salmon I had was excellent and not overcooked. Her Chicken and Filet Kabobs were awesome too. The couscous...well....not good at all. It was totally dry and without flavor or anything to distinguish it. Overall, had a great time.
(4)Chicago F.
So last weekend we had the lunch buffet on Saturday .. it was not very crowded .. after hearing all the reviews I thought I would try Reza's out because I'm super biased towards Noon O Kabab ... The food was ok 2/5 ish ... The 2 stars are for the spread .. there was a lot of variety ... even the quality was not great at all ... i like the kababs at Noon O Kabab much better ... I liked the brunch concept that Reza's has because they give you a glass of champagne too so they are trying to please the general brunch crowd which is gr8! The service was very very bad no1 attended to us .. the only time the waitress smiled was when she came to give us the check HULLO I will come back but not for the buffet
(2)Stella S.
I liked it. We made reservations and went there to celebrate a birthday. Upon requesting a better table, the staff had no problem accommodating my request (the original table was near a noisy part of the restaurant). The staff sang happy birthday and provided a piece of birthday cake for our guest of honor. There is also an area to hang your coats if you wish. The bathroom are located in the basement and are very nice with marble walls and flooring. The bathroom doors were a little tricky to close since they were two doors that you needed to pull together to lock. The drinks were very good - I had a pomegranate drink with vodka that was yummy. The food was delicious. There are many vegetarian options. I loved all the food we had - the grilled veggies, the feta cheese and the mushrooms. Everything was very good. The service was great. The ambiance is very laid back and relaxed. They are offering special rights now too Sunday through Friday (although I can't remember exactly what the specials are - too many pomegranate drinks for me that night).
(4)Lauren M.
Dill rice is SO yummy. Great quality meat/veggies. Big portions, 1 meal will feed 2. We order this a lot at work, they're kind and helpful. Love Reza's!
(4)Matt N.
I unknowingly went on a saturday afternoon for lunch which was a buffet. I don't really like buffets and try to avoid them but this is probably one of the better ones I have ever had. All the food tasted fresh and the humus was sensational. I am not sure if they do a better job with the wine list at dinner but every bottle I wanted was unavailable. If you arrive on the sidewalk from the east notice the poorly utilized storage room at the second floor. I am not sure of the rationale behind a fully transparent storage room that can be seen from the street. Reza: make this a dining room! As we were finishing our meal the waitress warned us that a large party was coming in so if we wanted anything else from the buffet now was the time. Didn't think much of it but I turn around and a tour bus unloads with about 200 very hungry looking people from Michigan. Then another bus unloads!! The line for the buffet now extended out the front door and these were not people who looked like they appreciated waiting for food. Suffice to say, avoid heading to Reza's when the bus pulls up.
(4)Christoph B.
I love this restaurant. The dining rooms are huge with floor to ceiling windows and the building gives off a warm inviting feeling. But it's the food that really shines at Rezas. Everything sounds so good on the menu I never know what to order. Everything I have tried so far has been outstanding. I highly recommend the lamb kabob or the Persian white fish. Add to that a side of dill rice and you've got a winner. The sangria is good, too. Really good.
(5)Lyric S.
I had lunch here today. The buffet with tax was $10.99. It was all you can eat. The falafels were the bomb. NO GREASE. They were fried to perfection without the excess grease. Seriously, I do not think I have ever had better falafels. My waitress was there in a jiffy to keep re-filling my water and that may be because it was dead there, but whatever. The service was great. OK, back to the food.....the persian salad was also the bomb, nice and light, the hummos was also killer. I was super impressed with the falafels. They were so tasty. I'll go back. I think the price could be a little cheaper tho. But then again, I am a cheap skate.
(4)Laurie H.
Of all the great restaurants we could patronize in Andersonville, we picked this one cause my friend had a taste for Mediterranean. I wish I would have talked her out of it. Not only is their menu inside nothing like what is posted on the outside, and the food is mediocre at best, the waitstaff is poorly trained and unattentive and the person that I'll generously call for this review, "manager" could probably single handedly get this restaurant closed in a matter of days. I asked our waiter about AND described a Greek salad that was listed on the outside menu but couldn't find on the menu we were given. I just asked him to let me know if they could make or I'd pick something else. I also specified that we would like water, which he laughed "of course". What transpired next was nothing short of a restaurant nightmare. He left and didn't come back with water or my friend's drink for a while. The "manager" came by to say they can make a Greek Salad, which again I referred him to the sign outside calling it a Mediterranean Salad. He said he understood. Still waiting on water mind you. 15 minutes later (table next to us had their food and came in after us), I left to find our waiter, our water and my friend's wine. Another 15 minutes later and a plate of radish slices and 3 pieces of feta, we asked about my friend's wine and the waiter looked perplexed said "you want wine?" (she'd ordered chardonnary but they were out and then she said just give me pinot grigio, he said "ok") Our appetizer came and he asked me if the "manager" had come by and I said I think we're set. Now I have not been to this restaurant before , I know what have I been under a rock? But what they served as a Greek Salad was astonishing to me, A plate with Feta cheese slices (2) in the middle surrounded with perfect little separate piles of craisins, walnuts, olives and tomatoes. No greens, no dressing, no salad? I told the waiter this isn't what I asked for or described or what you have listed on the menu outside. I asked him to send over the "manager". We waited, and waited and saw that the "manager" was adding up receipts because I guess my refusal of their version of "Mediterranean Salad" wasn't important enough to him. No "I'm sorry, would you like to order something else" or "I'm sorry we/you/we misunderstood" but instead again I'm having to go find the "manager". His answer was "THis is our Mediteranean Salad, this is how we've made it since we opened..." That was it, no more said. He went back to adding, I drank water and watched my friend eat her entree. When we left his answer to us when we said this is probably one of the worst service experiences we've ever had was "menus are subject to change, we've been here 30 years and some customers are just difficult" My answer to this "manager" is don't worry, you wont' be open another year at this rate.
(1)Emily M.
Ok, I'm not a huge fan of Mediterranean dishes but my friend wanted to eat here. I ordered a steak and the waiter, thinking I'm clueless explained to me how a steak was made... Ok thanks. It was a little awkward at first, but the food was so good! Portions were huge!! I left happy!
(4)Mandy M.
best damn lunch buffet ever. theyre nice to me, and my 2 little kids.
(5)Ellen R.
First off, although I am not a vegetarian I find myself ordering only vegetarian stuff at Reza's. Perhaps it is because the veggie options are so good. If you are into Mediterranean style or Middle Eastern style food this is a great place to go. I find it to be affordable, the staff is affable and the food is very good. Noteworthy finds include the falafel balls in pomegranate sauce (forgive me for a have forgotten the name), the green beans in tomato sauce and all of their veggie combo plates. The portions are enormous, definitely enough for two and they are delicious. This location has parking which is always welcomed, it's a beautiful dining area with plenty of seating and good ambiance and I have never had to wait to long to get a table. I admit, however, that I have never been there on a Saturday afternoon with the supposed 'bus tour' crowd. Oh yeah, they just so happen to have the tastiest, best textured pita bread out there. It sure doesn't fare well for my carb sparing diet, especially when they bring it out to the table warm from the oven with a plate full of radishes and great feta cheese... mmm mmm!!! Go ahead indulge!
(4)Toni C.
this place has horrible service. the hostess is snobby. the couple times i tried to make a reservation they DONT greet you, and they pretty much hang up on you once you give them your name and number of guests. i came here a few times. some were good experiences, but a couple were really bad. the food is good but the waiters and waitress are such snobs and jerks!
(1)Cameron H.
very good as always. each time we go, usually early dinner, the food is fresh and consistent. our waitress was pleasant and very attentive. definitely a highly recommendable restaurant.
(4)Carl I.
I would give the place an A on the space - large, airy, and enough room between the tables to navigate easily. Brunching with a friend, I thought that the food was just OK, but with much of it cold, despite the presence of warming dishes, the original flavors were lost. Service was indifferent, and the glacial expressions on the faces of the staff did not make one want to return.
(2)Audrey T.
This is the type of place you go to once a year or maybe once every few years. They have a fairly good selection of fresh foods that are not brought to their full potential. Lamb is done nicely and chicken is done dryly. They also have a specials menu which they will issue you but forget the day of the week and charge you full price if you order off of it. And if you're handicap, good luck getting down the stairs to the basement where the nicely modeled bathrooms are. A beautiful space, and good for large groups, but if you're looking for anything savory or indulgent or worth writing home about, pick another location.
(3)Bobby D.
Not a bad place for falafel & mint rice. The soda with lemon can be a treat too.
(4)John B.
I like Reza's more than I used to. It started out as a reasonably sized restaurant, but slowly ate up all the real estate around it as it grew and grew. I first came here during that expansion, and they obviously weren't prepared for their growth. Now that it's stabilized, the food and service is less erratic. The service generally isn't very good. If it's slow, the servers are all talking with one another. If it's busy, they're running around like crazy. They are all pretty knowledgeable though, so if you have questions, you'll probably get the right answers. In general, stay away from the beef. The ground beef skewers are fine, but any other beef I've ever had here has been overcooked and chewy. The lamb and poultry are generally better options. The lamb shank really is wonderful. They seem to only serve vegetarian dishes as part of various combo plates, which is odd to me, especially for a Persian restaurant. Perhaps they're concerned about American palates. Beware the dreaded dill rice. For years, this is what kept me away from Reza's. An entree would be huge, but that was because it was served on a bed of sickly green, bone dry, nearly tasteless dill rice. They've gotten the dill rice problem under control, but I'm still not a fan. If you can substitute cous cous, by all means do so. Reza's is probably worth more than a 3. I'd give Reza's a 3+ and Andies a 4-, but in this system, they're both 3s.
(3)Teryn C.
I know Reza's and Andie's next door must battle it out nightly for customers but, in my humble opinion drawn from extensive testing (read: eating out) I have to declare Reza's the winner! The best chicken kabobs (they must put crack in the marinade cause you can't stop with one skewer) and the most amazing vegetarian stuffed peppers. The lamb is great as well and I will literally kill you for the dill rice. And the management and staff are friendly and helpful too. I hosted a baby shower at this location recently for about 25 people and it couldn't have been easier to plan. The regular and party menus are both online with prices. Everybody left the party very full and raving about lunch. Baby showers are so dull you have to get thru it somehow...my recommendation: lots of great food and the amazing chocolate chip cake from A Taste of Heaven 2 blocks down on Clark.
(4)Dan M.
I went to Reza's during lunchtime on a weekday and was surprised they had a lunch buffet. Almost everything they had was tasty. The vegetarian rice was delicious with the spicy chicken. All the falafel and hummus you can eat too. For two people the cost was $35 with tip and I think we ate close to that amount considering their regular rates. My only problem was that the waiter seemed not to like that we opted for the buffet instead of ordering off the menu!
(5)Dave S.
I've only been here once, for their famous brunch buffet. It was decent - not great. All of the food was cooked well and full flavored, there was just something odd about the atmosphere of the restaurant. Maybe it was the lack of decorations? I can't pinpoint it. I'll definitely go back, but probably wouldn't suggest it.
(3)William T.
Went there with my wife on a weeknight, around 10pm... the place was almost empty, as if it were closing, but nobody seemed to rush us. All of the food was enjoyable and well seasoned. We didn't order cocktails because we had a gallon of vodka sitting in our freezer at home and were headed there after dinner :) - We did get the iced tea, which was some of the best iced tea I have had in a restaurant. They actually blend and make the tea there in the restaurant. It was a blend with jasmine and also notes of Bergamont orange oil, found in Earl Grey tea. We did the 5 course package #1 ($24.00 a person, which turned out to be a good deal). 3 apps of Baba Ghanouj, Falafel and Baked Herbed Feta. This all came with a large portion of Persian Salad (cucumber, tomato, onion, parsley, lemon juice) and a warm tomato olive oil dish. The Feta was by far our favorite, but how hard is it to enjoy warm feta cheese with herbs on top? sooo... the falafel was well prepared and not dry, which can often be the case, and the underlaying sauce was nice and light. The salad was good and was a nice clean acidic compliment to the other apps, however it needed salt. The Baba Ghanouj was good, but not anything special (far better down the street at Taste of Lebanon). Overall... a good start to the meal and plenty of it. The pita bread was not homemade (Again, far better at Taste of Lebanon), nor was it memorable. The main courses we ordered were quite good and served with a heaping portion of dill rice, white jasmine rice and a bit of saffron rice. Filet Mignon Kabobs were very flavorful, a bit overcooked from the med-rare we ordered, but nothing to complain about. The Chicken Fessanjan was good, not great... had a pomegranate, almond sauce that was a bit overbearing for the simple chicken, well maybe it was the amount of sauce... the chicken could have gone for a swim. The highlight of the entire meal was the Lamb Shank... braised in a tomato based broth that was filled with wonderful flavors and spices... we were actually dipping all of our other food into the lamb's braising liquid. The lamb was extremely tender and juicy and was the only main course dish we finished at the restaurant... the rest we took home. For dessert we had a wonderfully rich walnut baklava which was a perfect end to the food marathon. I only wished I had ordered a cold glass of milk to wash that sucker down... very rich and sweet. Our server, Denis, was honestly the reason I decided to compose this review... he was perfect for the restaurant and was never hovering. It may have been because the restaurant was almost empty... but there was just something lovable about this man. We never ran out of anything or needed anything... all we had to do was talk, eat and drink... I like that. I would actually request him if and when I return. All and all, this is not an out of this world dining experience, but its not supposed to be. I know i mentioned Taste of Lebanon twice in this review... and it was only to compare a few food items... they are totally different experiences and both worth trying. just good food (and a lot of it) at a reasonable price with good service. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would.
(3)Larry B.
Reza's is pleasant but I think a prefer the downtown one more. Maybe for the entertainment. Always liked the sampler plate here. And the salmon with the dill rice is not to be missed. Service is so-so.
(3)Kate H.
My favorite Mediterranean restaurant. The Fessenjan chicken with pomegranate sauce and dill rice is delightful. The hummus is great. The White Fish Persian Style was also quite good. Huge servings just the prices. The dining room can get quite hot on a warm day. We were seated in an adjacent section on the left and the seats were literally hot. That being said, the atmosphere is usually nice. The service and delivery are fast as well.
(4)Inspector G.
Nice food in a cool atmosphere but the range of flavors is relatively limited. After about 4 trips, you'll be pretty much "Reza'd-out". The grilled mushroom appetizer alone is worth the trip. The all-you-can eat lunch buffet for $10 is a steal. The only catch - it's always the same thing. Private parking lot available across Clark Street.
(3)Shawn J.
My first tie here, and it was pretty good! I am partial to Sultans Market in wicker, so had high expectations, with that said - Rezas met them pretty well! Sat outside, staff was freindly and attentive! Food was decetly priced and generous portions! Falafel was darn good along with the dill rice, stuffed peppers, and tomato lentil soup. Every entree gives you access to a small salad bar. Wasn't a fan of the taboulee, and I have had better pita bread, but this alone wasn't enough to keep me from going back!
(4)jackie m.
I always neglect to review Reza's, not sure why since it's earned 5 stars from me. I cant comment on the inside dining experience since Ive always had delivery when I worked about a few blocks away. I've always ordered the lamb chops and rice w/ pita bread. Let me say DELICIOUS!!! I look forward to sitting inside the restaurant one day...if I can find a date or a friend willing to try mediteranean food. lol.
(5)Norbert W.
good persian restaurant. outside is a little dicey. but can be fun. good mediterranean/persian selections. (not as good as homemade if you have Iranian friends) service can be hit or miss. give it a go. better than other restaurants in this class.
(3)Mike Y.
I have eaten here many times over the years. The food is good and cheap, but not exceptional. Usually it is one of my friends that has to have Reza's and then we go. This is a place to go for good inexpensive food, but I prefer Lebanese.
(3)Jef B.
One of our mainstays for Middle Eastern food, and we generally get a table quickly whenever we go so that's a plus. They have some work to do on service. Our waiter forgot our appetizer on the last visit. The service was overall a bit slow. My entree was no longer hot. I think the lackluster service is what knocks this back to 3 stars for us. Hopefully they read the reviews and will focus some attention on this.
(3)Elizabeth K.
So, thanks to the city of Chicago smackdown, Andersonville has taken a turn for the dog-unfriendly. The waiter at Andie's told us that they couldn't let people eat on the patio with dogs anymore because they got cited, and all the water dishes got taken up from outside. And yet Reza's still let us eat there with our pooch, offered us some fresh water for her, and were genuinely nice to us. We had one of their sampler plates, lots of yummy vegetarian food for a fair price. We liked the food so much, we ate it again at Midsommer fest a couple of weeks ago. Great dill rice!
(4)Jacqueline S.
I went here for the Sunday brunch a few times which includes all the items on their menu. A bit expensive but you get to try everything, have as much as you want, and it is hot and fresh. The few times I just went for dinner the service was very good but I sometimes don't order the greatest dish (usually a special not on their menu). The delivery is good - hot and fast.
(4)April Z.
ive eaten here many times over the years and used to love this place. but the last couple of years they've really gone downhill. the prices have gone up and the food quality and overall taste has gone down. very disappointing so we have stopped going all together, i think we kept going back that last few times thinking it was just an off night, etc. but im tired of overpaying for a lackluster dish. their service has never been good...so nothing's changed there.
(2)tessa c.
The food was amazing! Actually I loved this neighbourhood as a kid because my mom would always take me to Swedish Bakery down the street but today I discovered this place through a friend. Huge portions you definitely get your money's worth. Friendly and prompt waitstaff and we didn't have to worry about refilled water glasses because our server brought us a pitcher. I only give this place 3 stars because at least my food wasn't hot enough and that's a big no no in my book.
(3)P K.
All about the brunch, baby! All you can eat brunch, yum. The food is relatively inexpensive, the service is very friendly, and the interior is pretty cute. There's nothing better than having a brunch here on a nice sunny day by their open windows. I love this place!
(5)Matthew G.
There are things I like about Reza's and things I don't. The number one thing I like is the ultra-delicious Fessenjan with Duck (Duck breast with a heavenly sweet/sour pomegranate-walnut sauce). This is something I crave and is one of the only reasons I go to Reza's. Now given the strength of the Fessenjan, you'd think there were other stellar offerings on the menu. Not so, in my opinion. Whenever I have opted to detour from my heart's delight, I have been underwhelmed. Mind you, nothing was awful, but nothing was mind-blowing either. The service is usually pretty good and the kitchen operates with efficiency. The place is usually busy and they handle this well. I think what I like least about Reza's is the space itself. It is very large and cavernous with different levels. For all its spaciousness, the tables are painfully close together which results in being too close to your fellow diners for complete comfort. Also, the ceilings (at least on the first floor) are very high which results in a lot of noise. If it's crowded, conversation is difficult. I'll go to Reza's if other people want to go, but very rarely venture there on my own volition unless I'm jones-ing for the pomegranate duck.
(3)Michael O.
Had the white fish which they claim as a house specialty and it was indeed very good. I went on a Friday, so my entree included a soup and salad bar that was also very good and very filling. The couscous went perfectly with the fish. The service was also very good the night I went. The prices are a little high, which is why I only gave 3 stars. Perhaps I was also biased because of the campaign posters for Alexi all over the place. He's not my pick, lol.
(3)Bev h.
i am so disappointed. this place looked so cute, and it was a friend's birthday, so 4 of us made reservations for dinner last week. the place is very cozy, and i was looking forward to experiencing some good middle eastern grub. we were seated and drinks were served in a fairly timely fashion, but then things started to go downhill. Good times: -salad and soup bar comes with most meals. good soup, almost great but not quite... salad was pretty standard, but tasty. -nice ambiance Bad times: -i ordered the white fish, which was touted in the menu as one of their specialties. BLAND. if vegetable oil could be a flavor, that's what this fish tasted like. where's the seasoning? -it came with some soggy veggies, and an entire separate plate of dill rice. like, more rice than our whole table could have eaten. and it was dry and nasty. so now i am eating flavorless, dry, and soggy/nasty. pass. -our waitress just up and left right after we got our first round of drinks. as in, i saw her putting her coat on and saying goodbye to the rest of the staff and leaving. no one said anything to us until about 20 minutes later when i flagged someone down and asked what was up. that guy looked at me like i was crazy and was like, "i'm your server." well then. can i get some freaking service, dude? 2 hours. $40. my appetite. gone.
(2)Skazoo M.
From my experience, Reza's does a few things well and the rest are average at best. Start with an order of the Vegetarian Sampler appetizer for the table. Not everything on it is great, but it gives you an overview of what flavors and textures to expect (and when else are you going to eat the Kashkeh bodemjan?). For your entree, I strongly recommend you order lamb - its the only meat they do well. And when they offer you dill or white rice, ask if you can get a half order of both. The dill rice is interesting but I get tired of it after a few forkfulls. The vegetarians I've gone with order a Vegetarian Sampler - there are 4 and I don't know which one they usually get (sorry). For drinks I usually order some dark beer (Turkish, I think) and I've only had their baklava once... OK but I'm usually full from dinner.
(4)Sheila Y.
To begin, Reza's gets four stars because my dad's name is Reza. Next, I have only ordered the Koobideh and it was much better than anything I could get in Denver so that also moves it to the four star range. The rice was fine, but I always want more grilled tomato than any persian place will give me. The space is quite large and I am going to see if they have persian dancing any nights of the week because I miss my people. I am going to definitely come back for that and more Kabob....yumm yumm
(4)A S.
I had heard so many good things about this restaurant before finally making a trip this week. I really really wanted to like this place. I am not sure if the place was just having an off day that particular day or maybe that's just how it is; I didn't like the food enough to go back. Or at least I won't be a in a hurry to return. We tried their lunch buffet and even though they had an awful lot of variety, my first gripe was that the food was just not hot- warm to room temperature at best. I don't want to judge Persian food just based on my experience at Reza's- will be most likely giving other Persian restaurants in Chicago a try. The kebabs were bland to say the least and I have had much better hummus and falafel elsewhere. I am not Persian but Middle Eastern by heritage- so I think I have a good idea of what good Middle Eastern food is. Albeit there are some differences, I think I know flavor when I taste it. The service was ok although I didn't like the fact that all the servers were just hovering around the buffet with one of them keeping an eye on the customers (or maybe just me?) but I definitely found that uncomfortable. I have noticed some restaurants take their food quality down a couple notches when it comes to buffet, maybe its the same case here. But I don't see returning to Reza's in the near future.
(3)Doug W.
Love this place... Kabobs that are grilled to perfection... Appetizers that make you want the main course to be a little late... Some of the best Sangria around... Catered my wedding, good people. (The Oak Brook location needs to get up to the quality that the other two locations are at....PLEASE!!! about to lose another star)
(3)Mikaela S.
First of all, I am a server. So when service is not that great, I really REALLY try to give the server the benefit of the doubt. We went to Reza's on a busy Saturday night. I feel like that can not be an excuse, however, as that is part of the job. When we sat down, we waited for 10 minutes before our server showed. When he finally did show, he was not very apologetic. He took our order immediately, without even looking at my fiance. Eye contact is part of what makes the dining experience. It makes the customer feel welcome. When we got our Falafels, they were cold, not even midly warm, but cold. Then we got our food, which was ok. Our server had forgotten our Diet Cokes, so I asked the busser to get one, and he was very friendly. Then I asked our server for more water. He came back, filled up my water, then slammed the pitcher down and said " Here, in case you want more." and left it sitting there, in our way, right in the middle of us. That was when I got pissed. I would NEVER EVER recomend this place to anyone. I have gone to Andies before and LOVED it. We payed WAY too much for our terribel experience at Reza's. I went against my better judgement, but you can't blame me for wanting to try something new I guess...
(1)Jennifer T.
I used to think Reza's was a 4 star good restaurant but the meal was only so-so, the service was just ok and worst of all - it was dirty! We had to ask to have the paper table cloth changed, were given a dirty napkin wrapped around our silverware and the whole place rang of run-down, not well-kept. I hope they get it back together!
(2)Jordan B.
I've been to Reza's three times. The first two times were disappointing. I thought the food I was served was just not that good. The meat was dry and the falafel was brick hard and horribly overseasoned. The third experience, had it been my only, would have earned Reza's five stars from me. I had some mushrooms that blew my mind away as did the Dolmeh Felfel. I think I'm going to give Reza's another shot myself based on that most recent experience.
(4)Allen R.
What a let-down! We walked in to find three people standing at the maitre'd counter, all laughing amongst themselves -- they didn't even notice us until after several awkward seconds. The restaurant was chilly, and had its ceiling fans running, despite the 30 degree temperature outside. The menu was lengthy and indecipherable in places (think: trashy Mexican restaurant with dried salsa on some of the menu pages). They had no by-the-glass wine list to speak of, despite having a separate wine list -- I ordered Merlot of unknown vintage; it was drinkable. Not fantastic, but drinkable. The tomato lentil soup was Campbell's tomato soup with lentils and about sixteen tablespoons of dried basil and oregano stirred in: weak and overdone. The kabobs, though moist, were not 'on the stick', as any American wants it, and the oddly-shaped mound of couscous was dry and unpalatable. There were no other kabob-style vegetables in either of our dishes, but there was a good-tasting sauce made almost entirely of mushroom stems. Highlights: Delicious, fresh-from-the-oven afghan-style bread. Staring at cute guys walking along Clark St. Given its location, I thought I was going to a fresh take on middle eastern cuisine, and ended up eating at something much more low brow. Unless you're absolutely dying for Middle Eastern food and can't find a good Indian place to eat at, eat elsewhere.
(2)Aesha W.
This place has great chicken! I've only had two items here, both chicken - one included ground chicken, however, which looked less than appetizing to me. The Reza's Special Chicken tastes fantastic, and my friend loves the entrees he's received, too. Between the two locations, they seem to deliver to half the city. The rice wasn't bad, but it was a little bland; I do like the potatoes. Since we found this place, we've ordered several times, and I'm sure it will remain part of our regular rotation! EDIT: I had to drop this place a star. The last two times we have ordered from them, they've messed up the order and it had to be sent back. When ordering, I asked for no tomato and repeated it, saying it was VERY IMPORTANT that there was no tomato included in anything. Both times, they left the tomato in. It's annoying that I can't order something the way I want it prepared and trust that it will actually arrive that way; it's even more annoying to have to wait 1 1/2 - 2 hours for your meal because the person on the phone can't take it down correctly. Edit 4/30/08: It's been at least four weeks since I've ordered from them, because of repeated problems with the order placed. I've dropped them to one star (originally 4, dropped to 3, now again) because of my disappointment in the restaurant. The last 6 times we've ordered from them, our order has been sent back 4 times. This evening, when I made it very clear to the woman I spoke with that there was to be no tomato in anything - telling her that this was extremely important, and that if there was tomato the order would be returned - I thought the problem was solved. Imagine my surprise when, while checking the items that were delivered, I found tomato in both entrees. The delivery driver kept insisting that I could just take the tomato out, but I believe that if I ordered it a particular way, that's what I should get (especially when food allergies are involved). I don't know if we'll ever order from Reza's again, and if so, I know it won't be for a long time.
(1)Ann Y.
An update- While the service has gone down over the years and the quality is not where it used to be, I did go recently for the saturday brunch and was happy. There was a lot of options such as chicken and beef kefta, the lentil soup, pita, chicken breast and desert. Also, our server was great this time around. In the past though I have had some really bad service and they have messed my order up.
(3)Patty V.
I have had several meals here and it has always been good. I like the lunch buffet,so much to choose from. I can't say I have ever had a bad meal here. I can't say I've ever had a stellar meal,either. Good food, great prices and a huge selection. If you can't find something to eat here,you are in trouble.There are many Middle Eastern places to eat at in Andersonville and nearby. This is one of the nicer ones, as far as atmosphere goes.
(4)B M.
Reza's has a very healthy & tasty menu . Everything is grilled and less oily. I love their quail,salmon, shrimp and dill rice.
(5)Gemini G.
Vegetarian alert! Vegetarian alert! You must, must, must try the vegetarian shami! You'll find it under Vegetarian Appetizers with a description that righteously includes the phrase 'savory patties.' But keep reading until you get to the part with 'delicious sweet and sour pomegranate sauce.' For $4.95, you get 3 patties that are minced green veggies coated with chickpea, so they're kind of like falafels. But the important part is the sauce, which is really more the consistency of a paste, similar to hoisin sauce, and so very exotic, fresh and tasty. Delish! We ordered one order of the shami, one vegetarian sampler, and one order of the bamieh for dessert (a light puffy pastry in some kind of syrup that was wonderful), and my husband and I could not finish it all. Everything was great; the only reason I'm dinging them a star is the steamed string beans that came with the sampler: they were very tough and chewy in texture, although the tomato sauce that came with them had great flavor. We ordered delivery from the Andersonville location, and we would highly recommend them for vegetarians!
(4)Danielle C.
If you are hungry for a fantastic and huge brunch, go to REZAs! They have an amazing array of tasty foods! You start your feast with a glass of champagne, and can begin with fruit, shrimp, salmon, bagels, an omelet prepared by a chef, or dive into the real stuff! They have falafel, tahini sauce, an array of Mediterranean salads, Hummus to die for (I slather it over everthing) , grilled mushrooms, stuffed grape leaves, grilled potatoes, mustaccoli, white rice, dill rice, chicken kabobs, fillet minion kabobs, beef kabobs, lamb shank, mashed potatoes and more. Plus they have desserts including baklava (not too great and others). And before you ask, yes, this is from memory!! I love this grazing FEAST!! This is a meal to celebrate any event, catch up with any group of friends, and beat any hang over. It has something for everyone!! I have brought my 2 yrold niece here often, she loves the variety of foods, we can keep her happy for quite awhile here! The price is @ 25 per person! It is an awesome deal. Oh, you can also order most of the things avaliable for the buffet for dinner or lunch, so it is a great way to try new foods or to figure out what you like!
(5)Adam S.
I've ordered delivery twice now from Reza's. The first time the delivery was a half hour late with cold food. The 2nd time they never even showed up. I called after waiting over an hour and they said the guy was out to deliver to my address right then. He never showed up. I call again a half hour later, and they say they never got my order. What a mess. I won't be ordering from them again. There are too many other good restaurants in this city to put up with this kind of incompetence.
(2)Elyse G.
I ate a Reza's for the first time last night and was very happy with my meal. I rarely order scallops in Chicago especially not a top-notch restaurant, but I couldn't resist since the woman next to me had them as well. I ordered the scallop and shrimp kebab which was fabulous. I asked for the cous-cous rather than the rice and that was a treat. My husband had the lamb and shrimp with white rice, fragrant but boring! Two others we were with both ordered different kebabs but "mediterranian style." The "sauce" was good for my taste but perfect for them. It was too sweet and buttery for me but it wasn't bad. Just want to say great dinner, decent service and good atmosphere! **4 stars only because It's not my favorite restaurant in Chicago!
(4)BRIAN M.
I have been here many times by myself and with friends. They have very good food. This is a Family Style restaurant and on weekends there are lots of people. I love the Chicken Kabobs, the dill rice, and the 3 appetizers tray. I can't remember how many times I have been here. But the first time many years ago the service was great, it and still is. I can reccomend this restaurant if you wanna try something different. DJ LOVE
(4)Laura P.
I always enjoy the food here (falafel, chicken kabobs, hummus), but the service is always lacking. I took some friends here the other night and they were immediately impressed with the beauty of the exposed brick dining room, and the food was good as always. We were all disappointed in getting one drink refill in the hour and a half we were there.
(3)Paul David W.
This is an bsolutely reliable place for good Middle Eastern food. It's a lot more expensive than a couple of other places that deliver to Rogers Park (Big Buns and Pita & Habibi) but it's a much better place to go if you're eating in. Their lamb shank is to die for! I like the huge portions even if their dill rice is a bit overrated.
(3)Sarah F.
Reza's has a wonderful lunch buffet from 11am-3pm daily. It is really well priced and they have a wonderful selection of foods. They usually have salad, hummus, salmon, shish kabob and more. The setting is pretty classy.
(4)Joanna B.
I was here last night for a birthday party of about 16 people and it was great. Falafel, pita and hummus, radishes and feta (tasty!), salad, soup, lamb, beef and chicken kabobs, rice and desserts. I'd never been here before and I was pleasantly suprised. I got all my favorite Middle Eastern foods and it was a very lovely evening.
(5)Benjamin B.
food is good, service is lacking. went for a birthday dinner, we were seated in the back, where after about 10 minutes after i had been seated no one came to help us. i had to hail the server to get him to come by. food is top notch, but service sucked, after i got my meal the server never came by again. is it a middle-eastern thing? i noticed that bigger groups were waited on hand and foot... maybe go there with a larger group?
(3)Kitty H.
Nice food, but not as great as I had hoped for. The service was pretty slow. This would be a good place to order takeout from.
(3)Samantha T.
This past Sunday I went there for Brunch and it was the best brunch I have had to date!! For $20 it was an open buffet with your choice of a complimentry glass of champagne or sangria. My friend and I both had the sangria it was perfect. The buffet had everything for everyone. Everything was so fresh and constantly being restocked ; hummus, falafel, dill rice, pita bread with light parmesan cheese, chicken, lamb, salmon, soups, cucumber sauce, vegetarian rice, 2 salads, pasteries, fruit, omelete specials, and much more. My friend and I were in a frenzy of what to put on our plate next. You really get a bang for your buck with a wonderful atmosphere, beyond friendly staff, and out door seating. Next time I am in Andersonville for brunch there is no question where I will be going.
(4)Jennifer L.
Good food, excellent sangria, pleasant atmosphere. I was last here for a going away party for a coworker and it was excellent once again - this is a great place for groups because they have the room to accomodate you and you're not squished. I also love to order from Rezas - they give you so much food!
(4)Stephen S.
The food here is pretty good, but considering the price I'd look elsewhere.
(3)Zed D.
Amazing place. A must for anyone visiting Chicago. A bit pricey though.
(5)Sarah B.
From the loft-like interior (think brick and wood) to the overflowing menu, this restaurant nears the top of my favorites list. I've celebrated birthdays here, graduations, new jobs, etc. The food is plentiful and priced well. A fair wine selection tops off your options. Vegetarian combos are delicious--but if you have food allergies, some of the sauces may contain nuts. Best value: lamb shank. Under $11, huge and so tender, it "literally falls off the bone." (see Michael Chirarelli--I've heard that line from him more times than I can count!) Bathrooms are so-so, but clean. Service is also so-so.
(4)Jill D.
This place gets my all-time award of all awards for The Place I Hate the Most!!! I hate it for the following reasons: 1. I am treated worse because I am a woman when I am there as compared to how men are treated there. 2. If you order a drink, the waiters look at you like you are a sinner. I have had these same complaints all the times I have been there--which is about 8. (Unfortunately I was unable to avoid going here or else I would have!)
(1)Kathleen P.
I love this place! I don't get to the neighborhood that often, but when I do, I love to have a great Persian meal. I was delighted to find out about the lunch buffet. It's a really nice selection- something for every palate. Cold salmon, Kababs of every kind, chicken, rice dishes, soups and dessert. And it's always fun to browse through the Middle Eastern store right across the street. They have every thing from spices to tea sets & a nice selection of honey, along with some great gourmet items.
(5)matt k.
Reza's rips. Ask for the 'special' rice. It is not on the menu, but they have it. A tad bit overpriced, but you get what you pay for.
(4)Norman K.
One of my favorite places to eat. The food is always great and the portions (although not as large as they used to be) are plentiful. The steak filet (chengh?) is always good, but I really love the ground chicken and the steak (kaefta). The rice is awesome, and the mushroom appetizer is to die for (save the sauce to put on your rice). Service can be a bit slow when they're busy but that is to expected.
(5)Bee B.
Reza's is a solid 3 in my book...I may have given it a 4 in the past, but I had some pretty bad service the last time I was there....We felt rushed and (WORST of all) we were served our carafe of sangria with no ice in our glasses...this is quite the travesty, as the sangria is generally quite solid and a plus point for Reza's. That being said, here are some good things about Reza's - - Sangria - It's HUGE and you can almost always get a seat right away or with minimal waiting. This includes parties of 8 on a saturday night. This feature makes Reza's a good backup when you are hungry and have just called 3 places which each have an hour and 15 minute wait. -The veggie samplers are delicious. Some of the highlights include: Shami, which is basically falafel balls in a sweet pomegranate sauce, Baba Gannouj, and Baba's cousin - a warm eggplant dish with curds and whey (i can't remember what it's called, but it's tasty), and Dolma, grapeleaves stuffed with rice. -The menu is very large and pretty much everyone, vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores alike, can all find something to eat.
(3)steve c.
I once loved Rezas. Now Reza's is overrated. I have found there are way better restaurant's serving way better food in Chicago. The food can be good on one day and bad on another. The ambiance is nice. It is pricey and parking can be a pain.
(3)Ila L.
The entrees were fine, but just fine. The ambiance is ok. The complimentary buffet that comes with all entrees is...well, a buffet first of all and secondly it isn't very good (the falafel was hours old). Not horrible but certainly not a destination.
(2)Gina D.
The food here is great and so is the atmosphere. I love coming here for lunch in the summer and sitting by there floor to ceiling windows that they open up to the street side. The buffet is a great way to taste all that is on their menu and is also very affordable. Aside from that, their lentil soup is the best that I've ever had.
(4)sandra o.
Two friends and I went to Rezas yesterday in the evening. We had a great time there. The service was excellent. My one friend did not arrive until an hour after we did. We apologized for the hold up. The staff was great. They said, "no problem." We found the staff to be friendly. The owner came to our table to ask us how things were going. We remained in the restaurant about three hours. We did not feel pressured to hurry up and leave. We all had the buffet which contained a variety of foods. I am an occasional meat eater. My friends were raving over how great the lamb was, so I tried. It was great. We all enjoyed the falafel, hummus, the saffron rice, the green salad and the rest of the buffet. I will definitely be going back occasionally. I cannot afford to often spend $16.95 + to eat out. The ambience was nice.
(4)Rox P.
ok, i am going to go out on a limb here and say i am probably the most qualified person to write a review for this place. i have been going to this location since it opened, back in the early 80s. while all the cool kids had their birthday parties at mcdonalds, i was having mine at reza's. lamb koubideh, anyone? at some point i stopped asking (back then, the all iranian, male waitstaff) for hot dogs, and started enjoying the authentic persian cuisine. come on, who doesn't love a kabob. but obviously things have changed. reza's is no longer a hole in the wall, one location, diamond in the rough. now they have several locations (even in a holiday inn in oakbrook--yikes); they cater to a much larger group, reeling you in with their mediterranean and vegetarian cuisines; and their prices have literally skyrocketed while the portions have slimmed down. back then you could walk in, sit down at the table, order enough entrees for a family of four, and get by without spending more than 30 bucks, tip included. today, you are lucky if you get two meals for that. the soup they give you as soon as you sit down--that used to come in a much larger bowl. the feta cheese and radish combo--that used to be COMPLIMENTARY, and the flat bread--well that used to be an endless basket of hot pita bread. if you are like me and enjoy meat any chance the opportunity arrises, you are going to order from the steak/kabob/chicken part of the menu. the sultani (half steak kabob, and half ground beef kabob) is a must. the koubideh, chengeh, and the shishleek are all good options depending on your beef preference. it probably has to be mentioned, that one of the main ingredients in preparing persian food is the onion. so get ready to taste whatever you eat tonight, tomorrow morning. the vegetarian platters are also a must. it also seems the biggest bang for your buck. you get the dolmeh, the tabouli, baba ghannouj, and about 6 other options. remember, a true iranian does not order the garden salad for an appetizer. you're going to see us with some kind of eggplant item smothered in a yogurt or tahini sauce. and now, for dessert. the bamieh is the only iranian pastry on the menu. it looks a little bit like a hot dog and a little bit like an eclair and it tastes like a syrup-y, damp, flaky donut. i still don't know what to make of the bamieh except that it's 1.75 and that's probably still too much for it. i suppose you could order the chocolate cake. it might help dispel that onion taste that has now taken root in your taste buds. up to you. so, to conclude. reza's--less like a diamond in the rough and more like a chain restaurant. you can still order excellent food, but the prices are outrageous for the portions, so maybe stop next door to andies for a little cheaper version of basically the same thing.
(3)Jill k.
considering the sheer amount of food one gets here, this place is a bargain, at about $15 an entree. the entrees are huge though, with enough sides for at least two people. i had the lamb kabobs with the persian salad, which were perfect. lovely place, friendly service; i would certainly return!
(5)Mike P.
One of my friends told me about Reza's while looking to get something to eat. My experiences so far with them have been great. I usually come for the lamb chops (outstanding!), but also try the salmon and scallops. Their dill rice is a must! The pita bread/feta cheese platter and lentil soup is a meal in itself. To top that off, service is usually very good. It does get crowded in there on the weekends, but they have plenty of space to accommodate that. But as long as I have my sangria (which they make so well)--it's all good!
(4)Chanita S.
I normally wouldn't say this, but YUCK! When I was apartment hunting around Andersonville, I decided to check this place out to see what kind of places I'd be getting myself into. This place looked pretty cool from the outside, and to be honest it wasn't so bad inside as well. However, food was terrible. There were some cool paintings dispalyed on the wall for sale for way overpriced. They're nice to look at, but I wouldn't spend that much on them. I ordered a steak dish which felt like it was frozen or premade way earlier during the day, and all they did was rewarmed it. I could be wrong, but that's what it tasted like. There was an unlimited soup and salad bar that came with the deal. Sounds exciting, right? Think again. I only filled up once because it was that bad. Server was nice. I was there in the winter and I had to keep my jacket on because it was frigid in there. I know they have a downtown location that I'm definitely not checking out. I'm no expert when it comes to Mediterranean food, but I know it wasn't made right. Spent $50 on 2 people....never again.
(1)Bambi B.
You can count on Rezas for a moderately priced meal in a nice atmosphere. I like the shrimp and the duck, but find both the turkey and the beef to be unpredictable. But it's a nice date place.
(4)Manj B.
Went there with a big group of friends (about 16 people) and the service was great. The food was good too, portions huge, but nothing special. I was expecting more from what I had heard from others about it. But I'll give it another try before I completely decide.
(3)Crafty K.
I'd say this restaurant is pretty good...not fabulous. It's great in the warmer months to sit by the open doors. It's a great place to eat when you have a large group because there is plenty of seating. The food is good, you get a lot and the service is good. I'd say, however, if you're looking for better versions of these items go to Noon O' Kabob on Kedzie.
(3)John S.
Really good food, and fast delivery. We got lamb and chicken cabobs, and Reza's potatos. Done it twice. With the dill rice. Very good stuff.
(4)PJ K.
Not the world's most wonderful restaurant, but an excellent "all-purpose" place -- the dining room is nice enough for dinner with a date but casual enough to drop by late at night. A bit expensive for casual dining, but the portions are big enough that you can split an entree two ways. They deliver to a huge area at all manner of bizarre hours. The menu is varied enough to accomidate vegetarians, vegans, hard-core carnivores, and even really picky eaters.
(4)Marc M.
Cant trust a Mediterranean restaurant that doesn't have good lamb. Ive had 3 different lamb dishes there all have been sub par. Andies is a much better option and right next door. I gave 2 stars as all my vegetarian friends seem to like Rezas better than Andies. So if you are a veggie you have better choices here i believe
(2)John F.
Very good Persian food with a large variety of kebab choices and combos and enough vegetarian stuff to keep vegetarians happy. A bit cheaper and simpler than neighboring Andie's and as it is Persian it has some dishes that do not appear in Arabic cuisine, like fessanjan. As you notice, however, I am only giving it three stars. The reason is that I've heard bad things about this places sanitary practices and food sourcing from two distinct parties who do not know one another. I have been back since then, but am always a bit hesitant. I don't want to libel anyone, but when you hear the same things twice it makes you suspicious.
(3)D L.
first of all, i'm rating the Andersonville location. not sure why, but the food is consistently better here than the downtown location. I love their Lamb Shank and dill rice. So tasty. And the portions are very generous. I never leave hungry. The kebabs are great as well. Great for groups, and reasonably priced.
(4)Linda S.
I heart their lamb shank -- literally "falling off the bone" tender. Yum! There is one dish that I don't recommend here, which is the fessenjan with cornish hen. On the menu it is marked as "Superb" but the presentation was quite disappointing and the pomegranate sauce was too sweet. Other favorites include their baba ghannouj, grilled potatoes, and their kabob koubideh. On evenings when the weather permits, they open up their french doors to create an ambience for romantic dining.
(4)Ebru Y.
I used to go to Reza's at least once a week back when I used to work in Andersonville. The food here is absolutely amazing. There is so much flavor that you can't just pick out which one is the best. The meat is so delicious you want to go back for more. It literally crumbles in your mouth.I say go back because they have open buffet style lunch or you can also just have your order taken by a waiter. I also really like the bread here, I am not sure if it's Iranian bread? The prices are very reasonable and service is super fast and friendly.
(5)Halisa V.
I love this place!!! The buffet on the weekdays are amazing. The Kabob meat is tender and juicy and our server was always nice (every time we went). I would go here anytime!
(5)Justin E.
I was here back in July, during a nice cool spell in Chicagoland. My father and I were walking around downtown when we happened to stop in the Tourist Info Office and asked about good exotic cuisine in the area. He recommended this place and an Indian restaurant called Kashmir in our hotel. We decided on Reza's and got to walking. Though the restaurant could not have been more slow - literally I read a bunch of reviews about this, and it was sooo true - the food made up for the wait. If I hadn't been worried about walking all the way back to the hotel, I probably wouldn't even have minded the wait. The food was incredible, I had the koubideh and my father had the same. We sampled the free appetizer buffet, which they kindly recommended in lieu of ordering appetizers. Everything in the buffet was incredible, from the falafel to the pita to the soups (lentil soup is amazing). Try this place, you will love the atmosphere and the food, just clear your schedule.
(4)Kari S.
I have been here for lunch several times, and I have mixed feelings. I am not a buffet person, but it seems to be the only option when coming here. Its quite pricey for lunch, but there are a lot of food choices- Hummus, mixed vegetables, soup, salad, falafel, chicken and beef kebobs, salmon, etc. I think I would like it better as a dinner spot and without the luring buffet. Staff is friendly and attentive and its very clean. Would be a great spot for a large party. I believe there are private rooms available.
(3)Julie S.
By far the best sea bass I have had in a long time. My husband enjoyed his lamb shank very much. The grilled mushroom appetizer that they recommend is excellent, if you like mushrooms and the hummus w/ sesame bread was standard - just OK. The wine list had some good and very cheap (quality) wines that were way overpriced. Go with the by the glass option or just stick to reasonably priced beers. Our waitress gave good recommendations but she was extremely shy & soft spoken. It is a huge place with a very diverse crowd and an overall great dinner experience.
(4)J T.
I don't get it. The one time I've been there, the food was simply mediocre and the service horrid.
(2)catherine t.
I went to Reza's for the first time for a weeknight dinner, and was pleasantly surprised. The service was phenomenal--very friendly, quick, and accommodating. The food was good, and the proportions were gigantic. I'm pretty sure 4 people could have eaten what was on my plate--add to that the buffet with endless falafel, hummus, salad, and soup and you have a downright feast. The tomato lentil soup was very good, as were the falafel and the dill rice. Overall, it was a great experience, and I will definitely be back.
(4)Nando R.
I liked this place somewhat more than my wife did. I like the flavor of their meat shish kabob. I like the fact that unlike most food in America, this isn't overly spicy - but I didn't find it bland. I had a dish with great meat and great plain rice. The service was far from best and the open kitchen made us leave smelling like... well, mediterranean food. Also the portions are indeed big, so unless you eat A LOT, it's a good idea to split.
(3)Christina Z.
Excellent Persian food -- I got the Vegetarian Special, and was delighted with the platter full of colorful, fresh, well-seasoned vegetable dishes. The lentil soup that I had as a starter was also incredibly savory. The dining area is very spacious, so you'll never have trouble finding seating here.
(4)Adam L.
Reza's is home to some amazing mediterranean food. I particularly enjoy the kabob selection and the delicious sea bass. Unfortunately, the food is overpriced, and the waiters are overworked during peak hours and it shows. If you've never tried mediterranean cuisine give Reza's a shot, but don't be disappointed when the bill comes, or when your sever doesn't.
(3)Amanda K.
Reza's is so good!! I have not been to this one, but my work is down the street from the one in the burbs, and it did not dissapoint. I am extremely extremely picky with my middle eastern food, and was definitely impressed. We got the buffet, and the hummus, bhaba ghanuj, and the chicken were so so good. highly recommend this place.
(5)Nicole V.
I've been to Reza's a number of times, but for some reason my experience last night led me to finally write a review. My previous visits to Reza's were always for brunch/buffet/dinner, but last night I went there with a couple of friends for light drinks and appetizers. We requested seating outside along the side of the building and it was a perfect night for it. After ordering a pitcher of red sangria we settled on ordering the vegetarian appetizer platter consisting of dolmeh, falafel, kashkeh bodemjan, hummus,and tabbouli. We also ordered the definitive favorite of the night...maust museer (creamy yogurt, flavored with shallots and dill) along with a chicken and quail kabob. The service initially was a little much. They were trying to push a couple of bottles of wine at us right as we sat down (it felt the the wine must not be selling), but after we were settled in and our order was taken the evening was really enjoyable. Good food, great atmosphere, attentive service and stimulating conversation. We had a great time, didn't break the bank...and there was even a little left over to take home!
(4)Maria W.
We hadn't gone to Reza's for a while because we had been regular take-out customers up to about a year ago, but then, it started to go downhill. Anyway, we've dined here twice in the past few weeks and the food was excellent, fresh, and delicious. The wines by the bottle are reasonably priced and so are the beers. Delicious kabobs and lamb shank.
(4)Ellen M.
This is my favorite Reza's. I found out they opened one in Oakbrook recently, but I don't think I'll try it. I like the Andersonville neighborhood, and I associate this place with it. The food is good middle eastern, and they serve a mean lamb. The servers practically dote on you, it's a great feeling.
(4)Dr. N.
Divine shami. The food here is very good, but the problem is that it is overpriced. I thought the buffet would increase my value, but some of the items were under the places usual standards. Andies is a better value and has yummier rice . But Rezas shami - sort of like falafil patties with a rich pomegranite walnut sauce is absolutely delectable. The meats are well flavored and tender. The sangria is too good - hire a cab or get a designated driver.
(3)Rachel R.
I ate at Reza's in 1997 and I still dream about the fantastic grilled potatoes and the humus. I am not a connesieur of Persian food, but I would never visit Chicago without dining at Reza's.
(5)Mary C.
Reza's offers great food, good service and lots of variety. The inside decor is kind of cold, but when I am being served great food who cares about the decoration! It's a bit pricey, but you always get large portions and plenty of extras. I like their Sunday buffet, which has an ungodly amount of food on it. Kudos to them for being open late as well!
(4)Arjun C.
I have never had a bad meal here. I have also never been able to eat more than 1/4 of what was on my plate. So keeping the doggy bag aspect in mind, this price is right. This stuff also keeps reasonably well in the fridge. But here's the thing: has anything here ever tasted REALLY good? That is, better than something from the falafel stand at the mall, or a little dump like "The Nile" in Hyde Park? There I'm not so sure.
(4)a w.
This is an awesome mediterranean restraunt. They have really tasty food and an awesome restraunt. You will really enjoy the food and atmosphere at this restraunt. The service is great and the portions are big -- don't miss this one!
(5)nicole r.
How can you not like this place? It's big enough that you hardly ever have a wait, and the food is always delicious. The menu is ginormous, so everyone should be able to find something. Took the rents there and they even liked it. Dill rice rules!
(4)Jaclyn C.
I've eaten here with my family and boyfriend. It's an Andersonville staple, and has a wide range of food and large portions at prices you'd expect.
(4)Jay K.
This place has been reviewed to death, but it is my favorite Mediterranean restaurant so far. I'm obsessed w/ kefta-kabob. A great value for the weekday buffet at $10. I always crave this place post-call as it's the only time I can make it on a weekday for lunch. I always like their stews and the "filet mignon" kabob (come on, is it really filet mignon?) are pretty good dishes; I just hope it isn't really filet mignon, b/c the well-doneness to which they cook their filet mignon kabob is a travesty and really a waste of good meat to treat it thusly. The cold salmon never really looks that appetizing. Mushrooms are extremelly greasy (although supposedly a trademark dish of their's). I enjoy their hummus and baba ganouj. The tomato-sauce vegetable rice is very tasty as well. This place is worth patronizing time and again. Strangely enough the Swedish joints in the neighborhood don't seem as friendly; First time I walked into a bunch of them I received a palpable cold shoulder.
(4)Mary L.
went to reza's last nite for dinner and had a great experience. the service started out kind of slow but then got much better. we had falafel for our appetizer and it was so yummy! then we got our soups which were also very good (we had vegetable and chicken soup) and for our entree i had lamb kebobs and my husband had lamb loin chops. they were awesome! the portions were huge! we ended up taking some home. we (i) decided that we should get dessert so we tried the raspberry cheesecake and it was probably the best cheesecake i have ever had! overall it was a great experience. i highly recommend and will definitely be back!
(5)Rory G.
Okay first off I am biased, I've been coming to this restaurant since I was 7, and my family knows the owner. I am still trying to be a fair judge here hence why the 4 stars. The food is very good, the service acceptable, and the commercials horrible. The plates of food are enormous but so are the bills considering that half the plate is dill rice - being Asian I don't complain. Sitting outside during the summer really brings this place up a notch but there are only about 5 tables out there. Maybe it's the whole effect of being a kid and you think that your backyard looks like the size of Soldier field, that Now or Laters were the ambrosia of the Gods and that on your Big Wheel you were indestructible; but the food is not of the same caliber it used to be. Maybe I'm the jaded adult who can never go back to his childhood but I would give anything to go back to the days when there was only one Reza's and not three, the owner made the rounds and there was enough food on your plate to last for breakfast, lunch and dinner but it only lasted the night since you took the big plate to be a challenge...
(4)Mark P.
Excellent lunch buffet with kebabs, falafel, and other Middle Eastern standards.
(3)H M.
This has the best mediteranean food! They have the best kabobs and give you plenty of food. When you order anything, you will get soup, bread, feta cheese and garnishes as an appetizer. Also, each kabob comes with a plateful of meat, rice, and veggies. It is very big so you don't normally have to wait too long. It is also reasonably priced and you don't have to wait forever for your food. I am Armenian and I have been eating that type of food since I was little. It does not compare to any other place. They have a very large variety to choose from so you cannot go wrong. They also deliver, even in the suburbs. We cater from their for big events all the time. I highly recommend you check this place out.
(5)Stephanie M.
I've been going here since I was like 12 or 13. Sadly the quality isnt as good as it used to be but it is STILL good. The best thing here is the lamb shank. It is tender and falls off the bone. You will be so full eating here...u start out with pita and radishes , parsley, feta, you get soup, then the main entree. Lots of rice comes with it. This place delivers too.
(4)Issa K.
I went here with some friends, Now the food was good it was not the best medditerainian food, but good enough too write home about. The interior was nice though definetely somewhere to take a date too but not a food critic. The prices were fairly reasonable, the food was made family style, and for about two people. I had the chicken and lamb kakbobs, with the rice which were good but still I reiterate not great. Theres also a private parking lot for the patrons of rezas ducked away in a little hole in the wall but still its FREE parking who cares what it looks like the only reason I did not give this place four stars was becuase the service was a little slow adn after they brought us our food they did not check on us for like 25 min. otherwise they would have been a 4-5 star restuarant oh well just stay on your feet becuase these guys wont be!!
(3)Elizabeth C.
Good food, very busy restraunt. It cracked me up when a friend ordered a martini and asked if they had any sort of suffed olives. The server said "yes, they're stuffed with those red things."
(3)Amanda G.
A Persian friend brought me here and it was fabulous. I'm far from an expert on Persian food, but I'll go back. Big portions in a big restaurant. YUM.
(4)Yan P.
I ended up at reza's for a sunday brunch sort of by accident. Now I have nothing against mediterranean food, but the brunch buffet which ran $20 was simply way overpriced. You can't charge that kind of money for a self service buffet that includes (admittedly not bad tasting) but very standard food. Reza's needs to get over itself and lower the prices. I feel like they have high prices to maintain a high class image, but come on.... I have no problem paying $100 for a meal if it blows my mind, but I do have a problem with a $20 meal that should cost $10. Sorry Reza's, thumbs down from me. I should add though, that the waitstaff was very nice and friendly. Good service, good place, just...lower your prices to a more appropriate level. Thanks!
(2)Jesster A.
Jill, Jill! I know a few folks complained about long winded reviews... but please dearheart, no one meant that reviews should be THIS sparing with words... We'd really like to know, "What'd ya think?" (Especially about REZA - since I used to really like it - but haven't been there in a long while...)
(3)RJ W.
Been back a few times since my last review. The food is always good and solid, the service has been great...,.it is back on my 'Where do you want to go to dinner at the last minute' list...yea!
(4)Nick M.
Not qualified to review the "mediterranean" items, but the beef and shrimp were very good. Very large portions. Maybe a little expensive.
(3)Jarod P.
Four stars for the lunch buffet - never ordered a meal here and never been here any other time of day. Load up on the fliet mignon, the lamb, the chilled salmon and the dill rice - it's an overload of savory.
(4)Jolie R.
Wandering around Andersonville, as we do most places, we stopped (no, I actually dragged my s-o) into Reza's. I love mediterannean food and had wanted to give it a try for awhile. We loved it! The waitstaff is very friendly, service was a little slow, but the fantastic meal made up for it. The lentil soup is just the right spicy and tasted wonderful. Hummus and baba ghanoush was terrific and the main meal, lamb shank fell off the bone and was pleasurable to the tongue. We liked it so much, we stopped in again for brunch one Sunday, and found they started serving a brunch buffet every week. We declined it, ordered tasty appetizers with their great warm naan and were satisfied with what we got. I will say, I'll only go back on a non-buffet day since the food served on our plates by the waitstaff was the same food at the buffet - we watched them put it on the plates.....one star is lost because of this.
(4)Bella D.
Yes, came here again for their lunch buffet over the weekday and weekend within 2 weeks. Good and friendly service. Good kabob foodies and treats. Their buffet is great to get a quick fix on your kabobs and fallafels plus other treats like their deserts and soups/salads, etc. I love eating a little bit of this and that and their buffet is perfect for that.
(4)Phil K.
Reza's used to be a great neighborhood spot, but has gone seriously downhill the last couple years. We used to love the lentil soup and plate of radishes & feta cheese that used to come complimentary, but now the soup was watery and not particularly distinguishable from a can of Campbell's, and no more radishes/feta. Seems in their rush to appeal to the changing (upscale'ing) neighborhood, they've dumbed down the food a bit and gone for the money grab. Can't really blame 'em too much, but seeing Passion Fruit Martinis on the menu now, I dunno... The grilled meats are alright, but aren't cooked very well. The beef seemed of decent quality, but there didn't seem to be any char or anything. The prawns and scallops were of only mediocre quality. I think I like Noon-O-Kebab better
(2)Vanessa M.
I wish I could give this place zero or negative stars! The effect the food had on my stomach was PURE AGONY!!! My stomach was in knots all day and the next after eating the food there. It's way over priced and the discomfort I had to experience was definitely a horrific experience. Save yourself the pain! Don't do it!
(1)Alexis S.
I went here on a Wednesday night. The weather was nice so we were able to sit outside. The place was pretty empty overall. The menu is pretty extensive with a lot of options, including some vegetarian choices. I ended up getting the white fish and my S.O. got the salmon kabob. Both were served with vegetables and dill rice. The meals also came with soup (unidentifiable) and pita bread. We tried the baba-ganoush for an appetizer and it was just "okay". I ordered a sangria, (for only $4!!), which was VERY good. Our server was an older Russian woman who was very forward and said whatever was on her mind, whether it was politically correct or not. Anyway, she was a character and very attentive. I had been wanting to go to Reza's for a long time, and now that I have finally made it, I will probably never go back, simply because there are so many places in Chicago I have yet to try.
(3)Tony S.
Yikes, I don't get why there are so many positive reviews of this dump. Cold falafels, mediocre kabobs and a giant a-hole of a waiter made this a truly awful experience. The food next door is far better, and less expensive. I think this place is skating by on it's popular name and awful commercials.
(1)rebecca g.
the delectable vegetarian shami (falafel in pomegranate sauce) is my only reason to go here. otherwise, I find Reza's very overpriced, so-so, and lacking a variety of quality options for vegetarians who can't eat their weight in hummus and baba ghannouj. to be fair, the starters are nice (lots of salty feta, radishes, pita, and tomato-dill soup) and the entrees are huge--but how much dill rice and plain grilled veggies can one person eat? i'm not a fan of their taboule (ho-hum), or their hummus or baba (really bitter and weird aftertaste), so unless i order meat i always feel cheated. $15 for a vegetarian sampler is ridiculous, when there are so many comparable middle eastern restaurants within walking distance. the meat dishes, though more exciting, are still pretty darned pricy and i usually leave feeling ripped off.
(3)Rachelle G.
I have been coming here for a few years on and off and went back again last night. I like Reza's because they are roomy enough to take large parties on Friday nights. We had no problems with getting a table for eight immediately upon entering. The food is good, not the best, but enjoyable enough. I think it lacks a bit of seasoning. A few in my party asked for hot sauce and were pleasantly surprised at how spicy it was, they are used to restaurants having tame sauces. The portions are huge, I believe most dishes are accompanied by a plateful of rice. The staff is accommodating, but there are times where they tend to just hover in groups together. Overall, a good place to check out if you've never been. In a great neighborhood where you can do a bit of walking after your meal.
(4)Kristen M.
I have been to Reza's several times, and always thought it was very tasty, though slightly overpriced. I've even brought out of town guests there. I hadn't been there in about 3 years and was very excited to go back yesterday. It was awful from the start. There was hardly anyone in the place, and we had a reservation for 7 people. The host seemed annoyed, I think even rolled his eyes as he sat my fiance and I, the first 2 to arrive for our group. I don't remember them not having air conditioning, but they didn't have it and it was over 80 degrees all day yesterday. No one came by to offer us a drink for over 15 minutes. I guess they were waiting until the other members of our party showed. The service was terrible the whole way through. I asked for a glass for the one bottle of wine we ordered. After 15 minutes, another member of my party got it from a busboy. It took over 2 hours from when everyone got there until we left, and this was without appetizers or dessert. And we were one of the only tables in the place! The food was not nearly as good as I remember. Both my fiance and I received different items on our plate than what we ordered. (We both ordered dill rice, I got couscous with fruit and he got white rice.) My couscous was hard and dry, as though it had either been severely overcooked or severely undercooked. The highlight of the evening came when I was eating my stuffed pepper, which truly was good, and something sharp stabbed me in the gums. I spit it out to find an inch and a half long metal shard. When we informed the staff, their response was. Oh. Well, do you want another dinner. No apology, no credit on our $200 bill, no dessert or drink for everyone, just another dinner that is now sitting untouched in my refrigerator. At least this one has dill rice.
(1)Carol H.
The food is healthy and fantastic, of course, but overly expensive for this neighborhood. Lately, they seem to have a problem turning on enough air conditioning in the main diningroom. They leave the doors in the front open in the summer, so the hot air comes into the room. I generally ask to be seated on the side street, where it's cooler. If you just want a quick healthy lunch in this neighborhood, I recommend "A Taste of Lebanon" 2 blocks south on the corner of Clark and Foster Avenue. They sell lentil soup as good as Rezas for just $2.99 and chicken charwama for around $3.99.
(4)Rachel S.
How this place didn't have a higher rating is what made me write a review. What is not to love about this place?! I love the Reza's special chicken with the dill rice and the AMAZING pita bread. Yum! My sister even had her rehearsal dinner there - well at the one downtown, but same thing.
(5)Halisa V.
No matter what, I am always in the mood for Middle Eastern food so Reza's always would hit the spot. I have been over 30+ times and every time it was a good experience. I love when they have the buffet specials. I know they have lunch buffets but I remember they had Iftar buffets during Ramadan too. The Beef, Lamb and Chicken Koubideh Kabob are my absolute favorites with their white or dill rice! Also their other kabobs, lamb dishes and fish dishes are very good. My family and I hosted several dinner parties at this location as well on the upper floor. The service was great and they constantly were refilling the plates and attending to our guests. Overall I love this place!
(5)Sarah T.
The falafel with the pomgagnent sauce was my all-time favorite! ORDER THAT! Other than that, the food here is overpriced. Go somewhere else. There are plenty of middle easter food worth the money and definitely better quality.
(2)Nick R.
I really enjoy coming here for the lunch buffet! It's about $10 and stocked with delicious foods. Beef lamb and chicken kabobs, falafel, rice, biryani, for some reason they have mashed potatoes which does not fit the theme but I am not complaining as it's pretty darn good. The food is usually very tasty and fresh. The bread is also awesome. No complains on the food. Most of the staff is nice but sometimes the can have an attitude. Sometimes takes forever to get drinks refilled. I really dislike that they gouge up the price of the lunch Buffett to 15.95 instead of 10 on holidays such as Presidents' Day when there is no school. Seems shady.
(3)JL Q.
This restaurant, in it's location for as long as I can remember about 25 years, is a staple of ethnic cooking in Chicago. Their cuisine is persian and it's delicious and dependable. For all the years I have dined there over the past 25 years, the food taste and quality has never changed. A kabob is a kabob, but their dill rice is incredible and unique. I chose the marinated chicken on the bone with dill rice for my dinner. My husband and I also split an order of tabouleh that was very delish. I have to give props to my friend and neighbor, though, who makes his special by adding fresh mint to his and that really kicks it off but this was good nevertheless. My husband chose the combination beef and boneless chicken and he said both were moist and tender, which is the same, 'ole dependable way it always is. Service is very attentive and everything our party ordered was delivered with no changes required. Call this place dependable, reliable, consistent and delicious, and visit it soon.
(4)Theresa F.
Most of the bad reviews mirrored whatever the hell it was we experienced here today, so I'll try not to add to the redundancy. *We were shouted at when our party did not all arrive at the same time. (They had at least 10 open tables...so I'm not sure why this was a problem.) *No menus were provided until 3/4 of the way of our self-guided "Sunday Brunch" (so we confusedly proceeded to the buffet) *No water refills throughout the duration of the meal *We had to retrieve our own tab as our waiter (whoever that was) was nowhere to be found...and even then he ended up overcharging us for a guest at our table who did not partake in the buffet. Need I say more? If you don't want to take my word for this hell-hole of a restaurant, go and read the last 30 million reviewers who had similar things to say. We can't all be wrong..
(1)Sarah G.
This place is huge inside. I mean gigantic. And when you walk in and see how big it is, then there is actually more space in party rooms downstairs and other hallways that leads to who knows where! Such a big big restaurant, so I expected big things, but the food really was just so so to me. I had great company though and the service was so friendly, just thought we'd get a little more flavor in this place. The falaffel was a little dry...and no matter how much hummus I put on it, I didn't like it anymore. Their kabob meat was actually okay though with the lamb definitely being the best meat by far. The chicken again seemed overcooked to me, but they are definitely very generous in their portions that they serve you here! You get lots of rice on the platters, some veggies, and then all of the meet. So it made for a great group dining experience since we could easily share and sample everything bite by bite. Their other side salads like tabouleh and such were also all fine, but again nothing super incredible but definitely good side dishes to accompany everything else that we ordered. Their sangria they serve (also not sure why they serve sangria exactly?) also packed a secret punch I think so be careful if you order that!
(3)Gwen D.
In Andersonville for shopping, my mother and I wandered into Reza's for the $10 lunch buffet. (A relic of another time, right?) At first I grumbled to Mom about the critical reviews on Yelp, but by the end of our meal, I was eating crow with my lip-smacking lamb kabobs. While I wouldn't make a special trip for the lunch buffet itself, I'd stop in again for a fresh, filling Mediterranean meal! RECOMMEND: Those lamb kabobs (wow!), the falafel, the dill rice, the garlic-studded flatbread that's brought to the table and the tart lemonade that's included in the cost of the buffet. NOT: the bland hummus or the cucumber salad, which would've benefitted from a sprinkle of sumac or another spice.
(4)Kris P.
Lunch buffet is simply amazing :) , just a quick tip for the kitchen, please make sure it doesn't get cold. Super polite service, easy parking and good drinks.
(4)David C.
When I first moved to Andersonville 17 years ago, I ate at Reza's and experienced hands down the worst and rudest service I have ever come across at any restaurant EVER. The one thing I remember most clearly: the server clicked his tongue at us for leaving a less-than-desirable tip. Clicked. His. Tongue. And let's be clear: he didn't deserve a penny. We wrote a letter to management about the poor experience but received no response. I vowed never to return... and never have. 17 years later, I wonder how much money they've lost from me over the years - not to mention all the folks I send to Andies when asked for a recommendation for Mediterranean food. First impressions matter. A lot.
(1)Amanda D.
I'm not sure what the difference between this Reza's is and the one downtown is, but this was easily one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had. To make things worse, I wanted to bring my mom here for mother's day, and it was just a terrible experience. First of all, the service was awful. When the server came up, she did not even ask if we wanted something to drink. When I asked for water, she started turning around before asking my mom or boyfriend if they wanted something to drink. She never came back for our silverware, and we did not have salt, pepper or somaq. She didn't even refill our water until she heard us complain. The service took a turn for the worse when our food came. Our rice was cold, very greasy, and uncooked. My mom's kabob kubideh was still red on the inside, but they insisted that it was medium-well. As someone who has eaten A LOT of kabob in her life, I know kubideh is never dark pink on the inside. When my mom complained, she had to talk to two servers and they acted as if she should eat it anyway. One server tried to convince me I did not know what medium-well was. Then, we talked to the manager, who was very useless. He did not apologize. He did not say he would talk to the chef. He did nothing. This experience was absolutely horrible. I am so confused, but it definitely ruined Reza's for me. I will be much more hesitant in recommending them in the future and will certainly advise against anyone going to this location.
(1)Dave K.
Top. Notch. Food. That deserves a line unto itself. Reza's is on a corner intersection, ideally located across from a Starbucks. I walked in, and was seated about in the middle of the restaurant, between the front window and the buffet. I opted for the falafel as an appetizer (my first and now definitely not my last time of having it), and the lamb kebab platter as what came to be a HUGE entree!!!! a big platter of bread to go with it, and it was enough food for 2 meals. The tomato and mint (an Iranian traditional taste) is strongly recommended, and it came with onions as well. If you are deliberating about a great place to go in Edgewater, I have one word for you: GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO You will not be dissapointed!!!!
(5)Nurmuhamed U.
Website says birthday discount of 20% with proof. They denied it though, apparently some kind of coupon is required, which website mentions nothing about. Place was pretty busy so maybe they didn't care much about a few customers being dissatisfied. Waiter just brought a jug of water and placed it on the table without any glasses. After asking a few of times and being ignored, we just stopped by bar and got glasses ourselves.
(2)Mathieu B.
Okay! So it was my second time at this establishment and I have to change my review. I am never coming back here and I urge people to not bother either. So, when we arrived at 1pm on a Monday for lunch, we were refused seating at a table that we requested because it was reserved for another guest. This was okay and understandable. We ended up sitting at a very comfortable area and were the only guests in this area which meant that we could giggle and speak freely. When the waitress arrived, to my surprise, she was unfamiliar with the menu????!!!! This I forgave and proceeded to place our orders. The drinks took over 33 minutes to arrive at our table because she had forgotten and when I ordered my gin and tonic, the bartender brought over a glass with gin, a splash of tonic and another glass of ice. I had never been served g&t in this manner in my life! Sufficed to say thatI hated my drink, it was by far the worst thing that I had ever had. As I had decided to grab the buffet, I was surprised that some of the hotplates were empty and there was barely any variety at all. My friends meals took over 45 minutes to arrive from when we had ordered them, with one of my friends asking 4 times,"where is our food?" Baring in mind, its a Monday and the place was not full at all. Sufficed to say we are never going back and I would urge people to not go there either, the place is clearly run by people who have no idea what they are doing.
(1)MC B.
Had dinner again here last night with two others and was very disappointed The lentil soup was fabulous but every thing else was just okay. The salmon was a bit dry, rice seems to be of inferior quality, the mince kabobs were ehhhhh. I almost cried when I took my first bite of Kashk Bademjon as it was no where near a properly cooked dish. Wait staff, servers, bus boys, and table staff should be very proud of the wonderful job that they do. I think a number of restaurants should model their staff after Reza's front of house staff.
(3)Penny L.
Sunday Brunch for your special occasion. The spread laid out was enjoyed by our large party of 80. Found free street parking nearby. DH walked half meter with sound equipment. We were permitted to set up after calling days in advance. Oops, sent upstairs. Walked a flight of stairs. Didn't see an elevator. Found out wrong party room. Upstairs for more intimate parties. Has bar area. Went back downstairs to the main floor private space. Floor to ceiling windows brought Chicago sunshine to light up the space. There is a side entrance on Berwyn Ave. White table cloth. Paper on top. Empty glasses. Utensils wrapped in ruby cloth dinner napkins. Pitchers of water and soda set out. Rectangular length tables seated 12 to 16. Mobile coat rack present. Booster seats available. Washroom accessible downstairs, with very visible signs. The room was set to seat 100. Tried to play children party game but had to modify due to space. Best to have sit down games. Staff and owner? very accommodating. Explained buffet setting. Asked if there were plenty of seats. Helped bring in more tables to set up gift and dessert table. Were permitted to bring sweets. There was always a staff member present to assist. Always checking with hosts and guests. Allowed to decorate at 11am. Guests were trickling in due to cramped street parking. Best to tell guests to plan for traffic and parking. Best to wear comfy shows. The private room connected to main dining room has a small slope. So be careful walking in heels or if you need walking assistance. Our guests had no complaints with the layout. Guests are asked to head to buffet area in groups of 16. This is to control flow of traffic. Staff also gauges food to communicate to kitchen to replenish. Our guests enjoyed their meal. Dirty plates were frequently whisked away. Guests had to hold on to their utensils. Fresh plates were plenty at buffet. Salmon, beef, chicken, lamb, rice, two soups, fresh fruit, dessert, hot beverage. More than I could list. Sorry, I don't recall names of dishes but you can create a complete healthy meal with veggies. I enjoyed the grilled chicken and tender lamb in tomato sauce. Fresh pots of coffee and hot water for tea were brewing in site. Coffee cups available in area. Mimosa was good. To keep bubbles fresh, mimosas made when most of the guests arrived. I'd have an event here now knowing the logistics of the area and the restaurant operation. Clockwork planning and things run smoothly.
(5)Amy M.
I have never been to Reza's so I was excited to check out this hot spot! My sister and I were greeted warmly and shown to a table by the widow. Our waitress made great recommendations to get us started! We had roasted feta cheese and a tabbouli salad... BOTH AMAZING! The cheese was salty cheesy warm goodness! There were tomatoes and olives that complemented all the flavors, too. The salad was so fresh and lemony. I highly recommend both. Then, the kabobs came out! We dug in again for another mouth watering feast! They were cooked and marinated to perfection! I think Reza's is great for couples, first dates, families, parties, solo meals, friends and well pretty much anytime with whoever you want! And prices were very reasonable!
(5)Hannah H.
About a 2-2.5: My husband and I came here to check out their lunch buffet - they had all the basic staples of a Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine, such as kabobs, boneless chicken, rice, falafels, hummus, salads, stews, and desserts. The falafels were way too mushy for my taste as it seemed as if they didn't fry it long enough or too much water was added; the lamb and beef kabobs were chewy and underseasoned, even though they were generously sliced chunks; the spicy chicken drumettes were okay, but I thought it would have been more spicy savory (as it tasted more like roasted chicken); I really enjoyed their mini donuts for dessert. I'm glad I was able to try this place out! +mini donuts +lunch buffets available
(3)Karen C.
Service was good. There were four of us, and it took quite a while for us to decide on what we wanted to eat. Waiter came by several times, and was not annoyed by having to come back again and again. Chicken kabob plate was very delicious. Chicken was fully cooked and seasoned well. Dill rice...no words! I will go back to get that time and time again. I wish the veggies provided were different, but beggars can't be choosers. My plate could have served two people, at least. Sometimes I find this annoying. However, it means I have lunch (or dinner) for tomorrow. More dill rice!!! Provided a water pitcher for the table. As someone who drinks a lot of water, I found it amazing to not have to flag someone down every time I finished my glass.
(4)Aaron S.
Went for the all you can eat, Sunday brunch buffet. The restaurant is massive, so luckily we didn't have to wait long. I ordered the all you can drink mimosa, and the service was very slow. I only had a few throughout the course of my meal. The food was just OK - nothing I ate was super amazing or memorable at all. Just wasn't anything special, especially for the price. I guess i'd give this restaurant a 2.5, if u could.
(2)Padma A.
I cant say enough about how yummy the food was 4 hours after pick up. Anya took my order, absolutely polite and helped suggest the right stuff for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. We took the food on a cruise and everyone loved it. Chicken kabob, lamb kabobs, falafal, hummus, babganoush and Tabouli salad. They gave enough Pitas with Tahini sauce and a generous tray of dillrice along with plastic ware. My friend who was supposed to pick the food got delayed and Anya called me to check the status, can the customer service @ Rezas get any better??
(5)Mohammed A.
Oh my! Oh My! It was amazing. The chicken koobideh was grilled perfectly, nice and juicy, and was wonderfully spiced. I thought it was the best chicken koobideh I've ever eaten in the US.
(5)Hamdan A.
I don't know what is the wrong with cooking the meat very well. I want it will done and it comes half raw . I went to this restaurant more than 5 times. Still have the same problem
(2)Betty W.
The best place to eat and such nice people I had the Chicken kabab so delicious-highly recommend this place u must try it
(5)Eric F.
This is Reza's original location... and when it first opened there was nothing like it in Chicago. Luckily Reza's still offers much of its original charm and purpose. And the menu is almost identical to the one it opened with. Reza's offers essentially traditional Persian fare. It is housed in a massive industrial designed warehouse restaurant with high ceilings, visible piping, and echoing sounds. The waitstaff is polite and helpful, although when ever they mess up an order they will blame the customer (it is a middle eastern thing I think... not to lose face). Reza's is reasonably priced and the portions are big enough to split. The first thing that comes out is a free Iranian condiment plate, with onions, radish, feta cheese, parsley, and olives. After you order you usually get a delicious lentil soup, followed by your extra appetizers or straight to your dinner. I have been to many Persian places since my first introduction to the cuisine at Reza's, and Reza's does not offer all of the common authentic items that I can get elsewhere. But there is an array of dips al la Lebanese feasts, like Hummus and Baba Ganush. So let's go right to the main courses, which are for the most part, some type of kabob served on dill Bastmati rice, accompanied by a side skewer of grilled vegetables. As far as the kabobs go, there are a lot to choose from: steak, filet, ground spiced beef, chicken, lamb, quail, and seafood. You can also get a combo. There are a few stews too, and daily specials. If you are there on a night when they have stewed lamb shank, get it, it is very good. And I always go home with leftovers of what ever I have ordered. Tea is a good beverage to drink here but they also offer beer and wine. For desert they have more tradition Greek and Armenian pastries, like bakalava. Reza's used to be open very late, but I am not sure that is the case anymore. On weekdays they have a very reasonable buffet lunch.
(4)Matt M.
I usually go to Reza's in River North, which has always been great, but I decided to take my Persian girlfriend and her mother out to this one when she was visiting last and could not have been more disappointed. The kebab was not cooked and the rice was old and hard. When we asked if they could cook the kebab and bring out some fresh rice, the server told us that the chef always cooks it that way. When my Persian girlfriend and Persian mother pointed out how that is not the traditional way to make a traditional Persian dish, the server walked away and ignored us. When we eventually tracked down the manager, he did not apologize and did not offer to even take the uncooked kebab and old rice off of the bill (even though we refused to eat it). Additionally, we never received any refills on our beverages. I will never return to this Reza's again.
(1)Karolina S.
The customer service here is AMAZING. They get 5 stars just for how they handled this mix up. My boss decided to order food for the whole office. We went online to check out their menu and we placed our order... Ok great. The guy tells me the total and its about $35 over what we thought it would be. I went over the order with him and everything seemed right so we hung up. I literally called him back about 6 times trying to figure out what was wrong. Apparently the menu online didn't reflect their current prices, and I told the gentleman that the only reason we ordered from them was because of the affordable price point. He lowered the price once, and then when I asked him to lower it to what the price should've been - he did. And when the food arrived, he threw in extra goodies for our trouble! Some delicious churro-type desserts (omg) and a free goat cheese-lettuce contraption. The food merits about 4 stars... But the customer service, if I could give them 7 stars I would.
(5)Kurowsh S.
After hearing great things I finally decided to try this place. The service was very fast and friendly-my waiter was always one step ahead. The food was very good and fresh. I highly recommend the kabob plates. I was honestly shocked to see how affordable the food was and the portion sizes are very big. I definitely recommend this place and will be going back soon. Being Persian, it was great to find an all around fantastic Iranian restaurant in my neighborhood. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!!
(5)Richard o.
I went to this restaurant over the Easter holidays for the first time and I have to say their food is out of this world..extra sumptuous varieties that if your palettes failed you, you'd still be in love. Now am hosting my son's 1st BD party and am ordering from them....wait for my next review
(5)Theo E.
I took an out of town friend here for dinner as a change of pace as neither of us had tried persian food before. We were both extremely pleased with our meal. We started off with hummus and falafel, which was good, nothing too extraordinary though. We both ordered lamb for our main course - I got the lamb shank and my friend got the lamb kabob. This was excellent, the lamb shank was tender and juicy, falling right off the bone. The kabob was seasoned wonderfully and perfectly charred. The bread was also really good, would love to just snack on that at home. The service was ok, the waitress had trouble remembering our order - e.g, she brought me the lentil soup instead of the chicken. It wasn't atrocious, just it could have been better. The lamb shank is definitely a steal for only $15, and the portions are a really nice size, I was able to take about half of it home. I definitely recommend Reza's for that and the bread.
(4)Valerie O.
Very disappointed by Reza's tonight. The waiter pushed us to get the buffet for $19. I think this was a memorial day special. The buffet was not good. Watery hummus, burned falafels, dry rice. The Chicken wasn't as good as when they have it on the menu as Reza's special chicken which was my favorite. I'm not sure if the buffet is permanent. I certainly hope not. I like my food cooked fresh.
(1)Rachel R.
Oh dear, I rarely put up 1-star reviews. I wouldn't put this one up if I wasn't 100% confident that the meal that my husband I ate today caused us to get food poisoning. Today my husband and I went to lunch at Reza's. We didn't get the buffet option but instead ordered different meals. We shared some of our meals and both entrees had many of the same ingredients. The food itself was good, if a bit bland. The service was definitely iffy but we were relaxed and not in a rush so it wasn't a big deal. Until... About an hour after, my husband and I began to feel like death. He and I didn't realize that we were both ill until we spoke after dragging ourselves through work. It was immediately clear that after eating at Reza's and parting ways, we'd developed identical symptoms of food poisoning. It's likely there was some sort of cross-contamination at play and I certainly hope that it didn't transfer to the buffet and make other people feel so horrid. I have leftovers in my fridge that are most definitely being tossed out. I can only hope that there will be an internal review of kitchen protocols and standards to ensure that the food is safe to be served. In the meantime, I'll be at Andie's.
(1)Joe T.
I've eaten here for years. It used to be very good, now they've taken a quantity vs. quality approach. Food is very bland. They need to 'kick it up a notch' with the spices.
(3)Dew W.
The food was cooked within an inch of it's life, carbonized, served on a pile of dry rice. The heartburn was not worth the expense and the effort to find parking. We were particularly unnerved by the restaurant owner's loud telephone conversation at the table behind us. The expletives were as copious as the dry rice. The atmosphere is not inviting and could stand a good hosing down. While we did not witness bugs as other reviewers have we would not be surprised by their presence. However, Andes, located next door was very good.
(1)David S.
I was lucky enough to have my reception at Reza's restaurant in July. Everyone that came absolutely raved about how delicious the food was. The personnel and management we're so helpful and professional in setting up for this wedding reception. I was so pleased with how everything went. I would recommend this to anyone. This is the place to go. Thank you again to all the wonderful staff at Rezas..!! Hats off..#!
(5)Naty K.
Love Reza's. been coming here since i was in my momma's belly, (yes, that long) and i tooootally love everything. The outside patio on clark st is just one of andersonville's perks. Loved my service last time (went for bday lunch) the manager recognized my mom after years of her being there. (she doesn't get out too much -_-) but i love it, yay Reza's for doing it right.
(5)Margaret A.
Ate here once for a buffet...they added 18.00.tip for a useless woman to bring pop to us. Food nothing extra too.
(1)James P.
This review is particularly about Reza's Thanksgiving Buffet. I have been before to Reza's and the restaurant is fine. But during the Thanksgiving Buffet they really dropped the ball. They tried to serve both typical Thanksgiving fare and Persian food (stick with what you know). Which meant the selection of Persian dishes were less than usual. Further they never really tried to create some special atmosphere for Thanksgiving. Pretty much every corner Starbucks has more atmosphere. It really seemed like they put no effort into it. But lastly, the service is just completely substandard. With the charm of a used-car salesman our waiter tried to offer us 'just the right wine for you, my lady'. Can I have a wine menu?? No, I guess not. At some point in the evening, some of the wait staff decided to claim an empty table next to us. Yikes, I think every suburban Denny's, Chili's, TGIF or whatnot has wait staff with better sense than that.
(2)Kristine M.
I've been here a few times, and in am pretty surprised by all the bad reviews I've seen on here. The food is always delicious and prepared just how I've requested. I'm a vegetarian and I really do go nuts for this place! I've never done the buffet here, but I'm curious to try. It's definitely worth trying if you're in the neighborhood!
(4)Bob L.
The first time I visited Reza's was almost 20 years ago. I helped a friend move to Chicago and we stumbled into Reza's starving after a full day of unloading a UHaul into her Edgewater apartment. We were starving, not sure about Persian food, but at the point where we would eat anything. Since that first visit, I return to Reza's every time I visit Chicago. It is consistently exceptional and I start to salivate just thinking about it. I've ordered off the menu and have never had a dish I did not like, but I especially enjoy the weekend brunch buffet. It is full of variety and provides a range of sampling from their diverse and expansive menu. Also, a pitcher of their sangria makes it all that much better.
(5)S. Sean B.
Visiting from Southern California - The food at this establishment seems to be authentic and very well done. The atmosphere is one of an eatery. It is joining Mediterranean restaurant together with its overall atmosphere is not one that I would recommend for the more fine dining experience. Service is certainly something to be desired. It is located every happening part of town so it might yield good results for a night out... I would recommend the other Persian/Iranian restaurant in Chicago area that I also reviewed.
(3)Zukicka Z.
Well..there are a lot of things going on with this place. First I have to say, I LOVE MOST OF THEIR FOOD. Its really good. There are a few things ,like the hummus someone mentioned already that could be better, but there are others like their filet mignon in mushroom sauce that is to die for ! I also love all their Kebabs ( and you have lots of choices when it gets to those) Yes it is a little pricey, but this particular food is worth it. I say check it out, but with a small party because it adds up quickly at this place. As far as staff is concerned, there is one very rude woman working there. She is just horrible, usually works the phones. I've been here tons of times and I've never seen her smile. The managers and other staff are fine, but she is just horrible. Other than that I'd say definitely check it out ! At least once !
(4)Joonho Y.
Food is Delicious. I usually get Takeout, so I can't really comment on the Dining Room. This is my "Go-To Place" for Middle Eastern Food. The Falafels are Awesome!
(4)Taner B.
unprofessional service today i went to lunch buffet with my friends ,usually we were paying approximately 45 $ (for 3 person) but today when we got the bill it Was 85 $ its much more then usual, i talk with the waiter about it and she told me that today ``EID`` there is special price hic iis twice of my regular bill .but nobodytold me about special price changed and there is ni visiable sign saying that there is a special price today they should have informed customers about this price change im extremly diissapointed and felt like this bussines practice is realy deceiving this is an insult to regullar custumers as we were
(1)Diana S.
I really didn't like Rezas. I felt like it was a serious disappointment. Rezas is by far not the best Persian food in the city. The only good thing about our dinner had to be the soup and bread. Ugh
(1)Helen S.
I came here for an event earlier in the week. The restaurant is cute and serves decent Mediterranean food. I just ordered the chicken kabobs appetizer, which were well seasoned and tender. They give you pita bread to go with it, and if you're not too hungry as I was, the app and bread was enough to keep me full. I noticed other people who ordered the regular sized entrees, which come in ginormous platter sized portions, and I was super happy with the size of my choice. Service was only okay. They didn't come around to refill water much, and everything took awhile. Near the end of the meal, they mixed up the bill (put me and my friend on the same tag) and seemed annoyed when we asked them to split it.
(3)Cheryl M.
Enjoyed a great New Years Eve dinner here. The complimentary bread with feta and parsley was delicious and was also a very generous amount. The chicken kabobs with dill rice was great. I ordered a delicious Italian white wine and it was only $8 for a generous pour. Can't wait to go back. Yum.
(5)Mytoan N.
My significant other loves this restaurant, and I've visited here quite a number of times -- there's many locations in Chicago but I adore the Andersonville one, since across the street, there is a Persian grocery store as well. The story behind this restaurant from a close source was that the owner owned a restaurant called Reza in Tehran and did really well. He rebuilt his life from scratch in the US and started this successful restaurant in the Midwest. On a recent dining experience in Chicago at Reza, I saw the owner doing the bookkeeping. I love the fessunjan pomegranate walnut chicken, the cranberry saffron rice, the dill rice, and the lamb shanks. I also like the ghorma sabbzi, I've heard it takes foreever to make, better to just buy it and enjoy. Persian restaurants in the Midwest are a premium. If you're trying one for the first time, Reza's in Chicago is a good place to start. There's only one in Wisconsin - Shiraz in Milwaukee, which is a la cart and delicious. I love both places.
(5)Katy H.
I really love this place. But every time I go, they get something wrong, but that can be overlooked, because the food is good, the portions are huge and the price is right. I work just a block away, so I frequently order for lunch or stop by for dinner. I usually get some variation of the vegetarian sampler for lunch and get so much food I can eat it for at least 3 meals! I've tried a variety of different meals for dinner and there hasn't been anything I haven't enjoyed! My only real complaint is that their service is slow. They never have my carry out ready when I call ahead and they usually mess up one of my dishes. Also, sometimes I get rice, sometimes I don't. Not a huge problem at all, but they need to be on the same page All in all, I love this place!
(4)Nancy F.
I love Reza's food but sometimes it can be inconsistent. Like once I ordered the Salmon Kabobs and it came as a big piece and not on a skewer, totally fine but just not what I expected. Then when I ordered it again, it came on the skewer and I was confused. The salmon is extremely good so I didn't care but another more annoying customer might be annoyed by this. Mr. Reza is one of the nicest men and I will always continue to support this restaurant as they are a neighborhood staple.
(4)Elina S.
We used to come here ALLLL the time as this is one of my family's favorite Mediterranean restaurants. The place is quite adorable, and they have really good sangria (which is strange since it's not Spanish) but it's so darn good and really gets you after a few glasses. My family went here for both the buffet which is family style and also ordering off the regular menu and for me they have the absolute BEST falafal out of anywhere I've ever had, in fact I would go there and JUST order that with their yummy red and white sauces. My parents always got the kabobs and the meat entrees with the dill rice that they love, and always left full and with leftovers for the next day! Definitely a great place for good atmosphere, yummy food, when you're in the mood, and pretty good service.
(4)Alicia K.
Food + value only gets 3 stars because it wasn't that awesome. Delicious, but nothing to write home about. Kind of expensive considering portion size. There are better places in Albany Park. I'm giving an extra star because the service was awesome. We had a sassy waitress who was a hoot. And the location is prime for people watching in andersonville.
(4)A. K.
Been here twice and both times the lunch buffet was open so we decided to try it. The first time...food was good, had a good time. The next time we planned on ordering from the menu but as we were in a hurry...we went for the buffet again. Bad idea. The food felt and looked stale and old. Both my husband and I had upset stomach for the next 2 days...horrid. The interior is nice enough...the waiters are kind and make sure everything is in order. Good place - don't do the buffet.
(3)Minh D.
Great restaurant for Persian food. I like their Andersonville more than their downtown location. Their fish is excellent. Many years ago I used to come here for their wild caught Chilean sea bass - the thick juincy fish steak if you know what I am talking about. Due to the ban, they now have farm raised sea bass, which to me tastes more like Tilapia and lacking the buttery melt in your mouth found in wild caught Chilean sea bass. I usually get the a fish dish when coming here. My fav. is their white fish. Their ground meat on the skewers (kuibideh, joujeh, jengeh,etc.) is great as well. The lamb shank is also a good dish here. The portions here are huge. For consistent good quantity, quality, ambiance and service I am rating this restaurant a 4 stars.
(4)Irina F.
Good place to be if you like meats. We came here for a Father's Day Brunch. Lots of food in the buffet. Everything tasted great. The only reason I gave 3 stars is because of the washroom appearance. If you had money to spend on marble walls, you should be able to find a little more to keep it in good shape and replace small thing like seats. It feel like they were never replaced since the restaurant opened.
(3)Omar K.
living in Andersonville my entire life I've eaten at almost every "big" restaurant on Clark. Rezas was always a favorite growing up. I hadn't been there in a few years and tonight decided to take my girlfriend there. we were greeted at the door by 2 gentlemen and they quickly seated us. our waitress didn't speak English too well, so she had us point to what we wanted on the menu. we ordered our food and was brought to the table in about 20 minutes. she ordered a shrimp plate, I ordered a mixed kabob plate. the shrimp was fantastic, but the couscous was extremely plain with no flavor, as were the kabobs. when we both finished we were waiting for the check, but the waitress was no where to be found. I asked one of the gentlemen up front for the check, and shortly after the waitress brings the check. I was disappointed in the service of the waitress, but more disappointed in the food quality. it's pretty sad because rezas has always been known to be one of the better middle eastern restaurants on the northside. for TRUE authentic middle eastern food, the southside holds that title.
(2)Josh G.
Food: Not too impressed. I ordered the Garlic Baked Potatoes, the $12.95 special that comes with bread, two Kabobs, and grilled tomatoes. Potatoes- Lacking flavor and a bit dry. i had to drown them in the garlic butter and add salt to make them worth eating. I ordered the Beef and the Chicken. The chicken was really good and had flavor; the beef was nothing to write home to mom about. If you go here and order this, stick with the chicken. It's a much better option. Service: Good service. :) Price: I think the food is way overpriced for the quality and flavor you get. I say skip Reza's and go next door to Andie's and get a better deal, better food, and better overall experience. Ask for Cassandra the server there and Gill, the General Manager, will treat you right.
(2)Elizabeth A.
This is pretty much the only exciting thing about Andersonville. They make DELICIOUS Persian food, especially the bademjan. I can't speak for the meat dishes but the vegetarian samplers are huge and yummy. The waitress recommended that my boyfriend and I order a sampler plate & fish but just the sampler & one appetizer were more than enough. We had to take the rest home. Anyway, I recommend it and especially the sampler plate which will feed two for only $15.95!
(4)Michael R.
This place was great! We didn't have to wait for a table and everyone was so nice. The prices seem a little high but the portions are HUGE. Atmosphere is cute. I will certainly be returning soon.
(5)Sarah R.
I'm kind of sad to hear that people are having such a bad time at Reza's. I admit it's probably been about 5 months since I've been here, but if my memory serves me right, the food is to die for! I dream about it while I'm sleeping and while I'm awake. I grew up on Reza's. My family would always take me here as a kid and I can remember as soon as I started to drive my sister and I would steal away here. I've taken dates here and celebrated big occasions with friends and family. The lunch buffet is awesome during the week. I just wish it didn't end at 3pm. The weekend buffet is even better! They add extra menu items that you can't find in the weekly lunch buffet you can even find a glass of champagne on your table during the weekend brunch. Staff has always been pretty nice. Not overly nice, but decent nonetheless. One thing a lot of people don't know is that they have a free private lot across the street behind the Cheetah gym. There's even a nice guy watching the lot (so other violators don't park too). I've been to the Ontario location and experienced the same. I'm very pleased with this restaurant and will continue to patronize them. Maybe they need another chance?
(5)Yav A.
As far as Persian/Irani food goes nothing compares to Rezas. It was verbally confirmed by the waitress that the food is zabiha/halal (muslim kosher). I judge it by koubideh and it is still the best! I asked for well done and it was seasoned to perfection. Can't get enough of this place. Mashallah!
(5)Lalita A.
MmmMMmmmm FOOD and i mean lots and lots of FOOD ! okay so I already knew I was breaking my diet the moment they set down that unlimited platter of bread served with cheese. And you know what else goes well with that bread ? The grilled skewered mushrooms, trust me... I am NOT a mushroom person. Points for also having the soup. If I am eating out, I'd like to be treated with multiple courses. Appetizer (dry and soup) plus entree . Having experienced Mediterranean food before, I know how dangerously big the portions are, so I shared an entree with a friend. I had the boneless chicken kabob. The onion was super sweet, I quite enjoyed it. The chicken was cooked nicely, and i was obsessed with the Persian Rice. It was also a cute gesture in the end when they served all sorts of dessert. But the portions minus the baklava were huge! Too bad I was stuffed. At first you might thing $15 is pricey, but really, can you really finish 5 scoops of rice with a bunch of meat on the side with that huge bread as a starter? Come after me if you are still unsatisfied.
(4)Elizabeth F.
We went here for a rehearsal dinner. First of all the space upstairs was perfect for a large party. The acoustics were good, there were a lot of people in the room but it wasn't loud. Second- the food was amazing. We were all trying to be polite and not take the last piece as the plates were being passed around, but at the same time wishing it was ours. Our server was lovely, I didn't get her name. But she was so friendly! After several courses of vegetarian-friendly items we were served the main dish. They were lamb and chicken kebabs. It didn't bother me, because the first few courses had been exceptional. I perfectly content to sit and wait for dessert. Then after everyone was digging in, the server came back with the huge tray of the one of the most delicious vegetarian selections I have ever had. Everyone paused at the table to stare at the magnificent meal they had prepared for me. The server said jokingly, "Uh-oh, now everyone is jealous!" It was true. It was so good. As it turns out, my friend had forgotten to order vegetarian entrees (totally understandable- it's a wedding, she had enough to think about!). When she realized it (about the time the kebabs came to the table) she asked them if they could make something for me and the other vegetarian there (which she really didn't need to do). And they were perfectly accommodating. Can I just say again- the food was amazing! If my friend hadn't told me that she forgot, I never would have known. ................ Now after writing this review I need to go back!
(4)Mike A.
I've loved this place since discovering it in the early 90s when I lived in Andersonville. At that time is was a nice neighborhood Mideastern Restaurant. Now its in an incredibly vibrant neighborhood & is even more awesome. My favorite dish is the Kabobs. I loved the soup. Its a great place for a date or with a group of friends. The kids seemed to like it too. Service can be iffy - depends on who you get. Some are more attentive than others and sometimes language can be a challenge. Food has always been tasty. The only challenge can be finding parking - having lived in the area, I know parking can be hit or miss. Sometimes you just have to circle around the side streets to find parking. The El is not far away, so you can take it to get here.
(4)M S.
The food is great here, absolutely anything you get. The staff on the other hand, is horrible. I've been here numerous times. There was only one time I came here and actually got good customer service. Most other times, staff is horrible. One of the waiters here totally ignored the fact that he was waiting our table...them when he got our food, it was wrong and he kept blaming us for his mistake. The manager had to send him home because he was too tired and wasn't paying attention. If you come here after 930, you should definitely expect bad service as all the staff wants to leave. It's a good restaurant with horrible customer service.
(1)C C.
We often buy take-out from Reza's and really enjoy the kabobs with dill rice. The portions are generous, and the meats are always perfectly grilled every time. The kabobs are not seasoned a lot, so if you like lots of flavor and sauce on your grilled meat, you might find it bland. We enjoy them though. The food we've tried so far has been great. When we've dined there, service has been very good as well.
(4)Jen J.
Oh Reza's how I missed you! I missed you so much that you made my list of "must eat here" while I was back in my old stomping grounds in Chicago. I have been dreaming about your dill rice for eight years...literally. Upon walking in, it was just as I remembered! Lively and packed full as it should be. Just a short wait for a table and then the nomming commenced. I chose the Lentil soup (as per usual) and ordered some hummus because... of course I did. Excellent depth of flavor in both of my choices thus far. Reza's serves up some of the richest and smoothest hummus with warm, soft pita perfection! They still serve the small plate of feta cheese, radishes and greens but the only thing I ate was the feta which of course, was very good. For my entree I ordered (don't ask me for the real name which starts with a J and I forgot what it's really called...whups) a chicken kabob on the bone along with the long lusted after dill rice and grilled veg. After ordering, my server uttered those three words that I remembered so well: "the big one?" Yes! I want the big one and I'm going to eat the entire thing too! Every time I ordered it previously the wait staff would ask that exact question; love it! The chicken was cooked through and smoky and juicy and totally delicious. The dill rice was everything I had been dreaming of and the two in combination were absolute heaven in my mouth. There is so much flavor and heart and soul in this food and you can really taste it. Beautiful presentation as well which only makes the dining experience that much better. The only little complaint I had on this fine evening was the service. When I was being tended to it was fine but there were no drink refills offered and a long wait for the check at the end (at least 20 minutes). I remembered some words of wisdom to the effect of "you don't want to start ignoring your customer at the end of the meal." I was ready for something sweet after my lovely meal but lost interest while waiting for the server to return. Thanks again though Reza's for a great feast filled with yummy flavor and good memories!
(4)Bex A.
My friend and I stop by here a while ago while walking around Andersonville and have been coming here ever since. I really enjoy their buffets. If you want something specific you could order through their menu as well. I love their kefta kabobs and grilled mushrooms. The soup are okay. It's a good place to stop by every time you have a chance.
(4)Annie C.
me gusta their lunch buffet. small selection, but good! i can't wait to go back again!
(4)M M.
Good Dill Rice.. Annnndd....that's about it.. Waiter didn't ask us for anything to drink... creeper creeped around...and then decided to eat next to us during his....break??? Anywho another shamble of a day..except for getting back home to kick up my feet to type this review.. Remember kids...we don't need no "ooops" for a restaurant!
(1)Jeremy S.
I want to give this restaurant a 5, since I think it deserves a better rating than 3 stars. This is a 4 star restaurant. Still, I'll let crowd-sourcing do its thing. I love Reza's. My parents have been taking there since I was little, and it's something I often crave when I think of going out to eat. Their dill rice is addictive. Their Jojeh Kebab (it's a chicken served on a kebab made of chicken bone. Either way, it doesn't matter, it's amazing) is amazing. Their shrimp kebabs are great, too. It's a tad pricey if you're a starving grad student like me. I usually have to go with my parents. Still, one word of advice. Go get the lunch buffet if you're looking to eat a day's worth of meals in 1 meal. It's $19.95, but you won't leave disappointed in your decision. They pretty much have all of their fare there, and it's all you can eat. When the weather's nice, they also have nice outdoor seating, and almost all of their beers are $3. This is a good place to have dinner and drinks. My one minor complaint is that the pita kinda stinks. I'd give this place 5 stars, but I have to leave that upper echelon for those places that really knock the wind out of me. Still, this restaurant is a staple of my childhood, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
(4)Jen S.
Reza's, you guys are so great! I've been here twice now and enjoyed the buffet. Each time, I've told the waitstaff that I cannot eat gluten. Each time, the server has quite pleasantly taken me around to each dish at the buffet, told me what it is, and if it contains gluten or not. When she had doubts about one item, a soup, she asked another employee, and he was quite happy to help as well. As the lady was showing me the options, she offered me a freshly made, no-crouton caesar salad and some fresh falafel. She brought them out quickly, and in generous quantity. The food was so good and everyone was so nice and man, what a lovely lunch. I want more. Thank you!!
(5)Scott A.
This was the worst delivery meal we have ever had. Next time I'll just throw $67 out my window while driving around town. This app forced me to add a star in order to post. If I could give it a big ZERO, I would. We ordered a few appetizers, two entrees and a dessert through Grub Hub. Our order arrived much earlier than expected (a plus), and we live close by the restaurant. Our meat was so overlooked that no one would eat it. An appetizer was missing and everything was ice cold, which is perplexing since it was delivered quickly. Grub Hub tried to rectify, unsuccessfully, and reza's refuses to rectify this situation. Working in management in the business, I would expect better service from a place that had been around such a long time. I will never order from here, or use Grub Hub, ever again.
(1)Peggah G.
This location of Reza's loses a star because they lie about their hours. When they say they're open til 11 or 12am, that's only if they're 'busy'. I've tried to eat here a few times just to find out that they were closed. It was a huge disappointment. I haven't been here in a couple of years, but I'm a picky eater, and usually the buffet doesn't have what I want. So I always just order from the menu. I've never been let down from the food that I've ordered. It's always been hot and delicious. This is definitely not a restaurant for a late night snack, though. Better closer to traditional dinner or lunch times.
(4)Rachel H.
I really like Reza's food and I always have, but their prices have increased considerably since I first tried them, and it makes me less excited about hitting up this place when I could go to Andie's right next door. I'd never been to this location, and being a bit nervous for a first date, I wanted to be left alone. Too bad our server Dennis thought my date had left me alone. He was a bit tooooo attentive and tried to get me liquored up. Once my dining companion arrived he backed off a little bit. Stood up? I think not. I enjoyed the complimentary salad bar with purchase of entree because it involved the lentil soup of my dreams, but Reza's has just gotten too expensive for what it is. Contributing to Alexi Giannoulias' slush fund? I've heard of stranger things.
(3)Ismail A.
Reza is one of my favorite Persian restaurants in Chicago. I love it special on Sunday tonight they have special buffet .Also don't forget to drink my favorite tea a Persian tea (:
(5)Jennifer B.
Ok. Everything here is ok. If you limit your expectations beforehand, you won't be disappointed. I haven't experienced any issues with the waitstaff, which is the primary reason for my repeated patronage. Whether Sunday brunch or a dinner buffet, I've always received attentive, respectful and efficient service. Moreover, they understand the beauty of not hounding me every five minutes, which is a welcomed experience. Their food is consistently well-prepared. Again, is it going to blow your mind? No. But you likely won't be disappointed. The dishes are standard Mediterranean/Persian, with few surprises. The cocktail list tries to be inventive, but I've noticed that the more exotic drinks are usually the weakest. They do, however, have generous pours on their wines...just don't expect fifteen choices. Their variety fits the menu, however. The buffet is an excellent introduction to this type of cuisine, or a good fit if you want to sample several items. Common sense dictates, however, that some dishes are best served to order. While I love having filet mignon skewers as a buffet option, if their ambient temperature renders them to sandpaper consistency it somewhat defeats the purpose. Be forewarned that if you are a vegetarian, you will be somewhat limited in your options. Recently, my dining vegan dining companion returned from the buffet with a half-plate of mashed potatoes. I didn't have the heart to tell him that they may have been prepared with powdered milk. For the area, there's a very laidback and almost soothing atmosphere to the dining experience. Even when there's a full house (which there often is, due to parties), I've never felt crowded or rushed.
(3)Kelly F.
Great food, fast service. The only thing I disnt like was my margherita was in a regular soda cup. Haha. Other than that and my HORRIFIC date, i enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. Will def be back!!
(5)Victoria W.
Came here on a snowey blizzard day this past week. The ambiance of the restaurant is the most noteworthy part. Very spacious, clean and the overall feel is very homey and has great character. The service is good, nothing to complain about but by no means super impressive. We came here for the lunch buffet(arrived around 3pm), which apparently lasts until around 9PM at dinner time. The buffet is $19.99 per person, honestly, I would be expecting a lot more for this price tag. There were 2 types of soup, neither were good( barley and tomato lentil), 3 types of rice, plain, dill rice or spicy vegetable, they were average. 2 types of salad, ceasar or Iranian salad, the ceasar salad was quite good but it was probably because it was heavily drenched in dressing, the salad had nothing but lettuce. There were also some chicken, lamb and beef kabob. Only 1 type of fried desert. The falafel were pretty good, moist and good flavors. The best was the cucumber yogurt sauce. Honestly the buffet was not worth $20. I would pay half of the price if I were to come back as a regular. The items were pretty standard and taste was not superb, I go to school in a small town and we have an Indian buffet in town that costs around $12 with food that is much more grand and delicious. Maybe it's the Chicago price tag, but it's still nothing to rave about. Overall, I'd come back for the ambiance but the food is just a OK. P.S.: $9 per lb of any food you cannot finish will be charged, forreal? Never been to a buffet place this direct. I don't agree with wasting food but I think the resstaurant can take some responsibility on quality and taste of the food as well and not punish/threaten patrons?
(3)Some D.
Sunday brunches are amazing because it gives you the chance to try everything and see what you like most and not to forget its a great deal! The meats are high quality and tender, and I always feel the need to have a little of each. Chicken, lamb, beef, minced turkey, and I think two types of kabobs. Staff is friendly and the place is nice and sleek with an open layout. I great option for Mediterranean. Reza's has a few other locations too!
(4)Jeff L.
I had lived in Chicago for 7 years, then moved away. After being back for 6 months and spending a lot of time in Andersonville, I realized I had still never eaten here. When a friend was in from NYC, we decided on Reza's. It was a Friday night and after 9, so not terribly busy, but there was a great atmosphere. We both ordered kebabs and bread. I had the ground chicken kebab, and my friend had a mixed plate. Both were really good and service was very fast! I'd definitely go back, and often tell people shopping at the store I work at in Aville about it!
(4)Pavithra M.
This was not my first time here, but it has been a while since my last visit. The positives - free parking across the street behind Cheetah gym, very child-friendly, spacious and an extensive menu. The negatives - pricey and very heavy, overall average tasting food. Tonight we ordered the chilean sea bass and lamb chops combination, which was listed as a special for $29.50 and an appetizer portion of the grilled potatoes with a butter garlic sauce. The potatoes had a bit too much of the sauce, which made them really greasy, but tasted ok. The lamb chops were charred to the point of tasting bitter and were very dry. The sea bass was cooked to perfection, seasoned just right and very tasty. So two out of three...not bad! They also brought us some soup and pitas at the start of our meal. They did have. Dinner buffet priced at $24.95 and are currently offering a "stimulus package" that includes free mini buffet with each entree. Of ours, this did not apply to us because we shared an entree. Mini buffet includes soup, appetizer and dessert. Should have read the sign before. Anyway, we had too much to eat even without all that!
(3)Linda D.
Weather report at Reza's: a huge HAIL NO storm. I should have known this was not going to be a pleasant experience from the second we walked in the door. There were probably 5 other people in the entire restaurant, and we had to wait to be seated, because it took a few minutes for the staff to even notice us. When they finally did, homegirl acted like the popular cheerleader who had been forced to be lab partners with the school nerds (me and the boyfriend). Whatever, maybe she's having a bad day. I know waiters and waitresses have a tough job. I'm normally a good tipper, and very sympathetic when it comes to foodservice staff dealing with large crowds. I even try and give them the benefit of the doubt when they aren't all smiles and super chatty. So I wasn't going to let this ruin our meal. Initially, we were drawn to the lunch buffet sign that was outside, but when we asked about it, our waitress very bluntly told us it was OVER. No mention of the buffet's hours, or when the dinner buffet started. Ok, that's fine, we'll find something off the menu. I decide on the lamb koubideh and ask for the "small size," which the menu says is a half portion of the full entree. "Just to let you know, it's like a kid's menu," she says. "Oh. Well how big is it?" I ask. "Very small. Like, for kids," she replies. "I think I'll be fine." I say. Alright, who killed this chick's dog this morning? She seemed really PO'd at me for no reason. The entire time we were talking to her, she refused to make a millisecond of eye contact with us. I can deal with a lot when it comes to foodservice, but this kind of intentional rudeness will make me bust out the T word. That's right .Trick. She brought out our food, and to my dismay, it was good. She "refilled" our waters, which consisted of her pouring a splash of water into each of our glasses so we had half-full cups. Even though there is not much to be thankful for, we thank her, and she still refuses to make eye contact or smile. My "kids' size" meal is more than enough for me, and I end up taking leftovers home. The only reason I gave Reza's two stars is because the food was good. But the awful service really left a bad taste in my mouth.
(2)Len L.
You can't go wrong with the buffet, you get everything on the menu and more for under $20. Service was lacking, we waiting a long time for refills for our drinks but overall the entire meal was decent.
(3)Michelle P.
This review is just for their vegetarian food. Yes it's always great when a restaurant has vegetarian options. And Reza's food is good. But most of their vegetarian dishes are more of the generic "Middle Eastern" than specifically Persian - the hummous/falafel/ cucumber & tomato salad/ yogurt dip isn't really any different than what you could get at any Egyptian/Turkish/Lebanese/Israeli/Syrian restaurant in the area. And unfortunately, that was most of what was vegetarian on the lunch buffet. There was also their amazing dill rice, and a nondescript "spicy rice" that reminded me more of Spanish rice, plus some grilled vegetables that also didn't a distinctive Persian flavor or much of any taste at all. I would have been better off skipping the $12.95 lunch buffet and getting the vegetarian combo instead - the dolmas, vegetarian shami (pomegranate sauce, mmmm), and Kashkeh Bodmejan (eggplant with garlic & mint) are all more authentic Persian dishes. And it would have come with the delicious dill rice, Persian bread, and tomato lentil soup that were on the buffet anyway, plus I would have gotten the complimentary feta and radish plate which apparently they don't give to you if you're just getting the buffet. So unless you're a meat eater, skip the buffet - you're better off picking several dishes you know you want as part of the vegetarian combo.
(3)Roseanne S.
I LOVE REZAS! I'm a picky eater and don't usually like trying anything different but Reza's can get even the pickiest eaters to eat with their food. I get the beef kebudeh or whatever it's called. Two beef strips with rice. I highly recommend the dill rice for a nice change of pace. You can either order off the menu, or hit up the buffet. For about $20, you can take your pick of rices, meats, soups, etc. Beware, though. After eating here, you will be burping Reza's for the next day. But at least the nice smell of the meat will stay with you for the rest of the day to remind you of the delicious food you just had. Great place for some Persian food.
(5)Yasmin S.
I've always loved this place. The first time I ate here was about ten years ago and I'm so glad more than one exists. I am in love with the roasted feta cheese and grilled mushrooms. They are to die for! Their lentil soup and spicy chicken with dill rice is a must have. I will definitely be back soon!
(4)Chelsea H.
Customer service was stellar. The food was ok. The dill rice is good. I had the lentil soup which was surprisingly delicious. The falafel was ok. Definitely worth going back for some home made tasting mediterranian eats.
(3)Shannon W.
The ambiance of the restaurant was very quaint. Even sitting outside on the patio gave the dining experience a sense of a Persian feel. Passers by and the other patrons of the establishment were a pleasure to gaze at. The service, a bit slow at times, was still very on point. The food was very tasty and embodied the flavors of the area very well. I will be returning without a doubt and will be telling others my experience and urge them to make Reza's a must to add to their dining card.
(4)A C.
Always love the food here. It's inexpensive, if you go for their buffet, which is about $20 bucks. Plus, little known fact - there's parking in the back behind the building! You don't have to park on N. Clark Street and feed the meter.
(4)Chris C.
I love this place, the food is great and you get lots of it. It's a bit expensive but it's worth it.
(5)Colleen B.
I've been here several times over the last few years. I've never had a bad experience but I do tend to always get the same thing. I like that they load you up on bread and soup since the entrees can be a little pricey. I always get the salmon and it's always amazing.
(4)Julie A.
Love this place best Persian food love going here for party's always room never a wait
(5)Christian P.
Staff is nice and service is fast but I rarely ate such bland (and lukewarm) Persian food. Even salt and pepper were lacking. Dill rice is OK but does not spice it up.
(1)Tempus F.
Reza's *used* to be a really good restaurant. We ordered from them regularly as well as eating on their premises; their food was fresh and delicious and their service was just fine. Tonight we ordered from Reza's. After repeating the order four times and having the woman repeat it back to me twice, I'm amazed to be saying this, but less than half our order arrived. When I called back, the woman neither apologized nor offered me any sort of comp delivery of the rest of our food. This order, like most restaurant takeout orders, was charged to a credit card at the time the order was placed. When the rest of the food arrived, the driver neither had nor could get my credit card number, and the order had not been charged as it was supposed to have been. The pita bread was so stale it seemed three days old; the felafel had obviously sat on a steam table for hours, and it was doughy, bland, and lousy to begin with; the potatoes were old and swimming in grease; the tabouli had stale parsley, tired commercial tomatoes, almost no bulghur, and no flavor; the chicken kebabs were tough, stringy, and bad.....I could list every item in the order with similar comments. Even the dill rice was bad, which in former times would have been unthinkable. Reza's is down the toilet. Never waste your money on this place!
(1)Natalie A.
This used to be my all time favorite place , but it's changed . It took the waiter forever to come serve us , he never checked up on us and didn't space our appetizers and food well. The bathrooms were dirty .
(1)Lord Of T.
The place is fine.... You won't get excited but you'll be able to eat the food without choking.
(3)Hans L.
Came here on a Thursday night and wasn't busy at all. Waitress was very friendly. We sat right by the open window facing the street. Nice atmosphere. Ordered the combo chicken and beef. Both so tender and tasty. Excellent quality.
(5)Taina V.
Pretty expensive, but the portions are huge and the food is delicious. Overall no complaints. Thank you Reza's!
(4)Marissa G.
Best take-out food for a movie night in! Fresh and tasty chicken and the rice is addictive. Everything we got was mouth watering and we had left overs which were just as good the next day. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Roxanne R.
I came here for a brunch buffet right after I ran a half marathon and boy! Was that just not the best follow up meal for a starving gal. I was here for a party but I think the brunch buffet cost $19.95 and for that cost you get a wide selection of Mediterranean food. I was a fan of the filet mignon kabobs - a little chewy but still good flavor, the lamb shank which was sooooo juicy and delicious, beef stew -mmmm, and everything went well with the dill rice. So much meat. So much deliciousness. How could you go wrong with this buffet? Aside from the watermelon I wasn't too crazy about the sweet portions so I just had some watermelon with a side of filet mignon :-) I've already been planning another race so I can have a reason to eat two heaping plates of Rezas brunch buffet. MmmM
(4)Ishtiaq P.
Visited Reza's at Oak Brook on Friday July 31, 2015 at 8:40PM. I have twins who are 2 years old and a four year old daughter. I dropped one of the twins and my 4 year old at the door (no valet available on that night) with my wife and went to park the car. Came back and saw my wife seated in a table but she didn't seem very happy. I asked her what happened and she told me that, while she was struggling to come through the door with two kids, no one opened the door for her, nor they greeted her upon entering. They totally ignored her although the manger was standing right in from of the door. When taken her to the table, she suggested a different table then the one she was offered, but responded with a look and sound of frustration by the manager. She requested two high chairs to the manager but that request was ignored. After I came back from parking the car, she still was not provided with the high chairs. I called a waiter and requested the high chairs again and the water brought two high chairs for us. It seems like the manage totally ignored/forgot the request. At that point I called the manager and expressed our concern that my wife felt she was totally ignored and mistreated upon her arrival. The manager told me that he didn't ignore her and her allegations are baseless. NO APOLOGY from the manager rather complete denial of that fact. When we insisted and said this is not the proper way you do deal with the customer, he raised his voice and said he sees no reason to apologize since he didn't do any wrong. He shouted to one of the waiters and told him to take care of us. By this time, we lost our appetite and realized that it is not a place for us to have a comfortable dinner. There are tons of other places where I can get both service and food. So I humbly request him to provide me his name so that I can inform higher authority about the incidence and write a detail yelp review. He denied to give me his full name and said his name is "Din". After pressing him a bit he told me his name is "Noor Al Din". I laughed at his response. Noor Al Din means the light of the religion. I am surprised and ashamed to get that kind of service and treatment who calls himself Noor Al Din. Anyway, I hope that is his Reza's version of name, not his real name.. In summary, the customer service has went down the drain. And I can see that form other reviews on the Yelp as well. Food alone will not cut it anymore. If they don't provide customer service then we will not go there anymore. We don't live in a barbaric place where someone can trough a plate full of kabob and will throw our money at them. People just don't go to the restaurant for food - they look for the total experience. I think that is what missing form Reza's.
(1)Cassandra C.
I'm not a fan of Mediterranean food, but I have to say the beef koubideh kabob and dill rice is awesome! I liked the lamb shank too. Although some parts of the meat were a little tough, I enjoyed the tender portions with the sauce.
(4)Elaine M.
Super friendly staff at Reza's during lunchtime. Overheard one waitress tell a customer, "The buffet is open until 4 pm, take your time." This was at 1:30 pm! The host (manager?) was very friendly and checked on us often. Dirty plates were picked up promptly. My friend enjoyed her sangria. We both enjoyed the generous selection of meat kabobs (lamb, beef, and chicken), chicken breast, rice (dill, biryani, and white), soups, ceasar salad, hummus, falafal, cucumber raita type dish, tahini, and dessert in the lunch buffet. Will definitely come back here for the buffet. A friend loves the quail here, so might try that at dinner sometime.
(5)Don D.
I went here based upon a friend's recommendation. She hasn't gone here in a long time. Well, guess things have changed. The décor is worn and dirty. My girlfriend and I opted for the dinner buffet. The buffet included food and fountain drinks. The food quality was OK. I have had better! It was good but due to all the other negatives, I can't give a good review. Often times, the food was lukewarm at best and always out. More often than not we were waiting for them to fill it. Now, if the place was busy, I'd understand but it WAS NOT busy. Secondly, service was subpar. It took out waiter ten minutes to come to us. Other waiters and waitresses kept passing us by even when we asked for assistance. SAD. Afterwards, we waited 30 minutes for our bill which NEVER came. We got up and walked to the waiter who was just talking away with a co-worker. He forgot about service! I'd say this was not a good experience. Oh, parking is $4 per hour with maximum of two hours in the neighborhood.
(2)Frank C.
I've eaten Mediterranean several times before Reza's and had resigned myself to what I thought was a fact --- that I didn't like Mediterranean food. My girlfriend loves it and had been bugging me to try Reza's so I finally gave in... Really loved the food here...the lamb shank was fantastic, potatoes amazing, baba ghanouj delicious...service not great otherwise would have considered giving a 5
(4)amanda M.
We have ordered food from this place twice now. If you have had any good Mediterranean food, this place probably won't satisfy you. The hummus is awful, so watery and bland. Hummus is a pretty important part of the meal if you ask me. Also they have the worst baklava I've ever had, and I've had it from a lot of places. It tasted soapy and weird. The dill rice is good, and the meat I've had has all been good. So that is all I would order if I had to get something from here again.
(2)N P.
What should I say? The worst persian restaurant I have ever been. Rude staff, stinky kebab. The kebab did not seem to be fresh. Never ever go there again unless they change the management. Both me and my husband got diarrhea after eating at this restaurant. The worst part was the behavior of staff. She was really rude. I do not recommend here at all.
(1)Rehc Z.
Many thanks to the cast's of Reza's esp the manager Tom ! We appreciated the accomodation you given to us yesterday for my sons christening ! The food was good , the service was excellent . It was really nice we chose you and we love Reza's so much ! Till next time hope keep up the good work
(5)Patrick S.
I feel like Reza's has made a come back. Went.to Reza's on Clark. Kashk as an appetizer with the bread was excellent. Ordered the kabob sultani and cooked medium-well, which was very well prepared with high quality meat. The portions were of good size that allowed for leftovers to take home. Service was good. Definitely will go back as long as the quality remains at this level.
(5)Mike A.
Over the years we have been here so many times that at this point I lost count. Unfortunetly they are quite a bit away from our house, but we still manage to visit or the downtown location at least 2/3 times a year. This is by far our favorite Persian restaurant in the area and my favorite, even after sampling restaurants during my travels throughout the US. When my inlaws moved to FL(albeit for a short time), we had a family sendoff party on the 2nd floor private area. While service is at times spotty, the food is the big draw here. Scallops, chengeh, baba and the list goes on and on. Just about every item on the menu is a winner. They also feature great vegetarian options as apps and main courses. Parking can be a challenge here, especially on weekends. They have a private lot across the street, but its tight and the attendatnt basically shakes you down for a tip. Overall a must visit for anyone that enjoys Persian / Meditaririan cuisine.
(5)Liz A.
I came here for my friend's birthday, and I have loved it ever since! This place has excellent quality food, and the owners/staff are very personable and friendly. My favorite entree is the boneless chicken kabobs-- the chicken is all white meat, tastes very fresh and has an excellent grilled flavor. With the kabobs, I always get the dill rice-- awesome, fresh flavors. Also, all the kabob entrees come with pitas and grilled onion and tomatoes (love having well-cooked, simply-prepared veggies to go with my chicken), and they start each table with fresh feta (AWESOME), parsley and radishes. The soups and desserts are also excellent. Overall, I love how everything is very fresh, high quality and simply-prepared; nothing is bogged down by unhealthy sauces, etc; they rely completely on the quality and preparation of the main ingredients to add flavor to the dishes.
(5)Jeanie S.
Have been going to Reza's 15+years, and have to say was a little disappointed this last visit.... we got there early for a Sat around 6ish, but were starved so couldn't wait and my mouth was watering just thinking about the kabobs...there was no music playing, the lentil soup or the hummos and these are 2 things I usually love, we just ok. Then we got the ground chicken and lamb kabobs, again the flavor seemed lacking. The portions are always generous so we brought tons home.
(3)Moni K.
This review is for the lunch buffet which I think is a wonderful idea and eventhough there is a selection of food the quality of selection is not that great. The hummus and the salad are just sad. The best is the lamb, which is really delicious and well cooked and seasoned. If they could make the hummus taste better and spruce up the salad this lunch would not be so bad, one can not just eat a plate of lamb for lunch.
(3)Jeff J.
To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of Persian food. We went here when visiting a friend in Chicago. We chose Reza because an Iranian friend in Louisville raves about this place. Our waitress was extremely nice and helpful. I originally gave this restaurant 4 stars but upped to 5 stars based on her service. Her kind attention and eye contact were more like eating in the home of a very hospitable friend or family member. The food was also good -considering I'm not a fan of kibbeh. The dolmas, grape leaf rolls, were excellent.
(5)Joe T.
With urban flair, this Middle Eastern restaurant with full bar is nestled in the friendly gayborhood of Chicago, Andersonville. I was here recently for a buffet style large group dinner in an entire wing of the diner rented out for my nephew's baptism luncheon. I must say the lunch buffet was amazing. I have heard that it is roughly $12/pp, and at that price point it's a great deal in this part of Chicago. Now, I am from metro-Detroit where our Mediterranean restaurants outnumber McDonalds locations by a large margin. The food here was definitely up to par. I have had better hummus at many restaurants (for some reason Chicagoland MidEast diners are 0/3 for me so far on hummus quality), however the rest of the food more than made up for it. Lamb kabobs were excellent. The braised lamb shank was so tender and flavorful - many good bone and marrow pieces and enough fatty pieces to really hit the spot. I also saw a Nihari Beef, which was unique and a more South Asian (Indo-Pak) style. So it is nice to see the chefs here explore outside of their comfort zones. The chicken options were all about average, and the whole sauteed mushrooms were delicious. I actually was very impressed by this place. I normally don't have soup on hot summer days, but after hearing raving remarks on the chicken dill barley soup with leeks, I gave it a try and must concur. Grab a few lemon wedges from the bar and sprinkle generously on the soup (and almost any dish here you'd like). Granted we were here for a private function, but I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. In my honest opinion the lunch buffet at this function here was good enough to be had at a wedding reception. Hint hint to anyone considering Mideast food at their special day. Plenty of options for meat lovers, and just enough options for veggies. Two thumbs up!
(4)Christopher J.
One of the first places I visited when I moved to Chicago. Disastrous first date, delightful meal! A handsome young fellow asked me out to dinner and suggested Reza's (as I had mentioned I love Persian food). We hemmed and hawed over the menu for a bit and I eventually settled on the lam kebab with grilled veggies and seasoned couscous. Thank god for this man's inability to hold a conversation because it gave me the ability to zone out and enjoy how lovely this restaurant is. Charming atmosphere (really beautiful on a great day when they open the front doors up onto the sidewalk, it makes the dark wood paneling glow), great music, and an excellent location. While the guy texted and tweeted his way through half of the meal--regardless of how engaging and funny I was--I begged and pleaded the gods of saffron to bring me my meal. Be praised, it couldn't have come fast enough. Now I had a real reason to ignore the chump, which wasn't hard. These lamb chunks (and they were, just great heaping chunks of meat) were cooked to tender, juicy perfection. Seasoned expertly and served on a giant plate with solid slices of grilled tomatoes and sweet, white onions, this meal could not have been better Add to it the beautiful, fluffy couscous, attentive--yet not overbearing--service, and you have one happy man. Regardless of the terrible date--he even went dutch. On the first date. Where is the chivalry? "Ya ask, ya pay." Am I right, boys?--This restaurant is nestled firmly in my "Returning Very Soon" column.
(4)Tim H.
Meh. Reza is a staple in Andersonville right in the heart of the neighborhood, and you can't miss it with its large red-lit sign. The restaurant is 'Persian' but in reality it's an Americanized catch-all of 'Middle Eastern cuisine.' The decor is ostentatious, and the wait staff is hit-or-miss. Overall the food is average. It ends up being mostly kabobs, some salads, soups, and 4 authentic dishes. Kabob dinners are marked up, IMO. $15-20 for a meat of your selection + side + and a soup. Considering the price different is about $3 dollars more to get the Fillet Mignon over the chicken, I'd recommend the steak. And I've always opted for the Dill Rice over White Rice. Never understood why Reza's is so popular, they do have a buffet -- if you like buffets. But it seems to have established itself as a constant in the neighborhood, and even though I definitely think the neighborhood could do better, I suppose it could be worse. Reza's is just sort of there -- I end up going there about once a year for work functions and for that purpose it's fine, but nothing outside of that.
(3)Anne C.
I went here for my birthday, and it was not very good at all. I got the beef kabob. It was SPEWING grease. I simply couldn't eat it. Also, the meat didn't seem cooked enough as the texture didn't seem right. The potatoes were also SPEWING grease. Someone else got the white fish, but the vegetables were beyond oily. Basically, everything on everyone's plate was UBER greasy to the point where it was just gross. Our server was quick and efficient, but staring at us the whole time from a corner (not too many costumers) and it was creepy. I wouldn't come back because the food was gross.
(2)Amanda M.
More of a 3.5. Came for dinner and was nicely seated the by the window. My sister first ordered a mojito, in which our server said they didn't have but will check. She came back and said that they did have it (she was quite awkward). My sister said her mojito was very weak, but is somewhat understandable for a family restaurant. We had the hummus and grilled potatoes for appetizers, which came really fast. The hummus was nice and creamy, but would have liked a tad more flavor. The potatoes were very good and perfectly cooked as thick steaks, but a tad too buttery and not enough garlic flavor for my liking. Had the chicken barley soup and it was alright, nothing outstanding. My sister had the tomato lentil and it was a little too salty. Our entrees took a tad long to come. Had the boneless chicken kabob with dill rice. The chicken was perfectly cooked with a nice tangy flavor to it. Dill rice was also good. The portions were quite substantial. However, as in the menu and pictures note, the accompanied grilled vegetables were merely 2 pieces of onions and 1 tomato and no zuchinni. Also tried my sister's vegetarian platter including mushroom stuffed pepper and falalfel. The stuffed pepper was good, but again quite standard. The falafel was too dry. Overall, the food was good but not outstanding. And for personally liking bland food, their food could have been a little more flavorful. Service was decent. At first, out waitress was somewhat standoffish. However, she was very present in the end, and even gave us our own pitcher of water, noting that their glasses are quite small. Decor of the place is very nice and comfortable.
(3)Mister M.
$20 bucks for the Saturday and Sunday evening buffet is hands down the best bargain in town. Honestly, the chicken barley soup with leeks and dill is almost worth the price of admission by itself. I LOVE.this soup! Hummus, falafel, and Persian salad make a great start. At least 3 different rice dishes to choose from, leg of lamb , roast beef, kabobs, lamb, beef and chicken. Ground meat kabobs as well. Unbelievable. Andersonville is so much fun too. Visit the Pars Persian shop across the street and stop in to Alamo shoes (ask for Bruce). The folks that run this location of Rezas are much nicer than the staff on Ontario. I go here whenever I am able.
(5)Andy M.
Generous portions and decent prices for what you order. Service is usually pretty attentive, but silent. Huge space, nice small side and front patios, and constant sangria specials. Neighborhood face.
(4)KM Y.
I wanted to love Reza's. I had heard great things and had to try it for myself. The food was good, but not spectacular and certainly didn't live up to the hype. The highlights: Great kafta kabobs and dill rice The low lights: Bland hummus and falafel Also, when we arrived, the restaurant was perhaps 1/4 full, yet the waitress tried to dump our party of four in a back room where no one was sitting. We asked to be moved back to the front and they were gracious about it. However, it was an odd dynamic to start our dinner.
(3)Christina M.
I went in for the L STOP launch party and had such a great time. I honestly never thought to go to Reza's though I've seen it.... The food was phenomenal especially the vegetable dish. Bartenders were friendly and they staff was amazing I can't wait to go back for a nice dinner.
(4)ali m.
Good kababs, The waitress that served us at the night was so friendly.The down part is that prices are rocket high!
(3)Babak B.
What can I say. I've been going here since I could walk. The lunch buffet is truly an amazing deal. All of the locations make me happy but of course N clark is the best. I think the manager there since I was little is the owners cousin or something. I like the Oakbrook location too since I usually stay in Oakbrook when I visit Chicago and it's got a smaller feel to it which I like.
(5)Lee R.
I keep coming back to this neighborhood restaurant, mostly for the food. Love the flatbread which they serve with every meal, along with parsley, baby raddishes and a few ounces of goat cheese. Their kabob special is something like $12.99 for two giant meat kabobs (your choice of lamb, chicken or beef.) But I really fell in love with the scallops, which are served with delicious sautéed veggies and a side. I always get the potatoes, which are served as little planks with some sort of cheese roasted on them. Lovely. One thing I haven't tried is the buffet, but I've heard it's good. Complaints? Well, if you come by yourself, they usually stick you in the back. And though the servers are always pleasant, they can be a little inattentive. And the flavored iced tea isn't terribly good. But I come here at least every 6 weeks, so these things obviously don't bother me much.
(4)Lauren D.
Whenever I visit my Aunt, a retired university professor, we usually stop here for dinner. Over the years, we have eaten here about a dozen times or more. We started off with the Dolmeh (which are grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomato, onion, herbs & spices in tomato saffron sauce). We ordered the kabab tabei which was moist, succulent, tender and incredibly delectable. Central to the Persian dishes are numerous rice dishes, some containing almonds, pistachios, dill, glazed carrots or orange peels, and raisins; others with vegetables and spices; occasionally with meat. However, at Reza's there are only two or three kinds of rice. We ordered Dill rice which fell flat in the taste category. Other dishes to try here are: Stews (which are fairly good), dumplings, kebabs (several different kinds and all are excellent), and stuffed vegetables accompanied by different sauces. Many of the dishes are vegetarian, and the mixing of sweet and savory, such as grains stewed with fruit and spices produces some unique delectable dishes. The result is a feast of outstanding, unique flavors and textures as well as a visual delight. One dish that we tried before, but did not see on the menu this time around, was Fesenjan. I am sure they would fix it for us upon request. Fesenjan is a Persian chicken stew with a sauce made of toasted walnuts and pomegranate molasses. It may sound a bit strange, but trust me, this dish is the perfect amalgamation. The toasted walnuts are rich and warm, while the pomegranate molasses is sharp and berry toned. The juxtaposition of the crunchy walnuts, with the tart sweetness of the pomegranate, and saltiness of the chicken make for an unbelievable explosion of delicate flavors. The end result is spectacular and plate-licking good! SERVICE is attentive, but not overly smothering. Most of the servers are nearly mute and barely crack a smile. Maybe it's a cultural thing. They do speak English, but others barely get by. I found another excellent Persian restaurant located in the Albany Park neighborhood with fabulicious lunch specials (Noon-O-Kabab), which has excellent Persian food.
(4)Chris W.
I was here for a wedding. We didn't get to pick out what we were going to eat, BUT there was a huge variety that kept coming out. It was a nice middle eastern reception spot particularly for the music, dancing, lighting and colors. The bar in the front room was open to us which I got an espresso shot that made me giggly like I was on speed. I mean I don't normally drink coffee but regardless. You could hear the difference between the front and back rooms which means if there was a party going on like ours, you wouldn't be bothered in the main dining room. Food that was delicious? All of it. I mean...their falafel was in the top three best falafel i've ever tasted. Also, their stuffed grape leaves and buttered potatoes were divine. Herb roasted feta and veggie kebabs as well were incredible. I highly recommend coming for a nice dinner, especially with family. Quick note though, they are pricey.
(3)Antonio M.
I had never eaten Persian food and decided to give this place a try. I ordered the ghormeh sabzi, which is a sort of National Iranian stew. I also ordered some babaganoush. I have to say, the babaganoush was fantastic as was the bread they served. The ghormeh sabzi, on the other hand, tasted like vomit. This is not hyperbole, but I honestly could not eat it. I am the opposite of a picky eater and I love bitter herbs, but for some reason I was repulsed by it. I must have tried at least 5 spoonfuls and each one was worse and worse. However, maybe I'm not used to it or perhaps my taste buds just did not match up. I have no basis to say that it was cooked poorly or incorrectly, but I just could not stomach it. The person I was with ordered the chicken fesenjan, which was alright, but not noteworthy. What saved this meal was the delicious babaganoush, and I mean delicious. I've been to a few Middle Eastern restaurants both in Chicago and Boston and very few get it right. The atmosphere is great, clean bathrooms, awesome service, etc.
(3)Stephen R.
It's been years since my last visit and just wish we could transport this amazing restaurant to Dallas. The beef is perfectly flavored - but the rice is the killer (OMG)! Not sure what they do with it but it keeps me coming back. One Sunday went for the buffet and was sooooo full - the next bite I took was Monday for breakfast. It was fabulous.
(5)Andrew T.
Great food, pretty inexpensive and good service!
(4)Mat M.
I've never had bad service or food at Reza's Restaurant. It's my go to for Mediterranean food. Hummus and Kabobs, oh my! The service is always good and the food is abundant- you won't leave hungry! I haven't done their buffet as it's just not my thing, but their menu is quite large and has a lot of options.
(4)Doug D.
Good fare, dismal service :( wait staff was too busy for menu questions, etc. Food learning is necessity for me. If you like McDonald's line service, its here.
(2)Meh G.
I went to Reza's to see what the hype was all about and I have to say that I was less than impressed. Not only their service wasn't that great, but their food seemed a bit bland and overpriced. Rezas is by far oneof the worst Persian restaurants I have been to and this was a huge disappointment because I had heard so many great things about this restaurant.
(2)kristi p.
absolutely delicious! i've been going here for 15 years and the standards remain the same. this restaurant got me hooked on middle eastern food. LOVE IT! haven't tried the weekend buffet but want to.
(5)Pash H.
The food is delicious but there are a few cons while dinning in...I went with a group of ppl and every single one of us received COLD soup and then our beverages were just nasty, I had one sent back and asked if they could change it for what my friend was having, the waitress was sweet and said yes, but she came back with my same drink in another glass! I was very displeased about that! And while ordering out, they always forget to pack something or the other.. You'd think they would know what to give to a customer being a "big" restaurant and all..
(3)Marcee W.
Check out the all-you-can-eat buffet lunch from 11-3 Monday through Friday, $10.95. You can't beat the deal and it's a great way to try new dishes!
(4)Kylie S.
I attended a Redfin even here so my experience was a bit different than being able to order straight off the menu. The food was okay, but it didn't knock my socks off. The service was really great. Parking is street parking and can be difficult in this popular area, but you should find something if you do a loop. I would recommend this venue for company events/retreats.
(3)J. Terrell A.
I really wanted to like this place. The outside looked so inviting, but once we entered I was turned off by the paper that sat atop the table. The decor didn't scream Persian to me. Maybe I've been spoiled by the fantastical Bandar in San Diego. I ordered the Lamb Kabab Koobideh and expected saffron rice, but there was no saffron rice. The lamb was just okay flavor wise, not dry at all. I was disappointed in the rice, it was bland--not worth the price. Reza was just underwhelming for me.
(2)Kelz M.
I was treated to Reza's this past Monday and you know what? It *was* a treat! Okay, I realise this place isn't exactly Tru but, my gosh, their buffet was not bad! I tried a little of this, a little of that... the chicken was especially delicious and the rices were lovely; I did like the dill rice that seems to be Reza's specialty but, to be honest, my favourite was the spicy chicken rice. Oh, man, just thinking about that stuff makes my stomach growl! The runaway winner, in my opinion, though, was the Bamieh! Bamieh is a light tasting, fried dough pastry sweetened with syrup that tasted a bit like honey to me. I won't tell you how many of them I ate but suffice it to say that "too many" would be an accurate guess. The decor is quite lovely, as well. Warm woods, exposed bricks and ducts, and plenty of room between each of the tables on the floor spelled success in my book. I never felt crowded - I love that! Thank you to my hosts for the wonderful treat - I'll be back to try a few other dishes soon!
(4)Nicole S.
I am a Persian girl who loves her Persian food! Nothing beats my Dad's cooking but Reza's is a close second. The meat is always fresh, tender, and seasoned to perfection. I always order Ghormeh Sabzi, it's my favorite and in my opinion, the best dish! On weekdays they have a 10$ lunch buffet and weekends it is 20$ for dinner and worth every penny! The service is wonderful and the environment is clean and relaxing.
(5)Dustin G.
I love their lunch buffet. Great food on the cheap. It's not just the buffet, though. You can order an entree, like the quail, and still have access to half the buffet (all but the meat). It's great "meat and cous cous" style mediterranean cuisine.
(4)Allan M.
I've always thought of this as a majorly 'meh' place. Since I saw a bunch of 3 star reviews, I'll go with 2 here. At least the lunch buffet is tolerable here, since they have good dill rice, decent meats/kabobs, and I've always been fond of the bamieh dessert, which is a honey-flavored type pastry. They could use better pita bread, as well. It's a little ironic and funny that I'm old enough to remember long ago the Baskin-Robbins that used to be in the corner space of this building, and back at the time(and when I was a kid, before I tried other ice cream places I liked more) being very upset that Reza's expanded into their space! Wow, that probably was something like over 15 years ago? If it wasn't for the fact those times with friends/family going for the lunch buffet didn't cost a dime to me, I'd opt to eat somewhere else. I've always heard so many great things about Masouleh in Rogers Park, plus some of the places over on Kedzie.....
(2)Jeff N.
Wine selection is generic and poor. Margarita was terrible. White fish is awful, rubbery breaking outside. All the tables around is we're not balanced, waiters fix 3 tables just when I was there. Not a good experience. Very let down. I am sorry but do not go here.
(1)Arlene G.
went 2 andersonville fest this weekend & my boy & i decided 2 eat here 4 dinner. i have not been here in years so it was good 2taste their food again. they were havin a buffet but i wasn hat hungry 2 have that. however it looked really good cuz there were so many items available. i had the ground lamb wit dill rice & it was deelish! i love lamb & i could eat it over pig & cow anytime! the entree also came with a soup which was good even though it wasnt that hot. my boy had the same dish but with chicken instead & it was good too. i would eat here again if im in this area.
(4)Liv B.
Anytime I'm in the area I have to eat at this gem. This is by far the best middle eastern food I've had. The beef kabob is so moist and flavorful nothing beats it. The soups are always amazing. We always do the buffet, everything is perfection. For dessert the bamia is so light and crisp it's hard to stop at one. It's a must. The staff is always friendly and accommodating. I would recommend to everyone and I do!
(5)Kammie G.
As far as Mediterrenean places go, atmosphere and location wise this place was cool. The bathrooms were really awesome, absoluteluy different from any other bathrooms I've seen - the doors are double sided. It's just a different experience. The inner decor was pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary. The food was mediocre at best, I actually did not like any of the lunch buffet options that were there except for the grilled mushrooms (those were really good!) everything else was kind of blah. But then again, what else can you expect from a buffet?
(2)Jan I.
Food is pretty good. Love their rice with dill, I can't get enough. The staff always seems to be in a rush....kind of like they want you to hurry up...eat and leave.
(4)Calvin H.
This place is a winner. Very roomy restaurant, so you are not sitting on top of another table. Host is very friendly, and that sets the tone for the dinner. Many great and authentic Persian choices on the menue, love that green rice! Lovely place, will come back.
(5)Carla S.
Being from San Francisco, I can't say my knowledge of Persian cuisine is grand. But now I want to seek out more places like this back home. I just returned from a week in Chicago with my dining partner and her family. Sheesh, that was a long week but I digress. It was my birthday and the whole family wanted to do this huge bash. I have celiac disease and there is no way they are cooking for me (last time I was so sick from gluten I'm still not convinced they were not trying to kill me.) We compromised and we went to this family favorite restaurant.it was a great thing we did. Okay now that the backstory is done, I must say that this place was very gluten free friendly. They understood cross contamination in the kitchen but I did get spooked a few times when the wonderful smelling breads were put down in front of me. but once explained,, the server really seemed to understand. I let the manager decide on my meal and I certainly was not disappointed. I had two kabobs (steak -holy juicy goodness- and chicken - also great but out shined by the steak, for sure). I had a split of the rice, which was awesome as I had never had dill rice before. And they even managed to come up with a fun fruit plate "cake" with a candle. Celiacs, this was of the best meals I have had. (And many leftovers were had!) We will absolutely be going back when I am in town again.
(5)Lorelei C.
So, lunch today at Reza's. My first time here today, not quite sure why I never made it here before today, probably because I'm too busy hanging out at places with Miller Lite Signs.. And, no Reza's did not have a beer sign in the window..:( Okay, so this marvel of a place which specializes in Mediterranean/ Persian food was a new experience for me but I'm really happy that I'm always up for trying new things, I'm a girl who loves adventure! I loved Reza's, the patio doors were open today onto Clark Street and I was a little chilly but I had my leather jacket with me so I was okay..;) Exposed Brick Interior, lovely tables set with nice linens and just a very lovely atmosphere. A little noisy, people were gabbing big time today..:( Reza's offers a lunch buffet from 11am-3pm which I believe is $9.95 per person, a great value for everything they offered. I think the buffet is effective only on weekdays, but it's so worth it. Now, they had like 3 tables set up with buffet choices, one with soups and salads, one with rice dishes, and one with meat kabobby things that were so good, especially the beef and chicken. They also had some pita bread that was not very good, just bland. I had diet coke since I saw no beer sign in the window.. And as far as Customer Service is concerned I give Reza's staff 5 stars, the manager came over to our table twice to see how everything was and our server was great as well, attentive but not overbearing. I want to Thank everyone at Reza's for the great service..:) So, I liked Reza's alot, casual enough for a lunch, would be a great choice for a dinner as well. A great dining experience for me today..:) A very nice time at Reza's today, if in Andersonville check them out.
(4)Barton C.
Very happy to add Reza's to my list of omnivore & vegan friendly date spots. Although my date is veggie friendly, it's nice when we can both order what we want. I ordered the Veggie Combo (baba ghannouj, gr pepper w/mushrooms, dolmeh, kashkeh(?) and veggie shami) and my date had the seafood combo of shrimps & scallops. Great food, excellent drink selections, friendly service and a delightful atmosphere. I'll be back for more whenever I'm on the north side!
(4)Alexander D.
absolutely the best food. the chicken shish kabob on the bone is exceptional and the buffet will make you want to come back again and again. reasonably priced and simply delicious.
(5)Donaye N.
I LOVE the salmon kabob!!! Thinking about it right now is making me drool! It was cooked to perfection and it didn't have that smelly fish odor. The serving was big for one person. I also enjoy their lunch buffet specials. Not only is the food yummy, the price is great, too! This has become the go-to lunch place for celebrations for my classmates and I. The service is great as well!
(4)Jackie H.
Pros: The exposed brick wall is nice Specials are on a chalkboard on the sidewalk Nice neighborhood Cons: Overpriced Warm beer: from a bottle, no need for that Horrible salad, iceberg lettuce on a $10 salad, eh.... There are many much better restaurants within 2 blocks, won't be back.
(1)Rabob M.
I've been to this place about a dozen times... each time the customer service is great, the orders aren't messed up - the food is amazing - extremely affordable with healthy tasty good. Its my fav restaurant hands down. I never get dirty looks from the arab waiters if I come with a white male friend.. lol... which can happen in other middle-eastern places.. since I look arab..Fav Restaurant of all time.
(5)Jenny K.
Strong service, wide ranging menu, and extremely reasonable prices. The vegetarian combo can feed 2-3 people for $15 and they will generously bring extra pita. Since you're not breaking the bank on food, go 'head and order some wine or sangria. Be warned: the sangria tastes super fruity but may be more buzz-inducing than you think.
(4)Bill M.
Reza's is an enormous restaurant (for Andersonville) with an extensive Persian/Mediterranean menu to match. The interiors present a dark but slightly upscale appearance. I ordered the lamb shank with couscous, which was good but not great. I was too full to even think about dessert afterwards.
(4)Susan I.
I loved this place. LOVED it. My friend and I got one of the vegetarian platters, the one with the pomegranate falafel, plus the roasted feta, and it was amaaaaaaazing. The roasted feta, with roasted tomatoes and olives alongside, was so so delicious. BOTH of the eggplant dips were to die for - one of them had mint and dried yogurt (what is dry yogurt? as opposed to wet yogurt???). Our server was like a favorite aunt, very solicitous and a little bossy. We loved her. Now I am sad that I live thousands of miles away and can't go back every week.
(5)Jacqui G.
I want to start off by saying the one star is reserved for the food only, which was very good (with the exception of the mixed mango drink which didn't taste like anything except sugar water and vodka) Service, on the other hand, completely put a damper on the night. We had a party of 20 or 21 people and made the critical mistake of not asking for separate checks at the very beginning, but that doesn't make up for the headache that everyone had to deal with after the check came: We were split into two tables, so I asked if they could at least split the check between the two tables instead of the one we received. The server said it was fine, so we waited and waited, knowing it was going to take a little while for them to figure out which table got what. They ended up coming back to us with three checks instead: one for each table for the food, and one long check for the drinks. Again, I can understand, since we didn't tell them initially we wanted separate checks that they couldn't remember who had what, but this would have been an important detail to point out... now the checks were even more of a mess: anyone who needed to pay with a card (and had drinks) had get it run once for the food, once for the drinks, and everyone had to calculate twice for separate tax and tip on top of that. One single person asked if she could get her check separated out so she could use her gym discount from Cheetah. I'm also a member, and had asked earlier if I could use my discount on the bill, but was told no because it was one giant bill and mine wasn't separated out--something I thought they couldn't do because they'd already told us it was one bill already. (The friend still ended up having to swipe twice because her drink was also one the giant drinks bill.) Anyway, the cherry on top of this entire ordeal was when the waiter started mouthing back at us. After we finally figured out everything and clearly wrote how much every card should be charged with, the server came back to us asking for clarification on the drinks bill. My friend (who had asked for the separate check) asked if this was how Reza normally handles large parties, and the server started getting defensive, saying most parties ask for separate checks from the beginning, otherwise they assume one person handles the entire bill. I asked why we couldn't have avoided everything by having everyone reiterate what they ordered, since clearly they could have still separated out the bill like they did for my friend. All he kept going back to was how the other large party next to us had no problems with their bill because one person took care of it. I kid you not, I was the one who ended up saying "look, it doesn't really matter, it's over and done with" twice to him before he stopped arguing back. Really, the only question I had was why we couldn't have separated the bill out after the fact to avoid all this pain and confusion. Again, I understand we made a critical mistake at the beginning by not letting them know we wanted separate checks; however, I can't begin to express the amount of frustration everyone felt over how the Reza staff handled the situation (Seriously! I, THE CUSTOMER, had to calm the wait staff down by asking him to just drop it!). The time it took for the bill ended up taking just as long (if not a little more) as the meal itself. It not only stressed the entire party out, but also impeded everyone's after-dinner plans. Honestly, it wasn't so much the bill (even if we had one bill per table, it would have been ok), it was how unprofessional the staff was and the amount of information they withheld.
(1)Tara M.
Okay, I've been going to Reza's since they opened, haven't been to this location in a while and went there on Thanksgiving (no need to question why, I'm not complaining about the Thanksgiving offering of a Persian restaurant). Anyway, my complaint is that they removed Dolmeh from the menu, you know, the traditional stuffed grape leaves. When we asked why it was removed we were told it was because it was the only thing on the menu that they used the grape leaves for and they didn't sell that well so they removed them. Ahem, many people LOVED them! My husband would have me pick up an order EVERY time I went without him, and now he cannot get them. Unfortunately that leaves us to eat at other Persian eateries now, in order to obtain the tasty little leaves he's grown to love. The food is still good, but to lose a staple from the menu did sting a bit and left a bit of a bad taste in the hubby's mouth.
(3)Terese P.
We enjoyed our dinner here. Although I feel like our fish dish was a bit too salty and heavy on the oil. It was disappointing to find when we got home that they hadn't packed up the rest of the veggie platter as we had asked. The portions were huge for what we spent which was a perk.
(3)Tanya N.
They just opened a location in Lincoln Park and I had to check them out. I love good middle eastern food and am a sucker for a good baba ganoush. We went for lunch so that we could try several things without going overboard on price. The tomato lentil soup starter was very good, even better once I added some feta crumbles to it. We ordered a vegetarian lunch combo with baba ganoush, mushroom stuffed pepper, and roasted eggplant steak. We also ordered the Chicken Fessenjan stew for some protein, as I cannot get through the day without protein. I would say the best thing we ordered was the stuffed pepper, but I also felt like this is a dish my mother could make at home. Everything was "fine" but not great. I really didn't like the sauce for the chicken very much- it was a pomegranate sauce... sounded interesting at the time, but it left a literally bitter taste in my mouth. We decided to get the Persian white rice to go with the meal, and it was just super super oily. I left big globs of oil on the paper tablecloth each time I put down my fork, which was unappetizing. i don't think I'll be returning; there are many more and authentic middle eastern and persian places to eat in Chicago than Reza's.
(2)Rodger W.
Just like the expression, Never Eat Chinese food in Northern Michigan, Never Eat Middle Eastern food in Chicago. First: Bread. It could have come from a food service truck labeled "Pita Bread". Ever Kroger in the Detroit suburbs would serve better bread in a bag. Second: Falafel. The best item I tasted. Just as good as the Gas Station falafel I had near Brairwood Mall in Ann Arbor Soup: Lentil. It was like Italian lentil, but with a undercooked tomato base. Simmer is your friend, Mr. Chef. Meat Dishes: Variety: Tender, but where is the spice??? I felt like I was grazing on roadkill. Sweets: Come on... Order the good stuff FedExed from Shatilla Bakery in Dearborn. Your local/frozen stuff is awful. The Best Middle Eastern in Chicago is Indian on Devon Street.
(1)Rezvan F.
I am Persian so I know what good persian food tastes like!! The flavors are pretty darn close to home. That's all I have to say.
(4)Kelly I.
This place used to be a family favorite, but I don't think I'll be coming back after my last experience here. After moving back to Chicago, I suggested that my roommate and I grab lunch at Reza's as she loves Middle Eastern food and she just moved from New York (she's also a vegetarian - remember this). After looking over the menu, she decided on a few appetizers a la carte and I ordered the scallop/filet kabob plate. While trying to place our order, our server very aggressively insisted that we go for the lunch buffet because it was "cheaper and pretty much everything you are (roommate) ordering is already out there" she declined and our server would not back down. She gave us a completely condescending look and said something like " listen to me" as she wrote the price difference on the table and then insisted that we allow her to give us a tour of the buffet. After walking around the poor excuse for a buffet, and listening to our server say things like "this is vegetarian...I think" my roommate decided to try it, mostly because the server went through so much trouble to sell it, and we just wanted to EAT already. After my roommate picked a few items we sat down and she ate while I waited for my meal. Before my food even came she was asking me to try the hummus because it "tasted really weird". I picked through her plate to find that the hummus had SALMON in iit. We're not talking one piece either, it was clearly mixed in even causing the hummus to take on a sort of pinkish color. Needless to say, she quickly lost her appetite, mentioning that the food was really bland anyway. My food came, and it was OK but nowhere near as good as I remember. Sorry Reza's, but that was messed up.
(2)Wei H.
My friend and I went there because of the ambience it oozes as we walk by. Right on Clark, open windows, can't miss it. The pre dinner bread was very warm, soft and together with the butter and beet it was very tasty. I had tomato lentil soup which was a bit too salty but not too thick to fill me up before the entree, and the sweet and sour taste to it really enhanced my appetite. I had the white fish which was kinda too salty to my tastes but very tasty. The dill rice was fantastic and the grilled vegetables were savory and buttery to the right extent. Service was pretty good. We had a mistake in the order and although they couldn't take back the wrong order they served me a complementary Persian sald while I waited. Our waiter was very quiet and not very enthusiastic but courteous enough. The overall dining experience was very good - people talked quietly and the summer breeze was a perfect addition to the Mediterrean cuisine. Highly recommended for a date night or small group gathering.
(4)Anna Marie C.
For $18, I had a lovely meal of dill rice, lamb shank simmered in tomato sauce, accompanied by a plate of radish/feta, warm pita, and soup. The meal was enough for two and in fact I had the leftover plate the next day. Great menu selection with a nice range of prices. You can do a simple kabob or salad plate or do what I did and go for something less run-of-the-mill when it comes to mediterannean food. The place is good for large groups and more intimate dates.
(4)Diana W.
I have only ordered take out from Reza's. I usually hate getting take out from any place, even fast food, because something is always missing from my order. Reza's is the exception. Their lamb koubideh scrumptious, dill rice excellent, and white fish persian style delicious. Yup, definitely a fan.
(4)Amanda C.
This place keeps getting worse for me. The service is often inattentive and misinformed. On several different occasions, I have been told entirely different things about what is included in the "mini-buffet" and what is not, only to have the manager correct the waitress. The menu is confusing and often incorrect. Not to mention the prices - Middle Eastern food (especially vegetarian) is relatively inexpensive to prepare. Whatever they're charging, it's to cover something other than the cost of food... maybe to cover the wages of all the inexperienced staff running around? I suspect that they are often brought in as friends of the family, and thus not judged on the strength of their experience and skills. I have sat down never to be brought any table settings, regardless if I was ordering the buffet or not. If I order an entree, I should not have to go to the buffet to get a fork, knife and napkin. I've also had bad experiences with getting the waitstaff to split the check, even when we have prearranged things. I had a party of 20 there one evening - two tables of 10, two checks. It shouldn't be that hard. I think we waited about half an hour to get the check back, after witnessing two waitresses going over our bill, scratching their heads and arguing right in front of us. Last Sunday I went for the mini-buffet, which I was told by the waitress couldn't be ordered that day. The menu says, "No mini-buffet on Saturdays." After having the manager correct her, I went up to enjoy some delicious falafel, only to find that it wasn't included on the mini-buffet that day. Why? I have no idea. No explanation. Every other time, it has come with it. So I paid $10.95 for pita, hummus, cucumber salad and lentil soup. Hip hip, hooray. I won't be returning.
(1)Carly O.
Reza's was my first experience with Mediterranean food. This was over ten years ago, but I'll never forget tasting those succulent pieces of charbroiled steak and chicken and the huge mound of rice that would make someone on a no carb diet cry. Over the years, while they haven't really changed anything, I sort of lost interest. However, they really impressed me with the $10 lunch buffet yesterday. Persian salad, falafel, hummus, pita bread, a witch sized vat of tahini sauce, two kinds of soup, three types of rice, mashed potatoes with gravy, three preparations of chicken, lamb and beef koubideh and of course, those ridiculously good donut type thingies doused in honey. My only teeny, tiny complaint is that I wish they'd offer more veggies. I started to feel a little gross staring down at my plate full of meat and potatoes. Yes. I know potatoes are vegetables. I sort of had some kind of grilled squash in mind. But hey, that's a minor complaint for a buffet well worth your dollar.
(4)Julia F.
Having recently returned from a trip to Turkey, my expectations for this Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant were high. Reza's didn't disappoint. The Kashkeh Bodemjan dip, a Persian specialty, was a delicious mix of eggplant, curds, whey, garlic, and mint. The Mediterranean-style lamb shank was also a highlight -- a melt-in-your-mouth tender meat cooked in tomato sauce with couscous and veggies on the side. Our server was attentive yet not overbearing. The drinks and food arrived at our table promptly. Next visit: the weekday lunch buffet.
(4)Ben P.
The portions are big. The positive part of the review is over. This was the worst service I've ever experienced in a restaurant. The worst. I dined last night with a meet-up club. I went with a friend of mine. The two of us started by ordering a carafe of sangria. It was almost as good as watered-down kool-aid -- almost. For $16.95. Then we looked at the menu. The cheapest meals were around $15, but it seemed like the average price was closer to $25 to $27. I went for a $14.95 lamb dish with couscous. Three appetizers came with this entree.....first came the soup. The soup tasted great. The problem was that there was only one spoon between the two of us. I tried to get the waitress' attention. She appeared to see me but ignore me, but I figured I just must have been imagining things. I walked across the room to talk to her and ask for another spoon. She rolled her eyes, but she said she would bring me another spoon. Ten minutes later, with our soup now cold, we still were short a spoon. I look over my should, and she's standing behind the bar, folding napkins. My set of flatware is sitting on the bar next to her. I walk up there and pick it up myself -- she didn't even acknowledge me. Then came the pita, hummus and cucumber salad. These were actually average. I guess I have two positive things to say, and not just one. Next came my meal. The plate was huge, and there was a lot of food. My lamb tasted like hamburger. It was like a dry Burger King Whopper patty. Everyone around me complained about their food, too. Everyone except the guy with the salmon. Apparently the only thing that anyone could agree was good was the dill rice. When the waitress said she'd only split our bill five ways (there were about 30 in our party, and almost all of us were virtual strangers), that was all I could take. I'm not really sure how she expected us to split 30 bills 5 ways. I knew I wasn't letting anyone charge their meal on my card. I went to talk to her. I was polite. I know that honey is always sweeter than vinegar. She told me that it wasn't possible to bill each of us separately. I told her that I knew it was. (I have friends who are servers, and they've all told me that it's just as easy to make 20 checks as it is 1 check. Servers who refuse to do this for you, or who say it isn't possible, are just being lazy.) This was the same waitress that wouldn't bring me my spoon. She continued to give me an attitude. The manager overheard us, and came up to me. I explained the situation to him. He initially bucked at the idea, but after about 3 minutes, he agreed to split the bill for all of us. I went back to my table, and I saw my waitress and our other server b******g to the manager for the next 5 minutes. Right out in front of us -- they didn't even have the respect to do it behind-doors. The bus boy was nice when he picked up my plate. So I guess that makes three positive things that I have to say. I'm never returning to Reza's.
(1)Kevin R.
Do you like Mediterranean food? Are you free during lunchtime during the middle of the week? $12 buys you everything you could ever imagine. You will gorge yourself on hummus, pita, falafel, etc. etc. etc. There's an all you can eat buffet ever day of the week Monday-Friday. Awesome environment, great waitstaff. I can't speak for the regular menu. But if you are a nanny and have the ability to brunch, put this on your list.
(5)William R.
We went for the buffet on Sunday which we didn't realize was so expensive, BUT the food was SO DELICIOUS.
(4)Celeste E.
Great group dining restaurant. Been to both city locations, but this one is a bit closer to home so I'm here more frequently. This place is big, but that's no reason to not make reservations because it gets pretty crowded. All the dishes I've tried are noteworthy. On our most recent visit, most all of us chose the dinner buffet and I find it super worthwhile. They don't skimp out- all Persian favorites are included in buffet. The roasted mushrooms and potatoes, hummus + pita, salad, cucumber dip, it's all available. Onto the meats. Reza's makes what I like to think are all the "famous" Mediterranean meats. I wish I could remember the Reza's names for everything, but I can't and I would hate to butcher the pronunciation! The seasoned lamb is always a must-try (my boyfriend preferred it over the steak - that says a lot), The filet is still delicious, as is the Reza's chicken and the ground beef. All buffet meats are served kabob-style, where you get 3-4 chunks in once piece. Pair the meat with Reza's dill rice...which we deem "crack-like" because you keep spooning more onto your plate. Finish the meal with Baklava and fruit. If you order a la carte, be prepared for a ton of food. Boyfriend's steak skewer meal had 2 huge sticks of filet plus a ton of rice. He took about half to-go. I'm getting full again thinking about all this delicious food. Reza's is a nice place to bring out of towners, as I have found not too many people in their 20's have yet tried Mediterranean cuisine other than Saganaki. Dress code is casual. I always look forward to coming back because Reza's never disappoints!
(4)Caley R.
I've been here once. Years ago. This is my one and only brush with middle eastern food. I can't tell you what dish I ate, other than it included chicken and beef I think, but everything tasted great! Just thought you should know! Now that I finally found the name of this place, I can come back.
(4)Anna B.
Hot summer night, amazing company, open windows, cool breeze, clean tablecloth, ice tea, great food. Thanks Reza for making this night memorable. Gormeh Sabzi delicious Baked Feta, delicious Beef Mignons, delicious You know I will be back.
(5)Jessica K.
Oh my goodness, how does one NOT love this place?? I've been coming here since grade school and one thing that stands out is consistency. I've never done their lunch buffets and personally I wouldn't do a buffet but their lamb and chicken kabobs with the saffron and dill rice is killer! They give you grilled vegetables and a giant tomato to add to the already perfectly spiced lamb (tender by the way). I enjoy coming here, getting wonderful service and bringing friends here knowing they'll love it too. They have two dining areas and the option of opening their giants windows during beautiful days is extra appealing. I don't enjoy anything vegetarian but their lentil soup makes me rethink my stance sometimes. Order the hummus as an appetizer and you'll get chunks of feta and little radishes along with a great homemade hummus beautifully presented. The wait at night isn't horrible and you never feel rushed. I went next door once and I couldn't understand why they put almonds and pureed tomatoes on broiled chicken but I never strayed away from Reza's again. They will do take-out service as I've done a couple times when i was under the weather and again everything is impeccably packaged and on time. It's a great Mediterranean restaurant flanked by a not so awesome one. Why else would they have two?
(4)Jackie J.
Food was great: check Service was great: check Restaurant was clean: check Bill delivered timely/not rushed: check Bang for the buck: check (At least the buffet, their regular entrees were quite pricey...) 5/5 I have it in the back of my mind that by the time I die or move away from this country, I should try every restaurant in Edgewater/Andersonville, the neighborhoods I grew up in. I have always wanted this try this place and have finally gotten around to it. A friend of mine treated me to what I thought was going to be a light lunch (it was 11 am) but what turned out to be a buffet. I did not eat as much as I would have if I'd have woken up a lot earlier, but alas, my fickle tummy could not handle all the wonders the buffet had to offer. I really could not tell you every little thing I ate. I grabbed a bite sized piece of everything that was ready on my only trip to the buffet tables. Everything was set up nice and neat with covers for the food. I thought the place very cleanly and friendly. Our waiter (he didn't share his name, he was a tall man with dark hair and a nice accent) was awesome for no apparent reason. The food was amazing. I am not an authority on this cuisine, but you don't have to be to know it was banging. The only thing I didn't like were the soups. I tried falafel, beef, chicken, chicken stew, lamb stew, hummus (better than any other I've had), Persian salad, pita bread with a generous sprinkle of tasty herbs, and so on and so on. They had three kinds of rice, each more delicious than the last. Damn good. I can't wait to go back. All that delicious food at my disposal...? For $11 after tax?! Yesh, plz.
(5)Lakshmi R.
For about 20 bucks on Saturdays (and perhaps other days?), you can enjoy Reza's all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. This is important info to know. Because while the food isn't the most 'authentic' tasting Middle Eastern food, it s *is* very decent (and actually, the lentil soup is a knockout). Plus, the brunch is extremely vegetarian-friendly. As if that weren't enough, you can refill your coffee/tea/OJ as much as you want AND you get a complimentary glass of champagne (hellooooooo mimosa!). So yeah, I'll be back.
(4)Gayle G.
No. No thanks. No siree, Bob. What were we thinking? I live in Albany Park, the Holy Grail for Middle Eastern food in Chicago. But, we were in Andersonville and had not tried it. Went in early on a Friday evening and it was pretty quiet. We opted for the buffet considering that the prices on the menu were all more expensive than the $17.99 buffet. Buffet = mistake. First, Middle Eastern food shouldn't cost this much! Particularly, not for this quality. Nothing was hot. The falafel were really bad and tastless. The rice had no flavor. The pita were stale. I could go on, but I won't. Reza's feels a little like a trap to me. A trap for folks who are hanging out in A'ville and think, "Oh, that place is cute! Oh, that place is packed! A'ville has some great restaurants, I bet this is one of them!" Wrong. I did eat next door at Andies once and it was much better. There are better places in A'ville to eat. If you really want Middle Eastern, hop on the Brown Line and get off at Kedzie.
(1)Shannon M.
I brought a friend from out of town here while we were doing an evening on Clark. It took us forever to decide what we wanted to eat because the menu is HUGE and everything looks good! We had initially wanted to order a sampler but didn't think two of us could eat that much food (soup, salad, 3 appetizers, entree, and dessert), so we instead ordered hummus and pita for an appetizer and then chose out own entrees. The hummus was less garlicky than I am used to but was delicious; the garbanzo flavor really came out. The pita was warm and fresh. I ordered the Fessenjan -- chicken in a sweet-sour pomegranate walnut sauce, which came with a pile of saffron currant rice. I thought the sauce on the chicken might be like a glaze, but it looked more like a thin tomato sauce, a little chunky, with a really sparky flavor; very different -- I'm glad I tried it. There was a ton of chicken and rice too, enough for three meals for me. The entrees also came with soup, a choice of lentil or chicken barley. I had the latter, but only ate a bit because I didn't want to be overfull, but it was very tasty. My friend had the shrimp and dill rice; she gave me one -- a tiny bit tough, so perhaps cooked a bit too long, but a nice, subtly garlicky flavor. Our server, Wade, did an excellent job and was wonderfully attentive. There were many other things on Reza's menu that I'd like to try (the mushrooms basted in garlic butter on the appetizer list, the quail, the Shirin Polo (saffron, almond, orange peel and pistachio rice), so I'll clearly have to make another visit. It's definitely worth another trip!
(5)Laura C.
Tasty place! I got a huuuge vegetarian entree, with hummus, falafel, the works. With the order of an entree, you also got to visit the free appetizer buffet (it was titled, "the recession deal" so of course I liked that!) which was very good. I would go back!
(4)Joanna K.
I tried middle eastern food here at Reza's for the first time! Definitely a good first experience. I came here on a date, and we both got the dinner buffet. The buffet consisted a good variety of foods. I'm not too experienced with middle eastern food, but everything was very tasty and flavorful. I definitely recommend coming here. I would definitely come back here again and try out their menu items.
(4)Naman N.
Based on my last experience I didn't like the place. last time I was in the area was over 10 years ago, my dad and my mom's sister loved this place so this time around I came to the same place for dinner.
(1)Hung-wei L.
i was in-town for business, and a colleague recommended this place for lunch. the main attraction was the lunch buffet made up of....kabobs. KABOBS?!?!?! WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE, RIGHT!?!? chicken, beef, lamb, and spicy chicken...oh my! tender, great flavor, absolutely delish!!! shame on me- since that trip was a couple months ago, i forgot all the other delicious items on the buffet. but it was ALL GOOD, i tell ya! =) another thing to note was the giant-size pita bread we were served (about the size of a medium domino's pizza!!!). warm, delish, and uncut- so you can just rip-off a piece, use it to pick-up a tender piece of kabob, and just GO TO TOWN...! finally, i'll admit that i'm no hummus snob, but damn, this stuff was tasty!!! anyway, this food was incredible, and if i ever find myself in the Edgewater neighborhood again, I'M-A PUT (ANOTHER) HURT ON THIS MUTHA...! =)
(4)Amanda C.
I live in Andersonville, which has some great great places to eat. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. After coming in we were seated in a corner and then ignored. Fast forward 15 minutes later and we have not seen a server or gotten water or anything. Eventually I had to actually go to the hostess stand and ask for someone to please come to our table. Someone came to take our order, although I don't believe it was our actually server, someone else brought out our food but she never asked if we wanted anything else or how the food was. I actually don't believe she said more than 10 words to us the entire time. I really enjoy Persian food but the food was pretty bad as well. The appetizer was lukewarm and I wouldn't have been surprised if it had been taken straight off the buffet. I had heard some nice things about the Kabobs, so I tried the lunch combo with both a Lamb and Filet Mignon Kabob. About the only thing good on my plate was my lamb, unfortunately it was hard to tell as my entire plate was filled with grease. The potatoes were just greasy and it was about all you could taste, and my companions rice was pretty bland. I couldn't even tell my Filet Kabob was steak and you can buy better at Dominicks or Jewel. Bad service and bad food. With so many places to eat I will not be coming back.
(1)Doris D.
To quote the legendary Paul A. on a summary of Reza's food: "Pedestrian." Well said. $9 salad bar? Since when are falafels and hummus considered a salad? Sorry but unless there is some sort of a forbidden dance going on here at night, there is no reason to come back. Listen to that suggestion for "You May Also Want to Try Noon-O-Kabob" that is lurking on top of my review right now...
(3)Jeff A.
Not sure what is happening but when I moved to Chicago 3 years ago, I was anti buffet and anti all you can eat... Chicago the Culinary Capitol of the USA taught me Buffets and All you can eat, does not mean garbage and trash... (suddenly I just broke out with a parody of an Avenue Q song; my version everyone's a little bit trashy (more lyrics to follow)) Enter Reza's Lunch Buffet for $9.95; not the way I do it up because I need Turkish coffee to compliment the heavenly pillows of dough honey and gods elixir; I think lard... Also I like the deeply discounted sangria, Id say its a sangria of a different color but they have the color down its just the flavor, I really like it, decidedly bland but before noon as an early bird at the lunch troff, I like the refreshing crisp morning blend sangria (my name for it), see I don't like real sweet sangria, this was more of a drink you throw down for rehydration while playing bocce on the beach, I like it allll---oooot! (many do not including peeps at my very exclusive table) This buffet is sure to please carnivores and herbivores alike! Its all on point and even some cantaloupe to clean your palate and aide in your quest for dietary health... The meats are plentiful and varied from lamb to beef with many chicken variations all surprisingly flavorful and all tender and juicy which is hard for buffet chicken... Back to those dessert puffs, light fluffy crisp magical dirigible shaped fried dough-that is life changing with turkish coffee! I could just sit with a mountain of these sweet gems and some turkish coffee and eat myself into sugar shock, they are just so my thing! What can I say, some say they are too sweet, I say you just don't get it! Soup to nuts this buffet has it! Mediterranean bliss is the state of mind, get lost in it and savor it, I approve!
(4)Mary T.
Good food and a solid vegetarian menu I went here with my bookclub girls for this month's club dinner. Our server was ok, his English was a little choppy so there were a few hiccups ordering our food (adding chicken to a salad, etc.). I think because we confused him a bit he brought lentil soup to the whole table rather than figuring out how many people actually wanted it (fortunately, he didn't charge us for the extras). I'm not a big fan of lentil soup, but aside from it being a bit too tart, it was pretty good. There was so much food I took a lot home, next time I'm splitting a sampler or getting an appetizer portion. Side note, my meal wasn't served on a plate, but a tray the kind you would use at a party that's about the diameter of a medium pizza - way, way too much food for one person. I ordered veggie sampler #3, holy moly that's a lot of food - hummus, tabbouleh, cous cous, falafel, baba ghanouj and eggplant steak. To boot, it came with the aforementioned soup and a side - I chose sauteed veggies. The veggies weren't what I'd expected, it was more like a primavera sauce with cous cous on top. Considering I already had cous cous in my sampler it was the last thing I needed. I didn't care for the eggplant steak either, I expected a solid slice of eggplant with marinara over it, but other than the skin of the eggplant it seemed like I was eating forkfuls of marinara, bleh. I skipped the falafel all together, there was too much other stuff on my plate I had yet to make a dent in. I only had 2 real negatives: (1) The bathrooms, my friend is 8 1/2 months pregnant and therefore has to pee every 10 minutes. She said the bathrooms were gross and dreaded having to make a return trip. (2) More pita! We got one basket with one pita for each of us with our hummus appetizer. We got another when we got our meals. Since 3 of us had the veggie sampler, where nearly all of the elements require pita it was not enough. We didn't see much of our server so it was hard to get more. Bottom line: solid fare, especially if you're vegetarian. Expect to go home with a doggie bag.
(4)Chicago g.
Good lunch time buffets and dinner. Parking is free next to the lot near Cheetah Gym.
(5)Emily U.
I always had a kind of meh feeling about Reza's and I could never quite put my finger on why until a recent visit over Thanksgiving weekend clarified things. Firstly and most memorably, the portions are just ridonkulously large. For four people we ordered two vegetarian combos (about $16 each) and an appetizer. From this, we took home at least two meals worth of food. Wha??? I can't imagine what the $30/per person combos are like--it can't be worth it unless you can eat your weight in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food. Oh, the combos also included the salad bar (we got one serving, which we didn't finish). The service was mostly pleasant, but when the waiters brought out the food, there wasn't even enough room on the table and they just stood there and waited for us to rearrange everything to make it fit. Kind of awkward.... Overall the atmosphere and food at this Andersonville mainstay is decent, but something about the unnecessarily large servings really turns me off. I'd rather pay $8, get a manageable portion and save the styrofoam containers.
(3)Andy V.
We had a wonderful dinner and the service was great. We liked that the soup and appetizer bar were self-serve had had excellent choices for salad, soup and many other items. The quality was excellent and the portions were generous (important to me since I'm a hungry guy and many restaurants tend to skimp in this area). We both agreed that we would be back. I recommend the Chicken Kabob dinner entree.
(4)isha a.
I tried Reza'a buffet today for lunch and the food was exceptionally good! At the spur of the moment (and I never do that, I've had one bad experience in the past to teach me a lesson) I ordered a huge meal for the New Year's Party tonight that I was hosting. And cancelled other plans I had made for catering! Yeaop, did I mention "spur of the moment". The Beef Kabobs are undercooked (even though I ordered well done, still have the receipt in my hand with the instructions I gave) and the meat still ummm for lack of a better word smells pretty bad. So on New Year's Eve at 7 O' Clock before the guests arrive, I'm cooking a good old home cooked meal I can trust to be served! So, if you're walking in at lunch to the their buffet, expect to be blown away. Only DO NOT CARRY OUT! And certainly don't order for a dinner party!
(2)Ben G.
This is the kind of place that scrapes by because it has an attractive storefront, great location, and a solid base of local customers who must not realize how bad the food is. It's like the flashy restaurants in Times Square: Great looking. Pricey. Terrible. I've been there twice now and the service has been terrible on both occasions. I'm not one to write bad reviews or write off restaurants when I have an occasional bad experience, but this place is clearly not worth your time. Bad food, bad service, bad prices, bad experience. Andies, the similar restaurant next door, is somewhat better. The food is slightly better than Reza's and the service is occasionally good. I wouldn't recommend either place, honestly. Middle East Bakery & Grocery, just down the street, is amazing. Head over there, pick up some food to take home, and don't look back. I can totally understand staying loyal to your local joint, but I encourage everyone else to dine elsewhere.
(1)Joel G.
Solid place. The service is outstanding.
(3)Jay U.
Cold food, poor service, and unappetizing presentation characterized our recent visit to Reza's, and we will not return. The falafel appetizer, while tasty, arrived cold. The harried waiter left the huge plate of sauce from the falafel on the table through our main courses, which were accompanied by platters of Persian rice meant for one but large enough to feed four. Rather than seeming generous, it seemed excessive. On a positive note, my "crispy Lake Superior fish fillet" was tasty, though overly salted and accompanied by a huge blob of soggy fried vegetables. We regret that we didn't choose one of Andersonville's many other options instead of the disappointing Reza's.
(2)Rachel G.
I haven't been here for about 3 years and was excited to finally be going back! All I can remember is that their filet was delicious...rivals Tango Sur in my opinion. We were seated right away at about 6:45 on a weekday night and the waiter comes up right away and asks what we want. Hold on dude...we just sat down! Since it had been a long time, I had to look everything over. He came over 3 times before we finally ordered...I guess it's better than being ignored. But he was very short with us, not friendly at all and seemed to always be in a rush. I guess they now offer the side dishes that come with an entree as part of the buffet now? Last time i was there the bread and soup came to the table. Now you have to get up and go on over to the buffet. Why this is a change...it was a nice change b/c they now have falafel as part of the side dishes! YUM! My friend and I both got the filet Meditteranean style and it was delish. The couscous is so good too. Food here gets 5 stars. But -1 star for the Sangria...yuck...watered down and no flavor. Pass on that! And then the wiating game begins! After we were clearly done with our meals, we waited for over 20 min for our waiter to to get back to us. We were kind of on a semi-strict time frame and we needed to get out of there. But he was no where to be found. Finally he arrived, but arrived too late b/c we ran out of time for shopping! -1 star for service!
(3)Shradha A.
3 or 3.5 stars. The highlights: Great buffet variety, enough veg options, fresh food, free glass of champagne Lowlights: Can only go here once, only for buffet, a la carte food not impressive, costly place.
(3)Adrian J.
I will start this off by saying I have been going to Reza's for about 14 years now. Yes I started as a kid. This restaurant has undergone a few changes lately that I'd like to comment on. The last time I had dinner there, they had removed a few tables from the main dining room and placed a buffet station. You can either order from the kitchen or from the buffet. If you order an entrée, you have access to the salad bar which includes their delicious vegetable soup and hummus. The entrée to get is Chengeh. Hands down. Get half dill and half white rice to see which you like better. The lamb kabob is another fine choice but I am never disappointed by the chengeh. Now why only 3 stars? The service is pretty inconsistent. The waiters have a high turnover so it's very unlikely you'll see the same one twice. As a result you always have a new person unfamiliar with the menu and the restaurant in general. I've had great service at times and absolutely rude service at others. The only drink I've tried was their mojito (don't ask me why I ordered this at middle eastern restaurant). Needless to say it was horrible. I say don't try your luck with the drinks. Go there when you want to have good food. I used to think of it as a good date place as well but I feel it has taken a turn for the worse with this new buffet set up. A lot of families go here and the night I was there in particular, it felt like we were at OCB. Argh. Regardless I will still go here and get take out. Occasionally I will dine in the restaurant. The have free parking +tip across the street. The lot is small and tight. Street parking is ok except on the Fri and Sat because Andersonville is well.....busy.
(3)Jacob Y.
So...from a LONG day that was supposed to be full of meetings in Schaumburg, by the hands of a higher power, I ended up with a flat, and never made it to Suburbia! Yes, the flat kinda stunk, but that means no boring meetings, and the flat got fixed at the shop in a jiffy. Which brings me to staying in the city to enjoy this lovely fall weather. And then I got hungry. So I decided to venture into Andersonville to get some grub, and lo and behold...I saw a sign for Lunch Buffet at Reza's... Again, I am not usually a huge fan of buffets (read my review for the Jolly Inn); however, I was STARVING and it was yet another sign from above (regardless of religion!). So I strolled into Reza's...and surprisingly for a Monday 1 pm-ish timeframe, it was actually somewhat busy. After being seated, I proceeded to see what $9.95 would buy me at this buffet. For starters, I tried the hummus and pita bread. Creamy, smooth and extremely good. I also had a falafel and it was crispy and delicious! And to top it off, I tried the chicken barley soup - which was tasty and very warming for these chilly fall days in the windy city. Onto entrees. They had three different kind of rice dishes: a vegetarian, a dill rice and a simple white rice. I tried them all (the curse of being Chinese!). They were all good, but the dill rice was exceptionally good! And for meat to accompany my rice, I tried the Chicken kababs (both regular and spicy), along with all three different types of koubidehs (chicken, beef and lamb). WOW...it was all outstanding. And yes, I went back for seconds. As far as desserts is concerned...I usually skip at buffets because I am too full. Not this time. They had these sweetly soaked doughnut like pastries. WOW...and they went soo well with my coffee. Now...I don't live too far from Reza's, but let me tell you what...I will make an extra effort to go there for dinner. I forget how much I love their Persian Middle Eastern cuisine!
(4)Chris C.
Came here for their dinner buffet. The food was awesome, especially their chicken and pita bread. However, the dinner buffet came to about $20 each which was higher than I would've liked. I'll probably go there again but will stick to their lunch buffet instead.
(4)Leah C.
consistently good however, inflated prices... been going to reza's since i was a kid and decided to try a carry-out order to bring to our friends' for lunch. the food was as yummy as we all remember. i made a new discovery: kashkeh bodemjam = a DELICIOUS eggplant dip. it tasted like it included caramelized onion in the mix but the list of ingredients in the menu made no mention. SO good! the pitas were a bit dry - never been a huge fan of their pitas and hope that they work on that. i also wish that they would find better ways to package their carry-out's. tahini spilled all over the rest of my vegi sampler platter. kabobs were smooshed into packages that were too small (should've just used foil!). poor yummy dill rice was spewing out of their foam containers.
(4)Anne F.
From what I have read, I wish that we tried the buffet. None of the people I was with were happy with what we ordered. The chicken was fatty and there was a lot of dark meat for breasts, the kabobs had no flavor, BUT the vegetarian appetizer sampler was great! The waitress was a bit pushy, but that wasn't really an issue. I have heard so many great things about Reza's that I am willing to try it again, and will write a fantastic review when that happens!
(2)Nick B.
Andersonville has some of the best dining in the city from diners, tapas, brunch, you name it, it's there. It was time I got my Mediterranean fill in. I've been passing Reza's for years now. Quickly barreling down Clark and blowing by the large, neon red Reza's sign on the corner of Clark and Berwyn, I finally stopped by last night. I went with a friend for dinner at 8PM yesterday and was surprised how easy it was to sit outside on the patio. Reza's outdoor patio has to be some of the best seating in the city. It's secluded yet still allows a nice view of the busy street for some ideal people watching. This was a big win on behalf of the restaurant. We started with a glass of wine and started with hummus for our appetizer. I was excited to her about the buffet option they had for dinner. Awesome! But not really as we were told it was $24.99 for the buffet. I really couldn't justify that for hummus and falafel. So we ended up starting with a bunch of appetizers and ate tapas style. I wasn't too excited over the hummus which was annoying. There wasn't a lot of flavor to the hummus and the bread was cold. It was still could but I wasn't really into it. I will say that the falafel was awesome! I didn't see many other options for me to go ahead with as there was a lot of lamb on the menu. I enjoyed the night at Reza's but I thought it was fairly overpriced on almost all the options. I'm going to settle with 3 stars because sitting outside was really the highlight of the evening. I would say check it out, but just order off the appetizers menu and get a few glasses of wine.
(3)J M.
As I walked into this establishment I thought to myself, "dang, this place is kind of dead for a friday night" And now I know why. I honestly cannot think of a restaurant with more bland food. Literally nothing had any taste. I don't know how anybody could enjoy this place.
(1)Lynn K.
Good food, bad service
(2)Carolynne M.
I have been going to one of the two locations for as long as I have lived here. A hundred years ago when I lived in Andersonville, this place and Calo were literally the only two places that would deliver to my "questionably safe area" (ahem, Clark & Granville. really? "questionably safe?"). Then when I worked in River North, we would get delivery about once a week from the Ontario location. So I am pretty familiar. Anyway. Part of my problem is that they are very pricey for what it is. Hummus is delicious, but $5.95 delicious? Not sure about that. The Koubideh is fantastic, as well as the Ghemieh Bodemjan, but really, we all know what the real reason is for going there in the end. And that is the dill rice. I have tried replicating it many times at home, but it is never the same. I would go here much more (since I work only a few blocks away) if the prices were a little more reasonable.
(3)Dilip J.
I've been to the downtown location for lunch and brunch a few times, and I would have to say this is at least as good. Buffet is their best deal. I don't think the prices are the best, compared to other places($14 and up for dinner). But, the salad bar makes any meal there a much better value. 2 soups, 2 salads, hummus, dip, fruit, falafel, plus some dessert/sweet. That's what was available for the night I went. Food is good, but could be spicier. Lunch Buffet and Brunch on Sundays are pretty good deals also. Very good choices on Sunday's Brunch, and not bad for all the good stuff they offer. Call about buffet special pricing. Menu: rezasrestaurant.com/menu… Mon: $3 house martini Tues: half off on certain wine bottles
(3)Jen P.
Once upon a time, this place used to be amazing. The service was exceptional, the food was of very high quality, and the prices were reasonable. I recently returned from college and, after being away for five years, am extremely disappointed at where this place has gone. The first problem I have is that the buffet, while being somewhat reasonably priced, does not offer the same quality of food which can be found on the regular menu. The lamb and steak dishes, which remain stellar, are now ridiculously overpriced and their pita is no longer served warm, and is perpetually dry. While the atmosphere remains pleasant, the food has lost its charm. This used to be a great place to sit down and enjoy a meal, but I now feel like every time I walk in, I should be prepared to hand over the entire contents of my wallet. I still enjoy the food, but not paying ten to fifteen dollars more than what I used to pay for it. If you must visit, try a plate of the grilled mushrooms, have a glass of wine, and go on your merry way.
(3)Andy M.
Just as yummy as I remember it. I ordered the meat Kabab extravaganza. The seasoning that they use on the beef and lamb are wonderful, and I could eat the Dill rice alone and be happy as a clam. It's a little pricey, but it's worth it for what you get. Reza's is one of my favorite places in Chicago. It's always consistently good.
(4)Adam M.
Ok, the food was good - I had the fillet kabobs. I also enjoyed the soup and salad bar that came with the meal. There is certainly a lot of food included in the entrees - a couple could definitely split an entree and still have left-overs. Also, get the dill rice - very good. Now, the reason for two stars? WE WERE ABANDONED! Yes, I've heard of such things happening before in the restaurant world, but this has never happened to me. After our server took our drink order, she came back for the food order. At which point she told me that the entree I had selected was not good. Come again!? Now, normally I would appreciate a server's honesty about the food, but this server was condescending as in "why would you EVER think to order such an absurd item!?" Well....because it's on the freakin' menu. After she basically forces me to order something else (which, in all honesty, was delicious) her shift must have ended because we see her leaving the restaurant with her coat on and saying good-bye to everyone but us. I totally understand a server leaving after her shift, but at least tell us. We then waited about 25 minutes before anyone else came to the table and even then the new server didn't acknowledge us. As if our server had a spontaneous sex-change. The new server was worse than the first - no water refills, no communication, nothing. Get it together Reza's, because your food is too good to have such poor service.
(2)Chicago R.
Food was a good Mediterranean meal. Other than that, their service was horrible. I would agree with the reviewer here that I gave them for the benefit of the doubt idea not to get mad. I get pissed off after eating their lunch buffet, the waitress (not warm unfriendly, cold attitude) handed me the check without me asking. I told her I haven't eat my dessert yet. No reaction, but I guess she,s waiting for me to pay while she stands. So I pay. Then I stand up to get my dessert. Then the man standing told me I cannot get my dessert because I paid already. What is this? Is this a culture difference or what? Not acceptable. Service is bad, like they don't value customers at all. If I could give them a half star, I would. I hope the owner reads this.
(1)Douglas J.
Please take this review with a grain of salt...I have never been a fan of middle eastern food. Went here for a friends birthday. Ordered the shrimp and filet kabobs. Like I said, I can't say I was disappointed because this isn't my style anyway. I found both kabobs to be nothing special. They were cooked well, but really didn't have much flavor. The highlight for me was the dill rice. It had the perfect amount of dill to give it a great flavor but wasn't overpowering.
(2)Shannon N.
Reza's is good food - huge portions, very tasty delights and friendly service. I love all the kebab action. I tried the shrimp kabobs last week and they were fantastic - garlicky and delicious. The naan rocks, too. Really good with the feta and the tomato soup to start. Love that jasmine rice! Good stuff all around. Definitely check this place out.
(4)Paul A.
I've been going to Reza's for more than 10 years with lots of time in between visits. What started out as a 3 1/2 star restaurant is now a 2 star restaurant slowly sliding to a 1. The last time I went there and ordered the shish ka bob (lamb, chicken, shrimp) it was certainly OK...actually a little better than OK, but a disappointment from what I remember from several years ago. I just went there tonight and ordered the lamb kabob. The lamb was one step above awful: chewy, flavorless with certain pieces almost inedible. The lentil soup and relish tray -- served complimentary with every meal -- was, as always, excellent. Then again, pretty hard to screw up radishes and feta cheese. The service was friendly enough, but awful. I ordered one of the fancy foo-foo drinks, I believe it as a Pomegranate Mojito, and it was almost undrinkable. As I was waiting forever for my check, different servers could see that I was waiting to pay, but did they offer to tell my waiter, or to perhaps pick it up themselves and bring it to the register? Of course not. Not their table. The only positive out of this entire dining experience is that the entree is enough to feed 2-3 people -- and the dill rice is great! My suggestion is go to other Andersonville stalwarts Cousins or Andies. That's what I'm going to do next time.
(2)Jacob J.
I used to very much dislike Reza's. Primarily because even though I'd been here soo many times, I'd always thought the food wasn't very tasteful and there wasn't anything about their dishes that screamed "must have again" . The kabobs I'd always thought were dry and pointless. That was a year ago. I'd gone today with some friends and the food was excellent, though as with most nice sit down middle eastern places, food is so damn expensive. I think they've raised their prices yet again. I was surprised to see that the menu has grown wider. The lamb kabobs were fantastic, juicy and tasty. The dill rice is always a pleaser. The Filet mignon kabobs, just order a few skewers on the side, very good. Hummus was too bland. They have a better hot sauce now, almost felt like it was a little too salsa tasting, but it does have zing and is the right hot. Shawarma sandwich was pretty yum, I don't think they offered that previously, though they can add a bit more meat. Its a great place in the warmer seasons, but as it gets colder, seating in the front areas is hard to deal with at times. They've got alot of vents shooting warm air forward. It doesn't help enough. I like to have warmth and feel comfortable while I eat. At night, you can really feel the chills coming in through the glass. Its pretty good food and worth checking it out.
(3)Mark P.
Very, very good Middle Eastern food! I went here with friends last week, and each of us enjoyed everything. The meats were tender and juicy, and the dill rice and other sides were great. The apps from the falafel to hummus were fresh and tasty, and the pita was soft and perfect. The salad bar was alright, but coming with the dinner for free was excellent. The only thing was that I ordered falafel as an app, and they had them at the salad bar too. Kind of a waste! If you are looking for high quality Middle Eastern eats, give this a shot. As a bonus, the night we went had 1/2 price bottles of wine. Check for specials!
(4)fox a.
REALLY GOOD FOOD. and a lot of it. yes, it is expensive. but worth it if you need a nourishing, healthy, awesome meal with tons of flavor. things i didn't like: too much dark skin on my salmon (oh well, i picked it off with my fork), the ambiance (stuffy/boring), and the chairs hurt my butt (that i admittedly injured by drunkenly running a borrowed bike into a van). idea: don't eat for a couple days, get wicked stoned, stuff your face. then go home and google the recipes for your favourite items and make this grub yourself. dill. parsley. i love you.
(4)Lindsay S.
Besides the amazing scallop dish, I really liked this place bc of the semi outdoor seating and the later hours. I ended up here with my boyfriend because all of the restaurants/bars in the area were closed or not serving food.. but I am happy that I did. It is nice to be able to get good food (not just diner or fast food) later in the evening ... and the service was amazing even when it was nearing close. I will go back for sure!
(4)David K.
Reza's was once my all-time favorite Middle Eastern restaurant, but lately other options have come to eclipse it. This evening, joining friends there for dinner, I ordered my usual, which is Reza's Special Chicken Kabob. Usually, the meat of this dish is tender and flavorful, with a taste slightly reminiscent of a freshly squeezed lemon. This evening, the chicken was more on the bland side and not as tender and juicy. However, their dill rice was just as excellent as ever and a dish that really helps to make Reza's irreplaceable. I have yet to find another Persian restaurant that serves dill rice, much to my disappointment. In the past, I have ordered their hummus as an appetizer, and it has always been smooth and creamy and made with fresh ingredients. The flatbread they served this evening, which reminded me of a gigantic slab of Indian naan bread, was soft and delicious, and the crispiness of some edges where it was charred only enhanced the overall taste. Lastly, their lentil soup, which was served as an appetizer, was still the same, delicious (tomato-based?) soup, but I still maintain my one criticism and wish it was filled with more lentils, like other Middle Eastern lentil soups I enjoy. More lentil action, please! Given the thinness of the broth, I don't believe the lentils are pureed to mix with the soup, as other restaurants do. Overall, Reza's is still a fine dining experience, with good food and a restaurant decor of brick and wood that makes it a nice and cozy place to relax and chat with friends.
(4)Rhonda G.
I Cheated on Andies with his next door neighbor. I'm so ashamed! Flaunting my love for the dill rice and chicken and scallop skewers in front of an open window on a perfect night. I tried not to like Reza's but everything from the friendly and attentive waitress to the delicious bread and chicken barley soup kept reeling me in. Scallops and chicken were cooked to perfection and kept me eating long after I was full. What a Harlot! Sipping delightful Pinot Grigio and giggling with friends as if I'm doing nothing wrong. I love Reza's and may make this food affair a once in a while thing but my heart belongs to Andies. If he'll still have me.
(4)heidi s.
The Awesome:All I can say is stuffed green pepper with mushrooms on Vegetarian Sampler #4 is super tasty:) The rice with dill and lima beans is really tasty too, but if u get the sampler bring another person and share it b/c it's too much for just one person to handle:) The Not So Awesome: Alright, so I had an cocktail here called the electric lemonade. Looks enticing, but don't get it. I swore their was like no vodka in it,the cherries in it looked really sad, and it was $8.00! I also hate when it feels like menus haven't been cleaned before the shift b/c they get all sticky and loaded with germs, yuck! Overall, Reza's you are doing a decent job, just need a lil work, but your Clark St. location is a nice spot so make it work!!
(3)Amanda W.
While I would rate Reza's higher than its next door neighbor Andies, they get three stars on principle. Please note: the sign that is outside their door on the weekend advertising the $9.99 buffet is ONLY for weekdays. PLEASE, Rezas, this feels a bit like false advertising since the sign says M-F in very small print and there's obviously a buffet inside. Husband and I nearly spit when we got the bill for some decent food and realized the buffet is $15 or more on the weekends each. Not that big of a deal, but I'm not a person to enjoy surprise parties, presents, OR bills. However, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Reza's. It is the first restaurant I ever ate at in Chicago when I visited Loyola over a decade ago with my parents. Every time my parents visit from Kansas, they request to go here for dinner. My father usually ends up sneaking in a ziploc of A1 for the steak kabob which is a pretty funny sight and supremely confuses the wait staff.
(3)Ally L.
DO NOT order delivery!!! The food is good, the delivery is awful. The delivery person got the address mixed up and then yelled at me because he said he wasted time waiting for me to answer the door.
(3)Stephanie V.
i really like mediterranean food but i found that theirs was a bit bland. i have definitely had better. the hummus was bland, and so was the tomato and cucumber salad. the only thing i really like was their pomegranite sauce.
(2)Naomi C.
I have been here twice. Both times I did the dinner option (for 2 or more people). It allows you to choose several diff. appetizers, dinner options, sides and dessert. I have had and enjoyed the grilled potatos, grilled mushrooms, baba ganhoush, rice, tomato/cucumber salad, lamb shank, sirloin kebabs, chicken kababs. The soup, some form of tomato base with lentil I believe was ok. It was a bit sour for my taste. The service was good the first time I went and ok the second time. It also seemed that the portions were smaller the second time (probably because of the economy and cost of food). That being said, the price was reasonable. We did get a lot of food and they boxed up anything that wasn't finished. Overall a good experience.
(4)Joe O.
Been here a handful of times and have enjoyed the experience each time. The food is very fresh and just delicious. I can't remember what that ground up chicken thing is called but it's one of my fav items there. Service is great. Just tried the brunch buffet for the first time last week and it was also excellent. They give you such a selection to pick form, but it's really reflected in the price you pay too.
(4)Deepika T.
Reza's is good. But nothing to write home about, I guess. I'd have to say that I have no complaints about the ambience or the staff. But like I said, nothing about the food made me go ga-ga. The lentil soup was your average fare, and the veggie platter was 'Umm, Ok'. And all my other friends in the group that tried the non-veg fare didn't really start jumping up and down about it either!
(3)Aimee R.
I've been coming here since the 1990s and I can never get tired of Reza's. It has excellent food and great service. I like their Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, and all their combinations of Reza's Special Chicken, Ground Beef/Chicken. I also like the fried veggies that come with the order. The onions and tomatoes add a lot to the overall taste. I also totally ordering the rice 1/2 dill, 1/2 white, they're both good and it's good to combine them. This year, they also started a yummy buffet, for $8 bucks or something, where you can get all the falafels you want...along with the sauce, salad, and pita bread. Their holiday specials are also a great value and they include mimosas or sangria.
(4)Risa P.
I went to Reza's on a Friday night. The service was pretty prompt (for a group of 10 we were out in two hours) However it was kind of confusing when ordering. I wanted to share a meal with a friend, but since the meals come with a salad bar (hummus, soup. etc) the waitress told us that would be an additional $9.99 sharing charge. This was confusing because in the menu, it said the sharing charge was $3.99. We decided instead to get four appetizers. The grilled mushrooms, the vegetarian sampler, the grilled potatoes and the chicken kabobs. The sampler was huge, with baba ganoush, hummus, tabbouleh and falfael. I was very disappointed with the falafel, they had a weird texture and were extremely sweet. (which I have never had sweet falafel before) The tabbouleh was fresh and good. The grilled potatoes were okay, except my friend got one that was not cooked and completely raw. Both the mushrooms and the potatoes were greasy and in a lot of oil. The entree portions are definitely enough to share (if you can figure out how to do it) and they have a lot of different options. It seems like if you go here, you should try meat dishes as those are their speciality. We sat by the front and by the windows and it was freezing. I might try it again as I have heard good things about Reza's. I wasn't not too impressed though. A side note--it is impossible to find parking on the street on Friday night. Which is probably to be expected.
(2)Brett G.
I would say 3 3/4 stars.... Here's why The food was pretty darn excellent - beginning with the tomato and lentil soup and the warm pitas. The main courses - chicken kabobs and a vegetarian sampler, were excellent, and the presentation was lovely. I have a deep affinity for dill rice, and this was spectacular. The sangria was delicious. The portions were big - we both had enough for more than one meal to take home. I found it a little odd that when my boy went to order the lamb and chicken combo, they were out of lamb. Really? I've never heard of that, especially at a restaurant where lamb is one of the staple meats. While the interior was pretty and spacious (complete with high ceilings, and wood beams - kind of 'lofty'), I will agree with Dave S - something about the atmosphere was just off. I don't know if it was because the patrons at more than half of both dining rooms were large groups and in suits / dresses - like everyone had just come from church or something. I didn't feel totally comfortable there. The food was great, albeit a little high-priced, although I prefer Andies' food next door. If I order from Reza's again, I would probably get my meal delivered.
(4)Abbey C.
This is definitely my favorite place for Middle Eastern food in Andersonville. The prices are a little high, so I wouldn't choose Reza's for a quick weeknight dinner,but it's a great place to go with friends on the weekend. This place is also massive, so it's a good choice if you're looking for a place to eat with a larger group. The decor is fine but forgettable, but for me, it's really all about the food at Reza's. The vegetarian sampler is a great way to start the meal -- the hummus is delicious and I really like the eggplant salad (not the baba ghannouj, the other one). The lamb kebab is fantastic -- probably the best I've had. My preferred side is the cous cous but the dill rice is pretty great, too.
(4)Jenny D.
lunch buffet: $9.99 i'm down. before visiting this location, i had only been to the one downtown for a couple formals in college, and i was never really impressed with the family style pre-ordered dinners. HOWEVER, my bf dragged me over here for the lunch special one afternoon and i've been a happy camper ever since. There are enough choices and they are always refilled. Three round tables with the buffet trays, and they're each clearly labeled. The lamb and dill rice are my favorite. The spicy chicken is juicy and delicious, something u don't expect since it's sitting out in a warming tray. the only thing i don't like are the bathrooms in the basement. it's kind of creepy....just a little bit.
(4)Marianne C.
annoyed - I love Reza's and talked friends into going. Saturday night - not too late not too early... what happened to their great wine list? What happened to waitstaff that knows the menu? We ended up with a waitress who didn't have a clue about the menu or how to serve. It took one friend going to the bar to explain to the bartender how a malibu and pineapple juice was made! No main course went to the correct person - so we did the pass the meal around the table game. The Buffet was great - because their Hummus and Falafel are always great - and soup and salad. The entrees were just so so and the dill rice my most favorite of all things was dry... and everyone elses food was dry and bordering on cold... I am guessing our chinese waitress forgot to pick up the order. SUCH a disappointment at $32 a piece - I felt responsible - I wont give up on Reza's but I WILL try to avoid that waitron
(2)Nastassia J.
There's a ton of reviews about this place already, so I won't go on and on.... to sum it up quickly: Better than Andies (next door). And there you have it.
(4)Roy R.
Rude waiter who seemed like he was doing us a favor by taking our dinner orders ... incorrect order served ... main course arrived not even two minutes after the appetizers, bad bad timing ... something brown and gooey was on the edge of my plate (nothing I ordered was supposed to be brown, or gooey ...) .... They were not crowded at all yet service was sloppy and slow ... for $95 for two, for what we were served and the poor service, I don't think we will be returning.
(2)Emily N.
Date Night fell on a gorgeous Friday evening. Mission Mediterranean. Preferably al fresco. Enter Reza's. We were seated at a table next to the open patio doors. Perfect for a slight breeze and people watching. Ordered up a couple of drafts (I got carded, WEEEE!) and perused the menu. I opted for a shrimp dish while handsome went with the fillet. Both entrees came with the salad bar. Okay, so I didn't actually see the salad bar. I was wearing shoes that were apparently only meant for sitting. They are (re: were) fabulous though. I will miss them. I'm considering purchasing a wheel chair so that I can still wear them. But I digress. He said that there was a bounty to be had from there. He swears by the lentil soup, but it was too hot out for me to even think about soup. Hummus was super creamy and delish. Pita was fine, but I wish it had been warm. Falafels were crunchy outside and soft inside. Perfect. My shrimp dish was fine. A touch over done and a bit bland for me. My big gripe was the portion. The gave me a boatload of rice and like 8 shrimp. I obviously didn't order the right dish. When my piece got his grub, it was massive! Two nice sized file ts and an entire plate of rice. I ate quite a bit of his rice. Seriously, the dill rice here is super tasty. The steak was done perfectly. What? You know I snuck a few bites. Honestly, I would've given this place a "meh" rating, but I definitely want to go back for the dinner buffet and some more people watching. Also, the service here was tops!
(3)Susan L.
This is our Sunday-night-takeout staple. Enough food so that 2 people could share 1 entree, or in our case, become nice leftovers for the next day. I do NOT like their baba ganoush, FWIW. Reza's is MUCH more inexpensive than it's next door neighbor, Andie's. Enjoy!
(4)Noosh N.
Food coma I welcome you! Buffet, mmmmmmm! Everything was pretty good, I drenched everything with mast o keeyar (yogurt and cucumber) and it made everything even better! The soup was good. Their chai was even better, I apreciate good chai. I didn't expect such rich fragarent hot tea, it was a nice way to end my food coma~!
(4)Rafael C.
I had my first visit to Reza's, in my hood, and it was quite OK. I usually don't venture off my usual staple of Mediterranean foods on a first visit to a place. I had the combo kabobs and they were delicious as well as the dill rice that accompanied them. I do agree with most that even though I liked the food it seemed to be a bit overpriced a smidge. Getting an outside table by the side street was no problem and the service was just fine. I haven't been inside the restaurant but it seems to be a pretty big space. I can see making Reza's my standby place for Mediterranean food especially since nearby Taste of Lebanon closes much earlier.
(3)Colleen F.
Ok, I gave this place a 3rd chance not too long ago and it has now become a regular part of my delivery rotation. I've yet too see any more mystery fibers in the hummus, which is delicious. It's a little pricey for delivery but I always end up with lunch for the next day, yum.
(4)Irena A.
I have been to this place at least 3 times. I am not impressed with their food. It just doesn't taste middle eastern enough...not sure how else to put it! I have had the lentil soup which was good except the lentils that were a little too crunchy(aka not boiled right). I have tried the Sultani dish which is pretty good-- the kefta is cooked to perfection! Service is pretty good. I am curious to try their buffet since some of the other yelpers seem to have liked it.
(3)Purnima M.
Oh, high expectations, how cruel it feels to have you crushed to the ground! In this case, my husband set me up for failure. His great memories of meals here on business trips to Chicago a few years ago had me excited. And, I was truly starved of good Persian food and longingly recollecting my favorite joint in SF. So, really, this meal didn't stand a chance. With overarchingly impossible high standards to live up to, it was doomed from the start. In a word, my experience was: tomato. Yup, tomato. Everything I ate was bathed in a curiously sweet, stunningly bland tomato sauce - from the rice, stuffed peppers, even some kind of falafel-type dumplings on the platter. As for the hummus and kashko bademjan, they almost made me wish they were covered in sauce, it might have been an improvement. Sorry guys, this wasn't for me. Maybe I'm just the wrong audience for a kabab haven.
(2)Jason P.
I'm a big fan of Reza's loved this place. I consider it one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I dunno what it is the food is so simple and good! Don't live in Chicago anymore but everytime I go home I make it a point to always go to Reza's and it never disappoints. I stick w/ the rice dishes w/ Beef kebab/ scallops/ shrimp/ lamb. Get the dill rice.. you won't be disappointed! Portions are big you can def. share but i won't share I'll eat it all!! Good luck parking...
(4)Tuyen T.
I've never eaten at Reza's so I can't comment on their service or atmosphere, but my parents usually pick up an order of the chicken and steak combo on their way home. It comes with one chicken kabob, one steak kabob, dill rice, pita bread, and some veggies. I'm not a big fan of the combo because I find the meat and rice quite dry. I like their hummus though, so if my parents give me a heads up that they're picking up Reza's then I order a side of hummus. $15 feeds two people, not a bad deal. It's in Andersonville, so good luck with parking.
(3)Jeff N.
I've only gone here for their lunch buffet. But it is so good that I have been there 3 times in as many weeks (twice in Andersonville and once in the loop). Two of the times I've gone there it was on a Monday when they have half priced wine. Their house chardonnay was great and went really well with the dessert. I will have to say they have the best buffet in Chicago and I would recommend it to anyone.
(5)Mark D.
My wife and I had the lunch buffet during the week. It was outstanding in every way! Just the thought of that extensive variety of excellent food is enough to make me ravenous!
(5)Tara P.
Let's start with the positives. We had a party of 11 and were promptly seated (with reservations...but still). The food was very good, huge servings and I think all but one order was correct. Now, the negatives. They all have to do with service. We waited a long time for our drink orders to be taken, then an even longer time for our food orders to be taken, and we were out of water for the 2nd half of the meal. That's forgivable for a big party on a Saturday night, but guess what's not? The most rude server I've ever had. Our table ordered a couple of the veggie appetizer samplers. It was good. For the entree, though, there are several more veggie combo samplers with different items on them. I'm not a vegetarian but wanted to try several things so I chose a veggie entree sampler. The server argued with me, saying it would be just like the appetizer, which was confusing since the only item the plates share is hummus. Then she asked why I would get that if I'm not a vegetarian (uh, because I'm paying for it so I'll get whatever the f### I want?). I got my sampler and it was delicious, especially the stuffed pepper, and as I expected the only repeated item from the appetizer was hummus. Unfortunately I was very full and barely made a dent. When the server came to collect my plate she said, "I told you so." I wanted to punch her in the face. So the rudeness is what really makes this a 2 stars kinda place.
(2)Barbie S.
I am SHOCKED to see that anyone would rate this place a 5 star. No way, not even close. The place was packed when my friend's and I got here, and one of the reasons why we picked it was they advertise they are open till midnight.... HA! It was a Friday night, and I think we got there at 10-10:15 ish....and by 11 they were mopping and cleaning up. Which I think is totally inappropriate when you still have customers that are dining. One bonus we were seated right away which was nice, and the open windows are really nice.... but beyond that, I would not rate anything else here better than average. We ordered Sangria which was OK... not great. However, while we waited for our food to be served and our drinks, we drank all of our water... and even though the waitress came back to the table our water was never refilled? Even though we asked.... are water refills not allowed??????? The food was ok, not bad, but again, I would say it was just average. The waitress....when we saw her... was pleasant I guess, but how pleasant are you if you are not attentive to your customers??? It is large and the atmosphere is good... but nothing was enticing enough here to make me want to go back.... enough said.
(3)Anna B.
I would love to actually review the food at this place, since it was so highly regarded by most of the yelpers, but alas it was not to be so. I went there last week with a friend. My friend actually worked at the downtown location, so he could not stop raving about the food. We sat at our table for 10 minutes without any attention from the waitstaff. I saw one server on a cell phone. I saw another one standing around looking bored, and I saw another server, actually working. We sat, hungry and thirsty for 10 minutes. Then we got up and went next door to Andie's, where we were attended to promptly. Such a shame when service costs a restaurant its reputation and REVENUE. I'll only go back if I'm on a diet or want to be ignored.
(1)Rush L.
I went here for the lunch buffet. Overall, it's good to me. I would come here again for the buffet. I would only eat the same things. lol.
(3)Dima M.
I have also reviewed the other location of this restaurant. If you must eat at this restaurant, I recommend eating at this location. While this is a little better, the ambiance is still mediocre, if at all existent. The saving grace for this place is the neighborhood in which it resides. If I had to move any time soon, I'd totally move to Andersonville. The food quality is OK, and the portions are generous. If you love red meant, go for the Fillet Mignon as they give you a good amount for your money, and by good, I mean GOOD. Also, if you are going to eat rice, go for the dill rice. Don't let the hard parking situation around the neighborhood get to you, there's a very hard to find parking across the street where you can park for free if you eat at the restaurant. So save your parking meter change, or valet money, and look for the shady parking lot.
(3)Justin B.
This is what happens to a good restaurant when the service is just bad. The food probably was a 4 quality. The vegetarian sampler appetizer was OMG good, but the service had my wife and I reconsidering our standard tipping policy. We received no water when we sat down until we ordered it, when we did get water she left the pitcher for us to fill our own glasses, we had to wait about 10 minutes after being seated before the server came over to even say hi, received zero smiles throughout the meal, had to wait about 10 minutes after we last touched our plates for the server to approach us for the check/dessert/whatever, had to ask for more bread for our vegetarian sampler and even that seemed off-putting to our server, and never once was asked how the food was. I understand a bad night, I truly do, but restaurants have to realize that their reputation is directly attributable to three things: (1) Service; (2) Quality of Food; and (3) the space/ambiance of a restaurant. The service was so bad that I just can't justify giving this place more than 2 stars.
(2)Rich W.
Was there for their lunch buffet. Good deal - $10 for a good selection of dishes. The food was decent. The spice level was good. However, the service was bad. The waitresses were slow and non-responsive. I know it's buffet and I shouldn't expect much, but did they have to talk to me like I owe them money?
(3)Channyn W.
Tis ok. There was nothing particularly exciting about my experience, and I can't say i'm interested in returning on my own. On the upside, they set aside a large space for my friend's birthday which gave us plenty of room to spread out. The service was friendly and non-intrusive and we never felt rushed to order or to leave after we were finished with our meal. Even though we were part of a large group, they were gracious about splitting the check for three of us without it being a hassle. Also, our waitress took time to explain the family style options vs. individual entrees so kudos to her. Now, the food. Personally, I felt the pricing was a bit high for what it was. The menu is enormous and a little daunting though it is pretty well laid out and self-explanatory. A friend and I decided to split a few appetizers instead of ordering individual dinners which worked pretty well. I wasn't a huge fan of the food itself though. The grilled mushrooms were tasty, but the grilled potatoes seemed a bit soggy whereas I was hoping for some crunch to them. The hummus wasn't anything special, tasted ok, but not any better than the pre-packaged kind. It might have been served well if fresh pitas were brought with, but that didn't happen. I still prefer Pita Inn I guess. And that says it all.
(3)Kate C.
I have been to this restaurant many times, and almost every time is with a large group. There is really something for everyone and the dishes are great to share. The past two times I went there was a buffet option. One time you could get the buffet option for dinner, which many people did. There was chicken, lamb, rice, falafel, hummus, salads, and lots of other typical middle eastern food. Another time there was an appetizer buffet that came with every entree, which was perfect because one of my favorite dishes is the salmon kebabs, which is not on the dinner buffet. I highly recommend the fish and vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian combos are great. I especially like the stuffed pepper with spinach and the couscous. There is plenty of room for seating and the service seems pretty quick from what I remember. Prices are reasonable and portions are large. You'll definitely be taking stuff home if each person orders an entree and you share appetizers.
(4)Bridget D.
Reza's is in my top 5 restaurants in Chicago and has been for years. The kabobs, dill rice, and tomato lentil soup are out of this world!!! Your best bet is to order chengeh (filet) kabob in combination with something else. I like chengeh and scallops or koubideh. Reza's has many vegetarian options, but their meat and seafood really shines! It's always very fresh and the best cuts. The only thing I would advise against at Reza's is the salads. I have had tabouleh and Jerusalem salad on several occasions and it's never good.
(5)Rudy S.
While I don't normally eat Middle Eastern food, everytime I come to this place..it makes me wonder why I don't. This food is extremely flavorful. The portions are also big, it's great for a date or for a group of friends. The waitstaff is also extremely helpful in describing the food for someone who normally doesn't eat Middle Eastern food. Just try to under order, because the portions are big and you end up with a ton of extra food. A bit pricey but worth it!
(4)MaryAnne M.
My very bff took me here for my birthday dinner. I hadn't been here in a while. I love their grilled potatoes and hummus. I had the scallop and filet shish Kabob with couscous. Huge scallops. We ordered a carafe of sangria and it was the strangest sangria ever. No fruit in it, it seemed that it was just wine. They also seem to have changed their pita bread.
(3)Thi T.
I've been hearing about Reza's for quite some time and finally tried it last night. It certainly lived up to the raving reviews I've heard. The place is huge and can easily seat large parties. I sat down and already had a yummy sangria waiting for me. The menu is rather large, and a bit overwhelming...but I don't think you can go wrong with any choice. We started with baba ganish (however you spell the thing), hummus and tazhiki. My fave was the tazhiki. It was refreshing and full of flavor. Don't worry, I ate so much of the appetizers, I barely had room for the main course. Good thing I had some serious meat coming my way. I took about two bites of my entree and was finished. It was sad because my filet was juicy and cooked to perfection. They sauce that smothered my steak complimented it so well, and the sea bass was also delicious! Unfortunately, I had no room for desert. Doggie bags! Just finished the leftovers today, and let me say...it was about as superb as the first go-around. I was very impressed with my meal. Unfortunately, we did have some issues with the service. Our waitress was a bit slow at times and neglected to check up on us at all after we got our food. It was a busy evening, but it seems like this place always has busy evenings. No excuses for the poor service. Overall, certainly worth trying. I would go back in a heartbeat to taste some of the other delicious options!
(4)faith b.
Before tonight, I have only been here one other time. Before, I would have agreed with all the bad reviews about the service. However, tonight changed my mind completely. I LOVED IT! Around dinner time, it took a while for us to find parking... but it was nice that we got seated right away (without reservations). Our waitress attended to us almost as soon as we sat down to get our drinks in... and we didn't have to wait long to order. She was very friendly and funny! I was looking around the place to see if other waiters were just as friendly.. and they were! The owner or manager of the restaurant also checked up on us to make sure everything was ok. The food was AMAZING! The lentil soup was really good! I don't know why people are complaining about the kabobs because they were awesome... and you get ALOT. I probably got through 1/3rd of my plate until i was stuffed. They also have amazing desserts that you just can't turn down! Everything about this place was great! Hopefully our next visit will be just as nice!
(5)Giselle S.
I came here for a baby shower during the Brunch hours. The food offered looked amazing. I stayed away from the meat and rice for Lent, and buried my plate underneath veggie and fish options. I tried the smoked salmon but found the consistency too 'gooey.' The whole mushrooms were to die for, and the hummus and pita were warm and delectable. I was pleased to find a varied selection of fresh cut fruit, along with choices for beverage ( lemonade, ice tea, and juice). Along with the brunch each guest received a glass of champagne. Pastries and fried dough in honey were offered, and oh soooo yummy. Just a couple oddities, the fresh shrimp wore their shells. The shrimp looked inviting, but I was in no mood to work with my food. The omelet station was there, burners and omelet filings were set up, but was not being offered throughout the time of the baby shower. The party area was toward the back and was the perfect setting for 40 guests. It was a little hard conducting baby shower games since people from another party had to pass through to get to the food and bathrooms. Reza's had a separate table set up for the cake and gifts. I believe the brunch cost $16.95 not including tax and tip. Sometimes the private lot gets full, so good luck with parking.
(4)Laura K.
Picture a cold Christmas night with nothing open, not even Jewel, and my husband wandering around Andersonville in search of food since we had come back into town unexpectantly early. And low and behold, one of the only places open on this dark night is Reza's. He ordered take out since I was home in my PJs and not about to wander out into the cold (although he said their buffet looked amazing). I had the filet kebobs and they were delicious - tender and perfectly done. They included some sort of sweet pastry that had a hint of rose water. Am not sure if this was for the holiday or is a regular thing but it was yummy and much appreciated. Thank you, Reza's, for coming through on this old Christmas night. Without you, we would have been eatting canned soup and crackers.
(4)Ted B.
The food is amazing, no doubt about that! I believe Reza's is more Persian than the traditional Middle Eastern I am accustomed to. Subtle differences between the two cuisines are throughout including the use of warm lavash bread instead of pita. Also, they don't serve schwarma. Dining last night, my friend and I immensely enjoyed a plate of Baba Ganouj, Fattoush salad, baked feta with olives and tomatoes and chicken kabobs with dilled rice. All of it was quite delicious. Service was just ok for me. Our server started out quite attentive but disappeared after he took our order. Also, the woman who sat us made such a big production out of how tall me and my friend were (i'm 6'4, he's 6'5). "Oh my GOD", she says as we walk into the restaurant, "you're SO tall!" Then later as we are enjoying our juicy kabobs, she comes over with larger plates so, as she so eloquently puts it, "you don't look like a couple of giants with these small plates". The whole time I'm thinking, 'can we just have a table for two and could you hold the order of shame please?' I'll be back.
(4)Paula B.
What happened to the portions at Reza's? There was a time when we went to Reza's that the portions were huge and the service was fantastic. Now the portions both in dine in and from carry out are small and for carry out we've received the food cold. The service is also slower than it used to be. I'm disappointed because I love their food. Please bring the old Reza's back!!
(2)mero cocinero k.
If I and my companera, the Vegan Lunch Lady, need a place to have a quiet, wonderful time, Reza's is the best place for it. The neighborhood is great! I can go to Women & Children's books and get books by Molly Ivins or Marjane Satrapi, then head over to Reza's and enjoy my consciously minded literature and eat the grilled potatoes, mushrooms, and falafel. I am sad that they now charge for the garnish of radishes, cheese, and parsley, which was always great to cleanse my palette of internalized oppression and prepare for a great meal and a great read. Please to all you non-royalist Iranians and their supporters, the name of the restaurant is in no way a tribute to Reza Shah Pahlavi and his policies that were implemented after the CIA backed coup that overthrew Prime Minister Mossadegh in 1953.
(5)Carlos G S.
This is one of the very first restaurants I went to when I first came to Chicago. What an outstanding experience. Their roasted feta is D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. Hummus and pita bread fantastic. I've had the Sultani before, and it is still my favorite combo dish. Sangria is good, but not outstanding. Ah, but coffee and backlava were insanely good. Service has always been really good, too. So, all in all, great. You won't be disappointed as I have never been.
(5)Kim P.
This place needs my review like a hole in the head (there's already over 80) but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Tonight I gave this food delivery place ( grubhub.com ) a shot based on the glowing review of Caroline (fellow yelper). Grubhub wil pick up food from various chicago restaurants and deliver it for you. I hadn't eaten at Reza's before but after writing my review for the Greek Islands I was craving some Mediterranean food. Reza's fit the bill. I ordered the cornish game hen in a pomegranate sweet and sour sauce and the vegan appetizer sampler. I LOVED the sauce on the hens. My BF thought it was only so/so but he must be smoking crack today cuz I was licking it off my fingers. LOL For $30 the bag of food they sent us had to weigh at least 6 pounds,. They gave us an enitre sack of pita's for our sampler tray. I mean an ENTIRE sack of unopened pitas. The hen came with Persian potatoes and I really liked them. They reminded me of a dish my mom used to make. Thick slices of potatoes dressed in olive oil and some herbs. Well cooked but still firm enough to hold up to the sauces. I'll definitely be ordering from there again. I only give 3 stars right now because I can't give a full review based on carry out, but I'll be sure to update when I make it in.
(3)C A.
We order delivery from time to time from this place cause my partner LOVES middle eastern, as for me im not a huge fan of this style of food, i find it very bland. The food is decent but stay away from the babaganoosh, heart burn central! They have great vegetarian dishes but they need add some more flavor to it. Delivery time is slow, i have never had an order delivered in under 1 hour 30 mins. so if you want to order for dinner, order around 4:30 because it will finally arrive around 6 pm. The customer service skills over the phone is absolutely horrendous, after i completed my order they asked if i wanted to order dessert i said no thanks then just click. they hang up on you and even during the ordering process they always put you on hold. The delivery drivers are always so nice though, and if you go to the resteraunt to sit down and dine in person the servers are always friendly.
(3)Trung N.
Ive been to Reza's in the past and really enjoyed their menu and food. So today we went and tried to relive my past memories of this place! After we were seated I opened the menu, to my surprise it's totally different! They've basically changed almost everything that I grew to love of the old Reza's. I ordered the lamb shank (18.95) it was extremely gamey. I love lamb but this was terrible. The sauce that it was simmering in didn't help the over powering taste of the lamb. What ever happened to their signature mushroom dish and great lamb chops they use to have!? Unfortunately I'm not ever coming back.
(2)Isla E.
I totally forgot I went here on a weekday for a baby shower for a coworker. So I'm taking off one star for being unmemorable. But it was a nice meal. They have a lunch buffet which I think costs about $8 per person. I can't find any info about this on their website, so I'm writing this review to let you know. I think its a great place for a work related lunch gathering. The Andersonville location is bright, airy, and roomy. The buffet offers options for vegetarians, vegans, and meat eaters. While it wasn't the best Middle Eastern food I've ever had, it wasn't the worst, and pretty good for a buffet. The staff was attentive and friendly, and we were in and out of there in about an hour. I can't speak for the quality of their entrees or items off the menu, but if you are looking for an inexpensive, healthy, lunch buffet, Reza's is an option. There are locations in Andersonville, Oak Brook, and River North. Maybe call first to make sure they have buffet at all locations and check on price, then take your new favorite coworker to lunch!
(4)Ryan G.
I'm going giving this place two stars because the food (although overpriced) was at least eatable. The experience we had with the manager, however, leaves me wanting to leave only one star. First off, the menu items are well cooked and typical Middle Eastern fare. They aren't anything special enough to write home about, but the cooks do a great job at leaving their meats juicy and their rice well seasoned. We walked in about around 9:30 PM on a weeknight. There were four of us. One person in my group had already eaten and decided to get an appetizer. We asked the waiter if we could do the Family Style dinner combination for the other 3 of us. He said sure and we chose our items. The food came out and there was a ton of it. Way more than the three of us could ever eat. Props for that. At some point during our meal, another one of our friends stopped in and pulled up a chair. He had a few pieces of meat, literally 4 at the most. He wasn't there to eat. All was fine until the waiter comes up to us and tells us that the manager saw my friend eating and is going to charge him for eating a meal. WHAT? We ask at waiter what the reasoning is and he tells us that the manager is making him do this because the Family Style combinations are unlimited. Sound odd? YES, BECAUSE NO WHERE ON THE MENU (I just went and doubled checked) DOES IT SAY THAT THE FAMILY STYLE DINNER COMBINATIONS ARE UNLIMITED. I completely understand how a manager could walk by and see our friend eating and not know how much he ate. Understandable. However, we didn't even finish our first plates. We never even got to the point of having seconds! We boxed it up and took our leftovers home. Dear Reza's, make it clear to your customers what the policies are ON THE MENU. I could tell how embarrassed the waiter was for having to tell us this. I felt like he's had to do this at his manager's request before. At the very least, hire managers who at least have the guts to talk to their customers. Bottom Line: While I hear their lunch buffet is great, Reza's needs to update their managers and their menu before I (or anyone I know) return.
(2)Mike L.
In Short - Give it a Pass. I could not of been more disipointed by a my meal. The first thing that always stound great Middle Eastern or Persian restaurants is the smell. When you walk into the door, the smells of spice and tea should fill ure nostrils. When you walk into Raza's the first thing you smell is, well, nothing. To begin with, we sat for fifteen minuets after being seated for someone to bring take drink order. When the server did show up we ordered an appetizer but were not told that there was a free "appetizer buffet" set up in the next room. So our food - my girdfriend (yelp: starbuckscout) ordered "Mediterranean Style" kabobs; chicken for me and salmon for her. Our food was TERRIBLE. Our food was swimming in a awful mushroom sauce. The check had no sign that he had been grilled or seared - it was just chunks of white squares. The salmon was like gelatin. The gill rice that came with out meals was 1) dry 2) hard 3) tasted like nothing. At one time this place might of been amazing. But laziness and long years have atrophied over the years.
(1)Kari C.
Amazing food!!! Persian food is my favorite, and this is some genuine Persian food. We had excellent seating (right by the windows/doors, which were open) and the staff was extremely friendly and knowledgeable about the food. Will definitely go there again!!
(4)Javier B.
Found myself at Reza's after trying to take friends to Ole Ole and realizing that they have closed! :-( I have eaten at Reza's several times and can only really say that it is consistently mediocre. I have had their lunch buffet and I agree with some of the other comments posted here. Their food is very inconsistent and really not great quality for the price. I love buffets, but this is one that I actually try to avoid. As far as regular diner, it appears that they have decided to do a buffet style appetizer bar. In concept this is great, but again the execution is lacking. The falafel is cold, the hummus doesn't seem to be up to par, pita cold, etc. The actual entree was very tasty but served with a mountain of rice is not the most exciting presentation. Too many other middle eastern/persian oprtions in the city that are better than Reza's.
(2)Jay R.
The lunch buffet is a great deal and the food is tasty with a great selection. We where in the area and I had been craving kabobs they had a lunch buffet that was kabob heaven. They have 2 styles ground meat which included chicken ,beef and lamb they also have a whole white meat chicken style kabob each type was tasty. The buffet is a great price all you can eat for 16.95 that included a glass of champagne, tea, soda its everything included so you don't get nickel and dimed for the extras. The buffet includes alot of other items some of my faves were great hummus a nice salad a very tasty lamb shank a variety of grilled veggies and rice last but not least some honey puffy dessert things that tasted pretty good. Its a great deal and the food is quality with a good variety and the staff is very attentive and friendly.
(4)Michael P.
We wandered in right around 11:15 this morning, not knowing what to expect. We scoped the buffet and both instantly knew that's what we wanted. It was like a vegetarian combo on 'Roids! They had the usual hummos / falafil / salad / cucumber salad. But they had two kinds of rice, the lentil soup was delish, the sauteed mushrooms perfect. Etc. Waitress said a glass of champagne (?with middle eastern?) came with the buffet. But YIKES $16.50 per person? Minus one star. I'd pay closer to $12, maybe, but a $33 (for two) lunch tab is a bit over the top. I'm going to put this on the "top quality but go infrequently because it's pricey" list. In my opinion, they lose money that way because we won't go as often. Whatever, their business to run. Try it, though, it really was top quality and taste. Five flags. More flags, more fun.
(4)Colleen R.
I wanted to like Reza's, but the whole experience was a little... off. It's a Middle Eastern Ryan's Buffet. Eating on a budget is really difficult here, unless you stick to appetizers. Entrée prices range from $15-25. And it's hard not to fill up on the buffet that's included with the entrée, which includes salad, soup, falafel, and hummus with pita bread. Basically, by the time our group got our main courses, we were already full. Of course, the portions placed down in front of us were unnecessarily gigantic. My vegetarian sampler was massive, but included only one measly slice of eggplant and some lukewarm baba ghanoush. In a city with so many great options for Middle Eastern food, I can't say that I'll return to Reza's anytime soon.
(2)P P.
This place is a HOT mess....they need to shut down. The service is horrible and the food looks unsafe to look at let alone to eat. Everything from my soup to my dinner looked like it had been cook about a week ago and warmed up more than once. Shut this place down. It is really bad. Save your money.
(1)Ira U.
If you leave here hungry there's something wrong with you. The pre meal buffett is enough for me because I can eat the hummus and salad and be happy. Everything here is very good, especially my favorite, the quail.
(4)carla a.
My family has been eating at Reza's for years, just last week my NEW! HUSBAND! OMG! and I held our wedding reception of 35 guests there, and it was just fantastic. Our families loved the food, because it is unique and also yummy. Vegetarians and omnivores alike were thrilled. The party room in the back on the first floor was adequately private, with tons of natural light and exposed brick walls, creating a beautiful setting. We brought our own dj equipment and it sounded fine in the space; they arranged the tables so the center of the room was a dance floor. The open bar has far more interesting and diverse beers and drinks than their catering menu on the website lists, as well (a pleasant surprise!). Overall, we communicated with the restaurant minimally and yet they were 100% prepared and experienced at hosting weddings and basically anticiapted our needs before we ever could. I can't say enough about how pleasantly surprised we were with everything about holding our wedding reception there. Tom, the manager that coordinates parties, was just so patient and easy-going with us and our families. I heartily recommend this place for a unique and affordable wedding reception for up to about 70 guests.
(4)Dan G.
I've been eating at Reza's for at least 10 years now, and I'm in the camp that is saddened by how the prices have gone up and the portions and quality have suffered in correlation. Also, the service and quality can be wildly inconsistent from one day to the next. That said, I still enjoy eating there (just not as much as I used to). I think the addition of the buffet is a nice touch, but they need to diversify the items on it a bit more. I'm not sure if the decision to include American food items like Caesar salad and mashed potatoes and gravy is a savvy way of not alienating wary newcomer palates, or a weaksauce concession to the masses. As a Reza's veteran, I lean towards the latter. Finally, I love the new(ish) vegetarian rice that is only (mostly) available at the buffet. I've repeatedly told people that if I had 24-7 access to that rice, I could persuaded to give up meat. This from a guy who's got a list of which animals he wants to eat before he dies. Truly finally, for dessert, try the bamieh, a pastry which is shaped--not flavored--like okra.
(4)Kevin S.
This place is good. I have never went to their infamous Sunday buffet thing, but I want to one day. I have only tried a few things from Reza's and it was pretty good. Since I don't know about many Persian/middle eastern places that deliver to me, Reza's is where I order from when I'm in that mood. I usually get the ground beef sausage-y looking thing with dill rice. It's pretty good. My girlfriend once got a strange orange carrot rice and it tasted pretty bad.
(3)iddells E.
Love Reza's, been going here for more than 10 years and I love the fact that such a great restaurant is a few blocks away! I only get one dish here, the Barg, which is a cut of filet mignon and it's delicious!!! The portions used to be gigantic, but my last visit left me a little disappointed since the portions seemed to have shrunk. Oh well, that always happens, people have to save money! Anyways, their dill rice and tomato lentil soup are amazing!! I think that Reza's is much better than Andie's and Noon-o-Kabab.
(4)Araceli R.
we always try the bufett is really good pita,hummus.dill rice.falafel etc huge place love it
(4)Maryellen C.
Go for lunch or brunch! Reza's offers fabulous weekday lunch and Sunday brunch buffets. Their offerings are amazing for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. I can't get enough of their Persian Salad, falafel, tomato-based lentil soup, white dill rice, hummus, baba ganoush, and who could forget the fresh bread! Many traditional meat dishes and a spread of fresh shrimp and salmon, too. Desserts and fruit included. On Sundays, they offer a larger selection of dishes and include eggs, danishes, fresh juice and coffee, and a complimentary glass of champagne. In short, go with an empty stomach and clear your schedule for the rest of the day. Sunday brunch is around $20--weekday lunch is cheaper and nearly as impressive. I don't order anything but the buffet here because it's too hard for me to choose just one thing.
(5)Luan N.
I have never dined in, but actually had a plate lunch from one of the tents set up during the Andersonville festival. I got a combo of eggplant steak, chicken kabob, koubideh, and dill rice for $7. That was a great deal considering it was about the price of bud light at the fest. Let's get to the point. Eggplant steak: B+ I used to hate eggplant, but if my mom made it like this, I may have eaten eggplant at a younger age. Chicken Kabob: D D for Dry, blanD, Delusional to serve this. Koubideh: A- This little kubbie caught me off guard. It tasted different from alot of the other kubbies I have tried. Seemed like it was basted in a sweet tomato paste. Dill Rice: C Not sure what Reza's scores average to, but pretty sure Reza doesn't make the dean's list. I just have a gut feeling, if I want good Middle Eastern food with great value, I should stick to Albany Park.
(3)Matthew N.
Amazing food . Reza's takes typical middle eastern dishes and makes them taste amazing. The quail was great and so was the sangria. Highly recommended.
(5)J A.
Persian food in Chi is an experience at this landmark establishment
(4)Char Y.
We came both for the buffet and the normal dinners. I honestly think it's very expensive for what we get. There are definitely much better places elsewhere (such as noon o kabab).
(3)John L.
Hello meat! I thought Mediterranean food was supposed to have, like vegetables, or something. I go to places like this for something on the lighter side, and something varied. If I was a 70s bodybuilder, I'd be coming here to bulk up, but alas, I'm not. What I'm saying here is, less meats, more veggies, more variety. Represent better, because the meat, er, food, is actually pretty good.
(2)Joedel G.
I've been to this place multiple times, actually my oldest son's christening reception was here. First of all it's Mediterranean cuisine so it's not oily or fatty then I love anything grilled. Try falafel and hummus for appetizer, very fresh and earthy also you can try the dolmeh but don't eat to much because it so filling. For the main one I always order the signature kabobs a combination of grilled filet mignon, chicken, lamb and vegetables. For my sides I always go for 1/2 white rice and 1/2 dill rice. The serving is large so don't over indulge yourself and always save some space for bamieh, a traditional Mediterranean dessert, it's like a soft doughnut soaked with honey, so it's very sweet, one piece is good enough. This place is a must if you love this kind of cuisine, I went also in their Oak Brook branch in which is smaller but the same quality and service, anyway the service is okay.
(4)Steph H.
Ahh their lunch buffet special is amazing. Delicious food (dill rice has got to be a gift from heaven), tons of variety, and a pretty great deal. The service is okay, there seems to be only one or two servers during lunch, who are kept pretty busy running between the bigger tables and refilling the buffet trays to really pay close attention to everyone else. The atmosphere is very cozy and I love that they open their floor-to-ceiling windows when it's nice out. Great place for a lunch date ;)
(4)Esther Y.
I used to really enjoy Reza's. This was a standby brunch spot on Sundays for the buffet and it was so great! Then, they turned on me. The food starting going down in quality, the service wasn't as friendly, and then they stopped having coupons! For Persian food, I would recommend Noon O Kebab.
(2)Vijay M.
Their Couscous salad is awesome. The ambience, setting, layout of tables are enticing as much as the dishes. Dinner was exceptionally awesome, all in our group had a great time. I've heard of the Lunch specials(not tried yet). Kashk-e-badamjan, Fessenjan, Koubideh are my favorites. A wonderful place to share the food. Enjoy the culture, relish the experience with the company.
(5)Robert S.
Filet mignon with a hamburger baked around it? What could be better? I remember thinking that it would be a good way to start an uber gourmet burger. But that would be blasphemy. The food at Reza's is very tasty. The house soup is very flavorful, and their grilled potatoes are almost meaty! And to think that I passed this place by for a year because I saw the word "vegetarian" on the sign. Ha. My loss, now gain. The only thing that I didn't quite like about the place was that it was loud and packed with tables. I wish it was more cozy and quiet. I had to listen to some very strange loud people next to me talk about some unsavory topics. But, oh well. It's not the restaurant's fault! And I'm sure that in the right circumstance, the atmosphere could be part of the charm. I can't wait to try the other things on the menu.
(4)Mahsa T.
We used to eat here at Reza's years ago before other better Persian restaurants opened up in the Chicagoland area. Over the years, the food quality has gone downhill and the place caters more to vegetarians and American tastes than to making authentic Persian dishes. If you are a vegetarian, you will find plenty to choose from on their menu. But if you're looking for authentic Persian dishes, try elsewhere. Their soup has gotten more and more watered down over the years and their meat does not sit well in my stomach, probably because it's pumped full of preservatives. They've raised their prices a few times too over the years. The one thing I still like on their menu is their grilled mushrooms in pomegranate sauce. The food is slightly better at their Clark location than at the Ontario location. If you do want to give their food a try, go for the lunch buffet (if they still have it) so you can get a taste of everything.
(3)Lauren L.
FOOD POISONING. Oh yes, friends. I went for dinner last night to the downtown Reza's and got sick for the rest of the night and most of the morning. Lovely. That was my first and last time at Reza's.
(1)Hector M.
It had been about 20 years since I first went to Reza's. I happened to be in Andersonville (for something else) and stopped for dinner. At that moment it occurred to me to head to my usual Persian place in Albany Pk, but I was too hungry to wait with the drive and traffic hour. Overall, food was just ok. That's it. And it was pricey, I ordered a grilled shrimp and chicken combination which was $25, which is the price for a quality dish at a pretty nice restaurant. For what it was, basically something you can get anywhere and I'm sorry to say, nothing was especially tasty. The special Persian rice I have had elsewhere, with raisins, carrots was visibly greasy (or oily). Service was OK. In summary: 1 dish, 1 appetizer combo and a coke was fifty dollars. That's my 2 cents.
(2)Natalie M.
We went to Reza's to celebrate a friend's birthday. It was a Tuesday evening after a beautiful 80 degree day and there were probably a total of 10 people in the inside and out if that. We ordered the feta with olives and tomatoes and baba ghanoush as appetizers. Neither was very good. One person ordered bone in lamb and couscous. Let me say, the lamb was not good and I have NEVER seen couscous with raisins??? Another person ordered filet mignon and salmon. They were out of salmon so he was allowed to get shrimp. He did not complain but that was not good and the veggies looked like they were frozen.. The third person ordered falafel. That was the worst falafel in the world and the dill sauce was non-existent it was a white creamy sauce that smelled terrible. The tomato lentil soup and chicken barley soup were not even edible. NOTHING about the food was good and it was all over priced.. EXTREMEMLY!!! Now the service! The waiter was so rude. We were not ready to order and he just stood there. Not once, not twice but several times. Never came back to check on if things were okay and had a hard time getting the bill. I will never go back there.. Not when there are so many good Mediterranean places in Andersonville and THIS IS NOT one of them. I would not waste time or MONEY here. Sorry.
(1)Anna G.
Review/Haiku: My friend Kris was right Get the lentil soup, dill rice Learn from my folly.
(4)Kiarash Z.
I've never been to the restaurant, but the food Reza's delivered was mediocre, at best. Granted, I've been spoiled by home-cooked Persian food, but Reza's ranks below most Persian restaurants I've tried. The koobideh kabobs (my favorite food in the whole world) were dry. The rice did an amazing job of being both oily and flavorless. I didn't see real joojeh kabob on the menu, so I ordered the chicken bargh. It was awful: bland, dry and boring. I love real joojeh kabob. The ghormeh sabzi didn't have a single dried lime in it. It was bland but passable. Delivery took an hour on a Monday night. They basically sucked in every category, but I've gotta give them three stars for delivering Persian food. I don't know of any other place that does.
(3)Shane S.
Went here late with a couple friends for dinner. The lentil soup I ordered was cool and the couscous was not seasoned well enough. The chicken combo was very delicious on the other hand.
(3)S M.
Service was good but food was about average. I had the chicken kabobs, which were ok, and the hummus, which again was ok. The bread was good, but it's sort of hard to screw up bread. For the most part, I thought the food lacked a bit in flavor and seasoning. For the money (granted, we came as a big group and split the check evenly), some people thought Pita Inn was a better value.
(2)Josephine Z.
Reza. He's such a good man and friend of the family. My father helped him expand the restaurant and he is now doing great. I have now relocated to San Diego, CA and I am saddened to hear other people's comments about him being "arrogant". For those of you who've had unsatisfactory experiences, I'm sure the good outnumber the bad. Since I was 4, my family would come here at least 3-4 times a month. I've spent endless birthdays here along with family baptisms or other occasions. This restaurant is vast with such a rich ambiance yet makes one feel welcome. Perfect for group occasions or an intimate date. The ambiance isn't just one of the attractions, the food is also the magnet. Plenty of parking...come on...What more can anybody ask for? The appetizers are always delicious. The feta cheese has one of the best textures and perfect balance. I simply ADORE the seafood combination dish: succulent scallops, grilled shrimp, YUM. The lamb is so mouth-wateringly tender. All entrees come with a grilled tomato, onion, and green pepper, not to mention a large amount of basmati rice topped with saffron or dill rice. Service is top notch, always on top of everything. Enjoy.
(5)Chillie D.
We have been to Reza's for dinner (not lunch) and the portions are huge. If you plan to go here for dinner skip lunch. I recommend the salmon and lamb with the dill rice. The meats are always flavorful and tender (: This is a very good place for people who are big eaters and really like huge portions. If you are a Vegetarian, this is not the place to go (choices on the menu are very limited). The ambiance is very nice, plenty of tables, and loud. It gets pretty busy and crowded. IF you are taking a date here for the first time, please consider that you may have to shout to hear each other. The Servers are very friendly and attentive. We have been going for years and we don't even live in the area! I highly recommend this place in the Fall and Winter for hearty eating.
(4)T M.
I live around this place and would like to like it, but I can't. Everything thing I have ever eaten here has managed the incredible feat of attaining the heights of blandness. It's grossly oily, painfully dry, inappropriately crunchy, even weirdly sweet at times, and bland, bland, bland! Texture without flavor is sooo weird, especially when you know what the texture should taste like. Considering that I can get better middle eastern food at a billion other places (granted it's not necessarily Persian/Iranian, but still...) for around half the price, I just don't see any reason to come here. But somehow or other (not by choice), I manage to eat their food every once in a while, and every time I hope it will be better... Oh yeah, and one of the times I went, the waiter (who I am pretty sure was wasted) managed to ogle my sister and my girlfriend, and then told my mom (who had asked which menu items were vegetarian) that she could take the chunks of meat out of the beef stew. I wish I was joking...
(1)Christiana S.
I eat here once every two years or so. I'll get it in my head that I want some falafel and kebabs, and then I'll think, 'I'll have dinner at Reza's tonight! I really should go there more often!' Then I get there and order and my food arrives and I remember why I haven't visited in two years. The food is just NOT that good. And that's disappointing, because I want so badly to love this restaurant. I like the interior and the atmosphere and I've always received pretty good service here (there have been a couple of exceptions, but nothing major). I like their sangria, and it's a great place for a larger group of people. But the food is supposed to be the focal point, and it's just blah. When I was there last week, we ordered falafel, hummus and the grilled potatoes to start. The falafel arrived cold, dry and bland. The hummus was good but nothing special, and the potatoes were awesome. Unfortunately they were the high point of the meal. Well, that and the complimentary soup. I had the chicken combo, which is one kebab of grilled chicken pieces and another kebab of ground chicken. The plain chicken was a little dry and not very flavorful, but the ground chicken was decent. These kebabs were accompanied by roughly two pounds of dill rice, which I'm not so crazy about but I attempt to eat anyway. My dining companion had a falafel sandwich. He was also underwhelmed. We decided to skip dessert, mostly because we had enough food (mostly dill rice) for another four meals. (It's sitting in my friedge at this very moment; I can hardly bring myself to throw it out because I feel guilty about wasting food.) Next time I decide I want some Middle-Eastern food, I'll probably go next door to Andies instead. Sorry, Reza's.
(2)Susanne A.
I am half Middle Eastern so I do know what good places to for good Middle Eastern food. Brought my date for the first time to see if he liked it as well. It does get busy at times but they offer a lot of tables and good if your going with a group of people. I came here with my family and my Dad being Middle Eastern loves the place. I have been to Reza's a couple of time specially because I do live near by. The meats are grilled to perfection and they do offer vegetarian food. The hummus is great stuff and never had a bad dish at Reza's. Also they have a lunch buffet on Sunday if you want to try a little bit of everything. Turn out my date loved the place and we both had a good time.
(5)Dave K.
Good delivery and dine-in option. The steak and chicken skewers are some of the best in Chicago and Reza's dill rice is very good.
(4)David M.
Long have I wondered how Reza's and Andies can survive right next door to each other with such similar menus. As an Andies regular, I finally made it to Reza's to test it out and my eternal questions was finally answered. While Andies excels at the basics of mediterranean cuisine; hummos, pita, lentil soup, schwarma, etc., Reza's knocks the entrees out of the park. Their braised lamb shank is huge, delicious and beyond tender. The fessenjen (chicken in pomegrante) was fantastic and the beef kebab was top notch as well. However, the pita was store bought and the soup was awful. I will be back again, but will be sticking to taboule and the lamb shank.
(3)Courtney C.
After a big day of moving, my parents and I decided to reward ourselves with a spot of middle eastern cuisine. I've been to Andie's, Reza's next door neighbor (and I'm assuming competitor) which I have previously dined in and enjoyed. However, I wanted to give Reza's a try. Big mistake. While the falafel, hummus, and cucumber salad were delicious, our entrees were not. My mother had the chicken platter with grilled vegetables. The chicken was ok, but the grilled vegetables consisted of warm tomatoes and strong onions. I had the chicken with sautéed mushrooms, which tasted like it was from a can. Too salty and it smelled like feet. When we first entered the restuarant it was empty and I thought at first it was because the stanley cup playoffs were on, but now I realized it might be the food. None of us finished even half of our plate. With all the other options in Chicago, we will not give Reza's a second try.
(2)Robin B.
Met a few friends here for dinner last night. The server we had must have left his personality at home. The table we were sitting at was super wobbly, our server watched as our friend stuck the end of a butter knife under the table. Anyway the food good, I had the Chicken Barley soup, and the garlic shrimp. There was a little too much oil in the garlic shrimp. My S. O. had the filet mignon with mushrooms and that was good, I would probably go with that next time instead.
(3)Erika G.
Their Sunday brunch is insane! The lunch buffet is also filled with goodies, and is a real value. The Persian tea is wonderful. ---------- UPDATED: This restaurant has gone downhill a bit, I'm afraid. Most of the entrees are somewhat shoddily presented and way overcooked. The meat is often dry. It's pleasant enough to sit outside on a summer night, but it's possible this restaurant just got too large to accommodate everyone.
(2)Jeff G.
went here over thanksgiving weekend for dinner and thought the food quality was low. it surprised me because i used to eat here often in the 90s and 00s and recall liking it quite a bit. in fact, having moved to dallas a few years ago, in the back of my mind i thought "dallas totally lacks in Persian et al cuisine, it has nothing like Rezas". so this was my first trip back in probably 6 years. it ain't all that and in retrospect there are many places in dallas with better Persian food than reza's. maybe next trip back i will go to Andie's next door.
(2)Ross W.
The lunch buffet was incredible but the service was a bit slow. Overall it was worth it. We'll be back :-)
(4)K R.
Like others I love the design and atmosphere of the place.I also like the busy crowded with people yet not cramped feel. With all the people and groups to me, theirs is like a welcoming "one big group" kind of feel. It's a great place to bring people (who like Mediterranean food), bring the kids. They give you a lot of food for the money. I've basically had the same things either a beef kabob or some kind of chicken. I've always enjoyed the food.I love grilled flavor so the veggies were good as well. As for the rice, I grew up in a Scandinavian family-eating American food, I'm not into hot spicy foods. So to me, the dill rice is good, without the flavor taking over everything. I think the place is reasonable for what you get.I like it better than Andies next door.For what I got there (including not as fun and welcoming an atmosphere) I thought Andies was overpriced.So for me Reza's over Andies! (and both over the Cousins that used to be on Clark,but maybe now after reading the reviews I should give the one on Broadway a try).
(5)Zaid A.
Shame on you if you didn't give this place 5 stars. I have eaten at Reza's more times than any other restaurant in Chicago, to me its more of an institution than a restaurant. Atmosphere: At the Clark "branch" you enter to find large 4-6 seater tables in a fairly upscale decor. There is also an upstairs room with seating, that we have rented out for small receptions. Against complaints that the inside "doesn't look Persian" the interior is set up as more upscale restaurants with a professional feel. If you looking for ivory elephants you are barking up the wrong tree. Service: Professionally dressed staff, who are always polite and always helpful... over the past 8 years I have yet to have a bad waiter. Food: If Reza's Dill rice was a girl, I would so make out with it. I eat that stuff by the pound, and as anyone know me, this wiry guy can put it away. We always order the Hummus, which by itself is a tasty meal and they provide lentil soup and always popular goat cheese (!!!!) with most meals. I always get the Chicken cubes, Kabob, an shrimp skewers, and we often opt for the "family style" entree option. As with most Mediterranean food, there is a grilled taste and texture to most of the meats but the overall presentation and the quality of the food makes this place more stellar than other restaurants. Mommy Factor: This is literally the only place that my mom will consistently go to.....take that for what its worth. Date Factor: There are couples tables, and with the upscale decor and overall refined atmosphere I would find this place a viable date option. Bling: Depending if you go family style or not, entrees range from 12-20 per person. Family style options range from mid 30s and up for 2 or more people. Overall, it is more pricey than than your street Hummus vendors, but the refinement and overall good mojo of this place I feel is worth it.....oh yeah they have free parking in a private lot across the street if you can score it. Upshot: I have one vice in this world.....that is a place of Reza's Dill rice and a couple skewers of kabob. If you do not love this place, then I am sorry you can not eat at my lunch table.
(5)