I went there on 2/7/14, service was bad and the cashier was totally ignorant.
(1)
Rob R.
Came all the way from South Side Chicago to try there Shawarma. Hands down, best Shawarma I had in Chicago. Love it! Definitely I will be back soon.
(5)
Jason C.
I was in Lombard for business and stopped by for the first time for a late lunch. It's a small sit down restaurant with a lot of takeout orders, in a somewhat rundown strip mall, but I knew right away when I saw that I was the only non-Middle Eastern customer, that the place was probably good. I ordered the chicken kebab meal. The chicken was perfectly grilled with a hint of charring on the outside and moist on the inside. The spicy sauce had bite but was not too spicy. The white sauce was creamy and smooth. Both excellent. The salad was mint flavored and had no salt in it, a very nice complementary flavor. The rice was moist and slightly salted. The pita bread was toasted and crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. This was the best chicken kebabs I've had outside of greater Detroit. Later, I tried the chicken kufta plate and that was as good as the kebabs. Next time I'll try the beef dishes.
(5)
Minh-An C.
Came in and got the lunch special combo 1 (Shawarma special) and it totally filled me up! All the lunch special combos are $7 (11 AM - 2 PM Mon-Fri) and they are big portion, very yummy, and pretty healthy. If you are craving Middle Eastern cuisine and don't want to spend too much money, this is the place to go! I think this is one of my fave spot for Middle Eastern food around Downers Grove. I asked for a water cup but they only have water bottles, which was fine with me. Note: Be careful when you sign the credit card bill and make sure you're being charged correctly. My initial receipt only charged me 75 cents so I asked the lady if this was correct and she thanked me for catching the error.
(4)
Don R.
Good restaurant. Came here for dinner last week. Got the lamb rice dinner. I had a good amount of food. Enough to have a leftover meal for the next day. Flavors were bad. Maybe not the most flavorful Mediterranean food I've had but good enough to return if I'm in the area and got a taste for Mediterranean. The staff inside was nice as well.
(4)
Rehan A.
Tremendous food authentic Mediterranean & Arabian food in town. You gonna love the chicken mix grill falafel hummos and everything on this menu I tried it all and it was delicious. Lamb shank also sizzlingly awesome. They store is clean and busy location on roosevelt rd across the pep boys in lombard. Beautiful people beautiful food.
(5)
Al M.
The worst place ever, bad service, bad attitude, not professional, the gave me the worng order after waiting 45 minutes, talking bad about the customer in a different language thinking you wouldn't understand, very raciest and they don't mind talking about it, didn't gave me a refund and the reson is the are not trained to do so, putting employees that have no idea what they are doing, not the first time I have a bad experience with them, don't recommend anyone to go there. Sart aldka weia abo alabd
(1)
Lubna A.
Exceptional service and very good food I try chicken shish Kabab and hummus was very good And the restaurant clean
(5)
Muhammad Z.
Good food no complain about the food. I ate here few times and good has always been good. Can bring family and kids, decent sit in restaurant. Today I ordered the lunch combo for $7. Beef and chicken answer me combo. I recommend and would eat here again.
(4)
Ace R.
We had the family platter mixed grill (for 4-6 people) and it was great. It is basically a large family style platter with rice, salad, chicken kebab, shish kebab, and kefta kebab. I also added the hummos which was tasty as well. The food was nice and fresh and the meat was juicy. It was plenty of food for us and next time I don't feel like driving to bridgeview for middle eastern food, I will just pick up food from here. Much better quality than pita house and rezas! The place is not that nice on the inside, so I recommended just taking it to go.
(4)
Grant P.
It's happened, folks. I have finally found fast, affordable middle eastern food in DuPage. I wandered in, not knowing what to expect, and left happy and very satisfied. I ordered lunch combo #1, which is listed as beef and chicken shawarma topped with minced onions, sumac spice and comes with rice, salad and pita. It was sitting in front of me in less minutes than I have fingers on one hand. And for $7 my plate was packed with food. There was enough meat there for at least three sandwiches. It was hot, fresh and moist. The salad was very tasty, and the rice was decent; not at all dry. Plus the pita had a subtle garlic flavor. You may recall some of my previous attempts to find this type of food. No? Well, let me refresh. All of it was dry and/or overpriced. This is going on the frequent flyer list. You CANNOT get this good of a deal, this fast, this fresh anywhere else I've been in the western suburbs.
(5)
Ryan A.
I'm here to let people know that the food was over priced service was bad and my view the people are racist and bad customer service.i had better service at the zoo so if you like service that just want your money this place is great at this....
(1)
John K.
The food here is great, garlic sauce, chicken, rice, lamb, bat, pita, and carrot juice all made to order and fresh. Losses two stars for the following. 1) Not good customer service, I am allergic to tomatoes and asked not to have any and they did anyways, honest mistake, but fix it. They didn't they would charge me. 2) portions are small, yes they give a shit ton of rice cool, but the chicken not so much. 3) the woman behind the counter is mega hot. Looks like a real life Jasmine from Aladdin. 4) She's not the reason they lost a star, just had to mention that for my fellow scum bags. 5) 6) I'd probably not do carry out anymore and will try in house next time. I'll update review if it's a better experience.
(3)
Mo S.
Right when I walked in I thought I was in the wrong place. The girl was wearing a let's say low cut outfit and felt uncomfortable being there talking to her in a zabihah halal place. Food was good but was extremely pissed because they kept calling seeing if we're coming. When we got there the woman even said you're late and was unnecessary. Got home and no pita bread at all! I had to go to the local grocery store and buy some since I drove far to get there! This was in Ramadan and my uncle and brother in law felt uncomfortable in an Islamic establishment since we were fasting to be greeted with someone who was dressed inappropriately.
(2)
Sunny B.
Amazing food! The grilled chicken is the best I've had in a very long time. Their meats are moist and flavorful. Prices are 10-15% higher than they need to be but the flavor of the food makes up for it.
(4)
Mona Y.
Exceptional service and very fresh tasty food! Highly recommend the chicken shish kabab platter and falafels!
(5)
Fatima H.
My husband and I usually love this place - I had to knock off a star because of a particularly bad customer service experience I had there a few days ago. Having just had a baby, my trips outside of the house have to be well timed. I called ahead of time to place a lunch order and came in to pick up my food - the girl at the counter acted totally confused and started opening to-go orders to confirm which was mine. Mind you the place was almost empty! There wasn't much room for confusion. I told her I needed to go - Amy (she said that was her name) literally PUSHED the bag at me and told me she wouldn't be checking my order because of my attitude! Wth?!?! Will need to think twice about stopping here in the future!
(3)
Yuehao B.
Small place, nice atmosphere. Many dishes to select from, but no water provided. They have combos during weekday lunchs.
(3)
Filippo C.
Awesome food better than other choices on Roosevelt Rd. Got lunch combo 1 and it was delicious and plenty of great flavor!
(5)
Josh S.
Just took home a beef shawarma plate from shawarma express. It is honestly one of my favorite shawarma plates I have had to date. They grill their meats on actual charcoal grill. I look forward to trying more of the items on their menu soon.
(5)
Christina G.
My husband and I have been here a number of times now--my husband loves it! For me I think sometimes it's a little hit or miss, never bad but I think it depends on the cook in the back. Falafel sandwich is always a good bed, and the beef shawarma is also really good. Fries are the best which is a plus for a middle eastern restaurant. Good fair prices, a must-try if you live nearby!
(4)
Boon K.
My husband is a fan of this place and loves the lamb kabob and I am a fan of the chicken kabob. I think was sold us was the simple marinate of the meats and the rice that it comes with is really good, you can really taste the ghee and saffron.
(4)
Dan B.
For some time now I've seen coming soon signs over a spot in a mini shopping center off of Roosevelt Road for a place called Shwarma Express. I made a note to visit when they eventually opened. This evening, while driving by I saw an open sign and people inside so I decided to give it a try. I got in line while someone else ordered and waited for a few minutes to place my order as well. Once I had ordered I sat down and began the process of adding the business to Yelp gathering information off of the menu and business card. My order took quite a while to be ready (a little over 20 minutes) but my food was then brought out and it was time to dine. I ordered a Beef Shwarma sandwich and a bottle of water. The sandwich came wrapped up in a roll kind of like a burrito. There were grill marks visible on the bottom and it held together quite well. I took a bite and was immediately overwhelmed by a whole lot of different than I'm accustom to flavors. The beef shwarma meat was tender and moist. There were lots of middle eastern spices which I can't identify giving it both a sweet and spicy combination that perfectly complimented one another. Tomato slices and onions were mixed in which gave it a little extra body. I'd also say the sandwich was at least double the size I expected to be. Simply put I was very impressed as the overall combination of flavors created a decadent masterpiece of a sandwich. As I was eating and leaving I overheard that there would be an hour wait on Shwarma as they had run out, growing pains with a new business I guess. Assuming that they have food ready this place is definitely worth trying. Hopefully they'll maintain the quality (and quantity) of food I experienced as time goes on. Despite the name express (you'd think it wouldn't take 20 minutes to have a sandwich ready), the Shwarma here was definitely fantastic. I'm going to give this place a whopping five stars and say that this Shwarma did me no harma. This was an absolutely fantastic sandwich and I will surely be back again.
(5)
Akber S.
Shawarma express is a great spot. I like to come here when it's busier rather than quiet because everything is rolling off the grill quicker, and the other items are fresher as they need to be restocked or prepared faster. The guys working here are good people. You can see kindness in their eyes, I appreciate that very much. The owners are nice guys too. I had the opportunity to meet them both and was happy with their attitudes. And the food, excellent quality. Super fresh. Super tasty. I like to stop by here after prayer on Fridays on my way back to work. You should too!!!!
(5)
Samuel K.
A co-worker and I decided to go here on a whim and we were not disappointed. As we were standing in line my buddy is talking about getting the schwarma hummus appetizer to which I replied something like "come on man, we're probably never going to eat here again, get a full schwarma". We both decide to get the schwarma lunch special $6.95 for a decent portion of beef and chicken schwarma, rice, and salad. The meat is absolutely phenomenal, juicy and the edges covered in delicious spices. The meal also comes with half a pita if you are a fan of loading up your meat and rice "sandwich" style. The service was friendly and the restaurant itself was unexpectedly clean (for a hole in the wall restaurant). The only reason I leave only 4 stars is because the salad was slightly overdressed and came out a bit soggy. Contrary to my original thought, I will definitely be back for more.
(4)
Andrea B.
Awesome!!!! Recently I've been on a mission to find the best middle eastern food in the burbs. The search is over! This place is ridiculous! By far the best falafel I have ever had, actually it was one of the best bites of food in general I have ever had. I also had the mix grill and the meat was amazing. Everything was so tender and fresh and the flavors were out of this world! Definitely a hidden gem, you have to go check it out!
(5)
Sarah W.
I have had a serious longing for middle eastern food ever since we moved away from our Albany Park apartment and away from our delicious Lebanese choices from Semiramis (highly recommended btw). Didn't think I'd be able to find an acceptable substitute in the suburbs until I tried this place. I got the chicken shawarma and my husband got the falafel sandwich. Both were extremely tasty and fresh. The rice was nice and fluffy and flavorful (and much enjoyed by my toddler). The shawarma was crispy and succulent and freshly carved. Loved the hot sauce that came on the side as well as the warm pita and salad. The falafel was by far the best I have had in the suburbs. The service was wonderful. The young guy behind the counter was very helpful and very sweet to my boy. We ate there (not a whole lot of ambiance, but clean), but if we lived a bit closer I'd probably just bring it home. Also, good price. Under $10 for a plate full of goodness. So happy that I can satisfy my cravings without heading to the northwest side!
(4)
Shebz Q.
Love this place. Amazing food.Best alternate for Al-Bawadi restaurant. Highly recommended!!!
(5)
Rohit Y.
Great Middle Eastern spot. Convenient location right off Roosevelt in Lombard. Friendly atmosphere, fast service and great food. The pita and humus was probably the best part of the meal, I had the chicken shawarma which could have been better (similar food to Pitaville in Naperville). If you don't want to make the drive to Naf Naf Grill then this is definitely a good substitute for your Middle Eastern cravings.
(4)
Basma Y.
Best middle eastern fast food in Dupage county hands down. Being middle eastern I have tried so many places in the Dupage county and none compare to this hidden gem. The falafel is amazing one of the best I have ever had... they were so fresh, crunchy, and delicious. The humus and baba ghanoush were also great so if you are a vegetarian, this is a great place for you. Their plates are delicious and they leave you so satisfied. These plates are usually the lunch specials and are an excellent bargain. I ordered the Shawarma sandwich once and it needed more flavor and salt I was a little disappointed with that but everything else I have had here was great and made up for it. Overall, I would definitely give this place a try; the food is fresh and delicious and customer service is amazing.
(4)
Marisa B.
I love their chicken shish kabob seasoned just right and great portions. It's always very fresh and hot when ordered. Comes with a side salad and rice that's perfectly cooked every time. Friendly service and the owner always checks the tables to see if everyone likes the food..
(5)
Asim S.
A trusted friend told me this is the best shawarma he has had in Chicago. And he is absolutely right. There best dish is the shawarma sandwich ( beef and chicken, both amazing). Also the grilled meats are phenomenal as they are grilled over charcoal. All the meat is fresh, they prepare their own shawarma stack. It's a new place but does have it's kinks, ex. Rice is okay. Um as for other things, staff is friendly and nice, the heat wasn't working, so it was really cold, and cuz of all the snow, the entry was wet and muddy.... But the charcoal grilled meat smell made me forget. The place seems busy It's definitely a fresh change from the standard middle eastern spot These people know meat and have a killer shawarma, it's def worth checking out. I will definitely go back
(4)
Thai S.
The food here was alright. I have had it twice and the flavor and cooking of the meats leave much to be desired. I believe my chicken was undercooked, texture was sorta like teeth through raw-ish meat, no bueno. The rice could have some flavor in it as well but it is just plain. With a $12 mix grill you only received half of a pita for 3 different kinds of meats..... Id go back if I was desperate or forgot that you already ate at this place.(like I did lol)
(3)
Jessica G.
This is a new place and since we're all for new, we thought we would give it a try. It was pretty empty when we came in so we sat where ever we wanted. The inside was very clean-smelling, which is not a bad thing. We ordered easily enough and then we say down to wait for our food, which we had been advised would take a while. It took about 10 minutes and everybody's items came out at different times. I had a falafel platter that was pretty decent. I would have maybe liked a fresher pita but the falafel was nice and crispy and the hummus was pretty good, too. Other folks had the kababs, which were well-received, and the mix if different meats, which were a hit, as well. The good was not bad overall. It took time to receive our items but since they were being prepared and we could see the folks doing the work, that was fine. It's a bit pricier than some other places. Otherwise, I'm very curious to keep an eye on this one and see how it goes. Good potential here!
(3)
Zoey K.
Had a lovely post workout meal today. It was delicious mA and fresh. Me and my friend we got the salad and shared a shawarma combo meal (Bc we wanted a lil carb to maintain our energy). The meat was seasoned nicely and i like the fresh dressing they put in salads. I didn't give 5 stars Bc the seating area wasn't that great. I give the food two thumbs up!
(4)
Matt S.
Excellent shawarma combo. Lunch deal is a great value. The garlic sauce and tahini is very good.
(4)
Charles C.
The food was really good and the restaurant was nearly full which to me is a sign of really good food. Any way I had the #16 mix grill which consisted of grilled chicken, Kufta kabab (ground beef and lamb) and grilled beef(steak) the sides were rice, salad and pita. The food was excellent!!!
(4)
Abhinay Y.
I visited here for the first time and am IMPRESSED!!! Had a chicken shish kebab and shawarma.. An I could say its one of the best mediterranean I had. And the Tea.. The best.
This place is magic! It is completely authentic halal, and it is literally the only place since childhood that I have been able to have a proper Arabian Style chicken shawarma. Because of this, I am willing to look past the fact that this place is a little overpriced - which is why I must give 4 stars instead of 5. I will be returning very soon!
(4)
S B.
The food here is AMAZING! Generous portions and great shawarma chicken! The only bad thing is they always mess up my address when delivering! But they make up for it with extra portions of their delicious food!!
(4)
Vocal Y.
Brand New, Super Clean! Great Staff, but best of all FRESH FALAFEL and wonderful HUMMUS! Falafel sandwich awesome too! Will be back to try additional items! WELCOME WELCOME!
(5)
Umar H.
Amazing food! My favorite Shawarma in the western suburbs! Their chicken shawarma is juicy and fresh. Nothing but a great experience every time I have been there. Make sure you take advantage of the lunch specials.
(5)
Gonzo G.
Rating: 3.4 Short description: Middle Eastern food Pluses: Decent selection of options, shawarma was really tasty, the mix was very nice to try all the different styles. Negatives: A bit of a strange store front, pitas could use a bit of help, a bit pricey. Recommendations: Try out the shawarma! Edit: went back a third time, had Lamb Shank, it was pretty good!
(3)
K. R.
Good stuff! This place has really stepped it up since they opened. The first couple times I tried their food I thought it was kind of "meh," but after a couple months of hiatus I gave it another go... and boy am I glad I did! I did find two rather long hairs in my baba ghanouj, but it's not really a big deal and I suppose mistakes happen. I mean, there are a lot of things you could find in your food that are worse than hair, and no one can really control when a hair decides to detach itself from their head... Anyway, the food was good! The interior is nice: clean, well-lit, well-decorated. It's one step up from any privately owned fast food joint you'll visit in the Chicago suburbs. We've never dined in here - we always order carry-out - but we wouldn't feel uncomfortable eating here other than the fact that it can be pretty empty sometimes. If you go in during rush hour you'll find a lot of shirt-and-tie types swinging in for a bite to eat after work. It's good to know other people appreciate Shawarma Express too. The falafel is well-spiced and has a great crunch to it. It wasn't overly dry and didn't go soggy on the drive home, either. The hummus is good - it's hard to go wrong with basic hummus. For me, it's all about the baba ghanouj. The baba here has an awesome smoky flavor and is served up a little chunky (which I love), with some fresh herbs and spices sprinkled over the top. If you want to cut back on the fat ask them for "no oil" on the hummus and baba - they'll be perfectly accommodating and leave it off for you. Their tabbouleh tastes fresh and isn't mostly bulgur like at some places. It's got a lot of parsley and lemon juice, and isn't overly minty either. I'm not a big fan of strong mint flavor. The foul (pronounced "fool") is what we really go here for. Shawarma Express is one of the only places we've ever found in the area that's got it. It's a mashed broad bean (fava bean) dish cooked with cumin and big chunks of garlic, and served up in a pool of lemon juice and olive oil. YUM! This stuff is GOOD, especially when eaten with their pita bread (which is also good). This place is a great choice if you're looking for some Middle Eastern flair on your taste buds, but don't want to wait for anything more than fast food. Shawarma Express has been a go-to for us many times, and will continue to be!
(4)
Imran F.
Wow! This place is amazing! The food is full of flavor! Very friendly staff! Clean! Absolutely loved it! Would highly recommend! Will be back soon.
(5)
Taaha A.
The food was a pleasant surprise. The falafel is great. It took a decent amount of time to prepare. But my visit was obstructed by the service as the cashier was in a very crabby mood and was not very willing to change our order and I also caught her rolling her eyes at a customer which is just unacceptable.
(3)
Zhong Y.
Roosevelt Road, the new king of tasty is Shawarma Express. I can't say anything bad about the food, although it is a bit slow, because they cook to order, so you'll usually wait about 15 minutes to get your meal. Call ahead to pickup or sit down. Service has been very kind. I've had the shawarma plates and the mixed grill here and they're both fantastic, the meats are very tasty, the rice is adequately fluffy and seasoned. The chicken kebabs in particular are very good. I did try some other similar places along Roosevelt, but this one is the best so far.
(5)
Rossel E.
A nice spot for quick eats for takeout and for the value of the food, can't beat it. Always go here for lunch and I love the chicken kufta for $6.99 and the $7.99 half grilled chicken with spicy, garlic sauce. So amazing! Apart from those 2 I'm not so much happy with the shawarma which is a bit undercooked for my taste. Also the owner/Manager is a bit unorganized in taking orders and sending them out of the kitchen. There's some tables to eat but I'd rather enjoy them at home or in the office for lunch thus the 3 stars.
(3)
Woodrow C.
Hospitality Plus !!!!! High Quality Food ,Generous Portions Loved the Turkish Coffee Definitely 5 Stars
(5)
Mohamed E.
If you happen to be in the burbs give this place a try. Makes for a great lunch. Service is eh tho.
(3)
Kam L.
Our usual go to place for middle eastern/Mediterranean fare is Pita house which is a few blocks west of here. After going here last night I think we found our new go to place. I ordered the shawarma combo which is beef and chicken shawarma on top of rice, a side salad and a whole pita. The shawarma was sliced nice and thin was incredibly tender and seasoned well. Salad wasn't anything exciting but gave a nice contrast to the rice and meat. My wife ordered the shish kebab plate and the lamb was tender and juicy. The only caveat I have to say about this place is we were the only people in the restaurant and food was a little slow coming out. Also I didn't see any glasses for water and all drinks were either bottled or canned.
(4)
Cheese B.
I've lived in Lombard for 20 years and this is definitely one of the better restaurants to hit Roosevelt road. Menu is simple, restaurant is wide open and clean. Food is great. The meat all tastes very fresh and well seasoned/Cooked. Personally enjoy the chicken boti and left a kabob. Rice salad and garlic sauce are all excellent. I haven't been there during any rush and service has been great. Hope they keep it up and continue to provide very good quality food and generous portions.
(5)
Nelly S.
My husband and i went there to try something new and we fall in love .. Food is really good and people are so nice.. Just make sure you are not in a rush because is busy place and you mighy have to wait.. Love this place
(5)
Cesar M.
My wife and I were very excited to see Shawarma Express finally open. We ordered a Chicken Shawarma and a Beef Shawarma. My Beef Shawarma was good, the flavor and spices were their and so was the small amount of beef. Chicken Shawarma was filled with rubbery thin pieces of chicken and not much flavor, also the Shawarma's had a garlic thick sauce that was awesome. The place was clean and I notice one customer that was waiting for a long time for his order and he was growing inpatient, he walk a couple times to the gentleman behind the counter and the reason for that, there were no waitress on the clock. My wife stated she won't be back. Me....everyone deserves a second change! I believe they'll get it right, these are just Baby steps! Welcome to Lombard! Now Get Right!
(3)
Jahanzeb H.
Service was prompt and friendly. place was clean and organized. Had the combination, baba ghanouj and fattoush Salad. Pita was fresh, salad well made. as for the meat I enjoyed all of it except the chicken which was a bit bland and Rice which was kind of oily. other then that a great meal overall.
(5)
Kim B.
Was out in the burbs for work one day. Had the veggie combo. Was soo good. Forgot to get baklava though. If I'm in the area again will definitely go again.
(5)
Jay V.
Great middle eastern food! This place is simple and has very good food for a very reasonable price. We have thoroughly enjoyed everything we have ever gotten here. The lamb shank is enough for 2 people. Very tender and flavorful. The baba ganoush is very good. The falafel are big and sometimes hit or miss, usually a hit. Have not had a bad meal here yet. The only downside is they now charge you for extra sauces as I am not sure why they would. If I just spent $20-$30 if not more, I expect extra sauce for FREE.
(4)
Moe A.
Best middle eastern fast food place. Service is amazing.. Food fresh.. Priced perfectly.. Need more locations
(5)
Candi D.
My boyfriend and I got take out for lunch here. He needs to eat halal meat so we are limited as to where we can eat when we are together. I use to work at a Middle Eastern restaurant. This place is impressive: Lentil soup, hummus, and chicken shawarma sandwich were all very tasty. Loved the garlic mayo sauce! This place is worth going to for authentic Middle Eastern food. My suggestion is to go to take out route. I wish they had Kibbeh on their menu.
(5)
Dana S.
This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in awhile!! I am middle eastern so it is really hard for me to find food that is up to my standards and this is even better!! Sooo good and very affordable! The owner is so friendly and was so helpful when we had questions about the menu.
(5)
Saad K.
The best food and service. Got shawarma combo and half grilled chicken. Everything perfect
(5)
Fariha Q.
Lunch specials at this place are a great deal and the garlic white sauce is amazing. Definitely worth a try if you haven't had a chance. Also food is very fresh and seems like a healthier lunch option that is also very delicious.
(4)
M F.
The best shawarma I have had in 14 years... I am very picky about middle eastern food and this place just became one of my favorites! I had to stop and take a picture of my food after the first bite .. Food is amazing and the owner is very nice!! Definitely will be coming back here! P.s their baklava is very delicious too!
(5)
Joey O.
Best Shwarma in the burbs by A LOT !!!!
(5)
Haleema M.
Their food is good, but I have tasted better. They have great lunch specials and their that one garlic, white sauce that they give with their shawarmas is absolutely divine. I would go there just to have their chicken shawarma and that sauce.
(3)
Carlos T.
I have to say all the positive review was a let down. Decided to try Shawarma express one day, at it was not good all. The chicken sharwama was bland, only chicken and slightly mayo in a tortilla wrap. The beef sharwama was bad also, All my bites were beef fat, and not chewable. For real, I still think Naf Naf & Pita BBQ are wayyyy better then this. Heck Pita inn down the street is more tastier. Only thing decent at this restaurant is the falafels. I don't get how people like this joint. I'm not coming back. Not worth it.
(1)
Jason Y.
The food here is superb but if you make a call in order, beware of the wait time. I've ordered from here four times and four separate times they've told me 10 minutes. I don't think there's been one time that it hasn't taken at least 30. The mixed grill and falafel are amazing however, so we keep returning.
(4)
Oscar E.
Great grilled chicken. Also the price is very reasonable. 1/2 for 8 and 1 for 13. Delicious comes with a lot of basmati rice and amazing sauce
(5)
Zamir S.
The food at Shawarma Express is too high quality to have the word "Express" in its name. They use quality meats and fresh ingredients. The best item on the menu is hands down the Chicken Kefta plate. These are long kefta kababs made of ground chicken. They use an interesting marinade similar to the ones used by Persian places. When you stand at the counter and look into the kitchen you will see the pure charcoal they use to cook the kabobs. They don't use gas or lava rocks or briquettes, the use real charcoal - you can see sparks flying. That's what gives the kabobs their taste. I highly recommend ordering the following: Ask for a plate with one skewer chicken kefta and one skewer beef kefta. Make sure to get the garlic sauce with it. For $10 it is an outstanding meal. The owner of this place loves the food they make - that is the key - he focuses on quality food. Also they plan to say open until midnight in the summer! Follow-Up on 2014-11-23: I am seriously impressed with these guys. Normally new Indo-Pak and Middle-Eastern places follow what we call the "Six-Month Rule", that for the first six months they conquer and then the quality drops, the price increases then they foreclose. This place has been rock-solid for over a year now. Their food quality is outstanding and has been consistent the entire time. Their customer service is impeccable especially on Friday and Saturday night. I hope this business continues to flurrish. I have to go now ... joining another family for some lunch at Shawarma Expresss hehehe!
(5)
Jen M.
Falafels are good as many reviews agree. I also had the chicken shish kabob and thought is was ok. Customer service was the area of weakness, the whole time I was ordering the guy behind the counter was talking with a man sitting at a table. While I was waiting for my "to go" order 4 men were in the kitchen looking confused while one man was making the orders for myself and two others. Good food, uncomfortable service.
(3)
H Q.
This place is no good. I ordered a shawarma sandwich, and I received mostly bread and barely any meat. I get that it was cheap at $5, but the sandwich provided wouldn't even be considered a snack. I'd rather go to McDonald's and pay a dollar more to get the fish-o-filet sandwich meal. The quantity was just one factor, the chicken wasn't even cooked properly. When I got home I had to put the sandwich in the oven to cook a little more. There was more fat and rubbery pieces of skin in the chicken portion than actual chicken. Service was not anything special. Maybe I just had a poor experience but I will not be a returning customer.
(1)
Ally B.
Don't wait Go NOW The best middle eastern food in the west suburbs...!!! I have tried everything in the area Cedar grill Pita house Jerusalem cafe No one gets everything right Shawerma express is fantastic As good as or maybe even better than al bawadi The best Don't wait
(5)
Fahd M.
Just recently opened up a few weeks ago and still learning the ropes. They serve along with the usual middle eastern food, interesting creations such as the "hummus and shawarma" bowl, which is exactly that - delicious chicken shawarma covering a bowl of hummus. My personal favourite is still the standard mixed grill though which is made to perfection.
(4)
jamie h.
Food was hands down best shawarma ever! !! Clean and decently priced! MUST TRY!!! Known it was here for a while and finally decided to try it. Omg amazing! Had beef shawarma and lamb shank. ...yum!
(5)
F K.
Good food but the platters are a little pricey and the quantity is ok. The beef and chicken shawarma wraps are really good. I used to have to go all the way to bridgeview to get good shawarma but im glad I only have to drive 15 min.
(3)
John K.
Slow service. I had the Shawarma Lunch Combo. It was a good portion and had good flavor, the pita was not very fresh. Overall I would return if in the area.
(3)
Harry K.
Ordered several different things to take home and try. Both the chicken and beef shawarma were well cooked and flavorful. The tabouleh was a little strong with sourness, but still tasty. The Arabic Salad was really good. The mint added just the right touch. Ordered the falafel; the crust was a little hard, but inside was nice and not mushy like at many other places. Definitely better than many I've had. Even though we ordered to go, the service for us was outstanding. Very friendly and courteous. The fact that there were many families there having dinner when we got there was a great sign to me about the quality and atmosphere.
(4)
nancy B.
Had hoped to come home with some leftovers from the chicken & beef lunch special. Only some rice remained. Was so good, fresh, meat flavorful and juicy, salad crisp and flavorful. the yogurt/garlic dip addictive. Service considerate, helpful, very clean. Falafel crisp on outside, soft on inside, then into the dip it went - heaven. Put this on your "must go to" list. You won't regret it.
(5)
Steve S.
I tried this place out on a Thursday night. I'm a big fan of Shawarma and Kafta Kabobs, so naturally we got one of each. The meat was done nicely and had lots of flavor, but the rest of the dish left a bit to be desired. Maybe I'm spoiled by the likes of Naf Naf Grill and Benjyehuda where you get a ton of delicious toppings with your meal. Here you get some rice, a salad, and one sauce to go with it. Also, I paid $1 for a can of Sprite. Party foul in my book.
(3)
Juveriya M.
After a subpar experience the first time (they ran out of shawarma sandwiches), we gave this restaurant a second try. This time, we received our order fast and hot. The shawarma sandwiches are pretty good and the sauce is delicious. However, sometimes you get a bite of whole spices since they don't grind them. I personally do not like biting into a clove. The falafel is crisp and fresh.
(3)
Holly S.
Just ate here for the first time and am extremely impressed! Hummus was fresh and good variety of spices. Had a combination shawarma platter. Chicken and steak were well seasoned and cooked, and sauces were great! A little pricier than I would like to have paid, but will be back again! So glad Lombard has a good place like this!!
(5)
Rafaye S.
The food was very decent, I liked their chicken shawarma plate their mixed platters. Everything tasted great. My beef (pun intended) with this restaurant had to with its service. They got my order wrong, subsequently blamed me for it, did NOT give me the hummus I ordered, and then tried giving it to me as I was leave while trying to CHARGE me for the hummus that I wanted WITH my food, not after I ate it.
(2)
Patti J.
First time here, but the reviews looked good so we tried it. Great for lunch. I had the chicken shawarma and my husband had the beef. The flavors of both was delicious - savory, a little spicy, and very satisfying. Even the rice had such good flavor, I kept eating it even after I was full. Looks like they have some good weekday lunch specials. Next time we are in he area we will be back to try more.
(4)
Sasha S.
We were told about this place through one of our family friends, so we decided to check it out. Nice little place, good quality food, staff look after you. Food was really nice and fresh, and tasted wonderful. They even gave us free lentil soup, as this was our first time. Highly recommended, great place.
(5)
Mohammad A.
Amazing service , very friendly , fresh food and all the folks working there are amazing...
(5)
Tiffany T.
Visited for lunch with the whole family and had some of the best shawarmas, falafel and hummus we have ever had the privilege to eat in the Midwest. Great family-run joint! Please eat and rate highly so that they stay in business for a long time. Hope to have local and hot shawarma's available for many years to come!
(5)
Lin L.
I go here a few times a month. The food is pretty good. The price is little high.
(4)
Ayham C.
Wow this place is amazing ! I keep coming back to try different meals. I can't decide which is my favorite. The combo plate is spectacular ! Full of flavor and very yummy ! If you are in the area or even actually if you have to drive a little to get here , do it ! It is 100% worth it . I had the pleasure of meeting the owners and they are very friendly and kind people. Best Mediterranean food in the area!!!!!
(5)
Adam N.
I ordered the chicken kabob plate, which includes rice, salad and pita bread. The chicken was very tasty, and succulent and the rice was very flavorful. The pita bread was warm and fresh. It was not cheap ($10.99), but very filling. Great, friendly staff. Will be returning.
(5)
I. J.
Delicious food and fresh. Look forward to the delivery service too.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
Moe S.
I went there on 2/7/14, service was bad and the cashier was totally ignorant.
(1)Rob R.
Came all the way from South Side Chicago to try there Shawarma. Hands down, best Shawarma I had in Chicago. Love it! Definitely I will be back soon.
(5)Jason C.
I was in Lombard for business and stopped by for the first time for a late lunch. It's a small sit down restaurant with a lot of takeout orders, in a somewhat rundown strip mall, but I knew right away when I saw that I was the only non-Middle Eastern customer, that the place was probably good. I ordered the chicken kebab meal. The chicken was perfectly grilled with a hint of charring on the outside and moist on the inside. The spicy sauce had bite but was not too spicy. The white sauce was creamy and smooth. Both excellent. The salad was mint flavored and had no salt in it, a very nice complementary flavor. The rice was moist and slightly salted. The pita bread was toasted and crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. This was the best chicken kebabs I've had outside of greater Detroit. Later, I tried the chicken kufta plate and that was as good as the kebabs. Next time I'll try the beef dishes.
(5)Minh-An C.
Came in and got the lunch special combo 1 (Shawarma special) and it totally filled me up! All the lunch special combos are $7 (11 AM - 2 PM Mon-Fri) and they are big portion, very yummy, and pretty healthy. If you are craving Middle Eastern cuisine and don't want to spend too much money, this is the place to go! I think this is one of my fave spot for Middle Eastern food around Downers Grove. I asked for a water cup but they only have water bottles, which was fine with me. Note: Be careful when you sign the credit card bill and make sure you're being charged correctly. My initial receipt only charged me 75 cents so I asked the lady if this was correct and she thanked me for catching the error.
(4)Don R.
Good restaurant. Came here for dinner last week. Got the lamb rice dinner. I had a good amount of food. Enough to have a leftover meal for the next day. Flavors were bad. Maybe not the most flavorful Mediterranean food I've had but good enough to return if I'm in the area and got a taste for Mediterranean. The staff inside was nice as well.
(4)Rehan A.
Tremendous food authentic Mediterranean & Arabian food in town. You gonna love the chicken mix grill falafel hummos and everything on this menu I tried it all and it was delicious. Lamb shank also sizzlingly awesome. They store is clean and busy location on roosevelt rd across the pep boys in lombard. Beautiful people beautiful food.
(5)Al M.
The worst place ever, bad service, bad attitude, not professional, the gave me the worng order after waiting 45 minutes, talking bad about the customer in a different language thinking you wouldn't understand, very raciest and they don't mind talking about it, didn't gave me a refund and the reson is the are not trained to do so, putting employees that have no idea what they are doing, not the first time I have a bad experience with them, don't recommend anyone to go there. Sart aldka weia abo alabd
(1)Lubna A.
Exceptional service and very good food I try chicken shish Kabab and hummus was very good And the restaurant clean
(5)Muhammad Z.
Good food no complain about the food. I ate here few times and good has always been good. Can bring family and kids, decent sit in restaurant. Today I ordered the lunch combo for $7. Beef and chicken answer me combo. I recommend and would eat here again.
(4)Ace R.
We had the family platter mixed grill (for 4-6 people) and it was great. It is basically a large family style platter with rice, salad, chicken kebab, shish kebab, and kefta kebab. I also added the hummos which was tasty as well. The food was nice and fresh and the meat was juicy. It was plenty of food for us and next time I don't feel like driving to bridgeview for middle eastern food, I will just pick up food from here. Much better quality than pita house and rezas! The place is not that nice on the inside, so I recommended just taking it to go.
(4)Grant P.
It's happened, folks. I have finally found fast, affordable middle eastern food in DuPage. I wandered in, not knowing what to expect, and left happy and very satisfied. I ordered lunch combo #1, which is listed as beef and chicken shawarma topped with minced onions, sumac spice and comes with rice, salad and pita. It was sitting in front of me in less minutes than I have fingers on one hand. And for $7 my plate was packed with food. There was enough meat there for at least three sandwiches. It was hot, fresh and moist. The salad was very tasty, and the rice was decent; not at all dry. Plus the pita had a subtle garlic flavor. You may recall some of my previous attempts to find this type of food. No? Well, let me refresh. All of it was dry and/or overpriced. This is going on the frequent flyer list. You CANNOT get this good of a deal, this fast, this fresh anywhere else I've been in the western suburbs.
(5)Ryan A.
I'm here to let people know that the food was over priced service was bad and my view the people are racist and bad customer service.i had better service at the zoo so if you like service that just want your money this place is great at this....
(1)John K.
The food here is great, garlic sauce, chicken, rice, lamb, bat, pita, and carrot juice all made to order and fresh. Losses two stars for the following. 1) Not good customer service, I am allergic to tomatoes and asked not to have any and they did anyways, honest mistake, but fix it. They didn't they would charge me. 2) portions are small, yes they give a shit ton of rice cool, but the chicken not so much. 3) the woman behind the counter is mega hot. Looks like a real life Jasmine from Aladdin. 4) She's not the reason they lost a star, just had to mention that for my fellow scum bags. 5) 6) I'd probably not do carry out anymore and will try in house next time. I'll update review if it's a better experience.
(3)Mo S.
Right when I walked in I thought I was in the wrong place. The girl was wearing a let's say low cut outfit and felt uncomfortable being there talking to her in a zabihah halal place. Food was good but was extremely pissed because they kept calling seeing if we're coming. When we got there the woman even said you're late and was unnecessary. Got home and no pita bread at all! I had to go to the local grocery store and buy some since I drove far to get there! This was in Ramadan and my uncle and brother in law felt uncomfortable in an Islamic establishment since we were fasting to be greeted with someone who was dressed inappropriately.
(2)Sunny B.
Amazing food! The grilled chicken is the best I've had in a very long time. Their meats are moist and flavorful. Prices are 10-15% higher than they need to be but the flavor of the food makes up for it.
(4)Mona Y.
Exceptional service and very fresh tasty food! Highly recommend the chicken shish kabab platter and falafels!
(5)Fatima H.
My husband and I usually love this place - I had to knock off a star because of a particularly bad customer service experience I had there a few days ago. Having just had a baby, my trips outside of the house have to be well timed. I called ahead of time to place a lunch order and came in to pick up my food - the girl at the counter acted totally confused and started opening to-go orders to confirm which was mine. Mind you the place was almost empty! There wasn't much room for confusion. I told her I needed to go - Amy (she said that was her name) literally PUSHED the bag at me and told me she wouldn't be checking my order because of my attitude! Wth?!?! Will need to think twice about stopping here in the future!
(3)Yuehao B.
Small place, nice atmosphere. Many dishes to select from, but no water provided. They have combos during weekday lunchs.
(3)Filippo C.
Awesome food better than other choices on Roosevelt Rd. Got lunch combo 1 and it was delicious and plenty of great flavor!
(5)Josh S.
Just took home a beef shawarma plate from shawarma express. It is honestly one of my favorite shawarma plates I have had to date. They grill their meats on actual charcoal grill. I look forward to trying more of the items on their menu soon.
(5)Christina G.
My husband and I have been here a number of times now--my husband loves it! For me I think sometimes it's a little hit or miss, never bad but I think it depends on the cook in the back. Falafel sandwich is always a good bed, and the beef shawarma is also really good. Fries are the best which is a plus for a middle eastern restaurant. Good fair prices, a must-try if you live nearby!
(4)Boon K.
My husband is a fan of this place and loves the lamb kabob and I am a fan of the chicken kabob. I think was sold us was the simple marinate of the meats and the rice that it comes with is really good, you can really taste the ghee and saffron.
(4)Dan B.
For some time now I've seen coming soon signs over a spot in a mini shopping center off of Roosevelt Road for a place called Shwarma Express. I made a note to visit when they eventually opened. This evening, while driving by I saw an open sign and people inside so I decided to give it a try. I got in line while someone else ordered and waited for a few minutes to place my order as well. Once I had ordered I sat down and began the process of adding the business to Yelp gathering information off of the menu and business card. My order took quite a while to be ready (a little over 20 minutes) but my food was then brought out and it was time to dine. I ordered a Beef Shwarma sandwich and a bottle of water. The sandwich came wrapped up in a roll kind of like a burrito. There were grill marks visible on the bottom and it held together quite well. I took a bite and was immediately overwhelmed by a whole lot of different than I'm accustom to flavors. The beef shwarma meat was tender and moist. There were lots of middle eastern spices which I can't identify giving it both a sweet and spicy combination that perfectly complimented one another. Tomato slices and onions were mixed in which gave it a little extra body. I'd also say the sandwich was at least double the size I expected to be. Simply put I was very impressed as the overall combination of flavors created a decadent masterpiece of a sandwich. As I was eating and leaving I overheard that there would be an hour wait on Shwarma as they had run out, growing pains with a new business I guess. Assuming that they have food ready this place is definitely worth trying. Hopefully they'll maintain the quality (and quantity) of food I experienced as time goes on. Despite the name express (you'd think it wouldn't take 20 minutes to have a sandwich ready), the Shwarma here was definitely fantastic. I'm going to give this place a whopping five stars and say that this Shwarma did me no harma. This was an absolutely fantastic sandwich and I will surely be back again.
(5)Akber S.
Shawarma express is a great spot. I like to come here when it's busier rather than quiet because everything is rolling off the grill quicker, and the other items are fresher as they need to be restocked or prepared faster. The guys working here are good people. You can see kindness in their eyes, I appreciate that very much. The owners are nice guys too. I had the opportunity to meet them both and was happy with their attitudes. And the food, excellent quality. Super fresh. Super tasty. I like to stop by here after prayer on Fridays on my way back to work. You should too!!!!
(5)Samuel K.
A co-worker and I decided to go here on a whim and we were not disappointed. As we were standing in line my buddy is talking about getting the schwarma hummus appetizer to which I replied something like "come on man, we're probably never going to eat here again, get a full schwarma". We both decide to get the schwarma lunch special $6.95 for a decent portion of beef and chicken schwarma, rice, and salad. The meat is absolutely phenomenal, juicy and the edges covered in delicious spices. The meal also comes with half a pita if you are a fan of loading up your meat and rice "sandwich" style. The service was friendly and the restaurant itself was unexpectedly clean (for a hole in the wall restaurant). The only reason I leave only 4 stars is because the salad was slightly overdressed and came out a bit soggy. Contrary to my original thought, I will definitely be back for more.
(4)Andrea B.
Awesome!!!! Recently I've been on a mission to find the best middle eastern food in the burbs. The search is over! This place is ridiculous! By far the best falafel I have ever had, actually it was one of the best bites of food in general I have ever had. I also had the mix grill and the meat was amazing. Everything was so tender and fresh and the flavors were out of this world! Definitely a hidden gem, you have to go check it out!
(5)Sarah W.
I have had a serious longing for middle eastern food ever since we moved away from our Albany Park apartment and away from our delicious Lebanese choices from Semiramis (highly recommended btw). Didn't think I'd be able to find an acceptable substitute in the suburbs until I tried this place. I got the chicken shawarma and my husband got the falafel sandwich. Both were extremely tasty and fresh. The rice was nice and fluffy and flavorful (and much enjoyed by my toddler). The shawarma was crispy and succulent and freshly carved. Loved the hot sauce that came on the side as well as the warm pita and salad. The falafel was by far the best I have had in the suburbs. The service was wonderful. The young guy behind the counter was very helpful and very sweet to my boy. We ate there (not a whole lot of ambiance, but clean), but if we lived a bit closer I'd probably just bring it home. Also, good price. Under $10 for a plate full of goodness. So happy that I can satisfy my cravings without heading to the northwest side!
(4)Shebz Q.
Love this place. Amazing food.Best alternate for Al-Bawadi restaurant. Highly recommended!!!
(5)Rohit Y.
Great Middle Eastern spot. Convenient location right off Roosevelt in Lombard. Friendly atmosphere, fast service and great food. The pita and humus was probably the best part of the meal, I had the chicken shawarma which could have been better (similar food to Pitaville in Naperville). If you don't want to make the drive to Naf Naf Grill then this is definitely a good substitute for your Middle Eastern cravings.
(4)Basma Y.
Best middle eastern fast food in Dupage county hands down. Being middle eastern I have tried so many places in the Dupage county and none compare to this hidden gem. The falafel is amazing one of the best I have ever had... they were so fresh, crunchy, and delicious. The humus and baba ghanoush were also great so if you are a vegetarian, this is a great place for you. Their plates are delicious and they leave you so satisfied. These plates are usually the lunch specials and are an excellent bargain. I ordered the Shawarma sandwich once and it needed more flavor and salt I was a little disappointed with that but everything else I have had here was great and made up for it. Overall, I would definitely give this place a try; the food is fresh and delicious and customer service is amazing.
(4)Marisa B.
I love their chicken shish kabob seasoned just right and great portions. It's always very fresh and hot when ordered. Comes with a side salad and rice that's perfectly cooked every time. Friendly service and the owner always checks the tables to see if everyone likes the food..
(5)Asim S.
A trusted friend told me this is the best shawarma he has had in Chicago. And he is absolutely right. There best dish is the shawarma sandwich ( beef and chicken, both amazing). Also the grilled meats are phenomenal as they are grilled over charcoal. All the meat is fresh, they prepare their own shawarma stack. It's a new place but does have it's kinks, ex. Rice is okay. Um as for other things, staff is friendly and nice, the heat wasn't working, so it was really cold, and cuz of all the snow, the entry was wet and muddy.... But the charcoal grilled meat smell made me forget. The place seems busy It's definitely a fresh change from the standard middle eastern spot These people know meat and have a killer shawarma, it's def worth checking out. I will definitely go back
(4)Thai S.
The food here was alright. I have had it twice and the flavor and cooking of the meats leave much to be desired. I believe my chicken was undercooked, texture was sorta like teeth through raw-ish meat, no bueno. The rice could have some flavor in it as well but it is just plain. With a $12 mix grill you only received half of a pita for 3 different kinds of meats..... Id go back if I was desperate or forgot that you already ate at this place.(like I did lol)
(3)Jessica G.
This is a new place and since we're all for new, we thought we would give it a try. It was pretty empty when we came in so we sat where ever we wanted. The inside was very clean-smelling, which is not a bad thing. We ordered easily enough and then we say down to wait for our food, which we had been advised would take a while. It took about 10 minutes and everybody's items came out at different times. I had a falafel platter that was pretty decent. I would have maybe liked a fresher pita but the falafel was nice and crispy and the hummus was pretty good, too. Other folks had the kababs, which were well-received, and the mix if different meats, which were a hit, as well. The good was not bad overall. It took time to receive our items but since they were being prepared and we could see the folks doing the work, that was fine. It's a bit pricier than some other places. Otherwise, I'm very curious to keep an eye on this one and see how it goes. Good potential here!
(3)Zoey K.
Had a lovely post workout meal today. It was delicious mA and fresh. Me and my friend we got the salad and shared a shawarma combo meal (Bc we wanted a lil carb to maintain our energy). The meat was seasoned nicely and i like the fresh dressing they put in salads. I didn't give 5 stars Bc the seating area wasn't that great. I give the food two thumbs up!
(4)Matt S.
Excellent shawarma combo. Lunch deal is a great value. The garlic sauce and tahini is very good.
(4)Charles C.
The food was really good and the restaurant was nearly full which to me is a sign of really good food. Any way I had the #16 mix grill which consisted of grilled chicken, Kufta kabab (ground beef and lamb) and grilled beef(steak) the sides were rice, salad and pita. The food was excellent!!!
(4)Abhinay Y.
I visited here for the first time and am IMPRESSED!!! Had a chicken shish kebab and shawarma.. An I could say its one of the best mediterranean I had. And the Tea.. The best.
(5)Joe G.
First time here, word of mouth through my son's friend at College. When you enter, you place your order at the counter and pay, once your meal is made the order is brought to your table. I had the Entrée Beef Shawarma with rice and salad. It comes with a side of red and white sauce. The red sauce had a nice bite to it and the white sauce was a type mild garlic sauce ( I think). My Son had the Kufta Kebab dinner. We both enjoyed the flavor of each meal. Two dinners with one bottled water and a diet Pepsi was about $23 & change, not bad. Enjoy!
(4)Samantha C.
This place is magic! It is completely authentic halal, and it is literally the only place since childhood that I have been able to have a proper Arabian Style chicken shawarma. Because of this, I am willing to look past the fact that this place is a little overpriced - which is why I must give 4 stars instead of 5. I will be returning very soon!
(4)S B.
The food here is AMAZING! Generous portions and great shawarma chicken! The only bad thing is they always mess up my address when delivering! But they make up for it with extra portions of their delicious food!!
(4)Vocal Y.
Brand New, Super Clean! Great Staff, but best of all FRESH FALAFEL and wonderful HUMMUS! Falafel sandwich awesome too! Will be back to try additional items! WELCOME WELCOME!
(5)Umar H.
Amazing food! My favorite Shawarma in the western suburbs! Their chicken shawarma is juicy and fresh. Nothing but a great experience every time I have been there. Make sure you take advantage of the lunch specials.
(5)Gonzo G.
Rating: 3.4 Short description: Middle Eastern food Pluses: Decent selection of options, shawarma was really tasty, the mix was very nice to try all the different styles. Negatives: A bit of a strange store front, pitas could use a bit of help, a bit pricey. Recommendations: Try out the shawarma! Edit: went back a third time, had Lamb Shank, it was pretty good!
(3)K. R.
Good stuff! This place has really stepped it up since they opened. The first couple times I tried their food I thought it was kind of "meh," but after a couple months of hiatus I gave it another go... and boy am I glad I did! I did find two rather long hairs in my baba ghanouj, but it's not really a big deal and I suppose mistakes happen. I mean, there are a lot of things you could find in your food that are worse than hair, and no one can really control when a hair decides to detach itself from their head... Anyway, the food was good! The interior is nice: clean, well-lit, well-decorated. It's one step up from any privately owned fast food joint you'll visit in the Chicago suburbs. We've never dined in here - we always order carry-out - but we wouldn't feel uncomfortable eating here other than the fact that it can be pretty empty sometimes. If you go in during rush hour you'll find a lot of shirt-and-tie types swinging in for a bite to eat after work. It's good to know other people appreciate Shawarma Express too. The falafel is well-spiced and has a great crunch to it. It wasn't overly dry and didn't go soggy on the drive home, either. The hummus is good - it's hard to go wrong with basic hummus. For me, it's all about the baba ghanouj. The baba here has an awesome smoky flavor and is served up a little chunky (which I love), with some fresh herbs and spices sprinkled over the top. If you want to cut back on the fat ask them for "no oil" on the hummus and baba - they'll be perfectly accommodating and leave it off for you. Their tabbouleh tastes fresh and isn't mostly bulgur like at some places. It's got a lot of parsley and lemon juice, and isn't overly minty either. I'm not a big fan of strong mint flavor. The foul (pronounced "fool") is what we really go here for. Shawarma Express is one of the only places we've ever found in the area that's got it. It's a mashed broad bean (fava bean) dish cooked with cumin and big chunks of garlic, and served up in a pool of lemon juice and olive oil. YUM! This stuff is GOOD, especially when eaten with their pita bread (which is also good). This place is a great choice if you're looking for some Middle Eastern flair on your taste buds, but don't want to wait for anything more than fast food. Shawarma Express has been a go-to for us many times, and will continue to be!
(4)Imran F.
Wow! This place is amazing! The food is full of flavor! Very friendly staff! Clean! Absolutely loved it! Would highly recommend! Will be back soon.
(5)Taaha A.
The food was a pleasant surprise. The falafel is great. It took a decent amount of time to prepare. But my visit was obstructed by the service as the cashier was in a very crabby mood and was not very willing to change our order and I also caught her rolling her eyes at a customer which is just unacceptable.
(3)Zhong Y.
Roosevelt Road, the new king of tasty is Shawarma Express. I can't say anything bad about the food, although it is a bit slow, because they cook to order, so you'll usually wait about 15 minutes to get your meal. Call ahead to pickup or sit down. Service has been very kind. I've had the shawarma plates and the mixed grill here and they're both fantastic, the meats are very tasty, the rice is adequately fluffy and seasoned. The chicken kebabs in particular are very good. I did try some other similar places along Roosevelt, but this one is the best so far.
(5)Rossel E.
A nice spot for quick eats for takeout and for the value of the food, can't beat it. Always go here for lunch and I love the chicken kufta for $6.99 and the $7.99 half grilled chicken with spicy, garlic sauce. So amazing! Apart from those 2 I'm not so much happy with the shawarma which is a bit undercooked for my taste. Also the owner/Manager is a bit unorganized in taking orders and sending them out of the kitchen. There's some tables to eat but I'd rather enjoy them at home or in the office for lunch thus the 3 stars.
(3)Woodrow C.
Hospitality Plus !!!!! High Quality Food ,Generous Portions Loved the Turkish Coffee Definitely 5 Stars
(5)Mohamed E.
If you happen to be in the burbs give this place a try. Makes for a great lunch. Service is eh tho.
(3)Kam L.
Our usual go to place for middle eastern/Mediterranean fare is Pita house which is a few blocks west of here. After going here last night I think we found our new go to place. I ordered the shawarma combo which is beef and chicken shawarma on top of rice, a side salad and a whole pita. The shawarma was sliced nice and thin was incredibly tender and seasoned well. Salad wasn't anything exciting but gave a nice contrast to the rice and meat. My wife ordered the shish kebab plate and the lamb was tender and juicy. The only caveat I have to say about this place is we were the only people in the restaurant and food was a little slow coming out. Also I didn't see any glasses for water and all drinks were either bottled or canned.
(4)Cheese B.
I've lived in Lombard for 20 years and this is definitely one of the better restaurants to hit Roosevelt road. Menu is simple, restaurant is wide open and clean. Food is great. The meat all tastes very fresh and well seasoned/Cooked. Personally enjoy the chicken boti and left a kabob. Rice salad and garlic sauce are all excellent. I haven't been there during any rush and service has been great. Hope they keep it up and continue to provide very good quality food and generous portions.
(5)Nelly S.
My husband and i went there to try something new and we fall in love .. Food is really good and people are so nice.. Just make sure you are not in a rush because is busy place and you mighy have to wait.. Love this place
(5)Cesar M.
My wife and I were very excited to see Shawarma Express finally open. We ordered a Chicken Shawarma and a Beef Shawarma. My Beef Shawarma was good, the flavor and spices were their and so was the small amount of beef. Chicken Shawarma was filled with rubbery thin pieces of chicken and not much flavor, also the Shawarma's had a garlic thick sauce that was awesome. The place was clean and I notice one customer that was waiting for a long time for his order and he was growing inpatient, he walk a couple times to the gentleman behind the counter and the reason for that, there were no waitress on the clock. My wife stated she won't be back. Me....everyone deserves a second change! I believe they'll get it right, these are just Baby steps! Welcome to Lombard! Now Get Right!
(3)Jahanzeb H.
Service was prompt and friendly. place was clean and organized. Had the combination, baba ghanouj and fattoush Salad. Pita was fresh, salad well made. as for the meat I enjoyed all of it except the chicken which was a bit bland and Rice which was kind of oily. other then that a great meal overall.
(5)Kim B.
Was out in the burbs for work one day. Had the veggie combo. Was soo good. Forgot to get baklava though. If I'm in the area again will definitely go again.
(5)Jay V.
Great middle eastern food! This place is simple and has very good food for a very reasonable price. We have thoroughly enjoyed everything we have ever gotten here. The lamb shank is enough for 2 people. Very tender and flavorful. The baba ganoush is very good. The falafel are big and sometimes hit or miss, usually a hit. Have not had a bad meal here yet. The only downside is they now charge you for extra sauces as I am not sure why they would. If I just spent $20-$30 if not more, I expect extra sauce for FREE.
(4)Moe A.
Best middle eastern fast food place. Service is amazing.. Food fresh.. Priced perfectly.. Need more locations
(5)Candi D.
My boyfriend and I got take out for lunch here. He needs to eat halal meat so we are limited as to where we can eat when we are together. I use to work at a Middle Eastern restaurant. This place is impressive: Lentil soup, hummus, and chicken shawarma sandwich were all very tasty. Loved the garlic mayo sauce! This place is worth going to for authentic Middle Eastern food. My suggestion is to go to take out route. I wish they had Kibbeh on their menu.
(5)Dana S.
This is one of the best restaurants I've been to in awhile!! I am middle eastern so it is really hard for me to find food that is up to my standards and this is even better!! Sooo good and very affordable! The owner is so friendly and was so helpful when we had questions about the menu.
(5)Saad K.
The best food and service. Got shawarma combo and half grilled chicken. Everything perfect
(5)Fariha Q.
Lunch specials at this place are a great deal and the garlic white sauce is amazing. Definitely worth a try if you haven't had a chance. Also food is very fresh and seems like a healthier lunch option that is also very delicious.
(4)M F.
The best shawarma I have had in 14 years... I am very picky about middle eastern food and this place just became one of my favorites! I had to stop and take a picture of my food after the first bite .. Food is amazing and the owner is very nice!! Definitely will be coming back here! P.s their baklava is very delicious too!
(5)Joey O.
Best Shwarma in the burbs by A LOT !!!!
(5)Haleema M.
Their food is good, but I have tasted better. They have great lunch specials and their that one garlic, white sauce that they give with their shawarmas is absolutely divine. I would go there just to have their chicken shawarma and that sauce.
(3)Carlos T.
I have to say all the positive review was a let down. Decided to try Shawarma express one day, at it was not good all. The chicken sharwama was bland, only chicken and slightly mayo in a tortilla wrap. The beef sharwama was bad also, All my bites were beef fat, and not chewable. For real, I still think Naf Naf & Pita BBQ are wayyyy better then this. Heck Pita inn down the street is more tastier. Only thing decent at this restaurant is the falafels. I don't get how people like this joint. I'm not coming back. Not worth it.
(1)Jason Y.
The food here is superb but if you make a call in order, beware of the wait time. I've ordered from here four times and four separate times they've told me 10 minutes. I don't think there's been one time that it hasn't taken at least 30. The mixed grill and falafel are amazing however, so we keep returning.
(4)Oscar E.
Great grilled chicken. Also the price is very reasonable. 1/2 for 8 and 1 for 13. Delicious comes with a lot of basmati rice and amazing sauce
(5)Zamir S.
The food at Shawarma Express is too high quality to have the word "Express" in its name. They use quality meats and fresh ingredients. The best item on the menu is hands down the Chicken Kefta plate. These are long kefta kababs made of ground chicken. They use an interesting marinade similar to the ones used by Persian places. When you stand at the counter and look into the kitchen you will see the pure charcoal they use to cook the kabobs. They don't use gas or lava rocks or briquettes, the use real charcoal - you can see sparks flying. That's what gives the kabobs their taste. I highly recommend ordering the following: Ask for a plate with one skewer chicken kefta and one skewer beef kefta. Make sure to get the garlic sauce with it. For $10 it is an outstanding meal. The owner of this place loves the food they make - that is the key - he focuses on quality food. Also they plan to say open until midnight in the summer! Follow-Up on 2014-11-23: I am seriously impressed with these guys. Normally new Indo-Pak and Middle-Eastern places follow what we call the "Six-Month Rule", that for the first six months they conquer and then the quality drops, the price increases then they foreclose. This place has been rock-solid for over a year now. Their food quality is outstanding and has been consistent the entire time. Their customer service is impeccable especially on Friday and Saturday night. I hope this business continues to flurrish. I have to go now ... joining another family for some lunch at Shawarma Expresss hehehe!
(5)Jen M.
Falafels are good as many reviews agree. I also had the chicken shish kabob and thought is was ok. Customer service was the area of weakness, the whole time I was ordering the guy behind the counter was talking with a man sitting at a table. While I was waiting for my "to go" order 4 men were in the kitchen looking confused while one man was making the orders for myself and two others. Good food, uncomfortable service.
(3)H Q.
This place is no good. I ordered a shawarma sandwich, and I received mostly bread and barely any meat. I get that it was cheap at $5, but the sandwich provided wouldn't even be considered a snack. I'd rather go to McDonald's and pay a dollar more to get the fish-o-filet sandwich meal. The quantity was just one factor, the chicken wasn't even cooked properly. When I got home I had to put the sandwich in the oven to cook a little more. There was more fat and rubbery pieces of skin in the chicken portion than actual chicken. Service was not anything special. Maybe I just had a poor experience but I will not be a returning customer.
(1)Ally B.
Don't wait Go NOW The best middle eastern food in the west suburbs...!!! I have tried everything in the area Cedar grill Pita house Jerusalem cafe No one gets everything right Shawerma express is fantastic As good as or maybe even better than al bawadi The best Don't wait
(5)Fahd M.
Just recently opened up a few weeks ago and still learning the ropes. They serve along with the usual middle eastern food, interesting creations such as the "hummus and shawarma" bowl, which is exactly that - delicious chicken shawarma covering a bowl of hummus. My personal favourite is still the standard mixed grill though which is made to perfection.
(4)jamie h.
Food was hands down best shawarma ever! !! Clean and decently priced! MUST TRY!!! Known it was here for a while and finally decided to try it. Omg amazing! Had beef shawarma and lamb shank. ...yum!
(5)F K.
Good food but the platters are a little pricey and the quantity is ok. The beef and chicken shawarma wraps are really good. I used to have to go all the way to bridgeview to get good shawarma but im glad I only have to drive 15 min.
(3)John K.
Slow service. I had the Shawarma Lunch Combo. It was a good portion and had good flavor, the pita was not very fresh. Overall I would return if in the area.
(3)Harry K.
Ordered several different things to take home and try. Both the chicken and beef shawarma were well cooked and flavorful. The tabouleh was a little strong with sourness, but still tasty. The Arabic Salad was really good. The mint added just the right touch. Ordered the falafel; the crust was a little hard, but inside was nice and not mushy like at many other places. Definitely better than many I've had. Even though we ordered to go, the service for us was outstanding. Very friendly and courteous. The fact that there were many families there having dinner when we got there was a great sign to me about the quality and atmosphere.
(4)nancy B.
Had hoped to come home with some leftovers from the chicken & beef lunch special. Only some rice remained. Was so good, fresh, meat flavorful and juicy, salad crisp and flavorful. the yogurt/garlic dip addictive. Service considerate, helpful, very clean. Falafel crisp on outside, soft on inside, then into the dip it went - heaven. Put this on your "must go to" list. You won't regret it.
(5)Steve S.
I tried this place out on a Thursday night. I'm a big fan of Shawarma and Kafta Kabobs, so naturally we got one of each. The meat was done nicely and had lots of flavor, but the rest of the dish left a bit to be desired. Maybe I'm spoiled by the likes of Naf Naf Grill and Benjyehuda where you get a ton of delicious toppings with your meal. Here you get some rice, a salad, and one sauce to go with it. Also, I paid $1 for a can of Sprite. Party foul in my book.
(3)Juveriya M.
After a subpar experience the first time (they ran out of shawarma sandwiches), we gave this restaurant a second try. This time, we received our order fast and hot. The shawarma sandwiches are pretty good and the sauce is delicious. However, sometimes you get a bite of whole spices since they don't grind them. I personally do not like biting into a clove. The falafel is crisp and fresh.
(3)Holly S.
Just ate here for the first time and am extremely impressed! Hummus was fresh and good variety of spices. Had a combination shawarma platter. Chicken and steak were well seasoned and cooked, and sauces were great! A little pricier than I would like to have paid, but will be back again! So glad Lombard has a good place like this!!
(5)Rafaye S.
The food was very decent, I liked their chicken shawarma plate their mixed platters. Everything tasted great. My beef (pun intended) with this restaurant had to with its service. They got my order wrong, subsequently blamed me for it, did NOT give me the hummus I ordered, and then tried giving it to me as I was leave while trying to CHARGE me for the hummus that I wanted WITH my food, not after I ate it.
(2)Patti J.
First time here, but the reviews looked good so we tried it. Great for lunch. I had the chicken shawarma and my husband had the beef. The flavors of both was delicious - savory, a little spicy, and very satisfying. Even the rice had such good flavor, I kept eating it even after I was full. Looks like they have some good weekday lunch specials. Next time we are in he area we will be back to try more.
(4)Sasha S.
We were told about this place through one of our family friends, so we decided to check it out. Nice little place, good quality food, staff look after you. Food was really nice and fresh, and tasted wonderful. They even gave us free lentil soup, as this was our first time. Highly recommended, great place.
(5)Mohammad A.
Amazing service , very friendly , fresh food and all the folks working there are amazing...
(5)Tiffany T.
Visited for lunch with the whole family and had some of the best shawarmas, falafel and hummus we have ever had the privilege to eat in the Midwest. Great family-run joint! Please eat and rate highly so that they stay in business for a long time. Hope to have local and hot shawarma's available for many years to come!
(5)Lin L.
I go here a few times a month. The food is pretty good. The price is little high.
(4)Ayham C.
Wow this place is amazing ! I keep coming back to try different meals. I can't decide which is my favorite. The combo plate is spectacular ! Full of flavor and very yummy ! If you are in the area or even actually if you have to drive a little to get here , do it ! It is 100% worth it . I had the pleasure of meeting the owners and they are very friendly and kind people. Best Mediterranean food in the area!!!!!
(5)Adam N.
I ordered the chicken kabob plate, which includes rice, salad and pita bread. The chicken was very tasty, and succulent and the rice was very flavorful. The pita bread was warm and fresh. It was not cheap ($10.99), but very filling. Great, friendly staff. Will be returning.
(5)I. J.
Delicious food and fresh. Look forward to the delivery service too.
(5)