Absolutely loved this place! We were recommended by multiple friends. The food was incredibly flavorful and clearly made with care everything tasted fresh, well-seasoned, and authentic. The meats were tender, the portions generous, and the sides were just as memorable as the mains. The refreshing mint lemonade needs a special shout out!!!! The atmosphere was welcoming and cozy, and the staff were friendly, attentive, and happy to explain dishes or make recommendations. You can really feel the pride they take in their food and hospitality. This is the kind of spot you come back to again and again—highly recommend for anyone craving comforting, delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.
Edit: I woke up missing the food I ate last night. Even the water there is good. They have crunchy ice. 10/10, do yourself a favor and go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carlos ARP
The food and service is spectacular. They have the best pistachio cake, send the chef my love!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Adam Goble (Lola Palooza)
This place has been the best part of this whole trip! The food is amazing. We had a very large group and while we were rude and didn't call ahead, they were so accommodating. The service in incredible. They were so attentive. I cant wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ev Im
I'm going to be what I think is fair by giving 3 stars. As long time customers, my family has eaten here with 5 star experiences many times. I've never had a problem with any servers or staff. They've always been very hospitable and welcoming. The food is usually very good and without error, even with delivery orders in the past.
The past 2 times have not been so great though in terms of food. First we went for a birthday dinner and we're pretty grossed out to discover the shrimp had not been deveined meaning we had been served and ate poop.
The second time we ordered delivery and much of our $80 order was missing or wrong. At first we thought the driver might have taken some out and reported it, but ubereats did nothing despite having photos. The restaurant also did nothing. After reading reviews of similar situations I don't know if it was the restaurant or the driver. They responded to another review saying the hummus with the mixed grill is both hummus and baba ganouj but we received hummus that was missing a large portion from container to be able to see the bottom of it. There was no baba ganouj. The mixed grill only had a few pieces of one meat instead of the 3 it was supposed to have. We were given the wrong soup and were missing 2 sides. There's was more bread than food to eat with the bread. Very disappointing experiences. With money being so tight right now, when we spend to eat out we want it to be a good experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
james geiman
Great food and service. Unique ambiance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Saad Bin Sayeed
Very disappointed to learn that this restaurant is no longer Zabiha Halal certified. I used to love coming here with family and recommending it to friends, but now we unfortunately have to avoid it. This is a major loss for a large community of regular customers who relied on the halal certification. I sincerely hope they reconsider...the food was excellent and we would happily return if Zabiha Halal certification is restored.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
Adiba Sayeed
NOT ZABIHA HALAL CERTIFIED ANYMORE. I miss those Kibbeh, Shish kebabs and Kufta kebabs 😭
Salman Baig
Food was good. Appetizers and the complementary coffee was awesome. Ordered large family platter for 6 and everything was delicious except for the lamb chops. Service was good too. I would recommend trying out the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Anne Sobel
This place lives up to the hype. Despite living in Albany Park and thus closer to the Niles locale, we decided to travel to the OG location. It was worth the drive. I'd heard so many good things that it was hard to imagine Bawadi exceeding my expectations, but it did. The food was wonderful, and we loved the atmosphere. My husband and I can't believe it took us so long to eat here! We'll definitely be hitting up the Niles location more often. I also heard they have a new place in Orland Park that does seafood - chef's kiss!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Riyad Snobar
Great food and Grill and cook great history restaurant food reminds us about the old coffee service before starting thanks a lot it's worth a a visit always
Been here dozens of times over the years. But this past weekend was just pathetic. Gave plenty of chances, but enough is enough! Lamb skewer chunks were beyond tiny, and I told the waiter; it was just ignored. No follow-up on anything, bringing the food at random times, and drinks after the food is finished, even after we asked for the drinks multiple times. When the time comes for payment, they hover over you and look for the tip. Sadly I caved, but never again am I coming again!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Mischelle Alvi
I have been coming to al bawadi since 2009 and have been a die hard loyal supporter since then up until last night! My husband and I had just ordered the half chicken tikka platter - the team shoved us with two entrees instead of one thus far this is not even as bad as it’s about to get! The boneless platter they forced upon me tasted like hospital food, no taste no seasoning it felt like torture and we stayed quiet due to the many years we had given bawadi and harnessed it! Then came the bill for these two entrees and fries for $100 that is what really took me back, I got slammed with a bill for items we didn’t order, the food forced upon tasted like torture and after this experience you have lost support of 26 family members who ate food at bawadi at least once a week! We are never coming back here
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
MadBoi BeefY (Efrain Gonzalez)
Amazing food and amazing service. The quality of the food is always fresh, great flavors and the desserts are to die for. Not expensive at all for quality and portions you will receive. Definitely worth checking out
Absolutely loved this place! We were recommended by multiple friends. The food was incredibly flavorful and clearly made with care everything tasted fresh, well-seasoned, and authentic. The meats were tender, the portions generous, and the sides were just as memorable as the mains. The refreshing mint lemonade needs a special shout out!!!! The atmosphere was welcoming and cozy, and the staff were friendly, attentive, and happy to explain dishes or make recommendations. You can really feel the pride they take in their food and hospitality. This is the kind of spot you come back to again and again—highly recommend for anyone craving comforting, delicious Middle Eastern cuisine.
Edit: I woke up missing the food I ate last night. Even the water there is good. They have crunchy ice. 10/10, do yourself a favor and go.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food and service is spectacular. They have the best pistachio cake, send the chef my love!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place has been the best part of this whole trip! The food is amazing. We had a very large group and while we were rude and didn't call ahead, they were so accommodating. The service in incredible. They were so attentive. I cant wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I'm going to be what I think is fair by giving 3 stars. As long time customers, my family has eaten here with 5 star experiences many times. I've never had a problem with any servers or staff. They've always been very hospitable and welcoming. The food is usually very good and without error, even with delivery orders in the past.
The past 2 times have not been so great though in terms of food. First we went for a birthday dinner and we're pretty grossed out to discover the shrimp had not been deveined meaning we had been served and ate poop.
The second time we ordered delivery and much of our $80 order was missing or wrong. At first we thought the driver might have taken some out and reported it, but ubereats did nothing despite having photos. The restaurant also did nothing. After reading reviews of similar situations I don't know if it was the restaurant or the driver. They responded to another review saying the hummus with the mixed grill is both hummus and baba ganouj but we received hummus that was missing a large portion from container to be able to see the bottom of it. There was no baba ganouj. The mixed grill only had a few pieces of one meat instead of the 3 it was supposed to have. We were given the wrong soup and were missing 2 sides. There's was more bread than food to eat with the bread. Very disappointing experiences. With money being so tight right now, when we spend to eat out we want it to be a good experience.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great food and service. Unique ambiance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very disappointed to learn that this restaurant is no longer Zabiha Halal certified. I used to love coming here with family and recommending it to friends, but now we unfortunately have to avoid it. This is a major loss for a large community of regular customers who relied on the halal certification. I sincerely hope they reconsider...the food was excellent and we would happily return if Zabiha Halal certification is restored.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 2
NOT ZABIHA HALAL CERTIFIED ANYMORE. I miss those Kibbeh, Shish kebabs and Kufta kebabs 😭
Food was good. Appetizers and the complementary coffee was awesome. Ordered large family platter for 6 and everything was delicious except for the lamb chops.
Service was good too. I would recommend trying out the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
This place lives up to the hype. Despite living in Albany Park and thus closer to the Niles locale, we decided to travel to the OG location. It was worth the drive. I'd heard so many good things that it was hard to imagine Bawadi exceeding my expectations, but it did. The food was wonderful, and we loved the atmosphere. My husband and I can't believe it took us so long to eat here! We'll definitely be hitting up the Niles location more often. I also heard they have a new place in Orland Park that does seafood - chef's kiss!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and Grill and cook great history restaurant food reminds us about the old coffee service before starting thanks a lot it's worth a a visit always
Restaurantji Recommends
Been here dozens of times over the years. But this past weekend was just pathetic. Gave plenty of chances, but enough is enough! Lamb skewer chunks were beyond tiny, and I told the waiter; it was just ignored. No follow-up on anything, bringing the food at random times, and drinks after the food is finished, even after we asked for the drinks multiple times. When the time comes for payment, they hover over you and look for the tip. Sadly I caved, but never again am I coming again!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
I have been coming to al bawadi since 2009 and have been a die hard loyal supporter since then up until last night! My husband and I had just ordered the half chicken tikka platter - the team shoved us with two entrees instead of one thus far this is not even as bad as it’s about to get! The boneless platter they forced upon me tasted like hospital food, no taste no seasoning it felt like torture and we stayed quiet due to the many years we had given bawadi and harnessed it! Then came the bill for these two entrees and fries for $100 that is what really took me back, I got slammed with a bill for items we didn’t order, the food forced upon tasted like torture and after this experience you have lost support of 26 family members who ate food at bawadi at least once a week! We are never coming back here
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 4
Amazing food and amazing service. The quality of the food is always fresh, great flavors and the desserts are to die for. Not expensive at all for quality and portions you will receive. Definitely worth checking out
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Relly Good service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good people
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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