From our family to yours, Al Bawadi Grill is the premier Chicago area restaurant providing guests with the complete culinary experience when it comes to enjoying traditional middle eastern and Palestinian cuisine. In the Middle Eastern culture, our foods consists of a vast array of hot and cold dishes, served in small size portions to allow the patron to sample and share a sizeable variety of items.
Our tangy salad dressings, juicy grilled kebabs, crunchy sandwich wraps, and our savory desserts are just a few examples of how we try to give you the full authentic Middle Eastern cuisine experience. Al Bawadii Grill opened its first location in 2008 in Bridgeview, IL also known as Little Palestine.
Our tangy salad dressings, juicy grilled kebabs, crunchy sandwich wraps, and our savory desserts are just a few examples of how we try to give you the full authentic Middle Eastern cuisine experience. Al Bawadii Grill opened its first location in 2008 in Bridgeview, IL also known as Little Palestine.
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From our family to yours, Al Bawadi Grill is the premier Chicago area restaurant providing guests with the complete culinary experience when it comes to enjoying traditional middle eastern and Palestinian cuisine. In the Middle Eastern culture, our foods consists of a vast array of hot and cold dishes, served in small size portions to allow the patron to sample and share a sizeable variety of items.
When you come to Al Bawadii you have to get the kebabs, just so juicy, delicious, so please please please try the knafa for dessert, but do not miss the kebabs here. The Patch featured us in 2013 in their Ramadan article "Following the Fast: How Restaurants Handle the Ramadan Rush Hour ". Servers seem positively thrilled to provide explanations and recommendations for the vast menu.
Reviews (25)
Carolyn & Joneph P.
Jan 30, 2022
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Craving for Lamb chops and Authentic middle eastern cuisine??? Al Bawadi Grill is the place to be!
We loved the food, the ambience and most of all the service!
It was packed last night (Saturday) however since we had reservations, we were able to sit right away!
They have great menu selections! From appetizers, drinks, single person entree to family style sharing!
We loved everything and we will be back to try their Seafood platter in the very near future!
We loved the food, the ambience and most of all the service!
It was packed last night (Saturday) however since we had reservations, we were able to sit right away!
They have great menu selections! From appetizers, drinks, single person entree to family style sharing!
We loved everything and we will be back to try their Seafood platter in the very near future!
Cathy H.
Jan 30, 2022
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So I've wondered about this restaurant for a while. Finally decided to give it a try and ordered the grilled salmon dinner to go. They did not disappoint. Absolutely delicious! My only complaint is the salmon was dry due to the type of container used for to-go orders. The steam dried out the meat. HOWEVER, my meal was delicious. I love rice and they give you 2 kinds with your order with grilled veggies. Service was pleasant and fast for to go orders. I will definitely go back and dine in. Be prepared for a very busy atmosphere.
Sonya S.
Jan 27, 2022
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Beautiful ambiance. Red snapper seasoned very well. The other members of my party enjoyed their meals- meat/chicken shawerma and shrimp kabab.
Only 1 complaint; informed the waiter of my nut allergy when I ordered my meal- as I do at all restaurants. When I received my meal there were nuts sprinkled on top of my rice dishes- menu didn't state rice contained nuts. After I re-informed waiter, I received what looked like the same plate of rice but with scoops missing out of the plate. I couldn't eat the rice; too anxious that it was the same plate and therefore still contaminated with
Only 1 complaint; informed the waiter of my nut allergy when I ordered my meal- as I do at all restaurants. When I received my meal there were nuts sprinkled on top of my rice dishes- menu didn't state rice contained nuts. After I re-informed waiter, I received what looked like the same plate of rice but with scoops missing out of the plate. I couldn't eat the rice; too anxious that it was the same plate and therefore still contaminated with
D. & Apos Von A.
Jan 25, 2022
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Jenny R.
Jan 25, 2022
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Ana M.
Dec 22, 2021
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I can't get enough of this place. From the moment you enter you feel so welcomed. The owner gives you free coffee, so strong but I love it. They have it decorated very traditional and I love the uniforms. But my all time favorite is their lamb chops. I was never a lamb chop kinda gal but Al bawadi made me have a change of heart. They are so delicious I crave them all the time.
I also really enjoy their hummus with pita chips.
I wish they would work on their rice. I feel it lacks flavor .
Overall this place is amazing and you can't go wrong with anything in the menu!
I also really enjoy their hummus with pita chips.
I wish they would work on their rice. I feel it lacks flavor .
Overall this place is amazing and you can't go wrong with anything in the menu!
Ashlee L.
Dec 05, 2021
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My friend brought me here because she swore it's still me of the best she's ever had. I was equally impressed! I had the salmon kabobs which were cooked and a seasoned nicely. She ordered the filet mignon kebobs which stole the show. Their mint lemonade was a close second because it's fresh squeezed and pulpy. I will definitely be back!
Bill Allan
Dec 03, 2021
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Leeba B.
Dec 02, 2021
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This place is definitely one of our stops when we at Chicago. The shrimp scampi and the bawadi wings are amazinggg. Don't even get me started on the knafeh. They make that ish fresh and omggg will not walk out without getting that. Even if you don't get the entree you must get the shrimp and wings. Will be coming back here
Erin C.
Nov 29, 2021
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Fayeza M.
Nov 20, 2021
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Food is good. Been coming here for years. One thing they are consistent with is poor service. Completely disorganized staff, missing online orders that they just shrug about, and it is always a cluster in here. Looks more like a zoo than a restaurant. Definitely not a place I come to when I am looking for a relaxing ambience.
Jessica Q.
Nov 18, 2021
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I love this place! I have been a customer for about 3 years now and this place is usually on point with their service. I recommend eating in, (although they do offer pickup and delivery) the quality of the food is much better straight out of the kitchen. Not to mention you receive exemplary service and the pita is freshly made. It reaches your table piping hot and soft (pita isn't offered to go). There have been mistakes when ordering out and there isn't much you can do at that point.
The restaurant itself is stunning, very beautifully Mediterranean themed. I usually get chicken tikka
The restaurant itself is stunning, very beautifully Mediterranean themed. I usually get chicken tikka
Simran K.
Nov 07, 2021
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The food here is vast and worth it. You're welcomed by some Pickles, Pita Chips, and Cold Mezze(s) for the table which is an ideal starter tool to get you going. We went as a large group of work friends for a weekday lunch and to order we had pillow-y, warm pita to go with the fresh Hummus, Baba Ganoush and Garlic dips. The rest we ordered were the Mixed Grill and the Seafood Grill. The first of the two grills came with a mountain of orange and yellow Rice and with a wide array of meats lying atop: lamb chops, lamb kebabs, chicken chunks, beef, and roasted veggies. The Seafood Grill was also
Faten Alabed
Nov 03, 2021
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Visited Chicago for a couple days and heard this place was a must so we had to try it…. My entire family which was a party of 20+ was there and every person was pleased with the service! the waitress Layla was the sweetest and handled us very well since we such a big party, the food was amazing plus the chnafa made fresh and the ambience of the place was great. The staff was very kind and respectful would definitely recommend to go here!!
Tas O.
Nov 03, 2021
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I was not expecting the chicken kabob to be this good.
Let me start off by saying there's nothing like Arab hospitality.
Our niece was causing a mess and when we asked to clean up the waiter said "don't worry about anything you just sit and enjoy your time that's what we're here for" in more or less wordsZ of course it sounds better in Arabic but the kindness is unmatched.
I'm mad my cousins didn't tell them it was my birthday!!!
They do a wonderful birthday celebration for their guests. The desert topped with a sparkler candle. They play happy birthday
Let me start off by saying there's nothing like Arab hospitality.
Our niece was causing a mess and when we asked to clean up the waiter said "don't worry about anything you just sit and enjoy your time that's what we're here for" in more or less wordsZ of course it sounds better in Arabic but the kindness is unmatched.
I'm mad my cousins didn't tell them it was my birthday!!!
They do a wonderful birthday celebration for their guests. The desert topped with a sparkler candle. They play happy birthday
Sherif Mohamed
Oct 29, 2021
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Dina Usman
Oct 28, 2021
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Tigra C.
Oct 22, 2021
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The service was impeccable. The place is huge yet cozy. The food was freshly made and executed with excellence.
I made a vegan meal out of sides. Hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, rice, and sambussa were all excellent. I wish the sambussas came with a spicy dipping sauce, but it doesn't come with any sort of sauce. My waiter was nice enough to bring me some hot sauce, which went fine with them.
Their fried potatoes were boring and definitely not batata hara, so I'll skip this dish next time.
I'm just really impressed with how great the wait staff is here. That, coupled with the
I made a vegan meal out of sides. Hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, rice, and sambussa were all excellent. I wish the sambussas came with a spicy dipping sauce, but it doesn't come with any sort of sauce. My waiter was nice enough to bring me some hot sauce, which went fine with them.
Their fried potatoes were boring and definitely not batata hara, so I'll skip this dish next time.
I'm just really impressed with how great the wait staff is here. That, coupled with the
Sara Wazir
Oct 20, 2021
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Tim M.
Oct 10, 2021
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Ron A.
Oct 08, 2021
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Sam D.
Aug 23, 2021
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Delicious, delicious!!! This was a trip we took from the Southeastern US to vacation in Chicago and we wanted to find a good, authentic middle eastern restaurant to try. This was definitely it! The food was all spot on!!! The shawarma sandwich was so fresh and fantastic. The mixed grill had very high quality meat very well cooked, nothing was dry or bland. They keep coming around with fresh Turkish coffee (and it was nice and authentic). We are so happy we came here, the staff were all so welcoming and hospitable. This place is a must for either locals or visitors!
Zack Z.
Jul 27, 2021
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Amazing taste, presentation, value, service, and atmosphere. I highly recommend getting the mixed platters here to get a taste of everything, since every item stood out in its own way. But if you are only going to try a few items, the must tries are the labanah (yogurt spread), baba ghanoush (eggplant), kufta kebab, and shish kawook (chicken).
Warda Shafi
Jul 11, 2021
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Totally worth the hype. I had Eid lunch at this location, with my friends.We enjoyed the mixed platter with smoothies.Each and every dish tasted divine.The smoothies, the coffee, the salad were just the cherry on top.This place is very welcoming and the staff is gentle and accomodating.I cannot wait to come back for more.
Sara A.
May 17, 2021
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I always get excited about visiting Chicago because I'll get to go to Al Bawadi! As always, the vibes are amazing-nice taste of Middle Eastern hospitality and culture. The food is spectacular and the knafeh is even better! I don't know their secret, but it's honestly the best knafeh i've had. The owner was really nice, and he told us all about how he started up his Bawadi venture. So nice talking to him!
