New/re-tooled Middle Eastern in Albany Park

[Note: edited earlier post to correct intersection]

Near the southwest corner of Lawrence and Kedzie (on Lawrence) there used to be a place that was very uninviting and from reports here (or on CH) not very good and almost suspiciously so bad that it could be a gambling front or something like that.

Anyway, there is a new banner convering the old sign and my girlfriend and I decided to give it a shot the other night. The interior hasn't changed so much but the people working there are very nice (outside of the cook who may have some anger-management issues to work out). We tried a combination plate and the Tuesday special, which is some sort of lamb dish.

The combination special wasn't bad. The kefta was good (and not overly clovey which is a plus for me), the chicken kabobs were decent but not amazing and the schwarma was a little better than average. I was pretty happy with the stews that we got with each meal. The lamb special (which had ok flavor but was pretty chewy and a little dry) came with a potato stew and the combo came with an okra stew. The okra stew on rice was outstanding.

Overall I can't say this place is really worth going out of your way for. The 24 hour place across the street (actually this place might be 24 hours too now that I think about it) is similar in many regards (the new place might be Iraqi too?) but has a lot more unique items on their menu. Of course, further investigation by somebody with more knowledge than me might find what sets this place apart and makes it worthwhile.