King Tut, Egyptian [Pictures]

Old King Cole was a merry old soul
And a merry old soul was he;
He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl
And he called for his fiddlers three.



Yes, I know, King Tut, but the restaurant should consider a rename as focus seems on Hookahs and entertainment, not what's on the plate, which is drearily average.

We started with bland lentil soup and doughy lavash that was immediately compared to flour tortillas of the type used in Big as your Head burritos.

Lentil Soup


Raheb Eggplant, grilled eggplant with fresh tomato, pepper and parsley was heavy on the palate, dull, with the saving grace of pomegranate syrup. Raw Kibbeh was unappetizing on a number of levels, particularly in comparison to the beautifully bright flavored version I recently had at Cederland in Dearborn Michigan.*

Raw Kibbeh (top), Raheb Eggplant


Grapes leaves, one dimensional and served ice cold, tasted straight out of a can, but not as good, Lamb Tongues, which I had high hopes for, were over marinated, though Lubia (green beans) were surprisingly tasty, even if the consensus was they were made with canned beans.

Grape Leaves, Lamb Tongue, Lubia


Sheik El Mahshi, eggplant stuffed with ground beef, were so salty as to mask any other aspect of flavor.

Sheik El Mahshi


Being a fan of basturma I gave King Tut's a go.....~sigh~......razor thin corned beef, I'm guessing Carl Buddig, low rent mozzarella on toasted lavash. If one called it a wrap and tossed in a few sprouts and avocado it might have been from the light entree section of Applebee's

Basturma Sandwich


In the pretty good, especially in comparison, department we have Falafel, Fried Kibbeh and the Lamb Kabob from the combination plate.

Fried Kibbeh



Falafel


Combination Plate


In addition to dried out chunks of chicken and beef there was the loneliest little lamb chop we'd ever seen.

Trixie-Pea takes pity on Lamb Chop


Service was fine, they brought ice and glasses for our drinks, the room was spacious and comfortable and everyone, aside from us, was smoking hookahs and seemed to be as unconcerned with the food as we were with the hookahs.

I'd imagine King Tut is quite the place on a rocking Saturday night, live music, dancing, smoking hookahs, and that a very good time could be had.

Enjoy
Gary

King Tut
3737 W Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60625
773-478-1888
http://www.kingtuthookah.com

*Post forthcoming

I pass by this place all the time and, what with the frequently snail-like traffic on Lawrence, have had many opportunities to peer through the front window. I never saw much that made me feel like I was missing out on much - nice to have it confirmed though sorry it was at your expense. Thanks for taking one for the team.

Thanks for the pics and commentary, Gary. Next time you're down at Seoul Corea or Uncle John's, duck into The Nile (next door to Seoul) to get the Tut meal out of your mind:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=16517

Looking great on the pledge drive tonight, by the way!

Has anyone been here recently?

Pie Lady wrote:Has anyone been here recently?

No, but Zahi Hawass has assured us that the King Tut Restaurant has not been stolen or damaged, and will be the centerpiece of the reopened dining corridor when the protesters - Anubis curse them - retreat from the Lawrence and Pulaski vicinity.