Hi,

Last night, I brought ten people to Steve's Shish Kebab for an early dinner. Prior to leaving, I read through this post to get an idea of best food choices. I was a bit dismayed by comments it was a bit expensive. These people are mostly non-food-centric, though they do respond well to good taste and better yet to good value. However, if they didn't like the food and it cost more than they thought it should, it wasn't going to be a lot of fun for me. It certainly can be dicey suggesting where to eat out.

For appetizers, I ordered hummous, baba ganoush and falafel plate plus Jerusalem Salad and Tabullah. For the main course, I settled on a double order of mensef, an order of Showerma and a platter mixed kabobs. Before ordering the kabobs, I inquired if anyone wanted chicken kabobs. Only one person spoke up, consequently I advised the waitress to bring a mixture of kabobs. Once the kabobs arrived, people were picking through for the chicken, largely avoiding the kifta and beef kabobs. They also avoided the showerma, which I especially liked. The few who tried the mensef were very pleased. I was beginning to regret suggesting family style, it was apparent there would be lots of leftovers of the non-chicken variety. A friend leaned over to advise I had nothing to apologize about, because she remembered clearly my inquiry about chicken.

As dinner continued with the chicken kabobs running out, they did begin exploring some of the other meats. Fortunately, they found them to their liking. Appreciative comments started to roll in, though there was still going to be quite a few leftovers. I pretty much held my breath until the bill arrived. It was just short of $115 and with a 20% tip we rounded it up to $140 or $14. per person. Now the beauty of the restaurant emerged with the range of interesting food and a qualified good deal, I could leave with my reputation intact.

Someone who left early, gave me $30 and promised to give me more once I knew the outcome. She was thrilled when I returned $16. A new convert, she fully intended to return with her staff sometime soon.

Regards,

I posted this on the Openings/Closing thread but it probably belongs here.

Stopped by Steve's Shish-Kebob House Saturday afternoon, despite no answer when we tried calling. We could tell right off that something strange was going on: dark, not a single diner, screaming kids in the kitchen. When a woman emerged we asked if they were open and she said yes. We hesitatingly placed a to-go order. Then we had this brief conversation:

Me: Does Steve still own this place?
Other: No.
Other: Yes but he doesn't come in.
Other: Well, he may start coming in.

Wish we had this heart to heart before placing the order. The pita was rock hard and nothing tasted good.

Does anyone know what's going on?

In another Steve's thread Panther in the Den wrote:Bad news (but not surprising)...

Steve's Shish Kabob
10719 S Roberts Rd, Palos Hills
(708) 974-3530

... has closed.

I was going to stop in and decided to call before and the phone was disconnected and a drive by confirmed. It looks recent as the tables, chairs and many of the decorations were still in place but the sign was down and a for lease sign was up in the window.

Not surprising due to the quality and success of the other spots in the hood. While their food is excellent it cannot match the chef's touch that Steve could impart.

It may not be surprising that Steve's in Palos Hills closed but some might be surprised to learn that Steve had recently returned to 63rd Street. Starting in the early 1980s Mustafa "Steve" Adawi ran two different Steve's Shish Kabab restaurants on 63rd before relocating to the southwest suburbs. I understand he hated commuting to the suburbs and was happy when he found another place on 63rd. Unfortunately we found it too late, as it had already closed.

December 2012


It was definitely the same operation—note the "Mustafa" above the door and on the storefront. The menu posted on the window still promised Gaza salad (yes, "Hot!!! Hot!!!") and mensef. A handful of Yelp mentions suggest Steve's reopened late last spring. Sad to report, he was taken ill a few months ago and now the restaurant's name has changed.

March 2013


So it seems Steve's Shish Kabab is indeed gone, at least for the time being. Steve's mensef is irreplaceable but can anyone suggest an adequate substitute? For what it's worth, Kabab King Grill wasn't open on a recent Saturday afternoon, despite the Now Open sign.

Steve's Shish Kabob (closed)
4344 W 63rd St
Chicago

Kabab King Grill (status unclear)
4344 W 63rd St
Chicago