Falafel in the Loop

Anyone know any places in or near the Loop (other than, say, Greektown) where I can find good falafel?

I was just in California and was spoiled by Falafel's Drive In. Now I'm downtown, it's cold and rainy, and I'm still craving falafel.

Some ideas:

Brians Juice Bar & Deli
80 E Lake St

Brian's has pretty good falafel and shwarma... fresh fixins and if you're into the juice thing, definitely one of the better fresh juice selections downtown.


Jaffa Bagels
Illinois Center (Lake/Michigan)

Inside the Illinois center concourse, they have good falafel and nice fresh roasted turkey sandwiches and big ol roast turkey legs.

Some others ideas pulled from http://www.Lunchintheloop.com :

Haifa Cafe

* 163 N Wells St
(312) 332-0063

* 318 W Adams St
(312) 346-2288

* 19 N Wells St
(312) 214-1144

* 410 S Clark St
(312) 235-9000

Oasis Cafe
21 N Wabash Ave

I have been to Oasis at one point, I believe its back in a store on Jewelers Row. Been awhile tho.

I've never once seen Haifa's falafel fried to order. So I'd say don't even bother.

-ed

i just had a falafel sandwich & super tasty yellow lentil soup from Haifa.

it's true, the falafel are made in advance, but they do that at sultan's market, too. i can't remember how oasis works, but IMO haifa is pretty darn good & much closer to my office at washington/franklin.

miss ellen

Down in the lower level of the State of Il bldg, there is a husband/wife proprietor. The wife cooks and handles the cash register. You can get felafel there and real lemonade. I think the Oasis went out of business. I stopped by there a year or so ago and was surprised to see their space boarded up. They were Egyptian. They had the best felafel!

CoolerbytheLake recommends Sinbad's over on Chowhound, though it's a bit north of the Loop:

CoolerbytheLake wrote:If you're lunching in the area on a budget, head up State Street to Sinbad's for an amazingly good shawarma, kebob and falafel special with rice and pita for $4.95. I can't believe this place doesn't have lines out the door daily.

Sinbad's
909 N. State
312-335-1435

I second the vote for Sinbad's (though not in the Loop.) This place is fresh, fast and tasty. And a falafel sandwich is under $4.50

I'd recommend Petra's, on the E side of Franklin between Jackson and Van Buren. Pretty good middle eastern, and many dishes are actually fresh to order, though I haven't tried the felafel yet.

I will second Petra. The have a delicious and filling falafel sandwhich ($3.25) and wonderful lentil soups (often two different ones)

Skip the chicken shawerma - bland at best.

i agree, haifa is worst i have ever had

This thread did compel me to try the felafel sandwich at Petra's last week. The sandwich was good, but the felafel was not fresh fried to order. Could've used a bit more tahini IMHO.

Definitely try Oasis. Not just the milieu, but above average vittles esp. for Das Loop.

Old Jerusalem
1411 N Wells
Chicago

http://www.planet99.com/chicago/restaurants/1958.html

my husband is middle eastern and says its some of the best falafel in the states.

Couscous on Taylor.