Best Fattoush salad in albany park?

I love going to albany park to get my middle eastern meal cravings met. But many of my favorite spots don't serve a passable fattoush salad. Taste of Lebanon is somewhat nearby albany park, and it was there I first tried a fattoush salad, but I've grown weary of their soggy pita chips that get overwhelmed by the sumac and too much liquid lemon juice. I've had horrible fattoush salads at Dawali (so sour it wasnt even edible to me) and Salaam (very below average imo) and so if anyone can recommend a decent Fattoush in this neighboorhood since there are so many options I'd really appreciate it. These days I have to go to Salaam for the hummus and pita (by far my favorite hummus spread, very creamy and complex,) and Dawali for their schwarmas (very crisp with burnt edges and just enough tang) and also I guess I'll have to go to another joint for a decent Fattoush Salad. I like to end my trips here with a stop to the bakery next to Dawali, (sorry forgot their name) so once I find a decent Fattoush Salad it will be a FOUR STOP food trip in albany park, haha.

Semiramis, hands down.
The fattoush salad from Salam is my least favorite thing I've had from them.

I agree with the Semiramis rec . . . but I have also enjoyed Dawaili's version on a couple of occasions, just not as much. I haven't found Dawali's version to be as sour as described.



edited to correct typo

Semiramis is good but Al-Khaymeih makes perhaps my favorite version.

Al-Khaymeih
4748 North Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 583-0999‎

I like the Semiramis fattoush topped w/ their chicken shwarma.

Also, sadly, last time I was up that way (maybe a month ago?), Pita House Bakery (which I believe is the one mentioned in the OP right next to Dawali) was closed, the storefront completely empty. When I lived in the area, I'd often take my kids there on a Saturday morning and load up on various treats for a sort of middle-eastern brunch.

ahhhh Fattoush-
The perfect Summer Salad.
(not that Gazpacho isn't the shizzzle this time o' year!)
(especially a Bloody Mary-ized Adult Cocktail version- )

I will have to concur w/ SteveZ's pick- Al Khaymeih's is the best- but-
an important production note - a "proper" Fattoush
to my point of view is one w/OUT
The Lettuce!
Many, may disagree - but my main man "Jihad"- a very funny actor/architect from The Cedars of Lebanon,
claims the "sans lettuce" version as "authentic".
To further validate my claim- My Lebanese cookbook (written by Anissa Helou-ISBN 0-312-13111-9 ) actually has TWO versions, the second
being with the addition of lettuce.
Her "Fattoosh" (her spelling) calls for Parsley and Mint leaves and Purslane leaves as "sharper" notes- with the powdered sumac and the lemon
juice providing the sour -with more crunch from scallions and radishes along with the tomato and cukes.
The key though- is to add the toasted pita LAST to the salad- and serve it immediately.
Also, Anissa Helou notes that coating the toasted Pita with the Olive Oil and sumac first- acts as a sealant against sogginess.

Once, while checking out The MiddleEastern restaurant scene in Dearborn Michigan- I had to send back our Fattoush salad
that was mistakenly served with lettuce. After much debate with the waiter- I pulled my "lifeline" and put in a call
to" Jihad"-The-Actor/Architect in LA- to explain in Arabic, the "right" way to serve Fattoush!
They're still talking about me.
In Arabic.