Have been meaning to post that we've visited Dawali a couple of times recently (the first as a "lets try something other than Salam" & the second as a followup "is it as really good as we think it is or were we just too ravenous to notice?").

Both times we've really enjoyed the food, with only one or two slight misfires. The main one was similar to the last post - I'm not sure why, the classic shawarma just didn't do it for us. I much preferred the falafel my companion ordered & the chicken shawarma I tried on our return visit. In retrospect a healthy dose of lemon & onions might have helped, as the lamb/beef mix was just a bit too one note & "eh" for me. The other slight misfire was the overly rich, sweet & too large portion of knafeh, it simply overwhelmed us after every thing else we'd eaten & we couldn't finish even one portion between us.

We've loved pretty much everything else we've eaten there, particularly the baba ganoush, & coffee, & service has been wonderfully friendly each time too. Its clear that everything is incredibly fresh & prepared with a great deal of care.

One question - does one have to ask specifically for the olives & torshi plate? We've not been offered it on either visit & I assumed it simply wasn't available until I noticed it in the upthread pics (I'm used to it simply being brought to the table without asking in other restaurants).

It strikes me that Dawali is a classic candidate for GNR status & one I'd be happy to support.


(BTW, according to their website Dawali is offering a Easter brunch special next Sunday - reservations are required if anyone is interested).

Athena wrote:One question - does one have to ask specifically for the olives & torshi plate? We've not been offered it on either visit & I assumed it simply wasn't available until I noticed it in the upthread pics (I'm used to it simply being brought to the table without asking in other restaurants).

Typically comes to the table, though last time there I had to ask and then it came with only pickled turnip, no olives or cucumber pickle as in the past.

Torshi aside, I've become quite a fan of Dawali and its becoming a toss between Salam and Dalwali.

Enjoy,
Gary

A great meal as usual tonight - baba ghanoush, kibbeh, classic falafel and beef/lamb shawarma.

But more interesting is the outdoor dining area being set up on the east side of the parking lot, with covered seating and adorned with flower boxes. No, it's not Bistro Campagne or Resi's, but for those who insist on dining outside, it might just fit the bill. Note that it's not quite open yet . . . they're waiting for some warm weather to return.

I rarely get excited about chicken; I eat it maybe once a week, and it’s always fine, kind of like rice or butter, almost a staple, but usually just part of something else and thus easy to ignore and, sadly, rarely worthy of much attention. Last night, the chicken shawerma at Dawali, cut crisp from the frustum, broke through the noise and I found myself doing what I rarely do elsewhere: totally fixating on the crispy deliciousness of this fowl, which was caramelized from a few minutes on the gyroscopic meat pillar, moist without being the slightest bit mushy (a common complaint of mine re: chicken) and way more delicious than its beef-based brethren (which was also on the sampler plate, with kufta, also barely visible: as I only had eyes for the chicken).



The Wife’s favorite was galaya, which we had with lamb (also available with beef), a tomato-based stew that we smeared on pita.



I talked a little with Nassir, our host/Dawali owner, and he told me that they’re changing the menu again on May 1 (this is the second time this year they’re renovated their menu; the new one is already online, but they’re not actually serving everything from it yet). He said with a big smile that he’s (as noted) trying to carry little known colas, and for dinner I had a can of Vimto, a U.K. beverage over 100 years old, distributed by Ziyad Bros. in Cicero. Vimto tastes kind of like Dr. Pepper, with some herby notes and a lot of sugary berry flavors. It’s supposed to be very popular during Ramadan.



After dinner, I had a most excellent cup of Arabic coffee, flavored with cardamom – one of the best cups of joe I’ve had in a very long time.



Before dinner, The Wife and I had a cup of sage tea, which was also excellent. After dinner, we visited the nearby Middle Eastern grocery and found both the Vimto and the sage tea, sold loose.

Apropos of nothing, here’s a picture of a lady I shot on the way to Dawali.



“Beautiful bike and I dig those chaps,” I said, gesturing with my camera, signaling I wanted to take a pic. Pepper posed, then the light changed, and as she roared off she hooted, “Been riding for over 82 years!” The coolest.

Looks like "Pepper" may have been headed east on Lake & Pulaski towards the Biker Clubhouse I always
see on Lake @ Homan Ave.
I'm jus' sayin......

Hombre de Acero wrote:Looks like "Pepper" may have been headed east on Lake & Pulaski towards the Biker Clubhouse I always
see on Lake @ Homan Ave.
I'm jus' sayin......

Funny, The Wife speculated in the same vein.

My wife and I had another excellent lunch at Dawali today. My only complaint is that they never seem to have enough waitstaff to work the room. Today, there was one server and the room was quite full, including a lot of people who walked up to place a carry-out order. We finally decided that we'd never get our order in unless we also went to the counter to order. All of this was, thought, just a side note to an excellent meal.

Typically comes to the table, though last time there I had to ask and then it came with only pickled turnip, no olives or cucumber pickle as in the past.

We were there there earlier this week & figured out that its because they charge for the olives ($2, iirc).

OMG, I've seen "Pepper" around town, always dressed the same, usually west side. One of those folks about whom I'd like to know more of the story, like Street Yanni.

From "The Albany Park Post", Dawali is now offering outdoor seating.

If I am correct, they are the only restaurant on the Albany Park stretch of Kedzie that has outdoor dining.

This has been a public service announcement.

Best,
Michael

Yes- Dawali's certainly trying many new things.
From the menu changes- to the Outdoor Dining (OK- it's in the Parking Lot, across from The enclosed Dumpsters-
but it's "cute" & "cozy" according to the G.F.)
One of the great additions to Dawali (IMHO) is the best MiddleEastern waiter/standup comic/all-around great guy-"Abdul",
formerly of Salaam- pre renovation.
"Abdul" not only speaks fluent Palestinian Arabic, English, Spanish,
but after working in small neighborhood bodegas on The Far South Side,
speaks fluent "jive" as well.
We have always found our conversations with "Abdul" enlightening and entertaining- and
we were very upset when he was no longer at Salaam-the owner told us he was working on the South Side,
when in fact- he has been at Dawali since January!

Hombre,

Abdul (Albert) speaks Hebrew as well.

Evil Ronnie,
"Bauruch Hashem"
Let's go w/ multi-lingual "Abdul"
(I use the quotation marks, because his name in true Arabic is something longer and more complex)

But Abdul-is-Cool!
and s/b Nasser's new Marketing campaign!
WE GOT Abdul!- Abdul's Cool!

ATTENTION ALL YOU MIDDLE EASTERN COOKS/CHEFS=
Nasser is sponsoring a recipe contest- with the prize being gift certificates to his restaurant,
a Holiday Inn City Center room and a place on his new menu.

Details are on his website :
http://www.dawalikitchen.com/

Hurry- the contest ends on Wednesday the 30th of June,2010~

Yippee... two LTH posters (me and josephine) are going head to head with our recipes this Thursday. Come out to sample the goods and see who comes out victorious!

What time is The Taste-OFF?

A couple of "vital" suggestions regarding Dawali.

I was there yesterday with my wife, who craves their falafel after a long day vending for Tomato Mountain at the Lincoln Sq Market. I like their schwarma a lot. I wanted something somewhat between a sandwich and a full plate. I've had the schwarma w/hummous, and although I love the presentation of the hummous circle, I do not much like their hummous. I asked instead for the off menu combo of fattoush w/shwarma.

Now, Abdul said "chicken", but I said beef (as I like the beef a lot). Right before the order, I was looking at the chicken cone, and it struck me that he was right. And he was. I'm glad I changed the order to chicken. Abdul, of course, added that he always has his salad with the chicken. It really is a nice combo, both filling and re-freshing.

But for one thing. In fact, I almost wrote this up yesterday in the "best things eaten" thread. I really liked my salad a lot, the interplay of dressing, crunch and spiced, warm meat. Except it was dreadfully flawed. Awful tomatoes. So, here's the second suggestion. I had in the car, a box of over-ripe tomatoes I picked up at the market for a song. I should have gone BYOT, and Abdul actually encouraged me to do that next time, saying they'd be happy to wash and prep my produce. I just might bring in all the vegetables next week, letting them supply the spices, dressing, shwarma and crispies.

Anyone want to join me.

Hombre de Acero wrote:What time is The Taste-OFF?

They told me to be there at 6pm... not sure I can even get there that early after work. I have no idea how long it is supposed to last. I don't even understand how the evening is supposed to play out. There hasn't been much information given, other than an announcement of the contest and an email to the winners asking them to be there at 6pm. I sort of wish that I was the one doing the cooking as I know the measurements that I think are good for recipe. But, I trust the chefs.

If not for the Green City BBQ happening at the same time, I'd be there cheering on both members of team LTH.

Now they said it starts at 7pm, and it's judged by a panel... so probably no free grub. Boo.

EVENT CANCELED!


But... it looks like I'm the winner!!



Stop in and try my creation for the next 3 months....




The Sultan Sandwich

Pita filled with Chicken Shawerma, two cut up falafel balls, spoonful of both Masaka and Village Salad, and a dollop of hummus -- hot sauce and tahini sauce available on request

Congratulations on your win, soltro79! I will gladly order a Sultan sandwich next time I stop by!

For the curious, my suggestion was Dawali poutine: hot fries, topped with crumbled feta and kofte, briefly broiled to melt feta a bit, and drizzles with tahini, garlic, and hot sauce.

^ see, that sounds bad ass too!

I almost wish they would have included the 5 finalists onto the menu for a month and then the overall sales would have determined the winner. I would REALLY love to try that poutine. That's all I'm saying.

Vital Information wrote: So, here's the second suggestion. I had in the car, a box of over-ripe tomatoes I picked up at the market for a song. I should have gone BYOT, and Abdul actually encouraged me to do that next time, saying they'd be happy to wash and prep my produce. I just might bring in all the vegetables next week, letting them supply the spices, dressing, shwarma and crispies.

Anyone want to join me.

Is this an open invitation?

tarte tatin wrote:

Vital Information wrote: So, here's the second suggestion. I had in the car, a box of over-ripe tomatoes I picked up at the market for a song. I should have gone BYOT, and Abdul actually encouraged me to do that next time, saying they'd be happy to wash and prep my produce. I just might bring in all the vegetables next week, letting them supply the spices, dressing, shwarma and crispies.

Anyone want to join me.

Is this an open invitation?

Yes

REB will be there as well. I will post something soon on the events board.

Vital Information wrote:

tarte tatin wrote:

Vital Information wrote: So, here's the second suggestion. I had in the car, a box of over-ripe tomatoes I picked up at the market for a song. I should have gone BYOT, and Abdul actually encouraged me to do that next time, saying they'd be happy to wash and prep my produce. I just might bring in all the vegetables next week, letting them supply the spices, dressing, shwarma and crispies.

Anyone want to join me.

Is this an open invitation?

Yes

REB will be there as well. I will post something soon on the events board.

Due to a little lake accident, I am unable to make lunch today at Dawali. Will try to schedule a BYOT fattosh salad lunch for next Tuesday.

I don't know if I've just had bad luck or if there is a separate kicthen for Dawali's delivery service. I've never eaten in the restaurant, but my 4-5 delivery experiences don't come close to measuring up to most of descriptions in this thread. The baba ganoush has been way too tahini-laden for my tastes, and the falafel have been underseasoned and pale compared to the bright green in one of the pictures upthread. The one time I ordered shawarma, it was very dry, though I blamed that mostly on the nearly 2-hours it took them to deliver it to me. I liked the hummus a lot.

I had a very nice lunch today @ Dawali.

When we asked Nassir (owner extraordinaire) what his soup de jour was: he replied- "Friki(also spelled Freekeh)"- a soup made with green wheat and ground lamb.
Who knew, that such flavor could exist in ONE bowl of soup??!

The green wheat has a texture similar to bulghur, along with a rich smokey/nutty flavor that is quite unique
(to me.....) the balance of the grain and small bits of the ground lamb is perfect- if not sublime.
Friki is apparently a Pan- Levithan food- served all throughout the region from Syria >Lebanon down thru Israel.

While having a broad ranging discussion of all things food with the amiable and EXTREMELY knowledgeable Nassir (just try him!) he revealed
his newest venture- the opening of DAWALI Mediterranean Kitchen on N.Halsted- just opposite the Steppenwolf Theatre!
He will plan on opening around March- and serve the same wonderful, perfectly prepared Middle Eastern food he does so well- with a bit more
emphasis on Entrees- as opposed to sandwiches and wraps. He knows that the pre-Theatre crowd can be demanding- but he will be prepared-
So, next time you go to either The Royal George Theatre or Steppenwolf or CB2 - look forward to having the same great food direct from Albany Park-
now served in LINCOLN PARK!
(best part??- the prices- will still be Albany Park prices!)

OH- and one more data point- if you ever need a quantity of Merguez Sausage for an event- call Nassir.
Being that he used to be a butcher- making sausage is second nature to him.
When I happened to enquire if he used real "Harrissa" in his sausage- he smiled and calmy replied - "we make our own"!! How can you not like a man like that??!
(a certain Noble Square restaurant uses Merguez that he provides- )

Mid-March opening planned
1625 N. Halsted
Chicago,IL.60614

now serving- with snow free parking!
4911 N. Kedzie
Chicago,IL 60625
773.267.4200

Dawali Data Point.

Chef Nasir now spoils our Troops prior to deployment.

This past weekend I watched the manager (Andy) at Dawali loading up lots of foil wrapped food trays, into a waiting vehicle.
Some of the huge trays looked about "animal carcass size"- so I later inquired- "A Catering Job" ?
Turns out there's a Marine Training base nearby Dawali- and before they send the Troops off to The MiddleEast-
the Marines want the troops to "know" what Middle Eastern food(s) taste like- what a "special meal" of
roasted goat tastes like- because many of the recruits have no prior knowledge/experience with foods from "foreign lands".....
call it "acculturation"- or "lengual basic training"- or whatever you care to call it- I found it quite interesting....the fact that Chef Nasir's Dawali cuisine
is a Gateway to flavors our troops encounter in serving The US's mission(s).

Once, Chef Nasir noted that many of the ethnic restaurants in the US- appeared once troops had "tasted the foods of faraway lands"-
eg. How many Vietnamese restaurants were in Chicago prior to the Vietnam Conflict?
How many sushi joints were there prior to our occupation of Japan in WW2?
Something that I had never thought of before he spoke of that-
kinda made me go .................hmmmmmmmmmmm??!!

Hombre de Acero wrote:Turns out there's a Marine Training base nearby Dawali-

Minor clarification - there's a Marine Corps Reserve Training Center (3034 W Foster).

That's a very nice thing for Chef Nasir to do, kudos to him.