Taza Cafe in the Loop - New

Taza Cafe opened up on Franklin Street in the Loop a few weeks ago and after having been there a few times now, I'd have to give it two thumbs up. I have had their Shawarma Chicken sandwich, a Turkey sandwich, and combination plate with chicken. All of the dishes I've had are above average, and I'm very impressed with the quality of all the items. The chicken is well-seasoned, the warm & soft pita is the best I've had in quite some time, and their pita chips are very tasty, with a nice seasoning on them. Have not yet had the salads, which look ample for a full lunch.

From an operational standpoint, the service has been brisk in these early weeks and the owner is very conscious of his guests' needs. I have had to wait a few minutes when I've ordered chicken but the wait was not that long. Otherwise, the service and friendliness is above average.

Taza Cafe Mediterranean Cuisine
176 N. Franklin Street
Chicago

Sounds like this is a reopening of the place that used to be on the corner of Wabash and Monroe. The fresh baked pitas were clearly the highlight. At the old place, I liked the sandwiches and salads, no so much the chicken.

Jonah

I've been a couple of times and I think they're doing a pretty good job. I get the shawarma plate with a side order of falafel (which they'll sometimes toss in for free). Good pitas, and overall much better than Haifa Cafe which was my former option for this type of lunch.

I work right near Taza and have been there twice since it opened. Had the chicken schwarma, which is pretty good although a little bit greasy. Also tried a chef's salad with the chicken tenders on top. The chicken tenders are awesome. The vinaigrette could use some improvement. Everything there looks fresh and well-prepared. Next time I'm trying the roast turkey and the taboulleh.

does the chicken taste the same?

This is my #1 go-to place for lunch in the Loop. The lentil soup is amazing, heaty and hearty, and they weren't kidding about the no-broth-no-oil. I love their 40-cent/pc. green falafel too, and can pretty much make a lunch of it as follows: $1.99 soup, 5 pcs falafel. = $2. They'll even throw in tahini sauce if you ask.

I don't think a better lunch for under $5 exists in the loop, or possibly in Chicago. I'm not so good at raving though - google "loop lunch" and the #1 result is the raves on Yelp! for this place.

Unrelated: Anyone review the sandwich place next door? How about the bar with $3 pints of Goose Island a few doors down?

Around the office I've been getting people hooked on the concept of Falafel Friday, which for me usually means a visit to Oasis Cafe. This past Friday, a coworker suggested that we visit Taza instead, it having been her go-to falafel joint when she worked in that part of the Loop.

I had the veggie combo, which is my normal order at Oasis. At Taza, this is falafel balls, pita, hummus, Jerusalem salad, and sides of tahini and hot sauces. The falafel balls themselves were hot and fresh - slightly dry interior, but had a nice herbal quality to them. Not my favorite, but not bad. The hummus was more like a gritty chickpea puree, with no noticeable tahini flavor. The Jerusalem salad was ok - dressed with what appeared to be the same herbed tahini dressing that the falafel came with. The pita was dry and bland.

Overall, I wasn't very happy with my meal. I'll be sticking with Oasis from here on out.

-Dan

Stopped in today for the first time - not bad at all.
I had the gourmet falafel sandwich and it was pretty darn good for $5.

Later this week I'm gonna try the chicken shawarma sandwich and report back.
I definitely have a new spot to add to the rotation.

I work very close and find myself here out of convenience more than anything else. I enjoy the lentil soup, falafel (especially when fresh) and dark turkey, but everything else is mediocre. I find all their chicken options hopelessly dry and their pita tastes like it came from Jewel. A lentil soup and a couple pieces of falafel are the way to go.

Great lentil soup!!

I'm still a fan of their falafel, but I also think they do a great turkey sandwich. I get a mix of dark and white meat with everything on it (plus a pickle and their spicy sauce). Definitely makes for a good lunch.