Abouandre, a Lebanese take out restaurant, has opened at 60 East Jackson.
http://www.abouandre.com/menu.phpI had a dish called Qawarma, which is ground lamb and beef over hummus. The meat was well seasoned, had been nicely crisped in a pan, the hummus mild but good, and the toasted pine nuts and excellent touch.
The dish also came with a side of two falafil, which were fresh out of the fryer, but not to my taste. This is a different style than I've had. I can't describe the difference, and they might work well in a sandwich, but just to eat straight up, they didn't do it for me.
They also provided Lebanese pita, which is the thin bread used in wraps. It came right out of a package and could have used some warming up or something to soften it a bit.
I may return to try more of their meat dishes and salads, but Oasis Cafe is equa-distant, and I don't they they can match what Oasis Cafe turns out.
However, with the opening of Falafil, this place, Freshii and the soon to be opened Pret A Manger on Michigan, the East Loop lunch options have taken a turn for the better.
Jonah