Middle Eastern Flair

Many of you probably remember Middle Eastern Flair when it was on Harlem. It closed after a dispute with its landlord, but has reopened at 8235 W. Irving Park Road (across the street from Bob-O's). One side of me wants to keep this place to myself. I've been eating there at least once a week for the last month and I can't get enough of it. But for the benefit of MEF's owners, I really should share this with the forum. While the food at Middle Eastern Flair is terrific, the falafel and rotisserie chicken in particular are standouts. Indeed, the very best falafel and rotisserie chicken I have ever tasted, anywhere, and I don't think it's even close.

You'll know you've arrived when you see the sign:







The biggest difference you'll notice about the new Middle Eastern Flair is that whereas the old location had at most a handful of stools at a counter, the new location has ample table seating, perhaps for more than 70 persons:






Just as with its old location, Middle Eastern Flair is a substantial middle eastern grocery store, with dry goods including spices and dates, a refrigerated/frozen section, and even some prepared foods to go (baba ghanoush, hummus, tabbouleh, homemade breads and more.








One huge aspect of Middle Eastern Flair's operation is the housemade breads. It is impossible to walk in there and not see them shaping and baking breads near the rear of the store, and there is a lot of bread to offer: pita, flatbread with various toppings such as za'atar, beef, cheese, spinach pies, etc. Here's a picture of some of the flatbreads on the counter:






And there's a large dessert case:






But I usually go to Middle Eastern Flair for lunch. Here's a look at the lunch and dinner menus:








I've had quite a bit of what Middle Eastern Flair offers-lamb/beef shawarma, chicken shawarma, flatbread with za'atar, chicken roll (seasoned chicken rolled up in a flatbread with sprinkled spices, possible za'atar), baba ghanoush, hummus, their regular rice and their special uzzie rice, which is rice with ground beef and lamb, vegetables, nuts and spices. Here's a look at the uzzie (albeit covered):






Their regular rice is terrific, but the uzzie is really special. I like their shawarma, but they've been in a soft opening phase for a month or so, business doesn't seem so strong, and I think this results in delicious but slightly dry meats. As business picks up, I suspect the quality of the shawarma will improve.

But again, the falafel, and I mean killer falafel. It's a chickpea-fava blend, aggressively spiced, always fried fresh to order (though they often have some sitting around that they hand you while you wait), light, fluffy, moist and simply the best damn falafel I have ever tried . . . we're talking the Simone Biles of falafel in terms of comparing to the next best falafel.








And then there's the chicken. After a couple of attempts at home to recreate this chicken at home, I asked the owner for his secret. While he won't give me the recipe, he did admit that it's not your typical Lebanese roast chicken. No, it's a combination of Lebanese and Polish (I've since learned his wife, who is always there cooking, assisting, helping customers) . . . and I think I'm getting close to grilled chicken nirvana at home.

But this chicken is fantastic (you know, like Palestinian chicken good in that Curb Your Enthusiasm episode). They offer a whole rotisserie chicken as well as 1/2 and 1/4 chickens. Good luck stopping at a quarter - it's that good. Take a look:






It's beautifully seasoned, and if you get it for lunch it'll come with rice, salad including pickles, a small side of hummus and some hot sauce.

Street parking is pretty easy over here, though they also have several diagonal spots on the side (on Pittsburgh).

Middle Eastern Flair
8235 W. Irving Park Road
773.589.3144
9am-9pm daily, except 10am-7pm Sundays*
***one menu suggests they open at 6am for breakfast, so call ahead.

There are two items I typically order at Middle Eastern Flair because they blow all other versions away: falafel and rotisserie chicken. But if they happen to offer the braised lamb (I've seen it there a couple of times lately), get it. They advertise it as having curry, but the curry flavor is light. Still, a rich sauce, incredibly tender and delicious lamb, carrots, potatoes, chickpeas, green peppers and onions. It's served with their usual rice. Anyway, this made for an absolutely fantastic lunch!