Is Steve's shish-kebab house closed for good? [Yes]

Prior to going down to Steve's today, I gave him a call to check hours. A recording answered with the "This number is disconnected. No further information is available." Please tell me that Steve's isn't gone...

Moderator Edit
Relocated to
Steve's Shish Kabob
10719 S Roberts Rd
Palos Hills, IL 60465
708-974-3530

I cannot speak to what's happening specifically; perhaps they are on vacation, but I know a few years ago (already) Steve told me that he was closing up his south side location and re-opening in Naperville. Since a few years have passed since that announcement, I've slightly dismissed it. Maybe it has come to be...

Hopefully, someone will have more to post soon.

Hi,

Not at Steve's, but at another restaurant, I got the very same message recently. I contacted a poster who lived nearby who went to the location to find it open. I will wait on the RIP declaration until someone has an opportunity to go there.

Regards,

Anyone been to Steve's lately? I contacted his nephew a while back when this post was up, but he was still trying to find out (guess they don't stay in touch).

I tried taking my cousin there today -- The doors were locked, the lights were on, and the door was newspapered. From what I could see between the taped-up pages, the place looked gutted--all the tables and chairs were gone.
I don't know if they're simply remodeling or gone for good. This would be very disappointing, as I only discovered this place a few months ago and live approximately 2 miles from it.

I just called and the number is being reported as 'Out of Service'?!?

Steve's Shish Kabob
3816 W 63rd St
Chicago, 60629
(773) 581-8920

Maybe this should be added onto the pre-existing alarm:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=86845#86845

Thanks!

Aww man!

I stopped by again today to check what is going on. Place is still gutted. I stopped into the Mexican restaurant next door and asked them if the place is gone for good. They confirmed it was, and the Mexican restaurant will be expanding into Steve's Shish Kebab space. I also asked if maybe they knew whether Steve left the restaurant business for good, or if he's planning to reopen somewhere else, but they didn't know.

Incidentally, the Mexican place (whose name I don't remember) actually had huitlacoche/cuitlacoche quesadillas on the menu (as well as hongo and flor de calabaza.) I don't think I've ever seen huitlacoche the menu of a typical Mexican joint here on the Southwest Side. I had one and it was pretty good. I don't really have anything to compare it to, as I've only had huitlacoche quesadillas once before, and I was too inebriated to remember how they tasted. These, however, were pretty packed with corn smut, and it didn't taste fungus-y or earthy as I expected it to. In fact, it was mildly sweet with clove or allspice notes to it.

Well, with the sad news of Steve's closing, we do have the good news that La Quebrada (currently La Quebrada Express) will be expanding.

La Quebrada is an excellent local chain.

gleam wrote:Well, with the sad news of Steve's closing, we do have the good news that La Quebrada (currently La Quebrada Express) will be expanding.

La Quebrada is an excellent local chain.

Yep, that's it. La Quebrada. I'll have to check them out a little more in depth next time, when I have time to sit and eat. I've always meant to try the flor de calabaza (squash blossom) quesadillas, but have never gotten around to it.

Here's it's GNR nomination thread, with lots of links to other threads and suggestions on house specialties.

Enjoy!

Amata and I have eaten in that branch of La Quebrada and it was good, but Steve's was very good and stood out doubly on account of its southside location. Oh well...

Antonius

Word on the street (according to a Middle Eastern patron at Pepe's on 63rd who claimed to neighbor Steve and his wife) is that Steve's Shish will open this year in a new location somewhere between 103rd and 107th and Robert's Road. Take that for what you will--let's just hope the rumors are true.

Binko wrote:Word on the street (according to a Middle Eastern patron at Pepe's on 63rd who claimed to neighbor Steve and his wife) is that Steve's Shish will open this year in a new location somewhere between 103rd and 107th and Robert's Road. Take that for what you will--let's just hope the rumors are true.

That area could use Steve's. I used to have a client that would have been right there (they've since moved to Des Plaines) and, other than a Greek owned pancake house, there's not much in the immediate area. there used to be a German deli that sold sandwiches, but I beilieve they closed some years ago.

I'm the one who heard about it, the person said he knew Steve and his wife. He wasn't sure where on Roberts Road exactly, just between 103rd and 107th. He seemed a little loaded, but knew what he was talking about.

Yesterday, I happened to be driving down Roberts Road in Palos Hills and saw Steve's Shish Kebabs in a strip mall on the SE corner of 107th and Roberts Rd. It appeared to be open.

I will probably try it this weekend. Any recommendations from people who liked the old location?

Glenn

glennpan wrote:Yesterday, I happened to be driving down Roberts Road in Palos Hills and saw Steve's Shish Kebabs in a strip mall on the SE corner of 107th and Roberts Rd. It appeared to be open.

I will probably try it this weekend. Any recommendations from people who liked the old location?

Glenn

Thanks for the spotting!

What's good? Well, am I not on record saying everything's good? OK, if I think about it, the BBQ lamb chops were not that good, kinda a cross-between the Middle-East and the Gale Street Inn. Otherwise...

The kefta's always good, the shwarma's about as good as anywhere around here, love the lamb shanks, love anthing stuffed, love anything pilaf-ish. So, yeah, I love about everything. Really, what I love is the totality of the package; the relish, the side of hummous (some of the best again), the soup, the veg. Do report.

I second what VI said - hooray for Steve's. The only problem is that Steve's was my standard stop before or after picking up kids at Midway, and this new location is not too convenient for that.

What's the lamb in yogurt and lemon dish? That is really good.

At one time, I worked just a block from Steve's. My favorite lunch was the hummous with shwarma meat. I agree w/VI - the hummous was the best I've ever had.

The new location of Steve's is:

Steve's Shish Kabab
10719 S. Robert Rd.
Palos Hills, IL 60465

I went there tonight with UniAddict. The food is still as good as ever. The new location is much cheerier (read: has windows) than than the old one, and is about the same size. There are eight tables in the dining area. The waitress (I forget her name, but it's the same lady who's worked with Steve for the last 20 years) reports that business is bustling and they've had lines out the door the first few weeks they were open, something they've never really had at their 63rd Street location. She informed me that the closing of the 63rd Street place was a bit of surprise--they just went on vacation and Steve decided to "retire." Three months later, he decided he couldn't be away from his food, and decided to reopen, finally setting on a place in Palos Hills.

Anyhow, the place seems to be doing really well, the menu looks the same, and the lamb shish kababs are as amazing as ever. Apparently, the first three days they were open, they had an expanded menu, but due to their popularity and crowds, they've reverted back to their basic menu. And, yes, they've still got mensef on the menu, although I didn't try it this time 'round.

Enjoy.

This was a fine middle eastern experience and I plan to go a lot more. I wasn't very hungry but the flavor was so good I ate more than I should have anyway. Everything was extremely fresh and is made to order. My main meal was the shawarma sandwich. It was stuffed with a considerable amount of beef, and for its current price of $3.95, it is one of the bargains on the menu.

Steve's simply "rocks"

Mike

I suppose if forced to choose a favorite Middle Eastern restaurant I would have chosen Steve's so I was terribly disappointed when it closed. It was great to hear it reopened and last week I joined Pigmon and Trixie Pea for dinner at the new location.

As Binko said the menu is similar (right down to Gaza Salad Hot!! Hot!!) and the longtime waitress has returned. At first glance the menu seems a bit pedestrian but the care in cooking and quality of ingredients really elevate Steve's food.

Hummous

Steve's hummous, with its very appealing slightly bitter edge, has always been my favorite. The smoky baba-ghannooj was awfully fine also.

Kifta Bread

I don't think I ever ordered this at Steve's before but it's a terrific appetizer.

Chicken, Beef and Kifta Kebabs

All were good but the beef and especially the kifta were outstanding.

Cornish Hen

Well-seasoned but slightly dry, this was my least favorite dish of the evening but still better than most restaurant's. The allspice-scented, giblet-studded rice was very good.

Mensef

A big hunk of lamb on rice soaked in yogurt-based gravy, I consider this Steve's signature dish. One of my favorite plates in Chicago.

If you've been missing Steve's I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you've never visited you have a treat in store.

Steve's Shish Kabab
10719 S Roberts Rd (8000 W)
Palos Hills IL
708-974-3530

Wow! Great Eats!

Fridays are movie and dinner night for my bride and I and we have been taking to carry out and a rented movie due to many titles available for rent and many new places (to us at least) along the route from work to home.

Friday is was Steve's and the new James Bond movie.

The menu: A pair of Showerma sandwiches, an order of Mensef and a side of Hummous (for my bride, somewhat of an expert). (does anyone else notice the unusual spellings in the menu? regional?)

Showerma? Great! Linda was unable to eat more than a bite or two as she was full after other items and while I was not impressed at the first eating (being put off by the slightly sour flavor, somewhat like sauerbraten) but enjoyed it very much on Saturday for lunch. The meat, tender as it could be and the pickled onions and fresh vegetables a nice contrast.

The first time for us on this great sandwich and I am looking forward to having it again.

Mensef? Mmmm. A blade cut (with a large bone. Even the dog was happy today!) with some of the most tender meat. I ate my dinner with a spoon. The yogurt/saffron sauce topped with toasted almonds, creamy with a nice nutty crunch. The meat was not missed as I finished the large bed of rice. The thin piece of pita lining the bottom of the tray was a nice touch.

Hummous? Linda has been enjoying middle eastern food as she has had many a meal in various restaurants with her vegetarian daughter and she cannot heap enough praise on the flavor, texture and presentation. A nice balance of Tahini and Chickpeas with a sprinkle of paprika here and there to add color.

There were a few other items along with the meal. A tray of vegetables. Two cups of liquid did not recognize, some pico de gillo and 4 slices of heavenly pita.

The new place is very comfortable as I did not order until I arrived so I could soak up some of the ambiance. Nice natural wood cutouts on the walls, many brass and silver lanterns and hot beverage serving vessels and the collection of thank you notes and misc boxing and wrestling collectables.

You can peek into the kitchen and see Steve and his staff busily preparing the food and it was a delight to talk with Fran, an American waitress who followed him over from his old location.

Awesome! Thanks again to LTH for another unforgettable experience.

A short list of Unforgettable Experiences thanks to LTH...

Sol de Mexico
Xni-Pec
Sabatino's
Katy's Dumplings
H-Mart Food Court (Korean)

... and now Steve's Shish Kabab

(The Movie? Daniel Craig is no James Bond. )

Just called and tried to order for takeout...

No Showerma... it heats up the kitchen too much...
No Mensef... Steve was not in yet and he is the only one who can make it...

Oh boy.

Panther in the Den wrote:Just called and tried to order for takeout...

No Showerma... it heats up the kitchen too much...
No Mensef... Steve was not in yet and he is the only one who can make it...

Oh boy.

I think it was a slow night traditionally, I was early (4:00) and perhaps there was some vacationing going on.

I will not live without my Mensef and will change my habits to accommodate.

Life will be good...

Panther in the Den wrote:I think it was a slow night traditionally, I was early (4:00) and perhaps there was some vacationing going on.

Must have been. We ordered takeout there on Sunday at about the same time, and they had mensef and schwarma ready to go. Better luck next time!

Yay!!!

I called today and they had no problems with anything on my order!

Showerma, Mensef, everything...

I am soooo Happy!

We went today for lunch, I had some errands to do in that area anyway. We're glad we did, we loved it/

Service was a little on the slow side (but not horrible)-right after we ordered, a large group came in and were being kind of demanding. There was only one (overworked) waitperson, being helped by a teenage girl who looked really unhappy about being there.

We ordered sandwiches-I had the chicken kabob sandwich, my partner had the beef kabob. We also ordered the Gaza salad (Hot! Hot! was an overstatement).

The food was all really delicious. It was some of the best chicken I've had in a middle eastern place. The Gaza salad was way beter than I thought it would be (although not hot at all), and they brought us hummous on the house to apologize for the slow service. That was also really good.
Portions were huge, we took food home.

We will definately go back. Not only is it close to Beverly, where we live, it was really good and inexpensive as well. We're looking forward to ordering off the dinner menu instead of sandwiches next time.