The Best Middle Eastern Restaurants to Try in Chicago’s Southwest Suburbs | Eater Chicago

"Al Bawadi means the Bedouins, a nomadic Arabic culture that is reflected in the decor (which mostly comes from Palestine) of patterned furs, embroidered tapestries, lamps, and keffiyehs everywhere. Al Bawadi is also one of the most beloved Arab restaurants in the area, most well-known for generously portioned grilled meat platters (get the quail platter or the popular mixed grill with shishkabob, kufta kabob, and chicken tawook kabob). But the shawarma sandwiches and mezze, including baba ghanouj, house-made pickles, muthawama (garlic and potato dip), and batata harra (spicy potatoes), are also favorites. The sayadieh (a seafood dish popular in Gaza) is also great and hearty here, with the surprising, but delicious, addition of fried fish instead of grilled. Top off your night with a dessert of knafeh with mint tea. A second location opened in 2019 in north suburban Niles and the new restaurant Al-Bahaar opened in Orland Park this year, with a focus on Palestinian seafood." - Nylah Iqbal Muhammad