Al Basha restaurant

This place takes you to your hometown. Nostalgic memories. Our server (his name was Arab) was very kind & welcoming. The food portions are huge! Variety of options on the menu. Personally, I believe they could do more with seasoning/ more salt on the food as it was a tad bit bland .

I recently had the pleasure of dining at AL Basha Mediterranean Cuisine in Chicago, and it was an outstanding experience from start to finish. My server, Warda, truly went above and beyond in every aspect of her service. She was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, making me feel welcome and well cared for throughout my meal. The food arrived quickly and was served at the perfect temperature, highlighting the kitchen's efficiency and attention to detail. Every dish was a delight, bursting with flavor. The chicken, in particular, was seasoned to perfection, showcasing the authentic and rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. Portion sizes were generous, and the prices were very reasonable, offering excellent value for money. Every bite was a testament to the quality and skill of the chefs. Among all the restaurants I visited during my trip to Chicago, AL Basha stood out as the best. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience with superb food and exceptional service.

Absolutely love this place! The food is always delicious, and the prices are very reasonable. The staff are super friendly and kind, you always feel welcomed. Today, I forgot to order something over the phone, and when I asked for it in person, they kindly gave it to me without charging. Highly recommended!

Food was fantastic! We ordered the Family platter. We added french ,Kebeh, A pot of sage, tea, and dessert. We came for Valentine’s Day, and everything was so fresh. It came to the table immediately the tea was fantastic, and the falafel had the spicy salad, which was delicious and complemented the appetizers, but most of all the baba ghanoush Tabouli and Jerusalem salad were fantastic. There was enough food for everybody and then some. We also had the dessert which was so fresh and moist and we were allowed to look at where it was located before even ordering it and placing it on our plate. This is a must try. This is our fourth time coming here, and the food never disappoints, make it a point to visit.

Food was excellent, the starters came plentiful and bread was served warm and fresh. Meat was juicy and tender. Rice was 9.5/10. The service was very knowledgeable and patient. Only thing I would recommend to stay away from is the hot sauce. It’s insanely hott and this is coming from a Pakistani person who indulges in spices from around the world. This stuff can probably burn through steel. 😂😂😂

I found this gem when I was looking for a new Mediterranean restaurant, my favorite in the area closed sometime recently. I’m so glad I found it and will definitely be coming on the regular! My friend and I ordered the combination platter for two but it really should be more like for FOUR people. It was SO MUCH FOOD but my word it was delicious!

EVERYTHING WAS FRESH. My partner and I stumbled across Al Basha. From the mango and strawberry smoothies to the combination platter, everything was great. It’s rare that we are left speechless but the quantity and great flavors —WOW—was all we had to say. The staff was quick, knowledgeable, and kind. We will be back!! SN: They also mentioned that they cater too!

First time trying Palestinian cuisine, we had the Mazza platter and the Mansaf lamb dish. It’s hard to find words to describe just how good the food is here. The quality of the ingredients and the outstanding flavors really set this place apart! We enjoyed everything that we tried, I even liked the baba ghannooj which I usually don’t touch anywhere else. We can’t wait to come back!

Amazing service. Very low-key atmosphere. We got the small combo to share. The hummus is 10/10 and I thought the shish tawouk was really tasty.

First time trying Palestinian cuisine, we had the Mazza platter and the Mansaf lamb dish. It's hard to find words to describe just how good the food is here. The quality of the ingredients and the outstanding flavors really set this place apart! We enjoyed everything that we tried, I even liked the baba ghannooj which I usually don't touch anywhere else. We can't wait to come back!

It's so good! Large portions and authentic. They even gave us free samples. The nicest people too. I

Best mensaf I've ever had!! The food tastes homemade and the cost is cheap for the amount of food you get! Definitely my new go to for when I want mensaf!!

This place is veryfriendly and had generous portions. The kibbeh we amazing and the chicken breast was cooked to order. The salad was fresh. We would definitely go back. And not to mention it was an hour away!

Not my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. I really wanted to like it! Some good things: large portions, generous sides. If you order a dish you will get pickled veggies, salad, hummus and pita in addition to your entree. But lots of food is only a good thing if you like it! I have a lot of opinions regarding hummus after eating it for 30 years and the hummus here was not great. It had a spoiled olive oil aftertaste. The falafel was good. The rice is excellent, served with marcona almonds. But my chicken shawarma was bad. It had a sour taste, unappealing texture, and a terrible smell. It was hard to enjoy anything with such a pervasive "rotten egg" smell. Disappointed as this had been recommended by several friends. Sorry but there are too many great Mediterranean restaurants in the area to come back here again.

This by far is the most authentic home-made tasting food I've ever had outside of home. Great service, lovely furnished place, and mouth-watering food. The only suggestion is to replace their faded sign as we had a bit of a difficult time finding the restaurant.

Due to covid - 19 I have been ordering from DoorDash, UberEats, and Grubhub or go to restaurants with outdoor seating. Al Basha is one of the few restaurants that has outdoor seating First time at Al Basha. The restaurant kind of looks like a whole in the wall, but's it's not, it is very family friendly. staff is awesome take they care of you. I ordered stuffed chicken dinner and fresh lemonade Before the dinner came out the staff brought bread, humus, salad and cucumber salad. It was really good The stuffed chicken was a little dry, it still tasted good. The lemonade was awesome. It's the best I have had. I'm definitely going back to try other stuff.

Unfortunately, like many Middle Eastern places during Ramadan. They have a buffet it is one of the more affordable ones. It was $120 for 3 adults and 1 child. Their service was great. They have redesigned the bathrooms as well and the dining area as well. The main issue is that the furniture is too bulky. You have to squeeze thru the tables. You are elbow to elbow with a bunch of strangers. The food gets eaten up pretty quickly and sometimes isn't replaced quick enough. They used to have a lot more variety. If you have a stroller or in a wheelchair this is not the place for you. It is very tight and very cramped. As far as food, it is authentic home cooked dishes nothing spectacular. However, if you want to try a lot of Middle Eastern dishes that are typically not on a restaurant menu this is the time to go. During Ramadan, they one of the largest if not the largest buffets compared to the other restaurants.

The falafel sandwich was fresh, delicious & portions were very generous! Staff was friendly and helpful!

The food was fresh, delicious and the service was great! My waitress was very hospitable and made an awesome recommendation plus offered me some hummus on the house. A great value for so much food. If in the area, I would go again. Also upon entering they have a whole body sanitizer which made me feel much safer with dining in.

Over the last two weekends, I was involved in the production of Baskuit- a Northwestern student film. We had one weekend of filming in Oak Lawn and as Associate Producer, it was my job to find food for the cast and crew over those days. Al Basha helped me give everyone a large dinner for our last day in Oak Lawn. It was nice to be able to end our first weekend on such a good note! The people there were extremely helpful in planning my order and everyone on set was so happy with the food! It was delicious! Thank you so much for your help!

We walked in and there were no other diners there, however the restaurant reeked of cigarette smoke. It was awful. We left.

Best Shawarma sandwiches in the area. Served in a pita with a little dressing, tomato, onion and pickles. Always hot and fresh and the meat is just right. We also enjoy the mix grill plate with rice, falafel, hummus and the salad they bring you. Very friendly people.

First, the food is exceptional! I swear they put big chunks of filet, that melts in your mouth, in their beef humus. The place is very tired looking and could really use some major updating, even a fresh colorful paint job would be an improvement. I do want to mention how impressed I was with the management. Their credit card machine was down and we had no cash on us. He said to just call in with a credit card tomorrow when their machine would be back up and running. He didn't take down our information...... a copy of our license, nothing. What kind of restaurant does that?? Not only will I be calling in to pay our $80 bill, but a huge tip will also be added.

Al Basha Cuisine is one of the best place to go to in the Chicagoland area for truly outstanding Arabic (Palestinian) food. The kabobs are perfectly cooked, the exquisite taste savors your pallets. The portions are exemplary of the hospitality of the Palestinian culture. I recommend it highly.... 5 stars isn't enough... it deserves 10 stars!

This place has some of the best food around. The portions are huge, and food is delicious. His service when they're slow is good, but if you show up on a day where they have a few tables, good luck.

Nice place, the food was pretty good, I like how they served the appetizers(hummus, baba ganoush, pita bread, olives, and falafel) before the actual meal and the portions are good, The one thing I was disappointed at and I was actually looking forward to was the grape leaves, when I asked the waiter as I was placing my order she said you have to call ahead for grape leaves not quite sure if she said a day before or a couple hours in advance either way it really was a downside for me, when I go out for MiddleEastern/Mediterranean the first thing I ask for is the grape leaves. All in all I would probably 50/50 chance bring someone here if it's a small group of 3. I went there for lunch and there was only one group of men dining, the place was empty I have no idea why.

Such deliciousness!!! The exact comfort food that is needed during a quarantine, and every other day of normal life. Such flavor! And what a great deal!! We ordered chicken and beef shawarma for two of us. Generous servings were more than enough to feed four. This will be part of our go-to places from now on.

Hidden in between the Chinese restaurant and the sports bar you have this fantastic family owned restaurant offering amazing meals at great prices! Waitress was great ambiance reminds me of the 90s but the food was prime!

Went in for dinner on a Saturday night a few weeks ago and the place was pretty empty, just one other table occupied. We were given bottled water when we sat down, which seemed odd, and we noticed when another group arrived later they received glasses of water instead. Pros: the baba ghanouj, tabouleh, and pita were all excellent. Cons: something was off about the falafel. Maybe it had been fried in oil that was too hot, because the outside was very dark while the inside was undercooked and mushy. Something about the flavor too just didn't seem right. Big portions though, and our server was attentive and friendly.

I walked in to place a to go order, there were literally 6 workers in there and no one acknowledged me or bothered to take my order. I actually felt like I was bothering them when I walked in... they just stared at me. After standing there waiting for someone to take my order and multiple workers walking pass me, I just walked out.

Highly recommended, we were visiting Chicago and stopped at this place for dinner, party of 15 people. They accommodated us immediately, very good service with smiley faces. Food quality and quantity is good, we left with lot of left over.

I was at Al Basha for their Ramadan buffet! Absolutely amazing food and great service. The grape leaves and stuffed squash was absolutely fantastic! Dessert was fresh homemade Qatayif! I will be back Friday and try their Mansaf.

Food was great when I had it, or should I say, when I can get it.... if ordering in door dash be prepared for them to cancel your order without explanation. I've ordered 3 times, twice they've cancelled a good 3 hours before closing. Real professional. Get Semsem in Tinley, good customer service and reliable.

We at Al Basha take your reviews seriously, after the pest incident we had our pest control company come in again and the problem has been solved. Sometimes pesky pests sneak in. We have pest control every month. There is no longer an issue. We appreciate your concerns and would like the chance to show you our establishment is full of great service, food and cleanliness. Management

I really like this place. The food is really good and authentic. You really can order one meal for 2 people as the portions are HUGE! This is the best hummus that I have had outside of Jordan. The service was great too, the waitress even played with my son while we ate. Definitely will be our go to spot for middle eastern cuisine.

I have been looking for authentic Jordanian food for the past 10 years. And this place by far is my favorite. It tastes just like home. Super authentic and delicious!

Consistently good food, even if you have to pick it up for takeout. Excellent staff and they go out of their way to do anything special that you might ask regarding an order.

I cannot believe this restaurant has not been reviewed yet. By far this is the best Middle Eastern restaurant in the south suburbs. In a corner of a strip mall, it is easy not to see. You walk in and there are only people of Middle Eastern lineage there. You can tell, too, that everyone knows you are there . . . looking at us occasionally but more curious than anything. Maybe if more Euro types ate there they would chill out and get used to being popular. But you know the food is authentic, right? At several tables groups of men sit together; no women or children; talking animatedly about something, and not in English. It is an interesting place. We were quickly seated and every thing we ordered came quickly and in quantity. It was amazing how much food we got for under $25. We ordered stuffed falafel, kousieh, chicken shawarma and chicken/beef shawarma. We had to take half of it home, there was so much. And it was GOOD food, better than in Chicago Middle Eastern where I've eaten. Everything also came with plentiful pita bread, a Jerusalem salad and a green salad. We have finally found our Middle Eastern in the southlands. I'm eager to hear what other Yelpers think about it.

Hummus and chicken shawarma. The easiest way to win a 4star review from me.

Ended up here by accident on a Saturday with two friends. We started at the jazz bar/restaurant next door, but their menu didn't have any vegan options, so we walked here. The atmosphere is very strange - it is a giant banquet hall, with banquet tables. The lighting is extermely bright. We were the only customers in the entire place, with the exception of a table of about 10 men that were just talking. The food was good, not great. We did get complimentary vegetables and falafel. The veggies were hot pink in color, and we couldn't figure out why, nor understood the explaination from the server. I would probably not go back, more due to the atmosphere - it was just very strange.

Friendly waitstaff? I think not. Quality food? Hardly. I'd go back for the hummus, and that's it.

For a Westerner, this atmosphere can be intimidating. Hardly anyone whose first language was English diners there. Be prepared to be curiously looked at. It can feel like you're crashing somebody's family birthday party because lots of interconnected families will be there all gabbing. But, the food is amazing and dirt cheap. Everything is fresh and homemade. The hommus is stellar and the falafel is seriously real. No packaged or premade crap. My boyfriend got the beef shawarma, and he inhaled as much as he could. We both ended up taking almost 6lbs of food home. The pita is fresh, warm, and fluffy. They give you plenty and are more than happy to give you more. The staff is a bit reserved, but not mean or condescending in anyway. We came during Ramadan, so we were the only ones in the place. They had special pastries filled with nuts and cheese sitting out, and when we went to pay we asked what they were. The owner happily served us one of each, which I thought was very, very nice. Btw, they were delicious! I seriously recommend this place. Don't be afraid to step in, cause if you are you'll be missing out!

Pros: My favorite middle eastern food on the south side, and thats saying alot with all the middle eastern restaurants in bridgeview along harle, The falafel is awesome - has a unique spice in it that I cant place and haven't tasted in any other falafel before. Everything I've gotten is great and the portions are huge. My wife gets 3 meals out of a chicken shawarma plate. They also give tons of pita. Price is extremely reasonable for most menu items, especially given the portion size. Cons: Service isn't perfect - it's definitely a small, family run joint and a little bit run down looking. I've never eaten inside the restaurant, but pick up food often. I'd be worried about eating in the restaurant and I worry a lot about the cleanliness of the place. i feel like lots of liberties are taken when it comes to proper food storage, preparation, and sanitation especially at the front counter. Often times the woman who bags the order and swipes my card uses her bare hands to put pita in my bag and gather up the pickled vegetables. Also, there is often old arab guys sitting around a table smoking in the restaurant. Bottom line: The food is good enough to overlook all the cons.

I have been wanting to come here for a while. I am so glad I finally came! This place is really good. My husband had the Steak Platter and I had the Combo Platter. The dishes came with a salad, Hummus, and baba ganoush(dk how to spell sorry). The prices were very reasonable (around $13 for our platters) and the portions were huge & that is saying a lot coming from me because I am a BIG eater. The flavors of the meats were amazing! The meat was juicy and full of flavor the beef Sharma was THE BEST! I had Arabian coffee for dessert and it was super strong coffee with a very distinct taste. I definitely recommend this place.

l return to Al Bas'ha again and again with friends who also happily accompany me again and again. The food is phenomenal. My favorites are traditional, simple Middle Eastern delights: hummus, tabouleh, and falafel washed down with sage tea. The hummus is their own recipe blended with the perfect ratio of tahini and chick peas and lovingly garnished with olive oil, chili powder, and a rainbow of crudites. Tabouleh is a green power packed parsley salad with cracked wheat, diced tomato, onion, and lemon juice. The falafel is a tad dry but stuff the pita with tabouleh and hummus and you have a satisfying sandwich. Their sage tea is soothing and hits the spot. It's vitamin packed food heavy on fiber and protein and prepared very well. I also return here time and time again, because always I feel good afterwards. The value is unbeatable. An abundant dinner for two averages $16. Speaking of great prices, next door is a Middle Eastern grocer with unbeatable prices and a range of good food and staples to stock your pantry. The best way to know a culture is through your stomach. A culture's food represents its geographical area and life style. When you break bread with a culture other than your own, you bond with the world a little bit more, one meal at a time. *Thanks to Khaled for notifying me about non-smoking measures. I have removed that portion of my review.

Been there about three times and had to write a review. One of the few places that serves Mensef everyday (though not on menu). Pickled vegetables and a generous amount of pita bread come with every meal. Hummus was fresh and I ordered a beef appetizer with a tomato sauce. Just feel food is better and more auethentic than other middle eastern places. I feel this place is way better than Al Bawahi. Service is alright, gave me free bottled water when I was coughing and generally nice and pleasant. There are definitely a lot of ethnic diners and I had no issues feeling out of place. I would definitely recommend this place to anybody.

Went here a couple times and the food is decent. It is definitely different from bawadi, but it is pretty decent. I have ordered chicken sandwiches and chicken rice dishes and they have been cooked well and tasted okay. It's a cute place and the waitress is always friendly. And there's never a wait here.

Decided to check this place out after seeing the $15 for $30 grouponNOW. I'm a huge fan of Mediterranean food and usually go into the city to eat it but seeing as this place was just around the corner we went. I usually order the same thing every time which is hummus, falafel and a lamb pita sandwhich which I did at Al Basha. I had my sister with me who had no idea what anything was on the menus so she just got the shish-kabob. Also picked up the combination plate for my parents. Was very disappointed with the hummus, the falafel and the pita sandwhich. The falafel wasn't fresh at all. The hummus was very bland and the lamb tasted like they had just reheated up the meat. Also, everything was almost cold when we got home and its only a 10 min drive back. On a good note the shish-kabob was pretty tasty. ...I will probably stick to my place Dawali's in Chicago.

Awesome food ! Mandi is my fav Ramadan buffet is tremendous... Must try this place

Love this place. Amazing Mediterranean Food! A must visit for eastern cuisine ! Friendly and reasonably priced !

Stopped on a Thursday night on our way through Chicago. The food was delicious! The shawarma sandwiches were flavorful as well as the hummus. Kebabs were very delicious as well. All meals had great portions and the pita bread was very fresh. Only con was that we got our drinks after the food arrived.

Stopped here on Christmas Eve and was very happy. with the meal. Had Falafel sandwich and babaganouj. Loved both. Everything was flavorful and fresh. Admittedly the service wasn't great (didn't get the feeling they even cared we were there), but if I still lived in the SW burbs, this would be a regular in my rotation. Recommended.

Food is always good but I need to downgrade to 3 stars because of cleanliness and unprofessionalism. Tile floor is buckling and employees like to smoke inside restaurant. Staff is generous and accommodating but it's seems they overcharge on occasions. Last 3 times we went they didn't give us a receipt just a total price. Hummus is usually complimentary with combo plate but they brought s larger plate and charged us for it. I recommend ordering carry out not dining in.

The shawarma plate can feed my whole family! Everything is very aromatic and the tahini sauce? To die for! I love their falafel, they're different, maybe a hint of nutmeg in them, not sure, but in any case, they are unexpectedly delicious and memorable. I love the sumac on the shawarma, too. This is my first choice for takeout every time.

located in a strip mall next to a dumpy bar, walking into this place for the first time could be a bit offsetting. we were there with only one other table of customers, normally no big deal except that its pretty huge inside, with most of the tables seating six or eight. if you start with some great hummus, or the baba ganoush (among other things) which they bring out to you before you order your meal, its easy to fill up on. its so good and so filling that it could be your entire meal! we odered a sort of grilled "sampler" dish to share between the two of us. it can easiely be for four adults, and amazingly delicious! i will without a doubt be back again! the staff wasnt the most friendly to us, but not rude. no matter, i wasnt there to make friends and the food was great.

I was in the area and came here for lunch the other day. The food was great! We shared a platter with beef, chicken, veggies and rice. They give you a salad and hummus as part of the meal too! I would high recommend this place! But make sure you are hungry

If you've read any of my reviews, you know that I am always on the prowl for good Arabian food, but that I am often disappointed. Well, here's an exception to my recent experiences! This food is very good. Not outstanding, but very good. The portions are really generous (enough so that you can eat your fill at the restaurant AND bring half your dinner home for the next night). Also, I've noticed a lot of places will just serve the meat and rice, but not add grilled vegetables to the entree. Not here! You get it ALL. The starters are even more of a pleasant surprise: Jerusalem salad, falafel, hummous ,baba ghanouj and an olive plate with your dinner. Plenty of warm, fresh pita. And the prices are very reasonable. I had the mixed grill and my husband had a chicken entree. The chicken was maybe a little dry, but the seasoning was delicious and not overwhelming. I look forward to trying more of their dishes. The decor is just okay--more of a banquet-type atmosphere, more conducive to large parties than to couples or small family groups. I kind of felt like we were on display, all by ourselves in a huge, open, well-lit dining room. Actually, I felt like we had interrupted something, because there was a group of men huddled together in a room off the main dining room, and they kept glancing at us like, "Hurry up and leave!" The waiter was prompt and polite but a little TOO quick to get us served and out of there. It was kind of awkward, but it would have been more awkward to get up and leave before having eaten anything. This was in the evening during the week; maybe there's a friendlier vibe going on with the lunch crowd. I will be back, and I hope there will be more fellow diners next time. Partly because it would be less weird, and partly because I hope this place does well and stays in business. There are too few viable options in this area for Arabian food. If you're out that way--shopping or maybe hiking at Lake Katherine--give this a try. You'll be glad you did.