Old Jerusalem Restaurant

I came here to celebrate my little sister’s graduation. The service was so warm and inviting. My kids and I absolutely loved the homemade apple juice. It was so delicious, it was worth the try. I really love this place!

This spot is a legit staple. Spent like $25—got the chicken shawarma plate, hummus, and mint tea. Portions were generous, everything was super fresh, and that garlic sauce? Unreal. The patio’s clutch in the summer, but inside’s cozy too. Service is fast and friendly, even when they’re slammed. No-frills, just fire Middle Eastern food that always hits. Been coming here for years—never disappoints.

As much as I would love to give 5 star to support small and authentic flavor businesses, I just can’t do it for this place. While the workers were very friendly and helpful, the place was a little bit messed up. The cashier girl actually brought the food to my car which was parked across the street so that I don’t get a ticket, so that is above and beyond. The food is generally ok, however, that TAHINI SAUCE I GOT WAS ALREADY BAD. I had to throw it away despite that I paid for it. I ordered some food for to go including chicken kebab and hummus. The chicken kebab was good and the salad was fresh. The hummus is not impressive at all, it did not have fine texture and it needed more tahini sauce and lemon. The inside of the place is outdated and needs major renovation. The cooking area is hidden behind the door, which I don’t like much.

Very good! The food is delicious and the staff are nice. I’m pretty sure everything is homemade (or at least that’s how it tasted). Good prices, you can get a meal for like $12 though most range in the $12-18 amount. They also have this cute patio you can sit at

We came here spontaneously on Christmas Eve and it is definitely top 10 meals of 2024!! Maybe even top five meals. Service was outstanding, the food came out quick and it was all so delicious! Thank you chef!!

There’s not many places like this left big portions reasonable price and friendly local small business owners. The flavors are all the classics we love

AMAZING. Probably the greatest meal I have ever had in my life. I got the vegetarian combo. For sure a hidden gem. Nicest staff. Could not recommend more.

Very comforting Mediterranean food in the heart of Old Town. The veggie combo plate was a great starter, featuring delicious baba ghanoush, falafel, and more. Their Greek salad with shawarma was refreshing with delicious lamb Shawarma pieces. The restaurant has a cozy, homey vibe that made for a very enjoyable dinner.

3.5 stars Friendly quick service, good portions and tasty food. Sat outside to take in the few minutes of summer Chicago gets every year. A good spot to stop in and have a relatively healthy Mediterranean meal. Some dishes feel very traditional but some preparations were unexpected. Food Veggie platter: Good babaganouj nice and Smokey Hummus a bit grainier than I prefer but tasty Falafels crispy and flavorful but lacking in any green herbs Jerusalem salad covered in delicious Tahini a good side for the rest of the meal overall 3/5 Dolma/stuffed grape leaves: Tasty but a bit salty 2.5/5 Combo platter: Shawarma was very flavorful but textured more like gyro meat than the shawarma I was expecting Kefte was nice and soft and well seasoned perfectly cooked and juicy Chicken kabob I didn't get to sample Rice was slightly tangy and every grain was perfectly separated delicious over all 3.5/5

Tried this place for dinner last night. The couple running the place were extremely nice and accommodating towards my toddler- definitely kid-friendly. The dining room was slow last night although they were doing brisk takeout business. The pita bread was delicious- fluffy and warm. I could have almost made a meal of that! I had the vegetarian combination and liked it, especially the tabbouleh. The baba ganoush had a nice smoked flavor. We split an order of French fries for the table and those were also good. My husband had the chicken kabob and didn't love it for the price. He said it was mostly rice and not enough chicken. He also said that while the rice was served hot the chicken was cold. Our niece had the chicken and hummus and liked that a lot, so maybe that's the way to go. We all shared baklava, which I thought was just okay.

Small ma and pa shop you can tell is family owned and operated. I walked in to pick up a carry out order and felt like I was going to grandmas house. I was warmly greeted when I came in, and picked up my food right away. I got the shish tawouk wrap and I thought it was perfect. You can tell the pita is homemade, and is a great flavor and consistency. I loved the flavor of the chicken and the seasonings and sauces with the pickles in the wrap all complimented each other perfectly. You also can't beat the price- $11 for the wrap and it was plenty of food.

Delicious authentic Mediterranean spot! We enjoyed the combination platter as it contained all our favorite appetizers to pick on while we waited for our meals. Both the shawarma and kefta kabob gyros were amazing! The meat was so flavorful and juicy. Highly recommend!

BYOB! Their portions are very generous and definitely worth taking home for later! I'm personally impressed by the pita sandwich. At initial glance, it seemed like there wouldn't be enough shawarma, but after a few bites it becomes immediately apparent that there's SO MUCH inside - well-portioned meat, sauce, tomato, onion and lettuce. The vibes inside are pretty standard with decent service. I recommend sitting outside instead to really feel a part the Old Town action. -AT

I think this restaurant was a 3.5-3.8 max. It is a small restaurant in Old Town with nice ambiance and music. Waitress was friendly. Restaurant was clean. We ordered the Combination platter which included shish kabob, shawarma, kefta. It was served with rice, salad and Lebanese pita. The dish was tasty. Rice was excellent. We also ordered the Falafil Plate which included falafel, salad, and Lebanese bread. If you like your falafels very deep fried, then this dish is for you. We're big fans of Mediterranean food and have tried many restaurants in NYC, and in Ann Arbor. I must say although I would like to say I really enjoyed the meal, this was a so-so restaurant.

One of the best parts about Chicago is exploring the different neighborhoods, which each boast their own character and unique spots. Spoiler alert: no matter how long you are here, you're never done! While exploring Old Town, we stumbled across Old Jerusalem, which was bustling on a Thursday night. We hoped this would be one such under-the-radar gem and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the meal was lacking the quality we hoped for at the price point. I ordered the grilled chicken Greek salad and was met with a large pile of iceberg lettuce, a few tomatoes & cucumbers, and a couple of slices of feta. While generous in number, I felt that the chicken was over cooked. We shared the baba ganoush and falafel as appetizers and they were pretty satisfying, although these are generally a safe order. Overall, my personal tab came out to around $35 for the salad and two split appetizers. I look forward to exploring the neighborhood further, but will likely visit a different establishment next time.

Outdoor seating is best. Especially since the eye candy here is more sophisticated than say - Lincoln Park. The patina of time has taken its toll inside. My Arabic coffee was perfectly sweetened rich and strong. The combo platter was ok. The gyro/ lamb and kefta is fine but the beef was overcooked and dry. The kinafa desert is Ok. I prefer the Turkish version.

Old Jerusalem was probably the most different type of Middle Eastern food I've had in Chicago. I had the falafel sandwich. It was quite filling, tasty with all the stuffing and sauces! Pro tip: order a side of the garlic sauce. It is AMAZING. Service was quick and overall a decent ambiance. Very family friendly.

Old school Lebanese food, pretty affordable given the area although their prices have gone up. Everything I've had from here is very high quality. One of the rare surviving neighborhood spots in this badly gentrified area

Good old school place for Greek and Middle Eastern. It's been around for quite a long time as far as a restaurant. Old Jerusalem is one of the better values in Old Town. For sure it's not as fancy as other places around here, but you get quite a lot. The prices are fairly okay considering the quality and portions. Came in here one evening to get some Middle Eastern food. It wasn't that busy inside, which could have been a bad sign. This is a classic family owned restaurant, which means while it may not be fast, you certainly get the best and freshest ingredients and not like the canned crap at chains and that kind of thing. Has a lot of the classics. There's meaty items like chicken, gyros, and more. However we got the Vegetarian Combination. It's about $16 for a lot. The price may be high, but you certainly get your money's worth. It was enough for a couple people. This had baba ghannouch, falafel, hummus, Jerusalem salad, pitas, and tabbouli. Head here for one of the quieter experiences in Old Town, where you can enjoy the food and not be distracted by the noises and loud hipster wannabes acting crazy. It's also pretty big portions and you get quite a value for the food. There's meaty items plus some for vegetarians.

This place is located in the heart of Old Town, where restaurants and bars are loud, crowded, and popping. However, this place adds an ounce of quiet and quaintness to an otherwise happening neighborhood. It feels homey. The reviewer who described it like grandma's house--couldn't agree more! After a long day, I needed something filling and flavorful. I ordered the Shish Tawouk wrap. The briney pickles and onions paired well with the tender, lemony chicken and soft, hot pita wrap. Also ordered a chicken kebab entree. The chicken was delicious, but $19 is overpriced for the portion size. Plus it would have paired well with a more elaborate salad--beyond just the iceberg lettuce and dressing. Some tomatoes, cucumbers, and other vegetables would have complemented the meat and rice well. The freshly squeezed apple juice was also a refreshing, sweet addition to the meal. Also enjoyed the lovely hot kinafa filled with honey. The staff are friendly and welcoming. However, service was slow so just allot some extra time. Worth the visit overall!

Old Jerusalem is a decent spot that falls into the "liked it, didn't love it" category for me. The food is solid, and it's refreshing to see the place consistently buzzing with activity. While there are other Mediterranean restaurants that I personally prefer, Old Jerusalem stands out for its friendly staff, and straightforward simple vibe. It might not be my top pick in the genre, but it holds its own, making it a reliable choice for those seeking a no-frills dining experience with good, hearty Mediterranean fare.

The best falafel in Chicago! The falafel sandwich was so good. I wish I got a side of the falafel to go. They were crispy on the outside and moist and flavorful on the inside. The grape leaves were good but a bit tangier than I prefer. The combination platter was so good and filling. Loved this place and will be back!

I came here on a Saturday night with a friend and we sat outside. To be honest, I don't know if service is normally this slow but my friend and I were seated outside. But we had to go inside at the counter to order. Then we also had to go inside to pay. Our server was nice but I don't know if that's normal for service. I ordered a shawirma and it was good.

Having lived in the Middle East, I had high expectations, and this place was the real deal. The food was delicious, the place was clean, the bathrooms were sanitary, and the service was friendly and informative. The place felt very authentic and is family owned. Overall, it was an amazing experience.

I've been a regular of this place for almost 7 years. The food is authentic, delicious, and always feels like home

The food was pretty good compared to other middle eastern menus in Chicago. Serving for the popular combo was good but appetizer servings were definitely too small. The downside was the slow service despite the room being fairly empty. It is worth the visit nonetheless.

Came here on a Saturday night around 9PM, lots of people seated outside, a table or two inside taken (yay AC!). Sat outside, got the vegetarian platter and switched out the tabouli for Greek salad. Friend got the meat platter, and we were given some hot sauce too. I tried all the meats, shish kebab was dry, shawarma was almost going to be dry, and the kefta kebab was pretty flavorful and tasty, not dry. On my vegetarian platter, the babaganoush was amazingly roasty and flavorful, falafels were crunchy outside and soft inside. Everything else was a bit flavorless and mediocre. Pita left much to be desired, pretty standard, flat, not fluffy and thick. Prices were alright, came out to be about $41 post-tax, quite a bit of food. Service was good, we were checked up on a few times.

Odd review because I don't think the food is particularly tasty but I could see ordering again. I was coming home from a vacation and just wanted some plain, healthy food and this does hit that spot. Lentil soup - 3/5. Overly bland but nicely warming and gets better with eating. Falafel - 2.5/5. Rather boring falafel, but again feels healthy. Garden salad - 3/5. Simple with romaine, lots of feta, nice tomato and cucumber. Works.

This hole in the wall type place has been around forever with great reviews - so I had to try! It was a perfect night out to grab a patio seat for an early dinner with a bottle of wine. We ordered the vegeterian combo, which had a nice variety of appetizers, and a small greek salad for a side with the meat combination platter. The meats were tasty, nothing special in my opinion sadly. The falafel was the best part, as many people have been saying. However, the complimentary pita bread was dry and hard to eat. I think Athenian room still does this type of cuisine (though slightly different I know) the best.

Do you hate the chicago version of middle eastern food like me? THIS IS THE PLACE. The shish tawook wrap is made with real pita - not that pita pocket junk. They have REAL GARLIC DIP. Not that weird brown stuff every place else has. This reminds me of some of my favorite restaurants in the suburb of Detroit.

Very okay food - tried the chicken kabob and shawarma sandwich. Everything was just dry and nothing special. Seemed a little overpriced too for the kabob especially.

We stopped in to this classic staple of Old Town last minute. We were starving and the neighboring restaurant Orso's power had gone out. Since we had already parked, Old Jerusalem was our plan B. I am soooo happy with our choice. This small spot with unassuming room was reminiscent of Grandma's house. Dark wood furniture, minimal decor and a real Grandma helping out really felt simple yet welcoming. There is a sidewalk patio but we chose to sit inside by the big front windows that slide open. There was a nice breeze blowing in as we watched the city life go by. Service was very kind, although a bit slow. That's ok. We weren't in a hurry. The guy who took care of us was friendly but a bit busy to offer personable service. I was so happy to see this cute local spot is still going strong. I ordered falafel and my friend chose the grape leaves. We added a side of rice and shared everything. With every bite we kept say "mmm this is so good" to the point where it became funny. I think the quality and price point make this a definite stop for everyone. They gave us so much food!! My falafel was the best I've ever had. Crunchy outside, soft and flavorful inside. The grape leaves were bright and full of flavor too. Yum!! I would love this place even more if they gave the decor a bit of attention. It would really enhance the authentic vibe the delicious, homemade cuisine that is offered. I will definitely remember to return very soon!

great for cheap eats in old town. I've only ever ordered for pick up but the portions are very big (enough for two people). We got the chicken plate that comes with rice, chicken, a salad and a little side of hummus!

I was excited to try this place after reading all the good reviews but unfortunately was pretty disappointed. I got the shawwirma sandwich with a side of rice and a baklava for dessert. The sandwich is their version of a gyro sandwich. I did a takeout order and picked it up, as this place isn't too far from me. To start with, the meat on the sandwich was not fresh at all. It was hard on the outside and pretty bland. It wasn't even warm. And I picked up my order 15 minutes after I ordered it, so it's not like it had a bunch of time to get cold in a delivery car. I've probably had worse gyro sandwich's but this really wasn't good. I've definitely had better in Chicago. I got a side of rice because I'm marathon training and wanted a little more carbs. Usually when places have rice as a side it's really good. Not the case here. Super bland and a little mushy. The baklava was okay. I've had worse, I've had better. Service when I picked up was friendly. Prices are reasonable. But I was really disappointed with the food and wished I'd just eaten pasta at home instead.

Some of the best great leaves and falafel I have ever had. That service was sketchy. Even waited a long time to get our bill. All windows were open so tables needed to be cleared right away. But maybe they have a staffing issue like everyone else? The food more than made up for the lack of service. Just plain delicious.

I came inside here cause it looked og asf. Old and family owned. Also cause I'm part Jewish so I was like hey :) Handsdown the best falafel I've EVER HAD. It was crispy, flavorful, not too hard not too soft goddamn I felt like Goldilocks hitting the jackpot. Also there was baba ganoosh (I'm going to misspell lots of things rn I apologize), tabooleh, hummus, and some other salad? So good. So good. Everything paired so nicely. Def would come back anytime.

This restaurant has delicious food and great service. I have been going there since the 1980's. The owners are very nice to work with for your catering needs. You wont be disappointed.

The food here never misses. I'm obsessed with their hummus entree with chicken it's so yummy. The family is also super sweet and friendly:)

The place is neat and clean. Family run with average service. I found the food average Mediteran fare. Falafel were good, Kebab were average. Hummus was average. Baklava was pretty good

The food's good. The service was abysmal. The waitress didn't seemed she couldn't be bothered, never filled our drinks once, then I had to ask for the check multiple times before they got around to it. We were just sitting there twiddling our thumbs when there was barely anyone else inside.

Old Jerusalem is a great establishment with all of your classic middle eastern dishes. They were short staffed but continued to pump out to-go orders and seat guests quickly. We started with grape leaves and hummus. The falafel sandwich was very tasty and loaded. The shawarma sandwich had plenty of meat for the price. The chicken was the only dish that missed the mark. If you do decide to come to Old Jerusalem make sure you enjoy some baklava and don't forget to BYOB.

Anytime I'm in Chicago this is our spot to get delicious fresh food. We love the owners too. Such a nice family!!! Neighborhood favorite ;)

The food was really good and the service was awesome! They were very friendly. A little hidden gem in Old Town. Sadly the I forgot to take photos of the food because it was too delicious and ate all of it.

We've been coming here for 40 years. It's a great place still owned by the founders. Standard authentic Middle Eastern quisine prepared very well. I loved the mousardara. My companion enjoyed the falafel sandwich. If you are in the mood for this kind of food and are in the area, definitely worth stopping by. Have a chat with owners and chow down on some nice food. Order the extra garlic sauce. In fact, order two. Affordable. Good value.

They have a nice shady patio for lunch. The service was super friendly and lovely. We shared a chicken kabob plate, hummus, tabbouli, and baba ganoush. I liked the baba ganoush and the tabbouli but wasn't a big fan of the hummus or the chicken.

Wow!!! I wish I have given it a try before ... What a neighborhood gem! Fresh, homemade hearty food! Falafel was the best I have ever had!! Combination platter absolutely delicious with great quality of meat!!! Lean meat!! The sandwich are delicious, tasty (nothing like halal guy) Absolutely 5 stars but deducted 1 because server (fat lady was kind of rude) never refilled our water, lemonade. Cashier was friendly and polite Surely, I'll keep coming

Had dinner from here yesterday.. ... the pita was warm and fresh, falafel was ok. Hummus creamy, stuffed grape leaves. Salad all of which were fresh and flavorful. I like this place, bang for the buck, we will be back soon!!

Great place gives me peace and good food Great place again and again to try Baba Ganouj

I have been frequenting this place for years and never wrote a review. This place has the best baba ganoish I have ever had. The prices are reasonable ,the food has a lot of flavor,0and I adore the garlic sauce. I smeared that on everything I ate. Don't just walk by, walk in and treat your tastebuds.

Very authentic food, small quant location. Very unassuming place, but really worth a visit.

"Shish tawouk" sandwhich was NOT shish tawouk. Anyone who has had proper shish tawook would be disappointed by this. Also, the kunefe was so sad. Cheese made of some cross between blended cottage cheese, cream cheese and a bit of mozarella maybe? Not authentic. Very bleck. No syrup. Better off getting the new frozen "Trader Joe's" kunefe! Definitely better places for these dishes in the city!

Humus was really bad and tasteless Pita bread was tossed on the table and was half frozen. Will not come back. Chicago has much better choices for the money.

We recently ordered take out for a party. For about $300.00 we fed about 12 people. They were very kind and helped transport food to the car. The food quality and taste was lacking. The shawarma had no flavor. We regularly eat Mediterranean and actually no one ate the chicken. We threw it out. The hummus was average. Compared to pita inn in burbs or other places in Lincoln park it doesn't taste well. We won't go back. Nice people but no flavor.

I was looking for a place to grab some dinner to honor my fathers birthday, and was blown away by the authenticity of the kefta (tahini sauce) and grape leaves I ordered. I ordered to-go but I honestly can't wait to get back. Fantastic!

Okay experience here. Old Jerusalem has a patio out front which is nice onto the main street of Old Town. The interior is clean but fairly minimal. Their menu is pretty extensive and includes a pretty large selection of meats and veggie dishes. The schwarma here isn't from a large roll - it looks like they slice it from a loaf in the back. Got the schwarma hummus bowl and was hoping for something delicious. However the hummus tasted fairly run of the mill - a bit bland and not too creamy, tasted like something I could have just gotten at a store. The beef schwarma was very disappointing - it was very hard and a bit flavorless, like eating almost flavorless jerky. The dish really didn't keep well either, when I tried the leftovers later. Three starts for solid service, large portions / good value. The garlic sauce and tahini is pretty good as well, and they are very generous with the pita.

Family owned restaurant that's a breath of fresh air compared to most chain restaurants you'd find in the area. The menu is very expansive and includes a lot of options for those that have dietary restrictions. The portions were very generous and I appreciated how accommodating the staff was. The patio was cozy but there's also a lot of indoor dining space. They had a number of delicious baked goods inside so I'd recommend you save room for dessert

Stopped here with my son for dinner Saturday before the soccer game. Had the Jewish version of Gyro which was different but good. Had the meat, lettuce and tomato with a sauce. Service was really bad and never got refill on our waters and took forever to get our check.