By far my favorite hummus! Very flavorful, smooth & creamy. It's great with carrot & celery sticks should you be ordering takeout. (Tip: If you're feeling lazy you can buy precut veggies at Pete's or Whole Foods.) I get mostly the vegetarian dishes here and everything is good. The Falafel here is nice and not oily, big plus as a lot I've had IS oily. I don't care for the baba ghanoush, but then I don't like anyone else's either. Perhaps it's a a texture thing. Pita bread is always warm and soft. I've had a few bites of my husband's chicken shawarma and it seems decent, but that's not typically my favorite. Not into all the sauce that goes on top. I like the lentil soup, but it could definitely stand less salt in my opinion. They include a lemon wedge with each soup which is nice addition. NAF is not much for dining in: florescent lighting, a little bit of decor, counter service only, but they have a/c, and TV (if that's your thing while dining) and it's clean. Definitely a good place if you're looking for a quick bite, and pricing is fair for what you get. Everyone I've encountered working here is very friendly. Worth checking out should you enjoy middle eastern food. Gotta support good local businesses to keep them around!

If I could give it zero stars, I absolutely would. First of all, I had two items from this place and they were both horrendous & should have no association with middle eastern cuisine. As a middle eastern, I know how hummus should taste and I also know what a beef shawarma sandwich should be. Hummus was completely bland. No seasoning or flavor whatsoever. It was only dressed with old sumac that had lacked its aroma & flavor also. As for the beef shawarma sandwich, it was tasty, BUT it was not BEEF SHAWARMA. Beef shawarma is on a spit & rotated to cook evenly all throughout. This was just chopped flank steak that was marinated. It was basically beef fajitas wrapped in a big tortilla. If you’re going to do Latin food, do Latin food. But don’t market your restaurant as “middle eastern cuisine” when you have no idea what it tastes like or consists of.
Service
Delivery
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

I’d been meaning to try this restaurant for awhile and finally stopped in for takeout today. I ordered the chicken shawarma and combination special. Both were delicious! They packed everything nicely with warm pita. I also picked up a bag of freshly made pitas, which will not last long in my house. The owner was so kind and included some baklava free of charge. I will definitely be returning often.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Combination Special, Baklava, Chicken Shawerma
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot

Such a great find right across the street from my work! This falafel restaurant is definitely one of the best ive had. Their hummus and pita is out of this world, and my go-to order the falafel sandwich is just as great. I love their grape leaves aswell. Haven't had a chance to try many other items on the menu, but I'm certain they are just as good! Definitely check them out and support a small business!
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Dietary restrictions accommodated
Vegetarian, Vegan
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section

I stopped in for lunch around 11:00 am; I was welcomed warmly by the owners, reflecting the general cozy atmosphere of their dining room which was very clean with its attractive Mediterranean ambiance. I ordered the beef shawarma, along with a hummus plate and half a dozen falafel. The entire meal was beyond delicious, as all the ingredients were fresh, perfectly prepared, and very reasonably priced. The portions were very generous (they graciously wrapped the leftovers for me). I warmheartedly give North Avenue Falafel the highest recommendations.

I walked in initially wanting to try something different in the area. Having tried Mediterranean food from places around my job I asked the gentleman for a menu and asked if they had fajitas. Instead of him telling me no and allowing me to continue to look over the menu, he proceeds to tell me that they were not a Mexican restaurant. Well, obviously! A Mediterranean place I do enjoy, Tanoor Kabob has fajitas that are Mediterranean inspired and are very friendly as well. I did not appreciate the condescending remark!

I Will never go there again. The first time that I went there, I ordered my middle eastern favorites with shawarma chicken. It was pretty good and comparable to my favorite restaurants. For that reason, I went there a second time and later regretted it. The shawarma chicken was hard and tasted terrible. It was as if they left spare pieces of chicken from the rotisserie out over night and reused it for the first order of the day. I could not take more than two bites and had to throw it away.

Updating my review, Nov 2023. This has become our 'go to' for schwarma and falafel. I don't know why I only gave it 4 stars 2 years ago? Updated to 5 stars! First time here. Got the Chicken schwarma and falafel to go. I prefer schwarma on pita but I must admit it was really good in this tortilla, like a thin burrito. Seasoned very well. Falafel was very good too. I will try them again when I have a taste for chicken schwarma.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Absolutely delicious food. Abu Rakan in Bridgeview and this place have the best shawarmas so far in Chicagoland. Rest is pretty much all Lebanese/Palestinian taste which is never a bad thing. But these two places are unique and I like em. Yesterday I went here and they were having an event and giving free food to people for their 7th anniversary. I felt welcomed and treated nicely like a brother. I recommend the Pakistani in the area to come and show them some love.

The food was ok. They were out of the chicken shawrma when I arrived (what my wife wanted). She ended up with the chicken kabob platter and I the beef shawrma. Both were fine, but nothing to write home about. We also got the combination appetizer (starts with a M). The grape leaves were a bit spicy. The falafel and hummus were good. The eggplant was heavily roasted or smoke flavor was added. It overpowered the babaganoush.

I visited Chicago from last week and tried North Ave for the first time and I was beyond impressed. Small authentic spot with amazing food.. Great atmosphere, and friendly faces. We ordered chicken shawerma (spicy) and beef shawerma. They gave us free falafel because it was our first visit. Everything was so yummy. The best falafel I’ve ever had.

The food was delicious. However, the young lady that was working the register was rude. She refused to put my change and receipt in my hand. Even after I gave her the money in hand and held my hand out. I usually get awesome customer service whenever I drop in for a bite to eat. This was also my first time ever seeing her behind the counter.

This is a bright cheerful Cafe and there is lots of parking in the lot the food is delicious this variety of food appetizers small plates entrees sandwiches catering whatever you want to confined here the food is absolutely lovely the only drawback is They don't serve Arabic coffee or mint tea everything else though is smashingly goodg

Excellent food and friendly staff I felt it was a bit pricey but everything was fresh and delicious. Are located right off of North avenue near Oak Park avenue in Chicago, parking lot is a shared space in a strip mall and sometimes parking can be tight. I would recommend this place has a good stop to experience some ethnic food

food was good but customer service is horrible. Because he does not make money if I only ordered food from the side menu. when all I wanted was the kofta and chicken without the bread or sauce. Why have it on the menu if you dont sell it. when I asked he was rude and hung up on me. Will not return to this establishment.

The falafel is really good, but the other food seems sub par. The fattoush salad is basically a soup of yogurt which wasn’t mentioned in the menu and I’m vegan so couldn’t eat it. The fact that they don’t sell baklava is disappointing too. To top it all off the guy I picked the order up from wasn’t wearing a mask.

1st visit today and ordered a chicken shawarma sandwich, baba ganoush and baklava to go. The sauce of the shawarma was amazing and the chicken, juicy. The baba ganoush had a perfect texture and wonderful smoky taste. The baklava...yum! Easy parking, friendly service, clean restaurant....I'll be back!

Worst gyro I ever had. The bread was old and dry. The tomatoes were from the top and bottom cuts. The onions and pepper were burnt. The gyro sauce was watery like ranch dressing. Don't waste your money and time. Marlon
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

Room for improvement. This establishment recently underwent a change in ownership. Overall, their offerings are decent and the prices are reasonable. There aren't a lot of options in the area for this type of food so N. Ave. Falafel will just have to do. How I wish there was a Zankou here!

Who knew there was a fantastic falafel joint in the neighborhood! The staff are SO friendly. The food is amazing, quite inexpensive for the amount you get, and the flavor is off the chain. Very pleased and excited to have finally dropped in here. This is my new favorite restaurant!

So good I went back again.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Chicken Shawerma
Parking space
Plenty of parking
Parking options
Free parking lot

Very tiny portions, hard pita and the beef has no distinct seasoning. My falafel sandwich had all the salad on one corner of it, so each bite was mostly dry falafel. I wouldn't come here again. Falafeji on Harlem is much better. For a quick falafel fix, you can settle for this.

Food was not good at all and i made a huge order for our company and they forgot to give us items in our order. very disappointing! There is better places everywhere in the north side of Chicago and we will not be ordering from this place ever again! food was horrible.

The food was absolutely wonderful. I love middle eastern food and if you also love middle eastern food this is a great place to go to if you are in the area. The person that served us was awesome as well. If I'm in the area again I will definitely be coming here

The food is good but horrible customer service. Their door and online says they close at 9 but its not true. Some days they close at 6, 7 or 8. ...guess it depends on their mood. Idk why I waste my time still trying to order from here. Guess i am done.

Good food. Been here twice and can say have not been disappointed. Chicken shwarma is very good and lentil soup is no joke. Definitely is a good place to get a decent lunch
Service
Take out
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

I been a customer since day one. Always delicious food, great customer service and super fast cooking. Just a great family own restaurant in the neighborhood. Highly recommended! Thank you guys!
Service
Take out
Meal type
Breakfast

Great dinner tonight from North Ave Falafel! We picked up two plates and soup and it was enough to feed our fam of 5 (3 littles) with enough for lunch tomorrow. The chicken shawarma was so juicy and flavorful and they have the best babaghanoush!

Ordered a few items from here. Their grilled chicken was great but the rice was tasteless. Their salads were pretty good. The most disgusting thing happened while I was eating the chicken shawarma sandwich. There was a small feather in it!!

Everything is delicious and always Fresh I like hummus, chicken shawerma and falafel too.. also all salads are very good, I tried the homemade red lentils soup... I recommend it.. try this restaurant and you'll like it...

This place has good food but they are very inconsistent. Sometimes it's amazing sometimes they totally miss the bar. I would say give it a try and see for yourself. But they do have great French Fries if they cook them fully and crispy.

Falafel was inexplicably served as a wrap. That's not what I ordered. Taste was decent but nothing great.
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3

Stopped in here on a whim and was pleasantly surprised!! Delicious food (shawarma wrap especially) and quick service! Falafel was just OK, but we'll certainly be repeat customers.
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3

Very happy I stopped here and I'll certainly be back. The Mezze appetizer and kafta kabob sandwich was delicious, but the sandwich was a wrap instead of a pocket. If that was an issue they wouldn't of gotten a 5 start rating!

Very fast delivery, and the food is FANTASTIC! Not only are the portions incredibly generous, especially for the price, the food tastes incredible and has a great presentation. I HIGHLY recommend! …

Great food, good prices, nice portions, friendly staff, beautiful atmosphere.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Didn’t have the best experience. Food was so so, below mediocre. The chicken shawarma roll looked super off. The sandwiches were a waste for the price tag. Not planning to ever return here again.

This place has the worst food. Ordered three sandwiches and all of us felt sick afterwards. The food wasn’t prepared right. The guy behind the counter was rude. Not going to be coming back again.

I ordered a tabouli salad with chicken on top and was charged $12. I get that it’s à la cart n all, but the portion size was extremely small for $12. They should have known better!

This restaurant is nice, good food, very hospitable waitress and courteous people. I ordered a falafel sandwich and I must say the wrap was very good. My 1st falafel wrap.

Our lunch at North Avenue Falafel was FABULOUS!!! The portions were very generous, the price was very reasonable, and the food was DELICIOUS!!! Highly recommended.

I love d shawarma wrap. I ask them to put ketchup jalapeños and hot sauce n make d wrap toasted. My it’s so lovely and all my colleagues love d spicy invention lol

There food is some of the best fastfood ive tasted, I went here a couple months ago and they told me to rate it 5 star. I forgot but i keep promises. Good luck.

They stayed open 40 minutes late for me to pick up a $3 plate of hummus. It was so, SO nice of them, and the hummus was excellent. :) Definitely going back!

The food was fresh and good quality... The owner was great. Thank you.. Habibi
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

Ordered the Chicken Kabab platter, Hummus and baba ghaboush. Everything was bland and under seasoned, only saving grace chicken was grilled nicely

Reasonable prices and super legit shawarma on good laffa. Fries had nice seasoning on them too. Nothing fancy but tasty and good lunch value

First time was amazing!!!! Combination platter with hummus was very tasty. Can’t wait to come back especially for the home made bread.

I had the pleasure of trying the chicken shawarma, tabbouleh, and falafel. Everything was prepared perfectly. Highly recommend! More

The service and food was phenomenal. Highly recommend!
Service
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20

I spent a week in Peru recently and didn't eat anything there that made me as sick as this place's food made me. Word to the wise.

The baba ganoush is outstanding. The falafel like almost everything there is made fresh. Friendly faces...I love this place!

Someone have it a bad rating not sure why. The food is good and is fresh to order. It's not super great but it's very good.

I always get the falafel sandwich. Its a quaint little place and the staff are really welcoming. Food is easily affordable.

Delicious, and very kind workers. Very reasonable prices, I always enjoy the food here.
Service…
More

Ordered around 5 o'clock on a Monday, nothing fresh, small portions and a little pricey for what its worth.

Great food and good prices.
Service
Take out
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
$10–20

Very good food! I like it but unfortunately I live far from it... else I would come here every week!!

Good experience for me l enjoy being there and I would like to see it again go visit if you can

Not the greatest service, but the food is good. We especially enjoyed the kafta and falafel.

ماشالله اكل طيب جدا و ناس جدا محترمين
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Nice place friendly people, most important is clean and good food, we will be back a lot.

AVOID - you know what is good, and this isn't it. You will most likely be disappointed.

I parked in front of this place randomly and tried their food and omg it’s amazing!

The chicken shawarma was delicious. Very well seasoned
Service
Take out

I love the food at this place, also very clean and all employees are polite...

Don't eat here it's really bad rice is dry and just horrible plzzz don't do it

Ordered a chicken schwarma, it was pretty good. Almost bit my finger eating.

One of the best in Chicago. Food is always fresh and an absolute joy to eat.

Food is made to order everything tastes great always hot very respectable.

They aren’t even open it’s past 12 o’clock. Inconvenience at its finest.

One of the best. The chicken and the kabab are great you won't regret it

This place is terrific! Can’t go wrong w hummus and chicken shawarma

The falafel sandwich was good, but the chicken shawarma was just ok.

Delicious everything, prepared with care, great meats and falafel.

Service good. Fairly priced,portions decent. Food was flavorful.

I was the first customer was fresh falafel sandwich. It was good

Always delicious. Great hummus, baba ghanoush, chicken shawarma.

Food was really good. Basic place but these guys are trying

Chicken shawarma sandwich and falafel were especially good.

Super tasty babaganoush and lentil soup. nice serving size

We couldn't find the place. The area looked dangerous

One of the best tasting Mediteranean food in Chicago!

The cook and carry out employee didn’t have masks on

Yummm!!!!! My lunch go to place. Fast and delicious.

takes long but is really good. Prefection takes time

Food is great and plentiful. No disappointment here

Garbage. Delivery sucked.. an hour late and cold..

Great falafels and hummus! Can't wait to go back!

Food is fresh and delicious, love the hummus.

Josef is fabulous and his food is excellent!

More than what I expected, good food for all

Food was good Friend so so and Sauces so so

Clean, great friendly service. Good food.

Fresh, freshly prepared, and delicious!

Very reasonable prices and good food

Great food and wonderful service!!!

Not a great place. Food is subpar

Tasty, fresh, made to order, hot.

Very delicious Falafel …