Fast, cheap and portable — it’s hard to find anything wrong with falafel. No wonder there are so many new places serving the little fried balls of herbed perfection. But are the newcomers any better than our tried-and-true favorites? We’re putting it to a vote. Check out the contenders here, then go to metromix.com to cast a ballot for your favorite. Look for the results next Thursday in RedEye.
THE CHALLENGERS
I Dream of Falafel
331 S. Franklin St. 312-913-9660
Whether you’ll dream about it is up for debate, but this 2-month-old Loop spot does falafel every which way — even for breakfast in something called a “falafelette” (chopped falafel and scrambled eggs in a toasted, hummus-smeared pita, $3.75). Look for a second location near Lake and Dearborn Streets in about two months.
El Souk
808 N. State St. 312-751-8600
This casual River North quick-serve from the folks behind Arabia Hookah Lounge just opened Monday, but the falafel sandwich ($3.99) already is a clear best seller. A similar spot is set to open at 1050 N. Milwaukee Ave. in the fall.
Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen
4911 N. Kedzie Ave. 773-267-4200
Falafel is a bargain ($3.25 a dozen, $1.95 a half-dozen) at this quick-serve that opened a little more than a year ago in Albany Park’s Galilee Plaza. You also can gorge on the house specialty “classic falafel sandwich” ($4.25), which includes thinly sliced potato, eggplant, cauliflower and caramelized onions atop the traditional falafel and house-made salad.
Al-Amira
3200 W. Lawrence Ave. 773-267-0333
5 a.m. falafel frenzy? This tidy 24-hour Albany Park Iraqi spot, which opened early this year, has you covered with inexpensive falafel sandwiches ($2.99) and plates. Falafel also is available by the piece (50 cents each) for the asking.
Chickpea
2018 W. Chicago Ave. 773-384-9930
Falafel are easily overshadowed by other home-style dishes at this counter-service spot, a West Town sensation since it opened in the fall, but that doesn’t mean the crisp little discs aren’t every bit as tasty as everything else the place turns out. Get ’em in a sandwich ($4), atop a bed of hummus with a pita ($8) or as an entree with tahini and sauces for dipping ($6).
THE OLD GUARD
Sultan’s Market
2057 W. North Ave. 773-235-3072
Lightning-fast service andhuge, overstuffed falafel sandwiches ($4) are the hallmarks of this decade-old Bucktown spot, which spun off a Lincoln Park location (2521 N. Clark St. 312-638-9151) a few years ago.
Fattoush
2652 N. Halsted St. 773-327-2652
Table service sets this 8-year-old Lincoln Park BYOB apart from so many other falafel spots where counter service is the name of the game. The catch? You’ll pay a bit more for ambiance and presentation — a falafel appetizer is $6.25, a sandwich $5.75.
Oasis Cafe
21 N. Wabash Ave. 312-443-9534
This 17-year-old spot located in the Wabash Jewelers’ Mall does a brisk lunch-hour business, thanks in no small part to the falafel (50 cents each). Chickpeas are soaked 24 hours and twice ground with herbs and spices such as coriander before hitting the fryer and landing in sandwiches ($3.99).
Semiramis
4639 N. Kedzie Ave. 773-279-8900
Chicago Magazine recently named this four-and-half-year-old Albany Park eatery’s falafel the best in the city. Decide for yourself with an order by the dozen ($7) or try one of the sandwiches, served in a Lebanese-style wrap with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickles and tahini ($5) or hummus, red cabbage salad, roasted eggplant, tomato, pickles, tahini and harissa ($6).
Salam
4636 N. Kedzie Ave. 773-583-0776
It’s got stiff competition from its Albany Park neighbors, but this nearly 20-year-old spot undercuts many when it comes to pricing: A single falafel is just 25 cents. Falafel sandwiches, served on pita from nearby Sanabel Bakery, go for a more standard $2.99.
COMING SOON
Falafill
3202 N. Broadway. 773-525-0052
The next falafel concept to hit town is all about DIY-sandwich assembly. Buy a falafel sandwich at the counter (choose white or wheat pita and add extras like baba ghanoush if you like), then march over to the condiment barand customizeit. You can choose from about 20 toppings, including tabbouleh, bissara (fava bean dip) and zhoug (spicy chili sauce). Instructional signsand recipe ideasare posted to help newbies avoid a condiment-combo disaster. Falafill is aiming to open Aug. 21. — Erin Osmon
