The Windy City is a city steeped in history, with a thriving cultural scene. As the third-most populated city in the US, it’s a diverse melting pot of different cultures. Its variety is well-represented in its plethora of food choices - from the quintessential Chicagoan deep-dish pizza and the perennial crowd favorite, the Italian beef sandwich to the vibrantly-colored rainbow cones. No matter your dietary restrictions, there’s something for everyone here in Chicago. If you’re finding it difficult to find halal restaurants near you in the city, don’t worry - here’s a list of the 10 best halal restaurants that’ll blow your socks off in the Windy City.
1. The Halal Guys Chicago
Having tried the Halal Guys’ beef gyros in New York, we can personally attest to the deliciousness of their platters. This halal fast food chain has a humble history, beginning as a food cart on the streets of Manhattan. Their legendary food truck still draws long queues that snake around the block in NYC and it’s no different here in Chicago. Offering a generous portion of rice, well-marinated meat and a slice of pita bread and drizzled in their legendary white sauce, it’s not hard to see why. At under 10 USD a plate, it’s also a very affordable meal that has both Muslims and non-Muslims coming back for more.
The Halal Guys Chicago
Address: 172 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, USA
Website: The Halal Guys Chicago
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
2. Cairo Kebab
Cairo Kebab is a casual, unassuming joint, offering Middle Eastern fare at affordable prices. Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, Cairo Kebab serves innovative Mediterranean food with an authentic Egyptian spin, courtesy of friendly chef, Ahmed. With an extensive halal menu, including vegan options and dessert, you’ll be spoilt for choice here.
Cairo Kebab
Address: 1524 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Website: Cairo Kebab
Opening hours: Sun - Thurs: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm
3. Tandoor Char House
Tandoor Char House is an Indian restaurant that offers halal Indian-Pakistani cuisine. It was opened by two brothers inspired by their mother’s homegrown cooking and love for the cuisine. They also serve some innovative Indian-Western fusion dishes, such as the tikka masala penne and tandoor burger. The chaat fries, a homegrown creation, featuring curly fries powdered with a fine dusting of Indian spices, are a must-try and so is their fusion steaks. Being a halal joint, Tandoor Char House doesn’t serve alcohol, although it has a BYOB policy for non-Muslims to enjoy.
Tandoor Char House
Address: 2652 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614, USA
Website: Tandoor Char House
Opening hours: Mon - Thurs: 4pm - 10.30pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10.30pm; Sun: 11am - 10pm
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4. Salam Restaurant
Salam Restaurant prides itself in being one of the best Middle Eastern restaurants in the city, with an authentic American-Middle Eastern halal menu, complete with vegan and vegetarian options. They also serve some outstanding falafels, named as one of the best in Chicago. A warm, inviting space staffed with friendly servers, dining here is bound to be a pleasurable experience.
Salam Restaurant
Address: 4636 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60625, USA
Website: Salam Restaurant
Opening hours: 9.30am - 1.30am (daily)
5. Sabri Nihari
Serving authentic South Asian fare in a casual, stylish setting, Sabri Nihari is a must-go if you’re craving Pakistani food. They have an extremely extensive menu, from bread to traditional curry-based dishes and even grill options - you’ll definitely be spoiled for choice here. Round off your meal with a faluda, a colorful Indian dessert made with jelly, rice noodles and ice cream. With authentic, delicious Pakistani cuisine at affordable prices, Sabri Nihari has definitely earned its spot on the Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Sabri Nihari
Address: 1970, 2502 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
Website: Sabri Nihari
Opening hours: 12pm - 11pm (daily)
6. I-Cafe Sukur's Place
I-Cafe Sukur’s Place is a casual, cozy eatery, serving authentic Turkish food. They pride themselves on their carefully selected, fresh and fully halal ingredients. Try their lentil soup, a hearty vegetarian soup that comes with a side of fluffy bread. Conveniently located next to the Irving Park L Station, you can easily drop by if you’re craving some delicious Turkish fare on a budget.
I-Cafe Sukur's Place
Address: 1814 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613, USA
Website: I-Cafe Sukur’s Place
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
7. Epic Burger
With eight locations across Chicago, you’ve probably seen Epic Burger around. Good news - the Chicago-based burger chain now offers a halal version of their flagship Epic Burger (made with Creekstone beef), glazed with their new Thousand Island dressing. Their crispy, perfectly-seasoned fries are also served with halal honey mustard. Hopefully, they’ll make their other burgers halal in the future.
Epic Burger
Address: Outlets at River North, Streeterville, Lincoln Park, South Loop, Skokie, Gold Coast, West Loop, Evanston
Website: Epic Burger
Opening hours: Hours vary by location
8. Nini's Deli
Nini’s Deli, the only restaurant serving Latin American cuisine on this list, is a family-run establishment that has been serving its trademark empanadas and sandwiches for more than 30 years now. A casual, unassuming eatery, located on the corner of the block, its homely interior makes for a comfortable deli to drop by for brunch. Don’t leave without trying one of their specialty Cuban sandwiches.
Nini's Deli
Address: 543 N Noble St, Chicago, IL 60642, USA
Website: Nini’s Deli
Opening hours: Tues - Fri: 8am - 6pm; Sat: 8am - 4pm (closed on Mon and Sun)
9. Bombay Wraps
Bombay Wraps is a fuss-free little eatery that serves fresh wraps, although only two of their wraps - the beef kebab and lamb curry - are halal. Nevertheless, they’re both value-for-money options, with chunks of fresh meat sandwiched between two fluffy buns and slathered with a generous amount of sauce. Food is prepared extremely quickly upon order, so if you’re working on a tight schedule, Bombay Wraps is a good place for a quick lunch run.
Bombay Wraps
Address: 122 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Website: Bombay Wraps )
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 11am - 6pm; Sat: 11am - 3pm (closed on Sun)
10. Taza Cafe
Established more than 10 years ago, Taza Cafe has been supplying downtown Chicago with its specialty hummus and falafels for a while now. If you’re feeling hungry, you can get their hummus with chicken shawarma, beef gyros or even a turkey bowl. Taza consistently provides friendly service and good food at wallet-friendly prices - the only gripe is that the store has limited seating, so be prepared to order to-go.
Taza Cafe
Address: 1822, 176 N Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
Website: Taza Cafe
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 4pm, closed on weekends
Eat your way around in Chicago, Illinois
The best and tastiest way to explore a foreign culture is through its cuisine and one of the biggest joys of traveling is trying new food. With this list of the best halal establishments in Chicago, Muslims can embark on their next gastronomical adventure through the city, as well.