Oasis Cafe — Restaurant in Chicago

This is a solid, no-frills spot for decently priced Middle Eastern food in the heart of the Loop. The location is tucked away at the back of a jewelry store; you order at the counter and they call out your name once the food is ready.

I stopped by with a friend on a Saturday for lunch and there were only a few others there. We got Hummus as an appetizer, which came with 2 pieces of pita. The hummus was thick and earthy-- it was good, quality, and hit the spot.

I also got the Kefta Kabob Sandwich, which was delicious: the meat was juicy and flavorful, the pita pocket warm and packed with veggies. The sauce was rich and earthy. I got a cup of Arabic Coffee too, which I wasn't a huge fan of at first but eventually grew to really like it. It was very bitter and concentrated with strong floral accents. We also shared a baklava, which was good: the texture was perfectly sticky and it was not overly sweet.

The prices are pretty affordable, especially relative to the surrounding area: sandwiches and entrees are ~$7-15. The food is also very filling, so great value all around. Service at the counter was a little gruff, but generally nice and quick. I appreciated the simplicity of the place-- the ambience is not amazing, but I'd always rather have good food and affordable prices over incredible ambience. I'll definitely be back to try other menu items! —

Price (relative to peers): 5/5 Food: 4.5/5 Ambience: 3/5 Service: 4/5 Overall...

literally so good i cant stop eating here. i have never ever written a review or even thought of leaving a review about any resturant but this food is so so so freaking good i need to let yall know. some days are awesome, and some days are freaking amazing awesome. like some days its good and some days its even better. i neeeed that shawarma sandwich like i think about it every single day of my life it just fuffills something deep and primal, the juices, the meat, the other things. i love it. and the other menu items like the kefta plate and the moroccan chicken are amazing , not to mention the lentil soup and the baklava. seriously im going bankrupt buying sandwiches from here, even though the prices are reasonable. sure it used to be cheaper, but getting lunch for 11 dollars in the loop isnt bad and its especially a good deal for how fresh the food is. the staff is sweet and quick to remember you, ALSO it takes literally thirty seconds for them to make your food, its always hot ready and fresh. they are shawarma wizards i SWEAR TO GODDDD. love yall...

Basic dishes, like Tabouleh, Greek, and Egyptian salads that taste bland and have minimal dressing or add-ons, like hummus or cabbage. Their chicken on kabobs have a weird aftertaste that reminded me of curry of which I'm not a fan. Their serving size was skimpy; the dish I received should have been about $8.5. Instead I paid $14. Not worth it. Naf Naf Grill on Michigan Avenue and Waker Drive is 100 times better. This cheap place has an unpleasant diner though the setting is interesting. They're also rude and unfriendly. When I placed my order, I felt like kettlebeing poked and prodded to hurry up, order, and pay. To make matters worse, they didn't even provide napkins and eating utensils. Don't waste...