Serai Cafe & Deli — Restaurant in Chicago

Upon conversing with the owner, I came to know that the word "Serai " comes from the Persian word " sarāy", which means a dwelling or a place of rest. Contextually, it points to the resting places along the historical silk route that once facilitated the cultural and economical aspects of eastern and western civilizations. As soon as I took the first bite of the Reuben sandwich and the Smash burger I ordered, I experienced what Anton Ego experienced at the end of the film " Ratatouille." It was a true "Ratatouille moment!" I was engulfed in the best of eastern and western flavors that made me utter one praise after the other until I was out of words. I wondered if only Chef Gordon Ramsey could come to town and attempt to critique this food outlet? He would have no choice but to concede that this is inarguably the best deli and burger joint in the state, if not the entire nation! Those of you who cook know how difficult it is to keep the juices within the burger patties, and my word, do these guys know how to masterfully execute it! The deli sandwiches and gourmet burgers are as fresh as they come and you would never have to worry about hygiene. This place is as clean as a whistle! Do not be surprised if you see celebrities around you gracing this place often. The likes of Khabib, Bilal, and our very own MR. T. frequent this place! If this isn't your top pick already, you need to reconsider where your food...

Serài is an amazing cafe/deli, plus it’s zabiha halal which is great for the area. Very friendly customer service and the atmosphere is very chill and comfortable. The coffee is superb with a very robust and distinct aroma and taste, I drink black coffee and it’s very hard to come by good coffee, their pistachio espresso is particularly great and definitely a must as well even though I’m not the biggest fan of flavored coffee. The pastrami sandwich and hamburger are some of the best I’ve tried in a while as well, not too bland with some very exquisite flavors and just right amount of spices. I also ordered the pineapple upside down cake, and it was amazing!! The cake was moist and the vanilla ice cream on top was gooey but still cold. The pineapples tasted warm and comforting. I also ordered the Biscoff cheesecake and Nutella cheesecake and those two were really...

Great restaurant! Despite being a new spot, they’re already delivering amazing food that I highly recommend trying. The service is absolutely top-notch – attentive and friendly staff who make you feel welcome. The restaurant maintains a very clean and inviting atmosphere that adds to the overall dining experience. What really stands out is the quality of their meat – you can taste the difference. As someone who appreciates halal options, I’m glad to confirm all their meat is halal certified. Honestly, I’ve never really seen a halal deli sub restaurant before, which makes this place very unique and interesting within the halal food scene. It’s refreshing to see this kind of variety and creativity. Whether you’re looking for a new go-to spot or just want to try something fresh in the area, this place...