Noon O Kabab of Highwood — Restaurant in Highwood

Quick review: amazing. Five stars because I love Persian food and this is just about as good as Persian food gets anywhere in the USA.

There are two Noon O Kababs. There’s one in Albany Park and this one (the newer one) in Highwood. The new one in Highwood is much better, in my opinion, than the first one in Albany Park, which seems to have quality control issues since they expanded into a new building a few years back.

If you’re a Persian food first timer and you like beef, I suggest Soltani or Chengeh kabobs with the white rice and sprinkle the sumac fairly liberally over the rice. If you like chicken, I suggest the saffron chicken chenjeh and if you’re so inclined, try the dill rice with that one. No sumac. There’s salmon too and it’s great, but I’m a Midwestern carnivore and Persian food is great for carnivores!

I know all this because I’ve been eating Persian food since 1988, when I met my amazing Persian wife. Oh, and one last thing, if it’s a special on the menu, there’s a dish called Fessenjun - it’s a chicken and palmegranite & walnut reduction stew served over rice. It’s ASTOUNDING no matter which Persian restaurant you go to. Done right, it takes all day for someone to stir and reduce, so it’s generally a celebratory dish for special occasions. And frankly Noon O’s is just OK. But a “just OK” fessenjun is still likely to be one of the best things you’ll ever eat! (The best I ever had was at a place called Mazeh in Paris, which reminded me of my mother-in-law’s.). The combination of the pomegranite with the walnuts is just out of this world.

Portions are huge. So be prepared to take some home for lunch the next day. And the price is right. Can’t say enough good things...

Here’s what you need to know: excellent execution in Highwood of this super popular Chicago middle eastern kebaberie. Huge portions. Charming traditional styled decor and tableware, and delicious flavors where the quality is front and center.

We order 3 entrees, 2 appetizers, tea, and 2 desserts for a party of 4 and it was enough food for 6. The presentation is lovely and inviting, and the portions generous (see pictures).

The favorite for the whole table was the marinated ribeye, followed by the ground beef kebab and ground lamb kebabs. All the kebabs were so succulent and moist and juicy. The dill rice and saffron rice were both delicious. The full rice is served with Dana beans). The appetizers of the roasted eggplant paste and the hummus were absolutely delicious and had deep but not overly imposing flavor - very skillful preparation and gorgeous presentation to boot. The tea was perfectly brewed and had great botanical flavors. Very soothing. Both the pita and the thin Roti were absolutely delicious.

We met the owner Vahid who is full of life and obsessed with the quality of his restaurant and food it shows. his team (shout out to Jesus) and him have done an excellent job of keeping wait times low, quality high despite running on a skeletal crew.

Even the dessert of baklava and tiramisu hit the mark. Especially the baklava was brilliant and moist and had amazing black cardamom flavors (which is atypical since it’s mostly green cardamom that’s used).

Our total was $100 for 4 persons and we had half the...

Noon O Kabab: A Paragon of Exceptional Service and Culinary Excellence

Noon O Kabab has consistently proven itself to be a standout in the realm of dining experiences. From the moment you walk through the doors, you are greeted with unbelievable service and an immaculate atmosphere that sets the stage for an incredible meal.

Recently, I encountered an unfavorable incident during one of my visits. What followed was a testament to the unparalleled dedication of Noon O Kabab's ownership and staff. The owners personally reached out to me, taking immediate steps to rectify the situation. They not only offered a heartfelt apology but also went above and beyond by providing a complimentary dinner, ensuring that I left completely satisfied.

This experience underscores the core values that great family-run businesses uphold. The owners of Noon O Kabab demonstrated a profound commitment to customer satisfaction, taking actions they were under no obligation to perform. Their proactive approach to resolving the issue reflects a deep respect for their patrons and a dedication to maintaining the highest standards of service.

In a world where customer service often falls short, Noon O Kabab stands as a shining example of how a business should be run. Their actions speak volumes about their integrity and passion for what they do.

Thank you once again, Noon O Kabab. We love you and will wholeheartedly recommend you to our family...