Jibek Jolu Glenview — Restaurant in Northfield Township

I used to come here frequently to introduce Central Asian cuisine to my international friends. I stopped going to this restaurant in the summer of 2021 because I found long HAIR in my solyanka soup, shortly thereafter, I noticed another black long hair (not mine) in lagman (it was a time when they used to serve lagman). I was with my friends at the time and didn't want to argue with management about anything and ruin our lunchtime because I was the one who suggested we go to this place. I simply informed our server about the hair, and he substituted the food with NO APOLOGY.

I didn't write any negative reviews at the time because it was a new restaurant location and didn't want to hurt business by leaving a negative review. I was afraid to eat at Jibek Jolu after that, but a few days ago I decided to give it another try, and I came here with my friends from another state so they could enjoy the nice interior and Central Asian food. This time, a 2.5% SURCHARGE was applied to my transaction without my knowledge (copy of the check provided). Yes, they wrote about it at the very end of the check, which I didn't notice when I was paying for it, even though it was the first time in my life that I'd seen something like this in a "high quality" restaurant like Jibek Jolu.

Also, I ordered a honey cake to go. When I got home and opened my cake, I found a ROTTEN STRAWBERRY inside (this time I decided to take pictures and provide them here). I believe it is preferable not to put any berries than to put a rotten bad one! I understand that everyone makes mistakes and that the restaurant will never be perfect. But, if these unpleasant situations happened to the same customer in a raw, perhaps it's time to make a change?

P.S. Before writing a negative review here, I sent a direct message to their Instagram account, and after 24 hours, I left a comment so they could read my message. I also called the restaurant on 03/24/23. I received NO REPLY, so I guess the best way to be heard is to leave a Google review. I was extremely disappointed and dissatisfied with my dining experience at that establishment. I'm not going to come here anymore.

Such a waste of money and...

The food is good. But sometimes that is not enough. Four of us were seated for dinner. In most restaurants, people who go to dinner together would like to eat together. Well, that's not what happened at this restaurant's Glenview location. After being served our appetizers---and again, the food was good--our entrees arrived after an appropriate interval...at least three of the four entrees ordered. My wife had ordered a lamb dish with rice. After about 20 minutes of quietly waiting for her dinner and absolutely no communication from the waiter, we inquired about her order. We were told the lamb dish took much longer than the other items that were ordered. So we were expected to believe that lamb takes about 45 minutes longer to cook than the chicken dishes which the others ordered. The waiter also said it was not unusual for someone to have to wait much longer for their food, thereby inferring that at this restaurant patrons are not necessarily expected to dine together. Clearly, the waiter was lying. Either he forgot to place the lamb order or someone in the kitchen skipped over it. Now anyone can make a mistake. And we all know many restaurants are struggling to patch together adequate staffing. All he had to say was "I screwed up and I will get the food out to you as quickly as possible." But here is the worse part of this terrible visit to this restaurant. The owner couldn't care less. We asked to speak with her. We were told she would be there in five minutes. Then we were told we could not speak with her and that she was not there. So the food is good. But be cautioned, this restaurant does not seem compelled to serve all members of a dinner party at the same time. If one person has to wait 30 to 45 minutes for their food, then its just the luck-of- the-draw and that's the way things are done at this restaurant--according to at least one member of its staff...and apparently its indifferent owner as well. I will not be back. Dining out is more than just the taste of the food. One should not be forced to swallow lies as well as...

If you haven’t been to Jibek Jolu yet, let me tell you—you’re missing out on something truly special. This is hands-down one of my husband’s and my favorite restaurants, and for good reason. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warm smiles, an inviting atmosphere, and a feast for the eyes (and stomach!).

Let’s talk about the ambiance—it's absolutely stunning. One painting on their wall was so mesmerizing, I actually reached out to the artist they commissioned! The decor is a perfect blend of cozy, traditional and feels like you are in Mongolia 🇲🇳 making it a great spot for date nights, gatherings and even weddings (I love seeing all the couples having their mini receptions here).

But the real star here is the food. Oh, the food! Everything on the menu is a winner. Seriously, you can close your eyes, scroll through the menu, and point to anything—it’ll be amazing. That said, I do have a few personal favorites:

✨ Mushroom Soup: Comforting, rich, and full of flavor—this is the hug-in-a-bowl you didn’t know you needed. ✨ Bread with Egg: (I can’t remember the name, but trust me, you’ll know it when you see it!) Warm, pillowy bread with a perfectly cooked egg—it’s a dream. ✨ Chicken Tabaka: Crispy, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. A must-try. ✨ Meat Tower: Yes, you read that right. The steak is so tender it melts in your mouth like butter. Need I say more?

A quick heads-up for my fellow cilantro-averse friends: let the staff know if you’re not a fan or have an allergy. Some dishes feature unexpected cilantro touches in glazes or marinades. But that’s the only “gotcha” here—everything else is pure perfection.

In short, Jibek Jolu is a culinary treasure. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just someone who loves a great meal, this spot will not disappoint. We LOVE it here and can’t wait to go back. Do yourself a favor—go now and thank...