Discovering the Authentic Flavors of Taste Of Lebanon
Located in the heart of the Andersonville neighborhood at 1509 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, Taste Of Lebanon stands as a cherished culinary landmark for those seeking genuine Middle Eastern hospitality. For years, this establishment has served as a cornerstone of the local community, offering a warm and unpretentious environment where the focus remains entirely on the quality of the ingredients and the time-honored traditions of Lebanese cooking. Stepping inside, guests are immediately greeted by the inviting aromas of freshly baked bread and aromatic spices, setting the stage for a dining experience that feels both familiar and deeply rooted in cultural heritage.
The philosophy behind Taste Of Lebanon is centered on the belief that great food does not require complex embellishments. Instead, the kitchen relies on the integrity of simple, wholesome components—chickpeas, tahini, fresh vegetables, and high-quality proteins—prepared with care and consistency. Whether you are a long-time resident of Chicago or a visitor exploring the diverse culinary landscape of the city, this restaurant offers a welcoming space to enjoy a meal that prioritizes flavor and comfort above all else.
What Makes Taste Of Lebanon Unique
Commitment to Traditional Recipes: The menu is built upon classic Lebanese culinary techniques that have been passed down through generations. By adhering to these traditional methods, the kitchen ensures that every dish maintains an authentic profile that resonates with those familiar with the region's cuisine while remaining accessible to newcomers.
A Welcoming Community Atmosphere: Beyond the food, the restaurant is defined by its friendly and approachable service. It serves as a gathering place where neighbors connect and visitors feel like regulars, fostering a sense of belonging that is increasingly rare in the fast-paced urban environment of Chicago.
Emphasis on Freshness and Simplicity: Every item prepared in the kitchen highlights the natural qualities of the ingredients. By focusing on fresh produce and high-quality staples, the restaurant delivers a clean, vibrant dining experience that celebrates the essence of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary traditions.
An Iconic Local Presence: Situated on West Foster Avenue, the location has become a recognizable fixture in the Andersonville area. Its longevity and consistent dedication to its craft have earned it a reputation as a reliable destination for anyone looking to enjoy a satisfying, heart-warming meal in a relaxed setting.
The preparation process at Taste Of Lebanon is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail. From the texture of the hummus to the seasoning of the savory pastries, each element is balanced to provide a harmonious experience on the palate. The restaurant avoids the common pitfalls of over-complication, choosing instead to let the natural richness of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and fresh herbs take center stage. This dedication to the basics is what allows the establishment to maintain its high standards and continue serving the community with pride.
Furthermore, the layout and ambiance of the space reflect the restaurant's humble origins and its ongoing commitment to being an accessible neighborhood eatery. There is no pretense here; the environment is designed to facilitate conversation and enjoyment, making it an ideal spot for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner. The staff operates with a quiet efficiency, ensuring that every guest feels attended to without the intrusion of unnecessary formalities. This balance of professional service and casual comfort is a hallmark of the Lebanese hospitality that the restaurant strives to embody every single day.
As the culinary scene in Chicago continues to evolve, Taste Of Lebanon remains a steadfast reminder of the enduring appeal of classic, well-executed food. It does not chase trends or attempt to reinvent the wheel; rather, it focuses on perfecting the staples that have sustained cultures for centuries. For those who appreciate the beauty of a well-made meal, the restaurant offers a consistent and rewarding experience that highlights the best of what Middle Eastern cuisine has to offer.
A Culinary Destination in Andersonville
In conclusion, Taste Of Lebanon serves as more than just a place to eat; it is a vital part of the local fabric in Chicago. By maintaining a focus on authenticity, community, and the simple joy of sharing a good meal, it continues to attract a loyal following of patrons who value quality and tradition. Whether you are stopping by for a familiar favorite or looking to explore the foundational flavors of Lebanese cooking, you will find a welcoming environment that honors the craft of food preparation. We invite you to visit us at 1509 W Foster Ave and experience the genuine hospitality and classic flavors that have made us a staple of the Andersonville neighborhood.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Service options
Onsite services
Takeout
Dine-in
Highlights
Serves local specialty
Popular for
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Offerings
Comfort food
Healthy options
Quick bite
Small plates
Vegan options
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Counter service
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Atmosphere
Casual
Crowd
College students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Cash-only
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free street parking
Paid street parking
Menus
WRAPS
FALAFEL$5.49
FALAFEL W/ HUMMUS$5.99
FALAFEL W/ BABA$5.99
GRAPE LEAVES$5.49
CHICKEN SHAWARMA$6.99
LAMB (KAFTA)$6.99
BEEF SHAWARMA$6.99
APPETIZERS
FALAFEL$5.99
HUMMUS$6.99
BABA GHANNOUJ$6.99
HUMMUS OR BABA GHANNOUJ W/ MEAT$9.99
STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES 6 PIECE$3.99
STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES DOZEN$6.99
FRIES$2.49
VEGGIE COMBOS
VEGGIE # 1$8.99
VEGGIE #2$8.99
SOUP
LENTIL SOUP (12 OZ)$3.49
RED LENTILS, SPICES AND EVOO
SALADS
LEBANESE$5.99
FATTOUSH$6.99
TABOULI$6.99
CHICKEN$9.99
PASTRY
BAKLAVA$1.49
DRINKS
SODA CAN$1.00
WATER BOTTLE$1.00
Photos
Reviews Taste Of Lebanon
Thomas Vassiliades
05-04-2026
When I tell you their garlic sauce is the punchiest most garlicky garlic sauce I’ve ever had. Just a tiny bit tastes like you ate 5 raw cloves of garlic. If you are a garlic lover, this is like the final boss when it comes to garlic sauces. I’ll probably be back a few hours after I post this. More
Agha Khan
05-04-2026
Everything here is halal. People are super friendly. One drawback is that they only accept cash no credit cards. However, the prices are very reasonable for the quality and quantity of the food. I got the spicy lamb wrap, grape leaves and … More
Kimo Massarani
05-04-2026
Chicken shawarma is really bad, does not taste good at all (not authentic shawarma) and caused me stomach aches the next morning. Would not recommend More
Adrian
05-04-2026
Fantastic food. I had the chicken shawarma and lentil soup while other family members had soup and tabouli salad and soup and shawafel. A lot of food for a good price. There was a small mistake made in additional food for carry-out, initially one item was left out, but the server quickly corrected it. More
Eric DosCinco
05-04-2026
Taste of Lebanon 🇱🇧 is absolutely incredible. One of the best restaurants, not just Andersonville, but in all of Chicago. Spicy beef shawarma is my go-to. It’s tasty, spicy, just plain good. The line is out the door every day for lunch & … More
Mudakir Hussien
05-04-2026
Easily the best lunch spot in Uptown. Food is always delicious and flavorful and the service is fast as hell. Super simple and always very clean space inside. More
S H
05-04-2026
Fresh and delicious food that is affordable and served quickly. Service is super friendly. I had the (thin cut) fries, lamp wrap and falafel. I will stop by for pickup again the next time I’m in the neighborhood. More
Mark D
05-04-2026
The counter service is consistently outstanding, the food is excellent, never a bad meal, and the prices are a good value. … More
J. Hashim
05-04-2026
This place is incredible. It taste like authentic Shawarma that I used to have as a kid in Lebanon. I feel transported to my childhood when I was eating shawarmas on the mountains of Lebanon. I’ve tried so many different places all over the … More
Bo Petrov
05-04-2026
Very decent grub for great value. Thanks guys for great lunch! Keep it up. I’m definitely coming back to do this again. Everything tasted delicious and lots of Mediterranean staples that taste great, every time. Trust me I know!!!
Little bit of interior improvement and it’s a 5 star spot;)
NIck Noriega
05-04-2026
Staff was very friendly, professional, and fast. The food was cheap compared to everything else in this economy at the moment. The taste was OUTSTANDING. My GF and I loved our food and the fact that it was a deal made it even better. Highly recommend. More
Joe Cunningham
05-04-2026
New (to me) found favorite! Place was clean (!), service was quick, and food was good!
I have been the neighborhood for a while and finally tried this place. The humus is smooth with an actual taste!! A friend and I split the humus app, I got the special #2. Everything was delicious and the prices aren’t expensive!
Teresa Walsh
05-04-2026
Still one of my favorite meals in Chicago and only cost 10 bucks! The lentil soup and hummus falafel wrap is fire! And great french fries to dip in the hummus! More
Joe Cunningham
05-04-2026
New (to me) found favorite! Place was clean (!), service was quick, and food was good! … More
A K
05-04-2026
Incredible and fast chicken shawarma. So flavorful. The employees were kind and helpful, and gave us some extra sauce/pita free of charge. VERY affordable. Perfect spot for a quick lunch in a prime location. More
Debbie Cerenzia
05-04-2026
This place is a hidden gem with lovely staff! Can't say enough about the freshness and flavor experience for Gyros and cheese pies. We also split the incredible Baklava milkshake with Baklava in it, and it was also on the side - decadent. Small seating area inside and nice patio outside. We'll be back soon to try more menu items. More
Brittany Mixon
05-04-2026
Interrupting my [amazing] meal to leave this review.
Wow. Like most people, I usually only feel compelled to leave a review when something goes wrong, since that's the only form of justice we have as consumers these days. As soon I opened the bag when I sat it on my counter, I knew I was in for something special. The small fry I ordered is bigger than any large I've ever ordered from another restaurant. Most places don't label their to-go items, but my shawarma came with PRINTED labels. There was a label on my garlic sauce, too, because they sent it alongside a little container of tahini. Both for free! Most places charge at least a dollar for sauces. I haven't even opened the other shawarma yet but I know it's gonna be fire. Already texted 2 friends about this spot. If they keep they keep the prices and quality the same, this could be the most successful restaurant in Chicago. Shout out to Lebanon, your cuisine is top-tier.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Mary Pence
05-04-2026
I love Taste of Lebanon! Incredible food at great prices. The chicken shawarma is one of the best I have ever had, as was the lentil soup. We have been here many times, and the quality is consistently excellent. The staff is warm and … More
Eric Rahn
05-04-2026
Great local place that is beloved by the neighborhood. The man behind the counter is always kind and will remember your face quickly. I've been going here for years for the best priced lunch in the city, but today he spotted me when I was a … More
Brandon Reines
05-04-2026
The food and customer service here are superb. The gentlemen working here are always very courteous and efficient. My food is most always ready within a few minutes. The ingredients are fresh and the prices are very reasonable. Cash only. More
Cole Bright (AvantGael)
05-04-2026
I don't like to bag on small businesses but the food here is terrible. Sweet lentil soup, like it's from a can or something, old falafel, the fries aren't the nice breaded kind most MENA places serve. I've seen the owner respond to … More
Gabriel Knecht
05-04-2026
Probably pound for pound the best food for money in the entire city. After tons of over hyped $200-300 trendy social media meals where you leave hungry it’s absolutely incredible to stumble on a restaurant that remembers the most important … More
Doina P
05-04-2026
Cash only. The sandwiches tasted fine. The beef was dry.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Food: 3
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 2
Group size
Suitable for all group sizes
Parking options
Paid street parking
Ashouraita Khoshaba
05-04-2026
I can't believe the way people talk up this place. They must not know Middle Eastern food at all. As a Middle Easterner, I can safely say this is the worst Middle Eastern food I've ever had. The lentil soup is weirdly sweet (?!) and bland. … More
Doina P
05-04-2026
Cash only. The sandwiches tasted fine. The beef was dry.
Order type
Dine…
More
Chelsie Tamms
05-04-2026
Edited: Everything I’ve had so far in their menu is delicious! Highly recommend the vegetarian specials as they are perfect to share as well as the lamb kebab! … More
Debangana Sanyal
05-04-2026
I walked into Taste of Lebanon around 3 PM, and the place was packed—a good sign, especially since the recommendation came from someone who lives in the neighborhood.
The restaurant has limited seating, so it operates more like a quick-service spot. We ordered lamb kebab wraps with fries, and the food arrived impressively fast. The wrap was the highlight: filling, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The fries, while decent, were fairly standard.
One important thing to note is that the restaurant is cash-only, so be sure to come prepared.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 3
Recommended dishes
Falafel with Hummus or Baba Ghannouj, Gyro
shailaja shree
05-04-2026
Delicious Middle Eastern Vegetarian Options at Taste of Lebanon
I’ve been craving Middle Eastern food, and my husband took me to [Restaurant Name] for a Wednesday lunch.
Food: They offer a small but well-curated selection of Middle Eastern dishes. As vegetarians, we tried the Falafel wrap and the vegetarian combo. The falafel was perfectly crispy, and the Hummus and Baba ghanoush were fresh and creamy. Since we prefer our food crispy, they customized it for us and even provided a chili sauce on the side. You can also customize your wrap with any sauce from their list. The meal was filling, and we ended with their Baklava dessert, which was sweet and delightfully crispy.
Price: It cost us $25 for two people (2 wraps, 1 vegetarian combo, and 1 dessert). The price is very reasonable for such a tasty and satisfying meal.
Ambience: The place is small, clean, and no-frills, making it ideal for a quick bite or takeaway.
Location and Accessibility:
Public Transportation: The #92 Foster CTA bus stops nearby, and the Red Line’s Bryn Mawr station is a 10-15 minute walk.
Parking: Limited street parking is available (both metered and non-metered), and there are a few paid parking lots nearby.
Overall, it was a fantastic experience, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone craving authentic Middle Eastern flavors!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Recommended dishes
Falafel with Hummus or Baba Ghannouj
Vegetarian offerings
Vegetarian menu or section
Emma
05-04-2026
hands down, they make the best food. My boyfriend and I tried the falafel wrap with baba ghanoush and lamb kafta wrap, and they were absolutely amazing. Their baklava is great as well. 100/10 recommend this place.. they also have super sweet and polite staff. Can’t wait to come back!
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Group size
3-4 people
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Ava Viti
05-04-2026
Yum! My mom & I tried the vegetarian combos. So fresh, flavorful, and very generous portions. We got all this food with four large pieces of pita for just less than $20. My first time trying Lebanese food. Will definitely be back!
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
$1–10
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4
Wait time
No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Vegetarian offerings
Large vegetarian selection
Vegetarian options
Special Vegetarian combos
Hagz
05-04-2026
Gem status!! Taste of Lebanon is def on my top favorite restaurants in the city. It's a small, seemingly hole in the wall place, where you order at the counter and find a seat. But it's absolutely delicious food and super cheap. My go to is the beef or lamb Shawarma sandwich amazing flavors, my wife is a vegetarian so she gets the falafel sandwich always fresh hot and amazing every time! Easy to eat on the go that's so awesomeness, super convenient if you’re in a rush. 100% recommend!
Price per person
$10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Reservation
Reservations not required
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Seating type
Indoor dining area
Parking space
Somewhat difficult to find parking
Parking options
Free street parking, Paid street parking
Christina
05-04-2026
Real casual cash only place. Their lentil soup has my heart. It has a lovely creamy texture with soft chunks of lentils. Taste-wise, very comforting and pretty onion-y in the best way possible. Just squeeze some lemon in and voila, it's perfect. A quart of this always non-negotiable whenever I'm feeling sick. Everything else here ranges from okay to good but the lentil soup is where it's at. An objective four but sentimental five.
Reviews Taste Of Lebanon