Oasis Cafe

This place has the best cheap Mediterranean food I've had in Chicago. This is a hidden gem. Quality- the falafel is crunchy and fresh. The chicken is juicy and seasoned well. This place Blows naf naf away. Quantity- excellent for 10 bucks. I'd be here every week for lunch if I worked closer. Atmosphere- nice seating area in the back of a jewelry store. Service - very fast

For people new to Chicago it's fun to eat here because it feels very "big city," being hidden in the back of a jewelry store. It's also fun because the food is very good!Service was fine, you just order and they call your number after a while, they were polite, no problem.The ambiance is funny because of course it's in the back of a store and seemingly has no place being there. There's a bathroom around the corner in case you need one.Definitely recommend. My mother in law can't stop talking about the Egyptian Salad!

Wow! I came here with the intention of trying their vegetarian falafel sandwich, but when I walked in everyone was eating the same thing so I instantly changed my mind! The Wednesday special (Moroccan chicken) was filled with flavor and was so fresh! Absolutely a hidden gem. I will continue to come back. Also, the plate was enough for 2 people to share AND WAS ONLY $10.95!!

My new favorite affordable lunch in the loop - not only is oasis such a cool "Chicago" spot tucked away in the back of a jewelry store, the food is GOOD and CHEAP!The falafel sandwich came out to $8.53 and was a filling and satisfying lunch. After ordering, it was prepared quickly (in about 30 seconds) and I was on my way. The falafel was crunchy and flavorful and the hummus was super fresh. They are generous with the ingredients and the portion sizes, and the food tastes super authentic. The space has plenty of tables to sit, but it definitely fills up during the lunch hour! I can't wait to go back and try more from their menu!

If you truly want to experience a hidden gem food spot of Chicago, look no further!Oasis Cafe is located in Jewlers Row in the Loop, and is in the back of a diamond/ jewelry store. It a bit hard to find because there's no blatant signage out front, but apple/ google maps will guide you. Now it's only open during lunch time, but you can order ahead online or order in store. There are also a few tables/ chairs set up inside where you can eat your food after ordering. Now the food: wow, for the price you get a decently large portion. There are daily specials along with staple menu items like beef/ chicken kebabs, shawarma, grape leaves, falafel, hummus, baba ganoush, etc. Everything looked fresh & the service was so friendly! i got the mixed combo platter which came with your choice of meat, rice, falafel, hummus, and salad: delicious.

Please know what to order in advance. I didn't know exactly what I wanted. All the chefs stopped working and looked at me like I was a menace. Please don't change your order. I was sooo embarrassed. The food is so good. I will go back over and over again, despite the bad customer service.

I've been hesitating for years to say anything about Oasis Cafe because I don't want to share it with the masses.It is hands down the best middle eastern food in Chicago. I love dolma, and this is the best. Bright and lemony, always fresh.My go-to vegetarian combo comes with dolma or tabouleh. The tabouleh is pretty amazing too. I could be happy with a plate of tabouleh and a pita to soak up that mouthwatering dressing.I could also be happy with a plate of their perfectly fried falafel. I only barely like falafel because it's so bland at most places, but I love it here. Don't get me started on the shawarma. It is very easy to over-eat here.I know the place looks like a place where you could definitely get food poisoning. Who puts a restaurant in the back of a drab little jewelry mall on Wabash? But that's all part of the charm. Bring people here and you will immediately look like the most experienced and knowledgeable Chicago foodie they have ever met.Also, they have diet Dr. Pepper on tap. Also clean restrooms.Also, I've eaten here hundreds of times and never gotten food poisoning.

Yes Oasis Cafe - in the back of a jewelry emporium on Wabash - still lives! I've not been here in ages, but yesterday I came here with a couple of friends for lunch. Oasis is tucked away in the back of this place, and the ambiance of the dining area is a bit hole-in-the-wall. You step up and order your food, and it is quickly served on a cafeteria tray if you are dining in. Oasis has daily specials, and on this particular Thursday we unanimously ordered the Wabash Mixed Combo. This is a solid plate of food, featuring the Moroccan chicken pastilla, a burrito-like bundle of fillo dough wrapped around chicken and veggies. I have eaten pastilla in other places and it is usually more crispy and sweeter, but this pastilla is still good. However, the star of the combo for me was actually the three pieces of falafel - they are dynamite. Hummus, foul beans, lettuce and pita round out this platter. For some reason during our meal there were some blinking lights, buzzing noises and alarms going off sporadically during our meal. The woman apologized for the inconvenience, and hopefully that alarm stuff was just a one-off.

I enjoyed eating the food from this almost secret location just one block over from where the park of the well known Bean, more correctly known as the Cloud Gate, is found. The price was right. The portions enough to take home after feeling fully satiated.You may miss the entrance if you are looking to find a sign up top on the side of the building. But nope! Look down. There's a street sign only. There may or may not be an arrow visible pointing you into the entrance of a jewelry store. Exactly.... You are scratching your head right? But I'm sure if you've lived in a city, you know that the most impressive places may be found in the tiniest of holes. Right?The service reminded me a tad of Seinfeld's Soup guy. If you know what I mean, then that's enough. If you don't? Be prepared? How? 1) Read the menu, 2) observe the other clientele in line, see what and how they order from the food to the beverage to asking for a cold cup of free water, 3) make sure your party doesn't have that one person who five minutes into everyone else knowing what they will order is STILL not ready ... you know what? put in your order, then let them head up to put theirs in while you've grabbed your seats and enjoy your middle eastern spread. If you are nice? Maybe you'll share . As for the ambiance? It's definitely no frills. It's a mom and pop vibe that's on point. Walk confidently through that jewelry store and head straight on back. Secure your spot. Grab a friend or two and comisurate over a tasty and healthy meal. Enjoy!

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): 5/5Food: 4.5/5Ambience: 3/5Service: 4/5Overall Value: 4.2/5