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The Favorite Dining Companion and I had dinner here last night. As a matter of disclosure, I picked the spot while cruising Restaurant.com for ideas. I was looking for a spot on the north side before we headed to Lincoln Park for a play. About an hour before we headed for the restaurant, I picked up a copy of the Reader and it happened to have a nice review of the place.

We arrived at around 5:30. Easy parking in front on Irving Park. When we walked in, I thought this was a small storefront spot. The few tables that were in front all had reserved signs on them. Whoops. Then the host took us to one of the two adjacent rooms in the back, each had several tables.

Our meal started off with warm pita bread served with hot sauce and chopped olives on the side. I'm not an olive person. But FDC said they were quite good as she devoured all of it. I enjoyed the hot sauce.

We shared a Moroccan salad appetizer. It was large enough for two. FDC's allergic to lemon, So they made the dressing without it.

We ordered the Kefta Tagine and Mixed Grill Kebabs as our entrees. Both were very good. We splurged for baklava for dessert. FDC chose plain and I had one with chocolate. Yowza!

Service was good. Nice bathrooms. My only gripe is that the iced tea was rather weak. This place is definitely on our north side dining rotation. It's BYOB.

Shokran Moroccan Restaurant
4027 W Irving Park
(between Pulaski Rd & Keystone Ave)
Chicago, IL 60641
(773) 427-9130
http://shokranchicago.com/

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"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."
-- P. J. O’Rourke"

I ate here when it was still called Blue Line Moroccan something. The food was uneven and the service was terrible. I remember a few really tasty dips (zaalouk maybe?) and some good grilled items, but recall being very disappointed by a bland tagine.

From your post, it seems like things are looking up. I still haven't eaten a decent tagine in Chicago, so I'm willing to give this place another shot.

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"By the fig, the olive..." Surat Al-Teen, Mecca 95:1"

Blue Line Grill

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"A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do."
-- P. J. O’Rourke"

Me too, which is why I hadn't been back. I'm happy to report that Shokran is an entirely different place, and much better on all fronts. Fluffy couscous that's flavored with lamb stock and fat, the creamiest possible hummus, tasty merguez, fresh-brewed mint tea, and a downright swanky interior space that's warm, comfortable and romantic. Take a date.

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...defended from strong temptations to social ambition by a still stronger taste for tripe and onions." Screwtape in The Screwtape Letters by CS Lewis

Fuckerberg on Food

had another great meal at Shokran about a week ago - quaint, warm atmosphere with attentive service and the best couscous & merguez sausage I've enjoyed in Chicago. If you're new to Moroccan cuisine or looking for a solid couscous, I think Shokran is an equally good fit - approachable and tasty. the online menu is up-to-date and there is a nice write-up on Moroccan cuisine on the last page of the online menu. http://www.shokranchicago.com/

meal details:
cold starters were okay - a nice way to begin, but not memorable. this time we had the carrot salad ($5 dressed, cooked carrot slices) and the zaalouk ($5 eggplant, tomatoes, spices) along with the complimentary pita, chopped mild olives and harissa. harissa wasn't as good as usual but hoping this was a fluke. cold starters we ordered were not over-sized but still felt like a fair value. of note, the zaalouk was listed in timeout magazine's 100 best things eaten this year (2012) - maybe it was an off night, maybe I don't have a good frame of reference for zaalouk - it just seemed kind of bland but I'd be willing to give it another try maybe during the summer when eggplants and tomatoes are more likely to shine.

couscous royale ($19) was delicious as usual - rich, hearty and satisfying (and a very generous serving). merguez (made in-house), lamb, vegetables (turnip, carrot and cabbage all flavorful & each well-cooked) and the savory broth, along with the couscous, were the standouts. essentially, the whole dish, except the chicken, was excellent - chicken was fine, just not as enjoyable as the other components.

mint tea is the perfect finish to the meal - lightly honeyed, hot, refreshing.

always hope to try something new but get happily snagged on couscous royale - maybe next time....

other highlights:
friendly mom & pop establishment (never been there when the chef/owner was not there)
warm, capable staff
charming atmosphere, conversation-friendly
reasonable prices (substantial entrees fall between $13 & $19)
easy street parking
friendly byob (glassware isn't the greatest & we didn't have two glasses the same - so if this matters to you - best to bring your own)
there were private parties in the back the night were were there - occurs to me it would be a good group dining experience.

low-points:
cash only with an atm on-site
some of the cushions could use some re-stuffing
it can be cold next to the windows