LTHForum.com

I heard a report on WBEZ about LTHForum, which is why I'm posting this. There was a piece about a restaurant on the southwest side of Chicago (I think) that served mensif. I can't seem to find it doing a search here. Does anyone know where it is?

In addition, does anyone know where to go for Indonesian food? In particular - where to find rijsttafel in the area?

City Noor Kabab has mansaf on the menu at least sometimes.

City Noor Kabab
4718 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL
60625
(773) 267-9166

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Oops. Just noticed you said southwest side. I believe this post includes the address, or people who can give you more info.

Hi,

Steve's Shish Kebab was the place with the Mansef. It was goooood!

The mansaf at Steve's is very good indeed. It's not offered every day, however, so you might want to call ahead (773-581-8920). Even without mansaf, Steve's is worth visiting.

Another (far) southwest side spot for mansaf might be Shishkabab House in Bridgeview. I'd say an advance call is essential because I'm not even certain it's still around.

Shishkabab House
9250 S Harlem Av
Bridgeview IL
708-599-4011


I'm pretty sure it's not always available but I've been told to call a day or two in advance and they'll make it.


With the closing of August Moon (225 W 26th) a year or two ago, Chicago is without an Indonesian restaurant. I wasn't terribly impressed with the place on a single visit quite a while ago. Where to go now? I noticed that round-trip fares between Chicago and Amsterdam are now under $350!

Indeed, City Noor serves mansaf and I believe it is one of a number of specials that they cycle through, so it is not always available, as Ed indicates. Amata and I had the dish there back this past summer and we both thought it was delicious. If you're going t be up that way, give them a call and see if it's on the menu that day. Even if it's not, City Noor restaurant is worth visiting and the adjacent butcher shop is of very high quality.

Antonius

Fiesta,

In addition to Steve's and City Noor, Salam has Mensef as a Friday special. Coincidentally these three Middle Eastern are among my favorites in Chicago. City Noor's, as opposed to Steve's and Salam, falafel, is made from fava bean, which is exceptional. I posted about City Noor a few weeks ago Here

Now don't get me wrong, I still quite enjoy falafel made from chickpea, in fact the falafel we had at Steve's a few weeks ago was among the best I've ever eaten, and I've long been enamored of Salam's falafel, but if you've not tried fava bean falafel a trip to City Noor is most certainly in order.

Here are a couple of Mensef pictures I took at Steve's Shish Kabab.





Speaking of Salam's daily specials:
Monday is upside down rice
Tuesday is stuffed grape leaves
Wednesday is stuffed lamb
Thursday is small rolls of rice and meat stuffed cabbage
Friday is Mansef
Saturday the daily special changes, but they seemed to imply the Saturday special was a bit more 'special' than the rest of the week.
All the daily specials come with pita, olives, pickled turnip and salad.

Enjoy,
Gary

Steve's Shish Kabob
3816 W 63rd St
Chicago, IL 60629
773-581-8920

Salam
4636 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
773-583-0776

City Noor
4714 N Kedzie
Chicago, IL 60625
773-267-6777

I believe mansaf is a friday special at City noor. I like their version quite a bit, though from what i understand you get a bit more meat alongside the broth at Steve's

Zim,

If by more meat along side the broth at Steve's you mean they serve a side plate of meat, in addition to meat already on the dish, they do not. Steve's does, of course, serve a side cup of saucy broth for the mensef, but not additional meat.

I'm basing my info on having Steve's mensef twice in recent weeks, though that is not to say it's never been done. Since this seems to be the season for a-thons, maybe we should propose a mensef-a-thon.

Enjoy,
Gary

Gary,

Judging from your photo of steve's they do serve more meat than at city noor, where you receive a single piece on top of the rice, bread, and slivered almonds, alongside the bowl of broth. For me, it's really about the broth, and their broth is very good, if it wasn't quite so rich, I'd slurp it up all alone.