2018 W Chicago Ave (at Damen)
We needed a really quick dinner this time around and opted for Chickpea, which is Palestinian and proud of it, family-owned, and 2 blocks from our apartment.
A couple of past visits have revealed a mostly-on/sometimes-off menu, but always kind service. I dig the decor here: Arabian Nights meets late-night-movies-on-UHF meets DIY. This really is a family operation, as the owner’s “Mama” makes the food. Mrs. Suqi cares and it shows.
The Husband ordered kharoof mihshew: perfectly-grilled lamb and veggie kabobs on a bed of raisin-flecked rice. I chose the daily special, koosa mihshee: baby zucchini stuffed with rice and lamb in a comforting tomato broth. We split an order of fatoosh (parsley, cucumber, tomato salad with the most delicious pomegranate vinaigrette).
We wished the “youngest son” had waited until we left to move the chairs and table next to us, set up a ladder, and change the light bulb above our table.
Total was around $28.