WICKER PARK — Tarboush Mediterranean Grill plans to be open for lunch Monday in Wicker Park, according to owner Mounir Zekkari.
Just west of the Ashland and North avenues intersection, Tarboush Mediterranean Grill at 1608 W. North Ave. will serve up falafel wrap sandwiches for $3 as part of an opening special.
Normally $5 each, the sandwiches are wrapped in laffa, a thin flatbread and contain falafel, or fried chickpeas, with hummus, tomato, cucumber, lettuce, peppers, pickles and tahini sauce.
"I like Wicker Park and live close by. There are lots of vegetarians and vegans here," said Zekkari, who runs the eatery with his wife, Nadiya Bocheva.
The couple also owns Arabia Cafe Hookah Lounge at 1046 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Noble Square.
The menu, which has several vegan and vegetarian options, serves staples you'd expect to find in a Middle Eastern restaurant but also offers grilled salmon wraps and meat platter dishes such as gyros and lamb chops
Desserts include baklava, tiramisu, sorbet and chocolate mousse.
Zekkari said tarboush is an Arabic word for "hat" and it is just coincidental that an eatery named "The Hat" opened a few doors down at 1604 W. North Ave. last month.
Tarboush joins the newly announced Mish Grill at 1413 N. Ashland Ave. and Pita Cafe at 2014 W. Division St.
Once opened, all three new restaurants join the ranks of similar concepts in the neighborhood such as Shawarma Garden at 1951 W. Division St., Sultan's Market at 2057 W. North Ave. and Falafel & Grill at 1317 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Tarboush Mediterranean Grill, 1608 W. North Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. No working website yet. Ph: 773-770-3599.
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