UPTOWN — Tik Tok Falafel, a new Middle Eastern restaurant, has opened at 4600 N. Magnolia Ave.
Khalid Jaber, 47, helps cook and manage the place for his son, owner Moe Jaber, who also owns a Middle Eastern restaurant in southwest suburban Orland Park, Shami Kabob and Grill.
Moe Jaber, 27, said he goes back and forth between kitchens. He has a culinary degree and recently spent about a year in his native Jerusalem honing his kitchen skills, he said.
He promised customers authentic tastes, and said he makes a mean falafel sandwich, among other menu items. The menu consists of Middle Eastern sandwiches, soups, salads and appetizers, ranging from about $5-$15.
"Everything we make is made in house. Everything is made fresh to order, and it's very healthy made by Mediterranean guidelines," said Moe Jaber.
DNAinfo Chicago tried a Chicken Shawarma sandwich and sampled the falafel — and both were delicious. Other first-time customers in the restaurant, which occupies the former Alma Pita, also gave restaurant staff rave reviews about the food.
The restaurant has already gotten good reviews both on Yelp, and at Uptown Update.
Khalid Jaber said Wednesday, a week after the April 3 opening, that business is "so far, so good."
"We have gotten a lot of repeat customers, and we've only been open a week, so that's a good sign," he said.
Moe Jaber said Uptown "seems like a very nice neighborhood" and hopes that nearby Truman College will bring him a lot of business.
