Olive Mediterranean Grill

We came here for lunch and had a fantastic meal.
Décor: It’s a small little shop, basically a food stand, inside another building. It is very clean, all the food is prepared so you can see it, and the flow of the line is well organized. There are a handful of tables around so if you’re coming for lunch I’d suggest a bit of an early start to try to beat the rush.
Bathroom: unknown
Staff: The staff is friendly but doen’t say too much. Both my sandwiches were made and I had to ask what I could have on them. The owner/​manager said «made to order, whatever you want» and that’s great, I just didn’t know because it was my first time. So, it might be better if the girls making the food asked each step of the way. Other than that, the service was very quick.
Food: Let me start by saying WOW. SO GOOD. We had pita sandwiches w/​Chicken Kabob and they were amazing. The Garlic Sauce is absolutely delicious, the cucumber salad stuff is very tasty, and the extra hot sauce is wonderful. The chicken though… so very very tasty! It’s spicy, but not «too» spicy — it’s a great flavor.
Value: The food is pretty cheap but the serving sizes are also not massive. I had two sandwiches and it was the perfect amount of food (just too bad it ends up over my usual daily lunch budget).
This little place serves up some delectable pita sandwiches, some of the best I’ve ever had. I already cannot wait to come back!

Quick Service, tasty schwarma sandwich, spicy and flavorful hot sauce.

Simply the best shwarma and hummus I have had. I only wish I could take it to Detroit so I could have it everyday. Also, despite being a little salty, the lentil soup is delicious.

Food in general is below average, falafel is raw in the middle, tabbouleh doesn’t taste like tabbouleh and meat is chewy and full of spices.
This is my first time to Chicago and I was expecting to find great Mediterranean food, so far it’s a big disappointment

We have been coming here for years. I cannot even explain how much we love this place except to say it is our «cheat» day lunch and where we bring friends for the most awesome lunch ever!
Olive is definitely rocking so don’t let the weird food court vibe throw you off. If anything Olive is one of the hidden gems for awesome food without the $ tag.
Be warned, there will be a line, but that just further illustrates how awesome their food is… yum!

Quick and Filling!
They are located in a run down little food court, but their little spot is nice!
I ordered an OMG plate for $ 8 because it seemed easy, very filling! The cous cous wasn’t my favorite, but a great place for a carry out lunch in the north Loop!
Choose 1
Hummus
Baba Ghanouj
Parisian Yogurt
Choose 1
Mediterranean salad
Chickpea Salad
Tabbouli
Choose 1
Cous Cous
Basmati Rice
Choose 1
Chicken Shawarma
Chicken Kabab
Beef Shawarma
Beef Kabab
Mediterranean Chicken
Falafel

A solid 3 but could be a 5 if not for the PITA stuffer being a total a-​hole the second time I went there. She refused to put cucumber sauce on my falaffel sandwich, I asked if I could get a side and she said «only in side salad size» Seriously a side salad of cucumber yogurt sauce? Who would want that. Then she started piling on the onion salad which I didn’t want so she had to start over, then she skimped on the hummus! so to try to save the sandwich I asked for Tahani and hot sauce, and it’s ok, but not as good as the first time I went here and got a falaffel with cucumber sauce
I might try going back and seeing if they will build my sandwich to requested spec next time. It’s seriously a difference in a spoon of cucumber sauce
’
The pita stuffer here needs an attitude check!

Solid Mediterranean fast food for a reasonable price. I get the plate with spicy chicken for $ 8. It’s enough food for 2 meals. Some of the employees aren’t friendly, but the service is fairly quick & decent overall.

LOVE. THAT. CHICKEN.
(the spicy one what ever that was.) so tender, juicy, and flavorful.

NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH
This is a great place. But recently have found out that they do not serve halal/​Zabihah meat. I used to here every Friday, but now will not be eating here due to lack of halal certification on premise or authentic zabihah confirmation from staff or owner.
NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH NON ZABIAH

As others have said, this place is a hidden gem. The dichotomy of eating downtown is as such: McDonalds and other horrible choices, and super high-​end steakhouses. It’s hard to get quality food without spending $ 50.
Olive, fortunately, has broken those rules. For about $ 10 out the door, I get a great plate of food: hummus with pita, chickpea salad, rice, chicken shawarma, and a Diet Coke. I patronize Olive regularly and it has never been disappointing. Everything is fresh and delicious.
I hope these guys stick around. The food court they’re in is full of a lot of garbage (such as a McDonalds) and it’s refreshing to see something healthier.

I stopped for lunch today after reading the positive Unilocal reviews. I agree with the others that the location is a little dicey, but this place is worthwhile to check out. I ordered the plate getting hummus, chickpea salad, rice, chicken schwarma, and it is topped with half of a pita. The flavors were great, however the chicken tasted like it had been sitting in the warming tray for a little too long. It was drier than other schwarmas I’ve tried. It was almost 1 pm and the lunch rush was over, which might have been why. The portions were good size. My meal left me getting satisfied. I’m sure I’ll be back, as it’s right around the corner from my work.

Ordered the 8 $ plate and was happy about the serving size. Cucumber salad portion was tart and good. Had a mixture of chicken and steak kabob. Although the chicken is advertise as being «spicy,» I found it to be nearly flavorless; however, It was tender and juicy at least. The steak was nicely seasoned. The hummus was overly flavored in my opinion. Will definitely return whenever I crave Mediterranean.

I made a New Year’s Resolution to bring lunch to work from home, but once in awhile when I’m feeling naughty, I pop over to Olive for a Mediterranean platter. A platter can make two small meals. Emphasis on can.
First and foremost, I love Olive for offering tahini on the side. I count tahini as one of my five favorite condiments*; although I think chicken has the appeal of pressed sawdust, I love Olive’s shawarma drizzled with tahini. I mean, of course.
In addition to the chicken shawarma, I like to get the Mediterranean salad with cucumber, tomato and red onion (and maybe a touch of sumac?) and the hummus drizzeld with olive oil (and maybe a touch of sumac?). I do prefer their rice to their Moroccan couscous, which seems drenched in tomato sauce.
*Yes, I keep a list of favorite condiments.

This hole in the wall is located in a food court seating is shared with the other restaurants. We went at around noon and had no trouble finding a table and there was only one person ahead of us in line. The food was fresh and flavorful. I ordered the OMG (olive mediteranean grill) plate with rice and the chicken shawarma. I would definately come back. Quick, easy and delicious.

This place is a hidden gem in the wasteland of lunch options downtown.
Truly delicious good which is actually Real Food, not frozen pre-​processed food substitute.
Staff who are completely on their game every time I’ve been here.
And after you grab your food you can head upstairs and enjoy it in the outdoor courtyard on the east side of the second floor.
Seriously though the food oh my goodness. I had the chicken shwarma, falafel, and baklava. Exemplary.

Wow what a delicious and generous plate of food for $ 7.50! Baba ghanoush and hummus were fresh and flavorful. The chickpea salad was filling but light,. I was surprised at how delicious the meat was too. The turkey schwarma had a nice kick to it, and the chicken kebabs were well spiced, tend and juicy. Oh yeah I’m not a fan of pita bread but the slices I got were amzingly fresh and moist.

Healthy food options are few and far between in this corner of Clark/​Lake. When I get bored of the same old salads, I go to Olive for falafel. For me, falafel is usually my second veggie option when I’m going healthy.
Olive does a unique falafel sandwich packed with unexpected surprises like beets and potatoes. Before Olive, I never really knew that you could put these items in a falafel and have it taste so good. On my first try, I was skeptical of this combination because it was so out of the ordinary. After a few more visits, I’m liking the combination even more.
For the Clark/​Lake intersection, Olive delivers on good Mediterranean food. It’s a bright spot in world’s depressing food court.

One of the great things about Chicago are the numerous family run dives sprinkled around the loop that serve up good, homemade food. fast!
Hidden in a grimy food-​court in the Clark/​Lake cta stop, Olive is a pleasant surprise and nothing like what you would expect. The food is fresh, authentic and healthy. The beef kabobs are seasoned perfectly and grilled just enough to have a nice char on the outside, but is still juicy and tender inside. The shwarma is cut to order in front of you and made every morning in time for the lunch rush. Even towards the later half of the afternoon the food still tastes fresh, is served warm and doesnt taste like it’s been sitting around all day. The portions are generous, and the sides are great to go along with the sandwiches and rice bowls.
Another plus: Zabiha/​Halal baby!

I finally got to try Olive twice in the last few weeks. It had been bookmarked for a long time but once I learned it was in the food court of an office building, I didn’t rush. To be honest, food courts scare the bejeezus outta me. I always picture Sbarro’s and those nasty cheap sushi/​Panda Express type of places. No way. No how. No can do.
Olive Mediterranean Grill sounded different immediately and the fact that one of my favorite Unilocalers gave it high praise was enough to get me to give it a try.
I walked into the food court with a mild sense of dread, that is until I saw Olive shining like a beacon on a cold, dark night. This place also had the longest line of any at the food court, so I took that as somewhat of a good sign.
So far I’ve tried the Mediterranean chicken sandwich, the Fatoush salad, baba ghannouj, Mediterranean salad, and hummus. Everything is fresh, flavorful, the portions are ample, and the prices are very reasonable. I also like that things can be customized somewhat and that they have extra portions of their sauces (try their house garlic) at the checkout so you can grab as many as you like.
The staff is friendly and they hustle to get you in and out. Don’t let a line deter you from trying this place. You won’t be disappointed.
Easily one of the best Loop lunch values.