Restaurant

Middle East Bakery & Grocery

Name: Middle East Bakery & Grocery
Address: 1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL, 60640, US
Telephone: (773) 561-2224
Price range: $

Middle Eastern•Chicago•$

Middle East Bakery & Grocery is one of the best middle eastern restaurants in Chicago for cheap eats, especially if you want a strong option in Chicago.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

Middle East Bakery & Grocery in Chicago's Edgewater neighbourhood operates on a logic that predates the current enthusiasm for Middle Eastern food by decades — a Lebanese bakery and grocery with a reputation built on consistency rather than on any particular moment of cultural visibility. The establishment has been producing za'atar bread, meat pies, spinach fatayer, and falafel from scratch long enough that its regulars measure their loyalty in years, not visits. The lines that reportedly form before the lunch rush are made up of returning customers, which is a more reliable signal of quality than most reviews. The za'atar bread is what the place is known for above all else — made in-house with what regular customers describe as a genuinely calibrated herb mixture, reflecting knowledge of Lebanese baking tradition rather than approximation. The bread is understood to be best when fresh from the oven, which means timing matters. The meat pies and spinach fatayer carry the same reputation for being significantly better early in the day, before they have had time to sit. The falafel is consistently described as properly crisped and served immediately — a distinction that matters in a city where falafel is frequently an afterthought. The price level throughout is among the lowest for cooking of this specificity anywhere in Chicago. This is a daytime operation, and understanding that is practical rather than atmospheric — it closes well before the dinner hour, and the full range of baked goods is likeliest to be available at opening rather than midday. Walk-in only, cash-friendly, and located in Edgewater with the Rogers Park border nearby. For anyone researching where to find Lebanese baked goods made with actual institutional knowledge rather than trend-adjacent interest, this is the address that keeps appearing. Come early, and buy accordingly.

Nadia Aoun, Food Writer

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

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Taste Score 8.9/10

Rating (Google) 9.2

1,654 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.9/10

Taste Score

Google 9.2 from 1,654 reviews

Best for

Cheap Eats

Price and pace

Budget-friendly

Neighborhood

Chicago | 1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA

Price

Budget-friendly

Taste Score

8.9/10

Phone

(773) 561-2224

Inside the restaurant

Photos of Middle East Bakery & Grocery

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What to order

Signature dishes at Middle East Bakery & Grocery

Za'atar bread

Meat pies

Spinach fatayer

Falafel

Why go

What makes Middle East Bakery & Grocery worth the move

Middle East Bakery & Grocery is a clean first click in Chicago when you want a middle eastern option you can trust. Za'atar bread and Meat pies also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 1,654 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.2 from 1,654 Google reviews

Best for

Cheap Eats

Style

Middle Eastern in Chicago

Spend

Budget-friendly

Best for

Cheap Eats

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.2 from 1,654 reviews

Price point: $

Popular dishes: Za'atar bread, Meat pies, Spinach fatayer

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TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Nadia Aoun for Middle East Bakery & Grocery

Google snapshot

9.2 from 1,654 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Nadia Aoun

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Quick details

Visit Website Directions

Address: 1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
Phone: (773) 561-2224
Price: $
TastyPals score: 8.9/10
Google rating: 9.2 (1,654 reviews)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Neighborhood: Chicago

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Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Middle East Bakery & Grocery serve?

Middle East Bakery & Grocery is a Middle Eastern restaurant located in Chicago, Chicago. Middle East Bakery & Grocery in Chicago's Edgewater neighbourhood operates on a logic that predates the current enthusiasm for Middle Eastern food by decades — a Lebanese bakery and grocery with a reputation built on consistency rather than on any particular moment of cultural visibility.

What is Middle East Bakery & Grocery best for?

Middle East Bakery & Grocery is best for cheap eats. Middle East Bakery & Grocery is a clean first click in Chicago when you want a middle eastern option you can trust. Za'atar bread and Meat pies also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 1,654 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Middle East Bakery & Grocery?

Middle East Bakery & Grocery is in the Budget-friendly price range ($). Google rating: 9.2 from 1,654 reviews

What should I order at Middle East Bakery & Grocery?

Start with Za'atar bread, Meat pies, Spinach fatayer and Falafel. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Middle East Bakery & Grocery worth visiting?

Middle East Bakery & Grocery holds a 9.2 Google rating from 1,654 reviews. Middle East Bakery & Grocery is a clean first click in Chicago when you want a middle eastern option you can trust. Za'atar bread and Meat pies also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.2 rating across 1,654 Google reviews.

Where is Middle East Bakery & Grocery located?

Middle East Bakery & Grocery is located at 1512 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

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