Restaurant

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine

Name: Taza Mediterranean Cuisine
Address: 176 N Franklin St #1822, Chicago, IL, 60606, US
Price range: $

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is one of the best mediterranean restaurants in Chicago for date night, especially if you want a strong option in Chicago.

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is a counter-service spot on Franklin Street that has, by most accounts, been quietly correcting the Loop's lunch problem for thirteen years.

Editorial review updated•Jul 28, 2026

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is a counter-service spot on Franklin Street that has, by most accounts, been quietly correcting the Loop's lunch problem for thirteen years. It runs halal, keeps a short menu, and operates under a straightforward philosophy encoded in its own name — taza means fresh. That's not a marketing line; regulars and repeat visitors consistently describe it as a place where the owner is making things that day, to order, without a lot of fanfare. Downtown Chicago has no shortage of fast-casual options that talk a bigger game and deliver considerably less. Taza, from everything available, is the structural opposite of that. The menu centers on a focused set of Mediterranean staples, and the reputation here is built on doing those things right rather than doing many things adequately. The hummus is reportedly the kind of benchmark version — dense, clean, properly lemony — that makes you reconsider everywhere else you've been eating it. The chicken shawarma has a following among regulars who describe the flavor as concentrated and well-developed, the result of actual rotating meat cooked over real heat. The falafel plate is consistently praised for being fried to order, with an herb-forward interior that diners contrast sharply against the pre-frozen versions that dominate fast-casual Mediterranean elsewhere. Baba ghanoug rounds out the savory side with a smoky profile that reviewers describe as present but not overdone. Baklava is on the menu and, based on repeat-customer behavior, it closes the meal more often than you'd expect for a spot at this price level. Practical notes: seating is limited, so groups of three or more should aim for off-peak lunch hours — before noon or after 1:30. If you're ordering for a crowd, calling ahead is the move, since fresh prep takes actual time. The falafel plate with hummus alongside is the order most worth building around.

Carlos Mendez, Food & Drink Editor

Methodology•Chicago guides•Editorial team•Report outdated information

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Taste ID

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Taste Score 8.4/10

Rating (Google) 9.4

823 reviews

Chicago

At a glance

The fastest read on whether this place fits tonight.

8.4/10

Taste Score

Google 9.4 from 823 reviews

Best for

Date Night and Cheap Eats

Price and pace

Budget-friendly

Neighborhood

Chicago | 176 N Franklin St #1822, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Price

Budget-friendly

Taste Score

8.4/10

Address

Chicago | 176 N Franklin St #1822, Chicago, IL 60606, USA

Inside the restaurant

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Menu and ordering

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine menu: what to order

Start with the dishes below, drawn from the restaurant details and TastyPals notes available on this page. Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is listed in the Budget-friendly price range. Menus, availability, and prices can change, so confirm current details before visiting.

Hummus

Mashed chick peas mixed with tahini sauce, lemon and garlic served with olive oil and pita bread.

Baba Ghanoug

Puree of eggplant with tangy tahini, lemon juice, and garlic served with olive oil and pita bread.

Chicken Shawarma

Delight chicken breast sliced hot from a revolving rotisserie. Served with dill basmati rice, hummus, pita and house salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, olive oil and lemon juice).

Falafel Plate

Baklava

Check the current menu

Why go

What makes Taza Mediterranean Cuisine worth the move

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Hummus and Baba Ghanoug also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 823 Google reviews.

What to know fast

Public rating

9.4 from 823 Google reviews

Best for

Date Night and Cheap Eats

Style

Mediterranean in Chicago

Spend

Budget-friendly

Best for

Date Night Cheap Eats

Know before you go

Google rating: 9.4 from 823 reviews

Price point: $

Popular dishes: Hummus, Baba Ghanoug, Tabbouli

Website linked on this page

TastyPals Reviews

What diners are saying

0 diner reviews · reviewed by Carlos Mendez for Taza Mediterranean Cuisine

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Google snapshot

9.4 from 823 reviews

TastyPals notes

Editorial review by Carlos Mendez

No diner notes for Taza Mediterranean Cuisine yet.

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Plan the visit

Quick details

Visit Website Menu Directions

Address: 176 N Franklin St #1822, Chicago, IL 60606, USA
Price: $
TastyPals score: 8.4/10
Google rating: 9.4 (823 reviews)
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Neighborhood: Chicago

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Frequently asked questions

What cuisine does Taza Mediterranean Cuisine serve?

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is a Mediterranean restaurant located in Chicago, Chicago. Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is a counter-service spot on Franklin Street that has, by most accounts, been quietly correcting the Loop's lunch problem for thirteen years.

What is Taza Mediterranean Cuisine best for?

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is best for date night, cheap eats. Taza Mediterranean Cuisine works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Hummus and Baba Ghanoug also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 823 Google reviews.

How much does it cost to eat at Taza Mediterranean Cuisine?

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is in the Budget-friendly price range ($). Google rating: 9.4 from 823 reviews

What should I order at Taza Mediterranean Cuisine?

Start with Hummus, Baba Ghanoug, Chicken Shawarma and Falafel Plate. These dishes are shown from TastyPals notes or restaurant data on this page.

Is Taza Mediterranean Cuisine worth visiting?

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine holds a 9.4 Google rating from 823 reviews. Taza Mediterranean Cuisine works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Hummus and Baba Ghanoug also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 823 Google reviews.

Where is Taza Mediterranean Cuisine located?

Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is located at 176 N Franklin St #1822, Chicago, IL 60606, USA. Directions are available via Google Maps.

Is Taza Mediterranean Cuisine good for a date night?

Yes — Taza Mediterranean Cuisine is tagged for date night dining. Taza Mediterranean Cuisine works for date night because the room and the food both help the evening land. Hummus and Baba Ghanoug also give you a decent sense of the menu. It also holds a 9.4 rating across 823 Google reviews.

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