Best Hidden Gems Mediterranean Restaurants in Chicago
50 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Cedar Palace
A long-running, family-operated Lebanese kitchen with scratch-made mezze and a beloved patio.
Notable Picks
#1
Cedar Palace
8.7
Cedar Palace is a family-run Lebanese and Syrian restaurant where recipes dating back decades anchor a cozy Lincoln Park dining room and patio. It’s the neighborhood’s go-to for homestyle hummus, shish tawook, and mezze plates that feel generous and carefully made.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus Chicken Shawarma, Shish Tawook Lunch Plate, Baklava
What Makes it Special: A long-running, family-operated Lebanese kitchen with scratch-made mezze and a beloved patio.
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Hidden Gems Heaven
Bereket is a Turkish-focused Mediterranean spot in the heart of the Loop where grilled kebabs, mezze, and house-baked breads draw both office regulars and destination diners. It balances counter-ordering ease with sit-down comfort, so you can treat it as a quick lunch stop or a fuller dinner with shared plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Iskender kebab, Mixed grill platter, Kunefe dessert
What Makes it Special: Downtown Turkish kitchen where charcoal-grilled kebabs and mezze feel closer to a neighborhood restaurant than a Loop lunch line.
8.6
A 60630 anchor for Yemeni comfort—rice-and-meat platters, slow-cooked stews, and fresh bread—built for groups who want one big, shared table moment. Order in the mandi lane, add a couple of dips, and finish with hot tea for the full experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken mandi, Lamb mandi, Red tea
What Makes it Special: Yemeni mandi-and-stew cooking built for big, shared platters.
8.5
A bakery-and-market with a serious prepared-food counter that’s built for savory pies, shawarma, and mezze you can eat immediately or take home for later. The best visits feel like two stops in one: a hot wrap or plate first, then a box of pastries and pantry goods to extend the win.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shawafel wrap, Savory spinach pie, Baklava
What Makes it Special: Bakery + grocery + grill counter that turns errands into dinner.
8.5
A longtime Old Town standby since the 1970s, Old Jerusalem serves classic Palestinian and broader Middle Eastern staples in a compact, homey dining room. Locals come for plates of kebabs, shawarma, and vegetarian mezze that have stayed remarkably consistent over decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Falafel sandwich, Hummus with meat
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Old Town fixture for Palestinian and Middle Eastern comfort plates.
8.5
Chicago’s first Kurdish restaurant serves mezze, hearty lamb plates, and a standout Kurdish breakfast in a cozy Lakeview dining room. Locals use it for relaxed date nights and long, share-heavy meals that feel special without going full white-tablecloth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kurdish Breakfast, Sac tawa with lamb, Red lentil and goat cheese soup
What Makes it Special: Chicago’s first Kurdish restaurant, pairing soulful mezze with a serious Kurdish breakfast.
8.4
A high-throughput Middle Eastern counter that consistently lands best in the shawarma-and-falafel lane, with sides that show real care. It’s a reliable move for a fast meal that still tastes fresh, especially when you keep the order focused and let the classics do the work.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Falafel wrap, Lentil soup with lemon
What Makes it Special: Big-flavor shawarma and falafel that holds up at high volume.
#8
Oasis Cafe
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A tucked-away Mediterranean counter hidden behind a jewelry storefront, built for fast Loop lunches that still taste seasoned and handmade. The move is a combo platter or a sandwich plus hummus—quick ticket times, big flavor, and prices that stay grounded for downtown.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel sandwich, Chicken shawarma plate, Spinach pie combo
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean meals hidden behind a jewelry counter, fast and filling.
8.4
A full-service Moroccan dining room built around tagines, couscous, and grilled specialties that reward ordering family-style. The best meals lean into one slow-cooked tagine plus a couscous plate, then finish with mint tea to reset the palate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tagine (choose one signature pot), Couscous entrée, Moroccan mint tea
What Makes it Special: Moroccan tagines and couscous in a true sit-down format.
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sinya’s Roscoe Village counter focuses on shawarma, gyro, kebab plates, and salads built for fast takeout without sacrificing char or seasoning. High order volume across delivery platforms and praise from local guides make it one of the area’s most reliable everyday Mediterranean stops.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma bowl or wrap, Kefta kabob plate, Falafel with hummus and salads
What Makes it Special: High-volume shawarma and gyro operation where bowls, wraps, and falafel travel well.
8.4
A Turkish-leaning Mediterranean counter with a bakery case that’s strongest on cleanly seasoned kebabs, shawarma, and comforting soups that travel well. Locals come here for reliable plates, friendly pacing, and the easy add-on of baklava when you want dessert without another stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Lentil soup, Baklava
What Makes it Special: Turkish-style plates plus a bakery finish in one stop.
#12
Taste of Lebanon
8.4
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A takeout-first Lebanese counter where the play is fast, filling plates built on garlic-heavy sauces, grilled meats, and sturdy sides that travel well. It’s best when you order like a regular: one shawarma anchor, one dip, and something crunchy for contrast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma sandwich, Hummus, Lentil soup
What Makes it Special: Big-flavor Lebanese takeout built around shawarma and dips.
8.3
A long-running Andersonville Mediterranean room that rewards a share-the-table order: dips first, then a couple of hot plates that keep the meal moving. It’s a dependable sit-down pick when you want familiar flavors done with steady execution rather than trend-chasing twists.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combination dip sampler, Burek (meat-stuffed pastry), Saganaki
What Makes it Special: A shareable mezze-and-hot-plates Mediterranean menu with staying power.
8.3
A Turkish-leaning Mediterranean kitchen where the savory-to-sweet arc is the move: start with a baked or grill specialty, then finish with kunefe or baklava while it’s fresh. The room is casual, but the cooking is focused—best when you order one regional centerpiece instead of stacking standard wraps.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lahmacun, Adana kebab, Kunefe
What Makes it Special: A Turkish specialist that pairs serious savory dishes with a legit dessert lane (kunefe/baklava).
#15
East of Edens
8.3
A Forest Glen counter that locals treat like a dependable Greek takeout anchor—fast, portion-forward plates that hit the classic gyro-and-chicken lane. The menu leans comfort-first (salads, rice, potatoes, pita) and works best when you order like a regular: one grilled protein plate plus one sweet finish for the ride home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyros plate, Greek chicken dinner, Baklava
What Makes it Special: Greek takeout built around reliable, big-portion plates and gyro staples.
#16
Jerusalem Grill
8.3
A neighborhood Mediterranean counter that wins when you keep the order in the grill-and-wrap lane—gyro and shawarma plates with straightforward sides. Portions read generous and the experience stays most consistent when you pick one meat anchor and one supporting item instead of mixing categories.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro plate, Chicken shawarma entree, Falafel plate
What Makes it Special: A reliable gyro-and-shawarma plate shop built for repeatable, filling orders.
#17
Nick's Drive-In
8.3
An old-school Chicago drive-in where the gyro is the anchor order and the pace is built for fast counter pickups. It’s at its best when you keep it classic—one gyro, one side—and add a sweet finish if you want the full neighborhood-routine experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Greek potatoes, Rice pudding
What Makes it Special: A decades-running drive-in built around a no-frills, gyro-first rhythm.
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Hidden Gems Heaven
A Pilsen counter-and-grocery staple built for fast, affordable Middle Eastern comfort—shawarma, falafel, soups, and plates that locals treat as a repeatable weeknight solution. The move is to keep it simple: one wrap or plate as the anchor, then add soup or a small side for lift.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Falafel sandwich, Lentil soup
What Makes it Special: A long-running, value-driven counter for shawarma, falafel, and soup in Pilsen.
A Middle Eastern bakery-restaurant that wins on fresh-baked bread and a deep bench of savory pies alongside shawarma plates and sandwiches. Best ordered like a regular: one hot pie or lahembajin plus a shawarma staple, then add tea and get out while everything’s still warm.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lahembajin (meat pizza), Beef shawarma sandwich, Spinach pie
What Makes it Special: Bakery-first Middle Eastern cooking with hot bread and savory pies.
8.2
A newer North Center entry, Alfarsi centers Persian-leaning kebabs, dill rice, and mezze in a modest dining room that has quickly drawn local praise. Portions, BYOB friendliness, and thoughtful execution make it feel like a neighborhood Persian canteen rather than a polished destination spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef koubideh kebab with dill rice, Lamb shank entree, Kashkeh bademjan (eggplant dip)
What Makes it Special: Persian-driven kebabs and stews bringing regional depth to a casual North Center space.
#21
Central Gyros
8.2
A classic Greek stop where the best read comes from the gyro-and-soup lane, backed by hearty plates like chicken shish kabob. It’s most rewarding when you keep it traditional—one sandwich or plate, one soup or salad—so the meal stays focused and satisfying.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Avgolemono soup, Chicken shish kabob plate
What Makes it Special: Greek comfort staples anchored by a strong gyro-and-soup combo.
8.2
A made-to-order Loop lunch counter that leans on bright, spice-forward plates and wraps that taste like someone’s actually cooking, not just assembling. It’s best when you treat it as a focused, fast Mediterranean meal—pick one signature protein, load it with the fresh toppings, and keep the order tight so everything lands hot and clean.
Must-Try Dishes:
7 Spice Wrap, Beef Plate, Veggie Wrap
What Makes it Special: House-style spice blends and fresh toppings that keep plates tasting vivid.
8.2
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A compact counter spot that stays focused on the Middle Eastern essentials—falafel, shawarma, and grilled kebab plates—with a menu built for fast, filling takeout. It’s strongest when you treat it like a platter-and-dips order: one protein plate, one sandwich, and a couple classic cold sides to round it out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Sandwich, Chicken Shawarma Platter, Hawawshi
What Makes it Special: A no-frills falafel-and-shawarma kitchen that prioritizes fast, satisfying platters.
A Mediterranean-leaning bakery-cafe that plays best as a pastry-and-quick-plate stop rather than a full sit-down meal. The move is to pair one savory pita or small plate with one classic dessert so the order stays focused and fresh.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baklava, Chicken souvlaki pita wrap, Bougatsa
What Makes it Special: A bakery-first menu where dessert classics share space with quick Mediterranean plates.
#25
Ragadan
8.2
An Uptown counter that treats falafel like the main event, with Jordanian flavors and a menu designed for quick, high-satisfaction meals. The smartest order is one sandwich that shows off the texture—crisp outside, soft middle—plus one sweet closer if you’ve got room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel sandwich, Labneh egg salad sandwich, Baklava milkshake
What Makes it Special: Falafel-first Jordanian cooking with a fast, modern counter rhythm.
#26
Salam Restaurant
8.2
A Middle Eastern sit-down spot where the best meals come from leaning into classics—grilled meats, bright salads, and shareable dips—rather than over-ordering across the menu. When it hits, the cooking feels honest and satisfying, especially if you keep the table on one grill centerpiece and one dip-and-bread lane.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed grill platter, Hummus with warm pita, Fattoush or Jerusalem salad
What Makes it Special: A long-running neighborhood Middle Eastern room with strong community pull and broad menu appeal.
#27
Sayat Nova
8.2
Open since 1970, Sayat Nova is a tucked-away Armenian restaurant just off Michigan Avenue serving kebabs, pilafs, and meze that read as earthier takes on Mediterranean standards. The low-lit, slightly retro dining room feels removed from the street, making it a long-running choice for pre- or post-Mag Mile dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Grill Kebab Platter, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Trout with Rice Pilaf
What Makes it Special: A decades-old Armenian spot offering rustic, shareable kebabs and meze in a cozy, tucked-away room.
#28
Sultan's Market
8.2
Sultan's Market is a long-running, counter-service Middle Eastern spot (established in the mid-1990s) known for big, inexpensive falafel and shawarma wraps, salad bar boxes, and daily soups. The Wicker Park location on North Avenue draws a steady mix of neighborhood regulars and late-night crowds looking for filling plates under $15.
Must-Try Dishes:
Award Winning Falafel Sandwich, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Baked Za'atar Fettia Sandwich
What Makes it Special: A high-volume, counter-service falafel and shawarma institution where generous portions and low prices have kept lines steady for decades.
#29
Taza Cafe
8.2
Taza Cafe is a long-running Loop counter-service spot for Palestinian-leaning Mediterranean plates, falafel, and shawarma that stay firmly in the affordable-lunch zone. Regulars lean on it for freshly cooked platters and wraps that feel homemade compared with the larger fast-casual chains nearby.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Falafel platter with hummus, Lentil soup with warm pita
What Makes it Special: A quietly enduring Franklin Street café serving Palestinian-style shawarma, falafel, and daily-cooked specials at true Loop-budget prices.
#30
Baba Pita
8.1
A Taylor Street Mediterranean-and-Persian counter that plays best in the fresh-made lane: crisp falafel, shawarma plates, and salad-forward combos that feel built for repeat lunch runs. Treat it like a reliable weekday staple—order a protein plate, add a bright side like tabbouleh, and finish with baklava when you want a sweet closer.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma plate, Falafel with tahini, Lamb kebab plate
What Makes it Special: Mediterranean-Persian plates that stay strongest when you keep it fresh and classic.
#31
Zabaadi Kebabs
8.1
A fast-casual kebab and shawarma spot in the Forest Preserve/Harlem corner plaza where freshness and sauce-driven flavor do the heavy lifting. Order bowls or wraps when you want a clean, filling meal that still feels bright—then add falafel for a crunchy side play.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma bowl, Kefta kabobs, Falafel wrap
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual bowls and kebabs built around fresh prep and sauces.
#32
Zebda
8.1
A casual, long-hours Mediterranean kitchen where the menu rewards focused ordering rather than trying a little of everything. Go with one signature savory item plus one side/spread so the meal lands as layered and intentional, not scattered.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kefta Pizza, Chicken Tagine, Brie Cigars
What Makes it Special: Broad Mediterranean menu with standout tagines and baked specialties.
#33
Afghan House
8
A Devon Avenue Afghan kitchen built around kabobs, fragrant rice dishes, and dumplings that reward a focused order. The meal lands best when you anchor with qabuli palaw or a kabob platter, add mantu for texture, and stop before the table turns into leftovers.
Must-Try Dishes:
Qabuli palaw, Mantu dumplings, Lamb shank
What Makes it Special: Kabob-and-rice Afghan classics with dumplings and naan.
#34
I-Cafe
8
A Turkish halal cafe that works best as a sit-down meal when you want classic hot plates and a strong dessert finish. The move is to order one signature main and one traditional side, then save room for the sweets that locals rave about.
Must-Try Dishes:
Manti, Iskender, Beyti
What Makes it Special: Turkish comfort mains paired with a dessert-forward finish.
A casual Jordanian-leaning Mediterranean counter built around kabobs, shawarma, wraps, and rice bowls—best when you commit to one protein and build around it. Add one standout side, keep the ticket focused, and you’ll get the cleanest version of what they do.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Mixed kabob plate, Feta fries
What Makes it Special: Kabob-and-shawarma menu that rewards a tight, protein-forward order.
#36
Pi-Hi Cafe
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Tucked into a strip mall near Lane Tech, Pi-Hi blends shawarma plates, falafel, and wood-fired “Pi” pizzas into one of the area’s best low-cost Mediterranean options. National attention from Yelp’s Top 100 list and steady crowds for takeout underline its status as a long-running neighborhood favorite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mediterranean Pizza Pi with shawarma, Chicken shawarma plate, Falafel plate with hummus and salad
What Makes it Special: Strip-mall Mediterranean cafe known for shawarma, generous portions, and hybrid pizzas.
#37
Turkitch Express
8
Operating out of a South Loop ghost-kitchen hub, Turkitch Express focuses on Turkish street-food staples like doner, kofte sandwiches, and grilled chicken plates with a halal cue. Bowls, wraps, and panini-style sandwiched meats lean flavorful and filling, with value combos that work well for students, nearby workers, and late-night takeout. The space is functional rather than atmospheric, but execution on the food side is notably careful for a quick-service concept.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Doner Wrap - Turkish Style, Istanbul Street Kofte Kebab Sandwich, Beef Doner Plate
What Makes it Special: Halal Turkish street food with strong flavor focus from a modern ghost kitchen.
Worthy Picks
#38
Falafel & Grill
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Falafel & Grill is a narrow counter spot where crisp falafel, shawarma sandwiches, and mixed plates come out fast and travel well. Wicker Park regulars treat it as a dependable late-lunch or casual dinner move when they want something filling, under $15, and clearly Middle Eastern rather than bar food.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel sandwich, Chicken shawarma plate, Hummus with pita
What Makes it Special: Counter-service falafel and shawarma with strong value for the portions.
Yaba's Food & Middle Eastern Grill is a family-run counter inside a small market where shawarma, falafel, and homey plates come out of a compact open kitchen. Logan Square locals use it as a dependable, affordable takeout option for freshly fried falafel, lentil soup, and mixed plates that travel well.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel Plate, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Lentil Soup
What Makes it Special: A tiny grocery-counter hybrid where hand-made falafel, shawarma, and lentil soup anchor some of the neighborhood’s most affordable Middle Eastern plates.
#40
Daboul Avenue
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Daboul Avenue is a delivery-focused Lebanese street food kitchen near River North that leans hard into shawarma, falafel, and mezze. It’s built for quick pickup and third-party delivery rather than dine-in, with portions and seasoning tuned for late-night and office orders.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma wrap, Falafel wrap, Hummus with pita
What Makes it Special: Delivery-first Lebanese street food with tightly focused shawarma and falafel.
#41
Falafel & Grill
7.8
A counter-service, takeout-friendly Mediterranean spot built around fast execution—crispy falafel, shawarma, and grill plates that show up hot and generously portioned. Treat it as a practical weekly pickup: strong flavor, quick pace, and a clean, no-fuss setup over destination atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel lunch platter, Chicken shawarma wrap, Lentil soup
What Makes it Special: Quick, halal Mediterranean staples that prioritize speed and flavor.
7.8
An Israeli-leaning stall inside Sterling Food Hall where the best orders center on hummus, warm pita, and one main protein or falafel lane. It shines as a weekday lunch option when you keep it simple and let the spreads and herbs do the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel hummus bowl, Za'atar chicken rice platter, Sabich
What Makes it Special: Tel Aviv-inspired street food with hummus-and-pita as the core move.
#43
Miraj Restaurant
7.8
A Middle Eastern/Mediterranean dining room where the best meals come from a tight mezze-to-grill order rather than a sprawling table of overlapping plates. Build around one dip, one hot starter, and one kebab-style anchor to keep flavors distinct.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus, Cheese burek, Mixed grill kebabs
What Makes it Special: A mezze-and-grill format where a focused order lands best.
#44
Parkside Gyros
7.8
A classic Rogers Park gyro stand where the move is straightforward: gyros, fries, and simple combo plates that show up hot and satisfying. It’s more about fast comfort than ambiance—come hungry, keep the order classic, and treat it as a dependable neighborhood staple.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gyro sandwich, Greek salad, Fries
What Makes it Special: A no-drama gyro counter that delivers classic Chicago fast-food Greek comfort.
#45
Tanoor Kabob
7.8
A counter-service Middle Eastern grill that leans on shawarma, falafel, and rice plates built for quick pickup and reliable portions. It’s at its best when you order one hot protein plate plus one classic side, then finish with a traditional dessert instead of trying to sample the whole menu at once.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken shawarma over rice, Falafel wrap, Kanafa
What Makes it Special: A no-frills kabob-and-shawarma counter anchored by falafel and classic desserts.
#46
Turkish Doner
7.8
A newer Uptown Turkish spot focused on doner, pide, and soup-and-plate comfort that’s best when you order one shaved-meat centerpiece and one supporting side. It’s a strong option for a hot, satisfying meal that doesn’t require planning—just show up hungry and keep it simple.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef doner wrap, Pide, Lentil soup
What Makes it Special: Doner-and-pide Turkish menu with a new-neighborhood energy.
#47
Mr. Shawarma
7.7
Vibes:
Hidden Gems Heaven
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
A low-key Uptown shawarma shop built for straightforward sandwiches and plates that hit hardest when you stick to the classics. It’s a practical neighborhood move: fast pickup, familiar flavors, and portions that make lunch and leftovers easy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Falafel sandwich, Beef shawarma sandwich, Lentil soup
What Makes it Special: Classic shawarma-and-falafel shop that keeps takeout simple and steady.
7.7
A neighborhood butcher-shop-meets-Greek-grill hybrid that’s strongest when you treat it like a focused counter stop: one hot item, then something from the case for later. The appeal is straightforward Mediterranean comfort anchored by a market backdrop and a locals-only feel.
Must-Try Dishes:
House-made sausage, Gyro sandwich, Butcher-cut burgers
What Makes it Special: A rare Chicago combo of Greek grill counter and full butcher shop under one roof.
#49
Shawarma Bite
7.7
A newer halal shawarma-and-kebab shop that leans into bowls, plates, and mix-grill catering packs, making it an easy weeknight option when you want protein-forward Mediterranean comfort. The best orders keep it simple—one shawarma, one kebab, and a bright salad side—rather than overcomplicating the ticket.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Shawarma Plate, Kofta Kebab Bowl, Fattoush Salad
What Makes it Special: A halal shawarma-and-kebab menu built around bowls, plates, and mix-grill spreads.
#50
Shawarma Bite
7.7
A newer halal shawarma-and-kebab shop that leans into bowls, plates, and mix-grill catering packs, making it an easy weeknight option when you want protein-forward Mediterranean comfort. The best orders keep it simple—one shawarma, one kebab, and a bright salad side—rather than overcomplicating the ticket.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Shawarma Plate, Kofta Kebab Bowl, Fattoush Salad
What Makes it Special: A halal shawarma-and-kebab menu built around bowls, plates, and mix-grill spreads.