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Ragadan

4409 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60640
$$
Middle Eastern, Mediterranean

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Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)

Ragadan 8.2
Uptown
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
Scores:
Value: 8.6 Service: 8 Consistency: 8.2 Food Quality: 8.4 Atmosphere: 7.1 Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Falafel-first Jordanian cooking with a fast, modern counter rhythm.
Who should go: Falafel loyalists and lunch runners
When to visit: Lunch before the rush
What to order: Falafel sandwich, labneh egg salad, baklava shake
Insider tip: Eat the falafel sandwich immediately—it’s all about crunch.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable midday, tighter after 6pm on weekends.
Dress code: Casual counter-spot attire—anything from workday casual to athleisure fits.
Noise level: Low to moderate; mostly order-at-the-counter chatter, easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak evening rush, faster for solo orders.
Weekday lunch: Short line or no wait outside the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—falafel, sides, and several sandwiches are fully vegetarian.
Vegan options: Strong options—falafel sandwich, salads, and multiple dips are vegan by default.
Gluten-free options: Limited—falafel and plates can work without pita, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-pressure, casual meet than a long sit-down date—it’s quick, informal, and food-forward.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system. Order at the counter and grab a seat; turnover is fast.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who like falafel or pita-based meals, but not built around kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: Crisp, made-to-order falafel with standout texture and speed—this is about execution, not a sprawling menu.
Skip if: You want a full-service Mediterranean meal with mezze spreads, alcohol, or a lingering dining pace.
Ragadan 8.2
Uptown
A Jordanian-leaning falafel shop with a playful menu that still nails the fundamentals—crisp, herb-forward falafel and bright, punchy sauces—plus crowd-pleasers like burgers and shakes. The room is small, the food comes fast, and the best orders balance one stuffed falafel item with something sweet to finish. It’s a newer-school Uptown stop with enough volume to trust repeatability.
Must-Try Dishes: Stuffed falafel sandwich, Oklahoma onion burger, Pistachio shake
Scores:
Value: 8.2 Service: 8.1 Consistency: 8.1 Food Quality: 8.5 Atmosphere: 6.8 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Jordanian falafel energy with fast service and fun milkshake finishers.
Who should go: Falafel fans who like a modern twist
When to visit: Weekday lunch for the quickest line
What to order: Stuffed falafel sandwich, ragadan salad, pistachio shake
Insider tip: Split one shake—save room after the falafel.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable during the day, tighter after 6pm. Plan a few extra minutes to circle on weekends.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed—jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate; lively counter energy but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–30 minutes at peak times due to the small room; faster if ordering to-go.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait outside of the noon rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—falafel sandwiches, salads, sides, and shakes make this very vegetarian-friendly.
Vegan options: Yes—falafel-based items and several sides are vegan; skip the dairy sauces and shakes.
Gluten-free options: Limited—falafel and salads can work, but pita-based items dominate the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes for a low-pressure first date—quick service, fun food, and a casual vibe make it easy, though it’s more counter-style than intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there’s no reservation system. Most guests walk in; go earlier or order to-go if the room is full.
Is it kid-friendly? Generally yes—simple flavors, quick turnaround, and shakes appeal to kids, though seating is limited for larger families.
Best For
Better for: Crisp, herb-forward falafel with modern twists and a playful dessert finish—stronger for fast, fun meals than traditional sit-down Middle Eastern spots.
Skip if: Skip if you want a long, leisurely meal or a full mezze spread; choose a larger, sit-down Middle Eastern restaurant instead.
Ragadan 8.1
Uptown
A compact Uptown spot that threads Middle Eastern flavor through classic American comfort, including a burger lineup that gets extra lift from sauces and spice. It’s best when you commit to one signature burger and one supporting item instead of trying to sample the whole menu.
Must-Try Dishes: Oklahoma onion burger, Stuffed falafel sandwich, Pistachio shake
Scores:
Value: 7.7 Service: 8 Consistency: 8 Food Quality: 8.5 Atmosphere: 7.2 Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: A tight menu where Middle Eastern flavors sharpen the burger lane.
Who should go: Burger people who like bold sauces
When to visit: Weeknight dinner for easiest pacing
What to order: Oklahoma onion burger, stuffed falafel sandwich, pistachio shake
Insider tip: Order one main and one side—portions add up faster than they look.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; generally manageable on nearby side streets but can tighten during peak dinner hours.
Dress code: Casual and unfussy—jeans, sneakers, and relaxed night-out fits are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate—lively enough to feel energetic, but you can still hold a normal conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes during peak hours if you walk in.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—falafel-based mains and vegetable-forward sides hold their own.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—falafel and select sides can be ordered vegan with minor adjustments.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some proteins and sides work, but buns and wraps are central to the menu.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something casual and food-forward. It’s intimate and interesting without feeling formal, but it’s more about flavor than lingering romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually, yes—especially on weeknights. Peak weekend dinner can mean a short wait, but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for teens than toddlers. The flavors skew bold and the room is compact, so it’s not designed around kids’ menus or space.
Best For
Better for: Burgers with personality—this is where sauces, spice, and Middle Eastern accents make the food feel distinct rather than standard.
Skip if: You’re looking for a classic American burger bar with a big dining room or a long, customizable menu.
Ragadan 7.8
Uptown
A small Uptown counter spot that makes fries worth ordering by seasoning them to match its Middle Eastern-inspired sauce play. The fries land best as a side to one burger or falafel sandwich—especially when you add the house combo sauce and keep everything tight.
Must-Try Dishes: French fries with combo sauce, Oklahoma onion burger, Stuffed falafel sandwich
Scores:
Value: 7.7 Service: 7.8 Consistency: 7.5 Food Quality: 8.6 Atmosphere: 6.4 Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Seasoned fries built for sauce, not just salt.
Who should go: Burger-and-fries people who want something different
When to visit: Mid-afternoon for a quieter counter run
What to order: Fries with combo sauce, onion burger, stuffed falafel
Insider tip: Add the combo sauce and keep it to one main plus fries.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually manageable mid-day but can tighten up after 6pm. Metered spots along nearby streets.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sneakers, and everyday wear fit the room.
Noise level: Low to moderate — counter conversations are easy, but space is compact.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak windows; faster if ordering takeout.
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — falafel, fries, and some sandwiches work well without modification.
Vegan options: Yes — falafel and fries are the safest bets; confirm sauces if strictly vegan.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some items are naturally gluten-free, but shared prep and fryers mean cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a low-key, casual first meet than a long sit-down date. It’s quick, unfussy, and conversation-friendly, but not designed for lingering.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service with limited seating. Walk-ins are the norm, and reservations aren’t part of the model.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like burgers or fries. The space is tight and better suited to quick meals than strollers or large family groups.
Best For
Better for: Seasoned fries with bold Middle Eastern–inspired sauces and a focused, modern counter experience.
Skip if: You want classic plain fries, a full-service sit-down meal, or a place to linger for an hour or more.