Baba Saj - Oak Lawn, Illinois

Melba L.

BEWARE!! They are not following proper food service guidelines!! We were looking forward to our meal as we had eaten here before and it was good but on this occasion the woman taking our order at the register was blowing her nose non stop and was obviously sick..( not a problem in itself) but then didn’t wash her hands and just put gloves on to start preparing an order without washing hands first! GROSS!!! Picking up gloves with snotty hands just transfers the snot to the outside of the gloves! She wasn’t preparing our order, it was someone else’s order but then the man who prepared our order was eating some kind of a sandwich wrap behind the counter and just set his sandwich down, put gloves on and started preparing orders. WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST! No one wants your saliva on their food. Gloves don’t work if you’re picking them up and putting them on with dirty hands! I can’t say I was surprised… Many people think gloves work… but they don’t if you put them on with dirty hands… you just transfer snot or saliva onto the outside of the gloves. Also , go eat your lunch at a table if you’re working there, don’t hang over the food prep area munching on food. Hopefully management sees this and RETRAINS staff… follow protocols. Wash hands before you put gloves on if you are blowing your nose or eating !!! And don’t eat behind the counter where customers food is being prepared. I mean it’s literally the number one rule in food prep!!! Wash hands and don’t prepare food if you’re sick. Don’t think we will be back. If they are doing this directly in front of customers what are they doing when no one is looking.

Mohammad A.

I recently visited this cozy spot for falafel and shawarma, and I was blown away! The cleanliness of the restaurant was the first thing I noticed—the floors were spotless, and the kitchen area was visible, showcasing a high standard of hygiene. The staff was incredibly friendly, ensuring a welcoming and efficient experience.

As for the food, it was absolutely delicious! The falafel was perfectly crispy on the outside and soft inside, with a burst of fresh herbs and spices in every bite. The shawarma was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor, complemented by the fresh veggies and creamy tahini sauce. Portions were generous, and everything tasted incredibly fresh.

This place is a hidden gem for anyone craving authentic Middle Eastern flavors. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a relaxed meal, it’s the perfect choice. Highly recommended for its combination of amazing food, great service, and cleanliness!

Mike M.

Authentic food at this restaurant. A very clean, well run place that has about anything Mediterranean you would want to eat. I had the Shawarma Meal (different than their Shawarma plate) with chicken. It came with fries and a generous side of garlic sauce. My wife had a Shawarma Bowl (not found on the paper menu but is on their wall) with a rice base. Extremely filling. We ate early at around 4:30 pm but as we were finishing it was filling up pretty fast. Pricing was very reasonable ($13.99 each) and it had a good atmosphere about it.

Monica C.

I came in on a weekday I was not Greeted by anyone including the guys who were cooking only one girl did barely speak .. She did take my order but than she had to answer the phone while fixing my food which I thought was unsanitary being she had on gloves while she cooked my Falafel bowl so I’m not sure if I’ll be back. Than I stood and waited for 5 mins and nobody acknowledged me and she fixed my order but than loaded it up with the sauce and it was not the best tasting like I’ve had in the past at other places.

Mohammed S.

The dining experience at baba saj was phenomenal. The food was absolutely delicious. I especially loved the shawarma platter and hummus, which was bursting with flavors. The staff was incredibly attentive and made sure all my needs were met 😇 أحببته❤️

Felicia P.

Awesome Mediterranean Spot!

Just tried this Mediterranean food and loved it! The Gyro Bowl was fresh and flavorful, packed generous amount of protein, crisp veggies, and creamy sauce. The Chicken Shawarma was also a hit—tender, well-spiced, and huge portions.

Staff was super friendly and offered samples service was quick. Great value for the amount of food you receive will definitely be back

Safa H.

Great food, pastries are good, however smaller than the usual but the taste is still great. Tried the falafel and mohamara with cheese, I highly recommend it

Hadeel A.

I just wanted to say how great Amina is as a worker! Every time I come in, she’s super helpful and always makes sure I have everything I need. I stopped by on Monday or Wednesday, She really goes the extra mile, and it shows! The food was amazing I will come back everything was great!