Reader recommendation: Falafal at Niro’s in Bradley
A reader named Kelly sent me this recently via email:
“Were you aware that Niro’s Gyros on Kennedy drive in Bradley has been serving falafel for a month or two? It is delicious! Possibly the best I have ever had. The owners of the restaurant told us they were creating an entire Mediterranean menu.”
I’m a big fan of falafal, which are kind of like hush puppies, but made with ground chickpeas (or sometimes fava beans) instead of ground corn. Herbs and spices are added to the batter, which is formed into balls and deep-fried. I like mine dipped in tahini, which is a sauce made with ground sesame seeds.
I tried the falafal at Niro’s a few weeks ago, and they were very good. If I remember correctly, they came wrapped in flatbread and drizzled with sauce, so it was like a sandwich.
If you go, be prepared to wait. I lucked out and they had just finished a batch when I pulled into the drive-through, but the falafel must be made fresh to be good, and that could take about 15 minutes.
Niro’s is at 545 S. Kennedy Dr. They’re open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. To order, call (815) 935-1790.
As a side note: I had a falafal craving several months ago, before Niro’s began offering them, and I went in search of a Middle Eastern restaurant. The closest one I found was Al Basha in Palos Heights, about 35 miles from Bourbonnais. The restaurant is in a strip mall at the northwest corner of 119th Street and Harlem.
Tags: Bradley, restaurant
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
There is a fabulous Indian Restaurant across from Orland Park off of LaGrange Road called Taj Mahal & another in a strip mall off of 191st, I believe in Tinley Park off Harlem Ave. If you like Indian food, try the Taj Mahal. It’s not Gaylord’s but it’s good food. They have excellent Chicken Tikka. They have a lunch buffet. I must have been getting falafel confused with couscous so when I saw the sign I didn’t think much of it but I am definitely going to try it. I haven’t tried Tahini by itself but I LOVE hummus.
September 30th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
The falafel (yes…that is the spelling) is soooo good there. they use the Arabic bread, not pita. The bomb-shizzle for sure. There isn’t good falafel anywhere else around here…I used to have to go the Chi-town. Vegitarians need to know about this alternative to the drive-thru bean burrito (with a side of Rolaids)…..
June 28th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
[...] Niro’s has been serving falafel sandwiches for several months, they now have invested in more kitchen space and special equipment to allow for a better and more [...]