-Grubbing in Chicago
Persian Food in North Center
The North Center neighborhood recently got a major food boost with the opening of Alfarsi Restaurant at Irving Park and Leavitt. This spot used to be Stella's, a typical Middle Eastern eatery. Alfarsi is a Middle Eastern restaurant too but it's bringing something more regional to the table - Persian food.
Recently Opened in North Center
Even though it's only been open for a couple months Alfarsi no longer has that new car smell. Instead it smells like a backyard barbecue thanks to a slightly open air kitchen where all sorts of different kebabs are grilled. It's a very casual operation that starts with walking up to the register where you'll place your order before taking a seat. There's two dining rooms with one of them being ideal for large groups (a must for Persian restaurants). Persian food refers to the cuisine of modern day Iran. The Iranian or Persian population is estimated to be up to 30,000 people in the Chicagoland area. Many arrived after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran and there's now said to be close to 700,000 Persian Americans with over half of them residing in California. Persian cuisine stands out from other Middle Eastern cuisines due to its focus on fresh herbs, balanced sweet and sour flavors, and prominent use of saffron and aromatic spices. Unlike other Middle Eastern dishes that share similar spices, Persian cuisine uniquely emphasizes saffron blended with herbs like parsley, cilantro, mint, and dill. But it's important to note that Persian home cooking and restaurant food, while sharing core dishes and techniques, often differ. Persian restaurants are typically centered around a grill where kababs reign supreme. So if you've been to Noon O Kabab or Kabobi you can expect a similar setup at Alfarsi.
Falafel Salad and Lavash at Alfarsi
The menu at Alfarsi is made up of appetizers like Dolmeh and Muhammara plus soups and salads as well as kebabs and wraps. They also have a lamb shank special listed under traditional dishes. Diners can choose between eight different skewers of meat and they also have a salmon and shrimp kebab. Alfarsi offers up a couple different combination platters which are what I zeroed in on. Alfarsi Kabob Combo #1 lets you choose two between the boneless chicken breast kabob or any ground beef, chicken, or lamb kabob. Alfarsi Kabab Combo #2 is a bit more straightforward with one filet mignon shish kebab (chenjeh) and one lamb shish kabob plus your choice of white or dill rice and grilled vegetables on the side. We put in an order for both combos plus a falafel salad consisting of falafel sitting on Persian salad made up of greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and a tahini dressing.
Filet Mignon and Lamb Shish Kabob at Alfarsi Restaurant
First out was the salad which arrived with some warm lavash flatbread which was a nice change of pace from the pitas that the other Persian spots in town use. The falafel salad was very fresh though the falafel itself could've been a bit hotter. The kebabs arrived around the same time and the smell at the table was amazing. I don't know exactly why but Persian kebabs are always smokier than most others even when being grilled on gas as is the case here. Both the filet mignon and lamb shish kabab were extremely tender to the point where they may have been a tad too tender. Koobideh Kebab is the Iranian variant of kofta kebab made from ground lamb and or beef, often mixed with salt, ground black pepper and grated onions. Koobideh is possibly my favorite kebab variant as they're always so smoky and juicy which are the main variables you want in a kebab. I made sure to try both the lamb and the beef Koobideh and found it hard to pick a favorite - they were both great. Be sure to mix the fluffy rice with the drippings from the kebabs. The question most folks will want to know is how does Alfarsi compare to the two well known Persian restaurants in Albany Park and I would say favorably. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them but there are subtle differences like the rice portions being bigger at the other spots but I think the hot sauce at Alfarsi is the best of the bunch. It's a smooth red blend with a nice spice profile and a bit of sweetness too - possibly from pomegranate.
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