What was once an almost completely hidden gem in the Loop, tucked away in the back of a jeweler’s mall, is now all the rave for those on the hunt for cheap lunch eats!
The current location is pretty dismal and gritty, but the food is so good that it makes you forget all about the horrible fluorescent lighting and tacky train station “artwork”, set up next door to that foul mouthed sailor’s cajun chicken joint. No, Oasis certainly doesn’t describe the surroundings, but one bite will make you rethink that first assumption.
If you have never had falafel, then make this your first experience! Try its fried, crunchy yet moist goodness in pita sandwich form; it will make you will lick your fingers after you polish off that last morsel! Or, go for the veggie combo plate, where you can get a taste of yummy stuffed grape leaves, hummus and a bit of salad with pita bread for dippin’. Other suggestions include the kabobs, be it in beef, lamb or chicken form, and the lentil soup is simply superb. It also happens to be one of the few places to locate an IBC root beer to wash down your meal, which I happen to be a huge fan of!
Since Middle Eastern food is traditionally communal, make sure everyone gets a little something different, so you can all pick off each others’ plates. This food mall has quite a bit of seating and is pretty loud, making it perfectly acceptable to be boisterous with your Mmmm’s! However, since the decor is less than inviting, I suggest getting your food to go, unless looks aren’t your number one priority when eating such a fabulous meal. Head over to Millennium Park when the weather is cooperating, or duck inside to the Cultural Center when it’s not. Of course, it’s always fun to bring something that awesome back to the office, so you guys can force your coworkers to bask in its intoxicating aroma while they relegate to their mushy sandwiches and stale chips.
Sphinx Cafe is by far one of the most original and delightful establishments around Chicago! Delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, charming staff and oh yes - belly dancing! Customers get to watch the sexy Haflas after a sumptuous meal while they sip robust Turkish coffee and hook up with a hookah while gearing up for the big dance party afterwards. Where else but in the land of the Pharaohs can this be appreciated? In Niles, of course, just outside of Chicago's northwest side.
The best time to take in all of what the Sphinx has to offer is on a Saturday night after seven, and plan on making a full evening out of the deal. Be prepared to take a virtual journey to the Middle East and enjoy the richness of the culture, dressing for a casual, exciting night out.
The service is somewhat laid back, so take advantage of it! Order up the Veggie Combo as an appetizer, as well as a plate of those tasty Stuffed Grape Leaves! A great compliment is their fresh Mint Tea, so be sure to try that out as well. Dinner suggestions include their tender Lamb Chops, the Kefta Kabobs as well as the Couscous Plate. Of course, polish it off with their wonderful Turkish coffee and some sweet Baklava.
After eating and just as you feel you can stand no more, have your staff bring a Hookah to your table while your food digests - be sure to ask for the apple flavoring, which is the patrons' favorite! Its sweet smoke is invigorating and not at all like cigarettes. It is at this is where the fun begins, as the belly dancers take to the floor! If anything can stir up those wild and crazy suppressions, this is it! But hey - don't be in a hurry to leave, because at ten, the Sphinx transforms into a night club, complete with popular disc jockeys of the area. Work off those lingering calories and dance the night away! Their full bar hosted by very talented staff can mix up a mean martini and also have a decent spread of brews and top shelf selections.
The Sphinx closes at four, so you and your date will have just enough time to hit a pancake house on the way back home before the sun rises and the Sunday paper hits the curb. It might be hard to snap back into reality after a night like that, but it will definitely be worth it!
