Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on Chicago, Illinois and America

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Restaurant Reviews
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Radio, Podcast, Books
  • News Wire
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Archive 2004-2013
  • Toggle search form
  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch, the State Represenative of the 7th House District, was the keynote speaker at the Town of CIcero annual Commemoration for the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero
    Speaker Welch says keeping Bears Stadium in Illinois important Government
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Illinois Takes a Major Step to Protect Homeowners Cook County
  • father children Leving
    Leving Team Restored Dad’s Place in Daughters’ Lives and Saved Him from Jail Dads' Rights
  • O'Hare Rideshare cars courtesy ray hanania
    More Than 100,000 Rideshare Drivers Win Union Rights in Illinois, Rideshare Drivers’ Union Bill Illinois Legislature
  • Metropolis Wizard of Oz cast Arlington Heights, 2026
    Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026 Entertainment
  • Windy City Boat & Yacht Show
    Top Things to See and Experience at the Windy City Boat & Yacht Show Chicago
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros Issues Rare Special Report Regarding Federal Grand Jury Appearances Federal
  • U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth
    Duckworth Grills Secretary Rubio on State Department Cuts That Undermine Diplomacy and Make Americans Less Safe Federal
  • OP News Release Aquatic e coli
    Orland Park Centennial Park Aquatic Center to Reopen Tuesday Government
  • Leving father son soccer
    Leving Team Protected Dad’s Child from Serious Harm in High-Stakes Court Victory Dads' Rights
  • OFPD Fire Chief John Purtill, to be sworn in June 9, 2026
    Orland Fire Protection District names new Fire Chief – swearing-in Ceremony June 9 Fire
  • THE NEW MUSICAL ICEBOY! WITH MEGAN MULLALLY AND NICK OFFERMAN, GREY HENSON, CEDRIC YARBROUGH, SARAH STILES, ALEX GOODRICH & MORE
    A peek into the new musical Iceboy! with Megan Mullaly and Nick Offerman, Grey Henson, Cedric Yarbrough, Sarah Stiles, Alex Goodrich & more Entertainment
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    United States Attorney Andrew S. Boutros Announces Sweeping Reforms to Internal Grand Jury Practices and Disclosures Civil Rights
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes image from website
    Nothing Bundt Cakes® Brings Back Strawberry Cheesecake Swirl and Debuts Banana Prepared with NUTELLA® Pop-Up for Spring Entertainment
  • Emagine Theater courtesy Emagine Theaters
    Enjoy special film screenings, deal and in-theatre experience at Emagine Theatres this June Entertainment
Zwar restaurant hosts the amazing belly dancer TINA every Wednesday from 7 to 9… don’t miss this beautiful experience

What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park

Posted on June 8, 2024December 19, 2025 By Ray Hanania No Comments on What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  



Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns

What’s the Best Middle East restaurant in Chicagoland’s suburbs? Zwar in Orland Park

One of Chicagoland’s best Middle East Arabian restaurants offers a special exotic entertainment show every Wednesday, complementing their great food menu with the mesmerizing dance of Belly Dancer Tina every Wednesday from 7 PM until 9 PM. Enjoy a great show along with the best tasting Middle Eastern and Arabian food menu in Chicagoland at Zwar, 9328 W. 159th Street in the Jewel-Osco mall complex in Orland Park

By Ray Hanania

Every week I receive 3 or 4 emails mainly from readers of my columns asking me to recommend the best Middle East restaurants to visit so they can enjoy some authentic Arabian foods.

I always respond the same way: The number one restaurant offering Middle Eastern, Arabian food is Zwar, located at 9328 W. 159th Street in the plaza just adjacent to the Jewel-Osco center off 94th Avenue in Orland Park, Illinois.

Zwar has the absolutely best foods and the quality of their food is consistently the best.

One of the top meats in Arabian food is lamb but the lamb kabobs need to be cooked to perfection and they always are.

Zwar restaurant hosts the amazing belly dancer TINA every Wednesday from 7 to 9… don’t miss this beautiful experience
Zwar restaurant hosts the amazing belly dancer TINA every Wednesday from 7 pm to 9 pm … don’t miss this beautiful experience

 

A dish I always recommend is the shish kabob plate which consists of a skewer of lamb, chicken or “kufta” which is an Arabic word for mildly spiced ground steak with parsley. Sides include white and red long grain rice.

And every order received a small serving plate of a special garlic dip, hummus (garbanzo bean) dip and th popular and healthy baba ghanoush made from crushed and spiced eggplant. These sides are eaten using the freshly made Arabian or “Syrian” Pita Bread.

Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice
Zwar lamb kabob and kufta with white and yellow rice

There are many restaurants offering Middle Eastern and Arabian food but consistency isn’t always guaranteed.

Zwar gives you the best quality of meats and side dishes on a consistent basis. I eat there all the time and I hope you get a chance to enjoy the food.

Zwar dip dish hummus garlic baba ghanoush
Zwar dip dish hummus garlic baba ghanoush

Beginning this week, Zwar is offering Belly Dancing entertainment every Wednesday evening from 7 PM until 9 PM.

The Belly Dancing to the Middle East music is very respectful for family entertainment and is a Middle Easter entertainment tradition that goes back to the earliest days of the Middle East thousands of years ago.

Zwar, one dining area
Zwar, one dining area

Dancer “Tina” will add that extra experience during your meal to bring you back to the exotic atmosphere of the Holy Land.

Make sure to say hello to the owner at Zwar, Saedah, or “Sue.”

She always welcomes news customers and strives to make their experience the best each and every time.

Lamb and kufta kabob on rice with salad
Lamb and kufta kabob on rice with salad

Zwar Restaurant
9328 W. 159th Street
Orland Park, Illinois
Call 708-223-9133 for reservations.

Zwar Turkish coffee
Zwar Turkish coffee

 

Zwar Pita bread wedges
Zwar Pita bread wedges

Click this link to watch a Tiktok video of Zwar rated by “The Food Guy” at NBC Steve Dolinsky.

Click this link to watch “The Food Guy” Steve Dolinsky review on NBC TV


Click here to subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania's Columns


newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania
Ray Hanania is an award-winning opinion columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.  

His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today

Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.

Email Ray Hanania at [email protected].

Follow RayHanania at Twitter
Ray Hanania
Latest posts by Ray Hanania (see all)
  • Speaker Welch says keeping Bears Stadium in Illinois important - June 5, 2026
  • Leving Team Restored Dad’s Place in Daughters’ Lives and Saved Him from Jail - June 5, 2026
  • More Than 100,000 Rideshare Drivers Win Union Rights in Illinois, Rideshare Drivers’ Union Bill - June 4, 2026
NPV: 377
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Blogger, Commentary, Culture, Entertainment, food, News, NewsWire, Opinion, Orland Park, rayhanania, Restaurant Review, restaurants, Review, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Arabian food, baba ghanoush, Belly Dancer, Belly Dancing, dining, entertainment, exotic dancing, hummus, Illinois, lamb kabob, Mediterranean food, Middle East restaurant, Orland Park, tabouli salad, Zwar

Post navigation

Previous Post: Hanania columns on Biden’s border plan, Israel’s PAC influence on Congress, and Trump’s conviction
Next Post: 2024 American Rugby Series coming to Bridgeview’s Seat Geek stadium

Related Posts

  • A typical Fire Department Command Vehicle, Red SUV
    Two Vehicle crash takes 5 year old girl’s life Fire
  • Orland Park Sting FC is VERY EXCITED to announce that we will be hosting a Summer Session of the Lil Stingerz Program!. www.oyaboys.org
    Lil Stingerz Registration now open for the Summer Session Features
  • 74 suspects charged with Federal crimes in Portland protest violence. Photo courtesy of the US Dept. pf Justice
    Federal charges filed against 74 in Portland protest violence Business
  • United Auto Workers (UAW) volunteers help the mayor of Sauk Village provide support to residents in need. Photo courtesy of Sauk Village
    UAW volunteers help Sauk Village President overcome barriers Features
  • Cicero Police charge suspect in brutal racial attack during Floyd protests
    Cicero Police charge suspect in brutal racial attack during Floyd protests breaking news
  • Electrical power lines. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
    ComEd offers contact info in event of wind damage News

More Related Articles

Lisa Hernandez fundraiser March 7 Chicago
Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan addressing the Oct. 21, 2018 candidate's forum hosted by the Arab American Democratic Club in suburban Chicago. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania Anniversary of Arab American Recognition in Illinois Blogger
Time to clean the Water Reclamation District’s political filter General Topics
Chicago Wolves face-off with Toronto Marlies Nov. 13, 2021 Chicago Wolves defeat Milwaukee Admirals in comeback Chicago
Chicago Wolves, Playoffs, Iowa Wild, Hockey, Central Division Finals Wolves win Game 5 now one game from winning series General Topics
Silva returns to SD 103 News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID

Links to the Latest News by other media that is worth reading with attribution
Arab Center Ad
  • NEWS
  • Emanuel "Chris" Welch, the State Represenative of the 7th House District, was the keynote speaker at the Town of CIcero annual Commemoration for the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero
    Speaker Welch says keeping Bears Stadium in Illinois important
    June 5, 2026
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Illinois Takes a Major Step to Protect Homeowners
    June 5, 2026
  • father children Leving
    Leving Team Restored Dad’s Place in Daughters’ Lives and Saved Him from Jail
    June 5, 2026
  • O'Hare Rideshare cars courtesy ray hanania
    More Than 100,000 Rideshare Drivers Win Union Rights in Illinois, Rideshare Drivers’ Union Bill
    June 4, 2026
  • Metropolis Wizard of Oz cast Arlington Heights, 2026
    Metropolis Performing Arts Centre announces cast and creative team for The Wizard of Oz July 8 – August 9, 2026
    June 4, 2026

Courageous Thought Syndicate Columns

Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

Mohammed Faheem The Lightning Strike Radio

Restaurant Reviews

Photo: Sullivan's Steakhouse Lobster Tempura
Restaurant Reviews
  • OPINION
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Illinois Takes a Major Step to Protect Homeowners
    June 5, 2026
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Property Tax Pointers: 10 Must-Know Tips for Homeowners
    May 22, 2026
  • Ray Hanania on Politics podcast logo
    Frank Calabrese and Ray Hanania on Politics podcast discuss court ruling on Samatha Steele’s alleged DUI
    May 7, 2026
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All work on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source. Some photos published with permission from Zemanta and Wikipedia.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme