Nestled in a Hyde Park strip mall, Cedars Mediterranean Kitchen is always buzzing. But this isn't just another neighborhood restaurant—it's become a vital gathering place for Chicago's Palestinian community and a beacon of humanitarian support for Gaza.
Sudki Abdullah opened the restaurant in 1992. When he passed in 2019, his son Amer took over and reinvented the space in 2022, placing greater emphasis on their Palestinian roots. Now, food sales and pop-up comedy shows regularly benefit Gaza humanitarian relief.
"The restaurant isn't just serving up food," Amer explains. "It's a place for community."
The food honors that mission with hearty Palestinian fare at remarkable value. The falafel plate special ($12) might be one of the best deals in town: five pieces of crispy, hot falafel on herb basmati rice, accompanied by a Shepherd's Salad (romaine, dates, goat cheese, pecans, roasted corn in honey-Dijon vinaigrette), Sudki-style hummus named after the founder, and a small cup of lentil soup.
The Arab Swag tacos perfectly capture the restaurant's spirit of cultural fusion. Piping hot chicken shawarma arrives topped with sumac pico de gallo, roasted jalapeño corn salsa, nutty chile salsa, and spicy tahini on a buttered, toasted corn tortilla.
"My father brought Palestinian flavors to Chicago," Amer says. "I want to show how those flavors connect to other traditions, to other communities."
Glazed chicken wings come hot, crispy, and doused in sweet and spicy harissa sauce with garlic sauce, served with golden fries. Portion sizes are generous—bring friends to share.
Daily specials, displayed next to the cashier, rotate frequently and feature popular dishes at a discount, plus one-off offers like buttermilk fried chicken or harissa fried fish on taco Tuesdays.
For Amer, the restaurant represents continuity—his father's legacy—and hope for the future. Every meal served supports both the local community and those half a world away who need help most.