In a nondescript, unattractive building at the northeast corner of the intersection of Clark and Lake, there is a nondescript, unattractive food court, which contains nondescript, unattractive lunch options. But if you look carefully among the fast food establishments, you'll find a couple Middle Eastern places, the newest of which is Olive Mediterranean Grill.
Tucked in the back of the first floor between Toro Sushi's Loop outpost and a staircase, Olive has a simple menu that breaks down into three main categories: sandwiches ($5), rice bowls ($6) and salads and sides ($2.50). Sandwich options are shawarma, kebab, Mediterranean chicken (marinated and spiced white meat) and falafel. Each is stuffed into a pita with a slew of accompaniments, most notably quarter-inch-thick fried potatoes slices, a delicious if gluttonous addition commonly used by street vendors in some parts of the Middle East.
All of it is made to order, so other options, like beets, pickles or feta, aren't mandatory. Rice bowls include any of the above meats and a salad atop turmeric-stained rice. The 12 salads and sides include usual suspects like hummus, baba ghannouj, tabbouleh and grape leaves, as well as a few bean-based salads, olives and artichoke hearts. One word of warning: the jalapeņo sauce, one of the condiments available along with a creamy garlic sauce and tahini, is tear-spillingly hot.
If you had to show up to the office early and skipped the most important meal of the day, Olive also serves two breakfast sandwiches, egg and feta and egg and soujouk (sausage, basically), both of which come with coffee for just $2.50. Wash it down with fresh juices (orange or carrot), which are also available later in the day, along with bottled juice, soda and IZZE products.
Centerstage Reviewer: Alexander Hough
