Reza's Restaurant, Andersonville

One of the many groups who have a significant presence in Andersonville are Arab-Americans and others of Middle Eastern heritage, and for this reason, the neighborhood has some very good restaurants specializing in food from this part of the world. One long-running favorite with the LGBT community is Reza's (5255 N. Clark St., 773-561-1898), which also has a branch downtown in River North (at 432 W. Ontario St.), and another in the town of Oak Brook (at 40 N. Tower Rd.). The rambling restaurant with large windows overlooking the street serves excellent food - specialties include tabbouli, vegetarian shami (sauteed patties of chickpea and green vegetable served with sweet-and-sour pomegranate sauce and crushed walnuts), and lamb Koubideh (skewered lamb kebobs with grilled tomatoes). It's on the same block at Women and Children First feminist bookstore, not far from Charlie's Ale House and Cheetah Gym.