In the heart of Albany Park, Al-Amira is a 24-hour Iraqi food restaurant located on the northwest corner of Lawrence and Kedzie. The menu is small, yet affordable, and includes traditional Iraqi dishes as well as Middle Eastern staples Americans have become so accustomed to: lentil soup, falafel and hummus.

Many of the main dishes consist of varying types of kabobs. While a bit lacking in veggies, the bed of rice and sumac spice are well paired. Dinner comes with a white bean or lentil soup and a salad. The lentil soup is excellent, perfectly served with a sliver of lemon. Diced cucumbers, tomatoes and onion soaked in Greek dressing make a quaint side salad, great for wrapping in warm pita. Al-Amira also specializes in kubba, traditional Iraqi potato dumplings filled with ground beef. While most of the menu is meat heavy, there are options like the Greek salad that can be filling and light.

The breakfast menu is more vegetarian friendly, but is not available late afternoons or evenings. Al-Amira also serves Arabic coffee, similar to Turkish coffee, though much thicker. It’s strong, grainy, hearty and difficult to finish.

Al-Amira is a good addition to the Albany Park neighborhood, which hosts many Middle Eastern restaurants and grocers already. A friendly staff will take good care of you, and even tell you stories about the neighborhood, where to best buy sumac, and the history of Iraqi food.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Sondra Morin