Sindibad Grill: New Plainfield Rd Restaurant Gets High Marks

CREST HILL, IL — A new restaurant that opened three weeks ago on Plainfield Road is worth checking out. Sindibad Grill is 2229 at Plainfield Road. It's just past the Plainfield Road Plaza. In years past, this property sold Vienna beef hot dogs and then it was a taco stand.

Now, after a year of remodeling the building and installing new kitchen equipment, Sindibad is open six days a week. It's a Mediterranean Grill and the chef knows what he's doing.

Prices are reasonable. The portions of food with my sandwich were more than enough for my late lunch. Sindibad also makes its own seasoning for the fries. I ordered the Shawarma Sandwich and it cost me $5.99; it comes with the fries.

All Sindibad's sandwiches come with fries, the menu notes.

While the chef was making my beef Shawarma Sandwich, I asked him what's been some of Sindibad's most popular items since opening. His reply? "What you just got."

I ordered carryout and took my meal home. What's great about the Shawarma Sandwich is that there's plenty of meat and there's a variety of spices packed inside the wrap.

My 12-year-old son really liked their seasoned french fries, so much so that he had ate at least half of my bag.

The Shawarma Sandwich hit the spot.

"As you know, taste is one of the five senses that can bring your mood high and make your day brighter," Sindibad's brochure reads. "I am delighted to offer you unique Mediterranean dishes to fulfill your taste and put a smile on your face."

Sindibad put a smile on my face.

Sindibad has a lot of meal options. All the entrees are $11.99 to $13.99. Sandwiches are between $4.99 and $6.99. The hot dog is $2.99.

Sandwiches include: Gyro. Kabob Sandwich. Hot Dog. Falafel Sandwich. Zinger Chicken Sandwich. Burger. Entrees include: Lamb Chop. Tika. Shawarma Plate. Shish Tawook and Kafta Kabobs.

Also, there's four salads, plus there's Baba Ganoush and Hummus.

If you aren't sure what to order, I'd recommend the Shawarma Sandwich. You can go with beef or chicken. It comes with fresh garlic sauce.

Sindibad has a small area for dine-in customers, but most of its business, I envision, will come from carryout orders. To order ahead, you can call 815-582-4311.

Sindibad Grill is closed on Sundays. Regular hours are: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday.

One last thing: A shout-out goes to James Sankey, owner of Joliet's Cheesecake By James, who is pushing to open his new downtown Joliet restaurant near the Rialto in time for Valentine's Day.

Sankey texted me a couple weeks ago about Sindibad Grill, suggesting it was worthy of a Joliet Patch food column.

"New restaurant, great food," he wrote me.

He's right.