Don't Bother Ordering: The Salmon
Expect: B service, B- food, $ prices
Uniqueness: Decent cuisine is served up quick with unexpected table service, so sit back, relax and enjoy!
Summary: Jerusalem Cafe hits where supposed to and misses in places that are easy to ignore. Find a few favs and you'll go back again and again.
Don't let the "cafe" or the cafeteria-style garnish bar fool you. This Oak Park fast-casual spot serves up decent Mediterranean fare. I was impressed by the creamy texture of the humus. Though most Mediterranean restaurants or store bought versions are good, they can be overly heavy and chunky. Jerusalem cafe has perfected the art of both a great garnish and dip in their humus. Many dishes are served with grilled vegetables. I wouldn't call these exactly fresh though they are served up in a deliciously familiar sauce whose flavor we weren't quite able to put our fingers on, but thoroughly enjoyed.
I usually stick with the veggie platter, a generous helping of falafel, hummus, babaganoush, and tabouleh. This time around I went with the Salmon Platter, which I soon regretted. The hummus and grilled vegetables delivered great taste as expected, but the safron rice and salmon were a miss. The rice was cooked to perfection, but lacked even a hint of seasoning. The fish was just the opposite. It was infused with a heavenly lemon flavor, but was cooked to the consientency of dry terrycloth. Blech! The pita bread is also a miss. When not paired with the huge helpings of humus and babaganoush on the veggie platter, the severe dryness of the room temperature flatbread prevails. 
I'll end on a high note by praising the transcendant flavor and texture of the Beef Kabob. Another reason for me to re-think my status as a vegetarian. A quick taste of the meat for the purpose of review left my mouth watering. I watched my companion finish it off with feelings of deep jealousy. Especially since I was left with my terrycloth salmon. 
