Hakuna Matata

It's been a while since I came here I tried the Mnsaf so yummy! while I was waiting for my order they gave me a cup of lentil soup so sweet great customer service

This was my first time trying this amazing restaurant after having it recommended to me many times by friends and people from all over Chicago, the chicken shawarma and shawarma over rice didn’t disappoint and was totally worth coming all the way to it even though i live far away, let alone the the exceptional service we received by the employees and Rahaf was very nice and guided us with the menu.

⸻ 5 stars We had the pleasure of dining at Hakuna Matata recently, and I can’t say enough about how much we loved the entire experience. This place is such a gem! From the name alone, you already get a sense that it’s going to be a laid-back, feel-good spot—and it completely lives up to that and more. First, the atmosphere: it’s colorful, vibrant, and full of life without being overwhelming. The decor is fun, inspired, and gives off this relaxed, welcoming vibe the second you walk in. There’s music playing softly in the background that perfectly matches the energy of the space. Whether you’re going in for a casual meal with friends, a date night, or even a family dinner, it just works. It felt like an escape from the usual busy rhythm of the day, and honestly, that alone was worth it. The staff was amazing—super friendly, attentive without hovering, and you can tell they enjoy being there. Everyone we interacted with was polite, smiling, and genuinely helpful. They took time to explain a few dishes we weren’t familiar with and even offered recommendations that turned out to be spot-on. There’s something special about a place where the people working there actually seem happy—it really adds to the experience. Now to the food, which was the real star. Everything we ordered was absolutely packed with flavor and cooked to perfection. We started with a few appetizers to share—each one came out fresh and beautifully presented. Our main dishes were vibrant, well-portioned, and full of ingredients that tasted fresh and thoughtfully paired. Every bite felt like it had been made with care. There’s a unique mix of comfort food and creative flavor here that’s hard to find. You can tell a lot of love went into the menu. Also, bonus points for how kid-friendly the place is! We had a little one with us, and not only were they super accommodating, but the staff actually engaged with her and made her feel like part of the experience. That really meant a lot to us. We didn’t plan to stay long, but we ended up lingering after our meal, sipping on drinks and just enjoying the atmosphere. It felt like one of those rare places that welcomes you to relax and take your time instead of rushing you out the door. Even when the place started to fill up, we never felt pushed or ignored. All in all, Hakuna Matata is one of those places you find yourself thinking about the next day—and already planning when you’ll come back. It’s not just the food, or the decor, or even the service—it’s the way it all comes together to create an experience that feels both joyful and comforting. If you haven’t been yet, go. And if you have? I’m sure you’re already planning your next visit too. Highly, highly recommend.

Our shawerma sandwiches were the absolute best!! I’ve had shawerma before but nothing like this! Foad was our sandwich artist and he made the shawerma taste like it was directly from back home with an extra touch of spice! Y’all need to check this place out and don’t forget to ask for Foad Sarireh.

The food was absolutely amazing, and the customer service was exceptional. I had a fantastic experience overall. I would give it a 10/10 and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great meal and top-notch service!

Without exaggeration, this is the best Mediterranean food I've had in so long. Me and my wife absolutely enjoyed the Chicken shwarma and steak wraps. So much flavor. The way you get the food is unique! I Drove an hour to try this place out and I definitely will be coming back for more!! I %100 recommend coming to this establishment.

I went through the drive thru and ordered 2 dozen of Falafels. As we were waiting we received complimentary Lentil soup, while waiting for my order. It was very delicious and warm it hit the spot on this cold day. The young lady was very respectful and helpful. This is my 3rd time ordering from Hakuna Matata they have very delicious food.

The food, the staff, and atmosphere is amazing, very glad to have found this place. Updated 3/25: still an amazing place, they had a special water bottle for Ramadan, which deserves to be shown, so I added it, thank you guys!