There are many good hookah bars in Chicago. The main issue with them is (with the new smoking law in IL) that they don’t serve food or alcohol anymore.

Here is a list of the ones that I know about. The list is not in any particular order.

Arabia Cafe

They serve Starbuzz tobacco as well as some other brands. Hookahs are $15 during week days and $20 over weekend. That’s a little pricey but I guess that’s Chicago. They also usually have belly dancers over weekend.

They are located at 1046 N. Milwaukee, Chicago IL 60622

Dhuwan

I’ve never been at Dhuwan myself but have heard good stories about them.

They are located at

House of Hookah

I have never been to House of Hookah myself so can’t write a review about them.

They are located at 607 W. Belmont, Chicago, IL

A La Turka

A La Turka is a Turkish restaurant.

They are located at 3134 N. Lincoln Ave Chicago, Illinois, 60657

Ambrosia

I like this place. It is very lively and definitely Middle Eastern atmosphere (unlike many hookah bars that choose to play Techno and loud music all the time). They are located at 1963 North Sheffield Avenue Chicago, Illinois, 60614

Guess Hookah

They don’t have a lounge anymore (most likely due to the smoking law). They are a fairly large local hookah store though. They are located at 1829 West Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois, 60622.

Sigara Lounge

Tizi Melloul

Tizi Melloul is a rather nice Mediterranean restaurant.

No related posts.

Another short post:

I just heard that the Muse bar at Lafayette, Indiana is offering hookahs now. They are actually giving free hookahs to those who go to their bar/club. I might go there tonight to actually try it. I’ll make a post about it once I try their hookah.

Related posts:

1. Hookah Bar in Lafayette, IN

I recently updated the list of hookah bars in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There are 5 hookah bars there. (the list below is sorted alphabetically):

1- Hookah Kings Lounge

9784 Coors Blvd NW Ste A

(505) – 897 – 1668

2- Hunab Hookah

3400 Constitution Avenue Northeast

(505) – 232 – 0223

3- Pars Cuisine

4320 The 25 Way

(505) – 345 – 5156

4- Petra Cafe & Restaurant

115 Harvard Dr SE

(505) 266-2477‎

5- Relux Hookah Lounge

1950 Juan Tabo Blvd NE # J

(505) 299-2989‎

Related posts:

1. Hookah Bars in Chicago

Egyptian Cafe – (765) 743-0500

130 Northwestern Ave, West Lafayette, IN 47906.

A little over a year ago I wrote a review about Egyptian Cafe two weeks after the opened. It wasn’t a very good review, but boy have they changed. In fact it is the new rendezvous for me an my friends. Following are reviews of their food, hookahs, and service.

Hookahs

Egyptian offers three different hookah prices. The only difference between the different levels is the tobacco. They all use the same type of hookah.

• Premium ($9.95): Egyptian uses Layalina tobacco for their premium hookah. It’s not exactly premium tobacco but they do a good job in packing the hookahs. The refills for premium hookahs are $5.95.
• Skyzz Flavors ($12.95): Uses Skyzz tobacco and is a little better than the premium. I personally like the premiums better. Refills for Skyzz flavors are $6.95.
• Golden Layalina ($18.99): This is Egyptian’s best tobacco. I think it is overpriced for West Lafayette. I have not tried the tobacco yet so I don’t know how good it is.

The hookahs at Egyptian Cafe are generally very good. They are packed well and the hookahs themselves are of good quality. If they made longer (deeper) holes in the hookah bowls (so that it smokes better), they would be almost perfect.

Food

The food menu is mostly Middle Eastern food as well as sandwiches and burgers. There is not much to say about the food. It is good and not expensive. I especially like their chicken sandwich.

Service

What separates Egyptian Cafe from competition (Hookah Lounge) for me is service. We (and most customers) go to a lounge to sit down, relax, and have a good time. Quality service is what makes that happen. By quality service I don’t mean servers going around couple times a minute to make sure customers are OK. Neither do I mean that in this case the hookahs come out fast (a good hookah takes as long as a well done steak to make). I mean friendly employees that like their jobs and employers who value their customers.

At Egyptian,

• Employees treat the customers as friends not as customers which makes all the difference.
• They don’t rush you to order and keep ordering.
• The owners/managers realize the importance of repeat customers and those who go there often. They don’t necessarily treat the repeat customers different than others but make sure that those customer know their business is highly valued.

These 3 basic but important points are what has made Egyptian so much more successful since last year and what has caused Hookah Lounge (the competition) to lose so many of their repeat customers.

Related posts:

1. Hookah Bar in Lafayette, IN
2. Nakhla Peach + Skyzz Grape