Siwa Grill

Name and ownership has changed again. Now called Abu Izz Restaurant.

unfortunately this place is closed down… :(

Siwa Grill has never failed me in the many years that I have been going there. During the summer days I would frequent Siwa Grill almost on a weekly basis. Most of the time, my visits are around 2 or 3 in the morning. I’m not sure exactly as to what time they close, as I am usually spending my late evenings at the nearby Ovington Billiards and come here to get some midnight fuel. There are times where I am hanging out with friends at the pool hall until they close at 4 in the morning and when we leave the guys at Siwa Grill have just closed for the night. My belief is that they close when everything else around them closes such as Ovington Billiards, Alpine Cineplex, etc.
I had actually been craving a Gyro and thought that since I was driving in the area anyway, I might as well swing by. I’ve enjoyed countless numbers of Gyros during my many nights at the pool hall. They cost $ 5.50 each and come freshly made with heaps of gyro meat. Lots of white sauce and hot sauce make this a tasty midnight snack but tonight it became my pre-​dinner snack. Usually when I order in the middle of the night I get lots of meat. Tonight when I went around 5:15 the guy gave me a good amount but nothing close to what I usually get. It’s probably because since I usually go so late the guy is trying to get rid of all the meat and put a new chunk of meat on the spit.
The location itself looked completely run down and in a desperate need for a renovation. It’s one of those types of places when you have to eat with your taste buds and not with your eyes. Just keep in mind that usually the brightest gems are hidden away in the worst places.
Siwa Grill has been around for a long time and will probably continue to be around, renovation or not. In fact they don’t need the renovation because I know and they know that they will always have business because of two simple reasons.
A) They have good food.
B) It’s some of the best food around for moviegoers and pool hall junkies like myself.

This is a husband/​wife run business. There is only one of them working at any one time. That one person is the cook/​cashier/​waiter/​bus boy/​and dish washer. So, as you can imagine service is a bit slow. If your gonna come here for lunch be prepared to wait or call ahead and place your order.
The food is pretty good. And the prices are alot better than the other middle eastern restaurants in the neighborhood. That might have something to do with the lack of décor. This place is definitely due for a makeover. It feels very old and rundown w/​poor lighting. And parking is a nightmare in this neighborhood. A co– worker took me to this spot, but if your planning to take your date here– don’t bother.