One of the cool little things in this city is Falafill owner Maher Chebaro, who used to have the more upscale Souk among other things, recruiting name chefs to whip up sandwiches of the month using Falafill’s falafel… with a piece of the proceeds going to a charity of the chef’s choice. We’ve tried many of them and they’re always good and, more to the point, help keep his restaurants’ offerings fresh and novel. This month’s chef is Dirk Flanigan of Henri and The Gage, who’s invented a beluga lentil falafel, tossed in smoked shallot duck vinaigrette (there’s also a vegetarian substitute by request) and stuffed in the pita pocket with frisee, radish, pickle and giardinera, for a true Chicago taste. Dirks’ charity is the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), which helps immigrants and refugees with legal and other issues. Enjoy it all through June; July will bring a creation from Danny Grant, Food & Wine best new chef at RIA and Balsan.
