So I've been back to Juliana at least 5 times in 2012. Â Vanessa the dancer is better than ever. Â The music remains the same, old school Oum Kalthoum, Abdel Halim Hafiz, etc... Â They don't change but then again, they've been in business for about 2 decades so evidently this is a good thing. Â The decor is old school, that hasn't changed. Â But really, you go there to hear the Arabic classics done perfectly and to watch an excellent performance. Â I can't help but respond to the reviewer below. Â This is NOT the place to go if you want a quiet night. Â The reviewer who complained about the noise and "enduring" the entertainment -- hello! Â It's an nightclub with a live Arabic/ Assyrian band! Â If you don't want Middle Eastern entertainment, which is advertised all over the place right when you walk in, then don't go to an Arabic club. Â It's like complaining about the salsa music at Nacionale 27. Â Idiot. Â And I'm not sure what she wants in a belly dancer. Â The Middle Eastern people consider Vanessa, their headliner, one of the best in Chicago. Â Maybe she wants her to do handstands or somersaults, maybe break dance, but that's not belly dance. Â She has the best shimmy around and other belly dancers go to see her show and love it. Â Go to enjoy something different, something you won't find normally in Chicago. Â Feel like you stepped into Lebanon without flying there. Â That's the point.
Review Source:I love the music and entertainment at Julianas. There is live entertainment, singers and belly dancers. They always manage to Woww me. The food is delicious. Love the shrimp cocktail. Love the middleastern food. The set atmosphere is very fun... Its dim and lively. There crowd is very nice and diverse. the main singer sings in many different languages so its always fun to hear great music from other nations with all types of dancing. Love Juliana's !! Great staff!!A+++
Review Source:Juliana is definitely an experience. Â I would say that this place is suited for older Middle Eastern couples who want to get out and feel as though they are having a date night. Â I can't really imagine another demographic enjoying it the way it seems it is intended to be enjoyed. Â It's pretty outdated.
********THIS PLACE ALLOWS PEOPLE TO SMOKE CIGARETTES!!!!!!
I could have sworn that was banned in Chicago, to my elation. Â The owner of Juliana does NOT CARE about this and trust me, he knows! Â He is front and center, singing his heart out as people puff away right in front of him. Â ATTENTION: Chicago Police Department!!!! Â
The concept of valet here is totally ridiculous. Â I know they are trying to push the concept of upscale nightclub, but the venue itself just does not support it. Â It's Peterson Avenue! Â Find your own parking less than a block away.
The food is quite good, but you must pay a price: Â Having to endure the "entertainment". Â
Wow! Â I'm not sure what to say here: Â An older drunken man singing very loudly and...........not especially well (really, I do feel badly for saying this). Â He seemed to be having fun, but failed to entertain. Â It was just MUCH too loud.
My ears actually hurt quite a bit and I even mentioned to a waiter that it was noisy to the point of being unenjoyable. Â He shrugged and told me that there was nothing he could do about it. Â
The belly dancer was..........a belly dancer. Â She did not do a particularly good OR bad job, but props to her for being able to stand up and shake her body nonstop for a good amount of time........I'm sure she got a good workout out of it. Â It was just nothing special.
Honestly though, I don't want to sell this place short on the food. Â The food is what Juliana has going for it. Â It IS very good and I would probably suggest coming during the day for lunch. Â That would be ideal AND a more enjoyable dining experience due to lack of noise.
I came here w my parents for my birthday for the experience and all I can say is, watch-out and read your bill carefully. The waiter said don't worry, put yourself in my hands, we started to worry. They tried to stick shrimp appetizers on our bill, we said we dn have any, he sd "OOpps" Â and he added wrong. They all think they are Ali Baba and the 40 Theives.
Bring a flashlight on your keychain.
Otherwise the food was decent, not like home. Try Basara in Skokie.
It os 2:28 a.m. and I just arrived back home from Juliana Restaurant  after a friend saw an old Check Please from 2007. What a difference 4 years makes! This place is TERRIBLE, if you're not Assyrian.
What SUCKED:
-- service from wait staff.
--dry meat, cold rice. I was there with 4 people and all of our food was like this. in total we ordered, falafel, "gourmet" wings, quail, and pork chops. The quail and pork chops were overcooked, some parts were burnt.
-- $16 service fee. Possible not to pay it if you go to the bar yourself for your drink, we learned the hard way.
--18% gratuity (in addition to the service fee)
--required to order at least 2 drinks at a minimum of $9 each. The menu listed $3 soda drinks but that cost is only  after you have your two drink minimum.
---all the smoke in the place, not from the hoookah's either!!! Somehow, the restaurant is allowed for their patrons to smoke cigarettes.
---the decor: late 70s-early 80s decor with old disco balls and neon
lights.
The GOOD:
--The belly dancer, I suppose...
--live band--music was interesting
--parking spot we found
Big fun!. We were a group of 8 and certainly the ethnic minority here. However we were made to feel very welcome and our waiter (Mel) and the owner (Al) were exceptionally friendly and we were very well taken care of. Entertainment was awesome. We didn't know the music or songs but it was fascinating to people watch. Vanessa the Brazilian Belly dancer was gorgeous and very talented. Very authentic show. The place was sold out and obviously favored by the local middle eastern population. You want good ethnic food? Eat where they eat! Â Excellent food. Highly recommend the lamb chops. Â Hookah'd for the first time and I'm a fan!
P.S Other reviews I have read stated "BYOB" this is not the case!
Henri:
The food is good, if you can get your order in. The shows always start late and the head waiter is rude...regardless. We've eaten there several times, and we get flack from him every time. If you can stand it (we've learned to, though it's wearing thin), head down there on a Friday or Saturday night and catch Vanessa! A great belly dancer working the crowd to the songs of a live band and a great singer. Totally the ONLY reason to go to Juliana's.
Nicole:
Vanessa is amazing!!! Has the best shimmy I've ever seen. The live band and Albert are awesome! The service has regretfully never been even remotely good. Go for the show and get out.
P.S. If this ever changes, we'll update!!
If you really want to do something different with a group, or have a birthday celebration, or wow the cousins from Omaha, Juliana is a great choice. Just remember that things don't get cookin' until later in the evening. We had a joint birthday celebration here one time, and it was a big (and memorable) success.
Basically a rendezvous spot for Chicago's Assyrian community, it has a great vibe, with a belly-dancer show perhaps around 9PM, a decent middle eastern menu, and you can order a hookah, too. Â I was very impressed with the belly dancing and even more impressed with the incredible mid-eastern music. It was not that "Oh-my-God-Who-is-dying?" Middle Eastern music. It was a driving, visceral and make-you-wanna dance type music, which is exactly what everyone does when the belly-dancers are finished. Although, they too, stay on the floor when the general non-belly-dancing public makes its way to the dance floor.
The place is big and has a nice club feel to it. Service is fun and gracious and you feel welcome no matter what kind of birth certificate you have. I am now belly dancing just thinking of it. (Stay tuned, You Tube...)
A really fun experience. Â Great food - we shared the vegetarian platter, and it was so good, we ordered another.
Cocktail drinks are expensive, so we opted for a bottle of the house wine, I think it was around  $35 or so, not the best wine, but not bad either.
My husband and I had a great time, the entertainment was fun, and did it's job entertaining us. Â The light show on the back wall is too funny. Â The decor actually entertained us as well, bad 80's carpet, and neon lights all around. Â The band is good, the belly dancer, though not dancing very much, was pretty good.
We will certainly come back with a larger group next time.
Visiting Juliana was one of the highlights of my recent trip to Chicago. As a dancer and fan of Middle Eastern music I loved the live band and singer - something we don't have in St. Louis. They performed a mix of Arabic and Assyrian classics. Actually, before my visit to Juliana I didn't know anything about Assyrian culture or people - our friendly waiter was happy to educate us when I asked him about it. The food was good. We just tried the chicken shwarma and hummus.
The dancer was Vanessa and she was superb. She did 2 sets: one around 10:45 and another around midnight. There is a wooden dance floor in the middle of the restaurant so it's a great place to watch dancing as well join in the dancing later on (perhaps a debke line if someone starts it).
Some things to keep in mind: You'll get the best atmosphere if you go late, like 10:30 or later. You might want to call ahead to make sure there is a dancer that night. We were there on a Friday. And, it's not cheap, so be prepared. All drinks are $9, even light beer, and there is a 2-drink minimum. This exists in place of a cover charge. The entrees are also expensive, and tip is included in the bill even for just a party of 2. I could never afford to come here every weekend, maybe just a few times a year. The neighborhood seemed fine to me - I think it used to be bad but is getting better.
If you're interested in Middle Eastern music, food, and dance you should definitely check it out.
4.5?!? Â If there was one to give. Â Maybe something to implement yelp? Â Well anyways, I decided to round up bc this place really does deserve it! Â Took my friends here on a sat night and on top of it all of them were complete rookies to Middle Eastern food(yes we are white...haha). Â Also I wanted to surprise them and didnt tell them about the belly dancer show. Â haha! Â :)
App - Hummus - Everyone enjoyed!
Meal - Array of food - Everyone loved!
Dessert - Baklava - Again Everyone loved!
If its possible to write a review on waitor, ours deserves something above a 5 star! Â Hmmm....Maybe I should market these ideas to yelp. Â :) Â Anyways, he (George) was very helpful and patient with my friends whom never had this type of food or placed in this type of atmosphere. Â A lil out of there comfort zone but they had nothing but the best to say about this place! Â I think George noticed this and he really tried to make it their experience here something different, which I would say he was very successful at. Â And I know they have gone back w/out me to eat. Â Kudos to me!!!
After a few of higher priced drinks, not ridiculously expensive but it does kick the bill up rather quickly. Â I really REALLY wish I had a camera to take pics of my friends faces when the belly dancer came out, whom was from Brazil so I was excited to see her Shakira moves! Â My friends were in heaven!! Â And she put on a great show. Â The MC and the singer were entertaining as well. Â I would highly recommend doing the same approach for all the Juliana virgins out there. Â :)
Overall, yeah the place on the outside isnt the prettiest and the location is not the best but thats what makes this place. Â Have been here a few times and never dissapointed. Â Would highly recommend it!
(Best to first read my6 Juliana reviews from bottom up so that you get the proper sequence.....go now!)
Well, Sept 5th we had our wedding reception at Juliana. Â Albert helped us prepare everything and gave us tips on how to save money ("don't order so much lamb.") Â
My Irish family showed and were greeted by Albert, which was the last time they heard English.  "It's not Spanish, Mom, it's Assyrian.  Everything was new to them...."Do you get to keep all that money that people are throwing?"  "No, Mom, that goes to the band.  See the blender over there?  That's  ours."
Vanessa did her belly dance so well that my nephew could not sleep for a week. Â He wanted to look cool and be accepted so he showed up next time wearing a berka to impress the dancer. Â He looked like an Arab transvestite. Â "IF YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR A BERKA, SHAVE YOUR BEARD"! Â I love him but he is Michigan pea brain.
The coolest part of the evening was that we had control over half the place and the other half were regulars who didn't know there was a wedding reception going on. Â It did not take long for them to join us, wishing us well and buying drinks. Â I gave one guy the blender.
(You might want to go back and read my early review below first.)
UPDATE 7/2009
Let's go back a year. Â I got engaged at Juliana last summer. Â My fiance and I had developed such a strong emotional attachment to the place, the owner (Albert) and the staff that I thought this would be a perfect place to pop the question. Â When I get there, I pull Albert aside and tell him that I want to surprise my girlfriend with the ring. Â And I want to do it with the microphone. Â He was very happy, asked me how I want to do it, Â and he and I arrange a signal for when he would stop singing and have me come up. Â We happened to be with another couple with whom we had just attended their anniversary celebration at another location. Â So, we exchange signals and I take the microphone and say a couple of words about this other couple. Â The other couple had no idea what was going on and thought "what a great guy to honor us like this." Â Light applause; it was sort of a low energy room, despite it being about 11:00 on a Saturday. Â Then I switch into a speech about my girlfriend and how we have been coming to Juliana, our only nightclub, and everyone is like a member of the family. Â My girlfriend, who is Assyrian, is wondering why I am going on and on and is starting to get a bit embarrassed that I have commandeered the microphone and am disclosing my feelings about her. Â And I am sure that everyone there was wondering why I am hijacking the place. Â Then I take out the ring and ask her to marry me. Â She was shocked and the place erupts. Â She comes up and I place the ring on her finger and Albert sings a slow song. Â We sit back down. Â A couple of minutes later, my new fiance says she wants to go up and say something. Â Now, understand this. My fiance is a modest person who has a fear of public speaking. Â She won't even give a toast at home. Â Well, Albert hands her the mic and she launches into this impassioned speech, saying how Assyrians don't get engaged like this, but that everyone who goes to Juliana are like family, she goes on about "her American guy" and her love, and I am watching this woman who is manifesting an alternate personality. Â People are actually crying! Â She sits down, big applause, people start coming to the table, drinks are sent, and the place becomes energized. Â Everyone starts dancing and throwing money; it was like a wedding reception.
Since this is a review of Juliana and not my love life, the point is that I don't know anywhere else that makes you feel so at home, comfortable, and valued.
(We are now planning our wedding reception for Sept 5 at Juliana. Â I will write another review and let you know how it goes.)
Easily in my top five for best restaurants in the city. I've been a handful of times over the past five years. It was easier when I lived in Edgewater, but I've made the journey from the south side twice in the past couple of months. It's even better than I remember.
The vegetarian platter is the stuff dreams are made of - no exaggeration. I don't know if they make the saffron rice anymore - I haven't seen it lately. But I used to eat it whenever I could, despite it being made with chicken stock and butter and sure to cause general unhappiness in my stomach - just because it's so damned delicious.
They have a great, friendly staff.
Small note: sometimes I like when a certain dish takes a long time to prepare. On one of my last visits to Juliana's, we were the only people in the joint and our waitress warned us something would take like 45 minutes to make. We were in no hurry and just knocked back some drinks and watched the bellydancer. And still, the waitress brought us a big hummus appetizer to tide us over and checked on us every few minutes, always apologizing for the delay.
And the last time I was there, maybe two months ago, we were again the only people there. The owner's son (?) stood with us for a long time and chatted with us. Somehow during our long conversation, he managed to pick up my dining partner's quick remark about how I'd converted him to pickled turnips fiend. Our food came out some time later - accompanied by a ton of surprise pickled turnips!
To people commenting on the decor: boo-hoo. Why don't you stay home and whip up dinner in the kitchen that you and your BFF Martha Stewart designed together?
Hey Erika G., this place like Nano said is owned by Assyrians which is COMPLETELY different than Arab people =) I only been to this place twice , both times for a cousin's birthday. It has no cover charge, but there is a 2 drink minimum for person. The drinks here are a bit pricey depending on what you get, but they don't taste bad, they are alright.The belly dancers here are really really good.  The people there are mostly about 99% Assyrian so it does help if you know someone Assyrian bring them along with you. Last time I went Fatin Shabo (famous Assyrian singer) was there and she did a fabulous job, but the guy after her was singing alot of old arabic songs, nothing new. And the crowd there was mostly an older crowd like early thirties and up. It's not too big and the dance floor is smal. The location is not the best either. I only had  their hummus and pita bread there and it was decent, not to bad.  All in all though, it didn't totally blow my mind, although I did enjoy the company of my fellow Assyrians.
Review Source:Decent entertainment, terrible atmosphere, overpriced food and drink.
The atmosphere here is very strange, reminding me a strip club. Outside it looks like a converted sizzler with blacked out windows. Inside there is blacklights everywhere with with neon lights. The seating looks like a hotel buffet. Very tacky and simple decoration.
The belly-dancers were ok, the first one was a bit overweight but kept us entertained. The MC was talented keeping the entertainment moving along, getting the crowd involved. I enjoyed the band, but have to fault them for overusing a synthesizer that had trouble producing realistic sounds.
You can find just as good if not better food in this style throughout Chicago. Their hummus and falafel was top notch, although the 2 drink minimum at $8 a piece forced me to see past this.
To be fair I was there from around 9 to 11:30 on a Saturday, but I was told that it gets really hopping after midnight.
I would give them 3 stars, but have to knock them down one star for not respecting my privacy and the law by printing my entire credit card number on the receipt. Shame on you!
It's hard to relate an overall impression of Juliana.
There was no cover charge, which was nice, though there was a two drink minimum. I had an appetizer for food--the vegetable plate--which, though quite tasty, didn't stand out to me as excellent middle eastern cuisine. Some of the people I was with ordered entrees, however, and their meals looked delicious.
Basically, I enjoyed it mainly because of its atmosphere and entertainment. The music and belly dancing was wonderful. This is actually quite a compliment coming from me. Often, I think a restaurant's live entertainment can teeter on the annoying.
My complaints about Juliana are few. Its location leaves something to be desired, especially for those who rely on public transit. Additionally, the drinks were $8 a piece, which, considering the location, was a bit uncalled for. I suppose this goes to funding the performers though.
I'm giving Juliana 4 out of 5 stars because it was a unique experience and an interesting place with friendly staff. Go there for the experience, because that's what you'll pay for.
This is not normally the type of place I would frequent, but I was hanging out with my Assyrian/Iraqi peeps, and they all wanted to go to Juliana's. Â So I tagged along. Â The outside of this restaurant looks scary. Â However, you go in and are warmly greeted by a gentle Assyrian man, vibrant music and people of all ages in cocktail dresses, suits... eating, drinking and having a great time. Â
I have a growing appreciation for Assyrian music as my friends love listening to it... all the time. Â We did not eat here, but drank... a lot. Â This is not the place for dirty martini's, but mine was not too bad. Â
Being the only non-Middle Eastern person there, everyone was so welcoming and invited me to enjoy their food and celebrate with them. Â It seemed like everyone knew each other and I was in a big wedding reception. Â
My favorite part was the belly dancer. Â She was amazing!! Â I wish I could move like that. Â
Overall, Juliana's is a great place if you're looking for something different. Â Helps if you know someone who speaks Assyrian... otherwise, you'll just be lost. Â I've heard great things about the food here. Â Will have to try it out sometime!
This place has the best middle eastern food. I went here with a group of people, and we got several plates of hummus, bhaba ghanuj, and some salad. All of it was excellent. I am extremely extremely picky about my hummus, but I was in absolute heaaven. Â Then we got some plate of meats and that was so so good, and then the baklava was absolute heaven. I probably could have ate everything there if I wanted. This place is very fun, they have great food, hookahs to rent, and dancing. This is a great middle eastern experience. Also, I see that Erika paid cover, but there was no cover when we went there, all in all I highly recommend you go here and gorge on some amazing hummus
Review Source:Thee Gold Standard for an *authentic* Arab nightclub experience in Chicago. This place has the BEST band - real professional musicians - good belly dancers too.
Andreana, their current dancer is competent- if a little over-choreographed and lacking in spontaneity - but fun to watch  briefly.
I know . . . the sign out front makes it look like a Korean disco, and that's what it used to be - the owners are just too cheap to change it. BUT power on by that, and go inside - don't be freaked out by the 98% arab crowd - this is a good thing!
The food here is very good - I had quail once that was excellent. The drinks are a bit pricey, and there is a cover charge and a two drink minimum - this is a place you stay all night, enjoy the show and drop a little coin. Birthdays are fun here - you have not lived until you've had "Happy Birthday" sung in Arabic to you.
Guaranteed good time, and the dance floor ROCKS until 4 AM!
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
