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Afghan Kabob House
Categories: Restaurants Afghan Nightlife Bars Hookah Bars Afghan, Hookah Bars [Edit]
2045 Wilson BlvdArlington, VA 22201
(703) 294-9999
- Nearest Transit:
-
Courthouse Metro Station (Orange)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 10 pm
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Music:
- Music Videos
- Best Nights:
- Tue, Fri, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- No
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
140 reviews for Afghan Kabob House
Review Highlights
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"...awesome with their brown rice with carrots and raisins, and..." In 3 reviews -
"The lamb is tender and the seasoning awesome." In 50 reviews -
"As for the hummus, it's the best I've ever had." In 25 reviews
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140 reviews in English
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Review from Erin S.
5/13/2012
I have been to several kabob places around the city and so far this one is the best BY FAR!
Pro: Large menu. There are a lot of kabob, salad, and combos to choose from. I usually get the kabob combo with beef and lamb which comes with bread, rice, and two sides. I skip the bread and rice so they thrown in an extra side.
Pro: The meat is delicious! That is why you go out for kabob right? for the meat? the meat is all fresh, tender and well seasoned.
Pro: Lots of sides and options. You can get either salad with a choice a few dressings or hummus. There are a few different types of rice to choose from and then several side veggie options. I generally go for the eggplant, cauliflower and sub the bread for spinach.
MAJOR PRO: Free delivery! You can order right off their website or LivingSocial and it is delivered pretty quickly!
Con: Even if you are eating in, they give you your food in throw away styrofoam containers. There is so much to throw away at the end of your meal! Plastic bags, plastic forks and knives, to-go boxes, makes you feel a little bad for adding so much to the landfills. -
Review from David H.
2/4/2012 1 photo
I ordered delivery from their website and it was fast, here within 35 mins, which is perfect on a cold, rainy DC winter day.
As for the food itself, I had the boneless chicken which had some spice and was lean, and not too dry. They give you a good amount of chicken. The curry potatoes had good flavor without being too overpowering. The rice was a little dry/overcooked to me but overall not bad. The naan is thinner and crispier than some I have tried. This isn't a bad thing and means it is less "doughy" and crispier.
I'll order from here again and would recommend delivery next time you want kabobs but are too lazy to head to the restaurant. -
Review from Sam W.
Hyattsville, MD
1/25/2012
A year ago this would have been a 4-5 star review. Now there are too many things that keep me from enjoying this.
First, the price. Expect to drop $15 plus on a meal and drink. This wasn't a big deal before because there is so much food that you can have half for the next day. In the last year they have cut back on what you get. Before when I ordered boneless chicken I would get 2 kabobs with 4 chunks of meat. Now each have 3 and the pieces are much smaller than before.
They also frequently have living social deals which make this place a little more reasonable. Unfortunately they seem disappointed when you turn one in.
Food quality is good. Lamb and beef can be kind of tough at times. The sandwiches are awesome. The salad is disappointing. It is usually warm with two choices of dressing.
The hot sauce is very good, though. I like to dip my bread in the mild (light green) sauce. -
Review from Betsy S.
1/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars, but have to go with a solid three. It's three with a happy face.
I ordered the boneless chicken breast kebab with the carrot and raisin rice, hummus, and potatoes. With this is the huge piece of Afghan bread, which I give five stars. It's much better (in my opinion) than naan - a lot crispier and perfect to drag through the hummus and tzatziki. By the way, was the mild tzatziki pretty darn spicy? I was confused. The chicken was really tender and nice, the rice bordered on too sweet for my taste - don't think I'll get the carrot raisin kind next time - and the hummus was some of the best I've had in a while. The potatoes were tender and just mushy enough - I wanted to swirl everything together on my plate and eat it like a giant soup.
My boyfriend got the Negina - Jewel of Persia with the carrot raisin rice, cauliflower, and potatoes. He convinced me to try some of the cauliflower, which, even though I really dislike cauliflower and broccoli, was fork tender and much better than I expected. I didn't like his lamb as much as my chicken, and it was kind of a funny gray color.
Portions were enormous, and we left with carryout containers overflowing. The servers were polite and knowledgeable - I'd like to return sometime and try something lighter so that I'm not rolled out of the place. A salad, mayhaps?Listed in: Ethnic food in DC/VA
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Review from Alan K.
Arlington, VA
4/8/2012
Salmon kabob stands out and the sides are great, esp the special rice. Missing fifth star due to sometimes long delivery waits (but also often 30 min or less). Meat kabobs I've had are just okay, but consistent and delivered warm, w/lots of sauce, bread and hummos!
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Review from Lia M.
11/23/2011
The only reason I ordered from Afghan Kabob is because I was starving and lazy. Not much with good reviews delivers to me, but this place does, and the reviews are decent. Unfortunately, I disagree with them.
I found the lamb kabob to be overcooked and except for having a kick of heat, it was fairly flavorless. It did not taste particularly fresh, either. The yellow rice with cumin was fine, and the cilantro jalapeno sauce was fairly spicy, so those were redeeming qualities. Eggplant was big, round slices, which I hate (I prefer smaller cubes), in a tomato, pepper, onion sauce. While not awful, the eggplant to sauce ratio was off. I would have enjoyed more eggplant. Bread was fine, though I prefer a dough-ier, less crisp naan. I did like the salad - it was fresh and crisp. However, there are much better kabob places, and I won't be returning here, no matter how lazy I get. -
Review from Minhong Y.
Arlington, VA
3/26/2012
A very nice and cheap place for lunch or fast dinner. You can order kabob which tastes very nice. Or you can just order the sides which are even better! Their naan is my favorite and you can't miss it.
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Review from Pui ying S.
Washington, DC
12/17/2011
Too many better places and it is hard to find parking. I would not come back.
Pros - a LOT of food and plenty of sides and bread for the price.
Cons -
Shami texture is not to my liking, it's a bit on the spongy side
Chick peas lack flavor
Spinach - It's spinach
Naan - I do not think this is authentic, it's a bit bready. It reminded me of a loaf of white bread.
Spinach rice - It was not the most ordered item and I can see why. It was too watery
Bathroom - Beware, it's TINY. Your knees would touch the wall. I imagine a normal sized person would get stuck in there. -
Review from Naomi S.
Arlington, VA
4/29/2012
Love the dark meat chicken kabobs, Afghan bread (looks like a mini naan), and eggplant and cauliflower sides. The veal is also very good. The mild green sauce is pretty spicy but good. Make sure to order a hot sauce along with the tzatziki sauce.The hummus is ok on its own but borderline amazing with the hot sauce mixed in.
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Review from Natalie D.
Washington, DC
11/9/2011
Got takeout from here. Had plenty of food, but it was nothing to write home about. So I'll just write Yelp about it instead...
Lamb Sandwich - "just ok"
Side of spinach - "ho-hum"
Side of chickpeas - "no salt. no seasonings. no taste."
Side of lentils - "seriously?" (translated: since when do lentils come in a solid lump of orangish-brown matter?)
Sambosa - "barely passable"
Very disappointing dining experience. Will never be back.Listed in: Zilch. Zero. Nada.
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Review from Azhar M.
Charleston, WV
3/8/2012
This place is hard to resist, whenever I am in DC area it doesn't matter if I'm hungry or not, I still visit here to dine or get a carry out. Great food, great potions, really fill you up, make sure try the Chopan Kabob.
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Review from Lindsay R.
Arlington, VA
12/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm not sure how objective my review is since I've only eaten one thing on the menu, and I'm not an expert on Afghan food, but here goes....
I love this place. It's probably a bad thing that it's around the corner from my apartment and they deliver (if I'm too lazy to walk).As mentioned, I've only ever ordered the gyro sandwich and it's so frickin good that I really don't feel the need to digress and try another menu item! It is pretty salty, but I like it, and the meat is very tender. Also, it's a huge portion. I've had the spinach rice as a side, but prefer the carrot and raisin rice; Just enough sweetness to end the meal.
I have always received my food quickly, whether I dine in or have it delivered, and staff is polite and friendly. The process of ordering when you dine-in can be a little confusing/awkward if you're new. First you order the entree at the register, then sit down until they call you, and they you go up to the sides bar and show them which sides you want. I would suggest looking at the menu while you're sitting so you know what sides and sauce you want.
Quick tip, if you live in the Courthouse area, look for the menu they distribute because there's useful coupons. I'm sure you could just ask for one at the restaurant, as well. -
Review from Lauren C.
1/15/2012
Love this place! We live in the area but never visited. We went for the first time after a Groupon gave us an excuse to try it. We've been back many, many times since. They give you a ton of delicious food that is quick and cheap. I really enjoy the spinach, the rice, the naan, and most of all, the lentils. Some of the best lentils I have ever had!
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Review from Jenny T.
8/1/2011
So let me start off by saying that I only "frequent" maybe a handful of restaurants. Afghan Kabob House is one of them. Eveything else...is not good enough for me to try again. That good.
The first time I actually saw this place, it was filled with hookah smoke, and the lights were too bright, the interior was not fancy, blablabla. I was on my way to Guarapo, actually. The first time I had the food.... my taste buds went into shock from being impressed.
Chickpeas are great--not too hard, not too soft, definitely not too oily (which is important to me...because when I eat out, I like to think that I'm making somewhat health-conscious decisions). Eggplant, spinach, all good. [The eggplant is pretty oily, though]
All their rice varieties are very delicious. Their naan is excellent. I always regret it the next day, but I always finish the whole thing-or at least a majority of it. (i know, it's probably like 1,500 calories). Something about the fact that you get to see them roll out the dough, drop it into the fryer, and take it right back out into the white bag before handing to you... makes it that much more delicious. MMm!! so fresh.
My only thing is... I've only ever gotten salmon...because it is so d@mn good. I don't think I'll ever be able to venture out. It's cooked so perfectly, just enough grilled, just enough juicy. *drool*
The staff is my favorite! They work fast and mean business. They'll trade out your naan for a veggie dish if the guy in charge says yes. Nothing special about the interior...not really a fan...and I usually just do take-out but they get the job done, and the food is on par.
Highly underrated and undertried.Listed in: I usually don't 'frequent'…
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Review from Sherri Z.
Silver Spring, MD
2/8/2012
If I need to bring dinner home and am really hungry, AKH is my go-to stop for takeout. I always get the kabobs and all are tender and delicious. But what is really hard to decide on are the sides. I've tried and love them all and can never decide which two to order. The eggplant is good and I don't like eggplant. And my husband doesn't like any cauliflower but theirs. Their flatbread is a nice change from regular naan in that it is crispy and HUGE. So good dipped in everything.
We tried them initially because we had a deal going but have since become regulars. Their prices are very good, especially for the portions and quality. We always get an additional lunch from every combo. -
Review from Sarah L.
Arlington, VA
9/26/2011
Stopped in for carryout this weekend. Ordered the Shepherd's platter - lamb chunks with raisen/carrot rice, eggplant, spinach and naan. It was all right, but I've had way better.
The actual lamb portion was really small - literally only a few small chunks. (Although they were seasoned well and tender.) The sides - naan, rice, eggplant and spinach - were very large and a good value. Enough for a couple meals. The eggplant was really good, as was the rice. The spinach tasted like it was from a can, and the texture implied similar. The tzatziki sauce had a good dill/cucumber flavor, but the consistency was like that runny, bad ranch you get at cheap buffets...
The service was all right, however the young lady behind the counter was a bit unprofessional. (Came across as very disinterested in the customers. Also was very brusque with an older couple who was confused about the ordering process. As far as I'm concerend, if there is litterally nobody in the restaurant, it won't hurt you to have a little patience...)
Bottom line, if I'm in the area I might stop in again. Won't go out of my way, however. -
Review from T y.
Fairfax, VA
8/2/2011
I'm so glad that I bought the Groupon deal for this place and get to try their food.
We ordered a "Famous Gyro" sandwich and a "Combination Kabob" with chicken and beef. The sandwich comes with one side, the combination kabob come with an order of Afghan bread and 2 sides.
The Gyro is pretty tasty, I definitely enjoyed it, I ordered the side of Lentils, it was grinded up very smooth and fine, I actually enjoy my lentils like that, so that was a big plus.
The combination kabob, in the first glance, the beef looked kind of dry, but when I actually had my first bite, it was a lot juicier than I thought, which was really nice. We ordered the side of chicken curry and rice. They're both pretty good.
One very pleasant surprise is the afghan bread, I very much enjoyed the texture of the bread, it's unlike naan, which is softer, the afghan bread is crustier on the outside compare to naan.
I would probably come back again to this place. -
Review from Juliet S.
7/6/2011 1 photo
Mary had a little lamb...and it ended up on my platter by way of a crispy yet juicy chopan kabob.
Afghan Kabob House is a great go-to joint for...kabobs. And all things Afghan-y. The kabobs are really the main selling point here - the chopan is a series of marinated amb chops served atop wonderfully crisp Afghan flat bread. The regular lamb kabob (juicy chunks of tenderloin lamb) is also tasty - less flair but I think just as tasty.
Other features here are unfortunately a little too lackluster. The hummus, which tasted way too watery and bland, was not worth the extra $2 for a serving. The chickpea salad dish also was not nearly as flavorful as I was expecting. Rice dishes (sweet carrot and raisin or savory yellow) are pretty decent.
Prices are phenomenal for the amount of food you get - platters are around $11-12, and include a meat, bread, and three sides.
An added touch: free tea from an older gentleman working there who noted my order was taking a while. Very nice. -
Review from Taryn L.
7/1/2011
If I were to return, there is one item on the menu I'd be sure to get: the chopan kabob. This lamb was prepared perfectly in under 10 minutes, dark with some crunch in bites on the outside and tender, pink and red on the inside, every bite full of flavor and falling off the bone. I'm really picky about my meat and rarely eat more than a few bites ... especially when it's my husband's meal, not mine.... but I had to very willfully slow myself down here.
Unfortunately, my overall rating rounds out to a 2 since everything else was just mediocre. The chickpeas that packed heat for everyone else just tasted overly salted to me. The chicken curry was bland and the chicken itself rather tasteless (guess that's chicken for you.) Neither the hummus nor the tzatziki impressed; the hummus was thin and the tzatziki tasted oddly mayonnaise-y. The rice with raisins was fun but too oily. Though some folks complained that there was no eggplant in their eggplant side, I personally did not have that experience - it's definitely there, though I can see how you might have gotten a scoop of mostly the onions and tomatoes. It was tasty but, as others have said, good only if you can get past the buckets of oil. Oh, and I did enjoy dipping the bread (or nan), thick and fluffy, into the side of green chili sauce.
The guy at the register was quite friendly and the lady dishing out for me very happy to oblige when I requested both tzatziki and chili sauce. The dining area is large and seemed to be kept pretty well clean.
We had a coupon, so our meal was about $10 less than it would have been otherwise. Without it, I would think this meal was expensive. But then again without it we certainly would have ordered less food! Overall, just so-so. -
Review from Daniella C.
Washington, DC
7/27/2011
How many ways can I say yum?
So I stay home sick from work but I absolutely have to run to the post office down the street. As a treat, I decide to treat myself to some kabob and ended up with the Salmon Kabob, brown rice with carrots and raisin, chickpeas, spinach, naan, and tzaziki.
First of all -- there is so much food. My meal was more expensive than others but I only ate half and now have dinner. GREAT deal.
Everything was out of this world -- I wish I could pick a stand out! The salmon was cooked to perfection, the naan was freakin' killer and the sides, especially the rice, were super flavorful (and my taste buds are only at 50%).
Best of all, the owner is just about the nicest guy I've met. I l'm always pleased when I fall in love with restaurants that I feel good going to. No matter how busy it was, he was polite and happy to serve all of the customers.
I've seen some so-so reviews about this place and it reminds me that taste is entirely subjective. I'd ignore anything negative and just give this place a try! -
Review from D R.
South Pasadena, CA
7/22/2011
The "feels like" temperature today is 116° so there's no way I'm going outside if I can avoid it. Finding this place on GrubHub, I was impressed at their $12 minimum order, no delivery fee, and descent Yelp reviews. So they got my business.
I placed my order at 1:06pm and got a call 5 minutes later to tell me they were out of the Coke Zero I ordered and would I like to replace it with something else. While I wished they had what I ordered, that's great service to me. It also helped that the guy referred to me as "my friend," which I always get a kick out of. GrubHub indicated the estimated delivery time of 1:56PMish, and the super-friendly delivery guy arrived at 1:42pm.
The boneless chicken breast kabob had nice grill marks and was pretty flavorful, though a bit dry. The real star of the meal, though, was the green hot sauce, called chatni. Typically made of green pepper, parsly, cilantro, mint, garlic, salt, and vinegar or lemon, AKH's had a delicious pickled chili flavor going on and it made everything else on the plate better. Next time I'll be sure to order at least two.
I also got the brown rice w/ carrots & raisins based on other Yelpers and, while it was interesting and seemed well prepared, next time I'll go with the yellow or spinach rice. The chickpeas were flavorful enough, though a bit too salty. The cauliflower was okay, but could have been crisper. The hommus, however, was soupy and could have used more garlic and lemon juice.
While I prefer Ravi Kabob, I'll definitely order from AKH again. -
Review from Kimberly K.
Manhattan, NY
4/15/2011 7 photos
This was our first time ordering from here, and it was a pleasant experience. Our food arrived within 20 mins.
The first thing we did was put the bread into the oven, since the bread arrived in a paper bag, which made it a bit soggy. The bread is crispy on the outside and a bit soft inside. As the bread cools, it does get harder.
We ordered The Boneless Chicken Breast. It was tasty. A LOT of meat, which is a good thing. Chickpeas are cooked well. We also ordered the Combo Kabob with Lamb and Beef.
Maybe I have a low tolerance for salt, but the kabobs here were a bit saltier in comparison to the other Afghan Kabobs I've eaten. They were still tasty and according to your taste buds, you may not feel the same way as I. The eggplant side dish is sauteed with tomatoes, onions, and green peppers. There was a huge round slice of eggplant in this. I'm used to smaller pieces of eggplant but maybe this is how they make theirs.
We also ordered a side of lamb curry, which to me was also salty. But once again, I think it's my low tolerance for salt. My boyfriend liked it a lot and they give you a good serving of meat.
The lady who took our order over the phone was really friendly and so was the guy who delivered our food.
This is a good place to try out. -
Review from MacRae O.
4/4/2011
Forensics Individual Event: Lincoln-Douglas Debate
Resolved: You Should Check out Afghan Kabob House if You Work or Live in Clarendon or Fall within Their Delivery Zone
The Affirmative: MacRae O., Yelp School for the Gifted
Talking Point 1: AKH is a convenient and quick lunch option in Clarendon. You can eat here within the time-constraints of your corporate lunch hour, thereby avoiding a "when you're late, you are essentially 'stealing' from the company" speech.
Talking Point 2: AKH has a cute little storefront for dining-in, as well as outdoor seating. People-watching on Wilson Boulevard, especially at lunchtime, is primo.
Talking Point 3: Better yet than dine-in, AKH offers free delivery, even to DC. "Woohoo!" for those of us who accidentally leave our lunch satchel of a sammie and yogurt languishing on the kitchen counter as we race out the door in the morning.
Talking Point 4: AKH has an extensive menu with more than just the Middle Eastern basics you see at most Afghan places. For example, you can pick white, brown, spinach, or carrot/raisin brown basmati rice to accompany your kabob, falafel, gyro, or sandwich. You will also find options like kabob salads, bolanee, salmon kabobs, and lamb chops. It's not as hard for vegetarians to get a filling and satisfying meal as it is at a lot of kabob joints. There are veggie kabobs, falafel, and side dish platters where you can pick a rice and a few of the veg sides to make your meal.
Talking Point 5: The prices at AKH are a quintessential "value." For a relatively low cost, you receive a relatively large amount of food. Platters, kabobs, and value meals range from $10 - $15 and include whole wheat nan, your choice of two veg sides, your choice of rice, and your choice of sauces. Enough food to feed an army...or for leftovers, whichever your preference.
Talking Point 6: The food is pretty good. I usually order the falafel combo because the falafel is tasty. I recommend the cauliflower side dish, which is flavorful and has a little heat to it. I also like the spinach rice, because the spinach features prominently. The chick pea and the spinach sides are good as well. The nan bread is crispy and chewy, which I like. Coworkers have enjoyed the beef kabobs, the gyro platter, and the carrot/raisin rice.
I now welcome Cross-Examination and Negative Constructive. I anticipate talking points to include:
-The fact that the hummus is runny and mediocre.
-The fact that the tzatziki is also runny and a little bland.
-The fact that the gyro meat has been called "a bit dry" by some.
-The fact that the side salad is uninspired.
-The fact that the food could be spicier.
Your 10 minutes begin now.Listed in: No Passport Required, Vegging Out, Asian Persuasion, Shoestring Eats
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Review from Maria S.
7/5/2011
Decent Afghan food and hookah (hookah is outdoors only by law) at a low price. No frills (you order and pick up your tray at the counter, and the rice and veggies are dished up deli/cafeteria style while the kabobs are thrown on the grill when you order so they take longer), but you don't really need frills.
A giant plate of food with rice, salad and pita bread (enough food to last two meals...come here when you are very hungry) will be about 10 bucks, and hookah is around 12 dollars. No alcohol served here, unfortunately.
I had the rice with carrots and raisin, eggplant, and chickpeas. The rice was wonderful (if you like rice pilafs and rice salads, get this dish--it's a lot more interesting than the plain rice) and the chickpeas were tender, but the eggplant seemed kind of oily and tough (and I probably won't get it again) and not particularly interesting as far as spices. The bread was similar to Indian naan, but is definitely crisper, especially around the edges, and does tend to dry out as it cools. I cannot comment on the kabobs or meat since I didn't have them, but my dining companion seemed to really enjoy the lamb kabobs. -
Review from Kimberly K.
Fairfax, VA
8/6/2011
I was fairly certain I hated kabobs before I was dragged here for a work going-away lunch, but this place made me a convert.
Working nearby, I usually come in for lunch. It can be a bit expensive for lunch ($11-15, if you get a drink), but there's a lunch much taped around that has better deals on it. I usually go for a gyro or chicken kabob. Both are excellent - well seasoned and fresh. The chicken can, however, take a while to cook, so be prepared to wait a few extra minutes. The sides are mysterious to me - I wish they would put labels - so I usually stick to the basics, rice or hummus.
Be sure to get some extra spicy sauce - it kicks everything up a notch! -
Review from Jon H.
6/6/2011
First off, for the love of god please fix your A/C. I was pouring sweat eating here.
Secondly, don't change a thing with the food. Had the gyro wrap and a side of chickpeas. Buddy had a veggie plate with a side order of bread.
Everything was piping hot and DELICIOUS. The meat was seriously falling out of my wrap. The bread was thin and delicious, and didn't overpower my perfectly spiced and fatty gyro meat. The chickpeas? The primary cause of sweat, they are heavily spiced and cooked soft so that you can scoop it up easily. Which lead to my sweat pouring down (It was 90 outside, so didn't help much).
The lunch specials look like a great deal and everything is served with a heavy hand and fresh. Loved this place, great location too! -
Review from Sean W.
Arlington, VA
10/25/2011
Best kabob place on the Wilson/Clarendon corridor. The rice with raisins and carrots is my favorite.
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Review from Ryan B.
We bought a groupon for this place. I'm glad we did. It was a saturday afternoon and wasn't that busy when we arrived. When we walked in I couldn't help but notice the tv and music videos being played. Some old school Afghan music. That got the mood set right!
We had:
Lamb Kebab: Cooked perfectly over the char-grill. The meat was so tender and melted in my mouth.
Chicken Kebab: Again, perfect.
Naan bread: Better than Kebab Palace. And I love Kebab Palace.
Chick Peas: Spiced, but too spicy.
Spinach: Good to the last drop.
Hummus: Smooth and Creamy.
Brown rice with raisins and carrots: GOOD.
Oh yeah, we also ordered a Hooka with Blu Mist flavor. As an ex-smoker, I really appreciated it. Made me feel like that caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland. Now if only the Naan bread would make me grow.....(This where people can throw in a joke about the little blue pill.Listed in: Places with Flavor
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Review from Robert A.
Arlington, VA
3/29/2011
Great place for late night or anytime carry out. The bread is excellent and the vegetable sides are as well. Everyone that I bring here likes it as well. Don't trust the snobby hipsters on yelp.
Peace -
Review from Gabriel A.
Arlington, VA
10/17/2011
Awesome food for a decent price. The owner is friendly and willing to have a conversation with any customer. Go here and eat! Open late too.
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Review from Donald P.
4/11/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I'm generally not a fan of kabobs. Just seems like a little meat with lots of rice and bread. When I saw a bunch of WTD offers for this place, I couldn't resist.
The chicken kabob (dark meat) wasn't dry like I was somewhat expecting. The naan was good and while waiting I could see it artfully made and placed in the oven. The curry and potato side seemed to be missing that wow factor but, but being two of my favorites foods, I was still liking it. The hummus was good.
It's a rather generous portion of food, so I had a little bit of leftovers for a snack later. The employees working there are also helpful and patient as I stood there trying to make up my mind.
Already been back a couple times, but I'll definitely be back for more. -
Review from Katherine K.
Fairfax, VA
6/19/2011
I live nearby so I usually just walk here. So my experience is take-out only. The service is usually pretty good, so I've no complaints.
I go here for the salmon kabobs. Seriously, this dish is addicting. I love it. It's my go-to dish when I have no idea what I'm going to eat that day. Their salmon kabob is awesome with their brown rice with carrots and raisins, and eggplant. Their eggplant dish can be a bit random..sometimes it's just right, sometimes it's a little greasy. The naan bread is AWESOME and I usually have it with their hummus. Their hummus is okay, but that's because I'm really picky about hummus. I do like their tzatziki sauce. Their baklava is also excellent. I mean it's under $2.00 a slice - you have to try it out!
They also deliver by the way! I tried them out on delivery (http://eat24hours.com) too, and the food was plentiful and the delivery was quick! -
Review from Sara B.
4/9/2011
Ugh. This food is a ticking time bomb. My BF definitely warned me that the food was only good the day of (he's definitely been sick from eating it too but continues for some reason) - but sheesh I still had some lamb and naan and rice left - commence to eating it the next day and running to the bathroom the MINUTE i finished the last bite. The new two days were totally unpleasant and painful. Now the lamb was completely greasy and I'm not used to eating that type of meat but that alone shouldn't have done it. I'm calling food poisoning here.
For some mysterious reason I let my boyfriend talk me into going back here again - midnight or so. Now in fairness, the vomiting this time maybe have been the sheer volume of beer and then rice in my belly. Think the bird effect - you know, the reason they say not to throw rice to birds at weddings because they will swell and explode?
Really dissapointing though - there are a lot of choices and the food tastes good. The hours on wrong on here - this place is open until super late at night. Nothing sitting in a hot plate that long can be quality and safe.
TMI posting? -
Review from M. Nicole S.
Arlington, VA
1/2/2011
I have never written a Yelp Review, but this place was so DISAPPOINTING that I just had to start. I eat out quite a bit, and order a lot of delivery due to my busy schedule. Because I live in Rosslyn, options are very limited, and I always end up ordering Cafe Asia since they are consistent and fast.
So I decided to try something new and step out my comfort zone. Based on Yelp Reviews I decided to give this place a try and order the salmon kabobs. Starving and excited, I was so eager for the food to get here. The food got here very fast, so I that was a big plus!
But to my surprise the food was just AWFUL! Before I opened the main entrée, I went straight for the Naan bread and hummus. The bread was hard but at the same time soggy from being in the paper bag they wrapped it in, therefore it tasted like rubber. Being the optimists that I am, I figured it would be much better when I dipped it in the hummus, but again, another disappointment! :(... The hummus was soaked in oil and looked like it almost went through a gas station before getting here. The flavor was also not good... So, I gave up on it and put it to the side and just hoped the entrée would be better.
Prior to digging into it, it looked delicious. In addition, they give big portions. For the $13.95 plus tip I paid, I was trying to justify this place and was praying that the next dish would be a much better experience. WRONG! Another failure. I ordered the yellow rice and eggplant sides. Yellow rice was too dry and eggplant undercooked. I thought-- no worries, I have the yogurt sauce that will take away the dryness.
I continued on to the salmon and was cooked to perfection, but one HUGE problem-- FISHY and nasty after taste. I tried to cover it with the yogurt sauce, but that only made it worse. The sauce tasted like a huge stick of butter and like most yogurt sauces have that thickness, this one was as liquid thin as water! UGH...
I tried to like this place, but after this experience I will NEVER order from there again or recommend to anyone in the area.
CONS- they gave me grilled tomatoes with out charging me and delivery was fast. Really sad to not have liked this place, I was looking forward to add another delivery place to my list.
My advice- Stay away from delivery, maybe is much better in house. -
Review from Jack F.
10/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
Yes, I have the audacity to suggest that Afghan Kabob House might be better than Crystal City's Kabob Palace ("KP"). I've long argued that KP's become overwhelmed and reduced to pushing out slightly overcooked, flavorless skewers of meat. I question why anybody would subject themselves to long lines for mediocrity. For me, Afghan Kabob House ("AKH") is a welcomed changed.
For the same price as what you'd pay at KP, you'd get comparable (if not better) skewers at AKH and (emphasis) a greater selection of side dishes. No longer are you limited to ordinary rice. At AKH, you'd get your choice of yellow, brown, spinach, or brown with carrots & raisins. No longer are you limited to just creamed spinich or chickpeas. At AKH, you also get a choice in curries and other side dishes - that's double the meat. All of this for just $11.95 with the Combo Kabob.
If only AKH was 24 hours, then they'd really give KP some heated competition. [Original Visit: Oct. 17, 2010] -
Review from Johnny U.
Arlington, VA
5/17/2011
Even the negative reviews agree that you get a lot of food for your dollar. I had the combo kabab with lamb and chicken, brown rice w/raisins, spinach, and side of humus. Overall it beats the hell out of all other Afghan food I've had and I've had about as authentic Afghan food as you can possibly get. I suppose this wasn't too authentic since I ate by myself with a fork and not 15 other people digging into the rice with their bare hands. And maybe this tastes better because of food preparation standards. Sorry for that tangent.
The hummus was spot on. Not runny at all and you could almost stand a spoon up in it. Had a lingering after taste that was pleasant at first and made me want to eat more, but got annoying after brushing and Listerine still couldn't shake it. Spinach looked like it came from a can, nothing special there. But you do get the whole frigging can of spinach. Meat was cooked just right, juicy and tender. Brown rice with raisins is where it's at people. Doesn't sound appealing but it's delightful every time. All that food cost $13.03. Great value for great food. Almost feel like we should stop saying it so they don't bump up the prices.
Big points on their delivery service. The $12 minimum is as good as it gets in the area for anything expect pizza. It took 20 minutes from order to knock on the door and I live a little over a mile away. -
Review from Jawaher B.
Arlington, VA
12/2/2011
Love love love the food. you just need to go with the expectation that this afghani/pakistani/indian food, is NO fancy dining. it is actually a very casual place. I tried it because of livingsocial or groupon (dont remember which one :). the place is decent, but basically, I just picked up the food and went eat it home. I devoured it :D ...I got kofta and sides of saffron rice, carrot raisin rice, eggplant, lentil and lamb stew (don't remember what it was exactly but it was a side) ...loooooved all of it especially the kofta and carrot raisin rice and saffron rice. Got the hommus as well, but it was ok) maybe coz i m not a big fan of hommus anyway). They give side sauces. tzatziki is ok, but the hot (mild spicy) sauce is AWESOME with kofta and afghani bread.
Also, staff was very helpful and patient in recommendations, and letting me have samples to try:) -
Review from Tim M.
Vienna, VA
2/14/2011
Since they offer free delivery and I am kinda lazy, I have started ordering at this place more often to my apt in Ballston. It is pretty decent overall for delivery food and costs less than most of the competition around here. The meat tends to be a little bland and overcooked so you have to spice it up yourself or get a lot of the green sauces (hot and mild) they offer, which are very tasty.
The sides are probably the strength of this kabob house. The chicken curry, eggplant, naan, and rice are very good. The chick peas were the only expception - I've had better chick peas at 5 other place around N. VA. and DC so pass on those.
*Also, the Falafel sandwich is money - probably the best item on the menu. I think it is only $7.95 and comes with a side so the cost is very reasonable. The lamb and chicken sandwhiches are good too.
This place is not nearly as good as RAVI KABOB in Ballston but the free delivery thing is nice plus it is less expensive. -
Review from Kyle B.
Arlington, VA
5/31/2011
The food is delicious and the quantity of it is beyond satisfying. However, the best thing about this place is the customer service. They are friendly and extremely accommodating.
Last night I ordered the Meat Lovers dish and was expecting to see a pile of meat when I opened the box. Unfortunately, I saw rice... I called the restaurant extremely disappointed and confused and the woman that answered explained that the meat is under the rice. When I looked, there were only a few small pieces of lamb. It was supposed to come with gyro meat as well but someone had forgotten it. She said she would deliver a whole new meat lovers dish for me which I thought was nice, but unnecessary. I just wanted my gyro meat. They had it at my house in 10 minutes. I ate everything and was completely satisfied with not only the meal, but how the restaurant handled the situation. I will most definitely be returning and I highly recommend it. -
Review from Jihad S.
Washington, DC
10/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
I had the combo kabob (beef and lamb) and it was average in flavor. The bad aspect is that I only received 6 chunks of meat, three each of beef and lamb! Thats to little for an expensive combo plate, most other places give 8-10 chunks for a combo plate. I frequent many kabob establishments in the DMV region and this place doesnt come close to cracking my top 10, for neither flavor or quantity. Thank god I saved $ by using a Groupon.
