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Cafe Kabob Mediterranean Grille & Catering
Categories: Restaurants Mediterranean Restaurants Middle Eastern Mediterranean, Middle Eastern [Edit]
25148 Evergreen RdSouthfield, MI 48075
(248) 355-2222
Announcement
Patio now open!
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10:30 am - 9 pm
Sat 11 am - 8 pm
Sun 11 am - 7 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
Samir N. said: "I came back for the food, being hastened by Restaurant Week. The osso bucco was killer - a huge shank of lamb, well seasoned. It was not uniformly the same temperature, but that is the challenge with a chunk of meat that thick. The…" read more »
29 reviews for Cafe Kabob Mediterranean Grille & Catering
Review Highlights
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"I got both hommus and garlic sauce on the sandwich." In 3 reviews -
"However, the Lentil soup was delicious." In 4 reviews -
"This was an incredibly delicious wrap." In 7 reviews
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29 reviews in English
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Review from Ashley H.
Southfield, MI
5/18/2012
I love this place...
Addicted to the lemon garlic sauce, no where else has it as yummy. The veggies are always fresh and there are always the same guys working when I come in.
Atmosphere is alright... a lot of business folk come in during the afternoon.
What I order: Chicken Shwarma dinner/lunch combo with Almond rice (asking for pickles, turnips and extra garlic!) and Lentil soup.Combo portions are huge... I always have left overs. -
Review from Amanda E.
Commerce Charter Township, MI
3/8/2012
So, I'll admit... I had a major chip on my shoulder going into this place. I'm half Armenian, so I'm a picky Middle Eastern food eater, and I also am devotee of my beloved La Marsa, so I wasn't quite sure I was ready to let another Middle Eastern place into my life.
BF had been raving about the chicken schwarma wraps that he consumes multiple times a week; all I heard was "Cafe Kabob does it like this," "Cafe Kabob's garlic sauce is better," "Oh... they don't serve this with hummus? Well, Cafe Kabob does."
I had enough. Fine... I figured I'd give this place one shot... ONE SHOT. That's it. Screw up, and you're kaput, CK Mediterranean Grill & Catering (yes, I enjoy calling it by it's full name).
When I walked in, I was horrified and confused. I didn't know what was going on. First of all, it's in a strip mall. I might add that many of my favorite eateries reside in strip malls, so I wasn't going to judge. Then we walk in, and I'm greeted by a cashier at a register, and what appears to be a Subway-style prep area, with an LED illuminated menu showing pictures of all of the various combos (yes, combos) you can order. However, the place is huge, painted in a nice, rich burgundy color, and has sit-down tables. So... how does this work? I order a salad, and I would like pilaf with that? Please supersize my tabbouleh, and I'm going to need a few packets of garlic sauce?
Luckily BF is an experienced CK patron, and helped me out when I flubbed my order. Apparently you get a choice of garlic sauce or hummus on your pita wrap, but not both. But I ordered right from the picture! How could I have messed that up? We finish our order and move down to the end of the assembly line to wait for it, cafeteria style.
Now... for the good stuff...
This food is legit! From the first impression, I was nervous. I've never ordered my falafel from a well-lit menu affixed to the wall. But this was extremely good schwarma! I had the chicken schwarma and tabbouleh pita, with a side fattoush. My fattoush was prepared very well, and the dressing was authentic tasting. The garlic sauce, while not as potent as I'd like it to be, was very creamy and delicious. The one problem that I did have was that it was very soggy (I'm guessing from the tabbouleh), and it sort of fell apart, as the bread they have is very thin. They also seem to have a vast menu; this isn't just a pita wrap and salad combo joint. As the namesake implies, they have kabobs, and dishes such as saute and deboned chicken. I guess this is when you want to go out all fancy, and dine-in.
As far as quick Middle Eastern goes, I give this place 2 thumbs up! I've eaten here twice already, and plan to go here for all my speedy ghallaba needs. -
Review from Justin S.
Dallas, TX
3/12/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Chicken kabobs, schwarma and humus are all good. Greek salads (sides and entrees) are good. Get the half-order of entrees unless you are really hungry.
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Review from Nina M.
9/11/2011
I wanted to try a different Mediterranean place than my normal spot for some crushed lentil soup and a chicken shawarma sandwich.
The Good:
Such a bad idea. Customer service was great and my order was ready when I got there.
The Bad:
Chicken shawarma sandwich- How can this not be a consistent wrap across different restaurants? The chicken was cooked well and lacked flavor. There was something about the garlic that just wasn't right. It was missing something. I've eaten garlic sauce and chicken wraps from two other local places and this just wasn't great.
The Ugly:
Crushed lentil soup-The best soup ever when prepared well. I bypassed the fact that it was yellow on the menu when most places it's an off white color. Just looking at the soup from Cafe Kabob made me sick. It was the consistency of watery, lumpy baby food and smelled of some obnoxious spice. It was overwhelming and the soup was lack luster. I tossed entire container after a spoonful. It is $2 less per quart compared to competition, but I plan on spending the extra for a good bowl of soup.
Overall I will not come back to CK. It didn't do anything for my Mediterranean fix and I just don't get how everything can be made into a combo as if I were in a fast food restaurant. The ambiance reminded me of a Subway with the assembly line of workers behind glass. Smh -
Review from Clifton M.
Detroit, MI
2/12/2012
Some co-workers told me about this place.. The food is very good and tasty. I ordered a carry-out of the combo for two. I was very impressed and will be back again. You get more food from the combo for two than you get from the Pita Cafe.
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Review from Beth H.
Westland, MI
5/26/2011
I order the chicken & fattoush wrap at least once every week. Also enjoy the rice pilaf and you can get a combo with a drink for a decent price.
This is the best "fast" Middle Eastern I've found in Southfield. Very friendly service too.
The only reason I won't give them five stars is the food preparation can be inconsistent. The meat has been overdone. The portions aren't always the same. And one time my wrap sort of fell apart due to not being prepared properly.
But, flavor rules, so I'll keep going back. : ) -
Review from J.D. O.
Berkley, MI
9/21/2010
I've been here three times, and I have loved the food each time.
During my first visit, I ordered a falafel deluxe wrap, which is falafel with hommus and tabbouli in a pita. This was an incredibly delicious wrap. All of the parts came together just right. I got the wrap in a combo, which includes salad and a pop. They let me upgrade my salad to tabbouli for a dollar extra, so that was awesome since I was in the mood for tabbouli.
On my second visit, I got the falafel deluxe wrap combo again, but this time with the house salad. The sandwich was great again and the salad was delicious as well.
On my third visit (today), I got a steak shawarma wrap combo. I wasn't sure what to expect from the steak, but it was very good. Moist and delicious. I got both hommus and garlic sauce on the sandwich. It was very messy, but I will definitely be getting it again.
The only negative thing I can say about the place is in agreement with a couple other reviews on here in that the layout is a little awkward with the ordering line literally right next to the front door and the pickup area with everyone hanging out by the pop machine. -
Review from Jeff S.
Huntington Woods, MI
1/21/2011
Love love LOVE this place!
It's close to work, so I first started dropping in here just due to the location but now it's a mandatory stop at least once a month (I don't eat lunch out much).
I've never had anything bad here but my favorite is definitely the falafel wrap (on the fresh-baked wheat pita). Everything is super fresh and made to order, so there's usually a bit of a wait but nothing extraordinary and certainly worth it for the quality of what you're getting.
Pricing is very reasonable and when the weather is nice you can sit outside on the porch/patio they share with Jimmy Johns and enjoy your meal in the sun. -
Review from andy n.
11/15/2010
So I'm that guy that is writing a review right in the restaurant after finishing eating. Oh the joys of working on the road ... but meh ... three stars ... well 2.5 but i'll round up since its my first and probably last time here.
Drove by this place a few months ago while I was in town and didn't stop by. Probably should have left it that way.
Place looks nice, huge menu, friendly staff, free wifi (key is on the receipt), great food presentation BUT the food is bland, rice is dry, pita is thin and well toasted, the sauce tasted almost acidic.
However, the Lentil soup was delicious! Tasted like they made it fresh and wasn't too salty. Well done. -
Review from Heather G.
Ann Arbor, MI
1/12/2011 1 Check-in Here
I am here about once a week since it is close to where I work. I always get the same thing: falafel (with garlic sauce on wheat) with lentil soup. I really like their falafel. It is always hot, fresh, and perfect wrapped snuggly in a blanket of pita. The service is consistent and fast. The place is always clean. These things earn it four stars in my book.
I am somewhat less fond of the lentil soup. It's too thick and tastes as though there is a thickener added...though I suspect there is rice in the lentil soup that has been cooked for a really long time, giving it a somewhat gelatinous consistence. But that's the only thing I'd change. Not bad:) -
Review from Peter W.
Ann Arbor, MI
1/14/2011
Good fast Mediterranean food.
I had the Chicken Shwarma Wrap with a salad and iced tea. Total was about $8. Ask for both hommus & garlic sauce on your wrap.
Salad was fresh, but a little over dressed.
Nice change of pace for the neighborhood, which is inhabited by pretty much all chains (Chipotle, Qdoba, Subway, Jimmy John's, Potbelly) -
Review from Betsy A.
2/10/2010
I have been meaning to try this place for awhile. It is close to work and is owned by the same people who own Mr. Kabob in Berkley. It is like the Panera of Mediterranean food, where you place your order and wait for number to be called and has a more "chain" feel than say Shish Kabob Express, on Telegraph in Southfield.
I was a little put off when I walked in the restaurant and instantly ran into people in line to place their order. I ordered the chicken shawarma sandwich combo which came with a pop and and choice or rice, fries, soup or salad, which was about $8-9. The sandwich was pretty big and quite tastey. The man taking my order asked if I wanted hommus or garlic on the sandwich, so obviously I got both, but it did cost me 25 cents extra. There were tomatoes and pickles in my sandwich, which I can do without, but I generally don't like veggies. The rice was pretty good as well. The pick up area is directly across from the fountain pop machine, so there tends to be a cluster of people that you need to maneuver through to either get your delicious Coke product or pick up your food.
All in all, this is pretty tastey mediterranean food for under $10. The only part that bothered me was the set up of the place and how crowded it was in the order and pick up areas.Comment from Nas G. of Cafe Kabob Mediterranean Grille & Catering 2/10/2010
Hello Betsy! First off we would like to thank you for giving… More » -
Review from Jon K.
Tallahassee, FL
7/1/2009 3 Check-ins Here
This is the best kept secret is Southfield. I frequent Cafe Kabob on my lunch breaks and the food is always great. This is a family-run business done right. The meals are on the pricey side, but the food makes it worth it. Its real Mediterranean cuisine made fresh to order. Hummous, tabouli, and schrama!
The price hinders me from going everyday, but I never regret when I do go. The staff is very nice and the long prep counter (just like a Subway) is interesting to watch. -
Review from Scott M.
Chicago, IL
7/11/2008
Awww good ol' Detroit. If you can find good mediterannean food anywhere in this country, you can find it in Detroit.
I stopped by Cafe Kabob, to get a fatoush salad for dinner, and ended up switching my order to a spinach "fatoush" salad, with all the fixins'.
The spot is designed for carry out, although they try to pretend to have a decent "carry out" dining room. I chose my room in the Westin instead.
Now I dont know how a Fatoush salad with chicken breast and a smoothie can come up to $21, but damn it, I have to say everything was worth it.
The salad was fresh, tasty and pretty damn big. The chicken (schwarma) was tasty as well, and complimented the salad perfectly.
The smoothie was honestly way too big for me to drink the whole damn thing, so after I caught the "itus" and passed out on the bed, I saw that i had let the bottle it was in just roll to the ground...no love lost...I couldnt help myself.
I like this spot...good service, decent food, and huge portions.
Works for me. -
Review from Peter S.
Huntington Woods, MI
5/1/2010
This place is like a middle-eastern Panera without the fresh bread. You walk in, stand in line, place your order at the register, and wait until you're notified that your food is ready, which you either pick up at the counter or they bring by your table. The tawook, grilled vegetables, and tabouli were all good. The pricing, while not really a great deal considering it's served cafeteria style, is fair for the quality of food.
The atmosphere is ok if you like the Fox News channel. There are several large screen televisions hung around the dining area and when I was there one was on CNN, one was on ESPN, and the rest were tuned to Fox News. If you find Fox News to vary solely between comically idiotic and plain nauseating, you may wish to consider the more visceral aspect of this ambiance factor when making your dining decision.
The North American definition of a cafe is "an informal restaurant with full-service tables and counters and broad menu offerings over extended periods of the day."(1) So the name "Cafe Kabob" is a misnomer for the reason described in the first paragraph.
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1. Christopher C. Muller and Robert H. Woods. An expanded restaurant typology. Cornell Hotel & Restaurant Administration Quarterly 35.n3 (June 1994): pp27(11).
(How authoritative is a Yelp review with a footnote? haha...) -
Review from Ryan M.
Utica, MI
8/28/2011
5 stars says it all...perfection....hands down best Middle Eastern food (even though the menu gives you other options if you aren't in the mood). Regardless if you decide to eat in or have them cater, you cannot go wrong. Never a problem with consistency of food quality and service. We rely them frequently and they never let us down. This is the type of "fast food" every state needs.
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Review from Vic D.
1/20/2011
I have been a frequent customer since opening. Fast, fresh, tasty, fair price, friendly staff. It has been a good addition to my neighborhood.
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Review from Kyle H.
Collingswood, NJ
2/18/2011
You know, we were leaving a job in Southfield and were hungry and I found Kabob in my mobile Yelp. I have to say, it was really good for lunch. I waited a little longer than I wanted for mine to be prepared but it was worth it. I stayed simple with the steak kabob and rice. The meat was cooked to order and very tasty. I'd go back if I were ever in Southfield again...
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Review from Molida K.
Utica, MI
1/12/2011
We ordered the Beef Shawarma combo, Falafel Deluxe wrap combo, and Chicken Strip combo for my daughter. For my side I chose the Lentil soup. The food was tasty and inexpensive. Will be coming again when I'm in the mood for something quick.
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Review from Valerie G.
Ferndale, MI
2/17/2010 3 Check-ins Here
I have been craving Mediterranean food like allllllll the time lately- so when I got to pick lunch the other day, this was my suggestion. I was asked if it was because I wanted to Yelp them- I ignored such silly questions.
Basing this review on the quality of my sandwich alone - I have no problem 4-starring it. Putting both hommus and garlic sauce on my sandwich was the best thing that ever happened to me- it was amazing. I always no pickle my sandwiches, and at some places that leaves me nothing but meat, sauce and the pita - I was delightfully suprised to find the tomato and lettuce. The size of the sandwich was also a bonus - It's close to twice the size of what I usually order at Shish Kabob Express (Granted my side of rice was probably a 1/3 of Shish Kabob Express).
This place seems to have little trouble bringing the business in - so good for them. Bad for them that they have such bad traffic flow in their restaurant. I know my besty Betsy (you like that? lol) already commented on this and the restaurant was nice enough to reply to her complaint - but let me counter with this. If you know that traffic flow is a problem, wouldn't it seem like a good idea to get those little divider thingies that force people to stand in a particular line? With the way the space is set up, this could be a little tricky to set up, but with the door/ordering counter set-up; it could be a great idea. I have no suggestions for the pop station fiasco... but I've got to think SOMETHING could be done to make that area a little less congested.
I would happily incorporate Cafe Kabob into our rotation - the prices seem a little higher than other places for lunch - a lunch combo offering might be welcome. :)Listed in: The Lunch Crew
Comment from Nas G. of Cafe Kabob Mediterranean Grille & Catering 2/17/2010
Valerie thanks for your comments! We would like to invite… More » -
Review from Chris L.
Shelby Township, MI
12/23/2010 1 Check-in Here
I love their food here especially the grilled vegetables. No other middle eastern place has them. My only HUGE complaint is the wait here is terrible. I went here for lunch today on 12/23. We were the first 4 people in for the lunch rush. You would think our food would be out very quickly. We sat around at least 15-20 minutes waiting for our food when nobody else was there. I've been here on a normal day. It turns into an hour lunch at least when I only work about 5 minutes away. For a quick lunch type of place this is unacceptable. Other than this huge negative the food is pretty decent.
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Review from Shajuana T.
Detroit, MI
2/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I love this place. The portions are very large, even the lunch size lasts me for more than one meal. The food is delicious, the staff is helpful and friendly
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Review from Paul H.
South Lyon, MI
7/24/2010
Must have the steak kabob (you can go with the traditional kabob or go for the wrap), freaking delicioso! Can be a bit slow at lunch but that's due to the line of hungry kabob eating people, well worth the wait.
Comment from Nas G. of Cafe Kabob Mediterranean Grille & Catering 7/24/2010
Thank You Paul your honesty is refreshing just like our… More » -
Review from Courtney H.
Southfield, MI
8/25/2010 6 Check-ins Here
I come here all the time, great food, fast service.
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Review from Robert Z.
Hazel Park, MI
9/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
Best chicken shwarma in the area.
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Review from Bill B.
6/27/2010
I love Middle Eastern food because it offers so many vegetarian options. There are many fine Middle Eastern restaurants in town but I'm so happy to have Cafe Kabob near my work. Their food is fresh, healthy, delicious and fast. Every dish I've tried is on a par with the best in town. If you're in the area and looking for a good, quick meal, Cafe Kabob is the place to try.
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Review from Robert T.
2/24/2011
no lamb? nuff said
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Review from Chuck H.
Waterford, MI
Updated - 7/7/2011
Too little food for too much money, and it isn't very good either. You are better off hitting any other local Middle Eastern restaurant.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/15/2011
Too expensive, small portions and the food is so-so. Pita Cafe is a much better choice as is the… Read more »
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Review from Rob B.
Rochester, MI
12/9/2009
Food is delicious, but slow motion in getting it! It seems to be pretty busy when ever we roll in there for lunch, but they do have lots of employees. Work on speed of service guys!
Comment from Nas G. of Cafe Kabob Mediterranean Grille & Catering 12/9/2009
Hey Rob thanks for your comments. Many people don't realize… More »
