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Kabab Café
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Restaurants Cafes Middle Eastern, Cafes
2512 Steinway StAstoria, NY 11103
Neighborhood: Astoria
(718) 728-9858
- Nearest Transit:
-
Astoria Blvd (N, Q)
30 Av (N, Q)
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
108 reviews for Kabab Café
Review Highlights
"Ali has a good selection of beers and wines."
(in 83 reviews)
"Fava bean spread, hummus, babaganoush, and falafel..."
(in 4 reviews)
"Moustafa El Sayed owns Mombar, and his brother Ali El Sayed..."
(in 5 reviews)
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108 reviews in English
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Review from Yusuf A.
New York, NY
11/13/2011
Dining with Ali (the chef and owner) is an experience. In the cute but cramped hole in the wall that is kebab cafe, there's no escaping his powerful presence.
We only came here because there was a long wait at leyali beirut - although only two blocks apart, the two restaurants could not possibly have less in common. Where Leyali and some of the more popular places on Steinway are packed, loud, and larger, Kabab Cafe is tiny and has a reserved old world charm to it.
The food was great - from "bugs bunny" to the lamb and chicken. Well seasoned, presented with Ali's flair, and filling.
Overall, great spot, especially if you're looking for a more intimate atmosphere. -
Review from Julia D.
11/8/2011 1 photo
Kabob Cafe is a testament to why New York is one of the more incredible cities on this earth. This restaurant is Egypt and America both at once, and the owner/chef/manager ebodies this to a point. Before you even sit down and taste your first morsel of food, you're listening to U2 while perusing the walls for bits and pieces of artwork, including an impressive map of New York, color-coding various neighborhoods by ethnic make-up. "Green is for Irish," Ali tells us, as he welcomes some new customers by telling them what their culinary options are for this evening. "I got that map from a friend of mine who was using it for a documentary." This man is not only an Egyptian chef and restaurant owner, but an Egyptian American promoting cultural awareness and a world where the "other" is a murky concept that needs to be studied, but discarded, to his customers.
So we sit down to dinner, already impressed by Ali's personable impact, and are offered an array of choices that Ali spews from the top of his head. We go with the appetizer platter like many other Yelpers, which was reliably delicious, followed by a very tasty artichoke salad, and spiced lamb cheek served with egg, mashed up, and poured onto a plate to be eaten up with pita bread. We wash all of this down with hibiscus tea, which is served cold in a glass with pomegranate and apple, and is perfect as is, even though my alcohol-loving self wishes there were some wine in there, and tries to come up with a way to make sangria out of this later.
After all of this feasting, we are still craving some dessert, so we go with the baklava, which is served with an interesting thick honey pomegranate sauce (picture uploaded). All in all, this was such a fantastic experience in every sensory way that I almost want to wait a while before I come back so that I can be impressed all over again. This kind of restaurant is what Yelp was made for. -
Review from Jenna M.
10/12/2011
The Kabab Café has been one of my favorite Astoria experiences since moving here just a few weeks ago. While this particular stretch of Steinway offers tons of great restaurants, this little Egyptian hole in the wall definitely deserves your attention. Ali, the chef and owner, is a hilarious and personable host serving really unique and delicious food.
My partner and I came here for dinner one night, a little nervous about the prospect of being unable to order off of a menu. "Oh, I love vegans!" bellowed Ali, and he proceeded to rattle off five or six different non-dairy options he had available that evening. We ordered a falafel plate, a beet salad, and some pumpkin ravioli. Everything was well-seasoned and delicious, and far beyond what we had expected. The falafel plate came with not only falafel, hummus, and pita, but also an assortment of spices and vegetables (fried greens! YUM) that paired beautifully with the chickpeas. The beets were warm and vinegary, and the pumpkin ravioli were enough to make me dance on the table (I restrained myself).
Throughout the meal, Ali was bantering with customers from the kitchen (it's a tiny space, so the kitchen is practically in your lap if you sit in one of the front tables) and we loved the decor of the place. I'm thinking of taking my mom here when she comes to town next weekend, so you know this place is serious. Definitely put it on your list (but bring cash, because they are cash only). -
Review from Viren P.
ASTORIA, NY
9/25/2011
Ok... so after reading the reviews and asking people walking out how they liked the food, we decided to give this place a try. Meh, is all I can say.
Theres no menu, the owner tells you what he has and what hes willing to make that night. Seinfeld "Soup Nazi"???... well Ali, the chef, reminded me of him. We were terrified to ask any questions or say we didnt like our dish. And every time he spoke, the entire place got uncomfortably quite. I was not feeling the vibe.
We enjoyed our starting sampler plate, but thats about it. It had hummus, babaganus, felafel, and some kind of dhaal. It was tasty, but thats where the fun ended.
We ordered the lamb on potatos and chicken. The chicken was well flavored as was the lamb. However, we only got like two small potato wedges served with a pile of burt to a crips vegetables. Gross... we had athe taste of char the rest of the night that even Altoids couldnt suppress. Ugh.
The total cost for three people was $80... over priced and not worth it. You have a plethora of other middle eastern restaurants on Steinway for far less and just as good, if not better. The only thing that saved the night was a huge bottle of wine we brought (its BYO). I had high hopes, but the experience wasnt for me, nor was the food. -
Review from Mike K.
Updated - 8/4/2011
When I was setting up my Yelp profile and I came across the box for my last meal on earth, I didn't hesitate for even a split-second before I filled in Kabab Café. This is my favorite restaurant and I always have the best meal whenever I come here. I like food quite a bit, but normally I enjoy it while I'm eating and I move on once I'm done. Not so at Kabab Café. I positively glow for hours after a meal here. I went for dinner last night and even now just thinking about the flavors is putting me into a foodgasmic trance.
Kabab Café is a hole-in-the-wall on Steinway Street a block south of Astoria Boulevard. Were it not for the blue letters on one of the high windows announcing its name, if you passed it by you might never know it existed. My friend walked right past it and totally missed it. The space is tiny; it seats maybe 15-16 people in close quarters. As a result of this, and because you can't make a reservation, if you're coming for dinner you may want to arrive on the early side to avoid a potential wait (sometimes it's packed, other times, empty).
The decor is a hodgepodge of sculptures, paintings, pictures, articles and anything else that Ali El Sayed, the proprietor and chef, feels like putting up on the walls. He makes most of the sculpture-type artwork himself. Everything seems out of place in relation to everything else, but it all contributes to a warm, homey feel. Ali is a chef and you're eating in his dining room - a fact that is reinforced by the kitchen, which is in plain sight and only separated from the seating by a high counter. If you sit along the north wall you can see everything, including how he keeps his vegetables in the drawers of a dresser.
Ali is a presence throughout your meal, which further underscores the idea that you're dining as his guests. He's a friendly and funny guy and he'll engage on a number of topics. We talked about food, Egypt, the neighborhood and how he's planning to buy a farm upstate with his brother, who runs Mombar, a couple doors down, so he can control the life-cycle of his food (us: "are you going to get milking goats or meat goats?" Ali: "what is that crap? There's only one kind of goat." Good man.) among others.
The flip side to this is that if you're a less-than-ideal guest you might get off on the wrong foot. The table next to ours was being indecisive about their order and he retorted with something along the lines of "Come on guys. I have a business to run here. If you're not going to order and eat then leave so I can give the table to someone who will." He also works at his own pace, which I've never found to be slow, but when you ask for your check don't sweat waiting for a few minutes. Ali is serving you, but he's not subservient to you, which is how I think waitstaff is perceived, and to some degree act, at many restaurants. Bottom line is behave and treat your meal like you would at a friend's place and you'll have a great time.
Once you're seated Ali will come by and tell you what he has that night. There is a menu, but don't bother asking for it. The process works something like this:
Ali: Well, we have a mixed plate to start...
You: We'd like that!
Ali: Then we have three basic groups - meat, fish and vegetables.
You: We're interested in the meat.
Ali: There's chicken, lamb, beef, duck, quail, goat [and probably something else I'm forgetting]
You: What kind of lamb do you have?
Ali: Braised lamb shank served over a rice pilaf with vegetables, stuffed lamb breast, lamb chops with pomegranate, lamb tongue...
You: Wow, that all sounds great. What about the chicken?
Ali: We have... [and the process continues]
I'm usually suckered in by the first entree that I hear - because I always ask about the lamb, and I mainly come here to eat lamb - but they all sound really good. He also has some offal and other interesting things if you ask him about it, as can be seen in the Anthony Bourdain "No Reservations" clip - http://www.youtube.com....
Ali will then come over with some pita, a fiery hot sauce made from jalapenos and small plates dusted with za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend. Although the za'atar is awesome, hold off on using your pita until your appetizers arrive.
[continued below]2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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8/2/2011
[continued from above]
I strongly recommend getting the mixed plate to start. Every time I've been… Read more »
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Review from Lyzeth S.
Montclair, NJ
9/2/2011
Is it a hole in the wall? Yes, but is that a bad thing? I am a foodie and let me tell you, often the "hole-in-the-wall" places have the best food. And that is certainly true of this place. There is no menu and no prices. But so what. I wouldn't agree with the reviewer who said astronomical prices. If you're used to NYC prices then the bill won't shock you.
On to the food, yum! Our meal began with a platter of babaganoush, falafel, fried bok choy and some other stuff. Next we had an eggplant dish which didn't disappoint. We also had tongue and brain. Yes, I said brain. It was very tasty but just the thought of it made it hard for me to swallow. First and last time though. Next it was lamb with pomegranate sauce and leg of goat. I throughly enjoyed everything and wish it wasn't such a trek to get there from NJ.
There are maybe six tables so we put our order in first and then went for a walk. Also finding parking is a nightmare. Be prepared to circle around for 15 minutes or more looking for a spot. I will definitely be back! -
Review from Rich S.
Long Island City, NY
8/1/2011
I originally came here as a referral from the all the great Yelp reviews. Let me tell you this time, Yelp steered me wrong.....
This place IS NOT good. It's a tiny whole in the wall, that has no menu. He makes the stuff up and charges you an astronomical price. How do you know how much it costs? It makes you wait till the end till you get your bill. I ordered the Kofte and it was hamburger meat. Come on, I've been to Jordan, I've been to Turkey, I know what real Kofte is and hamburger meat IS NOT real Kofte!!!!! And the rice that came with the Kofte??? It was sticky chinese rice!!!! I know Chinese rice, I'm Chinese!!!! This was not basmati rice or some middle eastern derivative, it WAS Chinese Rice!!!!! Don't be fooled guys this place is NO GOOD!!!!
You want a real Kabab place with real Kofte real middle eastern rice, go to Bakhtar Afghan Halal Kababs!!! Most authentic place I've seen West of Jordan and Turkey!!! -
Review from Scott W.
Brooklyn, NY
8/1/2011
Pointers:
You go to Kabab Cafe as much for the experience as for the food. Things to note: the place looks rough and ragged; you essentially sit in the kitchen with Ali (owner/chef); you get no menu; Ali has no patience for indecisiveness or people not interested in experiencing his passion for food. Engage Ali in conversation, ask him plenty of questions, and be open. We had a great time and learned lots about food, Ali's life, and history. However, I overheard some comments to the table behind us that were less friendly due to one of the diner's indecision. Oh, and never ask what is the best dish, because Ali will tell you that everything is the best.
Food:
As a party of four, we decided to try several different dishes. We started with Kushari (Egyptian street food, consisting of noodles, beans, etc.) and an appetizer platter. The Kushari was very tasty, but nothing like the cheap street version from Cairo. Ali puts a gourmet twist on Kushari, which had rice (a new ingredient for me) and lots of spice/flavor that was not present in Egypt. The appetizer plate included ta'amiya (Egyptian version of falafel, which is very light, fresh-tasting, and made with fava beans), baba ganoush (eggplant dip), fuul (fava bean dip), hummus (chick pea dip), and fried kale (not quite sure where this one fits in. The fried kale was delicious; it seemed to melt in your mouth and was a really interesting addition to the dish. The ta'amiya was just as I remembered, very light, flavorful, and lighter on the spices than standard-fare falafel.
A breather, and then it was time for the entrees. I ordered the goat shank, and I have to say that it was out of this world. We also had lamb shank, and the lamb chops with pomegranate sauce at our table. The goat shank was perfectly cooked, tender, loaded with flavor, and lightly spiced. It was served over a bed of rice with some sauteed vegetables on the side. There are not enough kind words to describe the goat shank. The lamb shank was prepared in a similar way, was also good, but not quite at the same level. The lamb chops with pomegranate sauce was also rich and packed with flavor. All three were excellent choices.
Oh, we did not stop there! We went with a dessert plate at Ali's recommendation. We had the pleasure of sampling namoura (honey cake), honey cake with black sesame, Kunafa (a sweet cake with dried noodles). The honey cake was tasty, but a bit dry and bland for my tastes. The black sesame version of honey cake was delicious, making up for the lack of moisture and flavor in the plain version. Another great choice was the Kunafa, which was also rich and sweet (without being overly sweet), with the added bite of the crunchy noodles on top.
Summary:
When you come to Kabab Cafe, your experience will be largely measured by your relationship with Ali. You are essentially sitting in the kitchen with the chef, so if that is not your thing, you will not enjoy yourself. The restaurant is small and might be considered dingy. There is hardly anywhere to move, and the bathroom is not what you would find at The Ritz. But, what you get to do is guide your meal and experience by working directly with a CIA (Culinary Institute)-trained chef, who can teach as much as he can dazzle. Just be warned: if you annoy the chef, he may kick you out. -
Review from Jeff S.
2/17/2011
Could have been an avant garde gem, but it's really a very expensive dive with food that could have been great but just wasn't.
This place is a bit of a hole in the wall on Steinway St. in Astoria. There are about 5 or 6 tables there and the place was jammed and buzzing noisily when we arrived. The chef greeted us brusquely and sat us down. I was expecting a menu but the chef just asked us what we wanted "meat, vegetables, etc..." Kind of vague, so we just let him pick 4 good plates to share.
In the end we got; a tasting platter with hummus, falafel, fried bok choy, fava beans, and baba ganoush, a lamb cheek ragu with egg, a warm beet salad with apples and chick peas, and beef kabob with rice and roasted vegetables.
The tasting dish was a mixed bag. The baba ganoush was tasty, thick and rich, and the fried bok choy was surprising and interesting...definite highlights. But the hummus was poorly mixed and soapy tasting. The apples mixed in were a nice touch, but not a master stroke or anything. The fava was also bland. Additionally, the plate was unevenly blanketed in paprika which was hard to eat.
Next came the apps. I love beef cheek so I was intrigued to try to lamb version. The chef mentioned he cooked it for 48 hours as it takes that long to develop the flavor. But the flavor I got was cinnamon and slightly rancid meat rather than something to savor. There was also a few bones in the ragu which were unexpected. The egg was mixed in with the meat and was hard to detect, let alone enjoy. As for the warm beet salad, it was great! It was smart to serve it piping hot and serving it straight from the pan was a nice touch.
The chef decided to lollygag around the small premises shmoozing it up for 45 minutes while we waited for our kabob. As I was in great company, I didn't mind, but it was a rather long wait. When we finally got the food, we were very disappointed to taste flavorless beef with a small amount of bland rice and vinegary vegetables. Also, it was an OK size plate for 1, but certainly not for 2. Again, mounds of paprika were haphazardly strewn all over the place, adding exactly nothing to the dish.
We asked for the check and it took another 15 minutes to get it while he did nothing other than act gregarious for the regulars. Finally I was shocked to see that the price was $63. But, I also realized that no pricing was listed, so he basically could have charged anything he wanted.
I peeled off 4 crisp $20's and he said thanks and goodbye. Hey, what about my $17 change? YOU WANT CHANGE??? he says over everyone's voice. What an obnoxious douchebag. I was gonna drop $12 on the table even though it was basically the owner serving us, but I needed change to do it. To have him try and bully me into giving a nearly 30% tip was rude and inexcusable. I don't care how well regarded his place is.
Oh, I should point out, I think cleanliness is an issue here. The bathroom was greazy and grimy, and the chef was constantly hacking up near the food. If you are picky about hygiene you may want to think about skipping this place, or, maybe you an just show up in a hazmat suit if you must make an appearance.
In the end, I left here disappointed with the food and aghast at the pricing scheme. This place is vastly...VASTLY overrated. Avoid.Listed in: Only Worthwhile During a…
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Review from Emily L.
New York, NY
2/16/2011
I am by no means a food or dining snob. I've put up with brusque service. I've eaten in places that could use a nice dousing in hand sanitizer. I've shelled out my hard-earned cash for meals. I'll pretty much eat anything from snout to tail. I'm willing forgive a lot of things as long as one or more of the factors that contribute to the overall dining experience are met. I can't say that Kabab Café succeeded in any way.
Mezze: Really good falafel, but the baba, hummus and fava bean puree was just so so. Pita bread had sat in the oven so long, it was dry and almost cracker crisp. $14
Shark and octopus tagine: FISHY, and not in a good way. $24
Lamb Shank: Good, but I've had better quality meat and the spices weren't anything particularly interesting. $19
Kataifi with hazelnuts and almonds: Pretty good, but not any better than the sweets we picked up at Laziza bakery down the street.
Service: Nonexistent. Ali was gruff and barely attentive. Maybe we caught him on an "off" night, but you know what? Eff that! That's an awful excuse. I don't expect everything to be rainbows and puppies, but come on! Also, we waited 40 minutes in between finishing our mezze plate and getting our entrees.
Cleanliness: Coughing and nose wiping while food was being prepared. Trays of exposed food all over the place.
Prices: Really not a fan of the flexible pricing. We were a party of two, with one app, two entrees, one small dessert, and one beer. Total damage was $78 (not including tip). Taking everything else into consideration, it was really not a good value.
I get that some people love love love this place and have had the best night(s) of their lives there. I'm not trying to devalue those experiences. But there are just as many people that had an awful time. And in my book, that level of polarizing inconsistency is not something that is worth a return trip. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice.....There are just too many other places in this town to explore to allocate my time, stomach space and money to Kabab Café again. -
Review from Samantha P.
New York, NY
5/5/2011
The story:
First, you should know that on the very same block of Steinway street in Astoria, there is not one but TWO Egyptian restaurants (helping give the street the name "Little Cairo"), which also happen to be owned by brothers. Moustafa El Sayed owns Mombar, and his brother Ali El Sayed owns Kabab Cafe. Knowing this, when I took my "Egyptian enthusiast" father away from the comforts of the Upper West Side to Astoria's Little Egypt, I told him to decide between the two. After poking our heads into both restaurants, we decided to stick with Kabab Cafe. When parting with Moustafa in Mombar, he said "No problem, it's all in the family."
The experience:
Kabab Cafe is taken over by Chef Ali not only because his kitchen is IN the dining room (which seats 15 ppl at MOST) but also because there is no written menu. Each table is engaged in a conversation with Ali, about the authentic spices he's using, the random sampling of whatever wine he has laying around (we couldn't order two of the same kind) and his preparation of the food; then you have the luxury of sitting right beside him as he prepares it.
What we ate:
To start, we savored the meze platter with hummus, smoky baba ganouj and falafel made of fava beans, garlic and lemon juice. We also shared a warm beet salad with onions and apples, and pumpkin pierogies. As our table's entrées we split the fish of the day (with the face still on!) fresh from the Long Island sound and grilled beef kebabs with roasted tomatoes.
The bottom line:
This place is a true hole in the wall, with a run down homey feel, which sounds like a turn-off but it (in my opinion) adds to the overall experience. The food is delicious, and unlike anything you could find at something more upscale. The price tag is a bit higher than you'd expect, but well worth it. -
Review from Cynthia K.
Astoria, Queens, NY
10/8/2011
Amazing Food, atmosphere is so so and can turn you off - but the food is amazing! A must if you're in Astoria! We had the hummus plate, quail and lamb cheek! So good!
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Review from Ivan V.
Brooklyn, NY
6/4/2011
Love Him or Hate Him:
Ali the Owner and CIA (Culinary Institute of America ) Trained Chef of this small Café created a very interesting Niche for himself.
A café that feels more like a Kitchen AND... no menu.
The dining experience is like eating at your eccentric uncle's kitchen.
The food was excellent, the conversation with Ali was interesting.
Definitely a unique experience.
You either love me him or hate him there is no in-between. -
Review from Brian T.
FOREST HILLS, NY
4/23/2011
I, like most people, heard about this place on No Reservations. I did not quite know what to expect. The food they showed Anthony Bourdaine eating was parts of the animal that most would throw in the garbage, and he said that it was great. So I figured why not give it a try.
I was apprehensive because of the negative reviews on here... Don't be. This place was fantastic. The food was like nothing I have ever had. If there was one thing that really stood out it was the veal sweet bread; it was fantastic.
Don't go in here expecting regular restaurant service. They don't have a menu, and things take a long time to come out. It is not so much a restaurant as it is some guys kitchen where he allows you to dine, and that is what makes it special.
I took of one star because it do feel it is a little over priced. -
Review from Samantha J.
Hoboken, NJ
1/19/2011
I hate to rain on most reviewers' parades, but this place was awful and such a disappointment. I would advise looking at the 1 star reviews for this restaurant before you go, because in my opinion they were right on.
I am an adventurous and open-minded eater. And, I was quite excited to try this place out when a friend suggested it. I was very sorely disappointed by both the food quality and the bill as many other reviewers have noted.
Let me start by saying the meal began with a bang. The mezze platter and lamb cheeks - which both seems like something EVERYONE gets - were both good. We also got a small plate of lamb chops on the bone to share as Ali suggested. All is well. Wine is tasty. I was excited for entrees.
And then they came out:
- Roast duck - dry and boring, no flavor, over-cooked
- Flounder - inedible, tasted fishy., I'm pretty sure this fish should have been thrown away 2 days before.. the only redeeming thing on the plate were the sliced potatoes
- Lamb shank - inedible, boring, tasted old and, like the flounder, like it should have been thrown away 2 days before. The consistency was almost gummy.
I also got the hibiscus tea because so many people had mentioned it on yelp and was not impressed. It was very sweet but barely flavored. I know hibiscus is generally light as I've had it before, but this tasted like hot sugar water.
And the worst disappointment of all: the bill. It was $200 (without tip) for the 4 of us. Considering we SHARED 3 appetizers and 3 entrees amongst the 4 of us and the fact that 2 entrees were inedible, this was a huge disappointment.
A meal that is $200 (cost each of us $60) should not have made me worry that I might get food poisoning from sampling the entrees (all I could do was take one bite of the fish and lamb).
Big thumbs down. -
Review from Steven S.
ASTORIA, NY
9/17/2011
This place has everything I love in a restaurant. A unique and inviting atmosphere, personable service and delicious food! I've avoided this place, cause I was turned off by the animal insides that were served and shown on Anthony Bourdain's show, No Reservations. What a mistake!
First, Ali--owner, chef and waiter helps you through the whole experience of your Egyptian food experience. There really is no menu, so he tells you what he has that night and you tell him your preferences. If you are a really picky eater, you may want to pass. But if you are willing to give it up to Chef's Choice after giving some preferences, this is the place for you. I've been here a few times now and the food and flavors really pop! I recommend starting with Ali's platter of dips (Hummus, Fava Beans and Smoked Baba) with fried greens and falafel. For mains his Lamb Shank with Veggies and his 1/2 Chicken with Pomegranate glaze with Eggplant and Potatoes are phenomenal. Just be sure to share everything... it is more fun as a communal meal! If you feel like being more adventurous from an American standpoint, he will walk you through his items of livers, cheeks, hearts, brains, etc. Recently I tried his lamb cheeks with egg and was very impressed.
Overall, the experience is great. With Ali's presence, your own company and the great food it is just a great night out. If you are in a hurry, don't bother. It is a place where you relax, eat, talk and eat some more!!! A must try in Astoria and one my new favorites! -
Review from Justine B.
Astoria, NY
5/8/2011
Kabab Cafe is tiny. But, if you can get a table, you're in for a treat.
There is no menu. Ali, the chef/owner/everything else, will just come talk to you about what kinds of things you like. Do you want a meat, fish, poultry, or vegetarian dish? He'll tell you what he has (and sometimes show you) and what kinds of things he's offering that night.
We always start with the platter (I think most people start with this) - which has hummus, babaganoush, a fava bean spread, and some falafel and veggies (served with pita). The babaganoush is really fantastic. The falafel is yummy and crispy. The platter is always wiped clean by the time we're done.
We also always order the roast beet salad if he has it that day. It's beets roasted with onions, apples, and spices, served with dill and a balsamic vinegar. It's out of this world! I like beets, but they've never tasted this good!
As for main courses, we've been very pleased with everything we've ordered here. Some of the notable dishes have been the porgy (fish) - very fresh, cooked perfectly, and delicately seasoned; the quail - two tiny birds roasted to juicy perfection and with a touch of pomegranate on the skin; the lamb shank - delicious; the mushroom ravioli/dumplings - amazing combination of flavors, perfect texture, served with sauce, yogurt, and some spices.
Ali makes great vegetables - nearly all meat dishes are served with a side of roasted vegetables. They are always fantastic.
This place is not cheap, but I think it's well worth the price for a special evening of good conversation and great food. It's a place where you can sit for hours, so bring some of your closest friends and enjoy! -
Review from Giacomo C.
New York, NY
1/13/2011
Ali is an artist of the culinary world. The painter hat he wears speaks to itself.
:-)
I have been here twice and am planning to pay a visit at least once every 6 months. It's not a convenient location 4 me, but this place is well worth the trip to Astoria.
When I go to Kabab Cafe' I already know what I'm gonna eat. I'm there for the same reason Anthony Bourdain went there: the "good stuff". Testicles, sweetbreads, tongue, heart, liver, kidneys, brain... should I go on? Every dish is carefully prepared and freshly cooked in front of your eyes. And it costs $15 each, so the check won't necessarily be cheap... but every single bite will be well worth its price. In the end... where are you gonna find another place in ny that serves these dishes? Ali cooks one dish at the time, giving you enough time to "process" what you are eating without being overwhelmed. Yes, he's a sweetheart.
:-)
Ali doesn't take credit cards and you can't make a reservation, so I would suggest going there for lunch. Both times I went nobody was there except a couple of friends of his.
Oh... I almost forgot. The place itself is tiny, but funky and interesting. He keeps a few relics from his home country hung against the wall. It's a cool place to linger.
Immensely recommended. -
Review from Jimmy T.
Brooklyn, NY
3/18/2011
Near the end of little egypt is surly 'ole Ali El Sayed. A culinary mastermind. It ain't my grandmas egyptian cooking, these are flavorful concoctions only reminiscent of tradition. Ali sayed "if there are 10 ways of cooking lamb tongue, Ali will pick the furthest from what you would expect."
We sat down right next to the kitchen, Ali stared at us for a minute then asked what we would like to eat. "What you got?" was our reply, and thus began the negotiations. He listed a slew of incomprehensible words with frequent jokes in his mental menu. There was lamb - from tongue to the testical. When asked if he had testicals, he replied "Yes, but I only serve animal meats".... Most questions about the menu were answered with a question, so in comedic frustration we put ourselves in his hands.
We got lamb cheeks, lamb tongue, lamb testicles, roasted veggies in pomegranate vinaigrette, and pumpkin dumplings. The lamb dishes were the best by far. The tongue and testicles fried in a skillet with onions, tomato and spice. The cheeks he said were a 48 hour roast. They came in a little hot pot with a raw egg inside. He proceeded to mix it at the table an plate it fresh, delivering a weird custard lamb dish that I never had before.
Buyer beware, this is no cheapo joint and he refused to let us look at the menu. The dishes were smallish and $15 each, guess thats not too bad, just suprising. 5 dishes and 6 beers totalled $121. Its by no means a fancy restaurant, and you could get fancier food for your buck. But its homestyle mid east cooking. Very akin to hanging out in my grandpa's kitchen except he charges for everything and I left feeling like a stuffed gringo. -
Review from Angela B.
Astoria, NY
2/16/2011
Ali is amazing - the food made to order and always a delight. Don't expect a typical dining experience - there is no menu and Ali is always right there interacting with your table as you eat. This is a must for all special occasions with my friends.
For starters get the baby lamb cheeks and the sweetbreads - absolutely amazing. -
Review from Brendan Y.
Astoria, NY
9/26/2010
I heard raves about this place and had really enjoyed dinners at its neighbor, mombar. So i decided to give this place a go. 86 people have already reviewed this place, so I'll spare you details. The food was incredible... Point blank. However we honestly saw three roaches... Yes three... One of which was crawling on a plate that Ali promptly swooped away without saying a word.
Our meal was made worse by a quartet of obnoxious hipsters, marshaled by a cane-wielding gourmet Gertrude stein. At full throat she went on endlessly about all the meals she'd had all over the world. It's the kind of pretentious bragging that turns my stomach (pun intended). It's food. You eat it, and it turns to shit. End of story.
Anyway, the bill was pretty hefty, the place filthy, and the chef amusing but somewhat unwelcoming. I left not really knowing what to make. Of the experience. I doubt I'll go back. -
Review from Nora A.
Brooklyn, NY
9/2/2010
(I am copy pasting this from my NYmag review. I am thinking right now of all the places where I can possibly warn people.)
I am very surprised that anyone was even able to eat the food. The mezze was edible, yes, but far away from anything decent. The entree was a disaster, we couldn't eat it. The lamb 'breast' was a pile of overcooked minced meat mixed with tasteless oily vegetables. Totally overpriced. I am still shocked and similar to other reviewers, I wish I hadn't paid.
We should've known when we walked in, there was no Egyptian or Arab unlike in all the other restaurants on Steinway. It is like a tourist trap in another country.
My only explanation for the good ratings is that there was another chef in 2009.
DO NOT GO. EVER. -
Review from Dino K.
ASTORIA, NY
8/4/2010
I'm really tired from working out and being at the beach for 3 hours so I'll make this one super quick:
Positives
- Best food I've ever had in my life
- Cool decor and cozy place
- Vegetarian-friendly
Negatives
- No menu with prices you can see (it can be a tourist trap)
- The owner/chef (Ali) seems snobby unless you're a regular; he makes you feel like he's doing YOU a favor instead of the other way around (like everywhere else in the world)
- You cannot order a "glass of tap water" because they make you buy bottled water (wtf?)
- The entrees are small/not filling (but take this last one with a grain of salt 'cause I'm 6'1 207 lbs. and perhaps you'd be content) -
Review from Randy G.
8/29/2010
I just got back from what was one of the most intriguing and delicious lunch ever.
Kebab Cafe is a true "hole in the wall", and Ali is an amazing host and chef. Space is limited, and yes, you wait on Ali. If you don't like that, then you can go to Nanoosh, or one of the more hip middle eastern restaurants over in Manhattan.
We did wait about 20 minutes before he casually strolled in, apologized, and told us about what he had to offer. But that's how Ali is, for the food that he makes, and the place that he keeps, you just have to laugh and deal with it. Remember, good food takes time.
Now, it appears that most people go there to have the "nasty bits", but we went with some traditional meals ( I'll have to lose my brain virginity elsewhere!). My guests got the Chicken schwarma, which was delicious minced grilled chicken, mixed with roasted pepper, onion, and leek, cooked in a pan until crispy and delicious. Excessively aromatic and flavorful, served on top of jasmine rice.
My other guest got the lamb shank, which was fall-off the bone perfect. Served with stewed carrots and potato, the lamb literally melted in my mouth. Hints of many spices were throughout the dish, which resulted in an experience that was intense and absolutely delicious.
I got the roasted goat chops (first time goat!), which were served with roasted balsamic potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, tomato, and onion.
Not only was the meat cooked perfectly, the balsamic sauce accented the vegetables, and made the dish come together in a way that is hard to describe.
We started off with the vegetable spread, which I highly recommend. It had the best hummus, babaganoush, & falafel that I have ever had period. The babaganoush especially, with it's smoky flavor cutting through the eggplant like a delicious knife.
The plate also included a Fava bean spread, which I've never had before, but call me a fan now, and fried escarole, which is a leafy green, similar to lettuce.
Yes, the price is steep. For the 3 of us, minus tip, it came out to $92, cash only. But Ali was wonderful, he chatted with us through the meal, and was wonderful to my guest's child. The history of Ali and the restaurant are all over the walls, making what you pay for more than just a meal. It's an experience.
If I get the chance opportunity to make it back to Astoria, I will definitely come back -
Review from Jessica C.
Jamaica, NY
4/23/2010
What's the matter with this place? Was it the white, wait no, maybe the gray matter? Or possibly when you mesh the two together and serve it with perfectly seasoned broth you have the best lamb brain in town. This place doesn't only wield and deal brains, it handles liver, cheeks, and testicles (name the part of the lamb you desire for the night and you can get it piping hot on your table).
The chef and waiter, Ali, is extremely knowledgeable about the food he cooks, giving you both background and flavors before you order. For you non-brain eaters you can ask him what doesn't consist of it, he will point you to the good stuff. This place is a tiny hole in the wall restaurant, with eclectic furniture; you wouldn't anticipate too much based on the menu or the the way it's appearance is.
My friends and I ordered a melody of dishes: beef meatballs, breast of lamb, lamb shank, and stuff calamari. Cooked to perfection, spices are similar in each dish, but it is the mingling of apples with spices in each dish that leaves you wanting more. the lamb falls right off the bone. The lamb brain was tender much like any other organ that you might eat. Cut into thin slices, and served over a plate with spices. It was good enough to lick the rest of the broth that was left behind (luckily there was pita bread to do the job).
Worth every penny to come and try. Friendly host who is more than willing to accommodate. -
Review from Jeff O.
Woodside, NY
8/31/2007 ROTD 8/14/2008
The experience of eating at Ali's Kebab Cafe is only trumped by the food. My god. The place is as wide as two picnic tables, as long as four. The first half of the establishment is Ali's Kitchen. You walk in and you will see AMAZING food sitting there, waiting for you. I knew I found love, only a few seconds after entering the door.
People treat Ali like he is one of the gods on easter island - which he actually resembles. There is a process by which the ordering takes place here. As Ali walks up to your table, everyone quiets and pays attention... he then speaks in a very deliberate Egyptian-accented English describing the specials of the day.
"We have Fish, We have Meat, We have Vegetabitarian...
What is your pleasure for today?"
His overpronunciation makes everything sound delicious. He is like an opera singer of the kitchen. Even during the meal, when he announces to other tables, it's nearly impossible not to turn your attention away. This is a street show that repeats every 15 minutes and I have to watch each one.
We were brought our food by the man himself, as was the case for most of the room.There is nothing he touches that doesn't turn to gold. He reached in and took out the spine of my friends fish with his bare hands right on our table. He could have fucking deboned it with his tongue and we would have still thought he was still charming as hell.
Our food came out very fast, considering the place was PACKED with 10 other people. Not slow at all. I've gone twice (in 3 days) and each time the wait was perfectly normal.
Suggestions? If I have to... any whole fish. some shank of some sort. and something you've never had before: brains, tongue/cheek, cows foot or mountain oysters(server's recommendation). I only was able to check the first one. See you again, Ali. -
Review from Lexy M.
9/18/2008 ROTD 12/29/2008
I agree with Lisa Q. who said "This place may be where I want to have my last meal on earth"!
Perfectly said, for this place is by far the best food I have tasted in my life. I actually remember saying to a friend after eating here that "I honestly think I have never truly tasted FOOD before I ate at Kabab Cafe". lol
If only this place was a tad bit bigger but then again, it is the whole experience! After seeing this jewel on Anthony Bourdains show I had to come check it out. It's an experience, PERIOD! How eating out should be like, what is was made for! A personal relationship with the chef who is cooking your food right in front of you. You feel at home, you feel like your a good friend, you feel as if your in another world or country. You must come and see for yourself, this place is my number one pick in the whole city of New York but of course in Astoria. Every dish is made to perfection and with love, flavors I have never tasted before and fell DEEPLY in love with. You can taste every spice.. every vegetable, every piece of meat. I sound like a stalker, but I am when it comes to this place. I am hooked! Great choice for dinner or lunch! 5 stars!Listed in: Must Try Before You Die!
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Review from r k.
New York, NY
7/30/2011
My husband I had just come back from Egypt and were missing it so we yelped Kabab Cafe and drove up to Astoria's Kabab Cafe. We were instantly transported back to the warmth and quirky friendliness of Egypt.
This is a small restaurant - seats maybe 10-15 people. It feels like you're sitting in somebody's kitchen. That of the owner/chef, Ali who just personifies everything Egyptian! There is some sort of a menu displayed outside but none is handed out to you when you're seated. the owner/ Chef, tells you what he's cooking tonight. The way he narrates the menu is perfect - stressing on every ingredient in the dish. Then he goes around the counter and cooks it. There's just him and one helper.
The most wonderful thing about Kabab Cafe, other than the food is Chef Ali who talks to you all the time. For us, he simply reminded us of all the wonderful Egyptian folk we had met back in Egypt.
The food was delish - being vegetarian, I had the standard Koshary and my husband had the lamb chops. We also had the grilled cauliflower salad with pomegranate dressing. It's cooked right in front of you and is wonderful.
Love the place, am definitely going back! -
Review from victoria v.
Staten Island, NY
12/24/2007
This practical hole in the wall feels like you are eating at someone's house, right in their kitchen. It is very quaint. But if you skeeve...ah...unsanitary conditions, you will not like it here.
The food - fantastically yummy!!
The food - priceless
well, actually NOT. So overpriced, they lost a star :(
I ordered vegetables and rice. I had a meal of vegetables and rice (again, I need to point out it was super delicious) but, c'mon, Ali -- charging an arm and a leg for a meatless, fishless dinner? not cool. -
Review from Rachel A.
Astoria, NY
5/18/2011
Went here tonight because we heard they have Kosheri (Egyptian pasta and rice) and when we got there the guy (Ali) didn't have any then he kicked us out because I made a comment to my friend that I wasn't hungry. He literally told us to leave if we weren't gonna order enough food. He was extremely rude and acted like his hole in the wall restaurant was the best thing since sliced bread and clearly doesn't have any need for new people or locals to patronize his restaurant.
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Review from Matt M.
Binghamton, NY
2/27/2010
I'll preface this one star review by saying I did not want to go to this place from the start so if you think that influenced this rating fine, but I can say pretty objectively that I will never go back to this place.
First off this place has a huge superiority complex, the result I'm sure of that Travel Channel TV spot but that's no excuse for insanely jacked up prices, false advertising, flavorless food, and while not rude, not really welcoming staff either (unless you were a regular it looked like).
We went walking around looking for some lunch and saw these high marks on Yelp so gave it a look. The menu posted on the outside of the place showed some good choices of various Middle Eastern fare with good prices so we went with it. When we got inside we were immediately approached by a server, seated, and we asked for some menus. He said they didn't have any and when one of us got up to go check out the menu they had posted inside he said they don't use that menu anymore.
Simple question, why were these menus still posted then?! In multiple locations no less! Instead we get offered various sweetmeats, a mezze platter, a lamb shank, and probably a couple other things I don't remember.
The three of us weren't adventurous enough for the sweatmeats so we got the mezze platter and the lamb shank. All the while there was no mention of how much it would be, so we figured it would at least be close to what the old menu was.
The food came out and it had no flavor in my opinion. It wasn't bad, it wasn't good, it was just...empty. I wish I could say it was because I didn't want to be there in the first place, but my taste buds are objective observers and they said the food was nothing special.
And the price, how I wish I could remember what it was exactly but I know we each paid at least $20 for this meal, and that was for just one appetizer and one entree! Maybe, maybe! if the food was some of the best I've had, heck even if it was good, I'd feel better about the price but no, not for this.
This place may have been great before the Travel Channel treatment, their old menu looked really good actually and their decor is admittedly pretty cool, but no more.
To sum up, they lose their stars for leaving up a menu they don't adhere to in the slightest, having incredibly high prices to go along with their huge head, and food that was in no way worth the price we paid or any price for that matter, and just generally being a miserable experience in my opinion.
I'm not one to tell you what to do, but if you go just be sure you know what you're getting into. -
Review from k s.
New York, NY
10/8/2007
Very EXPENSIVE!!!!
Lunch for 2 was $50. and a lot of talking with the owner/cook.
Felt like I paid to Chit Chat with him...
read all the 5 star Reviews -
Review from Yaahmee T.
San Francisco, CA
11/20/2008
I got some beef with the charming Ali.
Food is great, but expect to shell out a lot of dough for some spice.
My last and final time to Kabab Cafe, was takeout.
$20 = moussaka and khaftka (lamb/veggies & eggplant/veggies).
Not so bad right? Wrong.
$20 = lots of air.
Two 3/4 empty styrofoam boxes with a minute amount of veggies and a total of 5 pieces of walnut sized lamb meatballs. No rice. No pita. Pretty much a suckah meal.
Don't get me wrong, I may cave in and go again because the food is really good, but watch out for tourist pricing.
The block is home to tons of Egytptian/Moroccan hole-in-the-wall joints, share the wealth and go to one that's not taking advantage of Andrew Zimmerman/Tony Bourdain's cameo from ages ago. -
Review from Mike S.
New York, NY
10/28/2008
When you watch Anthony Bourdain on television, it is safe to assume that he's getting special attention and service at the restaurant because of who he is.
Well if you want to feel this way, come to the Kabab Cafe.. where Ali treats everyone like they are a guest in his home and he is there to cook and serve you.
There are meat and veg options on the menu and often unique game meats. We had the rabbit and shared a sweet breads appetizer. All were delicious. Very good mix of spices and herbs to create a perfect meal.
Prices on the menu seem to just be a guideline and he will sit you down and ask you what you feel like eating, as I believe you have some flexibility with what you order. Feel free to bring your own bottle of wine, but he has wine there for you as well.
We will definitely go back!! -
Review from Bobby B.
Brooklyn, NY
7/21/2010
This place is part museum, part show and of course major feast. I love the owner and chef Ali who cooks while singing and dancing and sharing with you his vast knowledge and stories of food, history and culture. He'll take good care of you! There is no menu, it's all up to Ali and what he recommends and what he has cooking that night. Do you want fish, vegetables or meat or a little everything? I love the inside of the restaurant too. It reminds me of a bohemian eclectic mix of various Hellenistic artifacts from the early 20th century and it adds a calm nostalgic character. Ali's choice of music is also a relaxing mix of old school jazz, french chanson and Arabic music.
Seating is limited so beware of line ups! I like to go later on a Sunday night as I find it calmer. -
Review from David S.
7/9/2008
After hearing so much about this place, and since i live walking distance i had to try it. This was not just a meal, it was an experience. Knowing it was small and imagining it would be busy, my fiance and I arrived at about 6:30 which is early for us. We dined for about 2 hours, gotta expect a long meal here, Ali takes his time, as he should, this is slow food. When we arrived there was one other person getting take out, but he left and for the majority of our meal we had the place to ourselves. When others did arrive it was clear that they were all locals who knew Ali well.
The place itself is like walking into a kitchen or a living room, When you walk in your surrounded by amazing looking food right in front of you... and the smells! It smelled incredible. Such a small place with not much of an outside, i never even noticed it before. But i'm glad i went.
Awesome meal! We tried the sweatbread of i believe lamb, thu it might have been veal, for the first time and loved it! It was heavy on the salt, but rich with flavor. The lambs cheek was good, not great, kinda this big black mushy stew with an egg in it, very strange and not appealing in appearance. The appetizer plate with hummus and apples, falafel and a few more dips was amazing. Not oily at all, and most dips were a bit chunky, which i enjoyed. From where i was sitting i could watch Ali cook, it was really interesting.
After the appetizers Ali left to go to the store or something so we hung, thankfully he was back 10 minutes latter to take our dinner order.
"What are you in the mood for? We have fish... Whole bronzini, porgies, grilled sardines, soft shell crab... meat? Lamb, goat, duck..."
No menu, which was fine as it was an experience and i imagine he is telling me whats best and fresh and recommended.
My fiance ordered the duck. Very tasty and moist with rice and Asian broccoli, which i really enjoyed, and i generally don't enjoy that stuff very much at all. I ordered the stuffed lamb. It was very good but not great. Not enough meat for me, and to many carrots, but the flavors were fantastic and the spinach was really good too. We both enjoyed our food very much. Had a crepe type dish with yogurt and fig jam for desert, it was fantastic, smooth, rich, hot, perfect way to end the meal. Which was good to because we were totally stuffed!
One thing i really liked was the music, it was like i was at home! fantastic mix of jazz, drum and bass, and world music, really enjoyable to listen to for 2 hours.
Including tip we paid exactly $100, which is kinda expensive, but we ordered alot of food, 3 apps, 2 drinks, 2 entrees, and 1 dessert, so i guess $100 is not that bad. Very memorable meal, we will return for sure. Highly recommended for unique food and for a unique experience. The place is so small you have to interact with the other patrons, which is kinda nice. I'm not giving it 5 stars because the lamb and the lambs cheek were not great, but if i could give it a 4.5 i would, this is one of the most memorable places i've ever eaten in, i cant wait to go back!Listed in: Best food in Astoria/LIC
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Review from Lisa Q.
9/7/2008
This place may be where I want to have my last meal on earth.
I would start off enjoying the chef's musical selection with a hot glass of mint tea. I would probably eat whatever the chef decided he wanted to feed me. Nevertheless, if I had to order ala carte--- I'd get the meze platter, the lamb, the eggplant. The greens on top the eggplant are almost tempura'd. Everything is just that down home crazy yumminess. I feel so satisfied and wonderful, like I just got a great back massage or a handshake from Al Gore.
I think this place is BYO, at least Mombar is.Listed in: Friday Night and I JUST GOT…
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Review from Fawn F.
San Francisco, CA
4/19/2007
Ali got me drunk last night. I was at Kabab Cafe with friends who have been eating there for years, and he informed us that we were his last customers before he shut the place down to go visit his family in Egypt for a month, and that when he returns he'll be remodeling for a couple of months. So in addition to making us a stellar meal, he drank scotch with us. There was some discussion of heinie-biting, too. And one of my dinner companions seems to have arranged to be carried off by a camel -- at least that's what I remember. I love Ali.
Anyway. No menu -- Ali just told us what he was cooking, and we ordered accordingly. Giant mezze plate. Pumpkin dumplings with sour cream. Goat in a pomegranate molasses reduction, with grilled eggplant on the side. A LOT of wine. I am a fortunate woman to have been able to enjoy it all last night, because my friends who introduced me to this wonderful place are leaving New York, and the Kabab Cafe will be different when I come back without them.
I hate change. -
Review from Sooj O.
New York, NY
2/21/2007
What! Only 1 review for this gem of a restaurant. All of you: immediately note down the address of this restaurant, mark down a date in your calendar for dinner here, and take the N to Astoria..
I had one of my most memorable meals, gastronomically and company-wise, here.
Brother to the owner of Mombar, Kabab Cafe has been open longer and the food is different. So even if you've been to Mombar, it's definitely worth eating at Kabab Cafe. And as different as the food is at the 2 places, so are the brothers. The owner of Mombar is shyer, while the chef-owner of Kabab is likely to hold long conversations and crack many jokes.
The food: delicious. I remember having this absolutely wonderful falafel (I bit into it before I knew it was falafel...I generally don't like falafel...I only found out it was falafel because I asked the chef). I've never been here for lunch, but friends of mine who have say it's a real bargain for the food.
The place is small and intimate. I was here for a weekday date, and it was truly perfect. -
Review from Jess L.
5/8/2010
I chose Kebab over Mombar because Kebab had more options. Furthermore, Kebab was more welcoming, with higher ceilings and more light.
We were greeted by Ali, the approachable and kind chef. He rattled off our options and asked if we preferred vegetarian, meat, or fish. We said vegetarian, and he suggested a falafel, hummus, fava bean, and baba sampler. My goodness, was it GOOD. The spices are different than in more-prevalent "Mediterranean food." It was quite filling and tasty and only $15.
We didn't ask for a menu, but I was curious whether we could have requested one if we couldn't remember everything he had said.
I loved the random but thoughtful decor and the grunginess - but clean - feel of the place. I will definitely be back to try more!
