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The King Restaurant
Category: Middle Eastern [Edit]
Neighborhoods: West Roxbury, West Roxbury Center1894 Centre St
(between Hastings St & Park St)
Boston, MA 02132
(617) 323-5181
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- None
3 reviews for The King Restaurant
The King is the sister restaurant of Coolidge Corner's Sharwma King. Here the focus is not on sharwma but on kebobs and the delicious flavors of charring meat on sticks.
I ordered two meat platter dinners for take-out. The Lamb Shish-Kabob ($13.99) and the Chicken Kabob with Garlic ($12.99). Both platters are served with rice, a choice of hommous or bab ghanouj, King Salad (chopped salad of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, parsley), pickles and a package of pita bread.
The meat was cooked to perfection. The chicken was sharred slightly, tender, juicy and moist. It was piled generously on a bed of fragrant rice that was tasty. The red onions and pickles in the center of the chicken and rice provided a cool crunch to the meat's heat. The side of hommous was flavorful but there was a bit too much olive oil on top for such a small portion for my taste. The King salad had nice flavor too. The chicken platter comes with a side of garlic spread; it was too thick to be considered a sauce or dip. It was very good and provided more depth of flavor to the platter.
The lamb was also cooked very well; juicy and tender morsels of meat.
I didn't order the falafel here mainly because I'm not a fan of the Sharwma King's falafel. I find that their cooking it ahead and then nuking it for orders leaves heavy and oily balls.
The menu is well priced and inexpensive. The most expensive dish is the Lamb Sish-Kabob at $13.99. Sandwiches run from $5.99 - $6.49 and there are at least a dozen vegetarian choices for you non-meat eaters out there.
I have to be honest with you. As someone who is 100% Lebanese, and grew up on home-cooked Lebanese cuisine, I have to say that this is not a good replacement to Samia's. Not only was Samia's authentic and handmade, but it was also of much higher quality than The King. This is the equivalent of McDonald's putting table cloths on their tables and calling it casual dining. I have eaten at The King on 5 occasions, and have been very disappointed. If you're seeking authentic Lebanese cuisine, don't waste your money. Instead, I recommend you drive to Cambridge and go to Cafe Barada...they are the real deal.
I was sad to see Samia's close, a former Lebanese restaurant in the same location. King is a nice replacement. It has a larger menu also with Lebanese specialties. Young and eager staff (not to belittle Samia's, manager was old and running the place on her own!). I'm really impressed when i see a teen working behind the counter who is passionate about the menu. Arab videos and music on the large TV adds authentic atmosphere. Prices are good too.