Just to clarify, Kabul House's menu lists sabzee under appetizers. I got it on my takeout order a few weeks back.

Right, but it's meat free, yes? I think they had the version with lamb on the old menu.

Afghan Kabob in Albany Park would be more similar than Kabobi. I have not been in several years but intend to get back soon while the memory of Kabul House is fresh. Very slow service at lunch was the main deterrent, but that perception may well be obsolete. The thread for Afghan Kabob has no posts since 2009 prior to my bump today.

Afghan Kabob is much smaller, plainer and at a lower price point compared to Kabul House.

Afghan Kabob
4040 W. Montrose
Chicago
http://www.afghan-kabob.com/

cilantro wrote:Right, but it's meat free, yes? I think they had the version with lamb on the old menu.

That I don't remember but it is entirely possible.

=R=

Cabbagehead and I enjoyed our dinner at Kabul House last night. The place was quite busy for a Tuesday evening--we had to wait to be seated in their "tea lounge," an area with comfortable chairs and sofas. Service was a little uneven, but the food was spot on. Even though it now needs to be ordered a la carte, the Aush soup is still a winner, as is the Kadu appetizer, an old favorite. The braised lamb shank and Kabuli Palau were as good as ever. Our waiter kindly comped us a piece of salted-caramel baklava, which was fantastic--not so super sweet as the pastry usually is. I recommend it.

Note: The parking lot continues to be difficult. The gigantic containers that block several spots each are still there, and we were told that if we parked in front of them we might be towed. There were plenty of spots on nearby McDaniel, but too many cars were pulling into the lot and then having to turn around to get out.

EvA wrote:Our waiter kindly comped us a piece of salted-caramel baklava, which was fantastic--not so super sweet as the pastry usually is. I recommend it.

We got some to go at the end of the recent LTH-assisted lunch there. While we loved the savory food, we were disappointed by the couple of desserts we got, including the salted-caramel baklava. It wasn't the level of sweetness, but rather, they were tasteless and bland - which may be redundant, but you get the idea. We'll be back for the savory food, but not the desserts.

Katie wrote:This is a little off-topic, but I want to try Kabul House sometime soon and I noticed it was BYOB. Not yet having any experience with bringing alcohol to a BYOB restaurant, I can't help wondering, do restaurateurs who themselves don't imbibe on principle (e.g., religious belief) feel a little annoyed by customers who bring alcohol into their restaurants? I know, if they say they're BYOB, officially they allow it; I'm just wondering about the subtler sensibility, not wanting to offend.

Is Kabul House still BYOB?

Sweet Willie wrote:

Katie wrote:This is a little off-topic, but I want to try Kabul House sometime soon and I noticed it was BYOB. Not yet having any experience with bringing alcohol to a BYOB restaurant, I can't help wondering, do restaurateurs who themselves don't imbibe on principle (e.g., religious belief) feel a little annoyed by customers who bring alcohol into their restaurants? I know, if they say they're BYOB, officially they allow it; I'm just wondering about the subtler sensibility, not wanting to offend.

Is Kabul House still BYOB?

Just called the restaurant, they are a BYOB restaurant

Sweet Willie wrote:Just called the restaurant, they are a BYOB restaurant

further info on BYOB, they charge $8 corkage per bottle of wine/booze.

Dined last night with 5 others at Kabul House.

Started with Bulanee - flatbread filled with scallion, leek, spiced potato. I thought this was ok, fillings were minimal, would have liked a greater % of filling.

Vegetarian Platter - eggplant, cauliflower, spinach, baby pumpkin (all cooked separately). Cauliflower & spinach were ok, baby pumpkin was cloyingly sweet, eggplant was stunningly delicious.

Kabuli Palau - the national dish of Afghanistan - was really enjoyable, loved the pronounced flavor of the lamb as well as the Afghan rice w/raisins & carrot strips.

A variety of kabobs - beef filet, lamb tenders, ground chicken. The ground chicken Koobideh being my far preferred favorite.

Looking forward to going back and trying other items.

Sweet Willie wrote:

Sweet Willie wrote:Dined last night with 5 others at Kabul House.

Has the parking situation gotten any better?

I agree wholeheartedly about the kabuli pilau (rice and lamb dish) and eggplant, and I really enjoyed the mantoo (dumplings). I'd like to try the other lamb dishes sometime too.

I was impressed by the friendly service, from front door to table and throughout the restaurant.

And the company and conversation were great!

Dave148 wrote:

Sweet Willie wrote:

Sweet Willie wrote:Dined last night with 5 others at Kabul House.

Has the parking situation gotten any better?

Unless they moved the shipping containers, I imagine it is the same. There is no room to expand the lot.

That being said, I cannot remember parking being such a point of discussion on any restaurant in the last few years. They have a lot immediately adjacent to the restaurant. If it fills up, there is street parking available not far away. Unless you have mobility issues, I really do not think it is a big deal.

I hope that all the parking discussion does not deter anyone from visiting. The food is great.

Katie wrote:And the company and conversation were great!

glad you were able to make it!

gastro gnome wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Has the parking situation gotten any better?

Unless they moved the shipping containers, I imagine it is the same.

Shipping containers are still there, taking up 6 spots but if one parks sideways alongside the containers (as I did), the containers are actually taking up 4 spots.

Of the 6 who drove Wed night, a few were able to park in the lot while 3 had to park nearby.

It does matter when I drive my father there. He uses a walker. At my last visit, I had to drop him off in the middle of the parking lot since all of the spots were filled. I drove over to the next street to park.

Just a note about parking. Yes, parking in the McDaniel cul de sac alongside the restaurant is very limited. But this is a mostly residential neighborhood where you should be able to find parking on the street nearby, just not in that cul de sac. You can drive around the block and approach McDaniel from Crain from the south and from there after parking, walk across the grass where the two cul de sacs end, or you can park on McDaniel on the other side of Dempster (a very busy street, be careful crossing).

Another stellar meal last night. Our group of eight ate well with an assortment of kabobs, chicken qorma, and salmon. Shared desserts included baklava and chocolate raspberry cake. I'm not a baklava fan. The cake was great. Great service.

FYI - they're participating in North Shore Restaurant Month. 20% off.