Been here twice! As one reviewer already said and I quote.... "Ali is an artist in the kitchen and makes some of the most amazing foods. The problem is that he's also one of the shadiest people I've ever met. I don't mind paying a lot for good food but he refuses to tell people how much the dishes are. There are no menus. The only menu in the entire restaurant is the one hanging in the front window with the prices of everything listed as half of what he really charges." So when you get your bill, you're screwed if you don't carry at least $200 that he will stick you with. So Buyer beware! And its true, he likes to belittle you if you dare ask for a menu. But he does it in a charming manner that you do laugh but at the same time you realize too he just evaded or dismissed you and dare not ask again. Its very passive aggressive. Also gotta add to that, its filthy in there. There was a roach crawling on the wall behind my date. I dared not tell her cause I know she'd freak out and make a bolt out the door. It was our first date so I didn't want to ruin it for us. It smells like grease from all the smokiness of the grill which is just right in the dining area. It is cramped in there. He should have a separate kitchen. I doubt this guy does a thorough cleaning after closing as he suppose to by code. Its my guess he's paying off a health inspector because there's no way anyone would give this guy a Grade A just by looking at it! At best, It's a Grade C! So one star just for good food. Expect a large bill. And everything else is less to be desirable. read more

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. read more

If I have to summarize this place in a single word, it would be: filthy. I don't know how Ali can possibly pass inspection with such an unsanitary setup. I felt like I was in some impoverished country, eating at some bachelor's rural house. There was dust and cobwebs all over the walls, the containers which hold the food looked grimy, the tables and chairs looked like something that was picked up from a dumpster, and he kept all the vegetables inside this nasty dresser. This place should really be shut down. We arrived here on a Sunday, just a few of minutes after it opened. Charming Ali seemed surprised to have guests, and maybe even slightly annoyed. He was chewing something with his mouth open, spitting a few bits out. Since it's just one guy cooking, waiting tables, cleaning, washing dishes, and taking care of the check, we did expect it to be a bit slow. But this was insanely slow. We got 3 dishes -- a hummus platter, lamb chops, and grilled chicken. We ended up staying there for about 2 hours, most of the time just waiting for our food. As for the food itself -- really nothing special. Sure, it tasted good and it did have that home-cooking feel to it, but that doesn't justify the long wait and the $66 price tag. And it was certainly not worth the trip to Queens. read more

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!!! read more

This review is for the owner only: After walking by and loving the eclectic look of the place, I convinced a friend to change our dinner plans and eat here. We walk in and its completely empty - the chef wants us to sit in this dark cramped booth opposite the entrance and counter. Instead I move us to the more open tables in the rear so we can have some room to breath. He was prepping for the the weekend and busy making a dish when we sit and he begins to tell us whats on the menu. My friend isn't big into red meat so we inform him and after a few dishes we ask what the prices will be... he seems taken back - telling us that he'll tell us after. We were looking to spend perhaps $20 a person and it was clear that this wouldn't happen so after he rattles off 6 fish dishes which he'd be lucky to have had product to serve us - I decide to cut our losses, get out of his little world and find some food elsewhere. What an odd experience... read more

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. read more

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. read more

Ugh. Was taken by friends who raved about the cook and the food. Yes, Ali is voluble and charming, but how the hell can he offer all those different meats when only serving 4 tables a night? It just can't be that fresh. And what's the big deal with tripe and sweetbreads and other offal? You can get them in many places in NY. I thought the dishes were all overwrought and overdone. Ali's philosophy it appears is just throw in more cumin to mask the mediocrity of the dish. Oh, and as for the cleanliness - just give me a halal stand anyday. read more

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. read more

Easily one of my top 5 restaurants in NYC! However one should be prepared for a different experience from a normal restaurant. We came with a group of 6 on a Saturday evening and were seated right away even though it is a small space. Definitely has a "hole-in-the-wall" feel. There are no menus and Ali will tell you what he has available on the menu for that day. We tried all three appetizers that he was making that night, and two of the main dishes. Add a bottle of wine and a few beers and the total came out to $40/person including tip. Really enjoyed it and will be taking back visitors to NYC! read more

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. read more

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! read more

Reading through these comments I'm surprised how mean, narrow minded and judgemental people can be. I'll just be frank and say this place is not for everyone - especially people who judge and critique every element of a meal because they think they are an expert on food. The last people Ali want's in his restaurant are snobby yuppy know-it-alls, and I'm sure he senses them and purposely acts unwelcoming and jacks the price up so they don't come back. You got to remember this place is Ali's. Would you want assholes as guests? To that point this restaurant is different. It's not centered around you. It's centered around Ali - the owner. He comes from a family with a long history in cuisine and is very passionate about his country and culture. You got to take it for what it is. He's there to share it with you so long as you have the right attitude and willingness to learn and enjoy, rather than make smirky comments and tell him how you want the food prepped (unless of course you have a food allergy - he will ask you). I'll admit the place isn't super clean but it adds character. He plays some of the best music I have heard in any restaurant featuring an eclectic mix of blues, desert jazz, old school rock n'roll, 1930s French music and latin music. Whenever I come here on dates it feels like the scene in lady in the tramp because you are being served by the chef, its very private, and you seem to get lost in space and time through the food, wine and music. I've never paid more than $60 (for myself) for eating a massive meal featuring appetizers, main, dessert, wine and coffee. Sure it's more than the shawarma place down the street but frankly the quality is better and it keeps it from getting too busy. I've had the lamb cheek stew, lamb shank, sweet bread, bull testicles, mixed appetizer, some vegetarian eggplant dish, grilled cauliflower, and pumpkin yogurt dumplings. All of them were delicious! For the food adventurer who wants to try this place, come with an open mind and just chill. I don't recommend bringing up that you saw it on Food Network - if so do it cautiously because he doesn't seem to like it. That's usually an indicator that "oh you're one of those." Enjoy and happy eating! read more

Ali is back and better than ever! Was closed for a time, but now he is back open and has lost none of his touch. We had the mixes plate, artichoke heart salad, Egyptian moussaka was fantastic ("No two bites should taste exactly alike"), hibiscus tea...all served with a smile. Homemade yogurt compote for desert. read more

Kabab Café - Egyptian Moussaka - Middle Eastern Near Me - Astoria, New York

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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. read more

Could not disagree with previous reviewers more, an odd occurrence I must admit. Incredibly pretentious attitude & uncomfortable attitude presented by the "brilliant" Ali. Trust me, I definitely could not be any more sarcastic here. Not sure where all the glowing reviews come from as I've never felt as insulted & unappreciated as a customer before. I've been lucky enough to eat in restaurants in NYC and other places around the world my entire life , this isn't just a normal "he's a genius, leave him alone" kind of experience. More like, be prepared to be insulted & treated as insignificant if you don't fit the bill for his perfect customer. Please avoid & give business to any number of other excellent Middle Eastern cuisine options in the immediate area. Maybe once he starts treating his customers better, he might actually have more than 3 tables and possibly a working A/C system (in the middle of an August heat wave) to badger his paying customers and stand on his giant pedestal in front of. read more

(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. read more

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. read more

Kabab Cafe is one of those places that shouldn't even need reviews. You should just go. Yesterday. However, I've been here twice and had two completely opposite culinary experiences so I guess I'll share. #1 A cold, rainy night in December. A friend was in town so we went there and totally lucked out by getting a table on a Saturday night. More to keep costs down than anything else, we decided to be vegetarians. Everything was incredible: sardines (ok, fishetarians), sweet potato dumplings, roasted artichoke hearts, and of course a bottle of wine. We were a little jealous when our neighbors were served their lamb dish but were completely content with what we ordered. The bill arrived and we each owned around $30, and that's when we realized that it seems like it doesn't matter what you order at Kabab Cafe. You'll probably end up paying the same amount, so you might as well go all out! #2 So that's what I did the next time. I went with a friend for lunch about a month ago and decided to put our meal in Ali's hands. Probably the most over-the-top lunch I have ever eaten, not to mention the parts of the animal I ventured to try. No wine this time. We started with mint tea, pita with a really spicy sauce, and beets. We were pretty much the only people there so we got special attention and many, many dishes: lamb cheek with egg, lamb liver, lamb tongue and then....sweetbreads! This may be the only restaurant that I'd want to eat any of those things because Ali exudes this love for the food he creates and it's infectious. You feel like it's an honor to eat these dishes, and that makes it ok that it's pancreas! We would have stayed for dessert if we weren't completely stuffed. The price was about $35 a person. So if you haven't been, go. You can be as adventurous of a diner as you want or stick to just veggies and fish--the experience will blow you away no matter what. read more

This is the best restaurant in all of New York City. I refused to leave my old neighborhood because I simply needed to be in walking distance of Kabab Cafe. Any time I have guests, I take them here. As a result I invite more people to stay than I should, just so I have an excuse to go back to Kabab Cafe. This is the best food I have ever had in my life. Ali is a treasure to the city and to the world in general. After having been out of the area for a year, I walked in, he remembered my name, said he missed me, and we talked for a half-hour about where I had been while for me some of the most delicious things I had ever eaten. Listen, the pricing here is loose. The menu changes. The service is personal. If you come in here and you're a little brat that expects everything handed to them because you saw it on some silly TV show, you may end up getting charged a service charge. Stay in Midtown. If you come by and you're a real person and you enjoy the company of other people in a local, established, really special neighborhood place you'll find yourself coming back here for as we're graced with its existence. It's small and gets crowded with 6 people there. It can get hot inside. Welcome to the real world. We eat good food here! read more

Whenever anyone asks me about the best restaurant I've ever been to in New York, I tell them Kabab Cafe. An unsuspecting hole in the wall in the heart of Astoria's "Little Egypt," you'll find some of the most incredible and inventive dishes, prepared by a chef who caters to each patron's specific taste buds. There's no menu at Kabab Cafe, or at least that's what Ali, the chef, told my mom and I when we asked. Instead, he asked us what types of meat we like, what flavors we like best, and went to work behind the tiny kitchen that's in the middle of the small restaurant. Watching him work was truly like watching an artist hone his craft. I ate delicious lamb, and my mother had a filet mignon dish that was out of this world. I'd recommend this place to anyone who's looking for a unique, authentic, out of the box dining experience in New York -- without the long lines or hype. read more

Just because one of the Travel Channel's famous ambassadors tells you a place is good, doesn't necessarily mean it is. The owner's larger than life presence dwarfs the mediocre food and cramped quarters. The food is average and the prices are outrageous. (Small goat shank with turnips and carrots = $29, Hummus/Fava/BabaG app =$19) Try Sabry's right across the street if you're looking for delicious, reasonably priced Egyptian food instead (they specialize in seafood and are BYOB). read more

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. read more

OK.. I am probably the millionth person that came to this place because of No Reservations- Whoever said having a meal of 6+ entrees and wonderfil service for 55 bucks per person for 4 adults was expensive (this incl 6 beers) and an on the house dessert plate enough for 6 people to sample, is INSANE!!!! You are in NY of all places.. experiencing authentic food, with some major Zimmerman qualities to add to the experience. The Restaurant if small, I mean it's tiny, a whole in the wall, and you see Ali cooking and you wonder, hell, how does he do it? Most places in NYC that received recognition need line cooks and a huge space, using, Al Clad cookware, but this man uses the simplicity of basic houseware cookware items..but he cooks with love and passion! Even by the way he spoke to his customers, he had personality- which definitely followed through with his food. The was no menu- who needs menu when you have someone to lead you on a culinary explosion of an experience? Ali told us what was available and described everything with zest and excitement, that I was salivating with anticipation. The Pita came out with a homemade spicey sauce that was very spicey and delicous. Appetizer Sampler- Hummus, Baba Ganush, Falafel, Fried Lettuce (so oil and melts in your mouth) Everything was creamy and had a wonderful consistency and taste. Lamb Brains-This had a hint of lemon and was crispy and melted in my mouth. It had a hint of dill, and tasted very fresh, combination of crispy battered brained with the lemon was very refreshing to my palate. The texture crispy on the outside, with a creamy center. PLEASE !! if you have not tried brains this is the time to do it! Lamb Tongue- The tongue was in a wonderful tomatoe based sauce with veggies and small olives. The meat was cooked until it had a slight "bite" left, but it was not too tough. The sauce was a rich thick sauce with onions, and carrots and tomatoes. Seasoned with cumin and other spices til the flavors melted into the organ meat. Now if you have eaten Tongue before, having the meat marinated well with the sauce takes quite awhile and takes alot of skills! Crispy Fried Smelt- Fried and battered to perfect, sprinkled with Cilantra it was seasoned so well, I kept popping this in my mouth non stop, the fish is small, has head and tails, but it's very soft so you can eat it all, just chew it up and swallow! Braised Lambs, and Lamb stuffed w/ nuts- all were amazingly good ... Seafood of scallops- hmm I can skip this, the sauce was good but the scallops were nickel size. I like my scallops hearty and large. Overall the experience was fun.. yeah there was no menu and no price, but the food came out to be like 60 bucks per person , incl. drinks and tip.. plus it's a culinary experience. Its just fun to sit and eat a meal and not feel rushed. We were there for 3 hours, all the time enjoying a great conversation with the man himself. He never rushed us, and when they closed for lunch time, the staff sat and ate together, all awhile, we were still finishing our meal, plus they offered us some chicken too! Complementary desserts were also given as a good gesture! read more

My buddy Ford dragged me in here, which is never a good sign, because he's a self-described foodie* who is easily swayed by the kind of bogus New York dining hype that hoodwinks suburban transplants ("2 hour lines" "best in the city," etc). Anything Ford wants to dry hump is worthy of a pat on the back. For once, stunningly, Ford was right about a restaurant. This place ain't bad. The hummus was bitingly spicy and present, resurrecting taste buds I murdered years ago with vomit and whiskey. The owner could sell that hummus in stores and make a fortune. The fish was excellent and he did a great show of peeling out the creepy little fish ribs and patting down the edible pieces of fish on our plates. I liked his presentation and his style. My only criticism is that the food is overpriced and the place doesn't have a menu. I don't care if you guys can elaborate on how authentic it is and how the gruffly charming owner makes up for that glaring deficiency in restaurant management. Yeah, I know, it's his little corner of Egypt in the USA, but his peers on Steinway Street have menus, so let's all give it a rest with the olden days/exotica defense. We spent 120 bucks for a party of three, which won't force me to sell my plasma anytime soon, but no one felt the cost was exactly fair (except for Ford, whom I have witnessed feign cheeky enthusiasm over pizza slices; the man is tragic). My other gripe is that the dining room is small. Hopefully the owner gets a bigger space someday. Not only could he fit in more customers, but he'd have plenty of room for menus... *Yeah, yeah, shut up. I'm friends with a grown man who proudly calls himself a "foodie." read more

What an experience! Chef Ali treats you as if you are a guest in his home. The quality of the food and flavors is amazing. If you're looking for a leisurely dinner with phenomenal food and an excellent ambiance, this is the place for you! read more

I had hummus/baba ganoush/falafel platter that I shared with a friend and we both loved it. It was the best middle eastern dip/meze platter I had in a while. Apples and peppers were a nice addition, also something that seemed like fried lettuce. People complain here about prices - our platter was $14 and we shared it so not sure what is expensive about that. Not having a menu was confusing at first but once we said I was a vegetarian and we were not super hungry (it was lunch time) the chef/owner came up with an idea. Honestly it was fun - if you are in a hurry or in a bad mood or just a jerk ... don't go. I read the reviews and most of them to me sounds like people who should stick to diners and mainstream style restaurants. The place is definitely an experience and can be fun if you go with a flow. read more

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 read more

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. read more

Delicious, simply delicious. There are no menus. We just said "meat" and "adventurous" and got a stack of dishes that were all delicious, including lamb brains, tongue, sweetbreads, and more. Service was great - Ali was awesome and a great chatter. We interacted with the other parties in the restaurant - something that doesn't happen all that often in NYC, but was a blast. It was more expensive than we anticipated. We had a LOT of food, and we were thrilled, just more than we thought it would be (about $100 for 2 without tip). I have a feeling if we had asked for mixed veggies/meat it would have been cheaper. But, we didn't mind paying since the food was fantastic. Also, I know traditionally one doesn't tip the owner, but we left a tip anyway - we weren't really sure what to do here. Anyone else care to weigh in on the tip vs. no tip for the owner? read more

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. read more

One star for Ali. One star for the appetizer platter. Meh on everything else. Coming back from Egypt, I was seriously craving Egyptian food. I dragged my friends to Kabab Cafe since it has glowing reviews on Yelp. First, there was a long wait. Okay, I get that it's a popular place. Fine. Second, the owner's son/nephew, who was bussing that night, had an attitude problem. My friends and I were trying to be as charming as possible but this kid is a sulky brat. Chalk it up to teenage angst I guess. If I were his age and working on a Saturday night, I'd be pissed too. Okay, angry attitude overlooked. But dude, I just can't excuse a place with no menus. Yes, Ali is fun and entertaining. But I want choices. I need a menu. Nothing was provided. So I ordered the duck. It was too sour/vinegar-y for my taste. I normally devour my poultry like it's my last meal on earth but I just couldn't finish this dish, let alone take it home. My friend's kofta was okay but it does not even compare to the kofta in Egypt. My other friend's lamb w/ pomegranate sauce was just so-so as well. Okay on to the after dinner tea with mint. I expected something with the likes of mazbut Al-Arosa tea but got Lipton with mint leaves instead. I just can't win with this place. Bill came, it was around $33 each. Not worth it after an unsatisfying meal. Maybe it's because it was so full that night and the wait was long. I'll come back and update this review after another jaunt over there with another set of friends (the other 2 refused to come back). read more

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/watch?v=WBFDvyi6p64. 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] read more

Those who give poor reviews for this place obviously consider TGIFridays the ideal dining experience. They like a menu which is the same in Corcord, NH as it is in Stockton, CA. They don't want to talk to their server unless it is to make their order or ask for the check. Basically their ideal dining experience is predictable, pedestrian, and bland. Kabab Cafe is none of the above. It is like dining at a friend's house. You don't get a menu, you ask the chef (who is also usually your server) what he suggests. He cooks you a loving, home-cooked meal. You eat it and enjoy it. You converse with him about Che Guevara, the merits of Lebanese vs. Egyptian Arabic, and whatever else. And you leave happy. The prices aren't always cheap, but they are well worth it. The food is amazing, and prepared with pride and care. In fact, this is the ultimate dining experience. The man who is cooking your food is also serving it to you and explaining to you what ingredients he's using, why, and how he does it. I feel like if this place was in Manhattan, it would be $200.00 a plate. But $25 for the BEST lamb dish I've ever had? I'll take it! Again, if your ideal dining experience is Applebee's, skip this place. If you like amazing, authentic food cooked with care and served in a homey, friendly, and genuinely personable environment, try this place out. You won't be disappointed. read more

FOOD, STELLAR--BUT SKETCHY PRACTICES ABOUND The food is amazing, truly.Offal is the business. But this whole, not showing prices if for sucks. First time there I was suckered in to not pursuing the pricing. 2 ladies eating in the middle of the afternoon for lunch=$50. Worst, when the maitre d'hotel was asking Ali what to charge us, "Should it be $30 or $49?" . "Definitely charge them more" is what Ali said. My companion spoke Arabic and it was all I could do not to throw some sweetbreads at them. So yes food great, but this shady business. I shan't return. I can get good food elsewhere without feeling like I'm being taken. read more

Had heard great things about this place, including how funny and charming the owner/chef was. We sat down, and while Ali was going over some specials, he abruptly explodes and starts screaming at us telling us to get out of his restaurant. Apparently he thought one of the women in our group, who smiled, was making fun of him. It seems he's never had an attractive woman smile at him before. Anyway, he made a big scene and threw something at us as we left. We were in complete shock and a little shaken by the display. I would add we were as mellow and respectful as dining patrons get. Looking through other reviews, it seems this experience was not unique to us. If you're looking to dine in a cramped, unclean space with a volatile owner, this is your place! If you're looking to be treated like a normal person, there are plenty of other good restaurants in Astoria. read more

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. read more

Bigger than expected, nice service, but a bit on the exp. side for authentic food. Well, it took a month, but we finally went here. Sucks that I was kind of sick that week. But I wasn't sick enough to wuss out on some brains and balls. This place, as it looks from the outside, is really small. But with creative seating arrangements, a bench table that seats 6 all of sudden can fit 8 (a tight fit) by pulling out the table so some one can seat at the inside. Although not super packed on a Thursday that we went, they had a continue stream of customers throughout the night, so we were never the only group in the restaurant at any one time. The decor is lay back, with a variety of masks and sculptures on the walls. There is also a constant middle eastern music playing in the background that was preppy enough to keep things going, but not crazy like a dance floor kind. Ali was describing all the food that we are having, we just told him we mainly came here for brains and balls, and everything else is his recommendation. So we had: Beef Tongue - This dish is delish! All the flavors of beef, and the texture of tongue (scratchy on the outside, but smooth on the inside, its closer to organs than to muscle in terms of texture). Brings back all those childhood memory of having beef tongue soup... Veal Sweetbread - a little tangy, with all pickled veggies that it is served with. The sweetbread is tender, very similar to how you would get it in high end french restaurants, but the pickled veggies and the spices gives it away that you're not in a french restaurant Lamb Brains - Yum, finally got to the brains. They were so delicious. Soft and tender, and they only look a little bit like brains. If I didn't tell you what it was, you wouldn't have known. Again, similar spices as the tongue Ox tail - This was the weakest dish IMO, only cuz I like Ox tail in a stew, when the meat is literally falling off the bone. This wasn't quite there, but it was close. Grilled hearts - Chewy, but not too much so like chicken hearts in a yakitori restaurant. lamb balls (aka testicles) - Seriously, this was too finely chopped for anyone to know. Has a texture of liver, but not the flavor. The portion was kind of small compare to other dishes rabbit meat (tried this) - this was served cold. A bit like chicken, but drier, more like turkey, and the meat was chewier, probably because it was served cold dessert - a variety ranging from baklava, to the banana pudding/cake. That was the best dessert. So yes, I have ate brains and balls, and they were delicious. The only thing is it came out to $43+ per person, a bit steep for authentic any type of food. Just think, other than the balls (I'm not sure about the price), everything else is relatively cheap to procure. It wasn't like I was having shark fin or foie gras. Still, I enjoy the food, but its not cheap enough to go on regular basis. But I won't mind going if I have friends that want to try these middle eastern delicacies. read more

My best friend lives in the area (Astoria) and invited me out to have dinner at this spot. Said, "dude you GOOOOTTA try this spot". He's a foodie like me so I was game. It is VERY small but quaint location. The owner is the chef/cook and was very nice (coming around to shake hands and make nice small talk). VERY CONFIDENT about his food. And with good reason. This cat rocks a golden hot plate and is an artist with middle eastern spice! I had the shawarma (on recommendation of my homie) and I have to say that it set the new definition of what Shawarma should taste like. I have NOT found a spot that has come even close. As a matter of fact, I don't each shawarma very much anymore (because I don't live in Astoria). :) After we decided to veg out across the street at the hookah lounge and wanted to get some pastries to go with our tea. I ran back across the street and even though he was closing, he opened up to hook me up with a nice variety of baklavas and other similar sweets. This guy kicks ass. A bit on the pricey side but when you have the chance to eat this good with people you love, it just doesn't hurt that much. I will be back! Daddy Like! read more

Don't go if you're in a hurry, or feeling self-righteous, anti-social, or stingy. But this place is very special. The food is out of this world and is served by a man who completely loves what he cooks and will do everything in his power to make you feel the same way. read more