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    Sami's Kabab House

    4.5 (96 reviews)

    Order Sami's Kabab House Takeout or Delivery

    Sami's Kabab House Photos

    SAMI'S KABAB HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Uzbeki qabuli pulao, Mantu dumplings, chicken afghani kebab
    Gab G.

    Ordered delivery from here and had a great experience! Got the Uzbeki qabuli pulao, Mantu dumplings and chicken afghani kebab. The qabuli pulao was the standout, followed by the dumplings. Really liked the pilaf and the sauces were great. It was also a ton of food and we had a lot of leftovers - the dream. Would order again!

    Mantu Dumplings
    Serena X.

    Stopped by because I had a friend rave about the service and food here - unfortunately, I think I've had way better afghani food. Service was also unfortunately very slow although we were one of two groups dining there. Note: they also don't provide tap water so we had to order drinks. My friend and I shared the vegetarian mantu dumplings to share. They came out after the entrees, which was a bit odd, and the flavor of the filing didn't mesh well with the sour yogurt in my opinion. Then we tried the chicken kofta kabob and chicken afghan kabob - both were quite delicious, and a great portion as well. Their main dishes seem to be a hit!

    Lamb Chops
    Ilana Z.

    This is a neighborhood restaurant we've always wanted to try! It's small inside with a couple of tables. When we placed our order, our waiter told us they don't provide water and you can only buy bottled water. I thought this was illegal in NYC but whatever... we bought 2 bottles. We ordered 2 appetizers: the kachalau and manti. The kachalau was crispy and filled with potatoes, but we all loved the manti. They had a great kick to them and the beef inside was yummy. Two others got the lentil soup and chicken soup, and said they enjoyed both. For entrees, we got the chicken kofta kebab, bamiya (okra), and the lamb chops all with the delicious rice with raisins and carrots. We also got a side of afghani bread. The food was very tasty and the highlight was the lamb chops which were cooked to perfection. Don't forget to mix the rice with the white sauce and the green/red hot sauces! We had an issue with our food originally. The owner did a good job of fixing the issue and giving us a new dish. He also gave us tea and dessert on the house, which made up for this issue. Overall, we had a good dinner here but do wish they provided tap water for guests!

    Dolonchapa C.

    What a find! It's a small place so please call ahead! We started with the afghan green tea which was so delicious - had hints of cardamom with green tea. We have started copying this in our house now lol Next highly highly recommend the mantu. Technically they are dumplings but so flavorful and light and just packs a punch. They gave us salad on the house - standard and a generous portion. Recommend ordering some sodas as food is meat and carb heavy. May be just me though. We ordered the lamp chops, kabuli pulao and mixed afghan dish. Each and every kebab was amazing. They were flavorful, aromatic, the meat was tender and juicy and beautifully seasoned. The lamp chops were my highlight cos I'm biased to lamb. Also highly recommend the lamb shank (which comes with the pulao dish). Amazing prep! The rice that comes with these dishes are long grained rice; they didn't stick to each other and was perfectly seasoned and spiced The dish us some dry fruits so it's sweet and hearty :) We ended with the phirni that I didn't love tbh but I didn't care at that point as I was so high on the food. There's a slight chance the owner heard me say that (so so sorry btw) and he did not charge for the phirni. I feel terrible, yes! Will I be back? Heck, yea!

    Extremely dry and tough chicken  I spend 50 dollars pretty much tonight and it was horrible
    Jennifer C.

    Quality has changed Chicken is horribly dry Spend close to 50 dollars on dry chicken I'm very disappointed This was suppose to be my dinner

    Salmon Kabab Chicken Afghani Kabab Lamb Kabab Rice with Carrots and Raisins
    Becky L.

    Mmm what a great find! This is a casual restaurant with maybe 5-6 tables. We started off with the eggplant appetizer which was very good with the pita bread. Our group got the salmon, chicken and lamb kebab over rice with slightly pickled carrots and raisins. The salmon was so flaky and juicy while the chicken was seasoned well and charred. The lamb was slightly overcooked but the rest of the group liked it! I really think the pickled carrots and raisins really elevated the rice and brought a good balance to the meal. Definitely will come back!

    Jasleen K.

    This is my first time at this kebab house. I've had it on my list for a while since a good friend of mine recommended it. I typically travel all the way out to Long Island or the other end of Queens for similar food. I was looking for something more local. I am obsessed with mantu and I'm really excited to say that I did enjoy theirs! it was my first time having Afgan on which was OK. It was good bread. it was also my first time having the Afgan rice & I will say that much to my surprise I did enjoy it. Our waiter bought all of our protein and rice out as a family style so we can all pick at each other's orders. The chicken was pretty tender. The lamb kebab was my favorite. But I will say the lamb chops were so tender, and I would order them again. Unfortunately, the menu indicates that you will pay the same price no matter if you order rice with your protein or not. You can't order a separate order of just protein. I'm not sure if there is a miscommunication when I was requesting that from the waiter, but he also agreed that we cannot get a side order of extra protein. You would have to order the entrée, and it is our choice whether or not we are going to ask for the rice that is already included in the price. Genuinely wish they would allow us to order extra protein on the side instead of wasting so much rice. I ended up packing extra to go home since it was so good. In addition, we had a party of three adults and two babies. The bill had an automatic service charge of 20%. So just a heads up for you guys! When I come here again? Yes! Do I recommend it? Yes! The person that was attending to us also gave us a free dessert on the house. It was a pistachio rice dessert it seemed .. kinda like a custard. It was semi sweet and absolutely perfect for me.

    Sandar S.

    I saw instagram post about this restaurant and decided to try. I must say I made a good choice. Lamb shank is really tasty and meat fall from the bone. Rice is flavorful yet not too overwhelming. Afghan bread and egg plant is a good combo too. The decoration is clean and simple. They already added 20% service charges just to make you guys aware. I would come back to try Kabab and lamb chops.

    Unique green tea taste!
    Jennifer A.

    We came here with a fam of 6 adults, 1 baby. We had three tables pushed together and they had a nice clean high chair for the babe. This is our first time trying Afghans cuisine and we were loving it! All the dishes were great picks! Our favorite was the lamb braised lamb dish. It was so good we ordered another after we finished all the other foods. The mantu was kinda spicy even without the sauce. I generally hate carrots and raisins but I gobbled these up because they were sweet. The guy there is very friendly and provided great service. He gave us some green tea and custard desserts at the end. We have never had this kind of tea or custard before, it's so different from our Chinese teas and custards. They had a very unique flavor taste to it. We definitely recommend this place and would love to come back. I will probably pick up take out if I'm close by and in a rush. Great choice for a freezing day!! I have earned more points as the event/outing's coordinator of the family :)

    Uzbeki Qabuli Pulao (far side), Korma Chalao with lamb (near side)

    Loved - Borani Banjan (with the Afghan naan) - Uzbeki Qabuli Pulao - Korma Chalao with lamb - Shir Birinj - Fast and friendly service Liked - Afghan green tea - Simple and tasteful decor OK - Complementary salad

    Bolani Kachalu (~$6)
    Aya E.

    Ordered: Bolani Kachalu (~$6): fried thin pocket of dough filled with potatoes, sweet onions, cilantro, leek and various spices Mixed Afghan Kabab (~$24): beef kofta, chicken breast kabab and lamb kabab on a single skewer with rice; carrots and raisins added (+$2) Chicken Korma Chalao (~$18): Afghan style chicken stew with rice; carrots and raisins added (+$2) Aya's take: I love Afghan food and have been to Sami's Astoria location many times; we were in the area and decided to check out the LIC location. Off the bat, it's much smaller (6-8 tables) and is more meant for takeout orders. The menus are similar, if not exactly the same. We started off with the Bolani Kachalu which was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and seasoned nicely. The menu says this is "served with our homemade garlic mint yogurt sauce" which we didn't receive. The Mixed Afghan Kabab is my go-to whenever I'm here. The chicken kabab and beef kofta were delicious - super tender, juicy, and well-seasoned. The lamb kabab was a bit tougher and lacked flavor. The portion of rice was also drastically less than the Astoria location. I never had the Chicken Korma Chalao before but it was a great warm dish to have on a cold day. The stew was made with tomatoes and onions, and the chicken was falling apart - unbelievably tender! What I didn't appreciate is that there is a 20% tip added automatically for parties of 2 or more. I would understand if this was a rule for large parties or if our waiter checked on us which he didn't aside from bringing us the food. I think they should reconsider this added fee or limit it to large parties. This review should be a 3.5, but I'll go with a 4 considering it was still a decent meal but I wouldn't come back to this location.

    Mixed Afghan Kabab
    Hayward L.

    Kebabs were all delicious. Also tried the salad which was quite plain with hardly any dressing. Seems to be mostly a takeout spot but there are 4-5 tables for dine in. Service can be a bit slow during peak hours. They do not clearly disclose beforehand that there is a 20% mandatory tip automatically added to the bill. Prices are already pretty steep at $20+ for a kebab. Also no tap water served, you are forced to buy bottled or soda for a hefty markup. I'm pretty sure it is illegal not to give tap water so I definitely will not be returning.

    They DO charge for Qabuli despite their menu CLEARLY stating otherwise
    Najwa G.

    Do yourself a favor- despite the food being great, avoid this place at all costs. The owners are complete scammers regardless of if you go to the Astoria or LIC location because unfortunately the same thing had happened to my dad at the Astoria location. Long story short, the owners will try to rip you off in any way possible. My girlfriends and I went during Ramadan to break our fast the server/one of the supposed owners named Yusuf Zaman (pale, curly hair glasses) was kind enough to give us dates but it went downhill from that. He completely ripped us off on not one thing but FOUR ITEMS. Yes, four! The most upsetting part is when I called to ask them what happened he apologized saying it was Ramadan and he gets forgetful when he fasts. This is BS and as a Muslim and as a human being I'm DISGUSTED by this behavior. You can claim to be a good person but actions speak louder than words and it was clear as day greed was the only thing they care about. So albeit the food is good (I won't lie), this is NYC there's a million other options and to lie straight to my face as a fellow Muslim was beyond upsetting. I'd never go back and I'd save your money for people who run an honest business. However if you choose to go here- CHECK YOUR RECEIPT THOROUGHLY! Here's the rundown for everything they charged us purposely incorrectly with a picture of the receipt for reference- 1. We ordered 2 bottles of water not 3. 2. As you can see in a picture of our spread, there's only one green tea not 4. 3. As you can see in the picture of our spread, there's only one Afghan bread not 3. 4. A VERY clear indication of malicious intentions to scam people is on the menu itself (also attached a picture of this) it says that "all kebabs or entrees are same price with or without Qabuli." Well that would be great IF it was true! See my receipt where they clearly charged a dollar for each dish for qabuli. All in all, I'm very disappointed in this place. And why put up a facade with Ramadan decorations and dates? They are clearly not good people and are scammers and are a disgrace to my religion. I've never been so offended at a place to be deliberately lied to and demeaned. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Sami's Kabab House

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    Darjeeling Kitchen & Café - Himalayan Curry: I don't typically like mushrooms but these were divine and the hint of carmelized onions on the Chinese broccoli was great!

    Darjeeling Kitchen & Café

    4.8(64 reviews)
    1.5 mi•Astoria, Long Island City

    LOVE these momos! Probably the best I've had so far…read more The curry was so flavorful and the pan fried momos were 10/10. The skin of the momos had a perfect texture and the fillings hit the spot. It's a small family owned spot in Astoria, but super close to the train! Our servers were very friendly and service was super quick. Will def be back!

    Best Momos around!…read more If the title doesn't tell you everything, this review will. I found out about this place months ago and it was finally time to give it a try. My spouse and I are always down to find good momos, and this being close by and Tibetan cuisine, it was definitely a must. Ambience: It seats a decent crowd. It has nice Tibetan artwork and you feel the warmth from the owners. It's cozy and it felt great. Service: Top notch. I don't say this lightly. The server sat us down and was just so joyful. Her smile and demeanor made you feel welcomed. Brought us water and asked the usual and offered to explain any dishes. Now we are onto the good -- might I say great -- part. THE FOOD. We didn't order momos on our first visit. Food: My wife got the Himalayan Rice set (chicken) and I got the Rildok. We also got the Shabhaley -- from the description I thought it was literal meat. The Shabhaley, to put it, looks like an empanada. It was far from it in the best possible way. The pastry was crisp but soft and the beef filling was divine! Seasoned with so much flavor and it was paired with a beautiful sauce. The Rildok was exquisite. In my opinion -- I even told one of the servers, whom I now know is one of the owners, that the flavor profile reminded me of a cheeseburger, and it's my favorite new dish. The Himalayan Rice set was awesome. The chicken was tender and flavorful. The tingmo (like a bread) was soft and delicious, paired well with the chicken. The dal reminded me of my own homeland's dal. We've now been back here multiple times. My goal is to try the entire menu. The vegetable khoty momo was surprisingly my favorite, and I'm someone who loves meat. I've now had all the flavors and preparations of the momos, and you can't go wrong! This place is a gem. Their quality of food is top notch, and their actual aunties are in the back making this with so much love. I want everyone to try it. The owner and his staff are amazing and welcoming. They remembered me from my second visit, and that speaks volumes. They're all down to earth and it shows. The passion they have for their food and their kindness shines through. Parking: Can be rough depending on time of day.

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    Jhol Momo, Darjeeling Thukpa

    Darjeeling Kitchen & Café - Of course I had to have Darjeeling tea at its namesake. It was delicious.

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    Of course I had to have Darjeeling tea at its namesake. It was delicious.

    Fast & Buy Halal Food - Combo over Rice Platter

    Fast & Buy Halal Food

    5.0(3 reviews)
    0.6 mi•Long Island City, Hunters Point

    It's a great spot for what it is…read more I got the combo platter and it was great. The guy seemed very attentive, wearing gloves and everything; overall the truck was clean and the food hit the spot - even the rice was pretty good, let alone the other ingredients. Takes cards, including apple pay and zelle (for an extra charge). I believe it's open 24/7 which is very convenient. The truck is also across the street from some public seating outside of an office building.

    So this is amazing I never knew I had a late night halal truck near me im A huge fan of halal…read morefood meaning I can eat halal any day during the week and whatever time but again this is amazing So I just came out of a bar and I was starving and I decided to look around to see what was open and I can't believe I never saw this before. But I saw the fast and buy halal chart and I was so happy and this is amazing to know as well now especially since I go to the bar alot and when I finish I'm starving. I never got the cookers name but he was a very nice guy that service was fast and the food was so so good I got a mix platter with white sauce bbq and wow now I have a spot I can go to whenever I want halal food at night which is amazing and dangerous lol. The menu is also great and I definitely need to try everything else if you are in the long island city area after a certain time or if you just got out of the bar and are starving please please go and check out fast and buy halal food. The Chicken the lamb were so savory especially with white sauce and bbq and with some fries one of the best things ever to be open after 12.

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    Fast & Buy Halal Food - Front of the truck

    Front of the truck

    Fast & Buy Halal Food
    Fast & Buy Halal Food

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    Safir Mediterranean - Grilled Octopus

    Safir Mediterranean

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    Located in Hunter's Point, LIC, this spot is a gem. The ambiance is casual and cozy and the staff…read morewas absolutely so friendly and welcoming. As it was my boyfriend and I's first time trying Turkish food, they helped explain some of the dishes to us. We got their appetizer spread, their lamacun, and their manti. Everything was phenomenal, but I highly recommend their appetizer spread and their lamacun. I loved the spread as you got the chance to try multiple different dips and it was a huge portion. Their lamacun was also the first I've ever had and it made me think: "Why haven't I had this before?" It was so good. Will definitely be coming back.

    Safir is a small, cozy restaurant that makes for a great, relaxed meal. The service was warm and…read moreattentive, and it ended up being the perfect way to wrap up the weekend. The atmosphere is comfortable without feeling crowded, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the meal. The food was excellent from start to finish. The sigar borek were perfectly crispy, cheesy, and just the right amount of salty. The lamb beyti kebab was packed with flavor, and the accompanying sauces really elevated the dish. We also had the manti, Turkish dumplings that were well-seasoned and incredibly satisfying. Portions were generous across the board, and everything tasted fresh and high quality. It's the kind of place that leaves you looking forward to your next visit.

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    Safir Mediterranean
    Safir Mediterranean
    Safir Mediterranean

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    Alam's Halal Cart

    Alam's Halal Cart

    4.3(32 reviews)
    0.3 mi•Hunters Point, Long Island City
    •$

    I had the combo over rice and both the lamb and chicken were so good and tender. I got white and…read morehot sauce and he offered green sauce as well - take it! It has a kick to it. The rice isn't my favorite, a little too 'wet' but a good price of $11 for the food.

    Here it goes again sigh yes it's another halal review. I really do have an obsession with halal…read morefood. Anyway Alam's halal' kart is such a great food kart to get food as you know I reviewed so many halal joints its unbelievable. But theirs a reason I do it I can't get tired of the food and this place is another great example of great food I got my self a chicken over rice with ketchup and white sauce and am definitely going to go their again its cheap it's good the dude was respectful and my plate was 7 dollars for all of that. It's clean and location it's located is great due to fact that you could go get the food and sit down and look in to the pier the food was cooked perfectly and the food was hot. The only downside is yea you have to pay a dollar extra for the pita but it's only a dollar extra that's nothing for good food with a great price. I recommend anybody who is around the area go and check out Alam's halal kart you will not be disappointed. My favorite part of the meal was the rice cause it was balsamic rice and it taste amazing mixed with chicken white sauce and ketchup and the salad was fresh so go get some good food and enjoy the view.

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    Alam's Halal Cart - Lamb over rice with white and red sauce

    Lamb over rice with white and red sauce

    Alam's Halal Cart - Chicken over rice with white sauce and lamb over rice with white sauce and a dash of red sauce

    Chicken over rice with white sauce and lamb over rice with white sauce and a dash of red sauce

    Alam's Halal Cart - Tasty!!

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    Tasty!!

    Sami's Kabab House - afghani - Updated September 2026

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