DIAMOND KABAB HOUSE — Restaurant in Toronto

September 03, 2024, update: There is a new person cooking and managing today, and he cannot cook. I ordered wings, and I was told it would be 15-20 minutes. He had just given a pizza to waiting customers, and he was unoccupied. While he was cooking our wings, his friends arrived, and so after his friends ordered and paid, he gave a portion of our wings to them, and then cooked additional wings for my take-out order. I waited 40 minutes for wings that were overcooked. They were not crispy and tasty as I have come to expect from Mecca Halal Pizza; rather, the wings were saturated with oil. They did not have any taste other than oil. My guests at home commented that it tasted as if it was cooked in oil that had not been changed in a long time. Further, one group of wings was not evenly covered in sauce. The cook simply poured a small amount of sauce on the wings while they were in the plastic-foam delivery box. Portions of the wings did not have any sauce on them at all. Further, as we were waiting for our wings, the people eating the pizza complained to the cook that they needed more sauce because the pizza had no taste. Further, the cook let his friends into the kitchen to hang-out with him while he made food, and this seemed remarkably unsanitary for a restaurant.

What seems to be the case is that the owner doesn't seem to work at the restaurant anymore, and the person who was hired to work on September 03 has absolutely ruined the restaurant. In the future, I can no longer plan to purchase food from this restaurant because I now know for certain that I cannot expect edible food unless I can be assured that the owner, or his regular manager, are working that day. If I arrive at the restaurant expecting one of them to be there, and then they are not there, then I can only turn around and leave, and I would need to spend time travelling to a different restaurant.

Sadly, my purchase from Mecca Halal Pizza on September 03, 2024, was so disgusting that nobody could eat the food. It was all placed in the Organic Waste Bin. What a waste of time and money. Most tragically, what a disappointment. Everyone anticipated good food from Mecca Halal Pizza, and they were absolutely disgusted with what was provided for us. Mecca Halal Pizza needs to be concerned that its new employees can maintain their established high-standards, otherwise they will lose loyal customers. If they cannot find someone to provide what they promise in the short-term, then they should not open the restaurant on that day.

This is 5-stars compared to the large pizza and wings chains. It is really hard to find good pizza, and it is even harder to find good wings, but this place has them both. Yesterday was my first visit, and I was pleased by the low prices, and amazed by the good quality! The pizza had a good amount of toppings, generally more than what comes on a pizza from a chain store. The crust was thinner than what I prefer, but it still worked. The wings were great! Freshly deep-fried, and the hot sauce that I chose for the wings was tasty, and well-integrated into the wings. When I purchase wings from chain pizza outlets, it is always obvious that the sauce was splashed-on at the last minute, and the sauce always seems separate from the wings; but here, the sauce was part of the wings! Fantastic! Decades ago, pizza places in Canada used to be family-owned, and that was reflected in the high-quality of food because the owners and workers had pride in what they provided for customers. Today, that same concern to satisfy the customer is absent from all of the pizza chains, whose workers don't seem to care what they serve customers. I don't know if the owner of Mecca Halal Pizza was the person who prepared the food for my family last night, but whomever the chef was, he had pride in the food that he prepared, and my family happily acknowledged that while enjoying the meal at home. And that is hard to find these days. I will return, the next time that I decide to purchase pizza and wings. That is the best compliment that I can give...

Mashallah! The food was absolutely perfection.

For those seeking a true taste of Afghan cuisine, Diamond Kabab House is an exceptional choice. Located in a convenient spot, this cozy yet vibrant restaurant serves up authentic Afghan dishes that transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Central Asia.

The star of the menu is undoubtedly the kababs, which are expertly grilled and bursting with smoky flavors. Whether you're indulging in the tender lamb, juicy chicken, or mixed platter, each kabab is perfectly seasoned with aromatic spices and cooked to a delicious char. The kebabs are complemented by sides like fluffy pilaf rice, crisp salad, and naan, each of which highlights the restaurant's commitment to quality and authenticity.

In addition to the kababs, Diamond Kabab House also offers a selection of flavorful stews, such as qorma (a spiced meat and vegetable stew) and aushak (steamed dumplings stuffed with leeks and served with yogurt and mint). These dishes exemplify the depth of Afghan cooking, balancing spices and herbs in a way that feels both comforting and exotic.

Vegetarian options are also worth exploring, including dishes like bolani (a stuffed flatbread filled with potatoes and herbs) and sabzi (a spinach-based dish), which provide a wonderful complement to the meat-heavy offerings.

The ambiance is warm and welcoming, with a casual, family-friendly vibe. The service is attentive, and the staff is more than happy to guide you through the menu if you’re unfamiliar with Afghan cuisine.

Overall, Diamond Kabab House is a fantastic place to explore authentic Afghan flavors, offering hearty and delicious meals in generous portions. It's an ideal destination for anyone looking to enjoy a comforting, flavorful meal that stays true to its cultural roots. Highly recommended for both newcomers and aficionados of...

This review was written when the business was under its previous name: “Mecca Halal Pizza”. I have never visited Diamond Kebab

I’m so sorry I have to give such a low rating and poor review. If I made this review anytime from 2023 and earlier, everything would be 5 stars. The previous manager/owner was excellent. He made sure the phone was always answered. He always provided very friendly service. He knew his regular customers and treated them favourably. He always produced great quality tasty pizza and wings. I have been ordering from this location for so many years, and my children and friends always asked for this pizza when we had birthday parties. HOWEVER the new manager has been such a let down. The quality of the pizza has been inconsistent and generally less appealing. The amount of toppings is minimal, but the cheese is excessive. The value of the food for what we pay has become disappointing. The service has become less friendly, and more challenging to place orders. I see less people dining in, but also it takes even longer to receive an order. Today we called the store 4 times without an answer — I knew something was wrong. We went to the store anyway to see if we could order in person. All of the lights were out, the store seemed empty, but the door was open wide. When we entered the store to ask about what was happening, the manager said the store is closed because he’s sick — but he was in the store, in the kitchen talking with someone else. Sadly this is our last time trying. I’m so unimpressed with this new manager and unfortunately we have to start ordering our pizza and wings at...