Mr. Kabab Grill — Restaurant in Asheville

I don't know what some people are saying here about authenticity but I wonder if they are arab. the arab world has all kinds of food that can differ from region to region but speaking as someone who grew up in a lebanese-palestinian household. I found the food pretty darn authentic. the pita they use is the same thin large size one that we ate when I visited my mother's family home overseas. this is the exact pita used in shawarma stands on the street. shawarma is a street food! in the US middle eastern markets will offer various kinds of pita bread cause not all regions make the same kind. your trader joes pita is not "authentic". what I love about this restaurant is the hummus and tabouli. the kubbi was also excellent. the meat can vary between decent to really good. depends on time of day you call in. (I primarily order delivery because of distance from fairview location). the hummus and tabouli though reminds me exactly how my mother and father make it usually. (dad makes the hummus, mom the tabouli salad). unlike alot of other restaurants they don't skimp on the parsely, garlic or the lemon req for certain dishes. too many times I go and there's barely any lemon, barely any FLAVOR at the places I've been to. places like Gypsy Queen are great but more expensive and smaller portions (it's also just better as a dine-in than delivery so if ur tied with time or on a budget then it's not ideal). As for Mr Kabab the kubbi i enjoyed because it was not only hot and fresh (and seasoned properly) but was more meat than shell. a common cost cutting measure is to use more shell than meat. but at least when I ordered it that was not the case. if u want meat ur better off going with the kubbi (or kibbeh) and kababs than the shawarma plates in my experience tho. Anyway the food is good to great, and If you want something more authentic, book a flight to dearborn michigan or another place in the US that has a high arab population otherwise for asheville this is really the best there is at the 15 or less price point. signed-an actual arab american (who misses...

I asked one of the people working there and he confirmed to me that this is a totally independent business, not a chain at all. So, it would be nice to see support for a local business that serves great food! The first time we went here during their first few days of opening, my mother and I loved it! This was some of the tastiest food I've had in this area in a very long time. We got two different Kebab platters (beef, beef kofta, chicken and pistachio chicken) and we also got a third one, the vegetable platter. This allowed us to have a large wonderful yet light meal. We mostly got this much because we wanted to try as much as we could. We were not at all disappointed! it was kind of off hours and they had only been open for a couple of days so it wasn't very crowded.

The Falafel was awesome, the baba ganoush and the hummus areare great as well! Their salads and vegetables are not exactly served in the most southern way, so if you're not familiar with tabbouleh and fattoush salads it might be a little different than what you're used to but very fresh and very good.

I went back a second time about four days later with my sister and brother-in-law. This time I tried the lamb kabob and this is the kebab I have been dreaming of for years since I haven't been able to get it here. So far all of the meats have been very tender and juicy, as well as well spiced yet mild. I have not tried their deserts yet but I'm sure they are fine. On this occasion we went on a Saturday evening during dinner hours and they were packed.

We're all really hoping that they will have success and remain open and in this area. It has been a long time since Oakley had a healthy food choice. And the prices are awesome!

I'm probably going...

Preface: Hedonistic foodie, culinary background, Middle Eastern cuisines are among my top faves.

Mr. Kabob is perfection. I usually can find something to improve upon and give advice to when I have a dining experience. Not here. Ok MAYBE a wee bit more spices and salt in the kofta, but that's if I absolutely must be picky (and a personal preference).

We ordered one of almost all of the standard fare options: chicken kabob, kofta, lamb kabob, kibbeh, hummus, baba ghanoj, grape leaves, falafel, beef shawarma sandwich, walnut baklava and pistachio baklava.

Chicken was not dry and had flavor. Finally! Lamb was cooked correctly (many places over cook it). The kibbeh was amazing with lots of flavor and properly salted. My favorite had to be the baba ghanouj, which was honestly so good I wanted to smack someone, lol. These were some of the better stuffed grape leaves I've had in a while: not overly brine-y and served warm. The taziki sauce was 100% on spot: not runny at all and definitely house made. Falafel was moist and flavorful with an appreciative crunch to the exterior. Just when I thought the joy was coming to a stop at the end of the meal: the baklava, guys. Some baklava is dry and papery like eating tissue paper and/or SO sickeningly sweet that you can't appreciate the ingredients. This baklava was absolute perfection. Don't skip dessert!

Also, the service was wonderful. Very nice folks.

Most certainly A++. Glad we have them a try. We will...