Sticks Kebob Shop — Restaurant in Charlottesville

I’m obsessed with Sticks. It’s healthy, fast, predictable, and priced decently - especially given I’ve heard they pay their employees well. The ONLY reason for 4 stars in the food sub-category stars is because sometimes I feel like there is a piece of chicken missing from my kebab (like there’s too much wood showing on either side) and since my only grievance is the protein portions are quite small in the first place- to them have even less chicken on the stick is upsetting.

THAT SAID, flavor is on point, the green beans a yummy side for the platter, I generally get a chicken platter and add 2 veggie kebabs for $3 more and that makes a huge difference to me in terms of volume! The fire roasted pepper and cilantro lime sauces are the key for me - THEY’RE SO GOOD - texture, flavor, everything.

The hummus is also amazing. You’ll only be disappointed if you arrive hungry and don’t add an extra kebab to your platter/salad.

Pic is of my takeout order of the chicken platter, add 2 veggie kebabs, green beans for the side, and a small side of hummus & flat bread -...

Me, being a long time fan and customer of Sticks on Pantops, I decided to run and grab lunch there today, since its right down the road from my office. Shocked at 1:15 to have an empty lot and only a few people eating.. no line waiting to order. I had to wait for the lady to get off her phone so she could take my order. I ask how she was... no answer. Acting like taking my order was going to be a problem. At first I thought it was my tattoos (I'm a heavily tattooed professional), then I noticed she was covered as well. I said my please and thank you... no reply... my order comes up.. I say it 1 more time... just a blank stare... For a $20 lunch, (huge increase in cost) the owners my need to invest in people who can say thank you for stopping by and learn just a little bit of customer service. Extremely different environment than a few months ago. Sadly I'll have to try the other Kabob place in town next time. Really...

I've had the food as leftovers, and now as a dining in experience. Delicious. I was jealous of my son's veggie salad over my platter, because I'd have preferred two kabobs, and the tabbouleh that made mine a platter wasn't worth the exchange, though very good with the rice. I had African spiced pork loin kebobs, delicious. The red pepper sauce is amazing, and I'd go back for it. My only true issue though was the wait. There was an overload when I was there, and I watched a guy wait for an order the entire time we were there, while we ordered, waited, and ate, about 40 minutes. It was hard to watch. But servers were polite, kind, and helpful. If it's not fast food (it isn't) then the allure of speed shouldn't be in the byline (Fast food, fired up!) I think Guy Fieri did the marketing, maybe. 😋 Great food, but call it in way ahead, and enjoy it in the dining room in the amazing tall-paned view of the bright...