Maiwand Kabob — Restaurant in Columbia

It’s always a great feeling when you’re from out of town and decide to take a chance on a new spot. Originally we had planned to find brunch somewhere, but ended up doing a switch around. Looking at the reviews, we thought it would be a cool spot to check out as we’ve never had Afghan food before and my husband and I love to try new foods from different parts of the planet. PERFECT DECISION Upon walking in you get this cozy, mom and pop vibe. You’ll find that the dining area is small and will come to wonder why they don’t have a bigger space because the amount of patrons that came in for pick up and take out orders while we were dining in were anything BUT few and far between. And we’re talking about 1PM on a Thursday. Can’t imagine what this place looks like on the weekend. The lady who took our order was respectable and kind. Made sure that she had our order correct and said thank you. Seems like basic stuff but nowadays a lot of people have been slacking on basic manners let alone customer service, so it is much appreciated and makes me feel welcome into a space along with wanting to revisit. The food took maybe 15 minutes to come out? The mango shakes we ordered came about 5 minutes before the food. Not bad at all for a non-fast food spot. I got the Thursday Special which was Do Piaza and hubby got the Chicken Malai. The lamb in the do piaza was SO TENDER! When I tell you I had to remind myself to chew? That tender. The flavor was so warm and comforting and full. Definitely had to spit out a couple of peppercorns or cloves but I’m used to that what with my family being from the Caribbean where whole spices left in food are a common thing. The Chicken Malai was steaming hot with a bright and inviting flavor. The subtle but present taste of grill char mixed with the mint and parsley spices was so delicious. Don’t even get me started on the cilantro yogurt sauce. The perfect pairing to everything we had even though it was only meant for the Chicken Malai. I’m a sauce girl so I appreciated it being a flavorful addition to an already flavorful meal. I guess I should mention that the mango shakes were also delicious. I don’t know if they use fresh mango or not but I just really enjoyed that it wasn’t too sweet at all. It was more so refreshing than a dessert. I could definitely see myself drinking that everyday (and it low key passing for healthy). I’m not a huge sweets person and I’m used to shakes being sickeningly so but this mango shake was a perfect balance of sweetness, mango, creaminess, and ice. All in all we really enjoyed this place and will definitely be back the next time we find ourselves in Columbia, MD. We’re already looking for an Afghan spot in Columbia, SC and I hope it lives up to what we experienced with...

The first time I ever visited this place was back in the 1990's, not long after it first opened. I've been a fan ever since then. The food tastes excellent. I highly recommend the pumpkin and the kofta kabob (made of beef). And in spite of high prices, Maiwand Kabob is still a good value since the food is so filling and tasty. I only have a few complaints: First and worst is the wait time. It takes forever to get your food, and I count on waiting up to 25 minutes just to get a kofta kabob. Second, the dining area is small and utilitarian, so you'll end up sitting in a rickety chair with people walking right by your table. Third, the wait staff isn't rude, but nor are they friendly. It's kind of a bummer having to deal with people sans personality. However, I still highly recommend the place simply for the quality of their food. If you want to cut out the problems I mentioned, just call a half hour a head, order some food, and pick it up. You need to eat here, especially if you haven't had Afghan food.

I have only eaten at one other Afghan restaurant in the area, which was "Afghan Grill" in D.C. While the quality of their food was about the same (maybe even a little better) as Maiwand Kabob, the prices were much higher and portions much smaller....

I recently had a delightful dining experience at Maiwand Kabob in Columbia, Maryland. I opted for their Grill combo, featuring succulent beef and chicken, accompanied by a delightful array of sides: fragrant rice, freshly baked Afghani bread, chickpeas, and a refreshing salad.

The portion size was so generous that I couldn't finish it all and happily took some leftovers home. Watching the meat getting grilled right in front of me, thanks to the partially visible kitchen over the counter, added to the excitement and anticipation of the meal.

The flavors were nothing short of fantastic! The meat was tender and bursting with savory goodness. The fresh-baked bread was a treat, and the spices infused in the rice enhanced its taste remarkably. The chickpeas brought a delightful texture and taste to the combination.

The staff at Maiwand Kabob were incredibly friendly and welcoming, making the dining experience all the more enjoyable. Their service was top-notch, and they took care of every detail.

Overall, I had a fantastic dinner at Maiwand Kabob, and I can't wait to return, this time with my family in tow. It's definitely a place worth recommending, and I'm eager to explore more...