Kababesh Grill — Restaurant in Kirksville

Update: maybe pass on this place after all. I got butter chicken one time and it was obvious to me they had mixed freshly cooked chicken with some older inventory that had gone off - I bit into a piece that was CLEARLY rancid. On another occasion I got naan, and one of the flatbreads had white droplets of something bitter on it, which I couldn't identify - I suspect it was cleaning solution.

TLDR: The food is great. Give them a chance. Feel free to ask for a recommendation, based on your tastes. They might be willing to make something off-menu for you, as long as it involves ingredients they already have on hand. They will adjust spice levels to your preference.

MENU: Wide variety of Indian/Pakistani food. In general, think tender, braised bits of meat in some spicy, flavorful sauce over rice.

FOOD QUALITY: Most folks seem to go for the buffet, which is closely attended and stocked with fresh food, in my experience.

MENU FAVORITES: The naan is 50% of the reason I go. Always freshly made. Toasty. Buttery, crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside. Perfect. (If you're not gonna get the garlic naan, just stay home and eat a bologna sandwich.)

The potato cutlets are pretty good, and probably one of the most accessible items for folks who aren't familiar with the cuisine.

I'm a big fan of the vegetable samosa (large, crispy, triangle-shaped fried dumplings filled with spiced potatoes and peas.) It's worth getting just for the sweet chutney that comes with it - IDK what it's called, but I believe it's mainly tamarind and raisins.

The achaar (pickled green mango and a vegetable I couldn't identify - some sort of gooseberry, I think - very salty, lots of spices) is my Lithuanian friend's favorite thing on the menu, and I like it too. If you're feeling adventurous, get some and use it as a condiment.

I usually order shrimp/prawn korma. (It isn't officially on the menu, but they've always been willing to make it for me.) Basically a mild, creamy sauce made with cardamom, onions, and cashews. If you have an aversion to chilis, this dish is for you. The reason I order it is to dip naan in the sauce; I would happily make a whole meal off of just that.

I also always get the mango lassi, with no ice. It's a mildly sweet smoothie made with mango juice and yogurt.

The basmati rice is excellent. (I know... it's just rice, big deal.) But here it's always perfectly cooked; tender, with just the right al dente texture. Trust me - when rice is the bulk of what you're eating, it makes a difference.

MENU FAILS: The only criticism I can think of is that the tandoori chicken tends to be dry. That said, if you're new to the cuisine, it's probably the most accessible entree option.

FRONT OF HOUSE SERVICE: Shout out to homegirl with the curly blonde hair. (I realize now I've never asked her name, damn.) Last I heard, she was married to the cook/manager. She's a hoot. Shooting the breeze with her for a bit is the other half of the reason I go.

KITCHEN SERVICE: It's always the same, sole, solitary guy cooking, as far as I've seen. (Somebody give my guy a couple weeks off.) Friendly and cordial.

COMPETITION: Only South Asian restaurant in town (and maybe for about a two-hour drive in any direction.) Check it out.

ATMOSPHERE: Go early and you'll have the place to yourself. If you're an American patriot, you'll appreciate all the flags. Changing table in the men's room, for all the crybabies who can't...

I can not suggest this place, was the food bad, no but its listed as a buffet, and I wanted to try all the differnt dishes they offered so I specifically came for the buffet. Upon arriving I noticed only one car in the parking lot, never a great sign. There were printer paper signs with pen notes everywhere, sorry no buffet till further notice, don't touch the ac, employees only, this area closed, sorry. The signs being old and half the dining room closed off, it looks like this place gave up during covid and never cared after. Everything looks like squatters are running a popup resturaunt inside an abandoned resturant.

When I sat down there was 4 glasses on napkins at my table i had to clear away to have room for my food to be placed. They immediatly brought out ice watter in a plastic pitcher that was covered in grease spots and stains from them throwing the pitcher and greasey pans into cold water into the same sink together. The ice had floating black bits from the ice machine needing serviced... I asked for a soda and the guy was confused, so i asked again and again... he just looked at me and said no drinks only water... the wayer tasted like dirty pitcher and stale old never changed filtered tab water... i avoided as much as i could, while it wont kill you it was unpleasent.

The menu waa cheap plastic copy paper pages typed out on ms word that were stained sticky and wrinkled... needed to wash my hands after touching

Finally my food arrived and it was decent, the rice... my first indian meal where the rice was not nicely seasoned... very plan no ciltrao and lime etc, not the best indian ive had but 3/5 stars. My main complaint is ive never not been given naan bread with my meal before. And i felt like from all the lazy cuts and changes that they probably dont offer anything that couldnt be mass made and held in a big pot in the back.

All in all this place seems to barely be running and mainly as a order to go place. If you dont mind runjing the risk of getting sick from all the short cuts and as a food safety trained/ex resturant runner.... the massive amount of food safety violations... then maybe...

The customer service is very bad. And coming to food its terrible. As an Indian we know the taste of every item and the items I tried here doesnt even match 20% of what it should be. I wish there should be a food inspection going on often especially for this restaurant. Because even as an Indian I got sick couple of times eating the food from here. Expected the food would be good at-least once as this is the only Indian restaurant in the kirksville and disappointed every time. Coming to the Non-Indian people, you may be finding it good because of the flavors. But this is not the taste or flavor it should be for the original item. I warn the Non-Indian people to be careful. It’s better not try here rather than getting sick by eating the unhealthy food. For every Indian item having every ingredient ready it takes at least 20-30min to prepare but how does this guy could prepare whole bunch of order with more than 5 items takes just 30min that too with only one cook. Unless he is a Master chef champion who won dozen’s of...