Kabob G — Restaurant in Memphis

As a girl born and brought up in the Indian subcontinent and being an ardent foodie, I was familiar with all types of flavorful cuisines—Old Delhi's parathewali gali's aloo parantha, Tamil Nadu's Chettinad muttai masala, Andhra's Rayalseema Kodi Vepudu, Bangalore's Benne dosa, Assam's Masor Lau Bilahi Tenga Jhol, Kolkata's Sorshe Ilis, Bihar's Litti Choka, Chandigarh's sarson ka saag and dal makhani, Gujarati dhokla, Haryanvi kadhi pakoda, Kerala's avial, Mumbai's vada pav, Nagaland's chicken with bhoot jholokiya and fermented bamboo shoots, Marwari rabdi ghewar, and Lucknow’s Awadhi biryani.

So, when I landed in Memphis and started craving desi food, I began exploring Indian restaurants. Honestly, I was utterly disappointed. Based on Google ratings, I visited several places, hoping to relive the flavors I left behind, but I failed miserably. Most restaurants forgot what they were cooking or simply modified dishes to suit the American diaspora, which has minimal idea about authentic Indian food.

I once cried after coming out of Golden India. Their paneer tikka was tangy and bland. When I told the server, they snapped back, saying they used tomato sauce and that's how it’s made because “people like it here.” When did we ever use tomato sauce in paneer tikka? Even YouTubers can make better versions! Then I tried India Palace, again based on ratings, and ordered tandoori chicken and palak paneer. Honestly, I wouldn’t have paid even $1 for what they served. The tandoori chicken had neither smoky flavor nor the right spices. And no, tandoori chicken does NOT have gravy!

To be clear, when I say a dish needs “spice,” it doesn’t mean loading it with chili powder or pepper. “Spice” is an umbrella term for carefully balanced ingredients in Indian cooking. Sadly, these restaurants equated “spice” with “heat” and ruined the dishes.

I gave up expecting anything better until my husband introduced me to Kabob-G. Despite fewer Google reviews, he convinced me to give it a try. I first ordered CHICKEN BOTI for takeaway, and believe me, it was one of the most flavorful dishes I had eaten in Memphis. It came with soft rumali roti and green chutney. After a few days, I tried their chicken seekh kebab, and it met my expectations perfectly. My husband, a vegetarian, loved their DAL KACHORI too.

But what truly won me over was their MUTTON KORMA. When they asked about spice levels, I requested it be made the authentic way. And wow, I couldn’t believe I finished a full plate of mutton korma, a big naan, and saffron rice in one go! That’s how flavorful it was. I lost count of how many times I’ve ordered it since then.

What stood out for me about Kabob-G was their commitment to keeping flavors authentic without compromising quality. Unlike others, they didn’t modify dishes to match the non-desi taste palette. Perhaps that’s why their reviews are fewer—they focus on authenticity rather than just pleasing the masses. Their restaurant is clean, too, which adds to the experience.

To those unfamiliar with Indian food, Kabob-G tries its best to preserve the subcontinent’s food heritage. Their dishes aren’t out-of-this-world but are the best in Memphis for keeping it real. They can tone down the “heat” without losing flavor because they use the correct spices. And if you can eat mashed potatoes loaded with butter, cream, and cheese, then you shouldn’t complain about Kabob-G’s food being greasy.

I wasn’t paid to write this, nor do I have an agenda against other restaurants. I genuinely hope Kabob-G continues cooking this way so they never lose loyal...

When I walked in, I noticed the restaurant was nice and clean. We were greeted by a friendly lady. This was her first day on the job and I think she did good. The menu was very limited, which is fine with me. We ordered our food, then when I went to pay, I included a tip. The lady had to void my ticket because she cannot accept tips via a credit card. (I guess because the owner doesn't want to pay the small credit card processing fee). I don't understand that, but if he is that cheap, then he can deduct the cc fee and give the the server the remaining money. If you don't want to accept any tips, just simply remove it as an option for checkout. So our order comes out. They included a little side dish of wilted onions and wilted jalapenos and a shriveled up lemon wedge. My wife ordered the butter chicken and it was greasy and not that great. I ordered the chicken curry and it was excellent, but the portions were about half of the competing Indian restaurants in Memphis. Generally when you order an Indian dish, they always include a side of rice. Not this place! Their rice is al la carte. Ok, that's their business model, I get that, but at least put on the menu that rice is sold separately or maybe ask if we would like rice with our meal. Maybe the rice would have made the butter chicken more palatable? I don't think we will be stopping back by anytime soon. We were the only ones there if that says anything. I had high hopes for...

I have dined at this restaurant for over 20 times for the past year and the food has been consistently good. I have provided my thoughts in five areas based on the numerous visits:

Culinary Fusion: The restaurant skillfully blends the best of Pakistani and Indian cuisines, offering a diverse menu that showcases the rich flavors and culinary traditions of both countries.

Variety: The menu boasts an impressive variety of dishes, from fragrant biryanis and tender kebabs to creamy curries and tantalizing palak specialties, catering to a wide range of palates.

Authenticity: Each dish reflects an authentic representation of Pakistani and Indian flavors, showcasing a commitment to using traditional spices and cooking methods.

Ambiance: The restaurant ambiance effortlessly harmonizes elements from both cultures, creating a welcoming and culturally immersive setting for diners.

Hospitality: The staff are attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the cuisine, ensuring a memorable and enjoyable dining experience for every guest.

Overall Experience: Dining at this restaurant is a delightful journey through the vibrant and diverse culinary tapestry of Pakistan and India, making it a top choice for those seeking an authentic and satisfying dining experience.

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