Afghan Kitchen - Main Street — Restaurant in South Salt Lake

We came here a couple of times in the last few years. I can still remember the first time they opened in 2016; we were one of their first customers. The location is odd for sure, amidst industrial/commercial warehouses, junkyards, and factories. Nonetheless, they've come a long way on their food quality since they've first opened. We can really see that reflected in their prices over the years.

So what we're trying to do every weekend is, order lunch from various restaurants for pickup, and have a picnic at the park. So last Sunday, our pick was Afghan Kitchen, where we ordered online (via Seamless) for pickup at 1:30 PM. I started calling the restaurant around 12:30 PM to confirm our order, as I didn't receive any confirmation email. Someone pickup around 1 PM, and told me they don't open till 3 PM! I have no idea why Seamless allowed me to place my order for pickup when they don't open till much later. He told me to come pickup my order at 3:15 PM, shortly after they open at 3 PM.

Hungry and looking forward to starting our delayed day, we arrived around 3 PM, where we saw the guy standing outside distraught. He informed us the power was out, and understandably impacted his kitchen. He told us he'd have our food ready soon. We received our food around 3:40 PM. Since we were starving at this point, we asked if we could dine outside, where the server welcomed us.

We ordered the Mix Kabob and Lamb Shahi Kabob. The mixed kabob came with chicken tikka and a ground beef skewer, while the lamb shahi kabob came with chicken tikka and lamb tikka. They gave us many sauces as well. We liked the green chutney, white sauce tasted diluted. The food was absolutely delicious. So much better than the previous times we came here. We were some of their first customers when they opened, and after a couple times we didn't want to come back. But now I can see why they raised their prices, although it doesn't justify the location.

While everything was fine and dandy and we were there enjoying our meal, I got up to ask for more chutney. The guy we were dealing with all this time told me to try to finish up. His reasoning was that their power was out and he didn't want customers coming to order, since they can't serve them. This caught me by a bit of a surprise, as I didn't expect that from him. His reason and logic was flawed. I failed to understand how us dining out would impact him serving customers. I'm assuming his online ordering system was off due to no power, and even if any orders did go through, he'd have to accept and confirm it. Usually the customer doesn't come to pick it up until it's confirmed. If the customer shows up, it's their fault for coming without getting the confirmation. If customers show up to dine in or place and pick up an order in person, they can see the power outage. But what are the odds customers will come for lunch/dinner at 3 PM on a Sunday, when their operating hours are 3-8 PM everyday. I'd assume customers would come in more after 5 PM for dinner. Lastly, I doubt anyone would drive by the remote industrial location of the restaurant on a Sunday, and decide to order there just because they saw us dining out.

I know the guy was probably stressed because of the power outage, so I'll give him a break. Didn't really say anything to him, except hoping the power is restored soon. Anyway, the food was good, probably the best Afghan food we've had here in the city, and we'll be back to try their...

My boyfriend and I brought my parents here for dinner because my boyfriend and I love Afghan Kitchen so much, and my parents loved it!

Every time we come here, the warm, welcoming smell of delicious food envelops us the moment we walk in. Minar, the server, is always the most wonderful person: she’s friendly, upbeat, and amazing in every aspect!

The food is the best we’ve had! They put some kind of flavor-filled seasoning on many of their food items (it almost looks like paprika, but it’s more flavorful and tastier). The season is so good, my boyfriend will make sure every grain is consumed by scraping it up with garlic naan from our plates!

We were also able to try their rose water ice cream, which I do not know if they have on their menu consistently. It was some of the best ice cream I’ve ever had! It had a distinct rose flavor, but it was so mellow in a good way. Topped with crushed pistachios (as you can see in the picture), I would legitimately be able to eat an entire gallon of this by myself!

Their pudding, Firni, is also the best pudding I’ve had! The flavor is mellow, but you can taste cardamom in it, giving it an extra unique flavor that makes your taste buds crave more! They also put crushed pistachios on top, which adds a delightful texture! I would want to order this, and I would take this to parties because it’s such a delicious flavor that everyone needs to try!

Everything is house-made—their sauces, their naan, their dessert… everything! And I feel like family when I dine here! I am blown away by the quality of Afghan Kitchen on...

Attentive places (Afghan Kitchen) ran by hard working folk, are what keeps my continuous love of food alive. Exceptional places like these are why I don’t even mess with chain restaurants. At a chain you get frozen/processed food thrown into an oven or fryer by a glum employee. While here massive plates of gratifying/nourishing food are delivered to your table by the same people who put their love into making it.

Like seriously, when I say "nourishing" I’m not kidding. Every dish is perfectly balanced and nutrient dense with a protein, a carb, vegetables, fruit, and dairy. Protein: the meat is always sublime, tender, and falls right off the bone; you can tell it’s been cooked low and slow for many tedious hours. Carbs/fruits: a side of aromatic rice comes with every dish and is full of warm spices and dotted with sweet raisins. Vegetables: veggies of all sorts (spinach, eggplant, peas, carrots, cucumbers, pumpkin, mushrooms) are cleverly incorporated into everything. Dairy: there’s always a bowl of tangy yogurt provided to slather over all the yummy stuff. Or you could purchase a mango lassi which is super creamy, tangy, and sweet.

Everything on the menu is hearty, comforting, and full of complex flavors. You can taste the amount work and dedication in each bite. I really can’t suggest this gem enough; it’s very special. Overall, it’s such a feel-good restaurant as you know you’ll get a lot for your money, you know you’ll leave sated, and you help support people who do what...