Balkh Kabab Afghan Chai Khana — Restaurant in Town of Hempstead

I hosted my son’s first birthday party here, and everything was initially great. The staff was friendly and gave us a reasonable price. However, on the day of the event, we had about 10 extra guests, which was more than we had initially counted. Instead of charging us the correct amount, they tried to add an extra 8 more on our bill. To be on the right side, we even counted the chairs and any plates our late guests took. Yet still they added five more on our bill. No problem, we had more people so they even offered the restaurant side to do the food which was big of them. However, they also claimed they wouldn’t charge a service charge but tried to bring it up in our bill later. They then wanted to add it as a tip. They kept saying the tip was whatever you wanted to give, but they insisted on a base amount regardless.

Whatever they told you to book with them wouldn’t be the final result, even if your party had ups and downs. At the end, they portrayed their help as a favor.

To make matters worse, they were also taking some of our food that we catered from outside, yet also charged us for when THEY themselves asked if the hosts (us) ate. I thought they were asking to be nice? But no. It was so they can add it on our bill. Tricky people! On top of what was so unprofessional is they limited how many kabab ONE PERSON could get?? (2 per person like what, we were never told this??) ALSO owners daughter kept coming in our party, taking goody bags, our centerpieces & our desserts. While it wasn’t a big deal, they should have at least asked us, we were more than happy to offer our food to them. They are extremely understaffed. When I went to put up my decorations (which they graciously allowed me to bring a day earlier BUT later portrayed as a favor to give them more $$), I had to wait about an hour and more for someone to move the tables, chairs and clean.

The owner was extremely cheap. He was hesitant to give us garbage bags (that we were using to HELP THEM CLEAN UP!) and tinfoil dishes. I got several complaints from my guests that he was rude. I understand that you’re an older person, but that doesn’t mean you have an attitude to whoever speaks to you. We helped them clean up our entire tables, I helped set chairs and tables for my own event as well, yet we still paid a tip just for them to move food & some tables/chairs back and forth.

In the end, they played a heavy trick on us. The manager plays good cop and the owner plays bad cop. One says something else and the other will say something else. It’s all a game to them. The food is just fine, go to Shirazi, higher selection and the food is the same! Be cautious when booking your next event here. I told all my guests about this extremely unprofessional place, never will my guests come...

I hosted my son’s first birthday party here, and everything was initially great. The staff was friendly and gave us a reasonable price. However, on the day of the event, we had about 10 extra guests, which was more than we had initially counted. Instead of charging us the correct amount, they tried to add an extra 8 more on our bill. To be on the right side, we even counted the chairs and any plates our late guests took. Yet still they added five more on our bill. No problem, we had more people so they even offered the restaurant side to do the food which was big of them. However, they also claimed they wouldn’t charge a service charge but tried to bring it up in our bill later. They then wanted to add it as a tip. They kept saying the tip was whatever you wanted to give, but they insisted on a base amount regardless.

Whatever they told you to book with them wouldn’t be the final result, even if your party had ups and downs. At the end, they portrayed their help as a favor.

To make matters worse, they were also taking some of our food that we catered from outside, yet also charged us for when THEY themselves asked if the hosts (us) ate. I thought they were asking to be nice? But no. It was so they can add it on our bill. Tricky people! On top of what was so unprofessional is the owners daughter kept coming in our party, taking goody bags, our centerpieces & our desserts. While it wasn’t a big deal, they should have at least asked us, we were more than happy to offer our food to them. They are extremely understaffed. When I went to put up my decorations (which they graciously allowed me to bring a day earlier BUT later portrayed as a favor to give them more $$), I had to wait about an hour and more for someone to move the tables, chairs and clean.

The owner was extremely cheap. He was hesitant to give us garbage bags (that we were using to HELP THEM CLEAN UP!) and tinfoil dishes. I got several complaints from my guests that he was rude. I understand that you’re an older person, but that doesn’t mean you have an attitude to whoever speaks to you. We helped them clean up our entire tables, I helped set chairs and tables for my own event as well, yet we still paid a tip just for them to move food & some tables/chairs back and forth.

In the end, they played a heavy trick on us. The manager plays good cop and the owner plays bad cop. One says something else and the other will say something else. It’s all a game to them. The food is just fine, go to Shirazi, higher selection and the food is the same! Be cautious when booking your next event here. I told all my guests about this extremely unprofessional place, never will my guests come...

I can’t say enough about our incredible experience at Balkh Kabab Afghan Chai Khana. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth and hospitality that made us feel like family.

The food was absolutely spectacular—beyond expectations. The chicken was unbelievably tender, melting in our mouths with every bite. The beef and lamb were perfectly seasoned, but the beef kebabs stole the show—so incredibly juicy and flavorful. The rice was cooked to perfection, and the sweet touch of carrots and raisins on top elevated every bite.

What truly set this experience apart was the exceptional service and hospitality. The restaurant owner personally checked on us, ensuring everything was just right, and even went out of his way to fix our order without hesitation. The gentleman at the front was just as gracious, making us feel valued and cared for. When we offered to pay for an incorrect dish that our kids changed their minds about, they not only let us keep it but also refused to charge us—a rare and generous gesture that left us speechless.

As a testament to their generosity, we were also served Chai and Firnee on the house, which was the perfect way to end an already amazing meal. The owner’s credibility and experience in running a well-established Afghan restaurant in Astoria since the 90s truly shines through in every detail—from the food to the atmosphere to the impeccable customer service.

The environment is warm and inviting, making it the kind of place you want to return to over and over again. Ample parking is a bonus, making the visit even more convenient.

I can’t wait to come back and explore more of the menu. If you’re looking for authentic Afghan cuisine with next-level hospitality, Balkh Kabab Afghan Chai Khana is an absolute must-visit. Five stars...