The owner requested a cash deposit of $1000 for a friend's bachelor party and, after mutually agreeing to shift the intended date, later freaked out over the phone when I called to check in on the new date and refused to return the deposit.Instead, he demanded that we arrange for the dinner to take place in the middle of the week when it was convenient for him. I would not send my worst enemy to this restaurant.
John Carlson
Ali has a beautiful soul and it is reflected in his restaurant. My wife and I were not boisterous enough and he encouraged us jokingly "be louder I need to hear you as I am very insecure about my cooking". Would recommend getting a fish of some sort and vegetables.
Tadashi Kaneko
Food was very average and took close to 2 hours. Cost was $100 for 3 dishes. The place was not sanitary and most certainly doesn’t pass sanitary inspection.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Adam Segal-Isaacson
Excellent place (but not cheap). Limited menu, changes daily. Very small place (about 10 seats max). But it's great food and chatting with the owner\chef is fun. Size of place encourages interaction between the people eating also, which is fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lawrence Wood
Like going to Uncle's house. Yes, it was cramped and not so comfortable, but the food was exquisite and prepared with love. A unique experience altogether.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Shank
Conner K
A unique and interesting experience, with an owner with a big but sometimes overly caustic personality.Ali, the owner, is a big character, very passionate about what he does!Ali loves the cultures of the world, and aims to make his restaurant a monument to authentic Alexandrian cuisine. Stepping into kebab cafe is like stepping into Ali's home where he will prepare you a home cooked meal of your choosing and often will entertain you with conversation of a wide array of topics.I will warn while Ali is often a fun character, sometimes his antics can be too pushy, and I have found him sometimes to get overwhelmed and become grumpy and unnecessarily mean.The food itself is exotic, not particularly masterfully cooked, but will push your comfort zones. I appreciate that he will go out of his way to accommodate dietary restrictions and even, prepared seperate portions of dishes for me from my friends without onions to satisfy my dietary intolerance. However, I will warn that although he did this without us requesting, I felt he went out of his way to (beyond his typical flamboyant colorful reactions) to repeatly scold me for the extra work I caused him.A place worth a try if you are seeking something unique and have some time on your hands, but requires a sense of humor to enjoy, and the willingness to tolerate some moody behavior if you catch him on the wrong day!Dietary restrictions: He will accommodate you, but you will be verbally punished for having them and forcing him to accommodate, so your call!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Lamb Cheeks, Lamb Shank, Over Cooked Veggies
jaguarean
I never ate inside the facility I've been inside several times. Hence, I have ordered from them and let me tell you,
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lamb Cheeks, Lamb Shank
Ryan Eick
Food is good, maybe not the best middle eastern in the area, but it’s got a whole lot of personality
Adam Wildavsky
One of NYC’s gems. Easily worth a trip to Astoria.Dietary restrictions: Ali will take take of any request you have.Parking: Try the municipal lot at 30th Ave and 38th St.Kid-friendliness: Bring them at any age. They’ll have a good time.
Recommended dishes: Lamb Cheeks, Lamb Shank, Over Cooked Veggies
Aryn Quinn
One of the best dinners and evenings in my life. Ali greeted my boyfriend like a long lost brother and me the new girlfriend with a gigantic hug.Don’t go expecting to eat asap. Ali takes his time, tells his tales, preps and cooks all by himself.WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!
I find it funny how people come in here expecting something different that what Ali doesn’t pretend to offer. If you walk in here and see what you see, why do you think it will magically be what you want it to be. This one was of the most magical evenings from the warm hearted Ali. A dinner we will never forget and those who come on here giving 0 stars and complain how Ali does his cooking shouldn’t have come in at all. If you know you know … thanks Ali for a lovely evening ?? ?✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Colin Coogan
Probably my fave restaurant in the city, period. Chef Ali js the man, he will whip up some of the best food you’ve ever had in your life while engaging in funny and thoughtful conversation. Every time I go here there’s some other group here who say they’ve been coming for decades. I got engaged here. Its the best. I see some comments complaining about the service and cleanliness - those people are dumb and have no idea what they are talking about. They should stay in Manhattan where they belong. Kabab Cafe forever!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Samir Ahmed
Don’t waste your money nor time here. As soon as I entered the restaurant, my first instinct was to leave. But decided to give it a chance. The food is mediocre and overpriced. The Kitchen is filthy, the Cook, Ali, is unhygienic. He picked food that fell on my table and ate it. Everyone who has left a negative review here is absolutely on point and accurately depicts what you’ll experience. The reviews by New York magazine and The New Yorker seem to be of times past. Definitely not as described nor depicted. This place is a health hazard and ought to shut down
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lucas Warfield
I was excited for my meal after reading excellent reviews here. The no menu schtick is a trap for the chef to provide inconsiderate service and arbitrary pricing.When I walked in I bought into the romanticization of the chef owner concept.Don’t make that mistake.By the time I left, 2 hours later for 2 small dishes, I’d been served over-cooked, over-seasoned, lazily prepared food in an uncomfortable setting.I was charged an exorbitant price for the displeasure.Worst meal I’ve had in NYC. Due to the chef’s aggressive and rude manners I couldn’t have a conversation with my guest without the chef intruding.I am alarmed by the lack of basic food handling safety.The chef and owner Ali was coughing and sneezing onto the dishes as he prepared them.Bleach and other cleaning products are stored haphazardly adjacent to food prep areas.See attached photo for the conditions of the cooking space and equipment. Due for an inspection ASAP.Do yourself a favor and go to any number of excellent options in the neighborhood instead.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Lucy S
This place ought to be shut down, it is such a health hazard. To summarize:• prices are absurd• no menu, so owner charges what he wants• dirty food prep area• rude owner who uses his old guy “charm” to get away with poor hygiene, slow service and unwelcome advances towards customers〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️The health department should flag this place down. The kitchen is unkempt, the cast iron pan on which the steak was served had a thick layer of carbon that was definitely not foodsafe, and lots of things were being flung around with insects flying around in his tiny kitchen. Plus, bleach and cleaning products were right next to a couple of food containers that he was serving sauces right of. Honestly the worst meal I’ve tried and dirtiest venue I’ve ever seen in all of Queens.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️I don’t understand what people mean by all the comments regarding Ali’s charm, he was rude to new patrons coming in that didn’t know his restaurant didn’t have a menu, was upset at us for bringing in an outside drink that was pretty much fully consumed, and made me feel uncomfortable as a woman.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️I wanted so badly to enjoy this place but the food can only be described as “dog food” by me and my partner. Ali dumped old soggy veggies and an already cooked steak into the oven on a dirty cast iron pan. The food came out soggy, overcooked, and covered in miscellaneous spices that seemed as if he had dumped his entire spice collection into.The cauliflower salad was also soggy, too acidic, and was prepared with no caution.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️I’d avoid at all costs. Leaving this place made me feel sick to my stomach after my meal ended. Never again. Astoria is too rich of a culinary destination to deal with a place like this.
The owner requested a cash deposit of $1000 for a friend's bachelor party and, after mutually agreeing to shift the intended date, later freaked out over the phone when I called to check in on the new date and refused to return the deposit.Instead, he demanded that we arrange for the dinner to take place in the middle of the week when it was convenient for him. I would not send my worst enemy to this restaurant.
Ali has a beautiful soul and it is reflected in his restaurant. My wife and I were not boisterous enough and he encouraged us jokingly "be louder I need to hear you as I am very insecure about my cooking". Would recommend getting a fish of some sort and vegetables.
Food was very average and took close to 2 hours. Cost was $100 for 3 dishes. The place was not sanitary and most certainly doesn’t pass sanitary inspection.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Excellent place (but not cheap). Limited menu, changes daily. Very small place (about 10 seats max). But it's great food and chatting with the owner\chef is fun. Size of place encourages interaction between the people eating also, which is fun.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Like going to Uncle's house. Yes, it was cramped and not so comfortable, but the food was exquisite and prepared with love. A unique experience altogether.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lamb Shank
A unique and interesting experience, with an owner with a big but sometimes overly caustic personality.Ali, the owner, is a big character, very passionate about what he does!Ali loves the cultures of the world, and aims to make his restaurant a monument to authentic Alexandrian cuisine. Stepping into kebab cafe is like stepping into Ali's home where he will prepare you a home cooked meal of your choosing and often will entertain you with conversation of a wide array of topics.I will warn while Ali is often a fun character, sometimes his antics can be too pushy, and I have found him sometimes to get overwhelmed and become grumpy and unnecessarily mean.The food itself is exotic, not particularly masterfully cooked, but will push your comfort zones. I appreciate that he will go out of his way to accommodate dietary restrictions and even, prepared seperate portions of dishes for me from my friends without onions to satisfy my dietary intolerance. However, I will warn that although he did this without us requesting, I felt he went out of his way to (beyond his typical flamboyant colorful reactions) to repeatly scold me for the extra work I caused him.A place worth a try if you are seeking something unique and have some time on your hands, but requires a sense of humor to enjoy, and the willingness to tolerate some moody behavior if you catch him on the wrong day!Dietary restrictions: He will accommodate you, but you will be verbally punished for having them and forcing him to accommodate, so your call!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Recommended dishes: Lamb Cheeks, Lamb Shank, Over Cooked Veggies
I never ate inside the facility I've been inside several times. Hence, I have ordered from them and let me tell you,
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Lamb Cheeks, Lamb Shank
Food is good, maybe not the best middle eastern in the area, but it’s got a whole lot of personality
One of NYC’s gems. Easily worth a trip to Astoria.Dietary restrictions: Ali will take take of any request you have.Parking: Try the municipal lot at 30th Ave and 38th St.Kid-friendliness: Bring them at any age. They’ll have a good time.
Recommended dishes: Lamb Cheeks, Lamb Shank, Over Cooked Veggies
One of the best dinners and evenings in my life. Ali greeted my boyfriend like a long lost brother and me the new girlfriend with a gigantic hug.Don’t go expecting to eat asap. Ali takes his time, tells his tales, preps and cooks all by himself.WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I find it funny how people come in here expecting something different that what Ali doesn’t pretend to offer. If you walk in here and see what you see, why do you think it will magically be what you want it to be. This one was of the most magical evenings from the warm hearted Ali. A dinner we will never forget and those who come on here giving 0 stars and complain how Ali does his cooking shouldn’t have come in at all. If you know you know … thanks Ali for a lovely evening ?? ?✨
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Probably my fave restaurant in the city, period. Chef Ali js the man, he will whip up some of the best food you’ve ever had in your life while engaging in funny and thoughtful conversation. Every time I go here there’s some other group here who say they’ve been coming for decades. I got engaged here. Its the best. I see some comments complaining about the service and cleanliness - those people are dumb and have no idea what they are talking about. They should stay in Manhattan where they belong. Kabab Cafe forever!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don’t waste your money nor time here. As soon as I entered the restaurant, my first instinct was to leave. But decided to give it a chance. The food is mediocre and overpriced. The Kitchen is filthy, the Cook, Ali, is unhygienic. He picked food that fell on my table and ate it. Everyone who has left a negative review here is absolutely on point and accurately depicts what you’ll experience. The reviews by New York magazine and The New Yorker seem to be of times past. Definitely not as described nor depicted. This place is a health hazard and ought to shut down
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I was excited for my meal after reading excellent reviews here. The no menu schtick is a trap for the chef to provide inconsiderate service and arbitrary pricing.When I walked in I bought into the romanticization of the chef owner concept.Don’t make that mistake.By the time I left, 2 hours later for 2 small dishes, I’d been served over-cooked, over-seasoned, lazily prepared food in an uncomfortable setting.I was charged an exorbitant price for the displeasure.Worst meal I’ve had in NYC. Due to the chef’s aggressive and rude manners I couldn’t have a conversation with my guest without the chef intruding.I am alarmed by the lack of basic food handling safety.The chef and owner Ali was coughing and sneezing onto the dishes as he prepared them.Bleach and other cleaning products are stored haphazardly adjacent to food prep areas.See attached photo for the conditions of the cooking space and equipment. Due for an inspection ASAP.Do yourself a favor and go to any number of excellent options in the neighborhood instead.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
This place ought to be shut down, it is such a health hazard. To summarize:• prices are absurd• no menu, so owner charges what he wants• dirty food prep area• rude owner who uses his old guy “charm” to get away with poor hygiene, slow service and unwelcome advances towards customers〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️The health department should flag this place down. The kitchen is unkempt, the cast iron pan on which the steak was served had a thick layer of carbon that was definitely not foodsafe, and lots of things were being flung around with insects flying around in his tiny kitchen. Plus, bleach and cleaning products were right next to a couple of food containers that he was serving sauces right of. Honestly the worst meal I’ve tried and dirtiest venue I’ve ever seen in all of Queens.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️I don’t understand what people mean by all the comments regarding Ali’s charm, he was rude to new patrons coming in that didn’t know his restaurant didn’t have a menu, was upset at us for bringing in an outside drink that was pretty much fully consumed, and made me feel uncomfortable as a woman.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️I wanted so badly to enjoy this place but the food can only be described as “dog food” by me and my partner. Ali dumped old soggy veggies and an already cooked steak into the oven on a dirty cast iron pan. The food came out soggy, overcooked, and covered in miscellaneous spices that seemed as if he had dumped his entire spice collection into.The cauliflower salad was also soggy, too acidic, and was prepared with no caution.〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️I’d avoid at all costs. Leaving this place made me feel sick to my stomach after my meal ended. Never again. Astoria is too rich of a culinary destination to deal with a place like this.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1