The seventh installment of my "Kabob Kompendium" profiling various joints in the DMV region that can be broken down into a set of common criteria: 1)ethnic focus 2) kabobs 3)side dishes 4)rice 5)condiments 6)bread 7)dining experience 8) unique dishes 9)x-factor(s). 1)Ethnic focus: Afghan Starting as a local DC food truck and expanding to brick and mortar with several locations in the greater DC area, this is like the Afghan cousin of the local Persian Moby Dick franchise offering moderately priced fast casual kabobs with vegetarian sides and a thicker pita bread. 2) Kabobs: I went with the lamb and was surprised that it was gyro meat rather than actual chunks of meat, so flavor wise it could have easily have been beef and it was cut into large cubes so I would have preferred the shaved slices for a better mouth feel since it came across as a bit salty with each bite. Other choice of proteins include chicken, chicken and lamb, meatball, and chicken mushrooms. Based on the photos, the meats are cooked on the flat top rather than truly kissed by a flame and rotated on a skewer so I think one misses out on the succulence and smokiness of a true kabob preparation. 3) Side dishes: Chickpeas, spinach, potatoes, okra, side salad, pita I went with the spinach and okra and both were seasoned on the blander side since some of the more popular mom/pop joints have a higher spice profile that makes the sides just as enjoyable as the proteins but these feel more like an obligatory balance to the carbs and proteins. 4) Rice: slightly buttery and savory usually due to the fact that it is steamed with some sort of broth/stock, tasty indeed but not as complex as some of its competitors 5) Condiments: probably the weakest element in that there is a white sauce that tastes like a garlicky mayo (I prefer a yogurt based option) and a red sauce that easily could be mistaken for an Asian sambal. A bit surprised the typical vinegary jalapeno sauce is missing. 6) Bread- interesting to note that the combos can be served with pita as your base (other options being rice or salad) or as a side dish option whereas other places the bread is complimentary. Perhaps this is factored into their price point since the cost of a combo does run a few bucks cheaper. 7) Dining experience- more modern décor definitely catered to the younger crowd and with a format reminiscent of Chipotle style customization. 8) Unique dishes: the chicken mushrooms protein option looks almost like a stroganoff/curry concoction of a cream or yogurt based sauce bathing chicken and mushrooms. 9) X-factor: lower price point and limited options make it easy for grab and go with a student-friendly budget. However, it does feel a little more sterile and corporate to veer away from actual kabobs (when kabobs are in the name) and to put less thought into making the side dishes stand out on their own. It does feel like an Afghan Chipotle, but not in the positive sense, since I feel like its rivals come across as more homecooked and authentic. If I were to give advice to the owners of the restaurant group, take a page out of the Moby Dick playbook: have rotating specials, have some more permanent adventurous items rather than playing it safe to the uneducated palate, and consider serving actual kabobs and making the bread complimentary. The DMV community has a longstanding love of kabobs across all ethnicities, so price point shouldn't be the only edge.
Badri S.
In love with tasty kabob. I eat it everyday...literally. Clean and healthy food. Price is amazing and customer service and cleanliness is on point! I'd give it 10/5 stars if I can!
Candice H.
Cheap, tasty, friendly staff, don't have any complaints. This is a great place and more people should check it out.
Sara G.
Great spot that opened up in my neighborhood. I ordered over the phone for pickup and the gentleman was very nice over the phone. Food was hot and delicious. A really nice casual kabob place.
Michael Akkawi
Tried tasty kabob for the first time , great tasty food and the guy we spoke to over the phone was extremely heblpful and knowledgeable !Would highly recommend
Aman Dar
Amazing!! I used to eat at the food truck over at GWU everytime I went to class. Friendliest staff that genuinely cares and looks after you. Not to mention, everything on the menu is absolutely amazing. Really happy to see the brick and mortar location in Tysons. Welcome to the area! You'll be seeing me a lot!!
Sarah Bonney
Delicious food and friendly service! Came on a friend’s recommendation and loved it. Got the lamb and chicken with half rice half salad. The chickpeas were AMAZING. Definitely coming back!!
Stephon B.
Just tried this place for the first time since it opened in my neighborhood. The food was amazing! Great portions, yet still healthy and well balanced! I had the chicken & rice meal w/ spicy sauce. I would have to give it a 10/10! The chickpeas & potatoes are flavorful as well! I will definitely be ordering again!
David Rodriguez
Great food and great customer service with affordable prices.
Shauna R.
Absolutely delicious. First time here and the gentleman at the front took the time to discuss all my options. I had a pita combo with chicken and lamb. The sauces are to die for and the potatoes are on point! Will definitely be back!
Great place to grab a (quick) bite. Met the owner Matt who was warm, welcoming and try to cater to your likings/palate. What i ordered: Rice + mushroom chicken + spinach + lentils Portion: 5/5 it was generous Service: 5/5 Food: 5/5 even though is the chipotle of Mediterranean food. No it is not a bad thing, however, I would like to point that out so people can adjust their expectation. Taste: 5/5 was very tasty Will I go back: Yes!
Bingying L.
Honestly - I walked in and I wasnt feeling and we walked out and went to Santouka. Looked at their menu and wasn't feeling it and boyfriend decided he wanted to try Tasty Kabob. I reluctantly followed along. We went back in and the shop owner was so welcoming to have us back. He started immediately offering samples and asking us whats our preferred spice level. I ended up trying the medium with the yogurt sauce on my chicken mushroom (not spicy enough so I ended up with the medium sauce). Boyfriend got the chicken and lamb on a salad with a pita on the side. SO. MUCH. FOOD. Not only was it fresh, it was delicious!!!! Customer for life for sure. Give them a try!!
Roger D.
Just had it tonight and really enjoyed it! Customer service was great, the food is fresh and hot. I got the chicken and lamb protein and it was only $9! Highly recommend.
Aaron Shen
Great taste and excellent service
Google Play Ramm
Service was great, food was excellent!! I will definitely be back
The seventh installment of my "Kabob Kompendium" profiling various joints in the DMV region that can be broken down into a set of common criteria: 1)ethnic focus 2) kabobs 3)side dishes 4)rice 5)condiments 6)bread 7)dining experience 8) unique dishes 9)x-factor(s). 1)Ethnic focus: Afghan Starting as a local DC food truck and expanding to brick and mortar with several locations in the greater DC area, this is like the Afghan cousin of the local Persian Moby Dick franchise offering moderately priced fast casual kabobs with vegetarian sides and a thicker pita bread. 2) Kabobs: I went with the lamb and was surprised that it was gyro meat rather than actual chunks of meat, so flavor wise it could have easily have been beef and it was cut into large cubes so I would have preferred the shaved slices for a better mouth feel since it came across as a bit salty with each bite. Other choice of proteins include chicken, chicken and lamb, meatball, and chicken mushrooms. Based on the photos, the meats are cooked on the flat top rather than truly kissed by a flame and rotated on a skewer so I think one misses out on the succulence and smokiness of a true kabob preparation. 3) Side dishes: Chickpeas, spinach, potatoes, okra, side salad, pita I went with the spinach and okra and both were seasoned on the blander side since some of the more popular mom/pop joints have a higher spice profile that makes the sides just as enjoyable as the proteins but these feel more like an obligatory balance to the carbs and proteins. 4) Rice: slightly buttery and savory usually due to the fact that it is steamed with some sort of broth/stock, tasty indeed but not as complex as some of its competitors 5) Condiments: probably the weakest element in that there is a white sauce that tastes like a garlicky mayo (I prefer a yogurt based option) and a red sauce that easily could be mistaken for an Asian sambal. A bit surprised the typical vinegary jalapeno sauce is missing. 6) Bread- interesting to note that the combos can be served with pita as your base (other options being rice or salad) or as a side dish option whereas other places the bread is complimentary. Perhaps this is factored into their price point since the cost of a combo does run a few bucks cheaper. 7) Dining experience- more modern décor definitely catered to the younger crowd and with a format reminiscent of Chipotle style customization. 8) Unique dishes: the chicken mushrooms protein option looks almost like a stroganoff/curry concoction of a cream or yogurt based sauce bathing chicken and mushrooms. 9) X-factor: lower price point and limited options make it easy for grab and go with a student-friendly budget. However, it does feel a little more sterile and corporate to veer away from actual kabobs (when kabobs are in the name) and to put less thought into making the side dishes stand out on their own. It does feel like an Afghan Chipotle, but not in the positive sense, since I feel like its rivals come across as more homecooked and authentic. If I were to give advice to the owners of the restaurant group, take a page out of the Moby Dick playbook: have rotating specials, have some more permanent adventurous items rather than playing it safe to the uneducated palate, and consider serving actual kabobs and making the bread complimentary. The DMV community has a longstanding love of kabobs across all ethnicities, so price point shouldn't be the only edge.
In love with tasty kabob. I eat it everyday...literally. Clean and healthy food. Price is amazing and customer service and cleanliness is on point! I'd give it 10/5 stars if I can!
Cheap, tasty, friendly staff, don't have any complaints. This is a great place and more people should check it out.
Great spot that opened up in my neighborhood. I ordered over the phone for pickup and the gentleman was very nice over the phone. Food was hot and delicious. A really nice casual kabob place.
Tried tasty kabob for the first time , great tasty food and the guy we spoke to over the phone was extremely heblpful and knowledgeable !Would highly recommend
Amazing!! I used to eat at the food truck over at GWU everytime I went to class. Friendliest staff that genuinely cares and looks after you. Not to mention, everything on the menu is absolutely amazing. Really happy to see the brick and mortar location in Tysons. Welcome to the area! You'll be seeing me a lot!!
Delicious food and friendly service! Came on a friend’s recommendation and loved it. Got the lamb and chicken with half rice half salad. The chickpeas were AMAZING. Definitely coming back!!
Just tried this place for the first time since it opened in my neighborhood. The food was amazing! Great portions, yet still healthy and well balanced! I had the chicken & rice meal w/ spicy sauce. I would have to give it a 10/10! The chickpeas & potatoes are flavorful as well! I will definitely be ordering again!
Great food and great customer service with affordable prices.
Absolutely delicious. First time here and the gentleman at the front took the time to discuss all my options. I had a pita combo with chicken and lamb. The sauces are to die for and the potatoes are on point! Will definitely be back!
Restaurantji Recommends
Great place to grab a (quick) bite. Met the owner Matt who was warm, welcoming and try to cater to your likings/palate. What i ordered: Rice + mushroom chicken + spinach + lentils Portion: 5/5 it was generous Service: 5/5 Food: 5/5 even though is the chipotle of Mediterranean food. No it is not a bad thing, however, I would like to point that out so people can adjust their expectation. Taste: 5/5 was very tasty Will I go back: Yes!
Honestly - I walked in and I wasnt feeling and we walked out and went to Santouka. Looked at their menu and wasn't feeling it and boyfriend decided he wanted to try Tasty Kabob. I reluctantly followed along. We went back in and the shop owner was so welcoming to have us back. He started immediately offering samples and asking us whats our preferred spice level. I ended up trying the medium with the yogurt sauce on my chicken mushroom (not spicy enough so I ended up with the medium sauce). Boyfriend got the chicken and lamb on a salad with a pita on the side. SO. MUCH. FOOD. Not only was it fresh, it was delicious!!!! Customer for life for sure. Give them a try!!
Just had it tonight and really enjoyed it! Customer service was great, the food is fresh and hot. I got the chicken and lamb protein and it was only $9! Highly recommend.
Great taste and excellent service
Service was great, food was excellent!! I will definitely be back