Kabab Palace ∙ Tempe, AZ
Rating: 
Kabab Palace may sound like a generic name for a Middle Eastern restaurant, but don’t overlook this place–it’s currently home to the only Afghan cuisine in the Valley, and it is owned by the former operator of a well-regarded Afghan restaurant in San Francisco. I had never eaten Afghan food before, but thanks to a nice write-up by Geri Koeppel, I was familiar with many of the dishes before arriving at the restaurant.
I wanted to try an authentic Afghan beverage, so our server recommended Yogurt Soda ($3), which isn’t actually listed on the menu. It is a very hearty drink, but be warned it is extremely sour–much like buttermilk. If you’re like me, you may be curious why it’s called ”soda”. Interestingly, the carbonation is created naturally by allowing a diluted yogurt mixture to stand at room temperature for a couple days to ferment, or “ripen”. Then it is re-chilled and fresh cucumber slices, dried mint, and salt are added. In moderation, I appreciated the drink, but they served me an enormous glass, and about halfway through it just became too overpowering for me. It is meant to serve a more practical purpose than pleasing the taste buds though. From a nutritional standpoint, you could make a meal of this drink.
The appetizers at Kabab Palace were impressive. The Aushak ($5) was a carefully prepared dish consisting of delicately crafted leek-filled raviolis covered in two unique but complementary sauces. One was a creamy white sauce made of yogurt, mint and garlic, and the other was a red tomato-based sauce with fine bits of ground beef. Dried mint was sprinkled in a swirl over the top for good measure.
Shorwa ($5) is a hearty lamb and vegetable soup–Afghan comfort food. It had a wonderful, fresh aroma. My wife thoroughly enjoyed it.
The Qabelee ($13) was the most beautiful dish, with pallow rice and chunks of lamb shank covered with julienned carrots and raisins. My wife said this was flat out the best lamb dish she’s ever eaten.
I have an amorous relationship with curry dishes. When I saw they had one on the menu, I went right for it. The Mourgh Challow ($10) offers tender chicken breast chunks and split peas in a delicious sauce made of yogurt, cilantro, and curry. It is served with challow rice, which is basmati with a bit of oil and cumin. It would be tough to find better basmati.
Like the other dishes, the Koufta Challow ($10) was excellent. This is a good choice for those looking to experience something besides the typical kabab. These tasty, Afghan-spiced meatballs are sauteed with sun-dried tomatoes, hot peppers, and green peas and served over challow rice. My dad said it couldn’t have been better.
Like so many other cultures, Afghans have their own version of rice pudding; it’s called Sheerberaing ($4). The rice was thick and chewy. It was mildly sweet and topped with pistachio and cardamom, which gave it a great aroma. It wasn’t my favorite rice pudding, but it was good.
I found the interior at Kabab Palace to be tasteful, and the atmosphere relaxing. The service was attentive, but expect to wait a bit for your meal, as they make everything fresh and to order. The food speaks for itself. It’s a treat to have high quality ethnic cuisine such as this in the East Valley.
Kabab Palace Afghan Cuisine
710 W. Elliot Rd., Suite 108 (Map)
Tempe, AZ 85283
(480) 775-6288
hours: lunch buffet M-F 11-2:30, dinner every day 5:30-10
I have tried this place only for the lunch buffet but was impressed. I need to come back to try the dinner menu. We’ve had a long Afghan food drought here in Phoenix. I used to go to Chopandaz in northern Tempe, but that restaurant closed in the early ’90s. It’s nice to have not only an Afghan restaurant, but an unusually good one.
Hi, just wanted to say I love reading your reviews and hope you keep updating! As soon as I can afford it I’d love to try some of these places out. You take nice pictures too. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Nam, I appreciate the encouraging comments. I’m on a bit of a hiatus right now. It seems that about every three months or so I feel the need to take some time off to re-energize myself.
I should be back to posting in the next couple weeks.
Kabab Palace in Tempe is wonderful! It is such a welcome change to the endless sea of chain restaurants in the Ahwatukee, Tempe & Chandler areas.
This is the ultimate place to enjoy authentic Afghani food. If you have never tried Afghani food and only have heard about it, this restaurant is THE PLACE to break your Afghani food virginity! You will love the food and you will be very happy with your decision. I strongly urge you to go there and indulge yourself in the joy of trying something new, something fresh, something different, something exquisite, something original and last but not least, something delicious! Cheers!
>>Afghani food virginity!
Are there other Afghani restaurants in central Phoenix?
skip this place and go to cafe sahara, the food there has more taste and flavor; there are more choices and its less expensive. I only went for lunch buffet so that I could sample the foods, however, it disappointed me and I won’t be going back. the foods are bland, the bread was stale and the soup contained everything not used the previous day. the restroom was dirty, i can’t imagine what the kitchen would like like.
eater! may be u don’t know what is the real food or you may never eat fresh food that is why u are complaning, kabab place has the best food and great test every thing make fresh i love the food and i recommed this place to all.
I am VERY familiar with the food of the region having grown up nearby. The food is adequate but uninspired. The valley has not had an Afghani restaurant since the demise of Chopandaz and this is a poor substitute. While the food is acceptable, the service was not.. We sere stuck in a corner and forgotten. I had noticed that every other table in the restaurant received bread and sauces, so as we paid, I asked where the bread was on the menu as I had failed to notice it. I was told that it was served with everything, and then the waiter said “Oh, didn’t you get any. Would you like some to go?” I do not consider this an adequate solution as there was no apology for the oversight. Our meal, one appetizer, two entrees, a drink, a beer, and a modestly priced bottle of wine was $90. Hence, I find this very pricey for what you get.