KEBAB-aridad!

Recently, we've jumped into the kebab-shawarma bandwagon and did some rounds trying out the best and most promising eateries that offer these dishes. Not that we're newbies - afterall, everyone whose in their 30's and 40's have all witnessed the shawarma-nization of Manila in the 90's. It was more like we're "ROF" (rekindling-old-flames) with these dishes.

First stop was Mister Kabab along West Avenue. If you frequently pass West Ave, it's hard not to notice this huge place swarmed by (mostly young adult) customers. We've tried their kebab, shawarma, keema, yogurt shake, and of course, their pita bread. The taste and the price are just right, but not really exceptional. Thier keema did not pass Andy's standards because their keema looks like a kebab. So it is a bit surprising to witness the 'phenomenon' of swarming clients (it's actually hard to get a seat) in this resto. We had two attempts of going there but we were disappointed with the long queue so we have to eat at a nearby resto Earsao.

Second stop was Grilled Tomato ( near Orthopedic hospital, Banawe St. QC ). We wanted dinner that was not too heavy so we ordered keema, beef kebab with rice, hummus, Lamb, pita breads and its crispy version (can't remember the name) and ice cold beers (yes, in our universe, this is light dinner :-) I fell in love with their hummus dip! It was flavorful and blends very nicely with the pita bread (both the soft and the crispy kind). The kebab and keema taste good, too, but in my opinion, were overshadowed by my fascination with their hummus. And the price? A runaway!!

Next stop was the Shawarma Snack Center along Salas St (Pedro Gil area, Malate) near the new Hyatt Casino and Hotel. They offer ala carte dishes as well as the turu-turo (literally, point your finger to the dish) style. We've tried, on two occassions, the following dishes: chicken curry, beef and chicken kebab, keema, lamb stew, hummus, lentil soup, basmati rice and yogurt shake. They all taste authentic! My only comments are their chicken kebab is dry and their hummus is bland in taste. While all the other dishes are reasonable, the basmati rice and lamb are quite pricey especially if one considers the ambiance of the place (half carinderia, half restaurant). But in fairness, all their waitresses speak english (a necessity since a number of their customers look foreign).

Fourth, we've tried another Kebab resto- Persian Kebab (?), the smaller kebab joint along West Ave near Mushroom Burger and Ersao. We ordered the usual - keema, chicken and beef kebab, hummus, pita breads, yogurt. The taste of their food is comparable to Mister Kabab, as well as the price. Their hummus, however, is a disappointment. (I still vote for the hummus of Grilled Tomato, hands-down.) AND, the biggest let-down for me about this resto were the waitresses. The waitresses need to improve on their people and PR skills. The waitress who attended to us kept on sniffing (singhot ng singhot!!), I was on the verge of telling her to pleeeasse get a tissue and blow her nose! But when I was about to, I saw how frail her body was and how oblivious she was as regards my O.C.ness. I had to control myself from embarassing her (but I made sure that she didn't touch our food!!).

Number five kebab joint we've tried was a newly opened Al Fahkr's kebab house along Maginhawa St. at Teachers' Village, QC (in front of Holy Family School). This joint was a total-total-total disaster. We are usually forgiving of restos in their soft openings, but this resto needs to put their house in order, otherwise it will loose its customers. Our orders were very simple - kebab, keema, pita bread, and yogurt shake. The keema came first, but we had to wait for about 5 mins more before the 1st pita bread came. Then another 10 mins for the kebab to come. And another 10 mins for the other pita bread to come. And it took another 10 mins for the 3rd pita bread to come. The food is already cold when the pita breads arrived. There were 4 people attending to customers in the small joint (that has about 8-9 tables). At the time we were there, there were 6 tables occupied including ours. The problem is that all these 4 resto-attendants were all over the place. The one in charge of grilling the pita is also serving costumers, getting orders, and getting payments from tables! The other attendee/ waiter went upstairs and never returned. The other guy who was grilling the kebabs relaxes when there's nothing else to grill. Meantime, customers were upset since their food were not coming. They obviously don't have teamwork. Worst, their price is not commensurate with their servings - imagine a single beef kebab that measures about 2.5 to 3 inches costs P50 pesos. Men, that's small!!

Finally, the Khas Food House at UP Diliman (beside the swimming pool and near the UP Chapel) is the last to cap our kebab-round. The resto offers authentic Persian food, and is open from morning til midnight! The menu offers meat (all halal) and vegetarian dishes. Apart for the medditerannean roster of dishes, they also have 'traditional' types for those weak at heart and afraid to taste new dishes (e.g. pancit canton, sauteed veggies). Of course we had to try the 'usuals' - kebab, keema, pita, yogurt shake, hummus. Except for the hummus that still falls short from my standard (Grilled Tomato's), every dish here are tingling our palates in exactly the right places. Best thing? The price is very reasonable.

Conclusion: Grilled Tomato and Khas Food House are my faves in terms of good taste and value for money! SSC is a runner up. Mister Kabab is ok but too crowded.

(Just to set the records straight - our tour of kebab-restos happened over a period of months.)

Did we get tired in tasting kebabs and keemas and pita breads .... hell, no! In fact, I can't wait to do round 2! Que barbaridad, I love Kebabs!!