Afghan fast food with soul
Toronto has a couple of Afghan fast food chains. To name a few, Naan & Kabob, Kandahar Kabab, and the reigning champion Bamiyan Kabob. Kabob Guys is the newest entrant to the fray and poses some serious competition.
Afghan cuisine is at the intersection of Iran and Central Asia. From Iran comes polow: rice dishes cooked in meat broth, dried fruits, and nuts. From Central Asia, kebabs and mantu (dumplings). It’s the perfect setup for fast food. Grilled meats on flatbreads works in any culture, whether it is Greek souvlaki, Turkish döner, Mexican al pastor, or Hawaiian plate lunch.
You say kabob, I say kebab
Kabobs and kebabs are different spellings of the same thing. There is no standard transliteration for كباب (same word in Arabic, Farsi, and Pashto). Kabob is used more in USA and kebab is used more in Commonwealth countries. I use kebab here because Canada is part of the Commonwealth and has stronger ties with British English.
Afghan kebabs are almost the same as Pakistani ones. The difference is that Afghan kebabs can be served with rice instead of naans. Not just plain rice, but rice seasoned with broth and spices, like in Central Asia. It doesn’t quite reach the level of complexity as Iranian rice dishes, but is still more interesting than white rice. As for kebabs, a unique variant to try is chaplee kebab, made from ground meat and flattened into a disc.
The food
Kabob Guys takes pride in serving authentic food. The staff enthusiastically pointed out that their menu contains only Afghan dishes, unlike other restaurants that mix in Indian and European dishes. They also have items that are not offered by other Afghan restaurants in Toronto. Like shaare noww burger. It’s named after the Shahr-e Naw (شهرنو) neighbourhood in Kabul. It’s also cool that it sounds like a zombie saying “share (the burger with me) now”.
With that level of dedication, my expectations were high. I am happy to say I was not disappointed. I wasn’t that hungry so I ordered a chaplee wrap. I didn’t expect a gargantuan portion for $7.90. This thing had a diameter of a fist.
The fillings were as good as any Afghan fast food restaurant can hope to be. The chaplee kebabs were slightly fatty and moist. Doneness was medium to medium-well. Seasonings were classic: coriander, cumin, and onion. I think I might have tasted sumac in there. I would have liked more umami and acid, but it wouldn’t be traditional.
The place
The branding and ambience is another key differentiating factor from other Afghan restaurants. Following the template of Naan & Kabob restaurants, they have modernized dreary Afghan takeouts. A white brick wall greets diners with their cooking philosophy printed on it.
Taking advantage of their corner unit, Kabob Guys utilizes full-length windows to maximize natural light. Their emblem is beautifully embossed on a communal table. The lacquered wood tabletops match the dark wood flooring. It’s a sleek interior that wouldn’t look out of place in downtown Toronto, even though the restaurant is situated in a strip mall in the suburbs.
Verdict
Authentic, well-made Afghan food. Massive portions. Cheap. 8/10.
Practical information
- Name
- Kabob Guys
- Rating
- 8/10
- Recommended dishes
- Chaplee kabob wrap
- Prices
- Chopan (lamb) kabob plate $15.81 ($13.99 excluding tax)
Chaplee kabob wrap: $7.90 ($6.99 excluding tax)
Mantu (5 pieces): $7.90 ($6.99 excluding tax)
Shaare noww burger: $7.33 ($6.49 excluding tax) - Address
- 4045 Sheppard Avenue East
- Hours
- Daily 1100h – 2200h
- Date of visit
- November 2019