Restaurant: Kababjees
Address: 5600 Hillcroft Avenue, Houston, TX
Buffet or a-la-carte: A-la-carte
Date of visit: 1/2/19
UPDATE 7/16/19: Place closed down after Ramadan.
Background:
Salam/hey guys! Today I will be doing the first review for 2019 at a spot called Kababjees. I first saw a sign about them opening up during last summer, so I was curious what they were going to offer. I then saw a message from the owner's wife asking me what the procedure was about inviting me to review their place (which had just opened up at the time). Odd. I then say I get to know the name, then bookmark it for a later date. What took another odd turn was the lady asking if I would come unknowingly. To hide my actual identity (i.e. face), I asked if I could do a blogger event there, since I would do usually once in a month. I told her what a blogging event was since she was new, but I had to disclose what I do in the most polite way possible without letting her know that I felt really uncomfortable with disclosing what I do when I blog. This review would not have had service taken into consideration if I had shown my face or told her that I am a food blogger. I want to keep my reviews as legitimate as possible, meaning that I want the food served like they would to a regular customer, and see how the service is without them knowing that I am a food blogger as well as how they treat others. There have been some cases where the folks at some restaurants treated bloggers as well as media outlets like kings and queens, but regular folks like trash.
Moving on, she then said that she needed to know so that she would tell the owner. I then said that I would do a blogger event. She then said to do the event, so that the grand opening would occur. Fair point. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful in getting other bloggers to come, since I had to prepare for my GRE. I then saw their mix platter, then I thought that it is the one thing I need to try there. It is basically a BBQ meat sampler. I also saw their giant perch fish (I'm picky with fish). I tried to go with my friends, but no one was free. Fast forward to the holiday season, where I did my annual "You Decide Where I go for the First Review of The Year" Poll. And Kababjees won over Halal5 and Biryani N More. One of my followers wanted to meet up with me. So we set up and met.
Let The Experience Begin!
Kababjees is where Afghan Express used to be. The inside was nice though. The owner, who had a resting angry face the entire time, gave us menus.
Let's Eat!
We both agreed on the BBQ Platter ($19.99 + tax), and two plain naans ($1.25 + tax each). To wait, the both of us just talked about food and life.
Menu: Page 1,Page 2
Both links are for the Yelp pictures of the menu. The reason is because their website doesn't have the complete menu! You can't mislead people like this.
The menu is like Bundu Khan, but with more side options. It focuses more on BBQ items, but has rice, a fish option, more naan options, and until recently, nihari (all of which Bundu Khan doesn't have). The only thing Bundu Khan has and Kababjees doesn't have is quail. They also have halwa puri available on the weekends.
The Verdict:
Honestly, after all the insisting of me coming and trying their food, it was mediocre as a whole. The only good things were the bihari kabab and the naan. Both the seekh kababs and the boti, which was slightly overcooked, could have had more flavor. The one thing I didn't like at all was the mutton chop. It was too gamey in my opinion.
Conclusion:
While it aimed to be Hillcroft's version of Bundu Khan, Kababjees falls short in the taste. 1 out of 5 items on a mix grill being good is not a good thing. If you want to see how it is after someone else recommends it, then I'd suggest that you just go for the bihari kabab and naan. But, if you want to find the best kababs in town, then I suggest you look somewhere else.
Grading:
Service: 7/10
Food: 6/10
Total: 13/20 = 65% (D)
Pricing: $$ out of $$$$
Restaurant Information:
Kababjees
5600 Hillcroft Avenue, Houston, TX
Phone: (346) 701-7801
Website: https://kababjees-restaurant.business.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kababjeeshouston/
Timings: Sun-Thu: 11 AM - 10 PM; Fri-Sat: 12 PM - 1 PM
Caters: Unknown
Feel free to comment below, send me a message on Facebook, or email me!
Cheers!
Zain Mohammed
Address: 5600 Hillcroft Avenue, Houston, TX
Buffet or a-la-carte: A-la-carte
Date of visit: 1/2/19
UPDATE 7/16/19: Place closed down after Ramadan.
Background:
Salam/hey guys! Today I will be doing the first review for 2019 at a spot called Kababjees. I first saw a sign about them opening up during last summer, so I was curious what they were going to offer. I then saw a message from the owner's wife asking me what the procedure was about inviting me to review their place (which had just opened up at the time). Odd. I then say I get to know the name, then bookmark it for a later date. What took another odd turn was the lady asking if I would come unknowingly. To hide my actual identity (i.e. face), I asked if I could do a blogger event there, since I would do usually once in a month. I told her what a blogging event was since she was new, but I had to disclose what I do in the most polite way possible without letting her know that I felt really uncomfortable with disclosing what I do when I blog. This review would not have had service taken into consideration if I had shown my face or told her that I am a food blogger. I want to keep my reviews as legitimate as possible, meaning that I want the food served like they would to a regular customer, and see how the service is without them knowing that I am a food blogger as well as how they treat others. There have been some cases where the folks at some restaurants treated bloggers as well as media outlets like kings and queens, but regular folks like trash.
Moving on, she then said that she needed to know so that she would tell the owner. I then said that I would do a blogger event. She then said to do the event, so that the grand opening would occur. Fair point. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful in getting other bloggers to come, since I had to prepare for my GRE. I then saw their mix platter, then I thought that it is the one thing I need to try there. It is basically a BBQ meat sampler. I also saw their giant perch fish (I'm picky with fish). I tried to go with my friends, but no one was free. Fast forward to the holiday season, where I did my annual "You Decide Where I go for the First Review of The Year" Poll. And Kababjees won over Halal5 and Biryani N More. One of my followers wanted to meet up with me. So we set up and met.
Let The Experience Begin!
Kababjees is where Afghan Express used to be. The inside was nice though. The owner, who had a resting angry face the entire time, gave us menus.
Let's Eat!
We both agreed on the BBQ Platter ($19.99 + tax), and two plain naans ($1.25 + tax each). To wait, the both of us just talked about food and life.
Menu: Page 1,Page 2
Both links are for the Yelp pictures of the menu. The reason is because their website doesn't have the complete menu! You can't mislead people like this.
The menu is like Bundu Khan, but with more side options. It focuses more on BBQ items, but has rice, a fish option, more naan options, and until recently, nihari (all of which Bundu Khan doesn't have). The only thing Bundu Khan has and Kababjees doesn't have is quail. They also have halwa puri available on the weekends.
 |
| Mix BBQ Platter. (Left to right) Boneless Chicken Boti, Bihari Kabab, Seekh Kababs, and Mutton Chop |
 |
| Naan |
Honestly, after all the insisting of me coming and trying their food, it was mediocre as a whole. The only good things were the bihari kabab and the naan. Both the seekh kababs and the boti, which was slightly overcooked, could have had more flavor. The one thing I didn't like at all was the mutton chop. It was too gamey in my opinion.
Conclusion:
While it aimed to be Hillcroft's version of Bundu Khan, Kababjees falls short in the taste. 1 out of 5 items on a mix grill being good is not a good thing. If you want to see how it is after someone else recommends it, then I'd suggest that you just go for the bihari kabab and naan. But, if you want to find the best kababs in town, then I suggest you look somewhere else.
Grading:
Service: 7/10
Food: 6/10
Total: 13/20 = 65% (D)
Pricing: $$ out of $$$$
Restaurant Information:
Kababjees
5600 Hillcroft Avenue, Houston, TX
Phone: (346) 701-7801
Website: https://kababjees-restaurant.business.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kababjeeshouston/
Timings: Sun-Thu: 11 AM - 10 PM; Fri-Sat: 12 PM - 1 PM
Caters: Unknown
Cheers!
Zain Mohammed
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