Justin Rogers-Cooper

a week ago

"Delicious kebabs, chicken stew, homemade bread, and vegetable plates at this comfortable spot on Vernon on the main old drag of Long Island City. The okra was amazing, the eggplant too, and the stew hearty. Decent portions! Lovely green tea to finish. Kind service. Dishes came out hot as they were made."

Carol Strickland

a month ago

"Ali is a welcoming host and server. The (vegetarian) food was delicious!! We got the vegetarian sampler which was tasty and filling for two of us. Plus he advised us that the rice is not vegetarian so we had the delicious bread instead! How thoughtful. This is a small restaurant that deserves a big reputation! The price was quite reasonable. What a find! Overall excellence!!"

Ash Minhas

2 months ago

"Went there yesterday! It was the only meal I had and I have food poisoning now. I complained and returned the first plate from the meat being undercooked ( see photo ). They came back with another plate with more undercooked beef kofta, although they gave me extra lamb which also tasted awful. Service was meh and it was ridiculously priced for the quality of the meal. My advice, Simply avoid this place. The reviews being so high on here led us there. Big mistake."

Bong Arquiza

5 months ago

"This was my third time visiting Sami’s Kabab House, but my first time at the LIC location. I’m happy to say the food remains just as consistent and delicious as I remember. I always order the lamb chops, and they never disappoint. The flavors are rich and bold, and the meat is perfectly cooked every single time. I’m usually not a big fan of lamb because of its gaminess, but the way they prepare it here completely changes that. You wouldn’t even know it’s lamb if someone didn’t tell you. I also love their seasoned rice, which pairs so well with the Qabuli, a sweet pickled carrot and raisin side dish that adds a nice contrast to the savory meat. Everything on the plate feels well thought out and balanced. Now for the downsides. The space is quite small and can get stuffy, and the strong smell of grilled meat tends to linger. I left smelling like food, so I probably wouldn’t recommend coming here if you have other plans right after. It’s best enjoyed when you can head straight home after. The biggest surprise was the 20% service charge that was automatically added to our bill. It was clearly stated on the menu, but still felt strange since we ordered and paid at the counter. This charge applies to parties of two or more, which is pretty unusual for a casual dine-in setup. That said, the staff were friendly and accommodating throughout our visit. Despite those minor issues, I’ll definitely be coming back for the food. The flavors are that good, and the quality is always on point."

Dustin Irwin

6 months ago

"Delicious food, huge portions, reasonable prices. This is what dining SHOULD be and is so hard to find in NYC these days. The huge pile of stewed spinach, the savory rice, dessert-like shaved carrots, the dumplings, the green tea with cardamom. Every bit of it was smashing. I’ve a strong appetite and had plenty of leftovers. The vibe is traditional and no frills. So don’t walk in expecting someone to pamper you."