My Kabul Restaurant and Cafe (حلال) 13919 Baltimore Avenue, Laurel, MD 20707

"Overall, we had a very good experience. Our server was very friendly and attentive. We were given a bottle of water and complementary appetizer platter when we arrived. Because we are vegetarian, we ordered the vegetable biryani and bolani. Both were very flavorful. The bolani came with a spicy sauce, and the biryani came with raita. The portions were large enough that my spouse and I split both items without leaving hungry. We will be returning!"

"I tried chicken Biryani, I specifically said medium spicy. However, it was mild and the chicken was dry and not very flavorful. My friend ordered tandoori chicken but that too was not as flavorful. My friend's wife ordered lamb chops which she liked and was glad she ordered lamb chops. Service was good. When my friend could not eat more than one piece of tandoori chicken the management offered him free beef kabab but that also was very dry and hard. Overall not a great experience at a much anticipated visit to the Kabul restaurant. The ambiance of the restaurant was very good."

"A warm, welcoming tastefully decorated restaurant. Inside, there is a light, airy feeling that has just enough Afghan touches to make you feel that the meal will be prepared by folks who know Afghan food at its best. We felt this way especially after Tom Sietsma's glowing review in the Washington Post. After we placed our order, the waiter brought us a complimentary appetizer consisting of warm, toasty Afghan bread and the most delicious honey for dipping. Also on the platter were raisins, almonds and cheese. A mouthwatering treat to wet the appetite. Unfortunately, the main courses that we ordered were a terrible disappointment. The lamb chops were way overcooked and too heavily salted. The chicken was overcooked also so that both lamb and chicken were dry and tough. The sauce on the chicken kirahi was not simmered long enough for the flavors to blend. We ordered Turkish coffee to go with the meal. We have had Turkish coffee in Istambul, so we know what Turkish coffee should taste like. It should be thick and sweet. What we were served was thin and bitter. The only bright spot was the sabzi (spinach) which was flavorful, smooth and so tasty. Behind us, one of the employees - a young man who barely could speak English - was making homemade ice cream. He was working to make a large batch and the way he diligently applied himself along with the pistachios, cardamon and who knows what else he was adding made his ice cream look really good. We didn't try it because we were so disappointed in our chicken and lamb dishes. Maybe we should have. We went on New Year's Day for lunch and it is very possible that the B-team was working the kitchen allowing the A-team to rest after what may have been a very busy New Year's Eve tour of duty in the kitchen. I hope we just hit My Kabul on an off day. But we will not be going back."

"I liked the unique atmosphere. It felt very homely, cozy and authentically Turkish. The food was amazing. Unfortunately they didn’t have some of the options on the menu and the food took a while. The servers were friendly and warm. There is enough parking in the lot. Interestingly, there was no gratuity charge. This might be a Turkish thing."

"Food is filling and well seasoned. The chicken kabob was cooked well, not dry. The mantu had a well spiced filling, but I don't think the chickpeas added much. The bolani was great; didn't have the option for leeks though. The qabuli palau was a bit heavy, but well seasoned. The bouranee baunjan was more oily than anything else. Really couldn't pick up the mint it's supposed to have in it. Probably the only thing I didn't like. Prices are quite reasonable."