Kabab Cafe 25-12 Steinway Street, Queens, NY 11103

"I was excited for my meal after reading excellent reviews here. The no menu schtick is a trap for the chef to provide inconsiderate service and arbitrary pricing. When I walked in I bought into the romanticization of the chef owner concept. Don’t make that mistake. By the time I left, 2 hours later for 2 small dishes, I’d been served over-cooked, over-seasoned, lazily prepared food in an uncomfortable setting. I was charged an exorbitant price for the displeasure. Worst meal I’ve had in NYC. Due to the chef’s aggressive and rude manners I couldn’t have a conversation with my guest without the chef intruding. I am alarmed by the lack of basic food handling safety. The chef and owner Ali was coughing and sneezing onto the dishes as he prepared them. Bleach and other cleaning products are stored haphazardly adjacent to food prep areas. See attached photo for the conditions of the cooking space and equipment. Due for an inspection ASAP. Do yourself a favor and go to any number of excellent options in the neighborhood instead."

"This place ought to be shut down, it is such a health hazard. To summarize: • prices are absurd • no menu, so owner charges what he wants • dirty food prep area • rude owner who uses his old guy “charm” to get away with poor hygiene, slow service and unwelcome advances towards customers 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ The health department should flag this place down. The kitchen is unkempt, the cast iron pan on which the steak was served had a thick layer of carbon that was definitely not foodsafe, and lots of things were being flung around with insects flying around in his tiny kitchen. Plus, bleach and cleaning products were right next to a couple of food containers that he was serving sauces right of. Honestly the worst meal I’ve tried and dirtiest venue I’ve ever seen in all of Queens. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ I don’t understand what people mean by all the comments regarding Ali’s charm, he was rude to new patrons coming in that didn’t know his restaurant didn’t have a menu, was upset at us for bringing in an outside drink that was pretty much fully consumed, and made me feel uncomfortable as a woman. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ I wanted so badly to enjoy this place but the food can only be described as “dog food” by me and my partner. Ali dumped old soggy veggies and an already cooked steak into the oven on a dirty cast iron pan. The food came out soggy, overcooked, and covered in miscellaneous spices that seemed as if he had dumped his entire spice collection into. The cauliflower salad was also soggy, too acidic, and was prepared with no caution. 〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️ I’d avoid at all costs. Leaving this place made me feel sick to my stomach after my meal ended. Never again. Astoria is too rich of a culinary destination to deal with a place like this."

"Chef Ali puts together an amazing dining experience. One filled with delicious foods and entertaining conversations stretching your meal for hours and hours. It’s nice to slow down once in a while and be enjoy being human."

"This restaurant brings back the importance of having a chef interact with his customers, someone who really cares about who he’s about to serve. For the quality of food you get, the prices are worth it and the flavors are immaculate. My jaw literally dropped after the first taste of each plate he handed me and you can feel the essence of genuine love in every dish he curates for you. Go in and ask him to make you whatever he suggests, and you’ll understand what food is supposed to taste like."