Taboon Noon o Kabab 1550 Montgomery Highway, Hoover, AL 35216

"Upon entering Taboon Noon o Kabab, you might assume it to be a standard Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant. The décor is a little dated and the photos on the wall behind the counter are in need of replacement. The music playing over the house speakers, while pleasant, is poppy and modern, further indicating a really relaxed but not necessarily well-thought out atmosphere. In truth, the vibe is quite relaxed, but you would be mistaken to dismiss the restaurant as "standard." The Persian fare served by an incredibly polite staff is absolutely outstanding. It isn't cheap in comparison to local "falafel/gyro shop" prices, and it takes a little longer to prepare than I expected. Despite the price, and a brief wait, I was blown away by my meal choice, called the Jordan Special. I'll break down exactly what the special includes, and why I loved it. Listed in order of my favorites: Shirazi salad - I am a longtime fan of tabbouleh. Shirazi is not tabbouleh, but here's why I mention it. Before my visit I had never tasted shirazi, and a quick bit of research let me know that I could expect a similar dish in terms of enjoying a tangy, fresh salad. In both taste and texture, the two dishes are quite different on the palate, but if you love one I think you will love the other. Mouth-watering, refreshing, and delicious. Kibbeh - It is the best I've ever tasted. The texture, the seasoning, the filling, and the breading... all perfection. 100% recommend. Grapes leaves - for fans of dolma, Taboon does not disappoint. Tangy leaves wrapped around perfectly seasoned meat and rice, and accompanied by a tart yogurt dipping sauce. Stuffed squash - the biggest surprise for me, because I typically do not love squash. The textures of eggplant and squashes are not my favorite. However, both the taste and texture of this item are fantastic. The filling is warm and well-seasoned, and the squash stays together for each bite. Meat-pie - the highlight of the meat pie for me is the crisp, flaky dough. I assume it is made with phyllo, but I might be mistaken. The meat in the pie is savory and well-seasoned. Pita & hummus - Something has to be listed last, but not because it isn't delicious. I would put Taboon's hummus against any other hummus in the metro. Peppery, garlicy, and tangy. Yum!"

"I had the most delicious meal here Friday evening, 12/8/23. The entire experience was flawless from start to finish. The young gentleman taking our order was very kind and helpful while explaining what we were ordering. He quickly brought our drinks and appetizers to the table. Our chicken kabob entrees showed up in a perfectly reasonable amount of time and they absolutely incredible. Flawless execution in every detail. It was the first thing I thought about when I woke up this morning and I cannot wait to enjoy another meal here soon. It's a 30 minute drive from home for me, but absolutely worth it!"

"I recently had the pleasure of dining at Taboon Noon O Kabab, and overall, it was a delightful experience. The restaurant offers a diverse menu of Middle Eastern cuisine, and while some dishes shone brighter than others, the overall impression was positive. The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the lamb, which was expertly cooked and packed with flavor. Tender and succulent, it showcased the culinary skill of the chefs at Taboon Noon O Kabab. The rice, too, was a standout element. Fragrant and well-seasoned, it complemented the main dishes perfectly, elevating the entire dining experience. While the lamb and rice were definite winners, the kebab sandwich left me with mixed feelings. The chicken was well-cooked, and the sauce added a zesty kick, but the overall composition fell a bit short. The sandwich consisted mainly of chicken and sauce, lacking the variety and texture that could have taken it to the next level. Adding more vegetables and pickled options would have provided a more balanced and satisfying bite."

"This place is a hidden gem! Stumbled across during my travel for some authentic Middle Eastern food and they hit it out the park. The food was fresh and packed with flavors. Ordered their Friday's special dish Kabseh and I was amazed. Portion was generous and reasonably priced. The hummus was great too. Highly recommend trying it out."