Kabul House is the only authentic Afghan restaurant in Chicago

Yeah, I'm going five star. We had gone to Kabul house like forever ago when it was on Dempster. Back then, we had the Mantoo appetizer and it stuck with us for years. I dropped one of the mantoo dumplings on the floor back then and my wife still gives me crap about it to this day. I'm, as she would call me, a "waster."

I was pleased to see that Mantoo was still on the menu here and just as tasty as we remembered. We also tried the Aushak which was also pretty comparable in taste.

For our entrees, we tried the Qabili Palau, which is lamb with a sweet rice dish full of raisins and carrots. Really tasty. My wife went with the Beef Chalau, which is like a slow cooked, stewed beef. Both were good, homey, comfort dishes.

On top pf the food being good, the service was fantastic. They made us feel very welcome and seemed to take pride in what they were serving. Glad to have another good restaurant relatively close by.

Very enjoyable, I usually don't sit down and review a place the same night I dine there unless I really was satisfied with the whole experience, from greeting in, food, service and the goodbye when leaving.

Tonight was one of those experiences, soon as we walked in the door we were greeted with a friendly hello and seated immediately. Right after we were asked if we wanted hot tea, which sounded like a good idea on a February night.

We had the Kadu for an appetizer, it's a pumpkin dish with some spices. We polished that off. Our entrees were delicious, I had the Murgh Chalau it's Chicken sauteed in garlic and onion in a most flavor packed tomato base, my husband had the Mahi and my mother-inlaw had the Qabili Palau which is lamb served under rice with carrots and raisins. Portions are generous and since everything was so good we ate heartily so much so that there was no room for dessert. Speaking for myself, when it comes to dessert, I have a sweet tooth and always leave room and usually take home a doggie bag. Well not tonight, there was not a piece of chicken to be found on my plate.

At the end of the meal, we settled our check and lingered a bit over some more hot tea, there was no pressure to move along. The place itself is clean, bright and decorated beautifully without being cluttered. I left ahead of my party to get the car and was wished a good evening with a very warm we hope to see you again, to which I replied you will.

Thank you Kabul House for a most pleasant dining experience.

I have tried a couple of other Afghani restaurants and I can tell you this one is the best!!

Try no 17. on the menu.

Ends up being a little over 14 dollars per person. But its worth it.

LTHForum New Great Neighborhood Restaurants & Resources, Announced March 22, 2011

Of the many restaurant awards handed out in Chicago, only one represents the heartfelt opinions of a broad base of ordinary food enthusiasts spending their own money on the food they truly love. That's the LTHForum Great Neighborhood Restaurant/Resource designation, nominated and selected by the members of the popular Chicago-based culinary chat site. Its contributors run the gamut from four-star chefs to hot dog stand proprietors, lawyers, writers, musicians, college students and everything in between, all united by a love of food-- and a willingness to share and discuss their finds on the internet.

LTHForum is pleased to announce that 21 restaurants and resources have been newly designated Great Neighborhood Restaurants/Resources, following a lengthy period of trial, discussion and careful evaluation-- to make sure each of these places have the magic necessary to captivate the LTHForum members. Each restaurant will receive a certificate similar to the one shown above, highlighting some of what makes it special-- and in many cases, recommending specific dishes to try.

Why Great Neighborhood Restaurant and Resource

Chicago is a city of great neighborhoods, made distinctive by history, ethnic mix, and vibrant street life and culture. The Great Neighborhood Restaurant/Resource designations honor places all over Chicagoland that contribute to their neighborhoods’ and the city’s character by offering outstanding food, an authentic experience of their ethnic culture, and/or a welcoming (or in some cases, belovedly cranky) atmosphere for guests. Many of these are not merely great places to eat but true cross-cultural meeting places, where power brokers and city workers, cops and perps can bump elbows or trays while enjoying honest, handmade food.

Restaurants and Resources are nominated by registered members of LTHForum.com, the Chicago-based culinary chat site, and ratified by a committee of board members, based on the degree of discussion and community-wide enthusiasm evidenced on the site.
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Kabul House-- Warm, welcoming, BYO spot serving big, bold flavor, intoxicating aromas, and a fascinating variety of textures - a feast for all your senses.
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