Balkh Shish Kabab House

Afghan food often looks underwhelming.  Until you take a bite.  Simple kebabs over rice are deceptively complex.  It is nuanced food, never overpowered but heightened with a variety of spices.  The meat remains juicy and flavorful without being lost in spice, you can still taste the essence of the protein.  For fantastic mouthwatering comfort food at very inexpensive prices, this place is a must visit. Probably the best Afghan food I've ever.  It's a big place, with TV's blasting, which is a bit of a pet peeve of mine.  But as another reviewer has mentioned, you don't go here for 5 star service.  It's a neighborhood spot with excellent food, the environment and service is tertiary.

Our meal started with a standard salad with tasty dressing, and cold, fresh bread.  We ordered a few appetizers and they came out quite fast.  The Samosa's were good, fried well, crispy yet not greasy and plentiful for $4.  The eggplant, fried until just soft but not mushy, dressed with intersecting lines of red and white sauce, the red deep in flavor, the white a bright yogurt sauce to cut the dense rich eggplant.  Huge portion for an appetizer, enjoyed greatly with a additional dash of salt.  Soup with spaghetti and lamb meatballs was simple, tasty and not overly spiced.

Our huge entrees were certainly the main attraction.  I had the combination of tender luscious Lamb Shank over rice, sweetened with raisins and perfectly soft carrots, which was served with a side of a thin, spiced but not spicy lamb curry.  Loved the flavor to the curry and the rice itself was delicious.  The kebab combo with beef, lamb and chicken was tender and delicious, served over the same wonderful rice. 

Dessert was a warm cow's milk custard with a few spices and crushed pistachios.  Simple and delicious.  In total we ordered 3 apps, 2 entrees, 2 bottles of water, 1 dessert and our bill came to $44.  Fantastic food at inexpensive prices, highly recommended for a local bite.