Evanston Lunch Group™ Kabul House Mon 7/10 12:30pm

Its location has bounced around from one storefront to another over the years. It started as a LaRosa pizza franchisee cooking a few dishes from his native Afghanistan on the side, then opening a small storefront next door to the pizza joint on Main Street in Evanston. And now GNR Kabul House has returned to Evanston, in the off-the-beaten-track building that the city built (and lost money on) for Chicago’s Home for Chicken and Waffles.

It’s a much larger space than any of Kabul House’s previous iterations. It will have to become a destination restaurant … there won’t be any sidewalk walk-ins.

Can Kabul House make it in the new, possibly improved, larger space? Can it maintain the quality of its food, that earned it a coveted GNR? And, how easily can its dishes be shared among many hungry Evanston Lunch Group™ attendees? (If you’ve never been to one of our lunches [since 2005] you’re still more than welcome.)

The Evanston Lunch Group™ will approach these and other unknowable mysteries of the universe Monday, July 10, 12:30 pm at Kabul House, 2424 Dempster Street (about a block east of McCormick), Evanston.

See you there!

2424 Dempster St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 674-3830

I'd like to join the group for this. I've been wanting to try the new Kabul House.

Yes, I live in Lake County; you may not remember, but I was gerrymandered into the ELG some years ago. (I was graciously allowed to retain dual citizenship with the LTH North Lunch Group.) It was at a brief, touching ceremony that I think was held at L. Woods, although it could have been earlier. I have my membership card around here somewhere.

I'm in.

Wish I could attend, but I have an appointment for that morning which may run long.

I look forward to your reports.

I will be there.

George R wrote:Wish I could attend, but I have an appointment for that morning which may run long.

If, for some reason, your appointment runs short, feel free to join us.

Thanks,

I'll be happy to do so.

Glad to join ELG at Kabul House for this lunch.

In with a +1.

I will be there.

In with +1

I probably can't make it tomorrow, sorry; too much work. I'm disappointed I can't go and hoping to hear what the group's impressions are afterward.

Reservation for the group is under "Tom."

As I mentioned at our lunch, I thought this was the best Evanston Lunch Group™ lunch in recent memory, with all the dishes excellent, not a single miss. And it was great to see everyone again!

Exterior


Interior


Complimentary bread


Mantoo (steamed dumplings)


Sabzee (spinach)


Boranee Banjan (eggplant)


Barg Kabob (filet mignon)


Lamb Shish-Kabob


Chicken Boneless Kabob


Shrimp Kabob

I think everyone agreed with you. The general consensus also was that the beef was good, but a little boring and just not as good as everything else.

I think that the issue with the beef is that it came after pretty flavorful appetizers and had less flavor intensity than the other kabobs and so suffered in comparison.

We plan to go back and have either the shrimp or boneless chicken kabob and one of the vegetable mains, probably the vegetarian platter. The soups sound interesting for starters but better used for a party of two than nine.

I agree with the comments above — it was a very good lunch. I especially enjoyed the chicken and the lamb, both well-marinated and tasty. The kebabs come with lots of rice ... I think our group of nine ended up with almost enough leftover rice to feed a small Asian village for a week. Unmentioned above, the green chutney served separately was a great enhancement for the rice, and went well with some of the other proteins, too (e.g. the beef).
The place isn't perfect, though ... I mentioned a few issues in the main Kabul House thread.