Kababish BBQ & Grill

This place is a gem. Authentic Pakistani food. I see locals go here to eat. Samosas- buttery, flaky crust Chili Chicken rice - spicy and flavorful Goat Mandi - the meat was tender and juicy Goat biryani- great flavors It’s not a fancy place, but it feels very homey and you know the food is going to be good. There is free parking as well. It is open late hours so it’s also a really great drunk food option.

Respect the culture while visiting this establishment. Park somewhere in the parking lot, find your way through the back door, down two steps over to the counter place your order and look for when your order is ready. No numbers, just pay attention. Bring a hand fan to cool yourself while waiting for your order or step outside and shoot the breeze with the gentleman on the patio.

I have visited here 1st time and wonder how come this restaurant has 5 star reviews. The food was tasty and deserve 5 star. Food taste is 9 out of 10 compared to most of The restaurants in this area. But atmosphere is 1 out of 10. Old looking and unclean. The bathroom is not able to use due to water leaks and unclean with bad smell. They can easily make this place better looking and clean with some brighter lights instead of keeping as the most dirtiest restaurant in town. The service was excellent and friendly. Honestly I will never visit again due to uncleanliness.

Super authentic spot in old town with amazing food and open late at night. They give you amazing sized portions too

The food here is absolutely fantastic. The chicken biryani comes in a generous portion and is packed with flavor. We also loved the veggie pakora and the lamb. The restaurant’s interior is quite unassuming and not the most comfortable for dining in, so taking the food to go is the best way to enjoy it.

Absolutely love the food here! My favorite is the goat biryani, and it never disappoints. This place may not look fancy from the outside, but the flavors are next level! 100% best homemade food in the city! If you’re Middle Eastern, imagine going to your grandparents’ house and being welcomed with a feast! rich, comforting, full of love and tradition. That’s the vibe here. Highly recommend it to anyone who appreciates real, soulful cooking. They keep it REAL🤍

Great stop. More of a carry-out place, but you can dine in. They have options in a hot bar or you can get off-the-grill options. Great value. Really nice people. The black pepper chicken is great, but only available Friday and Saturday.

Tried Kababish this spring and have been coming back regularly since. Everything is delicious. Portion sizes are appropriately large for the ~$16 an entree will set you back. Besides the items on the listed menu each day will have different dishes available not listed on the menu that are laid out on the counter where you order so be sure to ask about those if they look good to you. They also serve chai which is so delicious, it’s not listed in the menu but just ask they are very nice. Naan is very cheap and made fresh, super good. Expect 15-20 minutes for an entree. Water is free just ask for cups, and pitchers of water can be found at the bottom of the drink fridge. Kababish is probably the most flavorful thing I eat all month when I come which is why I keep coming back, it’s so good.

Places like this is what makes Chgo's eating scene tops! This place is not a tourist attraction HOWEVER its worth the visit. First.of all, no nonsense atmosphere. Come order, sit down, eat if you find a table and leave. That said, service was wonderful. Courteous, friendly, place was warm and inviting. My girl ordered Goat madi...rice was exceptional. Meat was tender and they gave you a variety of sauces to make it your own. I had the spicy gyro with a weird looking bread. Definitely not Pic worthy but great taste and a good bite. If you in area stop by. Big parking lot.

Excellent chicken biryani 10/10 with a side of onions, jalapeños and lime, plus a great selection of other grilled meats or wraps on the menu! The portion size is huge. If you're a fan of baklava they've got it too. I've been eating baklava all my life and I'm picky- so I'd say the baklava is good enough, but it didn't blow my mind. The overall experience at Kababish is great. The staff is friendly, and the service is fast. No frills joint with family-style, home-cooked-style, authentic food. Highly recommended if you're in the area. Also a bonus that there's plenty of easy parking in their own parking lot.

Hidden gem of Old Town!! I drive by this spot on the way to/from work and always see cars out front - finally stopped in last night and can see why. First of all, the place was filled at midnight with repeat customers which was a great sign. I was a little skeptical when I saw the prices on the menu as it was much more expensive than I expect from a counter serve restaurant, but when I tasted the food, I completely understood why. We had the daily special, the goat biryani, which was loaded with fall off the bone tender meat, flavorful sauce, and rice that was perfectly cooked. Our take out box was packed to the brim and we were easily able to split that meal into multiple leftover meals. I thought I may have just been extremely hungry the night before but even eating the leftovers today, I was blown away by the flavor. One of the best dishes that I've had. Not a fancy place at all, but everyone was friendly and they do have seating available if you want to eat in. Would highly recommend!

Staff is super nice and knowledgeable. The Goat Pulao and Chicken BBQ Boti were our favorites. The chai and gajar ka halwa was also delicious. Butter chicken was ok and the portion could be bigger.

Hole in the wall, open late and tons of parking. This spot is OG and you understand why all the drivers etc frequent this spot. Huge portions on biryani and freshly made apps so it takes 15/20. Overall, one of the solid Pakistani food spots in chicago that truly deserves your patronage. PS: they don't serve all biryanis everyday. There is a special meat on a daily basis that rotates. The chicken biryani was absolutely divine

Kababish is such a hidden gem - one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago! Every time I've been here, the food has been top-notch. They're not afraid to use spices, which is exactly what I want out of a restaurant. The first time I came here, I got the chili chicken and fish fry and I've gotten those two dishes every time I go since. Yes, that does mean there are many menu items that I have yet to try but I just can't go here without getting those two! Other notable items are the chicken patty and vegetables (not sure the exact name but it was super tasty). Big fan of the atmosphere here - very casual, almost like you're eating in someone's home. It's a tiny building in the middle of a parking lot that you would never guess has some of the best South Asian food in Chicago. Service is solid too, just be prepared to wait a little bit during prime meal time. Might want to order a cup of chai to enjoy while you wait!

The real deal. Closer and less expensive than a trip to Pakistan. Enormous portions (two people can absolutely share one main course) and a high default level of spice are the watchwords here. The colorful and voluble customers make the experience. Modest facility with a single, much-used bathroom and dedicated parking. Your correspondent likes not loves the kitchen's sensibilities but is equally unqualified to pass judgment on its level of authenticity. The milk-in tea isn't a favorite but certainly is ubiquitous in authentic Pakistani food joints. Rice is very competent and good without being the bestest. The freshly-made naan bread is, however, not to be missed.

Great quality Pakistani food in a setting that's a bit of a dive and not as clean as I would like. You walk in and order with the cook, who was very helpful in explaining the dishes. They basically have stews, biryani and bbq meats, which they make on their flat top grill. I like that they have daily specials, wherein they rotate in and out the different stews and dahls. We sat on the patio, which could use a deep cleaning. The food was great, spicy, flavorful, fresh and delicious. There's a definite homemade quality to the food here, and I appreciate the expertise. I'll most definitely be back.

It was the uh good very good the nice is the inside food very much seasonful I like employee they nice

This place is the best! I've only had one meal from this place and it is the Chicken Naan wrap. The chicken Naan wrap is great because it's cheap, it taste great and because it will leave you satisfied after eating. The service is amazing! They make the food quite fast and they are friendly.

Food choices is in front using fresh bread good service thankfully pretty old one of in Chicago

Walked by this place a few times, it a tiny little hole in the wall, and was curious as they have good reviews. I went for dinner and wasn't disappointed. I got the Chicken Biryani and it was terrific. The menu is a little limited but the quality is very good. I like that they rotate the menu daily and I intend to try more than the Biryani. Super casual.

Yo this place is the real deal. Most of the time, when a restaurant is open late, you may assume that the quality be suspicious. That was my assumption going to Kababish late on a Sunday night. But, I was proven wrong. We ordered two of the kabab dishes along with naan. The naan was made fresh in a tandoor, the way it's supposed to be, and the kabob was seasoned with excellence. Excellent late night food

Massive portion of spiced rice and meat dishes for cheap. Pros: Massive portion, heavy flavor. Cons: Bones in the goat dishes. Just grabbed to go dinner. Staff are friendly and efficient, food is super flavorful and the portions are massive. Got two dishes one spiced chicken and one goat. I love goat meat and this was great with a low spice level but the little bones I kept biting really hurt so I wouldn't go for this again. The chicken however was great flavor and spice without bones and was good cold the next day. Total price per dish $14 Rating 8/10

I park my car by this restaurant quite often and every time I get out and walk by my mouth starts to water. The aroma wafting out of this place tells you everything you need to know. The food is incredible and a must try. Definitely a Chicago hidden gem.

Great hole in the wall east Asian food by old town. Small menu but everything is done with quality. Portions are massive and can last you for 2 to 3 meals. I would suggest not eating there as the spaces small and can get hot/crowded quickly. Expect to wait a little bit at night with a large crowd ordering. I love coming to this place though and I'll keep coming.

Kababish! A hole-in-the-wall, super-cas', fast "Indian /Pakistani eatery. Counter type setup. Food can take awhile so orders by phone or web are your best play. When the season is warm, it can get terribly busy. Standing room only with folks waiting outside. The restaurant is a small shack with limited space & seating. Patio seating is available year round but no warmers and it's as clean as others have left it. The diner doesn't have runners nor designated clean-up crew. Eventually, someone comes round. Didn't realize they have been in the business since 2018. They got onto my radar spring 2019. For a year or so after that, most visits were sublime! Chili chicken rice and a wrap was our go-to orders. If it was warm out, we'd be seated on their patio. Their chili chicken is wet and with ample sauce/ gravy, that could be mixed with rice and be it's own biriyani. Right amount of Indian spicy, tangy and tasty. The wraps were good that first summer then after strayed to a downward decline in taste for me. Bread issues. Not sure if it's because of the pandemic or chef poaching but their standards started to tank. In Indo/pak restaurants, chef poaching is common. The last straws you could say, was back-to-back episodes of food poisoning with a six month rest between visits? The kind that wakes you out of sleep with pain in the gizzards. I might have looked past it if a friend or family member mentioned quality had increased. But then a friend recently reported having a bad stomach shortly after carryout and a relative suffering the same fate twice in a row alike me. Those are bad odds right?! You may wonder, why did you go back a seco.. It was legit, tasty-spicy food! No more stomach aerobics and pain. Good luck to any of you trying to score that late night eat.

Super tasty! This food is legit. We've had trouble finding authentic flavors that aren't italian/pizza since being in Chicago and this place nails the indian/pakistani cuisine. It's just a small casual shack, chilling in a parking lot. We really weren't sure what it would be like once it reopened (we live in the apartment nextdoor). Super pumped to find out we have delicious food steps outside our home. They were very friendly when we came by. The naan is freshly made too, big plus. Felt very homey. They have daily specials and then other items that appear to be available everyday.

I'm pleasantly surprised after trying their goat biryani. It's flavorful and very close to the authentic taste. Having tried different biryanis around the US this is probably one of the best one. Would definitely go back here when in Chicago.

My wife and I love coming here on random days when we dont feel like cooking. Its essentially a hole in a wall/cabbie joint but the food has consistently been amazing. We usually take food to go as well to eat throughout the week. I highly recommend getting their Chicken Charga, Frontier Chicken & Biryani when its available.

Hits the spot! Sure, it isn't the nicest inside but the food was great. Had the gyro naan, the samosa, and the beef patty. The service was excellent, and all the customers were interacting with each other.

Easily one of the most hole-in-the-wall spots in Chicago, with flavors to match. Came here on a whim and have zero regrets. The chili chicken rice is insane- flavorful, SPICY, and the biggest heaping portion I've ever seen. Grill items need a good 25-35 minutes, but if you're not in a hurry, it's definitely worth the wait! Spent around $30 for two items that ended up being closer to 4 servings. Intimate setting inside and the regular patrons clearly felt at home with the owner. It was lively and homey, so much so I almost felt like I was intruding on a private dinner (but in a good way). Decent sized parking lot right in front, which is always a win in my books. Only drawback is that most of the rice dishes are only available once a week (check the menu in advance!), so we would have to come back on separate days to try some of the items we were eyeing.

Best food in the world. I come here whenever I get the chance. Service is outstanding and prices are reasonable

Walked by this place and always smelled immaculate so gave it a try. Ordered the chili chicken and it was too spicy for me but the flavor was amazing! Will go back and get something more my spice level next time.

Granted I only got one item for delivery but it was so tasty, spicy, flavorful, priced very well, and a big portion it deserves a full 5 star review. One of my favorite places I ate in the area. I haven't seen too many places with the menu that they have like chili chicken and chili chicken briyani (what I got that also came with a side of onions, fresh jalapeños, and lemon wedges). I recommend this place and would love to go back to try other items in addition to what I got.

Just a dirty place. The owner was back there helping while I was waiting for my order he sneezed in his hands and instead of washing his hands he just rub them together. Thankfully I didn't pay for my order yet, so I just walked out. I ordered the chili chicken. When the cook brought out the chicken and open the container, it stunk up the whole place, I'm guessing the chicken was spoiled, but they are able to cover it up with all of the spices.

Absolutely Amazing! The have earned themselves a frequent returner. I loved everything about this place. I have driven past it for years and always wanted to stop. I finally did after a long day at work. Which was great because they were still open late. The place was packed, which was surprisingly for the hour, but they were quick, efficient, and courteous. They have their own parking lot and have plenty of spaces. I got their delicious Chicken Nan Wrap and the Chili Chicken Rice. Both were spicy, but so flavorful. It was sooo worth the heat. It was truly amazing. I cannot wait you go back and try something else or just getting the same. They have great portions, so you are definitely not left hungry!

I used to frequent Devon street to get my authentic southeast asian fix, but alas, no more. I found my go-to Lahori chargha. The quality of their food is consistently good. The grilled kabobs and perfectly spiced curries warm my soul. The owner is absolutely lovely and welcoming, you can tell he puts so much care into his dishes. Although the restaurant looks small and inconspicuous from the outside, it's surprisingly pretty spacious and clean. My husband is British and is a bit of a curry snob, having lived in England for the past 30 years. Even he agrees it's one of the better Indian-Pakistani restaurants in Chicago.

Ordered via Grubhub and can't rave about this enough. I ordered the butter chicken with naan and pita bread. The rice was so aromatic, flavorful and fluffy, the chicken to sauce ratio was perfect and the naan complimented everything perfectly. I am honestly blown away by how delicious this was. The prices are very fair for the amount of food you get. Can't wait to dine in. This is my new go to spot for Indian food! Kudos to the chef and owners!

Food was excellent! Chicken Biryani, Buttery Chicken, and Naan. Baklava for dessert, too. We've lived nearby for a few years and wished we tried it sooner.

Not open until 4 am. I hate when businesses don't update there times. They don't care about their customers, or about the time the customer spent driving to their restaurant. If the restaurant doesn't care about your time, then they won't care about your food or the cleanliness of their restaurant.

This is actually a small family owned Restaurant of Riaz Bhai. He is generous and a gentleman, whenever I am in Chicago Downtown area, I stop by to grab Bihari kabab and Chicken boti kabab. The food is much tastier than Bundoo khan on Devon Ave. It's cheap and good quality with quantity. Just 13 Dollars for any kababs it comes with 2 skewers. They also have regular Indian and pakistani food too.

Everything is great but the curries in particular keep me coming back. The portions are huge so you can easily get two meals out of one entree, especially when dipping their delicious naan bread into the curry. My favorites in order: 1. Goat Qorma 2. Black Pepper Chicken Curry 3. Chicken Korma 4. Bhagaray Baigan (eggplant curry). This one had great flavors but I found the texture a little odd. It also doesn't fill you up as much as the meat curries. They really know how to cook their meat (especially the goat, it just falls off the bone) so unless you are a vegetarian, I would recommend their meat curries over the vegetarian ones. Their Baklava is also great. Can't wait to try their chai and even more curries as they have different ones every day. Also appreciate how late they are open. This is a spot that I hope stays in business forever on my block. Keep up the amazing work, Kababish team!

Hadn't been this place in a while since I moved to the suburbs but I was a regular here while living at Lincoln Park. Today I was in the city and decided to take out for dinner. I was really humbled that the owner (I don't know his name but I call him Uncle Ji) still remembers me, was worried about me since I suddenly stopped coming and was trying to get in touch with me to check if I'm okay. Got my dinner and the man was so happy too see me back and that I'm ok insisted that I just have what I ordered and didn't charge me. His smile and insistence reassures that there are more good people than the others and I can't do enough to ensure that everyone who is interested in his form of cooking comes to Kababish. As mentioned in my earlier review and again, this is by far the best place you can eat authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisines. I've seen everything, everyday prepared fresh from scratch and I'd encourage you to support this place and try every item out. Their menu rotates throughout the week which is very cool and I'd also encourage to go there in person, order and pickup or dine in. They have free parking and outdoor seating but you might want to check in with the business on reservations or any new changes.

First time customer. I got the chicken biryani and my goodness. Barely fits in the container. The chicken falls off the bone. Forget about KFC this is finger lickin good

Best place for an authentic Pakistani food in the downtown Chicago area. We have been Plus they opened late into the night, perfect for any late night craving

Stopped by here over the weekend because I could smell the lovely smells from the nearby park I was walking in. My friend and I ordered the butter chicken, another spicy chicken and peppers dish, naan, and rice and holy moly, it was so much food!! Delicious, has a kick, would recommend. They've got an indoor and outdoor patio and plenty of free parking!

My boyfriend and I had wanted to visit this little unassuming restaurant for a while and were so excited when it reopened! We live right next door and wanted to give it a shot. Everything ranges from about $10-$12 in big portions. We got the Chicken Biryani because it was on special today and it was recommended by the friendly and passionate-about-the-food owner. It did not disappoint! I was bursting with so much flavor and is different than many restaurants in the Old Town area. I highly recommend giving it a try!

Don't sleep on this hidden gem (it's literally hidden under the El tracks)! Riaz and his crew are pumping out some of the most delicious, tender meats you will find this side of Pakistan. There is a reason there are always 5 Escalades and 3 taxis in their parking lot- the city's drivers know the food is worth the trip. So, so good and love that they are open late!

This is the worst Indian/Pakistani food I have ever had. It must be a SCAM that it has so many five star reviews. They must have paid for the reviews. The naan was prepackaged. It was hard like cardboard. The chicken kebab was really chewy. I ended up throwing it all away because it was so gross. Complete rip off!

Outstanding food personable staff want to make sure enjoy food and give a pleasant conversation.

This place is incredibly delicious. I got their goat biriyani late at night and it was absolutely one of the best things I think I've ever eaten. The portion was enormous, the rice was perfectly fluffy, the goat was fall off the bone tender, and everything was deeply spiced. The staff was super friendly and explained what each dish was. Plus, the restaurant is filled with tempting aromas. Can't wait to come back to this new gem!

Definitely a hidden gem in the neighborhood. Amazing hospitality! We've been here multiple times and it never disappoints. Definitely try the Chili Chicken, anything with lentils! Fresh Nan bread! Chai tea is fresh! The portions are huge so come with an appetite! Grub hub available and they're open late! Amazing!

Blown away by this place, unsure how I missed it before. The chicken boti was perfect. So was the naan and tea. I have never been to Pakistan but went to nearby Kashmir, flavors are bold here. The owner was hospitable and kind, he should be proud of his product. Can't wait to come back here.

Great hole in the wall type takeout with a few dine in tables. Located in small establishment under the L. Wonderful Pakistani food. If you like Indian, this is very similar with slightly different spice blends and flavors. Absolutely loved the food we picked up here. Wish I had this place in my home town!

Spinach and potatoes are my go to. So satisfying and rich. It's busy event at midnight. Love it and will be back often.

Went a few months ago because it's near my apartment. Staff was unfriendly and not helpful when we asked for a recommendation. Our food was a premade takeout box frkm a fridge in front of us, put in the microwave and handed to us. Very dry and unappetizing, neither of us wanted to eat more than a few bites. For the price, the portions are great, but would rather get fresh food, or at least not microwave leftovers.

Good Indian and Pakistani food. Open late. Prices are a couple bucks per entree higher than you'll find elsewhere but the food is great.

Best Haleem I've had in my life! And the tea was amazing too. 100% recommended and would try again forsure!