Sami's Kabab House is an inviting mom-and-pop Afghan eatery in Astoria, renowned for its fresh, flavor-packed kebabs and generous portions that feel like home.
"This Afghan restaurant in Astoria pulls you in from the street with the smell of spices and grilled meat. Traditional Afghan decorations drape the walls and always make us feel like we’re eating in a friendly stranger's dining room. The portions here are big (perfect for sharing), and the staff will probably treat you better than your siblings do. Get at least one plate of mixed kababs over a bed of seasoned rice, and don’t forget to ask for plenty of white and green sauces for the table. " - hannah albertine, kenny yang
"This tiny spot in Astoria’s Little Egypt has been turning out Cairo- and Alexandria-style dishes since 1989. Chef Ali El Sayed whips up stews and grills meats, including offal like sweetbreads and lamb brain. Eating here is like sitting in Ali’s living room, and you’d better be prepared to convivially interact. Cash only." - Eater Staff
"The eponymous owner of this local favorite, Sami’s Kabab House, is so fastidious about his kebabs he butchers a whole lamb carcass in his basement kitchen to ensure the right cuts and freshness. Sami Zaman’s menu draws from his childhood cooking traditional Afghan foods under his mom’s guidance in Kabul. The kebabs here are served with rice as long as noodles and qabuli, a sweet topping of carrots and raisins for an extra dollar." - Caroline Shin
"Sami Zaman keeps a whole halal lamb in his basement fridge, and for every order of kebab or chop, he butchers the pieces himself just because he’s a tad obsessive. He grills them to get the tenderness and char just right. And that’s how the former coffee-and-bagels street cart vendor grew Sami’s Kabab House to two other outposts in Long Island City and Long Island — and inspired his son to launch his own modern halal coffee shop. The mantu (beef dumplings), sabzi (stewed spinach), and firni (custard) hit just right, too." - Caroline Shin, Robert Sietsema
"Thanks to Sami’s, Astoria can claim some of NYC’s best Afghan food. Their lamb and beef kofta kebabs are worth a trip, and the vinegary leek aushak is a must-order. (You can get a vegetarian version without the lamb gravy.) With large parties sharing big platters of food, you might feel like you're crashing someone's family function here. This place is perfect for all your friends who would rate "putting on a bowtie" dead-last on the list of things they'd want to do on New Year's." - Neha Talreja
