*** Gyros N Kabob Café has closed
I noticed a while back that Aria Kabob had closed. Then a couple of months later it reopened as Gyros N Kabob Cafe.
Still, I wasn't very motivated to try the place. Finally, I went in last month just to see what was up. The interior has changed a bit, but the "bones" look the same. I also quickly surmised that this was still an Afghan-style restaurant at it's roots.
In fact, the same gentleman who used to run Aria, runs this place too. There are still many of the other items I've tried at Aria on the menu here….borani bonjan and bolani gandana for example.
On my first visit, I decided to go with the Falafel-Gyro Platter ($10.99), opting for the lamb gyro.
This was a load of food! The falafel were not to my liking, dry and very bland. I did enjoy the lamb gyro though. I could tell that it was cut then heated, but the flavors were really good, nice spices, a bit gamey. Perhaps a bit on the dry side, but still, the flavor was right in the pocket for me.
Plus, they still serve the tangy and mildly spicy "chatni", which just makes everything taste better.
A couple of days later I was craving that chatni again, so I stopped by and ordered the Lamb Gyro Sandwich ($5.99).
I couldn't believe that this came with all those fries…..typical fast-food fries, but altogether not a bad value. I really enjoy the labni like, thick, strained yogurt on this sandwich, but there was a bit too much of it. The lamb gyro meat was kind of overshadowed by everything.
But hey, the really nice guy serving me knows I love the chatni so he made sure to get me a bowl. I ended up buying a bottle for home use…..the missus loves the stuff.
I recently returned for a lamb gyro fix and just stayed with the Lamb Gyro Plate ($8.99).
I think this is what I'll order from now on. The gyro is on the dry side, but I like the flavor, the labni and chatni help to moisten the gyro meat and the pile of rice below….heck, this kind of looks like a plate lunch, huh?
Sadly, I'm not sure how long this place will be in business. I've never seen another customer during my three visits. I gentleman who runs the place has always been nice to me, though food can take a bit longer since it's often a one man operation. I do need to return to see if the borani bonjan is still as good as I remember.
Gyros N Kabob Cafe
8010 Clairemont Mesa Blvd
San Diego, CA 92111
Hours:
Mon – Sat 10am – 8pm
Sunsay 11am – 7pm