Baghdad Kabab

I'm surprised that - as far as I can tell - nothing's been written about this 24-hour joint with giant signage and a prime corner location. I ordered a bunch of uninspiring food for delivery: gray and mushy falafel balls, stale pita, shawarma ala mall Bourbon chicken, decent hummus, pretty good baba ganoush. Has anyone had a better experience, or is this just for starving cabbies to grab a bite at 4AM when there are limited other options in the 'hood?

Baghdad Kabab
3200 W Lawrence Ave
(773) 267-0333

Kennyz wrote:I'm surprised that - as far as I can tell - nothing's been written about this 24-hour joint with giant signage and a prime corner location.

Last I saw it was Al Amira, before that Mataam al Mataam, which replaced George's and on and on. That corner has had more names than Betty White has boyfriends.

Sorry to hear the latest incarnation is uninspiring.

Kenny, I should hardly defend a restaurant that I've never been, but I will offer this. I'm guessing from the name as well as the restaurants previously in that location, that this is an Assyrian or Assyrian-ish type of place. To best judge it, or to get a better sample of its ware, you should focus on those dishes, not the Middle Eastern war horses that they feel that they have to throw on the menu. For instance, how was the matzah ball soup, I mean kubbe? Or the torshi, these places all have mouth a-tingling good pickles. Look to the various stews and such for a better assessment. The linked GWiv post gives some notions of Assyrian food, and I'm sure you can find more via search.

VI,
That all sounds like good advice, but aside from one braised lamb neck dish that Seth describes as underseasoned in the linked thread, I dont think they have anything like the stuff you describe. They do have shrimp fajitas though.
KZ

The "catfish" listed on the menu is masgouf. It also lists guimar for breakfast, potato chops and mosul kubba.

http://baghdadkabab.com/

I went here yesterday because George's Kabob Grill was closed to refinish the floors, and I needed some pita, dammit.

I ordered the potato chops, beautiful little things, which came with halves of pita and a tomato/greens/onion salad. Honestly, everything together was a bit bland. I wondered where the spices were in the spiced meat. Had I more time, I would have ordered the lamb shank, but I was in a mighty hurry. The potato chops came with a little plastic cup of honest-to-god ketchup. This can't be the authentic topper for these things, can it? At least it gave my pitawiches some punch, but it was an odd dinner. I did appreciate the carafe of un-iced water all for me, though. And the johns were pristine!

Pie Lady wrote: The potato chops came with a little plastic cup of honest-to-god ketchup. This can't be the authentic topper for these things, can it?

I think potato chops are more likely to be served with HP sauce than Catsup.

I happened to stop in on this joint a few nights ago after dropping off a friend at the Lawrence Avenue red line stop, then heading back west on Lawrence to get home. I hadn't had dinner that night; was looking for something on the lighter side and spotted the "24 hour" sign in the window. I was hoping for something along the lines of Pita Inn but instead found more upscale surroundings and, for the most part, prices to match. The first page of the menu has some breakfast items and sandwiches which were more reasonably priced.

I ordered a chicken shawarma sandwich and a small plate of baba ghanouj. The shawarma came in the form of a wrap. Pretty tasty, but not the abundance that you would find at Pita Inn. HOWEVER-the baba ghanouj was some of the best I've ever had! Light smoky flavor with a slight tang. What was really unique was the appearance and texture--more chunky than pureed; the chef treated the baba more like a salad than a dip. And even though this was a chunky version it was still smooth and creamy, sort of like what you'd expect from a good guacamole.

The place was deserted the entire time I was in there (roughly 10:30-11:15pm). The waitress confirmed my suspicions (and what has already been stated here); this is a late night cabbie hang-out and they were between rushes.

Upon leaving, I discovered George's two doors down. I'll be checking them out in the near future. But they better have some damn good baba ghanouj if they're going to make me forget Baghdad Kabob...

Buddy

...and they're gone. For lease sign and empty windows when I passed by yesterday.