Kabab Cafe - Astoria

This place ought to be shut down, it is such a health hazard. To summarize:• prices are absurd• no menu, so owner charges what he wants• dirty food prep area• rude owner who uses his old guy “charm” to get away with poor hygiene, slow service and unwelcome advances towards customersThe health department should flag this place down. The kitchen is unkempt, the cast iron pan on which the steak was served had a thick layer of carbon that was definitely not foodsafe, and lots of things were being flung around with insects flying around in his tiny kitchen. Plus, bleach and cleaning products were right next to a couple of food containers that he was serving sauces right of. Honestly the worst meal I’ve tried and dirtiest venue I’ve ever seen in all of Queens.I don’t understand what people mean by all the comments regarding Ali’s charm, he was rude to new patrons coming in that didn’t know his restaurant didn’t have a menu, was upset at us for bringing in an outside drink that was pretty much fully consumed, and made me feel uncomfortable as a woman.I wanted so badly to enjoy this place but the food can only be described as “dog food” by me and my partner. Ali dumped old soggy veggies and an already cooked steak into the oven on a dirty cast iron pan. The food came out soggy, overcooked, and covered in miscellaneous spices that seemed as if he had dumped his entire spice collection into.The cauliflower salad was also soggy, too acidic, and was prepared with no caution.I’d avoid at all costs. Leaving this place made me feel sick to my stomach after my meal ended. Never again. Astoria is too rich of a culinary destination to deal with a place like this.

This is one of the best places ever. The food is incredible.

Went to have dinner tonight and didn’t know what to expect. What a wonderful experience we had. The food was fabulous and Ali was so friendly and passionate about his menu. Would highly recommend but remember to bring cash only.

Wonderful conversation and food. Reviewing because I went last night and am distracted at work today, daydreaming about the mezze platter, cauliflower salad and porgy.

I find it funny how people come in here expecting something different that what Ali doesn’t pretend to offer. If you walk in here and see what you see, why do you think it will magically be what you want it to be. This one was of the most magical evenings from the warm hearted Ali. A dinner we will never forget and those who come on here giving 0 stars and complain how Ali does his cooking shouldn’t have come in at all. If you know you know … thanks Ali for a lovely evening ?? ?