Samis Kabab House in Astoria
Categories
Location on the map
Astoria, Queens County, New York, US
Site: https://samiskababastoria.com/
- Monday:11:30AM–10:30PM
- Tuesday:11:30AM–10:30PM
- Wednesday:11:30AM–10:30PM
- Thursday:11:30AM–10:30PM
- Friday:11:30AM–10:30PM
- Saturday:11:30AM–10:30PM
- Sunday:11:30AM–10:30PM
Samis Kabab House in other cities:
If you are looking to take your family out for dinner, this is your spot. Very much a family friendly environment. The staff does not treat you as customers, more like family. They aim for 100% satisfaction. There is an indoor seating area and front outdoor seating area which equally look great. Aesthetically pleasing, delicious afghani food, beautiful decor, and extremely welcoming staff. We combined a few items off the menu and made a family platter. Do try it out!
Food was excellent. We all had lamb shank with qabuli polao and lamb chops. Meat was perfectly cooked and was literally falling off of the bone. It was juicy and succulent and very flavorful. Food portion was adequate. But we didnt like the hummus that much, it was little watery and thin.Service needs to be little bit better and attentive towards table. There was little bit of mix-up but no complaints.
100% Halal and delicious! Yusuf’s service was impeccable and very accommodating. The chicken kabob with the Uzbeki Pulao were on point. The lamb chops and lamb shank were great! The Afghan salad the bread and hummus were great as well. 10/10 would recommend it. They have indoor dining and outdoor. Very clean & the bathroom was as well. Love it!
So much love for this spot. Amazing food. Even better service. Truly a homely family run establishment. Sami himself was running around checking in on customers, staff and the restaurant overall. One of the staff saw I was pregnant and brought out special hummus, on the house. And then a dessert just for the baby. I don’t ever leave reviews but this place was just too good to not review. Must check out.
The owner/manager suggested mixed Kabab platter. It was a good portion. The food was delicious. We were initially placed on a table facing the wall, but the manager moved us to another table. Tried the firnee. Personally not a fan but other people liked it. Customer service was good as well.
Food was absolutely outstanding and the fresh chutneys had me in awe. Seating arrangement was good as well as service and was glad we were able to dine indoors. Only tip I would give is to add some garnishing to your entrees, other than it was great! Will recommend to all of my family and friends!!
The sauce & the flavors were all a great experience, a must try for international foods my work colleagues and friends enjoyed it. Too bad our lunch break was almost over so we had to rush 😆Update:As of lately the last two times I visited with my friends, we kept finding hair in our salad or foods. Sorry but I had to take away -2 🌟, hygiene is important and food is nothing to play with.Food has been getting more expensive, and we tip well plates have to be clean and hairless.
Update 2022: Wow what happened to this beloved place. While the food is still good, the dine in experience has gone downhill. The waiters are all over the place, keep forgetting to bring stuff. They don’t also provide you tap water, only bottled. This should be against the law. As others have mentioned the 20% service charge without mentioning it sounds cunning. Glad I checked. Taking off 1 star. I think the NY times reviews went to their head. Bring back the original Sami and hire more competent workers. Don’t think I will back anymore.Good food, rustic decor and homey. Their bathroom is even nicer than the restaurant.Lamb chops were really tasty. The bread/naan is not your typical naan. Has Afgani twist to it. The owner/chef is a nice man who really wants to make you feel welcome. He is running back and forth between being the waiter/server/cook. Go out for a with family dinner, your so, friends you will really enjoy. Not a first date type place though.
Delicious ! Delicious Afghani food ! Fresh and delicious vegetables, the meat was super soft and the sauces and spices were SO on point.My husband hasn’t had too much middle eastern food and he was in bliss with this food. Now this is one of this favorites.You can tell is home cooked food. And we even saw the owners working their butt off on a Saturday night serving the food themselves to the customers to ensure quality and great service . HIGHLY RECOMMEND ! Would love toCome back if I’m back to Visit Astoria, NYC.
I had the mantu (ground beef +lots of tasty stuff dumplings, topped with a garlic mint yogurt sauce) as an appetizer, and then Uzbeki Qabuli pulao (braised lamb shank served with Qabuli rice). Both dishes were delicious, and the Qabuli rice (which I had never tried before) was absolutely spectacular.
Ordered the Chicken Afghani Kabab. First time trying afghanistan food.The chicken tastes like moist and flavourful tandoori chicken and the rice reminds me of a mild biryani. The sauce is a garlicky yogurt and there is a tub of powerful spicy green chilli. I am not a chilli eater 🥵but I cannot resist smothering the yogurt and chilli on the tasty chicken. The cooked carrot & raisin plus the salad complements the dish very well.Am thoroughly satisfied, and will not hesitate to order again!
I particularly. Said i want my food in my own plate. Because that’s what i paid for. We were in a group we all ordered 5 mixed grills we asked for separate plates. The servers still put all our mixed grills in one plate. Mind you I like to eat my food separate because of cross-contamination.. I work as a barista and I understand how this works. Please i love your food next time when i ask a separate plate give me my food in separate plate.
Service and food was perfect! The chicken is very tender! My go to spot in Long Island City, must try.
One of the best places for food lovers. Service was good as well. Over all cleanliness and something extra decorations will change your mind. I recommend this place to visit with friends and family and enjoy the Afghan delights.
The restaurant where I met with great food today. There is nothing bad I can say about the taste, I think they have very tasty dishes. Also the employees are very kind, especially the person who took care of my table today. See you again soon!
I am giving one star to this restaurant is only because of customer services. The manager will make you a server so be prepared if you there during Iftar time. The food is Okay and over priced. Me and few of my other friends were sitting outside, and the manager came up-to me and be like he need help. I was like okay I went inside the restaurant and he literally made me a server I had to carry my own food to the table, I went back for water, then I realized we were missing plate, fork and napkins. So I went inside and ask the manager we need plate, and Guess what he showed me where they were and told me it’s busy take by your self. In total I had to make three trip back and front. In conclusion, they should not charge for food like fine dining and treat customers as their employees.
I went there for the lunch, The waiter was rude and disrespectful, his way was bad, he talked to the customer, the food was very late and the way the food was served is not nice, or do I like my plate or the way the food is placed on the plate, I ordered a mix afgany G . The way how they served it very bad
The meat was tough and the food was bland. Really disappointed since I love Afghan food.
Im really very disappointed due to high price for family platter and double charge for service fee. I even paid 15% tip. We roast whole goat in this price in Afghanistan & Pakistan. Sitting just OK average. Food is good but not top notch. Over rated by some people who dont have such food in Afganistan or Pakistan. I didnt want to comment but good for those who are newest here.
After searching for more than an hour and not being able to find somewhere to eat, the owners son let us in to this restaurant slightly early. The Farsi language music is beautiful and decorations and artwork are interesting. The food was astounding. Portions were pretty big. I had Afghani lamb chops and my girlfriend had salmon kabab. The food was perfectly done. The Afghani tea, salads, eggplant, custard and hummus were all far above what we anticipated. The waiters were kind and showed a appropriate level of attentiveness.
I love this Afgan kabab house, first of all their presentations & welcome.Employees manager & server awesome.Food is great taste & smell .
Bad service, charged 20% for 2 people without showing details first. I double tip figure the number quite later. Food quality is good, lamb entree better than kabeb, recommend take out not dine in.
AVOID THIS PLACE! Worst dining out experience ever. The manager was inept. Tried to force food on us that we didnt want. And never put in the order for our food that we did want. Hour and half in, no food was brought out. Then the manager got into a fight with the owner in the middle of dinner service.The manager then tried to charge 20% service to the guys sitting next to us. They got into a fight and ended up walking out.Place is a hotmess. I got up and left and ate else where. If the service is this bad, they are probably spitting in people’s food.
Terrible food, avoid at all costs.. The salad is simply cucumbers, tomatoes and lettuce with no dressing or effort. Appetizers are bad. The meat quality is horrendous. The shank wasnt hot enough probably they cook them in the morning and re-heat. The only thing that was edible was the chicken. I am a big fan of Afghani & Persian food especially meats and was utterly disappointed.
The waiter Abdullah was very kind to us. There was a mix up with the reservation but he arranged seating for us even when it was full. The food here has always been amazing but the customer service really put it over the top. Thank you!!
My favorite place to eat in Astoria. I had my bday dinner here and the whole time people would not stop talking about how amazing the food is. I honestly think the Qabuli pulao was better than any I had in Central Asia. My partner stopped eating lamb for a few years because of bad food poisoning and I was never a huge lamb fan, but the lamb shank and lamb chops here were so good we both found ourselves constantly wanting it again
Amazing food, meat quality is top notch! Service is amazing. Only came in for takeout, but was still offered greentea and many more treats on the house!!
I had a terrible experience.I called and I explained my orderI ordered 2 Mantu, 2 kubli with meat, large salad and vegetarian platterThe parking was pretty hard so I doubled parked and ran to the store picked my orderWhen I arrived home and the order was missing the 2 kubli with meat & I got small salad instead of large oneI called and I was told sorry for that but we dont have anyone to deliver and you must come back to take the rest of your order.Then I went back and I took the rest if the order and found kubli rice only without meat and the person in charge gave me a desert as a good gesture.I told him its just rice then he said yes I told him on my order its kubli with meatThen he said you dont know afghan food well!!So back to the review of the food.Mantu was saggy doesnt have any flavor. And the rice was average the vegetarian platter was mostly big chunks of hard potatoes and rice. The salad was pretty good. The chatni didnt have cilantro at all finally the white sauce wS diluted ranch sauce finally the bread isnt related to afghab bread at all.I dont recommend going there
Always check your bill! We were charged 30 extra for no good reason. We arrived 20 mins early before iftar and made an order before anyone in the outdoor seated section, but were served next to last, almost 25 mins after iftar. Wouldnt have tipped if it wasnt for the sneaky 20% service charge sneaked in. (With another $30 on top of that)10/10 food as always though
All the food was great. The wait staff was polite and attentive. Will definitely be back. Sami himself was very friendly as well, gave me a free Firni on the house.
Being Afghan myself, my standards are very high. However this spot surprised me with its outstanding food and flavor and service. LocAted in a discreet neighborhood in queens, this little spot hits a home run. Definitely try the famous pilaf. (Ask for Extra of the raison and carrot garnish). Also try the Mantoo dumplings. For desert the pistachio milk pudding is splendid.
This place has the best hospitality I ever had. The staff and the owner are super friendly, and treats all guests like family. The ambiance is really nice. The food is five stars, and the prices are very reasonable. This is a must try!
Purchased food earlier at Samis and brought it home to eat. I ate the entire food. That was actually the first time I had Afganistan food and must I say it was delicious. Sami and what looked like his son were friendly and helpful. Would definitely recommend that restaurant to anyone!
The entree was really good. We had the chicken kabob with kabuli rice. The rest of the items we ordered were not as good, the soup just tasted like chicken curry with bits of noodles and the dumplings had spice but not enough salt on the dumplings or soup. The main dish did make up for the shortcomings on the appetizers. It was moist, flavorful and satisfying.
Didn’t know Afghan food was this good! Lamb shank seals it every time. Comes with garden salad and rice Pulao. Recommended.
So lovely place. Well decoration. There restroom really really lovely, There food outstanding, mindblowing, so yammy. The best kabab. And there behave I cant explain its wow. Really i am sooo happy to go there. Good and quality full time pass. I am not recommended that place but if you need good kabab and good environment then dont think about others just Google Samis kabab house. Now they extension there place good decoration wow 💚🌸
We were dining outside at pretty quiet place,This entire dish was so delicious I’ll visit there gain. I loved it!
What a treat! A friend hosted us at Sami’s, for dinner. The place is small but the cultural vibe in this place Is HUGE. Sami’s has by far some of the best knobs in the NY area. Juicy, Fresh, tasteful, and mouthwatering. My family and I really enjoyed their food. The heaping portions, enough for two meals. The dessert (pudding) and tea to wrap up a great meal were just superb, all in all great experience.
Wowwwww!!! I can say the best lamb chop Ive ever eaten. It was served with carrot rice and they really complement each other very well. I was able to get all the sweet, savory and bitter flavors in one plate. The restaurant is also a 10-minute walk from the subways Queensboro Plaza stop. “Legendary Taste”
Amazing and amazing hospitality.They were about to close and still let us in.They even hooked us up with hummus and eggplant on the house.Owner was very nice and continuously checked up on us.The food was also amazing along with the bread given beforehand. Definitely going back with my family.
Our first experience with Afghan food was alright. We ordered the yogurt dumpling, some lamb kebab and a plate of Afghan naan. Out of them all the lamb kebab was the best: rice was full of flavor while complimenting the kebab, albeit there wasn’t a lot of meat. We thought the naan was a bit dry.Food aside, heads up: there is a 20% tip already embedded in the receipt when you check out. Where we situated at was very dim, and it seemed to be at the corner of the restaurant. Perhaps because it was close to closing time only one servant would frequent our table. It wasn’t the worst dining experience but it wasn’t the best either—especially for 20%.
The food here is always on point. Its clean and full of flavor. The meats are grilled well done but are still very juicy. The owner is friendly and welcoming.
The service is amazing and the servers are so nice the meat quality is better than other afghan places I recommend coming here
This was my first time having Afghan food and Sami’s Kabab House did not disappoint!! I had the lamb tikka kabab and it was so tasty. The Afghan rice was sweet but the savory taste of the lamb countered it nicely. I enjoyed eating here and would recommend it to anyone looking to try something new.
Made a plan to try this place while I was in LIC/Astoria and I am so glad I did. This place is wonderful. The grilled meats are excellent - cooked to perfection! And the owner and staff were so nice. I took our order to go but definitely recommend this spot. Convenient, affordable, and very tasty!
The owner was so welcoming. He understood what we wanted and gave us whatever he thought was best. Ive eaten at many afghan restaurants but hands down this place was the best. My family got the family platter for 6 people and the guy chose everything to add so we didnt have to pick. Come here and you wont be disappointed. The firni as well was delicious. Would come here again.
Very great customer service! The food was great, I especially loved the hummus because it was the perfect consistency and texture. The hummus was served with lightly toasted Afghan bread. It was absolutely splendid.
Blown away by how good it was. 4 years in NY and only now do I find this place!The hummus was even, and not by US standard but by Middle East standard.The meat was deliciously tender and seasoned perfectly. Cant believe that even the rice was succulent.I have lived in the middle East and been to several countries there but that restaurant gets it so right it is unbelievable.Thank you for this amazing experience.
AFGHANISTAN 🇦🇫Eat the World NYC review:Samis kind of lives in its own universe. Around the corner from busier 36th Avenue in Astoria, the spot is unassuming and the only glimpse of what all the fuss might be about is when waiting people are milling around outside the shop during busy nights. Inside, the dining room is much more formal and modern than other Afghan restaurants in town but still friendly and welcoming.About one third of the space is taken by the kitchen, which runs from front to back along one wall, while the rest is dining tables. The wall opposite the kitchen is covered in beautiful imported fabrics that add a lot of warmth to the space if the smells from the kitchen were not already making you feel good.A mixture of customers come here from Astoria and all over the city, drawn by rave reviews in important papers and online reviews. It makes itself very user-friendly for those unfamiliar with the cuisine, and makes a good entry point for anyone interested in learning more about the food and sampling their many kababs.
Amazing food and service! Seems bigger inside than at first glance. The service is impeccable, we were checked on often and our waiter was so sweet. The owner was friendly and we were given free desserts after paying!
Delicious and authentic Afghan food. This picture is the vegetarian mixed entree. There are meat and other vegetarian options. Great green tea with cardamom! Friendly and warm customer service!
Cozy place, delicious authentic afghan/uzbek food, and amazing service. The owner is a friendly guy and even offered drinks on the house. Definitely a favorite in Queens.
Hidden treasure and food experience that worth trying. Food served in nice portions and well decorated. Everything is clean, stuff responsive and looks like good vibe adds to experience. I was very delighted to visit that venue...place has national decore items very nicely decorating restaurant. Highly recommended.
The food was delicious the service was great. We were a family of 4 adults and a baby, ordered a few dishes to share, basically marinated breast chicken, lamb, lentils, spinach, fragrant rice and also share a complementary desert, rice pudding. Everything was divine. They are also takin good measure to protect customers from covid, there is alcohol at the entrance for your hands, the tables are place at a reasonable distance, and they came and open the door to ventilate the room. You do feel you have been invited for a family meal.
They got one of the best foods is Astoria. Their owner is a great person. But today, I was disrespected and insulted by their server and cashier Sami Zaman. But becoz i dont look rich and fancy, does it means i dont deserve the same service like all others!!! Plz, we expect a lot from U....
Sami does afgani Kabob right. MashaAllahLove at first meal.Fresh Clean taste.He welcomes u like family with roses even in the bathroom. Enjoy guys.
Great food, good prices, very friendly service. They even gave my wife and I a free dessert. Ive eaten here several times and will continue to come back.
Very authentic place and food. The owner is super nice and the food is fresh and tasty. I recommend it!
Amazing amazing amazing. Bought my brother and my friend here and by far, the best Afghan food in town. There wasn’t a single rice left on our plates. The meat was also very flavorful and tender. Keep up the good work guys!
Great food. Excellent hospitality. It’s a family owned business. They go above and beyond to make it a perfect experience for you. I come here at least once in two weeks. I love the food.
Super friendly and accommodating, very welcoming for large parties, especially considering it was last minute. Portions are great for family to be shared, amazing chicken, lamb, and seafood options
I recommend this place to everyone! Love the boneless chicken kabob with rice, the food was great, warm atmosphere and a very hospitable, friendly and generous owner! Hope to visit here again soon!
Great service @sami 👍Really fresh made home-style food.All made fresh.Will definitely come again soon. 👌👌👌
One of my favorite places to eat out in Queens. The kebabs are really good, we order the mixed kebab and share. Very decent portions! The rice with raisins and carrots is delicious and I love their hummus and flat bread. The service is always great here as well as the over all atmosphere. Highly recommend!
Amazing place. Must visit. Authentic and delicious Afghani food. The owner is a wonderful host, very good service and food.
Great place with gr8 food. Delicious & not too expensive. Recommend to everyone who specially looking for HALAL food.
Came here one Sunday with my mom and we had such a wonderful experience. They were very nice and helpful at explaining the menu since it was our first time trying Afghan food. Their traditional rice is delicious, and I’m big on rice but I really like theirs. Their afghan bread is also delicious. I can’t wait to come back here again!
The best restaurant in New York. I ate couple of times there and I met the owner of the restaurant. After that I was eating once a week in this restaurant, and whenever I see him he always sent me some free rice pudding or drink. Also food is so delicious and tasty. I love this place. Big hug for Sami and his family!!!! 😘
I used to love this place. The food was amazing and the service was stellar, but it has changed so much that now it became the worst options around this area. I just had really a nightmarish experience there today. I wont be going back ever
We ate there last night food and service was wonderful….reasonable wait for the food, place was clean…. We love this place and hope they thrive !
Food was delicious. Absolutely delicious. And then owners were extremely kind and welcoming. We ordered a family platter, a salmon kabob, and an appetizer along with a couple other things and all the food came out delicious.The salmon was super flavorful and supper juicy. They cooked it very well. The salmon also was super crispy. Easily one of my favorite things thereThe beef kabobs were super flavorful and had the perfect amount of spice to it. The lamb was super juicy and super tender. It was also really fatty. The chicken was also very flavorful and was perfectly cooked. It was not dry at all.The staff were also very nice to my family and me and even gave us a free dessert on the house. Overall, this place is absolutely awesome and I highly recommend coming here if you are looking for good food.
Very nice place for Afghani food, friendly stuff and environment. Recommended!!
Really good food and its purest form. The meat just had so much flavor!
The food is really delicious, the staff is very kind and helpful, fair prices.
Amazing customer service. Excellent food and portion. Thank you Sami!
Everything was absolutely delicious! I had the lamb chops kababs. Every kabab comes with rice, salad, naan, and sauces. Would definitely come back to try something else
Delicious, succulent kebabs served with some of the most well cooked rice I’ve had. The Afghani naan soft yet crisp. The hummus a little runny and under-seasoned but still does the job.We also ordered the Uzbeki pulao (lamb shank), which was very, very nicely cooked.The pickled (?) carrot sticks and plumped up raisins that the rice comes with are a really nice accompaniment. Something worth trying at home even, to jazz up a simple rice dish.Definitely coming back here multiple times.
I went there with my family. We sat inside and had some good food.Everything we ordered was good but way pricey for the portionsThe person who welcomed us was nice and friendly but the other person working there refused my request to switch on the AC as it was hot in there.But later another family came and thats when they turned it on but we were already done eating and about to leave.
Made a special trip from Connecticut to enjoy the best Afghan food. Their food is delicious and service is superb.The pulao with leg of lamb is the best I have had so far.
There is no way I can give then less than 5 star. The reason behind 3 stars are, the previous manager was super friendly and humble. One word a great person. I used to go every other day there. However me and my friends were very disappointed to see how much rice they serve now with Uzbeki qabuli pulao. The guy who looks like mosquito call’s himself manager is so rude. Didnt see a smile on his face and when he talks it felt like he was constantly judging us for no reason.
Lamb kebab was delicious and tender
This was one of my favorite place up until today. I always take my family and friends in to this place for their friendly behavior and good food. As usual, I went there last night with my family for dinner. We found out there is a now angry rude guy, he was calling himself Manager. We couldn’t enjoy our dinner because of his unprofessional behavior bad service. He even charged us for the food that we didn’t order. We will never go back to this place as long as this guy is there. Stay way from this greedy so call Manager!!!! I will miss Sami’s and Sami’s will miss lots of loyal customer like us because of this guy!!!
Visited this place twice. First in January 2020 and more recently in January 2022. Excellent food, ambience and service. Reminds me of home! Highly recommend.
Food was good but the billing the billing experience ruined it all. They changed us 20% for service charges without letting us know while the menu said that 20% service charge will be charged for 5 people, we were two people. On top of that the waiter wanted a tip. How shameless you can get? Charging me 20% for service and asking me tip as well??? Thank you and good bye
The best Wee free Qabuli Pullao and Kebabs I have ever had in my life. The best hummus I have ever had in my life. The chutney took me back to my childhood. Favorite food in NYC. Sami is amazing as well.
Food was alright, but manager almost forces you to buy family platter and acts very friendly and does not even talk about the price. He charges you for everything he brings to the table including salad, bread, hummus. Charges 20 percent service charge. When we went to pay he gave bill of 120 dollar for food that is worth 50 bucks maybe. Dont fall for the managers trick...
I highly recommend!!! The food was great!!!Samis truly represents Afghan food, which has become a rarity in the Queens area.Plus: Upon pickup, the staff (the chef and young gentleman) were extremely kind and curteous.
I sampled the eggplant, okra platter, and Afghan bread. All three were excellent! If youre coming from Manhattan, a little effort is required to visit, but the meal will be well worth it.
Amazing place! Very welcoming and extremely generous and friendly! It was my first time there and they gave me free humus and free kofta Kabab! I was treated like a family member rather than a customer.Food was amazing it is freshly made. You will not regret going there at all!
Food tastes really good. One of the best afghan restaurants Ive been to.
We were headed out on a long drive and were in a rush to get something to eat and came across this place. The food was good, I dont remember the name of the dish I had but it came with brown rice and goat or lamb piece with bone. It was really good.
The food is SO delicious and the customer service is amazing! The owner and his staff were very nice and kept checking on my family and I every couple of minutes. Definitely will be coming back :) Thank you!!!
Masha Allah one of best Afgani cuisine in new York city. Brother sami and staff all of them are really nice and friendly. Always enjoyed the food.
If you want authentic Afghani food, come to this place... Their service is amazing and food is absolutely great with a reasonable price.. Highly recommended..
Food is really good. One of the best halal food in Queens.
Highly recommend this place. Food is amazing and hospitality is everything. The food is made with love and service is great.
Simply the best service I’ve ever had in New York City. Sammy was so kind and hospitable to my friends and I. The food was downright DELICIOUS. The servings are HUGE. I could not even finish half of my plate. The restaurant is beautiful. All the food is made with care and love. The pita before the meal came with sauces and it was delicious. The meat was exquisite. Highly recommend!!!!
Brought a guest here to try Afghan food for the first time and was very disappointed. First of all the food was not great authentic Afghan food. I noticed the chef wasnt even Afghan, the dishes such as rice and even chicken were sweet with sugar added which is not real Afghan taste. Secondly the manager was deciding what to order for us & kept adding stuff which we thought was a treat from them. Normal things which are complimentary in any Afghan restaurant such as bread, water, tea. But they charge for every single little thing and add it without asking if you want it and acting like its a complimentary treat for the guest. On top of that there was an automatic 20% service charge whether you liked the service or not. Afghans are supposed to be best at hospitality but this place disappointed me and my guest.
Sami kabab is the best afghan halal food restaurant. This was my 2nd time with my family and we love it. I would recommend everyone to visit there.
Very disappointed with their service. The manager of this restaurant had suggested us a big family size platter which we were not that comfortable with ordering. So we ordered other dishes. But the managers attitude kind of changed right away. He was smiling in a mocking kind of way. The whole experience was very uncomfortable because of his attitude. Wouldnt recommend going there. Absolute garbage of customer service!!👎👎👎👎👎👎👎
Amazing and always fresh food! I can’t thank the owner enough for how much he goes out the way to make you feel comfortable and happy.The fish (salmon) and a few of the chicken dishes are always my go too. It’s worth the trip if your coming from another area.
Everything here was good. The food that people the atmosphere of the friends it was all good try yourself to find out.
Food was subpar, service was ok. The waiter was awesome but like others have stated before, the manager will basically try and force you to get a family platter. We only had a party of 2, we don’t eat red meat but he kept insisting on the platter and lamb chops..
Food was fire 10/10.Great customer service.Plus they blessed a free rice pudding 😌
I hadnt tried Afghan cuisine before Samis Kabab House so I dont have something similar to compare it to. However, what I can say is that it is absolutely delicious! The meat (chicken, lamb, etc) is amazing as well as the rice and dont even get me started on the white sauce. Very tasty all around. My kid loves the rice (she loves raisins) and likes dipping the naan in the sauce.Sami is super hospitable and makes you feel welcome even when it gets hectic. My one gripe about this restaurant is that sometimes the wait for takeout can take quite a bit of time. And there have been times when our food is ready, but no one communicates it to us, which ends up in us waiting longer. The last time I went it seemed like we werent the only ones this happened to. It could be that they were short-staffed on those days but make sure to prepare for extra wait time if you plan on ordering food for takeout.Anyway, I highly recommend this place. The food is so good and Sami is an awesome guy! Very happy to have this place in the neighborhood. Give it a try and it will likely become one of your go-to dining options like it has for us.
Most AMAZING Afghan food I ever tried in my life. Wow I have no words to describe how great this food is. I’d come here every day
I love it the food was soo good, i admire customer service
Great kebab, awesome rice pilaf, and super-friendly staff. I wish there were more places like this!
Our group of seven just had an incredible meal at Sami’s. They have a very well-ventilated, heated outdoor patio. The service was superb. The food was delicious. This was an unexpected treat — everyone should try this place!
Phenomenal all around one of the best meals I’ve had in Astoria
Best Afghani food in NY. I have been coming here since the first day they opened . The owner has been welcoming since day 1 . If you haven’t tried out there food you are truly missing out. They were on New York Times for a reason .
Kebabs here are always great . Not dry and the rice with carrots and raisins are great. Big portions and some nice bread with salad before the food comes. Also the sauces are nice too.
Great and genuine food. Very personable staff. Good dekor. A nice cultural experience.
Excellent food and super friendly staff
Awesome food not just Awesome its delicious 😋 and will be back
Ok interior design. Staff is unorganized, food was not fresh.
Im rating this after my second visit after two years later and i must say the food and the hospitality still 10/10. Nothing has changed at all. The owner is such an energetic person with smile on his face all time. He honored our visit by offering us some extra sides and sweets. Please pay your visit if you havent yet.
This was pretty disappointing - bulani, qabli pulao and the lamb kebab were all oily and unflavorful. Don’t really know where all the positive reviews came from
One of the best restaurants in Astoria! The food is absolutely incredible. I recommend the hummus, Bolani Kachalu, lentil soup, and chicken kabab. The staff is also friendly and welcoming....will recommend this restaurant to all my family and friends!
The salmon was to die for. Pls order rice w carrots and raisins. Eggplant appetizer was also bomb dot com.
Not like before. The food is still great but the so called new manager is rude. The manager they had was superb.
Everyone’s always so nice and friendly, feels like you’re visiting your family members house. You’ll get amazing food and some good old Afghan hospitality when you eat at Sami’s. Highly recommend this place.
Perfect grilled kabobs, beautiful ambiance and a very friendly owner. Highly recommend this place.
Very good service, the Pashtun aryan man was looked like the manager was very hospitable and big at jokes aahahaha. I was laughing several times, the first he said tajik and afghan food are the same beause I asked for tajik food since the owner is part tajik. Both fall under Eastern Persian lanauage groups. The pulao which really looks ubzek was good and the mantu was also good, though smaller version of the ubzek manti. Vegetarian dish looks like indian influence and kebab looks more iranian influence. What a silk road culture in this restaurant.The manager wanted to order me kebab which is a Iranian dish, stuff you find in all of the middle east. Its very common so I didnt want to order it. But the manager look like a Pashtun and didnt only want to give me ubzek or indian influence food. So next time i go, ill order the kebab from him and maybe some chinese aushak influence dumplings. Thanks again for your kindness. For people who dont get him, I think he has a afghan humor, like germans
Taste the real Afghan cuisine, for best experience call ahead for daily menu.
Very Good middle Eastern food .Fresh so good
Probably the best afghan food I’ve eaten in New York so far.
Amazing food with great service.Went for a big family party with a short notice. The team was super friendly and prompt. Food was very tasty and full of flavor. Will come back for sure.
Easily the best Afghan food in NYC. Been going here for years and it’s never disappointed. Sami is an OG and will treat you like you’re a guest at his own home. Love when he sits with us and tells a story. White sauce on point.
Samis was amazing! Delicious food and friendly service. A true Afghani experience. Sami is a gem!
The food doesn’t have Afghan test at all, I took 5 of my guests to try Afg food but the owner came and told us “we have a better special that is enough for you guys and has best of everything we have” we ordered, it was disgusting and he charged us separately which was 9 orders. Totally scammed.
The best Afghan food in New York City! Exceptional hospitality from Sami and his staff. Friendly atmosphere with a great choice of appetizers and the most tender meat dishes.
Delicious food and lovely staff! Recently ordered takeout - chicken thigh, chicken breast and ground beef kebabs. All delicious although the thighs were my favorite. There was a mishap with my order that was not the restaurant’s fault, and they kindly made good. Will definitely order from them again!
There was 8 of us. The manager suggested a platter that had rice and various kabobs. This way you were able to taste a little of everything. Also the sald was nice.
This place has one of the bestest customer services. The owner is down to earth type of person! He is super nice! He always gives me a free dessert. Food is excellent! Quality and quantity of the food is perfect! Price is good too! I always order Afghani chicken platter! I highly recommend people to go there!The owner will give you a very positive vibe and you will be bound to visit again!
The first time I ate Sami’s was from Uber eats and the rest is history. I love the food here, I believe one week Sami’s was delivered 2-3 a week. Naturally due to covid weight I had to cut back. Thank you for your service to this community!Your customer.
Great food, amazing customer service and very traditional environment. Cant ask for more!
Best halal kabobs in the city and great pricing and service!
Food is as authentic as it can get. Family run and owned restaurant. They truly treat you like family not a guest or customer. Food will leave you satisfied and will make you want to visit again. Mix platter is the way to go and rice pudding is a must.
Food was delicious, staff was very accommodating and friendly, and bathrooms were nice and clean as well. Highly recommend the Uzbaki Qabuli Balaw (lamb shank dish)!
The food there was truly delectable BUT the reason why I gave this a one star was because something very annoying happened there. When we got our table and ate our food but right after we were done the owner came and gave us even more food than we asked for. We asked why he did that and he said well, I want my customers to be happy we politely told him no but he refused to take the food away and than we said forcefully but still he didnt budge. We figured if he forcefully gave us food we didnt ordered it would be on the house. But when our bill came it was unbelievable he had charged us for everything that we didnt want but he still gave it to us. So this is a warning if you dont want to lose half your bank acount in one meal DONT go there please.
Food was ok. Service could be better. Waiters just disappear for a long time. Had to wait a really long time to be served and then another 30-40 mins just to get the check.
Good delecious food. Service is ok. Good prices.
Delicious food. Had the lamb chops and rice, with qabuli. Sooooo well seasoned, good portions and flavorful.
I really love the restaurant have visited for many times , but in the last months the increased the prices over 30% , and also the have been charging 20% for service for the table , I used to pay around 40-50 for three meals with the family , now with the increase and the service fees 20% which automatically adds to your bill the bill almost doubled and I pay around 80 for three meals .Now I don’t go there only once every two months .Hope they will get to the original price
Ohhh It’s so Tasty
This place is awesome! One of my go to restaurants. Great quality food and excellent service. The owner is humble and genuinely friendly. He makes us feel at home instantly.
Great food, the mix grill can feed two but love the amount of food you get. Bang for your buck! I go here once a month. Service could be a little better. Clean bathroom added plus
Excellent quality. We order from here on special occasions. A bit pricier than other Afghan food places, but you absolutely get what you pay for. High-quality meats and generous portions. If youre in the neighborhood and want to splurge, definitely drop by.
Lamb chops, dumplings, eggplant and okra....so yummy and fresh.
My experience with Samis Kabab was very nice. Loved their kebabs a lot. The staff were really nice and the restaurant was clean and tidy. The only reason why I didnt give them 5 star was there was a gloomy smell inside the restaurant that I didnt like. It could be because when I went there it was just the opening time. But the quality and portion of the food compensated it all. I sure will go back there next time I go to NY.
Amazing food and experienceWe walked in with a group of 9 and got a table right away. The owner walked out and asked us how hungry we were, then said he would take care of us. He then proceeded to bring out two HUGE platters of kabob and rice which was just out of this world. This came after a round of salad and a round of delicious dumplings and hummus with perfectly crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside bread. The eggplant was fantastic, too.Cant recommend highly enough for great service and phenomenal food.
You are missing out if you dont eat here. Ive had almost everything on the menu and EVERYTHING is delicious. Our office orders from them every other week (sometimes once a week). Do you self a favor and go to this family-owned restaurant run by some of the most genuine and kind people Ive ever met.
Food was delicious, service was amazing, we visited for my cousins birthday. Staff was amazing and we were offered appetizer and side vegetables on the house!. Bathroom had fresh petals around the sink. Very nice and clean place.
Nice restaurant, delicious food, friendly staff. Highly recommended.
The food was delicious!!! We ordered mantu, chicken afghani kabab, lamb kabab and the Uzbek pilau. The portions were big, the prices are reasonable and everything was so flavorful. I will definitely get more when I’m back in the area 😋Also, the service was great! They were so helpful and so sweet :)
Great entrees. Lamb shank was amazing with Afghani rice. Veggie dumplings are scrumptious.
Food was amazing! I had the lamb chops and they were well seasoned and so succulent! The rice was the perfect texture and topped with deliciously steamed carrots and raisins! Kudos to the owner. And the service was exceptional!
Excellent fresh and the owner is super nice, great fresh quality.
Samis restaurant is a true hidden gem! This authentic Afghan menu is brought to life with a welcoming staff. Rarely in NYC can you feel like one of the family but Samis service cannot be topped.The food is phenomenal and has been reliably delicious after 4 visits.Parking is easy to find too.Samis is a must for any NYC foodie!
We support this business since he open yesterday we been There 6 people and 3 kids under 4 year old there we ordered 2 mixed dishes which price used to pay family platter $75.00 yesterday how he charge me also service was so bad including tips no body come to us ask everything ok etc I have to get my self soda no served glass of water either when they give me. Bills that my 1 year daughter was crying my wife pay the bills today see the bills was not right I called him today ask about it he just told me go to McDonald’s to have lunch which unprofessional but better McDonalds no charge tips $48.00 total $304 two family platter overcharged us and argument with me I recommend do not go this place Owner feel he d t care about his customers or Business just charge whatever he wants to it’s not fair watch he will out off business how his country Afghanistan get mass
Very good food, good service and neat clean place.
The food portions are huge and I love the ambiance of this place. Its one of the best restaurants with some authentic and a variety of afghan food, although its a little pricey. I’d recommend it to anyone who’s looking to try afghan food.
They add 20% services + 20% tip!it means if you food is 80$ you should pay around 115 to 120$!the price is not reasonable.the food itself is good
Very good and fresh food .. behaved of all that people is also very good ..
Great kebabs and the rice toppings are delicious. Afghan cuisine. Fresh rose with smell in a vase on every table. Bathroom is well equipped with lots of decoration and sink top is covered with roses... Quit and comfortable dining experience. Simple decor. Excellent customer service.
One hour and half still waiting for my delivery ,my daughter slept without having her dinner 👎👎👎
I miss dining at Sami’s! Lamb over rice (with braised carrot) is amazing. Order from them regularly for delivery as well, and the food is consistently amazing!
Sami’s kebab house is AMAZING! Talk about delicious, feel like you can’t go wrong with this spot. Portions are big, food is outstanding, and the customer service makes you feel like family. Keep it up guys!
The best food I have had in a long time. Truly delicious and flavorful. The dumplings are amazing and the lamb shank is perfectly cooked. Im so glad to have this restaurant in my neighborhood. The staff is friendly and welcoming as well.
The food here is absolutely delicious. We had chicken kebabs that were amazingly moist despite being breast meat. The rice on the side is fantastic. Youll have the best experience if youre not in a hurry because we definitely had that should we just set more than enough cash on the table and leave or should we wait for the bill? conversation, and it wasnt a noticeably busy night. You should definitely go, but you should also be ready to make a lot of conversation with your dinner party.
Prices were decent, food tasted great. The server was courteous but forgot the naan bread. The portions were very small. It was a good place but I probably wouldnt visit again. There are better choices in the neighborhood.
Beat food n great customer service. Fresh n legit afghani
Customer service was phenomenal but over charged us! If you go with family, order off the menu. Its best to go for the regular plates. Do not get family platters. For about 11 people, we were charged 460 dollars.Food is alright.
I asked the guy to mix up a family tray with there top kabobs. When I got home it was mostly fish kabob. It was ok but not what I expected. I wasn’t pleased with there chicken kabob or the kofta at all.
Great food and VERY good service! The food is tasty, fresh and theyve really prepared the outdoor seating for Covid-19 style seating. Great experience. Tried pretty much all the kebabs and hummus - to die for!
Food was Delicious. I ordered take out, while I wait in the cold, was offered hot tea by 1 of the staff. Only downside, I was staying in hotel and I didnt get utensils w my food.
In town from Chicago and decided to visit this restaurant as it’s close to my hotel. The food was outstanding. Loved the rice, kabobs, hot fresh bread and the delicious sauces/chutneys. Even the nice cold salad was so good too. Wish this place was back in Chicago. I will definitely come back next time I’m in New York...absolutely delicious!!
Not recommended at all, too expensive for the entree, a salad, a bottle of water and a piece of bread all for $ 24 USD
Absolutely amazing. The food was juicy and flavorful. The guys there made sure we were served promptly. I really recommend the Afghani Kabab. Their bathroom was really clean and the restaurant was great overall. Would 100% dine here again.
Perfect Service and Welcoming from the employees. The food is tasty and the place is very clean.
If you like lamb chops that fall off the bone, savory appetizers, and dessert that makes you stop mid-conversation. Also the service is wonderful and the price is right. Sami, I’ll see you next weekend :)
Went to Samis Kebab house last night with friends, having heard about it and reading rave reviews. The food and atmosphere lived up to the hype. We got the manto dumplings, hummus, kebabs, okra, rice pudding and baklava - all of it was delicious. The owner is very friendly (as was the whole family) and you can tell he really cares about the food and his guests enjoying their experience. Highly recommend and look forward to returning!
I just finished my meal for the first time in Samis Kebab House Astoria NY 11106, visiting from London and though I am used to eating this kind of food, I am left feeling absolutely fab after eaten, the Owner is very pleasant and his staff were very friendly. I normally would not finish all my food but on this occasion I felt bad not finishing this delicious Afghan food. 5/5, well worth visiting👍
Served lukewarm entrees and a cold appetizer (aushak) that yes, is supposed to be cooked. After owner arrived at the restaurant around 7pm, couldnt help but notice other plates coming from the kitchen steaming hot for those who ordered at that time. I suppose we got there 25-30 minutes too early, when the staff didnt have to care because the owner wasnt present. My fiancee was served unsafe, undercooked chicken in her entree and this is unforgivable. I have never written a food or restaurant review before, but am so irritated and disappointed, that I have been moved to do so. If only there were a way to give negative stars.
Delicious kebabs and other Afghan specialities. I dont recall the name of it but there is a dish that is made of eggplant with yogurt and garlic. Just wonderful. I look forward to my next visit.
Highly overrated. Why?1. Waited 1 and 1/2 hrs to be seated because of poor management.2. Expensive.3. Overrated. I feel like the owner tries to lure customers with free soda or free add in. There are many good places that people are unaware of.4. And, if you are a very new customer, see your bill after you eat. They will charge you for bread which in menu says complimentary. Be aware.5. 1 star, only for neatness.NOTE: CHECK YOUR BILL CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU PAY. CASHIER IS VERY TRICKY.
Omg food was very good and services was excellent🙂
They treat customers differently depending on how much they spend and where theyre from. Me and my friends get a mixed plate and all I see is a couple of pieces. The table next to us with the same order looked like a dining hall compared to our table. They didnt like it when 3 guys order two large plates. Just dont go in there, get your food online if you have to...
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Samis Kabab House 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-11I have to say the food is good, we got the lentil soup, mantu, mixed plate for 2 people. Honestly I like their chill sauce on the table. Everything is fine before they bring the bill, they charged 20% service fee without saying anything. I was willing to tip more but this way makes me feel really uncomfortable. Maybe they are not confident about their service. So please double check the bill if you come this place. This is nasty.
Review №2
2021-12-12Excellent authentic Afghan food. The interior was great with spacious seating arrangement for large gatherings.We ordered several kebab platters with hummus, and they were served with brown rice biryani.Yes, it is expensive, but if you want to try authentic afghan kebab this is the place! Everything was spot in terms of taste. It is less spicy but you can add extra spice with green chili paste and white sauce if you need to!
Review №3
2022-06-27I think they need to use better quality meat was chewy ( Tough) chicken need to be fresher!! Rice was tasty and super oily! Appetizers meat dough was good but on cold side. Experience was not what reviews indicated 4.6.
Review №4
2022-03-27First time trying Afghan food and it was really delicious. The hummus was smooth and flavorful, the lamb kababs were grilled to tender perfection, and the stewed lamb meat was great as well.We got the firnee dessert which was a silky smooth custard (supposed to come topped with pistachios according to their menu) but missing the pistachios on top so that was disappointing.
Review №5
2022-03-29Food is excellent, nothing like any other Afgani restaurants that Ive been to. Customers service is great. They treated us like their own family. Thank you.
Review №6
2022-02-01Literally the best quality food ever. They grill their meat to perfection. I knew i liked this place when i saw the chef on the grill clip off the over chard bits on the kebabs with a scissor. They’re phenomenal and the chicken is softest I’ve ever had. Sammy the owner is also a man with a good soul and you can feel the love in this food. God bless this place. Definitely recommend.
Review №7
2022-05-13The food was absolutely delicious 😋 And the servers were great. The owners are very sweet people 💕❤
Review №8
2022-06-23The food is delicious!! Yess absolutely delicious … I usually don’t like lamb but the taste was incredible .. the service is great too! I will definitely come back ! Thanks for a yummy yummy meal
Review №9
2021-11-22Amazing BBQ. Have been here a few times. The quality of food is very high, and the service is excellent. Chicken Afghani and Lamb skewers stood out to me, but everything is top notch. Probably the best Afghan food in the city that Ive tried. Great place to bring friends or family.
Review №10
2022-01-27Hands down!!! The best I ever had!! The chickpea hummus is the bestt, their lamb chop is delicious oh chefssss thank you so much for the yummy food , always a great experience, best rice with carrots 🥕 I’m missing y’all right now