The Kebab Shop
Category: Middle Eastern [Edit]
630 9th Ave(between G St & Market St)
San Diego, CA 92101 (619) 525-0055
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: No
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
83 Reviews for The Kebab Shop
I highly recommend this place the food was very tasty and the beers were also very tasty. Over all a great experience.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I've been meaning to review this place for a while. I went right when they first opened up and was sooooo happy with the amount of garlic they use in their doner. I love garlic and usually when most places say it's "garlicky" it's hardly that. I wasn't expecting garlic when I bit into the doner, what I got was a surprising delight.
Some people have complained about how they use tortillas instead of lavash or pitas. I actually like the tortillas, so what if it's not "authentic." It tastes good. Enough of you people and your authenticity. If everything was authentic we wouldn't have many of the foods we enjoy today. Cooking is about being creative.
Enough of that....
I've had the lamb doner and the chicken. They're both delish. My fav though is the lamb. The chicken is tasty too, but I think they use a different sauce. It tasted more like a curry creamy type sauce when I had a bite. Don't get me wrong, it's still good, just not AS good. Why, you ask...because it's missing the ever-powerful garlic!
Usually, I want to split the doner with my husband b/c it's such a huge portion. My husband tends to ax that idea simply b/c he wants his own. I haven't tried anything else there, b/c I can't bring myself not to order the doner.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Wow! Mooncat & I stummbled across this place by accident today. We were actually going to the Thai place opposite for lunch then saw the Kebab Shop tucked away behind the Japanese restaurant.
Coming from England, kebab shops are nothing new. They're everywhere over there - as are the famous kebab vans selling unknown grey meat and populated by brawling, drunk teenagers. A British style kebab is usually pita bread, the aforementioned grey meat, a few skinny strands of limp lettuce and sh!tloads of chilli sauce. By jove its the best food ever when you're drunk but the stench the next day does not do well with a hangover.
Anyway, enough digressing. This place had nice guys serving. A basic menu which is plain and easy to read and lovely fresh food. Mooncat & I both had the Chicken Doner and they were well worth the money. We also had a side of delicious rice too.
Two meals, sides and drinks came to $16 and we were both stuffed.
My only complaint - and this is my usual complaint - is that they do not offer any kind of hot sauce. In fact, mine had a lot of mayonnaise, of which I am not a fan.
Some nice chili sauce would get this place *****.
Not saying you need to get your aris down there now but if you're in town and want something different, healthy and worth your hard earned $$$ then give it a try.
yep - the hype has delivered - the kebab shop is downtown's answer to "whats to eat thats filling and unique in downtown"... i see it now, when i went in to eat there was a slew of construction workers, downtown businessmen, and local east village foot trafficers all throwing down on some kebabs and doners - yum.
the GRUB:
- the lamb (gyro style) and the chicken were mighty tasty... try it with the yogurt sauce and the hot sauce - AWESOME!
- the donners are just huge middle eastern style burritos - flatbread stuffed with meat (LAMB or CHICKEN) - add rice or fries to it and make it really filling
- they have some very delicous side orders - dill and cucumber salad, hummus, tuboulli (sp?) salad, etc.
- on the menu, it looks like they have salmon skewers and falaffel
- also on the menu, sandwiches served with Lamb or chicken
the JOINT:
- clean and well laid out
- kinda small tho considering that they get immensley busy at times
- you can see the kitchen, grill and spits (for the meat) - which is a bonus for me, im all about keeping my eye on the food handlers
- location kinda sucks ass on 9th - parking is primo there
the SQUEEZE:
- are you F'en kidding me?!?!? $7 for a Doner - thats some REAL GOOD CHEAP EATS!
- they take all the plastics
- drinks are refillable
- order your grub here THEN go PETCO for a PADS game or go before Tavern and bowl on a full stomach so that you can drink it up
Kebab Shops' Hype did not disappoint - its good stufff.
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
The food was excellent and the service was great. I had a beef kebab and it takes 10 minutes to cook, but it is worth the wait. I also had the orzo salad and it was well made with: mint, tomatoes, grilled zucchini, and orzo. YUM! My boyfriend had a chicken wrap and he enjoyed his meal as well. I will be going back in the next week.
I went here for lunch which was recommended to me by a local who lived in Downtown SD.
The food was so good! The lamb sandwich was stuffed packed with meat & salad type vegetables with a nice smooth yogurt sauce. The baklava (sp?) had good texture, density w/o being too sweet.
They have bottled imported bottle beers that I hadn't seen before, my bf had the common German beer.
Definitely a place to return to if I'm ever back in downtown around lunchtime. It's easy to miss along 9th street in b/s Market & G St, since the place is small & sign isn't obvious unless you're walking around.
Soooo happy that a place like this opened up in San Diego. Its funny how its finally reaching the US after being ALL OVER Europe for years. Doner kebabs to Europe is like Carne Asada Fries is to San Diego. Get it?
The difference between the doners in Europe and at the Kebab shop is that the doners are actually a lot more on the healtheir side. In europe, the doners have thicker bread wrap and are filled with fries, mayo, yogurt sauce ketchup, lamb, and minimal vegetables. At the Kebab Shop they are wrapped in a tortilla and are filled with the lamb and lots of veggies, almost like a greek salad with a yogurt sauce. You can pay an extra dollar or so to add fries inside to make it more "euro" or add rice or hummus inside the doner.
I wouldn't say that the doner kebabs here are the best Ive ever tasted, but comparing them to the ones I've had all over Europe is a little unfair. It was kind of weird to eat the doners in tortillas, it almost felt more like a wrap than a doner. It was also "too healthy" for a doner - imagine getting "healthy" carne asada with salad. Just a little weird. I would pass on getting any of the side salads because I've had better sides in other places.
Overall I think the Kebab Shop is a great place to grab a bite. They serve large portions (enough for two to share) for a doner at $6. I've had the lamb and the chicken doner and I would have to say I'm more towards the chicken doner. I think the Kebab Shop is a great place for lunch and I would definately come back here. The food is tasty, the prices are reasonable and definately good for San Diego standards. However, compared to the doner kebabs in Europe, this place doesn't do the doner kebab justice. Its like having carne asada fries in Europe, just not the same as if you had it in San Diego before, yaknowwhadimean?
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
pretty average
The kebab wrap I had was mostly salad filler with bits of mint and carrot, which really overpower what falafel is actually in there, as well as leaving behind a really gross aftertaste. Id opt for Mama's Lebanese Bakery instead.
I've had gyros and shawarmas. Gyros are very easy to find and you have to go to certain eateries in San Diego to find a shawarma (like that place next to Sevilla). But it's the first time I've had a doner kebab. I've heard that it's popular late night food in the EU (especially Germany) and the closest thing is a donair from Halifax. Now there is one here in San Diego.
Food:
The lamb doner kebab is great. It is similar to the gyros that most Americans are familiar with, but it has some salad mix and a hint of spearmint in it (mint compliments the lamb meat). I don't know what kind of chili sauce they serve with kebabs in Germany, but the one they have in the Kebab Shop is the very familiar Tuong Ot Sriracha (everybody's favorite Vietnamese-style hot sauce). It's not that bad on my kebab.
Ambience:
Minimal; spits look like the ones at the street stall in TJ; pics of Istanbul and other things.
Facade:
Part of the typical "East Village Renaissance".
My only problem is that they don't open later in the evening. Maybe it's because we're so used to having our carne asada fries, California burritos, and rolled tacos around that time.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
I am down with doners (sp?). They are awesome, but beware your breath will smell like a diaper when you are done. There is some garlic, middle eastern mixture that is used that just is rank for about 6-8 hours. The salads are good, try the orzo or the cucumber dill salad. I like the lamb doner a little better than the chicken, but they are both good. And (as with any place to get 5 stars) the beer was cold.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Clean, quick affordable and delish food..that's what the Kebab shop is all about..Everytime we are in the neighborhd of the kebab shop, my husband & I have to make a trip to this place! The Chicken shavarma, the lamb sharwarma, the falafel wrap are some of all our all time favorites..A perfect ending to a meal in the Kebab shop is the Almond or Pistachio baklawa..one of the best baklawas in town!!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Cool (2)
i came here cause the person i was with totally changed direction once he saw the Kebab Shop. I was cranky, hungy and didnt want anything new.
I never had this type of food so i was kinda mad that i was stuck at this place. i ordered the felafel doner not knowing what to expect. i went to the table not able to concentrate on anything... shoot, my stomach was basically eating itself! My head was on the table just wanting the food to come and hoping it would be better than the hamburger i was hoping to get at some other place.
the food comes. my homie noticed with every bite of my doner, my mood is lighter and happier. i was so hungry and the Kebab Shop filled me up and i left with a smile on my face.
sorry, minus one star cause my friend said my breath stank. =(
Parking can suck no matter what time of day you try to go to this place, but when you're lucky you're lucky. We got one right across the street thankfully!
We ordered a chicken doner and a shawarma plate with both chicken and lamb. I decided to share the plate with lil guy. You get to choose one side salad with the plate so I opted for the caprese.
The chicken was flavorful but the lamb was a tad dry. Lil guy seemed to really like it though and he kept moving the plate closer to him. The saffron rice was a hit with him too. I ended up eating the salad and a few bites of the chicken, lamb and rice.
Hubby was so generous to share his doner and you know what? The doner was outstanding compared to the shawarma plate. I'd have to say stick with the doner. For 5 bucks it's a great deal and it's tasty!
They don't have homemade hot sauce, only sriracha so that was a slight let down.
Other than that, it was good. I'd definitely eat here again, but next time, I'll just get a doner!
People thought this was:
Useful (6)
Funny (1)
Cool (5)
There's meat. And there's stick. The two did not come together without brutality. However violent the origins of meat on a stick, as one, they satiate the cravings of East Village cavemen and women alike at a little place called The Kebab Shop.
Not everyone likes to be hit over the head and dragged by the hair, but we can all dance around the campfire in primordial glee, meat on stick held high, celebrating one of the only restaurants in town where eating with one's hands isn't frowned upon, but expected!
Although the juicy flesh of the Salmon Kebab, marinated in a sweet and savory concoction, is enough to evoke victorious war-hoot-hollerings deep from the lungs of loin-clothed-clad East Village Vikings--I'd be selling the place short if all I raved about was meat on a friggin' stick.
Over the course of several visits to The Kebab Shop in which I dined solely on (you guessed it) meat on a stick, one day I finally succumbed to my carbo cravings and shouted in my most aggressive huntress-tone: 'Give me a DONER!'
I took a seat and observed my surroundings. An interesting mix of peoples indeed. To my right, a band of fashionable, G-Star Denim rockin' model types clearly of East Village decent; across the dining room huddled a pack of wild bikers in tight pants and heads bands, likely in migration from the North Park region of town. My hunger pangs sharpened as I admired the plump calf of one such biker. It wasn't his time just yet. Right then my name was called.
With the unabashed fervor of a starving beast, I tore into what can best be described as glorified gyro-burrito; but alas, such an ignorant comparison won't suffice the bounties I discovered within lightly toasted, chewy flatbread, delicious in and of itself. Tender lamb meat pranced across a pasture of leafy greens dressed with tangy yogurt sauce, a fresh crunch of purple onion and herbaceous burst of mint, basil and oregano were at once ignited by a douse of house-made hot sauce.
I looked around The Kebab Shop once again, careful not to take both eyes off my prized meal, and spotted an East Villager mouthing a falafel, his mate sinking her teeth into the soft, baked bread of a Shawarma. Appropriately, a North Park biker sat grazing his plate of foliage and grains; Algerian eggplant salad, rich with roasted vegetables next to a mound of Tabouli, cous-cous flecked with sprigs of fresh herbs. Next to Bam Bam sat Pebbles, her veggie kebab pointed straight toward her mouth.
Hopefully this scene needn't be painted in ox blood across a cave wall to illustrate my point: The Kebab Shop offers a delectable taste of the foods in large part responsible for the survival of human kind. The first being to spear a beast was--well. On to something.
People thought this was:
Useful (13)
Funny (14)
Cool (15)
My chicken doner kebab was really delicious. It reminds me of the sort of stuff I used to eat in Turkey. The yogurt sauce goes very well together with the chicken and the greens. They grill the bread too so it's got a bit of a crunch to it when you bite down.
For 5 dollars it is really reasonable although I'm not sure it will satiate the average male because it's not a large portion, but it really is very tasty!!
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (3)
Cool (4)
I stop by here sometimes to pick up chicken or falafel doners when I feel like having a little picnic in the park. I like the falafel more, but both are pretty tasty (not exceptionally special though). Definitely ask for a side of hot sauce because that shit is good. Overall, this place is good enough to draw me back in, but I don't think it's very different than any other place where you can get shawarmas or falafel.
I ate dinner here with mommy and daddy. I really liked the lamb and chicken and the saffron rice. There was this white sauce which was good. I liked it because it had a garlic taste. I even tried the hot sauce. It was VERY hot!!! I didn't want the tomato salad. I don't like salad!
People thought this was:
Useful (4)
Funny (2)
Cool (4)
Mmmmmmmmm.... this place is my new favorite addiction. I remember going to similar kebab shops when I was in Germany a couple of years ago, so I was so excited to find one in SD.
So far I've only tried the lamb doner kebab, the falafel doner kebab and the chicken shwerma. All are amazing. I think the lamb doner is my favorite, fresh veggies with a nice garlic-y sauce. Don't for get to ask for the hot sauce! The rolls they used with the shwerma are very fresh and the chicken has a nice curry taste to it.
Seriously, you have to try this place. I've taken all my friends there and now i get calls at all hours of the day from them whining about their kebab cravings.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
This place was awesome! Having never been to Europe, my much better traveled friend recommended we go here for lunch to get Doner's. He was trying to explain to me that they were some Turkish dish, but essentially what it boiled down for me was it's a burrito sized gyro with mint in it. I'm sold! It was great.
Seating was difficult due to the popularity and parking can be equally challenging, but well worth the hassle. Too bad I don't get down to the area very often.
The reason I hate Sundays, they're not open :( I wish every restaurant was as welcoming as this place. The service is friendly and fast, I had my dog with me and waited outside for my order, to-go, they knocked on the window to let me know it was up! There's nothing better in the world than nice people.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Quick and easy. Try the Chicken Doner. I have very high expectations of a shawarma, and this isn't it, but the food is still good. This place is already catching on and I think it will be around a long, long time.
So me and my homie Destijl were out slanging ROCKS on Saturday, when we come across the Kebab Shop.
We throw on our ski masks and grab or sawed off shooties, cuz this joint was gonna get GOT! Then we saw the YELP.COM sticker and was like...YELP, this is one of the HOMIES!!
The cook could have shit in my plate and I still would have wrote this review...YEAH ITS THAT GOOD.
FUCKING BOMB ASS FOOD, NUFF SAID!!!!!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (4)
Cool (4)
This place is super good. It's not a date place but it's awesome for lunch.
Healthy, Check
Tasty, Check
Cheap, Check
That's all I have to say about that...
People compared this place with the ones in Europe, especially those in Germany run by the Turkish immigrants. Well, let me tell you, you can't compare them. This is as good as it gets in San Diego. Preparing doner (gyros in Greek, doner In Turkish means rotating) is a very labor intense work as in its homeland in Turkey, doner is prepared only by doner chefs who are trained by other doner chefs. Having said that I rate this place 5 stars since against all the odds (the unavailability of the spices, the wood burning furnace, the kind of meat used in doner and all the secrets that pass from one generation over the other), this White American guy managed to make OK quality doner in San Diego where Turkish restaurants dare to even try! Go Kebab Shop!!!! We, young Turks, love you here!
Yelp answered my prayers for a Schwarma place in SD! Been havin cravings like a pregnant woman! Endorsed by SD Yelpers. It's even got a "Yelp!" sticker in front.
I walked into this place with high expectations. The place was simple in set up and very clean, the music was pumpin (some kinda Turkish Timbaland thing goin. This shizz is tight son!) I didn't know Turks had beats like this!
The food was frickin awesome! I wanted a schwarma but I had the Falefel doner and added humus and fries (on the inside). Dude that was cool. It's like a Turkish California burrito. Not to mention it was huge. I also had a baklava for dessert which was also good.
How can all these Yelpers be wrong. They're not. Haha! I'm goin back today to try the Schwarma.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
4 out of 5 from me.
Great place, kebab is VERY similar to ones in Europe (but not exact replica).
Maybe a little too much garlic and salt for my taste, meat is sometimes lukewarm (I like it hot) but I still go there anyways.
I suggest you try this! A lot of people love it!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Awesome place in every aspect of the word "Awesome". Like others have said, the chicken doner kebab hits the spot. If you have a hard time parking, may I suggest G street between 8th and 9th, just please don't park there the days I go. I had to deduct one star because of the cop factor. When I ate at lunch today there were 2 cops and that's really 2 too many. I wish the piggies would stick to the taco stands.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This place was okay, but they should rename it the gyros shop. All the reviews here compare it to "authentic kebobs from Europe." This is more of a gyros type place with a twist of middle eastern food. The tabouli and hummus are good. If you live in Gaslamp and want the real deal, then read my review on the Sultan Shawerma.
Whoa! I haven't been here since the summer and when I went back a couple weeks ago the place was packed. I guess everyone has discovered this little gem.
The kebab and doners are good, just like what I've had back in Scotland. The fries are great and so are the salads. I just wish that they had kept the pasta salad that was the featured salad of last month.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
They gotsa YELP sticker on the damn window!!! It says.. "people love us on YELP"...haahaha
This shop used to be the Armory hip hop shop... it was kinda weird going in there are realizing I bought a gang of my records in that same spot..
Anyways the salmon plate is good... and they have a variety of salads to choose from... serve beer.. and the menu is pretty simple.. I like that
East village is beginning to gain some ground w/ their restaurants and shops... good to see that part of downtown growing.....Word!!!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (2)
Cool (1)
Downtown needs this. While there is one in the Gaslamp, the one in East Village is better.
Yelpers love this place. A sticker proves it.
A simple menu: beef, lamb, falafel, salmon. A doner (wrapped) or kebab. Dang it's all good.
I love their fries: thin, long strings akin to McDonald's but imagine crunchier a bit and longer.
The only downside is that while you do walk out with a smile, it's only gassed by garlic breath. Delicious.
If it's Friday night in the Gaslamp for you, spend that extra buck on the guy in the washroom and get some extra breathmints or some gum. The girl you take home might not appreciate it, then again, she might be a kebab shop fan too. I'm talking about the shop, not yours.
People thought this was:
Funny (4)
Last week a business partner of mine (Jim) and I were supposed to have dinner with the owners of Red Circle and discuss some upcoming events. Schedules got pushed around and we had to postpone the meeting until next week.
Anyways, Jim and I decided that we'd try The Kebab Shop out. Now you have to realize that both Jim and I had our faces fixed for some delicious free steak and drinks. Would meat on a stick suffice? The answer is yes.
We each had the Donar Gyros. Delicious! It's more like Gyro meat in a burrito than a typical pita bread Gyro. The meat is moist and the veggies that are inside the wrap are cold, crisp and fresh. The white sauce inside compliments the meat perfectly and isn't all over the place, spilling out.
It's true what others have said though. You will have the nastiest breath for a good hour or four! Oh, and don't burp. Even if you burp and walk away from the initial burp spot, it'll still find you!
Enjoy.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Funny (1)
Cool (2)
How does this story begin. OKay i kidnapped a few friends to break the routine of chillin at bucks to meet another that was getting off work in downtown. Hear the kebab shop was the ish so i had to find out myself. Verdict: This spot was the bomb. Had a lamb doner and a efes beer to wash it down and i was content. I'm thinking that i have to keep coming back to eat everything else on the menu so i guess i would give this spot 2 thumbs and 2 big toes up. Prices are great place is clean and its the perfect place to have a bite and shoot the shit.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
OMG sooooo tasty!! Their "donar" is like a big, fat, fresh, perfectly made gyro. Dont breathe on anyone for a few hours after eating one of these, but its soooo worth it! Probably the best place you can spend $5 at. Its clean, modern and casual inside. Its the perfect place for lunch or take out.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Cool (2)
This is a cool place. It's like a Kebab deli. It's quick with good portions and great taste. Their version of a wrap is huge! We went for lunch and there was a constant flow of people but it wasn't chaotic.
My only complaint would be that they close too early. This is one of those places that you would want to be open until after the bars close so you could chow down after partying all night or if you have the munchies at midnight you could pig out on some good food.
But other than that, HIGHLY recommend trying the Kebab Shop!
Not too shabby. I had low expectations for a Kebab place in SD called "The Kebab Shop" but I was pleasantly surprised and went back 5 times to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. The doners are delicious there (although they make my breath stink for days) to the point I haven't really bothered to try anything else.
I probably wouldn't give this place a 4 in Europe or NY but in Cali, and particularly SD, this is a strong 4.
Three suggestions:
1) come up with something that resembles the chicken/gyro with rice at the famous 53rd and 6th Halal cart in NY and that will be gold
2) open late night!
3) try different fries.. maybe the slightly thicker ones that are common at the kebab places in Europe?
ventured here thanks to yelpers. and it was really, really good. we did lamb doners with a side of falafel. the falafels were tasty though a bit too fried--they're excellent when you stick them in your sandwich.
the doner was also good and really filling, though i'm a stickler for authenticity (to Arabic traditions), and this was a bit bastardized. it was a clue when one of their ads boasted that they were a "real European kebab shop." Ha ha. Just like telling people to go to San Diego for real Mexican food.
The guys behind the counter were nice. I left full and happy and garlicky enough to kill someone with my breath alone.
People thought this was:
Useful (2)
Funny (2)
Cool (2)
Impressive. I walked in and didn't think it was gonna be that good by the way it looked and the fact that they had 2 white guys slinging kebabs (I believe this place would not exist if not for flight of the conchords), but I was wrong. Had the salmon kebab and it was damn good. Cooked well, nice and tender, the rice and the side were good too. And they have beer, which is a bonus cuz i like drinking beer. I will be back for sure.
- 1 star for the neon green chairs, they kinda creep me out
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
I am a fan of this place. Haven't always been a fan of this ilk of food but it has swayed me. The salads are really good and the doners are filling and tasty. I just wish there wasn't so much cabbage on it... oh, wait, you can pretty much get it your way...if you ask. Problem solved. Great at lunch, after lunch, before dinner, dinner, after dinner- you get the idea. It is the perfect spot to grab something different and good. Not much for ambiance in the place itself but you're not going there for that. Can be a good spot to hang out, eat and run into others you know from the neighborhood as well. The sauce on the doners is good too. You need to keep your eyes open for it, even though it is at street level, it is just kind of a side street right now, 9th-between Market and G- but it is slowly becoming more of a destination as opposed to a shortcut.
Go, go, go!
People thought this was:
Useful (3)
Funny (1)
Cool (1)
My old shop was here at this location for 3 years+ when we got pretty much ran out of there by our landlord cause they kept jacking up the rent. They totally renovated the entire inside so it doesnt even look like the same spot. The food was great with service to match. Prices arent bad considering its downtown. Looks on here as though everyone is really loving this place definitely what the neighborhood needed. Good luck to the owners as I know there business will only get better when the real estate market upswings and more people move into downtown.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
