This place is the best kabob restaurant in linthicum. I really adore this place. Samina Rafiq the owner has been so kind and often offers U.S. military discount. My favorite is the lamb kabob. Will keep them in mind when I visit next time. And not to forget her husband Tawab is a super nice guy as well. Keep up the good work!
(5)
Jason F.
Lovely spot for some Afghan food. I usually get the lamb kabob and it is delicious. Love the rice with raisins and the little side salad. The bread is also delicious as is the chutney sauce. Chicken and beef is also good. If going for lunch...call ahead or arrive at the beginning or end of lunch rush. I call ahead for dinner too as it takes them 10-15 minutes to prepare the lamb kabob. I prefer this location over the one in Columbia Crossing because this one is self service, although the guy taking orders will bring you your meal.
(5)
Ken V.
Good food, but service wasn't the best. They seemed understaffed when I visited. I waited a good 10 minutes after being seated to order a drink.
(4)
Abdul M.
I've been here several times and it never disappoints. Always good food. Give yourself some time because they cook to order. But it's guaranteed good and hot. Usually a meal takes about 15 to 20 minutes, but it's well worth it. The naan is piping hot and the meat is so flavorful. I got the beef and lamb combo with rice. Delicious. You order at the counter and grab your drink and they will bring you your food. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Chris C.
Have been here 4 or 5 times. Good choice for delicious food if you are staying around BWI. The bread/nan/pita is the best I've ever had. It is doughy and tastes amazing, it also comes with pretty much everything on the menu except I think the wraps. The lamb kebab cuts are juicy and cooked to order. Fair price too at $12. They have curry specials Monday and/or Tues but they have been sold out my past few vists so they must be good. Could use better drink options, a side of spinach is too pricey at $4+, and the decor could use an update - but those cuts of lamb in that doughy pita bread is incredible and well worth stopping for!
(5)
Sam K.
Its okay..I believe they grill the meat on order, so it seems...and therefore 4 stars... i somehow feel they need to give a side of hummus or vegetable curry with their meat plate instead of the crappy salad. I never tried swapping but you might want to ask. I mean, the bread as no friend to go with if you were ordering any of the meat plates. The bread is a little dry and not very appetizing once it gets cold. The vegetable platter was good. The eggplant was the best of all, the pumpkin a tad too sweet and the lentils alright. The star of the show was the mango shake. It seemed like a regular mango slush with some cream but they get the sugar so right that it reminds you of haagen daz's mango ice cream. Th location was a little difficult to find and if not for yelp I'd drive past it without noticing.
(4)
Jeff J.
The Gyro and fries were pretty good! Sauces were available and the staff friendly. We ordered some hummus and bread - the bread was really good, dump the hummus and start over.... Nothing like I've eaten before and it was served from the fridge - pre-packaged, yuk! Nonetheless it was within walking distance of our hotel near BWI and we were exhausted. Not planning a return, but for a Middle Eastern restaurant, I'd take a poll on the hummus scale. I'd be surprised if it hit 3 out of 10. A decent quick bite Yelpers. With drinks we were at $28.
(3)
Jamey B.
YUM. yum yum yum yum. I had the lamb kebab plate. You have to wait a little bit during the lunch rush but not is it worth it. There is tons of seating crammed into the space. The restaurant sports a great visual menu of the kebab choices which makes it tough to choose. I did not regret my choice, the lamb was perfectly cooked, the rice was well seasoned and the accompanying mint sauce and bread were excellent basics done right. Perfection on a plate.
(5)
Alyssa M.
Discovered this place a few months ago by arundel mills... when I pulled up to my hotel was filled with joy when I saw that this place had a location next to bwi! Food was delicious. Probably the best gyro my husband and I have ever tasted... and he is an expert on gyros lol. The chicken kabob is great! Seasoned so well. Mint chutney is excellent. Rice with raisins ... marvelous l. Pita bread/naan... excellent. Cooked to perfection
(5)
Alice H.
I've been coming to this place a few times on Sundays after church. I like that it's not crowded on weekends, and there's plenty of seating. I typically get the kofta kabob platter. The kofta is packed with flavor and is nicely balanced by the cilantro yogurt sauce. I know not everyone likes raisins, but I like the sweetness that it gives to the rice. The plate has so many different flavors that blend so well together. I always tell myself I can split the plate into 2 meals, but I always end up finishing it there. I guess that's what happens when I find good food.
(4)
Troy W.
Very close to the BWI hotels and a reasonable price. Great quality foo although it was a little crowded during lunch but still worth it.
(4)
Sherri D.
Super yummy kabob place right by Arundel Mills. I've only eaten at the restaurant once, but my boyfriend always brings home carry-out orders and the food is ALWAYS. YUMMY. The restaurant itself is pretty small. Nothing too fancy, but it was clean and had a decent amount of seating. Not really a sit-down place, but a small little cafe-sized joint where ya eat your food and go. The food was great, but the service was okay... so don't expect anything fancy. I'd consider this place more of a quick eatery and definitely a to-go place. We ate here once and it was fine and definitely self-serve, so to those who come here having high expectations -- just take your food to-go. The food. I live in northern VA and my boyfriend and I have tried numerous kabob places and hands down, Maiwand is at the top of our list with Kabob Palace in Crystal City being a close second. Some places can slack on the seasoning and spices, but Maiwand's is always perfectly seasoned. Even the rice is delicious! One of my favorite places JUST speaking in terms of who has the best rice... The normal go-to is the combo: chicken and kafta for my boyfriend and for me the chicken and lamb. Each come with a side of rice, salad, green chutney, and a large piece of naan bread. Generous portions on the meat as well as the side items and all very delicious! The kafta is thick and juicy and seasoned very well with spices. The chicken is superbly good with a nice spicy kick: Very moist and soft and surprisingly not dry! The lamb is also seasoned well and cooked to tender perfection. The rice is just divine and so tasty. I can't explain it, but I always crave their race afterwards and it's absolutely delicious and moist. I can't say more great things about the yummy food, but that I always get so excited when my boyfriend comes home with it - and that should say enough. Don't wait, just go and try this place out!
(5)
Dee W.
By far, the best of the two locations I've visited. The wait can be long, especially on the weekend but it is worth it. I've tried the weekly specials which are a great value and never disappoint, the gyro and fries are a favorite and beef/chicken/lamb kebobs are all great. Food is fresh and flavorful. The restaurant is clean. Parking can be an issue, especially at lunch time during the week. Overall, excellent food and great customer service at the Linthicum Heights, MD location.
(4)
Jackie A.
It's 3PM, sign says open - no one is there and I'm so hungry, that I'm shaking. Not good; I know. I'm thinking, great.. no one there, quick service - WRONG. NO SERVICE is what I received. Now, it's not like they didn't see me, cause the dude in the kitchen did and he just snickered at me, from where he stood - not once, venturing to greet me or get someone to take my order. I walked around the counter. I looked at the menu and looked at this man again, pleadingly. This place was one BIG FAT disappointment. If you don't want to serve customers during your down time, then you shouldn't be open.
(1)
Christine A.
Great introduction to sanitary Afghan food that is not served with flies buzzing about and questionable "lamb" meat from an unknown source. I never thought I would go and pay to eat Afghan food after leaving Afghanistan, but I'm a changed woman...I guess I intended to order for two, but due to my unrestrained excitement, I ended up ordering for 2 more invisible friends/stomachs. Here's the down low on the dishes: Aushak: four spinach-filled raviolis with meat sauce. Yummy, but a little oily. The meat sauce was topped with lentils and yogurt. A very filling app for 3 people or a meal for 1. Friday Special Lamb Curry: came with plain biryani-style rice and one side. The lamb was not gamey and the curry was mild. I chose the potato and pea curry as a side, and that was equally scrumptious! For $8.99 it's easily the best dish! Samosas (aka Kachaloo): no, not Indian samosas. These potato-filled fried triangles are delicious, especially dipped in the herby green yogurt sauce. You can tell that this particular restaurant is based predominantly from a Pashtun region of Afghanistan because of this dish. Kofta aka middle-eastern version of meatballs was a little dry and my least favorite, but it may just have been that one serving. Think long meatball on a stick! Haha! It came with biryani-style rice with raisins, some grilled tomatoes and onions, naan bread, and lettuce. Lamb and beef kebab combo: huge chunks of marinated lamb and beef with all the accoutrements mentioned with the kofta. Last but not least, Baklava! No guys, not Greek Baklava...not Turkish Baklava. Yes, there is such a thing as Afghan baklava. Honeyed and beautifully-spiced ending to a VERY surprising and delicious meal. P.S. Be prepared to wait for this food. Not a place for speedy service, but worth it! So as they say in Pashto: Manana Maiwand Kebab!
(4)
Christine C.
Small location - great for corporate lunches. The weekends are a bit quieter. The food is fresh and rich. Very delicious and they give you plenty. I will keep coming back for the food - no so much for the shabby tables and chairs.
(4)
Johnson W.
This was really good. I had the lamb and chicken combo, great, the chicken was amazing. I would stick with the chicken only next time because it was so good, not to say the lamb wasn't it's just how good the chicken was. The bread was great too, I don't dish out 5 stars often.
(5)
Ken G.
Great food. Made to order, but worth the wait for freshness and tastiness. My favorite is the chicken and lamb kabobs. My wife loves the Kafka or the veggie platter. Both the chickpea and the potato curry are awesome! Nice fresh and soft naan bread too. Lunch time tends to be busier than dinner.
(5)
Kevin O.
Great find. I had stayed near the airport several times. Went for an early dinner and the place still fairly full. Ask what I should get and was directed to the chicken plate. It was a large portion. The bread was fresh and the meat was tasty. Agree with the other reviews that the salad was a little plain and boring. Only low notes was the samosas. They where overdone and chewy. Otherwise attentive service and good food. Use map to find it
(4)
Chris S.
Located in an inconspicuous part of an office park near BWI airport and hotels. Delicious selection of kabobs, shawarmas and gyros. Good service and very clean.
(4)
Rhondi S.
What a Yelp find! Had to get lunch before a trip to the airport...thank you Yelp. Maiwand Kabob is a hop and a skip from BWI, very tasty Middle Eastern/Afghan! The menu is diverse from kabobs, to swarmas, through daily specials. The chicken curry was a medley of spices and a kick of heat, but so savory and delicious. The portion was way too much, served with basmati rice, it was very tasty. hubby had the chicken swarma, grilled seasoned chicken, lettuce, tomato, onions, in a warm thick pita. Fresh ingredients, authentic taste, friendly service...gotta come here!
(4)
Sabina B.
The first few times were good but I really am beginning to loathe this place. No Afghanis work here... at least I haven't seen any. And yes I do know the difference between Pashto and Spanish. Mostly Latino workers (and no I'm not an ethnocentric xenophobe) just an observation. Gyros are only offered during lunch Monday-Friday. Why not all the time? Is it that hard to offer the different cut of meat/bread at a later hour? I don't follow... This place is really just odd. No gyro later in the day, no Afghanis working at the Afghan kabob place. I don't get it!
(2)
Lee A.
It's good, not great. Be prepared it takes awhile but that's cause they are preparing from scratch. The flavors are good enough. I'm staying in a hotel nearby so I came for lunch. I'll probably come again for dinner and try a different plate. I got the chicken kebab. It cost 12.50 for the plate and soda. It was very filling though.
(3)
Cliff M.
Will be visiting again the next time I fly in/out of BWI! I was wishing for Greek but found this place with "kabob" in the name. At first I was skeptical because it was Afghan and not Greek but I was so glad I went. Not really fancy but reasonably priced. I ordered the chicken and beef kabob and the food was more than I could eat! Both the chicken and the beef were cooked perfectly and the naan was still warm. (Tzatziki sauce was some of the best I've ever had!) Also really liked their french fries and baklava.
(5)
Je M.
The first or second time I went into not one of your locations, but multiple locations under this franchise and you guys had run out of the SPECIAL OF THE DAY, I shrugged it off and thought whatever. Around the fourth or fifth time this happened I stopped coming to your restaurants. Most places adjust by volume when they see something is selling well, they order and prepare more of it to accommodate more people and MAKE MORE MONEY. That' s business 101. The food is delicious, but if there is none to be had WHAT'S THE POINT?! You guys are selling out of dishes on a regular basis, yet not expanding the amount of food you're ordering?? What is wrong with this picture? People like daily deals. Especially because the food isn't necessrily cheap here. If you're advertising a daily special, you should attempt to provide enough of it for customers. If you don't intend on doing that, why offer them? That is all.
(2)
Chrissy S.
Went here on a whim while running errands outside the city. It was very clean inside and the food was really good. I would definitely check out the location in Baltimore... in fact, I'm craving some kabobs now! :)
(4)
Orie L.
Possibly the best meal in the Baltimore area. I always get chicken kabobs (no skewers here) with salad, bread, and rice. Yummy flavors and speedy service. I can't say enough about this place! Highly recommended.
(5)
Chris C.
Service: 1 star. Food: 5 stars. When you order the daily special, because it is sitting there with serving spoons poised, it shouldn't take 22 MINUTES to get my carry out order. Happens every time!
(3)
Good E.
hmm have i not reviewed this place b4? craziness! love this kabob place, it is a tie between this and grill kabob at tysons corner(thats right , i said it!) i got the lamb kabob which comes with salad, bread, spicy sauce and rice. everything was cooked well and was tasty. i definitely prefer afghan kabob over persian. this place is super close to BWI, has ample parking, is clean and has friendly staff. plus i could charge my cell phone while eating comfortably with my bf, who is not as big a fan of this place as me. anyways, if u are on your back from or on your way to a flight , i would say skip the terrible food at the airport and come here instead!
(5)
John D.
Per the reviews, I was looking forward to a tasty lunch. I ordered the gyros and took a seat...and waited, and waited and waited... by the time I got my food I was frustrated, and not impressed. The folks at the table next to me got their good quicker than I, but a third of their order was wrong. An off day? Maybe, but I'd take McD's if I could go back in time.
(2)
Annette H.
Excellent chicken kabob plate. Traveling in town on business and staying at local hotel. Yelp reviews were accurate. The kabob is served on a delicious, crunchy bottom naan-like bread. Awesome green chile yogurt sauce, rice and salad. All for less than $20 with big tip! Yum..I'll be back very casual. Lots of local carry out while I'm eating so that speaks volumes!
(4)
Justin L.
The chicken kabob was really tasty but I wished the onions were cooked a little more. Ended up being very spicy. The rice side was really great and the raisins gave it a subtle sweetness. I got the mint yogurt drink, which was incredibly salty. Add in a dose of caarageenan, which I had to look up, and I decided not to finish it. Overall, I think the price was a little high for the amount of food you got. Next time I am around I might try the daily special or head to the Indian place down the way.
(3)
Lisa Y.
ok, what started as a meal while staying at a hotel nearby, has become an obsession. We are now there 1/week. I usually get the chicken tikka and my wife generally gets the chcken malai, as she does not like spicy and that is as mild as it gets. The bread is perfect and just out of the oven. All kebobs are made to order so yes, it is not quick. But to me worth the wait. We also love the pumpkin, so we replace the rice with the pumpkin for a 75cent upcharge. We'd rather do this as the side dishes are huge and $4.49. We tried the Arundel Mills location and have decided that the food prep here is better. The only suggestion I have is that the tables could be cleaned more frequently/between customers. And would love a decaffinated sugar-free choice.
(5)
Jojo C.
Random location and was just looking for a place to wait for my son to fly into BWI and wanted a light snack so I ordered some food. All I can say is WOW! The chicken Tika is the best I ever tasted! Turned around and ordered the lamb kabob to go and it was just as delicious. Definitely will come here whenever we are in the area. What are you waiting for? Go already haha.
(5)
John R.
I stay near the Baltimore airport a lot, and this is a food desert. You got a few fast food chains, pizza both ok and bad, a very good crab cake place - and that is about it. I had Maiwand Kebob tonight and found my new favorite. I had the lamb and chicken Kebob plate - well cooked with a nice charcoal, great sauce, flat bread. The rice and salad were also very good. Everything was perfectly cooked and flavorful. And the price was also right on. So I will be eating less pizza and hamburgers, and more kebabs, when visiting Baltimore.
(5)
Jenny H.
I came here right before a flight, and I was disappointed because two of the foods I wanted, the manta (dumplings) and aushak (ravioli) were not available. They only had rice and a variety of meat. I got their chicken and rice, and it was just OK. The rice wasn't flavored at all, just a plain white rice, and the chicken was dry. I also wish they gave us a little more salad. The pumpkin I got with yogurt also was so oily it left a huge, oily orange mess on the table. The restaurant was minimal and bare, and they had some stale-looking food sitting out in pans behind the counter to serve I guess? Go to the Columbia location which I think is the original- it's WAY better with more options, and it tastes so much better. Also, call in ahead of time because it takes at least a good 15-20 minutes for them to grill up your food to order.
(2)
Darren R.
Not the most attractive place, but I have to give it 5 stars because the food is exceptional. One of the best meals I have had in the Baltimore metro area, and I've been to many spots around it. I had the beef and lamb combo which comes with rice, bread, and a small salad. The meat was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the bread freshly made (I watched her make it) and rice cooked perfectly. Salad was small but very good. Don't expect McDonald's speed on the service, this isn't McDonald's, thankfully (although it looks like a fast food joint when you walk in).
I'm visiting from Los Angeles and had never tried this restaurant before. I highly recommend it! The chicken tikka masala, naan bread, and rice pudding were excellent and the employees were extremely nice! Delivery was quick and the food was hot. I'll definitely come back whenever I'm here for business!
(5)
Dixon M.
This place was okay, but they don't offer iced tea (which costs them a star in my book.) I ordered lamb kabob, which came with rice, bread and salad. Although the restaurant wasn't particularly busy, service took a long time (20 min).
(3)
Adam W.
Walked up before closing. Open sign was hanging in the door. As soon as I walked in the guy behind the counter said "Sorry, were closed." Made me leave. Never coming back. Who stops serving food before closing?
(1)
Art C.
I've been here before and always like the food. It is always quiet and I've never seen many folks dining in. They must get the food to go. It's close to the airport and many hotels. Great place for travelers! Enjoy.
(4)
Sunny B.
My first time trying Afghan food and I'm already craving it again! I had the chicken kabob. The naan bread, salad, and spicy sauce that came with it was amazing! I ate about half and had the rest the following day. Obviously it wasn't as good as the night before, but still pretty darn delish!
(5)
Emily S.
The food here is 5 stars, the service is more like 2 or 3... I came here for lunch and got the lamb kabob plate/combo. AWESOME. Meat was tender and juicy and it came with fresh naan, rice, salad, and some kind of delicious green sauce. Everything tasted fresh and I just devoured it once I got it! Food took a while to prepare, so I recommend calling your order in ahead of time. Service at the front was not friendly, they didn't greet us as we walked in, no smile, and seemed annoyed to be there.
(4)
Brian J.
While traveling on business this week, my coworker and I spent our last evening in Baltimore. He searched online for restaurants near our hotel for dinner and came across Maiwand Kabob. We decided to check it out and I was thoroughly impressed. I thought we were going to a sit down restaurant with waiter service and was surprised when we pulled into a parking lot of a casual strip mall style eatery. However, I have to say that the food was awesome. It was better than food I've had at some expensive dining establishments. I ordered the lamb kabob and chicken tikka kabob combo. The meat was very tender and seasoned to perfection and the rice was really good. I also had a Mango Shake which was tasty and much better than some Mango Lassi beverages I've had at other eateries. I have to say that Maiwand Kabob was the highlight of my entire business trip. I now wish they would open one up in Atlanta.
(5)
Jay F.
5 stars and it ain't no jive! I would describe it as a cafe style, very casual and not really a sit down place. The food is amazing. I was in Baltimore every week for a year and didn't discover this place till the 10th month and I wanted to punch myself in the face for not discovering sooner. Check it out, your stomach with love you for it!! Personal faves...chicken kabob and the kofta kabob
(5)
Ali B.
This was my favorite place to eat when I went to Baltimore area for training. They had very tasty meat and the food was in good portion for the price. I have tried most of the menu items since I kept going back and this was very close to me hotel. If you like Middle Eastern style food, this is the place for you to try.
(5)
Nan W.
Everything is so tasty here! I had lamb kabobs, it's great! The tendori bread is very fresh, even the rice is delicious! Portion size is kinda large for a short girl like me, but I wanna finish everything in my plate
(5)
Chris L.
Afghan casual food was tasty but you need patience while they prepare the food, it's not coming from a steam table. We tried Maiwand in early May 2012 for a late dinner after a long drive, this was the closest place to the hotel that wasn't a typical chain. Order at the counter, wait for them to call your name, go get it; basically this is Afghan fast food. Well, not fast; maybe Afghan casual is the right term, because it takes the staff a while to cook the order. When I finally got my lamb dinner platter it was huge, for about $12 I received a large amount of meat, a big portion of rice, a very generously sized piece of naan plus some great salad with fresh veggies. A beer would have tasted good with this but none available and don't know if BYO is done in MD. Nearly every one else in the place was an American guy, some in uniform, all with *really* short hair, if that matters :)
(3)
Toya D.
*SEE PICS* I had the Wednesday Special (Chicken Jalfarazi - chicken w/bell peppers, red peppers, onions, seasonings w/rice and salad). The portions are enough to share, which is good if you're on a budget. The smell was awesome and the taste was decent. The chicken had more spice (or pepper?) than anything else. Good, but I expected the meat to have more seasonings. For only $8.99, I'd go again.
(3)
Brenda R.
Amazingly delicious!!! We are just visiting here but ran across this place and decided to give it a try. My husband had eaten afghan food while deployed there last this was my first time and it was very delicious!! We've gone twice since being in the Baltimore/Washington area.
(5)
Tim H.
Spacious and clean. The food here is what you'd expect. Pretty much the same as the Columbia location. If you like kabobs, give this place a try. I like the chicken on salad the best since I am not into the rice that much. Thanks for reading my review. This review is based on my personal point of view.
(3)
Solomon D.
I have tried many things on the menu here and was happy with everything. You can't go wrong with the lamb, chicken, beef kabobs or their wraps. All kabobs come with salad, rice and tandoori bread. This is a big meal so come with your appetite.
(4)
Mike R.
The food quality here is excellent. I've come here only for the lunch so far. I really enjoyed the kofta kabob. For 10 bucks it came with rice, bread, salad, and grilled veggies (onion and tomato). The food is prepared fresh, so be prepared for a wait. Let's get crazy...i'd say it could be the best middle eastern food I've had in the local area. The lunch specials are good, served hot bar style if you are in a hurry...except they do not come with that mighty fine bread. For me, the highlight I'd say is the kabob.
(5)
Chelsea R.
I was visiting from out of town and a friend mentioned this place to me saying we had to stop by because she had a killer craving for chicken kabobs. So off we went...I was very hesitant to try the food at first but after peeping the menu and seeing the cooks up front make the naan bread fresh I decided I had to give it a whirl. My friend had some kind of chicken wrap. I tried the rice she had on the side which was super tasty and I'm still thinking about it. It was a basmati rice with a curry/pumpkin flavor that was unreal! The real winner though was the cilantro yogurt dip with the naan bread. Holy happiness...I would dip everything in that goodness if I was able to. I even put some of the dip on top of the rice...heaven! I wish they had places around like this in Texas. I will have to search to find something similar to it.
(4)
Jarrod F.
We came on here on a Thursday night at around 7pm. The place was fairly empty and there were a group of travelers in front of us in line contemplating what to order off the menu. Looked like that just got off a plan and were staying at one of the nearby hotels. There were two girls behind the counter who were literally just stairing into space and on their cell phones, oblivious to the fact that there were customers in line standing two feet in front of them. Since they were just being ignored, the group of travelers decided to leave and head to the "new Indian" resturant that opened up nearby. We then approached the counter and what would ya know, the two girls behind the counter ignored us too. So I stood there for a minute and staired at one of the girls waiting for her to take our order. She just stood there and did nothing. Didn't greet us, walk over, or utter a single word. I don't think that in the 30 years of eating out have I actually been IGNORED at a restaurant like this. So I walked out, never to return. End of story:) P.S. I've eaten at the MAiwand Kabob in Arundel Mills. The place is pretty ugly and unkept, the staff are similarly terrible, but the food is good if you like your grilled meats. I don't know where places like this hire there employees but in today's compeitive dining market, customer servicec is crucial to one's overall experience. If you can't even greet people correctly you dont deserve to be in business IMO.
(1)
Drew P.
I basically live at Maiwand Kabob. I'm here 3-4 times a week, sometimes twice a day. Yes, I said twice a day. If they had a frequent visitor card or rewards system, I'd be a daily winner. Haha. I work for myself and sometimes will be at neighboring Starbucks for 8-10 hours. So it's easy to walk next door and place an order when I get hungry again. Plus.. its amazingly good and really not bad for you. I'm on a pretty strict diet and I can comfortably eat this twice a day without blowing my calorie intake out of the water. Between this location and the arundel mills location I stand firm that this location is superior. Here's my 3 big reasons why: - Chicken Tikka is boneless. At Arundel Mills it is not. - Arundel Mills doesn't always have naan ready to go, nor is it as soft and fluffy. - I'm almost positive this location gives you more meat. It could also be cause they know me by now.. so not sure. Try the chicken tikka.. its my favorite by far. It is thigh meat though. So while it will be more tender and flavorful the fat content is higher. Beware: this place gets BUSY. Expect to wait for your food whether busy or not though, as everything is made to order and for a good reason!
(5)
Feyi B.
This was great. The naan was warm and soft. The staff was very helpful. The food is a tad bit pricey, but i'm guessing its average for this type of dish. I wish my drink was included. The portion size didnt look as huge as it really was. 3/4's way through my food, I was rubbing my thighs and stomach from being FULL to capacity. So it definitely was a hearty portion size. I love that the meat wasnt too salty as I've experienced at some other places. My order came pretty quick too. My only negative was the womens bathroom was extremely messy and dirty. HOWEVER, it smelled great! Lol.
(4)
Nina U.
Do not try to fit a Maiwand Kabob lunch into a one hour window UNLESS you call ahead. There aren't many great places to eat around here so it's worth the wait to most. Do it smart, then you can go pick it up and still have time to enjoy the delicious vegetarian plate (pumpkin, hummus, spinach, eggplant and something else with warm na'an bread) or the chicken kabob platter that comes with cinnamon rice and a little salad. The plates go for about $9 and are a good size. I like the other Maiwand Kabob near Arundel Mills mall too- that one has a little bit more seating but this one is convenient to a lot of hotels in the BWI area.
(4)
Shawn W.
Service is a bit slow even when there is no crowd but my food was nice and hot. Prices are about average of what you expect to pay at most places like this.
(3)
Shahram L.
Descent place for lunch. I think it's a bit pricy for lunch, but the portions are large. If not hungry, you can def split. Parking is sometimes bad too.
(4)
Abe L.
First time.. Excellent food.. You do need to give yourself 1/2 hr -- why? Cook to order.
(5)
Levent A.
This place looks like a burger joint --- by the time I walked through the door I was resigned to a greasy and weak attempt at Afghan food. Wow was it amazing!!!! Not only that, but I came in late (having just had my flight moved til tomorrow morning...) and stayed well after the closing time. Not only did they wait for me until my shuttle came (some 50 minutes after closing time!), but the one of the workers also came over and discussed things ranging from the history of the Turkic languages and the various signs of influences in the cuisines of the continent to the ability of an adult brain to learn to produce sounds (like those found in Arabic, for instance). In short, I was totally wrong. Looks are not to be trusted: this is great food and a class establishment by any standards. [Man, the guy even apologized for "burning" the samosas and gave me two batches! (Both were equally great.) Plus the food is seriously really good --- I'm turkish, not quite afghan, but I was certainly impressed.]
(5)
Wendy H.
Food was great! It was a little (ok, a lot) greasy but the flavors were just wonderful. Don't ask for the soup because they don't make it but still have it on the menu. Get the veg platter because it will not disappoint.
(4)
Shea B.
I swear...it looked like someone in the back kitchen took a bite out of one of my Chicken pieces from the chicken kabob! Their customer service is horrible. CK was ok. They are cheap on the rice also. FEED YOUR STAFF!!!!
(1)
Zach W.
The first time I walked in, I was headed to my hotel after a long flight into town. It was a bit late, and I was looking for something quick, delicious, and inexpensive. I Yelped, and found Maiwand. Well, that time I walked back out, because nothing on the menu was under 9.50. I wasn't about to spend 9.50 for a kabob sandwich. A platter? Maybe. Sandwich? No. The next day, a friend suggested we try it for lunch, and I accepted. I had the lamb curry, which was on "special", though that didn't mean discounted. :) It was delicious, but again I felt like the price was just too high for a place that doesn't even bus the tables. So, if you are looking to study delicious examples of Afghan cooking, and don't mind paying a premium, then you can't go wrong. If you get grumpy from paying 12.00 for lunch-counter ambience, then keep driving.
(3)
Joe K.
I have ate here on several occasions and each time the food is always delicious and plentiful, most of the time I can skip a meal or late night snack because of it! I normally get the chicken kabob, nothing too fancy. The chicken is always juicy and the naan is warm and soft. The rice is one of my favorite things, I enjoy the raisins mixed in with the basmati rice. The salad is ok, I just wouldn't want more than a side normally. As for the wait, please be prepared for up to 15 minutes for the food to normally be ready, depending on the items, as some are on the hot bar . Also parking here is almost impossible to find if they're busy.
(4)
Neeters B.
i love their fresh warm naan. I love their chickpea dishes and the dumpling appetizer wtih the yogurt sauce and meat mixture. the chicken kabobs are delish but take forever to make so i always call ahead.
(4)
Scott M.
Food is top notch, everything is cooked fresh and portion sizes will not leave you wanting more. The only complaint is that since it is fresh made to order, plan on waiting up to 30 minutes to get your meal. It is well worth the wait. I would recommend calling in your order through the week, lines get super long from all the personnel that work adjacent to the restaurant.
(4)
Garvin C.
The food at this location is good and there is usually sufficient seating for people in my experience. The parking lot at this location is really small though, so be prepared to park further back or along the side of the lot rather than an actual designated spot. Again, just like in the original store, the main problem is the wait time for the food, so order ahead if you can, or be prepared to wait.
(3)
Tim W.
Amazing food here! Was looking for Afghan food in the area... found it across the street from where I come to work and very close to my hotel. Food is always fresh, hot and delicious. If you like middle eastern / Afghan Kabob, this is the place you should come and I bet you will be come a frequent visitor!
(5)
Cara W.
Amazing food, and lots of it; I always have leftovers. They can be slow as they make everything (except for the specials) fresh to order. I recommend calling ahead with your order, and asking them to pack the naan separately (so it doesn't get soggy). Chicken kebab, chicken salad (kebab over lettuce), and kofta kabob are great. So is the salmon, but it's pricey for lunch.
(4)
A A.
Wow, this place impressed. The chicken kabob was excellent, wonderful seasoning and cooked perfectly. The bread, naan or whatever it was, was one of the best I've had. It was thicker than most naan and was soft yet still somewhat crisp on the bottom. The rice was unbelievable! There was some kind of pumpkin spice (or something that tasted like it at least) in it that made it unlike anything I've ever had before. After reading the mixed reviews, it seems like some are for slow service. I called my order in and it was ready in 20 minutes, which is what they told me on the phone. And I'm not sure what other reviewers were talking about when they said the chicken was dry, the rice was plain, or the dishes were expensive....mine was only 10 bucks and it was a lot of high-quality food for the price.
(5)
David B.
The restaurant is clean, brightly lit, and Afghani music is playing softly. The food is hot and fresh. The freshly baked flat bread is excellent. The lamb and chicken skewers are very good. Be aware that it may take a while after ordering to get your food, but they're baking your flat bread fresh!
(4)
Roberto L.
I ate here several times while in the area, however, there is one big limiting factor, PRICE. I found it to be a little expensive, but the different platters were so good, I had trouble staying away. Something about the way that make the rice is to die for. I would recommend taking a trip over to get some great food, it is busy and may take a while, but it is worth it.
(4)
Seth S.
Pros: Food is Good. Reasonable Portions. Meat is cooked Fresh Cons: Service is lousy. A tad pricey. Meat is cooked fresh (prepare to wait 10 minutes) I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could. The folks behind the counter had poor communication skills at best. Living in LA, I'm used to having challenges while communicating at ethnic restaurants. In fact it's part of the experience. This place was much more difficult than most in terms of communication. I asked to order a side salad. Instead all I received was the salad on the plate. Basic ordering was difficult too. I would echo another review in that the folks behind the counter were staring into space... $20 for a plate a soda and a water. I would argue $15 would be a bit more fair. I might come back on way out of town (don't like chain restaurants), but I'll give other places a hard look first.
(3)
Nathan C.
You know, I feel a bit silly continuing to write updates about this place, but it's IMPORTANT. To really get the right experience here, you must *plan*. So I did a dinner takeout thing. The place is fairly dead around 4:30 -- it was me and several tables of people wearing distinctly Middle Eastern, African, and/or Indian garb. Which I think is a very, very good sign. I put in my order and started the stopwatch. Since everything's prepped to order (including your bread) this takes 15 minutes (actually, 19 minutes and 16 seconds). If there are a lot of people in front of you, prepare to wait, and wait, and wait. Hint for takeout -- have them put the bread on the side. While it holds up pretty well to the food, if you have a long drive it might get a tad soggy. So -- previous advice holds. Call ahead, pick it up, leave quickly and happily.
(4)
Rob R.
Thanks to my Yelp app, I was able to find this place while I was in Linthicum for training.... and spared from another meal in chain eatery hell! While not the best kabob I have ever had, it's very good. Definitely the best option you are going to find around here. Note: Service takes a little while.... so get here quick if you are on a break from work. The meat is cooked to order, and it's worth the wait. I got here right at noon and the dining room was nearly empty. Within 20 minutes it was just about packed.... so get here early! Overall, a very good experience. I will visit again if I'm ever up that way for training again! Recommend!!
(4)
Firstname L.
The location is a little hard to find for an out-of-towner. It's just past the Arundel Mills Mall but before a large housing community - sort of in the middle of nowhere. I came here in August 2011 with the family while on a work-trip which was also a little family vacation. The food is excellent. My wife and I both enjoyed it. It's a fast food place but the food is made fresh right in front of you. The sides are very good too. The location was quite crowded considering we went pretty late at night on a weekday. The tables were dirty, this is probably due to the large number of people there and the fact that there's not really waiter service; you order at the counter and bring it to a table to eat. We grabbed a table right after the previous customers left so if there was someone cleaning tables (I didn't see one) he would not have had a chance to clean it off. If I lived nearby I would definitely go again. The only minuses are the potentially dirty tables (it's probably kept more clean when it is not so busy) and the price is a little high for fast food- but the quality is also must higher than your typical fast food.
(4)
Devon S.
YOU ALL SAID TRY THE LAMB.. By Devon S So it was around lunch time. I was surfing Yelp.com for my next place to eat rather than focusing on my NET + class instructor when I came across Maiwand Kabob. Out of all the reviews, each one said the same thing. Try the lamb and call in your order early. Let's just say I tried the lamb... Location/Appearance: 3 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS So while I am driving to this place I have found that Maiwand Kabob can be easy to miss when you're not playing attention. As I sped by it the first time, I realized that MK is a part of some office building complex and doesn't stand out like a restaurant should. When I pulled into the parking lot, I counted 5-6 parking spots, which made realize that parking here could be a pain if this place were busy. Upon entering MK, I could tell that it falls under the realm of quick service type foods. If you haven't seen it, or didn't look at any of the pictures on yelp, think Noodles in Company meets Middle Eastern Cuisine. Overall, it wasn't bad but nothing to write home to mom about. Customer Service: 3 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS So when you all said, "ORDER AHEAD," your right. But seeing how I never ate there before, I figured I would look at the menu first. Of course I ordered the Lamb Kabob. However, when I got there it was 11:45 and when I got my meal it was 12:05. Now I would have understood if the place was packed, but I was one of 6 people in the dining room. I was completely shocked that it took 20 minutes to make my meal. Next time I will heed the Order Ahead request. Taste and presentation: 4 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS Of course when I got my food, I realized why it took 20 minutes for them to cook it; they cooked my meat to order. I have to say the Lamb at MK was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The Naan was toasted and crispy and the sauce they had (I think it's a cucumber or celery sauce) pulled the whole thing together. I will admit, I have had Lamb Kabobs before, but this one will be high on my list. In addition to the Kabob, I also got a salad with a ranch type dressing and a delicious scoop of the curry potatoes and peas. I am a huge fan of curry and potatoes so this was a win-win for me. The only reason why I didn't give MK a 5 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS was because of the fact that the food was a little cold and everything was served on a Styrofoam plate. Now, I know you all are saying WHAT??? Why does that matter. You see, when I first tried to attack my food, I did it with a fork and knife. Knifes and Styrofoam don't mix as I found out when I got a nice piece of Styrofoam in with my food. Mmmmm it was tasty, but wasn't the bonus highlight of my meal I was expecting. Overall Experience: 3 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS Well there you have it! Maiwand Kabob has provided me with nothing more than 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed their food and yes I will go back to this place, and I will suggest this place to others. SO GO TO MAIWAND KABOB. Order the lamb and for gosh sake CALL AHEAD!
(3)
Salmaan T.
Basically saying the same thing as everyone else regarding the food and service. Food is very tasty but it is cooked to order (which is a GOOD thing) but you will have to wait if you don't order ahead of time. This is a great place to go if you're early to pick someone up from the airport or if the person is hungry after a flight and wants some kabobs/naan/afghani food. There is a decent sized dining area as well with tables so definitely does not have to be a pick-up/to go place.
(4)
Karen R.
I love this place! The food is amazingly good, always. I've had the Chicken Tikka, Chicken Kabob, and Lamb Kabob. All of them are delicious, though my personal fave is the Chicken Tikka. As mentioned in a previous review, this location blows Arundel Mills out of the water in quality of food. The pumpkin here with the beef on top, is almost like a treat. It's sweet b/c of the pumpkin, yet salty because of the beef. It's a win/win. Definitely give it try! While theres plenty of seating here, it's mostly a take out spot. If dining in or doing take out, I'd call ahead. It normally takes them about 15+ minutes or so to prepare your order. Be patient, it's worth it!
(5)
A. C.
(04/16/2012) Great Afghan food out by the airport and in an industrial complex where you wouldn't expect it. The place was full of Middle Easterners and military guys when I walked in (nearby to Fort Meade). I ordered a side of the stewed pumpkin with yogurt, Aushak (ravioli filled with scallions, served with mint/garlic yogurt sauce and topped with ground beef, and usually lentils, but they were out and got chickpeas instead). Delicious, pungent filling to the Aushak (oniony, savory) and lovely creamy tartness from the yogurt. Chickpeas were stewed until tender, and highly seasoned. Pumpkin side was sticky-sweet, stewed until falling apart and counterbalance with tart yogurt with a hint of garlic. Chicken kabob (flavorful, touch dry, breast meat) and lamb kabob (marinated, nice strong gamey lamb flavors, somewhat sinewy) were served on a wrap of naan (charred, pillowy and chewy, all in a good way), side of rice (cumin seed, soy? and butter?), and some chopped romaine, cucumber, dressed with a little yogurt (put it in your wrap for a cool crunchy foil). Cilantro chutney delivered on the herbal notes, but lacked heat; dropped a touch of Sriracha (available at the counter) for that. Definitely a must try if you're out this way, or at any of the other Maiwand locations.
(4)
Laura R.
The food here was good, but the wait was a little ridiculous. There were 8 parties in the restaurant, and only 1 had food and was eating. That just seemed a little ridiculous. The portion sizes were huge, and the food was tasty, but we preferred the Awe Shack's aushak.
(4)
Meliphocent M.
I had never eaten Afghan food when we decided to try this place. I am so glad we did. I was a little worried about it when we went in because it was completely empty but it filled up fast and a lot of people took it to-go. The Food is delicious. Just a warning so you don't go eat here while in a hurry. The food is prepared when you order so it takes a little while to come out. It is worth it though. We got the chickpea appetizer which was so good, it was whole chickpeas that you ate with tandoori bread. I ordered the beef kabob and my hubby ordered the chicken. The rice that came with it had cardamom in it, which I love. The hubby not so much but he enjoyed everything else. We took the munchkin, he is willing to try everything and ended up eating half my food. I definitely recommend Maiwand Kabob.
(4)
clay h.
Stopped by before catching a flight home from BWI. 3 stars: solid, but not excellent or mind-blowing. i'd go back if i were in the area again, but wouldn't go out of my way. Ordered the Veggie Platter. Food was quite good and there were some interesting dishes I'd never tried before. (Actually, I guess I've never head Afghan food, although there seemed to be some similarities to middle-eastern, Indian, or East-African food.) Food didn't seem very fresh, but it was hot and still tasted good. Some of the dishes were slow-stewed, so that may have been part of the reason, at least for those dishes. A little over-priced, maybe. $10 for a veggie platter and a piece of naan (or naan-like bread - I don't know what Afghans call it).
(3)
sam y.
Maiwand Kabob's delicious food always makes the weather out here bearable on my trips from California. I look forward to their Kafta Kabob, bread and bolani. The best Afghani food I've had
(4)
Juan R.
Yay, love Maiwand Kabob. It is really good food. During lunch hours the place can get very crowded and the order line is long. It is not fast food. All the food takes time to prepare so give yourself some time to wait for the food. The best thing to do is to order ahead of time and then pick up the food at the restaurant. Some days the place is so crowded that there might not be tables available to seat down. Be prepared to take out the food. I have tried almost all the Kabobs with different kinds of meats. My favorite is the Chicken Tikka. I also like the Kofta a lot. The Nan bread is served hot and it is delicious. The chicken wrap is great as is the Kofta wrap. When I am starving I order the Gyro, the portions are huge. They also have a special every day at a hot buffet type serving. The special is really good, Tuesday and Wednesday is Chicken and Thursday is Lamb, with steamed rice and a veggie of your liking. There are several dishes for the strictly vegetarian.
(5)
Will A.
went here before a trip out of town.... it's always a good sign when going to an ethnic restaurant when I am the only 'white' guy in the place...I typically know the food is good if you see a lot of that nationality eating there. the kafta was excellent. the Naan was traditional and very enjoyable. the rice that comes with the platter had raisins and carrots in it. This seemed to my GF and I to be more Moroccan but I wasn't objecting. A little tough to find the first time..but you'll find your way back here the second time pretty easy. Food is cooked to order (for the most part) so expect to spend a bit of time. The mango smoothie was tasty too!
(4)
Brad B.
The BWI airport loop is really lacking in restaurants. Considering how many hotels & offices populate the area, the lack of dining places is odd. Most of what is around is fast food or chains. And in this strange environment, Maiwand Kabob is a 4 star haven. Have eaten there twice while staying at the nearly aloft Hotel. First time had the lamb kabob which was very good. Today I had the lamb & chicken kabob combo - and I liked the chicken even better than the lamb. Not super quick (as described) but has been very quiet both times that I've visited (late afternoon/evening). If you're staying at a nearby hotel, this is one of your best choices. I love Mediterranean food but have never eaten Afghani food -- if you're in the same boat, you'll be happy here.
The food was very good (although, the service lady didn't seem to give any effort or care about her job. I was there with only one other person and it did seem to take longer than I expected - so if you are in a rush, I'd read some of the other reviews here...).
(5)
Craig M.
I visit the DC area a few times a year and every time I travel through BWI I make a point to visit Maiwand Kabob. The chicken, beef and lamb kabobs are simply fantastic. I enjoy kabobs and they are they best I've ever had--anywhere. They're generous portions and always cooked and seasoned perfectly. The tandoori bread is delicious: very soft and fresh. The pumpkin dish is also amazing. Its slightly sweetened (but not like pumpkin pie) and then served with yougurt and the sauce from the beef kabobs. Its sweet, savory and a little tart all at once. Its really a unique flavor combination. As others have noted, if you're in a hurry, it's best to call ahead. They don't start preparing anything until you order it. So even if it's not busy, you can expect to wait 20-25 minutes for your order. If it's busy, it may take as long as 40-45 minutes from the time you order. You can't rush greatness, and in my opinion, its worth every second of the wait for some of the best food anywhere.
(5)
Matthew L.
I like this location the best out of the 3 I know (Columbia and Hanover being the other 2). The Shwarma platter (or any platter for that matter) are enormous. The meat is moist and delicious. The rice has just the perfect spices. The restaurant is small, and it is packed at lunch. A trick I like to do is call in your order ahead of time. That way it is waiting when you arrive. Otherwise you may be waiting 30 minutes for food.
(4)
H-cat H.
Traveling and wanted some mantoo. They didn't have it although on their menu. They do have plenty of kabobs though, and they were ok. It was quality food, fair price and worth another visit when I am in the area again.
(3)
Kate M.
Fantastic food! Kabob always tender and oh so flavorful. I've also ordered the Samosas which were great, and the Vegetarian plate which was a nice variety and all very tasty. A little pricey and slow, but worth it.
(4)
Frank J.
I always look forward to coming to Maiwand. The food is good and pretty typical, but I've had better, and some of it seems a bit pricey. The staff often seems a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. Most dishes take a long time, so call ahead.
(3)
Derrick C.
Very, very good kabobs at Maiwand. I work near by so I go there every week and the food is always consistent. The specials are OK but the kabobs are truly the strong point for this quaint establishment. The chicken, lamb, and kofta kabobs are all excellent. The seasoning they use for the kabobs truly enhance the meat. The curry spinach is full of flavor and truly delightful. The Naan bread, which is cooked fresh on the premises, ties the whole meal together. During the week it is best to arrive before 11:30 to avoid the heavy lunch rush. Typical wait time can be about 10 to 15 minutes. Trust me, it is worth every minute!!
(5)
Robert D.
Food was good but the service was so slow that it's unlikely that I will return. While I was there I saw another customer ask for his money back and leave because it was so slow. They were also out of the first two thing I asked for the first being the daily special.
(2)
Robert P.
The look of the location is nice enough, better than I would have expected from the outside. The food was good with generous portions and everything prepared well. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the rice was tasty and the naan and salad were good as well. Service was good enough for a place like this... just ordering and picking up the food but friendly. Definitely will be back in the future.
(4)
Dave A.
This is the poor man's alternative to The Helmand located in an unattractive office park right next to BWI. However, given the absolutely huge portions, fresh na'an (or whatever it's called in Afghanistan), and mint basil dip, it's actually worth a drive down from Baltimore to enjoy.
(5)
Jimena M.
*******3.5****** A solid 4 stars if you order ahead i'm sure. Ok, I should have read Nathan C.'s reviews before going here, or I would give it 4 stars. My brother and I were in the area. He told me he heard about this place with great kabobs and wanted to try it. We actually went on Sunday first, but it was closed..doh! Today we got there around 3pm. It was still pretty busy considering it was mid-afternoon. There were mostly middle eastern and afghani people in the restaurant. Good sign! I ordered the kofta kabob($8.99) and my brother got the chicken tikka kabob (8.99). They gave us our number and we went to sit down. We started talking and after a while realized that we still didn't have our food. I looked at my cell phone and the receipt time and 30mins had gone by! wtf!...so we walk up to the counter and ask how long it will be, the lady says 5mins. We are walking back to the table and before we sit down, she calls our number. That was really frustrating. Had I been hungry, I wouda been pretty ticked. Luckily, the food was very good. The kofta was generously seasoned with onions, garlic, parsley and spices, but it wasn't overly done. The char was excellent as well. My plate came with a seasoned basmati rice, the rice was very flavorful with hints of cinnamon and cardamon. The side salad included tomatoes and cucumbers, it was fresh and lightly tossed with a vinaigrette. The bread was outrageous. Warm, bubbly, so it had crisp parts, the rest was golden brown. I didn't care for their "spicy" green yogurt sauce. It just tasted like yogurt that was green :( BUT, the restaurant carries good ol' sriracha! Hell yea! I mixed that bad boy with the yogurt and it was awesome! I think they should incorporate that into their recipe. My brother's chicken tikka was delicious. The chicken was moist and flavorful, nice char. It tasted like tandoori chicken to me. The place is located in a business area, at the base of an office building. I guess that explains their hours. There is a small parking lot right up front. Overall, this place has great kabobs, just remember... Order ahead of time!!
(3)
Tom H.
I got the veggie platter. It was abundant and rich and tasty. The flavor was there with a little spice. Each dish stood on it's own and played nice together. As my taste buds danced my gall bladder screamed, it's high oil. The Valdez spill ain't got nothin on this meal. The flatbread was needed to soak up the tasty bits. I will definitely check out Maiwand Kabob again.
(4)
C H.
Chicken kabob moist and flavorful. Lamb kabob great flavor but overcooked and chewy. Eggplant topped with yogurt very good. Spinach tasty but could use a little more flavor. Do pazai tasted great but too greasy/oily (actually that was true of all veggies too - anything sitting out in the trays). Place was not on the side of the street that Google claimed so keep an eye out & turn in between the hotel & the Maiwand Kabobs sign.
(4)
Craig K.
The food at this place is good. I had the lamb kabob, bread, rice, and salad. The lamb was tasty, the bread was excellent, and the rice was quite good. The salad was a bit boring and also a bit gritty. Overall, I like the food. But the ambiance is fast-food with the food served on styrofoam plates. Probably better place for lunch than dinner.
(3)
Mark N.
This is a must for people travelling in and out of BWI, which is otherwise a total culinary wasteland. I don't particularly care how this food measures up against other Afghan restaurants. It's sufficient that it's healthy, flavorful, freshly made food around the airport. Like many Afghani places, they feature daily special stews that are quite good. The bread is excellent. And, the portions of the delicious Afghan sweet pumpkin dish (Kaddo Bourani) are huge, enough for a decent-sized lunch. You can get the pumpkin with either the yogurt sauce or yogurt plus the tomato and meat sauce. Yumm. The interior is little more than a fast-food style with booths and open seating but who cares. Good food around the airport is such a rarity.
(4)
Jennifer H.
Really good food, but it's a long wait. The food is made to order so you'll be waiting 20 minutes while it's cooking over the grill. Definitely worth the wait. Love their naan/tandoori bread and basmati rice. Their desserts are a little on the sweet side though. Prices are pretty good for the portions you get. One of my favorite spots!
(4)
Joanne K.
We randomly found this place on the way to DC. We got there about 9 pm on a Saturday night. It wasn't crowded, but service was ridiculously S-L-O-W! There were lots of staff just hanging around not really doing anything and a few people doing all the work. One guy standing around juggling seemed really annoyed with me for asking for a fork. I wouldn't have minded the wait if we weren't trying to get somewhere but was getting pretty annoyed after about 40 minutes. Luckily, the food turned out to be *awesome*. Absolutely fantastic. If I lived close, I'd go with a book and camp out for the night. Not a great choice for a pit stop though.
(3)
Margaret M.
Just had lunch here! The wait was only around 10 minutes and the food was great---I'll be back!
(4)
Lindsay J.
Yum. Yum. YUM Order ahead, as all these nice people have said before me. I got takeout to take back to the Holiday Inn BWI, which is right around the corner. The woman that brought my order out and rang me up was super sweet. Bread - delicious. Pumpkin appetizer w/ yogurt and meat - WAY good. Lamb kebab - tender, flavorful, mm. I'm a fan all-around! I'm moving to Bmore and will have to make this stop when I'm on my way to/from the airport.
(4)
Sams A.
This place honestly has THE BEST CHICKEN KABOB EVER!!!! (the Tikka). It is SO juicy, and SO fresh...and I am hungry thinking about it. OH, and I have eaten a LOT of Afghan food in the area. The staff are always friendly, and like everyone says, the wait times ARE understandable since you are getting your meat cooked fresh. If you want to save time, go to the website, pick out what you want, and call it in, don't go there and complain about the wait time. Lunch is obviously VERY busy, so ordering ahead of time is the best thing to do. VERY clean, and VERY spacious, and open on Saturdays I think!! :)
(5)
Food E.
Great kabobs - I had the lamb kabob plate. It's a good quantity of food, and the salad and rice they served were great as other reviewers noted. The food took a LONG time (probably 20 minutes or more) for a small take-out place, but when you consider that the naan bread they give you is baked to order, as is the grilled meat, then it makes more sense and is worth it if you can spare the time. The lamb was incredibly tender and flavorful - my guess is that the meat was marinated and grilled over a very low temperature to make sure it didn't char up too much or get tough. Came with an interesting green sauce that I also liked, somewhat like tzatziki or something. My friend got the lamb pita sandwich, which came with what he called "the most interesting sauce" that was in there. It looked like a tikka masala sauce, but I didn't try it. The prices are high for a lunch place - $9-$13 for most of their menu items - but in reality, it's a great price for what you get. Definitely recommend if you're in the business park or near the airport and looking for an ethnic off-the-beaten-path restaurant in a sea of chain and/or fast food joints.
Reasonably priced for the quality and quantity of food. Would hope that the kabob seasonings would be spicier and more interesting. The flatbread however is very good. Lunch crowd is usually pretty heavy on certain days, so it's hit or miss whether you can get a seat or not and the speed also seriously suffers then too. Haven't tried their pseudo buffet pre-made selections, but for speed that could provide and option.
(4)
john r.
We went here yesterday for lunch. It is one of the best Afghani kabob places in the area. Food was excellent. We ordered the lamb kabob and it was cooked perfectly and very juicy. It was relatively quiet when we were there, but it still took about 15 min to get our food. Next time, we'll order ahead.
(5)
Jess C.
Listen to the other reviewers - ORDER AHEAD. Well ahead if you're going for lunch. During the lunch rush, I've ordered ahead, shown up in 20-25 minutes when they said it'd be ready, and then still had to wait another 15-20 minutes for my food. If you can avoid the rush, do. That being said, there is a reason it's busy, and a reason I keep going back, and that's the food. It's flavorful, fresh, and much more exciting that most of the other options in the area. YUM!
(4)
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Address :839 Elkridge Landing Rd,Ste 110
Linthicum Heights, MD, 21090
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Caters : Yes
MIchaei G.
This place is the best kabob restaurant in linthicum. I really adore this place. Samina Rafiq the owner has been so kind and often offers U.S. military discount. My favorite is the lamb kabob. Will keep them in mind when I visit next time. And not to forget her husband Tawab is a super nice guy as well. Keep up the good work!
(5)Jason F.
Lovely spot for some Afghan food. I usually get the lamb kabob and it is delicious. Love the rice with raisins and the little side salad. The bread is also delicious as is the chutney sauce. Chicken and beef is also good. If going for lunch...call ahead or arrive at the beginning or end of lunch rush. I call ahead for dinner too as it takes them 10-15 minutes to prepare the lamb kabob. I prefer this location over the one in Columbia Crossing because this one is self service, although the guy taking orders will bring you your meal.
(5)Ken V.
Good food, but service wasn't the best. They seemed understaffed when I visited. I waited a good 10 minutes after being seated to order a drink.
(4)Abdul M.
I've been here several times and it never disappoints. Always good food. Give yourself some time because they cook to order. But it's guaranteed good and hot. Usually a meal takes about 15 to 20 minutes, but it's well worth it. The naan is piping hot and the meat is so flavorful. I got the beef and lamb combo with rice. Delicious. You order at the counter and grab your drink and they will bring you your food. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Chris C.
Have been here 4 or 5 times. Good choice for delicious food if you are staying around BWI. The bread/nan/pita is the best I've ever had. It is doughy and tastes amazing, it also comes with pretty much everything on the menu except I think the wraps. The lamb kebab cuts are juicy and cooked to order. Fair price too at $12. They have curry specials Monday and/or Tues but they have been sold out my past few vists so they must be good. Could use better drink options, a side of spinach is too pricey at $4+, and the decor could use an update - but those cuts of lamb in that doughy pita bread is incredible and well worth stopping for!
(5)Sam K.
Its okay..I believe they grill the meat on order, so it seems...and therefore 4 stars... i somehow feel they need to give a side of hummus or vegetable curry with their meat plate instead of the crappy salad. I never tried swapping but you might want to ask. I mean, the bread as no friend to go with if you were ordering any of the meat plates. The bread is a little dry and not very appetizing once it gets cold. The vegetable platter was good. The eggplant was the best of all, the pumpkin a tad too sweet and the lentils alright. The star of the show was the mango shake. It seemed like a regular mango slush with some cream but they get the sugar so right that it reminds you of haagen daz's mango ice cream. Th location was a little difficult to find and if not for yelp I'd drive past it without noticing.
(4)Jeff J.
The Gyro and fries were pretty good! Sauces were available and the staff friendly. We ordered some hummus and bread - the bread was really good, dump the hummus and start over.... Nothing like I've eaten before and it was served from the fridge - pre-packaged, yuk! Nonetheless it was within walking distance of our hotel near BWI and we were exhausted. Not planning a return, but for a Middle Eastern restaurant, I'd take a poll on the hummus scale. I'd be surprised if it hit 3 out of 10. A decent quick bite Yelpers. With drinks we were at $28.
(3)Jamey B.
YUM. yum yum yum yum. I had the lamb kebab plate. You have to wait a little bit during the lunch rush but not is it worth it. There is tons of seating crammed into the space. The restaurant sports a great visual menu of the kebab choices which makes it tough to choose. I did not regret my choice, the lamb was perfectly cooked, the rice was well seasoned and the accompanying mint sauce and bread were excellent basics done right. Perfection on a plate.
(5)Alyssa M.
Discovered this place a few months ago by arundel mills... when I pulled up to my hotel was filled with joy when I saw that this place had a location next to bwi! Food was delicious. Probably the best gyro my husband and I have ever tasted... and he is an expert on gyros lol. The chicken kabob is great! Seasoned so well. Mint chutney is excellent. Rice with raisins ... marvelous l. Pita bread/naan... excellent. Cooked to perfection
(5)Alice H.
I've been coming to this place a few times on Sundays after church. I like that it's not crowded on weekends, and there's plenty of seating. I typically get the kofta kabob platter. The kofta is packed with flavor and is nicely balanced by the cilantro yogurt sauce. I know not everyone likes raisins, but I like the sweetness that it gives to the rice. The plate has so many different flavors that blend so well together. I always tell myself I can split the plate into 2 meals, but I always end up finishing it there. I guess that's what happens when I find good food.
(4)Troy W.
Very close to the BWI hotels and a reasonable price. Great quality foo although it was a little crowded during lunch but still worth it.
(4)Sherri D.
Super yummy kabob place right by Arundel Mills. I've only eaten at the restaurant once, but my boyfriend always brings home carry-out orders and the food is ALWAYS. YUMMY. The restaurant itself is pretty small. Nothing too fancy, but it was clean and had a decent amount of seating. Not really a sit-down place, but a small little cafe-sized joint where ya eat your food and go. The food was great, but the service was okay... so don't expect anything fancy. I'd consider this place more of a quick eatery and definitely a to-go place. We ate here once and it was fine and definitely self-serve, so to those who come here having high expectations -- just take your food to-go. The food. I live in northern VA and my boyfriend and I have tried numerous kabob places and hands down, Maiwand is at the top of our list with Kabob Palace in Crystal City being a close second. Some places can slack on the seasoning and spices, but Maiwand's is always perfectly seasoned. Even the rice is delicious! One of my favorite places JUST speaking in terms of who has the best rice... The normal go-to is the combo: chicken and kafta for my boyfriend and for me the chicken and lamb. Each come with a side of rice, salad, green chutney, and a large piece of naan bread. Generous portions on the meat as well as the side items and all very delicious! The kafta is thick and juicy and seasoned very well with spices. The chicken is superbly good with a nice spicy kick: Very moist and soft and surprisingly not dry! The lamb is also seasoned well and cooked to tender perfection. The rice is just divine and so tasty. I can't explain it, but I always crave their race afterwards and it's absolutely delicious and moist. I can't say more great things about the yummy food, but that I always get so excited when my boyfriend comes home with it - and that should say enough. Don't wait, just go and try this place out!
(5)Dee W.
By far, the best of the two locations I've visited. The wait can be long, especially on the weekend but it is worth it. I've tried the weekly specials which are a great value and never disappoint, the gyro and fries are a favorite and beef/chicken/lamb kebobs are all great. Food is fresh and flavorful. The restaurant is clean. Parking can be an issue, especially at lunch time during the week. Overall, excellent food and great customer service at the Linthicum Heights, MD location.
(4)Jackie A.
It's 3PM, sign says open - no one is there and I'm so hungry, that I'm shaking. Not good; I know. I'm thinking, great.. no one there, quick service - WRONG. NO SERVICE is what I received. Now, it's not like they didn't see me, cause the dude in the kitchen did and he just snickered at me, from where he stood - not once, venturing to greet me or get someone to take my order. I walked around the counter. I looked at the menu and looked at this man again, pleadingly. This place was one BIG FAT disappointment. If you don't want to serve customers during your down time, then you shouldn't be open.
(1)Christine A.
Great introduction to sanitary Afghan food that is not served with flies buzzing about and questionable "lamb" meat from an unknown source. I never thought I would go and pay to eat Afghan food after leaving Afghanistan, but I'm a changed woman...I guess I intended to order for two, but due to my unrestrained excitement, I ended up ordering for 2 more invisible friends/stomachs. Here's the down low on the dishes: Aushak: four spinach-filled raviolis with meat sauce. Yummy, but a little oily. The meat sauce was topped with lentils and yogurt. A very filling app for 3 people or a meal for 1. Friday Special Lamb Curry: came with plain biryani-style rice and one side. The lamb was not gamey and the curry was mild. I chose the potato and pea curry as a side, and that was equally scrumptious! For $8.99 it's easily the best dish! Samosas (aka Kachaloo): no, not Indian samosas. These potato-filled fried triangles are delicious, especially dipped in the herby green yogurt sauce. You can tell that this particular restaurant is based predominantly from a Pashtun region of Afghanistan because of this dish. Kofta aka middle-eastern version of meatballs was a little dry and my least favorite, but it may just have been that one serving. Think long meatball on a stick! Haha! It came with biryani-style rice with raisins, some grilled tomatoes and onions, naan bread, and lettuce. Lamb and beef kebab combo: huge chunks of marinated lamb and beef with all the accoutrements mentioned with the kofta. Last but not least, Baklava! No guys, not Greek Baklava...not Turkish Baklava. Yes, there is such a thing as Afghan baklava. Honeyed and beautifully-spiced ending to a VERY surprising and delicious meal. P.S. Be prepared to wait for this food. Not a place for speedy service, but worth it! So as they say in Pashto: Manana Maiwand Kebab!
(4)Christine C.
Small location - great for corporate lunches. The weekends are a bit quieter. The food is fresh and rich. Very delicious and they give you plenty. I will keep coming back for the food - no so much for the shabby tables and chairs.
(4)Johnson W.
This was really good. I had the lamb and chicken combo, great, the chicken was amazing. I would stick with the chicken only next time because it was so good, not to say the lamb wasn't it's just how good the chicken was. The bread was great too, I don't dish out 5 stars often.
(5)Ken G.
Great food. Made to order, but worth the wait for freshness and tastiness. My favorite is the chicken and lamb kabobs. My wife loves the Kafka or the veggie platter. Both the chickpea and the potato curry are awesome! Nice fresh and soft naan bread too. Lunch time tends to be busier than dinner.
(5)Kevin O.
Great find. I had stayed near the airport several times. Went for an early dinner and the place still fairly full. Ask what I should get and was directed to the chicken plate. It was a large portion. The bread was fresh and the meat was tasty. Agree with the other reviews that the salad was a little plain and boring. Only low notes was the samosas. They where overdone and chewy. Otherwise attentive service and good food. Use map to find it
(4)Chris S.
Located in an inconspicuous part of an office park near BWI airport and hotels. Delicious selection of kabobs, shawarmas and gyros. Good service and very clean.
(4)Rhondi S.
What a Yelp find! Had to get lunch before a trip to the airport...thank you Yelp. Maiwand Kabob is a hop and a skip from BWI, very tasty Middle Eastern/Afghan! The menu is diverse from kabobs, to swarmas, through daily specials. The chicken curry was a medley of spices and a kick of heat, but so savory and delicious. The portion was way too much, served with basmati rice, it was very tasty. hubby had the chicken swarma, grilled seasoned chicken, lettuce, tomato, onions, in a warm thick pita. Fresh ingredients, authentic taste, friendly service...gotta come here!
(4)Sabina B.
The first few times were good but I really am beginning to loathe this place. No Afghanis work here... at least I haven't seen any. And yes I do know the difference between Pashto and Spanish. Mostly Latino workers (and no I'm not an ethnocentric xenophobe) just an observation. Gyros are only offered during lunch Monday-Friday. Why not all the time? Is it that hard to offer the different cut of meat/bread at a later hour? I don't follow... This place is really just odd. No gyro later in the day, no Afghanis working at the Afghan kabob place. I don't get it!
(2)Lee A.
It's good, not great. Be prepared it takes awhile but that's cause they are preparing from scratch. The flavors are good enough. I'm staying in a hotel nearby so I came for lunch. I'll probably come again for dinner and try a different plate. I got the chicken kebab. It cost 12.50 for the plate and soda. It was very filling though.
(3)Cliff M.
Will be visiting again the next time I fly in/out of BWI! I was wishing for Greek but found this place with "kabob" in the name. At first I was skeptical because it was Afghan and not Greek but I was so glad I went. Not really fancy but reasonably priced. I ordered the chicken and beef kabob and the food was more than I could eat! Both the chicken and the beef were cooked perfectly and the naan was still warm. (Tzatziki sauce was some of the best I've ever had!) Also really liked their french fries and baklava.
(5)Je M.
The first or second time I went into not one of your locations, but multiple locations under this franchise and you guys had run out of the SPECIAL OF THE DAY, I shrugged it off and thought whatever. Around the fourth or fifth time this happened I stopped coming to your restaurants. Most places adjust by volume when they see something is selling well, they order and prepare more of it to accommodate more people and MAKE MORE MONEY. That' s business 101. The food is delicious, but if there is none to be had WHAT'S THE POINT?! You guys are selling out of dishes on a regular basis, yet not expanding the amount of food you're ordering?? What is wrong with this picture? People like daily deals. Especially because the food isn't necessrily cheap here. If you're advertising a daily special, you should attempt to provide enough of it for customers. If you don't intend on doing that, why offer them? That is all.
(2)Chrissy S.
Went here on a whim while running errands outside the city. It was very clean inside and the food was really good. I would definitely check out the location in Baltimore... in fact, I'm craving some kabobs now! :)
(4)Orie L.
Possibly the best meal in the Baltimore area. I always get chicken kabobs (no skewers here) with salad, bread, and rice. Yummy flavors and speedy service. I can't say enough about this place! Highly recommended.
(5)Chris C.
Service: 1 star. Food: 5 stars. When you order the daily special, because it is sitting there with serving spoons poised, it shouldn't take 22 MINUTES to get my carry out order. Happens every time!
(3)Good E.
hmm have i not reviewed this place b4? craziness! love this kabob place, it is a tie between this and grill kabob at tysons corner(thats right , i said it!) i got the lamb kabob which comes with salad, bread, spicy sauce and rice. everything was cooked well and was tasty. i definitely prefer afghan kabob over persian. this place is super close to BWI, has ample parking, is clean and has friendly staff. plus i could charge my cell phone while eating comfortably with my bf, who is not as big a fan of this place as me. anyways, if u are on your back from or on your way to a flight , i would say skip the terrible food at the airport and come here instead!
(5)John D.
Per the reviews, I was looking forward to a tasty lunch. I ordered the gyros and took a seat...and waited, and waited and waited... by the time I got my food I was frustrated, and not impressed. The folks at the table next to me got their good quicker than I, but a third of their order was wrong. An off day? Maybe, but I'd take McD's if I could go back in time.
(2)Annette H.
Excellent chicken kabob plate. Traveling in town on business and staying at local hotel. Yelp reviews were accurate. The kabob is served on a delicious, crunchy bottom naan-like bread. Awesome green chile yogurt sauce, rice and salad. All for less than $20 with big tip! Yum..I'll be back very casual. Lots of local carry out while I'm eating so that speaks volumes!
(4)Justin L.
The chicken kabob was really tasty but I wished the onions were cooked a little more. Ended up being very spicy. The rice side was really great and the raisins gave it a subtle sweetness. I got the mint yogurt drink, which was incredibly salty. Add in a dose of caarageenan, which I had to look up, and I decided not to finish it. Overall, I think the price was a little high for the amount of food you got. Next time I am around I might try the daily special or head to the Indian place down the way.
(3)Lisa Y.
ok, what started as a meal while staying at a hotel nearby, has become an obsession. We are now there 1/week. I usually get the chicken tikka and my wife generally gets the chcken malai, as she does not like spicy and that is as mild as it gets. The bread is perfect and just out of the oven. All kebobs are made to order so yes, it is not quick. But to me worth the wait. We also love the pumpkin, so we replace the rice with the pumpkin for a 75cent upcharge. We'd rather do this as the side dishes are huge and $4.49. We tried the Arundel Mills location and have decided that the food prep here is better. The only suggestion I have is that the tables could be cleaned more frequently/between customers. And would love a decaffinated sugar-free choice.
(5)Jojo C.
Random location and was just looking for a place to wait for my son to fly into BWI and wanted a light snack so I ordered some food. All I can say is WOW! The chicken Tika is the best I ever tasted! Turned around and ordered the lamb kabob to go and it was just as delicious. Definitely will come here whenever we are in the area. What are you waiting for? Go already haha.
(5)John R.
I stay near the Baltimore airport a lot, and this is a food desert. You got a few fast food chains, pizza both ok and bad, a very good crab cake place - and that is about it. I had Maiwand Kebob tonight and found my new favorite. I had the lamb and chicken Kebob plate - well cooked with a nice charcoal, great sauce, flat bread. The rice and salad were also very good. Everything was perfectly cooked and flavorful. And the price was also right on. So I will be eating less pizza and hamburgers, and more kebabs, when visiting Baltimore.
(5)Jenny H.
I came here right before a flight, and I was disappointed because two of the foods I wanted, the manta (dumplings) and aushak (ravioli) were not available. They only had rice and a variety of meat. I got their chicken and rice, and it was just OK. The rice wasn't flavored at all, just a plain white rice, and the chicken was dry. I also wish they gave us a little more salad. The pumpkin I got with yogurt also was so oily it left a huge, oily orange mess on the table. The restaurant was minimal and bare, and they had some stale-looking food sitting out in pans behind the counter to serve I guess? Go to the Columbia location which I think is the original- it's WAY better with more options, and it tastes so much better. Also, call in ahead of time because it takes at least a good 15-20 minutes for them to grill up your food to order.
(2)Darren R.
Not the most attractive place, but I have to give it 5 stars because the food is exceptional. One of the best meals I have had in the Baltimore metro area, and I've been to many spots around it. I had the beef and lamb combo which comes with rice, bread, and a small salad. The meat was perfectly cooked and seasoned, the bread freshly made (I watched her make it) and rice cooked perfectly. Salad was small but very good. Don't expect McDonald's speed on the service, this isn't McDonald's, thankfully (although it looks like a fast food joint when you walk in).
(5)Christl A.
If you're looking for an atmosphere of fine romantic dining this isn't the place for you. The interior of this establishment looks like your average fast food joint, but the food is in my opinion, far above average! The ingredients are fresh and the dishes are authentic. We arrived at 3:00pm on a Saturday and were able to park right in front of the door. Inside there was only one other customer which was nice. It's set up so that you walk in, immediately place your order, seat yourself, and then your food is brought out to you when it's ready. Our appetizer arrived about 10 minutes after we ordered and our entrées arrived about 10 minutes after the appetizer. Parents: There is only one high chair available. Due to the small size of the restaurant I wouldn't recommend a large group meeting here, but there is always the option of carry out. Again, not the most romantic place, but the food is absolutely delicious!
(4)Dana L.
I'm visiting from Los Angeles and had never tried this restaurant before. I highly recommend it! The chicken tikka masala, naan bread, and rice pudding were excellent and the employees were extremely nice! Delivery was quick and the food was hot. I'll definitely come back whenever I'm here for business!
(5)Dixon M.
This place was okay, but they don't offer iced tea (which costs them a star in my book.) I ordered lamb kabob, which came with rice, bread and salad. Although the restaurant wasn't particularly busy, service took a long time (20 min).
(3)Adam W.
Walked up before closing. Open sign was hanging in the door. As soon as I walked in the guy behind the counter said "Sorry, were closed." Made me leave. Never coming back. Who stops serving food before closing?
(1)Art C.
I've been here before and always like the food. It is always quiet and I've never seen many folks dining in. They must get the food to go. It's close to the airport and many hotels. Great place for travelers! Enjoy.
(4)Sunny B.
My first time trying Afghan food and I'm already craving it again! I had the chicken kabob. The naan bread, salad, and spicy sauce that came with it was amazing! I ate about half and had the rest the following day. Obviously it wasn't as good as the night before, but still pretty darn delish!
(5)Emily S.
The food here is 5 stars, the service is more like 2 or 3... I came here for lunch and got the lamb kabob plate/combo. AWESOME. Meat was tender and juicy and it came with fresh naan, rice, salad, and some kind of delicious green sauce. Everything tasted fresh and I just devoured it once I got it! Food took a while to prepare, so I recommend calling your order in ahead of time. Service at the front was not friendly, they didn't greet us as we walked in, no smile, and seemed annoyed to be there.
(4)Brian J.
While traveling on business this week, my coworker and I spent our last evening in Baltimore. He searched online for restaurants near our hotel for dinner and came across Maiwand Kabob. We decided to check it out and I was thoroughly impressed. I thought we were going to a sit down restaurant with waiter service and was surprised when we pulled into a parking lot of a casual strip mall style eatery. However, I have to say that the food was awesome. It was better than food I've had at some expensive dining establishments. I ordered the lamb kabob and chicken tikka kabob combo. The meat was very tender and seasoned to perfection and the rice was really good. I also had a Mango Shake which was tasty and much better than some Mango Lassi beverages I've had at other eateries. I have to say that Maiwand Kabob was the highlight of my entire business trip. I now wish they would open one up in Atlanta.
(5)Jay F.
5 stars and it ain't no jive! I would describe it as a cafe style, very casual and not really a sit down place. The food is amazing. I was in Baltimore every week for a year and didn't discover this place till the 10th month and I wanted to punch myself in the face for not discovering sooner. Check it out, your stomach with love you for it!! Personal faves...chicken kabob and the kofta kabob
(5)Ali B.
This was my favorite place to eat when I went to Baltimore area for training. They had very tasty meat and the food was in good portion for the price. I have tried most of the menu items since I kept going back and this was very close to me hotel. If you like Middle Eastern style food, this is the place for you to try.
(5)Nan W.
Everything is so tasty here! I had lamb kabobs, it's great! The tendori bread is very fresh, even the rice is delicious! Portion size is kinda large for a short girl like me, but I wanna finish everything in my plate
(5)Chris L.
Afghan casual food was tasty but you need patience while they prepare the food, it's not coming from a steam table. We tried Maiwand in early May 2012 for a late dinner after a long drive, this was the closest place to the hotel that wasn't a typical chain. Order at the counter, wait for them to call your name, go get it; basically this is Afghan fast food. Well, not fast; maybe Afghan casual is the right term, because it takes the staff a while to cook the order. When I finally got my lamb dinner platter it was huge, for about $12 I received a large amount of meat, a big portion of rice, a very generously sized piece of naan plus some great salad with fresh veggies. A beer would have tasted good with this but none available and don't know if BYO is done in MD. Nearly every one else in the place was an American guy, some in uniform, all with *really* short hair, if that matters :)
(3)Toya D.
*SEE PICS* I had the Wednesday Special (Chicken Jalfarazi - chicken w/bell peppers, red peppers, onions, seasonings w/rice and salad). The portions are enough to share, which is good if you're on a budget. The smell was awesome and the taste was decent. The chicken had more spice (or pepper?) than anything else. Good, but I expected the meat to have more seasonings. For only $8.99, I'd go again.
(3)Brenda R.
Amazingly delicious!!! We are just visiting here but ran across this place and decided to give it a try. My husband had eaten afghan food while deployed there last this was my first time and it was very delicious!! We've gone twice since being in the Baltimore/Washington area.
(5)Tim H.
Spacious and clean. The food here is what you'd expect. Pretty much the same as the Columbia location. If you like kabobs, give this place a try. I like the chicken on salad the best since I am not into the rice that much. Thanks for reading my review. This review is based on my personal point of view.
(3)Solomon D.
I have tried many things on the menu here and was happy with everything. You can't go wrong with the lamb, chicken, beef kabobs or their wraps. All kabobs come with salad, rice and tandoori bread. This is a big meal so come with your appetite.
(4)Mike R.
The food quality here is excellent. I've come here only for the lunch so far. I really enjoyed the kofta kabob. For 10 bucks it came with rice, bread, salad, and grilled veggies (onion and tomato). The food is prepared fresh, so be prepared for a wait. Let's get crazy...i'd say it could be the best middle eastern food I've had in the local area. The lunch specials are good, served hot bar style if you are in a hurry...except they do not come with that mighty fine bread. For me, the highlight I'd say is the kabob.
(5)Chelsea R.
I was visiting from out of town and a friend mentioned this place to me saying we had to stop by because she had a killer craving for chicken kabobs. So off we went...I was very hesitant to try the food at first but after peeping the menu and seeing the cooks up front make the naan bread fresh I decided I had to give it a whirl. My friend had some kind of chicken wrap. I tried the rice she had on the side which was super tasty and I'm still thinking about it. It was a basmati rice with a curry/pumpkin flavor that was unreal! The real winner though was the cilantro yogurt dip with the naan bread. Holy happiness...I would dip everything in that goodness if I was able to. I even put some of the dip on top of the rice...heaven! I wish they had places around like this in Texas. I will have to search to find something similar to it.
(4)Jarrod F.
We came on here on a Thursday night at around 7pm. The place was fairly empty and there were a group of travelers in front of us in line contemplating what to order off the menu. Looked like that just got off a plan and were staying at one of the nearby hotels. There were two girls behind the counter who were literally just stairing into space and on their cell phones, oblivious to the fact that there were customers in line standing two feet in front of them. Since they were just being ignored, the group of travelers decided to leave and head to the "new Indian" resturant that opened up nearby. We then approached the counter and what would ya know, the two girls behind the counter ignored us too. So I stood there for a minute and staired at one of the girls waiting for her to take our order. She just stood there and did nothing. Didn't greet us, walk over, or utter a single word. I don't think that in the 30 years of eating out have I actually been IGNORED at a restaurant like this. So I walked out, never to return. End of story:) P.S. I've eaten at the MAiwand Kabob in Arundel Mills. The place is pretty ugly and unkept, the staff are similarly terrible, but the food is good if you like your grilled meats. I don't know where places like this hire there employees but in today's compeitive dining market, customer servicec is crucial to one's overall experience. If you can't even greet people correctly you dont deserve to be in business IMO.
(1)Drew P.
I basically live at Maiwand Kabob. I'm here 3-4 times a week, sometimes twice a day. Yes, I said twice a day. If they had a frequent visitor card or rewards system, I'd be a daily winner. Haha. I work for myself and sometimes will be at neighboring Starbucks for 8-10 hours. So it's easy to walk next door and place an order when I get hungry again. Plus.. its amazingly good and really not bad for you. I'm on a pretty strict diet and I can comfortably eat this twice a day without blowing my calorie intake out of the water. Between this location and the arundel mills location I stand firm that this location is superior. Here's my 3 big reasons why: - Chicken Tikka is boneless. At Arundel Mills it is not. - Arundel Mills doesn't always have naan ready to go, nor is it as soft and fluffy. - I'm almost positive this location gives you more meat. It could also be cause they know me by now.. so not sure. Try the chicken tikka.. its my favorite by far. It is thigh meat though. So while it will be more tender and flavorful the fat content is higher. Beware: this place gets BUSY. Expect to wait for your food whether busy or not though, as everything is made to order and for a good reason!
(5)Feyi B.
This was great. The naan was warm and soft. The staff was very helpful. The food is a tad bit pricey, but i'm guessing its average for this type of dish. I wish my drink was included. The portion size didnt look as huge as it really was. 3/4's way through my food, I was rubbing my thighs and stomach from being FULL to capacity. So it definitely was a hearty portion size. I love that the meat wasnt too salty as I've experienced at some other places. My order came pretty quick too. My only negative was the womens bathroom was extremely messy and dirty. HOWEVER, it smelled great! Lol.
(4)Nina U.
Do not try to fit a Maiwand Kabob lunch into a one hour window UNLESS you call ahead. There aren't many great places to eat around here so it's worth the wait to most. Do it smart, then you can go pick it up and still have time to enjoy the delicious vegetarian plate (pumpkin, hummus, spinach, eggplant and something else with warm na'an bread) or the chicken kabob platter that comes with cinnamon rice and a little salad. The plates go for about $9 and are a good size. I like the other Maiwand Kabob near Arundel Mills mall too- that one has a little bit more seating but this one is convenient to a lot of hotels in the BWI area.
(4)Shawn W.
Service is a bit slow even when there is no crowd but my food was nice and hot. Prices are about average of what you expect to pay at most places like this.
(3)Shahram L.
Descent place for lunch. I think it's a bit pricy for lunch, but the portions are large. If not hungry, you can def split. Parking is sometimes bad too.
(4)Abe L.
First time.. Excellent food.. You do need to give yourself 1/2 hr -- why? Cook to order.
(5)Levent A.
This place looks like a burger joint --- by the time I walked through the door I was resigned to a greasy and weak attempt at Afghan food. Wow was it amazing!!!! Not only that, but I came in late (having just had my flight moved til tomorrow morning...) and stayed well after the closing time. Not only did they wait for me until my shuttle came (some 50 minutes after closing time!), but the one of the workers also came over and discussed things ranging from the history of the Turkic languages and the various signs of influences in the cuisines of the continent to the ability of an adult brain to learn to produce sounds (like those found in Arabic, for instance). In short, I was totally wrong. Looks are not to be trusted: this is great food and a class establishment by any standards. [Man, the guy even apologized for "burning" the samosas and gave me two batches! (Both were equally great.) Plus the food is seriously really good --- I'm turkish, not quite afghan, but I was certainly impressed.]
(5)Wendy H.
Food was great! It was a little (ok, a lot) greasy but the flavors were just wonderful. Don't ask for the soup because they don't make it but still have it on the menu. Get the veg platter because it will not disappoint.
(4)Shea B.
I swear...it looked like someone in the back kitchen took a bite out of one of my Chicken pieces from the chicken kabob! Their customer service is horrible. CK was ok. They are cheap on the rice also. FEED YOUR STAFF!!!!
(1)Zach W.
The first time I walked in, I was headed to my hotel after a long flight into town. It was a bit late, and I was looking for something quick, delicious, and inexpensive. I Yelped, and found Maiwand. Well, that time I walked back out, because nothing on the menu was under 9.50. I wasn't about to spend 9.50 for a kabob sandwich. A platter? Maybe. Sandwich? No. The next day, a friend suggested we try it for lunch, and I accepted. I had the lamb curry, which was on "special", though that didn't mean discounted. :) It was delicious, but again I felt like the price was just too high for a place that doesn't even bus the tables. So, if you are looking to study delicious examples of Afghan cooking, and don't mind paying a premium, then you can't go wrong. If you get grumpy from paying 12.00 for lunch-counter ambience, then keep driving.
(3)Joe K.
I have ate here on several occasions and each time the food is always delicious and plentiful, most of the time I can skip a meal or late night snack because of it! I normally get the chicken kabob, nothing too fancy. The chicken is always juicy and the naan is warm and soft. The rice is one of my favorite things, I enjoy the raisins mixed in with the basmati rice. The salad is ok, I just wouldn't want more than a side normally. As for the wait, please be prepared for up to 15 minutes for the food to normally be ready, depending on the items, as some are on the hot bar . Also parking here is almost impossible to find if they're busy.
(4)Neeters B.
i love their fresh warm naan. I love their chickpea dishes and the dumpling appetizer wtih the yogurt sauce and meat mixture. the chicken kabobs are delish but take forever to make so i always call ahead.
(4)Scott M.
Food is top notch, everything is cooked fresh and portion sizes will not leave you wanting more. The only complaint is that since it is fresh made to order, plan on waiting up to 30 minutes to get your meal. It is well worth the wait. I would recommend calling in your order through the week, lines get super long from all the personnel that work adjacent to the restaurant.
(4)Garvin C.
The food at this location is good and there is usually sufficient seating for people in my experience. The parking lot at this location is really small though, so be prepared to park further back or along the side of the lot rather than an actual designated spot. Again, just like in the original store, the main problem is the wait time for the food, so order ahead if you can, or be prepared to wait.
(3)Tim W.
Amazing food here! Was looking for Afghan food in the area... found it across the street from where I come to work and very close to my hotel. Food is always fresh, hot and delicious. If you like middle eastern / Afghan Kabob, this is the place you should come and I bet you will be come a frequent visitor!
(5)Cara W.
Amazing food, and lots of it; I always have leftovers. They can be slow as they make everything (except for the specials) fresh to order. I recommend calling ahead with your order, and asking them to pack the naan separately (so it doesn't get soggy). Chicken kebab, chicken salad (kebab over lettuce), and kofta kabob are great. So is the salmon, but it's pricey for lunch.
(4)A A.
Wow, this place impressed. The chicken kabob was excellent, wonderful seasoning and cooked perfectly. The bread, naan or whatever it was, was one of the best I've had. It was thicker than most naan and was soft yet still somewhat crisp on the bottom. The rice was unbelievable! There was some kind of pumpkin spice (or something that tasted like it at least) in it that made it unlike anything I've ever had before. After reading the mixed reviews, it seems like some are for slow service. I called my order in and it was ready in 20 minutes, which is what they told me on the phone. And I'm not sure what other reviewers were talking about when they said the chicken was dry, the rice was plain, or the dishes were expensive....mine was only 10 bucks and it was a lot of high-quality food for the price.
(5)David B.
The restaurant is clean, brightly lit, and Afghani music is playing softly. The food is hot and fresh. The freshly baked flat bread is excellent. The lamb and chicken skewers are very good. Be aware that it may take a while after ordering to get your food, but they're baking your flat bread fresh!
(4)Roberto L.
I ate here several times while in the area, however, there is one big limiting factor, PRICE. I found it to be a little expensive, but the different platters were so good, I had trouble staying away. Something about the way that make the rice is to die for. I would recommend taking a trip over to get some great food, it is busy and may take a while, but it is worth it.
(4)Seth S.
Pros: Food is Good. Reasonable Portions. Meat is cooked Fresh Cons: Service is lousy. A tad pricey. Meat is cooked fresh (prepare to wait 10 minutes) I'd give it 2.5 stars if I could. The folks behind the counter had poor communication skills at best. Living in LA, I'm used to having challenges while communicating at ethnic restaurants. In fact it's part of the experience. This place was much more difficult than most in terms of communication. I asked to order a side salad. Instead all I received was the salad on the plate. Basic ordering was difficult too. I would echo another review in that the folks behind the counter were staring into space... $20 for a plate a soda and a water. I would argue $15 would be a bit more fair. I might come back on way out of town (don't like chain restaurants), but I'll give other places a hard look first.
(3)Nathan C.
You know, I feel a bit silly continuing to write updates about this place, but it's IMPORTANT. To really get the right experience here, you must *plan*. So I did a dinner takeout thing. The place is fairly dead around 4:30 -- it was me and several tables of people wearing distinctly Middle Eastern, African, and/or Indian garb. Which I think is a very, very good sign. I put in my order and started the stopwatch. Since everything's prepped to order (including your bread) this takes 15 minutes (actually, 19 minutes and 16 seconds). If there are a lot of people in front of you, prepare to wait, and wait, and wait. Hint for takeout -- have them put the bread on the side. While it holds up pretty well to the food, if you have a long drive it might get a tad soggy. So -- previous advice holds. Call ahead, pick it up, leave quickly and happily.
(4)Rob R.
Thanks to my Yelp app, I was able to find this place while I was in Linthicum for training.... and spared from another meal in chain eatery hell! While not the best kabob I have ever had, it's very good. Definitely the best option you are going to find around here. Note: Service takes a little while.... so get here quick if you are on a break from work. The meat is cooked to order, and it's worth the wait. I got here right at noon and the dining room was nearly empty. Within 20 minutes it was just about packed.... so get here early! Overall, a very good experience. I will visit again if I'm ever up that way for training again! Recommend!!
(4)Firstname L.
The location is a little hard to find for an out-of-towner. It's just past the Arundel Mills Mall but before a large housing community - sort of in the middle of nowhere. I came here in August 2011 with the family while on a work-trip which was also a little family vacation. The food is excellent. My wife and I both enjoyed it. It's a fast food place but the food is made fresh right in front of you. The sides are very good too. The location was quite crowded considering we went pretty late at night on a weekday. The tables were dirty, this is probably due to the large number of people there and the fact that there's not really waiter service; you order at the counter and bring it to a table to eat. We grabbed a table right after the previous customers left so if there was someone cleaning tables (I didn't see one) he would not have had a chance to clean it off. If I lived nearby I would definitely go again. The only minuses are the potentially dirty tables (it's probably kept more clean when it is not so busy) and the price is a little high for fast food- but the quality is also must higher than your typical fast food.
(4)Devon S.
YOU ALL SAID TRY THE LAMB.. By Devon S So it was around lunch time. I was surfing Yelp.com for my next place to eat rather than focusing on my NET + class instructor when I came across Maiwand Kabob. Out of all the reviews, each one said the same thing. Try the lamb and call in your order early. Let's just say I tried the lamb... Location/Appearance: 3 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS So while I am driving to this place I have found that Maiwand Kabob can be easy to miss when you're not playing attention. As I sped by it the first time, I realized that MK is a part of some office building complex and doesn't stand out like a restaurant should. When I pulled into the parking lot, I counted 5-6 parking spots, which made realize that parking here could be a pain if this place were busy. Upon entering MK, I could tell that it falls under the realm of quick service type foods. If you haven't seen it, or didn't look at any of the pictures on yelp, think Noodles in Company meets Middle Eastern Cuisine. Overall, it wasn't bad but nothing to write home to mom about. Customer Service: 3 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS So when you all said, "ORDER AHEAD," your right. But seeing how I never ate there before, I figured I would look at the menu first. Of course I ordered the Lamb Kabob. However, when I got there it was 11:45 and when I got my meal it was 12:05. Now I would have understood if the place was packed, but I was one of 6 people in the dining room. I was completely shocked that it took 20 minutes to make my meal. Next time I will heed the Order Ahead request. Taste and presentation: 4 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS Of course when I got my food, I realized why it took 20 minutes for them to cook it; they cooked my meat to order. I have to say the Lamb at MK was seasoned and cooked perfectly. The Naan was toasted and crispy and the sauce they had (I think it's a cucumber or celery sauce) pulled the whole thing together. I will admit, I have had Lamb Kabobs before, but this one will be high on my list. In addition to the Kabob, I also got a salad with a ranch type dressing and a delicious scoop of the curry potatoes and peas. I am a huge fan of curry and potatoes so this was a win-win for me. The only reason why I didn't give MK a 5 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS was because of the fact that the food was a little cold and everything was served on a Styrofoam plate. Now, I know you all are saying WHAT??? Why does that matter. You see, when I first tried to attack my food, I did it with a fork and knife. Knifes and Styrofoam don't mix as I found out when I got a nice piece of Styrofoam in with my food. Mmmmm it was tasty, but wasn't the bonus highlight of my meal I was expecting. Overall Experience: 3 out of 5 LAMB KABOBBYS Well there you have it! Maiwand Kabob has provided me with nothing more than 3 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed their food and yes I will go back to this place, and I will suggest this place to others. SO GO TO MAIWAND KABOB. Order the lamb and for gosh sake CALL AHEAD!
(3)Salmaan T.
Basically saying the same thing as everyone else regarding the food and service. Food is very tasty but it is cooked to order (which is a GOOD thing) but you will have to wait if you don't order ahead of time. This is a great place to go if you're early to pick someone up from the airport or if the person is hungry after a flight and wants some kabobs/naan/afghani food. There is a decent sized dining area as well with tables so definitely does not have to be a pick-up/to go place.
(4)Karen R.
I love this place! The food is amazingly good, always. I've had the Chicken Tikka, Chicken Kabob, and Lamb Kabob. All of them are delicious, though my personal fave is the Chicken Tikka. As mentioned in a previous review, this location blows Arundel Mills out of the water in quality of food. The pumpkin here with the beef on top, is almost like a treat. It's sweet b/c of the pumpkin, yet salty because of the beef. It's a win/win. Definitely give it try! While theres plenty of seating here, it's mostly a take out spot. If dining in or doing take out, I'd call ahead. It normally takes them about 15+ minutes or so to prepare your order. Be patient, it's worth it!
(5)A. C.
(04/16/2012) Great Afghan food out by the airport and in an industrial complex where you wouldn't expect it. The place was full of Middle Easterners and military guys when I walked in (nearby to Fort Meade). I ordered a side of the stewed pumpkin with yogurt, Aushak (ravioli filled with scallions, served with mint/garlic yogurt sauce and topped with ground beef, and usually lentils, but they were out and got chickpeas instead). Delicious, pungent filling to the Aushak (oniony, savory) and lovely creamy tartness from the yogurt. Chickpeas were stewed until tender, and highly seasoned. Pumpkin side was sticky-sweet, stewed until falling apart and counterbalance with tart yogurt with a hint of garlic. Chicken kabob (flavorful, touch dry, breast meat) and lamb kabob (marinated, nice strong gamey lamb flavors, somewhat sinewy) were served on a wrap of naan (charred, pillowy and chewy, all in a good way), side of rice (cumin seed, soy? and butter?), and some chopped romaine, cucumber, dressed with a little yogurt (put it in your wrap for a cool crunchy foil). Cilantro chutney delivered on the herbal notes, but lacked heat; dropped a touch of Sriracha (available at the counter) for that. Definitely a must try if you're out this way, or at any of the other Maiwand locations.
(4)Laura R.
The food here was good, but the wait was a little ridiculous. There were 8 parties in the restaurant, and only 1 had food and was eating. That just seemed a little ridiculous. The portion sizes were huge, and the food was tasty, but we preferred the Awe Shack's aushak.
(4)Meliphocent M.
I had never eaten Afghan food when we decided to try this place. I am so glad we did. I was a little worried about it when we went in because it was completely empty but it filled up fast and a lot of people took it to-go. The Food is delicious. Just a warning so you don't go eat here while in a hurry. The food is prepared when you order so it takes a little while to come out. It is worth it though. We got the chickpea appetizer which was so good, it was whole chickpeas that you ate with tandoori bread. I ordered the beef kabob and my hubby ordered the chicken. The rice that came with it had cardamom in it, which I love. The hubby not so much but he enjoyed everything else. We took the munchkin, he is willing to try everything and ended up eating half my food. I definitely recommend Maiwand Kabob.
(4)clay h.
Stopped by before catching a flight home from BWI. 3 stars: solid, but not excellent or mind-blowing. i'd go back if i were in the area again, but wouldn't go out of my way. Ordered the Veggie Platter. Food was quite good and there were some interesting dishes I'd never tried before. (Actually, I guess I've never head Afghan food, although there seemed to be some similarities to middle-eastern, Indian, or East-African food.) Food didn't seem very fresh, but it was hot and still tasted good. Some of the dishes were slow-stewed, so that may have been part of the reason, at least for those dishes. A little over-priced, maybe. $10 for a veggie platter and a piece of naan (or naan-like bread - I don't know what Afghans call it).
(3)sam y.
Maiwand Kabob's delicious food always makes the weather out here bearable on my trips from California. I look forward to their Kafta Kabob, bread and bolani. The best Afghani food I've had
(4)Juan R.
Yay, love Maiwand Kabob. It is really good food. During lunch hours the place can get very crowded and the order line is long. It is not fast food. All the food takes time to prepare so give yourself some time to wait for the food. The best thing to do is to order ahead of time and then pick up the food at the restaurant. Some days the place is so crowded that there might not be tables available to seat down. Be prepared to take out the food. I have tried almost all the Kabobs with different kinds of meats. My favorite is the Chicken Tikka. I also like the Kofta a lot. The Nan bread is served hot and it is delicious. The chicken wrap is great as is the Kofta wrap. When I am starving I order the Gyro, the portions are huge. They also have a special every day at a hot buffet type serving. The special is really good, Tuesday and Wednesday is Chicken and Thursday is Lamb, with steamed rice and a veggie of your liking. There are several dishes for the strictly vegetarian.
(5)Will A.
went here before a trip out of town.... it's always a good sign when going to an ethnic restaurant when I am the only 'white' guy in the place...I typically know the food is good if you see a lot of that nationality eating there. the kafta was excellent. the Naan was traditional and very enjoyable. the rice that comes with the platter had raisins and carrots in it. This seemed to my GF and I to be more Moroccan but I wasn't objecting. A little tough to find the first time..but you'll find your way back here the second time pretty easy. Food is cooked to order (for the most part) so expect to spend a bit of time. The mango smoothie was tasty too!
(4)Brad B.
The BWI airport loop is really lacking in restaurants. Considering how many hotels & offices populate the area, the lack of dining places is odd. Most of what is around is fast food or chains. And in this strange environment, Maiwand Kabob is a 4 star haven. Have eaten there twice while staying at the nearly aloft Hotel. First time had the lamb kabob which was very good. Today I had the lamb & chicken kabob combo - and I liked the chicken even better than the lamb. Not super quick (as described) but has been very quiet both times that I've visited (late afternoon/evening). If you're staying at a nearby hotel, this is one of your best choices. I love Mediterranean food but have never eaten Afghani food -- if you're in the same boat, you'll be happy here.
(4)Nick Z.
Probably the finest "fast food" in the area. The chicken kebabs are my favorite, but always with a side of the sautéed spinach. The veggie platter is also really good, especially the pumpkin and the lentils.
(5)Nicholas G.
The food was very good (although, the service lady didn't seem to give any effort or care about her job. I was there with only one other person and it did seem to take longer than I expected - so if you are in a rush, I'd read some of the other reviews here...).
(5)Craig M.
I visit the DC area a few times a year and every time I travel through BWI I make a point to visit Maiwand Kabob. The chicken, beef and lamb kabobs are simply fantastic. I enjoy kabobs and they are they best I've ever had--anywhere. They're generous portions and always cooked and seasoned perfectly. The tandoori bread is delicious: very soft and fresh. The pumpkin dish is also amazing. Its slightly sweetened (but not like pumpkin pie) and then served with yougurt and the sauce from the beef kabobs. Its sweet, savory and a little tart all at once. Its really a unique flavor combination. As others have noted, if you're in a hurry, it's best to call ahead. They don't start preparing anything until you order it. So even if it's not busy, you can expect to wait 20-25 minutes for your order. If it's busy, it may take as long as 40-45 minutes from the time you order. You can't rush greatness, and in my opinion, its worth every second of the wait for some of the best food anywhere.
(5)Matthew L.
I like this location the best out of the 3 I know (Columbia and Hanover being the other 2). The Shwarma platter (or any platter for that matter) are enormous. The meat is moist and delicious. The rice has just the perfect spices. The restaurant is small, and it is packed at lunch. A trick I like to do is call in your order ahead of time. That way it is waiting when you arrive. Otherwise you may be waiting 30 minutes for food.
(4)H-cat H.
Traveling and wanted some mantoo. They didn't have it although on their menu. They do have plenty of kabobs though, and they were ok. It was quality food, fair price and worth another visit when I am in the area again.
(3)Kate M.
Fantastic food! Kabob always tender and oh so flavorful. I've also ordered the Samosas which were great, and the Vegetarian plate which was a nice variety and all very tasty. A little pricey and slow, but worth it.
(4)Frank J.
I always look forward to coming to Maiwand. The food is good and pretty typical, but I've had better, and some of it seems a bit pricey. The staff often seems a bit aloof, but I've never had a bad experience. Most dishes take a long time, so call ahead.
(3)Derrick C.
Very, very good kabobs at Maiwand. I work near by so I go there every week and the food is always consistent. The specials are OK but the kabobs are truly the strong point for this quaint establishment. The chicken, lamb, and kofta kabobs are all excellent. The seasoning they use for the kabobs truly enhance the meat. The curry spinach is full of flavor and truly delightful. The Naan bread, which is cooked fresh on the premises, ties the whole meal together. During the week it is best to arrive before 11:30 to avoid the heavy lunch rush. Typical wait time can be about 10 to 15 minutes. Trust me, it is worth every minute!!
(5)Robert D.
Food was good but the service was so slow that it's unlikely that I will return. While I was there I saw another customer ask for his money back and leave because it was so slow. They were also out of the first two thing I asked for the first being the daily special.
(2)Robert P.
The look of the location is nice enough, better than I would have expected from the outside. The food was good with generous portions and everything prepared well. The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the rice was tasty and the naan and salad were good as well. Service was good enough for a place like this... just ordering and picking up the food but friendly. Definitely will be back in the future.
(4)Dave A.
This is the poor man's alternative to The Helmand located in an unattractive office park right next to BWI. However, given the absolutely huge portions, fresh na'an (or whatever it's called in Afghanistan), and mint basil dip, it's actually worth a drive down from Baltimore to enjoy.
(5)Jimena M.
*******3.5****** A solid 4 stars if you order ahead i'm sure. Ok, I should have read Nathan C.'s reviews before going here, or I would give it 4 stars. My brother and I were in the area. He told me he heard about this place with great kabobs and wanted to try it. We actually went on Sunday first, but it was closed..doh! Today we got there around 3pm. It was still pretty busy considering it was mid-afternoon. There were mostly middle eastern and afghani people in the restaurant. Good sign! I ordered the kofta kabob($8.99) and my brother got the chicken tikka kabob (8.99). They gave us our number and we went to sit down. We started talking and after a while realized that we still didn't have our food. I looked at my cell phone and the receipt time and 30mins had gone by! wtf!...so we walk up to the counter and ask how long it will be, the lady says 5mins. We are walking back to the table and before we sit down, she calls our number. That was really frustrating. Had I been hungry, I wouda been pretty ticked. Luckily, the food was very good. The kofta was generously seasoned with onions, garlic, parsley and spices, but it wasn't overly done. The char was excellent as well. My plate came with a seasoned basmati rice, the rice was very flavorful with hints of cinnamon and cardamon. The side salad included tomatoes and cucumbers, it was fresh and lightly tossed with a vinaigrette. The bread was outrageous. Warm, bubbly, so it had crisp parts, the rest was golden brown. I didn't care for their "spicy" green yogurt sauce. It just tasted like yogurt that was green :( BUT, the restaurant carries good ol' sriracha! Hell yea! I mixed that bad boy with the yogurt and it was awesome! I think they should incorporate that into their recipe. My brother's chicken tikka was delicious. The chicken was moist and flavorful, nice char. It tasted like tandoori chicken to me. The place is located in a business area, at the base of an office building. I guess that explains their hours. There is a small parking lot right up front. Overall, this place has great kabobs, just remember... Order ahead of time!!
(3)Tom H.
I got the veggie platter. It was abundant and rich and tasty. The flavor was there with a little spice. Each dish stood on it's own and played nice together. As my taste buds danced my gall bladder screamed, it's high oil. The Valdez spill ain't got nothin on this meal. The flatbread was needed to soak up the tasty bits. I will definitely check out Maiwand Kabob again.
(4)C H.
Chicken kabob moist and flavorful. Lamb kabob great flavor but overcooked and chewy. Eggplant topped with yogurt very good. Spinach tasty but could use a little more flavor. Do pazai tasted great but too greasy/oily (actually that was true of all veggies too - anything sitting out in the trays). Place was not on the side of the street that Google claimed so keep an eye out & turn in between the hotel & the Maiwand Kabobs sign.
(4)Craig K.
The food at this place is good. I had the lamb kabob, bread, rice, and salad. The lamb was tasty, the bread was excellent, and the rice was quite good. The salad was a bit boring and also a bit gritty. Overall, I like the food. But the ambiance is fast-food with the food served on styrofoam plates. Probably better place for lunch than dinner.
(3)Mark N.
This is a must for people travelling in and out of BWI, which is otherwise a total culinary wasteland. I don't particularly care how this food measures up against other Afghan restaurants. It's sufficient that it's healthy, flavorful, freshly made food around the airport. Like many Afghani places, they feature daily special stews that are quite good. The bread is excellent. And, the portions of the delicious Afghan sweet pumpkin dish (Kaddo Bourani) are huge, enough for a decent-sized lunch. You can get the pumpkin with either the yogurt sauce or yogurt plus the tomato and meat sauce. Yumm. The interior is little more than a fast-food style with booths and open seating but who cares. Good food around the airport is such a rarity.
(4)Jennifer H.
Really good food, but it's a long wait. The food is made to order so you'll be waiting 20 minutes while it's cooking over the grill. Definitely worth the wait. Love their naan/tandoori bread and basmati rice. Their desserts are a little on the sweet side though. Prices are pretty good for the portions you get. One of my favorite spots!
(4)Joanne K.
We randomly found this place on the way to DC. We got there about 9 pm on a Saturday night. It wasn't crowded, but service was ridiculously S-L-O-W! There were lots of staff just hanging around not really doing anything and a few people doing all the work. One guy standing around juggling seemed really annoyed with me for asking for a fork. I wouldn't have minded the wait if we weren't trying to get somewhere but was getting pretty annoyed after about 40 minutes. Luckily, the food turned out to be *awesome*. Absolutely fantastic. If I lived close, I'd go with a book and camp out for the night. Not a great choice for a pit stop though.
(3)Margaret M.
Just had lunch here! The wait was only around 10 minutes and the food was great---I'll be back!
(4)Lindsay J.
Yum. Yum. YUM Order ahead, as all these nice people have said before me. I got takeout to take back to the Holiday Inn BWI, which is right around the corner. The woman that brought my order out and rang me up was super sweet. Bread - delicious. Pumpkin appetizer w/ yogurt and meat - WAY good. Lamb kebab - tender, flavorful, mm. I'm a fan all-around! I'm moving to Bmore and will have to make this stop when I'm on my way to/from the airport.
(4)Sams A.
This place honestly has THE BEST CHICKEN KABOB EVER!!!! (the Tikka). It is SO juicy, and SO fresh...and I am hungry thinking about it. OH, and I have eaten a LOT of Afghan food in the area. The staff are always friendly, and like everyone says, the wait times ARE understandable since you are getting your meat cooked fresh. If you want to save time, go to the website, pick out what you want, and call it in, don't go there and complain about the wait time. Lunch is obviously VERY busy, so ordering ahead of time is the best thing to do. VERY clean, and VERY spacious, and open on Saturdays I think!! :)
(5)Food E.
Great kabobs - I had the lamb kabob plate. It's a good quantity of food, and the salad and rice they served were great as other reviewers noted. The food took a LONG time (probably 20 minutes or more) for a small take-out place, but when you consider that the naan bread they give you is baked to order, as is the grilled meat, then it makes more sense and is worth it if you can spare the time. The lamb was incredibly tender and flavorful - my guess is that the meat was marinated and grilled over a very low temperature to make sure it didn't char up too much or get tough. Came with an interesting green sauce that I also liked, somewhat like tzatziki or something. My friend got the lamb pita sandwich, which came with what he called "the most interesting sauce" that was in there. It looked like a tikka masala sauce, but I didn't try it. The prices are high for a lunch place - $9-$13 for most of their menu items - but in reality, it's a great price for what you get. Definitely recommend if you're in the business park or near the airport and looking for an ethnic off-the-beaten-path restaurant in a sea of chain and/or fast food joints.
(4)Amélie K.
Reasonably priced for the quality and quantity of food. Would hope that the kabob seasonings would be spicier and more interesting. The flatbread however is very good. Lunch crowd is usually pretty heavy on certain days, so it's hit or miss whether you can get a seat or not and the speed also seriously suffers then too. Haven't tried their pseudo buffet pre-made selections, but for speed that could provide and option.
(4)john r.
We went here yesterday for lunch. It is one of the best Afghani kabob places in the area. Food was excellent. We ordered the lamb kabob and it was cooked perfectly and very juicy. It was relatively quiet when we were there, but it still took about 15 min to get our food. Next time, we'll order ahead.
(5)Jess C.
Listen to the other reviewers - ORDER AHEAD. Well ahead if you're going for lunch. During the lunch rush, I've ordered ahead, shown up in 20-25 minutes when they said it'd be ready, and then still had to wait another 15-20 minutes for my food. If you can avoid the rush, do. That being said, there is a reason it's busy, and a reason I keep going back, and that's the food. It's flavorful, fresh, and much more exciting that most of the other options in the area. YUM!
(4)