Sadaf Halal Restaurant
1327 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 20852
Sadaf Halal Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Rockville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Rockville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Rockville for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1327 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD, 20852 - Phone (301) 424-4040
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 9:00pm
- Mon : 11:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
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Christopher S.
4/7/11 - 12:30PM Chicken Kabob #3 $9.99 Big portions. The seasoning on the kabob was kind of lacking though. My co-workers love this place, but I have a feeling it is because of quantity and not quality. Clean environment. It's ok, so I will tag-along here and there for lunch.
(4)Christian M.
Definitely my favorite spot to get kabobs off the Pike. The owner (the guy with in the kabob photo) is usually always there and definitely friendly. Very clean, and the quality of the meat is pretty good, I believe he gets them from the halal meat shop in the same shopping center. I prefer the taste and price of this place over Yekta across the street. Definitely way more authentic than Moby Dick's. Try the Lamb and chicken. The portions are generous.
(5)Robert C.
The 1st thing I remember about this place is the goofty picture of the owner holding 5 sticks of kabob by the cash register. As I was making fun of the picture, then I realized that the cashier was also the owner lol... Anyways, the kabob was pretty good. It definitely has more of authentic taste to it when you compare it to the likes of Moby Dick's. I ordered the Chicken Kabob and it's pretty tender and tasty. The kabob was cooked right and wasn't dry at all as a result. You have to get the green yogurt sauce (a little bit spicy), it's really good. It'll mix well with the kabob, trust me.
(3)Lea R.
Background: Half Iranian Girl Setting: Quick meal before catching a movie Ordered: Chicken and Beef Barg Overall: Best I've found in the area. Sure it's not fancy like Yetka, but it's pretty close to perfectly seasoned. The meat was tender and the portion was just the right amount. Don't even get me started on comparing it to Kabob Bazaar; it blows that place out of the water. Go here, it's not fancy, but it's delicious!!!
(4)Barry S.
It's a kabob joint ... it's pricy ... service sucks and it's not pretty ... go to Yekta.
(3)Ryan R.
Very strange location, I would have never noticed the restaurant if I didn't park behind the large complex. As you get closer to the restaurant, you can smell the wonderful aroma of grilling meat. The lamb and gyro have to be some of the most tender and well seasoned meat I have ever eaten. Complementary hot bread is served at the start of the meal and is much appreciated; though the bread was a little thin for my preference. Definitely some of the best kabob and gyro sandwich I have ever eaten. 4.5 stars
(5)Virginia C.
A co-worker offered to stop by this place and pick me up some lunch! So nice! anyway I asked her to get me the combo lamb and chicken kabob over just a salad and that came out to be a little over $20 FREAKING DOLLARS!! The chicken and lamb was good, but dang not $20 dollars good. I give it one stars because but it hurt to eat it knowing i dropped 20 freaking bucks for it!!!
(1)Reza Z.
Great food and the meats are very clean. They own a butcher shop next door selling Halal meat. If you don't know what Halal meat is don't be scared. It is simply the way meat and blood is handled during the butching process. It is actually a safer way to consume meat and does change the taste a little because there is less blood in the raw meat once cooked. The rice is well prepared and the traditional dishes are also great. Definitely one of the better kabob places to eat in Maryland. The inside of the restaurant could definitely use a makeover. It is a simple sit down eatery that resembles moby dick chains. If you are in the area definitely give it a try, the food is excellent. It is tucked on the side of the shopping center.
(5)Tim S.
Food is good. Prices are a little high. Service is acceptable, nothing extremely impressive. Make sure you put the yogurt in the rice: good stuff. I wish they gave you more bread with your meal. I would eat here more often if prices were better.
(3)Luis D.
I was a bit hesitant to eat here after reading a couple of reviews that didn't shine a kind light on the prices and silverware. However, the experience and service was very satisfactory. The restaurant was clean, the service was nice, and the prices while not cheap are not as pricey as previous reviews had me believe. It was very much like Moby Dick's if anyone has ever been there. I had a Ground Beef Kabob with rice and bread and it was delicious. The tomato as a side was warm and crispy, and the have good lemon humus. All in all I will be coming back and bringing friends.
(4)Chris P.
A good place that doesn't r@pe your wallet. (Sorry, ignore the profanity) Really, if you're looking for something more than fast food but don't feel like shelling out a lot, go here. Good, seasoned meat with a hearty portion of rice. Add a tea to it and...ding!...$10. Not bad for what you get. (I usually get the kubideh kabob, and of course some bread goes with the food as well.)
(4)Meh G.
Great food, friendly staff and cozy ambiance. The prices are very very reasonable. I had the Kubideh with rice which included two large skewers of Kubideh with planty of rice and tomato for only 7.99. Very impressed.
(4)Aditya W.
There are two primary reason I do not like this shop. 1. It is costlier than nearby Halal shop. Yes. It is costly. 2. They end up selling more than my requirement. When I order 2 lbs, he has pack which is around 2.5 and insist on buying it. Then, when I buy 4 lb. he has 4.45 lb packet. When I resist on buying more he gives a cheap look. I have stopped buying from this shop.
(1)Sina E.
This review is based on the few times I came here along long time ago. I haven't been there since more than a year, so I'm not sure if quality is still the same, better or worse. I'll update if I decide to go again sometime soon. Anyway, my friends and I stumbled here after seeing 'sadaf' holding kabob's and smiling. My friends are easily amused, but I guess someone else found it funny here too, as they took a picture of it. The food here was pretty good. I would say it's almost to the level of yekta. It was nice and tender. The chicken kabob was cooked right. The tomatoes were cooked the right amount. I would recommend this place. It's kind of hidden on the pike, but if you find it, it's a good place. Perhaps that's why it's not so busy every time I have gone there.
(4)Alex D.
Great place for kabob. I havent tried anything else but my Iranian friend who brought me here said everthing else is good. Ive had all of the kabobs, chicken is by far the best. The juicy chunks of chicken laid over top buttered rice is a nice light meal. This along with hummus would be an inexpensive dinner for 2 people. About $15. The Beef Chenjah, Lamb Kabob, and Kabob Barg are all worth a try but the chicken is the best. When comparing Sadaf Halal to your typical kabob place like Moby DIck, Sadaf Halal is professional and Moby DIck is still amatuer. The quality of the chicken at Sadaf is apparent in the tenderness. I was never aware of the tenderness Halal meat has. Im sure having the Halal butcher adjacent to the restaurant really helps with keeping quality high. If you like Mody DIck, dont try Sadaf cause youll never return to Moby DIcks again.
(4)Ed W.
Whenever I would set foot in Rockville, my go-to kabob fix was the perennial monopoly of local kabobs, Yektah's, until my cousin told me about this back-alley gem that's been here for years, with a really non-appetizing name. Come on, nothing about Sadaf Halal makes me remotely think of food, let alone good food. Mind you, I live in Fairfax and really have no business being in Rockville except for the occasional family visits, so I may not be back anytime soon....which is regrettable, but construction traffic from northern VA is a bitch as you know! Back to the review... so I ordered the boneless chicken & kubideh (seasoned ground beef) combo. From the appetizer bread and yogurt sauce to the last spoonful of chicken chunks and buttery-saffron-infused rice, this meal just hit the spot. The kubideh seasonings were seemingly just right, moist and juicy. The boneless chicken was also well seasoned and probably marinated overnight to make it equally juicy and flavorful. I really can't say much more about it since I crushed the entire platter in a blazing 95 seconds. My only concern after this experience is how long I will have to spend on the elliptical to burn off all the buttery rice. The store itself if set back in an alleyway almost in an equally seedy shopping center off of Rte 355. Just ignore the 'menacing' old Persian men sipping tea littered near the front door. Once inside, it's your basic restaurant layout with mild hints that this place is Persian, plenty of space inside and pretty decent service. All things aside, this place gets the majority of its rating solely based on the food quality and flavor. The price is consistent with all other kabob places, a little cheaper than Yektah, their only real local competition. (which really shouldn't be competition once you go here) For all your Marylandians that are local to Rockville, congrats, you guys have some solid options for kabobs besides the usual suspects. One last note, this place is the only one that serves one of my favorites growing up, chicken shinitzel (seasoned chicken breast), I will have to try it next time around.
(5)Dee B.
Another great find in Rockville and a good kebab place to add to my repertoire!
(4)Motahar B.
WOW! The food is absolutely amazing. Their Barg was probably one of the best I've ever had...and I've had it in DMV, NYC, and Middle East. Considering the decor and overall impression, the prices are a bit high, but it's not too bad. The dining hall feels like a school cafeteria so plan accordingly.
(5)Angela W.
I came here for lunch with a large group of co-workers and was surprised to find the entire place empty during the lunch rush. It could be because the restaurant is tucked away behind a bunch of stores and is a bit hard to find. The interior is very nice - the walls are covered in mirrors that give an illusion of a nice, open space. The decor is nice and everything was pretty clean. I ordered the chicken kubideh - first thing on the menu. It came with two halves of a grilled tomato, a lot of basmati rice with a bit of saffron, and two kubideh. I also ordered a yogurt & cucumber side to put onto my rice because I feel that basmati rice tastes better with some kind of sauce. The portion of the yogurt & cucumber was very generous. At the beginning, you get the yogurt as a dipping sauce for the pieces of pita bread that come free with the meal. If you want some yogurt sauce but don't need a lot, I recommend holding off on buying that extra yogurt & cucumber (around $3). The food was delicious and didn't remind me of Moby Dick at all - it was much better. Everything was moist and the portion is huge! I packed almost half of it as leftovers - and I came into that restaurant very hungry. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. Service was great. I would consider coming back here if I'm ever craving kebob!
(4)Missy Y.
I love this place!!!!! Their bademjan is better than any other Persian restaurant. I can tell by the taste of it that they put a lot of love into making it. The last time I went I was a bit bummed cause they were out of it, so the friendly cashier suggested I try the hummus I reluctantly ordered it but was pleasantly surprised when I tried it. It's a bit lemony but I'll take lemon over bitter or garlicky hummus any day. I usually order the chicken kabob because it's very tender and has a rotisserie chicken type of flavor which I love. BUT my 2nd favorite dish here is the RICE. I have tried for years and years to get my Basmati rice to come out soft, fluffy and long but I can never perfect it like they do at this restaurant. I took most of the rice home and had it later and it was still just as soft. I have to admit I'm somewhat jealous about the rice. Everything I have tried here is delicious. Maybe I can try the lamb next time since I've never tried it here and love lamb. Thank you Sadaf restaurant and keep up the good work.
(5)Jane Z.
Great place for Persian food! i love this place its my favorite restaurant , my husbands hes italian and since he first tried the food.. he always wants to come here. Vaghean khobe! bah bah
(5)Maria P.
If you're a kebab lover, then give this place a shot. Seriously. It's the best, and I'm proud to say I've converted a few people to Persian cuisine by bringing them here. That's right, you read that correctly. People who used to shudder at the thought of eating kebab, courtesy of Moby Dicks and other horrible establishments. Yet, this fine restaurant managed to convert them. I bet you're wondering why? I'll tell you. The meat comes from a butcher shop (which they also own) that's located in the same shopping center. They take pride in their food, and it's easy to tell from the very first bite. The lamb, kubideh, and barg are seasoned perfectly, as well as the chicken (which is SO moist). The lamb tastes like it has a little garlic, while the kubideh focuses on the onion. They're equally delicious, so much that today I ordered the platter with both. And I ate the entire thing. By myself. Am I ashamed? Nope. The rice is absolutely perfect, especially the green one (I believe it's polo) so if you're in the mood for dill and saffron, try it out! I believe they only serve it on certain days though, so you have to ask. Roasted tomato wedges (which, BTW, taste freshly grown) are served alongside the rice with sprigs of parsley, raw onion, and a pat of butter. There's also fresh yogurt sauce and this spicy green stuff (I think it's cilantro sauce) that comes with a bread basket of sliced lavash bread. This is brought to your table after placing an order at the front. I couldn't care less about the food arriving on styrofoam plates or the table being covered in plastic. Or having to order at the front. Once you try the food, every pretentious thought will disappear. Poof. There's also a huge TV at the front of the restaurant, which is perfect for watching the game on. You could even order their saffron vanilla ice cream and inhale it like you would at home. So good. Let me repeat: SO good. I come here on a weekly basis.
(5)Liz D.
A hidden gem. The kabobs are the best I've found in the area so far. Great service, great food.
(5)Ana P.
BP and I were thinking of where to eat as we were in the mood for kabobs. We considered Yekta, Moby Dick's and Mediterranean Kabob, but I think we had a winner with Sadaf! I read about this place a long time ago and we've been wanting to try it out, so we took the chance. The ambiance is not really there at all. The space is large and very clean, but I think the place needs a makeover to reflect the amazing food. I would love to bring my family here for a special occasion, but the decor isn't as classy, in my opinion. The owner is nice, but I feel he had to warm up to us. I suppose I expected to be greeted more warmly and was a bit upset that I wasn't. BP and I both ordered the Chicken Kabob meal. Since the order came with only half of the bread, we ordered extra. We were even given extra cucumber yogurt, so that was very much appreciated. We will be back for more! I am excited to try the wrap, the beef meals and maybe even the salmon fish kabobs soon! Sorry, Yekta, Mediterranean Kabob House, and Moby Dick! I found my kabob joint!
(4)L S.
They have the best Cholo kabab around and I have tried them all in VA, DC and MD. The quality of the meat is excellent and the place is so clean and relaxing. It is also great for calling in and picking up food if you are having a gathering. They are super friendly and always help carry the large trays to my car. Love this place.
(5)Sathish P.
They have lamb Shank,. but only on Wednesdays. It tastes great and it has the right portion size for only $9.99 . Lamb Shank in Lebanese Taverna is good but it costs close to $17 bucks. I still have to try Lamb Shank in La Limena , but i know it is $20 in la Limena. To me Sadaf is the best place for Lamb Shank in Rockville Both in taste and price.
(5)Crystal L.
I'm thinking we visited this place on an "off" day only because contrary to several other 4-5 star reviews, our meat was kind of on the dry side--and lacking a little flavor. We ordered the beef and lamb kebab platter. The portion size was okay, not overly generous, yet not skimping on the essentials. The service was great--friendly and efficient. We may try this place again if we are in the area..
(3)Lucy B.
Not my fave. My kubideh was super dry.
(2)Li H.
This is the best tasting kabob place I've come across so far. I judge a Persian kabob joint by their kubideh, and it's a winner -- juicy and delicious. I also recommend the chicken jujeh kabob. Everything is cooked perfectly. Note that it's hard to find -- it's around the corner from Entenmann's, near A&J. And you know what -- the owner/chef is allowed to have goofy picture cuz his kabobs kick that much ass
(5)Bassam S.
Great Iranian Kubideh. Big portions. Decent prices.
(5)J C.
I got chicken w/ rice, the chicken was extra juicy and tasted very fresh. It's very similar to Moby Dick's but they actually provide a little table service. They bring everything out to you, the bread gets served in slices in little baskets. They also give you some crispy rice, I don't know what it's called, but it's very good. I was in a group of 5 people and we all ordered different things; everyone was happy with their orders. Their hot sauce is extremely spicy, which is a big plus because I love spicy food. I will definitely be back soon. Only thing is it took a little long for the food to come out, and it wasn't even that busy. It was around 12 noon and there were only a few other tables around. The meal itself was about $10+tax but I got a drink so it was closer to $13.
(5)h g.
Excellent Kabobs. A little pricey but quality food.
(3)Michael W.
It's the typical kabobi place (Persian). You have to pay first and the food is taken to table a few minutes later. To be sincere, I don't particularly like the idea of going to a so called "restaurant" to eat in plastic plates, with plastic cutlery and with paper cups, but apparently this is quite common in kabobi joints. In regards to the food, my chicken kebob was very well seasoned and had a baked tomato and rice on the side. The food is tasty and the portions are decently sized. If you mind about this sort of technicalities, the meat is halal (I don't care at all).The clerk suggested that we should order two appetizers on the excuse that one was not enough. This was definitely not the case since we couldn't even finish the first one. The hummus was very good though... I think the price was too expensive for the type of food and the type of service (remember: plastic plates, disposable cutlery and paper cups). We ended paying US$65 for the four of us. If you are a big fan of kebobis, if you don't care about waiters, china or cutlery and and/or if you really care about halal meat this may be a good bet.
(3)Roya P.
I LOVE this place! My family is Iranian and in the twenty years I have stopped living at home, I have tried to find a place with food that tastes like my mother's and at long last HERE IT IS! Nothing too fancy, but the food is great and the service is very good too. If you want ambiance, pick it up and take it home, and light some candles, but I swear you will be too busy eating to really notice or care.
(5)S. O.
This is probably the best place to get kabobs in Rockville. Great food and friendly staff. I usually get the Kabob Kubideh. They give you a good amount of food for $8. My bf and I went the other night; I wasn't too hungry so I just wanted to share a platter. The cashier was really nice and thoughful; he gave us enough bread for the both of us and he brought an extra plate for us knowing we wanted to share.
(5)Judy S.
Not an honorable business. Did not accept my coupon even though it was valid.
(1)David S.
Many at my job eat here at least once a week. The owner is very friendly and the food is always fresh and delicious. The kabob and hummus are fantastic. Try ta-dig for a crispy treat.
(4)Z S.
Pretty decent Persian food. We frequently pick up food from here
(4)Stephanie B.
Get the kubideh. Get the kubideh. No, seriously, get the kubideh. Straight up, it is one of the tastiest, very reasonably priced casual dining or to-go meals you can get...anywhere. Don't give up on coming here because the parking lot is a little crazy. The butcher shop (same name) is in the front near Sushi House, but the restaurant is in the back with plenty of parking. The owner & staff are very friendly. The ambiance is much more casual than Yekta so I'm not afraid to bring my toddler here. Oh and did I mention the kubideh is awesome? I've tried the chicken and steak kabobs in the past, they were good, but not as unique and wonderful like kubideh.
(5)Krista W.
This place is really good. I'm reviewing it mainly so that I can remember it in order to go there again. Both my dining companion and I agreed that the meat is really delicious. It is flavorful and juicy. I also liked the dips that accompanied the lavash. I got a combination platter with lamb and beef, both were excellent. I enjoyed squeezing the lemon onto them and also dipping them into my leftover yogurt dip. The meal was filling enough to last me through the day and it was reasonably priced. Finding the place was a little tricky. We actually walked into the butcher shop first and they directed us to the restaurant which was around the corner. I did not mind the spartan atmosphere or drinking from a soda fountain because the real star of the place was the delicious meat. I found the service to be very polite. I would visit again to try more things including the desserts.
(4)Ana L.
The food tasted decent but not quite the most "fresh" tasting.
(3)Nadia B.
Best persian food around. period. service was great and food even better. We ordered chicken, lamb and khobedeh. They were all awesome. Definitely hit the spot.
(5)Vahid K.
The food in this place is amazingly good. with a good price too. The best barg kabob I had in DC. Very good Jooje. I believe it would have been much more crowded if not for the bad location it has...
(5)Meggie C.
decent kabob.... but depending on what entree you get will determine how big of a portion you get haha the chicken is good. boyfriend ordered the steak one... he said it was "okayyy"
(3)Phi N.
Came here and split a Kubideh/Barg combo, a chicken and a lamb dish with my boy. The kubideh tasted awesome. Barg and chicken were subpar. Lamb was all right. The meats were over cooked for my liking, making it tough rather than tender. And portions were pretty small. We were considering ordering more, but didn't want to reorder anything, and didn't really feel like getting the veal. I'm not sure about the comparisons to Yekta on the other reviews I've read here. Everything other than the kubideh prob isn't as good as at Yekta. Prices are similar with the recent price hike over there and the small portions here. I guess it's your personal preference.
(3)Ching C.
3.5 Stars. This place is kind of hard to find. It's hidden behind/ on the side behind the bakery. We got a bunch of lamb dishes: Lamb chops, kabobs - and 2 other lamb ones I can't remember the name. Lamb chops weren't bad- pretty well seasoned and grilled, although I thought they could have been a bit bigger (always a problem with lamb chops). The other kabobs were not bad either - some pieces were a little drier and tougher, but it wasn't terrible. I like to squeeze the lemon over the meat. We ordered everything for take out and then split all the meats and rice and everything among 4 people. It was more than enough food. The portions are large: A very large amount of rice with meat and grilled tomato wedges, a lemon wedge, and tzatziki sauce. Whenever we eat persian food/ kebab platters I always think it is an insane amount of rice and not enough with the rice, but this not unique to this restaurant. Personally, I think that the persian rice in general needs some sauce or something to pair with all that rice since there's not enough meat, but that's a personal preference. I like more seasoning even though they do salt their rice, but it's very dry/long grained rice (unlike asian rice) so I like a little more moisture. Again, not specifically just this restaurant, it's more so the cuisine. My boyfriend and I tried to ask for some recommendations at the counter where you order, but there was a slight language barrier and it didn't seem like they really understood what we were asking and so we just went with all the lamb because we like lamb. We ordered 4 lamb dishes and it ended up being around $65 or a little more, but for the size of the platters (although mostly rice) it's pretty decent (only if you eat all the rice though). I had no problem eating all the meat, and I always have rice leftover because I like to eat meat and rice in the same proportion. Decent food, and decent portions, but I always just wish they had more meat, but only because I eat the meat way too fast.
(3)melodi t.
Was not impressed. A lot of rice with very little meat/lamb . The lamb was a little tuff. Gave me little to no sauce in the little containers that come with it. It was filled almost half way. I don't see all the hype. Prices too high. Not worth it. Two stars because the service was polite. I so wanted it to be good cause I work near by. : (
(2)Rahat A.
Best Kubideh ever.
(5)Sarah H.
Love this place!! We get dinner from here almost once a week and the kabobs, kubideh and rice never disappoint. Always fresh food and much more flavorful and authentic than Moby Dick. Good prices too. Definitely recommend this to all kabob lovers!
(5)Dhyan D.
As always the best middle eastern food around . Good price good decor yummy hot food, you get everything that you expect for here . I've been around most of the known similar places around here n never went there 2nd time this was my 3visit there
(4)Karen P.
First, the food was oily and tasteless, with none of the expected spice and fragrance associated with good kabob and rice dishes. Second I got intestinal distress (the trots) within a few hours of eating there. Third, the staff were cold and rude. All in all, I cannot recommend eating here.
(1)Al M.
To start, i have to say that this place is better than moby dick. However, if you want a good tasty kabob there are better alternatives to this place. I tried the kabab koobideh and it was so dry that iit was hardly chewable. I gotta say that the rice wasnt bad, but the kabob was horrible.
(2)Nica D.
Mine and my family's go-to kabob place! Food and service is awesome, and prices are great for what you get! Kubidehs are a fam favorite! Highly recommend it!
(5)Jennifer K.
For the folks who can't seem to locate this GEM: Look for the Entemann's bakery & you'll find this place. You won't have to hunt too hard & it's worth it. You're not going to find a better kabob in Rockville - so don't bother going anywhere else. Seriously. So, kabob lover, do yourself a favor and find Sadaf Halal. The guys behind the counter may seem a bit aloof, but that because they are putting all their energy into making the best damn kabobs and kubideh and rice in the area. Who cares if they take your money & barely look at you? As long as they keep whipping up tender, flavorful food - I'm cool with being ignored. Major YUM.
(5)Alexander K.
3.5 stars This restaurant is located in the strip where Crisp & Juicy and Ledo's Pizza of Rockville meet. It cannot really be seen from the street, tucked deep on the side of this strip. I dropped by here before a meeting, and after much deliberation I chose the Lamb Chenjeh (leg of lamb) with the saffron rice and grilled tomatoes. Along with the three aforementioned items was also a few slices of raw onion and some fresh parsley. The lamb was cooked well-done and the rice was fluffy and fresh. The flat bread that came before it was a pleasant surprise, very light in texture, slightly chewy and with a crisp finish in the crust. The flavoring, presentation, and portion size is very similar to Moby's House of Kabob which blanket the DMV area, but all and all I would definitely come back and order other dishes (especially the dessert since they were out of them) if I am in the area.
(3)Mimi U.
So good. They have tahdig (crisped rice) if you ask for it, and zereshk polo (barberry rice with chicken on top) also. Neither are on the menu and both are AMAZING. I think they use halal meat, the chicken tasted so fresh. Their kashke bademjan (eggplant dip with mint) is AMAZING. I never knew that eggplant dip could be SO good, this is easily more delicious than baba ganoush. It's not cheap, but I think it's worth the money since I myself would never cook zereshk polo (at least not very well). Mmmm I am thinking of going back there next week for some more zereshk polo and kashke bademjan. Usually I only drive out to visit Temari or A&J, but I think I also found another great place to visit in that strip mall area.
(5)Neha S.
Delicious! So much better than Moby Dick!
(4)Adil B.
Nice restaurant located right off 355. Place your order, sit down, and enjoy the naan and yogurt that is brought to your table. I like the kubideh and the gyro ('sliced sandwiches' on the menu). The gyro has pickles in it which gives it a crunch and savory taste.
(5)Lovebird S.
We had the salmon kabobs at a friends party & my husband & thought they were delicious so we ordered the salmon & chicken kabobs for our daughters bday party! Everyone loved it & still ask me where they were from. The food is always fresh here & not oily or too salty. The staff is really sweet & if you ask for tadig (bottom of the rice) they'll bring you a side if they have some. The only drawback is that it's hidden off 355 & it's very casual but for as reasonable as they are... It's great for takeout or for a relaxed lunch/ dinner! Don't judge this place from the outside, they are always busy wiry takeout & always cook fresh to order!
(4)Mike R.
Food is bland... Very bland... Service is dull. Not recommended unless you may be a person with no personality who likes his or her food with no flavor... That's all...
(2)Jonathan L.
My wife and I are doing a whole30 program and we have many dietary restrictions. I love this restaurant because they're very helpful and accommodating with our needs. They checked with the chef to make sure the food we ordered are whole30 compliant. We ended up ordering the kubideh (beef and chicken) with salad. Overall delicious and awesome staff! Highly recommended.
(5)Roy S.
This is a really nice place!! Had the chicken and beef kubideh (separate dishes) and both were really nice. It is a simple kabob with jasmine rice and a tomato. The bread was good and I really liked the yogurt sauce as well as the spicier green sauce. This place is hidden!! The map says its in Congressional North Plaza (wrong) it is in the Sunshine plaza where Crisp n' Juicy (which is weak) and Entemens is located and then it is around the back of the plaza. Well worth it!!!
(4)Sajid S.
Worth a try. Kabob kubideh is my favorite. But there is plenty more for those that want to try different stuff.
(3)Alex M.
Wonderful food, friendly staff. Did I mention how delicious the food is? The only complaint I have is that I wanted more food. Also the owner is super nice, took out order and served us. Very nice. Will come here over and over again.
(5)Shana K.
The food and wait staff are excellent. Can't go wrong by ordering one of the kebab platters. Depending on your appetite, the platter can be shared. I'd give 5 stars if the naan was any good. The naan tasted like it was a week old, but everything else including the dips will bring me back to try other kebabs.
(4)Max H.
Bland, snobby customer service, and styrofoam plates in return for the arm and leg you used to pay for the food. Try sams for larger portions that wont dent your wallet
(2)Cathy H.
Kabob, kabab, kebap, kebab, kebob, kibob. However you spell it, I like dat meat on a stick! Particularly of the lamb and chicken variety and Sadaf Halal Restaurant does it well. I was hungry in Rockville on a Sunday night and had already checked off most of my bookmarked Chinese/Taiwanese restaurants, so I Yelped for another new-to-me establishment. Sadaf had decent ratings and I am not crazy about Moby Dick's, so I figured it would not hurt to try out a new-to-me kabob (that's how I am choosing to spell it for this review) joint. More importantly, it's Persian and after having a most satisfying home feast prepared by Sahar R., I had to have more of that goodness. The menu features your usual players, including lamb, beef (grilled kubideh), chicken, and lamb chops to name a few. I usually do not order chicken when dining out unless it's Peruvian or in the battered and fried form in the confines of Popeyes, but when it comes to Middle Eastern and South Asian food, I will always crave chicken. Most times, chicken breast is prepared incorrectly and is drier than the Sahara, so that is my standard for gauging kabob places. Sadaf passed with flying colors. The chicken was moist, moist, moist! I also tried their lamb chops, which came out in a quantity of three, and thought those were superbly executed. They were seasoned very well and grilled, not needing any additional sauce whatsoever to round out flavors. The entrees came with saffron rice, grilled tomatoes, a lemon wedge, yogurt sauce, and green chili sauce. The rice is conservatively tossed with saffron, so the flavor is muted. You are served lavash bread with the sauces as a starter, but I suggest waiting and eating the bread and meat together. I love wrapping the bread around meat and dipping everything into the combined sauces. This establishment is very cafeteria-like and operates like any other kabob shop: order at the counter and wait for your food. Now, the biggest difference, however, is that Sadaf's staff will bring the food to you, which is greatly appreciated. Wait time was approximately 15-20 minutes for entrees because everything is grilled to order. There was only one other party in this establishment, so I found the wait to be longer than necessary. I cannot award this establishment 5 stars because of the bread and side options. My favorite kabob place is Ravi Kabob off Glebe in Arlington because they always serve fluffy, bubbly naan-like bread to go with your order. At Sadaf, the bread is flat, but I do realize Ravi is Pakistani and the bread preference is different. Moreover, the side options at Sadaf are limited: rice and bread by default or you can switch them out for a salad. At Ravi, you can opt for spicy chickpeas (I never knew stand-alone beans could be so good), spinach, and the list goes on. I will not, however, deny that the meat at Sadaf is prepared well and, for that reason, I will get over my obsession with naan and return if in the area.
(4)Saliha C.
The food is decent but, the atmosphere is very bleh. Also, very over priced. This is coming from a NYer. I really enjoyed the rice, the kabobs tasted very ground beef, not really spices. The gentleman at the counter looked like the guy in the pictures all over and certainly acted as if he was better than the customer. Wasn't a fan of the customer service here either. It won't be a top choice for me to go again.
(3)Abeer N.
I love there chicken.. It never fails to get good from there.. I wish the place was a little more pretty for more dinner dine in.
(5)Syed A.
Persian cuisine is unique to Iran and though I have eaten at many a middle eastern restaurants, I have to admit the aesthetics and subtle nuances, just like the language, are exquisitely Iranian, like the kebab which has its origins in Iran. This restaurant is a 5 min walk from my place and Im surprised I didnt get to try it before. A friend recommended this place and since the fridge was empty and I didnt want to drive out far for dinner, I thought lets try it out . The place is fairly big and spacious, very pleasant and warm staff. Its one of the best dinners I've ever had and I'll be back for more It was recommended that I have zereshk polo here, which for some reason is not on the menu and you have to specifically ask for it. It is rice served with chicken and super ingredient, barberries. Its the barberries that gives it such an amazing taste. Those apart, the way the rice and chicken were cooked were just awesome. The chicken was well cooked and enough gravy so as not to dry your throat out. I also had chicken kubideh kebab, which was served with yogurt and finely chopped green chilly sauce which was very spicy. It was a great meal and if you are in Rockville or the DC area you have to go to this trust me, its a game changer
(5)Steve G.
Good
(4)Jenna S.
The service was extremely well. They treated us very well with a family of 20. It's large enough to have a few families within.
(5)Willis N.
This place is great. I wouldn't give it a 4 star but a 3.5 star. it is a little bit more pricey than moby dicks but they give you more meat so you get what you pay for. I had the lamb kabob and I enjoyed it. This place is hard to find at first. The one that you will see from the parking lot says sadaf halal but it is a deli place. The restaurant is around the corner!
(4)Missy Y.
I love this place!!!!! Their bademjan is better than any other Persian restaurant. I can tell by the taste of it that they put a lot of love into making it. The last time I went I was a bit bummed cause they were out of it, so the friendly cashier suggested I try the hummus I reluctantly ordered it but was pleasantly surprised when I tried it. It's a bit lemony but I'll take lemon over bitter or garlicky hummus any day. I usually order the chicken kabob because it's very tender and has a rotisserie chicken type of flavor which I love. BUT my 2nd favorite dish here is the RICE. I have tried for years and years to get my Basmati rice to come out soft, fluffy and long but I can never perfect it like they do at this restaurant. I took most of the rice home and had it later and it was still just as soft. I have to admit I'm somewhat jealous about the rice. Everything I have tried here is delicious. Maybe I can try the lamb next time since I've never tried it here and love lamb. Thank you Sadaf restaurant and keep up the good work.
(5)Jane Z.
Great place for Persian food! i love this place its my favorite restaurant , my husbands hes italian and since he first tried the food.. he always wants to come here. Vaghean khobe! bah bah
(5)melodi t.
Was not impressed. A lot of rice with very little meat/lamb . The lamb was a little tuff. Gave me little to no sauce in the little containers that come with it. It was filled almost half way. I don't see all the hype. Prices too high. Not worth it. Two stars because the service was polite. I so wanted it to be good cause I work near by. : (
(2)Rahat A.
Best Kubideh ever.
(5)Sarah H.
Love this place!! We get dinner from here almost once a week and the kabobs, kubideh and rice never disappoint. Always fresh food and much more flavorful and authentic than Moby Dick. Good prices too. Definitely recommend this to all kabob lovers!
(5)Maria P.
If you're a kebab lover, then give this place a shot. Seriously. It's the best, and I'm proud to say I've converted a few people to Persian cuisine by bringing them here. That's right, you read that correctly. People who used to shudder at the thought of eating kebab, courtesy of Moby Dicks and other horrible establishments. Yet, this fine restaurant managed to convert them. I bet you're wondering why? I'll tell you. The meat comes from a butcher shop (which they also own) that's located in the same shopping center. They take pride in their food, and it's easy to tell from the very first bite. The lamb, kubideh, and barg are seasoned perfectly, as well as the chicken (which is SO moist). The lamb tastes like it has a little garlic, while the kubideh focuses on the onion. They're equally delicious, so much that today I ordered the platter with both. And I ate the entire thing. By myself. Am I ashamed? Nope. The rice is absolutely perfect, especially the green one (I believe it's polo) so if you're in the mood for dill and saffron, try it out! I believe they only serve it on certain days though, so you have to ask. Roasted tomato wedges (which, BTW, taste freshly grown) are served alongside the rice with sprigs of parsley, raw onion, and a pat of butter. There's also fresh yogurt sauce and this spicy green stuff (I think it's cilantro sauce) that comes with a bread basket of sliced lavash bread. This is brought to your table after placing an order at the front. I couldn't care less about the food arriving on styrofoam plates or the table being covered in plastic. Or having to order at the front. Once you try the food, every pretentious thought will disappear. Poof. There's also a huge TV at the front of the restaurant, which is perfect for watching the game on. You could even order their saffron vanilla ice cream and inhale it like you would at home. So good. Let me repeat: SO good. I come here on a weekly basis.
(5)Liz D.
A hidden gem. The kabobs are the best I've found in the area so far. Great service, great food.
(5)Ana P.
BP and I were thinking of where to eat as we were in the mood for kabobs. We considered Yekta, Moby Dick's and Mediterranean Kabob, but I think we had a winner with Sadaf! I read about this place a long time ago and we've been wanting to try it out, so we took the chance. The ambiance is not really there at all. The space is large and very clean, but I think the place needs a makeover to reflect the amazing food. I would love to bring my family here for a special occasion, but the decor isn't as classy, in my opinion. The owner is nice, but I feel he had to warm up to us. I suppose I expected to be greeted more warmly and was a bit upset that I wasn't. BP and I both ordered the Chicken Kabob meal. Since the order came with only half of the bread, we ordered extra. We were even given extra cucumber yogurt, so that was very much appreciated. We will be back for more! I am excited to try the wrap, the beef meals and maybe even the salmon fish kabobs soon! Sorry, Yekta, Mediterranean Kabob House, and Moby Dick! I found my kabob joint!
(4)L S.
They have the best Cholo kabab around and I have tried them all in VA, DC and MD. The quality of the meat is excellent and the place is so clean and relaxing. It is also great for calling in and picking up food if you are having a gathering. They are super friendly and always help carry the large trays to my car. Love this place.
(5)Krista W.
This place is really good. I'm reviewing it mainly so that I can remember it in order to go there again. Both my dining companion and I agreed that the meat is really delicious. It is flavorful and juicy. I also liked the dips that accompanied the lavash. I got a combination platter with lamb and beef, both were excellent. I enjoyed squeezing the lemon onto them and also dipping them into my leftover yogurt dip. The meal was filling enough to last me through the day and it was reasonably priced. Finding the place was a little tricky. We actually walked into the butcher shop first and they directed us to the restaurant which was around the corner. I did not mind the spartan atmosphere or drinking from a soda fountain because the real star of the place was the delicious meat. I found the service to be very polite. I would visit again to try more things including the desserts.
(4)Ana L.
The food tasted decent but not quite the most "fresh" tasting.
(3)Nadia B.
Best persian food around. period. service was great and food even better. We ordered chicken, lamb and khobedeh. They were all awesome. Definitely hit the spot.
(5)Ching C.
3.5 Stars. This place is kind of hard to find. It's hidden behind/ on the side behind the bakery. We got a bunch of lamb dishes: Lamb chops, kabobs - and 2 other lamb ones I can't remember the name. Lamb chops weren't bad- pretty well seasoned and grilled, although I thought they could have been a bit bigger (always a problem with lamb chops). The other kabobs were not bad either - some pieces were a little drier and tougher, but it wasn't terrible. I like to squeeze the lemon over the meat. We ordered everything for take out and then split all the meats and rice and everything among 4 people. It was more than enough food. The portions are large: A very large amount of rice with meat and grilled tomato wedges, a lemon wedge, and tzatziki sauce. Whenever we eat persian food/ kebab platters I always think it is an insane amount of rice and not enough with the rice, but this not unique to this restaurant. Personally, I think that the persian rice in general needs some sauce or something to pair with all that rice since there's not enough meat, but that's a personal preference. I like more seasoning even though they do salt their rice, but it's very dry/long grained rice (unlike asian rice) so I like a little more moisture. Again, not specifically just this restaurant, it's more so the cuisine. My boyfriend and I tried to ask for some recommendations at the counter where you order, but there was a slight language barrier and it didn't seem like they really understood what we were asking and so we just went with all the lamb because we like lamb. We ordered 4 lamb dishes and it ended up being around $65 or a little more, but for the size of the platters (although mostly rice) it's pretty decent (only if you eat all the rice though). I had no problem eating all the meat, and I always have rice leftover because I like to eat meat and rice in the same proportion. Decent food, and decent portions, but I always just wish they had more meat, but only because I eat the meat way too fast.
(3)Dhyan D.
As always the best middle eastern food around . Good price good decor yummy hot food, you get everything that you expect for here . I've been around most of the known similar places around here n never went there 2nd time this was my 3visit there
(4)Karen P.
First, the food was oily and tasteless, with none of the expected spice and fragrance associated with good kabob and rice dishes. Second I got intestinal distress (the trots) within a few hours of eating there. Third, the staff were cold and rude. All in all, I cannot recommend eating here.
(1)Vahid K.
The food in this place is amazingly good. with a good price too. The best barg kabob I had in DC. Very good Jooje. I believe it would have been much more crowded if not for the bad location it has...
(5)Meggie C.
decent kabob.... but depending on what entree you get will determine how big of a portion you get haha the chicken is good. boyfriend ordered the steak one... he said it was "okayyy"
(3)Phi N.
Came here and split a Kubideh/Barg combo, a chicken and a lamb dish with my boy. The kubideh tasted awesome. Barg and chicken were subpar. Lamb was all right. The meats were over cooked for my liking, making it tough rather than tender. And portions were pretty small. We were considering ordering more, but didn't want to reorder anything, and didn't really feel like getting the veal. I'm not sure about the comparisons to Yekta on the other reviews I've read here. Everything other than the kubideh prob isn't as good as at Yekta. Prices are similar with the recent price hike over there and the small portions here. I guess it's your personal preference.
(3)Z S.
Pretty decent Persian food. We frequently pick up food from here
(4)Al M.
To start, i have to say that this place is better than moby dick. However, if you want a good tasty kabob there are better alternatives to this place. I tried the kabab koobideh and it was so dry that iit was hardly chewable. I gotta say that the rice wasnt bad, but the kabob was horrible.
(2)Nica D.
Mine and my family's go-to kabob place! Food and service is awesome, and prices are great for what you get! Kubidehs are a fam favorite! Highly recommend it!
(5)Lovebird S.
We had the salmon kabobs at a friends party & my husband & thought they were delicious so we ordered the salmon & chicken kabobs for our daughters bday party! Everyone loved it & still ask me where they were from. The food is always fresh here & not oily or too salty. The staff is really sweet & if you ask for tadig (bottom of the rice) they'll bring you a side if they have some. The only drawback is that it's hidden off 355 & it's very casual but for as reasonable as they are... It's great for takeout or for a relaxed lunch/ dinner! Don't judge this place from the outside, they are always busy wiry takeout & always cook fresh to order!
(4)Cathy H.
Kabob, kabab, kebap, kebab, kebob, kibob. However you spell it, I like dat meat on a stick! Particularly of the lamb and chicken variety and Sadaf Halal Restaurant does it well. I was hungry in Rockville on a Sunday night and had already checked off most of my bookmarked Chinese/Taiwanese restaurants, so I Yelped for another new-to-me establishment. Sadaf had decent ratings and I am not crazy about Moby Dick's, so I figured it would not hurt to try out a new-to-me kabob (that's how I am choosing to spell it for this review) joint. More importantly, it's Persian and after having a most satisfying home feast prepared by Sahar R., I had to have more of that goodness. The menu features your usual players, including lamb, beef (grilled kubideh), chicken, and lamb chops to name a few. I usually do not order chicken when dining out unless it's Peruvian or in the battered and fried form in the confines of Popeyes, but when it comes to Middle Eastern and South Asian food, I will always crave chicken. Most times, chicken breast is prepared incorrectly and is drier than the Sahara, so that is my standard for gauging kabob places. Sadaf passed with flying colors. The chicken was moist, moist, moist! I also tried their lamb chops, which came out in a quantity of three, and thought those were superbly executed. They were seasoned very well and grilled, not needing any additional sauce whatsoever to round out flavors. The entrees came with saffron rice, grilled tomatoes, a lemon wedge, yogurt sauce, and green chili sauce. The rice is conservatively tossed with saffron, so the flavor is muted. You are served lavash bread with the sauces as a starter, but I suggest waiting and eating the bread and meat together. I love wrapping the bread around meat and dipping everything into the combined sauces. This establishment is very cafeteria-like and operates like any other kabob shop: order at the counter and wait for your food. Now, the biggest difference, however, is that Sadaf's staff will bring the food to you, which is greatly appreciated. Wait time was approximately 15-20 minutes for entrees because everything is grilled to order. There was only one other party in this establishment, so I found the wait to be longer than necessary. I cannot award this establishment 5 stars because of the bread and side options. My favorite kabob place is Ravi Kabob off Glebe in Arlington because they always serve fluffy, bubbly naan-like bread to go with your order. At Sadaf, the bread is flat, but I do realize Ravi is Pakistani and the bread preference is different. Moreover, the side options at Sadaf are limited: rice and bread by default or you can switch them out for a salad. At Ravi, you can opt for spicy chickpeas (I never knew stand-alone beans could be so good), spinach, and the list goes on. I will not, however, deny that the meat at Sadaf is prepared well and, for that reason, I will get over my obsession with naan and return if in the area.
(4)Stephanie B.
Get the kubideh. Get the kubideh. No, seriously, get the kubideh. Straight up, it is one of the tastiest, very reasonably priced casual dining or to-go meals you can get...anywhere. Don't give up on coming here because the parking lot is a little crazy. The butcher shop (same name) is in the front near Sushi House, but the restaurant is in the back with plenty of parking. The owner & staff are very friendly. The ambiance is much more casual than Yekta so I'm not afraid to bring my toddler here. Oh and did I mention the kubideh is awesome? I've tried the chicken and steak kabobs in the past, they were good, but not as unique and wonderful like kubideh.
(5)Angela W.
I came here for lunch with a large group of co-workers and was surprised to find the entire place empty during the lunch rush. It could be because the restaurant is tucked away behind a bunch of stores and is a bit hard to find. The interior is very nice - the walls are covered in mirrors that give an illusion of a nice, open space. The decor is nice and everything was pretty clean. I ordered the chicken kubideh - first thing on the menu. It came with two halves of a grilled tomato, a lot of basmati rice with a bit of saffron, and two kubideh. I also ordered a yogurt & cucumber side to put onto my rice because I feel that basmati rice tastes better with some kind of sauce. The portion of the yogurt & cucumber was very generous. At the beginning, you get the yogurt as a dipping sauce for the pieces of pita bread that come free with the meal. If you want some yogurt sauce but don't need a lot, I recommend holding off on buying that extra yogurt & cucumber (around $3). The food was delicious and didn't remind me of Moby Dick at all - it was much better. Everything was moist and the portion is huge! I packed almost half of it as leftovers - and I came into that restaurant very hungry. The staff is very welcoming and friendly. Service was great. I would consider coming back here if I'm ever craving kebob!
(4)Roy S.
This is a really nice place!! Had the chicken and beef kubideh (separate dishes) and both were really nice. It is a simple kabob with jasmine rice and a tomato. The bread was good and I really liked the yogurt sauce as well as the spicier green sauce. This place is hidden!! The map says its in Congressional North Plaza (wrong) it is in the Sunshine plaza where Crisp n' Juicy (which is weak) and Entemens is located and then it is around the back of the plaza. Well worth it!!!
(4)Sajid S.
Worth a try. Kabob kubideh is my favorite. But there is plenty more for those that want to try different stuff.
(3)Alex M.
Wonderful food, friendly staff. Did I mention how delicious the food is? The only complaint I have is that I wanted more food. Also the owner is super nice, took out order and served us. Very nice. Will come here over and over again.
(5)Shana K.
The food and wait staff are excellent. Can't go wrong by ordering one of the kebab platters. Depending on your appetite, the platter can be shared. I'd give 5 stars if the naan was any good. The naan tasted like it was a week old, but everything else including the dips will bring me back to try other kebabs.
(4)Max H.
Bland, snobby customer service, and styrofoam plates in return for the arm and leg you used to pay for the food. Try sams for larger portions that wont dent your wallet
(2)Saliha C.
The food is decent but, the atmosphere is very bleh. Also, very over priced. This is coming from a NYer. I really enjoyed the rice, the kabobs tasted very ground beef, not really spices. The gentleman at the counter looked like the guy in the pictures all over and certainly acted as if he was better than the customer. Wasn't a fan of the customer service here either. It won't be a top choice for me to go again.
(3)Abeer N.
I love there chicken.. It never fails to get good from there.. I wish the place was a little more pretty for more dinner dine in.
(5)Mike R.
Food is bland... Very bland... Service is dull. Not recommended unless you may be a person with no personality who likes his or her food with no flavor... That's all...
(2)Jonathan L.
My wife and I are doing a whole30 program and we have many dietary restrictions. I love this restaurant because they're very helpful and accommodating with our needs. They checked with the chef to make sure the food we ordered are whole30 compliant. We ended up ordering the kubideh (beef and chicken) with salad. Overall delicious and awesome staff! Highly recommended.
(5)Christian M.
Definitely my favorite spot to get kabobs off the Pike. The owner (the guy with in the kabob photo) is usually always there and definitely friendly. Very clean, and the quality of the meat is pretty good, I believe he gets them from the halal meat shop in the same shopping center. I prefer the taste and price of this place over Yekta across the street. Definitely way more authentic than Moby Dick's. Try the Lamb and chicken. The portions are generous.
(5)Robert C.
The 1st thing I remember about this place is the goofty picture of the owner holding 5 sticks of kabob by the cash register. As I was making fun of the picture, then I realized that the cashier was also the owner lol... Anyways, the kabob was pretty good. It definitely has more of authentic taste to it when you compare it to the likes of Moby Dick's. I ordered the Chicken Kabob and it's pretty tender and tasty. The kabob was cooked right and wasn't dry at all as a result. You have to get the green yogurt sauce (a little bit spicy), it's really good. It'll mix well with the kabob, trust me.
(3)Sathish P.
They have lamb Shank,. but only on Wednesdays. It tastes great and it has the right portion size for only $9.99 . Lamb Shank in Lebanese Taverna is good but it costs close to $17 bucks. I still have to try Lamb Shank in La Limena , but i know it is $20 in la Limena. To me Sadaf is the best place for Lamb Shank in Rockville Both in taste and price.
(5)Lea R.
Background: Half Iranian Girl Setting: Quick meal before catching a movie Ordered: Chicken and Beef Barg Overall: Best I've found in the area. Sure it's not fancy like Yetka, but it's pretty close to perfectly seasoned. The meat was tender and the portion was just the right amount. Don't even get me started on comparing it to Kabob Bazaar; it blows that place out of the water. Go here, it's not fancy, but it's delicious!!!
(4)Barry S.
It's a kabob joint ... it's pricy ... service sucks and it's not pretty ... go to Yekta.
(3)Virginia C.
A co-worker offered to stop by this place and pick me up some lunch! So nice! anyway I asked her to get me the combo lamb and chicken kabob over just a salad and that came out to be a little over $20 FREAKING DOLLARS!! The chicken and lamb was good, but dang not $20 dollars good. I give it one stars because but it hurt to eat it knowing i dropped 20 freaking bucks for it!!!
(1)Jennifer K.
For the folks who can't seem to locate this GEM: Look for the Entemann's bakery & you'll find this place. You won't have to hunt too hard & it's worth it. You're not going to find a better kabob in Rockville - so don't bother going anywhere else. Seriously. So, kabob lover, do yourself a favor and find Sadaf Halal. The guys behind the counter may seem a bit aloof, but that because they are putting all their energy into making the best damn kabobs and kubideh and rice in the area. Who cares if they take your money & barely look at you? As long as they keep whipping up tender, flavorful food - I'm cool with being ignored. Major YUM.
(5)Reza Z.
Great food and the meats are very clean. They own a butcher shop next door selling Halal meat. If you don't know what Halal meat is don't be scared. It is simply the way meat and blood is handled during the butching process. It is actually a safer way to consume meat and does change the taste a little because there is less blood in the raw meat once cooked. The rice is well prepared and the traditional dishes are also great. Definitely one of the better kabob places to eat in Maryland. The inside of the restaurant could definitely use a makeover. It is a simple sit down eatery that resembles moby dick chains. If you are in the area definitely give it a try, the food is excellent. It is tucked on the side of the shopping center.
(5)Tim S.
Food is good. Prices are a little high. Service is acceptable, nothing extremely impressive. Make sure you put the yogurt in the rice: good stuff. I wish they gave you more bread with your meal. I would eat here more often if prices were better.
(3)Luis D.
I was a bit hesitant to eat here after reading a couple of reviews that didn't shine a kind light on the prices and silverware. However, the experience and service was very satisfactory. The restaurant was clean, the service was nice, and the prices while not cheap are not as pricey as previous reviews had me believe. It was very much like Moby Dick's if anyone has ever been there. I had a Ground Beef Kabob with rice and bread and it was delicious. The tomato as a side was warm and crispy, and the have good lemon humus. All in all I will be coming back and bringing friends.
(4)Chris P.
A good place that doesn't r@pe your wallet. (Sorry, ignore the profanity) Really, if you're looking for something more than fast food but don't feel like shelling out a lot, go here. Good, seasoned meat with a hearty portion of rice. Add a tea to it and...ding!...$10. Not bad for what you get. (I usually get the kubideh kabob, and of course some bread goes with the food as well.)
(4)Meh G.
Great food, friendly staff and cozy ambiance. The prices are very very reasonable. I had the Kubideh with rice which included two large skewers of Kubideh with planty of rice and tomato for only 7.99. Very impressed.
(4)Aditya W.
There are two primary reason I do not like this shop. 1. It is costlier than nearby Halal shop. Yes. It is costly. 2. They end up selling more than my requirement. When I order 2 lbs, he has pack which is around 2.5 and insist on buying it. Then, when I buy 4 lb. he has 4.45 lb packet. When I resist on buying more he gives a cheap look. I have stopped buying from this shop.
(1)Christopher S.
4/7/11 - 12:30PM Chicken Kabob #3 $9.99 Big portions. The seasoning on the kabob was kind of lacking though. My co-workers love this place, but I have a feeling it is because of quantity and not quality. Clean environment. It's ok, so I will tag-along here and there for lunch.
(4)Ryan R.
Very strange location, I would have never noticed the restaurant if I didn't park behind the large complex. As you get closer to the restaurant, you can smell the wonderful aroma of grilling meat. The lamb and gyro have to be some of the most tender and well seasoned meat I have ever eaten. Complementary hot bread is served at the start of the meal and is much appreciated; though the bread was a little thin for my preference. Definitely some of the best kabob and gyro sandwich I have ever eaten. 4.5 stars
(5)Ed W.
Whenever I would set foot in Rockville, my go-to kabob fix was the perennial monopoly of local kabobs, Yektah's, until my cousin told me about this back-alley gem that's been here for years, with a really non-appetizing name. Come on, nothing about Sadaf Halal makes me remotely think of food, let alone good food. Mind you, I live in Fairfax and really have no business being in Rockville except for the occasional family visits, so I may not be back anytime soon....which is regrettable, but construction traffic from northern VA is a bitch as you know! Back to the review... so I ordered the boneless chicken & kubideh (seasoned ground beef) combo. From the appetizer bread and yogurt sauce to the last spoonful of chicken chunks and buttery-saffron-infused rice, this meal just hit the spot. The kubideh seasonings were seemingly just right, moist and juicy. The boneless chicken was also well seasoned and probably marinated overnight to make it equally juicy and flavorful. I really can't say much more about it since I crushed the entire platter in a blazing 95 seconds. My only concern after this experience is how long I will have to spend on the elliptical to burn off all the buttery rice. The store itself if set back in an alleyway almost in an equally seedy shopping center off of Rte 355. Just ignore the 'menacing' old Persian men sipping tea littered near the front door. Once inside, it's your basic restaurant layout with mild hints that this place is Persian, plenty of space inside and pretty decent service. All things aside, this place gets the majority of its rating solely based on the food quality and flavor. The price is consistent with all other kabob places, a little cheaper than Yektah, their only real local competition. (which really shouldn't be competition once you go here) For all your Marylandians that are local to Rockville, congrats, you guys have some solid options for kabobs besides the usual suspects. One last note, this place is the only one that serves one of my favorites growing up, chicken shinitzel (seasoned chicken breast), I will have to try it next time around.
(5)Dee B.
Another great find in Rockville and a good kebab place to add to my repertoire!
(4)Motahar B.
WOW! The food is absolutely amazing. Their Barg was probably one of the best I've ever had...and I've had it in DMV, NYC, and Middle East. Considering the decor and overall impression, the prices are a bit high, but it's not too bad. The dining hall feels like a school cafeteria so plan accordingly.
(5)Sina E.
This review is based on the few times I came here along long time ago. I haven't been there since more than a year, so I'm not sure if quality is still the same, better or worse. I'll update if I decide to go again sometime soon. Anyway, my friends and I stumbled here after seeing 'sadaf' holding kabob's and smiling. My friends are easily amused, but I guess someone else found it funny here too, as they took a picture of it. The food here was pretty good. I would say it's almost to the level of yekta. It was nice and tender. The chicken kabob was cooked right. The tomatoes were cooked the right amount. I would recommend this place. It's kind of hidden on the pike, but if you find it, it's a good place. Perhaps that's why it's not so busy every time I have gone there.
(4)Mimi U.
So good. They have tahdig (crisped rice) if you ask for it, and zereshk polo (barberry rice with chicken on top) also. Neither are on the menu and both are AMAZING. I think they use halal meat, the chicken tasted so fresh. Their kashke bademjan (eggplant dip with mint) is AMAZING. I never knew that eggplant dip could be SO good, this is easily more delicious than baba ganoush. It's not cheap, but I think it's worth the money since I myself would never cook zereshk polo (at least not very well). Mmmm I am thinking of going back there next week for some more zereshk polo and kashke bademjan. Usually I only drive out to visit Temari or A&J, but I think I also found another great place to visit in that strip mall area.
(5)Neha S.
Delicious! So much better than Moby Dick!
(4)Adil B.
Nice restaurant located right off 355. Place your order, sit down, and enjoy the naan and yogurt that is brought to your table. I like the kubideh and the gyro ('sliced sandwiches' on the menu). The gyro has pickles in it which gives it a crunch and savory taste.
(5)Alex D.
Great place for kabob. I havent tried anything else but my Iranian friend who brought me here said everthing else is good. Ive had all of the kabobs, chicken is by far the best. The juicy chunks of chicken laid over top buttered rice is a nice light meal. This along with hummus would be an inexpensive dinner for 2 people. About $15. The Beef Chenjah, Lamb Kabob, and Kabob Barg are all worth a try but the chicken is the best. When comparing Sadaf Halal to your typical kabob place like Moby DIck, Sadaf Halal is professional and Moby DIck is still amatuer. The quality of the chicken at Sadaf is apparent in the tenderness. I was never aware of the tenderness Halal meat has. Im sure having the Halal butcher adjacent to the restaurant really helps with keeping quality high. If you like Mody DIck, dont try Sadaf cause youll never return to Moby DIcks again.
(4)Li H.
This is the best tasting kabob place I've come across so far. I judge a Persian kabob joint by their kubideh, and it's a winner -- juicy and delicious. I also recommend the chicken jujeh kabob. Everything is cooked perfectly. Note that it's hard to find -- it's around the corner from Entenmann's, near A&J. And you know what -- the owner/chef is allowed to have goofy picture cuz his kabobs kick that much ass
(5)Bassam S.
Great Iranian Kubideh. Big portions. Decent prices.
(5)David S.
Many at my job eat here at least once a week. The owner is very friendly and the food is always fresh and delicious. The kabob and hummus are fantastic. Try ta-dig for a crispy treat.
(4)J C.
I got chicken w/ rice, the chicken was extra juicy and tasted very fresh. It's very similar to Moby Dick's but they actually provide a little table service. They bring everything out to you, the bread gets served in slices in little baskets. They also give you some crispy rice, I don't know what it's called, but it's very good. I was in a group of 5 people and we all ordered different things; everyone was happy with their orders. Their hot sauce is extremely spicy, which is a big plus because I love spicy food. I will definitely be back soon. Only thing is it took a little long for the food to come out, and it wasn't even that busy. It was around 12 noon and there were only a few other tables around. The meal itself was about $10+tax but I got a drink so it was closer to $13.
(5)h g.
Excellent Kabobs. A little pricey but quality food.
(3)Lucy B.
Not my fave. My kubideh was super dry.
(2)Michael W.
It's the typical kabobi place (Persian). You have to pay first and the food is taken to table a few minutes later. To be sincere, I don't particularly like the idea of going to a so called "restaurant" to eat in plastic plates, with plastic cutlery and with paper cups, but apparently this is quite common in kabobi joints. In regards to the food, my chicken kebob was very well seasoned and had a baked tomato and rice on the side. The food is tasty and the portions are decently sized. If you mind about this sort of technicalities, the meat is halal (I don't care at all).The clerk suggested that we should order two appetizers on the excuse that one was not enough. This was definitely not the case since we couldn't even finish the first one. The hummus was very good though... I think the price was too expensive for the type of food and the type of service (remember: plastic plates, disposable cutlery and paper cups). We ended paying US$65 for the four of us. If you are a big fan of kebobis, if you don't care about waiters, china or cutlery and and/or if you really care about halal meat this may be a good bet.
(3)Roya P.
I LOVE this place! My family is Iranian and in the twenty years I have stopped living at home, I have tried to find a place with food that tastes like my mother's and at long last HERE IT IS! Nothing too fancy, but the food is great and the service is very good too. If you want ambiance, pick it up and take it home, and light some candles, but I swear you will be too busy eating to really notice or care.
(5)S. O.
This is probably the best place to get kabobs in Rockville. Great food and friendly staff. I usually get the Kabob Kubideh. They give you a good amount of food for $8. My bf and I went the other night; I wasn't too hungry so I just wanted to share a platter. The cashier was really nice and thoughful; he gave us enough bread for the both of us and he brought an extra plate for us knowing we wanted to share.
(5)Judy S.
Not an honorable business. Did not accept my coupon even though it was valid.
(1)Syed A.
Persian cuisine is unique to Iran and though I have eaten at many a middle eastern restaurants, I have to admit the aesthetics and subtle nuances, just like the language, are exquisitely Iranian, like the kebab which has its origins in Iran. This restaurant is a 5 min walk from my place and Im surprised I didnt get to try it before. A friend recommended this place and since the fridge was empty and I didnt want to drive out far for dinner, I thought lets try it out . The place is fairly big and spacious, very pleasant and warm staff. Its one of the best dinners I've ever had and I'll be back for more It was recommended that I have zereshk polo here, which for some reason is not on the menu and you have to specifically ask for it. It is rice served with chicken and super ingredient, barberries. Its the barberries that gives it such an amazing taste. Those apart, the way the rice and chicken were cooked were just awesome. The chicken was well cooked and enough gravy so as not to dry your throat out. I also had chicken kubideh kebab, which was served with yogurt and finely chopped green chilly sauce which was very spicy. It was a great meal and if you are in Rockville or the DC area you have to go to this trust me, its a game changer
(5)Steve G.
Good
(4)Jenna S.
The service was extremely well. They treated us very well with a family of 20. It's large enough to have a few families within.
(5)Willis N.
This place is great. I wouldn't give it a 4 star but a 3.5 star. it is a little bit more pricey than moby dicks but they give you more meat so you get what you pay for. I had the lamb kabob and I enjoyed it. This place is hard to find at first. The one that you will see from the parking lot says sadaf halal but it is a deli place. The restaurant is around the corner!
(4)Crystal L.
I'm thinking we visited this place on an "off" day only because contrary to several other 4-5 star reviews, our meat was kind of on the dry side--and lacking a little flavor. We ordered the beef and lamb kebab platter. The portion size was okay, not overly generous, yet not skimping on the essentials. The service was great--friendly and efficient. We may try this place again if we are in the area..
(3)Alexander K.
3.5 stars This restaurant is located in the strip where Crisp & Juicy and Ledo's Pizza of Rockville meet. It cannot really be seen from the street, tucked deep on the side of this strip. I dropped by here before a meeting, and after much deliberation I chose the Lamb Chenjeh (leg of lamb) with the saffron rice and grilled tomatoes. Along with the three aforementioned items was also a few slices of raw onion and some fresh parsley. The lamb was cooked well-done and the rice was fluffy and fresh. The flat bread that came before it was a pleasant surprise, very light in texture, slightly chewy and with a crisp finish in the crust. The flavoring, presentation, and portion size is very similar to Moby's House of Kabob which blanket the DMV area, but all and all I would definitely come back and order other dishes (especially the dessert since they were out of them) if I am in the area.
(3)