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Bamiyan Kabab
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
18 reviews for Bamiyan Kabab
18 reviews in English
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Review from Jason K.
12/23/2011
- bamiyan kabab.... YOU WIN!
- this place is legit.
- and you know it's legit, when it's always packed, and whole scores of families roll-up in their minivans.
- anything and everything is fantastic.
- only downside is finding a table.... -
Review from Sky L.
4/16/2012
The food is amazing.
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Review from David P.
Mississauga, ON
5/6/2012
Large quantities of tasty meat at reasonable prices. It takes about 10 minutes for them to prepare the food, but it's worth the wait. I am a regular customer!
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Review from Myrem D.
Mississauga, ON
Aside from the insane line up, bad service and the cheap table/chairs the food is really THAT good.
It's traditional Afghan food with most of the traditional choices of rice and meat. Halal Chicken, lamb and beef. Limited veggie options.
I came here for take out and for $13, got a hefty container of rice, 2 beef Kabab strips, salad and yogurt sauce.
What you should try, coming here:
Bouglanee - think quesadilla but softer pan fried bread stuffed with potatoes, spring onions and herbs.
Kofta Kabab - 2 skewers of ground beef . The meat is perfectly tender and the spices are JUST right. I cannot explain how hard it is to find the just right mix for the perfect Kabab. This place, they definitely nailed it.
Sultani Kabab - the 2 different types of Kabab - this is heaven for meat lovers. 1 skewer of a rougher type of Kabab (think - steak) and 1 skewer of a tender beef Kabab.
Qaubolee rice - Traditional Afghan rice. Cooked with chicken broth. Made with thin carrot shreds, raisins and almonds (sometimes cashews). - Delicious.
*fun fact: This type of rice is made specifically for meat.
*The white rice is made for chicken.
Tip: call ahead of time and order. Since this is the only decent Afghan restaurant around Mississauga, you'll see mostly Afghan,persian,pakistani families. Be prepared , you will have kids running around, uncles, fathers, cousins, nephews, aunts, brothers in law- all socializing whilst waiting in line for food.
You are pretty much witnessing a family gathering.
It's a small space so the tables are all cramped together. I highly suggest take out. The staff are pretty monotone - which is always amusing. Service is next to nil ch here. Don't bother expecting it. Expect what it does offer, authentic Afghan food and nothing else.
xoxox
M. -
Review from Syed I.
Milton, ON
9/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Very good food reasonable prices, hard to get tables, tables are not clean, floors are dirty, staff behind the counter was bit rude.
However food is really good. -
Review from Jonathan C.
Oakville, ON
2/15/2011
I work in the area, and Bamiyan is a staple in my lunch rotation. It never fails to offer a good meal.
If you've never had Afghani food, I'd compare it too... greek food with added spices. You have different kabobs (or kabAbs as their name implies) and meats of different variety and spices grilled on skewers (mostly). Add some rice, some garden salad, and you have a middle eastern version of Greek food.
Anyway, the food is good. Some may find it spicy, but most people I've brought here have really enjoyed it. The dishes are prepared when you order, or close to it, so it can be a 10-15 minute wait for your food.
Nearly all the meat dishes I've had are good here, here's a few:
Kofta: some mixture of beef, garlic and other spices. It's garlic heavy, so bring some tic-tacs or a tooth brush if you're going back to work. It's the cheapest item, but it'll still fill you up and it's good. Comes with two skewers.
Chaplee: think of two big burger patties with chilli spices in them. You'll get stuffed. May be a bit hot for some.
Sultani: the king of the dishes, the most expensive, it comes with a skewer of beef tenderloin or filet mignon (forget which, but it's delicious), and a kofta skewer
Tandoori: Tandoori chicken is flavourful, but sometimes a bit dry. Comes with one skewer.
Chicken: chicken breast with some spices. My least favorite, as the chicken isn't overly spiced and can be dry at times.
On average, it'll cost you about $10 for a plate without rice, and $13 for a plate with rice, depending on the meat you get of course.
Pro: simple, the food is really good
Cons: a bit pricey for the dinners here, it can be a long wait at lunch since they make the dish when you order, not a huge fan on the naan bread they give you here. It's Afghan type naan, I prefer the Indian naan. This naan, though fresh, is tougher and harder than Indian naan.
Tip: If you're having lunch, I'd suggest getting the kabob plate without rice. It's a few dollars cheaper and the dinner plate with rice will likely put you to sleep at work... it's HEAVY. The rice though is delicious, so if you go with a group I'd suggest getting individual plates without rice, then ordering a side plate of rice. They give you plenty of rice and it's cheaper this way. And you can portion it so you don't need an afternoon nap! -
Review from Radhika G.
Toronto, ON
6/9/2011
Bloody delicious. I am now a loser vegetarian, and this is the one place that really makes me question that decision - I miss their juicy, tender, perfectly spiced variety of meats. Lucky for me, their vegetarian wrap is really good (and filling!) too. Minus one star because it's always so damn crowded in there. Be prepared to wait 15 minutes for your meal.
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Review from Ami M.
11/2/2009 2 photos
I don't mind being the odd person out in here. I came here to eat some Afghan food and Afghan food is what I'm gonna get...plus curious looks from fellow diners across and around my table (well, I'm curious too!)
The kabobs are delicious! And there's so much rice to help fill you up! And for a late night food trip, put this up on your list. The kabobs are cooked fresh off the grill. And the crowd definitely tells you that the place is worth a visit! -
Review from Singh A.
Toronto, ON
11/8/2009
As a devoted patron over the years, all I can say is that I love this place! The concept is simple and hassle-free. Walk in, read the menu, and order - they do dine-in OR take-out, and only accept cash/debit. As you wait, typically 5-10 minutes for your order, you'll notice the interior is clean, dec'd with a few paintings supposedly representative of Afghanistan - like the famous 1985 National Geographic cover of the "Afghan Girl" with green eyes, and a watercolour canvas that appears to be done by an amateur artist.
As you continue to wait, you'll also be enticed by the wonderful aroma wafting through the restaurant. Still passing time, do some people watching - this place is always busy!
Finally, after the 5-10 min. mark passes from when you first ordered, your order number will be announced by one of the cashiers on a mic. - cafe. style. Run over, grab your food, and dig in to enjoy!
Yes, I do agree with the other reviewers that the rice is a bit buttered up, the naan atypical from what I'm used to (it ain't fluffy), and the focus is on the meat! But it's ALL de-lish!
Go for the tandoori kabobs if you like chicken. Like your beef? Do the chaplee kabobs - warning they may be a bit spicy for the inexperienced.
Cheers! -
Review from Randy C.
Brampton, ON
6/26/2010
I have never been to this place before (my wife has) great food.
Had the mix of fillet minot kebab and kofta with rice naan and salad. Honeslty i would go again anytime, the atmosphere was great, clean, full of families. The wait was about 15 mins but it was packed and everything was good to order..
GREAT STUFF!!! -
Review from Nishant F.
Toronto, ON
5/10/2011
I have been to this place a couple of times at all 3 locations (Mississauga, East York, and the new one in Markham). I find it to be adequate - filling for the 10-12 bucks per platter (mostly due to the massive amounts of rice though), and is okay for a quick meal. I am not entirely sure if this would be my go-to place for satiating a sudden craving for good flavourful kababs.
Dedicated to a new friend: Vivek S. = Obligatory Pun:
"I want a KaBA-miyan"
(I won't explain the "miyan" part - it will be lost in translation)
FOOD:
- has quite a variety (9-10 options) for the platters (kabab, rice, salad, naan)
- can get the same things without the rice for a lesser price.
- Apparently, the place is really well known for their chicken kabab platters. I have tried it - they ARE pretty good.
- The other options are: half-chicken (tandoori style full leg), and some beef and lamb options (cooked in different ways = chapli kabab, choppan kabab etc.) - they are good too...
- The platters are very filling as I mentioned before, but it's mostly due to the rice. A chicken tikka platter comes with around 6-7 pieces which is good.
- The chaplee kabab is quite tasty, but only comes with 2, which is NOT enough to quieten my taste buds! Some of the other exotic ones also have 2-3 pieces. I wish they would cut down on the rice and give me an extra piece (for a slightly elevated price too!)
- Nothing exquisite about the salad or the naan
- The rice is a little flavoured, but is otherwise quite plain (better than white steamed rice though!)
Food rating: 3.5/5
PRICE:
- you can get a platter for 10-12 bucks after taxes
- without rice, you can get the same thing for about 2 bucks less
- for a relatively cheap dinner for decent food, it's not a bad option
- For 3 people having a platter and a drink each, you're looking at approx 45 bucks incl. taxes.
Price rating: 4/5
DECOR:
- Spacious
- Clean
- Not super loud, not super quiet. Expect families to be there with kids, and children ranging from 0-18 years! =P
- Nothing fancy - not a great option for a date or anything.
Decor rating: 3/5
SERVICE:
- Standard setup where you order food, pay, get an order number and wait
- it's usually pretty quick - 10 minutes or so for about 4 ppl (not sure for very large orders though)
- one thing that annoys me is that sometimes they hand out plastic cutlery which sucks when you're eating kababs. Not cool.
- but otherwise they are pretty good with catering to requests for extra sauces etc.
Service rating: 4/5
OVERALL RATING: 3 - 3.5 /5
Why to go there:
- quick relatively cheap meal for something that is not McDonalds and is different from the regular quick meal places
- quick lunch if you work in the area
Why not to go there:
- if you want really good kababs
- not the best place for a nice cozy dinner / meal
Additional tips:
- if you go with people who are willing to share stuff, get different things and try the different kababs (chicken, beef, lamb). The Afghan cuisine is definitely worth checking out. Who knows, you may end up liking their kababs a little more than I do! -
Review from Mary B.
Maple, ON
5/22/2009
Wow, cannot believe the only review this WONDERFUL place got is so negative. The Toronto Star's Food critic actually reviewed this place - and loved it. Imagine that the Star reviews this place, its packed each and every single night of the week and people are willing to wait in line for half an hour for the kabob!
I love, love, love the food here and overall its my fav ethnic place (for the record I love everything from sushi to dim sum to butter chicken). Kebobs are excellent, moist, not overly spicy or hot, but by no means bland. Love the rice, its not like the instant rice you get at some places. Love the bread, which is called naan.
The concept is a fast food diner similar to any typical diner. You go up order your food, then they call out your number, you grab the food. Mostly I take out cause the place is so popular it is always packed and noisy - but the food is always worth it. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 7/29/2010 1 photo
My rating has gone down due to the Long wait and quite costly meal.
You can get a wrap for about $5.29, but for $11.30 you can get 2 kebobs and rice and salad and naan. It's a lot of food, but finishable. I found it a bit pricey.
Also I waited a long time to get my meat. I got the Choppan Lamb, but they didn't tell me it will take longer (ten minutes longer!)
It did taste really good tho.
Still, i suggest getting there early at 11:40 before the line starts. Tons of seating which is good.Listed in: Lunch time in Mississauga, Eats in Mississsauga
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/26/2010
Yummm. Not sure what I expected from the place, but was pleased with my lunch meal for $7.95.
They… Read more »
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Review from Rajan T.
Mississauga, ON
4/29/2011
Good quality. Always busy. Everything on the menu is actually good which is a rarity. Decent prices, excellent portions for the price. I recommend the chaplee kabob dinner and the kafta kebob wrap. The tandoori dinner pretty good too. Expect a 5-10 minute wait for your order. Staff is good, efficient and friendly. Would definitely recommend for lunch.
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Review from Duck D.
Brampton, ON
2/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Worst Bamiyan location IMO, always too crowded and too many people breathing down your neck. Tables are always filthy from the people sitting there before you, because you have to pounce on the table before someone else does, leaving you to clean it yourself. Food is good as I'm a fan of all the Bamiyan locations but I give this one only 3 stars due to the service.
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Review from Khalid R.
6/4/2010
Came here on a recent trip and decided to try another location, ummmmmm ummmm ummm so good wish they had one in California. I ordered one skewer of chicken and one skewer of the ground beef both were very flavorful and cooked to perfection. The warm bread was a hit and do they sell their salad dressing?
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Review from Jay M.
North Vancouver, BC
8/7/2010 1 photo
I'm not an expert on Afghan food, but I figured if the place is full and I'm the only obvious person not of middle eastern descent then it's probably pretty good. I ordered the Sultani Kabob and enjoyed it very much. I'd happily go back for more next time I'm in the area.
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Review from Sangeetha J.
Mississauga, ON
9/18/2009
One of the best places for me to have food... Never disappointed. May be it was just me... Just love the food...
