2656 Quadra Street
I've had kabab on the brain lately, so it's quite fitting that Royal Kebab has finally opened their doors. They've been teasing me with signage for what seems like months. This time I went by and a flurry of new signage appeared declaring that they were open at last.
Unlike Al-Sultan (last week's kabab), Royal Kebab is Pakistani, rather than Middle Eastern. While there are some significant culinary differences, if you like one style, you'll probably like the other. Royak Kabab is similar to Al Sultan in it's lack of ambiance, but friendly service and omission of booze. In contrast, Royal Kebab has a buffet, more modern decor and rock bottom prices. The culinary style is quite different, with the distinctive full flavoured seasonings common to South Asian cuisine, as well as several familiar curries.
Patrick had a lamb donair ($5.25). Grilled meat in a naan with greens. The meat was hot and tasted freshly grilled. I had the beef kebab ($6.25), which I would describe as kofta. In my experience "kebab" is one of the most general terms for food around and can include any of a dozen or so different dishes, usually chunks, or ground meat, grilled. Kofta is seasoned ground or minced meat, grilled. Eitherway, this dish included two grilled beef patties on biryani style rice and was served with a small salad, which included a generous portion of creamy salad dressing. It was very simple and rather tasty.
I saw a couple of other diners eating the buffet and it looked pretty good and similarly cheap ($9.95), but I like to sample the wears before I commit to a buffet. Also, it was 2pm on a Sunday, which is not traditionally the best time to launch into a buffet table.
The decor is clean and modern, but it is a fairly intense orange colour. I got used to it, but it's a little off putting when you first walk in.
For now at least, Royal Kebab would be my quick service pick in the Quadra Village neighbourhood.