The welcome scent of grilled meat greets me as I walk into this spot, which opened earlier this summer near the Save-On Foods at 78th Avenue and 103rd Street.
Sure, there’s the signage advertising shawarma and donairs and even chicken wings, but what intrigues me is the Persian Menu. These include full meal platters, with saffron-topped rice, salad and scorched tomatoes. I go for the Vaziri, which has both chicken and beef kebabs atop a very, very large bed of rice. This is such a big platter of food, I feel like the scorched tomato was there on a dare. Do I really need to eat that? It feels like overkill.
But the chicken and beef are…fantastic. They’re some of the best kebabs I’ve tried in the city. There’s a hint of smoke, and the chicken is tender. The beef is juicy and has a bit of an earthy tone. It’s not only a filing lunch, but each bite is great.
Yet, what really makes this special is how attentive the restaurateurs were to the guests in the place. They checked to see if we were happy, they offered us tea. It felt very welcoming. I don’t know how many times they thanked me for my business. And that’s what makes small, local restaurants so great, right? That connection you can have with those making and serving the food?
Highly recommended, even if all you want is a donair.
Caspian Kebabs
Strathcona Junction | 10380 78 Ave NW, Edmonton | 587.759.5111 | caspiankebabs.com
