Upland Kabob is a small yet stylish Middle Eastern restaurant that has created a “culinary buzz” ever since opening its doors some 8 months ago. The décor is colorful and inviting while the food is fresh, pure & simple yet delicious.

The restaurant features many of the favorite dishes that make this type of cuisine so popular. Take the Dolmeh for instance. For $4.50, you get 6 grape leaves stuffed with a tasty filling of rice, mint, lentils & yellow split peas. A shallot & yogurt sauce was served on the side and the dish was absolutely wonderful. Fresh tasting and full of flavors, you can’t get any better!

Another dish that impressed me was the Kabob Barg $14.95. This popular dish consisted of a filet mignon that was first marinated in olive oil, lime juice, onion and a few other items I was sworn to secrecy not to mentioned, and then sliced spirally like an apple and charbroiled.  The result is a tender, juicy and very flavorful Kabob. A large portion of fluffy and tasty basmati rice and a charbroiled tomato also graced the plate. I loved this classic Persian dish and think you will too.

The next dish I ordered was the Chicken Soltani $13.95. This combination plate featured a large marinated chicken breast alongside seasoned ground beef called Beef Koobideh ( Persian style long shaped hamburger). The chicken, like the previous dish was juicy, tender and tasty while the ground beef was nicely seasoned and went well with the basmati rice. Still yearning for more great dishes to try, the Garlic Chicken$11.95 fit the bill quite well. Sliced charbroiled chicken breast and topped with a bold flavored garlic sauce was a garlic lover’s dream come true. This too was expertly prepared and both the garlic sauce, chicken and rice was a match made in heaven.

Other dishes that I recommend include the Ghemieh BodemJan $7.95 and the Grilled Salmon $12.95. The Ghemieh Bodemjan  is a delightful stew with beef, tomatoes, yellow split peas & eggplant cooked in a rich flavor-laden sauce with cinnamon, lime, lemon, saffron and fried onions. It was very good as was the next dish, the Grilled Salmon. Rather than one files of salmon, the salmon was cut up ala kabob style and after being bathed in a olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, saffron and salt & pepper marinade, it was then charbroiled just until the interior was moist yet flakey and the exterior had that nice charbroiled flavor and appearance. IF you like salmon, you will love this dish.

Sure they have other terrific dishes to choose from like the Braised Lamb Shank $16.95, many vegetarian dishes and lots of daily specials but next door is a fantastic Middle Eastern Bakery offering a large selection of Middle Eastern pastries, nuts, dried fruits, Persian, Italian and Turkish cookies, plus other tasty treats including Persian ice cream.

Inland Kabob is a family friendly restaurant and the owner is most gracious and is willing to do most anything to please your culinary taste buds. Parking is available in front of the restaurant, in the rear of the restaurant or next door.

There are many similar restaurants to choose from but in my opinion, Inland Kabob is one the best!