Terrific Takeout: Mac's Afghan Kebab Our Coverage Sponsored by Fresh Origins
The delicious Tandoori Chicken Breast Kebab of Mac's Afghan Kebab
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Though we have a documented, tested and proven track record of eating a lot of Italian, the truth is that we would be sick of it if we ate it every day. Variety is the spice of life for sure! We have a lot of categories, columns and ideas, and we look for the best performers in every discipline. We first featured our friend Izmar Yalai in his first Terrific Takeout feature in February 2011:
We loved it, so we returned and his restaurant earned a spot in Peachy's Picks:
It took us far too long to return! Izmar came to New York in 1982 after he lost his family when the Russians invaded Afghanistan in 1978-79, and he then studied aeronautical engineering in Switzerland. It's your good fortune he's chosen to be in hospitality, and now his venue has got a new name change and it's named after his son, Mackenzie who joins him in the family business. Izmar is the Executive Chef and Owner, and shops himself every day and the food is fresh. The 1345 Second Avenue location, the only one we've ever been to, is now the one and only. It has no relation to a 9th avenue location, and Mac's Afghan Kebab House is the best Afghan in the city right now according to us. We also really liked Bamiyan, but that has closed Sayed Shah tells us. Izmar tells us his restaurant opened in 1986 and he's been going strong ever since.
We began with the Aushak Ghoushti: boiled dumplings filled with scallions, herbs and spices topped with minted yogurt sauce and seasoned ground beef. It's fresh, super flavorful and the refreshing mint is most wonderful contrast to the texture and spice of the beef.
We always want a green salad, and it's on the menu at Mac's Afghan Kebab house. The garden salad is a lovely arrangement of tomato, lettuce, red cabbage, lime, shredded carrots and can you believe it, the best salad dressing we've had all year. Peachy Deegan does not even like salad dressing as you know and she always wants it on the side (even here because she likes to control it) but she is out of control when it comes to this one. Yogurt, dill, mayo and mint leaves are just some of Izmar's secrets in his recipe.
In short, if you are not now eating Afghan food, you should start with Mac's. It is a delicious discovery, and we'd highly recommend the Tandoori Chicken Breast Kebab: chunks of boneless chicken marinated in fresh grated spices and tandoori masala. The carrots and raisins on top of the amazing rice are perfect and the flavor is standout. The chicken is fresh and tender and seasoned so well. Nothing is too spicy and Peachy does not have a high tolerance for breathing fire. Of course if it is not spicy enough for you, we're sure Izmar would be happy to accommodate.
By the way you can substitute rice for any vegetable if you want. We love the rice too much to do that.
Closer up:
Just the right touch on top!
Mac's Afghan Kebab is BYOB for religious reasons...and at a table near us we made friends with Lisa Meyer and Mr. Murphy, who also love this place. They were so nice to share a glass of their wine and after talking to them, we realize it is a smaller world than you know because Lisa is part of Stribling! Click here to see their listings!
Go see Izmar!
Mac's Afghan Kebab House is Terrific Takeout.
Izmar and Peachy:
