Last week I wrote a review of Za’atar, a Tucson “restaurant” that serves Iraqi and Iranian foods, most notably shish kabobs. This traditional Middle Eastern dish consists of bite-size chunks of seasoned meat or fish plus veggies roasted on a skewer and served with rice and various sauces and condiments. The Iraqis on North Country Club Road spell it Shish K-A-B-O-B.
Way out East on Broadway, there is another Middle Eastern restaurant that boosts Jordanian cuisine. This is Shish Kebab House. They spell their specialty shish K-E-B-A-B.
I don’t know if the spelling and associated pronunciation makes a difference in the quality or taste of the food. The biggest difference seems to be about issues other than what customers actually consume, except that Za’atar has a lot more fresh bakery goods.
For example, Shish Kebab House actually offers service … and good service too. Shish Kebab House actually offers comfortable seating and real knives and forks. Food at Shish Kebab House actually serves food on real plates. And cloth napkins … what a concept.
Perhaps most obvious, Shish Kebab House, although located in the back of an ordinary strip mall, has a small, but very pleasant interior. Za’atar is located in a rickety stand-along building that looks like it will collapse in the next desert storm.
Like Za’atar, Shish Kebab House offers several varieties of kebabs: Lamb, Chicken, Beef, and Shrimp. As far as I could tell, all meats are marinated. The kebab plates include a fresh salad and rice.
Beware of Cucumbers
Perhaps I should warn my readers. Mediterranean cuisine, AKA Middle Eastern, Iraqi, Iranian, and whatever, is obsessed with cucumbers. Truth-be-told, I had all the cucumbers I ever want during the month Ms. Karen & I were in Egypt and Israel. But I will say the cucumbers at both places were very fresh.
Dining With Authentic Tucson History
My dining companions for this review were Tina and Dan Lyons. I mention this because I recently reviewed Tina’s book: Zeckendorfs & Steinfelds; Merchant Princes of the American Southwest. Her husband, Dan, was once the president of the Pioneer Hotel when it was THE place to stay in Downtown Tucson. And Tina (Bettina O’Neil Lyons) is the granddaughter of Albert Steinfeld. And if you don’t know who Mr. Steinfeld was, then your knowledge of Tucson history has a big hole in it. Suggest you read Tina’s book. It’s a great way to learn about many of our early pioneers, their struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs.
The Food
Dan ordered the Gyro Combo that includes: gyro meat on a bed of rice, tsatsiki sauce, and fresh pita bread. The sauce is a blend of yogurt, cucumber, and garlic.
Tina ordered the Mediterranean Kebab Plate ($10.95). I ordered Lamb Kebab with BBQ sauce ($12.95).
We all agreed that the food was very good and a nice change from typical American fare. The only problem we had with the service was the difficulty getting a staff person to bring us the check. Is that a Middle Eastern thing?
Clearly, the food at Shish Kebab House was a couple of dollars more expensive per plate than at Za’atar. Was the food any better? I would not like to have to live on the difference. Both places offer very good food. But dining at Shish Kabab House was decidedly more pleasant.
Both Za’atar and Shish Kebab House offer take-out. But Shish Kebab House has a full bar.
Do we recommend Shish Kebab House? Yup! Try it. You’ll like it too. We give it Four Saguaros, meaning Very Good Overall Dining Experience.
Shish Kebab House
5855 E Broadway Blvd #118, Tucson, AZ 85711
