Shish Kebab
Bethel Center,1450 Bethel Rd, Columbus, OH, 43220
Shish Kebab Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Columbus for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
Bethel Center,1450 Bethel Rd
Columbus, OH, 43220 - Phone (614) 273-4444
- Website https://www.shishkebabgrill.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch, Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Emily S.
My boyfriend and I went here for lunch one Sunday because we had a buy-one-get-one coupon from the Entertainment book. I ordered the chicken kabob and he got the chicken adana kabob. While mine wasn't anything to write home about, his adana kabob was delicious and I would go back there just for it! I was disappointed that they seemed to serve plain white rice, not even basmati, with their meals -- and I have to say, their food is way overpriced. If we didn't have a coupon, we would never have dared go there, just from looking at their menu prices. After eating there, I would definitely caution friends that you get less than you pay for, and if it's kabobs you're after, Cafe Istanbul has a much cheaper meal from their lunch menu, or try one of the great Somali restaurants (Hoyo's Kitchen, for example) for simple meat and rice dishes. My boyfriend and I did decide that we would maybe come back to try the mixed grill plate and split it, since it seems like a good value for the money. I've read other reviews of this restaurant that had complaints about the service. Our waiter was friendly, but appeared to be rather "out of it." I'm not sure if it's because he wasn't interested in us being customers or if something else was on his mind, but it was a little peculiar. The food and decor was great, though, so we shrugged it off. The restaurant is simply elegant and marvelous. Definitely unexpected for being in a strip mall! And to make a great meal experience even better, a friend of ours happened to come in to the restaurant as we were getting ready to leave, also there to try it for the first time. We made sure to recommend the chicken adana kabob!
(3)Chengzhi J.
Very nice place!!! Classy environment and decilisous food!!!! the portion is more than enough! And the price is very reasonable!!!
(5)John V.
We had lunch there today. I love Turkish food and this place is good. Our group all had different things and they were all excellent. It is all clearly house made from scratch. You can't go wrong here.
(5)Vicky T.
I usually rate strictly to food quality, quantity and pricing but.... their service SUCK. My group was the only occupant of the restaurant, and the waitresses were not busy whatsoever. My friends know I love mediterranean food, so they threw me a surprise pre-birthday celebration before I left for California. I usually take 20/30min longer than my friends to pick an order, but even I waited an hour longer with the rest of my friends until the we finally called the ladies to come take our order. We looked at each other and back at these ladies fiddling idly with one thing to another about the restaurant, giggling and conversing about who-knows-what and behaving worse than irresponsible hostesses. No offer to bring us drinks either. When our foods finally came, I was hangry (angry-hungry).. They served bread and a spice/oil dip, which were tasty, but my poor friend... she ordered hummus and was not given pita as a part of her order (she had to pay extra for pita). Far later into my course they realized they had forgotten to bring out my soup, which I no longer had room for so I asked for to-go containers. So lame because I left it there in the end, but I did have a sip of it, which, are lentil soups meant to fume a smoky sensation? I had lentil soups that did not smell burnt, but perhaps previous experiences were of other mediterranean cultural styles..? Besides the ridiculous poor service, Food and portions were excellent. Quality + Quantity + Pricing = deserved A+.
(3)Rarin J.
I went to this place for a dinner date two years ago and had a wonderful night. I came here again to try out the lunch buffet. Food variety- less variety than any Chinese buffet. Salad, Hummus, about three entree dishes, and dessert. For me, i think it is plenty enough. Food quality - Much higher quality than Chinese buffet. I loved everything. Healthy food!!! Delicious hummus!!! Food was seasoned to perfection. Almond custard/pudding was a killer :P so goood the value - 8.99 for lunch buffet ( if i remember correctly) it was a bit more expensive than some indian buffet and chinese buffet; however, i think it was a reasonable price.
(5)Teri D.
Wanted to try something new and wandered into here. Happy wandering! I wanted to try a little of this a little of that so we did all appetizers. Be careful when doing this because: A. those little plates add up in cost B. Those little plates ain't so little! The liver cubes and the falafel were some kind of tasty (and filling). The zucchini pancakes were very tasty (and filing) and that large Greek salad was huge. The salad was the only thing that I wasn't too thrilled about as the dressing seemed to be just lemon juice and oil. Too too tart! Went there for lunch and they only had one server. He was a bit slow but we weren't in any kind of rush. The hummus was very good but you needn't order a side of it as some of the other appetizer plates came with a big dollop of it on there. They also give $5 off if you check in on Yelp. Works for me! Going to go back and try the kebabs next.
(4)Mickey D.
The service here is horrible. The person I dined with thought this and as a former server myself, there are certain things I rarely mention but cannot excuse. Tips for future service: 1) Greet people within ten minutes of them sitting at a table- preferably within five. Anything over five minutes is generally considered less than acceptable and more than ten is completely in its own category. Even if it is not your table, make eye contact and say something along the lines of "your server will be with you in just a moment." Three staff members (including another server) walked right past us without doing this. When the server arrived to the table, her first words were "Sorry- no one told me you were here." Not a good image for the restaurant, folks. 2) If you see that someone has less than half a glass of water, bring them a refill. Do not walk past tables with empty water glasses with a water pitcher and only bring the table next to them refills. Again, even if this is not your table, the restaurant looks bad when this happens. Particularly when you are not busy. 3) If you ask if people want extra bread and they say yes, bring it. Do not forget them. 4) If you see that someone's tea cup is empty, ask if they want more. 5) Check on your tables more often. Even if it is only a two-top, a former server could be sitting at it who would be more than happy to tip you over 30% if you provide decent service. The service we received however was poor at best. 6) Bring the check and return it within a reasonable amount of time. Especially again, when it is clear that you are not busy. This pretty much sums things up. The food was great as always. The service? Among the worst I have ever received.
(2)Xan S.
Delicious every time! The bread and sun dried tomato oil is almost a meal in itself, but the kebabs are wonderful. I had the ribeye kebab the last time I was there and I think it is my favorite steak in the city! Fun cocktails and great appetizers too. Outside seating, but I prefer indoors.
(5)Zeina E.
One of my favorite restaurants. The dishes are so flavorful and delicious. The place has a great atmosphere and is very clean. The owner is super sweet. He sent over desert on the house on our first visit and it tasted amazing. I highly recommend the rib eye steak kebab plate with grilled veggies and rice. And for an appetizer, Azme is really good.
(5)Roxie S.
I went for the lunch buffet at 1 pm. The food was good but they ran out of one of the entrees. They said we ran out, no more. Their website said the buffet was $8.99 but I was charged $9.99. If they are going to run out of stuff they should give you a discount, " I'm sorry "just doesn't cut it. Next time I better get there by noon.
(4)Cindy M.
This is one of our favorite restaurant. We have been going there for the last 18 months. The food is spectacular and the service is wonderful. I highly recommend the kebabs, Turkish pizza, and the delicious desserts!!! We are very health conscious and I find their food to be very healthy and within our diet restriction. Please don't let negative review deter you, try it and judge for yourself. Lastly, be sure to get their ice tea!!! They make it with Turkish tea and it is absolutely divine! I love it more than Starbucks' black ice tea!! That is how good it is :)
(5)Carolyn E.
I love the ambiance here - dark wood panels, warm lighting, polite staff - it's very elegant and comfortable. It doesn't seem that big at first glance, but there is a separate room set aside by some curtains, as well as a few seats out front in a sort of patio. The only thing to look at really is Bethel road and the parking lot, but it is done up pretty nicely. As the name implies, the focus here is on Kebabs in various forms, though Turkish stews, falafel, and other favorites are present as well. They also serve apple tea and Turkish tea and coffee, the later of which has a very good flavor. They also ask how sweet you want it, which is nice. It is always disappointing when it is served too sweet. For this visit, I went with a favorite meal, the kafta kebab. It was served as four pieces of minced-spiced lamb patties with flavorful rice, a scoop of a sort of green-bean and onion mix, and a grilled tomato and pepper. Overall, it was quite good, though if I had one criticism it'd be that the kafta was a bit salty. Mixed with a little rice or the tomato, though, and it evened out a bit. The meal was also served with Turkish bread, which is often a high point of a meal at a Turkish place. It is very good bread, but a bit dry. It might go well with some of the saucier meals, though. Prices are on par with other Turkish places, which is to say about $15 a plate on average. They do offer a weekday lunch special, though, so if you live/work in the area, that might be worth keeping in mind. Service was good. Very polite and good at keeping my water topped off. They seem to follow the mode where you ask for the cheque, so keep that in mind if you are in a hurry. Anyway, not bad overall. It's a place I will keep in mind when I am in the area.
(4)Kate H.
This place needs to get its s&^% together. Really. Like many reviews, I agree. The food was very good, but the service was a mess. From what our waiter told us, two staff members called off so he was literally by himself waiting on the entire restaurant. I would be inclined to believe him, except this seems to be a problem reported on more than one occasion by my fellow Yelpers. Went for lunch. Took 1.5 hours. Ain't nobody got time for that. It is too bad too, the food makes me want to give it ago... I just don't have time to drop that much time on another lunch. Think this one is crossed off the list. Too many other similar places with better service near by.
(2)Ryan K.
I've now been to Shish Kebab a few times and I have to say that the place is simply fantastic. My favored dish thus is the Spicy Lamb Saute. The flavor is robust, the lamb cooked just right, and has a wonderful array of vegetable ingredients. They also happen to have a full bar as well. Generally that helps endear me to a restaurant. On the cocktail menu are a couple of interesting variations on the traditional mojito including an orange and pomegranate twist. The bar also does a decent job with an old fashioned which is actually one of their menu items (this too is endearing). Lastly the service had been impeccable on every visit. They are helpful, give tips on menu items, and are quite polite.I most assuredly plan on making regular trips to Shish Kebab for the foreseeable future.
(4)Heather T.
This place is beautiful inside. I've never had anything I didn't like and I've always had good service. The Sultan's Favorite is awesome, the stuffed eggplant wonderful, and their chicken kebab is very juicy. The only reason I gave it 4 stars is because of their lunch buffet. When it first opened, it was SO good. They had the chicken kebab, fantastic hummus, some kind of fish stew, lentil soup, fresh salad, and vegetable lamb stew. After a couple of months, they started replacing the kebab with chicken wings. If I wanted wings, I'd go across the parking lot to BW3s. Sure, wings are a lot more cost-effective for them, but I'd much rather pay a dollar more for the buffet if they included the chicken kebab again. However, you should still go, even for the lunch buffet. Their almond pudding is divine!
(4)Hari B.
Good food with very friendly staff. I ordered a dish with stuffed eggplant and ground lamb. It was slightly more oily than I expected. Falafel and hummous was great. The restaurant has a very plus ambience.
(3)Sri M.
Its the first time, my husband and I visited this place. Read some good reviews about this restaurant while i was searching for a good meditteranean restaurant nearby, so we decided to try this on sunday for lunch. The ambience is quite good. Food was also good but the shish kebab i tried, mutton was very hard, don't know if its the reason because i asked them to have the mutton cooked well. My husband liked his chicken. we really loved the barclava. It was so delicious. We were out of the world while tasting our barclava. we have tried so may barclavas but this is exceptional. Its soooooo yummyyyy!!!! I am taking one star off for the hard mutton i had!!!
(4)Michael G.
Good food. Popular place (packed). The only weird thing was a $2 check-in coupon that was offered, but when "earned" it shown as already expired as of 10 days ago.
(4)Joe E.
This family owned business continues to be one of my favorite gems to visit. I enjoy taking company from out of town here. The service has always been prompt and inviting. Always feel that they value my patronage. The food has been wonderful every time. I've branched out and tried more items from the menu. The other evening we sampled some different appetizers. We could have made that our dinners! Sigara Borek (Turkish Cigars) ... wow ... flaky phyllo pastries served warm and stuffed with feta. The calamari was perfect. I am usually very skeptical about trying calamari because many overcook it and turns out very chewy. These were perfect! My favorite dinner choice has become the Iskender Kabob with yogurt. I'm hooked.
(5)Pawan M.
We had lunch there on a Friday. Probably the best baba ganoush (creamy, not painfully garlicky, fresh herbs) and chicken Adana (piping hot, flavorful, nice crust on the outside) that I've eaten. This three course lunch ended with phyllo dough ladyfingers. Try the Turkish white wine called cankaya (I think pronounced "chan-kaya"). Pairs perfectly with the baba and you can get it by the glass. Service was a little slow but we were the first ones there as they opened and were not in a big hurry.
(4)Robert H.
I recently found myself in need of some baba ghanoush and ended up venturing to this great find on Bethel for a late afternoon happy hour on a Sunday. Let it be known, that the map puts this place about a half mile West of its actual location in the Bethel Center, just West of Godown. Once located, a lovely time was had. The setting was classier than I had expected. Tablecloths, etc. It is not a counter service kebab joint. They have a nice, fairly large, West-facing patio in front, and that is where we staked our claim. Being an odd time, ours was the only occupied table, but there were several other customers by the time we left. The waitress was patient and helpful and we settled on some wine and their appetizer sampler. The sampler was fresh and fantastic and included a bunch of different items like: hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, ezme, tabuli, pinto beans, haydari, and eggplant. It was served with soft, warm bread that appeared to be made in house. It made my day when they refilled the bread basket. It was good stuff. I would like to come back for more of their tasty apps and to try an entree.
(4)Naveen N.
It has an upscale ambiance, though the price tries to match it. Falafel was delicious with the tahini. Not surprising to a Mediterranean restaurant, they have a handful to vegetarian options with huge portions. Liked the vegetable stew. All vegetables and meat were well cooked(over cooked, may be). My friend tried a Turkish special - eggplant stuffed with ground lamb and was not so happy about it. Yes, they usually seem to have specials other than menu items. Check it out!! The staff was friendly and the service was quick. They are open to custom orders. So if you like to try a new combo, you got it. Of course you will have to mix and match from their menu items. Good food overall!!
(4)Kathy G.
The food was fine, but service was a problem. I asked that a sauce be left out off my entree. The waitress said she would check, and I made it clear that if it was a problem, I would order something else. My dinner came with the sauce included, and the waitress was clearly annoyed when I said I couldn't eat it. She again said she would ask the chef, but didn't know if he could do it. Eventually she did bring what I had ordered. I understand that mistakes happen, but would expect an apology and a willingness, rather than reluctance, to make it right. The restaurant was quiet and nearly empty at 7:00 on a Saturday night.
(2)Sudharshan M.
It was the first restaurant I went in columbus apart from regulars such as subway and taco bell. We were looking for a sushi place on a labor day and ended up in this hotel as it was the one we found open that day. Right from the initial bread and tomato sauce till the veggie platter entree, food was amazing. the falafel starter is a must. I'd love to give a 5 star for this place but being a veggie very few options and pricey too.
(4)Marie G.
I love this Turkish restaurant! From their bread to their kebabs - everything is simply delicious! The restaurant itself is super clean and service is always great! The food is consistently good. I can't say that about a lot of places in Columbus.
(5)Naveena N.
I am the laziest person in the world , and if i have to write a review for a place it MUST be worth it, this is my first yelp review ever and I am so glad it is for Shish Kebab. We were so pleasantly surprised by the ambiance on Friday night, they have really outdone themselves with the wood covered walls. DO NOT let the location of this place fool you, it is most definitely a hidden gem. We started off with the Turkish Cigars that were as crispy and crunchy as you can get them, dont look for an extremely large helping though, it is an appetizer after all. Before that we were served warm bread with some nice garlicy oil with tomato bits yum yum yum yum yum!! My husband filled up on bread and later regretted it :P. I ordered the Shish kebab on yogurt and he ordered the vegetable iskander, to go by portion sizes for a decent human being, one dish will serve two people. But trust me, you might not want to share it. THIS WAS THE BEST MEDITERRANEAN DISH I HAVE HAD, EVER, and I lived in the gulf for a few years. The lamb was so succulent and delicately flavored, I wanted to personally kiss the hands of the person who made it, where were you all my life Shish Kebab? it was on top of a thick yogurt/tomato sauce followed by the bed of garlic bread, it was heaven.The vegetable iskender was the same but with veggies, and my husbad ate till he burst.The place has a very authentic vibe and the food reinforces it. This is as good as it gets. The service was fast, and we were in an out within an hour and a half tops. I love you Shish Kebab, this is definitely one of my regular haunts now on.
(4)Joe L.
Been here twice for the lunch buffet, it's good, they changed up some of the selections on the 2 visits. All the dishes were very good, 1 or 2 more selections would help a lot. This is a nice change of pace, not enough middle-eastern places around. I would think ordering off the menu may be a great option.
(3)Sayak R.
We arrived at 9.30PM on sunday, and it closes at 10. We were the only customers, but still the hospitality was wonderful. The twin sisters came to take the orders, and although it was late and the place was closing, we got what we wanted. I ordered the shepherd casserole and it was excellent. It's a moderately spicy lamb curry, served on the pan it was cooked, and comes with a bowl of rice. We also tried adana kebab, and it was flavorful as well, but I would prefer the meat a little softer. The interior is nice and they play soothing mediterranean music. You should go to this place if you are looking for a different cuisine along with a nice ambience.
(4)Daniel S.
Always a good meal. We are vegetarian so cannot speak for the whole menu. Staff is great.
(5)Sheila B.
I just ate there last night and it was just delicious as alway's. This restaurant is one of my few favorite's in the Columbus area. Since I am from the the suburb's of Detroit, Michigan, I am use to excellent restaurant's of all culture's and this place is among the best.
(5)M B.
Delicious appetizers and entrees!
(4)Murat B.
This is definitely one of the best Mediterranean restaurant I've ever been to. As a frequent traveler, I've been to many similar restaurants across the country, but none of them have been able to combine the delicious food with the elegant ambiance and first class service. It truly is a hidden Gem. As soon as I entered, i was whisked away and seated at a very CLEAN booth. No grease on the menus or table tops. The waiter was attentive, and within seconds I had a glass of water on the table. I asked for a recommendation, and was told to try the Shepherd's Casserole. Normally I do not like to wander from my comfort zone of the traditional Iskender or Adana Kebab, but boy was this the most mouth-watering dish I've ever had. It was a pleasant surprise and definitely my new favorite. I highly recommend Shish Kebab and will always make sure to stop in next time i'm in town.
(5)QQ J.
My husband and I love to go to Shish Kebab, esp. when we were dating and inviting people. We love the fried calamari so much, and cannot help to order it every time we go.
(4)Michelle S.
Eh. Food was okay. I ordered the iskender and it just tasted like chicken with marinara sauce. I tasted other dishes (can't remember names) they were okay. The food is just okay. What I did like was the bread. Toasted but soft on the inside. Hummus was pretty good as well as the bread dip.
(2)Joy W.
The daily specialty varies. I tried one, and it was pretty good.
(4)Jim O.
This place confused me. After reading the great reviews, I stopped in for lunch at around 11:45 AM. I was promptly shown to a table, and a lady brought me a menu, water and some bread. When she came back I told her I had some questions about the menu, and she jestured that she spoke no English and walked over to the kitchen area and communicated with a man in the kitchen. I then sat there for 20 minutes with no one coming over to me. At that point I just walked out. This was on April 26th.
(1)Matthew L.
My wife and I have been going to Cafe Shis Kebab's for years, and have gone for each of the past New Year's parties as well. Everything from the food to the service to the menu are simply amazing; this past week, we went again and were rewarded with an updated menu, even better bread and a new dish called the Lamb Tandoori which is as close to perfection as it gets. We live in Gahanna, and the meal was so good we decided to make a special trip back today even though it's been less than a week. Not just a specialty restaurant, this place has food for everyone. If you haven't treated yourself yet, get out there and find out for yourself!
(5)Dawn W.
I love love love Cafe Shish Kebab. Upon entering, you are pleasantly surprised by how beautifully decorated the dining room is. White table cloths, pleasant lighting, friendly staff that welcomes you like an old friend. I think this might be where some of the disconnect comes on the prices. Typically, we expect ethnic places to be, well, let's just say less than beautifully appointed, therefore we expect lower prices. I think it should be noted that Cafe Shish Kebab is a full service restaurant, not the typical strip-mall restaurant with harsh lighting and wobbly tables. For me, I don't mind spending a few extra dollars to enjoy a wonderful meal in a fabulous setting. I have had the opportunity to travel to Istanbul so I have first hand experience of how wonderfully fresh and delicous Turkish food is. Cafe Shish Kebab does not disappoint. They have an extensive list of mezze (what they call appetizers in Turkey) both hot and cold. My least favorite of all is the pinto bean mixture but my favorites are the cacik (yogurt and cucumber - similar to Greek tzatziki), stuffed grape leaves and tabouli. The entree list is just as extensive, but I can't seem to stray from any form of kebab. Perhaps when the weather gets cooler, I'll be tempted to venture into some of the full entrees like stuffed eggplant, moussaka or some of the delicious sounding stews but for now, kebabs are my go to. If you love kebab or are new to Turkish food, do yourself a favor and go either one of the kebab samplers. There are 2 on the menu, one option is a pick 2, the other option is pre-determined 4 kebab sampler. My personal favorties from the Cafe Shish Kebab menu are the Shish Kebab (marinated cubes of lamb), Kofte (ground beef and lamb), Donor (essentially gyro meat - beef and lamb cooked on a rotisserie), Adana (ground lamb). My next trip I plan to try the Spicy Beyti. I have never tried any of the chicken kebabs so can not comment. I can and do cook chicken about 4 times a week so I rarely order chicken when dining out. All kebab dinners come with a deliciously fluffy, slightly seasoned, white rice and few grilled vegetables (peppers, tomatoes) and of course, all meals are served with delicious complimentary pide bread (oh how I wish they would make the Turkish pizzas, also called pide, from this mouthwaterning bread) and served with a wonderfuly flavored oil based dipping sauce. If you like a little extra kick, be sure to ask for a side of their not-over-the-top hot sauce to drizzle over the bread, kebabs or any where else you'd like to slather it. As I'm not a dessert fan - I have nothing to add to this but I do enjoy ending the meal with a Turkish coffee. Service is attentive but at times a bit "slow" by American standards, but for lunch you can still get in and out in under an hour. A full service bar is a nice touch, as is Turkish imported raki (called Lion's Milk because of the milky color it turns when served over ice which is traditional in Turkey), similar in taste to ouzo or sambuca it is meant to be sipped throughout the meal. You can also order Turkish beer (Effe if recall?) if you aren't a fan of the anise flavored raki. Two thumbs up for this fabulous little gem!
(4)Danielle F.
I am not very familiar with Turkish food, so I have no idea if this is what Turkish food is supposed to taste like. But I can tell you, the food is incredible. First of all, if you have a chance, go for lunch during the week. They have an incredible lunch special. You get your choice of appetizer, entree, and the house dessert of the day for about $10. I calculated it out, and if had ordered what I had for lunch yesterday straight off the menu, it would have cost about $24. My check was $10.62. This restaurant is in a strip mall. It's called "Cafe Shish Kebab." I walked in expecting a cheap little kebab place. I was pretty surprised to see the really beautiful, elegant, high class atmosphere. It's truly beautiful inside. I think I've been to Cafe Shish Kebab four or five times, and I've always left happy. First of all, as pretty much every other reviewer has mentioned, they serve killer bread with an incredible dipping sauce. I usually take it home with me, my grandfather was a huge fan of the bread leftovers!! I have tried their Chicken Lemon and their Lentil soup. Both are excellent. The kebabs, stews, and the Sultans Favorite dish are all great. The desserts are wonderful. Yesterday, the house dessert special was almond pudding. I loved it. The service is always great. They are very nice. Thinking back, I think I've tipped on average 30-35% there because of how exceptionally pleased I've always been. Their turkish tea is also delicious, comes with free refills, and is served in beautiful tea glasses. I highly recommend this restaurant. However familiar you are or, like me, aren't, with turkish cuisine, you will find something you are comfortable with (be it as simple as kebab or a salad). And it will be delicious.
(4)Judy C.
Bread is amazing! Warm, fresh, toasty, and tastes delicious with the sun-dried tomato dipping sauce. Don't be shy about asking for more - they'll continuously oblige. Coming here is worth it just for the bread. I usually get the kebab combo with the chicken adana & regular (lamb) kebab. Comes with rice pilaf and a side of veggies. Chicken adana is my favorite - tender, spicy, and flavorful. The restaurant itself is very nice and classy inside which makes for a pleasant dining atmosphere. Service is attentive too.
(4)Courtney A.
Decent Mediterranean place that I would definitely support if I lived here - Turkish pride! We got the Adana Kebab, some cigora borek and bayti - the last was absolutely the best. Good spiciness to the lamb and nice flavors. Owners were very kind and I even got some free tea as we waited. Some of the entrees seem a little pricey, but I'll be back!
(3)Nicole B.
I was lucky to travel to Istanbul a few years ago. The food there is amazing, so when I came back to Columbus, I searched for a Turkish restaurant that could match that experience. Shish Kebab is damn near perfect in that quest. The lamb and chicken shish kebabs are fantastic! Definitely my favorite thing on the menu. My body is screaming for it as I type this. The service is excellent, the atmosphere is OK. It's a large room that doesn't offer much intimacy, but once you start eating the food, you forget everything around you.
(4)Susan V.
Thought it was pretty good. Bread A plus. Lentil soup C- Shepherd's Casserole C Steak kebab B. Would go back for lunch when prices are lower.
(3)rafe h.
Great deal great food
(5)Evan H.
One of the best parts of living in Columbus was discovering Turkish food. The food at Shish Kebab is incredible! My favorite dish is the shepherd's pie. It is not at all like the shepherd's pie that you would typically think of; this is tender, spiced lamb sauteed with onions and peppers in olive oil and is served with rice pilaf. My wife's favorite is the mixed greens salad, which is perfectly dressed with lemon and olive oil, with grilled tilapia and a side of baba ghanoush. She says the baba ghanoush is the best she has ever had; it is garlicy and silky smooth. The hummus is also excellent. Each meal is served with Turkish bread and a sun-dried tomato and olive oil spread. The bread is pillowy and delicious. I always have to stop myself from eating an entire meal's worth of bread alone. They always had an excellent weekday lunch special where you could get an appetizer, entree, and dessert of the day for like $9. It was an amazing deal for what you got.
(5)Matthew Z.
Slightly on the expensive side if you're grabbing a quick bite. However, the food is delicious, and it's unique enough that it's worth the visit. I was there during lunchtime on a Saturday, and it wasn't too crowded. (I believe there was a Buckeye game that day, which probably had something to do with it.) The service was fast, and the pita bread was scrumptious. I ordered some lamb with rice, which had a rich flavor and good texture. The entree portion and taste is on par with the other Mediterranean/Turkish restaurants in the area. Overall: It's a nice place. Give it a try sometime.
(3)Tabitha T.
NOM NOM! This place is pretty classy looking. Nice wrought iron gates and a big patio. The inside seemed pretty, but being a Friday night it was really crowded. We sat on the patio to take advantage of the relative quiet and fading-summer warmth. The first thing they brought out was a delightful sundried tomato dip, which we demolished using great slabs of delicious fresh bread. They nicely brought out more dip without being asked. I could have just eaten bread and dip for dinner, it was so good. But then I had my lamb shish kebab and it was pretty much the best thing ever. Super tender and flavorful and the rice was buttery deliciousness. The veggies that came with it were not too exciting in comparison - some green beans, bell pepper, and celery. The waiter was friendly and attentive. They have a pretty big food menu and a nice, equally big cocktail menu. The food was reasonably priced, in the $13-16 range for entrees - not a cheap place to eat, sure, but not overly fancy-expensive either. I'd definitely go back. It's a little gem in a strip mall. (Then again... strip malls typically are the places you find hidden gems. Note to self: visit Bethel Road more often!)
(5)Sam K.
Bread!! I love their bread!!! It really is a gem of a place (in Columbus's quintessential strip mall of course). Dark wood panels, wonderful service, and reasonable prices. I was kinda bummed out that the grape leaves weren't ready for dinner yet (we got there at 6:30pm), but my other choice reminiscent of a turkish mozarrella appetizer was awesome. I forgot the name it, but it's easy to spot on the menu.
(4)Morgan D.
Shish Kebab is kind of the new buzz word with people I know. I got a chance to check it out for myself on Sunday when I attended a birthday dinner. I'm the kind of person who must find an online version of the menu before going in; I like to know what I'm getting into. I was excited to see all the vegetarian appetizers, hot and cold. They also have three veggie dishes, but they were pretty much all cooked vegetables, and for fear of mush stew, I strayed. I couldn't decide which appetizers to gorge on, so I made a meal out of the sampler platter (hummus, Patlican Salatasi, Yaprak Dolmasi, Ezme, Kisir, Pilaki, Haydari, and Soslu Patlican). I'm familiar with...hummus. It took me a while to figure out the rest of what I was getting (Babaganoush; stuffed grape leaves; a tomato, onion, and pepper mix; tabouleh; pinto beans; Turkish yogurt; and chopped eggplant). In addition, I ordered a side of cacik. I love cacik and was excited to go to Shish Kebab for that very reason. The sampler plate was enormous, embarrassingly so. And it came with no carbs - no pita bread, no rices, nothing - just spoons and maybe 4-5 slices of tomato. On the sampler plate was cacik; please note that cacik is not listed under the sampler section of the menu. Alongside my giant sampler plate was a cereal bowl filled with more cacik. Oh my. I do have a way with ordering, don't I? I looked enviously at the swordfish skewers next to me. Needless to say I boxed a large portion of this meal, a very large portion. The babaganoush was the best I've had. The hummus was alright, not much to talk about. The stuffed grape leaves were decent, but I've had better. The eggplant was doable. The tabouleh wasn't very good. I passed on the pinto beans. The tomato/onion/pepper mix was nasty, nasty, nasty. Thank goodness I liked the cacik. I'll probably be eating it for the rest of the week. I also snuck a bite of swordfish, which was delicious. While the food (my food) was subpar, the service was the greatest! I loved our thick-accented waiter. We were a large party, so he broke the checks up by heads of household. All night, when someone would order something, he would respond with the check holder's name: 'You are Ted? No, no, you are Paul? Jim? Ah, yes, Jim.' The waiter made personal recommendations including what was apparently some fantastic wine, and a very good light Turkish beer. Our waiter had a backup team of 3 women who helped with drinks and sides and made sure we were happy all night long. And when it came time for cake, the house lights went down, the best rendition of the birthday song I've heard came on, and the staff waltzed our with chocolate covered with chocolate. Mmmm. That's another thing. The music here was excellent. When we came in, they were playing the theme from The Godfather, which really set the mood. Then, I heard a Turkish version of Hotel California, then Tom Waits. Variety is the spice of life. At the end of our meal, the waiter presented us with gift cards. I'm not sure if we got them because we were such a large, easy going party or what, and I'm not sure how much is on them, but they definitely know how to keep customers coming back. Next time I'm there, I'm flexing for the swordfish.
(4)DARRELL W.
I've had dinner here twice and the grilled Shish Kebab is excellent! The best I've ever had. It's always been perfectly cooked; tender and juicy and the right amount of flaovr. We also love the calamari. This last trip, I had the Mixed Grill, which, for a meat lover like myself, was a dream come true! It was 4 types of meat with meat on a bed of meat. I gave it 4 stars because, although the prices are reasonable, they are slightly on the high side. It's the best Mediterranean I've ever had and will definitely go back there for dinner.
(4)Stephanie B.
What's not to love about a Kebab? My boyfriend and I spotted the name of this place driving down Bethel Rd. one try, and decided to try it out. And after reading everyone else's reviews, I think I need to give this place a second try. I liked it, it just wasn't the best. We drove up here one evening and they were closing in about 45 minutes or so. They welcomed us, though, and we received very kind service. We were about the only people in the place, and we kind of got the feeling that they were waiting on us to leave so they could be done for the night. Having worked in restaurants, I know what that feels like to just want to go home, but it was a little weird having them sort of loom over us. Anyway, it was a very cute and posh looking restaurant. Seeing where it's located in the strip mall kind of location, you wouldn't think that it was so elegant inside. But it was quite sophisticated. And parking would never be a problem - always a plus! They even have a quaint outdoor patio, although sitting there would only really give you a view of the parking lot and the rest of the strip mall. Since it was so late, I felt quite rushed to order, and just picked the Chicken Kabab, because it was one of the few dishes I saw on the menu that didn't include lamb, which I don't eat. But I didn't really get a good look at the menu. It seemed to offer quite a bit, but I wasn't sure what everything was as it was entirely new to me. Our food was brought out quickly, and it had a very nice presentation. Now, I don't know much about Turkish food, so I can't really say how it was supposed to be. But it was tasty, just kind of dry. I literally just had huge chunks of chicken on my plate, surrounded by huge chunks of vegetables. All good, just not really what I expected, and I wished there was some kind of sauce to drizzle over it or dip it in. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, or maybe I should have ordered an additional side or sauce, but I didn't really know anything about the cuisine and as I said, we felt rushed. The wait staff wasn't exactly helpful, but they were very polite. I had to get a to go box because there was so much food left over, and we kind of ended up eating in a rush because we didn't want to make them stay open for us, because by this point, we were the last people in the restaurant. Even though they weren't closed yet, I think they might be used to people clearing out early so they can get a head start on closing up shop. I didn't pay, but the prices seemed reasonable for a nice dining experience, about $15 per person. When we left they closed for the night and locked the door behind us. It all seemed to happen very fast. I liked the place, but I've been to places that are still quite accommodating even when it's close to closing time. But here, I just felt like they couldn't wait for us to leave the whole time. It was somewhat uncomfortable. Nevertheless, we really should have come at an earlier time, and I think I need to do a better job of reading over the menu. Those things were definitely my fault. This place deserves a second chance. I'll definitely try it again.
(3)Dave M.
I've eaten at Shish Kebab Mediterranean Grill and the former Cafe Shish Kebab on several occasions. The food is absolutely wonderful, well seasoned but not over-powered by garlic. Any of the kebab dishes are awesome. I often get the mixed kebab grill and take half of it home with me. Their yogurt sauce is excellent. We usually end up ordering the appetizer sampler as it's too difficult to limit yourself to just one item.
(5)L. M.
I've eaten in the restaurant where the dish with the smoked eggplant puree was very tasty. But carryout is a different story. The food seemed to be prepared at different times, so some was cold while other dishes hot. Aftertaste (freezer burn?) to many of the dishes. And when I got home without one of the items we'd paid for, I was told curtly that we could drive back to pick it up. Really? So then everything we'd ordered would be cold?
(2)Chip B.
This is a hidden gem in Columbus. In an unassuming strip mall next to a BW3 and cheap Chinese place, you would hardly expect to find a place with as nice a decor, really nice wine list, and fantastic food. The menu is a rather typical middle eastern affair consisting of kebabs, hummus, tabbouleh, baba ganoush etc. The food in general is always excellent. It is one of these places that does few things, but does them exceedingly well. Mix that with great service (I have never encountered poor service as others have mentioned) and you have a 5 star value win. My stand out favorite is the spicy beyti kebab. Other kebabs are excellent as well; simply prepared, well seasoned, and with quality meats. Their bread is home made and addictive. It is one of those things that makes you wonder what have we lost in our modern Wonder Bread world when old fashioned breads like this exist and are light years better. Served with a sun dried tomato, rosemary, and olive oil dip; I could make a meal just out of the bread and dip. Another favorite is their cold bean appetizer. This is simple peasant food in all honesty, but the hearty mix of beans and herbs and vegetables is a rich and "clean" feeling dish. This place serves what food should be: simple quality ingredients, a good mix of meat, vegetable, and carbs, basic preparations that are time tested and classic. If we as Americans ate like this every day (you know, unprocessed foods with fiber that were incredibly tasty) we would be better off as a country.
(5)John B.
This restaurant is one of my favorite lunch time getaways. The atmosphere is warm (with the all wood walls and bar) and lends itself to feeling cozy even with lots of people. They have a great lunch special that starts with warm bread and oil and your choice of a wide range of appetizers. There are about 8 entrees to choose from including gyro meat and vegetarian. A house dessert is then provided, usually a delicious almond pudding. The potions are large and all this for less than $10! Food quality is top notch and service is fast and friendly.
(5)Julie P.
Yet another gem on Bethel Rd. Seriously, if you need to eat in C-Bus, just get on the corner of Bethel and Reed, spin around, and point. Something is bound to be awesome. Shish Kebab has been on my radar for awhile now, and I'm so glad I finally got to try it out. It sounds totally cheesy, but this is a surprisingly classy place. It's definitely perfect for a date or a celebration dinner, but you won't feel out of place coming in jeans with no preconceived notions, as we did. The service was very attentive and professional; I get the impression they run a tight ship here. Of course, I can't forget to talk about the food, which was amazing. Husband and I took a risk and each tried some Turkish booze. I had a glass of Turkish red wine and he had a dark beer, Efes. Both were fantastic. Like others have said, you get beautiful bread (leavened) with your meal and a sun-dried tomato olive oil that is pitch-perfect. We ordered a side of Cacik, their homemade (read it: homemade) yogurt with cucumbers, dill, and mint. I have to say, I am really, really, very into yogurt, which is kind of weird, but yeah, I dig it. This yogurt is hands-down the most delicious thing I have ever had. Seriously creamy, not runny or watery, cools your mouth and cleans your palate without leaving a fatty mouth feel. This is yogurt of my dreams! I think I have a problem.... Also ordered lamb and okra stew and the doner special, which is sliced gyro-style lamb and beef with an eggplant puree, green peppers, and tomatoes. The lamb stew was very well made, with a nice balance of flavors and adorable little baby okra that was not at all sticky. The doner kebab was nice, but the real star was that eggplant. Imagine the creamy texture of hummus with the smoky flavor of baba ganoush and you have this little plate of awesome. We ended the meal with Turkish coffee and tea, which, while not the best of either that I've ever had, was definitely very nice and beautifully presented. I will surely be back here very soon!
(5)Paul F.
My first impression of Cafe Shish Kebab was WOW, this is a really nice place. The whole place was decorated in wood (don't know what kind) and that includes the bar area. It is very, very nice. Cafe Shish Kebab was a great meal, even if it was a little expensive for a weeknight. The first thing I noticed was the bread. Instead of pita bread which I was expecting this was more like a regular loaf. And it was great, quite possibly the best bread I've eaten in Columbus. Then I had the lamb chops which were accompanied by rice and vegatables. The veggies included a tomato wedge, a green pepper wedge and green beans, onions and carrots. The lamb was extremely tender, just great. I also had a glass of reisling. Aften dinner I had a bowl of rice puddling for dessert. This was a truly great meal. But at $39 including tax and tip, it was expensive. But hey, you only live once. lol
(5)Susan G.
Great food, service and atmosphere. The eggplant dip has a smoked flavor.
(4)Char C.
We discovered Shish Kebab by accident about a year ago, and it has become one of our favorite restaurants. The service is impeccable...as good as or actually better that you would find at CAM's pricey restaurants. Simple things like their beautiful logo on the dinnerware, and the way they always make you feel welcome, really impresses us. And then there is THE FOOD! OY! I don't think that there is anything that we have tried that has not been absolutely delicious. From the bread with the dipping sauce to the dessert...the flavors are wonderful and the meals are always well presented. The portions are generous. Last night we split the chicken adana kebab & mousakka, and had enough for lunch today. We love Shish Kebab!
(5)Kevin G.
The food is always fresh and looks amazing! They make fresh bread that taste great and the have spreads of eqaul goodness, babaganoush and hummus are my favorites. The portions are large, but try and save some room for almond pudding or kunefe.
(5)Z M.
There for a recent wedding rehearsal and was quite surprised at the swanky interior. Wood paneled walls and linen table clothes made for a nice space. I loved the bread and delicious roasted tomato dip. Excellent bread and shrimp shush kabobs. Missed dessert unfortunately. Really nice attentive staff as well. A nice surprise! we'll go back
(4)Berenice Y.
Everytime I go back to Columbus, dining at Shish Kebab is in my to-do list. I am definitely a fan and I don't recall having a bad dish in the 5 years I dined here. They serve an amazing complimentary "pita" bread with an even more amazing dip that consists of olive oil, rosemary and red pepper flakes. Must-tries are the lentil soup and stuffed cabagge roll. YUM!
(5)gabriel a.
Hello everybody! Shish Kebab is a taste tour of the; Miditerranean, Middle East and Eorope, also Turkey! The amazing quality of the elements of these meals will leave you speechless. This restaurant is rated the one of teh top restaurant! Thank you Turkish People!!! Gabriel Altindag.
(5)F Z.
I'm surprised no one has reviewed Cafe Shish Kabob! It's neatly tucked away in the Bethel Center Mall (next to Panda Inn) so it's pretty easy to miss. Don't let the exterior of the restaurant fool you; the dining area is actually quite large. Having been to Cafe Istanbul (over at Easton) many times prior to checking out Cafe Shish Kabob, I can't help but compare the two. The menus are quite similar that I had initially thought it was Cafe Istanbul's sister branch. They even have the same 3-course lunch special! Sadly, Cafe Shish Kabob's Adana Kabob, which is my all-time fave Turkish dish, did not live up to my expectations. It was still good but not as flavorful and juicy as Cafe Istanbul's. Portions and prices parallel that of Cafe Istanbul's. Read: come hungry, leave overly-stuffed. The ambience is homey; it definitely was not as charming as Cafe Istanbul's but it's fancy in its own ways. Seeing how Easton is a good 40-minute trip and, well, Bethel a mere 5-minute drive, I think I'll stick to Cafe Shish Kabob if ever I need to satisfy a Turkish food crave.
(4)E T.
I really enjoy this restaurant. It is well decorated and even when it's full it doesn't feel overly crowded. I've been here with family (including children) and with friends and it accommodates both well. The service is mostly really good and attentive, but every now and then I've had a waiter who will disappear for odd amounts of time. Once, when we flagged someone else down b/c our waiter was missing, we ended up with a complimentary dessert (we are usually too full for dessert, so I had never ordered one - it was really good). Obviously the food is the most important part. I could make a meal out of the ezme appetizer with their wonderful bread. I had a few bites of my sister's salad and that was good too. The main dishes I've tried have all included meat, and if I would change anything, I would make them a little more balanced with vegetables, but maybe there is a way to order around that. Obviously I could order a vegetarian dish, but I haven't been willing to skip the meat dishes yet. I doubt many people could leave without leftovers, considering the portion sizes.
(4)Non P.
Wood-paneled traditionalist, orientalist interior of exactly the sort you wouldn't find in Turkey (except tourist enclaves). Lovely Turkish pop music playing -- is that Bendeniz? Good food, nicely spiced. The borek (rolled feta cheese pastries) is a decent take: would be mediocre at a midrange no-name restaurant in Istanbul, but very good for a strip mall in Columbus. There's an entire menu of kebab dishes, with or without yogurt and bread. Plenty of seasoning, though a bit lacking on vegetables with the meat. At first the waitstaff don't want to hear from you. Your eyeing and waving are ignored. Then, immediately before tip time, a whirlwind of "can I get you more water" and "is everything ok" and "would you like some bread," overdone sudden attentiveness like something from a comedy sketch, up until the climax of you presenting the tip -- and then again languid. If you've been reading Orhan Pamuk all day, come here, and it'll be nothing like Istanbul, but still a lot of fun.
(4)Raffi K.
The decor was very nice and welcoming. The servers were friendly, although they were a bit slow at times. As for the food, the free Turkish bread served prior to the meal was excellent, and was served with a delicious tomato-based oil. Despite all this, my main meal turned out to be bit very appetizing. I ordered the chicken kebab, which came with rice and a few vegetables. While the side dishes were okay, the chicken was extremely dry. Overall, I think there are much better Mediterranean restaurants in the greater Columbus area that would serve a better meal at a lower price than this restaurant.
(2)Joan H.
We love this restaurant. Service is outstanding and the food is first-rate. we love the bread and olive oil that comes first, and usually eat too much of it. The stuffed cabbage is my husband's favorite and everything else we have tried has been delicious. Enjoy!
(5)Melanie B.
I went to CSK this evening with three of my friends. Two of my friends had to make a 8:10 movie, so we met at 7pm, which we thought would give us plenty of time to eat, and for them to get to the movie theatre down the street. Hmm. Not so. CSK had wicked slow service, at least tonight. And we were one of three parties in the restaurant the entire time! First, though, the food was very good. Two of us got vegetarian entrees, and the other two got meat. I had the grilled vegetables, which were excellent and copious - I took a huge bunch of them home with me. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals. It's just too bad that the service - although very very polite, sweet, etc, was so slow - even when (perhaps moreso when) we mentioned that we had to leave soon and wanted to get our checks. The waiter, who seemed like the manager or owner or suchlike, actually started setting placesettings, after we asked for our checks, instead of getting them. While he was running the credit cards, the phone rang and he decided to take what sounded like a personal call as we sat there waiting for our receipts to sign. It was slightly annoying, but he was such a genuine sweetheart that it was forgivable... I just wish he had been more attentive to us in that sense. But otherwise, the food was good and I'd definitely come back.
(3)Cat F.
I've visited twice, now, and I'd love to go back. I don't know much about Turkish food, so I can't vouch for the authenticity, but I do enjoy the flavors here. I've never had any trouble with the service - it's always been great. The portions seem huge! 2-3 people could split the appetizer sampler and not even need entrees . . . but don't skip the lamb kebab! Fantastic!
(5)Steve K.
I am from New York where only the BEST OF THE BEST Mediterranean places survive. I am also Mediterranean and I am VERY picky about my food. I come to Columbus over once a month and everytime I come my favorite place to eat is here. Meals are all TOP NOTCH, I suggest you honestly try everything. I get something different every time and it is always amazing. The workers and owner is always extremely kind and treated me with the best service. You can get a sandwich for under $10 or splurge and get something a little more expensive, this place caters to all!
(5)Tzachi Z.
We are new to Columbus and stopped by Cafe Shish Kebob randomly. It is located in a strip mall that is sort of a food court. It has many eateries. While its location does not seem promising we were positively surprised as we entered the restauant. One thing to note when assessing this review: I am from the middle east so i am sensitive to middle eastern food. Our first experience was very good. We had the sampler to check out various appetizers and it was very good. The pita breads are not really pocket pitas. They are more like ciabatta bread. They are made on the spot and are excellent. Our lamb stew was great and so was the rice. (As a side, i should add that the portions are quite big, easy enough to share between two relatively hungry, average-sized individuals). Overall, excellent. Second time, we ordered the stuffed eggplant. Again, a great hit. The ground lamb meat is wonderful with a very good assortment of spices. Again, the sampler was as good as the first time. Third time, we had a takeout. Similar dishes, and great hospitality. We can say we are regulars now, and after a third time, i think my experience is solid enough to make it worth a review.
(5)Liz C.
Decided to be spontaneous and try somewhere new and spotted Cafe Shish Kebab tucked away in a strip mall off Bethel. They have a nice little outdoor patio (even if the view is of the strip mall parking lot) as welll as a nice interior. We sat outside since the weather was nice. We went for lunch and were pleased to see they had great lunch specials. Appetizer and Entree plus the house dessert for only $9.95. For the started I tried the Red Lentil Soup which was delicious! My dining partner got the hummus which was some of the best I've ever had. I also appreciated the bread and the roasted red pepper and olive oil dipping sauce which was very tasty. For the entree my dining partner got the Turkish gyro kebab which was good and I opted for the felafel. I enjoyed mine and ended up having to take some home since I filled up on bread and soup. The dessert was a nice treat. Overall I was very please with my find of Cafe Shish Kebab and will probably be back again to try it for dinner.
(4)Kristy A.
My husband, 2-yr old son and I went here for dinner. I love Mediterranean food, but didn't love this place. The prices were okay, and the portions of meat were large, but the food was not so great. I got the chicken kebab and my husband, a chicken kabob that was supposed to be with pepper. My kebab seemed like it was only seasoned with spicy pepper, not actually flavorful spices, just spicy ones. Although our kebabs were supposed to be separate, my husbands tasted the same as mine, except mine was actually pieces of meat and his was more like a gyro or what I call Mediterranean meatloaf. The sides were blah rice and vegetables that were so mushy they couldn't even be picked up by my fork. We were the only ones in the restaurant (~4:30pm) and I definitely didn't feel like the food was prepared for us. It seemed like it was reheated from lunch. It was dry and mushy. We won't ever go back. They also don't know what to do with toddlers.
(2)angel l.
we tried Cafe Shish Kabab for the first time a few weeks agoa and we were pleased with the atmosphere when we first walked in (even though the lighting was a little bright and our candle was never lit). Service was extremely slow and we had to waive someone down just to order food. Food was pretty good, but Cafe Istanbul has always given me a much better experience. I won't be returning
(2)Donna O.
Shish Kebab is our favorite Turkish restaurant. It looks like your typical Bethel Road strip mall place, but Shish has created a lovely sidewalk patio, and inside it's beautiful, dark wood with a full host station and bar. The service is prompt but reserved (which is maybe the most unusual thing, given that the Turkish folks I know are all gregarious), but willing to make suggestions and answer questions. Complimentary bread service, with an herb and sun-dried tomato oil, is good enough to allow you to linger over the menu choices. So many choices for meat lovers, vegetarians, pescetarians. There is a selection of appetizers, with surprisingly good calamari. The appetizer portions are huge! We usually get the cacik (a garlic-yogurt dip) or spinach pie to start off. For entrees, the spouse prefers stews, with the shepherd's stew being his favorite. Their okra stew is awesome, and I am in lurve with their pureed eggplant - it's kind of like smoky, dense whipped potatoes. For those of us who have texture issues with eggplant, this is the stuff! Their lamb is wonderful paired with the eggplant and roasted vegetables - it is even better the next day. Yes, doggie bags are the order of the day here, there is so much food per order. Full bar is available, as well as desserts - which we have to find enough self control to avoid filling up on everything else. Maybe dessert first, next time.
(4)Gwen W.
Although this restaurant had a fantastic lunch menu specials - appetizer, main course and dessert - for $9.99, I couldn't get my eyes off the Shish Kabob entree. You know how it goes, and I caved in for that entree ($16 for the dinner shabigalo). Oh baby, succulent chunks of lamb!! So tender and juicy. What ever seasonings they use on that chunk of protein, I gotta get in on that action ;) The side of steamed veggies where perfectly done; not mushy, great consistency. Lightly buttered rice on the side topped the plate. It all meshed so well! I had to hit up this place this day simply because my Groupon was expiring by close-of-day. Since I loved, and I mean LOVED, the food, I bought another certificate, so I can come back :)))
(5)Tara F.
Came here with a large group of people (25-30 people) so I didn't order off of the menu and instead, we did a buffet style meal that was absolutely delicious. Pros: Warm, toasty bread with a sun dried tomato dipping oil; the chicken kabob was amazing, served with buttery rice; ordered the appetizer sampler, that came with yogurt, baba ghanoosh, tabouli, hummus, dolmeh, etc. Cons: Service was slow, but that could also be due to the size of our party. 4.5/5 stars, I look forward to trying this place again
(4)Toni C.
Food was really good we had the hummus which was the best hummus we ever had. The bread and dip oil was amazing. The zucchini pancakes were great. My chicken kebab was good. Service was not great. It looked liked they had a party in the back so they might of been overwhelmed. Our server I think was the hostess because the normal server basically had all the other tables. They brought us calamari to apologize for waiting so long for our food. I would go back to try it again.
(4)Leah S.
Delicious food and great courtyard, slow service which can be enjoyed with a bottle of wine and great weather. The service is the only reason for not offering 5 stars. We didn't need to rush and don't mind, in fact appreciate a longer service, but don't make us wait for seating or water refills. A group of 4, we Ordered the appetizer sampler which is a don't miss, kebab sampler, chopped salad and the fish special - Bronzino - the fish is served whole and was perfectly cooked but not seasoned.- lemon helped. The pita, turkish bread, dipping oil and Meze platter were the highlights. We will be back!
(4)Anna H.
This was a first visit and the bottom line is the food was very good, but the service not so much. I would like to go again and hopefully be able to add stars. My husband and I made reservations for Sat night for 4; we were meeting another couple for dinner. We were seated right away and we were brought water and menus. We were not given a drink menu and were not offered drinks. Our friends were late so perhaps the server was waiting to approach until they arrived, but we would have liked to at least have drinks while we waited. Once they arrived, we were brought bread and dipping oil (all really good). Our server was nice, but we believed he was overwhelmed that night, and there was perhaps a language barrier. I ordered a mixed drink and he advised they could not make it, so I instead ordered a glass of wine. He brought the liquor, straight, as well as the wine, so I politely corrected him. My husband ordered a salad in addition to his entree and it never arrived, but later had to be removed from the bill. Everyone enjoyed their food except my husband said his Spicy Beef Saute was not spicy at all. I had the Shrimp Casserole and it came out bubbly hot. It is served in an individual casserole dish that evidently was in the oven, so it took awhile to cool enough for me to eat. I would get this again because it was really good. The restaurant itself is nice, classy, and comfortable. They have good vegetarian and seafood options. I would definitely give them another try.
(3)Tash L.
I am not sure where Shish Kebab has been all my life but I am so glad I stumbled into this restaurant last night. I was getting my car serviced close by and needed to find somewhere to kill an hour/eat dinner. Walked into this restaurant, took a look at menu, and said why not? From the moment we sat down, everything was perfect. The atmosphere, the service, and most importantly, the FOOD!!! We ordered the Turkish cigars and the chicken adana. So flavorful! The complimentary bread and olive oil/red pepper concoction were also great. We completed our meal with almond pudding for dessert - think almond flavored creme brûlée without the caramelized top. Honestly, Shish Kebab was a huge, pleasant surprise. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Rami M.
Shish Kebab offers some excellent Turkish cuisine! I went with a large group and we all enjoyed our meals, though we felt the service was at times not as responsive (though always friendly). They start off with some delicious bread and a sweet red pepper dipping sauce. I ordered the Adana Kebab with yogurt. The meat was so juicy and flavorful, and it mixed perfectly with the garlicky yogurt, crisp bread, and peppers. The portions are huge, so plan on boxing your leftovers - but don't make my mistake and forget the box!
(4)Gus W.
The girlfriend and I were looking for Mediterranean food this past Monday and had finally settled on a spot, when boom, it was closed on Mondays. That seemed to be a common theme as I browsed through Yelp to find somewhere for lunch. Shish Kebab popped up, and I couldn't believe I had forgotten about this place. I used to get Panda Inn all the time, and my buddy lived across the street from the place, and I'd always wanted to try it but never acted on it. Today was that day. We went in there around 1:30ish. It says they have a lunch buffet but not today. Maybe because of the holiday or maybe they stopped doing it? I don't know. They also don't have a lunch menu, so like Cafe Istanbul, it can be a bit pricey for lunch but pretty reasonable for dinner. The service was just okay. The server was nice but would only come over if I waved him over. The best thing we had here was the bread and olive oil concoction that comes out before your meal. Wow, it was olive oil, garlic, sun dried tomatoes, and rosemary, and it was amazing! I was nearly full on that stuff before our meal came. We had also ordered falafel and hummus, both of which were very very good. The place was tracking to a 5 star rating, but we were a little let down by the main course. I ordered the ribeye kebab, and my girlfriend had the gyro salad. They were really just decent. The ribeye had pretty good flavor, but it was very tough. The gyro salad was pretty good but nothing amazing. The bill was pretty hefty, since we ordered the apps, but it still would have been pricey for lunch without them. It was around $60 with tip. I knew it'd be a lot though, since we wanted to try quite a bit, so that didn't really surprise me. I'm really not sure if I'd come here again or not. If I lived closer, I'd probably try out some other things on the menu, but honestly, I really liked my ribeye kebab from Cafe Istanbul better. The place was very nice on the inside and had a full bar, so I do recommend trying it out at least once. You would definitely have a solid Turkish meal here.
(4)Sohini G.
Came here and sat on the patio for dinner on a weekend- was surprisingly dead. The food was overall pretty good tho. Would def recommend the appetizer sampler.... Good amount for the cost! For the entree I got the combo kebab...chicken Adana and lamb. Just okay. The service was also sub par. Would come back here again but would prolly just stick to drinks and apps!
(3)Sarah M.
We stopped by tonight for dinner before a sporting event. We got the small appetizer variety plate and the mixed kebab dinner. Easily enough food for 3 people, with leftovers for a happy, happy dog. Used a Groupon for $20 worth of food for $13. Had to make a reservation (per Groupon rules), which just seems weird for a place that has carry out service. No problems using the Groupon, though. The food here is very good. The appetizer plate had enough variations to be exciting, the bread is warm and fluffy, and the kebab platter was stellar. 4 stars for food. The service is another issue altogether. Slow, slow, inattentive wait staff. Our waitress apparently had her twin sister working with her, which made things even more confusing when we tried to flag her down. We got out of the restaurant in time for kickoff, but just barely. Plan for an hour to dine, at least. Service = 2 stars.
(3)Pat E.
I am a regular here. Everyone I have ever introduced to this place says they really like it and would return. I am embarrassed to say, I have had few dishes here other than the lamb shish kebab. It is absolutely the best. The lamb is not on a skewer, but instead, served on the plate with rice and a vegetable medley of carrots zucchini and onions. The plate contains several chunks of lamb and just enough of everything else. The lamb is cooked delicately and lacks the usual overly marinated taste. I would recommend the lamb stew, musaka and vegetable stew. All good choices, but not like the lamb kebab. Yes, for you vegetarians, they have several options to choose from. The appetizers including calamari and baba ganoush are excellent. Another reviewer mentioned the high quality of humus and I agree. It is by far, the best I have had in town. If you have any left on the table, take it home!! You will be glad you did the next day. The bread is awesome. warm and dense. None of that flat pita stuff. The dipping sauce includes olive oil, pepper and rosemary. Yum. If you save room for dessert, they will bring around a tray displaying what they have and explaining each. Personally, I would prefer to fill up on the bread. They do not cut corners. I have never been here when I couldn't get a table, even on the weekends. I appreciate the warm inviting atmosphere and the ability to have a conversation. (I always mention noise level as I do like to talk during dinner.) I would recommend if you are coming with a large party, you make reservations, only so the staff can be prepared and ensure proper seating. The staff is friendly and efficient, not intrusive. I do like the twins! :) If you want really good Mediterranean food, come here.Lastly, the price is right!
(5)MITCH S.
This place should be on everyone's must go to list. We had the Turkish Cigar appetizer, phyllo filled with cheese mmm. The lamb shank was fall off the bone delicious. If you don't suck out the marrow out of bone you are missing the best part.
(5)Elizabeth S.
Love this place! The service can be spotty. We usually go around 7 pm but the food more than makes up for it. Sometimes we do opt for carry out because of the service. Spicy lamb sauté and the liver cube appetizer are my favorite!
(4)Rick C.
Great food, service meh. That's why it is only four stars.
(4)Fred B.
Don't let the strip mall location fool you... walk inside! Excellent Turkish food. Surprising, lovely dining room with extensive, beautiful dark paneling. Gracious, attentive, friendly service. Nice covered outdoor patio. Full bar. Fair prices. If you're not that familiar with Turkish food, order this: Red Lentil Soup Haydari (Turkish yogurt with parsley, walnuts, dill, garlic) for dipping their awesome bread in. Chicken Adana with Yogurt Black Opal Shiraz - the best $5.95 glass of red wine you'll find in the city! If you like the bread, this is enough for 2 people to share. You'll thank me...!!!!! That sign out front says they have a new $8.95 lunch buffet. Got to try it in the next few days. This is a GREAT restaurant, authentic and relatively unique for Columbus. I've been to Turkey twice. Trust me...this is authentic.
(5)Doudou W.
Great place, very clean, great service! Food is really flavorful and tasty. Vegetables are fresh. And dishes are usually larger portions than I usually have in one meal.
(5)April J.
Calamari was soggy and inedible. The lamb dish I got was recommended by the waiter. I could hardly taste the lamb. The dish tasted only of bell peppers. Service was good.
(2)Moses S.
Updating per my lunch buffet experience last week. They have a $2 coupon for the lunch buffet, but you have to buy a drink and a drink costs $3!!!! so basically the $2 coupon is really a $1 upcharge. WHAT THE HECK. The buffet is kind of a joke, there was some greenery for salad with a side of carrots (which I assume is for the salad). There was hummus and Baba ghanoush, white rice, stuffed chicken, stuffed cabbage, creamed tilapia, wings, flavored rice (maybe flavored brown rice), bread, and almond pudding. It was a little disappointing that there wasn't a wider spread and the fact that there wasn't any true meat dishes. no kebabs, shawarma, lamb, gyro meat, etc. mini chicken wings was all they had.... REALLY? On the plus side, the hummus was excellent and so was the almond pudding. Everything else was sub par and laughable to be placed on the buffet alongside the $1 upcharge coupon. it's like they don't care and just want to make money, and that upsets me.
(1)Jamie C.
I ordered a large house salad with half shish kebab and half donner, and a side of veggies. Service was good and prompt-ish (took an hour but that's what GrubHub had estimated), but the meat on the salad was cold and I've definitely had better gyro. No Greek yogurt sauce or anything with salad. Eh.
(2)