(crownkabob.co) – Fort Washington, Maryland

How I heard of this place: While visiting our friend Mahnoz, my parents decided it would be lovely to invite her out for lunch. She offered either this Afghan restaurant or Safeway’s deli, and we – easily – made our decision.

Type of cuisine: Exactly what it says in the name: fried chicken and kabobs, with all the sides that you would imagine go with the two.  

Ambiance: We pulled up to the shopping strip, which included a few free-standing pavillions including this imaginative compbination of a dining establishment. The bright blue and yellow everything first caught my attention. Our party of four made our way across the blue carpet, complete with gold crown logo and restaurant name and into the fast food ambiant space.

A bamboo wall forced us to make a left and go find ourselves in line for placing our orders.

Looking up, I found recessed lights in black ceiling tiles, meeting up against the yellow stripe of paint that wrapped around the top third of the wall; a sandy paint followed, and the blue stripe, meeting with the blue booth benches made its way to the tiled floors. The back-lit, bright menu boards overhead shared the menu options, but we could look to the left and see, behind the glass display, our selection of Afghani sides.

What I ordered: All four of us selected the Boneless Chicken Kabobs ($9.45 each) with rice and one side order.

On my plate, the chicken and rice were accompanied by half-order of each: spinach and spicy chickpeas. My mom and Mahnoz enjoyed the chickpeas and eggplant as their half-sides, while my dad savored a full order of the spicy chickpeas.

Each of our plates also included a salad of tomatoes, cucumber and onion in a minty vinaigrette, as well as a large, freshly baked, fluffy and warm Afghani pita.

What I loved: The tender chicken, the flavorful eggplant, and the spice of the chickpeas. The warm bread was a beautiful addition, though none of had the space to consume it.

Why I loved it: Middle Eastern fast food. ‘Nuff said.

Cost: Average ($9-$10 per kabob platter)