Kabab Hut - Lilburn Atlanta Georgia

You can find Kabab Hut at 880 Indian Trail Rd NW, Lilburn Georgia 30057 between the intersections of Dickens Rd and Burns Rd. This restaurant is in a small shopping center that also features Murray's In a Hurry. It's a bit hard to see as the "L" shaped shopping center mostly faces Burns Rd - you'll probably turn there and then into the lower part of the parking lot.

I don't remember who told me about this place - I believe it was one of my Indian friends, but having some time and being in the area, I decided to drop in one sleepy weekend afternoon. Kabab Hut is a small restaurant where you order at the counter and after some time (pretty much everything is cooked to order) the food is delivered to your table. I looked over the menu, which features mostly foods cooked over open flame or curries. Most of the items I've tried at other Pakastani restaurants so I have some familiarity with the cuisine (which is very similar to Indian if a bit oilier and of course the Muslim culture allows beef).

I was looking for something that would provide the most variety so I choose the Kabab Platter (at $10.99) and also ordered a Bullet Naan (the flat bread is usually mixed with green chilies and baked in a tandoor oven). I then found a table and waited for about 15 minutes. In the meanwhile I was delivered a disposable plate with fork/spoon, a small plate of lettuce and onions, a couple of chutney/masala containers and a pitcher of cold water with a cup. This strangely reminded me quite a bit of eating in the canteens in India (sort of the building's cafeteria which usually has some super inexpensive food available served on disposable plates)

When the food hit the table my eyes bugged - tons of food on this plate. I believe there was Green Boti, Seek Kabob and Tika Boti. Also was this beautiful naan. There was so much food I was only able to eat about half of it - the rest came home with me and became my lunch the following day. All the food was just delicious and I would recommend this dish to anyone coming here for the first time - it can easily feed two people.

This is the best Pakistani food I've found in Atlanta - but then again I didn't try the curries so if you're going to come here I can only vouch for the kabobs which are fantastic. I hope to make it hear again soon with a larger group so we can sample more - stay tuned.

-- John

(also posted to Yelp)

Taqueria San Pancho - Lawerenceville Highway - Tucker Atlanta Georgia

You can find Taqueria San Pancho at 4880 Lawrenceville Hwy STE 9, Tucker, GA 30084 in a shopping center just west of the Tucker Home Depot and on the other side of Golddust Sports Bar. L'Thai Organic Cuisine and Wine bar is also in the same shopping center.

I was cruising by this area and decided on a whim to see what was around for lunch - I had already sampled the very good L'Thai and saw this small taqueria that had a few good reviews and dropped in for lunch. This tiny place is much like several other authentic Mexican hole-in-the-walls scattered around town but mostly found north of the perimeter. There are only a few tables and you order at the counter from a fairly limited menu - the prices are quite good - downright cheap at $1.25 each. I decided that 5 would probably fill me up and ordered chicken, carne asada, fish, shrimp and port. 

Other menu options include: Vegetarian (one of the first I've seen at a taqueria), Burritos (bean, regular, jumbo and breakfast); Breakfast (including Huevos Revueltos, Huevos con Jamon and Huevos con Chorizo); Tostadas con Carne, de Camaron and con Jamon; Platillos, Special Plates, Quesadillas, nachos, Tortas and of course Bebidas including Horchata.

After a wait of about 10 minutes, which I spent perusing the pickles and sauces, I was delivered 5 smallish double-corn tortillas filled with meat, seasonings, fresh cilantro and a few veggies like onions and tomatoes. The carne asada was chopped up a bit which is more authentic but not as much to my liking - next time I'll pass on that one, even though the flavors were spot on, it was a bit dry. I used the tomatillo verde and creamy-spicy avocado sauces which complimented each perfectly (and a lime wedge for the fish). I though all the tacos quite good and very authentic. For about $7 it was also quite a bargain.

The people at the counter were quite friendly and easy to understand. I thought this little place terrific and plan to visit again soon. 

-- John 

(also posted to Yelp)