.:|Restaurant Review - 2nd Street Kabob|:.
Remember how I mentioned about that Restaurant Review Club? Well last night was the first night of what will bound to begin a legacy (I heard it’s always good to think big) called “The Restaurant Review Club” Check out the ratings comments (go below to where it says “Click here to rate 2nd Street Kabob” for the details…
2nd Street Kabob
620 N 2nd St
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 238-2160
Below is the current average rating (found by taking all the reviews that are listed in the comments section) for 2nd Street Kabob:
February 5th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Initial Reaction:
We walked into the restaurant and it was pretty much empty (at 6:30) except for an older guy sitting next to the door who I think just had a cup of water…The only lady there was talking on the phone and didn’t seem to see us right away. So yea things definitely started off a little sketchy.
But as the night went on another lady came and it turned out be the sister of the one that was already there. So we ended talking to them a bit (one of them actually drank some of our wine… Is that legal?) and found out they were both Turkish. They were basically running the place because they said their manager was in Syria for some undisclosed period of time and they have been “taking care of the store for him”)… Interesting, right?
So, as far as shadiness factor (this is not a category above) this place definitely gets a big “0″, but the food ended up being great, not to mention they gave us a few free items. Overall suggestion if you don’t count the strangeness of the restaurant, the food was great and the Turkish ladies offered some “interesting” entertainment. I would most likely head back there.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
So, if you’re looking for a totally unique dining experience in the downtown you’ll definitely get it at 2nd Street Kabob. Here are a couple thoughts and/or tips.
1. Just ask for more pita chips and you’ll get them - pretty sure they’re like peanuts at a bar, but probably fresher.
2. Talk it up with the servers/cooks (FYI - they’re one and the same). They’re super nice and a lot of fun, just don’t ask them anything related to their age or “oldness” (why Adam, why?) This rule goes for any interactions with females by the way.
3. Take the servers suggestions….seriously. They’re buying the food and cooking it - they know what’s good.
4. Don’t let the atmosphere stop you from enjoying your meal or your company. And, chances are that both of those things will be so good that you won’t mind the overhead lights and strange mauve-colored walls.
5. And, as always, if you’re going to a restaurant that has a type of food in its name (as in “Kabob”) then get a Kabob, don’t get cheese fries or mozzarella sticks. Kinda a no-brainer, but important to note. Enjoy!
February 6th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
The one thing I have learned over the past few years (according to my experience) is that if a restaurant looks bad from the outside and is a kind of place you would never bring anybody you acknowledgingly respect to, chances are they have great food. 2nd Street Kabob is such a case.
The first thing you would notice as soon as you walk in is the cheesyness of the decor- that is a few artifacts from the owner’s home country, Syria, scattered along the front window. Even though interesting, it almost makes me chuckle to think whether these artifacts have any advertising value whatsoever. I guess it cumulatively adds to the experience. Despite the plain and simple decor within, it reminded of a time long gone where restaurants felt a lot more “homey” instead of the cookie cutter chains we see everywhere. I like the fact that the menu was simple and I wasn’t overwhlemed with choices. Believe it or not, sometimes I just want to go to a restuarant to eat, not to be bombarbed with a plethora of mind numbing options especially after a long day at work.
The food is great- the spices are rich and very different to anything you can get in the immediate area. I agree with Megan’s comment- If you’re going to go to a place that has the word “Kabob” in the name, chances are that’s what they’re good at.
The service was the one thing I enjoyed. Due to the size and atmosphere of the restaurtant, it was easy to converse with the employees on a personal level and they certainly added a warmth and personal touch to the entire experience which I often miss in most restaurants I go to.
Overall, definetely give it a try and make sure you bring you own bottle of wine to go along. More power to you if you share it with the employees like we did!
February 14th, 2008 at 8:47 pm
If you like words like Baba ghanoush, or cous-cous, you’ll probably be as entertained as I was while you read through the menu at our local kabob-ery. I’ll admit, while living about a block from 2nd St. Kabob, I never dared darken the doorway until blogger extreme Adam Richard & Co. invited.
I’ve seen some fairly “interesting” pieces of furniture, wood, bodies, kitchen items, etc. left out for trash pickup as the Kabob got up and running. Nevertheless, I decided to risk gastrointestinal disarray for the sake of trying something new.
While my expectations were low, I can certainly say that the meal certainly was better than I had envisioned. All meats were well-seasoned, but not in an overpowering way. The cous-cous and other sides were also well-executed.
As most other posters mentioned, the atmosphere left much to be desired. Fluorescent lights, a soda machine in the dining area, and the perennial college decoration - Christmas lights - eliminated any thought of an upscale cultural dining experience.
However, the service was excellent. Throughout the meal, we ordered, they cooked - food appeared, and all was well. We even were awarded the opportunity test an off-the-menu concoction from one of our new friends.
While I can’t give a whole-hearted recommendation, I can say that 2nd Street Kabob will exceed the impression you form simply from gazing upon it’s befuddling hookah-filled facade. If you’re in the Burg, and want to try something new, stop by and say “Hey” to Essmay and the Kabob Crew.