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Darband Shish Kabob

MY REVIEW: Update: Since the last visit, I've also tried the jojeh kebab (Cornish hen). It tastes quite good as well, but I personally think the chicken kebabs are much more fun to eat (no bones!) and represent Persian cuisine quite well. Plus, you can get rice or zereshk polo...I really missed the rice this time. The hen is tasty, but I'd definitely stay with the regular chicken next time.

The other reason I'm writing this is in response to the previous statement. The "Arabic" term is simply a category of restaurants - you may know it as "Middle Eastern". Okay, that's out of the way...go here.

NAME: Andrew
SUBMITTED: 5/31/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: May 2010
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: To the gentlemen who wrote about Darband shishkabob (Andrew) being a arabic restaurant I must say for a person who spends his time writing about this restaurant positively, how could you mistake it for a arabic restaurant when it states clearly to be Persian??!

NAME: John
SUBMITTED: 5/21/2010   LAST VISIT WAS: yesterday
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: Considering the Clear Lake area lost its only Persian restaurant (Cy*rus, later named Su*ffi) a couple years ago, and it was an amazingly great restaurant....I missed the wonderful tastes of Persian cuisine. Here's apparently where you find them at their most fundamental.

I'll tell you now that Darband is no longer the screaming bargain it once was, as the kebabs themselves are $4.95 for the cheapest and $7.25 at most, and going up to $10.99 if you order them with rice. The portions also have not changed too much, from my inference, though you still get a bunch of food. The good side of the increased food prices is that the Persian tea is now free! Yes, FREE! And it's great tea too.

The interior also looks very artful, with a lot of attention paid to putting the most flair into the room for the least coin. If you want a lot of coin, look in the water fountain in the center.

To the food...there's not a whole lot of meat on the kebabs, but all the meat is halal, which means it's always perfectly fresh and very flavorful, and it's all cooked to order. I recommend getting the rice platters, and make sure to ask for the zereshk, which is a small red sour berry used as a garnish for rice and in chicken dishes. The fact I got the chicken kebab was a bonus for my taste buds. An extra side effect was that this visit convinced my mother to buy some zereshk later today.

All kebabs come with grilled vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions, and some bell peppers. Want sumac? Pick it up from the counter. You are also provided with piles of herbs, which you can use to accent the food or to simply eat, in Iranian style, and with sheets of the Iranian flatbread, called taftoon. This bread is made in a tandoor-type oven, fresh all the time, and it has a taste that is a cross between a hearty pita and a spongy injera. Just pick it up and put some kebab on it.

Darband is no longer truly "cheap eats", but when the bill starts adding up, so does the amount of food, and quicker than most Arabic restaurants in the city. It's also fresher in general, and you might just find its exotic tastes to be your new favorite Arabic eatery. It's certainly, at least, one of mine.

NAME: Andrew
SUBMITTED: 4/25/2009   LAST VISIT WAS: 4/25/09
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I have been going since they opened (mid 80's) The food is great, being Persian, the food and atmosphere remind me of home.

The employees are always friendly, and the food is always great.

In my literal 100+ visits over the years, I have never once had a bad experience.

NAME: Honor b4 Tem
SUBMITTED: 3/10/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: March 2008
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: We had the beef kabob and a chicken kabob. They were very tasty !! No one gave us any hot tea afterwards, though. Maybe they cut that out. I would definitely go again

NAME: Buyer_45
SUBMITTED: 2/18/2008   LAST VISIT WAS: 02/08
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: I've been eating here since I moved to Houston in 1999. I recommend the lamb kabobs. Make sure to squeeze some lemon over it and the tomatoes for the extra flavor. I've also had the chicken kabobs. I'm from the deep south, and not at all an "adventurous" eater, so when I went here with a friend, I was skeptical. The food is always good, and the hot tea afterwards is an added treat. Under $25 for 2 people.

NAME: damn, now I'm hungry
SUBMITTED: 4/29/2007   LAST VISIT WAS: 03/2007
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: Good food at a reasonable price and a very culturally broadening dining experience.

I enjoy the lamb kabobs but plan on trying everything on the menu once I have the time to figure out all of the options. Hint: Add rice to your order and try the yogurt and hummus.

The various flat skewer kabobs are displayed in a refrigerated display case to assist with your order decision.

I am now a converted hot tea drinker at home after drinking many cups of their complimentary after-meal tea. The hard sugar cubes traditionally are placed in your mouth and slowly dissolved as you sip the hot tea. Of course you can also dissolve the sugar cubes in your teacup if you prefer.

NAME: Bubba
SUBMITTED: 12/9/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: November/2006
FREQUENCY: Visited 2-3 times

MY REVIEW: I love this place. It's good, healthy, tasty, and cheap. I usually get the boneless chicken kabob but I've tried the lamb and it is good too. The hummus is awesome and they give you plenty of bread and rice with your meal. You also get you free hot tea at the end of your meal if you eat there. I definately recommend Darband.

NAME: Alex
SUBMITTED: 12/8/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 12/2006
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: I first discovered Darband 6 years ago when I moved to Houston. Having lived in both Tehran and Los Angeles, I have been used to authentic Iranian food wasn't sure if Darband would measure up! It is one of the best Iranian restaurants I have tried and I am a returning costumer. I always get their food for my Christmas party and the guests all look forward to the food every year. I look forward to using them again this year. The price is so very reasonable and they arrange the food so it is easy to heat and serve.

NAME: Khandan
SUBMITTED: 11/14/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/14/06
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: This has to be the most unbelivable food i have ever tryed. It is clean, price is cheap, & the amount of food you recieve is more than enough for anyone. My friend intoduced this place to me about 3 years ago & I have never looked back. You have to check this place out! The only weak point I can think of is it's allways busy, but thats a good thing! Hope I helpped...

NAME: Shawn M
SUBMITTED: 9/16/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 09/2006
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: I wanted my friends to taste good and authentic Iranian food, and the Darband had just that. Their chello kabob was some of the best I've tasted and my friends really raved about it too. I really recomment this place to anyone who wants great food at a reall good price!

NAME: Mona Bigi
SUBMITTED: 7/22/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: july/2006
FREQUENCY: Visited once

MY REVIEW: Consistently excellent without reserve. Their chelo kebab brings simple ground beef to new heights... a must try. Lamb kebab was quite nice as well - not fatty or overly gamey. Grilled tomato-es mmmmmmm. And a pittance from the pocketbook.

NAME: Arkadii
SUBMITTED: 7/7/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: 07-06
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: I HAD RECENTLY BEEN INTRODUCED TO THIS PLACE AND I WAS VERY SURPRISED HOW GOOD THE FOOD IS!! THE PEOPLE ARE FAST, FRIENDLY AND NICE.....SERVICE IS GREAT...YOU GET SOME HOT TEA AFTER YOUR MEAL TOO....IT HAS THE BEST GROUND MEAT SHISH KABOB EVER....AND I CRAVE FOR THEIR FOOD LIKE EVERY DAY!! THEY GOT ME HOOKED ON THEIR FOOD !!! I LOVE IT!! YOU MUST COME TO EXPERIENCE THE GREAT QUALITY FRESH HOMEMADE FOOD THERE!!

I AM A FOREVER CUSTOMER!

NAME: Lisa
SUBMITTED: 4/4/2006   LAST VISIT WAS: april/2006
FREQUENCY: Visited 4-6 times

MY REVIEW: I agree, simply the best kabob in town. No fuss about it.

Love the place, its simple, clean and to the point.

Try the tea after your meal.

NAME: Tariq
SUBMITTED: 12/10/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: 11/05
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

MY REVIEW: SIMPLY THE BEST!!!.... I work in the area and love to try new restaurants. This is definately my favorite. My only complaint, too busy (thats a good thing). The most flavorful, fresh, reasonably priced food in town. Try it!!

NAME: LR
SUBMITTED: 5/6/2005   LAST VISIT WAS: may 05
FREQUENCY: Everybody here knows my name...

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