Kebab and Co
Kebab and Co is your one-stop shop for all things Afghan.
Founded in December of 2024, the restaurant is co-owned by Naeem Nazari and his brother, both experienced restaurateurs.
The pair own two restaurants in their home country, which have been praised for their inventive takes on simple street foods.
Hoping to share the same creativity with Toronto's Middle Eastern community, the duo set up shop in East York near the intersection of O'Connor and St. Clair.
Naeem explains that he wanted his restaurant to be accessible to as many people as possible. This meant finding a spot that people from all parts of the city could easily reach, by transit as well as by car. The dining room is a small, colourful space filled with brown furniture and brightly coloured tapestries. The space was previously occupied by Suma's Egyptian Grill, which closed in late 2024.
Though Naeem confesses that weekday service is somewhat slow, weekend service is a completely different story. From Friday to Sunday, the restaurant is filled with customers clamoring to try their delicious food.
Though kebabs are the main attraction — as one might expect from a spot called Kebab and Co — the restaurant's menu features a wide array of dishes, all inspired by Northern Afghan cuisine.
One such dish is the Kunjid Palaw with Lamb Shank ($23.99). This flavourful plate consists of basmati rice seasoned with sesame oil and topped with carrots, raisins and roasted lamb.
A small Afghan salad made with tomatoes, onions and parsley is served on the side, along with a slice of Afghan bread and a small portion of beans.
The Kebab Wraps Platter ($39.99) is a large one designed to be shared with a group of three or more.
Twelve tiny wraps are arranged around the edges of a circular tray. Half of them are filled with chicken, while the other half are stuffed with lamb and beef. A pile of crunchy fries rests in the center of the circle, while colourful ramekins of KC dipping sauce are served on the side.
The Kebab Lovers Platter ($64.99) is a meal that lives up to its name in more ways than one. Not only is this platter filled to the brim with kebabs, it's also shaped like a heart.
The main part of the platter contains many different types of meat, including beef and lamb shaami, beef and chicken tikka, and oven baked chicken wings. Tomatoes, onions and parsley are sprinkled on top, to give the skewers an extra kick.
The top parts of the heart, which are attached to the main part with magnets, hold a wide variety of sauces and sides. On the left, you'll find a plate of fries; on the right, a collection of sliced lemons.
Each of these meals comes with a glass of black tea. Jaggery is used in lieu of sugar, giving the tea its characteristic bittersweet taste.
Kebab and Co is located at 977 O'Connor Drive.
Fareen Karim