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After 20 years and a current economic slump, the owner of the Wall Street Gallery off 14th Street decided it was time for a change. So he turned the framing and art store into — a kebab house.
Royal Kabab Express has a handful of tables for eating in, or you can take out, which is what we did.
It’s similar to Ali Baba Kabob House right across the 14th Street bridge, so I guess your kebab needs are now covered on both sides of the river.
The big menu board isn’t very clear, and we spent a good several minutes staring at it until the owner helpfully just said, “Would you like kebab? Beef? Chicken? Lamb?”
It turns out the lamb wasn’t even listed on the board, but that’s what I ordered.
As we were waiting for our order, the owner poured me a some tea in a pretty, small glass, and served it next to a glass of hot water and another glass of small sugar cubes. I didn’t really know what to do, so I just sipped the tea plain.
I googled Persian tea later, and it turns out you can use some of the hot water to dilute the tea to your taste. But the sugar cube is meant to be placed in your mouth, and you take little sips around it.
I think that’s pretty neat, and am glad I didn’t look like a doofus by trying to dissolve sugar in the tea, or even worse, by asking for milk for it!
Anyway, while we were waiting some good-looking kebabs in pitas went by to the other table. Royal Kabab also does shawarma ($8.75 medium/$11.50 large) and donair ($7.99/$9.99).
For some reason, my lamb kebab ($14.99) was buried under a mountain of basmati rice when I opened the takeout container at home. But once I dug it out, it was delicious: nicely spiced and tender.
Jason’s kubideh ($10.99) was probably the best deal, which came with two skewers of seasoned ground beef.
Both meals came with grilled tomato, and some raw onions, which are surprisingly tasty as a side.
Prices are on the higher end when you compare them to a standard donair-type place, but kebabs are a nice change and Royal Kabab has decent portions. The takeout menu I took with me said more items will be added in the future.
Royal Kabab Express, 20B-14th St. SW, Calgary, (403) 270-4323.
My guess is that they bury it in the rice to keep it warm and moist. Looks really good.
A big hi from Eateastindian
We’ve been following your blog since last few weeks and must say we love it. We’ve just launched our new website:
http://www.eateastindian.com/
and thought you might want to share it with your users as it could be a good resource for them. (whether at home or travelling abroad)
BTW, we love lamb Kebabs too. We are looking forward to see what your take is on East Indian Food.
I stopped by this place for a donair a few weeks ago just after I first noticed it showing up, and I’ve been back weekly since. $7.99 seems to be the going rate for a donair in Calgary, but I’ve found most establishments don’t earn their 8 bucks. Royal Kebab Express does! A Medium Donair (the smallest size) is close to a foot long, and packed with spicy, delicious donair meat. I have tried every donair shop in the Kensington Area and a few across the bridge and this is my favorite.
Bad customer service food is ok and prices r too high.
I love the food there. Very delicious. Big portions for a reasonable price.
Does the lamb have the distinctive lamb flavor and smell? I have yet to find a place in Calgary that sells the flavorful lamb you can find in the Middle East or Europe.
I’d say the lamb is just OK. The last notable lamb I had was probably Chef’s Table (high end Continental) or Pasu Farm near Carstairs (summer BBQ but they do winter dinners too).
Don’t eat here, me and a couple buddies got food poisoning.