Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » De Afghanan Kabob House – San Francisco
De Afghanan Kabob House - San Francisco
Photo from De Afghanan Kabob House
De Afghanan Kabob House at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🍚 🍚 Afghan Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 43 of the guests
#1872 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#2 🍚 Afghan Restaurant out of 2 in San Francisco
Good
6.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
361
Reviews
66.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Flavorful kabobs
- Fresh bread
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Owner behavior
- Limited space
- High prices
The restaurant, an authentic Afghan Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood, offers a truly unique dining experience. When you step into De Afghanan Kabob House, you’re immediately greeted by a cozy and casual atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal.
You’ll find delicious Halal food and healthy options, making it a great choice for various preferences.
Overview: Introducting De Afghanan Kabob House
De Afghanan Kabob House offers a culinary journey where the kabobs often receive high praise for their tender, flavorful preparation, alongside freshly baked bread and aromatic rice. Many guests appreciate the friendly Afghan hospitality from the staff, contributing to a pleasant dining experience.
However, some visits have been marred by concerns regarding the rude owner and occasional service issues, including accusations and unprofessional behavior. Additionally, the restaurant’s limited seating and parking challenges can sometimes detract from the overall comfort.
Good
6.7
out of 10
361
Reviews
66.5%
Satisfaction
113
negative
8
neutral
240
positive
De Afghanan Kabob House holds a respectable overall Restaurant Score of 6.7, placing it firmly in the average category. Customer feedback indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 66.5%, suggesting a mixed experience for many diners.
This assessment is drawn from 361 customer observations, with 240 positive remarks balancing against 113 negative ones. Looking closer, the Food (7.5) stands out as a clear strength, consistently earning good marks for its quality and flavor.
However, Ambience (6.4) and Service (5.1) are perceived as average, with some notable inconsistencies. Value (4.3) appears to be a weaker point, often falling into the lower end of the average range, indicating that some guests find the pricing less competitive for what’s offered.
What people like
- Tender, flavorful kabobs
- Freshly baked bread
- Friendly, pleasant staff
What people don't like
- Rude owner behavior
- Limited seating, parking
- Perceived high prices
With a Recommendation Score of 6.8, De Afghanan Kabob House presents a mixed picture. If you prioritize well-prepared Afghan cuisine, particularly the kabobs and fresh bread, it’s worth considering.
The food quality often shines through, making it a satisfying choice for those focused on the plate. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service, particularly regarding the owner’s demeanor, and be mindful of the limited seating and parking.
It’s a place where the culinary highs are notable, but the overall experience can be influenced by these practical considerations.
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Verdict: Our expert take on De Afghanan Kabob House
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food, diners are generally thrilled, with a solid 7.5 score and 76.9% customer satisfaction. Many of the 176 positive comments rave about the authentic Afghan cuisine, highlighting amazing food, incredible flavors, and generous portion sizes. Dishes like kabobs, bolani, and rice often receive high praise for their fresh ingredients and expert cooking.
However, not everyone is completely won over. Around 50 remarks point to occasional issues, with some finding certain dishes like vegetarian options or Qabeli Palaw to be bland or even tasting artificial. There are also a few concerns about food freshness, with some mentioning stale items or dishes being served cold.
Food
229
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
50
negative
3
neutral
176
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Afghan flavors
- Delicious, tender kabobs
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Occasional blandness
- Artificial taste noted
- Freshness concerns
Often praised
- foodIt's de bomb! For real, this food hits the spot whenever I'm in SF. I think either my Afghan friends or some chill random dude at SFO told me about it, but either way, I've made it a habit to go out of my way to get this excellent food once a year when I'm down in SF.
- kabobsMy experience at this restaurant was totally worth going to SF for. I loved the way the kabobs were cooked to broiling perfection. The side dishes were so on point with the main entrees.
- riceMy family and I visited De Afghanan Kabob House in San Francisco and discovered a hidden gem offering rich, flavorful Afghan cuisine in a cozy setting. We were thoroughly impressed by the tender kabobs, freshly baked bread, and aromatic rice. The portions were generous, and the food truly felt homemade.
- Afghan cuisineMy family and I visited De Afghanan Kabob House in San Francisco and discovered a hidden gem offering rich, flavorful Afghan cuisine in a cozy setting. We were thoroughly impressed by the tender kabobs, freshly baked bread, and aromatic rice.
- baklavathe baklava was a revelation of moist and delightful sweetness—far from the typical dryness.
- bolaniIt's a no frills place with amazing food and great service. We had pretty much everything on the menu: the bolani, the spinach, the eggplant, and the triple kebab. Everything was just flat out spectacular, seasoned perfectly and bursting with flavor in each bite.
- eggplantIt's a no frills place with amazing food and great service. We had pretty much everything on the menu: the bolani, the spinach, the eggplant, and the triple kebab. Everything was just flat out spectacular, seasoned perfectly and bursting with flavor in each bite.
- portionsMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. The service was incredibly friendly, and the food was very tasty, served in generous portions. While it wasn't the fastest, the kabobs were made fresh to order, ensuring they were hot and juicy.
- Afghan foodpleasantly surprised at how tasty it was
- Bolanieat that incredible Bolani
Frequently criticized
- foodall food come out from Microwaves
- kabobkabob has this old rotten smell
- Afghan breadwas not the authentic afghan naan bread
- Afghan kitchennot the real Afghan kitchen that we know from Afghans
- Badenjan Chalowhad too much tomato flavor which was overpowering the eggplant
- Chapli kabobUnfortunately, everything was disgusting. The chapli kabob was hard and not juicy at all. The shornakhood had large, hard pieces of potatoes mixed with cane garbenzo beans, and the badenjan tasted awful.
- Chicken Qorma/ Kormaserved “Channa Daal Chicken” and they said it is “Chicken Qorma/ Korma “ which was not
- Kabuli pulaoKabuli pulao wasn't the greatest
- Microwaves foodcharge you 50 dollar for Microwaves food
- Qabeli PalawThe Qabeli Palaw was bland
Overall, the food here seems to hit the mark for many, especially if youre seeking authentic Afghan flavors. While a few experiences mention minor hiccups, the overwhelming sentiment suggests youll likely enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal. It's definitely worth a try for those craving well-spiced, homemade-style dishes.
Service (5.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot is a real mixed bag! Many customers rave about the friendly staff and kind owner, often highlighting great service and genuine Afghan hospitality. Guests frequently mention feeling welcomed and well-cared for, with quick and attentive service from people like Jayhoon and Wida, based on 40 positive comments.
However, the overall service experience is quite average, with a score of 5.1 and customer satisfaction at 46%. A significant number of negative comments, 44 out of 87 total, point to issues like rude owner behavior, poor customer service, and frustratingly long wait times or online order problems, sometimes involving unprofessional behavior and accusations.
Service
87
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
44
negative
3
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, kind staff
- Warm Afghan hospitality
- Quick, attentive service
What people don't like
- Rude owner behavior
- Poor customer service
- Long wait times
Often praised
- serviceSame menu and great service
- staffThe food is delicious and the portions are plentiful! All the kabobs are yummy, and the staff is so pleasant!
- ownerI found it to be the best Afghan restaurant in the Bay Area, and their San Francisco location is just as good, if not better, than the Fremont location. The owner is very friendly and pleasant to chat with, which added to the overall enjoyment of the amazing Afghan cuisine.
- ServiceService:5
- Jayhoon JanJayhoon Jan made us feel right at home
- Jayhoon and WidaJayhoon and Wida, the brother and sister who run this place, are such pleasant, delightful people.
- crewvery friendly crew
- customer servicecustomer service is on point
- friendly Afghan hospitalityserved with friendly Afghan hospitality
- great serviceThey recently opened their location in San Francisco at the expense of shutting down the one in Berkeley, and I am sure those East Bay denizens are now in extended mourning. It's a no frills place with amazing food and great service. We had pretty much everything on the menu: the bolani, the spinach, the eggplant, and the triple kebab.
Frequently criticized
- ownervery rude owner. Yelling at costumers from his kitchen.
- serviceGarbage service, served me food in plastic
- staffLazy, untrustworthy and rude staff at this location
- accusationsaccused us of just wanting to use the bathroom
- apologizinghe returned to the restaurant without apologizing
- basic hospitalityI later learned from others in the community that this owner has a history of poor customer treatment, raising doubts about the authenticity of positive online reviews. The lack of basic hospitality, combined with the owner’s arrogance and insulting demeanor, makes this restaurant a disgrace to Afghan culture and hospitality. I strongly advise saving your money and dignity, as there are many other Afghan restaurants in San Francisco that treat customers with the respect they deserve.
- behaviorHis behavior was unprofessional, insulting
- business practiceThis is irresponsible business practice
- card paymentsWhen I visited for lunch, there was only one guy in the restaurant who was taking orders, cooking food, and serving them. He refused to accept card payments, saying he doesn't know how to operate the card machine and the owner is outside. So I was forced to pay in cash.
- cash only signHe said the same thing to a couple of other customers as well. There is no "cash only" sign anywhere. Overall, I would not visit this place again.
Your experience with the service here could be a toss-up. If you value warm, personal interactions, you might be delighted, but be prepared for potential frustrations with wait times or an occasionally difficult owner. It's a place where service can either shine or significantly detract from your visit.
Ambience (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits a pleasant note! Many folks appreciate its location right in the heart of the downtown, often describing it as a clean place with a calm atmosphere and a cozy setting. With 19 positive remarks, its clear that the ambience contributes to a generally positive experience, even if overall customer satisfaction sits at a 65.5% mixed bag.
However, the ambience isnt without its challenges. The biggest concerns, mentioned in 9 opinions, revolve around parking problems and limited seating, with several guests noting issues with the number of chairs and tables. While the overall score for ambience is an average 6.4, these practical issues definitely impact the comfort for some visitors.
Ambience
29
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Calm, cozy atmosphere
- Clean, fresh place
- Downtown heart location
What people don't like
- Limited seating space
- Difficult parking
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere is nice
- placeMy family and I were visiting from out of town, and Deafghanan was by far the best food we had in San Francisco. The place is nice and calming, the staff is friendly and caring, and the food is delicious 😋. I will definitely go here again and I highly recommend it to everyone.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Fremont locationbetter than the Fremont location
- ParkingParking in front
- San Francisco locationSan Francisco location is just as good if not better
- aromathe aroma was amazing
- heart of the downtownlocated right in the heart of the downtown
- hole in the wall spotit's a hole in the wall spot
- noise levelNoise level:Very quiet
Frequently criticized
- seatingthey have only 3 tables and about 9 chairs. We saw people coming in and leaving for not having a place to sit for lunch.
- ParkingParking:Very hard to find a parking just to pick up food.
- chairsrestaurant lacked enough chairs to accommodate our group
- parkingparking is hard to find
- parking and seatingHowever, the service was good. It's a small restaurant that primarily focuses on take out due to limited parking and seating.
- parking problemthey have parking problem. You have to park in the street of downtown SF.
- tablesthe table over were plates from the last people
If youre looking for a cozy, calm spot and dont mind a potential hunt for parking or a wait for a table, the atmosphere here is quite pleasant. However, if ample seating and easy parking are deal-breakers for you, especially during peak hours, you might find it a bit frustrating.
Value (4.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, some folks found things to appreciate. Many felt the price was fair, even normal for San Francisco, and that it was definitely worth it. With 5 positive remarks out of 16 overall comments, it seems a few customers found the prices quite reasonable.
However, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment, with customer satisfaction at a poor 31.3% despite an average score of 4.3. A significant 10 negative comments highlight concerns about the price being high, the place feeling overpriced, and issues like cash only payments or extra fees for things like naan. Many felt the portion size didn't justify the cost.
Value
16
Reviews
31%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fair pricing
- Good value
What people don't like
- Often overpriced
- Cash only
- Small portions
Often praised
- priceThe price was normal for San Francisco.
- pricesthe prices were very reasonable
- worth itbut it worth
Frequently criticized
- pricethe price was damn high
- billhe said to me “ ohh I must have made a mistake”
- cash onlyThe cook/cashier person wanted payment in cash only.
- extra a peace naancharge for an extra a peace naan too
- extra feesThe cook/cashier person wanted payment in cash only. The only alternative was to order via DoorDash and deal with the extra fees. Unfortunately, I did not have cash.
- overpricedthis place over priced
- portion sizea bit expensive for their portion size
- pricesthe prices are very high for what you get
If youre considering this spot, be prepared for a mixed bag on value. While some find the prices fair, a significant number of diners feel its overpriced, especially considering portion sizes and potential extra charges. It might be worth a try if youre not on a tight budget and have cash handy, but dont expect stellar value.
How are the prices at De Afghanan Kabob House?
You’re looking at roughly 32 per person – reported by 43 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For an Afghan Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what other diners spend, most reviews cluster around the $11–$20 and $21–$30 brackets. So, while this spot is a bit above the most common price points, it’s still far from the highest-end options out there.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 43 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering the quality and experience often associated with Afghan cuisine, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a mid-range offering. It’s a good value for a delicious meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about De Afghanan Kabob House
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Authentic Afghan Gem with Humble Owner
What a neat find on Authentic Afghan food in SF! The Chaplee Kabob and Dolani were absolutely perfect, scoring a 100/100. The owner is incredibly humble, making you feel like the only customer even when the place is filled up.
- Chaplee Kabob10
- Dolani10
- owner10
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Delivery
Service Type
- Delivery
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Terrible Delivery Experience
My experience was one of extreme rudeness and disrespect. I ordered food via Doordash, and it took an hour and a half for the food to not arrive, even though it was only a mile away. The most dismissive response came when I called the store directly, and they told me to 'call Doordash.
' This experience made me waste an hour and a half, and I will never order from this restaurant again.
- delivery1
- store response1
- wasted time1
Price per Person
- $61–$70
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
1
Unacceptable Service: 1.5 Hour Wait, No Food
My experience was incredibly frustrating. After ordering and waiting for 1. 5 hours, I was informed that my food could not be prepared.
To make matters worse, I had to call myself to find this out. This is irresponsible business practice.
- waiting time1
- preparation1
- business practice1
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Afghani Food Experience
My friend Sashi Singh from Stillwater Canyon visited the city and invited me to dinner at this Afghani restaurant. I hadn't had camel hump in years, so I readily agreed. We met at De Afghanan Kabob House and had a great dinner.
Sashi ordered for us, so I'm unsure of the exact dishes, but I know it wasn't organ meat and it tasted pretty good. We had a great dinner with excellent food, attentive service, and a pleasant atmosphere. 5 stars ☆☆☆☆☆
- camel hump8
- food8
- Service10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Authentic and Fresh Kabobs!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic! The food was authentic, and I particularly enjoyed the chicken kabob, which was incredibly moist and cooked fresh. The Bolani was also very good.
The reviewer rated both Service and Food with a perfect 5 out of 5.
- chicken kabob9
- Bolani8
- Food10
What De Afghanan Kabob House offers
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Halal food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is De Afghanan Kabob House accessible for all guests?
Yes, you’ll find that De Afghanan Kabob House is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, seating areas, and restrooms. This ensures a comfortable dining experience for everyone.
What dining and service options are available at De Afghanan Kabob House?
At De Afghanan Kabob House, you can enjoy dine-in, takeout, or delivery services. They offer lunch and dinner with table service and seating, and it’s also good for kids, providing high chairs.
How does De Afghanan Kabob House generally perform?
The restaurant has an overall score of 6.7 and a customer satisfaction of 66.5%. Its Food (7.5) is a strong point, while Ambience (6.4) and Service (5.1) are average, and Value (4.3) is a weaker aspect.
What are the culinary highlights at De Afghanan Kabob House?
Customers frequently praise the kabobs for being tender and flavorful, along with the freshly baked bread and aromatic rice. Dishes like bolani, spinach, and eggplant are also often highlighted for their taste.
What are some common concerns reported by diners?
Some customers have reported issues with service, including instances of a rude owner and staff. Additionally, limited seating and challenges with parking are frequently mentioned concerns.