Along Columbia Pike you’ll find authentic food from around the world. The corridor boasts multiple Ethiopian spots and a dozen dining establishments serving up Central and South American cuisine. Among its many amazing Asian restaurants is just one serving up traditional Indian and Pakistani dishes: City Kabob and Curry House.
City Kabob’s owner, Mohammad Sajid, moved to Arlington from Pakistan in the early 2000’s to be closer to his family who had moved to the area in the 1990’s. After arriving in the United States he found work driving a taxi for a few years and then working in other Indian restaurants in the area.
In 2015, Sajid decided to share his food and culture with his community. “There were no other Indian restaurants on Columbia Pike,” says Sajid. “This community is so welcoming and I wanted to be able to share what I love with my neighbors.”
While City Kabob enjoyed a thriving carry-out business in both is Columbia Pike and Washington, D.C., locations, Sajid made the choice last summer to move to a larger location on the Pike.
“We had large families come in and want to enjoy the food together but our space was too small for very many people to dine-in,” says Sajid. “When the larger space became available so close by, we were excited to take it.”
Lamb Saag
Sajid signed the lease to City Kabob’s new space near S. Walter Reed Dr. last June, just a few months into the pandemic. While many things were uncertain, he knew he wanted to take this chance to expand his restaurant while staying close to his customers. Now City Kabob has a spacious interior with room for a buffet and 72 guests in a mix of both table seating and cozy booths. They even have outdoor seating available when weather permits.
The restaurant is a family-run operation serving up some of the best Indian and Pakistani dishes around. The Butter Chicken is the restaurant’s most popular item while Sajid’s personal favorite is the Lamb Saag, a spicy lamb and spinach dish. While we were visiting the restaurant, one customer told us that she and her friends drive all the way from Fairfax City for City Kabob’s Chicken Kadai.
“It’s a common dish you’ll find in almost every Indian restaurant and most Indian households,” she says. “But you won’t find any better than the Chicken Kadai at City Kabob.”
City Kabob is now open at 3007 Columbia Pike with a daily to-go buffet. The restaurant also offers delivery in-house or on most major apps while they offer a 10% discount for pick-up. If you’ve never tried their food before, or haven’t been in a while, City Kabob is worth a stop.