Jeddo Kabab

This unassuming little place off Cleveland Avenue just south of I-270 has been here for a good while, serving the simple and tasty food of the owners’ homeland of “Persia,” as noted on the website.

At Jeddo Kabab, you’ll find choices similar to the city’s other Middle Eastern restaurants, such as hummus, baba ghanoush, falafel etc.

But the name of the place gives a big clue that kebabs are king. Jeddo offers about a dozen kinds, from chicken and lamb to salmon and sausages, and each features a distinct Persian spice, ground sumac. The dark reddish powder was sprinkled on the kebabs (and found in a little shaker on each table). It was tart, much like lemon.

I sampled several kebabs and liked almost all—the best was the mildly spiced lamb sausage. I’d avoid the chicken breast, which was rather dry.

They came with a mix of white and yellow rice (seasoned lightly with saffron) and, if desired, a lettuce, tomato and cucumber salad.

A much better salad was the shirazi—a fine dice of crisp cucumbers, tomatoes and a bit of onion (with a hint of herbs) in an oil and vinegar dressing. It was lovely mixed with the baba ghanoush or the chickpea hummus.

I also recommend the toothsome braised lamb shank and, by far the most expensive dish on this modestly priced menu, the eight lamb chops with rice ($25).

Another good choice was Mast-va-Khiar, a garlicky mixture of thick tart yogurt and diced cucumbers. This little dish, as well as several others, was listed as an appetizer. But I think their best use would be as accompaniments to the various kebabs.

Several wrap sandwiches were served as well—basically, the kebab ingredients along with lettuce, tomatoes and a mild yogurt-based sauce.

No alcohol was served, just soft drinks and gratis, self-serve “Persia Tea.”

Service was kindly. On a recent visit, we had five young children in tow, and they were treated with gentleness and patience. No mean feat.

Lots of families come here for the good food at fair prices and, I suspect, the kindness of the owners and servers.

Jeddo Kabab Restaurant

2448 Home Acre Dr.
794-1202
jeddokabab.com

Price range: Appetizers $4.50-$7.50; sandwiches $4.99-$8.99; kebabs $10.99-$25.

Hours: Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday 12:30 to 10 pm and Sunday till 8 pm; closed Monday.

Rating: ***