Kabobi is a warm, flavorful escape on a cool Chicago night
Family platter for three. Photo: Gerald Farinas.
After a long Saturday spent juggling side gigs, including helping out with Edgewater Mutual Aid’s food distribution for neighbors in need, I was ready for comfort food. My friends David and Viet swung by to pick me up, and we made our way to Kabobi, one of Chicago’s premier Iranian restaurants, nestled along Lawrence Avenue in Albany Park.
Kabobi is itself a story of reinvention. It came to life after a family rift between brothers Reza and Joseph Toulabi, the powerhouse siblings behind the once wildly popular Reza’s restaurants. While Reza’s name is still a staple, Kabobi is Joseph’s baby—a fresh chapter that’s holding its own in a competitive neighborhood where the much-loved Noon-o-Kabob has long reigned supreme.
The restaurant was buzzing on a crisp 60°F Saturday night. Inside, vibrant photographs of Tehran lined the walls, and the scent of saffron and roasted meats filled the air. We scored a window seat beside one of the city’s aldermen, and as I tore pieces of lavash bread and dipped them into warm hummus drizzled with Persian olive oil, I couldn’t help but people-watch. The crowd was as colorful as the food: groups of friends, families, and many LGBTQ couples. Kabobi’s location in Albany Park—a historically immigrant neighborhood that’s now quickly gentrifying—has made it a natural gathering spot for queer diners seeking warmth, authenticity, and an inclusive vibe.
We opted for the family platter for three, and what a presentation it was. The food arrived on a gleaming silver-colored aluminum platter topped with a royal dome, which our server lifted with a flourish. Inside was a feast: steaming beds of pillowy white rice and bright cilantro-lime rice, topped with fire-roasted peppers, onions, and an array of meats. The chicken kabobs were juicy and perfectly seasoned, the beef kabobs tender, and the roasted lamb melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Every bite tasted like care and tradition, and there was enough food to guarantee us leftovers for Sunday.
Though tempted by dessert, we decided to pass this time. The sweet offerings are hard to resist, from flaky baklava layered with honey and nuts, to syrup-soaked bamieh, and buttery mamoul cookies filled with dates. Diners around us sipped doogh, a minty yogurt drink, or mango juice, while others savored the famous Persian tea, served in delicate clear glasses that made every table feel like a scene from a Tehran café.
Kabobi is more than just a restaurant—it’s a reflection of Albany Park’s evolution. The neighborhood has always been a landing place for immigrant families, with layers of cultural flavor that make it one of Chicago’s most diverse areas. Now, as the community sees new waves of gentrification, Kabobi has also become a welcoming space for queer Chicagoans looking for a dining experience that feels both elevated and deeply rooted. On any given night, you’ll see LGBTQ couples holding hands over tea, groups of friends sharing platters, and a cross-section of the city that makes Chicago dining so vibrant.
Whether you’re gathering with friends, going on a date, or just craving saffron rice and skewers under shimmering domes, Kabobi is a dining destination where tradition meets reinvention—and where everyone feels at home.
