The newly opened kebob shop on Preston Avenue is one of the more unique dining experiences to stick out in Charlottesville.
Sticks Kebob Shop offers the same type of counter-service as other popular and inexpensive restaurants such as Take-It-Away and Bodo's Bagels, but serves a very different type of food from the traditional sandwich.
A huge menu on the green and yellow wall beckons customers to "pick-a-stick" from the seven skewer options, including chicken breast with fresh herbs, lemon-garlic shrimp, falafel and mixed garden vegetables with basil oil.
At first, the options seem slightly overwhelming, since you can get any kebob on a flatbread sandwich ($4.50-$5.95), in a salad with other fresh vegetables ($4.95-$6.50), or on a platter ($5.50-$6.95) with rice, flatbread and a side. Not to mention you have to pick one of four homemade sauces for your meal.
But the employee at the register was very helpful, offering to help us decipher the available options and giving advice on which sides she preferred. We finally decided to start with some roasted vegetable gazpacho soup ($2), only to be momentarily deterred by the restaurant's no credit card policy.
Chock-full of finely chopped vegetables and spices, the chilled soup was a cross between salsa and gazpacho's typical tomato-broth consistency. While full of texture and flavor, the soup had a distinct onion aftertaste.
We realized our taste buds were not about to get a rest as we watched the kitchen chefs rapidly prepare our kebobs. The six-piece chicken breast kebob platter ($5.75) was lightly covered with oil and seasonings and grilled in open view of the customers. Surprisingly, the small pieces were not dry and had not been overcooked, but were pleasantly tender and juicy.
When ordered as a platter, the kebobs come atop a bed of basmati rice with two pieces of flatbread and your choice of a side.
The sides, which cost $1.75 if purchased separately, are mostly Mediterranean-style options such as hummus with toasted pita wedges, tabouleh and roasted eggplant salad with mint and toasted pita. But for the American at heart, there are french fries and onion rings; put those with the chili-spiked beef sirloin kebob and you've got gourmet McDonald's.
As a side, we chose the grilled vegetables, which had been prepared in a flavorful combination of olive oil and basil. The small side portion was served cold, and despite the oil, the vegetables were still crisp. The crunchy, chilled sesame beans were similarly prepared but had a hint of garlic. Another available side dish, the cucumber, tomato and red onion salad was heavy on oil but nonetheless tasty.
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After the flavor explosion of the meat and vegetables, a plain basmati rice would have complemented the platter nicely. Unfortunately, the simple but unique flavor of basmati rice is lost because of its overwhelmingly buttery taste.
The warm flatbread, on the other hand, was plain enough to complement the homemade sauces instead of compete with them. All four sauces were original, but the delicious fire-roasted red pepper dip had a distinctly uncommercial taste.
The dressing on the kebob salads, a sesame-lemon vinaigrette, did not fare so well. Reminiscent of soy sauce, the dressing is an unwelcome addition to the shrimp salad ($6.50). The shrimp kebob, placed atop a healthy portion of fresh veggies and pita croutons, consists of five pieces of perfectly grilled shellfish lightly coated with lemon juice and garlic. With a different dressing, the salad would have been incredible.
While Sticks Kebob Shop does not have individual servers, the staff was extremely friendly and eager to help. With their frequent inquiries about our meal and generous offers to clear our disposable bowls, the employees proved that they were there for more than grilling.
The clientele at Sticks Kebob seems to range from a number of power-lunchers to hippies just back from the next-door Integral Yoga to students looking for a laid-back atmosphere and inexpensive lunch. With an outside patio, upbeat music, immaculate dining room and kitchen, speedy service and tasty food, Sticks Kebob Shop is off to a sizzling start.
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