"Kabob" just means meat on a skewer. The interesting part is what's on it and how it's cooked. At Royal Palace Grill every kabob goes over an open charcoal fire, and the three you'll see most on our menu are kafta, beef tikka and shish tawook.
Kafta: the ground beef kabob
Kafta is ground beef mixed with finely chopped onion, parsley and spices, pressed by hand onto a flat skewer and grilled. Done right, it's juicy inside with a dark crust where the fat hits the coals. It's the kabob that most tastes of the fire, which is why it's the one our regulars order again and again. Try it in the Kafta & Tikka Dinner ($18.99) or as a Kafta Wrap ($8.99).
Tikka: the beef cube kabob
Beef tikka is whole cubes of beef marinated in onion, lemon and spices and threaded onto a skewer. Unlike kafta it isn't ground, so you get a steak-like chew and a smokier, more charred edge. It's the richest of the three.
Shish tawook: the chicken kabob
Shish tawook (sometimes spelled tawouk or taouk) is chicken breast marinated in garlic, lemon, yogurt and paprika. The yogurt keeps it tender, and the garlic sauce served alongside is the classic pairing. If you're ordering for kids or anyone who thinks they don't like "spicy," this is the one: it's seasoned, not hot. Get the Shish Tawook Platter ($16.99) or the Chicken Tawook Wrap ($8.99).
Why charcoal, not gas
Charcoal burns hotter and drier than a gas flame. The meat sears faster, so it stays juicy, and the drippings hit the coals and come back up as smoke. That smoke is a flavor you simply cannot get from a flat-top or an oven. It's more work, the grill needs tending all day, and it's why we say no shortcuts, no microwave, just fire.
Which one should you order?
- Want the smokiest, most "grilled" flavor: kafta.
- Want something steak-like: beef tikka.
- Want lighter, garlicky, kid-friendly: shish tawook.
- Want all three: the Royal Palace Mixed Grill Platter ($24.99).
Every kabob comes with saffron rice, salad and pita. Open daily 12 to 7 (Saturdays from 11) at 6123 Haggerty Rd, West Bloomfield.
Questions people ask
What is kafta made of?
Kafta is ground beef mixed with chopped onion, parsley and Middle Eastern spices, formed onto a skewer and grilled over charcoal. At Royal Palace Grill it's 100% halal beef.
Is shish tawook spicy?
No. Shish tawook is marinated in garlic, lemon, yogurt and paprika. It is well seasoned but not hot, which makes it a good choice for kids.
Do you cook kabobs over real charcoal?
Yes. Every kabob at Royal Palace Grill is cooked over an open charcoal flame, not a gas grill or flat-top.