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Restaurant Ratings

The ratings are based mostly on the degree to which the food excites us, and a little on environment, service, and other considerations. I rate restaurants relative to all other restaurants in the New Orleans area. Here's what the stars mean to me:

starstarstarstarstar
Among the best locally.

starstarstarstar
Excellent and ambitious.

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Worth crossing town for.

starstar
Recommended.

*
Acceptable.

No star
Unacceptable.

Cost Ratings
Each dollar sign indicates a ten-dollar range, including a normal meal for the restaurant (dinner, if they serve other meals), not including drinks, or tips. So, for example. . .

1$--$5-15
2$--$15-25
3$--$25-35

. . . and so on, with no upper limit. While this scheme may suggest mathematical precision, know that perception of price varies from diner to diner as much as the star ratings do. So consider this an estimate.

All reviews are based entirely on meals I have personally taken at the restaurant and paid for from my own pocket. I don't take free review meals, nor am I reimbursed by anybody for my restaurant expenditures.

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Shishkabob House

Middle Eastern.
Kenner: 3804 Williams Blvd. 504-712-0765. Map.
Lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday.
Casual.
AE DC DS MC V

WHY IT'S NOTEWORTHY
A low-key vendor of the standard Middle Eastern menu, the Shishkabab House is better than you might expect, given the location and the typical quietude of the dining room. It is well-known among Muslims for being 100 percent halal. (Halal is the Islamic equivalent of kosher, and is a criterion of quality, as well.)

WHY IT'S GOOD
The restaurant is next door to the Kased Brothers meat market, one of the finest butchers in town for halal meats. The Shishkebab House buys those meats, most of which is farmed locally. As a result, the food here has a noticeable uptick in quality, particularly those involving lamb. They also cook dishes using goat meat, adding another increment of interest.

BACKSTORY
The restaurant opened shortly after Hurricane Katrina, taking over the former location of the Fortune Gardens Chinese restaurant.

DINING ROOM
An L-shaped room is rarely busy, but everything is freshly cooked and vividly delicious. It's a family operation, and sometimes the younger members get involved.

ESSENTIAL DISHES
Hummus.
Falafel.
Tabbouleh salad.
Chicken shawarma.
Lamb kebabs.
Chicken kebabs.
Beef kebabs.
Goat kebabs (if available).
Kafta kebabs.
Lamb chops.
Baklava.

FOR BEST RESULTS
They don't sell any alcoholic beverages, so have your drinks elsewhere.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT
The dining room could use a little light renovation to add a bit of atmosphere.

FACTORS OTHER THAN FOOD
Up to three points, positive or negative, for these characteristics. Absence of points denotes average performance in the matter.

SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES

This review was updated with new information on 11/16/2009.

A list of all 275 full, current reviews is here.