In a nutshell: Superb They've been around for decades and still deliver -- best bang for buck. The meats and rice are sublime. Old school, gold, cool! read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Spicy chicken kabab - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We've been eating at Moby's for more than 20 years. It was one of our first meals -- from the McLean restaurant -- when we moved to Northern Virginia in 1999. When we moved to Clarendon, we started getting food from this restaurant at least once a week. It was a good choice because my wife eats meat but I do not. They have (had) good options for both of us. Until last week. Boom corporate Moby has taken my three top veggie dishes off the menu: veggie delight, Moby melt, and vegetable plate. I cannot eat the few remaining veggie items, aside from salads. I'm angry and sad. But corporate Moby doesn't care. My only regret is that I didn't write glowing reviews more often when I still loved this menu. The one new menu offering is called a kookoo sandwich. The menu description says it has a frittata on it but it really is more like an herb pate. The menu says there is an egg in there among the herbs but was not obvious to me. I understand this is a traditional Persian frittata; I don't care for it . read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Kookoo Sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Paying customer, treated like a problem. Loud, rude, refused to give the restroom code. Zero courtesy, zero professionalism. Won't be back.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ read more

Amazing hummus! Portions are good and the quality of the chicken is always consistent

Love this place. The owner is friendly and knows everyone's name. They will bring your food to your table. Refills are free. And, if you ask, they will give you free bread. read more

First, these folks are SO FRIENDLY AND KIND! I got the chicken kebab plate and it was very fresh and savory which was exactly what I was looking for. It's also pretty authentic which I love. They also have a super cool mini grocery store in the back that beats any big box store in the area. The food is clean, the atmosphere is friendly and well taken care of. Give these guys a try you won't regret it!!! I'll definitely be making myself a regular. read more

Counter-service, fast-casual, Mediterranean spot with a very simple menu. I came here with my GF because our apartment is right above it, but we were not very impressed. The food was all sub-par, the sauces that came with the food are all very watery, and the space itself is a little run-down Small Mediterranean market that is attached read more

Only ordered take out, and purchased some dried figs from the store, but Moby Dick is the real deal!

A tasty place to get delivery from in Arlington! The food is a little on the pricey side compared to the quantity and quality, but I really enjoyed the food! The chicken kabob was perfectly juicy and seasoned, and I loved the bed of rice it came on as well. Not a bad place to get takeout or delivery from! read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Joojeh Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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I have been for the past 8 days and the only food that I crave is Iranian food. I have been ordering chengeh kabob and joojeh kabob almost everyday from moby dick either through Uber eats or DoorDash. This place almost always deliver a good quality and the prices are decent. They also run an Iranian shop as part of restaurant that had most of the needed Iranian groceries, sangak bread and Khame, and Iranian pickles are my favorite groceries to buy. The people working here are friendly and responsive. All in all, one of my go to places for fast, casual Iranian food. read more

So good! The bread is fresh, chicken is juicy, sauce is yum. The little Persian store inside is very convenient and has some great grocery staples. read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Mini grocery store - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Ordered delivery from this restaurant 4 times already, love the food here. I always order some kind of kabob entree with rice and salad, a generous amount of baked bread is always included. The meats are always grilled perfectly, juicy and flavorful, and great to go along with their yogurt sauce. I tried the barley soup recently, it is delicious in every way except that it is too salty, please go easy on the salt and then it's perfect. read more

Ordered delivery and wasn't too impressed with the packaging nor taste of the food. Got the gyro, something simple but it had more lettuce then meat. The food was also cold and I didn't receive utensils. So this review rating is focused more on service then anything else. I felt I had to put a lot of the yogurt sauce in order to make it edible. I can say thou, it is a nice portion if you are hungry and at an affordable price. May need to eat in restaurant and maybe my experience is better. But for now, don't think that it matters whether I order the gyro in store or online, it should have a nice amount of meat in balance with the amount of lettuce. 3 stars it is. read more

Moby Dick is a crowd pleaser--and now that we're living in a crowd-free time, it's still a good place to get a quick bite that's Mediterranean/Persian flavored. I've been eating at this chain for at least a decade and I keep coming back. I usually stick to something pretty simple, like a kebob with rice and salad, a gyro sandwich, or falafel. The hummus and pita are especially delicious. I should probably try more of the menu, like the Persian specialties such as gormeh sabzi, but I just always seem to order the same dishes again and again. Sometimes is good to just know a place is reliable. read more

I ordered the Falafel entree for carryout. It was interesting, it was not bad! But not anything to write home about. It sat four falafel patties on a bed of plain rice. They had the sauces on the side which was helpful and I just spread the tahini on the falafel. There was also a side of salad, maybe if I mixed that with the rice and falafel it would have been a more interesting dish, but felt like I was just eating plain falafel and rice. I tend to really like falafel but I'll try one of their other meat dishes next time! read more

The owner knows many of his customers and treats them with fondness and familiarity. That's a big reason I've come here for years. Also, the food is delicious and the location excellent. Finally, if you use the app, you get coupons. read more

Delicious Persian food with quality Ingredients. Great grill chicken and ground beef over a fluffy rice, is my favourite. I highly recommend this place! read more

The portions were very big and filling, and the flavor of the food was incredible. Also Shahram at the cash register was very friendly

I've tried many others in Georgetown that are similar or the same but this location never disappoints read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - a burrito and a dog - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Bottom line: Always delicious Persian food that is fresh and flavorful. Reliably served with freshly made bread and yogurt sauce. Easy to take out or get delivered during COVID. I have been going to various locations of Moby Dick for years, but somehow have never left a review! I love their sandwiches, especially the spicy ground chicken one. It's a sizeable sandwich and a good deal for under $10! They have daily specials and my partner is obsessed with them - generous portions of beautiful meats and rice. I also love their baklava! This location has a fantastic little market that sells some great spices, Persian desserts, nuts, dried foods, etc. Huge fan of the big jars of tomato paste too. read more

I'd always steered away from Moby Dick to an experience with one in Boston that seems to be unrelated to the chain here. But I was craving kabob, and this was the closest place to me. I'm clearly not expecting gourmet Persian cuisine, so what you get is good for a take-out place. I ordered chicken kabob with rice, salad, pita, and an herb mixture. The pita was extremely lackluster and I wouldn't waste my calories again. Kabob and rice were tasty enough, and the chicken was not dry, which is appreciated. Salad was super fresh, as was the herb mixture. I'd not rush here, but I wouldn't veto it either. read more

Yum!! The first thing that struck me about the place is the portions - they were huge! All entrees come with pita bread and yogurt dip to start. This was nice to hold me over until my food came out, because I was super hungry and had to wait quite a bit for my order. The yogurt was tangy and refreshing - my favorite part of the meal! I tried the combo with chicken breast kabob and kubideh. Both were very tasty. I got it with half rice and half salad - although if I realized there was bread included, I probably would have just gotten a full side of salad. Bread and rice just felt like a little too much carbs for me! All in all, it was tons of food and all really good. read more

I ordered take out here, and got the spicy chicken kabob with a side of half salad and half rice, as well as some falafel. The falafel was different than I expected: these were disc shaped and not very crunchy. Still good, but different from the round, dark falafel I'm used to. They were good with the tahini sauce they came with. The kabob was good as well, but the salad it came with was forgettable, and made me wish I had just gotten a full side of rice instead of the half side. The food is pretty good and considering it's close by, I'd have no issues coming here again for my next Persian food fix. read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Falafel - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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The food is fantastic a bit too pricy for to go food . The location is good and the bread is fresh they bake in house

Go someplace else. Only choose this place if you want the rude cashier yelling and walking away, telling you they don't see your order even if you show proof with order id and confirmation, and when asking to talk to a manger, which is not sure when will be there, being called a bitch. read more

Moby Dick is a famous book about a whale. Very long wikipedia page and apparently a lengthy book. What does the story have to do with middle eastern food? I'm not sure, but maybe I'll read it some day to figure out the connection. And in case your wondering, Moby Dick House of Kabob does not serve whale. The food was okay, nothing special. During my most recent visit, I had the Spicy Ground Chicken Kabob with half salad, half, rice, and pita bread. The pita bread was fresh, hot, right out of the oven. Tzatziki sauce is provided with it which is delicious. The rice has cheese and a small stick of butter in it. I just want plain basmati rice. No need to fancy up the rice. I'm tired of places jazzing up the food too much. It makes me want to just cook more myself sometimes, so I make it my way.The salad is romaine lettuce, with cucumbers, olives, tomatoes and feta cheese. I like that they have feta cheese, definitely one of my favorite cheeses, right behind fresh mozzarella. The chicken was good, not too spicy, but flavorful enough. I would get the salad and no rice for future visits. The staff could do a better job cleaning this place up. Many of the tables had leftover food and drinks on them from previous customers. Eventually, they cleaned it up towards the end of my visit, but the place just didn't feel that clean. If you download the app, you get a $2 credit towards your food which is nice. read more

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This is a go to spot. Good food for a decent price. Please bring back the hot sauce bottles and spices

This is probably the best fast food you can find anywhere. The kabobs were very delicious and their beef meat didn't taste like the trashy stuff you get everywhere else. For 15 dollars you can get a nice meal with grilled meats and extra traditionally made bread and yogurt. Also ask them about their freshly made yogurt drink called Doogh read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Moby's Combo I , Koubideh and Chenge - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

I don't usually eat at Moby Dick, but when I settled for it one evening as a to go order, it came in the form of this. Keeping it extra classy. read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - A koobideh that looks like...well... - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Great flavor and solid portion in the kubideh platter. The herby yogurt sauce is amazing - a top five all time sauce for me.

We've ordered from this location since it opened. They messed up an order and overcharged us this evening though and refused to adjust the price. It was only a few dollars as prepared a salad with double joojeh as opposed to the double joojeh dish with salad (instead of salad and rice), but actual amount of excess charge is besides the point. They refused to adjust or correct it and argued with us when we politely asked. read more

I've only done takeout through their website, and it's great. Easy to set up an account, and orders are filled quickly, or at a time you choose. I'm particularly fond of their ground beef kebabs or gyros. Their rice has this delicious buttery texture and flavor. I'm a fan. read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Gyro with spinach - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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Came in to use their bathroom but I ended up staying to eat as well. Because of Covid, I been really cautious about eating out or ordering take out. Like most people I watch out for restaurant staff wearing gloves, hats, mask and spaced out tables/social distancing . This place gets an A+ on all of that! My lunch was great and affordable! read more

What is it about salty, starchy, fatty foods that makes you want to eat more and more? As, I was eating my deep fried risotto ball from Pupatella, I was reminded of Moby Dick's and their salty, oily, rice and meat dishes. So, later that day, while jones'n for some more salt & starch, I went to my old standby; Moby Dick's. I always get the Kabob Koobideh with rice. Which is basically just ground beef and rice. I like to mix a ton of sumac in with my rice. Without it, there just isn't enough flavor for me. http://www.apinchof.com/sumac1114.htm I should note that I was introduced to Moby's back in 1998, when an Iranian coworker and I used to go every Friday to the original location in Bethesda. It was there that he introduced me to Tadiq (see pic). Tadiq is not on the menu, because it's the layer of crispy fried browned rice from the bottom of the pot. I'm told it's something that only a Persian would ask for, and it's free if they have any. Who doesn't love being able to order off menu? I enjoy the look of surprise when I ask if they have any. I'm also the only non-Persian, that I know of, who likes the stuff. Most people are turned off by burnt crunchy rice. Overall, my palate tends toward the spicy and Moby's is not spicy enough for me. It's just salty, oily, starch with meat. Nevertheless, I like it, just fine. However, I'm usually dehydrated afterwords from all the salt. Final thought: Their Hummus is like no other! If nothing else get a couple sides of their Hummus, you won't forget it. read more

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Not a very good first experience.... Apparently I just ordered all the wrong things. Was feeling lazy so I ordered some food for delivery. Kabob E Joojeh (with bread) - Got a chicken kabob with the bread instead of rice...little did I know the order would already come with bread. Why would they even have that option?? Bread was dry, too chewy, but super large. Very not and not puffy...NOT how I like it. The chicken was decent, the flavor was good. And then there was like 2 pieces of roasted tomato, which was good...wish there were more. Kashk o Bademjan - (Ingredients: Fried eggplant, onions, mint, salt, sour cream, and kashk) Then I ordered this eggplant as a side. It comes pre-made and containerized...it was alright...a little too onion-y for my taste, and the slight mint flavor kind of freaked me out. That wasn't listed on the online menu, I don't think. Bamiyeh (Ingredients: flour, eggs, sugar, rose water, saffron, corn oil) - I googled this to see what it would be...and my impression from wikipedia made me think DONUT!!! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamiyeh). Wrong. These are little chickpea-like balls of super oily, WAYYY too sweet chewy strangeness. couldn't finish it... and trust me, I eat everything and ANYthing with sugar in it. All-in-all...maybe I should've gotten falafel...and rice, which I've read is pretty good here. Maybe next time. all this came out to like $20...totally not worth it. The delivery was relatively quick though. read more

Food comes out very promptly at lunchtime, especially if you go on Thursdays and get the Thursday special zereshk polou, which is stewed chicken with saffron rice and barberries. It's amazing. It's one of my favorite dishes anywhere. Sometimes by dinner on Thursdays, it's sold out. It, like all entrees, comes with flatbread and yummy yogurt-cucumber sauce for free, which you can munch on while you wait for your order. There's sumac on the table that you can sprinkle on top, even better. I haven't had the kabobs here lately, but I have no reason to think the cooking has gone downhill. Local mini-chain, cheerful decor, plenty of seating, friendly owner. Good salad dressing. I LIKE. read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - Zereshk polou: Thursday special! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

They just started to serve Whole Wheat Naan (flatbread). Awesome with the Hummas.

There is a reason why this chain is so successful. They provide a common atmosphere and formulaic food. It's a good standard formula. I love it how Latino dudes are in the kitchen cooking the stuff. Anyway, I think the food is pricey for fast food, but its not really fast food. Its more like chipotle level. or upscale fast food, or casual dining. The lamb kabobs I had were pretty tender, and moist, and the rice was good as well. I love the flat bread and the yogurt dipping sauce. I wouldn't hesitate to come back here. read more

Just great fresh simple fire grilled kababs perfectly spiced and flavored.These guys are always very cordial and offer great service. Prices are very fair compared to the amount of actual meat you get compared to some of the national chains like Chipotle or Cava,not to mention that it is probably healthier for you too! I even love their vegetarian sandwiches and platters. Moby rocks! read more

We are always in here! (This one is right smack in the middle of Clarendon and we LOVE it!!!!!!) There are so few places where the food is delicious AND nutritious as in Moby Dick's House of Kabob. Nothing cuter than watching little ones eat heartily and voraciously, everyone is happy at MDHoK. The chicken, naan, beef, Moby Melt, gigantic salads, etc are cooked perfectly and portioned just right. If you want to indulge they offer desserts but basically the entrees are the center of this universe. Come in and chat up Darius, Ayde and company about the platters, Persian food and beverages and become a regular, it's not hard. They will make you feel right at home and sooooo full of good food! read more

Moby Dick - Washington Blvd - My favorite, a little chicken, beef, rice and salad! - Middle Eastern Near Me - Arlington, Virginia