I'm a huge fan of Persian cuisine so I can't believe this was my first time here. It's kind of tucked away in East Davis away from most of the other commerce areas. Dolmas: B- Stuffed grape leaves, mostly rice filling. These are tasty but they only give a few per order. Bademjoun: C Eggplant dip. Sounded better than it ended up being. It lacked salt so it tasted a bland. Came with choice of bread so I got the Barbari, which was a more sturdy flatbread. Also, was pricey for such a small portion. Koobideh plate: B+ Highlight of the order for me, I love the ground beef skewers. Goes perfectly with the grilled tomato and rice. I would skip the appetizers and get another order of this to be honest. read more

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What a great find!! My husband and I had been in Davis all day for a BHS contest and wanted some tasty food, but also wanted to avoid any Picnic Day crowds, so we were looking a little East of town on our way home. Lucky us!! Stand Up Kabob came up in our map app!! We didn't even realize there was inside seating and ordered at the bar and found a table outside. I got the chicken special with baberries and my husband got the double chicken kabobs. Both were delicious! We also split the eggplant appetizer. Yummy! It was a chilly night and the guys working there suggested that if we wanted we should have dessert inside. So, we did! Baklava and a cream puff! Goodness were they wonderful! Loved them both. They even gave us hot tea and that enhanced the delicious desserts. Will definitely be going back! The location is unique, but for me that just added to the experience! The patio outside was a lovely place to enjoy an evening together. read more

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Totally worth the drive! The hardest part is trying to go on the days it is open and figuring out what to order.

This is my favorite restaurant in all of Davis, even in the whole Yolo county. The most delicious kabobs on earth and it's a really busy place because it's super popular! Tonight was even busier due to the new year event of celebrating Spring season. I was so excited for the food and as you're standing in line, you get a show of the authentic grill to make the chicken and lamb kabobs. So amazing! You can smell the delicious scents and everything. It's mouthwatering. The line is long of course but that's to be expected given all the reasons listed above (great food, awesome cultural event, vibrant atmosphere). After waiting in line for 30 minutes, you finally reach the counter to place an order for you wonderful food you've been gazing at. All you dreams come crashing down as you learn that none of the main entrees are been taken because there were so many orders. I was confused and I tried to understand what items were left to order. You find out the apps and drinks are still remaining but what you came for, waiting for, the amazing kabobs you watched sizzling are no longer being offered. I did inquire to the cashier if maybe I could wait to place an order for the kabobs by coming back later when they weren't so busy or had some time to catch up on the orders. The answer was still no and my heart broke as I was really crazing kabob. Nonetheless, I was still super hungry and I remember their super tasty shirazi salad. I ended up ordering 2 of their salads and hoped that could fill the spot reserved for those delicious kabobs. I did get the 2 salads in a record time, so fast. However, I was a bit confused because the containers and size were so different from my past experiences (also different from the menu picture above the cashier). The salads were presented in a sauce container cup. I felt really torn after receiving my order due to the small size since they were normally served in these white soup to-go containers that were at least 2x the size. I did order 2 salads but they are so petite. This does happen a lot where Standup Kabob sells out of food fast, which I understand. It's a really common occurrence. I wish they would anticipate the needs of their customers given how fast the food runs out. I felt like I really built up my excitement over getting the kabobs only for the experience to be a total let down. I wish the long line was informed that the restaurant stopped taking orders for the main food. read more

Stand Up Kabob - Salad - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

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A friend recommended we try this little place. It's only open on Friday, so you have to plan ahead or remember what day it is! It's in a weird location, but who cares? They made a cute little patio for dine in, though they do a good to-go business. There menu isn't huge but there are so many delicious choices of authentic Persian food. It is all amazing!! Staff is friendly and helpful. We're becoming regulars! read more

Never disappointed when I come here. From their food to their drinks to their customer service to the vibe...you have to come experience this relaxing outdoor dining experience. Where else can you get a food stand feel that is also clean and inviting? I tried their tea for the first time this time. It was absolutely lovely. Very nice choice of cups and a saucer of sugar cubes. It's the little things that make me love this establishment. read more

Food and service is wonderful, we will impatiently wait for it to reopen!!!!! Kabobs and side dishes are all authentic, they made a nice covered side patio, with heaters. Thanks for all their efforts, we'll be back for their reopening!! read more

The staff are super friendly and polite. The smells coming off of the outdoor grill, amazing! The chicken kabob... disappointing. I recommend marinating it and/or brining it first. It was dry and unsavory. The mast o khiar was decent and helped add some flavor but for a few tablespoons @ $6.50... kinda hard to swallow. The rice was decent; nothing spectacular. In this establishment's defense, I will be returning to try other dishes. However, I must state that the chicken kebab was highly recommended by friends and staff but did not deliver. read more

Had a great visit to Stand Up Kabob. Definitely a funny concept-having a kebab shop in the middle of a car sales lot, but was really great food ! Didn't love the chai to be honest as it was served black and not how I thought Chai was usually served at middle eastern/indian/pakistani etc restaurants! read more

Stand Up Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

Hard to compare to most other typical "brick and mortar" restaurants. The location has been carved out of a small portion of a car dealer lot and building. * Food is average compared to many other persian restaurants that I've been too. Portion size is more on the small size (I had their chicken kabob). * Service is also hard to judge: you pay first kind of set up, then you either pick it up, or if you're seated, they bring it to you. I'd say it was average. * Location is funky/weird. It's the best term I can use. Overall, not for me. But probably works for young college kids and I can see it be popular for couple of reasons: the set up is funky which could be seen as interesting by some. Then there is also the fact that they only open once or twice a week. So it might be viwed as a thing to do with friends on the weekend days when they're open. read more

Authentic Persian Kabobs! My favorite is the lamb/beef kabob plate over rice. You can tell the staff here really care about the food, and service. The cashiers and cooks are friendly and always greet me when I come to pick food up. The lamb kabob has amazing flavor and is just *CHEF KISS* when eaten with a spoonful of the perfectly cooked jasmine rice. Sometimes they include a piece of charred rice and it is absolutely delicious. Oh, get the Persian rice pudding dessert, it's to die for!! I won't spoil what it tastes like because you have to taste it for yourself to really appreciate how good it is :) read more

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This is my new favorite kabob place. I tried the chicken kabob. So tender and juicy. Vegetables were grilled to PERFECTION. I ordered pick up and the staff was very friendly. It is on the more expensive side for sure, but worth it. There is no better kabob in Davis. read more

We ordered what appeared to be a one dish small meal. It was billed as crispy rice with a special stew. The rice was not only crispy it was hard as a brick and inedible. The stew was a thin layer of some brown material with one small chunk of some kind of tough meat. I don't know how this place gets such great reviews. It was TERRIBLE. read more

HAVE AGAIN: Banoo kabob combo with rice, tomato, pepper and pickle was good but very plain. Next time bring some sweet chili sauce. Good service and they have indoor tables! read more

Yummy! Beef and chicken taste great (boyfriend and I say) service is great. Ordered to go and ate in the car because it's cold outside. The bread is good but the rice is magnificent! The veggies are delicious as well. I love the tomato! read more

The food was great and I'm so happy there is a good kabob place in Davis. I'm only taking a star off bc the food took kinda long to prepare and they forgot one item (which we only realized once we got home and had to go back for). Otherwise the flavors were awesome and the staff and service was super friendly. The meat thermometer was hands free and all Covid precautions were taken. The chicken kebabs were our favorite. read more

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What a great place!!! We went there on a Friday night and the server could not have been more patient (with all our questions) or more helpful. This was my first experience with Persian food so I tried the Banoo Kabob Combo with lavash bread --- my friends had the Loobia Polo and the Joojeh --- and we all shared with each other. EVERYTHING was delicious! All the dishes are prepared from scratch for every order, so it does indeed take a bit longer for the food to come to the table, but it is most definitely worth waiting for! In the meantime there are fabulous appetizers and --- for me --- several cups of amazing Persian tea. It was a truly a wonderful dining experience, and all of us agreed to come here again as soon as possible. It is in a rather unusual place, but it is easily accessible (just off East Chiles Road), there was plenty of parking, and the restaurant itself has a warm and inviting atmosphere. The chairs were comfortable, and everything was very, very clean. What a find!!! We all loved it!!! read more

The chicken kabob was magically delicious! Super bummed I didn't get to try the salad but just means I have to come back again! The outside patio is set up super cute! read more

Don't be fooled that it's located in a used cars lot and make sure to look out for the A-frame sign because the turn can be easily missed. Also if you are meeting a group more than 4, you should call ahead to reserve a table as most of their tables are for groups of 2. We ordered the banoo kabob combo over rice to try the chicken and koobideh since it was our first time. Love the creamy sauce they include on the side! read more

Stand Up Kabob - Banoo kabob combo - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

Visited this spot on a Friday afternoon. I was last here two years ago and it was way more low key. It was nice to see the progression this shop has made and there were quite a few people eating there. Upon stepping in, the aromas of the charcoal fired meat were instantly apparent. We got two orders, a banoo kabob with lamb and chicken and a double chicken over rice. We also got some salad and a rice pudding. The chicken was very tender and juicy and had a great flavor. The lamb was the star with the charcoal flavor infused into it. The rice went well, but could use more of a flavor to it. The salad was refreshing and was a good palate cleanser. The rice pudding had a nice texture with a sweet saffron flavor. We also enjoyed a Taj Mahal and kingfisher with the food. read more

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Thought I was going to a smog check, but went to lunch instead. The parking is in the back of the auto shop. Wait is approximately 20min+ for the kabobs. Definitely recommend ordering ahead. The lamb kabob was meaty and not too gamey. The chicken kabob was tender and juicy but a little too salty. The crunchy rice was too crunchy. The grilled tomatoes were Perfecto. read more

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so sad that they have been open for over a year and I just found out about them this week from word of mouth! The quality and flavor of their skewers are over the top good. Very flavorful and even the thick chicken chunks were juicy and tender. The eggplant with walnuts was an amazing pair along side the main dishes and the cucumber sauce was a perfect refreshing topping. Their rice pudding is creamy and smooth and perfectly sweet. Love love love that we can get this in Davis...we all know we need some good food here. Since they are are only open 2 days a week (because the owners are students) I bought another plate and skewers for the week love this place and I'll be back too many more times. read more

Awesome place! Great food, even better service. I went here with 20 mins to spare before my son's soccer tournament. I asked the waitress what would be quickest. She said kabobs take 20 minutes, but she would see if she could expedite it. In a few minutes, she had come back with a chicken kabob plate packed to go. Even before it was my turn to order and pay at the counter! The food was delicious. If I wasn't in a hurry, I would have got the Kubideh, which looked tasty. read more

Although I've never had any Persian food before but my tastebuds can tell this place is authentic. I could taste the nonconforming pride of this ancient civilization in the complex and delicate seasoning. The experience here is absolutely nothing like a regular dinner. During the meal my roommate and I kept talking about the food because those dishes are so different to our past food experiences and weird in a tasty way. Eye opening dining experience. Will come back and try more items on the menu! read more

I have been meaning to go here for a while and am so glad I came here today! Definitely going to be coming back. The entire staff is very helpful and attentive and will get your food out quickly. I have met the owner in the past and he is very passionate about his restaurant and you can definitely feel that in the outstanding quality of food he serves! Everything is very fresh tasting and delicious. Even when walking up you can smell the kabobs on the barbecue and the kabobs taste even better than they smell. I got the chicken plate with a side of the cucumber mint yogurt and a side of lavash bread. So so yummy. The prices are great too. Will be coming back soon! read more

Stand Up Kabob - Chicken plate - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

Waited for months to try this place since the COVID-19 pandemic affected lots of places to close or reduce hours. This place is worth going, and I have been back twice recently. The roasted tomatos were done very well and got a sweet taste probably due to sumac. Mmm mmm. The beef/lamb (mixed with 80% beef/20% lamb "koobideh") plate and chicken plate both were delicious and come in a box for $7 and $8 each. Extra koobideh skewer was $4 more. Get them and see which one you like more. I like koobideh more. Must go back again. read more

What a delightful surprise. Super tasty, fast, inexpensive, and kind service. The eggplant dip is off the charts. Sadly they were sold out so I couldn't order, but the server kindly offered to get me a sample of what was left. Amazing. The lamb and chicken kabobs were stellar. The produce was fresh and delicious. The bean-noodle soup was tasty. Funky and fun tucked behind a car dealership on the skirts of Davis- what a gem. read more

I love this place! Great Persian food, cooked on an outdoor BBQ, with an outdoor seating area. In this cold weather I was thrilled to try the new indoor dining room. I had the lamb kabobs and they were excellent with saffron rice and grilled tomato. read more

Great fresh food in the middle of nowhere. We were surprised to find an outdoor restaurant serving Persian dishes. We tried Djoojeh and Kobideh and both were great. read more

Stand Up Kabob - Side dish - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

It's not recommended! We saw good reviews about this restaurant, but after we tried it, we were disappointed. The service was too bad; it took 45 minutes for a starter and a plate. When the food came, it was cold, and the portions were so small. They served it on to go plates, which is ridiculous read more

It's so great to see this place growing and thriving even thru pandemic! Hidden gem in Davis! read more

Stand Up Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

Great place for lunch. Friendly and fast service. Food is fresh and delicious. Convenient parking. read more

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I heard about this new restaurant from a friend and was intrigued as they call themselves a pop-up restaurant. The location was suprising- off the highway frontage road behind some car dealers! It's outdoor only right now as they complete construction on the indoor dining space. They had a small patio area where you can stand and eat or use a stool. The food was very good & shockingly affordable. We had a very unique soup that had some interesting spices & enjoyed it on a cold winter day. Also got a chicken kabob plate which was only $6 (although smallish serving size). We watched the cook cook it in the outdoor oven. The chicken was exceptionally well seasoned and moist. There were sandwiches available for $3, and next time we'll need to try one! Really wide assortment of drink options. Check it out & support this new microbusiness! read more

Stand Up Kabob - Soup - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

I found this place on Yelp when I was looking for Persian food in Davis. My husband had the lamb/beef mix kabob and loved it. I had eggplant and also loved it. The salad was really good also. The people there are very nice. We will definitely be going back for more delicious food. read more

Stand Up Kabob - Eggplant and lamb/beef kabob. - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

The best kabob ever. Get the chicken kabob. The best part is the music and food. Open on Friday and Saturday for now. Come early coz they run out. read more

Stand Up Kabob - Best kabob and best owner. Coolest vibe - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

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I've been buying takeout here for about a year. The quality keeps going incrementally down little by little, and the prices keep climbing. It's no longer a reasonable value, but at current prices is overpriced. But today is the straw that broke the camel's back. I bought two stew dishes for consumption later (not tonight). Why would I do this you ask? Because they are only open one day a week so sometimes I buy some stew to eat over the weekend. All this time (I'm a regular) they've served the stew in a soup container and the rice in a paper plate type container. This is how all Persian stews are served: separate from the rice, even if you're dining in and definitely when you take out. Today for some reason (to save 3 cents on a soup container?) they served my stews on the rice. This makes it not appetizing to store for another day. These should be served separately and combined at the time of consumption, even if the time of consumption is 10 minutes later. Nobody serves Persian stew directly on the rice. It just makes everything soggy and makes the meal look unappetizing. I brought it up with the young lady at the front and she informed me that this is how they're serving it now, on the rice. They're polite enough, but the service lacks professionalism. I can't recommend stand up kabob any more. The lack of consistency is too much of a headache to come back. The menu options change all the time and half the time they don't have the things I am used to ordering from them. The prices on their old standbys, when they do have them, are constantly climbing. And now the containers used for takeout meals are being skimped on, and nobody seemed to care when I brought it up. As a long-standing customer who has eaten here over 20 times, I'm throwing in the towel. read more

Wonderful owner and great food! We had the kabobs and ash soup which were both very tasty! Highly recommend this place. They are under construction so only outdoor seating right but in the future will have indoor seating. read more

Stand Up Kabob - Kabobs fresh off the grill - Middle Eastern Near Me - Davis, California

The food was fantastic! Great service! Love the outdoor seating! Will return. The sound of Persian music adds to the experience!

I will start by saying their food is AMAZING. I've tried both their lamb and chicken kabob and loved both. I also love their rice and the pickle and veggies that come with the meal. 2 major negatives that keep me from going here regularly: 1. Their wait times are LONG. Even if you order ahead. The very first time we went here with the intention if dining in- they had some catering order which I guess put them behind. But we literally waited over an hour (closer to an hour, 20 min) for our food. (They gave us a free yogurt and drink to make up for it, which was nice. But my kid got super cranky, and I'd rather that my food just be ready on time.) The second and third time I went here- I ordered ahead. Just 1 meal. Not peak meal time. It was still was 30 min wait after I arrived. Kabob is usually a super fast food. 2. A lot of reviews seem to be fine with their pricing. I personally find them way over-priced for a restaurant where you either take your food home or sit in the parking lot of a car dealership to eat out of a to-go contianer. For instance- getting lamb AND chicken on a rice plate is about $18. 1 skewer of ground meat is $8. If you want the yogurt side...$5.75?! Most Middle Eastern or Persian kabob restaurants include some amount of the yogurt sauce for free. It's a standard part of these meals. Similar meals in the Sacramento area (Fulton) come with more food and sides for $5-8 less. If this place reduced their prices and wait times, I'd hit them up weekly! read more

Glad to find this place before everyone else. Diamond in the rough. Extremely reasonable prices and quality is through the roof. The ambiance is incredible. Music playing happy people and indoor & outdoor areas. Coming back. Maybe tomorrow read more

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