Navigating the Menu Like a Regular
First time walking into Kebab House Santa Barbara can feel slightly overwhelming because the menu offers so many tempting options. Do not worry. The best approach is to start with a small order of their homemade hummus and warm, puffy pita bread. The https://kebabhousesb.com/ hummus is silky smooth, topped with paprika and a swirl of high-quality olive oil. Next, ask your server about the daily grill specials, which change depending on what fresh ingredients arrived that morning. Tuesday often features whole grilled sea bass, while Friday highlights a lamb chop platter. These specials are not advertised online, so you must ask. Following this simple guide ensures you taste the very best the kitchen has to offer on any given day.
Signature Kebabs You Cannot Miss
Kebab House specializes in three standout kebabs that every first-time visitor should try. The Adana kebab, made from ground lamb and beef mixed with hot red pepper flakes and parsley, is hand-molded onto flat skewers and grilled until slightly crisp outside yet juicy within. It delivers a gentle heat that builds with each bite. The Chicken Shish Kebab features large chunks of boneless thigh meat marinated in yogurt, lemon, and oregano, resulting in incredibly succulent poultry. For the ultimate indulgence, order the Lamb Shish Kebab, where tender leg meat picks up deep charcoal smokiness. Each kebab arrives atop a bed of buttery saffron rice with a side of grilled tomato and long green pepper. You can also order any combination platter to sample multiple types.
Must-Try Appetizers Beyond Basic Dips
While hummus and baba ghanoush are excellent, Kebab House offers less common starters that truly showcase its culinary range. The Sigara Boregi consists of crispy phyllo rolls stuffed with feta cheese and fresh dill, fried to golden perfection and served with a tangy tomato dipping sauce. Another standout is the Ezme salad, a finely chopped mixture of tomatoes, onions, walnuts, and pomegranate molasses, offering a sweet and spicy kick that refreshes the palate between bites of rich meat. For seafood lovers, the grilled calamari special is lightly seasoned and cooked just until tender, never rubbery. Order two or three appetizers to share among friends, and you will have a meal worth remembering even before the main course arrives.
Grill Specials That Change with the Seasons
One of the greatest joys of dining at Kebab House is discovering what the chef has prepared as the daily grill special. In spring, look for Zucchini Flowers stuffed with herbed rice and lightly fried. Summer brings Cornish hen halves marinated in sumac and grilled over low heat until the skin turns crispy. Autumn features Grilled Eggplant Salad with smoked peppers and pomegranate seeds. Winter specialty is Lamb Tandir, slow-cooked lamb shoulder so tender it falls apart with a fork, served with a rich tomato broth for dipping bread. These specials are listed on a small blackboard near the register, often selling out by 8 PM. Arriving early guarantees you do not miss out on these limited-time treasures.
How to Build Your Perfect Meal at Kebab House
Creating a memorable dinner at Kebab House involves balancing flavors and textures. Start with a cold appetizer like haydari, a thick garlic and herb yogurt dip. Move to a hot appetizer such as cheese borek. For your main course, choose one lamb and one chicken kebab to share, allowing the whole table to taste both. Upgrade your side from rice to grilled vegetables tossed in za’atar spice. Finish with a glass of hot Turkish tea and a portion of kunefe, a shredded phyllo and cheese dessert soaked in syrup and topped with crushed pistachios. This sequence of dishes shows off the kitchen’s full range, from savory starters to sweet endings. Follow this guide, and you will leave understanding why Kebab House is Santa Barbara’s most beloved grill spot.