★★☆☆☆ We were back after the Covid-19 and I was surprisingly disappointed. Quality was down, portions much smaller, two sides is now one, price much higher. All ingredients for a bad visit. I probably should've rated them 1 but for old times I selected 2. We will not be back. Posted on March 1, 2022

★★★★★ Great food. Staff was very helpful. Was our 1st time here, so staff helped us pick out dishes. Kids loved the food too. Posted on June 29, 2017

★★★★☆ Happening place with good vegetarian options. The owner was unable to verify if the meat is hand-slaughtered (Zabihah Halal). So, better avoid the meats. Posted on January 6, 2017

★★★★★ ● Super busy cuz they're super good! ● Quick service, excellent taste, reasonable prices. ● Ambiance makes eating - in a pleasure! ● Let's not waste anymore time discussing the frivolous aspects of Charcoal Kebab; let's get right to the REAL DEAL: B E S T L A M B C H O P S O N E A R T H !!!! Posted on September 30, 2016

★★★★☆ Food was good. I got the Tandoori Half Chicken. Pretty good sized portion for the price. Other things were a bit on the expensive side. Posted on August 19, 2015

★★★★☆ Good food, good customer service. A bit pricy. Overall good experience Posted on October 13, 2014

★★☆☆☆ I always heard about this place and one day decided to try it to grab some food to take home for my wife and I after a pretty long day of work. That was probably my first and last time going to this place. While they look clean and have good reviews, I personally can't say what their food was like in the past and how it has turned out to be today. The young guy at the counter messed up my order even after I told him 3 times what I wanted... When I showed him my incorrect order, he made it seem like I was wrong, until the owner stepped in and knew exactly what I wanted.... From the time I ordered and I received the correct order probably took nearly 30 minutes, which is absolutely ridiculous. In addition, their prices are extremely higher than others in area that offer the same type of food - well authentic Afghani food I should say, which they certainly don't.. So I get the food and get home and open it up.. barely any rice which is probably the cheapest grain in the market.. The container has 3 sections and they put the bread in the big one with kabob over it and fill 1 small one with salad and the other small one with rice... The Chapli kabobs were pretty dry as well though on the eatable side I would say... Overall very disappointed Posted on March 26, 2014

★★★☆☆ Big portions, economical. Not courteous Food was not very tasty Posted on October 6, 2013

★★★★☆ Khari chicken is the best dish there and really u can enjoy when eating it and every thing else are good also and the taste of kabab is better than any ither kabab's places Posted on October 2, 2013

★★★★☆ We got some take-out from here on a recent visit to the DC area, and I was impressed with the quality of the food - especially the naan which was very soft and tasted great. The chicken kababs were great too. Also tried the Nihari and Beef Kabab which were also very good. Will definitely try to check out this restaurant again next time I'm in the area. Posted on May 28, 2013

★★☆☆☆ Good location, good parking, and good atmosphere but a little pricey. Don't think I will going there much. I liked the chutney but the rest of the food seemed ok pretty much average. Idk I used to love the food as a kid but now it tastes different I don't like it as much and I am disappointed. : ( Posted on December 15, 2012

★★★★☆ great place, great food. Very nice staff. Posted on July 5, 2012

★★★★★ Portions were large and the food tasted pretty good. There seemed to be as many Pakistani offerings as there were Afghani. Posted on June 10, 2012

★★☆☆☆ Two words ... Not impressed. This place is mediocre at best. Prices were higher than expected. Food was bland. There are plenty of places in Northern Virginia with better quality, taste and prices. Will not be going there again. Posted on May 27, 2012

★★★☆☆ I don't know why people love this place. It is good but not worth all the hype it receives. Posted on March 13, 2012

★★★★☆ Good chapli kababs and GREAT kashmiri chai! Posted on February 1, 2012

★★★★★ All about the Kashmiri tea with warm gulab jamun.....mmmmmhhhh Posted on December 22, 2011

★★★☆☆ I've been there few times and will continue to go. However the food costs a bit more than some of the other restaurants in the area, compare to the portion size and taste. I love their gyro though. The size is bigger than Mehran's. Will continue to go there for Gyro (I'm a semi-gyro fanatic). But for other stuff maybe I will look elsewhere. Posted on February 9, 2011

★★★★★ I have been coming to Charcoal Kabob since it opened all those years ago. The food is excellent. The people who work their are kind and they also help the community. The prices have gone up but not by much. Many people must also consider the amount of food they are getting. The quality of the food is good and they renovated their restaurant so it is even better now. I love their chicken chapli (Afghan burger) kabob. Posted on January 6, 2011

★★★★☆ They have very friendly service.Kabobs are OK.Side sishes need attention.They need to follow some good recipes to make side dishes.For examplw Nehari can easily be cooked using Shan masala and nehari meat. Posted on December 8, 2009

★★★★★ Excellent kabobs, but like the rest of VA, is one of many places that offers decent kabobs. Posted on August 24, 2009

★★★★☆ This place is pretty spacious and has a decent setting. The service is good and the staff is very friendly. The food is not too pricey. I had the lamb ribs and Chapli kabab and both were extremely delicious !!! I also got the chicken haleem on the side and it great as well. This is a place that you definitely need to go to. Posted on August 11, 2009

★★★★★ This is a must try place. Excellent foods and clean roomy restaurant make Charcoal Kabab my pick anytime I'm in the area Posted on June 18, 2009

★★★☆☆ There kabobs are tasty and they give a nice big portion of food. This is an Afghani restaurant and serves Afghani dishes which are quite tasty. Posted on June 4, 2009

★★★★☆ Great kabobs when your in the mood for spicy ones, place is not the most attractive but the food if worth it! Posted on June 10, 2008

★★☆☆☆ I started going there since 2005 and the menu is still the same no improvements, yes good and chaep food but you get bored after a while. Yep awful side dishes. Posted on April 23, 2008

★★★☆☆ There isn't anything special about food except they are only halal desi option in area. Don't get me wrong, it is worth eating though. Not best attitude though. They are kind of snobs. Posted on April 15, 2008

★★★★★ i love this place! delicious food. i've been coming here ever since it opened. Posted on March 10, 2008

★★★★★ I really love charcoal kabobs food. I especially love there chick peas which are always delicous. I also like how the restaurant is so big and all of the food is so cheap. Their naan is also very delicous. Posted on March 9, 2008

★★★★★ Back to the original Best Quality!!! I've been going to Charcoal since 1998. Like the other reviewer mentioned, the quality and the serving size decreased and I stopped going there for a while. I just went back today and I would like to ask all those who haven't been there for a while to give it a try again! They've brought the quality and serving size back to its original state! The chicken is juicy and the lamb is packed with flavor. Best Kabob restaurant in the Herndon Area! Posted on February 27, 2008

★★★★☆ The food was pretty good, pretty crowded but clean. I thought it was a little expensive for the portion size. Posted on January 6, 2008

★★★☆☆ Tried the Chapli Kabab platter. Quite spicy and very dry, had to dip in yogurt. But taste was very good. Posted on November 26, 2007

★★★★☆ This place is pretty good. Went here a few weeks ago after several years. It was nice to see the quality had somewhat remained the same. Charcoal is on the way to Dulles, so leave for the airport about an hour earlier than usual and stop by charcoal for some pretty tight kababs. Posted on September 4, 2007

★★★★☆ Nice place. Food is a bit pricy, if you want to eat desi food, I would reccomend Tandoori Village, instead of this restaurant. However the portions are large here, but they could cut the price down a little bit. The service is good, and the owner is polite. Posted on July 23, 2007

★★★★☆ Good food, fast service, expensive. I found the meat to be well prepared. The nans were above average. I am not a big fan of the "rice platters" with the rice, salad and 5 cubes of meat but still worth the hours drive and the $8 per plate. the gulab jamans were good as well. Of course I forgot to order their kashmiri chai which i have heard is good.. nevertheless i do appreciate the fact that they waited 20 extra minutes (past closing time) for my wife to feed my baby before they closed. Posted on July 13, 2007

★★★☆☆ I had heard a lot about this place but I would rate their food as being just OK after eating over there. The Kashmiri chai is really good though. Nevertheless not a bad place to eat Posted on July 6, 2007

★★★★★ I have been coming to this place since 1999. The food quality is excellent. Not sure why the last reviewer had any problems. I think their portions have retained the size. I am sure their cooks have had off days like all humans but I think overall they have maintained a good standard. Also, now they do accept credit cards Posted on March 11, 2007

★★☆☆☆ Charcol Kabob use to be great Kabob place between 1998-2004. Lately, they are doing mass production and they haven't kept up with the quality of the kabob. Their Nehari is the only thing that is any good now. I would not call Charcol Kabob a Afghan Eatery. The line cooks are all Bangladeshi's and for a while the food turned real spicy. Thier portions have gone small and their prices have sky rocketed. I guess they are popular now so they can get away with it.It's all bhaaa now. I really really use to enjoy eating out there before. The owners are very good people and do alot for the community and that is the only reason I still give them business. Posted on July 3, 2006

★★★★★ They serve excellent kabobs in American style Combo sizes. I liked their chapli kabob and boneless chicken kabob. Their sabzi (salan) are also very good, though spicy. Decor is not that good. This is a self serve restaurant. Posted on March 28, 2006

★★★★★ This place is the best! I've never had better kabobs in my life. My favorite is the chapli kabob. The only bad thing is they only accept cash Posted on March 20, 2006

★★★★☆ Great food, prices are a BIT high, but are definitely worth it...the chicken,kabob's and NAAN'S are definitely 2 die 4!!! Posted on March 5, 2006

★★★★★ this place is too good - the kabobs are to die for. i had a friend that would buy a bunch of kabobs from here and drive them up to nyc - ate them there a bunch of times. infact, i look forward to going to his place in nyc knowing he'll have a stash of charcoal kabob kabobs needing to be exploited. Posted on January 23, 2006

★★★★☆ Great food! a little expensive but it was worth it! Boneless chicken tikka,seekh kabob and chapli kabob recommended!GO GO NOW! Posted on November 7, 2005

★★★☆☆ TOO EXPENSIVE for one kabab plate $8.00 Most all you can est buffet are $6.95 They do not accept Debit/Credit cards. Food is not bad, but it used to be better and more affordable. Bathroom was very dirty and the walls were not cleaned in months. Posted on October 16, 2005

★★☆☆☆ I used to really like this place. It used to be excellent. However, they seem to have slipped as of late. Their food isnt as good as it used to be. I hope they fix this soon. I think they are spending less time on making the food or they have different cooks or something. Posted on June 19, 2005

★★★☆☆ I thought the food was decent. It was nice to be in a family-oriented largish restaurant with booth seating. Friendly staff. Posted on March 2, 2005

★★★★★ The food is halal, i knw cuz my uncles own the place. I love visiting them, cuz i get the food for free. The best part is goin to the back room and checkin out the place, i almost got thrown into the freezer once lol. Posted on January 4, 2005

★★★★☆ thanks zabiha i got this restaurant from your site and the food was great such a good place to visit too Posted on December 2, 2004

★★★★★ overall good at a decent price. great paintings galore. pretty busy during lunch time...ATM easily accessable...will NOT accept Credit Cards p.s. stingy on the chutney Posted on August 26, 2004

★★★★★ Nice people, good food. And best of all, they know most of their customers by their name. It is my fav place to eat and I recommand it to every one. Posted on July 5, 2004

★★★★★ The best kabob in whole United states. I m a programmer from washington state and I been in many states and there are many restaurants I have visited in NY,CA, NJ,Va,FL I think Charcoal kabob is the best. Their food is fresh and they are very friendly, inside restaurnat there are many afghani pictures which is kind of unique . I give them a five star and whenever I m in Virginia or even in Maryland I got to have some charcoal kabob. Posted on July 1, 2004

★★★★★ One of my favorite places when I go to virginia. Very tasty kebabs indeed. Highly recommended Posted on June 21, 2004

★★★★★ Wow the best kabob and i give them *****. I love their chic peas they call it chenaa I think. I have tried lamb kabob in all kabob houses in Virginia, but no one can top Charcoal kabob. I love their food. i give them a five star. Posted on February 7, 2004

★★★☆☆ Lamb Kababs taste excellent. Very authentic Afghan and Indian cuisines. Small portions (ex: 6 or 7 lamb kabab cubes) at high prices ($6). Not very clean. Reminded me of "soup Nazi" (Seinfeld show) in terms of service(don't ask for 2nd veg curry, if you get kababs). Posted on January 2, 2004

★★★★☆ I've just tried their haleem and ended up with gastroentiritis, but it tasted good! Posted on December 24, 2003

★★★★★ Dude this is the best..... Charcoal Kabab is one of the best restaurants I've ever been in. I think their food is like no where else, and their staff is so friendly that you feel like you have known them for ever! I would definitely recommend this restaurant to everybody. Posted on November 12, 2003

★★★★★ Excellent halal lamb chops...and much more! An excellent mix of Indian and Afghani food. A must visit when you are in the DC area. Posted on May 21, 2003

★★★★★ By far the best 'chana', nan and kabobs in Northern VA. Good service and excellent prices. Highly recommend it Posted on April 15, 2003

★★★★★ I was away from Charcoal Kabab for two years and upon my return last Saturday found it as busy as ever. The chicken kababs are excellent, and the spicy side dishes are the best I have found in Northern Virginia. Everyone behind the counter is unfailingly gracious. Posted on March 31, 2003

★★★★★ nice food for brothers and sister who like spicy food it is the place Posted on January 13, 2003

★★★★★ I have been in many restaurants in virginia but no one can top charcoal kabob. The food is excellent. After reading some of the reviews by brothers and sisters I went to this restaurant and ate there. I too asked the owner if the food is Halal or not as one of the sisters claim he said that the food is Halal and they get from the same Halal meat destributer as all other Halal meat stores and restaurants get. He even showed me the containers of meat and chicken that had Halal sign on it. So I do recomand them to all brother and sisters, since the food is good and the staff is very friendly and nice, by the way if you go there make sure to try their tandori chicken bone in kabob that is my favorite. Posted on January 11, 2003

★★★★★ The food is excellent! Posted on December 12, 2002

★★★☆☆ I'm really surprised to find another restaurant that I thought was completely Zabiha isn't. The food is ok, but then I'm used to Indian food. The Keema Kabobs have way too much pepper & salt. The bread (nan) is excellent. If you're American, Middle Eastern, or Afghani, the food would suit you. But South Asians keep in mind this is Afghani food. Bon Apetite. Posted on December 10, 2002

★★★★★ Excellent food at very low rates. Posted on August 24, 2002

★★★★★ One of the best Afghan Kabob houses that could be found anywhere in the US. Good Bar-BQ platters. Chapli Kabobs are excellent though spicy. This place attracts customers from all races and is busy all the way upto it's closing time, a testimony of it's good and consistent quality. They have recently moved to a bigger very well decorated place in the same strip mall with great artwork from asia. The staff is very courteous and friendly. Definitely an A-Plus resturant for lovers of Kabobs. Posted on June 21, 2000

★★★★★ Excellent Halal Afghan food. Chicken kabob, beef kabob, different kind of sauces and excellent fresh bread. The owners are very good Muslim and they continuously contribute Sadaqa to Muslim communities. Also a percentage of their profit goes into an Mosque. Posted on April 5, 2000

★★★★★ Being home of delicious Afghan and Pakistani food, it serves excellent BBQ dishes. The halal Lamb Chops, Chapli Kabobs, Seekh Kabobs, and Chicken Kabobs are one of the best in entire USA! The freshly baked "Naans" are delicious. The Kabob platters, for around $5, is a mouth-watering steal. If you go for Kabob Platters, do take ""chana"" (chick peas) as side dish. They also serve good ""Nihari"" over the weekend. In terms of taste, this restaurant is definitely A plus. The place itself is very clean and the staff, that speaks little Urdu as well, is friendly. Its consistent reputation has made a lot of customers (probably majority of which are Americans). Posted on October 9, 1999

★★★★★ Also see reviews in Dinesite and the Washington Post Posted on June 30, 1999