2445 E Imperial Hwy
Ste M
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 671-5886
Ste M
Brea, CA 92821
http://www.wrapnrollkabobs.com
General:
As an initial assessment, a marketing expert would probably point the confused identity of this place. The place serves fast food such as Buffalo Wings, Burger, Club Sandwich, and various salads. It also serves kabobs and classic Northern Indian dishes. To add to the mix, food here is halal/kosher as well as vegetarian friendly. If I were to guess blindly, I'd guess that the owners could probably be Pakistani or Kashmiri. However, as this is California, ownership is less interesting than the style of the food served. The best way is just to ask directly. So, I did and staff answered "Indian Mediterranean." So, Indian-Mediterranean fusion it is.
While serving fast food is likely a survival strategy to attract the lunch crowds (fast food is lunch only), the marriage of Indian and Mediterranean traditions could be confusing for new patrons. Their solution is to serve weekdays lunch and Friday-Saturday diner buffets. However, I am not a fan of buffet. So, I combed through the menu and I found exactly what I wanted to order: a combination dish that would exhibit the range of the offerings here. It is called Kabob Sizzler and I suggest new patrons to order this instead of getting the buffet since the serving is much fresher and appetizing presentation.
Customer service in this place is excellent. There was a small incident with our order. Staff, including the chef, waitstaff, and the owner made multiple inquiries to apologize and check how everything else was.
Thus, despite of the seemingly lack of identity, the food and the service are very solid. In fact, the food has its own style with a fusion orientation.
Details:
Kabob Sizzler (serve 2), came with Pilaf Rice and Hummus or Yoghurt Cucumber Salad. Protein included Beef Seekh, Beef Steak, Chicken Tika, and Creamy Chicken. Proteins were served with red and green peppers and white and red onion, Fajita style, on a sizzling plate.
Beef Seekh: ground beef and lamb. Strong gaminess from lamb. Strong pepper overtone. Medium salty. Grill time was good such that moist inside and charred outside. 4+ stars.
Beef Steak: sirloin cubes. Medium-well and I felt it was a bit overcooked. Some chars. Medium salty with also a medium citrus acidity. 3.5 stars.
Chicken Tika: a.k.a. tandoori. Nice red coloring. Sourness from yoghurt. Masala spices. Nice char. This was actually one of the better tandoori I have ever tasted. 4+ stars.
Creamy Chicken: yoghurt and herbs marinade. Yoghurt sourness undertone and cilantro fragrance overtone. Mildly salty. There was some creaminess, too. 4+ stars.
Hummus: medium to strong acidity. Strong garlic undertone. Black olives. Okay but a bit too sour for my palate. 3 stars.
We also ordered some Naan breads.
Signature Naan: basted with butter and sesame. Quite nutty with fluffy texture. 4 stars.
Garlic Naan: garlic and cilantro notes. Same texture with but I thought it was less successful than the Signature Naan. 3 stars.
General:
As an initial assessment, a marketing expert would probably point the confused identity of this place. The place serves fast food such as Buffalo Wings, Burger, Club Sandwich, and various salads. It also serves kabobs and classic Northern Indian dishes. To add to the mix, food here is halal/kosher as well as vegetarian friendly. If I were to guess blindly, I'd guess that the owners could probably be Pakistani or Kashmiri. However, as this is California, ownership is less interesting than the style of the food served. The best way is just to ask directly. So, I did and staff answered "Indian Mediterranean." So, Indian-Mediterranean fusion it is.
While serving fast food is likely a survival strategy to attract the lunch crowds (fast food is lunch only), the marriage of Indian and Mediterranean traditions could be confusing for new patrons. Their solution is to serve weekdays lunch and Friday-Saturday diner buffets. However, I am not a fan of buffet. So, I combed through the menu and I found exactly what I wanted to order: a combination dish that would exhibit the range of the offerings here. It is called Kabob Sizzler and I suggest new patrons to order this instead of getting the buffet since the serving is much fresher and appetizing presentation.
Customer service in this place is excellent. There was a small incident with our order. Staff, including the chef, waitstaff, and the owner made multiple inquiries to apologize and check how everything else was.
Thus, despite of the seemingly lack of identity, the food and the service are very solid. In fact, the food has its own style with a fusion orientation.
Details:
Kabob Sizzler (serve 2), came with Pilaf Rice and Hummus or Yoghurt Cucumber Salad. Protein included Beef Seekh, Beef Steak, Chicken Tika, and Creamy Chicken. Proteins were served with red and green peppers and white and red onion, Fajita style, on a sizzling plate.
Beef Seekh: ground beef and lamb. Strong gaminess from lamb. Strong pepper overtone. Medium salty. Grill time was good such that moist inside and charred outside. 4+ stars.
Beef Steak: sirloin cubes. Medium-well and I felt it was a bit overcooked. Some chars. Medium salty with also a medium citrus acidity. 3.5 stars.
Chicken Tika: a.k.a. tandoori. Nice red coloring. Sourness from yoghurt. Masala spices. Nice char. This was actually one of the better tandoori I have ever tasted. 4+ stars.
Creamy Chicken: yoghurt and herbs marinade. Yoghurt sourness undertone and cilantro fragrance overtone. Mildly salty. There was some creaminess, too. 4+ stars.
Hummus: medium to strong acidity. Strong garlic undertone. Black olives. Okay but a bit too sour for my palate. 3 stars.
We also ordered some Naan breads.
Signature Naan: basted with butter and sesame. Quite nutty with fluffy texture. 4 stars.
Garlic Naan: garlic and cilantro notes. Same texture with but I thought it was less successful than the Signature Naan. 3 stars.
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| Kabob Sizzler |
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| Naan, Hummus, and Rice |
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