Yekta Kabobi Restaurant & Market in Rockville
Amongst Iranians in the Maryland area, Yekta is regarded as the premier kabobi (or Chelow Kabob) place in the area. I’m fully aware of Nora’s Kabob in Ellicott City or Maiwand Kabob in Columbia. They are great people, but their ground beef kabob or “koobideh” does not stack up, and that is the true marker of a great kabobi restaurant.
When you go to Yekta in Rockville ask for the Tahdig (Crispy Rice), Mahst-e-Moosir (Yogurt with Shallots),Noon-e-Panir ba Sabzi (Taftoon Bread with Feta Cheese and Fresh Herbs), and then get the Yekta Special. The special includes a jujeh kabob (chicken breast kabob), kabob-e-koobideh, and kabob-e-barg. It’s a lot of food, but this will give you the true Iranian Chelow Kabobi experience. *I recommend just sharing this all with another person*
These rules really apply to going to any Iranian Chelow Kabobi. These restaurants are the best way to introduce yourself to Iranian food. A staple dish of chelow kabobi’s is the Soltani, which translates to the dish for a sultan, it’s a hefty portion of saffron basmati rice,a serving of koobideh and barg kabob. If you are a true pro and aficionado, you’ll eat this entire meal with a nice wedge of onion that you take a bite of each time you take a bite of your food.
The real draw is a combination of everything. The consistency of the food is key. But juiciness of the meat and the larger variety of traditional Iranian side dishes make it great. For me, what makes it worth the drive is their Kabob Koobideh (ground beef kabob). It’s the perfect mixture of salty and savory. Yekta also has daily specials, if you are there on a Tuesday or Friday, get the Baghali Polow Mahicheh (Lamb Shank with Fava Bean Rice), this is an authentic Iranian dish that is a true delicacy in Iran. After you’ve finished, you can go next door to their grocery store for some great treats.
Yekta is an A+
