how can i not write about MAJID'S PERSIAN KABABS! First, we fell in love with the food. Then we fell in love with the couple [Majid and Arlene] behind the food. Then we became business partners with them. And now we are practically family. Majid became our ninong sa kasal. Arlene became ninang to our first born, Miguela. And now, hubby and I are ninong and ninang in their eldest daughter, Farzane's marriage.
We first got to know Majid when he chatted with us, his new customers, around 7 years ago. We heard about the place from hubby's brother and being true blue foodies, we tried it out. we couldn't get over the tastiness of the kababs as each type had its distinct flavor and aroma. the goat kabab immediately became our favorite. served with nan [locally called pita bread], grape seed powder, THE secret sauce, and a salad, we were in gastronomic heaven.
the difference of Majid's food from other foreign dishes is that you truly will never get tired of it. unlike pasta or pizza or even burgers, you can eat kababs again, and again, and again. and because we were crazy about it, we had it for lunch and then for dinner, everyday of the week. what's not to love about it? you get carbo from the pita bread, protein from the goat [or beef or chicken], all the nutrients plus fiber from the salad. one complete healthy meal! and its not even diet food!
and then, majid fell in love with us, well more with my hubby actually, as according to him he had not many filipino friends. he then started inviting us over to his house, first to meet his wife and 3 kids, and then to feed us some of the most amazing food we ever encountered. in our visits, we learned about how Majid, an iranian, and Arlene, a filipina met. they told us about their life, how their family started out, their struggles, and how their little food business began. hubby and i were still courting at that time and so all we could do was eat and listen intently. we learned a lot from their stories. we were in their house practically every weekend, that is, until we had Miguela.
as we came into our own as a family, we saw them less and less. hubby started to become busy with the business and i with taking care of miguela. our visits with them became few and far between. but we remain family, and with family, you don't need the constant contact to remain close.
for 3 years now, Majid has been taking care of 2 branches. the original one in Rizal St. has grown from 2 tables to more than 10 tables. and with a lot of convincing and guarantees from hubby and i in the early years, they are now serving many other persian dishes. come to think of it, maybe Majid was making us his guinea pigs for the recipes he wanted to try selling. we made good, i guess, as 2 of our favorite dishes continue to be bestsellers.
Now, hubby and i make it a point to eat at Majid's as much as our schedules permit us. our usual order: 2 chicken biryanis, 2-4 goat kababs [depending on our hunger level], salad, hummus, loobia and whatever drink we fancy for that day.
so, for all of you who strangely still do not know of this place which is already a landmark in davao, visit Majid at J. Rizal Street [in front of Rizal Promenade]. Tell Majid i sent you. So he will love me more than he loves hubby. ha! ha! ha!
