Lilo's Kebab House is one of many Middle Eastern restaurants on Cardiff's City Rd but is one that I have been back to many times. The restaurant is a mass of people and noise just like in a bustling souk, jostling waiters and noisy managers shouting out instructions, organised chaos that appears to work. Lilo's has been full each time we have been and this Monday night was no exception. Yes, a Monday and they were full, not many restaurants can say that in Cardiff. We have booked on a couple of occasions but they never check and just give you the next available table. This can be 20-30 mins after you arrive depending on when you go!
We were greeted at the door by the manager who was dressed in a suit and appears to mainly greet and say farewell to customers. We were hurried to our table and given menus. We knew we needed to order our drinks quickly as they take time to make. Lilo's is a non alcoholic affair and do freshly made fruit cocktails. There always seems to be plenty of staff around but just one poor guy squeezing the life out of all the fruit. Hence your drinks quite often turn up after your food has arrived! A little frustrating so always order as early as possible.
I love the fruit cocktails (£2.50), I think they are a really good effort at trying to provide an alternative to a coke which is what most restaurants offer. My favourite tipple is the Pineapple, Orange and Mint Juice. Part of the fun is getting a massive brightly coloured curly straw - when I was a kid this is all that was needed for it to be an awesome meal out whatever the food was. Sometimes I feel that not much has changed! Yes, dating myself there a little but hey - each to their own!
The main event though is obviously the food. We ordered a first course of Baba Ghanoush, Hummus, Tzatziki and a plate full of freshly made naan breads to share, half eaten plate above!. This is the sort of food I love. Ripping apart a warm freshly made naan bread and mopping up a trio of dips is a relaxed and friendly start to any meal. The Baba Ghanoush (£2.95) is made from mashed aubergines that have been roasted and mixed with olive oil and various seasonings. The smokiness of the roasted aubergine comes through perfectly. The Hummus Beruity (£3.25)is made from cooked, mashed chickpeas mixed with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic and was lightly dusted with chilli powder for a bit of extra kick(not sure if that's a pun on Beruit's turmoiled past). Tzatziki (£2.95) is made from yoghurt mixed with cucumber, garlic and salt. Tzatziki has always been a favourite of mine having spent the summer working in Crete when I was younger, there is nothing better than a gyros topped with tzatziki. This Greek starter in a Middle Eastern restaurant fits perfectly and although it didn't have enough garlic in it for my liking, although it would probably suit most palates.
Unfortunately I forgot to take proper photos of the starters as we devoured them on sight!As you can see out of four naaan breads (£2.00) only one has survived for a photo call. We had to order another round of nana bread - bad idea - as you fill yourself up on bread but they're so good we couldn't help it.
For mains I chose Chicken Shawarma (£6.50). Shawarma is meat that is put on a stick and turned over heat or in layman's terms a kebab. Our chicken shawarma's had been well marinated and seasoned before being cooked over flames and were quite simply delicious. I always have mine with rice as I find eating them with chips a little offensive, although my wife seems to have no problem eating her Lamb Shawarma (£6.80) with chips and I always end up stealing some anyway. So not really that offensive! The meat on both of the shawarmas was succulent, tasty and perfectly cooked.
My mother in law chose Chicken Biriyani (£6.25)which was an unusual choice I thought in a Kebab House, but proved to be a winner. The rice was well seasoned and the flavours that came through really were top notch. Biriyani is an Indian dish that is made from rice, numerous spices and has various meat or vegetables in, and is usually accompanied by a vegetable curry on the side. The biriyani was lovely and spicy and might just be my next favourite dish on the menu.
Having absolutely stuffed ourselves on naan breads and two courses there was absolutely no chance we would be getting dessert. Desserts are not really something I think about when going out for a kebab and I couldn't even tell you whether they offer any.
Lilo's Kebab house is a Middle eastern restaurant that offers cheap, simple food in a fun and relaxed environment. I see the organised chaos and managers shouting at staff over the heads of their diners as an authentic Middle Eastern experience and that's fun! The staff don't have much personality and really are just plate bearers and order takers and if they forget something confusion comes first but you do get what you asked for in the end. I value it for the comfort food it provides me with, which comes at great value and am therefore happy to recommend it for that. Four of us ate a two course meal for £48.20.
74 City Rd
Roath
Cardiff
CF24 3DD
Tel: 02920 450089
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