Roxboro up in Flames

The Pitch

We Arabs love our mashawi (grillades).  While the shawarma is notably our most popular export to the Occident, another form of meat holds a special place in our hearts.  Memories of backyard barbecues back home are immediately evoked by the sight, sound and smell of charcoal-grilled kabab skewers.

While Montreal and its surroundings offer a few options when it comes to these meat slingers, few came as recommended and lauded by the community as Al Quds.

tagged:  TAKE THE CAR

The Mood

Situated along a drab retail strip in Roxboro, Al Quds' interior is split into a counter space for ordering and a dining room next to it.  I was invited to try their newer location in Saint-Michel – which also has a butcher/grocer section – a couple of years ago, but this would be my first time visiting their maison mθre.

Open since 2017, the black-and-brown dining area is starting to show its age with peeling tabletops. Clearly this did not bother the Easter Monday crowd, mostly consisting of Arab families with their kids who are off from school – mine included.

tagged:  BRING THE KIDS COMMUNITY PICK

The Food

The secrets to good mashawi are a charcoal grill and good marinades.  Al Quds excels at both of these and offers their grilled meats – all halal – in various forms: family meals, sharing platters, individual plates and sandwiches.

The "mixed grill" combining skewers of shish taouk, kabab and kafta is a surefire way to properly evaluate a grill shop while satisfying multiple mouths.  My two kids and I shared a mixed platter of 1kg of meat served with rice, bread, salad, hummus, garlic and grilled onions and tomatoes – the works!  You won't find a better deal than this, priced at $59.99 which could have easily fed four people.

I found all three meats very flavourful in both spicing and charring, but alas they were a tad dry and chewy on the inside.  Still, this is a great, well-priced and balanced meal for a family – and we threw in a few crispy cheese rolls for good measure.

tagged:  GOOD FOR SHARING GREAT VALUE HALAL

The Service

Even though one can dine in at Al Quds, the proposition leans more towards takeout.  You place your order at the counter, then wait for it to arrive at your table.  Food is served in aluminum trays and plates/utensils are disposable – very rudimentary.  Our lunch took a tad long to come out, but that is expected with grilled-to-order meat and taking into account the incessant to-go orders keeping the kitchen busy.

The Verdict

Al Quds, meaning "holy sanctuary", is the name used for the city of Jerusalem in Arabic.  The naming suggests Palestinian ownership here, but the food is considered Levantine as a whole.  While I did find fault with my meat's cuisson today, there is no denying these folks know what they're doing and who they're doing it for.

Clearly Al Quds has the backing and support of the local Arab community, bringing the flavours and aromas of home at a very affordable price.

tagged:  SOLID

4

Price per person:  $15