Pakistani and Indian Cuisine for Naan believers
Finding great places to dine in the 405 diningscape is one of my top priorities. And I think I found a gem last week in Kebabish Bites, 283 34th Ave. SW, in Norman.
Brothers Waseem and Hamza Ahmed are new to restaurants, but they’ve got the hospitality part down.
They invited members of local media in for a private tasting on their night off during a time when they can’t eat as long as the sun shines — and it shines pretty late this time of year.
Waseem bought Kebabish Bites four months after its founders opened it, but the pandemic turned the chance of a lifetime into a bit of a nightmare. Then the restaurant’s first home was sold by the landlord.
“We had to find a new home fast,” Waseem explained. “It was a really difficult time. Very hard, but our customers supported us and we found a way to survive.”
Thanks to regular guest Jake Hewett, who didn’t want to live in a world without Waseem’s chicken tikka masala, Kebabish Bites found a new home in Redbud Plaza.
“Jake has been an incredible friend,” Waseem said. “He was able to help us find this place and secure the lease.”
Rain, traffic snarls and the final night of the Final Four couldn’t keep us from a feast that started with chevre-stuffed dates, chana chaat, and vegetable pakora. The chutneys arrived in tamarind and mint.
Then came spicy Pakistani seekh kebabs, shrimp biryani, butter chicken, and Jake’s favorite chicken tikka.
Waseem’s menu is not only influenced by cuisine of India and his home country of Pakistan, but also Oman, where he grew up. His food is an amalgamation of those countries, Oklahoma and his mother’s influence.
“When I was a student at UCO all the Pakistani students came to me to cook for them,” Waseem said with a smile incapable of lying. “This is how my mother raised me. My mother was well known for her cooking. And she still helps me today.”
For dessert, he presented an original expression of classic halwa, using pineapple bits to sweeten the confection.
Once the sun set, Waseem and Hamza were at last able to eat. Ready they were, and it’s no coincidence conversation quickly faded. No complaints from the guests; better earned meals are few.
The Ahmeds were also more than ready to serve. Got some special coverage in mind at Kebabish Bites coming up, but the curry and naan crowd need
not wait for further evidence.
The restaurant is more vegetarian friendly than average and meats are halal, including beef, mutton, chicken and lamb. Shrimp and salmon are also available.
Kebabish Bites is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. Friday; noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 857-7083.
Farewell to a friend of foodies and charity
Last week the 405 diningscape lost one of its kindest souls when chef Scotty Irani passed away at the age of 52 after a bout with cancer.
Irani was a regular on local television with “In the Kitchen with Scotty,” was a much-sought personal chef and owned Scotty’s Restaurant in Nichols Hills in late 1990s and early 2000s.
A graduate of Oklahoma State University and Johnson and Wales School of Culinary Art in Providence, Rhode Island, Irani worked for Dick Stubbs and David Egan at Applewood’s and opened Scotty’s in 1998.
It was known for French toast, buckwheat pancakes, and a dazzling lineup of sandwiches served with homemade potato chips.
He also was deeply involved with Cookie’s Thanksgiving, an annual drive to help deliver a holiday feast to AIDS patients and their families.
Organizers posted the following on their social media page: “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to one of the sweetest humans that ever existed, Scotty Irani. There are no words that can do justice in expressing the pure goodness that this man is and will continue to be in our memories. He was the first to serve a Thanksgiving meal that has grown into what is Cookie’s Thanksgiving, over 20 years later. We are grateful for the example, we are honored to have loved him, and privileged to continue his legacy in service to others.”
In August of 2020, Irani was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and more recently found it had moved. Following a recent diagnosis of liver cancer, he passed away on April 7.
Irani was a proud member and supporter of the LBGTQ community. His message about identity was: “Living your true authentic self means letting go of any fear or apprehension of what others may think of you. Be it your body, your voice, your passions, your victories, and your defeats. Own it all and I promise you … you will live a more fulfilling life.”
Wandering Pig rolls into Norman Saturday
Chef Theron Jessop is bringing his Wandering Pig mobile kitchen to town this spring and summer, starting Saturday.
The Sulphur-native is bringing his modern street food on wheels first to 405 Brewing Co. in Norman on Saturday, serving burgers pork banh mi and pulled pork grilled cheese.
Jessop has dates lined up at Stonecloud Brewing Company this spring, too. Find the full menu and the social media links you need to get the latest schedule updates online at www.thewandering-pig.com.