Boro Kabob in Baltimore: Persian Grilled Meats and Rice in Fells Point

Boro Kabob is a casual Persian restaurant in Fells Point that centers on charcoal-grilled kabob and rice, with a small dining room and counter service model. It occupies a narrow storefront on East Pratt Street and draws a mix of neighborhood regulars and diners seeking Iranian cuisine outside the typical takeout format common to the broader Baltimore food scene.

What Boro Kabob actually is

The restaurant operates as a counter-order, table-service spot with roughly a dozen tables and bar seating along one wall. The menu is focused: grilled lamb, chicken, and beef kabobs served on skewers with saffron rice, grilled tomato and onion, and flatbread. Daily specials rotate between kubideh (ground meat kabob), joojeh (chicken), and koobideh combinations. The space is unpretentious, with exposed brick and minimal decor, designed for quick ordering and eating rather than lingering.

Menu and pricing

Entrée prices range from $14 to $22 depending on protein and portion size. A single skewer of chicken kubideh with rice costs around $14; lamb or beef runs $16 to $18. Combination plates (two proteins on one order) start at $20. Sides like hummus, kashk eggplant, and rice-stuffed grape leaves cost $3 to $5 each. Soft drinks and Persian tea are available; there is no alcohol license. Verify current pricing by phone, as meat costs shift seasonally.

How Boro Kabob compares to other Persian options in Baltimore

Baltimore has limited sit-down Persian restaurants. Shamim's, also in the city, operates as a casual counter-service spot similar in format but with more expansive vegetable and herb spreads. Boro Kabob's distinction is its focus on the grill itself; nearly every entrée arrives charred and smoky rather than assembled from pre-made components. For diners wanting a full table-service Persian meal with cocktails and a larger menu, Saffron in nearby Towson offers more formal service and wine, though it sits outside Baltimore proper. If you want kabob prepared to order over an open flame and prefer staying in the city, Boro Kabob is the stronger choice; if you prioritize a full bar or diverse non-grilled options, Shamim's or Saffron may suit you better.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

Boro Kabob works best for people craving straightforward grilled meat, vegetarians and those avoiding meat, and groups comfortable with counter ordering and shared tables in tight quarters. It suits quick lunches and early dinners better than late-night outings; the restaurant closes by 9 p.m. most evenings. It does not suit diners seeking table service without ordering at a counter, those avoiding smoky-flavored food, or anyone on a strict gluten-free diet (flatbread is standard and alternatives are limited). The narrow storefront fills quickly during dinner hours, and wait times can stretch past 20 minutes on weekends.

What the first visit involves

Walk in, review the menu board above the counter, and order from staff. Specify protein, side selections, and drink. Payment is cash or card at pickup. Expect 8 to 12 minutes for food to arrive if ordering during off-peak hours; longer if the grill is backlogged. Flatbread and pickled vegetables arrive with the main dish. There is no table service after ordering, so gather napkins and utensils from the counter before sitting.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Boro Kabob is open Monday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and closed Sundays. It sits on East Pratt Street in Fells Point, a neighborhood with limited street parking but a public lot one block south at Shakespeare Street. The restaurant is a five-minute walk from the Harbor East metro station. Verify hours before visiting, as they occasionally shift for holidays or staffing.

Boro Kabob justifies its place in a Baltimore dining guide because it operates one of the few continuously charcoal-grilled Persian kitchens in the city, making it the primary destination for that specific technique and flavor profile. The casual format and neighborhood location make it accessible without the reservation barrier of formal Persian dining elsewhere.