The One Dish That Isn’t a Kabob
Ask around Duane Avenue and most people describe Shishkabob Mediterranean the same way: the halal kabob place. That reputation is earned — but it also means one of the menu’s best dishes gets skipped by regulars who never look past the kabob combos. It’s called Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank ($20), and it’s the closest thing on the menu to a home-cooked Persian Sunday dinner.
What Baghali Polo Actually Is
Baghali Polo is a Persian rice dish built around two ingredients that don’t show up anywhere else on the menu: dill and fava beans (baghali). The rice is steamed with fresh dill and tender fava beans folded through it, giving the dish an herbal, slightly grassy backbone that’s a world away from the saffron-forward rice served alongside the kabobs. At Shishkabob Mediterranean, it’s served with mahicheh — lamb shank — braised until the meat separates easily from the bone.
It’s a dish built for pacing, not speed. Where a Shish Kabob or Kubideh plate is designed for a fast lunch break, Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank is a sit-down dish — the kind of plate that rewards a slower meal.
Why It’s Worth Ordering
It’s genuinely halal, slow-braised lamb. Halal lamb shank isn’t easy to find prepared this way in the South Bay; most halal spots in the area lean on grilled or ground meats. A braised shank means the kitchen is doing something beyond running the flame grill.
The rice isn’t an afterthought. Dill and fava bean rice is a specific, traditional pairing for lamb shank in Persian cooking — it’s not a generic side substituted in. If you’ve only had the saffron basmati that comes with the kabob combos, this is a genuinely different rice dish.
It’s a $20 entrée in a menu where combos run $22–$30. Compared to the Soltani (Filet Mignon + Kubideh Combo, $30) or Lamb Kabob Combo ($29), Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank is one of the more approachable prices for a specialty dish.
How It Compares to the Kabob Menu
If you’re deciding between Baghali Polo and, say, the Lamb Kabob ($23) or Barg/Filet Mignon ($24), the difference comes down to texture and pacing. The kabobs are fire-grilled, char-forward, and built to be shared or eaten quickly. Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank is slow-braised, herbal, and meant to be eaten with a fork and knife over a longer sit-down meal. Neither is “better” — they’re solving different cravings.
The other specials-menu item, Beryan ($17), is worth mentioning too: it’s the other dish on the menu that isn’t built around the grill, for anyone curious about non-kabob Persian cooking on a follow-up visit.
Ordering It
Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank is listed under the Specials section of Shishkabob Mediterranean’s menu and can be ordered directly for pickup or delivery, avoiding third-party delivery fees. It’s a strong choice for a weekend dinner order rather than a rushed lunch — pair it with Hummus with Lavash Bread ($7) or a Shirazi salad ($6) to round out the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Baghali Polo? Baghali Polo is a Persian rice dish made with fresh dill and fava beans, traditionally served alongside slow-braised lamb shank (mahicheh).
Is the lamb shank halal? Yes — all meat served at Shishkabob Mediterranean, including the lamb shank in Baghali Polo, is halal-certified.
How much does Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank cost? It’s $20, listed under the Specials section of the current menu.
How is it different from the Lamb Kabob? The Lamb Kabob ($23) is grilled on a skewer, fast, and char-forward. Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank is a braised dish served with dill and fava bean rice — slower-cooked and meant for a sit-down meal rather than a quick bite.
Is this a good dish for someone new to Persian food? Yes. It’s approachable, mild, and herb-forward rather than heavily spiced, making it a good entry point for first-time Persian food diners.
Can I order Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank for pickup or delivery? Yes, it can be ordered directly through Shishkabob Mediterranean’s online ordering system for pickup or delivery in Sunnyvale.
