This is the second of Barbecue Nation’s branches in Dubai. Or is it the first? It’s one of two anyway, the other being in Barsha. Barbecue Nation continues to be a value for money culinary phenomenon which keeps getting better and better. This Karama branch seemed smaller than the one in Barsha, but I found it very well laid-out nonetheless. An elaborate chaat counter immediately caught my attention as I entered. This was something new to me. It shows how long it is since I was last at a Barbecue Nation.
The chaat counter 
This young man used to work at their Salt Lake branch in Kolkata, a branch I visited 
Seating area 
Desserts 
Pani Puri 
The over-the-table barbecue concept at Barbecue Nation is amazing. Skewers of savoury Veg and/or Non-Veg starters are brought (cooked) and placed on the table grill to warm…or burn depending on how attentive you are. One could easily make a meal of just the starters which, mind you, are excellent and put to shame some of the kebab specialists out there.
Non-Veg Starters 
The kebab fork
That said, no matter how many skewers of succulent kebabs you have, the lure of that buffet is simply too great – gluttony beckons. And of course, now one must first pit at the chaat counter. I tried pani puri and aloo tikki – both excellent. With little room left for any else, I still sample-tried the mutton biriyani and rogan gosh (just to say I tried something from the buffet). The biriyani was brilliant.
Kulfi 
The kulfi man 
Fresh jalebi
Do not leave the restaurant without a visit to the kulfi counter. Malai kulfi with condensed milk is a spiritual experience and as close culinary nirvana as I thought possible. Service is impeccable. We were looked after by a young lad named Dev who pampered (not served) us from start to finish. In addition, our table of six was visited by at least three supervisors at different times. And these boys didn’t just ask how things are and walk away; each interacted with our table… taking a used plate, suggesting we try something from the buffet, or brining us something (like fresh jalebis) to try.
Yeah, no matter where in Dubai you are, Barbeque Nation is a restaurant well worth a detour.
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Xerxes physically dines at, or orders from, each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat, drink, take away or occasionally throw at each other. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews or favouritism. What you have read was NOT influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on xerxes@dellara.com.