The search for the perfect kebab

May 14, 2009
By Monika Hanley

RIGA - Though Turks and Latvians do a lot of international business together, the one thing they haven’t much delved into is the food industry. The search for the perfect kebab – or even a good kebab – in Riga can be daunting and even frustrating.
One place that is definitely not a kebab restaurant, despite the misleading name, is Kebabs Fix. Though hopefully the moment you step into one of these convenient locations in a mall you should be able to spot this fallacy.

In an absolute kebab, emergency Kebabs Fix could help you. Most of the traditional kebab elements are present – the pita bread, shaved meat (mostly chicken), and some sort of spice mix. However, the spices aren’t quite Turkish and there is usually no sauce anywhere to be seen.
Kebabs Fix also offers gyros and falafels for about the same price as a medium kebab, which is about 3 lats.

Don’t despair yet. There is a place that will not only satisfy your cravings for kebab and falafel, it will keep you wanting more and more. In fact, it will most likely become your new favorite restaurant.
The also misleadingly-named Food Box might not offer a whole slew of choices, but what they do offer is the best kebabs, falafel and pide in town – even better than what you could find in Turkey. The owner is a young Turkish man who imports most ingredients from Turkey, giving everything an authentic flavor.

22889 For 2.80 lats you can get a hefty doner kebab nearly large enough for two people, where the filling is freshly shaved right off of a block of rotating meat. You can choose your sauces; I usually go for the mild yogurt and garlic or dill sauce, but stronger sauces are available.
The falafel, made of spiced chickpeas, is a tasty dish for vegetarians and those who just enjoy the fried dish. Food Box offers falafel for 2.30 lats and it too comes with the choice of sauces.
A pide is a sort of Turkish pizza, baked flat with tomato, peppers, and meat. Food Box makes excellent pides, spicy or not, and despite the smallish size they are really quite filling.
A lot of the sauces are yogurt based which appeals to locals, who will be interested to know that the very word “yogurt” comes from Turkish.     

Because the breads and pides are hand tossed, shaped and baked right in front of you, the small dining area has a tendency to get a bit warm. This is the only downside.
Food Box also offers Ayran, the salty Turkish yogurt drink and tasty traditional tea served piping hot in small glasses. 

Though some of their entrees come with a sprinkling of dill, which may make it more appealing to the local clientele, the seasoning and level of spice is typically Turkish.
Around opening time (noon), lines are usually long, but the food is well worth the wait. 
Food Box is a favorite of embassy staff, visitors and locals alike, which is logical as it is located in the Embassy/ Art Nouveau district, making it a perfect lunchtime pit stop.

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