Okay, confession time: I’m a total sucker for a gas station restaurant. Something about pulling up for gas and walking out with a bag full of curry just makes me weirdly happy, lol. So when someone reminded me about Royal Kabab the other day, I knew I had to finally share it (I went a while back and totallllly forgot to post, oops).
It’s tucked inside a BP station right off Route 3 in Gambrills, and it’s a little mom and pop shop cooking Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi food all under one roof. The short version is that the food’s solid, the service is lovely, and their Chicken Tikka Masala and chili garlic naan are the two things I’d come back for. It’s not a drive-across-the-county destination for me, but if you’re anywhere near Gambrills, it’s an easy, budget-friendly win!
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What Makes Royal Kabab Special?
Royal Kabab punches way above its gas-station address. It’s a family-run shop, and they cover a lot of ground, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi cooking all on one big menu, which is honestly kind of rare around here. Everything’s halal, so it’s an easy pick if that matters to you, and the prices are super reasonable across the board (most plates land in the low teens).
They also run a weekday lunch buffet if you’d rather graze, and there’s a kid’s menu, so it works for families too. What won me over wasn’t one flashy showstopper, it was how consistent and comforting the whole spread felt for the price. That mix of a big halal menu, low prices and genuinely kind service is what makes this little spot worth knowing about.
What to Order at Royal Kabab
I may have gone a little overboard and walked out with two big bags of food (I wanted options, don’t judge me). Here’s what I got and what I’d actually order again.
Chicken Tikka Masala ($13.99)
This was my favorite of the whole haul, and it did not disappoint. It’s that classic creamy, tomatoey curry, and it comes as a full plate with rice, bread and a little salad, so you’re getting a proper meal and not just a lonely scoop of curry. If it’s your first time and you only order one thing, make it this one.
Chili Garlic Naan ($3.99)
Naan’s already my everything, but chili garlic naan is even better. This is my favorite way to eat naan in general, and theirs is always so yum! At under four bucks, grab one (or two, no judgment) with whatever you order.
Lahore Queema Naan ($4.99)
If you haven’t had queema naan before, it’s naan stuffed with spiced minced meat, and theirs is packed with minced chicken, green chili, onion and cilantro, then baked fresh. It’s basically a whole savory, slightly spicy snack on its own. I really enjoyed it, and it’s a fun one to tear apart and share at the table.
Royal Kabab Combo ($14.99)
This is their big mixed platter, lamb, beef and chicken kabob with rice, bread and salad. It’s a ton of food for the price, but I’ll be real, it was my least favorite thing I tried. The kabobs were fine, just not my favorite of the bunch, so I probably wouldn’t get it again. If you’re after the meat, I’d steer you toward the curries and stuffed naans instead.
A couple more quick hits from my haul:
- Chicken Samosa ($4.99): crispy and solid, and I drizzled mine with hot sauce because I like spicy tings, haha.
- The $6.99 chicken wrap (comes with fries): I didn’t grab it this time, but it looked SO good and it’s first on my list for next time!
What’s It Like Eating at a Gas Station Restaurant?
I know, I know, a restaurant inside a BP station sounds a little questionable, lol. But some of my favorite hidden gems in Maryland are exactly these unassuming little spots you’d never think to pull into, and Royal Kabab’s a great example.
You order at the counter, there’s ample seating inside if you want to eat in. The team was super nice and the food came out fast, even with my giant order. If you’ve never done the gas-station-restaurant thing, this is a low-stakes, budget-friendly place to start.
The Vibe and Experience
Inside, it’s very casual and no-frills (obviously). There’s plenty of seating, free wifi if you want to post up for a bit, and the service genuinely made the visit for me. Everyone was warm and quick, which goes a long way when you’re ordering half the menu. It’s a come-as-you-are kind of place: grab a big spread to go, feed the whole family off the kid’s menu, or settle in for the weekday buffet.
Good to Know
- Location: 📍 738 MD-3 N, Gambrills, MD 21054 (yes, inside the BP gas station)
- Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi, and all of it is halal
- Hours: Monday to Friday 10:30am to 10pm, weekends 11am to 10pm (worth a quick call to confirm, 410-697-3216)
- Weekday lunch buffet: Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 2pm
- Prices: budget-friendly, most plates sit in the low teens
- Good for families: there’s a kid’s menu, plus free wifi and ample seating inside
- Takeout, delivery and catering are all available, and you can order online too
Would I Go Back to Royal Kabab?
If I’m already in the Gambrills area, I’d absolutely stop again for that Chicken Tikka Masala and chili garlic naan. Would I drive way out of my way for it? Probably not, and that’s okay, not every spot has to be a bucket-list destination.
It’s a friendly, affordable and genuinely tasty halal option, and everyone’s tastes are different, so I say give it a shot. If you’re hunting more halal eats nearby, the kabob platters at Maiwand Kabob in Hanover are another halal favorite of mine nearby in Anne Arundel County.
Have you guys been to Royal Kabab, or do you have a favorite gas station gem I need to try? Drop it in the comments, Nomsters, I’m always down to chase good food to the most random places. And if you’re bopping around the area, this affordable Gambrills spot for Chinese combos is another easy one to keep in your back pocket.