It’s been 10 years since Sheikh “Chef Icky” Iqbal was first introduced to the place he would turn into the Kabob’s that Bradfordians know and love today.
Kabob’s at the Option House is celebrating 10 years under Icky, who said, “A friend of mine recommended me the place. Back then it was called Option House. After checking it out I decided to move to Bradford and run it.”
That nearly never came to fruition as in 2008, in dire need of repairs, the building was put up for sale. Sam Sylvester stepped in to save the popular Main Street destination we see today.
“It is one of the great historic buildings in Bradford,” Sylvester said. “After coming back to Bradford and seeing what happened to the place I told myself that if it came up for sale I would buy it and fix it up. I bought it in 2008 when it had gone downhill significantly. I started to restore the place and after a year was able to open it in 2009.”
After five years, Sylvester decided it was time to sell the place, opening the door for Icky to become its next owner.
“When it came time to sell the restaurant I had a few people interested but me and Sheikh really hit it off. I knew he would be the guy to run it and make it into something special, and he definitely has turned the place into something memorable,” Sylvester said.
Successfully running a business requires not only a competent owner and operator, but a solid group of employees as well.
Jackie Walker has been working at Kabob’s at the Option House for two years. She was promoted to front manager just under a year ago and said she couldn’t be happier to be working with Icky.
“Our old manager left a year ago. Sheikh came up to me asking to fill in his shoes,” Walker recalled. “This was big for me. Just being a part of the Kabob’s family is an honor.
“Sheikh is a wonderful person to work for. He is a kind, honest and hard-working person that you just don’t see in the restaurant business anymore. I have worked in the restaurant business for many years and he has treated me with such kindness.”
In addition to serving delicious food, Kabob’s at the Option House has an upstairs area that people or businesses can rent for private parties or events. Over the years, Sheikh said, people’s events there have created many memories for him and his employees.
“We try to make it an experience to come eat with us, to have a party with us, to have an event with us,” he declared. “Whenever you come to Kabob’s we want to make it an experience that you will enjoy.”
Over the past 10 years, Icky has served thousands of hungry customers who have left with happy memories and perhaps even happier stomachs.
As you might expect given its name, the restaurant serves a variety of tasty kabobs. But if meat and veggies on a stick aren’t what you are craving, another popular dish is the Icky Special – Sheikh’s favorite dish, chicken curry. They also serve beef tenderloin curry, as well as a variety of other Mediterranean foods that have kept Bradford coming back for more.
As he continues to serve the community, Sheikh is grateful to the area for his last decade in business and the opportunity to keep the dishes coming well into the future.
Lunch is served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The kitchen is open an extra hour for dinner, until 9 p.m., on Fridays and Saturdays.
“I want to thank Bradford who has helped me out the past 10 years,” Sheikh said. “I always look to give a better product. Better food, better service, better atmosphere – I am always looking to keep improving for the people.”
