Monroe Kabob reopens for take-out and convenience items on Monroe Ave.

Tracy Schuhmacher | Democrat and Chronicle

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In December, a sign on the door at Monroe Kabob, 201 Monroe Ave. read "Closed 4 Remodeling," which is usually code for "Closed For Good."

It turns out that Monroe Kabob has actually remodeled; it has reopened as a convenience store that also offers a huge variety of prepared foods. Gone are the two tables it had in the past, but it hopes to set up seating on the sidewalk in front of the shop.

Ibrahim Mohammad, who opened the place as a late-night eatery in December of 2014, has returned as owner and chef. That means the menu includes offerings that you might find in Afghanistan and India: kabobs, biryani (a fragrant rice dish), samosas (pastries with savory fillings) and several kinds of the flatbread naan, freshly baked in a clay oven.

But it also serves a variety of items from other cuisines: wings, fried chicken, Jamaican patties, empanadas, burgers, subs and more. Some are displayed in a warming case, ready for eating on the run.

Reasonable prices are back as well; the priciest menu items are lamb biryani, beef biryani, chicken makhani (a dish served in a creamy tomato sauce) and beef makhani, all priced at $7.99.

Gone are the late night hours that were popular in the past; it now closes at 10 p.m Monday through Wednesday and at midnight Thursday through Saturday.

Ibrahim Mohammad, along with other members of his family, fled his native Afghanistan and arrived in Rochester as a refugee in 2000. He worked in area Indian restaurants like India House, Raj Mahal and Amaya before deciding to open his own place. To open Monroe Kabob, he converted what had been a vacant pawn shop into a restaurant largely on his own.

TRACYS@Gannett.com

If you go

Monroe Kabob is at 201 Monroe Ave. in Rochester. It is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and from 10 a.m. to midnight Thursday through Saturday. It is closed on Sundays. It plans to start offering delivery soon. Call (585) 434-3674 for more information.