Common Cafe To Become Peshwari Kebab

WALTHAM, MA — A sign near the corner of Church and Main streets announces that Peshwari Kebab is coming soon. The Pakistani restaurant is set to open early next year in the space that was once home to the Common Cafe, if all goes well.

Owner and manager Mahboob Ali Khan said he and his two partners own another restaurant in Worcester together. He said that restaurant has been so successful, even amid pandemic, they wanted to extend their affordable halal food to Waltham. The sizable Muslim community in the city drew them to the Watch City.

Khan said that much of the food on their menu is inspired by cuisine from northwest Pakistan near the city of Peshawar (thus the name) but the menu also features other South Asian specialties.

"Our specialty is making kebab, fresh naan and tandoori curry," he told the licensing commission in November. He added chicken tika masala later in a message to Patch.

The owners did not do major renovations in the old pub, and would not be selling alcohol, Khan said. The plan is to be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to midnight once they get final approval from the city.

In November, the licensing commission granted approval for the food license for the 2,200 square space at 603-605 Main St, but the owners are still waiting on final inspections so they can open.

"We're still working on it. We are waiting for the city. We are expecting to open in the new year before February," Khan said. "We just want to serve the people the best we can," Khan said.

The restaurant will join a handful of other Waltham restaurants such as Waltham India Market, Karibu Restaurant, Little India Restaurant which all also offer halal food.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.