Native to Pakistan, Syed Waheed and Shahzad Bashar decided to try their hands in the restaurant business, using family recipes and a chef from Afghanistan to serve Afghan, Pakistani and Indian cuisine at Chapli Kababs n Curries.

Chapli means "something flat" in the Pashto language that is spoken in the northwest part of Pakistan near Afghanistan, Waheed said. The menu reflects this fondness for flatness in its kababs, which feature flat meat patties.

The duo opened Chapli on May 16 at 1200 Howard Lane, Ste. B, off the I-35 frontage road.

Waheed said that Pakistani food, like Indian cuisine, uses a lot of spices and vegetables.

"Afghan dishes use less spices but more grilled meats on skewers," Waheed said.

Chapli serves several grilled meat dishes, including the chapli kabab with ground lamb and the kabuli pulau with lamb shank atop a bed of rice, raisins and carrots.

For the vegetarian crowd, there is the borani baungan, an eggplant dish with onions, tomatoes, peppers and cilantro. Chapli also serves lentils with onions, spices, tomatoes and fresh herbs and naan baked daily in a clay oven.

Chapli Kababs n Curries

1200 W. Howard Lane, Ste. B 512-989-2928 www.chapli-restaurant.com

Hours—Lunch: Tue.–Sun. from 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Dinner: Tue.–Thu. and Sun. 5–9 p.m.; Fri.–Sat. 5–10 p.m.