Windsor·Pinto on Food

Wyandotte Street shop churning out famed Mosul-style meat pie

Kubba is the Iraqi word for what many in Windsor know as "kibbeh." The particular style produced at Kubba Kamil is not raw; rather, the classic mixture of ground meat, onions and bulgur wheat is shaped into thin meat pies and cooked.

Windsor Morning's Jonathan Pinto pays a visit to Kubba Kamil, a shop in Wyandotte Town Centre

Kubba Kamil owner Kamil Youans with his son, Waseem. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)

Kubba is the Iraqi word for what many in Windsor know as "kibbeh."

In 2012, the raw version of the dish attracted a lot of attention because the local health unit said it couldn't be served.

But there's more to kibbeh — or kubba — than the raw variety.

At its core, the classic mixture of ground meat, onions and bulgur wheat can be prepared in a variety of ways. Some people fry it. Others bake it. You can even find it in a soup.

Kubba Kamil is a shop in Wyandotte Town Centre that specializes in a style of kubba named for the Iraqi city of Mosul.

Freshly cooked Mosul-style kubba. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)

Mosul-style kubba is essentially a thin meat pie that is boiled and, optionally, fried. It's popular across Iraq — and increasingly, in Windsor.

Tap on the audio player to learn more.

Making kubba at Kubba Kamil

8 years ago
Duration 1:20
Kubba Kamil owner Kamil Youans makes Mosul-style kubba, a meat pie from Iraq.

Kubba Kamil is located at 787 Wyandotte St. E. in Windsor.

They're open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Their Mosul-style kubba is normally sold frozen to heat at home, but can be purchased heated.

Mosul-style kubba is cooked by boiling. If desired, it can be fried after. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
Kamil's son Waseem likens the popularity of Mosul-style kubba in Iraq to pizza in Canada. Fitting, considering both are served in triangle-shaped slices. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
A batch of cooked kubba being cooled. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)
Kubba Kamil is located at 787 Wyandotte St. E. in Windsor. (Jonathan Pinto/CBC)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jonathan Pinto is the host of Up North, CBC Radio One's regional afternoon show for Northern Ontario and is based in Sudbury. He was formerly a reporter/editor and an associate producer at CBC Windsor. Email jonathan.pinto@cbc.ca.