This is one of the few places in town where I know I'm guaranteed to have an amazing experience…read more There are no misses on the menu, everything is pretty much assured to be absolutely delicious. There's really nothing to complain about, the patio and interior are stunning and transport you out of south congress. Service has always been prompt and good, they always refill the pita when you're running low. My personal favorites are the steak frites and the eggplant dip, seriously SO good. Everytime I come here I look forward to the next time I can go again

We recently visited Aba on a Sunday evening for dinner, and it turned out to be a wonderful…read moreexperience overall. I absolutely love the vibe of this place--it's definitely a high-end Mediterranean restaurant, perfect for special occasions. What really stood out was how beautifully everyone was dressed; it added to the upscale, elegant atmosphere of the entire space. The restaurant offers both indoor seating and a beautiful outdoor seating area, which really elevates the overall experience. The outdoor space, in particular, adds to the charm and makes it a great spot for a relaxed yet upscale evening. Since reservations weren't available, we decided to arrive early, expecting a long wait. Luckily, being a Sunday evening, it wasn't too crowded, and we were seated within about 20 minutes. For drinks, I ordered a Tender Robot Hazy IPA, while my husband went with the Verdant Mai Tai. I was a bit disappointed to learn they only serve canned beer and don't offer draft options, as I personally prefer draft beer and am not a big fan of cocktails, which tend to be too sweet for my taste. For the main course, I had the Heirloom Chicken Thighs, and my husband ordered the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. Both dishes were cooked to perfection--flavorful, well-seasoned, and the meat was incredibly tender. That said, the portion sizes felt a bit small considering the price point. We ended the meal with the Sticky Date Cake, and it was hands down the best I've ever had--rich, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. Overall, we had a great experience. Between the beautiful ambiance, flavorful food, and exceptional service, it's a place I'd definitely return to. I'm giving it 4 stars mainly because of the lack of draft beer and the smaller portion sizes for the price, but it's still a fantastic spot worth visiting.

Food.. the best I have had in a very long time!! Everything is home made even the rice…read more Service was great Portion size = 2 meals I will be back most likely every week

The good-the food was consistently good. The employees were polite…read more The bad: hoooo boy, where to start. The women's restroom had NO tp. One stall has no working latches or locks, and the other has no external handle. They have no diet drink options except water, so diabetics can drink water or go thirsty I guess. The most egregious thing, however, was how my food was given to me. I ordered a gyro wrap with cheese. Now, I don't know about everyone else, but if I'm eating MEDITERRANEAN FOOD, and ask for cheese, I expect a beautiful pile of feta. Instead, I received a wrap with a mountain of SLICED American cheese on it. Its mere existence infuriates me.

Usta Kababgy is an excellent restaurant for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine in Austin, TX located…read moreon N. Lamar Blvd. The restaurant has well seasoned, charcoal grilled meats. The kebabs are the true highlight...juicy, flavorful, and grilled to perfection. The portions are quite large as the hubs and I shared a wrap. We were sufficiently full after eating the chicken tikka wrap. Interestingly, the wrap came in a Shawarma King packaging with their contact phone number. So, I assume that Usta staff are sub-contracting from Shawarma King. Usta also has freshly baked bread and classic sides like hummus and rice paired with the main dishes. The restaurant has a homey, lived in feel. It has a few middle eastern artifacts sprinkled throughout the restaurant. The menu offers a wide variety of options, from Iraqi and Adana kebabs to shawarma and traditional Middle Eastern plates, so there are food items for both first timers and regulars who want to explore beyond the basics. They also serve flatbreads where you can have two different toppings. The food focus is on bold, traditional flavors rather than modern takes on middle eastern foods. On the desserts front, they have an assortment of desserts and several sections of ice cream. I had the baklava, which was surprisingly delicious...it was not eye-squinting sweet like a standard baklava. It was crunchy, flavorful, and had nuts that were substantial. Layla, my server, was so super sweet and welcoming. She pointed out that Usta provides its customers free tea. How cool is that? I cannot remember last time I received a free drink.

Usta Kababgy offers amazing charcoal-grilled Mediterranean food that provides authentic, "soul-fed"…read moreexperience that's hard to find elsewhere. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, suitable for a place nice enough for a family/friend gathering. The service is friendly and reassures wanting to provide an enjoyable meal. The standout here is the charcoal grill definitely must try. It's all fresh and top-tier.

We loved this casual foodie spot! Plenty of seating outdoors and indoors…read more You order at the counter and they bring you the dishes to your table. The staff here is so friendly. Food was really fun and tasty! Chicken was tender and crisp. Salads all super fresh and crisp. Noodle bowls had good flavor. Drinks were also good. We would love to rerun when in town.

Outdoor seating, good ambiance, and plenty of space for a group of friends on a Sunday afternoon…read more We got a few dishes including the half chicken, the salmon bowl, the broccoli, the Asian salad, and the edamame to share. The salmon bowl had too much sauce but the salmon itself was tasty and flakey. We ordered more than enough food and the half order of chicken could serve 2-3 people with sides. I loved the flavorful Asian slaw salad as an appetizer. My only criticism would be that the food didn't come out all at the same time and some of the sides came out long after the mains. The edamame was spicy and great to share. I didn't have the boozy milkshakes but one of my friends did and I heard they're delicious. Definitely worth a stop on my trip to Austin.

Have been coming to this location for years. The people working here, from manager to cooks, have…read morealways been welcoming and keep me a loyal customer. Julio, the manager, provides outstanding customer service, alongside Christian and Kevin behind the counter. The food is consistently tasty, and on top of that, comes out quite fast, which is ideal for busy days at the office and you want a great meal.

I ordered from the kebab shop through uber eats. I had the bowl and then also tried their falafel…read moreand hummus. The falafel and hummus were great. The bowl was only okay. The chicken was a little weird and I avoided it. The bowl overall had a little bit of a strange chemical ish taste. I don't regret trying it and wouldn't be opposed to trying again. Not a must have though.

Why 4 stars? Because I had a halal itch and this kind of scratched it…read more --- --- --- I recently visited New York and every time I do that, I usually have to visit a halal cart. This time, I barely managed to squeeze one into my trip, and it was kind of a last minute stop from a food truck that wasn't even on Yelp. It was fine, but I was left yearning for more after barely getting a taste of it. Enter: my trip to Austin. Upon doing my food research, I was struck by Halal Time's great rating and couldn't pass up the opportunity to visit. I was staying in a hotel less than a mile away, which made it even easier to stop by. The result? I wouldn't say it fully hit the spot on what I'd remembered from old NYC trips, but I did enjoy it. I went with the Beef Shawarma Over Rice plate and it was a perfectly "good, not great" dinner.

First let me start and say the portion is huge. I could not finish it and it was very tasty. At…read morefirst I thought it was too much sauce but once you mix everything together. It was the perfect amount. the chicken meal and baklava dessert was $17 which I felt was good price. My complaint. I preordered on door dash and picked up my order and 3 of my coworkers orders. I get a 30 min lunch and it takes me 8 min to get there and another 8 min to get so I should have had plenty of time. I go up to the window, tell him I'm here to pick up the order and he says door dash has not given him orders for 3 days. So my orders were not made. I had to call everyone to find out what they order and as I'm calling out the orders he's like oh yes I see them. Very confused as to how he has no orders but also has orders? There was construction and graduations going on that day so my commute was a little longer but he not having the orders ready also made me late.

Didn't get a chance to take a picture of the food because by the time I took out my phone the food…read morewas in my stomach. Got the beef plate here and it was absolutely phenomenal. I personally think it's the best halal food in Austin I've had so far. Definitely will be coming back. The person who took my order was also very friendly -offered me a free complimentary soda.

Delicious food. It wasn't the best, but it was something. I had a great night with enjoying the…read moregyro rap I had was delicious and fresh. Their sides were also fresh and yummy and well worth the price.

This Egyptian BBQ food truck was so good and such a unique find. We got the brisket bowl, the…read morecowboy mac and cheese with brisket, and the pork ribs, and everything was delicious. The brisket bowl was definitely the standout for me. It was so different from anything I've had before--it even had cranberries in it--but all the flavors came together perfectly. The cowboy mac and cheese with brisket was really good too, but I'd probably get the bowl again next time. The pork ribs were the best bite of the whole meal. They fell right off the bone and were so soft and tender. We split everything between two people and were completely stuffed by the end. Such a fun spot.

KG BBQ is unique and it is BOMB. I came by after work one day since I'd heard friends rave about…read morethis place and it got a Michelin rec in 2024. It's a simple looking black food truck in a busy parking lot, and the day I came was a Saturday when it was raining fairly heavily. Despite that, the lot was mostly full but there were a few spots available. There were about 5-6 people in line ahead of me and a few others still waiting for their food. I ordered the pita which you can request to do 1/2 and 1/2, so I got 1/2 brisket and 1/2 kofta. The kofta was certainly unique but I didn't like it as much as the brisket which was absolutely delicious and prepared so well. It comes with cubed marinated veg and a yogurt sauce to pour on if you get take away. I also ordered the cardamom pistachio rice pudding because I love those flavors and it was very smooth, not too sweet, and easy to eat. I'd love to go back to try the Dum Ali sometime. Overall absolutely would rec a visit to KG if you like bbq, the Egyptian flare to it is super cool and it's delicious! The staff are also so friendly.

Amazing and authentic Afghani cuisine! The Mantu, Beef…read moreChapli Kabuli and Chicken Skewers were very good! Very tasty and a must have in ATX! Big congratulations to Armaan for being extra artistic and friendly! Keep up the good work! I am now a forever customer! Appreciation!

So f^***** good…read more Omg so delicious I got the combo chicken and beef ground plate with the rice and fries and put a bunch of different sauces on it by the recommendation of Ahmed/ Ahmad? Super nice guy! Was super patient with my ignorant questions about the food. It was so good. Even my husband was impressed and would come back. The prices increased by $1 from the posted signs but for $18 after tip it was like 3 meals for me.

Review: Fierce Flavors at Austin's Top 100 BBQ Tucked into a…read morequintessential corner lot, this Austin food truck isn't just serving barbecue; it's serving a certified experience. As a recipient of the prestigious Texas Monthly Top 100 BBQ Award, the expectations were high--and for the most part, they were met. The venue itself provides a fantastic, relaxed vibe, complete with plenty of TVs and a music stage, making it the perfect spot for chilling out on a lazy afternoon or settling in for an evening hang. The Main Event: Pitmaster Excellence The true test of a Texas BBQ joint is the holy trinity, and here, they nailed the fundamentals: * Brisket: This was Texas BBQ as it should be. The brisket was super juicy, delivered a profound, deep flavor, and possessed a flawless, great bark that spoke to hours of skillful smoking * Spare Ribs: A study in contrast and texture. The ribs offered a satisfying "good pull"--firm enough to bite but still falling cleanly off the bone. The thick, peppery bark was beautifully balanced by a slight sweetness from a pepper jelly glaze, adding a layer of sophisticated flavor you don't always find. * Pork Belly Burnt Ends: These were pure decadence. Each bite provided a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth experience with a distinct and welcome hint of Fierce Whiskers bourbon woven into the smoky, fatty flavor. They are so rich and irresistible, you know you shouldn't eat too many, but good luck stopping. * Jalapeño and Cheese Sausage: This locally sourced link brought the heat with a good level of spice. The flavor was excellent, though the texture leaned slightly toward the processed side, which was the only minor drawback among the meats. The Supporting Cast: Sides A great plate of BBQ requires sides that stand up to the meat, and while two of these were stars, one needs a little work. * Mac & Cheese: An absolute winner. It was cheesy, creamy, and featured an excellent smoked flavor that permeated the dish. The slightly charred edges added a delightful textural counterpoint. * Hash Brown Casserole: This was a surprisingly strong contender, offering a nice assembly of savory flavors. The secret weapon was the corn flake topping, providing an unexpected but welcome crunch, complemented by a satisfying hint of bacon. * Creamed Corn: Unfortunately, this side was the weakest link. It tasted primarily bland, despite a slight peppery note. It desperately needs some fresh jalapeños mixed in to cut through the creaminess and add the essential Texas kick. Final Verdict The meat selection here is truly Top 100 worthy, excelling in technique, flavor, and execution (especially the Brisket and Burnt Ends). The atmosphere is perfect for a relaxed gathering. While the Creamed Corn missed the mark, the stellar Hash Brown Casserole and Smoked Mac & Cheese prove that their side game is usually strong. Come for the high-quality, authentic Texas barbecue, stay for the great outdoor patio.

Rollin' Smoke is a bbq joint located inside Chalmers. We…read morewere there earlier today to get lunch at our beloved Discada. A friend is in town for work so we decided to grab bbq as well. We got the chopped beef sandwich and decided to share it between three people since we just wanted a taste. Gotta say it was darn good & I'll definitely go back to try more. The beef was so tender and juicy that it really did melt in our mouths. The bun was soft and fresh and held the sandwich together well.