What Austinites Really Order When Hunger Strikes

Austin has plenty of takeout options, but when you're craving authentic, halal Turkish food that's worth the drive, the choice becomes clear. At our mediterranean restaurant in Austin, TX, we serve flame-grilled meats, traditional recipes, and bold flavors that remind you what real food tastes like. No shortcuts, no compromises, only quality ingredients prepared the right way.

Here's what people order most, and why these dishes consistently bring customers back.

Turkish Style Chicken Shawarma

This shawarma outsells everything else on our menu. We marinate the chicken for hours in traditional Turkish spices before grilling it over open flames. That charring creates a smoky flavor you can't replicate in an oven. We serve it in warm pita with fresh vegetables and house-made sauce. The bread stays soft, the vegetables add crunch, and the sauce brings tanginess that balances the richness of the meat.

People order this because it fills you up without making you feel heavy afterward. The protein content keeps you satisfied, and the spice blend is complex enough that you notice something new with each bite. Add extra sauce on the side if you want to maximize the experience. We make our sauces in-house daily, and having extra means you can adjust the flavor as you eat.

Lamb Shawarma Platter

When chicken isn't enough, customers order the lamb platter. This comes with fire-grilled lamb over seasoned rice, fresh salad, warm pita, and your choice of sauce. We slow-marinate the lamb in our spice blend: cumin, paprika, garlic, and other traditional seasonings used in Turkish cooking for generations. We cook it until the meat is tender with slightly crispy edges, where the fat renders and caramelizes.

The rice absorbs the meat juices and sauce, the salad provides freshness, and the pita lets you scoop up everything on your plate. Groups split this, while individual customers take half home for tomorrow. Either way, you're getting substantial portions of real food.

Loaded Fries

Standard fries don't cut it when you want something more filling. Our loaded fries start with hand-cut potatoes fried until golden and crispy. Then we add seasoned meat, melted cheese, fresh vegetables, and drizzle our signature sauces over the top. You can add feta cheese if you want sharper, saltier notes in the mix. The feta melts slightly from the heat, creating pockets of creamy, tangy flavor throughout the dish.

This works as a main dish or as something to share. The portion size handles two or three people easily, but single orders come through regularly because sometimes you want something indulgent. The loaded fries let you taste multiple sauces in one order. Each bite can be different depending on which section of the plate you're eating from.

Chicken Skewer Wrap

Not every meal needs to be elaborate. The chicken skewer wrap keeps things simple and executes well. We grill chicken skewers fresh, then wrap them with crisp lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and sauce in pita bread. The wrap holds together properly, which matters when you're eating in your car or at your desk.

This is the most popular lunch order because it's quick, portable, and tastes the same whether you eat it immediately or save it for an hour. The chicken stays juicy because we don't overcook it, and the vegetables stay crisp because we prep them throughout the day.

Falafel for Plant-Based Eaters

Austin has a substantial vegetarian and vegan population, and falafel orders reflect that. Our falafel isn't a backup option. We make it with the same attention as our meat dishes. We use chickpeas, fresh herbs, onions, and spices, then fry them until the outside is crispy and the inside stays tender. The texture contrast is what makes falafel work: crispy exterior, soft interior, with herb flavors coming through in each bite.

You can order this as a wrap, in a bowl, or as a platter with rice and salad. We make the tahini sauce specifically for falafel with lemon juice, garlic, and sesame paste. It's sharp, creamy, and ties everything together. Plant-based customers order this regularly because it's filling without being heavy, and the fried exterior gives you that crispy texture people usually associate with meat dishes.

Turkish Shepherd Salad

Fresh vegetables matter, especially when you're eating rich, grilled meats. The Turkish shepherd salad isn't filler. It's a legitimate part of your meal. We chop cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and parsley, then dress everything with lemon juice and olive oil. No lettuce, no unnecessary ingredients, only vegetables, acid, and fat.

Most customers order this as a side to their main dish. The fresh crunch and tangy dressing cut through the richness of lamb or chicken, so your palate clears between bites. That means you taste more of your food instead of everything blending. The salad also adds volume to your meal without adding heaviness. If you're hungry but don't want to feel stuffed, this gives you more food without the same caloric density as rice or bread.

Sides That Matter

Our appetizers aren't menu padding. These enhance your meal. Hummus with zaatar brings creamy chickpeas topped with the Middle Eastern spice blend of thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds. It adds earthy, tangy notes that complement our grilled meats. Cheese borek is a flaky pastry filled with cheese, baked until the pastry is crispy and the cheese melts completely. Baba ganoush uses roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. We char the eggplant before blending it, giving the dip a smoky flavor that pairs with everything on our menu.

Mix and match a couple of sides with your main order. Variety makes the meal more interesting, and you'll have quality leftovers for tomorrow.

Why Customers Keep Coming Back

Quality stays consistent across every order. We don't change our process based on how busy we are or what time of day it is. The same standards apply whether you're the first customer or the last. All our meat is halal-certified, so for Muslim customers and anyone else seeking halal options, there's no ambiguity. Every meat product we serve meets halal requirements.

We use traditional Turkish recipes without modifications to suit trends. The marinades, spice blends, and cooking techniques we use have proven themselves over time. We're not inventing new fusion concepts. We're executing established recipes with quality ingredients. The ordering process works efficiently: visit our website to place your order online, customize everything, and your food is ready when you arrive for pickup.

Ready to Order?

Order online for the fastest pickup. Your food will be ready when you arrive. Platters give you better value and variety compared to wraps, especially if you're hungry or want leftovers for tomorrow. Don't skip the sauces. They're made in-house and designed to complement each dish perfectly.