Zakias greek
We just tried Zakias greek on Parmer. I think they have been there about 6 months.
Its just north of Anderson Mill on the west side of Parmer in that fancy apartment complex in the shops out front.
I used to live in Chicago so I know a little bit about greek food.
We were pleasantly surprised.
My wife got all appetizers - hummus, falafel, tabouleh, coucous.
I go the lamb souvlaki.
My wife thinks the coucous is the best she has ever had. The hummus was also above average. My side greek salad was better than average. The lamb was a nicely prepared - real marinated lamb fillet (not sure what you call the cut) instead of those cubes you usually get. I am a Tzekiki sauce fanatic. Theirs was little too vinegary for me and not quite enough came with the lamb for my use, but a normal person would probably find it sufficient.
All the standard greek sides and entrees. Greek teas and they do pressed Turkish coffee which we did not try.
Took some deserts home but the dog ate them when our back was turned :-).
The interior is one of those modern yuppie deals - one side is all windows that look out on the highway, stained cement floor, dark red, green and gold paint with that corrugated steel siding around the open kitchen area. Lotta fake silk plants up on shelf near ceiling.
Service was OK, average.
Prices were moderate - more expensive than your typical cheap greek carrryout, this is more of real sit down place.
We will go back.
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dinaofdoom
Mar 24, 2010 08:14 PM
Zakia's Greek Cuisine
8701 W. Parmer Lane, Suite 1125
Austin, TX 78729
(512) 670-1000
http://www.zakiasgreekcuisine.com/Wednesday, 03/24/10 at 7:30.
Synopsis:
"Cuisine" is overly optimistic, and did not hit the mark.
Very basic offerings that cost a few dollars more than they should.
I can't believe this place has been here for 18 months, according to their website.Food:
There was a young man in a CIA chef coat the counter, which gave me high hopes.
The appetizer list omitted the traditional taramasalata and calamari, which was disappointing.
They didn't offer a mezethes platter, despite having individual items in the $4-5 range.
It's a little silly to call your avgolemeno "Pollo Limon Soup", but to each his/her own.
I thought the dinner entrees were pricey, so I opted for the cheaper gyro wrap.
The gyro meat was salty and just okay, possibly from a Sysco-type source.
The tzatziki had a nice thickness, with herb flecks, but lacked the assertive garlic and crunchy cucumber that makes the dish flavorful and addictive.
I expect, as my friend Panagiote calls it, "tzatziki stink breath" after partaking.
This was completely blah, and reminded me of a vague, "Americanized" version of itself.
The pita was fresh, but $1.25 for one piece; this was a complaint in other reviews, too.
I thought I would at least get good fries. Nope.
Sure, probably not the lemon/herb/sea salt dusted ones from my best Greek meal ever.
These french fries were battered, mealy wedges straight from the freezer and not worth it.
Ironically, the TV was on a local channel featuring the freshly made fries at P. Terry's while I was lamenting their anemic brethren on my plate.
They no longer offer the couscous the OP wrote about as the best his wife ever had, so sadly I could not compare.Service:
My server was young, scatter-brained, but well-meaning.
To be fair, she did tell me it was her first day, and said she hadn't tried much but the hummus was good.
She struggled with the word "gyro", we laughed, and I pointed to the massive "It's called YEE-RO" sign right in front of us.
I was checked on a few times, which was nice.Decor and presentation:
The tables were so narrow, I am not sure that two people could sit opposite with two plates.
The chairs were awfully uncomfortable, and don't really encourage leisurely dining.
It's a sit-down place with tablecloths, but seems a bit ramshackle, with no real flair.
My gyro came in a shallow bowl you would use for pasta, and made for awkward eating.Value: Fair to Poor.
I only tried one item and thought it vastly overpriced.
I got the gyro combo (fries & soda), which cost $10.62 with tax, plus a $2 tip.
Meat platters were $14, vegetarian ones $12. Sandwiches a la carte $8.
There was a new $8 tzatziki and cheese baked potato.
The weekend specials were in the $15-20 range, including some shrimp.
My comparison was based on what another local Greek place charges, plus nearby restaurants' price points.
Tino's has $9-12 dinner platters with more sides, and there are good deals close by like Momiji's $3 sushi rolls.
The ingredients' provenance seems more HEB than haute but the price would suggest otherwise.
Think tomatoes more pink than red, basic romaine (which was not included; I spied someone's salad).
Let's not forget those fries I mentioned, because I have the same ones in my freezer.Pluses:
Location. Northwest is land of the bland, and this is in an apartment complex, so there's a client base.
Hookahs. How many places offer this, let alone a place in far NW Austin, located in an apartment complex?
Patio. It's wooden, and covered, with little lights (but overlooks the completely un-scenic Parmer Lane).Recommendations:
Liquor license. What is a Greek place w/o ouzo? Or at the very least, wine and beer.
Offer saganaki and call it "Greek Queso"; you already tried to Tex-Mexify your avgolemeno.
Sell a platter of dolmades, baba ganoush, hummus, tzatziki, greek salad and pita, etc.
Revise this place into a cafe, with the prices and dishes to match, and people such as myself will come back again.›2 Replies-
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re: verily
dinaofdoom
Mar 25, 2010 09:54 AM
thank you!
i don't really write a lot of reviews, but when i do, i try to break it down in that format because that's how my brain works.too bad about the price/quality ratio, because it is literally around the corner from me.
oh well.
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