Zakia's

by alicia k.

I have been wanting to try this place since it opened. After reading all the great reviews, I went in for dinner on Wednesday. The Good: The ambiance is nice. The restaurant looks clean and there is a nice covered patio outside. The service was prompt and they gave my children a couple of blowpops. The Bad: We were one of two tables at the restaurant.The Ugly: THE FOOD! Although I don't know what Greek food is suppose to taste like, but the food here is not only nothing special, it is poorly prepared. I ordered the children's grilled cheese and fries. The grilled cheese sandwich had no grill marks and the fries were not crispy. Now, you know fries are bad when both my sons refused to eat them. I ordered the lamb souvlaki and the extremely greasy spanakopita. The spanakopita tasted like the frozen ones you can buy at Costco. The lamb  souvlaki was cut into four thin rounds, served with some oven roasted small potatoes and a salad. The lamb was encrusted in pepper so all I  tasted was pepper on top of a dry piece of meat. The oven roasted potatoes were soft and again, over seasoned with salt, black pepper, and a hint of rosemary. I prefer my oven roasted potatoes to have a slight crispy crust on the outside. The side salad was fresh, but the dressing lacked flavor. The pita is the same as the bags at HEB. The tzetziki sauce that they game me was curdled. It was sour and had a layer of water on top.

by Kayla H.

By far one of the worst dining experiences I've ever had! Save your money and your sanity! If you enjoy waiting 20 min. for drinks after having to ask 3 separate times, every ones food being served separately at 10 min. intervals, and listening to the crazy owner running around yelling then this is the place for you. This has been my second attempt to eat there because I live so close and both times have been major disappointments! After our troubles were brought to Zakia's attention by our entire party she became defensive and did nothing to make the situation right. We will never eat there again and make sure to tell everyone what happened there.

by A B.

Kind of pricey and the shwarma seemed to be marinated steak instead of sliced fresh off a meat cone. The owner talks to everyone, which does lend a friendly atmosphere to the place (though I wasn't asked to smell her neck :). Seriously, if price was no object, this place would get 4 stars from me. Certainly, for those who think "I am too poor to buy cheap", this place is the only option.

by Coby C.

I just went to this place last weekend for a birthday party for a friend of mine.  I was told that it was her opening night.  Coupled with the fact they were hosting a party on the first night, it wasn't quite organized.  But I felt like the owner made up for the lack of organization with just good ol fashioned customer service.  She is very personable.  I ate the chicken shawarma which I thought was delicious.  A little pricey but delicious.  The entertainment was a bit cheesey.  What I mean by that is they have a belly dancer on hand but she's not very good.  Other than that I had a nice experience there.  It's quite a ways up north from where I live but if I'm ever in that neighborhood I would stop and eat there again.

by Christine M.

The boyfriend and I finally got around to a return visit to Zakia's.  And they recognized me... *cringe*  I guess a certain infamy goes hand-in-hand with being "First to Review", but they were sweet and didn't embarrass me too much... lol.We got hummus again and splurged on tyropita as an additional appetizer, on the owner's recommendation.  WOW.  Just wow.  The tyropita was fantastic and I highly recommend it, though be aware that it only comes with two pieces... :'(For my meal, I got the #2 vegetarian platter.  The falafel, baba ganoush, and pita bread were magnificent!  The dolmades and rice were quite good as well.  The cilantro green beans were... um... potent.  Not bad, just *strong*.  The taste of cilantro and (raw) garlic lingered in my throat well into the next day.  I'm normally a huge garlic fan, but I think I'll have to pass on the green beans next time.  No harm, no foul.  :)With two appetizers, two entrees, and dessert, we got out of there for a smidge under $50 (this was with tax+tip). In search of a Greek place in Austin that's NOT cafeteria-style (I love you Tino's Zorba's, but…

by Andrew T.

I came here because my friend is one of the chefs. I didn't expect much, just wanted to support him. First off, the owner Zakia, is a trip! She is soooo friendly and easy to talk to. On my first visit, I wasn't super hungry, so they suggested the gyro combo. The gyro was verrrrrry good. It was packed with fresh veggies, and the gyro meat was delicious. The fries that accompanied the gyro sandwich were awesome! And I'm not a big fry person to say the least. Something about the seasoning, but it is not overly salty, with a hint of sweet. My friend also let me sample the babaganush and hummus. Both were delicious, but there babaganush is the best I have ever tasted. I visited again two days later, right before my trip home to Plano, TX. This time, I felt hunger pains and ordered the beef platter. My friend ordered the lamb platter. The beef was delicious. Perfectly cooked, moist and juicy. The lamb was good, as well. The Greek salad that came with the platters was delicious. You have to try their homemade Greek dressing. Best Greek dressing I have had. The baklava i had may have been the only downfall. It tasted like generic baklava you can buy from a generic Greek bakery. Anytime I visit Austin, I will definitely stop by and eat here. Good food, friendly staff, and i don't go away hungry!

by RONALD W.

I haven't eaten at any other Greek restaurants in Austin, so I am really comparing to those in Seattle.Had the hummus appetizer and lamb souvlaki. Iced tea and a cap for beverages. Everything was good and in large quantity, but I do think the price tag is on the high side. $23/person before tip.

by erik w.

Quick update:I just went back and the service was a better - I think they may have just been understaffed last time I went.  Also, the falafel was not even close to as greasy as it was last time.  Much better experience overall. Pretty good! I went to Zakia's for lunch today and I got the best Falafel wrap I have had since I…

by Adam D.

I can't disagree with people who complain that Zakia's is pricey. I paid twenty for a full lunch, drink, desert and tip. But I loved every bite. And I have to wonder -- how much did the the beer at Cheer's cost (maybe that's why Norm couldn't pay his tab)? Because what comes to mind when I visit Zakia's. She has never met a stranger, she remembers everyone and loves to socialize - you feel right at home with her bubbly Greek personality. And the food! I adore greek food and this is some of the best in Austin, in my opinion. I highly recommend the Greek Passion lemonade. It's infused with rose water and hibiscus flowers. I've never tasted anything like it. The hummus appetizer is flavorful too - the bread is extra fresh, the dip has lots of garlic (mix it with the oil). I had the shawarma, but while it was tasty, the gyro is the way to go. The beef shwarma was a bit bland compared to the heartier mutton. I also hear that the greek salad is a house specialty. The flavors in the pistachio baklava were excellent - smooth, buttery and well balanced. Zakia herself has Greek roots so she knows how things are supposed to taste for a truly savory experience. And unless you have a Greek mother, this is probably the closest you'll get to a home-cooked Greek meal.

by lisa B.

The place already gets a special gold star for location.  I usually curse the distance I have to travel to just about everything I like in Austin, so you don't even know how happy I was to find a place that is NOT a chain close to home (walking distance, no less!).The place is super cute and quaint.  It was a bit stifling inside - but they have a large patio area to enjoy an Austin evening outside.  The owner is cheery and has much pride in her restaurant.  It has a great neighborhood vibe - which you just don't find in many Northern establishments.  Who wouldn't want to support such a place.My friend I split the chicken soulvaki dinner, with the hummus as a starter.  Umm.. YUM!!  The chicken had a great flavor to it - and all white chicken meat.  No parts here!  The hummus was all garlicky goodness - with plenty of pita.  We had ample food split for the two of us - with leftovers!   I'm sure a bigger eater would be able to finish a plate on their own, but it was the perfect amount for us - a tasty dinner on the cheap.  What can I say.... I'm on a budget!