Phoenicia Bakery and Deli

by Jaye J.

I love this place and the staff. For my money, they have the best olives in Austin as well as a host of other goodies.I have an aversion to mayo, but for some reason, I can tolerate it here when I order a salami or prosciutto sandwich on their fresh baked french bread. The roast chicken that they are well known for is a fantastic sandwich, just be sure you don't plan on mackin' with someone after you eat it. That thing will give you the breath of a dragon for a few days. The shwarma is amazing as is the hummus sandwich (add olives if you like things salty).The hummus is really good at Phoenicia. It's smooth and creamy with a hint of garlic and lemon, just like good hummus should be. They also sell laban, a type of yogurt that I really like to eat on Kafta or gyros. It's super sour and pretty runny. While I wait for my order, I like to browse the aisles for all of the ingredients I grew up seeing in my parents' kitchen but have forgotten about (Ovaltine! How strange is that?)If you're not a Pepsi fan, beware. They used to carry Coke in cans in the fridge case, but that hasn't been the case since I've been there in a while. So if you're like me and hate Pepsi and Pepsi products, you might want to stick to water.

by Stefan U.

I stop by Phoenicia every once in a while and I always like the experience. I've had their bakery goods and liked all of them and I really like their pita bread. What I like most about Phoenicia though is that you can find a bunch of grocery items that are either hard to find in other stores or that are more expensive in other stores. The store looks a bit cluttered, as some reviews on here point out and I've also experienced that some of the things on the shelves have past expiration dates. That doesn't really turn me off that much, just make sure you check the dates on the things you buy. The grocery section is an eclectic mix, I've found Middle Eastern cream cheese, canned vegetables from Turkey, German coffee, all kinds of good stuff.

by teri s.

i'd have to disagree about this place having the best falafel.  the best falafel in town is at marakesh cafe as far as i'm concerned.  what  phoenicia has going for it most is the bakery.  they offer a lot of stuff you can't get anywhere else.  the pita bread is good and fresh as well.

by Karen S.

I can't say too much about their hummus and tabouli!  It can't be ebat for flavor.  And the fresh pita is greatI like the selection of olives and olive oil.  I just bought fava beans!

by Angelica S.Rebecca L.Stefan U.whitney a.Steve E.

Oh, this is a nice little gem. The smell in here is delicious.  The gyros are so lovely.My husband really enjoys the olive selection here. I had the pastries. I was not disappointed.So the other day, I had an unfortunate accident at work, which forced me to go to this clinic on S. Lamar. I think my bad luck was what made me come here. After going to the clinic for a follow up visit, my roommate was hungry, so we drove along S. Lamar looking for somewhere to eat. I saw the sign for Phoenicia and told her we should go there, because I remember having some of their pitas at Phara's, and they were really good. So we pull in the parking lot, and I can see through their store windows that it's a grocery store as well.We walked in, and were greeted by the delicious smell of Greek food. Now I'm hungry as well. The thing about this place is that their menu is posted on the wall in different places. At first I thought they only served 4 items, because I only noticed their "specials" board. My roommate wanted to leave because she wanted something with meat in it, and all the specials were vegetarian. Fortunately, I then noticed they had other options. The groceries in the stores seemed more expensive than stuff you could get at HEB, but such is the case with small, local stores. Phoenicia also has "fresh" olives, fresh bread, and a small selection of meats you can buy.I think I would definitely come back and try their gyro or falafel next time. Their cheese bread is really good, btw.I stop by Phoenicia every once in a while and I always like the experience. I've had their bakery goods and liked all of them and I really like their pita bread. What I like most about Phoenicia though is that you can find a bunch of grocery items that are either hard to find in other stores or that are more expensive in other stores. The store looks a bit cluttered, as some reviews on here point out and I've also experienced that some of the things on the shelves have past expiration dates. That doesn't really turn me off that much, just make sure you check the dates on the things you buy. The grocery section is an eclectic mix, I've found Middle Eastern cream cheese, canned vegetables from Turkey, German coffee, all kinds of good stuff.i didn't try any of their deli items, but after looking at their grocery items, some of which had been expired for over 2 years, i wasn't really feeling adventurous enough to try their "fresh" food. phoenicia is pretty shoddy and disorganized, but the most disappointing part was walking in and not hearing any arabic, only spanish and the latino top 40 blasting on a radio. music consistent with the culture can do wonders for even the most rundown business, but maybe it's just me that likes to hear an oud while rummaging through packages of pita.but hey, the folks below me loved the baklava and pita, so maybe it's worth checking out for that. personally, i'm going to keep looking.Remind me again, when did chicken start tasting like fish??This was what I experienced on my most recent visit during lunchtime last week.  The roasted chicken wraps, which everyone on Yelp (and apparently the rest of Austin) so raves about, had a bizarre, fish-like taste.  I really had to force down half of the wrap before I eventually threw it away.  If I hadn't been here many times before, without any sort of problems, this would've been a one star rating.  However, I would like to think that this a rarity and not the norm.  I'm still extremely disappointed though.  My word of advice to you:  If you decide to order the roasted chicken wrap in the future, take a bite of it before you leave.  At least that way you can still get your money back if it tastes rancid.

by Matt Q.

UPDATE: Avoid the eggplant sandwich at all costs. It was cold and tasted like ass. Thankfully, the roast chicken still kicks ass.----------------------------------Phoenicia is one of the places that makes living in 78704 so great. I just rolled in there and grabbed two roast chicken sandwiches... freshly made on pita with lettuce, tomato and lots of garlicly sauce. Two for about $8.The baked goods range from ok to excellent and the prices are low, low, low.Nice people, good food, good prices.

by Rebecca L.

So the other day, I had an unfortunate accident at work, which forced me to go to this clinic on S. Lamar. I think my bad luck was what made me come here. After going to the clinic for a follow up visit, my roommate was hungry, so we drove along S. Lamar looking for somewhere to eat. I saw the sign for Phoenicia and told her we should go there, because I remember having some of their pitas at Phara's, and they were really good. So we pull in the parking lot, and I can see through their store windows that it's a grocery store as well.We walked in, and were greeted by the delicious smell of Greek food. Now I'm hungry as well. The thing about this place is that their menu is posted on the wall in different places. At first I thought they only served 4 items, because I only noticed their "specials" board. My roommate wanted to leave because she wanted something with meat in it, and all the specials were vegetarian. Fortunately, I then noticed they had other options. The groceries in the stores seemed more expensive than stuff you could get at HEB, but such is the case with small, local stores. Phoenicia also has "fresh" olives, fresh bread, and a small selection of meats you can buy.I think I would definitely come back and try their gyro or falafel next time. Their cheese bread is really good, btw.

by Jessica A.

I came for the Falfal and Shwarma but I fell in love with the Muffaletta! It is one seriously delicious sandwich, and although you can practically feel the sinful fat calories oozing out from between the cloud soft bun it'll be well worth the extra 3 hours you'll have to spend in the gym working it off. I also like Phoenicia for its baklava and myriad of fun, foreign food items. I always end up coming home with something I've never tried before but inevitably lick my chops over. The only down side to this place is the lack of seating--although the Muffaletta is best eaten secretly in a warm car in the parking lot anyhow....

by Mary E.

Here's how I enjoy Phoenicia.  Grab a roasted chicken wrap - the best food ever - tender chicken - garlicky drippy sauce.  Protect your lap!Then drive to the Sonic a couple of doors away and get Limeade - or cherry lime if you wish- - eat and drink in the car.  Awesome - perfect combination of taste sensations!  I used to do this all the time when I had young children who behaved better in the car than in restaurants.And sometimes they would fall asleep in the carseats and I could eat and drink in peace!  I still love Phoenenicia and stop by when I am in the neighborhood.Also their pastry/sweet section is amazing.  I like to buy a nice selection for Easter brunch.

by John B.

Great Gyros!  Great Deli! Great Fresh baked breads!  Great selection of middle eastern and Greek goods.  Best choice of olive oils anywhere! Best choice of great olives in town.  Great pastries!  No seating to enjoy the goodies you just bought (a single table is on the sidewalk outside, usually dirty).