The food was a solid 4/5, but I'm giving them 5 stars because the service was outstanding. The owner even came over to chat with us, asking how we found the restaurant. Honestly, I didn't even know this place existed until I came across it through Google and Yelp. They recently opened about two months ago, and everything they serve is halal.
The restaurant itself is cozy, with some nice artwork that gives it a welcoming atmosphere. We decided to order the Platter for Two ($85), which comes with two sides. I'm not sure if the coleslaw was included or if they gave it to us as a complimentary side, but either way, it was a nice addition.
The platter included one smoked beef Dino rib, 1/2 lb. of beef brisket, two chicken legs (one BBQ and one jerk), plus my choice of mac and cheese and rice dun' up.
The Dino rib was easily the star of the meal. It was smoky, incredibly tender, packed with flavor, and they definitely weren't stingy with the portion size. The brisket was decent, although I wish it had developed more bark and been seasoned a bit more. I did prefer the moist end, which was much more enjoyable.
Both the BBQ and jerk chicken were juicy, tender, and practically fell off the bone. That said, I wasn't a fan of the BBQ chicken. It tasted like it was grilled first and then simply brushed with BBQ sauce afterward, without much seasoning underneath. It just lacked depth of flavor. The jerk chicken, on the other hand, was excellent--bold, flavorful, and brought a nice level of heat that I really enjoyed.
The mac and cheese was good, though not my favorite. It had plenty of cheese, but I would've preferred it to be smoother and creamier. The rice dun' up, made with basmati rice (my favorite), was cooked perfectly. It had a great garlicky flavor and paired especially well with the Dino rib. It was simple but beautifully executed.
I'm usually not a coleslaw person, but I was pleasantly surprised by theirs. It had a nice crunch and wasn't overloaded with mayonnaise. I also enjoyed both of their house BBQ sauces--one was tangy, while the other combined tanginess with a nice kick of heat.
Overall, I definitely felt like I got my money's worth for $85. There was more than enough food, and we even had leftovers for the next day. Honestly, I'd say this platter could comfortably feed three people, depending on everyone's appetite.
They serve soft drinks, although I do wish they offered ice. When we arrived, we were the only customers, but a family came in shortly after. Since they're still new, I hope they continue to get more business because this place is truly a hidden gem. It's conveniently located right next to Fiesta.
Would I come back? Absolutely. read more