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Abdallah's Bakery
Categories: Restaurants Middle Eastern Food Bakeries Middle Eastern, Bakeries [Edit]
3939 Hilcroft AveSte 100
Houston, TX 77057
Neighborhood: Gulfton
(713) 952-4747
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 8 am - 9 pm
Sun 8 am - 6 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
21 reviews for Abdallah's Bakery
Review Highlights
-
"A wonderful eatery for delicious Lebanese food." In 9 reviews -
"Served with Mint Tea--DELICIOUS." In 3 reviews -
"It was fried (just what I need) with squash and egg." In 2 reviews
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Sara I.
6/6/2010
Abdallah`s offers a variety of Lebanese cuisine. It`s great to have some delicious and flavourful Levantine food in Houston.
This location is hit or miss! It`s a small spot, located on the right side of Hilcroft. The parking is small as well, but usually there is always a place to park.
This bakery consists of both a deli, as well as having a small goods corner to purchase market items. If you have trouble in deciding what to eat, just ask for recommendations from the Owner. He is very kind and helpful. Being familiar with Lebanese food, I knew just about what I wanted to eat. I have came here a few times during lunch, and have tried the Kibbe, Falafils, and Shawarma. All of the foods are delicious. I suggest trying out any of their wrap sandwiches. They are filling, consisting of grilled meat and vegetables.
The desserts and baked breads are wonderful. Baked fresh daily, you can`t go wrong with these delectable items. I suggest trying just about any of the desserts. They are equally sweet and satisfying. Try their spinach savoury pastry. It`s shaped in a triangle. The spinach inside the pastry is lemony with the right touch of olive oil.
I believe I have spotted a few of their items at Whole Foods. Although, I usually purchase them at Abdallah`s. Either way, its definately a great way in experiencing a new place.
. . . Hmm I believe its just about time to pick up some loaves of baked bread. :) -
Review from Kimberly O.
Houston, TX
2/16/2012
Stopped in for a pot of Lebanese coffee and sweets. Very nice. Will come back for lunch soon after seeing the buffet.
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Review from Ellen B.
Houston, TX
2/23/2011
If you don't care about ambiance, then this place is a solid 4, otherwise I might dock to 3. It's located in a not so wonderful area and could be easily missed. Served deli style with a man behind the counter and his wife.
FANTASTIC food. Noteworthy selections...? Kibbeh nayeh is perfection. Hummus, schwarma, and garlic chicken must be tried. Bread was fresh and hot (it is a bakery) and was the perfect combo with everything. Their bread/baked items are available at Whole Foods so you know it's legit.
For two people with a ton of food we spent around $20-$25. But I took home leftovers!
Can't wait to go back! -
Review from Agustin S.
Houston, TX
11/5/2009
I liked the interior of Abdallah's, and the folks behind the counter were very nice and helpful. The 28th Edition of UYE Lunch Bunch was a success. I think we had about 7 people show up to eat and talk about Yelp, and the topic of the day was the badass party Farrah threw, EaDo Palooza.
I ordered the spicy chicken swarma and a side of hummus. I thought the chicken had some good flavor, but the sauce could of brought more heat. I liked the crispiness of the pita after it came off the grill, but I'm a fan of anything on a grill. The hummus was OK, but like Gretchen mentioned, this batch had a lot more Tahini than I would prefer. Luckily the pita was excellent, it made everything better.
I liked this place, and when ever I get the chicken swarma craving and don't feel like driving out to Phoenicia Deli, I can find it at Abdallah's. The Yelpers were excellent company and it was great to meet some new Lunch Bunchers.Listed in: UYE! Lunch Bunch
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Review from Gretchen P.
Houston, TX
11/4/2009
When I was a kid, I used to look out the car window and wonder why we didn't get our pita bread from a bakery. (Not often and randomly, just when we drove past Abdallah's...and occasionally when we pulled into the Randall's parking lot.) My mom was super healthy, and we always had pita on hand, but it was primarily from the grocery store. This was usually supplied by a random pita bakery and not necessarily from Houston. Basically, I had a bunch of not so fresh pita bread when I was a kid, and I wondered (as we drove past this bakery) why not buy it fresh. I also wondered what other types of unexplored bakery items awaited me. The answer that was always given to me was that grocery stores were one stop shops. (I hated that answer.)
Years passed. I got older and continued to buy pita bread in grocery stores, but only if it came from the same city in which I happened to be. Until the magical day. I was in WholeFoods, grabbed a bag of pita bread (distributed from Abdallah's) and noticed a few other bakery items. Spinach pies, specifically. This isn't the Greek type made from filo dough with which you may be familiar. These are more of a baked empanada. Very good, very filling, and healthy. (Low fat, lowish sodium, and lowish in carbs. Full of spinach.) It was actually so good, that I got in my car the next day, and headed to the bakery that I'd ridden past so often as a kid. I was rewarded with fresh, fresh, fresh bakery items and a very nice, family-owned business vibe.
I noticed that there was a counter with food and a seating area, and vowed to come back.
A week later, I did. There were many items to choose from, so I kept it simple: a falafal plate, and I asked which two sides to get. I was immediately told hummus (good, very heavy on the tahini) and another dish I wasn't familiar with, nor can I remember the name now. It was fried (just what I need) with squash and egg.
Everything was excellent, again including the customer service. I'm notorious for asking waitstaff/servers what is good, and 90% of the time I can tell they're just trying to get rid of something that isn't selling that day. Here, the suggestion was truthful. She actually considered before answering. As I'm a stickler for customer service, that is big in my book.
The one drawback of having warming trays and the like is that some things get cold AND moisture will evaporate. If you don't believe me, next time you go to CM or WholeFoods, take a look at a vat of soup whose lid has been up for a while. It's congealed and mushy. Initially when I was told that my falafal needed to be reheated, I was a bit worried. Alas, it was fine.
I mention the plates, but they also have wraps and bakery items such as baklava and various other sweets. It is also a grocery store of sorts. I didn't order at the bakery this time, nor browse through the store. My group just headed to the seating area and enjoyed our food. It was a great place for lunch, not terribly crowded (it came in waves) and plenty of places to sit. Our group of seven easily found a couple of tables to push together.Listed in: Lunch Bunch, Why Are You in a Strip Mall?, Totally Baked
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Review from Melanie S.
Houston, TX
10/7/2011
I stopped by Abdallah's today to pick up lunch to go. I liked it as soon as I walked in. Very interesting and smelled amazing. I ordered a falafel wrap. The staff were all very nice. I paid with a credit card and they said it had to be a $5 minimum purchase, so I got a side of hummus. I brought this all back to my office and it was delicious. Really, really good falafel wrap. I hate to say this because I love Fadi's, but Abdallah's falafel wrap was better. The hummus was good, but not the best I've ever had. I would definitely go again!
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Review from Bernard L.
Seabrook, TX
10/6/2011
A wonderful eatery for delicious Lebanese food. Their desserts are to die for. A must-go place if you're close by. Very friendly, homey feel to the place.
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Review from Alex R.
Sugar Land, TX
3/3/2009 1 Check-in Here
OOOH YEAH!!!!
Talk about an awesome awesome lebanese food! :) Makes me happy with all the awesomeness here! Ok here is my review....
This place is freaking amazing! Example! I have some super super hick friends, they live in canyon lake and well.... they have some red necks. I love them to death because they have been my friends since birth. They only love mexican and BBQ, thats it. They are hard nosed and do not want to try anything else.
BUT, they love Abdallah's! This place is truly amazing and it works wonders. Great for family's and great if you want a tasty treat :) -
Review from Tracey L.
11/14/2009 3 photos
When I was in college, my best friend was from Lebanon, and she formally introduced me to Lebanese Food--Falafel, Gyros, Hummus, Tabbouleh, & my FAVORITE, Shish Barak (homemade, not from restaurants). --Sorry for digressing, but I am almost done:
Now, after we graduated and each moved else where, I went on a search for Shish Barak in restaurants, and was always emphatically told that "You cannot get that in restaurants--it is too time consuming to make!!" (which it is very time consuming, so I completely understood).
Well, Abdallah's informed me today that THEY, in fact DO serve Shish Barak on Wednesdays, and some authentic Lebanese soup that I have never had on Sundays!! :-D
Now, all of that said, the 2 gentlemen behind the counter were so awesome, friendly and helpful to my many questions--
I ordered the Falafel, Hummus, Tabbouleh, Kibbe (my first time having this) and the Fried squash w/egg (Ijjit ??--First time for this too).
Falafel--very good and tasty
Kibbe--DELICIOUS
Tabbouleh--DELICIOUS
Hummus--Very bland, with little to no seasonings (the most disappointing thing on my plate :-(
The Fried Squash fritter thingy--VERY tasty
Pita Bread--Very fresh
Side of Tahini Sauce--Just Tahini w/ nothing added
Served with Mint Tea--DELICIOUS
I also got a Spinach Pie to go and a dessert with their homemade cream and philo dough on top (it was suggested to me, and it looked delicious, so hell, why not?!?! See pics) I haven't tried either of these yet, as I am still stuffed!!
All of the above for 14.00 -
Review from Ako E.
11/5/2009
I recently paid a visit to Abdallah's for the 28th Lunch Bunch. This little Lebanese eatery serves it up cafeteria style and everything looked tempting (especially the lamb shank). I ordered the falafel plate which included a side of hummus & salad. I added a glass of ice tea and my total came close to $10 which I thought was a bit pricey.
The falafel was very tasty, but I was disappointed that it was cold due to the long wait I experienced while in line to pay for my meal. The cashier was very friendly but slow due to the credit / debit machine taking forever and the fact that while she spoke briefly on the phone she was incapable of doing other tasks. So cold, tasty falafel with a very delicious side of hummus and a not so great salad. The whole wheat pita was fresh but on the firm side perfect for scooping up the hummus.
I tried some fried concoction that Gretchen was eating and it was amazing as was the flan-like dessert. Eva's lunch consisted of several pastries that she generously shared, all were delicious.
****After reading Gretchen's review, I realized I was supposed to get one of those yummy fried concoction-thingies! Shame on you, line-server dude! I hate you. (well not really hate but close to it)*****Listed in: Mediterranean Cruise
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Review from Erin D.
8/28/2010
I like the unique cuisine here.
The food may seem pricey, but it's a LOT of food, unlike Darband Shishkabob down the street. I ended up paying $14, but that included 2 beef shish kabobs and three sides. I chose rice, cauliflower, and spinach. While the sides may sound like a typical American meal, the flavor is anything but American. I would love to know how they make their spinach.
My beef was a bit overcooked (hence docking one star), but everything else was delicious. Because the portion size is so huge, I had to take home some of the food, which is unusual for me.
Note when you enter, you go up to the counter to place your order, like being at a deli. You pay the cashier after you eat. Somehow, the man remembers what you ordered. There are also some other goodies, like desserts and candy, you can buy too. I probably will return again. -
Review from Jim M.
Houston, TX
3/9/2010 1 Check-in Here
Happiness is discovering that the Lebanese bakery that provides the pita you've been buying at Whole Foods is actually driving distance from your house. Happiness is going to the deli attached to the bakery in hopes of finding something you can eat (like a falafel sandwich without any dairy on it) and spying a small icon behind the cash register. Happiness is the wink the proprietress gives you when she scowlingly reassures you there's no dairy on the falafel sandwich.
Next time I will try a plain falafel instead of a spicy, just to see if I missed some marvelous nuances behind all the fire, but this spicy sandwich was still pretty amazing. Fresh parsley, marvelously toasted bread, crispy outside gooey inside falafel, red tomato, some kind of cronchy pink thing... yum.
I also picked up a big bag of coarse bulgar and some (coincidentally) vegan anise cookies which are light, but crunchy. Almost like a biscotti that won't break your teeth, but round.
They have ALL kinds of food here that I can't wait to try... soon. -
Review from David G.
Houston, TX
12/7/2009
I really wish I could give this place a higher rating. But reheating gyro meat in a microwave is a big no-no in my book. Steve and I both ordered the shwarma (gyro wrap) with cabbage salad as the side. They have the hunks of lamb/beef and chicken on a vertical spit on display. So one would assume that if you order a shwarma, they would be carving meat right off the spit. Apparently, that smacks of too much effort at Abdallah's. The man behind the counter grabbed a tray full of pre-carved meat, stuck it on a plate, and threw it in the microwave. The end result was a wrap full of tough to chew meat. Not pleasant.
If it weren't for the terrific cabbage salad, and the coconut macaroon cookies that we bought afterwards, I would have given them a two-star rating. Sadly, I really don't see the point in returning if they think microwaved food is good enough for their customers. -
Review from Steve M.
11/2/2009
After all the rave reviews I was expecting this place to be outstanding. But it was just the ordinary Lebanese restaurant / grocery store. What did it for me was that the food is just sitting on the counter, and when it is served to you, they have to put some on a plate and then microwave it to heat it up ( and kill any of the germs that may be growing on it ).
On my trip I went with the chicken shwarma. The chicken was good, but the hot sauce was a little on the mild side. As well, when they made it, they placed my sandwich on a hot grill for a few minutes that seemed to have dried out the pita bread and made it fall apart when I tried to eat it. I also had the cauliflower, but that was just okay as well, it did not seem to be seasoned, and after being nuked, it lost some of it's texture.
Overall, it is a good place to eat, but there are definitely better places out there. -
Review from Nate M.
Richmond, TX
1/6/2010
My dad's family originates from Lebanon and this place is as close to what I have been eating from my Grandmother without eating at her table!
Some of the most genuine and authentic items that are never the same day to day. Saturday mornings are a treat with Kibbeh Nayeh available!!
Hummus, baba ghanoush, baklawa, everything is wonderful! Their bread is made fresh and always a great item to take home for later!
The entree dishes are filled to the max so if you are looking for a lighter meal try the shawarmas. Chicken and beef are available, and like their other menu items, very traditional and very good!
We eat there monthly and sometimes 2 times a week!
If you are hesitant to try the food, don't be, you'll love it! -
Review from Oliver W.
Houston, TX
12/17/2009
The food here is what I imagine a general home-cooked Lebanese meal would be. I have no experience in this matter, but of the places I've tried Lebanese food, this one just seems... real.
The flavors are richer (with the exception of the hummus, go to Hungry's for this), the spices are diverse, and the people are nice. I consider it a quirk that they openly microwave the food because it's been out in the open. It's never affected the flavor or texture to me and furthermore I have seen it done at many other restaurants of all types, just hidden in the back away from customers.
In short: If given the choice of Cafe Lili, Mary'z, Fadi's, Yildizlar, or Abdallah bakery, I'm picking Abdallah every single time. -
Review from Jose C.
Houston, TX
2/16/2011
I love their chicken plate and spinach it taste very good with a sauce of garlic dip. They have mint tea and just love the desert but I do not know what they are called. I did notice while in line to pay for my food there was a big bucket laying on the ground full of chicken ready to be cooked it looked like a bucket that someone would use to mop the floors. It did not bother me but it can bother other customers. I would recommend they not use these bucket in plain view of customers.
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Review from Doak P.
Bellaire, TX
5/19/2011
I recently went for lunch and had a great time. I had the falafel plate with spinach and hummus. Everything was quite good, although I have had better falafel (but not by much). The servings were quite generous (five pieces of falafel) and included pickles and olives and all the pita I cared to grab from the bag at the start of the cafeteria line. The mint tea was a nice compliment.
My friend and I decided we wanted the spiced coffee after lunch, so I went back to order it. The very nice lady running the register asked if we were having any dessert. I politely passed, but she politely insisted that we have something, and she gave us two pieces of baklava with their compliments. It was quite good, as was the coffee.
Everyone was very friendly, and the place was very clean. Most certainly, I will return (and happily would have, even without the complimentary baklava). -
Review from Payal D.
5/31/2009
saw their pita breads @ whole foods, was about to buy it, then I realized..wait a minute..its on Hillcroft? so close to my house, I gotta check this place out...glad I did.
We bought the white pita bread as well as this other bread which is sorta like lavash but thinner and more flexible. Super delish with any curry or even as a wrap! and much, much fresher , the pitas were soft ..unlike at Whole foods, they were from the very day! and not to mention, you get 2 for the price you would pay at Whole Foods for 1 bag
Also got couple of cheese pies. I docked a star..I'm used to a thicker base, with way more cheese than these guys..theirs tastes more like a thin pita with a sprinkle of cheese..so wasn't impressed but the breads were great..
Will definitely try to go back and eat here sometime..today we weren't that hungry -
Review from Rachel Y.
Sugar Land, TX
9/14/2010
Went for lunch today solo after I read a great review in the Houston Press. Its in a shady area off of Westpark and Hillcroft- I wasn't too sure when I pulled up that I wanted to get out! The outside isn't nice- but once you step inside its very nice! Long buffet counter, tons of lebanese products stacked high on tables, and a bakery section as well. There are alot of tables- so seating over lunch hour won't be a problem.
I walked up to the buffet line- was greeted by the nice owner- and ordered a chicken shwarma and side of tabouli- $5.99 (so cheap!). he asked me if I wanted it spicy so I said yes bc thats the way he gets it. He put some chicken hot off the rostisseri, some diced tomatoes, tahini sauce, and peppers- wrapped it and grilled it nice and warm on the grill. Meanwhile I grilled him about the desserts and decided to get baklava and his fav to go.
Food- the shwarma was hot, bread wonderful, good amount of chicken. I wish the tahini sauce had more bite- but hey everyone has their own recipe. I actually prefer the swharma at Shwarma King bc they add sliced tomatoes, onions, and lettuce and the sauce has more zing. But- the decor is better here and more food choices- so I'll prolly rotate the 2. The tabouli is the best I've had in Houston!! The baklava wasn't as good as Phonecia- the top was so dry I couldn't eat it. And the other thing was a dense cake thing very rose watery- too sweet for my tastes.
But- I will definatly be back to try other things and its a good places to eat solo on your lunch hour!! Owners are so nice :) -
Review from Tom G.
Houston, TX
8/14/2010 1 Check-in Here
Don't go there hungry! Everything looks and IS good. I wanted to chew on the canned hummus one time it looked so good. I go here usually once a week for their meat pies. One spinnach (and I hate spinnach) and one meat. They are seasoned, then baked in pita dough.......oh my they are good. $4 and I have a lunch or dinner.
