Austin, TXMiddle Eastern

Halal Bros is a halal shawarma and kebab counter from the Attal brothers, serving platters piled over rice and greens with white and hot sauce. The West Campus location on Guadalupe feeds a steady student crowd, and the group has grown to several metro spots. Chicken-and-rice combos and gyro wraps make it a fast, filling standby that took the Chronicle's Middle Eastern readers' poll.

Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh smokes Texas barbecue with Middle Eastern flavors, finishing brisket and lamb with pomegranate, sumac, and pistachio. What began as a pop-up now anchors a Manor Road patio and earned a recent honoree spot in the Austin Chronicle's Middle Eastern category. The mezze sides, koftas, and smoked-meat plates make it one of the most original barbecue crossovers in a city full of them.

Peace Bakery and Deli is a North Lamar Palestinian bakery and deli turning out rotisserie shawarma alongside fresh-baked breads, manaeesh, and pastries. Grab a shawarma wrap and a tray of baklava, or shop the case of spinach and cheese pies. A Chronicle Middle Eastern finalist with Infatuation coverage, it is a warm, family-run counter that rewards a detour up North Lamar.

Reem's is a food truck at The Yard on St. Elmo Road serving crisp falafel, hummus, and shawarma marinated in grape vinegar. The plates and wraps come loaded with pickles and tahini, and the from-scratch cooking has earned it a Chronicle Middle Eastern finalist nod and Infatuation coverage. It is a low-key south-side stop worth building a brewery afternoon around.

Kismet Cafe is a counter-service halal cafe in Hancock serving meat-over-rice plates and wraps until midnight. Open since 1994, it feeds a late-night crowd chicken and gyro combos drenched in white and hot sauce for a few dollars. The East 41st Street location is the operating one, a no-frills campus-area standby that has fed students for three decades.