MezzeMe — Restaurant in Austin

I have been to MezzeMe twice, and both times were at the end of long, hard days. Both times, I stumbled in, sweating like a stuck pig from exhaustion, with all the good in the world seeming a fading shadow. Both times, by the end of the meal, my faith in humanity was restored.

Simply put, MezzeMe is a masterclass in restaurants. I'll begin with the food. The pita is fresh, fluffy, and has a wonderful, springy chew. It is flavorful without distracting from whatever dip or meat it is carrying. The vegetables are incredible - the hummus might be the best I've had, with a silky smoothness and robust flavor that doesn't overpower you even if you take a scoop that would be generous at an ice-cream parlor all at once. The red pepper hummus is especially noteworthy, winning over not one but two diners who generally dislike red pepper hummus. The shakshuka is fresh and herby, and the pickled cabbage is the perfect snarky sidekick for whatever you're currently taking a bite of - zesty, tangy, and just a little crisp. The olives are briny and tangy, but despite being flavor-packed, you can pop one directly in your mouth without the sourness overcoming you. The tzatziki is incredibly fresh and bright. The meat dishes aren't to be overlooked either - the döner is delicate and mouth-wateringly savory, the köfta and adana are assertive and perfectly-spiced (with just a hint of mint showing through to round out the flavor to perfection), and the 48-hour marinated chicken thigh had me wondering why chicken was ever cooked any other way.

The service is incredible. The staff are friendly, patient, and their rapport is great. The hybrid counter-service waited-tables is a clever idea that lets customers experience full service without taking up tables while considering what to order. It felt like as soon as I sat down, the food was already on the way. I'd especially like to give a shout-out to Mehmet, who was incredibly nice!

The inside of the restaurant is great too. There's a beautiful collection of teacups on a wall at the counter, elegant light fixtures, and an atmosphere that feels just a little fancy without being formal. The inside is loud but not deafening, and the general air of the place is very friendly. There's a television that doesn't overpower the space, catering to diners who both prefer and avoid TVs inside of the restaurant.

Finally, the prices are extremely reasonable. For 40 dollars before tax and tip, you can get a selection of dips and meats that are enough for 4 average people, or 2 starving rabid wombats like me.

Overall, MezzeMe is an incredible restaurant. It's the best Turkish food I have ever had, bar none, and its incredible service and masterful restaurant design bring it to the next level. Add in reasonable prices, and a visit to MezzeMe is more than a good idea: it's just...

I've been to MezzeMe twice now in recent weeks and I really want to like this restaurant because I like Turkish food but there are several things about it that are a huge turn off and make me not wanting to go back.

Last time we ordered 3 entrees, 2 kids meals, and a Lahmacun as appetizer. After a while (15 min?) we finally received 2 entrees, then 10 minutes later the other missing entree, then after another 10 minutes finally the kids meals. The kids were starving at that point and we had to decide between waiting for everyones food to arrive while it's already getting cold, or starting to eat while the kids watch us? When I order several meals for the table, I expect them to turn up roughly at the same time, not over the span of 20 minutes. Also, the Lahmacun which was supposed to be an appetizer was delivered towards the end of all of this when we were almost done eating. Big fail.

To top it off, other tables that arrived after us got their kids meals and Lahmacun delivered way before us, like 5-10 minutes before us. So clearly they are messing up the order of things somehow. Also we never received pita bread that should have come with several of the dishes, even after asking for it.

Next thing that's really confusing is what the purpose of the staff there is. Is it table service? Are they just food runners? You order at the front and they bring you the food, not unheard of. But the staff that brings you the food just drops off the food without saying anything or making sure everything is in order. Several attempts to try and get the attention of one of the food runners was ignored. We always ended up having to walk to the front to inquire about the missing kid meals or getting more sauce. Overall we didn't feel very welcomed or that the staff was even trying to be accommodating and friendly. Please don't expect me to pay 20% tip upfront on top of the already hefty prices to for somebody to drop a plate on my table 20 minutes later without so much of uttering a word or smiling.

Last but not least: Prices. I am very happy to pay for good quality and good service and support local businesses. I know with inflation and supply chain being messed up, things are more expensive than ever. But $7 for a side of fries? And half the food was cold by the time everyone had their food? And service was poor overall? And to pay over $100 for THAT? no thanks. Might as well go back to Kebab Shop or any of the other similar...

I'm always on the lookout for unique and delicious dining options around town. Recently, I had the pleasure of dining at Mezze Me, a fast casual Turkish restaurant that offers a delightful selection of flavors and dishes to satisfy any palate.

For my visit, I ordered their lunch special, which includes your choice of soup or house salad and a half pita sandwich. I was impressed by their soup options - the Turkish lentil and the lemon chicken orzo - and ultimately opted for the latter. The pita sandwich selection was equally enticing, with a variety of meat and vegetable options such as chicken, donor kebap, and falafel. The drink menu at Mezze Me is impressive, offering a range of choices from Main Root soft drinks and bottled Coca-Cola, to hot and iced teas, strawberry lemonade, and the unique ayran- a Turkish iced yogurt drink.

Despite visiting during peak lunchtime at 12:30, my meal was ready in just 11 minutes. The total cost of my soup and half pita lunch special, along with an additional side of garlic sauce and spicy tabouli, was a reasonable $15.85.

The spicy tabouli was a pleasant surprise. Although not very spicy for my Cajun tastes, it was a light and yogurt-infused alternative to the traditional Palestinian tabouli. The lemon chicken orzo soup was a hit, and the extra lemon wedge on the side allowed for a customizable citrus kick.

What truly sets Mezze Me apart is its array of drink selections and delectable desserts like Knafeh and Baklava. The visual treat of seeing the donor kebab on a rotating spit, as well as the small selection of Middle Eastern and Turkish groceries available for purchase, adds to the overall experience. The grocery items include desserts, sunflower seeds, nuts, coffees, teas, and other traditional grocery items like grape leaves, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to offering a well-rounded taste of Turkish culture.

My Knafeh dessert did take a bit longer to arrive, so I recommend ordering it with your meal as it requires baking time. The baklava, on the other hand, is pre-made and served promptly.

The only downside to my visit was the parking situation - it took a while to navigate the lot during lunchtime, but spots were available. Overall, Mezze Me offers a delicious and diverse taste of Turkey right here in Austin, and I highly recommend...