Avesta Persian Middle Eastern — Restaurant in Houston

Edit: I am sorry to say the past few visits have shown a rapid downhill descent in both food quality and customer service. Cold bland food, stale bread, and a ridiculous 18% surcharge (on a party of three) without warning have all left a pretty bad taste in my mouth. The surcharge was slipped in despite the 18% tip we already left for the poor service, without mention of it until we looked at the receipt after paying and questioned them about it. This last time we also took three different dishes and none of them seemed to have any flavor as well. I wish them the best and really hope they return to the excellent level of customer service and great food they used to achieve, but I will definitely not be going back unless I hear something has changed.

Original Review: Tucked away in one of the busier intersections in the Westchase district, Avesta Persian Grill has recently moved themselves across the street from their older, smaller location in order to accommodate the ever-growing crowd of enthusiastic customers coming there to partake in their amazing cuisine.

To start, the Persian style hummus is a must. Slightly runnier than other styles of hummus, and bursting with fresh garlic flavor, it is a wonderful accompaniment to the plate of fresh herbs and warm bread placed on the table when you sit down. Highly recommended are also either one of the warm eggplant dip appetizers, although the yogurt topped one is an absolute favorite. The cool creamy yogurt against the warm acidity of the eggplant pairs beautifully along with a topping of caramelized onions and crunchy ground walnuts. As far as cold appetizers, try the Shirazi salad, a bright mix of small diced cucumber, tomato, onion, lemon and mint.

Perhaps the most well-known entree at any Persian restaurant is the koobideh, grilled skewers of succulent seasoned ground beef kabobs. This seems to be a standard dish by which to judge any Persian restaurant, and Avesta does not disappoint. Over the course of several visits, the koobideh has never once come out overcooked, dry, greasy, or anything else, but incredibly flavorful. The skewers are served alongside a perfectly cooked, fluffy bed of long grain and saffron rice, and a juicy grilled tomato.

Another noteworthy entree of mention is the lamb shank. Slow stewed to perfection with garlic and seasonings, the lamb shank is fall off the bone tender and has the delicious, slightly greasy mouth feel that anyone who loves lamb looks forward to. Alongside the shank is a bed of their special dill and lima bean rice (bhagali polo) and again the juicy grilled tomato. The lamb shank also comes with a cup of its own au jus, delicious to dip the lamb in or pour over the rice.

The chenjeh shish kabob consists of large chunks of tender beef, fillet, seasoned and grilled just right. For anyone who prefers seafood, the grilled shrimp kabobs are wonderful and have come out juicy and flavorful each time. Both dishes are served with the same bed of rice and grilled tomato as the other signature dishes.

Finish off the evening with a cup of Persian style hot tea, and a piece of sweet and nutty baklava. Overall of Vesta is a great place for dinner or lunch, and have yet to disappoint at any time of day. With a friendly staff, clean kitchen, and food prepared with love, Avesta is a place worthy of our attention...

Extremely disappointed in the food and service. This used to be one of my favorite Persian restaurants. I’ve been going here since they opened in their old location. I hate when a place goes downhill after they reach their potential, they seem to get lazy and don’t care.

It’s Ramadan we picked up food to go. I requested extra bread and the owner’s cousin Movi, offered to give extra bread if we left a good Google review. Weird 🙃but cool, I can do that for some extra bread. We get home to see that our beef koobideh is RAW?? Raw is crazy. I called him back to talk and he pretends he doesn’t know who is calling. As if I didn’t just leave 15 mins ago with our food. Ok no problem, I tell him my name and number. He then asks me “did you ask for your koobideh to be well done?”

Been coming to this place for years. I never had to ask before so what changed? Do I also have to ask my chicken to be slaughtered and cooked? Also a huge difference between RAW meat and MR/medium kabobs. I had guests over and it was so embarrassing for them to point out the meat was raw. So I’m on the phone asking Movi, how do I cook it since I still have to serve it. He proceeds to tell me that’s a management question and Zafer (owner) will call me tomorrow. Lol what a joke. I asked a few different ways should I air fry or bake it and he gave the same lame answer.

He calls back 5 mins later to tell me the next time we come the food is on them. See I don’t care. I don’t care about the money anymore. I care about the embarrassment I had to face while serving their raw meat to people who were fasting all day and looking forward to it. I care about the careless manner Movi spoke with. Not even an apology to make up for what happened.

Btw Zafer never called to apologize or fix this. There are MANY other Persian restaurants here that we can order or cater from. The reviews are fake as they offer extra food or bread for them. Quality has gone downhill significantly. The owner is no where to be found and leaves his little cousin in charge who definitely doesn’t care about the food quality or service. Definitely will not return and do not recommend anyone.

If I wanted raw meat I would have asked for that. But no I wanted a normal koobideh. I also have pictures of the raw kabob that I can share but let’s just take my...

My first visit and it will not be my last.

I stopped in today around 1145 am to have lunch.

I walked in and did not see any employees, there was one other couple already dining.

I sat along the wall In a bench seat across from the kitchen area, behind frosted glass above a counter, which I could see cups and other items stacked up.

I waited 5 minutes before a very friendly lady approached me and asked for a drink order and Indicated a menu would be brought out.

The restaurant vibe is very modern, open and clean. I visited the restroom and it was very clean and presentable.

Within minutes I was given a plate of greens/feta cheese and a piece of taftoon.

The taftoon was crispy almost cracker like texture in some areas and more bread like on the exterior, which is how I prefer to eat it. It was really great.

A young man came to the table and asked if I was ready to order.

I placed my order and added a Hummus appetizer. This arrived shortly afterwards.

I cannot brag about the Hummus enough, maybe the best served in the city.

My main dish came out, I asked for an egg, and just needed to remind the person about this request.

When eating Persian food, the amazing rice is delicious and I was disappointed that no butter was automatically included.

I did have to wait to see a waitstaff member to ask for it.

The food taste is fantastic, great quantities and friendly service from every employee that I encountered.

My only complaint is that the barricade from the seating area and the kitchen is where the entire staff “hides” behind as you can hear them talking.

As a owner, I would remove the glass and this way the staff would be more attentive to the customers needs.

As it became later into the lunch time, and more guests showed up, this became a greater issue.

The kitchen uses a bell, so there is no reason for the staff not to be visible to the paying guests.

Ambiance 5/5 Cleanliness 5/5 Staff Friendliness 5/5 Food taste 5/5 Food Quality 5/5 Value 5/5

Great job today to the restaurant. I will...