Ashar's Kitchen — Restaurant in Sugar Land

Asher's Kitchen: A Symphony of Pakistani Culinary Excellence

Nestled in the heart of the city, Asher's Kitchen stands as an unassuming beacon of culinary brilliance. At first glance, it presents itself as a modest, casual eatery, but once you step through its doors, you are transported into a realm where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary. This is no mere restaurant; it is a gastronomic sanctuary where tradition and passion converge to create an unforgettable dining experience.

The Ambiance: A Haven of Comfort and Charm

Asher's Kitchen exudes an ambiance that is both warm and inviting, like a cozy embrace on a chilly evening. The decor is a harmonious blend of rustic charm and contemporary elegance, with wooden tables and chairs that evoke a sense of timelessness. Soft, ambient lighting casts a golden glow over the room, highlighting the rich hues of the Pakistani-inspired decor. Intricately patterned rugs and vibrant tapestries adorn the walls, telling stories of a rich cultural heritage that spans centuries.

The subtle scent of spices wafts through the air, hinting at the culinary delights that await. It is an olfactory overture that sets the stage for the symphony of flavors to come. The staff, clad in traditional attire, move with the grace and precision of seasoned performers, ensuring that every guest feels like a cherished member of the Asher's Kitchen family.

The Menu: A Culinary Masterpiece

The menu at Asher's Kitchen is a testament to the rich and diverse tapestry of Pakistani cuisine. It is a carefully curated selection of dishes that showcases the depth and complexity of flavors that define this culinary tradition. Each dish is a masterpiece in its own right, crafted with an artistry that elevates it to the sublime.

BBQ Chicken Tikka: A Fireworks Display of Flavor

The BBQ Chicken Tikka at Asher's Kitchen is nothing short of a revelation. Imagine, if you will, a piece of chicken that has been marinated in a symphony of spices, each note harmonizing perfectly with the others. It is then grilled to perfection, the flames kissing the meat with a smoky tenderness that is simply unparalleled. As you take your first bite, the explosion of flavors is akin to a fireworks display on a starlit night. The heat from the spices dances on your tongue, while the smoky undertones provide a grounding depth. It is a dish that commands attention and leaves an indelible mark on your palate.

Nihari Stew: A Tale of Slow-Braised Elegance

If the BBQ Chicken Tikka is a fireworks display, then the Nihari Stew is a slow, luxurious waltz. This dish is the epitome of comfort and elegance, a slow-braised masterpiece that speaks of patience and love. The beef, tender to the point of falling apart, is infused with a medley of spices that create a rich, velvety broth. Each spoonful is a journey through layers of flavor, from the warmth of ginger and garlic to the earthy richness of cumin and coriander. It is a dish that envelops you in its warmth, like a soft, cashmere blanket on a winter’s day.

The Service: A Choreographed Ballet

The service at Asher's Kitchen is a choreographed ballet, with each member of the staff moving with grace and precision. They anticipate your needs with an almost preternatural intuition, ensuring that your dining experience is seamless and enjoyable. Their knowledge of the menu is encyclopedic, and their passion for the cuisine is evident in every interaction. It is this level of service that elevates Asher's Kitchen from a mere restaurant to...

Houston food tour starts with a bang!

Silver spoon chicken roll - 👍 Beef dhaga kabab - 👎 Nihari - 👍 Naan - 👍

I finally made it to Ashar’s Kitchen in Houston after much anticipation. Traveling 1000 miles for a Houston food tour, this was my first stop (and also my 10th, see below), and I was not disappointed. The moment I walked in, Ghazala greeted us immediately, making sure to take our order efficiently. The other staff was plentiful and prompt as well. The no-nonsense menu offered a satisfying variety without overwhelming choices.

Our food arrived within 12-15 minutes, beautifully presented with the same attentive service. The Silver Spoon chicken kabab roll was a standout - it reminded me of the ones from Karachi, matching every detail down to the wax paper wrapping. The flavors were exquisite, from the first bite to the last. The beef dhaga kabab, though not exceptional, was decent, while the Nihari, a king of beef gravy dishes, impressed with its generous portion size.

The naans were a delightful accompaniment, incredibly fresh and soft. It was a fantastic start to our Houston food tour, offering authentic Karachi taste that's a must-visit. The decor was pleasing, the tables and utensils were clean, and the presence of chafing dishes at the table to keep food warm was a thoughtful touch. The abundance of attentive staff made the experience even better.

I'm looking forward to exploring their weekend brunch buffet if time allows. Whether you’re a local or a traveler, seeking exquisite Pakistani (Karachi) taste, this place deserves a spot on your culinary journey.

UPDATE:

Chicken biryani - 👎 Chicken boti - 👎 Silver spoon beef roll - 👎

We returned to Ashar’s kitchen once more making it (our first and also) our 10th stop on a continued Houston food tour in an effort to explore more of the menu. This time around, however, the items we selected didn’t work out so well.

The chicken biryani (on the bone) did not have the authentic biryani aroma and the taste was lacking compared to what we were anticipating. The portion size was good and the meat was fresh and not overly dry, but missing the true biryani taste did not win us over.

We also tried the tandoori chicken boti, which are boneless cubes of chicken breast bar-b-q’d in a clay oven. You get 6 decent size pieces to an order and they fittingly looked the part - orange, a little moist, and slightly charred - just as expected. But again, the taste was a letdown. It’s not that it tasted bad, but it didn’t create any wow!

We also ordered the silver spoon beef kabab roll. Given how delicious the chicken kabab roll was on our previous visit, we were confident this would be the star of the meal tonight. Unfortunately, we were wrong.

Perhaps the previous meal set the bar so high that we set ourselves up to be disappointed or perhaps the reality is that not all items on the menu can be excellent.

This doesn’t mean we will give up on Ashar’s. There’s so much more to try. On Tuesday’s they have BBQ night (buffet), on Wednesday’s they have Nihari night (buffet) and on Sunday’s they sever their famous brunch. All of which we...

This feedback is given to help the owners improve the service . The aim is not to damage the business. We tried our best to talk with the employees and management but they did not seem to care so I thought the owners might read this and it may improve other clients experience. We went here because the place looked busy. Thought it would be a nice experience. It was exactly the opposite. The staff and specially the manager are unprofessional and discourteous. No one has tried to train them to provide a good experience to clients .( I can compare the experience to one you may have if you walk into a fist world country embassy with a third world country passport and ask for a visa) m. These guys don't understand that most people have a stocked kitchen and a fridge at home and they only come for the experience. If someone does not want to cook there are several delivery options available. On top of that , other restaurants who actually know the meaning of the term " service industry" are also competing with each other. With 10,000 restaurants , Houston's restaurant scene has plenty of choices .

SANITATION FIOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE : Please see the pictures of the utensils , cutlery and ( I don't know if you can call cheapest quality dhaba style stainless steel plates crockery ) but for semantics let's do. The plates we're like they had been wiped with a dirty cloth and had smears allover, possibly from food previously consumed in them. To be safe ,I just ate out of the steel bowl the food was served in . The glasses were also unclean and made of steel and we're not usable. The water also looked unclean. FOOD QUALITY: Now to the food . We didn't order a lot because they told us that they only had nehari because it was late and difficult for them to serve us anything else. If a restaurant is open it's supposed to be open. The food had been hurriedly cooked and no attention given to detail. The taste was 4/10 and it was overwhelmingly oversaturated with chilli. My mouth was on fire and I could not even taste anything I was eating. COMPLAINT RESOLITION : We aired out concerns to the server who didn't want to listen . We complained to the order taker and his reply was " I just work here" . we went to the manager to let him know and he also didn't seem to care. He didn't even bother to utter a single sentence. I told him that the next step for me would be to write a review and he didn't bother . he simply did not care. CONCLUSION I am writing this so that the owners if they read it try to fix their act and not ignore the business. Apparently you guys are doing ok just because of your location . But I'm afraid if you continue doing what you are doing it may effect your business negatively . I went to have a good time but ended up writing a review . This and other such reviews should be writing on the...