Cafe Taraiz
9415 Broadway St,Ste 117, Pearland, TX, 77584
Cafe Taraiz Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Pearland for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
9415 Broadway St,Ste 117
Pearland, TX, 77584 - Phone (281) 485-7329
- Website https://www.cafetaraiz.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Hailey P.
I got the lamp kabob and the grape leaves. Both were very middle-of-the-road. But as I someone else said, I've never met a kabob I didn't like. Would definitely go back to fill my Greek food craving.
(3)Greeneyes G.
Love this place. Best Mediterranean food I have had in a long time. You can bring in your own bottle of wine. Everything is so fresh. The owner is so friendly and gave us samples of different dishes.
(4)JP T.
I tried this place today after driving by it all the time. I ordered the gyro with the sides of potatoes and hummus. Probably the best gyro I have ever eaten. The hummus was good too but the pita bread that comes with it needs some work. If the prices were a little lower, I would probably stop by more often. I plan on giving the kebabs a try. I highly recommend giving the place a try.
(4)Kacey C.
We went here for lunch today. It was so good! I had the Shawerma beef with humus plate and my husband had a gyro. Both were fresh and delicious. Mine was a lil tastier. We will be back and often. The best food we've had in pearland and so near home.
(5)Prince V.
Can I rate this place 10 stars! Small mom and pop place. Shwarma and gyro plate are very tasty. Lady there is the owner and she is very nice and knows the tastes. Food was tasty and plentiful. Falafel is small and crunchy. Recommend it
(5)Viv H.
This place has good Mediterranean and New American (healthier) food. I picked up 3 appetizers to go. The kibe and falafel were excellent, though I've had better grape leaves and the pita was a bit dry. It was overall very tasty and fresh. The place is pleasant and homey, and the wait wasn't bad. The owner is right there directing the cooking (which you can see) and making sure everything is to your liking. Don't miss the sweet currant tea, especially on a cold day. Among its appetizers, salads and sandwiches, Taraiz offers all the expected Mediterranean staples: hummus, tabouli, gyros and shawerma (the lamb one is superb), Greek salad (with artichokes), etc., plus choices like a walnut & blue cheese salad. For dinner they offer kabob skewers with different meats, including lamb of course. I am very curious about their deserts, which seem to be a specialty... Don't miss on the baklava, it's fantastic. Now I don't have to go to Houston anymore when I'm craving something yummy and different :) Their hours are good too--late morning to late evening.
(4)Ron D.
Like everyone else, yes the prices are high, but the food is top notch. Great low key place, she made my Wife a cake for her birthday, it is just like Rosalie's cake shop. She can make you anything you want if you give her time.
(5)Sabrina J.
This is a rating on the place not the food. However, for the prices I will probably never taste the food. I really wanted to try this place because it's so close to my house, and the other reviews were so good, but for 1/4 of the price I can drive 20 minutes into town and have an AMAZING Lebanese/Mediterranean meal. My parents and I walked in, saw the prices, and left in a hurry - we were afraid if we sat down we might be charged. The place was also really stuffy and for the prices you should have comfortable, sit-down dinner, with someone waiting on you. Folks, do yourself a favor and try either: Niko Nikos, Bijan, or Garson. You won't regret the drive.
(2)Derrick L.
Great hand-made-from-scratch Mediterranean food -- the kafta kabob gyro, hummus, and dinner skewers were excellent; great service with an almost familial atmosphere -- Taraiz, the owner, and the server was extremely friendly and helpful, even when we showed up as a constantly growing group of around 20 people with different orders and drinks. And, to top it all off, the prices were very reasonable for the quality and quantity of food.
(5)Christina N.
For delicious, authentic Mediterranean food, you can't beat this place! I've eaten lunch here twice, and been pleasantly surprised each time. I highly recommend the Greek salad with gyro meat - salad is fresh, with yummy house dressing, plentiful feta cheese, and the gyro meat is absolutely delicious. The owner is always around, helping with orders and checking in on patrons, and the desserts are the bomb. I always get the baklava to go. It's a small space, and seating gets pretty cramped, but that's a small price to pay for such good food. It's a bit pricey for lunch, as most entrée options are $15 upwards, but well worth it, and the portions are large. If you love Greek food, check this place out!
(5)Nancy D.
Just not a fan. They service was great, but the food didn't do it for me. I ordered a gyro and the salad was the best part. I took a bite of the gyro and just couldn't do more than that. The meat was a bit dry and the pita too doughy. I also had the stuffed grape leaves for the first time and also did not enjoy it.
(2)Jasen B.
I did not enjoy the falafel. It was mediocre at best. Everyone says the staff is friendly, but both times I went there I felt rather...accosted..by the older lady that was working there. She always seemed very curt. When I went in to get my falafel I asked for tzatziki sauce, as I wanted something creamy and garlicy with my falafel. I know its not traditional... So the lady says "it comes with tahini." I replied, "Oh I know, I would just like tzatziki, I don't mind if its extra" To which she replied "it doesn't com with that, Tahini is for falafel, NOT TZATZIKI" Look, If I wanna put freaking ketchup on my falafel, its my falafel that I paid for, and I don't want to argue with you about how I should eat it.... I was rather turned off by that, and with Niko Niko's right down the road, I won't be coming back.
(2)Jack Q.
The Greek salad was brown, the Gyro meat was out of a box and the fountain Coke was the worst I have ever had. The Staff was friendly, but Did not remove the charge for the coke.
(2)Kayla N.
Rare occasion to actually go out to lunch during work day. Tried this place again after over a year. The service is very friendly. Came to late lunch, around 2:30pm, so I don't know how the service would be if they're full. There were 2 other tables. The food is average but we are likely to drive into Houston for Niko Niko on Montrose (NOT the location inside HEB in Pearland). 1. Original gyro - came out hot and fresh with potatoes; gyro meat tasted okay 2. Appetizers sample - eggplant dip - okay - hummus - tasted salty - falafel - okay Will try to come back to support a local business but not my prefer place to go for Greek food. I'll have to remember to bring a bottle of wine since this place is BYOB.
(3)Joshua E.
Sadly, this place has gone WAY downhill. This used to be one of my favorite restaurants. I don't know what has happened. The last time we went the hummus (which is usually delicious) was so salty you couldn't eat it. The lamb was rubbery like it had been microwaved, and the roasted potatoes (also normally delicious) were raw. This is the second time I have been very disappointed. I hope things turn around.
(1)Susan H.
Everything made from scratch from the kids macaroni to the hummus and everything in between. Lamb, chicken, and beef all delicious! We will return!
(5)Megan N.
Fresh, homemade Mediterranean food and a nice chat with the ever present Greek owner make Cafe Taraiz an ideal place for a quick lunch. The hummus and dolmas are delicious, and I have devoured every wrap, gyro or shawarma I have tried here. The service has also been perfect every time. Please support local business and give Cafe Taraiz a try!
(5)Sadii H.
The place is clean and causal setting. The owner and the employees are super friendly. Every ingredient in the meals are fresh. My sister loves their beef lasagna! It's the right amount of meat and cheese. Also, there was no bad smell coming from the meat. This is considered as special dish of the day, so I would call ahead to make sure they have it. Their salads and the dressings are delicious. The chicken sharawema was bit bland and the white sauce had a weird after taste. The lentil soup was warm and yummy. The ice cream was good that the children wanted more. I would come back again to try other dishes on their menu next time.
(4)Ambival C.
My wife and I stopped here on the way through Pearland for a quick lunch based on Yelp reviews. We were very pleasantly surprised. The interior was clean, the wait staff was attentive, and the place was mercifully cool. We ordered off of the daily specials menu and a hummus appetizer. After around ten minutes, the hummus arrived. It was thick and well-seasoned and very reasonably priced. My wife ordered the tilapia and shrimp. Apparently it was the fifth ordered in a row. I can see why. The portions were generous, the sauce amazing, and the vegetables were fresh. We considered getting another one to bring home. I had the moussaka off the daily menu and was also very happy with it. The managed to not over-oil it as many restaurants do. It was well-seasoned and the sauce was filled with very fresh tomatoes and herbs. The owner explained that everything gets delivered fresh daily and everything made in house and from scratch; you can really tell! Even the bill was a pleasant surprise. What was a random stop has now become a destination. Wholly recommended!
(5)Jennifer N.
I tried this place a few weeks ago because the Yelp reviews were high, but when my food came out - it wasn't bad but there also wasn't anything to praise. The portions were adequate, not TX-sized large and not too small, but it felt like a lunch portion that we received for a dinner meal. I was highly disappointed.
(2)Nerice L.
Good food. I tried cabbage rolls for the first time, and I wasn't disappointed. The salad is huge and delicious. It seems like everything comes with toasted bread! The pita bread though could have been thicker. Overall, I like this place.
(4)Summer B.
Ate here last week and the food was delicious. The service was fantastic, a little too much attention (as we were the only people in the restaurant), but great. There was a lady and a guy, older, who I am assuming was the owner. They were sitting over at a table by the cash register and they were arguing very loudly about something. That was a bit awkward. But the food was great, the humus was a little bit salty, but all in all very delicious. It is a BYOB and there is a cork fee.
(3)Celeste G.
This is a great authentic greek food restaurant! Great service. Simple menu selections. Had the hummus & pita bread appetizer. Falafel gyro. Delish!!! I don't know what it is called, but I had the pastry w pistachios w flaky crust of yumminess!!! Seating is a tad small, but who cares! It's a must. 4 stars for seating. Otherwise, 5!
(4)Rache B.
great food! I ordered the traditional gyro plate and it was superb! And the place is not too crowded.will come back!
(4)John O.
First time visit. The owner was amazing and instructed us on the best options. My wife has never experienced this type of food. We were impressed and enjoyed the excellent food. We were looking for a local place with great food. I highly recommend Cafe Taraiz for the excellent gyro's.
(5)Genevieve P.
We've never been disappointed here. As a vegetarian, I love the falafel and grape leaves, and my husband is obsessed with the shawarma. The owner lady is awesome and reminds me of the owner of a family place I used to go to when I was a kid. It's worth the drive from Mo City to Pearland.
(5)fatima h.
Went here for lasagna the other day. The lasagna was cold and had big chunks of something in it. Quality has declined from a few months ago. Also, very unwelcoming environment for kids
(2)Rene Sandel P.
Great, family owned restaurant. The Hummus is to die for !! The Shawerma is superb. The grilled plates offers plenty for even my sons to be happy. We met the owner/cook and she was delightful!
(5)Zymirrah K.
1st time - Tried a menu basic - a shawarma wrap. Yummy, moist, large enough to have left overs. Potatoes on the side were also good - flavorful, crispy outside , fluffy inside. Met who I assume was the owner and her head chef.... Very friendly. Thumbs up ! I'll come back and try something else- I saw another patron get served the lamb chops .... They looked good.
(4)Jose G.
I love this place! To me Pearland is over run with cookie cutter food options. All the large franchise restaurants reside here,so when i come across food that has original taste it makes me smile. The menu is small but what they have, has not failed me so far. Mrs. Taraiz is always in and the staff is really nice, so I'll definitely be coming here often!
(5)Abby G.
I have eaten at Cafe Taraiz quite a few times. I see in the reviews people complain about it not being that Greek, I feel it is more a Lebanese restaurant that sells gyros. They are more expensive but they taste better than other restaurants and provide better quality and portions. Plus with rent and taxes as high as it is in Pearland, I get they have to charge more. I like to shop local. As someone of Lebanese decent, I love the food. It is very authentic to what I got from my grandmother and mother. The hummus is the best I have had, it is creamy with an awesome taste. I also love the fact that they have some american cuisine for my husband who is not a fan of middle eastern food. He loves the grilled chicken sandwich. All and all a great place in Pearland and family owned.
(5)Lasairiona M.
Went here for lunch today, first time. I had lamb shawarma w/ potatoes - the lamb had an almost cinnamonny taste that I couldn't place and I wasn't 100% sure I liked it. But the yoghurt dip (different to tzatziki) was delicious, the potatoes were delicious and the service was excellent, staff were friendly and the prices were right. For dessert, I had a pumpkin bread sandwich, the pumpkin bread was a little dry and the cream cheese frosting wasn't quite as sweet as I like but it was pretty tasty (hubby liked my left overs). My friend had the gyro and baklava and she loved it also! I'll definitely be back here in June for my lunch group!!
(4)Amy K.
Yum!! It's weird to find this family-run place in a strip mall next to Buffalo Wild Wings, but I'm glad I found this place via Yelp! We were greeted by Taraiz herself in a smaller restaurant. It felt homey and comfortable, and she was very helpful with the menu items. The prices were a bit high, but I'm in town for work, so prices are not that big of a deal for me this week. I ordered the Shawerma lamb plate with hummus, and it was fantastic. The meat was nicely seasoned, and the hummus was one of the best I've ever had. A coworker ordered the babaganouj which was delicious as well. They also ordered the lamb kabob and moussaka. They loved all of it! Fresh food and family recipes - you can't beat it! Definitely try the baklava before you leave. :)
(4)Tiffany J.
I've been meaning to try Cafe Taraiz for awhile. I really enjoy Mediterranean food and after reading the great reviews on here and having friends tell me about this spot, I figured it was time to finally try it. I stopped in here earlier this week for take out. I had browsed the menu online before hand, but since there are daily specials, I wanted to see what was available. The moment I walked in, I was greeted by a server as well as the owners (though I didn't realize it at the time). It was not busy at all. The restaurant is so quaint and comfy. I kind of wish it wasn't so close to Buffalo Wild Wings. Anyway I took a quick look over the menu and decided to go with the beef kafta kabob wrap. I decided to do the red potatoes as well. As if that wasn't enough, I added the cucumber and tomato salad. As I waited for my meal to be prepared, Miss Taraiz offered me something to drink. We chatted for a moment, then she went to check on another customer to make sure she was enjoying her meal. The food did not take long to cook so that was nice. When I got home, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the cucumber and tomato salad came with warm pita bread. The salad had bits of mint in it which I didn't think I would like, but it was sooo good! It was probably the best part of the whole meal. The kafta kabob was pretty good. The pita bread that made up the wrap had a sweetness to it which was interesting. It was savory with a hint of a sweet after taste. I liked the potatoes dipped in the tahini sauce. The tahini sauce was good, but not as good as tzatziki sauce. Next time I may see if I can get tzatziki sauce intstead. I would like to try one of the chicken dishes as well as the hummus. I love hummus so I can only imagine how it is at Cafe Taraiz. I'm so glad this little cafe is nearby. It's a nice change of pace from the chain restaurants that are all over Pearland.
(4)Stephanie S.
Wow! How did we miss this? Are we really in Pearland? Cafe Taraiz is situated right next to the Buffalo Wild Wings in the shopping center behind Shipleys. We had the falafel balls, lamb hummus bowl, lamb shawerma plate, baklava, and turkish coffee. All of it was incredibly fresh and delicious. The owner came over and introduced herself and told us everything was homemade. She didn't have to tell us - the food speaks for itself. Also, the service was amazing. The server and the owner always made sure we had what we needed, answered questions, and made suggestions. The server even brought us some special tea that tastes like apple cider - I cant wait to buy the container they sell at the counter in the fall. We look forward to trying the lamb chop special the next time we go!
(5)Marcus B.
Well I had high expectations after reading the reviews. The staff was very friendly both times I visited. The hummus was delicious. The pita bread was solid. My wife and I ordered the lamb shawarma and it was quite disappointing. It had absolutely no flavor. We had to add salt to it and I never add salt to anything. She ordered the baklava for dessert and it was dry and rubbery. She didn't finish it. Maybe we just tried the wrong thing but I've never had flavorless shawarma. I'll try again one day.
(2)Brian Alan E.
Just left Cafe Tariz. Had the hummus which was lovely and seemed homemade. The pita was soft and fresh. For main plate we had the falafel wrap which was delicious...too much red onion though. The cabbage roll special was alright....it was missing some flavor in the stuffing. They could add more lamb items to the menu. Overall a great little hidden gem! Will be back!
(4)Sebastian D.
I really want to give this place a 3.5 stars, but giving it a 4 because the owner is super nice and my four star rating will get averaged out by someones three. I had beef kabobs and side of hummus. The hummus was really good and the beef was seasoned just right. I think this place is slightly better than most of the Mediterranean style restaurants. The prepared their food well, there just was not anything that really stood out to me and makes me want to immediately make a second trip (though I would go back). My one gripe is that they're slightly towards the higher end of price when compared to other similar style restaurants. All in all, good place.
(4)Steven H.
Really good food! I'm not used to the babaghanoush being so chilled, but it's very good, nonetheless. I enjoyed the Superior tea that rated like it has cardamon or cinnamon in it.
(5)Tessa L.
The food is amazing. The gyro is delicious and the hummus is on a different level! Haven't tried the baklava yet but I will next time. The only down side is the price. It's a little bit more expensive than I'd like it to be but the service and the quality of the food is worth the price.
(5)Ellanora G.
Today I had lunch here! Very good chicken salad. The server was very nice making suggestions and making this experience memorable. My daughter had 3 sides as a meal and really enjoyed her lunch as well.
(4)Jonathan H.
Delicious! I had the chicken shawarma plate and it was very good. The food was fresh and had great flavor. The owner was very nice and came by our table to check on us and see how our meal was. I will be coming back!
(5)Gerry G.
Please allow me to put this restaurant review in the right perspective, less I earn your scorn for tossing out a five star review like a drunk parade leader tossing beads off a float in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. This is not a fine dining establishment. The decor has character but is not luxuriant. It is a small store front in an unremarkable shopping strip. It is not a place you would go to be pampered with white table cloths, a team of servers and perhaps soft music playing over a discreet sound system. You would not impress your clients or date walking through the door. Without knowing any better, a date, client, your fiancé's parents might think you were being cheap taking them to dine here - especially after you made a quick stop at Randall's supermarket down the street to buy a good bottle of wine (they do not have a liquor license but you can byob). They would be wrong to think so. Cafe Taraizi is an excellent Mediterranean restaurant tucked away in a shopping mall in the bedroom community of Pear Land, a close in suburb of Houston. The blend of Lebanese, Greek and Arab inspired food is excellent and, believably, prepared fresh daily. The hummus - a staple of Mid East/ Mediterranean cuisine - was the best I've had in the US. The sherwerma plate, spiced shredded beef, chicken or lamb (I ordered chicken) was fantastic. This is a place where people who appreciate great food will feel at home. Don't miss it if you happen to visit Pear Land or are lucky enough to live in the community. They also cater which I imagine would be a great surprise to your guests at most any event.
(5)Greg F.
I enjoyed the kabobs a lot! When the plate came it was absolutely beautiful! The colors from the local veggies was amazing! The hummus was not my favorite, but I am a really tough critic when it comes to hummus. I liked it, I just thought it was a little too expensive.
(3)Numbers D.
Café Taraiz is a cute and quaint American/Mediterranean café. It's very casual but the food is quite good and the service was great. Had the chicken salad, house salad, baba ghanouj and Baklava. Tucked into a strip mall. I'd recommend this more for lunch over dinner. Don't forget to ask for daily specials that aren't on the menu.
(4)Jennifer H.
Absolutely the BEST Mediterranean food in the Houston area. A family owned place where everthing is made from scratch, even the yogurt. We need to keep this place alive! Way better than Niko Niko's or Fadi's. Worth every penny you spend
(5)Lorna C.
Taraiz makes this joint! What a character this woman is! Can't decide what to eat? Have her decide for you? Need relationship advice? I'm sure she's got that too. Her homemade falafel is AWESOME and the hummus is great! I even fancied the babaganoush! My girlfriend really loves the daily specials, so you can't go wrong there. The portions are generous and the prices are a bit high too... I wish I mad more left overs for the amount of money I spend... or spend less money with no leftovers. The value just seems to be off by a hair. I think were there waiter service, maybe the prices wouldn't be such a turn off. You walk in, order at the front counter and sit down... pretty casual. There is an outdoor seating area in the back which I do not find to be pleasant at all, but maybe you would? Definitely my favorite place in Pearland!
(4)Catherine L.
I had a good Greek salad, great hummus, and the kids chicken tenders were homemade- not processed frozen nuggets. It was a good experience, and I will be going back often!
(4)Jeff C.
My wife and have had lunch & dinner here a couple of time. This is by no means a fine dining establishment more a local takeout, can't figure out what's for dinner type destination. I'm not sure why its rated as highly as it is (maybe because it's the only Greek place in Pearland). Compared to other Greek restaurants of similar price it falls short (Niko Niko & Fadi's). Not a bad change of pace, but definitely not one of the stronger Greek place in the Houston metro area.
(3)Rosa F.
Amazingly delicious!! This will be our new spot! The gyro and the hummus bowl were so good and even the kids loved their food!
(5)Kim M.
Cafe Taraiz is FABULOUS!!! The food is rich in flavor and offers a vast menu of delicious homemade Mediterranean fare. I'm not sure which was better the Chicken KaBob dinner w/ falafel OR the warm hospitality from the owner Taraiz! I highly recommend this great restaurant :) PS..... Make sure you don't leave without the baklava for dessert!!!!
(5)Catt M.
Yummy GYRO!! Im glad we tried it.
(5)Lindsay M.
Although we've lived in Pearland for several years, my husband and I are newcomers to Cafe Taraiz. Once we heard of a good place to get Mediterranean food without leaving the 'burbs, we had to try it! The restaurant isn't huge or fancy, but everything is very clean and our waiter was polite and prompt. As other reviewers have mentioned, the owner was there and checked on us to make sure everything was up to par. We saw several people stop in and pick up the food as take out while we were eating- great idea and change from the usual take out meals. For our first visit we had the hummus with fresh (warm!) pita bread to start. The hummus was so smooth and creamy! I ordered the Chicken Shawarma, and my husband ordered the Lamb Shawarma, and we weren't disappointed. The hubs said the lamb could have used some more salt, but I was pleased with the chicken. It wasn't huge chunks of chicken (more finely chopped), which made it easier to eat, and lots of grilled veggies were inside with the sauce. Both dishes came with potatoes, which were fine, but nothing spectacular. The prices were a little high (i.e. hummus was $5), but it was all fresh. I think we'll be adding Cafe Taraiz to our restaurant rotation here in Pearland, especially for take out. I can't wait to try the Greek salad on our next trip; the table next to us ordered them, and they are HUGE bowls of salad that looked awesome.
(4)Trina M.
I went today after reading all the reviews - it's a hit!!! I met a friend there for lunch, she doesn't like Greek food all that much and even she had to admit it was really good. Very friendly and attentive staff, the owner also came around - it's a small place but really very nice. I had the chicken shawrma, falafel and hummus - all VERY good. Also had a greek salad as a side - and it was also very, very good. I will absolutely return and will be trying some of the other items on the menu. If you're wondering, YES - you should go try this place out!
(4)Karthikeyan V.
Nice, small family operated restaurant. Good taste
(4)Barking B.
Hummus, apple iced tea, potatoes, pittas & waiter from Wisconsin were great. The shwerma wrap was a bit expensive & ok. The hummus bowl seemed like the way to go. I thought the atmosphere was too casual for the prices.
(4)Aziz K.
Please go hungry Lol. Were from dallas and wanted to try a non-chain restaurant unique to the area. I have to say, the food was phenomenal and portions were verrry generous!!! One thing we were definitely impressed with was the range of Cafe Taraiz's menu. I went in with my mother & father just before close. We had hummus & falafel for appetizers & we're convinced to try the crab cakes special (as an appetizer). Wow! Fresh falafel, homemade hummus and crab cakes that you would cry for. Next we ordered the Walnut & Blue Cheese salad, which was recommended by our waitress. Fresh with amazing flavor and homemade dressing. Then for entrees, mom & I each ordered the chicken salad sandwich (which we read about) and dad ordered the bone-in-ribeye. Dad is a very picky when it comes to steak and was VERY happy. Season and grilled perfectly. I stole a bite or two =) I'm a fan of chicken salad this was a no brainier for me. So good I would drive from Dallas for this sandwich lol. It came with delicious roasted red potatoes. All in all I would highly recommend cafe Taraiz. It was quite a surprise to find such all these great plates in the same restaurant. Dont know where to eat? They got you covered! Everything was amazing The owner (Taraiz) and waitress combined for excellent & friendly service. Oh I almost forgot about her spiced Cinnamon tea!!!!! Yummy =)
(5)Erik K.
I live around Houston but work in Pearland and I've got to say, its great having a nice family owned restaurant in Pearland that serves really good Mediterranean. Co-Workers and I try and make a stop in here as much as we can. I highly recommend this if your around.
(4)Vik P.
Small place in pearland. Looks to be family owned and run, a bit expensive..but food is really good..had the lamb shawerma. Owners were very friendly, they walked around speaking to everyone. Desserts r really good, but a bit on the expensive side.
(4)Nissa P.
Relaxed, casual environment to enjoy delicious, homemade Mediterranean food (even the yogurt is made fresh daily). Staff is attentive and helpful if you are unfamiliar with the food. Especially enjoyed the falafel.
(4)J M.
Probably won't ever go here again. I ordered a Chicken Kabab roll and every single chicken cube in it was raw and uncooked. I was with friends so it was really embarrassing to have chewed up chicken in the plate because it wasn't cooked all the way. I could clearly see the pink in the meat. I just ate the pita bread and some potatoes. They weren't all that either. I wouldn't have given this place such a harsh rating if their prices were not so high. I mean one kabab roll was $12 and it's not even all that big. Same goes for the rest of the menu. They are charging a premium level charges on food on a barely cafe level food. And No I do not consider this place Mediterranean, because they are nowhere near the level of the food for a Mediterranean place like Fadi's or Zabak's. Overall if you are trying Mediterranean food for the first time, please try elsewhere to get the right impression.
(1)Lauren R.
I was very optimistic about this place as the yelp reviews had been very positive. I'm not sure what happened... maybe a bad night in the kitchen, but I probably won't be back unless some things change. On a positive note, the byob is a great idea. We brought our own wine, and that was a fun experience. We had the hummus, which I thought was great. However the pita bread that was served with it seemed like something you could just get at Kroger. It was very thin and didn't seem to be homemade. It was confusing since we also had the gyro, and the bread served with that was totally different and waaayyyy better. My suggestion: serve the same bread with your hummus as you do with the gyro sandwich. We also ordered the beef skewers and the gyro sandwhich. A+ gyro, but honestly, I can get a pretty great gyro at alot of places... The thing that upset me with the gyro was that it came with a "house salad" instead of a Greek Salad. It just seems like at a Greek restaurant, you should be serving a Greek Salad. The house salad wasn't great... just some romaine lettuce with white onion and tomato and some italian dressing. My suggestion: scratch the house salad and serve a Greek salad as a choice of side. The beef skewers claim to be filet cuts of beef, however they were so tough, it was hard for me to chew. Next suggestion: do something with your beef skewers... not sure if I just got them on an off night, but they were inedible for me.
(2)Michael P.
We've been meaning to try out Cafe Taraiz for a few months now but finally gave it a shot last night to see what we had been missing out on. It's a small place and like other reviewers, we were greeted by the owner as we walked up to the counter and she was quick to answer our questions about various items on the menu and specials on the small board on the back wall. She was very helpful and quite nice. Service: Very good. Looking at the menu, and even though we were forewarned, we were a little taken aback by the price of the most of the items. $8 for a falafel. $5 for a side of hummus. $16 for a chicken kabob. $10 for a burger. Yowza. That's pretty pricey. But, we were willing to stick it out and give it a shot since there were so many great reviews. The Chicken Shawerma Plate ($12), off the daily special menu, was out very quickly and looked very good. The chicken was served over a bed of rice with a side of hummus and some pita bread. All together, this was a good dish and with a touch of hot sauce it would have been great. The Falafel ($8) took a little longer to come out. Not because the kitchen was slow, but because on its way out it didn't meet the standards of Taraiz and was sent back. I love that. Clearly, she cares about her craft and I gladly waited for a dish that met her approval. When it did make it to our table, the Falafel was alright but the onions and pickles were a little distracting...at least to my tastebuds. So, I wonder if the cook was having an off night. We also had the Baklava ($3), which I keep trying to like, but I don't think it's in the cards. There's just something about phyllo dough that doesn't agree with me...but I don't hold that against any of the Mediterranean places I've gone to. All in all, the service was great and the food WAS good but, in terms of value, it's just not worth it in my book. As we were discussing it the restaurant, the best way to put it is that it's almost double the price as our favorite places in the city but it's nowhere near twice as good. Maybe we'll come back for lunch when the owner said they offered a couple of more reasonably priced meals on the board but, even then, we'll probably just go inside the loop to satisfy our Mediterranean cravings. 3 stars. Great service. Good food. A little too expensive.
(3)Sarah L.
I have dined here a few times. Staff is very friendly and accommodating however the prices are rather high and I am not a big fan of the schwarmas. If you are looking for schwarmas or other middle eastern dishes, make the 10 minute drive downtown to Phoenicia Deli.
(2)Pete B.
We ordered (2) Greek salads with Gyro meat. This was our first time to try Café Taraiz. The Gyro meat was awful!! The greek salad was average at best. Color me not impressed!
(2)Annamarie K.
OH. MAH. GAWSH. This place is amazing!! I don't have to go to Kemah anymore for tasty greek food!! Finally, Pearland has a greek place where we can get gyros and baklava. The salads are also extremely fresh, as is everything else we have tried! It seems that everytime we go there they are just taking baklava out of the oven andboy is it good! The owners are always there and love to talk to you. They are just the sweetest people and really love what they do. I think it really adds to the visit! Go here people!! Don't let this gem leave Pearland!
(5)Emily H.
We found this restaurant on yelp and thought we would give it a try and we are so glad that we did. We come here very often and have never left disappointed. The food is fresh and made to order. If you like hummus, you are going to compare all hummus to this one in the future! It's amazing. We love the hummus so much that we always take some to go so that we can have it at home. The only drawback is that it does get a bit spendy for a meal. We wish there was a lunch menu that would make it a bit more affordable.
(5)Eugenio P.
Excellent Mediterranean restaurant. Good food, great customer attention.
(5)Selina F.
The hubs and I were very excited that we had a Greek place so near us. Since my Mom was in town, we decided to leave the baby boy for an hour and go try it out. The falafels and chicken shawerma (spelling?) were decent, but not as good as Zaback's (which is just a short drive into the city), and at twice the price. It would be very convenient to get food to go from this place, which is probably when we'll try it again if we want good (not great) food quickly and don't mind the extra dollars. The baklava was nothing to write home and brag about, but there was an AMAZING looking brownie that I'll have to try next time :). The highlight of the place: the owner was very helpful and was tasting as the cooks were preparing the food, which is always a plus.
(3)Jacquelyn T.
Love Cafe Taraiz! The food is amazing and they are very polite! I will be back. Thank you for making great the food and having wonderful customer service! Thank you Taraiz!
(5)Areeb S.
After moving to TX a month ago, I looked online for the closest Mediterranean place and found Cafe Taraiz. I have been there twice so far and really enjoyed it. Owner is very down-to-earth, does her best to communicate with you and recommends stuff from her menu, and makes it feel like a homely environment. I tried the Chicken Shawarma and it was decent. Then I tried the Beef Kafta Kabob Wrap today and it was amazing!! If you feel you need extra spice, then try it with the hot sauce and you won't be disappointed. The food comes with an option of house salad or roasted potatoes. And the Baklava in the end was also worth it. Will definitely be going there again.
(4)Ray P.
Wife loved the food! I am sure we will be back
(5)Nate M.
Anytime a new spot opens up in Pearland, we're pretty quick to the draw in trying it out and posting on Yelp about it. Fortunately for us, we discovered Cafe Taraiz not long after it had opened. We walked in the door and were immediately greeted from across the room by Taraiz herself in a warm and friendly welcome. From the get-go, she was friendly and inquisitive, making sure we didn't have any questions and spent some time talking to us about the ingredients and nuances of each dish that we wanted to try. She also let us try a few items to make sure we liked them before we ordered. It was already a fantastic experience. As per our first trips to any Mediterranean joint, we always try the litmus test staples first: hummus, falafel, gyros. The hummus was 100% homemade, was served with wonderful bread, and had great flavor. The falafel were very small, but there were also a lot of them so the size functioned more as a way to get them even crispier (which we loved!). The gyros were incredible, and I don't say that sort of thing lightly. This thing had about 3 times the meat you would get at your standard fare Greek joint. While we were eating, Taraiz sat down at a table next to us and chatted with us about how we were enjoying the food, what our thoughts were, and answered a lot of questions. We learned that she's a very sweet and kind woman that cares a great deal about her food AND her customers. In many ways, it was like having a comfy sit down meal with family, and I mean that in the best way possible. Once she found out that I love baklava, she said i HAD to try hers and grabbed me one to sample. So that my partner didn't go hungry, she even got him an amazing warm brownie a la mode. Talk about service! Up to this point, I could easily say that if Cafe Taraiz wasn't the absolute best Mediterranean food I'd ever had, its certainly tied for that spot (but frankly I can't think of anywhere that comes close, and we've been all up and down this city). However, when I tried the baklava my opinion was sealed for good. This place is something special, for sure! I try not to write big ornate 5-star reviews very often as I understand the power of them on a site like Yelp. But it didn't feel right to rate this cafe any lower than that because the food and service were some of the best I'd had in years, let alone ANYWHERE in Pearland. I know that she has some really great new American style food on the menu as she used to operate a widely celebrated tea house and catering service in Pearland years ago...but If you want her homemade down-home cookin, experiment with the Mediterranean food and I assure you, you will go home happy.
(5)Kevin S.
Quality of Food: For starters, the food is of the highest quality. I have known the owner for a while now and frequent the establishment often. As a foodie and gourmet hobbyist, I want to know precisely what goes into the food. All of her items are made in house and with the finest ingredients. Taste: Words cannot do Taraiz justice in taste. The food is beyond fantastic. I have had the pleasure of visiting Israel for a couple weeks and I must say that Taraiz's food is far better than anything I had on that trip! The depths and complexity of the flavors of every dish make you desire to try everything on the menu. From the homemade falafel to her homemade hummus, there is an explosion of flavors waiting to surprise. I go a few times a week, and every single time, I am continually blown away. My favorite dish is her stuffed grape leaves. Never have I had the pleasure of experiencing such a fantastic stuffed grape leaf. Atmosphere: A small restaurant with a few tables and outdoor seating with the feel of a small cafe. The atmosphere is very laid back, and Taraiz is always open to having people stick around and share in the most delicious Turkish/Arabic coffee I have ever tasted. Taraiz is almost always there visiting with guests and always willing to assist and explain the menu to any newcomers. It seems that no one is a stranger here. I always feel like I am walking into see my grandmother every time I visit. A truly comforting and pleasant experience. Price: In short, spot on. I always take into consideration, portion size and quality when thinking about price. You simply can't complain about a filling lunch for $10. I usually get the sampler appetizer at lunch for about $12 and am quite filled by the end, perhaps more than I should ever eat for lunch! Sure there are menu items for $30, but that could easily serve two people. I have seen menus from all across America for a variety of foods. I will raise an eyebrow at a menu that is priced even a dollar over value, but here, that is not the case. Prices will fit any budget, and every menu item is worth it's weight in gold. Cleanliness: They are among the cleanest and most sanitary restaurants where the cooks clean and scrub the cooktop every evening. I have watched their closing procedure closely and noticed that a full sweep and clean is done under, around, and over all cooking surfaces. Their score from the city was a perfect 100 out of 100 and is displayed proudly at the register. Overall: Everyone should try this place at least once. The food is the best I have tasted in its genre and the quality is second to none. For superb Mediterranean cuisine, there is none better than Taraiz. I frequent this establishment at least once or twice a week and simply cannot get enough of this food. The rich flavors and tastes are sure to please any palate and keep you going back for more. I know I will!
(5)Cerise S.
Amazing fresh Mediterranean food. I loved the calm atmosphere, the comforting food and the fantastic desserts. My family eats here twice a week. Great and friendly service. And it is a very clean restaurant. Try it -- you will love it.
(5)Arada H.
Not worth the $$$$, unless you're in Pearland and unable to drive elsewhere for more reasonably priced Middle Eastern food. Really, $9 for a small gyro with side of leaves & few cubes of tomatos & cucumbers (what they call salad)? $5 for a small scoop of hummus with pita from Cedars bakery? Was not blown away by anything I saw or ate. I only went here to try it out, and chose a Kids Eat Free day so that I wouldn't be spending $20 for not much and not spectacular food.
(3)Stacy A.
When you walk in, you'll meet the owner right away. She's a friendly grandmother type that makes you feel like you've come home - complete with telling you, "you look hungry. Let me fix you something to eat." The place is a combination of tea room and mediterranean food. Our group devoured everything we ate. The favorites were the veggie and feta quiche and the chicken salad. The portions are huge! To-go boxes are going to be needed.
(5)Morgan B.
Good food, super nice people. I ordered the sampler to go w/ hummus, grape leaves, and feta plate. All very good. They even offered to let me sample the spice tea while I waited for my order- it was good too. I think you can buy the spice tea mix.
(4)Bilen T.
I had the chicken shawarma plate with hummus. For the price I expected way more. The food was mediocre. Hummus was one of the best I ever had. The worst part was that I smelled like burned onion when I left. If I ever go back I will have it to go or sitting outside.
(2)S G.
I wish I had heard about this place sooner. My wife and I stopped by for lunch and were greeted warmly, seated and given menus. We told them it was our first time there and they offered us a sample of their spiced tea. It is an apple cinnamon tea which I really enjoyed. We ordered the sampler appetizer with hummus, feta tomato green onion and grape leaf wrapped beef. All three were very good and I would recommend having them. We shared a Greek salad and the gyro with potatoes. The salad was plentiful, fresh and really good. The gyro was good, and adding on the sauce seemed to bring it more in line with some of the gyros from other places we have had them. The potatoes were really good as well. We will be adding this to our places to frequent for lunch and dinner. The cost didn't really bother me because I can see how these little gems of culturally diverse restaurants do not get the same amount of traffic as the inner city restaurants do. I am happy to have these places I pearland as we have been quite challenged to find anything outside of the norm in this area.
(4)Courtney A.
Went here for lunch the other day. Kids eat Free on mondays andtuesdays I think, and being new to the area, we wanted to try the local mediterranian place- My husband is part Lebanese and we are missing his grandma's cooking! Anyway, He got the chicken shawarma plate and I got the wrap, chicken fingers for the kiddo. The chicken fingers were home made and very good, and came with applesauce, which my son loves, so he was happy. The chicken was really good, and I really liked my salad dressing. The wrap my chicken was wrapped in was very good, and I really like the sauce it was served with. Got baklava as dessert and it was great. My only complaint is the pricing...mine was a fine value at $9, but my husband didn't get much more food than I did for $12...plus looking at the menu- $26.99 for two chicken skewers,$30 for beef???!!! That's CRAZY...you can get a petite filet at Ruth's Chris for $32...and Ruth's Chris this place ain't!!
(4)Jennifer R.
Went today for the first time and it was AWESOME! loved the gyro and the hummus was delicious. Can't wait to go back and try the red lentil soup!!!
(4)