Restaurant Review: Middle Eastern Cuisine at Yildizlar Restaurant in Houston

No Frills Mediterranean Grill ~ Tasty Lebanese Cuisine ~ Reasonable Prices

On a recent trip to Houston with my family, we were famished from our flight and trek from the airport. After checking into our Montrose area hotel, it was 2:30 in the afternoon -- not prime time for most restaurants, but while driving north on Kirby we noticed Yildizlar Mediterranean Grill in a shopping village at the intersection of Kirby and Richmond. My love of Middle Eastern cuisine and good instincts told me to take a chance on this little cafe, despite the fact that it's not terribly eye-catching from the street. According to the owner, Yildizlar means "Stars" in Turkish, and this modest cafe was a shining star during our visit in its own humble way.

Upon entering Yildizlar, we noticed the restaurant was nearly empty due to the mid-afternoon hour, but we didn't let that dissuade us. The decor at Yildizlar is a little outdated, but the tables and chairs were clean and reasonably maintained. We walked up to the counter where an array of vegetables dishes, salads, rice and other sides were neatly presented in a serving case. A quiet, but friendly, employee welcomed us and awaited our lunch orders. My family was in the mood for some sandwiches to tide us over until dinner, and the sandwich offerings at Yildizlar did not disappoint us! Whether you desire beef, chicken or lamb, or if you're vegetarian or vegan, there are quite a few offerings to choose from.