(July 6, 2015)
Here we have an iconic example of why Houston is awesome, mouth first. One of the greatest things about restaurants like Al Aseel is the topsy-turvy menu that doesn’t just include Mediterranean fare, though I stuck to the traditional items on my first visit. They grill a mean chicken, that’s for sure, but I didn’t discover their piece de resistance until my second visit. I’d heard whispers and rumors that Al Aseel had really good fried chicken, so when a friend, known for their, asked me if I knew of anywhere to score some killer fried bird, I mentioned this place with the disclaimer that I hadn’t tried it myself. He went. He approved. I was sold.
Al Aseel is a legit Arab hangout. Walking inside gave me flashbacks of walking through the metropolitan Hamra district in Beirut. Charcoal from the meat and double apple shisha tobacco permeated the air. The customers lingered over conversation between pulls off the long nargila tubes and platters of juicy grilled kabobs and rice. My second visit was during Ramadan and there was a small buffet set up, but I didn’t even look under the lids. I was on a mission.
I ordered the halal half chicken, fried, with French fries, and when it arrived, I was slightly daunted by size of the bird—it was underwhelming compared to the ‘roid birds you get from fast food chicken joints. But the smaller the wingspan, the bigger the taste, man…you know what I mean. Sure enough, after one bite into the crispy skin, I knew I should have ordered the whole chicken. The half order filled me up, but I just like knowing I can have one more bite later in the evening to revive the flavor-memories. The fries were sprinkled with sumac and perfectly crisp on the outside and fluffy in the middle. I really don’t know how I can ever try anything else at this place without lamenting the fried chicken. No, it has been decided. Al Aseel is my new fried chicken joint. Check it out for yourself and you’re welcome in advance.
Al Aseel Grill and Cafe
8619 Richmond Ave, Houston, TX 77063