Layla's Restaurant, Grocery & Halal Meat

  • Treasure Hills Shopping Center Little Rock, AR 72227
  • 501-227-7272
  • Visit website

Description

Food: Believe the poster that offers "tastier, better quality gyro!" because the owner/chef doesn't buy it from a food service, he makes it himself, starting from scratch: He's also a halal butcher (the meat is slaughtered and prepared under strict Islamic dietary laws, similar in most respects to kosher). Also on the menu, which is at least a half-step up from most of the area's Middle Eastern/Mediterranean offerings: top-notch hummus and baba ghannouj, and don't miss the Kafta Kabob, delightfully seasoned, parsleyed and onioned ground beef rolled into a long cigar shape and skewer-grilled over an open flame. Layla's also serves lamb, goat, pizzas and calzones, but no alcohol.
Mood: Layla's is pretty much a one-man operation; owner/chef Mahmoud cooks the food, serves it, schmoozes the customers and takes the money. The decor and atmosphere are more practical than elegant; the open kitchen dominates one side; the small dining room is painted bright red above and is either corrugated metal or wood panel below, with a half-dozen or so practical, Formica-like-topped tables and sturdy, comfortably padded chairs. To the back is the grocery, which sells canned, jarred and dry goods, and the meat locker.
Moolah: Prices are very reasonable; a gyros plate, with plenty of meat plus hummus, tabbouleh, marinated onions and pita bread, is $8.50. - Eric E. Harrison

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