The lamb shank, marinated in Mediterranean spices, falls right off the bone. Photo by Lori Bandi
Each meal comes with a complimentary soup of the day such as oatmeal or barley. Photo by Lori Bandi
Alounak’s lamb kebab comes with saffron rice, roasted tomatoes and a Greek salad. You also can order chicken or beef. Photo by Lori Bandi
Alounak Mediterranean has been hiding in the back of Spring Creek Village for about a year now, serving up a small, simple menu of soups, salads, kabobs and other fare. The owner, Mehran Nikakhtar, arrives at 4 a.m. every morning to start preparing ingredients and marinating meat. He’s the only cook in the kitchen — even during busy hours. “I do everything myself,” he says. “I don’t trust anyone else. I can handle it.” Traffic hasn’t quite picked up for Alounak in the recently renovated shopping center at Coit and Belt Line, so don’t be surprised if you’re the only customer in the restaurant. Nikakhtar is thinking of changing locations when the lease expires in the next year and a half. Originally from Persia, Nikakhtar also owned Aladdin in Addison for about three years and runs his own catering business. His recipes are simple, starting each meal with complimentary soup of the day. He marinates the meats in olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and a few other herbs. Nikakhtar uses the best meat, he says — Angus ground beef, lamb and chicken tenderloin. It’s all cooked fresh to order and served with saffron rice, a salad and roasted tomatoes. The menu also includes gyros and burgers for under $5, making this a cheap lunch spot, too.
Alounak Mediterranean
7989 Belt Line, Suite 146
469.374.9991
Ambiance: Cozy
Price range: $8-$12 for most entrées
Tip: The restaurant is BYOB.
