Bun Kabab, We Hardly Knew Ye

Bun Kabab

This little fast food-style restaurant was, probably, doomed from the beginning. Bun Kabab, a halal Pakistani eatery now permanently closed, had a bad location working against it. 

Situated at 6965 Harwin Drive, Houston in Accessory Plaza II (see map), it was virtually invisible from the street. The store opened in early 2021, located just over a quarter mile west of the famous Gandhi District along Hillcroft Avenue. 

Inside Bun Kabab

It was not able to draw people who go to that area seeking the south Asian cuisines the area is known for. Had they been located on or much nearer to Hillcroft, Bun Kabab might still be open.

Although Harwin is a busy street, Bun Kabab had poor signage. It was in Accessory Plaza II, with merchants selling jewels, watches, computers, wholesale of other household goods, retail clothing, footwear and leather articles in specialized stores, and clothing accessories. 

Much of Harwin is filled with similar places, and has very few restaurants along it. In other words, Bun Kabab's location was not a destination for people seeking a Pakistani or south Asian dining experience.

Gyro Omelette (left) with
Paratha (flat bread, right)

Google Maps reviewers (23 of them) gave Bun Kabab 3.5 stars (out of 5), and reviews were mixed, from enthusiastically good to scathingly bad. 

My own experience was not bad, nor was it great. I liked what they were trying to do, which was serve something unique and tasty. That's what I got, and it was both good enough and interesting enough that I went there three times. 

Gyro Omelette

Had I rated it while it was still in business, I also would have given it 3.5 stars. My first visit was on October 25, 2021. I was struck by the vibrantly cool decor, a sort of updated classic American diner vibe. It was very clean, including the restroom. 

I ordered the Gyro Omelette with Paratha ($6.00), and two samosas ($1.00 each). I was pleased with both, and the mildly spicy green sauce you see in the photo was amazing. There was plenty of gyro meat in the omelette; it cooked nicely. 

Karachi Beef Bun Kabab

My next visit was a few weeks later, and I ordered the Karachi Beef Bun Kabab with Fries. This was disappointing. The meat was a mush, kind of bland, and the bread was nondescript. I would rate the fries at 6.5 on a scale of 10. 

Not helping any was the inconsistent quality of the food and service, including some language barrier issues. 

Karachie Beef Bun Kabab and Fries

Bun Kabab probably could have succeeded in a better location and if the owners had a bit more social media savvy. A few American-style items on the menu, such as a regular hamburger, might have helped draw more customers from the many offices and shops nearby. 

Bun Kabab's Menu

Bun Kabab's huge outdoor patio