Jamillah Garden
15514 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77095
Buffet or a-la-carte? Buffet
Date of visit: 11/15/2013
UPDATE 12/29/15:
Since the ownership change, Jamillah Garden has gone through a significant change. They now have chai in their beverages options, and they have added various things such as chicken manchurian, chicken meatballs, mac and cheese, and even paratha to their buffet. They even had biryani, chicken karahi, samosa, and even daal just for Ramadan. Never did I expect a place which says "Chinese Islamic Restaurant" to offer Indian/Pakistani food, regardless of what time of the year it was. The food still isn't that bad to be honest, but the quality has taken a significant hit. In my last visit on 12/23, I found the egg rolls and sweet and sour chicken to be cold. I was also told in the last visit from my dad that the owner is planning on putting more Desi (Indian/Pakistani) items on their buffet to appeal to the elder customers. I guess it's time to change the signage at the front to "Indo-Chinese Islamic Restaurant" or "Indo-Pak and Chinese Restaurat". I would give the current food 6.5/10
15514 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77095
Buffet or a-la-carte? Buffet
Date of visit: 11/15/2013
 |
| Photo Credit: http://a3.urbancdn.com/w/s/Rs/GwKyQF0o8BWh2J.jpg |
UPDATE 12/29/15:
Since the ownership change, Jamillah Garden has gone through a significant change. They now have chai in their beverages options, and they have added various things such as chicken manchurian, chicken meatballs, mac and cheese, and even paratha to their buffet. They even had biryani, chicken karahi, samosa, and even daal just for Ramadan. Never did I expect a place which says "Chinese Islamic Restaurant" to offer Indian/Pakistani food, regardless of what time of the year it was. The food still isn't that bad to be honest, but the quality has taken a significant hit. In my last visit on 12/23, I found the egg rolls and sweet and sour chicken to be cold. I was also told in the last visit from my dad that the owner is planning on putting more Desi (Indian/Pakistani) items on their buffet to appeal to the elder customers. I guess it's time to change the signage at the front to "Indo-Chinese Islamic Restaurant" or "Indo-Pak and Chinese Restaurat". I would give the current food 6.5/10
Background:
Salam/hey guys! After many weeks of trying places near UH, I am finally trying out a restaurant that is near my house! This time, it is Jamillah Garden! Jamillah Garden is an authentic Chinese restaurant like Halal Wok. It opened its doors in 2008 and has enjoyed success. I would often pass this place, and this place would be packed with families eating their buffet. The time came to try when I was out with my friends. We were not hanging out, we were actually doing work. I just joined a youth group called Muslim Youth of Bear Creek, which aims to provide for the youth at the local mosque. They host events such as Quranic lessons, barbecues, basketball tournaments, volunteering, and learning about Islamic History. The goal is to get the younger people involved in the mosque. They want to help the youth establish the mosque as their second home. This is a wonderful initiative that is taken, as more and more younger Muslims are abandoning the mosque because they feel unwelcome and judged by their elder peers. I was providing chicken for the barbecue tomorrow and I had to drop it off at my friend's friend place to do the marinating. As dinner time approached, we all became hungry. Another challenge that came was that my other friend had to be home by 10 pm. So Jamillah Garden was the only option as it was very closed to home. It was also cheap. So after dropping the chicken off, we came.
Let The Experience Begin!
Jamillah Garden is located just after the intersection of Highway 6 and FM 529. It can be clearly seen from the turning into the strip mall. Inside was full of table and booths, and the cashier was there as well. There was a drinks section set up with a cooler and a table. There were two buffet stands, one for appetizers and one for entrees. The waitress noticed us, asked us how many people were together, and told us to sit wherever we liked. The lighting was pretty nice, and it made it feel like you were eating in an actual restaurant.
Let's Eat!
All of us decided to eat at the buffet. To drink, both friends got Cokes and I got a Pepsi (I don't like Coke). I noticed that whenever the new food comes out of the kitchen, it is really hot. This means that everything is cooked fresh and not reheated! This is crucial, as it can affect the taste and quality of the food. Each of us roughly paid $11 for the buffet (tax included) which is normal.
Menu (if I miss anything out, I apologize. I couldn't take a pic of some of the buffet items as my phone died :( )
Most of the items on the menu are the same. Only a few are changed between the meals.
Dinner buffet:
Appetizers: Chicken wings, fries, cheese puffs, chicken corn soup, corn soup, sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls, sesame balls, fried fish, and sweet and sour sauce
Entrees: Spicy and non-spicy fried rice and chow mein, kung pao chicken, grilled chicken, chicken in chilly sauce, Mongolian beef, orange chicken, beef with bell peppers, sesame chicken, and chicken with vegetables.
Lunch Buffet:
Appetizers: Same
Entrees: Same as lunch. Includes Kung Pao three flavor
If you come between 3 PM and 6 PM, or takeout, refer to this (must click link to view)
 |
| Outside |
 |
| Entrees on left, appetizers on right |
 |
| Appetizers: Cheese puff, egg rolls, chicken wings, fries |
 |
| Chicken Corn Soup |
 |
| Spicy Fried rice, spicy chow mein, pung pao chicken, Chicken in chilly sauce, Mongolian beef, orange chicken, grilled chicken, beef with bell peppers, sesame chicken, chicken with vegetables |
The Verdict:
Finally after trips of disappointment, I seem to have found out the best buffet restaurant as of now. The food was great! The appetizers were very tasty, especially the chicken corn soup. The entrees were also good. The only things I would criticize are the beef with bell peppers and the chicken with vegetables. The beef in that was very chunky, and the chicken with vegetables did not taste good. The friends also liked their food, and they would go for more. My food was drained by a nice can of Pepsi. Overall, one thumb up.
Finally after trips of disappointment, I seem to have found out the best buffet restaurant as of now. The food was great! The appetizers were very tasty, especially the chicken corn soup. The entrees were also good. The only things I would criticize are the beef with bell peppers and the chicken with vegetables. The beef in that was very chunky, and the chicken with vegetables did not taste good. The friends also liked their food, and they would go for more. My food was drained by a nice can of Pepsi. Overall, one thumb up.
Conclusion:
I seriously think other buffet restaurants should take note of this. DO NOT REHEAT THE FOOD IN THE BUFFET! It made a huge difference in the taste and quality of the food. The food tasted much better when it was freshly cooked. Jamillah Garden is one of very few that does this practice. All they need to do is to make the beef less chunky when making it with the bell peppers and make the chicken with vegetables taste better than it is now. I would recommend this restaurant if you are looking to eat as much as you want for a cheap price, and food that is actually fresh.
Grading:
Service: 8/10
Food: 8.5/10
Waiting Time: N/A
Total: 16.5/20 = 82.5% (B)
Pricing: $$ out of $$$$
Restaurant Information
Jamillah Garden
Jamillah Garden
15514 FM 529, Houston, Texas 77095
Phone: (281) 855-4818
Website: None
Facebook: None
Timings: Lunch Buffet: Mon-Fri: 11 AM - 3:30 PM and Sat-Sun: 12 PM - 4 PM; Dinner Buffet: Mon-Thu: 6 PM - 10 PM, Fri: 6 PM - 10:30 PM and Sat-Sun: 6 PM - 11 PM; Ordering from menu: Everyday: 3 PM - 6 PM
Caters: Yes
Feel free to comment below!
Cheers!
Zain Mohammed
I have not been here in a long time here because they converted to a buffet. They cooked-to-order food was really, really good authentic Chinese food with Muslim influences. There's too much hot steam in the atmosphere from the steam tables. Another places to eat is Pine Forest Garden Vegetarian on Bellaire, since it is veg, it will be halal I suppose.
ReplyDelete