It has been here for such a long time, and it is still standing very well. I don't even think I was born much less living in town when it has started up, and look at how well it is still standing with prices that are representative of pre-GST times, food that is good enough quality, and a spry look underneath the slightly weathered aesthetic old places usually have. This is Abra Wraps, and it had not occurred to me to try it out until recently. Well, good that I did because this might be a staple for a quick snack when it is needed.
As per usual when it came to being a Wednesday, I went around town trying to find something to eat before heading home and doing my weight training. Often this would mean bahn mi, but the hours were not looking like it would be open at that time - I can adapt. Still, the idea is something that is quick and hot - preferably with a bit of grease to add some energy on; change from - or not much more than - a tenner is an additional preference, as hard as it can be.
Even in saying that, fast food places (i.e. chains) are something I tend to skirt away from if I can. What I thought at first was biting the bullet - I will get to that in a moment - had me go here. Fried chicken is something that is always good and this was one that was a bit fresher, and cheaper, so it seemed to do good. Just a quick stop here and I got my pre-workout snack out of the way. So, that leads us to here.
There is not that much to discuss with how it looks. This is just another outlet in the middle of the food court, though it is a little wider than normal. It has two different counters - one to place the order and another to collect the order. The colour yellow is bright and makes it stand out in a slightly dull area compared to what is around. Also, even if it is on the rear end of another eatery in the food court, the seating is appropriately coloured yellow and many clients from there use that if they decide to sit in. Just being three meters from the counter is a nice touch from an ergonomic and service point of view. The glass cabinets show the different salad ingredients and items being prepared. On the counter, the chips that they use for their nachos are presented as a free sample to potential customers and by-passers.
That leads us to the service which is more or less acceptable on an objective level, and a little bit more than what would be expected here. It is all done fresh, so a few minutes of waiting is needed. They give you a number, and the instant would order something it starts to cook. The folk are friendly enough, and it is welcoming.
At its heart, this is a Lebanese twist on the usual carvery menu that was commonplace once upon a time in Australia. Among all the wraps, you also have a couple of burgers, a specialised take on nachos, possibly salads if you ask, and some fried chicken. Like it was said, that was one thing on my mind and here it goes.
I went and ordered the lunch box here, which had two pieces of fried chicken on top of a serving of fries. That is it for this visit. Funny as it may sound initially, the most indicative part of the quality comes down to how I had to wait. Quick service does rock, but there is a suspicion when it is too quick for most items. This was enough to calm down, maybe check some emails and that, before the food was on the counter. In other words, cooked fresh. The fries were being poured into the deep fryer soon after the order was placed which meant they were hot and crispy (which they were). These tasted good, though maybe a bit more salt and seasoning would have been great, but the hot and crispy part is enough as is. As for the chicken itself, lip-smackingly delicious. It was very hot, almost burn-your-fingers hot, and the skin was the best part as per usual. That was crispy, had a good lot of oil in it, slightly spicy from some mix of seasonings, spices and herbs thrown in, and the meat of the chicken was sweet, tender and juicy. I was eating it within a minute of getting from the counter, so that might be it as well. Doesn't hide the fact that it is getting a good thumbs up from me.
Plus, those chips they have to make the nachos are not too bad either. Instead of the grease that often comes from corn chips, it tastes fresh and is made from the wraps that they use in their kebabs. The amount of seasoning they use is subtle and slight, and would not easily detract from the meat being used in it. While you wait, it is definitely worth sneaking one or two just to try it.
When I do go to a fast food place, that is kept on the down-low for the most part. I believe it is a bit pointless to describe and talk about somewhere that is commonplace (aside from a smaller one that is a one-off, or it is in the budding process) because most readers would already have an idea about it, and it would be the same anywhere. Also, let's just consider all the stuff about the late night kebab as well. Those two examples shall be put to the side when it comes to here, and I won't lie that those might have been in my head all the times I bypassed it.
That is being said, because when I was searching it up at the time I could not find anything to imply that there was another location anywhere but here. It finally shone a new light upon Abra Kebabs, and I apologise if that has caused any offense. And I was genuinely enjoying the food that I was having from there before knowing it as well.
Still though, it is pretty simple and is what it is - freshly done and with quality nevertheless - so it won't rate so highly that it is a must-try. But in the whole scheme of the food court, and in the scheme of what is around, it matches a satisfying and adequate equilibrium where it is good quality, does not leave a greasy after-taste in your mouth, is cheap, and quite quick. This was some great fried chicken that is better than ... you know who usual jibe goes ... and was fresh, tender, and delicious. Almost like a corner store of old in some ways. I'm pretty sure the kebabs are just as good, and more luck to them with business in the future.
TL;DR: Remove all the pre-conceived notions of it being in a food court, and in conjunction being a kebab place. This is freshly done and high quality, plus the price is hard to argue with. Only selling a few select items, they have the Middle Eastern touch to everything that is on offer, and some of the essential snacks are offered. Great for a quick bite, Abra Wraps has had accolades in which it has earnestly earned.
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