Grill Haven

WOW. That rueben is so good. A co-​worker bought me one and I inhaled it in under a minute. I’ve been craving one ever since and so yesterday I bought TWO. They are that good. I’m not even a massive rueben fan, but this one is mouthwatering. You have to try it.

My hubby ordered the lamb gyro and it was not that exciting. We decided to get a few things and split them from the 1^st street food court vendors.
While the meat was soft and moist, I felt that there was not enough of it in the sandwich. It was mostly pita with lettuce, tomato, and yogurt sauce. Though it didn’t taste bad, it just wasn’t that phenomenal or super flavorful to warrant more stars.
I guess the tuna/​salmon wrap is the best thing they may have. Not sure I’d be a repeat customer.

This place has the best gyro in Austin. The sweet potato fries are great as well. Check it out!

I can’t help but write another review. I love that Grill haven is always consistently good, this makes me incredibly happy. We’ve never been disappointed with your delicious well priced sandwiches and wraps. Thank you!

I had never had a gyro then I tried the one here. Magnificent. After returning and trying out some other sandwichs I’ve got to say they are all as good as that first gyro. The man behind the counter, Magdi, is really a great guy to talk to, and the scenery is great. Truly a 5 star experience.

I just picked up a sandwich from here. I got the smoked salmon and tuna melt. smoked salmon and tuna you say?! eww? UHH NOOO
It was delicious, heaven in my mouth. That’s saying a lot for a sandwich. There’s brie, the rye bread was toasted, there’s jicama. The whole thing is really flavorful. can’t wait to try the other sandwiches they have on their menu. Also, SUPER speedy.
I agree w/​another poster, why do trucks in the SoFi food court keep leaving?!? Please don’t leave. So my goal is to visit at least one trailer a week, rotating support because these are SUPER close to my house and so far they have all been amazing. I hope they are busy during SXSW even though they are a bit farther than Torchy’s and some of the other hyped up spots on S. 1^st.
Seriously, don’t pass this up. If you are waiting in line somewhere down South First turn around and head towards live oak, you won’t be disappointed.

I was across the street checkin’ out the vintage clothing at BROhemia, and needed something quick and dirty before going to the movies. I know that there are a coupla taqueria’s down the street, though it started pouring catz and dawgs, so thought I’d run across the street to the «S. First St. Food Court», where it looked like Grilled Haven was one of two stands open.
I didn’t know what their food was, or what to expect, though was slightly disappointed that they were sandwiches rather than traditionally warmer food, I was pleasantly surprised, though, when they had quite a few grilled sandwich options — esp since I fairly often have grilled cheese sandwiches at home.
The proprietor, by the way, was super nice.
I went with the grilled brie with tomato and basil at $ 5.75, and as a foodie myself, sounded like quite the perfect combination — and it was.
With all due respect, I know that they have gotten nothing but 5-​stars here, and though they were good, but at $ 5.75, the sandwich perhaps could have used a little bit more cheese, or perhaps throwing a slice of cheddar or a 2^nd –type of cheese in there would have bumped the sandwich up a notch. It also could have used a pinch of salt, or maybe a touch of butter when the bread was grilled.
Also, though I understand the $ 5+ price point, I’d bump it down a few cents, cuz the price here doesn’t seem to be much of any different than I might get at a restaurant.
Other than that, the sandwich was nicely browned, and hit the spot in a super good way.

Oh man! Delicious, affordable, and super friendly! What more do you need to know? ;)
Ok, here’s what I like to order: falafel + sweet potato fries. Magdy, the owner, puts slices of pickles in the pita with the falafel, and it’s such a nice tangy surprise. The food is always cooked to order, so it’s warm, but it never takes too long. It’s so great! I love that I can pop over on my 30-​minute lunch break, get freshly prepared food, and have time to eat it before returning to work. OH! Another delicious (vegetarian) menu item: the grilled cheese with avocado! How decadent!
And again, Magdy is so friendly. I love how food trailers give you the chance to chat with the person actually making your food. The whole experience is always such a pleasure. I have nothing but good things to say about Grill Haven!
(PS: Grill Haven uses a Square credit card reader that’s also fast and convenient, for those of you who, like me, never carry cash!)

Best gyro in Austin.

I am Magdy’s neighbor at Osaka Soul. I just wanted to write about his sandwiches and sides because the man makes brilliant food. My favorite is the french dip with the sweet potato fries on the side and that amazing honey-​lime mayo he serves with it. So good. But my favorite thing about Grill Haven is Magdy. I’m lucky to get to see him most days. The man is a world traveler, a great dad and husband and to get to sit with him and have a great conversation is something you don’t get to do at many food establishments. His service is A+, his food is remarkable and he is one of the coolest guys in Austin.

Not only is this one of the few trailers open on a Monday, but it’s in a great location, super cheap, and completely delicious. I’m not sure why the trailers in the South First Food Court keep leaving, but I hope Grill Haven stays! Currently, your other food options in the South First Food Court include Osaka Soul and HeadsUp tacos. The rest of the space is filled with tables and chairs in a nice outdoor seating area that they are showing movies in this fall. (Check the fb page for more details.)
The menu is surprisingly diverse for a sandwich trailer. They have the classics (Rueben, French Dip, Turkey Avocado) and there are lots of options for vegetarians too (like grilled cheese with tomato for $ 2.75, add avocado for something like $ 1). I opted for the special, which was a delicious green chile Turkey Burger on a brioche bun with spinach for $ 4.75. And it came with a spicy pickle! (Homemade? Not sure, but it was great.) The sides are great too: various bean salads, hummus + pita ($ 2), and sweet potato fries ($ 1.75).
Yes, you read those prices right. And the portions are pretty good too. Plus the owner is super sweet and offers nice conversation while he’s cooking your food. There’s a cool app with 512 where you check in 10 times and then get something free! Definitely check it out. You can’t miss.

I am in love with their falafel. When I’m not eating their falafel, I’m dreaming of their falafel.
I’ve tasted the brie sandwich and that was fabulous as well.
The price is super reasonable. Go there!

Somebody needs to build a website for this trailer. Or at least a sign that says: «YOU JUST DROVE PAST GOOD CHEAP FOOD, YOU IDIOT. I BET YOU ARE HEADING TO TORCHY’S. ENJOY THE LINE. IT’S SATURDAY, WHICH MEANS YOU ARE GOING TO WAIT LIKE 30 MINUTES TO GET YOUR TACOS». You know, something simple and eye catching like that.
To the point of this review, Grill Haven makes incredible sandwiches. Since moving to Austin I have grown to accept the fact that good food can come from a trailer. But I’m still skeptical that all trailer food is (1) reasonably priced, and (2) filling. Grill Haven is both.
Nestled in the corner of the LoFi trailer park next to Osaka Soul and Arancini, it’s easy to write this trailer off on appearances alone. There’s nothing flashy about it. The owner has a friendly, laid back demeanor so perhaps it’s fitting that his trailer doesn’t scream at you from the parking lot. The menu is split between New York (griddled rye, reuben sandwiches) and Mediterranean (falafel wraps with homemade tzatziki sauce, hummus, toasted pita). There’s even a little Austin sprinkled in there for good measure (turkey sandwich with avocado). Suffice it to say there is something for everybody.
I started with an order of the hummus ($ 2). The hummus here is fresh and dressed with plenty of lemon, which I appreciate. There is nothing worse than flat, store-​bought hummus. The pita chips are toasted on the spot and naturally are included with every order of hummus.
For my main course I ordered the salmon and tuna melt ($ 5), which was equally good. It is essentially a tuna melt served on griddled rye bread with a thinly sliced filet of salmon sitting between the tuna and the melted cheese. Being that it is fish-​on-​fish, it may be a little too salty or fish-​y for some, but I enjoyed every bite. I also sampled the falafel wrap which was big enough for two and I’m sure quite tasty if falafel is your thing.

My second time here, I ordered the grilled eggplant wrap and the house-​made hummus. Both were great but ill be going back for the falafel and white beans next time. I am now on the hunt to see if a ether falafel wrap exists in the city of Austin…

I know there is no shortage of good food trailers in Austin. Grill Haven has to be my favorite! Magdi, the owner, a genuine and wonderful human being is a Paris trained chef. Why is a world class chef making sandwiches in a trailer in South Austin? Who cares! His sandwiches & wraps are culinary creations that will knock your flip flops off & make you question why that carefully handmade sandwich was so inexpensive. I do not question, I just enjoy a brief visit with an incredibly nice guy and his delicious food with joy. South First Food Court on the corner of South First & Live Oak would be utterly packed if more people knew of the gem called Grill Haven, but all times of day several days a week I am able to get an incredible sandwhich, a crunchy pickle, a bottled drink, and a smile in 3 or 4 minutes for 5 – 6 bucks! Check it out.

I honestly cannot rave about Grill Haven enough. The sandwiches are amazing, the prices are great and the owner is delightful.
Since it is located in the South First food court there are plenty of places to sit and since it’s so darn hot outside they even have misting fans!
You need to stop reading the reviews and go, NOW!
Oh, and you should also «Like» Grill Haven on Facebook — they always post about special items on the menu like the BBQ leg of lamb they had a couple weeks ago, wonderful!

My goodness, I cannot believe that I had 2 5-​star (in my opinion… if you do not like my opinion, fight me) in the same trailer park, when I was not even expecting to eat at either. Next door, the Fried Green Tomatoes trailer offers solid fare too. It is not often that I even LIKE sandwiches out of a trailer, yet Grill Haven did me one better. Heck, why would I even eat at a place called Grill Haven? It has everything that goes against a foodie-​driven name: plain, not unique, the word «grill.»
I love a good reuben, and it may dang near be my favorite sandwich, but honestly, I have never found a perfect reuben. Does GH get a 5-​star because I had the best reuben of my life? Not really, but for the value and experience, this joint does deserve some praise.
From a trailer, I do not expect a $ 4.75 sandwich, much less something like a well-​crafted reuben. It is even crazier that I would order a reuben at this place, as it offers more unique stuff, which generally appeals to me: stuff like crazy tacos, weird salads, and other goodies.
Well, the reuben was one heck of a carb-​meat-​carb combo. The meat was surprisingly salty and tangy, the light layer of sauerkraut gave that needed sourness, the rye bread was flawlessly grilled, and the Swiss had just the right amount of meltiness. I am going to commend this sandwich, and I almost never do this.
Also, the sweet potato fries are crisp, thin, and freshly fried. Though a tad underseasoned, they make a great side.
If you are in the South First district, be sure to drop by to grab a sandwich from Grill Haven. It is affordable and pretty filling. No frills, unless you go for the more unique items.

Grill Haven is one of the best Food trailers I’ve ever had. I usually eat it about 3 times a week. They have lots of vegetarian options. The food is fresh, and the falafel is perfect. The owner is charming and is sooo friendly. I love to eat here, it’s always good quality, inexspensive, and flavorful… I highly suggest stopping by. This is a big bang for you buck.
They also have a nice little shaded area to stop sit and enjoy your food. It’s always a nice part of my day. :)

Just had the most amazing grilled eggplant wrap ever!

Fellow Unilocalers, I declare Grill Haven to be the greatest food trailer in Austin.
Whether you measure such things by price, by the freshness of the ingredients, by the inventiveness of the menu, by the friendliness of the service – you’ll find Grill Haven coming up with five stars on all fronts.
The sandwiches are the safest bets for unadventurous eaters. There’s a serviceable French dip, a hearty (if not huge) Reuben, and a turkey/​avocado flavor-​bomb served on an impeccably toasted and buttered Kaiser roll. Each of these bad boys is served up for a cool four bucks.
Now it gets interesting: The tacos are $ 2.50 each. My friend had the sausage/​egg (which looked great, if not much different than a standard breakfast taco). I got the fried egg/​smoked salmon taco. Strange combo? Perhaps, but the dill-​infused yogurt cheese sealed the flavors beautifully. This was one of the best things I’ve had in a long, long time.
The last taco I tried had fried shrimp, eggs, white cabbage and cilantro tapenade. Again, a culinary risk that paid off big time.
The sides I’ve had so far include crinkle-​cut sweet potato fries ($ 1.50, served with a creamy lime sauce that I could put on ANYTHING) and a delightful cabbage/​mint slaw flavored with garlic and lemon juice ($ 1.75).
Grill Haven is one of a few trailers in the small lot on the southwest corner of South First and Live Oak. There are a few tables, a fire pit, and a convenient spigot for hand-​washing.
This isn’t one of the places to consider for lunch only if you’re «in the area.» This is one of those rare places worth visiting, even if you have to drive across town. It’s THAT good.