Tariq’s North Africa fills a niche
A recent Facebook post from Alliance Brewing Company was my introduction to Tariq’s North Africa (formerly Mina’s North Africa), a pop-up food vendor that serves breweries in the Knoxville area on a weekly schedule. In addition to Alliance, you’ll find Tarik’s food at Crafty Bastard Brewery, Next Level Brewing Company, and Albright Grove Brewing Company, each on a different night.
Tariq’s weekly Sunday hangouts at Alliance have been a hit with Grub Souse and me, so we recently visited South Knoxville Brewery to see how well this vendor fills a specialty niche in the local food scene; dishes from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.
Since this was my first visit, I don’t know if Tariq serves the same menu every week or if it’s different. But on our visit, choices included chicken za’atar ($15), along with lamb and beef ($16) with potatoes and cous cous. There was also a vegetarian couscous platter and a sampling platter of everything. I decided to get the chicken and the spouse got the lamb and beef.
While Tariq prepared a plate of The Spouses, I went to the beer taps and ordered an Alliance IPA. It was very good, both fruity and hoppy, just the way I like it. I finally made it to The Spouse and stood in line for the chicken. I threw in all the extras, including Tarik’s extra spices, cashews, and feta cheese. We found a seat at a table next to the dining room under the television screen that was showing a sports ball.
While I was gone, Tariq asked “The Spouse” if we wanted to eat the day’s vegetable chorba soup or his almond cookies. The wife refused, but she gave us a bowl of soup and a cookie. (Which was really cool, especially since the main reason I didn’t order in the first place was because I wasn’t particularly hungry. Tariq’s North Africa opens at 4pm on Sunday and we wanted to get there early. It was a great way. I appreciated the hospitality, and it’s not a bad way to build customer goodwill and spark interest in other dishes.
Granted, I have a soft spot for all kinds of Mediterranean cuisine, as long as one is willing to group North African fare under that umbrella. But I loved everything. My two chicken drumsticks were meaty and tender and benefited from the za’atar herb flavoring. The sliced potatoes were both slicing and delicious. The generous portions of couscous on both our plates were amazing.
As much as I enjoyed the chicken, I loved the lamb and beef kafta, especially the lamb. It reminded me of a Middle Eastern kibbeh I’ve made in the past (but kibbeh is cooked in a flat dish, while kafta is usually meatballs). As for our freebies, the soup was a standout. The chickpea soup was very flavorful and delicious. Finally, the almond cookies were a special treat. Like baklava, there’s a honey component here, but these chewy and crunchy bites add a subtle sweet finish to our dish.
I have no reason not to try Tariq’s North African food again, although next time I might try a place that serves afternoons. (This isn’t a knock on Alliance. The beer and vibe were cool, and I’m happy to darken that door again for beer-related reasons.) I’d like to know if the menu changes at all. So I’m looking forward to the next heaping plate of North African goodness.
Tariq’s North African
Food: 4.5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 3.75
General: 4.5
Address: A rotating schedule at various breweries in the Knoxville area
Phone: THIS
No alcohol service
Hour: Varies by location
This pop-up food vendor brings home-cooked food with North African roots to several brewpubs in the Knoxville area.