Kismet Cafe, Austin

Right off the Drag, there's a little hole-in-the-wall where UT students and locals gather for authentic—and affordable—Middle Eastern cuisine. This place is Kismet Cafe, and it specializes in fresh, flavorful dishes such as falafel wraps, chicken shawarma, and hand-carved gyros. The meats are certified halal, and the portions are generous, which may explain why this family-owned eatery has been a campus favorite for more than two decades now.