Chef Kareem El-Ghayesh {KG BBQ}
Pit master and chef Kareem El-Ghayesh, or KG for short, took a leap in 2016 and relocated to Austin from Egypt, bringing the flavors of his culinary mother-tongue with him. The synthesis of Egyptian and Middle Eastern flavors with Texas barbecue is stupendous. Chef KG opened KG BBQ, his inaugural food truck, in the parking lot of Oddwood Brewing in 2022. In its short tenure, the truck has already garnered great acclaim, including the Bib Gourmand in the inaugural Michelin Guide Texas.
Q: What’s a hidden gem in East Austin that more people should know about?
KG: I won’t say the actual hidden gem I know of because I don’t want anyone to know about it. But, the ones I’d share with the public are Sahara Lounge and Skylark Lounge.
Q: What’s the one dish in East Austin everyone should try at least once?
KG: Cuantos Tacos (get one of each taco). If you are hungry, you can smash 10 tacos easily, so make sure you over order just like me.
Q: What’s an underrated restaurant in East Austin that deserves more attention?
KG: I’m very excited for Perish BBQ to open next door to us. My buddy, Holden, is offering a Cajun twist on Texas barbecue, and I can’t wait to try it.
Q: What’s one thing about Austin’s food scene that people don’t talk about enough? Or that you wished more people knew?
KG: Austin’s food scene is all about creativity. You don’t see a whole lot of authentic food here like Houston, but chefs love to get weird in the kitchen and create amazing flavors that showcase their own stories, and I truly love that.
Q: What is the thing you cook most at home?
KG: I love eating lots of seafood on the grill, fresh salads, and roasted veggies.
For a pitmaster, I do eat pretty healthy.
Q: Do you make your own items from scratch? If so, share about the importance of this process to a dish.
KG: I make all my sauce from scratch. We don’t ferment or bake here in the truck, but Austin ain’t ready for what I’m going to do when I have a brick and mortar.
Q: What’s a local restaurant that’s doing something truly unique?
KG: Kerlaches. Everyone deserves a Kerlache in the morning once in a while.
Q: What is the thing you eat most at your own restaurant?
KG: lamb pita, brisket bowl, lamb chops, rice pudding, and hibiscus tea
Q: Where do you find inspiration/what keeps you motivated to continue creating?
KG: The pride I bring to my fellow Middle Eastern community in Texas and the U.S. All the love I receive from my customers on a daily basis makes me wake up the next day eager to do it all over again.
