Anyone tried Hawkers yet?

[5pointy]

They  have been packed since their soft opening. The Yelp reviews have been great. Hope they do well.

[ben says]

I think it's good for what they're doing...Americanized Asian food. But let's be clear: this isn't food you'd find at a hawker stall in Asia. I think the name of the restaurant is a misnomer. I'm going to get a lot of flack for this, but I'd almost compare them to a better PF Changes.

PS, the place is rapidly getting corporate. They're opening restaurants in ATL and Tampa within the next 1-2 years.

I will say that they did a fantastic job with the space and have enhanced 5 Points beyond recognition. Love the floor to ceiling windows, the reclaimed wood, and the open kitchen.

I'll go back for sure....mostly for the Roti 

[thelakelander]

I tried tonight but decided to go to another spot on the block since the wait time was 90 minutes.

[Kay]

Heard from friends the food is great.  Going to try to get in for dinner tomorrow.  Agree the building renovation is wonderful. 

[Dog Walker]

Renovation is just fantastic inside and out.  Food was excellent the one time we have been there.  The noise level is AWFUL!

Probably just going to be a take-out place for us if they don't turn the music volume down.

[ben says]

Renovation is just fantastic inside and out.  Food was excellent the one time we have been there.  The noise level is AWFUL!

Probably just going to be a take-out place for us if they don't turn the music volume down.

Couldn't agree more Re: noise. I have a high tolerance for loud restaurants. This was headache inducing. And there's no rhyme or reason to the music, it's just annoying pop.

[aintlion]

Yes my wife and I tried it this past week and it was great!   Despite the quoted 30-45 minute wait for a table we noticed that there were spots open at the bar so we sat there immediately.  Right after we sat down the manager and a couple of waiters behind the bar introduced themselves and we were offered drinks, menus and a suggestion to get some roti for while we looked at the menus.  We tried 5 different dishes in addition to the roti which was way too much food for the two of us but we couldn't resist.   Everything we tried was delicious.   

They've applied for a liquor license and they still hadn't yet received their full selection of bottled beers and kegs so they only had a couple of selections but I'm sure they'll get it all in.   And the take out menus were still on order, too.

But the staff was great, the food was phenomenal, and the renovations they did were very impressive.  I give it an A+.  Perhaps it was because of where we were seated, we didn't really have a problem with loud music. 

If I HAD to complain about something, I don't like the way they incorporated the beer fridge into the design behind the front bar.   

Having never been to Asia I'll have to take people's word for it when they talk about authenticity.   It doesn't really matter to us, though.  Five Points now has another great restaurant that we can enjoy without getting in our car.

[Transatlantic]

I thought it was just okay.  Had a crispy porkbelly plate that I thought was just too fatty and gross but the sauce was good.  Felt like I was chewing meat marshmallows though.

Also had Roasted Duck Curry Noodles, which were just okay.  The duck disappears pretty fast and you're just left with a bowl of noodles which is not too exciting.

There's still a lot of stuff on the menu I want to try though.

They seemed emphatic that we should each order 2-3 dishes, but I think that would be way overkill.  My friend was fine with just a bowl of pad thai and I was good with just the pork chiu soke and curry duck noodles.  Couldn't even finish it all.  They seem to want it to be kind of tapas-like, but big bowls of noodles and rice are really not that great for sharing.

[Transatlantic]

Too fatty for my taste, yes.  It's billed as "crispy" so I was hoping that it'd be a bit more crunchy than chewy.  Perhaps my fault for going outside of what I know I like *shrug*

On my next visit I will probably stick to things that I know are closer to my taste.  They have a pork tenderloin plate that would probably be more up my alley.  The honey sriracha wings sound great, as do a number of the rice dishes.  For whatever reason I don't mind a big bowl of rice, veggies, and meat.....but a big bowl of noodles, veggies, and meat just gets boring after a while.

[FSBA]

Tried going tonight but with Corner Taco also opening and the usual Friday night crowds 5 Points was a cluster.

I think I'll try going tomorrow around 11-11:30 for an early lunch.

[JaxByDefault]

It's a good addition to 5 points in that it is busy, has a great bar area (especially with the windows open), and seems well liked.

The food, however, is just OK. I've probably tried about 10 dishes there and all of them were rather bland and over-sauced for my taste; few lighter vegetable offerings. The shrimp looks and tastes frozen and when I asked a manager about it, he wouldn't give a direct answer. Despite the long speech they give you at the table, the food is better described as a heavily Americanized version of southeast Asian (predominantly Malaysian and Cantonese) street food.

I'm glad it's busy -- it's nice to see something in that space that looks like it will work long-term.

Edited: EXACTLY what Ben Says said: Our first reaction was that it was like P.F. Changs in terms of food. We didn't really expect it to be just like the shameful amount of street food we've consumed while traveling, but we perhaps expected better than it was.

[Captain Zissou]

Did anyone else just assume this thread was started NY Ben Says??

I've been there twice and I've enjoyed it. Out of the 10 dishes or so that I have tried, 3 were outstanding, 5 were pretty good, and 2 just didn't come as advertised.  I love the atmosphere and the staff, so I'll keep going back. I'm sure I'll find a few more great dishes on that expansive menu.

[ben says]

Did anyone else just assume this thread was started NY Ben Says??

 

Agree with the above two comments, especially JaxByDefault's.

Shrimp is definitely frozen.

Every noodle dish tastes the same.

Everything is over sauced.

Flavors are pretty pedestrian.

That all being said, I'll be going back...they have a big menu, and I'm sure I'll find some things I like (the roti is delicious).

Glad it's busy and it's a welcome addition to 5 Points. Hope the newness doesn't wear off and they keep as busy as they've been this first week or two!

[IrvAdams]

For a non-Riversider who's visiting this cool locale, what's the parking advice? We went to Black Sheep the other night (loved it) but had to search a little. Is there a good spot(s)?

[ben says]

I'd park on Copeland or Goodwin and have a nice 1-2 block stroll, weather permitting.