At this U Venues spot, food talks back

?Beam me up, Scotty. Across Cairo, plenty of restaurants have effortlessly managed to stand out — some through cuisine, some through ambiance. At U Venues, Talkback stands out because it’s literally out of this world. The US-style diner’s aesthetic is essentially what you would have if you combined ‘80s classic film Back to the Future, and Grand Theft Auto Vice City — a tropical spaceship. Did Talkback stick the culinary landing, however?

First things first, Talkback sticks to the shtick. From astronaut figurines to box television sets — the kind of which the moon landing was watched on — and dinner mats inspired by spaceship control panels, Talkback wants you to feel the ‘80s pastel diner fantasy — and at that, they succeed.

Looking for a comfort meal? Look no further. One would expect a diner of Talkback’s cosmic nature to serve up some outrageous otherworldly dishes, yet that’s far from reality, seeing as the New Cairo spot is all about comfort meals with a side of nostalgic appeal. Talkback’s menu is reminiscent of noughties casual dining destinations such as Chili’s, TGF Fridays, and Johnny Carino’s. There’s no excess and no pretense — it’s just comfort food that takes you back.

Forget about your diet and dig in. The menu has all sorts of US diner classics; think cheeseburgers, burritos, giant appetizer platters, fajitas, Detroit pizzas, pastas, and hefty mains. If you’re craving it, Talkback likely has it — or a variation of it. We opted for the signature Talkback chicken alfredo, the sticky sweet and sour chicken, spinach dip, truffle fries, and some peach iced tea to wash it all down. Some stuck the landing, others didn’t.

The sticky chicken won us over, but that’s the only dish that stood out. Don’t get us wrong, we thoroughly enjoyed our meal, yet unfortunately our high expectations were not met. The sticky sweet and sour chicken — and its side of jasmine rice — was the star of the show, and the truffle fries were a solid second place. The spinach dip was more cheese than spinach, and the alfredo was a little on the dry side, though that’s when the iced tea came to the rescue. The Detroit pizzas, however, appear to be a hit amongst regulars — and we’ll likely be back for round two just to see what all the fuss is about.

Our verdict: If you’re looking to have some fun with a group of friends, you’ll definitely want to visit Talkback. The diner prides itself on being a social house, and given the turnout, it certainly is. Service is incredibly fast, and the staff are super friendly. While the food isn’t necessarily out of this world, it’s delicious enough to take you back to simpler times.

WHERE TO BOARD THE SPACESHIP- You can find Talkback at New Cairo’s U Venues mall.

? Per person: EGP 800 - 900

? Outdoor seating: Yes

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: Yes