Shawarma King

by Davina A.

Me and my friends LOVE Shawarma King!!!!  We go as much as possible-despite the fact that none of us live anywhere near Adams Morgan-and we always bring new people with us.  No one is ever disappointed.  I've never had the chicken, but the beef shawarma is absolutely amazing and the falafel is the best I have ever had.  I generally get a beef shawarma and a couple falafel balls on the side--they are so delicious I eat them plain.  The baklava is great and they serve delicious, strong coffee.  The prices, especially for DC, are very reasonable. Aside from the great tastes and prices, the people who own/work at the restaurant are SO nice.  They remember us when we come in and have given us free samples of different foods we haven't tried.  They treat us like we're in their home and always let us know that our business is appreciated.  Although they are a few blocks from Adams Morgan, Shawarma King is well worth the trip.  Great food, great price, great service...what more can you ask for?

by Matt B.

ditto Whitney R.

by Jack F.

With regards to late night dining at Adams Morgan, there is no comparison between Shawarma King and Amsterdam Falafel - stick with Amsterdam Falafel.First, there is little reason to be anywhere near Shawarma King after midnight.  There are, however, two exceptions: (1) you happen to be at Chief Ike's or (2) you're returning to Columbia Heights Metro.  The vast majority of AdMo bar hoppers will find Shawarma King to be simply too much out of the way.  In terms of drunken convenience, most would would rather suffer heartburn at the awful Jumbo Slice before trekking towards Columbia Road. Again, stick with Amsterdam Falafel and you can't go wrong. Second, shawarma should not taste like day-old cafeteria pot roast. I would normally defer to the regional experts but poorly-prepared meat is universally recognizable.  The beef shawarma tasted like a slab of dry rump devoid of any seasoning or flavor (see photograph).  Considering the chewiness and thickness of the muscle fibers, I am guessing a round roast or sirloin top.  If you note the photograph, these were chunks of beef as opposed to thin slices - the result of which may explain the tougher texture.  For a tastier pita, stick with Amsterdam Falafel (its vegetarian too).Third, Shawarma King has a smaller toppings bar.  It offers a meager 8 selections compared to Amsterdam Falafel's extensive 18 choices.  Moreover, Shawarma King's garnish bar merely includes mushed purees like garlic spreads, tahini sauce, and hummus and a few pickled vegetables.  There is nothing like shredded beets, tumeric-tinged cabbage, fried eggplants, chickpeas, or curried onions ... all of which are available at Amsterdam Falafels. Lastly, I admit that this is an apples to oranges comparisons, particularly because I never tasted the falafels at Shawarma King.  Nonetheless, if your flagship product, which is also your namesake, is such a dismal failure, then I'll save my $4.95 for another pita pocket at Amsterdam Falafel. After all, why should I pay more for less? [Note: $3.75 for a small pita, $5.75 for a large pita at Amsterdam Falafel, tax-included. This is compared to $4.95 plus tax for a falafel at Shawarma King.] 2 Stars - I wouldn't go back. I'm not saying you shouldn't go yourself but why bother?

by Amanda C.

I've been hesitant to review Shawarma King because I'm conflicted. The people are SO nice and it's a new restaurant, but I just wasn't in love with the food. The fries with Sumac were very yummy, but the chicken shawarma didn't impress me. I know some people prefer large chunks of breast meat in their shawarma, but it makes me want to blow chunks... too gamey and bland, like eating roast chicken. Perhaps the beef is better...The condiments were good, but I would rather have put them on myself. I liked how they put your shawarma in a panini press because it was a snazzy spin on things, but it couldn't save me from that chicken. I know they're modeling the place after somewhere in the middle east (a specific shawarma establishment), so maybe this is the more authentic way to serve it, but authenticity means nothing when your taste buds scream, "no more!!" I prefer street food to be more soulful, messy, and assertive than it tasted. I'd go back to try the beef, as long as it was thinly sliced.

by Christopher C.Meghan R.Phoebe L.Serena B.

Is shwarma the new pho?  Places serving it seem to popping up left and right (including food carts).This is the closest thing to an authentic Middle Eastern shwarma spot I've found in DC.  Run by a Palestinian Christian family, service here couldn't be any friendlier.  Two varities to choose from:  chicken or beef, fresh off the spit.  None of the compressed/reconsitituted gyro stuff you often find around town; this is the real  McCoy.  Peronsally, I prefer lamb, but the owners said not enough Americans like the taste of it to make it worthwhile.  No, they don't pile the meat on, but that's not how it's done in the old country.  Great fixings, but as has been noted, they put them on for you.I work just down the street from the newest falafal joint in Adams Morgan, so I've been a few times. I've only ever had the falafal, but I can compare it to Amsterdam and Shawarma Spot. They offer you the choice of a pita or a wrap- go with the wrap! All times I've been there they form and fry the falafel after you order, so it's extremely fresh and tasty. It's got lots of bright flavor and doesn't feel too heavily fried. My only gripe is the toppings. In the months since opening they've diminished the topping selection and changed from a self-serve scenario like Amsterdam to a bar where one of the employees puts on toppings at your direction. In addition to adding more time on to the whole process, it also means you have to ask very specifically for the amounts you want and generally means you get less of certain toppings than you might like. That said, my overall impression is positive. The family who owns and runs the store is very nice and friendly and the meats look good, though I've not tried them. The option of the wrap is nice, and they grill it after stuffing it, which makes for easier eating. They also offer fries and some sides, as well as a pretty decent drink selection and now hookahs as well. While no place competes with Amsterdam for the number and quality of toppings, this is a great cheap meal option in an area that could use more take-out joints for those of us who suffer from 30 minute lunch breaks.Just some new things to mention:- Extended hours (open till 4 AM on weeknights?!)- New platters with rice, not just fries- Outdoor seating- Hookah starting 8/6 (straight from the owner's mouth)P.S. You can also check out the Cricket store security next door dressed as park rangers. Convenience vs. Taste.The age-old dilemma of the neighborhood fast food joint that serves so-so food… The chicken shawarma wrap was delicious! It was flavorful and tender and the toppings were also good. It was a nice size too- I had just finished a workout and was famished. I gobbled it down quite quickly!I think the owners were working and they seemed very nice. A bit cleaner and more spacious than Amsterdam Felafel- plus you can use credit/debit cards!

by Matthew J.

I'm upgrading this place. I revisited it recently, and it has improved. My shawarma was just as tasty, but it was a little bigger. The fries were good, too. I like this place but there are still some kinks to iron out. The service was very, very friendly but it was really slow. The toppings are not as good as they could be; and I'm not sure that the process by which the toppings go on the shawarma (they hand you the pita and have you do it yourself) is the most efficient way to go about it. There's still no music being played, and no art on the walls. I sort of think they need to hire somebody to come in, make some improvements, and show them how to become the hip and tasty eatery they're trying to be. I want this place to succeed. It's pretty good, but nowhere near 5 stars. The food is really tasty,…

by Meghan R.

I work just down the street from the newest falafal joint in Adams Morgan, so I've been a few times. I've only ever had the falafal, but I can compare it to Amsterdam and Shawarma Spot. They offer you the choice of a pita or a wrap- go with the wrap! All times I've been there they form and fry the falafel after you order, so it's extremely fresh and tasty. It's got lots of bright flavor and doesn't feel too heavily fried. My only gripe is the toppings. In the months since opening they've diminished the topping selection and changed from a self-serve scenario like Amsterdam to a bar where one of the employees puts on toppings at your direction. In addition to adding more time on to the whole process, it also means you have to ask very specifically for the amounts you want and generally means you get less of certain toppings than you might like. That said, my overall impression is positive. The family who owns and runs the store is very nice and friendly and the meats look good, though I've not tried them. The option of the wrap is nice, and they grill it after stuffing it, which makes for easier eating. They also offer fries and some sides, as well as a pretty decent drink selection and now hookahs as well. While no place competes with Amsterdam for the number and quality of toppings, this is a great cheap meal option in an area that could use more take-out joints for those of us who suffer from 30 minute lunch breaks.

by Dan Y.

Excellent excellent falafel cooked fresh AFTER you order it.Terrific toppings: pickled eggplant!  Some people complain that they put the pita together for you, but let's face it folks, they're the experts and they do a lot better job putting the toppings together than we do.  Baklava is out of this world.  And if you like rose water, the rice pudding is fabulous.Can't beat the sweet couple running the place either.Excellent excellent falafel cooked fresh AFTER you order it.Terrific toppings: pickled eggplant!  Some people complain that they put the pita together for you, but let's face it folks, they're the experts and they do a lot better job putting the toppings together than we do.  Baklava is out of this world.  And if you like rose water, the rice pudding is fabulous.Can't beat the sweet couple running the place either.

by Cory G.

I like this place...will definitely be back.I was somewhat put off about going here after reading a few of the reviews, but this place really is great.   I don't get the comments about the small portions- although the staff does load your food for you, they aren't shy about piling on the portions.  The staff is also very funny and friendly.  The meat is a tad dry but I'd rather have it like that than have it be incredibly greasy.  Definitely Recommended.

by Ryan C.

This place is very good and the staff are nice.  They have a huge variety of toppings. Its also clean and modern, something Adams Morgan doesn't do well.This place is very good and the staff are nice.  They have a huge variety of toppings. Its also clean and modern, something Adams Morgan doesn't do well.