Ottawa Shawarma

2949 Carling Avenue
June 13th, 2006

Shawarma: 3/5
Mesa: 5/5
Experience: 5/5

It’s funny how the mind works. All the time I was in the Shawarma Shack, I kept on hearing the B52’s in my head.

Love Shack, baby Love Shack!
Love Shack, baby Love Shack!
Tiiiiiiin Roof! Rusty!

I must be losing my mind.

There’s an old Harvey’s along that part of Carling known as Britannia, near the Coliseum superplex. The place is now called the Shawarma Shack. Isn’t that funny: what was once a fast food franchise is now a small business.

The place is well known among those who live in the west end for many things. One thing people remember is the beautiful girl that works the cash. Sadly she wasn’t working when I stopped by. However the young guy that was working the counter was full of smiles and knew his trade well.

I ordered a platter. While the guy was loading it up, I noticed something behind the counter I didn’t recognize. I asked about it. He said it was a kind of stew with eggplant and chick peas. I asked if he could put a spoon of it on my plate so I could sample it. He smiled and put a good amount on top of the rice.

The first thing that strikes you about the food is that this is a place that actually cares about presentation. The platter just plain looks delicious. The platter was a cornucopia of food. I’m sure this could easily be dinner for two. Even with my hunger I knew I wouldn’t make it through all of it.

The chicken wasn’t dry, but wasn’t as flavourful as some others. The beef was good, though a bit fatty. The shawarma is fine on the whole, but there is better meat out there.

But that’s where complaints about this place end. The rice was great, seasoned with some sort of tomato sauce. The potatoes were first class. The lush salad had this exotic tasting vinaigrette. The pickles were great and plentiful. The humus and garlic sauce were also quite good. The eggplant and chickpea stew was surprisingly yummy. All in all, this place makes Lebanese food, not only presentable, but taste really good.

People were walking in. Friendly hellos were exchanged between the regulars and the people behind the counter. There were smiles and waves. Everyone knew each other. When a lady told the guy at the cash, a middle-aged guy I assumed to be the owner, to keep the change, he blushed and thanked her sincerely.

And the food they could order. Lots of different stuff. They even have a bar for some sort of fruit smoothy. It all came out smelling good and looking great.

This is one of those “pay me after you eat places”. When I got up to pay the middle-aged guy, asked “So how did you find it?” He actually cared about my experience. When I said it was good he said “good good! Thank you so much”. Just a small business man, trying to make a living, taking pride in his work; that’s so refreshing.

The platter was a dollar or so more expensive than what you’ll pay elsewhere, but it was worth it. Shawarma Shack is one of the best shawarmaries in the city.

Harvey’s? Harvey who? I’ve never heard of him.

Shawarma Shack, baby Shawarma Shack!
Shawarma Shack, baby Shawarma Shack!
Shiiiiiish Taouk! Tasty!