Mr. Shawarma

Where Ironside commits to pristine oysters and Top of the Market stages occasion dinners, Mr. Shawarma operates in a different register entirely—this is the neighborhood's late-night halal answer, the spot where generous portions and punchy flavors matter more than plating. The menu centers on shawarma platters and the signature Habibi Burger, a hybrid that's become enough of a draw that people mention it by name in reviews, not just as "the burger."

The beef shawarma and the Mr. Shawarma mixed platter (half chicken, half beef) both clock in around $20—not cheap, but the portion sizes justify it. The rice comes well-seasoned, not an afterthought, and the meat arrives properly charred with spice blends that taste like someone's actually calibrating them. Falafel holds its own for vegetarians, and the baklava gets specific callouts, which says something in a neighborhood where Italian pastry sets a high bar.

Service inconsistency surfaces in the one-star reviews—wrong orders, overcharges, the operational friction that happens when a spot gets busy. The vibe skews casual-weeknight, takeout-friendly, the kind of place where you grab food after a passeggiata down India Street when you want something outside the Italian canon. No reservations, no pretense, just solid Mediterranean execution when they're on.

Practical notes: This is halal-certified, which matters for the locals who drive specifically for that. Late-night hours make it a go-to when most of the neighborhood's already closed. Stick with the shawarma platters or the Habibi Burger—reviewers who strayed into standard burgers reported sloppier results. And if you're ordering during peak times, double-check your bill before you leave.