I have this picture in one of my online photo albums and a friend asked me what a shawarma was. I’ve only ever eaten them, so I decided to click my way to understanding over at the most trusted site on the internet, Wikipedia (hehe).
Shawarmas are from the Middle East and are basically cousins to gyros. I’ve always loved gyros, so I found shawarmas to be really good too. This guy is from Jordan (I’m second guessing myself, but I’m pretty sure that’s right) and he has a little stand set up in Itaewon, near where the Burger King used to be. These ones are made of chicken, lettuce, onions, tomatoes and two mystery sauces on a tortilla. They aren’t completely authentic, but for a dollar, they are well worth the five minute wait!
There’s a section in the Wikipedia article that talks about where shawarmas can be found all over the world. Here’s what it says for the U.S.:
Shawarma is found in many places that host Arab population. In Los Angeles, for example, the large Middle Eastern population makes shawarma almost ubiquitous.
New York City, particularly Queens, and South Florida’s large Israeli populations makes it easy to find shawarma in all the Kosher restaurants and Israeli food Stores.
In metropolitan Detroit, it is available at many Middle Eastern restaurants, with a high concentration in Dearborn, the center of Arab-American life in Michigan and indeed much of the United States (the city is predominantly Arab-American). Also Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan has a very large population of students from the Middle East (both directly and from Dearborn), which has led to the opening of many hookah lounges and Middle Eastern restaurants in the area.
Shawarma can be found in the University District of Seattle, Washington and in some suburban malls. Shawarma is also found in San Francisco’s Financial District. Even in relatively remote Mankato, Minnesota, shawarma can be found at a local mall.
Haha! I love that my almost hometown is mentioned in a shawarma article! Isn’t that awesome? I think so. The reason I say “almost” hometown is because I’ve always claimed Mankato as my hometown simply because it can easily be found on any map of Minnesota, whereas my actual hometown of Vernon Center can’t. And, well, I basically grew up in the country, about 7 miles outside of Vernon Center, so I don’t have any real ties to the town other than driving through it on my way to Mankato. It’s a bit of a conundrum, this whole “hometown” thing for me. Mankato has changed a lot since I left, obviously so if you can buy a shawarma in the mall. Gyros, sure, but shawarmas aren’t exactly well-known. Anyway, I’m super proud that I get to read about my “hometown” in random and unexpected places online. I have warm fuzzies!
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