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Boston Shawarma
Category: Restaurants Middle Eastern Middle Eastern [Edit]
315 Huntington AveBoston, MA 02228
(617) 670-0460
- Nearest Transit:
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Huntington Ave @ Gainsborough St (192, 39)
Huntington Ave @ Gainsborough St (192, 39, 9, 9701, 9702, 9703)
Northeastern - Inbound (Green Line)
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
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$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
72 reviews for Boston Shawarma
Review Highlights
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"Before, the falafel we're flavorful, moist and delicious." In 21 reviews -
"Their baklava is insanely good." In 7 reviews -
"My favorites are the chicken shwarma and chicken kabob." In 4 reviews
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72 reviews in English
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Review from Paran Y.
This place deserves AT LEAST 4 stars. Don't believe me? Walk in there get the SPICY lamb shawarma (not for the faint hearted/stomached). Sometimes they forget so be sure to remind them.
Then, order that big ass Baklava you see staring at you from behind the glass. Yes, its as good as it looks. Go get it, you deserve it. -
Review from Josh N.
Boston, MA
4/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
This is a great place to go to grab some Falafel. Unfortunately I cannot sing the praises of their shawarma, which was average to better than average. People seem to come here for the Falfel, this is for good reason. My girlfriend had a delicious and filling meal of chickpea goodness. They should consider changing their name to Boston Falafel.
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Review from Monica R.
3/29/2012 1 Check-in Here
This place is kinda dirty looking. I got the chicken kabob sandwich. Huge portion for only $7. The food was pretty good There is a huge tv here, too. I just wished the place was as appetizing as the food.
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Review from Greenbean O.
Boston, MA
3/31/2012
I am basing my rating on the halal carts in New York for better or worse. Last night, I bought the shawarma plate to go. The lamb/beef combo was definitely flavorful with a slight acidity. I was expecting yellow rice (again, I am basing it from what I had in NYC). The basmati rice was a bit bland and could have used more flavor. The humus was a great treat. The plate definitely served two people and I still have some left over for lunch today. All in all, I am excited that it is in my neighborhood and will definitely come by again for the vittles.
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Review from Yanoh J.
JAMAICA, NY
3/21/2012
This place was right across from my alma mater (northeastern) and down the street from my job in Longwood. I am probably biased because I am comparing it to another magnificent shawarma spot, but to me this place is just okay. The portions are HUGE, and I love how spicy it is, but I have only gotten the chicken shawarma which to me was never tender enough. Nevertheless, if I was in the area I would go again. Affordable too.
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Review from Dan G.
11/11/2010
I've passed by many times, but am never in the area, although I've worked in the pru for 3 years and never set foot on that side of mass ave. I am glad I tried it.
The shawarma was pretty awesome. It was cut into chunks which was different than what I am used to, but in a totally delicious way. We also wanted to try hummus but didn't want to (make sense?) so the guy gave us a bowl for free and it was reallllly good.
I also got 2 meat pies to go as if I didn't have enough food. Those too were fabulous!
Can't wait to go back, especially seeing how close it really is to work! -
Review from Rachel L.
Malden, MA
10/19/2011
The guy at the counter was a bit slow and we had to repeat our orders multiple times, though he was very nice and offered us a second helping of pita bread. We got the shawarma dinner plate which had rice, meat, salad, hummus and pita bread. We got the lamb, which I was not a big fan of. The tables and chairs were awkwardly "nice" because if you look at it from the outside, you would never expect those kind of furniture in there. It's almost like, the fanciest things ever. Their menu had a lot of appealing things that I might want to try the next time I go back, & yes - I will be back for more.
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Review from David C.
Newtonville, MA
10/19/2011
Place was sketchy but then u get these nice white chairs to sit in and a big screen in ur face to watch some FX. got the shawarma plate which consists of gyro meats salad hummus rice and some pita bread. overall good stuff i enjoyed it with my babe and it was enough to share between 2 people but i did eat just hours before so who knows good food good meat good god lets eat!
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Review from Jake M.
6/9/2008
There's a certain pretender, whom we've previously called out, who is the self-proclaimed Shawarma King. This, we know, is false, and he's a disreputable pretender whose head is likely to fall shortly at the Place de la Revolution, or whatever we are calling it these days. (Oh wait... ixnay on the ublicpay eheadingsbay? Hmmm.... OH well)
But here, we find a worthy servant of the one true king. They know, as we all know, this the Falafel King's domain, we just live in it. This is what my new friends at Boston Shawarma know, and they respect their lord and are content in their place. Their lineage? Intact and ancient. Their product? Regal and of the highest quality, fit for a king. Or an heir apparent. Or a prince...
So, perhaps we will rechristen you the Shawarma Dauphin. Or the Prince of Shawarma. Or the Duke of Orelans-Shawarma. Vive la Boston Shawarma!!! -
Review from Amanda L.
Brighton, MA
Updated - 9/17/2008
You disappoint me ::sigh:: I'm a stickler for my falafel sandwiches. I've had good experiences with the hummus and the chicken dishes, so the other day I decided to see if this place passed the ultimate test: the falafel wrap.
Sadly, I was left wanting. The measly two falafel that were dispersed onto my sandwich were slightly burnt, and the flavor was much too strong. While the outside was crispy, the inside was dry. The hummus dripped through the bottom of my wrap and almost caused much embarrassment. And this place definitely has the most expensive falafel wrap I had ever had. Something like $6.50. Outrageous, especially for mediocrity. Now, I'm not saying I won't come back, but I definitely won't be coming back for the falafel.Listed in: Going back to my Roots
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/28/2008
I went in here for the first time a few days ago because every where else I went to was either cash… Read more »
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Review from Joyce M.
Los Angeles, CA
5/23/2007
A nice taste of home near the Northeastern campus.
It kept this Lebanese girl satisfied in between trips out of town for mom's home cookin'. $5 a pop for their delicious wraps. And no crazy processed meats or wilty lettuce. Amazing shawarma and chicken kebobs. And yummy, fresh baklava.
Love it! -
Review from Rohini R.
Boston, MA
1/28/2012
So delicious! don't be afraid of ordering your shwarma spicy because it isn't too spicy. will definitely be going again with my friends after classes!
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Review from Simona S.
Manhattan, NY
7/20/2008
I got a shawarma salad with lamb that definitely wasn't supposed to be over greens but that's how I got it. Meat was okay, a little on the dry side but a generous portion. I like how the salad also came with some pita, tahini sauce, and a divine garlic sauce (though I recommend a minimum of two pieces of gum after). But I've had the falafel here and... no. They put some spice in there that makes me want to scratch my head. I never actually get around to doing it but I want to.
It's just OKAY Middle Eastern. I got spoiled in New York City and I know for a fact there are better joints than this. But I don't expect other Northeastern students to know this. So they can just stay at BS. I'll make my way to the other places for my lamb fix.
You will never match Bread and Olive, Boston Shawarma. Never. -
Review from Alyssa F.
Cambridge, MA
12/30/2008
Unspectacular, but edible.
The hommus is a little runny and strangely nuttier (?) than chick-peaey. The kafta has decent flavor, though maybe a bit too greasy.
The value for the money is fine, but don't go out of your way. -
Review from annie k.
Los Angeles, CA
2/21/2006
Boston Shawarma is in the Northeastern area, a short walk up Huntington Avenue from the MFA. Five stars because the price is low for food this tasty, and because it's my favorite place to have lunch in the area. In many ways it's a typical Middle Eastern cafe, but typical Middle Eastern cafes are great values, and Boston Shawarma is above average. I've enjoyed everything I've ordered there, and I doubt you can go wrong.
The falafels are some of the best I've ever had. -
Review from Mike A.
Cambridge, MA
2/18/2006
You know Middle Eastern restaurants are good when Middle Eastern people eat there. I believe the owners are Lebanese.
Tasty shawarma, falafel, shish-kabobs, hummus, and more, so if you're looking to fill your Middle-Eastern comfort food cravings, this is your place. Half the menu is vegetarian, too! -
Review from Aboud Y.
Cambridge, MA
10/8/2010
This place is horrible...unclean...almost inedible food.
I'll never go back. -
Review from cricket c.
Boston, MA
11/7/2007
Good shawarma. I like the chicken shawarma plate with "the spicy sauce".
I'd recommend paying with cash though, because me and my friends had our credit cards over-charged on more than one occasion.
I'm not a huge fan of the occasional belly dancing / middle-aged Arab lady singing on their TV, but some people seem to enjoy it. Oh, their baklava is good.
I like the relaxed, comfortable atmosphere here - good place to spend a couple of hours discussing politics or philosophy or iphone bills over baklava. Cute Middle-Eastern decor too. AND it's halal.Listed in: Halal + Spicy/Flavourful in…
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Review from Rani P.
11/19/2009
My mom always requests to eat a falafel pita here every time she visits me in Boston. But every time we go, it seems to be going a little downhill. Before, the falafel we're flavorful, moist and delicious. Now they are dry and therefore don't have a great flavor compared to other places in Boston. They also became extremely spicy without request so the first one I ordered in a long time was almost inedible on my spice scale.
But I keep going... so I can't rate it more or less than 3 stars in hopes that the next one I order was just as incredible as the first.Listed in: Bak-lovin' it
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Review from Kiwi H.
1/15/2008
Mmm, chicken shawarma with garlic paste, how I missed it! I like it with both tahina or garlic paste, but it honestly just depends on my mood - tahina for the traditional shawarma, but garlic paste when I miss the times I roll up pieces of shish tawouk with the stuff in some good old Arabic (thin, big) pita bread.
This stuff is the good stuff - it's not dry, it's not chewy, the meat is good and the sauce is great. My only complaint would be that with the veggies (tomatoes, lettuce) it's more like a pita roll-up than a shawarma - to me, the shawarmas we get on the street-sides at home are the tastiest, I don't care if they're hygenic or not hehe. And those ones usually consist of just the shawarma meat, tahina and/or garlic spread, and sometimes french fries. Sometimes amba too (pickle) but I don't really like it. And veggies out!
But I like the shawarma here anyway. The falafel is alright, it's very light (in colour and texture) and not as crunchy as most, and the ground up fava beans/chickpeas are larger than usual. I tend to prefer it crunchier and a bit darker, but they were good anyway and dipping them in some tahina and/or hommous made for tasty moments. Meat pies are tasty, but I had quite hoped that they'd be more like fatayer (oh, if only they had crescent-shaped cheese and meat fatayer!) or crispy sambousek triangles. Mmm! I still have to try their tabbouleh and see if they have fattoush (and if so, if its good!)
I also have yet to try the meat wara'einab (vine leaves), but I hope they're as hot and yummy as my mum's. The cold vegetarian ones are good though, not goopy, not too lemony, and just flavourful and fresh enough. The people were nice and friendly, and overall no issues there. Prices are very reasonable.
Overall, not the best I've ever had, but then again maybe that's just cos I'm nostalgic for the excellent Arabic food at home. From the things I've dabbled in in Boston when craving some food from the region, I have to say I'm pretty satisfied and I'll be back.
Update:
Ok, so I just realized they DO have fattoush. And triangle meat and spinach pies, which I'm guessing will be like the crispy sambousek I crave. Great! I didn't see it on the menu but I'm going to ask if they have labaneh too. And they also have nammura, mamoul, halawa and KNAFEH! I am definitely going back to see how theirs are! Will report once I have. :)Listed in: Feed me, Habibi!
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Review from Kit Y.
Brooklyn, NY
1/24/2007
I actually prefer to make my own falafel because frankly- mine tastes better than most places out there.
But one day walking alone in the city(I forget why), and hungry and saw this little shop with falafels.
I got one in a wrap, pressed to a crisp, and loaded with veggies.
This place is pretty dirty and small, but the falafel is hard to beat.Listed in: Vegan Eats
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Review from Laurie C.
Newton, MA
6/30/2008
Neat little hole-in-the-wall place, with tables and a big ass TV. The man working the coutner was very friendly and the service was good. My experience with the felafel sandwich however was.. meh. Falafel was sort of spicy but just not... quite... good. Sandwich was messy and sort of hard to eat without covering myself in hummus (which.. I did).
Boston Shawarma is good for a quick fix, but if you're looking for a better Middle Eastern place in the city, head over to Cafe Jaffa. -
Review from Kinjal S.
11/27/2007
Went to this place w/ a friend who used to frequent the place while studying @ Northeastern University... I really liked the falafel... it was very delicious..crisp and fresh... served w/ some tasty hummus and tahini sauce...
We also tried out some dessert dun remember the name, but that was nice too......
Enjoyed the food much more coz it was a cold rainy day.... -
Review from Anya S.
4/19/2009
I've been to Israel. This is not middle eastern food. This is not food at all.
This is bad. Even when you are hungry. Even during the finals week. Even after the finals, even when you got munchies and even when you're drunk. DO NOT go here.
They dont take credit cards. And its dirty. Avoid. -
Review from Alexandra T.
Philadelphia, PA
4/7/2010
I'm not sure why this is tagged as closed. I walk by it almost everyday and it definitely is not.
I've been here a couple of times and was not exactly impressed but I wasn't turned off either. It's the only place with Middle Eastern food really close to Northeastern campus, which is why I go to it. I've definitely had better, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying this place.
I especially like the chicken shawarma on pita, although my boyfriend doesn't really like it too much when I decide to have it for dinner. I usually get the nickname "shawarma breath" if we hang out after (although I think the real reason is because he really likes to say shawarma).
All in all, for the price and location, I don't have any complaints. -
Review from Alex B.
Updated - 4/13/2011
I had previously rated this place very well but last week they got new ownership. The owner is nice, but that doesnt help make the food taste better. I asked for a combo shawarma dinner plate and my gf just got the lamb shawarma. Some how we ended up with the exact same dish. The meat didn't have enough of the white yogurt sauce and worst of all it was burnt. After eating that night my stomach hurt for the rest of that day as well as the next (this has never happened from this place before) I would like to return here, but I need to give it some time while the new management gets its stuff in order. The owner threw in some free baklava which was a generous gesture.
Listed in: Munchin and Lunchin, Take it to the Bank, Northeastern University…
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/18/2011
Love this place. Combo shawarma and falafel for like 8 bucks. Any time I walk in here there seems… Read more »
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Review from Shyam S.
5/27/2011
My wife and I were really impressed with the food here today. We both noticed a sign that said it was under new management and something about better food, better service and "Lebanese style." I'm not really sure what that means, but the food was pretty stellar. This was the first time I saw vegetables - tomatoes and onions - sandwiched between lamb shawarma on the spit as it was roasting. I think it's an awesome idea because the shawarma sandwich was delicious - perfect meat, tomatoes, onions, lettuce and sauce. We also had a huge portion of fattoush salad, one falafel on the side and a honey sweet. All in all very good, Alhamdulillah, and we look forward to returning in the future. Oh and it's halal!!!!
If you're near Huntington, Columbus or Mass Ave. and near Northeastern, Pops or the Christ Scientist church, you have to drop by and try the food. -
Review from Hannah F.
Brookline, MA
7/13/2010
Definitely still open--not sure why it's tagged as closed...
I've been quite a few times and I usually stick to the combo with lamb/beef. It's a wrap literally STUFFED full of tasty meat, falafel and other miscellaneous fixings. The pita is good--not too dry. The meat is good quality (again, my fav is the lamb...you just can't go wrong with that lamb). The falafel is good.
The same guy is always behind the counter when I stop by for lunch and he's ALWAYS very nice--don't listen to the other people who say that he's not. They DO take credit cards and have for at least the last year since I started going. I never carry cash and I've never had a problem. Yeah, maybe it's not the nicest interior...but people who say it's not clean are probably just put off by a simple interior and being able to look right into the kitchen area. It's definitely not dirty.
The food itself would get a solid 3.5 stars but I have to round up for the price. A huge wrap is just under $7 and I can barely finish it...and trust me, I can eat a LOT. Seems like all the places around Northeastern like to charge an arm and a leg for food that really shouldn't be that much...but I can always count on a filling AND inexpensive lunch here.
So maybe those who like to get overpriced, generic sandwiches from up the street (ahem, Temptations) won't like Boston Shawarma...and that's fine. More lamb for me. -
Review from Maria P.
1/26/2011
I was in the area for a meeting so I decided to get some lunch beforehand. The shawarma here is decent, the chicken is not as flavorful. The tahini was good however,perfectly made. The pita bread is the same are pretty much every other middle eastern place in the Boston area. It's a takeout kind of place so I would only go here for lunch. I'll probably won't be back unless I'm in the area again.
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Review from Albert D.
Boston, MA
9/14/2007
It was all right. Decent prices, and not too crazy with the crowds.
I got the beef/lamb wrap. The meat had a powdery texture, that I assume came from the yogurt/cheese that was used. Also, the lettuce was chopped and not shredded, which meant that they fell out of the wrap in chunks. Very messy.
Taste-wise, it was good. Other than they powdery texture, the meat had a nice salty flavor, and the yogurt went well with it. I don't suggest making it spicy, since it cuts the taste of everything else.
I might be biased, I just came back from Egypt =( -
Review from G J J.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2009
I think the people who run this place are friendly than the food is good.
I live so close by to this place that I can hear them work sometimes, but I have to say that there is a lot of variability in taste.
Depending on the day, the ingredients, etc...the food can be quite good to quite bad. Overall, the preprepared savory foods are not that good and they are overpriced. The sweet baklavas and other stuff are well made and you can take this home and enjoy it.
Can't say much about the falafel and kibbe here...it's mediocre overall. If you are around the area and are desperate for this food, it is still a viable option. -
Review from Zach Y.
Boston, MA
1/4/2010
The row of restaurants near/on Northeastern's campus is really a crapshoot. Some of them are delicious, and the students reward them with husky dollars galore. However, most are mediocre to bad, and we (sadly) shower them with our money regardless- mostly because they're convenient.
Boston Shawarma has sort of a weird odor to it, which (I know) doesn't always mean bad food. But I've had good shawarma and falaffel, and this does not measure up at all. If you really want Middle Eastern food, Jaffa is not that far away and not that much more expensive. If you really want food that's nearby, Temptations Café next door has halfway decent falaffel. Save your money, or at least go somewhere else. -
Review from Rebecca B.
Hooksett, NH
7/15/2010
After spending a month in Egypt, I found myself missing some of my favorite foods... like chicken kebab and mmmm basboosa. I was surprised and happy to stumble upon Boston Shawarma on my way home tonight. I stopped in and spoke with Monzer, who took my order. I wanted chicken shawerma, tabouleh and some falafel... oh and basboooooooosa...
Monzer filled my plate with rice, chicken, salad, falafel, tahina, sides of garlic sauce, pita bread... wow. I am stuffed. But not enough to ignore the way better tasting than it looked baklawa and surprisingly moist basboosa. And a few spoonfuls of the parsley filled tabouleh, nicely low on bulgar.
I hope to visit again before I leave town, My only regret is that I didn't find this place sooner! -
Review from Omar K.
Boston, MA
6/16/2011
Amazing food, and the new management has really improved everything.
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Review from Mushhoor A.
Cambridge, MA
7/14/2011
I'm looking forward to trying this place again since it seems to be under new management. Sucked when I went last year (new to yelp). Can't wait to be back and I hope u guys aren't lying
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Review from Dani C.
Brooklyn, NY
6/29/2008
I read another review of the Shawarma that called its menu options "Middle Eastern comfort food." That's right-on. This place doesn't get it's fair share of attention, since it's straddled by cheap pizza places and a pub, but it's practically on campus and the food is pretty good.
I've had a few wraps here - hummus, eggplant and falafel - and they all hit the spot. (Falafel was a little dry.) But my all-time favorite is maamoul. They're date-filled cookies (individually wrapped), and I've made many, many special trips to the Shawarma for a handful.
Downside: I once had to sacrifice a couple of cookies since I only had a dollar in cash, and their old-school credit card processor wouldn't work. -
Review from Sanel S.
Boston, MA
2/2/2009
Ugh... don't. Just don't go here.
As Alyssa F. pointed out, their food is "unspectacular, but edible." I would like to add to that statement and say "edible, but indigestible."
The place is dirty and a bit ghetto. I'm not sure their sanitary conditions are up to code, but ok I'll let the health inspector make that judgement.
They don't accept credit cards, cash only, which would be fine if I ever carried cash on me. The owner said the credit card machine is broken but I'm convinced he's lying because if he really wanted to he could have had it fixed by now. I went back over a 3 month span and the credit card machine was still not working...
It's the year 2009, if you can't accept Visa or MasterCard I don't understand how you intend to survive as a business. -
Review from M D.
Boston, MA
5/24/2011
Used to come here at least once a week for the past 6 months or so for Spicy Chicken Shawarma....quick, cheap, DELICIOUS. The guy usually on duty was always very friendly and made a great wrap.
Then they got new management. I tried to give them benefit of the doubt and came back a couple more times over the course of a few weeks to make sure it wasn't just the new management getting their feet...the service much slower and inefficient and worst of all the shawarma and falafel are nowhere near as good.
Sorry Boston Shawarma. You've lost me. -
Review from Evan D.
Boston, MA
5/1/2011
Chicken Shawarma plate is to die for. The pickles are also bomb!
If you're in the area and you don't go here you're missing out. -
Review from Renee G.
San Francisco, CA
6/12/2007
Boston Shawarma has ruined me for other Middle Eastern. I work in Kendall Square, and many of my colleagues are all about Aceituna Cafe, and though it is decent, I just can't get behind it like they can. The chicken shawarma sandwiches at Boston Shawarma are so good there are no words to describe them. The chicken itself, which they slice off to order, is perfectly moist and all white meat. The veggies are fresh, the tahini delicious, and if they happen to have the pickled turnips, you have to get them because they totally make it (none of this dill-pickles-in-the-shawarma business...I don't even know what that IS). The hot sauce is also key. They press the sandwiches before they serve them to you, so they're all warm and delicious, and super-messy because all the juices drip out which is really tragic because they're so flavorful you don't want to sacrifice them to your paper plate. Okay, I really need to get off the sandwiches now because I'm getting a little worked up. The honey cakes in their dessert case are are really fabulous, especially later in the day when the honey has really settled into them.
As far as the atmosphere is concerned, I for one am in love with the crazy makeover. The walls are now painted in some crazy pink and purple swirly pattern that I don't exactly understand but love anyway because as far as I am concerned, more places in the world should be decorated in such a festive manner. Tasteful is overrated...give me neon psychedelia any day. This place is good for takeout as well. Just be careful your sandwich doesn't leak through it's wax paper/aluminum foil/paper bag...at risk of sounding like some of the very pretentious people on this site, I totally almost ruined a Longchamp bag once in the name of my shawarma addiction.
