The Shawarma Place is unassuming, enjoyable grill on outskirts of Davis

While driving through Davis Square, one might miss the inconspicuous storefront of The Shawarma Place, a tiny Mediterranean restaurant whose name leaves little to the imagination. Looking inside, it would seem that it is not well suited for large crowds or foodies looking for a fancy sit-down meal. The restaurant barely has enough seating for a handful of customers, and those who do claim a table are subjected to a view that stretches out into the recesses of the kitchen, where various hot meats are spinning on skewers. Several certificates announcing health code compliance hang on a vividly colored wall, almost compensatory in their visibility.

However, those who are able to get over the aesthetic shortcomings of the joint might get a decent meal out of it. Many of the dishes run large, with a great enough quantity to supply leftovers even after a hearty noshing. The staff is delightfully friendly and quick to bring out orders. Furthermore, college students will certainly appreciate the affordable prices and casual atmosphere appropriate for gobbling down a speedy lunch. Tufts students even enjoy a whopping 10 percent off their orders.

The menu features Mediterranean classics, from tabouli salad to falafel to baba ghanouj and, of course, shawarma. In general, the dishes seem to come in either sandwich or platter form, the latter being the slightly more expensive variety. However, the price seldom spikes over $10, and considering how grand the portions are, the diner ends up getting quite the deal. There’s a fair balance of meat and vegetarian dishes, but judging by the different preparations displayed behind the counter, meat seems to be the house specialty. 

The lamb & beef shawarma sandwich is a flavorful option that closely resembles a peppery burrito wrapped in pita bread with bits of tomatoes, pickles and onions adding color and flavor to the dish. Thanks to the open layout of the kitchen, customers can see exactly what goes into the sandwich and opt out of any ingredient that doesn’t appeal to them. However, the freshly chopped vegetables add an appealing crunch to the sandwich and complement the somewhat smoky taste of the meat.

Unfortunately, the chicken kabob sandwich is not quite as tasty, with the spicy meat losing itself in tangy tahini sauce and cold vegetables. The platter version of this dish, however, which comes with sides of rice pilaf and hummus, is far more promising because one can experience the contrasting flavors one at a time.

For vegetarians, The Shawarma Place offers a whole range of options. Particularly well-liked are the falafel sandwiches, which give Amsterdam Falafel a run for its money. The falafel sandwiches at The Shawarma Place have soft, crispy chickpea balls garnished with spices and veggies for only $5.99. A more traditional menu item, Mujadara, is a wrap made up of lentils and fried onions topped with homemade yogurt sauce. These options may not be the first thing on the minds of non-vegetarians, but are definitely worth trying for lovers of spice and low prices.

Before leaving the restaurant, it’s highly recommended to grab one or two baklavas for the trip home. These sweets are a staple in any Mediterranean menu, but The Shawarma Place bakes them to perfection. They come in a wider shape than the typical baklava and are sprinkled with an abundance of pistachios. The rich, flaky taste is bound to send anyone with a sweet tooth reeling with joy, even hours after the meal.

Though The Shawarma Place is not as cozy as Noor, its counterpart in Powderhouse Square, this unassuming restaurant offers a versatile menu with some standout dishes. Perhaps it’s better suited for take-out than dine-in, but for customers who want to save some cash, the no-frills eatery is bound to satisfy.