This restaurant is amazing! It was the first place we tried after moving here this month and we were incredibly pleased. We had the dish that came with a little bit of everything. Out of this world! I could not stop telling all my friends about how delicious the falafel was. My husband liked the chicken shawarma best. We also ordered chili lime fries and they were really good as well. I would say I wished they were crunchier but that is just personal preference. The flavor was great! The lime was the perfect amount. Highly highly recommend this place!
(5)
SA N.
I guess this is semi my fault because when you go to a place called "schwarma King" you should probably order schwarma, but I cannot pass the opportunity to pass up biryani if it's on the menu. It was decent, but the chicken was dry and needed a little more spice. The falafel was delicious as well as their garlic sauce... I don't know the right way to say this, but the hummus tasted dirty, for lack of a better word. And I love humus :(
(3)
Kevin D.
Omg is their food amazing. I always try something new and I've never been let down, never! This place is that amazing. Their falafel is killer, the shawarma is out of this world. And the owner is one of the nicest person I've ever met. This is my go to place. Thanks Shawarma King.
(5)
Jenny L.
I love me some shawarma King! my go to is amo mazen's salad -fresh romaine, tomatoes, cukes, lemony dressing and feta. you can get it with chicken shawarma on top. my other go to is the good ol chicken shawarma. get it with garlic sauce and their "red" sauce - I forget what it's actually called but they will know what you're talking about!
(5)
Alicia S.
What I love most about Mediterranean places like this, is that you can get a high quality delicious sandwich or wrap for an amazing price! $2.95 will get you a classic shwarma a la carte, how can one complain? To my surprise, the vegetarian grape leaf sandwich won my heart over a chicken shwarrma (my go to Medi choice). The grape leafs are seasoned to perfection and I'm drooling just writing about them. Their "to-go" time has always been on point, we've never waited more than 15 mins when we place carry-out. Tabouli salad is delicious and a small order is enough for two people!
(4)
Anita L.
Not bad.. I've definitely had better kebabs elsewhere. Meat was a little dry both times I went, and tabbouli was a little overdressed. Their grape leaves were very good and served warm, which I enjoyed. Falafel was also very good, warm and moist inside. Service varied. The first time, we had good service, and the second time, our initial server was great, but the one training her did not allow us to order lunch (arrived 5 mins before lunch was over), and kept reminding us that what we wanted cost extra (which we had already said that was fine). It was not a pleasant dining experience to ask for something and constantly being told "that will be $0.50 extra" even though we already said that was fine.
(3)
Zach G.
Shawarma King is awesome! I have never had Shawarma before I came here, but I would guess this is probably one of the best around. The owner and his staff are really friendly and helpful. I feel like a valued customer when I there and actually enjoy the experience. Why go here? -friendly staff -great portions -the food is delicious and hot
(4)
Bob S.
This is our go to place for a quick and tasty meal. There are several versions around town but the one on Drake is the best. Everything we have tried has been excellent. And the tea is fantastic, you really need to try some. The service is kind of odd, it looks like you should order from the counter but in fact they have table service. The staff is great and the service is quick. If you have not tried this place yet you really must. Even the most picky eaters like the food here. Go for it!
(5)
Sarda P.
Amazing food...best middle eastern food I have had in USA...I had gotten the crispy shrimp for my mom...and she was totally in love with it...I even got the special falafel wrap and also the cauliflower wrap....both were so delicious. ..the cauliflower potato wrap was my fav....we got samosas and they were nice and crispy ...they have loads of vegetarian options...two thumbs up :)
(5)
Shabbir E.
On our trip to Canada from Chicago, we wanted to stop at a halal, middle-eastern joint and came across this via a "vicinity" search on Yelp. Boy, were we impressed. Succulent meat, fresh salad, chilli-lime fries and the amazing, famous tea made it a superstar lunch for the wife, our 2 boys and me. Highly recommended!
(5)
Catherine N.
We were on our way to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo when the subject of lunch came up. All we could see around us was fast food. Yelp delivered up this gem of a place. The portions are generous! You will not leave hungry. I ordered the Shawafel sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. The wrap it was in had been toasted and was gently crispy. Inside, the mix of beef and chicken shawarma combined with the falafel and dressing to create much enjoyment for my tongue. The salad had a nice vinaigrette dressing that was faintly redolent of mint. The crunchy pita chip pieces in it were fun to eat. I tried the soup, which was thick enough to be a stew. It was savory and well spiced. The French fries were hot and fresh from the fryer. The wait staff was very friendly. The owner even came out to make sure the entire restaurant was enjoying their lunch. The next time I am in Michigan, I know where I will be eating!
(5)
Aditi T.
Words fail to describe how much I love the food at Shawarma King. But maybe, actions might help convey my love: I moved to Kalamazoo about two weeks ago, and I've already eaten at Shawarma King THREE times! Why do I love SK ever so? First, because they've got authentic Middle Eastern fare! Having grown up in Dubai, I'm a little bit of an Arabic/Lebanese food snob (that's probably an understatement). Their hummus doesn't taste like it came out of a tin; the meat is perfectly flavoured and cooked to perfection and the falafels are perfection squared. Pros: + Super authentic, delicious food! + Try the: falafels, hummus, chicken & beef shish kafta, and/or fattoush salad and OBVS the chicken shawarma + AMAZING SERVICE + Budget friendly + They do a gluten-free selection which is amazing! + Service is fast Cons: - Their tahini is hit and miss. There are days where it's watered down and days where it's amazing. - Biryani wasn't as flavourful as I'd want it to be. - Babaganoush isn't super aubergine-y. At this point you may be thinking, if there are 2.5/3 cons, how can you still give this place 5 stars? And it's really because I'm slightly biased and I've never had Middle Eastern food this authentic anywhere across the US in the last six years (be it in Ann Arbor, New York or anywhere else). TRY IT. You won't regret it. The service is super friendly, the atmosphere is chill and the food is amazing. P.S. Don't forget to order the falafels! :)
(5)
Katie C.
Great place! We stopped here on our way home from Chicago. Chili lime fries were great! The fattoush was very good and great price! The staff was so friendly and very attentive!
(5)
Senor D.
The food is genuinely great and the staff is top notch. Try the Amo Mazen tea. Similar to a Thai tea but warm and is Amo-Mazen!
(5)
Chelsea C.
Used to come here when us poor college students could afford a meal! Got the shishtawook sandwich and it was to die for. The staff always made us feel like family
(5)
Matt H.
I'm a fan of this place even though my wife and kids don't like the Med food all that much. I always like to get a sampler of some kind because I don't just like one kind of food. The kitchen is open as you walk in so you can see the food being prepared. The owner/manager always seems suspect if you have a coupon but hey, that's what coupons are for, right? He isn't rude about them or anything but maybe wants to be cautious of his staff taking them...whatever. The portions are more than adequate for me and I often take a little of the hummus home for a snack later. To my knowledge, everything is homemade and it shows. I can't say enough about the fresh fattoush and hummus. I try to stop by somewhat regularly when I'm on that side of town and I always say that I should go there more often just to satisfy my craving for the middle eastern fare.
(4)
Spence R.
Food is always delicious and the staff are always super friendly. Can't go wrong!
(4)
Ryan W.
Excellent food to say the least. I've been a regular customer here for more than 10 years now and LOVE this place. Friendly service, always clean - really looking forward to when they start on their (planned) expansion. Recommend the chicken shawarma sandwich, RBD sandwich, vegetarian platter, and the Fruity Suze smoothie, so good!
(5)
Mohammed B.
Slightly higher sandwiches prices. Juice was perfect. Shawarma was fatty. Place comfortable and friendly staff. The waiter said all chicken and beef are HALAL and thats great for Muslim.
(3)
Nathan L.
I have eaten in once and had take out multiple times. Everything I have had from the Turkish coffee to the chicken shawarma I have been incredibly happy with. The location is very convenient on Drake road between KL and Stadium Drive. The interior was clean and is generally humming with people eating and getting take out. There are a decent amount of seats inside. The prices are incredibly reasonable! An order of the hommous (very large portions) and a chicken shawarma will be more than enough to fill you up. I have tried quite a few of the options here and haven't been dissappointed yet. I would highly suggest eating at Shawarma King and I will be there again soon.
(4)
Annie Q.
I am all about that halal food, and this is THE only Arab restaurant I always trust in Kzoo. Great prices with even better food. We always have left-overs. I have tried mostly everything on the menu and the following dishes are WORTH the hype: Chili Lime Fries- you deserve this goodness all day. I always come back for these. Amo Mazen Tea feels like a hug from a caring family member. Chicken wings have all the tang and flavor you were looking for. Chicken kafta burger does not disappoint with its fresh parsley and seasonings. Treat yourself to this delish food in front of the lovely Dome of the Rock mural today!
(5)
Erin M.
The sandwich meals are an amazing value and delicious. The spicy eggplant sandwich is spectacular and I'm really picky about eggplant so that's really saying something. I love to get the sandwich with their fattoush and hummus. It's a perfect meal and I always have leftovers. The building is clean, the prices are very affordable, and the staff friendly, I can't think of an area for improvement. Five stars all the way!
(5)
Lena V.
We order at this place about 3-5 times per year and our order is always pretty big. We used to love this place, but with our last two orders, we noticed that the quality of food was not as good as it used to be. The meat was dry, tabbouleh was not fresh and seemed overdressed for that reason. Their white rice seemed like it came right out of Ris-a-roni box. I found hair in my food at least twice. Not to mention, the customer service went downhill with food quality. So, I placed an $80 order last time. Picked it up, drove it home, opened it and realized I was missing 3 items totaling $15 and 4 garlic sauces that I requested (paid for) in addition to the ones provided. AND they gave me humus instead of the eggplant appetizer that I ordered. I called them, they gave me two options: I could come back and pick up what they forgot (not an option because I live 30 minutes away), I picked $15 credit. They said they would put me on their credit list and that I could use it anytime.THEY DID NOT EVEN APPLOLOGIZE FOR MESSING UP MY ORDER! So about a month later I decided to use my credit towards ordering two lunch platters. I called and sure enough, they don't have a record of my $15 credit! My name was on their credit list for one drink. I explained what happened last time and the manager said, I can still come it and get my free (paid for by me a month ago) drink, but nothing else. Needless to say, I will take my business elsewhere where their care about their customer's satisfaction.
(1)
Scott H.
Stumbled upon this little gem on our trip from Chicago to Metro Detroit. We had been craving good shawarma, very hard to come by in Chicago. Great food, big portions, amazing prices, and a very friendly and attentive wait staff. Chicken Shawarma with feta sandwiches was a tasty twist on a traditional shawarma. A potent garlic sauce and pickles tied the sandwich together nicely. The side of hummus and Fattoush salad were also delicious. Overall a great find and definite stop if you're looking for solid shawarma.
(4)
Mike S.
Favorite spot in kzoo! Can't go wrong with the menu but I recommend the rbd and fattoush salad
(5)
Andy E.
Thank you Yelpers! This place is solid. Certainly not fancy, but great Mediterranean food. I had the grape leaves (yum!) and the freshly prepared hummus plate with lamb and almonds. Wait staff is efficient and friendly. I'll be back for more!
(4)
Sarrah F.
Stopped here on my way to Chicago from Ann Arbor. I got the soujouk sandwich and the majadra ride. The sandwich was delicious. It's probably the best that I've ever had. Every single bite was amazing. The rice was okay. I wouldn't get it again though. Def recommend this place.
(5)
Marie P.
Ok, it's been a couple months since we were there on a recent trip, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. All I remember is that we paid very little for what ended up being a TON of food, and ended up cursing that we didn't have more room in our stomachs to just. keep. eating. SO GOOD. I don't remember what all we ordered, but I DO remember that the stuffed grape leaves were the best we'd had, ever, anywhere... and there was some kind of white sauce (garlic sauce?) that I wish we could buy by the vat. We will definitely be back whenever we pass through the area. Shame it'll only be once a year :(
(5)
Tim H.
Visited here while in Kazoo on business. Things got a little mixed up in ordering (it wasn't apparent that it is a table service place, so I ordered at the counter and sat 20 minutes at a table before flagging down a server to check on the order). The food itself was good, not great. I had the mixed shawarma sandwich and salad. Not as bold in flavor as I had expected. And, at $11 for lunch, kind of steep.
(3)
Marcel R.
Great food, friendly staff....If your into this type of food, then this the place to go - I was served by Deisree, and she was very professional. Tell a friend to tell many more.
(4)
Ed R.
Don't judge a book by its cover. The outside of this place doesn't inspire, but don't let looks deceive you. Shwarma King is just about as good as it gets. I haven't explored the entire menu, but everything I've had has been terrific; the hummus, baba ganoush, shish kafta, the shwarma of course, biryani ... are all wonderful. If you are only in it for the food and not worried about 'ambience', SK is a slam dunk!
(5)
Chris F.
Very good, healthy food at incredibly resonable prices. The staff and owner are always gracious. Best french fries in town, and who can argue agaisnt an incredibly tasy ~$3 sandwich. Great hummus and salads too. Need I say more?
(5)
Peter Z.
Sandwiches! Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches. I'm never as happy as I am when I'm eating a sandwich from Shawarma King. Especially if you need a vegetarian sandwich, you're in such good shape here. I've eaten a lot of sandwiches at Shawarma King. Have I mentioned the sandwiches? In addition to the middle eastern classics they do so well (falafel, shawarma) they've got a few custom numbers that are big hits with the locals. The Shawafal has chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, hummus, and taboulleh all wrapped in a pita. Vegetarian? Try the Lisa: tahina sauce, hommous, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, hot sauce, eggplant, and french fries. Yeah. For real. Also, don't be scared to try a soujouk sandwich -- this sausage is so rich and flavorful, and it's smothered in their amazing toum (garlic sauce). Veggies more your speed? I'm willing to wager that the best cauliflower sandwich you'll ever eat is waiting for you at Shawarma King. It's way better than a cauliflower sandwich has any business being. Thank you, Shawarma King, for doing what you do. Keep it up!
(5)
Mubi K.
I've had authentic Lebanese food in the middle east and this doesn't even come close to what we had... I would still give it 3 stars as its basically the only arabic halal restaurant in kalamazoo. Last I ordered I wasn't very happy with the food. I had ordered for a party and got chicken kafta, beef kafta, the mixed salad. The chicken and beef kafta were SO DRY that my guest barely touched it! The humus was yummy but the baba ganoush was bitter! I had to throw it out it wasn't edible... Big disappointment as that was one of my favorites not to mention waste of money. Their humus is always good and their cheese burger but other items aren't consistent.
(3)
Anne M.
Wonderful food! Great and friendly staff! we had the lentil soup and tabouli, both of which tasted home-y and filling without being heavy. Would definitely recommend
(5)
Ibrahim B.
Perfect place to taste that middle eastern food. The shawarma is the best thing I tastes there but till them to go easy on the chicken. The service is good I will defiantly go there again.
(5)
Tim R.
HUGE value...SUPER tasty... the RBD is fantastic...tabbouleh is good, mango smoothie is sublime... never had a bad item here
(4)
Zondra H.
Honestly.. there is nothing to say about this place that hasn't been said.. other than ADDICTION. The food is consistently fantastic. Delicious, simple atmosphere and prices are right on target and better than expected. Two people can share a meal and leave full for less than $15. I am not a fan of the campus location (have had moldy pita there twice and the westnedge buffett is not the same recipes or owner) this place on Drake is the best ever! Even from other towns I have been to for Lebanese food you can't do better than this! Love the owner, love the food, love the convenience and always wish there were more locations to save us the drive but would never let the distance stop me from going!
(5)
Chad S.
Please! Please please please build a location in Jackson mi. I lived in Dearborn mi for over 30 years and love Arabic food. I am Italian/polish this place is awesome. Please come to Jackson. Jackson has NothING like this. I'm really sick of the same old stuff that is served by the restaurants.
(5)
Tyler K.
In comparison to Bucharest Grill in Detroit, MI, LaPita in Saint Joseph, MI and Leyla in Charlston, SC, Shawarma King on South Drake in Kalamazoo, MI is pretty good. The service is generally quick and the food quality is consistent. I usually call-in an order of a beef or chicken shawarma sandwich because I am usually on-the-go. I have recently noticed that there have been some female staff members taking orders over the phone in such a way that makes you think that you had ruined their day for calling. The staff more frequently have been taking orders with heavy sighing and with an annoyance in their voice. I have always appreciated Shawarma King's quality of food and service, so this was a surprise to me. Shawarma King is known locally to have a positive reputation and presence in the community as well as it's owner. I hope these phone interactions do not continue to damage their success. Apart from this, the food is enough to keeping me coming back.
(4)
Christopher T.
Overhyped and lacking taste. High hopes based on reviews but let down. Better Mediterranean food in st. Joe at La Pita.
(2)
Sam S.
I met the owner who told me about his restaurants. I love trying out new places esp when I'm new to the area. Simply amazing!!!!! There were 5 of us and we all loved our food, from the hummus to the way the meat tasted to the rice. It was all very delicious. Would be nice to have outdoor seating.
(5)
Brian M.
The reviews aren't lying, this place is great. Flavorful, good sized servings and a wide variety. Service is good, casual atmosphere. Go every time I am in Kzoo
(5)
Leah B.
We found Shwarma King on Yelp while passing through Kalamazoo on a road trip. Boy are we glad we did! The hummus was the best I've ever had and everything else was well-prepared and subtly seasoned. The service was attentive and super friendly. The baklava for dessert was light and not sickly sweet like some I've had. Definitely go out of your way to eat here!
(5)
Stephen T.
It's the best. It's number 1. It's the best. It's the best. It's the best shawarma. You get home from work and you go to shawarma king because you're the best! You come in you eat your food and plasti-dip your shame! It's the best it's number 1! Mag-light.
(5)
CC R.
We were driving past Kalamazoo on I-94 last night looking for a good place to eat a quick dinner. We pulled up the yelp app on an iPhone, browsed around, and decided to try Shawarma King. It didn't disappoint. The restroom was clean, the wait people were friendly and attentive but not pushy, the dining room was quiet and comfortable, and the food was delicious. We ordered chicken kafta, tomato salad, and basmati rice. We also had a piece of baklava for dessert. It wasn't as sweet and gooey as I'd hoped -- the spices were unfamiliar -- but my husband enjoyed it so I'd say it was "just me." We drove a few miles to get to the place, but the US 131 exit would have made it a very convenient stop.
(5)
Matt D.
Really good stuff here. Shawarma King offers mainly take-out and dine in services. The wait staff was casual, friendly, and attentive. I ordered the mixed shawarma dinner entree. The plate was overflowing (in a good way) with seasoned shaved beef and chicken atop a layer of Lebanese rice. It also came with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the lentil soup and I am so glad I did. It was thick and rich and a great start to the meal. Both portions of meat were incredibly tasty and seasoned very well. The beef seemed was a bit dry, but I added some of the house sauce and it made for a great combination. The chicken was my favorite. Well cooked, well seasoned, just great stuff. The traditional garlic sauce was served on the side and compliment the meal nicely. I can't wait to come back here and explore more of the menu! I was not told by the waitress that I needed to pay up front, coney island style, so I awkwardly sat on the table waiting for my bill for 5 or so minutes. I would've appreciated a heads up since it was my first time, but now I know for next time.
(4)
Samuel B.
It's nothing much to set it apart from other restaurants similar to it, but has friendly staff and good portions. While the prices are a little up there, it's hard to say I don't get what I pay for whenever I go there.
(4)
Sharon S.
Very good food. Humus with lamb was excellent. We got the family platter. It was huge! Great mix of dishes. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)
Tyler K.
Locally owned. Staff were extremely pleasant and the food was amazing. The combo for one will definitely feed two.
(5)
Amira E.
In from out of town I asked for extra sauce and was not given any with my take out order. Owner isnt in the country and the place falls to the worst service ever. Will not return!!!!!!!!!! Deserves no stars
(1)
R S.
I dont understand why people would give this place high ratings, unless they have never eaten Middle eastern food or visited the Middle East, or maybe b/c of the limited choices in Kalamazoo. If you live in Michigan, then please go visit Dearbon for some authentic, tasty Lebanese food. The drinks (like their mint lemonade and cocktail drinks) were the only solace here. The chicken shawarma was dry and boring with no herbs, or tomatoes, or onions. It was so bland!! Their so called-esteemed chilli-lime fries was simply greasy and had a monolithic taste. Overall, I would never come back!
(1)
D G.
Everything we ordered was delicious. The staff was all extremely pleasant and genuine. Juice bar is a great addition to a nicely varied menu.
(5)
Greg M.
I love this place. The owner is a really a good cook. I have tried several things on the menu and have never been disappointed. The chicken kafta is my favorite. I try and eat here once a week for sure. The lentil soup is awesome everytime. The wait staff is usually friendly and attentive. Sometimes they can be slow and non responsive.
(5)
Brian G.
Given the possible existence of an infinite number of alternate universes, I feel cheated by being born into one where there isn't a chain of Shawarma King locations conveniently located throughout Michigan. This is easily my favorite Middle-East place. The thing is, had a friend not suggested it, I wouldn't have given it a second thought--I mean, it's set up in an old Pizza Hut and, well, most restaurants that feature the word "king" (or "chef" for that matter) rarely live up to their title. Anyway, it's a buffet, it's cheap and food is really good. I wouldn't take a date there or anything, but for a few dollars more than fast food, it's a great place to grab a quick lunch.
(4)
Jack B.
I always enjoy SK. The new Amo Mazen Tea is really good for cold weather. The food has always been great and the service is very attentive.
(5)
Rachel R.
People love this place for one reason: there is no competition. This is about it for middle eastern food in southwest Michigan. Having grown up a few miles from Dearborn I know what good middle eastern food is, and this is not it. It's bland, over cooked, and intended for an inexperienced pallet. Every time I ate there (always with friends who raved about the place as they'd never had middle eastern food before this place) I was super disappointed. There's virtually no seasoning, and even the cauliflower is needlessly fried. It's not well maintained, and the waiters are a bit sporadic. Also, the amount of grease in the falafel alone is enough to give someone the runs. If you want a good middle eastern food experience, drive 2.5 hours east to Dearborn or west to Chicago, otherwise go for something else.
(1)
Daniel D.
Fantastic, insanely cheap Middle Eastern food. They offer a wide range of entrees, sandwiches, etc. plus a small stock of groceries if you want to try cooking at home. A must eat in Kalamazoo.
(5)
Amber T.
I went here for lunch while in town, and the food was really quite good. I got the falafel sandwich lunch special which came with fries and Lebanese salad. The falafel here is really excellent. It doesn't taste plain like a lot of other knock-off middle eastern places, and it's perfectly cooked. What I didn't enjoy here was the tabouli that came on the sandwich; it tasted like a mixture of mint and parsley and I didn't enjoy it at all. But the service was great, and the price for lunch was perfect. I would go here again.
(4)
Chef Bradford S.
Well, bite my tongue. I stand by my last review on the chicken & beef shawarma and will probably never dive into that again ,but I stand corrected on the remaining portion of the menu. It took me several weeks to go back and did so in carry-out format so I could discard, if unhappy. I ordered the falafel deluxe sandwich and the roasted cauliflower sandwich. I figure these would be safe and they were both home runs. Very fresh, big flavors and perfectly done. I understand what the locals are writing about in the other reviews. I am apart of the club now. I have eaten several sandwiches through carry-out along with other items like Chicken Kafta dining in. The staff that I am encountering now are different people than that ugly Saturday during my inaugural visit. Could it had been the 4 feet of snow covering the city that affected my first visit? Afternoon cooks in a winter rut? Let's call it this, ok? All of the staff I am seeing now are very gracious, very friendly and very helpful. I have been 6 out of last 7 days this week. Yes, my mind has been changed. Outside of the shawarma, I would recommend anything and everything on this menu. Top (3) Lebanese food joints that have I found in my travels across the U.S.A. Yes, this is a joint. The perfect small family run joint with that certain character that all of these smaller restaurants have. I hate my first visit scored (2) Stars but I call them like I see them. Being a Chef, I am a flavor seeker and this place delivers Big Flavors penetrating your taste buds.
(5)
Ali E.
Well not good service or food I would rather go to the one on westnage better food and the waiters on sat and sun are so nice and it makes you feel like home it also is a buffet
(1)
Danielle M.
The people are fabulous and the food is outstanding. Tip: ask for the chili lime fries with a sandwich combo. And ask for the hot sauce. AMAZING. Together with hummus....and I'm in heaven! Their prices are super reasonable and the staff is excellent. Nidal goes out of his way to say hello and see that you had a great experience.
(5)
Aaron H.
This is our go-to for lebanese food. The beef schwarma is as it should be and tasty. I LOVE their dolmas!!! The lentil soup is phenomenal as well! Even better are the hand crafted slushies! My favorite is the mint lemonade. WOW! We never eat in but instead order to go. The food is always out in a reasonable time and the servers are always pleasant! Pop in to get your lebanese fix!!!
(5)
Ben S.
Shawarma King, indeed. From the Amo Mazen tea, the lentil soup, the hummus...everything is delicious. My favorite happens to be the chicken biryani. Go there. It is fantastic.
(5)
Gabrielle V.
Drove all the way from Holland to try out Shawarma King based on raves from a friend. Overall, I've had better Lebanese food. My husband ordered the shish kafta and enjoyed his dish with the fattoush salad. I ordered the mixed shawarma sandwich, huge portion, but I found it to be a bit dry and bland in the meat. The chili lime fries were good but could have been a little bit crispier for fries. I'd give it 3 stars for food. BUT adding an additional star for friendly service and great prices, you can't beat $3.25 for the portion size of the shawarma sandwich
(4)
Shannon C.
As other reviewers have noted, Shawarma King -- with its fresh, flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine and cheap prices -- is the place to visit if you're in Kalamazoo. When we lived in Kzoo, my husband and I frequented the Drake location as well as the Shawarma House on campus (both are owned by the same person), and we were always welcomed with a "How are you, my friend?" or a "Good to see you, my friend!" It really put a personal touch on our already enjoyable experiences. I would definitely recommend any of the sandwiches, as they are super cheap and rather large. I'm a vegetarian, and Shawarma King has several vegetarian options that are not simply entrees without the meat -- among the sandwiches, I have eaten (and loved) the cauliflower sandwich, falafel sandwich, mojaddara (my favorite!) sandwich, spicy eggplant sandwich, and hummus sandwich. There are many meals that vegetarians can enjoy! The sandwich combos are $6.99 (or 7$.99, can't remember), and they include a drink, soup, salad, and a sandwich. You can also get a side (like hummus or fries) instead of the soup or salad -- if you get hummus and fries, you really receive a ton of food! At any rate, I could go on and on about how amazing this restaurant is. Nidal Awad, the owner, is such a friendly guy, and he and his brother, Hamid, are amazing cooks! I always find the service to be top notch at Shawarma King. The same goes for Shawarma House on campus, which is managed by Maher Awad, Nidal's older brother. Both men are outstanding individuals who make fantastic Middle Eastern food!
(5)
Leyna K.
We loved the beef kafta and shish tawook grilled chicken. The salads are huge and fresh.
(5)
PJ H.
I LOVE this place. I've never written a yelp review but this is the local restaurant that I visit regularly. Make sure you visit the Drake Road - not the South Westnedge - Shawarma King (which has a great buffet but not the wonderful sandwiches and salads and chili lime fries). Wait staff and Nidel are always very friendly. I love to go when I'm not rushed for time and just relax in the relaxed environment.
(5)
Ashley E.
The best. The owner is amazing and the quality of food is wonderful. Coming from Detroit it's tough to find good Middle Eastern in Kalamazoo. Their garlic sauce and chicken shawarma is heavenly as is their lentil soup and amo mazen tea. The tea is their secret family recipe and served with love. Give it a try. You most definitely won't be disappointed!
(5)
Mike P.
Actually didn't like it too much but willing to go back and try again. I think I need to know how to order. Interesting cultural place.
(3)
Eric M.
This place is AWESOME! I haven't had a good shawarma since my last deployment to Bahrain. Meat is hot, tender, juicy. The Shawarma King has done that for me. The lentil soup.....holy crap this stuff is good. The only regret I have is that it isn't colder out to where I could have a few more bowls. The lime chili fries are better than they sound. The mint lime aid is perfect for a warm day. Frozen, just a tad sour, but perfectly balanced with fresh mint. Too bad I'm just visiting from Chicago. This place is a must try.
(5)
Bre C.
This place is awesome. Flavor is always perfect and spot on. I always get the very affordable sandwiches and lentil soup. Staff is super friendly and service is always quick on dine-in or take-out. Sometimes they feature a local musician who takes pretty much all requests and his acoustic jammings add to the good vibes that this local business. You could go to one of the dozens of nasty chain restaurants and eat microwaved breaded chicken fingers you could have made at home for a dollar, or you can go here and eat delicious fresh cuisine that was actually prepared with effort. Your choice. Saw that the one bad review had to do with a girl at the counter. I wasn't there, but I can say that the staff is always busy and I have always been greeted politely with smiling faces.
(5)
Evan S.
To be honest I've never had middle eastern food before and the only reason I tried this was because it was in The Avengers. I was very impressed. Ive always heard of falafels on the food network and have been very interested in trying them. They were so delicious. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Meredith H.
Love this place - food and the people!
(4)
Laura L.
I agree with some of the other reviews, 3 star for food, but add a star for service. Everyone was super nice and accommodating. I went there last night for the first time as it had amazing reviews. I ordered the King platter as it had a little bit of everything: hummus, shish taouk, beef shawarma, grape leaves, falafel and kafta. First off this meal is huge and totally shareable so A+ for that and it has a good variety. However, the beef was super dry and lacked seasoning. The chicken was moist, cooked well, but seriously lacked the tang and spices from a marinade. The grape leaves were good. The hummus is where i was really disappointed. It lacked flavor and was really bland. The only thing that helped was the garlic aioli you get on the side and added to give it some(any) flavor. I love the garlic aioli on everything so it pretty much saved the meal. I will be back, but will order something different to see if everything is as bland.
(4)
Amber L.
Shawarma King is a local Kalamazoo favorite. Its regular customers are fiercely loyal, and why shouldn't they be? This is a must-eat place if you're going to be in town for a while. I think this is just a perfect spot for lunch. Their lunch specials just can't be beat considering the cheap price and vast quantity of food that you get. Authentic, flavorful, delicious. I just love love their chicken shawarma. Easily the best in town. It's difficult for me to pull away from that and explore their other items because I love the chicken shawarma so much. The interior is very simple, low-key, and on the small side. If I want a fancy dinner dining experience, I go to Zooroona's (also very good, the taste is a little different). But for me, Shawarma King is ideal for lunch. The biggest drawback here is the service speed. I have only ever seen one waiter on duty at a time. That often means long waits during the crowded lunch rush. However, people working there are extremely nice. You really feel like they are glad to be there, and they are glad you are here. Excellent food, excellent prices, excellent people, but somewhat slow service. A true culinary gem for the community.
(5)
Harsha N.
This is second visit to Kalamazoo in last 12 months... And shawarma king has impressed me yet again with their soup and falafel deluxe. This was better than all the wraps I had in nearby places.....
(5)
Ryan G. S.
Everything at Shawarma King is outstanding. The hummus, tahini, and garlic sauce are all tangy and are served in abundance. The lentil soup can't be beat. The salads are fresh, and the dressing is tasty but not heavy or overpowering. The meat here, be it shawarma, kefta, or kabobs, is all tender and flavorful. Even the typically lame stuff like rice and french fries are great. The prices are low, but the quantity and quality are very high. Shawarma King was the first place I had middle eastern food many, many years ago. I've since tried the same dishes at many places around the country (and the world), and few places, if any, can beat Shawarma King for all-around awesomeness. You'd probably have to go to Beirut to best it.
(5)
Sham W.
one of my favorites. I cant find one bad thing abot this place
(5)
Nicole F.
Yumnous!
(5)
Sonho L.
I lived in MI for four years. I had some Syrian friends who introduced me to middle eastern food right here. The food is great, fast, with can't beat prices. I recommend the black hot tea with a little sweetner of your choice. A cup of hot lentil soup, especially on a cold night. (Kalamazoo doesn't lack for those). My favorite platter is the shish tawouk. The humus is great. It's not Dearborn, but what is? Enjoy!!!
(4)
Ashley J.
The "large" hostess is a rude bitch. She was unfriendly, messed up our take out order and was mimicking us to her friends as we were leaving. She clearly is miserable working behind the counter of a mediocre restaurant. Beware of the biotch if you choose to dine here, she might bite your head off...literally!!! Also, don't ask for extra napkins!
(1)
Nicole G.
Ooooh how I love Shawarma King, and oh how I wish there were a Portage location. I go there when I'm on the west side, at least to pick up some take-out. It is consistently delicious. And everyone there is so nice and pleasant. It's a lovely experience to eat there, and it's a great value on top of that.
(5)
J. G.
The owner is incredibly friendly, and so are all the staff. I have a gluten intolerance - which means I usually avoid Middle Eastern restaurants since almost everything involves bread. BUT they accommodated me kindly when i went with my boyfriend a few months ago for the first time. instead of pita as a side for hummos they offered me carrot and celery sticks - and they were generous! It was great! Their lemntil soup is also gluten free and decent. Apparently their meat is what they are best at- according to my boyfriend who is from the Middle East - but I only tried it once and it actually made me a little nauseous - BUT I have really sensitive digestive and can't handle MSG and the like. So, if I had a tougher gut, I would totally give this place a better rating. In addition to awesome staff, they are CHEAP! Very cheap. And they have a nice little collection of Middle Eastern grocery items for sale. they also deliver, which is convenient.
(3)
Rebecca W.
Ate here over Medieval-fest weekend while catching up with an old prof. Things got off to a little bit of a rocky start: it wasn't clear, when we went in, whether it was a sit down place, or an order at the counter place, or what. The folks ahead of us were all ordering carry out. We asked the girl at the counter if we should order there or sit down, and she said it was fine to order at the counter, so we did. Then we went to get our drinks and sit down....and set off the great Shawarma Kerfuffle of 2010. We had our glasses....the soda machine was right there....so we went to fill them, and the servers swooped in, taking our glasses from our hands and filling them for us. Our server was (understandably) ticked off that we'd ordered at the counter, and now were sitting in her section--no doubt, she thought she was going to get screwed out of her tip. We had no intention of stiffing anybody, of course, and just didn't understand what was going on... But considering how panicked I get when restaurant situations become awkward, uncomfortable, or confusing--especially in the compahy of a mentor/professor-type--you *know* the food was worth it for me to still give four stars. It was delicious! I had some kind of hugely plentiful combination plate (the king platter? Plenty for sharing, though I wolfed it all down myself). Normally I'm not a fan of stuffed grape leaves, but I loved these--don't know if that means these were especially good, or if they just veered wildly from the norm in some other way. Anyway, the food was awesome--salad, hummus, entrees, etc. The pita came out in like a baggie, which was a little odd, but it was fine. The wait staff seemed to want to make up for all of us getting off on the wrong foot by checking on us about 15 times. Literally. Much appreciated, but started to get a little old, and then got so old it got funny. YES, everything is FINE here! We swear! Overall, a kooky experience, a delicious meal, and a great evening with an old friend. Next time I'm in kzoo, I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Ilana K.
My favorite place in all of west Michigan! I go whenever I can! The sandwhich combo is outstanding. Prices are great. Try their special tea... So delicious!
(5)
Satori N.
Came here with my husband and sister-in-law on 8/31/2010 for lunch. We ordered a medium hummus plate to share (we were unable to finish it!), and I ordered the Chicken Shawarma with Feta sandwich combo. The combo included soup or salad, and choice of a starch. The hummus was delicious, I just wish they had warmed the pita before serving it to us. The lentil soup was creamy and very flavorful; I could have eaten a whole bowl of that with some pita bread and been satisfied. The chicken shawarma with feta was excellent. I was unsure about the placing of pickles in the sandwich, but after eating it I would not have had it any other way. The sandwich was huge and I was unable to finish it. The chili-lime fries were great, especially dipped in ranch (at the suggestion of the waitress). We were all very satisfied with our meals. When I'm in Kalamazoo again and hungry for lunch, I'll be sure to come here.
(4)
Mikey S.
My favorite place to go to for an awesome cheap meal. I lived in Kalamazoo for about 2 years before actually coming in to eat here. My girlfriend got me to go. Let me tell you, best decision ever. I mean for around $3-4 you can get a chicken shawarma sandwich(I usually get it with feta) and be set for lunch, dinner, whatever. Plus all the rest of the food is authentic and great, theres something for everyone for sure. Now whenever I go to any middle eastern restaurant I compare them to this, and none have compared even at twice the price. So don't think spending more somewhere else will get you better authentic middle eastern food, go here, its better and much cheaper than anywhere. Highly recommended.
(5)
Adrian C.
Really for what this place is, it is pretty damn amazing. You can not go wrong with your vegetarian friends here, and still taste the delights of tahini sauce over beef shwarma for you meat eaters. I love it.
(5)
Silvia P.
Great food with a great price.
(5)
Payam S.
I am from NY and eat at best and best reviewed Arabic food places in Patterson NJ and NY all the time and I m a foody so trust me when I say this is the best Arabic I have had in the US! .....My God! We had the mixed Kabab platter and it was fantastic! ......Fresh High quality food seasoned and cooked to perfection (Middleeasterns usually overcook meat by western standards, but this one was perfect!) ......Highest quality meat! and So So delicious! amazing! .......and on Top of that the staff (the girls at the front) were so nice, polite and pleasant! Maybe it s more unusual for me because I m from NY!..........They gave us complementary Baqlawa and a Delicious cinnamon tea..............What a experience! If I ever move to Kalamazoo SHWARMA KING would be a great deciding factor...........The owner drives every week for 2 hours to get the best and freshest of ingredients!..............Outstanding eatery and simply a pleasant pleasant culinary experience
(5)
Quinn T.
Food is absolutely delicious and an incredible deal to boot. My 4- year old is in love with the stuffed grape leaves which is a nice addition to his usual diet of apple juice and Cheetos. My husband and I have been here no less than 10 times in the last year bringing everyone from our elderly grandparents to out of town guests. And repeatedly we have been impressed. Highly recommend. My favorite if we are not getting a King Combo for the table is by far the Shawafle Sandwich with an Amo Mazen Tea.
(5)
Katie J.
This place is incredible! I have family in Kalamazoo, and whenever I'm in town, I always make sure to visit this place. Really, really great lunch buffet and you can't beat the price. Lots of delicious vegetarian options as well. The falafel and roasted potatoes are two of my favorite things they offer. They catered my siblings' graduation party and that was great too.
(5)
Jun B.
People are really friendly there and food were great.
(5)
Dee B.
I've only had the chicken and lamb biryani here, but it's darn good, plus the portion sizes are *enormous*, so it's a great value for the $. My sister said the hummus is also very good.
(4)
patient z.
Great tasting middle eastern food! You get a huge amount of food for your money, too. I wish they would've included forks with our take-out order, though -- I had to eat it with my hands in my hotel room! Though, I guess that's testament to how good it was.
(4)
Ana P.
Extremely flavorful and a pretty inexpensive. I highly recommend the Chicken Kafta sandwich and their hummus. Just make sure you have your tums handy....worth it though. Even if you aren't very adventurous with food you would probably like a lot of their dishes. Lunch us much cheaper than dinner entrees.
(4)
Kelly S.
This place is fantastic! I go here nearly 3 times a week with a group of coworkers. We just cant get enough! The servers treat us like gold and the food is fabulous...not to mention, insanely cheap! Aaaah im getting hungry again just thinking about it.
(5)
o m.
Falafel? Local authentic Middle east food near WMU West gate, casual, take out or dine in, fresh food, great salad & Juice Bar. King Platter is the best deal for $12 it is more than enough for two, it comes with beef shawarma, shish tawook, falafel, grape leaves, tabbouli, hommous and fried kibbee. Great Lebanese salad. Lunch for $5.95.
(5)
Andy P.
I used to live in East Dearborn so I'm very picky when it comes to Lebanese food. I have to say Shawarma King makes me feel at home. They also give very big portions and have a amazing felafel's.
(5)
Christopher J.
Looking for something off the beaten path? Well this certainly is a delicious change from the norm. I'm not sure how to pronounce a lot of the menu items but I sure do enjoy eating them. My top pick is the chicken shawarma with feta sandwhich with a fatoush salad. It's a wonderful restaurant with unique choices and friendly service.
(5)
Anne S.
I used to get the lunch special from here all the time! It's a great deal! The food is so good!
(4)
Dylan W.
You want to talk about good food? What about good food for cheap? Even if you've never had middle-eastern food; do not fear, this place is for you. In fact, i tried middle-eastern food at this place for the first time... and fell in love. This place is a stone's throw away from wmu campus, a 10-15 minute walk, and the price for the food could please any student. Their sandwiches (well, wraps) are delicious. The garlic sauce, hummus, and tahini are fantastic. Their menu is overflowing with delicious food that will, yes will, make you drool. I tried the lentil soup one time and went to heaven. The service is top notch to boot! Some of the nicest souls i've been served by. I talk to the chef every now and then, he states that all of their ingredients are fresh and I believe it! Try this place, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
ivy l.
Not bad, but not great either. I lived in Arabia for 12 yrs so I may be critical. The service was pretty nice. The place doesn't look great. The food is ok just not amazing, and the wraps were pretty dry.
(2)
Jared S.
The sandwiches are excellent (not on bread! wrapped in Pita, normally with pickles and garlic sauce!). Riz bi dejaj, shish tawook. Yum! Moujadrah is a dinner favorite of mine. As well as falafel. Definitely agree with o m., the King Platter is definitely something you should get if it's your first time visiting.
(4)
Tom L.
This food is incredible. Better than most in Dearborn, MI (And that is saying a lot because they have dozens of Lebanese restaurants there). It is cheap, they give you tons of extra pita bread, and the service is great.
(5)
Steve D.
This place is great. Very friendly owner and staff. And the food was great. I was there with my son and we ordered a ton of food, all really fresh and flavorful, and it was cheap. We had the veggie platter which would have been enough. Good falafel, the tabouleh salad was delicious. You can pass on the hummus and baba ganoush, not that flavorful. We also had a fatoush salad that was amazing. My son hates tomatoes and he still ate this it was so good. The only negative was that it was cold in the restaurant. This is really a hole in the wall, not much decor, but if the room had been warmer I'd give them 5 stars. I hope I don't find myself back in boring Kalamazoo, but if I do, I'll visit the Shawarma King again.
(4)
alejandro p.
Fantastic tasting vegetarian friendly Lebanese food at dirt cheap prices, and even my folks enjoy it. I come here every chance I get when I'm back in town. The falafel and hummus sandwiches are standbys, but the real treats for me are the cauliflower and spicy eggplant sandwiches and the fattoush salad.
(5)
Andrea J.
I love going to Shwarma King! the menu is very extensive, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, service is very fast, the portions are huge and the prices cheap, and they have the best Fattoush salad I've ever had. This is one of my local favorites, I recommend it to all my out of town friends who are visiting. If you go at lunchtime, try their Turkish coffee, it's great. I wish they had a larger parking lot because at dinner rush it's hard to find a spot!
(5)
Allison E.
Its like middle eastern fast food. Perfect for snobs who love the convienience of BK, but prefer their flavors to have a more exotic flare. The hummus is great!
(4)
Katy P.
Really good, super affordable food!
(5)
Laura B.
Mmmmmmm! They have great falafal, hummus, chicken kafta, and lentil soup. I'm not sure if they still have it, but they used to have a fantastic sanwich with soup/salad and rice/fries deal for super cheap.
(5)
Jennifer R.
I've only had the mixed shwarma dinner here, but each time I've had it, it was tasty and filling. Their fattoush salad is awesome! They have daily specials and student discounts, which is nice.
(4)
Robbie S.
What a great place. The fried cauliflower and potato sandwich is a new favorite, but honestly I have never gone wrong here. Lately I have been getting a large tabbouleh for takeout which is HUGE and lasts me all week and is such a great snack to take to work. If you have never had Lebanese food...start here! Must try the king platter, falafel, lentil soup...and baklava for dessert which comes from the New Yasmeen Bakery in Dearborn, near Detroit. The staff is very friendly, the prices are great and the food is delicious. Love this place, can't say enough!
(5)
Shuan C.
This restaurant is amazing! It was the first place we tried after moving here this month and we were incredibly pleased. We had the dish that came with a little bit of everything. Out of this world! I could not stop telling all my friends about how delicious the falafel was. My husband liked the chicken shawarma best. We also ordered chili lime fries and they were really good as well. I would say I wished they were crunchier but that is just personal preference. The flavor was great! The lime was the perfect amount. Highly highly recommend this place!
(5)
SA N.
I guess this is semi my fault because when you go to a place called "schwarma King" you should probably order schwarma, but I cannot pass the opportunity to pass up biryani if it's on the menu. It was decent, but the chicken was dry and needed a little more spice. The falafel was delicious as well as their garlic sauce... I don't know the right way to say this, but the hummus tasted dirty, for lack of a better word. And I love humus :(
(3)
Kevin D.
Omg is their food amazing. I always try something new and I've never been let down, never! This place is that amazing. Their falafel is killer, the shawarma is out of this world. And the owner is one of the nicest person I've ever met. This is my go to place. Thanks Shawarma King.
(5)
Jenny L.
I love me some shawarma King! my go to is amo mazen's salad -fresh romaine, tomatoes, cukes, lemony dressing and feta. you can get it with chicken shawarma on top. my other go to is the good ol chicken shawarma. get it with garlic sauce and their "red" sauce - I forget what it's actually called but they will know what you're talking about!
(5)
Alicia S.
What I love most about Mediterranean places like this, is that you can get a high quality delicious sandwich or wrap for an amazing price! $2.95 will get you a classic shwarma a la carte, how can one complain? To my surprise, the vegetarian grape leaf sandwich won my heart over a chicken shwarrma (my go to Medi choice). The grape leafs are seasoned to perfection and I'm drooling just writing about them. Their "to-go" time has always been on point, we've never waited more than 15 mins when we place carry-out. Tabouli salad is delicious and a small order is enough for two people!
(4)
Anita L.
Not bad.. I've definitely had better kebabs elsewhere. Meat was a little dry both times I went, and tabbouli was a little overdressed. Their grape leaves were very good and served warm, which I enjoyed. Falafel was also very good, warm and moist inside. Service varied. The first time, we had good service, and the second time, our initial server was great, but the one training her did not allow us to order lunch (arrived 5 mins before lunch was over), and kept reminding us that what we wanted cost extra (which we had already said that was fine). It was not a pleasant dining experience to ask for something and constantly being told "that will be $0.50 extra" even though we already said that was fine.
(3)
Zach G.
Shawarma King is awesome! I have never had Shawarma before I came here, but I would guess this is probably one of the best around. The owner and his staff are really friendly and helpful. I feel like a valued customer when I there and actually enjoy the experience. Why go here? -friendly staff -great portions -the food is delicious and hot
(4)
Bob S.
This is our go to place for a quick and tasty meal. There are several versions around town but the one on Drake is the best. Everything we have tried has been excellent. And the tea is fantastic, you really need to try some. The service is kind of odd, it looks like you should order from the counter but in fact they have table service. The staff is great and the service is quick. If you have not tried this place yet you really must. Even the most picky eaters like the food here. Go for it!
(5)
Sarda P.
Amazing food...best middle eastern food I have had in USA...I had gotten the crispy shrimp for my mom...and she was totally in love with it...I even got the special falafel wrap and also the cauliflower wrap....both were so delicious. ..the cauliflower potato wrap was my fav....we got samosas and they were nice and crispy ...they have loads of vegetarian options...two thumbs up :)
(5)
Shabbir E.
On our trip to Canada from Chicago, we wanted to stop at a halal, middle-eastern joint and came across this via a "vicinity" search on Yelp. Boy, were we impressed. Succulent meat, fresh salad, chilli-lime fries and the amazing, famous tea made it a superstar lunch for the wife, our 2 boys and me. Highly recommended!
(5)
Catherine N.
We were on our way to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo when the subject of lunch came up. All we could see around us was fast food. Yelp delivered up this gem of a place. The portions are generous! You will not leave hungry. I ordered the Shawafel sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. The wrap it was in had been toasted and was gently crispy. Inside, the mix of beef and chicken shawarma combined with the falafel and dressing to create much enjoyment for my tongue. The salad had a nice vinaigrette dressing that was faintly redolent of mint. The crunchy pita chip pieces in it were fun to eat. I tried the soup, which was thick enough to be a stew. It was savory and well spiced. The French fries were hot and fresh from the fryer. The wait staff was very friendly. The owner even came out to make sure the entire restaurant was enjoying their lunch. The next time I am in Michigan, I know where I will be eating!
(5)
Mohammed B.
Slightly higher sandwiches prices. Juice was perfect. Shawarma was fatty. Place comfortable and friendly staff. The waiter said all chicken and beef are HALAL and thats great for Muslim.
(3)
Aditi T.
Words fail to describe how much I love the food at Shawarma King. But maybe, actions might help convey my love: I moved to Kalamazoo about two weeks ago, and I've already eaten at Shawarma King THREE times! Why do I love SK ever so? First, because they've got authentic Middle Eastern fare! Having grown up in Dubai, I'm a little bit of an Arabic/Lebanese food snob (that's probably an understatement). Their hummus doesn't taste like it came out of a tin; the meat is perfectly flavoured and cooked to perfection and the falafels are perfection squared. Pros: + Super authentic, delicious food! + Try the: falafels, hummus, chicken & beef shish kafta, and/or fattoush salad and OBVS the chicken shawarma + AMAZING SERVICE + Budget friendly + They do a gluten-free selection which is amazing! + Service is fast Cons: - Their tahini is hit and miss. There are days where it's watered down and days where it's amazing. - Biryani wasn't as flavourful as I'd want it to be. - Babaganoush isn't super aubergine-y. At this point you may be thinking, if there are 2.5/3 cons, how can you still give this place 5 stars? And it's really because I'm slightly biased and I've never had Middle Eastern food this authentic anywhere across the US in the last six years (be it in Ann Arbor, New York or anywhere else). TRY IT. You won't regret it. The service is super friendly, the atmosphere is chill and the food is amazing. P.S. Don't forget to order the falafels! :)
(5)
Katie C.
Great place! We stopped here on our way home from Chicago. Chili lime fries were great! The fattoush was very good and great price! The staff was so friendly and very attentive!
(5)
Senor D.
The food is genuinely great and the staff is top notch. Try the Amo Mazen tea. Similar to a Thai tea but warm and is Amo-Mazen!
(5)
Chelsea C.
Used to come here when us poor college students could afford a meal! Got the shishtawook sandwich and it was to die for. The staff always made us feel like family
(5)
Matt H.
I'm a fan of this place even though my wife and kids don't like the Med food all that much. I always like to get a sampler of some kind because I don't just like one kind of food. The kitchen is open as you walk in so you can see the food being prepared. The owner/manager always seems suspect if you have a coupon but hey, that's what coupons are for, right? He isn't rude about them or anything but maybe wants to be cautious of his staff taking them...whatever. The portions are more than adequate for me and I often take a little of the hummus home for a snack later. To my knowledge, everything is homemade and it shows. I can't say enough about the fresh fattoush and hummus. I try to stop by somewhat regularly when I'm on that side of town and I always say that I should go there more often just to satisfy my craving for the middle eastern fare.
(4)
Spence R.
Food is always delicious and the staff are always super friendly. Can't go wrong!
(4)
Ryan W.
Excellent food to say the least. I've been a regular customer here for more than 10 years now and LOVE this place. Friendly service, always clean - really looking forward to when they start on their (planned) expansion. Recommend the chicken shawarma sandwich, RBD sandwich, vegetarian platter, and the Fruity Suze smoothie, so good!
(5)
Nathan L.
I have eaten in once and had take out multiple times. Everything I have had from the Turkish coffee to the chicken shawarma I have been incredibly happy with. The location is very convenient on Drake road between KL and Stadium Drive. The interior was clean and is generally humming with people eating and getting take out. There are a decent amount of seats inside. The prices are incredibly reasonable! An order of the hommous (very large portions) and a chicken shawarma will be more than enough to fill you up. I have tried quite a few of the options here and haven't been dissappointed yet. I would highly suggest eating at Shawarma King and I will be there again soon.
(4)
Annie Q.
I am all about that halal food, and this is THE only Arab restaurant I always trust in Kzoo. Great prices with even better food. We always have left-overs. I have tried mostly everything on the menu and the following dishes are WORTH the hype: Chili Lime Fries- you deserve this goodness all day. I always come back for these. Amo Mazen Tea feels like a hug from a caring family member. Chicken wings have all the tang and flavor you were looking for. Chicken kafta burger does not disappoint with its fresh parsley and seasonings. Treat yourself to this delish food in front of the lovely Dome of the Rock mural today!
(5)
Erin M.
The sandwich meals are an amazing value and delicious. The spicy eggplant sandwich is spectacular and I'm really picky about eggplant so that's really saying something. I love to get the sandwich with their fattoush and hummus. It's a perfect meal and I always have leftovers. The building is clean, the prices are very affordable, and the staff friendly, I can't think of an area for improvement. Five stars all the way!
(5)
Lena V.
We order at this place about 3-5 times per year and our order is always pretty big. We used to love this place, but with our last two orders, we noticed that the quality of food was not as good as it used to be. The meat was dry, tabbouleh was not fresh and seemed overdressed for that reason. Their white rice seemed like it came right out of Ris-a-roni box. I found hair in my food at least twice. Not to mention, the customer service went downhill with food quality. So, I placed an $80 order last time. Picked it up, drove it home, opened it and realized I was missing 3 items totaling $15 and 4 garlic sauces that I requested (paid for) in addition to the ones provided. AND they gave me humus instead of the eggplant appetizer that I ordered. I called them, they gave me two options: I could come back and pick up what they forgot (not an option because I live 30 minutes away), I picked $15 credit. They said they would put me on their credit list and that I could use it anytime.THEY DID NOT EVEN APPLOLOGIZE FOR MESSING UP MY ORDER! So about a month later I decided to use my credit towards ordering two lunch platters. I called and sure enough, they don't have a record of my $15 credit! My name was on their credit list for one drink. I explained what happened last time and the manager said, I can still come it and get my free (paid for by me a month ago) drink, but nothing else. Needless to say, I will take my business elsewhere where their care about their customer's satisfaction.
(1)
Scott H.
Stumbled upon this little gem on our trip from Chicago to Metro Detroit. We had been craving good shawarma, very hard to come by in Chicago. Great food, big portions, amazing prices, and a very friendly and attentive wait staff. Chicken Shawarma with feta sandwiches was a tasty twist on a traditional shawarma. A potent garlic sauce and pickles tied the sandwich together nicely. The side of hummus and Fattoush salad were also delicious. Overall a great find and definite stop if you're looking for solid shawarma.
(4)
Mike S.
Favorite spot in kzoo! Can't go wrong with the menu but I recommend the rbd and fattoush salad
(5)
Andy E.
Thank you Yelpers! This place is solid. Certainly not fancy, but great Mediterranean food. I had the grape leaves (yum!) and the freshly prepared hummus plate with lamb and almonds. Wait staff is efficient and friendly. I'll be back for more!
(4)
Sarrah F.
Stopped here on my way to Chicago from Ann Arbor. I got the soujouk sandwich and the majadra ride. The sandwich was delicious. It's probably the best that I've ever had. Every single bite was amazing. The rice was okay. I wouldn't get it again though. Def recommend this place.
(5)
Marie P.
Ok, it's been a couple months since we were there on a recent trip, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. All I remember is that we paid very little for what ended up being a TON of food, and ended up cursing that we didn't have more room in our stomachs to just. keep. eating. SO GOOD. I don't remember what all we ordered, but I DO remember that the stuffed grape leaves were the best we'd had, ever, anywhere... and there was some kind of white sauce (garlic sauce?) that I wish we could buy by the vat. We will definitely be back whenever we pass through the area. Shame it'll only be once a year :(
(5)
Tim H.
Visited here while in Kazoo on business. Things got a little mixed up in ordering (it wasn't apparent that it is a table service place, so I ordered at the counter and sat 20 minutes at a table before flagging down a server to check on the order). The food itself was good, not great. I had the mixed shawarma sandwich and salad. Not as bold in flavor as I had expected. And, at $11 for lunch, kind of steep.
(3)
Marcel R.
Great food, friendly staff....If your into this type of food, then this the place to go - I was served by Deisree, and she was very professional. Tell a friend to tell many more.
(4)
Ed R.
Don't judge a book by its cover. The outside of this place doesn't inspire, but don't let looks deceive you. Shwarma King is just about as good as it gets. I haven't explored the entire menu, but everything I've had has been terrific; the hummus, baba ganoush, shish kafta, the shwarma of course, biryani ... are all wonderful. If you are only in it for the food and not worried about 'ambience', SK is a slam dunk!
(5)
Chris F.
Very good, healthy food at incredibly resonable prices. The staff and owner are always gracious. Best french fries in town, and who can argue agaisnt an incredibly tasy ~$3 sandwich. Great hummus and salads too. Need I say more?
(5)
Peter Z.
Sandwiches! Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches. I'm never as happy as I am when I'm eating a sandwich from Shawarma King. Especially if you need a vegetarian sandwich, you're in such good shape here. I've eaten a lot of sandwiches at Shawarma King. Have I mentioned the sandwiches? In addition to the middle eastern classics they do so well (falafel, shawarma) they've got a few custom numbers that are big hits with the locals. The Shawafal has chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, hummus, and taboulleh all wrapped in a pita. Vegetarian? Try the Lisa: tahina sauce, hommous, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, hot sauce, eggplant, and french fries. Yeah. For real. Also, don't be scared to try a soujouk sandwich -- this sausage is so rich and flavorful, and it's smothered in their amazing toum (garlic sauce). Veggies more your speed? I'm willing to wager that the best cauliflower sandwich you'll ever eat is waiting for you at Shawarma King. It's way better than a cauliflower sandwich has any business being. Thank you, Shawarma King, for doing what you do. Keep it up!
(5)
Mubi K.
I've had authentic Lebanese food in the middle east and this doesn't even come close to what we had... I would still give it 3 stars as its basically the only arabic halal restaurant in kalamazoo. Last I ordered I wasn't very happy with the food. I had ordered for a party and got chicken kafta, beef kafta, the mixed salad. The chicken and beef kafta were SO DRY that my guest barely touched it! The humus was yummy but the baba ganoush was bitter! I had to throw it out it wasn't edible... Big disappointment as that was one of my favorites not to mention waste of money. Their humus is always good and their cheese burger but other items aren't consistent.
(3)
Anne M.
Wonderful food! Great and friendly staff! we had the lentil soup and tabouli, both of which tasted home-y and filling without being heavy. Would definitely recommend
(5)
Ibrahim B.
Perfect place to taste that middle eastern food. The shawarma is the best thing I tastes there but till them to go easy on the chicken. The service is good I will defiantly go there again.
(5)
Tim R.
HUGE value...SUPER tasty... the RBD is fantastic...tabbouleh is good, mango smoothie is sublime... never had a bad item here
(4)
Zondra H.
Honestly.. there is nothing to say about this place that hasn't been said.. other than ADDICTION. The food is consistently fantastic. Delicious, simple atmosphere and prices are right on target and better than expected. Two people can share a meal and leave full for less than $15. I am not a fan of the campus location (have had moldy pita there twice and the westnedge buffett is not the same recipes or owner) this place on Drake is the best ever! Even from other towns I have been to for Lebanese food you can't do better than this! Love the owner, love the food, love the convenience and always wish there were more locations to save us the drive but would never let the distance stop me from going!
(5)
Chad S.
Please! Please please please build a location in Jackson mi. I lived in Dearborn mi for over 30 years and love Arabic food. I am Italian/polish this place is awesome. Please come to Jackson. Jackson has NothING like this. I'm really sick of the same old stuff that is served by the restaurants.
(5)
Tyler K.
In comparison to Bucharest Grill in Detroit, MI, LaPita in Saint Joseph, MI and Leyla in Charlston, SC, Shawarma King on South Drake in Kalamazoo, MI is pretty good. The service is generally quick and the food quality is consistent. I usually call-in an order of a beef or chicken shawarma sandwich because I am usually on-the-go. I have recently noticed that there have been some female staff members taking orders over the phone in such a way that makes you think that you had ruined their day for calling. The staff more frequently have been taking orders with heavy sighing and with an annoyance in their voice. I have always appreciated Shawarma King's quality of food and service, so this was a surprise to me. Shawarma King is known locally to have a positive reputation and presence in the community as well as it's owner. I hope these phone interactions do not continue to damage their success. Apart from this, the food is enough to keeping me coming back.
(4)
Christopher T.
Overhyped and lacking taste. High hopes based on reviews but let down. Better Mediterranean food in st. Joe at La Pita.
(2)
Sam S.
I met the owner who told me about his restaurants. I love trying out new places esp when I'm new to the area. Simply amazing!!!!! There were 5 of us and we all loved our food, from the hummus to the way the meat tasted to the rice. It was all very delicious. Would be nice to have outdoor seating.
(5)
Brian M.
The reviews aren't lying, this place is great. Flavorful, good sized servings and a wide variety. Service is good, casual atmosphere. Go every time I am in Kzoo
(5)
Leah B.
We found Shwarma King on Yelp while passing through Kalamazoo on a road trip. Boy are we glad we did! The hummus was the best I've ever had and everything else was well-prepared and subtly seasoned. The service was attentive and super friendly. The baklava for dessert was light and not sickly sweet like some I've had. Definitely go out of your way to eat here!
(5)
Stephen T.
It's the best. It's number 1. It's the best. It's the best. It's the best shawarma. You get home from work and you go to shawarma king because you're the best! You come in you eat your food and plasti-dip your shame! It's the best it's number 1! Mag-light.
(5)
CC R.
We were driving past Kalamazoo on I-94 last night looking for a good place to eat a quick dinner. We pulled up the yelp app on an iPhone, browsed around, and decided to try Shawarma King. It didn't disappoint. The restroom was clean, the wait people were friendly and attentive but not pushy, the dining room was quiet and comfortable, and the food was delicious. We ordered chicken kafta, tomato salad, and basmati rice. We also had a piece of baklava for dessert. It wasn't as sweet and gooey as I'd hoped -- the spices were unfamiliar -- but my husband enjoyed it so I'd say it was "just me." We drove a few miles to get to the place, but the US 131 exit would have made it a very convenient stop.
(5)
Matt D.
Really good stuff here. Shawarma King offers mainly take-out and dine in services. The wait staff was casual, friendly, and attentive. I ordered the mixed shawarma dinner entree. The plate was overflowing (in a good way) with seasoned shaved beef and chicken atop a layer of Lebanese rice. It also came with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the lentil soup and I am so glad I did. It was thick and rich and a great start to the meal. Both portions of meat were incredibly tasty and seasoned very well. The beef seemed was a bit dry, but I added some of the house sauce and it made for a great combination. The chicken was my favorite. Well cooked, well seasoned, just great stuff. The traditional garlic sauce was served on the side and compliment the meal nicely. I can't wait to come back here and explore more of the menu! I was not told by the waitress that I needed to pay up front, coney island style, so I awkwardly sat on the table waiting for my bill for 5 or so minutes. I would've appreciated a heads up since it was my first time, but now I know for next time.
(4)
Samuel B.
It's nothing much to set it apart from other restaurants similar to it, but has friendly staff and good portions. While the prices are a little up there, it's hard to say I don't get what I pay for whenever I go there.
(4)
Sharon S.
Very good food. Humus with lamb was excellent. We got the family platter. It was huge! Great mix of dishes. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)
Tyler K.
Locally owned. Staff were extremely pleasant and the food was amazing. The combo for one will definitely feed two.
(5)
Amira E.
In from out of town I asked for extra sauce and was not given any with my take out order. Owner isnt in the country and the place falls to the worst service ever. Will not return!!!!!!!!!! Deserves no stars
(1)
R S.
I dont understand why people would give this place high ratings, unless they have never eaten Middle eastern food or visited the Middle East, or maybe b/c of the limited choices in Kalamazoo. If you live in Michigan, then please go visit Dearbon for some authentic, tasty Lebanese food. The drinks (like their mint lemonade and cocktail drinks) were the only solace here. The chicken shawarma was dry and boring with no herbs, or tomatoes, or onions. It was so bland!! Their so called-esteemed chilli-lime fries was simply greasy and had a monolithic taste. Overall, I would never come back!
(1)
D G.
Everything we ordered was delicious. The staff was all extremely pleasant and genuine. Juice bar is a great addition to a nicely varied menu.
(5)
Greg M.
I love this place. The owner is a really a good cook. I have tried several things on the menu and have never been disappointed. The chicken kafta is my favorite. I try and eat here once a week for sure. The lentil soup is awesome everytime. The wait staff is usually friendly and attentive. Sometimes they can be slow and non responsive.
(5)
Brian G.
Given the possible existence of an infinite number of alternate universes, I feel cheated by being born into one where there isn't a chain of Shawarma King locations conveniently located throughout Michigan. This is easily my favorite Middle-East place. The thing is, had a friend not suggested it, I wouldn't have given it a second thought--I mean, it's set up in an old Pizza Hut and, well, most restaurants that feature the word "king" (or "chef" for that matter) rarely live up to their title. Anyway, it's a buffet, it's cheap and food is really good. I wouldn't take a date there or anything, but for a few dollars more than fast food, it's a great place to grab a quick lunch.
(4)
Jack B.
I always enjoy SK. The new Amo Mazen Tea is really good for cold weather. The food has always been great and the service is very attentive.
(5)
Rachel R.
People love this place for one reason: there is no competition. This is about it for middle eastern food in southwest Michigan. Having grown up a few miles from Dearborn I know what good middle eastern food is, and this is not it. It's bland, over cooked, and intended for an inexperienced pallet. Every time I ate there (always with friends who raved about the place as they'd never had middle eastern food before this place) I was super disappointed. There's virtually no seasoning, and even the cauliflower is needlessly fried. It's not well maintained, and the waiters are a bit sporadic. Also, the amount of grease in the falafel alone is enough to give someone the runs. If you want a good middle eastern food experience, drive 2.5 hours east to Dearborn or west to Chicago, otherwise go for something else.
(1)
Daniel D.
Fantastic, insanely cheap Middle Eastern food. They offer a wide range of entrees, sandwiches, etc. plus a small stock of groceries if you want to try cooking at home. A must eat in Kalamazoo.
(5)
Amber T.
I went here for lunch while in town, and the food was really quite good. I got the falafel sandwich lunch special which came with fries and Lebanese salad. The falafel here is really excellent. It doesn't taste plain like a lot of other knock-off middle eastern places, and it's perfectly cooked. What I didn't enjoy here was the tabouli that came on the sandwich; it tasted like a mixture of mint and parsley and I didn't enjoy it at all. But the service was great, and the price for lunch was perfect. I would go here again.
(4)
Chef Bradford S.
Well, bite my tongue. I stand by my last review on the chicken & beef shawarma and will probably never dive into that again ,but I stand corrected on the remaining portion of the menu. It took me several weeks to go back and did so in carry-out format so I could discard, if unhappy. I ordered the falafel deluxe sandwich and the roasted cauliflower sandwich. I figure these would be safe and they were both home runs. Very fresh, big flavors and perfectly done. I understand what the locals are writing about in the other reviews. I am apart of the club now. I have eaten several sandwiches through carry-out along with other items like Chicken Kafta dining in. The staff that I am encountering now are different people than that ugly Saturday during my inaugural visit. Could it had been the 4 feet of snow covering the city that affected my first visit? Afternoon cooks in a winter rut? Let's call it this, ok? All of the staff I am seeing now are very gracious, very friendly and very helpful. I have been 6 out of last 7 days this week. Yes, my mind has been changed. Outside of the shawarma, I would recommend anything and everything on this menu. Top (3) Lebanese food joints that have I found in my travels across the U.S.A. Yes, this is a joint. The perfect small family run joint with that certain character that all of these smaller restaurants have. I hate my first visit scored (2) Stars but I call them like I see them. Being a Chef, I am a flavor seeker and this place delivers Big Flavors penetrating your taste buds.
(5)
Ali E.
Well not good service or food I would rather go to the one on westnage better food and the waiters on sat and sun are so nice and it makes you feel like home it also is a buffet
(1)
Danielle M.
The people are fabulous and the food is outstanding. Tip: ask for the chili lime fries with a sandwich combo. And ask for the hot sauce. AMAZING. Together with hummus....and I'm in heaven! Their prices are super reasonable and the staff is excellent. Nidal goes out of his way to say hello and see that you had a great experience.
(5)
Aaron H.
This is our go-to for lebanese food. The beef schwarma is as it should be and tasty. I LOVE their dolmas!!! The lentil soup is phenomenal as well! Even better are the hand crafted slushies! My favorite is the mint lemonade. WOW! We never eat in but instead order to go. The food is always out in a reasonable time and the servers are always pleasant! Pop in to get your lebanese fix!!!
(5)
Ben S.
Shawarma King, indeed. From the Amo Mazen tea, the lentil soup, the hummus...everything is delicious. My favorite happens to be the chicken biryani. Go there. It is fantastic.
(5)
Gabrielle V.
Drove all the way from Holland to try out Shawarma King based on raves from a friend. Overall, I've had better Lebanese food. My husband ordered the shish kafta and enjoyed his dish with the fattoush salad. I ordered the mixed shawarma sandwich, huge portion, but I found it to be a bit dry and bland in the meat. The chili lime fries were good but could have been a little bit crispier for fries. I'd give it 3 stars for food. BUT adding an additional star for friendly service and great prices, you can't beat $3.25 for the portion size of the shawarma sandwich
(4)
Shannon C.
As other reviewers have noted, Shawarma King -- with its fresh, flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine and cheap prices -- is the place to visit if you're in Kalamazoo. When we lived in Kzoo, my husband and I frequented the Drake location as well as the Shawarma House on campus (both are owned by the same person), and we were always welcomed with a "How are you, my friend?" or a "Good to see you, my friend!" It really put a personal touch on our already enjoyable experiences. I would definitely recommend any of the sandwiches, as they are super cheap and rather large. I'm a vegetarian, and Shawarma King has several vegetarian options that are not simply entrees without the meat -- among the sandwiches, I have eaten (and loved) the cauliflower sandwich, falafel sandwich, mojaddara (my favorite!) sandwich, spicy eggplant sandwich, and hummus sandwich. There are many meals that vegetarians can enjoy! The sandwich combos are $6.99 (or 7$.99, can't remember), and they include a drink, soup, salad, and a sandwich. You can also get a side (like hummus or fries) instead of the soup or salad -- if you get hummus and fries, you really receive a ton of food! At any rate, I could go on and on about how amazing this restaurant is. Nidal Awad, the owner, is such a friendly guy, and he and his brother, Hamid, are amazing cooks! I always find the service to be top notch at Shawarma King. The same goes for Shawarma House on campus, which is managed by Maher Awad, Nidal's older brother. Both men are outstanding individuals who make fantastic Middle Eastern food!
(5)
Leyna K.
We loved the beef kafta and shish tawook grilled chicken. The salads are huge and fresh.
(5)
PJ H.
I LOVE this place. I've never written a yelp review but this is the local restaurant that I visit regularly. Make sure you visit the Drake Road - not the South Westnedge - Shawarma King (which has a great buffet but not the wonderful sandwiches and salads and chili lime fries). Wait staff and Nidel are always very friendly. I love to go when I'm not rushed for time and just relax in the relaxed environment.
(5)
Ashley E.
The best. The owner is amazing and the quality of food is wonderful. Coming from Detroit it's tough to find good Middle Eastern in Kalamazoo. Their garlic sauce and chicken shawarma is heavenly as is their lentil soup and amo mazen tea. The tea is their secret family recipe and served with love. Give it a try. You most definitely won't be disappointed!
(5)
Mike P.
Actually didn't like it too much but willing to go back and try again. I think I need to know how to order. Interesting cultural place.
(3)
Eric M.
This place is AWESOME! I haven't had a good shawarma since my last deployment to Bahrain. Meat is hot, tender, juicy. The Shawarma King has done that for me. The lentil soup.....holy crap this stuff is good. The only regret I have is that it isn't colder out to where I could have a few more bowls. The lime chili fries are better than they sound. The mint lime aid is perfect for a warm day. Frozen, just a tad sour, but perfectly balanced with fresh mint. Too bad I'm just visiting from Chicago. This place is a must try.
(5)
Bre C.
This place is awesome. Flavor is always perfect and spot on. I always get the very affordable sandwiches and lentil soup. Staff is super friendly and service is always quick on dine-in or take-out. Sometimes they feature a local musician who takes pretty much all requests and his acoustic jammings add to the good vibes that this local business. You could go to one of the dozens of nasty chain restaurants and eat microwaved breaded chicken fingers you could have made at home for a dollar, or you can go here and eat delicious fresh cuisine that was actually prepared with effort. Your choice. Saw that the one bad review had to do with a girl at the counter. I wasn't there, but I can say that the staff is always busy and I have always been greeted politely with smiling faces.
(5)
Evan S.
To be honest I've never had middle eastern food before and the only reason I tried this was because it was in The Avengers. I was very impressed. Ive always heard of falafels on the food network and have been very interested in trying them. They were so delicious. I will definitely be going back!
(5)
Meredith H.
Love this place - food and the people!
(4)
Laura L.
I agree with some of the other reviews, 3 star for food, but add a star for service. Everyone was super nice and accommodating. I went there last night for the first time as it had amazing reviews. I ordered the King platter as it had a little bit of everything: hummus, shish taouk, beef shawarma, grape leaves, falafel and kafta. First off this meal is huge and totally shareable so A+ for that and it has a good variety. However, the beef was super dry and lacked seasoning. The chicken was moist, cooked well, but seriously lacked the tang and spices from a marinade. The grape leaves were good. The hummus is where i was really disappointed. It lacked flavor and was really bland. The only thing that helped was the garlic aioli you get on the side and added to give it some(any) flavor. I love the garlic aioli on everything so it pretty much saved the meal. I will be back, but will order something different to see if everything is as bland.
(4)
Amber L.
Shawarma King is a local Kalamazoo favorite. Its regular customers are fiercely loyal, and why shouldn't they be? This is a must-eat place if you're going to be in town for a while. I think this is just a perfect spot for lunch. Their lunch specials just can't be beat considering the cheap price and vast quantity of food that you get. Authentic, flavorful, delicious. I just love love their chicken shawarma. Easily the best in town. It's difficult for me to pull away from that and explore their other items because I love the chicken shawarma so much. The interior is very simple, low-key, and on the small side. If I want a fancy dinner dining experience, I go to Zooroona's (also very good, the taste is a little different). But for me, Shawarma King is ideal for lunch. The biggest drawback here is the service speed. I have only ever seen one waiter on duty at a time. That often means long waits during the crowded lunch rush. However, people working there are extremely nice. You really feel like they are glad to be there, and they are glad you are here. Excellent food, excellent prices, excellent people, but somewhat slow service. A true culinary gem for the community.
(5)
Harsha N.
This is second visit to Kalamazoo in last 12 months... And shawarma king has impressed me yet again with their soup and falafel deluxe. This was better than all the wraps I had in nearby places.....
(5)
Ryan G. S.
Everything at Shawarma King is outstanding. The hummus, tahini, and garlic sauce are all tangy and are served in abundance. The lentil soup can't be beat. The salads are fresh, and the dressing is tasty but not heavy or overpowering. The meat here, be it shawarma, kefta, or kabobs, is all tender and flavorful. Even the typically lame stuff like rice and french fries are great. The prices are low, but the quantity and quality are very high. Shawarma King was the first place I had middle eastern food many, many years ago. I've since tried the same dishes at many places around the country (and the world), and few places, if any, can beat Shawarma King for all-around awesomeness. You'd probably have to go to Beirut to best it.
(5)
Sham W.
one of my favorites. I cant find one bad thing abot this place
(5)
Nicole F.
Yumnous!
(5)
Sonho L.
I lived in MI for four years. I had some Syrian friends who introduced me to middle eastern food right here. The food is great, fast, with can't beat prices. I recommend the black hot tea with a little sweetner of your choice. A cup of hot lentil soup, especially on a cold night. (Kalamazoo doesn't lack for those). My favorite platter is the shish tawouk. The humus is great. It's not Dearborn, but what is? Enjoy!!!
(4)
Ashley J.
The "large" hostess is a rude bitch. She was unfriendly, messed up our take out order and was mimicking us to her friends as we were leaving. She clearly is miserable working behind the counter of a mediocre restaurant. Beware of the biotch if you choose to dine here, she might bite your head off...literally!!! Also, don't ask for extra napkins!
(1)
Nicole G.
Ooooh how I love Shawarma King, and oh how I wish there were a Portage location. I go there when I'm on the west side, at least to pick up some take-out. It is consistently delicious. And everyone there is so nice and pleasant. It's a lovely experience to eat there, and it's a great value on top of that.
(5)
J. G.
The owner is incredibly friendly, and so are all the staff. I have a gluten intolerance - which means I usually avoid Middle Eastern restaurants since almost everything involves bread. BUT they accommodated me kindly when i went with my boyfriend a few months ago for the first time. instead of pita as a side for hummos they offered me carrot and celery sticks - and they were generous! It was great! Their lemntil soup is also gluten free and decent. Apparently their meat is what they are best at- according to my boyfriend who is from the Middle East - but I only tried it once and it actually made me a little nauseous - BUT I have really sensitive digestive and can't handle MSG and the like. So, if I had a tougher gut, I would totally give this place a better rating. In addition to awesome staff, they are CHEAP! Very cheap. And they have a nice little collection of Middle Eastern grocery items for sale. they also deliver, which is convenient.
(3)
Rebecca W.
Ate here over Medieval-fest weekend while catching up with an old prof. Things got off to a little bit of a rocky start: it wasn't clear, when we went in, whether it was a sit down place, or an order at the counter place, or what. The folks ahead of us were all ordering carry out. We asked the girl at the counter if we should order there or sit down, and she said it was fine to order at the counter, so we did. Then we went to get our drinks and sit down....and set off the great Shawarma Kerfuffle of 2010. We had our glasses....the soda machine was right there....so we went to fill them, and the servers swooped in, taking our glasses from our hands and filling them for us. Our server was (understandably) ticked off that we'd ordered at the counter, and now were sitting in her section--no doubt, she thought she was going to get screwed out of her tip. We had no intention of stiffing anybody, of course, and just didn't understand what was going on... But considering how panicked I get when restaurant situations become awkward, uncomfortable, or confusing--especially in the compahy of a mentor/professor-type--you *know* the food was worth it for me to still give four stars. It was delicious! I had some kind of hugely plentiful combination plate (the king platter? Plenty for sharing, though I wolfed it all down myself). Normally I'm not a fan of stuffed grape leaves, but I loved these--don't know if that means these were especially good, or if they just veered wildly from the norm in some other way. Anyway, the food was awesome--salad, hummus, entrees, etc. The pita came out in like a baggie, which was a little odd, but it was fine. The wait staff seemed to want to make up for all of us getting off on the wrong foot by checking on us about 15 times. Literally. Much appreciated, but started to get a little old, and then got so old it got funny. YES, everything is FINE here! We swear! Overall, a kooky experience, a delicious meal, and a great evening with an old friend. Next time I'm in kzoo, I'd definitely come back.
(4)
Ilana K.
My favorite place in all of west Michigan! I go whenever I can! The sandwhich combo is outstanding. Prices are great. Try their special tea... So delicious!
(5)
Satori N.
Came here with my husband and sister-in-law on 8/31/2010 for lunch. We ordered a medium hummus plate to share (we were unable to finish it!), and I ordered the Chicken Shawarma with Feta sandwich combo. The combo included soup or salad, and choice of a starch. The hummus was delicious, I just wish they had warmed the pita before serving it to us. The lentil soup was creamy and very flavorful; I could have eaten a whole bowl of that with some pita bread and been satisfied. The chicken shawarma with feta was excellent. I was unsure about the placing of pickles in the sandwich, but after eating it I would not have had it any other way. The sandwich was huge and I was unable to finish it. The chili-lime fries were great, especially dipped in ranch (at the suggestion of the waitress). We were all very satisfied with our meals. When I'm in Kalamazoo again and hungry for lunch, I'll be sure to come here.
(4)
Mikey S.
My favorite place to go to for an awesome cheap meal. I lived in Kalamazoo for about 2 years before actually coming in to eat here. My girlfriend got me to go. Let me tell you, best decision ever. I mean for around $3-4 you can get a chicken shawarma sandwich(I usually get it with feta) and be set for lunch, dinner, whatever. Plus all the rest of the food is authentic and great, theres something for everyone for sure. Now whenever I go to any middle eastern restaurant I compare them to this, and none have compared even at twice the price. So don't think spending more somewhere else will get you better authentic middle eastern food, go here, its better and much cheaper than anywhere. Highly recommended.
(5)
Adrian C.
Really for what this place is, it is pretty damn amazing. You can not go wrong with your vegetarian friends here, and still taste the delights of tahini sauce over beef shwarma for you meat eaters. I love it.
(5)
Silvia P.
Great food with a great price.
(5)
Payam S.
I am from NY and eat at best and best reviewed Arabic food places in Patterson NJ and NY all the time and I m a foody so trust me when I say this is the best Arabic I have had in the US! .....My God! We had the mixed Kabab platter and it was fantastic! ......Fresh High quality food seasoned and cooked to perfection (Middleeasterns usually overcook meat by western standards, but this one was perfect!) ......Highest quality meat! and So So delicious! amazing! .......and on Top of that the staff (the girls at the front) were so nice, polite and pleasant! Maybe it s more unusual for me because I m from NY!..........They gave us complementary Baqlawa and a Delicious cinnamon tea..............What a experience! If I ever move to Kalamazoo SHWARMA KING would be a great deciding factor...........The owner drives every week for 2 hours to get the best and freshest of ingredients!..............Outstanding eatery and simply a pleasant pleasant culinary experience
(5)
Quinn T.
Food is absolutely delicious and an incredible deal to boot. My 4- year old is in love with the stuffed grape leaves which is a nice addition to his usual diet of apple juice and Cheetos. My husband and I have been here no less than 10 times in the last year bringing everyone from our elderly grandparents to out of town guests. And repeatedly we have been impressed. Highly recommend. My favorite if we are not getting a King Combo for the table is by far the Shawafle Sandwich with an Amo Mazen Tea.
(5)
Katie J.
This place is incredible! I have family in Kalamazoo, and whenever I'm in town, I always make sure to visit this place. Really, really great lunch buffet and you can't beat the price. Lots of delicious vegetarian options as well. The falafel and roasted potatoes are two of my favorite things they offer. They catered my siblings' graduation party and that was great too.
(5)
Jun B.
People are really friendly there and food were great.
(5)
Dee B.
I've only had the chicken and lamb biryani here, but it's darn good, plus the portion sizes are *enormous*, so it's a great value for the $. My sister said the hummus is also very good.
(4)
patient z.
Great tasting middle eastern food! You get a huge amount of food for your money, too. I wish they would've included forks with our take-out order, though -- I had to eat it with my hands in my hotel room! Though, I guess that's testament to how good it was.
(4)
Ana P.
Extremely flavorful and a pretty inexpensive. I highly recommend the Chicken Kafta sandwich and their hummus. Just make sure you have your tums handy....worth it though. Even if you aren't very adventurous with food you would probably like a lot of their dishes. Lunch us much cheaper than dinner entrees.
(4)
Kelly S.
This place is fantastic! I go here nearly 3 times a week with a group of coworkers. We just cant get enough! The servers treat us like gold and the food is fabulous...not to mention, insanely cheap! Aaaah im getting hungry again just thinking about it.
(5)
o m.
Falafel? Local authentic Middle east food near WMU West gate, casual, take out or dine in, fresh food, great salad & Juice Bar. King Platter is the best deal for $12 it is more than enough for two, it comes with beef shawarma, shish tawook, falafel, grape leaves, tabbouli, hommous and fried kibbee. Great Lebanese salad. Lunch for $5.95.
(5)
Andy P.
I used to live in East Dearborn so I'm very picky when it comes to Lebanese food. I have to say Shawarma King makes me feel at home. They also give very big portions and have a amazing felafel's.
(5)
Christopher J.
Looking for something off the beaten path? Well this certainly is a delicious change from the norm. I'm not sure how to pronounce a lot of the menu items but I sure do enjoy eating them. My top pick is the chicken shawarma with feta sandwhich with a fatoush salad. It's a wonderful restaurant with unique choices and friendly service.
(5)
Anne S.
I used to get the lunch special from here all the time! It's a great deal! The food is so good!
(4)
Dylan W.
You want to talk about good food? What about good food for cheap? Even if you've never had middle-eastern food; do not fear, this place is for you. In fact, i tried middle-eastern food at this place for the first time... and fell in love. This place is a stone's throw away from wmu campus, a 10-15 minute walk, and the price for the food could please any student. Their sandwiches (well, wraps) are delicious. The garlic sauce, hummus, and tahini are fantastic. Their menu is overflowing with delicious food that will, yes will, make you drool. I tried the lentil soup one time and went to heaven. The service is top notch to boot! Some of the nicest souls i've been served by. I talk to the chef every now and then, he states that all of their ingredients are fresh and I believe it! Try this place, you won't be disappointed.
(5)
ivy l.
Not bad, but not great either. I lived in Arabia for 12 yrs so I may be critical. The service was pretty nice. The place doesn't look great. The food is ok just not amazing, and the wraps were pretty dry.
(2)
Jared S.
The sandwiches are excellent (not on bread! wrapped in Pita, normally with pickles and garlic sauce!). Riz bi dejaj, shish tawook. Yum! Moujadrah is a dinner favorite of mine. As well as falafel. Definitely agree with o m., the King Platter is definitely something you should get if it's your first time visiting.
(4)
Tom L.
This food is incredible. Better than most in Dearborn, MI (And that is saying a lot because they have dozens of Lebanese restaurants there). It is cheap, they give you tons of extra pita bread, and the service is great.
(5)
Steve D.
This place is great. Very friendly owner and staff. And the food was great. I was there with my son and we ordered a ton of food, all really fresh and flavorful, and it was cheap. We had the veggie platter which would have been enough. Good falafel, the tabouleh salad was delicious. You can pass on the hummus and baba ganoush, not that flavorful. We also had a fatoush salad that was amazing. My son hates tomatoes and he still ate this it was so good. The only negative was that it was cold in the restaurant. This is really a hole in the wall, not much decor, but if the room had been warmer I'd give them 5 stars. I hope I don't find myself back in boring Kalamazoo, but if I do, I'll visit the Shawarma King again.
(4)
alejandro p.
Fantastic tasting vegetarian friendly Lebanese food at dirt cheap prices, and even my folks enjoy it. I come here every chance I get when I'm back in town. The falafel and hummus sandwiches are standbys, but the real treats for me are the cauliflower and spicy eggplant sandwiches and the fattoush salad.
(5)
Andrea J.
I love going to Shwarma King! the menu is very extensive, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, service is very fast, the portions are huge and the prices cheap, and they have the best Fattoush salad I've ever had. This is one of my local favorites, I recommend it to all my out of town friends who are visiting. If you go at lunchtime, try their Turkish coffee, it's great. I wish they had a larger parking lot because at dinner rush it's hard to find a spot!
(5)
Allison E.
Its like middle eastern fast food. Perfect for snobs who love the convienience of BK, but prefer their flavors to have a more exotic flare. The hummus is great!
(4)
Katy P.
Really good, super affordable food!
(5)
Laura B.
Mmmmmmm! They have great falafal, hummus, chicken kafta, and lentil soup. I'm not sure if they still have it, but they used to have a fantastic sanwich with soup/salad and rice/fries deal for super cheap.
(5)
Jennifer R.
I've only had the mixed shwarma dinner here, but each time I've had it, it was tasty and filling. Their fattoush salad is awesome! They have daily specials and student discounts, which is nice.
(4)
Robbie S.
What a great place. The fried cauliflower and potato sandwich is a new favorite, but honestly I have never gone wrong here. Lately I have been getting a large tabbouleh for takeout which is HUGE and lasts me all week and is such a great snack to take to work. If you have never had Lebanese food...start here! Must try the king platter, falafel, lentil soup...and baklava for dessert which comes from the New Yasmeen Bakery in Dearborn, near Detroit. The staff is very friendly, the prices are great and the food is delicious. Love this place, can't say enough!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Shuan C.
This restaurant is amazing! It was the first place we tried after moving here this month and we were incredibly pleased. We had the dish that came with a little bit of everything. Out of this world! I could not stop telling all my friends about how delicious the falafel was. My husband liked the chicken shawarma best. We also ordered chili lime fries and they were really good as well. I would say I wished they were crunchier but that is just personal preference. The flavor was great! The lime was the perfect amount. Highly highly recommend this place!
(5)SA N.
I guess this is semi my fault because when you go to a place called "schwarma King" you should probably order schwarma, but I cannot pass the opportunity to pass up biryani if it's on the menu. It was decent, but the chicken was dry and needed a little more spice. The falafel was delicious as well as their garlic sauce... I don't know the right way to say this, but the hummus tasted dirty, for lack of a better word. And I love humus :(
(3)Kevin D.
Omg is their food amazing. I always try something new and I've never been let down, never! This place is that amazing. Their falafel is killer, the shawarma is out of this world. And the owner is one of the nicest person I've ever met. This is my go to place. Thanks Shawarma King.
(5)Jenny L.
I love me some shawarma King! my go to is amo mazen's salad -fresh romaine, tomatoes, cukes, lemony dressing and feta. you can get it with chicken shawarma on top. my other go to is the good ol chicken shawarma. get it with garlic sauce and their "red" sauce - I forget what it's actually called but they will know what you're talking about!
(5)Alicia S.
What I love most about Mediterranean places like this, is that you can get a high quality delicious sandwich or wrap for an amazing price! $2.95 will get you a classic shwarma a la carte, how can one complain? To my surprise, the vegetarian grape leaf sandwich won my heart over a chicken shwarrma (my go to Medi choice). The grape leafs are seasoned to perfection and I'm drooling just writing about them. Their "to-go" time has always been on point, we've never waited more than 15 mins when we place carry-out. Tabouli salad is delicious and a small order is enough for two people!
(4)Anita L.
Not bad.. I've definitely had better kebabs elsewhere. Meat was a little dry both times I went, and tabbouli was a little overdressed. Their grape leaves were very good and served warm, which I enjoyed. Falafel was also very good, warm and moist inside. Service varied. The first time, we had good service, and the second time, our initial server was great, but the one training her did not allow us to order lunch (arrived 5 mins before lunch was over), and kept reminding us that what we wanted cost extra (which we had already said that was fine). It was not a pleasant dining experience to ask for something and constantly being told "that will be $0.50 extra" even though we already said that was fine.
(3)Zach G.
Shawarma King is awesome! I have never had Shawarma before I came here, but I would guess this is probably one of the best around. The owner and his staff are really friendly and helpful. I feel like a valued customer when I there and actually enjoy the experience. Why go here? -friendly staff -great portions -the food is delicious and hot
(4)Bob S.
This is our go to place for a quick and tasty meal. There are several versions around town but the one on Drake is the best. Everything we have tried has been excellent. And the tea is fantastic, you really need to try some. The service is kind of odd, it looks like you should order from the counter but in fact they have table service. The staff is great and the service is quick. If you have not tried this place yet you really must. Even the most picky eaters like the food here. Go for it!
(5)Sarda P.
Amazing food...best middle eastern food I have had in USA...I had gotten the crispy shrimp for my mom...and she was totally in love with it...I even got the special falafel wrap and also the cauliflower wrap....both were so delicious. ..the cauliflower potato wrap was my fav....we got samosas and they were nice and crispy ...they have loads of vegetarian options...two thumbs up :)
(5)Shabbir E.
On our trip to Canada from Chicago, we wanted to stop at a halal, middle-eastern joint and came across this via a "vicinity" search on Yelp. Boy, were we impressed. Succulent meat, fresh salad, chilli-lime fries and the amazing, famous tea made it a superstar lunch for the wife, our 2 boys and me. Highly recommended!
(5)Catherine N.
We were on our way to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo when the subject of lunch came up. All we could see around us was fast food. Yelp delivered up this gem of a place. The portions are generous! You will not leave hungry. I ordered the Shawafel sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. The wrap it was in had been toasted and was gently crispy. Inside, the mix of beef and chicken shawarma combined with the falafel and dressing to create much enjoyment for my tongue. The salad had a nice vinaigrette dressing that was faintly redolent of mint. The crunchy pita chip pieces in it were fun to eat. I tried the soup, which was thick enough to be a stew. It was savory and well spiced. The French fries were hot and fresh from the fryer. The wait staff was very friendly. The owner even came out to make sure the entire restaurant was enjoying their lunch. The next time I am in Michigan, I know where I will be eating!
(5)Aditi T.
Words fail to describe how much I love the food at Shawarma King. But maybe, actions might help convey my love: I moved to Kalamazoo about two weeks ago, and I've already eaten at Shawarma King THREE times! Why do I love SK ever so? First, because they've got authentic Middle Eastern fare! Having grown up in Dubai, I'm a little bit of an Arabic/Lebanese food snob (that's probably an understatement). Their hummus doesn't taste like it came out of a tin; the meat is perfectly flavoured and cooked to perfection and the falafels are perfection squared. Pros: + Super authentic, delicious food! + Try the: falafels, hummus, chicken & beef shish kafta, and/or fattoush salad and OBVS the chicken shawarma + AMAZING SERVICE + Budget friendly + They do a gluten-free selection which is amazing! + Service is fast Cons: - Their tahini is hit and miss. There are days where it's watered down and days where it's amazing. - Biryani wasn't as flavourful as I'd want it to be. - Babaganoush isn't super aubergine-y. At this point you may be thinking, if there are 2.5/3 cons, how can you still give this place 5 stars? And it's really because I'm slightly biased and I've never had Middle Eastern food this authentic anywhere across the US in the last six years (be it in Ann Arbor, New York or anywhere else). TRY IT. You won't regret it. The service is super friendly, the atmosphere is chill and the food is amazing. P.S. Don't forget to order the falafels! :)
(5)Katie C.
Great place! We stopped here on our way home from Chicago. Chili lime fries were great! The fattoush was very good and great price! The staff was so friendly and very attentive!
(5)Senor D.
The food is genuinely great and the staff is top notch. Try the Amo Mazen tea. Similar to a Thai tea but warm and is Amo-Mazen!
(5)Chelsea C.
Used to come here when us poor college students could afford a meal! Got the shishtawook sandwich and it was to die for. The staff always made us feel like family
(5)Matt H.
I'm a fan of this place even though my wife and kids don't like the Med food all that much. I always like to get a sampler of some kind because I don't just like one kind of food. The kitchen is open as you walk in so you can see the food being prepared. The owner/manager always seems suspect if you have a coupon but hey, that's what coupons are for, right? He isn't rude about them or anything but maybe wants to be cautious of his staff taking them...whatever. The portions are more than adequate for me and I often take a little of the hummus home for a snack later. To my knowledge, everything is homemade and it shows. I can't say enough about the fresh fattoush and hummus. I try to stop by somewhat regularly when I'm on that side of town and I always say that I should go there more often just to satisfy my craving for the middle eastern fare.
(4)Spence R.
Food is always delicious and the staff are always super friendly. Can't go wrong!
(4)Ryan W.
Excellent food to say the least. I've been a regular customer here for more than 10 years now and LOVE this place. Friendly service, always clean - really looking forward to when they start on their (planned) expansion. Recommend the chicken shawarma sandwich, RBD sandwich, vegetarian platter, and the Fruity Suze smoothie, so good!
(5)Mohammed B.
Slightly higher sandwiches prices. Juice was perfect. Shawarma was fatty. Place comfortable and friendly staff. The waiter said all chicken and beef are HALAL and thats great for Muslim.
(3)Nathan L.
I have eaten in once and had take out multiple times. Everything I have had from the Turkish coffee to the chicken shawarma I have been incredibly happy with. The location is very convenient on Drake road between KL and Stadium Drive. The interior was clean and is generally humming with people eating and getting take out. There are a decent amount of seats inside. The prices are incredibly reasonable! An order of the hommous (very large portions) and a chicken shawarma will be more than enough to fill you up. I have tried quite a few of the options here and haven't been dissappointed yet. I would highly suggest eating at Shawarma King and I will be there again soon.
(4)Annie Q.
I am all about that halal food, and this is THE only Arab restaurant I always trust in Kzoo. Great prices with even better food. We always have left-overs. I have tried mostly everything on the menu and the following dishes are WORTH the hype: Chili Lime Fries- you deserve this goodness all day. I always come back for these. Amo Mazen Tea feels like a hug from a caring family member. Chicken wings have all the tang and flavor you were looking for. Chicken kafta burger does not disappoint with its fresh parsley and seasonings. Treat yourself to this delish food in front of the lovely Dome of the Rock mural today!
(5)Erin M.
The sandwich meals are an amazing value and delicious. The spicy eggplant sandwich is spectacular and I'm really picky about eggplant so that's really saying something. I love to get the sandwich with their fattoush and hummus. It's a perfect meal and I always have leftovers. The building is clean, the prices are very affordable, and the staff friendly, I can't think of an area for improvement. Five stars all the way!
(5)Lena V.
We order at this place about 3-5 times per year and our order is always pretty big. We used to love this place, but with our last two orders, we noticed that the quality of food was not as good as it used to be. The meat was dry, tabbouleh was not fresh and seemed overdressed for that reason. Their white rice seemed like it came right out of Ris-a-roni box. I found hair in my food at least twice. Not to mention, the customer service went downhill with food quality. So, I placed an $80 order last time. Picked it up, drove it home, opened it and realized I was missing 3 items totaling $15 and 4 garlic sauces that I requested (paid for) in addition to the ones provided. AND they gave me humus instead of the eggplant appetizer that I ordered. I called them, they gave me two options: I could come back and pick up what they forgot (not an option because I live 30 minutes away), I picked $15 credit. They said they would put me on their credit list and that I could use it anytime.THEY DID NOT EVEN APPLOLOGIZE FOR MESSING UP MY ORDER! So about a month later I decided to use my credit towards ordering two lunch platters. I called and sure enough, they don't have a record of my $15 credit! My name was on their credit list for one drink. I explained what happened last time and the manager said, I can still come it and get my free (paid for by me a month ago) drink, but nothing else. Needless to say, I will take my business elsewhere where their care about their customer's satisfaction.
(1)Scott H.
Stumbled upon this little gem on our trip from Chicago to Metro Detroit. We had been craving good shawarma, very hard to come by in Chicago. Great food, big portions, amazing prices, and a very friendly and attentive wait staff. Chicken Shawarma with feta sandwiches was a tasty twist on a traditional shawarma. A potent garlic sauce and pickles tied the sandwich together nicely. The side of hummus and Fattoush salad were also delicious. Overall a great find and definite stop if you're looking for solid shawarma.
(4)Mike S.
Favorite spot in kzoo! Can't go wrong with the menu but I recommend the rbd and fattoush salad
(5)Andy E.
Thank you Yelpers! This place is solid. Certainly not fancy, but great Mediterranean food. I had the grape leaves (yum!) and the freshly prepared hummus plate with lamb and almonds. Wait staff is efficient and friendly. I'll be back for more!
(4)Sarrah F.
Stopped here on my way to Chicago from Ann Arbor. I got the soujouk sandwich and the majadra ride. The sandwich was delicious. It's probably the best that I've ever had. Every single bite was amazing. The rice was okay. I wouldn't get it again though. Def recommend this place.
(5)Marie P.
Ok, it's been a couple months since we were there on a recent trip, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. All I remember is that we paid very little for what ended up being a TON of food, and ended up cursing that we didn't have more room in our stomachs to just. keep. eating. SO GOOD. I don't remember what all we ordered, but I DO remember that the stuffed grape leaves were the best we'd had, ever, anywhere... and there was some kind of white sauce (garlic sauce?) that I wish we could buy by the vat. We will definitely be back whenever we pass through the area. Shame it'll only be once a year :(
(5)Tim H.
Visited here while in Kazoo on business. Things got a little mixed up in ordering (it wasn't apparent that it is a table service place, so I ordered at the counter and sat 20 minutes at a table before flagging down a server to check on the order). The food itself was good, not great. I had the mixed shawarma sandwich and salad. Not as bold in flavor as I had expected. And, at $11 for lunch, kind of steep.
(3)Marcel R.
Great food, friendly staff....If your into this type of food, then this the place to go - I was served by Deisree, and she was very professional. Tell a friend to tell many more.
(4)Ed R.
Don't judge a book by its cover. The outside of this place doesn't inspire, but don't let looks deceive you. Shwarma King is just about as good as it gets. I haven't explored the entire menu, but everything I've had has been terrific; the hummus, baba ganoush, shish kafta, the shwarma of course, biryani ... are all wonderful. If you are only in it for the food and not worried about 'ambience', SK is a slam dunk!
(5)Chris F.
Very good, healthy food at incredibly resonable prices. The staff and owner are always gracious. Best french fries in town, and who can argue agaisnt an incredibly tasy ~$3 sandwich. Great hummus and salads too. Need I say more?
(5)Peter Z.
Sandwiches! Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches. I'm never as happy as I am when I'm eating a sandwich from Shawarma King. Especially if you need a vegetarian sandwich, you're in such good shape here. I've eaten a lot of sandwiches at Shawarma King. Have I mentioned the sandwiches? In addition to the middle eastern classics they do so well (falafel, shawarma) they've got a few custom numbers that are big hits with the locals. The Shawafal has chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, hummus, and taboulleh all wrapped in a pita. Vegetarian? Try the Lisa: tahina sauce, hommous, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, hot sauce, eggplant, and french fries. Yeah. For real. Also, don't be scared to try a soujouk sandwich -- this sausage is so rich and flavorful, and it's smothered in their amazing toum (garlic sauce). Veggies more your speed? I'm willing to wager that the best cauliflower sandwich you'll ever eat is waiting for you at Shawarma King. It's way better than a cauliflower sandwich has any business being. Thank you, Shawarma King, for doing what you do. Keep it up!
(5)Mubi K.
I've had authentic Lebanese food in the middle east and this doesn't even come close to what we had... I would still give it 3 stars as its basically the only arabic halal restaurant in kalamazoo. Last I ordered I wasn't very happy with the food. I had ordered for a party and got chicken kafta, beef kafta, the mixed salad. The chicken and beef kafta were SO DRY that my guest barely touched it! The humus was yummy but the baba ganoush was bitter! I had to throw it out it wasn't edible... Big disappointment as that was one of my favorites not to mention waste of money. Their humus is always good and their cheese burger but other items aren't consistent.
(3)Anne M.
Wonderful food! Great and friendly staff! we had the lentil soup and tabouli, both of which tasted home-y and filling without being heavy. Would definitely recommend
(5)Ibrahim B.
Perfect place to taste that middle eastern food. The shawarma is the best thing I tastes there but till them to go easy on the chicken. The service is good I will defiantly go there again.
(5)Tim R.
HUGE value...SUPER tasty... the RBD is fantastic...tabbouleh is good, mango smoothie is sublime... never had a bad item here
(4)Zondra H.
Honestly.. there is nothing to say about this place that hasn't been said.. other than ADDICTION. The food is consistently fantastic. Delicious, simple atmosphere and prices are right on target and better than expected. Two people can share a meal and leave full for less than $15. I am not a fan of the campus location (have had moldy pita there twice and the westnedge buffett is not the same recipes or owner) this place on Drake is the best ever! Even from other towns I have been to for Lebanese food you can't do better than this! Love the owner, love the food, love the convenience and always wish there were more locations to save us the drive but would never let the distance stop me from going!
(5)Chad S.
Please! Please please please build a location in Jackson mi. I lived in Dearborn mi for over 30 years and love Arabic food. I am Italian/polish this place is awesome. Please come to Jackson. Jackson has NothING like this. I'm really sick of the same old stuff that is served by the restaurants.
(5)Tyler K.
In comparison to Bucharest Grill in Detroit, MI, LaPita in Saint Joseph, MI and Leyla in Charlston, SC, Shawarma King on South Drake in Kalamazoo, MI is pretty good. The service is generally quick and the food quality is consistent. I usually call-in an order of a beef or chicken shawarma sandwich because I am usually on-the-go. I have recently noticed that there have been some female staff members taking orders over the phone in such a way that makes you think that you had ruined their day for calling. The staff more frequently have been taking orders with heavy sighing and with an annoyance in their voice. I have always appreciated Shawarma King's quality of food and service, so this was a surprise to me. Shawarma King is known locally to have a positive reputation and presence in the community as well as it's owner. I hope these phone interactions do not continue to damage their success. Apart from this, the food is enough to keeping me coming back.
(4)Christopher T.
Overhyped and lacking taste. High hopes based on reviews but let down. Better Mediterranean food in st. Joe at La Pita.
(2)Sam S.
I met the owner who told me about his restaurants. I love trying out new places esp when I'm new to the area. Simply amazing!!!!! There were 5 of us and we all loved our food, from the hummus to the way the meat tasted to the rice. It was all very delicious. Would be nice to have outdoor seating.
(5)Brian M.
The reviews aren't lying, this place is great. Flavorful, good sized servings and a wide variety. Service is good, casual atmosphere. Go every time I am in Kzoo
(5)Leah B.
We found Shwarma King on Yelp while passing through Kalamazoo on a road trip. Boy are we glad we did! The hummus was the best I've ever had and everything else was well-prepared and subtly seasoned. The service was attentive and super friendly. The baklava for dessert was light and not sickly sweet like some I've had. Definitely go out of your way to eat here!
(5)Stephen T.
It's the best. It's number 1. It's the best. It's the best. It's the best shawarma. You get home from work and you go to shawarma king because you're the best! You come in you eat your food and plasti-dip your shame! It's the best it's number 1! Mag-light.
(5)CC R.
We were driving past Kalamazoo on I-94 last night looking for a good place to eat a quick dinner. We pulled up the yelp app on an iPhone, browsed around, and decided to try Shawarma King. It didn't disappoint. The restroom was clean, the wait people were friendly and attentive but not pushy, the dining room was quiet and comfortable, and the food was delicious. We ordered chicken kafta, tomato salad, and basmati rice. We also had a piece of baklava for dessert. It wasn't as sweet and gooey as I'd hoped -- the spices were unfamiliar -- but my husband enjoyed it so I'd say it was "just me." We drove a few miles to get to the place, but the US 131 exit would have made it a very convenient stop.
(5)Matt D.
Really good stuff here. Shawarma King offers mainly take-out and dine in services. The wait staff was casual, friendly, and attentive. I ordered the mixed shawarma dinner entree. The plate was overflowing (in a good way) with seasoned shaved beef and chicken atop a layer of Lebanese rice. It also came with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the lentil soup and I am so glad I did. It was thick and rich and a great start to the meal. Both portions of meat were incredibly tasty and seasoned very well. The beef seemed was a bit dry, but I added some of the house sauce and it made for a great combination. The chicken was my favorite. Well cooked, well seasoned, just great stuff. The traditional garlic sauce was served on the side and compliment the meal nicely. I can't wait to come back here and explore more of the menu! I was not told by the waitress that I needed to pay up front, coney island style, so I awkwardly sat on the table waiting for my bill for 5 or so minutes. I would've appreciated a heads up since it was my first time, but now I know for next time.
(4)Samuel B.
It's nothing much to set it apart from other restaurants similar to it, but has friendly staff and good portions. While the prices are a little up there, it's hard to say I don't get what I pay for whenever I go there.
(4)Sharon S.
Very good food. Humus with lamb was excellent. We got the family platter. It was huge! Great mix of dishes. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)Tyler K.
Locally owned. Staff were extremely pleasant and the food was amazing. The combo for one will definitely feed two.
(5)Amira E.
In from out of town I asked for extra sauce and was not given any with my take out order. Owner isnt in the country and the place falls to the worst service ever. Will not return!!!!!!!!!! Deserves no stars
(1)R S.
I dont understand why people would give this place high ratings, unless they have never eaten Middle eastern food or visited the Middle East, or maybe b/c of the limited choices in Kalamazoo. If you live in Michigan, then please go visit Dearbon for some authentic, tasty Lebanese food. The drinks (like their mint lemonade and cocktail drinks) were the only solace here. The chicken shawarma was dry and boring with no herbs, or tomatoes, or onions. It was so bland!! Their so called-esteemed chilli-lime fries was simply greasy and had a monolithic taste. Overall, I would never come back!
(1)D G.
Everything we ordered was delicious. The staff was all extremely pleasant and genuine. Juice bar is a great addition to a nicely varied menu.
(5)Greg M.
I love this place. The owner is a really a good cook. I have tried several things on the menu and have never been disappointed. The chicken kafta is my favorite. I try and eat here once a week for sure. The lentil soup is awesome everytime. The wait staff is usually friendly and attentive. Sometimes they can be slow and non responsive.
(5)Brian G.
Given the possible existence of an infinite number of alternate universes, I feel cheated by being born into one where there isn't a chain of Shawarma King locations conveniently located throughout Michigan. This is easily my favorite Middle-East place. The thing is, had a friend not suggested it, I wouldn't have given it a second thought--I mean, it's set up in an old Pizza Hut and, well, most restaurants that feature the word "king" (or "chef" for that matter) rarely live up to their title. Anyway, it's a buffet, it's cheap and food is really good. I wouldn't take a date there or anything, but for a few dollars more than fast food, it's a great place to grab a quick lunch.
(4)Jack B.
I always enjoy SK. The new Amo Mazen Tea is really good for cold weather. The food has always been great and the service is very attentive.
(5)Rachel R.
People love this place for one reason: there is no competition. This is about it for middle eastern food in southwest Michigan. Having grown up a few miles from Dearborn I know what good middle eastern food is, and this is not it. It's bland, over cooked, and intended for an inexperienced pallet. Every time I ate there (always with friends who raved about the place as they'd never had middle eastern food before this place) I was super disappointed. There's virtually no seasoning, and even the cauliflower is needlessly fried. It's not well maintained, and the waiters are a bit sporadic. Also, the amount of grease in the falafel alone is enough to give someone the runs. If you want a good middle eastern food experience, drive 2.5 hours east to Dearborn or west to Chicago, otherwise go for something else.
(1)Daniel D.
Fantastic, insanely cheap Middle Eastern food. They offer a wide range of entrees, sandwiches, etc. plus a small stock of groceries if you want to try cooking at home. A must eat in Kalamazoo.
(5)Amber T.
I went here for lunch while in town, and the food was really quite good. I got the falafel sandwich lunch special which came with fries and Lebanese salad. The falafel here is really excellent. It doesn't taste plain like a lot of other knock-off middle eastern places, and it's perfectly cooked. What I didn't enjoy here was the tabouli that came on the sandwich; it tasted like a mixture of mint and parsley and I didn't enjoy it at all. But the service was great, and the price for lunch was perfect. I would go here again.
(4)Chef Bradford S.
Well, bite my tongue. I stand by my last review on the chicken & beef shawarma and will probably never dive into that again ,but I stand corrected on the remaining portion of the menu. It took me several weeks to go back and did so in carry-out format so I could discard, if unhappy. I ordered the falafel deluxe sandwich and the roasted cauliflower sandwich. I figure these would be safe and they were both home runs. Very fresh, big flavors and perfectly done. I understand what the locals are writing about in the other reviews. I am apart of the club now. I have eaten several sandwiches through carry-out along with other items like Chicken Kafta dining in. The staff that I am encountering now are different people than that ugly Saturday during my inaugural visit. Could it had been the 4 feet of snow covering the city that affected my first visit? Afternoon cooks in a winter rut? Let's call it this, ok? All of the staff I am seeing now are very gracious, very friendly and very helpful. I have been 6 out of last 7 days this week. Yes, my mind has been changed. Outside of the shawarma, I would recommend anything and everything on this menu. Top (3) Lebanese food joints that have I found in my travels across the U.S.A. Yes, this is a joint. The perfect small family run joint with that certain character that all of these smaller restaurants have. I hate my first visit scored (2) Stars but I call them like I see them. Being a Chef, I am a flavor seeker and this place delivers Big Flavors penetrating your taste buds.
(5)Ali E.
Well not good service or food I would rather go to the one on westnage better food and the waiters on sat and sun are so nice and it makes you feel like home it also is a buffet
(1)Danielle M.
The people are fabulous and the food is outstanding. Tip: ask for the chili lime fries with a sandwich combo. And ask for the hot sauce. AMAZING. Together with hummus....and I'm in heaven! Their prices are super reasonable and the staff is excellent. Nidal goes out of his way to say hello and see that you had a great experience.
(5)Aaron H.
This is our go-to for lebanese food. The beef schwarma is as it should be and tasty. I LOVE their dolmas!!! The lentil soup is phenomenal as well! Even better are the hand crafted slushies! My favorite is the mint lemonade. WOW! We never eat in but instead order to go. The food is always out in a reasonable time and the servers are always pleasant! Pop in to get your lebanese fix!!!
(5)Ben S.
Shawarma King, indeed. From the Amo Mazen tea, the lentil soup, the hummus...everything is delicious. My favorite happens to be the chicken biryani. Go there. It is fantastic.
(5)Gabrielle V.
Drove all the way from Holland to try out Shawarma King based on raves from a friend. Overall, I've had better Lebanese food. My husband ordered the shish kafta and enjoyed his dish with the fattoush salad. I ordered the mixed shawarma sandwich, huge portion, but I found it to be a bit dry and bland in the meat. The chili lime fries were good but could have been a little bit crispier for fries. I'd give it 3 stars for food. BUT adding an additional star for friendly service and great prices, you can't beat $3.25 for the portion size of the shawarma sandwich
(4)Shannon C.
As other reviewers have noted, Shawarma King -- with its fresh, flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine and cheap prices -- is the place to visit if you're in Kalamazoo. When we lived in Kzoo, my husband and I frequented the Drake location as well as the Shawarma House on campus (both are owned by the same person), and we were always welcomed with a "How are you, my friend?" or a "Good to see you, my friend!" It really put a personal touch on our already enjoyable experiences. I would definitely recommend any of the sandwiches, as they are super cheap and rather large. I'm a vegetarian, and Shawarma King has several vegetarian options that are not simply entrees without the meat -- among the sandwiches, I have eaten (and loved) the cauliflower sandwich, falafel sandwich, mojaddara (my favorite!) sandwich, spicy eggplant sandwich, and hummus sandwich. There are many meals that vegetarians can enjoy! The sandwich combos are $6.99 (or 7$.99, can't remember), and they include a drink, soup, salad, and a sandwich. You can also get a side (like hummus or fries) instead of the soup or salad -- if you get hummus and fries, you really receive a ton of food! At any rate, I could go on and on about how amazing this restaurant is. Nidal Awad, the owner, is such a friendly guy, and he and his brother, Hamid, are amazing cooks! I always find the service to be top notch at Shawarma King. The same goes for Shawarma House on campus, which is managed by Maher Awad, Nidal's older brother. Both men are outstanding individuals who make fantastic Middle Eastern food!
(5)Leyna K.
We loved the beef kafta and shish tawook grilled chicken. The salads are huge and fresh.
(5)PJ H.
I LOVE this place. I've never written a yelp review but this is the local restaurant that I visit regularly. Make sure you visit the Drake Road - not the South Westnedge - Shawarma King (which has a great buffet but not the wonderful sandwiches and salads and chili lime fries). Wait staff and Nidel are always very friendly. I love to go when I'm not rushed for time and just relax in the relaxed environment.
(5)Ashley E.
The best. The owner is amazing and the quality of food is wonderful. Coming from Detroit it's tough to find good Middle Eastern in Kalamazoo. Their garlic sauce and chicken shawarma is heavenly as is their lentil soup and amo mazen tea. The tea is their secret family recipe and served with love. Give it a try. You most definitely won't be disappointed!
(5)Mike P.
Actually didn't like it too much but willing to go back and try again. I think I need to know how to order. Interesting cultural place.
(3)Eric M.
This place is AWESOME! I haven't had a good shawarma since my last deployment to Bahrain. Meat is hot, tender, juicy. The Shawarma King has done that for me. The lentil soup.....holy crap this stuff is good. The only regret I have is that it isn't colder out to where I could have a few more bowls. The lime chili fries are better than they sound. The mint lime aid is perfect for a warm day. Frozen, just a tad sour, but perfectly balanced with fresh mint. Too bad I'm just visiting from Chicago. This place is a must try.
(5)Bre C.
This place is awesome. Flavor is always perfect and spot on. I always get the very affordable sandwiches and lentil soup. Staff is super friendly and service is always quick on dine-in or take-out. Sometimes they feature a local musician who takes pretty much all requests and his acoustic jammings add to the good vibes that this local business. You could go to one of the dozens of nasty chain restaurants and eat microwaved breaded chicken fingers you could have made at home for a dollar, or you can go here and eat delicious fresh cuisine that was actually prepared with effort. Your choice. Saw that the one bad review had to do with a girl at the counter. I wasn't there, but I can say that the staff is always busy and I have always been greeted politely with smiling faces.
(5)Evan S.
To be honest I've never had middle eastern food before and the only reason I tried this was because it was in The Avengers. I was very impressed. Ive always heard of falafels on the food network and have been very interested in trying them. They were so delicious. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Meredith H.
Love this place - food and the people!
(4)Laura L.
I agree with some of the other reviews, 3 star for food, but add a star for service. Everyone was super nice and accommodating. I went there last night for the first time as it had amazing reviews. I ordered the King platter as it had a little bit of everything: hummus, shish taouk, beef shawarma, grape leaves, falafel and kafta. First off this meal is huge and totally shareable so A+ for that and it has a good variety. However, the beef was super dry and lacked seasoning. The chicken was moist, cooked well, but seriously lacked the tang and spices from a marinade. The grape leaves were good. The hummus is where i was really disappointed. It lacked flavor and was really bland. The only thing that helped was the garlic aioli you get on the side and added to give it some(any) flavor. I love the garlic aioli on everything so it pretty much saved the meal. I will be back, but will order something different to see if everything is as bland.
(4)Amber L.
Shawarma King is a local Kalamazoo favorite. Its regular customers are fiercely loyal, and why shouldn't they be? This is a must-eat place if you're going to be in town for a while. I think this is just a perfect spot for lunch. Their lunch specials just can't be beat considering the cheap price and vast quantity of food that you get. Authentic, flavorful, delicious. I just love love their chicken shawarma. Easily the best in town. It's difficult for me to pull away from that and explore their other items because I love the chicken shawarma so much. The interior is very simple, low-key, and on the small side. If I want a fancy dinner dining experience, I go to Zooroona's (also very good, the taste is a little different). But for me, Shawarma King is ideal for lunch. The biggest drawback here is the service speed. I have only ever seen one waiter on duty at a time. That often means long waits during the crowded lunch rush. However, people working there are extremely nice. You really feel like they are glad to be there, and they are glad you are here. Excellent food, excellent prices, excellent people, but somewhat slow service. A true culinary gem for the community.
(5)Harsha N.
This is second visit to Kalamazoo in last 12 months... And shawarma king has impressed me yet again with their soup and falafel deluxe. This was better than all the wraps I had in nearby places.....
(5)Ryan G. S.
Everything at Shawarma King is outstanding. The hummus, tahini, and garlic sauce are all tangy and are served in abundance. The lentil soup can't be beat. The salads are fresh, and the dressing is tasty but not heavy or overpowering. The meat here, be it shawarma, kefta, or kabobs, is all tender and flavorful. Even the typically lame stuff like rice and french fries are great. The prices are low, but the quantity and quality are very high. Shawarma King was the first place I had middle eastern food many, many years ago. I've since tried the same dishes at many places around the country (and the world), and few places, if any, can beat Shawarma King for all-around awesomeness. You'd probably have to go to Beirut to best it.
(5)Sham W.
one of my favorites. I cant find one bad thing abot this place
(5)Nicole F.
Yumnous!
(5)Sonho L.
I lived in MI for four years. I had some Syrian friends who introduced me to middle eastern food right here. The food is great, fast, with can't beat prices. I recommend the black hot tea with a little sweetner of your choice. A cup of hot lentil soup, especially on a cold night. (Kalamazoo doesn't lack for those). My favorite platter is the shish tawouk. The humus is great. It's not Dearborn, but what is? Enjoy!!!
(4)Ashley J.
The "large" hostess is a rude bitch. She was unfriendly, messed up our take out order and was mimicking us to her friends as we were leaving. She clearly is miserable working behind the counter of a mediocre restaurant. Beware of the biotch if you choose to dine here, she might bite your head off...literally!!! Also, don't ask for extra napkins!
(1)Nicole G.
Ooooh how I love Shawarma King, and oh how I wish there were a Portage location. I go there when I'm on the west side, at least to pick up some take-out. It is consistently delicious. And everyone there is so nice and pleasant. It's a lovely experience to eat there, and it's a great value on top of that.
(5)J. G.
The owner is incredibly friendly, and so are all the staff. I have a gluten intolerance - which means I usually avoid Middle Eastern restaurants since almost everything involves bread. BUT they accommodated me kindly when i went with my boyfriend a few months ago for the first time. instead of pita as a side for hummos they offered me carrot and celery sticks - and they were generous! It was great! Their lemntil soup is also gluten free and decent. Apparently their meat is what they are best at- according to my boyfriend who is from the Middle East - but I only tried it once and it actually made me a little nauseous - BUT I have really sensitive digestive and can't handle MSG and the like. So, if I had a tougher gut, I would totally give this place a better rating. In addition to awesome staff, they are CHEAP! Very cheap. And they have a nice little collection of Middle Eastern grocery items for sale. they also deliver, which is convenient.
(3)Rebecca W.
Ate here over Medieval-fest weekend while catching up with an old prof. Things got off to a little bit of a rocky start: it wasn't clear, when we went in, whether it was a sit down place, or an order at the counter place, or what. The folks ahead of us were all ordering carry out. We asked the girl at the counter if we should order there or sit down, and she said it was fine to order at the counter, so we did. Then we went to get our drinks and sit down....and set off the great Shawarma Kerfuffle of 2010. We had our glasses....the soda machine was right there....so we went to fill them, and the servers swooped in, taking our glasses from our hands and filling them for us. Our server was (understandably) ticked off that we'd ordered at the counter, and now were sitting in her section--no doubt, she thought she was going to get screwed out of her tip. We had no intention of stiffing anybody, of course, and just didn't understand what was going on... But considering how panicked I get when restaurant situations become awkward, uncomfortable, or confusing--especially in the compahy of a mentor/professor-type--you *know* the food was worth it for me to still give four stars. It was delicious! I had some kind of hugely plentiful combination plate (the king platter? Plenty for sharing, though I wolfed it all down myself). Normally I'm not a fan of stuffed grape leaves, but I loved these--don't know if that means these were especially good, or if they just veered wildly from the norm in some other way. Anyway, the food was awesome--salad, hummus, entrees, etc. The pita came out in like a baggie, which was a little odd, but it was fine. The wait staff seemed to want to make up for all of us getting off on the wrong foot by checking on us about 15 times. Literally. Much appreciated, but started to get a little old, and then got so old it got funny. YES, everything is FINE here! We swear! Overall, a kooky experience, a delicious meal, and a great evening with an old friend. Next time I'm in kzoo, I'd definitely come back.
(4)Ilana K.
My favorite place in all of west Michigan! I go whenever I can! The sandwhich combo is outstanding. Prices are great. Try their special tea... So delicious!
(5)Satori N.
Came here with my husband and sister-in-law on 8/31/2010 for lunch. We ordered a medium hummus plate to share (we were unable to finish it!), and I ordered the Chicken Shawarma with Feta sandwich combo. The combo included soup or salad, and choice of a starch. The hummus was delicious, I just wish they had warmed the pita before serving it to us. The lentil soup was creamy and very flavorful; I could have eaten a whole bowl of that with some pita bread and been satisfied. The chicken shawarma with feta was excellent. I was unsure about the placing of pickles in the sandwich, but after eating it I would not have had it any other way. The sandwich was huge and I was unable to finish it. The chili-lime fries were great, especially dipped in ranch (at the suggestion of the waitress). We were all very satisfied with our meals. When I'm in Kalamazoo again and hungry for lunch, I'll be sure to come here.
(4)Mikey S.
My favorite place to go to for an awesome cheap meal. I lived in Kalamazoo for about 2 years before actually coming in to eat here. My girlfriend got me to go. Let me tell you, best decision ever. I mean for around $3-4 you can get a chicken shawarma sandwich(I usually get it with feta) and be set for lunch, dinner, whatever. Plus all the rest of the food is authentic and great, theres something for everyone for sure. Now whenever I go to any middle eastern restaurant I compare them to this, and none have compared even at twice the price. So don't think spending more somewhere else will get you better authentic middle eastern food, go here, its better and much cheaper than anywhere. Highly recommended.
(5)Adrian C.
Really for what this place is, it is pretty damn amazing. You can not go wrong with your vegetarian friends here, and still taste the delights of tahini sauce over beef shwarma for you meat eaters. I love it.
(5)Silvia P.
Great food with a great price.
(5)Payam S.
I am from NY and eat at best and best reviewed Arabic food places in Patterson NJ and NY all the time and I m a foody so trust me when I say this is the best Arabic I have had in the US! .....My God! We had the mixed Kabab platter and it was fantastic! ......Fresh High quality food seasoned and cooked to perfection (Middleeasterns usually overcook meat by western standards, but this one was perfect!) ......Highest quality meat! and So So delicious! amazing! .......and on Top of that the staff (the girls at the front) were so nice, polite and pleasant! Maybe it s more unusual for me because I m from NY!..........They gave us complementary Baqlawa and a Delicious cinnamon tea..............What a experience! If I ever move to Kalamazoo SHWARMA KING would be a great deciding factor...........The owner drives every week for 2 hours to get the best and freshest of ingredients!..............Outstanding eatery and simply a pleasant pleasant culinary experience
(5)Quinn T.
Food is absolutely delicious and an incredible deal to boot. My 4- year old is in love with the stuffed grape leaves which is a nice addition to his usual diet of apple juice and Cheetos. My husband and I have been here no less than 10 times in the last year bringing everyone from our elderly grandparents to out of town guests. And repeatedly we have been impressed. Highly recommend. My favorite if we are not getting a King Combo for the table is by far the Shawafle Sandwich with an Amo Mazen Tea.
(5)Katie J.
This place is incredible! I have family in Kalamazoo, and whenever I'm in town, I always make sure to visit this place. Really, really great lunch buffet and you can't beat the price. Lots of delicious vegetarian options as well. The falafel and roasted potatoes are two of my favorite things they offer. They catered my siblings' graduation party and that was great too.
(5)Jun B.
People are really friendly there and food were great.
(5)Dee B.
I've only had the chicken and lamb biryani here, but it's darn good, plus the portion sizes are *enormous*, so it's a great value for the $. My sister said the hummus is also very good.
(4)patient z.
Great tasting middle eastern food! You get a huge amount of food for your money, too. I wish they would've included forks with our take-out order, though -- I had to eat it with my hands in my hotel room! Though, I guess that's testament to how good it was.
(4)Ana P.
Extremely flavorful and a pretty inexpensive. I highly recommend the Chicken Kafta sandwich and their hummus. Just make sure you have your tums handy....worth it though. Even if you aren't very adventurous with food you would probably like a lot of their dishes. Lunch us much cheaper than dinner entrees.
(4)Kelly S.
This place is fantastic! I go here nearly 3 times a week with a group of coworkers. We just cant get enough! The servers treat us like gold and the food is fabulous...not to mention, insanely cheap! Aaaah im getting hungry again just thinking about it.
(5)o m.
Falafel? Local authentic Middle east food near WMU West gate, casual, take out or dine in, fresh food, great salad & Juice Bar. King Platter is the best deal for $12 it is more than enough for two, it comes with beef shawarma, shish tawook, falafel, grape leaves, tabbouli, hommous and fried kibbee. Great Lebanese salad. Lunch for $5.95.
(5)Andy P.
I used to live in East Dearborn so I'm very picky when it comes to Lebanese food. I have to say Shawarma King makes me feel at home. They also give very big portions and have a amazing felafel's.
(5)Christopher J.
Looking for something off the beaten path? Well this certainly is a delicious change from the norm. I'm not sure how to pronounce a lot of the menu items but I sure do enjoy eating them. My top pick is the chicken shawarma with feta sandwhich with a fatoush salad. It's a wonderful restaurant with unique choices and friendly service.
(5)Anne S.
I used to get the lunch special from here all the time! It's a great deal! The food is so good!
(4)Dylan W.
You want to talk about good food? What about good food for cheap? Even if you've never had middle-eastern food; do not fear, this place is for you. In fact, i tried middle-eastern food at this place for the first time... and fell in love. This place is a stone's throw away from wmu campus, a 10-15 minute walk, and the price for the food could please any student. Their sandwiches (well, wraps) are delicious. The garlic sauce, hummus, and tahini are fantastic. Their menu is overflowing with delicious food that will, yes will, make you drool. I tried the lentil soup one time and went to heaven. The service is top notch to boot! Some of the nicest souls i've been served by. I talk to the chef every now and then, he states that all of their ingredients are fresh and I believe it! Try this place, you won't be disappointed.
(5)ivy l.
Not bad, but not great either. I lived in Arabia for 12 yrs so I may be critical. The service was pretty nice. The place doesn't look great. The food is ok just not amazing, and the wraps were pretty dry.
(2)Jared S.
The sandwiches are excellent (not on bread! wrapped in Pita, normally with pickles and garlic sauce!). Riz bi dejaj, shish tawook. Yum! Moujadrah is a dinner favorite of mine. As well as falafel. Definitely agree with o m., the King Platter is definitely something you should get if it's your first time visiting.
(4)Tom L.
This food is incredible. Better than most in Dearborn, MI (And that is saying a lot because they have dozens of Lebanese restaurants there). It is cheap, they give you tons of extra pita bread, and the service is great.
(5)Steve D.
This place is great. Very friendly owner and staff. And the food was great. I was there with my son and we ordered a ton of food, all really fresh and flavorful, and it was cheap. We had the veggie platter which would have been enough. Good falafel, the tabouleh salad was delicious. You can pass on the hummus and baba ganoush, not that flavorful. We also had a fatoush salad that was amazing. My son hates tomatoes and he still ate this it was so good. The only negative was that it was cold in the restaurant. This is really a hole in the wall, not much decor, but if the room had been warmer I'd give them 5 stars. I hope I don't find myself back in boring Kalamazoo, but if I do, I'll visit the Shawarma King again.
(4)alejandro p.
Fantastic tasting vegetarian friendly Lebanese food at dirt cheap prices, and even my folks enjoy it. I come here every chance I get when I'm back in town. The falafel and hummus sandwiches are standbys, but the real treats for me are the cauliflower and spicy eggplant sandwiches and the fattoush salad.
(5)Andrea J.
I love going to Shwarma King! the menu is very extensive, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, service is very fast, the portions are huge and the prices cheap, and they have the best Fattoush salad I've ever had. This is one of my local favorites, I recommend it to all my out of town friends who are visiting. If you go at lunchtime, try their Turkish coffee, it's great. I wish they had a larger parking lot because at dinner rush it's hard to find a spot!
(5)Allison E.
Its like middle eastern fast food. Perfect for snobs who love the convienience of BK, but prefer their flavors to have a more exotic flare. The hummus is great!
(4)Katy P.
Really good, super affordable food!
(5)Laura B.
Mmmmmmm! They have great falafal, hummus, chicken kafta, and lentil soup. I'm not sure if they still have it, but they used to have a fantastic sanwich with soup/salad and rice/fries deal for super cheap.
(5)Jennifer R.
I've only had the mixed shwarma dinner here, but each time I've had it, it was tasty and filling. Their fattoush salad is awesome! They have daily specials and student discounts, which is nice.
(4)Robbie S.
What a great place. The fried cauliflower and potato sandwich is a new favorite, but honestly I have never gone wrong here. Lately I have been getting a large tabbouleh for takeout which is HUGE and lasts me all week and is such a great snack to take to work. If you have never had Lebanese food...start here! Must try the king platter, falafel, lentil soup...and baklava for dessert which comes from the New Yasmeen Bakery in Dearborn, near Detroit. The staff is very friendly, the prices are great and the food is delicious. Love this place, can't say enough!
(5)Shuan C.
This restaurant is amazing! It was the first place we tried after moving here this month and we were incredibly pleased. We had the dish that came with a little bit of everything. Out of this world! I could not stop telling all my friends about how delicious the falafel was. My husband liked the chicken shawarma best. We also ordered chili lime fries and they were really good as well. I would say I wished they were crunchier but that is just personal preference. The flavor was great! The lime was the perfect amount. Highly highly recommend this place!
(5)SA N.
I guess this is semi my fault because when you go to a place called "schwarma King" you should probably order schwarma, but I cannot pass the opportunity to pass up biryani if it's on the menu. It was decent, but the chicken was dry and needed a little more spice. The falafel was delicious as well as their garlic sauce... I don't know the right way to say this, but the hummus tasted dirty, for lack of a better word. And I love humus :(
(3)Kevin D.
Omg is their food amazing. I always try something new and I've never been let down, never! This place is that amazing. Their falafel is killer, the shawarma is out of this world. And the owner is one of the nicest person I've ever met. This is my go to place. Thanks Shawarma King.
(5)Jenny L.
I love me some shawarma King! my go to is amo mazen's salad -fresh romaine, tomatoes, cukes, lemony dressing and feta. you can get it with chicken shawarma on top. my other go to is the good ol chicken shawarma. get it with garlic sauce and their "red" sauce - I forget what it's actually called but they will know what you're talking about!
(5)Alicia S.
What I love most about Mediterranean places like this, is that you can get a high quality delicious sandwich or wrap for an amazing price! $2.95 will get you a classic shwarma a la carte, how can one complain? To my surprise, the vegetarian grape leaf sandwich won my heart over a chicken shwarrma (my go to Medi choice). The grape leafs are seasoned to perfection and I'm drooling just writing about them. Their "to-go" time has always been on point, we've never waited more than 15 mins when we place carry-out. Tabouli salad is delicious and a small order is enough for two people!
(4)Anita L.
Not bad.. I've definitely had better kebabs elsewhere. Meat was a little dry both times I went, and tabbouli was a little overdressed. Their grape leaves were very good and served warm, which I enjoyed. Falafel was also very good, warm and moist inside. Service varied. The first time, we had good service, and the second time, our initial server was great, but the one training her did not allow us to order lunch (arrived 5 mins before lunch was over), and kept reminding us that what we wanted cost extra (which we had already said that was fine). It was not a pleasant dining experience to ask for something and constantly being told "that will be $0.50 extra" even though we already said that was fine.
(3)Zach G.
Shawarma King is awesome! I have never had Shawarma before I came here, but I would guess this is probably one of the best around. The owner and his staff are really friendly and helpful. I feel like a valued customer when I there and actually enjoy the experience. Why go here? -friendly staff -great portions -the food is delicious and hot
(4)Bob S.
This is our go to place for a quick and tasty meal. There are several versions around town but the one on Drake is the best. Everything we have tried has been excellent. And the tea is fantastic, you really need to try some. The service is kind of odd, it looks like you should order from the counter but in fact they have table service. The staff is great and the service is quick. If you have not tried this place yet you really must. Even the most picky eaters like the food here. Go for it!
(5)Sarda P.
Amazing food...best middle eastern food I have had in USA...I had gotten the crispy shrimp for my mom...and she was totally in love with it...I even got the special falafel wrap and also the cauliflower wrap....both were so delicious. ..the cauliflower potato wrap was my fav....we got samosas and they were nice and crispy ...they have loads of vegetarian options...two thumbs up :)
(5)Shabbir E.
On our trip to Canada from Chicago, we wanted to stop at a halal, middle-eastern joint and came across this via a "vicinity" search on Yelp. Boy, were we impressed. Succulent meat, fresh salad, chilli-lime fries and the amazing, famous tea made it a superstar lunch for the wife, our 2 boys and me. Highly recommended!
(5)Catherine N.
We were on our way to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo when the subject of lunch came up. All we could see around us was fast food. Yelp delivered up this gem of a place. The portions are generous! You will not leave hungry. I ordered the Shawafel sandwich and it was absolutely delicious. The wrap it was in had been toasted and was gently crispy. Inside, the mix of beef and chicken shawarma combined with the falafel and dressing to create much enjoyment for my tongue. The salad had a nice vinaigrette dressing that was faintly redolent of mint. The crunchy pita chip pieces in it were fun to eat. I tried the soup, which was thick enough to be a stew. It was savory and well spiced. The French fries were hot and fresh from the fryer. The wait staff was very friendly. The owner even came out to make sure the entire restaurant was enjoying their lunch. The next time I am in Michigan, I know where I will be eating!
(5)Mohammed B.
Slightly higher sandwiches prices. Juice was perfect. Shawarma was fatty. Place comfortable and friendly staff. The waiter said all chicken and beef are HALAL and thats great for Muslim.
(3)Aditi T.
Words fail to describe how much I love the food at Shawarma King. But maybe, actions might help convey my love: I moved to Kalamazoo about two weeks ago, and I've already eaten at Shawarma King THREE times! Why do I love SK ever so? First, because they've got authentic Middle Eastern fare! Having grown up in Dubai, I'm a little bit of an Arabic/Lebanese food snob (that's probably an understatement). Their hummus doesn't taste like it came out of a tin; the meat is perfectly flavoured and cooked to perfection and the falafels are perfection squared. Pros: + Super authentic, delicious food! + Try the: falafels, hummus, chicken & beef shish kafta, and/or fattoush salad and OBVS the chicken shawarma + AMAZING SERVICE + Budget friendly + They do a gluten-free selection which is amazing! + Service is fast Cons: - Their tahini is hit and miss. There are days where it's watered down and days where it's amazing. - Biryani wasn't as flavourful as I'd want it to be. - Babaganoush isn't super aubergine-y. At this point you may be thinking, if there are 2.5/3 cons, how can you still give this place 5 stars? And it's really because I'm slightly biased and I've never had Middle Eastern food this authentic anywhere across the US in the last six years (be it in Ann Arbor, New York or anywhere else). TRY IT. You won't regret it. The service is super friendly, the atmosphere is chill and the food is amazing. P.S. Don't forget to order the falafels! :)
(5)Katie C.
Great place! We stopped here on our way home from Chicago. Chili lime fries were great! The fattoush was very good and great price! The staff was so friendly and very attentive!
(5)Senor D.
The food is genuinely great and the staff is top notch. Try the Amo Mazen tea. Similar to a Thai tea but warm and is Amo-Mazen!
(5)Chelsea C.
Used to come here when us poor college students could afford a meal! Got the shishtawook sandwich and it was to die for. The staff always made us feel like family
(5)Matt H.
I'm a fan of this place even though my wife and kids don't like the Med food all that much. I always like to get a sampler of some kind because I don't just like one kind of food. The kitchen is open as you walk in so you can see the food being prepared. The owner/manager always seems suspect if you have a coupon but hey, that's what coupons are for, right? He isn't rude about them or anything but maybe wants to be cautious of his staff taking them...whatever. The portions are more than adequate for me and I often take a little of the hummus home for a snack later. To my knowledge, everything is homemade and it shows. I can't say enough about the fresh fattoush and hummus. I try to stop by somewhat regularly when I'm on that side of town and I always say that I should go there more often just to satisfy my craving for the middle eastern fare.
(4)Spence R.
Food is always delicious and the staff are always super friendly. Can't go wrong!
(4)Ryan W.
Excellent food to say the least. I've been a regular customer here for more than 10 years now and LOVE this place. Friendly service, always clean - really looking forward to when they start on their (planned) expansion. Recommend the chicken shawarma sandwich, RBD sandwich, vegetarian platter, and the Fruity Suze smoothie, so good!
(5)Nathan L.
I have eaten in once and had take out multiple times. Everything I have had from the Turkish coffee to the chicken shawarma I have been incredibly happy with. The location is very convenient on Drake road between KL and Stadium Drive. The interior was clean and is generally humming with people eating and getting take out. There are a decent amount of seats inside. The prices are incredibly reasonable! An order of the hommous (very large portions) and a chicken shawarma will be more than enough to fill you up. I have tried quite a few of the options here and haven't been dissappointed yet. I would highly suggest eating at Shawarma King and I will be there again soon.
(4)Annie Q.
I am all about that halal food, and this is THE only Arab restaurant I always trust in Kzoo. Great prices with even better food. We always have left-overs. I have tried mostly everything on the menu and the following dishes are WORTH the hype: Chili Lime Fries- you deserve this goodness all day. I always come back for these. Amo Mazen Tea feels like a hug from a caring family member. Chicken wings have all the tang and flavor you were looking for. Chicken kafta burger does not disappoint with its fresh parsley and seasonings. Treat yourself to this delish food in front of the lovely Dome of the Rock mural today!
(5)Erin M.
The sandwich meals are an amazing value and delicious. The spicy eggplant sandwich is spectacular and I'm really picky about eggplant so that's really saying something. I love to get the sandwich with their fattoush and hummus. It's a perfect meal and I always have leftovers. The building is clean, the prices are very affordable, and the staff friendly, I can't think of an area for improvement. Five stars all the way!
(5)Lena V.
We order at this place about 3-5 times per year and our order is always pretty big. We used to love this place, but with our last two orders, we noticed that the quality of food was not as good as it used to be. The meat was dry, tabbouleh was not fresh and seemed overdressed for that reason. Their white rice seemed like it came right out of Ris-a-roni box. I found hair in my food at least twice. Not to mention, the customer service went downhill with food quality. So, I placed an $80 order last time. Picked it up, drove it home, opened it and realized I was missing 3 items totaling $15 and 4 garlic sauces that I requested (paid for) in addition to the ones provided. AND they gave me humus instead of the eggplant appetizer that I ordered. I called them, they gave me two options: I could come back and pick up what they forgot (not an option because I live 30 minutes away), I picked $15 credit. They said they would put me on their credit list and that I could use it anytime.THEY DID NOT EVEN APPLOLOGIZE FOR MESSING UP MY ORDER! So about a month later I decided to use my credit towards ordering two lunch platters. I called and sure enough, they don't have a record of my $15 credit! My name was on their credit list for one drink. I explained what happened last time and the manager said, I can still come it and get my free (paid for by me a month ago) drink, but nothing else. Needless to say, I will take my business elsewhere where their care about their customer's satisfaction.
(1)Scott H.
Stumbled upon this little gem on our trip from Chicago to Metro Detroit. We had been craving good shawarma, very hard to come by in Chicago. Great food, big portions, amazing prices, and a very friendly and attentive wait staff. Chicken Shawarma with feta sandwiches was a tasty twist on a traditional shawarma. A potent garlic sauce and pickles tied the sandwich together nicely. The side of hummus and Fattoush salad were also delicious. Overall a great find and definite stop if you're looking for solid shawarma.
(4)Mike S.
Favorite spot in kzoo! Can't go wrong with the menu but I recommend the rbd and fattoush salad
(5)Andy E.
Thank you Yelpers! This place is solid. Certainly not fancy, but great Mediterranean food. I had the grape leaves (yum!) and the freshly prepared hummus plate with lamb and almonds. Wait staff is efficient and friendly. I'll be back for more!
(4)Sarrah F.
Stopped here on my way to Chicago from Ann Arbor. I got the soujouk sandwich and the majadra ride. The sandwich was delicious. It's probably the best that I've ever had. Every single bite was amazing. The rice was okay. I wouldn't get it again though. Def recommend this place.
(5)Marie P.
Ok, it's been a couple months since we were there on a recent trip, so I'm a bit fuzzy on the details. All I remember is that we paid very little for what ended up being a TON of food, and ended up cursing that we didn't have more room in our stomachs to just. keep. eating. SO GOOD. I don't remember what all we ordered, but I DO remember that the stuffed grape leaves were the best we'd had, ever, anywhere... and there was some kind of white sauce (garlic sauce?) that I wish we could buy by the vat. We will definitely be back whenever we pass through the area. Shame it'll only be once a year :(
(5)Tim H.
Visited here while in Kazoo on business. Things got a little mixed up in ordering (it wasn't apparent that it is a table service place, so I ordered at the counter and sat 20 minutes at a table before flagging down a server to check on the order). The food itself was good, not great. I had the mixed shawarma sandwich and salad. Not as bold in flavor as I had expected. And, at $11 for lunch, kind of steep.
(3)Marcel R.
Great food, friendly staff....If your into this type of food, then this the place to go - I was served by Deisree, and she was very professional. Tell a friend to tell many more.
(4)Ed R.
Don't judge a book by its cover. The outside of this place doesn't inspire, but don't let looks deceive you. Shwarma King is just about as good as it gets. I haven't explored the entire menu, but everything I've had has been terrific; the hummus, baba ganoush, shish kafta, the shwarma of course, biryani ... are all wonderful. If you are only in it for the food and not worried about 'ambience', SK is a slam dunk!
(5)Chris F.
Very good, healthy food at incredibly resonable prices. The staff and owner are always gracious. Best french fries in town, and who can argue agaisnt an incredibly tasy ~$3 sandwich. Great hummus and salads too. Need I say more?
(5)Peter Z.
Sandwiches! Sandwiches, sandwiches, sandwiches. I'm never as happy as I am when I'm eating a sandwich from Shawarma King. Especially if you need a vegetarian sandwich, you're in such good shape here. I've eaten a lot of sandwiches at Shawarma King. Have I mentioned the sandwiches? In addition to the middle eastern classics they do so well (falafel, shawarma) they've got a few custom numbers that are big hits with the locals. The Shawafal has chicken and beef shawarma, falafel, hummus, and taboulleh all wrapped in a pita. Vegetarian? Try the Lisa: tahina sauce, hommous, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, hot sauce, eggplant, and french fries. Yeah. For real. Also, don't be scared to try a soujouk sandwich -- this sausage is so rich and flavorful, and it's smothered in their amazing toum (garlic sauce). Veggies more your speed? I'm willing to wager that the best cauliflower sandwich you'll ever eat is waiting for you at Shawarma King. It's way better than a cauliflower sandwich has any business being. Thank you, Shawarma King, for doing what you do. Keep it up!
(5)Mubi K.
I've had authentic Lebanese food in the middle east and this doesn't even come close to what we had... I would still give it 3 stars as its basically the only arabic halal restaurant in kalamazoo. Last I ordered I wasn't very happy with the food. I had ordered for a party and got chicken kafta, beef kafta, the mixed salad. The chicken and beef kafta were SO DRY that my guest barely touched it! The humus was yummy but the baba ganoush was bitter! I had to throw it out it wasn't edible... Big disappointment as that was one of my favorites not to mention waste of money. Their humus is always good and their cheese burger but other items aren't consistent.
(3)Anne M.
Wonderful food! Great and friendly staff! we had the lentil soup and tabouli, both of which tasted home-y and filling without being heavy. Would definitely recommend
(5)Ibrahim B.
Perfect place to taste that middle eastern food. The shawarma is the best thing I tastes there but till them to go easy on the chicken. The service is good I will defiantly go there again.
(5)Tim R.
HUGE value...SUPER tasty... the RBD is fantastic...tabbouleh is good, mango smoothie is sublime... never had a bad item here
(4)Zondra H.
Honestly.. there is nothing to say about this place that hasn't been said.. other than ADDICTION. The food is consistently fantastic. Delicious, simple atmosphere and prices are right on target and better than expected. Two people can share a meal and leave full for less than $15. I am not a fan of the campus location (have had moldy pita there twice and the westnedge buffett is not the same recipes or owner) this place on Drake is the best ever! Even from other towns I have been to for Lebanese food you can't do better than this! Love the owner, love the food, love the convenience and always wish there were more locations to save us the drive but would never let the distance stop me from going!
(5)Chad S.
Please! Please please please build a location in Jackson mi. I lived in Dearborn mi for over 30 years and love Arabic food. I am Italian/polish this place is awesome. Please come to Jackson. Jackson has NothING like this. I'm really sick of the same old stuff that is served by the restaurants.
(5)Tyler K.
In comparison to Bucharest Grill in Detroit, MI, LaPita in Saint Joseph, MI and Leyla in Charlston, SC, Shawarma King on South Drake in Kalamazoo, MI is pretty good. The service is generally quick and the food quality is consistent. I usually call-in an order of a beef or chicken shawarma sandwich because I am usually on-the-go. I have recently noticed that there have been some female staff members taking orders over the phone in such a way that makes you think that you had ruined their day for calling. The staff more frequently have been taking orders with heavy sighing and with an annoyance in their voice. I have always appreciated Shawarma King's quality of food and service, so this was a surprise to me. Shawarma King is known locally to have a positive reputation and presence in the community as well as it's owner. I hope these phone interactions do not continue to damage their success. Apart from this, the food is enough to keeping me coming back.
(4)Christopher T.
Overhyped and lacking taste. High hopes based on reviews but let down. Better Mediterranean food in st. Joe at La Pita.
(2)Sam S.
I met the owner who told me about his restaurants. I love trying out new places esp when I'm new to the area. Simply amazing!!!!! There were 5 of us and we all loved our food, from the hummus to the way the meat tasted to the rice. It was all very delicious. Would be nice to have outdoor seating.
(5)Brian M.
The reviews aren't lying, this place is great. Flavorful, good sized servings and a wide variety. Service is good, casual atmosphere. Go every time I am in Kzoo
(5)Leah B.
We found Shwarma King on Yelp while passing through Kalamazoo on a road trip. Boy are we glad we did! The hummus was the best I've ever had and everything else was well-prepared and subtly seasoned. The service was attentive and super friendly. The baklava for dessert was light and not sickly sweet like some I've had. Definitely go out of your way to eat here!
(5)Stephen T.
It's the best. It's number 1. It's the best. It's the best. It's the best shawarma. You get home from work and you go to shawarma king because you're the best! You come in you eat your food and plasti-dip your shame! It's the best it's number 1! Mag-light.
(5)CC R.
We were driving past Kalamazoo on I-94 last night looking for a good place to eat a quick dinner. We pulled up the yelp app on an iPhone, browsed around, and decided to try Shawarma King. It didn't disappoint. The restroom was clean, the wait people were friendly and attentive but not pushy, the dining room was quiet and comfortable, and the food was delicious. We ordered chicken kafta, tomato salad, and basmati rice. We also had a piece of baklava for dessert. It wasn't as sweet and gooey as I'd hoped -- the spices were unfamiliar -- but my husband enjoyed it so I'd say it was "just me." We drove a few miles to get to the place, but the US 131 exit would have made it a very convenient stop.
(5)Matt D.
Really good stuff here. Shawarma King offers mainly take-out and dine in services. The wait staff was casual, friendly, and attentive. I ordered the mixed shawarma dinner entree. The plate was overflowing (in a good way) with seasoned shaved beef and chicken atop a layer of Lebanese rice. It also came with a choice of soup or salad. I opted for the lentil soup and I am so glad I did. It was thick and rich and a great start to the meal. Both portions of meat were incredibly tasty and seasoned very well. The beef seemed was a bit dry, but I added some of the house sauce and it made for a great combination. The chicken was my favorite. Well cooked, well seasoned, just great stuff. The traditional garlic sauce was served on the side and compliment the meal nicely. I can't wait to come back here and explore more of the menu! I was not told by the waitress that I needed to pay up front, coney island style, so I awkwardly sat on the table waiting for my bill for 5 or so minutes. I would've appreciated a heads up since it was my first time, but now I know for next time.
(4)Samuel B.
It's nothing much to set it apart from other restaurants similar to it, but has friendly staff and good portions. While the prices are a little up there, it's hard to say I don't get what I pay for whenever I go there.
(4)Sharon S.
Very good food. Humus with lamb was excellent. We got the family platter. It was huge! Great mix of dishes. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Love it!
(5)Tyler K.
Locally owned. Staff were extremely pleasant and the food was amazing. The combo for one will definitely feed two.
(5)Amira E.
In from out of town I asked for extra sauce and was not given any with my take out order. Owner isnt in the country and the place falls to the worst service ever. Will not return!!!!!!!!!! Deserves no stars
(1)R S.
I dont understand why people would give this place high ratings, unless they have never eaten Middle eastern food or visited the Middle East, or maybe b/c of the limited choices in Kalamazoo. If you live in Michigan, then please go visit Dearbon for some authentic, tasty Lebanese food. The drinks (like their mint lemonade and cocktail drinks) were the only solace here. The chicken shawarma was dry and boring with no herbs, or tomatoes, or onions. It was so bland!! Their so called-esteemed chilli-lime fries was simply greasy and had a monolithic taste. Overall, I would never come back!
(1)D G.
Everything we ordered was delicious. The staff was all extremely pleasant and genuine. Juice bar is a great addition to a nicely varied menu.
(5)Greg M.
I love this place. The owner is a really a good cook. I have tried several things on the menu and have never been disappointed. The chicken kafta is my favorite. I try and eat here once a week for sure. The lentil soup is awesome everytime. The wait staff is usually friendly and attentive. Sometimes they can be slow and non responsive.
(5)Brian G.
Given the possible existence of an infinite number of alternate universes, I feel cheated by being born into one where there isn't a chain of Shawarma King locations conveniently located throughout Michigan. This is easily my favorite Middle-East place. The thing is, had a friend not suggested it, I wouldn't have given it a second thought--I mean, it's set up in an old Pizza Hut and, well, most restaurants that feature the word "king" (or "chef" for that matter) rarely live up to their title. Anyway, it's a buffet, it's cheap and food is really good. I wouldn't take a date there or anything, but for a few dollars more than fast food, it's a great place to grab a quick lunch.
(4)Jack B.
I always enjoy SK. The new Amo Mazen Tea is really good for cold weather. The food has always been great and the service is very attentive.
(5)Rachel R.
People love this place for one reason: there is no competition. This is about it for middle eastern food in southwest Michigan. Having grown up a few miles from Dearborn I know what good middle eastern food is, and this is not it. It's bland, over cooked, and intended for an inexperienced pallet. Every time I ate there (always with friends who raved about the place as they'd never had middle eastern food before this place) I was super disappointed. There's virtually no seasoning, and even the cauliflower is needlessly fried. It's not well maintained, and the waiters are a bit sporadic. Also, the amount of grease in the falafel alone is enough to give someone the runs. If you want a good middle eastern food experience, drive 2.5 hours east to Dearborn or west to Chicago, otherwise go for something else.
(1)Daniel D.
Fantastic, insanely cheap Middle Eastern food. They offer a wide range of entrees, sandwiches, etc. plus a small stock of groceries if you want to try cooking at home. A must eat in Kalamazoo.
(5)Amber T.
I went here for lunch while in town, and the food was really quite good. I got the falafel sandwich lunch special which came with fries and Lebanese salad. The falafel here is really excellent. It doesn't taste plain like a lot of other knock-off middle eastern places, and it's perfectly cooked. What I didn't enjoy here was the tabouli that came on the sandwich; it tasted like a mixture of mint and parsley and I didn't enjoy it at all. But the service was great, and the price for lunch was perfect. I would go here again.
(4)Chef Bradford S.
Well, bite my tongue. I stand by my last review on the chicken & beef shawarma and will probably never dive into that again ,but I stand corrected on the remaining portion of the menu. It took me several weeks to go back and did so in carry-out format so I could discard, if unhappy. I ordered the falafel deluxe sandwich and the roasted cauliflower sandwich. I figure these would be safe and they were both home runs. Very fresh, big flavors and perfectly done. I understand what the locals are writing about in the other reviews. I am apart of the club now. I have eaten several sandwiches through carry-out along with other items like Chicken Kafta dining in. The staff that I am encountering now are different people than that ugly Saturday during my inaugural visit. Could it had been the 4 feet of snow covering the city that affected my first visit? Afternoon cooks in a winter rut? Let's call it this, ok? All of the staff I am seeing now are very gracious, very friendly and very helpful. I have been 6 out of last 7 days this week. Yes, my mind has been changed. Outside of the shawarma, I would recommend anything and everything on this menu. Top (3) Lebanese food joints that have I found in my travels across the U.S.A. Yes, this is a joint. The perfect small family run joint with that certain character that all of these smaller restaurants have. I hate my first visit scored (2) Stars but I call them like I see them. Being a Chef, I am a flavor seeker and this place delivers Big Flavors penetrating your taste buds.
(5)Ali E.
Well not good service or food I would rather go to the one on westnage better food and the waiters on sat and sun are so nice and it makes you feel like home it also is a buffet
(1)Danielle M.
The people are fabulous and the food is outstanding. Tip: ask for the chili lime fries with a sandwich combo. And ask for the hot sauce. AMAZING. Together with hummus....and I'm in heaven! Their prices are super reasonable and the staff is excellent. Nidal goes out of his way to say hello and see that you had a great experience.
(5)Aaron H.
This is our go-to for lebanese food. The beef schwarma is as it should be and tasty. I LOVE their dolmas!!! The lentil soup is phenomenal as well! Even better are the hand crafted slushies! My favorite is the mint lemonade. WOW! We never eat in but instead order to go. The food is always out in a reasonable time and the servers are always pleasant! Pop in to get your lebanese fix!!!
(5)Ben S.
Shawarma King, indeed. From the Amo Mazen tea, the lentil soup, the hummus...everything is delicious. My favorite happens to be the chicken biryani. Go there. It is fantastic.
(5)Gabrielle V.
Drove all the way from Holland to try out Shawarma King based on raves from a friend. Overall, I've had better Lebanese food. My husband ordered the shish kafta and enjoyed his dish with the fattoush salad. I ordered the mixed shawarma sandwich, huge portion, but I found it to be a bit dry and bland in the meat. The chili lime fries were good but could have been a little bit crispier for fries. I'd give it 3 stars for food. BUT adding an additional star for friendly service and great prices, you can't beat $3.25 for the portion size of the shawarma sandwich
(4)Shannon C.
As other reviewers have noted, Shawarma King -- with its fresh, flavorful Middle Eastern cuisine and cheap prices -- is the place to visit if you're in Kalamazoo. When we lived in Kzoo, my husband and I frequented the Drake location as well as the Shawarma House on campus (both are owned by the same person), and we were always welcomed with a "How are you, my friend?" or a "Good to see you, my friend!" It really put a personal touch on our already enjoyable experiences. I would definitely recommend any of the sandwiches, as they are super cheap and rather large. I'm a vegetarian, and Shawarma King has several vegetarian options that are not simply entrees without the meat -- among the sandwiches, I have eaten (and loved) the cauliflower sandwich, falafel sandwich, mojaddara (my favorite!) sandwich, spicy eggplant sandwich, and hummus sandwich. There are many meals that vegetarians can enjoy! The sandwich combos are $6.99 (or 7$.99, can't remember), and they include a drink, soup, salad, and a sandwich. You can also get a side (like hummus or fries) instead of the soup or salad -- if you get hummus and fries, you really receive a ton of food! At any rate, I could go on and on about how amazing this restaurant is. Nidal Awad, the owner, is such a friendly guy, and he and his brother, Hamid, are amazing cooks! I always find the service to be top notch at Shawarma King. The same goes for Shawarma House on campus, which is managed by Maher Awad, Nidal's older brother. Both men are outstanding individuals who make fantastic Middle Eastern food!
(5)Leyna K.
We loved the beef kafta and shish tawook grilled chicken. The salads are huge and fresh.
(5)PJ H.
I LOVE this place. I've never written a yelp review but this is the local restaurant that I visit regularly. Make sure you visit the Drake Road - not the South Westnedge - Shawarma King (which has a great buffet but not the wonderful sandwiches and salads and chili lime fries). Wait staff and Nidel are always very friendly. I love to go when I'm not rushed for time and just relax in the relaxed environment.
(5)Ashley E.
The best. The owner is amazing and the quality of food is wonderful. Coming from Detroit it's tough to find good Middle Eastern in Kalamazoo. Their garlic sauce and chicken shawarma is heavenly as is their lentil soup and amo mazen tea. The tea is their secret family recipe and served with love. Give it a try. You most definitely won't be disappointed!
(5)Mike P.
Actually didn't like it too much but willing to go back and try again. I think I need to know how to order. Interesting cultural place.
(3)Eric M.
This place is AWESOME! I haven't had a good shawarma since my last deployment to Bahrain. Meat is hot, tender, juicy. The Shawarma King has done that for me. The lentil soup.....holy crap this stuff is good. The only regret I have is that it isn't colder out to where I could have a few more bowls. The lime chili fries are better than they sound. The mint lime aid is perfect for a warm day. Frozen, just a tad sour, but perfectly balanced with fresh mint. Too bad I'm just visiting from Chicago. This place is a must try.
(5)Bre C.
This place is awesome. Flavor is always perfect and spot on. I always get the very affordable sandwiches and lentil soup. Staff is super friendly and service is always quick on dine-in or take-out. Sometimes they feature a local musician who takes pretty much all requests and his acoustic jammings add to the good vibes that this local business. You could go to one of the dozens of nasty chain restaurants and eat microwaved breaded chicken fingers you could have made at home for a dollar, or you can go here and eat delicious fresh cuisine that was actually prepared with effort. Your choice. Saw that the one bad review had to do with a girl at the counter. I wasn't there, but I can say that the staff is always busy and I have always been greeted politely with smiling faces.
(5)Evan S.
To be honest I've never had middle eastern food before and the only reason I tried this was because it was in The Avengers. I was very impressed. Ive always heard of falafels on the food network and have been very interested in trying them. They were so delicious. I will definitely be going back!
(5)Meredith H.
Love this place - food and the people!
(4)Laura L.
I agree with some of the other reviews, 3 star for food, but add a star for service. Everyone was super nice and accommodating. I went there last night for the first time as it had amazing reviews. I ordered the King platter as it had a little bit of everything: hummus, shish taouk, beef shawarma, grape leaves, falafel and kafta. First off this meal is huge and totally shareable so A+ for that and it has a good variety. However, the beef was super dry and lacked seasoning. The chicken was moist, cooked well, but seriously lacked the tang and spices from a marinade. The grape leaves were good. The hummus is where i was really disappointed. It lacked flavor and was really bland. The only thing that helped was the garlic aioli you get on the side and added to give it some(any) flavor. I love the garlic aioli on everything so it pretty much saved the meal. I will be back, but will order something different to see if everything is as bland.
(4)Amber L.
Shawarma King is a local Kalamazoo favorite. Its regular customers are fiercely loyal, and why shouldn't they be? This is a must-eat place if you're going to be in town for a while. I think this is just a perfect spot for lunch. Their lunch specials just can't be beat considering the cheap price and vast quantity of food that you get. Authentic, flavorful, delicious. I just love love their chicken shawarma. Easily the best in town. It's difficult for me to pull away from that and explore their other items because I love the chicken shawarma so much. The interior is very simple, low-key, and on the small side. If I want a fancy dinner dining experience, I go to Zooroona's (also very good, the taste is a little different). But for me, Shawarma King is ideal for lunch. The biggest drawback here is the service speed. I have only ever seen one waiter on duty at a time. That often means long waits during the crowded lunch rush. However, people working there are extremely nice. You really feel like they are glad to be there, and they are glad you are here. Excellent food, excellent prices, excellent people, but somewhat slow service. A true culinary gem for the community.
(5)Harsha N.
This is second visit to Kalamazoo in last 12 months... And shawarma king has impressed me yet again with their soup and falafel deluxe. This was better than all the wraps I had in nearby places.....
(5)Ryan G. S.
Everything at Shawarma King is outstanding. The hummus, tahini, and garlic sauce are all tangy and are served in abundance. The lentil soup can't be beat. The salads are fresh, and the dressing is tasty but not heavy or overpowering. The meat here, be it shawarma, kefta, or kabobs, is all tender and flavorful. Even the typically lame stuff like rice and french fries are great. The prices are low, but the quantity and quality are very high. Shawarma King was the first place I had middle eastern food many, many years ago. I've since tried the same dishes at many places around the country (and the world), and few places, if any, can beat Shawarma King for all-around awesomeness. You'd probably have to go to Beirut to best it.
(5)Sham W.
one of my favorites. I cant find one bad thing abot this place
(5)Nicole F.
Yumnous!
(5)Sonho L.
I lived in MI for four years. I had some Syrian friends who introduced me to middle eastern food right here. The food is great, fast, with can't beat prices. I recommend the black hot tea with a little sweetner of your choice. A cup of hot lentil soup, especially on a cold night. (Kalamazoo doesn't lack for those). My favorite platter is the shish tawouk. The humus is great. It's not Dearborn, but what is? Enjoy!!!
(4)Ashley J.
The "large" hostess is a rude bitch. She was unfriendly, messed up our take out order and was mimicking us to her friends as we were leaving. She clearly is miserable working behind the counter of a mediocre restaurant. Beware of the biotch if you choose to dine here, she might bite your head off...literally!!! Also, don't ask for extra napkins!
(1)Nicole G.
Ooooh how I love Shawarma King, and oh how I wish there were a Portage location. I go there when I'm on the west side, at least to pick up some take-out. It is consistently delicious. And everyone there is so nice and pleasant. It's a lovely experience to eat there, and it's a great value on top of that.
(5)J. G.
The owner is incredibly friendly, and so are all the staff. I have a gluten intolerance - which means I usually avoid Middle Eastern restaurants since almost everything involves bread. BUT they accommodated me kindly when i went with my boyfriend a few months ago for the first time. instead of pita as a side for hummos they offered me carrot and celery sticks - and they were generous! It was great! Their lemntil soup is also gluten free and decent. Apparently their meat is what they are best at- according to my boyfriend who is from the Middle East - but I only tried it once and it actually made me a little nauseous - BUT I have really sensitive digestive and can't handle MSG and the like. So, if I had a tougher gut, I would totally give this place a better rating. In addition to awesome staff, they are CHEAP! Very cheap. And they have a nice little collection of Middle Eastern grocery items for sale. they also deliver, which is convenient.
(3)Rebecca W.
Ate here over Medieval-fest weekend while catching up with an old prof. Things got off to a little bit of a rocky start: it wasn't clear, when we went in, whether it was a sit down place, or an order at the counter place, or what. The folks ahead of us were all ordering carry out. We asked the girl at the counter if we should order there or sit down, and she said it was fine to order at the counter, so we did. Then we went to get our drinks and sit down....and set off the great Shawarma Kerfuffle of 2010. We had our glasses....the soda machine was right there....so we went to fill them, and the servers swooped in, taking our glasses from our hands and filling them for us. Our server was (understandably) ticked off that we'd ordered at the counter, and now were sitting in her section--no doubt, she thought she was going to get screwed out of her tip. We had no intention of stiffing anybody, of course, and just didn't understand what was going on... But considering how panicked I get when restaurant situations become awkward, uncomfortable, or confusing--especially in the compahy of a mentor/professor-type--you *know* the food was worth it for me to still give four stars. It was delicious! I had some kind of hugely plentiful combination plate (the king platter? Plenty for sharing, though I wolfed it all down myself). Normally I'm not a fan of stuffed grape leaves, but I loved these--don't know if that means these were especially good, or if they just veered wildly from the norm in some other way. Anyway, the food was awesome--salad, hummus, entrees, etc. The pita came out in like a baggie, which was a little odd, but it was fine. The wait staff seemed to want to make up for all of us getting off on the wrong foot by checking on us about 15 times. Literally. Much appreciated, but started to get a little old, and then got so old it got funny. YES, everything is FINE here! We swear! Overall, a kooky experience, a delicious meal, and a great evening with an old friend. Next time I'm in kzoo, I'd definitely come back.
(4)Ilana K.
My favorite place in all of west Michigan! I go whenever I can! The sandwhich combo is outstanding. Prices are great. Try their special tea... So delicious!
(5)Satori N.
Came here with my husband and sister-in-law on 8/31/2010 for lunch. We ordered a medium hummus plate to share (we were unable to finish it!), and I ordered the Chicken Shawarma with Feta sandwich combo. The combo included soup or salad, and choice of a starch. The hummus was delicious, I just wish they had warmed the pita before serving it to us. The lentil soup was creamy and very flavorful; I could have eaten a whole bowl of that with some pita bread and been satisfied. The chicken shawarma with feta was excellent. I was unsure about the placing of pickles in the sandwich, but after eating it I would not have had it any other way. The sandwich was huge and I was unable to finish it. The chili-lime fries were great, especially dipped in ranch (at the suggestion of the waitress). We were all very satisfied with our meals. When I'm in Kalamazoo again and hungry for lunch, I'll be sure to come here.
(4)Mikey S.
My favorite place to go to for an awesome cheap meal. I lived in Kalamazoo for about 2 years before actually coming in to eat here. My girlfriend got me to go. Let me tell you, best decision ever. I mean for around $3-4 you can get a chicken shawarma sandwich(I usually get it with feta) and be set for lunch, dinner, whatever. Plus all the rest of the food is authentic and great, theres something for everyone for sure. Now whenever I go to any middle eastern restaurant I compare them to this, and none have compared even at twice the price. So don't think spending more somewhere else will get you better authentic middle eastern food, go here, its better and much cheaper than anywhere. Highly recommended.
(5)Adrian C.
Really for what this place is, it is pretty damn amazing. You can not go wrong with your vegetarian friends here, and still taste the delights of tahini sauce over beef shwarma for you meat eaters. I love it.
(5)Silvia P.
Great food with a great price.
(5)Payam S.
I am from NY and eat at best and best reviewed Arabic food places in Patterson NJ and NY all the time and I m a foody so trust me when I say this is the best Arabic I have had in the US! .....My God! We had the mixed Kabab platter and it was fantastic! ......Fresh High quality food seasoned and cooked to perfection (Middleeasterns usually overcook meat by western standards, but this one was perfect!) ......Highest quality meat! and So So delicious! amazing! .......and on Top of that the staff (the girls at the front) were so nice, polite and pleasant! Maybe it s more unusual for me because I m from NY!..........They gave us complementary Baqlawa and a Delicious cinnamon tea..............What a experience! If I ever move to Kalamazoo SHWARMA KING would be a great deciding factor...........The owner drives every week for 2 hours to get the best and freshest of ingredients!..............Outstanding eatery and simply a pleasant pleasant culinary experience
(5)Quinn T.
Food is absolutely delicious and an incredible deal to boot. My 4- year old is in love with the stuffed grape leaves which is a nice addition to his usual diet of apple juice and Cheetos. My husband and I have been here no less than 10 times in the last year bringing everyone from our elderly grandparents to out of town guests. And repeatedly we have been impressed. Highly recommend. My favorite if we are not getting a King Combo for the table is by far the Shawafle Sandwich with an Amo Mazen Tea.
(5)Katie J.
This place is incredible! I have family in Kalamazoo, and whenever I'm in town, I always make sure to visit this place. Really, really great lunch buffet and you can't beat the price. Lots of delicious vegetarian options as well. The falafel and roasted potatoes are two of my favorite things they offer. They catered my siblings' graduation party and that was great too.
(5)Jun B.
People are really friendly there and food were great.
(5)Dee B.
I've only had the chicken and lamb biryani here, but it's darn good, plus the portion sizes are *enormous*, so it's a great value for the $. My sister said the hummus is also very good.
(4)patient z.
Great tasting middle eastern food! You get a huge amount of food for your money, too. I wish they would've included forks with our take-out order, though -- I had to eat it with my hands in my hotel room! Though, I guess that's testament to how good it was.
(4)Ana P.
Extremely flavorful and a pretty inexpensive. I highly recommend the Chicken Kafta sandwich and their hummus. Just make sure you have your tums handy....worth it though. Even if you aren't very adventurous with food you would probably like a lot of their dishes. Lunch us much cheaper than dinner entrees.
(4)Kelly S.
This place is fantastic! I go here nearly 3 times a week with a group of coworkers. We just cant get enough! The servers treat us like gold and the food is fabulous...not to mention, insanely cheap! Aaaah im getting hungry again just thinking about it.
(5)o m.
Falafel? Local authentic Middle east food near WMU West gate, casual, take out or dine in, fresh food, great salad & Juice Bar. King Platter is the best deal for $12 it is more than enough for two, it comes with beef shawarma, shish tawook, falafel, grape leaves, tabbouli, hommous and fried kibbee. Great Lebanese salad. Lunch for $5.95.
(5)Andy P.
I used to live in East Dearborn so I'm very picky when it comes to Lebanese food. I have to say Shawarma King makes me feel at home. They also give very big portions and have a amazing felafel's.
(5)Christopher J.
Looking for something off the beaten path? Well this certainly is a delicious change from the norm. I'm not sure how to pronounce a lot of the menu items but I sure do enjoy eating them. My top pick is the chicken shawarma with feta sandwhich with a fatoush salad. It's a wonderful restaurant with unique choices and friendly service.
(5)Anne S.
I used to get the lunch special from here all the time! It's a great deal! The food is so good!
(4)Dylan W.
You want to talk about good food? What about good food for cheap? Even if you've never had middle-eastern food; do not fear, this place is for you. In fact, i tried middle-eastern food at this place for the first time... and fell in love. This place is a stone's throw away from wmu campus, a 10-15 minute walk, and the price for the food could please any student. Their sandwiches (well, wraps) are delicious. The garlic sauce, hummus, and tahini are fantastic. Their menu is overflowing with delicious food that will, yes will, make you drool. I tried the lentil soup one time and went to heaven. The service is top notch to boot! Some of the nicest souls i've been served by. I talk to the chef every now and then, he states that all of their ingredients are fresh and I believe it! Try this place, you won't be disappointed.
(5)ivy l.
Not bad, but not great either. I lived in Arabia for 12 yrs so I may be critical. The service was pretty nice. The place doesn't look great. The food is ok just not amazing, and the wraps were pretty dry.
(2)Jared S.
The sandwiches are excellent (not on bread! wrapped in Pita, normally with pickles and garlic sauce!). Riz bi dejaj, shish tawook. Yum! Moujadrah is a dinner favorite of mine. As well as falafel. Definitely agree with o m., the King Platter is definitely something you should get if it's your first time visiting.
(4)Tom L.
This food is incredible. Better than most in Dearborn, MI (And that is saying a lot because they have dozens of Lebanese restaurants there). It is cheap, they give you tons of extra pita bread, and the service is great.
(5)Steve D.
This place is great. Very friendly owner and staff. And the food was great. I was there with my son and we ordered a ton of food, all really fresh and flavorful, and it was cheap. We had the veggie platter which would have been enough. Good falafel, the tabouleh salad was delicious. You can pass on the hummus and baba ganoush, not that flavorful. We also had a fatoush salad that was amazing. My son hates tomatoes and he still ate this it was so good. The only negative was that it was cold in the restaurant. This is really a hole in the wall, not much decor, but if the room had been warmer I'd give them 5 stars. I hope I don't find myself back in boring Kalamazoo, but if I do, I'll visit the Shawarma King again.
(4)alejandro p.
Fantastic tasting vegetarian friendly Lebanese food at dirt cheap prices, and even my folks enjoy it. I come here every chance I get when I'm back in town. The falafel and hummus sandwiches are standbys, but the real treats for me are the cauliflower and spicy eggplant sandwiches and the fattoush salad.
(5)Andrea J.
I love going to Shwarma King! the menu is very extensive, the staff is knowledgeable and friendly, service is very fast, the portions are huge and the prices cheap, and they have the best Fattoush salad I've ever had. This is one of my local favorites, I recommend it to all my out of town friends who are visiting. If you go at lunchtime, try their Turkish coffee, it's great. I wish they had a larger parking lot because at dinner rush it's hard to find a spot!
(5)Allison E.
Its like middle eastern fast food. Perfect for snobs who love the convienience of BK, but prefer their flavors to have a more exotic flare. The hummus is great!
(4)Katy P.
Really good, super affordable food!
(5)Laura B.
Mmmmmmm! They have great falafal, hummus, chicken kafta, and lentil soup. I'm not sure if they still have it, but they used to have a fantastic sanwich with soup/salad and rice/fries deal for super cheap.
(5)Jennifer R.
I've only had the mixed shwarma dinner here, but each time I've had it, it was tasty and filling. Their fattoush salad is awesome! They have daily specials and student discounts, which is nice.
(4)Robbie S.
What a great place. The fried cauliflower and potato sandwich is a new favorite, but honestly I have never gone wrong here. Lately I have been getting a large tabbouleh for takeout which is HUGE and lasts me all week and is such a great snack to take to work. If you have never had Lebanese food...start here! Must try the king platter, falafel, lentil soup...and baklava for dessert which comes from the New Yasmeen Bakery in Dearborn, near Detroit. The staff is very friendly, the prices are great and the food is delicious. Love this place, can't say enough!
(5)