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Ara's Shawarma - Vanowen

4.0 (679 reviews)
Open • 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

Order Ara's Shawarma - Vanowen Takeout or Delivery

Ara's Shawarma - Vanowen Mediterranean Restaurant Photos

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ARA'S SHAWARMA - VANOWEN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Dogs allowed
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Ara's Shawarma - Vanowen

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Menu
Aida C.

One guy at counter. They have a falafel option. Menu has a variety of pork chops, chicken thighs and breast, steak, lamb chops, hummus, cabbage and fries. I ordered the beef wrap and the falafel and was very happy with it. The rice was excellent and the roasted jalapeño, tomato and onion were delicious. Definitely will be back.

CHICKEN Pita Sawarma
Lulu L.

I'm always up late and tend to get cravings, so after seeing this spot all over Instagram, my boyfriend and I decided to check it out late at night. It's a small place but it was busy, which is usually a good sign. I ordered the chicken and beef shawarma crispy, and honestly--the hype is real. Everything was delicious, flavorful, and satisfying. Portions were generous, prices were very reasonable, and the fact that they're open late is a huge plus. Definitely a great late-night option and worth the stop.

Chocolate Strawberries
Isabel Y.

*Delayed post from April '25 Stopped here for a quick bite and found parking in the small lot in front. The space itself had a local street vibe with graffiti art on the walls and small tables. We ordered at the kiosk at the front and grabbed our order when it was called out. I was surprised at how busy it was both inside and for take out, especially after trying both chicken and pork wraps, since the meat was super dry from overcooking. The pork had a smoky flavor reminiscent of Chinese barbecue from some overlapping spice. The pepperoncinis added delicious spice and the pickled vegetables in sauce were also great, but the pita wasn't able to hold everything together, so be prepared to eat it with a fork and knife. I think it would have been more balanced with additional vegetables like lettuce or cabbage, and perhaps more creamy sauce to add moisture to the meat. It would help give more textural difference in the wrap too. We also ordered a cup of strawberries with chocolate. Sadly not all the strawberries were ripe, giving them little flavor, but the chocolate was very rich and thick, almost like Nutella, but without the hazelnut flavor. The pistachio sauce was very watery, therefore ridding it of flavor since it was so diluted. However, the golden knafeh flakes added a delightful crispy texture that kept every bite interesting.

#21 pork chops plate (no salad, jalapeno, tomato, extra rice)
Lawrence A.

I finally decided to stop by here for lunch, I tried their Pork Belly plate, it was delicious! I gotta try their other dishes and chocolate desserts. Uniformed firefighter can get a free plate of food. The place is nice and clean. Service is friendly and professional.

Menu
Joe Z.

If you're looking for flavorful and juicy shawarma, I recommend Ara's. The perfect blend of spices and fresh ingredients made every bite enjoyable. The staff were warm and hospitable. I met Mike who went out of his way to make our first visit a positive experience. He even gave baklava with on the house as a welcome treat. They have lots of options and I appreciate the large menu. Service was quick and the seating area comfortable. Parking gets a little tight during the day.

FRies are delicious
Kevin B.

Wow, I keep coming out to Ara's Shawarma. My 4th time within a 2 months period since the New Year lol. Maybe I better move here lol. Nah, I love living in my Fountain Valley area. Anyway, I had to take care of some important errands in this area, and I stopped here to get some lunch for me and my girl back home. I ordered 2 Lamb Kebab Wraps and 1 Beef and Chicken Kebab Wraps. The fries are delicious too. Customer service was good here. Anytime I am in the area, I will be stopping by here.

chicken shawarma pita wrap IG: @ammysalamii
Angela G.

We decided to check this place out since it recently got a lot of traction for the viral Dubai chocolate. We've only been able to find the chocolate at Island Pacific grocery store in Granada Hills but for the smallest chocolate bar, not really worth the $12.00. We popped over here and drove through traffic after work to spend $30 on their version of the viral Dubai chocolate bar lol. But also to grab dinner which the shawarma was just okay and I tried their falafel which was my first time having it and it was EXTREMELY dry and pretty dense. I basically had one and I was done. They give you hummus but nothing can save it. They also had the strawberry cup with the Dubai chocolate/toppings if you're interested in that. I'm sure the price is also just as expensive. They had a smaller bar for half the price of the bigger one but we refrigerated ours to preserve it longer and it definitely lasted us a while! Very good, especially fresh, but $30 for a chocolate bar is pretty wild. They were busy when we visited so the food and chocolate took a while. Small restaurant with only a handful of seats. Parking is god awful so beware! They might have street parking but I got lucky with someone leaving and me squeezing into the tight parking spot. Probably would only come back to try their strawberry cup which seems to be available everywhere now. IG: @ammysalamii

Lamb Lula kebab plate
Wayne G.

My friends and I were craving Shawarma and decided to check out a new spot. We ordered delivery and got lamb, chicken, and beef dishes. All the dishes were good. I don't recommend getting the fries unless dining in. If you are a soggy fry lover then maybe that option is for you. Short and sweet review until the next time. Parking: small private lot VERDICT: One and done

Interior
V B.

Great food, great atmosphere, and they got holiday spirit too! This place has amazing fresh food, cheap prices and great customer service highly recommend. Make sure you ask for Mike! He's the man

chicken shawarma pita wrap
Reggie R.

Saw this small resto in instagram and kinda looks good. What made me more excited is that they have this starwberry chocolate dessert dubai style. Came here 1 day with wifey, ordered their promo beef shawarma combo which includes fries and a drink for a lesser price and 1 chicken wrap same for a lesser price, and they were good. They have a huge menu posted on their wall, we just tried their promo that's all. I liked it more than my wife. Their fries are so crunchy and good that you won't stop munching once you started it. We also ordered their strawberry chocolate dubai style for $17! a little expensive but hey I guess this is the same wherever you go. This one my wife loved it! The place is really small, only few chairs and tables, it's more like a to go places. Service is ok. medium speed. The cleanliness of the place is reasonable, they could have done better.

The cup I hesitantly shared with my husband
Myrtle P.

*Only rating for the Dubai Chocolate Strawberries and Bar* I'm sure that you've been seeing the famous Dubai Chocolate anything and everything on social media, so you can imagine my excitement when I finally got my hands on the strawberry cup of goodness. I've previously had a version of Dubai Chocolate in crepe and it was pretty good. It helped me understand the hype and as a big pistachio lover and all things chocolate, I got it. However, I never imagined how much I would truly enjoy it with strawberries! The worker was very nice and made conversation with us while he was making out delicious treat. We do plan to come back and try their menu, but this trip was purely for desserts. The first bite was a perfect balance of sweet, crunchy, and juicy experience. Was it hard to share this cup, yes it was! Perfectly ripe strawberries, partnered with sweet, melted chocolate and pistachio cream, topped with the crunch of the knafeh. I do think that the pistachio cream from Ara's is a bit runny and diluted and I prefer my pistachio cream thicker, this was a great dessert for the day. They also sold the Dubai Chocolate bars, but I prefer the strawberries over the bar. A must try!

Shay M.

Met Mike, He was friendly and kind. The beef shawarma was so flavorful with yummy seasoning. I will definitely be back. I ordered the beef plate, beef' and chicken warp. Thank you Mike

Chris Y.

As a great European vibe to it and the chocolate strawberries are absolutely amazing, but I have to tell you the chicken plate and the beef Shawarma pita were the two hits that I got to sample when I came in tonight. I really enjoy the environment. I like the fact that it's open late on a Saturday night. Everything is made fresh so give yourself a little extra time but you won't regret it. It's a lot of fun come and try everything they have here. You won't regret the BFP I can tell you that. !

Chicken Shawarma Wrap

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Araik P.

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Araik P.

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20 days ago

The best shawarma and Dubai strawberries in town . Kids ask for it when we're driving by every time

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Not bad place to feel a stomach. Not healthy but at least not dirty as other fast food around

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Page 1 of 17

Ara's Shawarma - Vanowen Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ara's Shawarma - Vanowen

Do you guys have the Dubai chocolate strawberries?

They sure do! They have the chocolate bars as well

Hello :) Do you guys have to option to have the potatoes sold as a side? Or an option to request half a meat protein with half potatoes plate? Thank you?

Yes we have option for just a potato by it self.

Is your meat halal?

No its not

View All 4 Questions

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I don't even know where to start because this place genuinely impressed me…read more First off, the customer service was AMAZING. Like, the kind of service where you actually feel welcomed and not rushed or awkward for asking questions. The staff was super patient and took the time to really explain the menu and walk me through all the different spice levels, which I appreciated so much. I had questions about the menu and especially about the spice levels, and instead of rushing me or giving short answers, they took the time to fully explain everything. They broke down what each heat level feels like, how intense it is, and even gave honest recommendations depending on spice tolerance. You could tell they actually care about making sure customers enjoy their food, not just pushing orders out. I ended up ordering the Kluckin Tenders and decided to go all in by trying every spice level they offer: No Heat, Kluckin Mild, Kluckin Hot, and Kluckin Fire. Starting with No Heat, i tried the og tender to see how it was alone without any spice because I'm quite the chicken tender connoisseur haha. I was honestly surprised by how flavorful it still was. The tenders were crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and seasoned really well. Even without spice, nothing tasted bland or boring, which says a lot about the quality of the chicken and seasoning. Kluckin Mild was a nice step up. It had some heat, enough to let you know it's there without being overpowering. This felt like a perfect everyday option -- flavorful, balanced, and very easy to enjoy. Kluckin Hot is where the heat really starts to kick in. It definitely made me slow down, but I loved that the flavor was still there. It wasn't just spicy for the sake of being spicy. You could still taste the seasoning and the chicken, which is something a lot of places get wrong. And then there's Kluckin Fire. This one is no joke. It looks like it would absolutely obliterate my taste buds. It definitely looks scarier than it is! The heat builds fast and lingers, and the staff definitely wasn't exaggerating when they warned me about it! That being said, it's still well made. This flavor actually ended up being my favorite! If you're someone who actually enjoys serious spice, you'll appreciate this level. It's intense, but it feels intentional. I also have to talk about the sides! The coleslaw was actually really good. Fresh, super crunchy, and well balanced. Not overly mayo-heavy or soggy like a lot of places do it. It had just the right amount of creaminess that helped cool things down between bites, especially when working my way through the hotter spice levels. It paired perfectly with the tenders and was honestly a lifesaver once I got to Kluckin Hot and Kluckin Fire. The crinkle cut fries were another highlight. Super crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfectly seasoned. The crinkle cut shape made them extra satisfying, and they held up really well even as I took my time eating. They weren't greasy or limp at all! Which is always a plus. Dipping them in their kluckin sauce was so addictive. (Absolutely must have this with your meal here) Seriously, can we please bottle this sauce?! Overall, this place just does everything right. Great food, real spice options, and customer service that makes you want to come back. It's rare to find a spot where the staff is both knowledgeable and genuinely kind, and it makes a huge difference. If you're a hot chicken fan or someone who likes exploring different spice levels, this place is absolutely worth a visit. I'll definitely be coming back and already recommending it to friends. Thanks so much for having me!!

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Ara's Shawarma - Vanowen - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

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