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La Mesa, CA

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Shawarma Guys

4.7 (1.1k reviews)
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Order Shawarma Guys Takeout or Delivery

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SHAWARMA GUYS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Moderate noise
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - Shawarma Guys

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Reviews With Photos

Caesar Crunch Wrap
Joe C.

The new chicken shawarma Caesar wrap is delicious. The wrap itself is huge and probably big enough to split, but I ate the whole thing. The falafel crunch inside is a great substitute for croutons. The Caesar dressing has great flavor and pairs well with the chicken shawarma. The service was fast and friendly. We were attempting to use the computer to order and the young lady at the counter decided to take care of us instead. The restaurant itself looks brand new inside and is very clean. We were the only people in there so we had the place to ourselves. I feel most people do take out.

Kaitlyn W.

Loved grabbing food here! The owner is super friendly and we had a great conversation. The restaurant is clean and there's plenty of parking outside.

Tabouli with a rock or pottery chip.
Gale R.

Tried the cream chop chicken pita it Was okay. The Greek salad was good. There is a spice that I don't care for in the meets. I still feel that the kebab shop is so much better. I like their flavors and the let you have complementary sauces rather than having to pay for them. Service was okay. Ambiance clean. Even though they didn't handle the food, one of the cashiers that placed the orders kept touching her hair which was gross.

Wagyu Beef Shawarma Cheesesteak w/ Extra Cheese
Monica A.

The hubby and I got some munchies after our tequila fun last night.... We tried the suggested Guy Fieri cheesesteak & it was sooooo yummy. We added extra cheese for that EXTRA gooeyness. We see why it's a favorite. Chill spot with great service. * Wagyu Beef Shawarma Egg Rolls (2pcs) * Wagyu Beef Shawarma Cheesesteak w/ Extra Cheese #DiningWithTheAndersons #TryingNewPlaces #GuyFieri #Cheesesteak

Wagyu Beef Shawarma Cheesesteak
Katherine K.

I have tried many locations for Shawarma Guys and their food can be a hit or miss. This time, it was a big hit! I loved my Wagyu Beef Shawarma Cheesesteak and would 100% get it again. I thought it was stuffed very nicely, but wished the peppers and onion pieces were larger instead of being small, diced pieces. I think it would've helped to balance the overall flavor as well. However, the meat was cooked to perfection and I was happy with it overall. I know it's a top 100 place, but I think they need to work on their overall consistency across their locations to truly make it worthy of the top 100 spot.

Sary O.

Second time at Shawarma Guys. My first visit was about 6 years ago at the South Park food truck, and honestly, I didn't like the food. I remember ordering their bowl, lemon chicken, wagyu egg rolls, and falafel. Everything was just okay.. nothing terrible, but the flavors didn't stand out. I gave it a 5/10 back then. Fast forward to now, I kept seeing people rave about the "Shawarma Bryan's Way," so I decided to give it another shot. I was meeting up with my cousin at the La Mesa location and even told her beforehand that I hadn't liked it before but it had been 6 years. I spent over $65 and ordered two Wagyu Shawarma Bryan's Way, a Philly cheesesteak, and (again) wagyu egg rolls. After the first bite of the crispy Wagyu Bryan's Way, I immediately remembered why I didn't like it the first time. The beef seasoning was way too overpowering. The crispy pita was actually really good, but the beef just didn't work for me. If the seasoning were toned down, I think it could be really good. My cousin and I was disappointed and we ended up going to eat at another place afterwards. Mind you, we love shawarma wrapped but just not here. Second time here, and unfortunately, it'll be my last. On a positive note, the service was great!

Melissa S.

First time trying this restaurant. We ordered take-out on a Friday night. We ordered a waygu beef egg rolls, a chicken shawarma plate, as well as the waygu beef shawarma plate. The egg rolls were delicious. They were drizzled with a garlic/yogurt sauce and served with tangy and yummy dipping sauce. Both shawarma plates came with the following sides: parsley tabouli, hummus, and rice. The waygu meat was moist, tender and had a hint of smoke. The chicken was also tender and moist, delicious! Sadly when we got home, our meal was missing the Naan. Since it was too far to go back, we had to go without an important part of our meal (which was a bummer) and hence taking 1 star off the overall review.

Sofia R.

Really enjoyed our lunch at Shawarma Guys! We tried several things, but the chicken shawarma and Wagyu Wrap were my favorites. Everything was flavorful, portions were generous, and we definitely left full! We went to the La Mesa location. Friendly service and a great casual spot for Mediterranean food in San Diego.

Wagyu Beef Shawarma Egg Rolls (2pcs)
Yesenia J.

This place was 10/10 the bowl was $16 and filling, the meat was so tender! I got the egg rolls for free as I joined their app! I saved those for later as the bowl was already filling! Definitely shareable! Place was super clean and I didn't wait at all for my food. Which was great as I was on my lunch break. The staff was nice and professional.

Seating area
Bety B.

I had never been to this location but was in the area with a friend and decided to check it out. It was super easy to order through the kiosk and make any modifications if needed. I got the chicken and wagu beef plate with rice, salad, and hummus. The chicken and beef were super flavorful and not dry at all. The garlic feta sauce was delicious too and paired well with the pita. The location was clean and the staff were friendly. It is reasonably priced as I paid $22 for the plate and it was plenty of food. Will definitely be coming back!

Wagyu Beef & Chicken Shawarma
Michelle R.

Food 5/5 Service: 5/5 Value: 4/5 Cleanliness 5/5 My husband got the wagyu beef & chicken plate. He said it was fresh tasting and would get it again. We shared the baklava and it was pretty dang good! It was a little on the pricey side so that's my only reason for not giving it 5/5

Wagyu Beef Shawarma Egg Rolls (2pcs)
Kimme F.

Tried the shawarma wrap (Brian's way) so that it's crispy. Soooo good! Super crispy and super flavorful. I asked for the pickles on the side which was the right way to go so you can add as you go. The only thing is that there's always this grainy texture I get every time I eat the beef. I don't know if it's the meat or the sauce. Still pretty good and I will definitely come back. We also go the Philly cheesesteak which was so good! The right amount of sauce and meat with cheese on top. There's a hint of spice because of the jalepenos in it. The only thing I would change would be that the bread is a little toasted. Came out soggy but still pretty good. Enjoyed every bite.

Cheesesteak

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the fresh, flavorful food, friendly, helpful staff, and a clean, well-maintained space.

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1 year ago

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6 months ago

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2 months ago

Establishment was clean, the crew was friendly and the food was delicious. This is now a favorite Mediterranean fast food place.

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

My favorite go to spot. They have the most delicious food and great prices as well as a clean establishment

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2 years ago

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3 months ago

Love this place definitely a must try if you haven't been. Crispy wrap, cheesesteak, and chicken cheesesteak are my favorite.

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3 years ago

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2 months ago

it's okay its hit or miss quality isn't always there not sure I'll be back any time soon

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Shawarma Guys Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Shawarma Guys

Any gluten/dairy/soy free options that isn't just salad? Can you make the meat plates gluten/dairy/soy free?…

Many of the dishes they have are middle eastern with yogurt sauce and the hummus chick pea great for the meat they serve french fries you can have sweet potatoes .

Do you offer large hummus bowls with meat and veggies, substituting the rice?

You can substitute the rice on any plate for a salad for $1. They also have small and large hummus sides and al a carte meat options.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Ney Restaurant - Baba Ghanoush! Best in town!

Ney Restaurant

4.6(381 reviews)
0.7 mi
•$$

I was told this is the best place for Mediterranean in town by a very nice man on a plane ride home…read moreto San Diego. I think they are specifically an Iraqi style restaurant. Not quite casual, a little fancy but not really elevated dining or anything. Nice ambiance and polite, attentive service. We ordered the spreads combo platter that came with spicy Turkish baba ganoush, regular baba ganoush, hummus, and tzatziki. It was served with piping hot pita. This was delicious, worth coming for on its own. It was my first time having Turkish baba ganoush, it was delicious! The hummus and tzatziki were excellent. I especially love the addition of a unique crunchy garnish for each dip; chickpeas on the hummus, olives on the Turkish baba ganoush, pomegranate seeds on the baba ganoush, and coarser chopped cucumber in the tzatziki. Presentation is also beautiful, with all the color and each dip smoothed in a nice pattern. My only wish is that the baba ganoush is a little smokier. We also had the Ney classic grill which came with beef shawarma, beef skewer, chicken skewer, 2 lamb kofta, and breaded chicken. The menu claims this serves 2-3, but we probably only ate half between 4 relatively light eaters after our spread combo. I really enjoyed the shawarma; the chicken and filet mignon is a little light on the seasoning but the flavor is otherwise good; the kofta could be more tender in my opinion. I rarely see chicken cream chop in grill platters, but it was well executed. The platter also comes with pickles and rice and biryani, all of who I enjoyed. The biryani comes with almonds and raisins and everything has a nice sumac flavor. They also include garlic sauce and tahini; the garlic is really punchy. The jalapeno was crazy spicy. Everything is served on a bed of lavash, but it gets a little soggy under all the meat. If I were to give feedback, I would prefer the shawarma a little less salty and the grilled filet mignon and chicken a little more salty. Not sure why it's so disparate. For the amount of food, the price is very reasonable for a seated dining experience. One note is that they really blast the AC, so dress a little on the warmer side if you run cold. Come with 4-6+ people, order the spreads platter and the grill platter, and enjoy!

I loved this place! The night before coming here for takeout, I had Mediterranean food down at…read moreSeaport Village. It was tasty and satisfying... but this place BLEW MY MIND. The moment I walked in, I was warmly greeted and asked if I wanted a table for one. I said no, I was hoping to order takeout, and she kindly invited me to sit at the bar while I looked over the menu. Right away, the atmosphere felt welcoming, beautiful, and relaxed. I ordered my food, sipped my water, and honestly didn't think I had ordered that much. Then she came out with multiple filled brown bags of food! First of all, the prices were amazing. Second... the food was TOP NOTCH and completely different from what I had the night before. Everything was packed with flavor without being overloaded with salt. Fresh, vibrant, rich, and incredibly satisfying. The waitress/hostess was knowledgeable, friendly, and gave great recommendations on what to try. You can tell the staff truly cares about the experience. I will absolutely be back the next time I visit San Diego again. And not that I recommend eating while driving ... but the next day on my drive back to Ventura County, I spread out my leftovers and happily snacked on hummus, baba ghanoush, and dolma all the way home. That alone says everything about how good this place was.

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Ney Restaurant
Ney Restaurant - Filet Mignon Tikka with Baryani - delicious too

Filet Mignon Tikka with Baryani - delicious too

Ney Restaurant - A hidden gem, look for it.

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A hidden gem, look for it.

Mal Al Sham -The Taste Of Damascus - Chicken Shawarma (with fries)

Mal Al Sham -The Taste Of Damascus

4.2(691 reviews)
3.7 mi•Cajon Heights
•$$

I first stopped here in August after hearing so many great recommendations, and I wasn't…read moredisappointed! The ground beef kabobs were tender and well seasoned, served with a fresh, tangy salad and a generous portion of delicious rice. We also ordered the garlic sauce, which wasn't quite what I expected, but I really enjoyed how all the flavors complemented each other. I returned in October and ordered the same dish, and it was even better than my first visit! However, the second kabob was a little too pink for my liking, so I decided to take it home. I also ordered another ground beef kabob plate and a beef tikka kebab à la carte to go. The beef tikka was described as chunks of beef, and I was curious to try it. I requested the ground beef kabob well done, but it was still a little pink for my preference. Nevertheless, it was delicious! I also really enjoyed the beef tikka and will definitely order it again. The restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating. The parking lot is small, but there is street parking. They also serve black tea, with the first cup complimentary and additional cups costing $2. Overall, I've really enjoyed the food on both visits. The flavors are wonderful, the portions are generous, and I'm already looking forward to returning!

We came to Mal Al Sham on a Saturday night, and it was SO busy! I had high hopes going in, and the…read morerestaurant itself reminded me of a high-end venue. Honestly, I felt like I was at a family party, which made the whole experience feel lively and fun. The servers were quick to clean a table for us, so we didn't have to wait too long to sit down. We ordered the platter for three, and the value was honestly insane. For just $60, it came with two beef kabobs, three chicken kabobs, two portions of chicken tikka, half a pound of beef shawarma, and half a pound of chicken shawarma, all served over a bed of rice. It also came with a really good parsley salad and yogurt sauce. The salad was fresh and citrusy, which helped cut through the bitterness of the parsley, and I loved it! We had so much food left over, too. Everything was flavorful, and the meats were tender and juicy. My only criticism is that a lot of the meats tasted very similar, so nothing really stood out from the rest. It was still a good meal, especially for the price and portion size, but I wish each dish had a more distinct flavor. Overall, it's a great spot to come with family or friends when you want to share a ton of food without spending a fortune!

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Mal Al Sham -The Taste Of Damascus - Mal Al Sham a taste of Damascus, Syria cuisine in El Cajon.

Mal Al Sham a taste of Damascus, Syria cuisine in El Cajon.

Mal Al Sham -The Taste Of Damascus - Platter for (3 People) ( beef shawarma swapped out with chicken cream chop)

Platter for (3 People) ( beef shawarma swapped out with chicken cream chop)

Mal Al Sham -The Taste Of Damascus - Leftovers from two meals

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Leftovers from two meals

Alforon

Alforon

4.6(1.9k reviews)
3.2 mi•Rolando
•$$

Soooo Delicious!!!…read more Service was excellent!!! Owners made all the food to order and served the dishes to everyone. They interacted with all the customers, explaining the menu, and giving recommendations. They were very friendly and welcoming. Food was DELICIOUS!!!! Everything was made fresh to order. I came for brunch and ended up overeating... it was soo good, I couldn't stop. I ordered some tea, a bowl of amazing garlicky Foul (pronounced fool, an open faced meat pie (lahm bajeen) in the flakiest lightest crust I've ever had, and super sweet and extra cheesy Kunafi with Kaack for desert. I was so impressed, I ordered dinner to-go (Stuffed kusa (known as mexican squash) and stuffed cabbage). Large beautiful dining area, great for small or big groups. Warning, parking is tight.

They do Kunafa well but their people skills need a bit of work. I went in last min to get a Kunafa…read morefor the family and understandably if they were too busy or whatever they could have simply said "no, sorry" and life would have moved on. But instead the whole ordeal (because that's what it ended up being) was very uncomfortable and unsavory. When i put my order in, the kitchen responded with a slew of insults in arabic, upset about the last min request. Me being mixed race, my appearance doesn't scream 'arabic speaker' and to be honest my arabic ain't perfect but i knew i was being insulted and that clearly the last min order was a problem. I had told them it's okay i understand it wasn't a good time and subtly hinted at being able to understand what was happening, which ended up making things even weirder. Instead of them taking the out i gave them, they insisted they could make the dessert and while i waited I was put to a test to see if i truly understood what had been said about me. The woman in front and the man in the back both took turns talking to me in both english and rapid speed arabic to test how much i could have possibly understood. I was in shock and smiled my way through the very strange interaction because i was still much too shocked to even formulate a proper emotional response to the rudeness. The moment I got the food i took it with a smile (still) because it was ramadan and it wasn't worth breaking my fast over and i haven't looked back. Now even tho it's blocks from my home I just go to El cajon if i want kunafa or anything else they offer. Other than that the place inside looked nice and again the kunafa was tasty but that was unfortunately my one and only experience there.

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Alforon - Inside: ornate "window" with lights

Inside: ornate "window" with lights

Alforon - Ouzi Lamb Special

Ouzi Lamb Special

Alforon - Lamb fatteh

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Lamb fatteh

Ali Baba Family Restaurant - Look for this Sign

Ali Baba Family Restaurant

4.1(927 reviews)
3.7 mi•Cajon Heights
•$$

Every time we like mediterranean food, Ali Baba is our first choice. food is great, service is good…read moreand the staff is friendly.

Haven't been here in years, decided to take a trip to El Cajon to have lunch at this mom and pop…read moremiddle eastern restaurant with my mom and pop. They definitely invest their time on the taste of their food and serving large portion sizes instead of fancy tables and decor. It's not upscale fine dining... the interioir looks the exact same for past decade. Although a little dated the place is very clean and fits large or small groups. Not a date night spot -- more a friends and family stuff your face kind of place. They have a dedicated parking lot with plenty of spots. We ordered a ton of food to share. Half roasted chicken with side of fatoush salad, beef kabob plate with side of rice, lamb tikka with side of fries, a large plate of hummus, and an order of falafel (Best Falafel in SoCal). EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! I personally didn't like the lamb tikka but everyone else destroyed that plate. We ordered a pot of black tea (mint flavored) and they brought our large pieces of steaming hot fresh bread. Service was very friendly and fast. They modified any order to your liking. They also thanked us for coming and meant it when they said it -- Mom and Pop shops are The Best! Highly Recommend if you're looking for good quality middle eastern food with large portions.

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Ali Baba Family Restaurant - Feast for 4!

Feast for 4!

Ali Baba Family Restaurant - Pita Bread the Size of a Pizza

Pita Bread the Size of a Pizza

Ali Baba Family Restaurant - From the newly renovated parking lot =D

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From the newly renovated parking lot =D

Shawarma Guys - mideastern - Updated October 2026

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