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    Ara's Shawarma

    4.3 (336 reviews)
    Closed • 10:30 am - 11:00 pm

    Order Ara's Shawarma Takeout or Delivery

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    ARA'S SHAWARMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed
    Happy hour specials

    Recommended Reviews - Ara's Shawarma

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    Crispy Beef combo
    Chris M.

    First the directions on yelp interface with Google not to well... So I had to make a bunch of extra turns to get to the location... Street parking on Ventura isn't bad 1.81 for an hour and it added the remaining time from the previous person so I ended up wirh 1hr 44 :). Lets get to why wifey and I came... She saw a video on the Crispy Beef Shawarma and Tallo Fries... The order 2 Crispy Beef Shawarma (15.99 each) I ordered the combo which gave me a drink and the tallo fries for 3.99 more. My wife wanted to try the hummus so that was an extra 3.99 and it came with one pita bread. Our food arrived delivered with a Pomegranate sauce to drizzle on the zcrispy beef and let me tell you that was freaking delicious so delicious I used it for my fries!!! While we were eating we over heard they had a house hot sauce which I got up and asked for 2 so we could try it out!! I didnt want to leave obviously without trying it.. The House Hot Sauce had real good flavor with hinys of the Middle East!!! Perfect spot for something different Yes!! Really clean inside helpful staff and music that sets the mood!!! Overall 5 Stars for the food, service, ambiance

    Front of restaurant
    Joe C.

    Literally came back the next day to pick up another order for my family to try and they loved it! One of our favorite places to eat now. This time we ordered two Crispy Chicken Shawarmas and two Crispy Beef Shawarmas. Both were good, but the general consensus was that the chicken one shined. The food here is delicious and we'll definitely be coming back very soon!

    Arlene E.

    We're big foodies and have been wanting to try more Middle Eastern spots, so we stopped by while passing through the valley and wow, so glad we did. First off, the customer service was amazing. The manager, Tigram, was seriously the sweetest--exactly how you hope to be welcomed when you walk into a place. He even followed up to make sure everything was okay, which made the experience that much better. The ambiance is super chill, really spacious, and I especially loved the red theme and decor it gives such a cool vibe. And the food... omg. We got the crispy wraps with chicken and beef (plus fries), and it was a total hit. Hot, fresh, flavorful, and perfectly crispy. The chicken seasoning and juiciness were incredible, and the blend of everything together was honestly to die for. And the meat ratio to veggies was on point!! Good portion of meat. Definitely coming back

    Crispy Beef Shawarma / Crispy Chicken Shawarma
    Scottie G.

    Went on a Tuesday night 06/16/2026 and ordered the Viral "Crispy Beef Shawarma" and "Crispy Chicken Shawarma".. The place was a ghost town. Ordered extra sauce on the side, extra $1 or $2 depending on what you get. The Crispy Chicken Shawarma literally felt like I was chewing on the cartilage of a chicken thigh, they gave me lamb instead of beef, and it was the most gamey tasting lamb I've ever had. The side of fries were soggy as soon as I got in the car, and they were cold. Attached photo is the food you get when you order, I'm 1000% convince they pay for all these influencers on tik tok and instagram for their reviews. It's also paid parking, or you can try parking on Ventura Blvd in Encino, which is impossible. I honestly don't really complain about food, but this is horrible. $50+ down the drain just to lose my appetite. There are other non viral social media places that serve better quality food for cheaper.

    Fries
    Anna K.

    We were in the area and decided to try Aras Shawarma for lunch--it's in the spot that used to be Veggie Grill--and we're glad we did. We both ordered the chicken shawarma wraps, and the portions were big and very filling. Ordering was super easy with the self-serve kiosks, and the restaurant itself is spacious, clean, and bright with a large indoor seating area. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and I really liked the artwork inside--it adds a nice touch to the space. The chicken was fresh, juicy, and well-seasoned, and the fries were crispy, hot, and generously portioned. We shared one order of fries and it was more than enough for both of us. Parking options are convenient with metered street parking available, plus a paid lot in the back. Overall, everything was smooth from ordering to seating to food quality. We'll definitely be back--next time we're planning to try the kabobs. Solid spot for a satisfying, casual lunch in Encino.

    Regine S.

    Today I ordered to go from Doordash one lamb plate and one Shawarma plate, both with Greek salad! A true delight: the meat is super moist, and their food is really fresh They have three locations and I highly recommend that place for you guys to order! ‼So delicious and tasty

    Outside pic
    SB K.

    Came here on a Friday night since the Encino location is in a better area than the other one in NoHo. Plenty of street parking. We all ordered the viral Crispy Chicken Shawarma, and a small side of fries to share. The shawarma was delicious especially with the garlic and pomegranate sauces, which gave it such a unique flavor profile. We also asked for their 3 different sauces to dip our fries in, and all of them were so good especially the spicy one! Do not sleep on their fries which were so crispy and flavorful! Will definitely be back often to get our shawarma fix!

    Lamb Lula Kebab Plate
    Kevin P.

    Ara's served up some pretty solid flavorful Mediterranean food. We stopped by here a few times for lunch already and both time food was delicious. Order is simple, they have a kiosk that you can order from or the counter. So far the plates that we have tried: Lamb Lula Kebab Plate: The lamb Lula was delicious. Very moist and flavorful. Chicken Shawarma Plate: This was pretty good but it was a little bit to dry for me in my opinion. Chicken Thigh Plate: This was fantastic. The chicken was perfectly done. So moist and tender. The chicken thigh plate took about 10 minutes to be served but it was worth it if you're not in a rush. Each plate comes with 3 different sauce. Overall, we have enjoyed our last couple visits here and would definitely return. Service was friendly. As for parking they have a back parking lot in the back and street meter parking.

    Beef Shawarma Bowl and Chicken Shawarma Bowl
    Kathy Z.

    Located just next to the Katsuya in Encino, Ara's Shawarma serves up meaty bowls and wraps with a Mediterranean twist. I've had the chicken bowl and the beef bowl - I'd order both again. Lots of flavor! Perfect for two to share, or to make another meal for later. They sell chocolate covered strawberries here, which is pretty fun. I haven't tried them, but I'm sure I'll cave in one of these days. The interior of the shop is quite artsy and inviting. This place is relatively new, so it's so clean and fresh. Service is efficient and the staff are helpful. I usually wait about ~10 minutes max for my order. Your best bet for parking is metered street parking out front. Don't forget to pay the meter and read those street signs carefully before leaving your car.

    Schwarma
    Mike R.

    For any restaurant I think food is the main thing. I had the beef and lamb. All the ingredients were excellent except the pita which was either stale or just poor quality. I'm inclined to believe stale because everything else was wonderful. I'm certain if I had asked for another pita they would have accommodated. The staff was excellent too. Usually I mention little about staff unless fine dining but in this case they deserve mentioning. Very nice. It is a little difficult to find and parking, while validated, isn't easy to find on your first visit. Nonetheless I'm certain to return

    Chris P.

    My first time here, the food is good and tasty. I had the chicken Shawarma over basmati rice. The place is clean, nice atmosphere and I will definitely be back.

    Harrison W.

    Food: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Ambiance: 4/5 Got the deal on Instacart so I have decided to give this place a try. Arrived at night around 8 pm just for pick up but found parking on Ventura and they have pretty nice outdoor seating so just ate it there. Ordered chicken kabobs, rice, hummus, salad, pita bread, grilled onion, tomatoes and jalapeño. Chicken was cooked right, meat was juicy and delicious. I like the fact that they included grilled vegetables. It was a good portion and tasted great so I would repeat to try their beef items.

    Beef Shawarma Pita
    Cecilia L.

    For some reason , this place popped up on my social Media feed with grubbing with Greg, he made it look so good! and since my husband and I love middle eastern cuisine we had to try! Food came out fast and Husband gave it a 8/10 we always play this game but I? I wasn't quite a fan like he was, why? I opted for the beef shawarma while he scarfed down the chicken shawarma, and I instantly smelled the strong scent of the lamb, it was overpowering and I thought they must have gotten the meats wrong in the kitchen from My order, regardless, I had asked my husband To give it a try and he said I was crazy! The gyro was big and nice and crispy chicken was about $13 and the beef was $16... comes with your choice of sauce so you can't go wrong with the garlic spread and tried a little bit of the pomegranate sauce as well. He ended up having both and at the end of the meal, he asked the employee at the register if they had swapped the meats, full disclosure, they cook the shawarma with lamb fat 5% and that was that! Fun spot, I would come back here for the chicken shawarma. Personal preference.

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    3 months ago

    Love the food this guy is an actual cook ... place is clean ... polite... good second experience

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    Page 1 of 9

    Ara's Shawarma Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Ara's Shawarma

    Tel Aviv Grill - Chicken shawarma plate

    Tel Aviv Grill

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    0.8 mi•Encino
    •$$

    Exactly as anticipated. People with sad reviews wanna look for a way to complain about a Glatt…read moreKosher restaurant in a culture that is NOT about gratitude for obsequiousness for the customer. DUH. They serve solid food on fresh pita. Fresh vegetables really good eggplant and fries. The Merguez sausage is fantastic in the laffa wrap. A really nice low burn in the mouth. Eat good food. Get on w your life

    Last evening we invited our relatives from London to a meal at Tel Aviv Grill…read more We have been clients of the restaurant for a long time and were always happy with the food Last night was a total disaster I ordered chicken chicken thighs with extra thighs We were first in line and 3 of us got their orders I didn't because the 2nd guy in line ordered thighs as well and the second server took my order from the gill and gave it to him When I told him it was mine he shrugged his shoulders like too bad I had to wait 15 minutes to get my order after my guests got theirs My wife ordered falafel in a pita Awful it was overcooked The chips we got were totally cold and the sweet cleaning lady felt sorry and brought us a small dish with warm ones The eggplants were also cold and burnt I spent 116 dollars on a worthless meal Keep going like that and you will lose many clients Sincerely Ami Artzi amiartzi@gmail.com

    Photos
    Tel Aviv Grill - Making the best Israeli food in the Valley!

    Making the best Israeli food in the Valley!

    Tel Aviv Grill - Half Chicken Half Beef Shawarma Pita

    Half Chicken Half Beef Shawarma Pita

    Tel Aviv Grill - Beef kabob

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    Beef kabob

    Ash's Grill Kebab - #4- Chicken Breast Plate

    Ash's Grill Kebab

    4.4(156 reviews)
    4.6 mi•Reseda
    •$$

    I was looking for a new SFV Kabob place and came up with Ash's Grill on Tampa and Sherman Way. It…read moreis located in a small strip mall, with only six tables for inside dining. Three of them have two chairs each, while the others have 4 chairs. The menu is laminated and comes with numerous mediterranean dishes, and yes, there are kabobs. I chose the beef lule kabob entree, that comes with two minced kabobs, rice, grilled tomato, jalapeno and a very small cucumber tomato salad, some hummus too, all plated together. I also ordered their thick yoghurt with shallots to accompany the menu item. The Kabobs were grilled to order, could have used more flavor and were slightly overcooked. Overall, the components blended harmoniously. What stood out was their pita bread, grilled just right and so pillow soft on the inside. That with the yoghurt was absolutely divine. There was also a starter that came with the dish. I chose the lentil soup over the salad. Wow, an excellent selection. The perfect temperature, a nice mix of spices, warm aroma, enticing flavor and tongue feel. This introduction may have surpassed the rest that was to follow. I would go there specially to get the lentil soup alone, to go. Service here was high class, attentive and friendly. Definitely, worth a repeat visit.

    Was craving a gyro so I tried Ash's Grill since they had great reviews…read more I ordered a lamb gyro and it was GREAT! Ingredients were fresh and the meat was seasoned perfectly. I'm surprised I haven't tried this location sooner, it's in an unassuming shopping center and I drive by it all the time. Will have to try other items on their menu - everything looks delicious.

    Photos
    Ash's Grill Kebab - Catered my food from Ash's grill Beef Lule, chicken and thigh chicken kabob, cherry and regular rice

    Catered my food from Ash's grill Beef Lule, chicken and thigh chicken kabob, cherry and regular rice

    Ash's Grill Kebab - #29- Gyro Wrap

    #29- Gyro Wrap

    Ash's Grill Kebab - #6- Beef and Chicken Thigh Plate

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    #6- Beef and Chicken Thigh Plate

    Cafe Du Liban - Mediterranean Cheese Pies wrapped in Filo Dough (Vegetarian).

    Cafe Du Liban

    4.6(764 reviews)
    3.5 mi•Tarzana
    •$$

    Café du Liban is a little gem in the heart of the Valley, and it truly is our neighborhood…read morefavorite. Whenever my daughter and I are nearby, it's always our first stop. We usually share the fresh grilled chicken salad and an order of crispy fries simply fresh and consistently delicious. The ambience is the owner always greets us with a warm smile. In a world where it can feel like nobody knows your name, walking into a place where you're recognized and welcomed so genuinely makes all the difference.

    Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing, but I do not understand all the rave reviews this place is…read moregetting. I ordered a felafel sandwich in a pita, with a side of hummus. I prefer pita sandwiches that are cut open and stuffed, rather than rolled up like a burrito the way they do here; the latter compresses everything together into a mush and can drip the contents out the back end, which is exactly what happened when I tried eating this one. This would matter less if the felafel were really good, but these were almost completely tasteless and mushy, no nice crisp exterior. In fact, they were falling apart as I was eating. The hummus was okay. Not bad, but nothing special. And the pita bread they included with it was cold, not warm and fresh. Maybe there are other items on the menu that justify the five star reviews. But the felafel and hummus certainly do not, and I'm not sure I'd want to experiment further.

    Photos
    Cafe Du Liban - Appetizers: hummus, baba ghanooj, tabbouleh, yogurt/cucumber dip with pita bread

    Appetizers: hummus, baba ghanooj, tabbouleh, yogurt/cucumber dip with pita bread

    Cafe Du Liban - Beef Shawarma Fries  Hummus

    Beef Shawarma Fries Hummus

    Cafe Du Liban - Grilled Chicken, Tomatoes, Pickles, Garlic Sauce wrapped in Pita Bread.

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    Grilled Chicken, Tomatoes, Pickles, Garlic Sauce wrapped in Pita Bread.

    Ara's Shawarma - mediterranean - Updated September 2026

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