This is a great neighborhood shawarma place. It's not unlike a Subway or Chipotle's where there's an assembly line for your meal. We had good falafel wraps with a lot of toppings. Ingredients were fresh, and brought back memories of some of the better shawarma places in NYC. Drinks are from a fridge. There are good desserts, too, and the prices are just a little high, the food was great. read more

Second time getting carry out from here. First time was alright, this time, disappointing. The chicken in my chopped chicken bowl had a blackened crust that was so hard, I literally chipped a tooth on it. To be fair, It was sub-par dental work to begin with, but now my mouth hurts, a lot. Even sadder, looking forward to my piece of cheesecake to eat after as it should be soft enough to not cause pain while consuming.... I present the saddest piece of stale & firm cheesecake ever read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

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Things have changed a lot since I wrote this first review. Prices have skyrocketed, as they have everywhere. But that wasn't the real issue. I was going to get 1 bowl, but I saw a sign on the window that said "Buy 1 Bowl Get 1 Bowl $7.99". To me, that clearly meant 2 bowls for $7.99. But when the worker rang it up, she said it meant buy 1 at regular price, get a second for $7.99. She admitted that the sign was worded poorly, but she didn't budge. And from what I could tell, it's only $2 off at most. But the problem extends beyond that. First of all, they didn't offer a choice of base, like they had in the past. Second, the bowl was mostly rice. Third, they choice of toppings was sparse. They didn't have any tabbouli (actually the thing I wanted most) and the tomatoes were pale and mushy/mealy. I don't remember all the toppings they used to have, but I didn't see any beets or chick peas, which I'm pretty sure I'd gotten there in the past. But worse than all of that was that, shortly after I ate the bowl, my stomach was upset. This is very unusual, as I eat this sort of thing frequently. Sadly, I don't think I'll be stopping here anymore. read more

Friendly service. Shawarma sandwich + soup + drink = $9.95 out the door. Wraps are buy one, get one for $4.99. read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Interior - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

From the review I really thought this place was going to be good. Nothing tasted fresh and half the produce felt like it came from a can. I barely got any meat in my portion. Idk why the ratings are so good tbh I would have preferred to go to chipotle at a cheaper price. read more

Seriously? I've never rated this place? I go here often. I like that it is quick and you can order ahead, they assemble your stuff, then they grill it when you get there while you pay. So it isn't all soggy and gross. The shawarma is good (I've heard) and the falafel is great. I like the hummus and garlic as well. They have a combo meal that includes a pop and a soup or fries, and I think it is under $10. They do have a few tables, but it is probably best to carry it out until you get the lay of the land. read more

I love their Shawarmas so much, the service is nice, and I gotta say their lentil soup is top-tier!

Excellent service Amazing customer care team Salad and humus with bread Falafel sandwiches is best read more

This is a great place for fresh Mediterranean food. The people are very kind and make each order with care. The Shwarma Sandwiches are very reasonable price and tasty. The Baklava is tender and delightful. All Covid protocols were in order. Halal read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Front of menu - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

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Zara has become one of my favorite Mediterranean quick lunch places. Why? It's delicious, fast, inexpensive and did I say delicious? My work group has been eating here for almost 2 years and we've never been disappointed. You get a ton of food for a small price, and it's really good. It's not fancy, but frills are not needed. The flavors speak for themselves. You have your basic options: bowls, sandwiches or salad with some side options if you want them or if you want to do a combo with a drink. They have beef and chicken shawarma, or falafel. I like to get the shawarma bowls with chicken and all the toppings. They pack it full, and that bowl is heavy when you get it. They have lots of veggies and sauces to take your meal to your liking. Everything is really good and you can have as many veggies or toppings as you like, and if you want a lot of hummus or garlic sauce (if that's your taste) you can have that too. For 5.99 the bowl usually lasts me 2 meals, so you can't beat it. The salads are the same way. If there's a line it moves quickly but I do recommend if you're stopping in for lunch to try to go around 11:30 or after1 if you don't want to wait. The Noon rush will go fast but the small location can fill up quickly. Definitely recommend. read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

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My chicken fattoush salad came with shaved chicken that was dried out from sitting too long. It was lettuce and cucumbers. No mint, no lemon dressing rather a red vinegar and no fried bread bits. The lentil soup is gelatinous and contains what looks like a lot of overcooked rice and is blan. My husband picked up the order. He noted that a staff was making food with no gloves on. I called the restaurant about the chicken on my salad. They said no the chicken is fresh. Apparently they saved the fresh chicken for a different order. My dog enjoyed the spoils. read more

This is the spot for great pita sandwiches. This is the spot for fresh made super salads. This is the spot for great service. Their garlic sauce IS AMAZING. Vegetarians will be in heaven. Mmmmmm mmmmm good. read more

My some and I each orders a chicken shawarma sandwich. You get to pick your own ingredients. Everything was fresh. The lady behind the counter was very friendly and the owner even checked in on us while he was making a fresh spit of chicken. We also got fries to go with the sandwiches. The fries were made just for our order, doesn't get any fresher than that, they were golden crispy and perfect. Clean restaurant and fair pricing. Thanks!! read more

Excellent lunchtime choice! Extremely friendly, food is fresh & delicious, & the prices are perfectly affordable. I love that I can get shawarma in a bowl & customize it to fit my tastes. I get a beef shawarma bowl with 1/2 rice & 1/2 cabbage on the bottom. Topped with garlic sauce, tahini, hummus, pickles, pickled turnips, onions, & tabbouleh. I wish I lived closer so I could eat here more often! read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Beef Shawarma Bowl - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

Terrible service and terrible food. The 2 girls working there with their 1 meter long nails are not friendly at all nor do they give you what you ask for. The food was not good at all, chicken shawarma tasted nothing like it should and the paper for the bread was wrapped into the sandwich like it was done by a 3 year old. Never going back there or recommending this place. read more

Fresh and fast, always good! I had the chicken shawarma sandwich and grape leaves. All were made to order right in front of you so you know what your getting. Friendly owners who are always there to serve you, like family! read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - menu - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

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I really like this place! The prices are great, portions are good, and food delicious read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Beef Shawarma Bowl - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

So good. Great chicken shawarma and falafel. The prices are so low especially compared to la Marsa or pita way, and it tasted waaayyyy better than both. Service was friendly. I wish I lived closer!! read more

Actually should be VERY GOOD. stopped in today, for first time in a long time. Service was fast, and super friendly. Prices are fair, food is good. read more

This place was everything we heard and hoped it would be! Super fresh, you choose your own toppings for your sandwiches and bowls, and you get tons of great food for a great price. It was very clean but not a lot of seating because it's mostly a carry out place. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. We will be back soon! read more

Their portions are ridiculous they gave me 1 tablespoon of hummus and I had to pay extra, the worker behind the counter was very rude she barley gave me any chicken either read more

Fantastic food! Out local Mediterranean food- the best! Ordered multiple times to work and twice for parties! Owner takes it personally! Cares for the best quality and service! read more

If you are looking for quick, clean, cheap, and tasty place to eat, then Zara's is right for you! I found this place by accident as I was searching for halal places near by work. When I first walked in, I was impress by the way place was kept clean and menu can be easily found. They have few options: sandwiches, bowls, and grape leaves. I order the bowls because those are hard to get anywhere. The bowl comes with meat, rice and topping options. I packed mine with everything and a little bite of hot sauce. At the end, it tasted great and I had a full meal for less than $10! My recommendations would be try to get the chicken shawarma a little dry and add less rice in you bowl so you have room for more toppings read more

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I love this place for a quick bite when I'm in the area. Good selection. Very tasty. Seems safe and clean. Friendly staff.

The fatoosh salad was inedible. The chicken was cold and hard, and the dressing was not good

Love love love this place! The chicken is so tender and well seasoned. I have to have this place at east once a week.

Three words: Fresh, delicious and inexpensive This place is like a Middle Eastern subway. They prepare all the food in front of you. The chicken/beef comes fresh off the Spicket. read more

Amazing food! Absolutely love the environment. Everyone is so friendly and the food is SO good!! I get something different every time and it's always fresh and delicious. New management really took customer service to the next level and added a lot of new items to the menu. I tried their chicken lemon rice soup yesterday and i loved it! I also ordered a 5-person combo tray to go and they made it for me so fast! Everyone at work loved it! read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - 5 person party tray - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

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This place is a hidden gem! Like a Chipotle only middle eastern. Prices are cheaper than similar establishments and way tastier! We had the falafel bowls. Delicious rice, yummy toppings to include lettuce, cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, onions, pickles and more. Plus options of dressings. So good! read more

BLUF: decent shawarma but Ill probably keep looking since the rest of the menu didn't hit as well. Chicken and Beef shawarma were both good. Falafel was from frozen and tasted store bought. Humus and toppings were fine. I didn't like that hey used what tasted like a buffalo hot sauce instead of a Mediterranean shug or shatta. read more

I only went here because of the high reviews and it was the most disgusting thing I've ever tasted. I got the chicken bowl and it tasted like formaldehyde. It seriously reminded me of the human cadaver I dissected in medical school. The falafels were delicious, however. read more

This place is awesome! Have been 4-5 times since opening. Food is very fresh,healthy and prepared in front of you. Usually get out of there spending $4-6. Staff is very friendly and the build out is brand new. Got some carry out for coworkers last week and they also couldn't believe how good it was. Best budget friendly healthy meal in the area. read more

New place,just opened a few weeks ago,like middle eastern Subway,build your own sandwich based on shawarma.Stopped by three times and every time had a good experience.Sandwiches and sides are good,service is nice and pretty fast. read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

First, the prices here literally cannot be beat. The food is cheap but still delicious and good quality especially for a quick lunch. Second, everything that I've had so far has been fresh. The establishment itself is clean but there are only a few tables which is understandable bc it's mainly a carry out type of place. The chicken bowl is delicious and the chicken shawarma sandwich is also very good. Toppings can include pickles, pickled beets, pickled cabbage, hummus, tabbouli and so many more options. You can also opt for garlic drizzle as an add on sauce. The chicken is shaved from a huge skewer, although not right on the spot but you can tell the chicken they scoop for your meal is fresh. They are pretty busy during lunch time but you can be in and out within 5-10 minutes. Two things I would love to see here is an option for freshly baked bread and bulgar! They currently have rice as the base for your bowl or sandwich but bulgar would be another delicious option to keep next to the rice. Overall good food with great prices. read more

Zara Shawarma Grill - Falafel Near Me - Pontiac, Michigan

Waited 10 mins in line just to listen to gangster rap music on full blast while the girls behind the counter moved as slow as humanly possible. The one white girls with tattoos and piercings literally threw the cup that's used for meat back into the container. She had zero care for her job and how she presents herself. Used to love this place, till the prices got raised and they started playing trashy music talking about how "we n***as don't give a f***" yeah it's obvious your employees don't give a fu**.. read more

I was new to shawarma but this was walking distance from my home so I gave it a try. Owners were the ones to take my order and make recommendations. Super friendly! Food was good and the price was great. Try the baklava! read more

One of the best Shawarma places, good prices, quality and quantity of food is great. I always get a chicken shawarma bowl with fries and a drink. Will 100% recommend this to anybody looking for great shawarma. read more

I own and work on restoring a large home in the Seminole Hills historic district in Pontiac, and I'm embarrassed that I've been going to Taco Bell for quick bites between renovation projects. This place is the PERFECT quick, delicious meal for someone on the go. 3.99 shawarmas? You honestly can't get any better meal in the area at that price point. read more

Opened pretty recently, I've been meaning to stop by and try it out, I love shawarma. Food was very fresh and the staff is very friendly. The meals are super cheap! Shawarma sandwich, a side of fries and a can of pop or bottle of water for $4.99. Baklava was very good, you get 2 pieces for $2.99. I will definitely be back to try their shawarma bowls and the beef. read more

I hesitated to go to Zara because it's located in a rather run down strip mall. However, my husband insisted we try it since we drive by everyday on the way to work. I'm so glad he did and I admit he was right. The little restaurant offers the traditional fare of a Middle Eastern restaurant. Your food is made right at the counter as you order. Try an amazing falafel sandwich with all the toppings! I will be a regular customer! read more