It is the Middle-Eastern fast food, the in-a-pinch sandwich every one of us turns to late at night or when there are only a few moments for lunch. It is the greasy pleasure we can’t get enough of. There’s nothing more mouthwatering than the layers of meat soaking in drips of fat as they slowly turn on the spit, browned by the fire behind it.

There are so many choices when it comes to eating a shawarma from bread, meat, sauce and even the types of veggies that make up your perfect shawarma. Not to mention the many shawarma places you can find all over the country. From The Avenues to the side streets of Salmiya the choices are seemingly endless. So, the bazaar team took up a shawarma challenge. In one day we hit seven of our team’s favorite shawarma joints, and ordered the house beef shawarma from each.

SLICE

Located right after Liberation Tower in Kuwait City, Slice is a favorite doner shawarma spot in Kuwait. Since opening last summer it has continued to wow clients at its amazing location that is full of ample parking, and a small outdoor eating area for those dining in.

Choose between a beef or chicken doner in a wrap or pita bread. Yet, their secret is in the sauce, with offerings of a yogurt sauce, tahina, chili, Garlic and even ketchup. Or you can go for the special sauce with a mêleé of spicy flavors bound to have you come back for more. You can also add lettuce, cabbage, tomato and onion to your shawarma to really liven it up.

Slice is located on Abdullah Al Salim Road (Rd no 50), towards Kuwait City, in front of Souq Al Wataniya. You can reach them by phone at: Tel: 6700 9974 or follow them on Instagram or Twitter @slice_kw.

SHAWARMA-MATIC

Behind Baghdad St. in Salmiya’s Block 8 is a shawarma haven. Brought to you by the same people who created Mais Al Ghanim, one of the country’s greatest Lebanese restaurants, Shawarma-matic is a place of endless possibilities.

The back wall has six spits spinning beef, chicken, Turkish doner, tandoori, taouk and kabbab meats. Choose between Lebanese, samoun, saj or a baguette bread and top it off with four of 9 vegetables and a choice of one of 10 amazing sauces. Make it a super special shawarma with one of their ten premium toppings.

Shawarma-matic is open from 1pm to 1am. It is located in Salmiya, Block 10, Sayed Yasseen Street. Reach them by phone at 2225 6444 or check out their website at: www.shawarma-matic.com. You can also follow them on Instagram or Facebook @shawarmamatic.

MEARMISHA

In the side streets of Shaab Al Bahary this small shawarma boutique has become a favorite among shawarma lovers. Their spices are picked carefully to enhance the taste of their fresh meats. The small sandwiches are great for a snack, or order more for a full meal.

They serve five different types of beef and chicken shawarma, but it’s Mearmisha’s chutneys that give it a special flavor. You can go sweet with a mango chutney, or spicy with green pepper or jalepeno. Choose to get it wrapped in saj bread or get it served on Lebanese bread, it’ll be as fresh either way. Our personal favorite is the Abo El Waleed beef shawarma, made with whole mint leaves, this is definitely a light and healthy choice.

Mearmisha located in Shaab Al Bahary, Al Thahaby Street, Building 32. Open from 1 pm to midnight, call them on 9918 9890 to place your orders.

SHAWARMA SHUWAIKH

In the unassuming Shamiya Co-op, the hip little shop’s pictures will keep you interested while you wait for your delicious sandwiches. Shawarma Shuwaikh sticks to the classics, while celebrating classical Kuwaiti heritage and does them well. While you are welcome to create your own mix, the eight sandwiches on offer are a definite must try. The 1961 on saj bread with chicken, parsley, rocca, potato, onion, and chili ranch sauce is a celebration of the country’s independence. The Dickson House – beef, honey BBQ sauce, Maabooch aioli sauce, fried crumbs, jalapeño, parsley and lettuce – pays tribute to the Dickson House Cultural Centre and Dame Violet Dickson, better known as Umm Saud, or Umm Kuwait.

Shawarma Shuwaikh is located in Shuwaikh Residential area, just opposite the mosque, at Shuwaikh co-op. For more information visit www.shawarmashuwaikh.com or call 6636 6612.

ABOU JASSEM

One of the newest in the shawarma scene, Abou Jassem offers a sandwich that is both fresh and bursting with flavors. From the same people who brought you SemSom, Margherita and all the restaurants in the Plajat complex, the chef at Abou Jassem has nailed the fresh tastes of a shawarma by creating everything that goes into it on site. From breads to sauces and meat marinating, the entire process happens in-house. And they keep it simple, very simple. You can pick between a meat or chicken shawarma on saj or sandwich bread, and with your choice of tomatoes, onions, parsley and pickles. They have the garlic sauce toumiya for chicken and tahina for meat. Or you can get the Abou Jassem with their special sauce. No matter what you choose, it’s guaranteed fresh and delicious.

Abou Jassem is located in Plajat off the Arabian Gulf Road at Plajat Street, Gulf Road, Salmiya and is open from 12pm to 12am. To contact them call 188 8848.

MR. GREEK

In January of this year, we here in Kuwait got a special treat with the opening of the first of five Mr. Greek locations in Marina Mall. The franchise’s slogan Because life has to be enjoyed!, definitely hit home as we immersed ourselves in the Greek pita and delicious doner meats.

Mr. Greek’s sandwiches use the thicker Greek pita bread, or flatbread. The thicker bread is important to hold up the large slices of perfectly seasoned doner meats and fresh toppings like tomatos and onions. If you want a healthy choice Mr. Greek is definitely the place to go with their Greek yogurt dressing that takes you right to the tip of the Mediterranean.

Visit Mr. Greek in their dine-in location in The White Tower, Intercontinental Mall, Gulf St. Salmiya, or their express location in the Marina Mall food court or call them on 2266 4433.

DONER KEBAB

The latest to hit the shawarma scene has definitely made a huge splash. Doner Kebab, German Doner is not for the faint hearted. With amazingly huge portions, and a great new concept this is a must try for shawarma lovers in Kuwait.

There perfect veal or chicken doner is served in a specialty wrap bread made fresh. All their sandwiches come with the standard lettuce, tomato, onion, cabbage and three different types of sauces. Want to go bold? Mix the meats for a delicious veal and chicken doner sandwiches. Looking for something cheesy? Add extra feta cheese. Feeling really carnivorous? Get your sandwich with extra meat. There is something delicious for everyone in Doner Kebab.

Doner Kebab is located in Salmiya on Restaurants street. Call them at 2220 0123 for delivery options. Follow them on Facebook @donerkebabkuwait or Instagram @donerkebabkw.