Shawarma is marinated meat stacked in a cone on a vertical spit, slow-roasted as it turns, then shaved thin off the outside to order. The result is meat that’s crisp at the edges and juicy inside, served in a wrap, over rice, or on fries. At Shawarma House in Ocean Beach, we make chicken, beef, and gyro shawarma this way every day.
Where shawarma comes from
Shawarma has its roots in the Levant and the wider Middle East. The technique of roasting seasoned meat on a rotating vertical spit dates to the Ottoman era, and it’s the same basic idea behind the Turkish doner kebab and the Greek gyro.
The name comes from a Turkish word for “turning” — a nod to the spit that slowly rotates the stacked meat past the heat. From there the dish spread across the region and, eventually, around the world.
How Shawarma House makes it
We keep it simple and do it the traditional way. Our meat is halal-sourced, spit-roasted on a vertical rotisserie, and shaved fresh when you order.
Everything is made to order in our Ocean Beach kitchen at 4884 Newport Ave. We serve three shawarma proteins — chicken, beef, and gyro — so you can pick your favorite or try something new.
Want the details on one cut in particular? Read more about our chicken shawarma in San Diego.
What to order
Shawarma comes three ways at Shawarma House, and it’s mostly a question of how hungry you are.
- Wrap — shaved meat rolled up with fixings. The classic handheld, great on the go.
- Plate — shawarma over yellow basmati rice with warm pita on the side. The full sit-down meal.
- Fries — shawarma piled on top of fries for something a little more indulgent.
New to it? Start with a plate over rice to taste the meat on its own. When you’re ready, order online through Toast or see why we’re called the best shawarma in San Diego.
Frequently asked questions
Is shawarma halal?
It depends on the restaurant, but ours is. All of the meat at Shawarma House is halal-sourced.
What meat is shawarma?
Shawarma can be made from different meats. At Shawarma House we serve chicken, beef, and gyro shawarma, each stacked on a vertical spit, slow-roasted, and shaved thin to order.
What’s the difference between shawarma and a gyro?
They use the same vertical-spit roasting method, but they come from different traditions — shawarma is Middle Eastern with Levantine spicing, while the gyro is Greek.
Is there lamb shawarma?
Traditionally, yes — lamb is one of the classic shawarma meats across the Middle East. Our spits turn chicken, beef, and gyro. If you’re craving lamb, order the slow-cooked lamb shank from our menu — a different preparation, but it’s the rich, fall-off-the-bone lamb on our board.
What is a shawarma bowl?
What most people mean by a shawarma bowl is exactly what our plate is: your choice of shawarma served over yellow basmati rice with salad, warm pita, and sauce. No lettuce-heavy shortcuts — the rice does the work.
Where can I get shawarma in San Diego?
At Shawarma House, 4884 Newport Ave in Ocean Beach. You can order online through Toast or stop by the shop.
Keep reading: Chicken over rice, done shawarma-style · Döner vs shawarma vs gyro · Gyros in San Diego
