Who has the best shawarma in metro Detroit? The “Savory Eight” are in place, duking it out for Round 2 of the 2026 Free Press Shawarma Showdown.
Last week, we launched the showdown, seeking the best shawarma in metro Detroit. We asked for restaurants in metro Detroit that serve the best hand-held, sandwich-style shawarma, and readers submitted nominations. From there, we put together a 16-restaurant bracket and asked readers to vote on which ones to send on to the next round.
Readers spoke up and delivered votes for restaurants to move on to the next round. Most moving on from our first round garnered more than 60% of the vote in their matchup. Restaurants advancing include Beirut Bakery and Al Ameer, which have been in the community for more than three decades.
Now that the Savory Eight are in place, it’s time to vote in Round 2 of the Shawarma Showdown.
Vote now
Voting is open through 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 23 for your favorite shawarma to send on to the next round. From there, we will narrow the field down to four and open voting again.
Vote in the form above or go directly to the voting page.
Savory Eight matchups
Here are the Shawarma Showdown second round matchups:
No. 1 My Big Fat Shawarma vs. No. 8 Anita’s Kitchen
My Big Fat Shawarma has three locations offering a Middle Eastern food experience. Its steak is halal, chicken is organic and sauces and soups are made from scratch. Here you can build your own shawarma.
Anita’s Kitchen has three locations, with its flagship store on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale. There’s a location in downtown Detroit as well as a location at Detroit Metropolitan Airport. On its menu are a variety of dishes, including shawarma and shawarma sandwiches, spinach pie, hummus, gyros, soup and various salads, such as Fattoush.
No. 2 Beirut Bakery vs. No. 7 Cedarland
Beirut Bakery in Redford was founded in 1979 and is still operated by the Hallis family. Not just a bakery in name, Beirut Bakery has a vast menu of salads, soups and main dishes. Beef and chicken shawarmas include pickled turnip as an ingredient, according to its menu.
Cedarland Restaurant offers halal options and its Dearborn location is best known for its drive-through and ski chalet-themed interior. Next door is Cedarland Bakery, with an array of baked goods, baklava, meat pies and more.
No. 3 Al Ameer vs. No. 6 Malek Al-Kabob
Al Ameer opened in 1989 and is known as one of the oldest Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants. It now has locations in Canton and Dearborn Heights. On its menu, you’ll find hummus, shawarma, shish tawook, lamb, tabbouleh and other fare, such as sujuk, an Armenian sausage, and kafta dishes.
Malek Al Kabob has locations in Dearborn, Taylor and Trenton. Along with beef and chicken shawarma sandwiches on its menu, offerings include many halal dishes, main entrees, salads and soups.
No. 4 Boff’s Market vs. No. 5 La Saj
Boff’s Market and Middle Eastern Cuisine in Warren has been around for more than 35 years. Its shawarma line includes beef, chicken and lamb options. Along with an extensive menu, the market has premium cuts of meat, deli meats and cheese, groceries and produce.
La Saj Bistro uses an old-world-style heated dome to cook authentic Lebanese and Mediterranean fare. Its bread is cooked atop the dome and paired with meat, poultry, fish or vegetables, like its chicken and beef shawarmas.
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @SusanMariecooks. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
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