Who serves the best shawarma sandwich in metro Detroit? Sixteen restaurants will duke it out to determine a champion.
Readers have spoken, and our bracket is set. It’s game time for the 2026 Detroit Free Press Shawarma Showdown. We asked for restaurants in metro Detroit that serve the best hand-held, sandwich-style shawarma, and readers submitted nominations. More than 200 entries later, we put together the 16-restaurant bracket.
Judging by the submissions, many metro Detroit restaurants are known for mighty fine and tasty shawarma, from Ann Arbor to Ferndale and Trenton.
We know that locally founded Bucharest Grill is a favorite, especially for its hefty chicken shawarma. But over the years, this local favorite has grown into a chain with nine locations. Bucharest Grill did get a lot of votes when we called for nominations, as did others with multiple locations. And so, to ensure the playing field is level, places that had no more than four locations were considered.
Vote now through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 19, for your favorite shawarma to send on to the next round. From there, we will narrow the field down to eight and open voting again.
Vote now
First round voting has concluded. Check back on March 21 for the Savory Eight.
Here are the matchups:
No. 1 My Big Fat Shawarma vs. No. 16 Kal’s Lunch Bowl
My Big Fat Shawarma has three locations offering a Middle Eastern food experience. Its steak is halal, the chicken is organic, and its sauces and soups are made from scratch. Here you can build your own shawarma.
Kal’s Lunch Bowl is family-owned. It offers a Mediterranean menu of recipes passed down through generations. Its shawarma options include beef and chicken plus a menu of other wraps, salads, soups and starters.
No. 2 Beirut Bakery vs. No. 15 Palm Palace
Beirut Bakery in Redford was founded in 1979 by 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. Its beef and chicken shawarmas include pickled turnip as an ingredient, according to its menu.
Palm Palace has been a mainstay on Carpenter Road in Ann Arbor since 2008, offering a menu that includes recipes passed down through four generations. There’s a main menu, plus a vegan menu and catering menu with tapas, appetizers, salads, soups, sandwiches and main entrees.
No. 3 Al Ameer vs. No. 14 Taylor 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.
Taylor Kabob on Ecorse Road in Taylor offers authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine family recipes. Along with varieties of shawarma there is a diverse menu of appetizers, including hummus and falafel, plus main entrees.
No. 4 Boff’s Market vs. No. 13 Ike’s Express
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.
Ike’s Express on 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township offers beef and chicken shawarma, plus an extensive dinner menu, according to its website. They also offer a variety of build-your-own bowl options.
No. 5 Green Cedar vs. No. 12 La Saj
Green Cedar Restaurant has been a part of the Livonia community since 2008, offering its authentic Middle Eastern food. Its recipes, the website says, have been passed down from generations of home-made dishes.
La Saj Bistro uses an old-world-style heated dome to cook its 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.
No. 6 Malek Al-Kabob vs. No. 11 Hamido
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.
Hamido has locations in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. On its menu are meat and chicken shawarmas plus house entrees that include shawarma, shish kabob and shish tawook.
No. 7 Cedarland vs. No. 10 Boostan Cafe
Cedarland Restaurant offers halal options and its Dearborn location is best known for its drive-thru and ski chalet-themed interior. Next door is Cedarland Bakery, with an array of baked goods, baklava, meat pies and more.
Boostan Cafe has locations in Hamtramck and Detroit. There’s a variety of sandwiches, including chicken and beef shawarma, plus its shat shawish with shredded chicken and Boostan sauce.
No. 8 Anita’s Kitchen vs. No. 9 Jerusalem Garden
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 is a variety of dishes, including shawarma and shawarma sandwiches, spinach pie, hummus, gyros, soup and various salads, such as Fattoush.
Jerusalem Garden in Ann Arbor got its start in 1987 by founder Ribhi Ramlawi. According to its website, three of Ramlawi’s children are still involved and partners in the business and are using their father’s recipes.
Dining and Cooking