We have a final matchup!
Who has the best shawarma in metro Detroit?
We are down to two places competing in the final round of the 2026 Free Press Shawarma Showdown.
When we launched the showdown, 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 rounds.
With 14 restaurants eliminated in the first three rounds, the final two are My Big Fat Shawarma and Al Ameer.
To get to the final round, My Big Fat Shawarma edged out Boff’s Market and Middle Eastern Cuisine in a close race.
In a match between longstanding, family-owned community staples Al Ameer and Beirut, Al Ameer won going away.
Now that its down to the final two, it’s time to vote for the best shawarma in metro Detroit.
Vote now
Voting is open through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 2, for you to pick the winner in the 2026 Free Press Shawarma Showdown. The winner will be announced on Friday, April 3.
Vote in the form above or go directly to the voting page.
The finalists
Here are the restaurants in the final Shawarma Showdown matchup:
No. 1 My Big Fat Shawarma vs. No. 3 Al Ameer
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.
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.
Dining and Cooking