Shawarma Inn

Maybe I missed it, but couldn't find any references to this spot on the board. Something of a surprise as it's really good. My wife , who's a chicken shwarma fiend thinks theirs is the best in the city (now that Taboun has gone suburban) beef shwarma is outstanding as well. The baba ganough is fantastic and you can even get the combo plate with lamb kabob at no upcharge.All dinners come with soup (changes regularly) and salad. Really a great value, and it's open 24/7. Its a regular stop for us even though other places are a bit closer. Try the combo appetizer to start (hummus/baba g/tabouli) doubt you'll regret it!

Shwarma Inn
5523 N Lincoln

kuhdo wrote:Maybe I missed it, but couldn't find any references to this spot on the board. Something of a surprise as it's really good

Pass by Shwarma Inn often, thought about stopping, but had not, my mistake because, as Kuhdo says, its really good. Thin style pita, charred juicy moderately spiced shwarma, crisp falafel and smooth rich hummus.

Add in 24/7, a parking lot, swift efficent service and outdoor patio you have another, in a long string, of Thanks Kuhdo for bringing this to our attention.

Enjoy,
Gary

Hey Gary! Glad you liked it. Try the babba gannough next time. Seems 'specially good there.

I recently happened upon this place, and I will say, if nothing else, it's bump deserving. Actually, after I searched for this place, I was a bit surprised it's a languisher here, with but two posts. Is it the best chicken shawarma in the city? I'm not sure as I feel like my general opinion of these kinda places is very binary--sucks or great, but this was outstanding. More, when the menu said $11 for a plate of 50/50 beef and chicken shawarma, it seemed a bit pricey. That is until the big bowl of white bean soup-stew, a large side salad (albeit of mediocre nature), torshi, rice and pita + sauces in squeeze bottles filled up my table. I have at least one extra meal out of this, making the effective price $5.50

Need more encouragement? While my visit was of the Lincoln Ave location, they are also in Park Ridge. That Park Ridge locale has the advantage of being down the street from one of the best smoked fish shops in the area.

Vital Information wrote:I recently happened upon this place, and I will say, if nothing else, it's bump deserving. Actually, after I searched for this place, I was a bit surprised it's a languisher here, with but two posts. Is it the best chicken shawarma in the city? I'm not sure as I feel like my general opinion of these kinda places is very binary--sucks or great, but this was outstanding. More, when the menu said $11 for a plate of 50/50 beef and chicken shawarma, it seemed a bit pricey. That is until the big bowl of white bean soup-stew, a large side salad (albeit of mediocre nature), torshi, rice and pita + sauces in squeeze bottles filled up my table. I have at least one extra meal out of this, making the effective price $5.50

Need more encouragement? While my visit was of the Lincoln Ave location, they are also in Park Ridge. That Park Ridge locale has the advantage of being down the street from one of the best smoked fish shops in the area.

I posted about my recent visit in this thread. Salad not withstanding, we thought it was very good and definitely worthy of return visits.

=R=

Smassey wrote:Chicken schwarma sandwich at Schwarma Inn, 5523 N Lincoln Ave. The chicken bits were perfectly charred and crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. Will want to try the beef next time but darn that chicken was tasty, and I don't say that very often.

From the Best Thing You've Eaten page in August 2015.

Just got takeout from the new Bucktown outpost on Damen, just north of Armitage. The chicken shawarma (both sandwich and entree) was superb, as was the lentil soup that came with the shawarma entree. This place is a solid local takeout option.

It's always been a solid option. We had a regular Saturday morning dog beach ritual with our dog, always followed by a quick stop at Shawarma Inn.

Funny this thread is in play, since I had a maiden voyage here a few nights ago. The real bonus of the place is that you can BYOB, the ownership is Christian Assyrian.

Based on this single visit, I'd say the food was fine. As mentioned, great succulent chicken shawarma. I also found the lentil soup to be rich and well seasoned (lots of turmeric). One of my dining companions insisted on shawarma with eggs from the breakfast menu. A substantial plate with loads of meat and four perfectly over easy eggs. The meat seemed to be further cooked in its pepper and tomato gravy after it was (presumably) shaved from the cone, which rendered it a bit over cooked. We all agreed that this sloppy plate of food would be great after a few rounds. The kifta, ordered in sandwich form was very lightly seasoned compared to favorite versions, though had a pronounced charcoal flavor and was loosely packed.

If I lived nearby I would frequent this place, though I'm not sure I'd make a destination of it. I'll definitely give their closer-to-me location on Damen a spin.

Unfortunately, recent delivery from the location at Armitage and Damen was a study in bland. The food wasn't even a shadow of what I've enjoyed multiple times at the Lincoln Avenue location. No acidity, no garlic, just bland. Are these places actually related? The menus are identical, so they must be. Big bummer.

=R=

2011 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-7777