This installment of Food FAQ dives into the flavorful world of Middle Eastern cuisine with lunch at the brand-new Shawarma Taste in Red Bank. Ready your palate!
I had a fantastic lunch at Shawarma Taste today! I’m thrilled to have them in Red Bank.
Ah, then it seems my job here is done.
I remarked to the owner that it looked as if everyone in Red Bank had decided to have lunch at Shawarma Taste. The line stretched from the counter all the way to the entrance – and it stayed that way throughout my visit.
The owner, a friendly, smiling fellow from Lebanon, has lived in Chattanooga with his family for several years. He opened Shawarma Taste because he wanted to see Middle Eastern cuisine represented more authentically in the area.
Describe Middle Eastern cuisine in a nutshell for the benefit of your other readers.
Sure. In a nutshell, Middle Eastern cuisine is fresh, generously seasoned and built around simple, wholesome ingredients …
Exactly! It emphasizes aromatic spices over fiery heat, with plenty of grilled meats, fresh herbs, vegetables, grains, legumes and yogurt-based sauces – which I absolutely love.
So you’re a fan. Awesome. Now, Shawarma Taste centers on the undisputed king of Middle Eastern street food. It’s best described as …
Say no more! Who could resist layers of marinated meat slowly roasting on a vertical spit until the edges are crisp and caramelized, then shaved into a warm pita with fresh toppings and creamy sauces?
I don’t mean to squash your enthusiasm, but you do seem to be stepping on my toes. Do you mind?
Sorry. Continue.
Thank you. There are several headliners on the menu at Shawarma Taste. The Beef Shawarma Wrap features thinly sliced, spice-rubbed beef shaved fresh from the rotating spit. The menu also offers Chicken Shawarma Wrap, with marinated chicken slowly roasted on the spit until the edges are lightly charred, then carved to order.
Don’t forget the bowls. The Shawarma Bowl comes with seasoned rice, fresh vegetables and savory sauces.
Right. Then there are the appetizers and sides, which range from falafel and hummus to savory pastry pockets.
One caveat about the menu board above the counter: many of the photos and even some of the listed dishes don’t quite match what’s actually being served.
For example, I ordered what’s listed as a bowl but received a plate featuring chicken shawarma, salad and two sides. (See the photo.) It left me wondering whether the menu had been assembled using AI – or perhaps a template – and then adapted to approximate the restaurant’s offerings. Whatever the explanation, the menu could use an update to better reflect what’s coming out of the kitchen.
I can see how that could be an issue for first-timers, but not shawarma pros like me. What did you think of the food?
Unfortunately, not everything lived up to the promise. The meat leaned dry rather than succulent, and the food arrived less than warm. Those aren’t fatal flaws, but they do suggest a restaurant that’s still finding its footing. With a few adjustments to food preparation and timing, Shawarma Taste could better showcase what it’s capable of.
Now hold on just a minute. I’ve heard from plenty of folks who came away impressed. One family praised the crisp, pickled vegetables and creamy hummus, while another diner said the shawarma reminded them of the unforgettable version they first tasted in London – which is high praise indeed. One customer who found the chicken a little dry was willing to cut the restaurant some slack because it was only the second night and the place was packed.
Sometimes a new restaurant deserves a little grace. If Shawarma Taste can tighten up the consistency and get the menu to match what’s being served, I have a feeling we’ll be having a very different conversation a few months from now.
I think that’s a fair place to leave it. A packed dining room is a good problem to have, and the rest should come with experience. Let’s check back down the road and see whether Shawarma Taste has grown into the restaurant everyone already seems to believe it can be.