With both a Champaign and Urbana location, Shawarma Joint proudly serves as both a staple of food culture in the community and as the Best Middle Eastern Food on campus.
The restaurant can range from blisteringly busy to calm and peaceful, but the service never slows or falters. Even during the most extreme rush hours, when customers are clamoring for a lunch special, the workers keep the line moving.
With choices of a pita, wrap or bowl, the perfect amount of food is always readily available for the right moment. The build-your-own option allows for further customization and the choice of traditional ingredients like baba ghanouj and sumac onions — as long as you stick to the allotted number of toppings for your meal.
The sides are a particular hit: The falafel is crunchy and always fresh, and the fries are served hot and piled high. Every bowl even comes with pita bread for dipping and scooping.
The gigantic proportions, casual atmosphere and rapid service make Shawarma Joint an easy pick for Best of CU and also a must-try for anyone roaming on campus.
