What Is Shawarma? A Pittsburgh Guide

Shawarma is a Middle Eastern dish of marinated meat, cooked slowly on a tall vertical spit and shaved off as it turns. The name comes from a Turkish word meaning "turning," which describes the spit itself. Versions of it are eaten across the Levant, Turkey, and the Gulf, and every kitchen has its own marinade.

How it is made

At Pita My Shawarma, the cones are stacked by hand every morning and the meat is marinated in traditional spices for more than 24 hours before it goes on the spit. That marinade is what gives shawarma its flavor and keeps it moist, so the time it takes matters more than any shortcut would.

What goes in the wrap

The classic is a chicken shawarma wrap. At our restaurant it is hand-stacked and shaven from the rotisserie, then served in pita with garlic (toum) sauce. Garlic sauce is the flavor most people remember, and it is a good first thing to try.

• Garlic (toum) sauce: a sharp, creamy sauce that pairs well with the spiced chicken.
• Hummus and fresh veggies: they make the wrap lighter and add texture.
• Lebanese rice: if you want a bowl instead of a wrap, the shawarma comes over rice.

How to order your first one

If you are new to shawarma, start with the chicken wrap with garlic sauce. It is the easiest way to taste what the spice blend does. You can see every option on our menu page, or visit us in Lawrenceville at 3716 Butler St.