Chicken Shawarma for $15.99 at Manakish Oven & Grill
Chicken Shawarma for $15.99 at Manakish Oven & Grill
The art of slow-roasting seasoned meat on a vertical spit dates back centuries in the Levant. As the golden stack turns, the outer layer caramelizes, creating a perfect harmony of crispy exterior and tender interior that has captivated food lovers across continents. Chicken shawarma is a sensory experience that begins long before the first bite.
When you walk into Manakish Oven & Grill, the aroma reaches you first, an intoxicating blend of cardamom, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon wafting through the air. Then comes the visual: a towering column of marinated chicken turning slowly beside an open flame, the outer edges crisping to perfection while our master shawarma chef stands ready with a sharp knife, skillfully shaving thin slices onto warm flatbread.
What makes our chicken shawarma particularly special is its remarkable balance, spiced but rarely spicy, complex yet comforting, and substantial but never heavy. It's a dish that satisfies cravings you didn't even know you had, leaving you simultaneously fulfilled and already planning your next visit. At just $15.99, our version is an invitation to experience centuries of culinary tradition crafted with authenticity and care.
What Is Chicken Shawarma?
What is chicken shawarma exactly? At its core, shawarma refers to a preparation method where seasoned meat is stacked on a vertical rotisserie, slowly roasted as it turns, and then shaved off in thin slices. While lamb and beef versions are common, chicken has become particularly popular for its learner profile and ability to absorb the complex marinade.
Authentic chicken shawarma typically features:
A marinade rich in aromatic spices including cumin, paprika, turmeric, and cardamom
Tenderizing ingredients like lemon juice, yogurt, or vinegar
Fresh garlic and onion for depth of flavor
A slow cooking process that allows flavors to develop and meat to become tender
Thin slicing technique that maximizes textural contrast between crisp and juicy portions
At Manakish OG, our shawarma experience extends beyond just the meat to include complementary elements:
Warm, fresh flatbread baked in-house daily
Our signature garlic sauce is made from a generations-old recipe
House-pickled vegetables for perfect acidic contrast
Fresh ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs
Optional additions like sumac-dusted onions or our special pickled turnips
Traditionally served as street food wrapped in paper for on-the-go eating, our shawarma is available in various presentation styles including plates with aromatic rice, wraps with various toppings, and as part of our family meal packages.
Cultural Heritage Behind Manakish Shawarma
At Manakish Oven & Grill, we honor the rich cultural significance of shawarma. In Middle Eastern countries, shawarma shops are gathering places where people from all walks of life come together. The affordable, satisfying meal transcends socioeconomic boundaries, making it truly the people's food.
Our recipes traveled with our founders from the Levant, carrying authentic techniques and flavors that have been carefully preserved while thoughtfully adapted to local ingredients. Each batch of our marinade follows time-honored proportions with premium spices imported directly from trusted suppliers.
When you enjoy our shawarma, you're participating in a culinary tradition that has united communities for generations, a tradition we're proud to continue in our restaurant.
How We Prepare Our Signature Chicken Shawarma?
Our process begins long before you place your order. How to make chicken shawarma the right way requires patience, precision, and premium ingredients. Here's how we create the perfect chicken shawarma at Manakish OG:
Our Exclusive Marinade
We start with our proprietary marinade, crafted from:
Premium olive oil imported from Mediterranean groves
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Whole garlic cloves crushed daily
Hand-selected spices including cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and cardamom
Our secret blend of additional herbs and spices (a closely guarded family recipe!)
Our Meticulous Process
We select only premium chicken thighs for their superior flavor and moisture.
Each piece is trimmed by hand before being marinated for a full 24 hours
Our trained chefs carefully stack the marinated meat on our specialized vertical spits
The shawarma slowly roasts throughout the day, developing complex flavors and perfect texture
Our chefs shave each portion to order, ensuring you receive the perfect combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior pieces
We serve your shawarma immediately at peak freshness and flavor
This labor-intensive process can't be rushed or simplified, which is why our shawarma stands apart from quick-service alternatives.
Why Choose Our Shawarma Over Store-Bought Options?
Many customers ask us about pre-prepared options like Trader Joe's chicken shawarma and other grocery store offerings. While these products provide convenience, they simply cannot match the quality and authenticity of our freshly prepared shawarma.
The limitations of pre-packaged shawarma include:
Lack of vertical rotisserie cooking method, essential for proper texture
Mass-produced marinades with fewer spices and more preservatives
No expert chef controlling the cooking and carving process
Missing complementary elements like freshly baked bread and house-made sauces
At Manakish Oven & Grill, we prepare everything fresh daily, using traditional techniques passed down through generations. Our shawarma is never pre-sliced, pre-packaged, or held for extended periods.
Ways to Enjoy Our Signature Shawarma
What truly distinguishes our chicken shawarma is our commitment to authentic preparation methods. Our culinary team brings generations of expertise to every batch, carefully marinating high-quality meat in our house-made spice blends before slow-roasting on specialized equipment.
Our menu offers several ways to enjoy our signature shawarma:
The Classic Wrap: Our most popular option, featuring shawarma wrapped in freshly baked flatbread with garlic sauce and pickled vegetables
The Mediterranean Bowl: Perfect for those seeking a fork-friendly option, with shawarma served atop aromatic rice with traditional accompaniments
The Family Feast: Generous portions of shawarma with all accompaniments, designed to feed 4-6 people for a memorable shared meal
Each presentation maintains our commitment to quality while accommodating different dining preferences.
Health Benefits of Our Well-Prepared Shawarma
When properly prepared, as ours is, chicken shawarma offers several nutritional advantages:
Lean protein from our quality chicken
Beneficial compounds from spices with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Complex carbohydrates from our freshly baked whole-grain bread
Fresh vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals
Fermented and pickled components supporting digestive health
Our traditional vertical roasting method allows excess fat to drip away during cooking, creating a more healthful end product than many fast-food alternatives.
Visit Us for the Manakish Shawarma Experience
Our master chefs bring decades of experience to each batch, marinating premium cuts in our secret blend of 14 spices before slow-roasting on our specialized vertical spits. The result? Perfectly caramelized edges give way to juicy, flavor-saturated meat at just $15.99 putting fast-food versions to shame.
Visit us today and discover why our regulars say we've ruined all other shawarma for them forever. Some traditions are worth preserving, and at Manakish Oven & Grill, we're keeping the flame alive one perfect shawarma at a time.
FAQs
What is chicken shawarma?
Chicken shawarma is a popular Middle Eastern dish made from marinated chicken that's stacked in layers on a vertical rotisserie and slow-roasted while turning. The meat develops a crispy outer layer while staying juicy inside, and is then thinly sliced to order. It's typically served wrapped in flatbread with garlic sauce, pickled vegetables, and fresh herbs.
What makes Manakish Oven & Grill's chicken shawarma different from other restaurants?
Our chicken shawarma is distinguished by our authentic vertical roasting method, our complex family-recipe spice marinade featuring imported spices, and our traditional slicing technique that creates the perfect texture combination. We marinate our premium chicken for a full 24 hours, and our shawarma is always freshly carved to order.
Where did your chicken shawarma recipe originate?
Our chicken shawarma recipe comes from family traditions passed down through generations. The core chicken shawarma recipe originated in the Mediterranean region and has been carefully preserved with only minor adaptations to locally available ingredients.
Do you offer catering services for your chicken shawarma?
Yes! Our chicken shawarma is one of our most popular catering items. We offer several formats including build-your-own shawarma stations, pre-wrapped individual portions, and family-style platters. Contact our catering department for pricing and availability for your next event.