Mediterranean Pit Stop: Mister Kabab!

If you were an 80s or even 90s baby, I'm quite sure you are familiar with one of the food crazes back then.  In almost every corner, a common sight was the rotating roasting contraption, with a vertical skewer impaling layers of succulent beef.  You guessed it right, it's shawarma!

But like any other craze, it soon died down as years passed.  Nowadays, shawarma nooks have been relegated to food court malls inside your neighborhood SM or Puregold.  Nevertheless, the true pioneers remain standing strong amid the test of time.  Among these, Mister Kabab lingers as the iconic shawarma center.

Almost shamefully I admit that my first dibs on Mister Kabab was just a few years ago.  I was fond of the food court shawarma-to-go types, and all along I thought it was the authentic taste.  Little did I know what a gargantuan experience I was missing out.  Ever since my first visit, it was almost impossible to pass up a quick stop in Mister Kabab whenever I found myself driving along West Avenue, a once flourishing street of buffet and Chinese food joints.

Moroccan inspired interiors and sweaty atmosphere

So, in between running errands and a bit of shopping, we managed to find ourselves coasting along West Avenue.  Despite already having a quick lunch, we couldn't pass up a chance for a pit stop for their Arabian delicacies.  The place appears rather crude on the outside.  In fact, it is an open-air establishment yet exhibits an authentic look, with Moroccan / North African inspired interiors.  On a lighter note, a few Indian and Arabian expats dining inside further enhances it authenticity and of course, is a testament to the quality of their food.

Beware of the red bottle: fiery hot in nuclear proportions.

For our impromptu merienda, we picked a light snack of Mister Kabab's very own sandwiches.  Of course, the taste would be very different without their signature dips, the fiery red hot sauce and the tangy garlic yogurt sauce.

Beef Shawarma Sandwich, P80

The wrap that started it all, Mister Kabab's beef shawarma is affordably priced at just 80 bucks.  For that, you get a filling serving of tender beef strips and a garnish of chopped cucumber, onions, and tomatoes.  The beef, of course, is the meat of the topic.  Full flavors burst forth with each bite, each morsel perfectly roasted with a hint of charred goodness.  The pita wrap is sometimes hit and miss.  This time, it was a bit off.  It was tough and doughy, although some portions were soft and just right.  Nevertheless, the garlic dip will solve all problems by applying liberal amounts on each bite.

Beef Kabab Sandwich, P95

I normally order beef kebab rice meal here, but since this was supposed to be merienda time, I tried the sandwich version for the first time.  It equaled the rice meal on all accounts.  It consists of one long strip of tender ground beef kabab married with slices of fresh tomatoes and cucumbers, embraced lovingly by the pita wrap.  The beef was peppery on its own, but the garlic sauce does all sorts of wonders, maybe even world peace.  Tender and succulent, each bite should be ruminated slowly and purposefully.  

The perfect meal to go.

Despite the fact that the Golden Age of shawarma has long been gone, Mister Kabab still serves up authentic and great tasting Mediterranean items.  No wonder this place gets packed with long queues during the height of dinner time.  Mister Kabab even has a more upscale branch, fully air-conditioned and with a similarly designed interior, over at the Technohub.

Still, longtime loyal fans prefer to flock to this original spot like believers on pilgrimage to Mecca.  There's something nostalgic and genuine about a sweaty shop and tangy fumes emanating from the kitchen.  The food is honest, affordable, and fulfilling.  Even if restaurants neighboring around it have come and gone, Mister Kabab is certain to retain its place as the prime icon of shawarma.

Jones

Mister Kabab

31 West Avenue

Quezon City