Meshwe: The Search for the Perfect Shawarma

I have been in search for the perfect shawarma for years and I am glad I did two years ago in a fateful day at The Mercanti, Metrowalk, Ortigas.

I was doing my usual search for food at the Mercanti and I saw this sign, “Meshwe, Authentic Lebanese Shawarma”. I got intrigued since I have seen a bunch of shawarma stands claiming to be authentic. I tried it, but it wasn’t the real deal. I grew up in a Middle Eastern country and stayed there for nine years, so I know what authentic tastes like. So I went up to the stall and talked to a lady attending the booth and asked her if it’s really authentic. It might be an offending question, but I did anyway. She said yes and said that they came from the Middle East. To top it all off, we were from the same city and the chef, his son studied at the same school as I did.

I got pretty much excited from that information and can’t wait to taste their chicken shawarma. There I was, face-to-face with the shawarma, about to be devoured. The first bite, it took me away. It was a nostalgic feeling of my childhood, a heavenly delight.

Chicken Shawarma Sandwich
Photo taken from www.facebook.com/Meshwe

The perfect kuboos (pita bread), the tender, slow-cooked chicken, the heavenly garlic sauce, the pickles and of course, the Arabian fries. Steer clear people, there is no cheese or mayo in any of Meshwe’s shawarma since an authentic shawarma doesn’t have one.

Meshwe started off as a booth on Mercanti’s events. I was at Metrowalk every weekend just to get my shawarma fix, and then one weekend they were gone (Mercanti stopped their operations at Metrowalk). I followed them on their Facebook account and knew that they accept orders if you are in Quezon City, too bad I was out of range for deliveries. But the best news came; they finally opened up a stall at the Z-Compound at Malingap St. near Maginhawa. Every time I go to their place, it’s always packed! Just a sign on how good their food is.

Chef Nathaniel Mounayer’s humble beginnings at Mercanti
Photo taken from www.facebook.com/kungfuchef33

Chef Nathaniel Mounayer is the person behind all these Lebanese magic. He started out small and eventually worked his way up. Latest news from Meshwe’s Facebook page is that they are asking people if he should open up his own place (since the stall he has in Z-Compound is very small). He might even expand the menu. If he did, that would be a very good idea, and would be wonderful!

Aside from the famous Chicken Shawarma Sandwich, Meshwe also have a Beef Shawarma Sandwich, Falafel, Chicken/Beef Shawarma Rice Plate, Hummus and Pita, Sambusak and Muhallabia for dessert.

I will never get tired with Chef Nathe’s Chicken Shawarma. I would like to try his other menu, so until then, happy eating!

The Menu
Photo taken from www.facebook.com/Meshwe

Meshwe is located at 33 Malingap St., Teachers Village, Diliman, Quezon City. They are open from Tuesday-Saturday, 2pm-10pm. For updates, like them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Meshwe.