As you watch the vertical spit of shawarma slowly spin around, you’ll find yourself hypnotized.
Your mind will be filled with visions of juicy, seasoned beef, elegantly twirling around before it gracefully falls onto a warm, fluffy piece of pita bread and bed of pickles and tomatoes, topped with a silky garlic sauce.
You’ll only snap out of your delicious daydream when you’re handed your to-go box.
Once you’re home and digging into your perfectly season fries and Arabic beef shawarma wraps, those same hypnotizing thoughts will pop right back into your head, demanding you go back for more.
Top Shawarma, a middle eastern food truck at 2560 N. Stone Ave., lives up to its name, serving up A+ shawarma that will have you wishing you found this hidden gem sooner.
I first came across this food truck while I was scrolling through Facebook. The ‘Foodies of Tucson’ group often comes up on my news feed, and I was in awe when I saw a video showing them carefully shave pieces of beef off their vertical spit.
Many of the comments on the post praised Top Shawarma, with some saying it was their new favorite spot in town to grab a meal.
As a sucker for shawarma myself, I knew right then I needed it.
Last Monday, I scoured my fridge for lunch and came face to face with a sad package of deli turkey and a sleeve of Ritz Crackers. Without hesitation, I slammed the door shut and hopped in my car, it was the perfect day to finally try this mouthwatering shawarma!
You’ll see the white food truck as you head up North Stone Avenue, whipping into the parking lot so you can get to the food faster. You have to order outside at the food truck, where you can either take the food to go or you can take a seat in their building next door which has a couple of nice tables and chairs.
Chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, rice, chicken rizo, gyros, falafels, baba ghanouj, grape leaves, and more make up the menu here. You’ll be staring at their menu for at least five minutes straight, trying to convince yourself to not order one of everything.
I decided to go with the Arabic beef shawarma wrap, fries and an order of their falafel. The workers cheerfully handed me my order, and I was on my way.
The smell of warm, crispy fries consumed my car, tempting me to open up the bag and start shoving them into my mouth. Somehow, I was able to make it home without digging into my fries, but as soon as I swung open my door I ripped open the bag.
Arabic beef Shawarma and fries from Top Shawarma.
In front of me sat six perfectly cut slices of the Arabic beef shawarma wraps, stuffed with thin slices of meat, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and garlic sauce. Next to them lay a hefty side of seasoned, golden fries.
I took a big bite and was instantly impressed. The warm, thin pita hugged the slices of beef, adding a nice chewy texture to offset the beef’s crispness.
The beef itself was stellar. It was nice and crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside. The seasoning or marinade they use really put it over the top, giving the beef a rich, earthy taste that turns into a bright, tangy flavor that calls you back for more.
The veggies inside also added to the explosion of tanginess, giving the whole meal a complex flavor palate that was irresistible.
Of course, the fries were a knockout too. They were the perfect balance of that crispy, crunchy outside, and pillowy soft inside. Each fry topped the one before, I was addicted!
Once I was finished with my main entrée, I moved on to the falafel. Their falafel plate comes with four pieces of falafel, a fresh salad, tahini sauce, and a warm slice of pita bread.
A falafel plate from Top Shawarma.
No surprise: I loved the falafel too! They were a golden-brown shade with the ideal crumbly outer shell that provides an audible crunch as you bite in. The inside is like a fluffy, slightly nutty paradise, filled with garlicy and savory flavors that makes you feel all warm and tingly.
My lunch was a complete success! I couldn’t be happier that I decided to treat myself to Top Shawarma’s flavorful dishes instead of the world’s saddest turkey sandwich.
I am forever in debt to the ‘Foodies of Tucson’ Facebook page, they guided me to a fantastic shawarma truck that will definitely see me in line again.
