Souk El Shater is one of my favorite Lebanese restaurants ever. In addition to that, it’s only a short walk from my apartment and extremely affordable. But more importantly, they make the best shawarma I’ve ever had.
The first good sign about the shawarma here is that the spits are always running. The meat that’s cut off them is usually much thicker than standard shawarma and has a wonderful chew and char. I usually get the beef but the chicken is also excellent. The sandwich is loaded up with hunks of pickles (including beautiful pink pickled beets), some lettuce and tomato, and the sauces. Garlic sauce is not traditional on beef shawarma, only on chicken, but I always get some anyway because I love garlic. Their hot sauce is also lovely, so I get some of that as well. Tahini is added to all sandwiches, naturally. Finally, the sandwich is wrapped up in paper and, as is traditional in Lebanon, grilled in a panini press for a minute to warm everything nicely. It’s a delight to eat.
The shawarma isn’t the only excellent thing on their menu, though. They have lunch specials every day in steam tables at the counter that they are always happy to talk you through. These rotate daily but some highlights have been molokhia, a stewed mucilaginous green, and a yogurt stew with beef and cauliflower that is one of the best dishes I’ve ever had. Unbelievably good. Their hand pies are good, especially the spinach ones, as are their za’atar breads. Sweets are always a hit, and if you can catch them when they’re fresh out of the oven, there’s nothing better.
Souk El Shater
43-03 Queens Blvd
Queens, NY 11104