Lunch at Uncle Moe's

I miss the old me who could drop by any restaurant...

and eat whatever my stomach so desired:

Moutabal (55php)

Beef Kebab (140php)

All Beef Shawarma (75php)

Queso Ice Cream (22php)

Sigh....

Uncle Moe's Shawarma is located at City Golf Arcade, Julia  Vargas, Pasig. For more information, call 4684787.

Cheap Fix: Turk's Shawarma

Aside from Osama’s, Turk’s Shawarma is my go-to-place whenever a shawarma craving hits.

There's always a long line which goes to show how popular it is.

What I like most about Turk’s version is its uniquely sweet pita bread. It’s so delicious that I wouldn't mind eating the pita on its own.

The sweet pita bread complements the strong salty flavors of the beef and the garlicky goodness of the white sauce.

Turk's Shawarma is a real pleaser. Not only is it cheap, but it also hits the right spot.

Turk's Shawarma is found in most SM Food Courts in Metro Manila.

Death to SSC’s Shawarma

Shawarma Snack Center (SSC) is a popular authentic Mediterranean hole in the wall in Ermita which I’ve tried a few years ago. I remember the experience being quite enjoyable, spartan surroundings notwithstanding. This is why I got excited when I saw a stall of Shawarma Snack Center just outside the supermarket of Robinson’s Place Manila. What a convenient way to satisfy a shawarma craving or so I thought.


The stall only offers a limited menu of either beef or chicken shawarma, with an option of combining the two. Being averse to veggies, I ordered an All-Beef Special (with cheese) for 65php.

One look at my shawarma and I knew that it wouldn’t be any good. The shawarma looked unappetizing and the beef looked puny compared to the pita bread. What’s worse is that it not only lacked value but was also short in taste. Salt completely enveloped my palate at first bite. It also didn’t help that a generous amount of oil was dripping from the bottom of the shawarma, making it extra unhealthy. Talk about a double whammy! I quit eating after a few mouthfuls because it was just unbelievably bad. Definitely one of the worst I’ve tried in years. Skip this stall and head to Osama’s instead for a more enjoyable shawarma experience.

P.S. Last weekend, I went to Robinson's Place Manila and found out that the stall has already closed! Why am I not surprised?

Shawarma Snack Center was just outside the supermarket of Robinson’s Place Ermita. Pedro Gil corner Adriatico St., Ermita, Manila.

Osama is King

I had my first bite of Osama’s awesome shawarma in a Rockwell bazaar a couple of years ago. I’ve been haunted ever since. You see, Osama's had no permanent stall and I was often left tortured whenever an Osama craving hit as I had to wait for another bazaar just to have my fix.

Thankfully, this dilemma is now a thing of the past as Dum recently shared the good news that Osama’s Shawarma has finally found a permanent home in Agno St. near De La Salle University-Manila. Aside from being the favorite smoking spot of students, it is also in Agno where some of the most delicious yet affordable food in La Salle can be found. A perfect location for Osama’s if I may say so myself.

I didn’t wait long and trooped to Agno the first chance I got with the sole purpose of being reunited with Osama’s.

Just like what I remembered, Osama Explode (65php) didn’t disappoint as it’s everything that I want in an all beef shawarma with cheese. The beef was very flavorful with just the right amount of fat pieces to make it extra delicious. The cheese was also a melt-in-your mouth wonder which left me wanting for more. They were right in naming this shawarma Osama Explode, as strong garlic flavors completely exploded in my mouth thanks to Osama’s addictive white sauce. The pita bread was also properly heated and singed much to my delight. I can go on and on about Osama Explode as this truly is the best shawarma for me.

Aside from shawarma, Osama’s now offers Siomai Bin Laden (35php) which I also tried. Siomai is one of my favorite Chinese delicacies and I was pleasantly surprised with Osama’s version. Aside from the decent size, the siomai had real meat and could easily pass off as coming from an authentic Chinese restaurant. It also didn’t have the commercialized siomai taste which often plagues siomai stalls that have mushroomed all over the metro. Definitely, a new must try in Osama’s!

For those who find the La Salle location out of the way, a perfect opportunity to try Osama’s goodness is this weekend as they join the Rockwell Urban Bazaar from July 9 to 11 2010. Don’t miss the chance to have a little Osama in your life!

Osama’s Shawarma is located at Agno St. near De La Salle-University-Manila. For more information about Osama’s Shawarma pls. join their facebook page !