Curious about the food at Mazal? Whether you have never tried shawarma or you have been eating it your whole life, this guide breaks down every dish on our menu - what it is, where it comes from, how we make it, and how to order it.
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What is shawarma?
Shawarma is meat that has been marinated in spices, stacked in layers on a vertical spit, and slow-roasted for hours. As the outer layer caramelizes, it gets sliced off and served in a pita or bowl with fresh salads and sauces.
The word "shawarma" comes from the Turkish cevirme, meaning "to turn." The dish spread across the Middle East during the Ottoman Empire and became one of the most popular street foods in the world. Every country has its own version, from Lebanese to Israeli to Turkish.
At Mazal, the shawarma is spit-roasted and hand-carved to order. Chicken runs Monday through Friday. On Sundays, we switch to lamb and veal. It is served with tahini, hummus, onions, Israeli salad, and white cabbage.
What is the difference between shawarma and gyro?
They look similar on the spit but are different in almost every other way.
| Shawarma | Gyro | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Middle East / Levant | Greece |
| Meat | Layered whole cuts, stacked | Ground meat, molded into a loaf |
| Spices | Cumin, turmeric, cardamom, paprika | Oregano, marjoram, rosemary |
| Sauce | Tahini, hummus, amba | Tzatziki (yogurt) |
| Texture | Crispy caramelized edges, juicy center | Uniform, denser |
The short version: shawarma is layered whole cuts with warm Middle Eastern spices. Gyro is molded ground meat with Greek herbs. Both cook on a vertical spit, but the flavor and texture are completely different.
Is shawarma healthy? How many calories are in a shawarma wrap?
A chicken shawarma pita generally runs 450 to 550 calories, depending on the toppings and sauces. A bowl without bread is slightly lower in carbs. You get 35 to 50 grams of protein per serving, plus fiber and vitamins from the fresh vegetables.
The spice blend itself has some benefits - turmeric and cumin both have anti-inflammatory properties. Tahini adds healthy fats from sesame seeds. The fresh Israeli salad adds vitamins without many calories.
Lamb shawarma runs a bit higher in fat and calories than chicken but also delivers more iron. If you want a lighter meal, go with a chicken shawarma bowl with extra salad and tahini on the side.
Is shawarma gluten-free?
The meat itself is gluten-free. At Mazal, the shawarma bowl ($22) and shawarma hummus ($18.90, served without pita) are both gluten-free meals. The pita version is not GF because the bread contains wheat.
Other gluten-free options on our menu include the falafel bowl, roasted cauliflower bowl, seasoned fries, and baked cauliflower. Cross-contamination is possible in a shared kitchen - if you have celiac disease, let us know when ordering.
Note: Tahini and amba contain sesame, which is a top-9 US allergen under the FASTER Act.
Should I order a pita or a bowl?
Both come with the same fillings and sauces. The difference is portion size and bread.
Pita is the classic street food format - warm bread stuffed with meat, salads and sauce. Easy to hold, satisfying, and portable. Shawarma pita is $18.
Bowl gives you a bigger portion of everything without the bread. It is the better choice if you want more food, need gluten-free, or want a lower-carb meal. Shawarma bowl is $22.
First time? Start with the pita. If you are still hungry after, add seasoned fries ($10) or a side of hummus.
What toppings go with shawarma?
At Mazal, shawarma comes with tahini, hummus, onions, Israeli salad (diced tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley with olive oil and lemon), and white cabbage. You can also add:
- Pickles and pickled vegetables
- Amba (pickled mango sauce - tangy and a little spicy)
- Hot sauce for extra heat
- Red or white cabbage for crunch
The combination of creamy (hummus, tahini), fresh (salad), and tangy (pickles, amba) is what makes a good shawarma great. Every bite should hit at least three of those notes.
What is falafel?
Falafel is a deep-fried ball made from ground chickpeas (or fava beans), mixed with fresh herbs, garlic, onion, and spices. When done right, it is crispy and golden on the outside, soft and green on the inside.
It is one of the most popular street foods in the Middle East and has been eaten across the region for centuries. The exact origin is debated - Egypt, Palestine, and Lebanon all claim it.
At Mazal, the falafel mixture is handmade fresh. You can order it as a pita ($13), a bowl ($17), a starter plate with five falafel balls and tahini ($10), or on top of our falafel salad ($16.90) with tomato, cucumber, parsley, pickles, za'atar, and crispy pita chips.
Is falafel vegan? Is falafel gluten-free?
Traditional falafel is vegan - chickpeas, herbs, garlic, onion, and spices. No eggs, no dairy.
At Mazal:
- Falafel bowl ($17) - vegan and gluten-free
- Falafel pita ($13) - vegetarian only (pita contains wheat, so it is not vegan and not GF)
- Falafel plate ($10) - vegan and gluten-free (five balls with tahini, no bread)
If you need a fully vegan and gluten-free meal, order the bowl or the starter plate. The tahini sauce is vegan but does contain sesame.
What is hummus?
Hummus is a dip made from cooked chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. The word "hummus" literally means "chickpeas" in Arabic. It originated in the Middle East and is now eaten pretty much everywhere.
At Mazal, the hummus is ground fresh every morning using a traditional meat grinder method - not a food processor. The texture is different: denser, creamier, with more body. It is served warm with olive oil, cumin, and parsley, and comes with one pita.
The hummus bar ranges from the classic Chickpeas ($12.40) to the Mazal Signature ($15, topped with falafel, tahini, salad, and pickles) to Shawarma Hummus ($18.90, topped with spit-roasted chicken shawarma).
What is tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame seeds. It has a rich, nutty, slightly bitter flavor and a smooth, pourable texture. In Middle Eastern cooking, tahini is used everywhere - in hummus, as a sauce for shawarma and falafel, in dressings, and even in desserts like halva.
When you mix tahini with lemon juice, garlic, salt, and cold water, it becomes a silky sauce that balances the richness of roasted meat and the earthiness of fried falafel. It is probably the single most important sauce in Mediterranean street food.
Allergen note: Tahini is made from sesame seeds, a top-9 US allergen under the FASTER Act.
What is sabich?
Sabich is an Israeli street food sandwich made with fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, tahini, Israeli salad, amba (pickled mango sauce), and potato, all stuffed in a warm pita.
It was created by Iraqi Jewish immigrants in Israel in the early 1960s. The ingredients come from a traditional Sabbath morning breakfast - fried eggplant, eggs, and potatoes that could be prepared before Shabbat and eaten at room temperature. A man named Sabich Tzvi Halabi started selling them from a kiosk in Ramat Gan, and the dish took off.
If you have never tried sabich, think of it as the vegetarian answer to shawarma - warm, layered, messy in the best way. At Mazal, sabich is $13 as a pita (vegetarian) or $17 as a bowl (vegetarian, gluten-free).
What is amba sauce?
Amba is a tangy, slightly spicy condiment made from pickled green mangoes with fenugreek, turmeric, and chili. It is bright yellow, has a sour-savory kick, and adds a layer of flavor that nothing else quite replicates.
The name comes from the Marathi word for mango. Iraqi Jewish merchants brought it from India to Baghdad, and it eventually made its way to Israel with the Iraqi Jewish community in the 1950s. Today it is a staple condiment at any serious shawarma or falafel shop in Israel.
At Mazal, amba is part of the sabich and available as a topping on other dishes. It pairs especially well with fried eggplant and hard-boiled egg.
Note: Amba contains sesame - a top-9 US allergen.
What is Israeli schnitzel?
Israeli schnitzel is chicken breast that has been pounded thin, breaded, and deep-fried until golden and crispy. It came to Israel from European Jewish immigrants (the original Wiener Schnitzel is Austrian) but was adapted to use chicken instead of veal.
It became so popular in Israel that it is now considered a national comfort food. Kids grow up eating it. Adults never stop.
At Mazal, the crispy schnitzel is served in a pita ($15) or bowl ($20) with hummus, red cabbage in mayonnaise, Israeli salad, and pickles. It is also available as a schnitzel salad ($18.90) or on the kids menu ($12 with rice and chips).
What is the difference between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food?
Mediterranean food is the broader category. It covers cuisines from all countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea - Greece, Italy, Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt, Morocco, Spain, and more. The common thread is olive oil, fresh vegetables, herbs, grains, and grilled or roasted proteins.
Middle Eastern food is a subset that focuses specifically on the Levant, Gulf, and North Africa - think shawarma, falafel, hummus, kebab, and flatbreads. It tends to use more warm spices (cumin, turmeric, cardamom) and sesame-based sauces (tahini).
Mazal sits at the intersection. The menu is rooted in Israeli and Middle Eastern street food tradition - shawarma from the spit, handmade falafel, hummus ground fresh daily - but the broader Mediterranean spirit of fresh, simple ingredients made well runs through everything.
What Mediterranean food is vegan?
More than you might expect. At Mazal, all of these are vegan:
- Falafel bowl ($17) - chickpea falafel with tahini, lemon sauce, salad, and white cabbage
- Roasted cauliflower bowl ($16) - with tahini, lemon sauce, parsley, and salad
- Seasoned fries ($10) - tossed in Mediterranean seasoning
- Falafel plate ($10) - five falafel balls with tahini
- Cabbage steak ($12) - oven-roasted with tahini mustard drizzle
- Baked cauliflower ($16) - roasted with lemon, garlic, and parsley sauce
- Mazal Salad ($8) - chopped tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley, olive oil and lemon
- Hummus bar classics - Chickpeas ($12.40), Tahini & Chickpeas ($13.40), Mazal Signature ($15)
One thing to watch: pita is not vegan. If you need a vegan meal, order a bowl or a starter plate instead of a pita. The hummus bar items are vegan when served without pita on the side.
What Middle Eastern food is best for kids?
Middle Eastern food is one of the more kid-friendly cuisines because the core flavors are gentle and the textures are familiar. At Mazal, good options for kids include:
- Kids menu ($12) - kebab or schnitzel served with rice and chips. Simple, no surprises.
- Chicken shawarma in pita - mild, savory, easy to hold. Ask for no spicy sauce.
- Falafel balls ($10) - crispy on the outside, soft inside. Most kids love dipping them in tahini or hummus.
- Hummus with pita - the classic dip-and-scoop. Works every time.
- Seasoned fries ($10) - Mediterranean-spiced fries. Hard to say no to.
What should I order if it is my first time?
If you have never had Mediterranean street food before, here is what we would suggest:
Safe start: Chicken shawarma pita ($18) with everything on it. Add fries and a soda for $5. You get the spit-roasted meat, fresh salad, creamy tahini and hummus, all in warm bread. This is the dish that converts people.
Want to explore: Order the Mazal Signature Hummus ($15) to share as a starter - it comes topped with falafel, tahini, salad, and pickles. Then each person picks a pita or bowl.
Vegetarian: Falafel pita ($13) or sabich pita ($13). Both are completely satisfying without any meat.
Check the full menu for prices and dietary tags on every item.
Who is behind Mazal?
Mazal was founded by brothers Gal and Tal Alhadef, born and raised in Israel. They grew up cooking alongside their grandmother Mazal, whose recipes are the foundation of the menu. The name is hers.
The restaurant is at 1901 Ashley River Rd in West Ashley, Charleston SC, inside the Magnolia Park shopping plaza. Open Sunday through Friday, 11 AM to 8 PM. Closed Saturdays. Free parking right outside.
Mazal also caters private events for up to 100 guests in the Charleston area.