Al Mallah is one of the first few places my family and I used to go to when we first moved here back in 2001. When Dubai wasn't what it is now - huge skyscrapers, all 'glammed up' and a bajillion different restaurants. Our weekends consisted of driving to Dhiyafa street and feasting up on Shawermas.
I still think such nights are the best nights.
That's why my "Sha3bi" pick today is Al Mallah. Now when we speak about Shawermas, I think it's important to lay out the details... don't you?
FMTB'S BEST SHAWERMA - WHAT IT TAKES
- Chicken (crisped up on the outside for a charred flavor)
- Pickles
- Tahina
- Garlic
- Either pita bread or "rigaag" bread (if pita, needs to be toasted from the shawerma oven as well)
- No stinginess on the fillings, please!
- Cheap price - it is a street food item - no fancy shmancy!
Simple, isn't it? No tomatoes, lettuce, salad, fries, no no no no no!
This place understands that and has what I think are the closest thing to true street shawermas. I still believe the best ones are in Amman but in Dubai, this is as close as I'm gonna get.Al Mallah Dhiyafa branch is the one I go to and every time I do, it is always full. I love seeing the mix of cultures and families there all smiles and enjoying great food. Not one table doesn't order their shawermas - it's truly the best thing they have. And at 6dhs a piece, you just can't go wrong. I love the atmosphere of Sha3bi places since it is just so packed and loud (but not noisy)... watching the shawerma men carve away what seems to be around 6000 shawermas a minute! Incredible.
The next time you're craving a shawerma, go for Al Mallah if you haven't done so already.
Have you tried Al Mallah? What's your favorite shawerma joint? Comment below!
