Shawarma Station Halal - Roma

Lavoravo a due passi da Shawarma, ed era il mio punto di riferimento preferito per la pausa pranzo. La scelta è vasta con tutti i piatti tipici mediorientali. Tutti buoni, ma per me il preferito era il kebab servito nel piatto. Saporito, abbondante, guarnito con insalata o patatine fritte e due/tre falafel. Ma quello che più mi intrigava era la sala affollata di clienti di tutte le origini. Vedevi impiegati come me, turisti europei e dall'Asia, dall'America, nord e sud, e naturalmente dal vicino oriente. Sembra di stare alla mensa dell'ONU.Poco tempo fa sono tornato a pranzo e nulla era cambiato: stesso cibo stessi prezzi, stessa gentilezza e stessa atmosfera.

Siamo tornati a mangiare in questo shawarma dopo quasi due anni perché è stato considerato, giustamente, il migliore del roma. la delusione era molto forte, non tanto per la qualità del cibo e nemmeno per i prezzi molto onesti, ma per il goto. il piatto di shawarma, il felafel anche l'humus erano tutti senza assolutamente gusto. Insipido, non piccante, piatti senza anima, anche i peperoni non hanno offerto quel piccante solo per deliziare il palato. consigliamo lo chef di prestare maggiore attenzione ai gusti, al goto, alla vestizione per tornare a fare questo rinfresco uno dei migliori della capitale.

Posto molto carino e accogliente, personale gentile, cibo ottimo!!!

In short: Damn Good Falafel worth the wait! Super nice staff! Long version:I had a little more then an hour layover between trains and wanted to get a falafel to go to eat on the train. I had previously bought them at a few of the international restaurants or kebab shops next to the station termini. Those falafel sandwiches were but this time i wanted it to be real good. Like rated high online and the first that came up when i searched best falafel near toma termini was Shawarm Station. When I saw Shawarma Station also in Best Of Rome falafel list (5th place) I was convinced. It was only an 8 minute walk and it would just have opened. Getting there was easy, but alas, even though they say they 're open at 1030, and I got there at 1045 they were still closed. The gate was cracked so I shouted inside, open in half an hour they said. I walked away not sure if I 'd wait when a Roman dude pulled up on a Vespa and shouted something about Falafel inside and got a response. Are they already making falafels now? Ordinato ieri! Ordered yesterday. So again I walked away, I knew of an Irish Pub around the corner, maybe a pint and I 'd try again. But the pub was closed. So back to Shawarma Station I went. The Roman was still waiting on his Vespa. Maybe I 'd wait here until he gets his order and then ask if they can make just one sandwich more. Otherwise I 'd head back to termini and get a falafel from one of spots there. But alas, they said they would make me one and I could come inside and take a seat. They were clearly still mid set up for the lunch rush. As soon as a tray of hot falafel appeared one was dipped in hummus and handed to me to be enjoyed on the spot. Finally a beautiful wrap was built with everything, including spicy potatoes. I made it back to termini in time for my train...and surrounded by a group Swiss Guard hopefuls on their way home I finally got to bite into my Shawarma Station Falafel wrap. From the light flaky wrap through a perfectly spiced chickpea fritter, crunchy veggies and juicy tomatoes every bite was pure satisfaction. Whilr the young Swiss guards were washing down their holy rolls with wine, I only let pure water accompany my delicious falafel wrap. It was definitely worth the walk and the wait!! I will return on my next layover at termini

Wonderful though Roman food can be, sometimes you'll fancy something quick and different. This is a nice canteen type place just down the road from Santa Maria Maggiore. They sell take away snacks or you can sit down at a table. Food consists of the usual kebab varieties along with various stews/tagines; chicken chick-peas, okra and meat, etc., all in generous portions and at very reasonable prices. The place is immaculately clean and brightly lit but, it has to be said, functional rather than atmospheric (though there are murals of Rome and Cairo), but it really doesn't matter. They serve everyone from single diners to family groups, locals and visitors, and they don't rush you. The staff are friendly, polite, speak several languages, and are helpful. There is a selection of soft drinks and sodas and they even have rice-puddings and halwa. I ate here several times on this trip and it's nice to have somewhere you can go for a quick, convenient, but good quality, meal without any fuss. Try them.