Shawarma Station — Restaurant in Ottawa

A Disgraceful Experience – Unacceptable Food & Disrespectful Service

I recently visited Shawarma Station after Taraweeh prayers for a late-night meal, expecting a good, hearty meal to end the day. I ordered a large chicken shawarma plate and sat down to eat at the restaurant. The atmosphere was okay, and the seating was decent. I’ve visited this place before, mostly for their meat and cheese pies, which I usually enjoy. However, this time, my experience was beyond disappointing—it was absolutely unacceptable.

Food Quality: Disgustingly Bad

From the very first bite, I knew something was off. The food was simply not fresh at all:

• The chicken had a weird, unpleasant texture, as if it had been sitting for hours or even reheated multiple times. It was overly salty and had a strange aftertaste. • The potatoes were soggy, lifeless, and completely flavorless, as if they had been left out for too long. • The entire meal was way too salty, masking any real flavor and making it nearly inedible. • Overall, the ingredients did not taste fresh, and I could tell little to no effort was put into making the meal enjoyable.

Service: Beyond Rude & Unprofessional

Recognizing how bad the food was, I respectfully took my plate to the man working there to let him know about the issue. As a paying customer, I expected at least a basic level of professionalism, but what I got instead was arrogance, rudeness, and complete disregard for customer satisfaction.

I politely told him that the food was not fresh and that the quality was unacceptable, explaining that I’ve eaten at many restaurants and could easily tell when food is badly made or not fresh. Instead of even acknowledging my concern, he immediately became defensive and dismissive.

His response?

• “What are you gonna do?” • “What do you want me to do about it?”

That was his exact reaction—zero accountability, zero professionalism. He didn’t apologize, didn’t offer to remake the food, didn’t even acknowledge my concerns. Worst of all, he didn’t even suggest a refund or any resolution. Instead, he had an attitude as if I was the problem for expecting basic quality food.

A Culture of Yes-Men & Fake Reviews?

What makes this worse is that Shawarma Station is a popular local spot, yet they seem to ignore valid criticism simply because they have regulars who blindly praise their food. It’s clear that this man is surrounded by people who only tell him what he wants to hear rather than giving honest feedback. If you only rely on biased praise and fake hype, your food will never actually improve.

Disrespectful Treatment – Kicked Out for Speaking the Truth

Instead of even pretending to care about customer feedback, he yelled at me and told me to leave! Yes, I was kicked out simply for bringing up the terrible food quality. This is disgraceful customer service—no one should be treated this way, especially after respectfully voicing a legitimate complaint.

A Complete Disrespect for Ramadan & the Blessing of Food

This happened during Ramadan, a time of gratitude, generosity, and feeding others with care and respect. Yet, this restaurant is doing the opposite—feeding people bad food with arrogance and zero humility. Serving low-quality, stale food to fasting customers is unacceptable and borderline haram. Food is a blessing, and people trust restaurants to provide meals that are fresh, clean, and properly prepared.

Final Verdict: Avoid This Place at All Costs

If you care about quality food, respectful service, and getting your money’s worth, Shawarma Station is not the place to go. They clearly don’t care about customer satisfaction, can’t handle criticism, and are riding on fake hype instead of genuine quality.

This experience left me angry and disappointed, and I will never return. I hope this review reaches people who actually care about honest food and good service, because Shawarma Station...

Our recent gathering with old friends led us to Shawarma Station, where we indulged in an array of Middle Eastern delights. The feast consisted of BBQ chicken on charcoal, chicken shawarma, chicken, beef, and filet mignon skewers, accompanied by tabbouleh, fattoush, garlic potatoes, two varieties of rice, and an assortment of mini pies, including spinach pies, meat pies, and spinach and cheese pies.

One notable aspect was the generous portions; however, our excitement waned slightly upon discovering an imbalance between the meats and the sides in all three family platters. While the potatoes and rice seemed to dominate, the meat portions left something to be desired, leaving us craving more of the flavorful skewers and shawarma.

Nevertheless, the garlic sauce was an absolute delight, elevating every bite with its creamy texture and robust flavor. The hummus, unfortunately, fell short of expectations, lacking the depth of flavor we anticipated. Additionally, the tabbouleh, while tasty, was missing a crucial component - onions. It seems the chef may have overlooked this traditional ingredient, slightly diminishing the dish's authenticity.

On the bright side, our experience was uplifted by the warm hospitality of the lady at the cash register. Her welcoming demeanor and constant smile added a pleasant touch to our visit. Furthermore, we appreciated the punctuality of the service; our order was ready for pickup right on time, ensuring a seamless dining experience.

Adding to our delight were the delicious mini pies, including spinach pies, meat pies, and spinach and cheese pies. These savory treats provided a delightful contrast to the main dishes, showcasing the chef's skill in crafting flavorful pastries.

Overall, Shawarma Station offers a mixed experience. While the portions are ample and the garlic sauce is a standout, there are areas for improvement, particularly in ensuring a more balanced distribution of meats and sides, and maintaining consistency in the flavors of traditional dishes like hummus and tabbouleh. Nevertheless, the friendly service, timely execution, and delectable mini pies enhance the overall...

Shawarma Station has quickly become a favorite go-to spot for me and my family, and we can't say enough good things about it! Every time we visit, we leave absolutely impressed and satisfied. The food here is beyond incredible—it’s authentic, fresh, and bursting with flavors that make your taste buds dance. We’ve tried shawarma from countless places, but nothing compares to the quality and taste at Shawarma Station.

Their chicken shawarma is always perfectly seasoned, tender, and cooked to perfection. The beef shawarma is equally amazing, with rich, savory flavors that keep us coming back for more. And don't even get me started on the garlic sauce! It's the perfect complement to every bite, creamy and packed with flavor without overpowering the rest of the dish. The pita bread is always fresh and warm, creating the perfect vessel for their delicious meats and toppings.

Aside from the shawarma, their sides are also fantastic. The tabbouleh is so refreshing, with just the right balance of lemon and parsley. Their hummus is smooth, creamy, and just right, and the falafel is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and always flavorful. We also love their fries—crispy and golden, with a sprinkling of spices that make them impossible to resist.

Every time we visit, we’re welcomed with a warm smile and great service. The staff here are always friendly, attentive, and quick to help. It feels like a true family-owned restaurant where every customer is valued.

We come to Shawarma Station at least once a week, and honestly, we could eat here every day! It's become a staple in our family's dining routine, and we always recommend it to friends and family when they ask for a great place to eat. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick bite or a full meal, Shawarma Station never...