Shish Kabob Xpress — Restaurant in Birmingham

So, I ordered the combo shawarma to go, and I am very satisfied overall. Let me start with the cons, cause there is not many of them. The main con is, this is NOT authentic shawarma. It is pan/ grill cooked meat. Not shawarma from a rotating skewer (the original way). That being said, the food is FANTASTIC. The taste is very good, just not really a shawarma. The combo shawarma comes with either rice or fries and salad or soup. I got mine with the rice and salad option. It also comes with two pita bread as a standard. The quantity is enormous. Don’t plan to finish that by yourself, or in one meal. And believe me, I have a big appetite and I can eat a reasonably big sized meal. But this plate is a challenge to finish in one sitting. I had to eat it over lunch and dinner. The chicken is well seasoned grilled chicken breasts that is cut into slices. I would say about two chicken breasts. I would give the chicken 8.5/10 for the taste. The lamb/ beef mix is PHENOMENAL! It is strips of pan cooked beef/ lamb mix (again, not shaved shawarma). It is very well seasoned and great tasting. I would rate it 20/10. It also came with a cup of garlic (for the chicken) and a cup of tahini sauce (for the beef/ lamb mix) The salad is also good tasting with I believe fattoush dressing. So even though it is not really “shawarma”; I am very very satisfied. For $24; getting that massive quantity and excellent taste, that’s a bargain...

Stopped in just after 1 p.m. on an early March weekday. It was clear the instant I walked in that they do a big carryout business. The man behind the counter was on the phone taking calls for several minutes while I checked out the menu so prominently displayed on the wall. Descriptions of ingredients for nearly everything are there. I only needed to ask two questions about items I had not seen in other restaurants. After deciding and while waiting, a second employee came out and helped with the phones for a minute then took my order & payment. There is room for 7-8 to sit inside and there is a good-sized area outside with tables and chairs for more clement weather. Today was not a day for dining al fresco. I had planned to eat inside but 7 people showed up to order as mine appeared. To the car then. 🤬 The food was hot and delicious. But they seem to need more folks to take phone & in-person. And the space inside to eat impedes on the area where those waiting to place or pick-up orders....

Okay so this is hands-down the best Mediterranean restaurant. I have worked in the area for many years and this as always been our Friday lunch spot. My girlfriend would often call me in the morning on Friday and say hey you're going to Shish Kabob Express today aren't you? I would reply why yes dear. She would say you already know what I'm going to ask for. Chicken shawarma extra garlic sauce on the side. This place has the best food! I have been to every Mediterranean restaurant in the area and none of them hold a candle to Shish Kabob Express! Genuinely nice people who are always happy to see you and treat you very well. I'm not much of a Wordsmith so the best I can do is to tell you that you need to have this in your life! Super nice people super great food I will continue to go there every time I'm on this side of town as long as they are in business! Thank you, Omar, for taking care of my super picky...