Shish Taouk Plate Near Me
Ask a Lebanese family what to order at a grill house, and shish taouk will come up fast. It’s simple food done right: cubes of chicken soaked in garlic, lemon, and yogurt, threaded on skewers, and grilled until the edges char. Put it on a plate with rice, salad, pickles, and a big spoon of toum, and you’ve got one of the most satisfying meals in Middle Eastern cooking.
If you’ve been searching for “shish taouk plate near me,” you’re probably after that exact combo. The challenge is that shish taouk shows up on menus at Lebanese restaurants, shawarma counters, and Mediterranean chains, and the quality varies a lot.
This guide covers what a proper shish taouk plate includes, how to tell a great one from a dry one, and where to find standout versions in major cities.
What Is Shish Taouk?
Shish taouk (also spelled shish tawook or shish tavuk) is a marinated chicken kebab popular across Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, and the wider Middle East. The name blends the Turkish words “şiş,” meaning skewer, and “tavuk,” meaning chicken.
The marinade is what makes it special. A classic version includes:
- Yogurt: Tenderizes the chicken and helps it stay juicy on the grill.
- Garlic: Lots of it, either minced or as a paste.
- Lemon juice: Adds brightness and helps break down the meat.
- Olive oil: Keeps the chicken moist.
- Tomato paste or paprika: Gives color and a light smoky sweetness.
- Spices: Often allspice, cumin, black pepper, and sometimes oregano or thyme.
The chicken marinates for several hours or overnight, then goes on skewers over charcoal or a gas grill. Good shish taouk comes off the grill with a little char on the outside and a juicy center.
What Comes on a Shish Taouk Plate?
A plate turns the kebab into a full meal. Details vary by restaurant, but most results for a shish taouk plate near me will include:
| Component | What It Is | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Shish taouk skewers | Grilled marinated chicken cubes | The main event |
| Rice or fries | Usually vermicelli rice, sometimes French fries | A filling base |
| Toum | Whipped garlic sauce | The classic pairing, sharp and creamy |
| Salad | Fattoush, tabbouleh, or a simple green salad | Fresh contrast to the grilled meat |
| Hummus | Chickpea and tahini dip | Often included or added as a side |
| Pickles | Pickled turnips and cucumbers | Tangy crunch |
| Pita bread | Warm flatbread | For scooping and wrapping |
| Grilled vegetables | Tomato, onion, or peppers | Smoky, colorful side |
Some restaurants serve shish taouk as a sandwich, so check the menu when you compare each shish taouk plate near me result. A sandwich comes wrapped in thin bread with toum, pickles, and fries tucked inside. The plate version gives you more food and more variety, so it’s the better pick if you’re hungry.
Where to Find a Shish Taouk Plate Near Me
Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurants cluster in a few US cities with large Arab American communities. Here are standout spots to try. Menus and hours change, so call ahead before you go.
Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn has one of the largest Arab American communities in the country, which makes it a top destination for Lebanese grilled chicken.
La Shish (12918 Michigan Ave) A long running Lebanese restaurant known for its grilled platters. Diners praise the citrusy marinades and generous trays.
Malek Al Kabob (22065 Michigan Ave) A modern Lebanese grill where diners highlight well seasoned kebabs, garlicky sauces, and toasted almond rice.
Al Ameer (12710 W Warren Ave) One of Dearborn’s best known Lebanese restaurants, with thousands of reviews and a menu packed with grilled meats and mezze.
New York City
Au Za’atar, East Village (188 Avenue A) and Midtown East (1063 1st Ave) A Lebanese and French bistro where diners call the shish tawook a standout, describing the chicken as tender, juicy, and slightly smoky.
Los Angeles
Sunnin Lebanese Cafe, Westwood (1776 Westwood Blvd) A Westwood favorite known for huge portions of grilled chicken and meat kebabs that diners describe as juicy and well balanced.
Houston
Sammy’s Lebanese Kitchen and Bakery (3939 Hillcroft St) A highly rated Lebanese spot where regulars order the taouk along with tabbouleh, fattoush, hummus, and fresh baked manousheh.
Chicago
Old Jerusalem Restaurant, Old Town (1411 N Wells St) A longtime Middle Eastern restaurant where diners rave about the shish tawook wraps. Ask for the plate if you want rice and salad on the side.
Taste of Lebanon, Andersonville (1509 W Foster Ave) A small, highly rated Lebanese spot that’s a go to for affordable, homestyle cooking.
Washington, DC
Lebanese Taverna, Woodley Park (2641 Connecticut Ave NW) A regional Lebanese restaurant group with a broad grill menu and mezze spread, good for groups and families.
How to Spot a Great Shish Taouk Plate
When your shish taouk plate near me search lands you at a restaurant, look for these signs:
- Juicy chicken. The meat should be moist inside. Dry, stringy chicken often means it sat too long or was overcooked.
- Visible char. Light grill marks and some caramelized edges show it was cooked over high heat.
- Bright color. A reddish orange tint from tomato paste or paprika is a good sign of a proper marinade.
- Strong garlic flavor. You should taste garlic and lemon in the meat itself, not just in the sauce.
- Fresh toum. Good toum is fluffy, white, and sharply garlicky. Thin or oily garlic sauce is often a shortcut.
- Warm bread. Fresh pita makes a big difference, especially if you plan to wrap bites of chicken.
Tips for Ordering
Once your shish taouk plate near me search pays off, a few tips will help you get the most out of your meal:
- Ask for extra toum. Many regulars do, and most places will happily oblige.
- Upgrade your salad. Swap a plain salad for fattoush or tabbouleh if the menu allows.
- Add hummus. If it doesn’t come with the plate, it’s worth ordering on the side.
- Try a mixed grill. If you can’t decide, a mixed grill plate often includes shish taouk with kafta and beef kebabs.
- Ask about spice. Some kitchens can add chili or serve a spicy sauce on the side.
If you enjoy exploring chicken dishes from different cuisines, you might also like these guides to Sesame Chicken Near Me, the Best Pollo a la Provenzal Near Me, and the Best Aji de Gallina Near Me.
Search Tips for Better Results
To get more out of your shish taouk plate near me search, try these ideas:
- Use different spellings. Search “shish tawook,” “shish tavuk,” “chicken taouk,” and “chicken kebab plate.”
- Search by cuisine. Try “Lebanese restaurant,” “Syrian restaurant,” or “Mediterranean grill” plus your city.
- Check halal listings. Many Lebanese restaurants serve halal meat, so halal directories can help.
- Read reviews for the dish name. Diners who love shish taouk often mention it by name.
- Look at photos. Customer photos show portion size, char, and whether the plate comes with toum and pickles.
Making Shish Taouk at Home
If your shish taouk plate near me search doesn’t turn up anything close, the dish is easy to make at home:
- Cut boneless chicken breast or thigh into cubes.
- Mix yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, tomato paste, paprika, allspice, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the chicken for at least four hours, or overnight.
- Thread onto skewers and grill over high heat, turning often, for about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Serve with rice, salad, pickles, pita, and homemade toum.
Chicken thighs stay juicier than breast, so use them if you want a more forgiving version.
Final Thoughts
The next time you search for a shish taouk plate near me, remember what you’re looking for. A good one is among the best ways to enjoy Lebanese food: juicy grilled chicken, sharp garlic sauce, fresh salad, and warm bread on one plate. Cities like Dearborn, New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, and Washington, DC, have strong options, and many smaller cities have family run Lebanese grills worth discovering.
Key Takeaways
- Shish taouk is a Lebanese and Middle Eastern chicken kebab marinated in yogurt, garlic, lemon, olive oil, and spices, then grilled on skewers.
- A typical plate includes the skewers, rice or fries, toum, salad, hummus, pickles, pita, and grilled vegetables.
- Strong options include La Shish, Malek Al Kabob, and Al Ameer in Dearborn, Au Za’atar in New York, Sunnin in Los Angeles, Sammy’s in Houston, Old Jerusalem and Taste of Lebanon in Chicago, and Lebanese Taverna in DC.
- Great shish taouk has juicy meat, visible char, a reddish orange color, and strong garlic and lemon flavor.
- Fresh, fluffy toum and warm pita are signs of a kitchen that cares about details.
- Search with spellings like “shish tawook” and “shish tavuk,” and look for Lebanese, Syrian, or Mediterranean grills.
- Ask for extra toum, upgrade to fattoush or tabbouleh, and try a mixed grill if you can’t decide.
