New Borjstar Shawarma in Gardena Serves Netherlands-Style Shaved Meats | Eater LA
"I found a casual strip-mall spot on a busy stretch of Rosecrans Avenue in Gardena that opened two weeks ago and is run by Abu Jemil, who hails from Syria and previously operated two shawarma and rotisserie chicken restaurants in The Hague, Netherlands. Jemil’s service model is hands-on: he invites diners to sample both his chicken and beef (mixed with lamb) shawarmas on freshly shaved sample trays and even offers pouches of Capri Sun to children. The meats are juicy, packed with spices, and gently seared from an electric burner; the beef, with a hint of gaminess from the lamb, stood out to me as superior to other shawarmas in the South Bay. Main options include wraps—served in thin, delicate flatbreads that stay intact through the last bite—and plates with optional mendi rice, a Yemeni pilaf tinted bright yellow with hawajj (made with cumin, coriander, black pepper, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon), or thick french fries. Sides include an ultra-smooth hummus, baba ganoush, kibbeh, and salads like fattoush and tabbouleh, and the menu also offers rotisserie chicken, shish tawok, falafel, and a Dutch kapsalon (loaded fries topped with shaved meat, Gouda, and toppings like diced vegetables or sambal). Baklava is made on the premises and Jemil may offer a few pieces to first-timers; the place is still ironing out some kinks, but given the quality and execution, I think it’s only a matter of time before locals line up for what could be the best new shawarma spot in LA." - Matthew Kang
