Israeli street food: shawarma, schnitzel, falafel, hummus
"Some people go to Sweetgreen twice a week, and others go to Dr. Sandwich twice a week. We’re in the latter camp. This kosher Mediterranean spot has two locations in the same vicinity, and while the newer one is more spacious and even a little glitzy, the original counter-service spot in a strip mall on Olympic is where you’ll find us on many a lunch hour. Choose between shawarma, kebab, schnitzel, sabich, or falafel, and retrofit it however you please on a pita, laffa, baguette, or as a plate. We mix it up, but the best deal is the plate—for under $20 you’ll have enough food for three full meals." - sylvio martins, arden shore, brant cox, jess basser sanders
"One thing Dr. Sandwich can do that Sweetgreen can’t is turn $20 into enough shawarma to last you three meals. It’s the best magic trick we’ve seen since a friend’s kid’s third birthday party, and why we’re at this kosher Mediterranean spot often. Dr. Sandwich has a second location in Beverly Grove, and while the newer one is more spacious, the parking situation at the original counter-service spot is better. Your pita sinks into their thick, creamy hummus like quicksand, the falafel sandwiches are stuffed with as much roasted eggplant as humanly possible, and the golden chicken shawarma is shaved fresh off the spit." - sylvio martins, brant cox
"Dr. Sandwich has received various accolades from respectable sources (us). With two locations near each other in Beverly Grove, this kosher Mediterranean spot makes some of LA’s best shawarma, best salads, best falafel, etc. If you asked us for a fast-casual Mediterranean lunch spot, we’d probably send you here. This counter-service spot does staples made with noticeable finesse, like creamy hummus topped with sweet, roasted garlic, thinly pounded chicken schnitzel in chewy sesame baguettes, and falafel pitas with as much cabbage, roasted eggplant, and tahini as humanly possible crammed inside." - sylvio martins, brant cox
"The Istanbul Salad at Dr. Sandwich is the textbook definition of a “meal salad”—it involves the same heaping pile of juicy chicken shawarma you’d get on their standard plate but comes served on a big bed of cucumbers, tomatoes, and shredded cabbage. There’s also smoky roasted eggplant, sweet grilled onions, and a bright lemon vinaigrette cut with the tahini on top. This salad also holds together well in the fridge, which is a key detail because, ultimately, it’s a lot of chicken and cabbage to get through in one sitting." - brant cox, cathy park, sylvio martins, arden shore
"Choosing what to include in your pita at Dr. Sandwich often presents the mentally taxing problem of having too many good options to choose from. But once you sort out which cabbage salad you’re feeling today, the final result is a large (and delicious) pita sandwich that’s usually followed by a stroll down Beverly Blvd. in a hummus-induced daze. While this Fairfax spot serves some great chicken shawarma and tender beef kebabs, their falafel is the meat-free option that sneaks its way to the top of our list with its crispy edges. They’re on the smaller size but are made from a smooth, cohesive mix that browns nicely in the frier. There’s also some great color contrast between the outer crust and creamy green inside that tastes of onion, garlic, and hints of fresh parsley." - sylvio martins