Shawarma Bay

Shawarma Bay is 10/10! It’s consistently excellent. The beef and chicken chapli platter is a go-to and what they usually recommend, but we actually like the shawarma even more. Staff are very nice, and prices are reasonable. The line at some of the other carts nearby are way too long, definitely stop by here instead. All Halal of course.

Very tasty food with a good portion size. Very much worth the money. I would say though that Adel's is ever so slightly better in taste. Had to wait a little longer than expected, but they made amends by adding extra chicken on top of the beef and a coke on the house. Would definitely go back when in NYC next.

I never post reviews. But I had an awesome experience at this place, so taking the time to write something. I’m an attorney and I was in NYC for a conference. I had a late night at an after party but had to go back to my office to grab my overnight luggage before checking into the Hilton midtown. On my way, I happened upon this food truck and realized I was starving. I asked for whatever he recommended. He gave me a combo plate that was stupid tasty. Spicy but not overwhelmingly so. It was such a great end to my night and I’ll definitely be back.

Shawarma bay is the best food truck in my opinion in the Manhattan area. This place is to die for, their platters are extremely delicious and worth every penny. So flavorful that you can’t stop eating it, from the rice to the meat both were well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The ratio of sauce to the platter was just the perfect amount. Do visit this place and definitely have the combo platter as well as their chapli platter!!!

Shawarma chicken platter was perfect for late night munchies. The chicken, the rice, the fries, the salad, all topped with the white, red, and green sauces and finished with some kind of red pepper powder = glorious flavor and texture. Plus it came in generous portions. I need to come again and try more items.

Shawarma Bay is my top choice for quick halal food. I ordered the combo with rice, and it was outstanding flavorful, fresh, and generous. Honestly, it outshines both Adeel and Halal Guys.

Chapli Kebab with ground beef, rice & fries! Great tasting kebabs. Rice not as flavorful as Adel's a block away. But queue is much shorter than Adel's

Food was good overall. We we got one beef and one chicken. The sauces were fantastic and tasty. I feel like it's more rice and less on proteins and salad though.

Came here on a snowy day and was glad to see them open. This is my first time trying and heard many good things online. We ordered the chicken shawarma and chapli combo, both were delicious but my favorite had to be the chapli! The star of the show was definitely their sauces. They recommended adding the hot sauce which I do not regret. It wasn't that spicy but added a nice touch of kick to the food! The white sauce and the lemon herb was delicious as well. Workers were really nice and good portions. Definitely coming back when I am in the area.

I love food trucks, and this is my favorite food truck I've ever been to. I ordered the chicken chapli platter with extra chapli and probably got 2-3 meals out of the platter for less than $20. Such amazing food at an amazing value. If you're in midtown, highly recommend stopping by here. Baffles me why this place doesn't get more attention! I've never had Adel's, but with this place so close by, I don't really see a need to wait in that hour long line. I will be back!!

Claimed to have the best falafel and while I haven't tried other carts around the city yet, I will say the falafel was delicious! I got the falafel platter which comes with rice, lettuce, veggies & fries. The portion is very generous so hope you're hungry and ready to eat - the meal comes out to about $12. My friend got the chicken platter and absolutely loved her meal as well. Once they make your order they will ask what sauce you'd like so you get to pick how much/which sauces. Highly recommended the green & white sauces! We got there a bit before they opened and there was a small line already forming & once they opened the line grew but they move very fast and are very nice, so totally worth the wait & I doubt you'll have to wait more than 15 minutes on a busy day!

I still think Adel's is better but this place has a lot more food and the sauces are more delicious. The fries are also a nice addition though the rice is okay, a little bland. I would recommend !

This halal cart is delicious! You can get a whole plate for about ~$16 & it's such a generous portion. It comes with meat, rice, salad, fries & sauce of your choice. The cart opens at 7pm & when we came, there was already a line before it even opened. Once they opened, the line moved pretty fast. Overall, I recommend this halal cart if you're in the area! I will be back when I'm in the NYC area!

Thanks to these reels and no thanks at the same time... In 2017- I was getting my fav food from Adel's in like 10 minutes, now it's a 1-a 2-hour line out there (due to these reels/TikTok). And, thanks to these reels, I got to know about Shawarma Bay, so not sure, if I should be furious over these hyped reels/videos or not.. hahaha. I was there last night, and as usual, there was 2 hours line at Adel's and then I remembered about Shawarma Bay. Just 2 blocks north of Adel's cart, you can see a black food truck. But one second, there was a line here as well, WTH!! No worries, it only took 35 minutes (hahaha, I know, less evil concept) to get my food. Shawarma Bay guy would come to you while you are in the queue and take your order in advance. We ordered a mixed platter (Chicken + Chapli kabab)... When it was our turn, they asked choice of sauce, and we were good to go. You have 5 options for sauce- * White Sauce * Tzatziki sauce (ghost sauce of Wendy's * Hot Sauce * BBQ Sauce * Lemon Herb * Hummus A bed of long grain, fluffy rice with a mix of veggies, crispy fries, and sauce: a combination of this- too good. 4.5/5... no big chunk pieces like Adel's...Chapli Kabab is the main hero and highlight of this platter. Juicy, soft tasty - something different than halal carts... (I am not complaining about Adel's, but lately, they were not consistent with the quality of food, and I have been going there since 2017... last time there were big chunk chicken pieces in my food, did they forget to chop them?) The price is $12 for the platter and, the same for the wraps. They also serve Vanilla custard for $6. Something controversial here guys and I wanted to bring this attention, especially to Hindu folks who do not eat beef! When I asked for a mixed platter (chicken + lamb), The shawarma guy mentioned that 'they don't keep Lamb on their menu... In fact, anyone serving lamb (he named that famous food cart) with the same price as chicken, they are lying, it's 70-80% beef and they are lying to you. I was shocked, and not sure how to react, so ordered a chicken item only.

Service: 3/5 Food: 3.2/5 It's the new rivalry. Will Adel's get usurped? Probably not. It's solid, but it doesn't HIT. I will say portions here are bigger, veggies are fresher, there's usually a very minimal line to order + it's less greasy than Adel's (but maybe that's what makes them so good). On the other hand, the wait to get your food takes a minute. the smaller crowd means it's less chaotic. Tips: fries should be eaten fresh. unlimited sauces. lemon herb is similar to Adel's green sauce. you pay when you get your food. they take card (charge 3% fee). What I Ordered: - Chicken Shawarma: got boring after a while, almost dry. sauce just sits on top, the rice misses out - Chicken Chapli*: better than shawarma, juicier, sauce gets on rice, less protein tho - Vanilla Pudding: not too sweet, heavy on the cardamom. order once in a while *recommend

Came straight from LGA to do a head to head with the famous Adel's. I had the same combo and my verdict is that Shawarma Bay overall better. From the rice to the fries and meat and pickles salad the platter came with. The seasoning and flavors are tastier, the composition of the different ingredients were just put together perfectly. The quality of ingredients seems to be a little better than Adel's as well. I would put this platter in the same category as some of the best halal food I've had internationally in Europe. I really don't see Adel's hour + wait being worth it with Shawarma Bay being literally a 4 minute walk away with virtually no wait on a Friday night. I would highly recommend this place to blow you away for halal food!

Such a great late-night bite! The owner took our order and was super friendly and helpful with recommendations. We got the falafel platter and the 2 way combo platter and both were super solid. The falafels are made fresh in house and were so moist, flavorful, and crispy on the outside. It comes on a bed of rice with a side of fries and a side of salad. The sauces were definitely the star too - the white sauce is classic, the spicy orange sauce was creamy and delicious, and my favorite was the tangy green sauce. It was super refreshing and went so well with everything. When I go back I'll definitely get an extra side of the green sauce.

We got the 2 way shawarma and beef kebab. I liked the 2 way shawarma more! The meat was flavorful, the fries were delicious with the sauces they put on, the salad was refreshing, and the rice was well seasoned. The beef kebab was a bit too dry for me and wasn't seasoned enough, even with all of the sauces. The portions were bigger than most halal carts that I've had in the city.

I'm a person who has to be in the mood for halal food. Fortunately for me, I was this day. Originally the plan was to try Adel's and see what the hype is about but the line for Adel's was outrageous and diabolical. The next best thing was this spot which had abs no line and the quickest service ever. The menu has a good about of items to choose from so it's more than just the typical "lamb or chicken over rice". I got the combo platter which was lamb and chicken over rice and they didn't skimp on either meat. The platter comes with salad and fries (which is new for me) and then topped with sauces of your choice. The meats were well seasoned and the lamb was crispy just how I like it. Tbh this may very well be one of the best halal spots i've tried so far in the city and that's saying something. Would absolutely visit again.

Shawarma Bay is the new Adel's, which itself was the new Halal Guys. Thank social media influencers for the hype, since the line's just as long as Adel's (30-45min wait) now. Sadly, it's no longer a "hidden gem". Hopefully all the halal competition in one area brings the prices down, but for now, Shawarma Bay is closer to Halal Guys in price ($12 for a platter) than Adel's ($10). We ordered the chicken and beef doner platter, and the mixed (chicken and beef) chapli platter, which are the first and second most popular dishes. The doner platter was pretty tasty, while the chapli was just okay - the beef tasted like meatloaf or country fried steak, and the chicken, while unique, was a little dry. Personally, I think I prefer Adel's over Shawarma Bay; Adel's spiced red rice tastes better and their curry-flavored spices have more flavor. It's also cheaper. However, Shawarma Bay does come with fries and a small salad, plus their staff is very friendly. I also like that they have a varied menu with desserts like vanilla and rice pudding. Can't go wrong with any of the Halal trio, especially since they're all in the same area.

So good. Hot sauce is so fire!! Guys behind the counter are super friendly and helpful I got a combo plate with shawarma, kebab, and doner

Saw the trend and thought to give it a shot. Was not disappointed with the Chapli combo although I'm more of a shawarma person. The hot sauce also adds a nice kick to it. I went on a Wednesday night and waited less than 10 mins in line.

Amazing food truck spot! Came here on a Tuesday evening just after opening and there was already a line to order. I probably waited about 15-20 minutes in line but luckily the food comes out fairly quickly after ordering. I got the Chicken Shawarma Platter, which was a huge portion and was delicious! Would definitely recommend!

Bets place for shawarma! The line is pretty long but once you place your order, it comes relatively quickly. I love their combo and their falafels. Their lemon herb sauce is a must get! I'm usually not a fan of rice pudding but theirs is delicious and so addicting! I highly recommend checking Shawarma Bay out! Staff are super nice and patient when you have questions.

went on a sunday night pretty close to the opening time. there was already a decently long long so i kinda already knew it was going to be fire my friend recommended this spot so we went for dinner. honestly - this place was SO good - theyre known for the chapli kabob so i did a beef/chicken combo and was not disappointed. it came with some fried and salad - because i was hungry is why i finished it but the portions are def huge and can last 2 meals. it was full of flavor and the kabob was cooked perfectly. the sauces were perfectly made too, my mouth is watering just wringing this review remembering the meal. def one of the best halal carts ive had in ny - super worth they took our order and were super nice - they were the ones who said they could do a chicken and beef platter than just one meat which loveee. the cart itself is in a pretty busy part of the city but sunday night it was quiet and good halal weather so no complaints from my side. 1000/10 recommend and will be back

I did the line at Adel's a couple times and, while great, it never seemed worth the long wait (always 1-1.5 hours), so when I saw that Shawarma Bay was a couple blocks away, I decided to check it out too. Thank god I did because this is now my favorite halal spot in the city. The beef doner is by far the best, really flavorful, and not overly gamey. The chicken doner is good, but a touch dry for me and the chicken and beef chaplis are solid but a little dry/crumbly in texture - if you're not big on heat, I would skip on the chaplis since they're a little spicy. They always throw in a few fries too, which is perfect if you want just a few for variety (but not too many that they clump into a soggy ball). Shawarma Bay really shines in the freshness of their food - the salad is more substantial than your average halal spot (and there's never a limp lettuce leaf!) and the sauces are really standouts. The lemon herb in particular makes the halal taste almost healthy. I highly recommend going heavy on the white sauce and lemon herb sauce. I wish I could keep a bottle of their lemon herb at home so I can put it on all my halal. My only wish is to have them open during the day too so I can hit up for lunch. Unfortunately the crowd here can get large, even super late at night, and especially now that some TikTok/Instagram influencers are blowing up this spot, but the line moves fairly quickly (way faster than Adel's) and the wait isn't that long. It is a bit on the pricy side for halal ($12 / $13 for a combo), but it's definitely worth it.

Must say, it does live up to the hype. Everyone I know has been saying that as a true NY'er, is a must try. So, I went for it. The line was a mile long, but I have to say, it was worth the wait!! The serving comprises of rice with meat over it and fries. No salad. And you can have the usual white sauce and hot sauce or go with no sauce. I had it with no sauce and it was taste enough. You will need a drink though as it is a bit dry. It's definitely worth a try if you're in the neighborhood.

Without a doubt Shawarma Bay is the best tasting halal truck in Manhattan. I would say maybe even the entire city but I haven't sampled enough carts in Queens and Brooklyn to say so. Shawarma Bay is better than Sammy's Halal in terms of taste. Definitely better than their neighbors, Halal Guys. Better than Kwik Meal and any other competitors in Manhattan. I'm surprised they haven't won a Vendie Award or at least I haven't seen it on their truck. Shawarma Bay deserves this praise because the food is simply top notch. The rice and meats are fresh and flavorful. Even the salad, a component, some halal carts tend to neglect is actually pretty good. I usually get the lamb and chicken combo rice platter. It's a pretty sizeable and will definitely fill you up even if you just got done with the gym. I've also gotten the chapli kebab rice platter. It's also great. The service can be fast and it can also be a bit slow as there can be a huge line sometimes. It all depends on when you go.

I was trying to visit Adel food truck but the long lines there (probably a 2 hour wait) made me try Shawarma Bay instead and I am so glad I got to try this. I ordered the Chapli kebab plate and it definitely was one of the best kebab plates I've ever had ! The meat , the rice and awesome flavors perfectly blended to make this a memorable dish. Its definitely one of the best food carts in NY. Highly recommended !!

I've come here a few times now, I HATE that they don't deliver... it's like they don't like MONEY?! the chicken chapli is absolutely delicious, it's worth the trip. Best friendly service, delicious unique food (you can't find the chapli anywhere else) Out of selfishness I hope they don't become even more popular because the line is already long enough PLEASE START DELIVERING FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD!!!! PLEASE ALLOW DELIVERIES!!!

There are a LOT of similar food trucks in the immediate vicinity of this truck but I am so glad we went with this one. Went at 11PM after a show and was super hungry-luckily the amount of food we got here was beyond adequate especially for the price point. And everything came out super quick. We went with the chicken shawarma wrap, which was great. Packed with meat and flavor. A skosh messy to eat once the wrap started to break down a little but worth it. We also got the combo platter, which came with chicken and beef. The chicken we preferred overall to the beef, but the beef was still excellent. The sauces they put on both were so tasty and the seasoning on the combo platter was a great addition.

Must-try in Manhattan! We ordered the mixed plate (chicken gyro and chapli kabab) recommended by the guy taking the order with rice and fries. We also got a side of (white sauce), mild hot and green (herb) sauce. The line is always long, but it moves fast, so don't worry if it looks bad. The location is awesome too. Nothing better than enjoying this delicious food. This place is an absolute must-try if you're in the area! We went on Christmas, Loved it. The guy, Mohammad, is awesome. He helped us order the food, because we were trying for the first time and visiting from New Jersey. They were so nice people. And the food was so delicious. I always go to Adel's halal food on the same 6th Ave but now this place "Shawarma bay and Kabab" is my to go place. No more Adel's food. ​ ​

Don't wait for Adel's when Shawarma Bay is only a block away. I got the chicken shawarma platter and was pleasantly surprised by the portion sizes. Each box comes with a generous serving of halal chicken over rice, a side of crispy fries, and fresh veggies. While many halal carts struggle to balance their sauces and seasoning, SB fully showcases their expertise in the entire cooking process. The shawarma has a rich aroma imbued from a lengthy roast with plenty of cumin, paprika, and house seasoning. The combination of white sauce, hot sauce, and lemon oil provides an extra depth of flavor when mixed with the juicy chicken. Truly a flavor explosion yet this dish felt very light even after inhaling the entire bowl. There is usually a wait here but it's half as long as Adel's and definitely worth it.

Located north of Radio city hall, there seems to be a new competitor coming up for Adel's famous halal. This place is run by Afghans and they are really warm and welcoming people to their food truck also the service is quick while the food is served hot and fresh. Nothing much about ambiance as it's a street side place. After reading some reviews here, I opted for a chicken chapli kebab platter. Chapli kebab is basically a ethnic Pashtun dish from the border region of Afghanistan-Pakistan. The minced chicken was good while adding the right amount of spices to give a succulent taste, for the first time, I had cumin rice and it tasted good and was a welcome change from the regular saffron rice available elsewhere. These people provided fries alongside salad and topped it with white sauce which had the right amount of thickness while their mint sauce was a welcome addition to this. I don't usually go for the spicy sauce as I'm not a big fan of it. Overall it's a great experience to try something for the first time apart from halal guys and adel's. The big advantage of the food is that it lacks food coloring like adel's and whatever prepared is done in the right way while also the wait time is very less compared to adel's and halal guys.

My new favorite halal in nyc! So sad that they don't open until 7pm because I typically eat dinner earlier. I've only ordered takeout before but it always tastes fresh. The fish is really well marinated and comes with a large portion. It comes with 3 sauces of which is packaged separately so you can choose how much you want to add. Definitely a stand out halal option that you have to give a try!

This is an awesome spot to grab something to go for lunch or dinner. It's a good truck so I'm not sure if the hours. I usually get something from them for dinner, later in the evening. The menu is right on the side of the truck and they have a decent amount of options. I've only gotten the chicken shawarma but it's good. Plate full of chicken, salad, rice and veggies. The guys that take your orders are very nice and they make sure to get your order right. I'll definitely be back try other options too.

Amazing halal cart in midtown manhattan. Ran by some stellar guys from Afghanistan serving up phenomenal kababs and rice as well as the standard gyro platters. Food came out fast and the staff was cool and chatty. Can't say much for ambiance. It's a street cart.

The beef chapli kabobs were out of this world. The meat is seasoned perfectly and is not overpowering at all. The portion is a great size for the prize. My plate came with fries, rice and salad. I tried each of the sauces and do recommend others to do the same. The line was long but I think this is a place to try if you have the time.

Halal food, including shawarma and chapli (minced kebab of lamb, mutton, beef, or chicken) served fresh out of a food truck on the Avenue of the Americas. Portions are huge (you could split a shawarma platter). Prices reasonable. Ingredients are fresh. From what I hear, there can sometimes be a wait, but I went on a Tuesday night and was served right away, and very quickly. Truck is super nice and clean and staff are very nice. I got my shawarma platter with ALL the sauces and they were all fantastic. I am more of a Lower East Side or Brooklyn girl, but came all the way to midtown because a colleague recommended Shawarma Bay. Definitely worth the trek!

I was recommended this place through an influencer on social media and I already walked into the location knowing it was going to be great, but man were my expectations exceeded. One of the most flavorful and amazing halal platters I've had TO THIS DAY. Mahmad attended to my order (I got a beef platter) and asked if it was my first time and said yes. He promised me this was going to be the best meal I'll have and he was absolutely right. DO NOT FORGET TO ADD the tzatziki sauce and lemon herb and if you like spicy, don't forget to add it to your order. I refused to go back to NY and not get myself a plate before I go. A line will be expected but you won't wait too long once you order and everything is FRESH! thank you to the entire team!

The food was very fresh and tasted delicious. It didn't feel heavy. The food did take a bit of time but that's likely because it was fresh and there was a line (often a good sign). The staff is very nice. I got the chicken and beef combo platter. My husband got the Chapli kabob player. Everything was good - the meat, the sauces, the rice. I especially liked the sauce they put on the salad for me to try. I think it was a herby sauce. Maybe a lemon herb? I didn't find the hot sauce hot at all but it was tasty. The portions were large. The staff was apologetic about the wait time and I appreciate it!

The Chapli Kebab was a delicious seasoned ground meat kebab wrap. It's incredibly delicious. However I had no idea how spicy it would be. This thing absolutely destroyed my stomach. But, it was worth it. The pita, toppings, and meat were all exceptional quality. The guys in the cart were quick but friendly. Their cart is souped up and theyve managed to make it feel a bit like a restaurant type feel with the awning and branded menu facade.

If I could give 15 stars I would. This food is so amazing I've had it 4 days in a row and it's all I think about. I get the same order every time. I go with the Beef chapli platter no salad and extra fries. The service is pretty good which is surprising considering how busy this truck gets. The staff is also very friendly which is another surprise because of how busy the truck is and how packed they are inside the truck cooking. The sidewalk in front of this truck gets jammed packed with customers. There is no real ambiance here, it's just an amazing food truck

Stopped by at Shawarma Bay for the first time last week and now I'm going to be a customer for life. Got the combo chapli kebab platter - the meat was SO tender and flavorful. The folks running this place are so friendly so that's a plus. Loved it, will be coming back, and 10/10 recommend.

Ordered a shawarma roll, the server didn't even ask which sauces, toppings, etc., I preferred. Just tossed ingredients in without sauce. Then they wrapped the paper inside the roll itself, so when I bit into the lower half, I ended up with a mouthful of paper too. Had to unwrap and remove it. The meat wasn't especially flavorful either. I've had shawarma far superior to this. Not suggested.

Worth the line. Excellent food and a ridiculously huge portion size! Great work guys!

This is a halal food truck located in Manhattan that opens from 7 pm to around 3 am. We arrived right around 7 pm and people had already started lining up. The food is delicious! We tried the chapli kebab platter and chicken shawarma fries and it was amazing. The chicken shawarma was so tender and definitely our favorite. They have so many sauces to choose from. For dessert we got baklava which was also very good. Definitely recommend trying this spot. The owner is extremely kind and will ensure you have a great meal.

I have been wanting to try this new shawarma / Chapli kebab truck for a while. They are located on 6th Ave & 52nd street a block & a half from Radio City hall. They are open from 7 pm till 3am Tue & wed. And 7 pm till 330 am th-Fri-sat-sun. They have different platters, wraps and salads. The platters come with meat chicken or beef, or combo, with rice, salad, French fries & sauce. Regular one meat platter is $12 & combo is $13. They accept credit cards as well. We got the chicken platter, order of falafel and an order of shirazi salad. Everything was AMAZING. Good portion and great taste. The gentleman working in the truck were very pleasant and answered all my questions. This will definitely be one of my regular late night options.

First impression was fantastic. Amazing foods and surrounding ambiance is nice. Good collection of sauces you should definitely check it out. Food quantity was also alright though expected a bit more as it tastes so good. You'll love their food, tastes and services overall. Top-notch!

The best food in newyourk the chpli the shawarma the wrap all so good if you try it ones you will go to shawarma bay every single day

In NYC for the wkend and this food truck was an easy dinner after the Rockettes. My 12-yo had leftovers but ended up eating half of my chicken shawarma platter. So...on our 2nd night, instead of going out to eat, we went back. Just amazing! The spices, the tzatziki and hot sauce. So fresh! Generous portions. Terrific service! Really so good. Double thumbs up. "Come as guests. Leave as friends." Thx, guys!

This is a new food truck on the corner of 52nd and 6th right near Radiocity. The staff was super friendly and provided us with some excellent recommendations on what to try. The food was freshly made and high quality. The menu had so many options that included platters, wraps, and salads however the one thing this truck offered that I was excited to was "Chapli Kebab". Chapli kabeb is a minced meat patty with spices and herbs. We decided to order a chicken shawarma platter and two way combo platter of chicken chapli and beef chapli. The platters included a side of rice/fries/salad. Another we loved was that this truck many different types of sauces and they were generous with the portions. Both platters were excellent, fresh and clean. The chapli platter was freshly grilled, juicy and flavorful. I highly recommend getting the chapli platter, as it was very delicious!

Long line at Adel's so came here. A little disorganized in ordering but worth the wait. Got the mixed combo platter. Great rice. Big portion and good sauces.

Glad I skipped the line down the street and came here, this doner platter was outstanding and the hot sauce is fire

This place is insanely good, it's fast, and cheap too! The guys are really nice too. Was out running across Manhattan and ran into them. Was hungry and gave them a try. Cant believe they only have 2 reviews before me. Tons of people in line. I got the chicken shawarma plate and it was the most flavorful food I've ever had. The next night was out running again and made my way over to them. Had the beef and chicken mix. Again, amazing!!

Best food truck I've had in over a decade in NYC. Don't waste time with Halal guys, this is the real deal.

Amazing amount of food for a great place. 9/10 taste for the chicken shawarma player with white sauce and hot sauce. The line moves quickly and the workers were efficient and kind. Would recommend for lunch, dinner, or a late night bite.