The Charcoal Restaurant

Very good chicken shawarma! Chicken was so flavorful and the fries have a unique seasoning that make them delicious! Wish I lived here to get it more often but this is probably one of the best chicken shawarma I have had outside of the middle east. If they had a little more seating inside it would be great but it was a nice day so I sat outside.

Quick service. Friendly staff that greeted us upon arriving. Ordered at the counter, paid, then found a seat. Food was out in a few minutes. They have some international sodas for sale as well. My son (who can be picky, but likes chicken) demolished the shawarma (chicken sandwich). The charcoal sauce was delicious and sets this place apart from other chicken places. Fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They were not just an afterthought. Will definitely be back.

They have an extremely limited menu so I wouldn’t recommend if you’re not a fan of chicken; that being said, the chicken is delicious lol. Both of their sauces are tasty & portion size is great.

We’ve had catering from this place at work and it was excellent, so I thought I would try it out on a day off for lunch. It was incredible. I went as soon as they opened and as soon as you open the door you’re greeted with the smell of meats cooking over charcoal. The inside is clean and the menu is displayed on TVs over top the register. There are several tables to sit and eat. I got the Chicken Shawarma Sandwich that comes with fries, a side of hummus with a side of tandoori bread. The sandwich was hot and fresh, the fries were perfect, and the hummus and bread were some of the best I’ve had. For all that and a bottled drink it was about $25, a little expensive for lunch but for the quality of the food, it’s worth it. This place is a hidden gem, tucked into a strip of shops. Highly recommend this place! Will definitely be back.

This spot has quickly become one of my favorite spots. Every time I walk in, I’m greeted with a warm welcome from Ahmad, the owner, who is genuinely one of the nicest people you’ll meet. He always takes the time to chat, making the experience feel personal and inviting. But let’s be real, the chicken shawarma is the star of the show. It’s insanely good. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, and packed with flavor. If you’re looking for amazing food, this is the place! Can’t recommend it enough.

Absolutely delish! The charcoal flavor on the chicken is 🔥. Be sure to get a side of the spicy sauce.

The owner greeted as first time visitors to this restaurant, he told us what to order and his favorite ways to eat the food! This has become my new favorite comfort food! 10/10 the best Mediterranean restaurant in Louisville I would highly recommend to anyone. The staff was incredibly attentive and kind. I was blown away with the service, the quality of the food, and how fast the food came out! It felt like a home cooked meal and will definitely be back.

A craving for halal food lead me to try Charcoal off of Hurstbourne, now I can only comment on the food we ordered but everything was delicious. I started off with the hummus and tandoori bread (star or the dish and glad we got two orders). My main dish, I got the chicken shawarma plate with a garden salad and a side of fries. The chicken is over a bed of rice and has a great smoked flavor without being dried out, while the salad is mostly cucumber it goes well in between bites to cleanse the pallete. The fries I put on top of the chicken, but thank you to another reviewer who suggested mixing the zu and garlic sauce, amazing. On top of the great food, I received great service. I ordered my meal to go but when I arrived early the three gentlemen working potiley asked to wait 5 more minutes. The food was brought out to my car hot and fresh so it more than made up for any inconvenience. Overall I'm extremely happy I gave the restraunt a chance, I will absolutely be back to try the other options.

Updating an old review - the chicken is amazing. The hummus is amazing. The falafel is amazing. The salad is amazing. The spicy sauce, you guessed it, is amazing. Small space so dine in is difficult, but carry out appears to be super efficient. We plan to come back many, many times. Highly recommend.

Absolutely loved the place! They're sitting at 4.8 stars on 302 reviews as of this writing. Owner is great! Big personality and really enthusiastic about his place. Always a good sign. We ate a bunch of stuff, all of it delicious. All has been very well described by other reviewers so I'll just share a few personal observations. Same reason why I didn't post any pictures. Tabouli salad - pretty straightforward, nice and fresh. Hummus - almost seems to have a whipped consistency. Really tasty and full of flavor. Baba...(that's all I've got on spelling it but I absolutely love the stuff). A bit more coarse than some places. That adds a bit of texture and is really good. Nice and garlicky! Falafel - least favorite. Seemed a bit dry and hard. Chicken Shawarma - this is what you need to order. Absolutely fantastic! Don't miss the grilled bread either!

Yum, that was delicious! My husband and I made our first visit to The Charcoal Restaurant today for lunch and enjoyed their outdoor seats. We ordered the chicken and beef kabob sandwiches which both came with fries. Both options were delicious, and if we could only choose one we'd both choose the beef. Service was friendly and they made sure we had what we needed. They brought our food outside to us and kept the tables clean. Rating this simpler place with 5 stars because it will replace the other options we've been visiting. We are excited to go back and try more option and will definitely be picking this up for takeout as well!

Fresh! So impressed with their food that I came here to write a review! We ordered take out from here last night, first time we ever tried this place. Very happy to say it was all surprisingly excellent. A lot of fast casual places can be underwhelming, but Charcoal really focuses on their ingredients and incorporates lots of fresh herbs and vegetables. The chicken was absolutely perfect, just cooked and not overdone. The hummus is very, very creamy and the best we've had in Louisville. And the baba! So Smokey! Yum. Try this place out, just excellent!

The food there is delicious ans prices are great. We ordered the shawarma platter and was huge! Literally a tray of mouth watering food!

I wish I could give it a 4.5 instead of just a 4. We overall had a great experience stopping here for a quick bite on a road trip. The workers were incredibly nice/friendly. They recommended the chicken shawarma sandwich so we both went with that. It was very tasty indeed-- chicken cooked just right! It was a nice day outside so we sat outside! My only only reason why it was 4.5 instead of 5 is because the food overall (hummus, sandwich) lacked really any garlic, which I feel like really makes a dish. Otherwise would stop again! Very nice people. Great business.

The best, freshest, tastiest chicken from a fast-casual type restaurant around! They cook the chicken fresh, so depending on your timing, you might have to wait for your food. But it will be so worth it! It is super easy to order on their website - so I would recommend ordering ahead. We have eaten inside at the restaurant both times we've been, but they also do a lot of take-out! There are 4 tables inside, and there are more tables outside for when the weather's nice. The gentleman taking orders at the counter is usually the owner and he is so friendly. He gave us a little side of their sweet and spicy garlic sauce - which is amazing!! Definitely request the "Zu Sauce". The hummus is also a MUST. Homemade creamy goodness. The Charcoal is our new go-to when we want a healthy, fresh, homemade chicken meal.

Love Charcoal! This place has the best Shawarma plates and the sauces! My favorite place to get Shawarma around town. There is indoor seating, outdoor seating and private parking for connivence. The service is so inviting, very quaint. So patient if it's your first time in reviewing over the menu. They don't have much but what they have you cannot go wrong with. I find myself craving it weekly. It's just that good. Very consistent with their service, food, and wait time. They have good ratings for a reason.

So Impressed! The food was absolutely incredible--every bite was full of flavor and perfectly prepared. The atmosphere was just as impressive, thanks Ahmad for creating the perfect setting to enjoy a great meal. I'm already looking forward to coming back. This place truly exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience!

There is very limited seating but was not busy when I went. It seemed like they were preparing multiple pick up orders while I was there so I waited a little longer than expected but not long. The gentleman who took my order was very friendly and made some recommendations for me. The chicken is fall off the bone tender but I was expecting some breast meat which I'm pretty sure I didn't get with a half chicken. I'm pretty sure I got 2 drums and 2 thighs which is why it was so tender but not what I was expecting. For me, it could have used more seasoning but I only have Yummy Pollo to compare it to and they season theirs heavily. I will say Charcoal seems lighter and "healthier" despite the lack of breast meat as the rice seems to be steamed and seasoned versus fried. The cucumber salad wasn't for me so I wouldn't get that again but I'm sure some will love it. Half chicken 8/10 Basmati Rice 9/10 Cucumber salad 6/10 Comparing to Yummy Pollo, I think I'd have to give the win to them based on my current experience but that doesn't mean this place isn't great. I'm definitely going to return and try more items! If you need a lighter option that's quick, this might be a win for you.

My favorite place to eat in Louisville. The whole chicken is delicious, and the shawarma plate is a huge portion. If you're a bodybuilder you'd be in heaven with the shawarma plate lol. The tabbouleh & toum (garlic sauce) are amazing. I bring as many people as I can here. The owner is a great guy and remembers everyone. I've left reviews in the past and wanted up leave another.

Wow! Get the shawarma plate with the cucumber salad. Add the sweet and spicy sauce. Mix it all together and you've got one of the best tasting casual dining meals in town. The charcoal rotisserie grill is magic. Service is excellent too!

This place was great! I got some food to go to have for dinner that night and for lunch the following day. I had a great experience even though I didn't dine in. The menu is simple and straightforward, and very well executed. The locale itself is pretty small and unpretentious. I ordered the shawarma plate and some falafel. I've had the privilege of trying some pretty excellent shawarma, and this pulley its weight nicely. The falafel was very yummy as well. A big highlight for me was the staff. I didn't even dine in and they were so attentive, hard working, and clearly put a lot of thought and care into their craft. Overall, great experience. Check it out if you haven't. I look forward to coming back next time I'm in the area.

This is some of the best chicken schawarma I've found since living in Michigan (where it's very good). The full roasted chicken, fresh baba ghanoush, pita, and hummus are all expertly prepared. This isn't your average place with Mediterranean/Middle East food. The restaurant is casual and service is professional.

Excellent food, delicious healthy food options. Very good aromatics and flavor in the food. They use Sumac and other flavors that are authentic. Excellent fast service. Very clean location.

The aromas from the parking lot already let you know what the vibe is. When you walk up to the counter you see the delicious chicken rotating above the fire which makes your mouth water. I ordered a chicken sandwich with fries. It was delicious but I want to go back for the whole chicken. There was a 45 min wait for it so I know it is fire. Looking forward to the bread and tabouli salad. So good!

What an unexpectedly great place! I mean a lot of the reviews add up BUT it exceeded my expectations. I got the Shawarma Plate. The chicken was perfectly cooked. The rice was good & the garlic sauce to dip was delicious. I also got the hummus & garlic naan to dip. So fresh & delicious. Their side salad was different than what I'm used to but the ingredients were finely chopped with the perfect juicy tomatoes was the best touch. Zero complaints. Plus customer service was friendly & happy to help. 10/10 recommend. I will be back :) The inside is a little small but there's a few tables to sit comfortably & enjoy your meal if you don't want it to go. I felt very welcome.

My absolute favorite chicken shawarma wrap in the city! The chicken is so juicy and flavorful, with some pickles and a wrap is seriously all you need. Both sauces are fantastic too and a definite must get. The garlic sauce is perfect and their hot sauce has a kick, but nothing too crazy. The fries are good, nothing special but had some nice seasoning on them. Everyone working has been super friendly, helpful and they care about the food they server so definitely support local spots like this one. Pretty small building with limited seats so you may have to take your food to-go, especially during busy hours. I'll 1000% be going back again and I loved the shawarma wrap so much, it'll be hard to try something else on the menu haha. Buuut it's about 5 minutes from my house and that's both a pro and con.. I'll definitely be a regular going forward!

I was on a plane to San Diego when I overheard a conversation between other passengers about three restaurants. The Charcoal Restaurant was one of the three the person was recommending to the other passengers. I decided that when I returned we would try this place. They didn't disappoint! We ordered the Chicken Shawarma Sandwich that includes fries. So you know what to expect it's wrap rather than bread. Upon first bite the warmth of Mediterranean flavors fill your mouth. The flavors are amazing! The spices on the sandwich make you want to come back for more! There is a veggie inside that reminds me slightly of a tiny pickle or cucumber (cooked) texture and flavor. The food was served hot and fresh. We ordered to go.

I absolutely love The Charcoal Restaurant! I typically order ahead and pick it up, but you can eat it there. Service is always great! Their staff is so friendly and helpful. My favorite is the shawarma plate. It's a ton of food so it's a few meals for me. No matter what you order, make sure you get zu sauce. It's their spicy sauce...not too spicy and slightly sweet. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu! Highly recommend.

We are visiting Louisville this weekend and as a family went to this highly recommended restaurant for dinner. We all had some form of chicken and some had the Aoili sauce and some the Zu sauce. Two kids had the wraps with fries. We tried to eat everything it was so good but Nana had to box up her leftovers for tomorrow. This is some of the best food we've ever had. Also the service was excellent and the ambience was comfortable and easy. Plus we learned about Bethlehem from the picture on the wall. Thanks for a fun, enjoyable time.

This place was amazing. I chose the quarter white chicken, you choose white or dark meat, plate. It comes with two sides. I had the homemade hummus and bread. The chicken was tender, moist and flavorful. The hummus was creamy and delish. Super friendly and helpful staff, clean restaurant and quick service! Highly recommend. I would have taken a photo but.... I couldn't stop eating once I started.

I've ordered the chicken shawarma wrap almost every visit and it's outstanding! The hummus is smooth, creamy, and also on point. The owner/operator is what makes this place one of my favorites due to his friendly and accommodating personality. Always remembers me and greets with a smile. This place is a can't miss!!!

Great everything, great food great service. The guys in there are awesome! Don't forget to try the spicy sauce!

The best shawarma in KY by far! I love the food and the service here........,,,,,,,,,Must try

We had the Chicken Shawarma Plate and 1/4 Chicken Plate. Both were delish. The chicken was tender and juicy. The rice was soft and buttery. The best part was the charcoal sauce! An hour drive from home but would come again for sure!

After spending a few days with bourbon and fusions we wanted something less... complicated. This was PERFECT & 100% hit the spot. We (of course) ordered the one thing they were out of - kabobs. Did that stop them from selling them to us? Nope... we got a "can you wait 15 & I will make them" - while we wanted to say something like "oh, no, that's ok" we wanted those kabobs more & we really could wait. So, we both nodded rather enthusiastically & took a seat. We were rewarded with a delightful spread of delicious food & sauce options to adjust to our liking. I mixed everything from my shawarma plate together - no shame. I drizzled one sauce then periodically added the other. The staff interacted well with all patrons & there was a feeling a familiarity in the air. The prices were reasonable & good portion sizes. I bookmarked this place before leaving the table!

The chicken Shawarma "sandwich" which is four pieces cut up and a bit messy, is one of the most delicious things ever! The fries are absolutely of no consequence, nothing special about them at all, but they're fine and your little kids will enjoy them for sure. The baba ghanoush is not something that I like here, I prefer Shiraz's eggplant offering and wish that Charcoal had an eggplant dish even half as good asShiraz's. The Naan is terrific and fresh, but for me the hummus is just a little too overprocessed, a little too creamy and could use a bit of a kick as well! I'm thinking if it was a little bit more like Trader Joe's Mediterranean style hummus that would be the bomb! The tabouli and the cucumber tomato salad are delicious and an extra squeeze of lemon in either one of those will make it even better. My husband always gets the half chicken and he has leftovers. And these are leftovers that get eaten not just ignored in the refrigerator! We truly love this business. I've actually never been inside the brick and mortar, my husband just picks it up on his way home from work but one of these days I've got a walk in there because I'd like to see the faces of the geniuses that make this place so great! I almost forgot the falafel! LOVE IT!

whenever I am traveling on business, I try to eat local with a focus on regional cuisine. Mediterranean and Tacos are the always a solid go to for the hunt. I yelped The Charcoal Restaurant and looked thru pictures and knew that it would be worth a try. I walked in and started to review the menu when the nice gentlemen asked me if I was ready to order. I let him know that it was my first visit to his establishment, and he stated that the Shawarma was the number 1 most popular item. So, I went for it, I ordered the dinner with the cucumber salad and the basmati rice and a diet coke. I added a tip on the bill because of the polite service and the fact that they brought the food to the table outside. When my food arrived it was so colorful and fragrant and freshly prepared. For comparison, I have eaten MED food across the nation, but this was something especially unique. I realized that I had eaten this meal in record time even though it was a plentiful plate. Well executed and bravo for them I thought!! afterwards I walked in and told the gentlemen that I really enjoyed my meal and that the next time I was in town that this would be my go-to place to dine and that I would definitely try the fresh charcoal roasted whole chicken the next time. well, this place left such an impression that I returned the next day for dinner and ordered the charcoal chicken with hummus and let me say that it did not disappoint! Bravo to you!!!

This is by far one of our favorite restaurants in all of Louisville. We eat here at least a few times a month and everything we've tried is fantastic. The owner and staff are always so kind and really care about the service and quality of food. The portions are super generous. The chicken is always seasoned to perfection, fresh off the grill, super tender and juicy. All of the sides are great, our favorites being the hummus, baba ganoush, tandoori bread and tabouli. It really is some of the best middle eastern food we've had, I cannot recommend this place enough.

Tonight was our second time eating here and we had the shawarma entree and chicken with green salad and hummus. Everything was exceptional. The staff is also so kind and welcoming. Highly recommend!

A new favorite Mediterranean restaurant! This is a small, casual restaurant in a shopping center, but its food is absolutely first-rate. Everything on the menu is fresh and delicious. Portion size are generous and pricing is very reasonable. Service is polite and efficient. Probably intended as a carryout place, as limited seating is available. Flavor is out-of-this-world delicious! Highly recommended.

Very good! Chicken shawarma plate was great and hummus was outstanding. Friendly staff!

Wow. Food great- great flavor and food came out very fast Price great Atmosphere good- small inside though Service great I would recommend and I will be back

Charcoal is absolutely one of my favorite places to eat. The food is always fresh, and unbelievably delicious. The staff are friendly and welcoming, and truly make you feel appreciated. We absolutely love the shawerma sandwich, so that's what we tend to get most frequently, but the plate is fantastic as well. They also have some of the best hummus I've ever had. Both of the sauces are not to be missed either- they are so good! We regularly drive the hour needed to get there and eat this incredible food.

Highly recommend the shawarma and chicken plate. Really good even for people like me who have never tried Mediterranean cuisine before. Not a lot seating inside but the outdoor seating are kept clean and tidy.

Expensive chicken shawarma sandwich hit the spot! Greasy falafel - maybe it's supposed to be? Service was on point. The kid who ran the orders brought our food outside to us and was great.

The Food speaks for itself! Fast service and Awesome quality of food! Good size portions and bursting with flavor! It is a must try!

Food was absolutely incredible, service was just as great! The smell of the chicken as soon as you walk in the door will make you drool

The quarter chicken meal was decently portioned for a quick meal! The best part was this sweet chili cream sauce which took the whole dish to another level! The bread was soft and flavorful. The person at the counter was kind and let us take our time ordering. The outside dining area is my fave and the inside is gorgeous! Highly recommend

This food is absolutely amazing, the service was great as well. My only complaint is something that can change with due time and once they get a little more success; a bigger space would be great for dining, and more drink options would be awesome as well. Overall, definitely worth stopping in!

I come here often. 90% of what I eat is Mediterranean food. This place has the best chicken shawarma I've ever had, among other things.

Chicken sandwich was amazing. Amazing service. Server said "Spicy sauce. Eat it." I ate it. I have no regrets. I will be going back for more.

Always wonderful good wholesome soul filled food, even if you have to wait just a little bit. Always friendly staff. Good portions. Cannot say enough good things about the food.

We were first time customers tonight and the service was quick and friendly, more importantly the food was divineee! We will absolutely be back.

Truly one of my favorite spots. The food is incredible, affordable, and consistent. It's a simple menu, and that's the beauty--they do what they do, and they do it exceedingly well. The chicken shawarma sandwich (wrap) is my go to (get a side of Zu sauce; just a kiss of spice, and it makes every bite better...ok, let's be real, get two sides of it). Chicken, charcoal sauce (garlicky cream sauce), Mediterranean pickle...too good. And the fries are perfect every single time...crispy snap as you bit into them, pillowy interior...dip into the Zu sauce! Don't stop at the shawarma. The falafel sandwich could make me go vegetarian (ok, I'm not doing that, but, wow, is it good!). Shawarma plate is tasty and very filling. Beef kebabs are a nice change up too. Bottom line: it's all good. The space is small, so it can get crowded quickly. But there are some outdoor tables too, and to go is always an option. This is a family run place. And if you go there, you feel like family. The owner is always there and is welcoming and friendly, and it won't take long before he knows you on sight. My first time there, he and his daughter made us feel like we were old friends...walked us through the menu, made suggestions, brought us some extra items to try...without question, this is how you run a restaurant. My only complaint--it's 20-25 minutes from my house. I'd ask them to move...but if they're feeling good where they are, I can look for a place in the area!

The Charcoal restaurant is authentic Greek food with a simple menu. Don't be fooled though--just because the menu doesn't have a hundred options doesn't mean it's not delicious it means they do things right. The hummus is fantastic as well as the half chicken meal. We have ordered carry out a few times. The restaurant does have some limited seating inside and outside.

I may have a new favorite Mediterranean spot in Louisville. My lunch from The Charcoal Restaurant was pretty much everything I want from chicken shawarma, and the serving side was large for the cost -- what more could you want? I ordered my meal via Yelp for delivery, and I got it within the hour. I like how The Charcoal Restaurant packaged their food in an aluminum tray with compartments so that everything stayed fresh. You could taste the roasting on the chicken, which was sliced into long strips. The basmati rice was cooked perfectly. Also loved the Tabouli Salad. And because we saw Baklava Cheesecake on the menu, we had to get the Baklava Cheesecake. This was decadent and awesome. It was a piece of cheesecake with I think honey and nuts in the crust, caramel on top and a layer of chocolate on the bottom. Get this! The Charcoal Restaurant is such a great find! I will definitely order from them again soon.

Small place and bursting with flavor. We ordered the chicken shawarma plate, and falafel. The tabouli salad is one of the best I have had. The chicken tastes great. And the hummus and pita are so good too! Service is exceptional. I highly recommend trying this place if you have not yet been,