Shawarma Guys at The Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City

While updating my friends on Facebook about my revisit at IHOP BGC The Fort last Saturday, my friend Spanky, one of the ultimate foodies in Manila left a comment on my page about Shawarma Guys located at The Fort Strip, few blocks away from IHOP. Since I am easily swayed by recommendations from few of my trusted foodies, I decided to pay a visit after our dinner at IHOP. Yes, shawarma after dinner, I guess I am hardcore that way.

My friend and I were scheduled to attend a late dinner at one of the new restaurants at The Fort Bonifacio Global City so we decided to visit Shawarma Guys first since we have ample time to do so. I am big on shawarma and sadly there are only few shawarma joints that I know which are decent enough to satisfy my constant cravings. So, it is safe to say that being introduced to Shawarma Guys at The Fort Strip was one of my foodie highlights of the year. No kidding.

Tucked in one corner of The Fort Strip, Shawarma Guys is located just right beside Pasto near The Early Bird Breakfast Club. Surrounded by nearby drinking places, Shawarma Guys is a perfect place to cure hunger pangs and hungover after a drinking session. Its owners are the same geniuses behind one of my favorites, Relik Tapas Bar and the nearby URBN Club.

Having just opened few weeks ago, the place during the time of our visit was still in its bare minimum, interior-wise. We were told that they are still working up on the aesthetics of the place. Despite that, the warm welcome from the friendly and accommodating staff was enough reason to feel right at home.

We just came from an early dinner at IHOP and we are still scheduled to have a late dinner in other restaurant so we only get to try few items on the menu. But if that was not the case, we would have probably order more since everything we have tried proved that this new restaurant

First dish we tried was their Beef Shawarma (Php150). Instead of the usual shawarma fare on pita bread, diners has an option to have their meat served with basmati rice and grilled tomato instead for an added Php20 only. That's what we did and we're happy with that option. I love the tenderness of the beef coupled with its distinct savory taste. The basmati rice serving portion was generous enough.

We also had the Sisig Shawarma (Php140) which comes as highly recommended by Spanky. I could not blame him, really. Because I myself was blown away on a first bite. It has bigger chunks of meat than the usual sisig dish. And while you get to taste the distinct flavor of sisig, you'll be reminded that it's not your usual run-of-the-meal sisig, the good quality of meat and the way it was cooked didn't came unnoticed.

I have not tried sisig shawarma before and I am not aware if there's any other restaurant offering sisig shawarma (not that I remember at least) so, for me it is something unusual. The fact that it is such an interesting Pinoy twist to the usual foreign fare is already impressive in itself, and once the flavor hits your palate, it's another beautiful story.

At a glance I thought that they skimped on the meat but when I opened the pita bread to put some garlic sauce on it, generous portion of meat greeted me. It was so savory good that I have this nagging feeling that after having tried Shawarma Guys' Sisig Shawarma, every shawarma I loved will pale in comparison, hence, I will never be satisfied ever again, unless it's from Shawarma Guys.

Lastly, we also got to try their Chicken and Beef Kebab Meal (Php180). A combiantion of chicken and beef kebab served with buttered basmati rice and grilled tomato.

I appreciate how succulent the kebabs were that meat juices oozes out as you bite on it. The chicken kebab has finer texture to the bite while the beef was rather coarse but equally flavorful.

If it weren't for the dinner that we're still going to attend that night, I would have probably order their Blackbenny Platter which technically has every kebab thrown in together such as beef, beef tenderloin, chicken, and lamb served with side salad and pita bread.

The menu was kept clean with main focus on the usual fares that other shawarma joints offer. I was told that they are still in the process of developing other dishes to be added on the menu. They also offer alcoholic beverages along that can go perfectly well with the dishes they are offering. If you're not up for drinking gig, there are other beverages you may enjoy such as the refreshing Red Iced Tea (Php35) and Blue Lemonade (Php35) we had. On my next visit, I'll give Lassi/Yogurt Shake a try.

I have always been on the look out for new places specializing in shawarma since I am mad crazy about it, and little did I know, there's this cool place at The Fort that could satisfy my cravings. I am stoked in trying out several items on their menu such as the interesting Timo Shawarma (all meat y'all!), Seafood Biryani, Keema, and Garlic Ox Brain among many others. I have high hopes for this place to do well, but I am pretty confident that they will. With great location, warm service, well-executed dishes, and affordable prices, Shawarma Guys is certainly one of the places you should visit when you're in the area.

I cannot wait to go back at Shawarma Guys and have a grand time feasting on their meaty offerings, the same way I cannot wait to see them branching out, hopefully soon.