Fresh Flavorful Cuisine at Zesty Shawarma & Grill 

By Tony Reverditto

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I have been wanting to write an article featuring Zesty Shawarma since they donated delicious food for our Discovery Day in 2019. Their generosity was greatly appreciated and was pleased to report on the exotic and fresh cuisine.

Zesty Shawarma & Grill Owner Rajy Eleas ​has loved cooking since he was a 8 years old and his introduction into the culinary world happened while he and his family were living on a farm in his home town in Syria. His mom and grandma gave him a lot of knowledge through their family recipes and landed his first restaurant job at 16. Then when he moved to the UK, he spent 6 years cooking all kinds of food, but Shawarma was always his favorite. He then came to the US and opened a family owned liquor store but had his sights set on opening a restaurant.

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When I asked him how ended up opening Zesty Shawarma in Menifee, he said that two years ago while his wife was pregnant with their second son, they were on the way to a doctor’s appointment. His wife noticed that they were building a new mall and she pointed it out and said you should go check it out. He sold his share of the liquor store and opened the restaurant and coincidentally got the key to the property on the same day that his son was born.  

Upon entering, the aroma was intoxicating and I immediately ordered some of the most popular dishes to go. The signature dish is the Chicken Shawarma, deliciously seasoned chicken cooked on a rotating vertical broiler and served with your choice of salad, rice and dip and this was absolutely my favorite. The Gyro is a traditional Greek meat preparation made of seasoned beef cooked to order and the flavorful seasoning and tenderness was phenomenal. Chicken kebab, marinated chicken breast seasoned and the Kafta Kabob, minced beef, both with a variety of spices and herbs prepared on a skewer and grilled to perfection are also served with your choice of salad, rice and dip. Since I was a kid, I loved Falafels and the Wrap Combo consists of fritters made of ground chick peas and fava beans combined with a variety of spices, parsley, onions and garlic wrapped with pita bread and comes with French fries and 20 oz drink and is Vegetarian and Vegan friendly as are many other items on the menu.

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Baklava is a classic staple dessert and is a walnut filled pastry made with rosewater and pistachios in a flaky crust. During these hot summer days they also offer a refreshing Baklava ice cream.

Zesty Shawarma also offers a variety of Party Trays and Catering. 

ZESTY SHAWARMA AND GRILL, 29101 NEWPORT ROAD, STE 104 MENIFEE                                                         Take out, Delivery and Outdoor Dining: 951-679-9900