The 10 Best Dishes on Earth and Where to Get Them Locally (Part 2)

9. Shawarma
I’m probably going to make some enemies with this entry. I know there are some die hard Middle Eastern cuisine fans here. Providence is a mecca, pardon the pun, for some great kebab, falafel, shawarma, etc. If I pick a best place to go in Rhode Island someone will sucker punch me for not choosing their favorite. I’m going to keep it closer to home. Hidden away in a plaza on Route 6/State Road in Dartmouth is the Middle East Hot Pocket. It’s been there or a number of years and still feels like a best kept secret. They make a Chicken Shawarma plate or wrap that is life changing. While chicken is not the traditional way Shawarma is served, the seasonings and sauce are. Typically shawarma is a variety of meats, chicken, beef, lamb, or other meats stacked atop one another and placed on a skewer or spit. It then rotates on a grill that slowly cooks the seasoned meat to perfection. It is then sliced off into a pita or solo and served with sides.

The way it is done at the Middle East Hot Pocket is small chunks of chicken are grilled on high heat so there is a slight char on the outside that seals the juices inside. The chicken is marinated in yogurt, paprika, vinegar, salt, pepper, cardamom, allspice, garlic, pinch of ginger, nutmeg, and a bit of lemon juice. When it’s perfectly cooked, it is drizzled with the iconic tahini (Sesame) sauce. You can get the plate with two sides and I always get the tabbouleh and chick pea salad. I can’t imagine life without Shawarma and while I may order other sides, I can not NOT have the Shawarma when I go. Makes you happy, happy.