Mahmoud Farah at his current location in Scott’s Addition. (Mike Platania photos)
After forging a following from behind a deli counter in Scott’s Addition, Mahmoud Farah is looking to turn his shawarma spot into a proper restaurant in the Fan.
Farah’s Scott’s Shawarma will leave its current post within the Scott’s Provisions market at 1400 Roseneath Road in favor of a new spot at 814 N. Robinson St., near West Broad Street.
A Palestinian native who got his start in restaurants in Queens, New York, Farah opened Scott’s Shawarma in early 2022 and can still be regularly found behind the counter, carving meat from a vertical spit and wrapping shawarma and falafel in pita.
Farah quickly built a loyal following, for which Farah credits his homemade sauces and marinades, along with the spices and ingredients he says his family still ships to him from Jerusalem.
“Everything we make, we make it from scratch,” he said. “Our sauces are the same way – we never buy anything so everything’s homemade.”
Earlier this year he opened a second location at 5401 Glenside Drive, which is similarly situated as a deli counter within a convenience store.
In looking to expand to bigger digs out of Scott’s Provisions, Farah said he did so in part to have room to expand his menu.
“Over here, forget about it…we can only make the shawarma and the falafel,” he said of his small spot in Scott’s Addition. “Even when we get fries orders coming in, we get stuck because the fryer we use is a small fryer.”
Capital Burgers & Dogs, a restaurant from a Belmont Pizzeria co-owner, had formerly occupied Scott’s Shawarma’s future space.
The space on North Robinson Street came available in October when Capital Burgers & Dogs closed after two years in business. With around 1,400 square feet to work with, Farah said he’ll still operate as a counter-service restaurant but with seating for about 20.
He’ll also have room to expand the menu.
“We’ll try to add a kibbeh and some kabobs to the menu,” he said.
Despite no longer being in Scott’s Addition, he said he’ll be keeping the Scott’s name and will continue operating in Scott’s Addition until opening in the Fan in early January.
The prospect of having more space for him and his staff to work is an exciting one, Farah said, adding that he’s glad to have so many people already looking forward to the grand reopening.
“It’s been great, seeing people bringing more people in and talking nicely about us,” he said.
“(The restaurant) basically is a mix-it-up. It’s a unique thing,” he said. “Like we added everything together: New York and Jerusalem, and we made Scott’s Shawarma.”
Mahmoud Farah at his current location in Scott’s Addition. (Mike Platania photos)
After forging a following from behind a deli counter in Scott’s Addition, Mahmoud Farah is looking to turn his shawarma spot into a proper restaurant in the Fan.
Farah’s Scott’s Shawarma will leave its current post within the Scott’s Provisions market at 1400 Roseneath Road in favor of a new spot at 814 N. Robinson St., near West Broad Street.
A Palestinian native who got his start in restaurants in Queens, New York, Farah opened Scott’s Shawarma in early 2022 and can still be regularly found behind the counter, carving meat from a vertical spit and wrapping shawarma and falafel in pita.
Farah quickly built a loyal following, for which Farah credits his homemade sauces and marinades, along with the spices and ingredients he says his family still ships to him from Jerusalem.
“Everything we make, we make it from scratch,” he said. “Our sauces are the same way – we never buy anything so everything’s homemade.”
Earlier this year he opened a second location at 5401 Glenside Drive, which is similarly situated as a deli counter within a convenience store.
In looking to expand to bigger digs out of Scott’s Provisions, Farah said he did so in part to have room to expand his menu.
“Over here, forget about it…we can only make the shawarma and the falafel,” he said of his small spot in Scott’s Addition. “Even when we get fries orders coming in, we get stuck because the fryer we use is a small fryer.”
Capital Burgers & Dogs, a restaurant from a Belmont Pizzeria co-owner, had formerly occupied Scott’s Shawarma’s future space.
The space on North Robinson Street came available in October when Capital Burgers & Dogs closed after two years in business. With around 1,400 square feet to work with, Farah said he’ll still operate as a counter-service restaurant but with seating for about 20.
He’ll also have room to expand the menu.
“We’ll try to add a kibbeh and some kabobs to the menu,” he said.
Despite no longer being in Scott’s Addition, he said he’ll be keeping the Scott’s name and will continue operating in Scott’s Addition until opening in the Fan in early January.
The prospect of having more space for him and his staff to work is an exciting one, Farah said, adding that he’s glad to have so many people already looking forward to the grand reopening.
“It’s been great, seeing people bringing more people in and talking nicely about us,” he said.
“(The restaurant) basically is a mix-it-up. It’s a unique thing,” he said. “Like we added everything together: New York and Jerusalem, and we made Scott’s Shawarma.”
A new food option on Robinson? Yes, please. Congrats on the move!
Sure will be nice; recently everything seemed to be tacos, tacos, and tacos!
Wow, had no idea of the outpost on Glenside. I regularly make the trip out to Scott’s Addition to pick up from their original location, the food is always on point. Best of luck to Mahmoud and the team!
This is awesome. I have been craving shawarma since I moved back to RVA a few years ago. Gonna check this place out asap!