Scott’s Shawarma serving up new spot in Jackson Ward

The space has formerly been home to Lucy’s Reserve and Sincero. (Mike Platania photo)

A year after relocating from Scott’s Addition to the Fan, a local Middle Eastern eatery is adding a new outpost elsewhere in the city. 

Scott’s Shawarma is preparing to open at 404 N. Second St. in Jackson Ward. 

It’s the latest move for owner Mahmoud Farah, who opened Scott’s Shawarma in Scott’s Addition in 2022 within the Scott’s Provisions corner store at 1400 Roseneath Road. Early last year he moved that location to Robinson Street in the Fan and has been serving spit-cooked meat in shawarma sandwiches, kebabs and more. 

Mahmoud Farah

Farah, who started his restaurant career in New York City, said demand at the Robinson Street spot drove him to seek out a second location. 

“It’s been crazy busy. Sometimes we can’t even handle it over here,” Farah said, noting that the business serves mostly takeout on Robinson Street. The Second Street space, which came available when Mexican concept Sincero closed last fall after about a year in Jackson Ward, has seating for over 50 people – over three times the capacity of the Robinson Street space. 

Farah said the Jackson Ward location will keep the Scott’s Shawarma name and menu. He’s also planning to bring in a charcoal grill and offer barbecued whole and half chickens. 

“We’re going to do the real charcoal thing. That’s what I used to do in New York,” Farah said. 

He said the additional space also will allow him to expand Scott’s Shawarma’s catering operation and put in a juice bar, where he’ll serve such drinks as fresh lemonade and apple juice. 

Farah recently inked a lease for the 1,700-square-foot space, with Sperity Real Estate Ventures’ Nathan Hughes working the deal. The building is owned by Jason and Amanda Lucy, the restaurant couple who operated their namesake restaurant there from 2014 to 2023. 

The Robinson Street Scott’s Shawarma will remain open, but Farah said he’s planning to close his existing second location, in a Mobil gas station on Glenside Drive. 

He said he’s hoping to open in Jackson Ward in two to three months.