Arguably the best Shwarma in the Middle East is located on a random traffic circle in Amman, Jordan
Ask anyone who has spent some time in Amman about Restaurant Al-Reem Karam and watch their eyes light up as they describe the best shwarma Jordan has to offer and arguably the entire Middle East. “Reem as it is simply called by many Jordanians is a cultural institution both a classic date place and every bit as famous to Jordanian expats as the Kanafa places downtown.
That’s why I was pleasantly surprised when I came to Cairo and found of all things, Shawarma Al-Reem. The name is surprisingly close to the name of the Jordanian restaurant, and also thankfully close in taste to the original Jordanian outlet.
This restaurant was started by Mohamed Sabri, an Egyptian businessman who having spent some time in Amman fell in love with Reem Shwarma and decided to open a Reem-inspired restaurant in Egypt. Thus, Shwarma Al-Reem was born with a signature yellow and red-logo and “The original taste of Jordan as a slogan.
Here one can enjoy a large and delicious shwarma ranging in price from LE 7 to LE 10. falafels are under LE 3.
The first location in Heliopolis had nowhere to sit and the second in Nasr City, conveniently located a few blocks from CityStars, makes it a cheap and tasty alternative to the expensive eating options in the mall. The first location was opened two and a half years ago. The new Nasr City location was opened only six months prior.
This second location is slightly bigger and there is room to sit inside. While it would be perhaps nice to put out a few tables, there are licensing problems. It should be pointed out the original Reem in Amman has a similar problem with most patrons choosing to take the food away or sit on the hood of parked cars.
Currently the franchise is open from 11 am until 6 am. There are plans to make the Egyptian franchises like their Jordanian namesakes, a 24 hour operation. Restaurant Al-Reem also has big expansion plans as well. It wants to have eight to 10 stores in Egypt within five years. The next shop is planned for Mohandiseen. After these, the ambitions of the owner call for expansion across North Africa and into the Gulf as well.
The logo though needs a bit of a touch up, its garish red and yellow is a bit too familiar to that of MacDonald’s.
Mohamed Abdun, store manager for the Nasr City branch, thinks there is something special about the combination of spices in an Al-Reem Shwarma: the way the meat and onions are marinated. “The actual marinade is a secret though, because that is how we make Reem the best shwarma, he says with a laugh. The shwarma meat is specially prepared in the central kitchen before being shipped out to the two locations and undergoes rigorous quality control.
How does it taste? It could be the best shwarma in Cairo. Though to compare an Egyptian shwarma to a Shami (Levantine) shwarma would be to compare apples and oranges. So I decide to bring along a Lebanese-Egyptian friend to compare it to the shwarmas of Lebanon.
He loves it but is hesitant to call it the best in Cairo. “It’s really good though, he admits after a second bite.
My friend saves his most dramatic praise for the falafel. “Honestly, one of the best falafels I have had in years. Perhaps then, an even better gauge of its authentic taste is the fact that it has attracted a local following from Jordanians in Egypt.
The question to ask is if the original Reem in Jordan knows of this Egyptian impersonation. Abdun, seems unsure if the original Shwarma Reem knows. “Maybe they know he concedes with a shrug.
