Despite extensively covering some of the top shawarma joints in Jeddah a while back, there are still plenty of places across town that I am always discovering. Radhi Hilal Juices and Shawarma is one of these recent discoveries. It had been recommended to me by a good friend, so it was with great anticipation that I set out to try what was said to be one of Jeddah’s finest sandwiches.
Radhi Hilal caters almost exclusively to the shawarma crowd, however they also serve up various other popular dishes, including kashari, ful and grilled meats, among others. However, the shawarma is the main crowd puller here, and you won’t have to wait long for it either if you turn up in the early evening. As with most shawarma joints, on entry you pay the cashier. We ordered two chicken and two meat shawarma, a snap at SR14.
You then proceed on to the shawarma counter to hand over the meat receipt to the meat team, and chicken to those attending the rotating chunk of chicken. Both teams have their own unique system, for unlike other joints you may be familiar with the meat is not the only difference between the two sandwiches at Radhi.
The chicken shawarma comes as it does anywhere else in town: wrapped in the traditional Arabic pita bread with tahina, gherkin, and copious amounts of garlic sauce.
On the other hand the meat shawarma is unique, verging on a sandwich served in a small and freshly toasted hot dog bun before being covered in a brownish-orange sauce; though not much to look at, the taste is mouth watering — and eye watering if you can’t stomach your chili! It reminded me of a Mexican burrito, as its covered in numerous toppings as well as tahina, and the spicy curry-like sauce.
Just be sure to ask for a napkin, as wherever you choose to eat these it’s likely to get messy! Good cuts of meat and an overall decent shawarma make Radhi Hilal worth crossing town for.
Located in Al-Salamah District just off Sari Street (turn at Marhaba) the place isn’t too difficult to find on Abd Al-Rahman Bin Ahmed Al-Sudayrey St, although the sign is only in Arabic. Look for the neon lights flashing outside. - [email protected]
Tel: 698-4757 Location: Al-Salamah Dist, Abd Al-Rahman Bin Ahmed Al-Sudayrey St.
