Mazaj Mediterrainian Cusine

With so many 5-​star ratings, I guess I was kind of hyping myself up for this place to be a shawarmatopia. What I found instead after two visits was that it’s a great, hole-​in-​the-​wall local shawarma joint that offers reasonably priced, decent food. I had a ton of shawarma when I lived in montreal, and this compares about average in terms of price and quality, which is just fine by my books.
I’ve tried the beef shawarma and mazaj platter. Overall, the balance is good, but I liked the shawarma much better than the platter. I would not mind a bit more flavor either in the beef or the sauce (either way, it’s going to be a messy experience requiring lots of napkins).
A huge plus for me is the (couple?) that run the place — seems like a husband and wife. Both are very cheerful, chatty, and really give it a home-​made feel. Based solely on the quality of the food, this is a pretty average, 3-​star joint — but the atmosphere, the proximity to where I work, and the price all definitely make this a 4-​star location on the whole. Worth checking out, and great to grab a bite when passing by on a workday, but I wouldn’t come out of my way for it.

Nothing lavish but shawarma sandwich generous, very tasty, reasonable price, cleanliness and service with a smile. What more to expect for a quick lunch. On basis of quality/​price deserves fully a ⁵⁄₅.

These guys have been making amazing shwarmas for the past 6 – 7 years. My favorite place in the city.

Came here after the gym and I discovered that it’s amazing! It’s so clean in here and turns out it’s a hidden gem, the food is wonderful and beautiful and healthy :)

Very good and healthy shawarmas… I really liked them! In addition the service is very fast and the location is very convenient… This place is recommended for a quick, healthy and good tasting lunch!

Hidden gem is the best way to describe this place. I don’t think you’d ever notice it if you don’t work in the area. However, you *have* to check this place out. This place is delicious. A co-​worker recommended it to me for the beef shawarma but I ended up getting falafel and a potato pie. My friend got the tabouli.
Everything was incredibly tasty. I was commenting to my friend that my problem with falafel is that many places have a good mix, but they over fry. That means you get these rock hard patties and a bitter taste. Mazaj knows how to do it right. They are seriously delicious and perfectly fried. The other side dishes are also excellent, and they soak the meat after they take it off of the spit in order to keep it moist.
The portions are huge. I was full off of the potato and half of the falafel. That just meant I had some for later. :-)
Either way, you really need to check this place out — it is actually on the same level of the shawarma that I use to get when I was in Egypt.

This hidden gem tucked beside Scotia Center is one of my favorites. I love the traditional pita and the fresh toppings. Great family run lunch spot. I wish I was in that part of town more often.

Great food, great service. Shawarmas are made fresh in front of your eyes. The idea of crisping it on the panini grill and using thinner wraps is excellent. The «other» shawarma places use thicker wraps so they end up soggy and doughy. Mazaj also have the combination of ingredients just right so the balance between vegetable, meat and wrap is perfect.
I go here at least once a week when I am downtown and have never had a bad meal. I have also taken friends there who grew up in the Middle East and they all agree that Mazaj is totally authentic and delicious. Incidentally my friend tells me the name means something like «naughty or mischievous boy» in Arabic.
If you are a newbie go for the chicken shawarma on the white wrap (forget the diet this once). Also let them make it with everything the first time and then decide if it needs adjusting on your next visit. Yes, let them put the hot sauce on. It won’t be too spicy.

Mazaj is my new go to place for shawarma, falaffel, and hummus. I finally tried it two weeks ago after a friend had recommended it. I love their chicken shawarma sandwich. They wrap it slightly differently so the pita is more of a flat rectangle and the pita is crisped up on the panini grill. I really like the texture of the crispy pita. The texture and the flavours of the falaffel were spot on. I also loved the flavour of the hummus. This place is a hidden gem. I would never have tried this place if my friend hadn’t told me even though I’ve walked by it tons of times as it doesn’t look like much from the outside.