New Middle Eastern Street Food Stall Opens at Pier 57

Market 57 at Pier 57 is welcoming Shawarma & Co., a new Middle Eastern street food stall that celebrates the flavors of Damascus, opening tomorrow. This venture is spearheaded by Eat Offbeat, a New York culinary collective that partners with refugee and immigrant chefs, with Syrian-born chef Diaa Alhanoune taking the lead. Alhanoune's shawarma, a staple of his hometown, is prepared with slow-roasted, spice-marinated meat, served either in wraps or as plated meals, and is complemented by recipes from other chefs within the Eat Offbeat community.

The menu at Shawarma & Co. also features Afghan-inspired sides, Sri Lankan spices, and Venezuelan desserts, showcasing the diverse backgrounds of the contributing chefs. Each dish is accompanied by the name of the chef who created it, adding a personal touch to the dining experience.

This opening signifies a new direction for Eat Offbeat, which has been dedicated to creating job opportunities for refugee and immigrant chefs since its inception in 2017. Co-founder Manal Kahi emphasized that Shawarma & Co. represents more than just a new location; it marks a new chapter in their mission to foster visible entrepreneurial pathways for chefs. Kahi noted that Alhanoune's shawarma has been a central part of their kitchen for years, making this stall a natural progression.

Shawarma & Co. joins a diverse array of food offerings at Market 57, which has become a launchpad for emerging food businesses, particularly those owned by women and BIPOC. The food hall, curated by Jamestown with input from the James Beard Foundation, features a variety of cuisines, from Filipino pastries to Indian street food, all under one roof.

The stall officially opens on Friday, June 26, at Market 57, located at Pier 57 on West 15th Street and the West Side Highway. The food hall operates daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.