Sincerely Syria/Hollywood Shawarma

If we had to pick one shawarma in LA to reign supreme over its cone-shaped kin, it’s the mixed lamb and beef combo from Sincerely Syria. Thinly sliced and tender as filet mignon, each juicy slice is rich with a peppery potpourri of spices. But the real magic is how the whole thing comes together in the pan-grilled wrap—the tender shavings of meat are coated in nutty tahini for a combination that literally melts in your mouth. Sincerely Syria also makes fantastic chicken shawarma, and if you’re hungry, you could probably finish one of each in a sitting. This counter-service operation has a takeout window right along the Walk of Fame, with a couple of stools and tables scattered across the sidewalk. It's also open to at least 1am daily (and until 3am on weekends), making it one of LA's best late-night dining options to boot. If you can't make it to Hollywood, there's a second location in Sherman Oaks.

photo credit: Nikko Duren