Shapiro’s Cafe

I only ever get one thing here: falafel on pita with hot sauce. It’s pretty delicious and maybe one day I’ll convince myself to order something different. But man is that some good falafel.
People who work here are nice and it’s cheap and the food is great. What more could you ask for?

The staff and customer service is incredible and the food is even better! Their matzo ball soup and chicken kabob platters are the best. The amount of food you get for the price you pay is pretty awesome as well. Definitely check out Shapiro’s if you’re in the city because their menu is pretty spectacular.

Amazing customer service. Went in there once and they remembered me months later. Owner is super friendly. Best falafel ever — I take everyone I know here! Beware the hot sauce — it’s super spicy, so get it on the side if you’re not into that.

I think they definitely deserve 5 stars, just for their falafel. This is actually the place that I had my first falafel, and I have realized that I did not give them enough credit until I started trying other falafel places. Their falafel beats-​by far-​every other falafel places I tried, even better than Mama’s Vegetarian in Philly, where people literally line-​up to eat. Their falafel is fried fresh on the spot, and it is even better enclosed in Pita bread. I also ordered their sweet potato fries on the side, and these were perfectly crispy and delicious. I have to add though, be super careful with their spicy sauce– it is spicy as heck! I usually handle spices very well, so I asked them to put some in my sandwich, and I thought I lit my esophagus on fire. Please, get them on the side, and don’t make the same mistake I made. Otherwise, excellent and super affordable falafel, and looking forward to trying their other items as well!

I had a bed experience in this café. Their shawarma platter was so dry and the cashier was not friendly. So I would give them 2 stars because of that.

Shapiros has delicious Mediterranean food — veggie kebabs are wonderful, the pita is excellent, everything is fresh and nicely spiced.

I’ve become a fan of Shapiro’s pita-​encased selections. The chicken kabab is excellent and the beef shawarma and falafels are a close second. The hot sauce is clutch. Haven’t tried any of the breakfast/​brunch options or the juice bar, but it looks I’ll have to give those a shot next time.
I like the layout. It’s an open kitchen and you’ll be able to see the friendly staff preparing your food. There’s seating upstairs, bar/​window seats downstairs, and if weather permits, some tables outside.

Love love love it!
Katie and Tommy are awesome! Best juice bar in Baltimore and I’m addicted to their grilled cheeses!!!

Excellent! What a nice surprise. This fairly unassuming property on Preston street doesn’t exactly pull you in, but the aroma from the kitchen might. I love diners, and this place has something unmistakably diner about its diverse menu and service style. I tried a Middle Eastern dish, the chicken kebab, and it was amazing! The setup is a little confusing for first time visitors, but really not too much. You enter on the basement level to place your order then choose from one of several seating rooms and outdoor space where your food will be brought to you. Though I went at lunch time when the place was jumping, the staff had no problem entertaining my questions about the menu in the most cheerful and friendly way. That means a lot. The kitchen is open, so you can see what’s going on. Everyone there clearly takes pride in what they are doing and the product that is served. I’m local in the neighborhood, and am so happy to have Shapiro’s in my repertoire of eateries!

Falafels are DELICIOUS, fresh, vegan friendly. Pita also tastes fresh and homemade. Guy working who made my falafel was very sweet. Will definitely be back!

The chicken shish kabob pita is where it’s at. Definitely add the hot sauce if you’re into spicy things– it adds a nice kick. I especially like that they add a nice layer of creamy hummus in their nicely toasted pita. So good! I will agree with others that the meat in the beef shawarma pita was a bit on the firm side, but delicious nonetheless. The chicken is always cooked perfectly and it is always incredibly filling and a great price. The people behind the counter have always been friendly and attentive when I’ve come in. This is a nice casual spot to either drop in for a quick lunch or get something to-​go!

I made a point to try the shawarma, and I was a tad disappointed. The beef was extremely tough/​overcooked, but the salad, hummus, and bread were flavorful. I also requested no hot sauce after hearing the server describe its intensity to the customers before me. I was shocked when I took my first bite and had to stop due to the heat.
This places seems to have good variety and good intentions, but it’s just ok for me.

I’m specifically reviewing their juice bar and coffee. The juices are PRICEY but DELICIOUS. Get an iced americano — they use Zeke’s coffee!

Fast friendly service. Up to date menu. Reasonable prices. Falafel was soo good. I got the platter that had rice. The rice was dry. Next time I’ll be safe and get the pita

The middle eastern food is the best.
I got a chicken Shawarma it was great and the spicy sauce made it even better.
The service is good.

Nice people. good food. nothing fancy. hits the spot for a quick bite. go downstairs for pick up

Great matzoh ball soup that seemed to have a touch of cinnamon. Very friendly service.

I have been to Sharpiro’s a good number of times, but its been a minute since i last went there, probably 3 plus years ago. I was feeling for a shawarma so i went through to grab a quick lunch. The Shawarma was ok, they usually add some hot sauce to the shawarma per your request, but the hot sauce that i remembered was liberal in serving and wasnt too hot this time around. The Shawarma itself was packed and loaded no joke on that front, its just that it was ok, nothing spectacular that i used to remember. I ordered fries as well those were good. Also FYI, when you check in on Unilocal you get a coke. To me its a 3.5, and will go there every now and then. Service was friendly and efficient.

Oh. My. Guh!!! Now, the only reason I am holding back a star, is because I’ve only had the Shwarma pita, and matzo ball Shoup. There’s more to explore, yet… and my intrepid spirit will really come in handy in what can seem to outsiders as a too culturally, diverse scene in B’more…I overheard one woman say to another; «homeless next to Starbucks? So shady!» My inner monologue had been hitting the snooze button and I started laughing out loud. Even if you don’t have change to spare, at least give a smile!
And Scene!
The matzo ball soup was pretty good. There was a great texture to the matzo «dumplings» (I just don’t want to inflame fellow gutter minds), though I felt a bit more chicken and two dumplings in the large size would have been nice. The stock for the soup was walking a very tight line of being too thin, but the mirepoix flavours were really lovely. Overall, I’ll be getting it again!
On to what I now affectionately call «The Beast in the East! Shawarma in a pita, loaded with Israeli salad (a cool cucumber tomato, lemon and herbs mixture) which adds wonderful crunch, the shawarma is tender, very flavourful, and just the right amount of carnivorous pleasure. Add to this hot sauce, hummus, and yoghurt dressing, and a state of umami is nearly achieved! It is bordering on sending all from the room, cueing Barry White in your itunes and just revelling in this beast of a sammich!
Next on the list is breakkie, the rueben, a corned beef on rye with spicy brown mustard, knishes, mezze, and all their spectacular looking juices… and best of all, as I get to know them better… that’s when off menu items get created, and they are usually insanely good!
I’m reserving that final star until I have pursued this place in-depth…but I am sold!

I had to put down my sandwich and write this review before I forgot again. It was tough… finishing that puppy in one fell swoop is a race I win damn near every time.
I live next to this place and it has been my savior thrice-​weekly for the past 2 months or so. I can’t speak on the «downstairs food» (which is what I call anything that isn’t breakfast or liquid) but the breakfast sandwiches, juices, and smoothies are THE BEST. The sandwiches are STACKED– they do not play. The egg, avo, tomato, cheese? Ya I think it’s like $ 4 and there’s definitely 70−100% of a whole avocado on there. The powerhouse? $ 3.50??? Get outta town!– get in my belly, more like. The juices are delicious and also extremely reasonable, and basically it all adds up to a delicious power-​breakfast that I am «guilt-​free» about in every way. The employees over there are very nice, the atmosphere is mild and welcoming… it’s all good.
5 BIG stars from me– but I can’t speak on their «real» food (everyone knows breakfast food is all that matters anyways).
I wish you guys were open earlier/​later/​sundays.. .. . Allthetime.