Chicken vs. Beef Shawarma in the Valley | Bigi Awasaana

The best halal shawarma in the San Fernando Valley is at Bigi Awasaana, located at 18411 Victory Blvd in Reseda. Serving 100% Zabiha Halal chicken shawarma ($11.99) and beef shawarma ($14.99), each wrap is carved fresh from marinated meats, rolled in warm flatbread with scratch sauces, and griddle-toasted to order. For a full overview of dishes and traditions, explore our complete guide to Afghan food in Los Angeles.

Few street eats inspire stronger loyalty in Los Angeles than a properly crafted shawarma wrap. For decades, the ancient Silk Road trading routes connected Central Asia, Persia, and the Levant, exchanging culinary traditions, fragrant spices, and slow-stacked roasting methods. Today on Victory Boulevard in Reseda, that heritage comes alive in every hand-rolled wrap we send across the counter.

Yet too many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fast-food spots across the San Fernando Valley cut corners. They slice commercial pre-processed meat logs into warmers, douse them in mayo-heavy dressings, and serve soggy, lukewarm wraps that fall apart before you take three bites. At Bigi Awasaana, we do things the traditional way: raw whole muscle cuts, overnight marination in hand-crushed spices, live carving, scratch-made garlic toum, and a final sear on a screaming-hot flat top so every wrap reaches you crispy, piping hot, and structurally tight.

Bigi Awasaana's signature street wraps — hand-rolled with 100% Zabiha Halal meats, fresh vegetables, and scratch sauces, pressed golden crisp on the flat-top.

What Is Real Silk Road Shawarma (And Why Does Hand-Carving Matter)?

The word shawarma originates from the Ottoman Turkish word çevirme, meaning "to turn." Traditionally, layers of freshly butchered, marinated meats are stacked onto a vertical spit and slowly rotated before an open flame. As the outer layers roast and caramelize, the master carver uses a razor-sharp knife to shave ultra-thin ribbons of sizzling, tender meat directly into warm flatbread.

The difference between real hand-carved shawarma and commercial processed meat is night and day:

• Whole Muscle Cuts: We use real, hand-trimmed Zabiha Halal chicken thighs and beef sirloin/thigh—never mechanically separated meat, binders, or artificial emulsifiers.
• Crispy Char with Juicy Interior: Slicing straight from the hot caramelized edge provides the sought-after contrast between crisp roasted edges and rich, tender meat.
• Aromatic Spicing: Real shawarma marinades require crushed coriander, whole cardamom, ground sumac, turmeric, cumin, minced garlic, and citrus juices that penetrate deep into the fibers.

Chicken vs. Beef Shawarma: Which One Should You Order?

Diners standing at our register at 18411 Victory Blvd frequently ask us which wrap to choose. While both wraps are built on strict 100% Zabiha Halal sourcing and warm toasted flatbread, their flavor profiles cater to distinct cravings:

1. Bigi's Chicken Shawarma Wrap ($11.99 | Meal $14.99): Garlic Toum & Citrus Spice

If you love bright, savory, garlic-forward profiles, Bigi's Chicken Shawarma Wrap ($11.99) is an unbeatable favorite. We select tender, dark-meat chicken thighs and marinate them overnight in whole milk yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, turmeric, coriander, and warm white pepper. The yogurt enzymes tenderize the meat, ensuring that even under scorching griddle heat, each carved morsel remains exceptionally moist.

We spread freshly whipped garlic toum across warm flatbread, add the hot carved chicken, and tuck in tangy pickled wild cucumbers, chopped parsley, and a splash of our signature cilantro chutney. It is rolled tight and kissed by the flat-top grill until the bread develops golden toasted grill marks. Upgrade to the Chicken Shawarma Meal ($14.99) to add a basket of hot, golden fries and a chilled fountain drink.

2. Bigi's Beef Shawarma Wrap ($14.99 | Meal $16.99): Sumac, Tahini & Slow-Roasted Beef

Craving deeper, richer, savory umami? Bigi's Beef Shawarma Wrap ($14.99) is engineered for meat purists. We stack thin cuts of 100% Zabiha Halal beef thigh and sirloin steeped in an aromatic bath of olive oil, red wine vinegar, allspice, ground cloves, nutmeg, sumac, and crushed cumin seeds.

When carved, the beef offers an intense earthy savoriness. Inside the wrap, we complement the rich beef with a drizzle of nutty, lemon-spiked sesame tahini, thinly sliced red onions rubbed with tart wild sumac, fresh tomato slices, and brined pickles. It delivers an unmistakably robust Silk Road bite that keeps diners returning from across Tarzana, Woodland Hills, and Encino. Upgrade to the Beef Shawarma Meal ($16.99) for seasoned fries and a beverage.

Bigi's Bolani ($7.99) — pan-seared potato and leek flatbread with spicy cilantro chutney, the classic shareable to pair with your shawarma wrap.

The Secrets Behind Bigi Awasaana's Shawarma Wrapping Technique

A great shawarma is not just about the meat—it is about structural integrity and sauce distribution. Nothing ruins lunch faster than a wrap that leaks sauce all over your lap on your drive down Victory Blvd. Here is how our kitchen ensures perfection:

The Overnight Spice Marinade

We never toss cold spices onto plain meat on the grill. All meats marinate for a minimum of 18 hours in our cold prep kitchen. This allows the spices, garlic, and citrus marinades to break down muscle fibers and distribute flavor evenly throughout every bite.

Scratch-Made Garlic Toum & Herbaceous Chutney

Commercial mayonnaise has no place on genuine shawarma. We whip authentic garlic toum using fresh garlic cloves, salt, lemon juice, and oil until it forms a creamy, cloud-like emulsion with a sharp garlic punch. We also prepare fresh cilantro-mint chutney daily with fresh serrano peppers for guests who crave a kick of heat.

The Double Griddle Press & Charred Crust

Once assembled, the wrap is placed onto our heavy griddle under a seasoned cast-iron weight. The direct heat melts the toum into the meat, crisps the outer seam of the flatbread so it never unravels, and gives the exterior a delicate toasted crunch.

Chicken Shawarma vs. Beef Shawarma: Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare the two wraps side by side to pick the right one for your meal today:

Verified Menu Breakdown: Shawarma Wraps, Meals & Street Sides

Every single item and price below is verified live from Bigi Awasaana's real-time ordering system:

Where to Find Fresh Halal Shawarma in the San Fernando Valley

You can pick up fresh shawarma wraps daily at Bigi Awasaana, located at 18411 Victory Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335, positioned at the prominent corner of Victory Blvd and Reseda Blvd right across from Reseda Park.

Thanks to our central location on Victory Blvd, we are an easy drive from all surrounding neighborhoods:

• From Tarzana: Drive 5 minutes north on Reseda Blvd past the 101 Freeway straight to Victory Blvd.
• From Northridge & CSUN: Head south along Reseda Blvd for 7 minutes (just 2.5 miles).
• From Woodland Hills & Warner Center: Cruise 8 minutes east down Victory Blvd with zero highway traffic.
• From Encino & Sherman Oaks: Take Balboa Blvd or Louise Ave north to Victory Blvd and head west—under 10 minutes drive.
• From Lake Balboa & Van Nuys: Drive straight west along Victory Blvd past Woodley Park.

Best of all, you never have to search for parking. Pull right up to our storefront parking stalls, grab your warm order in 15 minutes or less, and head on your way.

Dinner Pickup, Late-Night Feasts & Group Catering

Whether you need a quick desk lunch, a hearty dinner after the gym, or late-night street food with friends, Bigi Awasaana keeps the griddle hot until 10:30 PM Monday through Saturday.

Hosting an office lunch or family gathering? We pack massive catering trays filled with sliced shawarma wraps, charcoal kabob skewers, seasoned rice, and Bolani platters. Check out our Halal Catering in Los Angeles page or visit our specials page for party bundle savings.