Build Your Bowl Guide: Step-by-Step at Taza
At Taza, every bowl is built your way. Choose your base, pick your protein, load up on 14 fresh toppings, and finish with our signature sauces. No two bowls are the same — and that is exactly the point.
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Start with Your Foundation
Every great bowl begins with the right base. Choose the one that matches your mood, your diet, and your appetite.
Basmati Rice
Fluffy, long-grain basmati rice steamed to perfection and lightly seasoned. This is the most popular base at Taza, and for good reason. The grains stay separate and absorb the juices from your protein and sauces beautifully. If you want a hearty, filling bowl that keeps you satisfied for hours, start with rice.
Mixed Greens
A bed of crisp, fresh mixed greens that adds crunch and lightness to your bowl. This is the go-to base for anyone looking to keep things light or low-carb without sacrificing flavor. The greens provide a cool, refreshing contrast to warm, spit-roasted proteins. Perfect for a healthy Mediterranean meal any day of the week.
Hummus Base
A generous layer of our house-made hummus serves as the creamy, protein-rich foundation of your bowl. Made fresh daily from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic, this base adds an extra dimension of richness and depth. It pairs exceptionally well with falafel or chicken shawarma and eliminates the need for additional dipping sauces.
14 Fresh Toppings, Unlimited
Every bowl at Taza comes with your choice of toppings from our fresh bar — no extra charge.
Add Your Protein
Three options, all exceptional. Each protein is prepared fresh using traditional methods that have been perfected over generations.
Chicken Shawarma
from $12.45Our chicken shawarma is marinated in a blend of garlic, lemon, and warm spices, then spit-roasted on a vertical rotisserie until the edges caramelize and the meat is impossibly tender. Each slice is carved to order, ensuring you get the perfect ratio of crispy exterior to juicy interior. The flavor is bold yet balanced, pairing beautifully with every topping on the bar. This is our most popular bowl protein for a reason.
Beef Shawarma
from $12.45Premium cuts of beef are layered with onions and spices, then slow-roasted on the vertical spit for hours until deeply caramelized and fall-apart tender. The result is rich, savory, and aromatic, with a depth of flavor that comes only from traditional spit-roasting. Beef shawarma brings a hearty, substantial quality to your bowl that satisfies even the biggest appetites. Pair it with tahini and pickled turnips for the classic Levantine experience.
Falafel
from $10.45Our falafel is made from scratch daily using dried chickpeas that are soaked overnight, then blended with fresh herbs, onions, and spices before being fried to a golden, crispy exterior with a bright green interior. Each piece is crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, delivering a satisfying texture in every bite. Falafel is the perfect plant-based protein option for vegetarian, vegan, and health-conscious diners. At $10.45, it is also the most affordable bowl on the menu.
Customize with 14 Fresh Toppings
This is where your bowl becomes yours. Every topping is cut fresh daily and included at no extra charge.
Your Toppings, Explained
The topping bar at Taza is divided into categories that let you build balance into every bowl. Start with the fresh vegetables: crisp lettuce provides the foundation layer of crunch, ripe tomatoes add sweetness and acidity, cool cucumbers bring refreshing moisture, and thinly sliced onions deliver a sharp bite that cuts through rich proteins. Together, these four vegetables form the backbone of any well-built Mediterranean bowl.
Next come the fresh herbs. Mint adds a cool, aromatic lift that pairs beautifully with falafel and lamb, while parsley brings an earthy, peppery freshness that rounds out the flavor profile. These herbs are what separate a good bowl from an authentic Mediterranean experience.
The pickled items — pickles, black olives, and turnips — are where bold, tangy flavors live. Pickled turnips, stained bright pink with beetroot, are a Levantine staple that adds crunch and acidity. Black olives deliver brininess and depth. Standard pickles round out the trio with their classic vinegar tang. These toppings are essential for adding complexity to your bowl.
Finally, the sauces and dip bases tie everything together. Tahini sauce is nutty and tangy, garlic mayo is rich and punchy, and olive oil dressing adds a light herbal finish. For an extra-creamy base layer, add hummus or baba ghanoush directly to your bowl. These are not just condiments — they are the finishing touch that transforms a collection of ingredients into a cohesive, delicious meal.
The Finishing Touch
The right sauce can make or break a bowl. Here are the four options that bring everything together.
Tahini Sauce
Our tahini is made from pure ground sesame seeds blended with lemon juice and a touch of garlic. It is nutty, tangy, and slightly bitter in the best way. Tahini is the quintessential Mediterranean sauce and pairs well with every protein.
Garlic Mayo
A creamy, punchy garlic sauce that has become a signature at Taza. Rich and bold, this sauce adds a garlicky kick that transforms any bowl into something unforgettable. Our customers add it to almost everything.
Olive Oil Dressing
A light, herbaceous drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil blended with dried herbs and a hint of lemon. It brings freshness and brightness to your bowl without overwhelming the other flavors. Ideal for lighter bowls built on mixed greens.
Hot Sauce
For those who like a kick, our house hot sauce brings balanced heat without masking the flavor of your protein and toppings. Add a little for warmth or go heavy if you can handle the heat. Completely optional but highly recommended.
Staff Favorites
Not sure where to start? These are the four most popular bowl combinations, tested and approved by the Taza team.
The Classic
Staff PickRice base loaded with chicken shawarma, all the fresh vegetables from the topping bar, and a generous double drizzle of tahini and garlic mayo. This is the bowl our staff eats on break. It is comforting, filling, and hits every flavor note you want from a Mediterranean meal.
The Green Machine
Vegan FavoriteMixed greens piled high with crispy falafel, cool cucumbers, fresh mint and parsley, and a light olive oil dressing. This is clean eating at its finest. Every bite is fresh, crunchy, and full of herbaceous Mediterranean flavor.
The Protein Packed
High ProteinRice topped with beef shawarma, extra falafel pieces, a hummus spread, and tahini sauce. This bowl is built for serious appetites and post-workout recovery. The combination of beef, chickpea falafel, and hummus delivers over 50 grams of protein.
The Explorer
AdventurousHummus base with chicken shawarma, pickled turnips, crunchy pickles, black olives, and garlic mayo. This bowl is for anyone who loves bold, tangy, and briny flavors. The hummus base adds creaminess while the pickled vegetables bring acidity and bite.
Bowls for Every Diet
No matter your dietary needs, there is a Taza bowl for you. Here is how to build the perfect bowl for every preference.
| Dietary Need | Recommended Bowl | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Any base + any protein + fresh toppings | Naturally gluten-free — rice, greens, and all proteins are GF |
| Vegan | Mixed greens or hummus + falafel + vegetables + tahini | Fully plant-based with complete protein from chickpeas |
| High-Protein | Rice + double protein + add falafel pieces ($0.85 each) | Stack proteins for 50g+ per bowl with falafel add-ons |
| Low-Carb | Mixed greens + any protein + light on sauces | Skip the rice, load up on protein and fresh vegetables |
| Halal | Every bowl — all proteins are halal certified | 100% halal menu, no exceptions, no cross-contamination |
| Kid-Friendly | Rice + chicken shawarma + mild toppings | Kids menu option available from $7.95 with smaller portions |
Why Build a Bowl at Taza?
There are plenty of places to get a bowl. Here is what makes Taza different.
Freshness You Can See
Every ingredient on our topping bar is cut and prepared fresh daily. Our vegetables are never pre-packaged or held overnight. When you look at the topping bar, you are looking at produce that arrived that morning. Freshness is not a marketing word at Taza — it is literally our name.
Thousands of Combinations
With 3 bases, 3 proteins, 14 toppings, and 4 sauces, the number of possible bowl combinations at Taza is in the thousands. You could eat here every day for a year and never have the exact same bowl twice. Your bowl, your rules — every single time.
Generous Portions, Fair Prices
Bowls start from just $10.45, and every bowl comes packed with a generous portion of protein and unlimited toppings. You are not paying extra for tomatoes or a drizzle of tahini. The price you see is the price you pay, and the portion you get is always more than you expect.
Mediterranean Health Principles
The Mediterranean diet is consistently ranked among the healthiest in the world, and Taza bowls embody its core principles: fresh vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats from olive oil and tahini, and whole ingredients with minimal processing. Eating well has never tasted this good.
Bowl Building FAQ
Bowls at Taza start from $10.45 for a falafel bowl and $12.45 for chicken or beef shawarma bowls. All bowls come with your choice of base (rice, mixed greens, or hummus), your selected protein, and unlimited toppings from our 14-item fresh bar at no extra charge.
Absolutely. Choose mixed greens or hummus as your base, add crispy falafel as your protein, load up on fresh vegetables, herbs, and pickled items, then finish with tahini sauce or olive oil dressing. Every component is 100% plant-based. Our falafel is made from chickpeas, herbs, and spices with no dairy or egg.
Yes, our bowls are naturally gluten-free when you choose rice or mixed greens as your base. All proteins — chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and falafel — are gluten-free, as are all 14 toppings. We do serve pita bread and shrak on the side, so let our team know about any allergies.
Unlimited. Every bowl at Taza comes with your choice of toppings from our 14-item fresh bar at no additional charge. You can add as many or as few toppings as you like. From fresh lettuce and tomatoes to pickled turnips and black olives, everything is included in the price of your bowl.
Yes. You can add extra falafel pieces to any bowl at just $0.85 per piece. This is a great way to boost the protein content of your bowl, especially if you want to combine falafel with chicken or beef shawarma for a double-protein bowl.
Yes, Taza delivers through DoorDash, Uber Eats, and our own online ordering system for pickup. You can order your custom bowl online at our website, choose pickup or delivery, and have your freshly built bowl ready when you arrive or delivered straight to your door in the Falls Church area.
The Complete Guide to Building Your Mediterranean Bowl at Taza
The bowl has become one of the most popular ways to eat in America, and for good reason. A well-built bowl gives you complete control over your meal — you choose the base, the protein, the toppings, and the sauces, creating something that is perfectly tailored to your taste and dietary needs. At Taza Shawarma & Falafel in Falls Church, Virginia, we have taken the bowl concept and elevated it with authentic Mediterranean ingredients, traditional cooking methods, and a commitment to freshness that sets us apart from every chain restaurant in the area.
What makes a Taza bowl different from a bowl at a national chain? It starts with the protein. Our chicken shawarma and beef shawarma are not pre-cooked, reheated, or pulled from a steam tray. They are marinated with traditional spice blends, stacked on a vertical rotisserie, and slow-roasted for hours until every slice has that distinctive combination of crispy, caramelized edges and tender, juicy interior. This is real shawarma, prepared the same way it has been made across the Levant for centuries. You can see the spit turning as you walk in, and your meat is carved to order right in front of you.
Our falafel is equally authentic. We start with dried chickpeas — never canned — that are soaked overnight, then ground fresh with herbs, onions, and spices. Each ball is formed and fried to order, giving you that satisfying crunch that you simply cannot get from pre-made or frozen falafel. For vegetarians and vegans looking for a plant-based bowl near Falls Church, our falafel bowl is one of the best options in Northern Virginia.
The bowl-building experience at Taza is designed to give you maximum customization without any upcharge for toppings. When you order a bowl, you start by choosing your base — fluffy basmati rice for a hearty meal, crisp mixed greens for a lighter option, or creamy house-made hummus for something rich and protein-packed. Then you pick your protein, and finally, you move to our 14-item fresh topping bar where everything is included in the price. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mint, parsley, pickles, black olives, turnips, tahini sauce, garlic mayo, olive oil dressing, hummus, and baba ghanoush — all of it, as much as you want, at no additional cost.
This approach to bowl building is rooted in the Mediterranean dining tradition, where meals are meant to be shared, customized, and savored. Unlike fast-casual chains that charge extra for premium toppings or limit you to three or four choices, Taza treats toppings as an essential part of the experience. The result is a Mediterranean bowl that is genuinely yours — built to your exact specifications every single time.
For those following specific diets, our bowls are remarkably accommodating. Every bowl can be made gluten-free by choosing rice or greens as your base. Vegan diners can build a completely plant-based bowl with falafel, vegetables, and tahini. Our proteins are 100% halal, sourced from certified halal suppliers with no exceptions. And for anyone watching their macros, the ability to choose exactly what goes into your bowl means you can hit your nutritional targets without compromising on taste.
Location matters, too. Taza is situated at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041, making us easily accessible from Seminary Road, Leesburg Pike, and the surrounding neighborhoods of Falls Church, Bailey's Crossroads, and Seven Corners. Whether you are a George Mason University student looking for a quick, affordable meal between classes, a Pentagon employee grabbing lunch on the go, or a family in the Falls Church area searching for the best food in Falls Church, Taza is here to serve you seven days a week from 11:00 AM to midnight.
We also make it easy to enjoy Taza bowls wherever you are. Order online through our website for pickup, or get your bowl delivered through DoorDash and Uber Eats. Our catering service can bring the full Taza bowl-building experience to your office, event, or party, complete with the topping bar and sauces. It is one of the most popular halal catering options in Northern Virginia.
The bottom line is this: a bowl is only as good as the ingredients that go into it. At Taza, every ingredient is selected for quality, prepared with care, and served with the kind of generosity that keeps our customers coming back week after week. Whether you are building your first bowl or your hundredth, we invite you to experience the Taza difference. Fresh bases, real spit-roasted proteins, unlimited toppings, and sauces that bring it all together — this is how a Mediterranean bowl is meant to be built.
Ready to build yours? Visit us at Taza Shawarma & Falafel in Falls Church, order online for pickup, or browse our full menu to explore everything we offer. From vegan-friendly falafel bowls to loaded shawarma platters, your perfect bowl is waiting at Taza.
Start Building Your Perfect Bowl
Three bases, three proteins, fourteen toppings, four sauces — your perfect Mediterranean bowl is waiting at Taza. Order online for pickup or delivery, or visit us in Falls Church.