Food Near George Mason High School
George Mason High School -- now Meridian High School -- sits right on Seminary Road in Falls Church. So does Taza Shawarma & Falafel. Students walk over after the last bell for fresh shawarma, stone-oven pies starting at $2.95, and smoothies made to order.
Families come after Friday night football games, basketball tournaments, and school concerts. The food is halal certified, the prices are honest, and we are open until midnight every single day.
After School Spot
Why Meridian High Students Pick Taza
Walkable from Campus
Taza is on Seminary Road, a straight shot from the school. Students can get here on foot in minutes. No car, no bus, no ride-sharing app needed. Just walk over after the last bell.
Prices That Fit a Student Budget
Stone-oven pies start at $2.95. A full pita sandwich costs under $10. Two friends can split a shawarma bowl and a side of hummus for less than a fast food combo meal.
Fast -- In and Out in Minutes
Our pies come straight from the oven. Pitas are assembled fresh to order. Most items are ready in under 10 minutes. Enough time to eat and still make it to practice or rehearsal.
Halal Certified
All meats at Taza are halal certified. For Muslim students and families in the Falls Church community, that means real food from a place you can trust. No guessing, no exceptions.
Actually Good Food
This is not cafeteria food or reheated fast food. The shawarma roasts on a vertical spit for hours. The falafel is fried to order. The pita comes out of the oven warm. Real ingredients, real recipes.
Room for Groups
Bringing the whole squad after school? Our dining room handles groups comfortably. Tables can be pushed together. Everyone orders what they want, and nobody has to compromise.
Top Picks
After-School Favorites
These are the items Meridian High students order the most. Every one of them is made fresh, served fast, and priced for a student budget.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
from $9.95The single most popular order from students. Marinated chicken, slow-roasted on the spit, sliced fresh and loaded into a warm pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and crisp vegetables. Filling, fast, and under ten dollars.
Zaatar Pie
$6.95The go-to snack for students on a tight budget. A freshly baked flatbread brushed with zaatar, sesame, and olive oil. Costs less than a bag of chips and tastes a hundred times better. Grab one on your way out the door.
Cheese Pie
$2.95A warm, hand-folded pastry with melted cheese inside. Simple, satisfying, and gone in four bites. Perfect for the student who wants something hot and filling without waiting.
Falafel Pita
from $8.95Crispy chickpea falafel, fried to order, loaded into house-baked pita with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickles, and tahini. A complete meal for under nine dollars. Vegetarian-friendly and packed with protein.
Chicken Tenders (3pc)
$7.95Halal chicken tenders, breaded and fried golden. Served with your choice of dipping sauce. A familiar favorite for younger students and anyone who wants something simple and satisfying.
Avocado Boost
$5.95A thick, creamy smoothie made with ripe avocado, milk, honey, and mixed nuts. Cold, filling, and way more satisfying than a soda or energy drink after a long school day.
What $5, $10, or $15 Gets You
Students at George Mason High School do not have unlimited meal budgets. We get that. Here is exactly what your money buys at Taza -- no hidden fees, no surprise charges, no mandatory tips on counter service.
Every School Occasion
From Game Day to Graduation
Meridian High runs on events -- sports, performances, dances, and award nights. Taza is right here on Seminary Road for all of them.
After the Game
Football, basketball, soccer, track -- Meridian teams play hard. After a home game, students and parents head to Taza for shawarma and pies. Our late hours mean you can come even after an evening game wraps up.
After-School Hangout
The bell rings at 3:15. By 3:30, students are at Taza ordering pies and smoothies. It is the kind of spot where you can sit with friends, eat something real, and still have money left over for the rest of the week.
Back-to-School & Homecoming
Big school events call for real food. Taza handles catering orders for homecoming dinners, team celebrations, and end-of-year parties. Call ahead and we will have platters ready when you arrive.
Drama & Music Nights
The fall play. The spring musical. Band and choir concerts. Families pour out of the auditorium hungry. Taza is right here, open late, with enough variety that everyone in the family finds something they want.
Meal Ideas
After-Game Meal Combos
The Quick Bite
Under $5You have 20 minutes before your ride shows up. Grab a pie or two from the stone oven. Hot, filling, and fast. The entire transaction takes less time than standing in a drive-through line.
The Full Meal
$8.95 - $12.45After a Friday night game, you earned a real meal. Pick a pita or a bowl, load it up at the toppings bar, and sit down with friends. Enough food to refuel without breaking the bank.
The Family Dinner
From $30 for a family of 4Parents and siblings pile in after the homecoming game. Order a spread of shawarma, hummus, pies, and sides. Everyone picks what they want. The whole family eats well, and the bill stays reasonable.
The Team Order
Call for group pricingFeeding the entire JV soccer team? The debate club? The spring musical cast party? Call us at (703) 340-1014 and we will put together a catering order that works for your group size and budget.
Getting Here
Directions from School
Walking / Driving Directions
- 1Exit the school grounds heading east on Seminary Road
- 2Continue along Seminary Road past the neighborhood
- 3Taza is in the Seminary Crossing shopping center on the right
- 4Free parking in the lot if parents are driving
Family Dining After School Events
The game just ended. The concert wrapped up. The awards ceremony ran long and nobody cooked dinner. Taza is a five-minute detour on the way home from school, and the whole family can eat here without stress.
See the Food
What Students Are Eating
The Go-To Restaurant Near George Mason High School
George Mason High School has been a cornerstone of Falls Church for decades. Now operating as Meridian High School, the campus still sits on Seminary Road -- one of the main arteries through the city. Taza Shawarma & Falafel is on that same road, in the Seminary Crossing plaza, making it one of the closest restaurants to the school.
Students have figured this out. After the final bell, groups of Meridian High students head to Taza for pies and smoothies. The specialty pies -- zaatar, cheese, spinach, and sfiha -- start at $2.95, which is less than most vending machine options and incomparably better. A student can eat a real, freshly baked snack for the price of a bag of chips.
For a full meal, the chicken shawarma pita at $9.95 is the most popular order. The chicken is marinated, stacked on a vertical spit, and slow-roasted until the exterior caramelizes. It is sliced fresh for each order and loaded into a house-baked pita with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and vegetables. The falafel pita ($8.95) is the go-to for vegetarian students -- crispy chickpea falafel, fried to order, with tahini and fresh produce.
Families in the George Mason / Meridian High community rely on Taza for after-event dining. A family of four can order a mix of shawarma, hummus, pies, and sides and keep the total under $40. The kids menu includes chicken tenders and cheese pizza at $5.95 each, so younger siblings are covered too.
All meats at Taza are halal certified. For the significant Muslim community in Falls Church, this is not a minor detail -- it is the reason many families choose Taza over other options. Halal certification also means higher standards for sourcing and preparation, which benefits everyone who eats here.
The 14-topping self-serve bar is another reason students keep coming back. After your shawarma or falafel is prepared, you customize it with pickled turnips, hot sauce, garlic mayo, fresh mint, olives, tahini, and more. No extra charge. Picky eaters build exactly what they want. Adventurous eaters load up on everything.
We are open from 11:00 AM to midnight, seven days a week. That means Taza is available after school, after practice, after evening games, after concerts, and even after late study sessions. Most restaurants in the Seminary Road corridor close well before midnight. Taza stays open because students, families, and the broader Falls Church community count on it.
Full Menu
Quick Menu Overview
From $2.95 pies to loaded bowls -- here is what is on the menu at Taza. Every item made fresh, every day.
Pita Pocket
Shrak Wraps
Bowls
Manaeesh
Specialty Pies
Smoothies & Juices
FAQ
Questions from Students & Parents
How close is Taza to George Mason High School (Meridian High School)?
Taza is on Seminary Road in Falls Church, the same road as the school. It is a short walk or a 2-3 minute drive. Students regularly walk over after school to grab pies and shawarma.
What can I get at Taza for under $5?
Our stone-oven pies are the best deal. Zaatar pie is $6.95, cheese pie is $2.95, spinach pie is $2.95, and sfiha meat pie is $2.95. Fries are $3.95. You can eat a satisfying snack for $2-4.
Is Taza open after school hours?
Yes. We are open from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM (midnight), seven days a week. After school lets out, we are here. After evening games and concerts, we are still here.
Is the food halal?
Every cut of meat at Taza is halal certified. For Muslim families in Falls Church, we are a reliable, trusted source for halal food. No compromises.
Do you have vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes. Falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, zaatar manaeesh, spinach pies, and our salad options are all vegetarian and/or vegan. Mediterranean food has a deep tradition of plant-based dishes, and our menu reflects that.
Can I order food for a school event or team dinner?
Absolutely. We do catering for school events, team celebrations, club meetings, and family gatherings. Call us at (703) 340-1014 to discuss your group size and we will put together a custom order.
Is there seating for groups?
Yes. Our dining room accommodates groups comfortably. If you are bringing a big group after a game or event, call ahead and we can have your area ready.
Do you deliver to the school area?
We are available on DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Grubhub for delivery. For large orders, pickup is usually the fastest option -- you can order online and it will be ready when you arrive.
Visit Taza -- Right on Seminary Road
Address
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041
Walking distance from George Mason / Meridian High School
Hours
11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week
Open after school, after games, and after concerts
Better Than the Cafeteria. Way Better.
Fresh shawarma off the spit. Crispy falafel fried to order. Stone-oven pies from $2.95. Cold smoothies made with real fruit. Walk over after school or order online for pickup.