Catering Guide
Shawarma Catering for Your Next Event
From office lunches to 200-guest celebrations, shawarma is one of the most crowd-friendly foods you can serve. Here is everything you need to plan it right.
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- Open 7 days, 11 AM to midnight
- Free parking at the door
- 200+Guests Per Event, Up To
- 100%Halal Menu
- 40+Custom Menu Options
- 7 daysServing Northern VA
Why Shawarma
Why Shawarma Is the Ideal Catering Food
It scales easily, satisfies diverse dietary needs, and tastes just as good at a 100-person event as it does at a table for two.
Planning food for a group is one of the most stressful parts of hosting any event. You need something that tastes good at room temperature, accommodates different dietary restrictions without requiring separate orders from different restaurants, and feeds a crowd without breaking your budget. Shawarma checks every one of those boxes. Meat carved off the vertical spit holds its flavor and texture for extended service periods. The build-your-own format means guests with different preferences -- vegetarian, gluten-free, halal, vegan -- all eat from the same spread. And the per-person cost is significantly lower than traditional catering options like plated dinners or multi-course buffets.
At Taza Shawarma & Falafel in Falls Church, VA, we cater events across Northern Virginia from our counter on Seminary Road, for groups from 10 to 200+ guests, with delivery available. From office lunches in Arlington to graduation parties in Fairfax, a shawarma spread is easy to serve and easy to like. It is not another tray of cold sandwiches or lukewarm pasta -- it is a spread that feels special while remaining entirely practical to serve.
This guide covers everything you need to plan a shawarma catering order: how to estimate quantities, which service format to choose, when to place your order, how to handle dietary accommodations, and event-specific tips for offices, birthdays, corporate gatherings, and family celebrations. Whether you are a first-time host or a seasoned event planner, this page gives you the concrete information you need to place a confident order.
Advantages
Why Shawarma Works for Events of Every Size
Six reasons event planners across Northern Virginia keep coming back to shawarma.
Scales from 10 to 200+
Shawarma platters scale linearly. Doubling the guest count means doubling the trays -- no exponential complexity like plated dinners. A 10-person office lunch and a 200-person wedding reception use the same menu structure, just at different volumes.
Built-In Dietary Coverage
One shawarma spread covers halal, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets without requiring separate vendors. Chicken and beef shawarma are halal. Falafel is vegan. Bowls on greens are gluten-free. Every guest eats from the same table.
Holds Temperature Well
Spit-cooked shawarma meat retains its flavor and moisture at serving temperature well. The caramelized exterior acts as a natural seal. Sides like hummus, baba ghanouj, and labneh are served at room temperature by design.
Interactive Dining Experience
A shawarma buffet is not just food -- it is an activity. Guests build their own wraps, bowls, or plates from a spread of proteins, breads, toppings, and sauces. This interactive format keeps people engaged and creates natural conversation around the food table.
Fresher Than Typical Catering
Traditional catering often means food that was prepared hours before service. Shawarma is carved off the vertical spit, falafel is fried to order, and pita is baked in the oven. Guests taste the difference.
Predictable Per-Person Cost
Shawarma catering pricing is straightforward. You know the per-person cost before you commit, and there are no surprise upcharges for dietary substitutions. A falafel platter costs the same to serve as a chicken shawarma platter.
Options
Taza's Catering Formats
Three service styles to match your event type, venue, and guest expectations.
Platter-Style Buffet
Parties, graduations, family gatherings
Large aluminum trays of freshly sliced chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, and crispy falafel, served alongside trays of hummus, baba ghanouj, rice, fresh-baked pita, and a full toppings spread. Guests build their own plates from the buffet. This format suits larger events, and platters can be mixed and matched to hit your headcount.
Includes:
- Choice of 2-3 proteins
- Fresh pita and shrak bread
- Hummus and baba ghanouj
- Rice and toppings spread
- Tahini and garlic mayo
Boxed Meals
Office lunches, conferences, working meetings
Individually packaged meals with each guest's protein choice, a side, fresh bread, and a drink. Boxed meals eliminate the need for a buffet table and let people eat at their desks, in a meeting room, or wherever the event takes them. Labels identify the contents so guests with dietary restrictions can grab the right box without guessing. This format is ideal for events where time is limited and individual portions matter.
Includes:
- Choice of protein per box
- Side (hummus, rice, or salad)
- Fresh pita bread
- Add drinks or smoothies
- Individually labeled
Family-Style Sharing
Weddings, rehearsal dinners, intimate events
Shawarma and sides served in large shareable bowls and platters, designed for communal dining. Guests pass dishes around the table, creating a more connected and social eating experience. This format works well for seated events where you want the food to feel generous and convivial. We arrange the spread for visual impact -- the colors, textures, and aromas of Mediterranean food make a strong impression on any table.
Includes:
- Mixed protein platters
- Shareable side bowls
- Bread baskets
- Toppings and sauces
- Ask about serving supplies
Quantities
How to Estimate Food for Your Event
A straightforward formula so you order enough food without overordering.
The most common mistake in catering is ordering too little food. The second most common mistake is ordering so much that you waste money and end up with trays of leftovers. Here is a reliable formula that works for shawarma catering across event types and guest counts.
Wraps and Pitas
2-3 per adult guest
Plan 2 wraps per person if you are also serving substantial sides (hummus platters, rice, salads). Plan 3 per person if wraps are the primary food. For mixed events with other food options, 1.5 per person is sufficient. Children under 12 count as half portions.
Bowl Service
1 bowl per person
Bowls are larger and more filling than wraps. One bowl per adult guest is the standard. If serving alongside other food, you can reduce to 0.75 bowls per person. Each bowl at Taza includes a base (rice, greens, or hummus), protein, and toppings.
Sides and Dips
1-2 servings per 4 guests
For hummus ($4.95 per serving), baba ghanouj ($4.95 per serving), and other dips, plan one container for every 3-4 guests. For rice, one large tray serves 8-10 guests. Pita bread: plan 1.5 pitas per person for dipping and wrapping.
Appetizers and Pies
3-4 pieces per person
If you are adding sfiha pies, spinach pies, or cheese pies as appetizers, plan 3-4 pieces per guest. These are small, handheld items that work well as starters while the main platters are being set up. They also serve as a good option for guests who arrive early.
Quick Reference: Sample Order for 50 Guests
Proteins
- 40 chicken shawarma wraps
- 30 beef shawarma wraps
- 30 falafel wraps
Sides
- 3 large hummus trays
- 2 large baba ghanouj trays
- 2 rice trays
- 75 pita breads
This sample assumes wraps are the primary food with no other main dishes. Adjust down by 30% if you are serving additional food alongside the shawarma.
Fresh from Seminary Road
Catering orders use the same food we serve at the counter: shawarma carved off the spit, falafel fried to order, and manaeesh baked in the oven.
Timeline
When to Place Your Catering Order
Lead times by event size so nothing falls through the cracks.
Small Events
10-25 Guests
Book Call Ahead Ahead
Common Events
Office lunches, team meetings, small birthday dinners, study groups
Medium Events
25-75 Guests
Book Book Early Ahead
Common Events
Corporate events, graduation parties, holiday gatherings, engagement parties
Large Events
75-200+ Guests
Book Book Earliest Ahead
Common Events
Weddings, fundraisers, company-wide events, community gatherings, Eid celebrations
Event Tips
Shawarma Catering Tips by Event Type
Specific guidance for the four most common catering scenarios we handle.
Office and Corporate Events
- Boxed meals work best for working lunches -- people eat at their desks without interrupting workflow.
- Order a mix of chicken, beef, and falafel to cover all dietary bases without asking for individual preferences ahead of time.
- Schedule delivery 15-20 minutes before the meal is needed so food is fully set up when people arrive.
- Add a tray of sfiha and spinach pies as a light appetizer for all-day meetings with a lunch break built in.
- For recurring weekly or monthly team meals, call to set up a regular order.
Birthday Parties
- Platter-style buffet gives birthday guests the freedom to build their own plates -- kids and adults alike.
- Add a kids' tray with chicken tenders and fries for younger children who may not be ready for shawarma.
- Order 20% more than your headcount for birthday events -- guests tend to eat more at celebrations than at work functions.
- Lemon mint and fresh-blended smoothies from Taza make a strong non-alcoholic drink option for the table.
- Consider adding zaatar manaeesh and cheese pies as side items -- they suit mixed-age groups.
Corporate Conferences and Galas
- Family-style service creates a more polished presentation for formal corporate events and fundraisers.
- Plan how you will keep shawarma and rice warm for a multi-hour event, such as chafing dishes at the venue.
- Provide a printed menu card at each table listing all items and dietary labels.
- For conferences with break sessions, stagger delivery: appetizer pies for the morning break, full shawarma spread for lunch.
- A 100% halal menu makes Taza catering appropriate for diverse corporate environments without additional accommodation.
Family Celebrations and Milestones
- Graduation parties, engagement dinners, and Eid celebrations all benefit from the communal nature of shawarma service.
- Order a diverse spread -- the variety of colors, textures, and aromas across shawarma, falafel, hummus, and fresh bread creates a memorable table.
- For outdoor events, request foil-wrapped proteins to retain heat. Sides like hummus and baba ghanouj are naturally suited to outdoor serving temperatures.
- Plan for 3 wraps per person at family celebrations -- people tend to linger and graze over longer events.
- Add rice pudding and harissa as a dessert option to keep the entire meal within the Mediterranean theme.
Dietary Needs
Dietary Accommodations for Every Guest
One menu, multiple dietary paths. Here is how Taza's spread covers the most common restrictions.
Halal
Everything on the Taza menu is 100% halal. This is not a separate menu item -- it is the foundation of everything we serve.
Menu Options
Chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, sfiha pies, lahm bil ajin, chicken tenders
Vegetarian
Taza's vegetarian options go well beyond a token salad. Falafel is made from chickpeas and herbs and fried to order. Pair it with hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, and pita baked in the oven for a complete vegetarian spread.
Menu Options
Falafel (from $8.95), hummus, baba ghanouj, spinach pies, cheese pies, zaatar manaeesh, cheese manaeesh, labneh
Vegan
Falafel is naturally vegan -- no eggs, no dairy. Hummus and baba ghanouj are vegan. Pair with rice, fresh vegetables, tahini sauce, and pita bread for a filling vegan meal. Label these items clearly on your buffet table so vegan guests can identify them at a glance.
Menu Options
Falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, rice, pita bread, zaatar manaeesh
Gluten-Free
Shawarma bowls served on a greens or rice base are naturally gluten-free. The meat itself contains no wheat -- the gluten comes only from the bread. For gluten-free guests, order bowls instead of wraps and skip the pita. Hummus, baba ghanouj, and rice are all gluten-free.
Menu Options
Shawarma bowls (from $12.45), falafel bowls (from $10.45), hummus, baba ghanouj, rice, all fresh toppings
The practical advantage of shawarma catering for dietary accommodations is that you do not need to order from multiple vendors. A single order from Taza covers halal, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free guests. This simplifies your logistics and ensures that all the food on the table looks and tastes like it belongs together. When you call to place your order, let us know your dietary breakdown and we will help you build a balanced spread.
How to Order
How to Place a Catering Order with Taza
Three steps from first call to food on the table.
Call or Visit
Reach out to Taza by phone at (703) 340-1014 or stop by our location at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041. Tell us your event date, estimated guest count, and any dietary requirements. If you have a budget in mind, share that too -- we will build a menu that fits. For large events, you are welcome to stop by and discuss logistics face to face. We are open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week.
Review and Customize
Based on your event details, we will put together a menu recommendation with quantities, pricing, and service format. You can adjust anything -- swap proteins, add or remove sides, change the bread selection, add appetizer pies, include desserts. We will walk you through the cost so there are no surprises.
Confirm and Deliver
Once the menu is finalized, we lock in your order. You will receive a confirmation with the full menu, quantities, total price, delivery time, and delivery address. On event day, your food is prepared and delivered at the time you specified, or ready for pickup at the counter. Ask about serving supplies and setup when you confirm.
Menu
Catering Menu Items from Taza
Dishes that work well on a catering order, with prices from our menu.
Chicken Shawarma Pita
A crowd-pleasing catering staple. Chicken carved off the vertical spit, garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and fresh vegetables in a warm pita pocket. Universally crowd-pleasing.
Beef Shawarma Pita
Rich, deeply spiced beef carved off the vertical spit and served in pita. A good pick for guests who prefer red meat. The caramelized edges add a depth of flavor that chicken does not match.
Falafel Pita
Crispy chickpea falafel in a pita with tahini, fresh vegetables, and pickles. Covers vegetarian and vegan guests. Always include falafel on any catering order to ensure complete dietary coverage.
Chicken Shawarma Bowl
For guests who want shawarma without the bread. Served over rice, greens, or hummus with all toppings. The go-to option for gluten-free and low-carb guests at your event.
Hummus
Smooth, creamy hummus drizzled with olive oil and served with fresh pita. The universal side that every guest reaches for. Order generously -- it disappears fast at events.
Baba Ghanouj
Fire-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon, and garlic. A smoky, flavorful dip that pairs with everything on the table.
Delivery
Catering Delivery Across Northern Virginia
From our kitchen on Seminary Road to your event venue.
Delivery is available for Taza catering orders across Northern Virginia. Our location at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041 is centrally positioned for easy access to Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Tysons Corner, McLean, Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Springfield, and Washington DC. Many of these areas are a short drive from our counter.
Ask about delivery to your venue when you place your order. You can also pick up directly from our restaurant if your venue is nearby or if you prefer to transport the food yourself -- there is free parking at the door, so a pickup on the way to the office is easy.
Delivery timing is coordinated with your event schedule. We deliver at the time you specify. For events requiring hot food service over multiple hours, plan a way to keep proteins and rice at serving temperature, such as chafing dishes at the venue. Tell us about your venue logistics -- loading dock, elevator access, parking situation -- and we will plan the delivery accordingly.
FAQ
Shawarma Catering: Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I place a catering order with Taza?
Book as early as you can, especially for larger events — more notice makes it easier to plan quantities, timing, and delivery. Catering covers groups from 10 to 200+ guests. If your event is within 48 hours, call us directly at (703) 340-1014 for the fastest response and we will do what we can to accommodate your timeline.
What is the minimum order size for Taza catering?
Our catering platters start at servings for 10 guests. Catering is set up for groups of 10 to 200+ guests. For smaller groups under 10, you can always place a regular bulk order through our online ordering system or by phone. Every order is built with the same food we serve at the counter.
Does Taza deliver catering orders in Northern Virginia?
Yes. Delivery is available for catering orders across Northern Virginia, including Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Tysons, McLean, Springfield, and Reston. You can also pick up at our Seminary Road location, with free parking at the door. Contact us directly at (703) 340-1014 for a delivery quote specific to your location.
Can Taza accommodate dietary restrictions for catering events?
Absolutely. Our menu is built around dietary flexibility. The whole menu is 100% halal. We offer multiple vegetarian options including falafel (from $8.95), hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, and zaatar manaeesh. Our falafel and several sides are fully vegan. Shawarma bowls on a greens or rice base are naturally gluten-free — just skip the bread. We can label every item at your event so guests with specific dietary needs know exactly what they are eating.
How do I estimate how much food to order for my event?
A reliable rule of thumb is 2-3 wraps or pitas per adult guest, plus shared sides. For bowl-style service, plan one bowl per person. If you are serving appetizers or other food alongside the shawarma, you can reduce to 1.5-2 servings per person. For events with a mix of adults and children, count children as half portions. We are happy to walk you through the math when you call — just tell us the guest count, the event duration, and whether other food will be served, and we will build a recommendation.
What setup and presentation options does Taza offer?
We offer three primary formats. Platter-style service includes large aluminum trays of sliced shawarma, falafel, sides, and fresh bread — ideal for buffet tables. Boxed meal service provides individually packaged meals with a protein, side, bread, and drink — perfect for office lunches or events where individual portions matter. Family-style service delivers everything in shareable bowls and platters for a more communal dining experience. Ask about serving supplies when you call so we can plan the order around your venue.
Can I customize the catering menu for my event?
Yes. Every catering order at Taza is customizable. You can mix and match proteins (chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, falafel), choose your sides (hummus, baba ghanouj, labneh, rice), select bread types (pita, shrak, zaatar manaeesh), and add specialty items like sfiha pies or spinach pies. If you have a specific vision for your event menu, call us at (703) 340-1014 and we will build a custom package that fits your budget and guest preferences.
What are Taza's catering prices?
Catering pricing depends on the menu selections, guest count, and service format. Individual menu prices are listed on our menu page (for example, a chicken shawarma pita is $9.95), and we provide an exact catering quote after discussing your specific needs. Call us at (703) 340-1014 or visit us at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041 to discuss your event.
Visit Us
Plan Your Catering Order Today
Open 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM, Open 7 Days a Week at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041.
Taza Shawarma & Falafel, Bailey's Crossroads
5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041 (directions, opens in a new tab)(703) 340-1014On Seminary Road with free parking at the door. Order ahead for pickup, or come in and build your plate at the counter.
Opening hours
| Monday | 11 AM to midnight |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Wednesday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Thursday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Friday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Saturday | 11 AM to midnight |
| Sunday | 11 AM to midnight |
Free parking at the door. Halal chicken and beef.
Ready to Cater Your Event?
Let Taza Handle the Food
Fresh shawarma, falafel, and Mediterranean sides for 10 to 200+ guests. Delivery available across Northern Virginia. Custom menus for every group size.