Shawarma slow-roasting on a vertical spit for Thanksgiving catering in Northern Virginia

Thanksgiving Catering · Northern Virginia

A Mediterranean Thanksgiving Your Guests Will Never Forget

Shawarma platters, hummus spreads, rice pilaf, grape leaves, and baklava — halal, inclusive, and built for groups of 10 to 50+. Serving Falls Church and all of Northern Virginia.

Start Your Thanksgiving Order (703) 340-1014

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A Different Thanksgiving

Why Mediterranean Food Works at Thanksgiving

The Levantine feast tradition is older than Thanksgiving itself — and it is built for exactly this kind of gathering.

Thanksgiving is about abundance, communal eating, and a table that has room for everyone. Levantine Mediterranean cuisine has operated on exactly those principles for centuries. The meze tradition — hummus, baba ghanouj, pita, olives, pickles, salads — is designed for a table full of people who all reach in at once. The shawarma platter, stacked high and served with warm pita, is the centerpiece that anchors a feast.

For families in Northern Virginia where multiple cultures and dietary needs sit at the same table, Mediterranean catering solves the problem that traditional menus create. Every dish is halal. Falafel is vegan. Hummus and most salads are gluten-free. No one needs a separate meal and no one leaves the table underserved.

Adding a Taza shawarma platter and Mediterranean spread to your Thanksgiving table does not replace the turkey — it elevates the whole meal. Guests who have never tried Levantine food at a holiday table discover something new, and guests who grew up with it feel seen and welcomed.

100% Halal

Certified halal sourcing on every protein. No pork on premises.

Vegan & Vegetarian

Falafel, hummus, baba ghanouj, and salads are fully plant-based.

Built for Groups

Platters scale from 10 to 100+ guests with no quality loss.

Inclusive by Design

One spread that works for every dietary need at the same table.

Bold, Memorable Flavors

Seven-spice marinated shawarma and hand-formed falafel guests request again.

10+ Years in NoVA

Taza has been the go-to Levantine Mediterranean spot in Falls Church since day one.

Chicken shawarma platter ready for Thanksgiving catering in Northern Virginia

The Shawarma Platter That Anchors the Feast

Slow-roasted on a vertical spit, sliced to order, arranged for sharing. This is what Thanksgiving should taste like.

Thanksgiving Catering Packages

What We Prepare for Your Thanksgiving Table

Three package sizes to match your gathering — every item made fresh the day of pickup.

Shawarma Feast — Serves 10

Mediterranean Spread — Serves 20

Family Favorite

2 full shawarma platters (chicken + beef)
Falafel tray (30 pieces)
4 lbs rice pilaf
2 large hummus portions
Baba ghanouj platter
Grape leaves (stuffed, ready to serve)
20 fresh pita pockets
Full condiment spread

Perfect for extended family Thanksgiving gatherings

Grand Levantine Feast — Serves 50

Large Groups

5 full shawarma platters (mix of chicken & beef)
2 large falafel trays (80 pieces)
10 lbs rice pilaf
4 large hummus portions
Baba ghanouj & labneh spreads
Grape leaves by the tray
Tabbouleh & fattoush salads
50 fresh pita pockets
Baklava dessert tray (36 pieces)

For community Thanksgivings, potlucks, and large gatherings

Custom quantities and menu combinations available. Call us to discuss your exact Thanksgiving needs.

Call to Place a Thanksgiving Order

The Thanksgiving Menu

Every Dish on the Thanksgiving Spread

Each item is made fresh at Taza and designed for large-format serving.

Chicken Shawarma Platter

Halal

Marinated overnight in yogurt, lemon, garlic, and a seven-spice blend. Slow-roasted on a vertical spit and sliced to order. Arrives with garlic sauce, pickled turnips, and warm pita on the side. The anchor of every Thanksgiving catering order.

Beef Shawarma Platter

Halal

Premium halal beef slow-roasted for hours. Darker, richer, and deeply savory compared to chicken. Pairs beautifully with tahini and pairs even better with the rest of the Thanksgiving spread. Ideal for guests who want a heavier protein.

Falafel Tray

Vegan

Hand-formed from ground chickpeas, parsley, cilantro, and cumin. Fried to a deep golden crust with a bright green interior. The natural choice for vegetarian and vegan guests. Arrives with tahini and served alongside pita for easy assembly.

Hummus Spread

Vegan · GF

Premium chickpeas blended with tahini, fresh lemon juice, and garlic. Finished with extra-virgin olive oil and paprika. Made fresh multiple times daily. The first thing guests reach for and the last thing left on the table. A Thanksgiving meze essential.

Basmati Rice Pilaf

Long-grain basmati rice cooked with toasted vermicelli, warm spices, and a rich broth. The Levantine alternative to mashed potatoes — fragrant, fluffy, and designed to absorb every sauce and drizzle on the plate. Serves as the starch base of the entire Thanksgiving spread.

Baklava Dessert Tray

Vegetarian

Layers of paper-thin phyllo, finely chopped pistachios and walnuts, and a fragrant rose-water honey syrup. The Levantine Thanksgiving dessert — sweet, flaky, and memorable. Elegant enough for a formal table, approachable enough that children ask for more. Available by the dozen or full tray.

Baba Ghanouj

Vegan · GF

Flame-roasted eggplant blended with tahini, garlic, and lemon. Smoky, complex, and perfect as a meze alongside hummus. Gluten-free and vegan.

Stuffed Grape Leaves

Vegan

Tender grape leaves filled with seasoned rice, fresh herbs, and a touch of lemon. A classic Levantine mezze item that travels exceptionally well for catering.

Lahm Bil Ajin (Meat Pies)

Halal

Thin flatbread topped with spiced halal ground beef and fresh parsley. Often called Lebanese pizza. By the dozen for catering. Reheat beautifully.

Crispy falafel platter with tahini for a Mediterranean Thanksgiving spread

Falafel at Thanksgiving: The Dish That Feeds Everyone

Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free — falafel is the one dish everyone can eat. That matters at a Thanksgiving table.

Two Traditions, One Table

Mediterranean Thanksgiving Sides vs. Traditional Sides

How Levantine dishes map to classic Thanksgiving roles — often improving on them.

Thanksgiving Role	Mediterranean (Taza)	Traditional
Starch Base	Basmati rice pilaf with vermicelli and spices	Mashed potatoes or stuffing
Appetizer Spread	Hummus + baba ghanouj + warm pita	Cheese board or veggie platter
Main Protein	Chicken & beef shawarma platters (halal)	Roast turkey
Vegetarian Option	Falafel tray — naturally vegan and satisfying	Roasted vegetables or a separate dish
Green Component	Fattoush salad with sumac dressing	Green bean casserole
Bread	Fresh-baked pita — warm, pillowy, for scooping	Dinner rolls
Dessert	Baklava tray — phyllo, pistachios, rose-water syrup	Pumpkin pie
Halal-Friendly	Yes — 100% certified halal throughout	Depends on sourcing

Blending Two Traditions

Serving Mediterranean Alongside a Traditional Thanksgiving

Most families keep both — here is how to make the combination work.

The Two-Table Setup

Many Northern Virginia families use Taza catering as a full second table at Thanksgiving. The traditional turkey dinner goes on one side; the Mediterranean spread goes on the other. Guests build plates from both. This works especially well when the gathering includes people from different dietary backgrounds — everyone finds something they love.

Set out the hummus and pita first as guests arrive. While the turkey rests, the shawarma platter is ready to serve immediately. No carving anxiety. No thirty-minute wait. Guests eat warm food from the moment they sit down.

For dessert, offer baklava alongside or instead of pie. Guests who expected pumpkin pie discover something they did not know they wanted. It consistently becomes the highlight of the meal.

Mediterranean as the Full Thanksgiving Meal

An increasing number of families — particularly those with halal dietary requirements — order a full Mediterranean Thanksgiving from Taza with no turkey at all. The shawarma platters serve as the main protein. Rice pilaf is the starch. Hummus, baba ghanouj, and fattoush fill the table. Baklava closes the meal.

This approach removes the coordination overhead of a traditional Thanksgiving entirely. No six-hour roasting process. No last-minute gravy panic. Pick up your order from Taza, set it out, and the meal is ready in fifteen minutes. The food is extraordinary. The effort is minimal.

Call us two weeks before Thanksgiving. Tell us your guest count. We handle the rest.

Fresh Mediterranean ingredients and toppings for Thanksgiving catering

Fresh Ingredients. No Shortcuts.

Every item made the day of your pickup. Nothing pre-packaged, nothing frozen. That is what Taza means.

How to Order

The Thanksgiving Catering Timeline

Four steps from first call to feast-ready table.

Step 1

Order 2 Weeks Ahead

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest catering windows of the year. Call us or stop in at least two weeks before Thanksgiving to lock in your order. We confirm quantities, dietary needs, and your pickup window.

Step 2

Customize Your Menu

Tell us your guest count and any dietary requirements — halal, vegetarian, gluten-free, or nut-free. We build your order from our full menu. Every item is halal-certified. Vegetarian options are clearly labeled and prepared separately.

Step 3

Confirm One Week Out

We call you the week before Thanksgiving to confirm your order, finalize headcount adjustments, and set your exact pickup time. If your guest list grew, we can almost always accommodate additions up to 48 hours out.

Step 4

Pickup Day-Of

Arrive at your scheduled pickup window on Thanksgiving Day (or the day before). Everything is packaged in labeled, oven-safe containers. Reheating instructions are included. Your table is set for a feast in minutes.

Serving Suggestions

How Much to Order for Your Thanksgiving Gathering

Rough quantities for planning — we will fine-tune with you when you call.

10 Guests

Shawarma: 1 full platter (chicken or beef)
Rice: 2 lbs rice pilaf
Sides & Dips: 1 hummus, 6-8 pita, 1 salad
Dessert: 1 dozen baklava pieces

Intimate family Thanksgiving

20 Guests

Shawarma: 2 platters (1 chicken, 1 beef)
Rice: 4 lbs rice pilaf
Sides & Dips: 2 hummus, baba ghanouj, 20 pita, 2 salads
Dessert: 2 dozen baklava + rice pudding

Extended family or small group Thanksgiving

50 Guests

Shawarma: 5 platters (mixed chicken & beef)
Rice: 10 lbs rice pilaf
Sides & Dips: 4 hummus, full spread of dips & salads
Dessert: Full baklava tray (36 pcs)

Community event or large gathering

These are planning guides only. Call us with your exact guest count and we will build precise quantities for your Thanksgiving order.

Why Taza

Why Northern Virginia Families Choose Taza for Thanksgiving Catering

Ten years of catering across the region. The same quality whether you order for 10 or 100.

Certified Halal Throughout

Every protein is sourced from halal-certified suppliers. No pork on premises. No alcohol-based ingredients. Verified and consistent. Families who need halal catering can order without hesitation.

Made Fresh the Day Of

We do not pre-cook catering orders days ahead and refrigerate them. Your Thanksgiving food is prepared fresh for your pickup window. Shawarma is sliced off the spit. Falafel is fried to order.

Naturally Inclusive Menu

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are built into the menu — not added as an afterthought. Falafel is vegan. Hummus is GF and vegan. Every guest has a satisfying plate.

Scales to Any Group Size

We cater Thanksgiving gatherings from 10 to 100+ guests. The quality does not change at scale. Our catering platters are designed for large-format serving from the start.

Central Falls Church Location

Our location at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O in Falls Church puts us within 20 minutes of most of Northern Virginia. Quick pickup, easy parking, and a team ready to load your order.

A Meal Guests Remember

Guests at a Mediterranean Thanksgiving table remember it. The flavors are distinct and bold. The experience is different enough to be memorable. Families who try it once tend to make it a tradition.

FAQ

Thanksgiving Catering Questions

Everything you need to know before placing your order.

Yes. We provide Thanksgiving catering pickup from our Falls Church location at 5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, serving families and groups across Northern Virginia — including Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, McLean, Tysons, Springfield, Herndon, and Reston. We recommend ordering at least two weeks before Thanksgiving to guarantee your spot.

Mediterranean cuisine from the Levant region is built for communal feasting — exactly what Thanksgiving calls for. Shawarma platters are designed to feed groups, the flavors are bold and memorable, and the spread naturally accommodates vegetarians, halal eaters, and gluten-free guests without requiring separate menus. It is a genuine alternative to a standard turkey dinner, and guests talk about it for years.

Yes, 100%. Every protein at Taza — chicken, beef, and all meat pies — is sourced from certified halal suppliers. There is no pork on the premises and no alcohol-based ingredients in any dish. Families with halal dietary requirements can order with complete confidence. We also carry vegetarian and vegan options for non-meat eaters at the same gathering.

Absolutely — this is how most families order. They keep the traditional turkey and stuffing, then add Mediterranean sides: hummus and pita as appetizers, a shawarma platter as an additional protein, rice pilaf instead of or alongside mashed potatoes, baba ghanouj and fattoush, and baklava for dessert. The two cuisines complement each other naturally.

We strongly recommend two weeks minimum. Thanksgiving is our single busiest catering period, and large orders — especially shawarma platters and falafel trays — require advance scheduling to ensure freshness and timing. We can sometimes accommodate orders placed one week out, but two weeks guarantees your preferred pickup window and menu choices.

Currently our Thanksgiving catering is pickup only from our Falls Church location. Pickup allows us to maintain the quality and freshness we are known for — everything is packaged hot and ready to serve, with reheating instructions included. Our location is central to Northern Virginia, making the drive quick from most of the region.

Our signature baklava is the go-to Thanksgiving dessert. Made in-house with layers of phyllo pastry, finely chopped pistachios and walnuts, and a rose-water honey syrup, it is elegant and memorable. We also offer rice pudding (muhallabia), which is light and dairy-based. For large Thanksgiving orders, we recommend placing dessert orders alongside the rest of your catering to guarantee quantity.

Yes. Tell us at the time of ordering about any restrictions — gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, or vegan needs. We can build a custom order that works for every guest at the table. Our falafel is naturally vegan. Hummus and most salads are gluten-free and vegan. Bowls and platters can be assembled without sauce or with specific sauces on the side.

Find Us

Order Thanksgiving Catering from Taza — Falls Church, VA

Central to Northern Virginia. 20 minutes or less from most of the region.

Address

5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041

Hours

11:00 AM - 12:00 AM -- Open 7 Days a Week

Phone

(703) 340-1014

Pickup Location

5820 Seminary Rd Ste O, Falls Church, VA 22041

Serving Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, McLean, Tysons, Herndon, Reston, and all of Northern Virginia

Thanksgiving Day Hours

Open regular hours on Thanksgiving: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM

Call ahead to confirm your pickup window

More Catering & Holiday Resources

Taza Catering Overview Catering Near Me Holiday Catering NoVA Halal Catering NoVA Shawarma Catering Guide Falafel Catering Guide Mediterranean Catering VA Group Ordering Guide

Book Your Thanksgiving Catering

Make This Thanksgiving Unforgettable

Call Taza today to place your Thanksgiving catering order. Two weeks advance notice guarantees your spot. Halal, inclusive, and made fresh for your table.

Order Thanksgiving Catering (703) 340-1014