Choosing what you want to eat for lunch can feel like the hardest decision of your day. But we make it simple when you’re dining in or ordering takeout from Cafesano Italian & Mediterranean Bistro in Northern Virginia.
Some of the most popular lunch items our customers order? Shawarma and panini.
These delicious Mediterranean meals are the perfect grab-and-go meals for lunch. They contain delicious, heart-healthy ingredients that will keep you full until it’s time for dinner. What else could you ask for?
You’ve probably heard of a panini before, but shawarma might sound a bit new to you. If you’re feeling adventurous and want to try something new, like shawarma, and want to know more about these popular lunch items, keep on reading!
Is Shawarma and Panini the Same Thing?
No, shawarma and panini are not the same thing. While the concept is the same—bread or wrap, meat, dressings, and vegetables—the structure, origins, and flavors are entirely different.
That’s good news for Cafesano customers, though! You can have two completely different experiences in one place when you order a shawarma or panini.
In this blog post, we’re diving into what exactly shawarma and panini are to help you decide which one you should order during your next visit to Cafesano.
What is Shawarma?
Shawarma is incredibly iconic because it features spit-roasted meat, typically lamb, chicken, or beef. This is when a large piece of meat is put on a vertical rotating spit and constantly cooked in a rotisserie oven.
When it comes time to make the shawarma, the meat is shaved off in very thin slices and placed either in a wrap or on pita bread. Because of the way it’s cooked, the meat is very tender and juicy.
In the wrap, you’ll often find the shaved meat served with vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, and pickled vegetables. Dressings such as hummus, tahini, or yogurt-based sauces like tzatziki also balance out the roasted flavors.
Some spices you might encounter when taking your first bite of shawarma include cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, turmeric, and cumin. These Middle Eastern spices give the shawarma a comforting warmth overall.
Where Does Shawarma Come From?
Shawarma is often found in Middle Eastern countries, but it originates in Turkey. Initially, it was served as street food until restaurants began serving it as dishes, just like Cafesano. However, you can still find street food stands around the world serving shawarma.
What is the History of Shawarma?
During the 19th century, a butcher in the city of Bursa, Turkey, started the idea of the shawarma meat practice. He had lamb meat that he did not want to roast whole. Instead, he removed parts of the lamb and separated the meat from the bones and muscles, and put it on an upright spit to cook.
He would then shave off the meat a little at a time for customers who requested it. This was the birth of shawarma.
Over the years, neighboring countries, such as Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan, adopted the practice and called the meal döner kebab. You will also see very similar items in Greece known as a gyro.
As immigrants from countries like Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon moved to countries in Europe and the Americas, they brought along shawarma. It became very popular in countries like Germany and Switzerland, with the large Turkish community that moved there.
Today, you will find many versions of shawarma, especially vegetarian versions. Some restaurants serve vegetarian meat substitutes or replace the meat with falafel, which are fried chickpea balls.
What is a Panini?
A panini is a sandwich that is either served warm or grilled. It usually uses Italian bread, such as ciabatta, and contains sliced deli meat or sometimes cooked meats, vegetables, cheese, and dressing.
There are a ton of different varieties of panini available, especially at Cafesano. Whether you’re craving a Roasted Turkey BLT or a Grilled Chicken Pesto, there is a panini for every craving!
Where Does Panini Come From?
Panini originates from Northern Italy. Actually, in Italian, panini means “little bread” or “little roll.” This is because the panini sandwich would be made with little bread rolls and filled with meat or vegetables.
What is the History of Panini?
Panini is actually much more recent than you might think! While Italians had been filling bread with things like meat for centuries, the first paninoteche, or panini restaurant, first opened its doors in the 1960s in Milan.
It became an extremely popular lunch item for Italians in the 1960s and 70s. More and more paninoteche started popping up in Milan and around Italy. Then the panini became popular in the United States in the mid-1970s and 80s.
But here’s a fun fact: The sandwich press, used to warm up paninis, has been around since the 1920s. It was first invented by Thomas Edison but was discontinued in the 1930s. It wasn’t until 1974 that the panini press that we know and love came on the market.
Are Shawarma and Panini Healthy Choices?
There are so many different types of shawarma and panini that you can choose from, especially when browsing the Cafesano menu.
You can choose a shawarma or panini to meet your dietary restrictions, whether that means you’re gluten-free or vegetarian. (And remember, the more veggies the healthier it usually is!)
Shawarma and panini both offer balanced nutrients that won’t just satisfy your taste buds, but also fuel your body with the energy it needs to finish out your day.
Shawarma or Panini: Get the Best of Both Worlds at Cafesano
It’s difficult to find a Mediterranean restaurant that serves both shawarma and panini on its menu. That’s why so many people choose to come to Cafesano Italian & Mediterranean Bistro!
There is a dish for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a hearty salad, a comforting pasta dish, a pizza to share, or a flavorful shawarma or panini, you can get it here!
Stop by one of our Northern Virginia locations to dine in and enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. Or place an order for pickup and bring home a delicious ready-to-eat meal.