Walla

07 Mar - 13 Mar, 2020
Eman Saleem
High Life

As a Gulf return, I have very high shawarma standards and in a foodie city, they have not been met, I take my high standards to an eatery revered about on social media to serving shawarmas to Karachi. I visited Walla for a late dinner one night, the black and orange interior adds a huge dollop of Instagram-esque to the dining experience. With high chairs and tables for two as well as an adequate sitting arrangement for families, the eatery is a mix of ‘good for friends’ and ‘good for families.’ Getting comfortable adjacent to the wall of epic murals featuring graphics with Mid-Eastern context, it takes a surprising amount of resolve to not snap it; in case you’re wondering, I succumbed. Introduced to the menu, I find that they offer a variety of shawarmas, in NYC style, with flavours suitable for everyone or costumise your own with a choice of brown or white pita or saj, chicken, beef or mix and sauces. Shawarma flavours ranging from classic (with garlic sauce), BBQ, tikka, jalapeno and red sauce to choose from; the flavours are varied from the choice of sauces, all of which I was told are made in-house. I opt for Hummus with Beef from the starters. With experimental taste buds, I settled on the New Yorker with a red sauce and the Amigo with jalapeno sauce, both in chicken. And if you don’t like shawarmas, you will not go unfed. Walla offers snack packs which are fries topped with sauces and condiments as well as rice platters; rice with a choice of protein, sauces and veggies on the side. Craving spice, I settle for the Mean Green from the snack pack section and the Walla Original from the rice platters, both with a choice of beef. Quick to arrive, my starter with a side of pita bread, piping hot from the grill; hummus topped with chunks of beef. Hummus is an easy dip to get wrong, but Walla shines through with the right consistency and without being too garlicky. The distinct flavour of chickpeas stands out and pairs exceptionally well with mildly seasoned beef. The protein was so tender, it nearly melts and the natural juices of the meat were locked in. Digging in the snack pack next, fries swathed in white and jalapeno sauce topped with jalapenos, chunks of beef and generous amount of mozzarella was less spicier than expected but hits the right savoury notes and was utterly delicious. Next to potato satiation, the snack pack also serves a beautiful cheese pull, a sight for sore eyes. The rice platter was next to be tasted; a bowl of butter rice with a side of iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, beef topped with red and white sauce. Walla Original rice platter is not for those with a low tolerance of spice. Helping myself to a spoonful, it packed an intense punch of spice, heavily saucy, the beef lending its juiciness and the iceberg adding a distinct crunch, it was relished at the table would be an understatement, I may have found my new comfort food. Last to be trialed were the shawarmas; the New Yorker had a generous filling of chicken, fries and heavy on the saucy was an interesting fusion. The only thing that didn’t work well with me was the brown pita tasted too thick for my taste. The chicken, re-grilled in olive oil, was crunchy and crispy and cooked to perfection. The Amigo next was a spicier variation with chopped jalapenos and generously saucy; I liked this one better and maybe next time I would try it in white pita instead. Washing it down with Blackberry Iced Tea, frothy and not overly sweet, it was a better received addition to the drinks menu. I may have gone to Walla for shawarmas, but I shall return for the rice platter.