Shawarma King

Perhaps it's a bit of a stretch, but this Brookline eatery -- with its simple décor and cheap, tasty Middle Eastern food -- resembles any one of the numerous Franco-Arab restaurants in Paris's Latin Quarter. But one difference is that Shawarma King has adopted the great-American habit of offering too many options. Fifty-one sandwiches, combo-dinner platters, and salads satisfy every kind of Middle Eastern-food craving, and all are priced at $5.99 or under. Two great offerings are the beef-and-lamb shawarma ($3.99), a sandwich wrap-up filled with tangy, marinated beef and lamb, and the kafta arayes ($4.49), which is lamb sirloin seasoned with onion and parsley and then ground and spread inside warm Lebanese bread. The kafta arayes also comes with rich, extra-creamy hummus, one of the best items on the menu (and available as a side order for $2.99). Don't miss the delicious drinks and desserts, particularly the fresh banana juice made with milk and honey ($1.99) and the soothing kunafeh ($3.49), cheesecake topped with rose-water syrup.

Shawarma King, located at 1383 Beacon Street (Coolidge Corner), in Brookline, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. Call 731-6035.

-- Theresa Regli