Simsim Outstanding Shawarma - bc (before Covid) and dc (during Covid)

**** Simsim has closed

Simsim opened at the Gateway at Kearny Mesa back in August of 2018, I first visited a couple of months later...….I then just waited a while before visiting again....then wanting just one more visit before posting took my 'ol sweet time revisiting.....I'd been kinda underwhelmed, not at the portions (at first), but the flavors and such. And then the Pandemic hit. I've actually got a bunch of photos from places that I'd meant to revisit or post on. Simsim was one of them. But with the Pandemic; well, I was just going to delete the photos and call it a day. But I'd already had three visits to the place; so, two weeks ago, I decided to just do one more takeout visit...thus the "bc" (before Covid) and "dc" (during Covid) in the title.

So, here goes.

Simsim is located in the same strip mall as one of Cathy's favorites Niban, Elijah's, and the now defunct Souplantation. Much like Tahini Street Food, the set-up is "fast-casual" (i.e. the Chipotle, which by the way is also in this strip mall) model. You order at the counter and pick up your order when ready.

On all my visits the crew here were very nice and friendly.

The menu consists of wraps, bowls, plates, and sides with names like "Authentic", "Simple", "Spicy", "Tasty", and "Pure"...you get it, right?

On my first visit, I decided to just get the Beef and Lamb (the "Authentic"), which at that time was $10, it's now $12. 

It comes with a side of standard issue thin fries, which I think could have been fried a bit longer as it got soggy quite quickly. It was nicely seasoned though.

The bread off the sajj was fairly brittle and lacking in a bit of stretch from other versions that I had enjoyed more. In fact, one of my Middle Eastern coworkers said that this is almost closer to a tortilla for a burrito. I also like a bit more slightly charred "crust" on my bread as well.

The amount of meat in this was quite generous, though it is obviously aimed as "food for the masses" (nothing wrong with that) and was quite mild in seasoning...it was also on the dry side and a bit ore chewy than I preferred. The tahini was also pretty mild in flavor as well.

Still, very nice folks.....so, after a couple of months, I decided to return.

I'm still looking for really good falafel in San Diego; so I decided to try the Falafel Wrap($9).

The fries were done a bit better this time around and the "bread" had been toasted a bit more and actually had some nice crisp spots on it.

The falafel was mushy and pasty, and fairly bland...….in retrospect it was a good thing I had this before our trip to Israel and Jordan; because now I dunno what I would say about this.

After this I just kinda forgot about Simsim. Until the beginning of the year. I was kinda craving chicken with garlic sauce, I'd already tried the version at Tahini Street Food and Alforon was much too far away. So, I thought I'd try the version at Simsim. I got the "Simple" - Chicken and Garlic ($10.50) to go.

I quickly noticed that his wrap was shaped differently. It looked even more like a burrito than before! Also, the one thing I was most concerned about was that the fries would not hold up on the 10-15 minute trip to the office. Which turned out to be true.

The wrap itself seemed much smaller than before as was the amount of meat. Though the chicken had a bit of seasoning it was quite dry. The garlic paste was quite mild in flavor and I could have used more of it.

That same coworker I mentioned earlier told me that they don't make the bread for their wraps inhouse....

So, what you read above would have never (or perhaps should have never) seen the light of day. But, looking at all the "bc" photos I was going to delete, and knowing that Simsim was doing takeout during this time, I decided to call in an order and pick it up on the way home to check on Frankie.

They've got outdoor seating set-up right now.

My order was ready on the counter when I arrived. I had decided against getting a wrap this time around and seeing that they had Muhammara as one of their sides; decided on the "Signature Side Plate" ($13). Which came with very standard issue (and obviously not made inhouse) pita.

Of the four items on the "plate" (Muhammarah, Babaganoush, Moutabel, and Hummus), I enjoyed the Babaganoush the most. It had a nice smoky hint to it, great flavor, decent texture. The Muhammarah was decent, slight sweet-sour tones, it could use a bit more nuttiness and garlic for my taste. Not in the same league as the version at La Miche, though not bad. The Moutabal was nice and creamy; though for some reason the eggplant and tahini flavors were quite mild. The Hummus as just plain bland.

This was by far my "favorite" item I've had at Simsim.

The food here, like Tahini Street Food is a fusion take on Middle Eastern Cuisine for the Western Palate. I think I prefer Tahini to Simsim, but you may want to try both on your own. The folks here have always been nice and friendly and Soo seemed to like the place, so perhaps you'd like to give them a try.

Simsim Outstanding Shawarma
7051 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92111
(858) 430-6717
Open Daily:
11am - 7pm

So, there you go......I've got a bunch of photos of one time visits....all from "bc" (before Covid), some from last year already. I'm fairly certain that if I do return to these places it'll be "ac" (after Covid). A few I probably won't return to. And if I do a post; I'll start from scratch and do a couple of visits. I'm not sure if it's worth posting mostly just photos from these visits.

So, what do you think?

Comments

[RedDevil]

Thanks for the informative post! I love falafel so if you find good ones in SD or come across a nice recipe, please share!

[Lynn]

Tried them 1-2 years ago but wasn't impressed by anything in particular. Forgot about them since.

As for bc, I definitely have plenty but most I'm not excited about (taste, photos). I have one from early March I do want to post once they open again... If my laziness doesn't get in the way. :)

[Kirk]

Hi Rd - I will let you know if I find a good falafel in San Diego.....don't hold your breath though.

Hi Lynn - I've got like 8-10 visits for follow-up from before Covid-19; I'm not so sure I'll do a follow-up on many of them....... Hope to see a new post soon (nudge-nudge)! ;o)

[Som Tommy]

That chicken thing really does look like a burrito. Speaking of burritos, the guys were doing a Zoom thing and we started talking about the food that most represents San Diego and it was unanimous. The California Burrito. I have been reading for almost 10 years but notice you don’t eat those?

[Dave]

I've had some pretty good falafel recently from North Park Grocery on El Cajon. Their prepared foods have improved. We've also gotten another dish from there a couple of times who's name I can't remember, but its like an Arabic biryani.

[Kirk]

Geez, when was the last time I had a "CAB" ST? Good lord....

Hey Dave - Nice to hear from you! Man; I have been to NPP on ECB in ages. I'll drop by once all this Covid-19 stuff slows down. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Soo]

Thanks for the link Kirk! I enjoyed the bread and meats. :-)

[Loren]

Best falafel in San Diego IMHO; Shwarma Guys on grape street. I'm pretty firm of the belief that they're some of the best I've had since my last trip to the middle east. Of course in a wrap it's the same problem as always but you get them out of the wrap they're amazingly crisp. I also love their wraps and they may make one of the best wings in San Diego flavor wise.

[Kirk]

My pleasure Soo.

I have them on my "list" Loren....they seem to be quite busy everytime I've passed by. So, I guess I need to get there soon. Thanks as always for the recommendation!

[Loren]

Kirk

Yeah I mean that's something you need to call and order ahead of time, sincerely. That's what I've done every single time just to make sure it's all good.

[kat]

hope you find a good falafel

[Kirk]

Thank Loren!

I hope so too Kat! ;o)

[Sandy]

Looks like Sim Sim closed a few weeks back. Not sure about the Carmel Mountain location. I wasn't really impressed with their food.

[Kirk]

Hi Sandy - I understand that both locations have closed. I wasn't very impressed with their offerings either. Nice to hear form you and hope all is well.