Seeking a vibrant lunch spot along Delray Beach’s Atlantic Avenue, we decided to test the hype surrounding Amar Sandwich Shop. The online buzz—confirmed by the waitstaff—pointed toward one clear standout on the menu: the chicken shawarma.
Positioned as a fast-casual concept bringing classic Middle Eastern sandwiches and hummus bowls to downtown, Amar has a pedigree as the sister restaurant to the acclaimed Amar Delray. Expectations were naturally high.
Unfortunately, the shop’s headline item is a significant letdown. The chicken shawarma was noticeably dry, entirely lacking the succulent, richly seasoned texture essential to a great version of the dish. It felt wildly overrated. (For shawarma lovers seeking the real deal locally, Café Landwer remains the superior benchmark.)
It wasn’t all bad; the tasty hummus demonstrated the kitchen’s potential to deliver flavorful Lebanese street food. However, when a restaurant’s marquee sandwich fails to live up to expectations, it raises serious questions about consistency and execution.
Delray Beach is packed with exceptional dining options. In such a competitive landscape, there is simply no need to settle for a mediocre meal.