According to the true Petersburgers, you can taste the right shawarma exclusively in the Northern capital. It is known that the places where it is prepared most deliciously, very quickly become cult. Citizens come here from the most remote areas, and also bring their guests to enjoy the delicacy. One of such interesting places where you can get together with a company and eat hearty authentic food is the U Zakhar shawarma. Although in appearance this institution is unremarkable, on the other hand, according to reviews, they make divinely delicious shawarma in it. The dish is served in branded napkins. This article contains information about the features of the work of the Shawarma "At Zakhar" (St. Petersburg). Here you can find out the address of the institution, as well as read the reviews of visitors about it.
A bit of history
There is a version that the name “shawarma” appeared in St. Petersburg thanks to the Armenians who opened the first stalls with this national dish in the city. In Moscow, where this niche is occupied by Dagestanis, a tortilla with meat is called "shawarma." It is known that the St. Petersburg shawarma is prepared in a special way. For example, in the city on the Neva, it is not customary to add cabbage to this dish, either fresh or pickled. You will not find Korean carrots, which are often found in shawarma, which is cooked in other cities. In St. Petersburg, a shawarma salad usually consists of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, sprinkled with garlic sauce. If you believe the reviews, this sauce in the shawarma "At Zakhar" is prepared so deliciously that many visitors believe that it was blessed by the Lord God himself. Some housewives try to cook this sauce on their own, mixing in a proportion of one to one kefir and mayonnaise (with seasoning).
Shaverma "At Zakhar" (St. Petersburg): acquaintance
It's no secret that for many the word "shaverma" is usually associated with a station fast food of rather low quality. This association disappears, you just have to visit the shawarm “At Zakhar”. Whenever you come to this cozy bistro, you will never find it empty, without visitors sitting at tables or lining up in a small queue at the transfer. Shaverma "At Zahar" is one of the super popular locations for residents of nearby areas.
The general appearance and interior of the institution are ordinary, but is this really the main thing? According to the regulars of the institution, it is much more important that the owner of the cafe (aka cook) Zakhar (his name is Farhad in his homeland) knows how to cook such a delicious and satisfying shawarma that can not be tasted in any of the city's establishments. According to reviews, in this 24-hour cafe all employees work with soul and conscience. Payment is accepted only in cash. In the warmer months, a summer terrace is open.
Rating
The total rating of the institution is 4.5 out of 5 points. Visitors also rated:
- kitchen - 5 points;
- interior - 4 points;
- sanitation - 4 points;
- staff - 5 points.
Location
Shaverma "At Zakhar" is located in the Krasnogvardeisky district of St. Petersburg (Malaya Okhta district), within walking distance from Zanevskaya Square, between cozy green courtyards. Nearby is the bus stop Metro Novocherkasskaya. The address of the Shawarma “At Zakhar”: St. Petersburg, 39 Novocherkassky Avenue.
Description of the institution
Many people think that Zakhar’s shawarma (at Novocherkasskaya’s) is the most delicious in St. Petersburg. It so happened that both residents and guests of the Northern capital have long regarded this dish as a kind of symbol of the city. Experts say that the best dish in terms of its taste, which has earned so much popularity, can be found in the “Zahar” shawarma (see address above). The institution opened more than ten years ago and during its existence won the favor of the city residents and their great appreciation.
"At Zakhar" is called a truly reference shaverm. Visitors come here for a stunningly delicious shawarma, in which they appreciate the freshness of the products used and the quality of the sauce. Shawarma here can be ordered both in pita bread and on a plate. If you wish, you can eat it with a fresh draft beer - Nevsky and Vasileostrovsky. In the cafe “At Zakhar”, visitors can order, in addition to delicious shawarma, an appetizing hot dog, as well as enjoy invigorating coffee and aromatic tea. Shawarma and hot dogs are served with napkins with the company logo. According to experts, the taste and quality of the institution's products have been unchanged for several years. Taste the local shawarma is recommended for all connoisseurs, since in comparison with it all other options fade.
Useful information
The institution belongs to the category: "fast food", "terrace". It works around the clock and seven days a week. It serves oriental and original cuisine. The list of amenities and services:
- business lunches;
- coffee to go;
- summer terrace.
Information about the delivery service in the shaverme “U Zakhar” is not provided. The average bill is 150-250 rubles.
Interior
Neither the interior, nor the technical equipment, nor the condition of the restroom will impress the guest at the restaurant. For frivolous connoisseurs, they clarify that this restaurant is not a restaurant - it is a fairly simple, but unusually clean cafe where you can run into in order to have a quick, inexpensive and very tasty meal. The decoration of the institution is characterized by simplicity and convenience. The cafe is warm in the premises, visitors often go here to warm up. In two rooms there is very clean furniture (chairs and tables), there is a well-kept toilet. Each of the halls is equipped with a TV (visitors give special preference to sports broadcasts).
About contingent
The authors of the reviews note that the institution's visitors are not exclusively southerners, that is, the cafe does not belong to the category “for its own”. Also among the guests of this cafe people rarely come across who have rushed here to grab something on the go and rush on. Visitors are mainly couples, in addition, very decent and richly dressed people come here to come for the famous shawarma on expensive cars.
About staff
The employees of the establishment are southerners who look very neat, wear snow-white aprons and always smile amiably at guests. According to experts, the local chefs are very responsible for the quality of their dishes, so guests can always be sure of the excellent freshness of food and not be afraid of poisoning, as is often the case in similar establishments at stations. Visitors love to watch the action of the local chefs who work very clearly and quickly. At the same time, all employees on the other side of the counter always smile at the guests and wish them a pleasant appetite.
About rates
The pricing policy of the institution is pleasantly pleasing: the cost of shawarma in pita bread is 120 rubles, on a plate - 240 rubles. Most often, guests prefer to order a shawarma on a plate, since in this institution they can perfectly cook potatoes, which are served with special sauce, as the authors of reviews assure, of a truly divine taste.
More about the menu
In this cafe, in addition to shawarma, grilled meat and delicious hot dogs are cooked to order. If you want to relax, here you can order a bottle of beer, the price of which does not differ from that purchased in the store.
According to reviews, the shawarma that U Zakhar makes is completely not greasy. The product is traditionally in the shape of a square. The meat is used without streaks, fat and skin. The sauce, which is not spared here, according to some guests, is characterized by too much garlic, but many like it very much. If desired, you can ask to reduce the amount of sauce. Vegetables and meat in a dish in equal proportions. It takes about 3 minutes to cook.
Guests note that after eating, one never feels heaviness in the stomach, there is no feeling of overeating. Tomatoes, cucumbers and onions in shawarma are always fresh, appetizing and crunchy pita, not fried pita bread, resembling a pancake. Guests often order shawarma on a plate, take it with them less often in pita bread, usually when they feel a lack of time and hope to eat in the car. Often, residents of entire porches make collective purchases, ordering neighbors traveling to the U Zakhar cafe to bring them local products.
Guest Impressions
According to reviews, Shawarma “At Zakhar” is one of the best regional establishments in which many people like the oriental dish. The authors note the presence of a wonderful contingent, a good homely atmosphere and divine food. Shawarma on a plate and classic in pita bread, with chicken or other meat, visitors call it delicious. The reviewers delightedly call this dish, prepared in the cafe “U Zakhar”, “a divine crispy scroll”, inside of which there is a tender roasted chicken, fresh vegetables and a delicious sauce. Many guests admit that they like the juiciness of the local delicacy, generously seasoned with sauce. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the pita framing the dish is not baked here in an attempt to create a crust. Soaked in sauce, it becomes tasty and soft.
Connoisseurs recommend ordering a shawarma with potatoes at Zakhar - this dish has an unusually pleasant taste. Others admit that they prefer the traditional option - without potatoes. The sauce in the dish has a pleasant acidity, pita is usually well-done and tightly stuffed, so that nothing will ever fall out of it.
Guests also praise quality brewed coffee, a rarity in places like this. Many guests like branded napkins, which have appeared in the institution recently. Cafes are called a great place for lunch. Some guests regret that Wi-Fi is poor here. Often, the authors of reviews admit that they are regular guests of the institution.
For many years, the authors of the reviews note, the taste of the local shawarma has not changed at all, but the portions have become much smaller. Some visitors are of the opinion that the serving size for the price you have to pay for the meal could have been larger. In other establishments, such as the cafe “At Zakhar”, at the same prices, the shawarma is much larger. But for the great taste of the treat, guests are ready to forgive the small portions in which it is served in the establishment.