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Sincerely Syria
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Sincerely Syria
7.8
Sincerely Syria is a narrow, late-night shawarma and falafel counter on Hollywood Boulevard that has quietly built a loyal following. Wraps come stuffed and crispy, fries are piled high, and sauces skew bold and garlicky. It’s more functional than polished, but for post-show or post-bar eats, it’s one of the tastier, trend-aware budget moves in 90028.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed shawarma wrap with fries, Falafel wrap or plate, Garlic fries or loaded shawarma fries
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.4
What makes it special: A tiny Syrian shawarma counter turning out crispy, overstuffed wraps late into the night.
Who should go: Night owls craving bold, affordable Middle Eastern street food.
When to visit: Late nights after bars, shows, or Hollywood sightseeing.
What to order: Mixed shawarma wrap, falafel wrap, garlic or shawarma fries.
Insider tip: Ask for extra garlic sauce and have them crisp your wrap on the flat-top for maximum texture.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Hollywood Blvd and nearby side streets is limited and competitive at night; nearby paid lots at Ovation Hollywood or garages off McCadden are the most reliable options.
Dress code: Completely casual — come as you are, from daytime sightseeing attire to late-night bar clothes.
Noise level: Lively street noise from Hollywood Blvd; inside is small but manageable for quick conversations.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on bar/show traffic; lines grow after 10pm.
Weekday lunch: No wait or very minimal, usually served immediately.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — falafel wraps, hummus, fries, and veggie sides are solid options.
Vegan options: Yes — falafel and several sides are vegan-friendly, though double-check sauces.
Gluten-free options: Limited — most items are wrap-based; salads and plates can work but there is no dedicated GF prep setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date unless you’re going for a fun, low-stakes, grab-and-go vibe — it’s a small counter spot with limited seating.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s counter-service and first-come, first-served. Expect to stand or take it to-go during peak late-night hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who enjoy grab-and-go bites, but limited seating and late-night crowds make it less ideal for younger children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night shawarma, fast service, and bold, affordable wraps that outperform nearby tourist-geared spots in flavor and value.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, a quieter environment, or broader Middle Eastern menus with full entrées.
Sincerely Syria
8.9
Sincerely Syria is a narrow shawarma shop on Hollywood Boulevard turning out carved-to-order lamb, beef, and chicken wraps with a tight, Syria-focused menu. Since opening in the early 2020s, it’s built a strong following and even landed on major local best-restaurant lists for its focused, high-impact flavors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb and beef shawarma wrap, Chicken shawarma plate, Spicy fries with garlic sauce and pickles
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Damascus-style shawarma carved to order with a short, obsessively executed menu.
Who should go: Shawarma fans chasing focused Syrian flavors over frills
When to visit: Evenings and late night when the shawarma cone is freshest
What to order: Lamb and beef shawarma, chicken plate, spicy fries with extra toum
Insider tip: Ask them to tuck fries and extra pickles inside your shawarma for full street-style effect.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only along Hollywood Blvd and nearby side streets; expect metered spots to be competitive after 6pm. Garages at Ovation Hollywood or Sunset & Vine are the most reliable paid options (5–12 minutes away).
Dress code: Completely casual — come as you are. Most diners are in streetwear, hoodies, or late-night bar outfits.
Noise level: Moderate-to-loud due to foot traffic and music from neighboring storefronts. Still fine for quick conversation but not ideal for long chats.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on shawarma cone turnover; peak late-night hours may stretch to 20 minutes.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; food comes out quickly since cones are kept active.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — falafel wraps and plates, plus salads and sides like hummus and pickles.
Vegan options: Partial — falafel wrap/plate can be made vegan if you skip toum and yogurt sauces.
Gluten-free options: Yes — opt for plates instead of wraps; meats, falafel, rice, and salads are naturally gluten-free.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re doing a casual, walk-and-eat style date. The space is narrow and food is handheld and messy, so it’s better suited for relaxed hangs than romantic first impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no reservations. It’s counter-service with limited seating, so expect to eat quickly or take your food to-go during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy shawarma, fries, and simple plates. There’s no high-chair setup or room for strollers, so it’s less ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: One of the best spots in Hollywood for pure shawarma flavor and value — juicier meat, sharper pickles, and more handcrafted sauces than most quick-service competitors.
Skip if: You want full-service dining, big seating areas, or a quieter meal; or if you need a broad Mediterranean menu with salads, dips, and seafood.
Sincerely Syria
8.9
Sincerely Syria is a narrow Hollywood Boulevard shawarma counter turning out carved-to-order lamb, beef, and chicken wraps with a tight focus on Damascus street flavors. The menu stays small and obsessive, which keeps the spit-cut meat juicy, the toum sharp, and the lines of regulars steady late into the night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed lamb & beef shawarma wrap, Chicken shawarma plate, Spicy fries with garlic sauce
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.5
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 9.2
What makes it special: Serious Syrian shawarma served with focus and no frills.
Who should go: Shawarma obsessives chasing top-tier spit-roasted meat.
When to visit: Evenings and late night when the shawarma cone is freshest.
What to order: Mixed lamb and beef shawarma, chicken shawarma plate, spicy fries.
Insider tip: Ask for extra toum and house pickles inside the wrap for balance.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Hollywood Boulevard is limited and competitive at night; metered spots open up more quickly on side streets like Wilcox and Cahuenga.
Dress code: Completely casual—tees, hoodies, and post-workout clothes are all normal for a shawarma counter.
Noise level: Moderate street noise from Hollywood Boulevard; inside is tight but you can still hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on the shawarma cone turnover and late-night rush.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or just a few minutes during peak takeout flow.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but available—falafel wraps and sides like hummus and salads.
Vegan options: Possible with a falafel wrap customized without sauces containing dairy; veg sides help fill it out.
Gluten-free options: Plates without pita are workable, but no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re aiming for ultra-casual—this is a counter-service shawarma shop with tight space and fast turnover, better for a quick bite than a sit-down date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Limited counter seating fills fast, but most guests grab and go.
Is it kid-friendly? Suitable for older kids who like wraps and fries, but space is cramped and there are no high chairs or amenities for small children.
Best For
Better for: Top-tier shawarma quality, especially the lamb-beef mix, with authentic Damascus-style seasoning you won’t find at broader Mediterranean grills nearby.
Skip if: You want comfortable seating, large group dining, or a full mezze spread—this spot is narrowly focused on shawarma.