You know you want shawarma. The harder question is what goes inside it. Chicken shawarma and steak shawarma can use the same bread, vegetables and sauces while still creating very different meals. If you are choosing your next shawarma in Orlando, start with the kind of flavor you are craving.
Chicken shawarma: savory and versatile
Chicken takes seasoning extremely well. It can deliver aromatic flavor while remaining slightly lighter than richer beef options. It also pairs naturally with creamy sauces, crisp vegetables and fresh herbs.
Steak shawarma: richer and more intense
Steak brings deeper beef flavor and a more indulgent profile. Browning adds savory intensity, while vegetables and sauces keep the wrap balanced.
Which one has more flavor?
Steak usually has the stronger natural meat flavor. Chicken often allows spices, garlic, herbs and sauces to stand out more clearly. Think of steak as richness and chicken as versatility.
Which one works best with sauce?
Both work. Creamy sauces add moisture to chicken, while tangier sauces can balance steak. If you are ordering for takeout, sauce on the side can help keep the bread from softening too quickly.
What about mixed shawarma?
A mixed shawarma solves the debate. Combining chicken and steak creates contrast in the same order and gives first-time visitors an easy way to compare both.
Chicken or steak in a bowl?
A bowl lets you combine meat with rice, salad, pita, tabbouleh and creams. This format is useful when you want more variety than a single wrap. El Genio’s Full Bowl includes beef and chicken along with falafel and kippe.
Pair chicken with richer sides
Chicken’s versatility makes it easy to pair with richer shareables such as pastelitos or tequeños. A cachapa also creates a sweet-corn contrast with savory chicken.
Pair steak with fresh or corn-based sides
Because steak is richer, an arepa, fresh side or simple shareable can give the meal variety without stacking richness on top of richness.
Shawarma on International Drive
El Genio is located at 11787 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32821. The menu makes it easy for groups to mix shawarma with Venezuelan classics, burgers and shareables.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chicken shawarma spicy?
Shawarma seasoning is usually aromatic and savory rather than defined by extreme heat. Sauce choices can change the spice level.
Is steak shawarma the same as a steak sandwich?
No. Shawarma uses a different seasoning profile, bread style and combination of vegetables and sauces.
Can I order both chicken and steak?
Look for mixed shawarma or a bowl that includes multiple proteins.
Choose based on the rest of your order
Your shawarma protein does not exist in isolation. If the table is already ordering rich burgers, cheese-filled shareables and cachapas, chicken can bring balance. If the rest of the meal is lighter, steak can become the deeper, more indulgent centerpiece.
Which is better for first-time shawarma diners?
Chicken is often the easiest first choice because its flavor profile feels familiar while still showing the spices, vegetables and sauces that define shawarma. Steak is ideal for diners who already know they enjoy beef-forward meals. Mixed shawarma is the most informative choice because it gives both experiences at once.
What to do on your second visit
If you ordered chicken first, switch to steak or falafel next time rather than repeating the same meal. If you started with mixed, try one protein alone so you can notice the seasoning and texture more clearly. Food guides are most useful when they help you compare, not simply tell you what is “best.”
Ready to Try It?
Choose chicken when you want versatility, steak when you want richer beef flavor, or mixed when you want both. Order El Genio online for pickup or delivery.
