Gal-Gal, a vibrant fast-casual restaurant specializing in delicious shawarma, officially debuted in Midtown (270 W 39th St., corner of 8th Avenue) on Thursday, February 1.
From Operating Partners Spencer Field (Cipriani and Skylark) and Noam Grossman (Upside Pizza, Norm’s Pizza, Softside, and Soupside), Gal-Gal offers bowls, salads, and pita sandwiches made with fresh and expertly prepared ingredients.
Gal-Gal brings a back-to-basics approach to the Middle Eastern staple; guests can mix and match to create their ideal pita sandwich or bowl, or choose from Gal-Gal’s artfully composed “Perfect Pitas”:
- Perfect Chicken Pita – multiple layers of thinly-sliced chicken with hummus, tahini, onion sumac, white cabbage, parsley, and schug
- Perfect Beef Pita – multiple layers of thinly-sliced beef with hummus, tahini, onion sumac, cucumber & tomato salad, parsley, and amba
- Perfect Falafel Pita – falafel with hummus, tahini, onion sumac, cucumber & tomato salad, and parsley
If opting to DIY, guests assemble their pita, salad, or rice bowl in three steps:
- First, choose a base: pita (with pitas from Angel Bakeries), lettuce, turmeric rice, or white rice
- Next, a hearty protein: chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, or falafel
- Finally, add vibrance and texture with a wide array of toppings + sauces:
- Toppings: white cabbage, red cabbage slaw, cucumber & tomato salad, sliced carrots, onions with sumac, cucumber salad, cherry tomato & jalapeño salad, beet salad, potato salad, eggplant tomato salad, pickled vegetables (pickles, peppers, or a multi-veggie blend), or parsley
- Sauces: schug (Middle Eastern hot sauce), harissa (a spicy chili pepper paste), babaganoush, hummus, amba (tangy pickled mango sauce), or tahini.
Designed by Bolt Design Group, the petite and stylish Middle East-inspired space features warm terracotta hues, bold graphic wall cutouts, and contrasting colors. The interior is reminiscent of the ancient brick facades commonly found in the Middle Eastern region, with modern touches throughout.
