Wagyu Shawarma Grill in Mission Valley has expanded from their El Cajon location to just east of Snapdragon Stadium. They opened in September 2022 and feature Wagyu Beef as well as traditional Mediterranean lamb and beef mixture, chicken, and salmon.

We are starting to see Wagyu beef on menus more and more. What exactly is Wagyu beef?

Pronounced wah-gyoo not wah-goo, it is a specific breed of Japanese cattle with unique genetic- qualities that create a marbling of fat inside the muscle tissue. The cow metabolizes the fat internally, integrating it within the muscle. This is the only livestock that does this. Of course, their calm and stress-free lifestyle help to keep the animals cortisol free, which deteriorates the quality of the beef. The rich, luscious cut of beef practically dissolves in your mouth.

Wagyu cattle originated in Japan and are in the U.S., Australia and Canada. Wagyu Shawarma Grill uses Australian Grade 2 Wagyu. They hand-slice the meat, in accordance with the Halal method of butchering. The meat never touches machines. Adding to keeping the meats cortisol free. Both beef and chicken are halal.

The Wagyu beef is hand built onto the vertical broiler, and broiling meat is on a rotating spike, alongside a variety of other meats.

Wagyu Shawarma Grill serves classic Mediterranean cuisine in any style you choose: wrap, bowl, or plate. Add on delicious side dishes such as Baba Ghanoush, finely chopped roasted eggplant made fresh daily, hummus or fries. Another unique side dish is the Bureg, a mini-rolled wrap of Wagyu Beef or Chicken Bureg stuffed with onions and parsley.

With warmer weather in San Diego, many people are preferring salads for lunch or dinner.

On the menu are varieties of fresh salads. Tabbouleh, Fatoosh and Beet Salad, chopped into small bits of beets, with parsley, walnuts and lemon juice. Currently their spring salad is Strawberry Fields, loaded with tangerines, strawberries, golden raisins, walnuts, feta and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

If you are in the mood for a small bite (Tikka) try the Salmon Tikka Wrap with rice and pickles, or the Chicken Tikka Halal with Mediterranean pickles and garlic sauce.

All of these dishes can be augmented with their tasty sauces. The sweet and spicy sauce is just the right amount of each to zest up the dishes.

Ending the meal with a delicious baklava is the way to go.

Wagyu Shawarma Grill is located at 10467 San Diego Mission Road. They are open daily from 10:30 am – 9 p.m. Eat in or take away. Order at (619) 642-0773.

Find their menu at: wagyushawarmagrill.com/.