Renovated Shawarma Shop & Bakery now open in Ann Arbor
Shawarma Shop & Bakery is now open in its new, expanded location inside the lobby of the 777 Building at 777 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 110, in Ann Arbor.
Owned by Bilal Choukeir of Westland, Shawarma Shop & Bakery serves Lebanese and Mediterranean food inspired by family recipes.
Bilal Choukeir, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Jenny, and serves as head chef, brings more than 25 years of culinary experience to the restaurant. A self-taught chef, he honed his skills at restaurants across the region, including Atwater Brewery, where he served as culinary director overseeing menus and kitchen operations.
Fulfilling longtime dream
Purchasing Shawarma Shop fulfilled his longtime dream of owning a restaurant and gave him an opportunity to draw on his Lebanese heritage in the kitchen.
The couple built the business with help from their children, earning a loyal following through word of mouth and Bilal’s commitment to quality ingredients and from-scratch preparation.
The original restaurant operated as a compact Mediterranean takeout location next to the gas station at the corner of South State Street and East Eisenhower Parkway.
Under Choukeir’s ownership, Shawarma Shop & Bakery became a neighborhood destination among residents, students and employees throughout the Southside area.
Close to former location
When the original location closed in late 2025 as the surrounding property was being prepared for the Arbor South redevelopment project, Shawarma Shop & Bakery was invited to relocate into a substantially larger space inside the neighboring 777 Building.
“This move gives us the opportunity to serve our customers in a larger and more welcoming space while remaining in the neighborhood that has supported us,” said Choukeir. “Owning a restaurant has been a longtime dream of mine, and we are grateful to continue sharing Lebanese food and family recipes with the Ann Arbor community.”
The menu includes chicken and beef shawarma, gyro and falafel sandwiches, shawarma bowls, dinner plates, salads, soups, appetizers, sides, combination meals and desserts.
Ideal location
The expanded restaurant also provides a convenient dining option for tenants and visitors throughout the 777 Building, including members of BrightWorks, Oxford Companies’ flexible coworking community for entrepreneurs, remote professionals and businesses. Oxford Companies’ corporate offices are also located in the building.
“Shawarma Shop has become a beloved Ann Arbor institution, and we could not be more pleased to welcome Bilal and his team into the 777 Building,” said Jeff Hauptman,
CEO of Oxford Companies. “The food is outstanding, and the restaurant is a tremendous addition for our tenants, our BrightWorks members and everyone who visits the building. Shawarma Shop is also positioned to be a key piece of our vision for a walkable, vibrant Southside.”
The relocation allows the restaurant to remain close to its original customers while placing it within a growing professional and mixed-use district near the intersection of State Street and Eisenhower Parkway. The larger lobby location provides additional space for customers to dine in, meet colleagues or pick up meals to go.
The business is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is closed Saturdays and Sundays.
