Top Shawarma lives up to its name, serving delicious Middle Eastern meals

Juicy, seasoned beef elegantly twirls before gracefully falling onto a warm, fluffy piece of pita bread and bed of pickles and tomatoes, topped with a silky garlic sauce. Then it's popped into your to-go box.

Top Shawarma, a Middle Eastern food truck at 2560 N. Stone Ave., lives up to its name, serving up A+ shawarma that will have you wishing you found this hidden gem sooner.

I first came across this food truck while I was scrolling through Facebook. The Foodies of Tucson group often comes up on my news feed, and I was in awe when I saw a video showing Top Shawarma carefully shave pieces of beef off of its vertical spit.

Some commenters on the post said Top Shawarma was their new favorite spot in town to grab a meal.

You’ll see the white food truck as you head up North Stone Avenue. You can either take the food to go or you can take a seat in their building next door, which has a couple of tables and chairs.

Chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, rice, chicken rizo, gyros, falafels, baba ghanouj, grape leaves and more make up the menu here.

I decided to go with the Arabic beef shawarma wrap, fries and an order of falafel. The workers cheerfully handed me my order, and I was on my way.

The smell of warm, crispy fries filled my car. Somehow, I was able to make it home without digging into my fries, but as soon as I swung open my door, I ripped open the bag.

In front of me sat six slices of the Arabic beef shawarma wraps, stuffed with thin slices of meat, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, onions and garlic sauce. Next to them lay a hefty side of seasoned, golden fries.

I took a big bite and was instantly impressed. The warm, thin pita hugged the slices of beef, adding a nice chewy texture to offset the beef’s crispness.

The beef itself was stellar. It was nice and crispy on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside. The seasoning or marinade they use really put it over the top, giving the beef a rich, earthy taste that turns into a bright, tangy flavor that calls you back for more.

The veggies inside also added to the tanginess, giving the whole meal a complex flavor palate.

Of course, the fries were a knockout, too. They were the perfect balance of that crispy, crunchy outside and pillowy soft inside.

The falafel plate comes with four pieces of falafel, a fresh salad, tahini sauce, and a warm slice of pita bread.

No surprise: I loved the falafel, too. The ideal, crumbly outer shell provides an audible crunch as you bite in. The inside is like a fluffy, slightly nutty paradise, filled with garlicy and savory flavors.

My lunch was a complete success.