Zaki has joined Tucson’s food truck scene with a clear mission.
The food truck operates 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily at 702 S. Stone Ave. Owner and executive chef Salaheddin Khalil, who goes by Salah, said the truck plans to stay at the small food truck court permanently.
“The idea behind ZAKI came from how hard it was to find authentic shawarma like the kind I grew up eating in Syria,” Khalil said.
A Syrian Story Rooted in Tucson
Khalil grew up between Syria and Jordan before war in Syria changed his family’s path. Afterward, his family moved to Malaysia.
“My father owned a Syrian restaurant there, and it became very successful because of how authentic and high-quality the food was,” Khalil said.
However, new laws eventually prevented foreigners from owning businesses there. His family closed the restaurant and later moved to Tucson.
“Later we moved to Tucson, and honestly that became one of the best things that ever happened to us,” Khalil said.
Authenticity Comes First
Khalil said Zaki grew from a desire to serve Syrian shawarma without chasing trends.
“A lot of people suggested adding non-traditional toppings or changing the recipes to fit trends, but I always wanted to protect the authenticity of the food,” he said.
The menu focuses on chicken shawarma wraps, lamb shawarma wraps, loaded shawarma fries, fresh lemonade, and house-made sauces. Zaki also uses 100% halal meat.
“Our garlic sauce is made fresh in-house using real ingredients, and it’s one of the things people immediately notice when they try the food,” Khalil said.
What to Order at Zaki
Khalil points first-time visitors toward the chicken shawarma wrap, lamb shawarma wrap, and loaded shawarma fries.
Chicken shawarma wraps cost $8. Lamb wraps cost $10. Chicken loaded fries cost $10, while lamb loaded fries cost $12.
Also, guests can order a full chicken shawarma meal with a wrap, fries, and fresh lemonade for $13.
“Our prices are very affordable because I want authentic food to be accessible to everyone,” Khalil said.
Fresh Bread and Local Support
Zaki’s bread anchors the menu. Khalil said the truck uses Barrio Grains flour and bakes bread fresh daily. He also credited David Furmanski, owner of the plaza and co-owner of Empire Pizza, for supporting the project.
“He has been incredibly supportive and helped guide me in making sure the food quality and pricing stayed where I wanted them,” Khalil said.
The name also carries personal meaning.
“The name ‘Zaki’ means ‘delicious’ in Jordanian Arabic, and the name is special to me because even though I mostly speak Syrian Arabic, that’s one Jordanian word I always use,” Khalil said.
Looking Ahead
For now, fries serve as the only vegan option at Zaki. However, Khalil said he plans to add a full vegan menu later. He said Syrian cuisine naturally includes many vegan dishes that Tucson diners would enjoy.
“I would describe Zaki’s identity as authentic Syrian street food made with care and honesty,” Khalil said. “We keep things simple and traditional instead of overcomplicating the food.”
Zaki is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 702 S. Stone Ave. Keep up with Zaki on Instagram. For more information, visit zaki-shawarma.com.
