(Album updated with additional photos.) Neatness is not always a virtue. The gray uniformity of factory-made gyro (first photo, rear), whatever the original source of the meat, does appeal to some customers. Children, especially, said the fellow in charge of the sandwich station. He was prouder of his chicken and lamb shawarma, whose irregular cones he had assembled personally. Each was crowned with a hefty wad of fat; the lamb also sported a second wad about halfway down. The shavings that stuffed my lamb shawarma sandwich (below) varied greatly in size, shape, and texture, but none were dry. Credit dripping fat as well as many customers: A busier shawarma spit is usually a juicier shawarma spit.
Also shown: termis, or lupini beans, a peel-them-yourself snack (click on the photo for a closeup look and you'll see one stray skin at bottom left); fresh-squeezed sugar cane juice. No ice = good value.
For more photos, dessert included, see the EIT page on Facebook.
Staten Island Egyptian Festival
Archangel Michael and St. Mena Coptic Orthodox Church, 4095 Amboy Rd. (at Linderwood Rd.), Great Kills, Staten Island
www.MichaelMenaSI.org
(The 2017 festival, held over two weekends, concluded on October 1)
