Shawarma Hut London feeds a homeless man before opening. He comes back every day along with other regulars to stay alive
The shop owner says their restaurant is not for profit.
Shawarma Hut on Walworth Road, London (@shawarmahutlondon) is a Lebanese restaurant. Their founder, Ali Alsahlane, has previously advertised free food for the homeless on social media. One of his supposed regulars, David, explained why he visits daily.
“There is a homeless person waiting outside. I will let him in. We’re still 45 minutes away from the opening time, but I’ll still let him in the garden to have food,” Alsahlane told TikTok. He held a tray of fries with an assortment of dips, greens, a white wrap, and a soda. Alsahlane explained that they normally open their establishment to the unhoused at 11:30. He didn’t specify whether that was before lunch or in the evening. Nevertheless, he let David in, one of his unhoused regulars.
Alsahlane placed the tray of fries in front of David and told him to enjoy the meal. He also asked David, “Boss, would you like a cup of tea?” The man replied that he wanted tea with milk and two sugars. Alsahlane complied with the request and made tea for his regular, while repeatedly singing “f*** the rich.”
While serving the tea to David, Alsahlane said, “I’m not the boss. You are the boss.” According to Shawarma Hut, David comes to the restaurant every day. He also allegedly said, “Shawarma Hut is keeping me alive.” Shawarma Hut also claimed it serves about 100 meals a day to people experiencing homelessness. It’s like this teacher’s food pantry, except Alsahlane’s meals are hot and ready to serve.
The restaurant said its unhoused customers can come in as many times as they’d like each day, and some regulars swing by twice or three times a day. Alsahlane clarified that they also come in groups.
Low-income eatery that feeds the homeless
On its TikTok page, Shawarma Hut claimed it has “the cheapest sit-down restaurant in the UK.” Alsahlane said he started the restaurant for low-income people, not for profit. Their Lebanese chicken shawarma wrap with sauces and a drink costs only ₤3.99 for Universal Credit recipients and students. Everyone else pays a pound more.
The social media team claimed that the other cheap alternative in the area is a cafeteria that sells only beans and toast, which costs 60 pence more. Shawarma Hut accepts donations through Shawarma Hut Hunger Relief CIC, the restaurant’s community-focused non-profit fund. The proceeds go to their charity initiatives.
In another video, Alsahlane said Shawarma Hut donated shawarma wraps, rice, and drinks to a local Methodist Church. “We don’t discriminate between Muslims, Christians—anybody who is struggling, we are here for them,” Alshalane commented. He encouraged others to donate, as the UK government now recognizes the company as a charitable organization, specifically, a community interest company. While some open a charity shawarma shop for the wider community, others, like this teacher from Michigan, open a snack pantry for students in need.
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