Waamo Introduce
Welcome to Waamo Restaurant, a unique culinary destination in Phoenix, Arizona, bringing the rich, vibrant, and comforting flavors of Somali and Mediterranean cuisine to the 85008 area. Arizonans who appreciate diverse and authentic food will find Waamo to be a hidden gem, offering a menu that is both hearty and flavorful. The restaurant is classified as both a traditional Restaurant and a specialized Delivery Restaurant, ensuring that these distinct tastes are easily accessible to the local community.
Waamo stands out by providing an appealing mix of East African staples, notably Somali dishes, alongside popular Mediterranean favorites. This blend offers a unique dining experience that caters to a variety of palates. The commitment to offering Halal food, coupled with healthy options, ensures that guests can enjoy their meals with confidence and satisfaction. Whether you are seeking a quick bite, a satisfying lunch, or a full dinner, Waamo provides a casual atmosphere and fast service that is popular for solo dining and groups alike.
The dining experience at Waamo is designed to be welcoming and professional, with a focus on fresh ingredients and traditional preparation methods. One customer review highlighted the excellent service, noting, “The service was amazing very helpful and friendly. Food was excellent, I definitely need to stop again and try other things.” This feedback speaks to the dedication of the staff and the quality of the cuisine, making it a compelling choice for your next meal in Phoenix.
Waamo Restaurant is strategically located in East Phoenix, a convenient spot for residents across the region. You can find the establishment at 5050 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA. This address places it near major thoroughfares, making it simple to reach whether you are coming from work, home, or passing through the area.
Accessibility is a key priority for Waamo, ensuring all members of the Arizona community can dine comfortably. The restaurant is well-equipped with comprehensive features to support guests with mobility needs, including a Wheelchair Accessible Entrance, a Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot, a Wheelchair Accessible Restroom, and Wheelchair Accessible Seating. This full commitment to accessibility reflects the restaurant's inclusive approach to hospitality.
For drivers, the location offers ample and convenient parking options, a valued feature in the busy Phoenix landscape. Patrons benefit from both a Free Parking Lot and Free Street Parking, eliminating any parking stress. Furthermore, the availability of seating and table service ensures a comfortable and non-rushed dining experience in a casual environment.
Waamo provides flexible and extensive service options to accommodate the diverse needs and schedules of its Phoenix clientele. The services offered ensure convenience, whether you plan to eat in, grab a quick meal to go, or have it delivered to your home or workplace.
- Comprehensive Service Options: The restaurant offers Delivery, Takeout, and traditional Dine-in service, giving patrons maximum flexibility.
- Extended Dining Times: Meals are served across all major parts of the day, including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, in addition to Dessert offerings.
- Table Service and Seating: Guests who choose to dine in are provided with comfortable Seating and professional Table Service.
- Reservations Accepted: For groups or those planning a visit during peak hours, Waamo conveniently Accepts Reservations.
- Payment Options: Multiple payment methods are accepted for convenience, including Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and NFC Mobile Payments.
Waamo’s highlights extend beyond its diverse menu, encompassing a range of features that enhance the overall customer experience, making it a professional and friendly place to visit in Phoenix.
- Diverse and Unique Offerings: The menu features Comfort food, Halal food, Healthy options, Quick bites, and Small plates, showcasing a specialty in authentic Somali dishes like the "Waamo Special" items (Hilib/Goat, Chicken Sukhaar, Lamb Shank, Ethopian Injera) alongside Mediterranean favorites (Gyros, Shawarma, Hummus).
- Fast Service: Noted as a key highlight, the restaurant is committed to efficiency and provides Fast service, perfect for those with limited time.
- Beverages and Desserts: A wide selection of fresh beverages, including Mango Juice, Watermelon Juice, and Somali Iced Tea, along with Desserts like Shakes and Smoothies, are available. A customer review praised the mango juice as “delicious!” and the availability of hot “spice” tea.
- Family-Friendly Amenities: The restaurant is considered Good for Kids and offers High Chairs, making it an excellent choice for family dining.
- Atmosphere and Crowd: The setting is Casual and popular for Groups, providing a relaxed environment for both social gatherings and Solo dining.
- Accessibility and Amenities: Full Wheelchair Accessibility is provided, along with a clean Restroom for guest use.
To place an order for delivery or takeout, or to inquire about reservations and the menu, the restaurant is easily reachable using the following details:
Address: 5050 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Phone: (602) 244-1206
(The mobile number is recorded as +1 602-244-1206, which is the same contact number.)
For an Arizona diner in search of an exciting and satisfying culinary experience, Waamo Restaurant is a highly compelling choice for several reasons. The primary draw is the authentic and diverse menu, which expertly fuses the rich, slow-cooked flavors of Somali cuisine with the fresh, vibrant tastes of the Mediterranean. This duality means there is something for everyone, from those seeking the highly recommended, traditional Hilib (oven-roasted goat meat), which one customer likened to "oxtail," to those craving classics like Chicken Shawarma and Gyros. The availability of Halal food also makes it a key resource for a large segment of the Phoenix community.
The unique items on the "Waamo Special" menu—like the Lamb Shank, Chicken Sukhaar, and Ethiopian Injera option—provide an opportunity for local food enthusiasts to explore unique and high-quality East African dishes that are not commonly found in the region. The appetizers, such as the Sambusa, are also praised, with one reviewer highlighting the “yummy” appetizer and the “great and spicy” accompanying "salsa." This attention to flavor and authentic sides is a significant factor in the restaurant’s appeal.
Beyond the food, Waamo excels in customer service and convenience. The consistent mention of “amazing,” “helpful,” and “friendly” service in customer reviews indicates a staff that genuinely cares about the dining experience. Furthermore, the highlight of "Fast service" ensures that whether you are dining in or opting for takeout, your meal will be served efficiently. The full commitment to accessibility (wheelchair accessible everything) and family-friendly features (high chairs, good for kids) solidify Waamo's standing as a truly inclusive and community-focused restaurant in East Phoenix. In short, Waamo is worth choosing for its unique, flavorful cuisine, outstanding service, and commitment to convenience and inclusivity for all Arizona patrons.
Waamo Food & drink
Waamo Special
- 14. Chapatti Wrap $10.20
Your choice of chicken. Beef or fish wrap in chapatti (Somali flat bread) with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and dressing.
- 6. Chicken Stake $17.58
Marinated chicken breast then grilled over open flame.
- 8. Beef Steak $17.58
Deli-style thin beef grilled with vegetables.
- 7. Chicken Leg $15.12
Marinated chicken legs battered and deep fried.
- 1. Hilib $20.04
Oven-roasted goat meat.
- 3. Chicken Sukhaar $16.35
Marinated chicken strips grilled with vegetables.
- 16. Sports Platter With 3 Items And 3 Sides $43.44
Combination of choice and entree sides.
- 5. Chicken Cotolette $16.35
Marinated and battered chicken breast then fried.
- 13. Ethopian Injera $15.12
Your choice of beef sukhaar, chicken sukhaar, hillib, or fish with Berbere sauce, spinach and salad served with injera.
- 12. Lamb Shank $22.51
1 lamb shank grilled to perfection with waamo spices.
- 9. Garlic Strip Steak $17.58
Beef steak stripped and sauteed with garlic sauce.
- 2. Beef Sukhaar $18.81
Bite sized square cut beef slowly simmered with vegetables.
- 4. Qutulaash $17.58
Fresh baked chapatti topped with beef sukhaar or chicken sukhaar.
- 11. Fish Fillet $17.58
Tilapia. Marinated fish filled fried and fried to crisp.
- 10. Waamo Plate $17.58
Combination of pasta and rice cooked with chicken sukhaar.
- 15. Soor $18.81
Ugaali. Corn meal, potatoes, carrots with special sauce served with your choice of hillib or chicken.
- 16. Sports Platter With 2 Items And 2 Sides $31.13
Combination of choice and entree sides.
Pita Sandwiches
- Chicken Shawarma Pita Sandwich $10.21
Marinated chicken, grilled to perfection.
- Chicken Kabab Pita Sandwich $10.21
Skewer of marinated chicken breast.
- Falafel Pita Sandwich $10.21
3 chickpea patties wrapped with warm pita and tahini sauce.
- Gyros Pita Sandwich $10.21
Gyro meat wrap with warm pita topped with tahini sauce.
Beverages
- Coconut Juice $1.60
- Tea $1.60
House special.
- Soda $1.60
- Somali Iced Tea $2.00
- Coffee $1.60
- Mango Juice $1.60
- Watermelon Juice $1.60
Entrees
- Chicken Kabab $17.58
2 skewers of chicken breast.
- Gyros Plate $15.14
Ground beef, lam and tzatziki sauce.
- Chicken Shawarma $16.35
Grilled chicken breast.
Desserts
- Shake $4.06
Mango, papaya, strawberry and banana.
- Smoothie $4.06
Papaya, strawberry, banana.
Appetizers and Salads
- Mediterranean Platter $12.67
Hummus, babaganoush, tahini, 2 falafel and salad.
- Babaganoush $8.98
Broiled eggplant puree with tahini lemon juice and garlic sauce.
- Grilled Chicken Salad $12.67
Greek salad topped with grilled chicken and fresh lemon juice.
- Hummus Dip $8.98
Mashed chickpeas with tahini sauce and fresh garlic.
- Chicken Shawarma Salad $15.14
Greek salad topped with marinated chicken breast and garlic sauce.
- Greek Salad $11.44
Romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes, Green Onions, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, dressed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil.
- Sambusa $5.29
Crispy deep fried pastry with special spices (Somali style).
- Tahini Dip $8.98
Crushed sesame with fresh garlic and lemon juice.
Waamo Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Halal food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
Crowd
- Groups
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Free street parking
- Parking
Waamo Photos










Waamo Location
Waamo
5050 E McDowell Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85008, USA
Waamo Reviews
somali foodgoatsambusacleanatmospheregyromediterranean foodafrican foodhot sauceplate
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1First time here as a suggestion from my friend. The service was amazing very helpful and friendly. There was some hot "spice " tea, omg I could have drank the whole pot. Food was excellent, I definitely need to stop again and try other things. Mango juice was delicious!
August 16 · Jason BurlingameThe atmosphere was meh. Nothing special. But the gentleman serving was helpful with any question or suggestions. Quick service. I had the goat, hilib, that tasted too me like oxtail. The appetizer we had was yummy. They have a "salsa" that was served with the appetizer that was great and spicy.
May 15 · Timberly “PhxTimbo13”I was very shocked by the quality of the food (as usual my evaluation will be as a frequent traveler around the countries) this restaurant has a Somali style they have a Ramadan iiftar daily for $24 buffet and the food was enough there is rice meat chicken beans fruits vegetables water everything and the quality of the food was very very wonderful I understood from the restaurant that after Ramadan there will be such a buffet every Friday thank you continue the place is normal but the quality of the food is excellent and I knew that when I saw the women in the internal kitchen
March 23 · HAITHAM ALSUHAYMIThis place is AMAZING! I don’t usually leave reviews, but I had to make an exception. The food was fresh, full of flavor, and clearly made with love. The staff was super friendly and made us feel right at home.Everything from the starters to the dessert was just perfect. You can tell they care about quality and it shows. If you’re looking for a spot to relax, eat delicious food, and be treated like family,Definitely my new favorite spot in town. Can’t wait to come back!
June 21 · Abdirahman AbdullahiI went to this place with one of my friends. From the outside and inside it looks like an ordinary restaurant but their food was extraordinary!!! Their falafel sandwich, more like a wrap was delicious. My friend and I both loved the food, we both ordered the vegetarian item falafel sandwich.
March 07 · Pranav Sanghadia
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