Giezel Alimboyoguen, owner and founder of Shawarma Break, recalls how she used to prepare a Filipino-style shawarma for friends and family at potlucks.
“It wasn’t until someone asked if they could place an order that I truly saw the potential (in our product),” she says. “It (the shawarma) was inspired by a favorite vendor I grew up with, back in the Philippines, and I wanted to recreate that experience here on the Island. Our business was driven by a desire to bring a taste of home to our community.”
Shawarma Break officially started in 2024 and started popping up at events around Oʻahu. The business name came to Alimboyoguen while she was eating shawarma.
“I was eating while taking a much-needed break, and it just clicked,” she says. “It perfectly captured that moment of pause and enjoyment that I wanted our customers to feel.”
The business offers shawarma wraps ($18) — available with beef, chicken or shrimp fillings — shawarma rice bowls ($19), loaded hot dogs ($15) and keiki quesadillas ($13). Shawarma Break’s tagline is ‘The Home for Sharing,’ according to Alimboyoguen, who says that customers can take advantage of a permanent “buy one, get one free” deal for every menu item.
“‘The home for sharing,’ isn’t just a phrase; it’s a foundational value for our family,” she says. “We built our business model around a permanent ‘buy one, get one free’ deal as a way to teach our two daughters about the joy and importance of sharing with others. We are committed to keeping that BOGO deal as a permanent part of our menu, ensuring that every meal is an opportunity to share something delicious with a loved one.”
Shawarma wraps are the most popular option for the BOGO deal. Wraps include onions, cucumbers, garlic yogurt sauce and tomatoes, along with a protein of choice.
The business also offers double break wrap combos ($22) or double break bowl combos ($23), which include the business’s signature soda floats.
So far, the business has been a vendor at events like Foodie Con, Taste of Aloha Night Market, Honolulu Night Market and the Pineapple Festival in Wahiawā, to name a few. Alimboyoguen is especially excited for her business to participate in Made in Hawaiʻi Festival for the first time.
“The most important thing I want people to know is that Shawarma Break is about so much more than just a quick meal,” Alimboyoguen says. “It’s a project rooted in our family values. By committing to our permanent ‘buy one, get one free’ model, we aren’t just serving food. We are actively teaching our two daughters about the value of generosity.
“When you support us, you’re supporting that vision,” she adds. “You’re helping us build a legacy that puts people, community and sharing at the very center of everything we do.”
For updates and information, follow the biz on Instagram.
“We are so grateful for the warm welcome we’ve received across the Island,” Alimboyoguen says. “We can’t wait to grow alongside the community. We have some exciting plans in the pipeline, so keep an eye on our Instagram to see where we’ll be popping up next. We’d love to see everyone there.”
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
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