Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill

What is Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill? Perched in a Wexford-Maryvale strip plaza at 1961 Lawrence Avenue East, Sumaq is the bustling temple of Mesopotamian meat cookery founded by four brothers from Baghdad. The dining room is brightly lit, fast-paced, and filled with the scent of natural wood charcoal and blistered flatbread fresh from the clay tanoor. Seating consists of casual, unpretentious dining room tables and booths built for fast turnovers, late-night food runs, and big family feasts.

Sumaq Iraqi Charcoal Grill Menu & What to Order The standout is the citrus-marinated veal shawarma (known traditionally as gus), shaved crisp from the vertical spit and wrapped in freshly baked samoon or tanoor bread. From the charcoal embers, order the minced Iraqi lamb kebab plate or the skewers of chicken tikka, accompanied by grilled tomatoes, sumac-dusted onions, and silky hummus. The Veal Arabi platter—sliced into toasted, sauce-drizzled pieces—is ideal for sharing alongside a chilled cup of salty Ayran yogurt drink. The entire menu is certified halal, with vegetarian falafel plates available and rich daheen or baklava to finish.

Know Before You Go Service is counter-style and walk-in only, and dinner queues can easily stretch toward the door on weekend evenings. Free plaza surface parking is available out front, but ordering online ahead of time is wise if you want to skip the dine-in queue. Night owls take note: the Scarborough location operates daily from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m. on weekdays and stretches until 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.