The 2026 Free Press Shawarma Showdown is now featuring eight restaurants in metro Detroit competing in Round 2 of the competition. The "Savory Eight" are vying for the award for the best hand-held, sandwich-style shawarma served in a 16-restaurant bracket. Most of these restaurants received more than 60% of the vote in their first round, with Beirut Bakery and Al Ameer advancing. Voting is open until 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 23 to determine who will move on to the next round.