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Game Theories & Lore - Community Speculation and Story Analysis

Lore & Theories • 12 min read • Updated 2025-11-12

Road-Side Shawarma is more than just a horror game - it's a mystery wrapped in rules, strange customers, and unsettling events. The community has been actively theorizing about the true nature of the shawarma stand, who the Phone Guy really is, and what's actually happening during those terrifying night shifts. This article compiles the most interesting theories and observations from the community.

The Phone Guy - Friend or Foe?

The Central Mystery:

The Phone Guy is perhaps the most enigmatic character in Road-Side Shawarma. He calls at the start of each night with rules and warnings, seemingly helping you survive. But community theories suggest something far more sinister.

Community Theory - The Phone Guy is the Main Villain:

Many players believe the Phone Guy is actually the mastermind behind everything:

  • • He knows everything before it happens - The Phone Guy tells you exactly what will occur during your shift, suggesting he's orchestrating the events

  • • You're trapped - There's no exit door in the shawarma stand. The Phone Guy has you imprisoned

  • • The Cult Guy warns you about him - The hooded figure tells you to "be careful," possibly referring to the Phone Guy

  • • He controls the anomalies - When you break rules or fail to call about the trash bag man, the monster appears. Is the Phone Guy controlling it?

  • • Defensive behavior - When you call about certain things, the Phone Guy gets defensive and tells you to "do your job" and stop asking questions

    • The Trap Theory:

    Players theorize that previous workers have died or disappeared, and the Phone Guy uses their experiences to perfect the "rules" for survival. You're not the first - you're just the latest test subject.

    Evidence:

  • • The Phone Guy seems surprised when you survive night after night

  • • The rules are too specific, suggesting they were learned through trial and error

  • • The job posting never mentioned being permanently trapped

    • The Trash Bag Man - A Killer Among Customers?

    The Suspicious Customer:

    One of the most discussed mysteries is the man with the trash bag who appears on Night 2.

    Community Observations:

    The bag wasn't empty - Players noticed the bag appeared to have something large inside based on its size and shape

    Why visit at night? - Players question why someone would come to a road-side shawarma stand late at night carrying a suspicious bag

    His defensive reaction - When you call the number on the poster about him, he gets very defensive, telling you to mind your own business

    The Alibi Theory:

    Some players theorize he's establishing an alibi:

  • • Killers often create alibis by visiting public places

  • • CCTV cameras at the shawarma stand would record his presence

  • • However, bringing the evidence (the bag) doesn't make sense for a smart criminal

    • The Question: What's really in the bag, and why does calling about him prevent your death? Is the Phone Guy protecting you, or is something else going on?

    The Monster - What Is It Really?

    The Unseen Horror:

    The monster that kills you when rules are broken is one of the game's most terrifying elements, but what exactly is it?

    Community Observations:

    It appears in specific situations:

  • • When you break the night's rules

  • • When you fail to call about the trash bag man

  • • When you mess up the bandaged nurse's order

  • • When you look up at the ceiling dripping

  • • When you open your eyes during ghost encounters

    • The killing method - The death screen shows hands appearing on either side of your face, covering it

    Perception-based - The monster can only attack once it's been perceived (looking up when it's above you, opening eyes when lights are out)

    Working with the Phone Guy?:

    Players theorize the monster is controlled by or working with the Phone Guy:

  • • It appears precisely when rules are broken, as if summoned

  • • The ghost girl who hands you the poster might also be part of this system

  • • The Phone Guy knows exactly when it will appear

    • The Anticipation Factor:

    Many players note that the scariest part isn't the monster itself, but knowing it's coming:

  • • You know it will appear on certain nights

  • • The lights flicker before it arrives

  • • The anxiety of waiting is worse than the jumpscare

  • • Playing alone amplifies the fear significantly

    • The Strange Customers - Victims or Accomplices?

    Facial Deformation Pattern:

    An interesting observation from the community: every strange customer features facial deformations, but no bodily ones.

    The Victim Theory:

    This has led to the theory that strange customers are victims of the monster:

  • • The monster attacks by covering the face with its hands

  • • All strange customers have distorted, melted, or damaged faces

  • • Their bodies appear normal, suggesting the monster only targets faces

  • • They might be former workers who failed and were transformed

    • Individual Customer Analysis:

    The Bandaged Nurse:

  • • Needle in her head

  • • Bloody, broken leg

  • • Bandages over bloody eyes and mouth

  • • Despite bandages over her eyes, her head follows you

  • • Community question: Is she a victim or something else?

    • The Hooded Cult Guy (Meat Customer):

  • • Red eyes

  • • Hides upper half of face

  • • No mouth visible

  • • Asks only for meat (chicken wrap)

  • • Warns you to "be careful" - of what?

  • • Players describe him as "chill" despite his appearance

  • • Not instructed by Phone Guy - Unlike other customers, you're not told what to do with him

    • The Siblings:

  • • Both have distorted, melted faces like the Stranger

  • • Swap their orders with each other

  • • Another test of following rules exactly

    • Theory: The cult guy might be trying to help you, possibly a former victim who escaped or knows the truth about the Phone Guy.

    The Ghost Girl and the Poster System

    The Warning System:

    On Night 2, a spirit appears at your window and hands you a poster about the trash bag man.

    Community Questions:

    Who is she? - Is she trying to help, or is she part of the Phone Guy's system?

    Why a poster? - The poster shows the man and provides a phone number to call. This seems designed to save you.

    Working with the Phone Guy?:
    Some players theorize she's part of the control system:

  • • She provides information exactly when needed

  • • The Phone Guy already knows about the trash bag man

  • • It feels like a scripted test rather than genuine help

    • Alternative Theory:
    She might be a former victim trying to warn future workers using the limited means available to her.

    Who's Really in Control? - The Bigger Picture

    The Mastermind Question:

    Several community theories attempt to explain who's orchestrating everything:

    Theory 1: The Phone Guy Controls Everything

  • • He knows all events before they happen

  • • He has you trapped in the stand

  • • The monster and ghosts work for him

  • • Previous workers were test subjects

  • • You're part of an experiment or ritual

    • Theory 2: The Cult Guy Knows the Truth

  • • He tells you to be careful (possibly of the Phone Guy)

  • • He appears to be free, coming and going

  • • He might be trying to help within the constraints

  • • His warning is vague because he can't speak freely

    • Theory 3: Everyone is Trapped

  • • The Phone Guy might also be trapped

  • • The strange customers are all former workers

  • • The system perpetuates itself

  • • Becoming a strange customer is the "promotion" or "end"

    • The Employment Mystery:

    Important questions raised by the community:

    How were you hired?

  • • There's no interview process shown

  • • The area is rural and isolated

  • • You'd need to be transported by vehicle (helicopter?)

  • • Whoever runs this has significant resources

    • Why can't you leave?

  • • No exit door exists

  • • The Phone Guy congratulates you on completing shifts

  • • The "permanent position" was literal

  • • The final call reveals you're trapped forever

    • Who funded this operation?

  • • Rural location with CCTV

  • • Sophisticated monitoring system

  • • Transportation required

  • • Suggests wealthy or powerful organization

    • The Meat Trompo - Just Equipment or Something More?

    The Strange Behavior:

    On Night 2, the meat trompo can start "moving and groaning unnaturally." When this happens, you must leave immediately.

    Community Theories:

    Theory 1: Possessed Equipment

  • • The meat might be cursed or supernatural

  • • Part of the strange events at the stand

  • • Connected to the cult guy who only wants meat

    • Theory 2: The Phone Guy Connection

  • • One player jokingly theorized: "What if Phone Guy was meat trompo the whole time?"

  • • While humorous, it raises questions about entities shapeshifting or hiding in plain sight

  • • Could explain how Phone Guy knows everything

    • Theory 3: Warning System

  • • The meat acting strange might indicate the monster is near

  • • Leaving when it happens keeps you safe from something worse

  • • It's a survival test like others

    • Community Gameplay Observations

    The Social Experience:

    Players have noticed significant differences in how the game feels:

    Playing with Friends vs. Alone:

  • • With friends = Fun, less scary, more coordination

  • • Alone = Anxiety-inducing, genuinely frightening, immersive horror

  • • The atmosphere changes completely based on social context

    • The Anxiety Factor:

    What makes the game scary according to players:

  • • Anticipation - Knowing something will happen but not when

  • • Inevitability - You know the monster is coming

  • • Constant threat - Even when safe, you know it's behind/above you

  • • Audio design - Sound effects and music create tension

  • • First playthrough - Initial anxiety is overwhelming

  • • Smooth sailing - Once you learn the patterns, it becomes easier

    • The Learning Curve:
    Players report that the first time is terrifying, but subsequent runs are much smoother once you:

  • • Learn to listen carefully to phone guy instructions

  • • Memorize customer patterns

  • • Understand rule mechanics

  • • Know when to expect events

    • Unanswered Questions & Future Updates

    What the Community Wants to Know:

    Story Questions:

  • • Who is the Phone Guy really?

  • • What happened to previous workers?

  • • Why does this shawarma stand exist?

  • • Is there a way to escape?

  • • What's the cult guy's real role?

  • • Can you save the strange customers?

    • Gameplay Mysteries:

  • • What happens if you don't answer the final phone call?

  • • Are there hidden endings?

  • • Will more drinks be added? (Only 3 of 4 slots filled)

  • • What secrets remain undiscovered?

    • Developer Hints:

    The community notes that developer nv1sh has mentioned:

  • • Limited expansion of the current story

  • • Possible connection to future games

  • • The story might tie into other projects in a "label" or group

  • • Plans for infinity/speedrun gamemode

    • Player Hope:

    "I just hope that this game will have some defined lore and no loose strings" - Community sentiment

    Players want:

  • • Clear answers to major mysteries

  • • Cohesive story that makes sense

  • • Resolution to character arcs

  • • Explanation of the supernatural elements

    • How to Form Your Own Theories

    Tips for Theory Crafting:

    Observation is Key:

  • • Pay attention to every detail

  • • Notice patterns in customer appearances

  • • Listen to all dialogue carefully

  • • Watch for environmental clues

    • Document Everything:

  • • Screenshot unusual events

  • • Take notes on rule variations

  • • Record customer dialogue

  • • Track which events trigger deaths

    • Compare with Others:

  • • Join the Discord to discuss

  • • Share your observations

  • • Challenge existing theories

  • • Collaborate on solving mysteries

    • Think Critically:

  • • Question everything the Phone Guy tells you

  • • Consider multiple interpretations

  • • Look for connections between events

  • • Ask "why" about game mechanics

    • Community Collaboration:

    The best theories come from community discussion:

  • • Share your findings on Discord

  • • Read what others have discovered

  • • Build on existing theories

  • • Test theories in-game

  • • Wait for future updates that might confirm or deny theories