Best Sharwma in the GTA

[smr714]

I am looking for a few good sharwma places in and around the city. What I am looking for is good without having to slop it with all the toppings (i.e. extra sauces/hot) since normally I am on the go and when I have one.

Nothing I have had so far compares to the ones I first tried when I was in Los Angeles at Zankou's chicken -- down there they do not use hot sauce. I am still looking for a westend, Mississauga location to buy Bastarmia. Now I get it on Lawrence in Scarbourough but am looking for something a tad closer or on the way home to the Hammer from work.

S.

[Googs]

For me it's Shawarma Empire at 1823 Lawrence E just east of Pharmacy. I've tried many of the others on Lawrence, but SE excels at several things:
-They're 100% consistent. My shawarma tastes the same each and every time I order it. No good days/bad days issues like the others.
- They're clean. I would eat off of their floor. Okay, maybe not, but you get my point.
- The couple who run the place are very pleasant to deal with whether you're a shawarma expert or a first-timer.
http://www.thestar.com/article/192408

[Moimoi]

I second Me Va Me on Steeles, just West of Yonge on the North side... Add the fried eggplant and baba ganoush to everything! I love everything at that place, and the line-ups speak for their success.

[magic]

Their food is great, but the staff is incredibly unfriendly, so I stay away.

[Curlygrrl]

That's why I go to their take out location.....there maybe a line up ...but your in and out...

[magic]

Oh I'm talking about the take-out location. Terrible. So rude.

I've heard the main restaurant location is even worse. Which disturbs me. Their food is top quality though, too bad.

[Curlygrrl]

Me Va Me at Steeles and Yonge have great Shawarma, Falafel etc.. with all the appropriate fixings

[duckdown]

I like my shawarma sandwiches with lettuce & garlic sauce only

They have no lettuce :(

No plain grated lettuce at least

[JamesJT]

Zankou's is high standard to compare, as of yet I've found nothing in Toronto as good.

I've been looking for a great place that serves it the way the Lebonese do in London, Tomato, Pickle, Chicken and Toum. Deliciously simple.

[smr714]

I tried the one from Ameer yesterday and they did it like you wanted James, and there was ample chicken in it.

[Scary Bill]

Paramount Foods
1290 Crestlawn Drive, Mississauga, ON L4W

What is Bastarmia?

[smr714]

Basterma is a heavily spiced/pressed beef normally made from the tenderloin. Very tender and cured so edible without heating. Some say it is similar to pastrami but pastrami is more wet. I am addicted to a good Bastarma -- especially the Armenian version.

[magic]

Johnny's Shawarma at Kennedy/Ellesmere (next to Dairy Queen) is great if you are looking for Scarb suggestions...

[goaneat]

try Ameer Family Restaurant - 2034 Lawrence Ave E...it is just after the Tim Horton's
at Warden and Lawrence....the sharwma is not MESSY like all the other ones out there .Enjoy......