642775 Fri Aug 07 08:41:12 -0700 2009 86 23 Ontario (including Toronto) 0 4925824 I couldn't find a recent post on the shawarma situation in Toronto so I decided to start one, in case things have changed (hopefully for the better) in the past couple of years. I'm originally from Ottawa, the shawarma capital of Canada, and have never found anything even remotely comparable to the Ottawa shawarmas in Toronto... Please share your experiences. Thank you! Fri Aug 07 08:41:12 -0700 2009 64331 itsvince 1 4926173 I would suggest you try Milo's Pita. It is in the Toronto Life centre (Yonge & Dundas). I had the kafta kebabs there and they are so good. Will go back next week to try their shawarma. If their kebabs are any indication of the quality of their food, they are good. Fri Aug 07 10:27:29 -0700 2009 4925824 69499 TOchowgal 2 4926709 I found Milo's too salty the last time I went. Could have been an off day. I actually quite like Villa Madina in Scarborough Town Centre (with Tabouleh, which they charge extra for). From what I remember, the place in Eaton Centre in the south food court next to McDonald's was ok as well. But you're right, haven't had anything as good as Ottawa here. Fri Aug 07 13:33:50 -0700 2009 4926173 57642 Sinfulia 2 4931955 Another hearty vote for Milo's best in Toronto :) Sun Aug 09 20:16:41 -0700 2009 4926173 70173 JonasBrand 2 5004565 Because of this thread I tried the chicken shawarma at Milo's last night - YUM YUM YUM! By far one of the better shawarma's I've had in a long time. Fri Sep 04 07:40:48 -0700 2009 4926173 13707 JennaBean 1 4926319 there is absolutely nothing even close to the same quality that i've found... and believe me, i've looked i wish we had something like Boustan here... or i'd even settle for a chain like Amir (although im referring to montreal instead) Fri Aug 07 11:07:38 -0700 2009 4925824 115105 duckdown 1 4926430 l like the shawarma at Yakamoz on Wilson. Haven't found anything in the realm of Shawarma Palace in TO. Fri Aug 07 11:49:20 -0700 2009 4925824 10626 phoenikia 2 4985410 I tried Yakamoz last Friday around lunch time. No turnips or garlic sauce (I think it's called toumeh), which I guess is normal for Toronto. Lady behind the counter was from Yugoslavia (not that there's anything wrong with that). Pita was pocket-style (good), and the shawarma sandwich ended up costing about 5.99 or 6.99. Chicken was moist, dark meat, with a hint of curry spice. Hot sauce and hummus on the sandwich, along with lettuce and tomatoes. Not genuine but still tasty. I miss Ottawa. Fri Aug 28 07:50:41 -0700 2009 4926430 64331 itsvince 3 4985560 If you go to Yakamoz again, ask for the fried eggplant added to your shawarma. It's so flavourful and adds a great dimension to the sandwich. I also have them add the vinegar-based cole slaw, as I like the crunch. Fri Aug 28 08:30:50 -0700 2009 4985410 12124 TorontoJo 1 4927274 The best I've had so far in Toronto is at the Ghazele on College in Little Italy. Fri Aug 07 16:57:01 -0700 2009 4925824 125045 ziggystardust 1 4930740 Armenian Kitchen on Vic Park has the best I've had Sun Aug 09 10:38:24 -0700 2009 4925824 191951 air621 2 4930869 I like Armenian Kitchen as well. My fave, though, is at Shawarma Empire. http://www.restaurantica.com/on/scarborough/shawarma-empire/23016067/ Sun Aug 09 11:37:20 -0700 2009 4930740 12072 Googs 3 4932251 The shawarma wars have broken out again on Lawrence east of Victoria Park. The best is Ibrahim, across from Nasr on the corner , south east side, unless he gets excited with the salt, which he does rarely. Best salads. Two for $6.99 plus taxes I had a really good chicken shawarma combo plate at Aladdin's Palace, Victoria Park and Tempo, underneath the once again failed Chinese Buffet. Pita, pickling, chicken shawarma, tabouleh (made with lemon juice, not from the bottle) babaganoush, hummus, sauces, plus falafel which I refuse. If you don't ,ask for them soft fried. Shaken at the end, not stirred. $8.95 I think, and a real good meal. Veg combo with labneh is cheaper and also good. VVM Mon Aug 10 01:43:53 -0700 2009 4930869 16181 Vinnie Vidimangi 4 4932616 See, this is amongst the reasons why Shawarma Empire is my fave. Their 100% consistency in quality and flavour means I can just order and relax. Mon Aug 10 07:10:26 -0700 2009 4932251 12072 Googs 5 4934510 A mini review of some of the places on the Lawrence/Warden strip: Shawarma Empire is my go to standard. I agree with Googs 100%. Their shawarmas are a little different than most others I have tasted, their hot sauce has a bit of a curry hit that makes it stand out. I've never had a bad shawarma or falafel from them. I have found Ibrahim to be very solid but agree with VV that they can be salty from time to time. Avoid Farhat! Oh how the mighty have fallen. I've found Nasib's to be a little bland, and when Shawarma Empire is just a few doors down I have to give them a pass. I have been meaning to try out Ali Baba, which I plan on doing tomorrow. If it's any good I'll definitely report back. Mon Aug 10 16:07:10 -0700 2009 4932616 45153 Dr Butcher 6 4934598 Spend your calories elsewhere. I found Ali Baba to be comically bad. Hoser style shawarma I thought. Empire is is pleasantly but strongly spiced; a bit boring after a while. The pita is small and hard to load up with salads. But quite OK. At Nasib it is a struggle which I largely lose to load up the pita with salad, even in the summer when veg are cheap. Part is the Lebanese style, part is chintziness. VVM Mon Aug 10 16:34:57 -0700 2009 4934510 16181 Vinnie Vidimangi 7 5170854 I don't know what Ali Baba's you went to - the franchises are not all the same in quality at all. The one in Parkdale is my fave in the city - loaded up with those onions and sumac! Tue Nov 10 13:28:43 -0800 2009 4934598 210997 Sui_Mai 1 4932899 The shawarma at Medina in the food court at Sherway Gardens is quite good. Not in Toronto, but Paramount Food 1290 Crestlawn Drive in Mississauga is an authentic place for all sorts of Middle Eastern Food. Mon Aug 10 08:35:35 -0700 2009 4925824 114869 Marniee 2 4933181 terrible shawarmas at Paramount though Baklava's and other pastries seem to be some of the best in the GTA though, thats for sure Mon Aug 10 09:57:17 -0700 2009 4932899 115105 duckdown 3 4945378 Can you compare the baking to Patisserie Royale's, in the opposite end of town, Scarborough? Thu Aug 13 20:36:33 -0700 2009 4933181 16181 Vinnie Vidimangi 4 4947355 Sorry, I never go to Scarborough.. Never been to patisserie royale Fri Aug 14 15:19:13 -0700 2009 4945378 115105 duckdown 5 4947371 Wife and I were at Babaz on Islington a week or two ago and were impressed...fellows working there are Egyptian....wife says if they have pickled turnip then they are good to go in her books and they did...mujederah too...had a beef shawarma that we split and was literally 4x2" in diameter stuffed with everything but the kitchen sink and was probably the third best we have had after Falafel World Bloor W. V. and Shawarma Kingdom in Windsor. Fri Aug 14 15:25:42 -0700 2009 4947355 273330 ebay3392 6 4947508 I love Falafel World at Bloor & Jane... one of the only places in the GTA to get an all-white meat shawarma I don't usually get the beef shawarma though... not to mention places that call it beef shawarma is often veal just so you know I've been to Babaz and it was okay, seemed kind of fast-foodish to me though.. only been once or twice though Fri Aug 14 16:28:34 -0700 2009 4947371 115105 duckdown 7 4947956 The one time I went to Falafel World, I left hungry. If I recall correctly, the chicken shawarma sandwich was tasty enough, but it was only about the size of a soda can, despite being more expensive than a lot of other places. I'm not a two sandwich kind of guy (too much pita) so I was left scavenging for a filler item at the nearby bakeries. Can someone tell me if this was a fluke and if I should give them another try? Fri Aug 14 20:23:02 -0700 2009 4947508 10832 Humbucker 8 5146707 I'll agree with your take on the size, although I'd equate their sandwiches more with a tall-boy beer can than a regular soda can. Bloor West is not an inexpensive area of the city so I'm not surprised that their prices are higher than analagous locations in other parts of the city. All that aside, I think their falafel is particularly good, the sandwiches are well made and the staff is always friendly and works hard to please. Sun Nov 01 08:34:43 -0800 2009 4947956 1116833 Boodah 1 4944793 Suggest Anoush: It's at the food court in Cumberland Terrace (yonge and bloor) or Falafel House also at Yonge and Bloor. Thu Aug 13 16:37:50 -0700 2009 4925824 277715 grubgal 2 5001742 I love Anoush. My buddy and I go all the time and we're pretty chummy with the owner, who is a complete legend and Cumberland foodcourt player. We're convinced he's Marcelino (from the Seinfeld rooster episode) or his twin brother. Thu Sep 03 07:43:02 -0700 2009 4944793 21376 Sam I Am 1 4945548 Ryerson student staple - Pita Land. Although I'm sure there was called something else before the name change. On Gerrard, east of Jarvis. Thu Aug 13 22:36:03 -0700 2009 4925824 231877 ayl 2 5001770 Pita Land was previously called La Zeez, yes. Love it there. Thu Sep 03 07:50:36 -0700 2009 4945548 25243 magic 3 5002457 Nooooooooooooooooo way You LOVE pita land?!?! the ex-la zeez?? if they're anything like the La Zeez's here in Brampton/Sauga that switched to Pita Land, they're as terrible as ever... Thu Sep 03 11:02:43 -0700 2009 5001770 115105 duckdown 4 5003320 Hmm, never even heard of the West end one. The one on Gerrard is awesome. Thu Sep 03 15:44:41 -0700 2009 5002457 25243 magic 5 5088504 I love the shawarma at Pita Land (4901 Steeles Avenue West) It's like crack and probably just as good for you. I can't imagine what would happen if I were to have a "real" shawarma. Thank God it's hard to find the white meat variety in TO. Thu Oct 08 10:04:38 -0700 2009 5003320 212696 mactoo 6 5089451 The only one I've been to is the Gerrard one. It rocks. Thu Oct 08 15:36:48 -0700 2009 5088504 25243 magic 7 5182715 Oh I agree with you Magic - they are sooo good! Pita Land - I usually get the chicken shawarma dinner plate and they are so generous with me. My boyfriend and I are addicted to their food, he just hates parking there as there are so many hookers :( But AMAZING FOOD! Sun Nov 15 05:20:10 -0800 2009 5089451 1124676 nuji 1 4945789 Can someone please describe what makes an Ottawa shawarma so uniquely delicious? I'm also not familiar with Montreal shawarmas. Actually, on my infrequent visits to Mtl,, shawarma is not high on my radar. Fri Aug 14 04:58:46 -0700 2009 4925824 11490 Yongeman 2 4947364 I know I will catch flak for this, but to me, most of the places I visit and love when in Montreal are Lebanese owned.. and Lebanese shawarma uses white meat (almost impossible to find a white meat shawarma in the GTA.. i know of maybe 2-3 places only) then they marinate the hell out of it and get a good char on the outside of the chicken before they shave it off... not to mention the garlic sauce they make (toum i think they call it) is obviously guarded like a family secret... so good Fri Aug 14 15:23:58 -0700 2009 4945789 115105 duckdown 3 4948791 DD that doesn't sound much different than most shawarmas here in TO. I actually prefer the juicier dark meat, or a white/dark mix. So I still don't know what all the fuss is about. Thanks, though. Sat Aug 15 09:55:21 -0700 2009 4947364 11490 Yongeman 4 4948830 yes everyone on this board seems to be in love with the dark meat i think its cheap and greasy and makes for an inferior shawarma Sat Aug 15 10:11:25 -0700 2009 4948791 115105 duckdown 5 4949606 To me, it's like choosing a fatty cut of meat to smoke (brisket or pork shoulder). A shawarma is somewhat slow-cooked, and benefits (in my mind) from the extra moistness provided when at least some of the chicken includes dark meat. On the other hand, most of my family prefers the drier breast meat. To each their own, I suppose. At least I get a substantial portion when we cook a whole chicken at home. Sat Aug 15 17:18:00 -0700 2009 4948830 11490 Yongeman 6 4949820 A good shawarma has thin strata of beef fat throughout; beef and lamb shawarma also have a clod of fat on top . You only see the strata before the spit has gone around much. VVM Sat Aug 15 19:39:59 -0700 2009 4949606 16181 Vinnie Vidimangi 7 4985794 I'm pretty sure I saw caul fat being added between the layers of the beef shawarma at Ibrahim's when the gent in the back was making up a new spit one time. Fri Aug 28 09:35:36 -0700 2009 4949820 45153 Dr Butcher 1 4947617 I also spent all summer looking for a good shawarma place around U of T. My personal favourite is Pita Q (two locations: Bloor and Spadina and St Joseph and Yonge). I can't say it's the best there is, but it's my favourite of about 6 places. Owners in both locations are Lebanese, and their chicken shawarma sandwiches are identical. Generous chicken servings, pickled turnips and tons of veggies, garlic sauce, hummous, and tahini sauce. They also put the stuffed pita in a panini press before handing it to you, so it's warm and crispy. Some people don't like this, but I do. The price is good - around 6$ including tax for a chicken shawarma sandwich and a pop. I've been to Sara's and Ghazale's, and in both places I paid more for dryer, stingier pitas. Fri Aug 14 17:21:25 -0700 2009 4925824 1086443 molly82 2 4947946 I've also done a Toronto shawarma/falafel taste-off, trying almost twenty places. Pita Q is also one of my favorites, along with Milo's and Ala Turque. The thing that makes Pita Q awesome is the panini press. I love it when they're really busy and my sandwich gets left in the press too long; the pita becomes crispy like a giant pita chip. The downside on Pita Q is there is some variability depending on who makes your sandwich. Fri Aug 14 20:18:43 -0700 2009 4947617 10832 Humbucker 3 4951250 I'm a chowhound from Minneapolis. About a year ago, I had what I thought was a pretty terrific shwarma at Farhat, but many TO hounds are writing that Farhat has gone downhill in the last year. I'm coming back to TO next week and would like to get a good Shwarma. I like the lamb and/or beef more than chicken. I do not like what passes for Shwarma in Minneapolis. Here it's the disk of ground lamb I really think of as 'gyro meat.' The shwarma at Farhat was slices of lamb, marinated then skewered with a big chunk of fat at the top. They also used charcoal instead of electric heat. Added pickled turnips and some parsley, no lettuce, no tomato, and pressed it in a panini press. Can I find what I'm seeking at Pita Q or Milo's or Ala Turque? Sun Aug 16 15:56:56 -0700 2009 4947946 27956 JimGrinsfelder 4 4951748 Sorry, but no. All three place use the standard electric cookers. I would especially avoid Pita Q's beef shawarma, which was pretty gristly. Sun Aug 16 19:37:16 -0700 2009 4951250 10832 Humbucker 1 4949114 Just tried Milo's Pita for the first time - WOW. Best Lebanese meal I've had since my visit to Dubai two years ago. Having grown up in Montreal I have pretty high standards for Lebanese, and Milo's just rocked it. Grilled-to-order kafta, tastiest chicken shawarma I've eaten since I was in Dubai two years ago, everything housemade with obvious pride and love including toum sauce. Really spectacular, I hope the place succeeds. Sat Aug 15 13:04:06 -0700 2009 4925824 29140 childofthestorm 1 4951798 Grill 4u, Queens Quay & Lower Simcoe, by Harbourfront Center. Best fast food at the Harbourfront. Both Shawarmas and Falafels are top notch with all right toppings. Sun Aug 16 20:06:04 -0700 2009 4925824 83501 Smoothmoose 1 4952252 After trying about four places, a couple of them recommended as some of Toronto's best, I decided that I had been ruined by Ottawa shawarma and would best just wait until I was back up visiting before enjoying shawarmas again. (Not that the Toronto stuff was awful, but it wasn't very good, either.) Now I'm back and surrounded by great offerings. Mon Aug 17 05:18:31 -0700 2009 4925824 75881 vorpal 1 4952259 I've been to Aremenian Kitchen and the Swarma was excellent. Not as good as Cedar Grill in Newmarket but still..... Ebay, the wife is adicted to the pickled turnips at Cedar Grill. So your wife is not alone. There's a place at Redpath and Eglinton that was terrible. I don't remember the name. DT Mon Aug 17 05:30:09 -0700 2009 4925824 11291 Davwud 1 4953182 I love Quick Pita (I believe it is called) right downtown near the clubs (almost Queen and University but just off on a side street). The guy there always hooks me up with free Tabouli when I go after a night of drinking and their Shwarma's always hit the spot. Mon Aug 17 10:54:13 -0700 2009 4925824 188160 gastrojunkie 1 5004713 Check out Empire. It is at Bloor West and Rusholme (near dovercourt... but in between dufferin/bloor and ossington/bloor intersections). it is my favourite in Toronto Fri Sep 04 08:34:56 -0700 2009 4925824 1106842 wildbooks 1 5088130 I’ve been on a bit of a chicken shawarma binge over the last five to six weeks and have eaten at the five places below. First, for me the making of a good shawarma includes a wide variety of items for inside the pita and hot sauce that actually has some bite! For this post unless otherwise stated the sandwiches include the standard toppings – lettuce, tomato, garlic sauce, tahini, and hot sauce. Nora Shawarma – Spadina south of Richmond - second fav new stop in this shawarma binge. The chicken was tasty and had lots of little crispy bit. They topping were plentiful – including picked cabbage and radish, pickles and onions. Wrap and Roll (Formerly Red and White) – Yonge south of Wellesley - this place has been my standard since it was red and white and I keep going back. Why do I like it so much? Tasty chicken always off the spit. Hot sauce with bite and any topping I would like including tabouli, pickles, hot peppers, pickled radish, red and white cabbage salad, spiced onions, and hummus in addition to the garlic sauce without any extra charge. Yummi - Yonge north of Wellesley - after reading recommendation for this place on the board I gave it a try on Monday. I really wish I hadn’t. There wasn’t anything about this shawarma that I like. The chicken was soggy. The pits was too thick and too small, the hot sauce might as well been red water as it had zero flavour. Milo – AMC Dundas food court - again after reading about Milo’s on the board I decided to give it a try. I wasn’t at all disappointed. The chicken was fresh and tasty. The garlic sauce was crazy garlicky think and creamy and oh so good! I wish it was a little less pricey and I wish that I didn’t have to pay a dollar extra for hummus but other than that – very good overall. Shawarma King – Eaton’s centre food court - last night I was running some errands and decided to give the place a try. I pretty sure I tried it years ago when I worked in one of the office buildings but I couldn’t say for sure. Now I know why – it was not at all memorable in any way. The chicken was bland, the hot sauce was anything but hot and they only had the standard toppings on offer. Boring to say the least. Thu Oct 08 08:15:20 -0700 2009 4925824 13707 JennaBean 2 5088189 great list! totally agree with you about shawarma king-it's not that good. I will try wrap and roll and nora sometime. Thu Oct 08 08:30:21 -0700 2009 5088130 16075 deabot 2 5093026 Any rec's for Yummi are stale-dated. Sat Oct 10 06:11:40 -0700 2009 5088130 12072 Googs 2 5105588 So I have to provide an update I'm not at all happy with. Yesterday I went to Wrap and Roll to get my shawarma fix and it was TERRIBLE. Not just bad, but terrible. The chicken was cold and fatty. The hot sauced lacked any flavour or heat as did the garlic sauce. The toppings were still good, fresh and plentiful but everything else was a HUGE let down. This has been my go to place for a while now and I'm hoping that it was just an off day. :-( Thu Oct 15 11:08:18 -0700 2009 5088130 13707 JennaBean 1 5096082 Probably the best Shawarma this side of Tulkarem. They are from Tulkarem in Israel. The flavour is Egyptian for sure. Does anyone have their recipes fo their hot sauce???? Sun Oct 11 19:57:22 -0700 2009 4925824 164681 FresserBesser 2 5148170 My understanding is that Tulkarm is not in Israel, the operators are Jordanian and the flavours are Lebanese, - pleasant but done so heavily that they can quickly become boring. They use a very small Plaestine style pita and it is hard to fit much in, particularly salad. Other than that, the shawarma is pretty good. I prefer Ibrahim, further east . The cook is Lebanese, uses a Lebanese style pita, the salads are good and you can fill up the sandwich. It is a big sandwich. Prices have gone up, now $4.49, the twofer is a couple dollars cheaper. Bring a friend I ignore the cooked food.- Tagine a few doors away is very good. I do ask for a piece of potato in my shawarma, but refuse hot sauce, garlic yoghurt and toasting. There are enough flavours, and nice ones, in the sandwich. The pit a is fresh and toasting it just takes away its taste. Abdullah, the owner of Ibrahim, is Moroccan, and shawarma is Lebanese , not Moroccan but his is the best this side of Istanbul (that I have had.) VVM Sun Nov 01 20:41:15 -0800 2009 5096082 16181 Vinnie Vidimangi 3 5154333 I agree with Vinnie that Ibrahim is the current leader on the Lawrence E. strip. The flavours are excellent, although I do have mine with all the sauces. The shawarmas are quite substantial, too. It's only a couple of dollars more to get a second one, but that involves a substantial amount of food. Wed Nov 04 04:25:42 -0800 2009 5148170 11490 Yongeman 1 5096135 I highly recommend Mashu Mashu. This Forest Hill Village spot is better known for their salads and other vegetarian fare (best falafels!), but they also do a very good chicken shawarma. It's the aroma that reels you in. Usually moist (caveat: there have been a couple of times it's been a bit dry, but the tahini sauce deals with that quite well) and seasoned without being too salty, with lovely roasted crusty bits, and great fresh toppings. For spice lovers, add some tasty harrissa-type hot sauce, but get it on the side, it packs a wallop. They also make my favourite babaganoush in the city; very smoky and garlicky, and the cumin-laced beet salad is great. Sun Oct 11 20:30:42 -0700 2009 4925824 53727 Ginsugirl 1 5155785 Not sure if it was mentioned but I love Sana's Kitchen in Kensington Market - 251 Augusta Avenue. They have a jumbo chicken shawarma for $7.00 that's very large and super tasty with loads of toppings. Wed Nov 04 12:15:39 -0800 2009 4925824 1121662 rootsie 1 5164398 I lived in Toronto for three years, moved away in June, and I never found a suitable Shawarma place that got even close to an Ottawa Shawarma place. I feel your pain. Sat Nov 07 20:41:29 -0800 2009 4925824 88087 Navan 2 5164761 What is it exactly that makes an Ottawa shawarma so stellar? I asked this question earlier in the thread, but didn't really get any clarification. C'mon Ottawa...let's hear it. Sun Nov 08 06:41:07 -0800 2009 5164398 11490 Yongeman 3 5165297 Other than it allows them to dump on Toronto. DT Sun Nov 08 12:34:30 -0800 2009 5164761 11291 Davwud 4 5165756 Yeah, no kidding DT. Sun Nov 08 16:26:58 -0800 2009 5165297 11490 Yongeman 2 5166169 I've explained the problem with GTA shawarma's 10 million times but nobody listens, so I'm not doing it again :) I whole heartedly agree there isn't a SINGLE good place in this city that I've found yet.. There are "decent" ones and tons of "terrible" ones but none good or great really.. I will agree with that 100%.. Montreal and Ottawa are leagues ahead IMO My personal favorite in the GTA is Agabi's in Oakville but its distinctly a "GTA" type shawarma, nothing like I've ever found in MTL or OTT and not as good (this is all IMO of course) don't even get me started on the lack of chicken gyros also! :) Sun Nov 08 20:37:04 -0800 2009 5164398 115105 duckdown 3 5166793 Hey duckdown, I realize you weren't responding to my thread, but this is the general type of response that I'm seeing...blah, blah, blah about Toronto's shawarma scene, but no real info about Ottawa's 'superior' shawarmas. Still waiting.... Mon Nov 09 07:39:04 -0800 2009 5166169 11490 Yongeman 4 5167224 I can't say that I'm a shawarma expert, but I think that the garlic sauce and pickled turnips commonly used in Ottawa may make the difference, plus the fact that they usually toast the sandwiches, and that everything seems to be generally fresher. Maybe it's because most restaurant owners there are Lebanese? I actually had a very acceptable chicken shawarma sandwich at Villa Madina at Vaughan Mills over the weekend. They have the garlic sauce and turnips. I checked their website and it looks like they have several locations in and outside the GTA. http://villamadina.com/ Mon Nov 09 09:53:17 -0800 2009 5166793 64331 itsvince 5 5167579 Thanks for the reply, itsvince, but many spots here in TO have pickled turnips, garlic sauce, and toast the shawarma. I'm thinking of Ibrahim on Lawrence E. which does all 3 components, I believe. Mon Nov 09 11:43:07 -0800 2009 5167224 11490 Yongeman 6 5168139 That they do, although I wish they'd use better turnips. They also have more salads to put on the sandwich than any of the other places I've tried, and their hot sauce is chunky, green, and tastes like actual chiles. I avoid the places that only have lettuce, tomato, and (cucumber) pickles to put on the sandwich, or that seem to just use Frank's Red Hot as their hot sauce. If I remember correctly, one of duckdown's big sticking points is that he wants all white meat. I don't know any places that do that, but I happen to prefer dark meat, so I haven't sought them out. Mon Nov 09 14:25:07 -0800 2009 5167579 139230 Wahooty 4 5168239 Well, I will tell you a big part of it but the reason I didn't want to is because everyone here disagrees... a big part of the difference, you ask? marinated WHITE MEAT for the chicken.. a true Lebanese style shawarma is white meat only.. Now before you go and give me the whole "Ohh! but white meat is dry! I like dark meat better! It's juicier!" I just want to say that is a fallacy; yes white meat can dry out easier but there is no reason it HAS to be dry. The white meat with a strong flavored marinade really allows the marinade to be tasted more than if you're using dark meat, which doesn't seem to absorb the marinade as well in my opinion.. You will notice almost all of the fan favorites in MTL are white meat only or at least mostly white with some dark.. Boustan, Basha, Amir all come to mind.. but that isn't the only thing.. Lots of places in MTL/Ottawa at least use both white and dark; but the trend in the GTA is dark _ONLY_ which often makes for a cheap, gristly, fatty sandwich that I am so not a fan of. Ever seen an Ibrahim's shawarma after its been allowed to cool down? Say, taking it out of the fridge and going to nuke it the next day? it's disgusting congealed fatty chicken Then, let's get to the pita bread and garlic sauce (or Toum I believe its called in arabic...) The GTA trend is using supermarket bagged pitas and wrapped up, and occasionally the odd place might stick it in a george foreman grill or pita press.. Well my favorite places in MTL are toasted on a charcoal grill after to give some nice crispness and char flavor to the pita. The garlic sauce in the GTA is often a runny, diluted yogurt-and-oil based thin sauce that is nothing like the real deal if you ask me Of course what it all comes down to is just one persons opinion of whats better vs. another, but I personally, am not content with a single shawarma place in the GTA that I've tried yet... Some are decent but none are good or great, and I'm sticking to it :) cheers Mon Nov 09 14:54:46 -0800 2009 5166793 115105 duckdown 5 5168256 Other than the fact that they use thighs, I think Cedar Grill will fit the bill for you. The one I had had a great garlic sauce. The pitas are made fresh by a baker. It was put on the grill for charring. DT Mon Nov 09 15:02:23 -0800 2009 5168239 11291 Davwud 6 5168504 Sounds very promising -- I'm not anti-dark meat by any means it's just one factor that plays in my favoritism towards MTL/Ottawa shawarma's I really want to try this place... Hell, if we don't get a meet scheduled there soon I might just have to look for an excuse to make the hike out there by myself :) But I'm hoping we can arrainge a meet up there, even if its not large cheers! Mon Nov 09 16:34:54 -0800 2009 5168256 115105 duckdown 5 5168897 That's more like it, duckdown. Thanks. Grilled over charcoal would be amazing. In terms of the pita and garlic sauce, many places use the pitas that you might be able to buy in a middle eastern 'supermarket', like Nasr or Arz. As for the garlic sauce, I agree that it's usually runny enough to use in a squirt bottle, but I don't think I've seen yogurt in it. When you add water to the oil/lemon/garlic emulsion that is toum, it tends to turn whiter. Maybe sometimes it's too runny, though. Mon Nov 09 19:07:07 -0800 2009 5168239 11490 Yongeman 6 5169251 :) Ah, I wasn't actually sure on what regular "garlic sauce" was made with, I just know that my local shawarma/falafel stop here in Brampton (Falafel Garden on Kennedy) is actually Iranian-owned and theirs is definitely a yogurt base.. The reason I love this place so much is not because its local to me, but because they use all white meat and also have a really unique "slaw" which is one of the things Boustan in Montreal is famous for (their thick garlic sauce, and their great slaw topping, and the charcoal grilling)... If you ever visit Brampton, I highly reccomend it.. although their garlic sauce is thin and squeeze bottled and not charcoal grilled, it's still a quality sandwich Good info though, thanks Cheers! Mon Nov 09 22:21:28 -0800 2009 5168897 115105 duckdown 7 5170829 Have you tried Milo's Pita duckdown? The garlic sauce there is great. Tue Nov 10 13:21:32 -0800 2009 5169251 259720 haggisdragon 8 5170905 I was going to say - I'm from Montreal and Boustan is my favourite spot there. But Milo's Pita gives it a run for its money, and the garlic sauce is better than anything I've eaten in Montreal. I seem to remember it being all white meat as well. Duckdown, if you haven't tried Milo's, you need to. Ask him to put your pita on the charcoal grill to toast, I'm sure he'll do it if he doesn't already (I forget). Tue Nov 10 13:47:20 -0800 2009 5170829 29140 childofthestorm 9 5171237 Actually it's funny you two mention it; I have heard ALOT about Milo's pita and would love to try it.. But the location and very light hours (to my understanding) makes it near impossible for a Brampton suburbanite to get to.. Especially since it's in a food court in the busiest section of downtown TO.. I mean, I drive ridiculous distances for food, including downtown often, but only when I can easily park and go in and go back to m y car.. the whole ordeal of parking lots, walking through a busy mall and racing back to my car to beat rush hour and stuff.. nearly impossible, or at least a pain in the ass It really does sound good though.. bummer Tue Nov 10 16:14:53 -0800 2009 5170905 115105 duckdown 10 5171621 Unless you work or live downtown going there is tough if you are not on the TTC. I drive so paying for parking and everything just to go there.... it's a shlep I'll tell you. I liked it, but not sure it was worth the shlep. And I'm no stranger to shelpping for good eats. Tue Nov 10 19:18:07 -0800 2009 5171237 25243 magic 10 5173460 There's a Green P right under Yonge and Dundas Square, so if you're looking for takeout, it's really only going to cost you like a buck to run in and out. Plus there is often parking open on Victoria St. The "mall" that it's in is dead half the time, so it's not like braving the Eaton Centre...take the escalator to the 3rd floor and you're there. Wed Nov 11 12:53:16 -0800 2009 5171237 29140 childofthestorm 7 5180173 I was disappointed many years ago when I ordered falafel at a fast food place in Montreal . . . went by the picture thought it was going to be meat. I live off of Kennedy Rd. Heart Lake area never had shawarma . . . what would you have my wife and I try? We have no fear. What is shawarma? Fri Nov 13 17:48:08 -0800 2009 5169251 182230 Alacrity59 1 5173416 Just tried "Spinners Sandwich Co", a new slightly upscale fast food place just south of Yonge and St. Clair. I was excited that they used some traditional conventions (ie. fries in the pita like I had it in Greece), but everything else was disappointing. Meat was room temp at best, ingredients were plain and uninspired, mediocre selection of sauces. Overpriced for what you get. Wed Nov 11 12:44:33 -0800 2009 4925824 1123682 miketoronto 1 5176367 Does anyone know of good shawarmas in the Coxwell & Danforth area?? Thu Nov 12 12:22:42 -0800 2009 4925824 184145 katbri 2 5176891 I've notice a relatively newish place called Sultan at Main & Danforth as I drive by. Anyone tried the shawarmas there? Thu Nov 12 14:45:58 -0800 2009 5176367 98493 JamieK 3 5179440 I have been to Sultan and the food there is good but, not exceptional the garlic sauce is flavourful but runny, the hot sauce not hot at all. Having said that they have a nice selection of fresh toppings including pickled beets, the falafal seems to be quite popular (I'm not a fan) and the chicken shawarmas plate is plentiful and satifying in a pinch. Fri Nov 13 12:27:20 -0800 2009 5176891 278649 sandi123 4 5180451 It's quite entertaining reading this stuff about what constitutes a great shawarma, not just here but in Ottawa and Montreal. In point of fact nobody from any middle eastern country would give any of them the time of day for one simple reason: No lamb! I have had variations on the meat in bread theme in several countries, including Lebanon and Turkey and I don't ever recall coming across beef as an option and chicken only once and that was in Greece in the form of a gyros. No shawarma in Canada is even close to authentic, so the whole argument comes down to personal preference really. If Torontonians prefer their shawarmas a certain way, then that is a Toronto shawarma and correct for Toronto, ditto for Ottawa and Montreal. Of course, an Albertan donair is just a crime by anyone's standards, but that's another argument. Fri Nov 13 20:08:53 -0800 2009 5179440 1109288 munchieHK 5 5180861 Ha ha, good points, munchieHK. A long time ago (well, not that long, but it seems like it was), Farhat made wonderful shawarmas, including lamb. It seems to have gone steadily downhill and people don't go there anymore. Something about sharing that plaza with Nasr Foods. Sat Nov 14 06:20:28 -0800 2009 5180451 11490 Yongeman 5 5185432 Hey Everybody: Can someone give me a review of falafels and shawarmas at Akrams in the Kensington Market? Thanks. Mon Nov 16 08:58:33 -0800 2009 5180451 1124954 yummyee