Best Donair/Shawarma in YYC

[nixon45]

god damn do I ever want a donair now.

damn you, New Years cleanse!

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by nixon45

god damn do I ever want a donair now.

damn you, New Years cleanse!

Go eat a donair. There is no such thing as a cleanse. Don't fall for pseudo-science.

[_Q_]

Are donairs and shawarmas really that bad for you?

[nixon45]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Go eat a donair. There is no such thing as a cleanse. Don't fall for pseudo-science.

I'm sold

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Are donairs and shawarmas really that bad for you?

Like most food, only in excess.

[troutman]

http://www.ichange.com/nutrition/how...-donair-approx

One beef donair wrap = 424 calories, 15 g fat, 47 g carbohydrates

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by _Q_

Are donairs and shawarmas really that bad for you?

I think the sauces, like the garlic and tahina, are what can really increase the calorie content... sticking with just tzatziki would be help. And I'm pretty sure they will be loaded with sodium regardless, although a lot of the extra salt comes from the sauces as well.

[TorqueDog]

Calgary Donair Portfolio: https://www.facebook.com/groups/281105075373181/

My favorites are Uncle Moe's on Edmonton Trail, and The Chick Pea on 8th Ave @ 7th St SW.

I hate that this thread exists because I'm on a strict diet regimen right now, and I would kill for a donair. Eating clean sucks.

[Burke Salad]

The best donair places are in the NE and along 17th Ave SE in my opinion. Desert Pita is my favourite.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

I think the sauces, like the garlic and tahina, are what can really increase the calorie content... sticking with just tzatziki would be help. And I'm pretty sure they will be loaded with sodium regardless, although a lot of the extra salt comes from the sauces as well.

Although tahini is creamy and white, it's actually one of those good for you things. It's made purely from sesame seeds which are full of good fats (like avocados and olive oil). Granted, the tahini sauce that is used in shawarma isn't just tahini per se, usually it's just tahini, water and lemon juice or vinegar. So nothing bad in it at all.

Garlic sauce is usually just whole garlic and some canola or olive oil that is blended for a long time to produce a thick mayo like consistency. Real garlic sauce never contains mayo.

And 420 calories or whatever was posted earlier is definitely not bad for a lunch.

[nik-]

420 calories for a donair seems really low. It's just assume a donair has the same calories as a Subway footlong. Which is 700-1000. Too much for one meal, but you can balance it out with your other meals.

[AltaGuy]

The two best places in Calgary (and I've tried many!) are Shawarma Station in Kensington and Shawarma Knights on 14th SW. Don't bother with Shawarma King when Shawarma Station is just down the road.

Both places I recommend do the double wrap: if you haven't experienced the double wrap shawarma, it is a fantastic invention. They both also have awesomely strong garlic sauce and well-spiced meat, two of my other criteria.

For the most authentic experience in town, Desert Cafe in Forest Lawn serves up the type of shawarma plate I had when I was in Lebanon. Very tasty and quite different from the others.

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by nik-

420 calories for a donair seems really low. It's just assume a donair has the same calories as a Subway footlong. Which is 700-1000. Too much for one meal, but you can balance it out with your other meals.

The difference is in the bread. The bread for a footlong at subways is about 450 calories while a large pita (60g) is 170 calories.

I think 500 calories is the average on a regular size shawarma. Looking at the nutrition site for cedar's deli, looks like it isn't hard to keep them under 1000mg of sodium, which is a little high for a single meal, but certainly not as bad as other fast food places.

[nixon45]

Originally Posted by AltaGuy

Both places I recommend do the double wrap: if you haven't experienced the double wrap shawarma, it is a fantastic invention.

Had my first double wrap experience about 2 weeks ago and it was amazing. Why doesn't everyone do this!?

[AltaGuy]

Originally Posted by nixon45

Had my first double wrap experience about 2 weeks ago and it was amazing. Why doesn't everyone do this!?

I really don't know when it is so clearly superior!

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by nixon45

Had my first double wrap experience about 2 weeks ago and it was amazing. Why doesn't everyone do this!?

It's just different styles.

The double wrap is more Iraqi/Jordanian style (the owners of Shawarma Knight are Iraqi), the single wrap is more Lebanese/Syrian/Palestinian style.

In the Middle East shawarmas are tiny (you usually have like 3 of them for dinner or lunch, kind of like tacos in Mexico). They never have sweet sauce or lettuce. In fact they usually load them the same way for everyone unless you specifically ask them to omit something. Authentic shawarma is usually made with lamb, not chicken, but chicken is getting pretty popular now. If you want to try the most authentic shawarma, go to Shawarma Knight, get a lamb shawarma with only tomatoes, onions, parsley, pickles and tahini. It's not 100% the same, but it's the closest we have here.

[Northendzone]

where is the magical place known as the butter chicken hut in copperfield?

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

it isn't.

it isn't what? balonga or on the priodic table of meats?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

it isn't what? balonga or on the priodic table of meats?

correct

[LanceUppercut]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

where is the magical place known as the butter chicken hut in copperfield?

On McIvor near 130th. Right beside the Tim Hortons and the Shell.