Best Donair/Shawarma in YYC

[EverfresH15]

Originally Posted by troutman

I go here too (3515 17 Avenue SW Calgary):

http://www.littlelebanonpita.com/

I second Donair Hut in Deer Run, Little Lebanon just reopened today so that is exciting and Mazaj DT is also wicked. I need to try the donair at Below Deck Tavern.

Jimmy's is just meh.

[SHOGUN]

Any Shawarma place that microwaves their meat is shameful.... cough* Jimmy's *cough

[MrMastodonFarm]

Jimmy's would be better if that fat guy didn't feel he had to sing all the time. I can't get away from him. NW location? Fat guy. 4th st SW? Fat guy!

[fredr123]

I'm just going to go ahead and leave this here: http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/707.asp

Search through it for your favourite restaurants. Or don't. It's up to you. Remember that e coli outbreak around 2004 here in Calgary? Food-borne illness is a concern despite the introduction of new food handling procedures almost ten years ago.

http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=...9-6eab3eb924b3

[Daradon]

Party pooper.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Party pooper.

[DOOM]

I used to go to Subs n More on 17th, but that location closed down 3 years ago or so.

I now go to the Pita Stop in Canyon Meadows, the Donairs are awesome, highly recommend it.

[Kiran403]

Originally Posted by troutman

I go here too (3515 17 Avenue SW Calgary):

http://www.littlelebanonpita.com/

Great place. They have amazing baklava too.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Shawarma Knights on 14th ST is the best IMO. Get the Lamb Shawarma

Jimmy's is gross. Too much meat to other toppings ratio, too much sauce, too greasy, too messy.

[calgarywinning]

Jimmy's hasn't been as great as it could have been lately.

[WhiteTiger]

I like Calgary Shawarma on Edmonton Tr and 9th Ave. Beef has a nice spiciness to it, and the guy serving is super friendly. It's attached to a tire shop, and looks a bit like a dump...but never had a bad meal at the place.

[tvp2003]

So what are people's criteria when it comes to a good donair? For me, it's the contrasting sweet sauce and savory meat, fresh veggies and soft pita shell (although a little toasted shell often gives it a nice texture as well).

Originally Posted by troutman

I go here too (3515 17 Avenue SW Calgary):

http://www.littlelebanonpita.com/

I read the website name and thought, "little ban on pita"?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

So what are people's criteria when it comes to a good donair? For me, it's the contrasting sweet sauce and savory meat, fresh veggies and soft pita shell (although a little toasted shell often gives it a nice texture as well).



I read the website name and thought, "little ban on pita"?

Balance.

Savory, sweet, heat, crunch, chewiness. I rarely eat donairs anymore though. If I go it's a shawarma or, seldom, a falafel.

[polak]

There are so many variables in a donair. How good the sweet sauce is, sauce amounts, sauce consistency, veggies, veggie freshness, hot sauce type (Sarricha? Home Made? Franks? etc..) and amount, how the meat tastes and how it's seasoned, and the overall balance of meat to veggies to sauce. The Pita is also important but I've never had a bad pita before.

[Knalus]

The OP had a great inclusion that most people here have not caught on to.

The Pita Basket Cafe downtown has a really great chicken shwarma. There are more Shawarma places outside downtown than in, and for anyone who thinks that the Chick Pea is a little dry and meh, Pita Basket is something you should try. They get the chicken just right, so that there is both moist tender meat, as well as crispier, almost caramelized bits on the outside. Excellent food.

For downtown lunch, The Pita Basket.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Knalus

The OP had a great inclusion that most people here have not caught on to.

The Pita Basket Cafe downtown has a really great chicken shwarma. There are more Shawarma places outside downtown than in, and for anyone who thinks that the Chick Pea is a little dry and meh, Pita Basket is something you should try. They get the chicken just right, so that there is both moist tender meat, as well as crispier, almost caramelized bits on the outside. Excellent food.

For downtown lunch, The Pita Basket.

I've eaten there twice and both times the chicken was dry. This isn't uncommon in shawarmas, but it's a strike for me. I haven't been back.

[Northendzone]

i often wonder if donair meat is really just balonga.

has anyone pulled up the periodic table of meats to see where donair meat fits in?

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i often wonder if donair meat is really just balonga.

has anyone pulled up the periodic table of meats to see where donair meat fits in?

it isn't.

[nik-]

Donair meat is made out of people!

[Komskies]

Originally Posted by Nyah

I love Ada's Donair in McKenzie Towne.

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i was going to mention this place, but was afraid of the ridcule i'd face.......i had one of these bad boys yesterday - fantastic!!!!

there used to be a place at the foot of the center street bridge, i beleive it fell victim to that fire in the area years ago - thier sweet sauce had a hint of honey that was all kinds of awesome!!!!

Went to Ada's the other day. Seems hard to justify the $16.99 price tag for the King size donair when I can pay $10 at other places for a Jumbo that is equally as big. Butter Chicken Hut in Copperfield makes an equally good donair for a lot less money.