Donair's

[Shingo]

Hi Folks.

I have been out in Atlantic Canada for the last two months on a business trip and stumbled upon a wondering food called Donair!

They are very similar to Greek Gyro's(meat on a spinning spit) however they have a very unique sauce that tastes like a Sweet mayo... I personally think they are way better than Gyro's with Tetzikie sauce.

The reason for my post is to find out if there are any places I can get a good Donair in the GTA?

I am spending the next month to two months out here and was hoping that after I am back in the GTA that I can still find these yummy Donair's!

[duckdown]

I heard they are absolutely brutal on the stomach

I've never had one, but they're notorious for being like some cheap-ass food you eat late at night when your drunk, then waking up to some killer diahreahh... i've heard that from more than one person

[koivu_11]

I had my first donair last night for dinner and it was awesome.

it was LOADED with meat. huge chunks. and it was cheap, $5. I am definatley goin back for more.

[duckdown]

I had my first donair last night for dinner and it was awesome.

it was LOADED with meat. huge chunks. and it was cheap, $5. I am definatley goin back for more.

i may throw up

[szw]

donairs really are great, when you find a place that makes a really good donair it is awesome.

Sorry duckdown you really don't know what you are talking about here!

[koivu_11]

what are you vegetarian??

the place i went to is right beside a subway resturant, and i dunno why anyone would go to subway when they can get a donair right next door. Subway is more expensive and you get way less, well the one donair that i had probably had the same amount of meat as like 2 or 3 footlong subs. And it was fresh meat they cut it off right in front of you. mmmm i'm tryin the pineapple chicken donair tomorrow.

[Ayla500]

Im from NS and have lived here in Ontario for about 10 years now. There are very few places that sell actual donairs. Check out a Greco pizza website. Greco is an east coast pizza chain that sells donairs. There are a few in Ontario. There is one here in Alliston, but check out the website to see if there is one in the GTA.
Also, check out www.allrecipes.com, and get the recipes for "Dash's donairs",
I found this recipe a while back and is really close to an authentic east coast donair. Even tells you how to make the sauce (really simple, only 3 ingred.)
Try it if you like donairs! We love them!

ps. if you cant find the recipe online I will post it here :) :)

[biosh]

I'm also a fan of the Donair/Gyro/Hero - and the ingredients (http://www.dietfacts.com/html/items/10064.htm) are pretty darn healthy...

[Blunt]

Donairs are great...
I discovered them in the east too...

I think gyros are made from lamb or pork..
Donairs are made from beef.
I think.

[Manda]

There's a place downtown near the Eaton Centre that sells Donairs. It's on Elm I believe (one street north of Atrium on Bay). It's a tiny little place, take-out only (there's room for maybe 3 people inside, the guy is behind a small counter) and I don't know if it has a name, there's usually a sign out front advertising Gyros and Nova Scotia Donairs. The difference between the gyro and the donair seems to be the sauce only, both are great and are less than $4.

Whatever the no name brand is that they carry at Price Chopper (Our Compliments? it's in a blue box) has a frozen "donair kit" that is ok. It doesn't really compare to the fresh stuff but it includes pitas, shaved meat and the donair sauce.

Found it:
Gyros
1 Elm Street
Southeast side of Yonge Street
Open Monday to Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Closed Sunday

When I was living in Ottawa a few places offered donair pizzas but I never did try one.

[wiggy]

You used to be able to find donairs all over the place in Ontario, but it's a fast food that really never took off around here (unfortunately).

There's a chain in the GTA called Pita Pizzaz that makes a pretty good donair. There's one on the west side of Dixie, just south of the 401 in Mississauga and another in the Dixie Value Mall at Dixie & the QEW. They're planning to build one at Airport Rd. & Bovaird Dr. in Brampton. I know there are many more in the GTA, but I couldn't find a webpage for the outfit.

Avoid the donairs in the restaurant in the hotel at Kennedy in Queen in Brampton. Big disappointment.

[CLOSER]

If you guys like donair and gyros, check out Shawarmas AWESOME!

The inside of the sandwich is pretty much the same, but the choice between beef and chicken is great! I dont want to know what is the "meat" is from donairs and why they look like that, but the chicken and beef is real; well, as close that you can get.

Awesome check it out!

[Shingo]

Luckly I am still out here so I have easy access to Donair's

I may have to stock up on Donair sauce before I head back to Ontario!

[sonick]

donairs are AWESOME. theres a newly opened donair place on campus thats just delicious.

but the thing is my breath STINKS after i eat one, with the stuff i like in mine:
- Chicken
- Lettuce
- Cheese
- Onions
- Jalepenos
- Garlic Sauce
- Tzatziki sauce

mmmmm....

[wiggy]

If you guys like donair and gyros, check out Shawarmas AWESOME!

The inside of the sandwich is pretty much the same, but the choice between beef and chicken is great! I dont want to know what is the "meat" is from donairs and why they look like that, but the chicken and beef is real; well, as close that you can get.

Awesome check it out!

They are awesome. I love 'em and know where to get a good shawarma in a dozen places in the GTA. Yum. Still miss having a good donair now and then, though.

[Evil Techie]

yeah with onions and garlic sauce, my breath stinks bad too after eating one

i like the chicken and hawaiian flavours more

little bit of hot sauce in there is nice too

everyone that eats lunch at SFU should know by now that we've got a decent donair place on campus (or rather beside by Cornerstone building near B lot)

i always carry a pack of gum when im at school in case i feel like a donair
hehee

quality donair do not give you diahrrea, only crappy shops make crappy donair

i go there so often the ppl work there say hi to me even just passing by

[Rehan]

I had a donair from Famous King in Kingston last week, and OMG it was huge! (I had a medium donair...I can't imagine what a large is like.)

Anyway, in Toronto there's a place called Donair Kabob (http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=2026) that supposedly has really good shawarma...not sure if they have donair, but the name would imply that they do.

Also, yatko posted some info here (http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1378686&postcount=8).

[jayisthebest88]

theyre good, but damn the places u buy them from are usually really damn dirty.... Usually some old 50 year old guy who looks liek he doesnt wash his hanads or osemthing.

[sonick]

yeah with onions and garlic sauce, my breath stinks bad too after eating one

i like the chicken and hawaiian flavours more

little bit of hot sauce in there is nice too

everyone that eats lunch at SFU should know by now that we've got a decent donair place on campus (or rather beside by Cornerstone building near B lot)

i always carry a pack of gum when im at school in case i feel like a donair
hehee

quality donair do not give you diahrrea, only crappy shops make crappy donair

i go there so often the ppl work there say hi to me even just passing by
hehe yeah its awesome eh? too bad they got rid of the $3.99 chicken donair special.

[Evil Techie]

hehe yeah its awesome eh? too bad they got rid of the $3.99 chicken donair special.

yeah thats too bad
ive still got 1 free donair i need to redeem there

[Hodge]

Sammy's in Burlington (New St/Guelph Line plaza) makes a great donair if you are ever out that way. They've been around for at least 20 years or more I'd guess...

[Yaowsers]

What's the diff between a donair and a gyros in a pita?

[Manda]

What's the diff between a donair and a gyros in a pita?

At most places I've been to the only difference is the sauce. Gyros have tzatziki and Donairs have a sweet sauce. They often have the same toppings for both. With Shawarma (same/similar meat) you get different sauce (mmmm tahini and hot sauce) but you usually get different toppings too, like tabouleh, hummus and pickled turnip.

[lain]

Sammy's in Burlington (New St/Guelph Line plaza) makes a great donair if you are ever out that way. They've been around for at least 20 years or more I'd guess...

Mmmm I had donair from there for the first time this year. It's great.

[Yaowsers]

At most places I've been to the only difference is the sauce. Gyros have tzatziki and Donairs have a sweet sauce. They often have the same toppings for both. With Shawarma (same/similar meat) you get different sauce (mmmm tahini and hot sauce) but you usually get different toppings too, like tabouleh, hummus and pickled turnip.
Oh thanks. I usually eat it with the tzatziki. A lot of place I go to don't have the sweet sauce which is what I prefer.

[Hodge]

Mmmm I had donair from there for the first time this year. It's great.

heheh...I had to go there for lunch today after thinking about donairs...just as tasty as always... :)

[TinyTank]

Sammy's in Burlington (New St/Guelph Line plaza) makes a great donair if you are ever out that way. They've been around for at least 20 years or more I'd guess...

i was just gonna recommend this place. I love this place.

[remmuh]

If you ever to to halifax.. you MUST get a donair at KING OF DONAIRS!

[stevethewheel]

It's SPAM no matter how you dress it up.

And yes it can taste pretty good because it's got a ton of fat in it.

[wiggy]

It's SPAM no matter how you dress it up.

And yes it can taste pretty good because it's got a ton of fat in it.

Nah. I won't eat Spam. Feh.

A donair is beef or chicken. Isn't Spam pork or mostly pork?

[Jucius Maximus]

The reason for my post is to find out if there are any places I can get a good Donair in the GTA?

I am spending the next month to two months out here and was hoping that after I am back in the GTA that I can still find these yummy Donair's!
There is a place that serves them at Bloor & Islington, at a food court inside the Clarica Centre (3300 Bloor Street).

The Clarica Centre is this series of 3 interconnected office towers. I used to work there in 2003, so my information is not that up to date. If you get off the subway at Islington station and take the tunnel under the road to the Clarica Centre, you will enter into the Westmost tower. Continue through the Centre to the Eastern tower and there is a small food court right at the end. It is really busy at lunchtime. All the foods shops all seem to be run by Asian people and honestly most of the food in that food court is really terrible, but there is this one shop on the North side that has a big Donairs sign. IMO, the donair is the only decent food in that whole food court.

[yatko]

Nah. I won't eat Spam. Feh.

A donair is beef or chicken. Isn't Spam pork or mostly pork?


A donair should be lamb only

[stevethewheel]

Nah. I won't eat Spam. Feh.

A donair is beef or chicken. Isn't Spam pork or mostly pork?

Yes Spam is made from pigs. But the way donair meat is made it's the same thing, different animal. What I was poking at is that many folks consider Spam yukky - not because it's made from pigs, just because it's somehow gross - yet they love donairs or gyros.

[Ojam]

Donairs are awesome, now I'm going to have to go get one tomorrow. :mad:

[wiggy]

Yes Spam is made from pigs. But the way donair meat is made it's the same thing, different animal. What I was poking at is that many folks consider Spam yukky - not because it's made from pigs, just because it's somehow gross - yet they love donairs or gyros.

Yeah, I get your point, but then hot dogs and sausages and chicken nuggets and all that stuff are made the same way.

But donairs taste GOOD. Spam tastes likely salty sh*t.

[dvanders]

Oh man ... a thread about donairs.. how could i resist.

If you're ever in Victoria, try an Athena's donair... 595-6000 if you need the number... these things are a UVic tradition... I think they are solely responsible for the freshman...uh...30 common at UVic.

These things are absolutely the hugest tube of meat and bread that you'll ever see... i think they wrap at least 2 pounds of delicious donair meat in a 12" pita... all for $10. holy shheeat these things are good. They're probably designed for a whole family or something.. but its a fun challenge to try to eat one yourself!

But don't expect to get one during the summer months... you'll be disappointed to find that Athena's is closed for vacation! These bastards know they have something good... i go through donair withdrawls every summer... but don't worry about me.. i got my fix tonight.. mmmmmmmmmmm :D :D

[Steeve Urkel]

If you guys like donair and gyros, check out Shawarmas AWESOME!

The inside of the sandwich is pretty much the same, but the choice between beef and chicken is great! I dont want to know what is the "meat" is from donairs and why they look like that, but the chicken and beef is real; well, as close that you can get.

Awesome check it out!

Hmm,
maybe you should move to Ottawa?

We have about 100 donair and shawarma places downtown alone...
We have more effing donair/shawarma/falafel places than any other type of restaurant in the city and they are usually open till 3 or 4 am weeksdays....

nothing against Donairs/Falafels/Sharwarmas...just that when you have them on every single street corner, you get so sick of eating them.

Chicken shawarmas aew good though, and quite similar!
I did not know that there was an "east coast" donair. I thought they were Greek or of Arabic origin...?

[Rehan]

There's some pretty interesting info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donair :)

[YLSF]

I just got back from Europe and I had many a Donair in Germany so I can vouch for the Wikipedia information. Durum Donairs are wrapped in a pita like schwarmas (sp?) while the normal donairs are in thicker pitas cut in half.

Price was really cheap to.. around $2 euros.

[Ryo]

Had the London and Paris versions last year, as the Wikipedia noted, in Paris they actually stuff a serving of fries in with everything, I would have at least 2 every day when i was in paris. I would eat the fries first, then the rest as normal. Though the only place I ever got it served in a baguette was in Mauritius not France.


Making me hungry just thinking about it.

[Shingo]

I just had a Donair Plate here in Moncton from Pizza Girls.

Gotta love the taste of And or Meats with some Unique sweet sauce!

[Ayla500]

"Sweet" donair suace is really easy to make


1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk (2%)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
4 teaspoons white vinegar, or as needed

Mix first 3 ingredients with wisk, add vinegar slowly until thick


We use this recipe on our homemade donair meat and to dip garlic fingers in.
The sauce tastes just like teh "real" stuff back home (NS)

[jayisthebest88]

when I had a doniar..it was liek ranch dressing sauce..

[Shingo]

Like the Wendy's commercial RANCH!!!!

My first Donair was about 2 and a half months ago when I arrived in Moncton for work.



when I had a doniar..it was liek ranch dressing sauce..

[WildPegasus]

"Sweet" donair suace is really easy to make


1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk (2%)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 teaspoons garlic powder
4 teaspoons white vinegar, or as needed

Mix first 3 ingredients with wisk, add vinegar slowly until thick


You can reduce it by an ingredient by replacing evaporated milk with sweetened evaporated milk and take out the sugar. Tastes the same.

[daisyville]

Many years ago I too discovered Donairs while in Halifax.

Since that time I have tried them in many great Canadian cities. In my experience, I've NEVER had one like the one I had at a shop in Dartmouth called "Pizza Time".

Having had lots of really bad ones, I'll now only have one if I'm in Dartmouth.

Tracy

[DarkReaper]

I haven't had a donair in years. I used to buy them at No Frills and you make it at home but they stopped selling those.

I cannot find any donair stores in Toronto. Anyone know any? I don't want to go outside of Toronto for donairs.

[Headhunter]

...so, is there any difference between a donair and a schwarma?

[remmuh]

...so, is there any difference between a donair and a schwarma?


donair = beef.
schawarma = chicken

no?

[wanted]

donair = beef.
schawarma = chicken

no?

you can probably get beef in a shawarma

thank you for reminding me
you woke up my fallaffel/shawarma tooth :mad:

[Manda]

Most shawarma places will offer both chicken and beef shawarma.

According to the wiki for donairs, linked earlier, donairs and shawarma are identical dishes, but originate in different areas of the world.

[remmuh]

Most shawarma places will offer both chicken and beef shawarma.

According to the wiki for donairs, linked earlier, donairs and shawarma are identical dishes, but originate in different areas of the world.

ah. interesting.

[hiltzman]

Many years ago I too discovered Donairs while in Halifax.

Since that time I have tried them in many great Canadian cities. In my experience, I've NEVER had one like the one I had at a shop in Dartmouth called "Pizza Time".

Having had lots of really bad ones, I'll now only have one if I'm in Dartmouth.

Tracy

They do make a mean donair, don't they? Odd spot for a great pizza shop, out there on the road between the Imperial Oil refinery and CFB Shearwater.

Next time you are here try Toulany's on Duffas Street in Halifax...I think they might even be better than Pizza Time! Slightyl different flavour, but really good!

http://www.toulanys.com/

[Headhunter]

According to the wiki for donairs, linked earlier, donairs and shawarma are identical dishes, but originate in different areas of the world.
Reached that conclusion too when reading the wiki, wanted to be sure.

[s.m.c]

This thread brings back memories... Duke's Donair just off UofA campus in Edmonton (across from the residence buildings). I still have cravings, and haven't found anything that compares in Toronto or Chicago. Gyros and Shawarma are just not the same.