Best Arabic food (Shawarmas) in the GTA!

[originalnutta]

Nick's Famous Pitas.
4870 Tomken Rd.
Mississauga, ON
L4W 1J8

I have been going to this guy since he opened up shop. Great guy, and great food.

Tell him Marc sent you.

http://www.dine.to/nicksfamouspitas


Yes, he's better than Pita Grill.

[mlc2000]

Nick's Famous Pitas.
4870 Tomken Rd.
Mississauga, ON
L4W 1J8

I have been going to this guy since he opened up shop. Great guy, and great food.

Tell him Marc sent you.

http://www.dine.to/nicksfamouspitas


Yes, he's better than Pita Grill.
Better than Pita Grill? Thats worth trying.
I love Pita Grill !!

Is it north or south of Eglinton?

[originalnutta]

north of Eglinton iirc.

It's part of the new plaza that's being built there. Same plaza with a Fish n Chips place and the Iron Chef restaurant.

Drop my name, and he should treat you well.

[MkmBandit]

awesome i'll check it out for sure

[Yaowsers]

I'll stick to the stores in the Warden and Lawrence area. Sauga is way too far for me just for a schwarma.

[Muncher]

Which are the good stores in Scarborough? I've only been to the Armenian Kitchen, and all the shavarmas at the foodcourts, the beef looks so old and dry. Some juicy beef or lamb ones would be .....yummy. I didn't like Pita Grill so much, too many veggies and not enough meat.

[Lester Green]

Farhat at Warden and Lawrence is not bad. Down the street a bit is a placed called Village BBQ which is also good.

[jedijome]

sarah's shawarma
it's downtown on bloor street.

not sure what the address is exactly, but it's a couple of blocks west of spadina,or a couple of blocks east of bathurst. it's really near new gen sushi, if you know where that is.

i can positively say they have some of the best shawermas i've ever tried. and i've tried a lot.

[weedb0y]

sarah's shawarma
it's downtown on bloor street.

not sure what the address is exactly, but it's a couple of blocks west of spadina,or a couple of blocks east of bathurst. it's really near new gen sushi, if you know where that is.

i can positively say they have some of the best shawermas i've ever tried. and i've tried a lot.


omg..I was gonna say Sarah as well..Its the BEST and I drive down from Mississauga for Sarah's shawaramas!

[weedb0y]

Nick's Famous Pitas.
4870 Tomken Rd.
Mississauga, ON
L4W 1J8

I have been going to this guy since he opened up shop. Great guy, and great food.

Tell him Marc sent you.

http://www.dine.to/nicksfamouspitas


Yes, he's better than Pita Grill.


Another one I frequent is in Streetsville (queen street aka mississauga road) by the name of Osmow's Shawarma..

Nice guy..professional..right beside Pita Nutsy (another shawarma place)

[originalnutta]

I'll stick to the stores in the Warden and Lawrence area. Sauga is way too far for me just for a schwarma.
Thanks for letting me know.

[originalnutta]

sarah's shawarma
it's downtown on bloor street.

not sure what the address is exactly, but it's a couple of blocks west of spadina,or a couple of blocks east of bathurst. it's really near new gen sushi, if you know where that is.

i can positively say they have some of the best shawermas i've ever tried. and i've tried a lot.
That used to be an Aida's Falafel?

Or am i thinking of another place? Hmm. We used to get drunk at the Green Room and then go get shawarmas at Aida's afterwards.

[jedijome]

it's been sarah's shawerma for the last 2 or 3 years, i'm not sure if it was ever called anything else.

[red_roses101]

1. You never mentioned the price. For all I know, it could be like $5.99. I'd rather go downtown and get one for $2.99.
2. Is it halal? I have alot of friends who eat it, how do I tell them without knowing?

[redkid]

Nick's Famous Pitas.
4870 Tomken Rd.
Mississauga, ON
L4W 1J8

I have been going to this guy since he opened up shop. Great guy, and great food.

Tell him Marc sent you.

http://www.dine.to/nicksfamouspitas


Yes, he's better than Pita Grill.

on lawrence scarboro there's a few

[Rehan]

1. You never mentioned the price. For all I know, it could be like $5.99. I'd rather go downtown and get one for $2.99.
2. Is it halal? I have alot of friends who eat it, how do I tell them without knowing? Do you mean Sara's? Yes, it's apparently halal.
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=555

There are also a bunch of other downtown halal shawarma places that get good ratings:
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=2026
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=5124
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=2534
etc.

[originalnutta]

Sorry, not sure if it's halal. I will find out.

The chicken/beef shawarmas are $3.99.

The falafel is $2.99.



Nick'spita.com is still under construction.

[Dr Butcher]

Do you mean Sara's? Yes, it's apparently halal.
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=555

There are also a bunch of other downtown halal shawarma places that get good ratings:
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=2026
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=5124
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=2534
etc.

Funny, I just found zabihah.com today.

In Scarborough I've had shawarma at a couple of places recently. Farhat (Lawrence and Warden) which is pretty cheap (2 wraps for $5.99) lamb, chicken or beef. They are usually quite busy and seem to go through tons of meat. The taste is just so-so in my opinion. The place isn't all that clean looking and the veggies don't usually look all that fresh. Taste: better than some but not the best I've had.

I've also eaten at El-Sabil (Lawrence and Midland), they are more expensive than Farhat, ($3.99) per wrap. The chicken is grilled on a skewer, while the beef spins on a spit. The veggies are superb and fresh and the meat is very tasty. The hot sauce and tahini are excellent. The place is very clean which is a plus for me. People seem to really like the burgers but I haven't had one yet. Taste: better than Farhat in my opinion.

[B0000rt]

Ali Baba's?

I think they have a few stores around Toronto, the one I went to most often was at 1430 Queen Street West, not a pretty neighbourhood to be in (Parkdale)

[originalnutta]

Sorry, not sure if it's halal. I will find out.

The chicken/beef shawarmas are $3.99.

The falafel is $2.99.



Nick'spita.com is still under construction.


Nick's Pita just went up in price,

Chicken and Beef Shawarma is $4.99 now. Falafels is still $2.99.

But his pita size went up a bit too. Still a good deal if you're in the west end.

[Bullseye]

Montfort's in Oakville and Burlington. Best shwarma ever, and I've eaten lots of shwarma. Even my friends from downtown come here for the good shwarma.

$5.99, though, not as cheap as in the city!

[munsifn]

Tons of places on Lawrence..my fav has to be NASIB'S.

They used to be at Kennedy/Lawrence, but moved to Warden/Lawrece several years ago..

Taste is really good, nice and big too. Two for 5.99, not bad.

Also, Anoush @ Yonge/Steeles is nice.

--> Both Halal.

[Paolo]

I FIND Montfords not to be really filling but if u looking for a nice place, Pita Nutsy (Nazi) in Streetsville on Queen near thomas street is the best in the gta, i dunno whats better, the food, or the lebaneeze arab owner who often brings the grille outside on the sidewalk infront of the store and cooks while singing in arabic. now thats pro

[originalnutta]

Montfort's in Oakville and Burlington. Best shwarma ever, and I've eaten lots of shwarma. Even my friends from downtown come here for the good shwarma.

$5.99, though, not as cheap as in the city!
Montfort's is great, but not healthy at all. Too much oil.

But damn is it ever good after a late night of partying.

The one in Burlington and Oakville are great, and dont look like a greasy diner.


I always get the chicken shwarma, and the hummus with meat.

[originalnutta]

I went to Pita Grill today, since Nick's was closed.
Located on Eglinton just east of Dixie, before Tomken. Situated near a Roti shop and Peter's on EGlinton.
And it wasn't too bad. Lots of tasty chicken, veggies were decent, but not as fresh and crisp as i'd like. The hummus was good but the tahini wasn't as tasty.

$5.99 for the chicken.
$6.99 for beef and lamb.

[caRpetbomBer]

Montfort's sharwarmas are amazing:cheesygri

[masterballer]

Tons of places on Lawrence..my fav has to be NASIB'S.

They used to be at Kennedy/Lawrence, but moved to Warden/Lawrece several years ago..

Taste is really good, nice and big too. Two for 5.99, not bad.

Also, Anoush @ Yonge/Steeles is nice.

--> Both Halal.

Anoush is amazing :D their kabobs are the best mmmmmm i went there since it opened, love it.

[flito ray]

my favourite spot is near wellington/peter called Naz's. Amazing faalafel + shawarmas are to die for. It's right next to burrito brothers.

[TheOneBarton]

Isn't shawarmas lebanese food?

[ji2o0k]

awesome thread, I just tried Shawerma food this week.

I tried a place called Mediterranean 2 Go (Yonge/Dundas).

I ate the Chicken Shawerma dinner ($7.99), not as low in price as what others have posted but it was a huge plate of food. I guess I wouldn't be an expert since this was my first time trying it but it was very very tasty.

100% Halal Shawerma.

Thanks for the other locations, I will definitely try them out.

[originalnutta]

Isn't shawarmas lebanese food?

Yeah.

[Harkonnen]

I'm originally from Ottawa, relocated here to Toronto - and I'm pretty sure that the shwarma's that you get in Ottawa are far better than anything you get here in Toronto.

I've noticed that the shwarma vendors here pre-carve the meat off the huge skewer thing and then when you order your food, they put it a cooker and cook it. Are there any places that don't do that? I want a place that carves it off the meat and puts it right in my schwarma :)

[anom]

I'm originally from Ottawa, relocated here to Toronto - and I'm pretty sure that the shwarma's that you get in Ottawa are far better than anything you get here in Toronto.

I've noticed that the shwarma vendors here pre-carve the meat off the huge skewer thing and then when you order your food, they put it a cooker and cook it. Are there any places that don't do that? I want a place that carves it off the meat and puts it right in my schwarma :)

I haven't seen that much, not sure what places you are going to. I see that you're in Richmond Hill, I went to a place near Hillcrest....HORRIBLE! (I think it was called the pita stop).

[anom]

Isn't shawarmas lebanese food?

According to wikipedia:
Shawarma is a popular dish in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and other Middle Eastern locations

[Harkonnen]

I haven't seen that much, not sure what places you are going to. I see that you're in Richmond Hill, I went to a place near Hillcrest....HORRIBLE! (I think it was called the pita stop).

I went there on Friday! It's by far the worst i've ever had. That's where they put the meat on the flat grill thing and cooked it after carving it off the skewer thing.

I also went to Naz's (mentioned in this this thread) a few weeks ago, and they put the meat on the flat grill thing and let it cook there for a bit before putting it on the pita.

In Ottawa, I used to go to a place called The Garlic King...he had, by far the best Garlic paste/sauce stuff ever. It had the consistency of whipped butter, and it would taste so good. It's the only reason I go back to Ottawa nowadays :lol:

Are there any other places in Richmond Hill/Markham area that sell shwarmas? I haven't been able to find any :(

[ji2o0k]

I haven't seen that much, not sure what places you are going to. I see that you're in Richmond Hill, I went to a place near Hillcrest....HORRIBLE! (I think it was called the pita stop).
i guess they should name the place pita slop.............oh oh I made a funny........

[anom]

I went there on Friday! It's by far the worst i've ever had. That's where they put the meat on the flat grill thing and cooked it after carving it off the skewer thing.

I also went to Naz's (mentioned in this this thread) a few weeks ago, and they put the meat on the flat grill thing and let it cook there for a bit before putting it on the pita.

In Ottawa, I used to go to a place called The Garlic King...he had, by far the best Garlic paste/sauce stuff ever. It had the consistency of whipped butter, and it would taste so good. It's the only reason I go back to Ottawa nowadays :lol:

Are there any other places in Richmond Hill/Markham area that sell shwarmas? I haven't been able to find any :(

I have looking for places in that area myself.
I've been to a place on Steeles and South of Weston (in Vaughan), might be kinda far for you, but definitely closer than Ottawa! Place is called La Zeez, haven't been able to find a website or anything. But its really good.

[anom]

they put the meat on the flat grill thing and cooked it after carving it off the skewer thing.


I don't mind that...I just hate when they grill the pita afterwards, just seems like it's less fresh.

[jahooligan]

Me Va Me @ Steeles n Bathurst

[weedb0y]

I don't mind that...I just hate when they grill the pita afterwards, just seems like it's less fresh.

thats the best part bro! HOT and TOASTY

[Dr Butcher]

Me Va Me @ Steeles n Bathurst

I've been here many times. You get a TON of food when you order the shawarma.

I've made the trek from Scarborough to get the hummus from Me Va Me and to pick up fresh from the oven pitas from Pita-Pita Bakery. The best hummus ever!

[originalnutta]

Nick's Famous Pita and Pita Grill shave the meat off the skewers.
Same with El Medina at Sherway Gardens.

[anom]

Oh, Yummies is bad as well.

[parry]

Any place that is NOT Halal?

Unfortunately all mediterranean places server halal meat. Don't eat halal.. :(

[Rehan]

Don't eat halal.. :( Is it against your religion? :confused:

[Harkonnen]

Any place that is NOT Halal?

Unfortunately all mediterranean places server halal meat. Don't eat halal..
:(

Is there a reason you don't? My understanding is that halal just refers to the way the cow(animal?) was killed...appearently the blood is drained out or something.

I'd had halal and non-halal meat...I can't taste a difference

[Harkonnen]

I have looking for places in that area myself.
I've been to a place on Steeles and South of Weston (in Vaughan), might be kinda far for you, but definitely closer than Ottawa! Place is called La Zeez, haven't been able to find a website or anything. But its really good.

Yikes, that is a tad far...but i'll have to give it a try...sure beats going to Ottawa when you get a craving! Thanks!

[parry]

reasons are religious.

Is there a reason you don't? My understanding is that halal just refers to the way the cow(animal?) was killed...appearently the blood is drained out or something.

I'd had halal and non-halal meat...I can't taste a difference

[Rehan]

I have looking for places in that area myself.
I've been to a place on Steeles and South of Weston (in Vaughan), might be kinda far for you, but definitely closer than Ottawa! Place is called La Zeez, haven't been able to find a website or anything. But its really good. Some details are at http://canada411.yellowpages.ca/business/ON/North+York/La+Zeez/0%2C3/2362614.html?src=ypca&stype=si

There's also a La Zeez downtown (info (http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=2135)), but I don't know if it's the same 'chain'/owners.

[YLSF]

what religion doesn't let you eat halal meat?

I love Shawarmas but I agree that the best ones I ever had were in Ottawa.. Maybe because I had my first ever shawarmas there...

[parry]

Well, Sikhs are not supposed to eat halal meat.

[uddinf]

Cedars (formerly called Ghazi's) in Hamilton is very good and one of my favourite places. Its located on Main Street West directly across McMaster Uni/Hospital. It is also halal.

[entity]

I believe for Halal meat, they would slit the animal's neck so all the blood is drained (correct me if I'm wrong)
so some would be against this as it would be a slow/painful death for the animal.

[entity]

oh and so far, nothing I've tried has tasted as good as the shawarma's I used to get in the U.A.E.
anyone have any suggestions in Mississauga (please dont say Aladdins, that place is ****)
the prices here generally seem high too.. maybe it's just cause I'm used to buying it for 2 AED which is like 75 cents :D

[originalnutta]

oh and so far, nothing I've tried has tasted as good as the shawarma's I used to get in the U.A.E.
anyone have any suggestions in Mississauga (please dont say Aladdins, that place is ****)
the prices here generally seem high too.. maybe it's just cause I'm used to buying it for 2 AED which is like 75 cents :DNick's Pitas which i keep drilling in everyone's head, is as close to a UAE shawarma as you can get.

[parry]

Do they serve halal(nicks)?

[TheGriffin]

Where is Nick's?

[originalnutta]

Yes they serve Halal, and i listed the location in the first post.

Tomken/eglinton.

[Manda]

I'll have to agree that the best shawarma I've had was in Ottawa. I'm going back next weekend and I'm looking forward to getting a shawarma with GARLIC POTATOES. Why don't any of the shawarma places in toronto serve those great combos like shawarma, garlic potatoes and a pop for $5.99?

I forget the names of the places I went to in Ottawa, one was on Bank just north of the bus station, it was pretty popular.

In Mississauga I like Osmow's but I like Pita grill better. Pita grill is more expensive and really big though. There's a place I noticed recently on Burnhamthorpe called Marouch I think, has anyone been there?

[Dr Butcher]

I'll have to agree that the best shawarma I've had was in Ottawa. I'm going back next weekend and I'm looking forward to getting a shawarma with GARLIC POTATOES. Why don't any of the shawarma places in toronto serve those great combos like shawarma, garlic potatoes and a pop for $5.99?

I forget the names of the places I went to in Ottawa, one was on Bank just north of the bus station, it was pretty popular.



Was it Shawarma King?

I loved Shawarma Palace on Rideau when I went a couple of years back. My girlfriend loved it and after trying a few places here in the city, asked me "Why don't they have a place like Shawarma Palace here in Toronto"?

[originalnutta]

In Mississauga I like Osmow's but I like Pita grill better. Pita grill is more expensive and really big though. There's a place I noticed recently on Burnhamthorpe called Marouch I think, has anyone been there?

Been there years ago. Not that good, and a bit pricey iirc.

[masterballer]

My friends dad might be opening a new shawarma place at yonge and finch in a month :razz: ill let you know how it is :twisted:

[hadim]

There is this place at bathurst and wilson...good food.

[flito ray]

Nick's Pitas which i keep drilling in everyone's head, is as close to a UAE shawarma as you can get.

where' is nix?

[originalnutta]

where' is nix?Read first post, and i posted the location in every page of this thread almost.

Tomken/Eglinton.

[uddinf]

just tried nick's...I can't say it was that good...just average. But thats just me.

[bsnsman]

Must check out Nick's famous pitas, its the best around guaranteed. theyre located on the south west corner of tomken and eglinton in Mississauga.

so far i think they're better and cleaner then pita nutsy, pita and grill and aladin

www.nickspita.ca

[weedb0y]

aladin's has gone down the drain since the last few yrs actually..

It used to be good..now its patethic in terms of service and food quality

[PrinceMS]

aladin's has gone down the drain since the last few yrs actually..

It used to be good..now its patethic in terms of service and food quality

and price

[babychai]

I kinda like Shawarma Empire (?)
It's at Lawrence/Pharmacy.

2 for $5 (or was it $6?)
Chicken or Beef.

Sorry about being fuzzy on the details...

[xenyz]

I've had a bunch of shawarma around the area. I just went to Pita Grill today for lunch! Thanks for the tip! Next I'll have to try Nick's.

Here's my ranking of the places I've been 'round the GTA:

1. Sarah's (Bloor / Spadina)
2. Pita Grill (Dixie / Eglington)
3. Ali Baba's (Dundas / Roncesvailes)
4. Falafel World (Bloor / Jane)
5. Aladdin's (Hwy 10 / Hwy 5)
6. Mediterranean 2 Go (Dundas / University)
7. Montfort (Trafalgar / QEW) **
8. Pita Nutzy (Ford / Royal Windsor)

[As an aside, an honourable mention goes to the fantastic Burrito Boys (Peter / Adelaide) -- it's like a Mexican shawarma!!!]

** Montfort really is different than the rest, they do their own thing. I used to like it a lot but not much recently... I like the traditional style more. Yes, this also means Pita Nutzy is pretty bad, but it might just be this location...

Hope this helps convince you to try Sarah's. It is by far the best, and also happens to be the cheapest as well!

[TheRide]

There's a shawarma place in Downsview Flea Market. $5 for a wrap ,they only have chicken though but the shawarma is STUFFED and very tasty.

+1 on Alladins being sub-par

[Bing]

I'll have to agree that the best shawarma I've had was in Ottawa. I'm going back next weekend and I'm looking forward to getting a shawarma with GARLIC POTATOES. Why don't any of the shawarma places in toronto serve those great combos like shawarma, garlic potatoes and a pop for $5.99?

I forget the names of the places I went to in Ottawa, one was on Bank just north of the bus station, it was pretty popular.


The shops in Ottawa do make great shawarmas. Isn't there 3-4 shops on Bank St? I guess the compitition has something to do with the quality and price.

I personally like the place on Yonge, south of Bloor on the east side. Forget it's name but you can get a sandwich and pop < $5

[ji2o0k]

[As an aside, an honourable mention goes to the fantastic Burrito Boys (Peter / Adelaide) -- it's like a Mexican shawarma!!!]

Hope this helps convince you to try Sarah's. It is by far the best, and also happens to be the cheapest as well!
oh man, I love Burrito Boys.............we normally go there after a night of clubbing/bar hopping/partying.........amazing burritos made fresh in front of you.....so tasty !!!

[Digiital]

Anything good up in Brampton, for Shawarma besides indian?

[blexann]

Anything good up in Brampton, for Shawarma besides indian?

there is a place at Ray Lawson and Hurontario (SW corner) ..forgot the name of it.. place is prety good but I stopped going there becuase it is too pricey

[the fokinator]

hmmm, so far most of the places you've listed are in sauga/brampton or DT.
Does anyone know of any locations in Richmond Hill/Markham that sells pretty good schawarma for decent prices?

[ftcnt]

i have to agree that sarahs is the best ive tried as well. delicious and pirce is fair too!

[DB8]

hmmm, so far most of the places you've listed are in sauga/brampton or DT.
Does anyone know of any locations in Richmond Hill/Markham that sells pretty good schawarma for decent prices?



i want to know the same as well...............Markham would be awsome :)

[anom]

at Bayview and Laureleaf (in the Longos plaza), sort of attached to What a Bagel (inside the little mall area) they sell falafels and shwarmas. I have only tried the falafel...which is really good. So maybe try there. (not sure of the prices though)


hmmm, so far most of the places you've listed are in sauga/brampton or DT.
Does anyone know of any locations in Richmond Hill/Markham that sells pretty good schawarma for decent prices?

[afici0nad0]

i'll need to try out sarah's and me-va-me.

[shadowfighta]

Any thoughts on Donair Kabob at Yonge/college? I always walk by it on my way home but have yet to buy from there.

[HSK]

There's Farhat not too far from Markham. Warden and Lawrence at Nasr Plaza. 15mins from Markville. 2 for for 5.99. Lamb, Chicken, or Beef.

[DB8]

A little off topic, but i have had different Shawamas from different places

i love the one at Village BBQ on Lawrence.....

My question is, do they usually stuff "Fries" inside?? i know Village BBQ does, and it taste great.........just wondering....

and can anyone name all the topics thats in a "proper" Shawamas???

[The Rochester Mirkins]

I went to Nick's tonight. It's fantastic! A tad more garlicky than Pita and Grill but I don't mind sleeping on the couch!

[AzN_RiverdaleCI]

best place is that store at the CNE food building.

[wiggy]

Anything good up in Brampton, for Shawarma besides indian?

Falafel Garden, east side of Kennedy, south of Clarence. Across the street from the Tim Horton's. Pretty good. Not Indian.

Also a relatively new place (less than a year) on the west side of Hwy 10 (Hurontario) just south of Bovaird. Shawarma Queen I think? Only been once, haven't really formed an opinion yet.

[afici0nad0]

went to sarah's today. very good food.

still, i know it's not in the gta, but, i still have yet to find a shawarma spot that can top basha @ eaton centre in montreal. damn, huge portions, damn good food.

i'm still gonna hit up the other spots listed in this thread. keep them coming.

[uddinf]

Any thoughts on Donair Kabob at Yonge/college? I always walk by it on my way home but have yet to buy from there.

I just tried it for the first time a few weeks ago without hot sauce and it was alright. I went in a second time and noticed everyone asking for extra hot sauce. I figured I would try it and...wow, I really liked it. The hot sauce is very good and very hot but tastes very good.

[duckdown]

I could care less about Halal or not, but as someone whos never had one, is the chicken WHITE MEAT? I don't like dark meat, and definitely wouldnt spend money on something that was made with it.. and can I see some pics of it! my buddies always talk about them but ive never had/seen one i dont think

[nkn1983]

Any thoughts on Donair Kabob at Yonge/college? I always walk by it on my way home but have yet to buy from there.

Where exactly is this place located at? I tried to find it but could not.

[Anessa]

Where exactly is this place located at? I tried to find it but could not.

I think it's slightly after College opposite the College Park storefront...

[Harkonnen]

Has anyone tried Shwarma Maxx on Sheppard and Yonge?

We went there the other night, but I guess they had just put fresh meat on the beef and chicken skewer things - so the meat was still VERY raw, they were just carving it off and putting it on the flat grill to cook quickly.

A word of warning:

They used an electric carving knife to carve both the RAW chicken and RAW meat skewers (the same carving knife). I didn't hang around long enough to see if they cleaned the knife afterwards, but I'm sure cutting raw chicken and meats using the same knife can't be good hygiene. If the meats had cooked on the the skewers and then they carved the meat off it it, could the meat still possibly carry salmonella?

[DB8]

went on a little Shawama hunt this past Sat in Missassauga, both store in Streetsville....

first went to "Pita Nutsy"
-- Tiny store, lots of customer, "Terrible Chicken Shawama", "ONLY" topic they put inside the Shawama is Lettues and sauce, toast the outside too long, and theres NO taste to the meat............it was like $5.99 each, and we order a $5.99 greek looking salad and a "Hummous(spelling)", these items dont show up until we are just about to leave(thought they miss the order)....overall, NOT happy with it

Since i am not Satisfy with the food, i went down like 5-6 stores, and there's
"Ozamo Grill"
-- Tiny store, under renovation, really friendly owner/worker, "TASTY Chicken Sawama", they offer you "ALL" the topics and let you pick and choose, and the outside is just done right, not too hard not too soft, Tasty/juicy meat, great price as well, cost $10 for 2 Shawamas............


Ozamo>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Pita Nutsy.........

[uddinf]

Where exactly is this place located at? I tried to find it but could not.

I think it's slightly after College opposite the College Park storefront...

Its actually at Gerrard and Yonge on the East side of the street (across from the elphant bar)

[shadowfighta]

Its actually at Gerrard and Yonge on the East side of the street (across from the elphant bar)

Actually it's further up Yonge just south of college on the east side unless I'm confusing the name with the place beside Big Slice.

[Harkonnen]

Actually it's further up Yonge just south of college on the east side unless I'm confusing the name with the place beside Big Slice.

I think the place is called "A La Turque" or something like that. I had a chicken shwarma there the other day. It was pretty good, and really filling and wasn't badly priced (I think they raised the prices a little though).

Give loads of meat :)

[ji2o0k]

For all those downtown, there is Medina in the Scotia Plaza food court.

They have beef, chicken. I tried the Chicken and it was very good. They have a garlic paste, and it is pretty good as well.

Oh but I am not sure if this is Halal, I believe their banner is Mediterranean Cuisine.

[B0000rt]

Sarcasm
Which of these places sell the best Pork Shawarmas? :lol:

[ha5]

yes Medina is halal
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=1417


they have a place in vaughan mills now too

[Irb]

A little off topic, but i have had different Shawamas from different places

i love the one at Village BBQ on Lawrence.....

My question is, do they usually stuff "Fries" inside?? i know Village BBQ does, and it taste great.........just wondering....

and can anyone name all the topics thats in a "proper" Shawamas???Village BBQ never stuffs it with any fries for me. :confused:

[WhiteFlagDeals]

What's the difference between the Arabic shawarmas and the Greek gyros???:confused:

[george benjamin]

What's the difference between the Arabic shawarmas and the Greek gyros???:confused:

Gyros is proccesed meat, while shawarma is is like steak meat.

[Corky]

What's the difference between the Arabic shawarmas and the Greek gyros???:confused:Try a gyro and then try a schwarma and you'll see a big difference. I love both.

[WhiteFlagDeals]

Try a gyro and then try a schwarma and you'll see a big difference. I love both.

I had gyros on the Danforth and shawarmas on College St. across the street from UofT and they both tasted the same to be honest.

[originalnutta]

For all those downtown, there is Medina in the Scotia Plaza food court.

They have beef, chicken. I tried the Chicken and it was very good. They have a garlic paste, and it is pretty good as well.

Oh but I am not sure if this is Halal, I believe their banner is Mediterranean Cuisine.

El Medina has locations at SQ1 and Sherway Gardens as well.

Its pretty cheap and good. But the service sucks.

The meat is tasty, the vegetbales could be better, and tabouli isnt a shwarama topping. :(

:)
And lots of Arabic/Lebanese places are listed as Mediterranean, because it can sell more than an Arabic fast food listing.

[Manda]

Gyros is proccesed meat, while shawarma is is like steak meat.


Actually, some places sell both Shawarma and Gyros and take the meat off the same spit. The same for Donairs (the spit for beef, although I think Gyros are supposed to be a combination of beef and lamb?). The main difference between all 3 of these is the toppings, mostly the sauce, Donairs and Gyros usually have lettuce, tomato and onion as toppings, Donairs with a sweet sauce and Gryros with tzatziki. Shawarma usually has lettuce tomato, onion, pickled turnip (slices of pink stuff) a garlic sauce and/or hot sauce and sometimes hummus or tabouleh. Apparently in Europe (particularly in France) they also put fries in Shawarma or Donair.

[Corky]

Actually, some places sell both Shawarma and Gyros and take the meat off the same spit. The same for Donairs (the spit for beef, although I think Gyros are supposed to be a combination of beef and lamb?). The main difference between all 3 of these is the toppings, mostly the sauce, Donairs and Gyros usually have lettuce, tomato and onion as toppings, Donairs with a sweet sauce and Gryros with tzatziki. Shawarma usually has lettuce tomato, onion, pickled turnip (slices of pink stuff) a garlic sauce and/or hot sauce and sometimes hummus or tabouleh. Apparently in Europe (particularly in France) they also put fries in Shawarma or Donair.
How can they take the meat off the same spit when they use totally different meat?

Gyros
http://www.wacoartsfest.org/food/images/gyro.jpg

Shwarma
http://upshizzle.com/up/pfiles/2315/shwarma.jpg

[Rehan]

omg..I was gonna say Sarah as well..Its the BEST and I drive down from Mississauga for Sarah's shawaramas! Sorry about the bump, but check this out:
http://app.toronto.ca/food2/DineSafeMain?userRequest=view_history&ESTABLISHMENT_ID=9013492

[originalnutta]

Sorry about the bump, but check this out:
http://app.toronto.ca/food2/DineSafeMain?userRequest=view_history&ESTABLISHMENT_ID=9013492

Lol. That just adds to the flavour.

Eat up.

Thats anoth reason why i go to Nick's. His place is new and less than a year old. Very clean.

[shadowfighta]

The shawarma place at yonge/college is gone :(

[duckdown]

Falafel Garden, east side of Kennedy, south of Clarence. Across the street from the Tim Horton's. Pretty good. Not Indian.

Also a relatively new place (less than a year) on the west side of Hwy 10 (Hurontario) just south of Bovaird. Shawarma Queen I think? Only been once, haven't really formed an opinion yet.

Falafel Garden is also my fav. choice for Brampton.. I've eaten at Shawarma Queen and "bland" basically sums it up... even the balkava pastries were flavorless.. so my vote is for Falafel Garden also:)

[Narci]

Me Va Me at Steeles and Bathurst (dine in), thier take out location is on steeles near the Toy R Us where the old Monsieur Feliz and Mr norton cookie place was.

The portions are ginormous.

[duckdown]

Tried Pita Nutsy in Streetsville tonight... definitely NOT the best shawarma I've ever had, even though it seems like everyone I ask thinks its the best..

The quest continues..

I still think my favorite shawarmas are from Falafel World at Jane & Bloor

[Dr Butcher]

Tried Pita Nutsy in Streetsville tonight... definitely NOT the best shawarma I've ever had, even though it seems like everyone I ask thinks its the best..

The quest continues..

I still think my favorite shawarmas are from Falafel World at Jane & Bloor

You need to hit the Lawrence/Warden strip in Scarberia to find some good stuff.

Ottawa and Montreal are so much better than the T. for shawarma, nearly any place you go is pretty good.

[originalnutta]

Tried Pita Nutsy in Streetsville tonight... definitely NOT the best shawarma I've ever had, even though it seems like everyone I ask thinks its the best..

The quest continues..

I still think my favorite shawarmas are from Falafel World at Jane & Bloor
That used to be my favourite place to go to, way back when there weren't many arabic shops around. But the places i go to now, are much much better.

[duckdown]

You need to hit the Lawrence/Warden strip in Scarberia to find some good stuff.

Ottawa and Montreal are so much better than the T. for shawarma, nearly any place you go is pretty good.

Cool, I visit a buddy in Scartown sometimes, let me know if you've got any personal local favs

I also hear great things about the Ottawa shawarma places.. I want to try them :)

[duckdown]

That used to be my favourite place to go to, way back when there weren't many arabic shops around. But the places i go to now, are much much better.

Yea, seems like EVERYONE I ask, both IRL and online usually say that's their favorite place, but I was not impressed at all... I don't even recall if their garlic-sauce was very good, and it was mostly dark meat (I prefer white)... Nicks Famous Pita is way better IMO

[UrbanPoet]

The shawarma place at yonge/college is gone :(

it just moved north a bit.

[ike]

it just moved north a bit.

where?
Their shwarmas are amazingly good.

[Dr Butcher]

Cool, I visit a buddy in Scartown sometimes, let me know if you've got any personal local favs

I also hear great things about the Ottawa shawarma places.. I want to try them :)

I just found a new favourite location. It's across the street from Nasr foods at Lawrence/Wayne just west of Warden.

Ibrahim Pizza & BBQ
1967 Lawrence Avenue East
Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z2
416-651-1010


2 Shawarma's for $5.99 chicken or beef. A plate is $7.99 and comes with potatoes rice and salad. I had it for lunch and it was huge. The lady that works the counter is really nice.

It's the best I have had in Toronto to this point. Lots of flavour, huge portions and fresh toppings. The garlic sauce is amazing.

[duckdown]

I just found a new favourite location. It's across the street from Nasr foods at Lawrence/Wayne just west of Warden.

Ibrahim Pizza & BBQ
1967 Lawrence Avenue East
Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z2
416-651-1010


2 Shawarma's for $5.99 chicken or beef. A plate is $7.99 and comes with potatoes rice and salad. I had it for lunch and it was huge. The lady that works the counter is really nice.

It's the best I have had in Toronto to this point. Lots of flavour, huge portions and fresh toppings. The garlic sauce is amazing.


Sounds awesome, I like places that have the plates w/rice & potatoes... I'll check it out next time I visit Scar....thanks :)

[umieesa]

I tried Ibrahim a couple of weeks ago and found the meat really fatty, and I'm not sure if it was just the day I had it but the rice was soooo salty. My husband who usually can take salty food also found it inedible. It put me off from wanting to get it again. I think I would just stick to their burger plate =).

I'd rather choose Nasib's just down the street. Homemade pita chips are to die for!

Just came back from Ottawa actually and have to say that it was the best shawarma I have ever tried hands down. Place was called Shawarma Palace on Rideau...mmmm....I miss Ottawa already!

As for halal, then yes the throat is slit, but it is supposed to be done painlessly by someone who knows what their doing so that the animal dies instantly without suffering. My husband went to a farm once and asked if he could try slaughtering himself and they wouldn't allow him because they said they had people who had tried and end up torturing the animal because the first cut didn't kill it....ouch!

[SFA]

I just found a new favourite location. It's across the street from Nasr foods at Lawrence/Wayne just west of Warden.

Ibrahim Pizza & BBQ
1967 Lawrence Avenue East
Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z2
416-651-1010


2 Shawarma's for $5.99 chicken or beef. A plate is $7.99 and comes with potatoes rice and salad. I had it for lunch and it was huge. The lady that works the counter is really nice.

It's the best I have had in Toronto to this point. Lots of flavour, huge portions and fresh toppings. The garlic sauce is amazing.


Took the words out of my mouth.. It is definitley by far the best shawarma I've had so far in Toronto (been here for 15 years).. The shawarma is really REALLY fresh (no soggy and stale veggies) and the meat is full of flavor. Nothing bad to say about the place.. other then you might have to wait sometimes when they get busy, but the wait is worth it :)

[vrus]

where?
Their shwarmas are amazingly good.

I think it's in the middle of college and dundas. Tasty indeed.

[mbm]

not sure if its mentioned here but somethign 2 talk about in downtown on Gerrard/Bay

[mbm]

I just found a new favourite location. It's across the street from Nasr foods at Lawrence/Wayne just west of Warden.

Ibrahim Pizza & BBQ
1967 Lawrence Avenue East
Scarborough, ON M1R 2Z2
416-651-1010


2 Shawarma's for $5.99 chicken or beef. A plate is $7.99 and comes with potatoes rice and salad. I had it for lunch and it was huge. The lady that works the counter is really nice.

It's the best I have had in Toronto to this point. Lots of flavour, huge portions and fresh toppings. The garlic sauce is amazing.

I buy my meat from Ibrahim but didn't like their shawarma, i prefer Shawarma Empire right at the corner of Lawrence and Pharmacy and yes Ibrahim's garlic sauce is yummy

[Dr Butcher]

I tried Ibrahim a couple of weeks ago and found the meat really fatty, and I'm not sure if it was just the day I had it but the rice was soooo salty. My husband who usually can take salty food also found it inedible. It put me off from wanting to get it again. I think I would just stick to their burger plate =).


If there was one complaint I'd have about Ibrahim, is that their sauces are salty. They use a lot of sauce on their wraps and squirted on the rice, that's probably why it got over salted. The meat and rice aren't salty on their own IMO. The meat does have a lot of fat mixed with it on the spit (I saw them preparing the beef in the back). I didn't really notice the fat while eating, but it was pretty evident when I took the leftovers out of the fridge last night.

I'd agree with your comments.

I'll have to try Nasib's. :)

[anom]

If there was one complaint I'd have about Ibrahim, is that their sauces are salty. They use a lot of sauce on their wraps and squirted on the rice, that's probably why it got over salted. The meat and rice aren't salty on their own IMO. The meat does have a lot of fat mixed with it on the spit (I saw them preparing the beef in the back). I didn't really notice the fat while eating, but it was pretty evident when I took the leftovers out of the fridge last night.

I'd agree with your comments.

I'll have to try Nasib's. :)

Tried this place (Ibrahim) last night.
Got the chicken shawarma plate. I have to agree, the meat was overly salty, as was the garlic sauce. It all tasted good for a bit, but I was just not able to eat too much because of the amount of salt. They give a LOT and I mean a LOT of rice. Can easily feed 2 people.

[jandumm]

A good shwarama place up I'm always at is at at Weston and Steeles - its in the TIm horton/s Shell Plaza. It was called La Zeez but I think they just changed their name.

Any other recommendations in the Steeles/Weston area are welcomed.

For those who love Montforts, they have a new location in Mississauga at Hurontario/Bristol. I'm still to try it out.

A nice sit down place for lebanese food is Tarboosh, Confederation Pkwy and Dundas. They have great food and its pretty reasonable.

[anom]

A good shwarama place up I'm always at is at at Weston and Steeles - its in the TIm horton/s Shell Plaza. It was called La Zeez but I think they just changed their name.


agreed, I mentioned this place.

now called Pita....something.

[jandumm]

agreed, I mentioned this place.

now called Pita....something.


Ah yes, I missed post #37 ;)

Another place I've seen is on Pine Valley and Hanlan - south of the 407. They advertise on the street, but yet to try it out. Mr. Sharwarma i think. Any opinions on that place?

[duckdown]

For those who love Montforts, they have a new location in Mississauga at Hurontario/Bristol. I'm still to try it out.


Nice! Thanks for the heads up... That dundas location is far for me, but Hurontario & Bristol isnt bad at all

Montforts is always great when I go but their prices/portions arent so hot... I get the shawarma dinner with potatoes and rice, and NO salad, and they still dont give you much rice or home fries...oh well

[Paolo]

Pita Nazi on Queen St. in Streetsville, Ontario.
Hands Down the best. Also ask for Extra Special Sauce

[duckdown]

Pita Nazi on Queen St. in Streetsville, Ontario.
Hands Down the best. Also ask for Extra Special Sauce

I'm assuming you mean Pita Nutsy and if you think thats the best shawarma in the Streetsville-Sauga area, then you definitely haven't tried enough shawarmas


On a side note, I ate at Montforts new Hurontario & Bristol location, and it was great

[batman321123]

I liked La Zeez at Jarvis/Gerrard. But now they changed to Pita Land. When I went in last week to find out where they bought their meat from (to find out if it was halal or not), the guy behind the counter told me, "I have no idea". :( Had to settle for pizza.

[jandumm]

On a side note, I ate at Montforts new Hurontario & Bristol location, and it was great


sorry to bring an old thread back to life....my sister and I got takeout from the new Montforts at the Bristol Location last night. We were really disappointed. I'd been looking fwd to it all week. boo.

1. We paid $3 extra to get taboule and greek salad. When they were packing it up, we asked if the salad was there and they said it was. When we got home, it was not - in fact, there was no salad at all (even the regular stuff). When we called, they offered us a weak apology - said that they tried to catch us - not true as we ran into a friend right outside the restaurant and talked for 5 minutes..also offered us free hummous - not that bad I guess - but I live 20 minutes away and declined.

2. The meat (chicken and pork) were really really dry - as were the rice. It tasted as if it might've been old. I could've made better souvlaki at home with the stuff you buy from loblaws :(

3. The portions were rather small and kind of expensive. We paid $30 for 2 bowls of rice, some dry meat (and probably less than 1 skewer of each type of meat), and a pita and a bit of garlic sauce - and the salads we didn't get

4. On the menu (that my sister ordered from), there was a coupon that states - Buy 1 entree, get the 2nd one free. They're not obligated to point it out, but it would've been nice if they did.

5. The wait was supposed to be 5 minutes but turned out to be 20. This and #4 above are no big deals on their own, but just makes the overall experience worse.


Definitely not the montforts I know. I may go back 1 more time and just get a shwarama or souvlaki sandwich and give it 1 more chance. Maybe it was a bad night or new restaurant-itis - only been open 3 weeks.

We were really annoyed - should've gone to either Peters on Eglinton or Tarboosh.

[originalnutta]

sorry to bring an old thread back to life....my sister and I got takeout from the new Montforts at the Bristol Location last night. We were really disappointed. I'd been looking fwd to it all week. boo.

1. We paid $3 extra to get taboule and greek salad. When they were packing it up, we asked if the salad was there and they said it was. When we got home, it was not - in fact, there was no salad at all (even the regular stuff). When we called, they offered us a weak apology - said that they tried to catch us - not true as we ran into a friend right outside the restaurant and talked for 5 minutes..also offered us free hummous - not that bad I guess - but I live 20 minutes away and declined.

2. The meat (chicken and pork) were really really dry - as were the rice. It tasted as if it might've been old. I could've made better souvlaki at home with the stuff you buy from loblaws :(

3. The portions were rather small and kind of expensive. We paid $30 for 2 bowls of rice, some dry meat (and probably less than 1 skewer of each type of meat), and a pita and a bit of garlic sauce - and the salads we didn't get

4. On the menu (that my sister ordered from), there was a coupon that states - Buy 1 entree, get the 2nd one free. They're not obligated to point it out, but it would've been nice if they did.

5. The wait was supposed to be 5 minutes but turned out to be 20. This and #4 above are no big deals on their own, but just makes the overall experience worse.


Definitely not the montforts I know. I may go back 1 more time and just get a shwarama or souvlaki sandwich and give it 1 more chance. Maybe it was a bad night or new restaurant-itis - only been open 3 weeks.

We were really annoyed - should've gone to either Peters on Eglinton or Tarboosh.Thats too bad. Considering this place just opened up, iirc.

I was kinda excited to visit this place, hoping that the food would be fresh and service would be better.

Oh well. I guess i'll stick to the location at Hwy10/Dundas.

Unfortunately Montfort's has a unique taste and no other arabic place comes close to it, in terms of flavour.

[duckdown]

Sucks about the bad experience there..

See I've already learned, from eating at Montforts Dundas & 10 location many times... That their rice is always pretty bland, and their homefries aren't very good unless the cook makes them just right, so I usually don't get the dinner plates anymore. Usually I'll grab a shawarma sandwich to go and a Montfort chicken sandwich to go, both come out to around 11.50 and fills me up pretty good

I love rice & potatoes as much as everyone else, but I admit they are both pretty bad at Montforts. And you are absolutely right about the tiny portions

If I didn't like their shawarma so much I'd probably never go there.

Cheers

[jandumm]

Sucks about the bad experience there..

See I've already learned, from eating at Montforts Dundas & 10 location many times... That their rice is always pretty bland, and their homefries aren't very good unless the cook makes them just right, so I usually don't get the dinner plates anymore. Usually I'll grab a shawarma sandwich to go and a Montfort chicken sandwich to go, both come out to around 11.50 and fills me up pretty good

I love rice & potatoes as much as everyone else, but I admit they are both pretty bad at Montforts. And you are absolutely right about the tiny portions

If I didn't like their shawarma so much I'd probably never go there.

Cheers

yah i think that was our mistake - ordering the entree. I will definitely go back for just the sandwich. will let the board know how that goes.

[george benjamin]

I just tried Shawarma King today in Eaton Center.

Probably the second best shawarma i've had in toronto.

The first best would be Nabils over at Midland and Lawrence.

[flito ray]

I just tried Shawarma King today in Eaton Center.

Probably the second best shawarma i've had in toronto.

The first best would be Nabils over at Midland and Lawrence.

where is this place? is it inside eaton center or on yonge steert

[george benjamin]

where is this place? is it inside eaton center or on yonge steert

Its funny how you asked.

I've been to eaton center dozens of times, and every time i wanted to go to shawarma king (i've about it so much). But guess what?!?!?! I couldnt find it!!!!

Its in the food court in the corner. Its hard to see becuase its small. It's right beside Mcdonalds.

[duckdown]

whoa? your 2nd best in toronto? this place must be very good

do they have dinner plates (like meat + rice + potatoes)

[george benjamin]

The reason i say second best is mainly because of the meat.

It is very hard to find good quality, non fatty meat, that is marinated properly, that isnt hard.

Let me give you an example. These are not only my judgement, but many other people also.


Farhat on lawrence - too fatty. Spices not right.

Store across farhat - huge cheap sandwiches, but fatty.

Mediterranean to Go on dundas - fatty, and the spices/taste is WAAAAY of. In addition, the chicken used is not on the spit (i think thats what you call it), and it's not breasts.

Pita Q - this place would be good, but there is too much vinegar in the beef. Also, they cant seem to know a right time when to take (knife it out) the meat from the spit. The spit needs to turn and cook itself. If you cut down meat too fast, it wont be cooked, becuase the heat still hasnt reached inside.

[george benjamin]

Yes they do have dinner plate.

Shawarma, humus, FRESH salad, potatoes, and bread.

That's what i had today.

[whatsinaname]

I think Shawarma King is the one beside Sport Chek and the washrooms in Eaton Centre.

How are the prices there? I passed by before but never tried it.

[duckdown]

Tried a new place this week, its a place called Vita Pita here in Brampton and is owned & operated by a single guy.. It is a Turkish style which I have never had before, and is entirely white meat (my favorite)

Another reason I like this place is because you can customize the dinner plate (ie: some days I get it with their house cabbage salad, some days with tabooli, some days with caesar salad, and so on).. I find that maybe the portions are a little small but it's still an enjoyable meal. The hot sauce burned me the first time pretty good so I don't get it anymore, but my other friends love it... I mean, it's not the BEST shawarma I've ever had, but I like to try various places and have variety so it's nice for a change.. I still think I like Montfort's or Falafel World best of all...

I kinda feel bad for the guy who runs it because I don't see the place busy too often, so go and give it a try.. It's located in the plaze where the Traffic Courthouse is in Brampton (Hurontario & Ray Lawson) beside the Cora's and East Side Marios

Cheers

[Paolo]

montford's and pita nazi are great too

[duckdown]

i don't care for pita nutsy at all because last time i was there they only sell the sandwiches.... i prefer the plates with rice poatoes & salad

osmow's next door is better

[weedb0y]

i don't care for pita nutsy at all because last time i was there they only sell the sandwiches.... i prefer the plates with rice poatoes & salad

osmow's next door is better

Funny, I was at osmow's just yesterday. The restaurant has improved big time from last time I was there. It was packed as well.

[duckdown]

Funny, I was at osmow's just yesterday. The restaurant has improved big time from last time I was there. It was packed as well.

Yeah, they did some massive renovations and stuff, I don't get a chance to go down there too often but I remember the before & after versions and its alot better now :)

[blexann]

Tried a new place this week, its a place called Vita Pita here in Brampton and is owned & operated by a single guy.. It is a Turkish style which I have never had before, and is entirely white meat (my favorite)

Another reason I like this place is because you can customize the dinner plate (ie: some days I get it with their house cabbage salad, some days with tabooli, some days with caesar salad, and so on).. I find that maybe the portions are a little small but it's still an enjoyable meal. The hot sauce burned me the first time pretty good so I don't get it anymore, but my other friends love it... I mean, it's not the BEST shawarma I've ever had, but I like to try various places and have variety so it's nice for a change.. I still think I like Montfort's or Falafel World best of all...

I kinda feel bad for the guy who runs it because I don't see the place busy too often, so go and give it a try.. It's located in the plaze where the Traffic Courthouse is in Brampton (Hurontario & Ray Lawson) beside the Cora's and East Side Marios

Cheers


I've been there a couple of times.. the quality is good - your right the place is slow...probably needs to be in a different locations.

[duckdown]

Tried a new place in Mississauga after being reccomended it on the ChowHound forums, its called AMASI and its located in Mississauga. Gotta say I was very unimpressed and will not be returning. Super expensive and very very bland, also the chicken is entirely dark meat with quite a few visible "fatty pieces" in it... Just saying that my reccomendation is to avoid

[sunnybono]

A place just opened up a few months ago called Adam's Shwarma on Kipling and Belfield (next to the 409 bridge; used to be a coffee shop). I've been there a couple of times for the beef & chicken Shwarma. Not bad for $4.99

Anyone else have an opinion on this place.

sk

[jandumm]

osmow's next door is better


interesting, i think i'll give osmow's a try this week.

[xeryusdvirus]

I FIND Montfords not to be really filling but if u looking for a nice place, Pita Nutsy (Nazi) in Streetsville on Queen near thomas street is the best in the gta, i dunno whats better, the food, or the lebaneeze arab owner who often brings the grille outside on the sidewalk infront of the store and cooks while singing in arabic. now thats pro


Hey try Pita Nutsy in Brampton (Hurontario & Fisherman Dr) it's cleaner & portions are better than Streetsville. Montfords is good also!

The best for me would be Palladium (not the amusement park) in Ssauga. It's around Dixie & Eglington behind the police station. They have a fresh bakey & kitchen that serves up really gooood food.

[duckdown]

Hey try Pita Nutsy in Brampton (Hurontario & Fisherman Dr) it's cleaner & portions are better than Streetsville. Montfords is good also!

The best for me would be Palladium (not the amusement park) in Ssauga. It's around Dixie & Eglington behind the police station. They have a fresh bakey & kitchen that serves up really gooood food.

The place at Hurontario & Fisherman drive is Shawarma Queen actually... And I just ate there for the first time again in a long time a few days ago and it was EXCELLENT

Never heard of Palladium , will have to check it out

Thanks

[td0t0]

i like falafel house on yonge - downtown

[sammy]

I just tried Shawarma King today in Eaton Center.

Probably the second best shawarma i've had in toronto.

The first best would be Nabils over at Midland and Lawrence.

i'll have to try the Eaton Centre one. seen it around but never bothered to buy. i love chicken shawarma plates so i'll see how theirs is.

[originalnutta]

Hey try Pita Nutsy in Brampton (Hurontario & Fisherman Dr) it's cleaner & portions are better than Streetsville. Montfords is good also!

The best for me would be Palladium (not the amusement park) in Ssauga. It's around Dixie & Eglington behind the police station. They have a fresh bakey & kitchen that serves up really gooood food.
You mean Paramount.

[blexann]

This place has awsome Shawarma - much better than Shawarma King . It's located a few blocks north of dundas on Yonge.

Red & White Mediterranean Food
519 Yonge Street

[shadowfighta]

This place has awsome Shawarma - much better than Shawarma King . It's located a few blocks north of dundas on Yonge.

Red & White Mediterranean Food
519 Yonge Street

What are the priceslike ? I want another place dt that has 2 for $6 shawarmas since the place I used to go to at Yonge/college closed down :(

[meh_33333]

therez a shawarma place a couple stores down from nasr food market, they're lebanese. they have falafels, beef, chicken, AND lamb. their shawarmas are 2 for 6 or something and they're huge. they're sloppy while making them but its DAM good.

[mobileguy]

Meron. Duffering/Steeles

[blexann]

What are the priceslike ? I want another place dt that has 2 for $6 shawarmas since the place I used to go to at Yonge/college closed down :(

The shawarma/beef plate is $5.99 before 3pm - dont know what the price of the sandwich is but prob around $3.99. The quality is excellent - and I am extremley picky on quality.

[xeryusdvirus]

[QUOTE=duckdown;5644514]The place at Hurontario & Fisherman drive is Shawarma Queen actually... And I just ate there for the first time again in a long time a few days ago and it was EXCELLENT

Shawarma Queen is on Bovaird & Hurontario. Go North of that intersection. It's on the same plaza as Turtle Jack's (Chicago). IMO the quality & portions of the food is better. Happy Dining!

[jandumm]

Funny, I was at osmow's just yesterday. The restaurant has improved big time from last time I was there. It was packed as well.


soooo checked out osmow's in streetsville today. ordered the large chicken shawarma sandwich - one thing for sure, it is great value for money. For around $7.50, got a huge sandwich chock full of meat. All in all, I thought the shawarma was pretty good - loved the hot sauce/sesame sauce combo...the meat was pretty spicy with a strong pepper flavouring...all in all, pretty good.

[george benjamin]

soooo checked out osmow's in streetsville today. ordered the large chicken shawarma sandwich - one thing for sure, it is great value for money. For around $7.50, got a huge sandwich chock full of meat. All in all, I thought the shawarma was pretty good - loved the hot sauce/sesame sauce combo...the meat was pretty spicy with a strong pepper flavouring...all in all, pretty good.

where is it?

[dealzuser]

Not sure if anyone posted, but the place in the Eaton Center south food court between Le Marche / Movenpick and MacDonalds makes good Sharwama.. My Arabic friends claim that is the best one in Toronto.

[duckdown]

[QUOTE=duckdown;5644514]The place at Hurontario & Fisherman drive is Shawarma Queen actually... And I just ate there for the first time again in a long time a few days ago and it was EXCELLENT

Shawarma Queen is on Bovaird & Hurontario. Go North of that intersection. It's on the same plaza as Turtle Jack's (Chicago). IMO the quality & portions of the food is better. Happy Dining!

Ahhh! Where TJ Chicago's is... I can't believe I haven't noticed it before

Will head over there for lunch today! Thanks :)

[blexann]

Not sure if anyone posted, but the place in the Eaton Center south food court between Le Marche / Movenpick and MacDonalds makes good Sharwama.. My Arabic friends claim that is the best one in Toronto.

head north on Yonge just after Dundas on the west side of Younge. Red & White Mediterranean Food is much better and cheaper than the place in the Eaton Centre.

[tapanpatel88]

there's this amazing shawarma place in mississauga.

Name: Osmow's Grill
Intersection: Mississauga Rd & Thomas St.

eat their chicken shawarma once and you will forget about any other place in GTA :)

they charge you $5 for a regular size and i think $8 for a super size. very reasonable

[weedb0y]

there's this amazing shawarma place in mississauga.

Name: Osmow's Grill
Intersection: Mississauga Rd & Thomas St.

eat their chicken shawarma once and you will forget about any other place in GTA :)

they charge you $5 for a regular size and i think $8 for a super size. very reasonable

Already talked about in previous posts! tnx though

[Jokez Guy]

there's this amazing shawarma place in mississauga.

Name: Osmow's Grill
Intersection: Mississauga Rd & Thomas St.

eat their chicken shawarma once and you will forget about any other place in GTA :)

they charge you $5 for a regular size and i think $8 for a super size. very reasonable

They were the best when they opened up, they are too busy now, customer service quality is not the best now, and there service is very slow, and on top of the shwarma use to be very good but now its not that great it lost it flavour when sam use to make it in the beggining it was GREAT but now its just whatever

[tapanpatel88]

They were the best when they opened up, they are too busy now, customer service quality is not the best now, and there service is very slow, and on top of the shwarma use to be very good but now its not that great it lost it flavour when sam use to make it in the beggining it was GREAT but now its just whatever

true. when sam makes it, his shawarmas are mind blowing. other cooks don't really do too well of a job. customer service quality has surely decreased, but considering they have more than 6-7 people working at once and also taking into account the amount of people that come to eat, its reasonable. despite of the quality of customer service, his place is always jam packed on weekends and also late nights on weekdays.

[zydus]

Not sure if anyone posted, but the place in the Eaton Center south food court between Le Marche / Movenpick and MacDonalds makes good Sharwama.. My Arabic friends claim that is the best one in Toronto.

I think its called Shwarma King..not that good.

La Zeez used to be good when it was still La Zeez, went there recently amount of meat has been reduced significantly.

[blexann]

I think its called Shwarma King..not that good.

La Zeez used to be good when it was still La Zeez, went there recently amount of meat has been reduced significantly.

I agree. I heard about Shwarma King on here and I was very dissapointed and it was not cheap. The thing about the food court places is they dont have to work hard at keeping their customers because they are inside so it's more convient for most people. Walk straight north from the Eaton Centre on Yonge and there are shawarma places that are twice as good as SK.

[a_y3n]

head north on Yonge just after Dundas on the East side of Younge. Red & White Mediterranean Food is much better and cheaper than the place in the Eaton Centre.

+1 The best shawarma I ate in Toronto is from here. I think it's on Yonge before University.

[blexann]

+1 The best shawarma I ate in Toronto is from here. I think it's on Yonge before University.

its actually on the West side of Yonge (after Swiss Chalet)

[CHINAdeals]

If you guys go to NYC

you HAVE to try their street food..in particular.their Chicken + Rice plate .i think its 3rd and 53rd street..or something like that.. its near the closest intersection to the MOMA (art museum)

it is AMAZING..there are lineups for it at night..for up to an hour. its ridiculous.. just for street food!

chicken + rice + mystery white sauce..i think its tzaziki. omfomggomgogmgomg

[hightech]

Not sure if anyone posted, but the place in the Eaton Center south food court between Le Marche / Movenpick and MacDonalds makes good Sharwama.. My Arabic friends claim that is the best one in Toronto.

That place is crap! Their sandwiches are like biting into cardboard.

[hightech]

yes Medina is halal
http://www.zabihah.com/_details.php?rest_id=1417


they have a place in vaughan mills now too

They also have one in Pickering Town Centre as well.

[sammy]

head north on Yonge just after Dundas on the west side of Younge. Red & White Mediterranean Food is much better and cheaper than the place in the Eaton Centre.

i tried Shawarma King at Eaton Centre after reading this thread and it was not that good. i had the chicken shawarma plate and the chicken tasted like processed chicken instead of fresh chicken. won't be going back.

definitely agree on Red and White on Yonge near Wellesley. i love their chicken plate - i think the lunch special is 5.99 or 6.30 plus taxes. they also have a frequent purchase card for stamping. halal too.

what i didn't like about Red and White is one time i was there, the guy on cash also made the shawarma sandwiches and didn't wash his hands. not good. but i only get the chicken rice plate.

[george benjamin]

They also have one in Pickering Town Centre as well.

Do you mean scarboro town center?

[hightech]

Do you mean scarboro town center?

Yes Scarborough Town Centre, as well as Pickering Town Centre have Villa Madina

http://www.scarboroughtowncentre.com/04sh_storeindiv.asp?store_name=Villa_Madina&store=227

http://www.pickeringtowncentre.com/sh_malldirec.html

[Phuman]

BISSLI is awesome!!! up in Vaughan, Dufferin and Center plaza... but they always run out of chicken shawarma before 7 =( so try it out =]

[Mike_wang]

If you guys go to NYC

you HAVE to try their street food..in particular.their Chicken + Rice plate .i think its 3rd and 53rd street..or something like that.. its near the closest intersection to the MOMA (art museum)

it is AMAZING..there are lineups for it at night..for up to an hour. its ridiculous.. just for street food!

chicken + rice + mystery white sauce..i think its tzaziki. omfomggomgogmgomg

hmmmm. Mysterious white sauce :cheesygri

[blexann]

BISSLI is awesome!!! up in Vaughan, Dufferin and Center plaza... but they always run out of chicken shawarma before 7 =( so try it out =]

Bissli is awsome! ..also good size protions.

[anom]

anyone try the new place near Yonge and 16th....wondering if it's any good.

[CHINAdeals]

hmmmm. Mysterious white sauce :cheesygri

lol. gross

are there any recommendations in k/w area?

[duckdown]

Needs more Brampton/Mississauga variety

Tired of the same old places...

I tried the PITA NUTSY over where TJ Chicago's is... I got their dinner plate, it wasn't bad, but the chicken is very much dark meat... I tend to prefer white or at least majority white

[UrbanPoet]

hmmmm. Mysterious white sauce :cheesygri

Tahini sauce.

[munsifn]

there hasn't been mention for Falafel Hut Village in this thread..the only location i know is at York U, so if your a student there (or happen to be visiting York for some reason) pop in there...their chicken dinners are excellent

[a_y3n]

its actually on the West side of Yonge (after Swiss Chalet)

lol.. nvm.. i meant the one on dundas before university.. im so disoriented!

[masterballer]

there hasn't been mention for Falafel Hut Village in this thread..the only location i know is at York U, so if your a student there (or happen to be visiting York for some reason) pop in there...their chicken dinners are excellent

That place is nasty man, for one they cut up their meet and put it in a plastic holder and nuke it when you order it. Thats dirty, its try, its not how real shawarmas should be!

Second, last time i ate there i got REALLY REALLY sick for a few days and barfed alot...and im not one to get poisined easily (this was my first time in about 8 years).

[ji2o0k]

i tried Shawarma King at Eaton Centre after reading this thread and it was not that good.
yeah not sure who recommended the place at Eaton Centre but that place is awful.

The chicken was really dry and after eating, I got sick. I had the chicken shwarma dinner. The food looked pretty dirty thinking back.

[munsifn]

That place is nasty man, for one they cut up their meet and put it in a plastic holder and nuke it when you order it. Thats dirty, its try, its not how real shawarmas should be!

Second, last time i ate there i got REALLY REALLY sick for a few days and barfed alot...and im not one to get poisined easily (this was my first time in about 8 years).

really?
what did you order? i only order their chicken shawarma dinner, they have never "nuked" anything, just slice it off the spit and put it on top of the potatoes/rice...

[jandumm]

looking through the mississauga news this morning....Montforts has opened a new location in Streetsville - 11 Pearl Street

[masterballer]

really?
what did you order? i only order their chicken shawarma dinner, they have never "nuked" anything, just slice it off the spit and put it on top of the potatoes/rice...

Everytime i went there they had the meat sitting in a container next to the lettuce and other toppings...i stopped going.

[meh_33333]

hey does anyone know what would be the closest place off the 401 while coming home from waterloo to the oshawa area. i think i might pick one up on my way back mmmm :D

[blexann]

hey does anyone know what would be the closest place off the 401 while coming home from waterloo to the oshawa area. i think i might pick one up on my way back mmmm :D

Bissli Grill 1470 Centre, Thornhill - It's at Dufferin just before the 407 so it maybe a little out of your way but maybe worth the drive.

[meh_33333]

thanks! will go there,

[djpr]

There is this place and Yong and North of Sheppard. Its Shawarma Max or something like that. Really tasty.

[EM_K19]

I haven't looked through the entire thread, but I'm not sure if anyone mentioned Sababa yet, which is located between Yonge and Bathurst on Steeles... excellent quality food all around, and I especially love the kebobs they serve up... nice and juicy with great portion to boot!

[Dr Butcher]

hey does anyone know what would be the closest place off the 401 while coming home from waterloo to the oshawa area. i think i might pick one up on my way back mmmm :D

Warden and Lawrence has a pile of places you could try.

My personal faves are now Ibrahim and Nasib's. Farhat is probably the busiest of the three but I think they are hit and miss with the freshness of their toppings. I find the first 2 to be more flavourful as well. They are all about 5-10 minutes south of the 401.

[shadowfighta]

is irbahim the one on the corner of a small intersection and also sells pizza?

[Dr Butcher]

is irbahim the one on the corner of a small intersection and also sells pizza?

Yeah, that sounds right. Be careful of their hot sauce/relish it's killer. Their food can be salty and a bit fatty but it's got great flavour.

[iluvs]

Hey allushawarmalovers

Just trying to compile a list of places in the GTA by region. I find that sometimes good joints close down just cause nobody's knows it exists. So here goes:

BRAMPTON:

Shawarma & Grill (NW corner of Hwy10 & Fisherman Dr): New place. Was supposed to be a Pita Nutsy franchise but I guess they broke off. As a result: excellent shawarmas (Pita Nutsy style), lower price (4.99 for a chicken shawarma) and extra garlic & hotsauce available in bottles u can take over to your table ('Pita & Grill - Sauga' style). The best I've had in Brampton definitely!!

MISSISSAUGA:

Pita & Grill (NW corner of Eglinton & Maingate): Definitely one of the best in Sauga. Extra garlic & hot sauce available in bottles for eat-in. Excellent BabaGhanoush too.

Pita Nutsy (Streetsville): Haven't tried this specific location yet, but I know they're good cause I always have them at Oakville

OAKVILLE:

Pita Nutsy (SE corner of Royal Windsor & Ford Drive??): Again, excellant shawarmas .....

SCARBOROUGH:

Naseeb (Warden & Lawrence???): haven't been there in a while ..... don't know how they are now.


Feel free to copy/paste and add/modify the list for everyone's convenience ..... help make sure that the little joints that server the best stuff don't close down!!! lol .......... cheers!

[iluvs]

hey does anyone know what would be the closest place off the 401 while coming home from waterloo to the oshawa area. i think i might pick one up on my way back mmmm :D

try PITA & GRILL in Mississauga.... get off on Dixie, go south on Dixie, West on Eglinton till you hit Maingate. The place is on NW corner of Eglinton & Maingate (there's like a west indian roti shop called Chandra's??? right there as a landmark)

[duckdown]

I've been visiting the "Shawarma & Grill" at Hurontario & Fisherman more and more lately

The place is really good but my only complaint is that they use too much dark meat for the shawarma :( And they don't cut then chicken finely enough.. I like mine shaved rather thin


Here are some additions for you, I'm in the Brampton area also

Shawarma Queen - Close to "Shawarma & Grill", this is at Hurontario & Gillingham drive, in the large strip plaza that has things like The Keg in it. Quite a good chicken/beef shawarma but my one complaint is that it is rather salty. Still, I enjoy this place from time to time, and usually get a "half-and-half" shawarma dinner which is half chicken half beef.

Pita & Grill - there is another location , at Hurontario & Derry road. I don't know if this is the same place as the one you're referring to at Eglinton & Maingate but this is far from the best shawarma around... Mediocre at best, they use all dark meat only, and I never see the shawarma on the spit when I go there, its already pre-cut and in a bin.

Vita Pita - Hurontario & Ray Lawson, where the traffic court is. All-white meat shawarma, but the guy who runs it is a real cheapskate. The dinner there is quite expensive and he really does not give you very much food. It is the reason I stopped going here.

Falafel Garden - Kennedy Road & Clarence (roughly). Excellent all-white meat shawarma with the best cole-slaw topping I've ever tried. Only $5 flat per chicken shawarma and they've got great baklavas also. This is one of my favorites in the city; but don't be fooled by the buildings run-down appearance. Locals know it!

Star Pizza & Shawarma - Just opened up, and I haven't tried it yet. Located around Mavis Road & Derry (It's either just past derry or just before, where the Mac's Milk is) I stopped in once to pick one up but took a look at the toppings (No lettuce, what the hell?) and they looked rather wilted so I made a quick excuse and went back to my car & took off. On a side note though, the chicken did look rather good

MISSISSAUGA:

Montforts - two locations, but the one closest to me is at Hurontario & Eglinton I believe.. One of my favorite all-time shawarmas, has a very unique flavor that no other shawarma does. Highly reccomended..

Paramount Foods - This is actually an amazing bakery that happens to have a hot table as well. Average shawarma, bland rice, nothing to write home about here.

Nick's Famous Pita - Same area as Paramount, roughly Dixie & Eglinton I think it is. Just off the 403. Quite good, although I find the chicken to be a little dry. Garlic Sauce leaves something to be desired. EXCELLENT caesar salad with super-garlicky pita-croutons. I like this place alot.

Amasi - Around Hurontario & Dundas, only been once. Not a bad shawarma, wasn't incredibly memorable either. Good garlic sauce from what I remember, HIDEOUS caesar salad.

Tarboosh - I have yet to make it into here due to the location and often lack of parking, but on Chowhound forums this place has been regarded as the best in Mississauga. It's also on Hurontario in a little dive looking building, maybe I will try my luck there today. If anyone else has eaten here I'd love to hear what you think.

Osmow's Grill - This is in Streetsville, I don't make it down here too often but this is a great shawarma. What I seem to remember about it is that the toppings are always crisp and fresh.. I know I had a salad from there on my last visit and saw no rusted/wilted lettuce (I hate that.)


Cheers...when I think of some more I'll come back & edit

SHAWARMA KICKS ASS!

[iluvs]

The place at Hurontario & Fisherman drive is Shawarma Queen actually... And I just ate there for the first time again in a long time a few days ago and it was EXCELLENT

Never heard of Palladium , will have to check it out

Thanks

ACTUALLY, the place at Hurontario & Fisherman drive used to b Pitsa Nutsy, but they broke off and are now Shawarma & Grill .......... but same incredible quality!! lower price!! Shawarma Queen is at Hurontario and Bovaird!

[iluvs]

I've been visiting the "Shawarma & Grill" at Hurontario & Fisherman more and more lately

The place is really good but my only complaint is that they use too much dark meat for the shawarma :( And they don't cut then chicken finely enough.. I like mine shaved rather thin


Here are some additions for you, I'm in the Brampton area also

Shawarma Queen - Close to "Shawarma & Grill", this is at Hurontario & Gillingham drive, in the large strip plaza that has things like The Keg in it. Quite a good chicken/beef shawarma but my one complaint is that it is rather salty. Still, I enjoy this place from time to time, and usually get a "half-and-half" shawarma dinner which is half chicken half beef.

Pita & Grill - there is another location , at Hurontario & Derry road. I don't know if this is the same place as the one you're referring to at Eglinton & Maingate but this is far from the best shawarma around... Mediocre at best, they use all dark meat only, and I never see the shawarma on the spit when I go there, its already pre-cut and in a bin.

Vita Pita - Hurontario & Ray Lawson, where the traffic court is. All-white meat shawarma, but the guy who runs it is a real cheapskate. The dinner there is quite expensive and he really does not give you very much food. It is the reason I stopped going here.

Falafel Garden - Kennedy Road & Clarence (roughly). Excellent all-white meat shawarma with the best cole-slaw topping I've ever tried. Only $5 flat per chicken shawarma and they've got great baklavas also. This is one of my favorites in the city; but don't be fooled by the buildings run-down appearance. Locals know it!

Star Pizza & Shawarma - Just opened up, and I haven't tried it yet. Located around Mavis Road & Derry (It's either just past derry or just before, where the Mac's Milk is) I stopped in once to pick one up but took a look at the toppings (No lettuce, what the hell?) and they looked rather wilted so I made a quick excuse and went back to my car & took off. On a side note though, the chicken did look rather good

MISSISSAUGA:

Montforts - two locations, but the one closest to me is at Hurontario & Eglinton I believe.. One of my favorite all-time shawarmas, has a very unique flavor that no other shawarma does. Highly reccomended..

Paramount Foods - This is actually an amazing bakery that happens to have a hot table as well. Average shawarma, bland rice, nothing to write home about here.

Nick's Famous Pita - Same area as Paramount, roughly Dixie & Eglinton I think it is. Just off the 403. Quite good, although I find the chicken to be a little dry. Garlic Sauce leaves something to be desired. EXCELLENT caesar salad with super-garlicky pita-croutons. I like this place alot.

Amasi - Around Hurontario & Dundas, only been once. Not a bad shawarma, wasn't incredibly memorable either. Good garlic sauce from what I remember, HIDEOUS caesar salad.

Tarboosh - I have yet to make it into here due to the location and often lack of parking, but on Chowhound forums this place has been regarded as the best in Mississauga. It's also on Hurontario in a little dive looking building, maybe I will try my luck there today. If anyone else has eaten here I'd love to hear what you think.

Osmow's Grill - This is in Streetsville, I don't make it down here too often but this is a great shawarma. What I seem to remember about it is that the toppings are always crisp and fresh.. I know I had a salad from there on my last visit and saw no rusted/wilted lettuce (I hate that.)


Cheers...when I think of some more I'll come back & edit

SHAWARMA KICKS ASS!


Hey, thanks a ton ....... that's enough places to keep me busy for a while!!

yeah, i noticed that too, Shawarma & Grill does cut their chicken in large pieces ..... but the taste (i love it when its juicy ...... garlic & hot sauze flowing ..... yummy!!!!) more than makes up for it.

Actually, shawarma's are supposed to be made with dark meat (which is how it usually is in the middle-east) ...... i guess that's a personal choice.

Gotta check out those other places in Brampton!

Mississauga:

I tried Nick's Pita after seeing all the recommendations in the forum, but didn't find it anywhere close to Pita & Grill's shawarma's (which is right around the corner from Nick's!)

I've seen Tarboush's billboard on Dunda's ...... gotta go check them out soon!

[Phr3sh]

I just went to Nick's for lunch and it was very good, thanks OP

[originalnutta]

I just went to Nick's for lunch and it was very good, thanks OP

:cheesygri

Let him know Marc sent you, next time.

[shadowfighta]

Any more downtown suggestions? I tried Red&White and thought it was decent . Portion size was a bit smaller than I'm used to...

[duckdown]

Red & White has been referred to as the best in Toronto many times on the chow forums. It drives me nuts because there is NOWHERE to park and get out around there so I have yet to try it, even though I've driven past it a few times.. Really am curious about it.. I wonder if its made with white meat

[duckdown]

Was out picking up some satellite equipment today and passed by a place I had never tried.. It is in Mississauga, called Sam's Pita & Grill

This was a TERRIFIC chicken shawarma, one of my new favorites for sure. I was pretty surprised to find that it tasted almost exactly like Montforts -- for a fraction of the price.

Had a great meal of chicken shawarma, rice, potatoes & caesar salad for only $8 a platter, and I couldn't be more satisfied with it.. Sucks that its a little far from my house but I will definitely be making the trip back there again.

Cheers

[originalnutta]

Was out picking up some satellite equipment today and passed by a place I had never tried.. It is in Mississauga, called Sam's Pita & Grill

This was a TERRIFIC chicken shawarma, one of my new favorites for sure. I was pretty surprised to find that it tasted almost exactly like Montforts -- for a fraction of the price.

Had a great meal of chicken shawarma, rice, potatoes & caesar salad for only $8 a platter, and I couldn't be more satisfied with it.. Sucks that its a little far from my house but I will definitely be making the trip back there again.

Cheers
This isn't by Matheson and Dixie is it?


I stumbled upon it when i was stuck in traffic. Its decent food, just a bit pricey for the portions given.

[blexann]

Any more downtown suggestions? I tried Red&White and thought it was decent . Portion size was a bit smaller than I'm used to...

Portion size is about on par with other places but I look for quality an it has that over most of the other shawarma places. Also, the salad that comes with the meal sets it apart in that they give you no lettuce! - It’s real salad. Sliced cabbage, Tabouli, chickpeas and lots of tomatoes

[duckdown]

This isn't by Matheson and Dixie is it?


I stumbled upon it when i was stuck in traffic. Its decent food, just a bit pricey for the portions given.

I think it was around like Derry & Tomken.. I had never noticed it before

Portions aren't huge, you're right, but neither is Montforts and it costs way more.. It was worth it for the $8 I think :)

[munsifn]

Warden and Lawrence has a pile of places you could try.

My personal faves are now Ibrahim and Nasib's. Farhat is probably the busiest of the three but I think they are hit and miss with the freshness of their toppings. I find the first 2 to be more flavourful as well. They are all about 5-10 minutes south of the 401.

Nasib's is my personal fav. They used to be located at Kennedy and Lawrence, I used to go all the time with my dad. The man that worked there got ill (old) and the placed had closed.

Later I saw another Nasibs open near lawrence and warden, and asked the ppl inside if it was the same as the older location, and yes, they had relocated..it is now run by family friends of the old guy who used to work there.

there shawarmas are excellent, big and tasty..2 for $6, which is very reasonable.

Also, Ibrahims (located next to Oasis) is good too. Their sauce is the best I've had, but I find that if you go when it is really busy, your shawarmas wont be as good...the place gets REALLY busy at lunch time...always a line between 12 - 1.

Farhaats is ok, had it once, found it dry...might try it again another time...but I've tried almost all the shawarma places on that stretch of lawrence, nasibs and ibrahims (and oasis to an extent..a bit expensive for what you get - small size) are excellent..the rest are so-so.

[originalnutta]

Paramount has new management it seems. The bakery is cut down, and more tables are added. And of course the menu costs have gone up and food portions are smaller. :mad:

But the food is still delicious. :o

[jace]

what about in Markham?

[duckdown]

Paramount has new management it seems. The bakery is cut down, and more tables are added. And of course the menu costs have gone up and food portions are smaller. :mad:

But the food is still delicious. :o

What are you eating there that is delicious? Besides the pastries?

yeah I've seen the new layout, theyve put some money into it and theres way more seating now (along with the higher prices)

[bembol]

My cousin got into Shawarma. He first took me to Pita Nutsy over @ Oakville, had two "Spicy" and it was amazing.

When they opened up in Brampton, now called Shawarma & Grill, he took me there again and got me into "The Rocks," Spicy of course. I love this it, $9.75. They also have this Parsley thing that I now get with all my orders, I can't remember but it's good.

[Dr Butcher]

My cousin got into Shawarma. He first took me to Pita Nutsy over @ Oakville, had two "Spicy" and it was amazing.

When they opened up in Brampton, now called Shawarma & Grill, he took me there again and got me into "The Rocks," Spicy of course. I love this it, $9.75. They also have this Parsley thing that I now get with all my orders, I can't remember but it's good.

Tabbouleh?

Some places make it with different spins. Some add burghul, some don't. I like it straight up, parsley, mint, lemon, oil, onions, tomato.

[burgoonster]

There Is A Place Called Safin Grill That Has Great Shawarmas It's Located In Hamilton Though But I Thought I Would Mention It Here

[originalnutta]

What are you eating there that is delicious? Besides the pastries?

yeah I've seen the new layout, theyve put some money into it and theres way more seating now (along with the higher prices)

The falafel's used to be $2, so i'd get those.


And the chicken shawarma was greasy before, but it's not too bad now, and it tastes better. The tahini and hot sauce makes it really good.

Also the Aryess is good. grilled meat in between some thin flatbread. FYI.

[gleb_mat]

I used to eat at "Meron Brothers" on bathurst & steeles. Tried "Hanna's shawarma" in the thornhill area, Mi Va Mi's and a few more places, but the only one I think that's worth going to is Revivos, on Dufferin & Centre (right beside Hwy 7).

If you're looking for Falafel however, then hands down Sababa's inbetween Yonge and Bathurst on Steeles.

[heat]

Osmos. When they ask you for the heat, say medium. THe extreme will make u cry.

[duckdown]

Yeah osmow's is nice

Anyone spotted any new additions in Brampton/Sauga yet? Still interested in some new places

I just got back from Montreal (for UFC) and was amazed at how many LATE NIGHT shawarma places there are there -- yet none here where I live except for Montforts (4am close)

What other places are open 12am+ ?

[originalnutta]

Yeah osmow's is nice

Anyone spotted any new additions in Brampton/Sauga yet? Still interested in some new places

I just got back from Montreal (for UFC) and was amazed at how many LATE NIGHT shawarma places there are there -- yet none here where I live except for Montforts (4am close)

What other places are open 12am+ ?

Montreal has a high amount of Lebanese people. Because of the french connection. So i guess thats why there are so many shawarma places, and more open late.

[jandumm]

Anyone spotted any new additions in Brampton/Sauga yet? Still interested in some new places
?

No new additions, but I drove past the Montforts in Streetsville and I think it's closed down.

[Dynamyk]

I've been eating shawarmas my whole life, born in Montreal and frequented Ottawa plenty (those will always be the two best cities for Shawarmas/Shish Taouk)

Downtown Core Toronto:

Best Chicken Platter w/ Rice - Donair Kebob house beside Big Slice and VIP. $8. Best garlic sauce in town.

Best value for the money - The Little House of Kabobs - $5 for Sandwich + Drink. The sanwiches are huge but not the best sandwich in terms of taste. It's not shaved, it's grilled over the fire. Still very good. As a student I end up here quite often

Best sandwich- Even though La Zeez (or Pitaland as its now called) skimp on the meat compared to the original owners in terms of taste it's the best sandwich I've had in Toronto.

Honorable Mentions - Red and White

[duckdown]

No new additions, but I drove past the Montforts in Streetsville and I think it's closed down.

Never been to the Streetsville location -- I'm not surprised they didn't last, they'd be outdone by Osmow's for sure, and maybe even Pita Nutsy (though I don't think Pita Nutsy is very good at all)

But they're still doing very well at their original Hurontario & Dundas location, and their new Hurontario & Bristol location

[munsifn]

i tried Shawarma Empire today for lunch

located on lawrence, just east of Vic Park.

VERY Tasty shawarmas...price is 2 for 5.99+tax

they are not the biggest sandwiches around, but they are very tasty

also, there was a LONG line, about 12 people...stretching out the door...i had to wait about 15 minutes to place my order, but it was worth the wait

[munsifn]

Tried a new place that opened in Scarborough...must of opened sometime last week or two weeks ago, since i've never seen it when I drive by

It's called "Tasty Shawarma & Falafel"...on sheppard ave. (2993 sheppard) at pharmacy

prices are pretty good

chicken/beef shawarma - 2.99
falafel - 2.99
shish tawook/shish kabab - 3.49
shawarma/shish plate - 5.99
falafel plate 4.99

i had a beef and a chicken shawarma sandwich today for lunch...the beef was really tasty, chicken not so much. as for size, i would say about the same as that at Ibrahim's on Lawrence...enough to fill you up

also, it is halal

since its the closest shawarma place to my house, im gonna be heading more often...owner is a really cool guy too

[gc99]

.......Downtown Core Toronto:

Best Chicken Platter w/ Rice - Donair Kebob house beside Big Slice and VIP. $8. Best garlic sauce in town......

totally agree ++++1

been going there for years.

[Shop-a-holic]

Pita Land (formerly known as La Zeez) has really good shawarmas and chicken shawarma plates. I'm familiar with two locations. One is at Don Mills and Sheppard and the other one is at Church and Gerrard. Love their portions and the taste is great!

There's also Ameer Family Restaurant at Lawrence and Warden... close to all the other Arab food places. Their shawarmas are quite good as well.

[flito ray]

shawarma king at eaton centre food court is my fav

[gerbil]

dont know the name of the place but it's next to Henry's Thornhill in Steeles and Yonge.

[duckdown]

dont know the name of the place but it's next to Henry's Thornhill in Steeles and Yonge.

Thats Me-va-Me Express I think

[duckdown]

Pita Land (formerly known as La Zeez) has really good shawarmas and chicken shawarma plates. I'm familiar with two locations. One is at Don Mills and Sheppard and the other one is at Church and Gerrard. Love their portions and the taste is great!

There's also Ameer Family Restaurant at Lawrence and Warden... close to all the other Arab food places. Their shawarmas are quite good as well.

Theres a La Zeez in Brampton also, if anyone is interested. It's beside Master Steaks on Dixie road

[kimbot]

Tried a new place that opened in Scarborough...must of opened sometime last week or two weeks ago, since i've never seen it when I drive by

It's called "Tasty Shawarma & Falafel"...on sheppard ave. (2993 sheppard) at pharmacy

prices are pretty good

chicken/beef shawarma - 2.99
falafel - 2.99
shish tawook/shish kabab - 3.49
shawarma/shish plate - 5.99
falafel plate 4.99

i had a beef and a chicken shawarma sandwich today for lunch...the beef was really tasty, chicken not so much. as for size, i would say about the same as that at Ibrahim's on Lawrence...enough to fill you up

also, it is halal

since its the closest shawarma place to my house, im gonna be heading more often...owner is a really cool guy too

Tried a beef shawarma from this place today. I thought it was pretty good and filling, considering the price (although I'm a shawarma noob)! The guy said they'll probably keep the prices low for about 6 months or so.

[o0vL]

Theres one on Keele/Hwy7 in the plaza east of the Under Armor (previously National Sports) store. Cant remember the name but i think its called The Pita Pocket. You get a big wrap for like 4.99+tax. Very filling and tasty, it is also halal

[spy_li]

Theres one on Eglinton/phmarcy in the plaza of Eglinton Sq. I think name called: Rubys was very good... People from my work order lots of takeout from this place:

Price:
Chicken shawarmas: 6.99

[munsifn]

Theres one on Eglinton/phmarcy in the plaza of Eglinton Sq. I think name called: Rubys was very good... People from my work order lots of takeout from this place:

Price:
Chicken shawarmas: 6.99

Hmmm...I might check it out. Do you know if it is Halal?

[kama]

Dubai *sigh*

[duckdown]

Dubai *sigh*

Thanks for the breaking news

[ssainani]

while not exactly shawarmas....... 'Sababa' on Yonge/Steeles has great falafels and their equivilant of shawarmas - my favourite in the city.....really far from me tho.

[Canuck32]

while not exactly shawarmas....... 'Sababa' on Yonge/Steeles has great falafels and their equivilant of shawarmas - my favourite in the city.....really far from me tho.

Sababa makes a great falafel. It's pretty simple but the price is great (not quite the $1.50 it used to be about 10+ years ago). They also have shawarma and my guess is that it would be good. Everything is made in the back so you can't see how they cook it, but I bet it's like they do it in Israel. This place is run by Israeli Christians (my cabbie to the Tel Aviv airport was cousins with the owners so he asked if I go there, but he probably does this with every Torontonian who gets into his cab, and most know of Sababa).

[duckdown]

Oh my god, I had the best thing ever on the Danforth the other night

It looks identical to a shawarma really, its stacked chicken breasts on a vertical rotisserie and is even shaved off the same way, but the marinade is different I guess..

It is the Chicken Gyro sandwich from Messini at Danforth & Logan

The thing was unbelievable -- and they also put a few french fries in the sandwich also just like in Greece

Seriously worth the trip, I can't wait to go back.

You can also get a pretty good one at a little shack called Alexandro's Gyro Hut, right beside Captain John's on Lakeshore....but no fries in the wrap and they aren't as good as Messini's

edit: pic taken from their website: http://messini.ca/images/ptgallerys_images/Untitled-91235.jpg

[EM_K19]

Sababa makes a great falafel. It's pretty simple but the price is great (not quite the $1.50 it used to be about 10+ years ago). They also have shawarma and my guess is that it would be good. Everything is made in the back so you can't see how they cook it, but I bet it's like they do it in Israel. This place is run by Israeli Christians (my cabbie to the Tel Aviv airport was cousins with the owners so he asked if I go there, but he probably does this with every Torontonian who gets into his cab, and most know of Sababa).


My favourite Middle Eastern place, bar none. They have the juciest Kebobs that I've ever had the pleasure of having... very tender and not try at all, with good flavouring. Price is reasonable as well and service, like you said, is good. The combos come with the soup and appetizer so I like to start with lentil soup, go on to the pitas and tatziki, finish the main course, and end it all off with a nice sweet baklawa! Good stuff.

I've tried their shawarma as well, and it's pretty decent... I get it when I want change from what I usually get... but it's not the best around. Kebobs give you better bang for your buck.

[JAGpilot]

I work beside the Bombardier Aerospace plant at Dufferin/Wilson. There's a turkish place called "doy doy" @ Garratt and Wilson which serves pretty good shwarma. The place is pretty busy at lunch, mostly with Bombardier employees. They cut the meat off then mix it with the sauces/toppings you like in a bowl, then put it into the pita. This makes it really good since every part of the sandwich is evenly "sauced". $5 for a sandwich which isn't overstuffed but not really "small either".

Avoid "Yakamoz" on Wilson near Bathurst. Crappy undercooked falafel balls (fried fresh) and not really fresh tasting toppings. Not very busy at 12:15pm.

[duckdown]

Yakamoz has a good chicken shawarma (except they always run out), maybe their falafels suck though

[Tuffter]

If anyone is in Oakville here are a few places to try.

I just discovered a new one, although I havent tried it yet. I think its called "Chef's Room" and its on Winston Churchill south of the QEW behind Pizza Pizza.

Lourice is at Trafalgar just south of Upper Middle next to Blockbuster.

Theres another one called Tarboosh Tent on Upper Middle just east of Trafalgar next to Dominion. (not sure if its related to the awesome shawarma at the Tarboosh on Confederation pkwy)

Also there is Agabi -- http://agabi.ca/

[BD12]

Went to Sababa for the first time last Thursday and I loved it! I ordered the lamb chops dinner and I was really impressed. Definitely worth another visit.

[duckdown]

If anyone is in Oakville here are a few places to try.

I just discovered a new one, although I havent tried it yet. I think its called "Chef's Room" and its on Winston Churchill south of the QEW behind Pizza Pizza.

Lourice is at Trafalgar just south of Upper Middle next to Blockbuster.

Theres another one called Tarboosh Tent on Upper Middle just east of Trafalgar next to Dominion. (not sure if its related to the awesome shawarma at the Tarboosh on Confederation pkwy)

Also there is Agabi -- http://agabi.ca/


Theres also a Pita Nutsy in Oakville thats pretty good

[originalnutta]

Whats with all the damn arabic shops in Oakville?


Why is Etobicoke so ass when it comes to ethnic food?

[duckdown]

Whats with all the damn arabic shops in Oakville?


Why is Etobicoke so ass when it comes to ethnic food?


Brampton/Mississauga really isn't much better

We've got a few places but most of them suck

Downtown there sure is alot of good stuff though

[Canuck32]

Tovli on Bathurst (two locations, one at Steeles and the other between Wilson and Lawrence) makes an excellent falafel. They don't have shawarma since they serve no meat.

[duckdown]

Tovli on Bathurst (two locations, one at Steeles and the other between Wilson and Lawrence) makes an excellent falafel. They don't have shawarma since they serve no meat.

ah yea, that kosher place

i have also heard these are some of the best falafels in the city, and made toronto stars top 10 list

[Dr Butcher]

Tov Li is very generous with their toppings as well, an excellent falafel.

Another good falafel is from Pita Deli in Whitby/Oshawa (there are two locations, one at Consumers & Thickson, and another at Ritson & Taunton).

They are massive and a good value at around $4.50. The only issue is they don't cook the falafel to order, a minor gripe as they are still very good. Their toum is excellent as well.

A cross section showing fattoush, falafel, tahini and toum on a pita.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/Picture631.jpg

[Tuffter]

With all the good reviews about Nicks famous Pita in Mississauga, I finally tried it today for lunch. Very good. The beef had a great marinated flavour. It certainly was filling also.

There are 2 other places in Mississauga that I have seen but havent tried - or read about here.
The first is Yummys, I think. It is at Mavis and Burnhamthorpe on the south side a few shops east of Coopers Pub.
The other is Al Quds Town & Country Market on Hurontario, south of Central Pkwy. Its sort of in behind the Shell and the Popeyes Chicken. Its actually a grocery store, but the they have fresh baked desserts, cheese pies etc. AND they also have a little shawarma station. Im thinking it could be good cause have a full deli with tonnes of fresh meat there. One neat thing they have is fresh kofta which you can buy just like you buy ground beef. If you havent tried kofta, get a pack and BBQ it at home.

[duckdown]

With all the good reviews about Nicks famous Pita in Mississauga, I finally tried it today for lunch. Very good. The beef had a great marinated flavour. It certainly was filling also.

There are 2 other places in Mississauga that I have seen but havent tried - or read about here.
The first is Yummys, I think. It is at Mavis and Burnhamthorpe on the south side a few shops east of Coopers Pub.
The other is Al Quds Town & Country Market on Hurontario, south of Central Pkwy. Its sort of in behind the Shell and the Popeyes Chicken. Its actually a grocery store, but the they have fresh baked desserts, cheese pies etc. AND they also have a little shawarma station. Im thinking it could be good cause have a full deli with tonnes of fresh meat there. One neat thing they have is fresh kofta which you can buy just like you buy ground beef. If you havent tried kofta, get a pack and BBQ it at home.

I just had Yummy's last week, I've had it a few times

I'm not really a fan of it.. Pita is bready and not grilled enough for me and their garlic sauce is extremely odd.. I cannot describe it, you have to see it.. It's like marshmellow fluff that he scoops up into a big glob, I've never seen a garlic sauce like it before and I dont really like it

[Ticco]

I'll add in my vote for Ruby's at Eglinton Sq.

[rob187jj]

If anyone is in Oakville here are a few places to try.

I just discovered a new one, although I havent tried it yet. I think its called "Chef's Room" and its on Winston Churchill south of the QEW behind Pizza Pizza.

Lourice is at Trafalgar just south of Upper Middle next to Blockbuster.

Theres another one called Tarboosh Tent on Upper Middle just east of Trafalgar next to Dominion. (not sure if its related to the awesome shawarma at the Tarboosh on Confederation pkwy)

Also there is Agabi -- http://agabi.ca/

agabi's is definitely top notch. been going there since highschool. lourice's is suppose to be amazing. pita nutsy is pita nutsy, its the original, we have 2 in oakville, both decent, not what they use to be. the nutsy himself said that he needs to straighten out the management at both

[JordanC]

Naz's shawarma on King street was pretty good for Toronto....

Toronto has awful shawarma compared to Montreal (or Ottawa) and most owners are not Lebanese but from Pakistan and other Arab countries and they use cheap chicken and often dark meat......

[YLSF]

Drove by Lourice the other day. I guess it is pretty new. I didn't know it was there.

Too bad that Monforts is getting more and more expensive it seems. I always thought it was decent but now it isn't good value.

There is suppose to be another middle eastern place in this plaza south of Rebecca I think. I forget the name of the place though. It must be in a residential area too based on the location.

[blexann]

Milo's Pita

This shawarama place in the new Toronto Life building food court (at Dundas Square) is really good - very clean place and good quantity.

This food court in general is very good.

[duckdown]

and they use cheap chicken and often dark meat......

This is so f***king true

i am sick to death of these low-grade, dark meat shawarmas made from fatty chicken pieces

I've mentioned this so many times but apparently people in the GTA are willing to settle for less and some even try to DEFEND this practice.. we seriously need some more white-meat only shawarma places

[originalnutta]

I kinda prefer the taste of dark chicken meat.

[hightech]

Hmmm...I might check it out. Do you know if it is Halal?

Not sure if it is Halal, but it is pretty good.

Halal stuff is really overrated, and not even true unless it is Zabiah. Putting a blessing tape while a machine is chopping off heads is not my idea of Halal.

[hightech]

This is so f***king true

i am sick to death of these low-grade, dark meat shawarmas made from fatty chicken pieces

I've mentioned this so many times but apparently people in the GTA are willing to settle for less and some even try to DEFEND this practice.. we seriously need some more white-meat only shawarma places

True. I actually like Chicken Tawok (chicken breast cubes) and then with some tahinah, lettuce, garlic, hot sauce.. yummy!

[Ma_Jie]

Dark meat does have more flavour than white meat -- without question. So while dark meat does have a bit more fat, it'll remain juicier when cooked.

- MJ.

[4flava]

was there yesterday and had an amazing Shawarma.. I highly reccommend!

[Jucius Maximus]

Montforts - two locations, but the one closest to me is at Hurontario & Eglinton I believe.. One of my favorite all-time shawarmas, has a very unique flavor that no other shawarma does. Highly reccomended..
I was at Montfort's recently and I must agree. The quality was impressive and it was all very tasty.

The only thing I did not appreciate was that a 15% tip was already calculated into the bill (for 2 people).

[JordanC]

This is so f***king true

i am sick to death of these low-grade, dark meat shawarmas made from fatty chicken pieces

I've mentioned this so many times but apparently people in the GTA are willing to settle for less and some even try to DEFEND this practice.. we seriously need some more white-meat only shawarma places

yeap.....best to avoid them- don't give those cheap bastards your business. it's the same as in calgary....reason ottawa and montreal have such good shawarma is because it's made by lebanese people and they won't accept low quality crap because they will go out of business. these other arabs and easterners have little standard when it comes to shawarma and other fast food because they are getting paid either way and they have no standards...all they care about is $$ getting paid so screw them.

there are some good lebanese styled restaurants/shawarma around so only eat there. like i said....naz's shawarma is good....and there is a fairly new lebanese owned and operated place on dundas about 5 minute walk from the eaton center going toward spadina (don't remember what' it's called)

93 Harbord is a good Lebanese restaurant....it's business name is actually also the address. The small middle eastern cafe right across from it is also excellent.....

[vherbalist]

anyone tried NaZ's falafel downtown on John Street. Its really good. the meats a but fatty but tastes great. Also Ali Babas on Lawrence near Vic park is pretty good. The hot sauce is top notch.
Anyone know of a place that can compare to the famous 53rth and sixth Halal food cart in Nyc. I;m talking about the killer white sauce. I go to Nyc twice a year just to get my fix...well really for the wife to get her shopping fix.

[rdtx2002]

Naz's sold out to Pita Land

[duckdown]

I tried Agabi in Oakville tonight -- this place rocks.

All WHITE MEAT shawarma, high quality, good garlic sauce, and the only topping lettuce. Just how I like it.

I will definitely be going back here any time I'm even remotely in the area

[poedua]

Theres also a Pita Nutsy in Oakville thats pretty good

+1

Great spot !

[caitlink]

Milo's Pita

This shawarama place in the new Toronto Life building food court (at Dundas Square) is really good - very clean place and good quantity.

This food court in general is very good.

I tried it today. Beef shawarama was very good for $5.25. Lots of filling - cabbage slaw, lettuce, peppers, onions. Big portion. The guy was very friendly and yes, the food court was clean.

there was also a harvey's, a korean place, california thai, terayaki. Also good view of Yonge street if you get a window table.

[Sazafraz]

Osmow's Grill is amazing
Major Intersection:
Streetsville
Queen st. and Thomas st.

[duckdown]

Osmow's Grill is amazing
Major Intersection:
Streetsville
Queen st. and Thomas st.

if you dont mind waiting 30 minutes for your sandwich

slowest service there ever

[Sazafraz]

if you dont mind waiting 30 minutes for your sandwich

slowest service there ever

Well it is a small place and it is really popular so there is only so many people they can hire and how fast they can be. But once you taste their amazing shawarmas, the taste well makes up for the wait:cheesygri

[duckdown]

Well it is a small place and it is really popular so there is only so many people they can hire and how fast they can be. But once you taste their amazing shawarmas, the taste well makes up for the wait:cheesygri

i dunno about that one

they just cut the raw chicken off the slab and then griddle the living daylights out of it until its a bunch of crispy dry charcoal

its really not that great

[Tuffter]

OK, so i tried 2 places yesterday.
1-Agabi's - not so good. In fact, I'm not so sure I'd even call it a shawarma.
2-Chef's Room - this is the one on Winston Churchill south of QEW behind the Pizza Pizza. This was indeed a shawarma, and it was good. Tasted like the real thing with plenty of toppings to choose from. I got beef, but the chicken looked good too. All white meat by the look of it duckdown. I would say this place is right up there with Nicks and Tarboosh.

[duckdown]

OK, so i tried 2 places yesterday.
1-Agabi's - not so good. In fact, I'm not so sure I'd even call it a shawarma.
2-Chef's Room - this is the one on Winston Churchill south of QEW behind the Pizza Pizza. This was indeed a shawarma, and it was good. Tasted like the real thing with plenty of toppings to choose from. I got beef, but the chicken looked good too. All white meat by the look of it duckdown. I would say this place is right up there with Nicks and Tarboosh.

wow, you didn't like Agabi? I thought it was great, although strangely almost identical to Montfort

What didn't you like about it? It was loaded with meat and there were no other pungent/strong flavored ingredients like onions to mask the flavor of the meat and marinade

I thought it was definitely one of the better ones... I tried another good place in Oakville called Lourice , it wasn't bad but I found it extremely salty... Not the best and not the worst.

Chefs Room is definitely a new one to me! I will be trying it tomorrow

[Dr Butcher]

wow, you didn't like Agabi? I thought it was great, although strangely almost identical to Montfort

What didn't you like about it? It was loaded with meat and there were no other pungent/strong flavored ingredients like onions to mask the flavor of the meat and marinade

I thought it was definitely one of the better ones... I tried another good place in Oakville called Lourice , it wasn't bad but I found it extremely salty... Not the best and not the worst.

Chefs Room is definitely a new one to me! I will be trying it tomorrow

When I think if a traditional a shawarma, it's got onion, tomato, parsley, tahini, toum, hot pepper relish, and pickled turnip.... That's on top of the already highly spiced meat.

I think when you said it had meat and lettuce, it didn't really fit the standard for a shawarma in my book either.

To each his own I guess, there's no right or wrong answer in what you like to eat. ;)

[Tuffter]

Duckdown is right, Agabi's was almost identical to Montforts. With both I found the meat to be too "chunky" ie. not "carved" enough. Also too much dark meat for me - thigh meat?? I can see how it might be a good chicken sandwich for some, but not sure I'd call it a shawarma. I usually get the beef whenever possible, so maybe I'm just not experienced enough with the chicken.

Chef's Room is new, it just opened 2 months ago. They've got the pickled turnip, tomato, onion, lettuce, cucumber, tahini, garlic sauce etc. I even asked him to put a bit of hummus on. Very good. Beef and chicken are there.

[Ma_Jie]

I'm with Dr. Butcher on this one: a shawarma has to have the above-mentioned ingredients -- and lots of hot sauce! :)

- Jie

[duckdown]

See the way I look at it, if the shawarma needs things like onions and peppers on it, it means the meat is bland and dry and is not interesting enough on its own.

Alot of times I don't even buy the sandwich, but the dinner plate (not in a pita). Your telling me you put onions and crap in that too?

And about agabi's -- mine was white meat, Im surprised to hear it was dark meat for you? how odd... Gonna head over to chef's place pretty shortly

[weedb0y]

if you dont mind waiting 30 minutes for your sandwich

slowest service there ever

I have waited over 70 minutes once! and then the guy had guts to ask me 50 cents for extra garlic sauce.

I avoid this place now, just because of piss poor service.

Back in the days, the service was good (when it wasn't as popular as now). However, now - Apparently, he is too cheap to hire more help because the place definitely needs it with growing business.

Specially, if he wants to retain business. Sad, considering I live nearby and I liked the Shawarmas there.

[weedb0y]

I tried Agabi in Oakville tonight -- this place rocks.

All WHITE MEAT shawarma, high quality, good garlic sauce, and the only topping lettuce. Just how I like it.

I will definitely be going back here any time I'm even remotely in the area

Where abouts is this?

Might need to venture out to Oakville to try it out.

[Tuffter]

Dr Butcher has it almost spot on.
There should be pickled-turnip, parsley, green onions, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, tahini, garlic sauce. The meat should be thinly carved.
But then Duckdown is also right in that, white onions, peppers and hot sauce take away from the taste and are likely north american additions.

[Tuffter]

Agabi is on the south side of Lakeshore between Kerr and Dorval. Just west of the beer store.

[Dr Butcher]

See the way I look at it, if the shawarma needs things like onions and peppers on it, it means the meat is bland and dry and is not interesting enough on its own.

Alot of times I don't even buy the sandwich, but the dinner plate (not in a pita). Your telling me you put onions and crap in that too?



Actually, they don't put in on the meat, but it is an option to serve it on the side. I'd expect a dinner to come with your meat of choice, pita, tabbouleh, pickled turnip, potatoes or rice of some sort, toum, possibly hummous and or a pickle.

If I use your train of thought, a burger should come on a bun, plain? Does the same go for subs? Hot dogs? :D

[duckdown]

Actually, they don't put in on the meat, but it is an option to serve it on the side. I'd expect a dinner to come with your meat of choice, pita, tabbouleh, pickled turnip, potatoes or rice of some sort, toum, possibly hummous and or a pickle.

If I use your train of thought, a burger should come on a bun, plain? Does the same go for subs? Hot dogs? :D

well a sub's purpose is to jam as many various toppings as possible into a sandwich, but i was not aware of any such rule for a shawarma sandwich..

because as i've said, there are shawarma places like Montforts and Agabi's where the only topping is lettuce, and then there are the other places that stuff all kinds of other stuff into your sandwich.. Not to say one way is wrong or right, but it is my opinion only that if it needs all kinds of stuff like onions and banana peppers and pickles then the sandwich is not flavorful on its own

to each their own i guess

[originalnutta]

well a sub's purpose is to jam as many various toppings as possible into a sandwich, but i was not aware of any such rule for a shawarma sandwich..

because as i've said, there are shawarma places like Montforts and Agabi's where the only topping is lettuce, and then there are the other places that stuff all kinds of other stuff into your sandwich.. Not to say one way is wrong or right, but it is my opinion only that if it needs all kinds of stuff like onions and banana peppers and pickles then the sandwich is not flavorful on its own

to each their own i guessTruth.

I usually add lots of hot sauce and hot peppers to my shawarma, but lately have been taking out the extra ingredients. Simple is the way to go with a shawarma.

Tahini, meat, lettuce tomatoes.

[duckdown]

Tufter -- I can't find this "Chef's Room" address on Google

Closest thing I'm finding is a "Chef's Kitchen" but it's on lakeshore

Is this the place?

[Tuffter]

No, thats not it. It is on the west side of Winston Churchill between Royal Windsor and QEW. Its closer to Royal Windsor. Cant miss it

here is the Pizza Pizza address. Drive there. Its behind it with the Hasty market.

1152 Winston Churchill blvd. @ Bromgrove Rd.
Oakville, ON L6J0A3

They just opened 2 months ago, so theyre probably not on the web anywhere.

[duckdown]

Perfect.. I found it

It's called Chef's DOOR actually, not chef's room haha

clean little place, run by 2 lebanese older fellows... no teenagers cooking your food here

I got both a falafel sandwich, and a chicken shawarma sandwich (i could only eat half of both before i was stuffed big time) $5 for each, so certainly well priced.

Falafels - really good flavor, but they were pre-fried already, and got a bit soggy by the time I got home. Good enough though, better than alot of places I try around here

Chicken - I think it was white meat, it was nice and charred on the outside (tasty) but pretty tough to tell if it was white or dark. Nice and thinly shaved though which is good

Toppings - I was dreading it once I saw their garlic sauce, cause it looked like the same "fluffy" kind that Yummy's in Mississauga serves.. Luckily it tasted way better and was not an issue at all. Loads of toppings, all kinds, hummous and baba ganoush both included, as well as fried eggplant

My only complaint would be that their lettuce is cut into massive chunks (salad style) and is way too much for the sandwich.. They should grate some iceberg on the side for the sandwiches.. Oh, and I will ask for my sandwich extra-grilled next time cause I like it that way

The guy in front of me ordered the chicken kebabs (like a souvlaki) dinner, and it looked friggin dynamite.. Rice pilaf, a large side salad, and pickles on the side.. THey also have like 10 different salad dressings, all displayed in front of you... very nice.

A little far out of my way for where I was coming from, but a good experience, and its nice to see no idiot teenagers cooking my food


Thanks for the heads up Tufter!

[aturk99]

anybody know of anywhere near bathurst and wilson for good beef shwarma. I know there is a place at duffrin and lawrence, and in york uni which is good. As well as shwarma max at yonge and sheppard

[JAGpilot]

anybody know of anywhere near bathurst and wilson for good beef shwarma. I know there is a place at duffrin and lawrence, and in york uni which is good. As well as shwarma max at yonge and sheppard

The only place I can think of is called "yamakoz" and it's on Wilson west of Bathurst, past the offramp from the 401W.

[duckdown]

Yakamoz is pretty good, good call

[duckdown]

I tried Nick's again in Mississauga this week, and I like it much more than I used to

I figured out what it is with this place: I don't like their garlic sauce


I no longer order the shawarma wrap here, since it's just on a generic pita anyway, but get the platter. Rice, potatoes, chicken, and a caesar salad (the pita-croutons are the best).. Another major plus is that they use only white meat, high quality

I've been there 3 times in the last week now, lol

Ask for extra croutons on your caesar salad

[dbzsr]

i googled my way into here lol, never tought rfd would have this info,
anyway,
i was looking at a shawarma place, are there any within walking distance bloor & bathurst..
im really missing my shawarma, never ate one since i came from syria :(

[originalnutta]

i googled my way into here lol, never tought rfd would have this info,
anyway,
i was looking at a shawarma place, are there any within walking distance bloor & bathurst..
im really missing my shawarma, never ate one since i came from syria :(

i used to go to an Aida's Falafel on Bloor near there. And there used to also be another place across the street.

Try google mapping Aida's to see if its still there. Used to be before the Jewish centre.

[Rehan]

im really missing my shawarma, never ate one since i came from syria :( Mmmm...I had shawarma in Syria just a few weeks ago. Every time I ate pita bread over there, it was so fresh. Since coming back, I had a shawarma from a local fast food joint and it was no comparison. :( Around here the quality can sometimes be hit or miss depending on what time of day you go...

[Jay Hova]

Should've posted this a while ago; but Ali Baba's on Church/Dundas is GREAT! I'd say for the price ($4.29 chicken or beef) it was awesome! They sell other middle-eastern foods as well, chicken, fish, sambussa, etc. Definitely worth checking out. Falaffel was good as well, good price too. I used to go Anoush on College Street, over-priced and mediocre at best.

[kimbot]

^ wow, I've never seen the word "great" associated with Ali Baba's. It's decent at best, and the prices seem to rise pretty frequently while the portion sizes are quite small.

[Sazafraz]

Mmmm...I had shawarma in Syria just a few weeks ago. Every time I ate pita bread over there, it was so fresh. Since coming back, I had a shawarma from a local fast food joint and it was no comparison. :( Around here the quality can sometimes be hit or miss depending on what time of day you go...

For me its hard to tell whether I like the shawarmas here or in Syria. Over there they are a lot thinner and I remember a few years ago when I went there I could eat like 5+. However, theres is more greasy and has more flavour but they don't put much into them except for the chicken and sauces.

I think a lot of what makes good and bad shawarmas is how much sauce they put into it. Some places hardly put any whereas others are more generous and as a result, your shawarma doesn't taste dry.

[duckdown]

but they don't put much into them except for the chicken and sauces.


that is the best way! i don't know whats with people stuffing onions and all that other crazy stuff into them.. there is no way you can appreciate the marinated chicken with all the other pungent vegetables totally overpowering the taste

[jason9945]

I cant believe this thread is upto 8 pages and nobody has mentioned the best Lebanese place in the world!

http://www.yallacafe.com/

Its in Etobicoke, right by the lake and worth the trek out to that area if your interested. Everything there is AMAZING.

[duckdown]

I cant believe this thread is upto 8 pages and nobody has mentioned the best Lebanese place in the world!

http://www.yallacafe.com/

Its in Etobicoke, right by the lake and worth the trek out to that area if your interested. Everything there is AMAZING.


beauty -- first time of hearing about it

i'll be trying this ASAP. tomorrow probably

thanks for the tip... do they have chicken shawarma? i clicked their menu and they only mention beef shawarma

[jason9945]

beauty -- first time of hearing about it

i'll be trying this ASAP. tomorrow probably

thanks for the tip... do they have chicken shawarma? i clicked their menu and they only mention beef shawarma

Every time I go in they ask me if I want chicken or beef. I miss the place dearly since I've moved from Toronto for work. I go there every time I visit toronto!

He is closed sundays IIRC.

[jaym]

check out: Pita Delights in Ajax
Harwood ave south.

Jay

[xcel]

I am no expert in shawarmas but I like the place called Huddle Shawarmas. Its in Woodbridge, hwy 7 & martin grove (near Number7 honda).

[mbm]

shawarma king at eaton centre food court is my fav
that place has gone down hill in comparision to way back in 2002
Thats Me-va-Me Express I think
i've heard good things about that place...is it a jewish joint?
Dubai *sigh*
i still found dubai to be more expensive for shawarmas :D cheap are in Saudi Arabia for almost 75c :D
Oh my god, I had the best thing ever on the Danforth the other night

It looks identical to a shawarma really, its stacked chicken breasts on a vertical rotisserie and is even shaved off the same way, but the marinade is different I guess..

It is the Chicken Gyro sandwich from Messini at Danforth & Logan

The thing was unbelievable -- and they also put a few french fries in the sandwich also just like in Greece

Seriously worth the trip, I can't wait to go back.

You can also get a pretty good one at a little shack called Alexandro's Gyro Hut, right beside Captain John's on Lakeshore....but no fries in the wrap and they aren't as good as Messini's

edit: pic taken from their website: http://messini.ca/images/ptgallerys_images/Untitled-91235.jpg
that place is good to go all the time...specially after clubbing at 3AM ...
Mmmm...I had shawarma in Syria just a few weeks ago. Every time I ate pita bread over there, it was so fresh. Since coming back, I had a shawarma from a local fast food joint and it was no comparison. :( Around here the quality can sometimes be hit or miss depending on what time of day you go...

we can never get that touch of real authentic shawarmas here :(

[duckdown]

I'm not sure if Me-va-Me is Jewish, you might be thinking of Tov Li in somewhat the same area, which are supposedly some of the best falafels in Toronto (i've never been though)

[mbm]

I'm not sure if Me-va-Me is Jewish, you might be thinking of Tov Li in somewhat the same area, which are supposedly some of the best falafels in Toronto (i've never been though)

yea its on Bathurst so i just assumed...but nevertheless, gotta check out that place.

[mbm]

Another one i wanted to add was "something to talk about" located on Bay/Gerrard downtown. this guy is sooo busy and soo good that he only opens his place Monday-Friday from 9-5 and weekends are closed for catering only (as per the owner)

uses white meat only for his chicken.

[tonic]

at Bayview and Laureleaf (in the Longos plaza), sort of attached to What a Bagel (inside the little mall area) they sell falafels and shwarmas. I have only tried the falafel...which is really good. So maybe try there. (not sure of the prices though)

This place is now called Bagel Nash..you order/pay at the place that sells nice cakes at the back, and then select toppings and pick up your order at the little window next to it. The falafel and chicken shawarma are both very good - the shawarma has a bit of a curried flavour to it which is nice, and they give you a LOT of meat for a decent price. You can have it on a pita or a baguette, which they hollow out part of the dough and then stuff with meat + toppings. If I recall correctly the falafel is 2.99 and the shawarma is 4.99 or 5.99..the baguette one is HUGE.

[NorthYorker]

I'm not sure if Me-va-Me is Jewish, you might be thinking of Tov Li in somewhat the same area, which are supposedly some of the best falafels in Toronto (i've never been though)Me-Va-Me is Israeli, but not kosher. I guess that qualifies them for being Jewish :) Anyway, they're solid pick as far as Israeli version of shawarma goes. They also have take out location @ Steeles/Hilda (ToysRUs plaza). However, my Israeli pals used to swear by small resto @ Centre/Dufferin. It was couple of years ago, so I'm not sure they're still in business.

[JAGpilot]

This place is now called Bagel Nash..you order/pay at the place that sells nice cakes at the back, and then select toppings and pick up your order at the little window next to it. The falafel and chicken shawarma are both very good - the shawarma has a bit of a curried flavour to it which is nice, and they give you a LOT of meat for a decent price. You can have it on a pita or a baguette, which they hollow out part of the dough and then stuff with meat + toppings. If I recall correctly the falafel is 2.99 and the shawarma is 4.99 or 5.99..the baguette one is HUGE.

I used to eat the falafel from What a Bagel and only tried the Bagel-Nash one once. It's the same exact thing. Not bad at all but the girl put all the liquidy stuff (tomatoes, cabbage) on the bottom so it literally bottomed out as soon as I took a bite. The falafel is more like $5.

Anyone else in Thornhill who likes Middle-Eastern has to try Me Va Me (Bathurst/Steeles) and Sofra (dufferin/langstaff). Stay away from Anton's and Meron which are both in the Bathurst/Steeles are. The one at center/dufferin is called Bissli Grill (or it was). There are soo many mid-east places I cannot name them all. Thanks to the huge Israeli population in Vaughan!

[NorthYorker]

Stay away from Anton's and Meron Can't say anything about Merons (BTW, which one do you mean? There're two Merons, resto originally owned by Meron brothers @ Bathurst/Steeles and banket hall they opened @ Dufferin/Steeles; former is reportedly going downhill but latter is OK, as far as hearsaying goes), but Anton's isn't bad. It is blander than Me-Va-Me, but of decent quality too. Good way to introduce ME cooking to your Canadian friends :) I would say that Anton gets more Anglophone clientele than Me-Va-Me (where everyone who doesn't speak Hebrew speak Russian).

[turkishdelyte]

I was in Etobicoke today and wanted to grab something to eat from Timmies, best option I saw....I went to the tims at MARTIN GROVE/ REXDALE BLVD and noticed a new place called TAAZA shawarma and kebab house....I figured I'd go in and take a look, never saw the place before. The owner (Sam, I think) was VERY friendly and mentioned they just opened a few weeks ago. They have a pretty good menu and everything is made fresh. I tried his chicken shawarma (he said the beef/lamb mix is coming soon just waiting for better weather) and the shawarma was the size of a FOOTBALL! I couldn't finish it and thats a shocker! He packed sooooooooo much meat in it I thought he was joking! Needless to say the Shawarma was the BEST I've ever tasted!! My mouth is watering and I can't wait to go back again...(I live in Richmond Hill so this sucks!!). His prices are great, a huge sandwich for $5.45 (I'm pretty sure thats how much I paid)....OHHHHHH and TRY HIS HOMEMADE BAKLAVA!! AMAZINGGGGGG!! I got a 12 pack to go to take home for the family! (of course I ate like 4 pieces in the car!!).....


TAAZA is my new #1.....now only if they'd open one in Richmond hill :(

[originalnutta]

Thanks, i'll try it out.

Seems like a lot of these small arabic/shawarma places are popping up.

[Dr Butcher]

I'm not sure if Me-va-Me is Jewish, you might be thinking of Tov Li in somewhat the same area, which are supposedly some of the best falafels in Toronto (i've never been though)

Tov Li is good, they pack it with a cole slaw of some sort IIRC and man the thing is a beast to try and eat. you need to eat half the vegetables off of it before you can get to the falafel.

[Jay Hova]

Red and White, on Yonge just after you walk out of College Park.
Shawarma...probably a more traditional shawarma, e.g more focus on the meat. Not like other places which put jalapeno peppers and what-not on the shawarma. In my opinion the shawarma was lacking something, can't say what it was really. I think the meat was not as flavourful as most places are, the cabbage added an interesting textural component...although I wasn't fond of using purple cabbage...just use green cause the purple made the tahini turn pink :|

Is it recommend...no not really. Menu was really small too :| Falaffel/Chicken/Beef shawarma/platter (so make that 3x2 = 6) and baklava...plus a salad, and grap leaves. So essentially 8 items.

I still stand by Ali Baba's....falaffel sandwich is really good there.


Btw, am I the only one who equate the two as being equal :lol: Sometimes I ask my mom or brother if we should get falaffels...they seem to get sad...and say get a few shawarmas as well...which is what I meant. Some reason I just equate the two as the same :lol:

[blexann]

Red and White, on Yonge just after you walk out of College Park.
Shawarma...probably a more traditional shawarma, e.g more focus on the meat. Not like other places which put jalapeno peppers and what-not on the shawarma. In my opinion the shawarma was lacking something, can't say what it was really. I think the meat was not as flavourful as most places are, the cabbage added an interesting textural component...although I wasn't fond of using purple cabbage...just use green cause the purple made the tahini turn pink :|

Is it recommend...no not really. Menu was really small too :| Falaffel/Chicken/Beef shawarma/platter (so make that 3x2 = 6) and baklava...plus a salad, and grap leaves. So essentially 8 items.

I still stand by Ali Baba's....falaffel sandwich is really good there.


Btw, am I the only one who equate the two as being equal :lol: Sometimes I ask my mom or brother if we should get falaffels...they seem to get sad...and say get a few shawarmas as well...which is what I meant. Some reason I just equate the two as the same :lol:

Red and White is a good place. If the meat was not as flavorable as other places it could be becuase it's less fatty. Purple cabbage ?..it could have been the turnip

[Jay Hova]

Red and White is a good place. If the meat was not as flavorable as other places it could be becuase it's less fatty. Purple cabbage ?..it could have been the turnip

Well we all know fat = flavour, yes? So, if I'm going to eat a shawarma...I don't care if it healthy or not, as long as it tastes good. I have one maybe once a month, max. So healthiness doesn't matter to me.

Yeah I was thinking it may have been the turnip...but I've never had it go pink on me before to that extent, so I'd still say it was the RED cabbage, forgive me for looking at colours they way they are :lol:

Btw, red-heads are actually orange-heads...happy?:lol:

[zoolander]

wtf? Tarboosh went up $7 "Dinner for 2" within 20 months?
$26.95 now :mad:

[Bigonthis]

Sharwarma's are the best. Tarboosh located in Mississauga or the Burlington location excellent choices. I find Montefort not bad depending on locations!

[smolek]

I was in Etobicoke today and wanted to grab something to eat from Timmies, best option I saw....I went to the tims at MARTIN GROVE/ REXDALE BLVD and noticed a new place called TAAZA shawarma and kebab house....I figured I'd go in and take a look, never saw the place before. The owner (Sam, I think) was VERY friendly and mentioned they just opened a few weeks ago. They have a pretty good menu and everything is made fresh. I tried his chicken shawarma (he said the beef/lamb mix is coming soon just waiting for better weather) and the shawarma was the size of a FOOTBALL! I couldn't finish it and thats a shocker! He packed sooooooooo much meat in it I thought he was joking! Needless to say the Shawarma was the BEST I've ever tasted!! My mouth is watering and I can't wait to go back again...(I live in Richmond Hill so this sucks!!). His prices are great, a huge sandwich for $5.45 (I'm pretty sure thats how much I paid)....OHHHHHH and TRY HIS HOMEMADE BAKLAVA!! AMAZINGGGGGG!! I got a 12 pack to go to take home for the family! (of course I ate like 4 pieces in the car!!).....


TAAZA is my new #1.....now only if they'd open one in Richmond hill :(
Hey which corner of Martingrove/Rexdale is this? was in the area yesterday and didnt see it but wanna try it out, thanks

[smolek]

Hey which corner of Martingrove/Rexdale is this? was in the area yesterday and didnt see it but wanna try it out, thanksNM found the place today for lunch, i agree the shawarma's were great quality, size and price. paid around 12 bucks for 2 of them, will definitely be going back there

[Dr Butcher]

My current fave is Shawarma Empire on the Lawrence strip.

Their hot sauce is excellent, not really spicy but has a ton of flavour. I'm pretty sure there's curry in it, excellent stuff. Great value as well, 2 for $5.99. I can't decide between the beef or chicken so I usually get one of each:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/th_Picture761.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/Picture761.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/th_Picture750.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/Picture750.jpg)

They have awesome falafel as well. I am amazed Blog.TO actually crossed the DVP to review a place in Scarborough as well.......

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/shawarmaempire

[originalnutta]

My current fave is Shawarma Empire on the Lawrence strip.

Their hot sauce is excellent, not really spicy but has a ton of flavour. I'm pretty sure there's curry in it, excellent stuff. Great value as well, 2 for $5.99. I can't decide between the beef or chicken so I usually get one of each:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/th_Picture761.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/Picture761.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/th_Picture750.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/Picture750.jpg)

They have awesome falafel as well. I am amazed Blog.TO actually crossed the DVP to review a place in Scarborough as well.......

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/shawarmaempire
My dad says this place is pretty good, and has decent prices as well.

What toppings are on it?

[Dr Butcher]

My dad says this place is pretty good, and has decent prices as well.

What toppings are on it?

The pics I took have the works, parsley, onion, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, pickle, pickled turnip, hot sauce and tahini. You can add or leave off whatever you wish. Their hot sauce is really unique, I've never had anything like it on a Shawarma.

[originalnutta]

The pics I took have the works, parsley, onion, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, pickle, pickled turnip, hot sauce and tahini. You can add or leave off whatever you wish. Their hot sauce is really unique, I've never had anything like it on a Shawarma.

Looks very tasty. Can't go wrong with $5.99 for two.

[turkishdelyte]

Hey which corner of Martingrove/Rexdale is this? was in the area yesterday and didnt see it but wanna try it out, thanks

Hey Smolek,

I believe its on the South/East corner at Martin Grove/Rexdale, directly beside TIM HORTONS....their sign is funny, there is a picture of a cute looking rooster on it....I was there a couple hours ago for the Kebab combo dinner!! YUMMY! I'm OFFICIALLY ADDICTED!! Its pretty sad when you have to look for friends to visit in etobicoke just to eat....lol


**EDIT** Hey Smolek, just read you went there....pretty good eh? Ohhh I can't wait for them to get ther beef shawarma going! The owner said they will have a patio opening this summer with SHISHA/NARGILE!!! Guess I'll be visiting my friends here more often :-)

[originalnutta]

Its pretty sad when you have to look for friends to visit in etobicoke just to eat....lol



I live in Etobicoke, and i have to meet friends in Brampton and Oakville to justify getting food there.
This arabic place is one of the few decent places we have.

Can't wait for Burrito Boyz in Spring 09.

[duckdown]

Tov Li is good, they pack it with a cole slaw of some sort IIRC and man the thing is a beast to try and eat. you need to eat half the vegetables off of it before you can get to the falafel.

tried tov li today, this statement is definitely true

worst decision of my life was to ask for this thing to go, and tried to eat it in the car

it's stuffed to the brim with a bunch of coleslaw and oozes garlic sauce from every opening; i've never created such a mess in my vehicle in my entire life

mental note: get this to eat-in next time, and eat it with a god damn fork and knife


also, probably the best falafel i've ever had. delicious, and a good crust on the outside

[turkishdelyte]

I live in Etobicoke, and i have to meet friends in Brampton and Oakville to justify getting food there.
This arabic place is one of the few decent places we have.

Can't wait for Burrito Boyz in Spring 09.

Which arabic place are you referring to?? I want details! where is burrito boyz going to open??

[rexkwondo]

Avoid Farhat on Lawrence Ave. East. It has a horrible health inspection record which is available for public viewing at the city of Toronto dinesafe website.

[originalnutta]

Which arabic place are you referring to?? I want details! where is burrito boyz going to open??

Well the only ones in Etobicoke i go to, are La Medina inside Sherway Gdns.

And there's a place on Lakeshore/Islington area. I forget the name, but it was decent.

Just too out of my way.


And burrito boyz is gonna be on lakeshore/browns line.

[flito ray]

what do you guys recommend at tov li?

had a look at their menu and didn't see no shwarmas:

http://www.tov-li.com/website_2/index.php?page=menu-regular

[duckdown]

what do you guys recommend at tov li?

had a look at their menu and didn't see no shwarmas:

http://www.tov-li.com/website_2/index.php?page=menu-regular

the place is "strictly kosher" as advertised all over their sign -- i don't think they sell any meat there at all, besides tuna


but regardless, get a falafel sandwich. best one i've ever had. i wish they had one of these in my area, i'd be getting delivery all the time

the "garlic knots" looked really good too, freshly baked on a pan and people seemed to be buying them by the bag

[shadow_cruiser]

Had the chicken shawarma at Nicks Famous Pita's today and was really disappointed. Probably the worst shawarma I had yet. Not much chicken and the taste wasn't flavourful

[KENNETHK]

Based on recommendation, i went and tried Ultimate chicken schwarama from Pita Nutsy(now called Schwarama and Grill) in Brampton. The size of the schwarama is big compared to other places in Brampton and they were delicious. I would definitely recommend them.

On a side note, i tried Nicks a couple of weeks ago and it was so so. To be fair, i might give it another try when i am in the area.

[duckdown]

Had the chicken shawarma at Nicks Famous Pita's today and was really disappointed. Probably the worst shawarma I had yet. Not much chicken and the taste wasn't flavourful

i hate the wrap but the dinner is great. rice & potatoes are decent, pita croutons on the caesar salad are awesome, lettuce is usually crisp, and the chicken is all white meat unlike other places... its good but expensive (expected)

[duckdown]

Based on recommendation, i went and tried Ultimate chicken schwarama from Pita Nutsy(now called Schwarama and Grill) in Brampton. The size of the schwarama is big compared to other places in Brampton and they were delicious. I would definitely recommend them.

On a side note, i tried Nicks a couple of weeks ago and it was so so. To be fair, i might give it another try when i am in the area.

yep, that is my closest and local shawarma place (shawarma & grill)

owner is nice as hell and always hooks it up... only complaint is the dark meat

if you like falafels, you must try Falafel Garden at Kennedy & Clarence...

[Cryzah]

Another one I frequent is in Streetsville (queen street aka mississauga road) by the name of Osmow's Shawarma..

Nice guy..professional..right beside Pita Nutsy (another shawarma place)

I never tried Osmow's how is it in comparison to Pita Nutsy? I absolutly love the spicy chicken shawarma from Pita Nutsy, I have yet to taste a better Shawarma. I dont like telling them what i want on it, I dont know what I want on it, I just want it to taste good.

[duckdown]

I never tried Osmow's how is it in comparison to Pita Nutsy? I absolutly love the spicy chicken shawarma from Pita Nutsy, I have yet to taste a better Shawarma. I dont like telling them what i want on it, I dont know what I want on it, I just want it to taste good.

gone downhill IMO (Osmow's)

i used to prefer Osmow's but if I were to go today,it would definitely be Pita Nutsy

Also the 40 minute wait times at Osmow's (unless you go during dead hours) are killer

[Cryzah]

gone downhill IMO (Osmow's)

i used to prefer Osmow's but if I were to go today,it would definitely be Pita Nutsy

Also the 40 minute wait times at Osmow's (unless you go during dead hours) are killer

Making me want a shawarma, haven't had one in a while, u kno any places in Brampton?

[duckdown]

Making me want a shawarma, haven't had one in a while, u kno any places in Brampton?

definitely

go to Shawarma & Grill , it's just north of Boavaird on Hurontario (where wal-mart, and the keg etc. are).. go past bovaird on hurontario and on the left hand side where Turtle Jacks is, in that plaza

there is also Falafel Garden at Clarence & Kennedy... their falafel is amazing and shawarma is decent (white meat too)

we've also got Shawarma Queen at bovaird & hurontario and vita pita at ray lawson & hurontario.. i don't really go to either of these. vita pita is super expensive

cheers

[KENNETHK]

yep, that is my closest and local shawarma place (shawarma & grill)

owner is nice as hell and always hooks it up... only complaint is the dark meat

if you like falafels, you must try Falafel Garden at Kennedy & Clarence...

Thanks! I will definitely try Falafel Garden(perhaps tomorrow).

[tivo_box]

Has anyone tried this place?

Lezzet Shawarma & Falafel House
4120 Dixie, Mississauga, ON L4W4V8

Are their Shawarmas any good? Do they contain lots of spices (which I don't like)? White meat or dark meat? Do they have beef/lamb shawarmas? How are their prices?

Thanks in advance.

[tivo_box]

Here's my opinion of Chef's Door in Oakville (1140 Winston Churchill, Oakville):

I'm very picky when it comes to Shawarmas. I have yet to find the perfect place in Toronto for Shawarma.

This place makes a decent shawarma. The portions are good, it's a large sandwich.

The meat is tasty and shaved off a proper spit (not grilled on grilltop).

The toppings are good, although I don't think lettuce belongs in a shawarma sandwich. He offered pickles, lettuce, tahini sauce, garlic sauce, hot sauce, tomato, onion, that's all I remember.

The price is ok, 5.99 for chicken or meat shawarma, which is not cheap nor expensive.

The place is clean.

4/5 stars.

[duckdown]

Has anyone tried this place?

Lezzet Shawarma & Falafel House
4120 Dixie, Mississauga, ON L4W4V8

Are their Shawarmas any good? Do they contain lots of spices (which I don't like)? White meat or dark meat? Do they have beef/lamb shawarmas? How are their prices?

Thanks in advance.

It's garbage, it was actually La Zeez shawarma, and now they've changed names yet again.. It has an orange sign now

Definitely dark meat

[duckdown]

Here's my opinion of Chef's Door in Oakville (1140 Winston Churchill, Oakville):

I'm very picky when it comes to Shawarmas. I have yet to find the perfect place in Toronto for Shawarma.

This place makes a decent shawarma. The portions are good, it's a large sandwich.

The meat is tasty and shaved off a proper spit (not grilled on grilltop).

The toppings are good, although I don't think lettuce belongs in a shawarma sandwich. He offered pickles, lettuce, tahini sauce, garlic sauce, hot sauce, tomato, onion, that's all I remember.

The price is ok, 5.99 for chicken or meat shawarma, which is not cheap nor expensive.

The place is clean.

4/5 stars.

Tried it once, it was OK.. I don't think it was white meat, and I think I wasn't the biggest fan of the garlic sauce

But someone in front of me was ordering the dinner plate version with rice and stuff, and that looked way better

I should give it another try

[munsifn]

i dont want to go through all the pages of this huge thread, so im gonna ask this here

can anyone recommend a good halal shawarma place near square 1 in mississauga.

Im not familiar with the area, but would like to have some shawarma for lunch tomorrow when im in the area

thanks

[wiggy]

A new place in Brampton going by the name Pita Land in the newly built strip mall at the northeast corner of Hurontario and Bouvaird. Right beside a Caribbean place called Tropical Flavor.

There is also a place on the southwest corner near Toshi's (Japanese restaurant) called Shawarma Queen. Been there a couple times and only found it so-so. Their seasonings are off somehow, so the sandwich just doesn't work for me.

Stay tuned for news on Pita Land . . .

[duckdown]

A new place in Brampton going by the name Pita Land in the newly built strip mall at the northeast corner of Hurontario and Bouvaird. Right beside a Caribbean place called Tropical Flavor.

There is also a place on the southwest corner near Toshi's (Japanese restaurant) called Shawarma Queen. Been there a couple times and only found it so-so. Their seasonings are off somehow, so the sandwich just doesn't work for me.

Stay tuned for news on Pita Land . . .

Ah, I've driven by that new stripmall and have seen the Tropical Flavor place.. Theres also a Rexall pharmacy and some other stuff there. Didn't notice the pita place though, thanks for the heads up!

Shawarma Queen is only good if you get it in the platter version, in my opinion (not in a sandwich, but with rice and salad instead). I find it a little salty though... I think they're part of a chain from Ottawa

Cheers

[tivo_box]

i dont want to go through all the pages of this huge thread, so im gonna ask this here

can anyone recommend a good halal shawarma place near square 1 in mississauga.

Im not familiar with the area, but would like to have some shawarma for lunch tomorrow when im in the area

thanks

Inside Square One, in the food court, there is a place called Medina something?? They make good shawarma sandwiches. I'm pretty sure it's halal, not 100% sure though.

[duckdown]

Inside Square One, in the food court, there is a place called Medina something?? They make good shawarma sandwiches. I'm pretty sure it's halal, not 100% sure though.

villa medina yea

piece of advice if your eating there... don't get the hummos on anything... it tastes like tar

[munsifn]

thanks for the info about the SQ1 food court

they have a Villa Medina at Scarborough Town Centre as well, it is decent.

I actually wanted to try a new place (been to pretty much all spots down Lawrence Ave, and most Scarborough locations), but if i cant find anything then i'll stick to the Villa

[Tuffter]

Depends how close to Square One you mean. I highly recommend Tarboosh at 3050 Confederation Parkway. That place and Chef's Door are easily the two best places for shawarma around these parts. And when I say best, I mean authentic.
You can get a good meal in a pita at Nick's, but I wouldnt call it a true shawarma. The thing was gigantic, and I had a plate of soup (tahini and garlic sauce) left over at the end!

[munsifn]

i guess within 15mins of square 1 would be fine.

tarboosh sounds good, is it halal?

[duckdown]

Pretty positive Tarboosh would be 100% halal.. I've never been but it looks very authentic with the arabic writing everywhere etc

[duckdown]

A new place in Brampton going by the name Pita Land in the newly built strip mall at the northeast corner of Hurontario and Bouvaird. Right beside a Caribbean place called Tropical Flavor.

There is also a place on the southwest corner near Toshi's (Japanese restaurant) called Shawarma Queen. Been there a couple times and only found it so-so. Their seasonings are off somehow, so the sandwich just doesn't work for me.

Stay tuned for news on Pita Land . . .


Crap, I know where I've heard "Pita Land" before...

If you scroll up about my post about La Zeez, and how they've changed names again and has an orange sign now... almost 100% positive it's a Pita Land

It was horrible when I was there, so lets hope either I have the names confused, or it's a chain that has a better quality than the location I tried

[oogachaka]

there's a place called Aladdin (Hurontario/Dundas) that serves shawarma...wayyyyyyyyyyyy too salty tho from what i remembered:cry:

[pajamawala]

LaZeez in downtown Toronto (by Ryerson) used to be really good. I had it a couple of years back and the quality was super. The size was sufficient and a definite recommendation. Recently, I have not been there and can not comment.

I finally tried Nicks in Mississauga (Tomken/Eglington) and as instructed on the first page told the girl who was taking my order that I was referred by Marc and she looked really surprised. I asked for the Lentil soup while I waited for the shawarma. The soup was delicious. The fried crispy/crunchy pita with the soup was just mouth watering and the portion was massive. I got my shawarma to-go and I must admit I was disappointed. The size was definitely big, but it was not very tasteful. Although not grilled, the meat had some hard chuncks and definitely was the spoiler. Overall, there was nothing special about this place. The garlic sauce was overwhelming and did not go too well with me either.

You might call it unauthentic, but try the regular size (w/ everything on it) extra spicy at Osmow's (ONLY WHEN SAM - the OWNER IS WORKING) and you will not be disappointed. Do not try the Super since its just too much pita and when the other hunk is preparing, its just not as tasteful, the meat is just wrong and either its too dry or its too soggy. If you want the best experience, try eating at the place - although you might have to wait since its always pretty as there is VERY limited seating.

I am not biased for Osmow's and am very open to trying new things, but honestly I am still to find a place better than Osmow's (at least for my taste buds). Keep the suggestions coming. Still waiting for another super suggestion.

p.s. although the Sara at Bloor and Spadina is really good as well - 1st choice in Toronto

[pajamawala]

there's a place called Aladdin (Hurontario/Dundas) that serves shawarma...wayyyyyyyyyyyy too salty tho from what i remembered:cry:

Do you remember what you paid for it?

[mbm]

My current fave is Shawarma Empire on the Lawrence strip.

Their hot sauce is excellent, not really spicy but has a ton of flavour. I'm pretty sure there's curry in it, excellent stuff. Great value as well, 2 for $5.99. I can't decide between the beef or chicken so I usually get one of each:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/th_Picture761.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/Picture761.jpg)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/th_Picture750.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v308/DrButcher/Food/Picture750.jpg)

They have awesome falafel as well. I am amazed Blog.TO actually crossed the DVP to review a place in Scarborough as well.......

http://www.blogto.com/restaurants/shawarmaempire
Still my fav place to go, the best is when the mom makes it. The couple there are just meh...i stopped eating their meat now i'm only sticking to falafel.

can't wait to head to middle east in october and try real shawarmas yumm
I live in Etobicoke, and i have to meet friends in Brampton and Oakville to justify getting food there.
This arabic place is one of the few decent places we have.

Can't wait for Burrito Boyz in Spring 09.
burrito boyz FTW
Avoid Farhat on Lawrence Ave. East. It has a horrible health inspection record which is available for public viewing at the city of Toronto dinesafe website.

Really eh, i went with my coworker last week and for some reason i passed on buying it from there, but there was a long ass line up. Didnt like the way the dude was cutting the meat.

[duckdown]

there's a place called Aladdin (Hurontario/Dundas) that serves shawarma...wayyyyyyyyyyyy too salty tho from what i remembered:cry:


that place is naaaaaasty, next time your there, take a look at the ceiling

[duckdown]

LaZeez in downtown Toronto (by Ryerson) used to be really good. I had it a couple of years back and the quality was super. The size was sufficient and a definite recommendation. Recently, I have not been there and can not comment.

I finally tried Nicks in Mississauga (Tomken/Eglington) and as instructed on the first page told the girl who was taking my order that I was referred by Marc and she looked really surprised. I asked for the Lentil soup while I waited for the shawarma. The soup was delicious. The fried crispy/crunchy pita with the soup was just mouth watering and the portion was massive. I got my shawarma to-go and I must admit I was disappointed. The size was definitely big, but it was not very tasteful. Although not grilled, the meat had some hard chuncks and definitely was the spoiler. Overall, there was nothing special about this place. The garlic sauce was overwhelming and did not go too well with me either.

You might call it unauthentic, but try the regular size (w/ everything on it) extra spicy at Osmow's (ONLY WHEN SAM - the OWNER IS WORKING) and you will not be disappointed. Do not try the Super since its just too much pita and when the other hunk is preparing, its just not as tasteful, the meat is just wrong and either its too dry or its too soggy. If you want the best experience, try eating at the place - although you might have to wait since its always pretty as there is VERY limited seating.

I am not biased for Osmow's and am very open to trying new things, but honestly I am still to find a place better than Osmow's (at least for my taste buds). Keep the suggestions coming. Still waiting for another super suggestion.

p.s. although the Sara at Bloor and Spadina is really good as well - 1st choice in Toronto

another osmow's fan... i don't get it... their sandwiches are like 80% sauce.. sarah's falafels are better than the shawarma IMO.. I guess the hunt continues

[originalnutta]

I finally tried Nicks in Mississauga (Tomken/Eglington) and as instructed on the first page told the girl who was taking my order that I was referred by Marc and she looked really surprised. I asked for the Lentil soup while I waited for the shawarma. The soup was delicious. The fried crispy/crunchy pita with the soup was just mouth watering and the portion was massive. I got my shawarma to-go and I must admit I was disappointed. The size was definitely big, but it was not very tasteful. Although not grilled, the meat had some hard chuncks and definitely was the spoiler. Overall, there was nothing special about this place. The garlic sauce was overwhelming and did not go too well with me either.


hehe, yeah a lot has changed since i made this thread.
only Nick would know who i am now.

I never get the garlic sauce anywhere, just for calories sake, but get the tahini and hot sauce. If you're willing to give it a try again, opt for the falafel or beef maybe.

[PrinceMS]

another osmow's fan... i don't get it... their sandwiches are like 80% sauce.. sarah's falafels are better than the shawarma IMO.. I guess the hunt continues

Yes they do put a lot sauce in it - but its not lacking meat (or any other ingredient). I have introduced this to many people and I don't know who wouldn't think this is The Best place for shawrma!

Have you tried their "Osmos special"? Also their philly cheesesteak is pretty darn good.

[oogachaka]

Do you remember what you paid for it?

not exactly, the chicken shawarma sandwich was probably around $5.99 or so.....be prepared to drink 10L of water to counteract the saltiness.

it's a large restaurant and has potential to look nice if they renovated it...but sadly it's quite run down...holes in the walls and leaky looking celings lol!

[duckdown]

Yes they do put a lot sauce in it - but its not lacking meat (or any other ingredient). I have introduced this to many people and I don't know who wouldn't think this is The Best place for shawrma!

Have you tried their "Osmos special"? Also their philly cheesesteak is pretty darn good.

nah, everything about osmow's irritates me now

from the 40 minute wait times (whos genius idea was it to only have 2 people working the sandwich station?) to the sloppily prepared sandwiches... Oh, and on my last visit, some dude with hairy arms and hands was picking up the drippings from the poorly constructed sandwiches and was just shoveling it right into his mouth, ungloved, and went back to rolling more sandwiches.. I can't stand the place... oh and lets not forget how they don't even let the chicken cook on the spit, they just shave it off when the chicken is still bleeding and then griddle the living **** out of it until its crispy pieces of charcoal

i'd go to pita nutsy next door before back to osmow's

what is the "osmows special" , i remember seeing it on the menu

[munsifn]

i ended up at Tarboosh today for lunch. I must say, I was very happy with the meal.

It was a bit on the expensive side though. I ordered the Shawarma plate, came with pita and 2 sides (hummos, fries) for 12.99.

When the plate arrived, it didn't look like much, but I could barely finish it all off. Meat was very tasty, but I would of preferred chicken over beef.

Definitly going to go there again when Im in the area, and have already recommended it to some friends who live in Sauga.

Thanks for the recommendation guys!

[Jay Hova]

Yeah, Osmow's is utter crap. Hot peppers and olives don't belong on shawarma in my opinion, more than certain it isn't authentic, falafel is crap...sure maybe creating it from scratch sounds good on paper, but I think the powdered ones have much better texture.

I don't know why so many people find it so good, maybe cause they haven't been to places in Toronto like Red and White, Ali Baba's, etc.

[Tuffter]

Your welcome Muffins, I wouldnt steer a fellow shawarma fan wrong. You didnt get the shawarma sandwich? And yes you are right, it is a little pricey, but I know when I go there that I am getting a very good meal.

[wiggy]

Crap, I know where I've heard "Pita Land" before...

If you scroll up about my post about La Zeez, and how they've changed names again and has an orange sign now... almost 100% positive it's a Pita Land

It was horrible when I was there, so lets hope either I have the names confused, or it's a chain that has a better quality than the location I tried

Its new to me. Great looking sign (not orange) - I shoulda took a pic. Maybe next time.

I used to go to La Zeez at Steeles and Weston Rd. Its changed names at least twice now that I'm aware of and the quality of the sandwiches there has slowly slipped. When the place first opened up it was quite good.

There is another place kitty corner to this at the northwest corner of Steeles and Weston. Its called the King of Babylon. Just a little one off, not any kind of chain. They make a pretty good sandwich. It didn't totally blow me away like the old King Shawarma downtown at Queen and Spadina (sigh) but their sandwiches always struck me for their freshness. Mind you I haven't been for a couple of years now. Sounds like a project.

[Tuffter]

Jay Hova - you are right, hot peppers and olives do not belong

[duckdown]

i ended up at Tarboosh today for lunch. I must say, I was very happy with the meal.

It was a bit on the expensive side though. I ordered the Shawarma plate, came with pita and 2 sides (hummos, fries) for 12.99.

When the plate arrived, it didn't look like much, but I could barely finish it all off. Meat was very tasty, but I would of preferred chicken over beef.

Definitly going to go there again when Im in the area, and have already recommended it to some friends who live in Sauga.

Thanks for the recommendation guys!


Someone else who ate there before said they didn't know if they had chicken either -- so you can confirm, the shawarma is not chicken?

Disappointing, chicken is the only kind I like

[duckdown]

Its new to me. Great looking sign (not orange) - I shoulda took a pic. Maybe next time.

I used to go to La Zeez at Steeles and Weston Rd. Its changed names at least twice now that I'm aware of and the quality of the sandwiches there has slowly slipped. When the place first opened up it was quite good.

There is another place kitty corner to this at the northwest corner of Steeles and Weston. Its called the King of Babylon. Just a little one off, not any kind of chain. They make a pretty good sandwich. It didn't totally blow me away like the old King Shawarma downtown at Queen and Spadina (sigh) but their sandwiches always struck me for their freshness. Mind you I haven't been for a couple of years now. Sounds like a project.


I drove by today -- I think I had the wrong image in my head about the orange sign

I am almost positive that the Pita Land that is opening up there is the same thing that is on Dixie Road (The ex La Zeez)

I was wrong about the color of the sign but the writing and logo refreshed my memory

I wonder when they open


On a side note, since they weren't open tonight, I went to Shawarma Queen to give it another shot.. You know, they do a really good job of crisping up every layer of the chicken before they shave it so it has a good char flavor almost.. a couple fatty bits, and a little salty like I remember... But it really isn't all that bad.. I'm getting sick of the rest of the local joints so I'll be visiting again

Cheers

[munsifn]

Someone else who ate there before said they didn't know if they had chicken either -- so you can confirm, the shawarma is not chicken?

Disappointing, chicken is the only kind I like

Yea, no chicken shawarma...im looking at the takeout menu right now...only beef.

[blexann]

somehow someone needs to summarize all the places to eat in this thread and make some sort of bar graph based on repsonses showing the good and bad places.

[jandumm]

I am no expert in shawarmas but I like the place called Huddle Shawarmas. Its in Woodbridge, hwy 7 & martin grove (near Number7 honda).

I tried this place today for the first time - I liked it and it was quite busy! I have to say it's a little hole in the wall - but the chicken shwarama i had today was very tasty.

I liked the fact that the chicken was crispy on the outside with a bit of a taste of BBQ - the flavouring is subtle but tasty without the overpowering garlic aftertaste that I have sometimes at other places. I'm not sure if they use garlic sauce so can't comment on that. They do put in cabbage which was a nice change.

I work very close to Pitaland (formerly La Zeez) at Steeles/Weston and go a few times a week but I've gotten sick of it - namely due to some fatty meat experiences and an overpowering aftertaste.

WRT Osmows, I'm definitely on the "Nay" side - my experience was that it was weirdly overly spicy for what it should be - not an enjoyable experience at all.

[shadow_cruiser]

My friends and I are still on the lookout for the best shawarma place in Mississauga. I think we have tried mostly all of the them but I'm sure we've missed some. In conclusion of this thread, what do you guys think is the best in terms of taste, authenticity, quantity in Mississauga?

To name some, we've been to:

Pita & Grill
Nick's Famous Pita's
Osmow's
Pita Nutsy
Aladdins
Lezzet Shawarma Falafel House
Villa Madina

[infared_vision]

I tried this place today for the first time - I liked it and it was quite busy! I have to say it's a little hole in the wall - but the chicken shwarama i had today was very tasty.

I liked the fact that the chicken was crispy on the outside with a bit of a taste of BBQ - the flavouring is subtle but tasty without the overpowering garlic aftertaste that I have sometimes at other places. I'm not sure if they use garlic sauce so can't comment on that. They do put in cabbage which was a nice change.

I work very close to Pitaland (formerly La Zeez) at Steeles/Weston and go a few times a week but I've gotten sick of it - namely due to some fatty meat experiences and an overpowering aftertaste.

WRT Osmows, I'm definitely on the "Nay" side - my experience was that it was weirdly overly spicy for what it should be - not an enjoyable experience at all.

how much are they and is the place on hwy 7 or on martin grove ?

[pajamawala]

hehe, yeah a lot has changed since i made this thread.
only Nick would know who i am now.

I never get the garlic sauce anywhere, just for calories sake, but get the tahini and hot sauce. If you're willing to give it a try again, opt for the falafel or beef maybe.

After the lentil soup I was so amazed that I am sure I'll give it another try. This time, I'll get the been without the garlic sauce.
Thanks,

[pajamawala]

Yes they do put a lot sauce in it - but its not lacking meat (or any other ingredient). I have introduced this to many people and I don't know who wouldn't think this is The Best place for shawrma!

Have you tried their "Osmos special"? Also their philly cheesesteak is pretty darn good.

My buddy got the philly cheesesteak a couple of years back and I remember it having a VERY thin layer of meat. The taste was good but the lack of meat was a spoiler.

[pajamawala]

not exactly, the chicken shawarma sandwich was probably around $5.99 or so.....be prepared to drink 10L of water to counteract the saltiness.

it's a large restaurant and has potential to look nice if they renovated it...but sadly it's quite run down...holes in the walls and leaky looking celings lol!

I was actually being sarcastic. I have been to this place quite a few times and belive it or not the current Aladdin was renovated almost 2 (or may be more) years back. They used to be at the main level and since then have moved upstairs. If I remember correctly their menu was overpriced. Their main attactions are the Sheesha and their milk shakes (or maybe other drinks)

[Broseph]

Taste of Lawrence during the summer!!!

Village BBQ @ Warden and Lawrence > *

[Broseph]

I see Sababa mentioned in this thread....

The good old Azar brothers....

[pajamawala]

I drove by today -- I think I had the wrong image in my head about the orange sign

I am almost positive that the Pita Land that is opening up there is the same thing that is on Dixie Road (The ex La Zeez)

I was wrong about the color of the sign but the writing and logo refreshed my memory

I wonder when they open


On a side note, since they weren't open tonight, I went to Shawarma Queen to give it another shot.. You know, they do a really good job of crisping up every layer of the chicken before they shave it so it has a good char flavor almost.. a couple fatty bits, and a little salty like I remember... But it really isn't all that bad.. I'm getting sick of the rest of the local joints so I'll be visiting again

Cheers
duckdown, what is your favourite place near the west end.

[jandumm]

how much are they and is the place on hwy 7 or on martin grove ?

the Shwarama was 4.99.....it's on Highway 7, just east of Martingrove on the south side....in the same plaza as the Honda dealership.

[turkishdelyte]

Crap, I know where I've heard "Pita Land" before...

If you scroll up about my post about La Zeez, and how they've changed names again and has an orange sign now... almost 100% positive it's a Pita Land

It was horrible when I was there, so lets hope either I have the names confused, or it's a chain that has a better quality than the location I tried

ALL PITA LANDS ARE La Zeez's....all they did was change their names but everything else is the same and the quality has DROPPED ALOT...I can't stand to eat there not only because the size/quality is awful but the preparation of the food/cleanliness is AWFUL!! the stories I have heard about that place shocks me I haven't been poisened earlier....

[duckdown]

duckdown, what is your favourite place near the west end.

I'm sick of most of the places now.

DEFINIELY not Osmow's... Fans of Osmow's make me laugh.. Probably it's the first shawarma they ever had, so its like sentimental for them or something.. Because I certainly don't see the appeal of it, at all... 90% sauce and olives and hot peppers and a bunch of other crap on the sandwich? No thanks.. Oh, and don't forget the 45 minute wait times because they're too stupid to hire more than 2 people at a time. The people that make the sandwiches are also filthy... I saw some gloveless hairy dude picking up scraps that fell out of the sandwiches, shovel it into his mouth, wipe his face on his arm and then go back to makig sandwiches. Disgusting

I think I like Agabi's in Oakville. It's how a shawarma should be: properly spiced chicken, shaved directly from the spit to order, with no toppings except lettuce and garlic sauce (and hot sauce if you like it). Probably best greek salad I've ever had too, their home-made dressing is wicked good. Main complaint is same as Adonis though, way too expensive... You can tell why once you see the restauraunt I guess though... it's very nice and clean

Adonis in oakville was OK too, the female owner of the place is the niece of the owner of Agabi's so they definitiely got the shawarma skills also.. But its too expensive. Even worse than Agabi's for value, if you can believe it.. Smoething like $16 just for the shawarma dinner plate, and the portions were nothing special. Oakville yuppies pay it I guess...

Since we mentioned Osmow's, Pita Nutsy just a few doors down does a much more proper shawarma in my opinion. However since the original owner doesn't work there anymore, its usually teenagers who don't put the same effort into the sandwiches.. A shame because they're the originals for our area

In Brampton the best is probably Shawarma & Grill at Main & Bovaird. This has the actual nicest owner/propriotor of all the places. He will definitely remember your face and name, and goes the extra mile to make sure you're happy

In Mississauga, I like Nick's Famous Pita, and they're the only place that uses exclusively white meat like you'd find in many Lebanese Ottawa/Montreal shawarma places, so major points there. I however HATE their garlic sauce.


Hope this helps!

[duckdown]

ALL PITA LANDS ARE La Zeez's....all they did was change their names but everything else is the same and the quality has DROPPED ALOT...I can't stand to eat there not only because the size/quality is awful but the preparation of the food/cleanliness is AWFUL!! the stories I have heard about that place shocks me I haven't been poisened earlier....

This is what I thought also

Absolutely terrible place, they'll never get my money again

[pajamawala]

I'm sick of most of the places now.

I think I like Agabi's in Oakville. It's how a shawarma should be: properly spiced chicken, shaved directly from the spit to order, with no toppings except lettuce and garlic sauce (and hot sauce if you like it). Probably best greek salad I've ever had too, their home-made dressing is wicked good. Main complaint is same as Adonis though, way too expensive... You can tell why once you see the restauraunt I guess though... it's very nice and clean

Where is Agabi located?

[duckdown]

Where is Agabi located?

Lakeshore & Kerr I believe

[munsifn]

any good spot near Vaughn Mills?

i know inside the mall they have a Villa Medina...anything else nearby (~10min drive at most)...must be halal too

[Rehan]

any good spot near Vaughn Mills?

i know inside the mall they have a Villa Medina...anything else nearby (~10min drive at most)...must be halal too There's a Pita Land location not too far away. The chain has been discussed in this thread...
http://www.zabihah.com/ds.php?id=10177
http://www.pitaland.ca/locations.html

[duckdown]

There's a Pita Land location

do yourself a favor and AVOID them then..

[originalnutta]

new players in town.


Gonna have to try them out this week.

If anyone hits em up before i do, try to get us some prices and a quick review.

http://www.babaz.ca/

[duckdown]

new players in town.


Gonna have to try them out this week.

If anyone hits em up before i do, try to get us some prices and a quick review.

http://www.babaz.ca/

passed by em before, they're around kipling and the queensway near Royal BBQ

they were quickly discussed on CH i think and most people said it was pretty average... i could be mistaken though

[loybond]

any good spot near Vaughn Mills?

i know inside the mall they have a Villa Medina...anything else nearby (~10min drive at most)...must be halal too

That place actually has decent-tasting beef! Don't like the people that work there too much, not very friendly, but yummy beef. The beef at those Scarborough shawarma places kinda sucks (the ones west of Lawrence and Victoria Park), always with tons of gristle, fat and chewy places.

Nick's has improved beef now that its actually on a spit... but is it me, or is the chicken blander than before?

[Rizwan Jalloul]

OMG. Have you guys tried World Shawarma King in the AMC plaza in Mississauga. They have the best Shawarma. It is probably the best shawarma I tasted in the GTA, the Turnips are not uber sour like most shawarma places. The last time I tried Turnips like these was in Lebanon.

[originalnutta]

OMG. Have you guys tried World Shawarma King in the AMC plaza in Mississauga. They have the best Shawarma. It is probably the best shawarma I tasted in the GTA, the Turnips are not uber sour like most shawarma places. The last time I tried Turnips like these was in Lebanon.

Zomg!!

how can i pass up this opportunity.

[kimbot]

OMG. Have you guys tried World Shawarma King in the AMC plaza in Mississauga. They have the best Shawarma. It is probably the best shawarma I tasted in the GTA, the Turnips are not uber sour like most shawarma places. The last time I tried Turnips like these was in Lebanon.

lol. nice try.

[Rizwan Jalloul]

Definitely a good try. Also, Osmowz in Streetsville has a great Ceaser Salad. A bit Pricy, but delicious.

[NewBieDoobie]

I cannot stand the people from Villa Medina at Vaughan Mills...The garlic sauce there is good and some of the food...But that's it.

Girlfriend likes the place so she goes but I try to avoid it at all costs.

Has anyone tried La Grill on Keele and Highway 7 I believe? PHENOMENALLY great tasting food!

[nyrz]

Alex's Falafel And Shwarma
4580 Hwy 7 / west of Kennedy
Markham, ON L3R 1M5
Telephone : 905-948-1513

where exactly is this restaurant located?
same plaza as Sushi on 7?
or across the street?

[duckdown]

OMG. Have you guys tried World Shawarma King in the AMC plaza in Mississauga. They have the best Shawarma. It is probably the best shawarma I tasted in the GTA, the Turnips are not uber sour like most shawarma places. The last time I tried Turnips like these was in Lebanon.

that place served me raw chicken before

better off going one street up to derry road for Pita & Grill...which isn't all that great either

[Decosta]

Raw Chicken Eh, that sucks dude. I have been there before and no complaints about the chicken here. Sometimes too saucy but thats because I ask for extra sauce. I don't know about the tunips since I am not a big fan of turnips. It's usually where me and the boys from the office have lunch. Unfotunately they do not (nor have I found any other shawarma place in the gta) put potatoes in their shawarma.

[Alienxx45]

Alex's Falafel And Shwarma
4580 Hwy 7 / west of Kennedy
Markham, ON L3R 1M5
Telephone : 905-948-1513

where exactly is this restaurant located?
same plaza as Sushi on 7?
or across the street?

google maps of L3R 1M5 shows...its in the Petro gas station... :confused:

[duckdown]

Raw Chicken Eh, that sucks dude. I have been there before and no complaints about the chicken here. Sometimes too saucy but thats because I ask for extra sauce. I don't know about the tunips since I am not a big fan of turnips. It's usually where me and the boys from the office have lunch. Unfotunately they do not (nor have I found any other shawarma place in the gta) put potatoes in their shawarma.

You're from streetsville -- Osmow's puts fries in your shawarma at no added cost... so does Messini on the Danforth

cheers

[oogachaka]

tried nora's shawarma on spadina/queen the other day, the chicken shawarma sandwich rocks!

[munsifn]

i was on the bus today, going west on steeles, and saw two restaurants in the same plaza

Sadaba and Mivgash (?)

This plaza was on steeles, between Yonge and Bathurst

Anyone try any of these restaurants? Anyone know if they are halal?

[chestnut]

google maps of L3R 1M5 shows...its in the Petro gas station... :confused:


Next to the driver's license place, same plaza as sushi on 7.

I had it once, was not very impressed. However, it will the best you will find in the area without driving to scarborough.

[originalnutta]

I have been going to Fresco's recently.

It's a Gordon Ramsay nightmare, because of the menu.

Run by Koreans, who make shawarma, chicken curry and italian food. Only in Toronto.....and NYC. :lol:


But the chicken shawarma is pretty good. $5 and a good amount of chicken. They also have a cabbage mix as one of the ingredients. Their tahini sauce, might have more than just sesame in it, but it's pretty tasty. not sure how healthy it is though.

Im pretty sure their hot sauce is Srirachi. lol. Which is like Far East meets Middle East.

The shawarmas aren't packed too tight so they get kinda messy, but after all the toppings, you can't complain. Oh and they also offer a whole wheat pita which i prefer.

A very different type of shawarma, but also very delicious and cheap.

Fresco's is at the corner of Dixie/Matheson. Behind the Stage West hotel in the same strip of all the satellite repair shops.

[duckdown]

I have been going to Fresco's recently.

It's a Gordon Ramsay nightmare, because of the menu.

Run by Koreans, who make shawarma, chicken curry and italian food. Only in Toronto.....and NYC. :lol:


But the chicken shawarma is pretty good. $5 and a good amount of chicken. They also have a cabbage mix as one of the ingredients. Their tahini sauce, might have more than just sesame in it, but it's pretty tasty. not sure how healthy it is though.

Im pretty sure their hot sauce is Srirachi. lol. Which is like Far East meets Middle East.

The shawarmas aren't packed too tight so they get kinda messy, but after all the toppings, you can't complain. Oh and they also offer a whole wheat pita which i prefer.

A very different type of shawarma, but also very delicious and cheap.

Fresco's is at the corner of Dixie/Matheson. Behind the Stage West hotel in the same strip of all the satellite repair shops.


ah yeah, i shop at that strip all the time, it's changed names many times... used to be shawarma royal

its decent. it wasn't korean-owned before it was fresco though, it was arabic people... i'll have to try it again

[NewBieDoobie]

i was on the bus today, going west on steeles, and saw two restaurants in the same plaza

Sadaba and Mivgash (?)

This plaza was on steeles, between Yonge and Bathurst

Anyone try any of these restaurants? Anyone know if they are halal?

I think you mean Sababa, not Sadaba...It's a pretty good place, there is a restaurant and a store as well where you can order Shawarmas and other sandwiches...

[sonia082]

My friends and I are still on the lookout for the best shawarma place in Mississauga. I think we have tried mostly all of the them but I'm sure we've missed some. In conclusion of this thread, what do you guys think is the best in terms of taste, authenticity, quantity in Mississauga?

To name some, we've been to:

Pita & Grill
Nick's Famous Pita's
Osmow's
Pita Nutsy
Aladdins
Lezzet Shawarma Falafel House
Villa Madina

Can we please have this on the first page with their address or phone number?

somehow someone needs to summarize all the places to eat in this thread and make some sort of bar graph based on repsonses showing the good and bad places.


I totally agree with you... Last night when I was in need to look for one, there was no way I could go through 20 pages to find a location in Mississauga.

[princeofegypt]

I love to eat out, never eat at home because always on the road, i have tried many shawarma places and the one brand i find popping up every where is Villa Madina.

These guys look the most professional from all the joints I have tried from the style, food, and the staff.

The salads and the food is great, and the staff seem like they actually have food experience and shawarma experience they know what they are talking about.

I got to know them from a basketball tournment they sponsered and the Muslim day at Canada wonderland

Check it out

villamadina.ca

[duckdown]

I love to eat out, never eat at home because always on the road, i have tried many shawarma places and the one brand i find popping up every where is Villa Madina.

These guys look the most professional from all the joints I have tried from the style, food, and the staff.

The salads and the food is great, and the staff seem like they actually have food experience and shawarma experience they know what they are talking about.

I got to know them from a basketball tournment they sponsered and the Muslim day at Canada wonderland

Check it out

villamadina.ca

nice first post.. isn't this the place in square 1?

it's okay... chicken isnt bad but they don't give you much when you order the platter.. and the hummos was awful from what i remember.. the sliced potatoes aren't bad though.. not the best place, but definitely not the worst

[Jay Hova]

Villa Madina is really expensive too.

[munsifn]

ive seen villa medina in many malls...vaughan mills, SQ1, STC...

their food is tasty, but yes, the portions are small for what you pay. then again, all their spots are located in malls, so they usually have higher prices than the small shops around town.

[duckdown]

yea, portions at villa medina sucks

[originalnutta]

Can we please have this on the first page with their address or phone number?




I totally agree with you... Last night when I was in need to look for one, there was no way I could go through 20 pages to find a location in Mississauga.

the first post was about a location in sauga.

when i have some time, i'll update the first post.

[jandumm]

nice first post.. isn't this the place in square 1?

it's okay... chicken isnt bad but they don't give you much when you order the platter.. and the hummos was awful from what i remember.. the sliced potatoes aren't bad though.. not the best place, but definitely not the worst

IVilla Medina is a 5/10 for me - simply due to inconsistency - I frequent the Derry/Financial Drive location as I live quite close to there.......I also find it expensive for the portion size.

Some days, it can be pretty tasty - i like their garlic sauce....and the garlicky potatoes are awesome. Other days, it can be ehn - burned potatoes and i HATE HATE how the shwarama sandwiches aren't warm enough - other places, they warm up the chicken on the stove before putting it in the sandwich - at this particular location, they slice of the chicken from the spit and put it into the sandwich and then put the sandwich in the panini maker but it's still not as hot as it should be.

I do find the taste kinda "mall-i-fied"..sorta like "Thai Express"...as in the flavouring isn't strong enough as they're trying not to offend anybody's tastebuds so you get a watered down flavouring.

The Square one location is pretty good for the food court - but if I was going to look for "real" shwarama, I'd go somewhere else.

[duckdown]

IVilla Medina is a 5/10 for me - simply due to inconsistency - I frequent the Derry/Financial Drive location as I live quite close to there.......

I live somewhat near here too (Steeles & Mavis) -- I didn't know there was one at Derry & Financial though... Isn't Derry & Financial where Shopsy's and Booster Juice and Drake & Firkin is? Theres no shawarma shop there as far as I know?

Thanks.. Would be good to have some more variety nearby, even if it's not always the greatest

[Rehan]

I live somewhat near here too (Steeles & Mavis) -- I didn't know there was one at Derry & Financial though... Isn't Derry & Financial where Shopsy's and Booster Juice and Drake & Firkin is? Theres no shawarma shop there as far as I know?

Thanks.. Would be good to have some more variety nearby, even if it's not always the greatest It opened around November 2008, in one of the newer buildings in that set of plazas. I've been there once, and the food was kind of mediocre because it had been sitting around for a while. I'm assuming it's better if you go during a busy period like lunch.

[duckdown]

It opened around November 2008, in one of the newer buildings in that set of plazas. I've been there once, and the food was kind of mediocre because it had been sitting around for a while. I'm assuming it's better if you go during a busy period like lunch.


interesting.. guess i haven't been by there in a while

thanks rehan

[custy]

If you are ever near the York University campus, you can always check out Falafel Hut Village inside York Lanes. Parking is not free btw.

[Tha_Doggg]

Anyone ever been to Shawarma Please in Burlington? They seem to have a menu on this website: http://www.goldbook.ca/goldbook/burlington/Restaurants/shawarmaplease.html

[Gold Digga]

Today I went to Shawarma Max on Yonge, North of Sheppard. Im relatively new to shawarmas, but i thought the chicken shawarma tasted good...only compliant was that the meat was pretty dry.

Any reviews for Bon-A-Pita? Its on Steeles, just east of Keele.

[munsifn]

Today I went to Shawarma Max on Yonge, North of Sheppard. Im relatively new to shawarmas, but i thought the chicken shawarma tasted good...only compliant was that the meat was pretty dry.

Any reviews for Bon-A-Pita? Its on Steeles, just east of Keele.

It's decent, but not the best.

Chicken shawarma is good, very tasty. The beef not so much.

Price is reasonable

[princeofegypt]

Ya but you have to rember these guys are in malls not in small street locations, and i think they do things moe proffesional that the small dirty places on the street, look at the menu pictures and the uniforms for examples

[NiteHawk]

I tried the shawarma sandwich at Nick's famous Pita over the weekend (Tomken road location).

What duckdown said was spot on.

All white meat straight off the spit. Good portion size with plenty of fresh toppings. The garlic sauce was really strong (I wouldnt put in on next time). You also have a choice between white or whole wheat pita.

Overall, it felt like a very healthy shawarma, not being drenched in sauce.
Although I enjoy a spicy shawarma, it was a nice change from Osmow's

[Jay Hova]

Any recommendations for Mississauga. We live in the 9th Line/Brittania area, the one on 10th Line is close, but is it halal?

By the way, has anyone ever tried making their own shawarma?

I've got the sauces down pat, tahini is just lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic..3 if you want it a bit more garlick-y. So mince the garlic, add lemon juice, add tahini, mix it until you notice the mixture to clump up - that's good, as lemon and tahini react to do this. Add as much water till you reach your desired consistency. You can use either a blender/food processor or do it by hand. S&P to taste.

In terms of meat, it's up to you. Basic marinade is yogurt, lemon juice, s&p vinegar, 2-3 cardamom pods, teaspoon or of all-spice. couple garlic cloves. What I do is "cook" this on the stove, for maybe 10-15 minutes just so the meat is fully cooked, and then top it off on the griddle. It isn't bad by any means...I use dark meat, chicken thighs.

Definitely need to fine-tune it, but it is passable...if you ask my family :D

[duckdown]

The garlic sauce was really strong (I wouldnt put in on next time)

yes, exactly! its way too garlicky...almost to the point of being bitter

i haven't had osmow's in quite some time.... its always such a zoo there

cheers

[duckdown]

the one on 10th Line is close, but is it halal?
I don't remember seeing a 100% halal sign there actually

By the way, has anyone ever tried making their own shawarma?



i'd love to do this, but where do you get the vertical broiler

[Jay Hova]

I don't remember seeing a 100% halal sign there actually



i'd love to do this, but where do you get the vertical broiler

Yeah, I compromise it. What about a rotisserie, my BBQ has an attachment for it. I don't see why it wouldn't work...

[ChampUz]

Any recommendations for Mississauga. We live in the 9th Line/Brittania area, the one on 10th Line is close, but is it halal?

By the way, has anyone ever tried making their own shawarma?

I've got the sauces down pat, tahini is just lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic..3 if you want it a bit more garlick-y. So mince the garlic, add lemon juice, add tahini, mix it until you notice the mixture to clump up - that's good, as lemon and tahini react to do this. Add as much water till you reach your desired consistency. You can use either a blender/food processor or do it by hand. S&P to taste.

In terms of meat, it's up to you. Basic marinade is yogurt, lemon juice, s&p vinegar, 2-3 cardamom pods, teaspoon or of all-spice. couple garlic cloves. What I do is "cook" this on the stove, for maybe 10-15 minutes just so the meat is fully cooked, and then top it off on the griddle. It isn't bad by any means...I use dark meat, chicken thighs.

Definitely need to fine-tune it, but it is passable...if you ask my family :D

Are you talking about Nick's Shawrma
I think it's halal
the one on brtianny glen..

[duckdown]

What about a rotisserie, my BBQ has an attachment for it. I don't see why it wouldn't work...

the meat would probably be flopping all over the place and wouldn't stay together... thats my guess, since its not stacked vertically

[gr8dlr]

Yeah, I compromise it. What about a rotisserie, my BBQ has an attachment for it. I don't see why it wouldn't work...

That could work if you're a bit inventive....there are usually four "tines" on the rotisserie holder. If you extend those tines using steel skewers it could stabilize the mass of meat. Only problem is how do you carve the meat and let it continue to rotisserie it. I like bits on carmelly deep brown almost crispy bits in my shawarma mixed in with soft meat.

Alternatively, you could skewer pieces of mean and just grill it. Then cut off pieces and continue grilling it. Repeat it over and over until there's nothing left.

[NiteHawk]

I've always wondered...what do all the shawarma joints do with all the meat on the vertical broiler at the end of the day? Remove it and toss it in the fridge to reuse the next day?

[NiteHawk]

I tried Chef's Door (Winston Churchill/Bromsgrove) this weekend.

That was one good chicken shawarma.

Looked to be a mix of white/dark meat straight off the spit; it was very tender and marinated well. You could get either white or whole wheat pita. The sauces were excellent (garlic paste, garlic sauce, tahini, hot sauce). Definitely better than Osmow's, which is sloppy in comparison (too much dark meat that's regrilled with all the toppings). I also thought it was better than Nick's, which now I think was a little bland.

For those that are curious www.chefsdoor.ca

[wiggy]

I've always wondered...what do all the shawarma joints do with all the meat on the vertical broiler at the end of the day? Remove it and toss it in the fridge to reuse the next day?

There's a couple ways of dealing with it. The stuff that's cooked and ready to go it cut away and put in a container in the fridge the next day. That rotisserie unit comes out of the cooker unit and can be wrapped up and hit the fridge too. Standard food handling rules apply.

[wiggy]

Tried the new Pita land on Hurontario north of Bovaird in Brampton.
Super friendly staff, but just an average sandwich. Too North Americanized and has lost a lot what makes it interesting. Its lost its ethnicity! Edible but uninspired.

[duckdown]

Tried the new Pita land on Hurontario north of Bovaird in Brampton.
Super friendly staff, but just an average sandwich. Too North Americanized and has lost a lot what makes it interesting. Its lost its ethnicity! Edible but uninspired.

took one for the team eh... i was in there one day with someone else and i didn't even buy the sandwich, it looked bland and crusty on the spit... i figured thats probably how it'd be

i will stick to falafel garden or shawarma & grill for brampton

[wiggy]

took one for the team eh... i was in there one day with someone else and i didn't even buy the sandwich, it looked bland and crusty on the spit... i figured thats probably how it'd be

i will stick to falafel garden or shawarma & grill for brampton

Yeah, had to sate my curiosity. Also did Shawarma & Grill, but will stick with Falafel Garden, I think.

As an aside, did Royal Kebab in Guelph this week. Average at best, poor selection of toppings.

[aser]

Ok, so I'm not the only one that remembers King Shawarma on Queen & Spadina. It was quite the dungy place in its heyday, but they had definitely my favourite in the city. It was done pita style, not rolled up in a wrap like most in the city. I remember going there w/ the father and son each taking turns working different days.

Does anyone know if they've resurfaced anywhere else under a different name?

I had Sarah's tonight, it was decent and they renovated. It still looks like crap in there post-reno, the bathrooms are consistently "out of order" also. They also never turn on the back row of lights in the shop. Am I the only one that notices these things? It's still miles better than Ghazale, which is just gross.

[duckdown]

Yeah, had to sate my curiosity. Also did Shawarma & Grill, but will stick with Falafel Garden, I think.

As an aside, did Royal Kebab in Guelph this week. Average at best, poor selection of toppings.

Shawarma and Grill is good for me, but it's alot of dark meat... I've never tried their falafels. Falafel Garden is definitely excellent every time I go there... It's my go-to spot in Brampton... the guy is friendly as hell too

the pita land shawarma looked downright unappealing to me when i saw it, a big slab of fat on top of the shawarma spit and a bland looking yellow color for the chicken

Never heard of Royal Kebab.

I just came back from Montreal and was blown away by the high quality shawarma's there. "Boustan" absolutely KILLS any shawarma I've ever tried before, so does "Amir" which is a chain! I couldn't believe it. Most surprising thing about Montreal shawarmas is the meat -- it's all BREAST meat, not the cheap cuts like chicken thighs. I wish a "white meat shawarma" wasn't such an impossibility here in the GTA, I don't understand why places can't mimic this... Only places to get a white-meat shawarma is Nick's in Missisauga, or Falafel World at Jane & Bloor.. I've struck out everywhere else


the hunt continues! let me know next time you try a place

cheers

[duckdown]

I had Sarah's tonight, it was decent and they renovated. It still looks like crap in there post-reno, the bathrooms are consistently "out of order" also. They also never turn on the back row of lights in the shop. Am I the only one that notices these things? It's still miles better than Ghazale, which is just gross.

I haven't had a good experience at Sarah's on my last few visits... Chicken is always sitting in a tray, pre-sliced and cold... I think they even nuke it to warm it up. Falafels were cooked hours ago and just sitting in a bowl now... I mean how hard is it to cook them to order for gods sakes, its just deep frying

At least King Falafel at Bathurst & Eglinton (i think) still cooks them to order, and in a pot. Morroccan style...

[munsifn]

Shawarma and Grill is good for me, but it's alot of dark meat... I've never tried their falafels. Falafel Garden is definitely excellent every time I go there... It's my go-to spot in Brampton... the guy is friendly as hell too

the pita land shawarma looked downright unappealing to me when i saw it, a big slab of fat on top of the shawarma spit and a bland looking yellow color for the chicken

Never heard of Royal Kebab.

I just came back from Montreal and was blown away by the high quality shawarma's there. "Boustan" absolutely KILLS any shawarma I've ever tried before, so does "Amir" which is a chain! I couldn't believe it. Most surprising thing about Montreal shawarmas is the meat -- it's all BREAST meat, not the cheap cuts like chicken thighs. I wish a "white meat shawarma" wasn't such an impossibility here in the GTA, I don't understand why places can't mimic this... Only places to get a white-meat shawarma is Nick's in Missisauga, or Falafel World at Jane & Bloor.. I've struck out everywhere else


the hunt continues! let me know next time you try a place

cheers

Montreal has a ton of great shawarma places, Amirs is alirght, my fave would have to be Basha, another chain in MTL...never been disappointed eating there

[duckdown]

Montreal has a ton of great shawarma places, Amirs is alirght, my fave would have to be Basha, another chain in MTL...never been disappointed eating there

yeah there was a Basha near the Hotel I was staying at... but I was hooked on Boustan

[ggs]

IBRAHIM'S vs SHWARMA EMPIRE

PRICE:
IBR: $6.99/2
SE: $5.99/2

SIZE:
IBR larger than SE

TASTE:
SE tastier, really packs a nice punch in a smaller schwarm, IBR a lot saltier. IBR comes grilled in the panini press SE comes without being grilled but still quite nice.

[munsifn]

IBRAHIM'S vs SHWARMA EMPIRE

PRICE:
IBR: $6.99/2
SE: $5.99/2

SIZE:
IBR larger than SE

TASTE:
SE tastier, really packs a nice punch in a smaller schwarm, IBR a lot saltier. IBR comes grilled in the panini press SE comes without being grilled but still quite nice.

Both places are nice, but SE takes it...their sauce is really tasty; they use curry powder in it.

Nasibs is also really good, 2 HUGE shawarmas for 6.99. Very friendly staff too

[NiteHawk]

Before I create a new thread, I was wondering if anyone knows of good bakeries where I can get fresh baklava, close to the Mississauga area. Based on a search, I see Paramount Fine Foods as an option. Any others?

[Mimi888]

I couple weeks back I had tried the Mc Falafel place which just opened up in Etobicoke, not that far from Mississauga. On the corner of Burhamthorpe and Dundas, and yes Burhamthorpe and Dundas do Intersect. It is part of the Hasty Market.

In all my years in Canada as my dad would say, this is the first time I have enjoyed a Shawarma Sandwich, I had intorduced it to my family and friends and they can't seem to stop going!!!
The price is reasonable the taste is great, especially the garlic sauce and the tahini! Wow! Also if you are a Falafel lover, you will be going back more than once, lets just say my dad has been there 6 times in the last two weeks. He loves the Falafel sandwich! And boy do they stuff the chicken shawarma sandwich as well.

Go Check it out, you won't be disappointed!!

[duckdown]

Before I create a new thread, I was wondering if anyone knows of good bakeries where I can get fresh baklava, close to the Mississauga area. Based on a search, I see Paramount Fine Foods as an option. Any others?

Paramount is AWESOME for Baklava. Best ones I've ever had... always freshly baked. Every variety too... cashew, pistachio, peanut... etc

[NiteHawk]

I went to Paramount this Friday. I was blown away by the selection of sweets available and the size of the place. However, they didn't have walnut baklava which I was particularly looking for (mostly pistachio, cashew or mixed)

Regardless, I bought over a kilo of baklava for a dinner party Saturday evening. They are not overly sweet like many others I've had. It was well liked by the guests. There wasn't much left over by the end of the night and I finished off the rest lol.

Has anyone tried their menu items lately? It's rather extensive but based on past posts it seems like it wasn't anything special?

[originalnutta]

I went to Paramount this Friday. I was blown away by the selection of sweets available and the size of the place. However, they didn't have walnut baklava which I was particularly looking for (mostly pistachio, cashew or mixed)

Regardless, I bought over a kilo of baklava for a dinner party Saturday evening. They are not overly sweet like many others I've had. It was well liked by the guests. There wasn't much left over by the end of the night and I finished off the rest lol.

Has anyone tried their menu items lately? It's rather extensive but based on past posts it seems like it wasn't anything special?

The shawarma isn't that great.

Get the Arayees instead, or the Maneesh from the bakery side. Its the flatbread with ground beef on top.

Or try the zataar with cheese.

I also get a side of hummus or moutabul.

[nathan4b]

Theres an awsome shawarma place just near young/bloor closer to church street, forgot the name of the place but it was 4.99 for beef/chicken wraps.

Best shawarma ever!

[kingfencer]

i like by the indian bazar on gerrard, any place there that sells good schwarma?

[wiggy]

Ok, so I'm not the only one that remembers King Shawarma on Queen & Spadina. It was quite the dungy place in its heyday, but they had definitely my favourite in the city. It was done pita style, not rolled up in a wrap like most in the city. I remember going there w/ the father and son each taking turns working different days.

Does anyone know if they've resurfaced anywhere else under a different name?

That place was amazing. Broke my heart when it disappeared. Incredibly scrungy to look at, but great food. <sigh>

[tivo_box]

Paramount Foods' (1290 Crestlawn Dr., Mississauga) shawarma and other grilled meat dishes are not bad, but what gets me is that they refuse to serve water. They force you to buy expensive bottled water if you want water. This really gets on my nerves because bottled water is ridiculously expensive and bad for the environment.

Can they do that? Aren't there rules against refusing to serve tap water with ice?

[kookoo]

ADoes anyone know where to get good kunafa mid-town or downtown?

[originalnutta]

ADoes anyone know where to get good kunafa mid-town or downtown?

not sure, i only know that its fresh at Paramount.

[kikiliki]

Osmow's Meditteranean Food in Streetsville @ the corner of Thomas & Queen St. Cheap! Reg. size $4 Large $7.

[Jay Hova]

i like by the indian bazar on gerrard, any place there that sells good schwarma?
Gerard Indian Bazaar is predominantly Indian/Pakistani/South-Asian, so, highly unlike you'll find Middle Eastern food there, I mean you may find something in the vicinity, but not a location in particular.
Osmow's Meditteranean Food in Streetsville @ the corner of Thomas & Queen St. Cheap! Reg. size $4 Large $7.

You sure? I think it $4.39+tax working out to $5...which is not a good deal..considering there was this place downtown who sold two for $6. They closed down, but may have another location open now.

[shipill]

I tried FARHAD shawarma last week , OMG worst shawarma I have ever had in my life !!!

[Stryker]

I couple weeks back I had tried the Mc Falafel place which just opened up in Etobicoke, not that far from Mississauga. On the corner of Burhamthorpe and Dundas, and yes Burhamthorpe and Dundas do Intersect. It is part of the Hasty Market.

In all my years in Canada as my dad would say, this is the first time I have enjoyed a Shawarma Sandwich, I had intorduced it to my family and friends and they can't seem to stop going!!!
The price is reasonable the taste is great, especially the garlic sauce and the tahini! Wow! Also if you are a Falafel lover, you will be going back more than once, lets just say my dad has been there 6 times in the last two weeks. He loves the Falafel sandwich! And boy do they stuff the chicken shawarma sandwich as well.

Go Check it out, you won't be disappointed!!

Agree with the above regarding McFalafel. There's only two seats there, so unless it's quiet, only good for takeout. My wife and I ordered the falafel's recently, and found the ingredients to be very fresh, and the falafel wasn't loaded with salt, which we've found at many other places. Great service from the gentleman behind the counter as well. We'll definitely return again sometime.

[DealGiver]

so where is the best shawarma deal in price wise in mississauga? nick's is expwensive at $7 for one.

[Tuffter]

OMG. Have you guys tried World Shawarma King in the AMC plaza in Mississauga. They have the best Shawarma. It is probably the best shawarma I tasted in the GTA, the Turnips are not uber sour like most shawarma places. The last time I tried Turnips like these was in Lebanon.

Are you kidding me? Just went there for lunch today. It wasnt a bad wrap sandwich, but it was not a shawarma. Sweet pickles? Iceberg lettuce? Ingredients were fresh, but the meat didnt have that shawarma flavor.

[duckdown]

Did you guys see the McFalafel article in todays Toronto Star?

[duckdown]

Are you kidding me? Just went there for lunch today. It wasnt a bad wrap sandwich, but it was not a shawarma. Sweet pickles? Iceberg lettuce? Ingredients were fresh, but the meat didnt have that shawarma flavor.


haha, they served my buddies office employees some very very undercooked chicken before.. he worked at some office building right near there and they all got take-out orders for lunch and they shaved the chicken down till it wass raw

[wikkid_bigshot]

They just opened a place at McNicoll and Midland beside the new GoForTea.

I went on Wednesday and they didnt even have Shawarma setup yet, so I got a beef kebab with Naan. They gave me 2 kebab with the onion/cucumber/lettuce, a delicious Naan and sauce. It's one of the special menu item for 4.99. Which I think is a great deal.

I also ordered a mango lassie, its a little thinner than what I expected but delicious.

It seemed to me that they were quiet, and to be honest I wont had noticed them if I wasn't stopped for traffic at the time. The food is tasty but I might had gotten special treatment since I think they aren't exactly overflowing with customers at the moment. Definitely recommended.

Oh and you *should* be able to use GoForTea's wifi at that store, I was able to. Password is Go4Tea as always.

[slowtyper]

Just moved into Yonge and Sheppard area, recommend me the best Shwarma places please! My condo is right across from a small place called Goh (I think) which sounded korean to me but has some arabic food. Haven't had a chance to try out any in the area.

[CrimsonGuardian]

Goto Samer's (sp?) Donair in Burlington.. Its pretty good.

Villa Medina in Square One in Mississauga is also good. There's a lot of good places in downtown T.O. (Right near Ryerson U) that is also good (forget the name)..

[duckdown]

Villa Medina in Square One in Mississauga is also good.

negative, must respectfully disagree. Part of a crappy chain and the one in MEADOWVALE is especially bad!

cheers

[gr8dlr]

Just moved into Yonge and Sheppard area, recommend me the best Shwarma places please! My condo is right across from a small place called Goh (I think) which sounded korean to me but has some arabic food. Haven't had a chance to try out any in the area.

I heard some good things about Shawarma Max...haven't been there myself though.

http://www.yelp.ca/biz/shawarma-max-north-york

http://myamazingfoodblog.blogspot.com/search/label/shawarma

[zonetbh]

My favorite place to get "Shawarma" of any kind is the Cedar Grill in Newmarket, but you have to go a bit north for it. It isn't fast food, but it is really inexpensive for what you get and is honestly one of my favorite places to eat, period.

I would recommend it to anyone that wants Shawarma wraps or meals, or any other kind of Lebanese food. http://www.cedargrill.ca/

[pancakeg]

Re: Pita Land

I moved to Toronto 5 years ago from Ottawa, and I was surprised that the shawarmas were definitely not as good as Ottawa. I lived in Ottawa for 6 years, and never realised how spoiled I was, shawarma-wise!

2 differences I notice between TO and Ottawa shawarmas:
- every place in Ottawa has pickled turnip (my fav topping), here it's hit and miss
- most places in Ottawa briefly put your pita on a grill after assembly, again hit and miss in Toronto

I live near the Pita Land at Gerrard and Jarvis downtown, and love it. The prices has gone up 0.25 every year since I moved here, but usually the chicken sandwich and plate have a good amount of meat, is juicy, and has good flavor. I know some people here don't like Pita Land, but I've tried others, and it seems that quality and quantity varies at each location. I stick to the Gerrard/Jarvis one, and have concluded it's the closest to my beloved Ottawa shawarmas.

Doner Kebab at Yonge and Gerrard is also excellent. No pickled turnips, but the owners make the sauces from scratch, the older guy and his wife are usually there working during the day. The hot sauce is awesome, and I don't even like hot sauce that much.

Worst I've had is Ghazale's at College and Grace. I heard so many people talk about it, but they had the chicken already cut up and cold near the toppings. They put it in a plastic bowl and heated it up then made the sandwich... yuck! Maybe other locations are better but this turned me off from all Ghazale's.

I tried many other places, but have to compare it to Ottawa everytime.

Just my $0.02 :lol:

[jandumm]

Re: Pita Land

2 differences I notice between TO and Ottawa shawarmas:
- every place in Ottawa has pickled turnip (my fav topping), here it's hit and miss
- most places in Ottawa briefly put your pita on a grill after assembly, again hit and miss in Toronto

I live near the Pita Land at Gerrard and Jarvis downtown, and love it.




I know Pita Land doesn't get a whole lotta love in this thread due to inconsistency at different locations, but i LOVE the location at Weston/Steeles. I've been going there for the last 4 years at least once a week. They have the pickled turnips and also put it on the grill after assembly. :) :)

They stuff it with toppings and prices have remained pretty steady for the last few years. It's $7.20 for a sandwich and a pop.

I'm such a regular they assemble my shwarma with the toppings without me having to say a word. haha.

[jandumm]

negative, must respectfully disagree. Part of a crappy chain and the one in MEADOWVALE is especially bad!

cheers

really? are you talking about the FInancial Drive location? I find it's very hit and miss, but if I go at a busy time, it's not that bad. Not as good as other establishments, but its decent. I like their taboule and garlic sauce. :)

I've learned the hard way not to go near closing time or at non busy times -> things just don't taste as fresh.

[_RFDealt_]

Did anyone in here mention Ghazale on Bathurst (near Lee's Palace)?

[originalnutta]

Did anyone in here mention Ghazale on Bathurst (near Lee's Palace)?

yeah some ppl did

[originalnutta]

this

[duckdown]

this

that

[CrimsonGuardian]

negative, must respectfully disagree. Part of a crappy chain and the one in MEADOWVALE is especially bad!

cheers

Care to explain? I find this one to be one of my favourites, even to the Shawarma restaurants throughout downtown Toronto which are also really good.

Maybe this differs from franchise to franchise but the one in the Square One foodcourt is definitely good!

[duckdown]

Care to explain? I find this one to be one of my favourites, even to the Shawarma restaurants throughout downtown Toronto which are also really good.

Maybe this differs from franchise to franchise but the one in the Square One foodcourt is definitely good!

it just looks & tastes like fast food shawarma to me... nothing has any flavor... boring hummos, boring garlic sauce, boring chicken.. nothing has any flavor

out of the square one foodcourt i'd probably pick that too, but that isn't really saying much!

actually i'd pick Charley's Steakery instead

the location in meadowvale often has cold chicken or cold food thats been sitting under heat lamps all day, soggy salads, wilted romaine lettuce, and it's not really a very good bargain.. i think theres better around

also the meadowvale one is like half-thai food half-villa medina all in the same kitchen & sharing the same cash register so maybe its hit and miss here more than others

[Keitho]

Jerusalem Restaruant at the Nymark plaza on Leslie north of shepard. Very good chicken shawarma sandwich for about $8. Very large portion you'll be full with just 1.

[chin]

I'm sick of most of the places now.

DEFINIELY not Osmow's... Fans of Osmow's make me laugh.. Probably it's the first shawarma they ever had, so its like sentimental for them or something.. Because I certainly don't see the appeal of it, at all... 90% sauce and olives and hot peppers and a bunch of other crap on the sandwich? No thanks.. Oh, and don't forget the 45 minute wait times because they're too stupid to hire more than 2 people at a time. The people that make the sandwiches are also filthy... I saw some gloveless hairy dude picking up scraps that fell out of the sandwiches, shovel it into his mouth, wipe his face on his arm and then go back to makig sandwiches. Disgusting

respectively disagree. the reason i like osmow's is because i find it different from all the other swarma (lebenese) joints - which is not to say their bad, just that osmow's is different (he's form egypt) i find the sauce and meat to be quiet tasty.

but i do agree with the wait time and the employees don't look like they're that into it... 'happy chefs make better food' mark mcewan

[chin]

there's a place called Aladdin (Hurontario/Dundas) that serves shawarma...wayyyyyyyyyyyy too salty tho from what i remembered:cry:

that place is effing filthy. the last time i went there was two years ago and i was REALLY grossed out by the cushions/tables. if they don't clean that, how bad can it be in the kitchen? and i'm not that picky. i used to cook for a few years so i know what goes down... i dont even want to think about what they do there...

although i did enjoy, and miss their fruit drinks

[duckdown]

good news, falafel garden in brampton is open again after a 6 or 8 week vacation... it's my go-to spot near my house, even if it is a little hole in the wall

[duckdown]

respectively disagree. the reason i like osmow's is because i find it different from all the other swarma (lebenese) joints - which is not to say their bad, just that osmow's is different (he's form egypt) i find the sauce and meat to be quiet tasty.

but i do agree with the wait time and the employees don't look like they're that into it... 'happy chefs make better food' mark mcewan

hey to each their own, i know osmow's has a lot of fans, but if you're looking for an egypt-style shawarama done way better than osmow's, check out one of my favorite places (and often undiscussed on here), agabi's on lakeshore

http://agabi.ca/agabi4.jpg

it's unlike other shawarma places, its actually shaved from the spit, and finished in a saucepan under a salamander... its like the most flavorful shawarma around for sure, the saucepan-finish is something i don't see anywhere else... and it's all french-style preperation with sous chef's and mise en place in view and all that.. really cool place. also has my favorite greek salad, and the BEST grilled calimari as well... fanciest shawarma place i've ever seen by far

[Jay Hova]

that place is effing filthy. the last time i went there was two years ago and i was REALLY grossed out by the cushions/tables. if they don't clean that, how bad can it be in the kitchen? and i'm not that picky. i used to cook for a few years so i know what goes down... i dont even want to think about what they do there...

although i did enjoy, and miss their fruit drinks

Alladin's is the last place I'd go to for a falaffel or shawarma lol, it's a sheesha lounge first and foremost. I'd even stay away from the juices, I find them to taste like ashtrays as the smoking lounge is only 5-10 feet away from the juice bar.

respectively disagree. the reason i like osmow's is because i find it different from all the other swarma (lebenese) joints - which is not to say their bad, just that osmow's is different (he's form egypt) i find the sauce and meat to be quiet tasty.

but i do agree with the wait time and the employees don't look like they're that into it... 'happy chefs make better food' mark mcewan

I don't think he even uses a rotisserie or whatever to cook the meat, if they do it's for 10-15 minutes max. They shave off the meat, and griddle it for like 10 minutes...too actually cook it.

Sauce is way too prominent, it overpowers everything.
His spiciness level is miles above mine, and I'm South-Asian to boot.
I feel like I'm eating a sub...olives and hot-peppers in a shawarma?

Not a fan, yeah I'll eat it - but I'm not a fan.

[MtX]

Best shawarma place @ Yonge/King?

[Stryker]

Agree with the above regarding McFalafel. There's only two seats there, so unless it's quiet, only good for takeout. My wife and I ordered the falafel's recently, and found the ingredients to be very fresh, and the falafel wasn't loaded with salt, which we've found at many other places. Great service from the gentleman behind the counter as well. We'll definitely return again sometime.

Passed McFalafel today and they have changed their name on the sign to M.Falafel. I guess they were forced to change their name by you know who, or else.....:twisted:

[originalnutta]

Found a great new place.

Might be common to some people in vaughn and r.hill.



Pita Golden Pocket

http://www.snapvaughaneast.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id[]=68228

huge shawarma, lots of toppings, friendly service.

I'll go out of my way again to get this sandwich.

[jandumm]

Just heard of a turkish place that has Shawarma close to where I work called Sofra Istanbul....pretty much @ Steeles & 400 (in the Quiznos). I haven't tried it out yet but it looks interesting......anyone try it yet?

1 Chowhound review http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/647443

[smolek]

Taste of Lebanon on yonge just south of carlton is my new fav. joint

two shawarmas for 7.99

[suckcess]

New place that just opened on Oct 24, '09 at the plaza at 545 Steeles Avenue West (Steeles Avenue and McLaughlin Road, (905) 454-9000. We had their chicken shawarma and falafel. The place was spotless, the food was amazing and the staff were very friendly and courteous. The shawarmas were huge with great big pieces of chicken, they weren't too salty and the toppings were fresh. The falafel was equally as good- not too greasy or salty and quite filling. Their prices are very cheap too and we highly recommend this place.

[duckdown]

New place that just opened on Oct 24, '09 at the plaza at 545 Steeles Avenue West (Steeles Avenue and McLaughlin Road, (905) 454-9000. We had their chicken shawarma and falafel. The place was spotless, the food was amazing and the staff were very friendly and courteous. The shawarmas were huge with great big pieces of chicken, they weren't too salty and the toppings were fresh. The falafel was equally as good- not too greasy or salty and quite filling. Their prices are very cheap too and we highly recommend this place.


the place isn't even open yet, and speaking of which, what the hell is taking them so long to open? why are they so slow? that is right beside my house, and they've been "coming soon" for like 3 months now.. i pass by it every single day.. slowest opening i've ever seen

[duckdown]

also you said great big pieces of chicken, i like my chicken thinly sliced for shawarma instead... and white meat, please. then it will be a quality shawarma!

[sabesh]

Tried a new restaurant the other day:

Jasmine Restaurant & Juice Bar
2271 Dundas W, Streetsville, ON L5K 2L8
(905) 607-4447

Ordered Baba Ganouj, chicken shawarma & beef shish kebob combos, couple of fruit juices and baklava. All were excellent! Oddly enough, they make crepes & waffles too. They've also got Hookah.

[kingfencer]

difference between pita and shawrma?

[sabesh]

difference between pita and shawrma?

Pita is a type of bread (used mostly for wrapping or dipping).

Shawarma is a type of cooked meat (usually chicken or beef in the GTA).

[Jay Hova]

Pita is a type of bread (used mostly for wrapping or dipping).

Shawarma is a type of cooked meat (usually chicken or beef in the GTA).

Yeah, but everyone says shawarma in reference to a shawarma sandwich/pita lol. Likewise with falafel, falafel is the chick-pea patties...falafel pita is the thing most people think of when they hear falafel.

[duckdown]

ive heard people ask for "chicken falafel" more than a few times

[originalnutta]

ive heard people ask for "chicken falafel" more than a few times

picard.jpg

In the Middle East we call the bread "kaboos". It's not until i came hear that i picked up the term "Pita".

[bonterra]

That used to be an Aida's Falafel?

Or am i thinking of another place? Hmm. We used to get drunk at the Green Room and then go get shawarmas at Aida's afterwards.

Aida's!! I miss Aida's.

Good food, good value.

[Gold Digga]

Just heard of a turkish place that has Shawarma close to where I work called Sofra Istanbul....pretty much @ Steeles & 400 (in the Quiznos). I haven't tried it out yet but it looks interesting......anyone try it yet?

1 Chowhound review http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/647443

Hey, I live near this place, i've only had the chicken shawarma in a pita, but it's really good. They have fresh toppings, good sauces, i believe the meat is seasoned differently as it more red than other places. The price is $6.50 including tax, the most expensive shawarma i've ever seen, but its pretty big, and a 5 min walk for me.

[CHINAdeals]

is there an overall concensus? there's a place in quebec city (probably one of the only places) on grande alles that sells em' too.

[James_TheVirus]

I checked out Habeebe's just across from Harbourfront Center (near York/Queens Quay). The food was nothing exceptional, they skimped on all of the toppings, and the prices were high. I can't remember exactly how much the pita was, but the platter was $11+tax. I think the Pita was $7-8 IIRC. I doubt it will be there long...

[suckcess]

the place isn't even open yet, and speaking of which, what the hell is taking them so long to open? why are they so slow? that is right beside my house, and they've been "coming soon" for like 3 months now.. i pass by it every single day.. slowest opening i've ever seen

They did open that day and are still open I've patronized them twice, go there yourself and see :rolleyes:

[duckdown]

They did open that day and are still open I've patronized them twice, go there yourself and see :rolleyes:

I'll go today

[BlazinTrini]

They did open that day and are still open I've patronized them twice, go there yourself and see :rolleyes:

I tried them this evening. Wasn't too bad.
It was where Daddy's Jerk(I think that was the name of the place) was.

The person running the place is from Iraq as she was telling some people who were there having food

[smolek]

I've become a big fan of Taste of Lebanon on yonge by carlton.

2 shawarmas for 7.49 or falafel and shawarma for 6.49

really fulfilling, very tasty

probably some of the best food around ryerson

[apcfan]

I tried them this evening. Wasn't too bad.
It was where Daddy's Jerk(I think that was the name of the place) was.

The person running the place is from Iraq as she was telling some people who were there having food

I tried this place the other day and i thought it was terrible... It was completely flavourless, the meat and the sauces were really bad.... The garlic sauce they use looked like minced garlic mixed with water (more water then garlic).... easily the worst chicken shwarma ive ever had...

[BlazinTrini]

I tried this place the other day and i thought it was terrible... It was completely flavourless, the meat and the sauces were really bad.... The garlic sauce they use looked like minced garlic mixed with water (more water then garlic).... easily the worst chicken shwarma ive ever had...

I probably won't go back though. When I went it wasn't horrible just ok.

[apcfan]

New place open at derry and mclaughan in the food basics plaza called Delicious Shwarma... Their having a $3.99 chicken or beef shwarma promo, so i checked them out... Aside from the meat being a little dry it was a pretty good shwarma.... they dont skimp out on meat and sauces, and they do something different with their tabouleh that i really like... Not sure how long the 3.99 promo is going on for but worth checking out if your in the area....

[cluless]

My top favourite is Shawarma Empire at 1807 Lawrence Ave East. Love their shawarmas and falafels!! It's a small shop located in a plaza strip.

[duckdown]

New place open at derry and mclaughan in the food basics plaza called Delicious Shwarma... Their having a $3.99 chicken or beef shwarma promo, so i checked them out... Aside from the meat being a little dry it was a pretty good shwarma.... they dont skimp out on meat and sauces, and they do something different with their tabouleh that i really like... Not sure how long the 3.99 promo is going on for but worth checking out if your in the area....


Hey thanks for the heads up, I don't live too far from here and pass that intersection alot.. I know where you're talking about

[jandumm]

New place open at derry and mclaughan in the food basics plaza called Delicious Shwarma... Their having a $3.99 chicken or beef shwarma promo, so i checked them out... Aside from the meat being a little dry it was a pretty good shwarma.... they dont skimp out on meat and sauces, and they do something different with their tabouleh that i really like... Not sure how long the 3.99 promo is going on for but worth checking out if your in the area....

also wanted to say thanks...maybe i'll check it out this weekend....been driving by and curious -> places with the words "delicious" in the name always worry me....like who are they to decide if it's delicious or not? :cheesygri

[duckdown]

LOL I hear ya, jandumm

"Delicious Shawarma" doesn't really instill that much confidence, sounds cheap and gimmicky

[Rehan]

Not sure how long the 3.99 promo is going on for but worth checking out if your in the area.... The sign out at the curb says Nov 16-30.

And for those that may care, there's a Maple Lodge halal certificate posted on the restaurant's front window.

[duckdown]

The sign out at the curb says Nov 16-30.

And for those that may care, there's a Maple Lodge halal certificate posted on the restaurant's front window.

Did you try it?
Any good?

[Rehan]

Did you try it?
Any good? No, I haven't tried it.

[duckdown]

Oh, OK

And I still haven't tried the one 2 seconds from my house at Steeles & McLaughlin.. one person in here says its good and one says its bad.. anyone else tried it? "Shawarma House" ?

cheers

[deadprez]

Isn't shawarmas lebanese food?

The origions of the shawarma are Turkish.
With that said it is widely eaten in the followng arabic countries:

Palestine
Kuwait
Iraq
Kingdom of Sudia Arabia
Bahrain (Manama)
Qatar (Doha)
United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi)
Oman (Mascut)
Yemen (Sana'a)
Jordan (Amman)
Lebanon (Beirut)
Syria (Damascus)
Egypt (Cairo)
Sudan (Khartum)
Djuboti (Djuboti)
Libya (Tripoli)
Tunisia (Tunis)
Algeria (Alger)
Morocco (Rabat)
Muritaniya (Nowakshot)
Comoros (Moroni)

[BlazinTrini]

Oh, OK

And I still haven't tried the one 2 seconds from my house at Steeles & McLaughlin.. one person in here says its good and one says its bad.. anyone else tried it? "Shawarma House" ?

cheers

I thought it was ok. Nothing great. If I feel like a Shawarma I won't go out of my way there for one

[blarg]

Shawarma Max (north york)
Joes Hamburgers (richmond hill)
Yummis (downtown)

[dumbass]

My top favourite is Shawarma Empire at 1807 Lawrence Ave East. Love their shawarmas and falafels!! It's a small shop located in a plaza strip.

My favourite as well.

[wiggy]

I thought it was ok. Nothing great. If I feel like a Shawarma I won't go out of my way there for one

+1.

A slightly below average beef shawarma had there. Fair price, lots of daily specials, lots of toppings (+75¢ for tabouli), friendly folks. Meat was not fresh cut off the grill, but came pre-cut from storage (which can be okay), but it was crazy salty which was a turnoff. I want to taste the rest of the sandwich, not be overwhelmed by a salt lick.

If they dealt with the excessive salt, they might have a decent sandwich. As it is, I wouldn't do it again. However, enough other positives that I will go back and try the falafel and chicken to see how they stack up.

[duckdown]

cool, thanks blazintrini and wiggy... although i am interested in chicken only... i guess there is 0 chance that it's made with white meat

[kingfencer]

i wish someone would make a list instead... so many places listed.

[wiggy]

cool, thanks blazintrini and wiggy... although i am interested in chicken only... i guess there is 0 chance that it's made with white meat

No, from what I saw it looked like it might well be white meat. And for the price (you can get two shawarmas for 6.99 I think) its probably worth a try. Like I said, if it weren't for the salt, the beef woulda got a passing grade. I'm gonna go try a different sandwich before I pass my final judgement.

They're making an honest effort. I'd imagine they do a pretty good business being right across from the college there.

[wiggy]

After seeing a restaurant review in the Star and hearing about it here and other places, I finally go down to that little strip of Arabia on Lawrence (either side of Warden). Awesome. A zillion little sandwich shops and bigger restaurants. I drive by on the 401 regualrly, so this is just a short detour. I'll be able to mine this little strip for years.

First stop was Lotus Catering based on a T.O. Star article:

http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/restaurants/article/727174--egyptian-cuisine-is-a-rarity-on-local-scene

Grabbed some koshari as descibed in the article and some falafels. The koshari was a bit of a let down - kinda bland and maybe not so deserving of the fame ascribed to it in the article. The falafels had a great look and texture, but were way too salty. The hummous that came with them, though, was awesome. Very nicely done and effectively rescued the falafels by cutting the salt.

Friendly folks, interesting menu, great prices. I would go again to see if the salty falafels were just a slip up and to try some of the other stuff showing on the menu.

Note that the place is hard to see from the road. Its tucked in behind another building and is right next door to the car wash with the giant sign that you can see from the road. North side of Lawrence on the northeast corner of Lawrence and Tower Dr., just west of Warden Av.

Next trip through was a stop to Ali Babas which is in the building out front that obstructs Lotus from view. Got a couple of beef shawarmas for 5 bucks which is a great deal. Not a huge sandwich, but still a good sized meal and easy to manage as you're driving down the road.

Beef cut right from the grill. Fresh, fresh, fresh with all the lovely nuance you get when its cooked that way - some slightly crunchy grilled bits, some flavourful fatty bits. Good quality meat, tender (which is a good thing in a beef shawarma) without being stringy at all (which is a bad thing in a beef shawarma). Good selection of toppings (including pickled turnips which I love) but no hummous (!) which to me is a must on a shawarma.

Overall, quite a tasty and well made sandwich. Needs hummous though. Small place that was busy with what were obviously some regulars. Again, friendly service with the guy preparing the sandwich speedy and obviously well-practised.

I'll go back at some point to try a falafel sandwich (but maybe not right away given how many places there are to try out there). Worth a visit.

[BlazinTrini]

No, from what I saw it looked like it might well be white meat. And for the price (you can get two shawarmas for 6.99 I think) its probably worth a try. Like I said, if it weren't for the salt, the beef woulda got a passing grade. I'm gonna go try a different sandwich before I pass my final judgement.

They're making an honest effort. I'd imagine they do a pretty good business being right across from the college there.

If I'm in the area I might give the chicken a try otherwise not going to go out of my way to get it

[jerrysiz]

After seeing a restaurant review in the Star and hearing about it here and other places, I finally go down to that little strip of Arabia on Lawrence (either side of Warden). Awesome. A zillion little sandwich shops and bigger restaurants. I drive by on the 401 regualrly, so this is just a short detour. I'll be able to mine this little strip for years.

Next time try Nasib (on the south side of Lawrence just east of Pharmacy), it's my favourite in that area. Chicken or beef (or mixed) shawarma 2 for 6.99. Great quality and price, and they also sell homemade pita chips that are incredibly addictive (a good sized bag for about 1.75 IIRC, and they usually have samples out as well). Mmmmm...hungry now, will have to stop by there for a fix soon.

[jandumm]

New place open at derry and mclaughan in the food basics plaza called Delicious Shwarma... Their having a $3.99 chicken or beef shwarma promo, so i checked them out... Aside from the meat being a little dry it was a pretty good shwarma.... they dont skimp out on meat and sauces, and they do something different with their tabouleh that i really like... Not sure how long the 3.99 promo is going on for but worth checking out if your in the area....

Gave it a try Friday afternoon...the lineup was crazy!...

Assessment: the sandwich was a bit small for my liking, but pretty good taste. I don't think it's all white meat (sorry duckdown) but there was enough white meat in the mix. The garlic sauce and tahini was tasty. I was very disappointed they had run out of tabouleh (i was looking way forward to it). The ingredients appeared to be fresh. They do the post sandwich "panini toast" which added a nice crispiness to the sandwich. I do feel that I didn't get enough toppings, but it might be because they were SO busy.

I will return to "Delicious Shawarma" <- it's a nice addition to the neighbourhood. It's not my favourite but it's definitely decent.

Side note: They don't have the roasted potatoes unfortunately. That's the one thing I really like at Villa Medina, because the shawarma's a bit average.

p.s. did anyone else notice that "Wild Wings" is coming to the same plaza?

[apcfan]

Gave it a try Friday afternoon...the lineup was crazy!...

Assessment: the sandwich was a bit small for my liking, but pretty good taste. I don't think it's all white meat (sorry duckdown) but there was enough white meat in the mix. The garlic sauce and tahini was tasty. I was very disappointed they had run out of tabouleh (i was looking way forward to it). The ingredients appeared to be fresh. They do the post sandwich "panini toast" which added a nice crispiness to the sandwich. I do feel that I didn't get enough toppings, but it might be because they were SO busy.

I will return to "Delicious Shawarma" <- it's a nice addition to the neighbourhood. It's not my favourite but it's definitely decent.

Side note: They don't have the roasted potatoes unfortunately. That's the one thing I really like at Villa Medina, because the shawarma's a bit average.

p.s. did anyone else notice that "Wild Wings" is coming to the same plaza?

That sucks about running out of tabouleh, its quite good there... The falafal is also on promo priced at 2.99 and its pretty good as well... I may have lucked out because they ran out of pre-fried falafals so they fried up some fresh ones for me right before my eye.... I digged it i'd defiantely order it again

I saw the sign for wild wings that should be good... Theres not many places that serve beer on tap in the area, the closest being the Hoops on Derry and Hurontario... Drought beer and chicken wings, sign me up!

[Deadmau555]

I forgot the name of it but literally outside of Jane subway station on Bloor is the best Arabic food.. I could eat there everyday.

[wiggy]

Next time try Nasib (on the south side of Lawrence just east of Pharmacy)

Thx for the tip. Will look for it next time out.

[duckdown]

I forgot the name of it but literally outside of Jane subway station on Bloor is the best Arabic food.. I could eat there everyday.

Falafel World? Love that place. One of the super rare spots that uses all white meat chicken shawarma as well.. a true Lebanese style shawarma