restaurant reviews - part 33 - Shawarma edition
It seems I've been going on a bit of a shawarma binge lately. One place I have yet to try but will add when I get a chance: Baraka Pita Bakery.
For those unfamiliar, a shawarma is essentially the Middle Eastern rendition of a pita. Usually sliced meats of some sort (Halal) or falafels, toss in some veggies, wrap it, done. It differs mainly in the spices and veggies used. It may also come on a plate instead of a pita, served with hummus and tabbouleh (a type of salad).
Shawarma Khan - 225 McDermot - http://www.shawarmakhan.com/
The restaurants at this corner have rotated quite a bit over the years. So far Shawarma Khan seems to be quite popular whenever I've passed by. The layout is a bit awkward, requiring to walk all the way through the restaurant and past the till to start your order. Minor gripe. Ordering is a fast-food process (I've been told this is the "traditional" Israeli method): pick your particular meal, pick your veggies Subway-style as it moves along the assembly line, a choice of a sauce or two, wrap-er-up and go to your table. Now I'm not all that familiar with traditional Middle Eastern spices, but somehow the meat flavouring here felt very "Americanized". Not complaining per se, just an observation. The veggies though do feel more traditional, the standout of which is the pickled turnip. According to the website, they source their meats locally which is a nice touch, though it does reflect in the prices which are a buck or two higher than the other places. The portion sizes are generous though (especially for the "large" servings), so it balances out. Overall verdict is good.
Shawarma Time - 616 Ellice - http://www.shawarmatime.ca/
This is one of the original shawarma places in town, along with Baraka. I was here years ago actually, but wasn't too impressed with the food. This time wasn't much better. The first time I thought it was just ok, with an "authentic" flavouring (starts off a bit bitter if you're not used to it, but it sweetens after a minute), but overall just kinda meh. The second time I was drowned in salt and a mediocre hot sauce that was more sour than spicy. The place is a bit dingy, prices are cheap with good portion sizes, but food quality seems below par.
Sultan's Shawarma - 540 Ellice - http://www.sshawarma.com/
So you step in and the first thing you notice is the door that doesn't close properly. Not much decor to speak of, it's a little diner style place though a bit cozier and cleaner than Shawarma Time. The owner/chef is very friendly and happy to explain everything on the menu, and if he notices you're new will even explain the dishes when he brings them to your table. He seems earnest and insists that everything is fresh and made in-house. As for the food, this one would be my favourite in this particular review segment. There's a strong earthiness in the flavour, with that bitterness I alluded to earlier. I was actually thrown off at first, but as I continued on the flavour really grew on me and everything blended together. Along with the rice and hummus and tabbouleh, they all felt like part of the meal rather than add-ons. I don't even like tabbouleh but I enjoyed this one. Now I'm not saying this was a four-star meal, but it was certainly a cut above average. Presentation was very good as well, arranged well with oils and paprika drizzled in patterns over the dish. Were this a fancier place, they could probably charge $16-18 a plate and do well. As it was, I paid $11 for my meal served on an orange cafeteria tray and styrofoam plate. I know shawarma are the fast food of the middle east, but this place could probably class it up. So far, Sultan's is my favourite of the bunch.
Sultan's - U of M cafeteria in University Centre (aka Campo)
For a cafeteria style wrap, not bad. There's only two choices: falafel or chicken. I suppose if you have halal requirements this might be one of your few choices on campus for meat. It wasn't anything spectacular, but heck it's a quick pita for $7 and tasted ok. No complaints.
added: Nov 23rd
Best Pizza and Donair - 1469 Pembina Hwy - http://www.bestpizzadonair.com/
A tiny little place on Pembina, a couple blocks south of McGillivray. It's more of a take-out place as there's only two little tables and a counter, so not much for a dine-in atmosphere. Service is quite friendly though; it's not everyday that the guy taking your orders calls you sir. Anyhow, prices are roughly par with everyone else, but the portion sizes are slightly on the bigger side. In terms of flavour, I actually really liked it. I could taste the flavours of the meat quite well, though not quite as intricate as Sultan's Shawarma. Not salty like Time, but maybe a bit too drippy with the sauces.
If I had to rank them so far...
1. Sultan's Shawarma
2. Best Pizza & Donair
3. Shawarma Khan
4. Sultan's
5. Shawarma Time
For those unfamiliar, a shawarma is essentially the Middle Eastern rendition of a pita. Usually sliced meats of some sort (Halal) or falafels, toss in some veggies, wrap it, done. It differs mainly in the spices and veggies used. It may also come on a plate instead of a pita, served with hummus and tabbouleh (a type of salad).
Shawarma Khan - 225 McDermot - http://www.shawarmakhan.com/
The restaurants at this corner have rotated quite a bit over the years. So far Shawarma Khan seems to be quite popular whenever I've passed by. The layout is a bit awkward, requiring to walk all the way through the restaurant and past the till to start your order. Minor gripe. Ordering is a fast-food process (I've been told this is the "traditional" Israeli method): pick your particular meal, pick your veggies Subway-style as it moves along the assembly line, a choice of a sauce or two, wrap-er-up and go to your table. Now I'm not all that familiar with traditional Middle Eastern spices, but somehow the meat flavouring here felt very "Americanized". Not complaining per se, just an observation. The veggies though do feel more traditional, the standout of which is the pickled turnip. According to the website, they source their meats locally which is a nice touch, though it does reflect in the prices which are a buck or two higher than the other places. The portion sizes are generous though (especially for the "large" servings), so it balances out. Overall verdict is good.
Shawarma Time - 616 Ellice - http://www.shawarmatime.ca/
This is one of the original shawarma places in town, along with Baraka. I was here years ago actually, but wasn't too impressed with the food. This time wasn't much better. The first time I thought it was just ok, with an "authentic" flavouring (starts off a bit bitter if you're not used to it, but it sweetens after a minute), but overall just kinda meh. The second time I was drowned in salt and a mediocre hot sauce that was more sour than spicy. The place is a bit dingy, prices are cheap with good portion sizes, but food quality seems below par.
Sultan's Shawarma - 540 Ellice - http://www.sshawarma.com/
So you step in and the first thing you notice is the door that doesn't close properly. Not much decor to speak of, it's a little diner style place though a bit cozier and cleaner than Shawarma Time. The owner/chef is very friendly and happy to explain everything on the menu, and if he notices you're new will even explain the dishes when he brings them to your table. He seems earnest and insists that everything is fresh and made in-house. As for the food, this one would be my favourite in this particular review segment. There's a strong earthiness in the flavour, with that bitterness I alluded to earlier. I was actually thrown off at first, but as I continued on the flavour really grew on me and everything blended together. Along with the rice and hummus and tabbouleh, they all felt like part of the meal rather than add-ons. I don't even like tabbouleh but I enjoyed this one. Now I'm not saying this was a four-star meal, but it was certainly a cut above average. Presentation was very good as well, arranged well with oils and paprika drizzled in patterns over the dish. Were this a fancier place, they could probably charge $16-18 a plate and do well. As it was, I paid $11 for my meal served on an orange cafeteria tray and styrofoam plate. I know shawarma are the fast food of the middle east, but this place could probably class it up. So far, Sultan's is my favourite of the bunch.
Sultan's - U of M cafeteria in University Centre (aka Campo)
For a cafeteria style wrap, not bad. There's only two choices: falafel or chicken. I suppose if you have halal requirements this might be one of your few choices on campus for meat. It wasn't anything spectacular, but heck it's a quick pita for $7 and tasted ok. No complaints.
added: Nov 23rd
Best Pizza and Donair - 1469 Pembina Hwy - http://www.bestpizzadonair.com/
A tiny little place on Pembina, a couple blocks south of McGillivray. It's more of a take-out place as there's only two little tables and a counter, so not much for a dine-in atmosphere. Service is quite friendly though; it's not everyday that the guy taking your orders calls you sir. Anyhow, prices are roughly par with everyone else, but the portion sizes are slightly on the bigger side. In terms of flavour, I actually really liked it. I could taste the flavours of the meat quite well, though not quite as intricate as Sultan's Shawarma. Not salty like Time, but maybe a bit too drippy with the sauces.
If I had to rank them so far...
1. Sultan's Shawarma
2. Best Pizza & Donair
3. Shawarma Khan
4. Sultan's
5. Shawarma Time