Survey of Downtown Calgary Donairs

[icky2unk]

Got this in my inbox today, do you guys agree?

Couple Investment Bankers from BMO put it together (presentation style gives that away).

http://docdroid.net/sl07

[ExtraSlow]

This is awesome. I'm currently hooked on the chickpea for the chicken salad (pretty much a shawarma on a plate, no pita.
Will try donair soon I'm sure. Service there is always awesome and freindly. Maybe these bankers are douchebags?

[jwslam]

They didn't even include Below Deck...

Someone wanna read through these and compare?
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/156229/best-donairs/
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/49539/best-donairs-in-town/

[icky2unk]

Shem is in my building going to give it a try today!

[Manhattan]

Olly's is terrible. Lost all credibility right there.

[adidas]

Olly is by far the best that I've had in the city, IMHO.

Definitely get the gentleman to make it for you over the lady.

[G-ZUS]

Syrian-style donair :dunno:

[firebane]

Originally posted by jwslam
They didn't even include Below Deck...

Someone wanna read through these and compare?
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/156229/best-donairs/
http://forums.beyond.ca/st/49539/best-donairs-in-town/

I just came to post this. My girlfriend who is from the east coast LOVES the Below Deck donairs.

[jwslam]

Originally posted by firebane
I just came to post this. My girlfriend who is from the east coast LOVES the Below Deck donairs.
Seems consistent with what you said 6 months ago. Hopefully it's the same girl or you're on a one-track-mind that finds the same kinda girls hahahahaha

[firebane]

Originally posted by jwslam

Seems consistent with what you said 6 months ago. Hopefully it's the same girl or you're on a one-track-mind that finds the same kinda girls hahahahaha

Well my track record with east cost girls is pretty high but no its the same girl LOL.

[msommers]

Heard really good things about The Chick Pea as well but unfortunately haven't been yet; 7St 8Ave

[ExtraSlow]

I think this survey was for takeout style, isn't below deck a pub?

[Strider]

Originally posted by icky2unk
Shem is in my building going to give it a try today!

Review? It's the closest one on the list to me.
I've walked by a few times and balked at $10 price for a donair.

[Kritafo]

chick Pea is great but they have changed something about their donairs. still love them though.

[icky2unk]

Originally posted by Strider


Review? It's the closest one on the list to me.
I've walked by a few times and balked at $10 price for a donair.

It was actually pretty good, a little pricey but very tasty.

Depending how picky you are i'd consider just getting an Olly's one for 6.50 lol.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Man, Pita Basket was my jam when I worked down there. So cheap and good.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Regarding this very subjective matter, Falafel King and Pita Basket are my personal favorite. Especially the baklava at FK.

[msommers]

Also if you can venture just outside of downtown, Tazza in Bridgeland is awesome

[firebane]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow
I think this survey was for takeout style, isn't below deck a pub?

Yes it is but they will order to go for you if you want.


Originally posted by Mitsu3000gt
Regarding this very subjective matter, Falafel King and Pita Basket are my personal favorite. Especially the baklava at FK.

90% of the baklava you buy in this city is provided by Byblos bakery in the NW.

[dino_martini]

I like Falafel King as well

[Zero102]

This cracked me up more than it should have!
I'm across the street from Chick Pea and frequent it somewhat regularly. I disagree with his comment that they are lacking in meat. He must have just gotten a bad one or something, mine is never short on meat :D

[G-ZUS]

Watered down, shitty baklava :nut: :love: :drool: :barf:

[suntan]

Pita Queen beats all those lame downtown choices. The garlic sauce will make you cry.

And fuck the grill. PQ puts their pita through a mini-oven.

[msommers]

Originally posted by suntan
Pita Queen beats all those lame downtown choices. The garlic sauce will make you cry.

And fuck the grill. PQ puts their pita through a mini-oven.

We're still talking about donairs, right?

[suntan]

Yup. Through an oven. 360 degree grillage.

[sabad66]

Aren't 'real' donairs supposed to have sweet sauce instead of garlic sauce?

But anyways my vote goes to olly fresco's in bow valley. Best value for your buck

[ImTherious]

My top pick is Deagla on 52nd St SE. It's a new-ish place, but a very friendly guy behind the counter. Wraps could do with a little more acidity in their pickles. They also serve their wraps in a special Iraqi bread (samoon).

Also next to Deagle is Desert Pita where we used to go all the time. Good size and flavours, but I got bored of the food...

Chick Pea downtown has wraps that are quite small for the price, and very garlicky sauce (for those that like that).

[mr2mike]

Originally posted by Kritafo
chick Pea is great but they have changed something about their donairs. still love them though.
Yeah, the price.
Used to be cheaper but still good.
That old lady of a machine isn't making them anymore though. She was worth it just to watch.

[FixedGear]

Originally posted by sabad66
Aren't 'real' donairs supposed to have sweet sauce instead of garlic sauce?

But anyways my vote goes to olly fresco's in bow valley. Best value for your buck

Yea I was going to say that the majority of places people mentioning aren't donairs, they are shwarmas - massive difference.

Also, it's not just the sauce that's different, but also the meat and the whole way the sandwich is prepared. Donairs were a canadianized east coast Greek gyro, and come from a completely different tradition than the leb/Syrian/Iraqi/whatever shwarmas that everyone is mentioning

It's like saying pizza = zatar really

[mr2mike]

Most of beyonders are ignorant white guys.

Shwarma = Donair in a pita.

[icky2unk]

I can't believe it made the news... lmfao

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-eats-big-data-meets-big-donair-1.2970610

[sputnik]

Originally posted by mr2mike
Most of beyonders are ignorant white guys.

Shwarma = Donair in a pita.

LOL WUT?

Donair (originated in the Maritimes)
- Spit Roasted Processed Meat (mix of lamb and beef)
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Sweet Donair Sauce/Jizz
- Lettuce
- Banana Peppers (optional)

Shawarma (middle east or turkish origins and styles vary depending on country of origin)
- Spit Roasted Chicken Breast/Lamb/Beef
- Hummus/Tahini
- Hot Sauce
- Pickled Cabbage/Turnips (usually bright pink)
- Seasoned Onions
- Parsley/Mint
- Lettuce/Tomatoes/Pickles/Peppers (optional)

[msommers]

Originally posted by mr2mike
Most of beyonders are ignorant white guys.

Shwarma = Donair in a pita.

Clearly hasn't been to a Beyond meet :rofl:

[G-ZUS]

Originally posted by FixedGear


Yea I was going to say that the majority of places people mentioning aren't donairs, they are shwarmas - massive difference.

Also, it's not just the sauce that's different, but also the meat and the whole way the sandwich is prepared. Donairs were a canadianized east coast Greek gyro, and come from a completely different tradition than the leb/Syrian/Iraqi/whatever shwarmas that everyone is mentioning

It's like saying pizza = zatar really

Yumm Zatar:love: :drool:

[sabad66]

man this ppt must be really making its rounds through downtown.

just walked past Pita Express (while on my way back from grabbing a mixed shawarma from Olly's :poosie:), and it had a ridiculous lineup that went all the way out to Peppino's. Considering that this place is usually dead, they must be loving this.

[flipstah]

I also grabbed something from Olly's. I got the survey in my inbox a couple of days back and started mapping the places within proximity. :rofl: :drool:

There's no classy way in eating a shawarma.

[G-ZUS]

Originally posted by flipstah
There's no classy way in eating a shawarma.

Well there is, if you get it cut into pieces on a plate @ Pita Basket Or Saaj grill :drool:

http://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/6SOHmwssgIy0FmAjp6puGA/o.jpg

[dino_martini]

Originally posted by flipstah
there's no classy way in eating a shawarma.

You could order a Shwarma platter and eat it with a fork :dunno:

[01RedDX]

.

[msommers]

Originally posted by G-ZUS


Well there is, if you get it cut into pieces on a plate @ Pita Basket Or Saaj grill :drool:

http://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/6SOHmwssgIy0FmAjp6puGA/o.jpg



Originally posted by dino_martini


You could order a Shwarma platter and eat it with a fork :dunno:

Yeah but where's all the juices and sauce at the bottom of the wrapper! That's the best/sloppiest part!

[suntan]

Investment Bankers, no wonder the list is shit.

[ExtraSlow]

Originally posted by 01RedDX
Just had a super donair from the Desert Pita, you downtown guys are missing out. Their shish tawouks and falafels are damn good too.
Wife works near here, that place is outstanding. She always goes for the shwish tawoks.

[TheCheff]

Originally posted by ExtraSlow

Wife works near here, that place is outstanding. She always goes for the shwish tawoks.

This is the best donair shop in Calgary hands down.

[eblend]

Originally posted by 01RedDX
Just had a super donair from the Desert Pita, you downtown guys are missing out. Their shish tawouks and falafels are damn good too.

I agree. I don't wonder into that part of the woods often (don't want to die..) but whenever I am in that area for some reason, I figure if I am going to die, I might as well eat the best in the city :)

When people say Olly's...they mean Olly Fresco? Had a donair there a few times....sucked each time, not sure wtf people are smoking.

[Graham_A_M]

Yeah there is a Desert pita not too far from me off of Glenmore and Barlow where I work, and wow their amazing. Every time I go there it's just :drool: :love: