You’re walking along Yonge Street, near Sankofa Square, when the most delicious, charcoal smell grazes your nose hairs and tickles your taste buds.
A light beams on you, forcing you to raise your hands to cover your eyes. Through your fingers, you see the heavenly-lit shawarma on a spit. You feel the garlic sauce burning your throat. You can’t help but get out your wallet to buy a viral, crispy wrap.
From pickled turnips to controversial fries in your shawarma, no one can deny how yummy the Arab food item is. The world has gone absolutely insane for the wrap — making iterations that involve crispy bread or a deep-fried cheeto crust (yuck).
On the other hand, you have people that argue which country has the best shawarma — I say it’s Syria, Lebanon or Iraq.
Every time I walk along Yonge from Shuter Street and toward Gerrard Street East, I spot countless shawarma spots that are seconds from each other. And then I wonder, who has the best shawarma in Toronto.
So I’ve ranked all the shawarma spots on Yonge Street that are within a three-minute walk from Sankofa Square.
And before you say anything, my credentials lie in the fact that I’m Arab.
#1 Alforat Iraqi Street Food
You can find this yummy spot at 271 Yonge St. Yes, I’m Iraqi. But before you say anything, the proof is in the pudding. It’s always packed, it’s gone viral so many times and they dip the actual bread in a sauce then, grill it to make it extra flavourful and crispy.
Give their falafel and kabob a try because they’re quite good. Everyone I’ve brought to this restaurant has loved it but keep in mind, the location in Mississauga is better.
#2 Shawarma Royale
This spot can be found at 366 Yonge St. and it’ll get the job done. You might get mad at me for putting it above Alpha’s, but I do like it more than the others on the list. Plus, it’s always doing a “buy one, get one” free coupon on UberEats and pick-up, the deal is a little too cheap to be as decent as it is.
Do not try their cheeto-crusted shawarma. I did. It’s nasty.
#3 Alpha’s Shawarma
This location can be found at 245 Yonge St. Many people would compare its quality to Alforat, but not me — and that’s because I feel like its wraps are a bit too oily. I also don’t like fries in my shawarma. Sue me. I don’t need more carbs in there, plus: the fries are never fully cooked. However, Alpha’s beef shawarma is good.
#4 Osmow’s Shawarma
This location can be found at 372 Yonge St. Don’t shoot the messenger, but aside from weird looking chicken, I would rather eat here than eat at the last place on this list. Their sauces are pretty good and if you drench the meat with it, it’s not that bad.
#5 Shelby’s Legendary Shawarma
This spot can be found at 357 Yonge St. and is the absolute worst shawarma on this list. It’s not that it tastes that bad, but it’s unreasonably priced and not worth it at all. It’s also so incredibly inauthentic that I rather eat at Osmow’s. The only thing legendary about this place is how bad it is.
Next time you’re on your lunch break near Sankofa Square and you’re craving a shawarma, refer back to this list so you don’t have a mental breakdown about spending your money on a crappy place.
Want to fight me on this list? Do it, I dare you. Reach out at aia@thegreenline.to.
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