| rev:text
| - Before I get into my review: my main complaint is the excessive price hikes. What we used to get for $5.99 is now $8.49+. Full dinners were $10.49, now they're $15. It hasn't even been 2 years. Every few months, more and more price increases, so I flat-out stopped going!!
(especially because nearby, between VP and Warden, there are nearly a dozen other shawarma places, most considerably cheaper)
Anyway, on to my review:
I used to go here a few times back when it was "Steak Queen", but Damas is better. Here's the skinny...
ENTREES / SIDES:
It's always very fresh and tasty. Whether you go with the shawarma (available in beef or chicken), the Shooaf (steak shish kebab) or Shish Tawook (chicken shish kebab), you're getting a winner either way.
Those two seasoned shish kebab items are placed uncooked over an open rotisserie, allowing the meat to be cooked evenly without grill marks burning away the seasoning. It comes out perfectly juicy every time.
If you do decide to get the shawarma, it's great. I personally prefer the beef over their chicken, but some say the opposite. If I have one complaint, its that they constantly run out of the beef by dinnertime. They bring out another hunk of chicken when that runs low, but not with the beef (edit 05/2014: and now they charge a premium for beef over chicken, for no reason)
Their falafel is good, but nothing that sets it apart. They also have soujuk (cured lebanese sausage) which is understandably salty, but tasty. The regular kebab is decent (but it's seasoned ground beef... not my fave)
Their burgers are average. I've had them a few times, and I've never been that impressed. Worst of all, they use bland-tasting processed cheese slices. Processed cheese should be outlawed.
My brother doesn't get the wrap combos. Instead, he gets their full dinner plates which are huge. The one he gets is the "shooaf shish tawook with fries and salad". One skewer of steak kebab, one skewer of chicken kebab, garlic and hummus as dips, and a side of fries and salad. While it is very plentiful, the price is steep, especially because it doesn't come with a beverage.
I've also had the "Tahini Salad with Shawarma" several times. It is very tasty. You get a nice portion of beef or chicken, and a large tahini salad. One of the best salads I've had. A ton of flavour. Plus you get a serving of garlic paste and hummus on the side for dipping. It's so good, I had to post a picture of it.
As for their sides? Their fries are great -- some of the best I've had. Their salads are decent (nothing special) and their soup is average at best. Stick with the fries.
Their "combos" come with a wrap + your choice of side + pop or water. You can also order sandwiches alone, and there are combos that include two sandwiches + a side + a drink.
SERVICE / SPEED
It's friendly enough, but not overly welcoming. I suppose they are as polite as can be given that they are trying to hurry customers along, so as to not keep other customers waiting excessively.
They need to "sell their product" better. A woman in front of me asked what Shooaf is. I would have said "they take a cut of steak, chop it into cubes, marinate it, and cook it rotisserie style" ...but what did the employee say? "Shooaf? It's beef chunks." Needless to say, the look on her face showed that she wasn't enticed by "beef chunks" and did not order that.
Everything except the shawarma is prepared only when ordered, so that means you will probably be waiting at least 15 minutes from when you pay until you are handed your plate -- and that is assuming it's not too busy. Just go there when you're not in a rush.
JUICE BAR
I've never tried the 'juice bar', but I've been there enough to see it in action. From what I've seen: its cool that they blend fresh fruit right in front of you, but it takes them a long time. Expect a 6 minute wait for your beverage, more if it's busy.
VALUE
This is where they lose. Consistently over the past 20-25 months, there have been steady price increases. As I said in my opening paragraph, we're talking a 40%+ increase in a short time.
Also, since Feb 2013, they now add a $1 surcharge if you ask for half chicken / half beef in your shawarma. I think that's ridiculous since they still give you the same amount of meat, and requires no additional effort (both meats are already cooked, they simply shave it off which takes 5 seconds)
For what you get, I thought their prices were borderline too-high before. Now? Sorry, no dice! Four stars for taste, knocked down to 3 for crappy value.
You're off my radar now, brother!
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