Hello again Readers. You know something? We really are spoiled for choice with regards to great restaurants in this area. What are we — ten reviews in now, and I’ve yet to have a bad meal. That’s remarkable. The best part is that I have so many places left to go!

This veritable smorgasbord of choice hasn’t always been available to me. As I’ve mentioned, we moved here from the GTA, but a small outlying town. Nice enough place, but there was really only one decent restaurant, and that was only so intermittently.

You could say then, that I have been thoroughly impressed by the food and drink available in this area.

One thing I’ve noticed as I go out and about in search of sustenance is that many local places offer shawarma on their menus. Places you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see it. Is shawarma somewhat of a local delicacy then? I found this curious and in need of further investigation.

Jolene’s chicken shawarma

Now I wouldn’t consider myself a shawarma aficionado per se, but you can trust me when I tell you I know my way around one. In fact, chicken shawarma is something I’ve eaten almost weekly for the past ten years or more. The same one.

You can also take my word for it, when I say I tried many different shawarmas before landing on “the one.” Good ol’ chicken shawarma wrap with pickles, turnip, extra garlic sauce, and a splash of hot sauce.

As predictable as an old friend. You made a good day at work better and a bad day at work … also better. Moving here I had to leave you behind, but know this: I am resolved to find your equal.  I have tried a few but so far, no standouts.

I’ve decided to bolster my courage and try again.

Steve’s roasted potatoes with garlic sauce 

I wanted to try a place I haven’t been but I’m pretty sure Steve has, as he occasionally comes home smelling suspiciously of garlic. Also, he’s encouraging me to try it out, which suggests he’s gone on ahead and tried it himself. Yes, dear readers it’s true, I rarely venture out without bringing him home a treat, but let’s not dwell on that.

Ahem …

So I’ve decided to give Shawarma Corner in Leamington a try, based on Steve’s recommendation, and also on the ample parking out front, which dovetails nicely with my laziness.

As expected, I ordered my beloved chicken shawarma wrap and got one for Steve too (I really am that nice) in a combo with some roasted potatoes.

The first thing I noticed about this particular shawarma was the level of toastiness, which was perfect, warm and crispy. I cannot overstate how important toastiness is. I know every one of you has ordered a “toasted” bagel before, and gotten a tepid, barely warm offering, that one’s own breath could make hotter. Very disappointing, is it not?

Shawarma Corner’s toasted shawarma

Anyway back to my shawarma.

Creamy garlic sauce chunks of tender chicken, tangy pickles and turnip, and that tiny nip of hot sauce, just to let you know you’re alive. A nicely balanced distribution of toppings in a warm portable sandwich. As far as self -contained meals go you can’t really do much better. Steve’s potatoes were also good and topped with more garlic sauce.

Overall, a very good shawarma and  my current front runner. I can’t say for sure that it is “the one” but I can tell you it’s the one to beat. Thank you Shawarma Corner in Leamington for restoring my faith in a food I’ve loved a long time.

If you’re on your own shawarma quest, I’d suggest you try Shawarma Corner in Leamington for a start.

Address:
323 Erie St South
Leamington, ON N8H 3C8

Phone:
(519) 398-8852

Website:
Shawarma Corner

Facebook:
Shawarma Corner

All photos by Jolene Carley