Basha Donair & Shawarma — Restaurant in Edmonton

What a pleasant surprise! I had zero expectations heading into Basha Donair & Shawarma; I'd never read or heard of it until searching for nearby donairs to satisfy a late night craving, and this spot popped up as the closest. I walked in ten minutes before closing (yeah, I was THAT guy), while they were already closing shop, so I was fully prepared to receive a dry or stale last-of-the-night type of donair. Boy was I surprised.

Basha uses some of the most flavourful donair beef I've ever had the pleasure of eating. The spicings are right up there with the likes of Swiss Donair, and that's no small feat. They sliced it thinly enough to give it that nice mouth-feel of folded meat, but not so thin that it loses its "bite." Once sliced, the meat is grilled to give it that slight crispiness with each bite. It is clear that the beef is the star of the show in Basha's donairs, and I loved it. The sweet sauce on the other hand, is pretty standard and somewhat overpowered by the beef, which in this case, wasn't even a bad thing. Basha also offers a variety of veggie toppings outside of your standard lettuce, tomato, and onion offerings, including pickled radishes (which if you haven't tried in a donair yet, I would highly recommend). Keeping it all together, was a soft and warm pita that if you've ever had a stale/tough pita, was highly appreciated.

The pricing is pretty standard and in-line with the competition. However, given how much meat you receive, Basha certainly gives you better bang-for-your-buck than most establishments (see cross-section picture).

I am delighted to see south side Edmonton's donair offerings represented well by Basha Donair & Shawarma. Of the nine donair spots I've eaten at in this city, only Swiss Donair bests it (by a hair). With that being said, given that Basha is only 5 minutes away versus 35, I would choose...

Below is my earlier review I loved this place until today. I have been ordering here since they opened then today they served me donairs with half the amount of meat as usual. Ber disappointed.

WOW. This is the place I have been looking for. Huge menu with great selections. This place is clean as a whistle and you can tell and see they are using fresh ingredients. Friendly staff that are proud of the food they put out. Then you get your donair it is awesomeness . I have eaten at a lot of Donair shops in my life and can say this is the best AINEC.

By the way I am an Executive Chef and I have high expectations. some times my wife doesn't want to go out because she says I have to high of expectations. I just like to get what I pay for. At this place you get more than what you pay for. I couldn't find one thing wrong with this place.

I will be recommending this place to everyone I know.

If the owner of this place reads this be proud of your restaurant and...

I've been a loyal customer for around 7 years and consistently recommended this place to my friends until today. My order was two Shavermas, one Donair, two burgers, and a side to go.

I noticed the cook using pre-cut meat from the bowl both chicken and beef. Politely, I requested a fresh cut from the grill, explaining that the meat was previously always cut in front of customers. Despite an unhappy expression, he did a fresh cut of the chicken for Shaverma but continued to use pre-cut beef for the Donair. I reiterated my preference for fresh-cut meat for the Donair as well, after my words, he abruptly yelled at me "You need to chill out lady" all in front of other customers and my family.

This disrespectful behaviour was unprecedented in my seven years as a customer. I am upset and disappointed, and as a result, I have decided not to return to Basha Donair and will never recommend this place to anyone making sure everyone knows how rude and unprofessional...