Leelas Shawarma — Restaurant in St. Catharines

Okay, maybe it's my own fault for ordering poutine from a shawarma place but this wasn't great. The fact that it took 20 minutes to get our order (and the fact that several people behind us were served before because they had to cook the fries) was a little frustrating, particularly as the two people serving were either deeply engaged in conversation with these other customers or on their phones... this place was not busy. But the food itself was disappointing. The beef in the mixed shawarma was too peppery and the chicken in the chicken shawarma was not flavourful, just bland. I'd probably be annoyed if there was not enough gravy but too much gravy was also a problem. Everything ended up a soggy, sloppy, soupy mess. We were eating in, they knew that, but we still got a polystyrene container which was barely able to contain the liquidy mess. Should have been given a spoon not a plastic knife and fork... or maybe even a straw. Maybe if the portion size had have been bigger the ratio of gravy compared to the main event wouldn't have been as noticeable. Pricing was steep at $16 for chicken and $18 for mixed (chicken and beef). We both love shawarma and so have tried many places but this is the first one I've felt really needed an in depth review. The last thing I'll mention is the hot sauce. I don't know where it came from or what it was but if it didn't come from a Frank's Red Hot Buffalo sauce bottle I would shocked enough to eat another shawarma poutine. For the love of your god, do better with the hot sauce, make your own, even bad home made sauce would be infinitely better than what we had. I wanted to like this place,...

I value my time. So I don't often leave reviews unless I feel very strongly in either direction. I'll give you the tldr version first.

What I ordered?: Chicken Shawarma Entree. How much I paid?: 21.33 all in. How was the food?: Meh. I've had worse and I've certainly had better. Will I go back?: Nope! Why?: IMO, its obnoxiously expensive for what it is. Have I got a better recommendation? Yes. Sultan's at Meritt St. Better food, better portions, significantly better pricing. Overall a much better experience, IMO.

Now the long version. There were a few minor problems with my meal, none of which I am accounting for my review. I ordered extra spicy with garlic on the side, not on rice. I got garlic on the rice. I found the hot sauce to be way saltier than "spicy". Due to over saltiness AND that my rice was covered in garlic sauce, I could not finish the meal.

But you know what, none of this is a problem. I've been on the other side of the counter and it happens. You're talking to the customer and you forget the customization, no big deal. I would've happily given them another shot.

My dealbreaker is the price. I get the same(better) thing at Sultan's for 15.XX. What part of this experience deserves an extra $6 is what I fail to understand!

A positive would be my guy behind the counter, Ahmed. We spoke, he was nice. Forgetting the customization is no biggie. I wish him the best for his future plans.

Nothing personal to the business. You do you, but...

I never leave reviews or have any social presence on any media apps but unfortunately I was beyond disappointed with this experience at this restaurant and had to make this statement. My favourite menu item was their regular poutine which I always get but today they changed their portion by reducing the amount by 80%.

They charged me the same price for a portion that consisted of only 23 French fries (Yes sadly I counted) and then had the audacity to tell me it was the same portion as before. Turns out they introduced a small and large portion size poutines which were not on the menu. I don't understand how they can charge the same exact price for a much smaller portion of the product.

I understand that this is their restaurant and they have every right to make changes but, the fact that the employee didn't mention it before I was placing my order and then to lie to me and say that the portions were the same when I questioned the final product being handed to me was really disappointing.

It was also very odd of them to demand a review from me when I first visited the restaurant months ago with my friends... but I guess here is mine.

I wish them the best of luck but I won't be coming back; had to make dinner at home because of how little...