Alforat Iraqi Street Food (North York) — Restaurant in Toronto

I recently visited Al Forat Iraqi Shawarma and was blown away not only by the food but by the incredible hospitality. The staff here go above and beyond to ensure every customer feels welcomed and valued. One of the standout gestures is the complimentary Iraqi tea and lentil soup offered to all guests—it’s the perfect way to start your meal and truly embodies the warm and generous spirit of Iraqi culture. Special thanks to Omar, Waleed, Balleem, Khaled, and Mohamed, who made our visit exceptional with their friendly and attentive service.

Ambiance and Service:

The atmosphere at Al Forat is cozy and inviting, with a genuine sense of community. The kindness and attentiveness of the staff made our dining experience even more memorable. It’s rare to find places where the service is as outstanding as the food, but Al Forat achieves just that. Omar, Waleed, Balleem, Khaled, and Mohamed were always available to answer questions and make recommendations, enhancing our overall dining experience.

Menu Highlights:

The menu is packed with authentic options that showcase the best of Iraqi street food. We sampled a variety of dishes, including: • Samoon Sandwiches: Freshly baked and stuffed with delicious fillings, providing the perfect mix of texture and flavor. • Shawarma and Shawarma Meals: We ordered both a shawarma and a shawarma meal, and both exceeded our expectations with their rich, well-balanced flavors and tender meat.

Taste and Quality:

Every dish we tried was fantastic. The shawarma was packed with flavor, and the Samoon bread added an authentic touch that set it apart from other places. The free lentil soup was light yet full of flavor, complementing the main dishes perfectly. The complimentary Iraqi tea was a delightful addition, leaving us feeling even more appreciated as customers. The food was prepared to perfection, and the portion sizes were generous.

Final Thoughts:

Al Forat Iraqi Shawarma is a hidden gem that brings more than just food to the table—it delivers an experience. The kind and attentive service from Omar, Waleed, Balleem, Khaled, and Mohamed, paired with delicious, authentic dishes, makes it a must-visit for anyone craving Middle Eastern cuisine. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for great food, excellent service, and genuine hospitality. I look forward to returning to try more from their...

Absolutely great experience.

From the delicious smell that hits you in the face as soon as you walk in, to the friendly smiles and kind greeting, you know that you're in for a treat. It's a little tight if you want to eat in, but I kind of liked it like that! There were two families celebrating Eid and the platters that were coming out of the kitchen were absolutely incredible. They were slammed, packaging catering orders and hustling for the eat in group, but still managed to stay calm and warm at my single order. As someone that works in the industry, that is when you really know that they are not only great at what they do, but also love it.

I got the shawarma plate as it was the special of the day. I was going in thinking I'd get the sandwich since I had read great things about their fresh Somun bread so I was very happy that my plate came with a huge piece of bread.

The garlic sauce that came with is... WOW.

The chicken was moist, the rice fluffy, and the salad was fresh and tasty. Pickles, turnips, and the usual suspects.

If I had to criticize one thing, I think a little.more caramelization on the chicken, but it's totally understandable since they had just shaved off over 5kg of chicken! (Looking at the photo though, there was great colour in the chicken!)

Bonus points for proper cutlery/plate for dine-in!

Can't wait to go back to try the rest of the menu. Garlic sauce and Somun bread are a must every...

I have been having Alforat for almost 2 years now but today I faced a very difficult experience when placing an order over the phone. First and foremost, the cashier (Ilham) on the phone is unnecessarily rude. I was being so nice to her but she was giving me an attitude for no reason. She won't tell any prices over the phone; in fact, she will tell you to check their menu online and call back later. When I called to place my order she just could not comprehend what I was asking for. She was telling me that I changed the order thrice when she clearly could not take the order.

Moreover, after 5-6 attempts, the order was placed successfully and I was told the food will be ready for pick up in 30 minutes. However, when I arrived to pick up and pay for the food, she said she did not prepare the order because she claims I changed the order 3 times. Basically, the lady was implying I was not serious about the order. What was the purpose of the phone order when I had to wait an hour for my food? This was completely unacceptable and ridiculous.

Alforat needs to work on their customer service effective immediately. They need to train the cashiers on how to talk to customers properly. Unfortunately, they lack basic communication skills and are not...