German Doner Kebab — Restaurant in New York

As a born German, Doner was practically my childhood anthem. It was quick, it was cheap, and man, the flavors were on point. Fast forward to my time in Chicago, and let me tell you, finding a legit Doner joint was like searching for a needle in a haystack. The one spot that came close? Yep, closed down, and the guy bounced back to Germany. Major bummer.

So, imagine my excitement when I hit up NYC and laid eyes on German Doner Kebab. The name, the vibe—it all screamed Doner. I walked in with that nostalgic twinkle in my eye, ready for a taste of home. But reality hit me harder than a bad breakup.

The moment I stepped in, something felt off. The girl behind the counter seemed as lost as I was trying to order. I threw some custom Doner requests her way, but it was like I was speaking a different language. Communication breakdown alert!

Sure, GDK had the look and the smell of a Doner spot, but when I sank my teeth into that first bite, disappointment crashed over me. It didn't taste like the Doner I grew up with. It was like a culinary catfish, using the name to lure me in but not delivering the goods. And hey, I'm a native African German, so when I say it missed the mark, trust me, it missed.

Being the adventurous soul I am, I doubled down and ordered two—the one I customized with explicit instructions and the supposed OG style from the menu. Neither hit that authentic note. GDK, you tried, but you missed the bullseye.

In the grand scheme of things, if you're just after something that vaguely resembles a Doner, GDK might scratch that itch. But if you're on the hunt for a genuine taste of Germany, this ain't it. Here's hoping NYC serves up the real deal sometime soon, because the Doner dream is still alive...

The arc of human history is often filled with movement and conflict. Yet sometimes a flower arises from tragedy. For example, can anyone here today imagine Italian food without the tomatl, the Meso American berry we know as the tomato? Prior to the 16th Century, the tomato was unheard of in Europe. The same holds true of xocolatl- chocolate.

In the aftermath of WWII, Germany brought in thousands of Gastarbeiter (Guest workers) mainly from Turkey, to address a labor shortage and with them, came the need for portable, fast food. The Döner Kebab, a sandwich, larger than a burger and filled with meat, salad, veggies and sauces eventually became a fast food/ street food stable in Germany and across Europe.

The sandwich is made of Turkish Durum, a type of large round flatbread topped with seeds and very tasty on its own. Round flatbread sizes vary, but oftentimes a large flatbread is cut in quarters giving the individual sandwich a unique shape. Wonderfully, this is the cut used by German Doner Kebab.

I love Döner Kebab. I was first introduced to it in Hamburg, Germany and will enjoy it each time I travel there. I'll often have it more than once per visit.

So on a recent trip to New York City, I searched for döner and sure enough, found German Doner Kebab-and of course, I had it twice! This sandwich is very true and just as filling as what you find in Germany. Of course there are variations, just like some Döner shops have a different taste, but similar ingredients. I had a favorite north of Hamburg. But German Döner Kebab truly satisfied my hunger (and nostalgia) for this incredible sandwich. It's definitely...

GERMAN DONER KEBAB - AN ENLIGHTENMENT

Brooklyn branch - If you're from Berlin, it feels like there's a kebab store on every other corner. So I can recognize and judge a kebab when I see it. Even just leaving Berlin and Brandenburg, the kebab experience changes within Germany. The further you get away from Berlin, the worse the kebabs get.

Some time ago in New York, I discovered one or two places trying to make a kebab. Unfortunately, I have not yet been able to find a proper kebab in New York, despite the name kebab. What was being sold was called a kebab, but had very little to do with a kebab and tasted even less like a kebab.

All the more enlightenment then... the recommendation of a friend living in Brooklyn. "German Doner Kebab" in Brooklyn. And then the first kebab there since 2018 here in New York. I can't even describe how happy I was.

It looked like a kebab, it tasted like a kebab and came pretty close to a kebab from Berlin. Really well made. Incl. tax 12.51 dollars is a bit steep, but still good value for New York. The portion was good and filling. Everything is really fresh and well seasoned. The bread was just as it should be, thin and crispy.

This was pretty much the best kebab I've had in a very, very long time (with the exception of one visit to Berlin). I will definitely go back there again.

Manhattan branch (6th Ave.) - Another branch here, also clean and well frequented. Seating available, everything fits really well. The kebab here wasn't quite as good as in the Brooklyn branch, but it was okay. The meat lacked a bit of seasoning (salt), but everything was ok.

Maybe the toilet could/should be checked, at least when I was there the toilet seat was broken. But I'm sure that will be sorted out quickly. In any case, you can always go here and get a good kebab. GERMAN DONER KEBAB - EINE ERLEUCHTUNG

Filiale Brooklyn - Wenn man aus Berlin kommt, hat man gefühlt an jeder zweiten Ecke einen Dönerladen. Ich kann also einen Döner erkennen und beurteilen, wenn ich ihn sehe. Allein schon Berlin und Brandenburg verlassend wird das mit dem Döner innerhalb von Deutschland anders. Je weiter man sich von Berlin entfernt, desto schlechter werden die Döner.

In New York entdeckte ich schon vor einiger Zeit den einen oder anderen Anbieter mit dem Versuch, einen Döner zu machen. Bisher konnte ich leider in New York trotz Bezeichnung Döner keinen ordentlichen Döner entdecken. Das was da verkauft wurde, heißt zwar Döner, hatte mit Döner aber recht wenig zu tun und schmeckte noch viel weniger nach einem Döner.

Um so mehr dann die Erleuchtung... die Empfehlung eines Freundes in Brooklyn lebend. "German Doner Kebab" in Brooklyn. Und dort dann der erste Döner seit 2018 hier in New York. Ich kann gar nicht beschreiben, wie sehr ich mich gefreut hatte. Es sah aus wie ein Döner, es schmeckte wie ein Döner und kam schon recht nah an einen Döner aus Berlin heran. Richtig gut gemacht. Incl. Tax 12,51 Dollar ist zwar sportlich, aber für New York wiederum preiswert.

Die Portion ordentlich und sättigend. Wirklich alles frisch und gut gewürzt. Das Brot genau so wie es sein muss, dünn und knusprig. Also das war seit sehr sehr langer Zeit so ziemlich der beste Döner (mit Ausnahme einem Besuch in Berlin), den ich seit langer Zeit gegessen habe. Dahin kehre ich auf alle Fälle wieder zurück.

Filiale Manhattan (6th Ave.) - Hier ebenfalls eine Filiale, diese auch sauber und auch ganz gut besucht. Sitzmöglichkeiten vorhanden, passt alles wirklich ganz gut. Der Döner hier war nicht ganz so gut wie in der Filiale in Brooklyn, aber in Ordnung. Es fehlte mir etwas Würze (Salz) am Fleisch, aber alles ok.

Vielleicht könnte/sollte mal nach der Toilette geschaut werden, als zumindest ich da war, war die Toilettenbrille gebrochen. Aber ich bin sicher, das wird schnell erledigt. Also in jedem Fall kann man auch hier jederzeit beruhigt hin und bekommt einen...