This wonderful Syrian restaurant stands above most of the many Kebab shops in Pickering/Ajax. They…read moreoffer the standard Kebab shop fare (beef and chicken shawarma, falafel, and variously spiced skewers), but all with a unique, presumably Syrian, spin. My husband's falafel contained a variety of vegetables, and the wrap was toasted to crispy perfection. My son ordered the smoky chicken shawarma, which comes in a smoky, spicy wrap. He said that it was delicious, and unlike any other he's tried with its savory, smoky flavor. My daughter and I each ordered the Aleppo Kebab plate with rice. What a lot of food!! The hummus was so garlicky and well-seasoned, not the bland, pasty stuff that one sometimes encounters. The toum (garlic sauce) was a splendid accompaniment to the smoky beef. I really enjoyed my spicy bread (a flatbread that is dipped in some kind of sauce and then fried, I think). My spice-averse daughter was able to order regular flatbread. The Aleppo Kebab itself was quite mildly and subtly spiced, very flavorful, and exuded the smoky aromas of the grill. The rice, as it is in most middle and near Eastern restaurants, was superb, and flavoured with tumeric. It was a lot of food, and I have enough left over for lunch tomorrow. If you order the platters, I recommend That you order some extra bread to dip into the sauces. They offer a lot of sauce with these platters, all on the side in separate compartments of the take-out container.
We were there for take-out, but it is a nice, family oriented atmosphere. The counter was busy all the time, with multiple people coming in for pick up orders. Despite that, the friendly staff takes the time to describe the food choice and make recommendations for future visits. And there will be future visits, at least by me!
The parking lot is busy at certain areas, but there is plenty of parking just beyond the restaurant. If you are in the area and are hungry for some Middle Eastern food, the keep Aleppo Kebab in mind!