Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    La Shish Taouk

    3.6 (66 reviews)
    ModerateHalal, Lebanese, Falafel
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Order La Shish Taouk Takeout or Delivery

    La Shish Taouk Photos

    Business Info

    LA SHISH TAOUK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - La Shish Taouk

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Shish Taouk (18.95)
    Erika G.

    SHAWARMA! The concept of shawarma certainly gets overshadowed by donair in Edmonton. Donair is king in this city. However, if you're a shawarma-lover (and everyone should be) there are still options for you, namely Edmonton's #1 Best Lebanese 2018 as voted by VUE Weekly. This likely isn't going to be an accurate definition, but this is the difference between shawarma and donair in my opinion: It's the type of meat. They both spin around on vertical spits and are shaved off, however shawarma is chicken and donair is usually a lamb/beef mixture. I know that this isn't quite right but I do think that this has largely been adopted as the general understanding in Canada. Shish Shawarma has been around for a long time and they have two locations in the city. I was a little bit confused at first because they used to be called La Shish Taouk and at some point they decided to simplify and clarified their name to Shish Shawarma. However, as far as I can tell, everything else about the restaurant has remained exactly the same. I really enjoy their new logo of a leaf coming out of a falafel. I visited their Oliver location (just west of downtown) on a Saturday evening and was curious to see if it was the same as I had remembered it. The outside of the building is lit up like a Christmas disco, which is especially apparent in the evening darkness. I love it! The white pillars and facade are very distinct, while the entire vibe of the place feels lively. I can actually picture this spot as a tiny slice of Lebanon. It's quick and casual with just the right amount of attitude attached to it. I loved the big sign inside which reads "we are not a donair shop." This is literally necessary due to the aforementioned dominance of donair in this city. I excitedly entered the restaurant and placed my order with the busy staff at the counter. (They were making orders constantly. Many of them were take-out.) Despite being hard at work, the staff was happy to answer my questions and whipped up my order after a short wait. We seated ourselves at a table and anticipated the amount of garlic sauce to come. Lebanese food is many things and shawarma is only one of them. In fact, the idea that shawarma is only presented in "wrap form" isn't exactly accurate either. It is often eaten as a plate of food, but again, in Canada we've sort of attached ourselves to the idea that shawarma should be served as a wrap. The main dish that I decided to order was the Shish Taouk Plate (Freshly marinated, charbroiled chicken served with 2 kinds of rice, garlic spread, Lebanese salad & pickles - $18.95) because this used to be the restaurant's name, after all. The word "taouk" refers to the shish kebab preparation of the meat. This plate looked great and I was excited to dig in! Of course the chicken was the first thing that I tasted and right away I could appreciate the tender and juicy meat. The true charbroiled flavour was extremely apparent and it added so much authenticity to the dish. I dunked my pieces of chicken into the garlic spread (known as thoom), liberally coating them as one does. This sauce is deliciously dangerous and it is highly recommended that you stay away from other humans after consuming it. I found the two types of rice to be very interesting and I really loved the one that had a bit of a cinnamon spice flavour to it. The salad and pickles were delightfully fresh. The seasoned salad vegetables added an entire life to the plate and the bright neon pink pickled turnips are literally one of my favourite food items ever. This dish is very well-rounded and certainly gives you a great sampling of what it is that they do at Shish Shawarma. To say that I was intrigued by the Malak Taouk Pita Wrap (Mayo, cabbage, fries, ketchup & garlic sauce - $9.95 for regular) is an understatement. I wanted to try something in wrap form and this had to be it. I'm sure that this has got to be the "weirdest" thing on the menu, which is why I wanted to try it the most. The ingredients listed did not include shawarma chicken, however my wrap definitely contained it. A very welcome addition for me, but maybe not ideal if you're attempting to order a meat-free item. I LOVED THIS! This wrap was my favourite thing of the entire visit. I liked that I got to enjoy a more shawarma-style preparation (by my definition) and the contents of this wrap were really doing it for me. Unlike anything that I've ever tried before, this thing was ultra saucy and very messy. Mayo + ketchup = fancy sauce. Plus there are fries in there?! This wrap was crazy, super flavourful, owned its wackiness, and I super loved it. Lastly, I couldn't pass up the Chicken Shawarmatine (Chicken, fries, lettuce, tomatoes & garlic sauce - $8.95 for regular). Think poutine... But shawarma. What I wanted this to be and what it was were two different things. I was hoping for a traditional poutine (fries, cheese curds, gravy) with shawarma chicken and the veggies and garlic sauce on top. I'm prett

    Dry chicken
    Tom B.

    So I have had Jerusalem Shawarma in calgary and this place has a lot to learn from them or any place about quality value and price The chicken is sliced super thinly then blanketed to make it appear like a magic trick like its a lot of meat when you lift your plate you wonder why its so light o yes they underlapped rice i guess cost savings here sure then dont charge 19 bucks fail. We also noticed tiny dark fragments of meat could be beef in the chicken sharwma for people that dont eat beef or mabe have allergic reaction thats like me putting peanuts or perhaps a nice cut of pork in their meal totally unacceptable its chicken sharwma not whatever u feel like sharwma. The 1 star is their toum which in their native tongue is what they call the lemon garlic emulsified with vegetable oil costs pennies ( seeing how canola and vegetable oil is being thown out and on firesale because of exporting embargos) but thats beside the point this sauce is literally pennies to make but..... they do an excellent job thats what gave them the 1 star Back to the product the chicken is much too thin which is likely why its dry and tastes like cardboard and not moist or well marinated with yogurt you would taste it if they did a decent job fail here Lets talk about vegetables and how annoyed you can get they charge 19 bucks which you can easily go get a large pizza or even dine out for that price for kicks even some all you can eat buffets are less than 19 bucks with better quality food anyway bottom line you shouldnt be serving Anyone old vegetables esp with ecoli and listeria rampant these days. I was expecting like a Lebanese Tabbouleh option lol no just this disgusting stuff clearly assembly line chicken factory prepped in the day and allowed to rot all day to get served to the customer yum. i think this place thinks they are a butcher shop meat only , not a vegetable shop you wont find very many vegans or vegetable eaters gappy and excited with this place with old and slimy slop. i came after 10pm not sure if that matters and basially got robbed and the salad was not something you can feed anyone ..........if you cant meet basic quality control on vegetables u shouldn't be in business the place is dirty as well but doesnt surprise me As its beside the bars and city drunks. Ps: about the bars , this place is by "on the rocks" bar so food quality will always be bad for any place beside bars doesnt matter if its pizza sharwma or even subs they all suffer i have found over the years that restaurants besides bars always should be avoided ( yes i gave them a chance sorry to see i am proven right yet again about bad food quality) they have low attention to details almost always and high staff turn over due to the freak drunks they cater towards dont expect a dining experience from Lebanon here or high food quality ever! From any place even near this area.

    Cherillyn P.

    Again second review but only because it's my absolute favorite place to eat. These guys are so awesome today they were killing it, doing good deeds for the community. I just happened to notice while waiting for my meal. This place is located downtown on the popular main stripe Jasper Ave - a place where downtown metro meets, upscale business and also homeless. It was refreshing to see the respect they provided to all walks of people in the neighborhood.

    Vegetarian Wrap

    Ordered a Vegetarian wrap and added chicken. Came with no chicken and black, old or rotten pickles. Ate 2 bites before noticing and still made my stomach sick. Wouldn't recommend.

    Menu
    Chau H.

    This small cute and cozy place is ideal for a quick snack or cheap dinner for two. Yummy good and vegetaian options are available.

    Short changed on the chicken
    Cody U.

    I really want to give more stars, but I just can't. I eat here several times per month, and let's just say it can be hit or miss. Today was just more proof of that. This time around it was being short changed on a chicken plate, other days it can be a wait time that is just over the top(fair warning if you go during peak hours). Really the food is good and the service is great most of the time, so don't think this place is terrible, it's far from it. That said it's the lack of constancy that takes this place down at times. So don't let the 3 stars I give it steer you away, the food is still great, they just can do so much better. If your a first timer then I suggest you try the combo plate(fair warning this is a lot of food). Also if you're in a rush most of the time you'll get your order faster than most fast food places, and it's a heck of a lot better (this is for both eat in and take out). Really I love this place, and it could really go places. That said until it can get over its constancy issues, it never will.

    Stephan B.

    I came here for lunch and ordered one of the basic combination meals that they offer. It was chicken and came with various other items. I enjoyed the food, mostly, it was very fresh. It wasn't incredibly filling, and I left feeling quite hungry. I spent a little bit more than I wish I would've for the amount of food that I received; but overall, I didn't hate the visit. The staff was really nice, and the older woman who worked there was really really sweet to us. They seem like genuinely nice people and I can tell they care about their customers. I just wish I would've had more filling of a meal for what we paid.

    UPDATE! After posting my review, Omar from La Shish contacted me. He wrote that he thinks the price of my meal was incorrectly calculated and that the price should have been less. Subsequently, he has generously invited me to come again and enjoy a free meal. I admire his integrity and his efforts to correct the situation! However, the fault is not all his. I should have been more careful as well and I don't think I should take advantage of a genuine error. Therefore, I will not be accepting his offer, but I will visit La Shish again since my concerns about overpriced portion sizes was mistaken. My view that the food was overall very good remains the same. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This was my first visit here. It is a small family-run business. I was surprised at the small size of the dining area, I was expecting the restaurant to be larger. So be aware there are only four small tables for customers, so it is mostly a "take-out" joint. I was there during lunch hour and it was very busy, which is nice to see since I like to support family businesses when I can. I had the lunch special falafel plate (which is a smaller version), a small fattoush salad, and a small bottle of water. The falafel plate had 2 falafel, half a cup of hummus, a handful of "Lebanese" salad, a few Lebanese potatoes, and a small portion of wild cucumber and turnip pickles. It also came with a small pita. The small fattoush salad was about a 2 cup portion. The pros: the falafel was very good, I must say. I was impressed. The hummus was very nice. The fattoush also tasted very good. The flavours were nicely balanced and I wasn't overwhelmed by too much lemon. The cons: The potatoes did not taste good and were not freshly made. My big complaint is the portions are too small given the price. Total for lunch: $24.50. Perhaps that's because it is a downtown location. But, there are other Lebanese/Middle Eastern eateries in Edmonton that are much more competitive and the food is as good or better. The lack of seating is only a problem if you are expecting to dine in.

    See all

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tom B.
    2
    173
    226

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    I have been going here for years. drove well out of my way to go there yesterday. Got food poisoning. extremely disappointed

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    3 years ago

    The food was so delicious! The portion sizes were also awesome for the price. The service was okay. I'd definitely come back here again!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    That chicken looks disgusting!! I remember when it was nice and crispy. Is that even cooked??

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bee R.
    6
    91
    30

    9 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    14 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack G.
    19
    834
    488

    16 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Seemingly reasonably priced and authentic. Love the food. Usually get takeout. Only once or twice have I ever been disappointed.

    Business owner information

    Photo of Omar N.

    Omar N.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz Z.
    0
    1
    10

    8 years ago

    One of the best places in Alberta to eat Lebanese food. Best food, best service and stylish servers.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    La Shish Taouk Reviews in Other Languages

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Halal 341 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    The Root Of Beirut - Zaatar pita pie ($2.00)

    The Root Of Beirut

    (14 reviews)

    We went for lunch with some coworkers! I loved the coffee…read morethat was served as soon as we entered the place! The staff seemed to be friendly! Parking options were very limited around noon! Also when we went inside it seemed a bit chaotic! There were five of us, one order was wrong and the another order came at the very end when the other four dishes were already finished! The food was good and delicious! I would like to imagine it was an off day and would like to go back there again! The quality and value of the food was definitely good!

    Finally was able to try Root of Beirut. Tried to eat here last year but they were randomly closed…read morefor an event. It's in a random neighbourhood area. We dropped in on a busy Saturday (12:30pm) for lunch. The inside is huge. Servers are friendly and but no water is served. Menu consists of platters, pita pies, salads, wraps, Mediterranean platters, fatayer and pizza. - Baba ghanouj ($8.00) - came with a platter of fresh, pillowy soft pitas. The baba ghanouj was creamy. Generous portion. - Tabouli ($7.00) - good portion but standard fare. - Zaatar pita pie ($2.00) - my favourite thing we ordered. Always a must when it's on the menu. - Beef shawarma ($8.00) - didn't try but our friends enjoyed it. - Trio platter ($20.00) - beef was the best of the bunch. The garlic sauce was great. Rice was a touch bland. Fattoush was okay. - Lamb mansaf ($20.00) - lamb shank was tender but plain. - Fatayer ($10.00 for 12) - you get to pick 3 flavours. We went with meat (my favourite), akawi (white brined cheese) and kishik (bulgur with milk/yoghurt). Good portions at RoB but very carb heavy.

    Turquaz Kebab House - Trio platter

    Turquaz Kebab House

    (102 reviews)

    $$

    We went here for a quick bite before going to a seminar. It is beautiful inside. I love all of the…read moreIslamic style lanterns inside. Menu has so many different options but it doesn't fall far from grilled meat, rice, fresh salad, fries and warm puffy pita bread with hummus and tzatziki. Food was excellent. My husband went with the Sultan Kafta Plate Five patties served white rice, hummus, garlic, salad, fries, and one pita bread. While I went with the Beef Lamb Shawarma Plate Served with white rice, hummus, garlic, salad, fries, and one pita bread. I always get a tea here, because it is lovely and strong. Food came in a fast manner, and everything was fresh. My husband wasn't too thrilled with the spice profile of the Sultan Kafta plate, and probably won't get it again. He will probably stick with something with stronger notes like the Adana Kabab (my favourite). I enjoyed mine and the meat was plentiful. We are always too full to try dessert, but they look good in the display case. Service was friendly and prompt.

    We recently ordered 2 chicken shawarma lunch meals and got extra beef. When I received the bag, it…read morewas heavy so I knew there would be large portions. When I opened the box, there was a good portion of fries, salad, hummus, chicken, and rice. I dipped the pita into the hummus and it was smooth and delicious! The salad was fresh and flavourful. Both the hummus and salad would have me coming back. I had a few bites of the chicken and rice before I was too full to continue. I liked the chicken more than the beef, but it was good to try both. I can't wait to order again!

    Mashawee Lebanese Grill - Inside the restaurant. Decor is very nice with some very intricate pieces yet it's simple and functional.

    Mashawee Lebanese Grill

    (9 reviews)

    $$

    I was looking for a place for lunch and drove past Maghawee Lebanese Grill and turned around…read more Lebanese fast food was something I hadn't tried before. Maghawee Lebanese Grill specializes in Lebanese cuisine. The focus of their menu is kabobs and pitas and everything is cooked while you wait. No warmed up or steam tray food here. When you walk in you're greeted by fabulous Lebanese scents which make your appetite that much stronger. I ordered the chicken kabob meal from their lunch menu and a pop. The price was a bit high for lunch, but I wanted it. As I waited in my banquette I listened to Lebanese music coming from the music videos on the wall mounted TV's. The server brought my lunch to me and then I realized why it was the price it was. Warm steamed pits, garlic dip, grilled chicken kabob, humus, tabbouleh, Lebanese veggies and cinnamon rice was what was for lunch. Yum! I was half way through my meal when the server came to check on me - good service, not too pushy and not not interested. Many people came and went during the course of my lunch for dine in and take out, which in my books is a good sign. After I finished my meal I was intercepted on my way to the washroom by the owner baring baklava for me. My gosh, this was the best baklava I've had - not too sweet or dripping with honey. He told me they have been in business since December and was glad that I enjoyed my lunch. That small gesture and general inquiry about my experience will make me come back. The only thing I suggest is they have breath mints at the till because you'll leave with garlic breath, and that is a good thing.

    I'll keep this one short and sweet. We went here as our beloved Co Do Hue was closed (stupid…read moreTuesdays!). Located right beside Pho Du, we went for lunch to try Mashawee with three of my co-workers. Be warned now: a) Service is SLOW (took around 20-25 minutes to cook my lamb kebob pita sandwich) b) Prices are expensive for the amount of food you get (although in hindsight, should have ordered their lunch specials which are $10) c) They were OUT of chicken schwarma and falafel at noon! WHAT?!? How can you be out of your two main staple food items before the lunch rush... d) Pretty salty We each got a pita sandwich (lamb kebob, beef schwarma and two chicken kebob pita's). Lamb one is $9 with the others $7-$9 each. My one buddy and I left still hungry afterwards, never a good sign. Won't be back! Also, I should probably mention - 99% sure we got food poisoning from them. I had the chills last night...same thing with my one friend. Awesome stuff. Wow.

    Sofra Restaurant

    Sofra Restaurant

    (90 reviews)

    $$$

    We were here with friends and once again we chose the Sultans platter, which is the best bang for…read moreyour buck in my opionin here. You get to try a lot of different things with a great variety of options. It was warm and inviting inside. It has Turkish influence but not particulary stand out in nature. Nice enough though. Food came out in a timely manner. We started with the grape stuffed leaves which were delightful and came with a lovely cheese to spread on them. Also pita bread with hummus and red pepper spread. Both were excellent and creamy and the bread is amazing. It is made to order with the wood fire oven. Absolutely lovely. Then we had assorted meat which included meat balls, lamb chops, swordfish and chicken. All were cooked well and tasty, although besides the meatballs, the marinate seemed the same. It would be nice to get other flavours. A bulgur pilaf which was delicous and perfectly cooked and tomato-ey and a lovely dressed green salad came to accent the meat. For dessert a less sweet baklava which is perfect in my opinion and a good ending to the dinner.

    I stopped by Sofra in Edmonton recently and tried their Sultan's Sofrasi for two. The pita bread…read morewas the biggest highlight. Both the dessert and the meat were quite good--the dessert for its crispiness and flavour, and the meat for the portion size and how well it was cooked. That said, the meat still tasted different compared to similar dishes I've had in Europe. The hummus was a bit too sour and not as thick as I prefer. Overall, I'd give it 8/10.

    Paramount Fine Foods - Tabouli salad ($10.99)

    Paramount Fine Foods

    (76 reviews)

    $$

    I'm someone who will drive to any corner of the city (and beyond) in the name of food and this was…read moreevident when I recently found myself in The Palisades, an area that is just about as far north as you can get in Edmonton (and no where remotely close to where I live). If the Edmonton Journal is going to name Paramount Fine Foods as the Best Lebanese Restaurant 2021, I'm gonna try it! I made the trek across town on a Sunday evening, looking forward to the authentically fresh flavours of the Middle East that Paramount boasts about so enthusiastically. Founded in 2007 by Mohamad Fakih, a Lebanese-Canadian entrepreneur, the first Paramount Fine Foods location opened in Mississauga, Ontario. The company now comprises of over 75 restaurants, becoming the fastest-growing Middle Eastern food chain in Canada. You'll find Edmonton's location in a rather large complex on the edge of town. (Not kidding, you can see the empty fields nearby.) The restaurant's modern exterior and tall stature includes a small patio space in the front before entering into the expansive interior. I was surprised by the spacious, airy dining area designed with taste in mind. Dark wood, tiled columns, and pops of rich colour set the stage for what feels like a higher-end dining experience. I noted some interesting features in the space which included a kids playground (I swear that this place isn't a defunct McDonald's) and a prayer room. Paramount was quite quiet on our visit and our server was gracious and attentive. The menu is a lot larger than I would have expected and I enjoyed flipping through its colourful pages; from starters, to salads, to wraps and mains. Plus platters that are perfect for large groups and even breakfast on the weekends! (I'm super intrigued about the breakfast and would love to try it!) As one does, I started my journey with a drink and zeroed in immediately on something called the "Paramount Special." It sounds like the thing to get! Topped with almonds, crushed pistachios, ashta cream and honey, I really wanted to try this epic beverage! However, our server regrettably informed me that they couldn't make it. It wasn't clear why but I assume that they didn't have all of the ingredients on hand? This was honestly the only low point of the entire meal. Instead, I settled for Strawberry Mango Juice (A blend of fresh mango and strawberries - $8.99). The drink actually took quite some time to arrive, meanwhile almost all of the rest of our food showed up before it did. However, it was worth the wait because this blend of fresh lush mangoes and ripe juicy strawberries was wonderful. You could tell that the beverage contained real fruit and I enjoyed the swirling kaleidoscope of bright colours. The rest of our order was delivered to the table lightening-quick! The feast began with the Mezza Plate (Choice of three: world-famous hummus, moutabbal, labneh, muhammara, or tabbouleh - $13.99) which seemed like a great option to try a variety of Paramount's dips. Served with the most pillowy freshly baked homemade pita bread, straight out of their wood-burning oven! I honestly could've set my head down on one of those pitas and had a nap. In choosing our dips we went for the Moutabbal, Muhammara, and Labneh. (We did not select the hummus because it was included in something else that we ordered and we opted out of the tabbouleh because we were already ordering a different salad.) Circling back to the pita bread, it arrived warm and fluffy. Tearing off pieces and using it to scoop up the various dips was a complete joy. The Moutabbal, made with fire roasted eggplant blended with tahini and garlic and topped off with fresh parsley, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh pomegranate seeds, felt familiar. Very similar to baba ganoush. However, ours was not topped with parsley or pomegranate seeds as described. Regardless, I loved the true fire-roasted flavour of the eggplant which came through in such a bold and beautiful way. Next was the Muhammara, made with fire roasted red peppers, crushed mixed walnuts, zesty onions, authentic spices, and herbs and topped off with extra virgin olive oil and parsley. (There was no parsley.) This was the dip that I knew the least about... And that I loved the most! The flavour was big and exciting and I loved the nuttiness! This one was an unexpected surprise and I would order it every time. Lastly, the Labneh, made with thick creamy labneh (a type of yogurt cheese) mixed with garlic, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and topped off with their authentic zaatar seasoning, was also familiar. (Shout out to The Happy Camel, who's labneh I often purchase!) The version at Paramount was very enjoyable and I loved the creamy-cool texture. I swear that I could taste some mint in there as well. Some of the best salads come out of the Middle East - think tabbouleh and fattoush - and I had to order the latter to add some greens to the table. Paramount's Fattoush ($12.99) seemed like the way to go. I lov

    "Not so elevated Middle Eastern Cuisine"…read more A terrific visit last November was memorable enough to have us crave Paramount Fine Foods while in Edmonton this evening. The big sign has the slogan " Elevated Middle Eastern Cuisine " thus raising the expectations we have had,, stemming from dozens and dozens of previous Paramount visits In Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver over the years... The decor is still very nice, four+ years or so after this Edmonton branch's opening; - modern, fast yet casual with table service. Tonight, the service was at times very slow and curt. We started with the lentil soup ($7.99) which came in a lovely ceramic bowl with deep fried pita chips. The soup was not liquidy; it had a very thick, "pudding-like" consistency and was super salty. It was definitely not fresh and appeared like it could have been reheated after being withdrawn from a cold, refrigerated bucket; not good. Next came the beef pie - which was nothing but a thin layer of ground beef on way too much dough ($6.99). Paramount is famous for its tabuli salad and of course we ordered it! (($10.99). Once it arrived to our table, we were shocked at the look of wilted parsley and the lack of dressing (it needed more tomatoes, lemon juice and olive oil to revive it); total dissapointment. "Elevated cuisine" means that you would assemble the salad as it is ordered for maximum freshness; ours tasted like it was sitting in a refrigerated tub for several days; no! No! No! The main course, the bbq beef platter ($22.99) had seven tiny yet very tender sirloin steak cubes; the remainder of the plate had a lot of filler rice and pickled beets, dill, onions and a 2 oz container of humus; very good yes - but the portion of meat was tiny for the price. The star of the meal was definitely the shareable dessert: The knnaffe Nablusieh ($9.99): It is a subtly sweet baked cheese dessert topped with baklava style shredded filo strips and pistachios; and then, it is drenched in syrupy rose water; this lived up to what Paramount is known for in Ontario - simply delicious!!!!!! With the abundance of similar eateries in Edmonton, Paramount Fine Foods didn't live up to its slogan as, during tonight's visit, there was nothing " elevated " about its Middle Eastern cuisine. Hopefully, they will get it together moving forward - so the quality of the food served at this branch can actually live up to their founding Ontario roots. Here at this Edmonton Paramount, The higher menu prices do not match the overall very average experience offered... we know Paramount Fine Foods has the ability to "wow" us; maybe next time!

    La Shish Taouk - halal - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...