Shelby's is all over social media with almost every other food influencer posting funny skits with the shelby guy.
As someone who doesn't trust influencers, since they are paid to advertise, i didn't want to try it.
But I absolutely love Shawarmas!
I grew up eating shawarmas in India and UK. So i have a decent idea how the good ones taste like. And this was great opportunity for me to get one more down my belly.
So when a new Shelby Restaurant opened up nearby on Bloor St, I visited it one morning an hour after opening time.
Inside, the place was buzz with management taking orders and cooks busy assembling shawarma. The place was branded all around with orange and black with huge menu screens littering the walls. The place wasn't crowded but i could make out there were more take out orders.
Soon my number came and I ordered for take out:
Shelby's Legendary Chicken Wrap
Shelby's Legendary Beef and Lamb Wrap
And I asked them to please make it extra spicy.
15-20 minutes later, I was back at my place. I and my partner quickly unwrapped the packaging and took the first few bites....and...
..It's all a lie...
It's effing bland, has abysmal stuffing, flavors were on vacation, and lacks that wholesome feeling you get when you bite into a Shawarma !!!
I thought i was imagining or that my tastebuds had gone crazy or I had covid or something , so I asked my partner.
She was equally disappointed. She simply stated,'Not worth it at all.It lacks the basic rich flavors of a Shawarma.''
It's all a well advertised ruse.
I've tasted much better and more economical Shawarmas in Toronto. I can name 2 just around this location.
For benefit of doubt, may be the people making the shawarma at the new store aren't trained well or were nervous because they're new, but that cannot be an excuse.
Overall, it was a big disappointment for us.
To foodies: Enjoy the funny shorts they make, laugh but spend you hard-earned money wisely. It's not worth it. The Saj bread is excellent, but the shawarma lacks good proportion of fillings and rich/aromatic flavors are missing. The size itself felt like the Shawarma was fasting. The packaging is good but when i unwrapped it, reminded me of Lays Chip packet. Instead try a Lebanese place at Roncy, soo good.
To Shelby: Where are the flavors, guys?!!! You speak about spicy in your shorts, mine had none, even after requesting for it. Also it lacked the basic proportion of filings and the hummus and spicy garlic sauce felt like it was spread as an afterthought. The Saj bread is awesome and the meat was well cooked but wasn't seasoned and felt bland. I really hope this was a one time thing. As someone who really wants food businesses to be successful and for Toronto culinary world to flourish, i really wish you well. And if I may, a humble word of advice, advertising can only get one so far.
Signing off,
CanIndian Foodie
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