We got take out from Istanbul Kebab and Donair and we loved it. I love middle eastern food but I…read morewanted to try something a little different. The lahmajun had fresh ingredients including meat, garlic and spices. It was simple but very tasty. The side salad was fresh and complimented everything well. The star of the show was the beyti kebab. It has a combination of minced lamb and beef rolled in flatbread with a red sauce on top. You can dip this in a side yogurt dip as well. There wasn't a lot of sauce but it was very flavorful. We really loved this dish and would love to go to the restaurant in person at some point to try out more dishes.

Amazing food, delightfully and expertly seasoned. I've never eaten-in but have had take-out several…read moretimes. The servings are substantial. We've had lamb kabob, lamb chops, chicken thighs, all with rice, salad, bread, and hummus; savory, tender, crisp, soft and creamy are just a few of the tastes and textures. The Shepherd's salad is crunchy, herbaceous and tangy, it compliments all the other dishes

Stopped by the new "House of Kebabs" (100st/82ave) to pick up some kebab wraps for dinner…read more The manager asked me if I wanted some tea while i waited. How gorgeous is this?! What a treat! This place is soooo kind and yummy! Kebab wrap was incredible. And about $6 cheaper than a sub at Subway... haha. But the tea touched my heart

Went here based on a recommendation from a friend. Generally…read moreit was excellent. Food was really good and really affordable.. Service was phenomenal. My only criticism was that they share a bathroom with the whole building and you have to go into a hallway and a locked area to access it. I really dislike paying for services and finding out you need to share the bathroom with a bunch of other people. We decided to have the Lotus Family Platter and for 65 dollars, you really can't find a more filling, delicous meal on Whyte Ave. It came with 5 skewers of koobideh (grilled lamb and beef kababs), 2 chicken kababs, platter of saffron rice, grilled tomatoes, and salad. Everything was delish. I also loved the complementary tea that they served, which is based on such a rich hospitality that this culture has. We also had saffron ice cream which was delish and I tried a basil seed drink (which they call sherberts) which was lovely. Definitely give it a try. Hopefully if they do well so they can have a stand alone restaurant with their own bathroom!

It was youngest's birthday and she loves French fries. So on her birthday we try to take her to a…read morenonconventional place for this especially because the rest of the family would like to eat something other than French fries (go figure). This place is tucked away in a strip mall in the north end. Pretty basic on the inside, but clean. It is a little confusing though, because they hand you the menus, and then they don't say that you needed to go up to order. We figured this out, but another couple left and I think it was I think that they thought they were not being served. Thorough menu but no real vegatarian options (just salad and hummus). I was surprised that there wasn't a falafel dish. Anyway, Hubby decided on the Iraqi kabobs, kiddo 1 went with a chicken shamarma wrap, and I chose the grilled fish. Birthday girl got the fries. Food came out a bit on the slow side, but it was really busy in there. Food was flavourful. My husband and I got a complimentary soup which was rich in taste. My fish was perfectly grilled, and it came with a boatload of seasoned rice. Hubby's kababs were spicy and delicious and came with the same rice as I but also a side salad and hummus and pita. I sampled the hummus and it was delicous. Nice and creamy. Both kids were excited about their dishes. Perhaps a little on the high side for price considering the ambiance, but food was good. I would come here again.

Kabsa is easily the best kabab-house in Edmonton! I have been to many of them in YEG, and have…read morefound not only do they serve easily the most flavourful food, but they also include extremely generous proportions. My fiancé and I typically share one order of chicken kabab as there is plenty of food for us. Their rice really stands out, which is so crucial when it is the base of this genre of cuisine. It has so much zest! The meals include delicious humus, and kebab-shop sauce (white garlic sauce). Further they have an unreal delicious salad included, which is particularly appreciated considering most shops put little to no effort into an included salad due to it not being the main dish. The attention to detail from the team at Kabsa is fabulous. Could not be happier having found my new summer-time staple!

Lamb shank was great, very flavourful and tender. It's served on the side of a very seasoned and…read morecolourful rice. The chicken kebab platter was a bit plain as the rice had very little flavor. Red tea was nice and hot and the service was good. We also had the deep-fried eggplant and a phyllo pastry filled with spinach and feta (similar to spanakopita) as appetizers. Both were delicious. I would recommend this place but the rice that had the seasoning was much more flavourful than the plain rice so I would keep that in mind.

The best Persian food you can find in Edmonton! The quality…read moreand value are both great. The food is delicious and comparable with best restaurants in Iran and to be honest, I haven't had Persian food in North America with this quality and taste. The customer service is always the best and the staff are friendly and helpful. The place is beautiful and big and great for gathering. This is one of my favourite restaurants in YEG and I highly recommend it

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!

I used to come here when it had a different name. They sure kept the same quality and included more…read moreitems. Prices are decent for the quantity. They are open Thursday to Sat until 3AM. Provided quick service. Location is great, being on Jasper and across a bar.

La Shish is great comfort food for me. I always come here when I need something filling and yummy…read more The shawarma plate is always my go to and always hits the spot!

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.

Its good ill say and they are very nice the people who work there and the food is high qualityread more

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.