This is the reason, why you are taking the rather long journey to Abu Dhabi corniche [well maybe not from overseas... but at least from the Abu Dhabi outskirts like Yas island].
There is a big petrol station with a 24h McDonalds. There is very close a 24h Spinneys supermarket.
But besides of the McDonalds - there are a few other fast food joints [Donut something, cafeteria something and... Kebabz & Bunz]. While I usually skip the others and go directly to Ronald MC [and afterwards to Spinneys], this time I thought it is a good idea to try out Kebabz & Bunz.
You have to understand one thing - Döner Kebab is not really a Turkish invention. It is rather a sandwich, which surfaced in Europe [arguably in Germany] after WWII when a lot of Turks helped rebuild Europe and especially Germany. In Turkey you get some slithered meat with some rice and salad, when you are ordering it.
As "Döners" are a pretty street food / junk food stable in Germany [I guess Germans are eating more Döner than Burgers], I can call myself a Döner-Connoisseur - hence the perfect instance to do this review [I meant this not 100% serious!].
Anyway - Döner Kebab is fantastic. Usually the cafeterias which are offering those, have a spit or two [nowadays often chicken, very often veal, sometimes lamb] - which are scorching the outside of the meat - and they have a small selection of veggies and sauces, so you can choose what you want on your Kebab sandwich. Usually there is cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, chili flakes, red spicy sauce, yoghurt sauce, garlic yoghurt sauce and few other things. This looks a bit like the counter of Subways.
I usually like it spicy and with the omission of cucumbers. The Döner is then very difficult to eat - but is this not true for every great sandwich [think an original Reuben... or a Philly steak sandwich].
And the spit is omnipresent - the meat is always cut directly in front of your eyes with a large sharp knife [almost like a sable] or, more modern with a electric knife [resembling a angle grinder].
Long story short - I ordered at Kebabz & Bunz one meal [tsatziki doner kebab] - no question asked. It took a while, but this is ok - they told me, that it is because they freshly fried the fries.
It is very inexpensive AED 20 for the meal - but there was no salad to choose from or any meat spit in sight.
The fries were not the curly fries as on the pictures of the outlet [or on their facebook page] but normal fries. But they were hot and had the perfect balance between crisp and chewiness. Still- out of the freezer - but descent enough.
The döner was in a pita bread [this is a bit wrong, because the bread reminds me more on a gyros - the usually porky, greek version - not the fluffier Turkish bread]. The chicken [the friendly staff told me, that she preferred chicken before beef, so I opted for chicken] was rather dry, not the big crispy and juicy meat slivers I am used to. There was a bit of iceberg lettuce also on - and the ordered tsatziki was spiced yoghurt sauce in a minuscule plastic pot [I needed to ask for another one as it was so small]. No fresh cucumbers [like in tsatziki]. Overall the sandwich was quite dry.
The sandwich was not bad - don't get me wrong here. It was a bit like a take, on the shawarma - only in pita bread.
But on the other hand it has nothing to do with the luscious, awesome Döner Kebabs, which you get in Germany; when you are hungry. Or drunk. Or desperate. Or if you just feel awesome - and think that a bit more awesomeness cannot hurt!
WOW or MEH: Meh
Ambiance: 4
Value for Money [1-10]: 6
Deliciousness [1-10]: 3
Staff Helpfulness [1-10]: 4
Going back: Doubt it
Overall Score: 5
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