October 15th is Canada’s first National Shawarma Day. On September 28th, Sam Osmow, from Canada’s most popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fast, fresh eatery Osmow’s made the announcement:
“When my wife and I first hung the Osmow’s sign in 2001 and started serving a dish I have enjoyed since growing up in Egypt to our first customers in Mississauga we could not have imagined that 19 years later we would be announcing the official National Shawarma Day.”
To celebrate, Osmow’s is offering its Chicken Shawarma Wrap or ROCKS at its original 2001 price of just $5 each. Vegetarians can take part in the day too with a Falafel Wrap or ROCKS for just $5. Osmow’s has invited all other Mediterranean brands to celebrate October 15th with them.
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We thought we would do a deeper dive into the Middle Eastern dish to give you all of the background that you need to celebrate.
What is Shawarma?
If you aren’t familiar with the tasty dish, you have been missing out! In Arabic, shawarma means “to turn” and inspired the name for the Middle Eastern method of slow, even cooking where a conical slab of meat slowly spins or spirals on a large skewer. The popular street food was believed to have been created in Turkey as early as the 18th Century in the form of a doner kebab. Many assume it has it’s origins in Mediterranean countries like Egypt and often mistake it for the Greek dish, gyros.
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Unlike shawarma, gyros is topped with tzatziki sauce. Shawarma was originally made of lamb, but there are also chicken, beef and vegetarian options available at restaurants like Osmow’s. Osmow’s Shawarma is prepared a bit differently, once the marinated meat is delicately carved, cooks finish it on the grill. You can enjoy it on rice, fries, or classically wrapped in a thin warm grilled pita bread with your choice of sauces. Now that’s something we can VIBE with!
How do I Eat Shawarma?
Shawarma is often served on pita, but at many Middle Eastern Restaurants, you can enjoy the meat over salad too. Osmow’s also serves theirs “On The ROCKS” (rice) or “on the STIX” (fries). There are options for everybody from carb lovers to carb avoiders. It is a dish that can be everything from dairy free to vegan depending on how you order it. There is truly a Shawarma for everyone.
What Famous Toronto Raptor Loves Shawarma?
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If you guessed Norman Powell, you would be right.
Where Can I Find An Osmow’s Location?
Osmow’s has grown to 100 locations across Canada. The first location was in Streetsville and still exists today.
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How Can I Participate In National Shawarma Day?
Well, aside from ordering from your favourite Middle Eastern restaurant, like Osmow’s, on October 15, take a photo, tag pics, reels and videos with #NationalShawarmaDay.
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