The strangest Doner Sandwich at Istanbul Kabob/Miramar Pizza

**** Istanbul Kabob has closed

After eating at Motor City Deli, I noticed this place while walking to my car.

I walked up to the window which said "Istanbul Kebob".....really? There was lamachun and pide on the menu....really? Really? How could I not know about this place?

The location did seem kind of strange, but curiosity had already gotten the better of me, I just had to check this place out. A couple of days later I dropped by.

Entering the well worn interior of the place, I looked up at the menu and didn't see any Turkish dishes at all. Until I looked ot my left and saw this.

I had more than enough time to check out the menu, because there was no one out at the counter to take my order. The young guys in the back were cracking up and having a good old time it seems.

By the time someone came out to take my order, I had lost my nerve and decided to go the conservative route and ordered the Doner Sandwich ($8.49), something simple that anyplace should be able to make. I also asked the guy if the owners were Turkish and he told me that the former owners were and when the business was sold they were taught all the Turkish dishes and decided to keep it on the menu. Not a very comforting answer, but hey, I've had some good meals under stranger circumstances and in odder places.

So I get my Doner (gyro) sandwich which is wrapped in foil and walk to the table where I unwrapped it and "holy ...." (fill in the blanks) "...(more blankety-blank) is this?"

This wasn't a flat bread wrapped product....it was a burrito...the darn thing was wrapped in a tortilla. Still, my criticism of such an adulteration would be minimized if it was any good....which it was not. Basically, 50% tortilla, 35% dry gyro meat (at least it was heated up), 15% veg, all served with a insipid, runny yogurt sauce.....for real? I know this is SoCal, where, as Kazumi once told me "anything goes with food", but this just wasn't good. I have a special place in my heart for Turkey, especially Istanbul, and this just seemed wrong.

On the bright side....well, the fries were hot and crisp.

And I guess I've finally had a "Turkxican" Burrito(Doner-rito?)....my first, and hopefully last. And yet, in my twisted mind, I can only imagine what the foreboding sounding "Black Sea Pide" is going to be like?

Istanbul Kebab/Miramar Pizza
7094 Miramar Rd Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92121 

Comments

[Soo]

Thanks for taking one for the team!

[kat]

eep! don't go back there....

[Cathy]

The "Hummus Especial" on the menu looks like it's supposed to be the side dish with your Donor-rito.

[Kirk]

Hi Soo - This was really disappointing.

I won't Kat.

LOL Cathy.....no thanks!

[Mary]

I ended up here with co-workers because another place had closed and we went on a whim. We tried a pizza though, which was pretty bad and we got water served in soup containers. It was interesting to say the least!

[caninecologne]

Hmmm, doesn't seem like a return visit is in order...chalk that one up as a loss.

[Kirk]

Doesn't sound very appetizing Mary......

Definitely not, CC....

[nhbilly]

That was the funniest $4it ever. Sorry for Mexican infusion experience.

[Kirk]

LOL Billy! I'm glad you enjoyed it.....it was an unintentional Turkxican con-fusion dish.

[Kha]

You may want to consider trying California Kebab. I haven't been to their PB location. I used to go to the one near SDSU before basketball games. That one closed down though.

The lamb (I always get lamb in a doner) can be a little dry at times, but they serve it on a more pita like wrap. They also have a variety of sauces that you can use.

I go to the Kebab Shop more often since it is closer, but I don't really like getting my doners in tortilla wraps either.

[Alicia]

Hummus Especial!! Totally Turxican.

[Kirk]

Hi Kha - After being to Turkey....all of these fall short.

Totally Alicia....LOL!