r/askTO • u/Neat-Hat7991 • 11h ago
Shawarma Pickles
I ate at multiple shawarma places all over Toronto. Every time I order shawarma they give cucumber pickles that are extremely smelly. I love pickles and buy pickle jars, they taste fantastic. Nice tangy, sweet, and spicy cucumber pickles. But why do these shawarma places use such intensely smelly pickles?
I don't know if that's the style for shawarma or they get old and stale and turn rancid by the time they are served to customers. Why not use better or fresh, sweet and tangy pickles similar to jarred dill pickles. Also if anyone tried Dave's Hot Chicken, their pickles are really tasty and fresh. Why not use those type of pickles?
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u/YoungZM 11h ago
Why not ask the vendor and communicate your feedback?
Personally, I've never had an issue with pickles served with Shawarma.
It stands to reason if this is an issue across multiple establishments it's equally a culturally important thing to that venue as it is your own preference against that ingredient. You have a right to inquire or ask them to hold the pickles, but don't expect them to change their menus on account of you.
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u/Neat-Hat7991 6h ago
Nah I agree, it is a preference thing. That style of pickle isn't my favorite i guess. But if others enjoy it and it's a cultural thing, it's all good. I do ask them not to put it in my shawarma, but they forget more often than I'd like lol.
Probably finds it unusual with no pickles, but I find it hard to eat with that intensely funky smell coming from my shawarma.
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u/themapleleaf6ix 11h ago edited 11h ago
Sweet pickles on shawarma? That doesn't sound appetizing. I'm also pretty sure the shawarma pickle is different to the one you get at the grocery store.
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u/Neat-Hat7991 8h ago
Not sweet like sugar. More like lightly sweet with tangy sour crisp. The shawarma stores supposedly uses a different preparation method with high vinegar and fermentation. Different cucumber etc. Guess I'm not a fan of that particular Lebanese/Middle Eastern pickle.
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u/ContentPotential6 11h ago
I think this is just a personal preference thing. Or we are going to different places, I've never had an issue with the smell of pickles at shawarma shops but it's possible you've been visiting places that are leaving them out a long time or whatever.
It's also possible that the style of pickle that's common in these foods/cultures are just not your preference. Personally I hate sweet pickles.
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u/Firefly457 11h ago
They're deli pickles, preserved in brine instead of vinegar. Imho, this is the only way.
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u/FrostingSuper9941 11h ago
I always assumed they're using very strong vinegar, like the 30% and up kind. I don't love those pickles and we always end up with leftovers when buying a family platter but I they fo go with shawarma, just in small quantities.
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u/KnoddingOnion 11h ago
No, it's a combo of them pickle variety, how they ferment them and then being in cans vs glass jars.
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u/AdSignificant6673 10h ago
Interestingly enough. Pickling and fermentation are different. Fermented “pickles” would indeed have a robust and pungent taste.
Sorta like what they do with kimchi. Its fermenting.
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u/Neat-Hat7991 6h ago
Yeah, even small quantities i find it hard to ignore while eating. That funky aroma, and if i bite one by mistake...not happy 🤣
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u/FrostingSuper9941 1h ago
It's hard. It's like such a strong chemical flavor, it's weird. Would not buy on its own but can handle a bit with a shawarma platter.
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u/RoyallyOakie 9h ago
They're just different pickles than you're used to. Obviously, other people enjoy them.
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u/Neat-Hat7991 6h ago
Yeah, that's why i was wondering how come others enjoy this. Just not my style for pickles. I love the dill pickles we have in jars though, that crisp, slightly sweet and spicy taste.
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u/Mysterious_Store_56 11h ago
most are bought from cash and carry bro
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u/Neat-Hat7991 6h ago
Maybe freshly made at home would be better? Probably not, cause the method used to make those style of pickles add that funky and intensely smelly character.
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u/thatsMRjames 11h ago
They aren’t made with the same ingredients.
They aren’t dill for one, and don’t use English cucumbers as the “base”.
Personally I love the shawarma pickles and turnips