Gemüse Kebap & Friends

No frills Gemüse Kebap Laden just steps away from the now iconic sandwich’s supposed birthplace.

Info:

• Address: Warschauer Str. 81A, 10243 Berlin (Friedrichshain)

• Hours: Sunday-Thursday: 10:30-2:00; Friday-Saturday: 10:30-4:00

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My thoughts:

I am glad I didn’t bring my friends to this Gemüse Kebap-ery, as its name, Gemüse Kebap and Friends, suggested I should. It was both mediocre and within walking distance of the original Mustafa Demir’s Gemüse Kebap, which, in this Dönnoisseur’s opinion, outperforms GK&F’s pretty significantly.

The meat on my Gemüse Kebap was dry. After it was cut from the Spieß, it was tossed with an amount of dried oregano that I consider to be quite excessive and, outside of this, offered little in the way of flavor. In regard to sauces, I opted for hummus and scharf. The hummus, which was mild and pleasant, would have been a spectacular addition if the meat had more going for it… I couldn’t help but wish that I was eating a shawarma instead. The scharf also fell quite flat, offering little more than a distinct tartness. I try not to anthropomorphize, so as not to come off as childish and/or lazy, but I truly felt like all of my taste receptors, except for sour—due to the scharf sauce—had simultaneously been let down.

My advice if you are in the area and craving a Gemüse Kebap: head down the street to Mustafa Demir’s and steer clear of Gemüse Kebap & Friends.

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