Halifax donair

01 / ABOUT THE DISH

About the dish

Halifax donair is a Nova Scotian 'drunk food' staple, invented in the 1970s by a Greek man named Peter Gamoulakos. The dish consists of pita bread filled with roasted shaved beef, onions, tomatoes, and the signature donair sauce. The beef is flavored with secret spices, and those are believed to be salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and paprika. The pita bread is usually dipped in water and grilled before assembling the dish. What makes this dish unique is the sweet donair sauce – a concoction made with a combination of garlic, vinegar, sugar, and condensed milk. Halifax donair is typically wrapped in aluminum foil before serving, and in 2015, it was even declared the official food of Halifax, testifying to its popularity as a favorite midnight meal in the city.