Gyro and Shawarma in Toronto: What to Order and Cater
Craving bold Mediterranean flavor for lunch, late-night eats, or your next office event? This practical guide breaks down gyro and shawarma—what they are, how they differ, and when to choose each. From our kitchen at 898 College St on College Street in Toronto, Shawarma Moose serves halal-friendly meals, individually packaged boxes, and buffet-style catering trusted by corporate teams and warehouse crews across the city.
TL;DR: Gyro is Greek-influenced (often pork, chicken, or beef), seasoned with oregano and served with tzatziki. Shawarma is Middle Eastern/Turkish-inspired (often chicken or beef), marinated with warm spices and served with garlic sauce or tahini. Both are cooked on a vertical rotisserie and make excellent choices for office catering in Toronto—especially from a College Street favorite.
Quick Answer
At 898 College St in Toronto, gyro and shawarma are both rotisserie meats, but gyro leans Greek (herb-forward, tzatziki) while shawarma leans Middle Eastern/Turkish (warm spices, garlic or tahini). For office catering, both travel well; choose based on sauces and spice profile.
What are gyro and shawarma?
Both are layered meats cooked on a vertical rotisserie and shaved to order. Gyro typically leans Greek with Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme. Shawarma leans Middle Eastern/Turkish with spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and allspice. Each is delicious in a wrap, over rice in a bowl, or plated with salads and sides.
| Aspect | Gyro | Shawarma |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Greek, related to döner | Levant/Turkish-inspired, related to döner |
| Seasoning | Oregano, thyme, garlic | Cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon |
| Typical Sauces | Tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, dill) | Garlic sauce, tahini |
| Common Proteins | Pork, chicken, beef | Chicken, beef, lamb |
| Great For | Greek platters, pitas | Wraps, bowls, plates |
Still deciding between gyro and shawarma? Think in terms of your guests: herb-forward and cooling tzatziki fans may prefer gyro, while those who love warm spices and garlic sauce tend to choose shawarma.
Why Toronto loves gyro and shawarma
College Street and nearby neighborhoods thrive on late-night eats and high-quality casual dining. Busy office corridors want reliable, flavorful fuel that travels well. That’s where gyro and shawarma shine: they’re hearty, customizable, and crowd-pleasing for diverse palates—including halal-friendly and vegetarian options.
Our extended late-night hours Thursday through Saturday help night-shift teams, event crews, and festival-goers keep moving. And during the workday, managers appreciate how easily these meals scale for meetings and trainings without sacrificing freshness or flavor.
Catering options that work at the office
Whether you need individually packaged meals for a boardroom or buffet-style office catering for a lunch-and-learn, you can mix and match formats for gyro and shawarma. Popular picks: chicken shawarma bowls, beef shawarma plates, gyro pitas, falafel wraps, Greek salads, garlic potatoes, and tzatziki. If you’re planning a bigger event, explore our catering packages in Toronto for easy, scalable choices.
- Individually packaged: labeled meals that keep lines moving and allergens clear.
- Buffet style: streamlined service with hot proteins, warm pitas, crisp salads, and signature sauces.
- Halal options: chicken and beef shawarma; vegetarian falafel for mixed groups.
Simple ordering process
- Pick formats: wraps, bowls, plates, or mixed.
- Choose proteins: chicken shawarma, beef shawarma, gyro, or falafel.
- Add sides: Greek salad, garlic potatoes, rice, hummus, tzatziki.
- Select packaging: individually boxed or buffet trays.
- Confirm headcount, delivery window, and dietary notes.
| Format | Best For | Packaging | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowls | Seated lunches, trainings | Individually labeled | Great for gluten-friendly needs |
| Wraps/Pitas | Standing events, quick eats | Wrapped and labeled | Add Greek salad or fries |
| Plates | Executive meetings | Clamshell or tray | Balanced protein and sides |
| Buffet Trays | Large groups, trainings | Hot pans + utensils | Fast line flow |
Menu highlights you can’t miss
Customer favorites include chicken shawarma plates, beef shawarma plate, gyro wraps, falafel wraps, shawarma bowls, Greek salad, garlic potatoes, beef kebabs, and Toronto-friendly twists like shawarma poutine. If your theme leans Greek, don’t miss our Greek catering in Toronto with tzatziki, Greek salad, and souvlaki skewers.
Vegetarian and gluten-friendly choices
Falafel wraps and bowls deliver big flavor without meat. Most bowls can be made gluten-friendly by skipping the pita; ask for extra salad or rice instead. For dairy-sensitive guests, swap tzatziki for tahini or garlic sauce.
Late-night fuel on College Street
With extended hours Thursday–Saturday until 3:00 AM, we’ve become a go-to stop before you head home from College Street venues. It’s also handy for event teams working late who need a hot, satisfying meal that holds up in transit.
Warehouse staff and late-night crews
Large teams appreciate hot, dependable food that arrives on time. Individually packed meals prevent bottlenecks at shift change, and buffet sets keep lines moving for bigger groups. Our delivery drivers know the downtown grid well, so we stage arrivals to sync with breaks and shift changes. When speed matters, gyro and shawarma bowls are fast to distribute and easy to eat anywhere.
Local Tips
- Tip 1: For pickups along College Street near Ossington and Little Italy, plan quick curbside stops; we can stage orders for fast handoff at 898 College St.
- Tip 2: Lunch rush hits around 12:00–1:00 PM; for larger orders, target 11:30 AM or after 1:15 PM to avoid streetcar congestion on the 506.
- Tip 3: Outdoor team events near Trinity Bellwoods Park? Bowls travel best; add extra water and compostable cutlery kits.
How to choose between gyro and shawarma for events
- Need halal-friendly? Lean chicken or beef shawarma.
- Greek theme or tzatziki fans? Add gyro wraps and Greek salad.
- Mixed tastes? Offer half shawarma bowls and half gyro pitas.
- Dietary mix? Include falafel and plenty of salads and sauces.
Mini planning example
For a 40-person training: 20 chicken shawarma bowls, 10 gyro wraps, 10 falafel wraps, plus Greek salad, garlic potatoes, hummus, pita, and mixed sauces. That blend balances halal, vegetarian, and classic Greek cravings—and keeps line flow smooth.
Curious how rice-based sets perform for big groups? Read our quick shawarma rice catering guide for portioning and pacing tips.
FAQs: gyro and shawarma, answered
How do gyro and shawarma differ in flavor?
Gyro skews herb-forward with oregano, thyme, and garlic, usually paired with creamy, cool tzatziki. Shawarma leans into warm spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric, often finished with garlic sauce or tahini. Both are rotisserie-cooked, but the seasoning and sauce pairings give each a distinct personality.
What’s the best format for office catering—wraps, bowls, or buffet?
Bowls are the most adaptable for mixed dietary needs and easy seating. Wraps are ideal for stand-up events or short breaks. Buffet trays are efficient for big groups where you want self-serve speed. We’ll help you match the format to your schedule and space constraints.
Are your shawarma options halal?
Yes—our chicken and beef shawarma are halal-friendly. For mixed groups, we can build a menu that includes halal proteins alongside vegetarian falafel and Greek-inspired sides to keep everyone happy.
How far in advance should I book catering?
For small orders (under 20), 24 hours is usually fine. For 20–75, aim for 48–72 hours. For 75+, 4–5 days helps us coordinate staffing, packaging, and delivery windows—especially around holidays and large downtown events.
What’s a good starter order if I’ve never catered gyro and shawarma?
Try a 50/50 split: chicken shawarma bowls and gyro wraps, plus Greek salad, garlic potatoes, hummus, and mixed sauces. It covers halal needs, offers variety, and keeps service smooth.
Key takeaways
- Gyro and shawarma are both rotisserie classics with different spice profiles.
- Both travel well and scale for office and warehouse catering.
- Shawarma Moose at 898 College St offers halal-friendly, individually packaged, and buffet options.
- Mix bowls and wraps to satisfy different palates and schedules.
Ready to order?
Plan a tasting or place a catering request from our College Street kitchen. Delivery and pickup are available across Toronto with easy online ordering and helpful guidance for headcount, packaging, and dietary notes. New to our menu? Start with a beef shawarma plate and a few gyro wraps—then scale up for your next meeting.
