Deanne on 
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Madeleine Boivin on 
Brian on 
Naomi Wilton on 
Michael on 
Ameena Sethi on 
Sh Saqi on 
The cranky-on-the-outside/sweet-on-the-inside technicians at work always know the best, cheap places to eat. That’s how I found Jimmy’s A&A Deli in the northeast northwest. Some guys call it Jimmy’s; others call it A&A; I call it frickin’ addictive and awesome.
It looks like any other corner convenience store on the outside but inside is a Middle Eastern deli counter crammed with baklava, fatayers, and kibbe bigger than my head.
You know what’s bigger than that? Their shawarmas.
Behold, a SMALL chicken shawarma ($7.50).
(Thank you Albert for your model hands. He’s also cranky on the outside and sits next to me at work.)
Jimmy’s crams so much juicy, roasted chicken into their shawarmas that the pita bread barely folds up, much less wraps around. I get mine with everything: lettuce, tomato, pickles, banana peppers, creamy garlic sauce, and sriracha hot sauce.
It’s huge and messy and completely delicious. God help you if you don’t grab a fork and at least eight napkins.
As I sat eating (more, like tackling) one at my desk one afternoon, some of the guys walked over, saw me with food all over my face and fingers, smiled knowingly and said, “Went to Jimmy’s eh? Good call.”
Jimmy’s A&A Deli, 1401-20th Ave. NE NW, Calgary, (403) 261-2090.
I love this place too.
But I believe he is located in the NW not in the NE.
Cheers!
Woot! Jimmy’s gets some more recognition. Love that place~!! Good read, and now I want to eat there.
I LOVE Shawarma!! Next time you’re in Ottawa you should try Marroush. There are two different spots downtown (Elgin St and one on Rideau St.) They’re HUGE (like the one you have there) and it’s only $4.75!!! Out of all the shawarma places in Ottawa this place is by far the best…and I’ve tried a lot! LOL! The price hasn’t changed in 10 years and neither has the quality. Right now I live in Kingston but whenever I go to Ottawa I make sure I get shawarma at least somewhere!
Jason and Naheed: Oops! Typo fixed. I really should copy edit my own stuff more carefully. Thanks for pointing it out.
Morgan: Oh, believe me, Marroush and I are well-acquainted. I went to Carleton and spent many a late night at the Elgin location, though my heart still belongs to Shawarma King on Bank Street and their garlic potatoes.
I was just there last night, after a long absence. I’ve always wondered how big the medium and large are, and if anyone has every succeeded in eating one without ruining ones shirt. So good, though.
One small correction: it’s 20th Ave NW (not NE). There is another location (Mediterrania ) on 4th St SW and one in Rocky Mountain Plaza downtown run be friends of Jimmy. I’ve never tried either, but hear they are both good.
That looks ridiculously tasty…
I gotta tell youm those images, make me want to leave right now and grab one.
This is a place I am going to Monday!
Jimmy’s has another location on 4th Street SW.
My personal favourite yyc shwarma hook-up is Tazza in Bridgeland.
http://www.tazzafresh.com/
Mason: Tazza’s are certainly more compact and easy to handle. http://ugonnaeatthat.com/2007/09/04/calgary-shawarmalicious/
Aisling: I LOVE those times when you get to know restaurateurs that well! Nothing wrong with a little song and dance with purveyors of shawarma.
jwo: I can mail you one but it won’t be pretty.
My family and I used to go to Jimmy’s ALL THE TIME. To the point where he knew who we were.
Once we sang a song together. Um. Yeah.
I agree with all — the pics + your text = WANT ONE NOW.
The second sentence of your post says “northeast” as well…
It’s at times like these that I miss living in Calgary.
I love Jimmy’s! I currently live in Dubai and we have a shawarma stand on every corner, but I still make a point of stopping by Jimmy’s everytime I come home. There’s no better shawarma in the world.
Had one of those monsters for lunch on Thursday.
Great find.
Oh Jimmies. I love introducing people to that place. Not only are the donairs amazingly sloppy but their confections, shisha selection and misc. foods to die for but the man himself is a riot. I think hes in the new location down beside 17th ave, along the lines of 15th and center st SW (I know the 3 runs right infront of it).
Actually there is also a Marroush in Hull,Québec. Across the bridge from Ottawa. On St.Joseph Blvd in front of the Maxi supermarket. Go there hungry!They are the same guys who own the one on Elgin in Ottawa. The Rideau street one is not the same guys but apparently just as good. Seriously, you gotta be hungry if you go at any of them! Bon appétit! Will try Jimmy’s when I get to Calgary!