King of Donair in Halifax exploring western expansion with Alberta trip

For two days only,Albertanswill have a chance to try out a genuine Halifaxdonair.

Haligonians have long-touted their city as the birthplace of the donair, and late last year the meaty pita sandwich was named its official food.

The city's iconic chain King of Donairwill be setting up a pop-up shop here in Calgary on March 4, and at Sunshine Village on March 5 for the ski hill'sEast Coast Lifestyle Rail Jam.

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King of Donair has been in Norman Nahas' family since the late 1980s. The restaurant was created in 1973when a Greek immigrant invented the donair, Nahas said.

"He brought the gyro to Halifax and it didn't go over very well because the flavour of the lamb profile was not really in tune with the profile of American tastebuds and the tzatzikisauce on it didn't have as much of a kick," Nahas explained.

"He ended up switching all the protein to beef and enhanced the spice and created the donair sauce, and lo and behold, it became the donair."

Testing the waters

Nahas said the donair is the "perfect combination of sweet and spice."

"The proper ratio makes for a delicious meal."

So he's bringing it to Calgary and Sunshine Village unofficially "testing the waters" for the possibility of expansion.

The chain has partnered with East Coast Lifestyle to host asnowboardrail jam across the country.

"We always get a lot of love from people out west and always hear the great stories of the ex-pats that leave here and want to replicate that taste," Nahas said.

And Calgarians are excited. Even Mayor Naheed Nenshiexpressed his excitement on Twitter.

"Forget all else. THIS is the big news of the day. #halifax #shutupandtakemymoney," he tweeted.

'Nothing even close'

Jeff Townsend, aborn and raised Haligonian,has lived in Calgary for eight years.

"Halifax is donair," Townsend said simply.

He estimated he's probably had a few hundred donairs in his lifetime.He recalled travelling to other parts of the country and being unable to find truly authentic donairsauce instead, Townsend wouldbe given tzatziki.

"It would make me almost throw up in my mouth, expecting the most delicious sweet sauce ever invented," Townsend said.

He says there's "nothing even close" to a Halifax donair and its unparalleled sauce here in Alberta.

"I don't understand why it hasn't been repeated elsewhere," he said."I don't understand why it hasn't swept the world by now."