Leeman Doner

Leeman Döner

Van Woustraat 160, 1073 LW Amsterdam, Netherlands +31 (6) 020 662 2596

Growing up in Long Island, New York my cultural palate never experienced many cuisines outside of Italian, Chinese, American and Moms.. Turkish food was never an option so now at 38 yrs old, I can appreciate the pleasant, sweet, peppery and warm flavours this cuisine rich in tradition presents.

When the risk of sauce theft is so common that a place has to hang a sign saying, “Sausflesjes mogen niet naar buiten,” or “Sauce bottles are not allowed out,” something real special must be going on inside.

Leeman Döner is a family owned and operated business since 1992 with 2 locations here in Amsterdam. With the exception of 1 month per year, the incredibly hard working Kilic family cranks out 200kg or 400lbs of Döner PER DAY!

What is Döner? Well, it’s an inverted cone of meat seasoned with Turkish spices being slowly cooked vertically on a rotisserie that will make any Fat Kid weak in the knees.

I walk in, I’m practically drooling!

Serving up Turkish Pizza’s, Lamb or Chicken Döner, Dürüm, Kebab, Falafel, Börek even Baklava, you can choose just about anything on the menu and only pay a few euros for it!

I give my order, “Kip Broodje” and luckily find a place to sit.

Entranced, I watch the 4 meat sauna’s work their magic! Spinning round and around the Döner slowly cooks while fresh made to order breads are lined up waiting to be called into action.

“Hondered drieentwintig!” calls out.. “Hondered drieentwintig yells out again…” Then, number 123!

“Shit!” I think, that’s me..

“Sorry.. dank je wel” I say as I grab my Chicken bundle of joy like a newborn.

The tools I need for battle, napkins and extra garlic sauce are within striking distance as I eye up my first bite. I dive in!

The crunch of the Lettuce, bite from the Onion, earthiness of the Cilantro combined with the taste of Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic, Cumin, Oregano, and Red Pepper touch my palate creating a holy matrimony of flavours with the Chicken.

Physically unable to put my sandwich down, I laugh watching the lunchtime video game unfolding in front of me. Everyone there is “Pac Man” eating.. Chomp, chomp, chomp without stopping.

My own Fat Kids version of “Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat” starts playing in my head as I douse my sandwich with more garlic sauce!

Like machines, without saying a word, together we are garlic sauce “Brothers-in-Arms” passing the bottle back and forth to each other after each bite until there is no more sandwich left!

Out of breath, I cave as I contemplate another sandwich. “Why not” I say as I re enlist my stomach for another tour of duty..

It’s just that good.

Remember, no matter where you come from, where you’re at or where you’re going, food allows us to come together despite cultural or religious differences.

Stop in today and say hello to my friends Leeman Döner!