The House of Doner is coming to Reading, the first store outside of the two in London.
We visited the Farringdon branch to find out what people can expect when the Broad Street store opens.
The company has more than 98 branches across Europe and the Middle East and is now launching in the UK. In addition to Reading and Farringdon, both of which are on the Elizabeth Line, there is a branch in Brixton.
The team behind The House of Doner promise the best of the famous German dish.
That includes meat imported directly from Berlin, a choice of homemade sauces, fresh vegetables every day and freshly baked breads.
We previously wrote about the opening here.
The company’s website states: “Authenticity, freshness and flavour – that’s the House of Doner promise.”
But does The House of Doner live up to that promise?
What is on the menu at The House of Doner?
The menu for The House of Doner is fairly straightforward: choose a doner, choose the style and vegetables, choose the sauces, and decide whether you want some falafel and chips or not.
Doners or falafels can be served as a sandwich, in a wrap, or in a box, with prices between £6.50 and £8.99, depending on what is ordered. Larger options are available, and the meat choices are chicken, mixed, and veal. Feta cheese is an add-on option.
Salad choices include iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, onion, tomato, cucumber, and sweetcorn.
The sauces include Garlic, Herb, Hot, Ketchup, Mayo, Samurai, and Joppie.
The latter is a Dutch condiment based on mayonnaise and mild curry, while Samurai is a mayonnaise with tomatoes and red chilli peppers, making it a spicier choice.
Other menu options include a Rice Bowl, fries, and haloumi pieces.
Each meal at The House of Doner can be customised and there are meal deals for two.
What did we choose?
We visited the Farringdon branch early on a Friday evening to see what it was like.
The restaurant was clean and centred around the serving counter. There were a few tables, and some seating outside, but we suspect the majority of people will order to takeaway.
Because we were catching a train, we ordered a chicken Doner Wrap with Feta Cheese and Mayo.
The Doner was wrapped in foil with a branded House of Doner napkin around it.
It was a hefty weight in the hand, so no doubt customers get good value for their money.
The foil wrapping ensured the wrap stayed warm on the Elizabeth Line to Paddington and then a short wait for a train back to the Ding.
Perhaps because the feta had melted or perhaps because of the extra cooking the wrap had had on its journey, the doner was sticking to the foil, which made it difficult to peel away without breaking the foil.
As you may be able to see from the picture, the fatty juices were dripping out merrily from the bread. They had a life of their own, and the napkin wasn’t quite enough to catch it all. I’m so sorry GWR, but a few bits of grease landed on your carpet, while some more fell on my best shirt. Thankfully, they washed out OK, so no harm, no foul.
The meat was tasty, and I wish I’d chosen the Joppie sauce instead of Mayo, but as a first-timer I was a bit overwhelmed by the menu and the queue behind me, so failed in my mission to try something different.
What’s the verdict on The House of Doner?
There is no doubt this is a good value meal as it is very filling and more than a mouthful. I’m not sure how people go for the sides or add Falafel to their meal … the Doner is more than enough in itself.
The opportunity to add fresh salad was appreciated.
I just wish it hadn’t been as greasy, or I hadn’t been standing on a moving train. This was something to savour sitting down.
If I had eaten in, I would have chosen the Doner Sandwich to try the fresh bread, while the falafel looks amazing in the website’s pictures.
Will it replace Ye Babam Ye in Reading’s affections? Well, The House of Doner will be an intriguing addition to Broad Street’s shops, and it is right next to Coffee Corner and real ale paradise The Alehouse … it’s in the perfect location to have a pint or two beforehand.
Several fast food restaurants have tried their luck in this spot, including its predecessor, Chipstar. Munchies around the corner has also recently closed down. But a Doner is a different offering to a mixed grill or a poke of chips, so this could well become a Reading favourite.
We don’t know the opening date yet, but the Reading branch is being kitted out, so it won’t be long.
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