9 March 2011

Rotana Lamb Kebab Roll. $10 lunch review

| johnboy
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Rotana Lamb Kebab Roll

Rotana occupy the Melbourne Building corner of Northbourne and Alinga and fancy themselves as a Lebanese restaurant that does a line of take-away. A very successful model around the world.

I ordered their lamb kebab roll with chilli and garlic sauce and extra homous. Delightfully there was no extra charge for the homous and the roll came to $7.90. Service was prompt.

“A badly wrapped kebab” is one of my favourite euphemisms (you can research that for yourselves if you so choose), but I can report that Rotana resist the urge to over fill (which can be a problem) and the kebab is extremely well wrapped.

Importantly the lamb is actually made up of recognisable pieces of meat and (say it softly) tasted really, really good.

It’s the best kebab I’ve had in Canberra in a long time, but be warned, it is oily.

(For more sub $10 lunches in Civic check the tag, if you’ve got recommendations let me know.)


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toughmeat said :

hi im only new to Canberra being a victorian i crave a real lamb shoulder kebab marinated for a few days then char grilled on a rotar slapped between some pita or the likes.I looked at this site and went driving,yarralumla allthough filling meat was a pattie style lamb and beef and very salty.the one you mention in the Melbourne building seems closed everytime i drive past there on weekdays,WHAT THE??the one near the uni mezo was closed as well school holidays,WTF??
All i want is REAL LAMB!!,not processed crap of minced crap.Please Help my guts

You’ll need to go back home to get what you want.

God speed.

hi im only new to Canberra being a victorian i crave a real lamb shoulder kebab marinated for a few days then char grilled on a rotar slapped between some pita or the likes.I looked at this site and went driving,yarralumla allthough filling meat was a pattie style lamb and beef and very salty.the one you mention in the Melbourne building seems closed everytime i drive past there on weekdays,WHAT THE??the one near the uni mezo was closed as well school holidays,WTF??
All i want is REAL LAMB!!,not processed crap of minced crap.Please Help my guts

It was also closed yesterday (Thursday). I was intrigued by the innovative business practice of closing mid-week and therefore missing the public service rush but also a little excited. I like it when my lunch plays hard to get.

Buckaroo_Banzai1:38 pm 11 Mar 11

Tried to try here for lunch today (Friday). They were closed. What the…?

Went to the Global Cafe Ethiopian instead. Was great. 🙂

Sorry JB, I must say I agree with futto; although I only gave this place the one chance.

Also agree that Star Kebabs at the Fyshwick markets make an awesome kebab.

+1 for Yarralumla Kebabs. I have driven across town sporting a shocking hangover just to get one of these kebabs.

futto said :

What a “review”. This makes me question all the other reviews, which have mostly been to places i have not eaten at yet.

I have been to Rotana though. I have had the unfortunate experience buying two kebabs there since they changed owners and they were both terrible. poor quality salad, stale bread and cheap meat.

Why did i go back after the first was so awful. Partly convenience, partly because i wanted to give them another chance.

I hope you all don’t make the same mistake i did. Avoid this place at all costs.

BTW my vote for best in Canberra is Yarralumla Kebabs. Freshly made bread (in store!), and a tonne of meat!!! Just make sure you are hungry because they are freaking huge!

Dude, I ate there once, yesterday, it was a good kebab. Your Mileage May Vary.

What a “review”. This makes me question all the other reviews, which have mostly been to places i have not eaten at yet.

I have been to Rotana though. I have had the unfortunate experience buying two kebabs there since they changed owners and they were both terrible. poor quality salad, stale bread and cheap meat.

Why did i go back after the first was so awful. Partly convenience, partly because i wanted to give them another chance.

I hope you all don’t make the same mistake i did. Avoid this place at all costs.

BTW my vote for best in Canberra is Yarralumla Kebabs. Freshly made bread (in store!), and a tonne of meat!!! Just make sure you are hungry because they are freaking huge!

joeyjojojuniorshabadoo3:14 pm 09 Mar 11

Find any nasty surprises in your kebab, JB?

The best kebabs in the city are from Meze down next to the Uni Lodge. I recommend trying their chicken kebabs next time the kebab craving strikes.

I Disagree, worst kebab I have had in a long time. Also badly burnt chips and terrible service. Made me sick for 2 days

ConanOfCooma said :

Best kebabs in Canbs come from Star Kebab, Fyshy Markets.

Seconded

ConanOfCooma2:21 pm 09 Mar 11

It’s a kebab – They use mediocre cuts that have an average fat content which helps flavor the meat as it either cooks or bastes. Nothing unusual there.

If it’s the same place that used to be Vice Versa, they do great kebabs. Do they still use the Masterfoods Kebab Style Hot Chili sauce, or something else?

Best kebabs in Canbs come from Star Kebab, Fyshy Markets.

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