Awawa Showers Downtown Montreal With Pastillas and Pitas

Awawa, an eager-to-franchise halal fast food concept from principal Usama Gomaa, recently opened on Drummond between de Maisonneuve and Sainte-Catherine. The self-described Mediterranean restaurant sells pastillas, pita sandwiches, soups, salads, smoothies, and assorted daily specials for sit-in or takeaway.

Pastillas — the crispy, crêpe-like Moroccan meat pie — and pitas are Awawa's bread and butter. Both are available, trio style, in vegetarian, beef, chicken, or shrimp. Salads include cauliflower, red bean and pepper, quinoa tabbouleh, and roasted vegetable quinoa. The new restaurant uses Foodora (formerly Hurrier) and À la Carte Express to deliver downtown from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

More on Awawa's concept and pastilla process. "Awawa is not only brand new, but an original concept created by our owners. The traditional pastillas are round and big, but in order to ensure that all of our customers get the same wonderful taste and freshness in every order, we have decided to present our pastillas differently. This time, we have made them in the form of a roll. Each pastilla is hand rolled and oven baked the moment you order to guarantee fresh goodness each and every time."

Status: Awawa, 1425 Drummond, (514) 419-5511, now open daily. h/t Chowhound