Kebab

In Australia, a Lebanese kebab is usually a thick round bit of pita bread wrapped around some bits of spiced, compressed meat (chicken, beef, pork are standard choices) plus a variety of vegetable matter such as lettuce, tomato, tabooli and humus (last two spelt phonetically). There is also a vegetarian option - instead of compressed meat, you get these round fried balls made from chic peas (I think). Anyway, the whole thing is very greasy and drippy and can also include chilli, garlic, tomato or BBQ sauce. Surprisingly enough, it doesn't taste too bad. Usual price is about $4AUD.

I've recently moved to USA and have got a hankering for a good kebab. Haven't seen one yet. From my short experience of California, it looks like Mexican food has really taken this niche and there seems to be little Lebanese cuisine around. Correct me if I'm wrong!

There are a number of typical sandwiches you may find in a kebab:
• Kebab frites ou salade (kebab with fries or salad) - The kebab part is the easy-to-see large hunk of donair meat turning around on a spit behind the counter. The server will cut some meat off the large hunk, and then put it into a pocket bread, which will already contain some of the following: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, pickled peppers, purple cabbage, emmental râpé, etc. and one of a choice of sauces. The only sauces I've ever seen are ketchup, mayonnaise, blanche (a cucumber/yogurt sauce), and chili sauce. If you ordered fries, they will be stuffed inside the sandwich and then covered in sauce.
• Merguez frites ou salade Merguez with fries or salad - This is the same as above, except with merguez, a spicy red sausage, and it's served in a sub roll which is then grilled and squashed flat.
• Steack frites ou salade Steak - One or two hamburger patties served as above.
• Brochette frites ou salade Skewer - Some chunks of turkey grilled on a stick, then served as above.
• Américain - Same as a steak, but with cheese.
• Norvegien - Smoked salmon with salad.

Some also have the features of beautiful North African women, forgetting to charge you for drinks, and cigarettes sold without a tabac license.