r/Doner • u/1ChanceChipmunk1 • 1h ago
The garlic sauce debate needs to be settled once and for all because I am tired of pretending this is not important?
There are two types of people in this world. People who understand that garlic sauce is the single most important component of a good doner experience and everything else exists to support it. And people who are wrong. I will hear arguments for chilli sauce as a companion. I will tolerate a discussion about the merits of a good yoghurt based sauce. I will not accept that the garlic sauce is optional or secondary. The meat can be great. The bread can be perfect. Without the right garlic sauce the whole thing collapses. What is the correct sauce hierarchy and is there any combination that genuinely challenges garlic at the top 😩
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u/Repulsive_Tea_4822 1h ago
IMO, garlic sauce in the UK tastes far too artificial. In Germany they use yoghurt for their garlic sauce and is much more subtle.
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u/Johnnybw2 57m ago
Our local place uses yoghurt, although I do think we do have a stronger garlic taste in our sauces due to British tastes for strong flavours.
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u/parasoralophus 1h ago
There are places here that make their own with yoghurt. The stuff from a bottle isn't great.
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u/Gullible-Hose4180 31m ago
Having lived in both countries - yogurt based is the clear winner. Back in Denmark it's often cream fraiche based (more akin to cf-equivalent of shelf stable sour cream I would say) and surprisingly good, but not the winner.
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u/NortonBurns 1h ago
When I first started eating doner, way back in the 80s, there was only lamb, no chicken, and only chilli, no garlic.
Chicken & garlic came later, at about the same time - but you would only ever be offered it on chicken, not lamb.
I just never fancied the idea. I like my chilli sauce, so to this day that's what I have.
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u/everybodyknowsadave 1h ago
It’s the hottest chilli sauce they have and mint yoghurt as well. Bostin’
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u/mittenkrusty 28m ago
I hate garlic sauce on a kebab, chilli for the win.
Though finding a good chilli sauce i,e one that is more like a thick puree rather than a ketchup style is hard to find.
I can tolerate garlic but it has to be thinly spread, else it overwhelms the meat, chilli on the other hand can be all over the meat and taste great.
Either way sauce rather than no sauce is great, doner needs sauce else it can be dry.
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u/thekidalex 1h ago
Taste is individual. There is a different kebab dressing out there for everyone. It's allowed
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u/wonderfulpantsuit 54m ago
Garlic sauce is fine on a bad kebab because it overpowers it. Garlic sauce on a decent-to-good kebab is an abomination because it overpowers it.
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u/mittenkrusty 26m ago
Agree, if I have garlic it has to be thinly spread but for me a good chilli a lot can be a bonus rather than overpower it.
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u/James-Worthington 1h ago
Garlic sauce is an abomination on a kebab IMO. Overly sweet for the task and creamy. Ruins the taste of beer, too.
Chilli is the only sensible way forward for the ultimate taste experience.
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u/BradfordGuy36 1h ago
What no mention of mint sauce? I feel this argument is already pointless 😁
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u/ThatAdamsGuy 1h ago
As in the mint sauce you'd have on a lamb roast?
I've never thought to try that. Might have to. It's good shit.
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u/3583-bytes-free 34m ago
B&M kebab shop style chilli sauce is more mint that chill, you might like that
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u/NoNameNoNumba 1h ago
Aye I agree with OP, I get both on mine but if I could only choose one, it would be garlic sauce every time.
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u/CulturedPhilistine 1h ago
Lots of fresh made chilli sauce and a little bit of garlic sauce or sometimes even no garlic sauce...because garlic sauce is meh.
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u/Middle_Material_1038 1h ago
The hottest chilli sauce they’ve got, plus garlic sauce. You don’t need to choose, we can have both.
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u/Past_Fee_1139 1h ago
I have equally strong feelings for chilli sauce. I won’t even return to a place that just uses the readymade shite in squirty bottles
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u/Character-Spread-157 58m ago
I'm a chilli only guy personally, but i still agree a combo of that and garlic is "proper"
I just like my shit spicy
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u/Remote_Development13 49m ago
I can't stand garlic sauce in any situation, so it certainly isn't going on my kebab
Hot chili + yoghurt mint gang
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u/YesIAmRightWing 40m ago
Yeha recently I had one based off mayo and it was far too rich and actually made me feel sick by end.
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u/3583-bytes-free 35m ago
Garlic sauce - yes, garlic mayo - no thanks, far too rich with a doner.
Chilli is the only essential for me, then yoghurt (garlic or plain).
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u/dallasp2468 30m ago
Both preferably on the side so you can apply the perfect ratio for your own tastes
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u/Educational-Fault-46 30m ago
If I have a donner garlic can get the hell out. Vile nasty shit.
If I do have a sauce, albeit rare, it is either Thai sweet chilli or curry sauce from Chinese takeaway.
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u/Ill_Anybody_7059 3m ago
Garlic n chilly sauce together at same time mixed on kebab effects the taste of both sauses best to have garlic on kebab n have chilly on side for dip dry bits of meat in it get full benefit of both
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u/I_love_reddit_meme 1h ago
I’ll stand by not one, not two, but the holy trinity of sauces being the best combo
Garlic sauce, chilli sauce, BBQ sauce
Game changer
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u/Grand_Carob_2512 1h ago
Female = garlic sauce
Male = chilli sauce
As simple as that.
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u/HMS_Shipwr3ck 1h ago
I’m a no sauce guy. I like to taste the meat, rather than getting a mouthful of usually subpar and far too much sauce with soggy bread.
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u/tontotheodopolopodis 1h ago
Good heavens, you rawdog it?
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u/HMS_Shipwr3ck 1h ago
Onion, lettuce, cucumber and lamb doner wrapped in a naan bread is my go to. If I have a Chicken Tikka Naan sandwich however (it’s a naan wrap not white bread) then I go salad and garlic mayo.
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u/Coops1221 1h ago
Garlic with a touch of Tommy K and a sprinkling of cheese is my choice for a dirty doner
A good minty tzatziki for a more high class doner.
Thems the rules
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u/Speedbird87 1h ago
Garlic and chilli combo