What Is "Doner Kebab"?

A Rotating Log of Spicey Lamb Meatloaf Gets a Shave

This article explains the meaning of those late night trucks that line the streets of Oxford (and, we understand, Dusseldorf, Madrid, Istanbul, etc.) and which seem to enjoy a complete monopoly on post-pub (which is early here) junkfood supply.

Döner kebab, literally "rotating meat", is a sliced lamb or chicken loaf slowly roasted on a vertical rotating spit. It is similar to gyros, shawarma and Taco al pastor. Döner kebab is popularly best known served in pita bread with salad but is also served on a dish with a salad and bread or French fries on the side (not in Australia) or used on Turkish pizzas called pide or "kebabpizza". Take-out döner kebab or shawarma restaurants are common in some parts of Europe. Döner Kebab is said to be the best-selling fast food in Germany and comes close in the popularity stake-outs in France, Denmark, Finland and Australia. Take-out gyros is quite popular in the United States where it is usually beef and lamb, shawarma is available in ethnic neighborhoods but döner kebab is unknown.