There are few food debates around these parts that get people fired up quite like donairs, and honestly, your passion for this Edmonton staple is exactly why we’re bringing back the Battle of the Donairs. We’re been talking about donairs around these parts for years, but there’s nothing quite like bringing the Nation together to settle things once and for all. But before we get the bracket sorted, we need your help.

If you’ve been around a while, you’ll likely remember that the first Battle of the Donairs happened back in 2020, and if you remember how loud the city got about this bracket, then you already know why this was long overdue for a comeback. In the six years since that first run, we’ve had enough people ask to bring the bracket back that it only made sense to rally the troops, fire up the nominations, and let Nation Citizens once again decide which Edmonton-area donair shop reigns supreme,

The Battle of the Donairs presented by bet365 is coming back very very soon, but before we can build our our Top 32, we need you to tell us which shops deserve a spot in the bracket. Up until July 8th, we’re taking nominations over at NationGear.ca from anyone who has a favourite Edmonton-area donair spot they believe should be included in the voting. Once the nominations are in and totalled, we’ll build the bracket, open the voting, and let the people decide which shop gets crowned this year’s winner.

And the best part about it is that everyone has a favourite. If you’ve ever eaten a donair before, there’s a good chance you have a spot you’re always at. Maybe it’s the place around the corner that’s been your go-to for years. Maybe it’s the shop that bailed you out after a night of poor life choices. Maybe it’s the place you’ve been championing forever because everyone because you know that even one taste would probably change their life. Whatever your reason, this is your chance to make sure your favourite donair shop deserves a shot at eternal meaty glory.

But the best part about doing a bracket like this is that it is entirely dependent on you. We’re not sitting around HQ pretending we already know how this thing is going to play out. We’re asking the community to crown a champion after probably years of support your shop in silence. We want the neighbourhood favourites, the heavy hitters, the hidden gems outside the city, the late-night legends, and the places you’ve been defending for years even though nobody asked for your take. This is about city pride, Edmontonians’ passion for food, and showing Halifax that their take on this thing doesn’t hold a candle to what we’ve got going on in our own backyard.

You can submit your nomination up until July 8th, and help us build the strongest 32-shop field we can. After that, the voting begins, the arguments start, and we find out which Edmonton-area donair shop has the strongest army behind it. The Battle of the Donairs presented by bet365 is back by popular demand, and I cannot wait to see how this shakes out. Nominate your favourite shop, rally your people, and let’s find out who really owns the crown.