The “Great Donair Showdown” was held in Dartmouth on Saturday, February 28, 2026. CTV
Four Halifax-area restaurants faced off this weekend in a spirited competition to earn bragging rights for serving the “Best Donair in the World.”
The event, called the Great Donair Showdown, took place Saturday at Staggers Pub and Grub in Dartmouth. Organizer Corey Good, known locally as the “Donair Beast,” brought the contest together as part of a larger effort to celebrate Halifax’s iconic dish.
Good is currently working on a documentary titled “Donairfest,” which explores the history and cultural importance of the donair.
“Donairs need to get on a world platform. They need to be recognized more worldwide,” said Good.
A Passion for Halifax’s Signature Dish
The donair holds a special place in Nova Scotia’s food scene. Built around seasoned meat carved from a vertical spit and served in warm pita with sweet garlic sauce, it has become a late-night favourite and a point of pride for locals.
Good said the competition aimed to spotlight the dish and encourage more people to try it.
“Everybody just came together and they love it,” said Good. “I had to put this event on to get the word out that you’ve got to try a donair.”
The contest featured four well-known eateries: King of Donair, Revana Pizza, Sasy’s Pizza, and Tony’s Famous Donairs and Pizza. Judges sampled each donair carefully before choosing a winner.
Comedy duo Tracy and Martina joined the judging panel, adding energy and humour to the event.
A Winner Crowned
At the end of the tasting, Revana Pizza claimed the top prize.
“We’re the first winner of the Best Donair in the World,” said Revana Pizza owner Jack Toulany.
Toulany said he has prepared donairs since 1976. He credits the victory to quality ingredients and careful attention to flavour.
“We use top quality meat, and we use 15 types of spices in our donairs. It’s not like any other place,” he said. “I adjusted the recipe, I fixed it, and I’m sticking with it and this was a secret recipe all my life.”
The win marks a proud moment for the long-standing local business, which has built a loyal following over decades.
Looking Ahead to ‘Donairfest’
The competition will appear in Good’s upcoming documentary, which promises to dive deep into the origins of the donair in Halifax.
“How it started, where it came from, who invented it,” said Good. “It really digs deep into the story of the donair.”
For Good, the project remains a labour of love. He hopes to share Halifax’s signature food with a wider audience and introduce it to people who have never tasted one.
“I do it all for the love of donairs,” he said. “I probably ate more donairs in my life than any other person.”
The documentary is expected to release next year.
As the crowd at Staggers Pub and Grub enjoyed their samples and celebrated local flavour, one thing became clear: in Halifax, the donair inspires both fierce loyalty and friendly competition.
