I Am Doner serves an uber-fresh menu of award-winning dishes in a room that's modern, lively, and heavily tricked out with nods to British culture.

New to Canada, UK-based I Am Doner is a bit of a bigwig back home, where its seven locations have garnered a cult-like following.

Founded in 2016, by chef Paul Baron, the fast-casual restaurant raised perceptions of doner, moving them from strictly late-night fuel to something sober people sought out at all hours of the day.

Built on made-to-order bread, with profoundly seasoned meats, crisp veggies and house sauces, this doner's impact isn't all that hard to understand. Far from drunk food, this is food that comforts, that induces cravings, and that's so customizable diners needn't ever fear getting bored.

"I went to the UK around 2019," says Syed Danish, who co-owns Toronto's I Am Doner with Faisal Husnain. "This doner word was new to me. I went in and tried it and I just fell in love with it. I thought, 'Wow, that's amazing.'"

Together with Husnain, whose "childhood dream was to open a restaurant," the duo brought the popular chain to Toronto.

At I Am Doner's first Canadian location, which opened in mid-November, the mood is playful, thanks to pops of colour, a slew of British mementos and a varied playlist curated by an emerging UK music producer.

"We didn't want to just open any mom-and-pop kebab shop," says Danish, adding that the team hand-picked décor — from vintage vinyl records and loud neon signage to murals of beloved characters, even an iconic red UK phone box — to give the space its bold personality.

A busker station near the front of the shop is there for anyone itching to belt out a tune, but is also used by professionals who serenade weekend customers with live music.

Comfortable and contemporary, I Am Doner invites diners to savour their feasts. "Come with the family and enjoy the vibe. Sit together for hours and just hang out," says Danish.

Flaunting a larger menu than its UK cousins, I Am Doner Toronto serves signature wraps along with snacks and salads, mountainous rice bowls, loaded poutine and milkshakes that double as dessert.

From a list of crispy starters, French Fries ($4.99) and Sweet Potato Fries ($6.49) placate traditionalists.

More adventurous eaters will want to throw caution to the wind, with Tempura Green Beans ($5.99) or Halloumi Fries ($9.99).

Unique riffs on fried finger foods, each is delivered piping hot and crunchy. Still, with their squeaky, chewy, creamy cores, the halloumi nuggets have the edge.

No matter which you order, I Am Doner's veritable catalogue of sauces is well worth sampling. Ranging from mild to punishingly spicy, it jumps from black garlic and Memphis bbq to mango habanero and Hot as Hell Chili, an option made in collaboration with Toronto's very own Lost in the Sauce gourmet hot sauce label.

Want to turn fries into a meal? Chicken Shawarma Loaded Fries ($15.99) make it possible, with thinly-sliced, marinated meat, a tumble of vegetables, feta and sauce elevating a snack into a hefty bowl of grub.

Kids (and kids at heart) will swoon over a 5-piece box of golden Chicken Tenders ($12.99), but they're not the real reason to visit I Am Doner. Instead, order the team's crafted kebabs and lose yourself in the luxury of textures and flavours proffered in every bite.

Options include falafel and Chicken Shawarma Kebab ($15.89), Beef Doner Kebab ($19.47) and a house special that defies the laws of physics and manages to hold chicken, beef, halloumi and falafel all in one unquestionably plump wrap.

Whichever one you choose, you'll wait mere minutes as it's deftly assembled by the team. It's a process that begins with the house flatbread, which cooks to a pliable finish in under a minute.

Simultaneously, someone else will shave slow-cooked meat (it's all 100% halal) from the spits, each of which is changed twice a day. Finally, you'll play eenie meenie with a broad selection of fresh and marinated vegetables. A splash of your preferred sauce will land safely atop the mix before the entire medley is tucked securely into a sheet of foil and delivered to your table.

"The best way to try it is to eat it within half an hour," advises Danish. "Otherwise, you're not going to get the full taste out of it."

Warm and drippy, crispy, zingy and fresh, it's a sandwich you won't take long to devour.

Do you need a milkshake the size of a Big Gulp to wash it all down? Probably not (and if you decide to abstain there are simple drinks, including house-made lemonades, to sample), but the Caramel Apple Crumble Shake ($12.49) and KitKat Shake ($12.49) are over-the-top options some won't want to miss.

Made for staunch milkshake enthusiasts, each is silky and rich, wickedly sweet and best shared.

Order a meal deal and you can forgo the milkshake in favour of a free cone of soft serve included with your purchase.

A place that takes fast-casual dining into new territory, I Am Doner woos customers with its fresh menu of sating dishes. Whether you want to focus on nutrition or be a little naughty, have just a few minutes to spare or prefer to linger over a sizeable spread, I Am Doner brings a welcome taste of Britain to this side of the pond.

I Am Doner is located at 433 Queen Street West.