Donair & Platters

Not every meal in Port Coquitlam involves reservations or table service, and the city is better off for it. Donair & Platters runs as an independent quick-service counter in PoCo, the kind of spot built for a fast order and a full plate.

The name covers most of what a first-time customer needs to know. Donairs anchor the offering: seasoned meat roasted on a spit and carved thin, wrapped in a warm pita with tomato and onion and the sweet sauce the style is known for. Platters spread the same idea across a plate for heartier appetites, and counters of this kind typically round things out with the fried and fresh sides that turn a quick order into a proper meal. Everything is made to order and packed to go. Portions tend to be generous at this kind of counter, which is half the appeal of ordering a platter in the first place.

A first visit is straightforward, since customers order and pay at the counter. Anyone feeding a group or working around a tight schedule can call ahead to ask about wait times and whether larger orders can be placed in advance. Confirming hours before setting out is wise as well, since small food shops keep their own schedules.