Kebab kiosk opens in Downtown Brooklyn near Borough Hall

November 20, 2023 Mary Frost

German doner kebab stand in Downtown Brooklyn

German Doner Kebab, which opened Nov. 13 at 261 Joralemon St., serves German-Turkish kebabs wrapped in waffle bread. Photo: Mary Frost, Brooklyn Eagle

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DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — A German-Turkish kebab eatery opened in Downtown Brooklyn on Nov. 13, in an industrial-style slate and red kiosk on the sidewalk next to Brooklyn Borough Hall.

German Doner Kebab, at 261 Joralemon St., is on the edge of Columbus Park, and leases the vending space from the Parks Department.

The company said in a 2021 presentation to the city Design Commission that the chain purveys “classic, authentic, healthy kebabs combining lean meats, handmade breads and signature sauces,” using locally-sourced vegetables. The breads are stamped with a waffle pattern.

Donor kebabs originated in Turkey, with meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie and sliced thin.

Customers can eat at a built-in lunch counter out front, or order take-out. The company told the city that when the weather turns cold, they’ll bring out heat lamps.

GDK (a “fast casual” franchise under Hero Brands) started in Berlin in 1989 and has since spread internationally. The Borough Hall spot is its seventh U.S. location.

The kiosk is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.