Döner Kebab in Medford: Choose Your Dish at Pita House
Pita House in Medford serves Turkish kebabs including Lamb Gyro Doner, Adana and Iskender. This guide compares menu choices and points you to current dine-in and takeout prices.
Quick Kebab Facts:
- ✓ Döner, Adana, Iskender and mixed grills
- ✓ Authentic Turkish flame grilling
- ✓ Dine-in and takeout menus available
- ✓ Current dine-in and takeout prices on the menu
- ✓ See current menu and ordering options
- ✓ Open 7 days a week
Döner can be ordered as a sandwich, an entrée or Iskender. Compare the menu choices below.
What is Doner Kebab?
Doner kebab is one of the most iconic dishes in Turkish cuisine and arguably the most famous street food in the world. The word "doner" comes from the Turkish verb donmek, meaning "to turn" or "to rotate" - a direct reference to the cooking method that makes this dish so unique and flavorful.
To prepare authentic doner, layers of seasoned meat - traditionally lamb, but also beef or chicken - are stacked onto a tall vertical spit in a cone shape. The meat is marinated with a blend of Turkish spices including cumin, sumac, paprika, oregano, and Aleppo pepper. As the spit slowly rotates in front of a heat source, the outer layer of meat cooks to a crisp, caramelized perfection while the inner layers stay juicy and tender. A skilled kebab chef shaves thin slices off the rotating cone, creating those irresistible, slightly charred pieces of meat.
A Brief History of Doner Kebab
The vertical spit-roasting method dates back to the Ottoman Empire in the 19th century. The dish is widely attributed to Iskender Efendi of Bursa, Turkey, who in the 1850s pioneered the technique of roasting meat vertically rather than horizontally. This innovation allowed the fat to baste the meat as it cooked, creating an incredibly juicy and flavorful result.
Döner inspired related rotisserie dishes in other cuisines. At Pita House, compare Lamb Gyro Doner, Turkey Gyro and Iskender on the current menu.
Pita House has served Turkish food on Long Island since 1993. Its menu identifies the döner options and describes the accompaniments, so you can choose a dish that suits you.
Compare Döner and Kebab Menu Choices
The current menu includes döner, Adana, chicken and lamb kebabs, Iskender and mixed grills. Dine-in and takeout dishes, sides and prices can differ; use the linked menu for the current details.
A mixed grill brings together several kebabs. Included sides depend on the dish and service menu.
Sandwich, entrée or Iskender?
Choose the takeout sandwich for beef and lamb döner in pita; extras such as fries are listed separately. The dine-in lamb entrée includes soup or salad and bulgur or white rice. Lamb Gyro Doner Iskender is served over toasted pita with warm garlic yogurt and house red Iskender sauce.
Prices below come from our printed menus, verified 2026-10-22. These are not lunch prices. Online ordering prices and availability may differ. Compare all service menus.
Dine-in · Meat entrées
Lamb Gyro Doner
Thinly sliced lamb roasted on a vertical rotisserie over charcoal.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$29.00
View menu sectionDine-in · Vegetable & poultry entrées
Turkey Gyro Dinner
Rotisserie turkey breast with rice and yogurt sauce.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$28.00
View menu sectionDine-in · Iskender
Lamb Gyro Doner Iskender
Toasted pita topped with warm garlic yogurt and house red Iskender sauce.
$32.00
View menu sectionTakeout · Meat entrées
Beef & Lamb Gyro Doner
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$25.00
View menu sectionTakeout · Sandwiches
Beef & Lamb Gyro Doner
Served in pita with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and yogurt sauce on the side. Substitute grilled vegetables for salad: $2.00. Add soup, fries, salad or rice: $4.00 each.
$13.50
View menu sectionDine-in · Meat entrées
Adana Kebab
Ground lamb with red peppers and spices, chargrilled with roasted peppers and tomatoes.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$34.00
View menu sectionDine-in · Meat entrées
Lamb Kebab
Marinated lamb cubes, chargrilled with green peppers.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$35.00
View menu sectionDine-in · Meat entrées
Beyti Spicy Lamb Kebab
Ground lamb with peppers, paprika, garlic and onions.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$35.00
View menu sectionDine-in · Vegetable & poultry entrées
Chicken Kebab
Marinated chicken skewered with mushrooms.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$28.00
View menu sectionDine-in · Meat entrées
Baby Lamb Chop Pirzola
Four charbroiled baby lamb chops with grilled tomatoes and peppers.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$42.00
View menu sectionDine-in · Meat entrées
Anatolian Special
Shish kebabs, gyro, Adana, chicken kebab and lamb chops with tomatoes and peppers.
Served with soup or salad and your choice of bulgur or white rice, except where noted.
$50.00
View menu sectionTip: Check the menu for the sides included with each kebab. Hummus and eggplant spread are available as separate starters.
Iskender Kebab on the Menu
The dine-in menu lists Lamb Gyro Doner Iskender: toasted pita topped with warm garlic yogurt and house red Iskender sauce. Turkey, chicken and vegetable Iskender are also listed separately. The takeout Iskender Kebab is served with hot yogurt and no rice.
It is the ultimate expression of what makes doner kebab on Long Island special at Pita House - the combination of perfectly cooked meat, house-made sauces, and traditional presentation that you simply cannot find at chain restaurants.
Anatolian Special - The Ultimate Mixed Grill
The Anatolian Special is a mixed grill. The dine-in version lists shish kebabs, gyro, Adana, chicken kebab and lamb chops; the takeout version lists shish kebabs, gyro, Adana and chicken kebab. Compare the current menus before ordering.
A mixed grill is one option if you want to sample several kebabs. Ask about the serving size if you plan to share.
Adana Kebab Near Me - Chargrilled Ground Lamb
The current dine-in menu describes Adana kebab as ground lamb with red peppers and spices, chargrilled with roasted peppers and tomatoes.
Adana is available on the dine-in and takeout menus. Check the menu for the sides included with the version you order.
Doner vs Gyro vs Shawarma: What's the Difference?
One of the most common questions we hear at our kebab restaurant on Long Island is: "What is the difference between doner, gyro, and shawarma?" While all three dishes share the same vertical-spit cooking method, they come from different culinary traditions and have distinct flavor profiles.
Doner Kebab
- Origin: Turkey (1850s, Bursa)
- Meat: Lamb, beef, or chicken
- Spices: Cumin, sumac, Aleppo pepper, paprika, oregano
- Served with: Pita, rice, yogurt sauce, tomato sauce
- Key difference: The original vertical-spit dish; uses Turkish spice blends
Gyro
- Origin: Greece (1920s, adapted from doner)
- Meat: Pork, lamb, or chicken
- Spices: Oregano, thyme, marjoram, rosemary
- Served with: Pita, tzatziki, onions, tomatoes
- Key difference: Uses Greek herbs; often includes pork
Shawarma
- Origin: Levant/Arab world (adapted from doner)
- Meat: Lamb, chicken, or beef
- Spices: Cardamom, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, baharat
- Served with: Flatbread, tahini, garlic sauce, pickled turnips
- Key difference: Uses warm, aromatic spice blends; often wrapped
The Bottom Line
Döner, gyro and shawarma share a rotating-spit cooking approach, with ingredients and serving styles that vary. The Pita House menu lists Lamb Gyro Doner, Turkey Gyro and Iskender; compare their current descriptions before ordering.
Why Pita House Has the Best Kebabs on Long Island
Pita House has served Turkish food on Long Island since 1993. Here are the menu details and practical ordering options that help you plan a visit.
30+ Years of Perfecting Kebabs
Pita House has served Long Island since 1993. Its current menu offers several kinds of kebab, plus soups, mezze and desserts.
Explore the Current Menu
See the current menu for dish descriptions, ingredients and separate dine-in and takeout prices. Call the restaurant if you have an ingredient question.
Traditional flame grilling
The menu describes Adana as chargrilled and Lamb Gyro Doner as roasted on a vertical rotisserie. Ask the restaurant about preparation if it matters to your order.
Compare Dine-In and Takeout
Menu names and descriptions vary between dine-in and takeout. Compare the current listings for lamb, chicken and mixed grill dishes before you order.
What the Press Says
"The best part of the meal was the beginning, specifically the cold appetizers..."
- The New York Times
"A taste of Turkey on Long Island... authentic flavors that transport you to Istanbul."
- Newsday
Browse the current menu and recent customer reviews when planning a visit.
How to Order Your Perfect Kebab Meal
First time at a Turkish kebab restaurant on Long Island? Here is our guide to building the perfect kebab meal at Pita House, whether you are a doner devotee or a complete newcomer to Turkish cuisine.
Start with a Cold Appetizer (Mezze)
Turkish meals traditionally begin with cold appetizers called mezze. Our Hummus with Pita and Eggplant Spread / Baba Ganoush are perfect starters. For something uniquely Turkish, try the Stuffed Grape Leaves filled with rice, herbs, and spices. The NYT specifically praised our cold appetizers as the highlight of the meal.
Choose Your Kebab Style
Here is a quick guide to help you choose based on your preferences:
- For classic doner: Lamb Gyro (Doner) or Turkey Gyro (Doner)
- For spice lovers: Adana Kebab or Beyti Spicy Lamb Kebab
- For the ultimate experience: Iskender Kebab (doner with tomato-butter sauce)
- For lamb enthusiasts: Fresh US Loin Cut Lamb Kebab or Lamb Chops
- For lighter options: Chicken Kebab
- For the indecisive: Anatolian Special Mixed Grill (try everything!)
Pick Your Sides
Check the current menu for the sides included with your chosen kebab. We recommend the bulgur pilaf for a more authentic Turkish experience - it has a nutty, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
Add a Hot Appetizer (Optional)
For an appetizer, the menu lists lamb manti with garlicky yogurt and tomato sauce, and mini lahmajun with spiced ground lamb, tomatoes, parsley and onions.
Finish with Turkish Dessert & Tea
Complete your kebab experience the Turkish way with a traditional dessert and tea. The menu lists baklava and Turkish tea if you would like dessert after your meal.
Dining with Family?
For a shared meal, compare the takeout Turkey & Lamb Gyro Combo, Chicken & Lamb Kebab and Mixed Grill. Ask about portions and check the current takeout menu for prices.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doner Kebab on Long Island
Q:What is doner kebab?
A: Döner is meat cooked on a rotating vertical spit and sliced for serving. Pita House lists lamb gyro döner and turkey gyro on its current menu; check the dine-in or takeout menu for the preparation and sides of the dish you choose.
Q:What is the best kebab for a first-time visitor?
A: Iskender is a way to try döner with pita, yogurt and sauce. For several grilled meats, compare the Anatolian Special on the current dine-in and takeout menus, since its contents differ by menu.
Q:What makes kebabs at Pitahouse special?
A: Pita House has served Turkish dishes on Long Island since 1993. Its menu includes döner, Adana, Iskender, shish kebabs and mixed grills, with descriptions and current prices for dine-in and takeout.
Q:What is the difference between doner and gyro?
A: Döner and gyro refer to related styles of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. Pita House calls its lamb version Lamb Gyro Doner on the menu. Ingredients and accompaniments vary by dish, so check the current description or ask the team.
Q:Does Pita House deliver kebabs?
A: Delivery availability and menu selection depend on your address and the ordering platform. Enter your address in the online ordering flow or call (631) 289-2262 to ask about your order. For catering, contact the restaurant with your event date and guest count to confirm availability and request a quote.
Q:What is the best kebab combo or platter to share?
A: The Anatolian Special and takeout Mixed Grill are options to compare for a shared meal. The listed contents and prices vary by dine-in and takeout menu; see the current menu or call before ordering.
Q:Where can I get the best authentic Adana kebab near me on Long Island?
A: Pita House in Medford lists Adana kebab on its dine-in and takeout menus. The dine-in menu describes ground lamb with red peppers and spices, chargrilled with roasted peppers and tomatoes. Check online ordering for delivery availability at your address.
Q:Does Pita House offer vegetarian Mediterranean options like falafel?
A: Yes. The menu lists falafel made from chickpeas, a falafel dinner, hummus and eggplant spread. Ask the restaurant about ingredients, preparation and dietary requirements before ordering.
Ready to Try the Best Doner Kebab on Long Island?
Visit Pita House in Medford for dine-in or takeout. Enter your address in online ordering to check delivery availability.
2016 Route 112, Medford, NY 11763 | Open 7 Days a Week
Related Articles & Guides
10 Must-Try Turkish Dishes at Pita House
Explore the full range of authentic Turkish cuisine beyond kebabs - from manti dumplings to baklava.
Best Turkish Dishes on Long Island
A complete guide to the most popular Turkish dishes available on Long Island, with menu highlights and prices.
The History of Turkish Cuisine
From the Ottoman Empire to modern-day Turkey: discover the rich history behind the dishes we serve.
Mediterranean Diet Benefits
Explore Mediterranean-style eating and dishes on our menu.
Serving All of Long Island
Looking for the best kebab near me? Pita House serves customers from across Suffolk County and beyond: