Taylor Swift might have sung “So Long, London,” but it seems the superstar isn’t done with the city just yet. She’s back, bringing her record-breaking Eras Tour to Wembley Stadium for an impressive eight shows this summer, kicking off on June 21. While many might expect the singer to enjoy some of London’s finest food while she’s in town, she’s going to be tucking in to something a little different during the first leg.
That’s because her team has placed an order with Kentish Delight, a kebab shop in Kentish Town that Swifties will instantly recognize. The unexpected location appeared in Taylor’s 2017 music video for “End Game” featuring Ed Sheeran and Future. In the video, the singer-songwriter can be seen wearing a sparkly dress and blue fluffy coat, while enjoying a kebab. And according to staff at Kentish Delight, this is something she’s done in real life many a time. Her go-to order is a chicken kebab, either doner or shish (she’s apparently had both), with extra garlic sauce.
As fans flock to London for the shows this weekend, many are also heading down to try out the order for themselves, and I decided to join them to see if Kentish Delight lives up to the hype. I have to start off by saying that I’ve never actually ordered a kebab in my life. I’ve been to kebab shops after a night out, sure, but my go-to was always a portion of cheesy chips and that was that. So, you could say this was a doubly important moment for me, as a foodie and a Swiftie.
The kebab shop is nestled on the high street, and aside from the selfie of a staff member with Taylor Swift in the window, the place is pretty unassuming. Ahmed Khan, who runs the shop, is working on his own when I arrive, chopping cabbage for more kebabs. The last few days have been a whirlwind for him, with the business going viral once again. He takes one look at my Eras Tour T-Shirt and knows instantly why I’m here. He smiles and asks me if I want the “Taylor Swift kebab” then proceeds to start making it.
Fans come in and out as he prepares the food, taking a selfie in the shop but not ordering anything. This is something Ahmed is used to at this point, and thankfully he’s got a sense of humour about it. First up to try is the chicken doner kebab, which isn’t something that’s ever appealed to me, I’ve never loved the look of the meat spinning on display behind the counter, but I’m pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy this.
Pitta bread is topped with the chicken, garlic sauce, lettuce, onion, cucumber, cabbage, and tomato. The sauce seeps into the bread, making it soft and juicy. The seasoning is light, the garlic isn’t too overpowering. After a few mouthfuls, I’m converted. I can see why Taylor keeps on coming back for more.
I polish off the whole thing and I’m impressed that it didn’t feel greasy, or leave me feeling a little too full like most takeaway dishes do. The heap of salad on top really helps make it feel fresh. The chicken shish is less saucy, but has a chargrilled flavour that is exactly what I think of when I imagine a kebab. It’s tasty and again, not at all greasy. I’m a big fan.
So it’s safe to say that my first time trying a kebab was a success, I’d definitely go back for another one, and this proves that the dish is so much more than a 3am purchase to soak up too much booze. I’m sure it’s true that not all kebab shops are created equal, but this one is doing a cracking job. It’s not hard to see why it’s had a love story with Taylor, and it’s definitely living up to its big reputation.
