hi soussegirl - what are sharwarms's ?
aslemma - i did see your post about indian restaurants and jennys' post too but it sounds like there's enough spicy tunisian food to enjoy - i think i'll leave the indian 'til i get home!

hi soussegirl

the greeny black "cow poop" dish you're talking about is called Lukia (probably haven't spelt it right) and is actually very nice if you can look past its appearance!

thanks for letting us know what it's called. I have looked past it's appearance and tried it and didn't like it, I'm not a fussy eater at all but just didn't like the taste of it.

Hi bushbaby - Sharwarma's are Tunisia's version of our kebab. They can be made using tunisian wrap bread or huge baps and are filled with slices of lamb or chicken, with salad, chips, harissa, salad mechouia and mayonnaise. Absolutely beautiful especially at 4 o'clock in the morning after a night on the tiles lol!

Hi Scubaleanne - I know what you mean about the Lukia, it has got an acquired taste lol! At first I didn't like it either, but after 12 years of being presented with it by my hubby's mum, I've become immune! I can cope with most things, yet hate fish and chick peas, which is unfortunate as you know they are staples of any Tunisians diet. Oh well, I might get used to them after another 12 years, fingers crossed!

yet hate fish and chick peas, which is unfortunate as you know they are staples of any Tunisians diet.

And I hate olives, dates and figs - why ever do I keep going back to Tunisia.

Hi bushbaby - Sharwarma's are Tunisia's version of our kebab

If you have been to Greece they are sort of similar to Gyros, very nice they are too.

Hi Aslemma - lol! I know its a pain all this foreign food, why can't they just have fish and chips lol!

Hi Kiltman - I think every country has a kebab don't they! The thing is wherever you go, they are just so moorish, but do absolutely nothing for the old waistline lol! Too nice for their own good!

Hi Soussegirl, The best kababs I've ever tasted were from a roadside stall near Sfax. There were a couple of sheep tied up and going 'baa', another in the process of being skinned and our kebabs were from one they'd prepared earlier!!! You do have to suspend your British susceptibilities in a situation like that.

Hi Aslemma, I know what you mean about ignoring our British ways and customs. At my son's circumcision a couple of years ago we had our cow tied up all night while partying and the kids were all petting him and naming him. Unfortunately he was made in several dinners later that night and the kids were devasted! Even I had to swallow hard when we had steak the following night! I think though it helped the kids though as they realised we don't all just buy our meat pre packed at the supermarket! There is a great roadside cafe between port el kantaoui and sousse (by the big shoe centre) that does lovely sharwarmas. Like you say the next sheep in line is tied up waiting, but if you forget about him, the food is gorgeous! Where do you normally stay?

I've stayed in various hotels in Sousse but am trying the Kaiser this time. It's owned by a Tunisian family and was recommended by a Swedish friend who has stayed there but she now has an apartment almost opposite. Incidentally I've sent you a PM.

The following is from the UK Trade & Investment website

Copyright text removed. Please feel free to post a link.
Graham HT Mod

I would urge great caution eating out in Tunisia. My whole family recently returned from PEK after a hellish week of non stop stomach upsets and...well I'd rather not go into detail.

We ended up living on tinned food from a shop while staying at a popular hotel in PEK.

Returning on the bus transfer there were dozens of people very ill and I saw two people vomiting.

Some people seem to have an iron stomach and if so, that's great. But if not I would be very cautious or it could turn your holiday into a nightmare.

Dave

Hi Dave, So sorry to hear of your stomach problems. It must have been a nightmare and I do hope you have fully recovered. Perhaps I've been lucky but I've eaten in hotels, restaurants, local cafes and roadside stalls in Tunisia, as well as private houses, and never had the slightest problems. I have however suffered in Hongkong and Australia strangely enough, so I do know how rotten you must have felt. I'm sure the heat couldn't have helped, as they are having one of the hotest summers for years.

Hi Discodave
Have you any idea what caused the stomach upsets was it anything specific,did it start right away or was it a day or 2 into your holiday just trying to get an idea of what to be cautious about.
Geovil

The heat was something else. Seeing people labour on building sites and so on in that heat is amazing.

Geovil, it was the second day I think. The rest of my family fell ill just after me.

It's hard to say what caused it because all meals were buffets with a huge selection. I did my best to try and stay safe, eg not eating salads or fruits without skins or drinking unbottled water, ice cubes etc.

Just thinking about that buffet makes me want to vomit all over my keyboard mate so i'm going to excuse myself now!

Dave