Shawarma, bubble waffle steal the show

Over the next several weeks, the Sun will continue to visit small locally owned restaurants and food trucks in Westman, tasting what our great corner of the province has to offer. In this review, I visited Happy Clover food truck, one of the new Westman food trucks that feed us during summer.

SOURIS — I joined hundreds of people who packed the grounds for the 2026 Souris Peacock Days & Fair on July 11, expecting the usual fair staples — mini donuts, poutine and lemonade. Instead, I found myself drawn to a brand-new addition among the food trucks: Happy Clover.

Curiosity won.

After a quick look at the menu, I ordered two items that immediately stood out: the chicken shawarma wrap and the bubble waffle with strawberry and assorted toppings. By the end of the meal, I understood why people were in line.

The chicken shawarma wrap arrived tightly packed, hot and generously filled. The chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, but what truly set it apart was the Korean carrot, a spiced carrot preparation made with specialty spices sourced from Ukraine.

Veronika Plis, who helps run the truck, said her father makes the shawarma “with all of his heart” and considers it his favourite dish to prepare. The wrap also included lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and a house-made sauce that combines sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, paprika and a few undisclosed ingredients.

That sauce is the secret weapon, Plis said.

It added a creamy, slightly tangy finish that tied the entire wrap together. The Korean carrot brought a subtle crunch and a unique flavour profile I have not encountered in most shawarma shops. It felt less like a standard food-truck meal and more like a family recipe being shared with the public.

If the shawarma impressed me, the bubble waffle genuinely surprised me.

The waffle had a crisp exterior with soft, airy bubbles inside, creating a texture that was both light and satisfying. I chose strawberry along with a variety of toppings, and the presentation alone looked worthy of a social media post.

According to Plis, the bubble waffle was inspired by her mother after seeing the dessert online. The family spent considerable time testing recipes and ingredients before developing their own version, and they had not seen anything quite like it in Brandon, Neepawa or Minnedosa.

That effort shows in the final product.

The waffle was not overly sweet, which allowed the strawberry flavour to stand out. The toppings added crunch, creaminess and bursts of sweetness without overwhelming the waffle itself. It is the kind of dessert that makes you slow down and enjoy each bite rather than rush through it between fair attractions.

The atmosphere matters, too.

Part of what made this meal memorable was the setting. Eating beside the fairgrounds, surrounded by music, midway lights and the energy of Peacock Days, gave the experience an unmistakably summer-in-Westman feeling.

Food trucks succeed when they offer something people cannot easily get elsewhere, and Happy Clover appears to understand that. The combination of a Ukrainian-influenced shawarma element and a rare bubble waffle dessert gives the truck a distinct identity in a crowded festival market.

I rate the meal a 4.5/5.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

» X: @AbiolaOdutola