A La Turka Turkish Kitchen

by April S.

I am only giving this place one star, but I wouldn't know about the food considering they didn't even let us in the door.My boyfriend and I were strolling down Lincoln early evening (around 6pm) for dinner. We decided to stop in here. They asked if we had reservations, to which we replied no. So the host sent us upstairs (even though there were only 2 taken tables downstairs). When we got upstairs, the bartender asked what we wanted. When we told him we were there for dinner, he said we could only have appetizers upstairs. What?! So basically, they weren't going to serve us b/c we didn't have reservations. Nice.We went down the street for dinner, but on our way back we saw two girls leave the place, essentially talking about how the same thing had happened to them. This place is no where near upscale enough to be turning people away at the door.

by Todor K.

When you visit A La Turka Turkish Kitchen make sure to check for the daily specials which run about $9. They have a full liquor bar and play Turkish music. The staff is friendly and helpful. They recommended the baklava and I am glad I listened and ordered these 4 pieces of sweet flaky nutty treats. To make the experience that much better I also ordered the Turkish tea which is served in a clear glass and has a rich flavor and nice aroma with a slightly bitter taste, but in a good way. On weekends you may want to make reservations since it gets busy evenings.Todor Krecuhttp://hotfortea.yelp.com

by Andy G.

I'd been to A La Turka years ago, and had kind of put it out of my mind for a while, until returning last night with a visiting friend from Iowa.  I had a discount certificate that was only good Sun-Thurs, so figured last night was as good as any for Turkish.  Overall, A La Turka is a fun atmosphere, albeit much more fun on weekends.  For an early dinner on a Sunday evening, the place was pretty empty.  Save for the one other table with two screaming toddlers.  The atmosphere is much more "authentic" than most other Turkish/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurants I've visited.  While I've never visited Turkey, the interior of the restaurant leads me to believe that it is what a Turkish restaurant in Istanbul might look like. As for the service and food, they were both exceptionally average.  Sophia, our waitress, was prompt and friendly, yet not around much for as empty as the place was.  The food continues to be a decent value, although Fattoush on Halsted still can't be beat in my book for price, food and service.  The eggplant dip ( baba ganoush) was very smoky - a little different from any BBG that I've had.  It was the most BBG that I've ever been served at a restaurant, though.As for the entrees, everyone was pleased with their selections, although there was nothing to write home about.  The Sultan's Wrap that I had was very tasty, but a little rich for dinner.  Overall, I'd probably stick to this as a fun group experience on the weekends when the belly dancers perform and go for the entertainment not the food.

by Jennifer P.

Lunch/dinner in bed! It's a spin off of breakfast in bed, except you're eating lunch or dinner and your laying on a rug, surrounded by many comfortable pillows. This is how I would like to preface my story at La Turka. The two window tables are the only places for sitting, or it's not worth the trip. I went here with Emily W. and we both immediately got nuzzled in to our respective corners surrounding the table. Our adorable waitress greeted us at the table by bowing down to our level and asking what we'd like to drink. "Yes, little servant girl! Fetch me my apple tea!" OK...am I getting too ridiculous? Sorry, folks. What I'm trying to get at is...the service is royalty. I ordered the kashkash and found it to die for. The meat was so perfectly seasoned and cooked, I was ready to melt away and forget about the world. Portions are perfect. I walked away completely satisfied. There is a warning that comes with this review, symptoms of laying down while eating are: falling asleep and numbness of limbs.  Just sayin'. It's easy to get a wee bit too comfortable here. Yikes! Check it out. Good date place or day out with the girls.

by emily w.Jennifer P.Patti S.Jenna C.Jasmine J.

Imagine a place where you can lay on the floor, surrounded by pillows and cushions, soft music, drinks, little servant girls dancing around with dessert trays (might have been imagining that part), gold chandeliers, kebabs cooked to perfection, and did I mention lots of pillows?. Ahh, I see it off in the distance through a thin cloud of smoke... A...laaaa...Turkaaaa. Derka Derka. If the two sections by the window with the cushions aren't available, wait until one opens up! "The only thing missing from this is somebody to feed me as I lay here" -Jen P. Don't lay there too long though, your digestive system needs a little gravity to help it work!P.S. BIG fan of the Alexander kebab Olive Feta appetizer platter.Lunch/dinner in bed! It's a spin off of breakfast in bed, except you're eating lunch or dinner and your laying on a rug, surrounded by many comfortable pillows. This is how I would like to preface my story at La Turka. The two window tables are the only places for sitting, or it's not worth the trip. I went here with Emily W. and we both immediately got nuzzled in to our respective corners surrounding the table. Our adorable waitress greeted us at the table by bowing down to our level and asking what we'd like to drink. "Yes, little servant girl! Fetch me my apple tea!" OK...am I getting too ridiculous? Sorry, folks. What I'm trying to get at is...the service is royalty. I ordered the kashkash and found it to die for. The meat was so perfectly seasoned and cooked, I was ready to melt away and forget about the world. Portions are perfect. I walked away completely satisfied. There is a warning that comes with this review, symptoms of laying down while eating are: falling asleep and numbness of limbs.  Just sayin'. It's easy to get a wee bit too comfortable here. Yikes! Check it out. Good date place or day out with the girls.The first time I came to A La Turka, I was blown away.  Two girlfriends and I arrived on a busy Saturday night with no reservations and were seated almost immediately at one of the sought after, cushy floor tables.  The menu seemed almost overwhemingly huge but there were so many excellent choices, it was fun to have some drinks and take some time perusing the menu.  The food was terrific and plentiful, the belly dancing was sensational and we spent about 3 hours there and enjoyed ourselves from beginning to end.  Well, with that experience, I decided to take my best friend on our annual Christmas dinner there.  I made reservations a month in advance and requested the floor seating, no problem on the phone.  We trudge out there in a BLIZZARD from the burbs, walk in and are seated at a two person table in spite of the fact that the entire restaurant was DEAD save for three tables put together in the middle of the room for a birthday party.  I mentioned that I made a reservation and requested a floor table and she informed me that it was too busy to seat us there because they get so busy.  From the time we got there until the time we left, NOBODY was seated aside from some of the people for the birthday party.  Needless to say, I was livid.  Also, the menu seemed to have been drastically reduced since the first time I had dined there.  The food was delicous both times I've been there but I will never be back due to the horrendous way we were treated.  After reading some other reviews, it seems that the people who run this place are incredibly cheap and could care less about pleasing their customers.Upon reading more reviews, I've learned that the owners and chef have changed which explains everything.  What a damn shame!The atmosphere here is wonderful! The food on the other hand is just ok. My husband who it Turkish (bornraised) wasn't impressed with the food at all, and when he pronounced the food names in Turkish no one who worked there knew what he was talking about. On the other hand I am not Turkish and I thought the food was pretty good! It's a fun place to eat at but I wouldn't consider it the best of the best.I used to love this place. LOVE it. It was the kind of place I'd choose for my birthday dinner, even when I could have chosen the $$$$ foodie spots. It's delicious and interesting Turkish menu never let me down. However, it went through some major changes and now the menu is limited and ordinary. And, after reading the reviews citing their poor quality of service and downright stingy behavior (see Allison A.'s review), I don't think I'll go back. The place I loved doesn't exist anymore. :o(

by doris d.

No comprendo. I thought this place was supposed to be awesome?? The belly dancers put on a show, which was great, but pretty much everything was done just to distract us from what was actually on the table. I'm half Armenian and know dolmades when I see them. Those were not dolmades. And the pizza with lamb?? eeehhh... So far, Pita Inn is the best.

by Joscelyn M.

The food: whether you want some meat (read: lamb shank = best lamb I've had - sorry, mom!), or some veggies and dips (read: veggie platter = satisfying and just incredible), or want to carbo-load (read: bread = fan-freaking-tastic), this is your place. Good wines, too. Great place for a group - love the belly dancers on weekends. Can't wait for an occasion to come back!

by Robert F.

Tired of the same old same old?  Want to mix it up a bit?  Want to try something new but not something crazy?  Consider A La Turka.  Now I don't know anything about Turkish cuisine, but I do know that this place serves up some unique and very satisfying meals.  But the uniqueness doesn't stop at the food.  Want to play Sultan for the night with the Mrs.?  Ask for one of the Turkish style seating areas where you'll rest against large pillows while grazing at a low laying table.  And if you still not satisfied, order a hookah.  And if you're STILL not satisfied (and the Mrs. will let you), enjoy the belly dancers.

by emily w.

Imagine a place where you can lay on the floor, surrounded by pillows and cushions, soft music, drinks, little servant girls dancing around with dessert trays (might have been imagining that part), gold chandeliers, kebabs cooked to perfection, and did I mention lots of pillows?. Ahh, I see it off in the distance through a thin cloud of smoke... A...laaaa...Turkaaaa. Derka Derka. If the two sections by the window with the cushions aren't available, wait until one opens up! "The only thing missing from this is somebody to feed me as I lay here" -Jen P. Don't lay there too long though, your digestive system needs a little gravity to help it work!P.S. BIG fan of the Alexander kebab Olive Feta appetizer platter.

by Dhalia C.

Two words: SULTAN'S SPECIAL! It's amazing!! I love the bread they serve with your meal and I just use it to sop up the delicious goodness that is this meal!!