A La Turca

A La Turca
869 Geary St (Larkin), 345-1011
11am to midnight, 7 days.

The short-lived Tandoori restaurant was replaced with a Turkish successor. I have visited Istanbul several times, as well as the west coast (Ephesus etc), and then as far as Ankara to the east. On all visits, I enjoyed the cuisine immensely. A recent visit to A La Turca on Geary St. brought back those memories.

On one occasion, their dishes were fully as good as any I experienced on my several visits to Turkey. On a second visit, when many more diners were there, I found the cuisine spotty. Also, the room was quite noisy. The best dish by far was the Black Sea pie, baked to order while you wait. One order is more than enough for two. Second best choice are the desserts, (We did not try the sandwiches). Most dishes are exhibited behind glass, which is attractive and facilitates the choice. Prices are cheap.

The menu — same for lunch and dinner — consists of 10 appetizers, 2 soups, 3 salads, 9 main dishes, 5 oven-baked pies, 10 sandwiches, and 9 (yes, nine) desserts.

Appetizers. These include several vegetarian dishes, e.g., hummus (garbanzo beans with lemon juice, garlic, & tahini, served with their own oven-baked flat-bread)), eggplant salad, yoghourt with cucumber & garlic, deep-fried pastry filled with cheese & parsley – all $3.75. Stuffed grape leaves are $4.25.

Soups & salads. Lentil soup and soup-of-the day are $2.75, both served with homemade bread. A salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, & onions, $4.75, a Turkish salad with cheese $4.75, and a chicken or lamb-gyro salad $6.75. Most can be shared.

Oven-baked pies. Black Sea pies are made to order with spinach, feta cheese, ground beef, or chicken. One chicken pie has pineapple. All are $3.75, and, definitely, for sharing. We found the spinach pie delectable.

Specialty platters. All served with French-fries, salad, and bread. They include lamb and beef gyro slices, $7.75, lamb shish kepab $8.75, ground lamb kepab served with garlic-yoghourt sauce $8.75, a combo grill of lamb and chicken kepab, lamb & beef gyro — $11.75. We found the lamb and beef gyro slices very good.

Desserts. Include baklava (several kinds), and pastries with walnut or pistachio, or cheese — all $2.50.

Drinks. Wine, $2.75 glass, soft drinks 75 cents, yoghourt drink $1.50, domestic beer $2.75, import $3.75 (high), coffee or tea $1, including Turkish coffee. The Turkish coffee was excellent on one visit, but just ordinary on a second visit.

Sandwiches. All on lavosh or homemade pita bread, served with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, & tahini sauce. Chicken, lamb & beef gyro $5.25, combo $6.50, falafel $5.95, hamburger & fries $4.25, cheeseburger & fries $4.50.

A la Turca is worth a visit, especially for the Black Sea pies, the lamb & gyro slices, and desserts. And for the low prices.