Turkish cuisine on the cheap and extras like house-made pita bread keep 'em coming back to this Tenderloin cafe.

by Lorraine Sanders

In Short
An unassuming stone facade with simple cafe tables flanking the front door gives way to a casual dining room bounded by mustard-colored walls and deli cases lined with cold appetizers and pastries like walnut kadayif. Scents of grilled spiced lamb, spit-fired chicken and the house-made dough used to make veggie and meat pies (called pides) wafts from the open kitchen over patrons seated at glass-top tables laid with brightly patterned tablecloths. Inexpensive prices and a lengthy menu are added bonuses.

04/07/07

best kebabs

by domino_triest

Shady neighborhood, wonderful food. The kebabs are full of flavor. The sponge cake is soaked in sweetened rose water, it's overly sweet.

04/06/07

wonderful kebobs

by soniasarah

If you love kebobs of any kind, you got to try this restaurant in the shady neighborhood of Tenderloin. The portions are huge.

12/08/06

best turkish in the bay area

by sadan

I've tried all the other so called turkish and mediterrenean restaurants, and a la turca is the best. loved everything i tried from appetizers to pides, sandwiches to kebab platters, so delicious, and priced amazingly low, friendly service excellent chefs in white coats and hats.

• Pros: good friendly service, prompt seating, great food

12/02/06

a so so example of turkish cusine

by charlenav

first of all, if you have even been to turkey you know that turkish food is amazing. as far as turkish food goes, this place is pretty average. i only come here because turkish food is hard to find in the city. if you have the oppertunity, try efes beer.

08/16/06

Avoid the DONOR Sandwiches!!!!!

by turkishfood

The DONOR sandwiches are nothing like the ones you find all over EUROPE. IT REALLY SUKED! The kababs is what I reccomend. I have to agree with one of the reviews about the description on the menu is not what you get sometimes. Oh WELL! Go for the KEBABS! I REALLY MISS THE DONER KEBAB SANDWICHES in EUROPE!

• Pros: Good KEBABS
• Cons: DONORS SANDWICHES... Service was off

06/19/06

Tasty kebabs at reasonably priced Tenderloin spot

by foodcritic242

This is the one of few inexpensively priced Mediterreanean restaurants in the Tenderloin/Union Square area. The kebabs--lamb in particular--are the standout choices, served with rice, salad and bread. Be sure to try one of the many appetizers before your entree, such as the flavorful tabouli. Pides are fine, but on this visit, my beef pide seemed a little dry and under seasoned. Surroundings are pleasant and nicely decorated with traditional art.

• Pros: Tasty kebabs, wonderful appetizers, nice surroundings
• Cons: In the Tenderloin

07/31/05

BEST - Just the Best

by monkeygirlsf

We love this place so much we had our wedding rehearsal dinner here - for what turned out to be almost 50 people. They handled it beautifully: food kept coming; wine kept pouring; they even made room for the belly dancer we brought in.

The food here is phenomenal. I don't know how that bread is made, but its brilliant. Try the pides, the sigaras, the cold appetizer plate and all the kebabs. They also make this lamb pizzetti thing that is out of this world. Try the Turkish beer too and never leave without having pistachio baklava.

And the real-deal chefs in the hats? As if anything could add more to the ambience?

This place is the best value, food, and casual fun.

• Pros: FOOD, Staff, Private room

04/27/05

Great value

by sabinas

A la Turca is a good place for take out or if you want to eat cheap-and the food is delicious!I eat there at least once a week.Veru authentic Turkish food.

02/11/05

great food!

by jkrom

the doner here is amazing!! in fact, anything i've tried, from the salads, to the eggplant, to the sutlac (pudding dessert) , to the turkish coffee was great. the service was fast and friendly, too. definitely better than what i expected, we'll be back here soon!