The boyfriend and I grabbed a bottle of wine (NO corkage fee!) and headed over for a Saturday night dinner at Istanbul Restaurant at the edge of Boystown in Lakeview. Istanbul features quite a large menu of Turkish and Mediterranean options. We started with their plate of homemade hummus that was deliciously paired with their fresh baked daily Turkish bread. (YUM!)
We were feeling adventurous so we also tried "Lahmacun" a.k.a. "Turkish pizza," a naan-type flatbread that Istanbul Restaurant tops with ground lamb, onion, tomato, parsley and various herbs and spices. This was quite tasty especially with the combination of spices!
It was hard to decide on an entree since the menu is so vast and affordable, but ultimately we decided on the chicken donor and beef kebab, which both came with a heaping portion of rice pilaf and fresh Jerusalem salad.
My chicken dish was very tasty and was complimented by a tangy tomato sauce. The side of yogurt sauce was a nice balance for the acidity of the chicken sauce. The large chunks of beef in the kebab entree were extremely tender and well-seasoned and tasted more like a sirloin steak than ground beef. Istanbul gives you heaping portions of delicious meat and sides for the price!
Istanbul Restaurant was an excellent choice for a quiet meal. The restaurant is nicely decorated with crisp white tablecloths and the waitstaff is extremely accommodating and attentive. The menu offers Turkish, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean options for even the pickiest eaters. Be sure to grab your favorite bottle of vino and head over for an affordable, yet tasty, meal.
Istanbul Restaurant
3613 North Broadway Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 525-0500
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