Turquoise Grill

variety, flavor, great service, awesome deserts

Pros: Best Turkish food in Houston

Posted 10/18/09

I like turkish food. I have been to Istanbul Grill several times and enjoyed it a lot.
I saw the reviews of this place and had high expectations.
But it was a big disappointment. The waiter was terrible. When we got there, he showed us a table, which was not clean. There were no silverware, we had to ask for it twice. He brought us dirty menus, took forever to take our orders. The soup was cold and had a funny taste.
We ordered calzone and some kebab. The kebab was OK but the calzone was terrible....
We had to wait for our check as well...
If you want good Turkish food, this is not the place....

Pros: Not much

Cons: Overpriced, bad service, mediocre food,

Posted 10/13/09

Obviously the best Adana kebab is in Turquoise Grill. It is a blend of spicy grounded beef and lamb on a skewer.
Its personable staff makes the restaurant more and more beautiful. They all put their heart into the restaurant to make every customer happy. They always help me and my friends whenever I go there.
They also have the best brick oven baked bread and grilled lamb dishes. Definitely no one can make the same or better lamb in Houston. Everyone should definitely try Turquoise at least once in a life time.

Pros: Personable staff, good location, good bread

Cons: N/A

Posted 10/01/09

The food is good! It is a great place to bring the kids. They will enjoy eating "the best pizza ever" since they get to make it! The owner is very personable and friendly!

Pros: Great for kids, Personable owner

Cons: None

Posted 09/29/09

As we listened to a local singer/songwriter the owner came over to our table to check on us. Both the gyro meat and veggies we extremely fresh and flavorful. At the end of the night he offered all remaining diners a complimentary glass of wine!

Pros: Yummy Vegetarian dishes/Diverse live music

Cons: None

Posted 08/14/09

Not authentic at all. Poor and sluggish service, food is not high
quality, overpriced for what you get, bread was stale and scarse, water did not get refilled, dessert was burned and looked old. The Chicken was dry and overcooked, the salad was wilted and soggy as it had been left overs from the day before. So called pizza was non edible, not cooked, doughy and no feta cheese like stated, it was replaced with tasteless mozzarella. Not a good location, atmosphere is depressing. Mom and pop restaurant ran by people who obviously are not experienced in this industry. Needs lots of work, not sure Turkish is all that desirable, not any different from Persian or Middle Eastern. Sign on front door says "best Mediterranean food" I'm sure it was done by the family and most definitely not the best. Will not return, will not recommend.

Pros: not much

Cons: location, food, atmosphere, service, cost

Posted 08/07/09

I really have no idea what Jack Jill is talking about. I having been eating at Turquoise frequently for a long time and it has definitely upgraded over the years. The pizza menu is relatively small compared to the Turkish items menu. In fact, there are so many Turkish dishes, that I never have to worry about getting the same dish over and over. Oh, also, the vegetable kebab is not $18.95. I talked to the owner (Jim) and he said it was a typo. The vegetable kebab is $7.99. Overall, a great resturaunt. I highly recommend going here if you haven't already.

Pros: Friendly Service, Decor, Freshness of Food

Cons: Nothing

Posted 05/28/09

Not what I expected. The food was edible but not great. Too much pizza and other non-Turkish dishes, and wanted something like Iman Bayildi or Biber dolma. Prices....well, $18.95 for a veggie kebab is...pretty steep. Service was OK, nothing special. Overall made me wonder if I was at the same restaurant as the other reviews.

Pros: clean, convenient

Cons: authenticity, prices, service

Posted 05/21/09

the reviews we read were great so we had high expectations. the owner was there and was friendly but the waiter that took care of us was not so attentive. we were given reheated bread with our hummis. it was hot on the outside and cold on the inside. the food was good but for the portions we received it was overpriced.

Pros: Example: best croissants in town

Cons: What are the drawbacks?

Posted 03/27/09

Everyone was so nice here, and the food was good, the atmosphere is very welcoming. I had a great experience. I would come back to eat here for sure

Posted 02/28/09

Great food and friendly service. The owner visits with all guests and makes you feel welcome - whether you're visiting for the first time or you're a regular. The mezes (appetizers - try the pastirma over hummus, or the sigara borek), the kebabs (try the Adana with yogurt and tomato sauce), and the desserts (baklava of course, but especially kunefe, served warm) are delicious, but the owner's mom's home-cooking style entree specials are hard to find anywhere else and are regulars' favorites. pair the food with some Efes / Efes dark beer or Yakut or Cankaya wine for a more authentic experience.

Pros: tasty food, convenient parking, friendly service, freshly made bread

Cons: Can't think of any

Posted 02/23/09

I have to admit first that I've never tried Turkish food, so I really don't know what's considered authentic. The service was excellent. The waiters help guide my friend and I through the menu and answered any questions we had. After that, the service was a little slower. For example, we had to go up to ask for our check. The food and the Turkish tea were both very good. I would recommend the tea for those who like something stronger. I would definitely come back.

Pros: parking, service

Cons: none

Posted 02/23/09

I realy enjoyed trying Turkish pizza called Lahmacun and I am glad I did . There are more dishes need to be discovered here. it is really amazing place !

Posted 11/08/08

I usually wouldn't take the time to write a favorable review on a place that already has so many rave reviews. But this place has earned it. I've been here multiple times (lucky me... I live within walking distance) and have never been disappointed. Read all the other reviews for the details - I think pretty much everthing has already been covered... consistently delicious food and extremely friendly service - no need to repeat. I'm just one more happy customer. Thanks, Jim!!

Pros: great food, great people

Posted 08/12/08

The Turquoise Grill is truly Houston's undiscovered treasure. Put aside that I love Turkish food, this place is one of the best Turkish restaurants in the US and even gives Istanbul good competition. The appetizers are fantastic-whatever Jim does with the Babaganouch is truly unique and fabulous. The entrees are varied-interesting and delicious. The lamb chops and special Turkish dishes are memorable; the best!
It is so rare these days to find a family who takes such great pride in a family run restaurant, the result being fabulous food, great services, and some of the warmest friendliest people you would ever hope to meet. We brought our group from our downtown hotel where we were at a conference to the Turqoise Grill twice last week, and everyone is still raving about it. I personally will be there everytime I am in Houston, and look forward to it. If you want an evening to remember, forget the steak and barbecue places in Houston (and there are lots of great ones) for the moment-go to the Turquoise Grill and Şerefe!!!!

Pros: food, price, wonderful people

Cons: maybe need a little more help when it gets busy there

Posted 08/02/08

We visited here for my birthday on April 2nd and had an excellent time. From the personal service to the awesome food and wine. Everything was just wonderful! I highly recommend this restaurant and you will not be disappointed.

Pros: Personal Service, Clean Restaurant, Great Atmosphere, Excellent Fresh Food

Cons: NONE

Posted 04/06/08

Recently visited for the first time after hearing about this place from friends. On a Thursday night, the place was full and each table was enjoying a leisurely meal. My companion and I spent almost 2 hours and never felt rushed or neglected. The food was fantastic and Jim truly made us feel like his honored guests- almost immediately he knew both of our names! Each course was outstanding and the baklava we shared for dessert was possibly the freshest I have had in Houston. We'll certainly be back!

Posted 02/03/08

I wouldn?t call it service, because it was way more than that. Jim, the owner/chef labored beyond sincere friendliness and treated me and my two friends like guests in his home. He turned us on to items we wouldn?t have thought to order with his generous samples. Everything he had was incredible! Each of us kept starting a sentence with "this is the best ___ I have ever had!" The carrot cake, baklava, shrimp kabob, lamb, humus, Turkish coffee...everything!
I highly recommend the place for this cuisine and most amazingly pleasant service that invokes a family-style comfort in me that I am ready and wanting even, to help with the dishes! I look forward to introducing other friends to the "experience" of dining there!

Posted 08/13/07

I like this spot good service, friendly staff, good food. I enjoy the adana kebab snf the lahmacun the most.

Pros: All good

Cons: none

Posted 07/14/07

My wife and I we impressed by the friendly atmosphere. I felt right away that this place was a good find. We ordered the hummus and the mixed grill kebabs. The meat was sooo good. We agreed that the beef/lamb combination was our favorite. For dessert, we had the baklava. It was so good, we had to get 2 more orders to go. Our server, Jim, was so kind and outgoing that I feel he desreves mention here.

This is definitely going to become a new favorite.

Posted 06/01/07

This is a great find tucked away off of Kirby. Tried it for dinner for the first time, and had a very enjoyable evening. The food is very good, especially for the value, but where the restaurant really shines is in the service which creates a wonderful experience. Jim, the owner, is very conversational and loves to make recommendations. Try the cucumber yogurt dip ("jujek") to go with the shepherd's bread, the sourness really "pops"! We had the kebabs and stew for dinner, which were both good choices, though I have heard that the calzones are really fantastic too. Jim recommended the rice pudding for dessert-I am usually not a huge fan, but this was baked in the brick oven so it had a nice crust on top and it really ht the spot. It would be a good choice for either those familiar with Turkish cuisine or those who are new to it and would like to try out a new cuisine.

Pros: Service, Atmosphere, Variety

Cons: Portion sizes vary-pay attention to the prices for a tipoff

Posted 05/03/07

This is a hidden secret. Great mediterranean!! The owner is so helpful and honest with his recommendation of dishes. The food is definitely healthy and savory. Will definitely be back soon!

Posted 03/12/07

I work in the building, so I am at an advantage--(I can eat here every day). It functions as an office cafeteria to some extent, and if you're hungry at 10AM, you can get a breakfast taco while the owner is prepping for lunch. The owner/chef is one of the most personable fellows you'll ever meet-and what a cook. The Turkish specialties are really good-I've been to Turkey and I can vouch for authenticity, but what's interesting is how well the kitchen handles typical Houston fare like breakfast tacos--some of the best in town. For lunch, the Turkish pizza, the lentil soup, the kababs, are all really good. I've been wanting to try the stuffed zucchini, "Mom's" (and I think it is made by his mother) usually served on Mondays but haven't made it yet. If you are anywhere near Ninfa's on Kirby, you're right there--check it out.

Pros: Great food, friendly atmosphere, good if you're alone

Cons: Service can be a little hectic

Posted 12/10/06

I think this is one of my new favorite restaurants in Houston. I've been to several ethnic restaurants in town and they always seem to never quite get it 100% right. Turquoise is the place I've been looking for in Houston. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful with their suggestions on what to order. The bread was fantastic as was the kabab meal I ordered.

I can't wait to go back to try another dish and to visit with the staff.

Pros: fresh homemade food, staff, free/easy parking

Cons: hidden off of Kirby

Posted 08/08/06

I don't think I could have been much happier with the place. The staff was very personable. Jim, the cook and presumable owner, took time to make some recommendations. The bread was fantastic. The lentil soup was some of the best I have ever had. The Chicken Stew with rice pilaf was absolutely delicious. I don't think I could have asked for a better meal.

My only shock was how empty the place was! The restaurant is tucked away off of Norfolk, so the address being on Kirby can be misleading. Look for the sign.

Highly recommended.

Pros: Fresh food, Service

Posted 08/04/06