Sultan Kebab

Not a bad place really. The food was decent for the price (we had the beef and lamb doner) but somewhat unremarkable.
I was a little disappointed with the décor — the photos definitely *flatter* the place. It was a little more taqueria/​cafeteria than I expected.
I intended to go and have a nice but inexpensive dinner date, bringing a nice bottle of wine (the free corkage is a great feature here) to improve the experience, but the bright cafeteria-​style lighting made it difficult to forget we were in an inexpensive place.
Service was very nice and friendly. Probably a good place for lunch but less so for dinner (though I have to admit I’d rather have a shawerma from Truly Med for the same price.)

Not quite what I expected this place to be. It’s not bad at all, but we had some issues…
FOOD: The food was good, but the portions of our kebabs were tiny. I realize that it was cheap ($ 7ish) but the pictures on the menu board make the kebabs look twice as big. I was also looking forward to Baklava, but they were out. =(*pout*
SERVICE: Its a family run business, they took our orders and served us, then sat down on a table next to us with some friends and started yakking. The problem was it felt ackward to disturb them while they were also eating, though we were paying customers.

A little Turkish in Little Vietnam.
Yum yum in the tum tum: #11(rice + salad plate with ground beef). And the #13 (beef, lamb + chicken combo with rice + salad). Plus three pieces of dough-​y bread to share.
Cheap ($ 7.50/plate), friendly + fast service means we’ll come back.

Just another addition to the list of fabulously cheap eats on this stretch of sketchiness on Larkin. The owners are super friendly, the place is clean, nicely decorated and pleasant enough for us to change our order from «to go» to «for here» (that Ratatouille was being screened on the overhead tv just might have swayed us), and more importantly, the food was quite good.
One of my favorites while in Istanbul was the beyti kebab, and Sultan’s version was just as nice. The boyfriend enjoyed his adana kebab (lamb), with rice, cabbage salad, and bread. I will be coming back to try the baba ganouj and other dishes.

This place is GREAT! I’m so happy for a good Turkish restaurant after the disappointing meal at Gyro King.
I had the chicken cop kebab. It was very tasty– it actually just tasted like they grilled the chicken cubes with Tapatio but that’s tasty! Rice was fine. Salad very good. I also ordered hummus to kick my bill past $ 10 so I could charge it. It was very good. Good amount of garlic. A little much on the tahini but that’s standard in hummus.
Guys who run it seem like good guys. Just doing their job– but also very pleasant.
Go to Sultan Kebab!

Ordered the Combo Kebab.
Ummm… Pretty Good. I mean I ain’t a huge Turkey cuisine fan
but this was OK. You can’t beat the price so keep that in mind.
You get some lamb, some chicken, side red cabbage salad, slice of baked flat bread, and rice.
Taste?.. Ehhh… well you can’t complain for $ 8 right?

I do have to say that when Sultan Kebab came to take over Gyro King I was a bit nervous about trying it out, but food other than Vietnamese is hard to come by in the ‘loin, so when a Turkish place opens up, you have to try it! And boy was I glad that I did! It was great!
My boyfriend and I went on a Wednesday night and was able to order quickly and get seated quickly. We asked for two combo doner plates with chicken, lamb and beef, and the large appetizer plate. Since there wasn’t enough lamb/​beef for two combo doner plates the owner suggested we get a combo skewer plate with beef and lamb skewers. This wasn’t officially on the menu but was done for us as a favor at the same price of the regular skewer plates. Sweet!
The service was very friendly, and our food came quickly, albeit all together at the same time — appetizers and entrees (a pet peeve of mine). Everything was really tasty and super fresh. The salad that came with everything had a great tangy dressing and the meat, although slightly overcooked, was really tasty. I liked the chicken a little more than the lamb/​beef which were a bit overcooked and almost dry. My boyfriend found the lamb and beef skewers tasty but also overcooked. Especially notable was the babaghanous which had a delicious smokey flavor and unprocessed texture. The falafel was light and fluffy and very crisp. The dolmas were the only thing that was slightly disappointing. They tasted very standard, like they were from a can – nothing special there.
Overall this is a great place for Turkish food in the ‘loin or anywhere in the city for the matter. I’d be hard pressed to quality and prices this good anywhere else in the city. Thank Allah this place is right next to my house. Everyone should go and support this business! Ercan, the owner, is also super cute and friendly.

On holiday in Bermuda, we ate at a great Moroccan restaurant with similar fare – Kebabs, Falafel, and other middle eastern specialties. It was equally as great as Sultan Kebab – well seasoned meat with tasty salads.
The difference?
On vacation, I paid $ 36 + 18% gratuity on my meal, and at Sultan Kebab I paid $ 7 including tax and tip.
But also on vacation, we were in a touristy area steps away from the Atlantic ocean and the ambiance was much nicer. Step outside at Sultan Kebab and you’re in… umm… the Tenderloin.
Despite its location on the urine soaked Larkin Street, its well worth dodging a few crackheads.
mmmm!

I was just passing by and the food smelled really good, so I had to go in. The owner is probably the coolest restaurant owner’s I’ve met in the city. If they had a bar there, I’d buy him a drink– type of cool. I ordered food to go, and he invited me to sit down, watch some tv, a drink while he was cooking up the food, just like when you visit your buddies house. That’s just great service.
The food is also amazing! I’m really picky when it comes to lamb since a lot times it ends up tasting gamey. But the lamb kebabs are some of the best I’ve had. And the plate cost under $ 10 bucks, so how are you going to beat that?

1) New management
2) Cheaper
3) Fast food service
4) Quality coincides with price
–I give it a 2 ½ but I don’t know how to do half ratings.

I went to lunch here today with a fantabulous Turkish coworker. He agrees with me that there aren’t very many quality Turkish restaurants around.
Seriously… I never finish my food when I go out to eat… NEVER!!! But I cleaned my plate and had room for baklava.
I asked Ercan one of the owners what I should order and he recommended the Lamb cop Kebab… yummm… I tried a bit of my coworker’s Chicken Doner Kebab… mmmmmmmmmm… they told me the secret behind their light, but flavorful rice… (sorry, I can’t share it) mmmm… mmmm…mmmmm
They recently converted it from a fine dining restaurant to a casual setting. There’s a dining area right when you walk in, but just a few steps further is a staircase that takes you to an open elevated dining room that overlooks downstairs. Good for a quick bite and a place to catch up on reading or catch up with friends.
I was really impressed with both the food, the service (both owners were chatting with every customer!), and finally the Baklava is the best, THE BEST i’ve had… I don’t use the word BEST lightly either. Super fresh, flaky and not gooey at all like it was all mushed together.
The storefront doesn’t represent the interior at all… so don’t be deceived by it.
by the way Ercen is some serious eye candy…

Ercan, the manager of this place is very helpful. We ordered the Combo Kebab which has chicken and beef with a small salad and rice. Everything was quite delicious and price quite reasonable at $ 7.50 (not including tax). The place also looks very clean.
I think it has the same address and info as the Adana Kebab. However, this is a new establishment.

I was back in SF for a few days and told a bunch of friends to meet me here. I actually meant A la Turca on Geary but I screwed up. But the experience was great — good atmosphere (inside anyway), Tenderloin atmosphere outside — great food and generous portions.
I had the combo kebab and it was superb.

DAMN GOOD. combo platter+Adana kebab was amazing. a bunch of us came here after happy hour and feasted. seriously feasted. great, friendly owner. i’ve been searching for a turkish place as good as the stuff I had in Berlin…
and this is it.

The eating posse (Tiffany T., my girlfriend who doesn’t Unilocal,and myself) decided to give Adana Kebab a try for dinner. It’s a nice colorful, cozy, and spacious restaurant smack in the middle of Little Saigon. The location isn’t the greatest, but the food and atmosphere makes up for it.
We walk in and we are immediately welcomed by the owner of the restaurant. He was very personable and extremely friendly. He also had the patience to explain the items on the menu to us.
For appetizers we had babaganoush, and icli kofte (deep fried bulgar ball stuffed with ground beef). The main courses, we had the Beyti kebab, and the combo kebab. The Beyti kebab was SUPER DELICIOUS! Five star kick ass flava! The ground sirloin meat was flavorful, tender,…I can go on and on!
The Combo Kebab consisted of chicken, beef, and ground lamb. All very tasty meats. The chicken was tender and NOT dry. The beef was a bit on the tough side, but again the rich flavor made up for it. The lamb… ehh…although I ate all of it. Not a big fan of lamb… but don’t let that discourage you because of my personal dislike.
Overall, the food was excellent and the service was superb! It’s a nice cozy restaurant with a friendly atmosphere! Must try!

UPDATE: First off, I am personally offended by the Borat comment. Absolutely ridiculous.
Moving on to more important things — Sultan Kebab. As much as I wish this restaurant stayed a fine dining establishment, my wallet is much happier with the new name and concept.
Last night I had my favorite Lamb and Beef Doner Kebab platter, which was HUGE and only $ 7.50. My boyfriend had the Iskender Kebab, which he loved, and was about the same price. We finished our meal with Turkish coffee, a necessity when eating as much food as I did without going into a food coma, and squeezed in some baklava.
The service was unbelievable, the kitchen was immaculate (where you can see everything because it is out in the open unlike most restaurants in the city) and most of all, the food is incredible as well as authentic. I know, I am Turkish, I just came back from a vacation in Turkey and I grew up eating Turkish food.
To top it all off, they have no corkage fee and they deliver.
I will trek through the tenderloin any night of the week for Sultan Kebab.
And so should you.
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Unlike those that permeate the Tenderloin, the sights, sounds, and smells of Adana Kebab actually piqued my curiosity and invited further investigation. As it turns out, Adana Kebab has nothing in common with its neighborhood — The restaurant is a true gem among grime.
My senses were overloaded as soon as I entered the restaurant. My nose caught the aroma of slow-​cooked lamb and beef that filled the air, my taste buds were activated, my ears caught the Turkish music being played in the background, and my eyes were immediately greeted by the smiling owner/​chef/​waiter-​for-​the-​night (when does that ever happen?) as he led us to our table.
We started off with the Sigara Borek — baked filo-​wrapped feta cheese. We then moved on to our entrees — the Iskender Kebab (Alexander) and the grilled sea bass. The lamb and beef in the kebab dish were prime, the bread melted in my mouth, and the tomato sauce was just right. The grilled sea bass was equally impressive and came with a crisp Mediterranean salad. We finished off our meal with Sutlac, a Turkish rice pudding. Like the other entrees, this dish was delicious! Everything about this meal — from the taste to the texture — reminded me of my childhood trips to Turkey.
This restaurant is a nice break from the norm, seems perfect for group dinners and, best of all, is affordable. I highly recommend giving it a try. When it comes to high quality Turkish food, you gotta trust a Turk. Treat yourself and go to Adana Kebab. Tell Coskun I said hello, or better yet, tell him merhaba!
***I’d like to give a shout out to Clark, who gave some input on this review. xoxo.

Bring the meat. Lotsa meat, please.
It had already been a long afternoon and early evening for me and my friend… One of those days when «catching up» meant spending far too many hours in front of pint glasses and cocktail shakers.
We had just stumbled out of a massage parlor (we had no means of actually getting massaged, but I was extremely interested to know what went on behind those draped red curtains and white iron lattice), so had worked up quite an appetite.
Adana Kebab looked like just the ticket to manage our manly desires. Cut to 45 minutes later as I polish off the last gulp of red wine to wash down the succulent crispy and juicy lamb that had been piled atop my plate. My face be glistening red and smiling as I sit back and rub my enlargened belly. Satiated at last.
I can recommend this place to anyone who has misplaced massagelust. And to those who want some great md food in the ‘loin.

Ate here last night with friends visiting from out of town who had booked their hotel without consulting us, the locals, as to where to stay. Oops. Though I suppose they might have found the continual sound of cars being broken into to be charming. Who knows.
We picked Adana Kebab for its closeness to their hotel, and were all quite happy with the food. Only a couple veggie options, so our vegetarian friend ended up with a salad. Not that there’s anything wrong with salad, but I know it’s her back-​up when she doesn’t see anything else she wants to eat.
All the meat eaters were quite happy. The beef, lamb, and chicken dishes were all delicious. Try a combo platter for an appetizer: a little taste of everything.
Desserts were fantastic. Best rice pudding I’ve had in ages, baklava that wasn’t weirdly greasy, and their special dessert which I’ve forgotten the name of. Also, the best glass of no-​name Syrah I’ve had possibly ever.
Good, friendly, but not overly pushy service on our visit, though perhaps that’s because we were one of only 3 parties eating there.

Masala, cok beyendim!
Had to represent for my people and checked out Adana Kebab for lunch. The name alone impressed me as it’s named after a specific Turkish kebab. I crossed my fingers and hoped that this wouldn’t be just another middle-​eastern-​food place serving some generic mix of persian/​greek/​mediterannean/​turkish cuisine.
Well, I was IMPRESSED… which is very rare for me after growing up with my mom’s Turkish cooking which kicks major Sultan ass.
Tasty bread while you wait… and I got the Sigara Borek for a great appetizer (deep fried thin eggrolls with feta cheese… sort of look like ‘cigarettes’ hence the name). A little oily, but that’s the way it’s supposed to be.
Had the Adana kebab and expectations were high since the joint is named after the dish. Did not disappoint! Overall, the food was authentic yet not obscure. Super good.
gene lazim gitelim!
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Update: I should mention that the name is now listed as ‘Sultan Kebab’, so they either just changed the name or changed management. I have not been there since it was called Adana Kebab, so hopefully my review is still accurate.

Drat, I wanted to be the first to review this one.
I went last Friday, the second day the restaurant was open. At dinner time, you may choose from only take out or white tablecloth dinner service, which was kind and helpful. The bottles of wine in the back create a more pleasant atmosphere than that of A La Turca.
My friend and I shared a couple of lamb dishes, both dishes were heavy on tasty, tangy tomato sauces that didn’t overpower the natural taste of the meat, but didn’t accent those flavors either.
I found the meat to be a bit rougher than even what I am used to from Doner Kebab.
I believe that San Francisco needs more Turkish food. It’s just a shame that this one happens to be located a couple of blocks away from a Turkish restaurant that has rid itself of its previous kinks.