Omar's Pakistani Turkish Restaurant — Review by AmericanTurk

Brooklyn, United States — Pakistani-Turkish

The reviewer visited a struggling family-owned Pakistani-Turkish restaurant in Brooklyn to support the owner, Omar, who has been facing financial difficulties since relocating. Despite slow business, the homemade dishes including chicken chops, manti dumplings, and kufta meatballs received high ratings and the reviewer left a generous tip to help the struggling establishment.

What was great: Chicken chops were huge and flavorful, homemade manti dumplings with tomato sauce and yogurt were excellent, kufta meatballs were juicy and tender

What could improve: Nothing mentioned

The Dishes

The meal began with small chicken chops priced at $19, which impressed with their generous size and flavor profile, earning a four out of five rating. The homemade manti, Turkish dumplings served with tomato sauce and yogurt for $27, was exceptional and received a perfect five out of five score. The owner confirmed everything was made in-house, which clearly elevated the quality. The kufta, traditional Turkish meatballs priced at $19, were juicy and succulent, also earning a perfect five out of five rating. Each dish showcased authentic preparation and fresh ingredients.

The Experience

The restaurant was notably empty when the reviewer arrived unannounced, reflecting the business struggles mentioned throughout the interaction. The owner, Omar, was candid about his financial difficulties, explaining how rising costs for electricity, gas, and meat have impacted his ability to maintain the business. Despite the hardship, Omar was welcoming and engaged, even sharing that he's been working seven days a week for the last 30 years. The atmosphere was intimate and genuine, with a heartfelt conversation between the reviewer and owner about the challenges of running a family restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Value and Pricing

The total bill came to $70 for three generous dishes, representing reasonable value for quality homemade Turkish-Pakistani cuisine. Each dish was substantial and well-prepared, making the pricing fair given the portion sizes and authenticity of preparation.

Notable Moments

You've been working 7 days for the last 30 years
This exchange highlighted Omar's dedication and sacrifice. When the reviewer attempted to leave a tip, Omar initially refused, explaining they are family and don't need tips. However, after some playful insistence, the reviewer successfully left $1,000 as a gesture of support, which clearly moved Omar. The reviewer promised to return with his family and expressed hope that things would improve for the struggling establishment.

The Verdict

This is an excellent restaurant for anyone seeking authentic homemade Pakistani-Turkish cuisine in Brooklyn. The food quality is outstanding, and supporting this family business means investing in traditional cooking methods and genuine hospitality. Highly recommended for those who want to enjoy authentic flavors while helping a dedicated family business survive.