Istanbul Grill — Restaurant in Oak Ridge

We came to this place with hopeful outcomes, unfortunately we were greatly disappointed. We came two hours ahead to get our names written down as we were a party of 11. They told us the wait would only be 30 minutes. That was the first problem why would you tell us 30 minutes when you knew it’d take much longer. Despite that, we waited two hours out in the cold because we were hungry. We went in a couple of times to ask how long it’d be and kept getting told that we needed to keep waiting. We’d seen people come in after us and be seated before us. After going in to ask countless amounts of times, and two hours in the cold we were then told that the table for 11 that was finally empty was being cleaned for us. After they had cleaned the table my brother had told me to go sit down because I was feeling lightheaded from hunger. The waiter then proceeded to tell my brother to calm down, which then he responded that we’ve been relaxed for the past two hours. He was never telling her anything, he was only talking to me so there was no need to interfere into our conversation. Anyways we continued waiting after getting out of that situation. We were about to sit but we’re told to wait again. During that time another family came and took that table. Mind you we had paid 600$ in advance for the food, the food hadn’t even been made and neither were we seated yet we still paid 600$ in advance. The waiter was being extremely aggressive with us and told us we’d then be separated into tables. My dad went to ask them why they were seated first. The waiter told him sir you need to teach your children manners. Saying that and giving our table away was too much. We were extremely frustrated and hungry and these people were arguing with us and telling my parents to learn how to raise children. That is absolutely ridiculous and in any situation not okay. You are running a restaurant, part of your skills is the way you deal with customers and manage timing. Firstly you should’ve never told us thirty minutes, and then proceed to push us off. They kept treating us as if we were non-existence. Then the table you specifically told us not to sit at because it was being cleaned for us, you gave that away too. Telling us we don’t know how to raise our children is insane. I understand that the waiters were tired but that is not a way to treat people. I broke down everything that happen to explain that nobody was being harassed. You guys need to learn how to treat people, how to train your waiters, and how to manage your timing. You can ask anybody at that restaurant thwt this restaurant does nothing but waste your time. If you have poor service your food can be worth millions but will stay worthless. Do better and learn how to run a restaurant, I have no skills in the business of running a restaurant but I know that a toddler could run this...

I don’t know where to start exactly with this review…

We have been there multiple times before and have never received such substandard level of service. There were multiple open tables when we arrived but due to their staffing shortage we had to wait 10 mins to be seated. When we were finally seated, they sat us at a dirty, sticky table. We then had to wait 10 mins for our menus & at this point we already knew what we wanted but when we told the waitress, she told us we had to wait to order.

We finally placed our order and things got worse from here. We ordered the French fries, the lavas bread & the chicken shish to share. Our drinks had no ice, our bread was cold and soggy, and our chicken was raw in the chicken shish. We waited for the waitress to check back in but she wouldn’t so we decided to approach the counter to show her the raw chicken that both my husband and I bit into.

The chicken shish comes with 8 pieces of chicken breast cubed & out of those 8 pieces we broke into/bit into 3 of them and they were all pink inside. After approaching the counter they waitresses said they’ll check with the kitchen. NO APOLOGY GIVEN. A few minutes pass and another waitress comes up to us and said they took the meal off the bill and if we wanted another one she can add it back. It was the only meal we ordered for our dinner & it was getting pretty late so we said we wanted it. After 20-30 mins they bring out the remade chicken shish. We tried eating it but the horrible experience & lack of professionalism just made us lose our appetite so we just asked for a to-go box & the check.

When they brought the check, to no surprise we were charged for everything. We paid the bill and upon the waitress returning to the table for her tip we decided to bring up the experience. The waitress kept deflecting the fact that the first plate was raw to the fact the second plate was cooked & stated that the chef checked the other 5 pieces from the first plate and they were cooked & it was just a few pieces raw. As if that is acceptable. I also brought up the fact that no one apologized & she stated that “well this is the first time something like this happened, but I apologize” cross contamination & food that can make someone sick is never acceptable.

2 hours wasted in a greedy restaurant full of employees who can’t take accountability for...

A Culinary Journey to Paradise: Istanbul Grill Exceeds Expectations!

From the moment we stepped into Istanbul Grill in Orlando, we were transported. The ambiance struck the perfect balance of sophisticated elegance and warm Turkish hospitality. The decor, with its subtle nods to Ottoman artistry, created an inviting and special atmosphere that immediately set the stage for a memorable evening.

But the true star of the show was undoubtedly the food. Each dish was a masterpiece, a testament to the authentic flavors and rich culinary heritage of Turkey. We started with the mezze platter, a vibrant and generous selection of dips, spreads, and savory bites that tantalized our taste buds. The baba ghanoush was smoky and creamy perfection, and the sigara böreği were delightfully crispy.

For our main courses, the Iskender kebab was an absolute revelation. The tender, perfectly seasoned lamb, generously draped over pita bread and bathed in a rich tomato sauce and yogurt, was simply divine. My companion raved about the sea bass, grilled to flaky perfection and infused with fragrant herbs. The quality of the ingredients was evident in every single bite.

Beyond the exceptional cuisine, the service was truly outstanding. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food they were presenting. They offered helpful recommendations and ensured our every need was met with grace and warmth. The entire staff contributed to a feeling of genuine care and hospitality that elevated the entire dining experience.

To conclude our meal, the traditional kunefe was the perfect sweet ending – warm, cheesy, and drizzled with a delicate syrup. Paired with strong Turkish coffee, it was a delightful culmination of the evening's culinary journey.

Istanbul Grill is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a taste of authentic Turkey right here in Orlando, delivered with impeccable service and a truly welcoming spirit. If you're looking for an upscale dining experience that will delight your senses and leave you wanting more, look no further than Istanbul Grill. We will absolutely be returning and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a truly special meal. Five stars...