Real Döner Turkish Food — Restaurant in Petaluma

Went to Real Döner Turkish Food in Petaluma. We saw some reviews saying it was halal, so didn’t think much about it. By the time the food came out, we had some doubts about the halal status of the meat. It’s our fault we didn’t do our due diligence since one review on yelp did mention the owner’s reluctance in answering a simple question: is the meat sourced in your restaurant halal?

At any rate, I went up to the guy and asked if the meat is halal. I paid for the meal regardless since it’s not his fault we didn’t do our research. What annoyed me is his response. He said, brother just say bismillah before you eat. I asked him if this was said at the time of the slaughter, and he said just say this before you eat.

With all due respect to restaurant owners, they know their craft well, but I don’t go to them for fiqh and interpretation/implementation of Islamic rules. There are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled before an animal is slaughtered to make it zabiha and these are wajib (obligatory) (e.g. must be facing the qibla, the name of Allah is said, etc.). Saying bismillah before eating is mustahab (recommended), but not wajib. Wajib acts must be observed whereas mustahab acts are optional.

To the restaurant owner: just be straightforward and tell people the meat sourced...

The food here was really great and very fresh. Admittedly, I almost always get the falafel platter when I'm here but only because it's so perfect. Falafel is something often not done well other places, but here all the details are perfect. There's always fresh things that go really great with the falafel, which has been cooked to perfection everytime I have it, like picked cabbeges, lettuce, red onion with yummy spices, carrot strips, and some type of tomato. Hummus and tahini also taste great, well seasoned and fresh.

Baba ganoush here is also very good, nice and roasted flavor. I wish I could order the Falafel a la carte sometimes. The pita bread is always fresh and delicious but it lacks a pocket. I'm don't really need a pocket though, plus fresher seems better.

I have had service with a smile many times here. Service can be a tad enthusiastic at times, but I'm not so sure that is a negative. I do get the feeling like they care and are really trying.

For everything being fresh and cooked to order, I think they get the food out in a very...

There is no question that Real Döner is the best Turkish food in Sonoma County. They're probably the best Middle Eastern food in Sonoma County, and they're also probably the best Middle Eastern food north of San Francisco, and that's not exactly an insult.

Very friendly atmosphere in this place. The staff who cooks and serves you presents a very friendly and family-like atmosphere. They have a wide variety of different foods, many of them can conform to specific dietary restrictions that people may have. Even though the flagship meal is meat, they actually probably have more vegetarian options than they do options with meat.

I've taken people who have visited or lived and grown up in and around Turkey and they rave about this place just as much as the people I take here for their first experience eating any type of Middle Eastern cuisine.

If you love Turkish food, or think you might, you owe it to yourself...