Mangal Turkish BBQ — Restaurant in Sunnyvale

It's basically non AYCE Mediterranean style kbbq with bigger pieces of quality meats. Nice to try once, but not much revisit value

You pretty much order all your food before you get seated, you can add more food later. All grill food is sold by weight. You choose number of pieces, skewers, etc and they weigh it after. You can cook yourself or have them cook it for you

Complimentary bread with olive oil; fresh tomato, onion, peppers; rice - fresh, nothing special

Sujuk $4.50 for 1 small piece - decent. It's basically sausage

Marinated lamb filet mignon shish kebab $18 for 2 skewers & marinated filet mignon shish kabob $20 for 2 skewers - both good. Quality meats. Lightly flavored

Kofte $5 for 1 piece - good. Looks like a burger patty, they call it a "meatball". It's a mix of lamb and beef meat. Good flavor

Beef liver kabob $5 for 1 - ok. Very strong taste. Love or hate depends on your individual taste

Stuffed mushroom $1 each - good. Literally white mushroom with mozzarella cheese

Marinated eggplant appetizer $7 - good. Cold eggplant with tomatoes

Hummus appetizer $7 - good, basic

Kunefe (dessert) $12 - good. Very unique, worth trying. A decent sized flat, round oily patty/puck with melted cheese and rice noodles. Slightly sweet

Baklava $7 - decent. 3 pieces. Good flavor and texture, but too sweet

A pint of beer and glass of house wine for $8 each

Total after tax and tip was around $130 for 3 people. We were all full. I think the prices were reasonable for the quality of food. Pretty much all the food was good and not too salty

Very nice restaurant inside and out. Lots of individual tents outside with 1 large grill each (seats 10 each) with heat lamps. Tables indoors were not overcrowded. There's a full bar with a large selection of beers on tap (mostly European and a small amount of craft beers, $8-9) and wines by glass ($8) or bottle ($40+)

The 1 star off was for terrible service. Slow and inconsistent. Took 10-15 mins before someone came by after being seated and 20+ mins before UNCOOKED meats and cold appetizers came out. I originally asked to have them cook the food for us, but a server suggested cooking it ourselves for the experience and that someone will explain everything to us. Yea, no one ever did. Hardly checked up on us, so we did a lot of waiting. Did not refill drinks or ask if we wanted more veggies (apparently you can ask for more). A server had no clue what vineyards the house wines came from. We had maybe 5 different servers total. They were all friendly, but just ok servers

Big parking lot. No issues. Made a same day reservation on a Sunday through their website. Restaurant was...

A Turkish Delight in Sunnyvale, CA - Mangal Restaurant

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Mangal, a Turkish restaurant located in Santa Clara, and I must say that it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Mangal not only exceeded my expectations but also left me with a heartwarming impression of Turkish cuisine at its finest.

From the moment my party and I walked in, we were welcomed with warm and friendly smiles. The exceptional customer service at Mangal truly stands out. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable, and eager to ensure our dining experience was nothing short of perfect.

The restaurant's location is ideal, nestled in the heart of Santa Clara, making it easily accessible for locals and visitors alike.

What truly set Mangal apart was the option to sit at their private charming patio at the back side, where we had the unique opportunity to partake in our own BBQ adventure right at our table. It was an interactive dining experience like no other, and it added a delightful element of excitement to our evening.

The food – simply put, it was extraordinary. Every dish we ordered was a masterpiece, showcasing the rich and diverse flavors of Turkish cuisine. From the aromatic kofte to the perfectly seasoned mezes, each bite was a culinary revelation. The menu is a treasure trove of Turkish delights, and Mangal's chefs have clearly mastered their craft.

A standout for me was the succulent and perfectly grilled lamb shish. They were tender, juicy, and seasoned to perfection. The side dishes were equally impressive; the Gavurdagi Salad was very fresh and flavorful, while the liver and cigarette borek's were crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft on the inside.

To top it all off, the dessert was a sweet symphony of delight. The baklava was flaky, nutty, and dripping with honey – a fitting conclusion to an already incredible meal.

In summary, Mangal is a culinary gem in Sunnyvale, CA. The combination of great customer service, superb food, the warmth of smiling faces, and the unique experience of doing your own BBQ at your table make it a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates exceptional Turkish cuisine. My dining experience at Mangal was nothing short of magical, and I can't wait to return to savor more of their delectable offerings. If you haven't dined at Mangal yet, I strongly recommend making a reservation – you won't be...

Confused, Disappointed, and Left Hungry for Meaning

I went to Mangal for their supposedly well-known Turkish breakfast buffet. At $35 a person on a Saturday, I expected at least clarity and hospitality. What I got was chaos and cold service.

Let’s start with the food: Nothing was labeled. I had no idea what I was eating — was it Turkish? Mediterranean? Leftovers? The famous Turkish egg dishes were either missing entirely or disguised in unlabeled trays. What looked like sausages were hot dogs in red sauce. Where was the garlic yogurt with chili flakes? The menemen? The spinach eggs? If they were there, they were impossible to identify.

The buffet looked like someone’s mom made a dozen casseroles last night and reheated them in souffle dishes. Even the roasted peppers — a staple — were a mess. You had to scoop one big soggy chunk, and the yogurt (a cornerstone of Turkish cuisine) was an afterthought.

Decor? Not bad. Empty at 9:30 though, which says something. It filled out slightly around 10, but not by much.

Service? Nonexistent. We seated ourselves — fine. But not a single offer of tea, coffee, or even a glance from the staff. No warmth. No pride. The young staff (possibly family?) looked like they couldn’t care less. Zero engagement. No eye contact. No help.

This is the Bay Area. We’re surrounded by vibrant, welcoming international food experiences. And this ain’t one of them. If you want to charge $35 for a buffet, at least guide the customer through what they’re eating. I wanted to go on a cultural journey. I ended up with a plate of confusion and a lentil soup (which, to be fair, was the only thing I actually enjoyed).

Food gets a D. Experience? An F. Hospitality? Nonexistent. Would I come back? Not a chance.

And if you’re the owner? Don’t hide — step up. Because if this is how you represent your culture, your restaurant, and your team… it needs...