The Regional Dish That Made Me Realize Turkish Food Isn’t Just Kebabs

anatolian cuisine San Francisco

My friend Lauren thought she knew Turkish food – döner, kebabs, baklava, the usual stuff tourists eat. Then she went to Presidio Kebab with her Turkish coworker who ordered İskender kebab, mantı, karnıyarık, and pide from different regions of Anatolia, explaining how each dish represents specific areas and traditions. Lauren realized Turkish cuisine is actually…

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The Day My Nephew Ate Vegetables Without Being Threatened (I Have Witnesses)

Presidio Kebab restaurant - Turkish menu

My sister’s seven-year-old son Ethan survives on chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and sheer stubbornness. Taking him to restaurants is a nightmare – he complains about everything, refuses to eat, makes scenes, and my sister ends up stressed and embarrassed. Last month she was desperate and tried Presidio Kebab because someone told her they’re good…

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The Meal Where We Stopped Fighting About What to Order (Finally)

Turkish Set meal in San Francisco

My friend group has seven people with seven different opinions about food and every dinner out turns into a thirty-minute negotiation nightmare. Should we get appetizers? Which entrees? Are we sharing or ordering individually? Who’s vegetarian this week? Last month someone suggested Presidio Kebab and we discovered they have Turkish set menus – complete meal…

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The Brunch That Made Me Abandon Mimosas Forever

My friend Jessica is a hardcore brunch person – bottomless mimosas, hour-long waits, $18 avocado toast, the whole San Francisco brunch industrial complex. Last month she couldn’t get into her usual spot and someone suggested trying Turkish brunch at Presidio Kebab instead. She was skeptical because no alcohol specials and who even knew Turkish people…

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The Wrap That Transported Me to Istanbul Streets Without the Plane Ticket

Wraps dishe-Presidio Kebab restaurant- Turkish street food

My friend Marcus backpacked through Turkey three years ago and came back obsessed with street food. Not the kebabs tourists get – the actual street food Turkish people eat. Simit from cart vendors. Döner wrapped quickly by guys who’ve made ten thousand wraps. Midye dolma from boats. Lahmacun folded with herbs and lemon. He couldn’t…

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The Meal That Reminded Me What Real Cooking Tastes Like

turkish meal in San Francisco

My friend Leyla moved to San Francisco from Izmir five years ago and spent all that time eating restaurant food that tasted like restaurants – polished, efficient, designed to appeal to everyone. Then she tried Presidio Kebab and halfway through her menemen she just stopped eating and stared at the plate. I asked if something…

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