Istanbul Grille

I am not sure whether the owner has been replaced or not. I am pretty sure now they are not that generous like they used to be. The food is great! But one thing is really confusing me. They may charge you randomly from $ 8 to 12 even you order same stuff every time. It doesn’t make sense. I was told the white sauce was free. Then one time I ask the elder lady to add more white sauce she charged me $ 2. $ 2 with no any other sides: (. Your place is already cash only, which mean you can save bunch of taxes and fees from visa. Why you still wanna be cheap?

Really flavorful food. I had chicken, eggplant, and chickpeas. All was delicious. Will try to stop by again before I leave Pittsburgh.

This cafeteria style setup is putting out some really yummy food! I got the Meal #1 which features chicken and meatballs over bulgur and a salad with tzatziki (that white gyro sauce) as a dressing. The people serving the food seemed very pleasant and you certainly get a lot of food for your buck. I’d eat here more often if only they accepted credit cards.

Finally made it for lunch after reading (and re-​reading) reviews during my last couple trips to Pittsburgh. I can say it lives up to the hype. The food is very good, authentic and the service is very pleasant. My only piece of feedback is that their menu system is a bit confusing and it gets very busy during the lunch exacerbating the situation.
I ordered a mixed lamb & chicken pita sandwich which comes with a pre-​dressed simple salad. I added a few cold items on the salad for an extra charge. I went with the baba, eggplant and white beans. I told them it was my «highly anticipated first visit» and they gave me smaller samples of 3 other sides. Everything was really good I thought the pita itself (and the spicy sauce they put on it) as well as the white beans were the highlights. Service was quick but if you’re in a rush pass on the pita/​wraps as the rice/​salad platters move much faster.
As many other mention it’s cash only so grab cash at the ATMs on the way down. (To find the location enter the Steel building on street level and go behind the escalators up to the next level to find another set of escalators down. Once on the next level down go around the escalators through the doors. Istanbul Grille is at the end of the hall pass the other restaurants.)

They always have many options from vegan, vegetarian, and meat. Always a safe go-​to place fit lunch.

I’m drawn to any eatery with abundant vegan and vegetarian options, and this place certainly fits the bill. During our Friday visit, there were well over a dozen hot and cold options for delicious vegetable-​based sides, not to mention numerous pickles and toppings. My plate was loaded with a bite of nearly everything for $ 12, and the lady servers were super patient with my many questions as a first-​time customer, which invariably slowed down their line considerably during a busy lunchtime service.
The hot cabbage, cauliflower, and green bean dishes ended up being my favorite, though the cold mushroom salad, eggplant salad, and many others were tasty as well. The spicy pepper sauce was delicious over everything. My friend greatly enjoyed her lamb gyro as well.
Istanbul Grille certainly lives up to the hype, and I’ll definitely be back, especially to try out their new second location. Here’s hoping they extend their hours for dinner in the future!

Lamb wrap was really tasty! Huge portions. Perfect. This place will be my go-​to now.

The food here is really really good. I can’t rate this place on food alone, however. Ordering food here can be confusing, so once you find something you like, stick with it. Sometimes they charge you $ 8, but other times they randomly charge you $ 11 or $ 12. It doesn’t make sense, especially when we joke amongst colleagues on who ordered what, and what did they charge?! I look forward to this place fixing their consistency. I also look forward to them taking cards. Carrying cash these days is a thing of the past! BUT — I will not stop going here for lunch in town…

This place has great food, the only thing wrong is the set up. The menu is pretty unclear and the pricing as well, but the food is all authentic Turkish food and very good! Also it is really hard to find if it’s your first time looking for it, you have to go into the steel tower and down an escalator then through some glass doors and down a long hallway.
All in all very good food!

***Cash Only***
I do love Istanbul Grill! I was introduced to this place a few years ago when they were in a different location and visit for lunch a few times a month. Everything is fresh and there’s enough of a selection that you probably won’t get sick of it. What I do get a little sick of, however, is the discrepancy with pricing. I always get the $ 8 cold plate, or the option #3, which is the salad and 3 sides. If Josh is there, you get extra sides. If someone else is there, you can get your extra sides but it’s suddenly $ 10. That’s fine, because I would normally leave $ 10 anyway, I just wish it were the same no matter who took your order.
I hate to complain but at least that’s the only complaint! My favorite side is the beets, idk what they do to those beets but I often crave them! No matter what you order, make sure to get a little dollop of the white sauce on top. So good! If you’re in the area, get your cash and run to Istanbul!

I had a lamb wrap and baba ganoush and it came with some salad. Portions are a good size and everything was seasoned well and tasty, except the salad –1. This is a prepped meal place, so everything is laid out in front of you to choose from. For $ 8 I had a wonderful lunch.

Absolutely amazing service and food. I have eaten here on numerous occasions for lunch and have never been disappointed. The portions are huge so you never leave feeling hungry. I usually spend between $ 10-​$ 11 and it’s worth it! Everyone there is helpful and if it is your first time let them know and they will help you out.

These guys are great and the lamb /​chicken wraps are outstanding. I highly recommend paying them a visit. The owner is super friendly as well.

First, I cannot say enough about the owner’s of this restaurant. They were kind service was amazing and quite possibly the nicest individuals I have ever met.
Second the food was fantastic it was a wonderful combination of flavors, the chicken was excellent. If you are in Pittsburg you should stop by this food stand, trust me you are missing something.

Simply put, this is the best lunch spot in Pittsburgh. You could eat here every day and not get sick of the food. Istanbul Grille uses the freshest ingredients and everything is made from scratch.
Aside from the impeccable quality of the food, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful, especially if it is your first time. The owner, Josh, is incredibly generous and will make sure that you want to come back again and again.
They are cash only but there are PNC ATMs upstairs, so hit them before you go down the escalator.

I’ve wanted to try the Istanbul grill for quite some time since it had so many great reviews. Unfortunately, I was duped by the common misperception by Pittsburghers that large portions means the same thing as high quality. I ordered a lamb pita to eat out on the plaza with a Jazz band playing. Atmosphere = A+. They were out of salad. Seriously? You can’t send someone downstairs to the indoor location to get more? At least they comped a drink, fine. The pita comes overstuffed with meat. A very hearty portion fir $ 8. The guy serving it ia quite pleasant so I sit down and bite into it with anticipation of the flavors I read about in the reviews. That’s when it becomes a disappointment. It wasn’t bad per se. I’d actually eat it again if I were with people who wanted to eat there. But it wasn’t actually good either. Specifically, the meat was cut way too thick. And then after I asked for light onions and light hot sauce, he simply drenched it in (what I assume is) yogurt sauce without asking. Way to much, yech.
I’m not expecting world class cuisine at a stand in Steel Plaza, but this is on par with an exceeding average gyro you can get all over the place. There are at least a dozen places in the city that are much better for this type of food — though this may be as good as it gets downtown.
If you want a very large portion of decent food for a reasonable price, this is your restaurant. If you want above average, great tasting food, don’t bother with this place.

Hands down, my FAVORITE place to eat lunch downtown.
I go to Istanbul Grille for lunch at least twice a week and I have never had a bad meal. They also give you plenty of food, so it is more than worth the price.

Stopped for the first time last week and was blown away by the flavors and different food choices. The guy working was really helpful by telling me what his favorite foods were and assisting all around. I was so impressed with the food that I decided to stop back again today. I honestly can say that I didn’t get the same service. The food was great, smallest imaginable portions this time around, and the younger woman working was not helpful at all. First she gave me the impression that just by me stopping, i was bothering her. She was miserable. None of the food is labeled, so of course, i have to ask what certain things are — no answer. The Meal combination options make no sense to me, so i ask a question — no answer. So for ten bucks i got half the amount of food that i got last week for $ 8. Wildly disappointed.
Everything about the food at this place deserves five stars — even the guy that owns it (i believe he does); however, I know that as long as that girl is there, i won’t be stopping. Sorry, friends.

Vegetarians Delight! I told them it was my first time and asked what they suggested and everything I got was Oh So Very Good!
I’m told they cater and I’m going to used them for a future party!

I’ve heard so much about Istanbul Grille. I was so excited when I started a new job and a fellow co-​worker said he knew the owner. After seeing the delicious food he brought back from there occasionally he to me and some fellow co-​workers over. We all went knowing we wanted to get the falafel, but were surprised to see so many delicious looking sides as well!
I had the falafel wrap. It was incredible. Like, I could eat this every day of the week increadible. Josh loaded up all of our plates with plenty of different sides as well. I’m not exactly sure what everything was, but I know i loved the garlic carrot salad and the grape leaves. He also let us sample some of the chicken, which was great. I can’t wait to go back and try some of the other menu items.
Getting to their location in the belly of the US Steel building can be a little confusing. I never would have gone had it not been for the recommendation of my co-​worker. It’d be awesome to see them have their own location! My only reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is having to find seating in a food court area. But I’ve heard they plan on opening in a new, more easily accessible location with more seating. Fingers crossed!
Can’t wait to go back!

This is easily the best food in all of Pittsburgh, if not the world. Josh makes every dish, and they’re all phenomenal — I’ve never had a bad meal here.
Tell Josh if you have any allergies or food sensitivities and he’ll make sure you steer clear and he’ll remember you the next time you visit.
Tip: for your first visit, tell them that it’s your first visit and they’ll give you a small portion of a lot to try for next time. I usually skip the rice and get a chicken salad with three to four sides and it’s so filling. For a lighter meal, get a salad with three-​four sides.

I hate vegetables and am super sensitive to spices. That being said, I love eating at Istanbul Grille. The owner serves the food, and if it’s your first time, you’d better come hungry. He will give you everything that you don’t have an allergy to and doesn’t take no for an answer. Think a friendly Soup Nazi. Usually only cash but you can always pay your next time. A Pittsburgh gem!

This place is incredible! Fresh, flavorful, authentic food and such a friendly staff — you’ll be hooked after one try.
Tip: Go for the lentils. They’re fabulous!

Now, I’ve eaten at some great Mediterranean joints. Some fancy, some hole in the wall. But this place takes the cake (or Baklava if you have it).
Two things make this place truly awesome (which is the basic expectation from places you go to eat) — the food and the people. It might be a small ‘fast food’ shop in the basement of a corporate tower, but boy the food is good. They probably have the most perfectly cooked, juicy chicken I have ever eaten at a place where I have to struggle to push my meal cost to two digits. Add to that the Bulgar rice, side salad and a plethora of traditional sides and veges, and you have meal that will blow you away (and make it hard to finish). The sauces (especially the home-​made hot sauce — which
I think is made fresh everyday) also are an excellent addition to the meal.
The place is run by a family, and you are fed like you are part of the family (read it feels like a complete home cooked meal). The owner (Josh) is a wonderful guy — he cares more about you enjoying a satisfying meal, than taking your money for it. Multiple times he has told me to pay later if his CC machine doesn’t work, and keeps throwing in free stuff all the time.
Yes, this place doesn’t have the best ambiance or even table service. Yes, this place has become a bit of a hole in the wall. Yes, this place runs out of food by 12:40 PM on most days. But, if you do manage to make it there on time and get your hands on a box full of delicious, you will leave leave happy and surely come back again.

I had never been here before hearing a co-​worker rave. There are no instructions on how to order, and no prices listed. the woman was nice when I asked how to order, but didn’t really explain. she just started coming out four or so different dishes while giving a one word description.
I have been back twice and still don’t understand her system. I’ve never even been offered one of the numerous cold dishes. that said, the food is delicious, if pricey.

I was SO SO SO excited that Istanbul Grill found a new home! It was heartbreaking when they were kicked out of their old space. But this felt like an adventure. If you don’t work at the Steel Building, or you aren’t familiar with the underbelly of the building like me, you might be completely lost. Especially if the security guard hasn’t even heard of the business!
When finally found, it was pure joy! Although it doesn’t look like they have quite the room or set-​up they used to, I will admit it looks a little cleaner (which is a good thing). I was pumped to get my normal chicken salad with beets, white sauce and two grape leaves, all for $ 10 bucks! And the massive amount they give you, my lord, you could eat for two days!
Now, while it was still delicious, one thing I noticed was that my chicken had to be bottom of the barrel chicken. A lot of it was overcooked and too hard to even eat. Bummer. Why would I go back? Because I know it’s still awesome and I’m crossing my fingers this was an «off» day. That’s how much I love this place! Five star experience hopefully next time…

If there was ever a business that I would point out as a ‘model’ for other businesses to follow, Istanbul Grille would be it, hands down! Josh was put out of his space on Liberty Avenue in October, for the expansion of 7 – 11 (like we need more of THAT!) but he has found a new space in the USX Tower food court! He is back, and the same amazing guy he always was, with the same amazing food!
First, their food is fresh, real, plentiful and absolutely delicious. Second, their prices are more than reasonable. And thirdly, and most importantly, their sense of customer service and ‘hospitality’ is as real and friendly as I have EVER seen in Pittsburgh — and they’re from Turkey!
I’d been to two of their other locations, first when they were on Centre Avenue, and then after they’d moved to Lawrenceville, and both times, the staff and owner were so incredibly friendly, and the food, even though they’d had kitchen limitations, came out as a home cooked Turkish meal that was outstanding.
I tried the downtown lunch counter once after I’d started working downtown, and the thin and adorable guy behind the counter said ‘first time?’ I told him it was my first time at this location, and I ordered the ‘meat’ plate for the day. It came with their meat of the day, whatever is on the rotisserie (lamb or chicken) and he piled on the salads, the rice, some hummous, some hot sauce (which is more flavor than ‘heat’), and a few other surprises. I don’t even remember the price that day, but I had cash in my wallet, paid, and took it back to my office, and it was spectacular.
But my second visit was even more amazing. I saw the credit card stickers on the door, and didn’t have cash in my wallet. I ordered the meat plate with a little extra hummous, and when I got the food, I noticed they didn’t seem to have a credit card terminal. I asked the owner if they took cards. He said ‘We don’t take anything. Not even money. The food is free.’ I smiled but said ‘Seriously’ because I didn’t have cash. He said ‘Don’t worry, just bring it when you can’. I thanked him profusely, and then ran to my co-​worker who was buying dreck food at Subway and borrowed cash, and returned immediately.
He looked at me when I walked in the door and said ‘Why don’t you listen to me? I didn’t say run now, I said when you can!’ A lady, who I assume is his mom or aunt came over, and I asked what the total was, and she said ‘ten’. I handed her the nine I’d borrowed from my friend, and reached for my wallet. ‘That’s good’ she said. I insisted on giving her the other dollar from my wallet, and thanked them all again. And as I made my way to the door, the owner yelled out ‘Hey! Get yourself a soda!’ Oh, and did I mention there was a line of twenty people both times?
I didn’t take a soda, but I was so moved by their genuine realness, that there are no worries — if I have cash, I WILL be back.
If some of the businesses serving up crap in town were this genuine and nice, I might spend money on their wares anyway. They should take a lesson from Istanbul.
And Istanbul, along with remarkable friendliness, serves up remarkable food. Clearly, a win-​win situation.
An added bonus is that if you happen to be attracted to dark Middle-​Eastern and Indian/​Asian types, the line is almost TOTAL eye candy. I fell in love three times just waiting in line.
No bull, just total yum — at Istanbul!
Visit the new space — they even have seating in the area!

This is absolutely and without question one of my very favorite lunch spots in downtown Pittsburgh. It is tucked away in the Steel Building tunnel (heading to the Subway station). This is one of the best hidden gems in the burgh.
The food here is just tremendous. It is home cooked daily in small batches so it is always fresh and flavorful. You never quite know what they may have any given day, skewer chicken one day, lamb the next, meatballs tomorrow. Who knows. All I do know is that it has never let me down when it comes to flavor. It is always well seasoned and cooked perfectly. It can also be somewhat intimidating to order, but don’t let that stop you. The folks are incredibly accommodating and happy to help out, though they did finally add a «menu board» to help out. Basically though its just an ala carte setup with several rice options, salads, vegetables, hummus, grape leaves, baba ganoush etc. Also when available the home made hot sauce is spectacular.
The real star here though is Josh, the owner and chef. He is a charming, charismatic guy who makes it a point to interact with every person who wants to eat there. Walks first timers through the whole experience and gives you more than enough reason to want to come back beyond the delicious food. Tip there, don’t be afraid to mention it’s your first time. Tip 2, it’s cash only. Normally this would tick me off and cost a place a star, but here, i’ve forgotten to bring cash a few times and without exception Josh has told me, «no worries, pay me next time». Made me a customer for life.
Try this place! You will not regret it.