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Istanbul Grill, a longstanding restaurant in Rice Village, announced it will close in July.
What happened
Owner Zubeyir Dundar confirmed that they will close on July 18, and until then, customers can come and eat with them. He added that at the beginning of July, they will begin offering a limited menu.
“We have been with Rice Village for 20 years. I’m so happy that I have had a big family and customers for so many years. They have kept us hopeful,” he said.
In a statement on their website, the Dundar family, who own Istanbul Grill, said that they were closing due to “lease circumstances beyond our control” and they would no longer be able to operate in their space on Morningside Drive.
“It has been our absolute pleasure to serve you, to celebrate joys, share sorrows and watch families grow in this space,” they said. “Every guest, every visit has shaped who we are and what this restaurant has become. The community we've built together means more to us than words can express.”
Some background
They opened in 1998, Dundar said, and have been one of the oldest restaurants in the area.
“Thank you for trusting us, supporting us and allowing us to do what we love, and for becoming part of our extended family,” the statement said.
The restaurant offered traditional Turkish food including tabbouleh, gyro kabab, falafel plates and lamb chops.
The restaurant will operate with full services, with dine-in and take-out options until they close.
