We were in the mood for something new and different this past Saturday, so we decided to try the misspelled-but-correctly-spelled Gengiz Khan, a little Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant located South of Gandy (SOG) on MacDill. We had never been to Gengiz Khan before, but were familiar with it since it is located in the strip center (Shoppes of Interbay) across from Interbay Meat Market.
Gengiz Khan was opened by two Turkish business partners in the fall of 2005. When we visited last Saturday for lunch, we had the place largely to ourselves, save for two other tables (including one large family). The restaurant’s space is nicely decorated and service was friendly. Things did run a bit slow as there was only our one server in the front and we suspect just one cook in the back.
For a starter, we ordered the country style eggplant, which came with slices of fried eggplant topped with a garlic yogurt sauce. I guess you could say I liked the eggplant appetizer as I used the pita-like bread that was provided for the table to lap up what was left of the sauce. For our main dish, I decided on the doner kebab (thinly sliced lamb) with rice and grilled vegetables, while Traci chose the chicken adana (chopped chicken with red bell peppers and seasoning) with rice and potatoes.
While we had to wait a little bit longer than we would have liked for our food, we both enjoyed our meals. If you go during lunch time, you’ll save a few bucks as Gengiz Khan offers lunch specials.
The only other Mediterranean restaurant we’ve tried in the area is the much more well-known Byblos Cafe at the corner of Bay to Bay and MacDill. Maybe we caught Byblos at a bad time (it was early one evening so there weren’t any belly dancers and we were seated in a corner), but the food was very average. Byblos is definitely a trendier-feeling place with a bar and higher-priced menu to match, whereas Gengiz Khan is more moderately priced and more of a neighborhood place.
So what’s your favorite local Turkish or Mediterranean restaurant and why?
Bottom-line: While the service and kitchen could be faster, for quality Mediterranean cuisine at reasonable prices, Gengiz Khan, a relatively new neighborhood restaurant SOG, is worth a try.
Rick
3 years ago
tried it, LOVED it..THANKS!
matt
3 years ago
You’re welcome- I hope the place gets more business in the evenings.
Jason
3 years ago
I thought the grape leaves at Byblos were excellent but the rest was forgettable. I have yet to try Ghengiz (even though it is two blocks from me). I have tried Zaeem Palace on Westshore a couple years back but was not impressed at all.
matt
3 years ago
I love stuffed grape leaves as long as they have some meat in them and aren’t just veggie. I’ve never been to Zaeem before, but notice on the weekends that parking lot is usually filled pretty late (I don’t know if they turn it into a club or what).
A new Italian place (the name escapes me right now, I think it has one or more other locations around town) also opened up on Westshore where Cafe Anna used to be.
dreaming
3 years ago
never tried gengiz or byblos, but have tried zaheem. it taint too bad, but im no expert on their kind of grub. i can report authoritatively that they have some awesome israeli beer. as to those late night crowds, it does indeed turn into a club, one of the more exotic youll find in s tampa. there is very loud, and good, bellydancing music, with the requisite belly dancers, of course. it gets to be quite a scene made up mostly of younger, groovier middle easterners youd never knew even lived here otherwise. id try it out, if you havent…
matt
3 years ago
If I try it, I may have to go before the groovy people and loud music arrive
Jason
3 years ago
Well I am groovy as shit so I must go.
dcdave
3 years ago
Oasis in soho, the best by far. I’ve eaten at all the other joints and not only is their food better, but the service and atmosphere are better too.
Port Tampa
3 years ago
Thank you, thank you, thank you for reviewing Gengiz Khan. My husband and I absolutely love it and it’s always our first stop with out of town guests. You didn’t mention that they recently started serving beer and wine. A great dinner for two-start with the “fried cheese pie” (feta rolled in phyllo) and then split a Ghengiz Khan platter (lamb chop, doner kabob, beef, a couple kinds of chicken). The rice is as good as any you’ll get anywhere in the middle east really. I’d have to say the doner kabob is as good as my previous favorite-an outdoor grill at a truck stop in Aqaba, Jordan.
Port Tampa
3 years ago
I forgot to say that if you Baklava isn’t one of your favorite desserts,you haven’t had it at Ghengiz Khan. Heaven!
matt
3 years ago
You’re welcome
Nice to hear from someone else that has tried the place and likes it.
Come to think of it, I did notice a litle wine menu on the table, but didn’t realize this was a new addition for them.
These all sound like good suggestions, will have to remember for next time.
thomas brian
3 years ago
I have tryed it it was superb
so thanks
if you like anything different like mediterranen kitchen youl love gengiz khanns they use organic meat,foods are frwesh made to order I am a chef if i like it youl love it.
it is better than colombia restaurant,and all those expensive places price wise it worth every penny for me so
try end enjoy
thomas from so ho
No thanks
1 year ago
You were lucky that there was just 2 other tables in there. Try going in at night and there only being one cook. Tables have had to wait and hour plus for food. I wouldnt suggest anyone to eat there. I cant even begin to tell you about the rodents and roaches that live there. Stay away!!