This is not a sponsored post and we are in no way affiliated with Quality Turkish Market
Like most people, I frequent Yelp when looking for a new place to eat. Quality Turkish Market kept rising to the top of the list as a place highly and frequently rated. They also had a 100 on their last health inspection, soo... that helps, since this place is a little unassuming hole-in-the-wall located in a strip mall near West Town Mall. Good reviews and a clean bill of health were enough to make us pop in one weekend afternoon.
The inside is a hybrid restaurant and Turkish grocery store. There's some limited seating for dining in, or you can get your order to go. Because we had the kids with us and didn't have high hopes for getting them to eat anything that was on the menu, we called our order in while we were running errands and picked it up on the way home. The employees were extremely friendly and accommodating and were willing to answer our questions.
The menu is simple and concise with some vegetarian options available. The heart of the menu revolves around the sliced doner, which is a classic Mediterranean dish consisting of seasoned lamb and beef cooked on a vertical rotisserie. As it cooks, the outer layers are sliced off into thin shavings.
In the back is a small selection of Turkish grocery items. We didn't have any time to browse on this first trip, but I want to find time (yeah, like that'll happen anytime soon!) to come back and take a closer look at the fun international food items available.
I ordered the doner wrap, which is sliced doner in a pita with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki sauce. We also ordered an extra side of hummus for dippin'. First I need to comment on the quality of the house made tzatziki and hummus - they are both stellar. The sliced doner is tender and flavorful and the veggies are crisp. The pita bread was perfect - thick, soft, and warm.
Matt ordered the doner platter, which is sliced doner served over rice with pita wedges, salad, tzatziki and hummus. The platter is basically a deconstructed version of the wrap, except with a slightly larger portion. The doner is all sliced from the same spit, so Matt shared my sentiments that the meat was tender and well-seasoned and that the overall meal is not too heavy.
Lastly, we ordered a side of Turkish tabbouleh and was not disappointed. It was my first time trying this dish. Tabbouleh is made from cooked Bulgar wheat mixed with chopped vegetables, some zippy spices, and a tiny hint of chopped mint. This version has lots of heat, so keep a cold beverage nearby. We enjoyed this dish almost as much as our main courses and it's definitely worth a try.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Quality Turkish Market is an ideal stop for a workday lunch for some fresh dishes that won't leave you feeling bogged down for the rest of the afternoon. The prices are reasonable, the menu simple, and the employees are very friendly. The location is a bit hidden and there's nothing noteworthy about the signage or decor, but don't let that scare you away. Give this place a try.
WHERE IS QUALITY TURKISH MARKET
Located at 8078 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919 in The Plaza shops near the corner of Kingston and Downtown West. They don't have a website, but you can find them on Facebook or read more information and reviews on Yelp. Their phone number is (865) 603-9940. They are open 10AM - 8PM every day except Sunday (closed).
This is not a sponsored post and we are in no way affiliated with Quality Turkish Market
Cool. What is hybrid restaurant?