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Sophra Grill
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Sophra Grill
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Opened in 2018, Sophra Grill is a compact, family-run Turkish shop turning out salads, meze, and grilled platters at prices that work for regular neighborhood lunches and weeknight dinners. The focus is on fresh salads, classic cold appetizers, and straightforward plates rather than a long night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mixed Appetizer, Shepherd Salad, Hummus with Babaganush
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Family-run Turkish counter spot with strong meze and salads.
Who should go: Locals craving quick, satisfying Turkish plates and salads.
When to visit: Weekday lunches and early dinners for the shortest waits.
What to order: Mixed appetizer, shepherd salad, a grilled kebab platter.
Insider tip: Build a meze-focused meal; the mixed appetizer lets you sample the hits in one order.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is metered and limited; expect to circle during peak hours. Nearby garages are the most reliable option for dinner.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, sneakers, and workday outfits all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate—easy to hold a conversation without raising your voice.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during prime hours, often no wait earlier in the evening.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or just a few minutes even during the lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—strong selection of salads, meze, and vegetable-based plates.
Vegan options: Moderate—several cold meze and salads work, but not a fully vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Some options available—grilled meats, salads, and certain meze; best to confirm sauces in person.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual daytime meet or low-pressure early dinner than a romantic night out—it’s relaxed and food-forward rather than atmospheric.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—Sophra Grill doesn’t operate on reservations, and turnover is quick, especially outside peak lunch hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who enjoy grilled meats, rice, and familiar Mediterranean flavors. There’s no formal kids’ menu, but portions are flexible.
Best For
Better for: Fast, affordable Turkish food with a strong emphasis on salads, cold meze, and everyday grilled plates—ideal for quick solo meals or easy weeknight dinners.
Skip if: You’re looking for a full-service sit-down experience, late-night dining, or a cocktail-driven Turkish dinner with table service.
Sophra Grill
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Sophra Grill is a family-run Turkish restaurant where brick-oven breads, kebabs, and salads keep neighborhood office workers and locals coming back. It operates in the sweet spot between casual and sit-down, with pricing and portions that work as much for weekday lunches as for low-key dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb gyro plate with rice and salad, Adana kebab with grilled vegetables, Mixed appetizer platter with hummus and baba ghanoush
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Brick-oven Turkish cooking with welcoming, family-run hospitality.
Who should go: Budget-conscious diners wanting satisfying kebabs and salads.
When to visit: Weekday lunch and early dinner for fastest turnaround.
What to order: Lamb gyro plate, Adana kebab, mixed appetizer.
Insider tip: Build a shareable spread of starters and one kebab per person instead of individual entrées.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive, especially after 6pm. Nearby paid garages on 3rd and Lexington typically run $18–$30 for evening parking.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual — jeans, sneakers, and business-casual attire all fit comfortably.
Noise level: Moderate — lively during peak lunch and dinner, but still easy to hold a full conversation.
Weekend wait: 20–40 minutes without a reservation during peak hours
Weekday lunch: Usually little to no wait, 5–10 minutes at most
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — strong selection of vegetable meze, salads, lentil soup, and cheese-based dishes.
Vegan options: Good options — several cold meze, salads, and vegetable plates are naturally vegan.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — many grilled meats and salads work, but cross-contact is possible with bread-heavy prep.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes — it’s relaxed, affordable by Midtown standards, and comfortable without feeling too casual or too formal.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, especially on weekdays. On busy weekend evenings, a short wait is common but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — casual atmosphere, familiar grilled dishes, and flexible sharing plates make it suitable for kids of most ages.
Best For
Better for: Reliable everyday Turkish cooking, strong salads and meze, and faster service than most full-service Turkish restaurants nearby.
Skip if: You’re looking for a luxe, candlelit fine-dining experience or a late-night destination with bar energy.