During these strange times of social distancing and sheltering in place, it’s more important than ever to support our local restaurants and treat ourselves to a well-deserved, delicious meal from Oba Mediterranean Gyro and Grill in Forest Hills. The chefs at Oba put a Turkish twist on Mediterranean cuisine, known for its health benefits. Their slogan is “all healthy, all natural, all homemade,” and you can taste it in every scrumptious bite.
The friendly staff welcomes you to the rustic dining room on Austin Street which is typically packed with satisfied customers, owing to the fine dishes and reasonable prices. These days, only take-out and delivery are available, so let Oba cook for you tonight. They use only the finest ingredients including halal meats for their kebabs and doner, and the freshest vegetables for their traditional recipes. There are plenty of vegetarian dishes to choose from as well so pick up the phone and place your order for lunch or dinner right now.
Mediterranean appetizers called meze are the best way to start off a meal and are perfect for snacking on at home too. Choose among generous portions of cold meze such as eggplant dip, creamy hummus, yogurt dill dip, stuffed grape leaves, tabuli, and white bean salad called piyaz, all served with hot, fresh bread called pide. Hot appetizers include flaky pastry filled with feta cheese, delicate falafel (chickpea fritters) which are perfectly seasoned and golden brown, sautéed spinach, and crispy fried calamari served with a lemon wedge. Order a shepherd salad with tomato, Kirby cucumbers, green pepper, onion, parsley, lemon and olive oil for a well-balanced, family meal. Oba’s grill sizzles all day and night with hot and juicy kebabs cooked to order. Oba’s kebabs are outstanding, whether you choose skewered lamb chunks, spicy lamb adana, beef shish, or kofte, which is ground meat and seasonings, you’ll love the flavor and texture of these tender meats available in small and large portions ($12.25 – $19.75). Lamb chops are prepared Turkish style and then passed over the charcoal flames to impart succulent flavor. Order a half chicken, organically raised and marinated in delicate spices before hitting the charcoal grill ($18.95). Chicken mixed grill and kebab combos make ordering easy. If you can’t decide, just order the mixed grill with four kebabs including shish kebab, adana, lamb chops and flavorful gyro sliced off the rotating grill ($26.95 for 2 people).
Seafood dishes include char-grilled branzini served whole or fileted, salmon skewers, or plump shrimp kebabs, all served with salad and rice for a light and healthy meal. All the meat and fish menu items can easily be piled into a pita, wrapped in a wrap, or mounted on homemade pide for a hand-held lunch or dinner.
I have been to Turkey many times and always enjoy their oven-baked treats made right in front of you in restaurants. Lahmacun (pronounced lak-mah-JUN) is a type of Turkish style pizza filled with spiced ground lamb, parsley, tomatoes and red peppers in a thin dough, then fired in the hot oven for a crisp, golden treat for lunch, dinner, or snack. Pide bread filled with Turkish style sausage and mozzarella formed into a torpedo shape makes a hearty side dish to share among everyone at the table to complement your meal.
Don’t forget to order dessert to take home with handmade baklava and kunefe pastry, creamy rice pudding, almond pudding, tres leches, chocolate cake, and strawberry cheesecake. Let Oba cater your next business or family event and leave the cooking to the experts. Oba Mediterranean Gyro and Grill is open seven days a week from 11am to 11pm for take out and delivery for now. Remember, this difficult time will pass and soon you’ll be able to eat outside at their sidewalk café tables. Until then, please support our local restaurants!
70-35 Austin Street
Forest Hills – 718.544.0915
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