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Written by Vince Tropea
(Lander, WY) – For Kaan Torhan, opening Ella’s Mediterranean Cuisine in Lander represents the latest chapter in a culinary career that has taken him from Istanbul to destinations around the world. Kaan was born in Istanbul, Turkey, and has spent nearly 20 years working in the culinary field, including as a flying chef for Turkish Airlines and cooking at various international sporting events, mostly at Formula One races.
Kaan initially came to the United States through his work and lived in Houston, Texas, with his wife and business partner, Didem. After the couple learned they were expecting a child, they began looking for a quieter place to raise their family. Friends who owned a business in Lander encouraged them to visit Wyoming, a state Kaan said he knew little about at the time. The couple liked what they found and decided to make Lander home. Their daughter, Ella, was born soon afterward, and ultimately became the namesake of the new restaurant.
Ella’s Mediterranean Cuisine. h/t Vince Tropea
Ella’s Mediterranean Cuisine opened in May of this year, and is located at 175 N 4th Street. The regular store hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 8 PM, but be sure to check the business Facebook page or call ahead at (307) 454-3045 for any special hours of operation.
Kaan shared that while he enjoys familiar American staples such as burgers and pizza, he saw an opportunity to add another option to Lander’s dining scene.
“I saw that people needed some more diversity and different things,” he said. His goal for Ella’s, he added, can be summed up simply: “Delicious, fast, healthy” food at an affordable price.
That philosophy shapes a menu built around fresh ingredients and food prepared largely by hand in Kaan’s kitchen. One of Ella’s signature offerings is its gyro, made with a mixture of 80% beef and 20% lamb. Kaan said getting the balance right is important to keeping the thinly sliced meat flavorful and juicy without making it overly heavy.
Kaan shaves the lamb to make a gyro plate. h/t Vince Tropea
The restaurant also serves marinated chicken dishes, chicken wings, salads, rice, wraps, and Greek-style potatoes. For those who may be hesitant to venture into unfamiliar Mediterranean cuisine, Kaan recommends starting with the gyro. “It’s very thin and juicy,” he said, joking that it is also a natural fit because “Wyoming people like to eat meat.”
Ella’s menu. h/t Ella’s Mediterranean Cuisine Facebook page
Dessert also provides a connection to Kaan’s family and upbringing. Ella’s serves traditional baklava made with walnuts rather than the pistachios commonly found in many versions of the dessert. Kaan said the preparation comes from his grandmother, who makes her baklava with walnuts. The restaurant has also introduced more elements of Turkish food culture, including traditional Turkish coffee and black tea.
Turkish coffee pairs nicely with the baklava. h/t Vince Tropea
Additionally, Ella’s offers takeout, an outdoor patio for customers who want to dine outside when the weather cooperates, and catering services.
The restaurant even partnered with students in the Saber Media class at Lander Middle School to produce the ad below at the end of the 2025/2026 school year.
h/t LMS Saber Media class
While Kaan has plenty of ideas for expanding the menu, he said he is deliberately taking things slowly. For now, he said the focus is on continuing to build the restaurant one step at a time while maintaining the standards he has established in the kitchen. He hopes to eventually grow his staff and expand what Ella’s can offer, but said he first wants employees to learn the restaurant’s approach, rules and kitchen style.
For Kaan and Didem, the restaurant is both a new business venture and a reflection of the new life they have built with the little girl whose name is on the door.
Dining and Cooking