Bird House Grill

Food is great! It’s hard to find authentic Turkish food in north county. The lady who I assumes
Owns it is so welcoming. I love supporting my local businesses! Ps go on Friday or Saturday for the belly dancing you won’t regret it :)

We moved to this neighborhood 8 months ago and quickly found Bird House to be one of the best places to go. We are so sad to see that the family has decided to close after 18 years. This place was amazing and special and we wish only the best for the family — and hope to see them back some day.

The food was tasty, definitely on the oilier side, but nonetheless it was home cooked and we love that it is a small family owned business. We hope that it will be up and running soon again.

–food was good. I am glad that I was here. Ordered a pretty hearty meal, which was what I needed on a completely empty stomach and trying to live on Mexican food on a daily basis. It was great to get the healthy nutrition meal of lamb laid on pita covered in spaghetti sauce? I felt nothing special. but the good thing is it didn’t cost a whole lot. I also ordered this kind of poma-​granite drink was kind of like Hawaiian punch. I didn’t fully understand what I was drinking. None the less, but when I asked the waitress what were my drink options, she gave me this long overkill list of soft-​drinks. You should have soft drinks (pepsi, 7up and maybe orange soda), tea, Turkish coffee and maybe this red drink. but the listing of it, is like eh… one only wants to do that of wine. Speaking of which. no wine or beer was even offered.
Waitress was very nice. 4 stars. food was really good. also 4 stars. is worthy.
Menu is pretty hard to read and understand what you are getting. The assorted extra items on that mini menu items dropped on every table is stupid. I didn’t like that at all. The utensils wrapped in those paper napkins is labor intensive and I think it would be exactly the same to set the table. Is that something done in Turkey?

I have been all over the United States and no Mediterranean food compares with the Bird House Grill. I live in iowa now, and I tell everyone I talk to about Mediterranean cuisine that they should make the trip to San Diego for this treat. I have done so for years, even before I left my hometown. Think of it like your mom’s kitchen. If your mom happens to be Turkish… Mom decided what gets cooked and dad is manning the grill, the kids are serving and helping to make sure everyone is happy. The food is fresh, almost like it comes straight out of the garden. Everyone there is family. If you love delicious food that has not been watered down to make the drones happy. Come here. If you want to feel like you have really tasted authentic Turkish food, come here. If you like bland, boring, canned, and unfriendly. Go to your favorite fast food joint. You won’t get it at the Bird House.

If you are plan some fun on a weekend, it is one of the restaurant. But you will need to call and make a reservation, because it is a small place and it gets busy. They have a lot of fun events including live music, and amazingly nice belly dancers! Food is okay and the friendliest warmest atmosphere and service.

I usually don’t write a review unless I’m impressed and love the place, and yes this place was amazing. I had my moms birthday there and we were 15 people, they brought belly dancer because we were a big group. And the show was so amazing. Great service, yummy food, very friendly people and the place is homie. I just loved this place so did my whole family and friends
I would defiantly have another party there

I’ve ordered to-​go from here several times now. Yummy food, super affordable, big portions, and quick service! Will continue coming back :)

By far, my favorite mediterranean restaurant in San Diego County! Best hummus and tziki sauce, family owned, fresh, and soooo good. My favorite is the chicken kabob plate. There’s so much food you can share a plate.

I absolutely love this family restaurant. The house made hummus is something to have every single time you go. It has a delicious garlic kick. Each time I go I have the mixed meat plate. The kufta is excellently seasoned, the the chicken kebab is delicious and the gyro is notable. One thing that impresses me and serves as a delicious sin is the rice. Rice doesn’t seem like a dish to talk a lot about but their rice is eceptional. It compliments everything and I find it hard to leave a portion behind. If any of it remains on my plate I always end up eating it before I leave.
The family that runs the place are so lovely and friendly. They always seem to remember me even it months go by since my last visit. I highly recomended this little place. It is an absolute gem!

This is a hidden gem right on the 101. It is a small family owned business that serves authentic Turkish food. There aren’t alot of choices but there really doesn’t need to be. The kabobs are wonderful as is the kofte. The appetizers vary but they are all freshly made and delicious. Come here once and they treat you like family!

This place is great! The owners are from Ankara and Istanbul and have brought a little piece of Turkey to San Diego county! The Iskinder Kabob is awesome!!! This was my second time there, and the second was even better than the first! Can’t wait to return!!!

Driven by this place many hundreds of times, never tried it, but always curious.
I mean, come on, Turkish food?
Finally gave it a shot today.
As it turns out, Turkish food is very similar to Greek food.
Hooray!
The place is cute, the service was fine, and the food was pretty good.
I’d come back for sure.

I came to check out this Turkish Café during a lighter workday (and a Friday so hooray!). The inside of the restaurant was empty when we entered, right before 12pm, so we probably beat any sort of lunch crowd. Because my burgeoning waistline and same-​size jeans are not happy with me lately, I opted for a (HUGE!) Turkish salad for only $ 7.99. I finished my entire plate (but my two companions did not). The salad was large and tasty, but nothing special. I think that is my mistake so I’ll have to come back and check out other entrees before writing an updated review. Loved the Turkish coffee — dark, roasty and delicious.
The waitress was attentive, friendly and super professional. She’s the reason why my review is 4 stars instead of 3.

I’ve eaten at three Mediterranean-​type restaurants over the course of a month while in southern California. Just after my plane landed in San Diego my parents and I stopped in at the Bird House Grill. I will never forget my meal there. The owner, a sweet older woman greeted us at the door. My dad and I had to help my mom inside; she had been diagnosed with lung cancer and was fatigued from her treatments. The treatments were working and her cancer was small and had not spread … so said a scan last month. I don’t believe any of us mentioned mom’s diagnosis. Anyway, the owner paid special attention to us. She hugged each of us in turn. She recommended items to my mom, who didn’t have much of an appetite.
The food was outstanding. The rice was delectable. The chicken moist and flavorful. If you live nearby THIS is the place to go. So wonderful. Some reviews mentioned a «permanently» broken credit card machine– we had no such problem. This is a small place, but the décor was cute. It felt homey.
When we went to leave the owner passed out hugs again. She did not do this for the other customers. She whispered to me that I was welcome to call her place home. I didn’t think much of it until a few hours later my mom became incoherent. Her cancer, unbeknownst to anyone, had rapidly spread. My mom passed away a week and a half later.
Is it odd to attribute some sort of second sight to the owner? Probably. But it sure seemed so. Mom had been fine and doing well up to that night. I am SO grateful to this kind woman for making my mom feel welcome and for giving her such personal attention (and hugs!) hours before her decline.
I wish we had made the drive back down to Encinitas before I had to fly back home. Not only for the food, but for the homey atmosphere and the sweet owner.

What a great experience. A little hideaway that is such a secret, you will love it. Turkish cuisine and an authentic belly dancer that puts on an amazing show! I will never forget it.

My first visit to Birdhouse (for lunch). The Gyro sandwiches are really great & at 8 bucks not a bad value for the great flavor.
We ordered the carrot appetizer and it was delicious.
The waitress was very nice.
The only difference in 4 & 5 star is the atmosphere as there is little privacy. But the food and service were definitely 5-​star.

Memorable authentic experience with amazing food and the friendliest warmest service. I love when the staff is happy to be working and loves the food, it makes everything better. I almost felt like I was at a family gathering. It’s a family owned spot that is doing everything right… can’t wait to return.
I had never heard of this gem until my friend Nora suggested we eat there one night. She called to make reservations and they told us to try and hurry so we didn’t miss the belly dancing show. It was Friday night and we just wanted to have dinner and call it an early night so this was a pleasant surprise, making the night a ton more fun… not justttt dinner. It’s also BYOB, how can you beat that?
When we arrived, we were quickly seated and had our wine bottles opened in minutes. One of the servers (who I think is an owner) walks around and asks anyone if they need change to tip the dancer, which I thought was awesome because it eliminates that awkward feeling when everyone else is tipping and you only have big bills — or worse, no cash! This same lady made great suggestions for our appetizers, our favorite was the feta olive dip. So flavorful and delicious, my boyfriend asked questions about the ingredients thinking he could recreate it at home, but the servers reply was that it was an 18 year old family secret. This makes me crave it even more.
We all ordered gyro plates for main dishes. The dish starts with a salad and comes with meat, rice, pita bread, and Tzaziki sauce. I usually drench gyro meat in Tzaziki sauce but I didn’t need to, the meat was so juicy and flavorful, paired perfectly with the buttery rice so it just melts in your mouth! So fresh, so much flavor, and so much food!
–BYOB — who doesn’t love BYOB. There is a liquor store 3 blocks away (with an ATM)
–Cash only — They said their credit card machine had been down but you need cash if you want to tip belly dancer (you will, she’s so fun)… so plan ahead!
–The apps are so flavorful and delicious, split everything family style and enjoy
— Baklava = amazing

I drove past this place for what seems like years and was always curious but never made it in. Finally, this past week, We made it in for dinner, and let me tell you all something– it was the most relaxing, satisfying, enjoyable meal I have had in the last six months.
The music was fun and not too loud, giving the restaurant a great happy, mellow vibe.
We came in for an early dinner so it was still pretty empty inside. We ordered each a plate, mine the gyro and his the ground beef skewers. First we got the Aryan yogurt drinks. So delicious! Salty and satisfying. Next our salads came, and they were delicious, perfectly dressed, and had a great amount of toppings.
When the main dishes arrived, they came with the meat, rice, pita bread, and Tzaziki sauce. The meat was SO juicy and flavorful, the rice was the best rice I have ever had, and the pita and sauce just topped it off. So fresh, so much flavor, and such a full stomach. I only managed to eat half. I am not one to take home leftovers, but here I took home my leftovers and an order of baklava to go, for lunch the next day. The baklava was amazing.
The staff was so sweet, and we let them know how much we appreciated the meal. It is nice to find a place that truly puts care into their dishes.
I can’t believe it took me so many years to come to this Turkish treasure! I will be back many, many times!

Screw my first review! I love this restaurant! This authentic Turkish restaurant is absolutely wonderful. I had a much better experience on my second visit. It’s a family owned restaurant and the daughter who works here is such a delight. I ordered the «Iskender kebab,» which is one of the most Turkish food out there and it’s so delicious. It’s döner kebab mixed with tomato sauce, butter, yogurt, and pita bread on the bottom. It’s incredibly divine. If you have friends or family with you, ask for the «mezze» (appetizer) menu and order everything for an authentic Turkish family meal. Gosh, this restaurant really gets my respect. A well-​deserved 5 stars!