The classic Yarra kebab has crossed the lake to Belconnen. Photos: Michelle Taylor.
Get excited, Belconians! Canberra’s best-known Turkish food is now at your doorstep!
Yes, the folks behind Yarralumla Turkish Pide House have launched their second restaurant. Ensconced on the corner of ‘restaurant row’, the side of Lathlain St that hugs Westfield, Belco Halal Kebabs & Pizzeria flung its doors open two weeks ago and the response has been massive.
“The first week was a big hit, we weren’t expecting it,” owner and chef Ugur told Region Media. “We thought we could start slow!”
Ugur slicing some chicken.
How quickly word spread might have surprised Ugur, but he’d be the only one. Established in 2002, the hallmark of his restaurant is its flavoursome, generous dishes and strong word-of-mouth patronage.
Upbeat Turkish music greets me as I walk in. Every surface gleams, from its exotic light fixtures to the delicate Turkish pattern on the ceramic tiles.
An extensive menu stretches out over the order area, easy to read and heralding new dishes.
The pide/pizza fusion range catches my eye. They’re familiar pizza flavours on a Turkish pide.
Halal Pizza menu.
Serving up pide with an Italian pizza twist is new to Belco Halal Kebabs & Pizzeria.
Ugur’s fresh take on fried chicken – HFC – looks finger-licking good: crumbed chicken pieces, seasoned with Turkish spices and deep-fried.
Fans of the original Yarralumla Turkish Pide House won’t be disappointed, either.
Old favourites like the original Halal Snack Box have come to Belconnen, so bring on those meat-packed kebabs, banquets and pides.
Diners can eat inside and watch the chefs slicing succulent meats from large vertical rotisseries or relax outside. We order and sit outside. Told my order would take 15 minutes, I set a timer. When I walk back in (a minute early), they’re calling my name. Impressive!
A chicken HSB (Halal Snack Box).
We order some HFC, an HSB (Halal Snack Box) and a meat lovers pizza.
The HFC has a satisfying crunch and the meat is juicy. If you want the coating to be crisp, specify that you want sauces on the side. The chips come seasoned with chicken salt and gooey with cheese.
Ordering a meat lovers pizza is a first for me. I prefer supreme, a melody of pizza toppings to stimulate my tastebuds. While our pide/pizza had the usual meatlovers ingredients, the drizzle of herb oil added magic.
And the crust? Bellissimo! Pide is the PERFECT pizza crust. I could just eat the crust on its own all day long.
The HSB is a layer of chips, melted cheese, with the rest of the space in the container crammed full of meat and topped with generous dollops of sauce. It’s more a meal than a snack.
Belco Halal Kebabs & Pizzeria.
Belco Halal Kebabs & Pizzeria is located at Shop 328A, Westfield Belconnen, Lathlain St, and will soon be offering delivery and catering services.
To place an order, call 02 6253 2928. Find out more on their website or follow them on Facebook.
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