Turkish Lamb Dishes in Fountain Valley: Lamb Chops, Kebabs & Stews

Ask anyone who has eaten in Istanbul what they remember, and lamb usually comes up first: a skewer of spiced ground lamb straight off the grill, tender cubes marinated overnight, or a stew that has been simmering with tomatoes and peppers. Lamb has a richer, deeper flavor than chicken or beef, and Turkish cooks have spent centuries finding ways to make the most of it.

This guide covers every lamb dish on our dinner menu: how each one is cooked, what it tastes like, what it costs and which one fits your appetite. If you have never ordered lamb before, start here.

Why Lamb Is Central to Turkish Food

In Turkey, lamb has long been the meat for celebrations, family gatherings and the grill. Three cooking traditions shape how it is served today, and you will find all three on our menu:

• The grill (mangal): lamb cut into cubes or ground and pressed onto wide skewers, cooked over high heat so the outside chars while the inside stays juicy.
• The rotisserie: seasoned ground lamb and beef stacked on a vertical spit and carved thin, which is how doner kebab is made.
• The pot: lamb sauteed or simmered with tomatoes, peppers, onions and garlic until it is soft enough to cut with a fork.

Turkish lamb dishes are seasoned with a light hand. Expect garlic, onion, oregano, red pepper and a house marinade rather than heavy sauces, so the flavor of the meat stays in front.

All Our Lamb Dishes at a Glance

The kebabs come with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables, and the stews and casserole come with rice pilaf. Want to add lamb to another plate? An extra skewer of beef or lamb is $8.99.

Lamb Chops: The Top of the Menu

Our Lamb Chops ($33.99) are the most premium plate we serve. The chops are chargrilled on the bone, finished with oregano leaves and served with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables. The bone keeps the meat juicy, and the grill gives the edges a smoky crust.

Who it is for: anyone celebrating, steak lovers who want to try something new, and lamb fans who want the meat with as little in the way as possible. Pick them up by the bone; that is how they are eaten in Turkey.

If you have a preference for how your chops are cooked, just let your server know when you order.

Lamb Shish and Lamb Adana: Two Ways to Grill a Skewer

These are the two classic lamb kebabs, and the difference is simple: shish means cubes, Adana means ground.

Adana kebab is named after the city of Adana in southern Turkey, known for its grilled meat. If you like bold seasoning, start with Adana. If you want to taste the lamb itself, go for shish. Can’t decide? The Kebab Combination ($26.99) lets you pick any two kebabs as half portions, so you can have both.

Lamb and Beef: Kofte, Doner and Iskender

Three of our most popular dishes blend lamb with beef. The lamb brings flavor and juiciness; the beef keeps it mild. These are a good first step if you are new to lamb.

• Kofte Kebab ($24.99): four patties of freshly ground beef and lamb, lightly seasoned and chargrilled. Kofte is the Turkish meatball, and it is a favorite with all ages.
• Doner Kebab ($24.99): marinated ground lamb and beef cooked on a large vertical rotisserie and carved by hand. For how it compares with gyro and shawarma, read Doner vs. Gyro vs. Shawarma.
• Iskender Kebab ($25.99): slices of doner over toasted bread with yogurt and tomato sauce, served with plain yogurt, grilled pepper, grilled tomato and pita bread.

Slow-Cooked Lamb: Casserole, Saute and Okra Stew

Not every great lamb dish comes off the grill. Turkish home cooking is full of lamb cooked slowly in a pan or pot with vegetables. These three plates from our House Specialties are the comfort food side of the menu:

The stews are a great choice on a cool evening, and the sauce is made for soaking up with pita bread. If someone at your table does not eat meat, the vegetarian Okra Stew (Bamya) ($19.99) is the same dish without lamb.

Which Lamb Dish Is Right for You?

What to Order with Lamb

Lamb is rich, so in Turkey it is always paired with something fresh, cool or tangy. Our favorite combinations:

For more about our dips and salads, see our guide to Mediterranean food in Fountain Valley. For the full story on our dessert, read What Is Baklava?.

Sharing Lamb with a Group

The easiest way to try several lamb dishes at once is to order a platter for the table:

Planning a bigger night out? Our guide to the best Turkish food in Fountain Valley has more ideas for first visits and group orders. Eating late? The full kitchen is open until 1 AM; see our late-night food guide.

Plan Your Visit

Questions about dietary needs, reservations or ordering? Our FAQ has the answers, and you can read more about who we are on our About page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What lamb dishes are on the Istanbul Grill menu?

Istanbul Grill California serves Lamb Chops, Lamb Shish Kebab, Lamb Adana Kebab, Shepherd Casserole, Lamb Saute and Okra Stew with Lamb, plus three dishes that blend lamb and beef: Kofte Kebab, Doner Kebab and Iskender Kebab.

Where can I get lamb chops in Fountain Valley?

Istanbul Grill California at 18010 Newhope St Ste D, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 serves chargrilled lamb chops topped with oregano, with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables, for $33.99. The restaurant is open daily from 10 AM to 1 AM.

What is the difference between lamb shish and lamb Adana kebab?

Lamb shish kebab is made from marinated cubes of lamb, while lamb Adana kebab is seasoned ground lamb pressed onto flat skewers. Both are chargrilled and served with rice pilaf and seasonal vegetables.

Which lamb dish is best for someone who has never tried lamb?

Kofte Kebab and Doner Kebab are good first choices because they blend lamb with beef for a milder flavor. Lamb Shish Kebab is a good next step.

Is doner kebab made with lamb?

At Istanbul Grill, doner kebab is marinated ground lamb and beef cooked on a large vertical rotisserie and carved by hand.

Can I try more than one lamb kebab in one meal?

Yes. The Kebab Combination ($26.99) lets you choose any two kebabs as half portions, and the Mixed Grill for two and Istanbul Kebab for four include several lamb kebabs.

Do you have lamb dishes for kids?

Yes. The kids menu includes Kid’s Lamb Adana Kebab and Kid’s Kofte Kebab for $13.99, each with rice pilaf or French fries and pita bread.