Fountain Valley is best known as Little Saigon‘s southern frontier. This Orange County city is also becoming increasingly reliable for Japanese culinary gems. Turkish food is another emerging trend in Fountain Valley, and Mr. Kebap is probably your best bet. Denny Gyldiz and parents Eric and Lora hail from Izmir. They debuted Mr. Kebap five months ago in a strip mall around the corner from the 405 freeway. Their restaurant features art-lined red walls, steam tables, and some of the best grilled food in Orange County.

Grilled Spicy Kofta ($13.95) was really fantastic. The Gyldiz family folds grilled ground beef patties with onion, garlic, red pepper paste, mountain oregano, cumin, thyme, and fresh-cracked black pepper. Mr. Kebap also sells a plain version and a kofta variation stuffed with oozing mozzarella, but it’s hard to imagine an improvement on this spicy, juicy dish. Each order comes with buttery rice pilaf, crispy French fries, grilled tomato, and onion. Better yet, every plate co-stars jajek, tangy yogurt folded with cucumber, olive oil, garlic, oregano, and sumac that’s served with grilled pita from a local bakery. Turkish food is unusual in Southern California. The Gyldiz family sets the gold standard with Mr. Kebap.