Fountain Valley is best known as Little Saigon’s southern frontier and for the occasional Japanese gem. One emerging trend is Turkish food, with Mr. Kebap probably your best bet. Denny Gyldiz, parents Eric and Lora, who hail from Izmir, debuted five months ago in a strip mall around the corner from the 405 freeway. The 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 family folds grilled ground beef patties with onion, garlic, red pepper paste, mountain oregano, cumin, thyme, and fresh pepper. Mr. Kebap also sells a plain version and a version 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 comes with 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 SoCal, and Mr. Kebap sets the standard.