Lunch with Gengiz Khan.. Wanna?

  3 1/2 Snaps!  Better than average! Give it a shot 

Gengiz Kahn offers a mix of vegetarian and typical mediterranean fare

​Gengiz Kahn's owner Ergin Tek hails from Turkey so it makes sense that if he is going to run a restaurant it would be a Turkish leaning Mediterranean place. Although I've never met the guy I appreciate someone who is so community minded. Last year during hurricane Irma he closed down his restaurant and opened it as a shelter. Later in 2017 at Thanksgiving, he fed hundreds of people with his own money. Pretty outstanding.
The place bills itself as Turkish and vegetarian specialists. However, the menu shows several dishes containing typical Mediterranean fare protein like lamb and chicken. The dining room itself is fairly cavernous with very high ceilings and multiple tables taking up most of a block on Bay to Bay Boulevard.

The hummus appetizer is nicely presented as a round pocket of the ground chickpeas with Olive Oil and a Greek olive in the middle

I am immediately seated at a table and offered two lunch menus, one with express lunch specials, and one with standard lunch items. The Fish Roe Spread sounds absolutely delightful. The menu describes it as a red caviar spread blended with olive oil and lemon. However when I request it from my waiter I am told that it is no longer offered but they haven't yet taken off the menu. It, along with swordfish and turkey that are also not available, is also on the dinner menu. Not such a great start! Instead I suck it up and order the typical Hummus appetizer ($7.00)  and Lamb Kofke Patties $(12.00), served on rice with a salad and free pink lemonade!

Pita wedges are served with house made hummus

The hummus is nicely presented as a pocket of the ground chickpeas with  Olive Oil and a Greek olive in the middle. Untoasted Pita wedges are served with it. As I said, typical.

Lamb Kofte patties with rice and mixed salad greens are cooked to well done

The  Lamb Kofke Patties off of the quick lunch menu indeed arrives fairly quickly. It's ground lamb mixed with herbs and cooked well done, rendering the three small patties firm but not dried out. They are nicely seasoned and it is a perfect portion for a lunchtime meal. The included salad mix consists of pickled red cabbage, spring greens topped with a simple vinaigrette dressing, along with shredded carrots and a jalapeno accent. And, did I mention, free pink lemonade! For 12 bucks it's a full plate of fairly decent food. Service is snappy and on task.

Gengiz Kahn  offers us full-service bar and has a moderate beer and wine selection.
Flat screens are placed strategically throughout the bar including at least one with Sportsmix- Six different sports channels on one screen. Pop 80's - now music plays in the background at mid volume. There's a large patio that fronts Bay To Bay  Blvd. with open windows to the inside during cooler weather.