Leziz Turkish Cuisine, Swedesboro

In a video for the blog Philly in Focus, Leziz Turkish Cuisine owner Sal Kucuk greets his son at the appetizer-prep station. He stops by the grill line to thank the head chef, who brings his own experience from owning a restaurant in Istanbul for 14 years. In the dining room, Sal stops for a moment to pay respect to his mother's framed image––a beloved photograph blown up by his fiancée as a gift. Formerly S & H Kebab House, Leziz Turkish Cuisine is still the same family-owned restaurant that was bestowed with Talk of the Town's Excellence in Customer Satisfaction award for 2010 and 2011 and the U.S. Commerce Association's Best of Philadelphia award from 2011–2013.

Specializing in authentic Turkish, Middle Eastern, and Mediterranean cuisine, the eatery employs organic lamb, top Choice Black Angus steaks, and fresh seafood for kebabs and sautés. Amid hanging lights and butter-yellow walls, warm pita sops up creamy hummus and whipped caviar to pair with patrons’ BYOB beverages. Live bands on Fridays and monthly belly-dancing events fill the air with music, unlike the falafel-juggling mimes hired by most restaurants.