Ala Turco Express

Mid-town East now hosts a Turkish spot tucked inside the rhythm of Second Avenue traffic. At Ala Turco Express, slices of street life pass by while lamb kebabs and pide take the stage.

Find the restaurant at 1391 2nd Ave New York, NY 10021, a short jog from the Lexington—63rd Street stop. Inside this stretch of brownstones and shopfronts, the menu lists takeout portions, dine-in tables, and curbside pickup for those who need a meal in hand.

Across flatbreads and spiced meats, cards and coins exchange without ceremony. A quick call lands your order: 646-398-7577. Upstairs apartments overlook the sidewalk hum as plates arrive carrying hummus, pide, and lahmacun, close by where it all began.

Heading north on the FDR access lanes or slipping off York Avenue, directions lead straight here. Pull the map off your pocket screen and you’ll see it blink beside the 69th Street transfer bridge.