Whenever I am in Allentown, a visit to Aci Halal is mandatory. The place could not be more unassuming, a small Turkish grocery store and butcher shop in a defunct gas station, with a small restaurant in the back. This is strictly a family enterprise, with mom (and grand mom) cooking lovely versions of Turkish meze and other standards of Turkish cuisine (like various kebabs with pilaf) and dad making sure that the quality of the meats is excellent. Even though the portions are very generous, I cannot stop ordering all my favorites from the appetizer list: the refreshing "shepherds salad" made with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and sprinkled with feta, the aptly named Imam Bayildi (the Imam fainted), eggplant stuffed with sautéed peppers, onions, tomatoes, pine nuts and spices, cooked in a generous pool of olive oil. The two typical yogurt dishes are both stand outs and should not be missed: Tarator Lebni, thick and full of garlic and walnuts, and the lighter Cacik, with cucumber and garlic. Babaganush is smoky and intense, the humus and tabule vibrant and addictive. I love the olives and the peynir (big blocks of feta), and the yaprak (stuffed grape leaves) here have nothing in common with the soggy tubes one often gets in restaurants, but are instead fresh and redolent with spices and currants. All these plates are accompanied by lots of freshly toasted Turkish bread. It is tempting to stuff yourself with these delights (and I always do) but it is also worthwhile to try the meats. A good way is to order the Karisik Izgara - a generous kebab combination featuring both charcoal grilled ground lamb and tender marinated cubes of lamb, as well as chicken and spicy meat patties (Izgara Kofte) that look like a mixture between meat balls and burgers. There are the usual desserts, all home made. I like the Kadayif (shredded filo with walnuts), the rice pudding, and a custard dish called Kazandibi. A salty yogurt drink (Ayran) goes well with all of these dishes, but one can bring along beer or wine. Service can be a bit slow but is friendly and eager to please, and prices are inexpensive given the quality and quantity of the food (all of it makes great left-overs at home). I really don't understand why there is not a line out the door for this restaurant (some Allentown acquaintances mumble something about "location") because Aci Halal is a real treasure. I only wish there were a Turkish restaurant like it in Philadelphia. read more

I have gone to this restaurant several times and I can say it is very very good ! My favorite is the Kuzu Kebab. I also enjoy the gyro sandwiches. I love the smiles I get when I come there. So nice and friendly ! That is so important to me. read more

I just grabbed a Gyro there, the portions were very generous. Although the taste did not WoW me.

My wife and I have dined there twice, and we expect to return many more times. Our favorite dish is the appetizer that provides a sampling of about 12 different dishes--but the entrees have all been top-notch, the meats especially fresh-tasting ... and, if you like lamb, you'll love Aci Halal's lamb dishes. This is a family enterprise, and you're likely to be served by an owner or one of the children, all of whom happily describe the dishes to the uninitiated. And don't be turned off by the outside (as someone else has also commented). You could easily pass by thinking that "this must be a mini-mart or gas station." It's not inconceivable that you'll pay less than for a tank of gas, and you'll leave with enough for another meal! read more

Old school Mom and Pop restaurant that serves up the most delicious Turkish food in the Lehigh valley. I can go there and sometimes eat just the appetizers. My favorites are the shepherds salad, sigara boregi, falafel, and fried eggplant dip. read more

This is by far the most delicious Turkish found in the Lehigh valley. The meat is ALWAYS fresh and seasoned just right. The staff are very hospitable and friendly. The appetizers are yummy yummy. Prices are very fair and in all honesty I can't say enough wonderful things about this establishment and their staff. read more

Almost perfect Turkish. Super fresh, perfectly presented, just perhaps a little light on the aromatics and smokiness I expect from Middle Eastern cuisine. read more

I have been here twice. Last week and went back again last night. Just a great restaurant. Food is fresh and wonderful and I enjoyed the neighborhood ethnic restaurant feel. It's very clean and everything is appetizing. The attached grocery store has some great products too. Love this place! read more

Just one of those obscure places you drive by and barely notice. Someone suggests you try it. Amazing. Nice people, dishes come out looking very attractive. Then the delightful tastes. Really is worth a try. Becoming a regular. Meat dishes or vegetarian, they have you covered. This is not a fast food place. Slow down and relax. read more

Traveling from FL to NYC and found this gem. Best hummus and most delicious pita I have ever eaten. Amazing kebabs. Everything cranked out of the kitchen as it is ordered. Do not let the exterior or interior decor deter you--- this is one great place. read more

The food was ok but verry cold and undercooked french fries I will never go back again it feels dirty and bad service

Whenever I come into Allentown I like to go to Aci Halal. The food is always spectacular and it is something different from the norm. I would highly recommend any item, if you are a lover of meat the Karisik Izgara is perfect. Get it with some hummus, the Turkish peta bread, and their eggplant appetizer and you will not be disappointed. Another nice bit about this place is the Turkish market attached to it. You may find some interesting additions to your kitchen there. read more

We went early and we're glad we did! Before we were done they were turning down reservation requests be cause they were fully booked. Food was GREAT service was a bit slow but this guy was handling everything alone. Even knowing that it was just slower than usually. I'll go again in a heartbeat! read more

Came last time I was in town based on reviews Hummus best I've had Lamb chops incredible Back in town and going tomorrow night read more

Don't be fooled by the grocery shop when you walk in, go past the meat counter to the restaurant. We were a little wary because the parking lot was empty and it was our first visit but we're glad we sat down. Had the Doner Pita for lunch. The meat was delicious as was the bread. It was drowning in lettuce though (easy enough to remove). Some marinated hot peppers would be a good addition. read more

The sampler tray and the bread to dip with is to die for! My all time favorite entree would be the iskender. Bread on the bottom, then yogurt, meat and tomato sauce on top. So good! read more

We were looking for something to eat near my sons collage it was late and we were hungery ! And thanks to YELP we found this little gem! From the outside it's a little questionalbe but Boy were we surprised! The food was AMAZING Try the chicken chops ! Babagnush was the best we ever. We look froward to returning soon. read more

Totally awesome food and a very quirky location. Once you get past the halal butcher and turkish grocery, you'll find a pleasant dining room with Turkish television. Definitely a good place to watch soccer while enjoying some very tasty lamb. read more

Loved it. This restaurant has fantastic food and friendly people. They boast a good selection of Turkish specialties, and the combination platters are a great way to try a variety for a great price. Plenty of vegetarian options, too. Delicious! I will definitely be back! read more

This was very tasty- I like that you can get Turkish grilled food here in Allentown. I also like the grocery store attached. The server was really sweet and took time to explain the special sides they make. The meats and rice were really tasty!! read more

My husband and I were in Allentown picking someone up at the airport and we got there early so we decided to check Yelp for a nice restaurant. First one on the list was Aci Halal and it had 4.5 stars so we decided to give it a try. I am so glad we did! My husband had the beef and chicken kebab combo and I had the appetizer sampler as my meal. Omg, I loved it all! The bread was fantastic, and all the yummy goodness to dip it in was perfect! I am not even sure what a lot of the stuff was, but I do know it was good! It was a huge plate of food and so much variety! I tried my husbands rice and it was very tasty, and he said he enjoyed his kebabs as well (although he did like the chicken more than the beef). We will definitely be back when we are in town again!! read more

I have been going to ACI for the last 14 years since we moved out lehigh valley. I always bring my family and friends to ACI. The food is like eating home cooked food. Great place!!!!! read more

Authentic turkish food. The store looks like a small warehouse, but don't let looks deceive you. This is very authentic trukish food. Half of the restuarant is a convenience store while the other half is a restuarnt. You must try the lamb chops. Perfectly grilled with that charcoal crust. Price is very reasonable. read more

Clearly one of the best Turkish foods I've had!! I went by the reviews on Yelp for Aci Halal and was not one bit disappointed! Neither was my husband nor my three friends! For starters, we had Sigara Boregi. It was fantastic! Nice and hot! Wonderful! Then I had an adana pita, which is essentially kebab wrapped with pita bread. Was yummy! I even tasted the salad that came with the platters ordered by the others. It was lovely! My friend said his sandwich with falafels was very good too! He said the falafels were crispy! Right next to the dining place, when one enters, there is a very interesting grocery space, with very interesting products! A must visit! My friend and I were very tempted to buy a thing or two! Very good experience! read more

I had a delicious doner kebab gyro for lunch and was really impressed by the friendly family atmosphere at Aci's. Quick and nice service. The cute Turkish grannies who make the food are an added bonus. read more

Kebabs are awesome, ddnt like the rice though. Loved the fried beef liver!! Very friendly environment. read more

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Oh so delicious!! Prices are a little on the higher end, but the portions justify it. read more

Amazing Hummus.. Adana kabob is the best love the food here.. The bread is to die for.

Outstanding food presented by outstanding, friendly people. We had both lamb kebab and spicy lamb... Both were terrific. Perfectly homemade Turkish coffee and baklava at the end made it complete. P.S: the adjoining store full of Turkish groceries is a treasure trove of exotic and beautiful goods. Leave some time to shop. read more

Don't let the exterior fool you, there's a gem awaiting inside. I haven't had a bad meal yet and in fact it's always been amazing. I haven't shopped in the little store front yet but it's on the "to do" list. Do yourself a favor and pop in for lunch some day. With all the lunch specials you get a soup and choice of beverage. I've had both the lentil and lamb soup which were both delicious. I also highly recommend the Turkish tea. Last tip: definitely order the Ezme dip, you won't regret it! read more

While the food was excellent, I had three concerns with this restaurant. First and foremost is the location. It's attached to a store and the ambiance inside the restaurant isn't that great. Next, the wait time for the food was excessively long. We came in and there was only one couple in the restaurant and it took 20 minutes to get our food. Finally, the cost is high, especially given my other two concerns. Even though I liked the food, the restaurant definitely has some drawbacks. read more

Very good food. My favorite is the chicken gyro. If your appetite is bigger go for a kabob platter.

Food here is fresh and delicious. This is a family restaurant and everything is cooked fresh. I have never been disappointed. The rice and chocolate pudding is to die for after a lovely meal. A+ read more

The waiter was terrible behaved and his attitude was very rude. From the first moment to the last. He didn't care if I am customer or not treated to me very unkindly. read more

First time and we had four different types of lamb kabobs. Excellent. The spicy veg dip? Wonderful. The coconut cake? Superbly sweet. The rice pudding? Absolutely divine! Definitely will return. Recommend reservations! read more

This place is great! Hands down my favorite place when visiting family in Allentown and as good as much of the food you'll get in Istanbul. Family run ... Papa is a butcher, Mama's in the kitchen, son and daughter work the floor and the grocery store. The Iskender kebob is mouthwateringly good ... the Shepard's salad is great! You'll get two meals out of every main course. I never leave without several loaves of bread, yogurt and feta! The waitress (daughter) once said, my parents prepare food as they would if you were coming to our house. Definitely true. read more

Manage your expectations going in. Our former go-to turkish place where we used to live had the expected ambiance - rugs, colored lamps, etc. Not here. The building and dining room are basic and not particularly Mediterranean. Not the place for a romantic first date. That said, the food was very solid. The cucumber salad was fresh and well seasoned. The combination appetizer had ~10 distinctively flavored items and was fun to sample. All complemented by warm fresh bread. It was extremely reasonably priced - not many places you can have a large dinner for 4 with shared appetizers and booze and get out for under $15 a person before tip... I gave it 4 stars because Aci as a whole isn't quite "as good as it gets" (the Yelp 5-star standard). But for what it is - a reasonably priced way to get good, distinctive homemade food - it is an outstanding option. read more

Completely divine and delicious! I've had them cater my baby shower, and birthday parties. We dine in sometimes, but most times we get take out. Their lunch specials are a great deal! A meal with a choice of soup or salad and a drink for about $10. I absolutely love their meat at the butcher shop! You can completely taste the difference in the quality of their products. Their frozen burgers are the best. I have a spice mix I make at home and sprinkle a little over them on the grill. The family/employees there are very friendly and they have me and and my family as customers for life! read more

Almost missed this one because it looks like a market from the outside. But the food was all delicious and the meat was perfectly cooked. Definitely glad we stopped here! read more

Amazing authentic Turkish cuisine with excellent service. Also has a small market attached so you can shop while you wait for your food! What more could you ask for? read more