Located at 2340 Elmhurst Road in Mount Prospect, IL, A Thousand Tales Restaurant / Bakery & Cafe combines Mediterranean–Turkish dining with an adjoining bakery and cafe. It’s a family-friendly spot known for its cozy ambiance, flavorful dishes, and beautifully presented baked goods.
Cuisine & Atmosphere
- The restaurant offers a fusion of Turkish and Mediterranean dishes, accompanied by a full-service bakery and cafe serving Turkish-style pastries, sweets, and coffee.
- Visitors note that from the exterior, the bakery and cafe seem modest, but stepping inside reveals a beautifully welcoming interior and restaurant space.
Customer Reviews & Highlights
- Patrons frequently praise the flavorful dishes and hospitality:
“They do offer a Turkish breakfast and also a breakfast buffet on weekends including all the traditional cheeses, fresh veggies, meats, fruits and made‑to‑order omelettes… The Pide (Turkish pizza) was made perfectly. The mixed grill platter was amazing… we took home some baklava that melted in our mouth! The pistachios in the baklava tasted like they were imported from Turkey!”.
“We must try the eggs with soudjouk or menemen! … The mixed grill includes lamb chops, chicken shish kabob, kofte kabob, adana kabob, lamb shish kabob, lahmacun (Turkish pizza), and traditional beyti kabob … end your meal with Turkish coffee paired with sutlac, kazandibi, pistachio baklava, eclairs, honey cake, or specialty cookies. Enjoy the summer weather … sipping homemade lemonade or fresh‑squeezed orange juice.”
- Other guests describe the food as “freaking delicious” with perfect meat preparation, especially the charred-yet-moist chicken breast kebab, plus standout service from staff like Abdul, who remembered repeat visitors.
- On Tripadvisor and Yelp, average ratings range from 4.4 to 4.5 stars across hundreds of reviews—viewers applaud the quality of food, atmosphere, and service, though a few mention pricing and service charges as drawbacks.
Menu Overview
Breakfast & Brunch
- Turkish breakfast and weekend brunch buffet with cheeses, fresh produce, meats, fruit, and made-to-order omelettes.
- Signature egg dishes include menemen and soudjouk with eggs
Mixed Grill & Mains
- Plentiful mixed grill options: lamb chops, shish, kofte, adana kabob, lamb shish, beyti kabob.
- Additional standout mains include lamb stew (Guvec) and falafel.
Brick Oven Specialties
- Lahmacun (Turkish pizza) and pide with various toppings, baked in a brick oven—the dough and flavor earn high praise.
Bakery & Desserts
- A wide selection of sweets: pistachio baklava, eclairs, honey cake, honey‑soaked cookies, sutlac (rice pudding), kazandibi (Turkish flan), cheesecake, almond-coconut pudding, and tres leches.
- Bakery is frequently visited post-meal for pick-up desserts to enjoy later at home.
Quickfacts
Final Thought A Thousand Tales Restaurant
A Thousand Tales Restaurant / Bakery & Cafe delivers an authentic and vibrant Turkish dining experience. From flavorful breakfast spreads and expertly grilled mixed plates to a tempting bakery filled with freshly made sweets, guests consistently highlight the excellence in food quality and hospitality. With thousands of positive reviews and a few notes on pricing, it remains among Mount Prospect’s most cherished Mediterranean destinations.
