From Food Truck to Fourth Street: Buqqa brings fresh Mediterranean fare to Downtown Santa Ana

Buqqa is the newest eatery to open at Santa Ana’s 4th Street Market, offering a fusion of Mediterranean and Turkish delights. Buqqa got its start as a food truck circulating the music festival scene feeding hungry ravers and festival goers all around California. They have since grown to three food trucks and its first on-site location at 4th Street Market. ​

Tony Elmas, the visionary behind Buqqa, created a unique culinary experience with a modern take on traditional Mediterranean food. Their foods are delicious and 100% Halal (think Kosher for Islam). The finest quality of meats and ingredients are used in their recipes. Tony only allows 100% natural products and is very strict on quality control at all his eateries. ​

Buqqa offers all your Mediterranean favorites like kebabs, falafels, and gyros. If you are looking for something a little more elevated than your standard gyro, the beef and lamb doner on ciabatta bread is sure to satisfy any foodie. The chef special fries are also loaded with beef and lamb doner creating a Mediterranean take on carne asada fries.
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You can also customize a rice plate with your favorite meats and side dishes. Their meatballs, which look more like meat sticks, are perfectly paired with Mediterranean rice and a side salad. Don’t forget to sauce up your food with spicy garlic, ajvar (roasted red pepper and eggplant puree) or tzatziki.

At Buqqa, the menu is prepared fresh daily with locally sourced meats that are seasoned with traditional hand prepared Mediterranean spice blends. All spices are imported from Italy and Turkey. Even the pistachios used in their incredibly delicious baklava are imported from Turkey. Their daily specials also highlight seasonal ingredients.

​Ok, now back to the baklava. This homemade sweet and texturally satisfying dessert is the perfect ending to an incredible meal at Buqqa. It tastes like someone's Greek grandmother made it and paired with a cup of Turkish coffee, is a dessert paradise.

Tony’s favorite dishes are the Alexander kebab, beef and lamb rice plate, and the chicken kebab. Buqqa is on the fast track to becoming a successful restaurant chain with two more restaurant locations scheduled to open this year in Riverside and Costa Mesa. For more on Buqqa, visit their website at Buqqa.com and make sure to check out their Instagram @Buqqafood.

Story by Jennifer Morones
​Photos by Jennifer Morones and Andi Martinez