For a Taste of Turkey, Head to Chit Chat Café

In spring of 2012 a Turkish restaurant and grocery store called Chit Chat Café opened on Route 112 in Port Jefferson Station bringing the Mediterranean style of food a little closer to local residents.

Previously, Konak in Farmingville was the closest Turkish market and the nearest Turkish restaurants were Medford Pita House in Patchogue and East Setauket, both owned by Joff Sahin who says he was the first to bring Turkish food to this area.

before it officially opened she said that she wanted to bring the food of her home in the cosmopolitan city of Istanbul to people in Port Jefferson Station. Seven months later, Chit Café is still standing. Business is good so far, according to Rose Catalvas, who was working at the café on Wednesday morning.

We asked Catalvas to point out some of the items in the little Turkish grocery store inside the café. Among the most popular are olives, cheeses, pepperoni and Turkish-style tea and coffee.

“It’s the main thing Turkish people have for their breakfast,” she said.

Also very popular is a confection called Turkish Delight. Some of these chewy candy-like treats come with nuts, fruit or honey.

They have an assortment of imported brands and Catalvas said that the local population of Turkish people come into the store for their fix of authentic foodstuff.

Click through our photo gallery to see some of the other groceries available from Chit Chat Café. They are also open for breakfast and lunch.

Have you ever been to Chit Chat Café in Port Jefferson Station? Head over to their directory listing on Patch and let us know what you think.