Hacı Abdullah Restaurant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Hacı Abdullah Restaurant | |
|---|---|
  Location of Hacı Abdullah Restaurant in Istanbul | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1888 |
| Food type | Ottoman court cuisine |
| Location | Hüseyin Ağa Mah., Atıf Yılmaz Cad. 9/A, 34435 Beyoğlu, Istanbul, Turkey |
| Coordinates | 41°02′07″N 28°58′49″E / 41.03528°N 28.98028°E |
| Website | www |
The Hacı Abdullah Restaurant (Turkish: Hacı Abdullah Lokantası) is a historic traditional restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey, specialized in Ottoman court cuisine and Turkish cuisine. It was established in Karaköy, Istanbul in 1888, and since 1916 has been situated in different places in Beyoğlu, Istanbul.[1][2]
The restaurant was established in 1888 by Hacı Abdullah Efendi at the Karaköy Quay in Istanbul, under the name Abdullah Efendi Lokantası during the final period of the Ottoman Empire. The business license was issued by the Ottoman sultan Abdul Hamid II (r. 1876–1909) in person.[2][3][4][5] It became the first officially registered restaurant in Turkey.[2][3] After 1916, the restaurant was relocated due to an earthquake that had an epicenter close to its original location.[2][5] The restaurant was relocated again in 1940 to the Sadri Alışık Sok., close to the Turkish cinema business in Beyoğlu, and was renamed Hacı Salih Lokantası. In 1958, the restaurant, known up to that point as Abdullah Efendi ve Hacı Salih Lokantası, moved to its current place. Finally in 1983, the restaurant restored its original name of Hacı Abdullah Restaurant.[2][4]
In June 2016, Hacı Abdullah Restaurant opened a branch in Ankara to serve the crew of the General Directorate of Forestry in Ankara.[2][5]
Throughout its history, the Hacı Abdullah Restaurant has been frequently visited by rulers, state officials, and high-ranked politicians, as well as by official and private delegates.[2][4]
Ownership
The century-old history of the Hacı Abdullah Restaurant is a continuation of the Ahi guild,[2][3][4] a tradesman solidarity organization founded by the Bektashi Order preacher Ahi Evran (1169–1261), under the auspices of Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli (1209–1271).[6] Ahi-Order businesses are long-established organizations that have been passed down from father to son or otherwise changed hands through purchase by individuals or companies against a fee.[2][3][5] The situation at the Hacı Abdullah Restaurant is an exception to both cases, as it was passed down sometimes from master to apprentice.[2][3]
When Abdullah Efendi died, his only son Hikmet Abdullah Bey took over the business. During this period, a branch was opened in a large garden in Emirgan, Istanbul, which was later closed. After Hikmet Bey's death, the restaurant was taken over by his next of kin, since he was childless. As the kin did not run the business, Hacı Salih Efendi took over it in 1943; he had worked long years in the restaurant. Abdullah Korun, who came to Istanbul from Siirt in 1962, started working with Salih Efendi in 1967. When Hacı Salih Efendi died in 1982, the restaurant was about to be vacated. Ferit İntiba, a businessman and regular customer named intervened and took ownership of the restaurant at the last minute. After some time, master chef Korun left when İntiba wanted alcoholic beverages to be served in the restaurant. As the business did not run well, İntiba was ousted, and Korun and his brigade de cuisine were called back. They continued to work in the old style and menu. The name Hacı Salih had to be changed due to Turkish business laws. In 1983, the place returned to its initial 1888 name of Hacı Abdullah Lokantası. Abdullah Korun and his partners took over the business completely in 1994. They eventually took ownership of the property, further enlarging the business and making it what it is today.[3]
As of November 2022[update], the restaurant is run by Turgıt Gülen, the son of one of the four partners.[5]