A taste of Turkish street food at Simit + Smith

A taste of Turkish street food at Simit + Smith

What looks like a bagel, feels like a pretzel, and is actually a bread?  Enter the “simit” – a sesame crusted bread that is popular in Turkey, and the main attraction at new bakery “Simit and Smith” in Georgetown.

Turkish Simit 

Turkish Simit 

In Turkey, the simits are street food, sold from carts and enjoyed with a cup of tea, and can be enjoyedat any time of the day. At Simit and Smith, the simit come in three varieties: original with sesame, whole wheat with sesame, and multigrain and are served in a modern bakery space. With the simit are spreads that range from cream cheese to traditional Turkish additions such as black olives and kasseri cheese. The café also offers sandwiches with a flat simit loaf.

Street cart in Turkey selling simit

At a taste test a few days back, I absolutely enjoyed the classic simit with kasseri cheese (a salty Turkish cheese) and the “pogaca” which is like a soft bread stuffed with various options – the Feta and Parsley is delicious, as is the olive and kasseri pogaca.

Classic simit with kasseri cheese and tomato 

Classic simit with kasseri cheese and tomato 

Pogaca with different fillings 

Pogaca with different fillings 

If you are a fan of the Turkish flatbread “lahmacun”, you have to try Simit and Smith’s version – a soft pliable base with minced meat and herbs, served with a salad on the side – this is a perfect light snack and a fantastic value for money at $4.50!

The Turkish flatbread lahmacun - delicious! 

The Turkish flatbread lahmacun - delicious! 

The shops also offer sandwiches on the simits, a range of other Turkish pastries and Turkish and American coffees. The doner kebab sandwich was another standout that everyone at the table enjoyed – in Simit and Smith’s case, the doner is not spit roasted on a rotating stick, but the end result is as fantastic (if not better!).

Doner sandwich

Doner sandwich

Wash it all down with a cup of strong Turkish coffee and a piece of baklava, in true Turkish fashion.

Baklava to end the meal

Baklava to end the meal

If you aren't familiar with Turkish cuisine you need to get here ASAP. If you are, you need to come taste the best examples of Turkish breads and pastries you'll find anywhere in DC. I have decided to go back often :) 

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