Anyone For Tost? Iksirci Tezcan In Fethiye Can Sort You Out

Share this article

When friends and family come to Fethiye on holiday, routine goes through the window. And that’s where places like Iksirci Tezcan take centre stage.

The kitchen – and our explorations of Turkish recipes – becomes a tad neglected as we grab snacks here and there, en route to their hotels and apartments to meet up with them.

Fortunately, in Fethiye, this habit doesn’t have to break the bank because there are little inexpensive Turkish treats to be had.

One such treat is one of the best, most simple Turkish street food staples; tost – better known in the English language as a toastie.

Wherever you go in Turkey, you’re going to see signs and boards dotted around the area, outside snack bars, advertising tost.

It’s a classic Turkish snack – it’s cheap, simple and, you’d think, the same just about everywhere you go.

True, the fillings don’t vary much. Expect cheese, sucuk (a spiced Turkish sausage similar to salami) and sometimes tomato.

Expect a heavily pressed half bread with any variations of those fillings. (We regularly make tost at home…in a slightly more exaggerated version.)

But some tost is better than others and, fortunately for us, Fethiye has its very own tost institution. These guys are the ustas of tost: Iksirci Tezcan.

Iksirci Tezcan, Fethiye – The Masters Of Tost

‘Usta’ means ‘master’ and their title is deserved.

For as long as we can remember, these purveyors of fine tost have been trading under the shade of the trees on the corner of Fethiye harbour, serving workers, school children, passers by and tourists.

Nothing much changes at Iksirci Tezcan. It’s had a bit of a facelift here and there over the years.

All around, smart residences, shops and restaurants are opening but Iksirci Tezcan keeps on keeping on, doing what it does best – making tost.

And the locals of fethiye keep flocking there for that reason. No pretences here.

The menu was expanded quite a while back but still no unnecessary glamour. Just an extension of the simple tost they’ve always served.

There are now some regional specialities. Ayvalık tost and the famous Çeşme kumrusu, named after the resort town of Çeşme in Izmir.

You can also pick up a gözleme and, if the mood takes you, order a pan of sucuk and eggs.

The chairs and tables had fun paint jobs during the facelift processes but they’ve always been the same, too.

Tall people might struggle a bit as both the chairs and the tables are tiny. Don’t even think about trying to tuck your knees under the table.

But that doesn’t seem to bother the folks that flock here day in, day out.

We’ve never seen this place empty and you’ll struggle for a table around lunchtime.

As you can see from these photos, our eating times have been a bit unconventional of late and we managed to get to Iksirci Tezcan at a rare quiet spell.

Although there are all these additions to the Iksirci Tezcan menu, apart from the odd plate of fries as an accompaniment, the vast majority of people are here for the basic sucuk and cheese toastie.

It’s the cheapest toastie on the menu and loved by adults – including us – and kids alike.

And, as is the unfortunate staple with Fethiye’s snack bars these days, you’ll be asked if you want ketchup and mayonnaise inside your tost, too.

It does seem to work well on the tost so sometimes, we will take the waiter up on the offer.

Because the kitchen area is such a continuous conveyor belt of pressed bread and fillings, your mixed tost is delivered to your table within a matter of minutes and, with it, a bowl of Turkish pickles (turşu).

Of course, so busy is Iksirci Tezcan, the turşu bowls are pre-prepared, too, and stacked high on a shelf by the counter.

In the case of Iksirci Tezcan, the turşu is pickled chillies and gherkins which are eaten with the aid of a cocktail stick.

Mmm, it’s always the little extras that make all the difference isn’t it.

This side dish of turşu is the perfect accompaniment and, to be honest, just as important as the tost as far as we’re concerned!

The thought of tost without turşu…oh, enough to make you shudder!

Fabulous Fruit Juice

And what about a thirst quencher at Iksirci Tezcan? There’s water, the usual fizzy drinks, cartons of ayran or this…

How about this for a perfect thirst quencher on a hot, sunny day in Fethiye?

Freshly squeezed mixed fruit juice.

The great thing about Iksirci Tezcan is they have a regular supply of fruit which goes into their drinks but they also use seasonal fruits, too.

So in summer, you might get melon in your fruit juice whilst autumn brings with it the wonder of the pomegranate.

Apples and carrots are often seen in the fruit baskets, too.

In the mixed fruit juice above, there’s definitely orange and pomegranate in there – but which of the other fruits and vegetables went into this concoction, we’re not entirely sure.

What we do know for sure is it’s perfectly refreshing after you’ve finished your tost.

And, if you go for tost at Iksirci Tezcan in summer, it’s sooo difficult not to drink all of your fruit juice within a matter of seconds before your tost has even made an appearance.

But then you could always order another glass.

If you’re in Fethiye on a budget, this is the place for you.

Sit and watch the world go by along Fethiye harbour, fill yourself up and then quench your thirst with a healthy vitamin boost.

Iksirci Tezcan – Useful Information

• Iksirci Tezcan is the cream wooden-look building on Fethiye harbour at the side of the Fethiye Culture Centre (the big blue building).
• You can view its location on the map below.
• If you’re not a fan of mixed fruit juice, they’ll also make a glass up of your preferred fruit.
• Iksirci Tezcan is open daily until evening, all year round.
• Visit our Fethiye Eating and Drinking page for more ideas of where to eat snacks and more substantial meals around the whole area. Of course, there are a few bar suggestions on there, too.

Share this article