If you didn’t know it was there, well, you wouldn’t know it was there. We’re talking Kanatçı Mert BBQ!
Kanatçı Mert – Chicken Wing Specialist
Tucked away on a quiet side street just off the increasingly famous Yerguzlar Caddesi in Fethiye, Kanatçı Mert BBQ is keeping things totally simple. And totally delicious!
‘Kanat’ is the Turkish word for ‘wing,’ and in the world of Turkish food, everyone knows that if you’re talking about kanat, you’re talking about chicken wings.
The kanatçı is he who specialises in the cooking of chicken wings.
And Turks love their chicken wings. Especially when they’re sizzling over hot coals! The flavour and smoky aroma are unbeatable.
Back in the day, many was the Sunday when we took off to picnic areas and local Fethiye beaches with Turkish friends.
There was always a barbecue. The barbecue was always loaded with smoky kanat and juicy köfte, sizzling away over the coals.
And that’s the case at Kanatçı Mert BBQ, too.
Armut Or Yaprak?
That’s your choice: Armut kanat (the drumette part of a chicken wing – ‘armut’ is the Turkish word for ‘pear’), yaprak kanat (the flat part of the chicken wing – ‘yaprak’ is the Turkish word for ‘leaf’) or köfte.
All barbecued on skewers over white hot, open coals.
We’ve been following Kanatçı Mert BBQ on Instagram since they opened earlier in 2025.
What piqued our interest was that simplicity, mentioned earlier.
We’ll, that and the size of the chicken wings!
Big meaty, juicy chicken wings!
Instagram Reels show them shopping in the bazaar in Gaziantep, buying the spices for the marinade.
A paste is made from the spices. Then the wings sit in there until they’re ready to hit the barbecue.
Time To Try
So we just had to go along and give these wings a try.
The first time we went, rather than use common sense and choose a portion of armut and a portion of yaprak to mix and match, we both went for the armut!
Each portion is served with a plate of extra zingy sumac onion and tomato salad; maybe some nar ekşisi (pomegranate molasses) in that dressing, too.
And you also get a plate of soft, warm lavaş.
As there are just three tempting options on the menu, the next time we went to Kanatçı Mert (because our first visit was a major success), we thought we’d go for the remaining two options; the yaprak kanat and the köfte.
Messy. Charred crispy coating, flavoured with those Gaziantep spices.
Tender and wonderfully juicy on the inside.
Are You Armut? Are You Yaprak? What Are You?
Do we prefer the armut kanat – the drumettes – or the yaprak kanat – the flats?
We’ve asked Turkish friends. Most say yaprak without as much as a moment’s thought.
We just can’t decide.
Whichever you plump for, you’ll be glad of the wet wipes at the end of your experience!
There’s nothing graceful or glamorous about munching your way through barbecued chicken wings – but there is something fabulously satisfying.
There are gloves on the table should you wish to use them…
Or How About Some ‘Yeşil’ Köfte?
If chicken wings are not your thing, you can go for the köfte experience – and this particular experience ıs something we have never before experienced…
They place a sheet of clear plastic on your table. Then the ‘yeşillik’ (greenery) arrives!
Lettuce, rocket, parsley, cucumber, carrot, radish, the green stems from spring onion, a wedge of white onion, cherry tomatoes are placed directly onto the sheet.
And some fresh lemon wedges to squeeze all over what resembles a mini-produce stall.
The köfte is juicy and light – patted thinly.
Made from 80% beef and 20% lamb, as with the kanat, you get eight pieces and a barbecued long green pepper (köz biber).
It’s served up on a half bread, wide open. Ready to soak up the flavour.
And then you get a little foil surprise – open it up to reveal an oh-so-tasty whole bulb of garlic cooked on the coals until soft and sweet!
What you do with all of this is up to you.
We shared everything, we got messy, we picked our way through everything gradually.
And it was yet another memorable lunch for all the right reasons!
Kanatçı Mert BBQ – Useful Info
- Kanatçı Mert BBQ is on 878 Sokak in Akarca Mahallesi – head up the side street next to the big Migros at the start of Yerguzlar Caddesi and take the first left (see map below).
- They are open 6 days a week – closed on Sundays – 12:00-22:00
- There are three options on the menu – two types of wings and one type of köfte – as well as two desserts; sütlaç (Turkish rice pudding) and trileçe (tres leches).
- There’s also a range of soft drinks including şalgam from Adana and ayran.
- Follow Kanatçı Mert BBQ on Instagram.
- And don’t forget to check out our other suggestions for places to eat and drink around the Fethiye area.