LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 24th Anniversary of Sahara
Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize illustri-
ous culinary establishments which have positively impacted and substan-
tially contributed to the vitality of their communities; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 24th Anniversary of Sahara Restaurant, Brooklyn, New York; and
WHEREAS, Early in 1986, the late Yahya Isikli, a former professional
soccer player and restaurant owner, and his wife, Sahinde, originally
from Mersin, Turkey, moved their family to Brooklyn after several inter-
mediate stops in Germany, Canada, California and New Jersey; and
WHEREAS, Sahara Restaurant, founded by Yahya Isikli later in 1986, is
run today by Mrs. Isikli and her son John and is one of the largest and
most popular Mediterranean-style restaurants in New York City; and
WHEREAS, A Brooklyn landmark, Sahara Restaurant offers high quality
food with exotic flavors and welcoming hospitality for up to 600 guests
in its five dining rooms and beautiful outdoor dining area; and
WHEREAS, Sahara Restaurant has a proud tradition of being filled to
capacity every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, a tradition which
began the first week of its opening in 1987 and which continues to this
day; and
WHEREAS, On one of his many visits to Turkey to seek out additional
recipes to supplement Sahara's menu, Yahya Isikli brought back the reci-
pe for Chicken Gyro; Sahara Restaurant believes it was the first restau-
rant to serve this popular menu item in the United States; and
WHEREAS, A recent Zagat survey named Sahara Restaurant, located in
Brooklyn's Gravesend area, the restaurant with the Best Turkish Food in
New York City, an accomplishment of which it may be justly proud; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the success and acclaim of this exceptional restaurant and recog-
nizes its many contributions to the Brooklyn community and economy; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 24th Anniversary of Sahara Restaurant, Brooklyn, New
York, fully confident that in the future it will continue to enjoy the
same success and spirit which have characterized its past; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Isikli Family, proprietors of Sahara Restaurant, 2337
Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11223.