The story is a bit absurd, but it’s true!
Turk’s Inn began as a passion project that involved the moving of a beloved but shuttered supper club that I grew up going to in Hayward, Wisconsin, to its new home in Brooklyn, New York. There’s a lot of story in between, but the short of it is I consulted and played a key role in early logistics, design aesthetic, and food and beverage menu development. Turk’s has become a cornerstone in the Bushwick neighborhood, offering an incredibly unique restaurant, kebab shop, best in class music venue, and rooftop oasis.
HISTORY OF THE TURK’S INN
Since 1934
Since 1934
“The Turk’s Inn was founded in 1934 by George and Isabella Gogian in Hayward, Wisconsin, a small wooded town situated on the Namekagan River. In its 80 years in business, the legendary supper club hosted politicians, cultural luminaries, cross-country ski racers, and vacationers of all stripes who came to enjoy classic cocktails, steaks and Turkish fare in a lush Arabesque setting.
A night at Turk’s was an enchanting affair full of surprises and delights, whether it was an encounter with one of the live peacocks that roamed the grounds or a belly dancer shimmying on a tabletop.
In 2015, upon the passing of Beatrice “Marge” Gogian, the founders’ only daughter, Turk’s closed its doors. It was then that Tyler Erickson and Varun Kataria, long-time patrons, sought to keep the spirit of Turk’s alive. The two took the entire contents of the establishment and moved it to Bushwick, Brooklyn to give the Turk’s Inn a second life and create magical evenings for a new generation of revelers.”
A night at Turk’s was an enchanting affair full of surprises and delights, whether it was an encounter with one of the live peacocks that roamed the grounds or a belly dancer shimmying on a tabletop.
In 2015, upon the passing of Beatrice “Marge” Gogian, the founders’ only daughter, Turk’s closed its doors. It was then that Tyler Erickson and Varun Kataria, long-time patrons, sought to keep the spirit of Turk’s alive. The two took the entire contents of the establishment and moved it to Bushwick, Brooklyn to give the Turk’s Inn a second life and create magical evenings for a new generation of revelers.”
NYTimes – The Chefs Reinventing the Midwestern Supper Club
The Gothamist – Inside Turk's Inn, A Bushwick Recreation Of The Kitschy Wisconsin Supper Club
Star Tribune – Minnesotans resurrecting legendary Wisconsin supper club, the Turk's Inn, in New York City
Grub Street – A Midwestern Supper Club Has Landed in Bushwick — Is It Any Good?