You know you’re in an authentic Turkish restaurant when a sign in the bathroom, telling you to close the door behind you, is written in Turkish. Located on the fringes of Boston University’s main campus, Babasco surely will appeal to nearby budget-conscious students. Inside, there’s an exposed-brick wall on one side and a bright yellow wall on the other, along with two flat-screen TVs and dramatic lighting. Sometimes you’ll catch a glimpse of the restaurant’s 71-year-old mustachioed chef-owner — wearing his red chef’s hat — rushing from the back kitchen to deliver freshly cooked food to the front of the café, where a sous-chef twirls kebabs over the hot grill.

Of course, the best part of the restaurant, whose motto is "Turkish hunger management," is the food. Hot specials such as ismir kofte ($7.95), Turkish meatballs cooked in tomato sauce with French fries, and homey orman kebab ($7.95), stewed meat with potatoes, carrots, and green peas, are offered daily. A bowl of savory, filling lentil soup ($3), with a slice of lemon and pita bread, is also recommended, especially on these cold winter days.

And then there are the sandwiches. From chicken-shish-kebab sandwiches ($4.95), filled with skewered, char-grilled chicken, to falafel sandwiches ($3.45), Babasco makes all its hand-held food to order. In other words, you have to wait a bit. But that’s okay, because the succulent sandwiches and dishes are worth it.

Don’t forget to save room for the richer-than-rich baklava ($2.95), phyllo dough stuffed with walnuts and covered in honey, or the rice pudding ($2.95), which is slightly burnt on top, like crème brûlée. All Babasco’s desserts are made in-house. Wash down the gooey sweetness with a strong cup of Turkish coffee for a perfect finish.

Babasco, located at 1022 Comm Ave, in Boston, is open daily, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Call (617) 879-2628 or visit www.babasco.com/.