How this chef of a new Colleyville Mediterranean restaurant kept North Texans warm
A head chef of a new Colleyville restaurant opened his kitchen during last weekend’s winter storm to serve hot soup to those in need — and it wasn’t the first time.
Chef Can (John) Karatas opened Truva Mediterranean Bar and Grill about two months ago at 1205 Church St. in the Town Center Colleyville shops, serving kebabs, rice, salad, hummus, wraps and more. It’s billed as the largest Turkish Mediterranean restaurant in Texas.
In addition to providing soup to people, Karatas gave out donated caps, gloves and body warmers. On Wednesday, he was offering free soup to first responders at all his restaurants, as a way to say thank you for their service to the community over the last few days.
Karatas said those living on the street face more hardship during bad weather, especially during the day when many are outside until night shelters are open.
“I learned this from my family and grew up this way,” Karatas said. “Doing good deeds is not something special for me, it’s just an ordinary act.”
He also owns the Flying Carpet Turkish Cafe in Fort Worth, which he took over in September 2024, and Istanbul Cuisine Mediterranean Grill locations in Southlake and Flower Mound.
Back in February 2021, when many Texans lost power during the ice storm, Karatas opened up his restaurant in Flower Mound that still had power because it was next to a hospital. He served food and gave people a warm place to sit. He said that he was able to serve his community, and make sure they had something warm even if it was just soup.
“Because everybody loved it, it’s not about the money,” Karatas said.
Karatas said that for the last three years, he and his team have been trying to help people, especially the homeless population along East Lancaster in Fort Worth.
He was outside the Presbyterian Night Shelter on Tuesday serving lentil soup and handing out items like gloves.
“It felt meaningful and rewarding,” he said. “Helping others reminded me how important kindness and community truly are.”