As in France, working people like to eat simple, well-prepared food at midday. In most lokantas you'll find a selection of meat and vegetable dishes which have been prepared and placed in warm serving dishes to await the noon rush.
A few favourites of the country are:
Kuru Fasulye, Pilav: Beans and rice
Kizartma: Fried peppers, aubergine, courgettes or potatoes served with warm yoghurt
Tas Kebab: Lamb stew served with rice and salad
Even if you don't know the Turkish names, you can walk up to the heated 'display' cabinet and point to the dishes you want. Most lokantas do not serve alcohol, so if you don't want a fizzy drink, try an 'ayran' (yoghurt and water drink) which is both healthy and refreshing.