Who Is Mert Tezkol?
Mert Tezkol is a Turkish entrepreneur and restaurant owner based in Dallas, Texas. After moving to the United States in 1998, Tezkol built a life centered around sports, business, and Turkish culture. While working as a soccer coach, he also became the co-founder and operator of the Selda Mediterranean Grill restaurant group together with his wife Becky. In addition, he previously served as the president of the Turkish American Association of North Texas and maintains an active presence on social media.
Where Is Mert Tezkol From?
Mert Tezkol was born in Germany but spent his childhood growing up in Mersin, Turkey. He describes himself as someone who was “Born in Germany, raised in Turkey, living the American Dream.”
In 1998, he moved to the United States and started a new chapter of his life in the Dallas area.
Soccer Coaching and Leadership in the Turkish-American Community
Living in Dallas, Mert Tezkol is also known as a soccer coach. He has been actively involved in sports and coached at local soccer clubs throughout the years.
Beyond sports, he also served as president of the Turkish American Association of North Texas, highlighting his active role within the Turkish-American community. His profile combines both athletic and cultural leadership.
Selda Mediterranean Grill and Restaurant Ventures
Mert Tezkol co-founded Selda Mediterranean Grill together with chef Habip Kargın. The first Selda location opened in North Dallas in 2020 and quickly became one of the area’s most popular Turkish restaurants.
Working alongside his wife Becky and celebrity chef Habip Kargın, Tezkol helped bring authentic Turkish flavors such as kebabs, pide, and traditional mezes to Texas. Following the success of the original location, the group expanded with new projects including The Mayor’s House by Selda in Oak Cliff in 2023 and another Selda location in San Antonio in 2024.
Mert and Becky Tezkol have remained active partners in the growing Selda restaurant group. Mert Tezkol also played a major role in launching The Mayor’s House by Selda, a unique restaurant located inside a historic former mayor’s mansion in Dallas.
Mert Tezkol’s Family
Mert Tezkol is married to Becky Tezkol. The couple met while Becky was working in the sales department at Dallas Morning News, and they now have two children together.
Today, the family lives in the Dallas metropolitan area in Texas. Becky has shared in interviews that she loves Dallas and that the family later moved to Celina after having children.
Social Media Presence and Public Recognition
Active on social media under the username @mtkol, Mert Tezkol shares content about life in America, entrepreneurship, sports, and Turkish culture.
His Instagram bio summarizes his story perfectly:
“Made in Germany, Raised in Turkey, Living the American Dream.”
Thanks to his entrepreneurial success and strong network within both sports and business communities, he has frequently been featured in Turkish-American media outlets.
