Living in Glendale, I’ve developed quite a taste for Persian and Armenian food (I’m neither). It’s delicious and while there are quite a few restaurants that serve good food of that variety, I was pleasantly shocked to find that one of the most tasty is actually a stand in the food court at the Glendale Galleria mall. Bar none, they serve one of the best plates in Glendale.

The atmosphere is…what atmosphere…it’s a mall! The ambiance is…mall. The decor is…mall. Mmmmall! In fact, everything about it is mall except the food itself. The food is amazing! What’s this place doing in a mall?

They offer a delectable variety of traditional Persian/Armenian dishes, mostly variations on kebabs. There are beef, chicken, pork, and lamb, plus “koobideh” which is a kebab made from ground meat mixed with spices. They offer both chicken and beef koobideh. And there is a nice little marinated boneless filet called a “barg.” My favorite is a dish that combines both the koobideh and the barg, commonly called a “Soltani.”

Other choices include fish (mahi mahi and trout), Cornish game hen, Argentine Steak, and French Filet Mignon. Truly an International delight. Each dish is more delicious than the last! Between myself and my friends, we’ve tried them all and have never been less than thrilled.

Each dish is a full meal served over rice (or with fries), with a salad, pita bread, and a whole grilled tomato. They offer a variety of ethnic side dishes too, including eggplant dip, beans, hummus dip , yogurt dip, and lots more.

The food is fantastic! I can’t say it enough…it’s so good that if you didn’t see the the staff grilling the stuff right in front of you, you’d almost believe they’ve got someone’s grandmother in the back, lovingly making each dish for your pleasure. Following the best traditions of the Armenian and Persian cultures, the staff is polite and gracious, the food is fresh, and the portions are generous. The portions are large enough to satisfy even a hungry guy like myself. Their prices are also worth mentioning: $4.95-$8.95 for a complete meal! Just like somebodys mamma used to make.

Y’know when something is good enough that you get cravings when you remember it? Incredibly, I’ve found myself often going into the mall just to visit this stand, not to shop, just to eat there. It’s that good.

I’m originally from NY. I like Pizza, although I’m not Italian, there’s something in my internal organism that forces me to seek pizza on a regular basis (even if it’s not good pizza). Since Glendale has a more middle-eastern flare than an Italian one (face it, we’ve got very few Italian restaurants here and one of the better ones is called “Two Guys from Italy” but is actually run by two guys from Tehran…then there’s the Olive Garden, where they say “you’re family” but then they’ve got the nerve give you a bill at the end of the meal – what kinda way is that to treat family??...enough said). There are a few decent pizza places in nearby Eagle Rock, but none that deliver to my place in Glendale. What I’m getting at, in my roundabout way, is that “settling” for pizza has, unfortunately, become a way of life.

So…I’ve become accustomed to settling once a week. I’d been ordering pizza from Pizza Hut…until one day a few weeks ago something went wrong. Way wrong. My first indication of trouble was the 85 minute wait that came up on the on-line order screen, followed 20 minutes later by the rude phone call, and this is a precise quote: “yo…we gots no more dough, we can’t sell no more pizza. Your order is canceled.” Just like that. Left to wondering. Wondering who taught that guy English, wondering if that was any way to treat a regular customer, but more importantly, wondering where I was going to order a pizza. Priorities. Just like that.

And so, just like that, I’m looking for a new pizza place to order from. I had remembered seeing Hungry Howie’s so I figured I’d give ‘em a call.

Nice enough people, I told them what happened, they offered a discount on the order, and told me I should try their “flavored dough.” Now, I’ve had many variations of pizza, but flavored dough was a new one on me. After reviewing the choices, I settled on onion dough. They also had some interesting toppings, like cheddar cheese. I ordered that too along with some pepperoni, pineapple, and mushrooms.

Much to my delight, the pizza arrived piping hot in about 20 minutes. Yep, faster than promised. And here’s the thing: it was actually good! Not just slightly good, but really good! The flavored dough is reminiscent of the taste of a good onion roll. Their cheese is good quality, and their sauce has some flavor to it (as it should, too many pizza places have either flavorless, or worse, sweet sauce…major yuck!). The cheddar adds a nice but mellow sharpness to the flavor, and while it’s DEFINITELY not Ray’s Original from NYC, it’s one of the best chain pizzas I’ve had (they apparently have over 500 stores). I’ll probably continue ordering from there…at least until someone tells me they “gots no more dough.” ;-)

Note: I’ve given them 5 stars in the context of nationwide pizza chains, not as a standalone pizza joint. PIzza is serious business, and this is strictly a convenient way to satisfy the urge.

Ok, so here I was walking on Lake avenue in Pasadena absolutely jonesing for a burger when I remembered reading somewhere that one of the best burgers in the Los Angeles area was to be found nearby…at a place called Pie-N-Burger. So, down Lake to California, took a left and on the left hand side of the road…the object of my quest.

So, I go inside, and…it’s a weird little joint. It’s all lunch counter, with a couple of uncomfortable-looking tables in the back. The place looks like it hasn’t been redecorated since it opened in the early 60s because…it hasn’t. The menu is a board up on the wall. There’s a wait – even to be seated at the counter. And it’s loud. It’s as far a cry from the chic LA restaurant scene as one could imagine, but hey, I’m here for a burger, not chic.

I was a little put off at first, especially by the wait, but I decided to stick it out and see how such a place could have survived so long. Why, I asked myself, would a place like this be so crowded?

So, finally my name was called and I was seated at the counter. A waitress threw a glass of ice water down in front of me, and asked to take my order. I ordered a cheeseburger, and she suggested that I add grilled onions. I asked the size, and she suggested I have a double. I took both suggestions, along with a diet coke, an order of well-done fries and a small fresh fruit plate.

This place definitely is a blast from the past. They have a single soda fountain for carbonated water, and make your choice of soda by mixing the appropriate syrup with carbonated water. Neat!

Before long, the food arrived. One bite into the burger and I fully appreciated just how and why this place is still around. It’s a truly great old-fashioned burger! The meat was delicious, and the bun soft and superb! (and you can’t go wrong with the grilled onions) The burger is served on a plate and wrapped in paper (needs to be…it’s quiet large, each patty is 1/4 lb, and it’s JUICY). Delightfully messy, dripping, pure carnal pleasure! The fries were fantastic too and were perfectly done just to the point of crispy (per my request).

The meal was absolutely delicious. The service was great, as least after getting seated. It would definitely be a great place to take a date you’d like to put to the “casual/cool” test.

I didn’t explore the other half of their name (as in “pie”) but did observe several large home-made-looking slices slathered in melting vanilla ice cream being doled out to other customers. They looked to be truly enjoying it…

BTW…cash only!

I’d passed by Jack’s several times per week after eating at several nearby establishments over the course of the past few months. They’ve always seemed to have a decent crowd, so finally I decided to stick a toe in the water and give ‘em a try. It was a fantastic decision! Jack’s is great!

A co-worker and I stopped in for lunch, and I, for one, had a serious hunger thing going on. We were quickly seated in their cluttered but cozy (think TGI Fridays meets the corner bar) dining room and immediately a very friendly and energetic waitress came to take our drink order.

Their extensive menu reads like an encyclopedia of what’s what for lunch. It’s the kind of menu that one could spend hours drooling over while deciding which item to eat. While the restaurants decor says pub, their menu definitely says NY-style deli. They’ve got en endless array of everything from Pastrami sandwiches to eggs to burgers to hot plates.

I resolved the dilemma of “what to eat” by looking for what seemed unusual, perhaps a specialty amongst various types of food offered. The fact that they had TWO pages of burgers, one that says “burgers” and one that says “chicken burgers” was a clue. Further investigation led to the discovery that they offer buffalo, venison, and hog burgers. Alerted to the fact that this is no ordinary burger joint, I narrowed my focus down and resolved to have a burger.

By this time I was starved! I spotted the Giant Jack burger and heard it call out my name. Two half pound patties plus cheese…YUM!!! My friend ordered the bacon-cheese burger.

Shortly after ordering, I went to the restroom to wash up. Upon my return (quick!) there was this GINORMOUS juicy burger waiting for me. Served with nice crispy fries, lettuce, tomato, and onions on the side, and pickles in a jar on the table.

You know when you bite into something and it’s one of the best you’ve had in a long long time? That was exactly the sensation I had biting into the burger at Jack’s. Their meat is great, the patties are huge, juicy (not overcooked), and the bread is soft and wonderful. These guys have outstanding service and make one of the BEST burgers I’ve had anywhere in the Los Angeles area. And – bonus – the fries were good too!

I walked out stuffed, satisfied, and anxious to tell some friends about it. I’ll be returning to Jack’s soon to try some other items and see if they’re as good as the burgers…I sure hope so!

But seriously, if you have to eat fast food burgers (other than In-N-Out), Micky D’s the place. It’s cheap. Convenient. And easy to find. None of these healthy pretenses. It’s honest, tasty, fried food. Yummy…

Consistent too…even in Alaska!

Peculier pub is heaven for the beer enthusiast. Featuring over 500 beers from around the country and the world, this is the place to sample unique beers in the village.

Often noisy, crowded and filled with young college students, unless that’s the experience you’re seeking, go early on a weeknight. The bar staff is generally knowledgeable about all things beer, so ask away.

Looking for a great place for dessert? Want to impress a date or enjoy quiet conversation with a small group of people? Clafoutis is definitely the place!

Clafoutis offers a great atmosphere with your choice of indoor dining in a cozy dining room, or outdoor dining on the sidewalks of Sunset Boulevard. The desserts are divine fantasy creations, artfully plated and decadent. The coffee is great too – making it an ideal dessert destination. My only complaint is the notable lack of sugar-free options. Their food menu is good too.

Clafoutis atmosphere attracts a good looking crowd, ranging from the Hollywood party scene to the Beverly Hills crowd. People watching opportunities abound. In fact that’s the only thing that could possibly make this place less than a 100% ideal date destination. Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.

Want some great New York Pizza here in L.A.? This Persian-owned pizza palace puts the Italians in the neighborhood to shame! Their Pizza is one of the best authentic NY-style pizzas in Los Angeles.

A typical pizza joint, they feature slices, pies, pasta, sandwiches, and beer. The have great salads (huge and delicious) just in case that’s an itch you need to scratch.

Their hot dishes are delicious, and their service is great. I highly recommend this place if you’ve been craving NY-style pizza.

Zankou Chicken is one of a very few Armenian fast food restaurants. Never heard of Armenian fast food? Give it a try, you’re in for a treat!

Zankou’s signature dish is, of course, their chicken. They make a wonderful rotisserie chicken that is uniquely flavorful, and has a wonderfully crunchy skin, while being moist and delicious inside. Served with a garlic sauce (made from crushed garlic and olive oil) and pickled veggies, their chicken makes for a delicious and healthful meal.

Zankou also offers Beef Shewarma, and a Chicken Shewarma too (called Tarna). They’re both excellent, and easily among the best to be found in Los Angeles. Both dishes are available in both a plate (served with Tahini sauce, hummos, a salad, and pickled veggies), or as a sandwich in a pita.

Zankou also has excellent falafel and a nice salad to round out their menu with some vegetarian options. Falafels are available separately or in pita bread as a sandwich.

Zankou is strictly a dine-in fast-food or take-out experience. Don’t expect lots of atmosphere, but they more than make up for that with fantastic food at reasonable prices.

It’s noisy, it’s crowded, it’s often pure mayhem. It’s one of Los Angeles’ best kept secrets. Huge, but hidden on the second floor inside a courtyard shopping center in Chinatown, this gem of a restaurant is a must-try experience that may just become a habit.

Come early, or your likely to be told “No more food, we outta food.” Take a number and prepare to wait, anywhere from 20 minutes up to an hour. Don’t worry, it’s worth the wait. Pass the time shopping the various shops within the center selling everything from swords to herbs.

When your number is finally called, you’ll be led through an immense and noisy hall to your table. Once seated a waiter will offer drinks (maybe), and the hostess will place a punch slip on your table.

Waitresses with number tags instead of name tags noisily push steamer carts filled with all kinds of Chinese Foods. As they pass by your table, you can opt to take one or more portions of the dishes they offer. Each time you take a portion, they stamp your punch slip with a symbol that represents the dish.

Dim Sum consists of an endless collection of little delicacy dishes. Food is inexpensive, and decadent. Lots of breaded and fried things, many with shrimp. Shu Mai, Har Gow, Pork Buns, and Custards are just some of the yummy items you’ll be offered.

If you like vegetables, order Chinese Broccoli from the waiter (or anything else you like from the menus – they won’t offer, you need to ask). Most of the dishes are quite nice. I’d recommend you stick to the dishes that come in steamers. Everything is really inexpensive except the roast duck and roast pork dishes.

Part of the experience is that you’ll have little or no idea how much you just spent until the check comes. They total the punch slip, and deliver a bill – don’t worry, you’re likely to be shocked at how low the bill is. It’s a great experience, and a great bargain – highly recommended!