Los Angeles’s Smallest Kebab Shop Is Also Its Best | Eater LA

"Pint-sized and Americana-adjacent in Glendale, this family-run takeout window turns out Los Angeles’s best smoky, flame-kissed Armenian kebabs, blending Armenian and Egyptian flavors refined over two generations of the Martirosyan family. Armen greets regulars by name between flipping skewers of tender marinated beef and plating bulgur-dotted tabbouleh, proving the simple, time-honed recipes don’t need flash—or even a real seating area—to shine. The ideal first order is the beef shish kebab, char-marked from the open flame and best over fluffy rice that soaks up the smoke, with creamy hummus, a blistered tomato, and thin lavash on the side. Vegetarians and vegans can go for the puck-shaped falafel, fried dark brown and crispy with a spiced green interior that hints at cumin, coriander, and parsley; it’s also gluten-free. A cold bottle of Armenian sparkling water offers pronounced, pleasant carbonation. It’s perfect for grab-and-go picnics, the Hollywood Bowl, movies in the park, or low-effort potlucks (order at least four plates and they’ll combine them into a family-style tray for an extra $15). Heads up: there’s only one small picnic table, so order ahead and plan to take it to go." - Rebecca Roland