"Tucked away in the corner of a strip mall between a liquor store and a gas station, Caspian Grill is a Persian and Mediterranean restaurant that’s no-frills to its core—ordering takes place at the counter, and half of the apps arrive pre-packaged in takeout containers. You can easily pop in for a quick meal at lunch or dinner, but this spot feels especially well-suited for large-format catering and takeout. Start with some kashke bademjan—the eggplant dip has a subtle smokiness to it—then get some chicken koobideh and any of the Persian stews to round out the meal. " - nicolai mccrary