"Glendale is a city that lives and dies by its neighborhood institutions, and Raffi’s is one of the very best. Saying this long-running Persian spot specializes in kabobs is like saying that Paul McCartney specializes in playing music. Our favorite skewer here is the beef barg (thinly sliced filet mignon), which arrives char-gilled and perfectly seasoned, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu served on a bed of fluffy sumac-dusted rice with grilled tomato and Anaheim pepper. Most dishes run above the $20 mark, which seems high until you realize Raffi’s portions will feed you and your social circle for a week. The space has a French bistro-ish theme, with white tablecloths, wicker chairs, and striped awnings, and also, there’s a tree in the middle of the restaurant if that’s the kind of thing that makes you excited." - brant cox, arden shore, garrett snyder, sylvio martins
