Hamlet's Kitchen

We got lulya kebab, and it was so delicious! Too bad they didn’t have tables inside to eat. But we ate outside at their big table. We’ll definitely buy their food again.

Hamlet's Kitchen in Glendale, CA, is the epitome of culinary excellence with a unique touch of comfort. The outdoor seating here is a quick, casual, and comfortable oasis. It's perfect for those moments when you crave a delightful meal without the fuss. When it comes to catering, Hamlet's Kitchen stands in a league of its own. Their catering service is unparalleled, offering a taste of their extraordinary flavors at your events. But what truly makes Hamlet's Kitchen shine is Mila. She takes orders with a genuine smile and ensures that your catering needs are not just met, but exceeded. Her dedication to customer satisfaction is truly remarkable. Whether you're looking for a quick outdoor bite, top-notch catering, or a warm and personal dining experience, Hamlet's Kitchen delivers on all fronts. It's more than a restaurant; it's a place where comfort meets culinary excellence, thanks to its exceptional team.

This spot is fire. Fantastic food and portions are huge. Owner was super friendly to me, wouldn't have mattered if he wasn't because the food was on point. The Lula Kebab was as good as I've ever had, I'll be getting the pork ribs next time. Plenty of parking, cash only, take it to go.

The absolute best! This is the place to go if you want to treat yourself to some delicious and fresh kebob! With all of my heart, I adore every bite.

The food is fantastic. There's seating outside or you can take to go. One plate is more than enough for 2 people.

This was my first time ordering from here food is like a rubber chewy salty like old microwaved Avoid this place if you want quality food when you telling them what kind of food they sent you they give you garbage attitude.l

The best barbecue here. I don’t live around Glendale but I drive half an hour to pick up dinner from here. There are lots of good barbecue around but beef barbecue at Hamlet’s kitchen is best I ever taste it in my life. Also I want to make sure to tell everyone that I am not related or friends with the owner or with any employees, and I don’t get any special services. I have been customer over 12 years & their food or service been excellent. God bless you & your families. Thank you for the great service!

We used to order some good stuff from them back in days, the food was very delicious ! Our last order was very very salty and the meat looks pretty old... also the eggplant and the potato wa very salty as well... guys just went down in a quality tremendously... I wish you could cook better like before you did..

Hidden gem tucked away inside a strip mall. Had a hard time finding the place since GPS said we had arrived but we did not see the restaurant and later found out its tucked away behind the right side of the mall. Not sure if it was becuase we got there closer to closing time but there was no space to eat inside. We ordered pork ribs and combination lula kabob. FYI this place is CASH only! I heard that they make their onw charcoal there. We were in Glendale to pick up my phone from Samsung and friend of us suggested to try this spot and I am glad we did. Its a must eat spot if you are in the area. Full of flavor and surprisingly lot of food comes in your order. At first I thought it was slighly overpriced but we had leftovers afterwards. Just wish they were closer to where I am but this would be my spot to go to whenever I am near Glendale.

These are my favorite kebab and grilled meats. The sides are also delicious. I go far out of my way to eat here. Very delicious food. The baby pork cartilage is my favorite. Thank you!!

Service was awful, the lady was speaking half armenian, half russian, we were thinking what to get and at that time she was yelling at us cuz she didn't wanna wait

I saw David Chang of Momofuku and the local Majordomo restaurant on Instagram, and noted his thoughts of the three best restautants in Los Angeles. The first one he mentioned was Hamlet's Kitchen, located in a culturally enriched strip mall of Armenian and Russian citizens which is a cultural expeience in itself. Located at the southeast corner of the strip mall is this very small restaurant with relatively long lines of patrons at around three o'clock. The BBQ style cooking can be observed from a small window in the kitchen and was smok'in hot on a spit over the coals. It took about 15 minutes to cook up the shish kabobs, which had a nice medium brown meat and juices flowing onto the rice and toppings, which can be used to fill a huge thin tortilla or Naan-like flour crepe to fill with the goodness. I can see why Chef Chang is charmed with the tasty and culturally enriching kitchen!

I am very impressed with the quality and the taste of the meals prepared. You can tell that they take their time. My grandmother said it was so delicious and we told the owner we would come back again.

Best Pork Sandwich in the Whole World.. I Love this Very Well kept Secret in Glendale!!!

Came here for lunch on a weekday. Very nice staff and plenty of outdoor seating. Generous plates and lavash sandwiches. I recommend the beef shish (cooked rare or medium rare) and the pork ribs. Don't forget to bring cash as this spot is CASH ONLY. Closest ATM is 5-10 min walk away (7-Eleven).

This is chef David Chang's top three restaurants in Los Angeles he shouted out when asked about three favorite restaurants in a podcast. I woke up this morning to a text from my sister from NYC telling me about this spot. I've seen food bloggers mention this place, but it hasn't been top of mind when searching for food while in Glendale. Before venturing off to Glendale for Armenian barbecue, I Yelped "Armenian barbecue" near home in the San Fernando Valley, I came across Hovik's Deli and Market in Granada Hills to compare and compare the food and service at Hamlet's Kitchen. Hamlet's Kitchen is a bit hidden in a shopping center hidden in the back of an Armenian grocery store. It's either take out or dine in on their patio with tables spread out and no seats. There were seats stacked as if to discourage lingering too long. I approached the entrance blocked by a folding picnic table. I said hello to a man who looked like the pitmaster as he kept walking away ignoring my presence. Then a lady from the kitchen came out and made it obvious her English was very limited. I said I wanted a sandwich and she responded "chicken or beef lule?" She seemed to recommend both the same. Pork seems to be the star of the show here, but it was not offered to me. Pork was placed as the top item of the plates and sandwiches menu so I figured that this is their specialty. I asked, "do you have pork?" and she said "yes." Most people seemed to be ordering the lule kabobs when I was watching the man at the grill through the window outside. She told me to wait 15 minutes after placing my order and paying her in cash. I think the pro move is to call in your order. I watched many Armenians walk up to the makeshift ordering counter (foldable table) and quickly picked up their order. Compared to Hovik's, the service is less warm which might be typical of Armenian establishments if you're not Armenian. She probably isn't fluent enough in English to have a conversation in English about the food. Just like some authentic Chinese restaurants catering to Chinese, setting the bar low for service that Americans are accustomed to might be a good idea at this establishment. I try not to take it personal. When my food was ready, she called me over and smiled as she thanked me and handed me my order. I took my sandwich to eat at my car. The pork pieces inside the lavash were marinated and imparted a smokey flavor unlike the meat I ordered at Hovik's in the Valley. If you like the smokiness of meat on the grill reminiscent of a backyard barbecue, I would recommend Hamlet's Kitchen if you're in or passing Glendale. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here for lule as we have some Armenian lule spots in the Valley like Hovik's or Palm Marketplace. For that smokey flavor, we have some barbecue places in the Valley, I just haven't tried the spot in North Hollywood that I've read about. I am still working way through more Armenian kabob spots as we have a large population of Armenians as well. I would definitely return next time I am Glendale to try their lule sandwich. If you're curious like me to try one of chef David Chang's favorite three restaurants, definitely try maybe the beef or chicken lule kabob or their Armenian barbecue pork or sides if you're feeling a bit more adventurous or spendy. By the time I got there, I couldn't make room to try their sides. $15 for their sandwich, $20+ for their plates -- doesn't seem that pricey compared to other establishments these days who have increased their prices due to "inflation (cost of food)." At least you aren't presented with a tablet here asking you for a tip. Bring cash and maybe tip the kitchen if you're feeling generous. I feel strange whenever a restaurant doesn't ask for a tip. I definitely had a lightness and sense of relief that both Armenian establishments I visited today didn't expect a tip for a takeout order.

Overpriced. For $25, you get 2 lule skewers, rice, lavash, a cold roasted tomato and a sprinkling of sliced onion. No sides. David Chang's recommendation was a big miss.

The taste of that bbq, smoky, savory with just the right amount of sweetness. I think a great place to get Armenian bbq. Sit outside and enjoy it or get it to go.

Food quality and taste is unbeatable ! I do recommend trying it , prices are higher than other similar restaurants, but worth spending little extra for good quality food. 5 star

Came here bc David Chang recommended it It's pretty delicious Love the indulgence It's basically giant cuts of bbq meat done well

This place is lying about their credit card machine not working. I went up to them and was told "our machine for cards doesn't work" (mean face on lady who brought the food forward) Really? Since when? A lot of people have been leaving reviews about the card machine not working so it's obvious they want only cash and don't want to accept cards. Secondly the quality of the meat is not very good at all. The Lule Beef had a lot of hard cartilage that you can't chew and gets stuck in your teeth. Clearly they mixed a lot of garbage meat in there and ground it all up. The chicken breast and beef were extremely salty. Threw away the rest. Everything else aside, the price is ridiculously high for this quality and service.

Honestly the quality has gone down the rice is half cooked and we ordered my wife got there to pick up our order they gave her a complete different order and the onions don't even taste like onions now I have to think twice before I go here to eat or order

Extremely expensive but delicious Customer service sucks Don't want to accommodate any of client's requests

True Armenian bbq is served at this place, authentic tastes that take you back to Yerevan. Luleh kabob is out of this world and the ikibir wrap is a must. It never disappoints to order from here my favorites are Beef luleh wrap with spicy peppers and potatoes and also ikibir wrap with spicy peppers, amazement.

Awesome!! I got some Lula (combination) kebab, with some rice and onion on the side. The kebab was excellent and super flavorful, and the service was great too. I'll be back!!

I'm in love with their lamb chops and beef Lula. They serve huge portions and it's always amazing. Very soft and juicy meet with veggies and rice, love it absolutely recommend

Straight and to the point--delicious chunks of roasted meat. Sometimes on a plate, sometimes wrapped in lavash. The whole meat wrapped in lavash thing is genius--it's kind of like an Armenian burrito...but with nothing but meat inside. A great way to eat what effectively is a kabob without getting your hands dirty. A hidden gem in Glendale!

Great kabob wraps quick and easy service call 15 min ahead and your food is hot ready to go once you're there

Meh. I thought it was incredibly overrated and extremely overpriced for what it is. I don't mind paying $$$ for good food, but the taste must reflect it. For a $25 plate, a dip on the side would've been nice. I ordered a small side of the eggplant caviar so I could have a dip, but it was lackluster and $8 for a tiny portion. The beef lule was very juicy, but the flavor wasn't mind blowing for me. I've had better elsewhere. The pork bbq sandwich flavor got really tiring. It was really good the first few bites, but then I got sick of the taste really fast. It was also very dry without any kind of spread inside of it. Bummer that they didn't have garlic sauce. I saw a review of someone talking about it, so I was really bummed they didnt have any. This is so key for me in Mediterranean food, it ties everything together. This alone was a dealbreaker for me.

Best Armenian barbecue you can find amazing meat quality and the potatoes wow oh man wow

Amazing & authentic Armenian bbq I have been going for over 8 years and the workers are always friendly and welcoming. The smell inside the restaurant is so inviting, you can see how much love and attention goes into Hamlets Kitchen. 1000/10 recommend!

Food is good. Service is good and fast. My order was promised and delivered right on time. A bit on the expensive side though.

If you are looking for excellent Armenian food, then Hamlet's Kitchen is the place. The beef Lula is ridiculous, especially when combined with the potatoes and lavish. The beef kabob is also delicious. The service is decent, and there is not much ambiance since it's a little place located in a plaza.

Absolutely the best lamb chops in the world. Overall, probably my fav restaurant right now. This place is an absolute gem. Everything tastes amazing. They have a secret sauce, I think!

I'm lucky enough to live very close to this literal hole in a wall and wow. The food is absolutely incredible. Yes the prices can scare people but the portions are generous and literally everything in the menu is incredible and worth it. One of, if not the best lamb chops I've ever had. Absolutely the best lula kebob I've had. The hummus and eggplant caviar was homemade and so flavorful. The lavash is also so fresh and pillowy but still sturdy enough to dip and hold your meats. I can't say enough great thinks about this place. CASH ONLY!!

I got the pork chops and luleh kebab. They both had a really amazing smoky flavor from the wood charcoal. The pork chops were a little too salty for me and a bit dry. I preferred the luleh. The ikra was so delicious. I would sediment recommend trying this place. Will come again.

Lemme tell you about this place. Don't let the spartan decor, minimal accommodations, and, on occasion, slow service fool you, this place is absolute top tier Mediterranean food. The delicious aroma in the parking lot will make your mouth water and your stomach growl in utter need. The marinade/seasoning they use on the meat on top of that wood fire grilled smokiness is just on a completely different level, especially compared to the more mainstream places. Meat drippings soaked lavash, garlic sauce that stands shoulder to shoulder with the fierce competition (you know what I'm talking about), fresh tabbouleh, smoky hummus, roasted green peppers and tomatoes, and perfectly cooked rice all mixed together to create the most decadent tapestry of flavor. It's just so good, you'll miss that taste in your day to day. My family and I usually order huge catering trays containing kabobs, chicken, pork ribs, lamp chops, and both types of lula. The aforementioned side dishes are included plus potatoes. It's our and a few branches of our extended family's go-to catering for more than a decade. Yes, it's a bit expensive but this ain't McDonalds level Mediterranean you find at malls and at other places, this is top quality food made with love, very much worth every cent. Lamb chops is an absolute favorite but everything is so good. Stuff also last a long time and throwing stuff in the oven or air fryer will result in even crispier textures without losing flavor.

I've been hunting for Armenian food and I found this gem. It's home made Armenian food. The prices were on the steep side at 15-25 for most meals. The plates are 25 and the sandwiches 15. We shared a kabob sandwich which is lavash with the kabob meat. Amazing flavor that took me to Armenia. I've been craving it. I had a side of $8 hummus and it was also very good. It was a little chunkier than I'm used to but it tasted home made and was great. The little market that it is in feels like it comes straight from Armenia. It's outdoor seating among some palm trees, but fun to see the locals carrying on conversations in Armenian. The seating is a handful of chairs, mostly take out, but now I know where to get authentic Armenian food.

Very good! The service is great and the food was delicious. I ordered to go and ate in my car. Definitely going back to try other items. I had the lamb chop plate. Took me two days to finish it. It was flavorful and hearty. I highly recommend.

Rudest people are working there. They're still playing the covid long game. You can't go inside. They have a cheap table outside blocking entrance. The only thing they do right here is the seasoning and using charcoal for BBQ. They don't have anything else special. They cook the BBQ until it's dry as Jerky. No finesse, no science behind it. The pork and beef, I mean everything is overcooked, and it's always extra well done. If you eat it within the first 5 mins, it's delicious, but after that, it's cardboard, especially the pork.

I was referred here by my Armenian friend, so you know it has to be good! My favorite! If you're not Armenian it may be hard to communicate exactly what you want but they are very nice. My go to is the pork sandwich. A little on the pricey side but so worth it! I've been wanting to try other items... maybe one day I'll venture out of my comfort zone. It's cash only btw... The lot can get crowded at times, but beware and don't park anywhere you're not supposed to..

Hamlets kitchen is truly an authentic Armenian cuisine! i have ate here numerous times and have enjoy each and every single visit!

The chicken and beef kabobs were very flavorful. I recommend coming here. Service was friendly and the wait was reasonable!

Amazing food. Bring your appetite. These sandwiches are huge and delicious. They have a little bench where you can sit and enjoy it with a bottle of Tan. Highly recommend.

Ordered XRCHIK Received regular bbq instead Person took wrong order. And I had several witnesses who heard me placing the order on the phone. I called and requested what I ordered I was transferred to the owner/manager who apologized and offered to get the right order, since it was closing time. Long drive from NoHo to Glendale (twice). A lot of wasted gas. I offered to return the untouched order, I was told no reason to return because they were not going to give it to another customer. My husband went to pick up new xrchik order. He was told that I was supposed to return the wrong bbq order. (And my poor husband almost returned it but I told him the owner told me there was no need to return food). The owner allegedly claimed that he told me on the phone TO RETURN THE UNEATEN AND UNTOUCHED ORDER. Not an unusual request, but he told me there was no need because he won't be able to sell it to anyone else. I actually suggested returning it since we don't eat that specific food. I ended up donating it to next house neighbor. Long story short, such a cheap food joint management that not only charged me extra for the entire new order, but they charged additional fee to charge my card. $6 for using debit card!!!!! The food is average food, the prices are high, the owner is CHEAP. One and only reason I order from them is the only item in the menu called XRCHIK. But that's over too. As a bonus, the owner told me that he was under the impression that WE consumed the first wrong order and were looking for a free ride. Wow wow wow! Dude, I have no problems paying for food. I have more than enough to pay for food but I pay for ACTUAL FOOD THAT I ORDER NOT THE JUNK YOU SERVED. I didn't have to drive 20 miles one way for your dry pork bbq. I chose to drive for XRCHIK. There are far better bbq stores near where I live. Don't flatter yourself. Dear Owner, unlike you, I am everything BUT CHEAP and I don't need free stuff. I don't believe in free stuff but I do believe in Karma. I drive long drives and pay way more than average person does simply to have quality and decent food. You, on the other hand, are a poor soul, someone who lacks generosity and ethics of a businessman. You run a profitable business and yet in a situation when your employee screwed up the order, instead of simply correcting it by providing the right order free of charge, you even charged a $6 fee to use a debit card. I am not angry. I think as poor as you are as a person, you needed that $6 and the $100 for one misery bbq order more than I did. I will treat you like I gave $106 to a homeless person who needed food or money or both. But you might want to learn from this experience because Karma will follow and get you one day when you least expect it. Your shitty way of running business and being such a petty penny pitcher are not good business practice. And of course you will try to remove this review. But I will post it again for people to know and make their hard earned money worth spending in a decent business. Dear owner, here is the picture of the wrong order as I am posting this review, taken a few minutes ago. Secondly, do you really think that your product is so much worth for me to drive back and forth from North Hollywood to Glendale TWICE? Really? If I wanted regular bbq, I wouldn't go all the way to Glendale Hamlet's Kitchen to get it. There are much better places here in NoHo. Your store is not in the list of my first choice. I ordered XRCHIK, and they don't make it here. That's why I ordered from you the VERY LAST TIME. So, one tired Wednesday night dinner cost me two trips to Glendale, and $110 charge.

This place is as real as it comes if you want to experience what it feels like to have simple Armenian barbecue as it would if you take it hot off the grill like it would be eaten at home. I tried a sandwich so the meat was wrapped in lavash, simply with onion and cilantro. No added frills - it was delicious, fresh and authentic. I wonder if you have to be Armenian to get and appreciate the nuanced comedy you get for free when you try and call this place or walk up to grab your food. Hilarious for me but possibly frustrating for someone who expects the usual service experience. Just expect exceptional food, nothing else

Very low key place ... don't expect much with service unless you are Armenian or Russian but the food so good

Hamlets is the grading curb when Kabobs are considered. The most consistent. The most old school kabob experience in L.A. must try are the pork spareribs. Must try is the entire visit. Enjoy your experience here. Last of a dying breed.

I drove across town to try this place on David Chang's mention on his podcast and the lula beef wrap was friggin delicious from the very first bite. The lavash flatbread wrap is amazing. Cash only I think? Take out only with a few tables outside.

Best sandwhiches. Been coming here for almost 3 years now. Beef lule, beef shesh & pork pieces sandwhich. Always consistent. Entrance is in the back of the parking lot so do not get lost lol

Horrible services with very average but overpriced food. Not recommended and will not be back for sure.

Price changes every time you call, food is good meat is great but prices change depending on market value. Employees try to charge double the price

Wow. Never thought I'd find a place that trumps Raffis. The food is spectacular. My mother, Tita, and I had 2 pieces of beef luleh, an order the fish, ikra, and hummus. The luleh was probably the best luleh I've had anywhere. The fish was amazing. Better than the white fish at Raffis, but is steep in cost. You get 3 fatty pieces for $25. To top it off we had some strange branded ice creams for dessert. Caveats: to-go only style. They have an outside patio that is kind of lame and reeks of cigarette butts. Customer service is definitely hit or miss. It's not hard to be kind and courteous. No butter for the rice. I can see this place doing well in a few years given they improve their customer services. Food is excellent.

Great food! Best Lule kabob on the planet! Guy who does the barbecue is the best! Sweetest guy ever and excellent at what he does. If I go there and he's not there that day I just leave, I think his name is Vic! I wish I could give more stars!

You haven't had delicious, melt in your mouth armenian BBQ until you've tried this place. Been coming here for years. They food is ALWAYS freshly made and delicious!... they have plates and sandwiches, a huge variety of beverages. They also have prepared frozen dishes you can make at home. Such a pretty little place with several seatings outside, feels like you're not even in Glendale. I drive well over 25-30 minutes to come here. Must try!!

Their kebabs so delicious, so tasty, but I guess is too much for 2 kebab $50. Anyway I've enjoyed it, definitely will buy again.

i love this place. my friend moush had introduced me to it. i had really nevwr ate armenian food. but i love it. it so delicious and i came to bring my fiance her. she lovea it to. we like the beef lula and the chicken lula.