Zankou Chicken

The chicken and their ground beef skewer (Lule?) was delicious! The chicken was well marinated and tender. It goes terrific with their garlic sauce. Everything on our plate was delicious--the cucumber salad and hummus included. We arrived during lunchtime on the weekend and it was not crazy busy. Their parking is small, but you can park along the street. The bathroom was clean (you need a code to get it-- just ask one of the workers) We're definitely returning.

Very tender and flavored chicken! And fast service, my order was ready in about 5 mins. And stuff are super friendly, one handsome guy said he works and eats here for years and think here has the best chicken, and he’s right! They certainly make a very welcoming vibe here.

Been going here for years but they need to get their act together. Ordered on the app, showed up and they told me chicken was running behind and it would be 10 minutes. I waited 15 minutes…never called my name. Asked if they were sure my order wasn’t done before I arrived. They checked, nothing. So I waited another 10, then 20, then 25 minutes…still nothing. Finally asked about a plate that had been sitting there since i got there…that was my order. It was cold as could be at the girl tried telling me she just put it out and it was fresh. I don’t mind that they overlooked an order, mistakes can happen, but telling me she just put it out when i had been waiting 45 minutes and this cold plate was fresh… They have no system and do crazy business. Someone needs to figure this out because my last three times using the app nobody can find your order so you don’t know if it’s done or if you need to wait. Great food but the place is as disorganized as can be. Terrible experience.

Ordered double chicken kabob plate. What a delicious combo. I am ready to come back to try everything else on the menu.

First time customer here! Nico was super helpful. He asked if I had ever eaten zankou chicken and when I told him no he gave me some recommendation. He was very polite and patient as I took forever to decide on what to get. His customer service was phenomenal. As someone with an eating disorder I felt comfortable enough to order as he was so helpful and understanding. The food was excellent a bit dry but with some sauce it solved the issue.

Absolutely fantastic experience! The food was outstanding—fresh, flavorful, and clearly made with care. But what truly set this visit apart was Rudy, the manager. His professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail made us feel genuinely valued. While the cuisine alone is worth coming back for, it’s Rudy’s exceptional service that guarantees I’ll return. A true 10/10 experience all around!

If you are into chicken, that is rotisserie chicken, shawarma, Tarnation, kabob plate, and wraps, then this place is a must try!

My job ordered out chicken, garlic sauce, hummus, cucumber salad, pita, and onions. Very good. I took some home to my daughter and she liked it also. She liked it so much that she ate it in the car before we got home. Now we have to go back for more.

The place is great Good food and reasonable They have been providing great service Good prices Greg

So your faithful and favorite Yelp correspondent was trekking home in rush hour traffic when, empretzled in my car seat from my alarming bladder, I exited the 210 FWY East in search of a restroom. Bladder sated, I pivoted towards quenching my hungee. Right away the unctuous, garlicky scents of slow rotisserie-spit roasted greeted me. As is my custom when sampling new restaurants, I ordered the company's moneymaker- A half chicken platter plus a two-piece baklava for fressert¹. The mood at Zankou is bustling, teeming with a steady, unceasing queue of PCC students, Door Dashers and couples on date night. Zankou's staff works in operatic brilliance- My order was surprisingly ready within three mins of paying for my order. The caliber of the food was good but not necessarily cartwheel-inducing. The flavor and texture of Zankou's signature chicken is comparable to Juan Pollo's chicken, only with subtle Lebanese flavors (as opposed to the more dramatic flavor wallop that a well made bite of Juan Pollo yields). For a more apples-to-apples comparison of Mediterranean restaurant chicken, I'd label Zankou as #2 in its space, trailing DonerG and their wondrous, super juicy chicken but clearly eclipsing Georgie's Mediterranean for the silver medal. The baklava/hummus and garlic sauce were all serviceable. Ditto for the cleanliness of the restroom. I was dismayed at thr cost- My order was $27.43 for 1/2 chicken platter (4 pieces), fountain drink, dessert and tax + tip. For two Jacksons, you can feed two people the same vast spread at any DonerG. ¹ Fressert- When you consciously eat your dessert first because you've still another 70mins of logjammed traffic between you and home.

I've been a fan of Zankou Chicken for years. The food is always great. The best part about coming here is the garlic sauce and rice. As a vegetarian, I appreciate the options and how reasonably priced they are. I've never had any cross contamination or issues. We often get their food for celebrations because it's a hit. The place is clean and organized. The staff are always very nice and happy to give recommendations!

Ordered thru Postmates and food was pretty good. It did take awhile and my combo kebab was cold when I got it. I asked for tabbouleh salad and they gave me cucumber salad instead. My partner got double hummus and they gave him double rice instead.

Such good food and the garlic sauce is delicious! The wait can be a little long during peak hours, worth it!

If you've never been here, you are missing out. This place is an institution here in Pasadena and the surrounding area. The food is always top notch and the service is great. The restaurant is always clean and well maintained. Parking is a bit crazy, but trust me it's worth the headache!

Haven't been to Zankou Chicken in a long time. Craving some Mediterranean food and was in the area. Hummus Labs was closed so decided to order Zankou for take out. Took about 20-30 mins for our order to be ready. Ordered their half rotisserie chicken, lamb plate, beef plate and their falafel wrap. The falafel wrap was tasty but I think a bit too saucy? It got pretty messy eating it but wasn't too bad. The chicken and the lamb were a bit saltier from what I remembered but still flavorful regardless. What I do like most about this place is the pita bread they give you along with the taste of their hummus. Definitely one of the best I've tried. I love dipping the pita bread into the hummus. Did bring back memories from the last time I came and wondered why I don't come often. Either way, the service was great, the food wasn't too bad and if you feel like Mediterranean food, this place is good.

I've been going to this place since it opened in the 90s, but in West LA. I didn't know there was a local one til a week ago lol wish I'd known sooner. Their garlic butter is soo good! And their chicken is always done right. My bf got the half chicken and devoured it. I got the chicken tarna. Didn't like the bean dip stuff but whatever. I loved the hummus anyway. Place looks like it probably did the 90s, and it should stay that way! No reason to change it. It's clean, looks good and efficient. Only issue is hearing when your name is called can be a bit difficult. And parking is street, but not terrible in the evening at least.

Zankou Chicken is one of my go-to's when I'm in Pasadena. I lived in Pasadena prior to moving to the Bay Area a decade ago and still eat here when I'm in town visiting family. I really like the chicken tarna plate. The garlic sauce is Zankou's calling card and lives up to the hype. Almost every Zankou fan will tell you that. The hummus is also excellent.

Winner winner! I've been going to this spot since 1985 and it's still the best rotisserie chicken of all time. I can never decide whether I want the crispy skin juicy half chicken or a shawarma wrap with delicious meat and hummus. If you're trying it for the first time, go with the rotisserie chicken if you are only able to try one thing on the menu. Don't forget to get the garlic paste(it's toum) but they don't call it that. Thank you to my new friend Bernice who was at the front counter. She is super friendly, helpful, and takes her time to explain how to order to get the most out of your experience.

Having past by this place so many times, I don't know why we never went it. The service was fantastic. Prices fair and the food was more than delicious. We loved everything we bought. My personal favorite was the tabbouleh. Well maybe the hummus too. Hell all of it was scrumptious. We opted for a chicken plate and a tri-tip shawarma and highly recommended that to anyone. As we sat and ate, we enjoyed seeing so much movement from the staff who cleaned up the dining room. And not to mention the movement from so many customer. Pretty lol seeing such a diverse group of people stopping by for a bite to eat. Do I recommend.. absolutely. Was the service great. Sure was! Prices fair... yup! Place clean.. indeed it was. Food good.. meh. JK. It was very good!!!

One of my absolute favorite places to order from is Zankou Chicken. I order the family meal and it's perfect for feeding a family of 4-6 people or perfect for individual meal prep. The chicken is perfectly cooked and you are given the option to cut the chicken in 4 or 6 portions. If you love hummus, then this hummus is an absolute must as a side because it is both creamy and flavorful. I use the leftover hummus throughout the week to eat with fresh veggies or remaining pita bread. I also get jasmine rice as the other side. I personally like to pair the jasmine rice with the Tabbouleh Salad (I order this as an additional side) and mix them together. I don't know why, but it tastes amazing combined. The pickled turnips are also tasty, it was similar to eating pickles. I would also recommend ordering the falafel special if you like trying new foods. It's crispy, crunchy, and I believe made out of chickpeas and spices paired with the tahini sauce is amazing. Overall, I really enjoy eating here and highly recommend it.

Here is another reason I am lucky to live in LA County. There is definitely a reputation they constantly need to uphold being one of those "you know you're in LA if..." kind of places. Since moving here, I have eaten their food on multiple occasions and have enjoyed it every single time. They are almost always bustling here, and I can see why they require a large crew. The space itself is functional, with tiled floors, booths with glossed seating, bolted tables (I think). Up to this point, I've mainly had the family meal, which easily feeds at least 4. Our latest trip here allotted me the chicken and beef combo plate. The flavors and textures are all there, and never did I think at any point of all my meals from here that it needed any additional flavoring or salt or sauce or any of that. Parking: Street, right in front. Cars don't tend to stay for very long, so there usually isn't much trouble. FYI: - Order online. They tend to take all the way up to the given estimated time, so don't expect to pick the order up 15 minutes before they say it's ready.

The food here is very tasty, fresh and delicious. It is one of our favorite places to eat, but first time trying this location. I took off two stars because the wait for the food takes forever! It took 45 minutes to get our order of 2 tri tip shawarma and chicken shawarma plate. They kept on telling me my order was next, but kept fulfilling other take out orders. There was no apology, just employee telling me my order was next and to wait for my name to be called. If I hadn't stood near the counter checking on my order I think it would have taken them longer than 45 min. It was frustrating for my family.

Zankou deserves 5 stars! It's a must-eat place when we visit SoCal. We typically order for pick-up but have eaten in the establishment once or twice. It's a casual spot good for families. I will say, the first time I had it, I didn't understand the hype. However, after the second time, I started craving Zankou while living in the Bay. Now, we can't leave LA without it. We order the chicken and shish (beef) combo (including roasted tomatoes, rice, and onions) with hummus, tabbouleh salad, and garlic sauce as sides. The combo comes with pita, but we sometimes order extra. I prefer beef always and am still biased towards it; however, I will say Zankou's chicken is delicious (hence the name of the business). I love how tender, soft, and flavorful both the chicken and beef are. In addition to the protein, the garlic paste makes for the perfect sauce. It's very strong in the garlic flavor, and the paste feels almost buttery. I like to add all the ingredients in the pita, including the hummus, and it makes for the most perfect bite.

One of our favorites in Pasadena. Locations all over Southern California. Quick reliable service and really good for takeout. Roasted chickens and shawarma are excellent and the chicken tarna wrap is my go to.

A great spot for a casual mediterranean meal. I got the chicken kabob plate and they were generous with their portions. The plate comes with a cucumber salad, hummus, chicken kabob, rice, tomato, two pita breads, and garlic spread. So tasty! The interior is also very cool and gives off a 70s/twin peaks/breaking bad (los pollo hermanos) vibe lol.

I'm a returnee to the area and regularly get food from Zankou as delivery or pickup because the food travels well. I was born and raised near PCC so I've eaten a lot of their food over my lifetime, and it's nice that meals still have good value for the price and location. Places that deliver like Zankou's are a godsend in Pasadena when meals need to be outsourced: whether you're a student, a remote worker or just a person with an erratic schedule too tired to cook (During the pandemic, I was all of these things). I often get 2-3 healthy meals out of 1 plate order by transforming the leftovers into another quick meal. For example: My preferred order is usually a plate of tri-tip or chicken tarna with tabbouleh, tzatziki, mutabbal. I often order a side of hummus as well. I finish the tabbouleh with meal 1, snack off of the pita and sides for meal 2, and the rice + leftover meat gets used to make a pseudo-pilaf/ biryani the next day for meal 3. An aside: I almost always order an extra medium garlic sauce. One thing I notice is an extra bag of pita bread often finds it's way into my to-go order. It's like the staff looked at my garlic sauce order and said "Yeah, you're gonna need more pita with that." My thanks to the staff for their care. Tip: I've noticed delivery apps consistently overcharge at Zankou's by ~ 15-20%. Even when delivery costs are waived, there are still service fees, too. Given the time it takes to make the food, I find in-person pickup saves time and money.

How have I not tried Zankou's sooner? The food was fantastic. What really stood out to me was how their plates came with hummus and cucumber salad included. Unlike other Mediterranean restaurants where these are often side dishes you have to pay extra for, Zankou Chicken incorporates them perfectly into the meal. It made for a well-rounded and flavorful experience. There are so many different options to choose from on their menu that I can't wait to go back and try more. You can find parking right in front or on the side streets. You also have the option to order online or through their app for more convenience. The shop has that mom and pop vibe, but it's clean. The random Saturday night I went to it was pretty packed.

On vacation, staying across the street. Went on the recommendation of a friend. Ordered the shawarma plate. Staying away from carbs I asked for no pita Brad and a sauce substitute. Not a problem ( despite what I read in other reviews). Everything was delicious. I'd definitely return

I am vegan and adore their rice, hummus, and tabbouleh salad. It is all absolutely wonderful. My family loves their chicken, lamb, and beef skewers/kababs. We have visited so many times and have always been extremely happy with everything!

Food was great. Service was excellent! I will definitely be coming back to this zankou location.

We have ordered the rotisserie chicken twice now. Very consistent good flavors. It's one of those places we go to for a lazy dinner. They now have Tzatziki which is what they were missing previously. That is so good. They use real dill (or at least it tastes like it). The indoor seating is very much like an old diner. It's a good spot for a basic meal.

I ordered take out. A whole rotisserie chicken with hummus and garlic sauce. Hummus was creamy and went well with their rice and pita bread. The garlic sauce paired well with the chicken too. The chicken is juicy and flavorful. We also got an order of steak skewers. The meat was flavorful but a little chewy and some parts were definitely rare. I think I will just stick to the rotisserie chicken from here. Food was nicely packed for to go. The whole chicken is not cut, you shred off or cut off what you eat. I think that helps it stay juicy.

The folks who man this location are GEMS!!! Super friendly and helpful!!! Bright, super clean restaurant on Colorado Blvd. Don't skip the amazing garlic spread on whatever you order!!! Today I ordered a tarna (chicken) salad with extra protein. It was delicious! Olives, feta, cheese, tomatoes, onions, and lettuce (some was brown on edges) but still good salad! Big dining room with lots of seats!

Chicken Tarna, Tzatziki, Cucumber and Tomato salad, feta on a bed of rice! Get the garlic sauce! It's more like a garlic paste but it adds more incredible flavor! Love this bowl!! Chicken is flavorful and moist, Tzatziki was full of flavor too! Yum!!

Zach, who has the best family meals for the Buck. Excellent flavor and the chicken is never dry. Much appreciate ourZanku.

The pickles and garlic spread are the best things about this place. For everything else, there are lots of Mediterranean options nearby with better meats/prices.

Zankou chicken has been my go to place for many many years. Tried a few others but none have come close to the quality and taste at Zankou. Totally worth the wait when they are busy...which is all the time for good reason ;)

Food is great! but service in the front could be better that was the minus of a star. I know Zankou is known for their chicken but my daughter and I wanted to try the Kabob combo. It was delicious! I will definitely come back and reorder. My daughter had the lula combo and I had the beef/ chicken kabob combo. The meat was Perfectly cooked, hummus very tasty and salad very fresh. I'm giving this 5 stars for the food and management for taking care of an issue of service! Cameron was very professional and addressed my concern.

4.5 stars Zankou Chicken is fast food--Mediterranean style! They're best known for two things: their rotisserie chicken and their garlic sauce. The family meal came at a great value and included a whole chicken, two large sides, pickled turnips, garlic sauce, and a sack of thin chewy pita bread. The chicken was juicy and moist (though a bit bland), and went nicely with the garlic sauce, which had a gummy consistency and pungent garlic flavor. For our sides, we got the hummus and the surprisingly flavorful cucumber tomato salad. I also got a side order of Falafel, two crispy chickpea fritters, which went nicely with the hummus and tahini on the side. Overall, the food here came quick and at a good value. Some of the items (the chicken and hummus) could have been better seasoned, but it was nothing a little garlic sauce couldn't fix. Regardless, this is definitely a classic Southern Californian chain restaurant worth trying!

Tuesday 3pm They have a small parking lot next to the place. Lots of street parking too. Order at the counter. There was no wait when I went. Lots of open seating. Ordered the Lule Kebab and Falafel platter. Both a great deal of about $15 each. Plates come with sides (hummus, tahini, roasted tomatoes, etc) and two pieces of pita. Usually not the biggest fan of their falafel since it's always pretty dry, but this time was good. Summary: Great place to get some fast food Mediterranean food in Pasadena.

This is a hidden gem. The meat was so tender and tasty. The chicken was juicy and SO flavorful. The hummus was amazing. The little salad wasn't my favorite but the others liked it. So that's just a personal preference. The wrap was huge! 2 of us could've shared that and it was so yummy! The staff were so friendly and very helpful! The inside was a little outdated but it fit the environment perfectly! There's not too many tables in there and there's usually a constant flow of people!

Appreciate what you have if a Zankou Chicken is nearby: delicious food, fast service & fair prices for generous portions. We were regular takeout customers until recently (having moved out of the area). Other Mediterranean fast casual will PALE in comparison (or be twice as expensive for half the food/taste). An absolute Los Angeles institution.

Super over how terrible the customer service is and the price gauging! I won't be returning. I ordered a large Tabouli to go with some leftovers we had from the other day. Asked for hot sauce and tahini and was told that each sauce is $0.60 which is absolutely ridiculous! The price of the food is already ridiculously high and to charge that much for sauce is just greed. Garlic paste you can get from Trader Joe's and try Mediterranean Grill up the street they have great customer service and delicious food!

Solid spot for something quick, easy, and on-the-go. Staff are always friendly and accommodating. I do wish the portions were larger for the price point.

What can I say about Zankou Chicken??? Every time I come here (Pasadena location and all other Zankou locations) I am always guaranteed a delicious meal . It's usually busy but the wait is always worth it. Service was quick too - we only waited about 10 minutes for our order. Today since we were in the area, we decided to get the family meal (a whole chicken, 2 large sides basmati rice and taboulleh, pickled beets, pita bread and garlic spread), Double Lule Kabob plate and Double Shish Kabob plate. I asked them to cut my chicken for me (choices were cut in 2, 4 or 6 pieces) so it's ready to eat when we got home. I installed their new app and got a welcome reward of a small side - we chose more basmati rice YUMMY There is street parking and a small parking lot located at the back of the restaurant so it's easily accessible. Everything was so flavorful and yummy! Zankou is one of our favorites!!! We highly recommend it!

We just went here again this week. It's still really good! The prices have gone up a bit, but that's true everywhere.

Food is flavorful and well portioned, just remember to ask for the mini garlic sauce, it's part of the plate on the receipt but they don't give it to you unless you ask. There was also a random piece of plastic in the baklava that I had to spit out. 9/10 flavor 7/10 value

I really enjoyed my experience here as the food was top-notch. The cucumber salad made my taste buds happy and the baklava is perfectly sweet with the right amount of honey. I always get the white meat chicken breast kebabs.

Despite their Japanese-sounding name, they actually serve Mediterranean food. I got takeout from here for about 20 people (it ended up being around 300 bucks). The order was a bit late (ordered it for 6pm and I dropped by at 6:20, and still had to wait a bit to get it) but the service was great and they were very accommodating as I was placing the order over the phone and then calling in the following days to change a thing or two. The food itself was quite decent, but I definitely see this place as the Yoshinoya of Mediterranean food (meaning, a tier above fast food but nothing exceptional or otherworldly).

I want to highlight the roasted chicken salad. The salad is my go-to when I want something with lean, fresh and fast. Price is good too. 4/5 stars because I think the salad should come with a small side of hummus.

Unfortunately for the last 3 years, anytime I would order from Zankou on DoorDash, the chicken tarna is raw and mostly are fat not real breast chicken. The quality of food is degrading. Rice is not cooked well. I don't think I would order again from this location. Hopefully other locations won't be the same

A Mediterranean restaurant to go to rid yourself of your need for this type of fix! All the choices you have from kabobs and shawarma. We ordered the 1/4 Dark Chicken plate. Half Chicken plate and the Beef Kabobs. The orders came with hummus, salad and a whole bag of Pita Bread. What a treat! The food served fast no long wait. The restaurant was clean including their all gender restroom located at the hallway of the side of the restaurant.

Zankou chicken is known for its chicken. An order of 1/2 chicken was hot, plump and juicy. It tasted a lot like what I used to eat when I was a youngster. Shawarma was good with tzatziki sauce and picked vege. Staffs taking orders are friendly eventhough we could not decide and wait on us. The appearance of the place is very casual and open. However it was cold inside. A/C was on full blast. Take a light jacket if you get cold easy like me. Few other women had a sweater on.

Ordered a wrap. The pita was so thin that it disintegrated down one side by the time I got home and I was left with a mess that could no longer be called a wrap and certainly could not be picked up to eat. This place is hit or miss and the service is always spotty. Last time I was there I waited over 40 minutes for my name to be called it was never called but my food was sitting there getting cold.

Zankou Chicken has been an L.A. institution for quite a bit, and yet I had never been to one until visiting this one. Well, they certainly make good food because I've been here three times already. I just love coming here because it can be made really healthy, which means it's a great fit for my low carb diet. In my three times here, I've ordered the tri-tip shawarma with tahini salad, the quarter dark chicken with garden salad, and the shish kabob with tahini salad and tzatziki sauce. Everything here is cooked fresh, so it does take a while for you to get your food. I liked everything I've had here so far, although I will say that I thought the rotisserie chicken could've been a little better as it was a bit dry for my liking. The tri-tip shawarma and shish kabob were top notch though. Staff here have always been friendly every time I've come here! Zankou Chicken is already one of those place that I can count on for a really good, healthy meal that's not too expensive. Definitely worth going to!

LOVE the garlic spread and the food!! Every time I come here they never disappoint, everything is freshly made and there pretty fast in preparing it. I usually get the half chicken plate so I have enough to eat it again later. I try to get at least 4 garlics bc I always over do it when I spread it in my pita bread. It's just that good! If you haven't tried zankou, you def need to it's a must try!

We have loved Zankou Chicken for years but our last times visiting have been less than ideal. Today was the nail in the coffin, sadly. The size of the whole roast chicken re received was laughable and upsetting, it was tiny, perhaps a Cornish hen?? Definitely not enough for a family of 4. So disappointing. My kids were so hungry that they had already started eating but chx is TINY.