It's been hard to find a decent Armenian/Mediterranean place to eat without going to LA County and that isn't a full on sit down type place. Mama's Kebab is just that. Armenian Takeout. Figured it was time to write a review after going here 10+ times.
To be honest it's really weird seeing the word appetizer on an Armenian menu, but I understand the lack of appeal Maza might be. But, for Maza we get: Hummus, Tabbouleh (there's BARELY has any cracked wheat in... the "cheap" way of making it), and usually get Mama's or Armenian Salad, and a Super Sampler Plate. I've never been a real fan of Falafel, but there's is pretty good, not greasy and whatever sauce comes with it is really good. The eggplant hummus that comes with this is not bad, and I hate grilled eggplant.
The Sarma "grape leaves" are ok. I like them cooked, one of the few things in the world I like cooked, but they are just ok.
The Kebbe Naye seems interesting, sounds like Kheyma, but I'm pretty particular in the grade quality of my raw meat products, and only eat raw red meat at like Ruth Chris or above and at family gatherings.
One thing I see guys eating along order a lot when I go in to pick up is Hummus with ground meat.
Also, I've never had their Borak, but the way my mom makes it is orgasmic, and is easily one of the best things someone who is not accustomed to this type of food should eat.
For mains, I have had the chicken kebab and it's not really something I'll have again. Not to bash on it or anything, but if I get the chance to have lamb, I'm going to have lamb, and you should too. We tell them to make it as rare as possible. Most places make it medium or well, but we are a rare household, and they will do it. By the time we bring it home it's a little more cooked, but it still tastes really good. When it comes to the fat left on the meat, sometimes it's about a 20% miss. I've had it where there was just so much fat on the meat that I have had to cut most of the lamb away, and most the the time I don't have to cut anything off.
I will say I don't know what their version of torshi is. It's either pickled Jicama, or Turnip or something. They have that typical sharp taste to them, but it's not something I tend to eat all of.
We always get free Paklava from them, maybe cause my folks talk to them in Armenian or something, I don't know, but normally I'm not a fan of Baklava, which they claim this to be, but it isn't. Baklava and Paklava are different (Pak uses sugar water, Bak uses honey), but Mama's is pretty darn good.
The place is kinda small for an Armo joint, but decent for the area that it's in. Parking can be kind crappy, because people tend to speed in the lot and not pay attention, but that is everywhere, right?
The decor is pretty up to date, it's not a typical Armenian drapes, weird clippings of newspaper articles and yellow painted walls. It's rare that I see any Middle Eastern folks in there and the place is usually filled with Odars, but that' a good thing, as people are trying something new or different from what they are used to.
If it's your first time there, and you're eating there alone, I'd order the lamb kebab plate.
If it's your first time and you're calling in for pick up, or you have 2-3 friends with you, I'd still get the lamb plate for myself, and get a side of Hummus, Tabbouleh, and 1 or 2 Super Sampler Plates. The price is normal as far as Armenian dinners go. If you aren't use to eating different foods like this, I'd stay close to a bathroom 30 mins after you eat. read more