I've been coming here for years and the device is always 5-star. Food is sooooo good!read more

The best Iranian food I've had (bar none) and probably the most delicious meal I've had this year…read morethus far! Raffi's Place was my most anticipated restaurant on my SoCal trip. The soltani kabob was to die for; the flavors in the beef barg and koobideh were so rich and cooked to perfection. The mastery of these dishes was absolutely on display. The mast moosir was a great creamy and savory side dish to complement the entrees. I HAD to get the tahdig (crispy rice) too! I also had a bit of the lamb shank which was really flavorful, tender, and paired perfectly with the baghali polo. The yogurt soda was a bit of an acquired taste for me, but I'm happy to have tried it for the full experience. We finished off our delicious meal with a floral and sweet Persian ice cream wafer sandwich. The portions were enormous, so we left feeling full with leftovers to look forward to! We came on a lively weekday evening. They don't do reservations, but we were warmly greeted and quickly seated with lavash and butter on our table immediately. The restaurant has a beautiful and romantic atmosphere, with hybrid indoor/outdoor courtyard dining. Our waiter was attentive and made us feel very welcomed. I'd give this restaurant more than 5 stars if I could!

The Art of the Singular Obsession: Why Zhengyalov Hatz is Glendale's Most Focused Masterpiece…read more------- There's a specific kind of anxiety that comes with opening a menu that reads like a telephone book. When a kitchen tries to make pizza, sushi, and a passable club sandwich all at once, they usually fail at all three. Give me a specialist. Give me someone who wakes up every morning, stares at a single dish, and spends their entire life chasing perfection. Tucked away at 318 E Broadway in Glendale, Zhengyalov Hatz is exactly that kind of sanctuary. They don't have a menu so much as a mission statement. They make one thing. One single, spectacular, fiercely guarded Armenian culinary tradition. And they do it so perfectly that the Michelin Guide had no choice but to take notice. // The Vibe and the Craft // You walk in, and the air hits you immediately--the unmistakable, primal scent of hot griddles and a massive volume of fresh herbs. The clean-lined, minimalist space is centered entirely around a simple walk-up counter, but don't let the efficiency fool you; the greeting you receive the second you step up is instantly warm and genuine. There are no secrets here. You watch as seasoned hands work the dough, rolling out delicate, paper-thin sheets, burying them under an impossibly large mountain of finely chopped greenery, and folding them into tight parcels on the hot griddles. It's a beautiful, well-oiled operation where a steady stream of locals are constantly in and out, clutching take-out boxes filled with their greenly miracles. // The Main Event: The Namesake // The dish is the Zhengyalov Hatz, and when it arrives hot off the griddle, blistered, slightly charred in places, and absolutely steaming, it is a revelation. You bite through that crisp, yielding dough into a dense, vibrant green lining of over a dozen different varietals--spinach, scallions, sorrel, beet leaves, and herbs you probably couldn't name if you tried. It shouldn't be this complex, but it is. It hits every corner of the palate: it's sharp, it's sour, it's earthy, and deeply, viscerally satisfying. Even if you're a devout carnivore, this plant-forward flatbread demands your absolute respect. It's a complete meal wrapped in a charred, unleavened embrace. In fact, the last time I walked through those doors, I had to buy two orders just for myself. It really is that good. (Pro tip: have them slide a pat of butter in there to melt down into the hot greens. Don't overthink it, just do it.) // The Supporting Cast // Because they only make one main dish, deciding what to order takes about three seconds. To wash it down, you get the Okroshka--a cold, tangy yogurt drink punched up with dill and cucumber. It serves as the perfect, refreshing counter-hook to the warm, earthy flatbread. To finish, grab a square of their Paxlava (baklava). It's built with flaky phyllo and ground nuts, offering just a light crust and a sweetness that doesn't overpower the palate. // The Verdict // In a culinary landscape obsessed with "more"--more options, more fusion, more noise--Zhengyalov Hatz is a masterclass in "less." They have bet their entire existence on the power of a single, flawless creation, and they absolutely nail it. It's authentic, it's unpretentious, and it is a mandatory stop. Go early before they sell out, eat it hot, and remember what it tastes like when people actually give a damn about their heritage.

I really enjoy the authenticity of this place, and they've recently opened their second location in…read moreNorth Hollywood. I've come here a few times for their Zhengyalov hats, but once I found out they also make lahmajun, I had to try it. Let me tell you, it is some of my absolute favorite lahmajun. The dough is done perfectly with just the right thinness, the meat is delicious and seasoned so well, and everything about it is exactly to my liking. I definitely recommend it, but be warned, they are massive, so there's no need to over order.

Hard to find parking. There was metered parking in the front…read more Came on a weekend afternoon. Made reservations, but according to the host, the reservation cancels after 15 minutes of not showing. Place was not full at all. Got the Veggie Sampler for Two for $15, Carousel Combo for $25, and Sarma for $10. For the Carousel Combo we got the Lula or ground beef Kebab and Lamb Shish Kebab for $4 more and substituted the cabbage salad to Lentil Soup for $2. We also got the bulgur instead of rice, fried, or fire roasted vegetables. The food was all amazing. The Sarma was on the sour side, but good. Would come back.

The take out order was missing a main item. When we called to complain, they left us hanging on the…read morephone for a long time. The food was average, the shawarma was overly spiced and the cheese rolls very heavy. We paid about $150 for the take out and did not have a good experience.

First time patron of Asteria, and I must say this place blew every other Mediterranean restaurant…read moreI've tried out of the water. We made reservations just in case there'd be a wait on a Friday evening, but surprisingly the restaurant wasn't busy, a shame for them, but something we were grateful for. We ordered the baba ghanoush right away because I was absolutely famished, and we were also served a generous plate of hummus with delicious homemade chips on the side. The chips were salty and tangy, which paired perfectly with the hummus. I ordered the chicken breast and luleh combo, while my partner got the filet mignon with tzatziki, and everything was incredible. It was my first time trying chicken luleh and I can confidently say I'm a fan now. Perfectly seasoned, tender, and flavorful. The rice was cooked perfectly as well. The only thing I would've loved is a side of raw onions, but that's purely personal preference. What really says it all is that the entire meal was eaten mostly in silence and not a single picture was taken, which is completely out of character for me as a foodie. "Camera eats first" absolutely does not apply at this restaurant. The establishment is run by a lovely couple in the kitchen along with one server. It's a quaint little spot that feels warm and personal, and I already have a feeling I'll be coming back often.

We were in the area and had a hankering for some good Armenian /Middle Eastern food …read more The good stuff first : Chicken was delicious, perfectly cooked and fresh. Vegetables combo plate was delicious Loved it Pita chips , thin and crunchy... fresh ... I would buy some to go . The not so good stuff: They sat us , a party of 4 at a very small table that was uncomfortable and our plates barely fit. My legs were hitting my wife and kids . The worse part is that there was an entire open larger table . The waitress was young and seemed inexperienced and uninterested. We felt like we were bothering her . I would order food to go from here but not dine in .

The OG Soup Dumpling: Why Khinkali House is Glendale's Best Kept Secret…read more Let's get one thing straight: if you think the "soup dumpling" started with a two-hour wait outside a Din Tai Fung, you're about 600 years late to the party. While the culinary world is currently obsessed with the delicate, bite-sized Xiao Long Bao--which didn't even show up until the 1870s in Shanghai--the Georgians have been perfecting this craft since the 13th-century Mongol invasions. Khinkali is the OG. It's the rugged, fist-sized ancestor that doesn't need a bamboo steamer basket or a delicate, nervous touch. It's a meal that requires soul, a bit of primitive technique, and a complete disregard for your clean shirt. Tucked away on Artsakh Avenue, Khinkali House is where you go to pay your respects to this ancient culinary titan. Atmosphere and the Art of the Rainy Day I happened to drop in on a rare, miserable rainy day in Glendale, and let me tell you, sitting out in their roomy, covered patio area while the water drummed against the roof was pure atmospheric gold. It's the kind of setting that demands heavy, unapologetic comfort food. The service here is sharp, warm, and attentive--the kind of old-school hospitality that makes you feel like a regular before you've even opened the menu. The Opening Act: Borscht with Soul You don't just jump into a pile of massive dumplings. You have to prepare the palate. I started with a bowl of their Borscht, and it was exquisite. It arrived as a deep, vibrant crimson pool of beet-infused soul, swimming with tender beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. It was earthy, slightly sweet, and served at a temperature that could ward off any chill in your bones. It's the kind of bowl that tells you immediately that this kitchen isn't just following a recipe; they're honoring a bloodline. The Main Event: The Four Pillars of Khinkali Then came the heavy hitters. Unlike the thin-skinned, elegant Xiao Long Bao, Khinkali is built for battle. It's a massive, boiled parcel with a thick, satisfyingly chewy dough gathered at the top into a sturdy little knot or "handle" (the kudi). You don't eat the handle--you use it to hoist the beast, bite a small hole in the side, aggressively slurp out the liquid gold trapped inside, and then devour the rest. I worked my way through all four flavors, and each was a masterclass in balance: Ground Beef & Pork: The classic heavyweight. The moment you pierce the dough, a rich, heavily spiced, aggressively savory broth floods your spoon. The meat is fatty in all the right ways, laced with herbs that cut through the richness. It is purely addictive. Lamb: A masterclass in bold, unapologetic flavor. The lamb adds a deeply gamey, sophisticated depth that grounds the entire dish. As it boils, the rendered fat mixes with the internal cooking liquids inside that thick doughy cavern to create a broth that is darker, earthier, and aggressively flavorful. It's a heavy, soulful revelation that hits you right in the chest. Mushroom: Often treated as a vegetarian afterthought in other places, here it's a star. It hits you with a massive wave of umami. The mushrooms are tender and earthy, producing a fragrant, woodsy liqueur inside the dumpling that makes you realize you don't need meat to create a complex masterpiece. Georgian Cheese (The Undisputed Champion): I'm just going to say it--this was my absolute favorite. It is an exercise in pure, primal decadence. Instead of a meat broth, biting into this unleashes a molten, gooey river of tangy, salty Georgian cheese. It pulls, it stretches, and the sharp, slightly funky bite of the cheese against the warm, thick dough is a spiritual experience. I could eat ten of these and die happy. The Return Trip The tragedy of Khinkali House is that the dumplings are so filling, you have to leave the rest of the menu unexplored. But I am already plotting my return. Next time, I'm coming back for the Adjarskiy Khachapuri--that famous Georgian boat-shaped bread loaded with melted cheese and crowned with a fresh egg yolk and a pat of butter. I also have my eye on the Zhengyalov Hatz (a traditional Armenian herb-filled flatbread), and the wildly intriguing Osetrina (Sturgeon) Skewer, which you just don't see every day. The Verdict: Respect the Elders Let's cut the noise. Xiao Long Bao is great for a polite, light lunch, but Khinkali is for when you want to feel something real. Khinkali House has managed to bring a 13th-century mountain staple to a Glendale patio and make it feel like the most relevant thing on the street. It's bold, it's historical, and it's flat-out delicious. If you want to experience the true evolution of the dumpling, get yourself to Khinkali House. Grab a handle, watch the rain, and eat like a Georgian highlander. You can thank me later.

Food was good and our server was nice, but I was honestly confused and disappointed with the way…read moregratuity/tips were handled. We were 4 adults and 1 child, and an automatic 18% gratuity was already included in the bill. However, on the receipt the section saying "tips not included" was circled, which made it seem like gratuity had NOT been added yet. Because of that confusion, I ended up leaving an additional cash tip. I understand restaurants may add gratuity automatically for larger groups, but if gratuity is already included, the receipt and staff should make that clear instead of circling "tips not included." It creates unnecessary confusion for customers. Also, automatically adding gratuity regardless of service feels questionable. Thankfully our server was kind, but if service had been poor, customers should still feel they have a choice regarding tipping.

AMAZING! My family's first time trying Armenian food and we couldn't be happier with the food!…read morePortions are huge, and the rice + meats are cooked to perfection. Perfectly spiced and tender, and my mom loved the fries! I WILL BE BACK, love love love this family-owned resto :)

We ordered the baby back ribs plate-something not many places offer-and it did not disappoint. It…read morecame with rice, hummus, and tabbouleh, and everything tasted incredibly fresh and made with care. The ribs were perfectly juicy with great seasoning. The hummus was smooth, fresh, and had just the right amount of garlic. The tabbouleh was also solid, but the standout for me was the rice-soft, buttery, and easily one of the best I've had in the area. Definitely looking forward to coming back and trying more dishes.

Ate Armenian food for the 1st time. Got the Oxtail Khashlava, Eggplant dip, and Ground beef kebab…read more(my finger covered up the picture). I'm no Armenian food expert, but I felt All three were delicious and well seasoned. Reminds me of Persian food & some Mediterranean food, but even better ! Service was great. Louisa was very attentive and helpful for answering our questions. Ambiance: This place is definitely geared towards hardcore old world immigrants. Decor is super extra. Folks drive black Mercedes. They started doing live music at one point, and I felt like we were in another country. I love it.

The manager here is the one who makes this restaurant better and different than the other…read morerestaurants. Thank you Armine for amazing hospitality and delicious food. We will definitely be back again.

Hidden Gem with the best hummus I've ever tried. Falafel wrap also was fantastic. The service was…read moregreat, food was out quick and fresh. 10/10 recommend

Great spot! I come here practically every morning have to get their zahtar bread. The crew here is…read morereally nice and professional their menu has tons of options. I really like coming here hanging out it's nice and cozy definitely love it here 10/10

I've never had Georgian food, so it was very intriguing when our friend introduced us to one in…read moreGlendale. The restaurant is situated in a small strip mall with some parking spaces. When we first walked into the restaurant we thought we were the only patrons, then we found out the host just likes to seat people in the private booths which are separated from the main dining room by straw dividers. I read on the other reviews that they thought the server was not very nice, however my experience was the opposite - she provided helpful input when we asked for advices on the cuisine, and even recommended us to try the khinkali with sour cream which she provided and didn't have to. On to the food - we ordered the eggplant appetizer, it's similar to baba ghanouj but this one is a bit spicier and so yummy with the bread that came with it. We also ordered khinkali which is Georgian's version dumplings (we ordered the boiled version but there's also fried ones available). The skin is on the thicker side and was very chewy, the filling was well spiced with herbs, when you cut into it the juices come flowing out, yum! Our fav dish was the chimeruli which is baked hen drenched in a garlicky cream sauce that was more of a soup to me and i could not stop drinking it down! The hen was roasted so nicely with crispy skin, and along with the sauce just made the whole dish so hearty. Things are on the pricier side but I would still definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who's adventurous in trying different cuisines. It was interesting to note that they had two menus, one for Georgian foods, and the other for Armenian foods. Btw the restaurant charges a "non cash fee" for all non cash payments.

The Khinkali was pretty good and the bread was fantastic. I did not enjoy the Sacivi as much to be…read morehonest, but I think it might be just due to regional differences, we prepare it slightly different which I prefer. Service is quick and attentive as well.

Ahhhmazing. Came into town for a few days and a friend recommended this spot. I was wanting some…read moreArmenian foods. It was between this or Sassoon bakery, been there so we had to check out a new spot! Ordered a box of Lahmajunes to go and one of the chili breads. YUM. Crispy and fresh. With a little squeeze of the lemon, perfection! I did not go to the actual location, had a friend pick it up. So glad I got to try this gem of a place. Def. a place I will come back to when in town.

Our family home when I was growing up at a Lahma June bakery down the street. I grew up developing…read morea taste for these, which that bakery called an "Armenian Pizza". I've been coming to this bakery for at least a decade and it really brings those childhood memories to life. They use fresh ingredients and have a quick turnover so many times items are served warm. There is a huge variety of flavors and different pastries with descriptions on the menu of everything. Service is friendly. It is in a strip mall with a parking lot so it is easier parking than many parts of Glendale. There were times when they were out of things when I went. I could tell they do constant business. I usually get the allahma June, to take home. This time I also tried Esfihs, which looks similar but is a bit more spicy and has some pomegranate molasses in it. It's the type of place where if I am in the area and it's open, I will stop in.