Raffi's Place
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the location was a bit hidden so you might have to walk around to find it. the interior is very fancy and it felt like a bougie restaurant but our server was super friendly. i got the koobideh which is lean ground beef skewered and grilled and it was good! the beef was nice and juicy and not overcooked so it had a good meaty flavor to it. the portion was big with lots of rice so it was very filling. they also have free pita so i suggest getting hummus to go with it. overall, a very pleasant experience due to the good food and the friendly service and i recommend to anyone whos in the area!!
The restaurant has a lot of seating, and the service was okay, but we didn't have anyone checking on us during the meal to see if we needed anything. We ordered the Soltani kabab, which is a combination of koobideh and Barg kabab. The koobideh was okay but a little too fatty for my taste, while the barg was much better. We also ordered fesenjoon with albaloo polo. The fesenjoon was good, but the albaloo polo was much sweeter than I expected. I was hoping for the more traditional sour/tart flavor, so I didn't really enjoy it. The portions are generous. We also tried the homemade doogh, which was okay, although I prefer it with mint. The complimentary bread and vegetables were good, but I wish they came with feta cheese as well. Overall, the food was decent, but I think my expectations were a little higher going in.
I stopped at this restaurant while I was in the area. I saw that it was advertised as Persian, but once I ate here, I realized it wasn't exactly what I would consider authentic Persian food. I'll start with the positives. The servers were very kind, attentive, and wonderful. The Salad Shirazi was also good. No complaints there. Now onto the rest, which unfortunately was the majority of the food. The maast-o-mosir was absolute overkill on the shallot. It completely overpowered everything else aka the yogurt. The "tadig" area of the menu really annoyed me because it was not tadig. It was much closer to tachin. For anyone who doesn't know the difference, tachin is made with yogurt and has a softer texture. Tadig takes time and skill to get that crispy, golden bottom. What I was served was soft. If you're going to advertise tadig, it should actually be tadig. Then there was the gheymeh, which is my favorite Persian dish. Unfortunately, this was a really bad version of it. The cinnamon was completely overdone. It basically tasted like split peas, cinnamon, and water soup. The chicken didn't taste marinated at all and was incredibly bland, and the rice was just meh. I came here because of all the good reviews and had pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, the food didn't come close to living up to them. The service was great, but when I go to a Persian restaurant, especially as a Persian, the food has to taste like Persian food.
Girls wanted to go out. They've been here, I haven't. Place inside is beautiful. It's like an outdoor covered patio. When we were seated, we were served a flatbread, herbs and those wrapped pats of butter. For such an elegant restaurant, that seemed out of place. In my option, I'd rather have a plate of butter. I would have used it for the rice too! Ordered koobideh, hummus, eggplant dip and fesenjoon Koobideh- ground beef was delish! Comes on a huge plateful of rice. Hummus was standard, but the eggplant dip is better! I came for the fesenjoon... basically stewed chicken in a pomegranate sauce. I liked it, but was too tart for me. I first tried this dish at a restaurant in the Wilshire district and saw it here. Service was spectacular. Was very attentive.
The food and the service were excellent during my weekday lunch visit. The eggplant appetizer was unlike anything I had before and it was so good. You usually can't go wrong with grilled meat and pair it with rice. I loved all of it. I was also really impressed with the service. They were very attentive and hospitable. The bathroom is by the entrance where you come in. This restaurant seems to have an inside and outside seating area but the outside seating feels like inside because it's mostly contained and definitely covered. I look forward to being back, mostly for that eggplant appetizer!
Raffi's Place has become our go-to meet up spot for girls night. Every time we come in, we are greeted right away, and the service and food is always on point. I love the Chicken Barg Kabob. I just wish it came with more grilled veggies. The portions are huge and the price is pretty decent. I always end up taking leftovers; which I love. We always do the Ikra to start. I can't do gluten, so I don't partake of the naan. I just dip the raw radishes. It works! This place is always popping, everyone is friendly and the food always hot, fresh and delicious. If you're GF, vegetarian, or pescatarian, I'm sure you'll find something tasty.
Apps, hummus, and main dishes were all amazing! Got the rack of lambs, beef, and chicken and had to wait maybe 30 mins which is okay since it was busy, portions are huge, and everything was piping hot and juicy. Interior is very unique with kinda a semi open air concept but we went on a hot day so it was a little tough eating with a humid environment
Heard great things about this place and I am from the bay area so when i was in town for a meeting had to stop by this place. This place gave an authentic Iran vibe from the minute we walked in, loved the ambiance and how it was an outdoor indoor setting, service was amazing friend folks, food was delicious. I just wish we lived closer. Definitely will be back next time im in Southern California.
There is usually a long line to be seated but the food is so worth the wait, We were greeted by some delicious fresh herbs and fresh breads. Their kabob quality is one of the best i have ever had. We tried their baghali polo with lamb and wow, the lamb was so tasty and well made, same with the soltani, so flavorful. If you like Persian food, Raffi is a must!
I absolutely love the outdoor dining area and banquet seating which is perfect for large groups. The service and food were excellent! A must try if you're in the Glendale area.
Service 10/10 Food 10/10 Vibe 10/10 First time coming here and this was the perfect post 6 mile hike meal. Our server was so nice and gave the perfect recommendation - we ordered a rack of lamb, beef and chicken combo. Soooo good and juicy. We also got some hummus and dayum it hit the spot. It was super affordable, I am def coming back!
We came here last Saturday around 4pm for an early dinner to celebrate a few birthdays. We came with a group of 10 adults and one baby . Knowing that there could be a wait due to our party being large and it being so close to dinner time, I arrived about 30 mins earlier to let the hostess know. The hostess at the front desk wasn't the most friendly and was pretty adamant that we would have to wait for everyone to arrive before being seated. Eventually, everyone in our party arrived and we were seated by 4:15p. Despite the lack of warmth felt by the hostess, our waiter/s were amazing! They helped us pick our meals and made suggestions as we wanted to do "family" style and try a little bit of everything. Everything was delicious and the portions so generous we had a lot to take home. If I could this give this place a 4.5 star rating due to the poor hospitality at the beginning, I would. But, hey, give people the benefit of the doubt and round up because everything else was superb, right?! Tips on parking- valet is 12 dollars but across the street, it's 90mins free and 3 dollars for every hour after that.
Omg I'm so happy I finally got to try the famous Raffi's in Glendale!! I've heard so many great things from friends about their kebabs and plates, and specifically the beef Koubideh, which I was so excited to try. It lived up to the hype and it was so flavorful. The portions are huge so I also had a lot to take home! Service was so quick and very attentive to all our needs. I love the outdoor vibe of the restaurant too. It really made it feel like such an authentic local spot. Will definitely be back again soon!
1 month ago
10 months ago
The pLace was still the same as ever since , haven't been here in a while. Food was delish ... their meat has this tenderness when you bite. Servings were super huge. It could be shareable... Appetizers are enticing as well... you'll never go wrong with their hummus... Servers were attentive. Think of the time , you want to dine , parking gets busy and line as well. Better have reservations to avoid long wait. This is a place to celebrate a lot of occasions. Ambiance was fine... They have an open air area which can be a good spot to enjoy the food. read more
1 year ago
Oh, this place is truly one of the best restaurants I've ever known in LA. Every time I'm in the area, I make sure to come here because the food is consistently amazing. I've tried the flaming shish kebab, chicken kebab, and the stews -- all absolutely delicious. Their appetizers are incredible as well, especially the kashk-e-bademjan, hummus, mast o musir, and the crispy rice with different stews. Everything is so flavorful and fresh. I've also been here for lunch, and the portions are very generous -- honestly, one order can easily be shared by two people. The staff is always wonderful, and they always seem to have a full, attentive team including servers and assistants who make the experience even better. Overall, this is one of the best restaurants I can recommend to anyone. The food is amazing, the service is great, and the ambience is beautiful with fresh greenery and a relaxing vibe. Highly recommended! read more
1 month ago
10 days ago
1 year ago
Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 4/5 Classic persian/mediterranian restaurant that I have been going to for over a decade now. This place is a staple in Pasadena and is always busy, but super efficient and consistent with the quality of their food and service over the years. They have valet parking, but recommend parking at the parking structure across the street and walking over. Outside and spacious seating. Service is fast. Always get the chicken and steak kebob plate and it comes with half rice and half salad. Portions are HUGE ( lasts me 2-3 meals) and quality is always top notch. Food is fresh, flavorful, meats are cooked well and not overdone or dry. Got the hummus and it comes with this naan bread on the side (thin and cut like sheets of paper and not a fan of these, but it's free). Would recommend this place and will def be back. read more
4 months ago
13 days ago
8 months ago
After hearing about this place from a couple of friends, I decided to check it out. I came in on Monday, March 9 around 5 PM, and I'm really glad I did. The food was very good, the ambiance was nice, and the space was very roomy with plenty of seating. The service was excellent, very attentive, with staff frequently checking in to make sure everything was going well. Our server Ciro, was great, and everyone else provided exceptional service as well, including Jose, Garcia, and others on the team. Overall, it was a great experience. I would definitely give this place 5 stars and highly recommend it to othes! read more
One of my favorite places to go during the holiday season. The seasonsings and flavors of the food taste like Christmas! The food here is the best!! I've been to all the nice Persian/Iranian places in OC and LA and this places tops them all. Portions are huge and quality is superb. Service is always attentive as well. Chill/romantic vibes. 10/10 read more
1 year ago
This place does not need a Yelp review because the food and service speak for itself. Delicious and amazing. We wanted to order everything on the menu. It's very nice place. Fresh air! read more
We came here on a weekday and there was a short wait but that may be because we were seated in the courtyard area that was outside. Overall, the food was good. I highly recommend any of the kabobs and the tahdig appetizers. I don't think the lamb shank was that good and it lacked flavor. Otherwise, the other meal items were very good. read more
Ambiance: this restaurant is hidden in a small alley, very easy to drive by and miss it, they have valet parking, which costs $10, and it's cash only, and the alternative is to park at the nearby marketplace public parking lot, where the first 90 minutes are free, then $1 for each 30 minutes, the main dining hall is semi outdoor, with roof and patio covered on two sides and heater equipped in the middle, then there's also a indoor dining room Service: very friendly and patient with questions, provided useful suggestion, attentively served water and food, although it took a bit longer as they were so busy Food: one of the most authentic Middle East cuisines, each table is served with basil, radish, onion, and pita bread, and all their entrees are served on a bed of fluffy basmati rice with grilled tomato and Anaheim pepper, I ordered the Soltani Kabob, which is the combination of Beef Barg and Beef Koobideh Beef Barg Kabob - **** thinly sliced filet Mignon skewered and grilled, so tasty and tender, recommend Beef Koobideh Luleh Kabob - ***** lean ground beef skewered and grilled, so juicy and flavorful, highly recommend Price: huge portions and delicious food, almost everyone would pack some leftover home, at least good for one more meal, expect around $50 for the combo entree order, but totally worth it. Sharing some insights, according to chit-chat with locals, their food has been downhill over the past few decades, ups and downs, and off from time to time, but overall still the best in the area read more
lives up to the hype... The rack of lamb which is not included in the photos is so flavorful and well seasoned. The kebab was worth the money only 10ish$ if not getting rice so if you needed more food, great add on. Service is top notch, very attentive. Fun laid back atmosphere. read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
Disappointed with this visit. When we chose Raffi's place over all the other options that are available and we do the long drive, just to get there and order two Fesejuune stews & a hummus, but the food arrives and we dig in to find the portions are minimized, the hummus tok but it wasn't as noticeable but the stews only had 2 & 3 pieces of chicken in the entire plate. It wasnt immediately noticeable until we got our spoon to dig in, we both looked at each and said the same thing "where is all the CHICKEN?" To order a $25 dollar plate of stew and mines had 3pieces in the whole plate and only 2 pieces in the other plate, idk what changed or what went wrong. The flavor was still there but it was definitely not worth the trip. What disappoints me is I'm not sure if this is the new normal moving forward or if maybe there just wasn't enough stew made for the day so the portions were being rationed. But next time I'm in Glendale idk if it's worth it to give it another go at Raffis or do I take them off my list of favorite restaurants. read more
11 months ago
Delicious! A must do in LA. It's one of those places you check off j to say you've been there. You will wait ~ 1hr any party size. You can order drinks meanwhile. 4stars due to drink menu. They only have martinis which tasted premixed, no draft beer and wine selection isn't the best. The hummus & kabobs though sheesh are incredible. The Barg Kabob... was the best. I have never tasted a filet mignon this way. Melts right in your mouth. The chicken is crispy on the outside but comes apart perfectly. Try the cherry rice (Albaloo Polo). We were skeptical but it is good! It's not overly sweet and pairs great w entrees. Once you sit service is quick and ambiance is good for a family setting or even a date. read more
This was my second visit, and it was just as great as the first. Since the wait can be endless during dinner hours, I think I'd go much more often if they had a waitlist system where you could add your name before arriving. The regular meats are delicious, but the lamb is truly the standout. Personally, I usually can't eat lamb because of the smell, but theirs has no odor at all and is incredibly tender--not tough. They always give such a generous portion of butter rice that I can never finish it read more
13 days ago
2 months ago
1 year ago
Love this place! I ordered the Chicken Soltani and beef koobideh and it was a 100/10! The rice was super fluffy and adding butter on it was chefs kiss. The Chicken Soltani was flavorful and the beef koobideh was juicy! Overall service was good, it was really busy so it was understandable. There's definitely a lot of seating but the only thing I wished for was some AC because it got REALLY hot at one point. I know Glendale gets hot but yeah it was definitely hot the day I went. Parking is survival of the fittest but they do have valet and some street parking if you're lucky. Overall, I'd definitely come back because the food was really good! read more
1 year ago
An old friend once said that of you want the best food to entertain a friend, bring him/her to Raffis Place. He didn't family in the North Hollywood and Burbank/Glendale area but he has many friends like me. Mr. Chavoushi was a brilliant mathematician and intimated to us that when he goes, he'd like us to all have dinner on his behalf at Raffis Place. Many of his former students who are now lawyers, doctors, teachers, business owners and fashion designers joined us on his final journey. Many teachers and other friends also descended to par take in letting him go to his final resting place. Raffis Place will always be now our restaurant too and I tell you, their food is second to none. Parking OS Valet but you can head to Glendale Galleria for a few dollars iFM parking fees or drive around for metered parking. read more
Wow is this place super busy. Like very very busy. Unfortunately they don't take reservations so my advice is don't come when you're already too hungry lol. On the bright side the food is 100% worth the wait. The meats are succulent and very flavorful. Easily can share or take leftovers home. Despite them being busy they are good at being attentive and refilling our beverages. Lots and lots of tables with both indoor and outdoor seating. The patio has beautiful trees inside and I'm sure at night it looks nice with the string lights they have. read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
been to raffi's place three times now. all kebabs are phenomenal and you get so much rice and bread. Cesar salad was on point and hummus was so good. We waited an hour to get in granted it was a memorial day. Also had the mango sorbet and baklava which were both fire. It was super busy and packed and lots of people. Service was good amid all the controlled chaos. Love it will be back read more
4 months ago
Raffi's is known for its food. This was my second time here and I was not disappointed however, the weight was a little unnerving luckily, we were able to walk around near my miles. They charge $14 for parking that you can easily also park one or two blocks away at public parking lot. The could be there and the chicken thighs were excellent as well as the appetizers and specifically the Tadig the service was relatively fast, and they were communicating that the kebabs will take a little longer due to the backlog of orders. read more
We came here for dinner after shopping at the nearby Glendale Galleria. Glendale has a big Armenian population and is known for Mediterranean food, and Raffi's is highly rated so worth a try. After being on the wait list for about an hour (busy Saturday night), we got seated and quickly ordered since we knew the food would also take time (45 minutes, we were told after ordering). We ordered beef koobideh, and Barg which is thinly sliced filet, both served on a bed of saffron rice with roasted tomato and pepper. The koobideh was so good, juicy and well seasoned. The filet was less flavorful and rather bland. We also ordered hummus to share while waiting for the main dishes, and that was very good. The restaurant is packed, but the service was very good. The restaurant is not very well decorated, lacking in ambiance. We would probably come back again for the food, trying other dishes. read more
1 year ago
That Ghormeh Sabzi is delish! I'd definitely come back and I would definitely recommend Raffi's place to anyone in the mood for Persian food. I had the chicken plate (can't remember what combo/style chicken) as well as the Soltani Plate, along with regular drinks soda/water. Ghormeh Sabzi 4/5 very good appetizer. Chicken plate 4/5 chicken was very juice and flavorful Soltani plate 3/5 not really a fan of that style beef where it's ground and kinda dry. The beef chunks were great though. Service was good, the beverage refills and the check ups made it a 5/5. Overall a good spot, I would definitely come back and get the tadig with ghormeh sabzi and that chicken plate all over again. The atmosphere was pretty calm for a weekend, it wasn't very packed and it was nice and peaceful. No dress code read more
The restaurant always looks packed, which clearly indicates how good it is. The restaurant was very clean, and the customer service was very quick and friendly. Their food came out with a big portion. The gheimeh I ordered was very flavorful and delicious. The Tahdig was very special, especially when I ate with GhormehSabzi. If you are a big fan of Mediterranean food, this is a must-go. read more
4 months ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
I checked in online and was able to be seated very quickly. The service was excellent, quick, and efficient. Our servers were very attentive and refilled our water and bread basket without us asking. They also set the expectations from the start as the entrées were expected to take half an hours. The vibes were very classy, but they don't expect you to dress up. The lentil soup was well balanced, and as expected. I always come back here for the rack of lamb kebab and it never disappoints. Parking nearby is also very easy and free for 90 mins read more
More info about Raffi's Place
211 E Broadway
Glendale, CA 91205
Directions
(818) 240-7411
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http://www.raffisplace.com
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Ask the Community - Raffi's Place
Is this a good place for a wedding reception?
In my opinion, no, its more like a casual restaurant and not a fancy place. I saw lots of birthdays here that people gathering and reserving in person for around 10 or 20 people, no music no dance floor. If you want to celebrate the wedding dinner…
What are the vegan options, if any?
There are different rice and salad dishes that are vegan. I think some of the soups/stews may be, too. I'd double-check with the server, though.
Do they accept reservations?
You can join the waitlist on Yelp but they do not take reservations.
Are they Pet friendly?
Wow!! I'm surprised at the aggressively negative answers regarding pets. I think most dog owners who ask are responsible owners.There are lots of fine dining places that are doggie friendly. I love Raffi's and come often but it's SO busy that I…
Are reservations necessary?
No, usually they dont require a reservation. but there might be some wait time, especially on weekends. I would suggest calling them in advance if you have a big party.
Hi there! I'm going to likely be having a family reunion there. I'm vegan and am wondering about my options now rather than when the time comes. What vegan options do you provide? :) thank you!
The salads are a meal in themselves, but there are vegetable dishes, too. Try the eggplant!
Is yelp waitlist open on fridays?
Yes! We were there on a Friday recently and there was a waitlist. Apparently the restaurant chooses when to let that happen. Depending on holidays or popular events.
As of March 17 2023 do they have valet parking and do they use yelp reservations?
You go into checkin and then from that point they update you on Yelp where your position is. You can't make a reservation online.
Do they have gift certificates?
Yes. Gift Certificates. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to become a card-carrying VIP for not just of The Tam, but big sister, Lawrys, La Cienega Blvd.
Do you take reservations?
Hi! We used Yelp's wait list and were able to get in very easily. It's on their website.
Do they allow small pet in patio?
Maybe, it is best to call as their policies may have changed due to COVID.
Do they stop serving Olivier Salad?
Can I bring a birthday cake to the restaurant?
Absolutely - they were very nice when I brought an ice cream cake to the restaurant - they kept it in the fridge or freezer for me. I believe they have a fee for the cake cutting if I remember correctly.
How about parking?
Get into Raffies as if you were going to park valet then turn left towards the street and you'll see public parking if you don't want to park valet. Public parking it's on Broadway and Artsakh. I paid $2 for 3 or 4 hours on a Sunday.…
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