Update to original review: we now know our son is allergic to sesame...which means allergic to tahini. So that's why he had a reaction. Zankou is the best! ------ Original review: Our son who is allergic to tree nuts and peanuts had a very bad reaction to the food. We tried kebabs, tabouleh salad, cucumber salad, rice, hummus, that's it. We called and they said no nuts were used in these items, but this is the SECOND yelp review with a severe reaction with a kid with a nut allergy. So please be careful!! read more

Very disappointing experience, especially compared to the Zankou Chicken locations I've personally been to in Downtown LA, Long Beach, and Glendale. This location does not compare. The food was tasteless, the chicken was undercooked, and the tomatoes in the garden salad tasted spoiled. The garlic sauce was sour and tasted nothing like the garlic sauce I'm used to from Zankou. The turnips also had a very funky taste. I've been to several Zankou locations, and unfortunately, this privately owned location was nothing like the others I've experienced. If you're craving Zankou, I would recommend making the extra drive to one of the other locations. It's worth it. read more

We came to check this place out, and I ordered the smallest thing on the menu for my daughter. I didn't order anything for myself because I usually just eat her leftovers But honestly, there was a lot of food for us to share! Everything was delicious, and the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. We'll definitely be going back! My daughter gives it 10 stars!! read more

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While in the area, my husband and I were hungry and wanted to grab something quick to eat before heading home. So saw there is Zankou chicken and we said why not. So apparently this isn't one of the ones from the chain which I don't understand because it's still same menu Pretty much everything we wanted was 30 mins. The only thing was the Rotisserie chicken so we got half. I asked for tabouleh and he said there is no tabouleh and we're out. Mind you that was 5 pm. It wasn't even late. Then after I ordered, I went back to order more for my sister and I saw tabouleh on display which was there initially but I didn't pay attention. So when I was paying I asked the guy and he said oh I didn't know. Back told me we don't have any. Anyways it didn't taste good and the parsley was not cut properly. My husband and I shared the chicken and a plate Order of falafel. That took 30 mins because of falafel. Really though frying falafel shouldn't take that long! My sister loves their chicken and she didn't even eat it. Forgot to mention when I went to get the chicken, they didn't have anymore then he said this the last one. I'm just confused on how there is nothing left when they have another 4-5 hours! I got an extra tabouleh which she didn't eat either Management need to be better and food shouldn't be taking 30+ mins! This is a fast food place read more

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A coworker had told me of this place and I'm a sucker for Mediterranean food *** Ordered Combo Shawarma Not too salty with a lot of protein and rice plus the hot sauce and garlic combined in, it became one of my new fav places for Mediterranean food! 10/10 *** To-Go I was working so had doordashed it in~ anything for good food Overall: This location was close enough to work so we chilling with DoorDash but they do also have an Anaheim location that I hope to visit in the future! read more

Zankou Chicken - Combo Shawarma - beef and chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

Excellent food, a staple for LA! Great for take out. Love the chicken and salads and other sides.

Zankou chicken was a pleasant surprise. I ordered the combination plate containing both the beef and chicken skewers and I did feel full after. The tenderness of the chicken was delicious and the beef was meaty! As a fellow protein lover - this was perfect! With the combination plate you get the choice of 3 sides - so you have a variety of options to make the dish your own. I opted for rice, tzatziki sauce, and a garden salad. The plate also comes with naan and garlic sauce (be sure to get the garlic sauce!). I personally like my food spicy so I also got additional chili peppers on the side. As a heads up, the food is fresh and you can see them preparing the skewers so you may have a slight wait. Overall pretty tasty! read more

Zankou Chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

Pro: The food is delicious Plenty of parking. Inside is clean and spacious. Friendly service Con: The food can take a while (15-20 min for a combo skewer plate) but worth the wait I highly recommend the combo skewer plate with chicken & beef read more

Zankou Chicken - Combo Skewer Plate with tahini salad and hummus - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

I've eaten many, MANY times at the Zankou in Hollywood and the one in Pasadena. Always stellar food at those locations. Service is indifferent at best, but the food makes up for it... Fresh, tasty, and generous. HOWEVER, the Zankou in Montebello is a whole other story. First thing I noticed when the food arrived was that the "9 falafel" was 6 (SIX) falafel. The next thing I noticed was that the pickled turnips tasted like salted turnips... No flavor at all. Same thing for the roasted chicken... Compared to the other Zankou locations it was tasteless. But the big disappointment was the shawarma. The dry, old meat had a strange sour taste that completely ruined the meal. It seemed as if somebody had tried to hide the foul taste by adding some lemon juice or vinegar. And to top it all off, they seem to have found the secret to ruining pita. The pita were old, crumbly, and dried out. They gave us a full bag (6 pita for three entrees) of some cheap brand of commercial pita. Only the dog enjoyed them. I do not recommend Zankou in Montebello. read more

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE ZANKOU CHICKEN!!! The juiciest rotisserie chicken, so simple and yet seasoned so well. The simplicity of their meals always blow my mind, a simple garlic paste, some rice and a a fresh salad with a light lemony dressing. Good every damn time! The workers so extra friendly and the dining room was small but clean. Plenty of parking in the shopping center too! Great spot! read more

I was at Zankou Restaurant in Montebello today and had a genuinely unpleasant experience. The chairs in the dining area have no rubber pads on the feet, so the bare metal scrapes loudly against the floor. This created a shrill, piercing noise every time a chair was moved -- the kind of sound that hits you like a ten‑ton piñata. Two different cashiers and two different shifts came out to wipe the tables. While keeping the restaurant clean is commendable, both of them repeatedly dragged the chairs back and forth with zero awareness of the noise they were creating. The first cashier cleaned every table, dragging each chair with the same harsh screech. I tried making eye contact to signal discomfort, but she ignored me. After she left, the second cashier began wiping the same tables again -- tables no one had used since the first cleaning. I was the only customer left, and every time she pulled a chair I looked up, hoping she'd register the cue. She didn't. She even wiped the two tables directly beside me, dragging the chairs again, despite the fact they had already been cleaned minutes earlier. When she moved to the table in front of me and dragged the chair even more aggressively, I finally told her it was impolite and unnecessary -- she could simply lift the chairs instead of scraping them across the floor. She replied that she was "just trying to clean the tables." I picked up one of the chairs myself -- it was practically feather‑light -- and showed her how it could be moved without producing that nerve‑wrecking sound. She walked away immediately afterward. Meanwhile, my empty tray and plate sat on my table for over twenty minutes while I finished reading the news on my phone. I sincerely hope the owner reads this and addresses the issue. Rubber pads on chair legs cost almost nothing and would eliminate this problem entirely. The food could have been manna from heaven, but it would have changed anything. The screeching nasty mettle sound is still ringing in my ears. This was an egregiously bad experience. Honestly, I have experienced somehow the same at the Glendale and Van Nuys locations to a lesser degree, bc they are busier, so the screeching is not as often and as bad as here. I know the owner treats his employees very well. A little training and awareness would make the dining experience peerless. On a positive note, the chicken was better marinated than the four other places I usually visit, even though this location didn't offer cabbage salad. I was very polite. When I left none of them said goodbye or come again. I also paid cash for a combo chicken and shish plate and didn't take a receipt. read more

This spot was pretty average for Mediterranean food. We ordered at the counter and then took our seats. The food surprisingly took quite a while to arrive--about 15-20 minutes, which felt long for a fast-casual style restaurant. Beef Kebab Wrap - The wrap used very basic, premade pita bread, like the kind you'd see sitting on the counter. The meat was a bit chewy, though the flavors were decent. Overall, it was average at best. (3.5/5) Overall, it was decent, but not somewhere I'd think of first when craving Mediterranean food. Parking - Plentiful they have a lot in front. read more

Zankou Chicken - Beef Kebab Wrap - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

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If your order is to go makes sure to order before it takes awhile for your order...other than that the food is healthy and good

Zaukou is a regular for me and my family. Their food is good and they have a lot of variety. We have ordered their rotisserie chicken, kabob plates, falafel, and shawerma. We like to replace the salad for extra tabbouleh. All great! We usually order to go to enjoy at home and their plates are usually enough food for me to get two meals from. The service is good. read more

The service here sucks! The walk in and order is outrageous, it takes sooooo long to get your food. They handle all the phone orders first. Do not recommend this place unless you're willing to wait LONG to get your food. read more

Disappointed with my order from Zankou Chicken Montebello. The beef lule tasted sour, had an unpleasant smell, and was extremely dry. The garlic sauce also tasted off, like it had been sitting out for days instead of being fresh. The chicken had almost no flavor -- it tasted more like it was boiled and then lightly roasted. I ended up not eating the food and wasted my money. Overall, the quality was not what I expected compared the one in Pasadena. In addition, staff is very rude and have attitude. read more

I was there yesterday and I ordered the chicken lule and it was dry and it just doesn't taste like anything. Did you change management or cook? read more

Zankou Chicken - Chicken lule - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

No tzaziki, no tabbouleh.. no harissa sauce. What do you have??? Rather drive to Pasadena where you don't auger to hear we don't carry, we don't have, we are a smaller location. Small or not, that goes with the food! Smh. Not coming back here again. read more

Zankou Chicken - Disappointed isn't even the word!!! - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

It's as good as it looks. This gorgeous plate of rotisserie chicken with all the sides tastes just as incredible. The chicken is tender and juicy, skin is crispy and rendered down with the slow roasting. The garlic sauce is to die for, and no one can make it like Zankou. The salad was so yummy and fresh. This is a great value for all the food that you get. read more

Zankou Chicken - Inside - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

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Blackened old beef* poor beef had seen better days Disgusting, cashier tried to tell me they would carve the dry bits out! Also a bunch of chickens packed sitting counter ( I wasn't about to get that either) how long have they been sitting there with no heat lamp? read more

Zankou Chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

Great little mom and pop shop. Not sure why this business has Lower than 4 stars. The only thing that's lacking is the restroom; like most restrooms in restaurants they can definitely be more tidy and clean. Over than that the food was good. Chicken nice and tender. The eggplant dip is amazing. Legit hummus too. Great customer service as well. Not a large spot more of a take out and casual spot read more

The food here was ok, a lot of people are actually ordering take out. I immediately noticed an interesting note, the Women's room needs a key but the Men's room does not require a key. Now you probably are asking yourself: why??? Are women just messy and they want to prevent unauthorized access? No, not really, the reason is that there is a hole in the wall of the women's restroom that cockroaches come through, really big cockroaches. Please don't go to this restaurant, it is infested. UPDATE 9/2/2025 This is in response to the Owner's response. I noticed the signs at first, I did not enter the bathrooms until later. The restaurant is also not in compliance with the All Gender user for single user restrooms in California. I don't know how the restaurant could so clearly be in violation of that law? All they have to do is change the signs. Also, why doesn't the restaurant respond to me on this: why is a key required for the women's but not the men's restroom? The owner is deflecting from the real issues. I would suggest of course that the owner take care of the coach roaches but also use some common sense, change the sign on the men's restroom to All Gender and close the women's until the infestation is under control. Why would I lie about anything, the establishment is violating the law. UPDATE 9/9/2025 The owner is complaining about my review and trying to get it taken down. I don't know why the coachroches are not being taken care of, are the owners worried about getting an exterminator to their property and word getting out they have a problem? read more

Zankou Chicken - No key needed for men's room...... - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

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Terrible service all around. The receipt says Ashley. Zero help. Zero customer service. Zero personality. This food better be bomb! That is all. read more

They have very bad service. Customer service is poor. Our doctor here in Montebello always orders lunch from here a month and the person that takes the order is very rude all the time I don't recommend this place plus their chicken smells really bad. read more

This place just sucks - staff sucks - takes 30 to 40 minutes. If the staff is goofing around and they burn the chicken. They try to pass it on to you. If you choose to wait that's another 20mins. So think about it, if they pay attention it only takes 20min. Either management steps up or they should close this place down. read more

Four minutes from Zankou and arrived home with cold chicken and somewhat warm beef. With sincerity if I wanted cold food I could have eaten straight from my own refrigerator. The chicken was COLD. Professional counter service and professional handling of telephone complaint but without any remedy other than let us know of your complaint when you come back again. Only recourse is to not return. Presumably this business is doing their best which is saddening. I prefer not to cook but with fewer options there's no choice. read more

This place is beyond awful! Food is not what it used to be. No flavor and to top it off the staff is incredibly rude for no reason. Terrible customer service! I'm surprised the manager does not speak to them about their poor behavior. I used to come here all the time when they first opened. Never again! read more

Zankou chicken is always the best roasted chicken I have ever had. I have been to a lot of the locations and they all are delicious! I always get the half a chicken or I get the beef kebab and they're always cooked too perfection. The cabbage salad is delicious and the hummus is amazing! read more

Ordered a pickup through Grubhub. While waiting in my car, I noticed the restaurant was empty with only three employees inside--two wearing yellow shirts and one wearing a red shirt. The employee in the red shirt appeared to be preparing food and did not change his gloves after cleaning and touching other surfaces. Watching this was honestly disgusting, which is when I began taking photos. This is a serious food safety concern. Because of what I observed, I did not pick up my food. Management needs to do much better. Please be careful eating here. read more

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So happy to find that I have a Zankou Chicken close by. Unfortunately the quality of the chicken Tarna was absolutely awful. Zankou you dropped the ball. My chicken was so DRRRYYYY. I know all locations should offer the same quality. But I have to say the Montebello location needs some help. read more

Whenever I'm craving Mediterranean food, Zankou is my go to spot. The food here is off the chart, full of flavor, and simply delicious. Today I ordered the chicken and luleh combo, the chicken & beef luleh were grilled and seasoned to perfection, just mouth watering, and very enjoyable. The rice, salad, humus, and grilled tomatoes just showcases the resturant's commitment to high quality and authenticity. Great food, service, and the best Mediterranean food around. Like I said, it's my go to spot! read more

Zankou Chicken - Chicken and Beef Luleh plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

The food was Authentic in every way sauce Pita and meats The Staff was "Top 5" Iykyk Eat at Zankou [Pasadena] ! read more

First and last time. Walked in and ordered four items for takeout. Quoted a 20-minute wait. 45 minutes later... beef shawarma was almost like jerky and inedible. The basmati rice substituted for salad was dry/old and had no flavor. Chicken Tarna plate was also overdone, but not nearly as bad as the shawarma. Lule kabob wrap fell apart like either the pita was old or never warmed. The beef & chicken kabob plate was the best item. Service was mediocre at best. Spent over $60 for takeout that was literally fed to the dog. Another family waiting for food was concerned about the cross contamination of meat in their vegetarian order (as they stood waiting for their order and could see the food prep). The cooks seemed completely unaware of the problem when the cashier tried to explain it to them. In 45 minutes a lot of people came and went, including a homeless person who went in to use the bathroom and never came out in 20 minutes, and not a single employee wiped a table down, swept, or gave the dining area any attention. The portions are large and it would be a good value except the food was terrible. Next time, I'll take my money to the other well known, local Mediterranean establishment. read more

The environment was pretty clean service was good. the food we ordered was fresh wouldn't get the cucumber salad again. My only issue was the meat cooking right when you enter it looked very old and black and was just spinning heating up I made sure to ask we weren't getting that meat because of how bad it looked definitely think they shouldn't have that at the front. Overall my plate was good would recommend. read more

Zankou Chicken - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

Where to start? I've been coming here longer than I care to admit - I'm old! It, before I started coming here, I used to go to the other Zankou in Hollywood as it was the only location for a long time. THANK GOD this location opened! It us by far the best Zankou of all the locations. Rather than getting into the family drama, that is not important. What us important is the unique menu items at this location. You will not find a better chicken Lule anywhere else- I out my reputation in it!! Most of the menu items are better as well. I have been to many of the "other" locations but tgry just get it right here. They know how important it is to not overcook the chicken. All the other locations overcook the chicken kabob and it dries tge chuncks out. Anyway, head on over to Montebello and give you taste buds a treat. Make sure to slather that garlic goodness (Toun) all over your protein, you won't be disappointed!!! read more

Was craving mediterranean food so my sister and i decided to come here. Portions are pretty large at around $20. Comes with rice, salad, pita bread, hummus, and garlic paste. I got their combo kebab plate but wish I had gotten chicken only. The beef was too tough to eat, like it's been over cooked or something. The chicken on the other hand though, was full of flavor and tender. Definitely recommend it! read more

Zankou Chicken - Combo Kebab Plate - Mediterranean Near Me - Montebello, California

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Staff is very unprofessional. They were making fun of customers loudly as soon as they would leave. And the food takes around 30mins even on a not busy day. read more

Is it me or the half chicken looks more like a quarter now. Service is good and fast. But food wise the amount of the food and price doesn't add up. read more

I ordered the leg and thigh plate today and was really disappointed. They gave me half a chicken, but it was very dry and tough to eat. Unfortunately, I couldn't finish it. The only thing I enjoyed was the hummus and pita with the salad mixed together. Overall, I wasn't satisfied with the meal. read more

Love Zankou chicken. They have the best chicken. Food is always fresh and spot on. Not to mention their garlic is amazing.