My list of best kabobs

[kabob lover]

I'm always searching for the best kabobs and now I'll give you my list of the best:

1) Darband in Tarzana
2) Shiraz in Encino

The next are tied: Green Cottage (Woodland Hills) Javan (West LA) Raffi (Glendale). Skaf is also very good. I tried the Shamshiri in the valley and wasn't impressed. Is the one on Westwood Blvd. owned by the same people? Kabob House on Sherman Way and Lindley is also tasty.

What do you guys think?

[jasonpardee]

Oh yes... Raffi's. I dream about Raffi's... I think I just figured out where I'm going tomorrow with my girlfriend.

[dillidibilli]

Anyone know of good veggie kababs/kabobs in the Los Angeles area? You get a range of delicious ones in India, and I'm hoping you get some here too (aside from paneer tikka).

BTW, Trader Joes "Masala burgers" are delicious!

[kevin]

maybe check out little india in artesia. it's possible that one of the indian restaurants there has it.

[dillidibilli]

Thanks, Kevin, I will :).

[limaboy]

Traktir Russian at Santa Monica and Crescent Heights has the bomb chicken kabob..
great lamb soup, as well. Russian deli next door has sinful dessert treats.

LB

[Ernie]

I like the Shiraz and Shamshiri in Glendale locations best

[katkoupai]

I like all the places you have listed, although I haven't been to some of them in a while. I also haven't tried Skaf's. The Shamshiri Grill on Westwood Blvd. is better than the one in the Valley. I don't know if the ownership is the same, but you will notice the difference as soon as you walk in.

I would also like to suggest a hole in the wall in Reseda called It's All Good. The food is very good and reasonably priced. You will probably pay less for more there.

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It's All Good House of Kabob
6800 Reseda Blvd Ste C, Reseda, CA 91335

[kabob lover]

Thanks for the info. It's All Good House of Kabob has a good reputation on this board, but when I ate there it didn't blow me away.

If you ever go to Skaf's get their Lula kabob and their rib-eye skewer. They're delicious!

[ns1]

Damn guys, all this talk about Skaf's. I think imma go for lunch.

[Das Ubergeek]

JEALOUS. I need to make an excuse to go to my Burbank office next week so I can go.

[420 Reasons to eat]

Had Skaf's for the first time lastnight, after reading this topic. WOW I'm hooked, I had the Steak and she had the Chicken Kabob's. Too bad they are closed on Sunday's or we would be eating there again today. I already know what I'm having lunch tommorow. Get me a little delivery and I ever ho & hum what I'm going to have for dinner tonight again.

[Das Ubergeek]

I'm similarly hooked on the hummus -- I swear he grinds up crack cocaine in there with the chickpeas.

Glad you like it. :)

[kevin]

do they have good veggie options too? or more kabab centric completely? thanks.

[ns1]

My GF is quite fond of the falafels (sp?), their hummus as mentioned, and their cabbage salad is good. I think they have a fatoush (sp?) that is quite good too when it is fresh

[Foodnerds]

When they opened the Glendale location they told me they were planning to offer delivery at some point soon.

[kabob lover]

I finally went to Shamshiri on Westwood Blvd., and it was awesome! It will join my upper echelon with Darband and Shiraz.

[katkoupai]

I'm glad that you liked it. :)

[ausfrench]

Any OC recommendations?

[Das Ubergeek]

Zena's in Tustin Avenue, Orange, or else Rosine's in Anaheim Hills, or Kochee Kabob across from UCI, or go to Anaheim's Little Gaza and point and shoot.

[yldave]

I second the Rosine's recommendation; a little pricey but the kebabs are excellent. Split the Ultimate Kebab with your date; dip the meats in the delicious garlic sauce...

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Rosine's
Anaheim Hills, CA, Anaheim Hills, CA

[Foodandwine]

Never thought on seeking out kabobs in the valley! Need to take a roadtrip.. I have seen some small shacks in the Jewelry District downtown that smelled rather good but never tried them. Done the Shamshiri, Flame and Sherazad on Westwood Blvd and enjoyed them all. Seems that everyone has their favorite, but heck I never had a real bad kabob.. Darband, Shiraz and Green Cottage hmm...

[Das Ubergeek]

The Valley -- especially the East Valley -- is full of Armenian restaurants, bakeries and kaboberias.

I'll throw in -- in addition to Skaf's and Raffi's, though I love Raffi's for its delectable rice -- Cafe Bravo on Glenoaks and (?) Sonora in Glendale (bonus: you can get their kabob meat raw, to go and cook yourself), Zolotaya Vilka (Golden Fork) on Vanowen and Fulton, and Cedar House Grill on Moorpark and Whitsett.

[Das Ubergeek]

Links

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Golden Fork Restaurant 2
13316 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91405

Raffi's Place Restaurant
211 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205

Cafe Bravo
1135 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91202

Skaf's Grill
6008 Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91606

Cedar House Cafe
4805 Whitsett Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91607

Skaf's Grill
367 N Chevy Chase Dr, Glendale, CA 91206

[ns1]

Skaf's is delicious. their kefta (kefla? whatever) is bloody ridiculous.

[Das Ubergeek]

The baked kefta special (available, alas, only at North Hollywood on certain days) is absolutely ridiculously good, as is the baked kibbeh and the stuffed eggplant. The green beans and beef stew needs a hit of garlic or something, though.

[Foodnerds]

Skaf's Kefta kebab is my favorite. I also love their cabbage salad. I use to frequent their NoHo location and always liked anything the dad/owner recommended to me.

Their Glendale location is a relief if you have visited the NoHo location, larger menu, larger restaurant, and better parking. The mom, one of the brothers, and the sister runs this location. I can never leave without indulging in a piece of homemade baklava.

[Das Ubergeek]

The only problem with the Glendale location is they don't have the daily specials!!

[hpcat]

Das, I was there last night and they had a couple of specials written on a board next to the register. One was chicken in lemon sauce with potatoes. The other was a lunch special.

[minnie]

They are now offering daily specials every night.

[ldodb]

I definitely go to Skaf's way too much. Its soo good.
I always get a 2 skewer plate, one chicken one kefta, yea theres no atmosphere, but i always get take-out anyway.

[Emme]

The Pita Kitchen on Van Nuys

Carnival on Woodman