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Chicken kebabs with pilaf at Pardis.
Chicken kebabs with pilaf at Pardis.
Wonho Frank Lee

15 Fantastic Glendale Restaurants Worth Checking Out

A classic seafood destination, a newish Persian kebab specialist, and a longtime Cuban comfort food spot

by Eater Staff Updated
8 comments / new
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Chicken kebabs with pilaf at Pardis.
| Wonho Frank Lee
by Eater Staff Updated
8 comments / new

The heart and soul of Glendale is its Armenian community, though it’s not the exclusive dining option for the standalone city. Since settling in the region in the late 1970s, all Glendale residents support a tremendous culinary scene with a diverse diaspora of influences, ranging from a high end Middle Eastern restaurant to Cuban, or the ubiquitous hot chicken. One of LA’s oldest and beloved steakhouses, along with a seafood restaurant deep-frying and grilling fish since 1948, are worth visiting as well. Here now, are 15 essential restaurants to try in Glendale, California.

Added: Fish King, Glendale Tap, King’s Kitchen, La Cubana, Pardis, Rockbird

Removed: Chick Next Door Hot Chicken, Katsuya, Porto’s Bakery, Skaf’s

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Monta Factory

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Pasadena’s Monta Factory opened a second more service-oriented outlet in Glendale in 2019. The menu is mostly the same (and that’s a good thing), with little beef dumplings served with four sauces, salmon burgers, and cheesy sue-beoregs.

1208 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 396-4445
(818) 396-4445
Monta Factory
Monta Factory
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

Damon's Steak House

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Tiki-inspired steakhouse Damon’s has stood the test of time on Brand Boulevard. Opened in 1937, the somewhat kitschy restaurant serves up solid cocktails, reasonably priced steaks, grilled chops, barbecue, and even fish and chips.

317 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 507-1510
(818) 507-1510

Also featured in:

Carousel Restaurant

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Greg and Rose Tcholakian opened the original Carousel in a Hollywood strip mall in 1984 serving kebabs, vegetarian specialties, and traditional dishes. In 1998, the couple’s son opened the swankier Glendale outlet, which allowed for an expanded Lebanese menu and weekend live entertainment with a vibrant ambiance.

304 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 246-7775
(818) 246-7775

Also featured in:

Lola's Peruvian Restaurant

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Opened in 2007, Lola’s Peruvian is a Glendale staple. Slightly removed from the busier part of Brand Boulevard near the car dealerships, Lola’s serves up traditional lomo saltado, ceviche, chicken a la brasa, and ice-cold Inca Cola or Peruvian beer to wash everything down.

2610, 230 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 956-5888
(818) 956-5888

Zhengyalov Hatz

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Zhengyalov hatz, the restaurant’s namesake flatbread, combines 15 types of minced greens and herbs with spinach, beetroot leaves, scallions, cilantro, onion, and sorrel rolled into a hand-filled experience. It is a regional specialty from the Republic of Artsakh. Other than the namesake dish, the restaurant has a regional walnut-laced baklava worth ordering.

318 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 696-9339
(818) 696-9339
Vivid green greens and herbs fill Zhengyalov Hatz’s signature flatbread.
Zhengyalov Hatz
Joshua Lurie

Din Tai Fung

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Americana at Brand gained a huge notch thanks to Din Tai Fung, the reliable and popular dumpling restaurant that originated in Taiwan (serving Shanghai-style fare). Glendale’s outlet is as good as one can expect for modern Chinese food but with a modern ambience, with a relatively new outdoor seating area.

177 Caruso Ave, Glendale, CA 91210
(818) 551-5561
(818) 551-5561
Din Tai Fung xiao long bao soup dumplings. flickr/ttseng

Also featured in:

Mini Kabob

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LA’s tiniest kabob shop also happens to be among its strongest, thanks to the Martirosyan family who run the place like their home kitchen, but somehow even better. Order up the grilled chicken, hummus, and eggplant caviar for a complete homestyle meal.

313 Vine St, Glendale, CA
(818) 244-1343
(818) 244-1343
Mini Kabob
Mini Kabob
Instagram

Elena's Greek Armenian Cuisine

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As its name implies, this Glendale institution offers both Greek and Armenian specialties. Start with an order of rice and spice-stuffed grape leaves to go along with the complimentary lentil soup, before moving on to platters of barbecued lamb chops or flavorful grilled quails.

1000 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA
(818) 241-5730
(818) 241-5730
A plate of grilled kebabs and yellow rice at Elena’s Greek Armenian Cuisine.
Elena’s Greek Armenian Cuisine
Cathy Chaplin

Dinah’s Chicken

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A classic fried chicken spot that actually invented the paper bucket as a takeaway container, Dinah’s has been immortalized on film in Little Miss Sunshine, but this classic spot was actually famous in Glendale first. The fried chicken meals are a feast for the family, using a classic Southern approach.

4106 San Fernando Rd ste a, Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 244-4188
(818) 244-4188

Also featured in:

King's Kitchen

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King’s Kitchen takes pride in utilizing organic and local ingredients with a selection of chicken kebabs, there’s also lamb chops, a kobe burger, fish tacos, fantastic sliced and deep-fried potatoes, and grilled branzino in a very welcoming atmosphere.

1235 S Central Ave, Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 649-1333
(818) 649-1333

Also featured in:

Glendale Tap

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Open since 2012, Glendale Tap not only has a rotating selection of 52 stouts, IPAs, pale ales, ciders, and more on tap, but typically has a food vendor or two set up in the cozy rear patio.

4227 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 241-4227
(818) 241-4227

Also featured in:

La Cubana Restaurant

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In a city where Cuban restaurants are a rare sight, the family operated La Cubana opened in 1973. It’s worth ordering the lechon asado, fricase de pollo, and a delightful oxtail in a spicy tomato sauce.

801 S Glendale Ave #3, Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 243-4398
(818) 243-4398

Pardis Restaurant Glendale

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In April 2021, Pardis opened its modern and sleek Persian restaurant offering specialties like ghormeh sabzi, koobideh, and beef barg. Don’t miss out on the wine selections from Italy, South Africa, Armenia, France, and Slovenia.

738 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 484-8470
(818) 484-8470
Chicken kebabs with pilaf at Pardis.
Pardis
Wonho Frank Lee

Fish King

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This Glendale staple opened in 1948 as both a restaurant and fish market. Opt for the charbroiled or fried fish or shrimp and chips, but the secret deal is the hand made sushi that sells out daily.

722 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 244-2161
(818) 244-2161

Also featured in:

Rockbird

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Christopher Skaf and brother Daniel opened the original Rockbird on Glendale’s Colorado Boulevard in 2017, where the grilled and deep-fried sandwiches are solid, as are the wings, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and a kale tabbouli.

1147 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 484-7654
(818) 484-7654
Fried chicken sandwich from Rockbird in Glendale.
Rockbird
Joshua Lurie/Eater LA

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Monta Factory

1208 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201

Pasadena’s Monta Factory opened a second more service-oriented outlet in Glendale in 2019. The menu is mostly the same (and that’s a good thing), with little beef dumplings served with four sauces, salmon burgers, and cheesy sue-beoregs.

1208 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 396-4445
(818) 396-4445
Monta Factory
Monta Factory
Farley Elliott

Damon's Steak House

317 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203

Tiki-inspired steakhouse Damon’s has stood the test of time on Brand Boulevard. Opened in 1937, the somewhat kitschy restaurant serves up solid cocktails, reasonably priced steaks, grilled chops, barbecue, and even fish and chips.

317 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 507-1510
(818) 507-1510

Carousel Restaurant

304 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203

Greg and Rose Tcholakian opened the original Carousel in a Hollywood strip mall in 1984 serving kebabs, vegetarian specialties, and traditional dishes. In 1998, the couple’s son opened the swankier Glendale outlet, which allowed for an expanded Lebanese menu and weekend live entertainment with a vibrant ambiance.

304 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 246-7775
(818) 246-7775

Lola's Peruvian Restaurant

2610, 230 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203

Opened in 2007, Lola’s Peruvian is a Glendale staple. Slightly removed from the busier part of Brand Boulevard near the car dealerships, Lola’s serves up traditional lomo saltado, ceviche, chicken a la brasa, and ice-cold Inca Cola or Peruvian beer to wash everything down.

2610, 230 N Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91203
(818) 956-5888
(818) 956-5888

Zhengyalov Hatz

318 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205

Zhengyalov hatz, the restaurant’s namesake flatbread, combines 15 types of minced greens and herbs with spinach, beetroot leaves, scallions, cilantro, onion, and sorrel rolled into a hand-filled experience. It is a regional specialty from the Republic of Artsakh. Other than the namesake dish, the restaurant has a regional walnut-laced baklava worth ordering.

318 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 696-9339
(818) 696-9339
Vivid green greens and herbs fill Zhengyalov Hatz’s signature flatbread.
Zhengyalov Hatz
Joshua Lurie

Din Tai Fung

177 Caruso Ave, Glendale, CA 91210

Americana at Brand gained a huge notch thanks to Din Tai Fung, the reliable and popular dumpling restaurant that originated in Taiwan (serving Shanghai-style fare). Glendale’s outlet is as good as one can expect for modern Chinese food but with a modern ambience, with a relatively new outdoor seating area.

177 Caruso Ave, Glendale, CA 91210
(818) 551-5561
(818) 551-5561
Din Tai Fung xiao long bao soup dumplings. flickr/ttseng

Mini Kabob

313 Vine St, Glendale, CA

LA’s tiniest kabob shop also happens to be among its strongest, thanks to the Martirosyan family who run the place like their home kitchen, but somehow even better. Order up the grilled chicken, hummus, and eggplant caviar for a complete homestyle meal.

313 Vine St, Glendale, CA
(818) 244-1343
(818) 244-1343
Mini Kabob
Mini Kabob
Instagram

Elena's Greek Armenian Cuisine

1000 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA

As its name implies, this Glendale institution offers both Greek and Armenian specialties. Start with an order of rice and spice-stuffed grape leaves to go along with the complimentary lentil soup, before moving on to platters of barbecued lamb chops or flavorful grilled quails.

1000 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA
(818) 241-5730
(818) 241-5730
A plate of grilled kebabs and yellow rice at Elena’s Greek Armenian Cuisine.
Elena’s Greek Armenian Cuisine
Cathy Chaplin

Dinah’s Chicken

4106 San Fernando Rd ste a, Glendale, CA 91204

A classic fried chicken spot that actually invented the paper bucket as a takeaway container, Dinah’s has been immortalized on film in Little Miss Sunshine, but this classic spot was actually famous in Glendale first. The fried chicken meals are a feast for the family, using a classic Southern approach.

4106 San Fernando Rd ste a, Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 244-4188
(818) 244-4188

King's Kitchen

1235 S Central Ave, Glendale, CA 91204

King’s Kitchen takes pride in utilizing organic and local ingredients with a selection of chicken kebabs, there’s also lamb chops, a kobe burger, fish tacos, fantastic sliced and deep-fried potatoes, and grilled branzino in a very welcoming atmosphere.

1235 S Central Ave, Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 649-1333
(818) 649-1333

Glendale Tap

4227 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91204

Open since 2012, Glendale Tap not only has a rotating selection of 52 stouts, IPAs, pale ales, ciders, and more on tap, but typically has a food vendor or two set up in the cozy rear patio.

4227 San Fernando Rd, Glendale, CA 91204
(818) 241-4227
(818) 241-4227

La Cubana Restaurant

801 S Glendale Ave #3, Glendale, CA 91205

In a city where Cuban restaurants are a rare sight, the family operated La Cubana opened in 1973. It’s worth ordering the lechon asado, fricase de pollo, and a delightful oxtail in a spicy tomato sauce.

801 S Glendale Ave #3, Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 243-4398
(818) 243-4398

Pardis Restaurant Glendale

738 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206

In April 2021, Pardis opened its modern and sleek Persian restaurant offering specialties like ghormeh sabzi, koobideh, and beef barg. Don’t miss out on the wine selections from Italy, South Africa, Armenia, France, and Slovenia.

738 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 484-8470
(818) 484-8470
Chicken kebabs with pilaf at Pardis.
Pardis
Wonho Frank Lee

Fish King

722 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206

This Glendale staple opened in 1948 as both a restaurant and fish market. Opt for the charbroiled or fried fish or shrimp and chips, but the secret deal is the hand made sushi that sells out daily.

722 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206
(818) 244-2161
(818) 244-2161

Rockbird

1147 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91205

Christopher Skaf and brother Daniel opened the original Rockbird on Glendale’s Colorado Boulevard in 2017, where the grilled and deep-fried sandwiches are solid, as are the wings, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and a kale tabbouli.

1147 E Colorado St, Glendale, CA 91205
(818) 484-7654
(818) 484-7654
Fried chicken sandwich from Rockbird in Glendale.
Rockbird
Joshua Lurie/Eater LA

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